Wow! It's Been a Long Time!

Life has been furious since the last time I had a chance to post, much less get any layouts created! We have been so busy. We spent months hunting for our ultimate goal - our dream home! The challenge was incredible. Going through closing was the nightmare you always hear about - to say the very least. And even after finding our home, signing those papers and getting moved in - the roller-coaster of events didn't seem to calm down until this week. Trying to get television, Internet and phone was insane. After giving up on Charter Communications we decided to go with DirecTV for television and Internet; and AT&T for telephone. We got lucky enough to have television and phone by the day before Thanksgiving! Internet came a week later. And crews keep showing up - STILL - with work orders to do something for Charter. LOL I'm telling you - that company has lost total control. There is absolutely NO communication between departments and sub-contractors. They even dropped the ball on contacting our local utilities department to cancel that work order. And we had terminated our account a week before Thanksgiving! I can't count how many folks we've ended up sharing war stories with! Anyways - Christmas is over. The winter weather has slammed us early and we're down to waiting out for spring. That means - I've got time for creating my layouts! This first layout is about our new home! The New House Journaling reads - "We will always remember the year 2008 as the first pinnacle of time in our lives when we reached so many goals. All the bills were paid and we wanted to find our dream home. We found just THAT! Almost 10 acres of what once was a tobacco farm - a piece of history to take care of for the step-son that was forced to let it go due to health reasons. We bought a dream to take care of a legacy." History on The Porch - Journaling reads - "Baskets were left behind, used during the harvest when tobacco was raised by the original owner." Windows - Journaling reads - "This home stole my heart with it's captured views from every one of its windows. They can take your breath away... Even after the leaves have fallen and the trees have gone to sleep during winter. I look so forward to my first year... watching the first signs of spring!" Kit for The New House, History on The Porch and Windows - "Falling Leaves" and "Falling Leaves" Add-On Pack Created by Nancy at Digital Design Den Austin's Gator! - Journaling reads - "Reason was because we have oodles of driveway for him to ride. As anyone can see - It never made it to the driveway!" Kit for Austin's Gator - "Nature's End" Created by Sandy at Digital Design Den Not bad for a little catching up, eh? Well, there's more to come! We had a blast on Thanksgiving Day with Austin and his parents, Wayne and Charlotte (my BFF)! Our granddaughter, Trinity, had her first birthday! Christmas was awesome! And the list of "Honey-Do's" we have for our new home just keeps growing! Hope everyone has a wonderful and very Happy New Year! May God bless us all, abundantly, in the best of ways that bring great joy and happiness!

Thinkin' About my Grandbaby!

There's been quite a bit going on here, especially with growing our own garden of vegetables to can and freeze for the winter season. We've been trekkin' all around East Tennessee looking for a home and land to buy, as well. And mingled in the middle of all the activity has been some health issues I've been trying to ignore for the past two years. By the time the pain reached down to the top of my foot - it was time to go deal with it all. I've been diagnosed with Spinal Disc Degeneration. Currently, I'm going through physical therapy and my doctor has loaded me for bear. I've got the Celebrex, the Flexoril and this humongous patch of some type of anti-steroidal ... something or other that Dwayne has to slap on me twice a day. I have to admit... that patch helps a lot! I'd rather have the unit my physical therapist uses for my Stimulation session. But, I'm happy enough about the blessings I can have! It's been quite a while since the last time I had a chance to spend time having fun with a new layout. But I finally got one completed! And of course - it would be about my cutie patootie grandbaby! My daughter, Brit, sent me these photos about a month ago. I've been wanting to get this first page done ever since I got 'em! Enjoy! She's a funny little girl!! And she's a really good baby, from what her mommy tells me! I combined two kits this time, from two different websites. Ran into a little difficulty with the subject matter. But I've got more photos for using both kits by themselves, which will be happening much sooner than this time, God willing! Bathtub Fun designed by Verena Karolyi at www.godigitalscrapbooking.com! Family Fun is a Member Collaborative kit designed by Digital Design Den Members at www.digitaldesignden.com! This kit is so awesome!! There were quite a few folks that had so much fun putting this kit together and they did a really wonderful job! Well... y'all pray for me! Let's hope I'm able to get to the next page sooner!

Welcome Baby Katherine Elisabeth!

Julya Johnson is one of our Meteorologists at WBIR, our local television news station in Knoxville, Tennessee. She gave birth to a brand new baby girl on May 3, 2008. Little Kate was also welcomed by her Daddy, Bob, and her big brother, David, who is 2-years-old!

Julya had a really wonderful experience with this pregnancy and delivery! She chose to go with a mid-wife and do the water birthing without any medications. Right now, all are doing well and Mommy is taking family leave time for a few months.

I decided to make a special gift for her! Check out the latest three layouts I managed to accomplish this weekend!





The Poem called 'Diaper Change' reads:

We've gotta change your diaper, yes we do!
Put a clean diaper on you
Clean and dry when we're all through
Putting a brand new diaper on you

Baby will not cry
When she's clean and dry
Put some Desitin
On baby's itchy skin and then

We'll kiss her on the cheek
And on the head
Put her to the breast
So she's well fed

Then we'll put the little girl to bed
But not before...
We put a clean fresh diaper
on you!

by AnalyzeThat at The Starlite Cafe!



Kits by Bette Duganitz at D.A.I.S.I.E. and Company -

Little Sweetheart
Little Sweetheart Tidbits
Sweet Baby Accents

I really hope Julya likes these pages and enjoys them years from now! Afterall, it won't be very long before Kate will be out playing football with David!

