Can You Even Imagine.....

.....that you would climb a set of stairs to seat yourself in an airplane?  I don't have to imagine as I have.  What a thrill to have three photos from the Glory Age of Travel by plane!  Yes, I remember when we had to get dressed as if going to church to fly.  As well as to have pampered service which doesn't exist anymore unless you fly 1st Class!

Yet to have three 8x10 photos taken of some of the staff of American Home Magazine was an incredible treat to find in my grandmother's files.  Some how to have a professional photographer take the photos and not have one of them with everyone looking at the camera and smiling is beyond me.  This is the first one to scrap.  Definitely staged as my grandmother's coworker is holding an American Home magazine in her hand.  I really wanted two things from this set of photos was to date the photograph as it was unusual to for my grandmother to not date the photo on the back and figure out what the model of aircraft.  The magazine was my ticket.  Off to eBay I went and found the magazine, October 1951 issue.  Then because I have brothers who are commercial pilots I had to figure out what model the airplane was.  LOL....they would be impressed their sister knew.  A little more difficult piece of information to figure out the model.  It definitely was not a DC3 as the chipboard piece at top would lead you to think.  Studied back and forth between mounds of photos of DC4 and DC6 aircraft to decide finally the plane was a DC6.

I died inside looking at the title....off center!  Then I realized the DC3 was off center too!  Darn plaid papers and not using my mat to center things.  As I looked and looked some more I was a tiny bit more happy with how it turned out.  Planes fly into our view and as quickly are out of view.  Works for me!  But still not happy with it.  At some point I'll get to scrapping the other two photos but just wanted to share this one right now.

I also used this layout as my example this month for the Heritage Challenge over at A Cherry on Top.  So stop by and have some fun playing along with us and the Challenges Hosted!  As always there are some great challenges hosted.

Now off to scrap for the rest of the day!

Winners Announced for May Challenges!

I've been so bad lately on just getting posts done for my blog!  I do want to thank all who participated in my challenges this in May over at A Cherry On Top Message Board!  The winners as always are chosen by random number generator and receive a $5 GC from me.  I hope you'll join in the fun this month at A Cherry   On Top Message Board!  Join me in both challenges this month:  Heritage Challenge & 4x4 Challenge.

Winner of the May Heritage Challenge is JillinIN!  She did a beautiful digi layout of photos of her father in an Harmonica Band in 1936!

Winner of the May 4x4 Challenge was the amazing Deanna13 who always makes me drool over her creations!

Also wanted to share Message Board Member art_teacher is hosting MMC again this summer and we have a grand time on Mondays!  MMC also known as Monday Mini Crops!  Come join in on the fun!

A Scrappy Weekend for Me!

This weekend I'm happily scrapping.  So before I dive head first into all things paper for the weekend I thought I would share a few things going on over at A Cherry on Top.  May 4th is the NSD Crop from 9am-9pm.  There are a terrific team of hostesses this year who will provide us with a wonderful time for 12 hours.  If you have never been to an ACOT Crop mark your calendar and join the ACOT Community.  The forum is already buzzing with activity.

I'm very proud of myself this week as I just have really stepped up on the number of layouts done this month.   There is so much inspiration floating all over the web but I really fell head over heals with The Becky Fleck Sketch Challenge - Week #38.  I knew just the photos to use!  My result below.

 

I chose to use Studio Calico Countryside collection which I just love love execpt I wish the cows on the paper were not Holstein's.  At least they are colored so I could look past the cows not being beef cattle.  I also pulled out some odds and ends from my Paper Bakery Kits.  It felt good to be in the home I have all of my embroidery and stitching happily away on my layout! I haven't done that in awhile. I have a 5x7 photo of these five Charolais heifers that I'll do a page from the same line. I prefer doing single page layouts, but I've been known quite often to put two single pages together in an album to form a double page spread.  I didn't win but each week ACOT offers a 1000 points to the winner worth a five dollar discount on your total order.  Of course the more points you collect the larger the discount.  And I think there is a $20 minimum on an order to use your points.  LOL, I sure can't stop at $20 when I purchase scrappy goodness.

Becky Fleck Sketch Challenge - #41 is up and all layouts must be posted in the same Gallery by midnight on Tuesday April 30th.  In otherwords it is 11:59 on the 29th.

