From our readers and some admin.

This one is from Marianne, unfortunately I can't link to her blog as I only have the 2 peas URL.

Marianne you have also won the RAK for July so please email me your physical address so that I can pop it in the mail for you. (eyeore at telkomsa dot net)

The winner for June is Tertia.

Tertia please contact me with your details too. (eyeore at telkomsa dot net)

While blog hopping I saw this at Creative Scrappers and asked Lady Grace permission to share it here and she graciously gave it. Don't you just love the lacing and all the gorgeous details.

Sadly we are also saying goodbye to Pamela who is moving on.

However we still have some Pamela inspired challenges coming up and she promises to visit.

Thanks Pam and we wish you all of the best with your new venture.

Thanks again ladies for your following and participation. Will post the new challenge and the RAK for August tomorrow.

Shayne's challenge 61

Remember

(inspired by nursery rhyme Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow)

This is where you are happiest my baby. Outdoors, in the sun, romping in the garden.

Picking the flowers, smelling them and just pottering around the flower beds.

The garden is your home, it's your favourite spot and the place we're most likely to find you should you disappear.

June 09

Liza's challenge 61.

Life has never been a smooth road to travel. At times it gets tough even for those with a determined heart and a strong faith. But as they say, life goes on even if we falter. We must learn to move forward and pick up the pieces as we go along.

Our life together has been met early on with heartaches and tears, with sacrifices and uncertainty. And yet, in all those times, we also had our share of laughter and joy, of kindness and hope. Despite the falls, we have learned to stand up and face life with faith and trust that all will be better eventually.

We will go on with life’s journey hand in hand. Each reassuring hold will strengthen our resolve. The road may be tough but I know that we can survive it because we are together, and that is what is important.

Lynn's challenge :61

. Journaling on tag hidden in top pocket reads:

Sometimes adversity seems to stand in the way of achieving my goals. I don't let it stop me though. I hold on tight to my dreams and battle through because I know that the end results will be worth it.

Helen's challenge 61.

LOVES TO WIN

Jack is very specific about his preparation for a tennis tournament. He likes his trainers to be laced really tight by mum or dad. After a tough coupla years re-adjustment he has found his winning streak again & come 1st in Howard Saul's tournament in September & 2nd in the next one. He loves to achieve - that's Jack!

Cabbie's challenge 61.

Journaling:
my favorite subject is spelling. it's really nice to spell words and to know their meanings too! whenever the teacher has some new words, i get so excited and would study them immediately!

Cindy's challenge 61

Journaling says:
"Ella is truly the light in my cousin Lisa's eyes. Suffering from Lupus made falling pregnant the hardest thing and yet the thing so desperately wanted. She had her nieces and nephews and godchildren, including my Kelsey, but something was always missing. Lisa and Jason persevered and in Nov 2006 gorgeous Ella came into the world. What a wonderful day. Unfortunately the birth was too stressful on Lisa's body. So Ella wil be the one and only. Her miracle."

Nicole's challenge 61.

Title: Solo Mission

Journaling:

Sometimes I have this overwhelming feeling of loneliness, like I don't know who or what I am anymore.

If someone were to take away all the labels (wife, mother, etc.), who would be left?

I know I have changed a lot over the last few years and have tried to shut the door on being such a "people pleaser".

I also know that has hurt and angered some, creating a distance that wasn't there before.

That makes me feel sad and alienated.

But I have to go on searching for myself and who I want to become.

If I can stay the course, I will find the kind, strong woman who is inside and be proud.

Mia's challenge 61

Journaling: You were always a girly girl --- so dainty and demure! When you were still in Mommy's tummy, you would close your legs everytime we'd check your gender. And when you were still a newborn, you would sleep with your hands in fists but with your little pinkie up! But during your school's foundation day, you gamely joined the activities: relays, patintero and tumbang preso (Filipino games)! All sweaty but fun games. I'm glad you tried it and had fun. Nadine, Dec 12, 2009

Shannon's challenge 61

CHALLENGE #61 - NURSERY RHYME or LACING LAYOUT

My layout was inspired by the following nursery rhyme:

Old Woman, Old Woman

There was and old woman tossed in a basket,

Seventeen times as high as the moon;

But where she was going no mortal could tell,

For under her arm she carried a broom.

"Old woman, old woman, old woman," said I,

"Whither, oh wither, oh whither so high?"

"To sweep the cobwebs from the sky;

And I'll be with you by-and-by."

Here's the journaling for my layout:

just like the title says, i'll be with you by and by - so even if i can't be with you...i'll always be there for you...know that i'm in your heart and mind....wanting what's best for you, wanting you to succeed in whatever you are striving for....i love you my sweet babies....mg 2009

Janis introducing challenge 61.

This challenge comes from Janis and is inspired by this nursery rhyme:
1,2 tie my shoe
3,4 shut the door
5,6 pick up sticks
7,8 lay them straight
9,10 a big fat hen

There should have something laced in the LO (to correspond to the tie my shoe). Shut the door, picking up the sticks and laying them straight can mean "recovering from something or making something in your life/self right on track" (like "picking up the pieces metaphor"). A big fat hen can mean a prize or something you look forward to when you do that recovery or picking up.

Here's Janis' take:
The journaling is on the tag which is tucked behind the photo. The journaling reads:
I have been anxious a lot of times worrying about petty things. I soo need to remind myself that I have to stop negativity and embrace living in the now. I don't know what will happen in the future but I trust that with His grace, everything will turn out fine. Life is good so no worries!
(Special thanks to Cabbie for her altered bilao or bamboo tray tutorial.)

I understand that this one is a tad difficult - but the team has come up with some stunning ideas to jump start your creativity so I trust you'll enjoy playing along.