Overwhelming Times In Today

Anxiety fills the air for us all so thick we could cut it with a knife. Everyone around me has expressed pressure felt in many of the normal daily tasks at hand. The uncertainty of things to come in our lives has so many feeling on edge. And we struggle to hold calm while hanging in there. The cost of everything in our lives is soaring – a domino effect resulting from the insane greed taking control and choking the world with raising the price for oil. And while we all face the real world, we find our country’s leader taking a break to attend a private wedding for his daughter. Though so many of us would have outraged feelings about his choice of walking away for a moment to be there for his daughter during a major moment in her life, let us not forget that he is human, as well. Rather than lashing out, perhaps we all should consider ourselves in that same scenario. Sometimes, we must shake Hell off our hands for a moment. If nothing else, it can re-energize us for continuing to meet our challenges for a determined face-off until we conquer and win our way to the other side. Time has its own role it will play out in the world. We cannot control what others do. But we can control how we allow it to affect us. And when events in our country and this world begin to threaten our own bubble encasing our direct lives – this is the time when we should focus on becoming more serious about spending choices in our lives that can help us survive. Back before our world began to change and families began being torn apart geographically by demands pressed upon our work force – families would huddle together and walk through the storm together. In this day and age – so many of us are spread out and living in far distance from our immediate families. The cost for our wishes to hold on to family living so far away has become quite burdensome – even frightening; threatening our deserved right to remain close to our loved ones. It is a time when each of us needs to agree to an understanding with each other in our families. Nothing in our lives can remove or destroy the love we hold dear in our hearts for each other. And it is the circumstances going on in this country and this world that interfere - not ill concern or care for each other. Perhaps we should agree that – we can remain steadfast and secure in knowing our love for family is strong by each of us working closely with those who are near us – friend and neighbor – to get us all through this storm. By such efforts – time can only adhere to a mending that will, once again, bring common sense deserved right of enjoying comforts of direct family interaction in our lives no matter where we live to pacify the corporate demands pressed upon our work force. Living so far away from all other family, my husband and I have decided to just that thing. I have organized a yard sale with participation from our entire neighborhood for Saturday, May 17th. At this very moment, we have almost 24 households feeling very excited! But such mundane and dreaded event that tends to discourage one household from going through the hassle has been overcome by the addition of a day filled with much fun. Together, we will all be setting up in our yards to sell until 2pm. Afterward – each will clean up their yards. Several guys with utility trailers will get together and make the round to load up leftovers for those who wish to donate to Habitat for Humanity’s Thrift store in our county. Once that is taken care of – everyone will be meeting at our home for a huge neighborhood picnic! Everyone is contributing to bringing something for the grill, side dishes, desserts, drinks, condiments, etc. Between us all – we’ve rounded up four shade canopies and screen tents. Everybody’s bringing lawn chairs. Music will be blaring out to our yard! I’ve succeeded with the line-up of games and competition – Volleyball; Bocce; The Washers Game; Tug-o-War; several races; one table set up for chess; two tables set up for Mexican Train Dominoes; and… a few other surprises! ;) Something to be enjoyed by everyone of all ages! We’re all looking forward to a great day that is bound to bear fruit for us! Our homes will gain some extra space. We’ll make a little money – well, I should say we’ll recoup a little of it. We’ll get to have a day of fun and entertainment without having to pay a fortune for gas in our cars. And we’ll all get the chance to know our neighbors a lot better! It’s the best start for being able to help those immediately near us through this storm. Many have heard this from me – and I will continue to share it. My most favorite line in a movie comes from “Phenomenon”, starring John Travolta. He has a line that consists of only three words – “Everything is connected.” As this storm pushes its way into our lives I wonder how many folks are beginning to see the light in the truth to that one, short, single statement – enough to stop and make the time to watch that movie again. John Travolta’s character had some really surprising and wonderful answers for overcoming and achieving.

Rhonda Wright's Freebie Challenge #1

Rhonda chose her latest kit for this new challenge series. And it's absolutely gorgeous! I could only think of one subject at the moment, as soon as I saw the kit for my first time - my granddaughter, Trinity, and her mommy!

Check it out and tell me what ya' think!




Poem reads -

Find Your Thankful Self

Sometimes you feel you're nothing at all,
And that's all you'll ever be.
You study all your defects;
An empty life is all you see.

Instead of looking at what you haven't got,
Seeing only what you lack,
Focus on your blessings,
And get right back on track.

There are many good things about being you;
Count them one by one.
Your life has lots of comforts,
While others, they have none.

Many people have it much, much worse
Yet they have happiness.
They take joy in little things
They're thankful, though they have less.

Lift your spirits up right now;
Get out of that depression.
Find your thankful self,
And give it full expression.

Find the joy in little things;
Focus on fun and laughter.
See life's blessings all around,
And live happily ever after!

by Joanna Fuchs
http://www.poemsource.com/

Kit -
Blue Pansies by Rhonda Wright at Digital Design Den.

Fonts -
Anson
Blue Melody
Blue Highway (year)

Okaaaaaayyy.... Well, I'm gonna be gone for a few days. Dwayne and I are heading for a much-needed break/mini-vacation... whatever you wanna call it! Jen's staying here at the house to sit with the animals. And our neighbors will be watching our place, as well. I should have my next post here by next Saturday!

Until then - thanks for stopping by to take a gander! Hope your coming week is wonderful!
{Hugs!}

Gentle Moments Challenge Entry

It's been a crazy week here. i think i've conceded to claiming it a fact of life - that Honey-Do List keeps me strong by adding two or three more items at the bottom every time i get one item knocked off at the top of the list. I continue preparing for our Neighborhood Yard Sale and Cover-Dish Picnic, while preparing for our trip to Reelfoot Lake next week.

At the same time, Dwayne and i made a trip to Knoxville to move Jen back home with us. Her car had taken it's last breath about a month ago. The final blow - She lost Her job. But she had over $1,300.00 saved for buying a new car, and guess what. One of Dwayne's co-workers offered a 1994 Toyota Camry 4-door for $250.00! It's in fabulous condition - minus the engine. The block has a hole in it. BUT - Dwayne found another engine with low mileage for $450.00 and He's picking it up during his lunch break today! Jen's gonna end up with a great car for LESS than $1,500.00!!

Despite the obstacles, i did manage to get one of two challenges i've signed up for at Digital Design Den. The second is Rhonda Wright's Freebie Challenge, using Her Blue Pansies Companion Kit. i'm looking so forward to purchasing the full kit when it becomes available! The companion kit shows an example of something absolutely gorgeous - in the colors of blue, of course!

The first challenge i completed this morning is Wendy Williams' "Gentle Moments or Memories" Challenge, using Her kit called A Soft Breeze, along with the Extras pack. And right now - the kit is on sale for $7.99 with a special! For one week only - purchase this kit and you get QuickPage #1 for free!

Timing became something funny for me on this particular round of fun. Had a personal event that came up and fell right into sync with the subject matter we were to cover!


