My {Life}, My {Blog}

Project 52--Week 1

I decided to try Project 52 this year.  That 365 thing was just too hard.  I think I may be able to keep up with this one.  But just in case, I am giving myself permission to get behind if I have to, and to forgo posting if I don't feel like it.  I just want to get my photography groove back on again.  Thanks to an online friend, I found a couple of sites with prompts to follow this year.  The prompt this week is resolution.  I don't really make resolutions (too easy to break them), but I have set a goal this year to master project photography.  I figured this attempt at that goal met the prompt. 

I am not that happy with this shot, but I used much too shallow a depth of field on all the other attempts to even post those.  I did make notes, and I learned what does not work, so next time I will know what not to try.

Thanks for looking!

My 8th Grade Graduate and his Finished Afghan and Pillow

 
 

I have no babies left in my house.  Last Thursday, the 8th graders were given diplomas at their honors program.  Tomorrow is the official last day of school and my little 8th grader will have officially graduated from middle school.  This is the photo I got of him after the program.  Can someone please explain to me why boys think not smiling is cool?  Anyway, we are so proud of him.

 

And this is his afghan and pillow that I finished up for him.  I started the afghan almost 5 years ago.  it was another that got packed in the first move that I recently discovered as I unpacked boxes.  the pillow is a more recent UFO, that just happened to match the afghan.  His room is done in shades of blue with black accents, so the whole thing matches well.

I need to edit a couple of mini albums that I completed and I will post those here also.  I finally found the pictures of them and got them downloaded.  Okay, I am off.  I need to get my fish going for dinner.  I love fried fish!

 

A Quick Catch Up

I have fallen behind in my blog posting.  I have been scrapping.  In fact, I have exceeded by target number of layouts for the month, just got behind in getting them posted.  So, here is my scripture challenge for 2 weeks ago, along with 2 new layouts of the kiddos.  My "D" layout is done as is one I did for submission.  I will wait until Sunday to post the "D" layout, and the other will go at some point later.

 

Here is my confidence layout.  When I did the scripture research, I found this one which immediately brought to mind this photo I shot November, 2009 after doing our Christmas card photos.  When I looked back at the picture, I found that the leaves are truly green, even though we were in November.

 

 

These last two are layouts that I did at the last Scrappin Sistahs crop.  I love that pic of DS.  I have a similar one of DD in the same spot.  I will be scrapping it next time at the crop.

Well, that's it for me today.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Sistahs Scrap Too Valentine's Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sistas Scrap Too! second blog hop! We had so much fun with our first hop that we decided to do a hop once a quarter. This is the hop for the first quarter of 2011 and we are glad you decided to join us! We have 13 designers working on our theme for this hop, which is none other than Valentine's Day. We've put a twist on it, asking the designers to use the colors red, black, and white in their designs. We can't wait to show you what we've come up with! Some of the Sistas went the traditional route and used traditional colors for their projects. What would craftin' be without creativity and diversity?! We know you'll enjoy what lies ahead on the hop route!!
 
Remember, start at the beginning of the hop and work your way through each blog. Please leave blog love (comments) along the way and become a follower of the blogs so that you can see the beautiful creations year round and not just when we have a hop! There are Sistas who are offering blog candy and you never know where you'll find some so be sure to visit each participating blog. Thank you for joining us for our 2011 SST! Valentine's Day Blog Hop! We hope you enjoy the creativity...]]>

For  this hop, I created 2 projects.  First, I did a heart shaped mini album.  I recently purchased an idea book on mini albums which had an idea for an accordian fold mini.  Keeping in the theme of valentine's day, I decided to weld 3 hearts from Plantin Schoolbook together to make this little mini.  To get 5 hearts across, I glued the inside 3rd heart in offset positions to make 5 hearts to decorate.  After the album was finished, I used the shadow function and a thin strip of extra paper to create a sleeve for my album.  All papers and embellies for this project are from an old Daisy D's Valentine line I had in my stash.

 

The inside pages include pics of my favorite three valentine's. 

 

 

I also colored a valentine card.  I want to give it to hubby, but the image is so cute.  I may give it to him, then ask for it back to scrap.  The image is one from Mo's Digital Pencil, markers are copic, paper is some old Love, Elsie Valentine line.

 

That's it for me this Valentine's day.  Hope you have a great one.  From here you should head over to Tonya's fabulous blog.  I know she has some wonderful projects waiting on you.  And be sure to check back here next week.  I cropping with the Scrappin Sistahs and should have a few new things to share with you!

I hope you enjoyed my project(s)! Here is the list of participating blogs. I've made them clickable to make it easier for you to follow along the hop route. Don't forget to stop by and visit everyone. Leave some blog love and enjoy!
 
