tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550637905171258652024-03-14T03:29:07.396-06:00For the LOVE of PhotosJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-45874690630709804902015-01-23T23:24:00.000-07:002015-01-26T11:20:20.064-07:00Grammy, Why Do You Scrapbook?<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmy3Prnfa5w/VMM56iYZ61I/AAAAAAAACtQ/AMy8wpO8JkY/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmy3Prnfa5w/VMM56iYZ61I/AAAAAAAACtQ/AMy8wpO8JkY/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin loves photos.<br />
I'm sure it's in his genes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
“How did scrapbooking get it's name?<br />
<span class="highlightNode">Grammy</span>, tell me true<br />
Do you just find scraps to stick to pages<br />
With staples, tape and glue?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The precious child's Grandmother<br />
Gave him a warm and gentle smile<br />
“I will tell you just what these are;<br />
But it might take awhile.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“They are cards and drawings you've given me<br />
And pictures of you as you grow;<br />
Class pictures, birthdays, Christmas time;<br />
You playing in rain and mud and snow.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“They're creative things you may have made<br /> Or stuff that just reminds me so much of you;<br /> Each one has a special memory of time or place, <br /> And they include a wonderful story of how you grew.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“It's a story of how I've watched your life<br />
From the day you came into this world<br />
And how that precious baby<br />
Is now a bright and beautiful little boy.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“One day when you are old enough,<br />
I'll pass them on to you and your family<br />
So you can see all the joy you've given<br /> To everyone you knew.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“My Darling, these aren't just books of scrap<br />
They're the memories that fill my heart;<br />
And when this volume is finished,<br />
Another I will most assuredly have to start.”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“So when you are a grown man,<br />
With grandchildren of your own;<br />
Sitting down at some holiday gathering<br />
With those precious children in your home,”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“You can say 'This was me,<br />
When I was just about your age,<br />
See, that's me in the 3rd grade play,<br />
Right there on center stage'."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“And you can share the love I have<br />
In my scrapbooked memories of you.<br />
For that, my precious, precious Angel,<br />
Is what scrapbookers do.”</div>
<br />
Sniff.<br />
<br />
This was written by a man who observed his girlfriend pouring so much of her time, energy & money into her scrapbooks. It was originally posted in the San Antonio Scrappers Crop Circle.<br />
<br />
Thank you John R. Anderson<br />
(adapted & changed slightly to fit my family)Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-91354701412227950932014-12-31T10:26:00.000-07:002014-12-31T10:26:17.727-07:00What Did YOU Get for Christmas?We had a fabulous Christmas this year.<br />
<br />
I had the best gift of all. When my Grandson arrived for the festivities, he was all dressed up in his holiday best. Everyone kept urging me to "take off his vest". TAKE OFF HIS VEST!<br />
<br />
I obliged. I unzipped that little red flannel vest and found the absolute best gift written there on his Christmas Onesie.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gxrJMMbU0/VKQu8jY7uEI/AAAAAAAACsI/3i7T8rSFYuo/s1600/DSC03746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6gxrJMMbU0/VKQu8jY7uEI/AAAAAAAACsI/3i7T8rSFYuo/s1600/DSC03746.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVmgouK21hY/VKQvTmAa-5I/AAAAAAAACsY/XtTjj5ci7So/s1600/2014-12-24%2B17.50.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVmgouK21hY/VKQvTmAa-5I/AAAAAAAACsY/XtTjj5ci7So/s1600/2014-12-24%2B17.50.39.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not gonna lie...it took me a minute to soak in the news. I was flabbergasted, really. I had thought they were going to wait a bit longer...seems the mom is the last to know...</div>
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<br /></div>
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We did have a little fun with the news.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX8KRl18HGc/VKQwF933WfI/AAAAAAAACsg/HP9mGCQMfjc/s1600/10246576_758792747541538_9066875642396002591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX8KRl18HGc/VKQwF933WfI/AAAAAAAACsg/HP9mGCQMfjc/s1600/10246576_758792747541538_9066875642396002591_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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We adore this little kid more than anything. I sometimes wonder how big my heart can get...will there be room enough for another? Surely, my heart might explode.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV1Gogy0zoQ/VKQwTOt7fkI/AAAAAAAACso/KTcOfbX1tu4/s1600/10882279_758792844208195_2339157895121804564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV1Gogy0zoQ/VKQwTOt7fkI/AAAAAAAACso/KTcOfbX1tu4/s1600/10882279_758792844208195_2339157895121804564_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I could not be more thrilled. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Secretly hoping for a girl this time...</div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-12880684860779180772014-12-11T14:35:00.002-07:002014-12-11T14:35:55.734-07:00Reminder...Please vote!In honor of Throwback Thursday (#tbt) and Gavin's run at winning a photo contest, thought I'd share a winning photo of my own!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
TA DA!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yours truly...1961</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm told this photo won $50! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, that was a lot of money...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHhXi3IVCfY/VIoLmze0PSI/AAAAAAAACrI/AgDG12-kpi4/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120208190%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHhXi3IVCfY/VIoLmze0PSI/AAAAAAAACrI/AgDG12-kpi4/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120208190%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
Don't forget to vote for Gavin (you can vote once per day).<br />
<br />
Voting ends Sunday, December 14.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfGGpXyDxNA/VIoL_BACrzI/AAAAAAAACrQ/9Nl7LtvlB3g/s1600/15394806937_7cd5b4bb61_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfGGpXyDxNA/VIoL_BACrzI/AAAAAAAACrQ/9Nl7LtvlB3g/s1600/15394806937_7cd5b4bb61_o.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://photosearch.gerber.com/gallery?entry_id=201128" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUxSPGRROcI/VG44NbcYWxI/AAAAAAAACqY/q1iU9W7LCfk/s1600/gerber.PNG" height="134" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://photosearch.gerber.com/gallery?entry_id=201128" target="_blank">click anywhere on the logo</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://photosearch.gerber.com/gallery?entry_id=201128" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We thank you very much!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-86124066463401881082014-12-02T14:14:00.001-07:002014-12-02T14:14:11.349-07:00My Dad<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ronald Day Thomas</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>12/2/34 - 4/19/87</b></span></div>
<br />
Today would have been my dad's 80th birthday. I can hardly fathom what that would be like, but boy do I wish I was lighting up 80 candles on a homemade chocolate cake...<br />
<br />
I lost him when he was just 52. Not fair. Not fair at all.<br />
<br />
I have very few pictures of my dad. I fear they are forever lost. This makes me so very sad and is the number one reason why <i>I take pictures</i>. Why <i>I record memories</i>. Why <i>I scrapbook</i>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_QiSxyVf2k/VH30iP6hWNI/AAAAAAAACqo/7qmLPnbCjoo/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120208190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_QiSxyVf2k/VH30iP6hWNI/AAAAAAAACqo/7qmLPnbCjoo/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120208190.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1960<br />
I'm guessing just before I was born.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He was so very handsome. I can remember watching him craft that classic duck-tail hairdo and the smell of Brylcreem. Carried the little black comb in his back pocket.<br />
<br />
He was very strong. I used to hang from those tattooed biceps (aka guns).<br />
<br />
He was a charmer. He'd never met a stranger.<br />
<br />
He was the life of the party. A funny man. He used to write down jokes and keep them in his wallet.<br />
<br />
He was a wanderer. A nomad. He traveled the Continental US in an 18-wheeler. <br />
<br />
He died in that truck.<br />
<br />
He was my dad.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Man. I loved this man.</span></div>
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</div>
<br />
This is one of my very favorite pictures...even though it's blurry. That picture on the table? My mom.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOSyPnGy2Kc/VH4o4rBy8lI/AAAAAAAACq4/MPFEhwnkAQs/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120213590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOSyPnGy2Kc/VH4o4rBy8lI/AAAAAAAACq4/MPFEhwnkAQs/s1600/SKMBT_C45214120213590.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. He was a smoker in his early years, but would later quit.<br />Yes. That's a real newspaper, pretty sure it was the comics.<br />Yes. Loved a good cup of coffee.<br /><br />Very "Leave-It-To-Beaver-esque" right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He was 26 when I was born.<br />
<br />
I was 26 when he died.<br />
<br />
And today...I have lived exactly 1/2 of my life without him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-18350207564173059612014-11-20T11:59:00.000-07:002014-11-20T11:59:00.771-07:00Gerber Photo SearchHello there!<br />
<br />
I'm popping in on my very neglected blog to ask for a shameful plug.<br />
Your support. <br />
Your votes!<br />
<br />
My dear daughter asked for a fall photoshoot with her small family. I obliged. I did not know that photographing a 17-month-old was gonna be a bit like harnessing the wind! We had a beautiful (albeit rather late) Sunday afternoon planned to capture this sweet family. <br />
<br />
We did not get many posed shots. He was simply having none of it. So, we let him wander, and I began chasing him with my camera.<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to capture him mid-stride strolling down the path.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b4v3fDMovk/VG43e1NE0GI/AAAAAAAACqQ/bp9BOcz4DTw/s1600/15394806937_7cd5b4bb61_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b4v3fDMovk/VG43e1NE0GI/AAAAAAAACqQ/bp9BOcz4DTw/s1600/15394806937_7cd5b4bb61_o.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It has become one of my very favorite shots of him.<br />
<br />
My daughter has entered the photo in the 2014 Gerber photo contest, in the Toddler category.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photosearch.gerber.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUxSPGRROcI/VG44NbcYWxI/AAAAAAAACqY/q1iU9W7LCfk/s1600/gerber.PNG" height="134" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click anywhere on the logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
His entry id: 201128<br />
State: Colorado<br />
Category: Boy / Toddler<br />
<br />
There is a $5,000 prize for each category. Boy, could they use the money, as any young couple I'm sure.<br />
<br />
Won't you take a minute to vote for him?<br />
<br />
You will have to enter your birthday, and your email address. That's all. You can vote once per day every day until December 14.<br />
<br />
Thank you ever so much.<br />
<br />
<br />Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-55826971130146662562014-07-10T07:30:00.000-06:002014-07-10T11:48:24.881-06:00Holiday Weekend<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>Thursday, July 3</strong></span><br />
<br />
Couldn’t wait for our weekend to start. So excited to get packed and head out. Twenty minutes later...we were stuck.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPk_fX8Y3Aw/U71eEcBzlJI/AAAAAAAACnU/PcpbdooikZg/s1600/10447624_670631746357639_935780087535766531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPk_fX8Y3Aw/U71eEcBzlJI/AAAAAAAACnU/PcpbdooikZg/s1600/10447624_670631746357639_935780087535766531_n.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mass exodus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Where are all the people coming from?
