Reflectons of NW Lady

Pypers Snowball

2011-11-23T09:57:00.001-07:00

You know how sometimes you get just the perfect shot? Well that's how I felt when I snapped this photo of Pyper last February. It was just perfect. I've used the new Winter Woodland kit at Cottage Arts to show it off in this digital layout.

Snow Happy

2011-11-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

When I was home last February I stayed with Angi and the family. We woke up to a winter wonderland in their backyard and I got to have snow days with the girls. I just loved these pictures of Zoie intent in making a snowman in the back yard. I hope that teen age years, which are just around the New Year, won't diminish the zeal to just have simple fun in the snowflakes in the future.

I used a Homespun Christmas and a frame cluster from Budding Romance, both digital kits available at Cottage Arts.

in the leaves

2011-11-19T20:35:00.001-07:00

Amber sent me this picture of Brynnie playing in the leaves tonight. I don't know what it is about kids and leaves but they all love them. I can remember being out at Mom and Dads when the kids were just a little older than Brynnie and them playing and laughing in the piles of maple leaves. So much fun with Mother Nature.

The kit is Tot Talk Page Pak with Alpha from Cottage Arts.

Pool Party

2011-11-19T19:39:00.001-07:00

Brynnie was having a good time in her wading pool this summer.
Supplies from Cottage Arts.

Gentle Giant

2011-11-17T22:10:00.001-07:00

Created with Cottage Art's Whale of a TalePage Pak

Journaling Reads:

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest you’d think whales wouldhave been something I’d seen a lot of, nada, none, zip, zilch, nary a one! It took a paid whale trip in Morro BayCalifornia in 2005 before I spotted my first gentle giant and her babe. Well worth the long wait to see such aspectacular sight, up close, real, personal, nature itself just before myeyes. Such an awesome moment. Another numberscratched off my personal bucket list!

Team Challenge - Mosaics

2011-11-09T15:22:00.005-07:00

The Challenge for the Design Team this week at Cottage Arts was to create a Mosaic of layouts I'd made, it was suppose to be of this year but I went back further and picked ones I liked. Each of the pages shown here (yes, each little frame is an actual page that I've made at a previous date) were all created using supplies from Cottage Arts.

If you'd like a detailed list of the supplies I used to create this page,

please check my gallery page here at Cottage Arts.

Strength

2011-11-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

Using Cottage Arts Digital Kit - Majestic Oak

Last Hurrah

2011-11-06T13:33:00.001-07:00

In the last hurrahs of autumn lone flowers still stretchtheir necks preening for my view. Onelast showing of their color to brighten my day. Autumn has arrived, with bustling winds stripping away the remainder ofsummers' beautiful petals.

I used Cottage Arts newest collection Majestic Oak for this page.

Font Utsaah

Watching

2011-11-03T16:47:00.001-06:00

Digital kits are just so fun to use but sometimes the designers colors just aren't quite right for your photo even though what they've created is perfect. Don't pass them over, by adjusting the Hue/Saturation and/or the blending modes and opacity you can create just the solution to your problem. To see my changes to the papers used here please check out my Gallery at Cottage Arts. The primary kit used was Giving Thanks Page Pak. The cuties in the photo are Colton and Acoya.

Dream Fisher

2011-11-03T11:45:00.002-06:00

My great-nephew Colten with his prize catch! I used the Cottage Arts Paint the Sea Page Pak with Alpha for this page.

On the Beach

2011-11-02T19:53:00.001-06:00

My granddaughters and a friend exploring the beach.

Supplies from the Cottage Arts Painted Sea Page Pak and Add on Collection.

Peace...

2011-10-28T18:48:00.000-06:00

a simple drive in the countryside with no destination inmind... sometimes, when my mind is stilland the beauty of nature is surrounding me peace comes... I let my soul be still, listening to the everydaysounds around me... wind whistlingthrough the grasses, geese off in the distance, the neigh of one horse toanother... time to simply enjoy the offerings that are there forme to take... my mind wanders, mybreathing becomes slow and steady and the stress that had been pressing downwardsuddenly lifts and removes itself from my shoulders... life, if only I would allow myself the timeto really look around me...

Supplies are all from the Autumn Fields digital collection at Cottage Arts

Please see my gallery page here for links to all supplies

Faded Memories

2011-09-16T19:41:00.004-06:00

Journaling reads:

Spring 1946

Billy came along when the house was still very small, waterat a distance and modern day amenities like bathrooms, hot water and electric stoves,limited. Love was in abundance and a big brother and sister to doteupon him without question. Childhood was so simple in those days, you received lovewithout question and gave with innocence.

Supplies from Cottage Arts, please check my gallery there for a complete list.

Going Fishin'

2011-09-09T14:29:00.000-06:00

Grandma Kathie and Grandpa Bud bought me my first fishin’ pole! I’m so lucky to have so many ‘extra’ Grandma’s, Grandpa’s and Aunties!

I wonder what I’m gonna catch? Think Daddy will cook it on the BBQ for us for dinner????

Supplies from Cottage Arts, please check my gallery there for a complete list of supplies.

Catalina Island

2011-09-09T10:02:00.003-06:00

In the early 60s I took a road trip to California with my Parents and went on a tour boat to Catalina Island (where this photo was snapped). Daddy had told me for years about growing up in LA and going over to Catalina to ride horses, swim and fish. I wanted to see a part of his childhood through my eyes. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Avalon, nor for years having daydreams of living there, escaping the pitfalls of teenage life and the woes of the world around me. Avalon was a setting out of a Romantic novel with the arc of the bay circling swirling around the town. So many years ago and yet my heart feels like it was only yesterday.

