More happy places...

Here are more happy places from my home:

Do you make little happy places in your home?

New artwork for Cam's new room...

We finally finished painting Cameron's room and I made 3 canvases collaged with more of Jessica Gonacha's scrapbooking papers. They include cutout silhouette's of Cam's favorite "flying things" = airplanes, hot air balloon, bird, paper airplane, and helium balloons. This is a picture of Oreo attempting to wake Cam up for school this morning!

More decorating goodness from Cam's room:

Elements of Life

Avital from CreativityPrompt.com posted this Inspiration Prompt #23:
The Elements of Life. Hans Christian Anderson said, "Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower". Avital asks us if we agree. She asks, "What are your elements of life? Do you agree with Hans Christian Andersen’s list? Leave a comment and share your opinion". Here is my list, written in my Life Stories photo journal:



The photo is of the twins while apple picking last month. The fun scrapbook papers are from Treasuring by Jessica Gonacha. You can get them in her Etsy shop.

While I agree that freedom is an essential element, my list was much longer than Anderson's.

freedom
faith
family
play
nature
love
laughter
prayer
creating
service to others
color
intimacy
music
imagination
learning new things

Autumn Weekend

This pumpkin decorating idea comes from Eddie Ross' Ric Rac Pumpkin post.

It was a thrilling Autumn weekend for us!

Disney on Ice:



Trunk or Treat:

This photo was taken using my point and shoot, but I used my manual settings to adjust for low light! I know you all probably know your camera, but I'm just taking the time to do so, and am learning that all those settings are there for a reason!

And a Festival that I haven't downloaded pictures from yet.


Have you seen this blog called Creativity prompt? Creativity prompts for your visual or written journalling! I will find time to participate in this one: Inspiration Prompt #23: The Elements of Life.

The Daily Scoop!

I've been featured in my neighborhood Scoop Magazine! I'm so thrilled - I love to read this magazine and am happy to see that there is now an online version with great articles. Even more thrilled to see the wonderful words that they said about my books! Thank you Scoop! Here is a picture of the paris album that they discussed in the article:

An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory

This book comes out sometime in the near future, but you can pre-order it here. I just finished listening to the podcast with Christine Castro Hughes who is a graphic designer and a contributor to his new book about illustrated journaling. I can't wait to receive my copy!

Digital Cameras

I'm having issues printing my digital pictures and having them turn out too dark. I'm looking forward to learning more about editing in my digital photography class so that I can start filling up my new Life Stories Photo Journal with great looking pictures! Or, at least better looking than they are turning out right now.

For now, the current lesson is on digital cameras. I use a simple a point and shoot Canon PowerShot SD1100. Nice for a point and shoot, but I'm beginning to yearn for an SLR digital camera, especially after learning about them and having the opportunity to try one out this weekend. Here is a picture taken with that great camera:


Here is a great website calledimaging-recource.com with all kinds of digital photography resources. Lots of camera and accessory reviews, forums, and (my favorite area of the website) tutorials! The tutorials seem short and sweet and to the point.

My mom on marriage...

As I listened to a podcast today that discussed marriage and preparation for that important relationship, I thought of things that my mom had told me about marriage when I was younger. I remember asking her before I was married, and had just begun dating Dan, how someone could know that they could spend the rest of their life with someone. I marveled at that! She did not offer practical advice on this but, her response always stuck with me. "Kristin, I have spent 26 years with your father and that's not nearly enough"! Dan and I have only been married 11 years, but I know that feeling. And I'm so very thankful for this marriage that grows, is strong, and is a wonderful adventure!

A drawing of my mom:



Perhaps today you could write about some advice that your mother gave you or things that she said and use a photo or drawing to illustrate it. Please comment here if you do this! And give a link to your blog if you have one - I'd love to see!

Photography as a Fine Arf!

Having started my digital photography class yesterday, I kept my eye and ear open for an interesting tidbit to share with you. My first (for this class) internet field trip was to the American Museum of Photography. Have you visited this virtual museum that claims to be "A Museum Without Walls... For An Art Without Boundaries"? I suggest the guided tour here to explore the many exhibits. Or, if you are a dog lover like we are, you can go directly to my favorite exhibit called Photography as a Fine Arf!. Here is my own interpretation of a current day canine photo titled "Two Friends". I'm glad that digital photography requires so little stillness today, as compared to the daguerreotypes of the 1800's that required several minutes of "cooperation"!

