....Mz-cellaneous-scraps

3 girls

2011-02-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

I'm in a "pick up whatever's on my desk and scrapbook it" kinda mood lately. 3 of those photos have been 5x7's of my husband's granddaughters. I may have already even scrapbooked these pics but who cares! LOL

Paper: Kaiser (i think)
"Sweet": K&Company
Felt cupcake: Basic Grey
Girl chipboard letters: I take all my letters out and sort them, so no more packaging!
Journaling block: Making Memories
Border punch: Martha Stewart

Paper: Basic Grey
Journal block: Making Memories
Chipboard: basic grey

To make the ruffle, I cut out my cardstock and put several stripes of heavy duty glue from my ATG along the edge. I then "ruffled" my ribbon by folding back and forth. I didn't want it to look perfect. I also made sure that the ends were folded towards the back when finished. I then stuck it to the page and used my sewing machine to zig zag around the edge. That sucker's never coming up! ;) Then, add letters!

I love this layout it looks more involved than it really was, and yes, I still have an owl fetish. Sue me!

Paper: Best creations
Ribbon: Hobby Lobby
Letters: K & company
Flower: Brenda Walton - K & Company
Sticker letters: Doodlebug
Cardstock: DCWV

All of these pages were super fast. I'm leaning right now towards less techniques and more "getting it done"

My family tree is full of nuts!

2011-02-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

I know.. I haven't posted a page in like FOREVER. I have still been scrapping tho. I'll have a lot of pages to share over the next few days!

My family tree is full of nuts!
(because it's true)

My step-son Chris is a goofball, and I needed to share that with the world. LOL.

When I found this paper, I fell in love! I have a soft spot for squirrels. Especially cute funny ones.

Paper: Carol Wingert Fine Arts (never heard of them!)
Acorn diecuts: Cricut
Chipboard letters: Heidi swapp I think
Stamp (on letters): Autumn leaves
Pens: EK success

Scrapbook page - Love on the Line

2010-07-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

I've had this layout done for a while, but it was bugging me. It just wasn't "right". Finally a couple nights ago, it hit me, it needed a circle behind the label. Too bad it was already glued down!

It's kinda hard to keep love letters when they are text messages. One day I realized I could just take some photos to remember what a big softie I'm married to.

Paper: TCP Studios (color is more true in the second photo)
Text me brad: Making Memories
Flowers: Prima
Pen: EK Success
Chipboard Bird: My Minds Eye - Abbey Road
Sticker Letters: doodlebug
Other Brads: Paper Studio

Scrapbook Page - Sky High

2010-05-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I shared any layouts! I've not been scrapping as much as I was a few weeks ago. I think it's that springtime itch!

Here is a layout I did about the weekend trip Gene and I took to KC. Actually, it's about Skies Restaurant over the Hyatt.

Not my favorite layout ever, but it's a finished layout! I did use up some old stock too in the process.

Paper: Diecuts with a view
Acrylic accents: Heidi Grace
Journaling block: 7 Gypsies
Cloth labels: Making Memories
Sticker letters: K&Company and Susan Branch

Scrapbook Page - Peek a Boo!

2010-04-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Another trip to Branson layout. I *think* it's the last one.

My niece Tayen, playing Peek a Boo with Grandma while we waited for our lunch to show up.

Paper: Diecuts with a view"
Flowers: Prima
Brads: Paper Studio
Journal Block: Making Memories
Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts (my V-day pressie from hubs!)
Letters: American Crafts Thickers

Scrapbook Page - Good Eats

2010-03-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

Can't have a vacation album, without pages about food!!

Paper: Diecuts with a view - market stack
Letters: Thickers by American Crafts (my "o" looks bad. I had to make it out of a d. LOL)
Silverware: Cricut "from the kitchen" cartridge
Chipboard swirls and journal block: basic grey

Scrapbook Page - SDC Details

2010-03-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

A layout with 12 full photos! I wanted something simple and easy for all the detail shots I took. (my mother thinks I'm crazy for taking leaf pictures. Poo on her!)

Paper: My minds Eye
Labels: Cricut
Brads, Zig Writer

Scrapbook Page - Marshal Law

2010-03-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

Can't go to Silver Dollar City without having your photo taken in the jail. I wonder how many of these my mom has?

Yes, I spelled Marshal wrong. I caught it the instant I did it! I blame it on my brother. He lives in a town named Marshall! Oops.

I'll have to fix it later or go insane.

Paper: No idea! I forgot to write it down. LOL Paper pizzaz? I've had it for a while now.
Border paper: Diecuts with a view
Border punch: martha stewart crafts
Journal block and tag: Diecuts with a view
Chipboard flowers: Cheapies from the Michael's $1.00 bin
Ribbon, ink and EK success zig pen

Scrapbook Page - Playtime

2010-03-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Top o' the mornin' to ya laddy...

Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Now come're so I can pinch ya.

A new scrapbook page for you!
When we were in Silver Dollar City, we stopped and let Tayen (my niece) play with the old pump there. When we were kids, this was a major source of entertainment. Times have changed a bit eh?

I used the tutorial from this blog to make the loops around the circle. Thanks Renee!

I loved this paper, but it had a beaver on it. I said to Amber, "how can I make this beaver paper work?" Then it hit me, Tayen has a binky in the pic, so I'll put a binking on the beaver. LOL.
It was kinda hard to do! I need to add a dot of diamond glaze to make sure the ring stays on.

Paper: Diecuts with a View - I think it's called the recycled stack? Heck I can't remember, it's the one with all the owls, beavers, bears, etc.
Large Circle Quote: (old stock) from Bazzill
Journal block: Making Memories
Loopy punch: Martha Stewart Crafts
Flowers: Prima
Sparkly Brads: Paper Studio (hobby lobby)

Scrapbook page - Sisters are like Cherries

2010-03-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Amber and I went to a crop over the weekend.

If you don't know what a crop is, it's where scrapbookers get together and do their thing... crop pictures, glue it on pretty paper. Probably unbearably boring to most.

If you don't know who Amber is, then YOU DON'T READ MY BLOG MUCH. lol. Amber is my little sister, the littlest one. But don't call her your baby sister because, man, she's not a baby. (Although I have cellulite older than Amber *sigh*) Also please, do not call her fat, or over thirty, but really, that just clarifys that she's a female - nothing more.

So anyway!
We had fun, although the crop was a bit craptarded. Weird giveaways, kinda bleh food. Come to find out, the women that put it on have been bickering amongst themselves over petty things like what kind of food to serve, and such. Ladies... we're all adults here. *smile*

Nevertheless, Amber and I did have fun on our own. We both had some major venting to take care of, and I hope that the nearby tables didn't have to hear us bellyache too terribly much.

I even brought my laptop, and we watched a movie. Only one of the greatest theatrical masterpieces of all time.....

Ratatouille!!!

I actually did scrapbook too, and got quite a bit done. More than I think I ever have at a crop! So I have a lot to share with you this week.

This was one of my favorites, mainly cuz it made me laugh, and because it's kinda true.

Except for Amber.
(unless it's Christmas day, and then she's an angry elf)

Paper: Diecuts with a View - Market stack
Diecut paper was made on the Cricut
Cherries - Cricut Hello Kitty cartridge
Letters - Storybook cartridge
Border punch - Loopy border - Martha Stewart Crafts and also Fiskars Threading Waters
Sisters bling - MAMBI ??? I think, I didn't write it down! (sorry, I was distracted by sparkly things)
Ink, and EK success zig writer

Scrapbook Page - Bound Forever

2010-03-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

When we went to Branson, Amber and I started talking about how we should get matching sister tattoos. The more we talked about it, the more everyone else started to play along. By the second night we were there, we pretty much had everyone playing along, even mom!

As we walked into the 3rd tattoo shop, I thought that we should get the harley davidson #1 for our dad that passed away last year. (He loved his harley). My sister Chris, wanted to get a daisey on hers, and so that sort of started the personalization of each person's tattoo.

Chris got a purple daisy
I got a Swallow (swallows are good luck!)
Mom got Wings
Torrie got a touch up to an existing tattoo and had the banner and #1 added
Amber got a pair of hair shears

I split the layouts into the tattoo artist. Jim did mom, Chris and my tattoos and Mikey did Torrie and Ambers.

Paper: I don't know! I think Amber gave me this paper for Christmas.
Stickers: 7 Gypsies
Ink and a brown zig writer.

Paper: Creative imaginations (very old stock)
Stickers: 7 Gypsies
Metal rimmed tags, pop dots, zig pen, ink

Scrapbook Page - Sweet Tooth

2010-03-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

Another Branson trip layout!

One of my favorite stops is the candy store, there are soooo many different types of candy there, things you'd never heard of. I wanted to get some taffy for Tanner since his braces were about to come off! I also got some black walnut brittle for Gene since he loves walnuts so much (blech).

Torrie got in on the action and bought some too.

Paper: Bo Bunny (Valentine's, but I loved it for this!)
Letters: Doodlebug Loopy Lou
Scalloped circles: Cricut
Fake Candies: EK Success - Jolees.

Funny story - Tanner and I went to Target and checked out the dollar spot. We found the candy jolees there. It was a 3 pack of 3 different types of "candies". I thought it was a lot for $1.00 so I went to the scrapping section, and found nothing like it there. I found a scanner, and it wasn't in the system! So I ended up getting it for a buck. It was a steal!

SuhWeet! (pun intended)

Scrapbook Page - Enjoy the Ride

2010-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

My latest page. I've actually had this done for a few days, I just figured you were tired of scrapbook pages. ;)

I swear, I'll do a page without Tayen on it again soon. Promise.

This is riding the train at Silver Dollar City this fall.

Paper: Basic Grey
Diecut Paper: Making Memories
Chipboard letters: Unknown - given to me. I sprayed them with glimmer mist
Sticker letters - OLDDDDD SEI

I was going to go back and add some accents, but looking at it now, the paper is pretty busy, I don't think it needs it. Sweet.

Scrapbook page - Silver Dollar City

2010-02-07T13:04:00.000-08:00

A simple page today, our picture as we ented Silver Dollar City.

Paper: The SDC paper I purchased in Branson. No maker is included.
Striped Paper: Creative Imaginations
Journaling block: OLD! Like, 6-7 years. I received it in a swap.
Border punch: Martha Stewart Crafts
Sticker: 7 gypsies
Metal rimmed tag

Scrapbook Page - Got any cheese?

2010-02-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Still working on those Branson pics. Whenever we go to Branson we ALWAYS stop at Osceola Cheese. It's like blasphemy if you don't!

Mmmm... cheese.

Pics blurred of funny faces so I don't get in trouble!
(again)
;)

Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Diecuts: Cricut - accent essentials I think
Stickers - puffy Ratatouille stickers from hallmark - one of my fav movies. lol
Metal frame - Making Memories from a lonnnnng time ago
Sticker letters: Thickers American Crafts and SEI
Chipboard Journal block: Recollections

Scrapbook Page - Whoooo Luvs you?

2010-02-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Listen, I told you it was scrapbook week.

Another set of pics from our trip to Branson. Also some paper that I *just* bought over the weekend. I like NEVER immediately use loose paper. lol. So that new rule is working for me. Only a couple sheets left and then I can move on to some other things.

I thought the owls, and their sunglasses kinda worked good together.

One of the owls that was going to be covered by photos, I cut out, and put on top of the printed owl with pop dots to give it some dimension.

Paper: Jilly Bean Soup (trees/owls), Stripes, My Mind's Eye
Chipboard shape: Recollections
Letters: Thickers - American Crafts
Border punch - Martha Stewart Crafts

Scrapbook Page - Swinging Bridge

2010-02-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'm warning you, it's scrapbook week here at the ranch!
That was your shot across the bow.

