Leon County Courthouse!

I've had a busy last half of the month.  I didn't get a chance to scrap last week at all!  But I did get two layouts done today!  So Happy!

I love love the courthouse photos I take.  In July of 2012 I stumbled across Nuts About Sketches.  The first post I read was a design team call.  This was a layout I did using Sketch # 224 just before I made the team.  This is Leon County Courthouse before the restoration with a stock photo I found along with a photo I took after the restoration.  The link above will take you to Texas Courthouse for another view of the courthouse before it's restoration.

Then today I worked on the photos which lead me down the path to the undying passion I have for my state's courthouses!  Larry and I decided to take a different route to his mother's house in the winter of 2007.  As we drove into the square I was absolutely stunned at the courthouse.  It looked absolutely horrible.  Nothing like what I had seen the half dozen other times I had driven through Centerville.  I had the camera and asked Larry to stop.  I was a scrapper of six months when I took these photos!  When Larry and I got home I found Texas Courthouses.  As I started to read, then read some more as I looked at courthouses the passion began.  Texas Courthouses was the very first website dedicated to our state's county courthouses.  I think that is where the passion began on this website for so many who are now traveling Texas to capture the same photos I am.  And there is a huge push to renovate those that need it as many are historical buildings.  My love has grown as it's no longer just the courthouse that pulls me in as I visit them.  It's the history and people I learn about as I read the historical markers.  Each is a centerpiece of the county and each is a source of  pride for the county residents.  More so in rural counties in our state.

Tomorrow I'll get a better picture(s) and replace.

Unfortunately I didn't get it up in time to post it over at Counterfeit Kit Club Blog!  That's ok, this one is done and once again I turned to Nuts About sketches for the inspiration, Nuts About Sketches #288.  Used up more of my kit!!!

The next layout used the Bonus CHA kit.  Well sort of.....just the Glitz paper as the base.  Some of the items I pulled from the courthouse travel kit and some more items from special little goodies that arrived this month in my stash!

I started this layout two weeks ago and needed to fix it once my Art Anthology paint came it!  Now I love it!  It's a Misty Early May morning looking from the porch towards the road.  Our round hay is stored in my two acre lawn and the post behind the hay has one wet cold buzzard sitting on it.  We had one of those Central Texas Severe Thunderstorms accompanying a front around 2am.  This buzzard was just waiting for the sun to come out.  Of all the embellishments I have received lately I really love the Studio Calico Farm Animals.  There are at least four different breeds of horses.  I was so very thrilled they included the Arabian in the mix and actual cattle which don't look like Holsteins!  We have all three species of farm animals on this page:  Two Arabians, 200 head of beef cattle, 18 chickens and 4 guinea hens.

I think the thing I love the most about this layout is the Art Anthology Sorbet!  What total fun to play with!

I came into Blogger this evening to find I had made the FAB 5 at Counterfeit Kit Club Blog!!!  Wow, I'm thrilled!  Thank you so much!  I am humbled to be in such great company!  Congrats to the other recipients!

Until Next Time!

Delight - Nuts About Sketches #274

I am a week behind on posting my Nuts About Sketches layout!  So let's take a peek at this week's sketch #275.  A wonderful two pager and gorgeous layouts by the design team on the blog!

I had a busy week and no time to print out photos to work with this sketch!

I do though wish to share with you the layout I did for Nuts About Sketches #274.

This sketch just just spoke about fun all through it!  The June Paper Bakery Kit when it arrived was loaded with pure fun!  I couldn't resist to use it to work with this picture of my wonderful son James!

Thank you for taking a peek and please check out the wonderful sketches at Nuts About Sketches!

Until next time.... 

My Ride

I have been absent from blogging with a huge amount of MOJO going on when it comes to my scrapping.  Even as I type I would rather be at my table playing with paper and glue.  Next layout I'm thinking about is using Bo Bunny Anthem & Liberty to work with a photo of my mother taken on July 4, 1976.  I also love love the June Paper Bakery Scrapbook Kit.  Can't wait to play with it, too!  Sadly already out of stock.  But take a peek at the Mixed Media Kit and Project Kit because they still have some.  They announced to members the reveal of their new website on July 15th!  Looking forward to it! I cranked out 12 layouts since my last post that are posted on my gallery and finished another for next week's Nuts About Sketches post!  I haven't had that much mojo in I don't know when.

