24 Hours of Easter Celebrations!

What do you think of the first set of photos?  I used the freebie set from Vinnie Pearce to create the colorful, storyboard collection of our Easter photos below.  It was just the perfect touch!

Easter Sunday was quite busy this year! The day before, we enjoyed coloring over three dozen eggs. Mom, that's me, preceeded to run into a wall while carrying the 40 or so eggs. Half of those dry eggs crashed to the ground and cracked the shells. At least we were able to enjoy coloring them before they went into the garbage! Early Easter morning, we woke up, dressed to the nines and then went to our church The Warehouse Ministries. Nathan Tasker performed during the sermon. He is a Christian musician from Australia who we saw at our church last year on Easter. We have his CD and love his musical talent and song writing skill. My parents joined us at this church for the first time. We all enjoyed it.

Next, we went home, prepared an Easter egg hunt for my kids and our  niece and nephew. It was great to have about 15 family members over for the egg hunt. Just as we were finishing the hunt, it began to rain! We were able to stay dry and had enough time to hold it outdoors! Indoors, we had all types of snacks and sweets. I did not go too fancy with the appetizers or the main course. Just a spiral ham from Costco with the usual trimmings steamed brocolli, scallop potatoes, rice (for the kids), etc.

Next year, I am going for the stuffed mushrooms, garlic goat cheese and olive oil dip for sourdough bread, and crab dip to say the least. Oh yeah, I also wanted to make my Fruit Dip. Mix one regular size strawberry flavor cream cheese with one jar of marshmellow fluff using electric beaters. Beat until fluffy. Dip in fruit such as watermelon and strawberries. These two taste the best in this dip!!! MMMM, so divine! Looks like we will have to wait until the next gathering for some of this since I did not create it for Easter.

We had a heartfelt Easter. Gerry and I loved seeing our family together this year while celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Yep, we enjoy the religious reason for the season. I hope that you had a blessed day this year. Enjoy our photos! There will be many more of the photos that were taken on Easter,  to come in layouts through out the year.

Admire: Dream Mini Kit Freebie!

Once I discovered this jewel of a freebie, I new I had to create something with it. This freebie is being offered by a talented designer Vinnie Pearce through her blog. I admire Vinnie's work, design talent and eye for composition and color. Click here to grab your own freebie gift kit. 

(I do not design or promote for Vinnie Pearce in any way. Just a fan and admirer of her kits.)

Remember this layout from a former post? I updated this old baby photo of myself and created a layout using one of her other kits Beach Flower.

It was great to work with this kit and I look forward to creating with this freebie. Thanks, Vinnie!

Fun Concepts for Inspiration

After ignoring my computer for the last couple of weeks, I feel energized and ready to be inspired to create some more digital work. I would like to share some of the layouts I have found recently that have good composition and a fun concept! (None of these layouts were created by me or by anyone that I know.)

Recently, my friend Marianne expressed that she could use a bit of inspiration. I hope this helps you and Marianne!

I have recently discovered http://www.gallerystandouts.com/. Sometimes I read the digital scrapbooking boards at Two Peas In A Bucket. Occasionally, other digital scrappers post when their layouts have been selected to be a Gallery Stand Out (also known as the acronymn GSO).

This layout is called too sweet by joannknnrd:

A Link To Credits

This layout is CHASE by Steffi. Who says that you cannot use large photos on your scrapbook pages? We are creating books for us to enjoy with our families. What kid would NOT want a huge photo of themselves in a book vs. a small, little one?

A Link to Credits (for CHASE).

Why not scrap about your favorite things? This is a great way to share part of your culture with your family. Our scrapbooks will live on into the future for years to come. How fun will it be to be reminded of movies that you once enjoyed but may have forgotten about? Visit websites like Amazon.com and find a photo of a book or movie you plan to place on your layout. Copy the photo and save it to your computer as a JPG image. You can then re-save it in PSE with a quality of 12 to enhance the quality of the photo. Then, use it on a layout!

I am also inspired by the several different alphas used in the title for the layout below. Adorable!

