Holy Week

The season of Lent is coming to a close, and we will be experiencing Holy Week beginning this Sunday, Palm (or Passion) Sunday.  I don't know about you, but I've always experienced a "bait-and-switch" feeling on Palm Sunday.  We've been celebrating in a somber key during the Lenten season, and I look forward to the high-stepping celebratory music of the Palm Sunday worship service.  The celebration comes to a screeching halt mid-service when we read the Passion story, concluding with Jesus' death and burial.  Even though I know what to expect, I always leave the service a bit traumatized and open-mouthed.  How could we let that happen?  And the people, the same who waved palms and shouted, "Hosanna!" shouted, "Crucify him!" How could we have asked for that?

 "Hosanna" digital scrapbooking layout uses Palm Sunday Collection Mini

And if that doesn't sober you up enough, we move to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  A last meal with betrayal in the midst, a night of desperate prayer, friends who abandon you, a day of jeering and mocking, lashes, and death on a cross.

 "New Covenant" digital scrapbooking layout uses Value Pack: Via Dolorosa

"Pierced" digital scrapbooking layout uses Via Dolorosa Collection

 

These services aren't happy services.  But I need them as part of my worship because it helps me understand and realize how big a deal Easter is.  And to what lengths God has gone because he loves me so much.  That much.  Grace is freely given to us - to me - but someone paid the extravagant price.  I love you, Jesus.

Oh yes, there is a happy ending!

Layout by my friend Joyce Schardt uses Value Pack: Via Dolorosa

"Risen" digital scrapbooking layout uses JIF 6: 12x12 Risen

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (and a freebie)

My family loves to get together and have fun, and we will use any occasion to have a party.  Of course we get together on the big traditional gatherings for Christmas, Easter, and birthdays.  However, the most fun we have is on the smaller calendar holidays or pop culture events.  And we love St. Patrick’s Day!

How do we party? We make themed food and drinks, play themed games, then settle down to watch a movie together. We don’t always watch the same movie every year, but Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a favorite. Not sure yet what it's going to be this year.

  

Corned beef and cabbage must make an appearance.  We're talking about shepherd's pie too.  But the other culinary delights might be ordinary food or party nibbles.  But we must come up with a name, giving everyday food and drinks silly names like “Wearing o’ the Green Beans,” “Leprechaun Lemonade,” or “Irish Jig Jell-o Cake.”   We'll also have some games.  A prize might go to the person who finishes the Lucky Word Search first, and maybe we’ll have a jig contest.  

I feel very lucky to be in a family that likes to be together, and doesn’t mind getting silly in order to have fun.  

Here's a layout I did of one of our past parties:

Because I love the holiday so much, I was hoping to design a new St. Patrick's Day collection this year.  But I just didn't have the time.  So I'll show you the one I already have in the Scrap Girls store.  

                                                   Shamrock Collection

And for a quick and easy layout, you might like this too:

                                                 JIF 6: 12x12 Shamrock

Both products are also available in 8.5x11 size:

 
(click image to view products) 

Although I didn't get a new collection out, I did want to give you something new this year.  I did find some time to design a new coordinating paper, and it's available to you as a freebie on the Scrap Girls Site!   Check it out!

 Shamrock Paper Special 2
(link removed - freebie is no longer available)

Have a fun (and safe) St. Patty's Day! 

Do Big Things!

Last week, when I promoted my 50c Friday Bless This Nest Super Saver and the coordinating Bless This Nest Collection that was 50% off that day only, I introduced a new set of Pocket Life cards that coordinated with it all - Pocket Life: Bless This Nest.  I completely neglected to mention that I also introduced a second set of Pocket Life cards.  This set coordinates with a collection that is near and dear to my heart - Elephants Fly.  Here's the collection:

Pocket Life is a quick and easy way to document all those daily moments you experience.  It is built around the concept of letting your photo take center stage and then using mini cards as decorative touches and journaling blocks.  Here's Pocket Life: Elephants Fly:

The cards have a mix of titles, journaling spots and embellishment clusters, all making it easy to make a layout by just arranging them around your photos.  I like to use my  Pocket Life Spaces Paper Mini to help me arrange my photos and cards.  Here's all I used:

 Pocket Life: Elephants Fly
+
Pocket Life Spaces Paper Mini+
my photos
+
a few embellishments from Elephants Fly Collection Biggie
= a quick and easy layout!

 

Punxy Phil, where's the early Spring?

Give it up, groundhog.  I hate cold weather.  I rejoiced in your promise of an early spring.  That was over three weeks ago!

And I saw this layout I did for the All You Need Value Pack in the Scrap Girls Newsletter:

(click image to view product)

This photo of Steve and I was taken at the tailgate party before one of the Jimmy Buffett concerts we've been to.  It made me remember how much I love summer!  And how I just hate being chilled to the bone - and just can't get warm.  I'm in a perpetual shiver mode.  AAAK!

As I wait, I'll continue bundling up.  I'll keep the heating pad under my mouse pad to keep my fingers from turning to ice.  I'll turn on the space heater under my desk to keep my toes toasty.  And maybe I'll work on some layouts and products that make me feel warm inside.

Looking for a bargain?

It's 50¢ Friday at Scrap Girls!  What? 
Here's what:

For the super low price of 50¢, you'll receive these two papers and an embellishment cluster. 

But that's not all! For today only, you can also purchase my coordinating Bless This Nest Collection Biggie for 50% off!  That's just $5.00 for a collection biggie. 
 

This special is available for today only! Once this promotion is over, this Super Saver product will not be offered in the Boutique again.  And if you like Bless This Nest, and you're doing Pocket Life, you may be interested in the coordinating cards Pocket Life: Bless This Nest.  Just released!

 

And be sure to check out my friend Jennifer's Super Saver too:

 

BUT THERE'S MORE!!!
 For two days only - February 22-23 - Value Packs are 40% off!  These huge coordinating collections will fill up your scrapping stash faster than anything else - while saving you a stash of cash, too! So grab some of these extra-amazing bargains now!

Here are a few of my favorite Value Packs (click image to view):

How's that for a bargain?

  

Artist Trading Card Template Freebie

If you don't get the Scrap Girls Weekly Roundup newsletter, you may have missed this ATC template freebie. Get it while you can - it's only available for a few days!

Here's what I made with it:

"Love Birds" artist trading card (above) uses:

• ScrapSimple Craft Templates: Artist Trading Cards 2
• ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: ATC Shadows 12601
• Bless This Nest Collection Biggie
• Bless This Nest Solids Paper Mini
• Courtship Collection

If you're looking for more ATC templates, check them out in my store.  I have two sets:

 

Have fun!

All You Need...

is Love!

Inspired by the song, this collection features psychadelic colors and patterns to satisfy your inner flower child.  Here's the collection:

Here's a video preview:

 
 And I've got a whole lot of coordinating products.  Check them out!

All You Need Solids Paper Super Mini:

All You Need Clusters Embellishment Mini:

And all three are available together in Value Pack: All You Need:

Use the All You Need ScrapSimple products to create your own coordinating papers and embellishments, or to make papers and embellishments in the color scheme of your choice!

All You Need Paper Templates:

All You Need Embellishment Templates:

All You Need Styles:

And here are a few layouts for some inspiration!