Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  [...]]]>

Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  decided to let spontaneity take the wheel, and stop for a little adventurous “us” time before we completed the journey and spent the week with family.

I knew there’d be photos, there would have to be (after all,  you are married to a scrapbooker).

I made it through most of the excursion out of the camera lens.  We were in dark caves, and it was to my advantage that you don’t really know how to use the DSLR in low light.  Blurry, distorted shots were on my side.

But then on our way to the car, there was an obvious photo op, and there happened to be an employee walking by… whom you grabbed immediately and was willing to be our photographer.

Crud.

Dang.

Well no one else will ever have to see them I thought.

Quick snap shots and that’s it (cause I know you’ll never download them to the hard drive either, that’s my job of course).

And then I finally get to the point of editing photos of the trip, and I’m ready to delete them since the first thing I’m drawn to is the unflattering fold of my shirt over my curves, and the weird flip of my hair that is the oddest thing (thank you southern humidity).

But I stop from deleting.

Because I see your face looking at me when you thought the photo wasn’t yet being taken,

And I realize you think I’m beautiful anyway.

And suddenly these photos are not something to be tossed away and hidden.

But rather they should be scrapped and cherished.

Because even if I cringe a bit when I see me through my eyes…

They are the perfect reminder of how you see me.

And they make me love you, and feel loved, and realize just how lucky I am.

Through your eyes I will always feel beautiful.

Even with road trip hair.

Yours truly and forever,

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but [...]]]> Warning: This post is extremely random. My mind is on crafty overdrive, and I cannot be held accountable.  I will hone my thoughts soon.  (maybe)

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but boy howdy did I try.  My back and feet are achey, but my mind is just brimming with inspiration over all the lovely goodies and designs I got to take in.  I have lots of photos to share, and will break them up into coordinated posts as best as I can muster, but I had to look through my pics and post just a few asap.

First and foremost I was so happy to meet so many wonderful people, including the amazing editorial staff at Craft Critique.  (Read about them here).  They are some of the nicest and hardest working crafters on the planet.  Seeing them in action on the floor gathering photos and video for their readers was just… well I’ve been schooled.  I was a bit nervous (ok a lot) to walk up to vendors and start gathering info but quickly learned how nice everyone was if you just walked up and said hi.

So… what comes to mind first and foremost?

Graphic 45′s Halloween Line:

And their Steampunk Debutante Line:

Want it.  Want it all.  See more pics at Craft Critique.

My must have embellishment are the metal Vintage Brooches from Sassafras Lass:

I was incredulous at how light they are – no fear that they will work on a layout – none at all. (and cute colors yah?!)

I want everything October Afternoon has to offer… but especially the  Modern Homemaker line:

The cat clock kills me.  See more OA at Craft Critique here.

Maya Road has some super cute (and uber popular) trims:

Look, there’s the back side of Tim Holtz:

I said random.

(I did get to meet him, and there is a pic, just not on my camera… he’s super nice, and as my Facebook friends know… smells really good.  I said random.)

The layouts from Prima’s design team made me swoon.

This is an extremely large wreath:

If I did that in our hallway do you think Alan would let it be?

Maybe?

So….

Accio ribbon!

One of each please.

Everything you can do with Core’dinations Cardstock:

People… people that GET me.  EVERYwhere!

Alright I must stop.  So many pics.  So much I want to share with you.

I so wish you could have been there with me.

For much more intelligible coverage of CHA, including give-a-ways, visit Craft Critique.

But more to come here – when I come down off the ceiling.

I can’t believe I just included Tim Holtz and Harry Potter in the same blog post,

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a [...]]]> Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.  ~Albert Camus

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a quick share today of a couple of digital layouts I created using my sweet friend Leah’s new Whirlygig Digital Kit.  She has a such a knack for taking like traditional holiday colors and designs and removing all traces of “cheese”.  Isn’t the kit adorable?

You can find it at her Bluebird Chic shop at Misstiina.com.

And here’s a couple layouts I created with it:

From Alan’s big brother’s visit last month.  Fun times, much beer, and teasing were had by all.  (It’s always funny seeing Alan go into ‘little brother’ mode… it’s adorable).  We wandered the streets of Chicago, went to Blues Fest, and of course the Cubs game.  And then afterward I immediately surrounded myself in pink and lace to rebalance the testosterone levels in the house.

And one more,

Little me and my Grandma, I think 1979ish.

*Sigh* I miss her.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday and are able to celebrate it with those you love.

See you soon!

Hello there and Happy Closer to Friday Day!  (Let’s be positive shall we?)  Just sharing a quick layout I did this afternoon.

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky [...]]]> I’m going to get mushy for a bit.

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky girl.

I’m not just talking about he treats me well, he gives me space when I need it, blad-de blah-de blah.

When Alan and I fell in love it was during a show in college called Cyrano De Bergerac.  He played Cyrano and I played something like “Girl #2″.  But he noticed me.  And boy did I ever notice him.   Seriously, though, how can a gal not fall for a romantic swashbuckler yielding a sword every night.