Tuesday is usually the day I post my design team work for Nuts About Sketches and it's exactly what I want to share.  The photos are James'. He took them with his cell phone while out in the Main Pasture at the ranch.  Now why he would want to ride his KLR back there is beyond me.  We have more thorns then you can even begin to count.  Mowing the pastures as we don't use chemicals is the only way we control weeds.  Small mesquite and prickly pear end up leaving thorns all over the ground.  Fortunately no flat tires.  The two photos Mom likes the most are the bottom two.  This young bull calf is stretching in the left.  He's just adorable!

I used the May Paper Bakery Scrapbook Kit "Glitz Road Show"!  What an awesome kit full of fun colors and unique patterns.  Then also take a peek at this month's 4x4 Challenge over at A Cherry on Top as this is the example for the challenge.  Fun challenge and very specific, the ladies who regularly do this challenge are so creative with it!

Here's the sketch for this week from Nuts About Sketches.  Join in on the fun sketch whether you choose a single page layout or double page!

Sketch 269 - Nuts About Sketches!

Often times when a sketch just doesn't seem to fix in my head I take the sketch and make it smaller while still including most or all of the elements.

I had just the photo of my Great Uncle Tom who I never met.  The photo was taken in October of 1900 and he was five years old.  I had to choose Bo Bunny Timepiece as it seemed so appropriate for a turn of the century photo.  Somewhere in my mind was remembering what I was thinking when we were all worried about electronics and Y2K.  Time....ever moving forward!

Be sure to stop by Nuts About Sketches and see the awesome creations by the design team!

Thank you for taking a peek at my blog today!

May Nuts About Sketches!

Of the five sketches for the month of May at Nuts About Sketches I was able to get two in on time.  I had no idea that after our Field Day at the ranch I would stay so busy.  So this month I promised to get at least three done.  I've done two and you'll see Sketch 269 here tomorrow.

I have shared two from May and thought I would share the other two I did..

For Sketch #265 I chose to use the left hand side to do a few pictures of James' Best Friend Robert.  Ok....so I'm desperately trying to figure out why James cut Robert's head off in two of the three photos.  Really James!.....LOL!  The other picture is Robert and his fiance sound asleep after an all night LAN Party. I had plenty of embellies for older more "dull" games and thought they would make a great contrast to these Tech Savvy young men who love gaming.  One thing I did learn in this layout is that fussy cutting vellum is a royal pain.  I'll think twice the next time!  This one photographed in time but couldn't square it up so didn't send it.

The sketch!  Sketch 265!

This sketch I did get in on time!  Oh my I love loved this sketch!  I knew exactly which photo I would use.  Remember this layout from Sketch # 260.  

Well I had an extra photo of Belle that needed to be scrapped from the same photo shoot.  I'm notorious for doing single page layouts and putting them side by side to form a double page spread.  I ordered the same paper from Elle's Studio and off I went once again using my Paper Bakery Kit to complete it!  Love love the results using Nuts About Sketches # 266!

And the sketch #266:

The title once sitting side by side in the album will be Life's Contentment!

Thank you for taking a peek today and be sure to check and see this week's sketch over at Nuts About Sketches and join in on Shawn's amazing sketches!

Sketch 268 - Nuts About Sketches!

Sketches are my go to inspiration. Sometimes it is multiple sketches which inspire me sometimes a single one.  I just loved this week's sketch and decided on something really simple to represent my best friend!  

Paige is so adorable, loyal and always my constant companion.  She makes my heart warm and my face light up!  LOL....she's even had Daddy (Larry) smitten like I've never seen him smitten over a dog before.  I heart Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!

And here is the sketch!

Imaginisce Good Dog line was absolutely perfect for these photos!

Hop on over to Nuts About Sketches and find that special sketch(es) to inspire you!

Intelligent

What fun this week's sketch is over at Nuts About Sketches!  It's week #264 with an excellent sketch!

