sticking to my plan

Get it?!! This is Shelby's sucker from yesterday that she tried to toss in the garbage bag in our car. Notice all the other gunk on the floor in there? I bet it has not been two weeks since I swept it out either. Lots of living going on in the Grand Caravan. Anyway, back to my plan. I am going strong on my "day in the life photos". Shelby is one good sport. Olivia, not so much. I even used the timer today to get one of me. And coerced Dave into taking another of me in the kitchen preparing one of a million meals I seem to prepare weekly :) Good insight into living, these pictures are. And I am really enjoying taking pics with my digi rebel, all on manual or manual-ish mode, with my 50 mm.

Pin It

FREE digital Christmas card template!

(photo by Carla Essen)
(click on card to view larger)

Ok, I made a template of my 2006 Christmas card. It is not an exact duplicate, but pretty close and the work of creating the tree is done for you, which is what most people are seeking. So, without further ado, here is the link to download a 7"x5" card template.

http://www.4shared.com/file/65024052/a376f50b/tree_card_template.html

This my first ever try at a template, and my first upload to 4shared so go easy on me, but if there are issues let me know and I will try my best to address them. Enjoy and if you make a card using this, PLEASE, leave a link on the comments. It would be a thrill to me.

Finally, I made this using PhotoShop CS2.

Pin It

a week in the life

I am on day 2 of taking pics of my everyday life, and I am trying to do this consistently for a mere 7 days to make a scrapbook covering the topic of just THIS week, documenting...a week in our life. I totally dig Ali Edward's style and I am inspired by her challenge on her blog so I plan to give it a whirl. Starting out yesterday with some gorgeous pics of these two certainly spirred me on! Today I got some more realistic things like 3 unmade beds, overflowing laundry baskets, my sewing machine, half done projects laying around...you know, real life! My other goal is to really simplify the layout of the book too. I am going to use only one or two digi scrapbook templates, choose one digi kit and maybe a few additional elements. That's it. Simply, simplified.

Pin It

twilight

I am not sure entirely why I was so resistant about this series, I guess b/c the whole Vampire undercurrent just did not appeal to me. Last Friday, I enjoyed a night out with neighbors and again this became a topic and a MUST READ. The next day, my neighbor dropped it off. As of yesterday, I had read 50 pages. Today, I am 300+ pages into it. It is hard to put down, and a sick clingy kid has given me MUCH opportunity to read today. Not all bad in this case. Clearly, I had better get my name in at the library for the rest in the series. Geez, another temptation to fill my days. Add that to:
kids
small job
housework
housework
housework
computer time
crafting
shopping.....

Pin It

craftiness, tutorials, sewing...

I am pretty consumed lately by all the cool stuff I see online. Some, I am willing to buy, and much of it, I am inspired to try to create. Here is a list and lots of links to some things truly striking my fancy ( you may recognize some as things I have recently tried or incorporated into my office refresh!);

Hoop de Doo: embroidery hoops turned wall art
Little Birdie Secrets: too many good things to call out each one individually, scroll through for some awesome ideas such as fabric boards, magnetic boards, embroidery hoop wall art, baby goodness
white canvas turned art with fabric: definitely going to knock one of these off for my owl themed office
gratitude wrap: love this concept and a wee bit of googling unveiled a tutorial to make them, click here.
BHG 100 decorating ideas under $100-treated myself to this special issue (sorry, cannot find a direct link online) and it was an incredibly well spent $5.99. I have dogeared 20+ pages of great, easy, affordable ideas.
glasses case made from a man's tie: haven't tried this, want to!

I will have to do a part II of this next week b/c now I need to return to work before my youngest darling returns home from pre-school! Pin It

It's out!

The nurse apparently pulled it right out at school after pronouncing it was hanging on by a thread. It is such a cute, and much anticipated new look, for my girl!

