Starting over.....

I can't believe that I'm doing this again...
  I'm going to start over on my blog.  New title and I'm going to try to show you how I craft.  I've posted pictures before and what I want to do is post videos.  I'm so inspired by Jennifer McGuire and Kristine Werner.  Now, I'm no pro.  Trust me on this :).  And, I'm absolutely sure I'll need some expert adivice from my husband to hook up my camera and teach me how to use it correctly.  I'm sure it's going to be time consuming because I thought it took me forever to learn how to take pictures properly with it and it's a D7000 Nikon.   I guess we'll see...I might even show you my mistakes so if you want to do the same thing, you'll learn from me LOL!
  Just remember, I'm not claiming to be an expert or Pro at this....just letting you all in on the humor of all my mistakes.....
  Until the games begin......

I Scrapbook....

  I decided to take the challenge.  Nicole Samuels from Studio Calico challenged readers to create a LO which describes in some way your reasons that you scrapbook.
  I used my PSE to make the paint splatters for the background and I used a brush on my photo by Ali Edwards that says "Capturing the moments of life".
  The "tag" under the photo pulls out and lists my reasons for scrapbooking.  I used pop dots to raise the photo up off the LO so the tag will slide in and out easily.

  Here is another photo with the "tag" pulled out so you can see the journaling.
  Sorry the photos are not up to par.  I didn't edit my pictures and I didn't stand over them like you're supposed to so they are at an angle.

  In other news:

  I found Studio Calico and Ali Edwards a few days after I googled Project Life.  That was in January.  I am loving PL.  Becky Higgins makes it so easy with using her kits.  I'm using the "Seafoam" kit.  Plus, I'm on the "wait-list" for the PL kit for Studio Calico.  I've only been on the list for 1 month and it seems like it's been forever lol.
  Well, that's all for now at least.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Gabriel's Pictures

  Hello All,
  Went to Ritter Park (Huntington WV), today to take pictures of my son Gabriel for his Graduation Announcements.
  Doesn't he look handsome?  I'm pleasantly surprised by the picture quality from my new Nikon D7000.  I've not had a really good camera in quite some time.
  Poor thing, he complained the whole time.  I had him do some clothes changes and took about 25 pictures.  They all turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.
  I tried uploading the picture of his Announcement, but it won't let me.  The announcement was done on my Silhouette and the picture quality is not very good.  The best I could get was on "documentation paper".  I'm still not happy with it though.  I'll try some other ideas and see what I can come up with.

  Here is another one of Gabriel.  He really doesn't like to smile for his pictures and am lucky I got the one above with him smiling.  He would be very disappointed if he knew I was posting one with him smiling lol.
  Well, that is all for now.
Hugs,
Carolyn

New Blog Design!

Hello All,
  I've got a new blog header thanks to Jessica Sprague!  Let me tell you how this all came about:

  My regular PC was giving me fits!  Jamie, my hubby, kept fixing her for me until she went "kaput".  So, a few weeks ago he took me to Best Buy and bought me the newest MAC!  Wow, I'm in love with it lol.  I think she does everything but the laundry kwim?  Well, I went to install my printer, an HP Photosmart C6280 ( had it forever ), and it wouldn't install for me.  So I went thru the process of installing updates and drivers and finally got her to work....or so it seemed.  I couldn't get her to scan and the wireless stopped working.
  So, I researched and knew I wanted an Epson Stylus R2000.  I love the idea of being able to print on a 12x12 format!  Plus, I'd been stalking lots of blogs ( Ali Edwards for one ) and it seemed this is the printer EVERYONE was using!  So, off to Office Depot and Best Buy we went.  We searched both stores and only came up with one printer close to the one I wanted. The one we chose was the Epson WF-7510 and she actually does everything that I was looking for in a printer and, she was $200 cheaper.  The added bonus is that I can also print off of my iPhone and iPad!
  So, while we were waiting on the printer to come from the back, Jamie started looking at all the photo software... He knows I've been having issues taking pictures with my P&S camera during low light conditions.  The only pictures I can get to turn out is in the daylight hours and he knows that I've been doing Project Life for my son in his last year of school.  So, he buys me PhotoShop Elements 11.
  PhotoShop Elements 11 is more than I bargained for lol.  Gosh, there is so much to that software!  I thought I could just dig in and figure everything out for myself....wrong.  I googled online classes for this software and found Jessica.  She has free classes to get a beginner started and I am so glad that I found her!  I've learned so much and learned also what I was doing wrong for so long.....1 tip:  Never alter your original photos.  Always make a copy and do your editing to the copy.  When you are done editing, name your photo then add "edited" at the end so you know which photo is the one you made changes to.  Is that not an awesome tip?
  So, today I'm waiting on the UPS man to bring me another goody.  My husband, as a surprise, bought me a Nikon D7000 camera with accessories.  I'm so excited!  I know I'm going to have to practice a lot!  It is not going to be like my P&S for sure.
  Well, I tried to upload a few pictures but for some reason it is not letting me.  I guess I'll have to try to post some later.
Hugs,
Carolyn