(click on image to see larger view)

Journaling reads -
Dwayne came runnng inside the house hollering for me to come with him. He'd been out in the front yard mowing with our John Deere Tractor and, literally, moved right over a cottontail hole. What stopped him was one of the babies that had escaped and was running ahead of him. Another baby was hunched down inside the hole that was only big and deep enough for a softball. I headed with the two babies to our neighbors that had rabbits. Becky and her daughter, Sarah, informed me that they'd had to get another neighbor's dogs to let go of an adult rabbit on the previous day. They feared it had been too injured to survive and we suspected it was the mother of these babies. While talking, Dwayne hollered to me, again. At the end of the day - I found myself taking care of 4 adorable wild cottontail baby bunnies. As little as they are - soft, quiet and gentle are three keys to success in raising them to survive on their own. And the efforts have brought some of the most endearing moments into our household, in such a short time!

Kit - A Soft Breeze and Extras by Wendy Williams at Digital Design Den
Fonts -
Kayleigh
Kartika

Feel free to leave any comments You might like to share! For now - i hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Go Green - Stay Green! Grow Your own vegetables and fruit! It's a heck of a lot cheaper than the grocery stores - PLUS - Ya' know exactly what went into that food You grew, Yourself! Tastes better, too!

Spring Gardening Race!

Well, as you will see when you take a look at my latest two layouts here... we have been pretty busy. And we're not finished yet. But then - do we ever reach that point. Ha!

But it's a good start to all the chaos in the kitchen to come. Won't be long before I'll be canning and freezing for winter. So far, we have tomatoes, spinach, Japanese eggplant, jalapeno peppers, lima beans, green beans and cilantro!



Journaling reads:

It was almost like starting all over. We made a trip to Greenback for 2 scoops of mushroom compost after cleaning out the beds and turning what dirt remained. Time had been a factor working against us and had us racing to get it done while we could... in 2 days. Even after tilling, there were 7 big bags of planting mix added. I spent 1 more day planting, while Dwayne was at work, after a trip to Lowe's. I found these new tomato supports online and they arrived within 2 days!



Kit -
Spring Has Sprung by Kimberly Stewart at 3Scrapateers.

Fonts -
Canterbury Script
Quote done in Saginaw

Thanks for taking time to look! I hope your spring is as gorgeous as ours has turned out! Have a great week!

Busy as a Bee and Then Another Challenge!

Dwayne and I have been busting our butts this past week. In fact, the past two weeks have been killer! His work schedule has been messed up and we're hoping things are squared up this coming week.

We had decided not to plant one seed or tomato plant until after April 15th, after that punishing freeze we were surprised with last year, during the first week of April. That was the beginning of a harsh struggle we all endured in East Tennessee until the new year kicked in. We all had to take a big breath and hang on tight through a terrible drought. Well, April has arrived, again. And it's been - weird. We've had rain! We've had beautiful days, full of sunshine and temps in the high 70's. We even reached into the low 80's yesterday. But we got fair warning by this past Wednesday - one more heavy frost. We're supposed to dip down into the high 20's and low 30's during Monday and Tuesday night. So, we get to break out all the sheets and towels we can muster to cover the azaleas, roses and all our other small flowering plants - again.

Well, we finally got a window of time that we could work with. Dwayne had a run of days off. The weather was cooperating. But it meant hustling, still. We had rain coming on Thursday. We had to drop everything on Wednesday around 3:30pm and drive all the way to Greenback for mushroom compost. Nobody closer had any available. We picked up two scoops and made our way back. We had to get the compost distributed into all three beds. When we were finished - there was almost a full scoop still piled in the bed of the truck. Couldn't leave that sitting there, waiting for the rain to come. So, we carried it down to one of our neighbors' yard and the two men shoveled the rest out of the truck bed, beside his garden.

One funny note - we had mushroom compost delivered the first year that we built the raised beds. It was pre-mixed with topsoil that we purchased at the same time. Well - it was only when we were shoveling the compost into the beds this past Wednesday that I realized something about my husband. He thought Mushroom compost was made from mushrooms! Had to educate him about that one. "Honey... mushroom ... fresh cow paddy... it looks just like a smashed mushroom.... you get it?" His reply - "So, THAT'S why I'm smelling so much of that amonia smell!"

Anyway, we spent the next day tilling the beds. By evening time - we were in pain! Dwayne got to rest while I had to go grocery shopping. Got back home and got the groceries put away before starting supper.

In the middle of all this - we decided to coordinate a neighborhood yard sale and cover-dish picnic with all our neighbors in May. Everybody will be setting up their items and selling them in their own yards. Afterwards, Dwayne will get together with a few of the guys and they'll make rounds with a trailer to load up leftover things that neighbors don't sell and want to donate. Those items will be going to a church and/or shelter. And then, everyone will head over to our place for the picnic and all the fun. Looks like we're gonna have a pretty good crowd! I'm really looking forward to a bunch of fun! Anyway, I've already started going through the house and sorting through things. The spare bedroom is beginning to look crammed. Thank God, I had enough brains to go ahead and price everything as I put it in the bedroom!

Despite the chaos - I managed, yet, to complete my entry for Rhonda Wright's Treasures Challenge Number 1 - "What's In A Name?" That booger was a challenge, for sure! I had to step away for a couple days after becoming frustrated from not being able to make up my mind about the layout. Came back to it today so I could try again. Reached the point where I thought I had it completed and - guess what. I dunno. Something spurred inside. Within fifteen minutes, I had completely overhauled the layout into something totally different and got that "Yeahhhh!" feeling inside! Whew - it was done!

Here goes!


(click on photo for larger view)

Journaling -
Translated in English, your name is ‘Schoellkopf’s Good Sugar’. And you came into our lives as the perfect medicine we needed to remedy our sadness from Empty Nest Syndrome after Jennifer moved out to California for a while. Your name fits the sweet joy you bring!
You have filled that void in our lives more than we even imagined or hoped for. We realize that every time we step on your toys that end up all around the house! We realize that every time we head to the door and you get there before us! We’re reminded every time we climb into bed and have to scoot you over! We’re reminded every time we try to give each other a kiss and you’re sticking your nose between our two faces!
And we grow more and more love for you each time we’re reminded by you! We are so happy to have you in our lives, Zucker!

