tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17613275445313020402024-03-13T04:16:33.262+00:00Pen PalsOne in the UK, one in the USA: International blogging buddies. Both challenge you to tell your stories. After all, the pen is mightier than the sword.Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-91442519850003055602009-12-10T09:00:00.000+00:002009-12-10T09:00:05.683+00:00This is Random<div><strong>Ran . dom</strong> -<em>adjective</em> Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective</div> <div> </div> <div>I'm constantly amazed at the things you can find on the internet. During an afternoon of blog posting, leaving comments and praise on message boards and the blogs of my peeps, I stumbled across a random word generator site. Just for fun I began clicking the 'new word' tab and I was intriqued by the randomness of each word that was displayed. Each word generated was totally unrelated to the previous word. And, I noticed that when a new word would appear in the creamy yellow box it conjured up a thought or a memory in my head. </div> <div> </div> <div>What a perfect prompt for a journaling challenge! So, your challenge this week is to go to the website, <a href="http://watchout4snakes.com/creativitytools/RandomWord/RandomWord.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>, and scrap the word that is randomly generated for you and use it in the title on your page! And, it doesn't matter if you have to click the new word button a few times until you are compelled to scrap a word. Just relax and enjoy this fun way to prompt you to tell your story.</div> <div> </div> <div>Here's my page for my randomly generated word: </div> <div><strong>What Happened to My</strong> <strong>Organization</strong>.<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Filovehotoffthepress%2Falbumid%2F5228920573769751201%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3D0oj_Vg_rlhU" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="400" width="600"></embed><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>Journaling reads: For as long as I can remember I've loved to organize things. For me, there's real joy and satisfaction seeing everything clean, lined up, and in order. Craig expected the things in our home to be organized and although he wasn't too good at getting it that way, he was exceptional at keeping it that way. It was how we lived and that was fine with me. </div> <div> </div> <div>Whenever there is change or stress in my life I feel compelled to clean and organize everything. It's my way of being in control. After Craig died, I spent months organizing every nook and crannie, desperately needing to regain command of my life and surroundings, and moving in to a new house helped me to do that. </div> <div> </div> <div>I've lived here for 2 years now and slowly I've become less compulsive, less organized. It concerns me, but not enough to motivate me to action. What has changed? Am I adapting? Feeling less stress? More relaxed?</div>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-70536941083653380482008-10-26T13:41:00.002+00:002008-10-26T13:50:57.197+00:00Are You Swamped With 'Stuff' Too?You might have noticed that nothing's been happening here for a couple of weeks ... and we have noticed that you, our loyal followers, have also been missing for a couple of weeks.<br />This might have made me & Colette sad ... but we are big girls now, with grown up stuff to do & we understand that life sometimes gets in the way for us all.<br />So here's the plan:<br />We have absolutely NO intention of closing down this blog - we love it & if it's fun, well - you don't throw it away, do you? But we are going to take a loooooong break to deal with all the other stuff going on in our lives. I might post something occasionally if I have a li'l journaling prompt to throw out to you guys ... but there won't be any challenges & we might be silent until after the holiday season.<br />But we will be back in the new year - refreshed & ready to go ... put us in your readers to be sure you don't miss the announcement for when we are coming back (we haven't got a date just now) & in the meantime, just so as you don't miss telling your stories ... check out Jessica Spragues fab, free class - <a href="http://craftymoments.blogspot.com/2008/10/fab-free-class-from-jessica-sprague.html">all the deets are here</a>!!!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-58738385388043561642008-10-18T09:00:00.000+01:002008-10-18T09:00:00.485+01:00More About AubreeI asked Aubree a whole bunch of questions too - and these are the bits that she chose to share with us:<br /><br />Tell us a bit about yourself :<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">I am married with 3 beautiful children, a 7 year old son and 5 and 3 year old girls. My real job is taking care of the kids but for 40 hours a week, I moonlight as a hedge fund portfolio manager.<br /></span><div class="Ih2E3d"><br />How long have you been crafting?<br /></div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I started scrapping about 2 1/2 years ago. I never thought of myself as a creative person but a friend convinced me to try it out....now I am obsessed! I have taken over our extra bedroom and now have my own scrap space. My kids and I sit in there and scrap almost every day. They may just cut up paper and glue it to other scraps but in their minds and mine, we "scrap" together.</span><br /><br />Top Journaling Tip? <span style="color:#ff0000;">I struggle with journaling which is why I love this blog. It truely challenges me to write more about each event or memory that I scrap. I know my children will appreciate my work more when they can read the story behind the page. </span><br /><br />Visit <a href="http://aubreesscraps.blogspot.com">Aubree's Blog</a>!! <span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Thanks for sharing with us Aubree! How great is it that you & your kids 'scrap' together? You sure are building happy memories with them ... & maybe one day when they are scrapping with their kids, they'll be telling the story of how they used to scrap with Mom! </span><br /></span><a href="http://aubreesscraps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></a>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-8733326730303351722008-10-10T09:00:00.001+01:002008-10-10T09:00:00.799+01:00Challenge #6 - Putting Down RootsAnother Challenge - & a brand new