No Frills, Just Fun Crop

Oh my gosh, I had so much fun at Paula's crop last weekend. There were some great people there that I really enjoyed spending the weekend with. I had the privilege of sitting next to Beatriz who was so helpful and inspiring. She has so many great ideas for new techniques. And it was a real treat to compete and share ideas with Wendy. We both completed a whopping 11 layouts. . . a real record for me. I was really excited and happy with my results. My next class will surely include "clustering", my favorite technique. Thanks to everyone who made the weekend such a success. Oh and by the way. . . awesome gumbo Paula. Here's a peek at my layouts. Thanks for looking.

It's a Beautiful Life at TWO

Another Webster's Pages layout. This one is of the twins on their 2nd birthday.

I love Webster's Pages

I just can't wait for the new Webster's Pages paper to come out. It is sooooo Me! I love what I can do with it. I've been adding some old jewelry and buttons. There is a 12" antique amethyst hat pin on this layout. I love the way that it came out. My new challenge is to do a "boy" page with this paper line. So, keep checking back!

Love this Layout

I just love the Webster's Pages paper. . .and these pictures were just perfect for them. Along with the Prima flowers, Jenni Bowlin buttons, Theresa Colins word charms. I added an antique postcard, antique buttons and jewelry and a few feathers and Voila!

The girls love to wear their tu tus. And next they love to sit on the toilet. So you know how you just take pictures as you find them. Well, believe it or not these are just candid pictures of them waiting to take a bath. I wish they always cooperated this well.

Tanya, thanks for the inspiration.

Another Great Cropping Weekend

It feels so awesome to be able to crop again. I have a blast this weekend. I was able to get 8 layouts complete. Wow! Thanks Paula and everyone who attended for making it possible. Janet thanks for the store and being my great table mate (and not being too needy). Anyway, this weekend was my "chunky" cropping weekend and mastering (ha) the art of clustering, but I am really happy with my results. I used a lot of my old jewelry from my last hobby. Thanks for looking.

I'm on a Roll!

I managed to complete 2 layouts this weekend. For me, that's really good. I just loved these pictures. I busted Abigail in my mascara. She actually got some on her eyelashes. Of course, I had to take pictures before I spanked her. I also took some after! (right)

My gosh, I haven't scrapped Gavin or "Boy" layouts in forever. It's not so easy. There's way more embellishments and paper for girls. I just had to take pictures with Gavin's RED converse tennis shoes.

Weekend Getaway

Oh my gosh, do you realize that I am actually blogging. I almost forgot how. I know. . . .it's been since last year. But, I hadn't actually cropped since then. I have been waist deep in house renovations. So I guess you could say that "I'm BACK". This wonderful weekend getaway with Melissa, Janet, Wendy, and Karen (thank you Karen) was exactly what I needed. And, oh Melissa, last time I counted I did 9 layouts. I guess next time you should sit next to me. . .or stay away from the blondes. Anyway, hope you enjoy my layouts.

These are the Halloween pictures I took of the twins at the Imagination studio. Aphra, thanks for the inspiration to use the packaging (behind the Heidi Swapp mirrors).

These pictures (and letters) are really old. That's kinda what happens when you crop a 100 miles away from the nearest scrapbook store and you didn't pre-plan enough. . .you dip into your XXL and find anything that matches.

These photos were taken at Easter in their white dresses. But no candy, no Easter baskets and no eggs (just a dog), so it's just a pretty layout of my girls (2 of them anyway).

Miss Addison was very uncooperative this day.

Jaelyn's hair is down her back now, these pictures are so old. But, I guess I haven't cropped or taken pictures in a long time.

Jaelyn & Kamryn's mom took these pictures. I liked the carefree feeling.

Miss Abigail on the other hand did cooperate this day. The poses where all her ideas.

Can you believe that my daughter is only 5 1/2 months pregnant here. The twins delivered May 28th and this was Valentine's Day.

