Life Happened

So, I know I promised Project Life Album Layouts today, but life happened...and it's been a rough and emotional couple of days.  I promise to post them as soon as I get a chance.  Thanks for your patience.

I Heart Faces/Best Face Photo 2011

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is best face photo of 2011.  I am so proud of the growth I made this year in my photography journey.  I have taken photos of perfect sleeping babies, beautiful families, children, and teens.  But I had the opportunity to photograph my friend's family right after Christmas.  And this is the most beautiful face of 2011.  That is my friend's mom.  She has been battling cancer for years now, and it's coming to an end as I type.  Susan has always been a woman that everyone loves.  I don't think she has met a person who didn't enjoy her company, or grow to like her no matter how briefly they chatted.  She is wise, smart, and caring.  She is a wonderful mother, and a great grandmother to her grandkids.  She is a wonderful wife to a wonderful husband.  I have admired her for many years.

Though, she wasn't part of my daily life, I have grown to know her through the adoration of her daughter, my friend.  I wish them all of the peace and love in this world right now.  Being able to photograph them, and make her happy was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received.

Digital Art Journaling-Assignment 1

Here is my first assignment.  I created this masterpiece...okay whatever you want to call it, I made it.  All of the supplies, except for a mask, and the font came from the Class Materials.  The supply folder was HUGE!  Anyhow, just thought I would share.  I will try to post my project life album setup tomorrow.  It is done.  The light here has been terrible, though.  We got a ton of rain, so I can't really complain.  Good Night!

Digital Art Journaling/Project Life Update

I signed up for the Digital Art Journaling Class at JessicaSprague.com.    If you have Elements or Photoshop, you can participate.  If you don't, and you want to, then go to Adobe and download a free 30 day trial.  I'm hoping that this class will jumpstart my creativity for the year.  I'm exciting to start because I want to learn more about using digital papers and embellishments.  My ultimate goal is to be able to create backgrounds and such for my blog.  

I just received my supplies for Project Life.  I'm using Simple Stories Year.O.Graphy to create monthly spreads.  I'm going to try and get all of the prep work done today.  I don't think it's going to take long at all because Simple Stories Kits are so EASY to use.  It's not because I sell them, that I'm saying this.  It's really true.  It's so EASY.

I also wanted to share my Self-Portrait for the month of January.  It's going in my January Spread when I print it.  I just got my haircut and highlighted.  I like it!  I haven't done the family portrait yet.  I had a location in mind, but it didn't work out with Erik's schedule so I will have to rethink.  I really want a nice family portrait of us so I can have it made into a canvas.  

We just got Beamer's ashes back last night.  It's finally done.  I'm glad that it's over.  Poor JoJo was a bit confused when Erik and I were talking about getting her back.  He kept asking if Beamer was coming back.  Ashes are surprisingly heavy.  And don't you worry, they are in a nice tin and not in a coffee can...like in the move Due Date!  So, there won't be any accidental mixups.  That movie is hilarious and I suggest you watch it.

Memory Works Trend Essentials

Cute new products for a brand new year.  These items are limited time only so head to my website to order.  It's under the Trend Essentials Category!

Memory Works Express Smitten/And a Crave Photography Giveaway

First I would like to start of by sharing that Crave Photography is having a HUGE giveaway.  You can go
here to find out all about it.  It's HUGE...the grand prize is an 85mm Lens, either the 1.4-85mm for a Nikon DSLR, or an 85mm-1.2 for a Canon DSLR!  That is amazing...it's up to a $2000 prize.  Go check it out.
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And introducing:  Smitten

January 2012 MemoryWorks Kit Contains:    Patterned Paper {1} 12x12 Valentine - Paper Hearts (Crate Paper) {1} 12x12 Petals - Paper Hearts (Crate Paper) {1} 12x12 Delivery - Paper Hearts (Crate Paper) {1} 12x12 Love Letter - Paper Hearts (Crate Paper) {1} 12x12 Numbers Grid - Love Me (My Minds Eye) {1} 12x12 Love - Love Me (My Minds Eye) Solid Cardstock {1} 12x12 Cherry Splash (Bazzill) {1} 12x 12 Hot Fudge (Bazzill) {1} 12x12 Date Swirl (Bazzill) {1} 12x12 Walnut Cream (Bazzill)  Embellishments {1} 12x12 Paper Hearts Chipboard (Crate Paper) {1} 12x12 Sweet Threads Alpha Sticker (BasicGrey) {1} 6x12 Sweetness Canvas Borders (Pink Paislee) {1} 3x4 Love Struck - XOXO Clear Stamp (We R Memory Keepers) {1} 3x3 Vintage Metal Heart (Maya Road) {4} Red & Cream Heart Stick Pins (Maya Road) {2} Kraft Die Cut Doilies (Maya Road) {1} 3x4 Valentine Mini Bingo Card - Assorted Styles (Jenni Bowlin) {3} Valentine Printed Tickets - Assorted Styles (Jenni Bowlin) {1} ½ Yard Brown with Cream Dots Ribbon (Creative Impressions) {1} ½ Yard Soft Pink and Cream Gingham Ribbon (Creative Impressions) Cards  {1} 5.5 x 8.5 Cherry Splash (Bazzill) {1} 5.5 x 8.5 Hot Fudge (Bazzill) {1} 5.5 x 8.5 Date Swirl (Bazzill) {1} 5.5 x 8.5 Walnut Cream (Bazzill) {1} 5.5 x 8.5 Raspberry Splash (Bazzill) {5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes The MemoryWorks Express kit is only $29.95* per month and packed full of goodies! *Does not include shipping, handling & sales tax Please contact me or visit my website to order.

Project Life

****Alert****  JoJo is now using his l's so instead of saying wook, he says look.  It started all of the sudden this past week.  ***This had nothing to do with the post, but I wanted it documented...thank you****

I have decided to do Project Life...I want something to work towards each month this brand new year.  I am using Year.o.graphy from Memory Works.  You can order it here.

As soon as I receive the package in my hot little hands, I will share the photos.  I just wanted to share with you how I will be tackling this project.

1.  I will be doing monthly spreads.  I know myself.  There is absolutely no way that I will keep up with a weekly project.

2.  I am going to make the album ahead of time so that all I have to do is add photos.

3.  If I need extra space, for photos or journaling, I will add 8.5x11 pages to the middle of each spread.

4.  Each month, I will take a family portrait to add to the layout.

5.  Each month, I will take a self-portrait to add to the layout.  

6.  I am going to try and keep up with the photos online as well...so whatever photos I use for layouts will be uploaded to Shutterfly for my annual photo book.  That way I won't have to sit for nine hours at the computer the day before I send them out.  I actually sat at the computer for 9 hours...I'm not even exaggerating.  

7.  I'm really going to try and add a lot of journaling and photos that represent our daily life...and that provide an insight to what happens in this crazy house.

8.  I'm going to share the layouts in a timely manner here on my blog.

Whew..that's all.  If you're going to participate, let me know in the comments section.  I'd love to hear how you're organizing your photos too.