Supplies are from Cottage Arts - Old School Page Pak and Naturals 9 Papers

Dad and Son

2011-09-06T16:34:00.003-06:00

Here stand father and son so many many years ago.

Two fathers so very different in their beings but so very alike in their appearance.

We no longer can share their smiles and humor,

no more to see their similarities and differences,

we must instead rely on the impressions

they both made upon our hearts

Father and Son

Gene and Eddie

1952

Supplies from Cottage Arts, please check my gallery page here for a complete list.

Here's Lookin' at Ya

2011-09-03T19:53:00.000-06:00

Font - Comic Sans

We took the Wildlife Loop Road through Custer State Park inSouth

Dakota. How amazingwas this? To drive around a bend andhave

Burros staring at you, walking to your car and looking inthe window,

not afraid at all, very very curious. Round another bend and see deer

feeding in the grassland nearby. Looking but not alarmed because

visitors have stopped to stare yet again. But the real heart stopper

were the Bison, many many Bison who knew they had the right of

way down the roads, through the trees, wherever. When you are the

size of a Bison you rule!

Supplies are from Cottage Arts please check my gallery page here for a complete list of supplies.

Creating a Canvas on Easel Collage

2011-09-02T08:01:00.002-06:00

Be sure and check out Cottage Art's latest 'how-to' article on 'Creating a Canvas on Easel Collage' it's featuring my layout Dream to Live which you can see larger in the post below.

These how-to articles, written by Michelle Shefveland, will have you bumping up your digital creating skills in no time!

Backroads

2011-08-28T20:21:00.000-06:00

Driving the backroads on our last trip I snapped pictures aswe passed by old buildings from bygone days. I couldn't help wonder who tended these farms, planted crops, tried tokeep animals alive in the brutal winters and fiery summers. Hearty individuals to be sure. You wonder how many generations opened thatshed door, how many lives tramped across those fields and laughed and playedand loved here. So many lives beatingaround us each day that we know nothing about. Traveling, it's a great adventure and truly a time to do a littlereflecting on the souls of others around us.

Supplies from Cottage Arts

Road Trip Page Pak

Scrap Templates 36

Font - Chaparral Pro

Challenge - Travel

2011-08-27T22:43:00.003-06:00

I could see the tops of the old buildings of Wallace from the freeway and we both knew I had to get up close to see and take pictures. All of the downtown buildings are on the National Historical Registry, and rightly so, the architecture is just amazing.

We had breakfast at the 1313 club, aptly named because when it was established it became the 13th brothel and 13th saloon in this bustling silver mining town. What it must have been like in it’s hey day.

Supplies from Cottage Arts

Road Trip Page Pak - Scrap Frames 21 Vintage Frames - Grunge Paints 2 Brush and Stamp Set -

Font - Lucida Sans

Ponytails

2011-08-22T15:49:00.002-06:00

Question Mark reads:

Owie!!! Mommy are you sure Grandma said you have to pull my hair this tight to make a ponytail? I know I’ll look really pretty when you are done, but not so hard ok?

Mommy, can I put a ponytail in your hair next?

Supply list can be found on my Gallery page at Cottage Arts

Blissful

2011-08-19T19:23:00.004-06:00

Cottage Arts Design Team Challenge -

White on White

Check out my gallery page for a complete list of supplies from Cottage Arts

Dream to Live

2011-08-19T11:38:00.002-06:00

Design Team Challenge at Cottage Arts

Photo-less page

Supply list and what I did can be found in my Gallery here.

Who I Am

2011-08-19T11:36:00.003-06:00

Journaling Reads:
Sometimes this is how I feel like I’m looking out at the world from the inside and no one sees the real me in here. My life has evolved to the age of not knowing or sometimes caring what day or hour it is. Our life is most times uncomplicated and easy, we roll with whatever each day brings and plan little. My children have grown and the roles shifted to their shoulders instead of mine, I no longer have to worry about school hours, or homework or the agony of growing, a Grandma only has to smile and love. I can do that. We hop in the car and travel and see, me with the camera in hand and lens open to seeing the world about me with new vision, seeking beauty in just the everyday. I cherish all this time I get to create, to play with pixels and paper. How wonderful to start with a blank screen or bits of paper and bling and end up with something that makes me happy to share my creative side with those I love.

Life, it’s certainly changed, it’s gentler to me now, or perhaps I’m more gentle to myself at this stage of my life.
Here's what I used from the Cottage Arts Store:
Simply Friendship Pak - Paper 2 and 6 blended together, Mat 1 elongated (3 copies), key 2, string

Quirky Back to School Element Pak - Quirky Tree, Word Art 1, Hanging Chain, Brick

Font - Constantia distressed with Grunge Paints 1 Brushes & Stamp Set

Natures Sketchbook -Photo Art Blends 2 - Blend 07, placed over photo at multiply blend, added texture Weave 4 over photo and tree

Plum Haze Page Pak- Word Art Personable

As Time Goes By Page Pak- Word Art Glimpse Soul

Note: I posted this on my other blog A Soul's Heartbeat and hadn't realized until this morning the mix up. Since there are comments there (on the original post) I'm posting it here where it belongs as well.

2011-08-06T18:00:00.004-06:00

Made with the new Sunny Skies kit from Cottage Arts along with

bits and pieces from several of their other kits.

Please check my gallery for a complete list of supplies here.

Living Life

2011-07-28T21:52:00.002-06:00

Postcard reads:
Dear Family -
You know how afraid I am of high places and swinging bridges. I didn’t want to walk across this suspension bridge at the Great Falls in Montana. I could hear the water exploding into the river but in order to see it up close I would have to venture across this bridge.
When I approached the half way mark the bridge began to sway and I yelled at Paul to stop, but he swore it was the wind moving it not him. It wasn’t far but if you have a fear sometimes the first step can feel like a mile. I was proud of myself for laying aside my fear. The end result was so worth taking the steps, the beauty from the Island, all that water and power was well worth the sway of the wind and the unsteadiness of my feet. July 8, 2011

All supplies were from Cottage Arts, please check my gallery photo there for a complete list.

