"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue?
It rather denotes a lack of courage."


~Practical Magic~

Digital Freebie Update

Just to let you know.
The digital freebies found on the right hand sidebar have been updated and now are ready for downloading.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

My Wish

One more down for the Crop Challenges.

Using a transparency...another one of those elements that hardly ever make it's way to my layouts.

The flower transparency came from a pack of embellishments I received from an RAK.
I like the added touch that it brings to a page.

Will have to start paying attention to this product a little more when I am out shopping for supplies.

My 2 little sweeties on the day they each entered into my world.


Side journal lyrics are from a song, "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.
If you would like to read the lyrics and listen to the music just click on the video below.


Crop Challenge

For this Crop Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap we are to use an Arrow somewhere on our page.

Not an element that I use that often.. think this may just be my third page that I have used one on.
Not really sure why,but believe it is because I am just thrown off by the placement.
So, took the easy way out and used an arrow, where I was comfortable with where it would go to embellish on my page.

That is one of the reasons I like challenges so much.
It gives you that little extra push you may need to try something different on a layout.

My little Grandniece and her Daddy.
What a sweetheart she is.
And a very smart little one at that, 15 months old and is able to sign language, I'm impressed!!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving




Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth; Count on God instead of yourself.
~~Author Unknown~~


Happy Thanksgiving to all !!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Football Fun

Mondays Crop Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap is a combined challenge.
Not only does this put you in for a chance at a Crop RAK,it also puts you in for the wonderful RAK that is posted for Novembers Monthly draw on the Sisterhood.

Better yet, your submission will also give you a go at becoming a Sister !!
Now hows that for odds !! Pretty darn good !!

I did manage to squeeze in another challenge today before heading off to Doctor appointments and baking Sweet breads for our Thanksgiving feast.

This is my take on Mondays Challenge.

My lovely granddaughter Sophia with her Papa my eldest.




Now from what I understand, this was her first taste of a professional Football game.

New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals...Whats up with the gear ???
Where is the the Giants emblems ....have you jumped ship !!!
From what I saw on the tube Giants kicked butt !!!

LOL... now I know what to get my little sweetie for Christmas... :) XO

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sisterhood of Scrap Weekend Crop

The Sisters are hosting a Crop this weekend on their Blog.

Lots of inspiration to help get some of those photos into layouts.

Stop on by and check out the challenges !!

My first completed challenge for the crop !

My Granddaughter Addison.



Look forward to cropping with you all and sharing our precious memories !

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Playing with your Doodles in PSE

This ones for you, Jacqueline or anyone else who may find this helpful : )

how to convert your hand drawn doodles into working images for PSE

I will attempt to make this mini tutorial explanation as clear as I am able.
Hopefully without to much confusion...lol

By no means, do I possess the skills for writing or tutorials ...soo.. here is my best shot at it ; )

I hope you find this helpful and easy to follow.


1. Draw your doodle onto white sketch paper with black marker.

I personally like to lightly use a pencil first, then go over with black marker.
After ink dries completely, erase pencil marks.
( I like to use a Zig Ball for my black marker)


2. Scan your doodle, save in new folder as jpg .


3. Open saved doodle image in Photo shop Element .


4. Open a new Blank Canvas


5. Under options make sure your toolbar is checked.


6. with magic wand click on area you would like to select.


7. Deselect Contiguous option


8. set tolerance level to 50


9. with doodle selected by Magic Wand click Edit>copy


10. click new canvas >Edit>Paste ( there may be some clean up involved after you have pasted)


11. Save with transparent background as a png.


Color in photoshop , or you may color before you scan.



For my header


open a new canvas size > 648 by 140 pixels for (Blogger)

add colored png images until you have the look you are going for.

Flatten image and save as jpg.

Add to blog!!



That's it !! Good luck and have fun :) !!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

New Header & Card Reveal

My contribution for the November 16Th DTM Card reveal for Am I a Scrap Addicts "Just My Sketches Blog" .

Using Martha Stewart's Glue Pad and Glitter and Snowflake Stamp by SU, am happy with the results of the glue and glitter for the snowflakes.



My first attempt with a glue pad...very easy way to apply glitter!
Now if I could only find a way to scan glitter and have it look like the original !
If you would like to see all the creative cards created by the DTMs using the sketch they may be found here.
As always, thanks to Deanne ...great sketches for the month of November :)!




Has been awhile since I dabbled in a little digital fun.
I decided, since fall is almost over and the cold winds are blowing down our way from the North Country I would like to do something with a winter theme for my Craft World Header.
Looking thru my Stamps I discovered I really do not have to many that deal just with that season.
With sketch pad in hand I doodled myself some little Winter elements, scanned them into my computer.
Brought them into Photo Shop Elements and created pngs.
Using PSE I colored and created my winter scene.

That's about it in my crafty world, thanks for stopping by and hope you have a happy crafty day !!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Sketch Challenge Layout

Thought I would try my hand at this past Saturday's Sketch Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap Blog. Generously donated by Pamela Young.


My other half with our lovely new Granddaughter Addison just a short time after she was born.

Thanks Pamela and Sisters for this great sketch !

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Card reveal & Fall Family Project Link

November 2ND DTM Cards reveal for Deanne Burton's "Just my Sketches".

My take on the sketch.

For some reason this card bothers me.
Not sure if it's the Scrawny Turkey legs or just to many dark colors.
Would have liked to have redone this card before submitting, just was not enough time.
I do like the wrapping bow and the colorful Turkey feathers though ! :)

So many creative Cards and Layouts by the DTM's stop by and check it out ! You will find plenty of inspiration and fantastic sketches to help you along in creating cards and layouts for the holiday season!!




Now onto this lovely and fun fall project!

I love this ladies work and style she is very diverse in her crafting and always willing to share her creative ideas !
Are these just not the cutest little wall hangings !!

Nicole Wozniak has generously posted the instructions for making these cute Wall Projects on her Blog "Lumpy Page Designs".
Stop on by and check out how easy and fun this little project can be.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us all , Nicole !!

(Fall Project photo by Nicole Wozniak)

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all a happy and creative day !!





Saturday, November 1, 2008

Thanksgiving Preparation


Hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween this year.

Hard to believe it has all ready come and gone.

Now, is the time to begin preparation for the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the states.

Found my way to this blog "Purple Trails" Social Couture via a comment left on my Thanksgiving Centerpiece post.

So many helpful ideas, to help in your party planning as we move closer into the Holiday Celebrations.

I'm game for any ideas that help this busy time to flow smoothly.

Not only will you find some tips and tricks to help with your Thanksgiving Party planning, you will also find ideas for other types of parties that may be in your future.


Hope you enjoy and find this blog as helpful as I have.

Happy Planning :)