Posts Tagged ‘scrapbooking’

It’s been a few years since I lived in the Western part of Norway and I quite love living close to family, but still sometimes I long for the fjord, the mountain and the people of the West.

Especially this summer. When we haven’t traveled over the mountains to meet our friends, when it’s been raining like the west here in the east all summer long, when I haven’t had a ferry ride in ages and when I’ve been fortuned enough to have friends come and visit us – making me miss living close to them ever more.

This is the last page I’m posting for one of Shimelle’s challenges. It’s been so fun making all these and joining in on the fun at Shimelle’s site (as much as I managed during a busy weekend + week at work). This page is for the Half Page challenge.

It’s been a scrappy kind of day today, I’m having the weekend off and spent most of my day yesterday moving stuff from our old house. Today I’ve just done whatever I wanted (= a lot of scrapbooking) and relaxed together with MT. Trying to recharge for a busy week ahead.

So, did you manage to enter Shimelle’s challenges?

Maybe you don’t scrap as much as I, but I do hope you share your stories. At least a few of them. Maybe capturing your every day life with your camera?! We forget so much so fast and I’m so glad for the moments I’ve shared here, in my photos or in one of my scrapbook pages. And yet there are so much more to tell! See you soon!

As I started this page I planned on using far more Hot Pink that I ended up using. I will still post it for Shimelle’s Hot Pink Challenge, because it was there it started

I love the mood of this photo of a place I lived for a couple of years (almost ten years ago now), the photo is not sharp by any means but it has a fairytale quality. At least to me. It’s taken late in the evening, the sunset is giving everything a tint of pink. I love how the road gives my eyes a path to travel; to the timber house where I used to live for a few years ten or so years ago.

Made with papers and embellishments from recent Studio Calico kits.

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I have one more layout to share. Look for a new post soon!

For Shimelle’s 3 Is A Magic Number I scrapped a few photos from when we had cows on the farm back home. I used 3 tags as my three embellishment grouped together, that’s also where I put my journaling.

After 20 years without animals we had some cows for a couple of years at the farm. I liked that so much – and do hope we don’t have to wait another 20 years before there are animals on the farm again (it might not be cows, but still).

Papers and embellishments from recent Studio Calico kits.

It was so much fun finding these photos again, I just had to scrap them! Good thing Shimelle has a perfect challenge for this: Let’s Go Retro Challenge.

I remember our trips to our shabby cabin up on the mountain back when I was a teenager. Sometimes we were only two going up, other times we were several. Every time we had great fun and lots of laughs.

The mountain is a great place to be, I feel so free there, here we have walked up from our cabin and are enjoying the view. And look at our smashing style. LOL. Late 1980s.

Papers and embellishments from recent Studio Calico kit(s).
For Shimelle’s Let’s Go Retro challenge.

Just when I had put my finishing touches on my Saturday Feeling layout using a grid design, Shimelle announced that her next challenge was a Grid It Up challenge. So here I am with another grid and I have to admit I love using grids on my layouts I did not opt for her double page example, though.

I still had a few iPhone images laying around and they were perfect for this layout all about the massive rain we’ve been having this summer. It’s been totally crazy with rain almost every day. I got out my mothers old blue type writer for the journaling. It’s so fun to use it, but my fingers hurt after just a few sentences and mistakes are bound to happen.

I placed the word(s) summer rain on the left side and the word(s) rain summer 2011 on the other side since as I’ve been longing for some sprinkling summer rain instead for the rain summer we been having. Sigh.

I loved the bold colors. Everything is from recent Studio Calico kit(s) + stamp by Ali Edwards.

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Next up some old memories

I’ve been scrapping more traditional layouts the last week than I ever thought were possible (at least for me), but it’s been fun. Most of the time (a few times I’ve been staring at the canvas not sure of what to do next or thinking that the last move what not a good one – a few not so fun moments). Nothing like learning something new and getting inspired to be crafty on a few everyday kind of days. A big Thank You to Shimelle for throwing out all these challenges and giving me the push to try my hands on real paper (and not only the digital kind, which I already knew I loved).

