Wednesday, May 11, 2011
After the Fire
Last month a massive fire almost reached my little hometown. Lots of land was badly damaged. This photo was taken the morning after a long night of battling fire. I was so inspired by the raw emotion of this photo that I just had to scrap it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Pruned to Bloom
This is a step away from digital scrapping but my first passion is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I do a book study with the women at my church one Wednesday a month. God has touched and blessed my life in so many ways. I wanted to share so He could bless yours as well. This story comes from a book entitled Becoming God's True Woman by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Here goes:
Once upon a time there was an old grape branch; it had been growing in the vineyard for a long time. One day a new branch was planted in the next row. The younger branch grew, developed more branches, and bore fruit.
Taking courage one hot summer day, the young branch looked up at the old branch and said in its squeaky voice, "It must be great to have people travel from miles around just to taste the sweetness of your fruit."
The old branch nodded.
Feeling encouraged, the young branch continued, "I have been talking with the other branches in the garden, and they say yours is the sweetest fruit."
The old branch smiled.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you! How can I have sweet fruit like yours? I'll do anything you say."
As the old branch looked down on the young branch, he remembered the day when, as a young branch himself, he had asked an old branch the same question. In his baritone voice, he gave the young branch the same answer he had received years earlier: "Be willing."
The young branch mused in frustration, Be willing? I tell hime I'll do whatever it takes to have sweet fruit, and all he can say is "Be willing"? Then he turned to another branch and began carrying on what he felt was meaningful conversation.
Each day there was constant chatter in the vineyard as the branches shared the latest gossip and wasted the hours away by comparing the sweetness of their fruit. The young branch knew there was no other place he'd rather live.
One cool autumn morning, the young branch was awakened by the sound of the old brown, weathered gate opening. As he looked at the end of the row, in stepped the gardener. Normally when the gardener came to visit, the vines would clap their leaves together and shout with delight. But something unusual was taking place that day. A hush swept over the garden. The young branch glanced over at the old branch, who didn't seem to be disturbed; so the young branch directed his attention back to the end of the row.
The gardener stopped by the first branch in the row; the young branch was sure he had come to compliment his friend on her fine growth. But watching intently, he saw the gardener bend on one knee, reach into his back pocket, pull out what looked like sharp scissors, and move toward his friend.
Instinctively the branch at the end of the row pulled her leaves back, and the young branch heard her plead, "No, no, why are you doing this to me? Haven't I been sweet? Didn't I bring honor to the garden? Please, please, don't do this to me!"
Before the young branch could blink, his friend lay on the ground except for the nub. The young branch turned to the old branch and asked in a low, fearful voice, "What's happening? Why did the gardener do that?"
The old branch did not respond.
The young branch strained to understand and then blurted out, "Oh, I get it! We thought the gardener like that branch, but he really didn't like her."
The old branch responded, "No, that's not true. In fact, what you just saw the gardener do proves he loves that branch."
"Oh, I knew that. Let me try again. We thought that branch's fruit was sweet, but it really wasn't sweet."
"That branch's fruit was sweet."
"Okay, okay; I know the real reason. That branch did something wrong, so the gardener is punishing her; he's just not telling us why." The old branch answered,"That branch is not being punished. Listen carefully-your friend is being pruned. Not because she was trying to do things wrong, but because she was trying to do things right. Not because her fruit was not sweet, but because the gardener wants it to be even sweeter."
"But that doesn't seem fair!" protested the young branch. "Just look at her. She's been cut down to the nub. Now all the people who come to taste the sweetness of her fruit will laugh and judge the branch."
"Only those outside the garden who don't understand will laugh and judge the branch."
"Only those outside the garden who don't understand? That branch didn't understand! Did you hear her say, "Why are you doing this to me?"
The old branch was quiet for a long time and then responded slowly, "Unfortunately, what you're saying is true. It's one thing when people outside the garden don't understand, but when those inside the garden-especially the ones being pruned-don't understand, it causes a lot of confusion, disappointment, and pain. Those branches down at the end of the row will have to listen to your friend murmur and complain until she blooms again."
The young branch proclaimed, "Well, you don't have to worry about being pruned. You have the sweetest fruit in the garden!"
"I want to be pruned."
"You what? It must hurt, and you're going to look funny."
The old branch chuckled and replied, "I must admit it's quite uncomfortable. You see, my young friend, I know I look good to you, but I have a fungus growing on my underside that now one can see. If it remains, it will diminsih the quality and quantity of my fruit. No, I'll lift myself high in the air to make his job easier."
