Guest Post by Lisa West - Faithbooking!

Hello Divas,

Luisa here...  Today am excited to share another Guest Post from Lisa West.  This is a Faithbooking post and is amazing.

You can see more creations from Lisa at her blog: Letters and Lace!!!

Thanks Lisa for being these wonderful posts...

Let's move onto Lisa's post!

Psalms 139: 13-16 is the opening page (8x8) for my first Faithbook. The theme, You Are Who You are For a Reason, continues throughout this book with every page.  The last blog post (in Feb.) for 

Faithbooking with the CSD 's shows the inspiration and some ideas for completing an 8x8 book carrying this same theme.

My inspiration for these awesome paper flowers came from Lisa at What A Beautiful Mess. I honestly have been referring to her flowers and flourishes for a while because they are so AWESOME! These pink flowers were stamped, cut out, and sprayed with water to crinkle up. After drying I inked and painted with Glossy Accents which also holds the jewels in the center. Metallic gold edges the flowers.

The little gold metal flowers are ornament tops flattened with a jewel placed in the center. I then handcut a few leafy vines from patterned paper to surround the yellow glittered flourishes.

This finishes my first complete Faithbook. I hope it was an inspiration to you.

Hugs and Blessings,

Lisa West!!!

Special guest Post from Lisa West - Faithbooking

Hello Divas,  Luisa here.

It is my pleasure today to present you a post written by a very Special Diva, our Lisa West.  Lisa is a very creative and talented Diva that has been a follower of CSDivas for a while. 

She has graciously offer to do a post for us about Faithbooking.  (Am working in convincing her to do a monthly post with us, ssshhhh is a secret!!!).

Here is Lisa's guest post:

I finally had a chance to check out several Faithbooks created by a Creative Memories consultant friend of mine. I have used verses and quotes in the past within my pages but I have never designed an entire scrapbook specifically for the sake of the inspirational message. The book is designed around the quotes instead of the pictures. This makes it really fun to match up any picture you feel coordinates with the quote for that page.

You start with a smaller book, I used an 8x8, and one pack of pages if you are using the Creative Memories book.

There are several quotes, books or messages you can design your Faithbook around. Here are the directions to the one I just recently finished.

The first page is for centering Psalm 139:13-16 with some special embellishments. I chose not to include a picture on this page.

Then there are 21 lines therefore, 21 pages... not including your first page with Psalm 139:13-16.

The first full lay-out starts the 20 lines of quotes. It works out perfectly as the backside of the last page, number 21, is for the author's name with another picture of your choice.

Here are the 20 lines. See below for my examples of how to incorporate them into the lay-outs.

You are who you are for a reason

You're part of an intricate plan

You're a precious and perfect unique design

Called "God's special woman or man"

You look like you look for a reason

Our god made no mistake

He knit you together within the womb

You're just what He wanted to make!

The parents you had were the ones He chose

And no matter how you feel

They were custom designed with Gods plan in mind

And they bear the Master's seal

No, that trauma you faced was not easy

And God wept that it hurt you so

But it was allowed to shape our heart

So that into His likeness you'd grow

You are who you are for a reason

You've been formed by the Master's rod

You are who you are beloved,

Because there is a God!

by Russell Kelfer

Here are a few examples:

I kept the pages simple and didn't do any "wallpapering". I didn't want to take away from the point of the book. This lay-out above has pre-made frames but none of other pics had matting. Simple.

The last page

This scrapbook is for my 10yr old. I'm in the process of starting another for my 8yr old using a different message. I will share it with you hopefully by Easter.

Another idea for you...Max Lucado has a children's book, "Just in Case You Ever Wonder", this concept could be created on. It starts out "Long long ago, God made a decision"..."He made the decision to make you". What a special little book that would make.

Lisa West

I know you enjoyed this guest post by Lisa West.  Please lets show her how much we like her special contribution to our blog.

Thanks Lisa for being so suportive of CSDivas!  You know that at CSDivas we do this because we love to share ideas, get inspired and meet great persons like you!

You can visit Lisa's blog here: http://lettersandlace.blogspot.com/.