Don’t go to the wrong place with that one….see, swords:

It wasn’t that was it and we were together ever since of course.  I personally don’t think any couple can be together without one major fight and break up during the course of knowing each other.  You have to really understand what it would be like without the other, accept them for their faults, and then come together again stronger and for the better.

But through it all and a long distance relationship for almost 2 years,  I always stayed in love with my Cyrano.

See… mush.

Good grief  how on Earth did I  find someone who:

Is a fellow creative soul that understands what it means to need that time to create.

That laughs and gets exactly what I mean when I pull out a random Star Trek quote.

That not only gets along with but loves my Mom – seriously they have one of the best in-law relationships ever.  They read the same books that I have absolutely no interest in at all.

That can be a guy’s guy but also has a vast knowledge of musical theatre thanks to his acting background.  I mean c’mon… that’s a crazy find.  And he can SING by the way.

Gosh I could go on and on.

But as much as I can question it, I guess really,  I’m just plain lucky in love.

Digital Layout made with Leah’s Victorian Valentine Mini Kit.

And I’m going to take that over hitting the lottery any day.

Gush gush mush.

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.  I’m in the mood to create – hope to share some fun things this week.

XOX

Jess

When you’re making art that speaks to YOU.

When you sit down to create and just pull things together that you love, be it color combos, patterns, whether it’s “in” or “out”.

When you decide a ball cap and sweats is as ‘chic’ as you’re going to dress today.

Or [...]]]> When you’re being yourself.

When you’re making art that speaks to YOU.

When you sit down to create and just pull things together that you love, be it color combos, patterns, whether it’s “in” or “out”.

When you decide a ball cap and sweats is as ‘chic’ as you’re going to dress today.

Or tomorrow.

When you order an appetizer and a dessert (and a glass of wine… or two).

When you get a little off schedule.

When you disagree, strongly or just a little bit.

When you agree with the unpopular choice.

Don’t ever start a sentence with an “I’m sorry but….”

Because life is really too short for “I’m sorry’s” when it comes to just being who you are.

And the people that matter would never expect you to apologize for what they love about you.

And anyone else can simply get over it.

And if they can’t they should apologize to you.

To which you can answer with a “That’s Ok”…

And walk away with your head held high.

Knowing you grew just a little bit more as a person for doing so,

And left them wishing they could make no apologies too.

Created with Leah’s No Apologie Kit available at MissTiina.com

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend…. full of stuff you do for you.

XOX – see you soon.

Jess

Created with Leah’s portion of  the Bling in the New Year colab kit at Funky Playground Designs.

Well hello there.

How have you been my friend?

It’s been quite awhile from me I know, and I cannot thank those of you who keep clicking over to see if [...]]]>

Created with Leah’s portion of  the Bling in the New Year colab kit at Funky Playground Designs.

Well hello there.

How have you been my friend?

It’s been quite awhile from me I know, and I cannot thank those of you who keep clicking over to see if I’m here.  You push and inspire me to get back to it more than you know!

I’ve been out of my crafty zone and mind-set while I went through some changes at ye olde day job that sapped a lot of my creative mojo… good changes that led to a promotion, but it took lots of time and effort to get there.  But now it is set, I am UBER blessed, and ready to get back to it!

So rather than ramble at you let’s do a super quick catch-up shall we?  Cause good friends like us can do that.

In October Alan and I celebrated our 8th anniversary with an amazing trip to Stratford, Ontario to immerse ourselves in amazing theatre.  We saw an 6 shows in 5 days.  It was perfect for us.

In November, Thanksgiving flew by.  (Turkeys can fly right?)  But I kept up on a few crafty things here and there.  Here’s my favorite layout from that month designed for Leah’s team:

Created with the super cute Vintage Thankful Kit.

And I completed a glass etching review for Craft Critique that was full of more messes than successes… (Armour Glass Etching Kit Review), but the comments from the other great crafters that have tried this product and love it have inspired me to try it again.  Someday-ish.

And then December – where in the heck did December go?!  Confession time – our tree is still up.  It has been un-decorated (cept one Superman ornament left hanging to remind us we need to replace a bulb in that spot before bagging it up…), but it’s there.  Was Santa good to you?  He was amazing to me.  In fact he read this article on Craft Critique and my stocking was full of Stickles… go figure.

I continued having a wonderful time with Leah’s digital kits.  Honestly if it wasn’t for her Creative Team I might not have done anything these past months.  Geez!  Here’s one that makes me hungry,

Created with the rightly named Christmas Cookies Kit.

And finally, here we are in January.  January 2010.

A new year.

A new decade.

Wow.

Let’s make this one the absolute best shall we?

I mean, I know we always say that.  This this will be the year “I”…. blank.

Shake off all the promises to yourself, and the promises to others.  If you’ve already not done every day what you swore you would, I’ve got news for you….

No one cares but you.

So get over it, and make 2010 the best by just living every day the best way you can.

And try to create a little something every day too.

I WILL be around, I promise.  I’ve decided that to get back into the groove I’m going to take a class from the girl that never fails to inspire me to live creatively.  And as the icing on the cake my ‘buddy’ for the class will be one that never fails to get me motivated too.  (Love you both!!)  So you’ll be seeing lots of projects from me.  It’s time I re-prioritize my creativity.