This layout is Love to Laugh by jenn7

Click here for credits (for Love to Laugh)

These three layouts are all that I have time to post for the moment. If I find some more down time, I will share a few more of these goodies with you. For now, why don't you visit Gallery Stand Outs yourself?

Organizing My Thoughts and Plans for Easter Dinner 2010

Hello, there. Are you hungry? I am just planning the menu for the Easter Sunday meal I am hosting for my family this weekend.

The Easter bunny, Gerry, my mom, my mother-in-law and I have all communicated about our Easter Egg hunt/ celebration. Most of our guest will be staying for dinner. A few, will be going back home to cook their own for their guests. We are grateful that they will be making time to share a portion of their busy day with us.

Once we get home from church, we are having the egg hunt. Then onto dinner. Here is the 2010 menu I made. Every successful dinner party is planned, organized and goes off without a hitch right? Well, mine will be something short of perfection. The food, however, will be oh-so-good. Here is my list below. (inserting photos of said food after I take pictures of it on Easter) How does my list compare to what you traditionally have for Easter Dinner (or a Sunday dinner with family if you do not celebrate Easter)?

MENU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Appetizers-






Stuffed Clams-Grandma Betty


deviled eggs- Nana


onion dip-Nana


chips-Nana


carrots and celery with ranch- Easter bunny


spinach dip and bread-Easter bunny


peanut, M&M, & candy mixture-Easter bunny


sliced oranges- Easter bunny






Dinner-


Costco spiral ham-Easter bunny


scalloped potatoes- Easter bunny


corn- Easter bunny


steamed brocolli- Easter bunny


rolls- Easter bunny


Cornbread-Easter bunny


white rice- Anika and Jasmine (they love rice!)


Brocolli & Cheese soup-Easter bunny






Dessert-


cupcakes-Grandma Betty


brownies- Grandma Betty






Drinks- Gerry & Betty


water bottles


iced tea


coke or pepsi/ reg. and diet


sunkist orange soda 2-liter



kids juice boxes


wine

Inclined To Say...Dedicated To My Family...New Header

I created this page using two photos of Gerry I snapped in our garage last month. The kit I used is called Tough Guy by Designs by Sarah Bennett. The torn paper I did myself in PSE, using a white brush and then using the eraser. I love this feature on this page the most. 

Back to Gerry...he will take apart his car then put it right back together for fun! I am glad that he is able to work on vehicles. This is a great skill for someone to have, especially in this day and age. Many of these trades are no longer passed on from generation to generation. In Gerry's case, his maternal grandfather taught him most of what he knows. From there is self-taught and able to solve issues on his own. AND he never has dirty fingernails! SCOREEEE!

I decided to make a layout this week of Gerry so I could think about his skills and attributes. It was nice to focus on him and remind myself of what a great husband I have.

I even stayed away from Facebook, my cell phone and phones in general for a whole week! I barely responded to emails. I totally detached myself from things as much as possible to get some things sorted out. This was the best idea I had in a long time!

If I have not returned an email or call this week, do not be offended. I only made on or two pages for my design teams and I did not even play on my laptop. I was dedicated to my immediate family for several days. We have had a great time hanging out (during a few hours a day we were not at work/ school or school functions!)

Last, did you see my new blog header? I made it today with some instructions from Design House Digital

Click here for the page that I found useful. I did not buy a header though. I made this one myself.

Have a great weekend.

Just In Time for Easter-Freebie

Click here for this awesome Easter freebie!

I hope you celebrate Easter! If you don't the soft pastel colored papers can work with anything. Click the link above to check out Stacy's matching kits, pick up the freebie and see some layouts made with the full Sunday Best kit. Here is my layout that I created....Jasmine and Anika were outside last week modeling their new Easter dresses I picked out for them.

I CANNOT wait to see these two bunnies hopping around the backyard searching for Easter eggs this year. Last year they did it in bathing suits. It was not the same thing as being all dressed up! What will you be doing for Easter this year? We will start of the festivities by baking bunny shaped cookies. Please remind me what bunnies have to do with the resurrection of Jesus.