Kit – Jasmine by Rhonda Wright at Digital Design Den.
Fonts –
SchneidlerMedTlig and GirlsAreWeird

I managed to get one more project completed, as well! My first-cousin, Anastasia, had her 19th Birthday this past week. So - I did a set of Birthday pages to send to her parents and grandparents! I always do a second page that can be printed out multiple times for additional photos and other momentos.

(click on photo for larger view)

Kit - Birthday Party by Gilda Patterson at Digital Design Den.

Ohhhh... I forgot... I did another last week for my daughter's other half! It was his 31st birthday. And it fits Kevin so well. LOL


(click on photo for larger view)

Kit - It's a Guy Thing - Mr. Hunter at Scrapbook Elements.

I told you! I've been busy! LOL Well, I hope your coming week is just wonderful! Enjoy all the pretty colors of spring! Get out there and just spend time absorbing the beauty of all those gorgeous flowers!

Grandma Paparelli's Flowers

i've had several other scrappers encourage me to continue the layout about my Grandma Paparelli with more pages. Well... I managed to get another one completed last night, despite all that's been going on around our home over the past week.

It's been a while since Dwayne and i came down with colds, or, any other kind of illness that could get in the way of taking care of things. But we are getting a double-dose share of crud from allergies and hayfever this year. With all our weapons in hand - we stay on top of spraying and wiping everything down with the Lysol and Mr. Clean. But this stuff even has Zucker sneezing and sniffling. I guess we'll just have to ride it out until the pollen season slows down for a bit.

Anyway - i chose my Grandma Paparelli's love of flowers for this latest layout. The next one will carry over on the same subject. And it will bring the story up to where Her inspiration and influence has brought me in my life, today.



Journaling -
Grandma Paparelli loved gardening. She always had houseplants. And I remember her little glass bowl terrarium, that even had pebbles and little ceramic animals around the plants. She inspired me from the time I was small. the first plant I ever grew was a sweet potato vine in a glass jar with water, around the age of 4 years old. I remember it growing so long and pretty, in the kitchen of our house in Hayward, California. The first seed I ever planted was pinto beans, around the age of 6 years old. I planted them inside, of all things, the window flower boxes in front of our house on Kingston Drive in Texas City, Texas. Gardening has always been a part of my life, ever since. These photos are of flowerbeds that my husband, Dwayne, helped me construct at the house we lived in on South Ruth Street in Maryville, Tennessee. It seems like I insist on having potted plants, no matter how much yard I have. But they were a part of Grandma's enjoyment, as well. Maybe it's just another one of those little quirks that carried over to me!

Kit –
A Magical Moment
A Magical Moment Extras
A Magical Moment Add-On Special

Fonts –
Selfish
FoxScript
And…. i can’t remember which font i used for the journaling… grrrrrr!

As i was going through the website at Digital Design Den to snag the links for Wendy's kits that i used - i discovered that She has now come out with the A Magical Moment Add-On Special Extras kit. This is for the special kit in blue that coordinates with the first kit. Well... I can't go without that one! So, I'll be picking that one up when I pick up Her A Fantasy of Fans kit!

On to that list of Honey-Do's that never seems to dwindle.

Hope You have a wonderful Spring!

What Happens When I Don't Read Directions

My previous blog mentioned the separate little challenge I put myself through, which led me through one more learning experience in digital scrapping. I can't complain - I gained something good!

This is the layout I did about Jennifer's Prom - before reading the directions for Wendy's Challenge No. 13.

Thank God - it only takes me once to learn after a mess-up.




Journaling Reads -

Talk About a Magical Moment! Jennifer attended the Senior Prom with her Date, Tommy Ray. She was absolutely stunning! Our little tomboy transformed into a Princess for the Evening! I took these shots out in our backyard on South Ruth Street, only minutes before we had a huge thunderstorm show up. I will be forever grateful for one other blessing. I was able to get a beautiful photo of her in a strapless gown - with NO tattoo!

Once again - the kit was Wendy Williams' A Magical Moment Add-On Special, which can be found at Digital Design Den.


What was that? Oh... the bit about the tattoo? Oh... yeah. Little fart.... She now has two of those boogers that would be hanging out there like a billboard sign in that gown today. I hope I live to see her turn 70 years old. I'll be right there... with my camera... focused on what will no longer focus inside a lens any longer. ROTFL !!

How's THAT for inspiration to live a long life?

Done for a Challenge - What an Understatement

Today, i posted my entry for Wendy Williams' #13 Challenge at Digital Design Den. We used her kit called A Magical Moment Add-On Special - which is done in beautiful blues! The subject for the challenge was "Somebody Important in Your Life".

This ended up being my third Challenge entry - by pure fluke! i'd purchased Robyn LittleJohn's 2 Oliver kit previously. A couple days ago, i completed the page about Zucker's first experience with snow and posted it in the gallery at Digital Design Den. i got a surprise when Robyn sent me wonderful comments about my layout - and then asked me if i wanted to submit it into Her Challenge that was still opened!

i'm sitting there, staring at the email - stunned and feeling - mindless - once again! Personal note to God... get ready, 'cuz it's official. i am getting older.

Anyway - i responded to Robyn's email with a question of how to do so at that particular website. i had been, practically, led by the nose in the right direction for posting my first-ever Challenge by the hosting designer. To go for that first attempt of entering and posting on my own for the next one?

Well - a forum is a forum is a forum unlike every forum - just like a forest is a forest is a forest unlike every other forest - but You can, still, get lost in the woods! Ya' know?

Robyn must have appreciated the laugh for the day more than i thought. She just threw me into the pile, Herself! And then - She sent me the url for downloading the cutest little kit that She was rewarding entrants with for Their efforts! What a wonderful woman!!!!

On with the show - little did I know i would put myself through an attempt at manhood yesterday. i get all excited about getting in on this challenge of Wendy's! i'd already done a challenge elsewhere on that same subject of "Somebody Important in Your Life" and chose my husband as my victim for that project. *snicker*

i go purchase the kit while i'm considering my subject. The kit is so pretty! Jennifer's Prom photos came to mind before i even had the kit downloaded. i spent the rest of the day putting a beautiful layout together of Jennifer and Tommy (Her date) on Prom night. Once i'm happy with the layout - i go save all my formatted copies and make it to the one i needed for posting into Wendy's Challenge. It's only then - that this Dingbat decides to read the description for the Challenge. i felt almost male. You know - They always dig in with the tools and start assembling without reading the directions. Scarey!

