tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64579963149253522442024-03-13T10:21:26.033-07:00And Other ThoughtsA Cause to BlogTristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-64999949696098710632013-05-07T14:12:00.001-07:002013-05-07T14:12:40.666-07:00Project Life April and May<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/05/project-life-april-and-may.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>All crafts have been put to the wayside lately, because as time has gone by I have found such comfort and joy creating my “project life” album (or 365, or whatever you want to call it). While I don’t use Project Life cards, I have used many free journal cards that I found through <a href="http://pinterest.com/godsreminders/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, various card stock patterned papers, and recently bought the <a href="http://store.scrapbook.com/wr-61988-8.html?utm_source=google-shopping-feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-free-shopping-feed&utm_content=wr-61988-8&kw=wr-61988-8&cmp=GSHOP&gclid=CIfvysbqhLcCFaZFMgodYmIAKg" target="_blank">Webster collection from We R Memory Keepers</a>, which was one of the best buys I’ve ever made, and are so much more cheaper than PL.</p> <p>I did start my album in January, but throughout the past couple of months, my craft has gotten a bit better since then. So I think I’ll start from the end and go backwards (just like I read my magazines…which amuses my husband).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IWqaaHbHhZ4/UYltsfclSXI/AAAAAAAAF68/flz-I3MjG4o/s1600-h/SAM_1123%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1123" border="0" alt="SAM_1123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zOaKaYHpciU/UYlttFx7jxI/AAAAAAAAF7E/U72wx194QwU/SAM_1123_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="302" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ZBPi8F-l6w/UYltusAjQpI/AAAAAAAAF7M/cJQCf5PFBKY/s1600-h/SAM_1127%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1127" border="0" alt="SAM_1127" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YMoEbBB_KAI/UYltvN8RwEI/AAAAAAAAF7U/i8kMW3kbUpw/SAM_1127_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="342" /></a></p> <p>Since I have pretty eclectic taste, it’s incredibly difficult for me to stick to one color scheme or format for too long. I like a variety of colors and papers and don’t want to get too stuck to one particular thing, otherwise I’ll get bored. So each month I try to maintain some sort of color “theme”, and May is pink.</p> <p>And I may mention that I’m terrible at “scrapbooking,” so while I have tried to do some clever pages for my month intros, the most unique idea I could come up with was taking a single sheet of 12x12 pretty paper and cutting it to the format of my photo sheet protector:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-air7jw8_miQ/UYltwiXCaVI/AAAAAAAAF7c/FFwHJtV_vfk/s1600-h/SAM_1124%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1124" border="0" alt="SAM_1124" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0iTsPEa80Ls/UYltxjvn_VI/AAAAAAAAF7k/kbBIpvsc_ZQ/SAM_1124_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="363" /></a></p> <p>I went to Big Lots a few weeks ago and they have a scrapbook section with tons of great deals, such as STACKS of stickers all stapled together for only $2!! The Good Times stickers was in one of those stacks and it included a bunch of the cute colored dots. I didn’t even use all of them on this page. </p> <p>April 1st was a tough day for me and my family. The dog that I had for 19 years was hit by a car and killed instantly. This was such a terrible shock for me, because only a week prior we had discovered that he had cancer. The vet told me with a big smile that cancer would not be the death of my precious Poco, little did I ever imagine that a car would take his life, considering he NEVER left my side, nor our yard. The whole incident was a freakish accident that really perplexed us. And so I made a memorial page for him…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9ZI8W0JHPm4/UYltzG3r1ZI/AAAAAAAAF7s/ITELfu26z7U/s1600-h/SAM_0777%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0777" border="0" alt="SAM_0777" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4SG6BmGcTr4/UYltz6aQKoI/AAAAAAAAF70/cZd4myqG0Y8/SAM_0777_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="407" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2Ml_5ESnwHY/UYlt1Fj7x7I/AAAAAAAAF78/F2CMLoQJouU/s1600-h/SAM_0780%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0780" border="0" alt="SAM_0780" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eraPF3fp428/UYlt16jOxjI/AAAAAAAAF8E/Lard8ajEa7Q/SAM_0780_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="408" /></a></p> <p>And so we began April…</p> <p>April was a bit difficult for me to stay on theme, and I ended up using some earth tones instead of the birds and blues I originally began with.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RmDkKl_ik5Y/UYlt3Ni0hWI/AAAAAAAAF8M/Mx8Samd6tq8/s1600-h/SAM_0788%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0788" border="0" alt="SAM_0788" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rh6gEU0d_Ok/UYlt37oFtcI/AAAAAAAAF8U/xAliLcTPGuc/SAM_0788_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="424" /></a></p> <p>It was a hard decision for us, but we decided to get another dog. She had been in a shelter and a foster home for nearly 2 years! She already had a name…Lola. She is the sweetest dog EVER!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-awC_7JYSlbk/UYlt5Z7cAmI/AAAAAAAAF8c/FDuezT8plsE/s1600-h/SAM_0793%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0793" border="0" alt="SAM_0793" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1TrYkrcE2KE/UYlt6BbluJI/AAAAAAAAF8k/Lu5U6GV-UCA/SAM_0793_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="440" /></a></p> <p>Our Family Time with God every Sunday is a highlight of our weekend. We are committed to be technology and TV free all day. This particular Sunday, we learned the valuable lesson Jesus taught his disciples on being humble and serving others, with the story of Jesus washing their feet. Our son, Tavin, LOVED this lesson SO much that he asked to do it all over again later in the afternoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6baXcsj6U48/UYlt7JJoQTI/AAAAAAAAF8s/CPf3nz8W2Ow/s1600-h/SAM_1039%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1039 - Copy - Copy - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1039 - Copy - Copy - Copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TLobYV9-rz0/UYlt76CKadI/AAAAAAAAF80/jL_5PtJINO4/SAM_1039%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="455" /></a></p> <p>Easter and the new season of Doctor Who (hating Clara!!).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UMTo6xqKq8M/UYlt9hCnuJI/AAAAAAAAF88/o9L9tOlyYLM/s1600-h/SAM_1041%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1041 - Copy - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1041 - Copy - Copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hO_EtS75q1Q/UYlt-f828lI/AAAAAAAAF9E/Jjpfzsi9ToE/SAM_1041%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="366" /></a></p> <p>I was also fortunate enough to see Joyce Meyer live in Milwaukee on April 11th and 12th. If you’re wondering what “FROGS” means, watch her TV schedule for the series, Beauty for Ashes (and look for me, they filmed me a lot that night!).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FXnVpIC96h0/UYlt___4rQI/AAAAAAAAF9M/23_8UOCpmDg/s1600-h/SAM_1044%252520-%252520Copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1044 - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1044 - Copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Is7luAXtHic/UYluAgLxHpI/AAAAAAAAF9U/oNYXvcyYOMA/SAM_1044%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="383" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1r7rx-Dy2ok/UYluCJonJ6I/AAAAAAAAF9g/ksZImj7W_5U/s1600-h/SAM_1046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1046" border="0" alt="SAM_1046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HUg7wgExPjw/UYluCxXO8GI/AAAAAAAAF9o/G4g41AQFhbU/SAM_1046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="339" /></a></p> <p>Here’s where I began the Webster collection…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dtbyXzPAMdU/UYluEH1bg9I/AAAAAAAAF9w/VEG6TE-wm9Q/s1600-h/SAM_1047%252520-%252520Copy%252520%2525282%252529%252520-%252520Copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1047 - Copy (2) - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1047 - Copy (2) - Copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uO2cd18A8Tc/UYluE9kgArI/AAAAAAAAF94/MJA2Jd_WeIc/SAM_1047%252520-%252520Copy%252520%2525282%252529%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="396" /></a></p> <p>Another Sunday comes and goes. This particular week we learned about “tongues of fire” and how to say “Jesus Loves You” in Spanish, French, Chinese, and German.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uqx5oXe_Nos/UYluGaLtsEI/AAAAAAAAF-A/Sx_yd7dP-Pw/s1600-h/SAM_1050%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1050 - Copy - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1050 - Copy - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ifn3S3Ewavs/UYluHdvntTI/AAAAAAAAF-I/_2M_TuUXKQA/SAM_1050%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="393" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PdX9XQXxE40/UYluIxDuG6I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/BKKHZxwtPls/s1600-h/SAM_1054%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1054 - Copy - Copy" border="0" alt="SAM_1054 - Copy - Copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sMqk4r7jt84/UYluJ7bXJJI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/ILE9W_HxAMM/SAM_1054%252520-%252520Copy%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="410" /></a></p> <p>And now it’s the end of April already…my how times flies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LoLCwpa0lgk/UYluLSP_TpI/AAAAAAAAF-g/m4JprrZ2CXA/s1600-h/SAM_1113%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1113" border="0" alt="SAM_1113" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U-uKghtZwmQ/UYluMCcB-kI/AAAAAAAAF-o/cX7mBTMp7Jk/SAM_1113_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="391" /></a></p> <p>Super duper haircut!! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VMnBIF83WJo/UYluNmhUqtI/AAAAAAAAF-w/__cJmV41pao/s1600-h/SAM_1115%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1115" border="0" alt="SAM_1115" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OEN7Pi8-X9c/UYluOefuTgI/AAAAAAAAF-4/4TrZt2RMd3o/SAM_1115_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="373" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U0lnWAHe99M/UYluQGiJIYI/AAAAAAAAF_A/xgQLh9wcjys/s1600-h/SAM_1117%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_1117" border="0" alt="SAM_1117" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xwMpyz9voVM/UYluQz_BWKI/AAAAAAAAF_I/I6M7x2oSaiQ/SAM_1117_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="373" /></a></p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-80819473674550012722013-02-01T17:04:00.001-08:002013-02-01T17:04:30.401-08:00Be Mine Love<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/02/be-mine-love.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>HAPPY LOVE MONTH! I’ve got such exciting things going on over at my other site, <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a>, this month. God is pouring out His love in a mighty way, and He desires for everyone to know just how much He loves them! I do hope you’ll follow along. During the month of February, the site has been temporarily renamed, <em><strong>Love Notes from God</strong></em>. Be sure to check in daily for your love note!</p> <p>Anyway, the theme of God’s love this month is, “Will you be Mine?” So with that in mind, I used <a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/" target="_blank">the Deconstructed Sketch</a> with that theme. Here’s the sketch:</p> <p><a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/deconstructed-sketch-no-87/" target="_blank"><img alt="Deconstructed Sketch No. 87" src="http://deconstructingjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sketch87.jpg" /></a></p> <p>And here is my design:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1y_emhND3MI/UQxmGHyf2BI/AAAAAAAAFV4/f_NBvQPIGnk/s1600-h/be%252520mine%252520love%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="be mine love" border="0" alt="be mine love" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tu-zAERWvrI/UQxmGy4RNmI/AAAAAAAAFWA/ZlA5uQNEAEk/be%252520mine%252520love_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="384" /></a></p> <p>Someone recently told me not to be too hard on myself because my cards were really beautiful and that they could tell I pay close attention to detail. So I’m not going to be down on myself with my card making skills. I will admit I’m getting better—much better—and I have these sketch designs to thank for that. It really guides me in my creativity. </p> <p>Then the other night, skyping with a very dear friend of mine (who led me to Jesus, by the way!), suggested that I try to sell my cards as a way to earn some extra income. I poo-pooed the idea, but she insisted that the Christmas card I sent to her was gorgeous and absolutely sellable. Well, I really do need to start making some extra money since my husband’s wages are now being deducted for health insurance, and that has KILLED us financially. </p> <p>So it’s here!!!!!!!!! My Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ICanCreateCreations" target="_blank">I Can Create Creations</a></p> <p>Very soon I will be making some stationary cards and box card sets. So be on the lookout for those. </p> <p>It’s time we started sending personal touches to those we love, isn’t it? My grandmother would always write me letters, at least once a week, when she was in Florida during the winter. And I used to love writing her back and telling her all about my life and things going on. I anticipated getting her letters eveyr week. </p> <p>We are so lost in technology, that we have forgotten how to be “personal” anymore. And I’m praying that my Etsy shop will inspire people to start getting personal again. </p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-38212978685551536662013-01-25T18:44:00.001-08:002013-01-25T18:44:07.520-08:00Bird Love<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/01/bird-love.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Valentine’s Day used to be my absolute favorite holiday. However, over the past few years it’s fizzled in the background to St. Patty’s Day and all the great food I make to celebrate my husband’s heritage. </p> <p>This year, though, I’m rekindling my fire with Valentine’s Day as I create cards and develop a new concept for my main blog, <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a>. During the month of February, Daily Reminders from God will be replaced by Love Notes from God. It is divinely inspired and I know God is truly going to pour His love on so many people! So please be sure to check out my site and follow along next month.</p> <p>Okay, onto the cards.</p> <p>Here is <a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/" target="_blank">The Deconstructed Sketch</a> for this week:</p> <p><a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/deconstructed-sketch-no-86/" target="_blank"><img alt="Deconstructed Sketch No. 86" src="http://deconstructingjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sketch86.jpg" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here is my take:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aFDWzPBmPpA/UQNC1gW01ZI/AAAAAAAAFEs/BGgUgf1X5Sg/s1600-h/New_1_DSCF2263%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="New_1_DSCF2263" border="0" alt="New_1_DSCF2263" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Wj830_9aG4/UQNC2RfDe4I/AAAAAAAAFE0/WYqv_EYr2hg/New_1_DSCF2263_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="350" /></a></p> <p>See these cute birds, hearts and heart tree? $1 for a pack at Wal-Mart, and I still have a whole lot more I can use, including some adorable journaling cards that I’ll use on the back. The paper is from Hob Lob, and the polka dot tape is from the Smash line, which I’m sure every crafter on the planet owns. The heart stamp is from the <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/pink-paislee/132975-portfolio-4x6-clear-stamps/" target="_blank">Portfolio line</a> by Pink Paislee that I bought at <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/" target="_blank">Two Peas in a Bucket</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mecH9e86N3Q/UQNC4eJzlaI/AAAAAAAAFE8/btVuXaSiiAM/s1600-h/DSCF2266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2266" border="0" alt="DSCF2266" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--gOdYsOK5eQ/UQNC5GnW2aI/AAAAAAAAFFE/SmDA_FyeflA/DSCF2266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="316" /></a></p> <p>Now the next card is taken from another sketch from a few weeks ago, but I wanted to try it anyway. For some reason I’m not receiving their email alerts. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F0ePv874m7o/UQNC5dEgFtI/AAAAAAAAFFM/94NQ-nOjfes/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="http://retrosketches.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="retro sketches : a challenge" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/128423026846052300_AIpCKbgP_c.jpg" width="302" height="372" /></a></p> <p>And here’s my inspiration:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZXtORxwKZUM/UQNC6XFUAcI/AAAAAAAAFFU/KQgmpf9g1LY/s1600-h/DSCF2268%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2268" border="0" alt="DSCF2268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ha_wfoYFz4Y/UQNC7NyBXmI/AAAAAAAAFFc/VlzSUSYcsto/DSCF2268_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="421" /></a></p> <p>Papers are from Hob Lob single sheets. And the stickers I bought a while back at JoAnn Fabrics.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qC_LgIDltk8/UQNC8UetdwI/AAAAAAAAFFk/BYMOgB1XnK4/s1600-h/DSCF2270%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2270" border="0" alt="DSCF2270" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZhoQLWUjCjU/UQNC9Ej_N2I/AAAAAAAAFFs/F6H261xYW7s/DSCF2270_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="305" /></a></p> <p>I’m enjoying throwing vellum into the concepts, but sometimes it can get a bit tricky, especially if you are using dimensional tape. It’s also not easy to use in the Cricut, as it seems to tear easily even on the lightest setting. </p> <p>Well, onto the weekend…</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-73528109164339845892013-01-21T20:23:00.001-08:002013-01-21T20:49:15.669-08:00Missing You Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I’m currently reading the book, <strong><em>“Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe,”</em></strong> and yesterday’s chapter was about how so many mom’s face the daily battles and routines alone. One thing that fascinated me was how the author, Sally Clarkson, described our current culture as living in “hostile isolation.” <br />
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I do this mothering thing alone 90% of the time now that my husband works these very strange hours, but worse yet, with my mother dying in May and my in-laws having moved to Utah a few months before that, we lost all hope of family connections and someone helping us with Tavin. <br />
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And while I cherish the deep friendship I have with my best friend Pennie, she lives 865 miles away and all we can ever do is talk on the phone…that is when Tavin <strike>lets me</strike> is sleeping.<br />
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With that said, today’s <a href="http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mojo Monday</a> card challenge is based on how much I’m missing my friends today. Here’s the sketch:<br />
<a href="http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2013/01/mojo-monday-277.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvee2XfejKG7vQVafpbuSwm4bktTl2WKUMOqhJyqPM9fwDN2m1287NG_SOGSgTiVHZAWfcS0_Io7oqMbEDCSLtYPHW2l4C3pW1YNdtHWnUIusgWBFQQHhZQKmHgeeEMP9WzwO5G5SF9UBk/s1600/zMojo277Sketch.gif" /></a><br />
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And here’s my inspiration…for you, Pennie!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Us9ws6ZH7Rc/UP4UPZbmAPI/AAAAAAAAE9c/w7EfyyodPgI/s1600-h/DSCF2248%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2248" border="0" height="316" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DqiRBS-ncBw/UP4UPxwRd0I/AAAAAAAAE9k/Z28ZSM4bh1w/DSCF2248_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF2248" width="406" /></a><br />
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Ironically, I was actually talking to her on the phone when I was putting all the pieces together.<br />
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<strong>Supplies:</strong><br />
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Twig, outside; paper, DCWV The Timeless Type Stack; Missing You Today stamp, Wal-Mart; vellum paper and Kraft Card, Hobby Lobby; door knocker, Jolee’s Boutique (Marshal’s).<br />
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Glue is still drying…<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Nl6jJMKhCMI/UP4URHahFXI/AAAAAAAAE9s/YuQz83h2olo/s1600-h/DSCF2253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2253" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uJD-xSQDkSM/UP4UR90LczI/AAAAAAAAE90/PsxM4B9HdG8/DSCF2253_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF2253" width="388" /></a><br />
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And for my friend, Melissa, in Oklahoma (Yee-ha!), this is what I had to drink tonight:<br />
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Before:<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jAKckkKpM2c/UP4USQ4gLFI/AAAAAAAAE98/2qXQVG4xr7w/s1600-h/DSCF2226%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2226" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wiHf9bAxdck/UP4US3IMp3I/AAAAAAAAE-E/JH8fqzDY05w/DSCF2226_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF2226" width="253" /></a><br />
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After:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wZvE6hiFt6o/UP4UToo0znI/AAAAAAAAE-M/UzeccH3HuwQ/s1600-h/DSCF2233%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF2233" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d4jHQrOeOQk/UP4UT0HzoCI/AAAAAAAAE-U/RrpK70II9x8/DSCF2233_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF2233" width="276" /></a><br />
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Drink your heart out, sister! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7fFptcAB6fk/UP4UUcA0yvI/AAAAAAAAE-c/ahpGhkMeSEA/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></div>
Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-76534622214915286752013-01-18T19:47:00.001-08:002013-01-18T19:47:57.896-08:00I Love You Valentine’s Day Card<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-love-you-valentines-day-card.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Just crankin’ along on these sketch cards. Found another site, <a href="http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2013/01/mojo-monday-276.html" target="_blank">Mojo Monday</a>. I know it’s Friday, but I don’t have much of a mojo on Monday, or any other day to be quite honest. </p> <p>I decided to make another Valentine’s Day card, in hopes of stocking up when the time comes to mail them out. </p> <p>Anyway, I don’t have the energy to blab on and on tonight. I’m exhausted and I have a long weekend ahead of me. So here it goes.</p> <p>The original sketch:</p> <p><a href="http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2013/01/mojo-monday-276.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygLHhAsVbsbRTeoqW8pbYnyv5MwYt5tLJf-yZEOPBZgN9Kq8-3PZCXyB_VQK0VTGkbg695xhS8KzFop7JADY7HvsK6O8tbyvGr8CWXUZYcf-pKP4OSfFHtg6YDSgovZ9dqSXSH4F9Wc1N/s1600/Mojo276Sketch.gif" /></a></p> <p>My inspiration:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dLLJ1nMdZFI/UPoXWgQby8I/AAAAAAAAE30/-jCDnNofmn0/s1600-h/DSCF2197%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2197" border="0" alt="DSCF2197" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1RTVkfyP5dI/UPoXXXWiuCI/AAAAAAAAE38/vD3LvZ_U0oI/DSCF2197_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="329" /></a></p> <p>The papers are from Hobby Lobby. I bought them in single sheets. I used the epoxy stickers by Paper Studio with the “I Love You” paper, and the rhinestone heart is part of the Spare Parts line of Paper Studio, also. The seam on the two papers is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S67852/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01" target="_blank">Martha Stewart Crafts Paper Tape, Vintage Girl</a>. The pink glitter flowers are from JoAnn Fabrics online store, <a href="http://www.joann.com/k-company-studio-112-glitter-chipboard-7pk-florals/zprd_10868685a/" target="_blank">Studio 112 Glitter Chipboard, Florals</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ozZ-FaFjv2w/UPoXZjMyqVI/AAAAAAAAE4E/g4LFmhGNtC4/s1600-h/DSCF2199%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2199" border="0" alt="DSCF2199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0JWmsUf6ECM/UPoXaUQc0wI/AAAAAAAAE4M/nN5O2ohriC8/DSCF2199_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a></p> <p>*Yawn* {big stretch and pulling muscles in my shoulder—FUN!} </p> <p>Past my bedtime. Night, night!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-81790351257734434512013-01-18T08:46:00.001-08:002013-01-18T08:46:22.328-08:00Deconstructed Sketch # 85: Perfect for Each Other<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/01/deconstructed-sketch-85-perfect-for.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Sometimes I feel a bit silly posting and blogging about the cards I’ve made. Although I love to write about my faith and my political beliefs, writing about something I do for fun seems a bit odd, especially since I’m just starting and I’m not entirely sure <strike>where my talent/skill level is</strike> how good I am at it yet.</p> <p>Because of that uncertainty, I’ve been trying to challenge myself with sketches, rather than trying to duplicate or be inspired by other cards. So along with Cardabilities, I also decided to follow <a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/" target="_blank">The Deconstructed Sketch</a>.</p> <p>Here is sketch no. 85:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V-AxChyl488/UPl8CCUy5aI/AAAAAAAAEy0/AaMQq-2E66s/s1600-h/deconstruc%252520sketch85%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="deconstruc sketch85" border="0" alt="deconstruc sketch85" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dHOoKUjzKas/UPl8ClyRavI/AAAAAAAAEy8/CXdj2KAAXCQ/deconstruc%252520sketch85_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="385" /></a></p> <p>Here is my inspiration…somewhat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VmWZBUkLqX0/UPl8DhAmNZI/AAAAAAAAEzE/BwbgVjLNFAY/s1600-h/DSCF2194%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2194" border="0" alt="DSCF2194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UPpfFDVsaNQ/UPl8EUptY_I/AAAAAAAAEzM/1fHi8-1kp6Y/DSCF2194_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="449" /></a></p> <p>Again, my camera just doesn’t do this paper from Lost & Found justice. This glittery pale blue and ivory cardstock with faded handwriting is so gorgeous. It has a wonderful texture to it, and it really pops. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M3EMY4jBc0o/UPl8GL7b0nI/AAAAAAAAEzU/6-yDWuVxHcQ/s1600-h/DSCF2189%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2189" border="0" alt="DSCF2189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7qR9UZy8do8/UPl8Gx-_7HI/AAAAAAAAEzc/4Zy8HaZro8o/DSCF2189_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="315" /></a> </p> <p>This is all one sheet of paper, cut into sections, and the blue strip is the “B” side of the paper. The grey banner is some old wedding paper I had lying around. I was unable to build on this paper, because everything seemed to get drowned out by the silver, glitter dots. So I decided not to put a scalloped edge on it at all. Trust me…I tried. It wasn’t working. </p> <p>I don’t usually make cards without a sentiment or person in mind. I’m not one of those crafters who stockpiles up on cards and has them lying around ready to go. I make them as needed, and I usually make them according to the person it’s intended for, designed for their interests and style. So this card was a bit difficult for me to make because I had no real thought process about who or what it was for. </p> <p>Eventually I just decided it would be a wedding card, if anyone I know should happen to get married…anyone? </p> <p>So this is the inside of the card, which will eventually say, “You two are perfect for each other.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1o1VQDsW5rU/UPl8H7CHC7I/AAAAAAAAEzk/OJW2l97lKeI/s1600-h/DSCF2191%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2191" border="0" alt="DSCF2191" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SNG_VRIz7UE/UPl8IuFYnSI/AAAAAAAAEzs/l9a2ubj6FJA/DSCF2191_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="467" /></a></p> <p>And that’s that!</p> <p>I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless!!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-52967113908330302842013-01-15T20:01:00.001-08:002013-01-15T20:01:15.404-08:00True Love Valentine’s Dial<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/01/true-love-valentines-dial.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>So I’m new to this card making phenomena. I don’t pretend to be an expert, or even remotely creative. I think my photos are proof at that aspect. </p> <p>Last weekend, as I was <strike>browsing</strike> <strike>stalking</strike> obsessing over Pineterst, I came across this amazing site, <a href="http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cardabilities</a>, and I was immediately (p)interested in this concept of challenging myself with their sketches. Since I don’t have a unique or creative idea of my own {yet} when it comes to making cards, this inspired me to think and create on my own, instead of trying to duplicate those gorgeous cards done by professionals that I’ll never live up to. </p> <p>Apparently there is a contest for each design(er) based on the sketch to be considered a “Featured Designer.” (Can you hear my screeching laughter?!) That’s not why I’m doing this, because I know it’ll never happen in a million years at my novice level. However, I did want to link it up to their site as part of the challenge <strike>so I can be wowed and weep at my inexperience</strike> and see how mine compares with other ideas of this sketch. So…here it goes. </p> <p>Here is the sketch (you can click on the image and it will take you to the site). </p> <p><a href="http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.ca/2013/01/sketch-68design-team-reveal.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="67" border="0" alt="67" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ev5nusEH318/UPYl5ewf5RI/AAAAAAAAEv4/6QWopb0xqkY/67%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="402" /></a></p> <p>Now here’s my concept:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7H8E3RwZsR4/UPYl6e8IVMI/AAAAAAAAEwA/hnf7PfIaBmg/s1600-h/DSCF2174%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2174" border="0" alt="DSCF2174" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ICeIdcQz0fk/UPYl7DXXoAI/AAAAAAAAEwI/xSohG67NuQw/DSCF2174_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="518" /></a></p> <p>Ugh! Have I mentioned how much I hate my camera. Nine hundred photos and this is the best it could come up with…or it could be the user, I’m not entirely sure. But I don’t have those fancy “pricky” card holders, no pretty backdrops. Just the card: <strong><em>True Love Valentine’s Dial</em></strong>.</p> <p>I don’t think the idea is to duplicate the sketch exactly, as I could figure from the team of designers at Cardabilities. The main point is to let it inspire you, and I won’t lie, although I was incredibly excited to do this, I was not deeply inspired at first. I sometimes get caught up in this idea of how it “should” look, and then realize I’ll never be that good, then I get really frazzled and frustrated. And as I begin, everything soon becomes trial and error (is this normal?).</p> <p>Anyway, I used a Kraft cardstock pre-scored card and <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/we-r-memory-keepers-inc/123869-cupids-arrow-12x12-love-struck-paper/" target="_blank">Cupid's Arrow 12X12 Love Struck Paper</a> by We R Memory Keepers, that I purchased at <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/" target="_blank">Two Peas in a Bucket</a> (don’t visit this site unless you have an extra 12 hours to browse and drool). <strong><font color="#ff0000">Seriously: one of the best craft sites online!</font></strong> I also used True Love Pennants, by Elle's Studio, from Two Peas. The calendar dial is a free download from <a href="http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/" target="_blank">Simple Stories</a>. It is the <a href="http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/free-digital-elements.html" target="_blank">Life Documented Circle Punches</a>. And as I’m a huge supporter of Hobby Lobby as they brave our current <strike>dictator’s </strike> President’s healthcare agenda, most of the other stuff I bought there: Spare Parts by The Paper Studio (Vintage Icons, Brad Assortments, Epoxy stickers), pink vellum (used my Cricut Mini, Elegant Edges cartridge), and various Valentine’s paper used with the epoxy stickers (which I stocked up on when they were half off at Hob Lob because I love them SO!) . I also want to throw in that the tiny heart border on the top is part of cute collection of Studio G Die Cut Shapes that I bought at…wait for it…Wal-Mart for $0.97. <strong><font color="#9b00d3">Yes, that’s right: ninety-seven cents!</font></strong> They had a nice little variety, too. I also bought the gems at Wal-Mart for $1. Cannot beat it!</p> <p>So here’s a closer look. </p> <p>Dial set: February 14. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zOlzUrvSMm4/UPYl8yxeirI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/_PQRNeyub2Y/s1600-h/DSCF2177%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2177" border="0" alt="DSCF2177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_CfN2JJ2pqE/UPYl9-OaNiI/AAAAAAAAEwY/CxaUm6RkTZs/DSCF2177_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="410" /></a></p> <p>1 inch circle punch = perfect fit with Spare Part Epoxy Stickers!! I can’t for the life of me remember where I got the heart ribbon…maybe Michael’s for a $1. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qnpltjd64WQ/UPYl_Ay-68I/AAAAAAAAEwg/bM9Eu4wHFSk/s1600-h/DSCF2178%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2178" border="0" alt="DSCF2178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AWG4p_Ot7TY/UPYmAOLVaNI/AAAAAAAAEwo/9dKXplBN-Uk/DSCF2178_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="371" /></a></p> <p>The inside is kind of boring, but it’s “love love love” (you get the picture) “you.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_YPrCStNA94/UPYmBBUlCII/AAAAAAAAEww/4a3-SiyZ6w4/s1600-h/DSCF2180%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF2180" border="0" alt="DSCF2180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s99yhwohcfo/UPYmBw3kD9I/AAAAAAAAEw4/uMkkQrE9ZVg/DSCF2180_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="372" /></a></p> <p>So this was my first Cardabilies challenge, and I really enjoyed working on it. I’m going to try my best to keep up with it as a way to keep venturing on this card making journey. </p> <p>By the way, if you care to follow me on Facebook or <a href="http://pinterest.com/godsreminders/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, please visit my other site: <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a> and click on the appropriate icons!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-41953452976619861822013-01-06T13:30:00.001-08:002013-01-06T13:30:29.020-08:002012 Christmas Cards<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2013/01/2012-christmas-cards.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Okay, so the only reason I’m posting these cards is to share them with a friend of mine in Tennessee who refuses to join Facebook, AND my flicker account is taking ages to upload, so I figured this was the best way to share the photos with her. However, if you’re not “my friend from Tennessee,” and landed here anyway from my home site, <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a>, I hope you like the cards I made this year for friends and family.</p> <p>To start with, after my mother died, I discovered that my mom also loved to make cards. When I was going through all of her colored papers, I found two stamped, embossed Christmas images. I wanted to do something creative with them, and felt that “collaborating” on a Christmas card was a unique idea. It was a way to still share Christmas together and share something we both loved doing—yet never knew about each other. So this card is something I made with the image I found. I cut it out and colored it, and then created a card around it.</p> <p>Miss you so!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nOFmpPpDnu8/UOnsYaUQ2HI/AAAAAAAAEnM/OQQeCy4xHEg/s1600-h/DSCF1941%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1941" border="0" alt="DSCF1941" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-47BQFSth2E4/UOnsZa6ckcI/AAAAAAAAEnU/Qi6j1GnPlzI/DSCF1941_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="392" /></a></p> <p>I wrote a letter to my mother in the inside and kept it for myself. The other image was used for another card I gave to my son who was very close to my mom. </p> <p>The rest of these cards were sent out to friends and family using my new Cricut Mini—which I love! However, I hate my camera. It takes TERRIBLE pictures, so excuse the glares, blurriness and bad lighting.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SjB5Z0e52jg/UOnsaHw0TTI/AAAAAAAAEnc/BbWDCPU6mwg/s1600-h/DSCF1842%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1842" border="0" alt="DSCF1842" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1H38GbpWqwQ/UOnsa7y129I/AAAAAAAAEnk/qKRUFq567w4/DSCF1842_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="399" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iCdrB8ulVYk/UOnscfzzJNI/AAAAAAAAEns/LcPGORDODns/s1600-h/DSCF1850%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1850" border="0" alt="DSCF1850" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7XtSrSoxRw/UOnsdYQBR7I/AAAAAAAAEn0/xq6kKHg5uI4/DSCF1850_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="298" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pW8ZB7jb2XQ/UOnsemMqcLI/AAAAAAAAEn8/Oy9W2lIuKa0/s1600-h/DSCF1856%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1856" border="0" alt="DSCF1856" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AY7zNulstvw/UOnsfeisQmI/AAAAAAAAEoE/DluAVTTnGrw/DSCF1856_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="303" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6vo8a75V29Y/UOnsgyXbsdI/AAAAAAAAEoM/nQPrIObsJp0/s1600-h/DSCF1859%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1859" border="0" alt="DSCF1859" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IExrMDP1xNY/UOnshUxLnPI/AAAAAAAAEoU/RJoos_idjK4/DSCF1859_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="310" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fNPl8dujX7E/UOnsi79AkhI/AAAAAAAAEoc/YnH4OAv-o6A/s1600-h/DSCF1864%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1864" border="0" alt="DSCF1864" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XCx4Le6X39U/UOnsjvzNAqI/AAAAAAAAEok/6l7o5pBZvW0/DSCF1864_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="313" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FR9hm8UT8eI/UOnskQpzyxI/AAAAAAAAEos/pwi_wsn_q8o/s1600-h/DSCF1868%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1868" border="0" alt="DSCF1868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FHPNSaRN4r0/UOnslO62FKI/AAAAAAAAEo0/mJD_ojc7YPU/DSCF1868_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="446" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8PAN3HsFKzk/UOnsmKWEQoI/AAAAAAAAEo8/poa9C5iHLeY/s1600-h/DSCF1875%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1875" border="0" alt="DSCF1875" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Q8714EYG98/UOnsm8caPrI/AAAAAAAAEpE/L9ASI-UkMBU/DSCF1875_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="425" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A5V4sNF2lkk/UOnsn7g2MwI/AAAAAAAAEpM/D8r34qPUQI8/s1600-h/DSCF1877%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1877" border="0" alt="DSCF1877" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iY1fv9FWjiE/UOnsoWG9KLI/AAAAAAAAEpU/vZoEdq4zIUY/DSCF1877_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="437" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SkneQfTogq8/UOnsphcHXhI/AAAAAAAAEpc/Mz8C6o1Gxbg/s1600-h/DSCF1882%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1882" border="0" alt="DSCF1882" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-baHe14gwJd4/UOnsqj1EjGI/AAAAAAAAEpk/lxS0ijsm4TQ/DSCF1882_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="312" /></a></p> <p>This is by far my favorite. It’s Tavin’s thumbprints as Christmas lights!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zc5M_dSJ8ME/UOnsrqDBHtI/AAAAAAAAEps/59V2akP9ecQ/s1600-h/DSCF1887%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1887" border="0" alt="DSCF1887" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vAqZB5Vjd0Q/UOnssQYgEbI/AAAAAAAAEp0/ZGqIw_mxE7A/DSCF1887_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="305" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xPwWbMEUYdc/UOnstnKDmiI/AAAAAAAAEp8/xxpXAiQVEoo/s1600-h/DSCF1769%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1769" border="0" alt="DSCF1769" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wmQOjxs89Wc/UOnsuSQ0R2I/AAAAAAAAEqE/h1wdIE6tDQw/DSCF1769_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="326" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BusRb17S3u8/UOnsv4RpocI/AAAAAAAAEqM/6DeolqMmKlQ/s1600-h/DSCF1772%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1772" border="0" alt="DSCF1772" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dYakYS6PR3A/UOnswvUHXbI/AAAAAAAAEqU/zW3520pjBjE/DSCF1772_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="333" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qqIi0n4tR0c/UOnsx5EwfPI/AAAAAAAAEqc/zw3cMYhMv68/s1600-h/DSCF1775%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1775" border="0" alt="DSCF1775" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FIQ8fFZMYEY/UOnsyQ0J7iI/AAAAAAAAEqk/RKaiEEzeZYU/DSCF1775_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="336" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GDDyrRGLkZI/UOns0CMk0yI/AAAAAAAAEqs/8nsseq01-SQ/s1600-h/DSCF1777%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1777" border="0" alt="DSCF1777" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eZN1Q68tHWA/UOns016-NlI/AAAAAAAAEq0/mQYy173zUBo/DSCF1777_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="334" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tGeuQdXhyIo/UOns2Bdoa3I/AAAAAAAAEq8/frBSGxc-4Rs/s1600-h/DSCF1780%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1780" border="0" alt="DSCF1780" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vgVGsDHzFrc/UOns2zLB9uI/AAAAAAAAErE/irjymgekHMI/DSCF1780_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="342" /></a></p> <p>I ADORE this card! So simple and elegant!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MkXfspFSQWI/UOns4NPb63I/AAAAAAAAErM/K2Mg5Zmujoc/s1600-h/DSCF1788%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1788" border="0" alt="DSCF1788" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8mXOmPC1tZ0/UOns46vjKDI/AAAAAAAAErU/vYbT0q3gE80/DSCF1788_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="341" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AjBjhNxnntI/UOns6NnIXNI/AAAAAAAAErc/bCBDjyyYadk/s1600-h/DSCF1789%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1789" border="0" alt="DSCF1789" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MdbnVI0ghsY/UOns7094gjI/AAAAAAAAErk/B5ZkyV4grA0/DSCF1789_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="454" /></a></p> <p>The End. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-48G2pDnc9ZU/UOns8F-GbmI/AAAAAAAAErs/PQgNnqCg7OQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-19704639064438734592012-10-28T11:18:00.001-07:002012-10-28T11:18:30.962-07:00Feminine and Masculine Birthday Cards<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/10/feminine-and-masculine-birthday-cards.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>I by no means declare that I’m acing this card making thing. I’m trying, though. </p> <p>I really like the idea of making cards for people. There is a lost art of simply sending anyone an actual card that they can hold in their hands these days. With social networks ruling cyberspace, more often than not, many people are only receiving impersonal, “Happy Birthday” messages on their profile pages. </p> <p>I’ve always loved sending cards. For a long time, many years ago, I used to stockpile cards for any given occasion. But after trying my hand at scrapbooking, and HATING it, I thought I’d scale it down a bit and try making some beautifully handmade cards. </p> <p>I have two friends that will be celebrating their birthday this week. One is an old high school friend, and another is a dear new friend I met earlier this year at a very emotional <a href="http://rachelsvineyard.org/" target="_blank">Rachel’s Vineyard</a> retreat. </p> <p>So for my old friend, who loves to ride his bike, here is a masculine card:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vUlJ1OvFnJ8/UI1253V73LI/AAAAAAAAD_w/Jipnd_5u3nk/s1600-h/DSCF1134%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1134" border="0" alt="DSCF1134" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jWeap1A70wE/UI126s_0j-I/AAAAAAAAD_4/woBHfA6EoOo/DSCF1134_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="301" /></a></p> <p>And for my new friend, here is a feminine card:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MCUsMrc1foM/UI128WE82aI/AAAAAAAAEAA/lOFBrvu8Oss/s1600-h/DSCF1145%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF1145" border="0" alt="DSCF1145" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z-1Nt_RYrUA/UI129BBzEeI/AAAAAAAAEAI/bPwcCcRUD7w/DSCF1145_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="301" /></a></p> <p>What’s funny about this photo is that the sentiment seems to be raised above the pink bar, however, it is the pink bar with the window that is raised above the sentiment. (I hate my camera! But I LOVE washi tape!)</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-60202961719363616392012-10-23T08:51:00.001-07:002012-10-23T13:14:24.004-07:00God’s Vote for President<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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You hear the question asked over and over: “Is God a Democrat or Republican?” And then you’ll hear the reply, “God isn’t political.”<br />
