Sunday, July 06, 2008

Firsts

Two of the layouts I completed this week had 'First' in the title! That led me to think a bit about firsts. Firsts are usually wonderful, memorable experiences like our first encounter with snow, and our first night in NY, and I scrapbook these so we won't forget how we felt.

The children have more firsts by virtue of their age, and just for the record (or, my records), some that come to mind, Jared just received his first Lego Mindstorm set (bought 2nd hand over ebay with my scrapbook design takings, thanks ladies!), bought (finally) his Insaniquarium PC game from his savings, had his first taste of dried and roasted cuttlefish at suntec mall today. Now Ryan had a memorable first 3 weeks ago when he finally rode a two wheeled bicycle on his own! It was a struggle for him and us, he has some difficulties with motor skills and we felt we had to force him to it. It was not without tears and much arguments (and 2 years) but the joy on his face when he finally rode off with Jared (competitively, even) was worth it all.

Ryan is generally someone who doesn't like change, well, he is from a family who likes routine. For eg, when we eat out, we go to the same few places all the time, even order the exact same item on the menu most of the time. LOL. When I ask dh what are the recent firsts in his life, most of it revolves new changes at work, and the same is true for me! We don't like the stress, but I'm reminded of Ryan, that the results may surprise us. Especially when we are praying and know that the good Lord is watching over us, and allows changes for our training and our good!

So much for all the rambling, here is our first encounter with snow, I wish I can keep that sense of absolute wonder, excitement, thrill we felt, for, well, everyday! We were so thankful and happy the entire day. Actually it lasted only one day, so I'm sure the next time we see snow, it will be just as magical!

Credits: Background paper by Laren Reid, snowflakes by Michelle Coleman, word art by Anna Aspnes, sparkle frames by Carol Abrams, beads by Nixon.

And this is us at the Arlington Cemetary, we are so glad we went, and so glad we brought the boys, they asked a lot of questions about war that day.


Credits:background paper by Mamrotka, journal paper from Weeds & Wildflowers, smaller journal paper by Meredith Fernwick, frame corver and tag by Nina Scraps designs, 'lest we forget' words by Sue Jones, branch by ShabbyMissJennDesigns.

The templates for these layouts are available in the store here

Now here is the layout of our first night in New York. After arriving and checking into our tiny hotel one block off Central Park, and wondering to the Christmas market at Union Square, we were not sufficiently warmly dressed and it was so cold, we decided to get indoors and went to Fao Schwatz. Not quite my idea of our first night in NY, but it will have to do! At least the boys were happy and we were not freezing!


Credits: Background paper by Ami Collofello, heart by TangieBaxterDesigns, fiber wrap by GinaMarie, confetti by Ajay Abney, paint strokes by Nancie Rowe Janitz, red alpha by Monique Gascon.


This template will be available in the store soon

41 comments:

  1. Thank you for the freebie! I love your new templates in your store, too. I'm on my way to go get them!

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  2. Thank you, thank you!!

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  3. oh wow!!! thanks SO much! love this

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  4. Thank you so much! You're the best, I just love your templates!

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  5. Thank you so much for the template! I can't wait to use it!

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  6. Your templates are what scrapbooking is all about! Don't get me wrong, I think the layouts with one picture are necessary occasionaly, but I have real life to scrap about and it doesn't fit in one picture! LOL! Thanks so much@

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  7. AnonymousJuly 07, 2008

    thank you for sharing this freebie template, i love your templates. - Dee

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  8. Love the new freebie and I just picked up the 2 new ones!! I just love your "double pagers"!! Don't know if I could do a single page anymore! Thanks so much!!!

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  9. Thanks so much for another fantastic template! I have been using your templates a lot lately. Your new layouts are just beautiful and as always I love your choice of papers and elements! You really inspire me.

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  10. dear yin,
    thanks so much for the freebie. this new template is great!!! i inspire your ideas...amazing..

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  11. Yin - thanks for the template freebie and I just purchased all the templates in the store. These are great for scrapping all our twin club memories and make it so much easier for me - the historian.

    Now just to be able to scrap like you too - and I want to go on the same trip you did - what wonderful memories you have.

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  12. It's always so nice to visit your blog and see your fantastic layouts! Your family is so wholesome and sweet! Thanks for another beautiful template.

