Sunday, August 18, 2013

Make It Monday #154

 
 
Another week has flown by and it's time for a new linky party to open at Make It Monday. You can link your old or new paper creations up now. Our sponsor this week is the popular Bugaboo Stamps and I used Ava-School Sign It 2 on my scrapbook layout. The notebook page is perfect for journaling and Ava looks a lot like my daughter did when she was young. :)
 
I have a confession to make, it was scrapbooking that brought me to paper crafting originally but I haven't scrapbooked in years. I was busy schooling my children and during part of that time I was a small business owner also. It made for hectic days and my scrapbook stuff sit on the shelf collecting dust. In 2010 I started making cards and I delved back into the paper world. In the fall of 2011, I started this blog to share my cards and a mere two weeks later my dad called from Texas. He was no longer able to live alone because of the seriousness of his heart conditions. We moved him to our home in Tennessee at the young age of 84 and took care of him until he passed away in March of this year. The loss of my dad has been hard for me and it's actually the first time I've mentioned it here on my blog. We had a special bond and I'm very grateful for the time I had with him. His only regret was that he had not moved to Tennessee before, me too. There's been more sorrow this year with the loss of my FIL in July. My DH and I both have moms in nursing homes with Alzheimer's and my MIL's has advanced to the point she rarely knows who we are. It has all taken a toll on us to say the least but it was a sweet blog friend who reminded me that there have been good things to happen this year as well. Our children provided that source of happiness with both of them achieving milestones in their advancement of higher education and in their personal lives. Hence the scrapbook layout, it brought me back to a sweet time and that's what I love about scrapbooking. It's simple by today's standard I know. Many of the LO's I've seen are far too beautiful to be put in a binder and should be framed instead. They are truly works of art and hopefully I'll be able to produce some of those myself before long. ;)
 
 
My two homeschoolers on the first day of school, Aug. 2000.


 
 Sponsor
 
 
Prize is winner's choice of 7 single digi's!
 
Thank you Bugaboo Stamps for your support of our challenge and for providing the DT with images to create with.
 
 
Pick of the Week
 
 
I love the Basic Grey papers and the way she let the sentiment spill over on the sides of the focal panel. The pretty bow wraps this birthday card up in style.
 
Thanks for sharing your talent Asha with us at Make It Monday!
 
 
For more inspiration by my incredible teamies click HERE or on their links in my right sidebar. Sorry to be so long winded today. Hope I didn't put you to sleep with this post. :)
 
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Lisa

18 comments:

Sandy said...

It's a beautiful layout, Lisa and a good reminder of happy times. it's been a rough year for you all so glad you can reminisce on happy times too.
Wonderful POTW!
Hugs,
Sandy

Tracy said...

You really have had a tough year haven't you. I'm so sorry to hear of all your losses and difficulties. It sounds like you did get to have some quality time with your dad and make some more memories. Like you I started out as a scrapper and try to get back to it here and there. Cards are a LOT quicker. LOL Your page looks fantastic. I like all the school themed elements you pulled together. Sending you happy thoughts and prayers too.

Cynthia said...

Lisa, I don't scrapbook at all, but it fasinates me. It is always difficult to face the loss of loved ones, and the aging of our parents. Having been a Director of Social Work in the Nursing home industry my entire career I understand both sides of that. That of the need to place a loved one in a nursing facility, as well as, being the family member that has to do that. My brother died in my nursing home. His room was across the hall from my office. But I knew he received excellent care there once I could no longer care for him at home. It pray for you and your loved ones during this most difficult time. Paper crafting in whatever form brings me a sense of peace and happiness that nothing else does. Whether simple or very detailed, your scrapbook page is lovely. It's purpose is served. To bring to you, the memories that warm your heart. Hugs to you dear.
Cynthia

Sue Lelli said...

LOVE the photo and all of your back to school papers! GREAT layout, Lisa!

Sarah said...

Lovely page Lisa and you are absolutely right when you mentioned scrapbooking making you reflect on happier times...I think we should all get our boxes of photos out from time to time!! Have a good day xx

Chrissy said...

It IS a fabulous layout Lisa,and such a cute photo.Love the sentiment [bottle tops]and such great colours..Lovely POTW from Asha...hope you are keeping well..

luv CHRISSYxx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

It's a lovely LO and the story behind it is really moving. I'm glad to see that you tried scrapbooking again. It's hard to see the good things happening to us amongst all the sad ones, it's really good we can preserve the memories of them in beautiful pages. Thinking of you. ..xxxx

Shirley-Anne said...

Hi Lisa .Love your page . Show cases the image beautifully .
Love all the other images and back ground paper too .
Your POTW is a very pretty card .

Rene said...

Awww my friend, I'm sure you made your dad feel so much love while he was with you!
Your page is awesome...I love every single detail!
Rene :D

Janny Jager said...

Beautiful and colorful page Lisa
Love the pictures you used.
Greetings Janny

Pia S said...

What a great school themed layout! I really like the papers and embellishments you've used, and the image is so sweet and perfect with this design!

lalkygirl said...

What a fantastic layout Lisa ,gorgeous papers .
Cute POTW too
Tracey x

~Tammy~ said...

I love the bottle cap sentiment! Darling layout!

Unknown said...

Lisa,
My heart and prayers are with you. I do scrapbook and I do hang many of my pages. I think the one you did is perfect for hanging! It has really inspired me! Before I became ill, I was a teacher and have many teaching scrapbook pages to do and will be keeping yours in mind. I am so glad I found your blog!

Elizabeth
http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Sandie said...

Lisa, I enjoyed reading your blog post on 'you and your life' .. touches home. I am sorry for your loss, you have been through a great deal .. hold onto the precious memories and treasure them always in your heart your Dad will always be, only a whisper away. I never had a Father in my life, so I envy your close relationship with your Dad .. :-) Your layout is beautiful, and the memories within it more so precious. It is nice you are scrapping again and I hope you will continue as time permits. I adore all your lovely cards too .. blessings to you. xx

Unknown said...

Lisa this is stunning!! Great POTW, Hugs Kerry xx

Words and Pictures said...

Love your layout, Lisa - so bright and bold and cheerful, and the photo is simply adorable.

It sounds like it's been a very difficult year, but the strength of the family bonds is clear in how you write with such love about your them all... and how the successes of your children continue the cycle of your whole family's strength and joy in life, despite the losses. Thank you for a thoughtful and lovely post.
Alison xx

Margaret said...

Sending huge hugs to you!! Your page looks wonderful! I love the little bottle caps title and the lined paper as your journaling block!

While I find paper crafting in general relaxing, there is something very soothing and therapeutic about scrapbooking. Hope your return to scrapbooking brings you added happiness!!

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