Grandfather

*** Memory Makers Gallery Featured Idea - 1/7/08 ***

Meryl Bartho's Golden Delicous 4 Page Kit just sparkles! It's pretty papers and elements were just right for this layout of my grandfather.

Journaling reads:
These are photos of my grandfather, Ted Jones, in various stages of his life. I never met him, even though he lived until 1980.

Meeting Jenni

Jenni and I had so much fun scrapping, talking and shopping at Ekcetera in Inver Grove Heights, MN, last weekend...I am SO looking forward to seeing Jenni again and scrapping together!!!

Captions on the small photos are: "This is cool stuff" and "We found the DSP STASH!"

I used Marcee Duggar's beautiful Andee Page Kit here....the rick rack was created by me, using one of the papers in this fun kit to cut the shape, then applying a deep bevel to them.

I also used Lauren Bavin's Black Sanded Chip Alpha (recolored) for the title.

Family Memories

My first Layout of the Day at DSP!
*** DSP Layout of the Day, 12/16/07 ***

A photo of my mother and two brothers taken in 1953. Kim Liddiard's Fresh Baked Page Kit has an elegant feel that makes it so useful for many layout themes, including this heritage one! Scraps of Words - Heritage Word Art CD by Tina Chambers and Suzanne Walker has a large selection of quotes that are perfect for your old photos and stories!

Hall of Fame Layout

This layout was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Digital Scrapbook Place!

******HALL OF FAME NOTES*******
Thiis layout leapt out of the gallery at me as I was browsinig through - the beautiful photo split as it is into 3 and the placement of the elements make this a stunning piece of artwork*****

A shot of the beautiful trees we saw while driving through Wisconsin this fall.

Beautifall Page Kit by Lauren Bavin

Here, Kitty Kitty...

*** Featured in Ready, Set, Create! Feb/Mar 2008 ***
*** Memory Makers Idea Gallery Featured Idea December 4, 2007 ***

These are my mom's cats...I couldn't resist using this adorable kit of Irene's. It's so cute and unique!!!

Journaling reads:
Mom's cats are
her best buddies.
They all have a
personality of
their own - Ziggy
is the sentinel and
keeper of the food
and kitty box schedule.
Gizmo is the guardian
of the food - no one
else gets any when he's
around! and likes to give
"Kitty Kisses". Tazzy is the
loveable lap cat who likes to paw at himself in the mirror.

Get Kitty Page Kit by Irene Alexeeva

Just Chillin'

*** Published in December 2007 issue of Ready Set Create ***
*** Featured idea for Memory Makers Online Idea Gallery 11/28/07 ***

The soft winter blues and snowflake and penguin elements in Tina's Chillin page kit are so cute! Perfect for those great winter photos!

Journaling reads:
Mike and I spent our second
Christmas together at his
house in Minnesota. with his
family. The weather was mild,
but heavy snow in Wisconsin
on my way home forced
me to spend a night in
a Madison hotel when
the interstate closed up. It
didn't matter though...I had
a wonderful holiday!!

Chillin Page Kit by Tina Chambers

My First Board Book

*** Featured in the Memory Makers Online Gallery, November 2007 ***

Kerri's The Vineyard page kit is so rich and elegant - love the pretty wine colors and grungy, chic feel of this one. I tried to make this boardbook in a shabby chic style, and the kit went well with my colors to display it!

The journaling reads:
I'm not a paper scrapper, so when I received this blank book as a gift, I knew
I was going to be scrap-challenged! I chose to go hybrid, combining digital
and paper methods to create my "masterpiece". I sure put a lot of time and
energy into it, but it was so worth it - I now have a whole book about my
family that's a beautiful piece of art, and something I can treasure forever.

