I created this page for the May Pinterest Portfolio Challenge using challenge #3 “PageMaps.com is one of my favorite sites for sketches. Chose a sketch on this page as a starting point for your own layout. 2pts”

Here is the page map I used for inspiration:

I don’t often use page maps, or sketches, but I really liked doing this…I think it’s something that I will definitely do more of, especially when I need some inspiration and don’t want to use a template. It was a great way to guide the composition of my layout!

EA and MC started with Cubbies when we moved to Virginia from Germany. Will also started as a 2 year old Puggle then.

Through AWANA they have memorized many scripture verses and have been nurtured spiritually.

When we were preparing for our move to Texas, one of the first things we looked for was a church with a good AWANA program. We have found that in Coronado Baptist Church! Their program goes all the way up through high school. This is the first church we’ve been in that does that and it was exciting and motivating for my girls to see high schoolers receive awards right along with them.

MC told me just this morning that she wants to do AWANA all the way through high school. That is one goal that I would love to see happen!

All four of my children, even little Jenny, have enjoyed being involved with AWANA here and they all received AWARDS for their work last Wednesday evening.

Jenny and her fellow Puggles were in a small program where they sang a little song for the church. I was curious as to how she would do since it’s her first time in front of a large groups. I had no need to worry, though, because she did great.

She spotted Keith and I as they walked into the auditorium and I could see her looking for us through their song.

As they all walked back to the nursery, I heard her telling one of the helpers, “I see my Mommy & Daddy!”

Will received his award for completing his first year as a Sparky next.

I am so thankful for Mr. Terry, the leader he had in AWANA this year. He took so much time with Will, who can be very shy. The very first week we were there, Mr. Terry was wearing a classic Texan cowboy hat and Will declared him to be “my cowboy teacher”.

Each week as we picked Will up, we saw him being taken care of and loved on by Mr. Terry. He excelled in Sparks this year because of Mr. Terry’s encouragement, too. He called several times to check that Will was studying his verses.

I am so proud of my little boy for completing his entire Sparks book…it was quite the achievement for him!

EA and MC received their Sparky Award next.

They have completed all three years of being a Sparky in AWANA and are looking forward to moving on to T & T next year.

I can remember thinking how far off T&T seemed to be when they were little Cubbies, but here we are (or will be in just a few short months)!

My little girls are growing up into beautiful girls who love the Lord and are truly hiding His word in their tender hearts.

After watching everyone receive awards for their hard work and dedication this year, we went outside to enjoy some freeze pops…fun!

Right Side

Side by Side View

Credits: Project Life Templates – Becky Higgins; Up In the Air – Sugarplum Paperie & Wishing Well Creations; Bits & Bytes 2013 4 x 6 Weekly Title Cards – Nettio Designs

I kept things super simple this week.

I also went with a kraft background paper instead of a patterned paper…it’s just looking a bit more realistic to me.

Some highlights from the week were visiting the Scholastic Warehouse sale and buying books for all the kids, AWANA awards at church, one of our first rain storms in El Paso, and a scrap night with my friend Jenn.

It was a great week and I am so thankful to have it documented!

I have really been craving some craft time, so I signed up to participate in this month’s Silhouette Challenge. But, of course, as the weekend approached I had absolutely no idea exactly what I wanted to craft…yikes!

Then I saw this hybrid challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs’ May Pinterest Portfolio Challenge.

21. Hybrid Challenge – Hoop it Up!!! Use this blog post as inspiration to create a home decor item or hybrid scrapbook page that is framed in a hoop. – 10 pts

Immediately, I knew that this would be my inspiration for this month’s challenge!!!

For an extra challenge, I decided to use fabric instead of paper for my Spring Hoop. This would be my first time cutting fabric with my silhouette and I was terrified!!!

Everything that I used in this project was craft materials that I had on hand or got from a friend…it cost absolutely nothing!

I used an old pink baby sheet as the background fabric which went right into the embroidery hoop. I also decided to washi tape the outside of the hoop instead of painting it. I am kind of in love with washi tape right now.

I decided to cut out the outline of a bird from one of my digital scrapbooking kits. One of my favorite things about the silhouette is that I can use my huge digital scrapbooking stash with it. This is the biggest reason that I decided to trade in my Cricuit for a Silhouette.

I used an adorable bird from Zoe Pearn’s How Tweet It Is kit…so stinkin’ cute!!!

I just opened the image that I wanted to use in the Silhouette software and traced it to get the outline of the bird.

For cutting fabric with the silhouette, first I placed fabric interfacing on it. I had some Wonder Under fabric interfacing and just went with using it, hoping all the while that it would suffice and it did!