I rotated the sketch and kept the elements using mostly Studio Calico to once again do a layout with Zuby as the focus.  I am also wondering, 'Is vellum coming back in?'  I hope so.  The Studio Calico paper and vellum along with the Simple Stories Burlap paper came in my January Paper Bakery Scrapbooking Kit.  I used the vellum for the circle element in my layout.  Everything else came out of my stash.  Fun sketch....oh yeah, I already wrote that!

My daughter took this photo Summer '09.  I probably have written about how intelligent Zuby is. One of the first things I remember learning about horses is to look at their eyes.  They will always without fail tell you exactly how the horse is feeling at that moment.  You quickly get an idea of his intelligence and character.  I can tell from the base of his ear that they are pricked forward and he's wondering why with interest what Lynn is doing.  At the same time it didn't take him long to become bored with the black box going 'click.'  Having him born in my arms I can immediately read what his mood is and what is interesting him at the time.  And how quickly he will find it either boring or continue his interest.  Lynn took some other photos this day which I will scrap soon. They show it didn't take him long to find much more interesting things to occupy that constantly moving mind of his.

I hope you enjoy this week's sketch and will take a peek at the amazing work the design team came up with!

Until next time!

May Day Inspiration!!!

Happy May Day everyone!!!  For those of you in the upper Midwest and northern Great Plains you have snow this morning!  Really????  Did someone forget to tell the weatherman there is suppose to be no SNOW in May!  That really dampens the fun of delivering baskets today!

I always love the first day of the month!  Challenges for the month are going up everywhere and it's so much fun to see the creativity.  No exceptions here as my two challenges went up this morning on ACOT.

The Heritage Challenge this month is to scrap a heritage layout about the arts and you can find it here.  And my example is an incredible photo to have the opportunity to scrap!  A photo of my maternal great-grandmother in a stage production at Howard Seminary School in West Bridgewater, MA dated 1885.  I wish I knew what the production was.  She is far left standing looking at camera.

I love once again pairing Bo Bunny Gabrielle up with Graphic 45.  This is the second time I've done this.  I find jut the thought of using these two companies together an odd pairing as they are so opposite of each other in design.  I spent some time fussy cutting some of the elements for the layout using the paper from G45  Once Upon a Springtime Fairy Folk.  I have to admit I just love love the Martha Stewart new Circle Edge Punch System!  So much fun!  I loved using it for this layout and it's comes as a kit with the base!  What is even more fun is I get two punches Circle Edge Punches every quarter from HSN to my ever ongoing expanding Martha Stewart punch collection!  I love HSN's auto ship!!!

The other challenge I host at ACOT is the 4x4 Challenge.  A super fun challenge for me!  I remember the first one I did and it was almost to the point of excruciating to get it done with so little.  Now it's fun to see how detailed I can get with so little.  This month is the first time I used more then one photo for the challenge and used Nuts About Sketches #263 to do the layout.

Most of the product I used for this layout was Basic Grey Out of Print with some Little Yellow Bicycle, October Afternoon, Tattered Angels Pink Lady Glimmer Glaze thrown in.  Alphas came from Quickutz Zoe Unicase Alphabet and Martha Stewart's String Lace straight edge punch.  The photo is of spring calves in late March or Early April '09.  I still have another layout of 5 or 6 photos from 2009 of spring calves to scrap, too!  To my many northern cattle friends, I know this year your spring calving has been wrought with worry over the arrival of calves due to winter just not letting go.  I've only had to deal with that type of inclement weather with newborns a couple of times  Yet again, you wonder how we make it through our summers.....it's called the right type of cow as in Brahma in the pedigrees and Texas Longhorns do well in that type of  hot, too!  We are fortunate to have our Lowline Angus herd adapt to our summer weather but it is so much harder on them then with our Brahma influenced beef herd.

I hope you will stop by two of my favorite sites on the web, Nuts About Sketches and ACOT!  If your an avid scrapper and love online crops then come join in the fun in ACOT's community for the NSD Crop on Saturday, May 4th.  Unfortunately I will not attend until the evening if I'm not totally worn out as we are hosting a Field Day at the ranch this Saturday with about 200 people expected!

