Ancient Memories

Sebastian 1975

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credits:Ocean kit by Rainbow Scrapbook Designs, font - CK True Type

Katalin also has this blog:  http://7szindizajn.hu/

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Isaiah 40:31

Grandsons & Traveling Hardships

Holidays 2009

Babes 2009

 credits: Jack build-a-kit by MagsGraphics, fonts - SBC Preschool & CK True Type

Mags has several packs/sets of papers, frames, ribbons & hold-em-ups to choose from. It really is a fun "build-a-kit". She also has one called "Luke" and another "Madeline". You can see them all here in her store.

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One of the hardest things about living so far from family, is not getting to spend time with our grandsons. Family viisits are rare because it's so difficult to travel that far because of my severe NRLA (natural rubber latex allergy) & MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities). There are many things I have to remain ever watchful for... avoidance is the ONLY treatment for latex allergy as it gets worse with EACH exposure. Traveling has all kinds of dangers... both chemical and latex (road dust, exhaust, road construction, fresh asphalt, industry waste that's airborne (ie refineries & power plants), gas stations, latex glove use &/or cleaning chemicals in public bathrooms, latex glove use in restaurants, PEOPLE in all these places with all the chemicals & fragrances they have on their person & in their clothing, the "unexpected" surprises (car or house fire along the freeway, blown tires on the road, etc).

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Because of the latex contamination of food & drink (thru use of latex gloves in the restaurant &/or the food manufacturers facility), we have to prepare and bring travel food with us AND enough food for me for the duration of our stay. Then, where are we going? where will we stay? who will be coming to see us? and there's a whole 'nother round of preparations... sometimes so very overwhelming that it's just easier (and of course, MUCH SAFER) to just stay home (especially if encountered "major" exposures/reactions during the last trip)!

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In addition to restaurants & food manufacturers, HOTELS are notorious for using latex gloves. Mostly, because they don't know anything about latex allergy and their suppliers promote the latex gloves (they've lost business as the hospitals are going latex-free and are pushing their gloves into every mode of business). NIOSH issued an alert way back in 1997 -- 13 years ago!! -- that to avoid latex allergy in the workplace, to use NON-LATEX gloves for routine cleaning, housekeeping, food service, hair/beauty salons, etc. Yet, SO MANY BUSINESSES are still using latex gloves... and we, the consumer pay the heavy price -- ANYone at ANYtime can become latex allergic... you don't have to be in the medical profession! it's everywhere -- we've been exposed with the food we eat, the places we shop, the places we eat, the places we sleep!! -- the danger is that not everyone who is latex allergic "knows" they are... and therefore they're not avoiding it and are getting worse with every exposure... AVOIDANCE IS THE ONLY TREATMENT!!

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Then, who are we going to see? I can't go into their homes, so they have to come see us (whether we stay in a hotel or room at my parents that has been made relatively safe)... this means advance preps on their part -- special steps in laundering their clothing, avoiding use of all fragrances & chemicals, making sure airborne latex isn't piggy-backing into our 'safe zone' with them (latex gloves &/or balloons will contaminate their clothing, hair, skin, house, car, etc -- they pick it up in the stores, restaurants, workplace, etc), no elastic in their clothing, etc. -- the list goes on & on & on.... it's practically impossible to have a completely safe environment under those conditions. We've found that family & friend visits are MUCH SAFER when they travel to come see us in our home... because "we" can control what comes in... houseguests (family AND friends) coming to see us go thru a strict regime when they arrive -- strip out of travel clothes & bag them in plastic, shower (with soaps & shampoos that we provide) & put on 100% cotton clothing (scrubs or other) that is both latex-free and has never come in contact with fabric softener or other laundry chemicals (we now have all sizes on hand for them);  thoroughly dry & cover any hair that has been treated with chemicals (ie perm, coloring, etc).

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Then there's the matter of the water.... chlorine is a killer! I have to take with us enough filtered & boiled water for me to drink for the travel days and the time we're away from home. If where we stay has chlorinated water? it is airborne every time it's turned on or a toilet flushes... this affects me in 2 ways... immediate respiratory distress AND the multiple body systems affected because of my MCS. 

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Life-threatening & disabling latex allergy & multiple chemical sensitivities bring with it an isolation that most people just don't comprehend. Some who may be reading this and have NRLA themselves might be thinking, "i'm not that bad", "my latex allergy is very mild", etc. Well, so was mine at one time. Latex allergy is PROGRESSIVE. It gets worse with EACH exposure. The ONLY treatment is AVOIDANCE.

