This last layout I have to share is a very special one. I have created this using the sketch and challenge this week over at Once Upon a Sketch. The papers from this kit were perfect for my concept and the beautiful piece of Fabscraps Chipboard was the cherry on my cake so to speak.

This challenge at OUAS was to scrap and journal about someone or something you are missing. This photo is of my grandfather who I always called Papa.
 I am a hidden journaler. As in life I am not open about my sentiments so it fits me well to keep my journal hidden as I do my feelings.
Here is what I have written.

Dear Papa,
   It’s been 10 years now since you have been gone.
I still think of you almost every day. I don’t think I
ever said thank you for all the wonderful things you
did for me. I don’t think I ever thanked you for being
there for me when I didn’t have a father. I don’t think I
ever thanked you for loving me when I was
a bad tempered teen, unappreciative and self centered.
I am certain I took you for granted and didn’t realize how
wonderful you were until you were gone. I hope you
knew underneath it all that I treasured you.
  I remember how you took me the park every week
when I was little and never lost your patience
no matter how many times I wanted to go on the
 merry go round.
You let me walk on your feet and run my hands
along the top of your crew cut. I loved the smell of your pipe
but hated the cigars. You had a funny way of peeling fruit
I never thought could be peeled.
  You taught me how to drive and helped me when
my cars broke down. I never had to worry about
not having you there. You chauffeured me around and
you never complained. Thank you for that.
  Thank you for having been kind and generous and
so much more than grandfather to me. When its
time for me to move to the other side I hope it’s you
who greets me and leads me to the light.
I miss you.
Love,
Lisa

I painted the chipboard white then stamped over it in distress ink. It's really one of my favorite techniques to use on chipboard. I also used Tim Holtz Tags and covered the the top half in paper. The journaling is on the tags and tucked into the layout on each side. The flowers were also stamped to give an edgy look and sprayed with the shimmerz in our kit. That fabulous owl stamp came in a previous SOD kit. I cut it out and layered it on this layout. It fit in perfectly with this months theme.

I hope you enjoyed the reveal and please be sure to visit my other design team mates to view their beautiful work. Better yet, stop by Scraps of Darkness and subscribe so you won't miss out on any more kits!!!

Once Upon a Sketch

I am sure everyone has heard of "Once Upon a Sketch" but just in case you haven't you should pop over and have a look. I have been wanting to participate for the longest time. I love Nadia's sketches but I just never have much extra time to do challenge sites. So this month I made it a point to get this layout done and I think I am just minutes shy of the deadline!!!!

I followed Nadia's beautiful sketch for inspiration and the layout and journaling are in answer to the question she asks" What is the best thing about being a woman?"

My layout focuses on what has so richly defined me for the last 16 years ---- Motherhood.

This photo of my youngest daughter and I was taken over this past summer by my now famous friend Gina ( Gina Coppolino Photography) I wish I had known her when my older daughter was a tot. I would have a lot more special photos of her if I had.  I used Prima papers on this layout. The fence was cut on my Silhouette. The vines are a clip art file that Lisa Gregory generously shares on her blog.

I like hidden journaling so I tucked this in behind the scripted circle paper. It reads "My greatest joy as a woman has been the gift of Motherhood. Being a Mom has made me a better person."
It's funny how when I was young, I never wanted to have kids. Then the clock started ticking and so did the desire to have children. My first child came after a heartbreaking miscarraige. The second one didn't come until 11 years later. Bless IVF and the dedicated doctors that assist in making dreams come true. At 25 weeks I went into pre term labor with her and was frightened with my entire being that I was going to lose her. I made it to full term on faith and prayer and when she drives me insane I try to remember what it took to get her here.  Since I have had children I really have become defined by it. The real me is on hold until they grow up!

I love my kids beyond words. There really is no journaling to describe that.