The Challenges for April are all due in on Tuesday so if you are looking for some great inspiration then take a peek here.  Of course you can scroll down to yesterday's post to find the Heritage Challenge link I host.  Next month I'll be bringing the 4x4 back and I'm working on that layout for the example right now.  On May 1st come back and see both the Heritage and 4x4 Challenge examples on Wednesday's post!

Until Monday may you have a blessed weekend!

Atlantic City Boardwalk

Years ago I remember my parents taking the family for the day to Atlantic City when we lived in Wilmington, DE.  I must have been 7 or 8 years old.  It's amazing to me I only remember one thing, the trip home.  I remember Daddy had to pull over because we went through a horrible thunderstorm.  I often think how we store some strange memories of our life.  I have been to Atlantic City one other time and those memories are very clear.  As I have have written I spent my college summers in Wilmington, NC.  I had a boyfriend of four years who also lived there.  Summer of 1981 we traveled to visit his aunt and uncle in Guelph, Ontario so once again I was able to return to the city of my birth and see Niagara Falls.  From there we went to visit his brother in Vermont and then on to spend a half day in Atlantic City.  We strolled the Boardwalk and went in to a few Casinos.  Neither one of us much into gambling spent $20 each to have a little fun at Black Jack and the Slots.  I remember the glitz and glam of the Boardwalk but not overly fond of the city itself.  But the memory I am most fond of is stopping to ask a policeman a question.  My boyfriend was 23 and I was three months shy of turning 21.  I asked the policeman what the legal gambling age was as I sure didn't want to spend any unnecessary additional time in Atlantic City.  He replied with an, 'I don't know.'  REALLY?  A policeman didn't know!  LOL!

Within my collection of photographs from my grandmother are quite a few taken just as the photo is in the layout I'm featuring this week.  Apparently having a photo taken strolling the boardwalk was the "IT" thing to have.  There are three or four I have to scrap.  Pictured in this photo from left to right are one of my grandmother's best friends Bettie McStea, my mother at about 14 years of age, and my grandmother Edith Ramsay in 1948.  My grandmother attended several AGA (American Gas Assoc.) Conventions over the years as American Home Magazine Equipment Editor.

From studying photos of Atlantic City during this time period it looks like they are just outside of the Convention Center.

I did this layout as my example of this month's Heritage Challenge at a A Cherry on Top.  You'll just have to click on the link to see what the challenge is all about!  To me a super fun challenge!  At the end of the month I'll select a winner to receive a $5 GC from ACOT delivered by me to you!

Until next time may you have a Blessed Day!

Upcycling with Washi Tape

I just had to share a couple of ideas Brandy aka blbabe1234 shared on how to store Washi Tape on the ACOT message board and the other thread here.

The first is from her husband!  Oh, I just knew their were husband's out there who could come up with some ideas for storage solutions!!!  This is a perfect solution and then one could add to the second solution!!!

And of course here's how it looks afterwards!

Then Brandy found yet another idea on storage of Washi Tape!

Now to find out how to make these little jewels visit the post on Scrapbook and Cards Today Blog post!

My thought right after seeing the second idea was to combine the two!  I would cut the paper rolls down some more then adhere them to store the individual tape dispensers.  I also like the idea of using one's scraps to cover the paper towel rolls!  Or decorate the rolls some other way!  I could even think about making a base to house the rolls by upcycling my boxes by building a base to house the rolls.  The thoughts are just endless when you think about it a bit!

Tell me what you think?

February Winners

How many times have I written about the community of scrappers at A Cherry on Top?  Way to many times to count.  Such a great community!  I hope you'll decide to become a regular participant in the awesome challenges on the site!

I would like to congratulate the Winner of February Heritage Challenge created by sdwhru:

For the 4x4 Challenge the winner is blbabe1234!

Each winner received a $5 ACOT Gift Certificate from me!

All of us from our community to you wish you would join us in the friendliest scrapping community on the web along with many other great challenges sponsored by the community!

This month I have put the 4x4 Challenge on hold just so I can catch up on my design team requirements for the month.  The 4x4 challenge will be back next month!

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!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Home from the crop one would think I would be tired from playing with paper, but I always need to be doing something with my hands.  If I'm not doing house or farm chores you can usually find me at the computer or tablet in hand or scrapping.  Monday and Tuesday watching TV I was happily playing with Imaginisce Love You More Collection and Martha Stewart's Circle Edge Punches!  So here's the 6x6 cards I created!

