Great Love

I took a break from Study the Masters (mostly because I didn’t have any new pages in the new issue of Creating Keepsakes that inspired me) and used a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. 

This was the sketch:

Journaling:  You two have only seen your great grandmas a few times, but always remember, they have great love.”

Now, I almost can’t believe I’m saying this, but there is too much white space here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Where it all started

We spent the weekend in Seattle.  Now, I don’t like the city anymore.  I’m definitely a country girl.  But I will admit, there is something special that Seattle holds in my heart.  The reason isn’t so much the city, but the story of me. 

You see, my life changed, oh, 14 years or so ago.  The Youth Pastor at our church had taken a group of youth into Seattle for an “Urban Encounter” – an opportunity to leave our small town and see the city.  The true, dirty, broken, lonely, needy city.  We went to several missions and did a lot of urban ministry with the homeless. 

This picture is of the Bread of Life Mission.  And while I’d probably say Operation Nightwatch is more a key “place” it’s in a different part of town and I didn’t get any pictures of it. 

So how this truly affects me is that it is where I fell in love with my husband.  We had known each other since childhood, we rode the school bus together.  But we never really talked to each other.  The first summer we went on this mission trip, we kinda became friends.  But then I still had my Senior year of High school, and he went off to college.   My Senior Project was Urban Ministries and I organized a few blanket drives to give to the shelter.

However, the next summer we did the same mission trip, and that was the summer that changed both of us.  We grew our friendship and our love.  He returned to college in September.

Together, we served a few times at Operation Nightwatch while he was in college.  Then shortly afterwards left school (on campus anyway) to take a Youth Pastoring job. 

We were married not too much longer, May 1999 (coming up on 12 years here pretty soon). 

In our first years of marriage, we took several youth groups on an Urban Encounter and served monthly at Operation Nightwatch.

Anyway, while I no longer have any desire to live in the city again (or really even visit), it is fun to go back to where our story all began.  And reflect on how much we’ve grown and changed.  Praise God for His faithfulness!

City Mouse, Country Mouse

Over the weekend, we took a little “vacation” to Seattle.  It was quite an adventure!!  LOL 
I’m still trying to recover though, so my blog post today isn’t much.  (And R came home sick, then C got sick yesterday....so I'm still just spinning - thank to the lovely germ breeding ground that we call the city).

The kids were quite impressed with the concept of a “floating bridge”  I think that was one of their favorite parts of the whole weekend.  A came home and told her kittens "There is a bridge that floats! And we drove on it!!!"
It was a fun weekend.  But let me tell you, I felt so out of it!  I am definitely a sold out country girl now. 
I did quite enjoy photographing it though, and I’ll be sharing those photos over the next couple days.

On the way south out of town, C looks up at us and says as we go under all the overchanges and stuff at I-5 "I'm confused by all these roads!"  Yup....definitley a country mouse! 

Laundry When Traveling

I always hate coming home from traveling.  It always feels like after I catch up on the laundry and get everything put away, I need another vacation! 

So lately, when we travel, I’ve been doing laundry as we go.

Now I’m sure someone has thought of this before, but I need some blog filler so I’m going to share it anyway! 

I take a gallon sized ziploc bag (by the way – these are my favorite things when traveling for toiletries and other misc things that can be messy) and put in two garbage bags (for dirty laundry storage before washing and the last bit that comes home, and also for wet swim suits).  Enough quarters for the number of loads I’ll do (usually because we’re only gone three days or so, just one load) and some of these nifty all in one laundry sheets.  (At home I use a plant based natural cleaner, but these sheets travel so much better that I deal with the detergents and such for one load every six months).  These ones are from Purex.  You put the sheet in the washing machine and the detergent comes out to wash.  Then you move the load, including the sheet, to the dryer where your fabric softener is released.  Brilliant!

Anyway – just wanted to share my little trick to make traveling a bit easier.

