ADSD Grab A Collab: Zoo Spirit

I had the privilege of participating in the Grab a Collab at ADSDesigners.  The theme is Zoo Spirit.  Following are the previews of the kit that I created with the provided palette. 

The kit:

 

The animals:

The template:

You can grab my portion of this fab collab here and here. Password for both is "zoo" (minus the quotes).

It is also available at:

Pretty Scrappy

Digital Scrap Designs

Kit includes: 13 papers, 5 frames, 5 ribbons, 5 photo prongs, 7 animal, 2 pieces of "Zoo" wordart, 2 beads, and 1 "Zoo" template.  Kit is slightly over 100MB and is S4H/S4O friendly!

Now, for your scrapping pleasure, do the blog hop and Grab a Collab!

abyscraps
Amanda Truitt
Angel
A Zone for Digiscraps
Brooke & Joni
Burkhart Scrapzone (Michaele)
Buzybee Designs (Penny Lewis)
By God's Design
City Scribe Scraps
Crafter's Boutique (Mardesia)
Creations By Rachael
Creative Digital Scraps by Chiara
Creative Dreams
Deb
Debbie
Designs by Crazy Diamond
Designs by Lisa Minor
Erika (PinkuPixie)
Gone Scrappin' Designs
Heartprints Digital Designs
Kalo Designs
Kelly's Sanity Saver
Kim's Scrappin'
You are here----->Lady V dZine
LBCreations: Designs by Babette
Lighthouse Designs by Beth
Lighthouse Scrapping and Harbor Designs
Lori Imel
MagsGraphics
Michelle Blagg Designs
Monica at Random Inspirations
Munchkin Scraps by Jody
Nadine: Scrappinmamma
Nancy Schmidt
Panda Bear Designs
Serina,s Designz
Scrappin with Doodle
Scrappin' with Ladye
Scrappin' with Jersey Girl
Scrappy Cats
ScrappyShannon
Scraps by Shilo
ScripityScrap Designs
Share Joy
Stacey Crossley
Stellarific Creations
Stephanie
The Scrap Loft: Kathy Goldstein Designs
utski can scrap

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave me some love and let me know what you think of the kit. 

By the way, I am taking requests for my next kit.  What would you like to see?

Be blessed,

Lady V

Funny Face

As I was going through pictures looking for a family photo for the adoption application, I came across one of my favorites of Zane.  Picture was taken by Wells Family Photography, courtesy of Larry and Belinda Wells.  Posted here with permission.

Zane was about a month old, and had recently developed colic. 

This is what he looked like for the better part of about two and a half months!

When he started wailing during the photo shoot, I told Belinda to keep taking pictures.  The way I saw it, that is what he was like most of the time, so why not preserve it?

To get a better view of his colic cry, you can check out the one month pictures here.

Be blessed,

Lady V

Ever Google Yourself?

I was recently asked if I had ever Google'd my name.  I hadn't.  So, I decided to give it a try.

It turns out that I share my name with a famous filmographer, Virginia Higgins. I found a lot of links for her. 

Here are a few that I found that actually include stuff about me:

http://www.kfoxtv.com/health/11035122/detail.html

http://www.bcm.edu/findings/vol5/is4/07apr_n1.html

and

http://www.nfed.org/pdf/educator/NFED_Educator_Winter_08.pdf (includes my son's birth announcement).

There could be more, but I only went through the first 10 pages each for my married and maiden names. 

Isn't it interesting that all three links relate to Ectodermal Dysplasia?

Anyway, give it a try!  Google yourself and let me know if you find anything interesting!

Be blessed,

Lady V

The Adoption Application

As I mentioned, we just sent in the paperwork for our application to adopt.

We checked into international adoption, but ran into several road blocks. 

First of all, I am affected by the Hay Wells syndrome of  Ectodermal Dysplasia.  What does that have to do with adoption?  Well, apparently, it disqualifies us from adopting from several countries according to at least two agencies. 

