{Every day Joy...}

This is my take on challenge 106 over at CSI.

This year I do not have a New Year’s Resolution. I decided to choose a word to focus on this year.  My power word is JOY.  There are so many big and small things that steal our joy daily, but I am going to do my utmost best to choose joy every day as my quote says. 

This is how I solved the case :

The scheme : I used all the colours

Evidence :

arrows

gold

numbers

circles

stripes

white background

 

Testimony :  About a New Year's Resolution on the back of my layout and reads as follows :

I say it every year, but I can hardly believe how quickly 2013 have flown by. It has been a rough one for me in more ways than one and I can’t say I am sorry to see it go.  I have high hopes for 2014 though.

This is the first year I have chosen a word to claim as my focal point for the year.  As I have been praying about what word to use for 2014, several popped into my head over the last few weeks.  The word JOY is the single word that stuck out above all. Therefore, for the year 2014, I have chosen to focus on the word JOY. A kind of JOY that manifests down in the depths of my heart...and leaves me in awe every day...

I prefer to find JOY in the small things as well as bigger. I want to find JOY in every experience of life. I want to seek JOY in the people that surround me.  I choose to be JOYful that I have so many blessings.  Even in the darkness, there is light, and having JOY will show me that light and amplify it. Only a three letter word, but for me a very big challenge.

JOY can be constant if you choose it...

{Fairies are handmade by God...}

My take on CSI S365-3 I just love the pinks and yellows.  The background of this layout was inspired by Kelly Foster.  For the background I used Lindy's stamp gang, Finnabair's circle stencil, water soluble pencils and some shimmerz. I also stamped the background with Bo Bunny's bingo clear stamp, Prima's stitch circles and KaiserCraft's script clear stamp.  I "handemade" the flowers and "hand stitched" the title  to go with the title. This is how I solved the case :

The scheme : I used all the colours
Evidence : beads, stitching (the title), birds, flowers, pearls and glitter
Testimony : I used the inspiration word "handmade" in my title and journaling. This is a photo of my daughter-in-law and her best friend. They decided one year for their birthday they wanted a fairy photoshoot and I was to happy to help.  My journaling is on a tag hidden behind the photo and reads as follows :

This was my first encounter with fairies. This is a true story…not a make believe story…You do need to believe in fairies before you can see them, and they need to know that they can trust you before they will show themselves to you. Fairies are very shy and quietly spend their days caring for plants and flowers in gardens. I found these two fairies in my garden playing their favourite game, hide and seek. They were so beautiful, I believe they are handmade by God, dressed in precious lace and silk costumes. At first, my camera frightened them but I slowly gained their trust by showing them I do not mean any harm. These little people do not like to be photographed due to their desire for secrecy. I was charming and kind to them and they agreed to some photos. This was so much fun and I could see that they were also enjoying the photoshoot.  They were dancing, singing, and hiding inside flowers. They also whispered to me that they have been best friends forever. Always treat fairies with kindness and respect…if you are lucky enough to meet them!

 

 

 

{A walk through the garden gate...}

My take on CSI 99. I loved the colour pallette, my fav colours.  For the background I used Tim Holtz distress paint, stencils and gesso.  My journalling reads as follows :

I fell in love with these tiny micro veggies the moment I saw them in one of our local shops.  They are super cute, carrots, radishes and spring onions. Off course perfect for the new CSI challenge so I just had to get some, with a husband just shaking his head.  The thing is, I see potential in the little things, I explained. I believe micro veggies are very easy to grow.  You can grow them outside, in a garden bed or in containers, or inside on a sunny windowsill.  This is just what I will be doing next year…perhaps one of my New Year resolutions…

{Brrr...}

In South Africa where we stay we never see snow.  The first time I ever saw snow was when I was in matric, 32 years ago.  This is a photo of my daughter, this was her first snow as well.  After she left school she attended a  service year for Christ and during her outreach to Lady Grey it snowed. For the background I used sprays, gesseo, gelatos and a prima stencil, some sewing and washi tape.  I entered this layout for the White with 1 November challenge.