Tantalizing Tuesday – Vanilla Yogurt

My kids love yogurt, but I don’t like buying flavored yogurts with all the extra stuff (sweeteners, coloring, etc) added into them.  So I came up with my own twist on vanilla yogurt.  And the best part, it’s Super easy and way yummier!!

I buy 1% milkfat yogurt because good fat is good for you.  But this part doesn’t matter, you can use whatever Plain yogurt you want.  Nonfat, 1%, organic, doesn’t matter as long as it’s plain.

You will also need honey & vanilla (sheesh – this picture makes me look like a messy cook!  LOL )

Now for the exact amounts of honey & vanilla to add, that will be a little to your taste, depending on how sour you like your yogurt to be (and how sour it is to start with).

I measure 1 cup of yogurt and add 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 Tbsp honey.  Stir it up really good and taste (with a clean spoon).  If you need more sweetness, add a little bit more honey until it tastes right.

 

My kids eat up yogurt this way and I don’t worry they are getting bad sweeteners and stuff.  And it’s super easy!  Really!!

12 Years

This page was truly a labor of love if you can call it that.  I was inspired by a page Beth did, but twisted it up a little bit.  I for some silly reason decided to stitch the outside AND five flourishes in TWO colors. 

While I really really liked the look of the page, I’m not sure I’ll do that much stitching again.  It was just so much handling of the LO, the page was fairly abused before I was finished.  (thus the photo on the chair, the corners were too curled to get a good flat shot).

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!!!  Death could not hold Him!  What a wonderful and amazing event!  The most important even in the history of mankind.  My Savior, who was sinless, without blemish or fault gave up His life for me on Friday.  But the grave could not hold him.  Death had no power.  On Sunday, HE AROSE! 

Up from the grave He arose!  With a mighty triumph o’er His foes! He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever, with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Praise God!

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff'ring and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I'll share
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

 

Be Blessed this most glorious and special day! 

Want to see what I’ve been so secret about???

Alright, I thought I’d post a picture of what I’ve been working on that I’ve had to keep on the down low.  Well, not that I’m working on it, I just can’t show the actual work on any online media.

So….

….without further ado….

….here is the picture…



Oh, you mean you wanted to see the work not just the address label???  Okay, I’ll show you the pictures of the projects.


Yes, they’re in that zippered bag, under the entry form. 

Sorry – that’s the best I can do for now!  But hopefully around May 23 I will have some fantastic news to
share.  And if now, that’s okay too.  There’s always next year (again).

Have a great weekend!

WINNER!!

Thank you everyone for entering in the Spring Cleaning Giveaway!  I was astounded to see 76 entries!  The most of any giveaway I've ever done. 

Thank you!!

But now......the winner........

Congrats to DanaLynn (via e-mail)


I've got a crazy busy day here so not much of a post, but hoping you have a great Friday!

Electronics 99

A couple weeks ago my husband recorded the movie Short Circuit (from 1986) for the kids.  He remembered loving it as a kid.  Well, our kids have loved it too.
Their favorite line (that I hear at least 10 times a day) is: “hey Laser lips, Your Momma is a snowblower!”  They think that is just hilarious!!!!!!
Back on track now, C used his Legos to make his own replica of Number 5.  (I also hear “Number 5, A-live” multiple times a day).  For some reason, that made me remember a special class I took when I was in 5th grade I think.  It was for the advanced kids and it was something to do with electronics.  Now, I’ll be honest, the only thing I remember from the 10 or so week long course was Mr. Guy was awesome and he said I soldered the best circuit board he’d ever seen by a student!  Sweet!!!
I remember being so proud of that circuit board.  Honestly, I don’t even remember if it did anything.  I just know it was a piece of beauty.  That it was.
So, out of craziness (and knowing I have a very scientific minded child),  I ordered this Elenco Solder kit for C.



He & I had a good time putting it together.  He kept saying “this is FUN mom!”
He’s a very responsible little guy, but I’d probably stick to more the age on the product for future use.  It was definitely not a project I’d want to leave him to by himself.

