Studio Friday - August 17th, 2007

Favorite item in the Studio
"Thanks Lauren for suggesting this Friday's topic! It might be difficult to narrow it down to just one?!! item, but let's try and have a look..."

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When I first saw the Topic I knew exactly what I would write about. See this little, cluttered, green table?

It belongs to another artist with whom I share my studio.
She's 5, very creative and I think she has this artist thing mastered, straight down to the cluttered work space!!
This table is my favourite thing in my studio. It makes me happy to see my girls wanting to be creative. It gives me hope that they will spend many hours in here with me, just hangin' out, playing and spending precious time together creating!

Scrapdragon Challenge #2

Here is my layout for Scrapdragon's Challenge #2!

I had a blast creating it with Laura's sketch!
You can see it if you mosey on over to Scrapdragon!
Head on over and enter and check out the prize!

A day at the beach!

Yesterday we went to the beach with Laura and her kids, Rachel and Caleb. We went to Point Pleasant to Jenkinson's Beach and had a fantastic day. The weather could not have been more perfect!

Laura and I had a blast watching the kids enjoying the sun, sand and surf!

We always have a fantastic time together!! The kids get along wonderfully and play so well together.

We found a beached mermaid!!


The surf was really rough and pretty high at times. Mackie and Rachel LOVED being out in the waves.

A great time was had by all of us!!

Challenge 8 issued by A True Friend A Priceless Treasure blog!

When A True Friend posted Challenge 8 , I knew it was one I had to take!! This is my cat, playing with one of his many toys. He's not really spoiled he's just UBER-LOVED!!!

I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

Lissa nominated me for "Rockin' Girl Blogger" status! WOOO! Thanks Lis!!

Ok so here's how it goes. I tag FIVE bloggers I feel are 'ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER' material and then they tag 5 and so forth and so on!

I choose:
Laura - She's the one who keeps me going day to day! My creative soundboard and biggest cheerleader! Her blog is just kickin' with fun stuff!
Tracie - Definitely a ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER! Her fire and determination are SO inspiring to me. She is a talented writer and has me going back for more, every day! GO ROCKIN' GIRL!!!
Debbie - Her wit and art inspires me to strive to bring my creativity to the next level. She writes with a style that just has me going back for more! She's totally a ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER!!
Nik - A very talented Aussie scrapper and one of my dearest friends! Her work both inspires me and brightens my day! YOU ARE A ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER!
Scrapdragons - A fabulous NEW challenge blog that has taken off like a wildfire and is definitely ROCKIN'! GO GIRLIES GO!!

Already August?!

Wow it's already August. I'm stunned at how quickly the summer is whizzin' by!
I did this layout this morning for Scrapdragon. We just posted our 1st contest over there so everyone's just GOTTA check it out!!
I also uploaded it over at The School of Scrap for their August Advanced Math challenge!

All About Eve Challenge #3 - Escape

Ah... I just LOVE the challenges at the "All About Eve" blog!

"What is that one place or one thing that makes you forget everything? Is it a trip abroad or in your mind? A chick flick? Shopping? Scrapbooking? That perfect piece of pie? Everyone has that one thing or that one place that makes everything else disappear. Tell us about it."

My take is a bit different. As I was looking through photos I came across the one I used here on my layout. It shows my girls walking ahead of me, just a little further than they usually do. It made me think about their journey to independence and how their confidence builds a little more every day.


My journaling reads as follows:

"Watching the two of you becoming a little more independent each day brings my heart to a peaceful ESCAPE from normal mommy woes and wonders. Seeing you encourage each other to explore a little further brings me bittersweet joy. You're growing up so quickly right before my eyes and I'm so very proud of you both!"

Studio Friday - Week of July 27, 2007

" FAVOURITE RESOURCE(S)!

What is the most favourite resource you use to seek encouragement, understanding, enlightenment, inspiration, strength, to gain further knowledge or fun? Is it a book or a magazine, a quote, a website, a photo, another artist? How often do you turn to your source and at what point on your creative path?"

