Are you liking these freebies?

Here's the next set of freebies!

I found and purchased my very first commercial use item! Why? Because I could see me using it for personal use a ton!

The paper and frame both utilize Something Blue Studios overlays--I finally found something I was excited to purchase! Danielle is totally awesome and you really should consider this an enabler from me!

Thanks for being patient with me in correcting the spelling errors in this freebie! I know it took me three days, but I hope it was worth the wait!

Download

Two New Videos!

I recorded two new videos today! It feels good!

You can catch the video with a matching written pdf tutorial regarding lines for balance (as can be seen in this layout) in the Subscriber Area here.

This is one of my most used techniques on my layouts and I share several examples and explain in detail how to place the lines, as well as so much more. I have good hopes that this will be of help to many.

Credit on layout: Something Blue Studios Overlays



I also recorded a video as to how I made the shadow on my layout.

It is below and the higher quality version is in the Subscriber Area.

I also made a freebie download of my shadow for you. It is here temporarily and permanently in the Subscriber Area.

Download

Yes, I will fix my last downloads that had a spelling error, but I just needed a break from it. I removed the link from my post, but I see people are still downloading it. Very interesting.

If you utilize this tutorial, please do leave me a comment with a link to the layout or e-mail me a copy to see it. Of course, my gallery is open to anyone using my tutorials.

Comments by Teenage Sons

While watching Dancing with the Stars, my son was on the computer appearing totally oblivious to the television.


TV: Your feet were going a mile a minute.

Son, out of no where: Isn't that the same as 60 miles per hour.

I cracked up laughing! This is exactly the kind of off-the-wall things he used to say when he was an itty-bitty whipper. He would say words and comments that seemed way behind what someone his age should be able to know or discern. I wish I had written them all down when he was little, but alas, they are all gone.

I do hope digital scrapbookers with young children are taking heed and recording down all those little things your children say now because they will be forever lost.

I have seen some awesome layouts with words children say. Forget trying to make all of your layouts a "wow" layout or "just right" and spend your time getting the good stuff recorded.

Think Like Crayola

I found this fun site by Crayola to guess the names of the colors in the box.

I found that as I went along, I began to think like Crayola and get the answers more quickly.

I found that this also might be a bit of inspiration for digital designers as they contemplate a color scheme for their next kit. Really, wouldn't a "giving tree" green be perfect for your next kit?

Have fun!

23rd Psam for Students

23rd PSALM FOR STUDENTS



The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not flunk

He keepeth me from lying down when I should be studying

He leadeth me beside the water cooler for a study break

He restores my faith in study guides

He leads me to better study habits

For my grades' sake



Yea,though I walk through the valley of borderline grades

I will not have a nervous breakdown

For thou art with me

My prayers and my friends, they comfort me

Thou givest me the answer in moments of blankness

Thou anointest my head with understanding

My test paper runneth over with question I recognize



Surely passing grades and flying colors shall follow me

All the days of my examinations

And I shall not have to dwell in this stupid school forever.

New Home Page Video

I have had an idea to create this video since I started the site earlier this year, but I cannot seem to find the time to do everything I want to do.

I thought I would share it here with blog readers who may never go to the home page.

See a sneak peak into the Subscriber Area where you will find over 150 digital scrapbooking video tutorials and many freebies and templates.

Photo Hunt Scrapbookers

I am going to create this list of scrapbookers who participate in tnChicks Photo Hunt so that we can easily find each other each week.

If you are a scrapbooker and participate in the hunt, please let me know so I can add you -- or send me others that you are aware of.

A link to this post is in my sidebar so that we can find the list easily each week.

A Prayer before Finals

A PRAYER BEFORE FINALS



Now I Lay Me

Down to Study,

I Pray the Lord I

Won't Go Nutty.



If I Should Fail to

Learn this Junk,

I Pray the Lord

I Will Not Flunk.



But If I Do,

Don't Pity Me at All,

Just Lay My Bones

In the Study Hall.



Tell My Prof

I Did My Best,

Then Pile My

Books upon My Chest.



Now I Lay Me

Down to Rest,

And Pray I'll Pass

Tomorrow's Test.



If I Should Die Before I Wake,

That's One less Test I'll Have to Take.

Photo Hunt - View

This week's Photo Hunters theme is "view"
PhotoHunt


I thought I would be different again this week. I am CERTAIN that there will be a lot of awesome scenic outdoor views out there this week. I sure have plenty of them to choose from, but isn't it fun to put a twist on things?


