ClubScrap PSL 2012 #2-3

week 3 challenge - FIBER!

(makeup week 2 challenge - ART MEDIA)

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credits: Sorrento digi-kit from ClubScrap (July2012)
fonts - Existence, La Jolla ES
 featuring...McClintock PhotoGraphics

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Isaiah 40:31

My Life is in HIS Hands

I've had 3 'major' life adjustments where health events have 'altered' my life. Through it all, my Lord & Savior has been there and made HIS presence known in a miraculous way. Before, during & after, HE continues to be my Rock & Salvation. I'm going to briefly share about 2 of them.

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The 1st occurred in Dec 1994—when I suddenly lost the hearing in my right ear. I was devastated... bursting into tears, I cried out to my Lord... "what am I going to do?!??!? music is my life!" HE answered immediately and quite clearly, "No, 'I AM' your life. Music is just a tool I've given you." And throughout the remaining years of my music ministry, HIS strength was made perfect in my weakness.

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The 2nd event was in Feb 2009—when I was exposed to horrendous levels of latex and plastics chemicals through an accidental microwave fire that melted & burned a plastic food dish. You can read about this more in an older post about that event. I suffered recurrent anaphylaxis for 8 full days (and countless doses of epinephrine (epi-pen & epi-inhaler) and very high dose benadryl, etc). My husband says I almost died twice during that time. The ambulance came twice and I was taken to ER once... but they were NOT able to help me. This is the week that "traditional" medicine (BOTH doctors & drugs) failed me and a couple of dear friends directed me towards a couple of professionals who counseled and brought advanced nutritional therapy & homeopathic remedies into my life. That's another story in & of itself. What I wanted to share with you about this terrible event that catapulted me into further isolation & drastically increased the severity of my disabilities (NRLA & MCS)... when my brain was non-functioning... couldn't even complete a sentence... my speech was uncontrollably choppy... I'd start to say something, getting a few words out... and in the difficulty of speaking those few words would immediately forget what I was saying. I couldn't do anything for myself. The brain fog was overwhelming... nerve & joint pain horrible... lack of coordination & balance frightening... all happening in conjunction with the recurring anaphylaxis. It also triggered a pretty bad flareup of my chronic Lyme Disease. Typing went to the birds... my letters were getting all mixed up as I typed (like dyslexia on steroids! like the word puzzles...), my fingers began taking over... typing words that I was 'not' thinking or using (so strange that I can't even think of any examples!). Twice during that time period, I forgot "HOW" to type and there was one time I forgot "HOW" to play the piano (THAT was really scary!!!). However, with all that was going on in my body & brain (or lack thereof... many brain cells died during that event) -- there was one phrase that remained steadfast, in its entirety, throughout the entire time (and beyond!). I know for a fact, beyond any shadows or doubts, that the LORD put it there and sustained it during that whole ordeal. Even now, HE frequently brings it to mind, along with the memory that I'm alive because of HIS divine intervention! This is the phrase that kept me going...

"Only what's done for Christ will last!"

My prayer for you is that you will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And if you already know HIM, may your faith be strengthened and encouraged in some way this day.

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JESUS - There's Something About That Name

credits: John 3:16 kit by MagsGraphics

Sheet Music excerpt of There's Something About That Name by Gaithers

photo by janieinMN "Rainbow Reflections", Pine River MN

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Isaiah 40:31

Cubbie Alert!!!

Facebook is a great way to connect with not only friends & family, but the digital-scrapbooking community. DeDe Smith (DesignZ by DeDe) posted an event that's taking place today at her blog  - Easy Peasy Challenge. I've been following the precious little cubbies at Jewel the Black Bear's den cam (see links below) and this was a fun way to scrap the snapshots I took yesterday of those cute critters... also added a couple from February. They were born Jan 22, 2012 and are my new 'addiction' :-)

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credits: screen snapshots by janieinMN - Jewel's Black Bear Den Cam

*North American Bear Center – www.bear.org
*Wildlife Research Institite – www.bearstudy.org

DSD 2008 Treasure Hunt by DesignZ by DeDe

http://designzbydede.blogspot.com/
font - Sherwood

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HUGE fan of the North American Bear Center and the Wildlife Research Institute's bear study :-)

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Jewel's cubbies:  http://bear.org/livecams/jewel-den-cam.php

A long-term study of black bear ecology and behavior is being conducted by the Wildlife Research Institute http://www.bearstudy.org near Ely, Minnesota, less than 30 miles from the Canadian border.

