Spring card - "INSPIRE US!" Blog Hop

Welcome to Lovebug Scrapbooking's "INSPIRE US!" blog hop!! Our blog hops take place on the last Saturday of every month. Thanks so much for joining in the fun!

If you just happened by this blog and didn't realize a blog hop was taking place, please go back to Lovebug Scrapbooking and start the Hop. You won't want to miss all the inspiration from our members....... or the prizes :-)

Our theme for February is "Leaps and Bounds".

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For my "spring-y" project, I decided to make a card.

Step 1:
Cut cardstock 7 x 11 inches. Score at 5 1/2 inches and fold in half.




Step 2:
On the inside left side of the card, lightly mark the center. Attach diecut sticker in center.


Step 3:
Using exacto knife, carefully cut around the right-hand part of the diecut, leaving a small cardstock edge. Don't cut past the center line.

Step 4:
Score along the line you drew down the center, and fold card back as shown.

Step 5:
Finish decorating your card.

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial :-)

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The Lovebug Blog Hop will run from today, February 27th until March 2nd. There will be a prize drawing on March 3rd.

You've reached the end our blog hop! Head back to Lovebug Scrapbooking blog to leave your comment and be entered in the prize drawing.

a few reminders

Blog Hop for Lovebug Scrapbooking coming up next Saturday. If you're interested in taking part, check this link!

Challenge Monday at Sisterhood of Scrap is HERE! You could win a gift certificate from The Paper Passion.

I've updated my cooking blog. Don't forget Make It Monday! New theme will be posted on Monday.

Thousand Words Thursday- Feb 18

This photo was taken in March 2006. We were getting lots of Redpolls visiting our feeders. Out of our back deck was mostly where they would gather. There was a piece of plywood on the deck, and during a storm, the wind blew the plywood over and it fell on one of the birds, killing it. Jessica felt so bad about it.

More layouts

.... only 11 more to do to reach my goal of 29 for this month :-)

13


14


15


16

17

18

Winner of blog candy!

Wow, lots of great advice in the comments for my blog candy! Thanks so much, ladies, for participating.

I wrote the names out on paper, and got my youngest son to draw the winning name.

.... and the winner is........

CONGRATS, Kat! Send me an email with your mailing address and I'll get the DVD in the mail for you :-)

Valentine's Blog Candy

Well, since this is my first time offering BLOG CANDY here, I thought I should explain what blog candy actually IS :-)

You can't eat it, but you will enjoy it. It could be something you might not expect to get, but it's exciting when you do. Maybe something you'd like, but haven't gotten around to buying. It kinda reminds me of when my Dad would come home from work with a "Sugar Daddy" pop for us kids. We didn't always expect it, but boy, was it ever nice to receive!!

Anyway, on to MY blog candy!

I have this Special Collector's Edition of "Fireproof" to give away. This movie has been watched by millions, I'm sure. It's an inspiring love story of a fire-fighter and his wife, whose marriage is in need of rescuing. Lots of great lessons in this movie for anyone in a relationship!

All you have to do to have a chance to WIN this movie is to leave a comment with some LOVE advice --- What advice would you give to someone in a relationship crisis or even to someone just starting out in a relationship?

I'll draw for a winner on Monday, February 15th -- the day Devin and I got engaged :-)

You might want to follow my blog so you can see if you've won! I'll also have another bit of candy sometime next week, especially for all you book lovers!

Today

Just got back about an hour ago from Robert's Arm, from a funeral -- my bil's mother passed away this past Saturday. Was a good funeral, as funerals go, and you could certainly sense the support of the family. Was so proud of my sister and my brother-in-law; they both did some speaking at the funeral and did a fabulous job with such difficult tasks.

Anyway, back home and kids are all at Air Cadets. I'm just checking up on email and the forums. Checked out Kat's blog and decided to play along with her theme, TODAY.....


Outside my window... it's dark.
I am thankful... that my family is healthy.
I am thinking... I should probably get the dishes cleaned up and then maybe do some scrapping.
I am celebrating... Valentine's Day on Friday. We have a homeschool V-Day party at my house.
From the kitchen... I hear Luke getting some supper.
I am wearing... my jeans and a grey sweater.
I am reading... Abigail, by Jill Eileen Smith
I am hoping... that Devin gets more clients!
I am hearing... the news (from the family room) and Discovery Channel from the Living Room.
I am working on.... setting up a schedule for my design team activities.
Around the house... Well, laundry to fold and put away, dishes to do.......
One of my favorite things... Just ate a Lindor truffle :-)
A few plans for the rest of the week... See if I can visit my Gram tomorrow, maybe pick up a few groceries, bake some cupcakes for the Valentine party on Friday.

February Books

Picked these books up from the library, but the only one I finished was the first book.


