New Challenges!

Well..I love mid month, that means that the new challenges are up at http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ and at Scrappin the Music. The next three weeks at scrappin the music I have chosen the songs and I couldn't be more excited! yaya!! so head on over there and try and whip up a delicious LO inspired by some great music!

http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/ is hosting the 12 days of scrappin christmas crop, there will be 12 classes, 12 challenges and 12 games to keep you inspired and entertained. I have a wonderful mini album class that I'll sneak peak here later this week. it's so CUTE!!!! All of the fun begins on December 1st!

Here is my LO for Karen's challenge at 2CC, (we had to use deco scissors, or edge and alter the side of the LO):

Here is my LO for scrapping the music: the song this week? Just a Girl by No Doubt!

Both of these LO's were done with October and November's Scarlet Lime kits!

not a lot in between....

well...it's towards the end of the month and I don't have too many LO's to show you...I had surgery last Friday and I'm still recovering and haven't scrapped in about two weeks. it's all very sad indeed. maybe this weekend I'll feel up to playing with paper! I have three awesome boxes of goodies to get out. One from http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ (their Nov. kit!) one from http://www.scarletlime.com/ (their Oct. kit) and a box of fun goodies from http://www.awalkdownmemorylane.net/ (just some random stuff I purchased but can't wait to use). so see...lots to do!

Here are two of the LO's that I did for Scrappin the music ------------> link on the side bar! this is this weeks current challenge, you have until Sunday to get your entries in. the song this week is Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" I used my Sept. Scarlet lime kit to complete this delicious LO of McKenna helping her daddy make pancakes a few weeks ago. she's really into helping in the kitchen right now, as are all the kids!

This is last weeks Challenge. Nirvanan's "Smells like teen spirit" as soon as I heard what the song was I knew exactly what photos of Tyler I wanted to get scrapped. this is him on his birthday in July. he's getting pretty good actually. the paper goodies I bought at Archivers in Chicago when I was there for summer CHA. not too bad for me, I only let them sit a few months! yay me!

This last LO has been 3 years in the making. no joke. I'm terrible slow at scrapping events, and I posted a challenge a 2CC this month (you have until November 14th the get your entry in!) it was to scrap a holiday or event in non-traditional colors. use two colors of cardstock, at least one photo and at least one PP, that's' it and the prize is awesome! you should all totally check it out. what's funny? I'm wearing this same black robe this saturday to the same halloween event. this time though, I will be UBER SCARY with a slashed throat and new wig and everything. will be fun!

October 1st! time is flying...

IT'S OCTOBER 5TH!!! Head on Over to SCRAPPING THE MUSIC FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! http://scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com/ !!!!!!! OMG!

I just ADORED the 2croppin cousinz kit this month, sometimes I'm not much for oranges and yellows, but once I started with this kit I seriously couldn't stop! All the LO's below were created with the october kit on sale now at http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ you seriously won't be disappointed! In other scrappy news be checking back on my blog OCT 5th for a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT and also to check out the October Sketch LO for my sketch world, I loved what Lucy created and the sketch worked perfectly with the September Scarlet Lime kit, Yee haw! I'm so sorry if I'm behind on commenting on all your blogs, I will take care of that ASAP, my friends are what give me inspiration and I love seeing your work, thank you so much for stopping by, and don't forget OCTOBER 5th!!! :)

The LO below was created using Alicia Barry's October single LO page plan at 2 cropping cousinz. she does amazing sketches!

2 croppin Cousinz September Kit..

is WAY WAY COOL!! I love working with these fantastic colors and cute embellishments! the adorable cupcakes were made by my good friend Alicia -------------------------> link on the side bar. and they were perfect to scrap McKenna's 6th birthday party! I was happy to be using those pics so soon! Here's some samples of what I've done with this kit. head on over to http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ to get yours right now before they are GONE GONE GONE! I'll be adding the rest later on today!

This LO uses the September kit, but is inspired by donnaBD on the MB, she is out member spotlight and this is my scraplift of hers! This Card is done using Alicia Card Page plan for September.The picture in the below photo was made to look "older" like 70's style with some photoshop post-processing that I did. hope you like it.

Scrapping the Music Challenge and Scarlet Lime!

This last weekend I created my FIRST EVER Acrylic album! It was challenging, especially deciding which adhesive to use, but I love the result. the Album itself is a square Green Geco Album and you will be able to purchase it at http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ Also, I thought this would be PERFECT for my entry for the scrappin the music challenge blog. I love this song, and it worked so well with my pics. the papers and letters, etc. are my last two kits from Scarlet Lime. I'm always anxious to begin using my kit when it arrives, and sometimes I run out of time and it does't happen. but I worked on this album for about 3 days, and am super pleased with the result! thanks so much for looking!