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  13. Thank you so much for this nice double template. I like its simplicity and also its ability to display lots of photos.

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  14. I love your template! I have used it already to scrap the nany pictures I have (taken today) of a little boy's eighth birthday party! Thabks so much!

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  15. I hope I someday can do layouts like you... they are awesome... thank you for sharing your template.

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  16. AnonymousJuly 08, 2008

    Yin, thank you so much for the template! I just can't scrap without a template, lack of creativity I suppose.

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  17. AnonymousJuly 08, 2008

    Thanks for the template! I love it!!

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  18. Thank you! Your blog post will be advertised on the DigiFree Digital Scrapbooking Freebie search engine today (look for timestamp: 08 Jul [LA 03:19am, NY 05:19am, UK 10:19am, OZ 08:19pm]).

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  19. Yin - of course you can share my multiples club LOs.

    It must be a great feeling to have people leave comments for your freebie before its posted on the freebie blogs - I've never had that happen. You are a great designer.

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  20. You do wonderful work! Thank you for your generosity!

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  21. AnonymousJuly 08, 2008

    So glad you got the bike accomplishment for Jared - congrats! Love the template - can't wait to see the bike riding pics!

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  22. Thanks again for another wonderful 2 page template.

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  23. Thank you for these new templates. I love to be able to display ALL my photos and this is a great way to do it.

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  24. I really must tell you, that I love love love your templates!! This time I'm scrapping an album of our vacation and I used your templates for the most of the pages. Your arrangements are great and I love how many photos I can add on a page. Let me say a very big THANK YOU!! .. hehe, I also bought your templates :)

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  25. AnonymousJuly 08, 2008

    Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful template. I just love your layouts with it. Especially the journaling since I am just awful at it.
    I made so many photo series during our summer vacation that this template will come in handy. Thanks again.

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  26. Thank you for this new template

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  27. Thanks so much! I love your layouts and what a great topic for a blog posts. Some recent firsts here: surprised hubby at the airport with a weekend getaway, and got to show him (for the first time) the landscaping we had done last spring (he was deployed).

    Thanks again!

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  28. You've done it again Yin!! Thank you!! I love the template and am off to your store as I type!!

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  29. I so do love reading your blog and seeing your layouts. They are so inspirational. Congratulations to Ryan on the bike. I know he must be thrilled. :)

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  30. Hi, I've been seeing your templates on freebie lists for awhile now and I
    like what I see. Starting in August Benevolent Boutique will be featuring a
    monthly template collaboration pack. These template packs will be sold to
    raise money for the charity of the month at Benvolent Boutique and the store
    in no way profits from them. If you are interested in contributing I'd love
    to have you on the charity team.

    I look forward to hearing from you soon and happy scrapping :)

    crystal@benevolentboutique.com

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  31. AnonymousJuly 09, 2008

    Another great template. Thanks so much.

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  32. And just because you are more than just simply Yin, I have left you something here:

    http://tinkstribulations.blogspot.com/2008/07/some-days-are-just-better-than.html

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  33. AnonymousJuly 10, 2008

    I love this template! Thank you!

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  34. AnonymousJuly 10, 2008

    I really love your templates. Thanks for sharing. You really are talented. :)

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  35. Hello!

    Thank you so much for your comment on my blog!
    Yes, you can post my layout... no problem! Actually, I'd be honoured!
    Thanks for sharing these amazing templates with us!

    Hugs!

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  36. Yin, thanks again for your templates. I used one here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=375827&ppuser=2824
    and was even inspired by the scripture verses you have on your blog. The one I used was on your blog the first day I found it.

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  37. AnonymousJuly 21, 2008

    Glad you enjoyed your first snow so much! The template from that one is making it so easy for me to scrap a museum visit! Thanks for offering them.

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  38. AnonymousJuly 21, 2008

    I don't think I've thank you for each and every template that you've made available. Shame on me! They are my favorites and the 1st ones I go to when I want to work with a template. You do beautiful work and I so appreciate your sharing with us all. I also enjoy seeing your layouts and catching a little glimpse of you and your happy family. Thanks again

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  39. hi,
    m first time here & thanks for the wondeful template :).

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