Once a Month [old stuff] Giveaway!

Okay - so I [still] have bunch of stuff that needs to GO -
and I'm really tired of seeing the OMG abbreviation everywhere
[I try hard to make my mind read 'oh my goodness!]
so am hoping that we might also come to think of it as
'Once a Month [old stuff] Giveaway!
I plan to randomly draw a name from the comments on this post and send that person a little bag of goodies that hopefully they can use
[new to them and all, you know...]
Just post a comment about your favorite post this month!
Time's up at midnight [central x] tomorrow night.
[Anita - send me an email - Judy@faithbasedpages.com - or on facebook so we can get together for you Old Stuff Giveaway from August!]

Happy Mail!

I got some happy mail today! [Or one package may have come a few days back since it was tucked between the storm door and our front door which we hardly ever use...] Scrappy Things! A really fun sparkly - glittery 'just because' package from Stacy Julian and Big Picture Scrapbooking - complete with a handwritten note from Stacy - and a discount code for an upcoming class. I'm sure there are others who received this also - but it was such a sweet surprise. And, I also got the glue glider pro I won from The Girls' Loft a couple of weeks ago - it's cute and pink and a handy size. FUN! Hope your Monday has had sweet surprises for you as well!

Cookie of the Month - September

Our take on Emeril Lagasses's

Kicked Up Oatmeal Cookies

These could easily be our new favorite cookie - my changes are noted -

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins [I used dried cherries instead, cut into thirds or fourths]
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour [I used self-rising and deleted the baking powder & salt]
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch grated nutmeg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant or old-fashioned)
• 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans [I used walnuts]
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets and set aside.
Place the raisins in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit until plump and moist, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, and beat to combine.
Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir into the butter mixture, and add the buttermilk, stirring to mix. Fold in the oatmeal, raisins, nuts, and chips, blending well. [We like our cookie to be a little more 'full' so I refrigerated the dough for a few hours before cooking.]
Drop the dough onto the baking sheets by rounded tablespoons, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.

Last Three Lessons -

If you ever have a chance to take a class from Jessica Sprague - Go FOR IT. She just puts great detail into the classes that makes them soooo easy to follow. She includes lots of free digital elements and, as I said before, once you're in the class[es] it's available forever [- yippee!] So you can do it on your own time and review as needed [and I usually need at least a couple of reviews.] Here's the last three lessons of the photo editing class - story boards and multi-photo masks. Pretty fun:
I've loaded all of my photo shop practice over on Face Book - if you want to take a look!

Another rainy day...

not that I'm complaining - I worked in the garden for a bit this morning - during a short break in the rain - picked tomatoes, harvested the sun flower seeds, and composted - what a mess that was! [Gnats EVERYWHERE.] I also cleaned up the kitchen and scoured the downstairs bath...

Then I settled in to complete my Jessica Sprague photo editing class that I started a few months back. [So wonderful that once you're in the class you can go back and review the lessons as many times as you want. Love that.] I did 12 of the 14 lessons today and have to admit I'm stuck on the story board - I just can't seem to get my third mask to work the way it should.
And. I'm. Frustrated.
So I'm stopping for the night and will start again tomorrow afternoon with
fresh eyes and outlook!

Here's some of the things I've learned how to do - using photos from a little photo fun Craig and I had yesterday on the way to Nashville -
an ENTIRE field of sunflowers
[note to self - mark calendar to seek out this field the first week in September next year!]multiple textures over the photo - not a technique I love - but I gave it a try --vintage - fun to do and I played with the painting / soft light technique and
love what I can do with eyes on a close up -
[I'll do an another post of things I did with vintage techniques soon.]
type and frame + more of those textured overlays...
I made them lighter and I'm loving this one...