Well - my daughter is somebody really important in my life. That goes without saying. But my heart and mind were in a completely different place while i was doing that layout about Her Prom. It was all more about Her joy. i wanted the page to give everything that would warm Her heart with Her own revisited memories down the road. i left her Prom Night layout for the place originally planned for - and started completely over.

i thought about my Grandma Paparelli. Butterflies began going nuts inside my heart and stomach! i knew there were a couple of photos in my box. By the time i finished hunting - there were many more photos than i'd thought! And i found myself to be child-like. i felt stubbornness coming on. i was refusing to be forced to choose a couple photos. My layout was about my Grandma. i have a lot of wonderful memories of my Grandma! There were a lot of things about my Grandma that i have always loved and admired!

i did the best i could to pacify myself. Still - i had to compromise. i had to give up a few photos. But as for the compromise - i'll get to do more pages about this wonderful woman in my life. i just have to! There is so much about this woman that was so exciting! She was a vibrant woman with class - strength - beauty - and grace!

Here goes!




Journaling –

Her name was Margaret Katherine. Friends and other family called her Marge. But to me – she was always Grandma Paparelli. Not just Grandma – always Grandma Paparelli. To make this collage of her was so difficult. I find myself back in the mindset of a five-year-old – wanting to just plaster the entire page with photos of her. There are so many photos that say much about her. Here are a few that give me windows into the many things to love. Such things she instilled inside my heart with cuddles of inspiration from her own wonderful talents. I never lift a finger with my own interests and enjoyment without thoughts of her – always giving her the credit for teaching me. She showed us how to make a snapdragon flower’s mouth open and close. That gave me my love of gardening. She always sent holiday gift boxes – Easter candy, tiny valentine cards and, of course – Christmas. Boxes with hand-sewn summer outfits, crocheted winter slippers, vests, scarves and hats. She sewed almost everything worn by my Grandpa Paparelli and herself. That gave me my love of arts and crafts, sewing, needlecraft – and scrapbooking! She was die-hard Oakland A’s and Raiders Fan! She was a lady who would dress to the Nines for dinner – or – to simply, go out to run errands. She never owned a car. She never drove a car. Public transportation and walking were her choice. And she could dance. She loved dancing to all that 1940’s music! We lost her in August, 1990. And I never got to say "Good-bye." But I am always saying, "Hello" and she always makes me smile. I can hear her comical laughing. And I can hear her raising cane during plays of games she would listen to on the radio and watch on the television – many times, at the same time! And one of the sweetest joys of mine – I can see her smiling. I always loved the feeling it gave me – to see her smile!

Fonts –
BlackChancery
Bookman Old Style

My Grandma was an awesome woman!

Zucker's First Experience With Snow!

What can I say? Some days go by and you don't get a single layout started. And then - there are times when you get two done in the same day!

This page is about our Miniature Schnauzer, Zucker. He had his first experience with snow over this past weekend. Decided to get some shots of him while we had the chance. He did pretty good - not too messy. But he had a great time eating the snowballs that Dwayne made for him!

Zucker will be having his first birthday on March 21st of this year. I'll be doing more layouts about him in the near future. There's a really special reason why he came into our lives. And then - there's the story about his name.

I just love this kit! Robyn designed it in honor of one of her beloved dogs. I think the colors and choice of bold embellishments really hit the mark on that feel of the stature of an Irish Setter!

Journaling reads -

That first experience with snow was a little strange for Zucker. But he's always liked ice cubes, especially in summer! He always gave us fits with putting on his little boots and sweater - until this day! Luckily, we didn't get enough snow to tempt him into rolling through it until he became a messy snowball!

Kit -
2 Oliver designed by Robyn Littlejohn at Digital Design Den.

2 Oliver Alphas by Robyn Littlejohn at Digital Design Den, as well.

Other Fonts-
Chronicles of a Hero
Edmunds (for the date)




Thanks for taking a look!
{Hugs!}

Crazy Weekend of Weather

The cabin fever has been driving everybody nuts in our home. Even Zucker's about ready to start pulling his hair out. And this past weekend's extreme switch in the weather didn't help a bit. But it didn't end without us coming out on top!

Saturday morning we arose to high winds and snow. Sunday morning we arose to absolutely gorgeous sunshine and - no more white! Managed to get photos of each day from the same spot in the kitchen. Just too weird! But that's what makes all those crazy memories one can laugh about years from now!




The journaling reads -

Living in the valley of East Tennessee always has its moments. As if the cabin fever hasn’t been driving us all crazy, enough – Mother Nature decided to mess with us just a little bit more! We arose from our beds on Saturday morning to a day of blistering winds filled with snow. The cold and very white weather lasted throughout the day. Zucker got his first opportunity to discover the cold and icy white powder and didn’t seem to mind at all.

Come Sunday morning – the sight was as if time just disappeared. All the color of green and promise of spring was back. The sun was shining so brightly! And everything around us seemed to look and feel so much more green and crisp! The temperatures warmed up to the mid-sixties and gave us a day that was just absolutely beautiful! Well, what do you do on a day like this after enduring all the cabin fever? We chose to cook up a London Broil and bake potatoes on the Bar-b-Que pit!

The kit I used -
A Magical Moment and A Magical Moment Extras Add-On designed by Wendy Williams at Digital Design Den.

And you should see the mix 'n match sequel she's created! That would be the A Magical Moment Add-On Special kit done in the color of Blues! Both - the green and the blue kits can be used alone - or - combined with each other for some absolutely beautiful scrapping!



Fonts I used -

Port Credit

Peggy Font

Mandingo

Can't wait to get started on a page about Zucker! He had fun discovering snow for the first time! The dog loves ice cubes. And Dwayne got a kick out of making snowballs just to watch Zucker eat 'em! LOL

Well, that's about it for now. Until later - remember this...

" It is not about the artwork we do on a scrapbook page. It’s about what we leave behind for our loved ones. "




Please do me a favor by visiting the website for Horse Haven of Tennessee. They are in desperate need of donations and help.
{Hugs!}
Thanks!

Have a great day!

