Time...

in order to stay away from any cliche's, let's just say it has been good! Summer is good! For the first time in a long time, I have been able to just play Mom. I really hate it on Monday mornings when Chuck has to head on into work. I know it is hard when we are at home and living summer.

This past weekend we headed to my parent's house to just hang out. We scrapped, played, ate, read, rode the jet ski, and just hung out as a family unit. Made today even harder to be a Monday...

Over at Coordinates Collections, Jennifer (aka pinge) posted a challenge about using your stash instead of buying more. Well, I am ALL about that! And so is my husband... and so is my check book... and so is my scrapbook storage... well, you get the picture! So, Jennifer... here are my FIRST five layouts using what I already had in my space! This was a blast, and I am not stopping at five! And it is even using photos that are already printed to boot!

And to end this with a Travisism... this JUST happened! T is playing with a city mat and his John Deer /Lincoln Logs. He brings me a car part and starts asking about it. Remember we are a city family! Cass... don't you DARE laugh!

T: Mom, what do you think this is?

Me: I believe it is a hay hauler.

T: What does it do?

Me: It takes the hay from the fields to barn for the horses and stuff.

T: How does the hay not fly out when the farmer is taking it back to the barn?

Me: I have no idea?

T: Maybe you should just look it up on Google... it can tell you.

Definitely a sign of the times!

Lights Out!

me

Who knew...

That I could actually DO this stuff? I don't ever want this class to end... I just want to sit and watch this woman work her magic... Now to just be able to remember how to do it each time! The great part about her class, is all the videos and tutorials will be available FOREVER! And this class was FREE! I think I will be signing up for more classes!

Lights Out!

me

O M Goodness...

OK, so I have always loved the single color stuff for photos... and I have done it for past Christmas card photos... but it took me HOURS to get it done! And it never looked completely right! Holy Crow! JS showed us the easy way to do this! Can't wait to teach my class this in the fall!

Lights Out!

me

More playing...

Today we got to creat a project from start to finish! We created our own clipping mask (just a simple rounded corner look), added textures, an overlay, and text overlays! I love playing with the different fonts! This is my parents on their patio. This photo was originally used for a wine label for a Christmas present!

And this is our runner! I have already scrapped this photo... but I thought it was perfect for the overlay!

Lights Out!

me

Just Playing...

And LOVING it! So, Dad got me PSE6 a while ago, and I have been floundering around with it and having some success... then along came Jessica Sprague! She is my new hero! I am really not sure what I will do with these photos now that they are enhanced... but I am in love with some of the looks!

We started off simply by adding a frame and some word art... photo of E up at the lake!

Next we learned how to use brushes like stamps! Changed to colors to match things from the actual photo.

Creating a vintage hand tinted look with a different frame.

Clipping masks... these things are just downright FUN!

Wow... this one is just down right amazing. We learned how to find new textures and add them to photos to just change it! More frames... And my camera is now on the look out for all kinds of new textures to add to photos.
This one is called TTV (through the viewfinder) Apparently a new "old" look I also added a brush (stamp) and a later lesson the different fonts and goodies!

Here is the later adding fonts and stuff to photos. There is also an aged paper texture to the background.
This one is old school... but in a new technique. Just burning the edges to keep the focus on the center.

Still a few more days to go in the lessons... but I can't wait to teach this to the photo journalism kids next fall! They will just get a kick out of what art they can make to their photos!

Lights Out!

me

OMG... this would be AWESOME!

I am currently looking to buy a new lens now that I am getting used to my new camera... and this place is GIVING one away! Go check it out! Then check out the rest of the site, it is a gem!

Lights Out!
me!

My first REAL photo shoot

So go nicely! One of my former students had a baby... yes, I am feeling the age of this one. And she did it ligit... married, teaching, and a kid! Love her... This is just a sneak so she can see them before she gets back!

Lights Out!
me!

SEVEN?

Can it be seven years ago, this little man came into our lives? And it has been 2,548 days of pure joy that he has brought to us. Happy Birthday, Little Man! We love you so much and are so proud of the person that you are becoming. One with an amazing sense of humor, a zest for joy, and an overall love of life.

PS - This is my Day2 homework for Jessica Sprague's FREE Photo-Editing: Frame Ups ans Special Effects class! Loverly!

Lights Out!

me