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Please see www.latexallergyresources.org for more information on latex allergy. And www.mcs-america.org for more info on multiple chemical sensitivities.

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Isaiah 40:31

Foxy Rusky

This is my favorite picture of my hubby, taken at a lighthouse in Michigan enroute to our 25th anniversary vacation in Charlevoix (5-day fishing trip!!). 

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credits: My Jake kit by Angelle Designs, font - Pristina

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Isaiah 40:31

Milestone Reached - Layout #100

Dad-boys CUDDLES

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Brother CUDDLES

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Ethan PLAYTIME

(layout #100!!)

These layouts speak for themselves... there's nothing more special than cuddling your loved ones & capturing those memories. This is one of our sons with our 2 grandsons. Binty's kit was perfect for the occassion... once I got started I couldn't stop... these 3 layouts were the result (and I have pics all ready for 2-3 more!).

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credits: Boy Oh Boy kit by Binty Designs, font - SBC Preschool

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Isaiah 40:31

Military Days

USN 1976-1984

I was inspired to do this layout when I first saw the kit "For Freedom" by Eirene Designs (and thrilled when she accepted me for a OKC). I ended up having to scan in a chopped up wallet size pic of my honey's boot camp grad because I "lost" the 8x10! I've searched high & low and without success—it's going to drive me absolutely crazy until I find it. Meanwhile, with the scanned photo and PSE5, the enlargement did the trick. The photo of the 2 of us was taken during Nuc School, just a couple of months before we got married. The TV show "The Mod Squad" was popular in our day... so I thought it was kinda cute that the 3 fellows in the lower right pic became known as "The 'God'-Squad" because of their practice of getting together for prayer on the fantail(?).

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credits: For Freedom kit by Eirene Designs, font - Poor Richard

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Isaiah 40:31

My Babies

Found another designer thru DST and was accepted for her OKC (one kit call - guest CT) for her kit "It's All About the Belly". aaaahhhh.... what wonderful memories I've been blessed with... children are a heritage from the Lord... SO much fun searching for the pictures for these layouts -- these particular belly pics were taken the night before they were born (or within a couple days of delivery)...

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Baby #1

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Baby #2

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Baby #3

 credits: It's All About the Belly kit by Snippets Inc, font - papyrus

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Isaiah 40:31

The Little Engine That Could -pt 1

baby Carter

This was inspired by our neighbor's (and dear friends of ours) 1st grandson. He was a premie, born at 23 weeks. There were many, many struggles along the way... he's living proof of miracles and the grace of God! One of their friends wrote a song for Carter, along the lines of the Little Engine that Could... so that's the theme for all the layouts I'll be doing of his 1st year adventures.

credits: Chugga ChooChoo kit by Connie Prince /DigiDiva Designs

Holy Bible, New American Standard version,fonts - Cezanne & Amazone BT 

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Isaiah 40:31

July DigiSB Challenges!

Layouts I did for the July challenges over at Digitals.

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Celebrate Friends

credits: Digitals Calendar Challenge

Sea 2 Sea kit by Amanda Thordersen

WA challenge (kimberkatt)

fonts - Callistroke & CK Lovenotes

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Abigail at Beach

credits: Digitals Ad Challenge

Sweet Summer Sun by Alessandra Designs

font - CK Jessica

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r-j LOVE 

credits: Digitals Designer Elements Challenge

Lavender Sweet Pea addon by Carena

I Cor 13:7 Wordart by Sally's Angelworks

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r-j Michigan

 credits: Digitals Sketchy Details Challenge

Remembering kit by Amanda Thordersen

font - CF Frankfort

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Isaiah 40:31

New Signature Standards at DST

DST has posted new siggy standards for their forum. So today I worked at incorporating my new logo / business card into a "name tag"... hoping by posting it here, it'll link successfully to DST :-)

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Yipee, it worked!!

and oops! forgot the credits -- this was made using 2 gorgeous kits by Alice at Red Ivy Designs... Inspire & You're So Lovely. i also used heart brushes by hawksmont.

trying a smaller size

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Isaiah 40:31

i'm SO excited!

Another favorite designer, Binty Designs (LOVE her photomasks!!) has accepted me for her guest CT. My layout of Fiona Elegante used one of her masks (Sept09).  I'm looking forward to scrapping with more of her stuff. You can find her stores here & here.