<br />
I beg to differ.<br />
<br />
As Christians, you have more responsibility to vote than anyone else. Why? Because YOU are God’s voice on earth. And if as a Christian you believe God doesn’t want to be involved in politics, you are seriously misguided and uneducated in scriptures. <br />
<br />
Let’s start at the beginning…<br />
<br />
The ultimate politician before earthly politicians was God Himself. He ruled over the land. He made the rules. He upheld the rules. And He appointed people on earth to maintain them. <br />
<br />
And then when Israel demanded a king, God hand picked Saul and then David and then Solomon. <br />
Again, if you are schooled in scriptures, you know of the Judges and the Kings. And then you can see once God was taken out of the picture, starting at the end of Solomon’s reign, everything begins to fall apart and society became an “anything goes” culture. <br />
<h3>
We Are for the Poor!</h3>
I’m often baffled to see “liberal” Christians, because I don’t understand their mindset or reasoning. I often think they believe that Democrats have the backs of the working man and the poor. However, they are sadly mistaken in that logic, because Democrats haven’t done anything to move poor people out of poverty, but instead have kept them oppressed and dependent on government programs. They promise goods that never arrive, much like Obama’s distribution of wealth, and yet they never seem to rise above their circumstances. Instead they are offered free goods so they will be liked and seen as “caring.” <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">“A man void of good sense gives a pledge and becomes security for another in the presence of his neighbor.” (Proverbs 17:18)</span></blockquote>
Now don’t get me wrong, because God commands us to take care of the poor, but he expected you and I to do that! The church. The community. And for a very long time we did…until the government got involved during The Great Depression. Churches were pushed to the side and soon people were starving and standing in bread lines. The picture is disturbing. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_ZKKy7vd-0g/UIa8766_R2I/AAAAAAAAD5M/9QaqCyCr3Bg/s1600-h/bread-line-in-depression-new-york%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bread-line-in-depression-new-york" border="0" height="223" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jBnyPOgQOjs/UIa89VkBm2I/AAAAAAAAD5U/3wESVYaUhRY/bread-line-in-depression-new-york_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bread-line-in-depression-new-york" width="313" /></a><br />
<br />
So if you are a Christian and you’re a liberal because you believe we should be taking care of the poor, you’re 100% correct, but government should play a very small role and the church the bigger role. Once the government got involved, the churches began to fall to the wayside, and no one seemed to “need” the church anymore. And the church seemingly let it all happen. <br />
<br />
I’ll tell you from my own experience when my family was in financial trouble, the church would only “allow” so much to be given to us within a year’s time. However, we paid 10% tithing each pay period only to find that when we needed some of that money back, we were refused. We couldn’t get help for all of our needs, just the ones they chose. And while we were able to get food from the food bank at church, we were only allowed four grocery bags a month. As anyone knows, four bags of groceries doesn’t go far, especially when one bag is solely for your household goods, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc. <br />
<br />
So again, if you are a liberal Christian what role are YOU playing in supporting the poor and helping them get OUT of poverty? Are you offering them jobs? Are you paying their rent and utilities? Are you providing more than 4 bags of food for a family of four? Or are you relying on the government to do that? The Mormon church got this right with their own welfare program! <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204792404577227173888056682.html" target="_blank">THIS is what the church should look like.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fuQhk-7izBM/UIa9AbaLZwI/AAAAAAAAD5c/99pymTcOxDo/s1600-h/mormon%252520warehouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mormon warehouse" border="0" height="255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X85NYXA9QQ4/UIa9BRVl83I/AAAAAAAAD5k/YUfCAlr4NxM/mormon%252520warehouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mormon warehouse" width="383" /></a><br />
<br />
The above photo is of the Mormon welfare warehouse, called The Bishop’s Central Storehouse. This is how the church should be taking care of the poor. However, it’s not just a “give away” program. They also offer job training, and members who own businesses offer those in need, JOBS!<br />
<h3>
We Are Humanitarians! </h3>
Some other liberal Christians claim they are Democrats because of the “humanitarian” aspect of the political spectrum. Again, I’m not sure where they see this since liberals are 100% pro-<a href="http://180movie.com/abortion.php" target="_blank">abortion</a>. Our current President isn’t merely for abortion, but for partial birth abortion. <br />
<br />
Let me ask you how God would view this scene… an innocent baby, helplessly in the womb being delivered up to the point of the neck and then the doctor sticks a knife in the child’s head and sucks out his/her brains. BRAINS! The child had a thinking, active brain that is SUCKED out of them. <strong>How humanitarian is that?</strong> Is God cheering that on? Is God happy with that “choice”? And if you can’t even VIEW the picture below, then I HIGHLY suggest you reconsider your vote for this President, because he believes this is perfectly fine. And if we think this is okay, let’s also consider how in Canada, they are now allowing AFTER-birth abortions. Meaning, once the child is born full term, if the mother decides she doesn’t want it, she can kill it. No. I’m not making this up. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">BEWARE: HIGHLY GRAPHIC PHOTO BELOW!!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bb7nMo5TDy0/UIa9B96flrI/AAAAAAAAD5s/MxUWCfL-rto/s1600-h/partial%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img alt="partial" border="0" height="276" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gxwpd3XiFz0/UIa9CnkyfII/AAAAAAAAD50/QtrsNdqDHAo/partial_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="partial" width="283" /></a><br />
<br />
This is a drawing of the procedure, but below is REALITY of the procedure. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z2QOqfovgvk/UIa9DbQaXmI/AAAAAAAAD58/j5fi6Wnhcdk/s1600-h/partial_birth%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img alt="partial_birth" border="0" height="209" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_dLLDkS_D6Q/UIa9ENcv0UI/AAAAAAAAD6E/9sKlqPD2Gpk/partial_birth_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="partial_birth" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
Was this God’s idea of life and choice? I doubt it. <br />
<h3>
We Don’t Want to be Seen as Homophobic Anymore!</h3>
I’ve said this time and time again, that if it were up to me gays can get married. I see love…as love. But it’s not up to me! However, I know what God says about marriage and how it belongs solely to a “man and woman.” If someone can show me in the Bible where God CLEARLY said a man and a man, or a woman and woman should and could have sex together and “join” as one and reproduce, then SHOW IT TO ME and I’ll be the spokesperson for gay marriage. I will! I have friends who are gay and I’d like nothing more to show my support for them in every way. But first and foremost, I’m a Christian who believes the Bible to be true. My loyalty lies with Christ if push comes to shove. <br />
<br />
Not one pastor of any church can scripturally show or verify that abortion is acceptable and not a sin, that homosexuality is right and pleasing in the eyes of God. These may be social issues, and many of us believe politics shouldn’t have any place in these topics, but they are MORAL issues. Right and wrong issues. Value issues. We can see what has happened over the course of time when we’ve allowed sin to become lawful. We open the door…<br />
<h3>
What the Bible Says</h3>
What does scripture say about all of these issues? <a href="http://carm.org/bible-abortion" target="_blank">What does the Bible say about life</a>, babies, and children? <a href="http://carm.org/homosexuality" target="_blank">What does God say about gay marriage</a> and homosexuality? <a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-poverty.html" target="_blank">What did God say about Christians taking care of the poor?</a><br />
<br />
Look, I’m not saying God’s a Republican. However, I do believe God is the Ultimate Politician. The REAL DEAL politician. He gave us direct ideas about how a politician should behave and govern:<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">“Strong leadership has a moral foundation.” (Proverbs 16:12)</span></blockquote>
<h3>
The Foundation and Moral Fiber of America</h3>
Moral foundation. Godly foundation. What role does the Bible play in our nation’s foundation, success and laws? <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">“The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul…If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State!” (Harry Truman, 33rd President)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” (George Washington, 1st President)</blockquote>
<blockquote>
“If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together?” (Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President)</blockquote>
<h3>
The Answer for Your Presidential Vote is Clearly Stated</h3>
But again, I ask you, if you are voting, what are you voting for? Where can you find the answers on who to vote for? Well, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan said it best:<br />
<blockquote>
“Inside the Bible’s pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known…It is my firm belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls.”</blockquote>
<h3>
You Are Offensive to Society</h3>
Lastly, I think as Christians we truly need to consider our religious rights and freedoms that are now being taken away. In-home bible studies are being shut down by police, we can no longer offend people by saying, “Merry Christmas,” and students praying at school can and will be suspended. We did this to accommodate another religious group who found Christ to be offensive. And it was done through a liberal, political correct mindset: Christians are offensive. YOU, as a Christian, should be offended by that. But you’re not. You’ve become complacent. You’ve justified sin. You’ve made excuses. You’ve created your own god. <br />
<br />
And then on the other hand we have people who hide behind religion because they are so misinformed and uneducated. They don’t KNOW the Word so they follow the crowd of hate mongers. Do not HIDE behind God, instead <em>reside </em>in God and “the truth will set you free.”<br />
<h3>
You Recognize Him by His Fruit</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
I think in this election we as Christians have a very clear choice. We do have a man of God running for President. You will recognize him by his fruits.</div>
Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-53869256038134544772012-10-22T12:50:00.001-07:002012-10-22T12:50:30.362-07:00The Me I Wish I Could Be<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-me-i-wish-i-could-be.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>I wish I could be that person who joyfully wakes up at 5 AM and enjoys a cup of joe in the solitude of God’s Presence. As gleefully as that seems in my mind, reality bites me hard at 5 AM and the last thing I want to do is get out of bed for anything or anyone, even God. That may sound terrible and selfish, but I’m nothing if not honest about the real me and not the me I wish I could be. </p> <p>I tried this lifestyle once, and it was wonderful…if it worked. See, my house is chaos. When I get up, the whole world seems to follow suit. The cats beg for love and food, the dog aches to be let out and given a treat, and Tavin realizes that mommy’s up and there’s no logical reason to be sleeping any longer if that is true. </p> <p>No matter how quiet I am, tip toeing, stepping over  known creaks in the floorboards, and stirring my iced coffee without the spoon touching the glass,  my solitude ends up becoming the beginnings of a very frustrating and irritating day. But it’s a nice thought that I relish. </p> <p>I wish I could also be that person who never yells at her children, graciously and tenderly disciplining with love and mercy. No. That’s not me, either. Everything in my life is like sandpaper to my delicate soul. Scratch, scratch, SCRATCH! My emotions are raw and so is my throat by 6 PM. </p> <p>I used to be a multi-tasker, but then I got tired of doing everything all at once, so now I try to focus on one thing at a time. However, I am continually pulled away from anything I try to do every 2 minutes. (I swear to you, I’m not exaggerating!) It takes me hours to write a 200 word blog thanks to constant interruptions. So sometimes I don’t even bother trying to do anything I want to do anymore. What’s the point? </p> <p>I wish I could be one of those mothers who talks on the phone most of the day, or sits and reads a good novel while their adorable little one plays quietly. But instead, I numb myself with facebook and <a href="http://pinterest.com/godsreminders/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> so I won’t get so disappointed when I’m pulled away—although I am. </p> <p>The me I wish I could be has a quiet soul, a tamed tongue, and energy to go around for everyone. </p> <p>But I’m not that person. No matter how hard I try to be something I’m not (anymore), I just can’t get this thing called life right. </p> <p>I’m a bigger mess than I should probably admit. I pray God can do something spectacular with it all.</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-7398359508500249032012-10-10T16:40:00.001-07:002012-10-10T16:40:34.831-07:00Life is Good When I’m With You<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/10/life-is-good-when-im-with-you.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>I’m experiencing separation anxiety from my husband. </p> <p>For the past five years, we’ve had the luxury of very flexible work schedules and winters off together. Although times were tough, financially, Jared and I cherished our time together. We are not the kind of couple who seeks “time away.” We truly relish quiet nights together and chaotic days with Tavin.</p> <p>But now he started a new, permanent, full time job. No more random hours or winter breaks. He leaves at 2:30 PM and gets home around 2:30 AM. He sleeps until Noon, puts Tavin down for a nap and then takes one himself until 1:30 PM when he wakes up to shower and then leaves again for work. </p> <p>Tomorrow will be our first anniversary that we haven’t spent together in five years. And while my life is quite frustrating because Jared’s no longer around as my sounding board with Tavin, I miss just having him around. I miss our nights of nothingness that meant so much, more than anything, though. </p> <p>And that inspired me to create this art journal page. So far, this is my favorite one I’ve done. I’ve only made a handful of art journal pages, and I’m truly trying to find my niche. I think heartache does my art good.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DmvHNaeeX0s/UHYHKJ6n3UI/AAAAAAAADhE/XkNyeg8wkUM/s1600-h/DSCF0977%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0977" border="0" alt="DSCF0977" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7A5WB42fLS0/UHYHLWKJipI/AAAAAAAADhM/OguuOtDFcew/DSCF0977_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="475" /></a></p> <p>Then a few days ago I received the bad news that my friend’s mother had finally “won” her battle with recurring breast cancer. Her passing brought back <a href="http://www.dailyremindersfromgod.com/2012/05/parting-is-such-sweet-sorrow.html" target="_blank"><strong>the horrible memories of losing my mom</strong></a> just a mere five months ago, and I was capsized under a sea of tears. So I tried my hand at making my first sympathy card. Not sure how good it turned out, but my heart is truly in it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ASIfdzwZGfM/UHYHMq5yV4I/AAAAAAAADhU/8xAT1WpbA6w/s1600-h/DSCF0967%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0967" border="0" alt="DSCF0967" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6fnjIk5Ia-s/UHYHNIKdgwI/AAAAAAAADhc/8i1HZ3RBDj4/DSCF0967_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="336" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l6_ORCTHwa4/UHYHOsSCoxI/AAAAAAAADhk/nxZeXAM_wmc/s1600-h/DSCF0969%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0969" border="0" alt="DSCF0969" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JQkeDixuskI/UHYHPlajwqI/AAAAAAAADhs/lbE2s91GxqM/DSCF0969_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="330" /></a></p> <p>I also sent a very good friend of mine an awesome care package, however, she has yet to receive it, which is upsetting since I sent it over a week ago now.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zPgh5xaQNBo/UHYHQ58R1wI/AAAAAAAADh0/DxAlWHHIxN0/s1600-h/DSCF0846%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0846" border="0" alt="DSCF0846" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CTQeoYPUyK0/UHYHRg-r0TI/AAAAAAAADh8/oUVBELoRvbU/DSCF0846_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="342" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DFnX40mZOTU/UHYHSjzHt0I/AAAAAAAADiE/CcyjY8b5G_o/s1600-h/DSCF0847%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0847" border="0" alt="DSCF0847" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BVbfQH1lXKM/UHYHTe_4O2I/AAAAAAAADiM/7dj4lRtUtq0/DSCF0847_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="338" /></a></p> <p>Then I made a thank you card for a friend who sent me some books on “the strong willed child.” Apparently she’s under the assumption that Tavin gets that from me. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a0D9AifMkKA/UHYHTo6vgXI/AAAAAAAADiU/YHpEGmKETVU/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FgSi9xRhSMk/UHYHVkv2mwI/AAAAAAAADic/crQgVWmmQbw/s1600-h/DSCF0800%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0800" border="0" alt="DSCF0800" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7a-2gbB-oFE/UHYHWtSlI2I/AAAAAAAADik/FLKhEUIYe-E/DSCF0800_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="337" /></a></p> <p>Oh, and I made a fabulous paprika bird in the oven last week. Just thought I’d end on a high note.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ceqCXgSFFIM/UHYHZdI8ruI/AAAAAAAADis/TGMyCf4GhxY/s1600-h/DSCF0817%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0817" border="0" alt="DSCF0817" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HKyDbzrHszE/UHYHbauA6XI/AAAAAAAADi0/Nckrb0BTnJ8/DSCF0817_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="308" /></a> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:90bf5080-9745-4ebf-b11f-83ab2aa1a445" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Blogger Tags: <a href="http://www.example.com/paprika+chicken" rel="tag">paprika chicken</a>, <a href="http://www.example.com/art+journal" rel="tag">art journal</a>, <a href="http://www.example.com/thank+you+card" rel="tag">thank you card</a>, <a href="http://www.example.com/sympathy+card" rel="tag">sympathy card</a></div></p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-68890235984182974012012-08-27T13:29:00.001-07:002012-08-27T13:29:37.768-07:00Journal 8: Dream<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/journal-8-dream.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>So my eighth journal I made for <a href="http://rachelsvineyard.org/" target="_blank">Rachel’s Vineyard</a> was a bit more detailed, but for some odd reason took less time than any other journal so far! Only 1 day, and less than 12 hours. Wow!!</p> <p>This is super fun 6X6 paper I bought a while ago and had never used. </p> <p>Journal 8: “dream.”</p> <p>Although I used tiny binder clips, I wanted to add some flair to the journal with ribbons. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RYTHxaVdlX8/UDvX4MJGAMI/AAAAAAAAC6M/nyQpQgkgzNQ/s1600-h/DSCF0557%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0557" border="0" alt="DSCF0557" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YeJ1VYfWCKo/UDvX5IbcRPI/AAAAAAAAC6U/ZgTieEdz5KY/DSCF0557_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="345" /></a></p> <p>This was pretty difficult for me to put together. This is my first time using multiple layers. Up to this point, I’ve really only done 2. It was hard for me to jump out of my comfort zone and layer on things I already liked, but I think it worked out really well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QLdUkVIcL_E/UDvX7fy__SI/AAAAAAAAC6c/k0RD-8WDq5Q/s1600-h/DSCF0558%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0558" border="0" alt="DSCF0558" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4CLWy4pZEX0/UDvX8AsHCUI/AAAAAAAAC6k/ep2-jMSa6YY/DSCF0558_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="343" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KnScXIcDDi0/UDvX-YhCywI/AAAAAAAAC6s/4WkgSLPKscU/s1600-h/DSCF0559%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0559" border="0" alt="DSCF0559" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OuLP5DDksu0/UDvX_JSdYVI/AAAAAAAAC60/gzSfROamLoY/DSCF0559_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="340" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w5HpOzHxN2Y/UDvYB4heg0I/AAAAAAAAC68/T-qXzfwQkNU/s1600-h/DSCF0560%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0560" border="0" alt="DSCF0560" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--JvUmXv-l20/UDvYCi2N6wI/AAAAAAAAC7E/gOIdRHHASmw/DSCF0560_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="342" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nclzo7MXtSw/UDvYD5BDOXI/AAAAAAAAC7M/1J_xI49wKOI/s1600-h/DSCF0588%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0588" border="0" alt="DSCF0588" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5BdtpQgSITo/UDvYE_AGR6I/AAAAAAAAC7U/R8T8ep4V5lU/DSCF0588_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="351" /></a></p> <p>Inside front cover and first page:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fcP12Ol8gZ4/UDvYGBqJXsI/AAAAAAAAC7c/jd__u1NGLa0/s1600-h/DSCF0563%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0563" border="0" alt="DSCF0563" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xa_d5IpOcks/UDvYG0rym6I/AAAAAAAAC7k/ctsG-14FM_Q/DSCF0563_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="363" /></a></p> <p>Inside pages:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5OjSPKl3pbA/UDvYIf8OJAI/AAAAAAAAC7s/BvryALqeErQ/s1600-h/DSCF0566%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0566" border="0" alt="DSCF0566" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YNW13QxHrDc/UDvYJE_eBHI/AAAAAAAAC70/NzNsPCxoxjI/DSCF0566_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="356" /></a></p> <p>Hidden “passages.