As a scrapbooker there are many, many online sites that I can go to to seek inspiration. When I get scrappers-block I tend to browse the awesome galleries to find inspiration. I also love scrapbooking magazines and idea books. There are so many great scrapbookers online that all I need to do is browse blogs and websites until my creative mojo starts flowing again. My favourite sources of inspiration are online galleries and other scrappers blogs.

Siblings!

I don't have any siblings so I cannot really relate to what my 2 girl's go through, with each other, on a daily basis.
Morning either comes in smooth or it comes in all chaotic. This morning started like WWIII. Mackie was up 1st and enjoying her morning dose of Sesame Street. Ellie sleeps about an hour later than Mackie does and that's actually nice because Mackie doesn't always wake up on the right side of the bed, know what I mean?! Her morning time is crucial.
Well, Ellie was up a little early today......Garbage truck........ damn.
So down she comes, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD on the steps. When she's woken prematurely, she's an evil deity.
She graced the room with her scowl, fixed her attentions on her SISTER and promptly went over to her and "WHAM" fwatted her on the head with her teddy bear and went over and plopped on the couch.
Of course, that sends Mackie into a crying frenzy and Ellie refuses that she was the provoker!
I'm not personally familiar with sibling dynamics. I am learning as these 2 grow up together. Yeah, I've heard stuff from my mother ( one of 4 girls) and my cousins (2 girls and a boy) and a few other friends who have siblings, but seeing how horribly these 2 little ANGELS treat each other sometimes is really shocking! They will brawl like wrestlers and then the next moment be on the couch together snuggling.
In this house, ELLIE, my 3 year old, is the dominant of the 2. She's a BOSS, a DICTATOR, A NAPOLEON of sorts. It seems that Mackie winds up crying 90% of the time and Ellie walks off, head held high as if she's accomplished great things.
I KNOW that their bickering is normal sibling rivalry, but my 5 year old seems to, more often, behave like she's the 3 year old and Ellie's the OLDER sibling.
How did this tiny 3 year old rise to become the BOSS of her older sister? Can someone explain it to me because I'm a tad confused!!!!

Sisterhood of Scrap - Challenge # 9 *UPDATE*

Here's My challenge for the Sisterhood of Scrap Blog Stroll !! Click on the link to see other fabulous challenges!!

My challenge for you is to create a layout using the following:

*There will be a prize drawing from everyone who does my challenge.*

* - Doodling with a white pen

* - 4 pieces of chipboard

* - 3 different pattern papers

* - Title to be in a circle or arch!

Have fun and be sure to leave me a comment and post a link to your layout so you can be counted in the prize drawing!!
~Gabi

People who have completed my challenge - Check out their fabulous creations!!!
Laura
Cheryl
Lois
Emily
Charlotte
Jessie
KSmith
Deanne

Gettin' Sketchy - Challenge #15

I loved this sketch from the moment I set eyes on it over at "Gettin' Sketchy"

I just had to accept the challenge. I love the showcase of just 1 photo on the 12 x 12 layout. Here's my take on the sketch.

"A True Friend" Blog Challenge

I love blogs. I love surfing and finding others out there who share the same hobbies and interests as I do. I ran across this blog, A True Friend, about a month ago and have been checking out the challenges and layouts that everyone's been doing. I finally decided to step out of lurkdom and join in the fun!
Here's my take on their challenge:

Challenge 7

"For this next challenge we want to see all those gorgeous faces. So the challenge is the face i love."

the layout scanned dark, no matter what I did. I couldn't adjust it. It's not really this dark, it just looks that way on the scan. I hope you can see it. It's Zippity and Me!

Have you ever been on a roll?

