National Scrapbook Day! Studio Calico Challenges.

I had a great time today playing in my craft room.  Last evening I set my craft room up so I could have my computer with me. I had a great time taking some challenges from Studio Calico’s blog. Heres the craft room ready to go!

The first layout is for the scrapbook team challenge # 1 “give mixed media a try”.  I used acrylic paint to stamp with my hero arts stamp.  I used other things on other layouts as well. Acrylic paint to paint stamps, and water colors and perfect pearls for some tags. This was the last layout I did for the day. I was quite tired and decided to use monochromatic colors. The story had to be told! It is great news!  ”Lucy Anne”:

Scrapbook challange #2 “break out the button’s”:  Here’s “She’s Arrived”:

Scrapbook challange #3 “by the numbers”:  Here’s “Hello Jaela”:

Project Life team challenge #3 “go transparent”:  Here’s “Girls & Guys”:

The final layout I made friday night.  I used a mask, but I used mist so it doesn’t meet the requirement of Card team challenge #1.  I still want to share it, It is a photo I got from my son’s facebook. It is printed on computer paper and isn’t a great photo quality, but I still love it.  I am going to get some computer help soon so I can get some quality photo’s from my kids. SOON!  Here is the layout.  I got so inspired by Sasha’s sewing, and loved doing it on this layout. “precious”:

I have used 5 different pattern papers on 2 of the layouts above, I loved using the printouts from studio calico on a few. It was a fun and happy day.  I will be away from my scrapping for at least a week as tomorrow I get to go and spend time with grandbaby Jaela and her mom. Her daddy, (our son), has to work. HAPPY ME!

Much grace to you all as you continue on in your daily life. Jesus is Lord!  LUBM   Debbie

Scrap book layouts and “This is ME” title page!

Today I want to show you 2 layouts. I HAVE GREAT NEWS TO SHARE!  A sweet Grand child is “cooking”

In September our second grandchild will be born! We are so happy and anticipating this little one’s arrival! Congratulations Matt and Jenn!  (Our first grandchild will be born in a few days. Our son and his wife are due. A grand baby girl.)

In March I visited my father in Seattle. It was so dear to see him and my family.  We love you daddy!

Finally, In the month of April, I am taking the Studio Calico class making an album “this is ME”.  I initially did not want to take this class as I really don’t think this kind of album is necessary.  My Project Life pretty much is all about me already!  BUT, It is so fun to play with paper….I have so much ‘stuff’ to use up SO, I am enjoying this challenge.  I had so much fun putting together my opening page.

You can enlarge it by clicking on it.  I am waiting for a studio calico hand book as I thought that would be what I would use.  Instead, I remembered this “lush” my minds eye album I had purchased a couple of years ago. I was keeping it to make a special mini book about Jim and I. WELL, this “design” idea came to me while trying to sleep. I loved the idea of beginning with “lists”, words, sentiments that could tell a lot quickly.  I decided to use this mini book album for this project. I played with studio calico mists and mask, Martha Stewart embossing powder, Studio calico wood pieces, Becky Higgins PL card from the olive set. lush gems, Studio calico  class kit. etc.  I had a lot of fun.  Right now I am using glossy accents to coat these chipboard pages to protect as I hope to handle this mini.  I will post again when I am done.

Much grace to all of us as we continue our daily life.  Enjoy Jesus!  He is everything. LUBM   Debbie

Scrapbook layouts Studio Calico February Front Line kit.

I subscribe to Studio Calico for their project life kit.  In February I also bought the “front line” scrapbook kit.  I loved using it to complete 5 layouts of recent pictures.  I watched a video of another subscriber that “kills” her kits each month. Then she enjoys getting another new kit with the challenge again of using it up.  I had so much fun doing the same.  I am not going to subscribe now, as I really, really, really, want to USE my stash up.  I am giving myself a 6 month moratorium of purchasing  scrapbook products. (I will however keep my Project Life sub).  I want to have only a few papers left so I can then budget in this fun way of purchasing a monthly “scrapbook kit gift” to myself.  In September we can see how my paper supply is.  I am hopeful to get to subscribe then for some monthly happy mail.

It was fun to challenge myself to use only the kit products.  In a couple of cases, I did use some other stamps and a piece of cardstock as a base. Mostly these layouts are from the Studio Calico front line kit. After the 5 layouts, I “killed” the kit putting the leftover products in my stash.   It’s fun to see how different the papers can be combined to have a different look.  It also is fun to be done with these papers.  The third photo is of the pieces left…the killed kit.

