Photo-a-Day 05.28.08

I took a personal day for a Dr. appt. and lab work Wednesday and this is how I spent my day before and after the appt. --- IRONING!
Several weeks ago (on our one and only 90 degree weekend) we pulled our summer clothes out of storage and washed them. I have slowly been working on a towering ironing pile. Now if we could only enjoy a few sunny days so we could wear them. This has been the strangest Spring weather I can recall.
Anyone else ready for some sunshine????

Photo-a-Day 05.27.08

When I returned home from Bible study Walt was busy working on fence details.

The band saw was too loud for him to hear me
take the picture. Didn't want to scare him with that moving blade!!

Only 4 more days to take photos in May.
It has been fun and I've learned more about my camera and photo techniques along the way.

Photo-a-Day 05.26.08

Ahhhh ... the perfect topping to our holiday weekend
Spending time with the grandkids ...
and Brian
Michelle was home sick : (

Photo-a-Day 05.25.08

Even though our plans were altered by the rain and cooler temps for the holiday weekend, our landscape is benefiting.
I've never seen the plants so large and healthy.

Photo-a-Day 05.24.08

We took Matte to the airport and then spent the morning shopping in that area. The weather cleared unexpectedly so we headed home to get a few things done before the predicted rain.
Our plans were to stain the fence, decks and porch during the Memorial Day Weekend but the rain changed all that.
The fence is nearly completed -- only the gates and copper caps are left. What a tremendous difference it made to the exterior of our home. This was the last big project in our 3-year improvement plan : )

Photo-a-Day 05.23.08

Our car is back from the body shop and I've never seen it so shiny! They also detailed the interior ... looks like new.
I used the edge blur effect in iPhoto to bring focus to the repair area.

Photo-a-Day 05.22.08

Jet-Puffed ChocoMallows found at Target.
I thought they would make yummy krispy treats.

Something else to consider ... s'mores. Can't wait for camping!

Photo-a-Day 05.21.08

Our rental car while ours was in the body shop.
I used the blur effect in iPhoto.

Photo-a-Day 05.20.08

The Oregon Primary results.

Photo-a-Day 05.19.08

Here's my corner of the craft-world. I have actually been scrapbooking the old-fashioned way ... by hand. It has been fun to use my supplies -- and boy, do I have supplies!!
I am working on March 2005 and plan to spend this summer getting closer to 2008. Digi will help speed things up a bit but I still enjoy the hands-on approach.
I used an antiqued effect in iPhoto on this picture ... and I must have cleaned up my workspace for "company" (my photo) I don't think it looks like this too often : )

Photo-a-Day 05.18.08

This is a photo of the damage to the Taurus caused by a "flying" fence panel. A gust of wind knocked over the fence panels in the driveway Saturday leaving a dent in the fender and door plus decapitating the side mirror on our car.
This fence is becoming expensive : )

Photo-a-Day 05.17.08

Calleigh is so excited about her first birthday cake. The theme for her party was "ball" -- everything round. She loves to say "ball" and play with them. Michelle did such a nice job decorating and found creative ways to incorporate anything and everything ROUND into the fun. It was awesome to celebrate a special day with family and friends.
This overlay, Feuillage 1 is from Monique Gascon on Digiscrapbook.net. It added a special flair to pick up the color in Calleigh's party dress.

Happy Birthday to you .....

Photo-a-Day 05.16.08

I merged two photos to show the time and temperature Friday night -- and how we found relief!
No overlay necessary : )

Photo-a-Day 05.15.08

How fun was that?!?!?! Michelle stopped by with the grandkids after Calleigh's immunization shots. What an awesome mid-week treat on such a hot day!



They arrived just in time -- I really needed some great subjects for my photo of the day :)
The overlay, Brook was a download from Kirsty Wiseman.

Photo-a-Day 05.14.08

Caught Walt working away on the fence before the big weekend Heat Wave.

This inked-edge overlay was a freebie I downloaded from ScrapArtist / Nancie Rowe Janitz. I like how subtle it is.

Photo-a-Day 05.13.08

I thought it would be fun to try a few new things in Photoshop Elements for this week's --
Photo-a-Day in May.


