[serendipity]

has it been a year already?

Today is the first anniversary of my blog. I can't believe a year has already gone by! It took me a looooong time to decide to do a blog. I mean, after all, who would really want to hear me blather on so. ;) But I have to say, I have LOVED doing it and wished I would have done it sooner!

I think the two most important reasons why I've loved doing it is because one, I love sharing ideas and inspiration as I want to. I can do it on my own terms and not have to wait for someone to else to talk about something. I can share my ideas and what I'm passionate about and I love that.

And two--and it's the most important reason--it's a journal . . . with pictures even! I was looking at some Ireland photos the other day with Dan and realized how grateful I was that I'd posted photos and journaling about our trip because my intent was to keep a journal while on the trip, but it didn't happen.

I love looking back over what I've written to see just what I've done over the year. As I was reflecting over the past year, I thought about how Ali Edwards chooses a word to focus on during the year. But during my "reflection", I couldn't help but think of one word to describe the past year--that word was CHANGE.

During this past year, I saw a lot of change. I never in a million years would have guessed I wouldn't be working for Creating Keepsakes anymore. Something that was a part of my life for almost ten years. I saw several "changes of scenery" in places like Ireland, Oregon and California. Changes for my children like a son leaving on an LDS mission, which resulted in a change in home life--including my second child "getting the van" now. Changes in the economy, which of course resulted in changes for my husband's job in the construction business. So much change for me and my family!

What a difference a year can make! And I have to say, I soooo loved working with CK all those years, but I'm also sooooo loving working with QK!

So in honor of that particular BIG change in my life, how about I do a GIVEAWAY for a $25 Silhouette download card!

Oh yeah. You know I love to give stuff away! And even better, the new release just came out today!

Just leave a comment saying what your favorite thing you've done over the past year and I'll draw a winner Monday morning! Everyone, everywhere, is eligible to play on this one! :)

Tomorrow is a day off because of the holiday, so I think I'm going to take advantage of that and not post. You all have a mmmaaaaahhvelous holiday weekend! Take some photos, will ya? :)

P.S. You have to go check out the boy page that Nichol Magouirk did! It's a Two Peas in a Bucket theme layout that's based on using fashion to inspire your page. Awesome idea and awesome page!

[this contest is now closed]

robo master: it's not just for cutting anymore

I am a big fan of sketching my layouts in Adobe Illustrator (AI) because I can create the title in the size I know I need, choose photo sizes to fit, add any accent (because I create them, I have them available to me in AI) and pick the colors I want. You might remember this layout I did during our Hero Arts/Quickutz extravaganza:

Well, this is how it started out. This is my sketch. I love creating sketches like this because I can change colors and sizes at will. It saves me a lot of time on the physical creation part because I've proportioned everything like I want.

So, I'm sure you're asking yourself, "How's this suppose to help me? I don't have AI." Well, all of you Silhouette fans know how to use Robo Master to cut images. But did you ever think about laying out your page in Robo Master? Take a little RM-walk with me.

Bring up a new file In RM. If you are creating an 8 1/2 x 11" page, you can change the page settings under File/Document Settings and create the actual page size to fit that. It will be 8.25" x 11"--RM's maximum width is 8.25"--but it's close enough. If you work on a 12x12" format, create a box that's 12x12 in size (I'll explain how to do that here in a second).

I like using different photo sizes. But sometimes my photo sizes may be too big to go with my accent or title or vice versa. By creating a sketch in RM, I can determine exactly what's needed. (Note: Use these next couple steps to create your 12x12 box, if you need to use that as a base.)

To create a photo box, click on the Rectangle icon on the left and just make any ol' size rectangle. Then, with the rectangle selected, go into Draw/Position Settings.

After that, you're giong to select your box size in the Size option, like it's shown here. You can also use this to size any image in the exact measurement you want.

Go ahead and create any additional photo boxes you'll need. Don't worry about being exact in placement. It's just the general idea or look you're going for.

Next, go into My Library and pick the element you want, place and size as needed by clicking on the corner and dragging it bigger or smaller.