My Uncle Danny's Birthday!

my Uncle Danny gets to celebrate becoming a legend with another famous legend - Route 66! LOL These are the Birthday pages I made and sent to him for his birthday!




With this first page, a photo taken of my uncle on His birthday goes into the circle frame. The lower left area is for journaling - special notes about his celebration.





This second page is for additional photos, party decorations, invitation and/or other special momentos. This page can be printed out several times for as many as needed. Once again, the really nice thing about this is - more copies can be printed for other family and friends!

Happy Birthday, Uncle!
{Hugs!}
Teresa

Credits:
Cranberry Mocha Mint Supreme
Celebrations Collection - No Longer Available.
Both kits created by Roberta D'Achille at Rendered Memories .

Fonts:
York Script ES
Bailey


Please be sure to visit Horse Haven of Tennessee at http://www.horsehavenoftn.com/ . They are in desperate need of donations and help. Whatever help you can offer is so greatly appreciated!

Have a great week!

" It is not about the artwork we do on a scrapbook page. It’s about what we leave behind for our loved ones. "
-WeldrBrat

Those Photos Stored in Boxes for Years and Years!

There are times when so many of us mention having boxes and boxes of photos – feeling guilty about not getting around to creating scrapbook pages for each and every one. Until recently – i was forever haunting myself with my own thoughts of all those boxes i’ve had for so many years. Here my youngest was - already 21 years old. And i hadn’t done a thing with all those photos. i grabbed onto the here and now and went with the flow – while those boxes of photos continued to sit in a corner.

Being blessed with the chance to view so many others’ layouts began to stir something inside me. i began to feel a loss of my own. So many mothers with new babies and small children – so many wonderful moments They were enjoying by creating Their pages of memories. i have those mothers to thank for motivating me into opening those boxes!

By the time i completed this last page about my daughter, Jennifer – i felt less guilty about letting the years of photos pile up inside the boxes. When it comes to reasons - i always give God the credit. And i’m sure He had special ones for this experience, as well. i ended up taking a different direction in my choices of photos and subject matter.

Most of the time, we tend to take the road of chronological order when it comes to our children. From there – it becomes all about little moments in Their daily lives that we capture. Or – it may be all the events in Their lives that come along as They grow – i.e. baseball, dance, band, drill team, cheerleading, sports, etc.

i found a blessing in a subject of guilt in my life when i began sorting through all those photos of Jen. Rather than attempt to begin a train of pages based on Her ages and stages – i chose to pick out one of Her traits that i adored about Her during Her childhood.
Playing in water was always a favorite of Hers! Naturally – i have a lot of photos relating to that subject, which makes it impossible to create only one page for all of them. To create pages for each and every photo would be an insane punishment that just wouldn’t fit the crime of my years spent storing the photos in boxes.

i set the tone for my goal with the first page. i chose photos with a span of time that showed Her fun in water throughout the years. The next will – most likely – be a few showing continued fun. But they will show other places and times in Her life. They will all have one other common trait about Her that always made me smile and embedded into my heart.

Most importantly – each of the pages will continue to have the journaling. my personal choice in this case is in letterform – to Jennifer. It is within the journaling that i will mention the memories – all the little things – everything wonderful that embedded itself into my mind and heart years ago. This will be my chance to make sure i get those things said to Jennifer. What better way to make sure She doesn’t have to just – keep a memory of hearing me say them? Somehow – putting our feelings into writing for Others seems to reach Them even more deeply. And i want my kids to always know how deeply my love lives for Them.

An artist has one specific vision/interpretation in mind when He/She creates a piece of artwork. Others viewing that same piece of artwork will - most likely - have various and different considerations. Without journaling - the same applies to scrapbooking a page. The true purpose for scrapbooking is about expression of our memories. Without journaling - Others may not see or feel what we have in our hearts that we're attempting to express.

i have already experienced too many times – coming across layouts that Others have created and had my heart broken – for Them. They post their layouts. The page consists of artwork and one, or more, photos. There may be a title – names – a date. They’ll take the time to offer Their description of what They were scrapping about on the page when They post the layout onto the website. And i find myself thinking – "What She said in Her description is so beautiful! Why in the world didn’t She put that on the page?"

We should never be afraid to sit a while and really take some time to gather our thoughts after completing the artwork on a scrapbook page. We should always make room on every page for those thoughts. In fact – no layout should ever be considered completed until we have done so.

It is not about the artwork we do on a scrapbook page. It’s about what we leave behind for our loved ones.

And that – You can count on for my signature around the Internet!

Memories of my Water Baby!

Okay - the sleet is picking up here. The weather has been really messy all day long. And we're being told it hasn't even begun, yet.

Bad weather just gives me the perfect excuse for playing with another layout. What the heck... it's no different than when the guys use bar-b-queing for an excuse to sit around with a beer in a hand and gab with each other all night long!

This time - my victim was my youngest daughter, Jennifer. And where She is concerned - i haven't even begun to get a good bite into Her, yet! i have a box of photos that are just screaming for somebody to let 'em out!



The journaling reads:

You loved water from the day you were born. To this day – there are only two scenarios that don’t hold Your interest when it comes to water – washing Your car – and washing the laundry. Go figure!

It was always fun to watch the funny expressions show up on the faces of cashiers at McDonalds. They'd ask You what You wanted to drink with Your Happy Meal. Your answer was always – "Water, please."

That was always Your choice of drink - wherever we went to eat – until Kindergarten. You began school and discovered kids could be picky. Those same kids became Your friends. And You wanted to be just like Your friends. In no time at all – sweet peas were out. Water took second in choice of drink. And You began to grow in – different ways.

When You were three years old, i loved watching You play in Your little kiddy pool out in the front yard at Great-Grandma Casteel's house. Ohhhh, You had such a great time!
You could be flat-dab dangerous with the water hose – to anyone stepping close enough! And there were never enough toys. The pool wasn’t perfect until it was crammed with all the toys You could fit.

As the years came along, Your love for swimming and playing in water never faded. Time came so fast when You would be circled by lots and lots of friends having fun – right along with You. Of course – i think Their greatest fun was in being able to pick You up and toss You into the water! Compared to all Your friends – You were so tiny and short – a perfect toy for Them!

Forever – will i hold such sweet, wonderful memories of Your fun with water. The giggles – the smiles – the comical laughing out loud...