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JYZG-iMu5fw/UDvYKiVjQGI/AAAAAAAAC78/k8n4eYK8aCk/s1600-h/DSCF0567%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0567" border="0" alt="DSCF0567" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-40ANa2MNkxA/UDvYLY7NXmI/AAAAAAAAC8E/91F-STdQ26I/DSCF0567_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="333" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YXnTPY9vN3I/UDvYMio8C1I/AAAAAAAAC8M/W9lnQ4abf88/s1600-h/DSCF0568%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0568" border="0" alt="DSCF0568" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7oIqKwFAC6E/UDvYNUxZ_dI/AAAAAAAAC8U/cionbT6xKwg/DSCF0568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="345" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C3iJnWbgt0U/UDvYPCdzPhI/AAAAAAAAC8c/tem46fWcRlA/s1600-h/DSCF0570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0570" border="0" alt="DSCF0570" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o8RRseBUVqM/UDvYPooOEPI/AAAAAAAAC8k/DwOSyO5R46Q/DSCF0570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_kdm1W1MJs4/UDvYQ7gbGDI/AAAAAAAAC8s/lns-9J9AiMw/s1600-h/DSCF0571%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0571" border="0" alt="DSCF0571" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EmNyvQ2pIWM/UDvYR4cQHUI/AAAAAAAAC80/-jtkV8br8kw/DSCF0571_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="329" /></a></p> <p>This page offers a nice size paper “pocket.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-boiJI9kYm-o/UDvYTolGYJI/AAAAAAAAC88/oaGONUnEMFA/s1600-h/DSCF0572%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0572" border="0" alt="DSCF0572" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qw-AtpkOa8s/UDvYURi7oEI/AAAAAAAAC9E/DIAResd1xKs/DSCF0572_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="334" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nmu6acFYi5g/UDvYVwYT_-I/AAAAAAAAC9M/ZApRqQP8qoM/s1600-h/DSCF0573%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0573" border="0" alt="DSCF0573" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oaDEofsZqZs/UDvYWn7vOoI/AAAAAAAAC9U/J9G4_ecVyNk/DSCF0573_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="349" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ev5soqT_QSw/UDvYZOjJGbI/AAAAAAAAC9c/GY4W3eIC980/s1600-h/DSCF0575%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0575" border="0" alt="DSCF0575" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JbapfTECoxw/UDvYaL1X7RI/AAAAAAAAC9k/5AVRpz8YbgY/DSCF0575_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="351" /></a></p> <p>Here’s where I tried—key word, tried—to do a mixed media/art journal page. This is my first attempt, so bear with me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w4iPLfZz_Zs/UDvYbta6oaI/AAAAAAAAC9s/3SfH0-zB2xo/s1600-h/DSCF0577%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0577" border="0" alt="DSCF0577" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wPB5LG_lfIc/UDvYcWO6aOI/AAAAAAAAC90/GMbH69Sl1aI/DSCF0577_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="419" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MSNAFD7bXHw/UDvYdtoc5qI/AAAAAAAAC98/U4XJrlBnxv8/s1600-h/DSCF0578%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0578" border="0" alt="DSCF0578" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e4y68W1tKHQ/UDvYeh_fY8I/AAAAAAAAC-E/X0Lh0vDDTOg/DSCF0578_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="347" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-syMC2JrxB0E/UDvYf6Fzd_I/AAAAAAAAC-M/xNIROx6jMhM/s1600-h/DSCF0580%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0580" border="0" alt="DSCF0580" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L9r1XNHDkLM/UDvYgTktibI/AAAAAAAAC-U/qTVGYHmEPTY/DSCF0580_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="338" /></a></p> <p>Moving into devotions.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UQ6H8dvjEug/UDvYiRI_uXI/AAAAAAAAC-c/0fjr4f052cA/s1600-h/DSCF0581%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0581" border="0" alt="DSCF0581" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bBt1Iecuq5E/UDvYiymPiQI/AAAAAAAAC-k/tPQU_FmqZT8/DSCF0581_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="323" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HxAt0rdC0_M/UDvYkXRbKCI/AAAAAAAAC-s/2XtadS8mKls/s1600-h/DSCF0584%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0584" border="0" alt="DSCF0584" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-195K9dfrnzE/UDvYk6u1hbI/AAAAAAAAC-0/47jgdQvMTRc/DSCF0584_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="324" /></a></p> <p>Back page and back inside cover (washi tape, washi tape, washi tape):</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WqSxhDvxBMM/UDvYmxtfABI/AAAAAAAAC-8/8CdZUCCH_pg/s1600-h/DSCF0585%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0585" border="0" alt="DSCF0585" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xplKEw7SoCs/UDvYnb0DbzI/AAAAAAAAC_E/w711ZgPjGOk/DSCF0585_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="355" /></a></p> <p>Back cover:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kO0i1dFvI1k/UDvYqFNE3eI/AAAAAAAAC_M/OvApjE5WBVI/s1600-h/DSCF0587%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0587" border="0" alt="DSCF0587" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vvF6kxATEXM/UDvYrUqBhaI/AAAAAAAAC_U/-UklTc2rjmE/DSCF0587_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="369" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>So I’m getting closer to completing 12 journals. Only 4 more to go. I pray that God’s heart and hand will be revealed to each woman when they receive these; that they will be blessed and feel loved! I pray daily for these journals, not only for the women who will receive them, but that God will speak to me and guide me creatively, and that each journal will speak directly to the woman who choses it…that it will “Be” created just for her!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-1881101514039703892012-08-25T13:45:00.001-07:002012-08-25T13:45:57.347-07:00Journal 7: Bloom<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/journal-7-bloom.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Well, another journal is complete. This one is themed, “bloom.”</p> <p>Here’s how I begin compiling pieces for the each journal, which surprisingly takes a lot of time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xJ_M4iv5m0w/UDk5HwMKIaI/AAAAAAAAC0I/k4PaajPbgGQ/s1600-h/DSCF0512%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0512" border="0" alt="DSCF0512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3QcquQ5-N-U/UDk5IbGuE9I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/3oBso_G47gE/DSCF0512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="381" /></a></p> <p>I changed my mind on the cover and size, and in the background you’ll see the cover of a ledger book I found in my mom’s stuff. It was a bit hard for me to use it because it had her handwriting in it, AND…I believe it was very old. It had “<em>Judy</em>” written in it in my mother’s handwriting. Judy was my dad’s second wife, with whom he left my mother for when I was five. So this was really hard for me to use, but it was just so perfect…</p> <p>Here’s the cover, binding with brown and pink ribbon, and circle tabs:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ggMKeu-SHmA/UDk5JCFWFLI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/zGfLey1St8o/s1600-h/DSCF0515%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0515" border="0" alt="DSCF0515" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nQqyVPtCkO4/UDk5Jv7CN3I/AAAAAAAAC0g/w5elSS4eVp4/DSCF0515_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="510" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Tl56sJL1yk/UDk5Kln7h3I/AAAAAAAAC0o/lbhjsvV_GQA/s1600-h/DSCF0518%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0518" border="0" alt="DSCF0518" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JqnM2XIUQek/UDk5LEoB8nI/AAAAAAAAC0w/AfLGJ5XwWxo/DSCF0518_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="291" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I5Cp-EeLtd0/UDk5MOfhbbI/AAAAAAAAC04/nubGQ0FlE_Q/s1600-h/DSCF0519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0519" border="0" alt="DSCF0519" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ATaGMNl1cvw/UDk5Mf45P3I/AAAAAAAAC1A/TiDm2fj9vFA/DSCF0519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Front inside cover and first page:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QZjuXSP9ln0/UDk5NLYFcSI/AAAAAAAAC1I/4ew_a8JX7BM/s1600-h/DSCF0520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0520" border="0" alt="DSCF0520" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Nc4BHWmtQ0/UDk5NlbMxnI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/GR5pN3ndw30/DSCF0520_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="327" /></a></p> <p>Inside…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlT1HKrpq_Q/UDk5OXaUriI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/fg2XtekAx_w/s1600-h/DSCF0523%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0523" border="0" alt="DSCF0523" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ZWPBsOCi0c/UDk5O2vE4tI/AAAAAAAAC1g/X7ossch9HT4/DSCF0523_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="340" /></a></p> <p>Yep…hand stitched!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-73i2zjQW9As/UDk5PoHjiWI/AAAAAAAAC1o/2QhFS3ZnTFo/s1600-h/DSCF0526%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0526" border="0" alt="DSCF0526" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AlSEe2uhtRU/UDk5QKx1I4I/AAAAAAAAC1w/vSM-9on1wqE/DSCF0526_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a></p> <p>I really enjoyed the colors and patterns of this paper. I found it on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics for $5! It came with three pages of letters and a lot of punch out frames, borders, and embellishments. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4CgBSm7fDNU/UDk5Q6j6iTI/AAAAAAAAC14/5ACGUtf0-f0/s1600-h/DSCF0527%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0527" border="0" alt="DSCF0527" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GbrZb1nDowk/UDk5RYDQaoI/AAAAAAAAC2A/Q1J9_HtPJ0I/DSCF0527_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="335" /></a></p> <p>I adore washi tape…I may have an unhealthy addiction to the stuff!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qlbm7mbFNGc/UDk5R4LiRhI/AAAAAAAAC2I/zd9zT_hJ0R8/s1600-h/DSCF0529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0529" border="0" alt="DSCF0529" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SdNrYwiO8Dw/UDk5Sb7umsI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/UHtHv0e1MME/DSCF0529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="350" /></a></p> <p>I love using washi tape to add layers to the paper.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H2SFHKFBvPU/UDk5TJlOPNI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/qJvqtbaTkFQ/s1600-h/DSCF0530%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0530" border="0" alt="DSCF0530" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4HfADwN6_M8/UDk5TkwS5nI/AAAAAAAAC2g/6DHOQ32DEdM/DSCF0530_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="358" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OP084npzA_o/UDk5USGfmlI/AAAAAAAAC2o/HTqTIBZMqlY/s1600-h/DSCF0531%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0531" border="0" alt="DSCF0531" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYEOykhdR68/UDk5U7Z3feI/AAAAAAAAC2w/P6sd9aoo_Do/DSCF0531_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="303" /></a></p> <p>I found these adorable paper clip tabs (upper left) at Office Max…they matched this theme perfectly!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GJbllNGChn4/UDk5VaY5jYI/AAAAAAAAC24/I5rliSE3a5w/s1600-h/DSCF0534%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0534" border="0" alt="DSCF0534" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zYkQj7N03Ok/UDk5V9otJyI/AAAAAAAAC3A/A7Drccetipc/DSCF0534_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t want to add too much stuff to these pages because I thought the paper itself offered a lot of possibilities, such as lined journal paper. Cute fabric pocket for index cards.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UIAbF0Qxk9s/UDk5WtgbrOI/AAAAAAAAC3I/nxe4OpvDfzU/s1600-h/DSCF0537%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0537" border="0" alt="DSCF0537" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--2R4Y-o3ELM/UDk5XadhghI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/BZNHwrHdgiI/DSCF0537_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="333" /></a></p> <p>Love the polka dot washi tape from Target! And you can see the left page has another layer for journaling underneath.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7vVQDemAz5U/UDk5YIHcamI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/A9tSDIqywSk/s1600-h/DSCF0540%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0540" border="0" alt="DSCF0540" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kF5LsS72Hls/UDk5YyJ3dBI/AAAAAAAAC3g/q8VHWzvC-0Q/DSCF0540_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="338" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y8GBk326x6c/UDk5ZtWW0EI/AAAAAAAAC3o/x_ZhK-uNd30/s1600-h/DSCF0542%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0542" border="0" alt="DSCF0542" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZmHfvHAe9e4/UDk5aQc5T-I/AAAAAAAAC3w/orhM7mItfQc/DSCF0542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="341" /></a></p> <p>Devotionals.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EdjynJOz9gA/UDk5bBT-k7I/AAAAAAAAC34/wGOJMO6lHD4/s1600-h/DSCF0543%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0543" border="0" alt="DSCF0543" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U093Rv-HCSQ/UDk5bmITgnI/AAAAAAAAC4A/XenPN0TX7i0/DSCF0543_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="355" /></a></p> <p>Back page and inside back cover.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nL3nkvHNf7w/UDk5ctJYVXI/AAAAAAAAC4I/_oDAMrJgK20/s1600-h/DSCF0544%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0544" border="0" alt="DSCF0544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P30c0WXhRzU/UDk5deFz96I/AAAAAAAAC4Q/4_aJLK7oR4w/DSCF0544_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="358" /></a></p> <p>Now for the fun part…the back cover exposing the two sided paper with a pocket!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6rug7Lu1dpY/UDk5efd0a0I/AAAAAAAAC4Y/BqokrIq-NRM/s1600-h/DSCF0547%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0547" border="0" alt="DSCF0547" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P_3cxLiOaCw/UDk5e8M9GYI/AAAAAAAAC4g/qhqIPjK66uY/DSCF0547_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="354" /></a></p> <p>Take the stuff out of the pocket…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7EJT46PLmUI/UDk5fmByFMI/AAAAAAAAC4o/PWyHM_2NpdY/s1600-h/DSCF0550%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0550" border="0" alt="DSCF0550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QqWd4GDsy4s/UDk5gWbY7sI/AAAAAAAAC4w/NX5UFo94x9c/DSCF0550_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="340" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>So there’s journal number 7, bloom. </p> <p>5 more to go…</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-9844121336817584012012-08-22T08:55:00.001-07:002012-08-22T08:55:18.653-07:00Semi-Homemade Journal Six<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/semi-homemade-journal-six.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>I cheated on this journal. </p> <p>I found a journal kit at JoAnn Fabrics on clearance for only $3. It came with a 16 page journal, envelopes, vintage stickers, rub-ons, embellishments, and scrapbook paper. I thought I’d give it a try and see how it turned out. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hbqqUAUurfg/UDUAgL88weI/AAAAAAAACuo/f9fkXrsDwJA/s1600-h/DSCF0508%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0508" border="0" alt="DSCF0508" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cO-NuGZ3f44/UDUAh3t-IaI/AAAAAAAACuw/gx06xJ9hW00/DSCF0508_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="425" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-81wZmc37cUk/UDUAioGy4pI/AAAAAAAACu4/6rQeikFDAcM/s1600-h/DSCF0510%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0510" border="0" alt="DSCF0510" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wp8Yo5Qia3g/UDUAlmFfTEI/AAAAAAAACvA/5XWZjr9zuro/DSCF0510_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="330" /></a></p> <p>Journal six is, “be amazing.”</p> <p>Cover with open envelope.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FDYXyggUdrI/UDUAmiKqW3I/AAAAAAAACvI/8P7d7YJ2MU0/s1600-h/DSCF0489%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0489" border="0" alt="DSCF0489" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EY6TMgn1qtg/UDUAm9zz5MI/AAAAAAAACvQ/w4SipsPOkew/DSCF0489_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="510" /></a></p> <p>Inside cover and first page:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3M0O5IXeJRE/UDUAoRgDrmI/AAAAAAAACvY/4zZjamUxw4E/s1600-h/DSCF0491%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0491" border="0" alt="DSCF0491" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IyznLAbm5Gc/UDUAoxmTRCI/AAAAAAAACvg/9WK6XSGgi_s/DSCF0491_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="367" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BmoYQXIDcl0/UDUAps60x1I/AAAAAAAACvo/giBokOzeCz4/s1600-h/DSCF0492%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0492" border="0" alt="DSCF0492" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DEJKStiCzSE/UDUAqCyjC5I/AAAAAAAACvw/rU1XtcJ7598/DSCF0492_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="333" /></a></p> <p>Instead of labeled tabs, I used a nylon ribbon with square brads.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ffLsqxZhZLI/UDUAq0vkN2I/AAAAAAAACv4/_RaCCqbKdB0/s1600-h/DSCF0493%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0493" border="0" alt="DSCF0493" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aloXmpVd_S8/UDUArZ19y_I/AAAAAAAACwA/zS6xPq7VkX0/DSCF0493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="296" /></a></p> <p>Inside…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O5EFEUPRSzU/UDUAsHCM0YI/AAAAAAAACwI/A4TFtcxwCkE/s1600-h/DSCF0494%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0494" border="0" alt="DSCF0494" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WINETY4xLLk/UDUAssORr8I/AAAAAAAACwQ/vcOALJqKQQc/DSCF0494_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="355" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cag7BFvFsLI/UDUAtWyvU6I/AAAAAAAACwY/fxAvsHnZ6Yo/s1600-h/DSCF0495%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0495" border="0" alt="DSCF0495" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kP2jxrvCn1s/UDUAtldwauI/AAAAAAAACwg/nU4ACfylpOQ/DSCF0495_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="320" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xqMAiYQEUOM/UDUAuWzMYBI/AAAAAAAACwo/2MRBTuGwVPA/s1600-h/DSCF0496%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0496" border="0" alt="DSCF0496" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_qaJj1UkZmo/UDUAuzHZwHI/AAAAAAAACww/CN0XX1evTwg/DSCF0496_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="364" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1-Xyj9SXHJI/UDUAvZDk4KI/AAAAAAAACw4/bCmA7xvqUtU/s1600-h/DSCF0497%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0497" border="0" alt="DSCF0497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V2wtzrsx81w/UDUAwHuK21I/AAAAAAAACxA/b9GLcQBck_8/DSCF0497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="359" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y2o6AC4QgQg/UDUAwlWxHvI/AAAAAAAACxI/NJWb5Vju2lI/s1600-h/DSCF0498%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0498" border="0" alt="DSCF0498" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sgQVa7lgnW4/UDUAxLW_ZVI/AAAAAAAACxQ/ytfWNj2tvn8/DSCF0498_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="305" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hlC7TAccloA/UDUAx7_QZ7I/AAAAAAAACxY/fko6cg56ZS0/s1600-h/DSCF0499%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0499" border="0" alt="DSCF0499" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-myMd8UKbBdc/UDUAybV1iaI/AAAAAAAACxg/NYX7xJrgTV4/DSCF0499_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="322" /></a></p> <p>I did end up using some of my own embellishments, some of which matched the theme made by the same company.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--nihSK96OcQ/UDUAzEwMRpI/AAAAAAAACxo/QSa_c5atNfA/s1600-h/DSCF0501%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0501" border="0" alt="DSCF0501" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8O3X5sLAhP4/UDUAzdNhB6I/AAAAAAAACxw/rTcfudoUHaw/DSCF0501_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="333" /></a></p> <p>I added some extra pretty papers attached by a cute brad. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lZjVD3B2mtk/UDUA0UraVvI/AAAAAAAACx4/6AzV69seQZI/s1600-h/DSCF0503%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0503" border="0" alt="DSCF0503" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vKMC4ytD98E/UDUA0zRnpwI/AAAAAAAACyA/TJc106e8WiU/DSCF0503_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="391" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ynTIRqT5to/UDUA1uIiD5I/AAAAAAAACyI/u_32_Yj6yUY/s1600-h/DSCF0504%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0504" border="0" alt="DSCF0504" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0SVVW_lQuH8/UDUA2JsuxGI/AAAAAAAACyQ/sdExiMBxWCc/DSCF0504_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a></p> <p>Back page and back inside cover.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hFqz68hUQtQ/UDUA2wFSDVI/AAAAAAAACyY/v5JHCGufMG0/s1600-h/DSCF0505%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0505" border="0" alt="DSCF0505" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B3HeQAVGpxM/UDUA3TUmM6I/AAAAAAAACyg/AynSiipBaRY/DSCF0505_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="360" /></a></p> <p>Back outside cover.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JDJN014WdQo/UDUA4BpMomI/AAAAAAAACyo/-Kju48taJyo/s1600-h/DSCF0507%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0507" border="0" alt="DSCF0507" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Gg2fwTbayg/UDUA4r6qNiI/AAAAAAAACyw/91Xq0IQO4b4/DSCF0507_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="436" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>My husband said he “liked it,” but it wasn’t his favorite so far. I thought for the price and contents I’d see how it worked out, and I’m pretty pleased with the outcome. It’s not as “unique” as the others, but I think it still has a “feel” about it that I hope someone will enjoy. It’s a bit more simplistic than the others, and of course, the devotionals aren’t included in this one or the mini-journals. They will be included separately. </p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-47779372328234761762012-08-21T10:34:00.001-07:002012-08-21T10:34:38.806-07:00Journal Five<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/journal-five.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>It’s important sometimes to just…step away. My mind gets overloaded with ideas and thoughts and before I know it, I’m having a panic attack. I just have to step away from it and go back when I feel refreshed.