Trembling, the young branch responded, "I don't understand."
With compassion the old branch replied, "Did you see that branch the gardener just tore off and threw over the fence? It didn't belong in this garden at all and will be burned in a fire."
"Wow!" exclaimed the young branch.
"When the gardener comes to prune you, remember the gardener only prunes the branches that belong to him, which makes it an honor. He doesn't prune you because you're trying to do things wrong, but because you're trying to do things right. It's not because you're not sweet, but because he wants you to be sweeter. And always remember, my young friend, the very fact that you're being pruned means you will bloom again."
Just then the gardener stopped by the old branch, and the young branch saw the old branch raise his leaves high in the air. He heard a snip, and the old branch lay on the ground except for the nub. The the gardener turned to the young branch. His leaves were shaking, and tears rolled down his side, but with every ounce of strength he raised his leaves high in the air. He looked up into the gardener's face and said. "Kind and gentle gardener, I'm willing." P. Bunny Wilson
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." John 15:1-2
Once upon a time there was an old grape branch; it had been growing in the vineyard for a long time. One day a new branch was planted in the next row. The younger branch grew, developed more branches, and bore fruit.
Taking courage one hot summer day, the young branch looked up at the old branch and said in its squeaky voice, "It must be great to have people travel from miles around just to taste the sweetness of your fruit."
The old branch nodded.
Feeling encouraged, the young branch continued, "I have been talking with the other branches in the garden, and they say yours is the sweetest fruit."
The old branch smiled.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you! How can I have sweet fruit like yours? I'll do anything you say."
As the old branch looked down on the young branch, he remembered the day when, as a young branch himself, he had asked an old branch the same question. In his baritone voice, he gave the young branch the same answer he had received years earlier: "Be willing."
The young branch mused in frustration, Be willing? I tell hime I'll do whatever it takes to have sweet fruit, and all he can say is "Be willing"? Then he turned to another branch and began carrying on what he felt was meaningful conversation.
Each day there was constant chatter in the vineyard as the branches shared the latest gossip and wasted the hours away by comparing the sweetness of their fruit. The young branch knew there was no other place he'd rather live.
One cool autumn morning, the young branch was awakened by the sound of the old brown, weathered gate opening. As he looked at the end of the row, in stepped the gardener. Normally when the gardener came to visit, the vines would clap their leaves together and shout with delight. But something unusual was taking place that day. A hush swept over the garden. The young branch glanced over at the old branch, who didn't seem to be disturbed; so the young branch directed his attention back to the end of the row.
The gardener stopped by the first branch in the row; the young branch was sure he had come to compliment his friend on her fine growth. But watching intently, he saw the gardener bend on one knee, reach into his back pocket, pull out what looked like sharp scissors, and move toward his friend.
Instinctively the branch at the end of the row pulled her leaves back, and the young branch heard her plead, "No, no, why are you doing this to me? Haven't I been sweet? Didn't I bring honor to the garden? Please, please, don't do this to me!"
Before the young branch could blink, his friend lay on the ground except for the nub. The young branch turned to the old branch and asked in a low, fearful voice, "What's happening? Why did the gardener do that?"
The old branch did not respond.
The young branch strained to understand and then blurted out, "Oh, I get it! We thought the gardener like that branch, but he really didn't like her."
The old branch responded, "No, that's not true. In fact, what you just saw the gardener do proves he loves that branch."
"Oh, I knew that. Let me try again. We thought that branch's fruit was sweet, but it really wasn't sweet."
"That branch's fruit was sweet."
"Okay, okay; I know the real reason. That branch did something wrong, so the gardener is punishing her; he's just not telling us why." The old branch answered,"That branch is not being punished. Listen carefully-your friend is being pruned. Not because she was trying to do things wrong, but because she was trying to do things right. Not because her fruit was not sweet, but because the gardener wants it to be even sweeter."
"But that doesn't seem fair!" protested the young branch. "Just look at her. She's been cut down to the nub. Now all the people who come to taste the sweetness of her fruit will laugh and judge the branch."
"Only those outside the garden who don't understand will laugh and judge the branch."
"Only those outside the garden who don't understand? That branch didn't understand! Did you hear her say, "Why are you doing this to me?"
The old branch was quiet for a long time and then responded slowly, "Unfortunately, what you're saying is true. It's one thing when people outside the garden don't understand, but when those inside the garden-especially the ones being pruned-don't understand, it causes a lot of confusion, disappointment, and pain. Those branches down at the end of the row will have to listen to your friend murmur and complain until she blooms again."
