Do You Have a Valentine?

I do! And I couldn't be happier!

Looking like A Fool With Your Pants on the Ground

National Honor Society!!!!!

Brittany has been selected to join the National Honor Society at her school. This is a very elite group of students that have to maintain a 3.25 gpa or higher to qualify and be involved in both school and community happenings.

I am so proud of my daughter and her accomplishments!!! Way to go Brittany!!!

Today's Funny

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CC Photography

I recently put together a small flash website to show case some of my photography work. The site is offered in an ad on Facebook,..so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm far from finished with it as it looks like it has a lot to offer! Take a look and let me know what you think! If you'd like, check back often to see what's new!

Click on a picture in the gallery slide show to make it larger. I'm still learning how to use this site ,..so any input you have will be greatly appreciated!
http://www.wix.com/keeperofmemories/CC%20Photography1

Thanks for dropping by!

Your Blog Is A Charm Award!

A Nice Surprise!

I signed in to my blog this morning only to discover a comment had been left on one of my layouts. I clicked on it to read it, and much to my surprise it was a gift award from my dear friend Lynne. She was given the award from a friend and decided to pass it on to me. She left me the nicest comment too....... She said that she thought my blog was inspiring and for that she gave me the award!

This is what I love about my craft. I'm able to create and share my ideas using my blog to do it. I love the fact that a hobby I enjoy can be inspiring to someone else!

A big Thanks to Lynne for sharing this award with me!

Introducing,....CreativeVisualizations!!

Every now and again, you run across someone that is so talented and so inspiring, that you just can't help but admire them.

With my new found interest in photography, I was excited to run across just such a person!

The photo used in this layout was taken by my dear friend John Cusworth. He is an amazing photographer with a gallery full of incredible pictures.

He has been helping me learn the tricks of the photography world, as he was also a teacher at a college in New York. He gives me assignments that are fun, but challenging! I'm learning a lot from him!

He decided he would like to build a blog to showcase his work. I jumped at the chance to help this become a reality. Together, we have spent the last couple of weeks formatting, arranging and assembling a gallery of his work.

I'm so proud to have been a part of this project, and I hope that you will take a moment to check out his blog! It is breathtaking to say the very least!

http://creativevisualizations-jcphotofx.blogspot.com


Thanks for dropping by today and come back soon!!

Thought for the Day!

Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worthwhile. So, when you are lonely remember it's true: somebody, somewhere is thinking of you.

A Woman

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to take a moment to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the upcoming year!

Though it's been a rough year for many families, my wish is that 2010 will bring about new hope and needed change to get people back on their feet again.

My prayers are with all of you holiday season for good health, happiness and prosperity!

Thanks for visiting Bootscraps this year and for making this one of my funnest project so far!
Hope to see you all again in 2010! I'll have a lot of new ideas and creations for you!

Quilt Holes

'The Quilt Holes'

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

Has Anyone Told You?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5PLdIns4aw

Please take a moment to watch this inspiring video! Copy and paste it and add it any form of media you use to connect with people.

We could all use a little validation now and then!

Thanks,
Carol

Just a Reminder

As the holidays are approaching, I thought I would re-post a layout and story that is so significant to us all. As you look at the layout and read the words..go also to my playlist and choose song number 4. This is the song that I used as the title and the reason this layout means so much to me. Be kind this holiday season...you just never know........


I took this picture while on my Honeymoon in Hollywood in 2008. Being from a small town in Michigan, I had never really seen a homeless person before. However, each time I did, I was reminded of this song by Joan Osbourne...What if God Was One of Us? What if God visits us every now and again in the form of a homeless person to test our faith and compassion? Would it make a difference? Would we treat this homeless man different if there was even a chance he could be God? Just a little food for thought.....

These are the lyrics to the song:

If God had a name, what would it be
And would you call it to his face
If you were faced with him in all his glory
What would you ask if you had just one question

And yeah yeah God is great yeah yeah God is good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home

If God had a face what would it look like
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to believe
In things like heaven and in Jesus and the saints and all the prophets

And yeah yeah god is great yeah yeah god is good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home
He's trying to make his way home
Back up to heaven all alone
Nobody calling on the phone
Except for the pope maybe in Rome

And yeah yeah God is great yeah yeah God is good
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

What if god was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home
Just trying to make his way home
Like a holy rolling stone
Back up to heaven all alone
Just trying to make his way home
Nobody calling on the phone
Except for the pope maybe in Rome.

Take a moment today to help someone....
open a door for someone.....
say Good Morning to a stranger....
donate something to Goodwill....

You just never know!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and come back soon!

Calendar Cover!

My oldest daughter Brittany drew a picture of an ice cream shop in her 10th grade Art Class. The pictures were to be drawn using buildings that represent the town in which they live. These drawings were submitted for a calendar that was being made of their local town. Much to her surprise, she received a letter from the Bank issuing these calendars. The letter stated that her drawing of the ice cream shop would be on the cover of the calendar. Along with making the cover , she received a $100 savings bond from the bank. We are so proud!!

Thanks for dropping by!

Girls and New Moon

This picture was taken moments before leaving to go to the theater to see New Moon. The girls actually had to wait a couple of days longer to see it than originally planned. However, it didn't matter and they were still thrilled to go when we finally did! Oh, and by the way, it was really good!

Happy Thanksgiving

We decided to have Thanksgiving at our house this year. It's the first time in a very long time that I've been able to make a huge meal like that. I love it!! I really do!! Everything turned out great and the family had a really nice time!

Twas the night before Christmas

Last year I unknowingly caused quite a buzz with a funny remake of Twas the night before Christmas. I love rewriting songs and using them on my layouts. This one in particular ended up on endless blogs, chat rooms and even made it into a magazine!


I thought since the holidays are right around the corner, I would share it once again!



Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls
should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa,
and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look
in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"
tfl!