Sumaiyah: http://www.StampinDymonz.com 
Cassie: http://cjscropcorner.blogspot.com
Michele: http://nowstampthis.blogspot.com
Yvatte: http://gr8ful1-sweetlilscrapper.blogspot.com
Lei: http://divinescrapper.blogspot.com
Renee: http://reneehagler.typepad.com  <You are Here !
Tonya: http://rileyscustomcreations.blogspot.com
Kim: http://kim-kimscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Cammi: http://cuttin-up.blogspot.com
Normea: http://mmdezigns.blogspot.com
Ella: http://sharingmystuff.blogspot.com
 Lanita: http://stepintonitasworld.blogspot.com
 Vernetta: http://scrapinnovations.blogspot.com

 
  

Craftin Sistahs Blog hop!

Welcome to the Craftin' Sistahs first ever blog hop! We are a group of Facebook friends who share the same passion for papercraftin'. The hop starts with the Mix On The Memories blog and ends with A Scrap Above. Along the way you'll stop by 7 other great blogs for a total of 9! You will find creations of all kinds along the hop. Be sure to start at the first blog and follow your way all the way through...several of the divas are offering blog candy! You never know where you might find some so be careful not to miss any of the blogs. While you're there, leave some blog love! Creative people love feedback on their work! We hope you enjoy this first Craftin' Sistahs blog hop!

For the hop, I created a couple of treats for my kiddos for Valentine's day.  They both love chocolate and I made some quick covers for the treats.  These could easily be recreated for classroom valentines as well.  All cuts from the gypsy wanderings, plantin schoolbook and don juan cartridges.

 

For my hubby, I created this heart shaped box from Tags, Bags, boxes and more.  It will ultimately hold gummies which are his favorite treat.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed today's projects.  I will be hopping again tomorrow with another group, so be sure to check back for that one as well.

Next stop up is Yolanda at Yolanda's Scrap and Stamp Spot.  Here's the full lineup.

Monique: Mix On The Memories -- http://mixonthememories.blogspot.com/
Sumaiyah: Stampin' Dymonz Creative Space - http://www.StampinDymonz.com/ 
Normea: M M DeZigns - http://mmdezigns.blogspot.com/
Tammy: From Me 2 U Papercrafting - http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffromme2upapercrafting.blogspot.com%2F&h=554a8E52uk8SLv587Wv-eH63xAA
Renee: My {Life}, My {Blog} - http://www.reneehagler.typepad.com/
Yolanda: Yolanda's Scrap-N-Stamp Spot - http://yolandasscrapnstampspot.blogspot.com/
Angie: Angie's Paper Passion - http://angiespaperpassion.blogspot.com/
Christel: Scrappin' Sista - http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
CraftyNetta: http://craftcreationsbynetta.blogspot.com/
Bonnie: A Scrap Above -- http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/

 

First Layout of the New Year and a Blog Award

So, I have several New Years goals (I don't like resolutions).  First, I really want to scrap at least 4 pages a month, and hopefully make 2 cards.  I have for too long gotten away from my scrapping roots. Unfortunately, I still scrapbook shop like I make pages.  This year, I plan to make a few pages.  I finished one last week.  It is for the ABC Scripture Challenge hosted by Triple the Scraps/Patter.  I am quite pleased with my 8 x 8 page.  Having no pictures allows me to experiment with things I might not think I can use on my regular pages.  Anywoo, here is my page.

 

The main scripture of the challenge is on the journaling strips, but I took my study further and included 2 related scriptures with the same theme.

I also got a blog award last week.  Karen gave me this award. It is the Stylish Blogger award and I am honored to receive it.  With the award, I am supposed to list 8 things about myself, so here goes.

1.  I have moved 3 times in 5 years.  I still have boxes from the first move.

2.  I have 2 of the best kids evah.  They can be brats sometimes, but they really love Momma and take care of her.

3.  I also have one of the best hubbies.  I don't know how I got that lucky.  He watches me buy whatever my obsession of the day is and never says a word.

4.  I can honestly say I love my job.  This is a milestone, since I for a long time I couldn't say that.

5. When I grow up, I want to be a full time "artist".

6. My lifelong dream is to make a trip to Africa.

7. I am almost as obsessive about shoes (boots in particular) as I am about scrapbook supplies.

8.  I live in the deep south and love warm weather.  See number 7 above.

Thanks again Karen! 

 

SST Christmas and Countdown to the New Year Blog Hop

Christmas is coming and so is the new year! To get you in the spirit of the season, the divas of Sistas Scrap Too! have come together for a Christmas and Countdown to the New Year blog hop! There are 17 blogs in the hop, so make sure you use the links below this post to hop to all of the participating blogs. No worries if you miss one, you can always go back! These 17 divas have a lot in store for you. From exquisite creations to offers of blog candy, you will enjoy hopping your way to all of the blogs involved! Don't forget to leave some blog love for the creators -- they love getting feedback on their designs!

