Manufacturer Challenges

Between yesterday and today I completed two layouts.  The first one is for the Creative Imaginations June Sketch Layout Contest.  I used Creative Imaginations papers from the Christine Adolph Oceana line, felt border by Queen & Co. and felt fishies from Michael's.  Brads and photo turns are from my stash.  The photos are more from our trip to Antigua.  We took a catamaran excursion where John did a lot of snorkeling while I enjoyed the free-flowing Rum punch on the boat!  After snorkeling, we pulled up to a lovely beach where we had a lovely BBQ lunch and a performance by an incredible Limbo Dancer.  It was a GREAT day!

This layout was a tough one for me.  Its the first layout I have done that had a photo of Michael on it since he passed away.  As happy as I am right now....I have a wonderful man in my life now, my kids are terrific, sometimes I think I will never get through the grieving process.  Its been several years already but every once in a while I am dragged right back to that horrible day when I was faced with something that nobody should ever have to do....I had to tell my children that their father was gone.  Michael and I were separated at the time of his death but he was still my best friend.  He had a terrible time with alchoholism and I just couldn't live like that anymore.  I miss him so much. He was a wonderful father and it hurts me so much to see my kids growing up and knowing how much he is missing.  As I put in my journaling, I can only hope that Heaven really is a better place because its really hard to live here without him in our lives.

I did this layout for the My Minds Eye Challenge.  The theme is "Remember" and there is a sketch to follow and the layout must contain 80% MME products.  I used the OOH, LA LA line.  The journaling card is from the So Sophie line but I cut off the trim that did not match!  This layout has a lot of meaning to me. The three butterflies that are flying out of the broken heart symbolize my three kids.  They will always remember their Dad but they are spreading their wings and soaring despite the lousy hand they have been dealt at such a young age.

This was very emotional for me today, especially considering Father's Day is this Sunday.  So I think that I will take a break from scrapping, get some housework done and then pick the kids up from school and do a little shopping!  I am sure I will be back tonight as I HOPE to get some scrappy time later on!