I learned a lesson this past summer.

Never hand your camera to a brother-in-law unless you want to open up your downloaded photos to see a view of your own behind! Oh, ugg! I'm dieing of embarrassment here and yet! I still am sharing this.


What other surprise do I find left by my brother-in-law?

A shot of hubby's behind!

His is a lot smaller than mine and I actually do not mind this view!

I cannot help but wonder if I am supposed to scrap these or not.

Anyone got any ideas? Some great titles or quotes or something?

Bible Bits - Week 7

Each Saturday, a new printable Bible Bits will be posted. Download it, print it, post it where your family gathers, talk about it, and pray about it with your family. Use it as a screen saver for the week.

Bible Bits are in this folder . Click to open the thumbnail. Under the thumbnail you will see a link entitled “get original uploaded photo.” Open that link up before right clicking to save it.





The Choice
Max Lucado

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23/New Living Translation


I choose kindness.
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich for they are afraid.
And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

***************

As I read between the lines of Lucado's writing, I see implications that we should be kind to ALL people....not just the poor, but those who have money....not just those who are kind to us, but also those who are unkind to us.

Jesus doesn't categorize me as this or that, but rather loves me as the sinner I am. I should see others as Jesus sees me. However, I'm human and not perfect and struggle to give myself this attitude adjustment at times.

Jesus loves everyone. He chooses EVERYONE. He died on the cross for everyone and wants everyone to come to Him. It is just sad that some do not choose him back.

He loves me.

and He loves you.

What He did on the cross for us is the ultimate kindness ever given.

What He did on the cross washes away all of our categories and makes us one in the same--none of us more or less than the other.

Another Yeah Kit Freebie

Well, my goal to do a freebie a day in Sept did not make it as I missed two days, but life got the best of me and I needed a break.

I am glad to see that everyone is enjoying these so much, so I am continuing to make them.

Feel free to recolor them and please do share with me, either by comment or e-mail or in my gallery, if you use this stuff! That's the best thank you I ever receive!

Download (limited time, then only in Subscriber Area)

THE SPELLING error is corrected and this is the new download link.
Thanks for letting me know!

Digital Scrapbookers Overuse Mouse

This is what happens when a digital scrapbooker overuses the mouse.

Click here.

Time Waster

No, it's not my birthday, but I found the Birthday Calculator to be interesting in that I am 1,364,460,329 seconds old. May I live to be another 1,364460,329 seconds old.

Much of the other junk on their I don't believe in, but some of it is interesting.

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.


1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14 K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34 Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Sentence Sermons

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a
basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in
their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come
close as do cockroaches.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road,
and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it
has.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should
you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make
which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just
sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

He who angers you, controls you!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect
you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

Need a reason to be thankful? Check your pulse.

God opens doors

God doesn't close one door without opening another.
It's just hell in the hallway.
Some of us have a longer hallway.

Whose your starlight?

Download


Making people happy makes me feel like dancing! I can SO dance to this (if no one is watching me). Does this help you guess the date of that high school layout in my previous post? One person guessed and was close.

vi.sualize.us

I found this from Jessica Sprague's post and I'm excited about it! Goodness, usually I am on top of the game finding this new great stuff, but it has been months since I have had time to read my RSS techy blog subscriptions, so I am thankful that Jessica shared it!

This has just made my day--so fun! This is going to revolutionize my scrapbooking world!

vi.sualize.us is a site similar to del.icio.us, but for images.

I use del.icio.us ALL the time! It is a site for collecting and sharing bookmarks.

vi.sualize.us is also comparable to Kaboodle which is a site where digital scrapbookers may collect links to items they wish to purchase.

Be sure to stop by my page and join the watchlist! I will be able to see that you've joined and join your watchlist.

Check out my watchlist to see who I am watching.

I made a video to describe and share how to use vi.sualize.us, rather than typing out a long post. So enjoy!



Here is a follow-up post on copyright.

Fresh Prince of Scrapbooking

Wanda shared this and I found it funny too and had to pass it along.



Here's another quicky one I found! What is she saying?

The Three Things in Life

The Three Things in Life

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost -
1. Peace
2. Hope
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -
1. Love
2. Self-confidence
3. Friends

Three things in life that are never certain -
1. Dreams
2. Success
3. Fortune

Three things in life that are most appreciated -
1. Generosity
2. Humor
3. Forgiveness

Three things that make a person -
1. Hard work
2. Sincerity
3. Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a person -
1. Alcohol / Drugs
2. Pride
3. Anger

Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Ghost

Yeah Kit -- Another Part for You!

