Beautiful Sunday - Sunrise

Beautiful Sunday - Sunrise
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My entry for Beautiful Sunday - I absolutely love sunrise (although I am not often up to see it.) I love all the possibilities that sunrise holds - it is the start of a new day - it is a new beginning. Every time I do see a beautiful sunrise I thank God for a beautiful day. He is amazing!!

My Favorite Things Saturday

I absolutely love books of all kind - especially self-help books. I have to have books around me. I love how they look, I love the words, I love what they allow my mind and my imagination to think of. Words are my life.

Adventures In Creating Without Fear Week #3

Week #3 Exercise
We can't take a leap of faith if we are too afraid of creating "ugly". The fear of creating "ugly" carries with it such a strong emotion, that most of us will do anything to avoid it...even if that means creating nothing! So I'm thinking that we should take a look at what "creating ugly" means to us. Feel free to answer these questions either through writing or through art journaling...it's up to you.

- How do you feel when you've created something "ugly"? When I end up creating something that I end up deeming as "ugly" I end up feeling extremely disappointed in myself. I end of thinking that I am not good enough as an artist. That everyone else's work I look at is better than mine.
- What do you think the "ugly" says about you? "Ugly" says I am not good enough. That I"ll never be good enough.
- Are you able to find any positive elements to an "ugly" piece? none - I end up beating myself up in my self-talk
- If you were asked to create something "ugly", would you let yourself do it? nope - I'd be afraid of my reactions afterwards and hating my work even more
- Why is it we are so afraid of making a mistake? I'm supposed to be perfect and I think I am not good enough when I make a mistake

{21} Challenge - Days 3 & 4

Here is my Day 3 of the {21} Challenge By Rhonna. Journaling talks about how I need to start seeing myself as beautiful.

Here is my Day 4 of the {21} Journal Challenge - journaling talks about my core beliefs about being a mother and how I need to change some of them and focus on the fact that I am trying to be the best mom I can be.

{21} Day Challenge

I am participating in Rhonna's {21} Day Challenge. Here are my journal pages so far (sorry the photos are blurry.)

This is the title page.

This page just defines the 2 steps Rhonna outlines on her site about the steps of the {21} day art journal challenge.

Here is my day 1 entry. The background is done with acrylic paints, sandpaper and baby wipes (technique courtesy of Kreative Kel's Blog) Journaling reads: The habit I have chosen to work on during the {21} Day Challenge is to start trying to change some of the core beliefs I have held about myself for so long. I have grown up believing for so long that I was never good enough at anything I ever did. I have always felt inferior to everyone around me. I have felt that I wasn't pretty enough, or smart enough, or good enough. I need to change that thinking. God created me and that makes me special. I need to recognize and honor that!

This is my Day 2 entry. Background is done with watercolor pencil crayons. Journaling reads: "The King is enthralled by your beauty. Psalm 45:11"

Creating Without Fear exercise #2 Questions

Week #2...Creating Without Fear™ Exercise
So what did you think of this week's exercise?
The steps were pretty simple, don't you think? I found that it helped having a bit of an outline of what to do because I was trying a few techniques that I had never done before.
I've listed a few questions for you to ask yourself...the answers will provide useful information about how you experience the creative process and provide an area of focus for change in the weeks ahead:
- Did the exercise seem worthwhile? I found it kind of liberating -definitelyy worthwhile!!
- Did you gather your supplies together before beginning the exercise? Yup, just as the directions stated.
- Were you able to move through the steps effortlessly? I was hesitant moving through the steps.
The best way to answer this question is for you to think back and ask yourself a few questions; did you find yourself asking or thinking...
"I wonder if this is right?"Yupup, asked myself this one many times.
"Would this stamp look better here or here?" asked myself this one too.
"What sort of circles should I make?" yup not sure about this one either
"Can the colors overlap one another?" I didn't think about this one.
"I don't know if I should place the letter stamps next to each other."
"Does this look good?" or "Does this look like it's supposed to?"
- Did you put the completed exercise away right after you were finished? I did actually - was glad to I think I was a little nervous about how it turned out.
- What was your first reaction to your completed exercise? I wasn't happy with it when I did the last step.
- Overall, how did you feel about the process? The next day when I took a good look at what I had created I was quite pleased with myself for doing something that was out of my comfort zone.

