monday . . .

4.12.2010

I am back . . . from a pretty long week/weekend. Shortly after Easter I found out I was pregnant only to then miscarry again the end of last week. I am doing okay - exhausted, both emotionally & physically, but okay. I always imagined raising a house full of children - or at least 2 or 3 :) I grew up with 2 older sisters & 2 younger brothers & as crazy as it was I loved it. Maybe that will happen one day & maybe it won't. And if it doesn't I realized this week, I really am okay with it. Ryan has this habit now of calling down to me every night - I need one more kiss mom. So of course I oblige :) Once or twice at least :) Last night after about 5 of those he said - "Mom, I want ALL the kisses!!! Give me ALL the kisses!!" - and I thought to myself, this IS enough. So I am okay - and whatever is meant to be in my future, whether it be just one sweet little Ryan or a house full of little ones - I am okay with it either way :)

Okay - enough of the serious :) On to some scrappy!!!

Michele from Paper Posies asked me to guest design for her this month. She puts together such adorable kits & this month was no different. She sent me such a fun mix of products - including some fabulous Cosmo Cricket & October Afternoon papers which I just LOVED!!!

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The first layout I made turned out so bright & cheery - just loved the cute factor in these papers!!

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The title was actually on one of the patterned papers - to create the frame I used just the waste punch-outs that resulted after the punched the border towards the bottom of the page. To highlight the title I stitched 4 long stitches around the box to give it that bold black frame - a super easy way to really make a title box like this "pop".

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Here is a quick close-up at the journaling . . .

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As you may or may not know I am obsessed with border punches - just love 'em!! I recently picked this one up from EK Success. Instead of stitching around the border of the page I just intertwined some embroidery floss in between the punched areas - I really liked the effect :)

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My second page was a little more "artsy" than normal for me :) I love playing with mists & decided to spray a little on the background cardstock - loved these colors from the October Afternoon Fly A Kite line!!

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The title work was something new I have been playing with recently too - stitching through chipboard letters - LOVE how this looks!!!

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A quick close-up on the journaling . . .

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I am also really enjoying layering embellies up these days & love the effect of layering up the flower & a bunch of stickers from the Prima sticker sheet included in the kit. They provided the perfect "layered" photo corner :)

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I will be providing a sketch & sample for a challenge next week on the Paper Posies blog so please check back with them then for some extra sketchy inspiration!!!

ttyl - julie


35 comments:

  1. Hi Julie, my heart goes out to you. The future holds the secrets to our soul.

    I love your layouts. You did a great job with the kit!
    Sheryl

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  2. Oh my dear Julie,I`m so sorry,but I`m sure the new member will come in the best time,I`m sure.I`ll keep your family on my prayers!!!
    I love your new creations!!!always beautiful!!!
    Hugs!
    Luzma

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  3. What fab layouts. Love them both for different reasons!

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  4. Those layouts are absolutely STUNNING!!!!

    I'm so sorry for your loss and I know first hand having it happen more than once does not make it any easier. I pray that you are able to find a way to share the love that's obviously bursting from your heart. Whether with all the babies you can handle or by being the best mommy you can to the little one you do have or both. ((HUGS)))

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  5. Julie,
    There is something out there for you...there is a reason for every broken heart there is some sort of sense in all the insanity...I wish I had some words of wisdom...alas I do not. Know that you are blessed...I wish you all the best...strength and continued positivity...as always your lo's are inspirational!

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  6. Oh Julie, I'm so sorry to hear your sad news sweetie. I'm sooooo thankful that you have Ryan to always want one more kiss though...what a sweet treasure he is. Hugs and prayers coming your way.
    - April
    P.S. I am LOVING these layouts girl!! Especially the beach one. Just awesome...

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  7. Julie, I'm so sorry to hear about another miscarriage. I'm glad you have that sweet boy of yours to keep you smiling. Thanks for all the inspiration you give!

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  8. I am so sorry you've had to go through this yet again, Julie. It must be so heartbreaking but I love your perspective and hope in this regard.

    Gorgeous work with that fun kit!

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  9. Hi Julie,

    I love following your blog and getting inspiration from your beautiful layouts and scrapbooking! I have one son who is nearly four and I have been trying to get pregnant for two years now. I understand how hard it is and I hope and pray for you! I agree with you that we are so blessed to have one child, I look at those who are not able to have any children and feel very lucky.
    Best wishes!! I know things will work out.
    Sarah xx

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  10. Julie, I am so sorry for your loss. I am sending hugs your way. :)

    Wonderful pages, you always inspire me with your work.

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  11. Julie, I am sorry to hear your news. I do like your perspective on it, though. I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year and a half now, and I'm starting to tell myself that I'm happy with how things are now. It's a hard thing, but we'll get through it!

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  12. Oh Julie, I am so so very sorry to read about another miscarriage. My heart just aches for you. I am so happy that you have little Ryan asking for all the kisses. :) He really is a special little boy!