Pin It

crafty

one of the most fun and easy things i have stumbled upon recently...covered buttons. i made these into magnets and plan to give them as a gift. so i resurrected an altoids tin (thanks mom for saving those for me!) and decopouged scrapbook paper to the front and back. i think it looks pretty cute. i am giving them to a neighbor tonight and just in case a) she is not into homemade or b) thinks this gift looks worth about 10 cents...i am going to attach a $5 starbucks card to it with a big ribbon. what do you think?

on a sidenote, i found some terrific light in shelby's bedroom. perhaps i can convince a child to sit still for me there vs. an altoid tin.

Pin It

Prima Ballerina

Shelby began her first ballet class and just loved it. The teacher was good yet serious so they really learned things like First Position. She asked if anyone new any ballet positions and Shelby said yes: Twirling! I need to get back in the groove of using my good camera b/c I am not loving my snapshots much from the little one.

I grabbed a few with my rebel before we left. It had been so long I really did not think to switch the settings so I got what I got. Also, the bottom of her face is far too bright on the one but I love her eyes :)

Pin It

Hurricane Ike hits Cincinnati

It's true. Amazingly, a crazy windstorm has most of the city and surrounding areas without power. I was at the Bengal's game and although we could tell things were quite unusual, never did we dream to see the damage that we did on our ride home. Currently, both girls are home from school today (Monday) and Dave is home from work...he has no power at his office. He has been cleaning out our pool and clearing the yard since about 10 am, and it is now 2 pm. The pictures are of our yard, and one large tree in the neighbors. Olivia was on camera duty and captured things well last night! We seemingly are one of the few communities whose power is restored today, officials are predicting at least 2-3 days for most home and businesses but up to a week or more. I have yet to venture out for gas, but it is in short supply too b/c you need electric to pump gas so the areas with power, are seeing long lines. Last night was a virtual blackout with 90% of the area without power. Here is an article with some more details. Although what you see is mess at our house, we are actually the lucky ones...both here in Ohio and certainly in the more devastated areas that Ike struck.

Pin It

Marley and Me

I am not a dog lover. I am just being honest. If you know me, you know this. I think b/c my kids want a pet so badly, I must be warming to the species though. I do know this, Marley and Me was a wonderful book. So well written and touching. So, if I loved it, and I do not necessarily love dogs, imagine how much you will like it?!

Pin It

It's a MIRACLE

Picasa users---Picasa 3 {beta} is out and if you are a digi scrapper get ready for this...it now displays PNG images perfectly. No more wonky, what the heck is this until you open it in PhotoShop, mystery images. Yippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Pin It

Look Whoooooo's Ready for School...

Shelby!
Loved it.
Nothing but smiles.
Happiest about: class pet.
Me: Loved the balloons on the stairs entry.

Pin It

already out of date

The borrowed pink DS, that is. She already has the black borrowed version which has worked out just marvelously. Still love the pic though and wanted to do a quickie page with it.

Shelby had a great soccer game today, lots of action, many fans and nice weather. The girls scored a lot of goals today, some in the correct goal, some not :) It is funny how much better they look on game day vs. practice though. Progress is being made.

Pin It

meet the teacher

Shelby finally got to go to HER school yesterday. She did great and looked smashing in this little outfit she received on her Birthday. Click on the pictures above to see the way cute skirt up close!

We met Olivia's teacher last night too, and the new principal. Both were quite impressive. I am so happy with Olivia's school and her progress.

Now, Olivia said the funniest thing today...I asked her after school if she brought home her state homework (research and report on one state per week) and she said yes, but how did I know about that? I told her I am the Mom and I know and can do everything. Before I could say more she said: Well, you can't walk on water. Got me!

Pin It

RAINBOWS

I did not figure as a photographer, I was ever going to get lucky enough to catch a rainbow, not here in Ohio at least. But I did. My girl, the bright sun and a garden hose=magic! I had forgotten I even took this, I have been in a bit of a slump, not really getting the camera out much but this may have re-charged my battery. However, it has to cool down. No chasing rainbows (or kids) in the 90+ degree weather with one billion % humidity. For layout credits, go here.

Pin It