Secondly, I have no finger prints.  As a result of the Hay Wells syndrome, I do not have the distinguishable ridges on my finger tips that make up prints.  I have some scar prints, but nothing really remarkable.   It took me almost 6 months to get my RN license in Missouri, because of the lack of fingerprints.  I had to go get "printed" three times.  Each time, I listed the syndrome on the paperwork and explained why I don't have fingerprints to the official who did the printing.  When they called to tell me that I needed to get "printed" a fourth time, due to "poor quality of prints," I nearly screamed!  Again, I explained that they could scan my fingertips fifty times and would NEVER get a "quality" print.  In fact, because my scars on my hands occasionally break open, chances are, the scar prints would not even be the same each time.  I even offered a buccal swab or retinal scan.  LOL.  So, after 6 months, 3 sets of prints, and countless calls, the board of nursing pushed through a federal background check.  Again, what does that have to do with adoption? Well, fingerprinting is part of the international adoption process.  It is required for INS (immigration) for both parents to be printed.  While I'm certain we could eventually get them to understand that it is not an option, we would like to have our second child before we reach senility! 

After much prayer and consideration, we decided to apply for the domestic infant program. 

I literally spent all day Tuesday working on the application.  The application requires a current family photo.  Would you believe that after scouring through my digi-files, I could not come up with a decent recent picture of the three of us for the application? 

Can I just say that God is good?

It just so happens that our church, Northwest Foursquare Church is in the middle of doing a pictorial directory.  Wells Family Photography is doing the photos for the directory, and fortunately for us, Larry and Belinda happen to be friends.  So, I sent a frantic plea to Belinda via e-mail, and she sent me the unedited picture that they took for the directory.  Here it is:

We look like a nice family, right?  Zane looks like the happiest baby in the world!  What a grin! 

So, would you like to do me a favor? 

As you look at the picture of our family, please pray that the Lord would touch our future child's birth mother and grant her health and wisdom.  Pray that He will grant us favor and that in His time, He would direct the right woman to choose us to raise her child.  Pray that the Lord would open the doors that need to be opened, close the ones that need to be closed, and help us to keep our hands off the door knobs. 

Thanks!

Be blessed,

Lady V

Power shock, pulling up, and a paper chase begins

Who knew that a shock from a 120v outlet could cause one to feel so weird! 

Last night, I was blending up some baby food for Zane (I make all of his baby food myself) when the little processor sparked and sorta shocked me.  My left hand tingled and I had a headache for several hours afterward!  I still had the headache when I went to bed.

I used the processor again today, and nothing happened, so I am sure it's okay.

Zane is now pulling himself into a standing position.  He did it for the first time yesterday!  It seem like just yesterday he started rolling over!

I mean, he just started crawling over things, like the chair rungs...

and eating at the table...

and now he's standing...

My little boy is growing up!

Did I mention that he wasn't so fond of the pool in Iowa?

That's my DH, Brian, trying valiantly to cajole a smile out of him!

He finally did smile, after Daddy took him out of the boat and held him...

but trust me, it didn't last!  LOL!  He definitely thought playing with Delores was more fun than the pool!

Look at that grin!

We officially started the paper chase for our adoption today! 

 

Our application is in the mail to Lutheran Family and Children's Services!  Whoo Hoo!  I know we have A LOT of paperwork, and A LOT of waiting to do yet, but I am excited nonetheless!

Be blessed,

Lady V

The 27th Annual NFED National Family Conference

Was a huge success!  At least, in my humble opinion. 

Ten people from my family attended (My hubby, Brian; my son, Zane; my Mom, Fredia; my sister, Denyse; my sister's boyfriend, Dad; my nephew, Dyllan; my niece, Danielle; my niece, Delores; and myself)! 

We participated in Grand Rounds at the University of Iowa Department of Dermatology.  We relished the experience, because it enabled us to educate a lot of new doctors about the Ectodermal Dysplasias. 

We participated in several workshops.  One that I attended was on Hair, Skin, and Nails.  Brian attended an Insurance one.  And our all time favorite, the syndrome specific workshop was on Hay Wells syndrome.  Wow!  It isn't often that I get to sit in a room full of people affected by the same disorder (because it is so rare).  The opportunity to trade stories and tips/tricks was a real blessing.