Ibn Zubaydahh

I want everyone to give a great big wave to Department of Homeland Security for doing their job!!!  It's just little ole me again with my Arabian Horses.  This time it's Zuby, with his registered name Ibn Zubaydahh and as you scroll through my blog you'll find his sire is Tammen and his dam is Zubaydahh.  And he has an older full brother Abcar Ibn Tammen aka AC.  By the way DHS investigator we appreciate you keeping us safe and please

I had an absolutely wonderful time using this sketch from Nuts About Sketches #258!  

Zuby is pictured here in May of 1993 as a young colt.  He's showing off a little and having some fun.

Now at the age of 21 he still plays in the pasture with his friend Bogart when he's feeling really good.  He has lived a year with thyroid cancer and shows no sign of  an additional slow down since being diagnosed a year ago. Everyday I treasure each and every interaction I have with this grand old gentleman.  I noticed this weekend Zuby has self braid his mane in to one horrible mess that only a pair of scissors will fix.  How he does that in a single day is beyond me!  He constantly reminds our now four year old Bogart that with age comes wisdom.  And I have seen in the last year Bogart has learned a huge amount from Zuby on how to live life as well as still defer to his best friend as herd leader although it is only the two of them.

Now you might be wondering why I'm writing about DHS.  I suppose with the recent happenings in Boston they will once again come looking at me.  Zubaydahh was born in the early 1980's given her name by her breeder Tom McNair a respected trainer/breeder in the Arabian Breed.  When I posted the layout in 2010 I happened a little under a week later on looked at the tracking of entries into our ranch website via our web server.  I wasn't surprised I was investigated I just didn't think I would know.  Not my fault my mother's beloved mare would share a name with a terrorist who would be killed by our country or that she would name Zu's last foal after his mother 21 years ago.  The difference is in the spelling of the name Zu had two "h's" where the evil one had one "h". They will find little ole me with Arabian horses, Lowline Cattle, an avid scrapper, and a huge love for my country and it's deep history I so dearly love to continue to learn.  I am a constant reader as it relates to my family lineage all the way back to the Pilgrims on my side of the family and on Larry's side the tidewater of North Carolina and how his family arrived in Texas before Stephan F. Austin.  They will also find out how much I love my state and it's rich history as the only state to have once been a nation.  One of my favorite sites is Texas Courthouses.  We have the most amazing collection of courthouses in the state.  I've started on my journey to photograph all 254 courthouses as well as scrap those photos.  It's a bucket list thing for me. They have written in the past it's a 200,000 mile journey on the Texas Courthouse website.  I am so excited at the prospect to see every one and read of the history of each county on the historical markers that can be found at each courthouse.  And if you wonder here's a layout of the Leon County Courthouse with more to come.

So wave to DHS on your way out and know they are really trying to keep us safe.  Have a great day Mr. or  Ms DHS investigator!

And a big whoop with two posts in two days!  

Contentment!

I definitely have been in a progressive state of of MIA!  That terrible process of thinking I need to blog today....I'll do it tomorrow thing going on.  So today as it's 11:30pm CST on the 23rd and I'm doing at least one post for early tomorrow morning.  I have so much I wish to share in one post!

Some wonderful things going on in various places I visit!  Imaginisce and The Twinery have teamed up this week on their blogs to showcase some awesome projects their design teams have created via a blog hop!  Two great prizes to be awarded so definitely check this Blog Hop out.

Yesterday (4/23/12) Prima launched a new Ustream video 1+1 with Frank and Liz doing a mixed media album cover which I viewed.  Totally Awesome and you just have to watch!  I have more ideas in my mind for a mixed media mini album I'll be making for my mother this summer for her birthday in November.  Not to worry my mother is terrible at navigating the web and has no idea I blog or even what a blog is.  Thank you Frank & Liz!

I have been more scrappy though since my last post and wanted to share with you one of my new favorite layout with Belle as the subject!  I used my Paper Bakery Kit from March and just fell head over heals with the layout when I was done.  I also used Nuts About Sketches # 260 to do the layout.

