Let's Celebrate - WM #200 Guest Designer Ali

Here we are at day four of our Whimsical Musings celebration.

Today, I'm delighted to welcome Ali as Guest Designer.

Where did I first get to know Ali? Again, it's been a long time and I'm not sure any more but I know I found a connection with her because she lives in Nova Scotia which I fell in love with when I was fortunate enough to spend a holiday there in 2006. Ali joined Whimsical Musings a long time ago and started back at the very beginning of the prompts which was fun to see. I love it when a long forgotten prompt inspired layout pops up in my feed and Ali is someone who really puts her heart and soul into the words she writes on each of her layout. The love she feels for those she features on her pages is clear to see and I love that authentic part of her style. I'm so happy she agreed to join in with her take on a favourite prompt.

Let's see what Ali has to say:

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So happy to be here at Whimsical Musings during this extra special week!

I love the past WM prompts and frequently browse through them. I appreciate the convenient list found here  because I can go back and forth deciding which prompts best fit the photos I have on hand.

There is a pattern for me, though. The LOs I have created using Whimsical Musings prompts are frequently about Connections - prompt #3 and Life's Turning Points - prompt #20.

I often say that my life is all about communication. Communication ties those two prompts together for me, explaining why these themes come up so often in my scrappin'. My job is to create and nurture critical connections and build bridges as we face life's turning points. Pete and I have four kids: two are grown.  Together we have faced LOTS of unexpected bends in the road! We will be grandparents soon, too, and our daughter Kate and her partner Nathan will become parents. More scrap-worthy turning points- wow!! Three of our kids - all boys - are still at home. Bryan has almost completed his post-secondary education, and Daniel is in high school - so more directional changes are coming. Our youngest child, Noah, 13, has special needs, and will likely always be beside us. :)  We build a LOT of bridges and connections as we work toward assuring the happy life Noah deserves, and that our family deserves. Strong connections and bridges make life better, and ease our navigation through life's turning points. All of this hinges on good communication.  

Journalling

We were absolutely thrilled with how well this "at home photo session"  went.  Pete and I needed new pictures of this happy duo and Noah obliged with camera-worthy smiles; he and Argo snuggling up beside one another as though a photo shoot was an everyday occurrence.

Pete snapped so many beautiful photos that it was difficult to choose just a couple to use on a scrapbook page. These were my choices.

We so value the teamwork between our son and his Autism Assistance Dog Guide, Argo. Our family is forever indebted to the incomparable Lions Foundation of Canada and the work they do in the Autism Assistance Dog Guide program.

Bravo Noah and Argo!
Photo by Daddy, Mar. 2015
Journaling by Mom, Jan. 6 2016

Who Am I?

In my "spare time," I love to journal, scrap and make cards for charity. Pete and I also do speaking engagements as a team.  I'm planning to tweak and submit more of my written work to publishers this year - I write non-fiction articles for children.  

In the realm of "playing with paper," I just received the good news that I am on the DT for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!!  I've committed to sharing more projects on my blog this year, and so far, so good. I would love to have you come visit. You can find me at Lovingly Created here

Thanks again for having me as a Guest Blogger at Whimsical Musings this week- it warms my creative soul.  Remember in the midst of a busy life to be creative,  communicate clearly, foster those connections and build those bridges. :)  "You got this!" ~ Ali  

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Thanks Ali for joining us this week! Such a great reminder to us all about how important it is to make connections in our stories and pages.

Just a reminder to you all that there are prizes to be won - you can see the posts on Tuesday and Wednesday for enticing piccies!!

Comments here on any of the WM#200 blog posts as well as any layouts uploaded to EITHER the Whimsical Musings Flickr group or our brand new Whimsical Musings Facebook Group here!