What Is Your Word?

Do you have a word for 2013?   I haven’t picked a word for a couple of years.  If you’re not sure where to start, you can always take this class given by Ali Edwards over at Big Picture Classes.  One little word… where will it take you?   Over at  Jessica Sprague’s blog, she talked about her word for 2013.  It really inspired me.   I thought about it for awhile and I decided on my word.

 

Ponder 

How do you like my word?  What does Ole Mr. Webster have to say about it?   He defines it as:  1.  To weigh in the mind   2. To think about; reflect on.  3. To think or consider especially quietly; soberly and deeply.

This is my plan for 2013.   I plan to Ponder.

Last year our church leaders asked us to choose an attribute of Christ and use it in our daily lives.   I chose Knowledge.   Ponder would have been a great word to go along with it.  I am one that believes in increasing our knowledge, whether is be spiritual, educational, random facts,  or just simply for something that interests us.

If you know me, I am almost always enrolled in some kind of class.  I am currently taking (at my own pace) a couple of classes from Jessica Sprague.   I just started the My History Project taught by Kerri Bradford.   This is a 52 week project.   (Wish me luck!)  And I’ll be doing another year of the Scrap*Life*Journal class.  I didn’t quite get through all of Project 52 last year over at My Four Hens so I don’t think I’ll be doing that one this year, although I did find quite a few mini photo challenges on Pinterest.  I may give one of them a try.

I am going to lighten up my schedule, do a little less and learn to say “NO” so that I can focus and Ponder on the important things in life.

This is picture of my journal cover for My History Project.

And a few sneak peaks of the inside.   I’m not sure how much of this I will share with you.  Maybe a story here and there during the year.    I’ve smeared a few of the words for a little privacy on the following pages.

Pick your word… Go with it… Enjoy the journey and as always…….

 

Be Creative!

 

Together

I finished up my first Silhouette class over at Jessica Sprague last week. I’ve had my Silhouette for over a year but this basic class was great for me.  I learned a lot of shortcuts that will save me time.   You know how much I love saving time!

I finally got this fun little mini album put together.  It started out looking like this after cutting out all of the files with my Silhouette.

I glued and bound all of the pages together with an accordion sheet that I learned how to draw myself and cut out.   I love that I can now create my own SVG files!

I  converted a bunch of pictures to black and white using my Photoshop Elements 10 program then printed them on HP presentation paper.   It’s great to use for this type of mini album.

Here is the finished product.  The pictures are of My Son and his Family.   You know…. the Grands I am always talking about.

The great thing about the Silhouette is that you use Fonts from your own collection. 

Products used:   Silhouette SD, CTMH -  Breeze, Autumn Terracotta, Colonial White, Chocolate.  Vintage Photo distress ink. Seam binding ribbon. Lace. Rhinestones. Pigma Pen.  SU papers. Cosmo Cricket papers.  Custom printed papers. Twine. Metal Accents.

 

I’ve signed up and about to take a more advanced class.  Oh The Places You’ll Go. I hope I learn as much from it as I did the first one!.

 

Be creative!

 

Blooms and Buttons

I’ve had my Silhouette for about a year.  I’ve used it quite a bit but wanted to learn more.   I’m taking  the Silhouette:  Getting to know you class over at Jessica Sprague.   It’s pretty basic but I’ve learned a lot of shortcuts  and organization tools.   Right up my alley!

I made this card using a SVG file I got over at SVG Cuts.

The card looked like it was missing something so I added buttons to the centers.

 

Products used:   Bazzill.  Ctmh – Topiary. Buttons. Twine. Distress ink – vintage photo. Pebbles – Hip Hip Hooray!  Old book page.

 

Be Creative!

 

Liberty Mohawk

I did the following to create this digital scrapbook page in Photoshop Elements.  I am still using version 7 which works great for me.

• Use adjustment layers to enhance photographs
• Create a photo mask with brushes
• Create a polkadot pattern
• Create a polkadot brush to use as an eraser
• Extract an item in a photograph from a solid background
• Create two-tone stripes
• Create a starburst pattern
• Tweak letterspacing (kerning)

Carter had a nice Mohawk for a couple of weeks.  His Dad sculpted it into a nice Liberty Mohawk to celebrate July 4th.   A few days later he was back to the buzzed cut for summer.

Be Creative!

 

This is Me

I’ve been working on this digital scrapbook page for a couple of weeks.  As you can see…  it has a lot going on with it. 

This is what I did:

• Install a Photoshop .pat file
• Create a custom background from pattern adjustment layers
• Use Photoshop to "fake" a shallow depth of field on a photo
• Create a multi-photo effect using masks and a .png frame
• Experiment using text as texture
• Create a lacy edge on a scalloped circle
• Use the Rounded Rectangle tool to create a journaling block
• Use the Burn tool with grunge brushes
• Create semi-transparent ghost shapes

Be Creative!

Then and Now

This digital page was created using a photo from 2007 and one from 2011  of my Grandson.  I merged them together for a Then and Now page.

