Window Pane 4

I have been going CRAZY! My Internet went down late saturday night and it didn't come back up until this afternoon. I was SO not happy!!!

But I'm happy now - it's back!!!


I have a couple of super cute layouts to share with you too. Check 'em out!

Lisa used the Sunset on the Island template! Isn't this adorable?



Oh wow, look at Deb's BEAUTIFUL layout using the Beautiful template!



Thanks ladies! Wonderful layouts!!!


Today's template is part 4 in the Window Pane series. I hope you like it!



Download:
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The fonts are Angelina and Acknowledgement.

My layout was done with lauraskathi's cute Julia kit!




Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to check out my $2 CU Grab Bag!


Blessings!
Tracy

When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
(John 15:26)

Out of This World!!!

You just GOTTA check out Kim Cameron's new Out of This World kit! Isn't it the CUTEST space kit you've ever seen???



And can you believe it's only $3.99? She's practically giving it away!

There are some spacey, matching alphas too.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this kit.... :D



I'll have a freebie for you very soon, so check back! Blessings!
Tracy



For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
(2 Timothy 4:3-5, 3:1-5)

Heritage Template & Chat

Are you a genealogy nut like I am? I LOVE researching my family history! I inherited a bunch of photos from my Grandmother and I have been able to identify a huge amount of them, but not all.


Oh, before I go on, PLEASE JOIN ME in my CHAT on Wednesday night at 8pm Central at DigiByDesign. I have a GREAT gift for you!!!!!! I have a brand new kit and I've created a couple of add-ons.

First, here's my new kit, and it's only $4.00 (but it'll be 50% off on Wednesday!)


Buy this kit at DigiByDesign or GroovyScraps.com.

Just for attending the chat, you'll get this mini, items that are NOT included in the original kit ~


If you post a layout using the attendance gift and/or the original kit you'll get another gift!!!!




Today's SOTD is actually a collection of websites.... the U.S. GenWeb sites! There's a GenWeb site for every state and county, and get this - THEY'RE FREE! Some have a ton of info, others not so much. But you'll just have to go look.

The starting point for the U.S. GenWeb project is http://usgenweb.org/. There are links on the left side to each state, which will link you to your research counties.

You can also search the archives of the U.S. GenWeb here:
http://usgwarchives.org/

I found this helpful, but it's even more helpful to visit each state and county.

Note: Rootsweb.com is the primary hosting service for most of the free county sites. Right now Rootsweb is undergoing a huge upgrade and many of the search engines are affected. But I was looking for some information this past weekend and didn't have any trouble.


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This week's template is on the same theme - your family Heritage.



Download:
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The font for the title was done with Chopin Script and can be found here:
http://www.dafont.com/chopin-script.font
ATTENTION DESIGNERS!!! It's Public Domain!

My layout was done with a kit called Remember When by TerrellS.




If you're interested in joining my CT, see yesterday's post.


Thanks for stopping by, and please join me in my chat. Blessings!
Tracy


“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)

Marquee Template

I might as well just change it to Template Thursday. LOL!


Site of the Day!!!

Remember the Alamo? Learn more about it at the official Alamo site, put together by DRT (Daughters of the Republic of Texas).

http://www.thealamo.org/


Here's this week's template:



Download:
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My layout was done with Doreen Stolz' cute Funky Girl kit! And in case you're wondering about the font, it's Impact. :)




Blessings!
Tracy


"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends." – John 15:13

Stone Alphas

Cute layouts for you today!

Isn't this a neat layout from Lisa? She used the Around the Bend template!


Look at this lovely layout that Cra-Z-cat sent! She used my Naturally Bound template and Sugar Shack Scraps' Nora Nora Kit.


I made some neat alphas awhile back and dummy me I didn't post them here! So here you go!!!



Download

I have this file loaded at my GroovyScraps store. You'll need to create an account, but it's still free. :)


Blessings!
Tracy


“Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” - Jeremiah 32:17

Stripes

I like stripes, so this week's templates is filled with them!



