top 2 tuesday...

what a fun idea! I'm a follower of Lauren's blog, and she had a post for Taylor's Top 2 Tuesday & I thought it was a great idea. This week's theme is 'Simple Pleasures':

1. Going to bed early but chatting with Shawn late into the night (early into the morning!) - I just love hanging out and talking to my husband - he honestly is my best friend.
2. Beach walks with Shawn and the boys - Harley & Milo are huge fans of the beach so we try to get them out there as often as we can to romp and play... nothing tires Milo out like chasing Harley through the water for a ball!

You should head over to Taylor's blog to read some more simple pleasures and link up your own! Oh, and clean sheet day would definitely be on the list, along with Starbucks in bed for birthday morning!

you KNOW it's hot...

when he comes in from outside and even his bed directly under the AC vent isn't cool enough! He's decided he's now lounging on the wood floor because it's just that much cooler than his bed:

what I've been doing...

Playing with all my new SU! goodies!!  That's right... It's the most wonderful time of the SU! year... the new catalogue went live on July 1st, and I've been playing with my preorder goodies, making up samples for my groups and classes:

This card uses the new taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight, and that beautiful hydrangea image is a Level 1 hostess set! The kraft Crumb Cake card front is embossed with our new square lattice embossing folder... I just love the wonderful deep impressions you get with these folders!

Here, I decided to let the gorgeous new designer paper be the star of the show... just accented with a ruffle of Chocolate Chip satin ribbon and a scalloped oval punch.

This card uses the reinker float or reinker spread technique, made popular by Crystal French, that has gone viral on the web.  It's really very simple: emboss your image in white on SU! shimmery white cardstock, then spritz the image liberally with water - the water will pool within the embossed lines of your image. Put a drop or two of reinker (I used Pink Pirouette for this one, but I've seen beautiful combinations of colours if you Google 'reinker spread technique') on a piece of acetate and touch the tip of your aquapainter to it and then touch the inked tip of the aquapainter to the pools of water on your image... Watch the magic happen! I went over a couple of areas again to give the darker colour since I wanted to do a single colour image.

This card is not all SU!... it uses up some of an SEI paper pack that I had was given awhile ago and am just now breaking into.  I thought the shiny patterned paper could be the star of the show (although it was a little hard to get a photo to show it accurately!) with just a little ruffled ribbon and a sentiment from the new SU! level 3 hostess set, Occasional Greetings. I must say that I think this is my new favourite way to add ribbon to a project without the bulk of a knot or a bow - it just adds that little something!

i heart faces photography: week 26 - pet photo challenge

I've decided to enter one of my favourite photos of our younger Dobe, Milo, for the photo challenge at i heart faces this week... since the boys are my primary photo subjects, I have hundreds thousands plenty to choose from, but this one is a favourite:

Yes, he has slobber on his ear from his recent romp with his 'brother', and no, he's not looking at the camera, but this is Milo.  Milo is quite laid back & easy going, and he just likes to chill with his stick (as long as someone is watching him chill - he HAS to be with us!). He has beautiful brown eyes and is such a loving addition to our family... we are so lucky to have found him!

Don't forget to head on over to i heart faces to check out the gallery of submissions for this challenge - so much cuteness in one place!!

fix-it Friday #59...

I've been lurking over at the i heart faces blog for quite some time now and, every Friday they post a photograph that could be improved upon for fix-it Friday. Here's my take on the photo of a little sweetie they posted for fix-it Friday #59:

Here's the original photo:

Here's my take #1:

& take #2 (using PW B&WBeauty action):

Please keep in mind that I am just learning to feel my way around PSE 8, so these are both very minor edits, and the second photo uses PW B&WBeauty action.

Hero Arts goodies from Kathy...

Check out Kathy's blog... she's giving away some yummy Hero goodness for her first year blog anniversary:

 

While you're there, make sure you have a look around and maybe even follow her blog - that girl has some mad marker skillz & gorgeous creations!