Reader's roundup

We had only one entry this fortnight from
Monica and you can view the mini album she made of her favoutite childhood books here.
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1507250
Thanks for playing along Monica and for sharing your memories with us.

Helen's challenge 60.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WHERE I LIVE

the colours
the weather
the rugby
the monkeys
the sea
the tropical plants
my stone hippos
sunsine
summer
almost all year
that's Africa!

Janis' challenge 60

Journaling: At age 2, you are totally addicted to lollipops!

Shayne's challenge 60

Title: my favourite bakes

These are the recipes I use over and over again. Because they are completely flop-proof and tatse even better than the last time they were baked. My absolute favourite is the Choc Mud Cake. Made with real choc, it is an absolute taste sensation. My brownies (secret recipe) have become most sought after here in Stut, with the orders coming in almost daily. Choc Mallow Biscuits - YUM. Cupcakes are an easy standby to satisfy little (and big) tummies and the Almond and Choc Mousse Cakes are made for special occasions.

Melissa's challenge 60

A few of my favorite things 06-09

Books on CD

my iPod touch

scrapbooking

my laptop

rooibos teas

Shannon's challenge 60

very rarely will you see me in any photos...i'm not exactly fond of having my photo taken...but i have to say Daddy did a really great job capturing you with me....this is how i always hope that you remember us...laughing, being silly and at ease...i'm so glad that Daddy is such a great photographer...this by far is the best photo of us...well to me <3>

Mia's challenge 60

Mia’s:

Title: Addictions

Journaling: My current addictions in no particular order (July 2009)
1. my family! - I get a serious case of separation anxiety when I don't know where they are or what's happening.
2. scrapbooking - This is my relaxation
3. my phones - Personalized to suit my needs. I even prefer the calculator here!
4. my computer - Need to check my email and blog every few minutes.
5. cooking - I love planning and making meals for my family

It's been a year

since I took over the reigns of Journaling Junkie from Stella Crupko.

I am thrilled to still be here and still loving encouraging everyone to up their journaling ante.

I really believe I have the best DT out there in blogland, such a talented, enthusiastic group of

ladies. Thanks to you all, and much appreciation. (**insert round of applause here**)

Today I want to feature a guest designer (and friend)....Kim Watson.

You can visit her blog here.

She says:

I am privileged to be a stay at home Mum to Max who is 5, Cassidy who is 11 and wife to the most supportive, delicious bloke a woman could want. After a long time in the clothing industry as a Fashion designer, I can now say with certainty that I am a self confessed home bunny who loves scrapping, photography, blogging & did I mention scrapping.... My passion is paper prints, colour, texture & stitching.....which are the ingredients for all my scrapbook pages. I love all my layouts to tell a story, whether capturing a moment in my family's life or merely my thoughts on paper. For me, my scrapping is a visual diary of my life.
Happy Birthday Journaling Junkie! I hope you continue to inspire life artists around the globe.

Her Title: Pizza night

Her journaling:

Our monthly pizza night treat is something we all look forward to.

Whether at a restaurant or homemade...as long as there is tons of cheese and delicious topping, we are all as happy as can be.

It is the yummiest family tradition to date.

Thanks Kim!

Tracy's challenge 60.

I decided to do a mini album for my mom with her favourite pics of her grandchildren and I used poems as the journaling …

Liza's challenge 60.

Title: Adorable Possession

Journaling (Hidden):

Meet my sweet cuddly bears. They are endeared to me for the past five years and for many years to come. They both played a major role in my wedding. The brown ones were my souvenirs and the blue ones, well, they were our mini me –our little bride and groom. One of our priceless possessions that reminds me so much of the joy we had preparing for our wedding. With those cute eyes, little button nose and soft, huggable bodies, who could actually resist their charm?

Cindy's challenge 60.

Treasures

I have a home full of TREASURES, reminders of my mum, of the girls’ Nanny, of a special person in our lives. There are things that mum bought for us or for the girls, especially Kelsey, like the special pair of pink shoes and the little denim skirt. And there are things that I inherited. These I treasure the most as they were a part of her world. Her jewellery, especially Nan’s wedding ring, which mum wore after she died. I now wear as a reminder of both of them. Her antique glass cabinet that contains all her precious pieces – her crystal pieces, including animals, wedgewood, trinkets and this perfect little statue of mum that dad commissioned for her when she graduated from Oxford University. I always admired the cabinet, I just wish that I had appreciated it back then and asked mum about some of the pieces in it. Nevertheless it is my most prized treasure and I will keep it safe for eternity.

Cabbie introducing challenge 60.

The front cover.
1. historical places are a "capture" to our eyes; i love the outdoor shots. this was taken during an out of town trip. magnificent museum.

2. landscape pictures look serene. sometimes these captures our emotions; i love rivers and anything associated with water.

3. taking pictures of buildings is as exciting as taking shots of your kids. they are still and stable.

4. i love taking close-up shots of objects. there is this sense of going through them and when you are deep enough-- the power of communing with them increases.

5. when you feel it, capture it. drizzling rain .

6. close up views or macromode.

7. old stuffs... aged.. unique.. it would definitely create an atmosphere of remembrance.

8. what i see, i take... some of them the "weirdest" of things found in my house.

This challenge will run from the 1st to the 14th of July.

We will have an RAK for the end of July as there were only 4 entries for June.

Cabbie challenges us to do a mini album of our favourite things.

You can of course interpret this in different ways; favourite things at home, favourite places to go, favourite recipes etc. Some of the team did a LO instead of a mini album and that's fine if you scrap LO's instead of mini albums too.

Looking forward to seeing your creations.