dream on.

i heard an interesting thought today.

it goes something like this:

"know when to let go of dreams, but keep on dreaming"

sometimes our dreams just don't come true.

sometimes we are dissappointed.

sometimes the journey of the dream was there simply to shape and mold and refine us for our calling in life.

sometimes we need to  know when to let that dream go.

but never stop dreaming.

there's a difference.

i am just now figuring that out.

it's a way of being kind to myself.

letting go of some things, yet yielding to new ideas.

as this month evaporates into the next, may the dreams you have been holding on to lead you to new dreams.

 

and so the end of the 21challenge round two for me is over.

and it has been a great, great ride.

i encourage you to try it sometime.

and may you never be the same again.

 i have been banging out these gratitude books using these pages from ali edwards found here.

 wishing you a fabulous Thanksgiving filled with  gratitude and abundant blessings.

sieze every opportunity.

good morning friends...
sharing a few more peeks into this year's 21challenge.

Unless you treat failure as part of the journey, your never going to get anywhere.

Creation is your opportunity in this life...

don't let the voice of critics paralyze you.

You will make the world a better place.

improve.

beauty.

extend.

smile.

cultivate.

develop.

create.

feel joy. be patient.

be calm.

have peace. imagine.

sprinkle magic.

supplies: house of 3 21challenge art kit; debee campos inspire lovely kit; lots of stash.

is it possible. . .

that is is the week of thanksgiving?
that the little mr. is already three months.
that 2011 is six weeks away?
that my sister won't be here for thanksgiving? i will miss her.
that we have only had one snow storm this fall?
that my heart is full of thanksgiving?
that the 21challenge is coming to an end.
that i am so thankful for this challenge, the quotes, the support, the insight...the new goals, plans and dreams?

this has been a wonderful, wonderful almost three weeks. not to say it has not been full of it's trials and pitfalls. for that there has been plenty. but God is faithful, and He has walked me through this new journey and opened my eyes to new visions and possibilities.

i am so thankful.

i am so full.

i hope this week to share my journal a bit.

to share some thoughts.

and to share some quotes that have come my way by virtue of encouragment and challenge.

enjoy your week, friends!

supplies: house of 3: 21challenge kit; rhonna farrer celebration digikit; rhonna farrer snapshot frames; shipping tags; seam binding; vellum.

life...

is a test...it is only a test.
in the middle of the 21challenge over at rhonna's.
this one has been the best yet.
learning so much about myself...about others...about end results.
in the midst of that i have had tremendous trials with a certain teenage lad...
it's hard watching your young adults make choices.
i have spent a day on the couch sick.
my hip decided to not want to work for a day. ouch!
and today my laptop, with all my personal data...is making it's own personal choices.
but i am not undaunted...
because this is only a test.
and it's not how the test goes that counts...
it's how i am in the test.

and it makes me all the more want this:


i have loved compendium books for a couple of years now.
they make the best gifts, in my opinion.
and that pretty cover just makes me smile. (sorry...i am using the desktop that i am not familiar with, and it is not letting me add links: http://www.live-inspired.com/The-1-book-by-Dan-Zadra-&-Kobi-Yamada-P888

and since i am not able to post anything of creative essence today...
this is my contribution.

hoping you too, when life is testing you on many corners, that you can find other ways to accomplish that which has been given to you.

have a joyful weekend...

baby love

having a little time for some baby layouts. had fun with this sketch that i came up with. not only did i keep these simple by using a sketch, they also employ the same sketch (turned upside down) along with the same kit and paper placement. i will do this again.

all supplies from work in progress september. some of my favorite papers are in this kit, including the cosmo cricket collection togetherness: making plans and kite strings. from the pink paislee 360 collection: imagine (so very beautiful). and more paper by kaiser craft lush collection japonica. also by kaiser craft up, up and away chipboard and cosmo cricket tiny type.

choose wisely....

thursdays embrace photo

choose wisely was yesterdays 21challenge quote. i did not start my day choosing wisely. i got too busy. when i am in a routine, and follow what i know works for me...then i can make better choices.

it's amazing how keeping an art journal can help one to stay on track in their mind and actions. here's a little peek::

here's to a weekend of wonderful choices and productive results. why don't you journal about it!

more work in progress

Told you I would be back with more of this book. The week has been a renewed focus for me with the 21challenge going on. I am in the midst of restructering some things in my life. This 90 day book has come in very, very handy to journal it all.