{Dream}

This is my take on Challenge #98 over at CSI.  I loved working with this colour scheme. For the testimony I used the word "dream." My journalling is on the spiral notebook paper behind the photo and reads as follows : From the second you were born, I felt an intense need to dream for you. As you became older, those dreams and ideas have changed.  Every parent wishes only the best for their children, but sometimes life gives us the best perspectives, by giving us some of the worst times. It is often through difficult times that we find the truest joys of life. Looking back so many of your dreams have come true and some shattered, but you have learned how resilient your spirit is as you overcome life’s disappointments.   Never give up on your dreams or walk away from them, a great dream usually takes many years to mature. Have total faith in yourself and especially in God, and always remember, God’s dreams are far bigger than we could ever imagine ourselves.  May the Lord broaden your horizons for all the rich promises He has in store for you. Be happy as you travel along the journey of life, a life rich in texture, the staircase to your great dreams…

 

{Life on the other side of the road}

This is my take on challenge #97 over at CSI.  I took this photo during our vacation in Mosambique.  My journalling reads as follows : These photos remind me how we sometimes take running water for granted. It seems like such a simple thing, but many people go without water for days, weeks, and even months. We do not have to walk for miles to a well to obtain water like the children on these photos pushing the wheelbarrow with buckets for miles so they can have water in their homes to bathe, wash clothes and cook. Such a simple thing as water…but we consume so much daily. How many people across the world would be so grateful each day for a single gallon of pure water? It certainly puts things into perspective. I am grateful for the blessings that I have.

{Bloom}

This is a photo of my daughter in one of the beautiful streets in Pretoria, South Africa standing on a carpet of  Jacaranda blossoms.  The background on this layout was inspired by one of Kelly Foster’s awesome tutorials.  Check out her blog. I used flower and heart chippies and my new gelatos. Other products used BoBunny and Martha Stuart flowers.

The journaling is on the back of my layout and reads as follows : During the month of October and our town, Pretoria, is transformed into a glowing purple mass when the Jacaranda trees are in bloom.  This is one of the greatest displays of nature’s colours, which lines street after street, showering bright petals on sidewalks and roadways. They are everywhere, on pavements, parks and gardens throughout the city.  Sadly…our town faces a future without its famed Jacaranda trees, as a deadly fungus, which has been eating away at their roots slowly attacks them.  Jacaranda time in our city makes me happy and the environment beautiful….

 

 

 

{Playing school}

This is my take on CSI # 95 {Playing school} I documented an old memory...I think this photo was taken when I was about six or seven years old in front of my dad’s garage. I even remember that the garage doors were painted orange and white. This is some of my... fondest childhood memories, playing school with my dolls. All of them, even the broken dolls the monkey and the clown. Sometimes I played inside other times outside depending on the weather. I had a blackboard as you can see in the photo that my dad made. I would arrange wherever I am playing with tables and chairs. I used old storybooks for my students and I also awarded them stars for good work.See more

{It's for the birds...}

 

Case file # 91 over at CS and this is how I solved the case:
The scheme: I used all the colours.
Evidence:  Wet medium, stripes (my background paper) bird and tearing
Testimony:  My testimony is something I enjoy every day, feeding the birds in our garden.  I am so lucky to have these Love Birds visiting my garden every day.  My journalling is on the back of my layout and reads: Feeding these beautiful wild birds is something I love and the sweet reward I get for doing this is to sit and watch my feathered garden visitors closely and as long as I want to every day.  Patiently I sit and wait for something unusual...a new visitor, to drop in for a feed, just wanting to be photographed...and I use the opportunity to my ultimate benefit. My bird garden is fast becoming a real tweet-retreat! I have also used this quote by Robert Lynd on my layout...”There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before...”



{She's got eyes of the bluest skies...}

This is my take on Sketch No 11 over at Scrap & Music The challenge required the use of the song Sweet Child O' Mine by Gun's and Roses and this awesome sketch by Ana Castro which I just LOVED working with. I used the phrase “She's got eyes of the BLUEST skies, as if they thought of rain." This photo is so perfect as my daughter has the most beautiful blue eyes. I did background stamping, stenciling with gesso and washi tape and lots of glimmer mist. Thank you for looking.

