Mismatched Meditations On Me

** this is a long photo heavy post!**

So if you'll remember last month (April) we got to play with the lovely Lily Bee Design papers as part of our Color Me Daisy kit...well low and behold Lily Bee is having a mini album contest! I had so much fun using them in the kit I decided I needed to get some more and make a mini album...I mean these papers (French Couture) are soo my style! Aged, worn, but still bright and colorful...Love them! I decided to just make my own mismatched mini album and utalize both sides of this lovely paper rather than using a pre-made album. When I was done I just used my Bind it All to finish it up!

Meditations On Me:
mundane to meaningful


I cut one of the mini die cut papers and then stitched around it to make the "grid" pattern on the front cover.

Mundane Love:
Some random and possibly boring things about me...
1. I could eat Orange Julius made with Sucanat everyday...(yes I have been called a health food geek before...)
2. I have read Jane Eyre no less than 5 times (could be more) and will be reading it again...soon.
3. I (heart) me some old junk!!! (but we'll call it "vintage" to make it sound cooler!)


4. I am totally and completely ADDICTED to scrapbooking!
And the little hearts pull out to reveal some hidden journaling.
Totally Random Scrappin Favs!
1. Aged/Vintage
2. Inking and distressing (it's an illness...I just can't help myself!)
3. Punches
4. Glossy Accents
5. Journaling to people



{Confession}
~I'm selfish. I know it's one of my biggest sins.
~ Sometimes I wonder if I would be a better mother if I didn't scrapbook...I think maybe I should pack it all up and say goodbye until you're all grown...but I don't.
~I sometimes buy candy and then hide it so I don't have to share. (told you I was selfish!)
~I really love using cloth diapers and I don't even mind washing them out...I just REALLY wish Kessa would at least TRY to use the potty!!!
~Sometimes I have junk food for lunch after the littles are down for their naps.
~ I get rather offended when people assume my children were born well behaved and write off how much hard work went into it.


I made the ruffles and the "bow" that I tied through the button out of Lily Bee papers.
I used a MM template to make this envelope.
When I first started thinking about doing a mini around the theme "Just Be Me" I had a million and one ideas running through my head...and then, at some point, I realized I had so many ideas because I knew who I was!! Ten years ago I couldn't have said that...I hated who I was...even though I wasn't sure who that was! God rescued me from that and over the past ten years He has taught me to joyfully find my identity in Him. In the unique person He created me as, from the things I love, to my failures, to the people in my life He has blessed me with. I praise God for opening my eyes to His thousands upon ten thousand blessings in my life and allowing me to say "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 05.29.09


I truly wouldn't be the person I am without the special people in my life...
and yes, that's a picture of baby Grace's foot in the lower left corner...all the ultrasound pictures of her face were too big! lol

Additional Products used: Stampin' Up Felt Flowers, MM felt and paper flowers, Pink Paislee Rub Ons, Jenni Bowlin Pearl flowers, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, EK Success Parisian Punch, AC Remarks and Thickers, Kaiser pearls, Stampin' Up Barely Bannana, Only Orange and Close to Cocoa inks, Maya Road chipboard, Ranger Glossy Accents, Prima flowers, Stampin Up Bouquet of Blossoms punch, Stampin Up Spiral Punch, Hambly Rub on, vintage buttons and trims, Jenni Bowlin letter chipboard, Bind it All

Playtime Fun

So I had sooo much fun playing with the June kit from Scrap-Tastic (which is very appropriately named, Playtime Fun!) I just thought I'd drop in and share the rest of the LOs and cards (yes, I made cards!!!) that I made using it.
Honestly when I got my package and saw these little felt birds (they're part of this month's Kit Members Related Product Special) I thought, "Those are SOOO cute, but I have NO IDEA how I'll use them!" I'm totally not usually a bird person, but they just sorta fell together perfectly with this LO, didn't even plan it, they just showed up! lol. Zeke is in that picture too, he's just hard to see, Tim is carrying him.


Some simple little cards I made using up scraps...this kit was totally diverse in what styles you could come up with!
and finally a girly LO...of my Beautiful Girl. I cut the Bazzill scalloped paper and then used it half and half. The tiny pictures are from the index print that came with the order of pictures and um...I totally LOVE Prima burlap!!! (it's layered behind the picture.)

Happy Memorial Day!

Hi everyone...just popping in to say Happy Memorial Day!!! Thank you to all those who have, are or will serve our country. God bless you.

And because we have to have pictures...a few more LOs with the Playtime Fun kit from Scrap-tastic.


