12 Days of December Party at O'Scraps

Pre-Party has started with making a Christmas meme.  Come and check it out HERE! 

Here's my meme.  It is a picture of me as our family celebrates Christmas with some friends in 1956.  I am 14 months old.

Come and join us!

Thanks and Grace by Microferk Designs

Perfect title for this season.  What better way to remember God's gifts than to give Thanks for the Grace He has bestowed on us through the year!  Even as difficult as the year 2020 has been, there have still been more blessings than trials!

There are several pieces to this kit, Thanks and Grace by Microferk Designs at O'Scraps:

Thanks and Grace Add Ons Bundle
This bundle includes:
Adornments
Clustered Journal Cards
Clustered Frames
A Quick Page
Set of 4 Stacked Papers

Thanks and Grace Page Kit
The page kit includes:
Alphas
Elements
Glitter styles
Papers
The same Quick Page as in the Add Ons Bundle

Thanks and Grace Word Art

Thanks and Grace Textured Solid Papers

Thanks and Grace Sparkled Solid Papers

Here are my pages I created using these portions: 

Thanks and Grace 1

The Empty Chair Prayer
by Erica Parkerson

The pies are in the freezer;
the turkey’s on the list,
But this Thanksgiving, oh how
a loved one will be missed!

Lord Jesus, please hear our
Thanksgiving prayer,
For those gathered around
a table that has an empty chair,

Oh Lord, comfort their hearts -
we know that you are able,
And let them know that this year
there’s another chair at Heaven’s Table!

I used one of the stacked paper elements that is included in the Page Kit
The font is Arial Narrow

 

Thanks and Grace 2

He fills my LIFE with GOOD things.  Psalm 103:5

I used Adornments in the Add Ons Bundle.  The papers and alpha and other elements are from the Page Kit.
Font is Century Regular

 

Thanks and Grace 3

Give thanks to the LORD for He is good 

I used papers and elements from the Page Kit
Font is Curlz MT Regular

 

Thanks and Grace 4

Thanksgiving gatherings with family are such a blessing!  It is a time to put away differences so as to enjoy family! 

I used items from the Page Kit and Word Art and Sparkled Solid Papers
Font is Arial Narrow

 

Thanks and Grace 5

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
what can avail to wash it away!
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
whiter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe:
you that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?

Chorus
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:7 

I used one of the stacked papers found in the Add Ons Bundle and the decorative element around the song and the alpha along the left side is found in the Page Kit.
Font is Arial Narrow

 

Thanks for looking!  Praying each and everyone of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Magical Christmas by After Midnight Designs

The first Christmas we gathered together without husband, father and grandfather are featured in these layouts.

A Magical Christmas AddOn Pages

A Magical Christmas AddOn Decorated Frames

A Magical Christmas Kit

A Magical Christmas 1

Four and a half months after we lost my husband to melanoma we gathered for our first Christmas without him.  It was not easy, but knowing we will see him again and that he no longer was in pain helped.  I hate that the younger grandchildren will grow up and not have much of a remembrance of him.  He was much loved and is greatly missed! 

I erased some of the stars in the overlay so they were not on the elements in the upper left hand corner. 

A Magical Christmas 2

My kids lost their dad pretty young.  He was only 62.  They were 37, 36, 34 and 32.  They did very well this first Christmas without him.  He had fought melanoma for 5 years, so I think, like me, they were just glad he wasn’t having to fight it any longer. 

I added the “Knowing you will see your dad again, this is” (Hope) using Edwarding Script font. 

A Magical Christmas 3

The grandkids ranged in ages from 3 to 16 the year they lost their grandpa.  There aren’t many years when absolutely all of them can make it to our gatherings.  Soon, and actually it has already begun, they will start leaving the nest.  I pray they will allow the Lord to lead them throughout their lives and that they will serve Him always!

A Magical Christmas 4

Elisabeth took some of her dad’s shirts and had memory bears made from them for her children.  What a special gift!  I know they will always have fond memories of their grandpa since they always lived the closest to us and got to see us more often. 

I added "From Grandpa to you (Arial Narrow font), With (Edwardian Script font)".....(Love) to the journal card.

Thanks for looking!

End of Winter by Florju Designs

These layouts include photos that were taken from earlier this year in January and February 2020.  The Bundle, End of Winter by Florju Designs depicts the dreariness, yet beauty, of winter.....no much color but gray and black and some blue and brown.  Perfect for  your winter pictures!

I used the Bundle because it has an add on paper pack that is not sold separately as the other portions are.

Here are my layouts with some explanation before each one.  You can see them in MY GALLERY, too!

End of Winter 1

Any time we get snow here in North Carolina will usually disappear the next day!  This snow melted on the warm ground as soon as it hit!

I used a quick page from the End of Winter Bundle by Florju Designs.  I also added word art for the title and added a stroke and shadow so that it would stand out from the background.

End of Winter 2

We live just far enough into the south that we don’t experience a lot of snow.  And if we do get snow it is usually here today and gone tomorrow. And it is usually the same if we get cold enough for the rain to turn into ice.  I’m glad the ice doesn’t last long because it makes for trecherous driving, but, oh how pretty it looks on the trees!

I used 2 clusters and word art from the End of Winter Bundle by Florju Designs.  I added a black stroke to my photo to help it stand out from the background.

