Challenge 52

The challenge this week comes to you from Mia and it is to use an oxymoron as your title.

Wikipedia definition:
An oxymoron (plural oxymorons or, more rarely, oxymora) is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms. Oxymoron is a loanword from Greek oxy ("sharp" or "pointed") and moros ("dull"). Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron.
Oxymorons are a proper subset of the expressions called contradictions in terms. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as "cruel to be kind" or "team of mavericks".
other examples

Deafening silence
Forward retreat
Accidentally on Purpose[2]
Little Big Man
With all deliberate speed" (i.e. "go quickly slowly")
Icy hot
Start Stopping
Same difference
Living dead (i.e. the undead)
Controlled Chaos
Nondairy creamer
Open secret
Pretty Ugly
Life after death
Dry drunk
Organized mess
Creation science
Ill health
Plastic glass
Jumbo Shrimp
Quick Stop
Microsoft Works
Fun Run

We are away this weekend so I will be posting the designers LO from MOnday morning, but just in case you wanted a head start and to get those brains ticking over ~ this gives you an idea of where we're gong this week.

Stefanie's challenge 51

This LO was done for little shop of sketches.

My favourite scrapping habit has to be multi-photo layouts on Basic grey paper, and lately handwritten journaling.

My worst story?? Making my daugter change her pink top when her first tooth fell out.
I knew it was imminent and had bought Karen Foster tooth fairy paper and embellishments which were lime green and navy, luckily she put on the lime green top she had and we were both happy.
Some people would call me controlling,
I see it as me being a scrapper with a keen eye for colour co-ordination!

Liza's challenge 51

Journaling:

Okay, I admit it! I am a compulsive scrap shopaholic. For years, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff enough to fill a room. There’s the countless magazines, the non-stop patterned paper hoarding, the colorful flowers that I buy in bottles. Gosh! I can’t even remember the day I didn’t want any of these. I don’t think I’ll live without these stuffs in my possession. But then again, these photos are just the tip of the iceberg. So what do I do? I think it’s time I seek medical attention. Any psychologist willing to take on my case? Hmm, I hope she’s a scrapbooker too so she’ll know what I’m talking about. Oh come on! Tell me, don’t you just love the smell of these new papers, the feel of those flowers on your hands… Stop! Enough! I need therapy… uhm, shopping therapy?…

Helen's challenge 51

I live my life thru' my camera lens. I stalk my kids & pounce when least expected. You can find me peering thru' the window when they are in the pool & arriving with the ladder to capture an aerial view of their latest Lego creation. I have a lot of ammunition for when they are older - potty-training & skinny dipping could come back to haunt them at their 21sts! At times they complain that they are living their lives on Reality TV - that's when I pack away my camera for a few days & give everyone some down-time... Teenagers make reluctant subjects but Facebook has solved that problem. Suddenly it's cool to be photographed again - the more impromptu the better - just the way I like it - hee hee hee ...

Reader's roundup

This one is from Alison and such a good idea... why didn't I know about it 6 years ago?

One “scrapbooking habit” that have is to put a label on the back of every layout that I create. I use a stamp by Inkadinkado that says “Handmade by.” That’s first stamped on scrap cardstock in a colour that “matches” or contrasts with the completed layout.

Then I add my signature, the number of the layout for the year (“#27 in 2009” for example,) plus the date that I created the page. Sometimes I note that the layout was made for a Design Team assignment or was inspired by a sketch.
I plan to continue this habit. I have a feeling that these pages may around after I am gone… and that bit of information might clarify just a little

Mia's challenge 51

Title: You Know You're A Scrapbooker When...

Journaling: You dress yourself and your children in matching outfits because you have a layout in mind. 28 Dec 2008.

Yes, I am definitely a scrapbooker and proud of it!

Cabbie's challenge 51

journaling:

A hard habit to break for a scrapbooker like me is to take pictures whenever I see something worth taking. As much as possible, I carry my Nikon with me always so that when I see something interesting, that shot will somehow end up in my pages. sometimes I could see people staring at me because they would think I am professional photographer, needless do they know that I'm just a wholly passionate scrapbooker who wants to capture every bit of good pics! Photography as a habit will always be a part of my passion in scrapbooking. It's creating thousand words in silence. They speak without a voice and we listen with our eyes.

