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