In Silver Dollar City, there's a swinging bridge, and I suppose it's been there since day one. When I was a kid, this was a favorite stop (the jail and the mill is at the other end). No trip to SDC was complete without crossing.

Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Round diecut paper: I *think* it's Bo Bunny
Letter Stickers: Thickers, American Crafts
Leaves: Cricut Accent Essentials
Loopy border punch: Martha Stewart Crafts

Scrapbook Page - Sweet Girl

2010-02-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

Finally, an accident that's happy.

When I designed this page, I put the pages on the opposite sides, when I photographed it, I accidentally put them backwards, and then realized, I like it better!

This is my niece Tayen on our trip to Branson. Just being her cute self.

In an effort to use more of my supplies before buying more, I gave myself a challenge. The latest purchase of loose paper must get used before I can purchase more. I think that's a good plan considering that I tend to buy and forget. It's working well... I love challenges.

Paper: Making Memories (I think) - ironically called "Giggle Kids"
Flowers: Prima
Pink letters - Doodlebug
Silver letters - don't know anymore, I threw away the box, but I think it's K&Co
Arrow - Cosmo Cricket
Rhinestone brads - I can't remember anymore! (I suck at this don't I? lol)

Scrapbook Page - Amber and Lana's DAY OF FUN!

2010-01-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

I've had this on my scrapbook desk for about 3 weeks and just finished it last night. I finally said to heck with it, I was going to take some time to work on this page!!

When we went to Branson, Amber and I decided we were going to take the back seat for a multitude of reasons, the main one being that no one would be screaming at the back of our heads, which is great when there are 6 women in a minivan.

I will kind of admit, that we all had a bit of a "bleh" attitude when we started out, and I think it was because of the drive. I said to Amber right off the bat "Amber and Lana's DAY OF FUN!" (ala Janice and Joey on Friends - and to be honest, I looked for 20 min for the clip and can't find it so settle for this). Anyway, so I said that like 900 times and Amber wanted to kill me in my sleep. heh.

In the end, we had a lot of fun! And, we want to go again some day!

Circle diecut paper - Bo Bunny (that amber got me for Christmas!)
Star paper - I don't know!!
Flowers - Prima
Foam letters - Thickers, American Crafts
Red brad flower centers - Creative Imaginations
Wood travel token - K and company

Scrapbook page day!

2010-01-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I sat down at my scrapbook table and did 2 things that worked well for me to get something accomplished.

#1 - I didn't turn on my laptop. It's a distraction

#2 - I didn't look at any magazines for "inspiration" which has become a habit for me. I find myself confused about what I want to do, what should I scrapbook, this doesn't look right, I don't want to print pictures. blah blah.

So instead, I had a stack of pics in front of me, I just picked up a few I wanted to work on, and went from there. *like I used to do*. You would think it would be as simple as that always eh?

Lil' Bug: It's my niece Tayen, and how she was entertained by a "ladybug" (japanese beetle) on our family girl trip to Branson this fall. I hated it at first, and as I kept working on it, I really ended up liking it. It's really more my old style, which solidfies that maybe I should stop buying magazines.

I have issues.
Really.

Paper: K&Company Berry Sweet stack
Chipboard letters: K&Co too (I think)
Ribbon, vellum, pen, and "patch" style ladybugs I've had for eons.

I got this idea from Ali Edwards. I like hers better, but she obviously gets more pics/cards for christmas than I do. I thought it was a cool way to keep your cards, and pics, and not feel bad about tossing them.

Paper: Creative imaginations - Debbie Mumm (you can't see much of it!) it's an older paper.
Brads: No idea, Stacy gave them to me!
Vellum, pen, chipboard star came off my card from Amber.

Speaking of Amber...

She gave me a really nice scrapbook for Christmas that's all about being sisters! I love it because 1. she made it special for me and 2. Amber and I have gotten so much closer over the years, she is one of my best friends. I love that she scrapbooks too!

It has a cupcake theme!

I don't know all the products that Amber used. The main front cover is a cupcake diecut, which I LOVE. I think I have this one too! Some of the swirly stamps are from Autumn Leaves, some of the products are some products by ME! She also used her cricut on several pages.

Thank you Amber, it was one of my very fav gifts this year!

Project 365 - THE END!

2010-01-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

I did it!
I really really did it!

I finished this monumental project. I will admit, that when I started it, I really wasn't sure it was something I was going to be able to complete, but the further along I got, the more determined I wasn't going to just give up, because the rest of the book would be such a waste! Yep, I sure got slower closer to the end, which made more/longer work for me, but I completed it nonetheless.

I did miss a few days, but I did the math, and because I many days that I did several photos, I actually end up with more than 365 days!

I decided to add a cover page, and an ending page:

Sorry for such a HORRIBLE color. No it is not neon salmon pink. It was just late and I didn't want to wait til daylight to take the photo. lol

The cardstock is from ME! Old stock from my old company. The patterned paper is K & Co (I think), black stripe and flower are Heidi Swapp, the 365 is random chipboard letters and the pen is EK Success. I used my cricut expression to cut the diecut paper.

I stored all the photos in an American Crafts Album (LOVE THOSE) with ultra pro 6-up page protectors.

The album is very thick, and VERY heavy.

Estimated cost for this project:

$111.36 for prints (.29 per print x 384 prints - cost estimate by HP for home printing including ink and paper)
$8.00 - page protectors (half price sales)
$10.00 - Album (STEAL) (Half price sales)
$5.00 - estimated other scrapbook supplies

$134.36 - Total

Personally, I think this is a good deal. You would pay $135 for a book that spans every day of your family's life right? Yeah I thought so. I estimate that I probably put in 60 hours on this project over a year, maybe a little more or a little less. Including the time to take and edit the photos.

Would I do it again?
yes.

Am I going to do it again this year?
*hell to the no*

I am going to take a bit off, and then start thinking about other potential projects down the road.

Project 365 - almost there!!!

2009-12-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

Project 365

2009-12-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

Project 365 - The home stretch!

2009-12-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Nearly done with the year, and nearly done with project 365!!!

I have the whole month of December to catch up on, so I'll split it in a couple posts.

As you can see, there were a lot for Dec 5! That's because we did a lot that day, oh, and I'm making up for missing a couple days before, so I feel like I'm even on this 365 thing :p

Scrapbook Page - Cowgirl Family

2009-12-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

When all of us girls went to Branson, one of the first places mom wanted to go was to the Roy Rogers Museum and Theater gift shop. Mom is a HUGE RR fan, and wanted to decorate her entryway with some RR memorbelia We obliged, and it was actually really interesting.

Paper: Left side is Carolee's Creations, Right side is Creative Imaginations and the cardstock is old stock from my old biz, hand tinted walnut brown.
Stickers: Creative imaginations
Family 3d stickers: Salon (something.. can't remember the rest of the name!)
Pen: EK Success
Flowers: Prima

Project 365

2009-12-02T07:46:00.000-08:00

Still plugging away at 365! I'm gonna party when this is done. I'm working every day to find *something* but still catch myself missing a pic or two.
29 days left!

Project 365

2009-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

Yes! I'm still doing Project 365. I know you've not seen an update from me forEVER... I've just let myself get so far behind (almost 6 weeks) that it took me 2 nights to catch up. I'm not going to come this far, and get this stinking close and give up now. I'd be SO MAD at myself.

I decided to just start sharing with Nov 1 again on. I missed at least 1/3 of October, so I've vowed to finish strong the last 2 months!

Project 365 has been a great way for me to kind of give you an update on my life, without going into the boring details also. Hope you enjoy!

I can't wait to be DONE.

Scrapbook Page - Just the 2 of us

2009-10-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

A simple page, made from a kit, so I don't know why it took several *years* for me to get it done!

I bought this kit at the Scrapbook Etc in Arizona a couple years ago. I just loved the polka dots and the bright colors. While cleaning the other day (reorganizing again), I found the kit, with all it's little pieces still in the bag. Decided this is something I could whip out fast... it still took a week. Mainly my procrastinating printing photos.

It was a one page layout, and I made it into 2. These are Gene and my engagement photos, Tanner helped. I would say our photography skills have improved since then!

I don't know who makes the paper!
Cardstock is bazzil
felt letters is Making Memories
Stitching by ME (and Singer)

Project 365

2009-09-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-09-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

I am SO OVER Project 365. Can it be project 265? LOL. Wahhh.. I wanna be done!

Scrapbook page - Seth and Tanner in Arizona

2009-09-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

About five years ago, Tanner, Seth and myself went on a trip to Arizona. While cleaning my scrapbook room, and reorganizing the paper (again), i found this partially finished layout in a sleeve.

Of course, I siezed the opportunity to click off 2 more layouts on my ticker so I finished it up really quick. Not that it's spectacular, but it is finished. Finished is good.

Paper, accents, transparencies are all K & company. An older line (obviously, I started it 5 years ago) that I absolutely loved. Now I'm thinking of donating it all to make room. lol.

Paper tags, I believe are from a company that is now out of business.

I'm a bad bad blogger

2009-09-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

yes, I know. I've been a bad blogger, and a horrible internet friend. But damn. It was nice taking a few days off without blogging. Apparently I needed a break.

I did feel terribly guilty when I sat down this TUESDAY (woot) to read my blogs and saw that many were blogging all weekend. Oops. I slack. *hang head in shame*

Let's do some updating shall we?

Friday, our weekend started early by being oh so lucky and getting to go to the dermatologist in KC.
AGAIN.

I shouldn't complain, Gene's allergy is getting better. Wanna know how? He's been tanning. Yep, the dermatolgist did something he rarely does, and ordered tanning session 3 times a week. Gene is getting a nice deep tan. (we hate him). Somehow this builds up a barrier to the chemicals he's allergic too. His body is better, his hands were worse, so they gave him 2 steriod shots that's supposed to clear everything up and then hopefully he can get ahead of it. We'd love that considering he's been itching for over 2 years now.

We got home around 7 ish, and I sat down for 1/2 hour, than got back up ahd head out the door to Tanner's very first Marching band event ever. Spoofhounds vs. Lafayette. Hounds won!

He did a really good job. Great form there Tan! I stayed and watched the rest of the game, and listened to Tanner. I had to stand the whole time because seating wasn't the best, and also, I was scared to walk down the steps with my boot on. No hand rails, I feel like I'm gonna fall. (I have stair issues.)

Hounds won! I found myself really watching the game and paying attention to what was going on. Which I haven't done with football for a long time. Maybe I'll start going at the very beginning and not just half time heh.

Anyway, Gene used to be in the band too, also a trumpet player. Well, cept for the year he waited to sign up and ended up playing the tuba. hah. I always give him a hard time for that. Dude.. there are no tuba solos. He's promised to go to some of the games with me. *it's important* (my dad never went to my stuff so this is a sore spot with me.)

Saturday:
I had a wedding. Michelle and Joe got married. I'll share pics soon of the wedding. I did well, I shot it all in the walking boot. woot. I was so tired by the end tho. I know I was moving a little slow at moments, but I don't feel like I missed anything.

My class had a 21 year reunion that night and I kinda half planned on going, but I was dead on my feet at 9 p.m. so it was a no go.

Yes, 21 years. I know. We were a close class and they have decided to make this an *annual* event. Probably easy considering so many of us are still close to home.

Sunday:
We wised up to mom's scheme. Last Sunday we got stuck up there all day working on that damn floor. So this Sunday we got some things done here FIRST *then* we went up to mom's.

Gene broke the wet saw. Crap. So we couldn't cut 2 tiles we needed to. Mom said forget it and we worked around it. We were short on mastic, so she'll lay the last couple tiles herself. It will look nice when it's done! Putting down tile when you can bend your ankle is quite the experience.

