Sunday, October 28, 2012

Playing with Color

Ranch work is never ending and fall starts our busy time of year.  Fall weather is welcomed by humans and animals after a long hot Texas summer.  At least not the repeat of Summer 2011!  The bulls are back to sparring a little every evening, the new fall calves and yearlings can be found atop a mound of dirt dug out for our new Fodder Building/Farm Office/Guest Apartment foundation happily playing King of the Mountain!

My scrap time has been somewhat limited.  I'm finding being on my first design team is keeping me focused to spend some time each day at my table working on the newest sketch.  Maybe this week I can catch up on posting some of what I'm getting done.  This layout has to be one of my very favorites.  The photo is one James gave me.  One of his many self portraits.  He played with some color to create the photo on a website  I have long forgotten.



I left it without a title as I wanted the person viewing to give their own title in their mind.  Thank you, James, I just loved your photo!

Nuts About Sketches #235 and a little MME Meadowlark!


I hope you'll come find the same wonderful inspiration I do at Nuts About Sketches!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Hawaii Pineapple

I had a very special photo in my mind sitting on my desk for almost three weeks.  I just became smitten once my head really focused on the Oct. 1st Sketch for Nuts About Sketches blog!  I could see the photo I scrapped immediately in my mind just how to work with the photo, the papers, the ink, distressing and mists!

I needed a tropical feel even though the photo is B/W!  I'm not a tropical kind of color person.  I'm also not a Bo Bunny person although moving to more heritage type of papers has now drawn me in.  Bo Bunny Gabrielle was not a line I could grasp, but I loved all the butterflies as they have been hot hot!  Last year I was visiting the LSS in Buffalo, sadly now closed, I found Gabrielle paired up with Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime and I fell in love.  Purchased five papers and some embellishments....got home and thought I'll never scrap with this.....LOL!  But oh I love Graphic 45.  I could only see these two lines combined to do this layout of my Grandmother in a Pineapple Field.


I did a little research into Hawaii's pineapple production in the 1950's!  Got to love Google.  I wanted to know how that machine worked in the background.  Interesting contraption.  Yet I love all things agriculture. I would love to be able today to chide my grandmother for wearing a blouse, skirt and hat on of all things a farm!  LOL....I know it is associated with her working at American Home Magazine.

One can take a peek here to see what I used on the layout!  But really my favorite ever distressing tool is the Prima Rasptool!  The link is to a great video on how to use the tool by Jamie Dougherty. This was the first time I played with it and I am in love.  Beautifully balanced and light weight to distress giving you loads of control.  I recommend this tool if you do not have one.  And of course available at my favorite online store, A Cherry on Top!



I purchased the Quickutz 2x2 Pineapple die just to do this layout!  Even had to use the distress tool on it along with a paint brush and Glimmer Mist and Chalk and the pineapples were ready to be mounted.  But the white on the brown paper just hid the pineapples.  A little Apricot Nectar Chalkboard and done, I had the look I wanted for the pineapples.  Super fun creating this layout!


Such a cute die!!!!  Photo credit to Lifestyle Crafts and one can click here to see the die in larger size!


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Interview - Nuts About Sketches

I often get excited about so many things in the scrapbooking world, but this weeks sketch from Nuts About Sketches #232 just had me doing a happy dance.  Perfect for my grandmother's album containing her professional photos of career with American Home Magazine.  The photo truly depicts how far we have come in the world of Television in the 1950's!  Although this photo had nothing written on the back she is obviously doing an interview with KSD.  Look closely it's not a window but a back drop!  Thank you Shawn for a great sketch and I look forward to other 8x10 photos on your sketches!!!



Scrap with Modern Homemaker from October Afternoon this was so much fun and fits right in with my grandmother as Equipment Editor for American Home Magazine.

Friday, September 14, 2012

My Addiction to Shopping for Paper Crafting Supplies

A little shopping, a little playing with Inkadinkadoo's new hot toy, "Stamping Gear."  It will be a fun toy.  In the midst of seeing how this new toy works comes realization I have "no", yes no birthday papers!  Whew....I'm glad I made the realization as I have a layout out to do for the October Heritage Challenge I host over ACOT's forum!