Creating Without Fear Week #2 Excercise

Here is my take on Week #2's excercise: Instructions we were to follow are below.


Week #2 Exercise
supplies:
- small surface to create on (no larger than 8-1/2x6); paper, canvas, journal, etc.
- permanent marker (Sharpie)
- white acrylic paint
- paintbrush
- decorative stamp (doesn't matter what design or size, just pick a favorite)
- large letter stamps or stickers (black) "X, Y & Z" (the largest you have is fine!)
- black permanent ink pad
- colored markers or pencils or watercolor crayons: blue, green and purple
steps:
1. write the answer to one of last week's questions onto your surface with the permanent ink pen; write as large as you'd like.2. paint 1 thin coat of white paint over the entire surface; allow to dry (acrylic paint should only take a few minutes).3. stamp decorative design anywhere on surface 1-3 times with permanent black ink.4. create multiple circles of any size with the colored markers/pencils or watercolor crayons. do as many as you'd like, stop when you are pleased with the results.5. finish the piece by stamping (or adhering if you're using stickers) the X, Y & Z one time anywhere on the surface.6. Put it away as quickly as you can when you are finished. Do not look at it again until tomorrow...

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge

Challenge: list 5-10 websites on your Blog... websites that you like to visit, frequent often... let's all learn about some cool websites from each other! Websites can be sb-related or not.. anything!

1. http://creativecollage.blogspot.com/ I love Kelly's ideas and find her so inspirational
2. http://www.swirlygirl.com/ - I love the 52 figments challenge - awesome journaling ideas
3. http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/dreamy/ - amazing inspiration
4. http://alifeunrehearsed.blogspot.com/ - incredible insight and inspiration
5. http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ - my absolute favorite scrapbooking site!!
6. http://www.charlesstanleyinstitute.com/portal/home.html - I am doing the bible studies
7. http://www.ask.com - where I go to search anything on the web
8. http://www.onescrappysite.com/ - love the book of me ideas

Layout

I was reading a book called the Search For Significance and the idea for this page came to mind instantly. I actually had to put the book down and scrap it right away.

2 Peas Monday blog Challenge

random challenge What's your dream vacation? Let's blog about it.
My dream vacation would be traveling through Italy. I especially want to travel to Tuscan and just walk through the vineyards. I would of coarse have camera in hand for the whole thing so that I can take gorgeous photos like this one.

Beautiful Sunday

Every Sunday upload a photograph/scan of something Beautiful.

HAPPY EASTER

I unfortunately had to work today but I did get to experience the amazing Easter Cantata at my church last night. All I can say is that I was in awe. I was amazed at the overwhelming feeling that overcame me while watching this performance. Anyone who reads my blog regularly probably knows that I am a new Christian. It has only been in the past few months that I have totally 100% given my life over to God and have asked Him to show me the life he has planned for me. What none of you will know is that before that my sin was incredible. I was suffering from an alcohol and cocaine addiction. I almost lost everything and was brought to a Celebrate Recovery group at a local church. It is there that I learned that I needed to ask for forgiveness of my sins and turn my life over to Christ. I did my testimony in church a few weeks ago and was amazed at the peace I felt with sharing my story with others of the amazing things that God has done in my life. It was not until watching the cantata that the price Christ paid for my sins really hit me. How powerful it was. And even more powerful is that He has risen and now resides in Heaven so that my sins can be forgiven.

I AM IN AWE!!!

GOD DOES AMAZING THINGS!!!

Snapshots of Saturday

I never had time to post my snapshots of Saturday photo I took yesterday afternoon. I picked up these 8"x8" albums at my local dollar store for a buck each. I couldn't believe it. They have 20 pages in them and will be perfect for a bunch of smaller projects I have in my head.

Creating Without Fear Cover

Here is my cover for the Technique Tuesday Challenge: Adventures in Creating Without Fear by Kelly Angard. I had fun doing this up, used rub-on letters, metal tags, and gel pens. The words on the outside of the title read:

I will not be afraid to start a project!

I will not be afraid to try new things!

I can do anything!

I am an ARTIST!

My Rambling Thoughts

I have been thinking so much lately about creativity and inspiration. I guess my post the other days about my creating fears really got me into some deep thinking. I have so much in my head that I want to create - so much in my mind that I want to get onto paper. I guess right now I am feeling kind of overwhelmed. I have so much I want to do that I don't know where to begin. I have been reading so much about mentoring lately. Mentoring makes so much sense to me. I have a mentor in my addictions recovery, I have mentors in my church, but I have no real creative mentors. Hmmm... Perhaps that's what I need. Someone to challenge me and motivate me to try all the things in my head.
Just my rambling thoughts for the day.