For the love of my life, Larry!  His valentine card!

My playing with Unscripted Sketches # 197 and my very special daughter's card:

And then some playing with ACOT's February Card Challenge and my son's card:

I'm so hooked on this line!  And of course the amazing Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punches!!!

Now off to make another card for Mom!

Enjoy your Valentine's Day with the ones you love!

A Couple of Winners!

I've written in the past I host the 4x4 Challenge at A Cherry on Top.  I also host the Heritage Challenge.  I love both of these challenges and I submit an example each month for the challenges.  I hope you'll come join us in the great challenges on the message board.

The winners for the challenges each month are posted on the 1st and I'd like to share with you the winners of the challenges this month.

I choose the winner by a random number drawing so everyone has a chance to win!

The January 2013 4x4 challenge was won by retiree3 and I just love her creation!

The Heritage Challenge winner is sandi0805!  Awesome creation with a winter theme and a photo 10 years or older with a journaling of the photo!

Each of these ladies are receiving a $5 Gift Certificate from A Cherry on Top from me!

Come take a peek at the great challenges each month which are offered.

February 4x4 Challenge consists of two pattern papers and 4 embellishments.

February Heritage Challenge must use a Love theme and/or a photo over ten years.  

A couple of other items in the rules for each challenge!

Bo Bunny's Prairie Chic - A Review

From the moment I saw this line on Bo Bunny's Blog I was completely and hopelessly smitten by what I was seeing before my eyes!  This was the had to have line of everything that came out during Winter CHA for me!  And when I click post, I'll hit click and the whole line will arrive shortly in my home!

 

Now on to admonishing the company's who see the west as bucking broncos, rattle snakes, cactus and then have the gaul to put a Jersey Cow in the mix.  A Jersey Cow is a dairy cow not a beef cow.  Don't get me wrong Jersey's are my favorite breed of milk cows.  And don't get me wrong, I think those who own a dairy are amazing individuals.  Their work load in taking care of their herd of cows is incredible to bring you the perfect food, Milk!  I wouldn't know how to run a dairy if you paid me.  Bucking Broncos really irritate me!!! That's rodeo, that's not the ranch lifestyle or any way to train a horse.  If you are a trainer worth your salt then any horse you train never in his or her life offered to even pitch just one time.  The John Wayne movies, Lonesome Dove, etc just ain't (yep used the word for effect) what it's like on a beef cattle ranch of today.  At the same time I understand marketing and common misunderstood perceptions being an agriculture economist.  But I sure won't use those items.  Off my soap box.

  

Back to Prairie Chic!

BO BUNNY GOT IT RIGHT!  WHOOP!

The colors, the designs, the use of boots and flowers so reminds me of the country girl I am.  I love more then anything else being dirty from head to tail at the end of a day at the ranch.  Mind you it's a seven day a week job and sometimes a 24 hour day if you have an animal to care for or a cow your worried about her having her calf safely.  And at times not a pretty job when you fight tooth and nail to save a calf's life only to loose the calf.  It tugs at this ranch gal's heart strings in a way that tears are ok to let flow.  At the end of the day a good shower and fresh crisp clean clothes to have that very special husband say, 'We're going on a date tonight.' makes me realize Prairie Chic is that ranch gal's dream of the pretty that exists in everyone of us.

  

So thank you so much Bo Bunny for bringing the pretty of being a country girl, cowgirl and plan ole ranch hand into my heart!  I truly think this is the very BEST LINE you have created!  Now to line up all those boots of my country girl ranch hand daughter in a row and get that special photo to scrap with this line.  I guess it is my age, I just prefer my solid lacers that became so popular when I was my daughters age!  Oh, and those squared of toes!  Yuck!  Or pointed toes! Yuck!  Give me that softly rounded boot!  

  

Sure hope the other company's stand up and listen....there's the country gal and country boy who deserves the true west of today!  Including beef cattle instead of dairy!  Why not try a Red Angus or American Angus for a start!  And I own only two American Angus!  The rest are Lowline Angus and Santa Gertrudis with a few Longhorns for Yard Art!

Oh and just the time in this post to invite you to visit our website Flying J&L Ranch.

I HEART PRAIRIE CHIC!

EZ Undercover Agent

I have been following Unscripted Sketches for the last four months!  We are so busy at the ranch this time of year I have yet to get a card posted on the blog in time.  I peeked on Monday to see the sketch for this week and oh what an awesome sketch!

