family Freebie

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MugShots freebie WA

Kate Palmer sent me a new layout she had done using a word art I had put together some time ago. Busy little guy! Thanks so much, Kate!

I do have a new word art for you, followed by a layout I put together using it:

Credits: KimB and GS Creations (Kim's sister) new collaboration, SISTERHOOD (at DSO). LOVE this kit!!! I splurged and bought it yesterday because it's such a versatile kit with wonderful colors. They both have add-on freebies on their blogs, so check them out.

Blessings on your day,

Melanie

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Love is a package deal freebie

When my husband asked me to marry him, I told him that if he married me, he married my family...we were a package deal. Since then, he's said it often, when we're on our way to a family gathering...sometimes he gets tired of it and gets too much of it but sometimes, like yesterday, he "gets it." When I told him that my niece who miscarried her baby last December was pregnant again...and that she had heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday. He was just as happy as I was. That warmed my heart.

I thought you might be able to use this word art for those occasions in your life when you know it's "a package deal." :)

Blessings on your day!
Melanie

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5 Things freebie

I would love to see your layouts using this word art!!

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Special Layouts and a freebie

I'm trying to do some catching up today on my blog. For instance, some time ago, Jennifer asked me about the font I used on this word art from February 2nd:

Caitlin for "My Day-to-Day" and

Dahling Script
for "Life"

I'm so sorry, Jennifer, that it took me way too long to get back to you!!

And another thing...

Kate Palmer sent me three of her layouts in which she used word art I had prepared. That was way back in January when she sent them, but I'm just now getting around to showing you her beautiful handiwork. Please forgive me, Kate. I LOVE these and love to see layouts any time.

Just gorgeous, Kate!

On a similar note, by now, you have probably seen KimB's newest masterpiece, which she calls Rustic Warmth. Isn't it wonderful? The earthy colors were so appealingly perfect for a layout of my niece and her minister friend (who officiated at my niece's wedding last fall).

My niece is the one who DOESN'T have pink highlights in her hair! The alphabet in the word "beautiful" is part of the Rustic Warmth kit.

And now, you've put up with my meandering thoughts today... so here's today's freebie word art for you. It reflects my mood. I'm soooooo in need of a job. I'm really down about it today, but praying about it...trying not to be too mopey. It's getting seriously tight here at home, so through today's posting, I'm giving myself a pep talk and a virtual hug. I know things are tough all over, and there are many more people looking for work than there are jobs out there, but it stinks waiting it out.

Give someone you care about a hug today, and make them feel better. :)

Blessings on your day and thanks for listening,

Melanie

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kid friendly freebie

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Christmas WA freebie

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Home

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Dad's September

I ran out of time before I could do everything I wanted with this kit. My dad has been on my mind a lot lately--partly because there's a big family wedding this weekend and we always miss him keenly at those events, partly because the wedding is the day before what would have been his birthday, and partly because it's been raining a lot lately, and he and I spent hours on the front porch when I was growing up, watching the rain fall...talking...and sharing silences, too.

My dad loved the autumn time of year and I have such fond memories of that. KimB's color palette she chose for this month's DSO Color Challenge brought that to mind. I wanted to honor him...I wanted this kit to be better...I wanted it to represent him. But, it is what it is today, and that will have to do. The photos I used in the background of some of the papers were taken either in England or the Smoky Mountains earlier this year. I associate special memories of him with both of those places, too. Please take care of this kit and accept it in the spirit in which it is given...a loving, IMISSYOU tribute to my dad. He's been gone 10 years, but sometimes it just seems like yesterday.

Blessings on your day,

Melanie

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remember

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Cuddle Buttons

We've been fortunate in my part of Texas to receive rain of some sort every day this week. As I mentioned earlier on Thursday, lightning and thunder accompanied just about every bit of that rain. I'm a creature of the rainy storms, so you won't find me complaining.

What I WILL complain about is the condition of the dogs after they come indoors from frolicking in the rain. ACK!!!!! Last night (in the wee hours) they bounded into our bedroom, basically looking like sheep. They are West Highland WHITE Terriers, but when they start digging around in wet soil, their snouts and feet are black. Sheep, I tell you...sheep! Of course, they want to cuddle with us to get dry.