I've rejoined Close To My Heart Scrapbooking Company!
  I'm so glad that I rejoined CTMH!  I've missed my friends!  And I've missed their products!
  I had a meeting with my upline Christine Adams today and had a wonderful time with her learning my OBA and what I can do with it.  So glad I met with her today!
  I know that I've not wrote or Blogged for a while and I hope to keep up with this and let you know what is going on with me.
  God Bless,
Carolyn

Tilda with Car

Hello all,
  I'm going to make this very short and sweet.  I used the color combo from last weeks Magnolia Down Under challenge.  I started on it and never got around to finishing her up till today.
  I'm going to enter her into the new Midweek Magnolia challenge.
 Hugs,
Carolyn

1985

Hello all,
  This is a layout featuring my Dad.  I miss him so much.  He passed away Labor Day 2006.  I thought I'd bring out this picture of him and I in San Diego, CA in 1985.  I was pregnant with my first baby and thought I'd wash our truck and Dad came out and started taking over the task.  Him and Mom came out for vacation and anything I'd do, he'd take over.
  I need to start labeling my Layouts and to start journaling too.
Hugs, 
Carolyn

Tilda Tag

Hello all,
  Not much going on around here lately.  Last Sunday, we moved my youngest daughter back home.  She was trying to make it on her own with working full time and going to college full time and it just didn't work out.
  I'm struggling to go to work everyday.  On top of the depression and Bipolar, I'm dealing with what everyone deals with and that is the stress of the job.  I struggle with going in everyday now.  I know there are others out there like me and I wonder how they pull it off.  I'm tired of the old saying "Take it one day at a time".
  I found time today to make this tag.  I love this Tilda, but I found it hard to color her today and I don't think I did such a good job of coloring her either.  Oh well.  I can't wait to see the new Prince and Princess Tilda's at Diana's store.
  I am going to enter her into the following challenges:

• Magnolia Challenge Blog
• Just Magnolia

  Well, I think that is it for now.
Magnolia Hugs,
Carolyn

Smash Book Valentines

Hello All,
  Here is my Smash Book Valentines for the We R Smashbookin for Scrap bitz. 
  This picture is from Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.  We had such a good time there.  We went for a week and had a blast.  I so enjoy the beach!
  This weekend has been pretty busy.  I worked last night plus we are moving our youngest daughter back home this weekend.  I think she thinks of this as a failure but its not.  I've had to move back home before too.  It is just the way things are.
  My husband told me tonight that he wants me to quit work.  He is trying to come up with a game plan to pay all the bills and be able to pay off our house in 3-6 yrs and have me be home.  If I'd quit spending money like it grows on trees he probably can have me quit my job.  But I do like having spending money and I like buying stamps and all my other craft stuff.
  Well, that is it for now.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Vintage / Shabby Chic Magnolia

Hello All,
  This is my latest card.  I started on her last night.  My oldest daughter came over and we were playing in the studio until my husband came home from work to take me out to dinner.  I finished her up this afternoon.