Monday:
Went to St. Joe to get a new tile saw, had lunch at Panda express, bought some india ink to dye some wood trim (I want it black, you can't buy stain that's black enough), ran the scooter at lowes into a stack of cemen board... Gene was entertained. lol, Lost and found my cell phone, came home and worked on the island.

We have the island ready for tile, then we have to do trim. I am ready to order the tin for the backsplash, then we'll cut the backsplash and install. We're almost done!
Cept the ceiling
Oh and the lighting
Oh and the crown molding around the cabinet tops.
and the undercounter lighting

Yeah that.

And now, I'm sitting here trying to play catch up. It's going to be a long week!!

Scrapbook page - Maid of Honor

2009-09-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

New wedding album page. I know, you're really tired of the wedding pics, but I am making headway!

Paper: (blue floral - I'm not sure), diecutpaper: Making memories (I think! lol)
Fabric stars - they either came from Stacy a few years ago, or a garage sale. I can't remember!
Letters: Loopy Lou by Doodlebug
Buttons and string
Gray tomboy pen
Brown EK pen

Project 365

2009-08-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook page - Coifed (wedding album)

2009-08-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

A new scrapbook page for the wedding album. Yes, of my hair. (get over it). My hair was a big concern for me. I thought about what I'd do for over a YEAR. Amber really helped me finally come up with a plan and I loved it!

Amber, please come down here every morning around 8 to fix my hair for me? kthnxbai.

This flower is actually one of the flowers from my hair. I wanted to use them all, but I think I let the girls play with them!

Paper: My minds eye
Ribbon: Martha Stewart
Circle diecut paper: Crate paper
Title letters: American crafts thickers
Journal stamp: Autum leaves (I'm pretty sure, I took off the pkging)

Stacy and I have started a challenge!

About a week ago, she told me about a chick that was doing a 100 page challenge, no shopping (shop your stash). I really like challenges - they force me to be super creative.

I thought hard about upping the ante a bit. How about a 365 page challenge. No shopping. *thats a lot of pages* Probably more than I do in a year. I'm not worried about the money, it's just that I have plenty of things right in my own house, that I probably should try to use up. Including things I still really like that are 7-8 years old!!

Stacy stopped by yesterday, and we talked about the challenge. She's game too! So here are our rules...

No shopping except for adhesive (because you always need that stuff).
At 100 pages we each have something picked out that we want to buy. For Stacy, it's some basic grey sets she wants to get in October at CKC in KC (say that 3 times fast). For me, it's Martha Stewart's Loop punches... which are limited edition so I need to haul arse so I can get them! LOL.
About once a month we'll do a "shopping trip" in each other's stash! So we get to feel like new goodies, but spend nothing. This will be more difficult for me, as I have a hard time giving up paper! lol.

So join us won't you!? I'll keep a ticker at the right so you'll know our progress.

Scrapbook page - Phat chicks with Phat Tats

2009-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

I've had this page done for 2 weeks, and keep forgetting to share! This is a pic of mine and Stacy's tattoos right after she got her first one. For the record, I totally stole the title from Stacy!

Paper is from bobunny's backyard bbq line. I love this paper!
Sticker letters are thickers from american crafts and
the flower is prima.

This page is super quick and super simple it took only about 15 min from concept to finish.

Project 365

2009-07-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

This post will be really really boring if you hate photography

2009-07-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

I had one of my lovely readers (Hi Heather!) write me the other day and ask me a question. I got to thinking, it was a really good question, and my other ~~four~~ three readers might like to know too!

Heather asks:
"I am a relatively new shutterbug and am becoming more and more obsessed as time passes. Somewhere I read in your blog that you use a Canon. I have a Canon T1i and Paintshop pro Ultimate Photo X2. I have a 50mm 1.8 lens that I love but I am thinking of investing in another lens. What do you use? Do you have any suggestions?"

Well Heather, et al:

I'm going to tell you the stinking truth, because as Jasmine Star says, I'm gonna K.I.R. Keep it real.

I have three whole lenses. No really :p

I have the 50mm f1.8, I use it a lot for portraits and food. Unfortunately I've taken a lot of pics of food lately. lol. This lens is on the low end of the cost spectrum (you can get one under $100), but not a lens that most beginners would have. It has dreamy bokeh (depth of field - those blurry bits in the background). I usually shoot portraits with it at f 2.2, because of that, I haven't thought much of spending $300-$600 for the f 1.4 or the f 1.2 I just haven't. Someday I might realize what a moron I've been, but in the meantime, it serves its purpose to me.

I have the 70-200 f4 USM. It's big, and it's white. Ppl eyeball you when you use it. It doesn't bother me until I'm with the unsavory, and then I just put it away. You can get little wraps for the white parts, I've seen them in black and camo. I might have seen hunter orange too, but I might be imagining that.

I also have the kit 18-55. That's it. Yep, I still use my kit lens, and I use it even at weddings. I think ppl underestimate the kit lens. Having said that, my 18-55 does not even have IS (image stabilization), and those are cheap, so I bought one on eBay the other day for $108. I received it a couple days ago, and I can already tell a difference.

I started noticing that my wide shots where soft up close, and that's bugging me a lot. (especially wedding pics!) and I was hoping the IS would help that. It's gotten really good reviews. If I wasn't saving for a camera, I probably would have bought something different. I've heard people say that they get their camera and never once use the kit lens. I think those people are nutjobs. At the least, for beginners, it's a nice general lens that will work in a variety of situations. Would I shoot a whole wedding with it? heck no. But if I had to choose only ONE LENS, I'm scared to say, this might be the one.

*ducks from egg tossing*

What should you buy, depends on what you love to take pictures of. People? Then maybe a 35 or 85 mm. Personally, I don't like the 85mm, I had to back up so much I felt like it was a huge waste of my money (rental) and the wider aperture.

If you like landscapes, then you might like something wide so that you can get the broad sky pictures.

If you like pics of birds or animals, then you would want a telephoto obviously, and I wish I had the 70-300 but, unfortunately, that money tree stopped growing.

If you want to do macros you might go for the 100mm macro.

Do you want a prime? Or do you like to zoom?
Personally, I prefer zooms. Less running around for me when I'm not in a situation I can run around :)

If I were to buy one lens tomorrow, I would buy the 10-20mm super wide because I LOVE wide shots. Love love love. It's my favorite. People think you only might use a wide for landscapes or buildings, but I like to go really wide, and get in close to a subject, it looks completely different than standing back and just zooming in.

Whatever you pick, get the absolute best that you can afford, even if that means maybe putting it off for a few months so you can save up. Good pictures are almost always the glass, (and the person behind it lol). Rarely the camera, so don't let some snobbish mkII guy tell you that you take inferior pics because your camera didn't cost $3k.

I've seen guys with really expensive cameras that ran it on full auto. OK, well I can do that with a point and shoot. Having said that, I am saving for a new camera. I am going to go to a 50d (I think) for my main camera. I shoot a lot of weddings, and receptions means dark, and high ISOs, so I'm getting a lot of grain with my 30d.I hope that helps you. I know i didn't actually *answer* the question. LOL.

All my Love,
Lana

Then Heather had the GALL to actually RESPOND AGAIN.
Good Lord girl. ;)

Among other things, she says: " I am interested in hearing more about your wide angle up close technique."

Excellent follow up, and something I've been meaning to post about.

Please look at the following photos:

A year ago, this is how I would have taken this photo. Basically, stand back, and use the lens to zoom in. This is a perfectly acceptable image, where I stood approximately 1.5 feet from the handlebars shooting at 55mm.

But then I got to thinking, what would this look like if I shot it just a little different.

I stood in the exact same spot, but instead I shot at a much wider 18 mm and approximately 3 inches from the handlebars.

The handlebars are approximately the same size, but the rest of the bike has completely changed. Not only can you see all of the fender, but you can see the shadow of the wheel. Yes, there's distortion, and years ago, old school, this would have been a big no-no.

BUT, this isn't a cover poster for "40-year old virgin" and I like to be a little more "edgy" for this small town.

If you use a point and shoot, zoom out, but move up close. You'll have to experiment with how close you can get to maintain a sharp picture. Try this with people. Imagine huge noses and tiny ears.

You know, how I normally look

Free prints from artscow

2009-07-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

I have been getting prints at artscow for a while, and I will probably get all my honeymoon photos printed there. In fact, I get most of my personal prints done there, and I'm pretty happy with them.

I got a crazy deal of 600 free 4 x 6 prints and decided to give it a shot. They are shipped from Hong Kong, so it takes about a week to 10 days to get to you. Shipping is surprisingly reasonable. I have done the math, and the cheapest option for me has been to take my 50 free prints and buy 50 more at the regular price and pay slightly more shipping.

Anyway, they are having an EVEN BETTER deal right now. 1200 free prints to new registrants, so give it a shot.

I also got a coupon code in my email (I don't know if it will work for new registrants, but give it a try!), you get 1500 *additional* prints if you put in the gift certificate code "1500 prints". Do it soon, it's only good until the end of the month. (applying the code, they will give you 100/month for 15 months starting at the end of your current free prints)

Project 365 - a big update!

2009-07-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-06-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Since there's been so much interest in my 365 lately ;), I thought I should get it updated and more current than I have in the past.

Just about 1/2 way through the year!!

{I told you we didn't have many trees.}

Gifted Child - scrapbook page

2009-06-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

This was my niece, Tayen's first birthday party. I loved the colors in her dress, so it was fun to match the papers with that. Wasn't hard, I have about 40 times more pink then any other paper... crazy... I have 2 boys. lol.

Paper: Diecuts with a view, and I think the plaid and cherries are doodlebug.
Glitter sticker letters: Martha Stewart
White sticker letters: Doodlebug Loopy Lou. *love love*
Flowers: Prima

Lots of buttons, thread, and metal rimmed tags.

I wanted the circle feel to go from upper left, to lower right, which pulls the eye right through all the photos.

Still have a ton of pics from this birthday so you might see a couple more pages!

Project 365

2009-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

How to post larger photos via flickr

2009-06-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

I had a request from a reader, to explain how I posted larger photos on my blog. I decided that the answer, would make a good blog post!

As a photographer, you really want to show off your work, and I although I was happy with the ease of bloggers interface, I've never liked for one second, how small (even the largest selection) the photos are. You never really see the great detail.

First, I switched templates. Rather than use the standard 3 column template, I use the 2 column minima stretch. This gives me that extra column that I did not use (most regular bloggers done) to put larger photos in. You can still customize this if you like, and there are tons of free blogger templates on the internet, but this is what has made me the happiest so far.

First, you have to edit your photos in whatever photo editor you like best. I use mainly Paint shop pro. And for the record, I use version 5. I probably won't upgrade, as I like it and have used it for going on 10 years now! I also use PSE but only to enhance and do a few tricks the old PSP can't.

Resize your photos to the size you want them. I make all my horizontal photos 700 pixels wide, and verticals 700 pixels high. I think it fits in the column well, and is still a smallish sized file. Now for the record, some of you might be getting cut off photos if you're running a smaller resolution than 1440 wide. I apologize. It looks great for me. I have a wide screen monitor so I "see more". If you are still running 800 x 600 (and 2.83% of you do, you might look into getting a new monitor, you will be much happier, and they'll be room for your cat to sleep on your desk right in front of you :)

Next you'll need to open a flickr account.

Flickr is free, or paid. You can completely get away without a paid account for a while. There's a 100mb limit, and I believe others can only view the last 300 uploads, if you get past that it would probably be worth it to you to pay the $25 per year to upgrade to a pro account.