My son and I are so proud of his wife graduating from ULL. I didn't know, however, that her Education degree would take them to Houma to teach in her hometown. I told them that when they have babies, they will have to move back so that I can take pictures.

Aren't they beautiful?

Here are two of my first efforts taking pictures of the twins with my new lens.  Of course they were uncooperative and they are not as sharp as I like my photos, however, they are that new natural-small focus area look that I'm looking for.  Aren't they beautiful?

This is Addison Miles.

Here is Abigail Jo.

50 mm 1.4 lens

Oh my gosh. . . I love my new lens.  I just got it in last night and shot your typical furniture, shoes, kitchen stuff etc. Here's what I got with no effort.

I can hardly wait to try it out on my grandkids.

Wedding Updates

Here are some more wedding layouts.  I've finally finished the book and have given it to my daughter-in-law to show off.  We have come to an understanding that we will have joint custody of the 80 page ($$$$$$) scrapbook.  I was very excited that I will not have to duplicate one for me.

I soooo love these photos of my son, Derrick. They show his personality.

The quote . . . I love. 

It says it all. 

"To the World you may be one person,

but to one person you may be the World."

These are candids of the groomsmen. My other son, John is the GQ in the sunglasses.

Jaelyn, John's daughter, my beautiful granddaughter made the perfect flower girl.

Pumpkin Patch

Well, I have finally visited enough blogs that I realize that you don't only have to post layouts. . .photos are cool too. So, although a little late, here are some cute photos of Gavin & his sisters at the Pumpkin Patch. (Margery, thanks for the tip about the Covenant Church. It was perfect.)

Imagination Studio gone scary

The twins, Abigail and Addison, visit the Imagination Studio to try to let Granny, me, get some good photos in their costumes.  Well, that didn't happen, but here are some that I did get.  Aren't they precious? They weren't too sure about the surroundings and I got no cooperation.

Addison, though, is a busy body and had to check it all out.

Abigail, however, just wanted out!

She was quite happy once she escaped and continued to cause havoc around the store.

All that said. . . the studio was awesome and made some really great photos.  Look for a Christmas setting soon.

Karen "oh my gosh" Russell

Oh my gosh, I have a new idol. I took Karen Russell's 9 hour photography workshop this weekend and I am so pumped.  I learned so much and she inspired me to REALLY learn my camera.  I ordered a 50mm 1.4 lens for my camera before noon on Monday.  I can't wait for it to come in.  I still can't believe that she doesn't use flash. I am the flash queen. I use flash inside, outside, in the sun, in the shade, all the time.  This will really be a challenge. After listening to Karen, I think that using a wider aperture without flash could be the answer to fill in the gaps and bring it all together and force me to learn to use my camera to it's potential with confidence. You never know . . . I might even practice shooting in Raw. Wish me luck.

Here she is, up close and personal.  She is awesome. Wonderful personality. She is for REAL.

Monica, I just loved this picture of you.  Do you have one almost like it of me?

Photoshop Class

Heh guys and girls, don't forget the free Photoshop class this Sunday, October 26th at 12:30pm.  We're gonna learn how to retouch photos, like changing this:

to this!

We'll  learn all about the retouching tools: spot healing brush, healing brush, clone tool, dodge tool. We'll also learn when to use each one and the options available with each, such as brush size, hardness and opacity.

Don't miss this series. I teach it the last Sunday of each month at 12:30pm at Treasured Memories (of course). There is no charge for the class. Photoshop is my passion and I want to share it with you.  I would love to see everyone be able to create better photos. I guarantee that it can help you to improve your photos. Join us. All you need to bring is yourself.

Grand-daughters

Here's a layout with the twins in my Mom's (hence, GG for Great granny) backyard.  If you look close, there is lots and lots of sewing on the layout.

I just love these pictures of Jaelyn. They show her many personalities: girlie, rough & tough, lovable, stubborn and beautiful.