I did the  following techniques:

• Re-color multiple patterned papers using an adjustment layer
• Create own patterned paper with a custom brush
• Save a brush using the Preset Manager
• Create masks using custom shapes and alphabets
• Create a smooth gradient transition between two photos
• Add zig-zag stitching for a handmade look
• Create a photo overlay with a custom brush
• Add a custom drop-shadow to a journaling card to pop it off the page

Be Creative!

 

Inspiration Everywhere

It’s only about once or twice a year that Jessica Sprague offers one of her fabulous FREE classes.    Her classes are amazing!

                      Click on the picture to find out more information.

Create!

 

Today

These journaling clips will be a few days behind. We journal one day, then we scrap the next..  then I have to post to the blog…     Patience my Dear!   Not the mention that I am three days behind on my classes!
Journal – 3/28/10
Today I had a fun day with Family.  I got to sleep in a little bit, then hurried to the store to buy something for the pot luck.  I make a cherry dump cake, doctored up some potato salad and Bill made BBQ meatballs.    The reason for the gathering is because Aunt Mary, My Mom’s baby sister, is in town for a week. 
The festivities were at Aunt Dolores’s house, My Mom’s clone.  There were about 30 of us.  We had all kinds of fabulous food.  That is what our family is famous for.   Eating!   Aunt Mary has owned several restaurants.   She made a Chinese chicken dish  and strawberry shortcake covered with a lemon – orange glaze.   YUM!  
I love being surrounded by family.  It was nice to visit everyone.  Eric played the guitar and sang to us.  Carter drew pictures. Darrell brought his dog Rascal, which everyone loved.   He is such a good dog.  We pretty much filled up her house, back yard and front yard.  Good thing we had nice weather.

Enjoy! Create! Simplify!

Adventure

Journal – 3/22/10
    Today I stopped at the craft store to buy chalk.   I am working on a wedding project for Ashley.  I also wanted an eraser.  Can you believe they don’t carry them?  Who sells chalk and doesn’t have erasers.   I also bought an 8x8 canvas for a Birthday project.  It will be a hybrid project which includes digital elements, paint, chipboard and bling.  Ideas are swirling around in my brain. 
While walking around the craft store, I noticed all of the fun Spring items on display. I knew I was in a rush and didn’t have time to get distracted.  My next stop was punches.   Ashley wants a punch, that punches around an edge and gradually created an oval.  She wants to use it on the programs for her wedding.  No oval to be found.  Martha Stewart sure makes some pretty lacy punches. 
The dollar bins were full of fun Spring themed items.   I found some packages of 3x3 note cards.  They are covered in bright yellow circles.   I thought these would make great bases for little cards.  All I have to do is add a stamped image and a little ribbon.  I also found a cute cupcake stamp in the dollar bin.
Next to the check stand, I noticed my favorite.   Hot Tamales.  I couldn’t resist.  The entire time I was standing in line to pay I was having a guilt complex. I’m trying to eat better, go to the gym at least 3 times a week and lose some weight.   Bad news!  I ate half the box on my way home.   Crazy guilt!

Enjoy! Create! Simplify!

I am

I am taking a journaling typography class.   It teaches how to journal and take pieces of the journaling and create typography for projects.  We make a scrap page for each day’s journaling.     This one is all about me…

Here are the list of question with my answers.   Go ahead.. Give it a try and start journaling.
1. I am proud of my -   ability to create.
2. I am amazed by -  God’s love.
3. I am blessed with -  a loving Family.
4. I am a sucker for – a good clearance sale.
5. I am calmed by -  peace and quiet.
6. I am always  up for  - an outdoor adventure.
7. I am ready to -  Simplify.
8. I am excited by -  other peoples enthusiasm.
9. I am listening to -   Air 1 – The positive alternative.
10.I am intrigued by -  other cultures.
11.I am challenged by – learning new things.
12.I am honored by – teaching.
13. I am amused by – old Family stories.
14. I am impatient with -  stupid drivers.
15. I am scared of – Government control.
16.I am proudest of – My Children.
17. I am unsure of -  the future.
18. I am guilty of -  not going to the gym enough.
19. I am oblivious of – Hollywood stars.
20. I am distracted by  - art projects.
21. I am embarrassed by – belly fat.
22. I am awed by – Nature.
23. I am tired of -  Getting no sleep.
24. I am a bit of  a – Clean freak.
25. I am shy about – meeting new people.
26. I am lost without -  a notebook and pencil.

Enjoy! Create! Simplify!

Engaged

As most know, Scissorbella and Prince Charming got engaged last Summer and their wedding date is June 12th.. It will be here before we know it. I'm taking the Digi In Deep class from Jessica Sprague and decided to use their pictures since this week seems to be the "Love" theme here. Wow! What a class. It's amazing what you can do in PSE7. Talk about detailed. But worth it!



PS... Scissorbella's hair is no longer Blonde!

EnJOY! Create! Simplify!

Sing….. Sing a Song

I’ve been making Valentines all morning..  I think over the last two weeks I’ve made about 50…   Time for a change.

I decided to make a Digital Scrap page.  This one has a lot of layers.   Whew…   I finally completed it.    I learned all of these techniques from Jessica Sprague’s classes. 

These pictures are from our family Christmas party….  2009.

Check out Adobe’s Kuler site.   They have great color combo’s and you can use these when re-coloring elements or brushes on your digital pages.  

Simplify!