Study the Masters #30

Another page inspired by Beth today!


However, I have to say on this one, she kicked my butt!  LOL

**Today is the last day to enter the Spring Cleaning Giveaway, so if you haven't already entered, check it out here**

Tantalizing Tuesday – Brussels Sprouts

Call me crazy, but I like Brussels sprouts.  I know, I’m weird (but I thought that fact was already established).

And I like taking pictures of pretty food.  Colorful food.  It’s just so fun!



I have to share my recipe for Brussels sprouts.  (Although my family would probably wonder my sanity since I’m the only one in the house who eats them…but I know there is at least more than one person in the world who eats them, or they wouldn’t be in every grocery store.  I mean, I’ve got to be right, right?!)
Brussels Sprouts
12 to 16 oz fresh Brussels sprouts
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp brown sugar

Clean sprouts.  Cut the stem end of the sprout off.  Then slice each sprout in half length wise.
In sauté pan (I prefer cast iron) melt butter.  Add sprouts, water and salt.  (If using large sprouts, increase water to about 1/2 cup – if using small sprouts (as these) use 1/4 cup).  Steam over medium high heat until water is evaporated, about 4 minutes.  Turn heat to medium.  Sauté in remaining butter about 3 more minutes.  Sprinkle sugar over and sauté another 1 to 2 minutes (until nicely browned).

**Please note – times are for cast iron cooking, using a stainless steel or anodized aluminum pan may result in slight changes in time. 

The harsh flavor of the sprouts is gone and there is a slight sweetness.  If you’d like a tad more sweetness, increase sugar to 2 tablespoons.

**If you haven't already entered my Spring Cleaning Giveaway, be sure to check it out here.**

Study the Masters #29

Just plugging along on these.  The funny thing is that I’ve never been one to lift or use sketches.  But I just tried making some pages for another purpose completely original, and it was hard…..LOL….
This page was inspired by Beth. 


And I have to say, it’s one of my favorites I’ve done period.  Thanks for the help Beth!

**If you haven't already entered my Spring Cleaning giveaway, be sure to check it out here**

Inspired by Beth

My craft life has been crazy as of late.  I’ve been working on two projects that haven’t been able to be posted (must be kept unseen until some point in the future).  That means I don’t have any new things to post to my blog.  So for a couple days, I’m going to be sharing some “outside” inspiration.  People/Tutorials that I find very inspiring.

Today, I’d like to share my friend Beth.  (She is known as carkareokequeen on the internet SB communities).  She is amazingly talented.  When I first “met” her (Yes, she’s one of my imaginary friends – someone I’ve never yet met in person but would love to.  Until then, she lives in my computer!  LOL)  ….Back to my sentence interrupted by poor grammar……er……I “met” Beth about 2 years ago now I think.  When I first met her I was amazed by her work, thinking for sure she had to be published in every magazine.  I about fell over when I realized she hadn’t been published once!  Well, I’m SOOO happy to say for her that that has changed.  She’s being noticed, and noticed greatly!  She’s had so much work picked up lately, I can’t help but do a happy dance for her!  She deserves it, she is incredibly talented.  And she’s very sweet to top it off!
I wanted to share a couple of my favorite LOs of hers.  (And honestly, she was part of my inspiration for Study the Masters – I remember a conversation I had with her a while back and she said “I’ve studied every detail of the LOs in Creating Keepsakes.”  It stuck with me that if she learned so much by studying the published pages, I could too!)






If you’d like to see more of Beth’s work, stop by her blog Positively Passionate About!
Thanks for stopping by!!!

**If you haven't already entered my Spring Cleaning Giveaway, be sure to check it out here**

Spring Cleaning Giveaway!

As a society, we always associate spring & cleaning.  I found several interesting things about the origin of spring cleaning, but this one tickled my fancy most (probably because I can very much relate to it)

In North America and northern Europe, the custom found an especial practical value due to those regions' continental and wet climates. During the 19th century in America, prior to the advent of the vacuum cleaner, March was often the best time for dusting because it was getting warm enough to open windows and doors (but not warm enough for insects to be a problem), and the high winds could carry the dust out of the house. For the same reason, modern rural households often use the month of March for cleaning projects involving the use of chemical products which generate fumes.