Through the Viewfinder -
oddly - I do like these overlays...
They are supposed to look like you've taken the photo through a view finder of an old
- think brownie - camera...
[and even though I've lost ten pounds this summer -
this photo is good incentive to get back on the wagon!] [more] textures... frame and word art using a mask to re-color a black and white -
Love this technique.clipping mask [pre-made]
Notice that's white and sanded around the edges...burned edges - very subtle - the color is a little darker on the edges.. brushes and frames

I love what I see others do with photo shop but just hardly ever take the time to sit down with it to learn and practice and play - so today was a good day - I'm feeling a little more comfortable with the terminology and tools. Now, I'm looking forward to playing with the pioneer woman's free action sets and downloading more free brushes[so fun -like stamps] and frames!
Let me know which techniques you like the best!

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - G

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: G

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT

A fun, relaxing evening of ‘girls only’ time. We’ve had as few as three, and as many as ten attend. Sometimes it’s dinner and a movie, other times, pedicures and coffee. This is always a wonderful time to catch up with friends I haven’t seen for a while and re-charge together. We always talk about doing it monthly, but with everyone’s schedules we usually only have time to get together quarterly.

GOD

My Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Friend through life. I can’t remember a time when God wasn’t real in my life. I do remember when He became my Personal Savior and Lord. During the week of Vacation Bible School when I was 7 - our teachers shared with us about God’s salvation through Jesus, His Son. That evening when I was sitting on my bunk bed and talking with Mama about it we prayed together and I ask Jesus to ‘come into my heart’ and be my Savior. Later when I was15 and at church youth camp I remember clearly submitting my life to His Lordship. I can’t imagine how anyone goes through life without the assurance that God gives me – not for a perfect life with no problems, but that He will ALWAYS be with me and give me His peace – peace that only HE can give. (John 14:27)

GARDEN

Vegetables, flowers, a healthy lawn and shrubs. Craig and I have always enjoyed nurturing something from a tiny seed and watching grow. We especially enjoy growing fresh veggies – tomatoes, basil, zucchini, and yellow squash, along with green peppers and banana peppers – yum –IE!

Crafty Goodness

I’m loving these monthly kits from The Girl’s Loft – so fun and innovative. I may not use everything in each kit – but the stuff in there always inspires my creative thoughts – whether it’s projects to complete, stories that need to be told, or new techniques to try [I’m sooo NOT a glitter person- tho I’ll admit I think it’s pretty and seeing it around in the old salt shakers has me thinking about it a bit more… and I've used more buttons these last few months than I probably have the entire time I've been scrapping.]

One thing I’ve always enjoyed with kits is seeing how many projects I can make out of each one… and I feel like I’ve been on a roll with these kits from

The Girl’s Loft –

I got September’s Kit last week and here are the creations – so far:

Back to School [seen previously]

Judy – Kindergarten* [I never wore glasses as a kid – just trying on some without lenses to look ‘smart.’] Mk – Delight – a TOTAL scrap lift from Liz, and

Craig & Cara – Kindergarten*

Home – another scrap lift from Layle

And some cards made with leftovers [ photos aren't great, I know...]

*both of these photos were little 3x3 snapshots from the 60s that I scanned and played with in Picnik a little

– not great, but not too bad since they capture the memory.

I also [finally] ordered an ATG gun – and think I’m going too really like it – it’s big, yes, and has a bit of a learning curve. But it’s not unreasonably tricky to use. I’ve used it for a week and know it’s a keeper. I had to do something bc Duck [my all-time favorite adhesive] has made some changes that I just wasn’t loving. I’ve been wanting the ATG for over a year now, but with my stash of duck I just couldn’t justify it – now I’m down to TWO of the old ducks so I went for it and it was at my house in what? Maybe three days.

Wow.

I’m armed and ready and already on the look-out for the October kit!

The Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend - we went down to AU to visit with the boys - celebrate a birthday - and attend the game. Most of you know I'm not a huge [even big, or even slightly...] fan of football [give me soccer ANY day!] so this is a little gift for Craig - that I attend one college game a year with him – [my bonus is that we get to see our boys!] and I'll admit, there was a moment when I wished I had a magazine to read [like I'd take to read at the high school games between watching my little one play the drums in the band back in the day...] but fortunately there's A LOT going on at college games so, as a people watcher, I had some fun, and let me tell you – there are SOME characters out there in the world!.

