Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy 2010!
Once upon a time, I used to be a resolution maker. Then I realized that I was just repeating myself year and year on the same topics of weight and organization. (Judging by the amount of exercise equipment and plastic boxes advertised at this time of the year, I am not alone.) So I work on that (some parts better than others)throughout the year and don't bother making it a resolution.
As a result, it's been awhile since I've set a resolution. This year though, I have one. Photography. I wouldn't say I'm a terrible photographer but I wouldn't say I'm good either. Most of my favorite shots have been completely accidental. So I'm going to work on actually knowing my camera (novel idea!) and getting out of auto.
As for those accidental shots? Here are a few of my favorites from 09.
As a result, it's been awhile since I've set a resolution. This year though, I have one. Photography. I wouldn't say I'm a terrible photographer but I wouldn't say I'm good either. Most of my favorite shots have been completely accidental. So I'm going to work on actually knowing my camera (novel idea!) and getting out of auto.
As for those accidental shots? Here are a few of my favorites from 09.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Christmas wrap up
Yes, I can not resist a pun.
No scrap/card related posting today. Except for the fact that the thoughts/photos will probably end up on a layout sometime soon (well, soon-ish at least). A few highlights from the 09 Christmas season.
1. Christmas eve services-This always numbers among my favorites and this year was no exception. It's a simple service consisting of mostly Bible readings and Christmas songs. My boys have taken part in the Bible readings ever since they learned to read. Realized this year, that Josh must have a Linus-esque quality to his voice. I was having Charlie Brown Christmas flashbacks when he read his passage from Luke. After the service, I learned that I wasn't the only one.
2. Decorating cookies-I make cookies and other goodies throughout the season. I think this year was the first year, I actually rolled and cut out sugar cookies though. It won't be the last though. The 14 y/o and (gasp!) the dh even joined in on the decorating. My guys aren't shy when it comes to sprinkles.
3. Toledo Botanical Gardens-TBG is one of my favorite spots. We drove by one evening and realized that they had some lights there and the gates were open. We drove in and no one was around. I mean absolutely no one. So we left thinking maybe they were accidentally left open. Checked the website the next day and saw that it wasn't an accident. So we went back the next evening and walked around. It was still deserted. They didn't have a huge amount of lights but this enormous tree was lit up. (Plus, how often do you get to have a whole place like this all to yourself?)
4. Apple vs. Waffle-The six of us typically spend Christmas Day just by ourselves. It's cozy and we get to hang out in our pjs all day if we want to. (We visited our extended relatives on both sides prior to the 25th.) Now since the kids have come along, Mark and I don't always exchange gifts every year. If we're saving up for something or had a big expense, then we'll just skip it. This year was not one of those years. Even on the years we do buy gifts though, it's generally not really extravagant. I'm saying this to justify my decision to buy Mark a wafflemaker. He's talked about getting one for awhile and so it seemed like a good choice. It would have been too. Except he got me an ipod touch. hmm. ipod touch. waffle maker. You know what makes it even more out of balance? Mark's birthday is on Christmas day.
At least I made him a cake that afternoon. He didn't want frosting so the cracked top was just a little something I threw in there for decoration sake. And I realized I was running low on candles. I did have an unlit 7 though. Since the numbers in the tens and the ones of his age made up 7---I just went with it. (Hint: he's not 34.) So yeah, I felt a little guilty. Didn't turn down the homemade waffles he whipped up for breakfast though. I did get him some socks too. Yep, socks probably make it equitable.
No scrap/card related posting today. Except for the fact that the thoughts/photos will probably end up on a layout sometime soon (well, soon-ish at least). A few highlights from the 09 Christmas season.
1. Christmas eve services-This always numbers among my favorites and this year was no exception. It's a simple service consisting of mostly Bible readings and Christmas songs. My boys have taken part in the Bible readings ever since they learned to read. Realized this year, that Josh must have a Linus-esque quality to his voice. I was having Charlie Brown Christmas flashbacks when he read his passage from Luke. After the service, I learned that I wasn't the only one.
2. Decorating cookies-I make cookies and other goodies throughout the season. I think this year was the first year, I actually rolled and cut out sugar cookies though. It won't be the last though. The 14 y/o and (gasp!) the dh even joined in on the decorating. My guys aren't shy when it comes to sprinkles.
