Inspried By Pinterest- Project Life

Hi it is Nicole....How many of you just love Pinterest... I know that I sure do... I find so much inspiration for DIY projects, scrapbooking, cardmaking, recipes,  fun projects for my daughter, early education material and great quotes and sayings.  It really is such a great idea to have everything all in one spot.  One of the things I have seen a lot of pins of and had to know more about is Project Life.  I am not a Project Lifer but I do really like the idea behind it.  Since we have had a few people ask what it is on our Scrapping Everyday Miracles Chit Chat Facebook Group... I thought I would share a little about it and share some of my favorite pins.  Project Life is perfect for so many people that dont feel they have the time or supplies or just want to improve their skill ...

Project life was created by Becky Higgins.To really understand what project life is you should check out this link http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/what-is-project-life.php Basically it is a back to basics form of scrapbooking.  You can create project life pages both digitally or with physical products.  It simpilifies scrapbooking so that you can get more pages created faster.  Project Life is all about YOUR LIFE.  Project Life makes it easy to get your pictures in album and be able to tell their story.  So would you like to see some project life examples... (None of these are my designs nor am I claiming them to be... All are pins from Pinterest are simply being used as example of Project Life.  They are not associated with SEM and we are not claiming them to be)

This first one is created by Fiona Merrild from A Simply Creative Life Fiona creates all of her project life pages digitally.   The best part is she is part of the SEM Facebook Group so if you would like to ask her questions just head on over there and I am sure she would be happy to share.

Here are some other pins form Pinterest from different designers using physical products...

Created by Michelle Wooderson

Created by Lisa Day

Finally how you can get started... check out the Project Life Website... they sell all kinds of start up products.  Two Peas in a Bucket sells kits as well as digital items especially designed for Project Life. Then there is Pinterest there are so many free materials out there for both of those who want to create digitally or physically...Pinterest is full of pins to all kinds of these freebies.  Of course I have a couple of these pins to share with you.  Finally if Project Life isnt for you that doesnt mean you can't use these freebies.  They are great for journaling or displaying on all kinds of papercrafting projects.  All you have to do is download them to your computer and print them out.  So fun! (Once again I did not create any of these freebie cards... I am simply sharing the pins that are found on Pinterest.) If you would like to download any of these cards just click on the blog link below the pictures.

Created by Persnickety Prints and they have other freebies too on their blog....

Created by Jana at Motherz Original and she also other freebies on her blog....

Created by Smitha from Smiling Colors.com and she has some really awesome other freebies  for all kinds of crafting... make sure you scroll through all her freebies

Created by Emilie from Pluckymomo

Have a very blessed  day and dont forget to visit our Scrapping Everyday Miracles Chit Chat Facebook Group where we can chat a bit more about Project Life.... if you arent a member yet just hit join group and we will approve you right away....

Technique Tutorial- Masked Title and Box-Fold Flowers

Hi there...Cara here to show you a couple fun techniques to try on your layouts (or cards/projects). The first technique is using alphabet stickers and misting to create a "masked" title. The second technique is making "box-fold" flowers. Here's a sneak peek of the techniques...

USING STICKERS & MISTING TO CREATE A"MASKED" TITLE

1. Place the photos in the approximate position you want them on your page, and then place the alphabet stickers. Make sure that the alphas are well-secured (so that the ink doesn't leak underneath them). These stickers create the "mask".

 2. After laying down a sheet of paper to protect from the overspray, mist over the title. Also spray any other places you want on the layout. Then set aside to dry (mine took about 30 minutes).

3. After drying, remove the stickers 

4. Here's the end result...

MAKING "BOX-FOLD" FLOWERS

1. Start out by using circle punches to punch out your circles. You will need 4 circles for each flower (2 each from 2 different patterned papers). 

2. Fold each of the circles in half.

 3. Start to layer the folded circles with alternating ends on top (like you're folding a box...as shown below). Place a glue dot to secure the two pieces  together...the placement is important...toward the bottom center (of the green circle in my example)...you don't want to put it too close to the outer edges, otherwise you will not be able to fold over the edges as needed later (in step 7 below).

4. Do the same with the 3rd folded circle...layering it over the top (of the green piece in my example)...

5....again putting the glue dot between the 2 pieces toward the center.

 6. Add the 4th piece and secure. Once you've secured your pieces together, your flower should look like this.

7. Take the top layer of each folded circle half and fold it back on itself, halfway.

 8. If you need to add another glue dot to further secure the piece down, do that now (as shown below).

9. Continue to fold over each of the remaining three top layers, securing with glue dots as needed. Finish off by putting a decorative brad through the middle to complete your flower. You can also use buttons or bling. This is what your finished flower should look like.