Tracy G's: challenge 51.

Swirls
Ribbons
Bling
Rub-Ons
Alphabets
Fonts
Words
Ledger Paper
Charms
Straight Lines
Tags
Flowers
Chipboard
Brads
Chocolate Brown
Calendars
Clocks
Printed Photo Corners
{Brackets}
Distressing with Chalks

Introducing challenge 51.

This week's challenge is being issued by our very own Tracy King.

The journaling reads: As the official family historian I have recently discovered that there just aren't very many pictures of me! Now I didn't think that this was a bad thing as I am not terribly inspired by looking at pictures of myself, but scrapbooking has taught me that I am an important part of my family's history. So even if I take them myself, I guess soon there will be more pictures of me!

This week's challenge:
Consider your scrapbooking habits. Do you have pictures of yourself? Are you a compulsive pattern paper hoarder? Do you see family members ducking and hiding when they see you with camera? Are you a pen junkie? This week photograph and journal about a scrapbooking habit.

Please have your submissions in to me by the 28th of Feb.

Readers' roundup.

Well done to all of you ladies for your awesome LO's.
There really is so much to see and much enjoyment to be had in finding all the added details.

This is from Janis, and I love everything about it.

This one removed for publication... and you saw it first here.

This one is from Cindy, who cut out the frame and tree by hand.

"This photo was taken in Armidale, NSW, Dec 1999. Ten Years Ago. Our love was really just starting to blossom, to mature. We were getting ready to start a family, to secure us as a couple, to be together forever. And forever it will be."

This one is from Lynn, writing a letter of apreciation to her Mother (the details of which she'd like to keep private) ~ but I bet we could/should all be apprecaiting those people who so enrich our lives.

From Shayne.

Her journaling:

"I watched you today
As you shared a moment,
The two I love most
In the whole wide world –
My eldest, darling Daniella
And Olivia, my little baby girl.

I pray that you will always
Have the bond
That you share today
And the joy you share
In each other
Will never fade away.

I love you both
More than words can say
And each day
I thank our Father
For the precious gifts he gave!"

Tracy G's challenge 50

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; {even though you may not understand why I feel this way, you are there for me} When troubles come and my heart burdened be; {troubles that seem insignificant to you may overwhelm me and you understand that} Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me. {I know that you will be there for me whenever I need you and it calms my soul to know that you both understand} You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. {you give me the courage to go on and to deal with my fears} You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. {You make me realise that I don’t have to do it alone} There is no life - no life without its hunger; {you know how deeply sensitive I am and you allow me the freedom to feel what I need to feel} Each restless heart beats so imperfectly; {you know I am not perfect and that is so okay with you} But when you come and I am filled with wonder, sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity. {you make me want to be a better person for you} You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. You raise me up... To more than I can be.

{THANK YOU MY BOYS – I love you both so very very much!}
Original song lyrics by Josh Groban – comments added by Tracy G ...

Shannon's challenge 50

The journaling reads:

for Patrick and Mackenzie, my job, loving me on my worst of days, letting me have 2 dogs....maybe 3, realizing that I'm just a big whiner, caring about all the things that I obsess about and realizing that they're important to me, did I already say loving me on my worst of days? For just being you and sticking by me, I have you to thank.

TracyK's challenge 50.

Tracy King:
The journaling for this layout is hidden behind the picture. It is simply the lyrics from "Everything" by Alanis Morisette. It reads: "You see everything. You see every part. You see all my light and you love my dark. You dig everything of which I'm ashamed. There's not anything to which you can't relate and you're still here."

Cabbie's insert with journaling

Cabbie asked me to post the insert photo so you could all see where she hid it.

Thanks for your comments, it just helps make the site more interactive.

Any hints or suggestions on improvements will be appreciated also.

Blog award

We got this blog award from Cindy and I want to pass it on to all of you in this amazingly talented creative design team. So well done to all of you special ladies.

