[sutucs contest]

The contest is finally over! I know there are mixed feelings on the contest but I believe it was a great contest that allowed me to stretch my creativity more. I don't consider myself a *professional* scrapper (not even sure what that is?!) or one who creates *digital art* (I scrap for the memories too) but I didn't feel for one second that I didn't belong in the competition any less than anyone else. I really had a great time with it and enjoyed chatting with my lovie Brooke during it all and seeing where we could take our pages! A HUGE congrats the winners and a BIG thank you to A5's Amy, SPD's Laura, and everyone who helped to pull this contest off! Also a special shout out to all the fabulous participants who left the most wonderful comments!

Ok on to my pages!! Woot! I will have to admit, I was sooooo terrible at doing my pages very last second (and I a mean reaaallly last second, just ask Brooke lol). The first week I was so on the ball, had my page finished and posted in the gallery very quick. That week we were supposed to do a page that describes ourselves. I went with the word *Dreamer*. That can sum me up quite perfectly. I always have ideas roaming around in my head. A HUGE daydreamer for sure. In this layout, I thought it would be perfect to use some photos I took while on a roadtrip of the open road. I thought that the open road represented that your dreams can take you anywhere! Here is that page:

Credits:
SUTUCS Collab kit: It's So Me by K Studio, Cinnamon Designs, Holly Designs, Newlife Dreams, and Edeline Designs
and lots of other bits:
Fly High Butterfly by Amanda Resende (butterfly, alpha *d*)
Free Spirit by Amanda Resende and K Studio (alpha *a*)
That Boy by K Studio (alpha *r*)
In The Clouds by K Studio (alpha *e*)
Beloved by K Studio (alpha red *e*)
Truly Modly Deeply by Ah Designs (alpha *r*)
Out Of This World by K Studio (alpha *m*)
Little Day Dreamer by K Studio (epoxy flowers,green string with hearts)
Berry Sweetness by K Studio (dragonfly, cloud, bird, pink string)
Stamp The Words by K Studio (word art)

The second week was about a flashback. About the past. For me it was showing a collection of old photos of my family's past. And what better way to show them off then in an album (pay attention to the credits-I actually used a stock photo here. Can you believe it?!). I had fun creating this page and always love seeing my family's photos of the past. Here it is:

Credits:
I used bits and pieces from the following kits..
Flashback by Kasia, Cafe J, Nikki B, Lily Designs, and Faith True
Happiness by Cinnamon Designs
Melon Passion by Cinnamon Designs
My Dream World by NewLife Dreams

Book image is a stock photo from iStockphoto

The third week was all about a photo you felt lucky to get. For me there was no question. It was this photo of my son and his dad that I took while we were broke down right before his dad had a terrible stroke and an even worse 5 years afterwards before he passed away. This photo was the last photo I took of them together prior to his dad's stroke and long battle. It will forever be treasured. Here it is:

Journaling reads:
at the time, i didn’t think much about how
special this photo was. we were on a little
weekend trip and the car broke down while
waiting for the tow truck, you two were
walking around and i decided to take this photo.
little did i know that this would be one of the
last photos that i would take of the two of
you. a few months later your father had
a terrible stroke and after five long years of
hard times, he passed away. and even though
your dad isn’t here, his love will always be with
you and i am thankful for all these photos
that captured your time together.

Credits:
Moment in Time-SUTUCS Collab Week 3
At Nightfall by MK Designs
Halo by Holly Designs
Bombay Flower by Ah Designs
Creation 23 by Catherine Designs and Createwings
World of Wonder by Kitty Designs (background paper only)

The fourth week consisted of scrapping a song we loved. When thinking of a song, I couldn't help but to keep coming to *My Wish* by Rascal Flatts. The words in the song are so powerful and I sincerely have the same wishes for my children. In this layout I used a photo of my youngest son as an infant. I haven't really used any of their baby photos so I thought I was safe in using it and keeping my anonymity. Here it is:

Lyrics:
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,


But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.


But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.


This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big


Credits:
Lavendar Lullaby by Nikki Beaudreau
except:
stamped alpha from Crazy Daze by K Studio

For the fifth week we had to use some sort of photo processing on the photo and make the page about color. So I just had to use Kasia's Artsty Town kit and chose a photo of me and my husband at our wedding (ignore how big, fat, and preggers I am lol). I always play with the levels and curves on my photos. And with this one, I duplicated it, converted one to black and white and then used it as an overlay on the color photo. Lowered the opacity, and basically it mutes the colors a bit to give it a washed out look. Check it out:

The Artsy Town by Kasia Designs
Over The Rainbow by Kasia Designs
Messy Stitches by Vera Lim

For the sixth and final week we had to use a photo of an inanimate object. So in looking at my photos I decided to scrap my raised garden beds and gerbera daisies (loove them) at my previous house that I loved so much. Here it is:

Credits:
Mostly Summer Memories by Holly Designs
Also used bits from:
Anticipation of Summer by MK Designs and ON Designs
Outta This World by K Studio
Blue Skies by K Studio

Well that is all for my SUTUCS layouts. I had a great time and would love to do it again!