We also got to meet with some of the doctors that were in Houston in 2006 when we participated in some genetic research.  We were really excited about that meeting.  As it turns out, our family is affected by a new mutation of the Hay Wells syndrome.  And, my Mom tested negative for being a somatic mosaic.  The theory now is that it probably came from my Dad's side.  Now there is a genetics expert in the Netherlands, who can do a VERY INVOLVED mathematical analysis, called linkage analysis, to determine how likely it is that it came from Dad's side.  Depending on the results of that, Mom may need to do some more DNA testing.  I pray that the geneticist decides to do the linkage analysis for us!

One of the highlights of our week was getting to see an old friend.  We (my sister and I) met Marissa when she was about 6 or 7 years old.  Marissa is also affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia.  When her dad and mom, Chad and Dana, saw a picture of me in the EDucator (the NFED newsletter) they were astounded by how much Marissa looked like me.  So, they contacted us and asked us to meet them.   Long story short, we met them and ended up becoming friends.  Marissa is now a beautiful, and intelligent, young woman.  We got to spend time with Marissa, Chad, and Dana at the conference.  It was so refreshing!

I participated in a "spit test."  Sounds like fun, huh?  First, they tested the ph of my saliva with a little ph strip.  Then I had to fill a little cup with saliva (for DNA testing).  Then they blotted the saliva from between my lip and gum and timed it to see how long it took for the area to become moist again.  Then I had to spit every thirty seconds for five minutes into another cup, while chewing some rather nasty tasteless gum.  The result?  I have a very low saliva production.  Which I already knew.  But, the test is important for statistical analysis, so it was worth it.  Who knew it could take up to 30 minutes to fill a little bitty cup with saliva! 

Zane a great time, too.  He got to attend Kids Camp.  They played with him, and even made him a T-shirt.  My Mom attended Kids Camp with him, because he has a little bit of stranger anxiety (almost 8 months old, whew!!).  The truth is, I've never left him with anyone other than my Mom and Belinda (a friend from church), and I wasn't about to leave him with strangers in Iowa!!  So, thanks Mom!  I love you for understanding and being willing to put up with my antics!

All in all, it was a fantastic experience.  A hearty thanks to all the ladies at the NFED that made it possible!

February is National Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness month.  I am planning to put together a charity kit, with the proceeds to benefit the NFED.  I will be opening it up for other designers to contribute, if interested, more details to follow.

Be blessed,

Lady V

Henry

So, I was sitting at my computer thinking about what kits I could create when the phone rang.  It was my brother, John.  As we talked, I kept thinking about how my brother, Joe, always calls John "Henry." 

I don't know why, but, Joe has called John "Henry" for as long as I can remember.  When we were younger, he called him "John Henry" then at some point shortened it to just "Henry" (John's middle name is Daryn). 

Anyway, as John and I were chatting, I jotted down "Henry."  Then I started playing in PSP and thought of all the times John said, "I could bench you" when we were teens.  He started body building when he was about 13.  Before that, he was just as scrawny/puny as you could imagine.  But as he got into the body building, his physique changed.  And he started the "I could bench you" routine. 

By the time John and I got off the phone, I had the start of a kit.  I had a specific picture in mind as I worked, one of him flexing his arms.

Here is the picture:

And here is the kit, Henry, that it inspired:

And the layout that I made with it:

And this is John now:

He's not scrawny/puny anymore.  He can bench press well over 500 pounds, and yes, he can bench me!

Henry (the kit, not my brother!) is now in the store for just $3.99!

I've also put the Henry Quick Page in the store as a freebie.

You can snag it here.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!  And I hope John "Henry" doesn't get mad at me for posting his flex picture on here!

Be blessed!

 

Lady V

Color Challenge at Benevolent Boutique

Melanie of By God's Design is hosting the July Creating with Color Challenge at the Benevolent Boutique Forum.  Here is a preview of the mini kit that I created with the color palette provided:

Per the color challenge guidelines at the Benevolent Boutique Forum, I am posting a link to their forum for you to go there to snag the mini kit. 

Benevolent Boutique Forum Color Challenge (my post, and the link for the mini kit are on page 3 of the comments)

This mini kit will be available until the end of the month.  I would love to see any layouts you create with it.  Send me a link or an e-mail to ladyvdzine @ gmail .com (remove the spaces).

