Calling all Military Wives....

I had the honor of receiving “Faith Deployed – Daily Encouragements for Military Wives” and I have to be honest with you as crazy and stressful as my life has been of late with health issues, business issues and then with hubby return for his R&R and then him leaving again – I kind of put the book on a shelf and that is where it sat!!! WHAT WAS I thinking?!?!

As much as my family and friends want to understand and sympathize with me they really do not understand the daily challenges and struggles of being a military wife. Much less being a military wife with a deployed husband.

I have to tell you I was so struck by the honesty and the willingness to talk about REAL issues and real concerns that I struggle with daily as a military wife. And to discuss them from a Christian point of view and then to back them up with scripture! WOW!

If you are a military wife, girlfriend or fiancée I HIGHLY encourage you to get this book and get it NOW! Besides the fact that it is a very quick daily devotional that deals with a huge gamete of military life issues each section has an “ask” and “pray” section which I found had me thinking about the devotional all though out my day! I feel encourage that I am not alone. That there is someone else out there that understands my fears and struggles and who is willing to encourage me and remind me that though God’s word and with God’s help I CAN face and overcome anything – including deployment!

In addition to the book, there is a website that you can follow with devotions, contest, book reviews and a ton of great resources!! Make sure you check it out HERE!

Thanks Jocelyn for understanding my struggles, concerns and issues and for “Getting” what I am going through! I now feel like I can face each and every day of this deployment with those who understand me and with the word of God as I make my way through this devotional.

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

FREEBIE FRIDAY!!!

Happy FRIDAY!!!! And to make it an even better Friday it is FREEBIE FRIDAY!!! And to make it even better than that - (SUE you are going to be happy).....

Today's FRIDAY FREEBIE is.... (This is where you imagine the drum roll)... the PUMPKIN FACES Mix and Match that I previewed yesterday!!!!!

I am loving this file... there is a ton of things you can do with it... make your own templates for your Jack-O-Lanterns, maybe you don't want to actually "Cut" your pumpkin - so then you could cut your faces out of vinyl and stick them on your pumpkins. How about cutting the faces out of the front of a note card and making your own "You got Booed" cards? OR how about cutting your faces you create out of a paper bag and making your own luminaries? Oh sooo many possibilities!! (To be exact there are over 1700 faces that you can create with this mix and match!!!!

And just think for today and today only... you can download this design for FREE!!! But now here is the fine print... Please note that this design is covered by my TOU (terms of use). If you do not have a copy of these TOU please make sure you download it HERE before downloading the freebies!

This design is only available for a short period of time - once it is no longer available here it will be available in my section of the VDBC Store for purchase!

Please do not share this file. If you know someone who might like to have it, then send them HERE to get it!! (Thanks sooo much!)

SORRY DESIGN IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR FREE
If you are interested in purchasing this design it will be available at VDBC.

Also if you are looking for more "Halloweenish" designs check out these two design that I just uploaded to the VDBC Store....

Both are on sale for 30% off until Monday! (Just click on the photo to take you straight to the store!!!)

Hope you have a great weekend!! I am going to be uploaded some more files to the store (both new and old) so make sure you check back on Monday for an update of what is going on (and a peek at what's new!!!)

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Conversions, conversions and more conversions....

Man! Who knew I had soooo many designs!!! (Over three hundred now!!!) And of those 300+++ files only 75 of them have made their way into my section of the store at VDBC! I am slowlyyyyyyy but surely working my way though the conversion (adding the svgs) and getting all of them up... but man! It is a process!!

In addition to trying to get all my past designs up in the store - I am still trying to design some new stuff as well - and I think I promised you yesterday a sneak peek at a few files to come....

I'm off to do some more conversions....sheesh!! (Oh and Friday Freebie!! I got to get that done too!!!)

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Please Pray for the Family......

SGT French was one of hubby's soliders in the 2005/2006 Iraq deployement. Hubby said you never saw Alex without a smile on his face! He was always happy.... and he was a GREAT soldier.....

According to the Department of Defense, French, 31, of Milledgeville, died Sept. 30 in Kwhost, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Alex French IV at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

From Channel 13 WMAZ -

The body of a 48th Brigade who died in Afghanistan has returned to Central Georgia.

A plane carrying the body of Alex French touched down at Lowe Aviation at Middle Georgia Regional Airport around 11:30 a.m. Around 1:40 p.m., it arrived at Slater's Funeral Home, located at 244 North Wayne Street in Milledgeville.

Friends and family gathered at the airport to welcome French home. An honor unit also paid tribute there.

"He loved the military, he loved his family and he died doing what he loved to do," said Anthony Rawls, French's uncle.