Goodness, I'm tired today! It took every bit of energy after my regular day to make these three pieces, but here they are! Two of my three sons are not happy with me today. Sometimes parenting can be no fun, stressful, sleepless, and just plain 'ol stinky.

Watch for a whole lot of "wordle" word art and papers in the next few days. I have the wordles created and am posed to create with them!

Download

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day is the same way,
There's no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart "

Match-o-Matic

Sara shared this at DST and I thought it was cool and wanted to pass it on.

I took the test and my results were 6 for one and 7 for the other. The results were the one I was thinkin of voting for, but after careful review of the results by top, I found that he only came out on top because each of the hot topic issues were on is side, but very few of the basic issues were on his side. Very interesting to see how their comments compare.

Sorry. I really don't like to get into politics, so I will keep my specifics to myself!

Click here to take it yourself!

High School Photo Challenge

Oh, what a great time we had at the chat Friday night with Andrea of Boyerville Scraps. While being silly, we began sharing our senior photos, so I whipped up a challenge for us all to scrap our high school photos to share.
I invite you to join us in the thread here. It does not have to be a new layout. Just share and have fun!

After you finish your layout, be sure to upload your photo to YearbookYourself.com. I cannot believe I wasted so much time making this, but I was giggling so much, I could not help myself!


Okay, stop laughing.

Okay, so you cannot stop laughing at me. That's okay. Giggle

So, which hair style do you like me in best? lol! Really, I think I need to know!

Andrea gave out a great mini-kit at the chat and I used it to make my layout, although I did re-color most of it (not that he needed recoloring, just to go with my photo).

This is the same photo used in the above graphic. So, I'd love to hear you guess what year you think this photo is taken! Go ahead, leave your comment and guess!

Another Small Part of the Yeah Kit

I'm still trying to do a freebie a day for the entire month of September, but this last week I'm feel'n it!

It's a good thing I don't have this goal always....I could never keep up this pace.

Here's a few things I made to add to the Yeah kit I'm creating which will be available as a full download in the Subscriber Area as soon as I get it done. You may have already downloaded a few papers and buttons this month on my blog that go with this kit.

Download

As always, the freebies on this blog are here for a temporary (very short) time. If I gave everything away forever for free, no one would pay to subscribe! I have had quite a few complaints about freebies being taken down before people can access them. I apologize! I try to be generous. If you missed something, it may be in the Subscriber Area for only $5.50 a month. I am going to work to bring all of my old freebies there eventually.

Quick Tip # 27 - Hand Tool

I was utilizing this tip today in a layout and realized it would make a great tip!

How to scoop ice cream

I was cleaning and organizing my photo folders when I came across this old photo I took, but forgot to post. It made me smile again, so I thought I would share it with you even though it is old.

This is how to scoop ice cream!

Okay, well, it was the last of the ice cream in the tub and I found it easier to just cut the container away from the ice cream than to scoop it out. I was giggling at myself and, yeah, like all good bloggers, ran to take a photo of it.

Please tell me other bloggers do such silly things as to run and get their camera just to blog something silly.

I know digital scrapbookers do.

16 Bible Books Puzzle

16 BIBLE BOOKS PUZZLE:

There are names of 16 books of the Bible mentioned in the paragraph below.
See how many you can find. HINT: The names be part of a word or part of two
words put together.

"I once made a remark about the hidden books of the bible. It was a lulu,
kept people looking so hard for the facts, and for others it was a
revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were
not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our
readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating
few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot,
others may require judges to help find them. I will quickly admit it usually
takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations
when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can
concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there
really are sixteen names of books of the bible in the paragraph."

Bible Bits - Week 6

Each Saturday, a new printable Bible Bits will be posted. Download it, print it, post it where your family gathers, talk about it, and pray about it with your family. Use it as a screen saver for the week.

Bible Bits are in this folder . Click to open the thumbnail. Under the thumbnail you will see a link entitled “get original uploaded photo.” Open that link up before right clicking to save it.




The Choice
Max Lucado

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23/New Living Translation

I choose patience.
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.
Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fists at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

*************
The writing by Mr. Lucado reminds me of those poems we read that are forwarded by e-mail each Thanksgiving holiday about how we can choose to be thankful. You can read some of them at my Look to the Lord blog.

