Connie's Blog

I'm Back

2011-09-10T22:35:00.006-05:00

Oh my gosh, I can't believe that it's almost 2 years since I've blogged. I just went to Paula's awesome "No frills, just fun" crop and did these 9 layouts. I had a great time. Thanks for looking.

My Next Class, Vintage by Design

2010-10-27T21:21:00.004-05:00

Oh my gosh (I guess that should be OMG), I am so excited about my new class. I have been planning it in my head for a long time. I LOVE vintage and this class is all about how to mix and match several design elements to make each design unique and awesome and the same time. This class will be a little more "Teaching" than in the past. I will have a slide presentation so that you can visualize how to "Design It Vintage", hence the title "Vintage by Design". Anyway, here are my layouts that we will tear apart and mimic the techniques to make each design unique. Class are scheduled for November 6th and November 21st. Sign up on the Treasured Memories website. Here is the link. Hope to see you there.

No Frills, Just Fun Crop

2009-11-21T21:30:00.005-06:00

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

2009-10-25T19:07:00.003-05:00

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

I love Webster's Pages

2009-09-28T22:06:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-21T21:04:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-23T22:07:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-08-09T16:52:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-04T21:14:00.005-05:00

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?

2008-11-27T17:38:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-26T11:45:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-21T18:43:00.000-06:00

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

2008-11-14T20:58:00.000-06:00

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

2008-11-14T18:45:00.000-06:00

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

2008-11-13T19:26:00.000-06:00

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

2008-10-24T19:11:00.000-05:00

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

2008-10-21T21:39:00.000-05:00

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.

Some more Wedding Layouts

2008-10-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

The center photo says, "Two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as One".

The red flourish glitter paper made a perfect background. The Maya road chipboard flourishes were painted white and "dotted" with red stickles. Flat-back pearls were placed along side the flourishes.

The Toast: I love the photo to the left which has the champagne bottle and hand in focus and the bride in the background blurry. Across the top of the photos says "Each day I Love you more!". The upper left & lower right corners are decorated with the Quikutz diecut and Prima bling flourishes.

More Red, Black & White Layouts

2008-10-11T21:53:00.000-05:00

This is, of course, the happy couple cutting the wedding cake. The quote is the famous "Love does not exist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction" inspired by the last photo.

These photos were again taken by my 17 year old niece, Natalie. The quote says "Daughters hold their mothers hand for a few years, their hearts forever." The beautiful flourish on the left of the page was created by the Prima "Build a Swirl" acrylic stamp.

My Fairy Princesses

2008-10-01T21:12:00.000-05:00

This is Kamryn. She is the poor neglected granddaughter that you didn't even realize that I have. She is my son, John's daughter and Jaelyn's sister. I've been very neglectful, but I promise you will start to see more layouts with her. Isn't she a beautiful princess.

Of course the twins, Abigail and Addison also make precious fairies. I bought these little Anne Geddes Fairy dresses at the only Anne Geddes retail store at Disney in Anaheim. I just couldn't resist.

Wedding Layouts

2008-09-28T20:19:00.000-05:00

A very simple layout using Glimmer Spray Mist, Tattered Angel Stencils, some wooden flourishes from Kaiser Craft and some Heidi Swap Bling. The pictures were taken by my 17 year old niece, Natalie, who spent the day with us taking all those "scrapbooky" photos. These are of the Bridesmaids helping the bride get dressed.

More photos by Natalie, these are of the rain the afternoon of the wedding. You see. . . it was supposed to be an outdoor wedding. What do you expect on a Friday the 13th wedding. Anyway, the rub-ons were absolutely perfect, there mention knowing the difference between what's important and what's not. Although both Moms fought to keep the wedding outside, the Bride was totally content moving it inside, because the only thing that mattered was that she was marrying the love of her life today.

This is a beautiful scene of the Bride's parents turning over their daughter, Kris, to my son, Derrick. The layout is simple however each corner consist of layers of rub-ons, wood fourishes, diet cuts (cut with the Quick Kutz Revolution) and Prima bling.

More Wedding Layouts

2008-09-26T22:05:00.001-05:00

This is one of my very favorite layouts. I think it's because the photos are so fabulous and because it shows how very much they are in love and have always been. They were truly a match made in Heaven and Derrick has been my "Gift" from above. I love them both so much.

This was a very hard layout because it was only three photos and off-centered, no to mention that I'm in one of them. But nothing a little ribbon and some bling can't remedy.

This was one of my 1st layouts and although it's so "NOT ME" (too much white space), I really like the way it came out. The bride wants to add some journaling about her search for the perfect dress. . . I think that would be appropriate.

More layouts coming soon.