PenPal! We are pleased to welcome Aubree as our newest PPOTW; our winner from Challenge #3. Aubree sent us this beautiful mini book to illustrate her challenge ... which is a great reminder that you don't <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to do a layout. So whether you choose to scrap your entry, create a mini book just like Aubree did, or maybe just get the words down ... in a journal, blog post or a file on your computer - we want to hear about it! So this is what Aubree had to say about Challenge #6:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO04n3HvePI/AAAAAAAAEe8/vWkMyWvU2hI/s1600-h/legacy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO04n3HvePI/AAAAAAAAEe8/vWkMyWvU2hI/s320/legacy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254918597673711858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I thought it would be nice for everyone to create something to honor their heritage. It can be journaling about your parents, a layout about your ethnic background and customs, or even a project highlighting your family tree. I personally scrapbook for my children. I want them to have something to see how they have grown over the years and remember the fun times that we shared, but also to learn about their roots. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">About 5 years ago, my husband's aunt researched their family tree. I used this information and stories that she remembers to create a mini album.</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO04oVOP-iI/AAAAAAAAEfE/nR0rYiWu87U/s1600-h/legacy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO04oVOP-iI/AAAAAAAAEfE/nR0rYiWu87U/s320/legacy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254918605754071586" border="0" /></a>The journaling reads: Frank Greenspun and Molly Rothman were married on March 18,1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Frank was the youngest of seven children. He was born to Israel and Hannah on May 28, 1899. While he was born in the United States, Frank's parents had both immigrated from Russia. Molly Rothman was born in Russia on October 12, 1900. Molly's father, Abraham, immigrated from Karmonetz, Russia. He arrived at Ellis Island on October 22, 1905. His wife and child (Molly) must have joined him in the States at a later date as no records can be found of them traveling with him. <br /> <br /> Frank and Molly had two children, Marilyn (b:01.18.29) and Bertram (b:10.29.33). They resided Northeast Philadelphia until late in their life. Frank died of Parkinson's disease in September of 1983. Molly passed on August 30, 1987.<br /><br />So however you choose to do the challenge ... don't forget to <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">e-mail your entry</a> to us & maybe you will be our next PenPal!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-19379314552349097832008-10-09T13:03:00.001+01:002008-10-09T13:03:01.985+01:00More About Chantele - part 2!So we are back with Chantele ... & a whole bunch more questions!!<br /><br />Current fave technique?<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">I love stamping diamonds on my pages. I also love distressing and making things shabby and grungy. </span><br /><br />Top Journaling Tip?<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Just do it! So many people don't journal on their pages. I am guilty of it sometimes myself. If you don't record those memories how will anyone know the stories that they tell.</span><br /><br />Fave Manufacturers/Ranges<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Ranger, Making Memories, May Arts, American Crafts, Prima, and of course, Scrapbook Obsessions. ;)</span><div class="Ih2E3d"><br /><br />Who would you most like to do a page/card for?<br /></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Martha Stewart. Yeah, who would have guessed? LOL!</span><div class="Ih2E3d"><br /><br />Any other interesting info you'd like to share?</div> <div>My other favorite hobby is motorcycling. I have ridden my bike over 20,000 miles just in the last year and a half.<br /><br />Visit Chantele's <a href="http://chantelejacobs.blogspot.com/">blog</a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>& check out more of her fab layouts on the ScrapbookObsessions.com message board gallery.</div>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-26161278582656614242008-10-09T09:00:00.004+01:002008-10-09T09:00:00.482+01:00More About ChanteleWell it's been a li'l quiet around here this past couple weeks, so lets spend some time getting to know Chantele a li'l bit better. I asked her a whole bunch of questions & this is what she told me:<br /><br /><div>Tell us a bit about yourself :<br /></div> <div>My name is Chantele Jacobs. I have been married to my best friend since 1993. We have three boys ages 19, 17, & 13. I am the co-founder of Scrapbook Obsessions (<a href="http://www.scrapbookobsessions.com/" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr>scrapbookobsessions.com</a>), a monthly Scrapbook Kit company.<br /><div class="Ih2E3d"><br />How long have you been crafting?<br /></div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >I've been crafting ever since I was a child. My mother is a very crafty lady and as a young child I learned how to do counted cross stitch, painting, etc. My mother is also the one that got me hooked on scrapbooking in the early 90's.</span><br /><br />What is your favorite craft? (Scrapbooking? Cardmaking? Etc)<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >My favorite craft would definitely be Scrapbooking. It is a creative outlet for me and a great way to display my family photos.</span><br /><br />How did you start?<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >My mother kept buying me scrapbook supplies as gifts for my birthday, Christmas, etc. I actually had no desire to use them so I stored them all on the top shelf of my armoire. It wasn't until 2-3 years of collecting all the supplies she gave me that I actually sat down and used them for the first time. Now I'm hooked. LOL!</span><br /><br />Describe your craft space?