Embellishments galore!

I am glad you stopped by! Are you liking the blog makeover??? I picked but I cannot take credit for putting it together! My firstborn (pictured here) did for me! Which reminds me, I need your help!!! I keep calling her firstborn for her safety - I don't really want to put our kids names out there in cyberspace - I'm sure you can understand! I have nicknames for the little ones (if you scroll all the way down on the page you can see our family names) but I haven't come up with names for my two oldest! As you can see she is quite lovely. She is also smart, silly, funny, studious, outgoing and a bit feisty! ( I don't know where she gets that from!)


That's where YOU come in! I need some nickname suggestions for her and for my oldest son please! Here he is, a layout you may have seen before...

He is friendly, outgoing, smart, a leader and strong willed!

Any ideas? Leave them in the comment section! Now back to the first layout...

Another close up so you can see all the pretty florals and embellishments! All my favorites are here - Prima, Stickles and Kaiser. I love this paper! I was in a scrapbook shop, it was on the very bottom shelf and there was only one piece left! I had to have it, it is from Urban Lily. Perfect for my firstborn!

Here is the completed layout. The journal is from the song "The words I would say" by Sidewalk Prophets. Perfect for a graduating senior! (Click on it to make it bigger.)

I want to share another layout from the Generosity kit at Scrapbooking From The Inside Out! Can you tell I am really into flowers right now!!! Prima of course- except with the flower underneath the burnt orange I cut that one out! Lucky for me there are plenty in the kit! Here's another look...
The journal...

This part is also from a song. "How He loves" by David Crowder Band. This is my favorite song right now! I love what it says! You can hear it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAk . If you do, just listen to the words the video is actually distracting form the song. The words and metaphors in this song are amazing. Go listen after you read my post! LOL! Here is the hidden journaling behind the photo...

It says

"It is overwhelming to me that I could be lovable to someone who sees ALL my flaws – even my thoughts. How could God love us when He sees is our constant rebellion- even in our hearts. I am amazed by His generous Grace and tolerance. I am thankful that He always forgives and continues to love us even when we make stupid choices."

More details...

This flower was white. I sprayed it with Moon Glo spray, Stickled the edges and added Glossy Accents for the water drops. The center is Prima as well. And the finished result...

Thanks for stopping by and please come back Friday evening!!! I am participating in a blog hop with Scrapbooking News and Review that actually starts here
http://www.scrapbooknewsandreview.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100783 There are going to be some huge prizes!!! Have a good night! Or day depending on when and where you are when you read this!

Fabulous Friday - Not Forgotten

Gone for a bit but now I'm back! Gotta love when hubby says pack the kids we're going out of town! 5 days of fun on the road - did I mention kids and 8 1/2 hours driving time?! But I digress, no, really, it was a good time!

Here is another layout from the "Generosity" kit at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out! In thinking about this theme I remembered something that happened to me last Christmas and it was perfect for this months theme...Definitely worth the read!
Here's the journal up close...

God never forgets His people. I admit I can get frustrated by life and lose my perspective. This was one of those times…I had a solo in a Christmas Program. In addition to this my hubby and I direct a youth choir and drama team and teach a Sunday school class. Many times the team is a full time job, only we volunteer to do it. We love doing it and we love the kids. Certain times of the year we run 24/7. At this time I was tired, frustrated, feeling unappreciated and doing things out of obligation.


When the production was over, a lady from the audience came to talk to me. She said that a guy sitting next to her handed her this money and asked her to give it to me. She said that God told him to empty his wallet when I was singing my song and to give me whatever he had! I tried to give it back as she hands me this wad of bills. She said I can’t take it back because he left and she didn’t know the guy! She said she was just happy to be the messenger; he didn’t want to be identified.


I didn’t know what to say except thank you. I was in shock. I waited until I got into the car to tell my hubby; he couldn’t believe it either! He asks me much money was there. I had not counted it… When I did count it, there was $540.00!!!!
Sometimes we look to man to fulfill us and meet our needs. God has shown us time and time again that He always meets our needs. He knows when we need a quick reminder of who He is and how He loves us.
I love cutting things to make them pop just a little. I used chalk and then copper Stickles for those flowers on the right. Can you tell I just got a new border punch! (Martha Stewart) The paper is from SEI, the Moraiva collection. The cardstock is Co ordinations.