Log into your account, and click:
>You
>Upload photos and videos
>Choose photos and videos
>Find photo on your hard drive
>wait for the upload

If you want, you can make it a private photo that only you can view. If you choose to let it be public, then anyone viewing your photo stream will see it. That's not a bad thing necessarily, depends on how public you want your blog to be.

Because I also use my stream to show of my photos to other photographers, about 3/4 of my photos that I post here (just snapshots, basic pics) are private to my stream, but public here.

After your photos upload, you can choose to tag it, title it and leave a description of the photo. You then click on the image after you save it, and you will see the photo of your account when you're logged in looking like this:

At the top, click on "all sizes"

You'll then see a screen that looks like this:

You'll want to choose the size you want your image to be displayed on your blog. Because I sized the image to the size I want on my blog, I pick "original size". At the bottom, copy the text in the top box.

Flickr terms of use state that if you use a photo outside of flickr, that you must allow it to be linked back to the original photo (draws traffic for them). This is GOOD because now they are using up their space and their bandwidth. woot! (bandwidth doesn't matter with blogger, but might if you're hosting your own blog).

Now you need to over to blogger and create a new post like normal.

BUT, instead of going the "compose" tab (there are 2 tabs at the top, compose and edit html), you need to choose "edit html). This is where you'll paste your link from Flickr. If you don't, you'll be posting the actual text of the link on your blog, and not the photo. oopsy.

To be honest, I actually do most of my typing on the edit html side. Sometimes blogger is wonktacular, and reformats my posts, so I find working on the edit html side is much more user friendly for me.

If you don't know any html at all, just don't touch any of the link you posted or any of the html the composer creates for you.

Preview your post to see if it looks how you want it, don't forget to spell check (I do that on composer side) I also center my photos on the composer side too... then hit publish post! Your pics should show up now!

Disclaimer: I am not, nor do I claim to be an expert in blogger or flickr. This is what works for me!

Did you get crazy this weekend?

2009-06-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

When I worked answering the phone (for around 3 years), I learned something important. Put on your listening ears, because this is a doozy. When people started calling me up and asking me crazy stuff, or seemed completely off their rockers my first response would be "what the heck is up with people today??"

My second response was to look at the calendar.

It always seemed like when people acted their worst, the moon would be at its fullest (or near fullest). At first I laughed it off, and then after it happened again and again, I started to think maybe there was something to it.

Of course, that makes one wonder, did I act crazy last weekend?

Well, the answer is yes. :p

We invited up some crazy friends for the weekend. OK, so there was no dancing on the table, or sacrificing chickens or anything (srsly, I'm not that exciting), but there was some drunken scrapbooking, lost $8 cigars (I'm still mad about that one), lots of empty wine bottles and sunburns... and that's just the girls. ;)

Meet Debbie and Duane.

It's kind of weird how people come together. Gene has known Duane for *counting toes* around 30-ish years now.... it's a long story, let's just leave it at that.. and Debbie is his crazy lovely bride.

Through all the dust ups, moves and drama, Gene has remained in contact with these two, and it was easy for me to jump in and start emailing back and forth too. So a couple months ago, I whipped out that they should come visit, and I'll be darned if they didn't take me up on it!!

After 14 minutes of house cleaning, they pulled in the driveway and it was just like picking up where everyone left off. Soon we were all outside, sitting in lawn chairs for hours on end, chatting about nothing in particular and getting sunburned, but only on the fronts of our legs because we had ever so gently coaxed every single male to be our lackeys for the evening, requiring no need to be vertical.

Later we attempted some scrapbooking, but that probably should have been started hours earlier, and neither of us accomplished much of anything other than yawning, and sorting photos. Us big party animals were all in bed by 11 p.m.

Sunday, Gene taught Danny the fine art of ~~losing precious gems in the carpet~~ setting stones in jewelry, and we also had a 5 minute photo shoot in the living room.

Below is my favorite:

I'm sure that Debbie won't like it, for whatever reasons women never like photos of themselves, but I think it sums the 2 of them up. Duane looks devilish and Debbie is getting a belly laugh at his expense.

As it should be.

I look forward to hanging out with these "CrAzY" people again soon, but maybe not on a full moon. It might be a sensory overload for me. How about a rousing weekend of crochet? Jenga? Cribbage? Scrapbooking?

you know. old ppl stuff.

Project 365

2009-06-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Oops sorry, missed one. I forgot to resize the file and really didn't want to go back and redo it!

A couple new scrapbook layouts to share

2009-05-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks after we got married, we received a letter from the office of the President congratulating us. I was very excited, as this was going to make an awesome addition to the scrapbook. LOL.

Paper is from Rusty Pickle, Sticker letters from Wordsworth (old stock), the tag is by ME!, the Giant chipboard letter C is from Colorbok. This is actually a really good deal. You get 26 sheets of chipboard letters for around $10. There are a TON of letters in there.

I made silver studs by heating up a regular, full sized, gold brad with my heat gun, and then dipped it in embossing powder twice, reheating, and then letting cool before I set it down.

I found this paper first, and only bought one sheet and then after I got home, I couldn't decide how to make it into a 2 page layout, the only thing that kept coming to mind, was to blow up the second pic to full 12 x 12. This one has been a month in the making, because I had a 12 x 18 made in china and shipped over (cheapest prices). I now also have a 12 x 6 of another image for another page.

Paper: is from creative imaginations and I can't find it online anywhere. The best I can find is the other items in this line on ebay. There is fishing, golfing, surfing, etc. I guess it's based on a t-shirt line?? The sticker letters are OLD SCHOOL. Think Liz something from EK Success like 7 years ago. Use what you have in your stash or your cricut. "Lead the way" and "Established" stickers are from Autumn Leaves.

Project 365

2009-05-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-05-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

that just happened

2009-05-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Recent things to note:

*Cheyenne started screaming at 11 p.m. A really big spider ran across the ceiling, normally not a big deal, but she's on the top bunk, with her face about a foot from the ceiling. She piled out of bed. I tried to squish it, and it fell and ran into sleepy Tanner's pillowcase. He now resides outside where this tramatic experience will surely make him vengeful for human blood.

*My computer is fixed. I might have said that. It rocks the awesome sauce except now I'm kinda missing that fast new computer. My goal is to get the new one all set up for what I want to do, so I can start working on it. I have seen the light, and the light is good.

*Vote for Adam! (now that voting is almost over)

I totally get why my mom had the hots for Elvis now. Adam is what Elvis would be if he were a 25 year old today. And I'm fairly confident he's not interested in a 29 year old *cough* housewife blogger from Missouri. Both Gene and I said he would have made a good Edward Cullen in Twilight. (not that I'm a twilight fan)

*The robins are all grown and gone. I have a ton of cool pictures. I'll update that in the next day or so in one final post. I get it, you're sick of bird pics. LOL.

*Mack (my cat) hates children. Small female children in particular. He has spent the past 3 days sleeping in the master bathtub. Today, I coaxed him out and everyone petted him several times. Then he hissed at them and went back to the bathtub. Hey, it's progress.

*10 min after the first spider. Cheyenne saw a much smaller one on the bathroom ceiling. I'm fairly confident she won't sleep at all tonight.

Project 365

2009-05-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook page - Family Legacy

2009-05-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

I've not shared a page for a while, I've had so much other stuff to do. But I sat down and worked on this one a couple days, I scraplifted from the latest Scrapbooks Etc Mag.

This is my grandmother, grandfather and great-aunt. All of them are gone now. This picture was taken around 20 years ago or so.

I actually made the page first, and then dug through some photos to find the photo I wanted to put on the page. Sometimes I do that as it makes me work faster. I worry less about the image, and more on the design. The photos tend to slow me down. Then I just find something to fit the space.

Paper is from My Mind's Eye stack, the cardstock is bazzill, the little pearl beads are from kaiser scrapbooks, keys and "lock" are grungeboard from tim holtz that I sprayed with glimmer mist (first time I've used it... only 30 more times and I can justify the price! lol), flourish stamps from autumn leaves, and the sticker letters are from K & Company

Project 365

2009-05-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-04-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-04-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Roses on Tuesday

2009-04-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

You should go buy yourself some roses today. Just because you can. Once in a while, my lovely husband brings me home flowers for no reason. Tuesday, I decided I'd just buy my own. (and use them as a tax write off because I used it for a prop - I'm just crazy like that.)

Earth day - Part deux

2009-04-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in honor of Earth Day 2009, and also in honor of it being super hot out and I just wanted to take some pics, I went out in my pj's and took some pics of my tree. The tree above is in my front yard. It's not really 98 feet high, it just looks that way. But dude, wouldn't that be cool.

I've been taking pics of this tree, from the same angle for every season, and I only have "summer" left to take. I'm thinking four 16 x 20 canvases of each season. I've become a little too addicted to large pieces of artwork.

Here he is from a different angle. Do you think that it's a "he"? I'm thinking yes.

When I was laying down and taking this photo:

I realized that I was really laying on this:

Of course, I didn't figure that out until about 15 min later that I literally had ants in my pants. LOL. I still itch thinking about it.

While I was shooting pics of the trees, Daddy Robin was having a fit. I mean a flat out, ear splitting hissy super fit. I wasn't even close to him, or Mamma Robin, at one point I turned and said "what the hell did I do to you?"

It was then that I looked up and saw this:

Of course, when I saw it, it was much closer and right over the house and about 98 times larger. Daddy Robin was going to kick some serious ass - or at least try. We *heart* guys that protect their women.

Which got me to thinking what Mamma Robin was up to, and how the baby eggs were doing. Last year, they grew up and flew away in a matter of what seemed like days. She had 2 broods last year!

So I put on the long lense again, and decide to see how close I can get to her, before she takes off on me.

I got to about here:

then an ant bit me on the butt.

Sigh.

When I moved, she flitted away. so instead I'm going to pretend like I got up this close:

which is really an extreme crop, but don't tell ppl, I want them to think I'm super stealth - or have a $29,000 lens.. one or the other. {and in case you're wondering, it's like $650 a *week* just to rent a lens like that... i looked}

So then I decided since she was gone, to see how the eggs were doing... or naked flying rat looking things. {unsure of what stage of gestation we were at at this point}

Oh looky:

Wait for it....

Wait...

Wait....

There's 4 now!!

I'm sure she's going to totally regret that. Last year two barely fit in there. I'm wondering if one is going to get pushed out :/ {I understand honey, there's been days. There have *been days*}

I'll stay on top of "Robin Cam - 2009" for you.
In the meantime, I really MUST get back to work. I let the blog distract me for 1/2 hour and I have so much to get done!

My own personal LOL cat - layout

2009-04-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Paper is from Diecuts witha view paper packs Too bad I covered almost all of it up! lol.

The ribbon is from WM, and american crafts. The big cut out letters are Storybook from cricut and the sticker letters are american crafts (white) and loopy Lou from doodle bug.

Very quick and easy! First single page layout I've made in forever!

Project 365

2009-04-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

My "Baby" - A scrapbook album - part 2

2009-04-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Here is the second half of Seth's baby album that I've been working on for a couple weeks.

I'm not quite as excited about the 2nd half as the first. I was to the point of running low on supplies, getting tired of SEI, not having as many pics as I remembered, and just wanting to be done!

Forgive the blue looking pics AGAIN. I'm going to stop taking pics by that window. For some reason, it's always blue-ish there.

I used some Heidi Swapp ghost letters for the first time on this layout (yes I'm quite behind the times, if it makes you feel better, I've owned them for 2 years). I also used some bazzil cardstock textured stickers, which I LOVE, but have the hardest time finding places to put them.

Some really old stock here. Old Phrase Cafe from EK (I used to design for them), and a really old Susan Branch quote sticker. I always loved Susan's stuff, but had a hard time finding a way to use it without it looking like sticker sneeze.