You can visit the Bear Center's website to watch the live cam feeds and learn more about the history of each bear. Please, consider making a donation at http://www.bear.org to help with this incredible research program.

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Isaiah 40:31

Digi-SB Inspiration -- my puppy!!

Some fun digi-challenges can be found in the digital-scrapbooking world. Most digi-SB stores have forums (most require you to register before you can access). Many of the challenges have links to free font downloads, or free mini-kits to use to complete the challenge, or color swatches to use, etc. I found this one over at Stuff to Scrap's forum this morning and it gave me instant inspiration (kit TITLE and colors!). I call it... 

Keiko's Coon

 credits: Stuff to Scrap challenge - Feb2012 Use It or Lose It

using Wild Things addon by Meagan's Creations

font - Schindler

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Isaiah 40:31

Where Did Time Go??

I didn't realize it's been SO long since posting. I have a few layouts from June/July to upload, but time just got away from us. It was a busy summer and now it's even busier!! 

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June -- job interview in IL, visited family in MI

July -- roger emergency hospitalization with epiglotitis (life-threatening emergency), recovery (MANY thanks to dear friend Melissa who immediately flew out to help me. major plumbing repair (ABS piping failed kitchen drain). started getting backyard fence estimates.

August -- 4-day weekend vacation to Ely MN. wall repair & painting from plumbing job.

September -- week vacation in the Black Hills of SD followed by pickup of NEW PUPPY!!

October -- birthday & anniversary, and busy, busy, BUSY potty-training puppy!! visit from Mom & Dad :-)

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KEIKO DAKOTA

 born 7/30/11, joined our family 9/25/11-- here she is at 11 1/2 weeks

her name's meaning:

KEIKO (japanese for "blessing")

DAKOTA (native american for "friend")

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Isaiah 40:31

Catching Up 1 - challenges

Challenges from Oct-Dec 2010

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I'm not Sleepy!

  Isn't our grandson, Jaden, simply adorable?? We sure think so!!

 credits: Dream A Little Dream kit from Scrapper's Guide

font - SU Little Lamb

 

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 credits: WA challenge at theStudio

kits by MagsGraphics - Jack & Sunshine Beach

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 credits: WA challenge at theStudio

kits by MagsGraphics - Zoo Spirit, Sunflower Patch & Summer Garden Seeds

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 credits: WA challenge at theStudio

Good Times kit by Red Ivy Designs

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Isaiah 40:31

July DigiSB Challenges!

Layouts I did for the July challenges over at Digitals.

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Celebrate Friends

credits: Digitals Calendar Challenge

Sea 2 Sea kit by Amanda Thordersen

WA challenge (kimberkatt)

fonts - Callistroke & CK Lovenotes

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Abigail at Beach

credits: Digitals Ad Challenge

Sweet Summer Sun by Alessandra Designs

font - CK Jessica

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r-j LOVE 

credits: Digitals Designer Elements Challenge

Lavender Sweet Pea addon by Carena

I Cor 13:7 Wordart by Sally's Angelworks

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r-j Michigan

 credits: Digitals Sketchy Details Challenge

Remembering kit by Amanda Thordersen

font - CF Frankfort

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Isaiah 40:31

June DigiSB Challenges!

I'm so far behind in blogging, that I'm going to lump many similar layouts together. This post is focusing on challenges from Digitals & theStudio. I hadn't participated in the challenges at Digitals since Oct09 (it was a very rough winter). If you've been keeping up with my blog, you'll know that I was very excited to discover a WordArt challenge over at theStudio (formerly Stone Accents Studio) that I look forward to every month since it began Feb10.

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In June, I had urgent incentive to do the challenges because I liked the bonus kit so much... had to get as many pieces to it as I could... loved the colors & theme! So, without further delay -- here are the layouts I did in June & July (broke my record for # layouts in a single month since I began digi-scrapping in Dec08!