The Vineyard page kit by Kerri Erickson

Another Angel

I just love these graphic layouts....
Believe in Magic page kit by Lauren Bavin

Grandma's Little Angels

Ring Around the Rosies page kit by Meryl Bartho
Wings are from Angel Wishes Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Irish Blessing Word Art by Tina Chambers - March '05 Word Art
Wings from Angel Wishes Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Crown from Faerie Stories Page Kitby Linda Rechtin
Background (recolored) and star overlay from Where Elves Live Page Kitby Irene Alexeeva
Word Art from There is Magic Word Art by Tina Chambers
Butterflies from Butterfly Dreams Page Kit by Lauren Bavin

Genesis Concert

I couldn't resist using Suzanne's awesome kit to scrap our attendance at the Genesis Reunion concert in Chicago this week. The main photos are the tee shirt I bought there ($40!!!) and our tickets. The smaller photos in that awesome photo strip were from the internet - my cel phone pictures just didn't cut it!

Midnight Mocha by Suzanne Walker

BCA - My Mom

Here's a layout of my Mom that I did for the DSP BCA Crop.

This is so much fun adding bits and pieces from all the freebies we've received today! Thanks to the Designers and DSP for sponsoring this wonderful event!

 










A side note about this layout: My goal was to use a piece of every kit the wonderful designers created and generously provided to us during this amazing event. During its creation, the layout just fell together beautifully, right down to the last piece. The way I put the photos together was to symbolize my mom holding her family close to her heart, as she has always done. I debated changing the small color photo to black and white, but decided I liked the visual contrast between the old and the new, much like the past and the future.

Journaling:
Raised during the depression
by a single mother of three,
she finished high school and
worked, supporting herself.
She met and married my dad,
and moved away from her
home when his job took him
to Chicago. She raised four
children, and often
worked evening jobs
to make ends meet.
She sewed our
clothes. She had a
garden, and canned her
vegetables. She is independent,
and raised her children to be
the same - and we are. She
survived our teenage years.
She survived the loss of her
husband and best friend of
almost 50 years. She was
always there with advice
when asked for and a hug or
encouragement when needed.
She never complains about her
life. She lives it; she survives it.
When things happen, she tackles her
problems with a strength and determination
I hope to have for as long as she has. Cataract
surgery and skin cancer have been two recent
obstacles she has overcome. I'm so proud of her
and so in awe of her. She is why I am who I am.
This...is my inspiration.
This...is my Mother.

Credits: All items from kits and elements received at the BCA Crop on 9/29/07:
Beauty and Courage by DSP Designers for BCA Scrap Pink 2007
Infinity Charm - Mother - by Kim Liddiard
Lil Hearts Charm by Tina Chambers
Crayon Doodles by Irene Alexeeva
Silver Heart from Knave of Hearts Plopper Plus by Elizabeth Weaver
Pink Photo Matte from Cherry Sunset Backpack by Valeri Brumfield (recolored)
Swirl from SwirlyGig Overlay by Suzanne Walker (extracted, applied as overlay and placed in lower left corner)
Dark Pink Photo Matte from Watermelon Backpack by Becky Soto
Corner element from Mixed Framies by Elizabeth Weaver

DET, Round 2

My layouts for Round 2........

Brushed Away Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=6209
Awesome Alliterations Word Art by Tina Chambers
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=6138
Brushed Away Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=6209
Awesome Alliterations Word Art by Tina Chambers
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=6138

DET6 Competition

It's that time again....the competition for the next DET Team is on! Here's my layout for round 1:


Rainbow's End Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5517

Joy Radiates Word Art by Tina Chambers
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5207

Love You Baby Girl

*** Published in Memory Makers Online Idea Gallery September 2007 ***

Some photos of my middle DGD during a recent visit....I knew right away what I wanted to do with this kit as soon as I opened it. The blacks and reds are so awesome together...I just love the butterfly and the hearts! A beautiful page kit to use with photos of anyone you love!

AliKai Page Kit by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5763

Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

My layout........from the bridge collapse
Some photos that I received from a friend of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis this week. The journaling says it all:

7:45 pm - My sister called me from Chicago.
You'd better turn on your TV, she said. Your
interstate has collapsed. So I did - and saw the
first of the many horrific images that would
haunt me, my friends and neighbors, and
fellow Minnesotans for hours and
days to come. The Interstate 35W
bridge over the Mississippi River
had collapsed, with no warning,
during rush hour at 6:05 PM.
I immediately thought of my
co-workers, many of whom
cross that bridge on their way
home to the suburbs north of
Minneapolis. The building we
work in sits right on 35W,
making it a popular route for
them. Three of our employees
did in fact go down on that
bridge when it fell; fortunately
two were able to walk away,
one was injured but survived.
The stories and images and
videos were on every TV
station. I couldn't sleep that
night; very few did. Images
of broken concrete and
tangled steel, crushed and
twisted vehicles, injured,
dazed people, frantic
family members, heroic
rescues and survivors,
will remain indelible in
our minds - and will
forever change this city
and state in which I live.