My fav stickers - cardstock stickers with quotes and such, from 7 Gypsies

More 7 Gypsies and "yours truly" line from Archivers (scalloped circle)

Old stock Sticker Studio (I think).

Marcella by Kay wooden token. Freebie from Stacy. Somehow I ended up with 2 packages from her with the same wooden token gone twice, she didn't want the rest. LOL.

And lastly, the fake birth certificate that the hospital gave us when Seth was born.

I'm happy the project is done. I do feel a bit like I'd been building up this project for *years* and saving this and that for it, when it came time to do it, I used themed coordinating papers so a lot I "saved" didn't get used. Let that be a lesson, stop saving and start using!

Project 365 - a free template

2009-04-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

I had a request from a reader, that does not do digital scrapbooking (and to be fair, neither do I), for a template so that you can do this at home, old school scrapping style.

You can use the template below and print on any colored cardstock you wish, add your own cropped pic, and journal by hand. Cut on the line and add to your page protector. If you wanted, you could line them up perfectly, mount them on one sheet of cardstock (I'd use cheap stuff) and put them in a regular page protector. You could even print them out on 8.5 x 11 scrapbook paper. You'll probably need to pick something light colored and simple. Experiment!

You have 2 options for the file above. You can either click on it and save the file to your hard drive to print out when you need.

Or, you can right click and "save target as" and save the pdf onto your harddrive.

The pdf will probably be easier for you if you are computer challenged. If it will not let you download, the bandwidth has been used for the month, either use the other file, or come back in 30 days. Please don't email me and ask me to email you with the file, figure out why your printer isn't working, explain what pdf means or any other complaints... remember.. I still *heart* you. :p

It's free to use, please do not distribute, for personal use only. Feel free to share the link to the blog.

Project 365 - the set up

2009-04-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

If you're coming in late on the project 365, I wanted to share with you why I post the photos the way that I do and how I've made this project work for me.

Project 365 is basically, taking one photo every single day for a year. I started my 365 on January 1, like most others in the scrapbooking world did. It kind of started when a 365 kit was released, and sold out in seconds. Ppl started talking about making their own projects and it just sort of spun out from there.

I chose to use an album from American Crafts. It's 12 x 12 D-ring. Inside, I have bought the page protectors split into six 4 x 6 slots. (horizontal). One slot, for each day.

I have created a layered image file in Paint Shop Pro. You could do the same thing in photoshop or other image editing programs - anyplace that you edit your photos. If you set it up right, you could even do something in microsoft word.

Each day (I actually do usually 4-7 days at a time), I print out the whole image file as a 4x6 photo. You could save them and upload and print from walmart or costco if you wanted. I just do it from home, because it's easy.

You could also just print out wallet sized photos to save on ink, attach to a scrap of 4 x 6 paper (great way to use up all the bits left from other pages), journal and insert also.

I use a corner rounder on each print - not required, I just like how it looks.

I use a different colored background for each month, but I do include the same two fonts (Scriptina and University Roman BT) although I really wish I had more choices, but I'll stick with those.

At the beginning of each month, I make a file that says the month and year.

I've missed maybe 4-5 days, but that was early on. Now I usually remember. Sometimes I don't take a picture that day, and I might use a back up photo. Remember, there's no rules in scrapbooking, so this is how I stay on top of it. If I miss a day, I don't sweat it.

Sometimes, to even out a page, or because I have a lot of cool pics on one day, I might use more than one image. I usually print those as full images, with some text right on top of the photo like below.

Using this method, I will use approximately 31-32 page protectors, and I will have documented an entire year. It's hard to start, but once you do, it's just habit and it's been easy to keep up.

It's also something you can start any time! You don't have to start on New Year's Day like I did. If you want it to start on an important day to you, maybe your birthday, the first day of summer, Christmas Day, or just a Tuesday!

I suggest that you do a project like this. Maybe even if it's a picture every day for a month - a small goal first. It's been fun already to pick up the album and go back and see what we've done so far this year.

Project 365

2009-04-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-04-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Project 365 - and an update

2009-04-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

Updates:

1. My headache went away about 5 min after my last post. I guess I just needed to exorcise it with a LOLcat.

2. I think I fixed my sound issue. *knocking on wood* I think it actually had something to do with Pioneer Woman. Her website got a virus on it so I apologize if you went there and picked up something, she has a fix for the problem here. Part of it was my own fault as I had not updated adobe in a *really long time*. I'd also seen some weird stuff on some other sites too, only they didn't admit it was a bug on their system. After I did that, and a computer restart, I can now listen to the radio online again.

We'll see if it sticks.

3. If you are refusing to participate in this recession... or, if you are feeling kinda frantic and desperate, Town Hall for Hope might be for you. As of right now, there are over 4,000 locations around the US that will broadcasting this event, including Maryville. Maybe it will give you some solace.

4. I like you. You're nice.

(I just didn't want to seem extra lame and only have 3 things to day... Oh and you are nice. Most of ya anyway ;)

My "Baby" - A scrapbook album

2009-04-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

I started a baby album the other day. Big deal right? Well, that "baby" is 19 years old and getting ready to gradute in about 4 weeks.

Nothing like a looming deadline to get you to do something you should have done 17 years ago - kinda like taxes.

I've been saving this paper and album kit for literally like 6 years. No REALLY! I'm determined to use up some of my stuff that I've been saving for way too long.
Sometimes it gets to the point that it's no longer fun, cute and definitely not "fresh" when you sit on it for 6 years.

Forgive the photos. everything seems really blue... and really dark for some reason.

Sticker letters are by Doodlebug - my fav letters - Loopy Lou

Yes I actually kept these little tags for 19 years! I am proud I never lost them. I did have a newspaper, that had been stored in tanner's old room. One day he cleaned his room and trashed it, he didn't realize it was something I was saving :(

More pretty old stuff. This is a Heidi grace acrylic that I bought maybe 4 years ago. I've been saving baby boy stuff for years anticipating getting this album done and now that I have it, a lot of it I don't like anymore!! *sad panda* But I do still love this little accent. Cute!

I think I still have some of this glitter on my face!

Glitter by Martha Stewart, and REALLY OLD tag from Rebbecca Sower

Scalloped circles are from the archivers line. I could have done it on my cricut, but I already had these left over from the wedding invites. Feety stickers - again, really old stock from EK Success Stickerpotomous

The album, plain letter stickers and all the paper is from SEI. This is a landscape album (11 x 8.5 instead of 8.5 x 11). They are kinda hard to find still, so I've had these forever.

Project 365

2009-04-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-03-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-03-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

Scrapsplosion

2009-03-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

My Saturday was quite productive, til the end when I petered out. There was an all day crop and I met up with Linda and Stacy, and Stacy brought her friends Andrea and Wendy. Of course, there was also all the regular gals. I honestly got tired of hearing the cricut machines running by the end of the day - and I never thought I'd say that.

I accomplished quite a bit. A bunch of cards (and frankly I've always felt like I suck at cards), and a bunch of pages for Seth's school pic album. For the record, I've scrapbooked every single school photo (seth)!!! Wooot. Go me.

My former mother in law, Dorothy, always made an album for all the grandkids. It included things like their programs for concerts and snapshots she'd taken over the years. It was not fancy but you could tell they were full of love, and always a hit. Sadly, Dorothy passed away a couple years ago so there will be no special Grandma album for Seth and Tanner, since they were so much younger than all the other grandkids.

I feel a bit of an obligation to make sure the boys get some school albums. Even tho Dorothy did not use pretty flowers or fancy paper, she was religious about saving ticket stubs, and drawings. I'm not as good with that sort of thing. Well, I am, it's the keeping it organized part that's difficult for me!

Anyway, I'd already had 8th - Senior done for Seth in his special annual christmas album, so I made the rest of these to go in that album.

Warning. If you think boys shouldn't have flowers or bling on their pages, then you're not going to enjoy this very much.

That paisley paper is one of my favs of all time. I found it on clearance at Archivers and literally bought like 15 sheets. Every once in a while, one sheet of paper strikes me, and I buy it every time I see it. *and use it*.

Honestly, I can't remember who makes it. LOL.
The rest of the paper is We R Memory Keepers.
Journaling papers are from Making Memories.
Big K is from cricut storybook cartridge. (my new fav)
Quote sticker from Autumn leaves.

I love this rocket paper, and wished I'd bought 2 sheets instead of just one. I had to work hard to make it work over 2 pages. :p The 2nd grade pic? Well, confession. We totally forgot to return the picture packet to school and so seth had no "official" school photo. DOH. So within a couple days, we went to the traveling walmart photographer (back when there was no dedicated studio in walmart) and took "school" pics. Good fake isn't it? LOL. Please note the stitching "blast off" from the rocket. Go me.

Paper: No idea. cosmo cricket? I suck at remembering that stuff.
sticker letter: Thickers by american crafts
chipboard accents: K & Company

This pair was harder since I only had small photos. I needed more accents. That snake, I've had it a good 6-7 years. I still like it, even tho it's way too thick to be in a scrapbook. I don't care. It won't be around in 2078. No really. *I'm ok with that* Me and that snake, we've wrangled before. His twin brother is on another page years ago, but glue dots won't stick to that sucker so I stitched him down.

Paper: HA... you know the routine. it makes me think of Heidi grace, but it's NOT.
Numbers: Storybook/Cricut again
Charm: Old. Real old. From Hobby Lobby circa 2002
Circles: Also circa 2002 (I looked at the copyright date). I believe they're KI memories
Quote sticker: Autumn leaves
Flowers: Prima
Bling: Hobby Lobby cheapo brand.. can't remember the name. Stampabilities?
rd sticker letters: American crafts

The bottom paper, I know this one! K&co and another of my fav papers of all time. Unfortunately it comes in a pack. I won't be buying bunches of packs for this paper, although I'd love to.

Sticker letters: Doodlebug, loopy Lou. I LOVE these. I can only find them in brown, although I admit that I haven't looked online.
Everything else, is a repeat of stuff I've already used. Getting lazy so look up^^

Paper: Diecuts with a view Green Stack
Rest... see above

Sunday was a little less eventful. My highlights were hanging the shelving brackets for my desk in my scrapbook room and trying to slice off the tip of my index finger. Fingers bleed. a lot.

Today I must make myself go outside. I'd dreamed of a bright sunshiney day, and hanging clothes out on laundry day in my bare feet, but instead it sounds like the wicket witch and the tornado is knocking at my back door. Hrummfpt.

BUT, I still have to go pay the propane bill. blech. Go to Sutherlands and buy fun stuff. (sometimes it's fun there) and force myself into Walmart. Please god, make walgreens come SOON.

PS. Thank yous to Carol and Tina for the heads up on the bagworms. blech. Picked and taken care of by glass men that don't mind dirty buggy icky things.

Thanks to Tina and Sarah for the birdy update. Sigh. he probably went on to better pastures, but I am going to look for some birdfeeders and birdhouses for whomever would like to move in! I don't have squirrels or deer, but I do have butterflies and birds, so I'm going to run with it.

Project 365

2009-03-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

SLR

2009-03-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Seth graduates in a couple months, so I wanted to get some layouts done for his album. These are a few of his pics that I took for senior photos.

Anyway, I love Seth's initals "SLR"... because well, it's like the camera "Single Lens Reflex" :) Someday I'm going to get a tattoo of a camera with SLR and TTR on it. Now I just need a reason why TTR is camera related.

Anyone?

PS The reason it's SRL is because that's like a monogram. Last name center.