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Sweet Abigail

This is the little sweetheart premie that was born at 26 weeks to some friends of ours. What a joy it's been to pray for her and see miracles happen! Be sure to watch for the layout of her 1st day at the beach!!!

credits:

Digitals Sketchy Challenge - dedesmith 6/10 

Digitals Scripture Challenge - Word Art by Glenda Ketcham 6/10

Lewisham kit by Amanda Thorderson 5/10

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Summertime Bovines

Some fun pictures taken at a farm we passed on a scenic drive in Wisconsin.

 credits:

Digitals Scrap Therapy Challenge - PhotoMask by Amanda Thorderson 6/10 

Digitals Scripture Challenge - Wordart by Glenda Ketcham 6/10

theStudio Color Challenge - Summer Sunset kit by Monika Designs 6/10

Treasured Memories by Amanda Thorderson (flower)

Remembering by Amanda Thorderson (ribbon)

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Wild Feathers

Quite a story behind this one -- we were at our favorite nature walking trail and while I was taking pics of a mother duck & her ducklings, my hubby spotted the Eagle and shouted "did you see that?". We took photos as quickly as we could and between the two of us, I was able to recreate the story in this layout... using Blue Eyes addon by Alice at Red Ivy Designs.

credits:

Blue Eyes AddOn kit by Alice -Red Ivy Designs

fonts: SF Alexa, SU Carefree 

original photography by rjs/janieinMN

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Engaged!

credits: 

Digitals iChallenge - Vintagely Weathered by Juliana Gordon

Fonts - Signboard, SU Harry Paul

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Gooseberry Falls 2007

credits: 

Digitals Designer Elements Challenge - kit by Silvia Romeo 6/10

Digitals It's Only Words Challenge - Wordart by Kathryn Estry 6/10

Font - ShelleyAllegro BT

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Ethan's 1st Birthday!

credits: Digitals Ad Challenge

America's Inauguration kit by Amanda Thorderson

Font - Grinched

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Grandsons' Skyping!!

Our 1st skyping adventure with our grandsons -- Ethan had just developed an ear infection so he was much quieter than usual... Jaden seemed facinated by the computer video :-)

credits:Citrus Crush by Amanda Thorderson 

Digitals Calendar Challenge - June2010 

Fonts - CK Shannon

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credits:

June10 WordArt challenge by Kimberkatt at theStudio

Mr Organizer kit by Kathryn Estry

and, that's all for now folks!

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Isaiah 40:31

more WordArt!

Space Cadets by janieinMN

This has got to be my absolute favorite challenge -- it gets me into "gear" almost instantly -- inspiration hits and wala! a tutorial has turned into a creative WA to use on one of my scrapbook layouts (albums open and pics are selected to be scanned for this one). It's using a kit from MagsGraphics called "Space Case". As soon as it was released I knew I just ad to scrap it! We have pics of the boys at the Museum of Science & Industry with the space suits and pics from a trip to NASA (next to where my Air Force dad used to work). For this particular challenge I noticed others were changing the words to go with their layouts... inspiration struck.... use Mags kit!.... aha!! "Space Cadets"!

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Be sure to check out this wonderful tutorial challenge -- you'll learn various techniques (normally hidden to the average person using PSE for photo-editing) that are super cool... and if you print the challenge, you'll have a reference for the next time you want to do it (like I needed for the stroking which was from the 1st lesson). WordArt challenge at theStudio

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Here's the fun, fun, FUN kit I used...

other credits: fonts used -- Tristan & SU Kelly

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Isaiah 40:31

Another WordArt Challenge

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with shadows

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The Studio has done it again -- this is the 2nd month in a new challenge called Decorate your Wordart. Kimberkatt provides awesome tutorials and tips. Last month was "how to color fill and add stroke for sticker effect". This month it was "how to clip paper to wordart" (similar to masking). SO MUCH FUN!!