Download:
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My layout was done with Kim's ADORABLE Denim & Daisies kit! Oh, and good news for Kim - she was picked up as a designer at GottaPixel! Go congratulate her at her blog!!!



Get Kim's kit at GroovyScraps.com!



Blessings!
Tracy

There's no problem too big
and no question too small -
Just ask God in faith,
and He'll answer them all -
Not always at once,
so be patient and wait,
For God never comes
too soon or too late...
So trust in His wisdom
and believe in His Word,
For no prayer's unanswered
and no prayer's unheard.

~Helen Steiner Rice

So Beautiful!

So my daughter is out of school. It's been a pretty busy week because she had to go back to school every day this week for marching band practice. Yes! I said marching band practice! Even though that doesn't start until next Fall, they had to be there every day this week.

MY BABY IS A JUNIOR NOW! I can't believe how quickly time flies. I only have two more years with her and she's off to college.

Speaking of College... he he he..... Casey has made her very own kit! Here's a preview:



Not bad huh? And she did it all herself - even the preview! It's called Girl, and it's only $1! The proceeds go towards her college fund too. (Please, please, please buy it!)


If you have teenagers, you're probably familiar with the MySpace type photos they take. You know the ones: pictures we probably would have discarded before because they were off center or from the wrong angle. Now these pics are trendy! So I took one of my daughter's MySpace pics and used it in a layout with her kit. Whatcha think?




CHALLENGE TIME!
If you get this kit and use it in a layout (this kit will probably go REAL well with my Rocker freebie kits!) then you'll get this gift:




Just send me your layouts and I'll post it here on my blog, and I'll send you the link to the add-on. How simple is that? :)


SOTD!
Ok, if you're feeling down, you REALLY need to visit this site. You'll be giggling in no time! It's called I Can Has Cheezburger and you HAVE to check it out! Especially if you like pictures of cute kittens (who doesn't?)


My template is late again! But I hope you like it.




Download:
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My layout was done with Maryse Vincent's new Alchimie kit. It's really gorgeous!!!




Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Tracy

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I'm In It to Win It!

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!!!

So I was at the gym today... let's step back. I woke up this morning and realized I broke my promise to myself. I was SO late last week getting the template to you that I told myself that I was going to get it posted ON TIME this week. And when I woke up this morning I realized I didn't have a template ready. I didn't even have a CLUE what I was going to do!

:(

Must have been all that brisket I ate yesterday that distracted me! Yummo!

So I went to work out this morning and this idea came to me. Other people work out, do sports, etc. right? And who's kid hasn't done little league? So I made a sports/workout type template. Whatcha think?



The award has either the two ribbons or one straight one with a zig zag bottom. Your choice!

Download:
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My layout was done with my new kit! Yes, I have a new kit!!! It's called Lavender & Sage and you can get it here.






This kit is over 130 meg! There was so much stuff I couldn't get it all in the preview. And it's only $4!



Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
Tracy

"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind" (Job 36:27-28, NIV).

Late Again!

Yes, I'm very late this week. I'm sowwy!!!


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But I have a special SOTD for you... Ancestry.com's military records are FREE to search this week (through 31 May)! So if you don't have an account there and you want to look up some of your ancestors' service records, now's the time!

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Ok, my daughter told me this joke the other day, and I just laughed and laughed!

"I wish my grass was emo."

Why?

"So it would cut itself."

LOL!!!!



Before you go... make sure you get this week's template. It's called Naturally Bound, 'cause it has nature stuff on it and the photos are bound together. :)




Download:
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My layout was done with Maryse Vincent's new kit, Alchimie!!!! It's a gorgeous kit!




Thanks so much for stopping by - Blessings!

Tracy



"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)

Mother's Day

Did you get photos of your Mom on Mother's Day? Are you looking for a template to show off one of those pictures? Look no further!


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But first... da da dah!! The Site of the Day!