I won a Blog Award!!

From my good Cyber Friend Stacey! (thanks girl!!) :)

Who gets the “Brilliante Webblog Award“?Websites and blogs of your choice for their designs that are especially noteworthy.1. The winner can take the logo 2. Place a link to the person that sent you the award 3. Give the Award to at least 5 other Scrapbooking-Blogs, which by its currency, the issues of choice and for their designs are especially noteworthy 4. Put a link to these sites on your Blog. 5. Write a comment on their Blogs that they’ve won an Award.

So here’s who I’m AWARDING:

Susan - http://susieqscrapbook.blogspot.com/- Because she has one of the best undiscovered Blogs out there, full of sketches and challenges. love it!

Michelle - http://michelle-scrappingfool.blogspot.com/- because I've watched her scrapping grow to amazing heights over the last 2-3 years, and I love her cute family!

Leah - http://darlnsnotalone.blogspot.com/ - because in the last year she became the ROCK STAR of the scrappin' world. so amazingly talented and super sweet!

Emilie - http://aherncentral.blogspot.com/- because she is amazing talent and is finally being recognized for that, she's also been a constant friend, and her blog is ALWAYS updated and full of pics, funny stories, and gorgeous inspiration!

Renee - http://www.createwithrenee.blogspot.com/- she continues to amaze me with everything she is able to get done. her LO's are always wonderful to look at and her blog is fun too!

A week late, but never a dollar short!

I've been so all consumed with editing Elizabeth's and Tyler's wedding that I neglected to post and talk about the amazing kit from http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ it features the awesome grafton papers from Scenic Route, and we all know how much I love scenic route!! I had so much fun creating a mini album with the dream street chipboard and punch out paper, I used a lot of OLD OLD OLD beach photographs and put them altogether in one album, Love the result! Here's what I created this month. (this is kit is on sale NOW!! so head on over to get yours!)

For this Card I used the Awesome Card Page Plan by Alicia on http://www.2croppincousinz.com/

I've Been Tagged....TWICE!

CHA was AWESOME! so much walking and so much WORK, but oh so great. The best part was seeing online friends and having time to just be with them. to hug them IRL and tell them how fantastic they are. Pictures will be coming soon!!! *I was only home one day before I had to go back to work, and Tyler's birthday party is this weekend, so I've been SLAMMED*

Okay, It's about time that I get around to completing my TAGS from Kerryn and Michelle. (thanks girls!)

From Michelle and Kerryn:

What was I doing Ten Years Ago?...

*Just starting my new job at Standard Insurance (I'm still here!) and finding out that I was pregnant with my much anticipated second child Allison. :)

Five Things On Today's "To Do" List

*Take McKenna to Gymnastics
*Pay Bills (ugh!)
*Finish my LO that I've been working on for 2 days
* work. :(
*Order my Son's birthday cake

I'm addicted to:

*So you think you can dance
*Photography
*Monster Loca Moca energy drinks
*Shoes
*Scrapbooking/supplies

Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire...

*Take a month long trip around Europe
*pay off friends and families houses
*buy my DH a Harely
*build my dream house
*INVEST

Snacks I enjoy:

*sour cream and onion chips
*Jelly Belly jellybeans
*Jolly Ranchers
*pretzels and cream cheese
*Hummus and pita chips

Places I have Lived...

*Portland,OR
*Gresham, OR
*Canton, Ohio

Totally Fun! if you're up for a TAG answer the questions and leave me a comment that you completed the tag!!!

see you all in a few days with CHA photos and new LO's!

It's the 1st!! woo hoo!

I love the first of July. Not only is it my Husband's birthday (Happy 34th birthday Roy!) but it's also reveal day for the http://www.2croppincousinz/ kit! I adored this kit. everything about it was amazing!

This is my All Time favorite picture of my niece Kamryn. she's a tough one to catch, and she's just gorgeous. tfl!

These pictures were taken after the kids' dance compition just before a massive rain storm, it was warm and nice all day, and we came home to thunder and lightening and sky that was magnificent for a few minutes!