I just love March's Kit!  It's colorful fun and so inspiring.  Unfortunately it has sold out.  Paper Bakery teamed up one week in March with Elle's Studio via their blogs and had some pure awesomeness going on.  This month's kit has also sold out!  If you hop over to take a look be sure to find the Exclusive Elle's Studio Flairs Sarah Designed and I used one this layout!  They are so much fun!

I had one of those moments where I didn't attach the photo of this layout to my email....dumb I know....and it's not on the Nuts About Sketches blog.  I was so busy I didn't go back and check my email either until after the layouts were posted to the blog!  Honestly, it started to thunder and the computers at the ranch and my scrapbook room are in the same separate building.  I hate being outside when a storm is coming in as I've almost been struck twice in the past.  That hair raising thing is a terrible  feeling!  So I was hurrying to move to the house.

Until next time and I hope it's a much shorter time period between posts enjoy your day to it's fullest!

BOOM!

As I scrap the photos my son gave me for an album(s) that will be his, I am reminded often I scrap them through a mother's eyes and not necessarily through his eyes as he sees the photos.  Prima's line Craftsman so fits the men in my family, Larry and James.  I've left space for him to journal about the photos if he wishes.    Yet this layout Mom did the journaling through the word stickers as she knew about the incident portrayed in the photos later that day.  When James saw the layout he smiled and said, 'That's great Mom!'  One of those comments Mom's just love when they also see the expression on their child's face.

Andrew and James have been good friends for years.  James had just purchased the bike in the photo and Andrew wanted to try it out.  The neighborhood we live in is very different then most Houston area neighborhoods.  The lots are a minimum of one acre.  There are few privacy fences so there is a feeling of a large spaces.  After driving up and down our street in the neighborhood he ventured through the rest of the neighborhood.  On one curve Andrew didn't take the curve well and slid the bike into the ditch.  Fortunately no injury's to him or the bike.  Of course Jame's took the photos.  James' friends have followed suit and they all have bikes now and spend one or two weekends riding together each month.  Andrew's entire family now has bike's and they ride as a family.

The inspiration for this layout came from Nuts About Sketches #256.  It's a wonderful sketch where you can easily make it as intricate one wants or a very quick simple layout!

I loved the detail of the sketch.  I started by not wanting to add the frame with the sketch.  When I purchased the Craftsman line from A Cherry on Top, I was in the state of, 'Washi Tape, WHY?  The Prima Craftsman Washi Tape came in my October Paper Bakery Scrapbooking Kit!

 I had this sudden realization this little jewel with the light bulbs was perfect for the layout.  A couple of minutes later I had the broken frame representing a light bulb moment and the mishap Andrew had about riding a bike.  I was stunned at the ease of use the ability to re-position the tape and now was hooked on Washi Tape.  Promptly my Wishlist at A Cherry on Top became one third full of Washi Tape!  Most of  the Washi Tape is represented by Prima in my Wishlist.

By the way if you have not discovered Paper Bakery Kit Club you need to take a peek at the fabulous Scrapbooking Kits, Project Kits, and Mixed Media Kits.  Sarah puts together the best kits ever!  An added plus is the fabulous design team Sarah has put together.  Check their projects out on Paper Bakery Kit Blog!  Next week, March 18-22 Paper Bakery Kit Club Blog will be teaming up with Elle's Studio blog for some fantastic fun and inspiration with a give-a-way or two during the week!  I'll be there and I can not wait to get this month's kit!

Roses

I love roses!  My favorite flower.  As a member of Delta Zeta my passion was sparked for roses with the Killarney rose as the flower of my sorority.  At our Houston area home I built a rose bed and love caring for the roses.  Most individuals think roses take to much time.  Once planted it takes about 15 minutes a week and 30 minutes the week you fertilize each month for 10 bushes.  Twice a year on the Upper Texas Gulf coast you do a severe prune on Valentine's Day and a minor prune in September to enjoy year round roses.  The no fuss rose are the Knock-outs.  Knock-outs are a Rose for Dummies.  Beautiful plants and one you can enjoy with no fussing.  My favorites are the t-roses!

In 2008 my permanent home became the ranch.  Without me at our Houston area home my rose bed suffered.  I took these photos to document the shape of the bed.  After HLSR I'll be redoing the bed so I don't have the grass problems I have had.  My husband and son don't take an interest in the roses so I'm down to four bushes.  Thus with this layout I named it Neglect.  I liked the colors of the photos to document how frustrating it has been for me.  Yet it is the care of the cattle at the ranch which is more important for me.

