Some DT work.

A brand new kit from Design by Tina, called Always in my heart.
On sale in her shop at Enchanted Studio Scraps at a whopping 40% off.

Beautiful flowers and jewelery embellishments that are incredibly versatile. 

12 superb papers, subtle patterns and soft colors. 

I created this one of my daughter using a template from libbycrew-corrine

This one of Hubby and I, 22 years on.

I used a delightful freebie template from Kimb's designs.

This LO celebrating my birthday gifts from July this year, template from Simple Scrapper - Jennifer S Wilson.

Then I got an email from Tina saying she's developed some simple templates of her own.

I am in LOVE.

Templates make digi creations just so easy and quick.

I used this one

to showcase my 2nd son's acting talent.

He was Pinocchio in his school show.

The stitching is from Britt-tish designs.

My thanks to these very talented creators.

Janis' challenge 86.

Title: In Dad's embrace.

Journaling:
For some time, whenever you threw a tantrum, it's only Daddy who could comfort you.  "Daddy lang", as you would say and you'd be happy as a bee when he carries and embraces you.  Seeing you so contented and peaceful in Daddy's arms is all that matters to me.

Stefanie's challenge 86.

I know that I shouldn’t turn to food to comfort me. 

But that is easier said than done. I love chocolate, chips and cafe’ lattes. 

Depending on the reasons for my need for comfort, could be hormones, or someone said something that hurt my feelings, or I could just be needing a little something to lift my spirits. 

I love food and at times I will create a hearty satisfying soup or stew during these cold winter months. 

But when I need a quick pick-me-up nothing does that better or faster than any of these three comfort foods. Ok, who am I kidding? 

All three of together, why that is real comfort, at least until I have to face the scale again. 

Sigh!

My thanks for this quickpage:

to Karen and SP

© 2010 Shabby Princess Designs of www.shabbyprincess.com and/or www.theshabbyshoppe.com

Melissa's challenge 86.

Hidden journaling:

It all started around 8 months old when we were in Hobby Lobby and you just HAD to have a stuff-it-yourself bear you saw as we were walking down one of the aisles. Not knowing what it would get us into, your Daddy and I gave in and bought it. That bear would become Gigi, your faithful companion. Little did we know we were creating a monster that day. Pretty soon, your bedroom became a stuffed animal haven.

We have tried to pare down the quantity over the past couple of years, but you are always insistant on keeping the many that inhabit your bed. They each have names (at least a good majority do that I know of) and they have to be arranged just right at bedtime or you can't calm down for sleep. Gigi is with you, and you generally sleep under both Brownie (a big dog) and Tiger (who is actually a lion). You must have all of your Sasha beagles, Puppy, Pss Pss Bunny, Sleepy Sheepy, Real Big Fish, Ssssnake 1 and 2, Swanny, Cran, Tweety, Ostrich, Monkey (who is actually a gorilla), Baby Jaguar... the list goes on and on.

I know one day you'll out grow this and then I will miss it, but I love to see this soft side of my "man's man" boy - my lover of Nerf guns and bow hunting - my dirt-collector, have such a soft spot for all things stuffed. I hope you never lost that soft spot, even if it moves on to things not stuffed. -8.18.10

Cabbie's challenge 86.

together

journaling: what comforts me is seeing my boys happy and enjoying each other's company. I wish happiness and harmony for them when they grow up. what joy to see them smile!

Heather's challenge 86.

Journaling:

When I was a baby, some family friends gave me a set of Holly Hobbie's friend "Heather" dolls. They were the equivalent of a security blanket to me (and are so worn out now that you can tell!). When we went to Cape Hatteras, I saw this Holly Hobbie doll for you. It didn't have a name, so I called it your Annie doll. I love that we have these dolls in common! 

Olivia's challenge 86.

I've had this little sheep (named Shaun) for half my life. Although I'm 24 now I still tuck him under the covers at night, having been seriously ill in the past, it was a comfort to feel he was there watching over me as I slept & it has become part of my bedtime routine now which still makes me feel safer going to sleep.

I always say a prayer too. I used to be scared of dying, but the prayer on my layout is a great comfort to me & although I don't want to die, I'm no longer afraid of it. The thought of possibly not waking up in the morning is a horrible one, which is scary, but my faith is a great comfort, know that if the worst was to happen God is watching over me.

Debbie's challenge 86.