I used to live in Japan, and boy did I LOVE that country! The people, the gadgets, the music (yeah, I said music - if you haven't heard JPop, you really should give it a listen)... but one of the things I remember most about Japan was the funny attempts at English. I have to admit, their English was MUCH better than my Japanese, but I still got a kick out of what they came up with. There's actually a word for this.... it's called Engrish.

I remember seeing a steak house, and the sign outside was a giant cow. On that cow were the words, "Let's enjoy delicious beef." Being around military guys all the time, you can imagine some of the jokes I heard!

Anyway, if you'd like to read some more Engrish, check out this site: Engrish.com. You'll love it!!!!


Here is this week's template: Mother's Day.




Download:
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My layout was done with Kim Cameron's BEAUTIFUL Timeless Rose kit!




Blessings!
Tracy


PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pray for all those in Myanmar and China right now. There's a lot of suffering going on.

Clustered 3 Template

Yo! Look at this CUUUUUTE layout from Kaytee using the Grungy Boy kit and its Add-On! That's her and her brother. Aren't they adorable?




And Kim sent in this AWESOME layout using the Hangin' Around 4 template!




SOTD!!!!

Do you think you can run a business? Try it out here at the Hot Shot Business game from Disney.com. Have fun!

http://spapps.go.com/hsb4/landing/


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Today's template is in the Clustered series. This is the third one and I think you'll like it. I hope so anyway!




Download:
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The flowers are by Flyguy Designs, and the font is Tempus Sans.


My layout was done with Kim Cameron's First Day of Spring freebie. Thanks Kim!




Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Tracy

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
(Psalm 100:1)

Hangin' Around 4

Ok, I admit it, I'm late! This should have been done on Tuesday! I apologize, I have no excuse (except a lack of creative inspiration. I just couldn't think of anything! So I hope today's template is ok.


SOTD! - FamilySearch.org

I've been using this site for years! Did you know you can search the 1880 U.S. Census for free? FamilySearch.org is a free site run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who are known far and wide for their genealogy records. This site also has the Social Security Death Index and bunch of family trees. You can also look up records that are on microfilm, then go down to your local LDS Library location to view.


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Oh yeah, I have to invite you to participate in my May 2008 Quote Challenge at DigiByDesign!

All you have to do is use one of the following quotes in a layout and post it in the Quote Challenge Gallery, and you'll get this little mini!




What's so cool about this, is that all our challenge gifts are color/theme coordinated each month. So if you do several challenges, you'll wind up with a pretty big kit. This month's theme is called "Blushing Blooms" so you know it's going to be pretty. AND!!! If you do ALL the challenges, you'll get yet another gift that matches the set!

A real friend warms you by his presence, trusts you with his secrets, and remembers you in his prayers.
~Anonymous

A true friend thinks of you when all others are thinking of themselves.
~Anonymous

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
~Walter Winchell

God gives us relatives; thank God we can choose our friends.
~Ethel Watts Mumford

The best antique is an old friend.
~Anonymous

The world is round so that friendship may encircle it.
~Pierre Teilhard De Chardin



I would LOVE to see some layouts from y'all. In fact, you could easily use today's template:



Download:
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The title font is Belshaw by the font genius Dieter Steffmann.

The pretty flower brush is by Flyguy, another creative genius! It doesn't show up real well on the background I chose, but I just loved that background so much! It's from Scrapbook Design Down Under.




Blessings!
Tracy

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
(Galatians 5:1)

Free Quickpage!

Hey y'all! I haven't done my template yet, I'm way behind this week, but I do have a free quick page for you. And it's also a sneek peek of my CU Grab Bag. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the weekly template.


First, look at this cute layout from Nora. Definitely check out her blog, she's got an ADORABLE watermelon freebie kit!!!

Credits


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Today's SOTD is for you graphics geeks - if you haven't been to deviantART, you're really missing out! Not only can you post your digital art, but you can download tons of brushes, actions, patterns, all kinds of stuff. And if you make your own brushes and stuff, you can post them there too.

deviantART is not a scrapbooking site, but a digital graphics site. You'll spend days looking through everything, honest!