(I really can’t wait to have my Joy visit.  She can help me arrange my photo’s in the order I want them to be! )

killed kit! front line SC

 

This last layout was a scrap lift from a layout on the Studio Calico blog in February. ( I see a little Amy Tangerine embellishments as well on the first layout.)

I have kept my PL up to date. I am considering posting it, but not convinced I need to.  My book is almost full!  I was hoping to keep it to 2 albums this year. I am not doing very good at keeping my layouts and extras minimal.  I WILL TRY to improve on this. I am just having so much fun filling it up!  We will see.

Much grace to each of you.  Jesus is Lord!  Jesus is OUR Lord!  LUBM       Debbie

Scrapbook layouts

This past weekend I got to attend another 12 hour crop at the Coeurdalene Kroc center. I didn’t stay all 12 hours, but I had a wonderful day being with great crafters. I finished 5 layouts…adding a few things, like sewing, when I returned home. It is so refreshing to remember and even pray for those dear one’s in my life. As I work with the paper and the photos, I am filled with remembrances and prayers.  I thought I would post my layouts.

He is mine!

This was a photo of Jim on the phone at the Seattle airport.  In December, we were headed to Anaheim for the winter training. ( A bible study on the book of Daniel). Here he is, on vacation with me, on the phone to wrap up a project at work.  Well, I knew, he was mine!  I got to be with him 24-7 from this moment on for a beautiful time together. He is mine!

In January, Jim was in Europe for a couple of weeks, assisting with distributing christian books to seeking people. He also got to visit with Joy.  She is our youngest daughter finishing up her schooling in Dusseldorf Germany. During that time, I got to spend a little bit of time with Jenn our oldest daughter, and these other dear friends.

Finally, I made a layout about my struggles with my “thinning hair” .  It has been a quiet struggle (Of course Jim has been in on it with me as I don’t really struggle quietly! )  I think I am ready to accept this ??!! My pretty thick long curly hair days are over.

I have many other photos to play with and will post those when I am able.  I am filling my Project Life album, but also love to make 12×12 layouts.  We will see how it will go.  We have a wedding in the Seattle area soon for my nephew, and I also get to see my sisters and my daddy.  A busy happy time.

Much grace to each of you. Enjoy Jesus today. He is everything!  LUBM    Debbie

Hearts! Scrapbook Layout

Know the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ

I collect hearts. I have considered this a lot recently. February is a month where you find hearts everywhere. I am not one who celebrates Mr. Valentine’s hallmark events. ( I did, however, get chocolates and a beautiful pink azalea last evening from my dear husband.) I love my heart, I love the Lord’s heart, and I consider everyone’s heart. It is the entrance and exit of Life. Physically it is so, Even more so spiritually. OUR HEART is the place created to be the LORDS HOME!

When I was around 5 years of age, my momma was helping Deanna and I get ready for bed. We sat on a white vinyl couch facing our momma. She was sitting at the foot of our bed across from us. She was once again telling us of Jesus’s love for us. She asked if we wanted to ask Jesus into our hearts. We prayed with her. We invited Jesus to come into our hearts to make his home there. I remember that time vividly. I was regenerated with the Lords life.

As a child I loved that Jesus lived in my heart. At 17 years of age, I began to seek to know the Lord, and His will for my life. I have many stories to tell. I won’t tell them all! I left home for college. Went from Nebraska to Spokane WA. to attend Nursing school. I lived at Gonzaga U’s dorms but commuted to my school.

A verse was shared with me that supplied me during these college years. “Guard thy heart above all that though guardest, for out of it are the issues of life.”

In college, in my 20′s-30′s, in our marriage, motherhood, raising our 3 dear children, and even now in my 50′s, retired. GUARD thy heart. I am caring for my physical heart. I am also spiritually continuing to learn to take care of my heart. It is the entrance and exit of LIFE. Each day turning my heart anew to the Lord. Appreciating His cleansing me. Loving His presence, His joy, and His glory. I have many “glory” moments of enjoying Jesus!

Much love to each of you! May Jesus FILL your heart! May we Know the knowledge surpassing love of Christ! May TODAY be full of turning our heart to the Lord! Much grace. Debbie. LUBM

Project Life

I wanted to share my last 2 weeks of January’s Project Life.  I am trying to keep my months simple and small, BUT…  I have so much fun keeping little bits of my life.  Here are the last 2 weeks. I photographed these a few days ago, and have added a few things to these layouts, but the stories remain the same.

