Woodgrain Love

Glitz has loads of fabulous woodgrain patterned goodies to work with for this week's challenge. On this layout I used woodgrain patterned paper, washi tape and even a Peek a Boo transparency. I love how the light background and soft textures of the Sunshine in My Soul papers show off the woodgrain. The texture works perfectly for uniting masculine and feminine elements in a layout.

I wanted to let you know about another Glitz giveaway that they are adding during the month in addition to the monthly blog hop. Leave comments on the Glitz Blog throughout the month (new projects are posted nearly everyday) for another chance to win a prize pack. The more comments you leave throughout the month the more chances you have to win! Check out the Glitz Blog for more details!

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" papers: Woodgrain, Bits & Pieces

Glitz Design "Sunshine in My Soul" 8x8 paper pack

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" Peek a Boos

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" Rubber Stamps

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" Roller Doodle - cameras

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" washi tape - woodgrain

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" washi tape - lace

Glitz Design "Beautiful Dreamer" Trim

Glitz Design "Yours Truly" Giant Rhinestones

other: doily, sequins, ink, sewing machine

Moments in Time

In honor of Mother's Day this week's Glitz Theme focuses on the women in our lives. After I lost my mom, I spent some time going through all of the photos I'd taken of her over the years. My mom was always making things for people in need, and when I shot this photo she was knitting hats for the newborn babies at a local hospital. The Glitz cardstock sticker summed it up perfectly, "I will never forget this moment in time." As we approach Mother's Day, may remember to treasure those moments in time with the precious women in our lives. 

Be sure to check out the Glitz Blog to see all of the inspiring creations celebrating the women in our lives.

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" paper: Damask

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" 8x8 Paper Pack

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" Cardstock Title Stickers

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" Washi Tape - Anchors

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" Rubber Stamps

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Cardstock Title Stickers

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Washi Tape - Lace

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Peek a Boos

Glitz Design "Hello Friend" Washi Tape - Coral

Glitz Design "Hello Friend" Peek a Boos 

Glitz Design "Yours Truly" Crepe Trim

other: card stock, pins, dot stickers, embossing plate, ink, doily

Life in an Instant

Keeping up with staying behind is becoming a regular occurrence for me. The sun has been out, showing off the glory of spring in the Northwest. Our family is preparing for another deployment, so we are, as always, striving to squeeze the fullness of joy from every moment we have. In light of this, combined with my many shortcomings, the photo update will be in the form of Instagram snapshots from my phone. (One of these days I'll catch up on my photo editing, and get my "big camera" photos up as well.)

A beautiful design and an expensive window replacement.
(One should be mindful of flying rocks from weed eaters.)

"There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect. Men do not quarrel about the meaning of sunsets; they never dispute that the hawthorn says the best and wittiest thing about the spring."  
~G.K. Chesterton

Trivial Pursuit with Fr. Harkins

Precious time with daddy while he is stateside

Deceptively simple homemade bread

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” 

-G.K. Chesterton

The beautiful broken window being replaced 
with an ordinary unbroken window.

Our spring fruits & veggies all planted, complete with a homemade sign made with the spring sunshine and a magnifying glass.

Bike ride in the sun, with an ice cream break half way. Not a shabby way to spend a Satruday.

"The truth about life is that joy and sorrow are mingled 
in an almost rhythmical alternation like day and night." 
-G.K. Chesterton

Love You Madly Blog Hop Winner

Congratulations Christine!

Head over to the Glitz Blog 

and follow the instructions to claim your prize. 

Love You Madly Blog Hop & Giveaway

Hello again Glitz friends! Welcome to the "Love You Madly" Inspiration Week & Blog Hop! If you're just joining the hop, all of the blogs on the hop are listed below. Stop by each of the blogs, leaving comments on each as you go for a chance to win a "Love You Madly" prize package for yourself! Winner will be chosen at random and announced on the Glitz Blog on Sunday, April 28th.

"Hello" Supplies:

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" 8" Paper Pack

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" 6" Paper Pack 

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Cardstock Journaling Stickers

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Paper Garland

Glitz Design "Love You Madly" Washi Tape - Lace

Glitz Design "Yours Truly" Washi Tape - Stripe

Glitz Design "Hello Friend" Peek A Boos

Glitz Design "Hello Friend" Crepe Trim

Glitz Design "Color Me Happy" Rubber Stamps

Glitz Design "Uncharted Waters" Rubber Stamps

Other: cream card stock, sequins, jeweled pin, foam mounting tape

"Love You Madly" Official Blog Hop Order

Lea Lawson – http://leascupcakesandsunshine.blogspot.com/

Audrey Yeager – http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/

Camilla Ekman – http://camillaslillasida.blogspot.com/

Gerry Van Gent – http://www.gerryscrafts.blogspot.com/

Janna Werner – http://jannawerner.de/

Karola Witczak – http://www.karolakraftuje.blogspot.com/

Laurie Schmidlin – http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/

Lisa Andrews – http://lisaandrews.blogspot.com/

Mou Saha – http://collagecollagecollage.blogspot.com/

Nicole Martel – http://nicolemartel.blogspot.com/

You are here---> Noel Culbertson http://paperpassionpixels.blogspot.com/ 

Rommel Okuma – http://risqueerabisque.wordpress.com/
Teresa Kline – http://paperieblooms.blogspot.com/
Glitz Design – http://glitzitnow.com/blog/

Be sure to leave a comment here and on each of the blogs on the hop for a chance to win the "Love You Madly" prize pack!

Happy Hopping!

Insta-Update

True to the pattern of life in the spring, things are busy around the house with Church, home schooling, enjoying the spring flowers and wondering at the common wonders of life. However, we're also preparing to send Stan out on his ninth Navy deployment in just a few days. We were able to head out of town for a last minute trip to spend a little family time before he heads out for the next six months. 

Since I'm terribly behind on editing the photos from my "big camera" I'll post a litany of Instagram shots from our last couple of weeks.  

I am one lucky girl.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Our first stop on our trip was a few quiet days in Mt. Angel, Oregon. We stayed at the Monastery, visited St. Mary's for Mass and the Mt. Angel Abbey & Seminary.

St. Mary's Parish 
Mt. Angel, OR

Our Lady of the Angels Monastery

Our tour guide and friend, Brother Leonel

Mt. Angel Abbey & Seminary 

I enjoyed paroosing the library at the seminary. It was one of the places my dad had wanted to visit for years. Walking through three stories of books was a flood of thoughts and emotions. I especially enjoyed the several shelves of Chesterton books I found.

The redwood in front of the Monastery.

At the foot of the redwood tree.

Silver Falls

The girlies walking behind the waterfall

On the road again

Beach camping in sunny Southern California

Journaling our trip

Excuse me, I mustache you a question...

Shave it for later.

Chesterton on the beach

Campfire dinners

Castles in the sand

He is pretty amazing

San Juan Capistrano Mission

Lunch in a train car

Home Sweet Home

Came home to our rhodie in full bloom

"THE fact is that purification and austerity are even more necessary for the appreciation of life and laughter than for anything else. To let no bird fly past unnoticed, to spell patiently the stones and weeds, to have the mind a storehouse of sunsets, requires a discipline in pleasure and an education in gratitude." -G.K. Chesterton, Twelve Types