Project 365 - Day 6, 7 and 8

More photos to share for my version of Project 365.

Starting with Day 6:

Yes, this is not the most flattering pose for everyone but it was one that captured a special moment between a Dad and his girls. We were in Madison's room, teasing her as usual while getting ready for bed. Of course, Danielle wanted to be apart of the action! And I wanted to try some new settings on my camera! LOL I really should name my camera!

And here is Day 7:



I was so glad that I had one halfway decent shot of Danielle's first day at her new preschool. I have lived with alot of guilt and worry about moving Danielle from a preschool that she loved and adored...and spoke about all the time. It's so hard uprooting your children...but I needed help as I am still, yes still sick and have so many appointments to keep. I was so gratified to see Danielle zip over to the water table the minute she walked into the new classroom.

And Day 8:



This picture was taken on a whim. I brought a snack to school in celebration of Madison's 9th birthday. We had lots of marble cheese, sausage, oranges and stoned wheat thin crackers. I loved seeing the smile on Madison's face - it's been a tough year for all of us and seeing her happy makes me feel so much better!

Thanks for dropping by!
-vw

I'm So Excited To Share...

...that I am a member of the My Sketch World Design Team! Woot! Woot! It is a 6 month assignment and I am so looking forward to working with Lucy Chesna and the other members on the design team! I love sketches and this is perfect!

Here is the layout that I submitted for the sketch:

Supplies: Bazzill (brown cardstock); We R Memory Keepers (pattern papers); American Crafts (thickers/epoxy alphas and epoxy elements); American Crafts (pen for journaling); sparkle red paper (source unknown)

And a close up or two for you...

Lucy has recently also a forum and coming soon, a gallery. And if this isn't enough, My Sketch World is having a Blog-a-versary Crop from Feb 19 noon EST - Feb 23rd 9 pm EST! There will be lots of challenges, make n takes and games and of course prizes! Come join me there this weekend for some scrapping fun!

Thanks for dropping by!

-vw

It's a Challenge

Here is my February challenge at Scrap Shotz! This month I am challenging memebers to create either a layout or a card using at least fun edge. It can be any subject, any picture, any paper. Just dig out your deco scissors or your fancy border punches or just your plain old scissors to cut an element from your pattern papers. That is how easy it really is to add zip to your layout or card!

And my layout is below...

Supplies: K & Co papers (Amy Butler line); Heidi Swapp alpha letters; Melissa Frances rubs; EK Success corner rounder (for the corners and the scallop edge, light pink glitter star paper); Urban Lily (chipboard circle); Making Memories (chipboard photo corner)

Here is Danielle at an impromptu photo shoot at the University of Calgary this past summer. After we dropped Madison off at her camp, we usually had chocolate milk and cereal on a blanket on the grass! On this particular day, Danielle was busy throwing her cowboy hat in the air and catching it and then running after the jack rabbit on the soccer field.

Thanks for coming by!
-vw

I Am a Digi Diva!

Yes it is true! I finished the Digi Diva online class at Scrap Shotz! Yes, it is indeed true! There was a time that I just didn't think I could do it, probably around hour 12 on the first assignment! LOL Now I am feeling confident that I can create a simple digi layout, maybe even our Christmas card this year without ripping out all my eyebrows! LOL

Here are a couple of the digi layouts that I did -

First up, clipping masks! Oh I just love this technique! It is so fun, so easy and so impressive!

Digital kit from Carrie Stephens - Tahiti Treats. Font is Century Gothic and Impact.

Then we did a photo collage and brushes! Oh my, brushes are fun and amazing!

Digital kit by Anna Aspnes - Something Springy.

And there was a fun contest at the end...to become the Queen D!! Here was my entry...

Digital kit - Carrie Stephens (all elements except the alphas); alphas by Melany Violette.

I am new to the digi scrapping world - if I have not creditted someone, please know it is not intentional. Please drop me a line so that I may make the appropriate corrections.