Having fun trying a new overlay, Felicity by Kirsty Wiseman. It almost makes you feel the music.

Photo-A-Day In May

One of the blogs I subscribe to, Sprague Lab - Scrapbook Alchemy had a challenge to "Come Play" -- A Photo A Day in May. With our new camera I thought it would be great to join the fun. Instead of posting each picture individually I decided to add some creativity and use Stamp Cluster 9 by Lindsay Jane Designs. It gives me the opportunity to learn something new with the camera and gain a few skills in PSE. Hope you enjoy our predicted warm temperatures this weekend! It seems like winter lasted much too long. Well ... off to take the picture for today : )

First Birthday

Calleigh turns one today. It's hard to believe an entire year has passed ... it seems like she has been a part of the family for several years. She has been such a blessing to all of us.
I put together a digi layout to celebrate her first year in pictures. It has been a joy to watch her grow.


Credits:
Elements: Crown -Lindsay Jane Design
Heart: Scrappy Pony Designs -Valentine3
Ribbon -Lindsay Jane Design, Just Pink
Journaling Strips: Mira Designs
Paper: Melanie Ann Designs -Chocoberry Creme Paper 03
Royanna Fritschmann Studio RA Designs -Summerloser-paper 01
Fonts: Milk & Cereal, Prestige Elite Std., CK-AlisWriting
Template: Miracle's Momma Designs -MMD-2007-YIR

National Scrapbooking Day

This weekend we had the pleasure of having the grandkids ... oh, my have we had fun! While Colin and Grandpa played Star Wars I put together a layout for "Uncle Tim." I was amazed at how many times this weekend Calleigh reminded me of Tim when he was a toddler. It was that sparkle in her eyes, her charming personality and having "no fear" of new things -- thus inspiring my layout.
Both kids were very charming today ... as we ate lunch at Wendy's (where else???), Colin and Calleigh were smiling and waving at those waiting in the drive-through line. It brought smiles to many faces.
Just passing on the joy ...

Credits:
Template: Pineapple Plantation Designs - sbs_template 2
Paper: ALP Simple Beauty 9,
Graziela Mendes-My Father 02,
Lisa Corthell August Round Up paper 1,
Lindsay Jane Designs Iced Berry 2
Element: Heidi Larson, Little Dreamer Designs - Charmer
Font: Ali's Writing, Milk & Cereal, American Typewriter

Wallowa Wonderland

Since we've only been to Wallowa Lake in the summer it is hard to imagine the state park with a blanket of snow. Recently Don and Paula made a trip to the area and sent us pictures of what our annual vacation site looks like in the winter. I thought it was a great subject for experimenting with my new Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac.
It's just hard to imagine all the snow when it's sweltering hot in July!
If you've never been to northeastern Oregon, check it out here.


Credits:
Paper: Matthew solid paper (1), by Andrea
Journaling Tag #6: Little Dreamer Designs, Jackie Eckles
Font: Silom, Black Boys on Mopeds, An Unfortunate Event
1875 Photo Frame

Good Advice

When you have a chronic illness or ongoing health issues it seems everyone has some advice for you ... mostly good advice and given in love. As I was discharged from the hospital last week (after a 3-day stay) a volunteer wheeled me out to the car ... and had the best advice I've heard in a long time.
She shared that four years ago her husband passed away after more than 30 years of marriage. I would guess that she is about my age. She shared how much she missed him and all the things they used to do together. Her advice ..."don't put off something you want to do together."
It's so easy take the Scarlet O'Hara approach -- "I'll think about it/do it tomorrow" and get bogged down with projects, chores, work etc. -- putting off dreams until later. My dream has always been to go to Italy and while that isn't a good financial idea in this economy, I hope to find another avenue in making some lasting memories. I need to remind myself ... chores and projects will always be there.
As she shut the car door before we left the hospital, she reminded me to remember her advice. It's amazing the people God brings along our path with just what we need to hear at the right moment!