An Adventure

2011-06-07T11:12:00.000-06:00

Brynnie exploring the wonders of her backyard,

a whole new world opens up when you can go outside!

All supplies from Cottage Arts

Challenge - Using a Newspaper Clipping

2011-04-13T14:22:00.000-06:00

One of the challenges for the Cottage Arts DT this week was to scan an old newspaper clipping and journal about it. This isn't what I went hunting for but you know I thought it was just perfect considering the conversation Mom and I had shortly before she passed away about Phyllis's death. Here's what I journaled:

Dear Baby Sister -
I've often wondered what it would have been like had you lived to share your life with us. I worried for so many years that Momma would have been sad when she found out she was pregnant with me, the time was so soon after you had passed. Just a short time ago, before Momma came to join you, I asked her about it and she said that she prayed I would be a little girl. She didn't want me to replace your spot in her heart but she wanted to help heal the emptiness that you leaving caused her. That made me feel so good and gave me such peace. Rest happlily now little Phyllis in our Momma's arms.
The supply list is on my page in the Cottage Arts gallery here.

Angi? relaxed and rested

2011-04-08T10:19:00.002-06:00

Angi? relaxed and rested
You have to know my daughter to get the story behind that big question mark.
This girl never sits still long enough to relax, what a great shot captured here!

All supplies from Cottage Arts, please check out my gallery page there for a complete list of supplies.

Part of the photo (Angi's foot) masked to give the out of bounds illusion.

Caught in the Moment

2011-04-06T19:48:00.000-06:00

Journaling Reads: Eddie you were on base at MCRD in San Diego for Derik’s boot camp graduation you wanted me to take pictures of you at each monument and artillery spot. When I went to snap this pic your head was bowed so reverently. I wondered what thought prompted this automatic display of respect. A very proud moment for me.

All supplies from Cottage Arts, check out my gallery page for a complete list.

Pizza Boy

2011-04-06T00:57:00.006-06:00

Just love these pictures of Eddie taken in San Diego last November.

Jouranling reads:
When we were in San Diego we stopped to have dinner the night before you went home at Extreme Pizza. It was fairly slow when we sat down and the owner asked if you knew how to make it yourself. He took you to the kitchen and let you make yours and Paul’s cheese pizza! How fun to watch as you pounded (and I mean pounded) stretched and shaped the dough, piled on the sauce and cheese and waited on pins and needles to see your creation. That smile says it all, yep the pizza was a good as it looked! November 2010

For a complete list of supplies see my gallery page at Cottage Arts.

Day Dreamin'

2011-03-27T22:22:00.000-06:00

I think she want's to join the Rockettes don't you? How fun is this kit, Art Doll Fashionistas!? Check out Beth Rimmer's store over at Deviant Scrap to see all of her out there designs. They will really put a smile on your face!

Lost Your Heart? Let it Go!

2011-03-27T22:19:00.000-06:00

Another page using Beth Rimmer's new kit, Art Doll Fashionistas! Be sure to check out her shop at Deviant Scrap, her stuff will definitely help you step outside the box!

Bra Free

2011-03-27T22:08:00.001-06:00

My friend, Beth Rimmer, has just designed a new kit call Art Doll Fashionistas! and has it in her shop at Deviant Scrap, be sure to check out her stuff, it's totally off the wall and way too much fun!

Bathroom Reading

2011-03-25T07:58:00.001-06:00

Oh my goodness when I got this picture of Brynnie I just couldn't stop laughing. Bless her heart she looks so serious. I think she's going to be our reading addict, Mommy and Daddy have been reading her stories since before she made her first appearance in our world. Must have worked if she's already taken up her Dad's hobby of 'Bathroom Reading'!

All supplies from Cottage Arts, check out my Gallery there to find a complete supply list and tips on how I blended the photo.

On The Pier

2011-03-21T11:14:00.000-06:00

Eddie wanted to go out on the Pier so bad but Mitch kept yelling at him to 'Wait for Me'. Next thing I knew he and Paul had joined hands and were off, in hunt of Pelicans and fish I do believe. Taken at the San Diego Harbor, Shelter Island Pier in November of 2010. For a list of all supplies used to make this digital page check out my Cottage Arts Gallery.

Life is Sweet

2011-03-18T21:08:00.001-06:00

When my Grandson Derik came home from Boot Camp he went geocaching with his Uncle and cousin. I just love these pictures of the two of them together. Life changes so fast, especially when you go from High School to Military, these moments are truly ones to be captured, held and cherished.

When cousin Derik came home from Marine corp boot camp
he took time to go geocaching with Daddy and me.
I love Derik but he has funny hair
and I’m gonna miss him
when he leaves for North Carolina.
I’ll be so much bigger when he comes back!

All supplies from Cottage Arts, please check my Gallery page there to see a complete list of supplies.

A World Waiting

2011-03-18T13:38:00.001-06:00

The challenge today for the Creative Team for Cottage Arts was to use the new Strokes of Nature kit in a Vacation page. I had taken this photo of the sailing ships in the San Diego Harbor while we were there last November. There's something about watching a ship sailing on the horizon that just makes you want to go. It makes you want to see all that's out there, as if it's you to stop your hectic go go go lifestyle and just wander.

I wanted you to see the before picture so you could get a taste of what using blending papers and modes can do to manipulate your photo into an entirely different look. If you'd like to see what I used check out the supply list in my Gallery at Cottage Arts Try it out, it's so fun to watch it evolve.