On this fabulous Friday I would like to give you five:

Five things I am thankful for
1. That I am saved
2. My family
3. My friends
4. The generosity of others
5. Music and scrapbooking (OK, that's six... shh don't tell anyone)


Five things I love
1. God
2. My family
3. My friends
4. Music
5. Scrapbooking

hmmm...that wasn't much different..Interesting.

Well, I've got something up my sleeve for Monday and I may need your help so don't forget to check back! Meanwhile maybe you could leave me five things you are thankful for! Awesome!
Have a great weekend!

Winners! November Adoption Awareness Month

October just flew by so quickly! Here we are into November and I know you are just dying to find out who won my Scraptoberfest Giveaway!!! I hope that you were blessed by what you read. I read alot of your blogs and really got to know some of you, some of your comments were so sweet and I wanted to say thank you again. I could only pick 5 winners but I wanted to share with you first.

This is one of my boys and if you are familiar with me or my blog you know that he truly is a miracle. This months theme at Scrapbooking From The Inside Out is "Generosity". This layout is dedicated to all the people that have been a tremendous help with our little guy. People that have been more than generous with their time efforts and hearts.

Here is the journal.
On this day I choose to thank God for all the amazing people in your life. People that have helped you become the awesome person you are; Occupational therapist, Speech therapists, Teachers, aides, Counselors, Doctors, Social workers, Sunday school teachers, friends who have become like family. These people have loved you unconditionally, not given up on you and helped you grow. These people have been a blessing to you and you have been a blessing to them. We are thankful that there have been others who have seen in you what we do - a miracle in progress.

I used chalks and inks to match the rest of the layout; everything else is from the Generosity kit.

November is National Adoption Awareness month. We have been blessed by adopting three times. Raising kids is hard, no matter how they come into your life - so even if you can't take in a child am sure that there is a family who could use your help. I don't where I would be if we had not been blessed with so many people who have loved our kids as much as we do. Just something to think about...

SO what you have been waiting for....if the winners would email me their address' I will happily mail out their packages!!! My email is rbarakatmusic@hotmail.com. And the winners...

5)Suzanne from Oh Scrappy Day-Letters and flowers package
4)Pamela from Pams Eclectic Stuff-mini book boy
3)Mustangkayla Dream Believe Imagine- mini book girl
2)Heidi S from Pencils and paper-card kit – glitter, ribbon and stamp set
and the Xyron Design Runner goes to....................................
1)Michelle from I luv scrapping!!!!!!!

also Holly @504Main Can you send me your addy? Gonna send you a little something too!

Congrats ladies and if you didn't win keep checking back you never know when I'll have another giveaway!!

Scraptoberfest Give Away! 2 days left to enter! Senior pics

Isn't she lovely?? Yep that my oldest and she is a senior this year! I can't believe how quickly the time goes by! I combined two cool albums (the acete mix and match and the chipboard mix and match album in black) from Creative Cuts to make my daughter an album of all those pictures we took to get the one she used for her senior yearbook. The flowers are Primas. The centers are Kaiser. The numbers are Thickers that have been altered with alcohol inks. This is actually the cover. I used acete flowers from Creative Cuts and More. I made this color with alcohol inks. Added a little Prima flourish, Heidi Swapp bling and the ribbon and center( I don't remember who makes these sorry!) I used a mask here - adhered it to the acete and used a different color combo of alcohol inks. (Love that stuff!) Tied a little lace around her pic and added a little heart I found in the wedding section at Michaels.
I took the edge of another page to form this decorative shape around my photo with Kaiser rhinestones. The flower center is a cute little Prima heart, inked and covered with Glossy Accents. The circle bling is from Heidi Swapp. I used three different alcohol inks to get the colors on the acete flower. The purple bling is from Basic Grey.

The purple flourish here is Prima, the flowers are from Creative Imaginations. I made the butterflies with a small punch. I used acete packaging and colored them with alcohol inks. (Did I mention I really am liking those alcohol inks! LOL!)
Another Prima flourish. Another butterfly.The letters for "SENIOR" were originally raw chipboard. I used brown, black and purple inks all over the letters. When they were dry I used Glossy Accents on top to give it that glazed look.
Here I used lace (Spare Parts), ribbon, Prima flowers and Heidi Swapp bling. I've had those little metal letters forever, I don't remember who made them.
The dots here are Stickles, ribbon Creative Imaginations and?? Prima flower. I really loved doing this cute little album. I made it for her but oh it's going to hard to part with it! I can't believe she's all grown up!