In Milledgeville, hundreds of people lined the streets to pay welcome French home. About 500 of them were Georgia Military College students in uniform; others were people who said they didn't know French but wanted to pay their respects.

"I plan to be there someday too and to me it's the least that we can to honor him," said Kipp Goss, Georgia Military College student.

"Anytime we have someone serving our country, fighting for us, we should show respect to them and honor them," said Olive Shinholster, Milledgeville.

Flags in downtown Milledgeville flew at half-staff. French will be buried Saturday. He will be buried at Scenic Cemetery off Highway 49 in Milledgeville.

He died last Wednesday when his convoy was hit by a improvised explosive in a suicide attack.
French, 31 years-old, was also a father of three and a Bibb County deputy.

Until Next Time.

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Feeling Blue....

Feeling kind of blue today..... Don't feel like yakking, don't feel like working, don't even feel like shoping... but I am trying to stay busy, stay focused and I plan to have some new files to sneak peek for you tomorrow.

Talked to hubby earlier - he FINALLY made it back to his base camp (that only took five days), just in time to move to another camp. Means he will be "on the road" and that's a little stressful. But it is what it is....

Anyway, before I go....

I've been thinking its amazing to me how many lives are touched by deployments. Yet at the same time there are so many people who don't know the sacrifices that are made. Who have never experienced true sacrifice.

So many sacrifices are made by the soldiers, the sailors, the airmen.... but not just by the service member but by their families as well.....

This was headlines news today.......



I think it speaks for itself!

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Photo Shoot....

Sorry I am so late posting today! I had a Dr's appointment bright and early this morning (Ok so it has been raining for a few days now and it wasn't so bright - but it was early - well early for me!!! LOL)... then I had to run some errands, and then when I finally got home..... well I am not sure what happens to my time when I get home - but I do know that it totally got away from me!!!!

Anyway - today's post is going to be short and sweet. I am a little on the "blue" side. Already missing my hubby! I am so thankful of the time I got to spend with him and I am counting the days until he is home again... but.....

While he was home we went on our first ever honest to goodness photo shoot!!!! (I don't think that the wedding photos actually count as a "shoot" and IF they do that was almost eight years go!!!!)

I found a wonderful photographer here in town and she met up with us on one of the days of leave and I have to tell you the photos are AMAZING!!!!!

Here are a few collages that she put together of her favorite photos. (These are not the ones I picked out as my fav's but the ones she picked out!!!)

(you can click on the photo to get a large size)

Out of 124 proofs, Andrew and I selected 44 photos that we loved!!!! (And I mean it took us hours to pick those 44 out!!!) And before anyone asks - yes I know our heads and body's are cut off some of these photos - and YES we did do that on purpose!!!! I really wanted to play up the military aspect of our lives - and then the manly/hero aspect of Andrew and the softer side of me.... for example - the combat boots and then my painted toes with flip flops!!!! (Don't forget I am a scrapper - I NEED cool photos to scrap!!!! Bahahaha!!)

One of the things I love about Stacy is that she states that her style of photography is like photojournalism. She likes to be able to take, edit and create photos to tell a story!!! I am loving it!!! And when you see the close up of this photo:

You know she has told the story!

So if you are in the Savannah area and are looking for a photographer - I strongly and highly recommend Stacy!!! Check out her blogsite HERE!!! (She does these amazing mini shoots, including vintage pin up shoots!!! Check them out!!)

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

What a Weekend... and the WINNERS!!!!

Man!! What a weekend!!! I had such an awesome awesome time over at the VDBC Forum this weekend!!!! There was soooooo much going on and it was such a blast!!! Thanks to everyone who participated in all the games, challenges, contests, freebies and even in my sale!!! I soooo soooo sooo appreciate it!!!! Dang! That was an awesome way to kick off my new adventure with VDBC for sure!!!!!

Now for the BIG NEWS!!! The winners of my contests!!!! Whoo Hooooo!!!!