Have you ever been on a roll and then viciously interrupted by life calling you to do other things?
I was completely in the zone yesterday, cleaning and re-organizing my studio. I pulled furniture out, dusted, vacuumed, picked up brads, beads, eyelets and various other tiny embellishments. I unplugged everything, dusted it all off, coiled up the cords and made them neat. I rearranged the desk, side table, bench, computer desk and got it all put back up, nice and neat. I was totally happy with my day's accomplishments. I went to bed, happy, slept like a babe and woke this morning with reclkess abandon, wanting to get back to putting everything AWAY that I had scattered everywhere ELSE during yesterday's cleaning frenzy.
Then I remembered. I remembered that I have to take the dogs to the babysitter. I have to get cat food, and pack small suitcases for an overnight to my inlaws. We'll have a great visit with them but my mind will be on my unfinished studio and the STUFF that's EVERYWHERE except where it's supposed to be.
That was it. My cleaning mojo was abruptly halted. It won't be until WEDNESDAY that I will be able to 'pick up where I left off'. Who knows.................. by then my cleaning mojo may move on. So here I sit, blinking, blankly staring at the computer screen, wanting to jump up, grab some stuff and start rebuilding my studio, knowing I have to go up and get packed and ready to zip outta here as soon as my husband gets home. Any minute now, I'll get up. I'm procrastinating, sorting a container of brads and wishing I could just sit here and perfect my studio.

Road Trippin! ~ Jim Thorpe, PA

We went 'road trippin' yesterday. Destination: Jim Thorpe, PA.
It's a common thing for us to just jump in the car, pick a direction and just drive!
The drive was about 2.5 hours so it wasn't too bad. The girls enjoyed the scenery along the way and also Spongebob (in the dvd player).
When we got there we parked and started walking along the main street.
The houses and busineses here are all beautiful, each one seemingly restored to it's Victorian splendor. As we went in to the various shops, we noted things such as the steps, windows, railings, door knobs, gas lanterns, crown molding, plaster etc. The insides of these victorian beauties are also restored. It was a really nice outing. I wish I had taken photos of the insides of some of the places but we were caught up in the shopping aspect and I totally forgot all about my camera!
Look at the patina on this door. It's the original door, never been replaced, painted or altered in any way. It's creepy kinda.... but if you know me, then you know I LOVE CREEPY!

Check out this cellar door. OMG! I LOVE the old cast iron doors. This one is particularly cool. I love the circular iron handles. The grate behind it is awesome too. Again.... all 100% un-touched in original condition. See the grate behind the door? It has a round thingy with holes in it....... I asked a few people what that is and no one knew. I'm on a mission to find out. All of the grates had something similar on them. It almost looks like a telephone mouth piece, sorta-kinda.
I'd LOVE to own one of these Victorian homes here......... the charm, beauty and history is all so fascinating!

Along the road, at each residence, people planted different types of potted plants, hanging plants and window-boxes. It was fun to walk beneath the cascading vines of various flowers. The girls especially had fun as they walked beneath them and they tickled their faces and arms.



There's LOTs to do in and around Jim Thorpe, Pa. There's an old steam engine railroad you can take a ride on. There's river rafting, mountain bicycling, hiking, camping, lots of antiquing, music festivals, curio-shops, antique car shows and county fairs. It's a great destination for a one day excursion or, if you have the time, a 2 week leisurely vacation. We love it there and we'll go back in the fall when the leaves are changing. The mountains are gorgeous then!!

Always wanted to be published?

I am on the design team for The Untamed Scrapper. They are seeking talent for their e-zine! Come on over and take a look!!

"Always wanted to be published? Don't have a clue how to do it? Too many rules and stipulations? Don't have the right product?

Well, have no fear, the only stipulation here is that you have fun and like using sketches! Add "The View from Untamed" to the mix of publications, now accepting your layouts!

We are taking submissions for the August Issue of "The View from Untamed", a jam-packed e-zine full of ideas, tutorials and inspiration! Submitting is easy!

Select any sketch on Sketch It! uploaded between June 25th and July 25th.

Use that sketch to create your layout and submit your work to: webmaster@theuntamedscrapper.com . (Digital, paper and hybrid layouts all welcome!)

All work must be submitted by the 28th of the month.

You will be notified no later than the 29th if your work will be selected for publication in The View.

Now how much more simple could that get? So come on over and have some fun! I can't wait to see what you have for us!"
~Lissa Ballard

Blog Prompt - 11 July, 2007

This layout works for 2 separate prompts today!

1 - Scrapbook Playground - "Take a self potrait of yourself, scrap it and then blog that page. You can blog the photo by itself it you like but I wanted to make it scrapping related this week. The photo must be taken by you and taken this week. Great prompt, Katajone!"

