What a month May has been; sometimes a person can be almost "too busy" just living daily life. When you're handicapped, it nearly doubles the time it takes for a "normal" person to do the same things. What makes it hard to get the time to do what I love (inside the house) seems unimportant to those around me. I end up late in everything and going everywhere, and when I took the time to really look at why... it was because I think of others. Really; when you do something, it's because YOU love others- not because THEY love you. And quite often, I feel the need to do everything the very best I can do. That takes time because I'm perfectionist and I don't like letting anyone down. Now here's the thing: GOD always comes first in everything, right? I mean; even scrubbing the tub is for HIM. Truth! We're supposed to do ALL things as best we can because we're doing EVERYTHING for HIM. So, when you think about that; any less than our very best is letting HIM down. We're all going to have days when our very best falls extremely short in everyone else's opinion. But, I'm hopeful because all that matters is that The LORD sees everything, knows everything, and is in all places at once... pleasing HIM and letting HIM justly Judge my "very best" is all that matters. And that goes for each and every one of us. So the next time someone is late (even perpetually late like myself), instead of judging their lateness, be thankful they showed up. When I die, my tombstone will more than likely say "Here lies Lyla- you could depend on her to always be late!", but I'd like to add a but... "But, you could always DEPEND on her!" It'd be nice if the support was reciprocated once in a while, and if it wasn't always just me following everyone else's timelines so that I could make the deadlines I feel are important. I've struggled each time because an artist has to have the ideas and feel the need to work and those times have been put on the wayside for what others want me to do. I've been overly tired and that hasn't helped, but I hoped people would understand. Being a DT for The Funkie Junkie Boutique is one of the best, fun, and greatest learning experiences I've ever had. I wish others could see how important it is to me. And how important the PEOPLE have been to me- especially Linda Coughlin ( TFJB Owner) who has taken time to teach me so much and has given me grace while I've been strugglng with time issues this 6 month term. Here's a HUGE SHOUTOUT for those who have kept coming back to read; you've been my biggest supporters... THANK YOU !!!
The Older Grandbabies are out of school for the summer, after a busy month of May. We watched "the greatest spectacle in racing" during Peanut's Kindy 500 on the 15th. Every kid in that Kindergarten Class just had the most AWESOME cardboard car!! The work that each parent and the Teachers helped the kids put in was nothing short of FANTASTIC! Signs all over saying "WELCOME Race Fans!" The best part- as you can imagine- was watching the heats of races as 4 to 5 of them lined up and raced as fast, and as best as they could... Hilarious and absolutely heroic as everyone clapped for every single student. The top winner overall had everything the Indy 500 is famous for: the huge trophy, the wreath for his body, and center stage! I noticed that they only forgot the MILK!! Of all things to forget for a KINDY 500!! was very blessed to be able to attend their "graduation events" both from Kindergarten and Preschool. Princess Chloe was up first; her Sing and Diploma program was on Monday evening, the 20th- she's always excited about what's next around the corner! The next day, it was our pleasure to take her to her school's "Pond Day" for family fishing. Papaw just happened to know the pond owners (another set of Grandparents) who also just retired from SIA. Princess had fun with her Bestie, Theresa, while Papaw and I caught the same Blue Gill- at least he was a HUGE one! That afternoon, I got a message from younger Son (up in NY) that had me laughing for DAYS- seriously! I posted earlier about our Grandbabies being "total characters" and the things they all think up and say are just TOO CUTE!!
Little Princess Rose discovered she likes wearing a bycicle helmet- whether she's cycling on her tricycle- or getting ready for bed, lol! Next up, was Cole again; the oldest leads the way for what the others are sure to follow: we knew ahead of time that Peanut was going to be surprised with an award, but we had no idea what it would be. When they called out for kids who were Cougar of the Month, we proudly watched as Cole was among about a dozen and a half kids from K, 1st, and 2nd Grades, who stood up to be recognized. He'd gotten that award in September- being the first of his grade to be awarded so since it was September. Then they began calling names for different awards, and finally got to the last part- which we knew had to be COLE: Citizenship Award. He was surprised, and a bit embarrassed (lol!) to see all of us come down to greet him afterwards. What a treat it was for this Memaw, having worked programs at school and enjoyed watching our Sons get so many awards, to see it come full circle... and it's only beginning!! After sending both older Grands their small Graduation Hat cakes (yes, I fully intend to make one for each one of them!), we took off with a set of Besties to Kentucky for our first time seeing The ARK Encounter, and The Creation Museum! I am simply AWED by The ARK and all there was to see and do there. There is not enough space, nor time, to describe it all, but EVERYONE should go see it. Yes, EVERYONE: Believers and nonbelievers of The BIBLE and Creation. It gives BOTH sides- the scientific views and what The BIBLE says- and allows the person to decide for themselves. Worth every minute of reading and seeing! Then it was Memorial Day Weekend and I was finally able to get a chance to talk to the younger Kids and Grandbabies after they got back home to NY after spending the holiday in Canada with her Sister's family. It's weird to think I was finally (after so much rain and storming) opening our pool this month "down here" while they were already swimming in theirs "up there".