Patterned paper is Die cuts with a view new Green stack. You must get this. it's awesome!
Cardstock is bazzill
chipboard elements are Basic Grey
Diecuts from my new cricut storybook cartridge! *best cartridge ever*

Project 365

2009-03-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

Project 365

2009-03-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

Our homemade wedding - Scrapbook page

2009-03-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

This layout kicked my butt. Not because it was hard, but because in the middle of printing these very photos, that's when my printer shot craps. Then walmart's printer shot craps, and I had them print them 3 times, and they lost about $15 in photo paper, and I bought seven $.19 prints total. I feel bad, but dude they sucked. *they still didn't look right*

Annnnnnyway...

I wanted to make a layout of all the things that I made for the wedding, and I think I win the ultimate DIY bridal blowout of '08! I honestly made more than I didn't make. And I had fun. And I'd do it all over again.

PS. I didn't make my dress. I know some ppl think I did, but I did not. It's a Lady Roi dress, and I think it's discontinued now, but there are other patriotic dresses available on the market, Lady Roi still does make them if you're wondering.

A scrapbook album for you - she's pink

2009-03-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, I made this album with a different subject. I decided that I really didn't like it anymore, and I wanted something with the girls in the tutu I made so I remade the album into something I'm much happier with.

The book was made with five 8 x 10 canvases from Dick Blick art supply. They are pretty inexpensive. You can also get them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They might have them at Wal-mart too.

I then drilled holes in the sides with my paper drill, but you could use a regular drill if you wanted. Go slow! I then used really large eyelets to fill the holes. I get those at walmart in the sewing section, they are 1/4". Not required, but I figured it would make them last longer. I then painted the front of each canvas (because what's the point if you just cover it with paper!), and the back of each had a paper covering with a name plate, etc on it. I covered all that with paper from Rob and Bob I think.

You'll have to use glue dots to put pics on the canvas side but your regular (good) adhesive will be fine on the back sides.

I then put it all together with book rings, tied ribbons to the rings and viola. An album! I have one I want to make similar out of old chalk boards I picked up from Hodge Podge about a year or so ago. I also have some old filing separations with metal tabs that I'm going to use too.

Anything thin-ish will work! Heck use a bunch of cereal boxes if you want! Go nuts.

It's 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. It's raining cats and dogs. I should be in bed but I wanted to upload this album. I have another page to share probably Monday, and some fun stuff we did today! + pics!

Project 365

2009-03-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

Lots of catching up to do on my 365. Whew. That took a while! Main problem was the printer breaking down, and Walmart photo center's machine breaking down *the same day*. Blech.

Much to do today, and the day is flying by!

Work on some pics and upload them from the Gala, work on an accounting form (blech), make some phone calls, send some emails, blog (check), 365 (check), and work on getting my new business cards ordered!! whoop! excited about that can you tell? Gene has been passing them out like it's his job!

Project 365

2009-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

New Scrapbook pages

2009-02-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

A couple more new scrapbook pages to share:

My red dress that I wore for my reception - that I made btw.

Paper is my minds eye - from a glitter stack (of course), chipboard circles and hearts are K & Company, Glitter silver sticker letters are Making memories, I don't remember who makes the large red glitter letters, I took them out of their box! My favorite new thing *ever* right now is the Making memories journal notebooks. I have every single one I think. I buy every new one I see - which is ok because I use them on almost every page!

Ester's First Birthday Party:

Paper is Diecuts with a View - Sweet stack. Flowers are Prima (which Becky and David gave me for Christmas! I almost have them all used lol), Journal spot again by Making memories

Project 365

2009-02-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Lolz

2009-02-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

more animals

Something like that, only with some butterscotch colored spots all over him.

OK so I lied

2009-02-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

I intended to get back yesterday, but alas I didn't make it.

I did however, finish up this page I was working on over the weekend.

I love everything about this page. This page is so me! Bright colors with bold prints. When I found the bouncy house sticker from Jolee's (EK success) I had to buy it as it looked a lot like the bouncy house they were in. Usually I'd never spend that much on one single embellishment, but I caved. I also felt guilty for talking amber into a more expensive embellishment. (Disney castle).

The chipboard letters were an absolute steal in my opinion. I got 26 - 12" x 12" sheets of chipboard with tons of letters on each sheet. I see myself using those a lot, and already have a couple pages in my head. If I use them 5-6 times, I think they'll pay off. ($10 for 26 sheets). Letters are painted with acrylic paint and sanded along the edges.

The paper is from We R memory keepers. This has turned into some of my favorite lines of paper. The font I used is Tweed. I also stitched some "bounce" lines across the bottom, which were light, so I accented them with a platinum colored brush pen. The sticker letters are American Crafts, also accented with the platinum brush pen (which I almost ALWAYS do on sticker letters).

In other news...

Sunday was quiet. Gene and I just hung out all day. He spent most of the day looking at gems and jewelry online. That's his new pasttime. I scrapbooked, cleaned my scrapbook room some, finished up those stupid butterfly albums. *spit*. I have 3 more that I doubt I'll ever get done. LOL.

Yesterday Tanner had the day off. We did nothing particularly special. I did feel bad for him because he was working on a google earth map of Lewis and Clark's expedition *for extra credit* (which btw, google earth is freaking awesome), and 2 hours into it, it crashed. I felt so bad. :( He was pissed.

*I get it*

*been there*

I have to go to the bank today and yell at them. Yes, because they sent me a letter telling me I better pay my house payment. Oh that's funny, I did it over 2 weeks ago!! GRRR. *even cleared my account*. I am pretty pissed.

I have to work on some marketing flyers, and a pre-wedding questionare that I've been putting off for a month now, but I really need to get it done.

I also have to remail the card for V-day that I freaking left the stamp off of. DOH! Not one of my finer moments. Somewhere in there I gotta take a shower too.

Gotta hit the ground running!

Project 365

2009-02-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

3 more days. I'm caught up yay me.

Lots of stuff to do, tons of stuff that I still have left to do and haven't even started. I'll post more later!

3 down, a trillion to go

2009-02-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

{Check out our scrapbook supplies on etsy}

***************

not a trillion, but a bunch. I'm giving up butterfly albums for lent. *that wouldn't be hard to do*.

Cutting this paper sucked, then someone told me there was actual paper die cut already. *doh* So I went back and found it. For a $1 chipboard album, I spent as much time on those as i do a regular album!

I've decided to give these to the girls for Easter instead of Christmas. I thought it would fit the time frame better.

And me with my valentine's crab leg "bouquet". OMG that thing had to be huge.

Reminds me of when me and Tanner went to Ripley's aquarium in TN. We saw the biggest King Crab on the face of the earth. I tapped on his aquarium and said "you taste good".

I doubt he appreciated the humor as much as I did.

Project 365

2009-02-13T22:01:00.000-08:00

I was hell bent on getting my list of things done today, and this was one of them. Almost made it. I thought I'd post them earlier but I got really tied up in a job that I thought would take an hour or two, ended up taking around 6 hours!

Didn't get my notebooks listed on etsy, but did get them photographed, and only other thing left on the list to do is to package up Ester's now very late b-day gift. Because I FORGOT again!

1200 free prints

2009-02-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

I have been getting prints at artscow for a while now. I got a crazy deal of 600 free 4 x 6 prints and decided to give it a shot. They are shipped from Hong Kong, so it takes about a week to 10 days to get to you. Shipping is surprisingly reasonable. I have done the math, and the cheapest option for me has been to take my 50 free prints and buy 25 more at the regular price and pay slightly more shipping.

Anyway, they are having an EVEN BETTER deal right now. 1200 free prints to new registrants, so give it a shot.

oopsy... I forgot

2009-02-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Forgot to post these last night! Oops!

2 more pages of the project 365. I think I might start adding the files individually so that you can see each one better. This system kinda sucks.

Can't believe I've made it to FEB. I kinda suck at sticking with stuff like this, although I do feel like I've slacked off a bit. Feb I switched colors. Kinda hard to read on it, so I will probably go to black text.

Tonight, I'm shooting pics for the Daddy Daughter Dance. approx 60 couples in an hour! ACK. Do the math ppl. I think it's gonna be a shoot and burn so I think we'll be ok.

Have to pick up more biz cards and pack for tonight, then I pack for tomorrow, going to go scrapbook with Amber all day long. wooot! will be fun, although I've not scrapbooked in like 2 weeks!

Started a project for valentines for gene. Yes, it's a scarf. LOL. I'm so loving scarfs - I think I have more scarves than purses. *no really* BTW, he *asked* for one so it's not cheesetacular. And really, it's better than those dorky coupon books. Besides, he'd actually USE HIS COUPONS for foot rubs and stuff and BLEH. lol.

I know. I'm a drag.

2009-01-24T20:58:00.000-08:00

I feel like lately I've not had much exciting stuff to share. Like I'm slacking off - forcing to think of something interesting to share besides scrapbook pages.

Sorry. I guess I've just had my mind in a boring place lately. I need to get back on track... whatever the "track" might be.

I do have some interesting news, I'll share tomorrow or Monday. I just want to vacillate on it a little longer before I share.

In the meantime... another wedding page. This one about how we played croquet. Not my best work - actually it was a complete scraplift - and everything single thing was old product - but it's done.

Go me.

{Sticky Wicket}

We are Berry Good Together - Pink Paper bag album

2009-01-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

While cleaning my scrapbook room, AND giving a pile of stuff to Amber, I realized I had so many mini albums, or albums in progress, that I needed to be more commited to, or maybe "justify" lol.

A couple *years* ago, I bought some pink gift bags with the intention of making a paper bag album. After moving things around, and almost just sticking them in the gift wrap box, I decided that making this album would not take me long.

If you've never made a paper bag album before, they are super easy, and pretty fun. There's a ton of variations on this theme, but this is my version.

With each bag laying flat, I cut off the thick end that normally would be the bottom of the bag. To make it more interesting, I made each back progressively longer than the next - a stair step effect.

Some of my new fav paper is the berry line from K&Co. I bought it in a stack at Michaels. complete with glitter. yay glitter! :) (fyi, I like K&Co glittered products because it doesn't come off!!)

I cut a strip that was approximately 3 inches wide. I then folded that in half lengthwise and folded it over the cut off end.

I then sewed along the seam making it stronger. Do this again for each page (I have 5 pages).

I have my own binding machine, not a Zutter, but a good old office binder I bought years ago, before it got so popular to bind your own stuff. Sheesh I always knew I was on the forefront of this industry... why aren't I rich dammit? I wire bound the book, but you could also use notebook rings, ribbon or sew across the edge to bind it together.

*anyway*

I then made pages that can slip out of the bag pages. I used flowers that matched the berry paper as a "pull tab" to pull out pages.

I'm using this as just a book with random pics of Gene and I. I suppose it will be an add as you go book as we don't have a *ton* of pics together, and with the inner pages, front and back, you have about 15 places that you can add pictures!

Viola! Scrapbook album for around $3-$4 worth of paper and materials!

Page 4 of the 365 scrapbook project. I sat down yesterday and did 6 days at once. Oops. I let myself get behind a bit. I'm trying to do 2-3 days at a time. This one snuck up on me. The blog helps remind me what I've been doing!

I don't know how I found this cool link today, but it looks fun.

Fusing plastic bags to make a cutable/sewable "fabric". I am going to try it, and make some recycled plastic scrapbook albums, and I think also some grocery bags totes - which I need to remember to do more!!

I always have a ton of bags and hate to throw them away, but never remember to recycle them!

You look like you're going to a funeral

2009-01-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

maybe I am....

Maybe I Am.

A new page for the wedding scrapbook. I love this line from Walk the Line. Every time Gene dresses in all black, that's what I say to him. (his part is "maybe I am, Maybe I *am*). Soooo, of course it's more funny when I dress him all in black for our wedding.