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credits: "Cocktail Dress" kit by Red Ivy Design, 
Kimberkatt's WA challenge & Heart Brushes by Hawksmont

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Isaiah 40:31

Valentine Inspiration

Afternoon Romance

What better inspiration than Valentine's Day approaching, desire to make special "card" for hubby and memories of our trips to the MN North Shore (Lake Superior) with its many waterfalls & lighthouses. This layout is obviously about the waterfalls :-)

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I joined a challenge over at SAS (Stone Accents Studio, newly named "Digital Scrapbooking Studio"... "theStudio" for short). It was a new WordArt challenge that provided the text/font stuff and gave tutorial (step-by-step instructions) on how to turn it into WA. This challenge began with learning how to turn it into a "sticker"... by using the stroke feature under editing. It was SO exciting to learn something new that did so much! Better yet, to be able to "remember" it and use it again in this layout with the alphabet title and the little hearts used as photo anchors.

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Well -- the card never got made... BUT, I completed 4 layouts in only 2 days! (two of them were double-pg spreads). Techniques used included: stroke, masking, layering, drop shadows (another NEW thing for me -- SO fun!!! makes those elements pop off the page, giving it a 3D look), designed an overlay!, varying opacity, etc.

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Not only did I have my sweetheart & Valentine's for inspiration, but I was working with some absolutely AWESOME kits from Alice. Then there was a very special layout of memories with the boys & video games. It was TONS of fun searching for those pictures of the "then" ... and of course, even though I had "recently" seen some... there were some key pics that couldn't be found this time around. But, you can see a distinctive difference between the video games of the past and the Wii games of now. When the layout was done, it was still crying out for something... I just wasn't sure whether it would make it too busy or not. So, I went for it -- calling my youngest son who was the game guru (saved his money to buy his 1st game machine, and the next, and the one after that... )... ended up getting a memory refresher on the names of our favorite games from both him & my honey. And off to the screen & PSE5 I went (the next day) to make a "game name overlay" which I then placed on the background layers. It added just the right touch for dimension AND personalized it. I'll show you the before & after pics.

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But, before I show you more layouts, here's the kit I used for the MN North Shore above:

 

credits: Afternoon Romance kit by Alice at Red Ivy Designs and font: SF-Alexa

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 Happy Valentine's

 

 This is my "card" to my hubby—as you can see, the card turned into a full digi-SB layout. And my 2nd attempt (the MN North Shore) ended up being a "double-page" layout! Oh well!!

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This Valentine themed kit was the color challenge over at "theStudio"—"Sending Love" kit by Monika Digital Designs. other credits: font - SF-Alexa & poem written by janieinMN.

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And here's the fun "then versus now" about video games. . .

Video-Wii?—Then vs Now!

 

and here's it before adding my "game name overlay"

and here's the SUPER FUN kit I used—"Game On" by MagsGraphics 

 other credits: game name Overlay by janieinMN & font: SU Pittipat

The links shown for both Alice & Mags will take you to their blogs—there you'll find the links to their stores!

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Isaiah 40:31

Who do I look like?

Like Mother-Daughter

1939ish and 1961—"approximately" 4 years old

During my teen years and beyond, I took great pride in looking like my Dad—it was at times my only connection to him. However, in unearthing some prized OLD family photos... it didn't take long for me to remember that my baby pictures had looked like my mom's baby pics (just like our 2nd son's baby & toddler pics looked like me). Recently, my mom told me that although I now looked like my dad... as a young girl I had looked very much like her. Well, having these treasures (currently in my possession), I began searching for a picture of me on my bike (right)... the same approx age as my mom (left). "Where's the bike?" you may ask. It's in a different picture! Both pics I had of me on my tricycle had either my face looking down or looking away—neither of which would accomplish the purpose of this layout. The greatest kick I get out of these photos, is that we even have the same expression!

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I don't know about you, but in my teen years my mom & I did not get along well at all! Now, I can say she's one of my best friends and I consider her friendship a prized treasure—one of the "jems" in my life! This layout is dedicated to her :-)

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credits: (left) "Forever Mine" mini-kit by Bianca at Project B Designs

(right) "Pink Love" kit-sampler by Graziela Mendes

Scripture wordart by Glenda Ketcham (Sept09 Scripture challenge at Digitals)

I used all the papers & elements from both these kits. They came together for a perfect showcase of my mom & I.
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Isaiah 40:31

1st Competition!

