lesson #3

The online digi course just keeps getting more interesting and challenging. This was today's lesson. I used pics of our family reunion on Saturday. Cute cousins if I do say so myself!!

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ooey gooey butter cake

A big stress on the word butter. Wow. Simple ingredients with an incredible result.

You can find the recipe here, at Family Circle. I borrowed their picture too. I feel like this would be something you'd see on a Paula Deen episode, or over at the Pioneer Woman cooks. Two ladies who are not afraid of butter! I am not really either, although I should be with it being swimming suit season and all.

The weather forecast is dismal today and we are headed to an outdoor family reunion with about 200 people. Hoping for the best on that one. Seems like it could be a rich picture taking opportunity so I have that going for me :)

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it's keeping me busy--

but in such a good way! This was the mid week lesson for my class. I have made 3 layouts from this little impromptu photo shoot! I have also been reading Certain Girls, which has been great. I feel like I am exploiting this summer downtime stuff, big time :) Today is a day for the kids though, we are headed to see Kung Fu Panda.

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I cannot even believe--

how much info there is to learn in PhotoShop and how I know about 1/billionth of it! This class is extraordinary. This was today's lesson which was packed full of things I would have never, could have never, learned on my own. Super love this circle grid b/c I am a fan of one page layouts, and what a great way to get 5 pics on one page.

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trying to be a multi tasker

Today for my PhotoShop class we had an assignment to take a picture today, add the title onto the photo and then scrap it in 30 minutes or less. Got it done as you can see and I really like it. I did not have as good of pics of my kids so I went with the wagon but I got a few of the girls I might make separate pages with. I have also been sewing more change purses, too fun. And in between doing a bit of cleaning for friends to come over tonight. I will be at the grocery at the very last minute it appears. Oh, and the only reason any of this is possible is b/c my girls have been outside and right now a KIND neighbor has them inside for a movie. Lucky me.

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I can sew straight lines

Seriously, I stand by this statement. Patterns confuse me but I have been so inspired by etsy, and goody goody, and many other places that I took my sewing machine for a tune up after I got a copy of Bend the Rules Sewing. I figured I'd invest a few dollars on some fabric, bought two zippers, got a WONDERFUL explanation from a dedicated JoAnn's employee on how to sew said zippers, and voila!!...here are my first two creations. The green one came first as a test, and I will admit, I sewed the zipper on the wrong side but was still beside myself with sewing glee and pride. Today, I whipped the striped one straight up. I still need to hand tack the lining in but I will do that outside while I watch the kids play. These measure 5x7, a bit oversized for credit cards so I might make a few a tad smaller as gift card holders. This size is PERFECT for my new tiny camera though so I need to make it a new cozy home. And I am feeling the need for some nicer, more durable fabric too. As if I can squeeze this little hobby in, alongside my digi scrap class, all the while caring for and entertaining my two kids for the summer.

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If you were at Tyler's graduation party...

and were one of the people thinking "just how many pictures is she going to take of Shelby on that swing?" and "what the heck are they for"? Well, the more you take, the more likely it will be that you have a keeper or keeperS...like this one. The layout is part of my online class. Everything on here was free in a kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs, we all got one and it was LOADED with fun stuff.
Remember, to see this larger, just click on the image.

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finally!

My photoshop/digi scrapbooking class began today! And I am NOT disappointed. I must have learned 100 things just creating this layout. I am thrilled. Once again, I am taking it at JessicaSprague.com for those of you into that kind of thing.
I was so anxious to get to work on this lesson but I had very good fun all day prior to doing so. Three of my very best girlfriends from High School came swimming today with their kids. Such a good time. Tons of junk food to eat, lots of laughter, a boatload of kids (well behaved too!), super sunny day...it was all good.

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a rare picture...

of me! Ok, well sort of. This is me giving a thumbs up to myself for being so clever. You can also see my new short haircut if you squint!

Lots of fun yesterday and loads of pics to go through. More swimming and fun on tap today for Father's Day. My girls are out swimming with Dave now which is just so awesome. He loves the pool, always has and now finally and he has two little swimming adventur-ers to enjoy with him. I am more of a cool off, but don't get your hair wet, type pool user :)

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Yesterday's Dinner

This photo is from the Kraft Foods website, the recipe is here : recipe. I thought this was delicious and could not have been quicker. Next time, I think I will make a bit of pasta to put it down over. Yum!

Easing into summer slowly here. Olivia began swim lessons yesterday. She is a great swimmer but became totally overwhelmed when they moved on to diving instruction. Hopefully tomorrow goes better.

I got a very interesting book from the library yesterday: Bend the Rules Sewing. I am so inspired by some of the projects, I just packed up my sewing machine to seek out somewhere to give it a little cleaning and overhaul. I am so BAD at reading patterns but hopefully I can figure one or two of these out.

And for the most exciting news, I am officially enrolled in this online course: Now We're Rockin' with Photoshop. I cannot wait!! I hope to dedicate the time I need to really learn over the next month and I think this is the perfect avenue and format to do so. Pin It

where has the time gone?

It's not that I try not to say that on here but I just realized a week (nearly) has gone by since I posted. A lot of that time has been spent close to the pool, sometimes in the pool, other times hanging over the pool...plucking this one out of the water. She has the desire to swim. And most of that time is spent underwater. It seems yesterday she must have ingested ALOT of pool water though...let's just leave it at this: what goes in, must come out...alerting me to the fact I need to watch her even closer. If that is possible?! Today she actually was able to retrieve dive toys out of the shallow end of our pool, that's how great she is doing. And did I mention she is motivated to swim, swim and swim some more?!

We are also adjusting to our new summer vacation lifestyle. More on some of what is keeping us busy, organized and motivated to be on good behavior!

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A Tyler

A combination of my current fav picture of them, coupled with her cutesy quote about "A Tyler." Credits here.

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a milestone

Just wanted to get this memory down. I am really in the mood to scrapbook yet not finding/making time to do it. The details of this layout can be found here. As always, click on the image itself to make it BIGGER, and in this case, readable. Below, to watch the video, click on the arrow.

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