Water gave You so much joy!

Credits:
Summer Breeze - Kit created by Robyn Littlejohn - Digital Design Den

Fonts:
2Peas Scrumptious
Port Credit
CygnetRound

Gavin - Gettin' Some Air!

i've been wanting to see how far i could stretch my patience with my restrictions and limitations that come from the antiquated programs i'm using for my digital scrapbooking. Believe me - this was a true stretch!






This is a layout i did for my nephew, Gavin. He just turned 10 on Feb. 20th.

The silhouette was a cut-out taken from another photo of Gavin getting some air! LOL This took a lot of work for me. i had to do the cut-out in my ArcSoft Studio 5 program. i, then, had to carry that over to my PaintShop Pro 6.0 program. i set it into a new raster layer inside a clean palette - hit it with the magic wand - inverted the selection. Went to Image - then hit the edge filter and chose Find All and selected my darkening shade of choice.

Once i got the graphic set into my Pixel Magic scrapbook program - i set the size - then set the transparency to 54 percent.

For the record - i have already mailed my letter to the Easter Bunny. Maybe - just maybe - the Easter Bunny will leave me that awesome new graphics program i want for Easter - in my Easter basket! ROTFL!

Credits:
Rainbow's End - Lauren Bavin (Digital Scrapbook Place)

Extreme Kid - Jamie Rousselle - (Digital Scrapbook Place)

Fonts:
2Peas Goofball
Barbed Ink

Birthday Gifts!

Who says it has to be a hassle sending gifts to family when the post office keeps raising the costs?

i'm getting around that with something even better than a birthday card!

At the beginning of the year, i set up my calendar at Yahoo! and asked friends and family to send the dates of birthdays for all the members in Their family. Posted all the dates into my calendar and set up early reminders to come to my email.

i've been making 8.5" x 11" layouts to send in zip folders. i make a main page for the birthday boy/girl's birthday photo with a spot for journaling. i make a second page that can be used for additional photos, party invitations and other momentos - whatever treasures wanted for keep!

The pages are able to be printed out on standard printers. They can be printed on standard white cardstock or photo paper. Multiple pages can be printed out for other family members, or, for as many needed to include more photos and such!

Already, i've made birthday pages for my nephew, Xavier, and my cousin's son, Trevor. Xavier celebrated his 18th birthday this year. So - i made a third page for His mother to include a special letter She can write to Him about all Her thoughts of Him and His life up to now.

Today, i sent this one out for my nephew, Gavin, who is celebrating His 10th birthday!



Happy Birthday, Gavin!








Credits:
Birthday Bash - Amber Gray - Digital Scrapbook Place
Brightspray Element from Rainbow's End(no longer available) - Lauren Bavin - Digital Scrapbook Place

Fonts:
Happy Birthday - Advert
Gavin's Birthday Title - BluePrint

Even though Lauren's Rainbow's End kit is no longer available - i encourage You to check out Her other kits - as well as Amber's! They do a wonderful job with Their talents!

Soooooooo - it's on to the next one! This time, it'll be a layout I'm doing for my nephew, Gavin, again. But for now - it's a secret. ;)~

Have a great day!

These Were Really Fun!

These last two pages i did about the Snow Day my brother and His family got to enjoy, recently, were a lot of fun! The challenge came in duplicating a reverse and trying to make sure all the elements were sized and placed the same as much as possible. i tend to feel that the solid background made for a much cleaner, crisper feel.







When i switched over to review this post i spotted a mistake in one of the pages. Can You see it? This is the difficulty in creating the pages when it requires so much space usage in Your computer system.

You're only able to work on one page at a time. You spend a lot of time going back and forth between pages during the process. The only shortcut is to keep a notepad beside Your keyboard and write down all your dimensions and effects measurements, literally.

It takes a lot of caution. Had i used one of the pre-designed backgrounds on these two pages, i would have had a nightmare on my hands. The Pixel Magic software program that i use is very touchy when it comes to the amount of space usage on my computer. If there's not enough space available, it won't save the finished product in it's own file format.

i got really lucky here. The good news is - the files were saved in the program's format. i can go back and make the corrections. The bad news is - i have to save five different files for each page i create.

The software's format file
One full-size .png file
One full-size .jpeg file
One 450 x 450 pixel jpeg file for Digitals Gallery
One 500 x 500 pixel jpeg file for Email that goes out to friends, family and my groups.

Each time i have to make a correction - i have to go back and re-do all the other files, as well!

Unfortunately, i've already posted to the Digitals Gallery. i've already emailed out to everyone. And i've already sent the full-size jpeg files to my sister-in-law. So, guess what...

Since i'm just a beginner at all this - i'll make the corrections in all the files and only email the corrected full-size jpeg file to my sister-in-law. Beyond that - i'm learning from all my mistakes! There are mistakes to be made that go beyond just creating the pages! Thank God - it only takes once for me!

But one other lesson i've learned here, about myself. i need to learn to step away from all the creating and file saving when it's late at night and i'm very tired!

Credits:
Blue Winter by Elka Romero

A Winter Story Add-On by Joyce de Jonge

Fonts:
IceAgeD
A Little Pot


Have a great day!

I Usually Don't Like Blue - But.... I Like This!

i started another one of my series of pages for a layout - something i enjoy more than just doing one page for any subject.

My brother and His family went out to enjoy a day in the snow recently. My sister-in-law has dug in deep to Her new hobby of photography. And She's done a wonderful job with shots taken on this day, as well!

i have two pages completed, so far. The kits i used are Blue Winter by Elka Romero and the A Winter Story add-ons by Joyce de Jonge. Both can be found at the link for Digitals, which can, also, be found in my favorite links menu on the left.

my hubby and i are headed out on a short road trip tomorrow, while the weather is nice! We're heading over to the other side of Chilhowee Lake to check out some land. We're gonna make a day of it, just spending time together and trying to dust off some of the cabin fever!

Do I Go This Way..... or..... Do I go That Way?

I was a newspaper advertising graphic designer in the 1980's. Left the industry just before they switched over to computerized graphic layout on Macs. Bought my own computer in 1997 and found a new hobby - computer graphics for fun!