Now, for this example I wanted to duplicate the image, make it smaller, and put it up in the other corner. To do that, I pressed Ctrl-C for Copy and Ctrl-V to Paste. Or you can click on the two icons that reprsent Copy and Paste, located next to those scissors (Cut) you see on the Tool Bar. Your second image will be green. (Note: I often do this to cut my image twice when I want to make sure of a clean cut...especially on the more intricate images.)

To rotate your image, click on one of the corners and you'll get a circular arrow icon. Just click and drag the image around until it's where you need it to be.

Resize the image as needed. Add a title or any other elements and you've got a perfectly proportioned sketch! At this point, you'll want to delete your "photo boxes" and cut your images . . . they are already how you need them . . . no guessing involved now!

So there ya have it. A way to sketch out your pages in RM!

ETA: I just wanted to share this little something that Amy mentioned doing in a comment--keepin' all the info together and all. Great idea Amy!

I added my two 12 x 12 photo blocks, under "view" I unchecked the print area and cut area (because it was distracting).  THEN, I thought, why not insert my photos to see what they will look like!?  I think this has changed my life!

On another note, I've gotten really bad about answering your questions lately and I apologize for that. Each time I think I'll do a catch up post and time goes by and I keep forgetting. So with that said, Christine, to answer your question, I did buy the polka dot bedding at Target, not online. And as a follow-up to the Surprise post? While they did like the bedding, they both wanted to pick something else out. No worries. I knew I was taking a risk. But they were both very surprised and have enjoyed the double beds vs. the single beds they used to have. They both picked out a couple different black and white styles of damask bedding at Target. I thought it would be fun to add little chandeliers to their rooms some day. I never in a million years would have guessed they'd go for that kind of bedding! It's so . . . me! ;)

Oh, and one more thing, be sure to check out these new Breast Cancer Awareness images for Silhouette. I know there were many of you that participated in all sorts of activities during the month of May. These images will be great for your pages!

(you could use this frame for anything, not to mention you could plug in whatever "you are")


(this ribbon could be used for any cause...just cut it in the needed cardstock color)

i love making a scene!

Okay, not that kind of scene, silly! Although I do enjoy having a good laugh with girlfriends, which reminds me of the time a bunch of friends and I were all laughing hysterically at a local hamburger dive (yummy!) and I overheard one *ehem* older woman say to her friends (of the same age), "And they have to go home to their children." Yeah, we laughed about that one for the whole weekend. ;)

I love gathering different shapes and putting them all together to have some serious fun! Here's a little mix and match of images from previous releases as well as some from this Thursday's release. They work great together!

Some of the new images? Let's see we've got . . .
    orange cones
    grass
    gas pump
    newspaper box
    mailbox
    graffiti (3 styles)

Previous releases . . .
    skater dude
    light post
    tree

Lots of fun stuff coming out on this new release! And have you checked out images from some amazing contributing artists that get released intermittently each week? They've done some FABulous work! I'm excited to use some of them! Did you know that often times there are new images posted every day by these contributing artists? Better click your Purchase Online button and check things out every day. I also see new pages and projects posted frequently. You can see those in the Idea Gallery in the store, or on the Silhouette website under this link here.

Just two more days! :)

his and hers

(the "night on the town" restroom boy and girl . . . for the fancy restrooms)

A little peek at next week's Silhouette release? Okay, so apparently there's a little more "his" than "hers". . . if you catch my drift. Cori Dahmen, I think you'll be happy. ;)

Have a great weekend!

and the winner is...

Melissa who said, "My favorite part is all the downtime I have from being off in the summers!"

CONGRATULATIONS! E-mail me with your snail-mail info and I'll get those out to you!

I must say I sooooo enjoyed reading what y'all like to do for the summer--river trips, shore trips, relaxing in a hammock, bbqs, sleeping in . . . summers are just grand!