2 Peas Friday Blog Challenge

FUN FACT FRIDAY

The 2 Peas blogger challenge for this Friday is Fun Fact Friday.

Here's my Fun Fact of the day:

I collect sandcastles. Here's my collection.

My ex-husband bought me my first sandcastle on our honeymoon. I have been collecting them ever since.

2 Peas Thursday Blog Challenge

Join us today if you blog....
Challenge:
1. List 5 hobbies that sound fun, besides scrapbooking!
1. pottery
2. making stained glass windows
3. oil painting
4. quilting
5. drawing
2. List 5 classes that sound fun!
1. A Week In The Life Album Class by Ali Edwards
2. Donna, Every Week, Every Year Class from Big Picture Scrapbooking
3. The Art Journal Challenge by Shimelle
4. The "She" track by Heidi Swapp
5. Random Me A to Z
3. List 5 things you personally would never do that sound fun.
1. bungee jumping
2. sky diving
3. deep sea diving
4. going to the Oscars
5. get another tattoo
4. List 5 skills that would be fun to have.
1. being able to dance
2. being able to cook
3. being able to do my hair & makeup
4. speaking another language
5. being able to sew
5. List 5 things you used to enjoy doing.
1. coloring with crayons
2. down hill skiing
3. bike riding
4. swimming laps at the lake
5. hanging out with girlfriends
6. List 5 silly things you would like to try once.
1. a glamour shot kind of photo session
2. go on a trip and act like a complete tourist
3. be in love again
4. ??
5. ??

Wow - I had to really thing to complete these lists - awesome challenge to get the brain going!

Join us today if you blog. Challenge: Pick one. and Elaborate if you so wish! chocolate or vanilla? vanilla - especially vanilla bean
sandals or barefoot? bare feet
basic grey or scenic route? I am so in love with basic grey
primas or HS flowers? I can only pick one?? I love both!!
computer journaling or handwritten? I have done mostly computer but am starting to put more of my own handwriting
Madonna or Gwen Stefani? Gwen Steffani
Leno or Conan? Leno
Koolaid or Crystal Lite? Crystal Lite - especially the berry one
American Idol or Amazing Race? American Idol & Canadian Idol
catlover or doglover? cat lover for sure
have fun with these...

Adventures In Creating Without Fear Week #1

I was totally inspired today when coming across Kelly Angard's Blog of Scrapping and Creative Collage. What inspirational words and pieces. She's starting a new Technique Tuesday: Adventures in Creating Without Fear. You can see her post here: http://creativecollage.blogspot.com/2006/04/week-1-admitting-our-fears-I-am.html .
Week #1 Exercise:What are you most afraid of? Write down as many fears as you can think of when it comes to creating. If you are having a hard time thinking of your fears, instead try thinking of what challenges you when it comes to creating:do you have a hard time getting started?do you worry about whether your art/page/layout is "good enough"?are you happy with what you've created no matter whether anyone else likes it?do you have a hard time knowing when a piece of work is done?
In any of my artistic pieces whether it be scrapbooking, writing, or tole painting I have many fears. Some of them are:
- I am afraid of not getting my point of an artistic piece across
- I am afraid to start techniques that are new
- I am always comparing myself to other artists and think I am not good enough
- I am afraid that I'll never be able to create the ideas that are constantly running around in my head
- I am afraid that those I show my work to will think I'm stupid
- I'm afraid of loosing my creativity
- I am afraid of following what's in my head instead of following patterns or templates

BECAUSE OF YOU

Just did this layout this morning. Got the idea from today's 2 Peas Blog Challenge when I was journaling about Christ dying for my sins. The journaling reads : I am forgiven. I am accepted. I am chosen. I am adopted in Christ. I am blessed. I am redeemed through blood. Journaling is based on Ephesians chapter 2.

2 Peas Tuesday Blog

Join us today if you blog..... Challenge: Easter is gonna be here before we know it... this weekend. Do you celebrate the Easter holiday? How do you and your loved ones celebrate this most special time? What are your special Easter plans for this weekend? Egg hunt? Bunnies and candy? Church services? What does EASTER mean to you? Do you celebrate its great significance? Share your thoughts on your blog.. all about Easter!

