The Real Deal...

Once upon a time, my room looked like this...

But here's the real deal...real life...the worse it has ever been (this one's for you Audrey)...

The result of taking classes, cropping, prepping and teaching scrapbook classes since the weekend after Thanksgiving. Throw in Joey coming home and having to clear a spot on the floor for his airbed (which is why everything is on the table), a family birthday dinner for Raquel, and then buying a Christmas tree which means moving all my class prep stuff from the dining room back to my scraproom (Joey’s gone so now that stuff is on the floor), and this is the result! I can't believe I posted this...but hey, it's the real deal!

Audrey, still want me to come over and help you organize your scrapbook room???

Heading to Seattle...

Heading to Seattle tomorrow to scrap with some of the ACP (ACharmingPlace.com) girls. We always have so much fun when we are together! I always like to bring a little project for everyone to do, so this time it will be acrylic books.

Here's a picture of me drilling holes in all the acrylic books I had made at Tap Plastic. I felt so professional using Jose's BIG drill press!

Play = Discovery

How sad, it hasn’t even been a week and I’ve already missed a day of being creative. But I did help a few other people get creative last night teaching my slideholder minibook class...can that count?

Today, I’m supposed to be preparing for Saturday and Sunday’s classes, but I really missed "playing" yesterday. This morning, the little gadget I set out for yesterday’s play has been calling, "play with me! play with me!" I just couldn’t ignore the calls...

I can really get used to playing everyday. You make new discoveries...like these little plastic slideholders that I’ve had for-e-v-e-r can hold a giftcard...they make cute little minibooks...maybe a cool hidden journaling spot..oh the possibilities! I also discovered a use for the rolls of calculator tape I found on sale...they fit perfectly inside these things! Another discovery, I can sandwich a clear sticker or a rub-on between two epoxy circles and attach them to this brass frame.

So, there you have it, my creative play for the morning! This was so fun, I may even create something tonight, you just never know! But I’d better get to prepping now!

Creating a mess...

Does "creating" a mess count towards being creative everyday? If so, that's what I did last night, made a big ol' mess getting ready for this slide holder class on Thursday night.

But just in case it doesn't count, I pulled out the good ol' Glammer Mists again, sprayed it on a slideholder, threw a flower on it plus the soldered slide (my first attempt at soldering) I made at Creative Escape and..... tada! a cute little card that I can give to my sister...or not heehee.

Glimmer Mists

Today's creation had to be quick and easy, so I sprayed some Glimmer Mists on Bazzill Chips and stamped them with the "Christmas" clear stamps by Kelly Panacci. The charms, of course, are from ACharmingPlace.com. This was definitely quick and easy. I can see making up a batch of these and using them in a Christmas album.

I am now caught up with Day 3 of what I hope will be at least 30 days of my "Do Something Creative Everyday" challenge. At least I know I'll get a few ACP challenges done this month!

Calendar Swap

Sunday's creation was finishing up my calendar's pages for a calendar swap with ACP. December is the month I had, and could only use the colors white, black and red to create the pages. A big thank you to Jean and Linda for finding some of the poinsettias I need to finish up!

As for Monday's creation...I can't find my desktop! Tonight's creation may have to be something small...like Bazzill chips!

The little box I found at the Japanese store was Saturday's creation. This box may be tiny, but it houses lots of fun little techniques. The bottom compartment has a minibook in it, there's a transfer technique on one of the bottom surfaces that I learned at Wishfest, and my favorite thing is all the little danglies that are revealed when you lift the lid (which was really hard to take a decent picture of).

The box handle and all the little charms are from ACharmingPlace.com. (which reminds me, I need to order more charms as they are having a 20% off sale thru Tues. October 16th. Just type in coupon code SILVER).

This box is a "trial" version so I used two sheets from my old paper stash :)
I think my next one will be a Christmas theme.

Who'd have thought...

that quirky little Drama Queen "Blythe" could be inspirational?! I know, hard to believe, but it's true. (and Michelle, I'm being nice referring to Blythe as "quirky"...)

On Saturday, I received this fabulous and hilarious little thank you card in the mail from Michelle. (Michelle who hasn't updated her blog either). After a good laugh, I turned the card over and it was, of course, signed by Michelle. Her signature was inside a cute little circle stamp that said "Do Something Creative Everyday".