3. Toledo Botanical Gardens-TBG is one of my favorite spots. We drove by one evening and realized that they had some lights there and the gates were open. We drove in and no one was around. I mean absolutely no one. So we left thinking maybe they were accidentally left open. Checked the website the next day and saw that it wasn't an accident. So we went back the next evening and walked around. It was still deserted. They didn't have a huge amount of lights but this enormous tree was lit up. (Plus, how often do you get to have a whole place like this all to yourself?)
4. Apple vs. Waffle-The six of us typically spend Christmas Day just by ourselves. It's cozy and we get to hang out in our pjs all day if we want to. (We visited our extended relatives on both sides prior to the 25th.) Now since the kids have come along, Mark and I don't always exchange gifts every year. If we're saving up for something or had a big expense, then we'll just skip it. This year was not one of those years. Even on the years we do buy gifts though, it's generally not really extravagant. I'm saying this to justify my decision to buy Mark a wafflemaker. He's talked about getting one for awhile and so it seemed like a good choice. It would have been too. Except he got me an ipod touch. hmm. ipod touch. waffle maker. You know what makes it even more out of balance? Mark's birthday is on Christmas day.
At least I made him a cake that afternoon. He didn't want frosting so the cracked top was just a little something I threw in there for decoration sake. And I realized I was running low on candles. I did have an unlit 7 though. Since the numbers in the tens and the ones of his age made up 7---I just went with it. (Hint: he's not 34.) So yeah, I felt a little guilty. Didn't turn down the homemade waffles he whipped up for breakfast though. I did get him some socks too. Yep, socks probably make it equitable.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Wanted to wish everyone who's reading a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
not so delusional after all
Well, I made it! Started this Shutterfly book idea on Thursday night. I mean how hard can it be to assemble a whole year's worth of photos in about four and a half days? Ummm. Yeah. Longer than I thought, but I did it!
Here are the strategies that saved my bacon:
1. Started with one main background and kept it cohesive throughout the whole book. Because generally it can take me about 20-30 minutes just looking for paper. (Some may smirk at this. Some will know just what I mean.) I used the kraft paper from the Jolly Red Suit kit. It's tucked away in a Christmas kit but it may just be my favorite kraft paper ever.
2. Photo clusters. Nothing's quicker than just clipping it in. Too many to list here. but this one was used plenty. 36 photos on one page. Fabulous.
3. Another time saving product were brushes. The three I used most were the geo brush set, LoopDaloop Art Strokes, and Wintery Clusters. The first two were good for most any layout. The last one was obviously winter related, but 05 was apparently a good year for snow.
3. Not a lot of journaling. Which is weird for me. But I thought of this project mostly as just a photobook. 05 was a transitional year for me. Some digital. Some paper. So I do have paper layouts tucked away with my usual scads of rambling, but this one was often only the basics.
4. Use what I already have. Since I did have a few 05 layouts finished, I just used them as is. Or decreased their size and added more photos. (Take an 09 mom back to 05 land where all the kids had chubby cheeks; chances are she'll want to add more photos.)
5. Pattie's instructions. I wasn't a complete novice to Shutterfly books but there were always things that didn't turn out quite right. Also, it's not something I do all the time. Instead of having to reacquaint myself with everything, I just went right along with her instructions. (And let's face it, when you're facing crunch time on the last day; it's nice to just have someone there to lead you through the home stretch.)
47 pages in 4.5 days.
Is it going to be the most perfect of projects? Probably not. Will I squeal in delight when it arrives? Most likely.
Here are the strategies that saved my bacon:
1. Started with one main background and kept it cohesive throughout the whole book. Because generally it can take me about 20-30 minutes just looking for paper. (Some may smirk at this. Some will know just what I mean.) I used the kraft paper from the Jolly Red Suit kit. It's tucked away in a Christmas kit but it may just be my favorite kraft paper ever.
2. Photo clusters. Nothing's quicker than just clipping it in. Too many to list here. but this one was used plenty. 36 photos on one page. Fabulous.
3. Another time saving product were brushes. The three I used most were the geo brush set, LoopDaloop Art Strokes, and Wintery Clusters. The first two were good for most any layout. The last one was obviously winter related, but 05 was apparently a good year for snow.
3. Not a lot of journaling. Which is weird for me. But I thought of this project mostly as just a photobook. 05 was a transitional year for me. Some digital. Some paper. So I do have paper layouts tucked away with my usual scads of rambling, but this one was often only the basics.
4. Use what I already have. Since I did have a few 05 layouts finished, I just used them as is. Or decreased their size and added more photos. (Take an 09 mom back to 05 land where all the kids had chubby cheeks; chances are she'll want to add more photos.)