This QP was done entirely with items from my 4th Commercial Use Grab Bag, available for just one more day at DigiByDesign. Hurry up and get it before it disappears! Just $2!!!

Just add your own title and journaling.



Download


Blessings!
Tracy

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
(Colossians 3:12)

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! I'm not one of those environmentalists, but I do care about our planet - I don't litter and I recycle weekly. I also love nature photos, especially trees, mountains, etc.

My family and I went down to my Godmother's ranch over the weekend. My allergies are running rampant, but I loved being around all those trees and wildflowers. Here are some photos:
















Today's template is green! It's called Big Picture 2: Earth Day. Hope you like it!




Download:
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The font is called Penguin Attack. Designers - it's a public domain font!


My layout was done using Maryse Vincent's Back to My Garden kit.




Green Blessings!
Tracy

God lives in the beauty that comes with spring -
The colorful flower, the birds that sing.
~Helen Steiner Rice

Feeling Tropical!

SOTD!

I have another site for you: GodTube.com! You've heard of YouTube.com right? This site has all Christian related videos. And one video I want to share with you is a movie preview for the new Ben Stein "Expelled" flick. We're going to go see it this weekend!

Check out Expelled!


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And I have a couple of layouts for you!

Look at this cute layout Cheryl did using the Flower Shoppe template!




Oh, and isn't this layout from Kim adorable? She used the Whodunit? template, and a kit called "My Grunge Girlfriend." Too cute!




Today's template is called Sunset on the Island. I was thinking about my trip to Malaysia this weekend and this idea came to me. I don't think you HAVE to use it for beach pics, maybe your upcoming BBQ photos? Actually anything!



Download:
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The fonts used are Oil on the Water and Angelina.




Labuan is on a small island on the northern coast of Borneo (where the first Survivor was filmed) and close to Brunei Darussalem. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, so I didn't have any photos. I took this one from the Internet.

I used Kim Cameron's By the Seaside kit. The little fish and starfish are from Maryse Vincent's Blue-tiful Seabreeze kit, one of my favorite kits by her!




A tragic thing happened over the weekend. A Junior at my daughter's school died. She had been in the hospital with a heart condition and the surgery did not go well. She was only 16. Please keep her friends and family in your prayers.


Blessings!
Tracy

When you're troubled and worried and sick at heart
And your plans are upset and your world falls apart,
Remember God's ready and waiting to share
The burden you find too heavy to bear.
~Helen Steiner Rice

Whodunit Template

I thought I'd add a little to my blog entries, like some interesting sites, maybe a few comments, whatever. Here's my first:

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My "Site of the Day"

I have tennitus - constant ringing in the ears. Not sure if I got it from all that loud equipment I had to work around in the Air Force, or all the loud rock concerts I went to when I was younger (probably both!)

So now when I design, study, surf, etc., I like to have a little background noise to keep from going crazy. If I'm studying, I can't have the TV or radio on because I can't concentrate. So a couple of years ago I found this really neat website that plays piano music 24 hours a day!

http://www.solopianoradio.com

Unfortunately they've gotten so popular that the "free" server is often busy now. If you subscribe (you get to choose how much you want to pay) then the server is always open. This site has been a life saver for me!

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Now, on to the free stuff - the real reason you're here!

This week's template is called Whodunit? I've been hankering to play Clue lately, but no one in my family likes to play games. :( So I turned my hanker(?) into a free template for you.



Download:
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My layout was done with the cutest mini kit made by NitWit Collections called "Who Done It?" The scissors are mine, and so is the frame. The fonts are Bookman Old Style, Destroy and Josschrift.



Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget, my Commercial Use Grab Bag is on sale at DigiByDesign for just $2! It's a good one too!


Blessings!
Tracy

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)

A Very Special Boy

Look at this cute layout from Sandra! She used the first Tied Together template, and a kit called Spring Flurry by Lindsay Jane.