To use the fabric interfacing, first you need to iron the rough side of it onto the wrong side of your fabric. Use a dry iron (no steam) with the wool setting. I held the iron in place for roughly 20-30 seconds in each area of the fabric until it was all ironed on.

Next place the fabric on the cutting mat (right side up) and load it into the Silhouette.

In the Silhouette software choose the cut settings for “fabric cotton print w/fabric interfacing”. The speed was set at 5, thickness at 33, and blade was 3. I did use a separate fabric blade for this project.

I admit I had to take a few deep breaths before hitting the “Cut” button. I was so scared that something would go wrong!

But I really had nothing to fear…the silhouette worked it’s magic and I had a beautiful bird shape that I adore!

You’ll need to gently pull the paper backing from the fabric and iron the cut fabric onto your background fabric. I got busy working and forgot to take pictures of this step. Actually I completely forgot to pull the paper backing off until I ironed a bit and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t sticking to the background fabric. DUH!

I decided to pull out my sewing machine and sew the bird shape applique onto my background fabric. This gave some added dimension and it helps to keep the cut fabric in place.

I had a little audience watching me sew!

After sewing the cut shape on, all I had left was to place it in the hoop and add embellishments…the really fun part!

I did a print and cut with the word strips. They’re also from Zoe’s How Tweet It Is digital kit. The “Smile” letters, butterflies, flowers, and butterfly came from a friend’s craft stash. (thanks so much, Jenn!!) They were all hot glued on.

I also hot glued on a button eye for my little spring bird.

This is one of my favorite projects ever!

My Spring Hoop is hanging on the wall in my kitchen and I love the “spring-y” feel that it adds!

This post is a part of a super fun group posting event called The Silhouette Challenge, started by the lovely and creative Lauren of The Thinking Closet. Each month we’ll be posting a different project we made using our Silhouette cutting machine. This month I am joining four other bloggers in sharing our projects. Check out their lovely creations below!

I Heart Labels: Flour & Sugar Jar Edition - The Thinking Closet

Bleeding Heart Card with Free Flower Download - Creative Turn

A Numbers Game – Learning Numbers with Your Preschooler - Lil Mrs. Tori

My First Silhouette Challenge Group Project - Tanya’s Creative Space

Personalized Garden Post & Grandma Book (Silhouette Mother’s Day Presents) - Whole New Leaf

Girly Superhero Decor - Coley’s Corner

“A Cup of Tea” Customizable Art Printable - Tried & True

The Lady in Hat “Thinking of You” Card - An Elegant Touch

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month?  We’d love to have you.  Simply contact Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email.

Credits: Saxy and We Know It – Charlize Creations [ link ]
Life Stories (alpha) – Krista Cronin Barrow & Zoe Pearn
Bigger the Better templates vol. 2 – Amy Martin

This is an oldie! The photo was taken in Trier, Germany. We were walking down the street market there (which we loved!) and saw a band playing. The girls, who were only four then, loved watching this German band play!

This Girl of Mine

Credits: Gridtastic Vol. 1 – Nettio Designs
Life Stories – This Girl – Kristin Cronin Barrow & Zoe Pearn
Life Stories Alpha – Kristin Cronin Barrow & Zoe Pearn
font – Hugs & Kisses – Darcy Baldwin

This layout was done for the May Pinterest Portfolio Challenge at Sweet Shoppe Designs. The challenge was to use this color combination for inspiration (we had to use at least 4 of the colors…can you find them in my layout?).

I love doing challenges and I have a goal to do as many of the May Pinterest Portfolio challenges as I can this month.

Lovable Boy

Credits: May template – Zoe Pearn Designs
Life Stories – This Boy – Kristin Cronin-Barrow & Zoe Pearn
Life Stories – This Boy Alphas – Kristin Cronin-Barrow & Zoe Pearn

This layout was for another Pinterest Portfolio Challenge. This challenge was to create a layout using stars…and a lot of them! I think I accomplished that.

I had so much fun scrapping our stories this week!

Goodbyes can often be sad statements to make, especially when we’re leaving the ones that we love. As a military family we have to say goodbye a lot…more often that we would like, really.

We have to say goodbye to family over and over again. It never gets easy. We have to say goodbye to friends that we have grown close to and friends who we are just getting to know. We have to say goodbye to houses that we’ve made into homes.

There is one thing that I have come to garner hope in as I have faced saying goodbye numerous times. That is the knowledge that for those of us who are in Christ, there is no real goodbye.

I take great comfort in knowing that I will see my family and friends who are believers again.

I may not see them here, but in heaven we can meet again and have a glorious reunion.

Knowing this takes some of the sadness and some of the stress out of saying goodbye over and over as the Army sends us from one location to the next.

FYI…Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. If you know a military spouse, please take some time to thank them for their sacrifice today.