However, if I only dusted my house in March, well, I wouldn’t be able to find my house in March to even dust it, the dust would be a foot deep!!!

What I’m getting at though is I have cleaned out my scrapspace.  And I’m giving away the loot!  You’ll have a chance two win more than 27 packages of embellishments and nearly an inch of patterned paper. (and it could be more - I've already added since I took this picture).

Everything is in good condition.  The majority of it is complete packages.  Included are three stamp sets (two alphas & one flourish – the flourish is never opened, the alphas were used once or twice).  Most of it is brand name (but a few Colorbok and other generic pieces are included). 

Pattern Paper is almost all “brand name”.  Cosmo Cricket, My Minds Eye, Doodlebug, We R Memory Keepers, Creative Memories (just a little), Making Memories and more.

It’s mostly older (as in two to three years old).  Just stuff that doesn’t inspire me anymore.  And I have plenty of stuff that does inspire me, so it’s just time to get some empty space back again. 

(I’m picky and I don’t give away junk.  It’s good quality (a lot of pastels and small patterns which just aren’t my thing).  If stuff is garbage – I have no problem doing with it as needed, so please rest assured you would be getting good stuff).

Here’s the nitty gritty.  To enter, you have three chances!

1. First, leave a comment telling me how often you dust. (yes, truthfully)  If you can't leave a comment (I've had a few readers in the past tell me they can't), please e-mail me your entry at amandasherman (at) hughes (dot) net and I'll post it for you.
2. Be a follower.  (If you already are, leave an additional comment saying so.  If you become a follower, please leave an additional comment saying you’re a new follower.
3. Link this blog post to your blog or Facebook.  Please leave a third comment with the link. 

(To be entered three times, you must have left three separate comments).
I will leave the giveaway open until April 20.

The Dark Side

Have to share a little laugh today.  We’ve never been cat people.  Really.  Never.  Then we got that little furball named Snow White.  Tragically, she was replaced by three more little furballs named Cinderella, Belle & Stripey (notice any theme going on with A’s cats???)
Well, all four were pretty sweet and might just (okay, have) changed our minds about cats.  (Mind you, not all cats, just our cats). 
These three new little furballs have become good shop cats.  They love to be in the shop.
A few moments ago, Robert came in and said “I’ve gone to the dark side.”  I couldn’t imagine what he meant.  Did he want a smart phone?  Was he ready for an e-Reader?  A vehicle made this decade?  Decaf coffee?  Dark chocolate?  What?
Then I looked:
Yup, definitely the dark side. 

Beyond the Page #2

I was at the school supply store a couple weeks ago and almost bought a hundreds flip chart for school.  But then I thought about it and realized I could make it myself with supplies I already had.  So I save the $10 and went to work when I got home.

I’ve done a few things similar to this in the past, and I learned that it’s easier to punch the pages using the Bind It All before you cut them apart instead of vice versa.

Because I already did the work, if it’s something you’d use, I’ll share it with you!  (You could also create this using a whole punch and binder rings (from the office supply store) if you don’t have the machine to use the o wires).  The pages are designed to be cut to 8.5x9 inches.  Then cut the length wise so you have two strips at 4.25 x 9 inches.  Punch, then cut the “pages” down to just a hair under 4.25 x 3.  Flip Chart Download

Houses Built of Cards

Today I wanted to share some inspiration from outside.  I have a friend whom I’ve known for at least 12 years.
She’s one of the people that inspired me to begin scrapbooking in the first place.  Sadly, I moved away before I actually stared, so I’ve never had the privilege of crafting with her. 