It does make me want to do everything that you all mentioned though! ;)

'what to use' wednesday: play

I think it's been a while since I've actually done a 'What To Use' Wednesday page. And once again, it's a one-hour page! Even though I've been trying to scrap simply, they still seem to take a couple hours to do...and I don't like that. ;) It's suppose to be about doing it quickly because I don't have time, right?

For this page, I pulled out my Creating Keepsakes' 'Just For Fun' Kit of the Month. Have you guys seen this yet? Bought it? It has so much stuff in it! Definitely worth the money!

This page was truly a 'What To Use' page. I pulled the paper, brad and "Play" sticker from the kit, grabbed a little 7gypsies gaffer tape and word stickers, and then rummaged my Silhouette test-cut pile and found that little circle thing-a-ma-bob to put under the large brad. This is the shape I used (circles_1580):

I also did my usual photo pocket with the index tab, that I like to do so often. I love tucking away journaling, keeping it handy, yet out of the way from the overall look for the page. Oh, and those giant brads have several clear stickers with white or black printing to customize the brad to fit your page color needs. Pretty nifty! I'm tellin' ya, that kit is pretty darn cool! It's got a 7x12" clear album, transparencies, rub ons . . . holy cow, the list goes on and on!

And in case you were wondering what the heck the girls were doing in the bottom-right photo? For some reason they decided to start smelling mint leaves. That turned into "facial hair". Then Jordan said if you sniff it hard enough then it smelled like b.o. Yeah, that made them all laugh pretty hard. Oh, and if you look at my girls between the two pages, you'll notice they got new "do's". Kass cut hers shorter and chunkier and Jordan? Well, she has bangs for the first time ever. Well, unless you count the time she cut her hair when she was three. ;) With her naturally curly hair, I wasn't about to let her have bangs until she could take care of them herself.

Wow, two weeks with multiple pages? What's next??? Maybe I need to buy a lottery ticket...I'm feeling lucky. ;)

Oh, and don't forget, today's the last day to enter the drawing for the Zing embossing powders. Do it in the next post below (Tuesday's post).

the (less than) one-hour page . . . and giveaway!

Wow! I can't believe how fast this page came together! I've been dying to try embossing a Silhouette image for quite some time, and finally, I got 'er done! I cut the large FREE Silhouette flower design (flower_1508) in white cardstock, stamped it with Versamark, and embossed it with American Crafts Apricot Zing Embossing Powder. Lovin' those colors! It just added a little more dimension and interest to the page.

And part of what I love about this page coming together so quickly? That little scallop tucked under the ribbon? Yeah, that was a scrap that was on my floor when I found it. 'Hmm . . . that looks like something that could be used.' And oddly enough, it was the right size! Meant to be. (It's a remnant scallop border shape from Silhouette that I'd used on another page.)

I tried to take a close-up so you could see its shiny glory. :)

I guess this page would kind-of technically be a two-hour page (ha ha) because I kept fidgeting with that "happiness" tab, which was printed on photo paper, not cardstock. (Shhhhh...it's a little sneak peek!) It's still not secured down because I'm sure I'll continue to mess with its location. But really, I'm so happy that I did this as quickly as I did! 'Don't think, just do.' ;)

One other little trick I like to do when scrapbooking is use transparencies for my journaling. It's a nice way to add text wherever you want it.

So since I'm so in love with the AC embossing powders, I thought I'd do a giveaway of three super fun colors . . . great for summer!

Just leave me a comment with your favorite summer activity and I'll draw a winner Thursday morning (u.s. only please--sorry guys).

Good luck!