[How's THAT for a run-on sentence?!?]

Our seats were over near where they let the eagle loose to fly so I got ONE good photo before she started her flight –

and after last week's craziness she pretty much flew a curve around only part of the stadium and went straight to the field. [We’re thinking they’ve been working with her ALL WEEK on that one.] I was surprised they let her fly again so soon – thought we’d see one of the golden's fly [which we never have – and I LOVE LOVE, LOVE to see the bald eagle fly so all is good -] Here's a photos from last year [she went a little crazy then too-]

We had a fun birthday lunch, some time to visit with our boys, and the game turned out good too – ha - so all is well - or will be as soon as our oldest is up and going 100% again [oink-?]. We ‘made a rule’ that if you’re too sick to go to class then you MUST go to the clinic…so far – lots of rest and liquids seems to be getting him through.

Happy Birthday

to our first-born - it's SO hard to believe the years have gone by!

Seems like only YESTERDAY that I was laboring away for

more than 26 hours to get you here!

You're such a blessing and We love you so much and are proud of you!

Teresa Collins' Album -

from CKU- Provo
My Fabulous Life at Fifty!

1. I feel the presence of God in my life daily –
2. My husband knows me well – the good – the bad & - the ugly and loves me still.
3. My boys make me proud!
4. The color green [almost any shade…] makes me happy.
5. I love my [old] house and the huge yard surrounding it.
6. I’m still a little [?] overweight but am in better shape than I was a year ago.
7. There are cats in my life!
8. I enjoy my job / career [when did it become a career?!]
9. Anxiety can sometimes get the best of me.
10. I have a huge lawn to mow around until my heart’s content – mindless mowing is a favorite activity of mine…
11. I’m blessed that my job has always been flexible enough to allow me to be at the boys’ activities through the years.
12. I wish my hair was completely and evenly gray so I could stop putting color on it.
13. I love to travel – and exploring new places with my sweetie is so fun!
14. Looking out my kitchen window at my garden brings me joy…
15. My pantry is organized by food group – veggies, proteins, starches, fruits…
16. I drive a fun car! [I’m not quite ready for the ‘good for middle-aged knee version…]
17. I love sun flowers! And zinnias!
18. I enjoy cooking [preparing -?] a big meal when I have plenty of time.
19. I’m pretty organized in most areas of my life.
20. Hot flashes are so NOT FUN.
21. I’m blessed with many good [dependable] friends in my life.
22. I have a family that has kept me grounded as I’ve grown and changed.
23. I enjoy staying in touch with friends on the internet.
24. I miss camping a little bit, there, I said it.
25. Love that I come from a family who values photos and even had them taken in the 1800s!
26. Am blessed to have copies of these photos.
27. I’m still learning to trust my Lord day-by-day.
28. Baking is creative fun to me.
29. I’m married to my best friend – ever!
30. I have room to spread my crafty things out.
31. I am an empty nester and while I know it’s a good thing for them to spread their wings and fly, I still feel the pain of adjustment each time they leave.
32. I love the smell of summer rain on hot asphalt.
33. I KNOW I’m weird, isn’t that the first step to recovery?
34. I’m not so good with numbers
35. My spiritual gifts are encouraging other believers, teaching, and discernment.
36. My spice cabinet is sorted by food genre [Italian – Mexican – Grilling – Baking.]
37. I’ve always loved photography from my earliest 110 instamatic with the built-in flash to the digital one I have now; I’ve always taken TONS of photos.
38. Digital photography is a blessing…
39. I’m a scrap booker – I love to creatively highlight my photos as I tell our story.
40. I enjoy reading a good book, but have to be careful because once I’m into one it’s hard for me to do anything else that’s required in life…
41. I would LOVE to have the money to put in ALL NEW PLUMBING.
42. I have job security and in these recessional times that’s a good thing to know…
43. I love listening to the boys as they have conversations about life with their fiends. So wonderful to see / hear them growing into thoughtful caring young men.
44. I taught myself to knit this year.
45. I’m hooked on knitting and hope to make a full Christmas stocking by the end of the year – then it’s on to a sweater for me!
46. I don’t ‘enjoy’ flying – but I do love seeing God’s creation from the air.
47. Girls’ Night Out doesn’t happen often enough.
48. I should take better care of my skin [dry legs and all.]
49. I enjoy a nice urban hike – or even an easy one on a smooth well-marked trail.
50. I live a crazy – busy – blessed life.