</p> <p>This is an emotional intensive project for me, because my heart is incredibly involved in what the women at <a href="http://rachelsvineyard.org/" target="_blank">Rachel’s Vineyard</a> will experience at the retreat. I ache for them, and know their deep rooted pain. I know where it stems from, and I try very hard to keep all of that in mind when I’m creating their personal journals for the weekend. That alone can overwhelm me.</p> <p>I’ve stepped away from my writing on, <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a>, for the time being so I can focus all of my attention on these journals. I pray that they will bless the women and give them a private place to explore their feelings and heartache through this journey.</p> <p>Journal Five is now complete, and I think it may be one of my favorites so far. Journal five theme: “life.”</p> <p>This is how MY journey begins. Picking and choosing the colors, borders, and embellishments that correlate with the paper. The last journal I did took me a long time to “feel” the theme. This one I knew right away.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kZuYuA8XCoc/UDPF581m0LI/AAAAAAAACl4/s04werk6DNU/s1600-h/DSCF0423%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0423" border="0" alt="DSCF0423" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LZMxSG7A-6E/UDPF6gtCrKI/AAAAAAAACmA/i9dxDuv_LAk/DSCF0423_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="338" /></a></p> <p>My journals aren’t as fancy as some of the ones that I’ve seen on <a href="http://pinterest.com/godsreminders/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, but I’ve been playing with some of the ideas I see, and I used my mom’s old watercolors to paint the cardboard over the exposed corrugated cardboard.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mCNcuAwxZSc/UDPF7mjxPOI/AAAAAAAACmI/pIYNx6MS4vo/s1600-h/DSCF0449%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0449" border="0" alt="DSCF0449" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V1XXCBgqli4/UDPF8IjdGPI/AAAAAAAACmQ/kYIU7F1yXNw/DSCF0449_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="497" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iecej5gx6Xs/UDPF82cvLwI/AAAAAAAACmY/2NblgF9qV2U/s1600-h/DSCF0450%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0450" border="0" alt="DSCF0450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-86foT8C-7vM/UDPF-nWmj_I/AAAAAAAACmg/am9ZSrRYb-U/DSCF0450_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="271" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ANJsQYC-Ysk/UDPF_UfEE9I/AAAAAAAACmo/NC5sabtmB6s/s1600-h/DSCF0451%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0451" border="0" alt="DSCF0451" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nhyEY44uYOw/UDPF_0RhGsI/AAAAAAAACmw/4-2hTLWoB60/DSCF0451_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="277" /></a></p> <p>I simply used my label maker for the tabs and tags.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vXYJi-fKap0/UDPGBXYpTgI/AAAAAAAACm4/B1-asOae2vQ/s1600-h/DSCF0452%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0452" border="0" alt="DSCF0452" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ceFVOV2hxBs/UDPGB5Xk8BI/AAAAAAAACnA/GITEA0idzew/DSCF0452_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="296" /></a></p> <p>I’m not entirely thrilled with the inside cover right now…I may go back to that later. But this is the first page:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eVkoxAi8OxM/UDPGC8-nyEI/AAAAAAAACnI/W6SdJF8rbq0/s1600-h/DSCF0453%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0453" border="0" alt="DSCF0453" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2NueaYyNXho/UDPGEtNN2sI/AAAAAAAACnQ/rt9X_IzCoAQ/DSCF0453_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="298" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NYqUitnnMWU/UDPGF88iuhI/AAAAAAAACnY/MaU1FqScvpI/s1600-h/DSCF0454%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0454" border="0" alt="DSCF0454" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a-sNvimwktI/UDPGGcy4y1I/AAAAAAAACnc/xC75bW7D9K4/DSCF0454_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Inside:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UcZOs3MMuDU/UDPGHc8CQaI/AAAAAAAACno/4B1KE1FEb1A/s1600-h/DSCF0455%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0455" border="0" alt="DSCF0455" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P4mJDD3j3JY/UDPGIHKJ8YI/AAAAAAAACnw/twxMghZEbno/DSCF0455_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="319" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aewavzk_wVA/UDPGIg_mReI/AAAAAAAACn4/4tbFbPVxYQg/s1600-h/DSCF0457%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0457" border="0" alt="DSCF0457" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q2Z3amXbcQ8/UDPGJAEAgvI/AAAAAAAACoA/ucCN-CFJwZw/DSCF0457_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="295" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-16PrrPndF-k/UDPGKrPLIxI/AAAAAAAACoI/7Oezluvmh24/s1600-h/DSCF0458%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0458" border="0" alt="DSCF0458" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2oa5y8vzQsw/UDPGLMTRa1I/AAAAAAAACoQ/HTWm-EHiWwI/DSCF0458_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="309" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hGe8V8N5jWs/UDPGNLncGrI/AAAAAAAACoY/f_116BGyBdY/s1600-h/DSCF0459%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0459" border="0" alt="DSCF0459" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p3TKfTWlwxA/UDPGNpee5UI/AAAAAAAACog/baDgX-fxXKE/DSCF0459_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="298" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZbhxWMcziQY/UDPGOZdXG9I/AAAAAAAACoo/Ecl8afSr3mI/s1600-h/DSCF0460%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0460" border="0" alt="DSCF0460" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bqyz_k2vA9k/UDPGPPi-cfI/AAAAAAAACow/ggVI3LumtvM/DSCF0460_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="446" /></a></p> <p>I loved using this graph paper that I found in my mother’s treasure of office and craft goodies because it was somewhat see-through, allowing you to still see the beautiful paper underneath. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZIyZFA3TNzw/UDPGQieXDwI/AAAAAAAACo4/em9st4q7hYA/s1600-h/DSCF0462%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0462" border="0" alt="DSCF0462" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gNSApXLzv-0/UDPGRSzbDjI/AAAAAAAACpA/kcEzq7cV3pc/DSCF0462_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="400" /></a></p> <p>I found these awesome paperclips at Target. 4 in a pack for $1. They matched this theme perfectly!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VfZ6wmH0d6M/UDPGSGX2_UI/AAAAAAAACpI/aa0eCPgJMeY/s1600-h/DSCF0465%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0465" border="0" alt="DSCF0465" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v2vbMTcFwGQ/UDPGSxmayMI/AAAAAAAACpQ/i0-R8yjTD84/DSCF0465_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="370" /></a></p> <p>A page for photos.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pou3TJ0o8s8/UDPGTieu7BI/AAAAAAAACpY/CJzDSb0X_qw/s1600-h/DSCF0466%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0466" border="0" alt="DSCF0466" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i7Yh8iy00ns/UDPGUPDldeI/AAAAAAAACpg/mhMWPTK40go/DSCF0466_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Used teeny tiny rhinestones.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pge46jRquNw/UDPGVIKGSuI/AAAAAAAACpo/1koGNvbIFR8/s1600-h/DSCF0467%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0467" border="0" alt="DSCF0467" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uX6b9VylF0U/UDPGVkGTaEI/AAAAAAAACpw/jHEr65lTSR0/DSCF0467_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="347" /></a></p> <p>Found these cool journal tags at Office Max.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O7oxFNTnbtA/UDPGWuGk_6I/AAAAAAAACp4/6LB8jEPoGS8/s1600-h/DSCF0468%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0468" border="0" alt="DSCF0468" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-94jAIBCXOJk/UDPGXOQ1r4I/AAAAAAAACqA/aTXbiqhf6so/DSCF0468_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="354" /></a></p> <p>Favorite retreat moments. Little hidden gem under here…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hFJcVCjnqM0/UDPGX_WIf1I/AAAAAAAACqI/0Ku-7DWp98U/s1600-h/DSCF0471%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0471" border="0" alt="DSCF0471" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ldpaWNjizbo/UDPGYQLkWiI/AAAAAAAACqQ/rACtxWaIDzA/DSCF0471_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BGUKz55Afek/UDPGZOT8eGI/AAAAAAAACqY/-hEUd0XzgJ4/s1600-h/DSCF0472%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0472" border="0" alt="DSCF0472" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GoWTRwnGSL4/UDPGZtYEt8I/AAAAAAAACqg/uuM6bZusyHQ/DSCF0472_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="330" /></a></p> <p>Journal pages:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sQhzIhIFrdA/UDPGanyrK4I/AAAAAAAACqo/eDUcf1gTvq4/s1600-h/DSCF0474%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0474" border="0" alt="DSCF0474" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Eh-eMX7NPsw/UDPGbPBG_0I/AAAAAAAACqw/cdQi54eT_ds/DSCF0474_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="330" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DCUIUty8PbU/UDPGbwbwbBI/AAAAAAAACq4/rIMgNAnodtE/s1600-h/DSCF0476%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0476" border="0" alt="DSCF0476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LqO0Q8SV6AM/UDPGdjdf1JI/AAAAAAAACrA/OIHnjI5hv_4/DSCF0476_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="337" /></a></p> <p>Another cute bird!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c03OuqXLkko/UDPGehMSAII/AAAAAAAACrI/di9X0tIAAqs/s1600-h/DSCF0477%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0477" border="0" alt="DSCF0477" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OUDlrS9qlY0/UDPGfMg5bfI/AAAAAAAACrQ/_LjIqfj2Dq0/DSCF0477_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="302" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-owDPSsZL6T0/UDPGg7scLKI/AAAAAAAACrY/zoaMl-NH3Fw/s1600-h/DSCF0478%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0478" border="0" alt="DSCF0478" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cju6WKvqD0Q/UDPGhogd6XI/AAAAAAAACrg/RAvaSgo1Hvc/DSCF0478_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="306" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-buatDItsnj8/UDPGjbDHPCI/AAAAAAAACro/bDZqaJ3GrsU/s1600-h/DSCF0479%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0479" border="0" alt="DSCF0479" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PliM8CjUESo/UDPGj70tISI/AAAAAAAACrw/jxnmR3v3PUc/DSCF0479_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="333" /></a></p> <p>Devotionals…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k_N2eYt3PpQ/UDPGksKxYTI/AAAAAAAACr4/SlICu62NpiQ/s1600-h/DSCF0482%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0482" border="0" alt="DSCF0482" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y2c7NvbZNJU/UDPGlIMOEOI/AAAAAAAACsA/r8yDa7-VrDo/DSCF0482_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="333" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0zNOy7xu3vg/UDPGlmbS9GI/AAAAAAAACsI/NLudAxb53Dk/s1600-h/DSCF0483%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0483" border="0" alt="DSCF0483" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nqTP2gaFAk8/UDPGmDfI3KI/AAAAAAAACsQ/w9bT24NMgWM/DSCF0483_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="446" /></a></p> <p>Inside back cover.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t12s-grqXIw/UDPGnKSPJGI/AAAAAAAACsY/nyUzd5Q_os4/s1600-h/DSCF0485%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0485" border="0" alt="DSCF0485" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w5pJsUMOHMo/UDPGnpHzJgI/AAAAAAAACsg/LUqH8VJ2EHw/DSCF0485_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="412" /></a></p> <p>Back cover with rolled paper.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3egNQKXSlxc/UDPGoO88pTI/AAAAAAAACso/xLXWm7Tbki4/s1600-h/DSCF0486%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0486" border="0" alt="DSCF0486" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5petdQuGApc/UDPGojQlStI/AAAAAAAACsw/crT2nEl-bYA/DSCF0486_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="404" /></a></p> <p>Twine tied.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pXMhV6KdXyc/UDPGpuQqOlI/AAAAAAAACs4/XtQUx8nYKXk/s1600-h/DSCF0488%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0488" border="0" alt="DSCF0488" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HHK0qFLm_ks/UDPGqJcKYQI/AAAAAAAACtA/WVKJzo5fj3o/DSCF0488_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="310" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>On to book number six…</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-25614727338792457942012-08-17T16:28:00.001-07:002012-08-17T16:28:22.163-07:00Journals 3 and 4<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/journals-3-and-4.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>So, it took me a week to get these two done. Hopefully, now that I’m getting the hang of it things will pick up in speed. I’m spending approximately 14 hours, total, on each journal. I had no idea how time-intensive this would be, but I’m incredibly happy with the outcome.</p> <p>It should also be noted that not only are these journals coming from my heart and spirit, but they also include some gems I’ve found in my mother’s memorabilia, too. So they are incredibly “valuable” to me in so many ways…</p> <p>Here are journals 3 and 4.</p> <p>The first one is themed, “journey.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sB7A1I5BlZM/UC7TC_gXCyI/AAAAAAAACd0/BYZOr3PRVeE/s1600-h/DSCF0345%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0345" border="0" alt="DSCF0345" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T2NY_J4gbII/UC7TDly2PxI/AAAAAAAACd8/zdJZkR8Z2o8/DSCF0345_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="435" /></a></p> <p>The china element, with an umbrella that opens, is actually from Vietnam when my dad was there during the Vietnam War. He brought a bunch back and gave them to my mother. It was something I found in her art collection box.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uWxKu7qLnuE/UC7TEVC6RtI/AAAAAAAACeE/NyaVtlRHkDw/s1600-h/DSCF0349%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0349" border="0" alt="DSCF0349" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CpVRfAK3kZ8/UC7TE7ugf3I/AAAAAAAACeM/dwPBZxDl3Yk/DSCF0349_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="433" /></a></p> <p>I love the twine closure on this journal:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OqrRV407cwE/UC7TFla2CNI/AAAAAAAACeU/r2O2cJtMeBo/s1600-h/DSCF0346%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0346" border="0" alt="DSCF0346" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOqFi-W5RN0/UC7TGIWajFI/AAAAAAAACec/LKOvzOi_KRY/DSCF0346_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="297" /></a></p> <p>Let’s “journey” inside the journal…</p> <p>This is straight up, scrapbook paper that I loved so much I didn’t want to touch!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ibC-q_ITFbU/UC7THpPbIbI/AAAAAAAACek/Bblv-jfZO38/s1600-h/DSCF0350%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0350" border="0" alt="DSCF0350" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7maGubr_dPM/UC7TH-blDQI/AAAAAAAACes/tglH-AaQZts/DSCF0350_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="366" /></a></p> <p>Another treasure I found in my mom’s sewing kit was a piece of fringe. I wanted to use this in a clever way…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eTK8huwUPaE/UC7TI7ITb3I/AAAAAAAACe0/0UBAzntAnHM/s1600-h/DSCF0351%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0351" border="0" alt="DSCF0351" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qpBomkrj87o/UC7TJyqVRsI/AAAAAAAACe8/tBTQGBcaKrE/DSCF0351_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="312" /></a></p> <p>A note from God:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6G2JD8BBkDE/UC7TKmrou6I/AAAAAAAACfE/on_BZ5igipY/s1600-h/DSCF0353%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0353" border="0" alt="DSCF0353" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-535cMxapmjE/UC7TLDyV-iI/AAAAAAAACfM/mEK7b0WLBHI/DSCF0353_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="381" /></a></p> <p>“Explore your world…” and cute envelope with a 1 cent stamp.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_HJJT05ywTg/UC7TL4tLbdI/AAAAAAAACfU/AX5hpHDBCW4/s1600-h/DSCF0354%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0354" border="0" alt="DSCF0354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cN3EeOUPJw0/UC7TMM_titI/AAAAAAAACfc/zQXG-xBGTjQ/DSCF0354_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="330" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NVPxO7FRObQ/UC7TNGvwEQI/AAAAAAAACfk/0PaNoMGLuSc/s1600-h/DSCF0356%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0356" border="0" alt="DSCF0356" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kq4SO18Xew0/UC7TNd5FIlI/AAAAAAAACfs/SHrefR00A3o/DSCF0356_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="331" /></a></p> <p>A cute fabric pocket for notes…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EDgE_GW9dMk/UC7TOGh5B4I/AAAAAAAACf0/yEzSkgvN1Tk/s1600-h/DSCF0363%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0363" border="0" alt="DSCF0363" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iOpHrGgaoeU/UC7TOcKlvlI/AAAAAAAACf8/th-9JTIXOlE/DSCF0363_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="421" /></a></p> <p>Blank journal pages…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pXGF_Crrs-g/UC7TPGeWqvI/AAAAAAAACgE/gV4rm7Zp7Y4/s1600-h/DSCF0364%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0364" border="0" alt="DSCF0364" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HKM6EBfHVv0/UC7TPQYnxjI/AAAAAAAACgM/JDr2KRUCRmM/DSCF0364_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="322" /></a></p> <p>Devotions…(sorry about the glare!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NIS1DmD2ACA/UC7TQdBFZKI/AAAAAAAACgU/LH6VhXURo1g/s1600-h/DSCF0367%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0367" border="0" alt="DSCF0367" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NG3fnCuTYtI/UC7TQ5SoiAI/AAAAAAAACgc/wucagYUqMqY/DSCF0367_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="330" /></a></p> <p>Back of the book envelope for private thoughts, and an article included about the sculpture that is used in the photo.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3MPlOvjK9w8/UC7TRX6hqJI/AAAAAAAACgk/SbmowC2kSpU/s1600-h/DSCF0368%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0368" border="0" alt="DSCF0368" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oOyY69wtw7Y/UC7TRzRPI_I/AAAAAAAACgs/gMh5LTBBpHg/DSCF0368_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="412" /></a></p> <p>Back cover.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-loKaySh-1TU/UC7TSk5B_eI/AAAAAAAACg0/FvZEHvhViV8/s1600-h/DSCF0369%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0369" border="0" alt="DSCF0369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w5--4suRCHw/UC7TS__I3bI/AAAAAAAACg8/ZcpF-yT8ZB8/DSCF0369_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="435" /></a></p> <p> </p> <h3>4th journal theme: “joy". </h3> <p>This one is WAY different than the other three. I’m trying to keep in mind that there will be an assortment of tastes and styles. I had a LOT of fun with this one. It’s very…PINK!</p> <p>My first attempt at mod podge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WhM_k9mK2Pg/UC7TTn_pvCI/AAAAAAAAChE/LPp7RlJu69Q/s1600-h/DSCF0373%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0373" border="0" alt="DSCF0373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t6mP9x3Ehxk/UC7TUM7lg_I/AAAAAAAAChM/PpsmnqzeChs/DSCF0373_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="442" /></a></p> <p>The ribbon is cute pink owls.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w7i6lx4sumQ/UC7TUxZGUkI/AAAAAAAAChU/_FNO3JOpTow/s1600-h/DSCF0377%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0377" border="0" alt="DSCF0377" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RH9twRrDqQ0/UC7TVYh4wRI/AAAAAAAAChc/LRbCU8tq5Pw/DSCF0377_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="275" /></a></p> <p>Two pockets on the inside cover for notes and pencils/pens.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8eLa6u9S1ww/UC7TWOGy_9I/AAAAAAAAChk/RPWpWpiTopc/s1600-h/DSCF0379%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0379" border="0" alt="DSCF0379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kluMcvaVpV0/UC7TWn2jcAI/AAAAAAAAChs/cllyS3mIutk/DSCF0379_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="303" /></a></p> <p>I was STUNNED at myself when I pulled this off. If I do say so myself, this is such a beautifully designed tag. Originally, it was just a blank pink punch out tag. Added some embellishments and faux pearls (to match on the tabs) with the stamped lettering (which I don’t care for).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-98UjDYlhxL4/UC7TXHwvZ7I/AAAAAAAACh0/nBWrJMDB4wc/s1600-h/DSCF0384%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0384" border="0" alt="DSCF0384" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vCNOnRNDPwU/UC7TXjz-xaI/AAAAAAAACh8/dR-t_XL0_bk/DSCF0384_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="284" /></a></p> <p>I found this awesome punch out book of pastels with all sorts of cool stuff like tags, birds, stars, flowers, arrows, etc., on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics. And I discovered some unique things to do with washi tape!! LOVE THAT STUFF! (Made a wing on the bird with pink polka dot washi tape—wait, it gets better!)</p> <p>Also realized I could make my own, personal, washi tape. On the bottom of this page the line repeats, “you are loved.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4M5fy_c2G-o/UC7TYWA2bjI/AAAAAAAACiE/AXBGNdlkdKM/s1600-h/DSCF0386%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0386" border="0" alt="DSCF0386" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ivbOV46XRf4/UC7TY7OpK5I/AAAAAAAACiM/UASZ4n81k4g/DSCF0386_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="480" /></a></p> <p>Another cute embellished tag, and homemade washi tape of birds on a branch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOuWzfKrgMc/UC7TZYidpQI/AAAAAAAACiU/rrA2pEe731o/s1600-h/DSCF0387%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0387" border="0" alt="DSCF0387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ROfhcymuM2I/UC7TZyYWYkI/AAAAAAAACic/aH6xqDJ6UNE/DSCF0387_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="446" /></a></p> <p>Love this page. You can also see the pearls on the tabs. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q-o0KYQp3yw/UC7TaScvb6I/AAAAAAAACik/MZwBSAXsGn0/s1600-h/DSCF0390%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0390" border="0" alt="DSCF0390" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-veVEIYv0T6Y/UC7Ta8rxUoI/AAAAAAAACis/FGk4dvh5ZHw/DSCF0390_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="479" /></a></p> <p>Open frames for photo inserts. Sunday, the final day, is the when many pictures are taken.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b7cltZUl8XY/UC7TbuC2t-I/AAAAAAAACi0/gKEcWGvgfg0/s1600-h/DSCF0392%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0392" border="0" alt="DSCF0392" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lwPTFnpBe_g/UC7TcMPukvI/AAAAAAAACi8/-gjzn_zMjAg/DSCF0392_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="311" /></a></p> <p>Oh, how I ADORE this page and what I did to the bird!! Bought this “decorative tape” (washi tape) at Target, as a set (small dots, big dots, and stripes), for $3.99. It came in red/pink, green/aqua, and blue. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yEeeOy_EX5k/UC7TcnJc-yI/AAAAAAAACjE/aOCD4d4q1mQ/s1600-h/DSCF0406%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0406" border="0" alt="DSCF0406" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--DSjyaJ2duU/UC7TdIIggHI/AAAAAAAACjM/jPpIXj7dU5w/DSCF0406_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="435" /></a></p> <p>Used the washi tape to frame the journal, but also used it to decorate the bird, along with two cute rhinestone stars for the eyelashes. She’s an adorable little bird sitting in a cute flower!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zrO5eMg7lyQ/UC7Td9We9KI/AAAAAAAACjU/wGfWRyQ1eUc/s1600-h/DSCF0404%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0404" border="0" alt="DSCF0404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hMa7o-nnOaY/UC7TeLtgT8I/AAAAAAAACjc/E2XayQKk9lQ/DSCF0404_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="329" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3tt8VNAYpjg/UC7Te01t8mI/AAAAAAAACjk/mqUmZ0Z9ecc/s1600-h/DSCF0411%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0411" border="0" alt="DSCF0411" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R_abPxFRFVc/UC7TfayG91I/AAAAAAAACjs/SNFr5RusxQc/DSCF0411_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="461" /></a></p> <p>Keeping with the “pink” theme.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YxwBNl_jAsw/UC7TgO5UB_I/AAAAAAAACj0/GQLfrC_84os/s1600-h/DSCF0410%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0410" border="0" alt="DSCF0410" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V5wQDU230cM/UC7Tgr0uUkI/AAAAAAAACj8/dUl_EPS9viY/DSCF0410_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="296" /></a></p> <p>Devotions with journal pages.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LVFu_q00wm4/UC7ThUjbc6I/AAAAAAAACkE/wm7sz23a-b0/s1600-h/DSCF0412%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0412" border="0" alt="DSCF0412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZsoGKQ50oCc/UC7Th8TQjeI/AAAAAAAACkM/W_j-HUGjorM/DSCF0412_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="323" /></a></p> <p>Back page and back cover (with a clear package envelope). You can see I used the green/aqua washi tape:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-grbiGm86GdE/UC7TitDAUEI/AAAAAAAACkU/nRUEmnFrV0A/s1600-h/DSCF0413%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0413" border="0" alt="DSCF0413" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ayWgleIV7Ec/UC7TjCHNTWI/AAAAAAAACkc/XfDLwlOQMZY/DSCF0413_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="329" /></a></p> <p>Although the theme is “joy,” I felt in my spirit that the woman who chooses this journal will need a few reminders that she is loved.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-umrFWcnnstY/UC7Tj1sr4UI/AAAAAAAACkk/-qQrpr68j8k/s1600-h/DSCF0414%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0414" border="0" alt="DSCF0414" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vEC6IUOGNt0/UC7TkXQiF0I/AAAAAAAACks/o4wgzy_aIw4/DSCF0414_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="293" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Now…for the next 11. LOL!! God willing, I’ll get them done before the retreat. </p> <p>God bless!!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-50323259027574474132012-08-13T12:36:00.001-07:002012-08-13T12:36:02.841-07:00My Heart and Soul<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-heart-and-soul.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>As some of you know, I had to take a few days away from writing so I could focus on some other things.</p> <p>I am currently pouring my heart and soul into making personal journals for the upcoming <a href="http://rachelsvineyard.org/" target="_blank">Rachel’s Vineyard</a> retreat in September. In the last three weeks I have only completed 2! The reason why it’s taking so long is that I’m praying diligently throughout this process that it would speak directly to the woman who chooses each specific journal. </p> <p>The process of RV is a difficult journey that continues long after the weekend retreat. I broke down the journals into three parts: Weekend (with journal prompts), Favorites (favorite retreat moments such as meals, scriptures and activities), and Journal pages. Some will include a 7 Day Devotional written specifically for RV participants, and others will be separate (the mini journals). </p> <p>I’m mostly sharing these two completed journals so one of the facilitators of the program can get a glimpse of what I’m doing, but I’m also posting them because I wanted to show some of the things I’ve done in the crafting department. </p> <p>I hope you enjoy!</p> <p>Each journal will have a theme:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_gAXGrjE-8/UClW1N3X2UI/AAAAAAAACPI/UIhOzDBv60g/s1600-h/DSCF0307%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0307" border="0" alt="DSCF0307" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D0ULK2QYC_Y/UClW1hUacDI/AAAAAAAACPQ/agnSj5i3oqg/DSCF0307_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="325" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OmxOnMZrLwk/UClW2dj697I/AAAAAAAACPY/AlxGLx0qBu4/s1600-h/DSCF0325%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0325" border="0" alt="DSCF0325" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_69iMWn62q0/UClW4VlZjPI/AAAAAAAACPg/0ApY8SAbZbU/DSCF0325_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="460" /></a></p> <p>The covers are cardboard boxes or corrugated cardboard, which I think is utterly raw and beautiful…perfect for the women who will attend the retreat. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H8RsqIt9bKc/UClW5HSEHDI/AAAAAAAACPo/E3Ym1njuTEM/s1600-h/DSCF0308%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0308" border="0" alt="DSCF0308" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vQWyVjgY1jA/UClW5uPO7HI/AAAAAAAACPw/Dl8FeohP4xQ/DSCF0308_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="249" /></a></p> <p>Here’s the inside of the mini journal: trust.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PDzF2yzf5lw/UClW7LrilQI/AAAAAAAACP4/7dBunth21ak/s1600-h/DSCF0310%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0310" border="0" alt="DSCF0310" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1d7sA_z81vY/UClW7YyFIbI/AAAAAAAACQA/EakQ6lDsVeA/DSCF0310_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="281" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LIV2oYAGFaE/UClW8MoC10I/AAAAAAAACQI/FK0g4JHLvck/s1600-h/DSCF0312%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0312" border="0" alt="DSCF0312" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a1dlAgAlmB0/UClW8k0X-yI/AAAAAAAACQQ/8K2-jW6XURc/DSCF0312_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="274" /></a></p> <p>Fortunately, when I went through my mother’s stuff, she had a few transparency sheets and I used those for the prompts. However, that only took me so far. So I went to Office Max, and WHOA, transparencies are incredibly expensive. So for the next journals I’ll be using clear labels my mom had, too. They worked perfectly! Don’t spend the money for transparencies!! Buy clear sticker paper, or clear labels. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UQPyJPeEyhU/UClW9HJoq9I/AAAAAAAACQY/r92qUNCCA1w/s1600-h/DSCF0313%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0313" border="0" alt="DSCF0313" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f4zVVPa8sio/UClW9m7GTjI/AAAAAAAACQg/53FLrB13Irw/DSCF0313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="291" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-has4FhdU8J8/UClW-EzC3pI/AAAAAAAACQo/HQymbOHo_NQ/s1600-h/DSCF0314%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0314" border="0" alt="DSCF0314" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--JggNWFUBB8/UClW-ib6f-I/AAAAAAAACQw/NMIskWWZGeE/DSCF0314_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="292" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gI5Mx8RLkOU/UClW_dqgonI/AAAAAAAACQ4/l3N78q-tKU4/s1600-h/DSCF0317%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0317" border="0" alt="DSCF0317" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JdQDQYGXFcA/UClW_xaauyI/AAAAAAAACRA/64536WMNg7M/DSCF0317_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="302" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DXZCJvVXUG0/UClXAv_bcxI/AAAAAAAACRI/mGlUbL7hF3s/s1600-h/DSCF0323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0323" border="0" alt="DSCF0323" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6tTch_OhJ98/UClXA-QEU1I/AAAAAAAACRQ/wys-_r9LLUA/DSCF0323_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="315" /></a></p> <p>As you can see, the mini journal used double sided paper that was cut to include a mini-insert and then sewn together. The outside ribbon is then woven into the individual pages sewn together. </p> <p>The inside of the journal: hope.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fGCBzVgduCA/UClXB13twnI/AAAAAAAACRY/TWb-GHTtn_A/s1600-h/DSCF0326%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0326" border="0" alt="DSCF0326" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5Sf3kv6n10Q/UClXCglIz3I/AAAAAAAACRg/PbmbT7uQD_o/DSCF0326_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hmHhirTDd3g/UClXDeSNJlI/AAAAAAAACRo/vqMriJle-QU/s1600-h/DSCF0327%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0327" border="0" alt="DSCF0327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sCZlpdCiLog/UClXDo9N33I/AAAAAAAACRw/BXlH6hL_06w/DSCF0327_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="410" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MIrjuTWZldA/UClXEG1L06I/AAAAAAAACR4/efTGa2yTe4w/s1600-h/DSCF0329%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0329" border="0" alt="DSCF0329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TMIm4C-0y10/UClXEvAy8LI/AAAAAAAACSA/i8RGwzVeQxg/DSCF0329_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="417" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ux33VHBNcAg/UClXFZeibFI/AAAAAAAACSI/T04zckT4vgI/s1600-h/DSCF0330%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0330" border="0" alt="DSCF0330" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yAgiB_m0gmY/UClXFsj2HBI/AAAAAAAACSQ/iKTlcUXnI2s/DSCF0330_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="347" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jy59HjxmcuY/UClXGS_ZaHI/AAAAAAAACSY/7E2LSqLYxYk/s1600-h/DSCF0333%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0333" border="0" alt="DSCF0333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TZOrctjJc6o/UClXG7g-21I/AAAAAAAACSg/k6A1WUY7T0Y/DSCF0333_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="347" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_b4yrDYh_Q0/UClXHbvAGiI/AAAAAAAACSo/F2-bbBUW8H0/s1600-h/DSCF0336%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0336" border="0" alt="DSCF0336" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ukHeHevVm1w/UClXHiNlusI/AAAAAAAACSw/gNEivErfpXw/DSCF0336_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="386" /></a></p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-42317412416678126462012-07-27T07:23:00.001-07:002012-07-27T07:24:01.912-07:0035 Family History Journal Prompts<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/07/35-family-history-journal-prompts.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>In correlation to today’s devotional on, <a href="http://dailyremindersfromgod.com/" target="_blank">NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God</a>,  I thought I would help you get started with your Family History Journal. </p> <p>As some of you may already know, I started scrapbooking several weeks ago. I won’t lie, I’m not very creative when it comes to things like that, so it’s been a frustrating process. However, I did discover <a href="http://kandcompany.eksuccessbrands.com/dept/SMASH+1.aspx" target="_blank">Smash Book</a>, which combines scrapping with journaling, and have found that it requires less diligence, order and structure, which I love! </p> <p>This is the cover of my homemade Smash Book.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d_Ypgm4IPn0/UBKkT9JO--I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/iokXQ7UABpw/s1600-h/DSCF0053%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0053" border="0" alt="DSCF0053" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kST_WMOyu2k/UBKkUmdCLzI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/h61WYK7nUsA/DSCF0053_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="392" /></a></p> <p>My “Start Here:” page. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8FUJaqrfsk/UBKkVwKiALI/AAAAAAAAB_g/maaPXWX9EOU/s1600-h/DSCF0055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0055" border="0" alt="DSCF0055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I7sPeGV-mr0/UBKkWYi56HI/AAAAAAAAB_o/1C-J9M-YVzk/DSCF0055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="341" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kkNU5G5iLDw/UBKkXRH1P6I/AAAAAAAAB_w/vC0S5hq-9dY/s1600-h/DSCF0056%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0056" border="0" alt="DSCF0056" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kC5fYW4F5GA/UBKkYBrUZCI/AAAAAAAAB_4/BGXgC1N9MNA/DSCF0056_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="306" /></a></p> <p>You can start your journal two ways: 1. buy a nice, quality journal with lots of sturdy pages (paper). (I went to Marshal’s and found gorgeous journals there for mere dollars!); or 2. create your own using cereal boxes covered in pretty paper, scrapbook paper, and lined paper. </p> <p>One thing I love about Smashing is that I can cut out pictures or sayings from magazines that I already have lying around the house. What I learned is that you need a keen eye. Look at advertisements specifically. They will sometimes offer some really cool graphics, or even journal prompts. See some of my examples here:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cmBy7qq6jNk/UBKkY3V-nRI/AAAAAAAACAA/xVX1hq6aKYg/s1600-h/DSCF0068%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0068" border="0" alt="DSCF0068" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NTLdCqAsFj4/UBKkZWK7PEI/AAAAAAAACAI/Q8t_QMET1LM/DSCF0068_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="268" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TVeoORyQwh4/UBKkZ24V9YI/AAAAAAAACAQ/bUWiuKMIfxE/s1600-h/DSCF0086%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0086" border="0" alt="DSCF0086" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-odrHMIet69A/UBKkaU4ImYI/AAAAAAAACAY/NzFQDXAlbVc/DSCF0086_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="403" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7dBB-yVmIW0/UBKka81O40I/AAAAAAAACAg/Vb4bAH7tGSQ/s1600-h/DSCF0065%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0065" border="0" alt="DSCF0065" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nPRfekwFS2I/UBKkbi9XbZI/AAAAAAAACAo/hCy4GiErgJo/DSCF0065_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="411" /></a></p> <p>You can also buy or use stickers and scrapbook embellishments to decorate your pages. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g96c4DJPH20/UBKkcAiX3SI/AAAAAAAACAw/_svVVnrBjgY/s1600-h/DSCF0079%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0079" border="0" alt="DSCF0079" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TT7n75-ciLE/UBKkcpVIyKI/AAAAAAAACA4/TwNkKUdKhh8/DSCF0079_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="440" /></a></p> <p>But most importantly, add personal photos of your grandparents, parents, pets, friends, wedding, and children. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YJ1tq1cmKB4/UBKkeWc5JKI/AAAAAAAACBA/HR67tobkTw0/s1600-h/DSCF0073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0073" border="0" alt="DSCF0073" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UdQb2sM9qPo/UBKkfvIIDkI/AAAAAAAACBI/tbDfXZnUg6g/DSCF0073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Then…get crackin’!! Dedicate an hour or two a week (or more if you’re willing and able) to journaling. Tell YOUR story as if you’re writing it to your children. Don’t forget to tell your spouse’s story, too. </p> <p>If you’re stumped about where to begin, or what to write about, here are some family history journal prompts:</p> <p>My mother is from… My father is from… I was born in... Your mother/father was born in… (show photos or maps of where everyone was born)</p> <p>My mother was a…and my father was…</p> <p>My parents met... They were married on…</p> <p>On the day I was born... (Check out <a href="http://dmarie.com/timecap/" target="_blank">dMarie Time Capsule</a>. Here’s <a href="http://dmarie.com/timecap/final.asp?unique=41117.3021875" target="_blank">an example</a> of my birthday. Be creative with it. Find photos of toys, musicians, or TV shows that were popular and paste them to that page.) </p> <p>My favorite toy as a kids was… I love it so much that…</p> <p>My first pet was a… His/her name was…</p> <p>My best friend growing up was… Our favorite thing to do or play was…</p> <p>God’s role in our family…</p> <p>Some of the traditions we had in our family were…</p> <p>Schools I attended. Churches I attended. </p> <p>Childhood injuries and illnesses (did you have the chickenpox? have your tonsils taken out? etc.).</p> <p>People who played influenced me most as a child were… People who influenced me as a young adult were… Because they taught me how to…</p> <p>My relationship with my grandparents was…</p> <p>My mother’s favorite saying was…. My father’s favorite saying was…. My favorite saying was…</p> <p>I played this song…so much that…</p> <p>I spent my spare time as a child doing…</p> <p>The first time I ever cooked anything it turned out…</p> <p>Why I chose my career as a… What I love most about it is… What I dislike about it…</p> <p>Our political beliefs are… We believe in this things because… (Have they changed over the years? Tell that story, too, and why!)</p> <p>The fist time I voted, I voted for…because…</p> <p>I met your mother/father at…on…</p> <p>What we did on our first date…</p> <p>How your father proposed…</p> <p>The day we were married it was…</p> <p>The wedding was…</p> <p>My favorite part of the day was…</p> <p>When we found out we were pregnant with you, we were…</p> <p>(As the mother) When I was pregnant with you I craved (or ate all the time)…</p> <p>I knew I was in labor when…</p> <p>The hospital trip was…</p> <p>Why we named you…because…</p> <p>Who came to see you at the hospital…</p> <p>On the day you were born…(use dMarie again)</p> <p>The day we took you home…</p> <p>We started our own traditions of…</p> <p> </p> <p>You get the drift. I’m sure with these prompts you’ll be able to quickly come up with your own that will tell your story more effectively. </p> <p>Good luck, and please feel free to share your own ideas and stories about how you’ll tell your story to you children and children’s children!</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-52726801900831393382012-07-24T07:22:00.001-07:002012-07-24T07:22:47.063-07:00The Easy Peasy Christian Bubble<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-easy-peasy-christian-bubble.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>Is it wrong to be a Christian and be politically active? Is it wrong to be a Christian and ask for very specific prayers? Is it wrong to be a Christian and speak out against the injustices in the world even if your life is far from perfect?</p> <p>I must be a staunch Christian, because I believe in Truth. Grace is one thing, but when we forget Truth, we’ve got serious issues. We can’t just be “saved by grace” and forget what’s happening around us. We can’t pretend that the world comes against us at every angle. We can’t sit idly by in an easy peasy Christian bubble hoping it will all go away. </p> <h3>Consider it This Way</h3> <p>We have to consider what Christianity would look like today had Paul not been so bold in professing the gospel, and also disciplining those who perverted it for their own benefit. Paul believed in grace and lived fully in it; however, grace didn’t stop him from speaking out against injustices and sin! And Paul very honestly admitted his own faults and failures, but that never stopped him from distinguishing right from wrong. He may have dealt with his own sins, but God still authorized him to point out the wrongs surrounding him. </p> <p>And what about Kind David? All those Psalms (songs) about how he felt God abandoned him, but in other songs he praises God and declares everyone should worship Him. So if we say that we shouldn’t show the world how tough it is being a devout Christian because it will turn them off, or somehow insist that we because our own lives aren’t perfect then how can we quote scriptures and witness to the world, then we should also disregard the entire Book of Psalms. </p> <p>We will never be perfect, nor will we ever stop needing Christ’s grace. We all fall short. Every single one of us. If WE are allowing Christ to change our lives, and we continuously try to “resist the devil” (sinning), why wouldn’t we hope and pray for the same of others as we invite them to God’s banquet? We know it’s not easy to stop sinning. We know the consequences of sin. We know how hard it is to be good and kind every single day, because we fail at it miserably! The difference is that we know it, we face it, we go to God with it, and we repent. We acknowledge it for what it is. We don’t sugar coat it or put a bow on top of it. We don’t tell God, “Well, this is how you made me, so deal with it!” No, God made us the way we are for His glory, not ours! To change our hearts daily.</p> <p>Jesus warns us:</p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#ff0000"><font style="background-color: #ffffff">“</font>Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”</font> (Matthew 7:13-15 EVS).</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/msg/" target="_blank">The Message</a> puts it this way:</p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#ff0000"><font style="background-color: #ffffff">“</font>Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. </font><font color="#ff0000">Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity.”</font></p> </blockquote> <h3>Grace is Not a Free For All!</h3> <p>I refuse to conform to ease just because if feels good and better than being obedient. Imagine if we all just let our children run loose without rules or guidelines. That would be incredibly easy not only for parents, but mostly for the children who could do whatever they pleased without consequences. This is not how God operates despite all the hoopla that the Law is fulfilled. It is. Yes. But if we weren’t  supposed to find some kind of “instruction” from the Law or God’s commands, we wouldn’t need the Old Testament. We could just throw it out the window and call it a day. Grace is not a free for all. Grace places a desire in us to be obedient while honoring God. </p> <p>If the Old Testament were no longer relevant by any standards, then we can most certainly agree that the Ten Commandments should no longer be posted in public places. We can also disregard worshipping with our whole hearts and souls. We can dismiss the Psalms and convince ourselves God is NO longer for us and will indeed forsake us. And then we can eat evolution for breakfast, lunch and dinner and turn back into monkeys someday, because the Old Testament and all it speaks of is no longer relevant since Christ fulfilled the Law. </p> <h3>What Do We Stand For Then?