The Nov WorkInProgress kit had such a sweet and soft side to it.  The flocked 7gypsies paper has become a new hoarded stash...I hate when I do that! But it is showing it's pretty little head here with the die cut butterfly.

Inside cover with paint splattered all about. Jackson Pollack I am not, but I am loving me some paint these days.

 One of my new favorite layouts. The browns from this kit (and the textured cardstock from a previous kit) played perfect with the colors of that photo. Sweet. sweet.

Today... I am most loving this quote that Rhonna shared over on her page for day 7 of 21::

"Create inspiring, noble & righteous goals that fire your imagination & create excitement in your heart". J.W.

90 days at a time

I made this book as a home for my ’90 days’. It’s my way of keeping track of daily journaling, prayers, and Bible study, 90 days at a time. More concise. Easier to remember certain days or prayers. And a simple joy to come up with a new design every few months.

Supplies::

November WorkInProgress kit::

Paper: 7gypsies, making memories, cosmo cricket (from my stash)

Stickers: making memories

Trim: making memories velvet trim

Die cut: leaf

Other:: vintage thread, stamps, pearl glimmer mist, spellbinders tag die cut, cereal box, book rings, crop-a-dile, glue gun

Instructions:

1. use 2-5.5x8 cardboard cut from cereal box (the larger kind like from Costco, it’s pretty sturdy, and a great way to use what you have), coat with spray adhesive, and apply 7gypsies paper to front.
2. on back, using above technique, apply cosmo cricket ledger paper, and trim edge with 7gypsies. Punch front and back covers with crop-a-dile.
3. Die cut Making Memories Panorama  paper to make tag. Punch hole in top. Trim ‘cherish’ sticker, punch hole to make like a tag, and attach to top of larger tag. Place in the center of cover.
4. apply making memories sticker to front of large tag. Attach velvet trim using glue gun.
5. Using Kraft leaf die cut from kit, spray with pearl glimmer mist, and stamp with graphic stamp to add interest and texture. Attach to velvet trim with glue gun.
6. add label sticker to lower right edge of cover.
7. I add 65 lb paper, cut in half, as the filler to my book. I like the plain, unlined paper, so that I can treat my pages like an art journal if the need arises.
8. bind book with book rings, and you are set.

Next time a peek inside.

Enjoy today!

the 21 day challenge {day1}

join me.
join us.
rhonna's 21 day challenge.
it can be life changing.
it was for me last year.
it will be for me again this year.

i'll be back next week with some more creative love.

embracing it all

happy thursday, friends...

 

time to embrace the camera again...

inspired by emily and her crew.

time for mom's to get IN FRONT of the camera with her kiddos...

i figure if i keep this up, i could have 52 photos this year with my crew.

the wind blown look is big here on the prairie.

we were at our newest library branch opening.

it's a big deal out here.

so, have you embraced today?

and did you see me over here yesterday?

a softer side

more from the november work in progress kit. i'm thinking this kit sold out, but here i am to show it off nonetheless. the canvas border pieces were used here under the heart negative die cut. i love how it popped with the making memories floral print pattern. i cut out a small heart and stitched to the mm file tab too. i think there should be sheets of that patterned canvas.

i cut the canvas up again and layered the hearts and stickers from making memories with some stitching and baker's twine. love it all.

the kit came with large white tags, and here i cut it down to fit on the front of a card, washed it with ink and stamped on it as well. helped to tone down the white against that other strip of canvas.

and still there's more...for later.

vote!

it's revealing

work in progress gallery is revealed today.
got back to work on the team this month.

there were elements to novembers kit that had a boy theme going on...so i took advantage of the vibe::

also got to work on a few projects from earlier in the year. my poor 2010 book is so empty::

and one always needs masculine themed gift giving ideas. i put the kit to work several times with that in mind::

there is a softer side to this kit too...more on that at a later time.

happy monday!