Spring in My Yard

2011-03-16T14:27:00.000-06:00

The blossoms in my backyard are just so beautiful and so truly representative of a new Spring coming that I just had to do a page. Check out my Cottage Arts Gallery to see all supplies used.

Honk Honk!

2011-03-15T15:34:00.004-06:00

For a complete list of supplies I used check out my gallery at Cottage Arts.

Tag Reads:

Hangin' out with cousin Eddie
just playing cars and trucks -
girls like cars and trucks too!

Budding Artist

2011-03-14T19:22:00.001-06:00

Check out my gallery at Cottage Arts to see all the supplies I used in this page.

Journaling reads:

Oh Brynnie you are just so fun to watch. Here you are such a little mite and you just love your crayons and drawing. Are you going to be our next budding artist? Mommy gives you your paper and the big fat crayons and down you plop ready to make your next masterpiece. Just tell me how come you stay on the paper and Mommy used to color on the wall? Grandma Patti

Distractions and Addictions

2011-03-14T19:06:00.015-06:00

Hello Everyone

Had you all thought I'd dropped from the face of the Earth? If you follow my other blogs you'll know I've been around just playing in other ways. I discovered paper and stamps and cards and altered art and got side tracked from my first love, digital scrapbook pages. I have a darling new little granddaughter (well she's

18 months now so not quite brand new but newer to my pages). I've neglected her for so long and I know her Mommy and Daddy are hoping I'll get back to making pages so they can have ones of her to cherish through the years as well. So I'm back playing with Photo Shop and my photos and digital kits. Thanks for sticking with me and letting me share my fun with you all. Patti (This is a picture of Eddie and Brynnie, I'm so lucky I have 5 Grandkids and they are all this darling!)

Cousins

2010-08-31T23:48:00.004-06:00

My two youngest Granddaughters -
Pyper and Brynn -

Journaling reads:

Pyper I bought this little outfit for Brynnie and when you came to visit Grandma in Utah you saw the same bigger girl outfit in the store and wanted it so bad. It took months before Brynnie was big enough to wear hers and then we had to wait for the summer sunshine to come before either of you could wear them. Oh what fun for me to have the two of you pose for me and show off how good you looked dressed alike. Grandma Patti August 2010

UPDATE - This page was picked as one of the top 5 Layouts on The Nifty Boutique blog on September 18th! Whoo Hooo Thank you very much!!!

Supplies from Cottage Arts - Wild Roses Page and Paper Paks

Grandma's Pride and Joy

2010-08-21T20:22:00.003-06:00

Here's my little Brynnie Poo - I have hundreds of pictures of this little one, I guess Grandma better get busy I have a whole year to catch up on!!! All supplies are from Cottage Arts - Granny's Garden Pak and Pieces of Me Papers. The challenge was to create a page with a horizontal strip.

Derik - Senior Memories

2010-05-06T21:33:00.003-06:00

My eldest Grandchild getting ready to step from High School to the Marine Corp. The background photo is one of RALong HS that I took and altered by using the built in PS Filter colored pencil at default settings - Black and White filter set to Infrared and opacity at 12 - layer set to Color Burn

All supplies are from Cottage Arts

Here I Come

2010-03-24T21:58:00.003-06:00

Cottage Arts has just released a whole new set of kits with these wonderful Spring colors. I love them all. I really like the egg so I hatched Brynnie Poo in it, isn't she a doll?

Miracle Mountain

2010-03-09T20:57:00.006-07:00

Supplies from Cottage Arts.
Page reads:
Mt St Helens a miracle we witnessed firsthand
as the earth shook and the mountain changed form before our very eyes.
We watched as the ash plumes rose and and drifted above us,
making we mere humans don masks and watch from inside our homes
as ash turned the noon sky to the darkness of night.
It was a time of Mother Nature’s power.
Awe inspiring moments of destruction,
death and fear,
and yet so very very amazing.

It was a time for the realization
that we are but mere mortals
on this Earth
and greater powers than we
control the elements.

The top two photos were
taken by my brother as
he flew above the Mt
just before the major
eruptions took place.
The bottom photo was
taken by family
visiting from
California in the
mid 1950’s.

A beautiful
majestic peak
before and
during her
transformation.

Keeper of My Destiny

2010-02-25T17:44:00.006-07:00

This was done for the Team Challenge - Exploring Emotions at Cottage Arts. I'm using a brand new product just released in the store today called Creative Text Paths 2 over my picture I've used one of the blends from the Natures Sketchbook Photo Art Blends

The path reads:

In the quiet of the morning dew I can reflect upon what this day will bring. Will it bring sunshine to my heart, peace to my soul. Will I look upon all that is offered to me and embrace it will open arms? I am the keeper of my destiny I must hold fast and believe.

Flower Child

2010-02-23T17:21:00.003-07:00

Brynn is just growing up so fast. They sent this picture of her in her Daddy's chair and I just had to play with it. I used a digital kit from Cottage Arts called Sweet Posies, and it is that isn't it?

The verse I used reads:
Babies are Angels that fly to the earth,
Their wings disappear at the time of their birth
One look in their eyes and we're never the same
They're part of us now and that part has a name
That part is your heart and a bond that won't sever
Our Babies are Angels, we love them forever.
~Unknown

Angel Love

2010-02-02T12:49:00.004-07:00

My youngest Grandchild - Brynn

All Supplies from Cottage Arts. Check here for list.

Photo taken by Erika Green Photography

Brynnie the Penguin

2010-01-08T20:13:00.006-07:00

These are pictures of Brynnie in her Halloween outfit, doesn't she make an adorable Penguin? I used the Penguin Ponds kit from Cottage Arts, appropriate don't ya think?