2. All About Eve -

Challenge #2: Age

"Do you cringe when you are asked your age? Do you lie about it? Do you look much younger/older than you really are? Are you having a mid-life crisis or are you still in the first flush of youth? However old you are and whatever your feelings are about it, let everyone know.

Scrap your age."

I had a blast with this today! I needed inspiration and this filled the need! It also drove me to tackle the task of doing another page for my "About Me" album!

Studio Friday

Studio Friday topic for July 6th:

This week's topic for Friday July 6th suggested by Gabi : TAKING (DIGITAL) NOTE!

As I was browsing through a flea market recently, I came to discover how useful my cell phone's camera is. I didn't bring my camera because I'm not thrilled with carrying it around to places such as flea markets or crowd filled places for fear of it being stolen or lost.
On this most recent trip there was a cloth merchant. Ohhh the lovely fabrics she had!!! I didn't want to purchase them but I DID want to remember the patterns and textures so that I could do a scrapbooking layout. I snapped a pic with my camera phone and instantly had it sent to my computer.
Have you used your cell phone camera to capture images to use in your creations?
-Gabi

Thanks for using my prompt, Tine!!

I was recently in Hawaii for 10 days. It was glorious but it was VERY humid! With my digital camera, I couldn't capture the haze that just hung in the air. I don't have a terribly expensive digital camera with all the interchanging lenses.I COULD, however, capture it with my digital cell phone camera! This photo will be used in one of my scrapbooking layouts. I love the soft slightly blurred way the cell phone captured the humidity.

I have also found my cell phone camera particularly useful at flea markets and antique shops. The other day we were looking at something and it turned out to be a fantastic bargain at the price they had it marked as. I sent a text-photo from my cell phone to my friend who was able to look it up online for me. Technology is astounding.. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!!

A new hang-out for us!

While we were driving around on Saturday, garage sailing, we were directed to this great place for lunch.
Gabriel's Fountain

While we were driving around on Saturday, garage sailing, we were directed to this great place for lunch. Since Laura and Ray-Ray met up with us, we decided to go to lunch together. I got a few cute pictures while we dined. I had been here before but not before it had been completely refurbished. It's a lovely spot and they have fantastic, delicious, WONDERFUL ice-cream too!

Laura and my little one, Ellie

Ellie, Ray-Ray and Mackie

Out behind the restaurant was a nice large field. Propped up on some rocks was this old WW2 Civil Defense Truck. Old cars always pique the interest of my hubby and kids! The girls enjoyed looking at this old truck and posing next to it.

Landscape/Hardscape - Front - Complete!

The front is complete! (except for the end of the walkway which will meet the driveway, which will be complete next week)
It's dusk so the photos aren't lit properly but it gives a good idea.



They used a nice, rich dark brown mulch that has plant food in it and the rocks are river rock.
I can't remember the names of all the plants, shrubs and trees......... but all are drought and deer resistant. We have a ton of deer around here and it's sad to see people put in brand new landscaping just to have it be deer food!!


At the top of the walkway they made a very nice circle. I love it! It adds a nice touch to the walkway.

They started on the back today. All they did was the girl's playground area. They edged around it and dug out the sod and put down a landscaping tarp. They filled the area with a rubber synthetic 'mulch'. It's soft and when/if the kids fall off the slide or swings, they land on a sort of rubbery cushion. I didn't take pictures of the back yet. I will tomorrow before they start construction on the back patio/walkway and landscaping! I can't WAIT to have a patio out back!!

*CONTEST* *CONTEST* *CONTEST*

CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST!

Your task is to create a layout on which you have RHYMING journaling.
*note* It has to be your OWN Rhyming journaling ..not a poem or rhyming quote from somewhere... I want this to be YOUR creation!
What you need to do is post your layout on your blog and leave a comment here on this thread with your blog URL by JULY 8th so I can check out your fabulous creation!!
Myself and a few design team pals from various scrapbooking sites will vote. I will post the winner on SUNDAY MORNING July, 9

*PRIZE* - Newest releases of..... Prima flowers, Chipboard letters, rubons and MORE!!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I"ll get back to you ASAP!