Over 20 years ago...

I found these photos of my stepdaughter's first visit here after I had started dating their dad over 20 years ago.  I was his first serious relationship after their mother.  We were all very polite to one another, BUT I think poor Lenny got an ear full when he had each of us alone.  So I suppose you could say it wasn't all hearts and flowers.

Fortunately, things improved each summer.  And now the girls are grown and I'm more grown up, too. Jaime is even a step mother now too. I was only in my late 20's that summer.  I'd love to look that young again but with today's wisdom.  I'd love to go back and know the right things to say to teenage girls.  Oh, well, there is no genie in a magic bottle granting me wishes so I guess I settle for the wisdom that comes with age and experience.  :-)

The journaling has a hidden pocket behind the 4 photos.  Two are cropped down as supporting photos.

The flowers are made with Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas.  I've been wanting to try that for some time now.  You can add all the paint and mist you want to canvas and it handles it better than paper so it is nice medium to work with.  I was able to cut the images on the Cricut.  Simple shapes cut fine.  I wouldn't use a very old blade though.  Dull blades won't cut fabric very well even when they still have a little life left in them for paper.

The papers are Fern and Forrest from Little Yellow Bicycle.  The flower centers are current embellishments from Stampin' Up! in their 2013-2015 In Colors.

Watch at YouTube:


Sketch:

This is my last video with sketch for 2013.  I plan to have many more in 2014.  I will have one other video for the year on New Year's Eve.  Be sure and check back starting on Monday for a week long series on all things New Year!