Believe

2009-12-19T08:20:00.003-07:00

For the team challenge at Cottage Arts we were to do a page about Christmas Tree Traditions. I was very stumped on this until this morning. Here's what I wrote -

This morning I had gotten up early and just turned the lights on the Nativity on. I went about my business and as I started to cross through the living room to the kitchen a little later the only light on my path was the glow of the Nativity. I paused to look at the beautiful, softly lit sight before me.

When you are away from family and friends it's easy to let the magic of this season pass you by. You can, as I tried, to convince yourself there is no need to decorate, to hang lights or have a tree. Paul protested and said even though there are only the two of us we need to make it feel like Christmas. We decided not to buy the traditional Christmas tree but instead opted for this gorgeous Poinsettia. I placed it on the mantle and laid the Nativity beneath it. This in itself is a special Christmas memory for me. Years ago when Grandma GiGi was taking ceramics Momma had her make this touching Nativity for my birthday. I really received a double gift that year because it was made by the hand of my 'extra Momma' and given by my own.

So as I gazed upon this softly lit scene this morning my heart became happy and I was glad we decided to put up our own 'tree' and decorations. Christmas 2009

I used the Shabby Christmas Page Pak from Cottage Arts for this page

My Family Nativity

2009-11-30T09:56:00.006-07:00

Click on photos for larger view

This was such a fun project. Cottage Arts just released a new kit Manger Medley which I altered just a tad. I replaced the kits faces with those of the family. The 'Wise Men' are my son and son-in-laws, The Angel is Zoie, Mary is Pyper, Joseph is Eddie, Baby Jesus is Baby Brynn, The Shepard is Derik. I added bling stones to the Wise Mens crowns, Glossy Accents to the horns on the sheep and the shepards staff and glitter here and there. The donkey's tail was replaced with some jute cording. I put easel backs on them so they can stand them up however they choose.

Devil or Angel

2009-11-27T23:43:00.003-07:00

Here's my littlest sweetie pie all dressed up in her first Christmas Dress. For a complete list of the supplies used check my gallery at Cottage Arts.

A Day at the Corn Maze

2009-11-23T21:44:00.001-07:00

Zoie and Pyper with their Mom and Dad went to the Corn Maze, I just love the picture where they are walking into it. All supplies from Cottage Arts

My Granddaughters

2009-11-19T21:12:00.002-07:00

Just had to post this adorable picture of my three Granddaughters, Zoie - Pyper and Brynn.

Deck The Halls

2009-11-09T18:21:00.001-07:00

Alessandra Designs - Merry Xmas Kit at Digitals -- Font Curlz

Fall In Zion

2009-11-01T22:03:00.003-07:00

The new Harvest Medley Papers and Elements kits at Cottage Arts were just perfect for my Zion Park pictures I took last week. How nice to be able to walk the trails with out lots of tourists like in the summer months. Such a beautiful park!

In Your Dreams - DST Weekend Gallery Standout

2009-11-01T10:48:00.002-07:00

My sister took these great shots of a Raccoon in her holly tree, of course I just had to play. I wonder if this is really what puppies dream about????

All supplies from Cottage Arts

UPDATE How exciting, my page was picked by Jimea as a Weekend Gallery Standout at Digi Shop Talk! What fun, thanks Jimea!!

Christmas Princess

2009-10-30T20:54:00.003-06:00

Ale (Alessandra Designs) has released a new kit called Merry Xmas Kit. Loved this picture of Pyper and with a little PS magic was able to give her a crown and put her arm through the packages. Thanks Ale for letting me play!

The Heart Sings - LOTD at Digtials!!

2009-10-22T17:54:00.004-06:00

My wonderful friends at Digitals have just named this page LOTD! Thanks everyone.

It is a joy beyond words to watch a new one enter our world, when you are approaching your 99th birthday the joy is even greater. Great Grandma Coulter has waited with open arms to hold Brynn Fyona. As I watched Brynn, not even a week old, reach up towards this beautiful woman, my heart swelled knowing that in the innocence of childhood a baby knows instinctively whose arms hold unconditional love.

Supplies from Cottage Arts

Beautiful Baby

2009-10-17T19:42:00.003-06:00

Here's my new Granddaughter - Brynn. This was taken only a few days after her birth. Such an amazing thing, a new little life!

Supplies from Cottage Arts

Aunty Bea's Oatmeal Cookies

2009-10-16T15:12:00.003-06:00

Through the wonder of memory some things stay with you a lifetime, and if preserved well, travel forward through generation after generation. Family traditions and recipes are one of the most memorable things in our family to pass forward. Here my Aunty Bea as a young mother is holding my cousin Arlene. I remember her wonderful Oatmeal cookies, a favorite to be passed forward and savored by many a hungry tummy for years to come.

Supplies from Cottage Arts.

Great Grandmother's Chilli Sauce

2009-10-14T20:58:00.001-06:00

I was hunting for a vintage recipe for a team challenge at Cottage Arts when I remembered Grandma Coulter's old green wooden recipe box. In it was this recipe from her mother, Eva. I did the family tree on the right side so that generations from now could make the connection between this beautiful lady and myself.

All supplies are from Cottage Arts.

She has arrived

2009-10-12T10:36:00.003-06:00

I know I know I'm really lagging behind here but real life has just been busy! Brynn made her safe arrival into the world on September 7th. And she is the most beautiful baby ever.

Waiting for Brynn

2009-08-27T16:19:00.004-06:00

Baby Brynn is due September 23rd, but has been trying to make her entrance into the world since August 7th. Since I'm just hanging out at her Mommy's house until she comes I thought a peek into her room would create some fun memories for her scrapbook.

