Jessica Sprague

I'm currently doing a digi class which I received as a Christmas pressie - the teacher is Jessica Sprague and the class is brilliant. Although I'm only still on Week 1 I'm already producing digi layouts I'm pleased with. Anyway Jessica is starting a new class and giving away a free place for those who post their favourite pictures. Well my current favs are these of DS with Barney Bear from school

Oh no

Just as I'm starting to get straight Shimelle brings out a new class. It's so unfair - I can never resist!

Busy busy

I've been busy learning Digi scrapping








































































plus sewing














and even some baking!

Design Team

YAY I'm now on the design team for Faithscrappers :) For entry we had to make a faith based card , I really struggled with this as I'm not really a card maker. Inside it simply states "He Has Risen!"









We also had to produce a faith layout - The text reads "In 1962 my Mum was only 18 when she left her home in Cheltenham and travelled to London to start her training to become a Salvation Army Officer"


I also entered some altered art I made into a fridge magnet -
I used an old diary page as the base. I wanted to highlight the 9th December when I became a Christian plus December was a difficult month at work. By putting this on my fridge I had a daily reminder not to worry plus it reminded me about my faith and that we should put Jesus in the middle.






The final layout I entered was based on a pagemap but I can't share it yet as I'm using the techiques and page as the basis of a class for the Life's Journey Cyber Crop, 27th Feb-1st March.
Here is a small sneak peek

Happy New Year!

Gosh I can't believe I've not blogged since Oct! The end of the year flew by. As usual I over committed myself but I did manage to get everything finished. Once I get access to the camera I'll upload some photos.

This year I've followed Ali E's idea of choosing a word for 2009.
The word I've chosen is 'Peace'

Pronunciation:
\ˈpēs\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree — more at pact
Date:
12th century

1: a state of tranquillity or quiet: as
a: freedom from civil disturbance
b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom a breach of the peace

2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3: harmony in personal relations

4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
— at peace
: in a state of concord or tranquillity

I will be trying to promote this word into my life mentally and spiritually. I think Ali sums it up much better than I can -

"A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."


Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities."

Happy New Year everyone - lets hope it's peaceful and full of possibilities :)

New Class?

Do I really have the time for this? Should I let a free class pass me by? Ooo decisions decisions!

Day 5

Text says "We can not expect a harvest if we are not prepared to sew seeds". Sun flowers are my favourite flowers and always remind me of autumn and harvest time so with the link of sunflower seeds I though this would be a topical picture.

Day 4

We finally have our new PC set up after the old one completely died! So here is Shimelle's Day 4 - it seems I'm going to be be following this a month late :( The text says "It's more blessed to give than receive - we reap what we sow". Behind the pictures is a tag which says "Having bought this class for Carolyn as a secret sister gift, I read a chapter entitled 'Putting Smiles on Faces'. There were definately two extra smile this day!"

Secret sister is something organised on Faithscrappers - all who have signed up share contact details. So out of the blue you may receive a gift, card, tag etc from a secret sister. It's great to receive impromtu gifts knowing someone has sent it just to make you smile. I'm not spoiling the secret here as Carolyn received my details with the class receipt so the secret was out!

Day 3

Today I learnt 'God not only wants to bless me, he wants me to be a blessing to others'. I love this photo taken by Kaptured by Kirsty

Day 2

This was done ages ago but as my home PC is limping and giving up I can't often get it to upload.The learnt bit is 'Not every question has an answer'.

Day 1

As my home PC has a problem I'm already behind uploading - I'm behind on the pages too but I have done 5 so not too much too catch up on.

BUSY

Busy is an understatement for where I find myself. Work and homelife has gone mad - aftermath of holidays I suppose. Plus I have over committed myself on projects (what's new my DH says!).

I've started reading another book which is awesome - here is the internet blurb from Amazon "I Dare You is The Purpose Driven Life, Joyce Meyer style!
Joyce Meyer explains that a life without purpose is a life not worth living. We all need a reason to get up every day. We all need a reason to reach for something beyond ourselves. Over the centuries, millions of people have asked, 'What am I here for? What is my purpose?' The more important question is 'How can I live today?'

Taking responsibility for how we live takes courage. To accept life as it comes to us and to be determined to make the most we can out of it is a big challenge. Joyce challenges her readers to make sure they live their lives with purpose and passion."