Thanks, and be blessed!

Lady V

Pretty Scrappy Color Challenge

Nikki of  Just Passin Thru is hosting a Color Challenge at the Pretty Scrappy Forum.

And here's my results:

You can snag it here.  Password is color

Be sure to check out the Pretty Scrappy Forum for the monthly challenges, and head on and Nikki's Color Challenge to see what participation prize you might snag...

Be blessed,

Lady V

Color Challenge at SAS

Boo of BooLand Designs hosts a monthly color challenge over at the Stone Accent Studios forum. The palette for July is cute, and here is the layout that I did with the palette.  The picture is of my youngest niece, Delores.  She spent the night with us last year, and after putting on her pajamas, she climbed up in my bed like she owned it!  She was not happy with the pack n play!!

and the quick page (12x12/300ppi/png)that is available for grabs is simply the layout minus the journaling:

You can snag it here.  Password is color.

Be blessed,

Lady V

Monster Post: Exciting News and a Freebie Too

My family will be attending the NFED family conference in Iowa next week.  I have attended family conferences in the past.  But, this year is different.  First of all, I have always attended as an affected individual.  This year, I am attending as a parent of an affected child.  That really changes the perspective.  Also, it is my husband's first opportunity to attend a family conference.  As well as my son's. 

Family conferences are a lot of fun.  It is a chance to see old friends, and meet new ones.  All of whom share the knowledge of what it is like to be affected by one of the Ectodermal Dysplasia syndromes. 

Our schedule is full.  We have workshops that we want to attend, so that we can learn more about what to expect for our son, Zane.  And there are Grand Rounds.  Not everyone participates in Grand Rounds, not everyone is comfortable with it or could make it a day early.  I, however, LOVE Grand Rounds.  I love the opportunity of helping medical professionals learn about the disorder and putting a face to the long words in their text books.  For Grand Rounds, the doctors (and residents) all come around and have the opportunity to ask us questions about how we are affected, etc.  Typically, a host of disciplines are represented--from dermatology to urology, dentistry to ophthalmology, and just about everything in between. 

We also get the opportunity to meet with one of the physicians that we met in Houston in 2006, at Baylor University.  We participated in genetic research and the results are in.  I am especially interested in the results, because I am the first known case of Ectodermal Dysplasia in my family. 

On another note, Pretty Scrappy is going to make the switch to all Scrap for Hire friendly products.  Yippee!  Of course, all of my stuff is all ready S4H/S4O friendly, but I really think this will be a good move for the store. 

I have participated in another challenge over at Scrap Kit Challenge.  The theme for our next collab is Fun at the Fair! Here is my contribution to the kit:

You can snag it here.  Password is fair.  It includes 7 papers (8x8/300ppi), 4 tags, 1 eyelet ribbon, 1 hotdog, 1 frame, 1 cotton candy, and 1 Admit One ticket. 

The collab will be released on the Scrap Kit Challenge site on August 1st. 

The kit that is currently posted is the Forever kit, and it is a beauty!  Take a look at these:

This kit will not be free Forever (LOL).  It is only snaggable until July 31st.

Also, available (for purchase) are these amazing 60+ Baby Book quick pages (8x8/300ppi) for just $5.00!

Or these miscellaneous quick pages plus bonus cards and envelopes for just $3.50! 

So, run on over to SKC and get these while the getting is good!  Older quick page sets are being removed to make room for new sets, so scroll on down and see what you can get!

Thanks for sticking with me! 

Be blessed,

Lady V

Run, Skip, Jump Add-On's

One of my favorite personal use digital scrap series is the ABC series Run, Skip, Jump from Digitreats.  I have been collecting the series as she posts them on her blog since January.  She has made it to "N" already!   

Pam (aka Digitreats) graciously shares her color palettes and allows others to create Add-On's to her series.  Because I love the series so much, I decided to create an add-on for each one. 

This is Run

This is Skip

and this is Jump

Each add-on contains 3 papers, a ribbon, and two decorative elements.  Drop shadows on previews only.