I have had PaintShop Pro 6.0 since 1999 - I think. Life takes first priority. So, I've never really been able to focus on more serious learning about all the technical aspect to working graphics programs, etc. But I'm grateful. It has given me what I've needed thus far, for enjoying my love of paper scrapbooking and taking that into the realm of digital scrapping!

The PaintShop Pro program I've had is what most would consider to be - old like a dinosaur. The newer programs out there are pure evidence for how far the creativity has been able to grow.

My husband, Dwayne, gave me the Pixel Magic Digital Scrapbook layout program as a gift this past Christmas. Between that program - PaintShop Pro 6.0 - Sierra Print Artist 8.0 - and ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5 that came with my scanner - I am able to enjoy basic placement and layout of the digital kits that I'm able to purchase online from all those wonderful Designers out there!

But - as everyone with a passion knows - there is always that drive to soar with knowledge and ability for stretching creative talent! As I move along with my enjoyment - I keep my eyes and mind open to everything others are doing. More importantly - I pay attention to the various programs they're using and the various techniques they're able to apply with those programs. It has helped me decide which program I now want to invest in for the type of scrapping I want to enjoy - almost - maybe.

At the moment, I'm caught between two different programs. And I can't figure out just exactly what is causing the teeter-tottering decision game going on in my mind and heart. Is it because of the actual techniques being accomplished, or - is it the actual talents of the designer/scrapper that have been honed so wonderfully?

Vonda Bearden - WOW! I just get goosebumps every time I get to view her layouts! It just doesn't seem to matter what her subject is. It is so obvious - the woman does not sit down to do a layout in a hurry. She does not sit down and force herself to complete a layout around her mind's struggle or mental block. By the time she sits down to do a layout - her entire heart and mind have a vision and the love just comes pouring out onto every pixel angle for each and every item she sets onto a page! You can view every layout she's ever done and - this beautiful light comes shining into your eyes with the clear message that the woman, simply, had the time of her life and felt so much joy and happiness while putting the page together! She makes for a wonderful mentor!

Maggie965 - OMG! I have had the time of my life viewing her layouts! She's got that flair for color and balance. But she has a strong sense of family that she's able to enjoy at a time when the kids are a little older. Her kids are at those ages when, as parents, we all start having to color our hair a little more often. They're beginning to exercise those wings and the hormones are waking up. All of a sudden, they decide they're the only smart ones and parents know absolutely nothing. It's a time in our life, as parents, when how we guide our children is going to make the biggest difference in what direction they take in their life as adults. Maggie's one of the lucky ones! She's got some beautiful kids! You can tell that they give her loads of inspiration for enjoying her love of scrapping! And she has learned some tricks that can make me jump out of my chair!!!

There are so many others that I am watching and learning from. And they are all soooo awesome with their passion for scrapping! But the reason why I bring these two particular women up is because of the graphics programs they use.

Vonda uses Ulead 4. Maggie uses PhotoShop. I've noticed that quite a few scrappers are using PhotoShop Elements. I am absolutely intrigued by all the wonderful techniques they're able to accomplish! And then - Vonda sends out another layout.

I've just about settled on one conclusion to the confusion.

I'm gonna have to invest in a second computer - a bigger one! And then, I can invest in both programs!

And then - my husband can play Text Twist all he wants.

Ya' think that'll be a good enough bargaining chip to get him to go for it?

HAHAHAHAHA!

Yeah.... I know.

The Change in Life and All It's Chaos

I am really feeling kinda yucky this week. And I have to admit, most of it is my own fault. I keep forgetting to use the estrogen cream that my OB-GYN prescribed. It was easier to remember when I first began using it. The first ten days were a daily dose. I'm now suppose to be using it two to three times a week. And well... stuff happens, I guess. However, I am determined to overcome! The box is, literally, in eyesight to remind me now! Sorry all you home interior decorators. This is one that will just have to be forgiven! When I get a chance to go fishing for the day and it turns out to be a really crappy day for me - there's a problem. And I'm not willing to follow those anal rules for the sake of PC loyalties to satisfy a few others! This woman's gonna Git 'Er Dun!

I lagged on being able to get my little birthday surprises done for the son of one of my cousins. And it just makes me feel more angry towards myself for the forgetfulness in taking better care of myself. I only need one more detail to finish, however. And I'm waiting to hear from my cousin or my aunt to get the answer to that one.

I, barely, made it on time getting the same accomplished for my nephew, who just turned 18 yesterday. I hope the day was wonderful for you, Xavier!

This is the main page of the surprise I sent for Xavier!

The kit is " Celebrations " and was designed by Roberta D’Achille at Rendered Memories in 2006. She's about to retire the collection. So, you'd better hurry over there if you wanna grab it!

I get finished with two and - I'm already into another one. This one is about Zucker! Dwayne and I groomed him the other day and I couldn't resist. Had to take more photos. I feel so goofy. My heart just sinks when I look back at the first photos. My little puppy is becoming such a grown handsome man!

Well - as usual, Dwayne drops mudballs on my neverending list of things to do at the last minute. He wants to go get taxes done. Wish I had a few days to get back on course with my hormones, first. But then - we do have a refund coming!

;)

Oh, gosh... what scrapbook kits will I find next!!!

Have a great day!

Welcome to My New Blog!

Little by little, I'm getting things organized here at my new blog! Time has been somewhat confusing lately. We're going through a little bit of an adjustment here at the house. Dwayne just left four months of graveyard shift and is now back on day shift. Besides the shift change, his schedule of days has changed. He now works five days on - five days off. And I guess it'll just take a few weeks for us all to get used to it.

Even Zucker's a little confused! Poor little guy! Between all the activity shuffling around, the swings in weather conditions here haven't helped at all!

But I should be getting settled in soon enough to dig deep into my new realm of fun! At the moment, I'm not so happy with having to depend on PaintShop Pro 6.0 for working graphics. I've had the program since.... 1999, I think. From all the gorgeous digi scrapbook layouts I've been seeing - I think I wanna go ahead and trade in the old gal for the PhotoShop fun!

For now - I'm trying to get things situated at the house so I can break open those kits I just purchased at Rendered Memories! They have done a wonderful job over there and I love the way they turn their inventory!

Well... I'm off to enjoy this gorgeous day we're having today! I can't believe this! Yesterday was pouring down rain, leaving a pond in our yard and giving all the cold temperatures it could muster. Today - it's like being in Hawaii!