Tag: family

A Bouncy Baby Scrapbook Sketch

Posted on August 12, 2017August 12, 2017 by Mama

I carved out a little time this week to work on another way-past-due scrapbook layout, and thanks to this month’s Stuck?! scrapbook sketch, I was able to translate a vision into reality. I knew I wanted to add some “bounce” to a spread because I had some adorable photos of our then four-month-old son in his favorite little bouncy chair, but I just needed a bit of inspiration.

Unfortunately, the Stuck?! sketch was only a single page design and I needed two pages to pull off my layout, so I mimicked the feel of the original sketch and created a cohesive spread using like paper and elements and a fun bouncy bit of “sewing.” I used floss and a good old-fashioned needle to sew my bounce lines once most of the large elements were pasted in place. I had never used this technique on paper, so I experimented on a scrap piece before developing my plan of attack. Whew, I’m so glad I did!

Although the photos don’t do this scrapbook sketch justice, I am super happy with how everything turned out (and I have been known to tear lesser pages apart and start from scratch). I like the combination of muted colors and all the fun textures and elements. From sequins to stickers and spritzed wood to flowers, there is a lot going on with these two pages.

I hope you find of bit of inspiration in my little layout and try your hand at converting a single-page sketch into an entire spread. . . it just might be easier than you think.

Be Still, and Know

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Mama

My goodness, what a busy spring and summer we have had here at The Three-Acre Wood! So busy, in fact, that I’ve done very little in the way of writing and I’m really starting to miss that component of my life. Over the last few years as a small-time blogger, I have discovered that I really enjoy journaling about my life and adventures and have found that creating, in the crafty sense as well as in prose, to be therapeutic. I am so grateful to my family, friends and readers who continue to venture along this path with me and just feel the need to say thanks every now and then, especially when I’ve been a bit absent. So to you I say, “Thank you!”

Just this summer, we have been raising chickens and building coops, battling Strep, vacationing in Oklahoma, cruising for seven days in Alaska, planning and prepping for Vacation Bible School, taking swim lessons and all the while working through a hopeful child adoption. It has been amazing but seriously stressful and time consuming, especially on top of all my regular commitments.

With all the activity that has surrounded us lately, a couple of weeks ago I finally reached a point in the middle of the night where my brain and my heart felt so burdened and busy that I couldn’t sleep. Now those closest to me know that I LOVE my sleep and realize it rarely eludes me. . . unless I’m seriously stressed, which doesn’t happen often. After trying several methods to coax myself to sleep I finally grabbed my Bible and headed directly to my Great Comforter. After reading a few chapters on my “Read the Bible in a Year” list I recalled Psalm 46:10. . .

He says, “Be still, and know I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Ah yes, the “be still” verse. . . not one of my favorites until I am at my wits end. But on this way early morning with blurry eyes and a heavy heart, God spoke to me through this verse and His message was twofold. First, I felt that I was commanded to slow down and release some of the burdens of my life (no matter how much I might enjoy them). That message was clear and I vowed to ease up on some of my volunteer duties so that I could take better care of my family and myself. This touched on the “be still” part of the verse but the “know I am God” portion was where I really had to examine my life.

I had become so busy, so pressed for time in my daily life, that I had let my daily quiet time and Bible study slowly slip away. I no longer found myself nourished by The Word, worshipping with God or producing much fruit. I was missing out on the very thing that energizes my soul. . . and that is a very sad place to be. I had put aside the One who loves me, who guides me and who cradles me when I’m way in over my head. My life was out of whack! But as I sat still on an early June morning, I realized who was truly in control of my life and the world around me — it was, and is, my God! I exalt you!

By the way, the photo at the top is from our very recent Alaskan cruise. With views like this, it’s sure is easy to know and exalt Our Creator. *in awe*

Fresh Air is Good for the Grumps

Posted on June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 by Mama

I’m always amazed at how quickly a little fresh air erases my child’s crummy moods. My little guy apparently swallowed a grump monster while he slept last night because, man, he was super sour from the moment his feet hit the floor. No wait, I believe he pouted at me the second I opened his door to check on his sweet little sleeping self (that might be a record). I mean it was awful. Nothing was as it should be, every answer was dripping with whine and the day was quickly getting way out of whack.

So imagine my surprise when my son asked to tend the chickens. I think he sensed his need for change as much as I did. I sent him out the door with chicken food and the promise I would catch up in a bit. By the time I pulled on my rubber boots and ventured outside, he was already flitting about with the hens and had a smile on his face. Chalk it up to another win for nature!

As an added bonus we also discovered a box turtle clearly on his way to somewhere, but he was kind enough to make a short stop while we said hello (even if he didn’t eat the carrot I chopped for him at the request of my little man). That was no matter because the fresh air and animal encounters were just enough to turn my boy’s frown upside down, and that is how I prefer to start our day.

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