Spring Break

I'm probably the only person who enjoyed the snow, cold temps, hail, rain etc. for Spring Break ... since I spent most of my week on the couch with a sinus infection ... blah! The highlight of my week was sewing with Michelle. What a cute dress we made for Calleigh. It was fun to sew again after a 12-year break ... other than to mend.
After starting another round of antibiotics I felt well enough Saturday for a Germer-Dehaze Game Day.
What fun it was to play board games, eat yummy snacks and pizza, and enjoy great laughs all afternoon/evening. It was a JOY to spend time with Matt & Cindy on her last day here. For those who don't know ... she was our special surprise guest last week. I had fun putting a digital layout together of several pictures we took of them : )
I'm back to work and feeling better ....

Credits
Template: Chris Greiser Template 2007-6
Font: CkAlis_Writing, Milk & Cereal
Paper: Lindsay Jane Design -Soft Grunge BG02,
Leslie Hasenkamp Designs -mis_creame_paper1

Easter JOY

Spring has been a tough one on our family this year. Seems like each family member has dealt with ailments ranging from pneumonia to sinus infections. It was nice to have the opportunity to get together to celebrate Easter.
After worshiping at Potter's Hands we enjoyed family time before dinner and even had a surprise out-of-town guest stop by .... maybe more on that later : ) We had fun trying out the new camera -- "Look out Colin and Calleigh -- Grandpa can now take more pictures per second than before and can even zoom in and take them without you ever knowing it!"
Today is the first day of Spring Break and it was fun to go through the pictures and try out a new template to capture the JOY in our celebration.


Credits:
Template: Zakirah SMspotlight1
Paper/Flowers/Egg: Easter Egg Hunt Kit-Devine Designs
Border: ALP Whispering Softly Elements
Fonts: CKAlishandwriting, Milk & Cereal, American Typewriter

Calleigh & Matt

Despite a sinus infection this week, I have been determined to put a digi layout together of Calleigh and Matt. I think I made at least 6 attempts with all of them going in the "trash." For some reason the templates I used didn't look right with the photos so I finally decided to wing it on my own and I was pleased with the results. It's simple, clean and conveys the fun they have together. Now that Calleigh is crawling all over the house she follows Uncle Matt around ... he always has something fun to do that makes her smile.
I am feeling so much better thanks to antibiotics -- I haven't had a sinus infection for over five years. I had forgotten how miserable they are!

Credits:
Paper and Heart: Kim Hill Feb 2008 Sampler
Frame:1875 Photo Frame by Coralee Evans
Font: CKAlis Writing, American Typewriter

Daylight Savings Time

I spent the afternoon working on a digi layout for Tim and Rae. They spent Fall of '07 in the Bay Area while Tim worked down there. They enjoyed the weekends exploring ... this particular weekend was at Half Moon Bay and picking out pumpkins. What a beautiful Fall day!
Hope you aren't too tired from the time change. I'm glad I had Friday off to rest up for it : )

Credits:
Font: American Typewriter, Handwriting-Dakota
Paper Strips: Autumn's Kiss-Anita Designs/Nana's Attic,
Kathy Brandt/kathysscraps Run Paper02,
KMyers Paper Dots,
Make It Scrappy Summerlove bgb04
Background Paper: Britt-ish Designs-lyrical paper
Wordart: Explore-Lindsay Jane Design,
Fall-Pam Lefors Desings Autumn Rhapsody Word Art
To-Do List-Tara Sroke Designs
Staples: LB Creations-Sophisticated Chocolate Paper 08
Template: Racketty Scrappety #44

Our Snow Angel

What a delight to find snow falling while opening gifts on Christmas morning. It's what you always envision Christmas to be. We couldn't resist taking Calleigh out to experience her first snowfall. She was decked out in a new outfit ... a gift from Uncle Tim and Aunt Rae ... and it seemed perfect for the occasion. Calleigh loved the snow ... gave it a taste ... and displayed a big smile of approval.
Note: My mind tells me I should be organizing cupboards, closets, drawers ... my heart wants to create and I was drawn in by these precious photos. Oh well, everything else can wait til Spring Break : ) For right now I am lovin' digital scrapbooking!
Credits:
Lindsay Jane Design Pretty Pink Paper
Trish Heffner, Templates-N-More T93
Jessica Dixon Wordart 44
Cafe Digi LJ Paper 3b
Lindsay Jane Design Iced Berry Snowflake
Font: Almagro and Krungthep