The layout was done for Nuts About Sketches #253.  I loved the hexagons in this sketch.  Three weeks ago I placed an order to get some more adhesive from Creative Memories.  As always I took a peek at the rest of the tools.  I love their Patterns for circles and other shapes.  I found the Limited Edition Jumbo Hexagon Pattern and it was a had to have item for me.  My first use of this pattern was to use a partial hexagon in place of the partial circle above the photos.  My hexagon punches from CM came in handy to finish the layout.  I laughed as I pulled the few scraps out I had left of the Crate Paper Brunch line which if I remember right dates back to 2007 or 2008.  It was the first line I purchased outside of CM and I haven't looked back.  I still have a few scraps left for yet another layout waiting in the wings.  The rest of the layout is PB&J and some Bo Bunny Dotted Swiss cardstock.

Stop by and visit Nuts About Sketches and play along with us this week!  Then don't forget to stop by and play along with the Heritage Challenge at ACOT where you get an extra chance to win the gift certificate if you use one of this month's sketches to do your layout!

Texas Wildflowers

I'm just wild about flowers.  I love flowers!  I am head over heals over is my Great State's wildflowers and roses as my favorites!  Lady Bird Johnson was instrumental in providing Texans awareness of just how special our wildflowers are.  Much has been done to preserve their beauty across our state for the incredible spring we get to enjoy each year.  It's a right of passage to have your children sitting among the bluebonnets and a photo taken.  We are having an early spring and I can not wait until two weeks from now as the bluebonnets start to show their beauty to the world along with the Painted Brush and a host of others.

I did this layout using Nuts About Sketches #223!  I used Basic Grey Sweet Threads and loved the results.   Taken along the county road our ranch is located on I really enjoyed taking these photos in 2009!

One last photo from a email blast I get from a Houston Talk show host.  Sorry not our ranch!  We have our ranch entrance up but the details are not yet finished on it!

I hope y'all consider a trip to Texas in mid-March to see the glory we enjoy each year in our beautiful wildflowers!  I have a bad case of spring fever right now with the early spring we are having and the need to see my state turn absolutely gorgeous!

BV 2U aka Bonna

Hehe!!!   I truly rested from my weekend long crop the last two days, thus no blog posts.  But also played with making some Valentines cards. Hint....come back tomorrow.

In early October of 2008 we purchased a heifer at the Get Back to Grass Sale who later received the barn name of Bonna.  In the early summer of 2009 we sold her to Raincross Ranch in Hearne, Texas.  As I was looking for photos to work with Nuts About Sketches # 252 I came across these photos of Bonna.  Bonna was one of my first subjects to begin to practice taking photos of cattle.  I was studying angles.  Of the 32 photos I took these were my favorite five.  The best one and most striking just wasn't a close up shot so cut it down for the layout.  It's obvious of her standing behind the grass and mesquite bush.  This is the one that has show heifer written all over her.  The pictures were perfect as I was also thinking about how Bonna will be representing our genetics at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Last year we had Bonna return to our ranch for two months to be bred to FJL General Beauregard!  Bonna is entered in the Senior Cow/Calf class and consigned to the 2nd Annual International Lowline Sale at Houston.  She sells as a pair with her 2012 Heifer.  Bonna is a 3/4 Lowline Cow with nice size frame and has huge amount of efficiency in the pasture.  She is a BR Absolut 1L daughter out of a half blood Lowline/Gelbvieh cross cow.   Bonna's 2012 December calf is a purebred daughter of FJL General Beauregard (Ardrossan Neron x EZ Twyla 61T)  The General's calves have fast growth, correct structure, and a quiet nature.  The General has several division championships including the 1st International Champion Senior Bull.  He's highly efficient in the pasture correct structure and easy on the eyes.  So easy on the eyes you'll take a second glance at this "pretty" boy!  In fact he even thinks he's pretty and has had a theme song given to him, 'Sexy and I Know It'!  Remember if your at Houston make sure you take a good look at Lot 37, BV 2U.

