Pypers Snowball

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

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

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

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

Gentle Giant

Created with Cottage Art's Whale of a Tale Page Pak 

Journaling Reads:

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

Team Challenge - Mosaics

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

Using Cottage Arts Digital Kit - Majestic Oak

Last Hurrah

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

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

Font Utsaah

Watching

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

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

My granddaughters and a friend exploring the beach.

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

Peace...

a simple drive in the countryside with no destination in mind...  sometimes, when my mind is still and the beauty of nature is surrounding me peace comes...  I let my soul be still, listening to the everyday sounds around me...  wind whistling through the grasses, geese off in the distance, the neigh of one horse to another...  time to  simply enjoy the offerings that are there for me to take...  my mind wanders, my breathing becomes slow and steady and the stress that had been pressing downward suddenly lifts and removes itself from my shoulders...   life, if only I would allow myself the time to 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

Journaling reads:

Spring 1946

Billy came along when the house was still very small, water at 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 dote upon him without question.  Childhood was so simple in those days, you received love without question and gave with innocence.   

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

Going Fishin'

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

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

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

Font - Comic Sans

We took the Wildlife Loop Road through Custer State Park in South

Dakota.  How amazing was this?  To drive around a bend and have

Burros staring at you, walking to your car and looking in the 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

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

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

Supplies from Cottage Arts 

Road Trip Page Pak

Scrap Templates 36

Font - Chaparral Pro

Challenge - Travel

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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!

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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!

 

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

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

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!)