I started this the day before Shimelle sent be an email about her latest class - Learn something new every day. As I've already signed up for it before I get to join the re-run free. Well who can resist something for free. So yet another project joins the list - but the timing is prefect as I'm learning so much from this brilliant book.

My Freedom Day 5

Shimelle's Prompt - "How do you prefer the pace of life? Do you wish things would speed up or slow down? Illustrate with something that has been on your mind or on your calendar or share your preference between working slowly or quickly on a crafting project."

I like to be busy, which is lucky as I have too many hobbies and always have a few projects on the go! I really should finish one before starting another. I sometimes like to slow down and just rest and know I should spend more time just chatting with God - but there always seems to be something pulling at me.

Things on my mind! Gosh loads - my financial planning exam at the end of the month (I really should start studying), DD music exams, DS hearing test, plus all the other practicalities of work and home, hobbies - quilts, wall hangings, Christmas hanging, scrapping, card making, unfinished bags, CJ ... to name but a few.

















But it's not all gloom and doom - I have finished DDs quilt

My Freedom - Day 4

Shimelle's prompt "Have you ever been inspired by the words of a poem? Share the poem with your blog readers and tell them how you came to value its words."

Sometime when you’re feeling important;
Sometime when your ego’s in bloom
Sometime when you take it for granted
You’re the best qualified in the room,

Sometime when you feel that your going
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions
And see how they humble your soul;

Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that’s remaining
Is a measure of how you’ll be missed.

You can splash all you wish when you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop and you’ll find that in no time
It looks quite the same as before.

The moral of this quaint example
Is do just the best that you can,
Be proud of yourself but remember,
There’s no indispensable man.

"Indispensable Man" Saxon Uberuaga

I think it's important for us all to have self worth but also a good balance of humility.

I've skipped day 3 as it's the suitcase game and I thought I may as well play this for really when I pack later in the week!

My Freedom - Day 2

Shimelle's blog prompt "If you could travel in time for just one day, where would you go and what would you do?"

I've thought long and hard about this and decided I would like to go to Jirus' house














(picture by Gabriel von Max entitled 'The raising of Jirus' Daughter'.)
I think it would be wonderful to see Jesus, see him perform a miracle and join the celebrations of the family.

My Freedom

I'm motivated and ready to start Shimelle's new class. Hopefully I'll get the kit tomorrow as FIL has bought it for my birthday :).

Shimelle not only provides us with a scrapping prompt each day of the week but a blog prompt too - so give me a big nudge if I don't post daily as I'm obviously getting behind again!

Today's prompt - "We’ll start easy. Post a picture you take from your clock adventure as you look for all the time pieces in your house. Tell your blog readers about this project and you hope to make time for it."

As I usually only get chance to blog whilst at work - here's the best I can do re time pieces!

Time flies ...

I can't believe I've not bloged since January! Loads happened and loads done - though no scrapping! I've been bitten by the patchwork/quilting bug! I'll post some pics when I finally remember how to!

First one down, many to go ...

College inspired by the Winterbella project from T McFayden.

I can't believe I have so much unfinished. It's a real mountain and will take ages to clear.

A fresh start / A new beginning

I'm trying Ali E's idea of a word for the year. I've chosen Serve.

To serve is: To work for; To be a servant; To assist; To meet the requirements of; To be of assistance to or promote the interests of; To work through or complete (a period of service); To give homage and obedience to: served God; To act toward (another) in a specified way.

December 2007 found me finally understanding the massive different between being a believer and being a Christian. Thanks to Rick Warren's book, A Purpose Driven Life and FaithscrappersUK
I am slowly moving forward.

I hope one day I will find I have the strength and grace of this lady. But I still have much to learn.

Happy New Year!

Better late than never eh. I've certainly had an interesting start to the New Year with lots to think about and challenge me.

I have an unstable situation at work atm and I've no idea what the New Year holds on that front.

I've been seriously challenged with how I spend my time with regard to in my hobbies and faith.

I've been reminded how many things I have to be thankful for after reading these blogs Christine and Jody and I wish I had half these ladies strength.

I've put myself on a scrap diet until I've completed all my projects and I mean all my projects (scrapping and non scrapping) including the jumper I started over 12 years ago! I'm only allowing myself to buy stash I really need to complete anything and I've even cancelled my monthly kits.

When I get the time I'll post the list of projects and hopefully this will keep me on track.