Circles have been in my head all week.  I finished my Design Team work and took a look at the Challenges at ACOT!  Between the January Lift Yourself Challenge and this wonderful sketch I was off to the races and two hours later I was done!  I love this creation of EZ Undercover Agent!

When Larry purchased Agent I had a wonderful advertising logo for this bull which I never got to use or even get done before Larry sold him.  If I remember right he sired 3 or 4 calves for us.  But as my husband has a habit of doing he will sell all but a handful of the cattle on the farm if he has a chance to sell one at a profit.  Agent now resides on another Texas ranch as a senior herd sire.  As for the photos, I have no earthly idea why he didn't call me to blow him dry for him.  LOL....we don't blow dry cattle we use the term "blow" cattle.  Don't ask me why we use the terminology we do in the cattle world....LOL!  Thus agent is in the wash rack sopping wet wet when Larry asks me to bring the camera from the house.  On top of that when I arrive he has a show halter on.  Really.....Larry can be really good at adding to the work load on a rare occasion.  Now I have a wet show halter!  So the halter got oiled that evening.  It's one of those times where you just kind of laugh at yourself for getting aggrevated over something that becomes a funny memory a couple of years later when you print the photos.  It's exactly why I scrap!  It's about the memories!

Thank you so much Laurie who hosted the challenge at ACOT and Unscripted Sketches for the sketch!

My Hero

What are heroes!!!  They are individuals we look up to for one reason or another!

One of my heroes is my son!  I have to look up every single time I gaze at him.  In the literal sense!  He's 6'5"!  James is so loving, funny, intelligent and just plain fun to be around!  He loves computers and is majoring in Computer Science.  I am so blessed to have him as my son!

This layout was my example for the 2012 October 4x4 Challenge at A Cherry on Top!  I love hosting this challenge as I talked about in the "Over the River..." layout.  I definitely like this layout!  I chose to use two papers from the BoBunny Cambridge line.

In the photo above you can see I cut one of the papers, flipped it and added a joint to get to 12x12 again.  Then I used the Cut-Outs paper to finish the rest of the layout.  I just love the Zipper Trim from this line, too!  So much so I've had to resist getting another package of them!

Be sure to come join us in this great challenge each month at A Cherry on Top!!!  Random winner receives a $5 Gift Certificate from me!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney

Yay!  We are home!  What a terrific show hosted by American Lowline Registry at the National Western!  New National Champions have been CROWNED! This is a day of much needed rest.  I'll get my pictures in the computer and share some of them later this week!

I thought I'd get this posted before we get to far away from Christmas.  And keeping with the theme from last Friday's post about challenges this seemed the perfect layout to post.  There are so many challenges all over the web we can choose from and each and every one provides inspiration to so many!  As I mentioned last Friday I host two Challenges on A Cherry on Top's Message Board.  The second one is the Heritage Challenge!  I just love this challenge as it keeps me focused on getting close to 1000 photos 15+ years and older scanned in the computer and scrapped.  All of these photos are near and dear to my heart.  I just wish I had the time to focus on genealogy.

This was my example when I hosted the Dec. 2012 Heritage Challenge.

I believe this photo was taken in 1937 or 1938 when my mother was either 3 or 4 years of age.  When Carta Bella released their first line (Beautiful Moments) last year I became an immediate fan of the company!!!  Christmas Day was no exception and the entire line arrived in my home.  It was this page when I first saw it I knew immediately this photo belonged to this page!  I stitched the circle frame with outline stitch.  I loved the idea of a doily because my grandmother loved doilies.  I found the wooden candlestick ornament at Micheal's because of the candlesticks on the mantel.  A little stickles and glossy accents and the ornament became perfect.  My favorite tool I used for this layout was the Harlequin 6x6 Template from from The Crafters Workshop.  I used Tattered Angels Bronze Glimmer Mist and you can see the result just right of the photo.  This was my first time to use glimmer mist on Carta Bella paper and oh my was I happy at how the paper accepts the mist without warping it!!!!  Pure Awesomeness!!! A few other items and my layout was done!  Perfect in my eyes and so elegant!  As I studied the photo I chuckled when I noticed one of the candles on the mantel wasn't straight in it's holder.  Aghhh, even my grandfather who took the photo didn't pay attention to details.  Now I don't feel so bad when I take my photos, LOL!