The young branch proclaimed, "Well, you don't have to worry about being pruned. You have the sweetest fruit in the garden!"
"I want to be pruned."
"You what? It must hurt, and you're going to look funny."
The old branch chuckled and replied, "I must admit it's quite uncomfortable. You see, my young friend, I know I look good to you, but I have a fungus growing on my underside that now one can see. If it remains, it will diminsih the quality and quantity of my fruit. No, I'll lift myself high in the air to make his job easier."
Trembling, the young branch responded, "I don't understand."
With compassion the old branch replied, "Did you see that branch the gardener just tore off and threw over the fence? It didn't belong in this garden at all and will be burned in a fire."
"Wow!" exclaimed the young branch.
"When the gardener comes to prune you, remember the gardener only prunes the branches that belong to him, which makes it an honor. He doesn't prune you because you're trying to do things wrong, but because you're trying to do things right. It's not because you're not sweet, but because he wants you to be sweeter. And always remember, my young friend, the very fact that you're being pruned means you will bloom again."
Just then the gardener stopped by the old branch, and the young branch saw the old branch raise his leaves high in the air. He heard a snip, and the old branch lay on the ground except for the nub. The the gardener turned to the young branch. His leaves were shaking, and tears rolled down his side, but with every ounce of strength he raised his leaves high in the air. He looked up into the gardener's face and said. "Kind and gentle gardener, I'm willing." P. Bunny Wilson
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." John 15:1-2
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ashley Brooke
I was so inspired by my cousin Ashley's bridal pictures, I just had to scrap one. This photo is courtesy of Matchless Photography (www.matchlessphotography.com). This couple is so talented! Go check them out online!
School Themed Templates
Recently I had a request for school themed scrapbook pages and realized I didn't have any pre-made templates. So I have quickly made a few. These themed templates can be designed specifically for your school's colors and name. All page templates can be personalized with your child's name. I have tons of Alpha letters to choose from.
I have added these new templates to an album entitled School Templates on my FaceBook page ShutterBug Scraps. Go Like my page so you can have access to all my newest designs.
If you have any theme ideas that I currently do not have, feel free to email me at ambercave_5@hotmail.com
I have added these new templates to an album entitled School Templates on my FaceBook page ShutterBug Scraps. Go Like my page so you can have access to all my newest designs.
If you have any theme ideas that I currently do not have, feel free to email me at ambercave_5@hotmail.com
Monday, May 2, 2011
I'm finally up and ready for business. It's been a whirlwind trying to get ready. I love the creative end of my service but the business end is not my favorite. I'm sure my hubby is very tired of being my main sounding board on pricing, a name, etc....
Being a stay at home, I'm always trying to find ways to suplement to our income without actually getting a full-time job. I have been blessed so far to be able to be at home with my boys. Because of my love for scrapbooking, I was encouraged by friends to provide a service for busy moms (and dads) to help preserve their memories.
I started scrapbooking in 1997. Back in tha day when there weren't many options other than colored paper and stickers. As the years went by the products got better. I graduated from the small albums to the super large albums. Finding a place to store those huge albums is a very difficult thing to do not to mention the mess and clean-up, all the supplies scattered everywhere and last but not least the expense. I discovered digital scrapbooking in 2008. I was instantly hooked. All I needed was Adobe Photoshop and some tutorials and I was on my way. I started printing my pages in photobooks and they are thin, (they actually close) durable and easy to store on a bookshelf.
So, in summary, I have decided to share my passion. I have added a business page on Facebook and am excited about my new venture!
Being a stay at home, I'm always trying to find ways to suplement to our income without actually getting a full-time job. I have been blessed so far to be able to be at home with my boys. Because of my love for scrapbooking, I was encouraged by friends to provide a service for busy moms (and dads) to help preserve their memories.
I started scrapbooking in 1997. Back in tha day when there weren't many options other than colored paper and stickers. As the years went by the products got better. I graduated from the small albums to the super large albums. Finding a place to store those huge albums is a very difficult thing to do not to mention the mess and clean-up, all the supplies scattered everywhere and last but not least the expense. I discovered digital scrapbooking in 2008. I was instantly hooked. All I needed was Adobe Photoshop and some tutorials and I was on my way. I started printing my pages in photobooks and they are thin, (they actually close) durable and easy to store on a bookshelf.
So, in summary, I have decided to share my passion. I have added a business page on Facebook and am excited about my new venture!
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