I look at this photo of the duck spreading its wings and can relate. Sometimes I get so flustered at the little things that I quickly spread my wings of anger at other or at a situation. I know I did it just yesterday morning when I discovered that my men had taken the load of my clean dress clothes out of the dryer and plopped them on top of the dirty ones getting ready to go into the washer. I was so angry because I not only had to wash them over because I did not know what was clean and what was not clean, but I did not have the pants available that I wanted to wear to work.

I got so angry I hit the washer and exclaimed out loud. Of course, my men were all gone to work and school, so the only one that benefited from the outburst was my poor dog. This is not the first time I have encountered this same "man-surprise," as well as other surprises they leave me at the washer and dryer.

I need to try to remember in these circumstances that the issues are minor. There really are much bigger problems in the world. It always seems to me that I have much more patience for the bigger problems of the world than the little problems of the world. I have contemplated this before. I even did a layout and you can find it and read my thoughts in my gallery.

I believe that we do not loose our patience over the big things as much as the little things because they are out of our control. They are already in God's hands as there is nothing we can do to fix them.

However, in contrast, our little problems are within our reach to fix and it immediately raises our dander and stress level thinking about how we are going to fix the problem. We could complain, but does that really ever fix the problem?

I need to choose to give the little problems to God as quickly as I do the big problems. Just doing that would give me a sense of patience and peace.

It is all about attitude. We all need to give ourselves attitude adjustments from time to time. How do we look at a situation? Do we look for the good and have patience or do we immediate look for the bad and loose our patience?



Be Still & Know
Steven Curtis Chapman

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is Holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that he will never change
Be still

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know that he is God
Be still
Be speechless

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for his little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still

Tag Inspiration Tutorial in PDF & Part 5 of Freebie!

FINALLY! [grin] I cannot believe it took me all week to do the graphics for this tutorial. This was one of the first tutorials I wrote back in 2005 and the ideas are awesome, but the graphics were horrible!

I love this tutorial myself as it not only gives inspiration to those designing, but also to digital scrapbookers in how to utilize the tags that come in kits on their layouts. Just the smallest tip in how to dress up a tag in your layout can make the layout!

There are a total of 34 tag freebies I made while making this tutorial and they are all permanently available in the Subscriber Area, along with a video I recorded sharing how to make 5 of the 25 tips in Photoshop Elements. Of course, Subscribers are welcomed to ask how I made any of the others and I will make a tutorial for that request too.

The written tutorial in pdf is available for everyone, as all of my written tutorials are available to everyone, on the Course 3 index page.