Happy 09-09-09!

Got my kit from The Girl's Loft last night and had a little 'Back to School' fun!
Photo: circa 1997
The quote: "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
- Dr. Seuss

I"m loving the apple on the outside of the frame...

While there's plenty of labor to be had

...I've spent the day playing!
[Well, I DID dust the downstairs and clean the kitchen...]

I think I've finally finished up all my projects from CKU
[Once Upon a Time = 22 pages front and back; Little Yellow Bicycle = 20 pages front and back; and my Teresa Collins album = 10 pages front and back- whooo!]

Again, keep in mind that I've added additional pages to a couple of these. The travel album is big and complex, and I know some of you want to see it - but I just don't have the get-up-and-go to photograph each individual page...I did do a very rough photo and crop of the TC album and will have it up later in the week.
[My spin: My Fabulous Life at Fifty]

But, for now - I want to share what I've done with those little 6x6 pages we make on Thursday - at the Inspiration Stations, if you will join me now...it's not that I'm not a fan of mini-albums, but, truthfully - I've never [ever] used the pages we've made at CKU on Thursdays... and I wanted to change that this year - so I determined that I would combine the two from each designer and make a 12x12 page that I could enjoy in my albums. I always have plenty of photos to work with
[you'll notice that I didn't take most of these,
and really couldn't tell you who did...]
I had a little fun today pulling these together. Hope it's 'inspirational' for you too.
[Oh, some will realize that there a few 'inspiration' projects missing in action, and I'll admit, I just couldn't make them work -- for me -- so they went in the old stuff give away box. And I realize the photos of the layouts aren't the best of the best quality - but I think perfection is over-rated and you can get the idea from these...]

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - H

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:H

HOT AIR BALLOONS
Our enjoyment of hot air balloons began at our first Jubilee [Decatur, 1989] and has only grown since then. Beautiful, oh so colorful, and seemingly effortless flight is a wonder to behold. From time to time we discuss the possibility of owning our own, but so far [] we’ve managed to just get our balloon-fix from helping friends who have one. Getting them up and taking them down is a lot of work – but so very worth it!

HAND WRITING
Joe had near-perfect handwriting and would always hand-letter Mama’s VBS posters and Bible verse strips. In second grade he sat me down at the table and made me practice writing [with a finger placed between each word] until mine looked pretty good too. Throughout middle school and high school Jackie and I had almost identical handwriting. I wonder, did Aunt Christine sit her down too?

HOUSE
This is one of my favorite television shows. I’ve loved medical shows all my life [think: Medical Center, Marcus Welby, MD, etc.] so now that I have a little time to watch TV again – I’m loving “House.” He’s a quirky, grumpy doctor who is, of course, brilliant and can usually solve any problem. And boy do they come across some severe medical problems on this show! Still, if I’m not home on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., we record it and I watch as soon as possible

Once a Month [old stuff] Giveaway!

The winner for the August Once a Month [old stuff] Giveaway:
Anita!
Facebook me your phone number and
I'll get a prize pack together for you this weekend!

Crafty Goodness

Our latest 'assignment over on the

Faith Based Pages Classes Yahoo Group
- it's not too late to join us!The photo is a favorite stained glass window at our church.
Materials: The Girl's Loft Monthly Kit

Choice

Not choosing is also a choice that will shape your character
as inevitably as any other.
Self respect and integrity depend on conscious choosing.
Who you are and who you are becoming
depends on what & how you choose.