Here is my completed layout showcasing both techniques. I made two box flowers with my 1-3/4" punch and 1 smaller box flower with a 1-1/4" punch.

I'd love to see how you use either of these techniques on a project...leave me a comment with a link to your project photo or you can share it on Scrapping Everyday Miracles Chit Chat Facebook Group... if you aren't a member yet head on over so you don't miss out on the fun.... just click on the link above and then click Ask to Join Group...we will approve you in a jiffy!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Praise Post

Happy Monday friends,

This past Friday my girls had Tri-Conferences at their school.  Not sure if you're familiar with the new concept of what use to be known as the parent teacher interview.  Rather than the child being excluded from the conversation between the parent/guardian and the teacher, the child is central to the interaction.  We had the opportunity to not just hear about their progress from their teachers, we also got to see first hand what they have been working on over the past several months, and experience a little of what they're learning, as they walked us through experiments, power point presentations and art work that they've created.  Hearing from their teachers that my girls are kind, and respectful, considerate, and intelligent is so encouraging, and heartwarming.  Seeing some of the things they're learning, and how they are learning them make me excited for how much further along they will be academically by the end of elementary school than I was at their age.  Have you seen the way Math is taught these days?  If only we had learned it that way.  Horizontally makes so much more sense than going down columns.  Their ability to put together their very own movies using Power Point, and the social awareness they develop through a variety of tools through Social Studies is far and wide beyond what and how we learned in school 10, 15, and 20 plus years ago.

My heart was swollen with pride as we left the school, walking as a family to our vehicle.  I was very aware of how blessed my girls are, how blessed we are as a family to have the freedom and ability to send our children to school.  They will never know the reality of some, who don't have that privilege.  They will never have to leave their studies to help support their family financially. They will never have to wonder whether or not they'll have the opportunity to graduate with a High School diploma.  They have teachers who genuinely care about their academic, social, and emotional well being.  And most importantly they have parents who are ready and willing to partner with the school to help ensure the best possible foundation for learning in these formative years.  I consider it such a blessing to be able to be at home during this time.  I consider it a blessing that my husband is able to take time away from work to have been there will me as our girls, with pride in their eyes showed us how much they are learning.  This chapter in our lives is one that carries with it many emotional ups and down, many mornings of frayed nerves, and many evenings of wondering if we are getting it right.  But, it is one I wouldn't trade for anything.  It is A LOT of work, there is A LOT I hadn't really considered when they were teeny tiny, and so dependent on me for everything.  But through them I learn so much more about the way my Father loves, and cares for me.  Through them, I experience the love of my creator as I stop to consider that I am His child, and in me, He delights.  Through them I get a glimpse of Heaven on earth.  When we are in our rhythm, and love and friendship, and kindness, and sharing, and all those good things are flowing I begin to comprehend that although God is in the midst of our lives here on earth, rejoicing with us as we live in the middle of His daily blessings, there is so very much more in store for those who call him Father.  I praise God for His daily portion in my life, and the many blessings he has chosen to pour out on me.  I praise Him even more for all that is yet to come in eternity.  Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child up in the way he should go, and even when he they are old they will not turn away from it."  I praise God that He is the source of our wisdom, and strength as we do our best to see this truth lived out in our girls.

Is there an everyday miracle you recognize in your own life today?  Have you praised Him for it yet?  He gives generously (James 1:5), and he delights in YOU today (Psalm 149:4).

PRAISE the Lord, all you nations! 

Praise Him, all you people!

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us,

and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord

endure forever.

Praise the Lord   

Psalm 117

April Sketch Challenge

Hello, this is Lisa here and I am bringing you April's sketch challenge! Each month as part of our challenge we have a SCRAP TWIST which you need to make sure is somewhere on your project. So this challenge's Scrap Twist is… USE SANDING OR OTHER DISTRESSING (and this sketch of course!)

By completing this challenge by April 30th and linking up your creation in the linky below, you will be entered into the drawing for our monthly prize. April's prize has been kindly provided by Scrapbook Circle and it is a $30 gift credit to their site!!

 

And now for some samples from our DT:

Lisa

Einat

Our guest designer for April, Leila

Elizabeth

Nicole

Cara

GD Inspirational Post

Hi Dears...

I'm very happy to be here with you in this month!
I love the blog, all challenges & inspirations I found here!!!

The first page I did to main challenge which is proposed make a layout about someone who makes you laugh, who say funny things and etc
I choose to do a page about my son Matheus, who is the happiest and funny child I know, it's impossible be near him and not to be happy too!