You may download Part 5 of the tags here for a limited time.



~~~~~~~~~~101 Goals in 1001 Days

Oh, I have been bad about updating my goals!
Someone laughed in a comment stating she wished she could skip some of her goals (because I skipped numbering). When there is a number missing, it is because that goal is accomplished and I have removed it.

14. Record more quick tips and a how to make tag template tutorial.
13. Start calling places to schedule a place and time for the first Digital Scrapbooking St. Louis Gathering.
12.Get Reunion Secretary and Treasurer paperwork done so I can hand it all over to someone else! Yeah!
8. Do a surprise kindness for someone.
6. Clear my dresser so I can actually see it again.
5. Extract more doodles hubby and Mason drew for me.
4. Organize personal paperwork and do other financial stuff

Tag Inspiration Part 4

Are you as excited to read this tutorial as I am to get it done! It's taking me forever to re-do. What seems a simple work is never so.

I only have a few more to create and hope to get this done tonight (before the chat -- are you coming?).

Hmm, I kind of had fun making these. I hope you have fun using them.

As always, the full download with all tags will be in the Subscriber Area.

Download

Designer Techniques - Chat Tonight with Andrea!

Dear readers, who has forgotten about this month's Designer Technique!?!!

It has been such a busy month with school starting and schedules getting back in place.

There is still time until the end of the month to get your layout for the challenge done. She has a freebie in the forum for you to use in the challenge, as well as prizes she's ready to give away!

Come and get to know Andrea of Boyersville Scraps tonight in the chatroom at 9 PM EST. She has a mini kit freebie for us called "Out of Bounds" and a coupon good for $1 off her new kit at Faith Sisters.

I know I enjoy meeting and getting to know the designers and other scrappers in the digi-community! Come and join us for some good 'ol get together chatt'n!






And don't forget the coupon she has given us!

Here is a coupon to utilize in any of my stores for 50% off your purchase!

Tag Tutorial Freebie - Part 3

Here's Part 3 of the Tag tutorials freebies!

I need to stop playing around with Adobe Bridge and trying to learn it and get back to my tag tutorial! There's a video of what I've learned so far about Adobe Bridge and tagging for scrappes in my forum. Sigh. Side-tracked again!

Always so much to learn in this great hobby --that' why I'm an addict!

Download

Born a Toaster

If God had meant me to pop out of bed in the morning, I'd have been born in a toaster.

If God Brings You To it

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Tag Tutorial Freebie - Part 2

As I continue to re-write the tag inspiration tutorial, you are benefiting from the freebies! Here is the next set. I am using the papers and colors from the September Designer Palette Challenge so that these will coordinate with what everyone else is making. I invite you to join us in making something with this color palette.

Download

Stay tuned for more of this collection tomorrow!

The whole collection will be available permanently in the Subscriber Area with the new tutorial and videos I am recording to go along with the tutorial.

Are you as anxious as I am to see the finished writing?

Have a wonderful day!

twitscoop.com

I find Twitscoop to be an informative site to visit (on the rare occassions I have time to surf the internet). Watch the tags update live before you eyes with the most active words being twittered.

It was really interesting to watch during the olympics.

Note the hot trends on twitter. Click on them to read what people are saying.




Hover the mouse over one of the tags to read how many times it has appeared in recent tweets. Click on the tag to read the recent tweets -- see what's going on in the world "right now!"







Search for words of interest to you. This is a great way to find other tweeters with similar interests to you.

Search for topics in the news to read other's opinions. With the election coming forth, this might be a way to become informed.

Many tweeters provide links to their blogs in their tweets, so this is another great way to find new blogs or sites to follow.

What a great way to be in-the-know!

How to Be a Godly Employee

How to Be a Godly Employee

(based on the 10 Commandments)

1. Trust in God only.

Trust in no one but GOD. People will disappoint you. God created you and has a wonderful plan for your life. He is too good to do wrong, and too wise to make a mistake. Let His peace abide in you. (Proverbs 3 :5-6)

2. Worship God only.

Don't make your career, your company, or your boss a god. If you do, you will provoke Him to jealously and will end up fighting Him. In fact, He may hinder you from achieving what you want until you are broken of the idolatry. (Exodus 20:5).

3. Use God's Name Reverently.

Don't swear!! Clean words come out of a clean heart! If your co-workers know that you are a Christian, but they hear the Lord's Name used in vain, or cursing and swearing from your mouth, you will give the appearance of being a hypocrite. (Matthew 15:17-19).

4. Work Six Days and Rest on the Seventh.

Before you beg for more vacation time, ask yourself a few questions, "Do you honor the Sabbath?" God has already given you 52 days of time off that equates to seven weeks. "Are your expectations for work, vacation, and retirement realistic?" By resting one day a week, you can avoid burnout. (Genesis 3:17-19).

5. Respect and Obey Your Boss.

You should respect and obey your boss, because you don't know what it's like to be in their shoes. Plus, your ultimate boss is the Lord. Serve Him faithfully on the job, and He will bless you. However, if your boss commands you to do something illegal or immoral, you must make a stand and obey God rather than man. (Ephesians 6:5-8).

6. Protect and Respect Human Life.

Emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual manipulation, abuses and violence have no place in the workplace... or any place. You do not have the right to use and abuse your boss, co-workers, employees, customers, or suppliers. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

7. Be True to Your Spouse.