We have muddy "pounce marks" all over our summertime comforter, which is mostly white. Well, it was.

All four of us did have a cuddle after my husband got up at 3:00 am and gave the dogs a shower.

Speaking of cuddles, we received a wedding invitation in the mail yesterday from my niece, who is getting married in September. It truly seems like just yesterday when I was cuddling that tiny porcelain doll with her dark hair and blue eyes. Her hair frequently changes colors now as she plays with her hairstyles, and her eyes are now that extraordinary color of gray-lavender that reflect the hues of whatever she is wearing. And she is still an absolute doll. Though, for some reason, she'd rather cuddle with her fiance' now. Hmmmmm. Imagine that. LOLOL.

Enjoy your Saturday,
Melanie

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tugging on my heartstrings

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no-brainer

My 8-year-old great-nephew is staying with us for a few days. He's such a smart little guy and growing like a weed at the moment. As with all children, sometimes they say something that makes you laugh. Yesterday afternoon, to combat the rising temperatures outdoors, we were splish-splashing around in the pool, goofing off, talking about "stuff" and just having some fun. I had a huge belly laugh, though, at one point when he told me that something was a NO-BREATHER instead of a no-brainer.

So funny!

Thought I'd share this "no-brainer" quotation today, with the pending approach of Father's Day here in the US:

Hope you have a great Tuesday!
Melanie

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Transformed by Love

Using KimB's amazing MOODY DAYS (DSO) kit again, I prepared another layout of my niece with her fiance during the photo shoot I did with them. I'm still one of those scrappers who wants the photo(s) to be the dominant focus of the layout so I guess I'm "out of style" in that sense. As a photographer, to me, it's always about the faces and finding the looks that reveal the person behind them. If that makes sense! [for those of you taking notes, font used: Goombella]


Now, for the freebie hunters, here's today's word art, for your Moms! Moms have the power to transform us by their love for us, too.

Hope your day goes blissfully well,
Melanie

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I'm baaaaack

Yes, I'm back ... did you even know I was gone?!

I'm sorry it took so long to get back online, but I had to make a trip to Memphis (Tennessee) beginning last Monday to get my Mom after she had been visiting a friend of hers for awhile. Then, she wanted to take her time getting back home ... and so on and so on and so on.

Hope you had a great National Scrapbooking Day/Weekend. I missed some of the great activities going on because my husband and I had company over the weekend, but it didn't take long this morning to pick up on the enthusiasm for the events. Many thanks to all the designers for their discounts and gifts. Always a treat!

I made this word art with Mother's Day in mind:


It certainly fits my Mom!

Talk to you later,
Melanie




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for my brothers

Since I first heard of the sudden loss recently experienced by Jenni (Chaos Lounge) and Bonnie (Bonnie's Blog) when their brother died so unexpectedly, they have been on my mind and heart. In addition to remembering them in my prayers, I also prayed for my own siblings -- one cannot help but personalize those moments as they apply to your own life. Then, as I came across this quotation yesterday, it fit so perfectly with the cherished moments I've experienced with my own brothers, whom I love dearly.

Jenni and Bonnie, I'm thinking about you today, and wish you continued healing.

To my own brothers, I'm sending big hugs your way!

All the best,
Melanie




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sharing history

Please take this opportunity to document some of the important moments in YOUR life for your children ... it's part of your legacy to them! Both files are in a single zip file.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Melanie

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Where we love is home

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sisters

today's thought:

and available for a $2USD donation:

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let us be grateful

so, how was your Christmas? mine was very quiet, just my husband and myself and our two westies. my husband had to do all the cooking but he enjoys it. i'm looking forward to our big family gathering on saturday.

my doctor's appointment wednesday with my surgeon went well; he continued to reiterate how badly my wrist was broken and that he had to piece together my palm back in place -- so i'm quite grateful for his skills! unfortunately, i can't go back to work yet which means another week without pay. it's been a tough year ..... 2009 will hopefully be better ... for everyone.

blessings to you and yours
melanie

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