Since this is the last day to enter the challenges, there will be quite a few scrapbooking post following this. So let’s get this party starting. Here is my contribution to the Color Story Challenge:

I found some old photos from when MT was all new to me and we just had become a family through adoption. I couldn’t remember much about the situation, other than I guess it was quite some everyday stuff. I do know his face expressions, though, both his happy come play with me and his more demanding we have to go out now! It’s still so much a part of him 6 years after. I also did notice the hood, MT loves wearing sweaters with hoods and he often will put the hood up. Apparently that is a pretty common style for him

For this I used mostly recent Studio Calico papers, stamps and embellishment + some of Ali Edward’s word stamp.

Thanks for looking. See you soon

It’s about bed time here, but I have to share a couple more layouts with you. I still find it super hard to take photos of the layouts and keep the colors as I see them, but I will keep practicing and here are two new layouts for Shimelles challenges this weekend.

I went with a couple of old photos for the Start Here challenge. I loved how it came together, it was so fun playing with the colors and thinking about the time when MT first came into my life.

We spent so many good days (or rather parts of them) down there by the fjord. And on a beautiful day it was a super place to spend some time too!

I was on a roll and jumped right on the next challenge Chop Your Paper.

I love papers and I love colors, so before I even read the post properly I was on a roll chopping up papers, making a grid with a few iPhone photos from May and lots of beautiful colored paper bits. I loved the squares and added a few circles for good measure.

I might have bend the rules for the challenge a little, though, by using more than one sheet of paper. But I had so much fun and hope that Shimelle will forgive this little made-before-I-read-it-through-properly entry of mine

And, just in case you didn’t know: I am a

Good Night!

Shimelle is having a fun online crop over at her place this weekend, with lots of challenges and giveaways. I’ve been looking forward to this and am going to use what spare time I have today to scrapbook a few memories – I’m even going to use real paper, my scissors and some glue. Just to change it up a little (and because that too is fun!)

Last night I stayed up way too late and made my first entry for the crop, using a lot of different stickers. It was fun mixing them all up and a great challenge for a simple scrapper like myself. I used papers and embellishments from a few recent Studio Calico kits and did my own little spin on Shimelle’s page.

(If you want to read a little bit about what’s in my journaling click the image and jump over to Flickr)

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Ahem, I’m all new to the whole taking good photos of real life scrapbook pages, but I’ll experiment a little this coming week. It can only be better

I wanted to put in a little plug for The Daily Digi since it’s the last day to purchase The [June] Digi Files. If you want to learn more you can check out The Digi Game for options for subscriptions and more; so you’ll never miss another set of files.

This month I’ve been a bad blogger and haven’t been sharing any of the layouts – but here we go:

A WEE BIT OF WISHFUL THINKING

Journal: I remember the day we went to the store to buy a new bike for you. Your 2nd bike. You were happy happy happy. I remember trying to get you to chose a big boy bike, but you refused. ‘It’s too big mama, I’m going to get hurt falling off’. So I gave in and we bought the bike you wanted. It took only a month before I started regretting not pushing you; when visiting our friends you rode a grown up bike with ease. And it took only a year before you started complaining that it was too small. (Sigh.)

Today I saw your big smile; borrowing your friend’s bike. I know, I know. Digging deep in my pocket as we speak. Ready for bike #3?!

speak bubble says:
‘Mama! I really want a new bike. You know how I’ve grown so much this year. I’m getting too big for this old little one now. And I want one with gears. 21 gears would be good. Can I? Pretty Please!’

SILLY

Journal: Sometimes you just love making funny and silly faces, there is no point in denying that. I have plenty of evidence.
Love you goofball! Mamma

MAY SUNDAYS

Journal: Notes from a rural pastor’s life | 2011 [What I see]

Spring equals Confirmant Services around here. Not that I haven’t been with the youths all year long. But in Early May (usually) the big service with family and friends are happening. And, wow, there are a lot off people gathering in church – and a lot of happiness as well. And nervousness too, to be honest. Mostly from the youths, but also from me.