Classic FM

It all started as a way to try and get Molly to sleep. Her bedtimes were getting later and later, and Andrew & I were having to lay in bed with her for longer and longer to get her to sleep. One night I thought I'd give her music to listen to, so I tuned into Classic FM for some relaxing classical music. Well it certainly had the desired effect on me, I was out like a light! As for Molly, well, we still lay with her for ages every night! But I know what to do when I can't sleep!

Introducing challenge 86.

Karen's is first up.

Title- Home Comfort

Journaling reads

When home is an eight hour drive away, a channel crossing and you need your passport to get there, small reminders of home become very important.

our cupboards are stocked up with food from home but the most important one is the chocolate. This is my very favourite chocolate, nothing else compares.

I eat it when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm bored and most of all when the children aren't looking.

Readers roundup

This first one is from Jordan.
You can view her LO here.

Old habits are hard to break.
Her journaling:
I don't really have that many bad habits.
But the thing is the ones I do have are really hard to get rid of.
One example is nail biting.
 I thought I was done with it but it always comes back.

The second one is from Megan.

(you can view it here, http://www.scrapbook.com/galleries/228451/view/2868937/-1/1.html)

JOURNALING READS: Life is not all rainbows and sunshine...but for some reason that is all we scrap about...take a chance and look at the hard parts of life...you never know what you will learn from the struggles in life. That is something I want to work on, find the lessons to be learned in and through my struggles. I want to find the sunshine despite the rain clouds. And I will look for the rainbows peeking out from behind the clouds. MAW PIC: 8/7/2010 JOURNALING: 8/8/2010

Many thanks Ladies. Please remember that if we receive 5 entries this month I will have a lucky draw RAK.

Free journaling class

Daily postings on the Elle's Studio blog.
From the 8th of August to the 28th.
Different sponsors and different big names giving us their tried and tested ideas.
So worth taking a look see.

Melissa's challenge 85.

Title: Bad Habit

Journaling: I have been a nail biter for longer than I can remember. Just recently I made a commitment to stop the nail biting. It's been tough! Even though I haven't been biting for about 2 months now, I find myself with my fingers still in my mouth, which is just as bad as the biting! 8.4.10

Cabbie's challenge 85.

in front

journaling: 

scrappin' and surfin' -- a multitasking way of creativity and focus. Not a really good way because for me, it sways ideas but sometimes it just feels so good to be shifting the attention. I often get bad results-- that's the consequence!

Olivia's challenge 85.

Title:
The ought thought

Journaling reads:
I have a strong sense of responsibility that drives me to do things. If I am able to do something then I think that I ought to do it, whether I want to or not. It can be incredibly annoying at times but it's a difficult thought cycle to break.

Debbie's challenge 85.

I confess! I'm a slob! My house is a tip, I don't ever invite people round! Only my closest friends who take me as I am, come in. Once, when Andrew was rushed into hospital, a Mum from school sat with the kids whilst I visited. When I got home all I could think about was the fact that she'd been upstaires! Another of my friends is a total clean freak. God knows what she must think when she's here. If you looked at my favourite blog list, you'd find all the crafty ones, but also loads of organising ones and pretty home ones, etc etc. Maybe I should spend the time I bloghop, tidying up instead. Maybe then I wouldn't have this problem!

Heather's challenge 85.

Journaling: What happened to that confident young mother that knew it all?!? Parenting one child seemed so easy, or maybe it was just his age at the time. I need to get back to being that relaxed mother that I was always told I seemed to be. I do feel like I am raising happy children, but I hope they realize that I am over-the-moon thrilled to be their mom, even when I feel stressed or tired. I feel certain that they will understand... someday. Until then, I'll just try to take a deep breath and count to ten. 

Darlene's challenge 85.

The journaling (isn't pictured, but is on the white/pink tag, under the paper clip- near the top right)  and reads:

Time management has always been my major personal flaw. I am usually late for life! I underestimate how long it actually takes to complete a task, or I just procrastinate beginning a project until the very last opportunity. Sometimes I think I do my best work under pressure, but it stresses me out! I am honestly trying to break the lateness and procrastination cycle, its just that time flies! July 2010

Introducing challenge 85

Journal about one of your bad habits.
Something peculiar that few people would know about you, something that you are not proud of.
Something you get teased about?
Something you'd like to change and/or work on.

From Karen

Title: Naughty (bad habits)

journalling reads: 

I spent a lot of my childhood being told off for my bad habits, hair twiddling, thumb sucking and nail biting. I still do all three and worst of all Nancy has picked up one of them. At least it is only the hair twiddling.

Sadly we only received 4 entries for July so no RAK this month, unless someone still has a LO to submit?