Good heavens, driving I-70 before, during, or after a 3-day weekend is
pure torture! STOP MOVING HERE! Denver is not the place for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Colorado Department of Transportation advised not to travel east between
the hours of 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. We
obeyed. It took us one hour to get from
our home to the top of Floyd Hill. Thank
God we had hospitable friends in Evergreen.
A nice place to rest, refresh and use the bathroom. We visited and caught up with them for two
hours waiting for the traffic to subside.
It did not. We got back in the
fray and headed east.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV75BU_QjbY/U71eEb6M_gI/AAAAAAAACnY/f1k074sv2ww/s1600/10390274_670652909688856_4106314066199770473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WV75BU_QjbY/U71eEb6M_gI/AAAAAAAACnY/f1k074sv2ww/s1600/10390274_670652909688856_4106314066199770473_n.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Destination: Glenwood Springs<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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With the unplanned stop, it took us <span style="font-size: x-large;">7 hours</span> to reach our hotel. God we were tired. Good thing our tee time was @ 12:20 p.m.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Friday, July 4<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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We let it go. It is heavenly to
wake up in the Rocky Mountains. We
wonder where the crowds have gone. Glenwood
is not overly crowded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkK8TbeFA70/U71duFq59sI/AAAAAAAACms/YR9A6J5J_zY/s1600/DSC03211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkK8TbeFA70/U71duFq59sI/AAAAAAAACms/YR9A6J5J_zY/s1600/DSC03211.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-OvhlIsRE/U71duHpS62I/AAAAAAAACmw/su9gk8dvXiQ/s1600/DSC03214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-OvhlIsRE/U71duHpS62I/AAAAAAAACmw/su9gk8dvXiQ/s1600/DSC03214.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We stumbled upon a beautiful, little, unknown jewel, the Ironbridge
Golf Course which used to be a member-only course. Not anymore.
We really enjoyed our day here.
Several holes are on the river and the back plays into the
mountains. We will most definitely be
back. Hopefully, upon my return, I will
be a better golfer…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6mllOho7Vc/U71dtgzxK-I/AAAAAAAACmo/wp_DE0BhMF4/s1600/DSC03216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6mllOho7Vc/U71dtgzxK-I/AAAAAAAACmo/wp_DE0BhMF4/s1600/DSC03216.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4yxwnTubps/U71jT5klmUI/AAAAAAAACpo/Aplns-FWmq0/s1600/2014-07-04+17.22.31-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4yxwnTubps/U71jT5klmUI/AAAAAAAACpo/Aplns-FWmq0/s1600/2014-07-04+17.22.31-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19th Hole.<br />
Red, White & Blue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We spent our Saturday at the “pool”.
Not just any pool. It is the
world’s largest,125-year-old, naturally-fed hot springs pool with therapeutic waters. We love it here. This has been a regular summer activity for
us for the past 23 years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1V_9-UJWj0/U71dxNhz8cI/AAAAAAAACnI/kkS2eHYWakY/s1600/DSC03261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1V_9-UJWj0/U71dxNhz8cI/AAAAAAAACnI/kkS2eHYWakY/s1600/DSC03261.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that reddish "spa" building? It is the original from 1888.</td></tr>
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We were a little disappointed to find out that the city would not be
having a fireworks display in honor of the 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the
Storm King Mountain fire and the fallen firefighters. We <i>Googled</i>
to find any other holiday celebration in the valley. Really.
How did we manage before cell phones?
Siri? MapQuest? I digress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We decided to go to a family-friendly-picnic-in-the-park in New Castle a
very small, nearby mountain town. What a
gem! The park was small and the BBQ
dinner was hosted by the local school.
It was clean, friendly and quaint.
The fireworks started promptly at 9:30 p.m. accompanied by an amped-up
stereo, playing every American anthem ever written. Only problem?
A fairly big wait time in between the obviously choreographed timing of
the rockets. We noticed firemen with
headlamps and flashlights scouting the hillside after every display to make
sure there were no burning embers. The
fireworks exploded directly over our heads with an eerie echo in the
canyon. Bits of soot and artillery shell
landed in our laps. After a short while,
we decided every city should lengthen their display. These were some of the best fireworks we’ve
ever seen! The “show” lasted until 10:20
p.m. – 50 minutes! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pleasantly surprised. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy and feeling patriotic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We decided to hike on Sunday.
With the 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Storm King Mountain fire
celebration going on; there was no better hiking trail than the 4.2 mile Storm
King Memorial Trail. </div>
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OMG. About had a heart attack. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was straight up & hot.
Glenwood had really planned a special day here. A helicopter was flying back/forth bringing
in the fallen firefighters’ families, landing on the original helispot. An airplane dropped 14 yellow banners, one
for each firefighter. And, there were
firefighters stationed all over the trail.
Most of them lived in the valley, but some were from Bend, Oregon, where
the fallen hotshots and storm jumpers had lived. It was really something. Man…it was steep. I hiked with such a lump in my throat!<br />
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And my heart hurt. And my
lungs. My head! My legs!
My back!<o:p></o:p></div>
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These men & women are in shape!
