Friday, September 30, 2011

It's All About the Number 3

Yep...that's the challenge on the BasicGrey blog today. Use 3 photos, 3 different patterned papers, and 3 brads. This was actually a tough challenge for me because I like to use more then 3 pieces of patterned paper.

Anyways...so I started of with this:


And we were allowed to add more as long as it wasn't more photos, paper or brads. So I added this:

And came up with this:

Before I started I cut the butterfly out of my grid paper, then I started layering pieces of the other 2 papers along with my photos. I wanted lots of layers, like my typical style so I added a bunch of strips. I added my title using two different alphabet sets. After I laid it all out, I decided I wanted a piece of paper behind my Inviting sheet for a border but didn't have a full sheet of paper left so I pieced parts of two papers behind my layout. My brads are in the center of the right butterfly.

Here are some close up's:




Please come play along with us! Visit the BasicGrey blog for all the details!

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

MY Psalms of Ascent

Recently I finished the Stepping Up Bible Study that Beth Moore wrote. It takes us through the Psalms of Ascent. After each study on a specific Psalm, we wrote our own Psalm. Mine tried to follow what the original Psalm said but also reflected how it applied to me personally. Some of them get real personal and reflect what was going on in my own life at that time. Some of them came together a lot easier then others. Some may seem out of place, but if you compare them to the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120- 134) then you will see where I am coming from. Anyways, I thought I would share them all here. I hope to make a book of them too.

MY Psalm 120

Oh Lord, I am in great distress.
I call to You and You answer.
Save me from the damage of lies and deceit.
Keep me from the lies.
May those who lie and deceive either change and come to you
or get what they deserve.

It hurts Lord. The lies hurt.
Woe to me for being put in this situation.
I long for peace and love.
But instead all I get are lies and deceit.

MY Psalm 121

I see a long journey ahead of me
with many hills and turns.
But I know my hopes and trust should go to God
who is my true help along this journey.
He will not let go of me
or let this world trip me up.
He does not sleep or take breaks.
He is my active protector!
Thank you Lord!

You watch over me
and you are my refuge.
You hold me tight
and are my shield.

You are my protector on this journey.

MY Psalm 122

Sunday mornings bring me joy
for I get to go to the house of the Lord.
My city needs you.
I am here
and I know you have brought me here.
This area is full of people.
Let us praise You!

I pray for peace in Denver.
Take care of us.
Help me to do what I need to do
for the people of Denver.
We seek you.
Help us prosper.

MY Psalm 123

I lift my eyes to You oh Lord.
You reign!
May I look to you as a servant to her master.
I want to serve You.
I want my focus to be You.

Show me your mercy and grace.
Help me to feel your favor and love.
I do feel like I have endured a lot--
A lot of disrespect, a lot of hurt.
When I think about it all, I feel stupid,
used and unloved.
It's hard to bare.
Yet you continually show me grace and love.
Please help me to do the same.

MY Psalm 124

The Lord is on my side.
If He had not been on my side
when I was attacked
I would have been left in pieces.
The mountains would have covered me,
the rocks would have damaged me.
Life would have left me dead.

But praise to God
who has not let me be ripped apart.
He has saved me
from the devil's schemes,
whose plans are foiled
and has no grip on me.

My help comes from the Lord
maker of heaven and earth.

MY Psalm 125

Those who trust in the Lord
will not be shaken or moved.
The Lord surrounds His people forever.
The righteous will not be overcome
by the wicked.
Take care of us oh Lord,
those who know You.
Defend us against those who do evil.
Banish them and give us peace.

MY Psalm 126

When the Lord worked
a miracle in my life
I was happy and joyful,
full of laughter and song.
It was said that the Lord
has done a great thing.
And they were right,
the Lord did a great thing.

Work a miracle again oh Lord,
Take these tears and hard work
and bring restored joy.
For surely if we persevere
You will overwhelm us with blessings.

MY Psalm 127

If God is not in something
you labor in vain.
If God is not watching out for you
then you are guarded in vain.
It means nothing when you work early
or when you work late.
God grants sleep to those He loves.

Children are a gift, a blessing.
They are quick to defend you
and quick to be on your side.
You are blessed if you have many children.
They will be able to handle their enemies.

MY Psalm 128

Blessed are those that revere God
and choose to walk in His ways.
You will be rewarded.
You will be blessed.

Be like the vine that produces fruit
and your family will produce fruit too.
This is how those who revere God are blessed.

May the Lord bless you
all of your days.
May you see prosperity
and live to see your grandchildren's fruit.

MY Psalm 129

Lord I am tired of being oppressed.
I am tired of being hurt.
But I am not down!
Others have tried to walk all over me.
But the Lord is righteous and good!
He gives me freedom.

May You hear my complaints
and my frustrations about such people.
May You take action that I cannot.
The Lord is my defender.

MY Psalm 130

Oh Lord, out of the depths my soul cries to You!
Please hear my cries.
I need You to hear my cries.

Oh Lord, thanks for not keeping a record of sins,
for who could stand?
And thank you for the forgiveness
that is so undeserved.
I am in awe of You.

I will wait on You!
I will put my hope in You!
I will pay attention and watch for you.

My hope is in the Lord
for the only faithful love comes from Him.
With Him there is full redemption.
He will wipe our sins away.

MY Psalm 131

I have humbled myself oh Lord
and do not have the knowledge that You have.
I will trust all things to You.
For You do way better then me.

I long only to be with you.
To be held.
To be comforted.

My hope is in You!

MY Psalm 132

Oh Lord, please remember the hardships we endure.
May I have the fire and passion that David had
to be in the house of the Lord.
May I find Your dwelling place.
May I worship at your footstool.

Arise Oh Lord, and meet me here.
Clothe me with righteousness and joy.
Do not reject me.