Beyond Repair by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5735

Photo of highway sign by me
All other photos by Tim Davis, Minnesota, used with permission.

Heritage Layout

*** Published in the Aug/Sept 2007 issue of Ready Set Create Magazine ***

I am so excited about this month's CDs - Scraps of Style - Days Gone By and Scraps of Words - Heritage Word Art! I love heritage layouts - this is one of my grandmother's family taken in 1930. Meryl Bartho's Paper Rose page kit and Tina Chambers' Sweet Memories word art are just beautiful and I love them with this photo!

Paper Rose Page Kit by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5753

Scraps of Style - Days Gone By CD
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5776

Scraps of Words - Heritage Word Art CD
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5778

Sweet Smile

*** Published in the Aug/Sept 2007 issue of Ready Set Create ***

This is a photo of my daughter at the zoo at age 2. She had the cutest smile!

Journaling reads:
I love it when you laugh...your smile is so sweet and so contagious! When you were little, your giggles would make even the most serious grownup laugh..or at least smile!

I love the colors in Lisa's a Day in May Page Kit. Designed for Moms, this kit works equally well with other types of layouts. I used Becky's beautiful Half Circles quick click for this one - what an easy way to get such a beautifully designed layout! And Suzanne's Swirly Plumes and heart frame made the perfect finishing touches.

A Day in May Page Kit by Lisa Carter
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5536

Half Circles Quick Click by Becky Soto
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5129

Swirly Plumes freebie by Suzanne Walker
Heart Frames freebie by Suzanne Walker

Operation Day

*** Published in the August/September 2007 issue of Ready Set Create Magazine ***

This kit is so much fun! The bright colors and fun elements can be used so many ways for so many different types of layouts. I chose to use it for these photos of my daughter at two years old, when she had to go in for surgery.

Journaling reads:

Today you went to the hospital for
another of several operations you
needed for your ear infections -
only this time, you had a
tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy.
Only two years old, you were
scared and crying as they wheeled
you away, and I was crying long
after you had disappeared down
the hall. You pulled through like a
real trooper though - when you saw
Mommy and Daddy in
the recovery room, you
you were all smiles,
even though
you were
in pain.

It wasn't at all easy - you were stubborn about
drinking fluids and even pulled your IV out in
the middle of the night. Mommy slept on a
cot right next to you for two nights, which
wasn't easy because I was nine months
pregnant - but there was nowhere else
in the world I would rather have been
than right there with you.

1 Funky Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5363

Just Me

*** Published in the July 2007 issue of ScrapStreet Magazine ***
*** Memory Makers Online Idea Gallery July 2007 ***

Here's my layout for Becky's Affirmation Challenge. Her Free to be Me kit is fabulous - perfect for a girly layout, but could easily be recolored to fit a more masculine theme too. And Tina's word art was amazingly perfect for this theme!!!

Journaling reads:
What do I like about me? Hmmm...
I'm smart - it got me a job I love.
I'm creative - I love my hobbies.
I can take care of myself. Usually.
I have a big heart and lots of room
for everyone I love.

Credits and store links:

Free to be Me Page Kit by Becky Soto
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5513

Word Curves: Free by Tina Chambers
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5369

Copper Penny Alpha (freebie) by Tina Chambers

What A Guy?

*** Published in Memory Makers Online Idea Gallery 2007 ***

Yes, this is my son at 9! He will disown me if he ever sees this. The journaling says it all!

It reads:
Only a
brother.....
would let you
dress him up in
a girl's dress,
tights and shoes.
And a ring .
And a Dr. Seuss
hat, just to finish
off the ensemble.
And, let you take
a picture of him
dressed like
this...then forget
it was taken
so years later
we can do
this to him.
What a guy!