Word art reads (from Cottage Arts):
I hope for you a life of
much joy and blessings
to have all the love you need
to be able to nurture your gifts
to be blessed with good health
in order to be all you
are meant to be

Gammy couldn't have said it better herself!!

All supplies from Cottage Arts

On The Water

2009-08-26T16:55:00.003-06:00

Finally a new page of my son in law and oldest Granddaughter Zoie

All supplies from Cottage Arts

Mr. Blue Bird

2009-07-22T20:43:00.003-06:00

Fly away, bluebird fly away for me
To a place somewhere far across the sea
Fly away, far away, don't look back, go today
The waves that crash upon the sand
Another place, a far off land
And every day, I have to stay, but you are free
You could fly away
But it's only make believe
Jeff Lynne

supplies Cottage Arts

Colorado Floral

2009-07-21T08:24:00.001-06:00

Loved all the beautiful flowers while visiting Colorado, here's a glimpse of a few. Supplies from Cottage Arts.

Steamboat Springs

2009-07-20T18:38:00.003-06:00

Here's the first for our recent trip to Colorado. These pictures were taken at Steamboat Springs Colorado. All Supplies are from Cottage Arts, check out my gallery there for a list.

Fishy Face

2009-06-24T18:25:00.001-06:00

Here's the other Granddaughter caught making one of her notorious Fishy Faces. All supplies from Cottage Arts.

Off To Wonderland

2009-06-23T20:06:00.004-06:00

This just kept growing! I started with this picture of Pyper at her recent soccer game. I used lots of bits and pieces from kits at Cottage Arts. Check my gallery posting there for a complete list.

Hush

2009-06-12T21:04:00.002-06:00

This is Evie my Great-Great Niece
(she is pretty Great huh)
Supplies from Cottage Arts.

Puppy Pal

2009-06-09T18:37:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago Amber had to make the hard decision to put Raine to sleep. Raine was adopted from a shelter in AZ soon after Amber moved there over 10 years ago now. She was her constant companion yielding just love and demanding nothing more. She saw her through tears and laughter and the addition of another Kitty - Katie and a pooch named Mushu. Raine always knew she ruled the roost no matter what they thought. I thought this kit from Cottage Arts called Puppy Love Page Pak would be just perfect to tell this story. (And on another note it was featured as a Gallery Standout today at Digi Shop Talk!)

Spring Flowers

2009-05-27T13:04:00.003-06:00

I was trying out the new tutorials at Cottage Arts for Masks and Gradients. Even though I use a lot of masks and sometimes gradients I find that I always learn something new when reading through tuts. You can find them here if you are interested. If you're interested in the supplies I used check them out here.

Here's my technique for achieving this look - The photo was enlarged to fill the whole page, placed above the Photo Mask 3 and duplicated. The top layer was blended to luminosity, the layer directly above the mask to screen. I added a layer above with the Blanc De Noir Paper 09 adding a Gradient Map of Magenta/Yellow (included with PS CS3 - Color Harmonies 2) Opacity set to 99% Fill set to 43%, a mask was added and the center brushed out with a soft brush

Sissy and Me

2009-05-07T19:19:00.003-06:00

All supplies for this from Cottage Arts. This is Carol and I when we were both a tad younger!

Adventure - Featured in Scrap Street Magazine

2009-05-05T09:44:00.007-06:00

This page is being featured on page 35 of the May edition of Scrap Street Magazine, which is a free E-Zine, check it out here.

Supplies: Digital Kit: Life’s Journey by Swissaroo at Scrap Street Fonts: Myraid Pro, Minion Pro.

Journaling: My roots come from Europe, my Great Grandparents were from England and Germany, my dream would be to visit where my heritage began, to walk the land, smell the flowers and get a feel for them. If it had not been for an adventurous young man in his early teens that set off on a Merchant ship from England to Canada in the early 1900's to join his brothers, I may never have been. That was my Grandfather Fred, sailing from England to St Josephs Island, Canada. Later he would meet my Grandmother Clara and together they would begin a family in the Eastern part of Washington and Oregon. Eventually my family ended up in SW Washington a far distance from the lands in which my blood began. I look at me today and wonder if I would have had the nerve to leave my family behind, knowing in my heart of hearts I would never see them again for lands so far away. It was lives full of long days and hard work to carve out homes for themselves. I wish I had known my Grandfather, to be able to hear his stories of home and family, to get a sense of me.

My Grandmother Clara (Kiehl) came from Kiel Germany. I do not know as much about them, but when Amber was in High School she had the opportunity to stay with a German family and they in turn took her to visit her Ancestors area. I have seen pictures of the beauty here, much like my Pacific Northwest and I hope that perhaps someday I will be able to see it firsthand as well.

Design notes: The shapes of the continents made great photo masks for the pictures of my family

Woo Hoo, It's the Digitals NSD Art Doll Challenge

2009-04-29T18:23:00.003-06:00

Want to come have some fun??? How about create a new you, you doll face you! That's right join Beth Rimmer at Digitals for NSD and get the kit below to make your 'doll'. Click on the photo to go to the forum and get the low down, but hurry, tools for creating your doll will only be available until Midnight May 5th!

Want a little inspiration? Here I am, me and my Alter Ego!!!

Lifelong Friends

2009-04-29T12:49:00.005-06:00

Here's my Mom with best friends Bob and Virgina. They lived right next door to my sister when she was first married, and became extra grandparents to their 3 children as they came along. Over the years the two couples became even closer as they traveled together in their RVs and spent many evenings playing cards, Daddy and Big Bob giving each other the business. We've always called them Big Bob and Nina, and even to this day that's who they are to me. Momma recently went to see them, Big Bob's been ill and even though Mom seldom leaves her apartment complex she went to visit. It seems funny not to have Daddy in the picture, but he's been gone 18 years this year, how is that possible I wonder?