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO0tAfQp1KI/AAAAAAAAEek/Oad2oLrAbCA/s1600-h/SBroom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO0tAfQp1KI/AAAAAAAAEek/Oad2oLrAbCA/s320/SBroom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254905826625836194" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >We recently moved into a larger home and I did not have the furniture to fill the formal living room so I turned it to my scrapbook room instead. I lucked out and was able to pick up some Pottery Barn shelving units for practically no money at all and they have become my favorite storage of all time. They hold soooo much stuff and what is really great is that with my supplies actually visible, I tend to use them more than those that are stuck in a drawer out of sight.<br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><br /></span></div>Wow! I *need* a room like that one! Thanks for sharing with us Chantele ... & if you want to know about Chantele's fave techniques, manufacturers & more ... come by later for the next exciting instalment! LOL.<br />Have you entered <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/09/challenge-5-lets-talk.html">Chantele's challenge</a> yet? Be quick, you only have until Midnight!! <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">E-mail us</a>!!!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-60627571561330514402008-10-08T22:29:00.003+01:002008-10-08T22:44:11.598+01:00Aubree's Challenge #5 EntryApologies to Aubree, who sent her entry to me ages ago - I won't bore y'all with the details ... lets just say I've been MIA. Anyway - I'm loving this colour scheme right now ... & the simplicity of this page - just fab! Thanks for playing along again Aubree!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO0oTqknFAI/AAAAAAAAEec/zx5yHXyav-0/s1600-h/mindofachild.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SO0oTqknFAI/AAAAAAAAEec/zx5yHXyav-0/s320/mindofachild.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254900658521707522" border="0" /></a>The journaling reads: <br /><br />N: Mommy, when I move into my own house, will you come over to babysit sometimes?<br />M: Sure honey to babysit your kids?<br />N: No mommy to babysit me!<br />M: (laugh) You do know when you have your own house, you won't need a babysitter anymore, right?<br />N: Oh...<br /><br />The layout was made using BG Granola line and an MME tag.<br /><br />There's still time to enter your page, project, blog or journal entry - c'mon ... <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">e-mail me</a>!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-51050457405687896502008-09-30T09:00:00.001+01:002008-09-30T09:00:00.796+01:00Jan's Entry for Challenge #5Check out this fab, colourful layout from Jan! And I have to say, she must have been quick off the mark this week - I've had this in my inbox for a couple days already!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SOE42ChWNbI/AAAAAAAAEcI/GYDzQnOrvxo/s1600-h/conversation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SOE42ChWNbI/AAAAAAAAEcI/GYDzQnOrvxo/s320/conversation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251541141531538866" border="0" /></a>Journaling reads:<br /><span lang="EN"><p align="center">The girls: “Mamaw, Seth drives like </p> <p align="center">a Grandma.”</p> <p align="center">Me: “Well girls, maybe he is just trying </p> <p align="center">to drive carefully”.</p> <p align="center">Girls: “But we don’t want to be careful,</p> <p align="center">Mamaw.”</p> <p align="center">Layne: “I want Brelynn to drive. </p> <p align="center">She goes faster”.</p> <p align="center">Me: “But isn’t it Seth’s turn to drive?”</p> <p align="center">Seth: “I don’t mind Mamaw. </p> <p align="center">I’m tired of being careful!”</p><br />Thanks for joining in with us again Jan! I love your choice of colours - so bright & fresh ... & the li'l flower accent that mimics the papers , the doodled (I think) road accents & stitched ribbon that also hints at a road & the whole driving theme. But most of all, I love this snippet of conversation - gotta love the funny things our kids say! LOL</span>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-73972556757302445992008-09-29T20:57:00.003+01:002008-09-29T21:10:42.202+01:00Weekend (!) WinnerOK, so it's not actually the weekend but work with me on this. Let's just pretend for a moment that it is Saturday & I am about to announce the winner for Challenge #4's Pen Pal Of The Week!!!! With me so far? Good.<br />So, entries were down a bit for this one - I guess maybe I'm not the only one who has been struggling with fitting everything in just now. Happily Colette & I have come to a decision & are pleased to announce our latest PPOTW ... Nancy Jones.<br />I have long been a Nancy fan (no really? I hear you say! LOL) but her entry this time was soooo moving I cried! Congrats to you Nancy - can't wait to have you join us for Challenge #7!!<br /><br />Check back tomorrow to see the first of <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/09/challenge-5-lets-talk.html">Challenge #5</a>'s entries!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-51494232123323719832008-09-26T12:36:00.000+01:002008-09-26T12:38:10.519+01:00Challenge #5 - Let's TalkThis week's challenge is brought to you by Chantele, our Challenge #2 winner. Documenting conversations is a fabulous way to tell the story ... and gives a great insight to the way we interact with others, it tells who we are. So for Challenge #5 we want to eavesdrop.<br />It's up to you how you do it: you might want to create a layout, complete a page in your journal or art journal, blog about it or even use a series of e-mail or letter excerpts. However you do it, let's document those conversations - and <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">e-mail them to us </a>for your chance to be our next pen pal!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SNzEjz3HmfI/AAAAAAAAEbg/df81oAUc3-A/s1600-h/AssignmentEStitches.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SNzEjz3HmfI/AAAAAAAAEbg/df81oAUc3-A/s320/AssignmentEStitches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250287385103014386" border="0" /></a>I love Chantele's page! A little gruesome perhaps but who said we can only scrap the good stuff!<br /><br />The journaling reads:<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > </span> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >The phone call: </span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"Hey baby, would you like to go to the open house with me at 6pm?"</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"Yeah, if I'm done here by then I'll go with you."</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"What are you doing?"