Creating a Two Page Layout

 Edit on April 7, 2010 "(kit by Chelle's Creations, http://www.scrapmatters.com/)

I am excited! This layout was selected as a Gallery Stand Out the week of April 1, 2010 on Chelle's Creations blog! Check it out here! Click to visit Chelle's blog."

Ready to create a 24" x 12" layout? These are the measurements of a two page layout (with 12x12 pages).
1. Open a new blank file in the size of Width- 24, Height- 12.
2. Click here to read the rest of the directions courtesy of Britt-ish Designs and Scrap Matters blog!

Tip- don't forget to use your grid. Select View > Grid (in Photoshop Elements most versions)!

Good luck creating your two page layout. I prefer two pages at a time to ensure my book will flow from left to right. Create balance and dont' forget to use elements in groups of threes! See my layout above? There are three clusters of similar shapes and colors-the blue flowers. Draw a line from one of the clusters, to the next, and then the next. These three create the shape of a triangle which draws the eye around the entire layout to create unity.

Do you already create your files as two pagers? Thanks again to the great resources of Scrap Matters blog. Why re-type the directions, when I could not have said it any better than they can?!

Coming Soon!

My two page layout Girl Scout themed! Directions for creating a two page layout and saving it in PSE (a cool video from Britt-ish Designs from Scrap Matters.) Plus, a freebie adorable Easter card for you here-----> click me!

What are you doing for Easter Sunday (if you celebrate!) Any plans for Spring Break? I am planning an Easter egg hunt and ham dinner after church Easter Sunday. I think I will make one of these cards for each of my guests. Maybe turn it into a place card somehow. Do you know of any adorable Easter themed kits?

Style

Good morning! Today I am having just another Manic Monday. I woke up an hour earlier than usualy, just like everyone else who set their clocks ahead one hour. I feel jipped, ripped off and robbed. My time is my time right? Wrong! Uncle Sam can take a portion of my salary, which I donate 40 hours of my time to weekly. And now, another hour? Give it back! (Insert giggles here.)

Okay, seriously, I was up late last night digital scrapbooking once the kids were in bed. I was in a groove! I am starting to develop my own style for digital scrapbooking. I realized a lot of important factors in digital design, that I was also doing with paper crafting pages....but did not know how to apply digitally...until recently. I feel like the digital is less of a challenge these days. And this is when it becomes more enjoyable! I hope to figure out my own style soon. What is your style? Do you have one or a way to describe it?

Here are two pages I made last night....the wedding layout was created with Remember Me from Designs by Sarah Bennett. The Halloween layout was created with Sister Sue, by the same designer. You can find all of Sarah Bennett's great products in the shop at Scrap Matters. Click here to go to the shop for Designs by Sarah Bennett.

Our Honeymoon Story

Slowly but surely, I am creating a book about my honeymoon. Why don't I start with the wedding book or album first? Simply because my digital scrapbooking skills get better by the page! I am saving the best for last...as far a photos go. Our honeymoon had the most interesting things happen so I do have fun looking back and feeling those memories once again while they are still fairly fresh in my heart and in my mind.

I have the first page completed. The second and third pages are just about completed but not ready for release. My writing skills are so not up to par...they are SO valley girl and not the tone I want to set for my book. It is a challenge for me to journal with care and journaling has never been my favorite thing to do. I wish I could greatly improve my writing skills.

Anyways, check this out............

Some papers from Ever After kit by Jenn Barrette, paint stroke from Britt-ish igirl, momitude sticker by Miss Mint, title from Basic Grey, golden girls forever in love papers, Storyteller template by Tiffany TIllamn, and Ali's Hand font, and Inked Edges by Happy Scrap Girl. (PM me if you have specific questions, I will be glad to help.)

I want to remember everything from our honeymoon since we have two kids from my hubby's first marriage that we spend most of our time with. Those 5 days alone together were a nice treat! No work, no kids, just relaxation....with a few bumps in the road! Stay Tuned.