But today, I wanted to share a little bit of her work, and what she does.  She really enjoys cards (which I can really appreciate as her art because I don’t….LOL…cards are a struggle for me).  But what she does with her cards is particularly special to me.  From her website: “created to mesh together two different passions: creative expression, specifically through card making; and caring for women and children in Burundi, left widows and fatherless by the civil war that occurred between the years of 1993 and 2005.”
She gives the proceeds from her cards to Sister Connection to build homes for these widows.  Amazingly, only $600 is needed to build a home in Burundi.  “A new home restores dignity for widows and gives tremendous amounts of hope. And each card becomes one small piece in the larger picture of building these houses. Therefore, a house really can be "built" of cards.”



You can check out her website and more work here.   She also has an Etsy store.
Thanks for stopping by, and be blessed.

Tantalizing Tuesday – Chicken Caesar Wraps

Super yummy – super easy!!!

Chicken Caesar Wraps

2 thawed cubed chicken breasts (1/2” cubes)

1/2 chopped onions

1 clove crushed garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp olive oil

Saute ingredients together until chicken is browned and thoroughly cooked

Add 2 Tbsp Caesar dressing (use whatever brand is your favorite)

Stir until completely coated

Lay a gourmet tortilla (this was spinach, we prefer Tomato but I couldn’t find them this day) on a clean cutting board.  Lay one leaf of romaine lettuce heart (cut out stem) on center of tortilla.  Spread about 1/4 of chicken evenly around tortilla.  Fold up two ends, then roll.  Cut diagonally in half.  Enjoy!

Blog Hop Winner!

Thanks everyone for joining our blog hop!!

The winner was comment #5 - Ashley!!!!  Congrats Ashley!!

And just an FYI for anyone interested, I am organizing a blog hop for June 3&4.  It will be called "sketch it to me" and everyone will create ONE layout and ONE page from the same sketch.  Should be fun to see what all the differences are!  If you'd like to be a contributing blogger, please let me know!

Welcome to the Spring Blog Hop

Hi everyone!  Welcome to the Spring Blog Hop!  You’ve found the jump off point to lots of Spring Fun!!  I hope you make your way through the loop and see what inspiration you find!
Adele's Blog
Dana's Blog
Mandi's Blog
Heather's Blog
Melissa's Blog
Shanon's Blog
Amanda's Blog
Briana's Blog
Cassie's Blog
Becky's Blog
Kathy's Blog
Laurie's Blog
And be sure to come back here (http://www.lovejoypaper.com/) when you’re done.  I have a giveaway BUT, to enter you have to tell me what you noticed that was used in all the blogs.  You might have to look high & low, or it may be obvious!  I don’t know- it’s up to each contributor!!

Now here is the part where I admit, I planned this very poorly and I had no inspiration for a spring project! :o….I know….really!!

I am currently working on two BIG projects (that are secret for the time being) of which are consuming all of my creative energy!  Sad, but true. 

But I did just do this page this week.  And while I didn’t intend it to be a “spring” project, don’t we always associate spring with new animal babies?  I know I do.  (And being as how I have nothing else, this is what you get).

Last week our kitty Snow White went exploring and never came home.  Sad.  And we just couldn’t look at two broken hearted faces and do nothing.  (Now this is where I go to have my head examined)……We brought home three (yes….three….I told you I need my head examined) kittens.  But they are so very sweet. 

Supplies:  Basic Grey paper (Olivia & Hello Luscious) & alpha, Little Yellow Shoebox (alpha), misc flowers, thread & buttons, October Afternoon journal spot.
Well, you’re off to your first stop Adele's Blog!!  Be sure to come back here at the end to enter the giveaway.  And if you get lost along the way, you can come back here as well to find your place!
Thanks for stopping by!

Silly me, I forgot to post a picture of the prize.  Here you are:

shh….sneak peek

Last Friday I mentioned that I was planning something big in June.  I thought I’d take a moment to say a bit more.  But really, I don’t know much more.  It's still in process in my head.  I’ve made notes, scratched them out and started over.  Repeat again.

