Supreme Scrap Tournament - 2014 - Challenge 1

Last Fall, my dear friend Dawn in Saskatoon managed to pursuade me to become part of Team Canada and register for the Supreme Scrap Tournament 2014. Challenge 1 arrived this week : Make a double-page layout or double mixed media project that shows where you live. But it all has to be within 1,000 steps from your home!!! You cannot use any spray inks! You will have to use at least 3 photos on your project (scrapbooking and mixed media). You will have to add a visible journalling of at least 50 words. And so here it is. My two-page layout is about my backyard and one of our dearest family members who definitely loved the backyard of our home. Our pet dog Bishop who shared so many memories with us from 1996 to 2012. The journalling reads:

He was the runt of the litter and the only one that hobbled on his wobbly little legs to trek over.to visit with us. One ear markedly down and the other alert. My husband had laid down on the ground and the pup cautiously crawled his way up onto his chest and borrowed his little face under my husband’s chin. And that is how a puppy finds his Master!

From the Fall 1996 to Summer 2012, 16 years, dear Bishop shared our home. True to his breed, this Norwegian Elkhound was determinedly stubborn, loyal and always stood his ground. Our large backyard at 10 Swan Lake Bay in Winnipeg was his heaven. His playground. The place where he made unforgettable memories for our family. Winter was his favourite month. Especially after a snowfall. The severity of the winter temperatures never stopped him from enjoying a jog through the mounds of snow .. burrowing his face as far down as he could … coming up and smiling at us. He loved to roll and roll in the snow … and kindly blessed us with the snowy offerings that clung to his coat when he came into the house. In his old age, when standing used all of his energy, I used to take the snow and rub it into his fur and he would turn and give me that all too familiar smile. Memories of home. Our home that misses the pitter patter of his paws .. the boom of his bark .. the warmth of his company. The home backyard is not the same any more without Bishop sharing our lives. Like the snowflakes that come back year after year, his memories linger in our home backyard .. and I am always reminded of his smile, even on the coldest of winter days!