I participated in my 1st digi-scrapping competition this past week or so. The "Back to School Page Contest" over at Scrapper's Guide (where they have some awesome video tutorials and a great subscription to their newsletter / ezine -- you get new video tutorials every month (4) and a full digi-scrap kit to practice with -- I subscribe cuz their tutorials are SO easy to understand... and the voice you're listening to is pleasant!).

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School Grads

my mom and dad 1952-1953

credits:

font - CK Magnificent

"Autumnal Mist" kit by

Boo Silva at BooLandDesigns

(Sept color challenge over at SAS)

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Janie's School Days

credits: Wordart by Kathryn Estry (4/09 Digitals Challenge)

Scripture by Glenda Ketcham (5/09 Digitals Challenge)

Kaleidoscope pattern (using paper preview from Kiss the Indian Summer)

was made using Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 - http://www.kaleidoscopecollections.com/

"Kiss the Indian Summer" kit by Nicole at http://nbk-nicnic.blogspot.com

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Janie in Kindergarten

credits: "Rock-n-Love" kit by Nicole at http://nbk-nicnic.blogspot.com/

(previews in earlier post)

"Photo Mask #7" by Doris at http://tempusfug.blogspot.com/

I'm hooked on photo masks! It's fairly easy to make your own if you're doing simple shapes... but for a more elegant look, I go to the pros -- Doris & Binty have designed my favorites!

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and In A Cage (see earlier post) that showed the antics of our youngest son, Peter, when school was out.
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Isaiah 40:31

Minnesota Backyard

Brrrrr. . . minus 30 windchills. . . Brrrrr!!

Completed the Digitals January 2009 Calendar Challenge (link in favorite forums) with this lovely kit by Amanda Thorderson, "Snowbird" (originally referred to in challenge as "Winter Chill". I had already planned on using snowy pics of our backyard, but didn't know that I'd have some brand new ones to choose from! Two days ago, I was downstairs on my PC when I heard my hubby's frantic cries -- come! come quick!! Not knowing if he had somehow hurt himself or what, I went up the stairs as quickly as I could. . . then heard again. . . "quick, come & see. . . quiet!!" There in the back of our yard, just beyond our row of River Birch trees, were 3 pheasants just walking along without a care in the world. I was SO excited because my camera was right there!! We had a beautiful morning with the tree branches all iced up -- shimmering in the morning light. I immediately called hubby at work to make sure he arrived safely. . . while looking out the front window and seeing that the driveway & walkways were all dry. We had almost zero visibility -- couldn't see anything across the street OR past the tree line in back -- figured out it must be "frozen fog" on the trees. It was gorgeous!! Well. . . back to the pheasants. . . one was very obliging and sauntered into the yard for a closer shot (by the camera, not him! ha!). Then, of course, while bringing this lovely kit into PSE 5 with the photos I had taken, I couldn't leave any of them out. Especially the "frosticles" that were hanging on to the edges of the deck rail/posts and off one of the bush/trees. So, wala! This is the result.

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If you haven't yet, go check out the Digitals forum. In my opinion, they have the best challenges in town -- and thanks to them, I'm now actively digi-scrappin' whenever I can (imbetween the systemic/anaphylactic reactions from NRLA and/or MCS and when "in recovery"). When I can't scrap cuz of brain fog (also get zero visibility there!), I can sometimes still point & click to download all the freebies. Please check out the blog list to the right. These are absolutely awesome designers and while many of them have their stuff in stores for purchase, most of them also offer fabulous freebies! Be sure to leave comments if you download. Now that I'm a blogger I know first hand how encouraging those comments can be!!

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Other forums with challenges worth checking out are SAS (Stone Accents Studio), Groovy Scraps, ADSDesigners, DSO (Digital Scrapbook Obsession - Kim's Color challenges), to name a few. OH. . . just go check them all out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Isaiah 40:31

Many Firsts - pt 1

December calendar with my honey & I.

This is my very 1st completed digi-scrap layout. I participated in some challenges over at DIGITALS (link on side under 'favorite forums') and this one was using "Nanny's Garden" by Amanda Thorderson (available for purchase at Digitals). What was so great about these challenges is that it got me from the downloading freebies craze into actually unzipping and using the kits. I had to learn to be more discriminate in the kits I was getting -- it was quite addicting cuz who can turn it down if it's free??

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Isaiah 40:31