Courage

My dad (stepfather) Jim used to be an offshore oil rigman off the coast of Santa Barbara. When I was growing up, I alway imagined his long boat ride to and from the big aliens made of strong steel which stood far away from the shore in the middle of the ocean. Some day I hope to get a tour of one of those rigs. It would be like discovering a different world!

Created with Country Warmth kit by Stacy's Back Door Designs. Other elements from Stacy's kits include sand from Southern Christmas and word art from Stand Tall.

Spunky Monkey AND Guest Creative Team Member AND Freebie

This two page layout was created with two different templates from Lined Up Templates kit, Spunky Monkey kit, splatter from Spunky Monkey add-on freebie. The alpha, the orange tag with hanging ribbon with button and the metal flower dotting the letter 'I' from the Sister Sue kit. All kits by Designs by Sarah Bennett. Font Ck Ali's Hand.

For the month of March, I have been invited as a guest on the creative team for Designs by Sarah Bennett! I am honored and excited to a part of the creative team, even if it is temporary. To top things off, her newest kit is Spunky Monkey. Most people know that I love monkeys. Plus, I am a bit spunky. I am a fan of Sarah Bennett's work and  the names she selects for her kits. The quality of the elements and papers is amazing! The kits from her collection consist of colors and elements that can be used with either boys or girls (except the Tough Boy kit). Kits that can be used for more than one topic and subject are great because you get so much use out of them.

I have posted a few more layouts below which were created by other creative team members.

Grab your own kit by clicking right here!

There is a freebie add-on for the Spunky Monkey that you can find by clicking right here.

This is the freebie below. I used the glitter splatter on my page above. Grab one for yourself!

Blushing Girl

I created this layout, with a picture of myself, this evening. Even though I am tired, I stayed up to finish my layout. Today I discovered Vinnie Pearce. Her kits are available on Two Peas In a Bucket. After a few weeks of being stuck in a rut, I am inspired again! I have spent a lot of time recently on another site, other than Two Peas. It began to feel as though there was not a lot of artistic creativity but more of people scraplifting and developing very similar styles to one another.

I am glad I found Vinnie Pearce's work today after seeing her Creative Team Call.

http://vinniepearce.typepad.com/ Visit Vinnie's blog for more call information.

SO, dying to know what I used for this kit? I used Beach Flower Elements and White Foundations II by Vinnie Pearce. The inked edges are by Happy Scrap Girl.

(Note I do not create for or promote for 2ps or Vinnie Pearce. I just love these products and my new layout!)

In addition to creating the fab layout, I worked some magic on the photo. Here is my before photo, taken in 1975....

My sister Lisa and me in 70's clothing and colors! Do you alter your photos before you digitally scrap them? I am very pleased with the way the photo and the layout turned out!

Toot my own horn...toot toot!! Haha I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Oh, and apply for the creative team call if you are digi. Get digi with it already.

Photoshop Skillz of my Family

I have given my three household members one free Photoshop Elements lesson back in the day.

First, guess who created this picture?

The family shopping in full winter gear, for a new Volkswagen, was created by Gerry. He must be dreaming of buying a car for his family in Antartica. Or some place snowy yet closer to home like Colorado?! Let's go...I will put my snow boots and hat on so we can drive to Colorado in the snow to get one!

The next picture has an adorable story which is very close to my heart. One day last month, my family went to visit the Alvarez family on Super Bowl Sunday. The guys watched the game (with the MILs), the kids were all playing in other parts of the house, while Marianne and I digitally scrapbooked in our own separate room. We would hang out a bit in the living room to socialize and catch some of the Super Bowl commercials (it had nothing to with sneaking a peek at Reggie Bush or Hank Baskett, honest). On one occasion, after leaving our laptops on and open for business, we went into the other room for some drinks.

I was working on a fab layout of me and my daughters. When Marianne and I returned, someone had blackened one tooth from each subject in the photo I had up in Photoshop!!! There were like 10 people in the house...nobody fessed up to it BUT we all laughed hysterically! Check it out...