If you are not getting the kind of attention that you feel you deserve at home, it's common to seek it with someone at work. Honor your wedding vows by avoiding company romances! They are very tempting, very real, and very common. They are also very wrong and very destructive. (Matthew 19:8-9).

8. Do Not Take What Belongs to Others.

Stealing at work can take many forms. You can choose to steal materials,money, time, productivity , and joy from your employer and others. Do not remove your integrity by stealing. (II Corinthians 7:1-2).

9. Do Not Lie About Others.

Do not fabricate stories about your boss, co-workers, and spread gossip for the sake of company politics. You are here to be the salt and the light, not the pepper and the darkness!! Truth always rises to the surface, and eventually you will be ashamed and rebuked if you lie. (II Peter 2: 10-13 ).

10. Be Satisfied With What You Have.

Contentment doesn't mean that you cannot pursue God-given goals, but it does mean that you are content with what He has provided you with, day after day. Contentment is a rare quality in today's culture, but it is extremely liberating! Materialism, striving for rank , backstabbing, and discontent lead to emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual bondage. (I Timothy 6:6-11 ).

Author Unknown

God Said

God Said

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I'm a
Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your
rescue?

If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went
through?

If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?

THANK YOU, GOD!

Author Unknown

Tag Tutorial Freebie - Part 1

I have been working on bringing back one of my first tutorials which was originally written in 2005. The graphics were horrible, so I am re-creating them.

I am excited about this tutorial and it will be a pdf written version available to everyone. The tutorial includes 25 bits of inspiration for using tags.

I thought that while I was creating the graphics, I would share the samples with everyone.

There are 25 tips, so I am separating this into 5 downoads for 5 days!

Download Part 1

Monday Mornings - A First Grade View

A co-worker forwarded this to me.

This is what her first grade daughter wrote on her dry erase board this morning about how she feels today.

I have to agree with her. Do you feel this way too?

A Love Story

A LOVE STORY

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived;Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left.

Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh....Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself."

Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way.

Love realizing how much he owed the elder, asked Knowledge, another elder. "Who helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because, only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

-- Author Unknown

Today's Laugh - Brian Regan - Little League

Someone shared this with my son and when I first started watching it, I was pulled in because, oh, yes, this is what I DID to my guys when they were little. Oh, what a bad mom I was to make them stand out there! Giggle

Here is Brian Regan's website. Maybe he's coming to a town near you.

It is refreshing to be watching his videos and find he uses clean language.

This guy is GOOD. You can find lots of videos of him on YouTube. Be careful! You will be easily distracted from doing the things you should be doing. Careful---don't go there! Okay, go ahead. Grab yourself a nice cold or warm drink of your choice and cuddle up with your laptop -- but! Don't laugh too hard!

Template #44 Freebie

I removed all templates to the Subscriber Area some time ago and quit giving them away for free on my blog; however, I'm trying to do a freebie a day on my blog for the entire month of September and need things to fill the days! So, here it is--for just a day or so!

All 44 templates are available in the Subscriber Area.

Download Rectangle.

Dowload Square

Nudge the Balance

NUDGE THE BALANCE

A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified life. When she met God, she asked Him something that had really bothered her for a very long time. "If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?"

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. It is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people and our relationships with God. This confused the woman, so God began to explain:

"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always what they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know what is in their hearts. Remove your own masks to let people know who you really are.

When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have. You never know when you might lose it. Never take your friends or family for granted, because today and sometimes only this very moment is the only guarantee you may have.

When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state is a very fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it's the one thing that you are sure to have forever.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, do not judge them by how they look or act, instead base it on the contents of what is in their hearts.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that the person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love, because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings you will make up for all of your past hurts. Times a thousand fold.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is often the most difficult and painful of life's experiences, but it is also the most courageous thing a person can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptations. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you
were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control."

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there are no lessons to be learned from man's good deeds. God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift He has. At the root of kindness and love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson. The woman's curiosity deepened. God, once again began to explain:

"When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity, honesty,humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence,consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness? Each one of us has the power over the balance of the love in the world. Use it wisely!"