I hope you'll come check out the challenges at A Cherry on Top Message Board!  We truly have a great time on this message board!

And just a little note about Carta Bella's releases at CHA, I'm blown away by Well Traveled!!!  My favorite of the new releases!

I so can see using this line for our trip to Denver!

Have a wonderful day!

Over the river....

This layout is a way back when layout!  The American Rambler Station Wagon definitely dates the photo.  Interesting that I learn the same month, November, I created this layout that Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney's father owned American Motors.  I wonder too, if this was one of those 'light bulb' moments in loading a car for the trip home from my grandmother's during Thanksgiving Weekend 1969.  Dad is definitely having problems with my brother Doug and the writing is all over Mom and my face.  Next time the kids will wait in the house type of moment, LOL.

As far as the layout, ugh.....it just didn't turn out like I wish it could have.  One of those "light bulb" moments of rethinking the colors I used.  LOL....."light bulb" moments all around.

I host two challenges a month on A Cherry On Top's Message Board.  I love hosting both.  They are my two favorite challenges I have ever done!  This is for the 4x4 Challenge I host.  The challenge is really simple.  You must use only two double sided papers (no more) and four embellishments (no more and no less).  Simple......well not really if you've never tried it!  I am amazed at the creativity that the ladies on the board come up with.  For this month  they all outshown me!  Be sure to check it out!  And don't forget the other wonderful challenges which are hosted by board members!  The message board is the friendliest and most supportive board I have ever been a part of!  

 

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!

This Month's A Cherry On Top GCT!

I've been so busy the first four days of the month with cattle and the TJLA Belt Buckle Bonanza I totally let it slide to post I was chosen last month to be this month's A Cherry on Top's July Creative Team Guest!

Wow!!! To date it has been a wonderful experience! Thank you ACOT, the Creative Team and bluejeans7 (Guest Creative Team Coordinator)!!! I am having so much fun! I was treated to some fantastic products from K&Co Abrianna line. I had to complete three layouts with my products and I had a huge amount left over so I'll have many more layouts to do into the future! My first layout is to the left of this paragraph. I'll post the next two in future posts!

There is always something fun going on the Message Board at ACOT! There is a whole bunch of challenges each month to keep your creative juices flowing if your into any type of paper crafting! One of my favorite challenges each month is the Scraplift the GCT. Of course this month they are lifting one of my layouts. But last month I scrap lifted meteechtap and I just loved her layout and how my lift turned out at right.

Come over and join us for a rocking good time at A Cherry on Top with the greatest ladies on the web!!!

Zu

My second layout of Zubaydahh's photos just after purchase. When I started on the her other layout I happened to look at the journaling paper. The back was so pretty but the journaling paper just kept begging me to us it. December arrives and I see the ACOT's Sketch Challenge for this month. I've been wondering how to do the next five photos. I'm a person who likes a single photo layout. But I looked at the sketch and looked at that journaling paper. I played with the photos. Through it to the side. Came back the next day and tried again. Through it to the side....why do I have trouble with multiple photos? Picked it up again on Monday....and it fell together by midnight in my on the table. Everything I need but the ribbon. I'll find it in the morning. I inked the edges of the photo and went to bed. Then next day my creation!


As I posted this layout to my Facebook page and started to write the caption I thought about how much trouble I have had trying to get my mother to understand what journaling is on a layout. I may have found the solution because she doesn't get it when I say there is a story behind every photo or series of photo. It's not just a who and when thing. It dawned on me. My mother has always written detailed instructions. Called overboard on folding the clothes or linen napkins after ironing along with the instructions on ironing. I laugh now even thinking about it. Whether it was our chores after school if she wasn't home when we arrived or how to feed each individual horse. And it always seemed there would be at least three different rations in the barn. Now I'll tell her, 'Mom write detailed instructions about Zu!' I'm laughing thinking about those instructions.

Finding Total Relaxation!

Introducing Belle, my first Arabian and a professional photo taken of her in 1986 at Rinconada Arabians in Albuquerque, NM. She was there to be bred to Nabiel. For Challenge #4 of ACOT's Fall Crop I had to do a layout about myself. There is no journaling I can put on this layout, the simple "MY SOUL" describes it all! To read more about this layout you can visit here.