    Your pages are beautiful!! You ALWAYS inspire me. I love the playfulness to the first one.. reminds me so much of my 3 yr old. He has a very vivid imagination! I can really relate in the second one. We head to the north shore, even tho we are always together. Nice to get away from the daily things.

    Hugs,
    Michelle

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  13. Hugs to you and your family Julie! I am so sad to hear you have suffered another loss. And around another holiday! Ugghh. You sound really good about it, I hope you really are. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  14. Julie, I am so sorry to hear that you have suffered another loss. My heart goes out to you. You are so strong and are so wise to have the outlook of just what a wonderful gift Ryan is. Motherhood is such a blessing whether it be to one child or many children. Life can be so hard at times and it is so puzzling to try to understand why these things happen. You seem at peace with everything. :) Your LO's are totally wonderful, as usual. I'll be scraplifting some of your latest techniques for sure!! :) Take care. :)

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  15. I am so sorry Julie for this to happen again. At least you haven't given up trying, that's the spirit. And just looking at Ryan, you know that it can happen and I am sure, will happen soon. Thinking of you.........Tara xxx

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  16. Gorgeous pages Julie! I just love staring at your blog banner ;)

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  17. Hi Julie,

    I just wanted to say that I love reading your blog and getting inspiration from it, and that I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I also remember your post about your previous loss, so I was really sad to hear that it happened again. This can really wear you down; I had one miscarriage before I had my daughter, and then three more when we tried for a second. It's devastating every time it happens. As for me, after a long time, we decided to adopt, and now we have our amazing son Matthew.

    Take care of yourself, and treat yourself really well during this time. I wish you all the best!!

    Lisa

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  18. I'm sorry for your trials at this time and am amazed at your positive outlook. Thank you for inspiring me.

    Your layouts are adorable! I love Paper Posies kits as well. It was fun to design for them last month. I'm looking forward to your sketch challenge :)

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  19. Julie, I love your beaches layout - the colours, the layering in your embellies. Just gorgeous.
    BTW, our dd is 10 now - we tried for more, but always miscarried, too. She's perfect and a family of 3 is OK with me. (Well no kid is perfect, but when you are content, things are perfect, right?)

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  20. I'm so very sorry Julie and admire you for your stamina and your view on it. I think you're very brave!!
    About your layout, I just LOVE it!! and totally understand why you were asked to be a GD!!

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  21. Julie I'm so sorry for your loss, I've no words of wisdom, just know that this big, loving community is here for you and sending hugs your way.
    I look forward to your awesome work on Paper Posies!

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  22. I'm so very sorry for you loss. You are blessed to have such a sweet boy.

    I really like the music on your site right now. It cheered me up tonight. I hope you are feeling better...

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  23. Bless your heart, Julie. I shall pray for you. You know all the platitudes and promises, but it doesn't make the heartache magically disappear. It does in time, of course, but can't be soon enough! You are definitely on the right track in focusing on your boy, who is a blessing from God. Hang in there! You never know what's ahead.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  24. I am so sorry! I know that God will look over you and bring you a new little one when he feels the time is right. Hang in there! Lots of hugs from me!

    -Kasey

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  25. Julie, my heart and prayers are with you! Remember that if God gets you to it, He will get you through it. Be strong. ::BIG HUG::

    You are so inspiring in many ways. Thank you! :)

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  26. I was so sorry to hear your recent loss Julie. Wishing you all the best and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your layouts are beautiful as always. Take care.

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  27. Julie, I am so, so sorry. I still say to ask for a hystiopyngiogram (sp)...I know how it helped myself and quite a few others. I'm sending you some hugs, and many, many prayers.
    Also, we lost our oldest son last month to a bowel obstruction/ruptured bowel, they were never able to determine exactly which. It's
    terribly devastating. I am so grateful to have scrapbooking as it has helped me tremendously.
    sending you some love.
    toni

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  28. Hugs to you Julie. Love your layouts, your work is amazing. xoxo

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  29. I am so sorry to hear of your loss Julie. I understand your thoughts and I am thankful for your encouraging outlook! I completely love my two children and recognize the wonderful blessing it is to have two healthy children, but in my visions of my life I always thought I would have several children and it is hard to realize that, for now anyway, that may not be the case! Let's keep hoping! :)

    P.S. I love the layout you made with the Fly a Kite line - I really think i NEED some of that one! ;)

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I think it will happen when it's right for you and the baby. Keep your hopes up, always!! hugs from CA!

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  31. Oh, Julie, I had no idea. I am so sorry for your loss. I know personally it can take alot of time to heal. Take care of yourself honey.

    And the layouts are fabulous!

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  32. Julie, I am so sorry for your heartbreak. Sending my thoughts and prayers in your direction. x

    I love what you have done with the projects, just beautiful. :)

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  33. So glad you joined us this month at Paper Posies! Try to come to the chat this Fri 11am pacific. I also sent you an email :)

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  34. Julie, I am so sad for you. I just want you to know that many of us keep checking on you and your postings, to see how you are doing.... and I've noticed your absence. I hope you are finding some peace in this time, and knowing that many (mostly) silent women are behind you. ~B

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