Focus on Hope

March. Maddening March!  The edge of season's change. Longer days. Snow recedes. Flies wake up and buzz in the windows. Boots get muddy. Robin and I are both more irritable than normal. Plans are made for "this year." This year, we will have chickens (and eggs presumably) This year we will raise our own pork. This year we will clean up the entrance to the yard and make it more welcoming. This year the old tractor will get fixed. This year the garden will be kept weed free. This year the lawn mowing will not get ahead of us...........hahahahaha. So much ambition. Nothing to do but wait until it warms up and dries up. March is all about hope.
Meanwhile we have both taken a step towards spring. Robin planted some tomato seeds. He is not an expert at it and has been told by someone that is that it is almost a worthless endeavor. "House grown seedlings are leggy and weak." "Just wait until May and you can get a dozen healthy plants for less than you are spending on seed, soil, tray and cover. "
He has a few sprouts. I tried to encourage him by showing him how they can be at a cool window for more light in the day time but want to be covered and sitting away from cold window at night. He is choosing to grow them...his way.
So what's a wife to do, other than step-up and start her own tomatoes? Beginning with a three year old seed package. (My dh is kind of  obstinate about "fresh" seeds). Grabbed a seedling container from last year, a cup or so of the seedling soil and a plastic veggie bag; they are currently sitting in a south (warm) window until they come up. Then they will have to be moved to an optimum spot several times a day, until they have true leaves, at which time they'll be transplanted into individual pots.
Having acquired three little "grow your own tree" kits, we have decided to give them a go. One kit was American Elm, the other two are mystery trees. I am really excited to see if anything comes of these.
You will laugh at with me when I tell you that instead of growing everything I can get my hands on, as we did at the last garden, it is now my goal to focus only on peonies and trees. And on a wildflower garden. And on heritage perennials. And.....and....and......

 The Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog threw us a wonderful curve ball this month. The kit to copy has no patterned paper in it. NONE! 

 It is a "click" story kit by Ali Edwards.

As a traditional scrapper, I wondered what our mentors thought we were supposed to do with this? Scrapbook without paper? As usual the Master Forger's Blog Hop, gave ample ideas in several directions. I chose to embrace the pocket card aspect and pulled from my one Project Live collection, Some CTMH pocket cards I haven't even opened, and a bunch of pocket cards I made in 2014. Back then, when I got to the end of a kit, I would cut down left over pp, into 4x6 and 3x4 and clip the corners. It was my method to "kill the kit" (embellies were returned to the stash) This might be an idea I need to revisit soon. Or I will be singing "Ninety-nine counterfeit kits on the wall. Ninety-nine counterfeit kits!" to the tune of 99 Bottles of Beer.  Ok, I am only at ten kits on the wall, so not that bad.

As a way to incorporate lots of these cards into layouts, I will be drawing on design ideas from Scrapbook Generation. I have one sketch idea book of theirs that shows multiple photos on two-page layouts. Looking at the sketches it is easy to consider substituting cards for the photos. Also I have an on-line course of theirs, with advice for using 6x6 paper. My first layout, I cut up 6x6 sheet into strips to create 12" strips. I have the story down. I have yet to take the picture. Also I want to add a fox embellishments (perhaps a stamp) before completion but I share it here to give you the idea of the direction I will go with this. 

But what's in the kit, you ask?
Sorry, I got ahead of myself. This month's kit has all the loopy words I could gather. The stash had a real shortage of that clover leaf green. The one pennant with ribbon was spot on.  I will try to add it in more with ink/stamps.  I will choose from my 6x6 pads as the need arises.

 Rub-ons, a new Sizzex (from LSS closing in Edmonton, boo-hoo) My grey letters like the blue ones were camera shy and hid on me when I was working on these photos.

 Heidi Swapp stencils offer more opportunities for loopy words.

 The little bread pan, holds the many pocket cards I have to work with this month. The punch is to weave ribbon through.

And there you have it. March's kit: Focus on Hope. Thanks for stopping by. Double thanks for comments.

Focus on Joy Round up and Review

Hello dear reader. Here we are together once again. It is time to share the productivity of the kit I made in February. You can read about how I made this kit here.

 Love this View needs some journaling about the tractor on that pull out card.

 Aiming for monochromatic. Lots of textures provide interest. Think of Black and White movies, shadows, lighting and smoke rising form the cigarette of the private investigator.

 Instead of a card, Robin gets a layout for Valentine's Day. Private note on tag.

 A Grandparent's house is where cousins become friends. Splashed too much black ink on the cardstock, before I began, but you would never know it.

The kit is about half done. On the shelf it goes with the others. By the way, I found a way to organize my kit hoard. By printing out a 3x4 picture of each kit, and applying to box, it is easier to recognize which kit I am wanting to work with.

And at the desk, now these cards help coordinate photos to kits.

I am so blessed to have so many creative possibilities at my fingertips.

Thanks for stopping by. Double thanks for comments.