The journaling on the page reads:
Friends are such amazing creatures. They always seem to know when you need them and show up with support and love without being asked. They make wonderful traveling companions, sharing good times, laughter and new sights. That is what you have always been to one another. Such good friends. For over 50 years you have gathered together for special days and everyday moments. Over shared coffee and home baked goodies, great conversations have been had. Together you've played card games and dice, laughed and chatted under RV awnings, sat around campfires, hunted beaches for washed up treasures, the list goes on and on. How special to count yourselves as friends, just like a flower garden, forever sharing blossoms of love with one another.

I used Joyce de Jonges newest kit Wildflowers from Digitals, filled the background with a soft cream color and added a texture from Tonja Grams Textures and Overlays Vol 3 which I had colored a soft green and lowered the opacity so it sat on the background but didn't scream out at you.

The font is one from Fonts for Peas, called Pea Alesa. This is the first time I've used their fonts, they are all free. It's a cool site, all the fonts are ones that people have submitted with their handwriting and then they are turned into fonts. I'm always looking for handwritten fonts and hit the jackpot when I found this site!

Living Tree

2009-04-29T06:46:00.003-06:00

Here are my four Grandkids and the 5th that's on her way. All supplies used from Cottage Arts, check out hte gallery link for a complete list.

Box of Memories

2009-04-28T08:02:00.004-06:00

(click to enlarge to full view)

The Challenge this week for the Cottage Arts Team was to design a page using a Shadow box. This one was a 'challenge' to me but I love the outcome. Wander over to my gallery at Cottage Arts for a complete list of the supplies I used. The box on the right is Mom's, I've had it for years and it's always sat on my dresser. The little cigarette case on the far right front was my Grandma Moran's and it still holds one of the cigarette holders she so notoriously held (always). Not all the mementos shown in the shadow box came from my jewlery box, some are add ins from CA supplies.

Past Times

2009-04-22T21:44:00.022-06:00

Past Times

Journaling Reads:

The Grays River Covered Bridge was built across the Grays River in western Wahkiakum County Washington 1905. It helped the local dairy farmers to get their goods to market. Repairs were made in 1988-1989 keeping with original design, hardware and siding as much as possible.

This is a composite of these two photos, the bridge described above, and the old car which was actually extracted from a photo I took last weekend in Springdale Utah. They just seemed to belong together.

(The photo of the bridge was taken this month by my daughter)

All supplies from
Cottage Arts

Thorns and Blossoms

2009-04-20T22:11:00.003-06:00

This weeks challenge at Cottage Arts for the team members is to design a page using a text path. This is one that will be in the store within the week, super simple way to do it! Check out my gallery there for a complete list of supplies. Check out my Project 365 blog for more pictures of these beautiful cactus.

Just Like Brother

2009-04-19T15:58:00.003-06:00

I used Michelle Pieters (Digitals) Gentle Whisper for this page. It was done for the iChallenge at Digitals where you were to have some sort of timeline. I thought the photos of the boy's diving accomplished my 3 second timeline!

Boy Dreamer

2009-04-17T00:01:00.005-06:00

For the Designer Elements Challenge at Digitals using Beth Rimmers River of Dreams mini kit (freebie) from Challenge, Papers and Elements. This is Eddie extracted from a game of Sorry with his cousins, see the original photo below.

Pool Party

2009-04-16T14:20:00.004-06:00

My Granddaughters, Zoie and Pyper always have a joint birthday party since their birthdays are only two weeks apart. This year they had it at a local pool. The pictures are all 4 of my Grandchildren! The splash on the right was snapped just as someone hit the pool. I used Michelle Pieters Garden of Dreams and Film Curls White - both from Digitals.

Fonts Lydian - Martina

Beach Doggy

2009-04-09T19:49:00.004-06:00

OK this one was done for the Font Free 4 All Challenge this month at Digitals. You're given a choice of fonts to play with in your page. I chose Homework. The kit choice was the kicker though, Jen Maceyunas has these wonderful dog and cat kits and word art. Just perfect for my Grandpug, Mushu. The kit was No Bones About It and the word art (Wolf Wolf) was from Dog Quotables 3 .

Easter Sunday 1960

2009-04-08T21:07:00.005-06:00

oh my the
memories this
photo brings back.
I remember the shoes,
white leather with very very pointed toes.
Gloves, hat and purse, I thought I was a
quite the little princess, such afashion
statement. And the bookcase behind me,
always filled with family photos, that’s my
Big Sissy in the photo behind me. On the
table is my Easter Basket, I wonder if this
was the year the ‘Easter Bunny’ hid them
behind the living room drapes. Such
wonderful childhood memories.

For the All in the Family Challenge this month at Digitals where you were to do a page of Easter Memories, this picture always comes to mind. I used Glenda Ketcham's Tattered Memories kit from Digitals.

Working On Me

2009-04-07T19:48:00.004-06:00

This was done for a Challenge for the Cottage Arts Store Creative Team. Please see my page in the gallery for a complete list of all the Cottage Arts Supplies I used. (The pic is me in early toddler years, a little on the unhappy side).

Journaling says = I seem to have a problem listening, I think I’m so preoccupied with my minds thoughts that sometimes I fail to give those who are requesting my time and my attention all that they deserve. It’s so easy to let your mind wander, especially when you’re in the midst of a project or a problem. But these are my family, my friends, my partner, I owe them my respect, my time and my utmost attention. This is something I need to practice the art of really listening & paying attention!