Easter this year means so much more to me than ever before. This is the first time in my life that I have totally accepted Christ as my Lord. Easter is celebrating that Jesus died for me. Jesus died on the cross to atone for all my sins. It is a humbling thought. One that drives me every day to live doing what it is that God wants me to do. My girls and I will be attending a breakfast and morning church service on Good Friday. I work the rest of the weekend. Preparing to celebrate Easter with my kids has given me the opportunity to discuss with them living for Christ and asking forgiveness for our sins. We have been decorating eggs and the kids will get a basket from the easter bunny but our main focus this year will be on Christ dying and rising from the dead so that we can be forgiven.

2 Peas Scripture Challenge** 3/20 - 3/26

I just completed a scrapbook page for my faith album. I used the scripture: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 This was based on the Scripture Challenge from 2 Peas.

2 Peas Monday Blog Challenge

Challenge: I type a word.. you type the first thing that comes to your mind... this should be fun... ready? here we go...
1. Harry.... legs
2. Black.... spider
3. Delicious... coffee
4. Funny... jokes
5. Green... money
6. Ribbons... hair
7. Internet... email
8. BBQ... hamburgers
9. People... comfort
10. Quirky... my mother
Can't wait to read ur blogs... mine to be updated with this tomorrow! I did blog today.. all about our afternoon today!

Beautiful Sunday

Every Sunday upload a photograph/scan of something Beautiful.

My photo for Beautiful Sunday is of my youngest girl Emily and her kitten Rocky. She carries Rocky everywhere with her and he is so tolerant! Rocky is Emily's kitten - she picked him out and named him in February. It is true love!

2 Peas Sunday Blog Challenge

Challenge: Are there any NEW scrapbooking products {out on the market now}.. that you just **can't wait** to try? Is there something out there that you just **gotta have**? Let me know your wish lists!

There are always lots of new products I'd like to try. Here's some:
- Basic Grey Color Me Silly Collection
- Prima Flowers
- Heidi Swapp Rub-Ons
- Freestyle Idea Book
- I would like to take a couple classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking

My Favorite Things Saturday

I absolutely love fresh cut flowers on my table. There is something about having them around that brings me comfort and happiness. My mom is in charge of the daffodil sales in my town for the cancer society and she bought me this beautiful bouquet the other day. Every time I look at them it brings a smile to my face.

FAMILY PHOTO

WE HAD OUR PHOTO TAKEN LAST NIGHT - HERE'S THE RESULT! I THOUGHT THAT IT TURNED OUT PRETTY GOOD CONSIDERING THE KIDS HAD FEVERS OF 101 AND 103 AND WERE COUGHING NON STOP. I HAD IT BOOKED WITH MY PARENTS THOUGH AND HATED TO CHANGE THE DAY SINCE I HAD FINALLY CONVINCED MY DAD TO GET HIS PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE KIDS.

2 Peas Saturday Blog Challenge

Challenge: YOUR SCRAPBOOKING START. Share how you got started in scrapbooking. How long have you been doing it? Do you scrap differently now than when you first started? What's changed for you? Anything? Share the circumstances, the people involved - in getting you hooked to this awesome creative outlet! What am I talking about? Scrapbooking, of course! Can't wait to hear your stories!
I guess I started my love with the look and idea of scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I was really sick and mostly on bed rest and started watching this tv show called Aileen's Creative Living (I think?) They showed scrapbooking ideas and products and I fell in love with the idea of it. I learned all I could while I was pregnant and started my first album right after my daughter was born. I have been scrapping now for just over six years and am still in love with it. I think I have more ideas in my head than I will ever have time for.

2 Peas Friday Blog Challenge

Challenge: Blog about your fave ice-cream flavor. Summer is right around the corner. If you absolutely love the stuff, like I do! What's your fave flavor? Do you have more than one? Is it a specific brand? Do you enjoy it in a cone or in a dish, piled up high with other yummy stuff? Blog about this cool and delicious treat. Cmon, I know you want some!

I absolutely love vanilla bean ice cream. I know it is so plain but it is a comforting treat. I like my ice cream best in a dish. I love that I can be totally full from a meal and still have room for a big dish of this.