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction!

Author Unknown

Yeah Kit - Paper Freebie

These 5 papers coordinate with the buttons that were previously given out. Stay tuned for more from this kit.

Of course, it will all be availalbe for download permanently in the Subscriber Area as a complete kit as soon as I get done creating it!

Join us in creating and sharing by posting in this thread. See what others have made so far this month...some cool stuff to coordinate!

Download

Juice Slush or Punch (with liquor)

I am not sure why it took me so long to make this as the summer is nearly over now, but my sister made a version of it at a recent family gathering and it reminded me of it. So, it being on my mind for the last few weeks, I finally got the ingredients and enjoyed my first glass-full!

There are several recipes out there for this, but I have adapted this to fit my tastes.

Some recipes have tea in them, but I could never taste the tea, and it was too much of a hassle to brew it, so I left that out. I suppose when the water is being brought to a boil in the first step, tea bags could be thrown in the water.

Also, I believe the original recipe calls for vodka, but I LOVE the taste of Amaretto, so I changed up the recipe to fit my tastes.

9 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 6 ox can frozen orange juice
1 6 ox can frozen lemonade
1 6 ox can frozen grape juice
2 cups Amaretto

Mix all of the ingredients until diluted and freeze (about 24 hours). I use a large ice cream container as it fits perfectly. However, this could be divided into several containers.

Scoop out the frozen mixture into a glass and pour 7-up or Sprite over. Watch as it magically turns to a slush! Spoon-straws are a wonderful addition.

I prefer to use cans of soda as this mix lasts for a long while and, therefore, with each new drink I make I have fresh bubbly soda.

This is also GREAT as a fruit punch! Freeze it in nicely shaped containers and put it in your punch bowl. Pour the soda over and wait! It does need to be done a bit ahead of time to allow it to become slush. However, doing it too soon will result in liquid only, but hey, it still tastes good!

Bible Bits - Week 5

Each Saturday, a new printable Bible Bits will be posted. Download it, print it, post it where your family gathers, talk about it, and pray about it with your family. Use it as a screen saver for the week.

Bible Bits are in this folder . Click to open the thumbnail. Under the thumbnail you will see a link entitled “get original uploaded photo.” Open that link up before right clicking to save it.




The Choice
Max Lucado

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23/New Living Translation

I choose peace.
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.


*******
Continuing this series from Max Lucado on Galations 22-23 is really making me think about how everything is a choice. We all have free will.

Isn't this photo so peaceful. My first thought was to find a photo of a waterfall as running water is so peaceful to me. However, lilypads calmly floating on still waters seemed to shout "peace" to me all the more.

We have the choice to forgive others and live in peace.

I know God's Word makes it sound so easy to forgive others. We forgive because He first forgave us. However, as a human being, full of sin, I have found it very hard to forgive at times, especially when the other person does not admit wrong-doing. It is a personal struggle we must all continually work through.

Can you imagine how peaceful the world would be if everyone forgave? There would be no wars. There would be no jealousy over who has more and who is not sharing. There would be no bitter attitudes and snipping at each other. There would be no festering hearts trying to hold back anger and keep the tongue, ready to explode. Bitterness, anger, and attitude would all be replaced with love.

What a wonderful world it would be.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Louis Armstrong
(George Weiss / Bob Thiele)

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah

A Standing Ovation

The children in Sunday School performed a song during service that they had been working on for weeks.

The harmony was wonderful and the kids' enthusiasm was contagious. When they finished, the congregation stood, applauding their efforts.

After the service, an eight-year-old ran up to his Mom excitedly, and exclaimed "Mom! Did you see that? We got a standing congregation!"

Scallop Edge Freebie - Part 2

I made a video tutorial on how to make these scallop edges, but it is in the Subscriber Area. Click here.

Subscribing in only $5.50 a month for over 150 videos and a bunch of freebies. You can read how to subscribe here. I will continue to add more freebies and videos each week as I have time.

These templates are already in the Subscriber Area, but I am offering them for a limited time here on my blog in two parts.

Download Part 2

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is out! I am going to take it for a text run. Are you going to join me?

What's new?

Tabbed Groups...sounds cool!

Quick Tabs --thumbnails of them all in a single window? Wow!

Streamlined interface - maximize the amount of area of the screen you display! Now this could be beneficial!

Advanced Printing - Scale webpages for printing

Instant Search box

Favorites Center

RSS Feeds

Page Zooms

I'm just going to have to play to see, rather than read How about you!

Never Alone

NEVER ALONE

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad takes him into the forest..blindfolded ...and leaves him....alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night..he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.

The boy was terrified... could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth... And it shook his stump. But he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night..the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father..sitting on the stump next to him...at watch... the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us.

All we have to do is reach out to Him.

-- Author Unknown

Scallop Edge Freebie - Part 1

I made a video tutorial on how to make these scallop edges, but it is in the Subscriber Area. Click here.