Hugs and blessings,

Cookin' and Cookbookin': Tip of the Week, Food Holidays

Hi folks!
Wanted to share this tip with you... Cooking Tip of the Day blog has wonderful ideas daily to spice up your weekly meals. I've found new ideas about how to photograph my family recipes for scrapping, how to present the recipe and ingredient information in new ways, and lots of yummy new recipes that may soon become family favorites!
Check out http://cookingtipoftheday.blogspot.com/.

On this site, I found a lot of new scrappy ideas--food holidays!
For example, here's the info for October 2011:

Eat Better, Eat Healthier Month
Eat Country Ham Month
National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Cookie Month
National Dessert Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Festival Month
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month
Vegetarian Awareness Month
No Salt Week 1st Week
National Chili Week 1st Week
American Beer Week 2nd Week
National Food Bank Week 2nd Week
National School Lunch Week 2nd Week
National Pasta Week 2nd Week
National Kraut Sandwich Week 3rd Week
Pickled Peppers Week 3rd Week
Chicken Soup for the Soul Week 4th Week
National Desert Day Second Thursday
Sweetest Day Third Saturday
World Vegetarian Day October 1
Pudding Season Begins October 1
Homemade Cookies Day October 1
National Fried Scallops Day October 2
National Caramel Custard Day October 3
National Taco Day October 4
National Vodka Day October 4
Cinnamon Roll Day [Sweden] October 4
National Apple Betty Day October 5
National Noodle Day October 6
National Frappe Day October 7
National Fluffernutter Day October 8
Moldy Cheese Day October 9
Submarine-Hoagy-Hero-Grinder Day October 9
National Angel Food Cake Day October 10
National Sausage Pizza Day October 11
World Egg Day October 11
National Gumbo Day October 12
National Yorkshire Pudding Day October 13
National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day October 14
National Chicken Cacciatore Day October 15
National Roast Pheasant Day October 15
World Food Day October 16
National Liqueur Day October 16
National Pasta Day October 17
Four Prunes Day October 17
National Chocolate Cupcake Day October 18
National Seafood Bisque Day October 19
National Brandied Fruit Day October 20
Apple Day October 21
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day October 21
Caramel Apple Day October 21
National Nut Day October 22
National Boston Cream Pie Day October 23
National Canning Day October 23
National Bologna Day October 24
Good and Plenty Day October 24
National Greasy Foods Day October 25
Pumpkin Day October 26
Pretzel Day October 26
Mince Meat Pie Day October 26
National Potato Day October 27
National Chocolate Day October 28
Wild Foods Day October 28
National Oatmeal Day October 29
National Candy Corn Day October 30
Buy a Doughnut Day October 30
National Candy Apple Day October 31
Trick or Treat for UNICEF Day October 31

Be Still....

This is Pammie Kay and I am going to be leading you on your  faith booking journey. I want to talk about something, before I begin.
   I am a Christian, have been all my life.  I love God with all my heart.  That said, I want to say that I realize that not everyone is.  It is my hope that these posts will not alienate any of our Divas or cause you not to be part of our group.  Faith is a broad word in the secular world and can be interpreted in many ways.  I pray that in the spirit of scrap booking...you will continue to share your layouts...even in this area.
   Ok, onward!!
    I must apologize for my not being prepared with photos...I am in Oklahoma with my family and left my flash drive on the desk!  But I will give you the prompt for this week and follow it up with pictures as soon as possible.
   The other day,I was hurried to get things done...layouts, projects, dinner, laundry...you know how it is.  All of a sudden, the the thought, "Be still"  entered my mind  I know it was a message that God needed me to hear.."Be still..and know I am God".  Things would get done..in the order He wanted it done.
   So the prompt today is "Be Still". What does that mean to you? I  will say that my layout is about the place I love to be still in.  Use your heart and take it where you where it will. 
   I can't wait to see what you create.
Pammie Kay

Cookbooking: Fancy Holders

Of course my tip is cookin' and cookbookin' related this week... making pocket holders to contain your recipe cards!

I made a pocket card to hold my recipe cards with Jillibean Soup papers. I used an EK success scallop punch for the border. Since I didn't have room to adhere my sides down, I wrapped matching Offray ribbon all the way around the card, brought it up through 2 holes in the front, and tied it down. Since the ribbon lets it expand, there is room for 10 cards. Voila!