Dear To Me - Wanda Brunstetter
This was okay, but not that exciting. I find Brunstetter really takes a long time to tell a story -- could be a much shorter book :-)


These I brought back as I went to a Christian book store and bought a couple of new books to read.
Secrets of the Heart - Al and Joanna Lacy
A Time to Love - Al and Joanna Lacy
The Flight of Swallows - Audrey Howard


Ok, at the bookstore I picked up:

Michal - Jill Eileen Smith
Finished this one today and starting on Abigail this evening. Set in Bible times and all about King David's first wife. GREAT book!!

Abigail - Jill Eileen Smith
About another of King David's wives.


Also picked up Song of Erin, by BJ Hoff. Sent this one to my mother for her birthday, so I'll have to wait 'til she's done with it before I get a chance to read :-)


Oh, must update on the books I got this week at the library. Went to a new library out of town (about 20 minutes from here) and they have lots of Christion fiction.

These will be on my list for February:

The Daughters of Jacob Kane - set of 2 books by Sharlene MacLarrn. Not sure if there's more in the series or not.
Hannah Grace
Maggie Rose

Watch Over Me - Christa Parrish

Stones of My Accusers - Tracy Groot

The Adams County Trilogy - by Jerry S. Eicher. I only found two of the books, hopefully can get the third.
Rebecca's Promise
Rebecca's Return

That should be enough, don't you think?!!

Counting down....

..... my 29 layouts for this month. 17 left to do!

10


11 I originally had 15 instead of 14 -- oops :-) Pics taken last April.


12 He REALLY is fun-loving! Had such a great time getting pics done.

New challenge posted...

at Sisterhood of Scrap!

Check it out!

Winner of ....

my blog prize for the Lovebug Scrapbooking blog hop is.......


RAE!! Congrats, Rae :-) I'll be emailing you for your mailing info......

two more make NINE!

Two more layouts for my "29 layouts in February" challenge. I wonder how many Susan has done? LOL!

8 Pictures from several years ago.


9 These photos were taken last April.

online crop

.....at Sisterhood of Scrap!

Join us on February 12th, 5pm EST as we kick off the "opening ceremonies" for our Winter Olympics Online Crop! One night only! Lots of fun challenges, games, and of course, some prizes to hand out (one for every challenge!)

You won't want to miss this! Bring a friend :-)

Closing ceremonies February 28th.

more layouts

Working on my "29 layouts" challenge and have a few layouts to share.

5 LOVE this photo of my daughter!

6 This one I used a sketch by Moma, done for Sketches: Creatively Yours. Photo was from three years ago. They've grown so much since then!

7 Another one of my lovely daughter.

Update on resolutions

Time for an update on my resolutions post. Let's see how I am doing :-)

SCRAPPY:
~ submit at least 2 layouts per month -- Didn't submit any in January

~ scrap at least 3 layouts per week -- I did 27 layouts last month. Challenged to get 29 done for February.

~ organize all my photos, both printed and digital -- Printed off some photos, but didn't do any organizing.

~ I would like to post more on my blog. I think this is going okay -- could be better, though.


PERSONAL:

~ Definitely to lose some weight, probably 25-30 lbs. Haven't even started yet. UGH!

~ Walk at least 4 days a week. Nope, hasn't happened.

~ Keep up with my devotional in the mornings. Currently I'm following a blog that gives the readings for each day, and also some thoughts about the readings. It's called "For the Love of God". Did great for about 11 days, then I ran out of printer paper. I know I could have followed online, but.... yeah, that was my excuse. Gotta get back on this!

~ Spend more time reading to my children. Did very well :-) We're almost finished "Understood Betsy".

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So, there you go -- not too well, I guess.

January books

Books I read in January:

Twice Loved - Lori Copeland
This was the first book in a series. I enjoyed it and will try to find the rest.

Outlaw's Bride - Lori Copeland
Agaian, first in a series, but I don't have the rest of the books. Will try to get them at our public library.

Mr. and Ms. Annoymous
Can't even remember who wrote this and don't want to go search and see. Didn't enjoy this one.

The Penny Pincher's Club - Sarah Strohmeyer
Very light read, but good :-)

The Mountain Song Legacy by B. J. Hoff
- A Distant Music
- The Wind Harp
- The Song Weaver

Really enjoyed this series! I think it's the first books I've read by this author. I actually bought another novel by BJ Hoff and it's on my list for February.

What have you read this past month??

new layouts.... and a challenge!

Seems like my sister Susan and I each created 27 layouts last month, so we decided this month to challenge each other to do 29 layouts -- one for each day in February and one for good luck :-) A few of the girls on Sisterhood of Scrap are also taking part in the challenge.

These first three were done in January -- just wanted to share them.

Really loving this CUTE line from My Mind's Eye!


Sketch by April:


Sketch by Wanda, and parts of a kit from Scrapbook Heaven.

Okay, for February~~~~

1 Sketch by Melissa, and Feb. kit from Scrapbook Heaven.


2 Sketch by Cheryl:

3 Sketch by Marcia, and Feb. kit from Scrapbook Heaven.

4 Sketch by Jean, and Feb. kit from Scrapbook Heaven

I have another done, but can't show it until Friday.

Thanks for looking! Wish me luck :-)