Remember This Moment Layout

Many years ago, I graduated from college in December, so I began my teaching career as a substitute teacher in Kansas City, a very large district. I only taught older students. I remember the first time I had to teach first graders. The principal had requested me to teach 5th grade and when I arrived he admitted he had tricked me to come teach first graders. I had no idea what to do with that age. A couple of years later I had a contract to teach first grade in a Christian school. I fell in love with those lovely six-year-olds.  In fact, I spent most of my 30 years teaching first and second graders how to read. Now my two youngest grandchildren are in first grade and I love to spend time with them. I'd like to keep them that sweet age forever!

My hubby and kids know that one of my greatest simple pleasures is simply spending time with grandchildren. I took the photos on this layout when we took a lovely walk through the Overland Park Arboretum this fall. This layout will help me remember how lovely and adorable our six-year-old granddaughter is, even when she's grown past this sweet innocence.

I used the layout pattern from Magic, "Levitate," on page 40. The great words in this January Stamp of the Month were perfect for this layout made with CTMH Heartstrings paper and stickers. (The grouping of three words on the left page were cut from one of the zip strips at the top of one of the papers.) I cut the heart on that page using Cricut Artbooking. I stamped it on the back side by turning the stamp upside down on the block so the words wouldn't show. I stamped all the images with either Cranberry or Black ink. I used red enamel hearts and Pixie extra thick twine to embellish the pages. I tried something new with the Hollyhock panel on the left page. I wanted the bottom of the 4" x 12" panel to be embossed with hearts but it couldn't fit into the Heart embossing folder the right direction. So I embossed a piece of Hollyhock cardstock that was 3.75" x 5" and attached it to the longer Hollyhock panel.

I wanted the Love Note to say something she can understand now and something to ponder in the future. The journaling block says: "God has blessed you with a loving, cheerful disposition. May you always grow in His grace. I'm glad you could be here on my birthday, October 4, 2014."



If you'd like more ideas using this paper and stamp set you can see the cards I made by visiting my blog here and here.

Thank you for visiting. May God inspire you to share and celebrate your love by making memorable layouts and inspiring cards!
I'm sharing this layout with the following challenges:
2 Creative Chicks #22 - anything goes, not cards
Crafting When We Can #85 - anything but a card
Lasting Memories #123 - Simple pleasures
Word Art Wednesday #164 - anything uplifting
Your Scrapbook Place - anything goes