 

 

{Simply black & white}

This is my first layout for Scrap Around the World, loved the mood board and the sketch and so much inspiration. Wonderful talented ladies. I had to rotate the sketch to fit this photo of my daughter all dressed in black and white, and went perfect with the mood board. I did some background stamping and sprays. The scalloped pink papers on the sides are cupcake wrappers.  This is the mood board and the sketch. Thank you for looking.

 

{A magic moment...}

The journalling for this very special layout was written by my daughter... A few years ago, my friends and I visited uShaka Marine World in Durban. We went to watch the long awaited dolphin show.   I had the wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the ocean’s most incredible mammals, a once in a lifetime experience.  It was a magical experience.  The trainers were fantastic in allowing this to happen.  It was my first time to feed, touch and kiss a dolphin. I was very happy after having such an intimate experience.   It is truly a memory I will cherish forever.

{You}

This is my take on Sketch No 9 over at Scrap & Music. The challenge required the use of the song I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR BY U2 and yet again a wonderful sketch by Ana Castro. I used the phrase “I’ve run through the fields only to be with YOU.” This is a photo of my son and daughter in law with their E-shoot.  I was so honoured to accompany them on this shoot and I was also allowed to say what kind of photos I wanted for scrapping. That was awesome! On the background I did some stamping, stenciling with gesso and washi tape and I coloured the hexagons with chalk pastels.  Some of the buttons I covered with washi tape. Thank you for looking. This is the sketch…

 

 

{Beach rules...}

 

This is my take on Case file # 84 at CSI. This is how I solved the case :
Scheme : I used all the colours
Evidence : Fabric (I made the flowers with off cut denim material), trees, textured paper (the arrows is made with cork paper) pockets (the denim short has 2 pockets lol) twine and circles
Testimony : Beach rules and the following journalling on the back of the layout : When I think of vacation, the sea is on the top of my list. The one thing I love most about the sea is the feeling of tranquility and inner peace when overlooking the vast ocean and the blue sky. The gentle blow of the sea breeze that caresses my skin makes me feel so free. It is a relief from the chaotic city life that we live in. Everybody needs to have a little change of scenery every now and then and the sea is just the perfect place for our family to relax. Perhaps it is the feeling of the soft sand against your bare feet...or the sound of the waves that brings a feeling of calmness…or the warmth of the sun as it shines down on your shoulders…whatever the reason, I enjoy the way the sea makes me feel.

{Beach...}

This is my layout for sketch challenge No. 20 over at Scrap Africa. This is a photo of my son and his girlfriend, now wife, during our December 2010 vacation in Port Nolloth.  Thanks for looking. Unfortunately, I cannot get the sketch downloaded.

{Summer shoot...}

This is my first layout for a CSI challenge and I can really say that I enjoyed it so much. Lovely sketch and wonderful scheme and options. I rotated the sketch. My journalling is on a tag tucked in behind the photo, and it is about our yearly summer photoshoot at our favourite location.
Evidence : flowers, buttons and texture paste.
Testimony : Using the word Summer in my title and my journalling.
Here was the challenge...

{Far away from the city...}

This is my take on Sketch No 6 over at Scrap & Music. The challenge required the use of the song BABY I LOVE YOUR WAYE by PETER FRAMPTON and the wonderful sketch by Ana Castro. I used the phrase “Far away from the city.”  This is a photo of my  daughter  during our vacation in Sodwanna Bay. Once again I did background stamping, stenciling with gesso and washi tape and lots of glimmer mist.  Thank you for looking.

{She..}

This is my take on Sketch No 5 over at Scrap & Music.  The challenge required the use of the song SHE by Elvis Costella from the movie Notting Hill with the stunning Julie Roberts and the given sketch which I roted.  This is a photo of my gorgeous daughter with our last winter photoshoot. I did lots of background stamping, stenciling with gesso and washi tape.  The roses I made myself.  Thank you for looking.

I want to grow old with you...

This is my take on the July sketch over at OUAS.  The journaling theme was “GROW”. This is a photo of my husband and I, this year is our 30^th anniversary, and this is the man I want to grow old with (we are halfway I guess) This is the first time I scrapped myself…because I am always the one behind the camera LOL! My journaling is on a tag tucked in behind the photo. This is the Sketch…