Practice Makes Perfect

At my photography workshop last Sunday, Kathy told us that the best way to improve is to take pictures every day. I took some pictures of Callie yesterday and there was only one that was decent, but not one that makes you say, "Wow".


Today, I experimented on a slower moving subject. This allowed me more time to play with the settings and figure out which one worked the best. I got the WOW I was looking for this time.

I gave them all just a little tweak in photoshop and I cannot get over the difference.

THANKS, KATHY!!

Just Like Mom - Part 2

A few weeks ago, I posted some pictures of Callie putting on lipstick. If you missed them, here they are again on a layout.

Since then, I have a few more examples to share of my little girl mimicking what she sees me doing around the house.

"Help, Mama!!"

Callie absolutely loves to help me clean. Her favourite chores so far are vacuuming, cleaning windows and emptying the dishwasher. I wonder how long this will last.

She is also becoming more and more interested in music, dancing and the piano. Whenever someone is singing or dancing on the television, she will stop what she is doing and watch. Just lately she has started playing the piano more and more all on her own.

"Baby Hundy"
Finally, the "just like mom" photos of all photos are these next ones. This is a daily ritual at our house. She will say, "Baby, hundy", get a pillow and sit down to feed.

Here she is getting organized...

...taking a few minutes to feed....

...and finally burp the baby.

The whole process takes about two minutes from start to finish and has been going on for weeks. I was lucky enough to get these photos last night as she did it when I wasn't doing the same thing with Julia. Too cute.

Great Scrappy News

This has been a great week for all things scrappy.

First, I am going to a crop on Friday night at the local scrapbook store with Tina. This will be the first one I've attended in at least a year and the first girls' night out in AGES. (ETA: This got cancelled!!)

Second, I am going to a "Photography for Scrapbookers" class by Kathy Thompson on Sunday. This full day workshop will focus on SLR cameras in the morning and Photoshop in the afternoon.

Third, Scrapper's Haven had their first Friday night crop of 2008 and I won the prize. This layout is featured on their home page this week.




Fourth, Treasured Scrapbooking held a ribbon contest this month and my name was drawn for this ribbon prize pkg. I am pumped as this is a tool that I do not have and I LOVE ribbon.


Fifth:

I saved the best one for last....

I just got a request for publication for my mosaic Christmas card. It is going to be in the Holiday Cards & More issue of Paper Crafts magazine . This is my first time with them and I am just thrilled!!

Sneak Peek Revealed

This layout was made this month for Scrap Lovers. It showcases Autumn Leaves paper and Prima crystals.

I think winter is my favourite season to scrap.

The things kids say...

As we were driving home last night from town, my oldest daughter does as she usually does in the car - removes her socks and boots and then tells me that she's done it. Well, this is what she keeps repeating over and over again:

Mama....Gock off! Gock... off.... Mama.

She said it quite a number of times before Brett finally said, "That doesn't sound so good." It took me a minute to figure out what he meant because I'm so use to hearing the word "gock" that I know right away it means sock. Good thing we were in the car and not in the restaurant!!!

First Layouts of 2008

"Shhh" is based on a sketch by Becky Fleck.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

The month of December saw almost more snow than the entire winter last year. So far, January has been like most other Januarys. It started out very cold and then went right into a thaw. The temperatures have been above zero all week and the snowman and snow fort have suffered some very hard luck.

Before the day is over, I expect this to be completely gone.

And the snow fort on Sunday...

...compared to the snow fort today!

Moral of the story:

Make hay when the sun is shining and snowmen when the snow is falling because you may not get the chance tomorrow.

Snow Fun

Top 10 Projects of 2007

Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Almost Ready: Journaling is something that I have really developed this year. I almost always use my own handwriting now, too. I also love the angle of this photo that my husband took.

2. Baby it's Cold Outside: This one was published in the winter isssue of Scrapbook and Cards Today.


3. This "Time to Celebrate" card can also be found in the February issue of CARDS magazine.


4. "Joy" Card: Making cards is something I have really come to enjoy this year.



5. Mosaic Card - This is by far my most favourite piece made from a transparency.

Photo removed for publishing

6. What's That? - I love fall photos and colours so it's not surprising I love this one.

7. Sisters - I absolutley love this photo of the girls and the story behind the layout.

8. Pure Love - This one sparked a love of cut work. It is also one of the first photos I took of my second daughter.

9. I Love You: Title work is another area where I have improved this year. This is one of my favourite examples.

10. The Best of Us - This is the first layout I ever made without a photo. Who would have thought it would find its way into my top 10 favourite pieces of 2007?