Because these are add-on's to Digitreats series, they will not be sold.  The links will be up for one week, so snag them (by clicking on Run, Skip, Jump or on the previews) while you can.  Password is rsjaddon When they are gone, they are gone!

While you're at it, surf on over to Digitreats and check out her latest installment of the Run, Skip, Jump series.  If you have missed the previous installments, she does offer them for sale for a nominal (if you ask me) fee.

Have a great day, and be blessed!

Lady V

New Store, New Kits, Sale, and a CU Freebie

I am SO excited!! 

First of all, my baby said "Mama" for the first time last night!  He's been babbling for a while now, mostly without any meaning.  But last night, he crawled right toward me and said "Mama."  Talk about making a girl giddy! 

Of course, my husband claims that Zane said "Dada" this morning.  I did not hear it.  But, I guess it is possible.

My cousin got married today!  It was such a beautiful wedding.  It was held in a rose garden at a park, and the wedding colors were pink, black, and silver.  It was spectacular. 

They decided to get married today because my family has an annual family reunion on the weekend of the 4th of July.  They figured everyone would be in town for the reunion, and this would save a lot of the family $$$ by not having to travel twice.  How thoughtful and considerate is that! 

So, tomorrow the whole gang is getting together again for barbecue.  I love our family reunions!

The only thing I worry about is my baby and the heat.  He cannot tolerate the head because of the Hay Wells syndrome.  Just in the amount of time we were outside for the wedding today, his temperature went up to 102!  We carry two portable fans, ice packs, and a cooling blanket with us when we have to be outside at all. 

I just opened a new store at Digital Scrap Designs, where only S4H and CU products are sold. 

I have also activated two new kits at both Digital Scrap Designs and at Pretty Scrappy.

Mom is a sweet tribute to that special lady in your life.  Kit is in red, pink, and purple and comes with 15 papers and 30 elements. S4H/S4O friendly.

Dad is a warm tribute to that one of a kind guy in your life.  Kit in blue, brown, and goldenrod and comes with 15 papers and 30 elements.  S4H/S4O friendly.

My entire store at Pretty Scrappy is on sale for 25% off through Monday!

And just because it has been such a beautiful day here, I thought I would share with you a picture that I took at the Botanical Gardens in St Louis.  The picture is 12x12 at 300 dpi.  This picture is CU, but you must ALTER if you use it, do not sell it in its original state!! 

click the image or go here to snag this one. 

Make sure you scroll and snag the Scrap Your Faith Challenge freebie.  There is a posting bonus involved, so you don't want to miss that one!

As one of my favorite radio pastors says, "Have a good and godly day.  For of what use is a good day, if it isn't a godly day."

Be blessed!

Lady V

Scrap Your Faith Challenge

As a designer at  Pretty Scrappy I have the privilege of hosting a challenge at the Pretty Scrappy Forum.  I have chosen to do a Scrap Your Faith Challenge. 

I had the challenge all set and ready to go for the 1st.  Then I heard the sermon at church on Sunday, and just had to use the passage that was taught on!  It is 2 Samuel 7:28-29, which says "And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You've already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently! (The Message)"  Wow!  That is what I want!  The Lord's blessing on my family permanently! 

So, I came home and reworked the challenge (perhaps I'll use what I had done already for August?!?).  For this challenge, you will need to go grab the free challenge supplies at the store or via 4shared (password is 0708syf), which contains two overlays (one white/one black), one piece of word art, and one tag.  All items at 300 dpi.

Use one of these items in a layout and post your results in the Scrap Your Faith Challenge Gallery and a link in the Scrap Your Faith Challenge portion of the forum. 

After you have posted your results, I will send you the link (or code) for your posting bonus, which is this lovely mini kit that includes one textured background, one decorated frame, one journal tag, one eyelet, one brad, and one ribbon.  

Here is what I did with mine...

The picture is of my husband (Brian) and I when our son (Zane) was born.  The scrap elements are from the challenge supplies and the posting bonus. 

I can't wait to see what you do with yours!

Please be sure to check out the other current challenges in the Pretty Scrappy forum, including Just for Fun and the Color Challenge!

Have a blessed day!

Lady V