</h3> <p>Standing up for life and the lives of the unborn. Standing firm on the platform of marriage that God created and designed. Speaking out against injustices. Helping the poor and those in need. Jesus didn’t preach anything different, folks. He didn’t <em>change</em> the rules. He exemplified them by living them! No one said don’t rest on the Sabbath, Jesus just showed them how. Jesus didn’t tell us to stop honoring our parents, He showed us how. Get my drift? We don’t just give those things up because we become Christians; instead, those things should be exemplified through our faith. </p> <p>If we sit back and live in an easy peasy Christian bubble of goodness, then we are truly fooling ourselves and those around us. We are not only lying to ourselves but to the world who desperately needs to know Christ. They need to see the Truth of what that means, not just the Mary Poppins goodness of it all. Yes, surrendering our lives to Christ is abundantly amazing, but it doesn’t change the fact that we still reside in an ugly place full of darkness and trouble. We don’t get a free, “Get Out of Trouble” card when we become Christians. If anything, we get into more sticky situations than ever before, only now we have Christ to rely on Who helps us through it all. Our faith doesn’t make life easier, it makes our life easier to deal with. </p> <h3>Christianity and Politics</h3> <p>We also need to be politically aware of what’s happening around us and be actively involved, otherwise we will simply get what we deserve for being so passive on the subject. Do we want leaders running our country who are faithless and vile? Do we want people in office who won’t protect our rights and freedoms as Christians? Who will fight our battles for us if we don’t? If we all just had this blasé attitude about it all and claimed it was terrifying to nonbelievers to be outspoken about what we believed so we remained silent, who then would speak up? Sure, we can all sit back and drink our Big Gulps of Grace and let everyone else do the hard work and then criticize them for it, and even tell them how sadly mistaken they are for seeking prayer and guidance while we point our fingers at them. But what if everyone sits back gulping it up, lounging in a pool of fake grace? Then no one does anything, and we can kiss our freedoms goodbye and let the secularists take over and tell US how it will and won’t be.  </p> <h3>Don’t Be Tricked</h3> <p>I don’t disagree with grace vs. the Law. I really don’t. But I don’t want us to be tricked into believing that  grace means running back and forth in a field of daisies, laughing and singing all day. Christ said we’d lose friends and family, that we would have trouble, that our lives would even be in harms way if we followed Him. We would be hated. </p> <p>We are not supposed to be loved by the world, people! If we are, then we are doing something seriously wrong. The world hates us because we won’t bow down to their “anything goes” mentality. That, too, is not what grace is about! And let’s also not confuse our desire for morality as being bound by “the Law.” The New Testament, although full of love and goodness, also warns us on almost every page not to conform to the ways of the world, and to stand strong on our foundation of Christ regardless of what the world throws at us. </p> <h3>The Ezekiel Way</h3> <blockquote> <p>“And he said to me, "Son of man,t stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. (Ezekiel 2:1-7)</p> </blockquote> <p>God commanded Ezekiel to eat the scrolls. To consume them. To make them a part of himself. Why? So he could preach it and teach it—even to a rebellious nation! God told him to speak His Words, “whether they hear or refuse to hear.” That says to me that even if the world doesn’t care to listen, we are still to speak God’s Word. For it is rebellion that makes them resist. So don’t ever let anyone tell you that just because you “don’t have it together,” you have no right to speak God’s Word. None of God’s prophets had it together! That’s <em>why </em>God used them.</p> <h3>A Good Head Bonking</h3> <p>We aren’t supposed to strongly believe in right and wrong anymore? Or is it that we just aren’t supposed to talk about it? Are we supposed to pretend we are one of them and avoid retaliation, or do we stand out like a sore thumb and get bonked on the head? A good head bonking isn’t fun…but it’s the hard life Jesus told us about that grants us a ticket on the narrow path. </p> <p>I, for one, will not be led into the wide gate of destruction. I will gladly stay on the hard, narrow road. </p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-12209963121652932892012-06-23T10:19:00.001-07:002012-06-23T10:20:00.482-07:00Scraps for Scrapbooking<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/06/scraps-for-scrapbooking.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>As you know, this is my blog for “anything goes,” and so…here it goes.</p> <p>I just started scrapbooking. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at it, but felt I lacked the creativity to produce something as nice as I’ve seen out there. But what triggered me jump in was an idea I saw on <a href="http://pinterest.com/godsreminders/" target="_blank"><strong>Pinterest</strong></a> for Father’s Day and thought I’d try to do something unique.</p> <p>What I came up with was this. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2eVmz2aJITo/T-X6d0DFk_I/AAAAAAAABs8/nvbHc1x7Pf0/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-55-46_227%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-55-46_227" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-55-46_227" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fRNHAWOWLd8/T-X6ef25eGI/AAAAAAAABtE/MzClyDXc_xg/1970-01-07_11-55-46_227_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="265" /></a></p> <p>A memory book for my husband, starting from the day we met working on the boats together in Chicago. I found this mini “passport” notebook at Marshal’s. (They have GREAT deals on scrapbook products, however, they are quite limited compared to hobby/craft stores.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UCaEg0I5Fos/T-X6ewCFAmI/AAAAAAAABtM/QQ3sVczuU4A/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-56-07_182%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-56-07_182" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-56-07_182" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3rdsIImVPdw/T-X6fEMhOPI/AAAAAAAABtU/i7lhxDfxXN8/1970-01-07_11-56-07_182_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="165" /></a></p> <p>(My picture in the life preserver, giving a guided tour.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ic0bDNBzgmc/T-X6fxTxYRI/AAAAAAAABtc/JmbDcjD1Mgg/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-56-21_555%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-56-21_555" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-56-21_555" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7jcggtZt1-U/T-X6gbfaMeI/AAAAAAAABtk/Ft7Duv0GhIQ/1970-01-07_11-56-21_555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="264" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nNB797IWO7o/T-X6g4DhZOI/AAAAAAAABts/epTVTjuh9qg/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-58-36_690%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-58-36_690" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-58-36_690" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q8FiPeIpGEI/T-X6hFAmBjI/AAAAAAAABt0/mR8lNbpEQpk/1970-01-07_11-58-36_690_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="181" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SKXauMVxGkY/T-X6hs_XaBI/AAAAAAAABt8/ckZ1LzvS3ns/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-59-22_504%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-59-22_504" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-59-22_504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lyl9GOQHhlA/T-X6iKMjpmI/AAAAAAAABuE/ZQYhz22k2UA/1970-01-07_11-59-22_504_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="334" /></a> “Big shoes to fill…but I will!”</p> <p>I used sticker paper for some of the photos, which worked out perfectly. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UTncIDD2Us8/T-X6iYJXQVI/AAAAAAAABuM/4iRQt0AoUIw/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-59-37_463%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-59-37_463" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-59-37_463" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q3czoHBi8Nc/T-X6i5j2hEI/AAAAAAAABuU/SOc8gCKAWQg/1970-01-07_11-59-37_463_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="208" /></a></p> <p>Cutting people out from the photo makes it look 3D. (For all of you reading this who have been scrapping for ages, bear with me, this is all new and so cool to me!)</p> <p>My husband absolutely LOVED his Father’s Day gift! He has it displayed on a plate hanger/holder on his desk in his studio.</p> <p>So then I got the scrapbooking bug and went GUNG-HO. I wasn’t sure if I decided to go all out because I needed something to take my mind off <a href="http://www.dailyremindersfromgod.com/2012/05/parting-is-such-sweet-sorrow.html" target="_blank"><strong>my mother’s death</strong></a>, or if I was truly engrossed and enjoyed the process of creating. </p> <p>I had done some digital scrapbooking before, creating a baby book for our son, Tavin. I used the scrapbooking program, <strong><a href="http://www.novadevelopment.com/software/scrapbook-factory-deluxe-129016" target="_blank">Scrapbook Factory</a></strong>,  and bought a <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/jonathan-adler-blue-circles-cover?store=ALLPRODUCTS&keyword=jonathan+adler+blue+circles+cover" target="_blank"><strong>portfolio book at Barnes & Noble</strong></a>. And since I’ve been obsessed with stickers since I was twelve, my obsession only got worse with the idea of cool 3D stickers available now for scrapbooking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H_iUvhtAep0/T-X6jgIaukI/AAAAAAAABuc/7qEVynDDlEU/s1600-h/1970-01-07_12-22-31_829%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_12-22-31_829" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_12-22-31_829" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ccwjBCu_v8M/T-X6kPSABLI/AAAAAAAABuk/3vvp7lg4VZU/1970-01-07_12-22-31_829_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="359" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rlLA1XQ7MJk/T-X6kbaRQJI/AAAAAAAABus/B_bJ-U-AEpU/s1600-h/1970-01-07_12-22-45_888%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_12-22-45_888" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_12-22-45_888" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X8EDh1ZcPdk/T-X6k0Vr1pI/AAAAAAAABu0/sNXgrgecheY/1970-01-07_12-22-45_888_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="477" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nw7CHmGp13o/T-X6lf_jg3I/AAAAAAAABu8/OyXHTfgDjCU/s1600-h/1970-01-07_12-23-13_650%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_12-23-13_650" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_12-23-13_650" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tLNcJENo-Fs/T-X6lkFSOxI/AAAAAAAABvE/XaxqYiENKtQ/1970-01-07_12-23-13_650_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="418" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-17EMHNiNThs/T-X6mAO4NdI/AAAAAAAABvM/r8gUfdWt4CQ/s1600-h/1970-01-07_12-24-14_677%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_12-24-14_677" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_12-24-14_677" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v9jX2pkTIts/T-X6macuMnI/AAAAAAAABvU/dx7S_SNvPYg/1970-01-07_12-24-14_677_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="412" /></a></p> <p>Although the program offered pre-designed layouts that I didn’t like so I had to create my own, I just didn’t feel like I was truly “creating” anything special. The digital embellishments were nice, but they didn’t jump out at you. </p> <p>So the bug got in me after making Jared’s book. After depleting two and half dozen eggs from GFS, I was left with an empty egg protector. And since I’ve been seeing all these clever ideas on Pinterest on reusing things you’d never dream of having any practical use for, I had an idea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wvALAMaSdIA/T-X6nDGOrgI/AAAAAAAABvc/GIDE9Y6rsEM/s1600-h/Photo1091%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1091" border="0" alt="Photo1091" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SGMMut4YEyE/T-X6naEY74I/AAAAAAAABvk/FAooPx6oTuI/Photo1091_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="305" /></a></p> <p>I opened it up as if I were going to tear it down. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kGfQkKta7N8/T-X6nyzfIxI/AAAAAAAABvs/yn5uzgo8wis/s1600-h/Photo1092%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1092" border="0" alt="Photo1092" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f5kmq_DI87E/T-X6oSDDJhI/AAAAAAAABv0/NRr4z34RFhQ/Photo1092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="302" /></a></p> <p>And this is what I came up with…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-41HO6RO5eW0/T-X6oznu7pI/AAAAAAAABv8/eBscBLnhxlU/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-09-21_791%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-09-21_791" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-09-21_791" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dwa5Zyay1SQ/T-X6pb-mhLI/AAAAAAAABwE/T9hEnuQXBBI/1970-01-07_11-09-21_791_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="322" /></a></p> <p>Because I love biblical scripture memorization, I decided this would be my book dedicated to some of my favorite passages. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9uI_HaWL0tI/T-X6p6XRxLI/AAAAAAAABwM/qjTjJjx5fpY/s1600-h/Photo1102%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1102" border="0" alt="Photo1102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yAh0IWOACz4/T-X6qHXUiMI/AAAAAAAABwU/V2V98Dxa78s/Photo1102_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="334" /></a></p> <p>I loved the inside of the carton and didn’t want to cover it with paper. So I just used some pictures I cut out, along with some die cuts and stickers. You can also see that I added clasps on the “binder” to insert pages. </p> <p>Then it was on to making the journal pages, and this is probably where I feel I lack in honest creativity. I just see so many awesome pages that other’s have done, and mine pales in comparison. I don’t get crazy with embellishments and layering, so my pages tend to be a bit more simplistic. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a7SG0-PYPjU/T-X6q5zq_TI/AAAAAAAABwg/W5USulEAqsY/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-12-33_446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-12-33_446" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-12-33_446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6a5LntjMMfc/T-X6rcFOXMI/AAAAAAAABwo/85tQTR-rwW4/1970-01-07_11-12-33_446_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="289" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pDbCwTZqZBM/T-X6r3aY2aI/AAAAAAAABww/tSxuP7TVPkc/s1600-h/1970-01-07_11-10-25_125%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1970-01-07_11-10-25_125" border="0" alt="1970-01-07_11-10-25_125" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uja_NPfE6vs/T-X6sXVUAFI/AAAAAAAABw4/jmCuqgpssV4/1970-01-07_11-10-25_125_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="305" /></a></p> <p>This style card stock didn’t have any pattern on the other side, but I still wanted to make use of it. Again, I’m not one for overdoing it. I’m more of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe" target="_blank"><strong>Mies van der Rohe</strong></a> person when it comes to “architecting” my pages: <a href="http://architecture.about.com/od/20thcenturytrends/a/Mies-Van-Der-Rohe-Quotes.htm" target="_blank"><strong>Less is more</strong></a>. I know that in the world of scrapbooking, that whole theory is thrown out the 90th story window, but I just can’t bring myself to it. </p> <p>But I was inspired by some great ideas I’d come across, and came up with my own design and layout for the beginning of “Our Storybook.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4iYnRv6JAV0/T-X6s9YefJI/AAAAAAAABxA/MDyiDSCwZLo/s1600-h/Photo1109%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1109" border="0" alt="Photo1109" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AvBgQXP9W1I/T-X6tCPPEbI/AAAAAAAABxI/jtk7Y2SOHWk/Photo1109_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="374" /></a></p> <p>Again, since Jared and I met working on the sightseeing boats in Chicago, I wanted a boat, water and Chicago-skyline theme. (It took me forever to draw and cut out that skyline! Drawing it on the back of the paper, I kept forgetting that I had to draw the skyline backwards so it would cut out in order on the design-side.) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Utpjm-NMns4/T-X6tvkOUvI/AAAAAAAABxQ/z7y4Kw7yxPM/s1600-h/Photo1111%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1111" border="0" alt="Photo1111" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R5WOU_4dDYo/T-X6uItBsoI/AAAAAAAABxY/FcmkxXOzUO8/Photo1111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="373" /></a></p> <p>Yesterday I went to <strong><a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michael’s</a></strong> to search out some memorial products for a memorial book I’ll be putting together for my mom, but instead I ran across tons of items that were only $1! I bought 70 dollar items, including cool stamps and ink pads! (Someone keep me FAR, FAR away from that store!)</p> <p>When we cleaned out my mother’s house (we’re still not completely through it yet), we discovered she, too, had a room designated for her arts and crafts! My mother was incredibly talented at drawing, and like me, she tried her hand out in other crafting areas. So she had an entire dresser full of supplies, mostly things I would never use, but I did find some goodies, like these gold and silver ropes on our individual boats, connected to and anchored by “love”. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TtBpqDWZ7yA/T-X6utNw7DI/AAAAAAAABxg/Zj6eHN7Le_Y/s1600-h/Photo1112%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo1112" border="0" alt="Photo1112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HYj5SeeZl00/T-X6vFWj_XI/AAAAAAAABxo/NzrAySoc9hQ/Photo1112_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="349" /></a></p> <p>These may seem a bit lame in the world of scrapbooking, but I’m enjoying myself nonetheless! </p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-67559623385644782252012-06-19T07:17:00.001-07:002012-06-19T07:17:43.908-07:00The Waiting Game<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/06/waiting-game.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o6bZhg-GTzQ/T-CKAUXJ7mI/AAAAAAAABqg/j6ZauHY1Akw/s1600-h/bus%252520stop%252520rain%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bus stop rain" border="0" alt="bus stop rain" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P1paZlKG3GY/T-CKBCZvVqI/AAAAAAAABqo/ukoWO5F-cSU/bus%252520stop%252520rain_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="320" /></a></p> <p>When I lived in Chicago and relied on public transportation in order to get where I needed to be, I often found myself waiting…and waiting and waiting!</p> <p>As frustrating as that may have been, my bus or train always showed up, usually not on my time frame, but that’s the joy of relying on something—or Someone—that is out of our control.</p> <p>I have spent the past few years trying to control something I cannot. Despite my best efforts to prevent a financial downfall last winter, it happened anyway. Yet here we are. We made it through somehow. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t pleasant by any means, but God got us through. </p> <p>Today I asked God to speak to me, that my heart was open to receive His Word for my life today, and I heard, “Be patient and wait on Me.” </p> <p>Anyone who knows me knows I’m incredibly impatient, so when God asked me to be patient, I reacted in panic in two ways: 1. how in the world do I do that!?; 2. help me! It was as if my head jumped into the future again, to our destitute winter, and began mapping out how I <em>wouldn’t</em> respond. </p> <p>Like the Chicago bus, it eventually came and picked me up and took me where I needed to go. I was sometimes late for work, or missed the next means of transportation in the route of transfers, but I got there. Not in my timing, but in Chicago’s. As much as I hated relying on public transportation it was all I had.</p> <p>Once I began doing things my way and brought my car to the city feeling I could outwit the system, my car was towed twice, I racked up parking tickets upon parking tickets, I often paid a hefty price to park downtown when I needed to work, I was still sometimes late for work because traffic is the same for both cars AND buses, and eventually my car was booted for all those unpaid parking tickets. The consequences of doing it my way, thinking that it would somehow be easier, only made my life (at times) more unbearable, particularly in the unforeseen future. </p> <p>So what does waiting on God mean then? </p> <p>When we wait on God He will teach us His ways and lead us in truth (Psalm 25:4-5). Integrity and uprightness will preserve us (Psalm 25:21). God will strengthen our hearts (Psalm 27:14) and become our help and shield, showing us mercy (Psalm 33: 20, 22). We shall inherit what God intends to give to us(Psalm 37:34). He hears us (Psalm 40:1) and becomes our defense (Psalm 62:1). He will give us hope and be our rock and salvation (Psalm 62:5-6). We will become glad and rejoice (Isaiah 25:9). He will be gracious to us and bless us (Isaiah 30:18). Our strength will be renewed, we’ll mount up with wings of eagles, run but not get weary, walk and not faint, and we won’t be ashamed (Isaiah 40:32, 49:23). He will be good to us (Lamentations 3:25).  </p> <p>Although the waiting game seems like a losing battle, we eventually get where we need to be. It is in God’s timing, not our own. However, when we try to make things happen outside of God’s timing and will, we may see instant gratification, but the ramifications are unseen in our future. </p> <p>I’ve never been good at waiting, but God promises to be good to me if do. </p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-77421988763700841132012-06-12T18:59:00.001-07:002012-06-12T18:59:35.607-07:00Meet You in the Night Sky<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/06/meet-you-in-night-sky.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>This may sound ridiculous, but for the first time in my life I know for a fact that my mother loves me.