Basic Grey goodies...

I was supposed to be cleaning up my workspace, but then I uncovered found unearthed rediscovered some of my BG Origins goodies that I had not yet had time to play with:

Origins just might possibly be my favourite BG line to date! I adore the colours (What... green & brown?!?! Go figure, eh?!) and stocked up big time to use it for my wedding album since the colours are just perfect for that!

more cutie pie pictures...

This is little Mr. M, and he was such a great sport modeling for me at City Park a couple of weeks ago... what a cutie!

And here is little Ms. C at 4 months old... look how cute she is:

On the 2 photos above I used PW's Black & White Beauty action for PSE8, and below I used PW's Lovely action.

twice in one day...

don't fall over with surprise shock excitement...

Another previously uninked HA background-sized stamp... this time using SU! Close to Cocoa and then misting with water on watercolour paper.

stamped today...

using some new Hero Arts goodies that had not yet seen ink (I know, some of you have just fallen off your chairs... I have too many stamps that have not seen ink yet, and I have resolved to resolve that!).  I love that cloud stamp... and the grass was made with my MS Fringe Scissors!! This card was totally inspired by this cute card from the fabulous Mariana Grigsby!

there's a first time for everything...

and today was the first time I took photos for someone I didn't know (ie. not a friend or family member!)!!! GULP! I was sooooo nervous, but 10-day-old Ms.K was super patient with me, and her parents and big sis rocked the pictures! I hope they like them as much as I do! What a little angel:

I recently took a PSE class for beginners & am happily learning that I love actions, specifically free actions like the ones I just downloaded from Ree (aka. PDub / The Pioneer Woman)! Above is PW's Black & White and, below is a favourite, PW's Black & White Beauty (look at those gorgeous eyes!):

One more action that is quickly becoming a favourite is PW's Lovely... below is the original photo:

and then this next one is with PW's Lovely run on it:

Looking at it now, on the web, the difference may not be all that apparent; however, the colours are just a little bit more saturated and everything is softened just a little...

My eyes are boggled from staring at my computer for over 3 hours now, so will post a few more peeks when I'm done going through the photos!

Vicky at Clips-N-Cuts is celebrating 100 posts and is inviting all of us paper crafty peeps to connect. It's a script similar to Mr. Linky - when you add your blog's URL here, it will show up on everyone else's page too! I think it's a cool way to connect with other crafty bloggers. Vicky is shooting for 1000. Can we do it? I think we can!

Paper Crafts blog hop!
1. Add your blog!
2. Copy the script below and paste it on your blog post while in HTML view.

nom nom nom...

NOM! 

*** please do not continue to read this post if you don't like ooey, gooey, chocolatey nommy goodness!***

Don't say I didn't warn you:

Black Russian Cake (courtesy of harleysmom's mom)

Cake:

1 box Devil's Food cake mix (called for Duncan Heinz but we used whatever was on sale)

1 box (4 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

3/4 cup brewed strong coffee - room temperature

3/4 cup coffee liqueur

3/4 cup creme de cacao

1/2 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan.  Blend all the ingredients together (yes, I really did use ALL of the required eggs and liquid, even though it seems like it's too runny!).  Beat at medium speed until batter forms.  Pour into pan and bake about 45 minutes or until tester comes out clean.  (I had mine in the oven for about 55 minutes.)  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes - then invert onto a baking rack.

Glaze:

1 cup icing sugar

2 tblsp. coffee - room temperature

2 tblsp. coffee liqueur

2 tblsp. creme de cacao

Combine in a bowl.  Spoon or brush glaze over the inverted cake.  Pierce top and sides with a fork to help glaze soak in.  Cool completely.  Dust with icing sugar before serving if desired.  Enjoy!

as promised...

I said I'd give you the details as soon as I could, so here you go:

Contact me, or use the link above to shop 24/7 at my online store if you need to stock up on some of your favourites!

ch...ch...ch...changes...