Journaling:
"This is one of our favorite quotes from "Walk the line" - the life story of Johnny Cash. It seemed appropriate when we bought Gene's clothes for the funer... I mean, wedding. hah. Black wranglers, black dress shirt, black suit jacket, rattlesnake boots, and of course, his black Stetson. OK, not exactly a "funeral" but you have to admit, he did look cowboy fabulous."

Background paper is club scrap. I used my cricut for the lettering and the circle. The diecut paper is colorbok? I can't remember - the medallions are from SEI.

Quick, fun and EASY scrapbook project

2009-01-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

I bought this little card box/album a while back, and while going through my stash giving Amber some stuff, I found it again. I decided since the beginning of the year, I kinda need to justify a few of these purchases. LOL. {fyi, I've never bought from the California paper goods before - I just used it to show as an example}

I covered the box with some of my favorite paper from K & Company - Wild Saffron - I buy it in a stack, and found it at Micheal's.

The chipboard "sticker" is also K & Co (actually Marcella by Kay from Target). On top (not shown) is a sticker from Club Scrap that says "family"

Inside the box is 8 chipboard "pages" with a hole in the corner for a ball chain. I took it apart and used just plain old glue stick to cover each page and attach my paper.

I used letter stickers from wordsworth and put each person's initial on the front of the paper, and their pic on the back. Each letter I outlined with a black pen. A tip: Shade your letters (I always do right side and bottom) with a platinum colored brush marker. It really makes your stickers pop.

On the back of the card with each person's initial, is a photo of them. Not necessarily from the past year, but pics of them I really like.

Couples, I put their pics together, as well as their initials. I also used just a plain black pen to write out each person's name next to their letter.

Reassemble and viola! You're done. The longest part of this, was finding the pictures. It's something I literally could have done in an hour, with one sheet of paper!

Project 365 - page 2

2009-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Page 2 of the 365 project.

I decided that if I had a day that I wanted to put more than one photo, I would use the entire photo as the background with the date and a tiny bit of journaling. Saturday was busy, so there were several pics I wanted to use.

I missed a day, Friday, but I don't mind, I'm not sweating if theres not something every single day.

FYI, yes, that's my bare skin. Can't see nothin' but I liked the pic so I said screw it, I'm using it :p

Christmas - a week in the life at the Cease's house

2009-01-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

Over on Ali Edward's blog, she created a Christmas album that was 1/2 created in advance, (the backgrounds) and then she kinda plopped in pics and journaling as she went. Now, that was kind of the plan here, but... a.) I was only going to do it christmas week, because I knew I would not be able to keep it up for the whole month and b.) I wanted my backgrounds done in advance, but only part were.

I finished it up today.
Finally.

I can't fathom trying that for an entire month.

I used an 8 x 8 album from SEI. It's an older album that I bought at Hobby Lobby I believe, probably $3-$5 half price. It had a green cover, so I decided to go with pink/green as my main colors, accented with turquoise blue and red. Sorry, but I love those colors and apparently so because I had a huge pile of christmas stuff in those colors.

Here is the cover, I used vinyl and my cricut for the first time to decorate it. I didn't do too bad considering I had almost zero instruction on how to do it.

Tags by me - circa 2004, prima flowers, making memories journaling thingy (dunno the name), ribbon from american crafts, a really old accent piece and some kick ass reindeer paper.

My new favorite letter stickers. I have 3 sheets, I'm going to buy more when I make it back to archivers. They only have brown. Good thing brown goes with anything in my book. Glitter stickers by Martha.

Some days I had no pics for that day, so I took pics later of the decorations and filled in with that.

These flourishes rock the awesome sauce. K & Company. The glitter DOES NOT come OFF!
*get out*
*push*

No really.

Couldn't have an album, without a little glitter... and stitching

Amber looks oh so excited to be washing dishes. Methinks someone needs a dishwasher.

More flourishes. Shopping with Amber. Founds some cute stuff that I couldn't live without. I printed the star pic out twice, and cut out the star in front, and used pop dots to lift it up to make it more 3D.

Damn I'm good.

Get down with my bad self.

Sorry, first pic is blurry, but I'm seriously way too lazy to get out the lights, the camera, upload again, resize *again*. Picture it, only crisper. Feelin' it? OK great.

I also realized, that I have hardly anything with numbers on it. I had to improvise a bit.

OK, this one is a bit of a quiz. Paper look familar at all? Take a moment. Search the recesses of your brain (this only works on scrapbookers btw)

HA.

Stumped ya.

As I was looking for a quick layout idea, I saw this AD from MAMBI (Me and my big ideas). I thought "oh, that'd be cute paper". *lightbulb* Nothing important on the backside. *RRRRRIPP* Paper.

Viola

Seriously

A bunch of circles. Great way to use up my scrappy bits.

Reindeer is a leftover from the 3 cards I mailed out. He's cut on my cricut and covered with stickles.

Another riddle.
That frame... what the heck?

From Heidi grace back when no one know who Heidi grace was. She released a bunch of acrylic stuff. Remember back in twenty-dickety-two when acrylic was in? Well, you know what. I liked it. I still do. I didn't toss it so nehhhhhpft.

For those of you following along.

Cease means stop. Which was a cooinkydink because it's also my last name. In case you were wondering why it just says "CEASE" at the end of the book :p

I will probably do that again next year. I feel all the pressure is off to scrapbook all those pics now. I'm going to print everything and stick the rest in a regular old photo album, which I do a lot more of now. IMO, that's as good as scrapbooking.

You suck Wednesday. Bite me.

2009-01-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

The post office blows. Apparently, contrary to what the USPS website says, my package to TX is exactly 1 inch too tall. That one inch is $54 extra.

Um.

No.

I was so irritated, I'm not spending $75 to mail something that is definitely not worth $75. *never*again*ever*

So, the package came back home, will be squished down a bit (I put about 3" of filler in the top just to fill out the box) taken back into town and remailed for $24). *sigh*

Wednesday sucked.

I decided to kick Wednesday in the junk and have a do-over. Unfortunately, they don't let you do over the same day, so here I am at Thursday. Woke up early by {insert biz that wants to sell me advertising}. Hello, I believe I said call after 10. So why ya calling 2 days in a row at 8 a.m.? Plus she claims she's called me "several times" yet I only had 2 calls. Let's define "several" ok?

I badly want to tell her to pound sand now.

I think I will.

*hold please*

OK done. Not exactly a "pound sand" but I did get to say my piece. Man, what ever happened to customer service? dude. Seriously.

*deep cleansing breath*

I realized last night, I forgot to share a couple scrapbook pages with you. Each year for around 5 years now, I've taken the boys school picture, and made a double page spread (along with some pics of them from that year) about the type of person they have been, mom advice, what they are into, etc.

It's also a good way to keep track of their school picture too, as I only get 2 5 x 7's each year. Seriously - I'm a photographer, I'm not giving a lot of $$ to Lifetouch when I can take more interesting pics myself. Isn't it sad that school pics are sometimes the only pics get of themselves *the whole year*? (and sometimes christmas pics. sigh). Travesty.

I played with the new lens for about 10 min this afternoon. I've just been busy doing other stuff and not had time to play yet.

But here's an example:

My neighbors across the way, via my 18-55mm kit lens

Via my 70-200 mm.

Not that I am going around taking pics of all the neighbors houses or anything. I can be weird, but not *that kind* of weird.

And lastly, went to weight watchers today, it's been nearly a MONTH since they had a meeting due to holidays and weather. I only gained .2 pounds. I told her I would take it, and with a smile. I wanted to finish the year out strong and lose a few, but you know what, I'm going to see that as an accomplishment and move on. (cuz It was.. dude... you should see the crap I ate at christmas. Ppl can attest, there might even be pictures. Perish the thought).

Anyway, feels good to be back on track. Seems like it's taking forever for things to go back to normal.

Speaking of which, which one of you is gonna come over and take down my tree for me? I have all the ornaments off. I just have lights and the tree left. Someone yesterday tried to talk me into putting snowflakes and hearts on it.

NO WAY.

A teaser - just to get me all worked up.

2009-01-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

Since this post is getting an absolute ton of hits, I'll give myself a little plug. Be sure to visit the rest of the blog - Mz-Cellaneous.

***

I got my continous lighting system today! Whooop.

I saw the Fed Ex guy pull up, and I was hoping it would be my lens, but it was this instead:

It's a simple system, I actually thought continous lighting would be good for me, since I'm "entry level" into lighting systems. I didn't wanna overload myself all at once. I mainly like to shoot natural light, but SOMETIMES, that does not happen ya know?

Like now. It's dark. Sometimes that happens.

If I shoot by a lightbulb, this is what I get:

the only thing I did for this pic, was to light through a white umbrella. I didn't even turn the incandescent light right next to it off. (straight out of the camera)

Not freaking bad for $35!!
Looks almost like natural light. OK, I'm hooked.
I bought it on amazon, search for "continuous lighting system"

I also wanted to show you the 365 scrapbook I was telling you about. Here's the album, an american crafts D-ring album. Purchased at Hobby Lobby 1/2 price. Seriously, I will never understand why ppl have to have a $1200 wedding album. Even if I'm selling $1200 wedding albums.

Inside, I put page protectors (12 x 12) that are divided for 4 x 6 photos. Each photo printed has the journaling and the small square photo included. Since I blog pretty regularly, it will be easy to just plop in some of the journaling and a photo from the day I blog, print it out, round the corners and stick it in. Done.

5 Down, 360 to go.

Scrapsplosion

2009-01-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

Most of Sunday, (well, and evenings almost all week long) was spent in my scrapbook room. See, I had it all fixed up once (I shared it a while back) but that's before *everything* had to come out of the storage pod in the driveway. When it came out... PLOP it went back into the scrapbook room.

For months, I've had several big boxes of stuff that had to be sorted. I'm really not good at sorting stuff when it gets down to a certain point, I can't figure out where to put stuff. I think I'm kinda ADD.

Anyway, I've taught myself a method that works well when you find yourself in a cleaning situation where you have a lot of things that need to find a home.... I count to 10.

I stole the idea from Flylady, she has the 27-fling boogie, where you pick up a trash bag and find 27 things to throw away. When you do that every day, at the end of the year, you've gotten rid of 9,855 items you no longer need. It works! Anyway, I just make myself count to 10, and put away 10 items. That's it. Then, I do it again, and again. Once you get on a roll, you stop counting, and things just seem to find a home quickly.

So I switched my shelves from wooden braces, to a bracket system, which is a B*%^&X($ to put in so they are all even - especially over a 9 foot span, but I got it. I added a 3rd shelf and now my bear collection can be seen, but up high so I have more space.

I told Gene that now I have to go buy some new stuff to fill that shelf. LOL. Somehow I think it will fill itself.

I like ribbon.
Ya think?

The black shelf with all the cubbies is the shelf Gene got me for Christmas.

Only a fraction.
*sigh*

Before

*explosion*
I added another shelf on the left, so I'd have a deck to store my totes and bigger crap above it.

You know what's sad? I STILL have stuff to get done in there! Moving out my armoire, building a computer table, more shelving, curtains for my desk to cover the paper. BLEH.

And for the record, I do actually scrapbook in there. No really.

{100 Percent Sweet}
I had to find an excuse to use this paper that I HAD to buy!

And here's the start of the 2008 Christmas week album:

Seriously, I really hate printing pics, so I only have the one page done so far. I'll just sit one eve and print out everything I need to finish it and get it done already!

It's in pink, bright green, red, brown and turquoise blue. It looks better than it sounds. Seriously.

The album is a plastic SEI album that I bought on sale years ago, the cover Is going to be decorated with vinyl, I've never done that yet.. Yay for Cricut die cutting machines!

