GUEST DESIGNER over at S: CY!!

Guess what?
We have a talented Guest Designer over at S: CY this coming month. Please come learn about her and welcome her warmly to the blog on this last day of February.

March is coming SOON!  LOL

I promise, you will LOVE her work!! Who is it?
Well, come see!

We're located at Sketches: Creatively Yours. ALL WELCOME!

Lots o fabulous FREE inspiration for the taking.
See you there!
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S: CY is back up and running!

A friendly Sketch Blog, where inspiration is free for the taking and where all are welcome to come play, is back up and going strong! Come visit Sketches: Creatively Yours, HERE! 
Here is my newest Sketch, which is numbered 1-13.

Sketches: Creatively Yours
 Sketch 1-13
by Yours Truly

And here's my layout...

 "Choices"
 layout by
 Ali MacDonald
based on Sketch 1-13 at S: CY

The journaling reads:
"Choices"

There came a time in January 2013 when we had to make a decision for Grace’s benefit. It was unexpected, a massive surprise, and put us in the situation where there was only one choice to make. We made it: the only RIGHT choice. Grace came home on Kate’s 19^th birthday, January 12, 2013.

Bless their hearts.

We’re so glad they’re together again. 

Really happy you were here today! Thanks so much for visiting. Please be sure to visit Sketches: Creatively Yours as soon as you can. I also "heard" that in March, there will be a prize available. Hope to see you there soon. 

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LOAD UPDATE!!!!

Hi everyone!
I have 2 new LOAD layouts to share. I made these for Layout a Day this month... With the guidance and encouragement of Lain Ehmann, we are creating a layout EVERY day!
Here are my  2 newest LOs for February 2013 LOAD... as well as a little freebie for you!
These two pages are posted in reverse order of how I created them because they make up a 2-page LO and I did the second page first! Yep, I am a free-wheelin' gal! LOL

These are photos of Noah at his first riding lesson. Journaling is below each photo.

LOAD DAY 3
 "{Ride}"

Journaling: We started Noah in Therapeutic Riding at Rohan Wood Stables in September 2012. It was a pilot program. 

He went every week, on Sundays, for 10 weeks. We hoped that Noah would enjoy being around the horses, and would maybe get on for a little ride by the end of his sessions. He was already used to horses because of Oakley and Grace, and our regular visits to the barn. Turns out Noah loved riding right from the beginning. He couldn’t wait to get in the saddle!

Photos~ Sept 2012

Journaling by Mom~ Jan 2013

LOAD DAY 2
"Walk On" 

Journaling: These are photos of Noah’s very first lesson with Evelyn, the coach for Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association (FSTRA). Noah is riding ‘Bay Willy,’ a Welsh-cross pony.

Although noise at the barn such as rain on the metal roof --and worrying about that noise-- became a challenge for Noah over the course of the 10 weeks, he still really loved riding, enjoying every lesson. He called riding lessons “Pony Club” and liked to trot, which he called “jump.” 

We were so happy we’d enrolled him in “Pony Club” at the “green barn!” He can’t wait until it starts up again in the spring!

Photos~ Sept 2012

Journaling by Mom~ Jan 2013

For anyone who doesn't ride, "Walk On" is a command that we give horses to get them to go forward :)  Hence, the title! 

And... I made up a new 12x12" Sketch for all my LOAD friends! I used it to inspire my LOAD Day 2 layout. Hope you like it... Here you go! 

Sketches: Creatively Yours Sketch
created for fellow-LOADSTERS
DAY 2

Have a wonderful day, everyone! 
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LOAD Layout #1: Counterfeit Kit used!

Hi everyone!!
I created a layout today based on Lain Ehmann's "Layout A Day" prompt for Day 1... it was to be "speechless" and to use NO WORDS to convey the emotion of the photo.
Well, I decided to use my Counterfeit Kit-- the one I named  "3 Boys and a Girl"  from January 2013 to do up this 5x7" photo that Pete took of Noah in November 2012.
Here's the layout:

"Our enigma"
 LOAD DAY 1

Hope you like this... I scruffed up my picture's edges using my trusty old Heidi Swapp edge distresser and used a large number of CTMH products to round out the Counterfeit Kit.
Some of these were:  the cork star, Chocolate and Dutch Blue cardstocks, and CTMH inks in Corn Flower Blue, Chocolate and Desert Sand.
The "Sweet music" set of CTMH stamps was used for keyboard stamp.
I cut the small flowers and the leaves out of the navy blue pant-hemming scrap (corduroy).
The tiny pearls were from CTMH.
The puzzle piece was from an old kids' Dollarama puzzle and represents Noah's Autism Spectrum Disorder. I distressed it and added ink.
The light blue flowers were blooms I took apart and inked - they also came from Dollarama.
Buttons came from my stash.
I also added some Smooch pearlized accent ink  ink in 1) Moonlight  and 2) Gold Lame.
Thanks for peeking, I hope you liked  my layout!
Please come back again soon!
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Guess What?????

LOAD: "Layout a Day" the best event EVER for scrapbookers and memory-keepers, started today! It's called "Scraphappier 213".
There are still a few spots left for LOAD213 & they will fill up fast. If you'd like to join, you can click on the happy face icon in the box  to the right of this post and simply follow the directions to get yourself all registered. 

There is still time to get in on the fun, productivity and enjoyment by signing up for LOAD213. Yes: there are still a few spots open if YOU'D like to join us. There are so many benefits to being a part of LOAD-- here are a few that come to mind immediately:
1) Regular scrapping- Ahhh, Love it. :) 
2) Inspiration to get 28 LOs (layouts) done in 28 days- Ahhh, Love it. 
3) LEARNING and encouragement
4 ) All the prompts,  which I save!! Then, I have a set of prompts I can use later. (I have a folder in my email files where I save 'em.) 
5) A group of scrappers to be friends with. A place to chat (private Forum) & share layouts if you wish (private Gallery) .... LOVE THAT MOST OF ALL!!!!! :) 

LOAD is such an awesome experience and so fulfilling. JOIN US!!!!!!!!!! You will not regret it for ONE second!  Be sure to sign up- TODAY!!! See you at LOAD!  

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