So what did a little shopping mean!  Well way to much out flow of dollars.  A little OA Cakewlk, some stencils or masks, some more Prima embellishisments, Tattered Angels Chalkboard in the color of Chalk (white), and two KaiserCraft Wood Flourishes.  I love love this color, I had the good fortune to play with it when I took Stayce DeWid's class last month.  Then HSN beckoned me with an all day crafting!  Purchased three Martha Stewart Punches and some Am. Crafts POW Glitter Paper.  And yes, I amazingly had, some great restraint.  HSN also presented the "Stamping Gear" and so nice to see some little tidbits of info which made my playing with mine a little easier!  I'm going to have a great time with this gadget!  I'm hooked!

I did a happy dance over some much needed rain at the ranch.  Just before dark we had 1.6 inches in the gauge according to James.  And more to come.  At home in Houston area no rain since 3am yesterday, but it's coming this weekend.  Perfect timing as Larry and Lynn wanted to start fall working of cattle this weekend and moved it to next weekend because I wanted to go to a weekend crop!  So come rain because it's a great excuse to stay inside and scrap instead of hearing grumbling from the family they can not be outside this weekend dove hunting.

I haven't shared my total uncontrollable self at the complete lack of self-restraint when Carta Bella's debut line hit the market.  As soon as it arrived from ACOT I was scrapping with it!  Talk about being smitten about no other line like I was with this one!  And this is my creation.  I'm having that urge again to use it and will on something this weekend!  And as I sit writing I think I'll do the birthday photos with Beautiful Moments instead of OA Cakewalk!!!  Running off to change basket before I hit the send button on payment!  I'm so not fond of most theme papers!

Enjoy my first layout using Beautiful Moments from Carta Bella highlighting Papa Red and Dee-Dee.



Have a wonderful weekend and see ya'll next week!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A Little Old and A Little New

I just couldn't resist buying my first papers from Prima!  I've always been a huge fan of their embellishments and especially their flowers.  When Craftsman hit ACOT it was a HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW response.  With a husband and son who love to work with their hands at either fixing and/or building things some of the gorgeous items just had to come to the house!  As I was going through the goodies when Craftsman arrived via USPS I dove right in as soon as I saw the 'Thank you' Wooden Ticket.  I turned to the internet inspiration and accidently stumbled upon Unscripted Sketches!!  Most who participate use the sketches for cards but don't be fooled they are perfect for layouts, too!  My take on Sketch #174!


Dear daughter promptly asked if she could have it in a round about way!  Of course you can use it, It's what I make them for!!!

I also love Laurie hosts the Rewind Challenge at A Cherry on Top.  I just didn't have time to work on the August Trends and Techniques Challenge!  What a great way to get a challenge qualified for another by Rewinding the Clock!!!  The challenge called for using something Polaroidish in your layout!  What better then to have a real Polaroid photo!  I used the Crate Paper Brunch Line....a little dated but the first line I fell in love outside of Creative Memories and I haven't looked back!


Today I say a prayer for the families and friends of those lost in the 9/11 attacks and to hope no other generation has to experience and attack like Pearl Harbor or 9/11 again.


U of H Layout

Our son James is currently in college, although it seems like it's taking "forever" for him to get through it all!  Yet he's witty, sharp on funny funny comebacks, and so very intelligent!  He loves all things technology driven, computers, motorcycles, gaming, movies and reading among an even longer list.  His sister scraps her photos and Mom hers.  He was delighted when I said I would scrap his photos.  I've printed off the ones he has given me.  And these were the first.  "Move Out" day at University of Houston from his dorm at Cougar Place over a year ago.  Ready for inspection of room is Mom's guess!  The journaling belongs to him after all it is his scrapbook Mom is working on!