Nicole

Tracy K

Mel

Mia

Tracy G

Liza

Shannon

Cabbie

Helen

Liza's challenge 50

Valentine's day is just a few days away. It's one of those occasions that I look forward to because of the little surprises you always seem to pull out year in and year out since we've been together. I love how Valentine's reminds us of how much love we give to each other. I know we give love to each other everyday, but it just seem even more sweeter around this time. I hope we continue to be this sweet and loving as a couple. May we never grow tired of this day every year of our lives. I love you.

Nicole's challenge 50

Terry, Dominique and Gabriel, As I sit here looking at this photo of us, I can't help but wonder if you know how much I love you all? I realize my work sometimes overwhelms me and takes me away from you , but if I had to choose between work and family, I'd always choose you. You are the ones who keep me motivated, who make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts, who make me feel love so intense that I think my heart might burst. You are the ones that taught me that, with each addition to our family, love is not divided but is something that grows. I love that we are such a family oriented family that believes that time spent together is time well spent. I know others are sometimes envious of our routines and traditions, things we often take for granted, but these are the things that make us "us". I hope that you, Dominique and Gabriel, will take the time for these things with your own children one day. I am proud of you, Terry, as a husband but even more so as a father. You are a "hands on'" parent, ever ready to tackle any challenges we face. I am thankful to God each day to have you by my side. Dominique and Gabriel, you are the lights of my life. You are both so unique and fun loving. I love that you are not afraid to show affection and are already showing signs of being your own people. Be confident in who you are and what you believe. Continue to be true to your hearts as we are trying to teach you to be.

I am blessed to be part of this family.

Love always...

Congratulations

The winner of the Gel-o-tins date stamps is Janis.

Please email me your address so that I can send your prize off to you.

Thanks once again to all of you who participated - your playing along makes it all worth while for the team.

Cabbie's challenge 50

title: son, everything you can imagine is real

journaling: dear son, it has been 10 years since you were born and from that day on, i told myself that life will never be the same again. life indeed has changed into a real world full of responsibilities and obligations. you grew up to be a smart boy, your papa and i were both so proud of your academic performance in school and that would only add up to the happiness we have. as years passed, you became an elder brother to 3 more siblings and sometimes it seems that you feel neglected because the younger ones somehow manages to catch the eye of everyone but that is not true. always remember that you are all equal in our eyes! our love for you all are measured in equal proportions, no more no less. dear andrew, you are our firstborn son and that would never change. you carry more bulk in terms of duties and that is what makes a firstborn strong... the fact that you were the first to blink light into our lives means that you were made to be so and when we grow old, i want you to treasure every aspect of your young life, the advices we give you and the constant sayings which will guide you all through the years. son, everything you can imagine is real! our love is real and it will never wither ever.

Mel's challenge 50

You bring me joy
You colour my world

You make me crazy mad and crazy happy
You make me a better person

You make me more dependent than I care to be
You make me tired

You bring life and love into your world
You give me such great blog material

You shame me regularly in public
You make me question myself

You make me want to do better
You show me how to do better

You show me how to live a life of wonder
You teach me to depend on Christ

You enable me to live in the moment
You are the answers to my unspoken prayers

You are the reason I was made
You are the reasons I want to live

Mia's challenge 50

This beauty is from Mia, showing her journaling up close.

The journaling is on a tag, hidden under the green spotted paper.

Title: What We Didn't Know 9 Years Ago

Hidden Journaling: · that we would have 3 beautiful girls · that patience is one of the most challenging virtues --- ever · that our parenting styles would balance and complement each other very well · that counting 1 to 10 is an effective way of making the girls think of their actions · that in as much as our children learn from us, we learn from them too · that seeing our little characteristics in them would give us great joy · that raising kids would be the most challenging and yet rewarding task we share · that watching each other love our girls would make our love for each other grow

Challenge 50 Love letter.

My sweet boy, just a little "thank-you" note from me 2 u...

You are my sunshine when clouds are grey.

The challenge for this fortnight is to write a love letter to someone in the form of a tag or as a hidden journaling like Helen did for the above LO.

This one is due in by midnight the 14th of Feb 209, GMT time.