This makes a nice gift for a friend--they can toss it in their pocketbook along with coupons, and take it to the grocery when they are shopping for the weekly menus!

I put a ribbon pull-tab on my sample recipe card, makes it easy to pull in and out of the holder. You can see I kept it quite flat so that it would not take up space when empty--waiting for all those yummy family recipes to be placed inside.

Happy scrapping!

Faithbooking Events

This is the week for faithbooking, lol!!!!  We have an awesome faithbook challenge from Vanessa, which you can find HERE.  Entries are due by Friday, midnight!

For today's post, I want to share with you the idea of scrap booking special church/faith events.  Some great ideas to add to you faithbook are weddings layouts, memory of loved ones, baptisms, dedications, vacation Bible school, mission trips, church picnics,Sunday school etc.  The list goes on and on.

I think it is very cool to see my kids as they grow up in church.  I have scrapbooked VBS, missionettes, dedications, etc.  Here are the layouts from my oldest's dedication at a couple of weeks old.  I used a family photo of that day, a photo with the pastor and her first professional photo in her dedication dress.  I also found paper that matched her dress and the very pretty scripture sayings are stickers. (my handwriting is just plain horrible, lol)

Hope this gives you some inspiration!  We would like to see what you have done too.  Please leave your link in the comments so we can come visit and for the chance to be showcased on Saturday, love those Diva Snaps!!!

Cookbooking: Recipe Cards

Alecia here...
Tired of the same old look of the 4x6 recipe card? Then create your own, and customize the size! For example, see the shapes and colors of the recipe cards on my layouts below? Not your everyday black and white. If you want a new way to break up the monotony of page design for your heritage cookbooks, try these recipe card styles.

* Jillibean Soup offers smaller recipe cards with some lines, perfect for layouts
* try using journaling tags! jot down the ingredients and add to the mix
* want to document a school lunchbag favorite? try a library card for your recipe!
* recording a perfect birthday cake recipe? use half of a birthday card for your cake

Your cookbooking layouts don't have to feel monotonous. Hope some of these tips inspire you to start or add to your family heritage recipe book today!

*use Thickers to title a homemade cardstock recipe card










*create a recipe card from patterned paper, and hide it within a flap








*use the recipe cut from the packaging! add some zip to your scrapbooks and fess up if you've ever used a manufacture's suggested recipe

What is Faithbooking?

Hi Divas, Luisa here!!!  Am writing todays post instead of Vanessa! 

I decided to write this post, basically to help me clarify what Faithbooking is and what route to take in this regards.  Hope it helps you too!!!

My first question is: What is FAITH BOOKING?
Searching the internet I found these definitions:

• Faithbooking is about finding God's fingerprints on your life and journaling and scrapbooking those moments!
• Faithbooking is an important part of scrap booking your heritage!
• Faithbooking the focus is on our spiritual journey and the faith heritage that we want those who come behind us to remember about us!
• Faithbooking, in simple terms, is putting the face of God on our scrapbook pages!
• Faithbooking is simply incorporating our beliefs and experiences with God with the memories we leave for our children (and children’s children) through scrap booking.

Second question:  Why I should create a Faithbook?  Here is a pretty good answer:

• Creating a spiritual scrapbook or Faithbook provides a visible reminder of all that God has done for your family.
• And I think it is a great way to document our Faith for future generations.  Am sure they will love to know this information about us.

Third question:  Do I need to create a 100% dedicated album to Faithbooking? 

Not really!  We can start by doing some layouts about our Faith. OR We can start by adding faith to our pages!  Which can be done in many different ways through titles, scripture stickers and tags, or journaling blocks.  We can incorporate our faith by adding scripture verses to layouts of life activities or special events.

Fourth question:  Where should I start?
What I decided for me is the following: 
1) I will follow Vanessa Challenges Prompts and Ideas to create Layouts about my Faith.
2) Will also work in incorporate scriptures into my layouts more often.

What about you?  Share with us if you are incorporating your Faith in your layouts? 

Hugs and blessing your way!

Cookbooking: Handy Pockets!

Alecia here...
Want a nifty way to include a recipe on your food layout page _without_ using adhesive on the recipe card? KI Memories has neat little pockets in two sizes that allow you to attach the decorative pocket to your scrapped page, and tuck in the recipe for easy use and removal!