I just love this picture of Zeke! I used some scrap paper from the May kit that I had punch circles out of as a mask and then sprayed orange Maya Mist to make the bg paper. There is journaling on the arrow and then of course lots of inking and distressing!
and a sweet LO of my hubby and son cuddling...and I have to confess this is the first time I have ever used flowers on a "guy" lo!!!

Layout Love

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend!!! I just thought I'd pop in and share a few Scrap-tastic June LOs with you.


Ok, well...thanks to blogger and it's weird quirks apparently you'll just be enjoying ONE LO tonight instead of two!. These are pictures of my DS and my brother that were taken on Mother's day...and the background cardstock is orange Bazzill Bling, I'm not sure why it photographed so weird!

Nasal Talking and Some Sneaks

Well I know, and YOU know, that we aren't supposed to pick our noses.

But how did we learn this?

By our mother's telling us not to over and over again. So without further ado, for your reading enjoyment, part two of Nasal Talk with Kessa.


(setting: changing table in the midst of a cloth diaper change this AM in the Johnson home)
Me: Kessa, PLEASE don't pick your nose.
Kessa: But there's a cheesebooger and french fries up there!!!
Me: Nothing. I stand there dumbfounded. Who am I to argue with free food?!?!? he! he!



In other news this little boy took a bad tumble this evening and had a nasty run in with the edge of the coffee table. He seems to be fine but when he went to bed it looked like the coffee table had definetly beaten the tar out of him. I'll try and get picks tomorrow. (because what self-respecting scrapper would skip a photo of a head injury?!)

And finally...some sneaks of the Scrap-Tastic June kit. I designed this kit and I'm having a BLAST playing with it!!!

Got a Minute?

Then go vote for my friend Joyce! Yup, this is a shameless plug. She's trying to win this amazing desk. Now, I know you would LOVE one and so would I, so why not take a minute and help her get one?

Just go here and vote for contestant number 303. This is what her project looks like, isn't it cute?!?!

RAK-a-Day-in-May

Have you all been commenting? If not there's still time! Today was my day for the blog post over at Color Me Daisy. You've got until tomorrow morning to stop by and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for today's RAK.

You can also see the rest of this mini album I made for my mom for Mother's day. It's full of great quotes by Augustine about finding your joy in Christ.

cherish THIS time.

I know it's happened to you. I know it has because it happens to me ALL the time. We get caught up in the business that is life...especially life with littles...and we forget. We forget that they REALLY are only like this for the blink of an eye. We forget that funny thing she said yesterday. We forget how full our hearts were after getting up in the middle of the night to rock him back to sleep. We forget that God created us to guide them to Him...not to mop the floor or cook the dinner or fold the laundry.

And then we get reminded. In a beautiful way. (click the image to be reminded)

WOW!!!!

Soo...umm....this sounds sooo wonderful!!!!
Jenni Bowlin is teaching an on-line class!!!!! I held my breathe the whole time the page was loading...I was sooooo hoping it would be something I could swing, but for the time being it's more than I can swing, so if any of you are taking it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know so I can live vicariously through you!!! hehe

Here's the description from Big Picture Scrapbooking:

Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent
Learning how the past can open the door to a new creative lifestyle.

Where do you find unexpected inspiration? Do you drive past white barns with peeling paint and feel the need to create? Maybe inspiration comes while rummaging through your grandmother's old costume jewelry or browsing through booths at the flea market? Do your collections inspire your creations? Is there a way to use the things you collect and are inspired by to create one-of-a-kind art?

Join Jenni Bowlin on this inspirational 12 week course that will take you through her creative processes, ultimately leading you to a greater understanding of what makes you tick creatively. Through projects, creative challenges, and field trips, you will not only be inspired, but motivated (there is a difference)! Inspiration serves no purpose if you don't know how to use it, so this class will show you how to use your inspiration! Get ready to turn in your permission slip and embark with Jenni on this creative journey that will surely take your next memory project to a whole new level.

Jenni Bowlin is the Co-Owner/Creative Director of Jenni Bowlin Studio, a manufacturer of papercrafting products with a vintage "fresh" attitude. She authored Timeless Techniques in 2003, and her work has also been published in many magazines, including Creating Keepsakes, Better Homes and Gardens, Scrapbooks Etc., Family Circle, Country Living, and Mary Engelbriet's Home Companion. Jenni is an accomplished papercrafts teacher, traveling to stores and major events both nationally and internationally.

This class is for someone who wants to incorporate elements of vintage style into her scrapbooking and into her everyday life. If you want to develop an eye for finding treasures at flea markets and tag sales, then you'll enjoy learning from Jenni's expertise. Scrapbookers seeking creative inspiration will benefit from Jenni's wisdom and guidance.