International Lowline Angus Sale Catalog, March 1, 2013

Please check out our Bull Page for more information on FJL General Beauregard,  Flying J&L Ranch!

Abcar Ibn Tammen

This is the second 8x10 sketch Shawn used on her blog!  I had this photo of AC, his barn name, ready to scrap for four months.  I was ecstatic when I received the February sketches to see this awesome sketch!  I had no papers pulled to use and thought I'd use fall colors since the leaves were turning in the photo.  November in Texas Upper Gulf Coast.  I chose to use Lilly Bee Design and Jillibean Grandma's Lima Bean Soup with a little Bazzill cardstock thrown in from my scraps.  I chose to use a few embellishments and alphas from my Paper Bakery October Kit along with some Prima from my stash.

All I can say is I'm so excited about this layout!  The photo just pops and I cannot wait to show my Mom as it comes from her album of our horses.  I know she will be pleased.

Abcar Ibn Tammen (Tammen x Zubaydahh) is pictured as a long two year old.  His show record includes numerous Top Ten Yearling Straight Egyptian Futurity Colt at the Egyptian Event in 1987, Blue Bonnet Arabian Horse Club Futurity Champion and several Amateur Championships and Reserves.

Now everyone has to give a great big wave to Dept. of Homeland Security.  AC's dam was bred & named by Tom McNair long time trainer of Glennloch Farms, Tomball, Texas.  Glennloch has since been sold and is now a subdivision of houses.  This was long before our government was able to kill the terrorist of the same name we purchased.  The first layout I posted of "Zu" as AC's dam was called, I finally decided to not worry about it because it's not my fault she had the name or Tom's.  By the way her name means 'by the book'.  Tom felt her conformation so close to what Arabian Horse Type was suppose to be that he gave her the name.  I accidently found out a week later as I went through the origins of visitors to our website I found DHS had visited!  So I want everyone to wave hello and realize they are doing their job to keep our country safe!!!  My hats off to DHS and a huge thank you!  And whichever employee is looking into it this time, I hope you enjoyed a layout of a very special horse in our family!  And laugh when you realize I'm just a person who loves my ranching lifestyle and I help feed our great country!

Thank you for taking a look at my layout and come join us at Nuts About Sketches!

Family & Friends

I love loved Nuts About Sketches #238 and Nuts About Sketches # 241!

#238

#241

Shawn will let the design team use one or both sides of a double page sketch as our example to submit!  I really like that.  For the layouts below I decided I wanted them side by side in my wedding album.  A different take on using two sketches.  At the time I posted the layout to be used on the website I needed to get with Mom and my brothers to make sure I had the names right for my journaling.  Especially since my younger brother, Doug's girlfriend was in one of the photos.  I did this as we gather Thanksgiving.

I loved loved working with this sketch!  I had never seen an element like the top (diamond on it's side)!  I was intrigued and so happy with my results!  Awesome sketch Shawn!

I chose the left side to work with to complete my altered double page spread!  Shawn just produces the most awesome sketches!  Be sure to come join us on our creative journey at Nuts About Sketches!

I also have to give a great big shout out once again to Basic Grey for the Cappella line as it is THE PERFECT LINE to use for my great-grandmother's wedding dress I was so blessed to be able to wear!

Nuts About Sketches #250

I want to congratulate Shawn on reaching 250 sketches on her blog!  Totally Awesome!  Come check out Nuts About Sketches!

When I see Shawn's sketches I'm building the layout in my head with a photo(s) I have in mind.  This one totally befuddled me!!!!  Sometimes one just needs a little stress to get the creativity going when you are leaving in 48 hours for Denver to the National Western Livestock Show!  You also know you will be way to tired when returning on Saturday to get the layout done.  As I went through every photo I have printed out I had this sudden light bulb moment when I got to these photos.  Perfect!  I was clueless on what to do with wood grain papers until I thought of the cattle!  Now I'm hooked on them.  Since it was Miss Clout 390M and her 2009 calf Miss FJL Valencia I knew just the papers I wanted to use.  I pulled out my Paper Bakery Kits for October and went to work!  Two hours later I was done.