Feeling a bit stressed lately with various deadlines, even routine ones, I find myself not "creating" as much as I'd like to. So reading those stamped words, "Do Something Creative Everyday" really struck a cord for me. So I thought, hmmmm...that's a good idea - I shall do just that! (I know, I know, I'll probably last a month!)

So thank you Blythe/Michelle/Shelly for the inspiration. And btw, after I received that card, instead of preparing for my classes this week (which I will surely pay for later this week lol), I went out to the very fun Japanese store, Daiso, and found several fabulous boxes! I went straight home and decorated one - so fun! I'll post a picture tonight---it'll be an uncoming class.

She just LOVES me to take her picture...NOT!

I had to do a slideshow to show you the usual sequence of events that I go through taking pictures of my baby....this one is complete with the typical eyes rolled up in her head, the mean "stop it" face, the "I don't wanna smile" pose, the "UGH!" sound, and of course the raised hand saying, "would you please stop already???!!!" Geez...I just wanted one nice picture of her first day of high school!

The Evolution of My Scrapbook Room

Here are pictures of my "first" scrapbook room (living room/dining room) for about 7 years, and pictures of my new room (start to almost finish) now almost one year old. It's a neverending process, but hopefully I'm close to being done. There's still more slatwall to be put up and areas that need to be organized...but the room was clean (briefly!) so I took pictures. Almost every picture has a caption, but you have to click the picture to read it.

Like a kid in a candy store...

We found this cute little candy store in Windsor.

They had candies I hadn't seen in a while like candy necklaces, Look bars, Chick-O-Sticks, button candy on paper, candy cigarettes, Fizzies and lots of other instant childhood memories!

My daily picture is the lollipop stand that was outside their front door.

Definitely a Memory Worth Scrapping!

Our first full day of my scrappin' birthday weekend.

Last night the girls brought me a yummy cake and fun presents, and said I got to be "Princess." (But hello...no tiara??!! heehee!)

When I woke up, Kathy asked what I would like to drink. Continuing with the "Princess" concept, I kiddingly replied, "a grande Soy Chai, no water, please."

I was so surprised when she said, "sure" and headed to the fridge and pulled out a container of Starbucks-style Chai and soy milk!

I thought, "Wow!" I wonder what else she has (snicker), so I stepped-up the "Princess" act and added, "I'd also like...."

I don't even remember what it was that I asked her for, probably my usual three petite vanilla scones, but I DO remember that I went too far with my request because she gave me that big ol' beautiful Kathy smile and discreetly flipped me off lol!!! Coming from Kathy, it was quite hilarious! Definitely a memory worth scrapping, which, by-the-way, is also the name of Windsor's local scrapbook store.

I Can See Clearly Now, the Rain is Gone...

All of the dark clouds have
disappeared....

It was a beautiful drive
going over the Golden Gate Bridge!
















Michelle, Jean and I hit the road in Michelle’s van which was packed with our scrapping supplies, plus soda, water and tables too.

Stormy Weather...

It was a busy day today trying to get ready for the long scrappin' weekend that starts tomorrow.

Michelle, Jean and I will drive up to Windsor tomorrow morning, but it sure looks like rain. I took this picture on the drive home (at a stop sign)...my windshield needs cleaning!

A Pleasant Surprise

I nearly forgot to take today's picture of the day. This one makes ten days in a row.

When we got home yesterday from San Francisco, I found these beautiful purple flowers on my doorstep from a very dear friend.

A Day in the City...

We spent the day in San Francisco for my birthday.

The weather was gorgeous and I got to practice taking a few pictures.

The flags waving in the wind was one of my favorites.

And a few more...

Let Them Eat Cake!

Aren’t they pretty?

Raquel made both of these beautiful, four-layer cakes (carrot and chocolate marble) for our Easter/Birthday celebrations today.

They were dee-licious! And, as if that weren't enough, she also brought frosted sugar goodies, and made all the side dishes for our BBQ today.

Happy Birthday to me, Kathryn, David and Bruce!

I know it's blurry, but it's not about the deodorant...

It was a PJ day for me. I’ve been thinking all day about what picture I could take that would not entail me having to get dressed and go outside.

Earlier today, Jose went grocery shopping. I asked him to buy two deodorants, one for me and one for Kathryn. We both use the same kind (and he said he knew what kind) and we both like powder scent. It turns out, he bought two deodorants, both were powder scent, but both were "Secret."