</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"I'm on my way to the emergency room"</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"Why? What happened?"</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"I got cut with a chainsaw."</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"What?! Are you ok?"<br />"I think so."<br /></span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"Tom, what happened?!"</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"Cameron and I were cutting a tree branch and the chainsaw slipped and cut my wrist".</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >"I'm on my way!"</span><br /></div><br />Scary stuff huh? We'll be hearing more about Chantele during her stay with us ... in the meantime, don't forget to check out our new 'meet our pen pals' links to visit their blogs.Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-72798676818235787462008-09-26T09:29:00.003+01:002008-09-26T12:01:51.209+01:00More About Jing-JingI have been hit by the most terrible bout of lethargy, hence the lack of posts this past fortnight. So, without further delay ... here's some more about Jing-Jing:<br /><br />I am Jing-Jing Nickel and I discovered scrapbooking 10 years ago when I was invited to an in-home class. To me, it was the most perfect extension of my love for traveling and travel photography. Then with the birth of my first child in 2004, a new dimension of scrapbooking as well as a new realm of creative possibilities were born with her. I transitioned from a pure event scrapper (trips) to encompass many "moments" documentation of her life with us. Now I have two adorable girls with my husband of 10 years, and scrapbooking has never been more fun and taken more seriously. <br /><br />I was recently named one of the runners-up of the Memory Makers Masters competition, an honor beyond my wildest expectation.<br /><br />In my spare time from scrapbooking, I have a full-time job in the I.T. profession as a software development infrastructure engineer.<br /><br />Other interesting facts about me... I am extremely extroverted and outgoing. People who know me in real life know that I'm loud and crazy. I speak English (above all else), Chinese (Mandarin and Shanghainese), and French. And I love words and writing.<br /><br />Blog Link: <a href="http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://thislittleartofmine.<wbr>blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Thank you Jing-Jing! We have loved having you as our pen pal & hope you will come and play again soon.<br />The new challenge will be posted this evening, so watch this space!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-60030325145870895512008-09-25T14:33:00.005+01:002008-09-25T14:46:46.555+01:00Marta's Challenge #4 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SNuTWKEecsI/AAAAAAAAEbY/MXuYW1yjw3o/s1600-h/PPC-MyWish1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SNuTWKEecsI/AAAAAAAAEbY/MXuYW1yjw3o/s200/PPC-MyWish1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249951799499977410" border="0" /></a>Well it has just been one of those months so far where little gets done! I guess it must be the same for most people as I have to say all my blogs have been quiet of late - not so many comments, and only 3 entries to this current challenge!!<br />Anyway, this li'l package of loveliness comes to us from Marta.<br /><br />Here's what she had to say:<br />I did this LO in a 8x10 photo frame, inspired by one posted by Colette in the SO gallery some time ago.<br /><br />The journaling translation is as follows:<br /><br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;">My Wish…</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;">I wish that I was closer to both of you instead of being a long-distance grandma.<span> </span>I wish I could sing you songs and read you stories before going to sleep.<span> </span>I wish I could make bubbles with you and chase the butterflies; See all the Elmo movies with Chloe and dance all the songs of the Backyardigans with Alejandra.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;">I wish I could tell you about Abuelita Cuqui, and how much she loves to sing and recites poems.<span> </span>I wish I could also tell you about Abuelito Juan, Abuelita Mary and Abuelito Figue; and how much they would have loved their great granddaughters.<span> </span>I would tell you about your cousins, aunts and uncles here in Puerto Rico, and how much we enjoy our family reunions.<span> </span>I would tell you about how beautiful Puerto Rico is ‘The Enchanted Island’, as it is called; where your parent’s roots are and so are yours.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;">I wish I could be closer to the two of you so that I could practice Spanish with Chloe and see Alejandra’s progress as she learns English.<span> </span>I would enjoy so much watching you grow.<span> </span>I would constantly talk to you about God Our Father, and all the blessings you receive each day of your lives and the marvelous gift he has given you of having parents that love you so much.<span> </span>I wish I could be closer to you to take care of you when your mom and dad have other responsibilities and that way you wouldn’t have to stay in the arms of non-family members.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style=""><span style="color:#000000;">I have to recognize that technology makes wonders!<span> </span>And thanks to the existence of the internet, digital photography and cellular phones, I can enjoy of the many moments almost instantly.<span> </span>But, my main wish is that I could hold you in my arms and kiss you frequently especially each time you say “I love you Nana”.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><br /><span style=""></span></p><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Thanks for sharing with us! I love the mix of graphic style & computer text, softened with the clustered embellies & li'l splashes of colour that tie in elements of the photos - adorable! And your wish? Something I guess most long distance grandparents also feel & something that the ones closer must appreciate every day!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-29400440382816822632008-09-17T11:39:00.000+01:002008-09-17T11:39:00.924+01:00Vanessa's Challenge #4 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-OEES7C-I/AAAAAAAAEYQ/dZ5SJ61PRKc/s1600-h/Staff.