For I know my Lord hears my prayers.
I will keep my covenant with the Lord.
For Christ has come!!!
He has chosen us.
We are His kings and priests.
He will clothe us in righteousness
and we will sing with joy!
For God's Annointed One has come.
His crown outshines all.

MY Psalm 133

How good is it to
live in unity!
It is as good as knowing
you are a child of God.
It is as good as
two nations coming together.
The Lord blesses those
who live in unity.

MY Psalm 134

Oh Lord I praise you now!
May I do what I have come to do!
May I praise you all my days!
And may Your blessings surround us.


I am so glad I did this study, it was just what I needed at this time in my life. Isn't it funny how that happens, you do a study and it is just what you needed. I am glad I typed this up too...if for nobody but myself. :)

Mish Mash Layout

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping in. :) Today I have a layout to share. It uses papers from Authentique, but it's a mish mash of collections...a little bit of Blissful, a little bit of Journey, a little bit of Uncommon and even a little bit of Glowing. Here it is...


That black part with the holes is from this. It's a sticker sheet containing the letters that I used to spell Eryn. I simply peeled off the negative part and used it on my page, all the letter stickers are still on it, well without the e, r, y, and n...but you know what I mean. :) So I can still use the letters and didn't waste anything.

I also used stamps from Unity Stamp Company...it's one of my favorite stamp sets: She Said. I couldn't find it listed on their site though so maybe they don't have it anymore. And then that chipboard window tab is from Magistical Memories.

Here are some close up's:



It's been a busy week for us here. Austin has a school music concert tonight, but first piano lessons for the boys. You probably know how it is when you run from one thing to the next...well that's our day today. While I will enjoy it, I also look forward to that moment when the kids are all in bed and I can actual sit down and relax. :)

Have a wonderful day today! Take time to relax.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

On My Playlist

Because they can say it better then me :)


Hanging On sung by Britt Nicole
(I am lovin' her lately)

You see my anxious heartYou see what I am feelin'And when I fall apartYou are there to hold me

How great Your love for meNow I see what You're thinkin'You say I'm beautifulYour voice is my healin'

Without You I just can't get bySo I'm

Hangin' on to every word You speak'Cause it's all that I needHangin' on to every word You sayTo light up my way

Even every little whisperI'm hangin' on as if it were my lifeI'm hangin' on

And when the darkness fallsI can't see what's before meYour voice is like the dawnAlways there to guide me

Without You I just can't get bySo I'm

Hangin' on to every word You speak'Cause it's all that I needHangin' on to every word You sayTo light up my way

Even every little whisperI'm hangin' on as if it were my lifeI'm hangin' on

You know me better than I know myselfBetter than anybody elseYour love is soundin' like a ringin' bellOh, oh, I won't let go

Hangin' on to every word You speak'Cause it's all that I needHangin' on to every word You sayTo light up my way

Even every little whisperI'm hangin' on as if it were my lifeI'm hangin' on

Hangin' on to every word You speak'Cause it's all that I needHangin' on to every word You sayTo light up my way

Even every little whisperI'm hangin' on as if it were my lifeI'm hangin' on

Stop and Listen sung by Bethany Dillon (she's another favorite of mine)
I wake up
Start the rush and pour some coffee
Things to do pile up
Oh so quickly
Too many days I feel like
I run on empty
Does anyone else out there feel like me?

But I’d be a fool to forfeit
The chance to take a moment

For You to rise like the dawn
Over my cold, tired heart
What I thought I had lost
Finds me when I stop
Stop and listen

It’s the same slowing down lesson we all learn
But I don’t pay much attention
Till I crash and burn

But I’d be a fool to forfeit
The chance to take a moment

For You to rise like the dawn
Over my cold, tired heart
What I thought I had lost
Finds me when I stop
Stop and listen

So all together
Let’s stop and sit at His feet
My sisters and brothers.



Redeemer sung by Santus Real
Sometimes I just want to start over, 'cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on, 'cause I can't see what's ahead
And there are places I've wished I could be, battles I've wanted to win
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
I may never get back again

But I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You can make anything new

Sometimes I just wish we could say all the things that are easy to hear
Ignore the injustice we see and explain every unanswered prayer
But I'd rather speak honestly and wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
'Cause in the middle of my broken dreams, redemption is here

And I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things, but I still believe in You
'Cause You are the answer, the redeemer
Oh, I've given up on too many things, but I'm not giving up on You
'Cause You can make anything new

I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You one day at a time
'Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever
this is where Heaven and Earth collide
I lift my hands and give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive

Oh, I'm still a dreamer (This is where heaven and earth collide)
(I lift my hands and give my life)
Still a believer (This is how my weary heart stays alive)
Oh, You are the answer (Oh, this is where Heaven and Earth collide)
(I lift my voice and give my life)
The redeemer (This is how my weary heart stays alive, oh)

'Cause You can make anything new
Yeah, You can make anything new

Making a Stitched Grid :)


Hi everyone! Happy hump day (Wednesday)! :) My mom always called it that since it was the middle of the week and we were heading over the hump. Today I have a layout to share with you that uses the gorgeous The Bright Side of Life collection from The ScrapCake.


Before I started my layout I created a grid on my paper using a pencil and a ruler, like so:


Then I built my layout on top of the grid. When it was how I wanted it, I went back and added stitching on top of all the remaining lines of my hand-drawn grid, whatever was still showing. I think it looks pretty cool.
Here are some close up's of my layout:

I used chipboard from Magistical Memories on my layout. I used one of the Biplane pieces and one of the Window Tabs. The chipboard letters are from My Little Shoebox.
Well I've got a busy day, so I better get started. Hope you have enjoyed my post today! Thanks for stopping in. :)
Have a fabulous day!