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Thanks Binty!

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Isaiah 40:31

more OKC's

The following layouts are for some OKC's over at DST. I know you'll HAVE to agree with me that these are some darling kits and were very fun to work with. This 1st set is a "blast from the past"!

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Bathtub FUN 1

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Bathtub FUN 2

credits: Little Sailor kit by Milly Dee Designs

fonts: Callistroke, CK Bedrock, Wendy Medium

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Here's part II of "great-nephews"... these adorable pics of the babies with their older sibling are priceless.

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Fiona & Falcon

credits: Kindy World kit by Rucola Designs

photomask vol 2 by Red Ivy Designs, font - CK Joannie

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Cade & Korbin 

credits: Kindy World kit by Rucola Designs

font - CK Joannie

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Willow River State Park, MN 

credits: Dandelions in the Spring kit by Vera Designs, font - Gigi

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Isaiah 40:31

OKC at DST!

I recently discovered OKC (one kit calls) over at DST Forum. It's been great! I've found some great designers this way... one has graciously added me to her regular "guest CT". So, I'm going to begin with her. This is the 1st kit she's designed... isn't it great?!!

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Once A Gamer...

 Video gaming is obviously multi-generational... especially with the Wii...

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I Wanna Play!

Ethan adores his uncle Pete and wants to do everything he does!

credits: Boyfriend Is A Gamer kit by Angelle Designs, 

fonts - Borg-9 & Bradley Hand ITC

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Isaiah 40:31

MagsGraphics latest!

My 1st "regular" CT was MagsGraphics -- I love her stuff... so fun to play with... and SO much in tune with the growing years of our 3 sons. Here are the layouts I did in May-July10 with her latest and some of my favorite kits.

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Tonka Christmas

This was a Christmas to remember. We celebrated the birthday of our Lord Jesus and then opened gifts. The boys were absolutely thrilled with their new tonka trucks and sleeping bags.

credits: Monster Truck Madness kit by MagsGraphics, fonts - Franklin Gothic Heavy

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Then came the picture that HAD to be scrapped... little Abigail in her sunflower dress... SO VERY adorable!!!!!!! Mags collaborated with 88DesignsByM for Farmer's Market. It was absolutely perfect for scrappin' this photo :-)

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Couch Potatoe

credits: Farmer's Market Collab by MagsGraphics & 88DesignsbyM, 

Photo Mask by Anita Designs (You Are My Sunshine freebie), 

font - Bradley Hand ITC

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Mags newest designs are a couple build-a-kits called Jack & Luke. The colors are deep & rich and are perfect for scrapping little boys!! (or big ones). I had tons of fun putting this one together using the 1st paper pack and a couple of frame clusters. I made more elements by experimenting with the distort/twirl layers and swirling and more... it was a very challenging layout to do with only the papers to work with this time 'round. If you have boys, be sure and add these fabulous versitile kits to your collection. 

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JOY of Eating!

This precious little boy was the 2nd boy to join our growing family... and he became our JOYFUL eater (and continued to be into his adult years!).

credits: Jack build-a-kit by MagsGraphics,fonts - CK Postage Due & Agency FB

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Then, here's one of my favorite MagsGraphics kits... Freedom. We have many things to celebrate here in our country... freedom that is a very precious commodity in today's world, friendships that we hold dear, family and fellowship of believer's—those who share our faith in the risen Lord, Almighty God, my Saviour—the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Friends = FUN!

This layout came about as a "challenge" from a dear friend of ours. After emailing her the layout I did for one of the July challenges over at Digitals (and including a picture I had wanted to use but didn't fit the page), she said "Ha Ha HA, that deserves it's own page!"... and inspiration hit and wala! another layout celebrating our friendship.

credits: Freedom kit by MagsGraphics, font - CK Love Note

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Navy Dad

 credits: Freedom kit by MagsGraphics, font - SF-Alexa, 

photomask by janieinMN, PSE5 & 1207CSSparkle brushes

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Ethan's 3rd Birthday

Ethan loves Buzz Lightyear. During our visit to MI in Feb10, he had a grand 'ole time playing with a little buzz that we brought him and he shared his big buzz with his gramps... many fun photos of that duo romping in the living room of my parents house.

credits: Freedom kit by MagsGraphics, font - Callistroke

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Isaiah 40:31