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-OEES7C-I/AAAAAAAAEYQ/dZ5SJ61PRKc/s320/Staff.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246568291433647074" border="0" /></a>Journaling reads:<br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">My Hopes</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; font-style: italic;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Everyone has numerous hopes and dreams- ones that often change every day. I, on the other hand, have had the same hope for a long time. You were always more then an uncle to me, you were my teacher- my mentor. It was hard for people to see in you what I saw. Often people only saw you for the teacher, the bossy teacher, the one who made them actually do some school work. They couldn’t handle the challenge. They weren’t <span> </span>used to it. I wanted (or needed!) the challenge and I always got it. I felt as though I always needed to work harder then everyone else. They all thought I was getting good grades just because I was your niece. Oh <span> </span>boy! Were they ever wrong! I believe family has to work harder than everyone else; they have a standard outside of school to hold up to, a home and family standard that others never realize. I thank you for those challenges. I never took the time to say it. Although I believe that day you called me and convinced me to stay in University (regardless of the money, you said something would work itself out) you understood that your words meant more to me then anyone else’s at that time. To have someone with such high standards believe in you is worth the whole world. So my hopes? My hopes are </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">to be at least half as good of a teacher as you were. Anything over half would be outstanding! I think about you every day and I silently</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">thank you for pushing <span> </span>me to reach my goals- and I am nearly there!</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(165, 0, 33);" lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size: 9pt;" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thanks for playing along again Vanessa - I'm loving the li'l ribbon flower details & how you pulled the whole thing together with the red in the staff noticeboard. I'm pretty sure you are going to look back on your Uni years fondly, they were definitely some of my best times! LOL.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><span style="font-size: 9pt;" lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size: 9pt;" lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Have you sent your entry for Challenge #4 yet?? <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">E-mail it </a>to us to have it posted on the Pen Pals Challenge Blog and for a chance to be our next Pen Pal Of The Week!<br /></span></span></p>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-15988892639391503152008-09-16T12:21:00.004+01:002008-09-16T12:35:29.910+01:00Nancy's Challenge #4 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XEmQVgDI/AAAAAAAAEYY/RSeUq0YZvqU/s1600-h/My%2520hope%2520for%2520you.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XEmQVgDI/AAAAAAAAEYY/RSeUq0YZvqU/s320/My%2520hope%2520for%2520you.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246578196154253362" border="0" /></a>Here is Nancy's entry for Challenge #4 ... & a bit of a departure from our usual 1-pic post. Not favouritism, you understand (although I guess you might have heard that I'm a not-so-secret Nancy fan! LOL) but she sent me close ups & I thought it would make a nice change!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XE-i6VaI/AAAAAAAAEYg/-ct5Dv_Ji5g/s1600-h/journaling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XE-i6VaI/AAAAAAAAEYg/-ct5Dv_Ji5g/s320/journaling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246578202674615714" border="0" /></a>Anyway, the journaling reads:<br /><span><span style="color: rgb(1, 79, 222);font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;" >There are so many things that I hope for your future. You are such a smart, caring and beautiful girl. You have a beautiful heart so full of love. I hope you always stay true to yourself. Pursue your passions and live your life to the fullest. I hope you apply your self and get the most from your education. We will always sacrifice to make sure you have the best education we can get you.<br />I hope you find a man someday as wonderful as your father to be your husband. NEVER settle for any one that does not cherish you and treat you like your father treats me. Make sure he is also your best friend. Forever is a long time when you are unhappy. I hope for you struggles that will make you strong. Unselfishness and happiness but most of all I hope that you know just how loved you are, and that I am so very proud to have you as my daughter.<br />Love,<br />Mommy<br />xoxox<br />2008</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XE6RekcI/AAAAAAAAEYo/98_wWe6-ghw/s1600-h/details%2520full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XE6RekcI/AAAAAAAAEYo/98_wWe6-ghw/s320/details%2520full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246578201527751106" border="0" /></a>Awwww Nancy, you made me cry! Not that I shall admit it, ever! LOL. In fact I told DS1 that I had something in my eye ... not that he bought it - I have smart kids, which can be a disadvantage!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XFLavysI/AAAAAAAAEYw/Lv2k6Qg57o4/s1600-h/details2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SM-XFLavysI/AAAAAAAAEYw/Lv2k6Qg57o4/s320/details2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246578206130031298" border="0" /></a>Anyway, I shall try to keep my emotions in check ... or just blame the hormones! Thanks for joining us again Nancy - I love the li'l hinged journal book & the buttons ... & the 'love mommy' sticker detail ... all of it really (I'm a bit of an embellie junkie too! LOL) I'm a bit tired this week, so I guess I'll leave it up to Colette to come along and say something really fabulous! LOL.Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-4456052252164258702008-09-16T12:14:00.002+01:002008-09-16T12:21:00.770+01:00DOH!!!I am such a super-idiot! I have just realised that while I <span style="font-style: italic;">thought</span> I was all up to date with the Pen Pals Blog, I haven't announced Challenge #3's winner - how daft am I???? So HUGE apologies to all of those that entered the last challenge & might well have been waiting for an announcement!