I have a little update for you with some exciting news from Stampin' Up! It's called a Colour Renovation, and it's a little scary and a lot exciting - big changes in the works for the July Idea Book & Catalogue.

If you are anything like me, you probably have one or two (or 10!) colours in your stash that you bought but just never use... or perhaps you bought a whole colour family and find you only use a few of your favourites?  I must admit that while I do try to stick to what I love (& therefore know I will use),  I have a few colours that I bought to 'step out of my comfort zone' but they are, for the most part, sadly neglected... The same is true for some colours that I got as a part of my package when I signed up to be a demonstrator.  Well, as part of the Colour Renovation, the current colour families will be changed up -  there will be 4 new colour collections, combining current colours with previous In Colours, as well as 5 totally new colours! 

Essentially, this means we are losing some (of my favourite) colours (goodbye Mellow Moss, Sage Shadow, Perfect Plum & Really Rust... {sigh}), but getting some old favourites back - hello Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red & Wild Wasabi!

So, here is what I know for sure right now:

The current colour families are changing to colour collections:  Brights, Neutrals, Regals, Subtles with 10 colours in each.

Older, less popular colours are retiring.

The 7 most popular In Colours are returning (unfortunately, Kiwi Kiss is not one of them, but I do get Baja Breeze & Tangerine Tango, so let's embrace the happy changes, eh?!!).

5 new In Colours will also be announced, and In Colours will be available for 2 year terms.

I'll post more information as soon as I can (like the PDF of the luscious new colours!); meanwhile, if you have any questions, please check out the Stampin' Up! website or contact me.

a not-so-quiet Sunday afternoon:

twice in 2 days...

hard to believe, eh - nothing for 2 months, then 2 posts in 2 days?!?!  Here are a few more cards I've been working on, including the ones for my workshop tonight:

This one uses some of the paper from the Sweet Pea paper pad available in the current Occasions Mini, and I saw this idea for making a flower out of circle punches over on SCS... I'm even using some of my pretty buttons (aren't you proud of me?!)!!

This card is using up some scraps of Razzleberry designer paper with some crushed curry cardstock & ribbon.  I used my reinkers and aqua painters to colour the cute flowers from the Happy Moments SAB set... Oh! And how CUTE is that grass?!?! I LOVE that MS punch!

I LOVE THIS GOOD NEIGHBOUR SET & PAPER PAD... I've been dying to use some of my not-so-new anymore, but unused goodies that I got when SAB first started! Hero Arts sentiment on this one...

And, last but not least, more of my hoarded Wild Asparagus stash... I absolutely adore this paper - the bright orange with the lime green dots!  So springy! Prima flower, Making Memories brad and Hero Arts sentiment here.

For the 1 or 2 people who still check out the old blog, thanks for sticking with me!!! Maybe we'll go for another post on the weekend and really knock your socks off with 3 in a week!! (but don't hold your breath!)

I'm back...

Wow, eh?!? I know... I'm not a great a lazy blogger at the best of times, & I've totally been neglecting it for these past 2 months.  I'm smack in the middle of a couple of large custom card orders, as well as making both Moms their birthday presents (which just happen to be large sets of cards!)... oh, yeah, and I'm working... and trying to hold the occasional class & the occasional photo shoot, all while hoping to exercise dogs at least an hour or more each day and (hopefully) see my hubby!! HA! Yeah, so, as you can see, sometimes it's some time before I sit down and get to the ol' blog!

Anyhow, here are some quick pictures to show a little of what I've been up to:

these brownies are soooooooo GOOD! Run, don't walk, to the store to get the few ingredients you need to make these & your inner chocoholic will thank you!

making a few cards with older papers from my stash... oh, how I love all my hoarded Wild Asparagus paper - so heavyweight, double-sided and textured!! But, I'm trying to get my stash pared down to a 'reasonable' amount (depends on who's judging 'reasonable', I'd say!), so I'm challenging myself to use up some of my old favourites!

and taking more pictures of sweet baby Charlotte - she's such a good model for me!!