I'm absolutely thrilled to lead off this newest, most fun, and most looked forward to, of all the Tim Holtz releases: IdeaOlogy 2024! Of course, DT Leader and Owner of The Funkie Junkie Boutique, Linda Coughlin, came up with the cutest title; "It's Ideal!" and I'm all in! I've gotten my goodies and I'm running late (as usual) but I just couldn't help myself: I was struggling with time and yet; still adding to my make on Memorial Day, when I should have been blogging it by then. There were too many ideas coming to me- and it was too exciting! I've even made up a set of videos, so grab some popcorn and join me for a picturesque scroll!
Here's my Happy Mail from The Funkie Junkie Boutique!
I had to add a second package of the Salavaged Hearts... these are SOOO overdue from Tim!!
Here's a List of LINKS:
It was a tough choice: I went with the Pocket Folio (at the top and right).
Distress Inking all the front and back along all the creases and edges.
It was much easier when I discovered the covers can be removed: they fell off on me, lol!
I wanted the edges to match somewhat in tone/shades to the other IdeaOlogy paperie,
so I chose Scorched Timber Oxide for the edges into the middle area
and then went over all the creased edges again with Ground Espresso Oxide.
I am SO loving that Scorched Timber!!!
Here's where it fell apart and that made it easier to do the covers.
In the video (below), you'll note how I mentioned you can rearrange these Folios.
I cut some of the Backdrops (from Vol 1, Vol 4, and Vol 5) scraps for making pockets
out of 2 of the fold-out bottoms. The third would still fold downward.
Some of the IdeaOlogy (older versions) and other stash items.
Some I colored... and some I left plain.
I love the metal IdeaOlogy Findings and Fasteners just as they are!!
Here, I probably had the worst time: choosing from all the new things to go into the Folio!
You can see I started making photographs- "the Grandbabies" were the first to grace one!
There always seem to be perfect little look-alikes in every Paper Dolls package- or maybe it's just me?
Oh my: HOUSES and CARS in the newest of the Paper Dolls!!
Here, I am covering the new File Cards 2 with last year's (hardly used but once)
Collage Paper just because it matched my photographic theme here!
You'll see more of this explained in the video(s).
I'm adding some older Remnant Rubs to make my own "ViewMaster"
from the (retired) TH Picture Wheel Bigz Die- one of my fave dies!
All the "pages" are done, and the surprises all tucked inside.
Time to do the outside covers...
... first; making use of a rarely-used TH older Stamp Set that I absolutely ADORE!!
If you want to see one of the only other times I've used it:
(CLICK HERE to see "TFJB Challenge: Documented").
Old and new IdeaOlogy- for the mix to a great looking cover!
I scratched the Salvaged Heart with my very old TH Scratcher (wire scratcher)
that I still use now and then.
To get the hemp tied around the heart: I used a bit of Score Tape on the back
and it held onto the string while I wrap and tied it,
then adhered it to the cover top Backdrop page with Glossy Accents
and a tiny bit of hot glue from the hot glue gun- just for good measure.
Here's the picture-perfect Photographically Ideal Booklet...
FRONT- with some of my collection of old cameras.
*NOTE* In order to view any of the foldout pages and surprise tucked items,
you'll need to watch the 2 videos! ;)
Closeup FRONT
PAGES 1 & 2
PAGES 3 & 4
PAGES 5 & 6
PAGES 7 & 8
BACK
VIDEOS!!
Part 1 of 2: "It's Ideal; Photographically Ideal!"
Part 2 of 2: "It's Ideal... Photographically Ideal!"
Thanks so very much for joining me on this photographic journey!
I hope you've not only enjoyed the views, but I also hope you're inspired to create your own!
If you're looking for help to get started- there's no better deals to be found than at
Make sure you check back in here at Inspiration Ave every few days as you won't want to miss
more inspirational makes as the rest of TFJB Design team shares their take on our latest theme;
"It's Ideal!"
Until next time...
Stay Safe &
HAPPY BLOGGING!!
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