Thanks for looking!
-vw

Project 365 - Day 5

When I first started with Project 365 (aka Photo a Day), I was skeptical that I would be able to keep up! I am just so happy that I have indeed taken a photo a day...and if I was truthful, there was one day that I missed! But I have missed a day since! It has also been very helpful to be taking a photography class at the same time! The weekly challenges help me to focus on subjects that are not the same old, same old! And the best thing...if you can believe it? I am shoot in Manual, not the semi creative modes but Manual! I still can't believe it myself but I am indeed doing it!

Without further adieu, here is my photo for Day 5. The girls had a joyful karate practice. I find it so hard to take decent pictures in the dojo but I will keep trying, especially since I am now a proud owner of the Nifty Fifty! So consider this a Before picture! LOL

Thanks for dropping by!
-vw

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you all had a day of love and friendship! Here we started the day with a Hershey Kiss trail. The girls followed the kisses upstairs and found a mini red mailbox filled with Hershey kisses and a special Valentine's gift from Pau Pau. (Madison received an origami kit and Danielle a special fairy sticker book.) Of course, we had heart-shaped pancakes! So much fun today!

What are you doing tomorrow? At Scrap Shotz, tomorrow is the February DT challenges. Are you curious what my challenge may be? Well, check in tomorrow to see!

It was nice to just do some household chores and have some Valentines fun today! It really took my mind off my nagging health issues. Yesterday was a busy day of driving. I was at the Rockyview Hospital bright and early for a series of blood tests and then I was casted and fitted for a brace for my partially torn achilles tendon. And I am pleased to say that the ulcer on my leg is finally starting to heal - knock on wood!

Now I am relaxing and doing a bit of scrapping - such a great way to end my day! Scrapping just puts me in such a good mood! :-) Do you have a hobby that you are passionate about? For me, scrapbooking is a life hobby and I am very passionate about keeping the family history for the girls.

Oh I also wanted to give a special birthday wish for my childhood friend, Anna Maria! Happy Birthday Anna! Thinking of you and hoping you have been spoiled today!

-vw

Project 365 - Days 2, 3 and 4

Ah, my day 2 picture is of Danielle! Look at that face; she can charm her way out of anything! LOL...and I think she knows it too! That is her current favorite sweater now that the Toopy & Binou sweater is too small!

And I know I have a picture on Day 3 but I just can't find it now...sigh...

So here is my Day 4 picture...a red juicy pomegrante...yum...love those!

Unfortunately, Madison doesn't care for the little seeds but Danielle and I just love them!

-vw

Project 365 - Day 1

I have been so busy with lots of appointments as I am still not 100% ... there seems to be a never-ending number of appointments ... sigh ... the bright side of all this is that I am very very grateful for my dear friends (both real and online) and the talented medical personnel who look after me. Grateful could definitely be an understatement here...

Ali Edwards is a real inspiration to me; she inspired me to pick the word, Refresh as my 2009 word. Another inspiration from Ali is the Photo A Day and the scrappy world is abuzz over Creating Keepsakes Project 365. Here is my version of Project 365. For me, taking a photo a day is a matter of remembering to take my camera out to play and learn - so indulge me as I share some of my photos for the next 365 days!

So on January 1, 2009, I took my new Canon 40D for a test drive. Here is one of my faves of the day!

I distinctly remember cracking open the manual to learn how to set-up the self-timer as I wanted a very slow shutter speed to get a "glow" on the Christmas ornaments. I wanted to try out a photography tip from Kathy Thompson-Laffoley (yes, the same amazing lady that I am taking the Digi Divas and Just Shoot Me classes)...

You know I was so happy it worked, well, at least better than it had in the past! LOL

So I hope you will look forward to more picture sharing in the days and weeks to come!