 
  I used my new papers that I got from Diana over at Magnolia-Licious.  I think they are so pretty.  I also used my Spellbinders Heart Squares die.
  Also, Suzanne Dean is coming to town the 17th of March to teach her Copic Coloring Classes.  She will be at Almost Heaven Scrapbook Store in Charleston.  I've signed up for the Advanced class again.  I took a class from her last year in North Carolina and wanted to take her class again....I am so excited!  She is such a fun and talented lady.  So please sign up if you want to learn how to color with Copics.  She will be having a beginner class starting at 9am.
  Well, I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges

• Just Magnolia
• Magnolia-Licious Highlights

  Hugs,
Carolyn

Caitlin's Layout

Hello all,
  This is my first layout for Creative Scrappers.  I usually do my layouts with Close To My Heart, but fell in love with this sketch and couldn't resist playing around with it.
  I used Echo Parks, "Be Mine" collection pack.  I loved all the pink.  Even though I use Close To My Heart I still buy other papers.  I've got quite the collection going as I don't know what to do with them.  I also used my Spellbinders dies and the Art Philosophy cartridge that you can get thru Close To My Heart.
  The picture is of my daughter Caitlin when she was two and we lived in Florence Oregon at the time and we were at my bosses house.
  Well, that is all for now.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Magnolia USA

Hello all,
  I just got finished with this Tilda with Daisy.  I just loved coloring her.  I really love Tilda's, I think they are just so cute.
  I'm going to make this post short and sweet as I have to get ready for work :(.  I am going to enter this card to Magnolia Down Under Challenges.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Magnolia Valentine

Hello Everybody!
  Hope everyone is in good health and are enjoying these frosty days that we've been having.  We're supposed to be having ice accumulation but I've not seen it yet.  Thank goodness....hate driving in the stuff.
  So, here is my take on a Magnolia Valentine.  I just received my Koala Hugs in the mail and couldn't resist coloring her up.  Isn't she just the cutest!  I'm so glad that Diana got her in because I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.  I also ordered Tilda with a small gift and Tilda with a Daisy.
  Plus, today I'm excited because I got in the new Copics!  I can't wait to try them out either.  All the colors look so purty!
  I'm still battling the depression and bipolar disorder.  I'm back to work now and I have to fight myself to stay at work.  Some days are rougher than others but I'm still hanging in there.
  I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Magnolia-Licious
• Just Magnolia

  Well, I guess that is all for now.  I need to go so I can pick up my son from Cadet Challenge.  He is in Jr ROTC and just loves it.  We also go this week for him to test for the learners also.  Oh boy.
Hugs,
Carolyn


 

2012 Smash Book Journal

Hello All,
  Well, Christmas is over and It's that time of year when we plan and start new beginnings!  I am well onto my journey.  I actually started on December 2nd lol.
  Over on Suzanna's site:  Scrapbitz.ninghttp://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/smash-book-scrapbooking-journal-group she has started an area called We R Smash Bookin!  So head on over there now to see what all the hooplah is about!  I am sure you all will be as excited as we are!
  One of my goals is to eat healthy for weight loss.  My husband has promised me a trip to the Bahamas!  Yes, that is right....the Bahamas if I can get my weight down.  So, of course I put a picture of the Bahamas on my first page!
  Now, I made my first page pretty simple/basic.  I didn't go all out because I don't think I'm that creative.  But, that is one of the things on my wish list is to be more creative so we'll see what the next page and challenge brings!
  Happy New Year everyone!

Magnolia New Year 2012

Hello My Friends,
  Today I wish to share with you my first New Years Card.  I used Tilda with Big Ribbon because I haven't purchase any Magnolia's in a while due to being off of work with my Bipolar and my depression.  I just recently went back to work so my first thing I'm going to do is buy some Maggie's.
  I would like to enter her into the following challenges:

• CMC Challenge
• TOMIC

  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are going to have a fabulous New Years.  Well, I guess that is all for now.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Candy Bar Wrapper

Hello,
  I wanted to show you guys what I've been working on.  It is a candy bar wrapper!  Neat huh?  I thought so when I saw Kathryn at the Scrap Beach demonstrate it on her Ustream channel.  I've made 5 of them for my kids.  The candy bar used is a Ghirardelli.
  They are fun and super easy to make!
  I am looking forward to Christmas morning.  I've only got two or three more gifts to get then I'm all done thank goodness.