[this contest is now closed]

good times

one sunday afternoon

PLUS

one set of cousins from alabama to go along with the rest of the bradford bunch

PLUS

one table full of food & yummy desserts

EQUALS

one crazy day of fun



FAMILY

it's what it's all about.

how was your father's day?

blast from the past

So I'm sitting here listening to my iTunes this morning and Barry Manilow's 'Ready to Take a Chance Again' came on (yes, I have Barry on my iTunes...so what. ;) ). Every time I hear this song, I can't help but think of this movie:

This was my first-ever movie that I saw with a bunch of friends when I was in 8th grade. We actually saw a double-feature (do they even still do those?) with Heaven Can Wait (another good one). I loved Foul Play. I think it was one of Chevy Chase's better movies. It's been a quite a while since I've seen the real one (30 years?). I have a taped, uninterrupted-yet-slightly-edited version from a Disney movie channel from several years ago, so I can't remember if Dudley Moore's questionable video that he watches ever gets too raunchy. ;)

I think movies and music from when you were a kid always just become extra special to you all your life. Do I dare even mention that a favorite Friday-night video rental with me and my cousin was Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda/Lee Marvin) and Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John/Gene Kelly)? I know . . . you all think I'm weird now. Does liking Sound of Music and Mary Poppins offset the Xanadu? ;)

What was your first "friends" movie that you saw?

P.S. Go check out what Robyn Werlich made using Hero Arts and QuicKutz on the Hero Arts blog. And go check out the winners of the HA/QK stamp/diecut challenge did here. Great stuff!

i love surprises

I love a good surprise. And it's been quite a while since we've done a really good one. Like the time when the kids were out of school when they had year-round school and dad was oddlly home from work that day. That was unheard of because he often worked weekends too. While everyone was eating breakfast, dad asked, "What should we do today?" There were a few comments and then dad says, "I'm going to Disneyland! Who wants to go?!" I don't know how we managed to pull that one off, especially because of all the laundry I had to do prior to leaving. Luckily the kids were young enough and just thought I was trying to get caught up on all the laundry. That was a good surprise.

Well, my girls are at camp this week. They've been needing new beds for some time. Heck, Jordan is sleeping on the bed that Zach got when he was two...so it's 17 years old. It's time. So I've bought them new beds and new bedding and I'm doing the "Clean House" thing to their rooms. Oh, who am I kidding, I'll only get that done to Jordan's room before they get home. LOL But I will still have both beds up with new bedding--that they'll hopefully like. ;) Here's a little sampling.

Polka dots and green for Jordan (Target), stripes of many colors for Kass (Walmart). I did know that Kass liked that comforter and I know that Jordan wants green, so hopefully I've pegged it for them.

I'm putting away almost every single thing in their room in a storage box so there's very little clutter. If they want something out, they can pull out what they want. The rest will go into storage for now. Books under the bed in a container, stuff like that. Painting walls and stuff like that will come next month...hopefully.

I can't wait for Saturday to hear and see their expressions. Just the thought makes me a happy mama. ;)

What was the last good surprise you had in your family?

okay . . . one more sneak peek for tomorrow's release

Since so many of you shared your "combo" drink ideas--helping us all know "we are not alone"--and because Melanie asked so nicely about getting another Silhouette sneak peek when she mentioned her "suicide" combo drink as a child (my kids did that too), I thought I'd share another idea. (Could that sentence BE any longer?)

First off, I just have to say that I LOVE making backgrounds! I think they are so universal and you get a lot of bang for your buck since they can be used over and over again for almost any subject.

Secondly, remember how I mentioned the whole "combining shapes" trick in last Friday's post? Well, I like being able to layer some of the backgrounds too. Take these two shapes for example.

Cut and layer them in complementary colors and you get this unique design!



All the circles are filled in. Not only that, you can have another solid color backing the two layers to give it a whole other look. It's like making your own patterned paper in whatever color you need!

ETA: You must go check out what Nichol Magouirk did on her blog with this shape and many others from Thursday's Silhouette release! Fun stuff! She's amazing!

Now for the frivolous part of my post. ;) Carolyn asked about using Facebook, eBay and stuff like that to sell products and I thought it brought up an interesting fact. You may find this odd, but it's true---I can handle only one technological wonder at a time. I've never bought anything--or sold anything--off eBay nor do I Facebook (is that a verb now?) much less Tweet. It took me forever to decide to do a blog (it's been almost a year already???) and that's all I have time to do myself. So to answer the question, I have no idea how well those things work for personal items to sell. Not much help there . . . sorry. :)

So the question is, how many technological wonders do you all do?