Once again I'm delighted to say I just fell head over heals with Nuts About Sketches  #230 and was absolutely perfect for a college dorm room layout!!!  Thank you Shawn!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Belle's Foal

My first Arabian was my graduation gift from my parents upon receiving my Master of Science Agriculture from Sam Houston State Univ.  I was stunned, I had no clue.  Her name Bey Belle a Nabiel granddaughter.  She is shown in the layout below in the proofs shot by Jeff Little.  I still have four more proofs to scrap.  I started scrapping the photos we purchased from this shoot with Basic Grey Mellow.  The colors just seemed to fit Belle's beautiful bay coat.  This one includes the photo of the ultrasound taken for us as she was at Rinconada Arabians being bred to Nabiel for her first foal.



This is the first layout I have done as a design team member of Nuts About Sketches, Sketch 229.  Take a moment if you love double page layouts to take a peek at Shawn Lahr's awesome sketches!  I'm having so much fun with them!


Monday, August 27, 2012

Family Farm

I love I kiss a family farmer!  I have often blogged about family farms and how we are a family farm.  I am directly involved in the work here at the ranch and since last posting about the farm our daughter has graduated Texas A&M and joined us on the farm.  We pay her a salary and pay for most of her living expenses such as water and electricity.  She will pay for groceries when Mom and/or Dad are at our other home.  We are so proud of her with a Masters in Agriculture Leadership, Education and Technology.  I've also written about how we are incorporated.  We are a business just like any other business.  I wanted to share a blog post written by another farmer's wife which describes my sentiments exactly.  I also love the photos from this West Texas Farmer!

But let's not forget to share a photo from May on the birth of a very special little heifer on our farm!!!  Meet Miss FJL Texas Red Pearl 17 a fullblood red Lowline Heifer with a very rare pedigree!


And of course the day wouldn't be a happy day without seeing a layout I did of my son's show heifer way back when named Scout!




I laugh with a brahma in the photo and Holstein cow paper from Studio Calico!  And the cat squashed the flower which I have since fixed....have to love tissue paper flowers!  And I know my daughter showed her instead of son!
Have a blessed day!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

before and after....

Yesterday, Larry and I took the long way to the ranch through Waelder.  We had an appointment to go look at Red Kumamoto Wagyu Cattle.  They are so much nicer then the black Wagyu.  And taste of the Red Kumamoto?  Without a doubt the very best beef I have ever tasted!!!  So good we decided to purchase semen.  Seeing them in person, very nice structure on the profile.  Would give them some more width looking from front to back.  Good footed and bone.  Another five years to get this beef to the Farmers' Market.  So just stay tuned.

Today though it was good to be back at the ranch!!!  But typical summer heat pushing 100 and we hid.  Enjoyed Olympics and of course playing with paper.  Today's creation!  Of course Nuts About Sketches Week #224 Sketch!     Another layout sometime in the future since I have ugly courthouse photos of Leon County during it's restoration.


Off to scrap while I can because I have more work to do in Houston this week!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Whoop!!! I'm Excited!

Nuts About Sketches has posted the members who made the Sketch Team!  I'm stunned, EXCITED, and am so looking forward to sharing the wonderful sketches on my blog!!!   Come join us for some scrapping fun!  Sketch 224 is up and I'm looking forward to being at the ranch this weekend to work on it.

The first sketches I get to work with as part of the Sketch Team is in September!!!

I thought I would share this layout I did for the ACOT's July Die Cut Challenge hosted by retiree3.  I just love how it came together using a 4x4 challenge I participated in last year.  I used this layout as my example for a new challenge I'm hosting at ACOT called the 4x4 Challenge!  Hope you'll come view the challenge's there, too.


I love love my state's history and what better way to capture our state's history by it's statues, courthouses, and other historical sites!!!
 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Long time no post!!!  This post is driven by my search for inspiration!   I found a nifty blog about ten days ago and just became smitten!  Now why did I not know about it!!!!  Silly me!  I'm absolutely in love with Nuts About Sketches!!!  I'm really loving their double page sketches!  This is last week's Sketch 223 and my take:


In finding Nuts About Sketches I also found their call for their impending new sketch team.  I've decided to try out for it and this is the layout I produced for that sketch!


Wish me a wee bit of Irish luck!!!  ;-)