Posing For Me

2009-04-06T18:12:00.004-06:00

I was on the computer this afternoon and this little guy landed on the shrubs in front of the window. I quickly opened the shades and grabbed my camera, of course by then he was gone. It wasn't long though before he came back for another look. He landed on the post and allowed me to snap great shots of him. I knew he was just what I'd been wanting with this kit of Joyce de Jonge's - Outside My Window at Digitals. I erased a little of the window to give him an Out of Bounds feel. The Scripture quote is free from Katie Mann at this months Scripture Challenge at Digitals.

Utah Beauty - Four Seasons

2009-04-05T13:13:00.006-06:00

My friend Beth Rimmer has been at it again. I just love her kits they always have a degree of tilt on them! This one has beautiful background papers but lots of bits of whimsy to use as well in the Keep Looking Up! Embellies kit. I wanted to use this quote which is from the Its Only Words Challenge at Digitals this month and Beth's kit along with my scenic view of Utah seemed to fit perfectly. The background is Road shot photo I took at Navajo Lake blended with two of the papers from Beth's Keep Looking Up! Papers kit. The word art is supplied free if you join the challenge, so get hopping and join in the fun!

My journaling reads:
Road trips have become a part of our retirement. Hunting out the well known spots, as well as the off the beaten track sights and scenery. It amazes us both at how much beauty and diversity are here in our own country. Beautiful skies, and landscapes just begging for my camera to hold them for others to see. These pictures were taken throughout the four seasons within 100 miles of our home.

Dixie Downs

2009-04-05T07:33:00.006-06:00

I did this for the Ad Challenge at Digitals, you're to take this ad and interpret it into a page.
So here's my take on it.

I used a kit from Michel l e Pieters called Garden of Drea ms, it had just the right shades of brown and beige to accompany my photos. These were shot on Saturday at Dixie Downs which is a very small horsetrack in Hurricane, Utah. It was a fun experience and there's nothing like being up close to these magnificent animals! These were the trials for the races with a purse on the 18th. Apparently there are races in small towns like this around the state so if time permits we may venture on to explore another town and see another race.

Ordinary Day, Extraordinary Lady

2009-04-04T19:15:00.006-06:00

Here's Momma last month when I visited. Isn't it a wonderful photo of her??? I did this for the Let's Talk About Challenge this month at Digitals. You were to create a layout and use a definition in it. My definition was age:

age -- noun, verb, aged, ag-ing.
–noun
1.the length of time during which
a being or thing has existed
2. a period of human life, measured
by years from birth,
–verb (used without object)
1. to grow old

Journaling reads:

Why is it Momma when I look at this picture I can’t seem to find the right age, at least not the age that fits the years you’ve been here. To me you are just you, the Momma that answers my questions, helps me solves my problems and always encourages me when I’m down. So age really isn’t a number is it? It’s more a perception of life.
Age
97 years 9 months = Momma

I used this new kit from Glenda Ketcham called Ordinary Day Layered Quickpage. It's sort of a mini kit and QP all rolled into one. I also incorporated things from a couple of her other kits in the page, check out my gallery page at Digitals for a full list of supplies.

Grown' Up

2009-04-02T19:12:00.008-06:00

The Creative Team at Cottage Arts was given the challenge to create a page with Perspective. I had taken several shots while we were at Navajo Lake last fall of the road. I had this picture of Eddie learning to ride his bike and thought the two would work well together (see the individual photos below). I used a lot of Cottage Arts supplies for this effect. Check out my gallery there for a list.

Sorry!

2009-03-31T14:14:00.003-06:00

While home visiting I had camera in hand most of the time. I just sat and took shot after shot as they played Sorry. What fun, I loved the pics of Pyper's hand and foot. Beth Rimmer's Fashionista! The Embellies and The Papers was just so perfect for this page of Pyper. I wanted to find the same font that is used on the game but settled for Ringbearer, close enough.

Don't Feed the Squirrels Martha!

2009-03-30T22:56:00.007-06:00

Just having a little fun tonight with another new Action from Alessandra Designs called Mischievous Owl. I also used some bits from her new Country Home Kit, just released at Digitals. The photos are two I took last Sunday in Kolab Canyons. I've added them below so you can see how the squirrel was extracted. Extraction and masking is so much fun and opens up so many possiblities with your photos. If you haven't tried it please do, just remember to start small, go slow and have fun. And the undo button, it's there whenever something just doesn't look right. That's why I most often use a mask instead of the eraser, I can always paint something back in with a mask, once it's erased it's gone forever.

Carol's Garden

2009-03-28T17:51:00.004-06:00

My sister recently bought a new camera with a zoom on it and is sending me the most wonderful pictures of the birds and animals that visit her front and side yards (she lives in Washington State). I just had to use them with this new kit of Joyce de Jonge's called With All My Heart. Don't you just love the heart frame? So perfect for this type of photo.

My poem reads:
In my sister's garden lies a wondrous delight.
Little birds and animals come right within our sight.
Dancing on their little feet, scurrying all about,
Munching from the feeders day in and day out.
It's fun to watch them as they come, and take a picture or two
I want to reach out and tell them, I glad you came, thank you.

Zoie Remember

2009-03-26T19:38:00.003-06:00

Zoie, what a great thoughtful pic I snagged!
All supplies from Cottage Arts

Desert Contrasts

2009-03-26T14:49:00.005-06:00

Photos of the Red Rocks and flowers at the Redstone Trail Head in the Lake Mead Recreation Area, Nevada. I used all products from Cottage Arts.

Daffodils

2009-03-21T19:35:00.005-06:00

Here's my second page for Spring using Cottage Arts supplies. These Daffodils were blooming in Amber's front yard and she was sweet enough to take some shots yesterday and send them to me last night. There is nothing like a Daffodil to make you feel like Spring is just around the corner.