<br />Without further delay, our next Pen Pal Of The Week, who is invited to join us on the blog for Challenge #6 is Aubree!<br />For the first time, Colette & I were 100% totally agreed right away on this one - I love the energy & colour in Aubree's layout ... & the equation-style journaling. Can't wait to have you join us Aubree ... & thank you to each & every one of you that has entered our challenges - we love to see them all!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-25717314019857988712008-09-12T09:00:00.000+01:002008-09-12T09:00:00.824+01:00Challenge #4 - I Hope For You As I Hope For MeThis week, we are honoured to be joined by our first official Pen Pal of the Week: Jing-Jing Nickel. Over the coming 2 weeks we will be getting to know Jing-Jing a little better but for now, I'm guessing you are all dying to know what exciting challenge she has for us ... so I'll get straight to it! Over to Jing-Jing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMfG_boa0bI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/54r8RvXNZKo/s1600-h/IMG_1668-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMfG_boa0bI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/54r8RvXNZKo/s320/IMG_1668-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244379084147577266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;color:#000000;" >Dear PenPal readers, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">This week, I challenge you to document one of your hopes, be it for you, or someone else, journal it, scrap it, write it, print it, consume it... </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;color:#000000;" >My journaling reads:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Typenoksidi;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;"><span style="color:#000000;"> <p style="margin: 0in 3in 10pt 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Typenoksidi;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;">I hope you will like traveling as much as I do. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 3in 10pt 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Typenoksidi;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;">Your Nagong and Nabu took me traveling at a young age when I was a little girl. At that time in China, people stayed put where they lived and worked. Traveling for fun was pretty much unheard of, but Nagong and Nabu thought it important for me to see the world and to expand my horizon. By the time I was a second grader, I had already been to several destinations including the Yellow Mountains, deemed to be the most beautiful of all Chinese mountains. For that trip, Nagong and Nabu spent nearly two months’ of their combined salaries (probably around $10 back then). Nagong had to carry most of our food on his back, ascending 3000 feet in altitude! <span> </span>Through their careful cultivation, they instilled in me an untamable heart to see the world and its wonders God-made or men-built. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 3in 10pt 0in; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Typenoksidi;"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif;">I have come a long ways since my childhood. I have lived a few surreal moments when I finally came face to face with that which was only in my dreams. So I hope you will want to see the world like I do. I hope your hearts forever long for that next destination, that great valley, that awesome mountain, and that immortal structure.<span> </span>I hope you will write about your travels, document your journeys, scrapbook your photos. I hope you will grow up to be travel partners to each other, to dad and me, and to the lucky men who will be your spouses. I hope I will be there always, in person and/or in spirit to cheer you on in exploring this wondrous world of ours. <span> </span>I hope for you as I hope for me, that you will like traveling as much as I do.</span></span></p>I'm sooooo excited about this challenge & will be posting mine soon. Are you ready to take the challenge? <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">E-mail</a> your entry, be it a layout, card, altered project or a humble writing sample by midnight Thursday September 25 to have your entry featured on our blog & to be in with a chance of becoming our next PPOTW (Pen Pal of the Week). Go on, you know you want to! <p><br /></p></span></span></span>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-35707619355343239582008-09-11T21:01:00.005+01:002008-09-11T21:08:24.114+01:00Vanessa's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMl5YUt8zII/AAAAAAAAEXo/kwgNKER9J2o/s1600-h/Family.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMl5YUt8zII/AAAAAAAAEXo/kwgNKER9J2o/s320/Family.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244856699834911874" border="0" /></a>Journaling reads: Whether you are 1 or 101 I will love you always. We may fight and argue but one thing I learned the first 5 minutes you were born - you are one of my favorite people in this world.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing with us Vanessa! I love the blackboard-style journal block & how you highlighted the numbers in li'l doodled squares ... too cute! And you used your own handwriting! well done!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-53915003503545039382008-09-11T09:44:00.002+01:002008-09-11T09:55:00.638+01:00Jing-Jing's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMjauW7pW2I/AAAAAAAAEXY/8AtWA_QhQt0/s1600-h/IMG_1947-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMjauW7pW2I/AAAAAAAAEXY/8AtWA_QhQt0/s320/IMG_1947-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244682256037534562" border="0" /></a>Another gorgeous entry from Jing-Jing this week! Now Jing-Jing says that she didn't feel this page met the 'journaling' aspect of our challenge ... I think it does beautifully! The point of our journaling is always to make the point, to get the story across. Sometimes that will need a lot of words ... and sometimes just a few carefully chosen ones will say so much more than an essay! This page does that and sums up in those few perfect words (even if you guys spell 'honoured' differently to us! LOL) just what those cute li'l guys mean to Mum & Dad!