SO have you entered my giveaway? the last day to enter is the 31st!!! Details here http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/2009/10/give-away-pics-scraptoberfest-part-iii.html

I will announce winners on the 1st! But I am a church going kinda gal so it'll be late!

Thanks for stoppin by!

Scraptoberfest Give Away! 6 days left!

Welcome friends. I love decorating and having friends over and when they do come I want everything to look nice. I want to be a good hostess so my friends will be comfortable and enjoy their stay. ( After all it is a crazy full house with 5 kids!)

I used leftover scraps and these die cut pumpkins from Creative Cuts. ( http://creativecutsandmore.com/ ) I misted them with Moon Glow and drew the lines and stem with a marker. I covered the entire thing with glossy accents and microbeads. I used different diecuts (cardstock & chipboard) and they look the same but the cardstock die cuts were more flexable and the chipboard was more sturdy.

A close up...

I made this basket after reading this post on another blog. I loved what they said about hospitality,

"As Christians we are admonished to "practice hospitality" – to be "given over" to it (Romans 12:13; I Timothy 5:10). Our homes should be filled with warmth, generosity and hospitality toward others. It should be an inviting haven where people see the Gospel played out in our daily lives. The phrase, "make them feel at home", means just that: make them feel just like they would if they were at their own home!"

You can read more about it here:http://www.handprintsonthewall.org/2008/03/04/hospitality-series-making-a-guest-toiletry-basket/

This is what I put in my basket, but the possiblilites are endless. A friend of mine likes to stay at hotels and loves teas so I had the hotel put a basket full of teas in her as a surprize! It made her day!

Ok changing the subject! Look at this pretty stuff! I know it's just a sneak peek but I had to do it because the November kit I am working with right now for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out is gorgeous!!!! (http://www.scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.com/) I am having so much fun with this stuff but I can't show it all to you until Nov 1st! SO you will have to come back then! Besides November 1st will be the day I reveal who won all the great Scraptoberfest goodies( http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/2009/10/give-away-pics-scraptoberfest-part-iii.html ) I am giving away and you don't want to miss that!!!! You still have 6 days to enter!!! Well that's it for tonight! I have really enjoyed looking at all your wonderful blogs! I've made some new friends and learned new things about old ones! You have been so kind, I thank you for all your sweet comments!

Scraptoberfest Give Away! 10 days left!

October 22 ALREADY? Wow I can't believe how times flies. It seems like yesterday I started this blog and it has been 10 months. And you have 10 days left to enter my giveaway!!!!

Details here : http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/2009/10/give-away-pics-scraptoberfest-part-iii.html

Well it's October, time to start thinking about Christmas! "What?" you say...Oh yes Christmas, if you are going to make something. And you are going to make something aren't you? I mean really who doesn't love a present from someone who cared enough to make something special just for them? Well we all get pretty busy around the holidays and I am no exception! As a matter of fact I have LOTS on my plate! (hmmm...that reminds of another layout I need to make.)But I digress...

Christmas beauties! I love when you give someone something and they say "Wow you made this?"(with exclamation!) You know whats nice about these? All you have to do is fold and decorate!!! No cutting or figuring out sizes, just the fun part- decorating! How could I resist these cute little die cuts from Creative Cuts and More! http://creativecutsandmore.com/ Inexpensive too- 75cents! Can't beat that! Here are some close ups... A little take out box. I embossed it with my Cuttlebug, added some scraps, ribbon, flowers and a butterfly(broken piece of my daughters barrette.)

I embossed and inked this darling purse die cut. I am going to put a mini book in there. The flower was clear acrylic (also from Creative Cuts and More), I used alcohol inks to color it and glossy accents to make dew drops. I also used the alcohol inks on the rhinestones and pearls (Kaiser) to make them match. I used gold Stickles. The ribbon and metal piece were scraps I've had around.