Who did it? If you would like to know, leave me a comment....the layout I made with this pic, by the way, is finished. Scroll down about two weeks back in my previous posts to see it.

Now I need some time to make a page of the ghetto girls without dental insurance!

Have a great weekend.

Guess What I Love?

I Love Rock and Roll! This new kit from Connie Prince (Scrap Matters shop) rocks! Tonight I was not loving the idea of sitting at my computer for a long period of time. Scrapping was something I did not want to do BUT when I browsed this new kit I have had for a few days, I could not resist! This is now my favorite layout that I have ever made! With each layout I create, I feel as though I am improving. Just a quick post tonight! What is your favorite layout? Leave me a link in my comments so I can take a look! You DO have a gallery someplace don't you?!

I grunged up the photo and even made the monogram with Anika's name on it (with the A in the center on the lower left hand side of the layout). I created a monogram for Jasmine also. The words could be a little more clear but I am learning. This was my first monogram ever made! Do you create monograms?

(I do not represent, advertise or promote Scrap Matters...I just love them!)

Mardi Gras Challenge for Gotta Crop Digital

My friends and I all agree that challenges help us complete pages. Without a goal, I could fart around, having fun mind you, in Photoshop Elements without creating any tangible layouts.  Marianne's latest challenge for the Gotta Crop Digital group on Facebook is Mardi Gras. We must use the colors yellow, purple and green on our page(s). I am glad that I recently bought this kit Alice by Britt-ish Designs (ScrapMatters.com) because I had all the colors needed (and more). This page below was made with a template by WM [squared], font Cry Kitty and Random Titles by Jen Wilson Designs. Keeping this entry today short and sweet. My kids, my hubby and me are off to sell Girl Scout cookies at the grocery store soon!

I added the other challenge layouts here for your viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, I do not have credits for these pages.

Happy Halloween is the first layout of Carina made by Carina! Great job! Her mom taught her to paper scrap when she was very young and I am not surprised she did such a great job! I love Carina!

The additional layout above were made by Michelle and Marianne.

Warm Weather

I was able to spend three sunny, California days outdoors this past weekend gardening and playing with my dogs. I was inspired to create a beach layout with a photo taken on the day of my wedding last June. I found an adorable kit, Ohana by Britt-ish Designs. I used the drop shadows kit (which I cannot live without) by Jennifer Barrette. I feel that the quality of my work improves so much with each layout I create. No wonder I am still awake at 1:00 am on a work night just finishing this layout!

Are you ready for permanent warmer weather like I am?!

The kit can be found at Scrap Matters

Happy Valentine's Day To My Two Princesses

I treated myself to Get Real Drop Shadows kit by Jennifer Barrette for Valentine's Day. I really love myself, so why not?! These drop shadow effects saved me a lot of time, plus gave my confidence to use a lot of embellishments. Typically, I would not use this many because I would put the same exact shadow on everything...which was not realistic enough for my eye. I hope you enjoy my princesses. If you would like to save time on your drop shadows, visit ScrapMatters.com to grab the kit! It was only a couple of dollars.

Here are instructions to set them up. (I use PSE 8 and these worked just fine!)

http://www.scrappersguide.com/forums...ead.php?t=3294

Everyday Essentials

This new kit by Stacy's Back Door Designs is perfect for those 365 days projects you may be working on or ANY digital layout! The neutral colors provide a great back drop for colorful photos. This layout makes my two girl scouts really stand out!

Currently, the kit is 20% off at the link below. Also, you receive a free mega kit with any purchase from Digiridoo Scraps. The free kit is listed below as well. Check out the word art and that queen of hearts. So, you will pay JUST $2.40 for both kits!!!

GRAB yours HERE!!!!!!

Live Your Dreams

This layout was made from my heart using  A Story of Friendship kit by Sahlin Studios, scrapmatters.com

This photo was the first one I ever had taken with my daughters (my hubby's from his first marriage. We raise them and have custody. I love them as my own! Aren't we just a little adorable?!)