*yawn*

So...it's totally bed time for me. I'm sooo tired! However baby Grace is wide awake and kicking at the moment so I thought I'd just pop in and share a LO I did of her sister a while back that never got posted.

I did this during the last crop over at Noel Mignon. It was for a challenge hosted by Virginia (who I just might have a slight scrappy crush on...)


credits: papers - MM 8x8 love papers, Prima I think Flirty Little Secret, Lily Bee Die cut, old papers from a vintage poetry book, Accessories- Prima flowers, Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday note card, vintage buttons and lace, Pink Paislee alphas, SU Close to Cocoa ink, MM edge distresser, ribbon from stash.

The Kessakins

So yesterday while Zeke was taking his morning nap I convinced Kessa to let me put on her Easter dress and go outside and take some pictures (finally! I've been wanting to do this since I realized I didn't get any good ones of her on Easter!) So I thought I would share some of the fruits of my labor. I took a crazy lot of photos and...umm...yea, I'm pretty sure these are the best two! lol



And a funny little story (just so you don't go away thinking I have a little lady on my hands or anything...)

After observing Kessa staring at her finger and then all around on the floor:

Daddy: What are you looking for Kessa?

Kessa: I lost the thing I found in my nose!

Ewwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gross I know...but it sure made me laugh when Dh was recounting it to me!

We Now Return to our Regularly Scheduled Posting

Wow...I can't believe how long its been since I posted! Sorry about that...I was doing such a good job of keeping up too. I do however have a good excuse. Friday night my FIL was in a bad car wreck and then I was sick all weekend and DH was out of town. So that's my excuse. No energy. No motivation to do even what HAD to be done much less anything extra!

I've got a fun post with all my new storage goodies in the work but it's not quite ready yet so I thought instead I'd just leave you with a LO I did with the Happiness Kit from Color Me Daisy. When I saw this kit I knew it was bright and fun but then as I continued playing with it I discovered that it had a softer side too.

Food Inc.

Wow!!! So...I'm very excited about this...like almost giddy. (I know, I know...I'm a nerd!) Anyway...this looks like its probably going to be one of those watch at your own risk type movies...in that you probably won't WANT to eat what you usually do after watching it!

Here's the trailer...in THEATERS June 12. Enjoy!!! heheheh

More Soon

Just popping in to say I'll have more soon. We got this bad boy in the mail today and we're currently moving a ton of stuff around the it's making the computer SLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. However...the end result will be lots more room and hopefully a FASTER computer!!! W OOHOO!!!!

Have a great rest of your Wednesday...I'll see you tomorrow! :)

Happiness

I'm totally enjoying this book by John Piper. The sub-title is "God's Triumphant Grace in the lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin" I just had to share the quote by Augustine that I read today. Color Me Daisy is having a "Happiness" challenge and this jumped off the pages of the book at me because he's so right. This is what happiness is.

Augustine says, "You yourself O God are their joy. Happiness is to rejoice in You and for You and because of You. This is true happiness and there is no other."

I challenge you to meditate on that thought next time you're temped to let the little things in life stress you out or make you lose your cool. God has ordained those things...more than likely so that you will find your ultimate joy in Him.

More Craftiness!

Hey Ladies! How are you on this Sunday evening? I'm about beat but I still have some things to mark off my to-do list before I can sit down and relax.

Anyway, I've been having some fun scrapping over at Noel Mignon (and using my BEAUTIFUL Color Me Daisy Kits for May!) and I just thought I'd pop in and share what I've been working on.
This is my mom when she was 1!!!! Isn't she a cutie pie?!?!
My menu binder. I have just a simple written weekly menu on the fridge, but in my binder I have all the recipes I need for each day of the week and a list of what we're having that day, any prep I need to do and then any prep I need to do for the next day too (because I soak almost all my grains and things now before cooking with them.) I'm loving how this binder is working out!
Melt my heart...I love pictures of tiny baby hands with big loving man hands!!! I'll add the journaling that's on this one because even if you click on it you probably won't be able to read it because it's so dark. It says, " I love that you have an earthly daddy that you love and trust and feel safe and secure with because it will make it so much easier for you to trust your Heavenly Father."
and a close up of the frame.

Rak-a-Day

Hey gals!!! Just popping in to remind you all about the Rak-a-Day-in-May going on over at Color Me Daisy. All you have to do is stop by the blog and leave a comment each day and you'll be entered in the RAK draw for that day! Michelle has some great prizes and we're also having a month long crop!!! New challenges will be posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can check out all the deets here.

Free Meat!

I know most of you follow this blog just for the crafts, so if that's the case just disregard this post. However I know some of my friends will be interested in this. U.S. Wellness Meats, in conjunction with the No GMO Challenge is giving away a $100 gift certificate! You can check out all the details here.