"Behind the music" -- THE dress

2008-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

I finally sat down and made a list of "required" pages for my wedding album. I have around 1000 photos, and I will never be able to scrap them all, so I decided that I'd just make a list of what I'd like to see in it.

Kinda like writing a list of goals or resolutions, it's really kicked me in the pants, because when I sit down, I don't hmm and haww over what to scrapbook. I have a list. I have pictures. I have paper. I have my cricut! GO!

So I wanted to share a page I finished this past week. It's about my dress. Yes, I know some of you think it's weird - guess what. *I*do*not*give*a*damn* It made me happy, I felt beautiful in it. I'll remember it the rest of my life. I'd wear it to the grocery store if I could.

Here's my journaling:

"They say when you find "the" dress, you'll just know it. Well, long before an engagement ring or a proposal, I happened to be watching a show. On this show, they featured a bride that got married during a concert, and she was wearing this American flag dress. I instantly fell in love, it was so different from anything that I've ever seen, and being a non-traditionalist, patriotic, and a republican, I knew it was the dress for me!

So it was the dress, that set the stage for the entire wedding. It took a bit of research, but I finally found the dress. It is designed by Lady Roi and was part of a line they did after September 11, 2001.

The dress received some flack from many, it's a love it or hate it type of dress, but it didn't matter what others thought, I loved it. Unfortunately (or fortunately??) it leaves pretty much one day of the year that you can really pull off a dress like this! July 4th.

I ordered it, and waited 3 months for it to come. I had it shipped to the glass shop in Riverside so that it wouldn't sit outside all day. I was so excited! Now, I was either optimistic, or stupid (or both) but I ordered it what I thought was one size smaller. Unfortunately it really was about 2-3 sizes too small (I suppose so they could get more $$ out of me). I could have probably lost 10-15 pounds, but 50? Yes, I suppose I could, but It wasn't happening. So, non-returnable dress had to be altered, and me, being the sewing queen, said NO WAY was I paying for alterations when I had a sewing machine, made my own prom dress, made patterns out of my own head. So I set out to alter it.

My original plan was to add straps and a 3/4 sleeve to it since I do not wear strapless or sleeveless. Sorry, I don't feel THAT good about myself. :) After a while, I realized, that it was going to have to go on over my head if I did that, and I wouldn't have an army of women to dress me so plan C. A jacket - which by the way, I made, and I merged 2 patterns into one, AND put all the beading on myself. Yes I'm a glutton for punishment.

Altering the dress was probably one of the hardest sewing experiences I've ever had. There were some tears, and it was very scary cutting down the middle of the back of the dress. You see, the zipper went up the side, and if I was going to give myself a couple more inches, I needed a panel in the back, so I had to CUT THE DRESS right down the back. That was scary! The panel went in, along with a corset. The first time I actually got the dress on, and zipped, was almost a year after I received it. I nearly cried! I had to add darts to the top to help keep it up properly, and it was done! I toyed with the idea of hemming it but decided that I'd be happy with it as it was - and I was tired of sewing on it. I rebeaded about 20% of the top, and it was ready!

Regardless of how anyone else feels about the dress, I loved it, and felt beautiful in it, and wish I had a reason to wear it again!"

Won't you be my {Paper} Pal?

2008-11-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a nice slow weekend. Little was accomplished, that's what Mondays are for.

I spent a good chunk of the weekend cleaning my scrapbook room. Yes, after the last big clean, I had to clean it again, and it's not really clean yet. After I had it exactly how I wanted it, I ended up having to clean out the storage pod in our front yard, and there was more stuff in there that needed to be put away. Most of that has been sitting in 5+ boxes in the corner.... overwhelming me. That's my problem, I can clean up and get everything *almost* perfect, and then I end up with that one last basket/box/bag of stuff that I don't know where it's home is. It's when I get a couple of those, that I start to feel unorganized and overwhelmed... and I hate that. So I've learned to play a game with myself, and it works well. Well one of 2 games.

First one... If I touch the item, I have to find a home for it. whether it's the trash, donate or keep, if I keep it, it has to be in a logical place. Not just stuffed in a drawer.

Second game is a flylady spinoff. Quick pick up 10 things and put them away. Only have to count to ten. Slightly better, now let's do it again. After counting to ten 3-4 times, I end up not counting but still going. I guess it must flip a switch in my brain because then it's easier and things make sense. So now, I'm down to just a couple boxes in the scrapbook room that need homes, a full box for donation and a bunch of stuff I've been honest with myself that need to be trashed.

I started to go through a box of memorbelia (and I have quite a bit of that being a scrapbooker/mom), and found some paper dolls I had as a child. I really hated to get rid of them, because I remember playing with them a lot when I was a kid. I tossed them in a recycling pile, then *on the way to recycling bin* I realized that they were bright colored, and flat, and paper, and not yellowed a bit, so wouldn't that make a fun scrapbook page accent?

So I just decided to make a super simple, super quick page about my old paper dolls. I will be tossing all the clothes. It hink it's a nice compromise. Any other 70's girls remember the Honey Hill Bunch? I think they had a line of real dolls too. Lenora Smith gave this set to me in the 4th grade for christmas. she paid 79 cents, which was probably a lot for a 4th grader back then.. you know... in the stone age.

I decided to share that one, and while taking that, realized I had other pages never shared, and I did go to that crop last weekend and never shared those pages either.

Here's a page I did FOUR YEARS ago. Yes, it's never been put in an album. I don't know why, because I've assembled albums since then. (I keep all my pages in a pile, and then once in a great great while, I put them in albums).

yes, It's a page about W winning re-election. Yes I'm a conservative girl. Yes I'm proud of that and get this.... Yes, I'd vote for W *again*. Shoot me, but I like him. *sigh*

Yes, I know that the E has fallen off my "4 more" on the right. I need to find a replacement.

Madison being the princess that she is. These are some of my favorite pics from the mini session we did when she was here.

Also...
A few layouts from the wedding album. OK, ALL the layouts from the wedding album. I only have 3 so far. It will take me 20 years to scrapbook all the pics we have.

This one is about Cheyenne being Gene's "Best Gal" (that's what he called her the whole time). Needs journaling, which won't be much.

"The One".

I love this scalloped paper. I could use it on every single layout I do. LOL

The opening page to the album. Yes, I know the colors are not "fourt of july" but there are reds and blues, and I really wanted to use more muted colors for the wedding, but frankly, I'm not anal retentive enough to chase down every single thing that needed to be tomato red instead of fire engine red. Seriously.

I didn't spend the *entire* weekend in my sb room. I did venture out for a while to trim out the guest room door so I can get it stained and the knob put on finally.

I started to trim out tanner's door, but it's a MESS. GRR. I think the whole thing needs to be undone on one side (of course that's the side with the most screws in it) and straightend up. I'm so ready to just put up a curtain and be done with it, but I think 14 year old boys tend to like doors. I dunno I haven't checked lately.

Lots of things to get done today... which ticking them off the list as the day goes on. The usual monday chores like dishes, laundry and vacuuming. I also need to take some things to donate, order some prints for a client, go make a deposit, order some christmas presents online and swing by storage to pick up a load. I think I'll also try to get some of this stuff sitting my my dining room that need to be moved out to the shed GONE. Driving me nuts!

I have laundry backing up on me! Must go.

accomplishments - schmaccomplishments!

2008-08-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

I'm going to have to quit saying "more later" when I repeatedly do not make it back by the evening. I could have probably posted again, but I was on a roll so I decided to just run with it.

I accomplished a lot yesterday. Here's my biggest accomplishment:

I installed this door in our bathroom! I got it going, and then when tanner got home, he helped me finish it up. We had to cut the door down by 1/8" which was a gigantic PITA.

I also had a big accomplishment at WW. I officially lost 2 pounds which in their books put me at 11 lost total. At home I'm always around 1.5 more than what they show. I'm very happy with that number. 2 pounds a week is 104 pounds a year. wow. I could be done in 4 short years! LOL. :p

It took everything I had not to stop while I was at WW and take some more really cool macros of wet spider webs outside the door. I'm sure they probably already think I'm weird.

I stopped by the storage unit when I was in town, and took some pics of some crap I have in storage so I can get rid of that unit before winter. I have 2 small units right now, and one is only half full, there needs to be some reduction, and some re-arranging and I'll cut that bill in half. Anyway, got some of the bigger stuff listed online for sale.

I also worked in the evening on the girls albums. We started an album called "Today I..." and they would use a pic of what they did that day. It was a nice little craft project, but I couldn't imagine doing that with 15 little girls. 3 was hard. Anyway, it didn't get finished while they were here, so I told them I'd finish them and mail them. I'm wanting to get that last box of junk mailed out tomorrow. Only 3 more pages to go, and then I think I'll put on some page protectors for the pages - a cover layout and I'm DONE.

Today, my goal is to finish trimming out the doors. I have my door on my scrapbook room, but the trim hasn't been put on because no one wants to hassle with assembling the miter saw. LOL. So I'm gonna give that a go today, install all the trim and then probably stain it this weekend.

I also want to get some more items listed on ebay and such, get caught up on emails - then I need to work on my photo website as I have cards to give out with the url, and yet, no website is there. *I hate it when someone does that*. Bad form. At the very least I need a page that says "under construction - visit here" (pointing to the blog).

OK, need to get moving, I started out kinda late cuz I overslept!

I'll *try* to post later. LOL. we'll see.

....Mz-cellaneous-scraps

3 girls

My family tree is full of nuts!

Scrapbook page - Love on the Line

Scrapbook Page - Sky High

Scrapbook Page - Peek a Boo!

Scrapbook Page - Good Eats

Scrapbook Page - SDC Details

Scrapbook Page - Marshal Law

Scrapbook Page - Playtime

Scrapbook page - Sisters are like Cherries

Scrapbook Page - Bound Forever

Scrapbook Page - Sweet Tooth

Scrapbook Page - Enjoy the Ride

Scrapbook page - Silver Dollar City

Scrapbook Page - Got any cheese?

Scrapbook Page - Whoooo Luvs you?

Scrapbook Page - Swinging Bridge

Scrapbook Page - Sweet Girl

Scrapbook Page - Amber and Lana's DAY OF FUN!

Scrapbook page day!

Project 365 - THE END!

Project 365 - almost there!!!

Project 365

Project 365 - The home stretch!

Scrapbook Page - Cowgirl Family

Project 365

Project 365

Scrapbook Page - Just the 2 of us

Project 365

Project 365

Scrapbook page - Seth and Tanner in Arizona

I'm a bad bad blogger

Scrapbook page - Maid of Honor

Project 365

Scrapbook page - Coifed (wedding album)

Scrapbook page - Phat chicks with Phat Tats

Project 365

This post will be really really boring if you hate photography

Free prints from artscow

Project 365 - a big update!

Project 365

Project 365

Gifted Child - scrapbook page

Project 365

How to post larger photos via flickr

Did you get crazy this weekend?

Project 365

A couple new scrapbook layouts to share

Project 365

Project 365

*that just happened*

Project 365

Scrapbook page - Family Legacy

Project 365

Project 365

Project 365

Roses on Tuesday

Earth day - Part deux

My own personal LOL cat - layout

Project 365

My "Baby" - A scrapbook album - part 2

Project 365 - a free template

Project 365 - the set up

Project 365

Project 365

Project 365 - and an update

My "Baby" - A scrapbook album

Project 365

Project 365

Project 365

Scrapsplosion

Project 365

SLR

Project 365

Project 365

Our homemade wedding - Scrapbook page

A scrapbook album for you - she's pink

Project 365

Project 365

that just happened

"Behind the music" -- THE dress