OK, so I bet Lisa never thought I'd use her kit for a guy layout, and ok, so it's not really a guy layout, but really all about the bling which my daughter and her friends bestowed upon him. Perfect kit for this, but it could be used for a real guy layout too. Trust me.

Look At That Bling Page Kit by Lisa Carter
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5496

Also available in the Scraps of Fun Bling CD
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5529

Gotta Love the Pigtails!

*** Published in Memory Makers Online Idea Gallery 2007 ***

A photo of my daughter and niece on a summer day...her hair wasn't too long but we got it up in pigtails for her!

Mother May I Page Kit by Linda Rechtin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5551

Precious Gem

*** Published in the June/July 2007 Issue of Ready Set Create magazine ***

These are photos of my newest granddaughter Jada using Lauren's fab 6 photo Freestyle Quick Click and her Iced Denim Page Kit from the Bling CD. I love the style of this quick click and used one of the photo slots for a name/date tag - and the Iced Denim kit is so beautiful I couldn't wait to use it! Tina's wonderful Bling word art was just what I needed for this layout of my "Precious Gem"

Credits/Store Links:
Iced Denim Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5487

Scraps of Bling CD
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5530

Precious Gem Word Art by Tina Chambers
Scraps of Words - Bling Word Art CD
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5531

6 photo Freestyle Quick Click by Lauren Bavin

Another attempt....

At a graphic layout. These get more fun as I go along!


This is so out of my realm...but SO much fun to do! I love Linda's Fairie kit. It was a blast playing with this one!

My DGD was actually holding a juice box before I got started - lots and lots of blending and erasing went into this one. I hope I did the kit justice!

Fairie Stories Page Kit by Linda Rechtin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5609

Word art by me

We got to see......

A Billy Joel Concert!!!


Marcee's Out Loud kit was exactly what I needed to do a layout about our recent attendance at a Billy Joel concert. I love all the elements and papers in this kit and I know I'll be using it again...it's such a fun kit!!

Out Loud Page Kit by Marcee Duggar
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5255

Musical Notes overlay from Love Song Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=3750

Photo of Billy Joel from the Internet

BFF - an MS Story

My daughter's best friend.... 
This is a very special, personal layout I did for my daughter's best friend, who was just diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Sheila, who is only 24 years old, is like a second daughter to me; I can't even think of words to describe how emotional I feel.

Elizabeth Weaver's Come The Day kit was exactly what I wanted to scrap this moment...I wanted something as cheerful, soft, bold, and beautiful as this young woman is.

 
The journaling above the matte paper reads:
Two little girls, best friends since they were toddlers. Always there for each other. When Amy found out Sheila had been diagnosed with MS, she immediately signed up for the MS Walk to show her love and support.
Because that's what best friends do.

I asked Sheila to tell me how she felt when she was diagnosed, and the journaling on the paper is an extract of what she sent me:
"I was diagnosed with MS about two weeks ago. After seeing my neurologist and talking about medication, it really started to sink in and I became very depressed. I am very scared of what my future holds, am I going to end up in a wheelchair? Will I lose my sight? I feel like my whole life has changed and I will never be normal again. Even with all of this in mind, I am trying to toughen up and play the cards that I have been dealt. The way I see it, God must think I am one strong woman, and who am I to say He is wrong."

Credit and Store Link:
Come The Day Page Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5053

Because of her illness, she and my daughter both decided to participate in the Illinois MS Walk 2007. Approximately 400,000 people nationwide live with the devastating effects of this chronic, progressive, and often disabling disease of the central nervous system.
Research is the only way to fight this, so maybe other people will not have to wait a year before they are diagnosed and more treatment options will be available.

Antique Show

Sunday, we went to the Antique Show in St. Paul. What fun seeing all the goofy stuff from the past...and even more goofy, at our age, to see stuff from when WE were kids. Good grief!! We ARE Antiques!! :)

Here are a couple of shots from our visit. And no, the only thing we bought was a hot dog ;)

Have a good day! Enjoying spring here now!!!

Another attempt at Graphic...