They wore their packs. We tried
one -- 35 lbs! OMG. He also carries a 25 lb. chain saw, wears a
hard hat and suit. I can’t even imagine. These people have a special calling – a “fire”
in their gut. They were born for
this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wildfires are somewhat of a common occurrence here, but now we
understand a little more. We appreciate
what they do for Colorado. The
firefighters had to scramble up this mountain without the benefit of the trail,
the manmade stairs, and they couldn’t see and the fire was racing up behind
them. What a tragedy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was an honor to hike on such hallowed ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were not in a hurry to get back on I-70 and make the trek home. We had many "what if” plans. We hit the “ascent” at 4:26 p.m. – the long
approach (a 9-mile climb) to the Eisenhower Tunnel, fully prepared for bumper-to-bumper
traffic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Surprise! There wasn’t any, we didn’t
even have to hit the brakes once. This
is the mountain escape I remember from my youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What a glorious, meaningful weekend in our great state, but please…don’t
move here!<o:p></o:p></div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-17931871605033419492014-07-09T09:04:00.001-06:002014-07-09T09:04:24.750-06:00Goal UpdateQuick. Quick.<br />
<br />
I am updating my progress for my goal to complete 100 layouts in 2014:<br />
<br />
It's been kinda slow and go lately. I am working on a themed Halloween (yes Halloween in the middle of July -- good thing I've got loads of supplies). This is a mini album for my grandson -- one that he can just drop his yearly costume pics and Halloween activities in each year. It has been time consuming, but will be so cute!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://tickers.tickerfactory.com/ezt/t/wOGuX0o/scrapbooking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wOGuX0o/scrapbooking.png" height="80" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Only 26 more to go!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-78954909228548615972014-07-03T12:25:00.000-06:002014-07-03T12:25:09.614-06:00My First Published Layout!I am officially a published scrapbooker! Yahoo!<br />
<br />
Fifteen years of scrapbooking. <br />
Numerous tries. <br />
Many rejections.<br />
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</div>
You will find me on page 205 in the <a href="https://issuu.com/sgcreate/docs/june_create_small/1?e=10435885/8283565" target="_blank">June Issue of Scrapbook Generation's CREATE magazine</a>. <br />
<br />
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Only one teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy problem…</div>
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...they spelled my name
wrong! </div>
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Ack! </div>
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Oh well, any press is good press, right?<br />
<br />
I seriously could not be any happier! It's a great feeling to see your work in a magazine! Even if they're not really <em>printed</em> anymore...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is the LO in all of its glory:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QrvhAA9J4I/U6n0x_ekK2I/AAAAAAAACk4/f9l8IuNxd_E/s1600/DSC02836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QrvhAA9J4I/U6n0x_ekK2I/AAAAAAAACk4/f9l8IuNxd_E/s1600/DSC02836.JPG" height="198" width="400" /></a></div>
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I remember Gavin’s 3-month photo shoot…trying so hard to
capture his new baby grin and new emerging personality and his first "tummy" pose. So, when I was finally able to get it scrapbooked,
my mission was exactly the same. Imagine
my delight when I found baby boy papers/stickers to match the stuffed-monkey-growth-measuring
animal we’d been using all these months!</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
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The LO was actually based on the <a href="http://scrapbookgeneration.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=221_225" target="_blank">April, 2014 Scrapbook Generation sketch</a>. They release new, FREE sketches every month. I simply answered the call for submission.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNdZ21FxV3g/U6w0jsbhyoI/AAAAAAAAClc/dpHJUTm37XU/s1600/sketch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNdZ21FxV3g/U6w0jsbhyoI/AAAAAAAAClc/dpHJUTm37XU/s1600/sketch.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
Take a closer look at the detail:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa-Xq_3LCBg/U7WfEq7MaFI/AAAAAAAACls/6ymDfI-4bbY/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa-Xq_3LCBg/U7WfEq7MaFI/AAAAAAAACls/6ymDfI-4bbY/s1600/Picture1.png" height="640" width="280" /></a></div>
Is that hand stitching you ask? Yes.
It. Is. Painstakingly poked, threaded and stitched
with three-ply embroidery floss. But, I love the
dimension it adds to the LO and it is so perfect for a kid-themed project. If you are as old as me, you might remember
the yarn stitching cards we practiced on when we were kids...with a giant needle!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have mentioned plenty of times how much I love <a href="http://scrapbookgeneration.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=213" target="_blank">Scrapbook Generation Sketches/Books</a>. They really help me when my creativity goes on hiatus.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most of the products I used were from Doodlebug Design (they
make the cutest darn kid products -- bar none).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Products I used:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Snips & Snails Icons cardstock stickers</li>
<li>Snips & Snails Cute Cuts cardstock die cuts</li>
<li>Snips & Snails Cardstock:</li>
<ul>
<li>Monkey Business</li>
<li>Nursery Stripe</li>
</ul>
<li>Bazzill Cardstock</li>
<li>Fancy Pants Royal Blue Large alpha stickers</li>
</ul>
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<br />
Now, I just need to do the LO's for Gavin's 4 month shoot, 5 month, 6 month, One! etc. <br />
Get the picture?<br />
<br />
Have a very safe and happy 4th of July! See you on the flipside.Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-11402569544222950672014-06-25T19:21:00.000-06:002014-07-03T09:36:55.844-06:00Niagara FallsWell, what a neglected blog this is!! I haven't posted in over two months...I've been a bit busy, I guess.<br />
<br />
What's been going on here, you ask? It'll take more than one blog post to catch up...but here's a start.<br />
<br />
May was just so darn hectic! We have three birthdays between April 22 and May 15, and Mother's Day was just four days before my birthday! I really do like to celebrate my birthday all month long. For me, it isn't really a birth "day" -- it's more like a birthday "month." (Oh, my poor family!) We had loads of dinners, presents and cake...and then just a week later...we went to Mexico! A family-reunion-kind-of trip (more on that later)...which takes me right to June. <br />
<br />
June is just as busy! We've got a one-year old! Yessirree!<br />
<br />
I did manage to squeeze in some cropping on National Scrapbook Day (5/3). Spent the day with two of my dear scrapbook pals and managed to get 22 LO's completed. I've got loads to share.<br />
<br />
I am trying to go backwards and fill in some of the "holes" that are missing in my chronological scrapbooks. Our 2011 trip to Niagara Falls has a 100-page digital scrapbook, but it needed a traditional layout too! Celebrating our milestone anniversary was very special. It needed to be memorialized, <em>traditionally</em>. If you have not been to see the falls, I highly recommend you add it to your bucket list.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjjMSw8QgGY/U6t0TefipFI/AAAAAAAAClI/OBWa5CVp4FU/s1600/DSC03166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjjMSw8QgGY/U6t0TefipFI/AAAAAAAAClI/OBWa5CVp4FU/s1600/DSC03166.JPG" height="202" width="400" /></a></div>
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I based my layout on this sketch from <a href="http://letsscrap.ning.com/" target="_blank">Let's Scrap</a>:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dQ1g1vTC90/U6nvbpn8NVI/AAAAAAAACkk/qsK2WngMdu8/s1600/10-31-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dQ1g1vTC90/U6nvbpn8NVI/AAAAAAAACkk/qsK2WngMdu8/s1600/10-31-13.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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You will notice that the main photo of the sketch was designed to stretch across the two pages. It could have easily been two, square photos, but I am totally fine with cutting my photo! Panoramic photos are perfect for this technique!</div>
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The entire LO was made with the beautiful products from the Enchanted line by Creative Memories. So very sad to see this company go out of business. I wish you could feel the raised embossing on the printed paper. The ink splatters are printed on the paper, but it sure looks like I spent hours doing that...and no mess! I will be very stingy with the remaining product I still have in my stash.</div>
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Here is a closer look at the dimension and beauty of this line:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T88uEm26Us0/U6t0bcpiC5I/AAAAAAAAClQ/uPzanyX5Yas/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T88uEm26Us0/U6t0bcpiC5I/AAAAAAAAClQ/uPzanyX5Yas/s1600/Picture1.jpg" height="400" width="356" /></a></div>