Oh, and I also made this mushroom soup... all I can say is if you like mushrooms, MAKE this!  We doubled the batch - I figure if I'm cleaning that many mushrooms I'm gonna have leftovers - and then we pureed 1/3 of the final mixture. I've read PDub's blog for years & now I'm addicted to Tasty Kitchen... so many great recipes posted all the time, it's hard to keep up!

I'm cleaning up my picture folders, getting things ready for the data transfer to my new MacBook Pro (coming soon!!), and I'm getting ready to learn PSE, specifically so I can use these!  Yes, more from PW... she's made actions for PSE and, even better, they're free! Yay for PW!

I was blurfing (blog surfing) and having my coffee this morning when I came across this post on Intent & it spoke to me: 

I hope you enjoy these 8 Principles of Fun, and are inspired to bring more fun into your own life in 2010 and beyond!

Stop hiding who you really are. Although it feels like the path of least resistance, it actually takes more energy to live from your Conditioned Self than to live authentically—the person you were born to be.

 

Start being intensely selfish. Many people believe that making themselves the key person in their lives is a bad thing. It’s simply good common sense. After all, you’re the only person who’s with you 24/7 until you draw your last breath.

 

Stop following the rules. While some rules are necessary and good for us, living a life based on others’ rules, needs, and expectations can stifle your self-expression and creativity, and keep a lid on your potential.

 

Start scaring yourself. People avoid expanding their comfort zones out of fear, missing out on people and experiences that can enrich their lives. Know that fear is a normal reaction to taking risks and learn how to override them. My article, Manage Fear So It Doesn’t Manage You, can help.

 

Stop taking it all so damn seriously. Our time on earth is short, and as someone once said, “No one gets out of this alive.” Instead of ruminating about how bad things are, bring laughter into your world and focus on what’s good about your self and your life.

Start getting rid of the crap. Being bogged down by possessions you don’t need can be an energy-drain. Many people go into debt because they buy things to fill the voids in their lives. Clear out clutter that distracts you, and you’ll free up energy to create a life you enjoy.

 

Stop being busy. Being busy and being productive are not necessarily the same. Many people keep busy to avoid taking action on things they’re afraid to pursue. Identify your priorities and allocate your time and energy to achieving the goals to which you aspire.

 

Start something. Procrastination is a common reaction to feeling overwhelmed or fear of failure. Instead of taking on too much at once and overwhelming yourself, break things down and take one small action step at a time.

 

© 2010 Lauren Mackler

 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG, OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete statement at the end of the article:

 

© 2010 Lauren Mackler

Lauren Mackler is a coach, psychotherapist, and host of the Life Keys radio show on hayhouseradio.com. She’s the author of the international bestseller, Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life. Sign up for her Live Boldly newsletter at www.laurenmackler.com.

 

understatement...

 

 

 

27 POUNDS of stampin' excitement to be exact!!

a sunny day...

happened this weekend, so we took the boys out for a nice long walk along the waterfront. I think Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places in the world - I love living here!

As you may remember, I am taking The Photographer's Workshop with Karen Russell... it is only the end of Week 1 and I feel that I have already learned a ton, both from Karen's lessons as well as from interaction with other students on the message boards.  (Not that I think the KR will ever read my little ol' blog, but Thanks Karen - this class is $$ well spent!)  Anyhow, now, more than ever, I take my camera with me everywhere.  I bought a new-to-me 50mm f1.4 lens this past summer, and Karen said that would be the perfect lens to use for the class and then, after I better understand my wants / needs & how I will primarily be shooting, I can look at what other lens(es) I may wish to purchase.  This week was all about understanding, experimenting and playing with the rules of composition (Rule of Thirds, leading lines, framing etc).

I can't say that any of these are stellar examples of anything I've learned, but liked them, & I loved hanging out at the beach with my boys on a gorgeous mid-winter day! (I also love that Milo will actually come when called, unlike a certain older dog of mine!)