Thank you again to you my friends, and I hope the first bit of 2010 has found you well, motivated, and ready for a year of YOU.

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you very, very soon.

XOXO

Jess

Don’t you just love Halloween?  I SO do. 

Actually let me elaborate…

Don’t you just love “cute” Halloween?  You know… adorable witches, pumpkins, happy skeletons, furry black cats… that’s my kind of Halloween.  Eyeballs, snakes, gory masks, and anything remotely resembling innards need not apply at my house during this time [...]]]> Mwha ha ha ha!

Don’t you just love Halloween?  I SO do. 

Actually let me elaborate…

Don’t you just love “cute” Halloween?  You know… adorable witches, pumpkins, happy skeletons, furry black cats… that’s my kind of Halloween.  Eyeballs, snakes, gory masks, and anything remotely resembling innards need not apply at my house during this time of year.  And I hate, HATE horror films.  Nope, not one that likes to be scared. 

I still have nightmares about Gremlins and will not watch it to this day. 

And yes Alan has reminded me several times that it is in the comedy section of the video store.  And he usually gets a good pinch for doing so too.

Geez I sound pretty darn girly right now.  But my friends know full and well not to call me should they be going to a horror movie that evening.  Some are even nice enough to give me ample warning not to even think about seeing certain ones, which I have attempted in my older age. 

Nope, Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin are my kind of Halloween.  Though as Martha Stewart has proved covering scary things with glitter can sometimes lessen the ick factor and make them just fine:

(“Glitter Bones” on her site here)

It’s hard to be scared of a skeleton who just wants to accessorize in the best way they know how.

Along the lines of my favorite kind of Halloween decorations, I wanted to be sure to show off Leah’s new Vintage Spooky Digital Kit which is just perfect as far as I’m concerned.  Just look at everything!

So cute!

Here’s a couple of layouts I put together using the kit:

And this one:

Which was just a little experiment.  The house is from this original photo that I took of it in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin last winter:

 To make it fit for a Witchy retreat I converted to black and white and played with a few different filters in PSE.  And added Leah’s adorable elements of course!   She’s so good to her Creative Team.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We are getting ready for vacation here (can I get a whoop?).  Alan and I will be spending the week immersed in wonderful theatre in Stratford, Canada.  I am so lo0king forward to the drive through beautiful Michigan and seeing hopefully lots of fall color.  Yes there shall be pics!

A long awaited ‘We Can Make That’ post is coming this week… if you have a Cricut, you can do this.  I think you’ll really love it.

Thanks for stopping by today friends, and have a wonderful day. 

(And of course if you choose to glitter-ize anything along the lines of  innards… you have to let me know so I can see. I remain open-minded about glitter covered gore.)

Kind of.

I’m pretty tired of you whining at me when I enter my craft room to retrieve a pair of scissors, a pen, or anything remotely not related to giving you any attention. 

I’ve got other things to do you know.

No… they are not as fun, but an adult needs to behave responsibly [...]]]> Listen here photos. 

I’m pretty tired of you whining at me when I enter my craft room to retrieve a pair of scissors, a pen, or anything remotely not related to giving you any attention. 

I’ve got other things to do you know.

No… they are not as fun, but an adult needs to behave responsibly every once in awhile first and then play later.    

And I told you I’d be back, but nooooo… you continued to pile up, somehow getting massively disorganized in your attempt to gain my attention.  Mixing vacations with holidays, heritage with present day, and somehow making me forget when or where some of you were even took.

Well, I’m back you hear?  There will be no more of this nonsense and I’m calling you out.

Hey self-portrait…  Yeah babe, you.  You’ve been sitting in my hard drive forever being all poignant and reflective and I’ve not had a thing to do with you. 

Well guess what?  Now you’re a reminder to me to do these simple things every day and I’ll make it through any tough time out there.  Especially work. So consider yourself scrapped.

Oh I see you hiding back there…. c’mere heritage photos.  You were supposed to be part of an entire album, remember that?  So you have been taunting me more so than the others as the album remains unfinished.  But I gotcha:

I even put you with a piece of ephemera that I’ve had on hand forever which had no use.  So ha!  You did double duty.  Consider yourself scrapped.

Ooooh Christmas photos…. do NOT be mistaken and think I am afraid of you.  My mojo is on fire (fi-ah!) and no one is safe.  Christmas + pets, oh bring. it. on.

Oh I can’t be mad at you though.  Look at that face.  Still, consider yourself scrapped.

And finally.  You.  The absolute worst offender.  You are the reason I started scrapping in the first place, and still you sit, untouched.  Not only this… but you aren’t digital… you are an ORIGNAL.  You require scanning, and editing, and then still don’t come out perfect due to you age! 

But guess what dear wedding photo:

 Consider. Yourself. Scrapped.

Many thanks to the Design Team at AC Bailey for making this scrap-whooping possible during their Fall Into Scrapping Crop last weekend.  Without it, these hooligans above may have gotten the best of me.

Now…

Who else wants some?!