-vw

February Scrap Shotz Kit

It's Jenni Bowlin! That's right! Jenni Bowlin! I love Jenni Bowlin and up until now, I have not had a chance to work with her fabulously creative products. Because my projects are in the Scrap Shotz monthly kit insert this month, my projects are not revealed in the Scrap Shotz gallery...but that is not to say it is not going to be revealed here on my little 'ol blog! :-)

Here they are - (Unless I state otherwise, all supplies are from the February Scrap Shotz kit - you will be amazed at how full and complete these kits are!)

And a close-up-

I haven't done a 2-pager for awhile and now I wonder why I had not??? I love them! So much space to work with!

Jenn's shaped paper is awesome! It is so thick and versatile - one sheet goes a very long way!

And how could I forget the ever frustrating moments of taking pictures of the girls??? Why can't they both look the same way and smile at the same time? ... sigh...I have oh so many blooper pictures! LOL

Oddly enough, I have been doing alot of 6x12 layouts. When they first appeared on the scene, I thought to myself...I'll never do this! And now look at me! LOL It just goes to show...never say never!

This is a very special layout of my Mom with the girls. The picture was taken before we took her to the airport. She and my girls share a very special bond and always together; hence, the title, Trio.

I have had this frame since I lived in the Bay Area...don't tell but that was 1995!!!! Ack! I could not let anything go to waste with this kit so I jazzed up this old frame! Too easy!

And lastly, here is my version of an ATC! Aren't this mini bingo cards just the cutest? The little chick is a paper piecing from an Imaginesce stamp. The chipboard heart is from Making Memories as are the black mini alphas.

Thanks for dropping by!
-vw

Sketch #75

Today I would love to share with you my layout for Valerie Salmon's Sketch #75. If you have never visited Valerie Salmon's blog, you are completely missing out! It is so chockful of inspiration and fabulous sketches to use! I am so lucky to be asked again by Lynn and Valerie to create a layout with Valerie's sketch. Here is my layout...

Supplies: We R Memory Keepers (all pattern papers); Bazzill cardstock (orange, brown, green); ribbon (unknown source); American Crafts (epoxy thickers, epoxy photo corners, scallop edge, badge); Melissa Frances (rub on); Me & My Big Ideas (bling circles); Coluzzle (cut circles); VersaMagic (Jumbo Java chalk)

Thanks for dropping by!
-vw

Some Scrappy Show and Tell

Wowsers! The Retail Recovery Online Crop at Scrap Shotz was a huge success! We had such fun with the challenges and the make n takes. Wanna see my layouts for my challenges? Here they are -

For the HMV Challenge,

And a close-up,

Supplies: Close to my Heart6 cardstock; KI Memories (brown/blue pattern paper, blue/white pattern paper), American Crafts thickers; ribbon (unknown); American Crafts pen (journaling); stitching

For The Gap challenge,

Supplies: Scrap Shotz Kits Take 2 - Bazzill cardstock; Doodlebug Inc (stripe pp); Making Memories (post card pp); Scenic Route (red/pink polka dot); Heidi Swapp (chipboard alphas); Making Memories (chipboard parentheses, heart); Melissa Frances (rub-on); American Crafts (black brads)

For my Progressive Card Challenge,

Supplies: Close to my Heart (cardstock base, red, gems); Basic Grey (pattern paper); assorted chipboard (Creative Imaginations, Pressed Petals; Making Memories; Chatterbox); Queen & Co (acrylic hearts)

And for the Scrap Shotz Gives Back challenge (use hearts),

Supplies: Bazzill cardstock (dark brown); Close to my Heart (fuscia cardstock); Doodlebug (stripe, paisley, swirls pattern papers); Scenic Route (red/pink polka dot); Tinkering Ink (pink/red grid); KI Memories (pink/multi polka dot); Making Memories (chipboard photo corner and mini heart); Heidi Swapp (red alphas, white mini heart); American Crafts (brown alpha stickers, pen for journaling); stitching.

Thanks for coming by! Tomorrow I'll show you some projects with the Scrap Shotz February Jenni Bowlin kit! (I loved that kit!)

-vw