Subscribing in only $5.50 a month for over 150 videos and a bunch of freebies. You can read how to subscribe here. I will continue to add more freebies and videos each week as I have time.

These templates are already in the Subscriber Area, but I am offering them for a limited time here on my blog in two parts.

Download Part 1

New Site ! -- Digital Scrapbooking 101

Kayla Lamoreaux has created this awesome site called Digiscrap 101! I have been playing around there for a few days and am impressed with the interface. Kayla calls it the "Facebook of Digital Scrapbooking" as you are able to invite others to be your friends.

Kayla also has an awesome blog called The Legacy Lady. I have been a subscriber to it for a long time and highly recommend it too!

There is a forum to ask questions, groups to join, videos to watch (or upload your own), gallery, and so much more!

I did add a few of my videos and plan to add more as I have time.


View my page on Digital Scrapbooking 101


If you enjoy adding blinkies to your signature lines and blogs, be sure to grab the Digital Scrapbooking 101 code! She has several available to choose from.

This is is a free site -- no hidden agendas! I can see it really going places and encourage you to join and cruise about to get to know the site better.

What an awesome person Kayla is with a big heart! Kayla wrote to me:

We are so much alike! I had grand plans to do paid classes but then I started thinking about what I am REALLY supposed to do and I realized that by opening it up to lots of people I would be sharing the joy of digital with so many more people. That brings me more joy than the small amount of money I would make trying to sell my classes - plus the community is a lot of fun and it is so cool to see people coming on and making it their own!

That said I still have bandwidth costs and site costs but hopefully with a few advertisers I will be able to almost cover those costs eventually. You know how it goes - my husband calls me the digital evangelist and my site the digital mission - lol.

I look at it this way - I am passionate about sharing my stories and the more people we help learn how to digitally scrapbook, the more families will have stories of the people they love - you can't buy that!

New Site - Pen Scrappers

Pen Scrappers is a new site running a contest to win a Bamboo Tablet. I may submit a layout. I'm not sure yet. Those with the most votes win fun stuff, including a kitchen sink (not available in the lower 7 continents).

I do not have a tablet, so this would be a nice thing for me to win.

There are some big name scrappers associated with the site! Click on their images to be taken to a page where you can watch a video with ideas on how to use the tablet in layouts. Lots of great stuff to see!

Video Click - Remind Me

Remind Me

Hummie's Yeah Buttons Part 5 Freebie

I've got a goal for a freebie a day for a whole month, so I divided these buttons up into 5 downloads (available for a short time on my blog and as a whole download in the Subscriber Area permanently).

Download Part 5

This is for the Designer Color Challenge in the forums. You can check back to see what others create and join us in creating and sharing yourself! I have plans for more to go with these buttons.

Neal E. Boyd - America's Got Talent

Okay. I admit it. I cried.

Neal is from Sikeston, Missouri--my neck of the woods of Southeast Missouri. Naturally, I was rooting for him to be win before I ever listened to him. To my wonderful surprise, he is totally awesome!

Sikeston, Missouri, is well known as the home of the throwed rolls at Lambert's Cafe. People come from far and wide to eat there just have have rolls thrown at them! It is great fun.

I found that Neal has his own website! Sheryl Crow is also from Southeast Missouri.

I just wanted to know what the song was and where he got it from. It made me cry. What mother wouldn't want their child speaking these words to them!

Artist: Il Divo
Album: Il Divo
Title: Mama
Year: 2004

Lyrics to Mama :
Mama, thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times I forgot

Mama remember all my life
You showed me love, you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed along the way [along the way]

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, yeah I miss you

Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong, Dry your eyes [dry your eyes]

Cause I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you, I miss you

Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed along the way [along the way]

Cause I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, Mama






I have never heard this song before! I love it. Listen to it in the full version.

Don't get lost at YouTube watching Il Divo videos! Wow! These guys are not only handsome, but talented! Their songs will all send you into one of those sentimental, sappy moments. I think I need to get their CD!

Quick Tip #26 - Center & Align Keyboard Shortcuts

Tired of using that mouse? What are the keyboard shortcuts for centering and aligning text to the right or left?

A Parable of an Aging Brain

Lord, help. I need a referral. I need a geek!

( a parable of an aging brain)



Lord, my hard drive isn’t working properly.

When I try to access a file created last week,

My hard drive gives me a file created 15 years ago instead.

And my hard drive refuses to de-fragment anymore.

When I try to put a name and face together,

My drive gives me only a list to choose from.

And my hard drive randomly drops information.

When I went into my study to get something,

It lost the information about what I was after.

And my hard drive won’t shut down.

When I seek solitude and quiet,

My hard drive speeds up, spitting out all

shorts of stuff I don’t want to access.



....Except

....when...

...it gets slower ...

... and slower....

...and screeches....

...and sto

Hummie's Yeah Buttons Part 4 Freebie

I've got a goal for a freebie a day for a whole month, so I divided these buttons up into 5 downloads (available for a short time on my blog and as a whole download in the Subscriber Area permanently).

Download Part 4

This is for the Designer Color Challenge in the forums. You can check back to see what others create and join us in creating and sharing yourself! I have plans for more to go with these buttons.