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Thanks for dropping by...my next scrapbook LO I plan to share has been featured in a magazine! Yes, that's right. I've been published! Woot! Woot! </div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-59175372835576603212014-04-17T10:51:00.001-06:002014-04-17T10:51:47.953-06:00Any Day Now......we are gonna have a walker!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOTyY5-YKMo/U1AFWxacT8I/AAAAAAAACi0/GLAsfq5RZ0w/s1600/Untitled1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOTyY5-YKMo/U1AFWxacT8I/AAAAAAAACi0/GLAsfq5RZ0w/s1600/Untitled1.gif" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
Our grandson just turned 10 months. He is taking his first wobbly steps all by himself. He thinks it is great fun. Lots of giggles. Purely a coincidence that he is wearing that particular onesie.<br />
<br />
Pay no attention to the grandma in the background. She's just there to get him started. His mommy was catching him on the other side and got some great photos of the new activity. (I just had to <i>animate </i>them!).<br />
<br />
I give him two weeks.Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-21769547000014221582014-03-14T12:05:00.000-06:002014-03-14T13:37:13.598-06:00@ 9 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPHSCPamXOc/UyND1gChBGI/AAAAAAAACiU/y83auJ60NYU/s1600/PhotoSheet+7x5+(DSC_0072,DSC_0061,DSC_0069,DSC_0079).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPHSCPamXOc/UyND1gChBGI/AAAAAAAACiU/y83auJ60NYU/s1600/PhotoSheet+7x5+(DSC_0072,DSC_0061,DSC_0069,DSC_0079).jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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@ 9 Months, he:</div>
<ul>
<li>is a crawling machine</li>
<li>pulls himself to standing on almost anything</li>
<li>puts <i>every </i>"thing" in his mouth</li>
<li>says "ma ma" and "ba ba"</li>
<li>stands alone for about 5 seconds</li>
<li>make "ooh ooh ooh ooh" indian noise (if you pat his mouth)</li>
<li>is very curious and investigates non-stop</li>
<li>first tooth is barely visible (but has broken through!) hence, the jaw grinding instead of smiles</li>
<li>learning to wave</li>
<li>had first "spaghetti & beef" (Gerber) last night!</li>
<li>will walk almost any day</li>
<li>will no longer sit still and pose for pictures</li>
<li>somehow knows he is wearing a sticker. Rips it right off.</li>
</ul>
<div>
And is loved beyond words.</div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-19405462205860139612014-03-12T13:04:00.001-06:002014-03-13T09:33:14.648-06:00Mardi Gras 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>Soggy.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Wet.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b>Fun.</b></span></div>
<br />
On Friday morning, as he likes to do, Bill enters my office and says, "would you like to go see the 4:10 showing of the Son of God, or would you like to go to Mardi Gras?" <br />
<br />
What?<br />
<br />
Are you kidding me?<br />
<br />
Scramble.<br />
<br />
We are lucky to have family in the travel-related industry. A daughter-in-law who works for a hotel chain and a brother-in-law who works for the airline, but I was not optimistic. Who is gonna score last minute travel discounts to Mardi Gras? <br />
<br />
I was pleasantly surprised. The hotel hookup was the easiest. We were able to score an employee discount to the Ritz-Carlton. The Ritz-friggin-Carlton! And we were listed for the 9 available seats on Sunday morning. (I would've preferred going on Saturday, but we couldn't get the employee rate!).<br />
<br />
I packed my suitcase haphazardly on Saturday night, fully expecting that we wouldn't get on the flight. We checked in at the gate and not only got seats, but got premium exit row seats together! We were going to Mardi Gras! (my second time...Bill's first)<br />
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We landed Sunday afternoon and headed to the hotel. My first time at a Ritz-Carlton. So impressed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room 831</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyIwhK7y3_U/UyCbpwRKIpI/AAAAAAAACdE/HsEKf6V4x20/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyIwhK7y3_U/UyCbpwRKIpI/AAAAAAAACdE/HsEKf6V4x20/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lobby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8SKqZn-Phs/UyCbqJe2ZvI/AAAAAAAACdI/P1keQkA-3OQ/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8SKqZn-Phs/UyCbqJe2ZvI/AAAAAAAACdI/P1keQkA-3OQ/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard.<br />
I can imagine it filled with happy people when the sun is shining!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfm9EDfwCE/UyCbppOMTXI/AAAAAAAACdU/aX2LcFrZIWs/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfm9EDfwCE/UyCbppOMTXI/AAAAAAAACdU/aX2LcFrZIWs/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the gas lamps!</td></tr>
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The Thoth parade was in full swing on Canal Street. Right out the front door of our hotel! Pleasantly surprised. The weather was great -75 degrees. Bill immediately changed into shorts! Nice getaway from the cold Denver weather we left behind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wC8o7cIwt0/UyCcGmCq4_I/AAAAAAAACdg/pXekJrH2Jb4/s1600/DSC02432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wC8o7cIwt0/UyCcGmCq4_I/AAAAAAAACdg/pXekJrH2Jb4/s1600/DSC02432.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Bloody Mary : thirty</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQHlacd72z0/UyCdnL8_DVI/AAAAAAAACeg/iDNvzXtrJhY/s1600/DSC02430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQHlacd72z0/UyCdnL8_DVI/AAAAAAAACeg/iDNvzXtrJhY/s1600/DSC02430.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWYzHHy-sQA/UyCcHc2hc-I/AAAAAAAACdo/s9V3rFO7FH4/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWYzHHy-sQA/UyCcHc2hc-I/AAAAAAAACdo/s9V3rFO7FH4/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hey, Mista! Throw me something!"</td></tr>
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We ventured up St. Charles that evening to watch the Bacchus parade. Found us a nice corner with some locals who very generously shared their "homemade" bench.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xleIzThVRM/UyCoJrurEhI/AAAAAAAAChY/xh6yTXwzAi8/s1600/DSC02454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xleIzThVRM/UyCoJrurEhI/AAAAAAAAChY/xh6yTXwzAi8/s1600/DSC02454.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill's never met a stranger!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBqw4P7ADDA/UyCcp2vlBkI/AAAAAAAACd8/uMXMwRyQzrI/s1600/DSC02436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBqw4P7ADDA/UyCcp2vlBkI/AAAAAAAACd8/uMXMwRyQzrI/s1600/DSC02436.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink of the night? Hurricane!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chEvolsCbiM/UyCc3KYUfKI/AAAAAAAACeU/29ulx4PoSzM/s1600/DSC02445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chEvolsCbiM/UyCc3KYUfKI/AAAAAAAACeU/29ulx4PoSzM/s1600/DSC02445.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacchus King: Hugh Laurie</td></tr>
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Well, that lasted all of one day. We woke up on Lundi Gras (Monday) to a whopping 41 degrees, a very big 35 degree swing in the weather, but at least it was dry. Time to see the city.<br />
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Yes, we could have walked down Canal Street to the river, but where's the fun in that? Had to ride a streetcar! Love them! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqqGm5wZUUA/UyCjtcc7_VI/AAAAAAAACfM/DuV-AZN-2-k/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqqGm5wZUUA/UyCjtcc7_VI/AAAAAAAACfM/DuV-AZN-2-k/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverwalk</td></tr>
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We were able to do a fair amount of walking around the city and I did my best to show Bill the sights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUhHGCg8VDQ/UyCjs98TxyI/AAAAAAAACfE/YSvcyg8xhN0/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUhHGCg8VDQ/UyCjs98TxyI/AAAAAAAACfE/YSvcyg8xhN0/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Louis Cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy74ZHYTIwM/UyCjuvf4SbI/AAAAAAAACfg/0qONKtFQyvY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy74ZHYTIwM/UyCjuvf4SbI/AAAAAAAACfg/0qONKtFQyvY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like my hat?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGf0ZWudaRQ/UyCjvdombSI/AAAAAAAACfs/alGWrGR0QZw/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGf0ZWudaRQ/UyCjvdombSI/AAAAAAAACfs/alGWrGR0QZw/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUOqFsxh58/UyCjvuMOf_I/AAAAAAAACfo/E5yBHo5KGxU/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUOqFsxh58/UyCjvuMOf_I/AAAAAAAACfo/E5yBHo5KGxU/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So worth the wait!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtsM1wjYN3k/UyCkCaiJc_I/AAAAAAAACgw/NDBhLkKsFhQ/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtsM1wjYN3k/UyCkCaiJc_I/AAAAAAAACgw/NDBhLkKsFhQ/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught some great beads here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KTpEqPpnQY/UyCj1Oz3yVI/AAAAAAAACgg/Iwfcz89hhxc/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KTpEqPpnQY/UyCj1Oz3yVI/AAAAAAAACgg/Iwfcz89hhxc/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were lucky to catch a Second Line parade!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPpcyi5E6XE/UyCj4nlrYZI/AAAAAAAACgo/KM7Rkm1yTdo/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPpcyi5E6XE/UyCj4nlrYZI/AAAAAAAACgo/KM7Rkm1yTdo/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Armstrong Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85MIzyqYylc/UyClksc17RI/AAAAAAAACg8/bx6b6Th-ao0/s1600/PhotoSheet+7x5+%2528DSC_0038%252CDSC_0040%252CDSC_0042%252CDSC_0046%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85MIzyqYylc/UyClksc17RI/AAAAAAAACg8/bx6b6Th-ao0/s1600/PhotoSheet+7x5+%2528DSC_0038%252CDSC_0040%252CDSC_0042%252CDSC_0046%2529.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infamous Bourbon Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFBpq4HS-jo/UyCjzN1EKxI/AAAAAAAACgM/25522alROmk/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFBpq4HS-jo/UyCjzN1EKxI/AAAAAAAACgM/25522alROmk/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original hitching posts.</td></tr>