End of Winter 3

Seeing the end of winter come meant being able to spend more time eating and warming around the fire pits in our woods.  But this year was not so full of entertaining others due to the COVID quarantine. Mark still spent a lot of time improving the area by adding shelter from the weather during the quarantine.  

I used 2 elements as photo masks.  The paper is from the add on pack included in the bundle.

End of Winter 4

The weather warmed enough that the forsythia bloomed before the trees had any buds on them!

I used an overlay on the paper from the End of Winter Bundle by Florju Designs.  I added a white stroke to my photo to help it stand out from the background.  The photo is matted with 2 envelopes.  The title is from the word art.  The lace and stitching and branch are from the elements.

Autumn Story by Natali Designs

Another beautiful autumn kit by Natali Designs at O'Scraps.  Here are all of the portions:

Autumn Story Quick Pages

Autumn Story Masks

Autumn Story Frames

Autumn Story Brushes

Autumn Story Overlays

Autumn Story Page Kit

 

Autumn Story 1

One of our favorite places to visit when we lived in West Virginia is Babcock State Park.  The park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood on the grounds.  We have been whitewater rafting on the New River Gorge which is nearby.  That was back in the 90’s when I was much younger and braver (or more stupid!).

The Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park is a popular destination for nature and landscape photographers and artists capturing the beauty of the setting.  We loved getting family photos in front of the mill.

I used Autumn Story Quick Pages
Font is Arial Narrow

 

 Autumn Story 2

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of my younger daughter and me from 1984.

 I used Natali Designs' Autumn Story:

Autumn Story Frames

Autumn Story Frames

Autumn Story Overlays

Autumn Story Page Kit

Font is Arial Narrow

 

Autumn Story 3

This has always been a favorite picture of Jessica holding her brother, Michael’s hand as they walked along the trail at Natural Bridge in 1984.

I used Natali Designs' Autumn Story: 

Autumn Story Frames

Autumn Story Brushes

Autumn Story Overlays

Autumn Story Page Kit

Font is Arial Narrow

 

Autumn Story 4

Nathanael, Fall 1987

 I used Natali Designs' Autumn Story:

Autumn Story Quick Pages

Autumn Story Brushes

Autumn Story Overlays

Font is Arial Narrow

 

Autumn Story 5

When the kids were young we spent a lot of time at the local parks.  Southern Ohio had wonderful parks.  The kids loved feeding the ducks as well as playing at the play ground.  Elisabeth was the animal lover.   Here at Winton Woods Park in Cincinnati she couldn’t understand why the ducks left her and headed back to the water when the food was gone from her dish.  Fall 1985

Autumn Story Masks

Font is Arial Narrow 

I enjoyed scrapping the older pictures of my children.

Turns To Fall by Simplette Scrap

A new, beautiful, mega kit that was LOTS of fun to scrap with!  Here are all of the parts and previews:

Turns To Fall Full Page Kit

 Turns To Fall Quick Pages

 Turns To Fall Masks

 Turns To Fall Labels and Word Art

 Turns To Fall Cluster Embellishments

 Turns To Fall Frame Clusters

 Turns To Fall Accents

 Turns To Fall Stamps and Brushes

 Turns To Fall Pattern Papers

 Turns To Fall Windy Elements

 Here are my layouts, including the parts of the kit that I used.

TurnsToFall1

One advantage to living in North Carolina are little surprises like this sunflower showing up in November.  Since we are about 10 degrees warmer than our Northern neighbors, the flowers can thrive a little longer.  However, I was still surprised to find this beauty under the bird feeder when I went out to refill it today.  It’s a little scruffy, but still a beauty in my eyes!  Thank You, LORD, for Your abundant, unexpected blessings from day to day!

Turns To Fall Quick Pages
Font is Arial Narrow

 

TurnsToFall2

Autumn weather in North Carolina is such a relief after the summer!  I even made the statement that I was looking forward to winter this year!  That is NOT like me at all!  We haven’t had to run the furnace much yet.  Most days I can enjoy my quiet time wearing my comfy robe, furry lined footies and a cup of hot chocolate in one of my favorite mugs.  It was a sunny day with temps in the 60’s!

Turns To Fall Full Page Kit
Turns To Fall Labels and Word Art
Turns To Fall Cluster Embellishments
Turns To Fall Accents
Turns To Fall Stamps and Brushes
Turns To Fall Pattern Papers
Font is Arial Narrow

TurnsToFall3

The pit area in the woods is a work in progress.  This year we (and when I say we, I really mean Mark) added shelter, lights and tables and benches.  He just added a tin roof to the shelter on the right.  The other shelter is made from an old TV dish.

Turns To Fall Full Page Kit
Turns To Fall Windy Elements
Font is Arial Narrow

 

TurnsToFall4

Fall means its time to work on puzzles with my dear friend, Ilene!  When we get together we usually make a day of it, beginning with breakfast.  We may or may not take a break for lunch.  I usually leave around 3 p.m. so that I can be home when my husband gets home from work.

Turns To Fall Quick Pages
Font is Arial Narrow

 

TurnsToFall5

The leaves of some trees change color, turn loose and fall to the ground.  Yet, some of them end up back in the branches of the evergreen trees!

Turns To Fall Full Page Kit
Turns To Fall Frame Clusters
Turns To Fall Labels and Word Art
Turns To Fall Pattern Papers
Font is Arial Narrow 

Really loved working with this kit!