The papers in this kits are so stunning.  They come from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic as well as the American Crafts Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go!  Miss Clout is pictured in the lower right photo and Val is captured in the other four photos.  Val has since been sold to Rocking B Farms in Needville, TX. I get to see her all of the time as I'm at Rocking B monthly or Charlie, Sandy and Mr. Bill are at our farm!  Great friends and partners in raising Lowline Cattle.  We own bulls in partnership, flush cows at the same time to save costs, and in selling our meat via Farmer's Markets.  Val is now a mother herself with the birth of her first bull calf last spring.  I have to laugh as Miss Clout is one of those cows who I claim as "MY Cow"!  I make all of the decisions on who we breed her to.

The sketch is definite Eye Candy!!!!

Please come visit Nuts About Sketches for some terrific inspiration!

First Plunge

Seems kind of funny to work on a layout and post it in January for a wonderful day on Wrightsville Beach, NC.  Mom and I drove in August of 1987 to my grandmother's near Wilmington, NC.  This brought out from the recesses of my brain just what that trip by car with a six month old was like.  Not to mention in the middle of Alabama the AC goes out.  A geezzzz! Dee-Dee as my grandmother was named by my cousin Leslie when she couldn't say Edie just had to have a photo of Lynn in the Atlantic just as she did with my brother's and I when we were little. I added the journaling after I took the photo!

I kind of laugh looking at the big hair of the '80's looking at myself.  These pictures also make me realize how  fast I lost my weight after having Lynn.  Guess I was blessed in that area.  We had fun that day spending about 20 minutes on the beach so we wouldn't burn.

This is my layout for Nuts About Sketches #237!  Come play along with us!  The sketches are sure to inspire you to create!

Until next time!

Halloween 1988

How exciting we leave for the National Western Livestock Show!!!  Whoop!

Somewhere in a lower post I promised to catch up on my layouts for Nuts About Sketches!  So here goes, and look for two or three a week to get them up on my blog because Shawn's sketches are definitely something to brag about!

Halloween has always been a favorite time of year.  Maybe because my birthday is the day before and my dear Mother's birthday is the day after.  We tease each other and say 'Your almost a Witch!'  When you grow up with three days in a row of celebrating something it truly was a time when I was a child to look forward to.  I finally got around to posting my two beautiful children when they were little ones.  Lynn is 21 months and James is three months.  I think the biggest transition I see is in my ability to take better photos.  I'm more patient with myself in taking a photo.  I don't get in a huge hurry any more.  I've also realized I need  to turn that camera 180 degrees.  And I'm thinking about it enough I'm getting more portrait photos.

My two are cutie pies in these photos!  I just loved how this layout turned out using products from my September Paper Bakery Kit Club goodies!

And of course the Nuts About Sketches # 236 is a definite fun sketch to work with!

I have fallen in love with every kit Paper Bakery sends my way.  A great place for something a little different to challenge your mind a definitely a must view page!  oooo....wouldn't I love to be on their design team, maybe sometime in the future!  This month my Add-on Kit I subscribe to and then I couldn't resist the Project Kit I will present to my SIL when I arrive at their house for Thanksgiving.  LOL....don't worry she doesn't even know I blog!  In just a few minutes I'll have it hanging from their balcony and have a picture of it!  October Project Kit:

And this is this September's Add-On Kit which is still available:

Have a wonderful week paper crafting and don't forget to check out this week's sketch at Nuts About Sketches.

Radiance

I just knew the photo and products I wanted to use for this week's Nuts About Sketches Sketch #249!  Shawn once again provided an exquisite sketch to work with!

The photo is my great-aunt Laura, sister to my maternal grandmother  This is on the day of her second marriage  She is my maternal grandmother's sister  Taken May 1939, but no date on the back of the photo in my grandmother's writing.  Lily Bee Design products from Hello Sunshine and Lovely were perfect for this photo.  Aunt Laura really does look absolutely radiant.  The great rub-ons from Hello Sunshine were perfect for the title and journaling!

Last night I opened the February Sketches sent by Shawn!  Oh my gosh.....just can't wait until everyone gets to work with them!!!  Don't forget to check out this week's sketch and post your creations to the post!