<br />Thank you so much for sharing your page with us again Jing-Jing!!<br /><br />Haven't sent yours in yet? <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">E-mail</a> it to us today & you could still be in the running to become our next Pen Pal of the Week!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-79781492765689131582008-09-09T16:53:00.002+01:002008-09-09T21:22:32.707+01:00Marjorie's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMacr_7fqMI/AAAAAAAAEXE/zL23IA3w8cI/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SMacr_7fqMI/AAAAAAAAEXE/zL23IA3w8cI/s320/049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244051095828801730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The journaling reads, 'Together for us = 18 years + 6 change of addresses + 14 vehicules + 7 pregnancies + 3 beautiful children + 3 major career changes and 0 regrets'<br /><br />Thanks for sharing with us Marjorie ... I love the clustered embellishments & obviously the Cosmo Cricket papers (is there anyone that <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't</span> know how much I love Cosmo Cricket?? LOL). Such a good idea to present your journaling as an actual equation too. 0 regrets? Now that is something to aspire to!!<br /><br />There's still time to join in this challenge - <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/challenge-3-our-first-guest-designer.html">check it out here</a> ... but don't forget to e-mail us to be featured on the blog & maybe win a spot as our next Pen Pal of the Week!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-24119405075302268972008-09-03T13:26:00.000+01:002008-09-03T13:26:00.269+01:00Carol's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0yGNmFhqI/AAAAAAAAEVc/6nJqW1YcOXI/s1600-h/cookieexpress_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0yGNmFhqI/AAAAAAAAEVc/6nJqW1YcOXI/s320/cookieexpress_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241400623639135906" border="0" /></a>Another new player joining us this week! Carol's journaling reads:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">December 22, 2007</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heather and Rachel making tons of sugar cookies. Heather did not have enough money to get everyone in our large family something for Christmas. So, she decided to make tins with cookies and fudge for everybody. They both made cookies until 3:30 the next morning. It was a good thing Rachel helped her or she probably wouldn't have got them all done!!</span><br /><br />Where is the maths? The 'tons' of cookies says Carol! LOL.<br />Thanks for playing along with us Carol - It's a great page & I love the 'recipe card' style journaling block!!<br />Wanna play? <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/challenge-3-our-first-guest-designer.html">Challenge #3 details are here</a> ... but don't forget to <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">e-mail </a>your entry if you want a chance to be our next <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/search/label/Pen%20Pal%20Of%20The%20Week">Pen Pal of the Week<br /></a>Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-62617003788536644862008-09-03T09:00:00.000+01:002008-09-03T09:00:00.401+01:00Ruth's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0g2fzDUwI/AAAAAAAAEVE/UuCvLXnxJuc/s1600-h/030908.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0g2fzDUwI/AAAAAAAAEVE/UuCvLXnxJuc/s320/030908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241381661949776642" border="0" /></a>Here is the first of many entries for challenge #3 ... although I had to hold off publishing to this blog for a couple of days. Ruth, like me, indulges in a spot of multi-purposing layouts & this is a DT piece for Crop 'Til You Drop (I'm allowed to plug it a bit ... it's my store! LOL) Anyway, the journaling reads:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In this place, there are over 600 sheets of paper, 250+ pieces or cardstock, 57 pots of brads & eyelets, over 400 metres of ribbon, 263 pens, 123 pencils, 9 different types of adhesive, 27 CD's, 8 drawers of embellishments, 52 packs of rub-ons, 16 different paints, 19 tubes of Stickles, 34 ink pads, 17 different embossing powders, 19 tools, 4 craft knives, 16 bottles of primas and ONE artist at work! ME</span><br />In her e-mail, Ruth also added '<span style="font-style: italic;">I wasn't sad enough to count my papers and ribbons so I estimated but I do confess to counting most of the other stuff!! Just realised I missed off a box of 50 ink pads and it was only after I completed the page I realised I had used the only picture of my desk looking tidy!! Ooops!</span>'<br />Does this sound at all familiar? LOL.<br />Thanks for joining the challenge Ruth ... I don't think I'm quite brave enough to be counting all my stash though ... & certainly not before I've used a bit more of it!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-86151881160197798122008-09-02T17:11:00.000+01:002008-09-02T17:11:00.298+01:00Marta's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0tm2EwJZI/AAAAAAAAEVU/qHD-XViaJw0/s1600-h/ByTheNumbers+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0tm2EwJZI/AAAAAAAAEVU/qHD-XViaJw0/s320/ByTheNumbers+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241395686702851474" border="0" /></a>In her e-mail, Marta told me<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'This really is a HUGE challenge for me. I've been willing to participate in your challenges since the first one, but I'm a very lazy scrapper and never finish my LO's on time. Since this was a long weekend for me, I decided to participate and to my surprise, the challenge has to do with numbers -- something I'm not very good at (not in my finances, neither following chronological order) Anyway, here is my entry. It's in Spanish as I prefer my journaling in this language. I will translate but feel free to correct, as needed.'</span><br />Well I haven't corrected Marta's English (this is your stories in your words folks!!) & we are very pleased that you have found time to finish your page & translated it for us ... Marta's English is heaps better than my Spanish! LOL.