Here's a layout I did of my granddaughter. I was playing around with a graphic style, and just love how this one turned out.

Edit: This layout was nominated for a Scrappy Award at DSP - Best layout in category of 1-2 photos!



My granddaughter early the other morning..I don't quite think she was all the way awake for this shot!

I love this beautiful kit of Lauren's. It has an elegant feel to it, that works for portraits, nature, heritage....and so much more!!!

Journaling reads:
You have the most beautiful blue eyes.
One notices them, even from across a
room. And you know how to bat those
baby blues when you want something,
especially from your Daddy! This
shade of blue is exactly the same
as your great-grandfather's were.
How lucky you are to have
these beautiful eyes!

Beyond the Meadow Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=5159

Initial Cap: Metal Alpha Copper Freebie by Margie Lundy

Lindsey Buckingham!!

On April 7, Mike and I went to see Lindsay Buckingham at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis. The theater is small - only about 900 seats - and we felt like we were so close, even though it was Main floor row M (about 13 rows back). He rocked...did some of his singles, plus a few Mac songs (Go Your Own Way, Tusk, Peacekeeper...) ..Loved every minute of it!

.

Munchkins visit!

My daughter's family came to visit this weekend!

My granddaughter playing in the rocks in my BF's neighbor's yard.

I love Kim's Flowers kit...it's neutral, yet rich and elegant, and works with so many different types of layouts. The addons are just gorgeous too!

Kim's Flowers Page Kit by Kim Liddiard

My First DET Layout

This is the first layout I did for DET...isn't this kit so pretty?

The April Club digital is just FULL of wonderful kits!! I had SO much fun using them!! Lisa's Journaling Strips quick click made it SO easy to pull everything together!! Valeri's Rosy Morning page kit is gorgeous, Tina's Easter Joys word art gave me my instant perfect title, and Suzanne's Dilemma font and one of Kim's Decoredges gave it that perfect finishing touch!

I recolored some of the papers and elements in the page kit to a pink to match the easter basket in the photo.


Journaling reads:
Pretty girl, pretty dress, and a basket full
of candy. A beautiful Spring day in April.
Fun with cousins. So why is Amy crying?
Could it be because we wouldn't let her open
her M&Ms and have candy before dinner?

Credits/Store link:
Journaling Strips Quick Click by Lisa Carter
Rosy Morning Page Kit by Valeri Brumfield
Easter Joys Word Art by Tina Chambers
Decoredges by Kim Liddiard
Dilemma Font by Suzanne Walker

All available in the April Club Digital !!

My Competition Layouts

Here are the layouts I did for the DET competition.


Broiderie Anglaise Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Baby Newborn Word Art by Tina Chambers
Dreams Come True Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
About You Word Art by Tina Chambers
Je T'Adore Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Scraps of Words - Love Word Art Volume II by Suzanne Walker and Tina Chambers

Charmeur Page Kit by Marcee Duggar

Como Conservatory

Today, Mike and I went to Como Conservatory for the annual garden show. It was a beautiful day today (and the first of my vacation)! Here are some photos from our day!

I made it!!!

I just found out.......that I have made it to the DET Team at Digital Scrapbook Place! I'm sooooooooo excited! and I can't wait to get started! :)

Catching up!

Well, after having been sick for over a month, dental work and another round of a sinus infection, it finally seems like things are going better. Mike and I have been looking forward to spring and some getting out and about!

On March 10, we went to see Ron White in concert...you know, one of the Blue Collar guys. The show was both uncensored and an absolute riot! Couldn't take any photos, though I tried to sneak one in with my cel phone that didn't come out at all. The guy is just hilarious - we enjoyed the show quite a bit!!

Last weekend, I took Mike to the Global Market here in Minneapolis for lunch. It reminds me very much of the markets in Mexico....lots of merchants and places to eat. Trinkets and greasy food! We went to Andy's Garage and split a great burger and fries that were just awesome. Here are some of the pictures I took while we were there:










After the tons of snow we had at the beginning of the month, we are ready for the warm weather. Hoping to get to the zoo and conservatory tomorrow.

Happy Spring....it's here!!!
XOX
Mike and Gail