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The Art of Giving

I went to the funeral of a friend on Wednesday -- someone I had known for more than 20 years. She passed away four months after learning that she had pancreatic cancer. What an insidious predator that is.

She suffered, as did her family. In the early stages of her illness, she continued to show her sparkly self, declaring that the good thing about getting to heaven would be that she would be healthy, finally -- and SKINNY. She loved that idea, having struggled with her weight the past two decades.

One of the many great things about her was that over the past few years, she learned sign language, so that she could help people. She even used it when her church began sending groups of people on mission trips to Myanmar, to a children's home there, where the hearing-impaired children learnd about God for the first time. She gave much so that they could "hear," and she loved every minute of it.

Today's gift word art is in her memory, and in celebration of her life.

So, what is your weekend like? We have a high school graduation to attend, and an Eagle Scout Court of Honor to attend -- both of which I'll be photographing as well. Rites of passage are so important, and I look forward to helping my sister scrapbook these events for her youngest son. How fun is that!!!

I've got a backlog of scrapbooking to do, myself. I tend to be a "hunter-gatherer," collecting all the paper, digital art, elements, embellishments, shiny stuff, vintagey stuff, fun stuff, glue sticks, photos, postcards, etc., that we use to make our albums even more beautifully memorable ... then I stare at the bags and piles of stickers, rub-ons and what-not, just WILLING it to leap into some organized fashion all its own ... then awhile longer, I take, to mull over the process that I'll use on this one ... then some time later, I'll finally dive in, after I'm sure I have everything I need. The next day, I'll then make a run to at least two craft stores to find something else to make the album perfect ... there's no such thing as having everything you need, huh, when you're as obsessive-compulsive as I am about it, I guess. :)

I'll probably pop in later today with another word art for you, so check back. In the meantime, have a splendid day.

Blessings,
Melanie
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You may disagree ...

... but this quotation does NOT apply to me. When I expound on something, it's just because either (1) I feel passionately about the topic and express my point of view to persuade/inform others or (2) it just needs to be said, whether I do the talking or not!! For me, talking about nothing at all is exhausting, with a capital E, and I don't do it well.

The author [Oscar Wilde] of this quote was a prolific writer/playwright, who had MUCH to say, some of which was quite amusing.

However, we ALL know someone -- ages 9 months to 99 years -- to whom this applies tenfold. Am I right??!!

As always, I would greatly appreciate seeing any layouts you prepare using this or other pieces you've downloaded from my site.

PS Tomorrow is Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Melanie

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Katy Believes

Today's word art is in honor of KimB, whose very close friend is moving soon. There's so much truth in it, I think.

I'm also posting a layout I prepared using a collaborative kit from DSO; it's called "I Believe," designed by Kim Broedelet and Bunny Cates. You must check it out -- it's stunning!!! It's a memorial gift they made after their friend, Jazzy, lost her daughter; it's a sparkling, ethereal tribute to this daughter who is so missed.

Anyway, last Saturday I did a bridal portrait photo shoot of my soon-to-be-niece-by-marriage. When we came across this wooded area I knew any photos taken in it would be wonderfully displayed using the "I Believe" kit. I call this layout, Katy Believes.

Katy is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and our family welcomes her with open arms. She and my nephew are getting so excited.


I was testing a new digital camera with the shoot, and was sooooooooooo pleased with the results. Now, I just need to get some photo shoots for clients that pay so that the camera pays for itself!



Hope your day goes well,
Melanie

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For Your Tomboys

Here's the additional word art promised, for girls. I decided to use the Boy Truth quotation and just make it "Tomboy."

I'll do something girly later. :)

DOWNLOAD: Tomboy Truth

Hello, again!

Looking back on my blog yesterday, I realized that I forgot to put a note to tell everyone that I was on vacation last week. I always take a week off in May, just before the school kids are out. My husband and I ended up staying at home instead of the Colorado trip we'd planned -- but his time was cut short because he ended up being asked to go to work for a competitor right away. Because it was both a promotion and a significant pay increase, he leapt at the opportunity. So, I enjoyed a much quieter week than I'd thought, which isn't a bad thing.

I've had several questions, comments and other requests to which I need to respond, so I'll just launch into that right now.

BLINKIE: I've actually had a request for a blinkie for my blog! I've thought about that several times, but to be honest, don't know how to do it!! I'm not particularly happy with my blog header, so know I need to redesign that, and I was waiting on that to get a blinkie done. If anyone has any ideas about that, please let me know! I know there are tutorials out there for all kinds of things, but I just haven't taken the time to figure out the whole blinkie issue.

Two readers pointed out to me (thanks, Sharon and Starla) that the word art I hurriedly posted just before I left for vacation had a typo on it. So, a corrected version's download link is below. I'm so embarrassed about it, because the incorrect ways people use "it's" and "its" is a real pet peeve of mine; I got caught out because of the old copy and paste thing and didn't proof it as I usually do. Thanks so much for catching it!!!! DOWNLOAD: Boy Truth (corrected)

Jan, I do plan to do a "girl" version similar to the Boy Truth quotation. Actually, I had planned to do it at the same time, but ran out of time. Thanks for your request -- I'll try to get that posted later today as soon as I find one that I really like.

Denise tagged me!!! I will add my responses to today's posting as soon as I get a chance to go grab another cup of coffee. :) Denise, you're a one-woman cheering squad, and I greatly appreciate all your kind comments and "atta-girls." Thanks, too, for noticing I was absent, D.

Also, I've had requests for some other word art pieces that have links that are no longer active. I will get to those this week as well.

Lisa Campbell sent me this layout using the bird song quotation. It's beautifully done. Thanks, Lisa!!!

Lisa also sent this gorgeous layout in direct response to my shameless begging. You'll notice that she split the word art to accommodate her layout, and I think it works beautifully:

I must also show you this layout sent to me by Stephanie B, using the recent Ocean word art. Isn't it awesome?!! And I don't use the word awesome unless I really mean it. :) Thanks for sharing, Stephanie.

In the meantime, it's great to be back online and in the digi-scrap community. Now, I need to go check out what I missed on my favorite blogs and shopping sites! Have a great Tuesday. See you again, soon.

PS: Oh, yeah ... here's today's new word art. It made me chuckle.

Blessings on your day,

Melanie

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Memorial Day in the US

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