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The crowds from Sunday to Monday had greatly diminished. We again watched the parade(s) from the front door of our hotel. <i>Front row.</i> Bill bought "leave-behind' chairs. Our hotel set up a door-front bar with food & drink. Saweet!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGmWMKVmvc/UyCoJuUrqRI/AAAAAAAAChc/XJMI_JoSDek/s1600/DSC02453%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGmWMKVmvc/UyCoJuUrqRI/AAAAAAAAChc/XJMI_JoSDek/s1600/DSC02453%25282%2529.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink of this night? <br />
Hot chocolate.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amIHWC-XDnA/UyCoJjmCkuI/AAAAAAAAChU/1Z2Eawi2mHM/s1600/DSC02477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amIHWC-XDnA/UyCoJjmCkuI/AAAAAAAAChU/1Z2Eawi2mHM/s1600/DSC02477.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liMcoZdaTmY/UyCoKR-u_NI/AAAAAAAAChk/1UgRCaqdcoU/s1600/DSC02487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liMcoZdaTmY/UyCoKR-u_NI/AAAAAAAAChk/1UgRCaqdcoU/s1600/DSC02487.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalty: John Schneider</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_GJb21c_qM/UyCoKucCxWI/AAAAAAAAChw/nspAZZhnUNk/s1600/DSC02488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_GJb21c_qM/UyCoKucCxWI/AAAAAAAAChw/nspAZZhnUNk/s1600/DSC02488.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgFyH_NRdKA/UyCoLAdgkNI/AAAAAAAACh0/ITJSmBYW05M/s1600/DSC02490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgFyH_NRdKA/UyCoLAdgkNI/AAAAAAAACh0/ITJSmBYW05M/s1600/DSC02490.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Quentin Tarantino</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUB8_f4BGSA/UyCoLuOKqXI/AAAAAAAACh4/XsZlODSceX0/s1600/DSC02496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUB8_f4BGSA/UyCoLuOKqXI/AAAAAAAACh4/XsZlODSceX0/s1600/DSC02496.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most impressive of all the floats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I checked the weather forecasts that night of Lundi Gras and knew we were in for a cold Fat Tuesday. I had planned to get up early, get breakfast, and line up to see Zulu, a parade which rolls through the Treme and Central City on Mardi Gras morning. Zulu celebrates Black culture, and their prized throws are hand-decorated coconuts. But when I woke up at 7:30 a.m., and heard the patter of rain outside, the loud patter of relentless rain, I was in no hurry. The rain kept a lot of people in bed: Zulu rolled as planned, and while most years the majority of spectators go home coconut-less; because so few people showed this year, everyone there got a coconut. We took home six coconuts. Six! And, some of the best darn beads yet!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mHZ6Rj_-KI/UyCpd_aPfoI/AAAAAAAACh8/QjOUh9L0fkg/s1600/DSC02500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9mHZ6Rj_-KI/UyCpd_aPfoI/AAAAAAAACh8/QjOUh9L0fkg/s1600/DSC02500.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I paid $50 to STAND is the grand stands three years ago and <i>did not get a coconut</i>. I know people who have celebrated Mardi Gras many times and <i>did not get a coconut</i>. We got six.<br />
<br />
Six!<br />
<br />
Some of the conversations we overheard:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Coldest Mardi Gras since 1899</li>
<li>It has rained every single time Mardi Gras has fallen on March 4</li>
<li>I've lived here 26 years, first Mardi Gras I've missed due to the weather</li>
</ul>
Most of the bands marching on Tuesday opted out. The parades were much shorter. My pictures? Non existent! Pretty hard to balance an umbrella and a camera. Yet, I managed just fine when the coconuts were being handed out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOwj4hjyITE/UyCpqh_id2I/AAAAAAAACiE/nU0RFn6TnTM/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOwj4hjyITE/UyCpqh_id2I/AAAAAAAACiE/nU0RFn6TnTM/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krewe of Elks<br />
(aka the Truck parade still rolling @ 3:15)<br />
Photo taken from the warmth of my hotel room<br />
(notice the thinning crowds)</td></tr>
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I still feel bad that Bill's first Mardi Gras was dampened by the rain. He could of cared less. He was a throw-catching machine! We brought back two big bags full of beads and every carnival-type-toy-stuffed-animal-thingy you can imagine.<br />
<br />
To our pleasant surprise, the rain did not stop Mardi Gras. The place was not as crowded as on sunny years, but people were there, having fun.<br />
<br />
Three fun days = 7 parades!<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>Wet.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Soggy.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b>Fun.</b></span></div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-36861766644410774232014-02-24T13:46:00.001-07:002014-02-24T13:46:09.461-07:00TiggerificThought I would share a fun layout I completed at my mountain retreat last month. It's really fun to create a layout with such cute paper & stickers...and of course, the cute subject!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8O5YyOc_kc/Uwef2ijwCvI/AAAAAAAACcQ/vUvtgsmhuFg/s1600/DSC02359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8O5YyOc_kc/Uwef2ijwCvI/AAAAAAAACcQ/vUvtgsmhuFg/s1600/DSC02359.JPG" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
Gavin showed up one day wearing this cute Tigger sleep-n-play outfit and it wasn't even Halloween! And, yes...he was little. Only three months old at the time (you caught me...a little behind in my scrapbooking). But, I don't care. I enjoy working with photos of him at any age (and he's only 8 1/2 months old now). So, cool it.<br />
<br />
Once again, I started with a sketch. This one is from <a href="http://letsscrap.ning.com/" target="_blank">Let's Scrap</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MnHciLVQW8/UweecJZ5sfI/AAAAAAAACcE/ejMOsHC-8kA/s1600/12413.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MnHciLVQW8/UweecJZ5sfI/AAAAAAAACcE/ejMOsHC-8kA/s1600/12413.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
A closer look:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDZk21N-tEE/Uweg_QekaFI/AAAAAAAACcY/mu7ONKvjlro/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDZk21N-tEE/Uweg_QekaFI/AAAAAAAACcY/mu7ONKvjlro/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ng_3D1OgoUA/Uweg_h5WykI/AAAAAAAACcc/6NNUARkFij0/s1600/DSC02361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ng_3D1OgoUA/Uweg_h5WykI/AAAAAAAACcc/6NNUARkFij0/s1600/DSC02361.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I did have to manipulate the sketch a bit to fit the format of my photos. The main photo is horizontal and I wanted to use 4" square photos on the left. I searched for some cute Tigger quotes on the internet and added the orange text to my main photo in Photoshop. I also changed up the right side a bit. Instead of five square photos, I used three, two of which are 3" x 4" verticals.<br />
<br />
The Tigger paper and the stickers are from Sandylion. The stickers have a clear background (love that!), and I hope you can see the shimmer.<br />
<br />
The chevrons were fussy cut from two different colored MME chevron papers.<br />
<br />
The ribbon is from American Crafts (attached with my Tiny Attacher) and the cardstock is a mish/mash from my stash (hey, new rhyme theme there!). <br />
<br />
The black stitching under the title is simply a black pen used to create movement across the page. This is a very old technique (from my beginner days). Resurrected!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>Absitively,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>posolutely,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>splendiferous!</i></b></span></div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-16796812229746382712014-02-18T12:45:00.000-07:002014-02-18T12:45:52.059-07:00(in)Famous Couples Subway ArtWith a new grandbaby, most of my free time has been zapped with babysitting. Not that I mind, however, I really love this Grandma time with Gavin. He's already getting so big! But...along with that, means I have less and less time for some of my other loves.<br />
<br />
I decided not to buy Valentine's this year. Everyone got something homemade. I had really good intentions and had loads of holiday inspiration (thank you, pinterest). Well, let's just say...eight-month-old babies don't cooperate! I had to sideline my big project for my dear daughter. Gavin was having none of it. I'm so glad I did get the onesie and the shoes done.<br />
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The big kids got pretzel hugs. We usually make these at Christmas, but this year they were tweaked with pink & red. Still just as yummy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crxu6gw-cRY/UwO3O4K3WAI/AAAAAAAACbs/oNGNcIve4LA/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crxu6gw-cRY/UwO3O4K3WAI/AAAAAAAACbs/oNGNcIve4LA/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Bill is on a new "wheat free" diet. Don't ask. It's always something with him. He got none.<br />