I haven't really scrapped much in the last six months. I do not know why but this month I have cranked out six layouts. Maybe because of ACOT's fall crop at the beginning of the month. As I started layout number 7 my Mojo came to a screeching halt. It has been almost two weeks and looked back at the challenge I was working on after deciding to set it aside for a week, but the layout should have been hidden. Then maybe it wouldn't have been taunting me. ;-) The challenge was the November 2010 Monthly Sketch Challenge at ACOT. Sketches are easy for me, maybe it was my choice to use the sketch with a single photo that caused that lack of MOJO! Any way I took a look at that sketch and the light bulb is on. So my goal is to make sure I get it done so I have time to do the Manufacturer's Challenge with Sassafras Lass products, arrival of those should be Tuesday! Then Wednesday my Basic Grey Curio and the first day Fed Ex Delivers after Thanksgiving should be October Afternoon Modern Woman and Cosmos Cricket Circa 1934. Yep, I went hog wild this past week! I'm actually impatiently waiting for Black Friday. I've never shopped on Black Friday, I hate crowds while shopping. But this coming Black Friday I'm hoping to find some irresistible goodies at ACOT. All from the comfort of home, family around and no crowds! Then I get to relax the rest of the month working on Christmas Presents and a layout here and there.

What have I created this month? Some layouts I love!

This was a labor of love, the second layout I did of my father since his death in 2005. When I posted it to my facebook wedding album a friend commented, 'Beautiful! Sometimes I think it's better to wait to do certain scrapbooks until the time is right. Yours will be so much richer after you've had time to reflect on everything.' Thank you, Sally! This was for the Fast Scrap #5 during the ACOT Fall Crop. One had to use a definition of a word on the layout!

I have since done a couple of other layouts for my wedding album. One of my Matron of Honor, myself and my mother. And the bottom all the wonderful people who helped and supported me while getting ready! It was my entry for Challenge #7 (Turkey Dinner Recipe Layout) during the ACOT Crop. One had to choose what they wanted from a list ahead of the deadline what they would have for Thanksgiving dinner. Then the list was matched with what had to be on the layout or card. This one of my loving husband of 24 years with his Best Man and our Pastor. I often laugh now when I think of Larry not having anything to do with the wedding other then the 'We will be married in Denson Springs.' I had no input on the church at all. And at the time it was not worth an argument. 24 years later, I love the fact we were married there! I did this for the Scraplift the ACOT November GCT Challenge.

I never stay within one album any more. I love to switch! The next layout I did for our Family Album. I've been scrapping my Larry's Brother's family during the Holidays in 2008. And my great-nephew is absolutely adorable and begged for me to use Basic Grey Lime Rickey! This was for Challenge #3 during ACOT's Fall Crop. We had to contact another board member and find out their favorite color which in her case was green and then add some bling! When the crop was over I won this challenge, and with it a ten dollar Gift Certificate! Whoo Hooo saving it for Black Friday!




My final layout is one I loved doing. It ties in my love of three things: my husband, my life on the ranch and scrapbooking. Simple layout because life is simple on the farm. It is the layout I did for Challenge # 2 Ad Challenge. You had to use photos forming a 1,2,3 sequence as in the ad. Perfect for this series of photos!

As always I'm hoping to become better at blogging, we'll see!

Aged

I needed to relax in the worse way and stay away from politics right now. It's driving me nuts!

So best way to relax when it is over 100 degrees outside is to scrap. I'm moving pretty slow for the most part. This was for ACOT's 52 Challenges...Week 7. We had to take a picture of what we considered to be art in our world. What is considered normal and maybe you might just walk by. I thought to myself what in the world on a ranch can be considered art. I don't have an old barn any more, it was falling down and not worth fixing. Then it dawned on me....the fences, the right picture taken and it becomes art. It's also something I check every week to make sure there are no holes. That is two hours of work.
This was also the LO for 52 Sketches...52 Weeks #31.


Then a LO I started six weeks ago and finished two weeks ago because I had mental block on the title. It's hard sometimes to think this is a 7x7 LO. I had so much fun with the LO using my revolution to do all the work except for the background paper. I took so many pictures of my Tahition Sunset that I just couldn't title it with the name of the rose. It was just such a fun LO to do! This layout was for 52 Sketches...52 Weeks Week #25 entry.

When you have a chance visit both sites!

So I'm back of to do some more scrapping....