Oh and back to the combo drinks, I know a couple people that top off their Diet Coke with lemonade, which I think sounds like a tasty treat.

being frivolous

So after a crazy week last week posting on two blogs, I decided this week I would be frivolous in my posts---nothing work-related . . . at least that's been the decision so far this week . . . especially as I've been getting the girls ready for girls' camp and spending a little time with them before they are gone all week. (Home alone all week? *gasp*)

As part of our "girl time", yesterday we saw Night At The Museum 2. All I have to say is, Hank Azaria stole the show! He was so stinkin' funny! I think I laughed every time he spoke! If you haven't seen it yet, I have to say it was highly entertaining. :)

And I just have to say, way to go Andi for hooking up the electric fence! You go girl! I don't care if it was a tent version or not, that's pretty darn cool! :)

I also had to laugh at Tami's comment to trying something new this week . . .  basically it's the KB/DP special. LOL I like drinking Diet Dr. Pepper with about an inch or two of real Dr. Pepper on top. Tami (from Hero Arts) and I decided we have much in common after working together all week, including the combo diet drinks . . . although hers is Diet Pepsi with a "shot" of Diet Wild Cherry on top.

Okay, so what is your favorite "combo" drink?

after 18 years...

. . . of living in our home, we've finally planted a garden! Well, I should say Dan planted the garden. And with all this rain we've been having, everything is just growing so much! It's been really fun to look out my kitchen window and see all this fresh food growing--including peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, zucchini (that my friend Kristy gave me), tomatillos, peppers . . . I hear a fresh salsa calling my name! Can't wait!

What have you tried doing lately that's 'new' to you?

On another note, I know many of you have asked some questions that I haven't had a chance to address. Things have been a little crazy, but I will get to them eventually. :)

a little somethin' fun for the weekend

Hey all you Silhouette fans! There's this free shape to download in the store. Thought you might could have a little fun with it this weekend while you're scrappin'. :)

You also might want to check out the Hero Arts blog as they continue with the big Hero Arts/QuicKutz week . . . today they are featuring one of my pages. ;) Here's a little peek.

See that whole personal "trend" thing I got goin' on again? ;)

a few little shape tricks

I wish I was talking about body shape tricks, but sadly, I am not the picture of a perfect body at all . . . obviously . . . so I have no advice there.

I'm talking about things you can do with the Silhouette shapes that have come out recently. For example, combine a flourish (out on July 2--a little peek ;) ), with the surfer, along with the sunburst square background to make this great image:

 

And then how about using this checkerboard title block as a great background for your teenage son's name:

And on this sneak peek for next Thursday's release, you can combine the glass, with the checkerboard tablecloth and the picnic bench, to get this:

The checkerboard table cloth could also be changed to black and white and be used for a car racing theme page!

So next time you're looking at shapes, think beyond just the shape itself. Look at all the shapes and see what wonderful creations you can make together! And as we get closer to the July 2 release, I'll be sharing another "combine your shapes" segment. And I have a hunch you won't want to miss it. ;)

One note, when you are combining some shapes, such as the picnic scene above, you'll have to be careful of smaller, more delicate images, like the lemonade glass. I would start by cutting the smallest, more delicate image first to see just how small you can really cut it and then proportion the rest of your "scene" from there. I have cut some things pretty small on Silhouette, but there's always that disclaimer that some things just are not meant to be cut too small.

I also wanted to say thank you for all your kind words this week. I've had lots of new visitors here this week and you all have made it super fun! You're all just awesome! I hope you continue to come by and see what I'm up to from time to time. :)

OH! And don't forget to hit the QK blog today . . . they are giving away the BIG MAMA of prizes today to round out the Hero Arts/QuicKutz week! And be sure to tune into the Hero Arts blog all weekend as they continue their QK/HA extravaganza!

And you HAVE to go check out this canvas that Shari Carroll made using HA stamps and QK on the Hero Arts blog. Isn't it FANtastic?! I am in LOVE!