Me (showing him the deodorant). "What happened? I thought you knew what kind."
Jose: " I thought you would want the powder scent."
Me: "I do, but not that kind. Secret makes me break out."
Jose: "Oh, sorry, I’ll get you some more."
Me: "No, that’s okay. Kathryn says she needs one for school anyway. I can wait."


After Kathryn and I put away the groceries, Jose goes back to the store to get ice for tomorrow and a few other things. I go back into my room to scrap a little and am still thinking of what picture to take. I know! I’ll take a picture of my favorite little spinner caddy. So as I’m taking pictures of my scrapbook caddy, in walks Jose and says, "Look" as he proudly presents "the right kind" of deodorant AND in powder scent.

He said, "See, I could be a hand model." Baahahahahhaha! It was so cute, I had to take a picture.

So...the reason the picture is so blurry (besides the fact that he was moving and didn’t want to keep posing 'til I got it right), is because the focus is on the hands...not the deodorant!

The Kathryn Tree

I got home from work very late today - just past 7pm. The sun was nearly set and I hadn’t taken my daily picture yet. Jose was mowing the lawn when I got home, so I thought I’d take a picture of the house and the freshly mown lawn. Kind of a reverse view of the scrapbook room view.

While outside, I started looking around for other pictures to take. I really want a picture of the view of the hills from the front of the house, so I took a couple of those. I didn’t like them. I’m too short. I’ll need a ladder or will have to climb up on one of the cars (definitely not a good idea). Oh, I know! I’ll wait for the Sanford and Son truck to come back home and take it from the bed of the truck.

Since yesterday was Kathryn’s birthday, I thought it was a good time to take a picture of "The Kathryn Tree." It’s called "The Kathryn Tree" because we noticed the tiny redwood tree starting to grow in our front yard around the same time I was pregnant with Kathryn. Jose had trimmed a lot branches from the redwood trees in our backyard, and set the branches in the front yard until it was time for the recycling truck to pick them up later in the week. We think that’s how the seed to "The Kathryn Tree" was planted.

So here’s a picture of "The Kathryn Tree." I took a few pictures of it from a distance, trying to get the whole tree, but there were too many parked cars cluttering up the background. I decided to take a picture from the ground up...only I had no intention of getting on the ground to take it. Come on, it’s only day 6...I’m not ready to hit the ground and lay on my back (in the dirt, no less) just to get the perfect shot! Instead, I semi-crouched down, put my hand as close to the ground as possible without actually touching it and aimed my camera upwards, hoping for the best. Well, this was the best. I figure there’s always room for improvement. I’ll take this shot again next year - and who knows, maybe I’ll even be on my back for the shot.

So, Happy 14th Birthday to "The Kathryn Tree"

Life's Uncertain, Eat Dessert First!

Today's Kathryn's birthday. She wanted to shop at the mall with her friends before seeing the movie, Meet the Robinsons. We saw it in 3D so I also got a couple of pictures of them with their funny 3D glasses.

While we were there, I took this picture to use as
my "Picture a Day". I love the columns.

I've been to the Cheesecake Factory several times for dinner, but always with Kerry.

As I was taking the picture, it dawned on me that I've never actually tried their cheesecake! We're always too full after dinner and drinks. That's just wrong!

So, the next time we go, I'm eating dessert first!

The View

I brought my small digital camera with me to work today so on the way home, I took a picture of the late afternoon traffic jam.

After a few snapshots, my cell phone rings and I see my son's cute face on my screen. I smile, as I know it is, "The call." The one I get once or twice a month reminding me that I forgot (or did I?) to deposit money into his account. I'd love to get a snap a picture of "the call" too.

Once off the freeway, there are a couple of views I've always enjoyed coming home. I attempted a few pictures, but it's not easy taking pictures going down hill...while driving. I'll try again when I'm a passenger.

When I got home, I dumped the pictures on the computer. Jose walks in, sees my pictures and reminds me that he trimmed the bushes in front of my scrapbook room just so I could take my daily picture.

So, here's today's picture.

The view from the chair in my scrapbook room...you can even see the little pink fastenator hanging from the slatwall bin.

Pretty in pink...