So first up, I had a contest to name my 26 BRAND NEW designs that were for sale for the very first time! And I am sooo happy to report that after a few hints all 26 were FINALLY named!!!! LOL

The Winners Were:

1) How the Waist was Won BK00298 - Ginger/Games
2) Twilight - Suzanne
3) Your a Hoot - Deb C
4) Eye of the Storm - Rebecca
5) Operation Weight Lose- Elizabeth
6) It's not a diet - MamawAnn
7) Feeling Batty - Kelly S
8) I deserve Pampering - RpCrafter
9) Owl in Tree - Anne (akids)
10) Whoo Whoo's my boy - Raven
11) Sushi - Pam Z
12) The Witch is in - Heather
13) Hurrican Season - Janachelle
14) Love me Love my slippers - LisaAvolio
15) It's not the pounds - Hailey
16) The Big 40 - Scrappinmama (Karen)
17) Bat Border - Margaret
18) Mom's Border - fofoanderson
19) Welcome Home - Ginger
20) Whoo Whoo's my Girl - Robin
21) Wine Tasting - Robin
22) Girls Spa Day - Ginger/Games
23) Back to School - Pam
24) Wedding Couple - Dreaming/Lisa
25) Diet - Melody
26) Day at the Spa - MamawAnn

Each winner will receive the file(s) that they named for free!!! (They should be arriving in your email box soon!!!)

Then I did a Facebook Fan contest! I happy to announce that Beloved Keepsakes now has its own Facebook Fan page! You can become a fan by going HERE! For those people who became a fan this weekend and posted that they became a fan on the forum were entered into a random drawing and were told that the winner would get to choose FIVE of my designs for FREE!!!!

We had 25 people enter this contest and the winner was:

MamawAnn

Congratulations!!!! I will be contacting you about your prize!!!!


Then I had another contest where I asked people to post their favorite Beloved Keepsakes Design and they would be entered in a random drawing for a Glue Glider Pro glue gun with two cartridges! We had 70 people enter this contest and the winner chosen by the Randomizer was:

Rebecca (aka RloveW)

Congratulations as well!! (I love love love this gun!!!) I will be contacting you about your prize as well!!!

And finally - the "Beloved Keepsakes BIG OLE Bag of Scrapping Crap"!!!! For this contest, I asked that people leave a comment on my blog giving me and idea, theme, or subject matter that they would like to see more designs in. I had a 115 COMMENTS left!!! WOW!!!!! Let me tell you I am soo appreciative for those ideas and suggestions and you can bet you will be seeing some of them soon!!!!

So the winner of the "Beloved Keepsakes BIG OLE Bag of Scrapping Crap" is: (Drum Roll)

MELODY

I know, I know... I couldn't believe it either!! Melody is a dear customer/friend and "Farmville" neighbor! But I swear I didn't cheat and here is the screen shot to prove it!!!!

Congratulations Melody!! I will be getting with you soon to get your information to ship your prize to you!!!!

Once again thank you to each and every one of you that made this past weekend such a HUGE success!!!! I feel so blessed to be a part of the VDBC "More" Team and I am truly looking forward to working with Chris and the rest of the Gang!!!

Until Next Time (I think I need a nap!!!)

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

The Final Countdown....

has begun!!! Yep that's right! Today is the LAST day of the VDBC ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!!!!! Have you been joining in on the fun???? (Let me tell you it there has been a TON of stuff going on!!!!)

As far as my part in the celebrations, I have offered four contests, a 40% off sale and now today - a FREEBIE FILE for you!!! (Well actually it is two files in one!!!!) Whooo Hooooo!!!

So a few house keeping issues and then I will give you what you really came for (the free design!!!) Bahahahaha!!!

FIRST - today is THE LAST DAY to get all my designs at the VDBC Store for 40% off!!!! Sale will end TONIGHT!!! Do not miss your chance to get 40% off these files. (I don't plan to have another 40% sale for a while!!!)

SECOND - Did you enter the contest for the "Beloved Keepsakes Big Ole Bag of Scrapping Crap"??? If not you better get on over there and do it NOW - time is running out!!! (All entries must be in by 10 PM EASTERN time TONIGHT!!!!)

THIRD - Did you enter in my contest to win the "Glue Glider Pro" and the extra cartridge? That contest ends at 10 PM as well!!!

FOURTHLY - Did you enter the contest to win one of my BRAND NEW designs?

FIFTH - Did you enter the drawing for FIVE free designs????

And now for what you REALLY want!!! Bahahaha.... here is the FREEBIE for today!! This is actually TWO freebies in one!!!!

I think there is a ton of great uses for this super cute file!!! Don't you??

Please note that this design is covered by my TOU (terms of use). If you do not have a copy of these TOU please make sure you download it HERE before downloading the freebies!

This design is only available for a short period of time - once it is no longer available here it will be available in my store for purchase!

Sorry this file is no longer available. If you would like to purchase, it should be in the store soon!

Please do not share this file. If you know someone who might like to have it, then send them HERE to get it!! (Thanks sooo much!)

I know that there are still some major happenings, contest, challenges and freebies over at the VDBC Forum - so don't forget to stop on over there as well!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHRIS AND VDBC!!!!

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!!

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!