Digital Scrapbooking Sites

Many times I'm asked which blog sites I subscribe to for great digi/hybrid ideas and freebies. Here's a list of my favorites:

Ali Edwards
Rebecca Sower
Salt
Faith Sisters
Scrapmatters
Tracy's Scraps
Lindsay Jane Designs
Shandy Vogt Designs
Scrapping with IkeaGoddess
DigiFree
Digitreats
One Little Word
Templates~N~More
Melanie's Digital Creations
Di Hickman
Sketch me if you can!

If you have any suggestions / additions to this list, please let me know.

A New Look

I have been wanting to design a header for my blog since October. Determination finally paid off ... that and having the time to be creative.
I used another blogger's header as an example, opened Photoshop Elements and started creating -- using some of the 8 GB of free digi downloads. I watched a tutorial on uploading it to Blogger, upgraded my template, and within minutes I had the header I've wanted for so long. I think the results were worth the persistence and I've gained new skills in the process!

Design credits:
font: CK_alis_writing, Ali Edwards
font: American Typewriter
heart: Scrappy Pony Designs
journal page: Tracy Drane
typekeys: Janosch Designs
deco border: Jenna Desai
paper: petit moineaux

Decorating with Digi Layouts

This is post number 201 ... when I first started blogging I never imagined I would have that many things to write about.

Since I've been dabbling in digital scrapbooking / hybrid scrapbooking I decided to decorate my desk area at work with some of my layouts. I have found that framing my 12 x 12 layouts in record album frames works best. Many times Michael's has them on sale for $4 each. Since they are slightly larger than my layout, I've purchased black paper from the art section and used it as a background. I have them printed at Costco for $2.99 each and I can change them out frequently as projects are completed. They are good conversation starters and many have expressed interest in the hobby. It also helps to have "darling" subjects (grandchildren) to scrap about : )

Digital scrapbooking can be time consuming ... downloading, hard drive storage and organization ... but so far everything I've used has been free and less "equipment" and "accessories" are required to complete a page. I still love the craft of scrapbooking ... there are so many fun "toys" out there. The CK Scrapbooking Convention is now in town and this will be the first year I will be unable to go : ( I will miss seeing all the new products!
Last night I worked on organizing my downloads -- I have 8 GB of great elements, papers, templates, alphabets and word art ... just waiting to become layouts. One thing I will need to add to my layouts is credit to the designers ... especially if I post them. Check this article for a great organization tip in adding this to your digital layouts.

17,000 Days Ago

Over 17,000 days ago this picture was taken by my friend, Janet's mom. We are sitting in front of the flagpole at Kennedy Grade School where we attended school in NE Portland. It was 1961 and we were almost ready to start third grade. I believe it was about this time that Janet moved to Alaska. Perhaps this was taken before saying "goodbye" ... but I can't seem to remember.
Janet's mom gave this print to Kennedy McMenamins and it is hanging in the entryway near the main office. Even though they have transformed our old school ... the flagpole is still out front and much of the school's character has been restored. Such good memories ... nice remembering those who have been a part of my "history." Good to see this picture each time we visit McMenamins.
I was able to calculate the days by going to www.timeanddate.com using the duration calculator. It's amazing to consider 17,000 days ago ...

The Glass Castle

Resilience:
“to leap back” from the Latin word resilire
- the ability to recover quickly from illness, change, misfortune, setbacks
- recovering strength, spirit, good humor quickly
- to weather tribulation without cracking

Memoirs aren’t usually the first book I pull off the library shelves when looking for a good book to read. It seems I can hardly keep up with all my favorite fiction authors’ new releases. But at the recommendation of a grade school friend I put the Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls on my Christmas wish list. From the very first page I was pulled into the story and found it hard to put down.
“Poverty to Park Avenue” -- The author shares the story of her life with her three siblings as her nomadic parents roamed America … doing the “skedaddle” when money, food or resources ran out. The family finally settled in Welch, West Virginia, a small mining town where the children, living in poverty, learned to take care of themselves.
At 17 she moved to New York and finished high school while working. She got a job at a local paper in Brooklyn and was encouraged by an editor to get a college education. She graduated with honors from Barnard College and went on to become a correspondent for MSNBC.
This book is being made into a film. Be sure you read it before you see it! Thanks, Matte for a great Christmas gift.