</p> <p>I spent 99% of my entire life wondering why my mother didn’t love me. I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what I’d done to make her dislike me so much. I struggled every day of my adult life trying to make her love me and see me for who I really was, not who she had made me out to be. </p> <p>The fact of the matter, as sad as it may sound, is that she found nothing in me that she liked or respected. She honestly thought I was a loser and a lost cause. She constantly berated me for being “too sensitive” or emotional, and she despised my goofy side as she was much too mature and serious for things that were silly. She never thought I was smart enough to amount to anything special, not even after producing straight A’s in high school, or making the Dean’s List in college, or getting my novel published. She didn’t approve of any choices I made in my life, and found unique and cutting ways to tear me down at any chance she could find. </p> <p>We spent the majority of our lives arguing and fighting, sometimes not talking for up to two years. She seemed to enjoy belittling me in front of my friends and always made me feel as if everyone else around me was far more superior than I could ever dream of being. She went out of her way to make sure to complain about anything and everything I ever did—even the good things. </p> <p>When my oldest son, Josh, was growing up, she favored him over me and pitted us apart continually. She reduced me to nothing in his eyes by overriding any important decisions I would make concerning his life. She gave him all the love, attention, and affection I craved from her my whole life. She never let me forget that he was her favorite. She went out of her way to make sure I knew exactly where I stood, and eventually where my youngest son, Tavin, would stand. She even said to me when I told her we were having a boy again, “Just so you know, nothing and no one will EVER replace Josh.” There it was. Tavin wouldn’t mean much to her as long as he was a boy. </p> <p>It all sounds so horrible, doesn’t it? </p> <p>The past few years, though, were much better. Had it not been for the cancer eating away at her insides, her heart may have never been found. That’s just the sad reality of this horrific story of my life. Ask anyone who knew my mother before the cancer, and they can “tell you stories.”</p> <p>One day, nearly four years ago, after a week’s worth of constant fighting and back and forth nonsense, I had finally had it and told my husband, “She’s dying. And for all I care, she can die alone.” That’s how awful she was being to me and I just couldn’t take it anymore. And then it dawned on me: she’s dying and she could die alone. Regardless of everything, she was still my mother and I loved her. So I confronted her and called her out on everything she had done to hurt me over the years. We eventually ended up crying and realizing…this was it. We either ended this maddening cycle and recovered most of what we’d lost over the years, or we could just go on, business as usual, hating each other until the day she died.</p> <p><font face="CK Alis Hand"><font color="#c0504d" size="6" face="CK Becky"><strong>I used to think my life would be better off without her. Now I can’t imagine not having her in my life…</strong></font> </font></p> <p>The last few years have been bittersweet. To see my mother change the way she did, and the way she tried so hard to respect me and love me, although it didn’t come easy, was astounding. She eventually wanted to do things with me, which she never had before. She tried new things with me, like going to the Harbor Market and the museum. She would call at night just to say, “Hey, how’s it going?” or to tell me about a movie on the old movie channels. But I knew it would all end so very soon. All this love and compassion. It was all too brief, but I still cherished every second of it, even though my heart was breaking. </p> <p>And then just a few months ago we had that very odd warm weather in March. We had just started going to church together again, and something in my mom changed. <em>Everything about her changed.</em> I went over to her house one night and she ended up sitting next to me on the couch—something she NEVER did! And we talked like school girls and laughed about silly things. Then she surprised me and asked me to come sit out on the porch with her because it was nice outside. (My mother NEVER did things like that!) We sat on the steps looking out into the sky, noticing how many stars were out that night. And then all of a sudden she leapt up and said, “You’ve got to see this! Come here.” And she took me to the driveway and showed me these two amazingly bright stars in the Western sky. “Look at how bright they are! They can’t be just stars. I wonder what they are,” she inquired. I told her I’d go home and look it up and let her know. And I did. It was Venus and Jupiter, on March 14th. Those stars were me and her. Me and my mother. Much like the Venus Jupiter conjunction, our two lives were finally lining up. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bYM8MnlFtas/T9f0AwK6XUI/AAAAAAAABi4/lIv4PBCtOqg/s1600-h/night-sky-conjunction-jupiter-venus-france_50031_600x450%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="night-sky-conjunction-jupiter-venus-france_50031_600x450" border="0" alt="night-sky-conjunction-jupiter-venus-france_50031_600x450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n7nnfOKwWXY/T9f0BZ8MDZI/AAAAAAAABjA/ekaKIWSkaS0/night-sky-conjunction-jupiter-venus-france_50031_600x450_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="259" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="left">"Both Jupiter and Venus are very bright objects—the second and third brightest, after the moon—in the night sky, so it's not surprising a conjunction would historically always be watched with interest, simply because both are so bright that they sort of command our attention. One alone is ignorable, but both Venus and Jupiter together draw the eye." </p> <p align="left">(<a title="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120313-conjunction-venus-jupiter-sky-space-science/" href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120313-conjunction-venus-jupiter-sky-space-science/">http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120313-conjunction-venus-jupiter-sky-space-science/</a>)</p> </blockquote> <p>It was only a few weeks after that experience that things would start getting worse for her, health-wise. And her mood went from peaceful to incredibly irritable and angry all over again. </p> <p>Now more than ever, I know my mother truly knows me and fully loves me. She’s gone and resides in heaven. God has revealed to her the real me she resisted to know here on earth. She is finally proud of me and believes in me like never before. For the first time in my life, I no longer need to prove anything to her anymore, because she “gets me” now. I can’t even begin to explain how comforting that is to me. </p> <p>It took my mother’s death for me to honestly feel my mother’s love for the first time in my life, the way I’ve always wanted her to love me. And now I’ll never have to question my mother’s love, ever again. </p> <p>We are Jupiter and Venus, aligning in the night sky.</p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-52308421710947205462012-04-16T08:44:00.003-07:002012-04-16T09:02:05.513-07:00Reading the Bible in 90 Days<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a class="google-buzz-button" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/04/reading-bible-in-90-days.html" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" title="Post on Google Buzz"></a><script src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js" type="text/javascript">
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I recently finished a Bible reading plan in 90 days called, <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/bible-in-90-days/" target="_blank"><strong>B90</strong></a>. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had reading God’s Word. <br />
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When I first landed on <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/" target="_blank"><strong>MomsToolBox.com</strong></a>, I read the comments of how so many graduates of the program had connected with God in a way they never thought possible. I wasn’t scared by the timeline, in fact I was fairly confident (for the first time in my life) that I could accomplish the task. But more than anything, I desperately desired to take my walk with God to a new level, and had hoped this program would help get me to that place. <br />
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If you are considering participating in the B90 program, there are some things you need to be fully aware of. It starts out great for the first few weeks. You’re cranking along, feeling great, reading things you’ve never even noticed before that you read a million times. God’s Word will quite literally come to life, and your spirit will quicken. However, the program has consequences.<br />
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About midway through the reading plan is when our son Tavin developed an illness that we’re still in the dark about. We spent countless hours in ER, at Children’s Hospital, and having every test imaginable done on our poor little guy. He endured so much trauma and pain for nearly 6 weeks straight. The pain for him was so horrific that he spent hours screaming in agony and writhing in pain every day, and suffering from extreme night terrors each night. <br />
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As if that wasn’t bad enough, my mom’s cancer began to progress rapidly, and she ended up in the hospital for a week at the very same time that our son was sick. Her cancer had nearly doubled in only one short month. Our family was devastated. <br />
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To top it off, financially we couldn’t keep afloat. Our bills backed up and we realized we had no other option than to get further in debt just to buy the things we needed. <br />
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I often found myself angry with God throughout all of this madness that was encircling us, but being committed to the B90 plan kept me in God’s Word and in God’s presence. However, I also realized I had fallen days behind. Fortunately you are offered two grace days, which I took, but was still five days behind. I did complete the program; however it wasn’t in 90 days, it took me 95. <br />
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As I made my weekly contact with our group leader on her website, I read what other people were commenting about throughout the process too. As I read through them, I began to see a trend. This wasn’t the first time many people had attempted to complete this program. Many were on their third or fourth try. And the number one reason most people stopped was due to some kind of personal tragedy that tore them away. <br />
This was a common thread throughout our group. People were being attacked left and right by the enemy. Some were strong enough to keep pushing through it, while others, like my husband, just couldn’t take the added pressure of being confined to a stringent timeline on top of everything else crashing around them. <br />
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Many people ask me, “What was it that made the experience so great?” And the first thing I have to admit is that I read the whole entire Bible, cover to cover. No small feat for <em>any </em>Christian. Most long time Christians have read “scriptures” here and there but haven’t experienced it in its entirety. <br />
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Better yet was the short time frame to complete the 1500 page, 6 point font book. And I say this because when you need to keep reading so much in such a short period of time, everything remains incredibly fresh in your mind. Suddenly the puzzle starts coming together like a rubix cube, only it doesn’t feel so overwhelming and complicated. The veil is lifted and everything that seemed so confusing suddenly begins to make sense.<br />
I was also able to visualize the series of events that took place, and the Bible became an incredible lesson for me in our world’s history, starting at the beginning of time! Something no school book in our system will EVER offer!<br />
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Reading the Bible on a two year plan reduces your chances of experiencing the wholeness and completeness of what God is trying to teach us in our walk with Him. You can lose so much. It’s no different than asking you to sit down right now and do a long algebra problem from high school. If you’re not doing that sort of thing on a daily basis, you will struggle with the equation. So when you read the New Testament, it will be incredibly difficult to remember where you read scriptures that Jesus, Peter, Matthew, James and Paul referred to. When you read Isaiah or Jeremiah, you’ll have a hard time recalling their roles in Chronicles or Kings. (Did you even KNOW that most of the prophets were first introduced in those books?)<br />
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Through the B90 plan, you will see and experience God like never before. He will show you things you’ve glazed over in the past. There is no glazing in this program. No skipping forward because it’s not what you want to read about at that time. That’s how most of us read the Bible. We search out what we want to hear, or even dumbly fumble through it “accidentally” landing on a scripture in hopes God will talk to us. And you’ll be fascinated to see how God will actually begin to speak to your circumstances through your daily readings. <br />
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<a href="http://www.biblein90days.org/" target="_blank"><strong>The program</strong></a> offers a bible specifically sectioned off for 90 days. However, you can use your own Bible, but they recommend that you use one that does not include devotionals, study notes, or things of that nature, because those things will distract you from the reading. <br />
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I found that things were jumping out at me all over the place, so I just grabbed a pencil and began to underline scriptures that spoke to me or surprised me so I could go back to them later. I also held a weekly B90 small group with my brother-in-laws and my husband to discuss those very things. That increased my experience so much more!<br />
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You need to be seriously committed to this program if you’re considering it at all. Know your time limitations. Each daily reading take approximately one to one and a half hours, depending on your individual reading pace. Again, you do receive two grace days, but if you don’t use them then technically you will have read the Bible in 88 days. I chose to do my reading at night after our son went to bed. Of course, I’m not tied down to television programs or other activities, so that made me a bit more confident that I could complete the program. <br />
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You also need to be aware that the enemy will try to prevent you from moving forward, because he realizes just how powerful this reading plan is in maturing you in Christ. But if you know these things going in, you can be prepared for it and seek the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance. <br />
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I recommend that you join an online community to encourage you through the program. Otherwise, try following the <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/b90orgbookmark.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>reading plan</strong></a> on your own or with a friend or two. Find an outlet to express and share what you’re learning and what God is doing in your life as you venture through the Bible. I have been considering starting a small group this summer (as I will be following the B90 schedule again myself), so if you’d like to take the journey with me, please express your interest in the comments below. I would want it to be interactive with a weekly group participation through skype or google+ hang out. <br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com" data-num-posts="20" data-width="470"></div>Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457996314925352244.post-85586650504735951712012-03-25T20:01:00.001-07:002012-03-25T20:02:02.347-07:00I Do NOT Hate Polar Bears<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:none; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;"><a title="Post on Google Buzz" class="google-buzz-button" href="http://www.google.com/buzz/post" data-button-style="normal-count" data-url="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-do-not-hate-polar-bears.html"></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/buzz/api/button.js"></script></div><p>I do NOT hate polar bears. I repeat: I do not hate polar bears, nor do I wish them to die. </p> <p>On the other hand, I also value life, particular the life of the unborn children. After that, my next and most pressing concern is for the women who have gone through the experience of <a href="http://180movie.com/abortion.php" target="_blank">abortion</a>. </p> <p>My big mistake (apparently) was naming the thread on <a href="http://my.cbn.com/pg/groups/7832702/note-to-self-daily-reminders-from-god/" target="_blank">CBN.com</a> linking to my blog (originally and still titled, “<a href="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/03/living-sacrifice.html" target="_blank">Living Sacrifice</a>”) something catchy and attention grabbing such as, Polar Bears vs. Unborn Babies. And boy…did it grab your attention. Unfortunately, it grabbed the wrong kind of attention.</p> <p>Some of you have implied that I’m insisting that we—as Christians, or <a href="http://180movie.com/pro-life.php" target="_blank">pro-life</a> advocates—must choose one over the other: the poor, helpless, innocent, dying polar bears; or the poor, innocent, helpless murdered unborn babies. I never said that, nor did I EVER imply that. There is a place for us to be concerned for both. But I would say, quite frankly and without shame, that our concern should be something we can somewhat control. Meaning, if we preach to the polar bears, they won’t be saved. Their lives won’t be changed. The environment is still going to do what it’s doing. </p> <p>We can, though, control the abortion situation that is happening right in our backyards, so to speak, some in our own neighborhoods. We can minister to these women, pray for them, tell them and show them the truth, encourage them that there are options, educate our communities that there are clinics and people who can truly help them during their difficult time and provide real, honest hope for their future. </p> <p>And when that doesn’t work and they proceed with an abortion, as Jesus said, “the field is ripe” to counsel these women who are dreadfully living with the consequences of their actions. Pray for harvest hands. </p> <p>I am one of those harvest hands. As a post-abortive woman, I am pro-life, but I’m also keenly aware that that means nothing in today’s society. So when women decide to exercise their <a href="http://180movie.com/pro-choice.php" target="_blank">pro-choice</a> decisions, but realize in the long run the horrific emotional, spiritual and physical pain they endure, I want to help by  providing God’s education to healing through His Word, His love, and His compassion to save and heal them. </p> <p>I won’t be bogged down with the heavy burdens of other people’s desires to skew the truth I spoke, or mislead others into a heated political debate about global warming vs. abortion. That’s not what this blog, or the <a href="http://andotherthoughtsbytristine.blogspot.com/2012/03/living-sacrifice.html" target="_blank">past blog</a>, was about. It is solely about educating the world about the truth about abortion.</p> <blockquote> <p>“But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing are lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth” (Romans 1:18).</p> </blockquote> <p>If somehow that message got lost because everyone who read it was misled by this notion that I hate polar bears, my apologies are extended and hopefully forgiven. I hope this clears the air and settles the deceitfully harmful debate that somewhat drew attention away from the reality of the topic. </p> <h3>Where Are They Now?</h3> <p>I would also like to share something that a reader asked about on CBN pertaining to the aborted children and what happens to them. Paul described it like this in Romans 9:11: </p> <blockquote> <p>“…her babies were still innocent in the womb—<strong><u>incapable of good or bad</u></strong>…” </p> </blockquote> <p>That assures us that those innocent babies are up in Heaven. </p> <p>We also know God formed us in the womb, that HE is our Creator, and we are His children. Those unborn children are God’s children, too. So they are in Heaven, be rest assured of that. If that doesn’t satisfy the nagging question, maybe this will help, too:</p> <blockquote> <p>"God sovereignly made me--the first, the basic--before He did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, <strong><u>well before Earth got its start</u></strong>." Psalm 8:22-23</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p> </p> <p>"Don't you see that children are God's BEST gift? <strong><u>The fruit of the womb HIS generous legacy?</u></strong>" Psalm 127:3 (MSG)</p> </blockquote> <h3> </h3> <h3>What About You?</h3> <p>If you ever had an abortion and you are currently wondering about your child(ren), those scriptures should give you comfort in knowing that God is taking care of them now until the day you will see and meet them face to face. They are in good Hands. But what about you? Are YOU in good hands? Are you being taken care of? Is God tending to your needs? </p> <p>God is our healer and our comforter. Please seek help through any number of resources available for post-abortive women. Seek out local community family resource clinics or centers (NOT Planned Parenthood! They are pro-abortion and don’t offer such classes or counseling, since they don’t believe there are any side effects to having an abortion). Consider a weekend healing retreat with <a href="http://rachelsvineyard.org/" target="_blank">Rachel’s Vineyard</a>. Or find an online community that offers <a href="http://www.womensbiblecafe.com/2012/03/healing-after-abortion-online-bible-study-begins-april162011/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biblecafe+%28Bible+Cafe+for+Women%29" target="_blank">confidential bible studies</a> specifically for this type of healing. </p> <p>Otherwise, if you’re just staring at this screen, afraid to move or reach out somewhat publically yet, why not instead reach out to the One who loves you dearly, and calls you His treasure and the apple of His eye. Reach out to the One who took your abortion on the cross. Who holds nothing against you, but only wishes to free you from your sorrow, anxiety, and guilt. </p> <p>If that’s you, reach out to Jesus Christ now through this simple prayer and let Him begin the healing process through salvation and/or restoration: </p> <p><strong>Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my shame and guilt on the cross. Thank You for loving me so much that You stood in my place and took my wrath. I’m grateful to know that nothing surprises you—not even my abortion(s). I come to You right now, freely offering myself to You so You will be my Savior and Healer, asking for Your forgiveness, as I know You will faithfully accept me into Your Presence and take me into Your loving arms. I receive You as My Lord and Savior. I repent of all of my past and present sins. I hand over my life to You and denounce any evil strongholds that are currently trying to hold me down. Break the chains of darkness in my life, as I am confident that You have conquered sin on the cross when You died, and offered us a new life of hope through Your resurrection. I am also grateful to learn that my children are safe and sound and in Your eternal care and comfort. Thank You for showing me that my children, too, forgive me the way that You do. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.</strong></p> Tristine Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14739397704652050718noreply@blogger.com0