<br />The journaling reads:<br />14,691 DAYS OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER:<br />(as of 8-31-08):<br /><ul><li>we are both 54 years old</li><li>33 years of marriage</li><li>7 years as boyfriends</li><li>3 wonderful children and 2 beautiful granddaughters</li><li>2 cars and a big house where we have been living for the past 25 years</li><li>A extended family of 36 members (inlaws, brothers, sisters, etc); and</li><li>One vacation club we can hardly use</li></ul>Thanks so much for sharing your page with us Marta. I love that you have calculated the number of days together (& the li'l date block in the bottom corner), the soft colours (don't they match that tie perfectly?) & how the yellow brackets & clustered embellishments provide the perfect frame for your photograph - fabulous!<br /><br />There will be more entries to share tomorrow ... will yours be one of them? Check out all the <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/challenge-3-our-first-guest-designer.html">challenge details here</a>!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-78942292359728623512008-09-02T12:36:00.003+01:002008-09-02T13:11:17.222+01:00Aubree's Challenge #3 Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0qw95hxZI/AAAAAAAAEVM/Jvo8S80jVrY/s1600-h/runningallthetime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SL0qw95hxZI/AAAAAAAAEVM/Jvo8S80jVrY/s320/runningallthetime.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241392562067064210" border="0" /></a>Aubree's journaling reads:<br />3 active children, 7 days a week = 4 sports,<br />3 games, 2 practices + 1 Hebrew school<br /> Noah = Soccer, Ice Hockey, Roller<br /> Hockey, Hebrew school<br /> Hannah = Gymnastics, Soccer<br /> Sarah = Gymnastics<br />Total of 9 hours of extra-curriculars each week<br />and 3 hours of travel time<br /><br /> CRAZINESS!!<br /><br />Thanks for playing along Aubree! I love the bright colours, numeric, calendar & cog elements on this page & the title that goes soooo well with the activity in those pics. You sure are one busy lady!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-76019930846985497862008-09-01T13:29:00.002+01:002008-09-01T14:35:17.726+01:00Challenge #3 ... Gardening by Numbers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SLvg3SQ3vNI/AAAAAAAAEU0/KD2pHXLhKKU/s1600-h/DSCN0032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-uTMlKznm64/SLvg3SQ3vNI/AAAAAAAAEU0/KD2pHXLhKKU/s320/DSCN0032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241029831775730898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's my take on Jodi's #3 Challenge: to use numbers as the focus of your journaling. I have used a sketch <a href="http://a-scrapaddicts-sketches.blogspot.com/2008/09/september-1st-layout-sketch-reveal.html">(September #1) by Deanne Burton</a> ... this is actually my first DT layout for her site ... gotta love those multi-challenge layouts! LOL. The journaling (in the seed packet/envelope) reads:<br />I have been gardening & showing an interest in cooking/baking the results since July 2008 ... just 2 months<br />In my garden there are...<br />4 pots of herbs & a chilli plant ; 2 courgette plants ... which produced 6 courgettes & 2 marrows; 3 potato plants grown from sprouting spuds that measure 18" tall ... & 3 more at 6" tall (gotta love successional planting!); 1 row each of parsnips, turnips, beetroot, spring cabbage, spring onions & mixed salad leaves; 2 rows of early carrots; a blueberry bush that has lovingly provided around 8oz in it's couple of months here (although Auryn ate most of them before anyone else could get to them!); 1 blackberry & 1 blackcurrant bush that should fruit next year.<br />In my kitchen & totally free are 3lbs of crab apples to be turned into jelly; 3 tubs of blackberries and 10 cooking apples ... we love blackberry & apple crumble; 6 sticks of rhubarb ... Sean called dibs, so I won't get any ... this time!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761327544531302040.post-65046596161396237512008-08-31T20:24:00.003+01:002008-09-01T13:28:34.911+01:00Penpal Of The Week: #2Ohhhhh! Colette & I are totally agreed that the worst bit of having this li'l challenge is having to pick just one to win! Not only do we love them all but having the slightest difference of opinion can make the decision even harder.<br />I really enjoyed Colette's challenge ... sometimes it is good to think a bit deeper about why we love the people that are special to us ... & right now was a good time for me to take stock and think! Although my page was all about my li'l one, I did get to thinking about the other special people in my life, what they mean to me & why ... I guess I have a lot to thank Colette for!<br />So before I get to the point - I just wanted to say (& I speak for Colette here too I think ... only with a completely different accent! LOL) that we think each and every one of your entries are amazing ... & you are all winners in our hearts!<br />I love Ruth's humour when thinking about her husband; My mum's thoughts about my own li'l guy; Nancy's page, which says something about both her own feelings & Bella's toward 'Nana'; Jodi's thoughts on her teenage guy ... & <a href="http://thislittleartofmine.blogspot.com/2008/08/graphic-45-penpal-cherub-throw-down.html">Jing Jing's page</a> which didn't quite make it to the blog.<br />But the really tough call was between Jan's awesome page about Seth: fabulous photo, great layout & a li'l touch of humour in the journaling and Chantele's page, with it's slightly vintage feel & he said/she said journaling.<br />I have to say, it was the he said/she said that got me ... The way that in just a few short sentences I feel the love that this couple share ... From the lines when their thoughts are different, to the ones where there thoughts come together & reflect each other - I love this & it is surely the page I'd want in my album to look back on in 30 years. It was a tough decision but Chantele is our newest Pen Pal Of The Week & will be joining us for a guest spot on Challenge #5.<br />Congrats Chantele!!!<br /><br />Thank you all so much for joining in with us so far ... we hope you'll continue to play along! And if you live in the UK ... c'mon guys! You're letting the side down! LOL<br />Check out <a href="http://penpalschallenge.blogspot.com/2008/08/challenge-3-our-first-guest-designer.html">Challenge #3</a> ... it's a goodie! & if you fancy a guest spot as our next Pen Pal, be sure to <a href="mailto:beverley.croptilyoudrop@googlemail.com">e-mail your entries</a>, so we can put them on the blog for all to see!Beverley Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00315201973767687662noreply@blogger.com1