What I can tell you is I’m planning for it to be a month long project.  It will be something I’ll share over the month.  You can work alongside me, or just observe.  Whatever you feel you need to do.  If you want to join me, you will be able to make it daily (it should be about 5-15 minutes a day) or you will be free to take it lighter and do something once a week.  I will be providing options in a more crafty format as well as a more utility format for those who may not be “crafters”. 

I mentioned it on Friday, but then over the weekend, I realized it needed (for me personally) to be more.    At this point, I think it is still changing in my head (yes, scary, trust me, I know!)  I can’t tell you exactly any more than I have, because it may continue to change as I process my way through myself. 

However, at this point, this is a sneak of what the project is at the moment. Supplies:  Cosmo cricket Circa 1934, Thickers, misc

I’ll continue to give you more info as I know it.  But for now, this is what will kick off in June!!!  (But then again, it could totally change by then too….ah….don’t you just love suspense!)

Beyond the Page

Grocery shopping can be a chore in our house.  Not for me, I quite enjoy it.  But I have a 6 year old who doesn’t like to leave the house, and thinks that shopping is the worst thing possible!  (unless of course, it’s for tools). 

However, this certain young man loves to organize (everything except his stuff that is) and loves to have “a job.”  So in a dual effort to get a more cooperative attitude while grocery shopping, and to help with reading, we made this Grocery List and gave C a job.  He is now Master of the List and checks things off (and organizes the cart) as we shop.

   I made a sheet in Word with the basics that I always buy and lines to write less often purchased items as we need them.  I made the cover in Photoshop Word and then laminated it.  We used the handy dandy Bind It All to bind it together. 

Viola!  And so far, one shopping trip done successfully!!

Tantalizing Tuesday – The Breadline

Last week some friends and I went for a girls lunch at The Breadline Cafe in Omak.  I’ve shared about it before.  Beautiful food.
Look at this beautiful colorful salad!  Gorgeous!  Healthy!  Don’t they say colorful food is good!?
Yeah, but that’s not what I ordered!  hee hee……
Nope, I hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast that day, and a salad just didn’t sound hearty enough.  So I ordered a blackened chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries!   YUM!!!!

I just find it so much fun to photograph food!

Blessings After A Storm (and two winners)

It wasn’t a very good weekend around here.  Don’t need to share any details, but as usual, I do believe God is working out the bad for the good.  One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 61:3 “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”

Well, after an icky weekend, I have an incredible sense of joy today.  One I haven’t had for a few weeks (more like months). 

And I was already very joyful when I came home and saw this:

Club CK – this weeks Gallery highlights

My LO “for Mom” was selected for the weekly highlights!  It was so wonderful for as down as I was feeling over the weekend!  Praise the Lord – for the encouragement just when needed!! :)

Funny story too – about a week ago, C told me he was going to do whatever he could to “help me win” a Design Team call contest.  Well, when I told him the page with his art was a gallery highlight, he started jumping up and down saying “I told you I’d help you Momma!”  That was a blessing in itself!!

Alright, so you probably want me to quit rambling huh….and just get to the winners……..well, I have to say, I was kinda happy when Random.org gave me my winners, because I know they are faithful followers.  Gotta love that (since it was a reader appreciation! :)

So congrats to:

Veronica & Alison!!!!  (comments 14 & 15) Whoever e-mails me first gets first color choice.

 

Need a lift?

Something tells me the owner of this bike has found other transportation. 

You think?

(Yes, somedays I need random blog filler.)

Study the Masters - #27

Again, I’ve lost the magazine this page was in!!!  I can tell you it was originally in Creating Keepsakes March/April 2011.  BUT, what I can also tell you is that it was a one page spread.  That wasn’t working for me though.  And since I’ve hit the half way mark, I’ve decided that I may take some of my pages and try to interpret them in my own way rather than stick to the exact design of the original artist.

Journaling: “You have been riding for a while without using your training wheels.  We took them off and you rode like you had it mastered!  So Proud!”