2 Peas Thursday Blog Challenge

Join us today if you blog. Challenge: Do you have a special place/places in your home, where you consider it to be your sanctuary?? You know what I mean, that special place FOR YOU, where you feel cuddled, loved, warm and fuzzy, and at peace? I guess my warm fuzzy place is my whole home. I was faced with having to move recently for my safety. I prayed that God would show me where it would be safe for my girls and that he would show me where I could be a good mom and lead the life that he has set out for me. I found this home and feel so safe and secure here. I am spending my days making it into a home for my girls and I. It is my sanctuary because it is where God wants me to be.

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge

Challenge: You find/win/are given/inherit $100,000. Make a list and itemize exactly what you would do with the money.
1) $50,000 - I would use as a down payment for a house
2) $20,000 - I would put into my girl's education funds
3) $5,000 - I would use towards a reliable car
4) $5,000 - I would put into savings
5) $5,000 - I would donate to my church
6) $8,000 - I would take my kids on a Disney cruise & vacation
7) $1,000 - I would donate to a group that provides bibles in Africa
8) $1,500 - I would buy a Digital Rebel
9) $4,500 - I would put into a splurge/shopping account

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge

Tuesday's Challenge: Use your blog to write about YOUR HOPES AND WISHES for YOU. No one else. Not your kids. Not your better half. Not friends and family. But your hopes and wishes for YOU and you alone. What are they? Do you have any? What are YOUR hopes and wishes? YOUR dreams? Elaborate as you wish. Remember, this one is all about YOU. You matter. How you feel counts. What your deepest dreams, passions are. Write them down. Get specific. Imagine.

I have so many hopes and wishes that it's hard to know where to start.
- My biggest hope is that I can become the best mom that I can be and that I can teach and encourage my girls so that they become strong women. I hope to be able to watch them grow, find love and have families. I hope to be able to enjoy my grandchildren.
- I dream of visiting Tuscany and Paris.
- I dream of writing a book or publishing a book of photography.
- I dream of having all the scrapbook ideas in my head completed.
- I dream of finding love again.
- I hope that I learn all I can to become closer to God and to find out the path He has chosen for my life.
- I hope to someday own a home.
- I dream of someday owning a Digital Rebel camera.
- I wish for more peace.
- I hope to become more self-confident.

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge

Women are powerful creatures. We all have powerful, inspiring women in our lives. Here's the challenge: What are some things that YOU have learned from other women/creative women in your life? Make your own list. What have you learned from these women in your life? What have they taught you?

Wow! This is a tough one.
- I've learned that being creative is as important as doing the laundry
- I've learned that it is not selfish to want time to myself
- I've learned to love anything I make because it is from what's inside of me
- I've learned not to constantly want to create like others - I have inside me stuff to create that's amazing
- I've learned that creating with other women creates an incredible bond of friendship

2 Peas Bloggers Catch-Up

FRIDAY: Fun fact Friday (this time on Friday! lol) tell us something fun, something embarrassing, something strange or something you don't think anyone will expect out of you...
I have 2 tattoos that most people are not aware of. A small 4-leaf clover on my left hip and the circular tattoo shown below on my lower back. It has my nickname Dynamo in the centre and the words powerful, intimate, confident, and free around the outside. These words describe the type of woman I strive to be.

SATURDAY: Today's random challenge If you could pick and choose one skill to learn. What would it be? You could list just one or as many as you want.
I think I would like to learn the art of basket weaving. Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with this. I remember sitting on the couch at my Grandma's and she got cable tv channels that I didn't get at home. I turned it on one Saturday morning and there was a show on showing how to make different weaved baskets. I couldn't wait whenever I stayed over at my grandparent's on weekends to see that same show.

SUNDAY: Today's random challenge: It's a day after April fools. Were you a prankster? Have you prank other people and still giggle thinking about it today? Have others ever prank you? Were you an easy target for pranks? lol. Have fun with this one.I actually worked all day yesterday and there was not one mention of April fool's - I completely forget. Guess I missed out...

My Testimony

I was asked to give my testimony at church today. I was a little nervous but was very happy to do so. I actually felt honoured to be able to share the story of the miracles and amazing things that God has been doing in my life the past few months. I've been down a hard road but God has allowed me to see the light at the end of it. The actual testimony is too much to type out here, but if anyone is interested in reading it email me at scollins_7@sympatico.ca and I would be happy to share my story.