I love winter! I love the beauty of the sky. The warmth of coats,hats, and gloves. Sparkling icy branches. Actually, all this “cold”, just reminds me warm hugs.  The picture on the right is a postcard I got in Amsterdam last year. It is a picture of a dutch artists rendition of a winter day in a village in Holland in the 1700′s.  I loved this painting. I felt again the winter delight I feel. I was glad to find a place for this postcard in my project life.

Mary Engelbreight is one of my favorite artists. I get her calendar every year. I LOVE the ‘stories’ she tells.  Pages of last years calendar are often in my PL album.  The page on the right are photo’s of my brother and his family’s visit to see my father.  These are txt photos sent to me. I didn’t get to see them, but sure loved seeing their reunion!  My father is in the end stages of Alzheimer.  He loves everyone, I know even if he doesn’t remember, he feels our love to him.

This final photo is of my Daughters, and my son in law.  I am planning a project to make a crafty family tree!  I will post it when I do it!  I asked each of my children to send me a recent photo that they loved.  Joy is finishing up her computer science degree in Dusseldorf University.  She had a friend take some photo’s of her.  She is beautiful inside and out.  Jennifer and Matt….also beautiful, live in the Seattle area.  A great photo of them on the beach.  My dear son, hasn’t responded yet to my request, I am sure he will soon.

I did some embossed stamping.  Clear embossing powder then using Tim Holz inks, I added some greens and blues to the card stock making my own patterned paper.  Some washy tape as a border, and some punched embellishments finished this simple layout.

I am using my stash plus Studio Calico’s Project Life kit this year.  Becky Higgins is the creator of this style of memory keeping and I would encourage you to visit her web site to understand Project Life and to see her products.

Tomorrow we begin another month!  My how time fly’s.   I hope to continue to share my style of PL with you.  It’s very flexible and can be anything you want. MUCH GRACE be with each of you as you go through your day’s.  LUBM   Debbie

PROJECT LIFE

I guess I will say WELCOME BACK DEBBIE!  It has been 6 months since I have written a blog post!  I am doing well. I am stronger swimming 6 hours a week. I am just now beginning gentle yoga and LOVE IT!  Pain control and pleasant relaxing…who wouldn’t love it!  I have continued reading many of my favorite blogs.  I hope this summer to get some help from my daughter, who is soon to be a computer scientist. I am still so unable to do simple computer skills.  I do feel to continue to try, and will begin today to share with you my favorite hobby.

I love to scrap book! Project life has been a system I have used for 3 years. I am again continuing this AWESOME way of memory keeping.  I appreciate Becky Higgins, the creator of this system, and would encourage any one of you to visit her blog and to purchase her products. They are beautiful and so efficient to use.

This year, 2013, I am purchasing my PL (project life) kits through studio calico. I have so much scrapbooking stash but do love to get some new “toys” pretty often. This monthly kit makes me smile. SC (studio calico) has joined with Becky Higgins and are now able to produce  this PL kit!

I am going to show you first how I once again rearranged my craft room to facilitate PL in my life. I purchased a 4 foot folding table at Costco. It is set up to be counter height. I can stand and work on my layouts, and also can sit at my desk to do my stamping etc.  It has been a great L shaped arrangement. When I have guests, its simple to put my PL away in my craft room closet.  I love that I have that extra table space to work. I also like that my PL is open and ready. I am finding I can just go in and do a few minutes any time I want. Its so great to have it always out and ready.

 

WELL I got the pictures on here! The Last Photo is a shot of the table and its arrangement. (I wanted that one first with a space between the photos! Oh well!)  My craft area is so functional as I can reach everything that I use as I work. With the extra work space it is now PERFECT.  The first two photos show you how I have arranged my PL products. The red tote holds my scrap paper that I have cut into 4×6, 3×4 sizes to use as needed. the other cards are left overs from the last 3 years kits. At the very front I keep my SC kit. The clear container holds some of my embellishments that I use for PL. The empty (darling) kleenex container is my “trash bin” near where I work!

My craft room arrangement is on an earlier post.

These next photos are of my title page for 2013. I do PL by month. I do not do it daily. I just make layouts as life goes on. This year January will have a lot of layouts as I share my goals and plans for the year. Any time my kids are here, I always have many photos to share. There is no order (other than chronological by month). My sister looked at my albums and said, “Debbie, this is like a diary or journal”.  Yes it is.  Also, full of lovely photos. I still post many Mary Engelbriet pictures from my calandars. They always add to my story.

 

Thats it folks!  My Project Life for January. There may be another page later, but the next event for me will be early February.  A baby shower for our first grand baby! That will be so much fun and I am not sure how many pages that will take!

Have a wonderful day. Enjoy our dear Lord Jesus. HE IS EVERY THING!    Debbie    LUBM