It’s a bittersweet time for me. After following them throughout the year, this is a good bye of sorts. No more classes or gatherings. No more questions I have no answers for, silliness when they should be working or big smiles around the table because we shared a funny story.

I know there will be other youths coming along. Other smiles, questions and quest. But right now I’m just going to let it be all about them. I’m going to miss them, for sure. But I’m also happy to see them on this very special day. All dressed up, big smiles and with so much of their life before them.

We prayed for them in church. I told them to keep Jesus close at heart. To put their trust in Him. I also told them to never forget that they are more valuable than anything else, that they are like beautiful pearls. I hope they dare to believe that.

I’m keeping them in my prayers and thoughts. Wishing them all that is good including a relationship with God. A bittersweet day, but also such a happy day.

A HEART FOR FISHING

Journal: As soon as the spring starts to turn into summer, as soon you start to ask the question: ‘Mama, can we go fishing today?’. You have yet to catch a fish, but you still love to walk down to the lake and spend a few hours preoccupied with the water, the bait and the floating platform. I don’t mind following you, as long as it’s not raining. One of these times, a beautiful Saturday evening, I snapped a few photos with my phone. I love how they captured the feel of the sunny evening, the peace and joy. I guess there will be many more fishing trips throughout the summer. Each of them a everyday happy moment.

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So there you have it! Lots of layouts done with the June collection Thanks for looking – and reading!!

And, if you don’t already are a listener, please check out the digi show – a podcast all about digital scrapbooking. I love the conversation going on and can’t wait for another edition next week.

There is always something new happening in the digi world of scrapbooking, I won’t even try to cover it – but I wanted to let you in on a few things:

The Daily Digi is out with a new set of files for the month of April, this time the faboulus designers are: 9th and Bloom, Studio Q, Sara Gleason with Zinnias and Swallowtails, Jacque Larsen, Libby Pritchett, Quirky Twerp and Miss Mint.

I can’t tell you how much I have learned by being part of the team over there, and how much scrapping I’ve got down. So far this month this is what I can show you:

(Click the image for credits and journaling)

Learn more about the memebership options here: The Digi Game (affilate link).

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I also what to recomend a podcast that I love to listen to: The Roundtable Digi Show. Always lots of laughter and something new to learn or think about.

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Sweet Tomato Designs is out with a sweet new kit. A real fun feeling one whit lots of smiles. Learn more about the kit here.

Here is what I made:

(Click the image for credits and journaling)

Wishing you a happy Thursday!

Another couple of designers have been revealed at The Daily Digi;  Kim Wresh and Allinson Pennington. I made this playing with their contribution to the Digi Files:

(Click image for journal)

I love the colors of Allisons kit ‘Follow Me‘ – and the fun doodles and arrows. Kim’s two-paged template from ‘These Days Template Set‘ was really fun to play with as well and I plan on using it again. Both designers are a part of this months Digi Files at The Daily Digi.

For more inspiration, take a look at the Team Inspiration page at The Daily Digi.

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Another story told. That is a good feeling
Have you told any stories lately?

I’ve been so eager to tell, and I finally can! 

Click image for credits

A few weeks ago I got asked to join the Creative Team at the Daily Digi. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was and how much I enjoy my first few days there at the team. As I type this I have still a hard time believing that it true. The Daily Digi is one of my favorite reads, when it comes to digital scrapbooking, I think I have read every single post since it got launched on January 1st 2009. To be a part of what’s going on there is just HUGE! Thank you Steph for taking a chance on me

The Daily Digi sells The Digi Files to support the site. The Digi Files are a great way to get a lot of digital scrapbooking supplies for a little price – and you might also discover new designs and designers without having to buy kits at full price. In each Digi File there are around 5-7 kits and 1-2 packs of templates. It’s a great deal and this month there is a subscription option as well; making it a lot easier to remember to get the files before the month is over (there is a new set of Digi Files each month). You can subscribe monthly or annually – read more about it in this post, or check the different options for subscription at the subscribe page.