God has many ways to teach us about lift and about his love for us! The Matheus is living proof of that, because he came to this world because it was God's will...
I was not prepared to have another child and had not planned this, and God just sent me this HAPPY child to be me son...
The Matheus teach me to laugh at little things, teach me to not take life too seriously and teach me what it takes to stop once in a while and just LAUGH!!!

Tks God for this blessing!

Matheus...you make me HAPPY:

And I did one more layout, just for inspiration, following the same proposal...

So, that it's! I hope you like it!!!

I would like to say Thank You for Nicole and all DT's...you are so lovely!!!
Tks a lot for this opportunity!

xx

Leila

Remember - Heartfelt Post

Hi friends!  This is Elizabeth here again :)  I'm a planner and when I saw a few weeks back that I was responsible for today's post I began praying and thinking about what I would write.  I recently was at a woman's conference where the speaker was teaching on wisdom and expressed the importance of being in the Word of God, letting it sink deep into your heart, because we read in the Bible that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  Being moved by this I poured myself into reading and praying - what should I share with you all today?  One word kept jumping out at me "remember".

I used to think that I had a great memory until I started looking for my sunglasses that were on my head or my keys that I put in the refrigerator (along with the milk I had just brought home from the store).  I'm not so good at remembering as I thought I was :)  Maybe you are like me?  Maybe your desk and computer screen are filled with post-it notes to help you remember.  And yet I still forget!

In October of 2008 I was eight months pregnant with my second child (already had a 13 month old boy) when my husband came home and told me with tears that he had lost his job.  This was a hard time for our family, but let me tell you dear friends it is a time I never want to forget.  In three short months I watched my husband mature into the man God had created him to be as he found a job as a youth pastor.  I watched my faith grow as we sold our house in three days and moved further from family to a new home, a new town, a new job, a new church and a new baby!  What amazing things God did in our life and miraculous ways he provided for us - it was very hard and downright frightening at times but I believe we see God's hand at work the most during difficult times because we are looking for it.  I made this layout over the weekend to remind myself and my children of our old house and the miraculous ways God moved us from that place to where we are now.

I think God knows we are forgetful people.  Over and over again He reminded His people of who He was(is) and what He did for them.  He is so faithful to keep all His promises but we forget that He does this.  Moses writes in Deuteronomy 4:9, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

What had they seen?  They witnessed plagues and the angel of death passing over their doorways, the blood of the lamb protecting their firstborns.  They witnessed the opening of the sea providing a way of escape and the closing of the sea over their enemies.  They witnessed water from rocks, manna in the desert, healing from a bronze serpent on a stick.  So many mercies and graces from God and He wanted them to remember.  When we remember the ways He has provided for us in the past we will not fear the future.  He always keeps His promises!  I love this song that encourages us to stand on the promises of God!

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is a faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deut. 7:9)  A little over a year ago I was in the midst of yet another heart wrenching trial with a dear dear friend.  I was reminded of God's faithfulness to me back in 2008 and my own words came back to me, "He brought you through that - He will bring you through this."  As I wake up this morning with new trials my prayer is that I will be reminded of God's promises and faithfulness to me throughout the ages!

Where do you see His hand at work?  How have you seen His promises fulfilled in your own life?  May this day hold for you the peace and joy of remembering promises fulfilled and the hope of fulfillment yet to come!

Guest Designer for April- Leila Cardoso

I have the awesome pleasure to announce that our Guest Designer for April is Leila Cardoso.  Leila has been a loyal supporter of SEM since the beginning and is so talented.  She will be sharing the layout she created for Challenge #15 as well as some of her other projects in her Guest Designer Post  here on SEM on April 12th.  She will also be creating a project as an example for our April Sketch Challenge.  Leila has a little hello to say to all of you below and she would love for you to  stop by her blog and say hi.

http://lolo-artesanato.blogspot.com

Hi Girls, I am very happy to be here.

I'm addicted to scrap and is an honor to be guest designer. I'm 35, married and have two beautiful children who are my greatest source of inspiration, I'm grateful for my family. We love being in touch with nature and we also are passionate about pets: dogs, cats, turtles and many others.I live in Arararuma, a beautiful region in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, where we have beautiful beaches and lagoons to enjoy and relax.

xoxo

Leila

If you are wondering how you can be our next Guest Designer... it is easy.  Guest Designer's are chosen from those that submit projects for our challenges and/or from those that participate in our SEM Chit Chat Group on Facebook 
http://www.facebook.com/groups/200817343359030/  
It never hurts to drop us an email and let us know that you are interested!

Winners . . .

