Creative Scrappers sketch

A new sketch blog/forum/gallery that features a weekly sketch challenge. I can't resist a sketch challenge so here's what I came up with using Creative Imaginations paper. Make sure to go check out the site Creative Scrappers

Finished up a layout

with the very pretty K&Co. Urban Rhapsody. I used that picture I took of Marisa and printed it out on my HP printer. Normally I don't like the picture quality from my HP, but this photo and the other one I printed on the 8.5x11 sheet turned out GREAT!!! See, it was the camera all along...lol

THE STRIKE IS OVER!!!

Dave woke me in the early morning hours to tell me that he had read this Detroit Free Press article

The strike is finally over@!! You do not know how happy this makes us! God answers prayers I tell you. I prayed that the Lord would make this the final week as it was coming down to the wire for us. He heard me and answered --thank you!!!! Now we just have to find out the details and the members will have to vote, but it looks like they will. Wages will be cut, depending on your level. Dave is a jobsetter (he fixes the line when it goes down) and is considered a Q5. He will receive the higher of the production worker's wage which is still a big cut for us as a one-income family. We'll just have to come up with a future plan on what we're going to do -- Dave go back to school and while I go back to work. I'm just elated that we have seen the end of these uncertain days which lasted just about 12 weeks! Oh, happy day!!! :D

Twelve Fridays

I just received May's kit from my here and OH MY GOSH!!! I totally love this paper!!! Heidi and Heather are sisters who just started up this club. They also own A2Z essentials and their new papers that are exclusive to Twelve Fridays have the same terrific quality like their A2Z Essentials paper lines. I love nice, thick, doubl-sided patterned paper. If your looking for an awesome kit club, make sure to go check them out Twelve Fridays

My new favorite picture

of Marisa! I played around with some new actions I downloaded for PSE 5.0 off the web. The one I applied to this picture is called the Lomo Action. After applying the action, I decided to then turn it black and white for a neutral look so I could use any patterned paper.



Make sure to Google "actions for photoshop elements". You will be surprised how many free ones are out there. Adding them to 5.0 for use is a whole other thing. If you get that far, you can email me and I'll pass along the info I found after being on the internet for two hours...lol Just make sure to have fun playing with your pictures once you get the actions installed :D

PSSS!!! I just stumbled upon this site -- Pioneer Woman Photography
I don't know if you've ever visited her cooking site, but this lady is phenomenal! I guess I never browsed her website well enough to realize she did photography, too...duh! I should have realized her pictures were too good and made all the food look mouthwatering like it was right in front of you. Anyhoo, I just love her writing style -- she cracks me up!! Make sure to go take a peek!

Just AMAZING!!!

Yes, that's what I think of that new camera of mine. I have become so engrossed with it and the whole idea of photography, but if you thought scrapping was expensive...WHOA! the cost of lenses and other accessories will knock you back!!!

I definitely know I already want a couple other lenses (hush, Cheri...lol) The kit lens stinks! But dang, I can't for the life of me figure out what good/decent lens to purchase for more zooming ability. As of last night, I thought I decided on a Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 lens for a Canon. It got good reviews. Obviously it's a starter lens and I have to go with affordable for now. I also want to get the highly recommended Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. It's a must have from what I've read.

Here are some shots I've taken on some different modes -- all on auto...lol It's going to take a LOOOONG time to learn all the rest!






And my sexy hunk of burning love!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I hope yours was a blessed one! Mine couldn't have been better. Not because of all the wonderful gifts I received, but because my beautiful children and dear husband went out of their way to make it special! I love them all so much!!

Now to show you one of my presents.......



I knew that husband of mine was up to something asking me lots of questions about cameras...ha! He sure knew how to put the biggest smile on my face. I love that man!!

It's here!!

That time of the month we get to reveal our DT layouts for BPM!! As you can see, I was really excited about this month's Medley collection :^)






Then I created this wooden plaque for my hubby for a Father's Day gift from the kiddies. Chalk one up for being ahead of the game for once!!
Instructions for this will be in May's newsletter.