How fun is this? This is a little tin and it comes with a mini accordion album but I cut it up to make these little cards! I thought it would make a cute gift set that you could throw in your purse- you know when you need a little card real quick...you can just pull one of these out of your purse. I also embossed a piece of packaging to cover the decorated tin. (I don't know about you but my purse gets messy!)

Here's what it looks like when you open the package.

The cards...

And one last look! I don't know about you but I love pretty things and I would be excited to receive something so cute! There are tons of different bags, purses die cuts to choose from. Use your imagination!




OH! I almost forgot, if you look through my previous posts you may notice some of my layouts are missing...You might see this!!! Which means I've had to pull my layouts out (temporarily) until they are published!!!YAY!!! Don't forget to enter my give away ! Thanks for stoppin' by!

Scraptoberfest part 6!

Ahhh.. the scraptoberfest continues! Another layout with the "Loss" theme.
This layout was featured on the Good Grief Blog http://www.goodgriefblog.com/journal/2009/10/16/layouts-from-scrapbooking-from-the-inside-out.html on Friday. Another layout dedicated to my "Abuela" (grandmother) from the "loss" kit at Scrapbooking from the Inside out".

But where is the journaling you ask?? See that little tab sticking out behind the photo on the right? Yes the one with the cute corners punched out? That's the hidden journaling!

I don't usually hide my journaling because I like to be able to put my layouts in books and not be handled too much. If it's too personal or it just didn't "fit" on on the page I will hide it. If you are wondering how to look at it in a book, I simply cut a slit in the page protector. This wasn't too personal but I was going for a certain look so I put it on the side, maybe you have dealt with Alzheimer's and can relate? It reads...

I was in High School when it started. The woman who had helped raise me was often lost and calling because she could not figure out how she got wherever she was. I remember listening to my mom trying to calm her down and have her look at street signs or ask people who were in the vicinity to tell her where she was at so we could find her. It got so bad that my mom finally broke down and moved her with us. We know now that moving her from her familiar surroundings is really bad for someone with Alzheimer’s but she didn’t have a diagnosis at the time.

I hated when my mom left us alone with her – she would get so nervous. One of the last memories I have of her was her trying to escape and my brother and I trying to calm her down and not let her leave while my other brother had my mom on the phone. She was crying and kept saying “This is not my home!” It wasn’t long before my mom had no other choice but to put her in a home.

We all hated it, hated seeing her there, watching her quickly go downhill. It was so hard to see her there, sometimes she would call me by my mom’s name and sometimes she didn’t recognize me at all. I would get so mad because it didn’t seem fair. Alzheimer’s is awful, sometimes I would look and her eyes and could tell that she was trying to tell me something but the words just wouldn’t come out right and it didn’t make sense. I could tell she was very frustrated. I was very frustrated. I missed the woman that she was. I missed her stories and her laughter. I hated the fact that she could not go to my wedding or ever meet my kids. She passed away when my oldest was born.


Well Abuela, I miss you terribly, but I am glad you are finally home. I know that you would have enjoyed your great grandchildren, you loved kids. Even your darkest hours you knew that this was not your home and I am ok with that. I know that I will see you again one day and you will tell me your stories and we will laugh together again.

See that little sewing machine? I have had that in front of my scrappy space for a long time. It reminds me of the sewing machine my grandmother used, she was a seamstress. I still have her favorite pinking shears on my counter. I knew that one day I would use that sewing machine on a layout.
See the sewing(purple thread?) on the lace? I am NOT a seamstress, never really learned (that's another story) but I did that in honor of my Abuela. ;)

This is not my Home" Contents

* LYB Autumn Bliss Autumn Stripe w/thermography
* LYB Autumn Bliss Multi Geometric w/thermography
* LYB Autumn Bliss Clear Cut Frames, 2 pcs.
* 7 Gypsies Barcelona Terrassa
* 7 Gypsies Barcelona Sabadell
* Core'dinations Cardstock Purple Granduer
* Core'dinations Cardstock Rich Amber
* Scenic Route Happy Valley Dark Orange Alpha Stickers
Prima flowers and flourish
7 Gypsies sewing machine
Spare Parts Ribbon

* These are products from the Loss kit at Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.

Don't forget to enter my contest!!!!http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/2009/10/give-away-pics-scraptoberfest-part-iii.html

Have you done a "loss" layout yet? I'd like to see it, leave me a link!