This is Elizabeth here to announce our winners for the month of March.  Before I do I want to encourage you all to come on over to SEM's Chit Chat Facebook Group  for some scrapping fun!  Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and join us for some girl time.  We would love for you to share your layouts or links to your blog posts, interact with us about the latest scrapbooking tips, techniques and trends, or just bless us with your company.  We look forward to getting to know you better!

THANK YOU to each and everyone of you who participated in our March challenges!  You ladies are very talented!  We have been blessed by your beautiful pages and inspired by your designs!  Thank you for playing along and sharing your gifts with us here at SEM.

I put all the entries into random.org (next time I'll have one of my kids pick but it is too late and they are in bed) and the winner is . . . Wendy Crowe!  Congratulations Wendy!!  For the Ashes to Beauty part of the prize please contact Nana Campona right away so the class does not fill up.  For more information on Ashes to Beauty check out Nana's blog Paper Tree House Studio.   Please send us an e-mail at scrappingeverydaymiracles@yahoo.com to claim the other part of your wonderful prize pack!!

And now it's time to announce our Top 3 choices from the March Challenge #14!  The DT really had a tough time with picking only three . . . there are so many beautiful and heartfelt pages to pick from!  This was my first time having to chose and it was really really hard
(Note: The Top 3 are only chosen from the Main Challenge...)

1.  We have a tie for our first place . . . 
Here is Stephenie's beautiful Courage page done on a piece of cardboard

and here is Julie's page (gotta love Mae Mobley)

2.  Maria who did an gorgeous page on her more critical side

Congrats ladies . . . and thank you for inspiring us!!!  If you were one of our top three you are welcome to take the top 3 badge from our sidebar and display it proudly on your blog!   Many thanks everyone who participated!  We look forward to seeing your entries for the April Challenge #15 and April's sketch challenge.

Our Guest Designer for May will be Amanda Johnson!  Congrats on being chosen as our GD Amanda . . . we can't wait to see your take on the challenges and the inspiration you have to share!!    
(Guest Designers are chosen from those that participate in challenges and/or participate in SEM Chit Chat Group on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/groups/200817343359030/ )

We hope you'll stop by our Chit Chat page and say "hi" :)  Have a blessed Easter weekend!  
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  1 Peter 1:3

Challenge #15

March Winners will be announced April 7th!!!!

Hello again!  This is Jeannine and I am really excited to be bringing Challenge #15 to you today!!  I'm calling this challenge, "Say, WHAT?" and let me tell you, I had so much fun creating the two-page layout that I did for this one!  I hope all of you will have fun with it too.

Do you have people in your life that have made you laugh over things they've said, like maybe an uncle with a great sense of humor?  Have your kids said things that made you laugh, and even long after it's said, you still giggle about it?  If you answered yes to either of those questions then you're going to like this challenge!

I think God has given us a sense of humor because He knew there would be days that we'd need a good laugh and He also placed people in our lives to provide that chuckle!  This month's challenge is asking you to create a project that focuses on the people in your life that brighten your day with their silly side.  More specifically, the funny things they say.  It can be something they've said once or something they say on a regular basis.  The beauty of this challenge is that you don't have to have a particular photo of the person doing something funny, all you need is a photo of the person who's made the funny comment.  The journaling will tell the story!

So let's have some fun showing how God has blessed us with the humorous things the people in our lives have said and in so doing, provides the laughter we need to brighten our days!

Scrap twist: Use baker's twine on your project.
Here is what our Design Team created for this challenge... (Hover your mouse over the picture to see what each Design Team member has to say about their layout)

Jeannine
(This is page 1, please visit my blog to see page 2)

Nicole

Cara

Einat

Wendy

Elizabeth

Charis

Sherri

Dolores

Lisa

(This is Lisa's page 1, please visit her blog to see page 2)

Our sponsor this month is Scrapbook Circle and the prize they're giving away this time is a $30 gift credit to their site!! Look how cute their stuff is!!

About Scrapbook Circle:

Scrapbook Circle is a monthly kit club that designs a unique scrapbooking kit each month filled with the most current scrapbooking products. We choose products we love and know you will love too. We also include a custom Scrapbook Circle Printable with each of our kits. You do not need to commit to a subscription to receive our kits. You can buy one kit at a time. If you would like a discount on kits, just commit to purchase 2 kits. 

If you would like a chance to win a $30 gift credit to Scrapbook Circle, all you have to do is complete the challenge and link it up by April 30th.  

The Gift Certificate is not the only thing you can win...

You could be chosen as the Design Team's Top 3 or the Guest Designer for  June .  

(Guest Designers are chosen from those that participate in challenges and/or participate in SEM Chit Chat Group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/200817343359030/ )

Winners will be announced May 5th !!!