Make sure to check out the rest of the talented design team creations right here -----> May 2008 DT Layouts/Projects

Hmmm....

I don't see Cheri's challenge layout anywhere in the cyber world. Could it be she didn't get to it? I hope she remembers that the first person to not complete a challenge owes the other person $100...do you remember that bet, Cheri? (We'll see if she even reads my blog to see what the next challenge will be...lol)

The next manufacture line picked to scrap is K&Co. Oh goodness, I have tons of these slabs. It's the only slab paper I buy and then share.

Off I go to get start my day -- late-- but I have to get in some exercise, some grocery shopping, and then later today some scrapping!!

What did you do for NSD?

I played along with some challenges over at Create My Keepsake. Gosh, they had the motivation flowing all day with the DT members presenting a challenge every hour. I created my layout using Patter's sketch challenge and the card was created for Dani's challenge. I was happy to put that Silhouette to use for the butterfly and the flower.

And this card here, I made for our nephew's birthday on Friday(not on NSD). I had forgotten to buy one. I usually don't make cards for those I know won't appreciate it or should I say know that it will be thrown away. But with minutes to go while talking on the phone, I through this together. I was pretty excited with myself -- a cute card without the dreadful thought process. I need to talk on the phone and scrap more often..lol


Then I continued yesterday scrapping some DT layouts for May. Tons of goodies in May's kit, I tell ya!

NSD challenges are up!

Make sure to stop by Back Porch Memories to check out all the fantastic challenges going on not only for this weekend, but you can also participate in them for the entire month to have your name entered in to the drawing for a fabulous prize given out by Paula.

My challenge is to dust off those foam stamps and put them to use! I created this layout using both MM flower stamps and mixed alphabet stamps.


Above all, remember to have fun for our scrappy holiday!! :D

NSD @ Back Porch Memories

Make sure to stop by if you have time during that busy day to check out the challenges, games, and prizes!!! I'll be hosting a challenge and the other gals have some fantastic ideas up their sleeves.

Come check out the info here

Slow to finish

but I finally got this one done! It's been sitting on my scrap table for days and I just have been feeling too yucky to work on it. I took it little by little. I used the new Teresa Collin's papers for this black and white picture I had laying around of Marisa when she was just a few months old. I adore this picture of my sweet little girl!! TFL! Oh, and I got to use those new cool little MM tiny alphabets that I won from Shawna's blog!!

What a turn out!

We couldn't believe how many people showed up, those who weren't even workers of AA&M, and then those like us who brought their family members. You felt pride that you were a part of something so big and a part of people (the little people) trying to stand up to the big guy who wants to take us down. I believe in being fair across the board. You want concessions, then let's have EVERYONE take them -- especially the executives at the top!!


I love the signs this little girl had on her!!
These signs speak the truth for many who are facing tough times and on the verge of losing their homes.





We all walked the streets and rallied around what they call the "Glass House" entrance. It was getting loud and we were chanting.
All in all every one stayed peaceful. There were only a few that wanted to start to get riled up, but they soon calmed down. I made sure that the kids and I stayed close to Dave and on the outside of the whole crowd. I'm not one for mass crowds anyway and definitely can't handle being in the center of all the madness.

So the kids, Dave, and myself are all standing on the sidewalk taking in the awe of it all. We turn to our right and this is what we see coming at the crowd! YIKES!! All I kept thinking is please don't let these police officers go crazy. We all know what the Detroit Police can do...I've seen it firsthand.

The police officers actually ended up being very congenial and just directing the crowd. The should know what it's like because they, too, are part of a union.


The best part of it all was being with our children and in the end having them say, "We're glad we could be here with you, daddy!"