Peach Tranquility

Aaaahhhh ... there's nothing more relaxing on a cold winter day than a cup of Peach Tranquility and a good book.
Since I am a tea lover one item I put on Christmas wish list was a Teavana Perfect Tea Maker. I used one at Nancy's on our last "beading" day and loved it. You only need to add loose tea, preheated water, steep for a few minutes and then set it atop your mug to drain = a perfect cup of tea.

A few weeks ago we stopped at Teavana, which means "a heaven of tea," and bought three different teas -- Peach Tranquility, Mrs. Earl Gray and Decaf English Breakfast. I have to admit ... the Peach Tranquility is already gone : ( Their catalog is filled with so many choices ... it will be hard to decide which one to try next.
Visit their website www.teavana.com and check out the variety of teas and products.
Thanks, Tim and Rae for the amazing Christmas gift.

Cinderella

As a preschooler, my parents gave me a Cinderella watch ... and 50 years later it's still ticking : ) This gave me the idea to collect Cinderella keepsakes over the years.

One night we put my watch on Calleigh's arm and let her model it. I don't know how impressed she was with the watch but she definitely liked the Cinderella figurine ...

Candy Cane Joe-Joe's

Okay ... I'm new to Trader Joe's Joe-Joe's cookies but I happened to be out at the new Tanasbourne store while holiday shopping and thought I would give them a try. I am totally sold on 'em ... delicious! If you're a fan of a dark sandwich wafer cookie joined with peppermint filling, you will love these!
Maybe after the high-calorie holidays I will give the regular ones a try. Mmmmmmm ....

It has been a while ...

Wow! It has been a while since I last posted ... nearly two months! Life has moved forward at such a rapid pace and with added stresses ... I've found it hard to keep up on those things which bring so much Joy on the Journey.
This Fall we finally made it out to IKEA (several times now) in anticipation of moving a few rooms around in our house. We moved the guest room downstairs and made the upstairs room into a playroom for Colin ... and Calleigh too. It looks like an IKEA showroom display. What fun we've had making a cozy place for the grandkids to play and spend the night at Grandma's & Grandpa's. To top it off ... the guest room is much more warm and inviting.
Now I need to invest in some toys and books for Calleigh. I'd better go back up in the attic and bring down more of my antique dolls and cradles : )

Bonus Beach Day

In September Mom and I spent the weekend at Lincoln City. We packed for rain and cooler temperatures but we were pleasantly surprised to find the weather improving the closer we got to the coast. It was one of those bonus September days at the beach ... blue skies and plenty of sunshine.
The weekend was filled with many firsts for me --
watching boats make their way from the sea to the Depoe Bay harbor, known as "shooting the hole."






I was thankful to be on land and not on one of the boats tossing around in the surf ... you could get seasick just being a spectator.

We spent the afternoon on the beach at Roads End where we discovered new beach activities --
watching the parasurfers was amazing and very entertaining Just as we were leaving to check into our motel an entire wedding party and guests walked down on the beach. What a gorgeous backdrop for a wedding plus a bonus of wonderful weather.

As we sat on our deck after dinner, we were blessed to see this splendid sunset ...






I think we need to do this more often : )

Shopper-in-Training

Seems like we always include a little stop at the outlet mall while we're at the beach ... all those Labor Day Weekend bargains calling us. I held Calleigh while swiping my debit card and she got so excited watching the transaction. Here she is holding her purchases. I think she likes shopping already : )

Brian Turns Thirty

Colin couldn't wait for Dad to open the gift he picked out for him. He even let it slip a few times ... there was so much anticipation!




The "Ants In The Pants" game turned out to be a big hit with all the guys. Great job, Colin!




"Happy Birthday to you" ............ look at all those candles : )

Bonding with Calleigh

What a fun weekend for Calleigh ... spending time with her uncles and Rae.
Look at the view from our front room window!!