5. Pattie's instructions. I wasn't a complete novice to Shutterfly books but there were always things that didn't turn out quite right. Also, it's not something I do all the time. Instead of having to reacquaint myself with everything, I just went right along with her instructions. (And let's face it, when you're facing crunch time on the last day; it's nice to just have someone there to lead you through the home stretch.)
47 pages in 4.5 days.
Is it going to be the most perfect of projects? Probably not. Will I squeal in delight when it arrives? Most likely.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Delusional
That would be an appropriate description for me right now. You see I took a class over at Get Scrapped called Shutterfly Savvy (taught by the witty and talented Ms. Pattie Knox.) With the class was a free photobook coupon. Free. An adjective I've always enjoyed.
Originally, I thought the coupon expired on the 31st and so I hoped to wrap up 09 and get it in by then. Then i thought it might be a wise idea to actually check the date. Good thing I did because it actually expires on the 15th.
Now when it comes to mini books and photo books, I rarely venture out of my chronological mindset. Since 09 wasn't going to happen, I decided to go back in time. i have a photo book for 06,07 and 08. 05 was when I first started really getting into digital. Half my layouts are paper and half are digital. So I thought it would be a good idea to have a book where all my 05 layouts are together.
Great idea, right?
yep. Except I should have probably started this project earlier than Friday. Was hoping to get some cards in the for the PC call too. (You know, since it ends today and I haven't submitted a single project yet.)
I think delusional sums it all up quite nicely.
Originally, I thought the coupon expired on the 31st and so I hoped to wrap up 09 and get it in by then. Then i thought it might be a wise idea to actually check the date. Good thing I did because it actually expires on the 15th.
Now when it comes to mini books and photo books, I rarely venture out of my chronological mindset. Since 09 wasn't going to happen, I decided to go back in time. i have a photo book for 06,07 and 08. 05 was when I first started really getting into digital. Half my layouts are paper and half are digital. So I thought it would be a good idea to have a book where all my 05 layouts are together.
Great idea, right?
yep. Except I should have probably started this project earlier than Friday. Was hoping to get some cards in the for the PC call too. (You know, since it ends today and I haven't submitted a single project yet.)
I think delusional sums it all up quite nicely.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Bah Humbug
I'll admit it. So far, the Christmas spirit is eluding me. At least in part. I've put on my thinking cap and tried to figure out why. Here's what I've concluded.
Mark has become the official buyer of Christmas presents in our house. Last year, he did much of it, but it was a transition year. This year, we looked at the list together. When he had to decipher the list for me, ("Oh, really. That's a book?") I knew I'd become fairly obsolete in the gift buying role. (The boys are into video game/computers. A language I don't speak well, but Mark is fairly well versed.)I've now been relegated to pajamas and stocking stuffers.
Some people might feel relief at not having to deal with as much gift buying. Someday I may be too, but not this year.
On to something a little more cheery. :)
Journaling: The boys all have their own box of ornaments. These are ones that have been given to them specifically throughout the years and it’s what they reach for when it’s time to decorate the tree. This year, Nate put all of his ornaments out and was ready for more. I steered him toward the family box of ornaments and he selected several favorites from there too. The next morning, he must have been itching to hang even more ornaments. He took an empty mentos gum container and fashioned his own addition to the tree. Guess he’s wants to keep our tree decor fresh this year----minty fresh. December 7, 2009
Full credits can be seen here.
PS: That was Monday. It's still on the tree now.
Mark has become the official buyer of Christmas presents in our house. Last year, he did much of it, but it was a transition year. This year, we looked at the list together. When he had to decipher the list for me, ("Oh, really. That's a book?") I knew I'd become fairly obsolete in the gift buying role. (The boys are into video game/computers. A language I don't speak well, but Mark is fairly well versed.)I've now been relegated to pajamas and stocking stuffers.
Some people might feel relief at not having to deal with as much gift buying. Someday I may be too, but not this year.
On to something a little more cheery. :)
Journaling: The boys all have their own box of ornaments. These are ones that have been given to them specifically throughout the years and it’s what they reach for when it’s time to decorate the tree. This year, Nate put all of his ornaments out and was ready for more. I steered him toward the family box of ornaments and he selected several favorites from there too. The next morning, he must have been itching to hang even more ornaments. He took an empty mentos gum container and fashioned his own addition to the tree. Guess he’s wants to keep our tree decor fresh this year----minty fresh. December 7, 2009
Full credits can be seen here.
PS: That was Monday. It's still on the tree now.
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