For my contribution to the hop, I decided to showcase a series of Christmas cards. If you are like me, you are doing a mad dash to get yours done. The first is my family's card for this year. The others are prototypes I did as I decided which to use.

Supplies used: Papers: Hobby Lobby Christmas collections Die Cut machine: Provocraft Cricut Cartridges: Lacy Labels, Celebrate with Florish, and Lyrical letters (note, the lacy tree is from Lyrical letters then welded using several basic shapes) Gems, Ribbon: various companies from stash

Thank you for participating in the Sistas Scrap Too! first ever blog hop! Remember to visit all of the blogs and leave blog love -- you never know where you'll find candy!! Here is a linked list of all the participating blogs: 1. Treva's Craft Corner 2. Stampin' Dymonz Creative Space 3. Nubian Crafter NC 4. My {Life}, My {Blog} 5. Step Into Nita's World 6. Sweet Lil Scrapper 7. P-Kaysunshine Creations 8. Sharing My Stuff 9. Yaya Philly Craft World 10. Cassie's Crop Corner 11. M. M. DeZigns 12. Made By Dee 13. Riley's Custom Creations 14. It's A Family Affair! 15. Cuttin' Up 16. Stamping On The Road 17. In Shelly's World

Thanks for joining us!

 

The End of a Busy Day, Closing out a Busy Long Weekend...

I finally found a day when I can get all my family in one room of our house at the same time. We are doing our house blessing on THAT day.  Even though I will likely not have the accent furniture, drapes, whatever for the house.  I made a schedule for this weekend to get much needed things done.  I am beat down tired, but I got everything done and then some.  When I still had some unboxing to do today, I would not even come inside to change (scared if I came in, I wouldn't go back out).  Stayed until all the picture boxes were unpacked and all the trash was taken to the recycle center.  Whew!  That was a lot of work. 

As of today, with the exception of our homeplace sampler, which has apparently been put in some unknown box, completely mis-labeled, by the pack out company, I have located all the pictures and rooted out the really bad ones that will immediately go to goodwill.  I have found TONS of that stuff packed in random boxes, completely mis-labeled as I have unpack.  The bad thing is, the remaining boxes are some that came from places in our old house that should only have things that we were planning to throw away.  Hopefully it hasn't broken. 

I currently have the remaining pictures sitting in the room that they will be hung in, so I can see them in that room and determine whether they need new mats.  We have substantially more square footage now, so I really need more pictures to adequately cover the walls.  I am thinking of taking apart some of the baby cross stitch framed samplers I did for the kids and re-frame them with my photography.  They are good frames, and could be reused fairly easily. 

We also made like 4 trips to the recycle center trying to clean out the packing paper and cardboard all that unboxing left.  DS got soooo tired of me dragging him to the recycle center that I ended up buying him ice cream as a reward.  Imagine 4 FULL  van loads of recycle goods.  Needless to say, the bins are all full to the brim now.

And, just to show you how country this area is, this is what I saw across the street from our recycle center.

 

Apparently this tree was awful good, cause she had her head stuck all the way out of her fence.  Here she is after she saw me taking pics.

 

And if all this unpacking is not enough, I managed to take a holiday decorating/entertaining class at Pottery barn today.  Then pull up at church just in time to photograph the kids with their Operation Christmas child boxes being dedicated.  Needless to say, I am taking the rest of today off.

So, heres the schedule for the rest of the week:

Monday/Tuesday:  complete coloring my copic final image, photograph the sampler one and the final one and upload to Simply Scrapping.  Hand/Fold the laundry from this weekend.

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: cut parts of Christmas cards, organize for assembly.  Need about 35 more cards.

Weekend:  Hang pictures that are not going to be re-matted.  Assemble Christmas cards.

Let's see if I can do it!

 

Been Playing Around with the Blog

I got bored with the old look and started playing around.  I also added the new studio space and updated the My favorite Layouts a bit.  Can someone tell me how to change the layout that shows on the blog to the one I chose.

Thanks!

My Nook

Can I just tell you that I love my nook.  Of course mine does NOT have a Kate Spade cover (that thing is $125.00).  But it does have a brand new pink neoprene cover headed this way.  It has been one of the best purchases I have made in quite a while. (DH might not think so, but I do.)  I just spent the last 30 minutes moving several PDF file ebooks of crochet patterns to my nook.   The pictures are not in color, but it is fabulous to be able to read the pattern in LARGE print on my little nook.  I am looking for a few scrapbook epubs.  I really want some sketches to put on there.

Not only can I get free ebooks online and put them on the nook, but the e-books from Barnes and Noble are way cheaper than their hard copy siblings.  So far, I haven't spent more than $6.00 on a book yet.  Gotta love that.  Right now, I am finishing up Dear John and looking for a good, easy read.  Any suggestions are welcome.

So, that is my PSA for today.  Get yourself a nook if you don't already have an ereader. 

Have a great one.