<br />
I have had a "famous couples" project in my head for quite some time. I had planned to make a really big one on canvas for the upstairs loft. I really had no idea what to get him this year. It donned on me on Thursday, that I could just do a subway art famous couples and frame it for him. Much smaller. So easy. The hardest part was editing the famous couples. There are many, and of course, I wanted them all.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPwleIFJV84/UwO4JQqUxDI/AAAAAAAACb0/8o31XOskAco/s1600/framed+couples+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PPwleIFJV84/UwO4JQqUxDI/AAAAAAAACb0/8o31XOskAco/s1600/framed+couples+(2).jpg" height="400" width="348" /></a></div>
It's been awhile since I made subway art. I have made several...mostly for friends/gifts. I had not made one for us. This one is 8" x 10" all done in Photoshop on a chalkboard background. Took me all about 4 hours total.<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll do another. Bigger. Someday...<br />
<br />
I think it turned out great. He loved it.Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-9562918232417121872014-02-14T12:43:00.001-07:002014-02-18T10:00:38.088-07:00Valentine's Gifts for an 8-Month-OldBeen playing with my Cameo and the Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV). I am in love with HTV! So easy to work with, so easy to cut, and transfers like a dream! Don't look too closely, as I am still a novice, and you will notice some boo boos.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXI_j16a9cg/UvvMucd8PNI/AAAAAAAACbA/kMgYiarrGu4/s1600/DSC02325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXI_j16a9cg/UvvMucd8PNI/AAAAAAAACbA/kMgYiarrGu4/s1600/DSC02325.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The "muffin" shape is from the a cupcake card design in the Silhouette online store. I just took off the "foo foo" so it looked more like a <strike>muffin</strike> boyish.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEjUKo88QdY/UvvMuTnoJNI/AAAAAAAACbE/hUi-lYNocH4/s1600/DSC02326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEjUKo88QdY/UvvMuTnoJNI/AAAAAAAACbE/hUi-lYNocH4/s1600/DSC02326.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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Of course the backside, got some HTV love too.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TO3m8avZ84/UvvMuQNJOxI/AAAAAAAACbI/Q8jXCw2XMrs/s1600/DSC02327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TO3m8avZ84/UvvMuQNJOxI/AAAAAAAACbI/Q8jXCw2XMrs/s1600/DSC02327.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_702861355"></span><span id="goog_702861356">As for the shoes, I am 100% sure the red vinyl will not stay on permanently for two reasons:</span><br />
1. He's a boy<br />
2. He's a boy<br />
<br />
I'm just hoping for a couple of really great photographs for Mr. G's first Valentine's Day!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-87227707034822027902014-02-04T16:42:00.001-07:002014-02-04T16:42:28.854-07:00World Cancer Day<span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52f17518a44f55f17615957" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><strong>February 4, 2014</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><strong>World Cancer Day</strong></span> </div>
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First, I want to share this beautiful, touching commercial from the Super Bowl. I thought the commercials this year were mostly mediocre (which is a whole lot better than the game!). I digress. This one got me. This one hits a little close to home.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7vhMpXMPvdU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Beautifully done Chevy.</div>
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I really wanted to acknowledge the tagline at the end. World Cancer Day. A day to remember those we've lost, to honor those still fighting, and to give thought to the ones who will be diagnosed today and every day, until cancer is no more.</div>
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For those of you who know me, I don't dwell on cancer. I live like it was simply a bump in the road. It does not affect my day-to-day life. However, I just celebrated my 8<span class="text_exposed_show">th anniversary of being cancer free...</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span> </div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Woo to the hoo!</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span> </div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">...and exactly seven days later, I mourn the loss of my mom to cancer. I hate January 27 and have for sixteen years. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">I saw the <a href="http://wcd2014.su2c.org/" target="_blank">Stand Up to Cancer</a> movement today on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/su2c" target="_blank">FB</a>. I wanted to participate. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td1ScMEhRlU/UvF45xUL7EI/AAAAAAAACaY/mzamu2t2IAw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td1ScMEhRlU/UvF45xUL7EI/AAAAAAAACaY/mzamu2t2IAw/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">I'll bet there's someone in your life that you can stand up for. If you would like to participate, you can find the placard <a href="http://wcd2014.su2c.org/" target="_blank">here</a> or you can download an <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stand-up-to-cancer/id669692145?mt=8" target="_blank">app</a> and use your phone to upload your photo.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">One small request. Please take a moment out of your day to remember, honor, and think about all that cancer does. All of the lives it has touched. Can you even imagine a world where cancer doesn't exist? I can't.</span></div>
</span>Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-27579243037375759542014-02-03T10:39:00.001-07:002014-02-03T10:45:14.690-07:00Joining a Support Group(s)!First and foremost on this Monday after the Superbowl, please know the entire City of Denver is in mourning. What the heck happened to our team? They didn't even show up!!<br />
<br />
So, I am focusing on other things. Lately, I have been unmotivated for some reason. My mojo is on vacation. The pile of projects and unscrapped photos just gets bigger and bigger.<br />
<br />
I need help!<br />
<br />
For some "motivation," I am joining a couple of <i><b>support group</b>s</i> @ <a href="http://letsscrap.ning.com/" target="_blank">Let's Scrap</a>. I'm going to join the monthly LOAD (Layout-A-Day) challenges and the biggie: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">100 Layouts in 2014!</span></div>
<br />
I finished the entire January LOAD challenge last weekend = 44<br />
<br />
Last weekend, I got to spend 48 luxurious hours in the beautiful Colorado mountains. Lots of girl time, R&R, and a whole lot of scrapbooking. I'll be sharing a few of the layouts over the coming months. You can bet some of them will be created using my handy-dandy sketchbook that accompanies me to such a retreat; but first, I want to share these two LO's made <i>without </i>a sketch. They are from our trip to NYC December 2012. I love, love Central Park, this time photographed in the dead of winter. Managed to whittle down about 63 photos into two, 12" x 12" two-page LO's. Still...I hate to waste all the other pics!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiKybf-LkL0/Uu_SSz5wZFI/AAAAAAAACaI/xG7_RuyB-wI/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiKybf-LkL0/Uu_SSz5wZFI/AAAAAAAACaI/xG7_RuyB-wI/s1600/Picture2.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
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The brown cardstock embellishments were all cut with my Cameo machine. Pretty simple. Only a couple of stickers, red twine, and two mounted photos.<br />
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I've made a little "visual" ticker to monitor my progress over the coming months:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLKUcjFn2Gw/Uu_RWec4UDI/AAAAAAAACaE/EQRG811gG2I/s1600/scrapbooking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLKUcjFn2Gw/Uu_RWec4UDI/AAAAAAAACaE/EQRG811gG2I/s1600/scrapbooking.png" height="80" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wish me luck. Now...on to the other 56...</div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-34425070639528179522014-01-30T10:27:00.001-07:002014-01-30T10:27:35.387-07:00Scrapbooking is Changing<div>
What is going on with this <strike>hobby</strike> passion of mine? </div>
<ul>
<li>Creative Memories is bankrupt (although there is a new simpler line under a new name)</li>
<li>Archiver's also bankrupt, closing stores all over the country</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(insert temper tantrum, hysterical crying, kicking my legs, and beating my hands on the floor)</div>
<ul>
<li>My favorite magazines are ending and some are "online only"</li>
<li>Favorite websites/stores closing down</li>
<li>"New" ways of scrapbooking are emerging (hello "pocket" scrapbooking). Is this really <i><b>scrapbooking</b></i>? </li>
</ul>
Yet, with today's technology, more photos are being taken than ever before. It has been decided that the next generation of women, i.e., my daughter, have no desire to scrapbook. If you ask to see photos of her son, she'll whip out her iPhone and scroll through hundreds of pictures. I'm the one making his scrapbooks! And...she loves them...but doesn't want to <i>make </i>one?<br />
<div>
<br />