The journaling reads:
Born May 10, 2004 to Josh and Heather, Joshua was diagnosed with Phenylketonuria (P.K.U.). P.K.U. is a rare disorder which prevents the normal metabolism of protein foods, thus affecting the growth and developement of the child, particularly the brain. There is no cure for this disease. Treatment involves extensive medical visits, lab work and dietary management. A Poker Run was held May 1, 2005 by “Because We Care” to raise money for the family.

Keep this little guy in your prayers everyone! Thanks Sandra!

Blessings!
Tracy


Whenever we're troubled and lost in despair,
We have but to seek Him and ask Him in prayer
To guide and direct us and help us to bear
Our sickness and sorrow, our worry and care.

-Helen Steiner Rice

Tied Together 2 Template

Hey y'all! Yeah, I'm a little late (sorry!) but I got your template. I guess you've figured out that I've been a little busy. We had a HUGE response to our Close-out sale!

If you bought something and you haven't got your products yet, please do so! We'll be removing the items from the store very soon. Please contact me if you're having problems with your downloads.


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My friend Kim sent me this really cool link. Wait until it loads and wait, or hover over the cup. You'll love this!
http://producten.hema.nl/

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I have to show you a couple of really adorable kits that are out now.

Maryse has a wonderful new kit called In My Garden and you can get it here!


Isn't that adorable? See what I did with it?



Oh, and Kim Cameron has the CUTEST Kitty Kit! It's called "Here Kitty, Kitty" :) and you can get it from her blog. I've been begging her to do a Cat kit like her Puppy kits, and she didn't disappoint!




Can you tell she based her black & white kitty off my sweet baby Domino? :D Thanks Kim!


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Today's template is Tied Together 2. My Tied Together template was very popular, so I did another. Hope you like it!



Download:
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The font is OptimusPrinceps and can be found here.

My layout was done with the DigiByDesign April 08 MegaKit, Spring's Promise. This kit is awesome and huge! And right now it's only $3.99!




Thanks for stopping by! If you like the template, leave me a comment or send me a link to the layout use do with it. I LOVE seeing them!


Blessings!
Tracy

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
(1 Corinthians 8:9)

Superstar Template!

Well, I finally got it done! Yesterday was my favorite singer's birthday - Elton John is now 61 years old!! Yikes! I was listening to some of his old stuff when he was a glam and flashy and this is what I came up with. I bet you have some superstars in your life that would look great in this template!


So here is Tuesday's template on a Wednesday night. There are actually two templates in one (either one or two photos).





The title font is Indigo Joker, available here.

Download:
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Here's my layout!

Credits


Blessings!
Tracy

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
(1 Peter 3:15)

It's Pouring Outside!

It's been raining all day. Our internet has taken a few hits, but for the most part is up. That's not why I'm late though - my daughter and I went to see Horton Hears a Who! It was SOOOOOOO cute! Definitely check it out.


FUNDRAISER!

My daughter has qualified to go to Europe this Summer with the International Youth Leadership Forum! It's a fantastic opportunity for her to study Art & Music in places like Vienna, Prague and Rome! Unfortunately, it's $6300! Plus! So we're looking for ways to raise some money to send her. With her 16th birthday coming up, we'll be getting her a car, but we can't afford both.

So Casey took my horribly neglected Wacom and made some doodles. For a $2 donation, we'll send these adorable doodles to you. If you can part with $2, Casey would be MOST grateful!

After you donate, I'll get an email from PayPal. Make sure I get your email address if it's different from your PayPal one so I can send you the link for the Doodles.



Look at what Tina did with my Seeing Stars Sampler and the Zoom 2 template! Thanks Tina, this is too cute!



Today's template is called Puzzling. I was playing with the Puzzle Filter in Alien Skin and came up with this. Hope you like it!!!



Download:
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Don't forget to join in the Challenge!


My layout was done with the Rainy Day MegaKit from DigiByDesign! This is my sweet daughter that wants to go to Europe and made those cute doodles.





Thanks so much for stopping by!!! Blessings!

Tracy

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)