Latest Project

2008-09-23T22:05:00.000-05:00

For those of you who know me, you've always seen me scrapbooking my grandkids. Well, I have a new project. My middle child and joy, Derrick got married to the love of his life, Kristen Moore, on June, 13, 2008 and I am scrapbooking the wedding. Wow, what a change from kids pages. It's a little simple, but elegant from what I'm used to. (A lot of the songs in my playlist are from the wedding.)

Here's the first inside page. . . and there will be more posts to come. Enjoy as I have.

New Post

2008-09-17T20:28:00.004-05:00

Oh my gosh! I'm a BIG girl now. I actually have internet at my house. Finally, now maybe I can blog . . . if I can remember how.

I guess that you would figure that the 1st thing that I would add would be my Designer's Eye VII class layouts. For those of you who took the class, you've already seen them, so thank you very much for attending. For those of you who didn't, I hope that you enjoy these layouts.

Some more twin pictures. You just want to pinch them. I love the way that the ribbon came out on this layout. It is mixed with a variety of different machine stitches. The white space was a little different for me, but it just worked here.

Gavin (age 5) last year in the pumpkin patch. His "cute attitude" was somewhat encouraged for the pictures, but didn't they make a cute layout. The little pictures at the bottom where cut from a wide angle shot of the "plant nursery" to add some fall color.

I really like this layout for it's simplicity. I used bubble-wrap and white paint as a background for the focal photo. Woooo, hand journaling again.

2008-09-17T20:28:00.003-05:00

This layout is of my grandson, Gavin playing soccer. It was scary and fun cutting up the photo.

Jaelyn again, Miss Personality. This layout says it all, she loves to pose and show off for the camera. . .well that is, if she's in the right mood. This was actually my 1st time to use Stickles. I loved it and got a little carried away.

Whoops, Jaelyn again. I guess that I better start taking more photos of her sister Kamryn. Anyway, I love Jaelyn and her Daddy. Their admiration for each other is unbelievable. They love to spend time together. More hand journaling, and check out the chipboard letter scraps as a page element.

O.K. here's Gavin at his 6th birthday party at the Bowling Alley. He IS NOT one to pose for the camera. He's at that age where I basically have to follow him around and try to snap an occasional shot. This "grunge" layout was inspired by my friend Monica who seems to make it look so easy. The good thing is that you can't mess it up.

Oh my gosh, do I love my twins, Addison and Abigail. It took so long to get them to cooperate they just fell asleep. Here the key is clustering and transparencies.

2008-09-17T20:28:00.002-05:00

I titled this layout "All Girl" because, in my opinion it screamed "GIRL" with all the ribbon. It was awesome to see so many people having the "designer's eye" to see beyond the "Pink". Some people used this layout to create dog layouts, christmas layouts and even Harley Davidson layouts. You go girls!

2008-09-17T20:28:00.001-05:00

These are beautiful photos of my lovely granddaughter, Jaelyn. However, they only show one side of her personality. The layout on the other hand displays everything contrary to my usual style. However, for some reason I really like the empty space, it really draws your eye to the photos. Crooked photos at that. . .and each at different angles as well as the title which is so hard for me to do. And hand journaling. . .oh my gosh, what was I thinking. I hate my handwriting, but I love the personal touch on this layout. Hope you enjoy seeing me "out side of my box".

2007-12-21T19:36:00.000-06:00

Most (or all) of my cropping time seems to be spent creating for my next Designer's Eye class. I have created VI sessions already and am working on VII now. The subject of all my layouts are my beautiful 6 grandchildren who are the loves of my life. They were given to me by my (now) wonderful children, John, Derrick and Billye Jo.

Below are 10 layouts from my Designer's Eye VI class.

My daughter, Billye Jo, had beautiful twin girls, Abigail and Addison in May and I can't take enough pictures of them. They make beautiful layouts.

This double circle panoramic layout was inspired by 2007 Design Team, Michelle Raborn's layout that I've always admired.

These were two of my favorite layouts and both so simple. The paint kind of scared me, but it was fun.

This layout was made shortly after the twins were born. Billye Jo looks great.

Billye Jo is the center of her children's world, so this layout was a natural. The ovals are made with wire and beads. It looks much better than it looks here.

Gavin was my first grandchild, who is the reason that I started scrapbookking. When he was 3 weeks old, I took my first scrapbook class (yes Janet taught me every thing I know), bought a digital camera, computer and photo printer all in one week. This layout of his t-ball season was inspired by the image of the fence, therefore photos were laid out in the design of the fence.

This layout used the Technique Tuesday circle chipboard covered with transparencies and stamped with Technique Tuesday flourish stamps. These pictures were taken during Gavin's swimming lessons.

This layout, "Family" is of my oldest son's beautiful family. John, Crystal, Jaelyn and Kamryn. I loved taking these pictures.

Jaelyn, my first granddaughter made me realize how much fun it is to scrapbook "girlie" layouts.
I've gone crazy ever since.