I read this article yesterday and shared it via FB. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9pj920r-vk/UuqIzIOCQEI/AAAAAAAACZk/Jd7JZD8DJlc/s1600/Scrapbooking001-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9pj920r-vk/UuqIzIOCQEI/AAAAAAAACZk/Jd7JZD8DJlc/s1600/Scrapbooking001-L.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos.twincities.com/2014/01/28/scrapbooking-goes-pocket-page/#6" target="_blank">Minnesota Scrapbook Companies Transformed by Digital Revolution</a></div>
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Heartbreaking. For "old ladies" like me, is the traditional way of scrapbooking gone by the wayside? What does this mean for our favorite craft? Where am I to get supplies? Where are we girls supposed to gather? The shopping and "gathering" of supplies was a big part of the fun. <i>Disclaimer: if I were to live to 100 and scrapbook everyday, I would never use all the supplies I have!</i><br />
<br />
Still...I vow to not quit. This industry has become a great part of my heart and my life. I cannot imagine my life without it. </div>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-15683306324810354482014-01-09T11:23:00.001-07:002014-01-09T11:23:16.269-07:00More Silhouette LoveToday, I wanted to share my very first experience with Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) cut with my Silhouette Cameo machine. When I say this machine is fabulous, I ain't kidding. I've really gotten to try some new features with it this past month, and I'm more in love with it now than ever.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLJuWOXkfHM/Us7mIDwIZzI/AAAAAAAACZM/sy0Mj3a74jk/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLJuWOXkfHM/Us7mIDwIZzI/AAAAAAAACZM/sy0Mj3a74jk/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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These two onesies were in Gavin's hodge-podge-box-of-baby-cuteness that Grandma gave him for Christmas. He coulda cared less, but his mommy loved 'em!<br />
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Left side: What Does the Fox Say, modeled after the viral youtube sensation and the song we play ALL THE TIME, was cut with two different colors of HTV. I ordered the SISER EasyWeed from Craftvinyl.com. Loved it! It transferred like a dream.<br />
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Right side: I <3 Mom, is my original design and was cut with Silhouette's brand of HTV. I didn't love this brand as much. It was harder to work with and took FOREVER to transfer.<br />
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Both of these were transferred using my regular old iron (which doesn't see much use nowadays) on my kitchen counter. I used parchment paper as a buffer.<br />
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I'm not yet sure how they will hold up to Mr. Seven-Months-Old or repeated washing, but they looked good once...<br />
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What's that you ask? Am I leaving the scrapbooks behind and going into the shirt business? Ha!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-46365349639757260452014-01-02T12:16:00.000-07:002014-01-02T12:16:15.831-07:00January 2014 | New BeginningsHello 2014!<br /><br /> As a new year begins, I've got to get really choose-y about new photo projects to work on through the year. My main photo project this year is to continue<span style="color: black;"> Project Life</span> and continue the daily picture-of-the-day practice of collecting photos and stories for my album(s).<br /><br /> But first, a little back-story.<br /><br /> I began Project Life in 2008 when it was Project 365. I breezed through that year easily, and each of the subsequent years got tougher. Here I am six years later. My 2013 book was current until June. Then all hell broke loose. I became a Grandma! So, naturally I took on the big project of his baby book. Wouldn't it be great to document the first-year-of-his-life? Oh Grandma, what a great idea! <br />
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ACH!! I'M BEHIND! I've spent the last few days of 2013, desperately trying to catch up. I've got lots of notes and a calendar, so everything is preserved, it's just a matter of getting it in the book.<br />
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Additionally, I've already purchased my 2014 album and I got the midnight kit as a Christmas gift. They sit waiting. Staring at me. Beckoning.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7tIIuPKb2E/UsW5o-48hcI/AAAAAAAACYk/eZ5P5hgzKg0/s1600/QUOTE1h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7tIIuPKb2E/UsW5o-48hcI/AAAAAAAACYk/eZ5P5hgzKg0/s320/QUOTE1h.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
I will be looking for a better way to keep up with Project Life in 2014. I may go solely with iPhone photos. An iPhone and two cameras is just too much.<br />
<br />
I'm also researching apps. I wish I were in the app business. I'd be rich.<br />
<br />
I did see this one recently. It's called Flipagram and it's FREE! It collects photos from your phone, your Facebook feed, and your Instagram feed. Puts it all nicely into a short, sweet video. You can also put your own music to it.<br />
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My first try is a look back @ 2013.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9WLdWFlyEPmX9icJKQAyxQLOMqOAQpuvVOUOkoThG7CJlDimePdesTLeGpvVqeOVHauUa1yTjt_53-bvXjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Swoon.<br />
<br />
My year in pictures. Makes me cry. I am blessed.<br />
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Oh, am I gonna use this for 2014...<br />
<br />
For now...I'm back to printing pictures. Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-25118472117964317502013-12-12T10:45:00.000-07:002013-12-12T10:45:30.653-07:00Gavin's First ChristmasBoy, oh boy, are we having fun! Everything that was old is new again! <br />
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All kinds of "baby's first Christmas" activity going on over here.<br />
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Spoiler alert: I got to be the official photographer for my DD's first Christmas card. We had planned for a day at the park, but December weather in Colorado is just too unpredictable. Very windy. We went inside by the nice warm fire.<br />
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I got 77 pictures, but I'm only sharing one photo...my fav.<br />
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On the 5th, we took our little peanut for his very first visit to Santa. He didn't cry! Nor did he pull Santa's beard (good thing, too; as this Santa had a real beard!).<br />
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And on the 7th, our dear sweet Grandson celebrated his "1/2" birthday. He was in a really good mood for his (six month) photo shoot. <br />
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As you can see, I'm really loving the "animation" feature of Photoshop. Can't stop myself!<br />
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Later that same afternoon, we kidnapped the "little kid" for our own Christmas Card photo shoot. As he gets older, he gets harder-and-harder to photograph. Besides the never-ending drool, his two new six-month tricks are blowing raspberries and shaking his head (with not much coordination yet). On any other given day, this Grandma finds those antics hilarious, but not on Christmas photo day! <br />
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"Hey Santa, Grandma needs a wireless shutter remote, please!" <br />
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I won't be sharing spoilers. Sorry.Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-55662655773445757602013-12-04T11:54:00.000-07:002013-12-04T11:54:01.194-07:00JingleConfession: I've had my Silhouette Cameo machine for a year now. It is awesome for scrapbooking and paper crafting, but I have never used it to cut vinyl (or tried any of the other special uses for it). Stupid me.<br />
<br />
Not anymore! I am officially a vinyl-er? (made up word)<br />
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Oh em geeeee!! Why did I wait so long? </div>
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Love it! Love the product and love the result!</div>
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I think this project is a hybrid scrapbook/vinyl project. The 12" x 12" shadow box was made for the 3D scrapbook pages that you don't want to smash in your albums. I already consider myself an expert on the machine (disclaimer: NOT the software) and have used it numerous times in my scrapbooking. Cutting vinyl is awesome! I watched many tutorials before I even attempted my first cut, and truthfully, was just to darn scared to try.<br />
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Second confession: the first two cuts were trash. One was not sized properly for the 8" vinyl and the other was not loaded into the machine properly. Yes. I wasted some vinyl.<br />
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But...oh the third! Smooth as butter. I might also mention that I loved the "weeding" process (i.e., removing all the little bits of vinyl that do not appear in the finished product. Think "negative" space.) Tedious yes, but perfect for my OCD.<br />
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The vinyl is adhered to the outside of the glass. Maybe I'll learn the "mirroring" technique and try that next time. I don't know if you can see the detail, but the paper is actually printed with the Jingle Bell lyrics.<br />
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Products:<br />
<ul>
<li>12" x 12" Shadow box: Michael's</li>
<li>Jingle Bells: Hobby Lobby</li>
