Even MORE Challenge Entries!!!

WOW - I have to say I am soooo excited and IMPRESSED by all the entries I have received so far for the "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover" Challenge! I have to admit when I first came up with the idea to host a challenge - I wasn't sure ANYONE would actually enter!!! And WOW - as of this morning I have 13 entries and we still have three hours until the deadline!!!!

So here are some more of the awesome entries I have received!

This entry comes from Susan B.

The journaling reads: In 2003, Jeff came home from the Middle East. Four months later he left the military after 13 years. It was simple: John and Jarrod were 6 years old; miss out on the next seven years or being home with them. Jeff hit a bullseye. The month he got out he began Cub Scouts with the boys. He has meant much to many but he has meant everything to John and Jarrod. Way to shoot, Jeff!

The next entry comes from Shelly. This is what she had to say about her layout... I had this adorable photo of my daughter but no other photos to go along with it. I loved it so much that I knew it had to have it's own page. I looked at her with her hands folded like that and thought she is so prim and proper just like a princess! So thus I decided to use Carrie Creations die cuts for embellishments. But then I thought what am I really going to say about this photo. One photo and a sentence about how adorable she is just wasn't cutting it. So I then realized this was taken about the time I was suffering from post-partum depression and decided that is what I want to document. I didn't have the courage to document my post partum experience after my son...such a terrible time I just wanted to forget it. Now, thanks to you I have at least mentioned it in my daughters album. I have to say my experience wasn't the textbook hate your baby type depression so I can't stress enough if anyone feels there is something wrong get help. I tried and tried but it took a while for someone to listen. Persistence paid off.

Journaling reads: "Just look at that face! How could someone so precious upset our lives so greatly? After the birth of Tyler I suffered weeks with untreated post-partum depression. It got to the point where I was having hallucinations, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. When Adoree was born we feared history would repeat itself. The doctor immediately started me on an anti-depressant (Zoloft) just in case. Things were wonderful until Daddy started back to work then once again the sleeplessness and vomiting started. We had a rough couple of weeks. Our family and friends pulled us through though. I'd like to think in the photo below Adoree is praying for Mommy!"

This entry was submitted by Nina. And she really though outside the box and submit a project instead of a layout! This is what she had to say about her project: There was really no journaling to my entry.The Title was Hop to it Put all you eggs in one basket. This is a chart to motivate Team leaders to write reviews of their employees. The eggs with Target will be moved into the basket. Each Target egg represents 5 evaluations. The first person with all their eggs in the basket wins a prize. Scrapbooking techniques add so much to everyday life. As a Preschool teacher, I am often using scrapbook paper piecing for some of the projects that my three and four year olds do.

This entry is from Jessica -

Her journaling reads: In November, 2007, I substituted my long, flowing hair for a short, spunky, & stylish do!!! It was quite a shock to Joe and me, but I quickly grew to love it. …Joe, on the other hand, took a little longer to admit that my new look was “cute!”

My loss of 13 inches of hair was all in the name of a good cause: Locks of Love! IT FELT AMAZING to do this, as I had thought about Locks of Love for several years before feeling brave enough to actually sacrifice such length!!

My good friend, Colleen, pulled my hair into a thick ponytail on that November afternoon and cut it off in one swoop! I put it into a plastic zipper bag and sealed it in an envelope before sending it off to allow my loss to be someone else’s gain.

Locks of Love designs wigs to be worn by cancer patients who lose their hair as a result of treatment. It still feels amazing to know that I donated my beloved hair to such an incredible cause! In just a few short months, my hair has grown out a lot. I’m already working on another 13 inches!!!

And my last entry to share today is from Lynn B. (this is Lynn's second entry - you go girl!!!) This is what Lynn had to say about this layout: I was visiting my family in upstate NY and walking through the backyards, following paths and coming upon all different things. Like after walking through LOTS OF TREES, I came upon a really large opening! I was shocked! I later found out people run their dogs there and play ball back there, but it was really hidden (and green with grass, not dirt). Anyway, I walked further and all of a sudden THERE WERE TRAIN TRACKS! I was sooooo delighted for some reason and shocked!!! I took a seat and waited and waited and then there it was! The train!!! I was soooooo ecstatic!!! So, I made a layout about it and really love it.. you can't tell from the photo, but I punched out (and cut out) holes and added different patterned papers behind the holes, so it looks cool.

Journaling reads: "So I was visiting the family in Albany and helping to move Mom from her apartment into Enid's house. She had her garage converted into a really lovely place for Mom. The house is in Voorheesville, a country suburb. I was fascinated with the surroundings and the way of life there. I was also intrigued with a train whistle close by that I heard several times a day. One morning I was out for a walk and found a path between Enid's house and the park next door. The path made it's way through a beautifully wooded area and then there was a large clearing! Wow! A little farther down were RR tracks! I got so excited! I sat and waited and waited and then there it was! The train!!!"

So there you have it - some more AWESOME entries in the challenge!! Deadline is approaching, only a few more hours - I'll post the rest of the entries tomorrow!!! I'll announce the "guest judges" and the winners on WED!!!! You don't want to miss it!!!

Until Next Time!

Cya~
Lori