This is a close-up of one of the bushes in our front yard. It's a good thing that baby takes care of itself, because I certainly didn't inherit my mama's green thumb!

Another day, another picture!

Today I thought I would continue "the view" shots with a picture from my scrapbook room window. I decided against it because 1) my neighbor just pulled into their drive-way, and while their Mercedes is nice, it kinda messed up my shot, and 2) I suddenly noticed that the hedge outside my window could definitely use a haircut.

I decide to take a picture of Jose's "Sanford & Son" truck. Nope, that's not gonna work. The truck is still at his dad's house.

While I was getting a pedicure this afternoon, Jose called and asked me to pick up a bottle of wine. So that's my picture for the day.

April Fool's Day

So...I’m actually doing it! I’m going to join Valerie in her quest to take a picture a day for a year. Seriously! No Joke! I really am...or, at least for the remaining 275 days of this year. I thought it was a good excuse to finally do two things I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Learn to use my camera and start a blog. Apparently, I’ve been wanting to start a blog for a long time - my user profile says I’ve been a user since November 2005!

I almost forgot to take my very first picture because Jose and I took another trip out to Ikea in search of the bookcase for my scrapbook room that was out of stock when we made the trip the day before. Such a waste of gas in his big ol’ red truck. Riding in his truck is always an adventure that begins with Jose humming the theme song to Sanford & Sons lol.

On the way back we stopped by his Dad’s house to get back the van, which means we also had to shift that big box from the truck to the van. It was supposed to be a "quick" stop. It wasn’t. We couldn't get in the house because the door lock is so old it took a whole lot of turning the key back and forth to get in. Jose had to fix it before we left...but he had no tools with him.

He finally found a very old screwdriver to take the lock off. It turns out the inside of the lock was busted. It was missing an integral piece - one of it’s little prongs which is why the key was "spinning" in the lock. The whole process felt like a MacGyver episode without the danger. Did you know that a small piece of a plastic fork tine can be used to fix a door lock? That was my idea - and it worked! So, with the lock fixed, off we went. But not before stopping at Target to meet Jean who called me during the lock incident to let me know she picked up the latest Cards book for me using a 50% off Michael's coupon. She’s sweet.

I meet Jean inside Target where I discover that they now sell Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps - including the swirls set - for only $9.99. Wow. They had lots of cool things, but I bought none of it. Did I mention the Ikea bookcase that we just bought is more than half the size of the Ikea bookcase it was replacing? I loved the big one, but my room really needed counterspace.

It was late afternoon by the time we got home. I suddenly remembered I’m supposed to take a daily picture! There was still a bit of sunlight outside. At least I knew where my new camera was, even though I haven’t used it in about three months.

I decide to take a picture of the view from my bedroom because it’s so relaxing just looking at the big redwood tree. After the truck adventure and the "MacGyver" episode, relaxing sounded good. Ordinarily, I’d just open the sliding glass door and take a picture from the room. However, the big ol’ 25 cube Ikea bookcase that I just removed from my scrapbook room is temporarily (I hope!) residing in my bedroom, blocking access to the door. So, I head outside via the living room door and stand on the step just outside my bedroom door.

I take a few pictures, portrait, landscape, zoom in-zoom out...then into the house to upload the pics to my computer to see whether or not they're blurry. Yes, I know, there’s a little screen on the back of my camera, but either it’s too small or my eyes are too old, but I can’t tell if they're blurry. I prefer to think the screen is too small.
I grab the camera cord to transfer the pictures to my camera. Open up the window to view them and they aren’t there??!! What happened? Strange, very strange. So I figure I must have done something wrong so I quickly go back out to get the picture before the sun goes down.

Ahhh, I now see why the pictures I previously took weren’t there! The sun was starting to go down so I was trying to see what ISO the camera was set at. That’s when I saw it... "Memory Full". Back into the house to dump all the pictures onto the computer and to find the manual so I can quickly reformat the card.

Done. So, back outside I go. Now it’s obvious that I’m going to need to change that ISO as the sun’s just about gone. Drats, I can’t remember how to change it! Back into the house to get that manual again. (They sure print those manuals in small type.) I finally find out how to change the setting and back outside I go...again.

So that was my first Project 365 picture of the day. I'm sure it'll be easier tomorrow. And, I don’t think it will be difficult to see an improvement in future picture taking!