Reflections...Why I Scrapbook

I think this layout is full of Easter colors. It uses my border collage photo that includes some favorite photos.  It is why I scrapbook.  I love to take pictures, tell stories and play with paper and color.  It is my little refuge in any storm and reminds me of my blessings. 

I made it during LOAD 213 when instructed to make a page that reflects me.  
These are some of my favorite colors.  The people are my people.  The art work is colorful and whimsical...the way I like it. Including yourself on a page is hard of me.  I never really love photos of myself. Let's face it...I am never ever going to be skinny.  My family might want more of me than my writing - so I will try harder this year to get in some pictures...and then use those photos, anyway. 

My SIL Jennifer is a scrapper, too.  We have decided that we might color eggs this year - even if the kids don't join us! A chance to play with color is hard to pass up whether it is on paper or on an egg!  If we do...I will take pictures. Of course - if we get it all ready and start to play - I predict the teens, young adults and everyone else will join in the fun. 

Happy Easter!  Celebrate the reason for the season.
Valerie

One of the Great Loves of my Life...

My  Grandpa...oh, how I loved that man.  He lived just three miles away from our home and his house was called "the homeplace". I suppose I need to scrap that some day.  A day with him meant gathering eggs from the hen house. Feeding calves in the barn. Warnings to be careful when the dangers that went along with farm life were close at hand. 

Some people preached to their children...he lived it.  We learned by watching him.  He treasured each one of us for our individual gifts and strengths. He relished the gift he had been given to work and live off the land.  He was a good neighbor...  a present father... a devoted grandfather... a loving husband ... a hard worker...a grateful man.  

I was fortunate to live with him a portion of my senior year to help with Grandpa &  my grandmother. Grandma had developed Alzheimer's- a fairly new diagnosis in 1982-83. My biological grandmother of lung cancer when I was two.  His second wife - Grandma Marge- was our grandmother for nearly all of my life...and it broke our hearts to see such a beautiful, gracious lady disappear before our eyes - one day at a time.  It broke his heart. In that brokeness - he found an even deeper relationship with God- and Grandpa became quite the prayer warrior.  Upon his death- I remember thinking that I would miss him and the knowledge he covered us in prayer every day.

These are about the only pictures I have of Grandpa and me...so I am pulling out the old wedding photos again. Sometimes you have to use what you have...even if it isn't the perfect picture for the story.

I miss you Grandpa.  I thank you for your example.  

Harley Days are nearly here again...

It is in the air...mild temperatures here in IL and I am feeling a Harley ride in the not too distant future. This layout is on one of those "traditions" that have come out of this hobby.  A day trip to JP Cycles in Iowa is like a trip to Archivers for me.  

I used the ScrapHappy March 2013 sketch...and stayed pretty true to the design.  I find that sketches get me moving and then my own creativity kicks in to finish the page.  This was pretty quick and I LOVE getting another layout done. Now off to savor my Saturday with my guys.