Allison's birthday was so fun this year, we gave her a surprise party, she loved every minute!!

these pictures of McKenna were taken after her spring recital. the cafeteria was too dark for pics really, but after we got some fun shots! she's a total goof. the flower embellishment is made by me, and I posted instructions and it's available in PDF form (thanks Alicia Barry!) on http://www.2croppincousinz.com/

forgotten...but not lost!

ugh. time. never. have. enough. I did these pages about 3 weeks ago..maybe longer. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off. my photography business is keeping me so busy that I rarely have time to scrap. or blog. or..well. or anything. I spend so much time editing pics! LOL! in the past three weeks I've done a CD/Album photo shoot and a Wedding. enough pictures to keep me busy for months! haha!

here's my LO's from the June 2CC's Kit, it was fun to work with, and SO DIFFERENT from what I would normally use. also..don't forget this weekend is http://www.2croppincousinz/ 's big BIRTHDAY BASH! woot woot! lots of fun challenges and activities, and games! come and join in the fun! the prizes are amazing!

Loving this kit!

Pink Paisley Spring fling ROCKS THE HOUSE! oh my! I was super excited when I saw my DT kit for www.2croppincouzins.com. this paper is gorgeous and so fun to work with!! how did I get so lucky? okay..first up. this is my kitty Kenai, loving him! Allison is growing up before my very eyes. such a sweet young lady, and the scallop paper really makes this LO fun!
I love capturing the silly moments between my kids and their dad. during these photos Allison and Roy were supposed to be watching McKenna's gymnastics meet, but decided that a game of hand slap would be more fun! I used the monthly sketch from my sketch world (Lucy does amazing sketches!) to creat this one!
Ugh. Mother and Daughter. this was a picture taken during Easter at my house. my Daughter snapped the picture. so I used this as an opportunity to write down a few differences between my mother and I. Love the result!
and finally, each month Alicia creates sketches at 2CC's and the DT uses them to work with the kit. I was assigned the tag (which I never make) but LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! and can't wait to use it on a LO!
if you haven't had time to check out the kit this month head on over there before they sell out! the 30 day photo challenge is in the first week and the girls are taking some AMAZING pictures and posting the weekly thread! I'll be back later to show my first days of pics! if you stop by say hi! miss you all!

I heart photoshop.

I posted this today at http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ but thought I'd share it on the blog for everyone as well....

I love photoshop, I run CS2. however, I'm guilty of using photoshop actions as a "crutch" for editing my pictures. I really don't know all that much about photoshop, or how to get the looks I want. I use ACTIONS all the time. I have a ton of them. I found a website that has changed my life though, http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/ although her blog is much much more than just photography, she has FANTASTIC step by step tutorials on photoshop. also, she has just released a KILLER set of FREE ACTIONS that will wow your photos.
while cruising through the tutorials on the site, I found one on how to make the eyes in your photos "pop" I have been playing with this and some of the actions all morning. Now don't get me wrong, getting great light and good composition straight out the camera makes things easier, however, sometimes it just isn't possible. anyway...this easy trick has made a fantastic difference with my pics. here's some examples.
this one is straight out of the camera (just an okay shot) it's really yellow and a little blurry.

I used actions to correct the tint (yellow correct from itty bitty actions) then used a quick burn action (pioneer woman free action) and used the tutorial on how to make her eyes pop. I love the result.

it turned a picture that I likely wouldn't scrap into one that I can wait to print.
here's another example:

I had already edited and printed this picture using several actions
(Lighten, cooled it down, vignette - totally rad actions) (yellow correct - ittybittyactions)

I decided to go back to an already good edit job and try the eyes. the change is subtle but effective and I like it so much more!

I did today's tutorial. and OMG so EASY....
what do you think?
straight out the camera picture of my magnolia tree during a hail storm last week:

and here's the same picture, using today's pioneer woman tutorial.

I love dramatic. so this is right up my alley!!

anyway. I hope the site is helpful. I love learning more about photoshop and what I can do. it takes my photos to the whole next level. download those free actions (they do NOT work with elements) and try them out, then check out all the AWESOME addictive tutorials. you'll be amazed!

30 Day Photo Challenge

Hello all! I have just started sign ups for a very fun 30-day photo challenge over at 2 croppin cousinz. the challenge is open to everyone, as long as you register on the board, and will begin on May 1st.

I hope to see you all there! the thread to sign up is here: http://2croppincousinz.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=81276#81276

something new...

the monthly challenges are up at http://www.2croppincousinz.com/ come on over and see what the DT has cooked up for you! I loved this LO I did using Alicia's challenge

and i don't want to forget the LO I did for the 12 x 12 sketch at my sketch world! (blog link on the side bar!) I loved Lucy's sketch this month and was really pleased to have a Peter Pan LO done!! woot woot!

I am working on a few other projects, but really I've been pretty uninspired despite the awesome papers and embellies I have on my table right now....I had all weekend to scrap and didn't. I have no idea why. and now that I go back to work tomorrow, I want to get stuff done, but I have a super full day today...isn't that how it happens though? I'll be back soon with some other new stuff! XOXO