The scrapbook page ‘Signs of Fall’ (at the top of this post) is made with the first ever The Daily Digi Exclusive kit: ‘Story of Everyday Life’ – a kit jam packet with digital goodies, good for a variety of pages to scrap. I love the colors and the 365 themed templates included. The only way to get this is if you subscribe to The Digi Game. This is the first of several exclusive kits coming – each 4th month you are subscribing you’ll receive a new exclusive kit (depending on what kind of subscription you choose, though, so read more here).

Don’t forget that The Daily Digi posts new content each and every day – and it’s all free

October is off to a good start | Look for a few more post from me soon.
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Disclaimer: the links about subscribing to the Digi Game are affiliate links.

Cara of Sweet Tomato Designs are having a sale on two of my favorite fall kits. 50 % off! If you long to scrap you fall photos check these out! Autumn Bliss. Grateful.

I’ve made a few layouts with them (earlier), hoping to do another one of these days. I love the colors.

Click images for credit.

Yesterday I got some great news, and a fun new adventure into scrapbook land. This is such and opportunity for me to grow as an digital scrapbooker and I look forward to be a part of it. Yay, right now I really LOVE making pages after pages of colorful goodness telling our story. It’s my favorite thing to do to relax and rewind after a busy day at work.

And after printing over 100 of my pages through Persnickety Prints (they do FANTASTIC prints! If ever in need of some, use them ) I LOVE to hold the real pages in my hand, watch them and share them with people around me too. So much better than the layouts I printed out on my own printer (even though they were nice too, in a way, but nothing like the real thing..). Kiddo likes to watch also, but only a little bit. But he understands the concept of taking photos and wanting to do something creative with them, so he’s good. One of these days I’ll teach him how to use Photoshop Elements too, my guess is he will love to edit his own photos   (but then I think I might need to learn how to edit video as well, since he loves to take crazy videos with his camera, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that just yet…) LOL. I’m just blabbering here.

Anyway, wanted to show you my latest scrapbook page. I made it for the Scrapzilla contest week 3 (links for the others: week 2 and week 1). This week was all about colors and I had a blast with these old photos of MT. He was so cute as a 3 year old

photos from 25.04.2006, words from 17.09.2010:
I love these photos of you, taken one early morning in your Grandma’s kitchen when you were 3 years old. You had so much fun splashing paint and colors all around. And you made such a mess. A good mess. I know you love colors just as much as I do. Today I asked you what your favorite color is and you quickly answered BLUE. But then you added that you really liked YELLOW as well, and I know that yellow (or sometimes more orange) have been a color you’ve loved for a long time. Now as I watch you grow I’m thinking of all the color that will be your life. All the colors that will be you. For I know there will be a lot of it and I wish for you a life filled with colors of all kids. A colorful life where you can be yourself and be proud of who you are, just as I am of you now. So, go on, make your life a colorful living. I’ll be right beside you cheering you on and loving to live colorfully too.
credits: template by Janet Phillips (collection #5) | papers and elements from Happy in my Heart by Secret Stash digital scrapbook designs | scrapzilla secret elements by Melissa Daniels Designs, RhondaSunflowers and Pixel Perfect Designs

Be creative and have a wonderful Monday!

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NOTE TO SELF: Don’t forget to update wordpress….

So we had too much rain in August and my grass had, by the end of the month, grown out of proportions. Earlier this summer my dad had come to my rescue, insisting on mowing himself. He told me he didn’t think I was strong enough to get the machine started. And he needed to take the mower with him and use it on the farm anyway; so since he already was there, he could as well mow the lawn for me (as he put it himself). But then one day in the middle of August the machine was too full of wet grass, after a rather unsuccessful mowing session, he didn’t want the machine in his car and placed it in my garage to collect later. Later never came. And one sunny day I decided I had to fight the machine. The weeds needed to go. So I tried. And I won. So now my lawn is mowed (at least the main part). Yay.

This day I learned that:
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I can start the mower and mow the grass all by my self!

| credits: template by Shimelle (from class; modified) | papers and elements from Be Frivolous, Dandelion wishing and Bookworm by Kasia designs | stitches from Borders No. 2 by ANNA | alpha from Happiness by Creations by Rachael |
| photos from May 2006 |