I'm Bummed!

Man oh man am I bummed!!!!
  I just had my husband look at all 10 of my Christmas cards that I've made for this year and he said that maybe someone would like to get them for Christmas but he'd rather send out store bought ones :(
  So, I am a little bit bummed.....This is actually depressing.  Is it just that he's a guy or what?  When I post my cards, I get such lovely comments.  Maybe I should just break down and let him buy some Thomas Kincade cards and send them out.
  Hope everyone else is having a better day than I'm having.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Magnolia Christmas Card #5

Happy Saturday to ya!
  This is a card for the TOMIC Challenge!  I'm in at the last minute!  I can't believe how fast I put this card together.  Well, maybe you can tell lol.  I really liked the sketch that they used and couldn't resist making a card from it.
  I made my own background paper thanks to Jennifer McQuire with the Holiday Card Bootcamp.  I used watercolor paper and Tim Holtz Distress Inks then used my Snowflake embossing folder to press.
  Well, I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  I need to get this posted lol.
Hugs,
Carolyn

Magnolia Christmas Card #4

Hello Everyone!
  I couldn't resist making another one of Caludia Rosa's paper bag cards!  They are so addictive!!
  This one is made from the Little Yellow Bicycle papers and Prima flowers of course.  I'm pleased as puddin' how this one turned out.
  Hope everyone is having a wonderful crafting day!
Hugs,
Carolyn

Magnolia Christmas Card #3

Hello all my crafty friends!
  Today I finished a Magnolia Christmas Card out of a paper bag thanks to Claudia Rosa @ Pretty Pressings who had the instructions and to who I got the idea from, Cathy Lynn from her blog.  Both are beautiful ladies with lots of talent to say the least.  And last but not least, from Sandy Dehond who made the card for her friend Cathy Lynn.  Bless each one of you for inspiring me.
  My daughter saw this card and couldn't believe that it was made from a paper bag.  She asked me who was getting this card and I said that I didn't know.  It was going into the pile to send.  Well lo and behold she has claimed this one as her own lol.
  I made Christmas cards last year that never got sent out.  I was not too happy with them, I thought them plain.  So, I am re purposing some of them and throwing the others out.  I am sad to say that we went out and bought cards last year :(.

   So, this is the inside.  A tag pulls out with a saying and as a family we'll all sign the card.

  I added two tags in the back pocket for pictures I think.


  So, last week my husband asked me if we are buying cards this year and I told him no that I am making them and he just gives me "the look".  I had to chuckle though.  I love my husband.  He is so patient and kind.  Today he even bought me some glittered snowflakes for my cards that I was eye balling.  He asked me if I wanted them and I said "no", but they'd be really cute for my Christmas cards, so he made a grab for them and put them in the buggy.  He is really so sweet.  Plus, I am so ready for Christmas!
  I am feeling so much better these days.  I had my DR's appointment on Friday and he still hasn't cleared me for going back to work.  He says I'm still not ready.  So, I'm still on disability until he clears me.
  I can't wait til I get my Christmas bonus so I can Christmas shop for my kids!  I love the look on their faces when they open up their gifts!  My oldest daughter is a scrapbbooker like me and I know exactly what I'm going to get her and I just can't wait!  My youngest daughter still hasn't given me a wish list so I don't know what I'm going to do and I asked my 16 yr old son what he'd like from Santa and I got a list handed to me instantly!  Lol!  Oh, I do love my kids!
  Well, I better get off of here before I write a book!  I do love having a blog though, it lets me chronicle my thoughts sometimes and I love that.
  Hugs for now,
Carolyn