So then I came home to a WHOPPING headache. I knew I wasn't feeling well for the past week and had made an appointment to see the doctor. I was so thankful I did. I went to find out it was more than the allergies bothering me. Yep, it had went into a sinus/chest infection. GREAT! I spent the rest of the day dying on the couch. My sweet hubby went to get my prescriptions and thankfully they seem to be helping me already by this morning. Still tons of congestion, but at least it's breaking up!

59 days

Yep, that's how long my hubby and his co-workers have been on strike -- yikes!! I tell you I didn't think it would go this long and now the nail biting has started. The worrying of "what if" and the knowing that I have to go back to work no matter what. We have stalled that as much as possible and I have put in a few applications with no luck (probably because every one else is looking, too). I have faith though that the Lord above will pull us through!!

So today is a"Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work" day. Well, Dave might not have a job, but today is a big union rally at American Axle, so we decided as a family we are going to go down to picket and show our solidarity. Plus, we thought it's a good way to show our children what the reality of the situation is -- many more families worse off than we are. I'm not trying to put fear in them or scare them, but they need to know that times are hard all over and that we aren't the only one's doing without. Although I can't actually say we've done without. We have food on our table every day, a roof over our heads with all the lights still on -- thank God for that!! I just want to show them what their father has to go through (along with all his co-workers) to keep a job -- a job they work hard at.

I'm hoping to get some good pictures as you know I will have my camera in hand. I never miss an opportunity...lol I really feel the need to scrap/document this subject -- the reality of it along with all the fears and doubts that have run through our minds over the past two months. You are really made to think of who you are and what capabilities you have. You start to doubt the decisions you made as a younger person. I just know, though, that through it all we will become stronger, wiser people!!

BPM May Sneak Peek!!

OOOOO, look at the solo kit! Filled with Scrapworks Magpie :D


and the gorgeous medley kit with Sweetwater, American Crafts, and Basic Grey!!!


AND these STAMPS!!! I must have these!!! Oh what scrappy goodness!!

On to another challenge

With Fancy Pants behind us, it's time to pull a new line. Here we go....shake the jar....shake it again....


.....

........

.......... and Collin pulls.....

.........

..........

........ Dream Street!!

Cool, I have tons of this! What don't I have tons of LOL Let's get to work girls. Have a happy, scrappy day!!

Urge

Have you ever had the urge to do something so badly? Well, this morning my urge was to scrap!! It was a bad urge that I just had to fulfill even thought the morning didn't call for it.

I came upon these pictures of Travis left over from his packet of school pictures. I just LOVED the pictures this year. He looks so much older -- hard to believe he's only in the 8th grade!

He made the transition from Catholic school to public school this year. We were all a little worried about the transition, but it couldn't have been any better. He has adjusted so well, getting excellent grades, and making lots of friends. I couldn't be happier for him because that makes the move to high school next year a little smoother. And speaking of him going to high school :0 when did that little boy who just entered kindergarten become old enough to go to high school...eek!! They sure don't lie when they say that time flies...hmmm


So that completes my layouts for our Fancy Pants challenge. I went and scooped up Cheri's gorgeous layout from her blog. Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!!!!


Yay!! Martha played along with our challenge this time :D
Look at this gorgeous layout!! Gorgeous in both the design and her daughters!!

Can you help a gal out?

One of my beautiful identical twin niece's is trying to get a job as a spokeswoman for a local rock station. If you feel like casting a vote, you can go to WRIF sign up for an account, and then vote for JENNIFER (she's at the top of the voting page with her hair pulled back). I would GREATLY appreciate it and I definitely know she would, too :D She and her sister will be graduating next month from University of Michigan and I know landing this job will be a great experience for her.

Thank you all very much!!

Fun & Funky

That's what I think of this new layout I just did using both our Fancy Pants challenge and another blog challenge prompted by an incredibly talented gal name Shawna
She creates these uber cool pages that float off the sides, so she put a challenge out and I knew I had to try it. I had something different in mind, but this is what came out of it all...LOL Thanks for the challenge, Shawna!




I'm still going to create something more with my Fancy Pants papers. I have two inches and need to kind of put a dent into it :D