<li>Jingle All The Way Cut File: Kerri Bradford</li>
<li>Paper: Teresa Collins</li>
<li>Vinyl: Cricut</li>
</ul>
Guess what the girls are getting for Christmas?Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-48422043966828855792013-11-22T13:41:00.001-07:002013-11-22T13:41:43.612-07:00Weekly LayoutThis week I am sharing a layout about last year's Race for the Cure. Posting this particular layout shows the world that I am 13 months behind in my scrapbooking! I have pics from the 2013 RFTC as well! Oh me.<br />
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Here's the LO:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPSonddns9I/Uo-eCWlvILI/AAAAAAAACWE/X0EzTxtgxDI/s1600/DSC01929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPSonddns9I/Uo-eCWlvILI/AAAAAAAACWE/X0EzTxtgxDI/s400/DSC01929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It is based on this past week's sketch @ <a href="http://letsscrap.ning.com/" target="_blank">Let's Scrap</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLYoROOS3xg/Uo-eHj4YVbI/AAAAAAAACWQ/3JT1xGgXXZg/s1600/111313.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLYoROOS3xg/Uo-eHj4YVbI/AAAAAAAACWQ/3JT1xGgXXZg/s400/111313.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Yes. This LO has lots of Pink! That's okay. I LOVE PINK!<br />
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The Race for the Cure is a big deal for me. You can read more about the event <a href="http://judyrakes.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-fabulous-pink-weekend.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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You will notice that the journaling was copied exactly from the blog post; which I just realized, helps immensely when you are behind in your scrapbooking. I did not have to rely on my memory. <br />
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I built this LO around the 12" x 12" white <em>FINISH</em> line image from a Cricut cut long ago. It is actually the leftover/negative paper/pieces (yes, I may have a problem throwing away anything!). It worked perfectly for this LO and the sketch. However, I did have to re-arrange the right side of the sketch to make it work. <br />
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I built the entire LO as one big 12" x 24" piece of art. When it was complete, I simply sliced it down the middle! Yep. Cut right through the pics and the journaling!<br />
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I want to show you some of the close-up detail of the LO:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCkagk6F29E/Uo-hdZaGbPI/AAAAAAAACWY/GBznthy-UH0/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCkagk6F29E/Uo-hdZaGbPI/AAAAAAAACWY/GBznthy-UH0/s400/Picture2.png" width="350" /></a></div>
The patterned background paper was a pretty good match, but it needed something to set it apart. I distressed and sanded the edges.<br />
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I hope you can see the glitter-y images! The "survivor" photo on the rh side is matted with the pink glitter paper and the white patterned pink ribbon paper at the bottom is splattered with glitter! You will also notice that the big pink ribbon in the center is embossed with silver foil. The "cure" is from the same set and they are both mounted on pop dots.<br />
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After I had the entire LO assembled, I thought that the pink background paper was a bit boring and just too much pink. So, I had to mask off my photos and embellishments and stamp over a completed LO! Well...that's sure Not easy! I actually stamped with a white pigment ink, but the cardstock just soaked it up! I'm happy with the resulting subtlety it left behind.<br />
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I was able to find some pink alphas that matched. They almost look as though they were cut out from the white cardstock. All of the different stacked dimensions made for an interesting title. <br />
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Here are the products I used:<br />
<ul>
<li>Pink Cardstock: <em>Core</em>dinations Foundations</li>
<li>White Cardstock: Creative Memories</li>
<li>Pink Alphas: Basic Grey Euphoria</li>
<li>Pink Patterned Paper: Creative Memories "Beautiful" Power Palette</li>
<li>White/Pink Ribbon paper: Me and My Big Idea's</li>
<li>Pink Glitter Cardstock: Best Creation</li>
<li>Race for the Cure Embellies: Creative Memories</li>
<li>Chevron Stamp: Stampin' Up Positively Chevron</li>
<li>White Pigment Ink: ColorBox Frost White</li>
<li>Twine: Queen & Co.</li>
</ul>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-62218438420802603172013-11-14T10:13:00.000-07:002013-11-14T10:13:10.139-07:00Weekly LayoutThis week, I'm posting a newly finished layout of some old pictures (March 30, 2012 to be exact). I still had long hair!<br />
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I was newly elected to the Design Team @ <a href="http://letsscrap.ning.com/" target="_blank">Let's Scrap</a> and I needed a headshot. Gosh, I hadn't had pictures taken of myself in quite some time. Could have been my senior pictures from way back in 19__ (I ain't telling!). Was kinda fun, but kinda odd being on that side of the lens. I was caught talking in several of the outtakes...seems I was giving photography lessons to Bill. :-)<br />
Scrapbooking them was a bit odd. Anyone else find it hard to memorialize one's own pictures? A bit self-indulgent.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8mTSfPOitk/UoUDk44CvTI/AAAAAAAACV4/QeFLw3Zv3OA/s1600/DSC01412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8mTSfPOitk/UoUDk44CvTI/AAAAAAAACV4/QeFLw3Zv3OA/s400/DSC01412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The sketch I used is from <a href="http://store.scrapbookgeneration.com/" target="_blank">Scrapbook Generation</a>. It is not followed exactly. My picture dimensions were a bit bigger, and I moved the journaling to the bottom left.<br />
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A closer look:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ct3s5it0l8/UoPX3yiUAcI/AAAAAAAACVY/1yrKdKbnRm4/s1600/DSC01413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ct3s5it0l8/UoPX3yiUAcI/AAAAAAAACVY/1yrKdKbnRm4/s400/DSC01413.JPG" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub-mAP3OGCk/UoPX3-ZXYdI/AAAAAAAACVU/DjSdMidddyY/s1600/DSC01414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub-mAP3OGCk/UoPX3-ZXYdI/AAAAAAAACVU/DjSdMidddyY/s400/DSC01414.JPG" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKylngd5XSU/UoPX3_DehyI/AAAAAAAACVc/ZL0ECzKBJQc/s1600/DSC01418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKylngd5XSU/UoPX3_DehyI/AAAAAAAACVc/ZL0ECzKBJQc/s400/DSC01418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Products Used:<br />
<ul>
<li>Textured cardstock: Bazzill Sparkle</li>
<li>Alphas: American Crafts Thickers: Vanilla, Hugs & Togetherness</li>
<li>Patterned paper: </li>
<ul>
<li>My Mind's Eye: Collectable "Wonder" Lovely</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>My Mind's Eye: Lost & Found Two "Sunshine" Adore</li>
<li>My Mind's Eye: Miss Caroline Curious Planks</li>
</ul>
<li>Embellishments: </li>
<ul>
<li>Stickers: My Mind's Eye: Lost and Found 3</li>
<li>Chipboard: My Mind's Eye: Lost and Found 3</li>
<li>Brads: My Mind's Eye: Lost and Found Two</li>
</ul>
</ul>
I love My Mind's Eye "glittered" products! They are definitely a fav of mine. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255063790517125865.post-72092765674897421392013-11-08T11:41:00.000-07:002013-11-08T11:41:01.530-07:00Oh Baby!<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td>OM Gosh. Does time fly or what?<br />
<br />
Gavin is 5-months-old already. Getting to be so much fun!<br />
<br />
Had our photoshoot yesterday. Got lots of smiles. And drool.<br />
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I'm trying something new on Photoshop. Love that program and <br />
need to learn how to do more. So... here are my first animated <br />
photos as a .gif file. Cute huh?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yig8WfNLB5o/Un0smnUcl6I/AAAAAAAACUw/813yIj0aUfE/s1600/Gavin-5-mo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yig8WfNLB5o/Un0smnUcl6I/AAAAAAAACUw/813yIj0aUfE/s400/Gavin-5-mo.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
I simply followed this very <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/tutorials/photoshop/how-to-make-an-animated-image.html" target="_blank">easy tutorial</a> from Amanda.<br />
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And, I also created a more "scrapbook-ish" layout/photo ready to print for the baby book.<br />
<a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4d7a67304f5467784d444d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=google" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox collage" height="330" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4d7a67304f5467784d444d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own collage - Powered by Smilebox" height="46" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" style="border: currentColor;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/anytime-collages.html?campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=google" target="_blank">Collage</a> personalized with Smilebox<br />
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Gosh. Am I having fun! </div>
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Lots of photo opportunities makes Judy a happy girl!</div>
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</tbody></table>
Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08293137452900388873noreply@blogger.com0