I got an idea for this little envelope "mini album" of sorts one night... each insert/page inside is a place for journaling about my Top 5 Life Defining moments (Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ, meeting Shaun, the birth of our children, and two private ones). I just wanted to keep it simple, and provide a private place for journaling about these things, to remind me where I stand in life when I get a little shaky.

Note: I cut out the envelope with an AccuCut die cutting machine, but you could easily reproduce it by taking apart a large envelope and using it as a template.




(note the little scribbles- Em's "thoughts" on the playdate. Heh.)




Check it out here!

Labels: Craft ideas, Crop Addict, faith, layouts, links, mini albums

First off, here's the winner of my little RAK for leaving comments on my photography tips post! Begin looking for my mini-tutorials on Wednesdays. :)

Send me your snail mail addy, Linh, and I'll send you a little altered notebook!

Here are some of my layouts from the May Twelve Fridays Kit. You can check out the rest of the designers' work here.

Labels: 12Fridays, layouts, links, scrapbooking misc.

I found this awesome artist via Sarah Jane

(who has a pretty cool and artistic blog herself)

His artwork reminds me a little of my brother's style.

I must get my brother to draw me some artwork like this for my house.

Labels: inspiration, links, pictures

I clearly am all about my new camera... love it, love it, love it.

I wanted to share with y'all some of the helpful things I've found on the internets in my search for good info & tips on all things photography related.

To begin with, my husband pointed out this site to me, and it's been super helpful. I especially like his sections on How to Make Great Photos
and Recommended Cameras, (which, coincidentally, was one of the factors in why I got the Nikon D40 and a speedlight. Also, because I love my old Nikon SLR. Sorry, Adrienne, I'm a Nikon girl. Heheh)

Speaking of cameras, my husband also pointed out this nifty feature on Canon Point & Shoots today... basically, you can hack into your camera's software and make it a much better camera than it already is (such as shutter speed and exposure time). Check out his blurb on it here, and further info on it here. (via Shaun. There, are you happy? heh)

Photo editing tidbits:

I like the Big Huge Lab's photo mosaic maker, if you haven't heard of it by now.

Also a big fan of Shutterfly Studio. It's how I made my header on here. It's free, fast, and nifty.

This has always been my "go to" tutorial for scanning in a layout and then stitching it together in photoshop.

One of my all-time-faves, How to make digi photos look like Lomo photography. It's been posted on here multiple times, but I figure there might be *one* person out there who hasn't seen it yet. Heheh

Here's a similar one, but a wee bit different, for a more vintage effect.

The Top Best 55 Photoshop Tutorials... I haven't actually looked at this yet, but it's on my list of "to do" things for photography. You know, in all that free time I have.

9 Digital Camera Settings for every photographer to know (again, ditto above)

DIY Macro Photo studio (for less than $10)... this is like a little place to set up photo shoots for small stuff, like a card, or piece of jewelry, or whatev.

How to make a blinkie in Photoshop CS
(MUCH easier than I thought it would be!)

Some great brushes here and here. (Thanks, Katie!)

Some cool eye candy. (via Elsie)

So, here's what you need to do:

-leave me a link with some of your fave photography website or eye candy

-let me know if you'd be interested in a little "tips & tricks- ghetto style" to photoshop/photography/other photo related miscellany once a week

And I'll draw from the comments and send you a little somethin'-somethin'!

Labels: links, photography, pictures

I just realized I never posted my layouts from 12 Fridays... I sent the pics off to Heather & Heidi the day before I left for the Event, and that erased all further thought from my head. ;)



I'm working on my Project Friday stuff tonight... woohoo. I can't wait to share with you all!

Labels: 12Fridays, Craft ideas, kids, layouts, links, pictures, scrapbooking misc.

Here's the lovely Crop Addict May Kit and Manufacturer Kit (Crate Paper). I can't believe I was able to scrap this much this month!

You might notice some fun little doodles on the pages... I have been so excited this month to be able to draw some exclusive little doodles for the Crop Addict May kit! I'm no artist, but they are fun to make. It's been really cool seeing them show up on the other designer's pages. What a thrill! Be watching for more in future kits! ;)

Crop Addict May Kit:








(No, you're not seeing things- that's my friend Morgan's little boy. We did a photo swap this month!)




Crate Paper was enormously generous to us this month. Thank you, Crate Paper, for allowing us to create with your gorgeous new products! I have always loved the texture of the CP papers, and their new chipboard letters & buttons add an extra dimension that I just love.

Crate Paper Katlin Line:

Crate Paper Static Line:

Labels: Craft ideas, Crop Addict, kids, layouts, links, pictures, scrapbooking misc.