Give Yourself a Present part II

Here is my submission for the "Give Yourself A Present" challenge. I titled it "The Gift of Now" and simply chose 12 photos that had been taken recently that reminded me of how special this life is. It was hard to narrow it down to 12. I feel very blessed!

Digital Photography class starts today when I return home from school/work. I'm hoping to complete the first lesson before the kids return home from their school day. Stay tuned. Perhaps I'll have some tips for recording the digital photos that make up the parts of your life story. I'm planning to use all new photos in my recent Life Stories Photo Journal (5"X7") that I made just for us! And will be making that album (made to order) available in my Etsy shop soon (in any size you want!).

"Give Yourself a Present" Challenge

This tiny photo album came from Anna Aspnes and a contest that she had on her blog in response to this "Give Yourself A Present" challenge by Stacy Julian. The tiny album is only 6cm X 6cm and I can't wait to fill it up with my "presents" and officially participate in the challenge! You don't have to have one of these albums to participate too. Leave me a comment if you DO participate. And don't forget to go to Stacy Julian's blog to let her know too.

Yes, that is the book "Artful Journals" by Janet Takahashi that I used as a background for this photo. I checked it out from the library, but with lots of bookbinding tutorials and writing ideas, it would be one I wouldn't mind having in my personal library.

Fall Family Photo Journal

I made time to sew the album that I shared with you here in a post called "Autumn Bookbinding". My plans for this album include placing digital photos and journalling of the family for Fall 2008. My Digital Photography class begins on Wednesday (online) and I can't wait to improve my skills! Will document them here.

If you would like a photo album or journal just like this, in any size, made for you please contact me. I love custom orders!

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Mackenzie

Ok, now Mackenzie's turn!

April 2008
Mackenzie was describing what certain body parts are for, "eyebrows are for laughing, teeth are for eating, tongues are for tasting, eyes are for seeing, and legs are so our feet aren't right to our waist."

March 29, 2008
Mackenzie right after lunch: Mommy, I ate all of my cheese tortilla.
Mommy: good!
Mackenzie: I'm glad I ate it when I wanted it, because now I don't want it.

April 16, 2007
Mackenzie: Sometimes when I laugh it makes me toot, and sometimes when I toot it makes me laugh!

March 15, 2005
(we took Mackenzie to the doctor to remove a teeny tiny toy from her nose the week before this comment)
Mackenzie: No toy up my nose.
Mommy: That's right, no toy up your nose.
Mackenzie: Just my finger!

Can I just say she cracks me up?!

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Cameron

Some of Cameron's quotes that we've recorded in the Kid's Quotes Journal:

June 10, 2008
Cameron: (while looking at his cup that seems to have a milk leak) hmmm... that's odd.
Mommy: yeah.
Cameron: Like the Wizard of Odds!

Cameron: Mommy, if I was a bird would you get me bird clothes or would you let me stay in my feathers?
Mommy: I'd probably let you stay in your feathers.
Cameron: Well, I think I'd want to wear bird clothes.
Mommy: Well then I'd get you bird clothes.
Cameron: But how would you know I wanted bird clothes?
Mommy: ??? (speechless)

March 6, 2007
Mackenzie to Cameron: What is attitude?
Cameron: Attitude makes the tooth fairy come out.
Mommy (overhearing from the kitchen): ???

The Kid's Quotes Journal - Sierra

One of my favorite memory books is the Kid's Quotes Journal where I record all (well, lots) of the adorable things our kids say. It's so fun for hubby and I to reread and laugh til our sides hurt! Today I'd like to share with you some of Sierra's quotes (who is now 8) from this book that is forever in progress:


June 25, 2008
Sierra to Daddy after an eye doctor appointment, "I didn't like it. The doctor put eye drops in my eyes and dilated my pimples."

February 17, 2008
Sierra to Mommy while admiring my iphone, "Mommy, if I lick your iphone can I keep it?"

August 21, 2004
Sierra has wanted a dog for forever! I used to tell her that we would get one when the twins were old enough to be able to treat a dog well. So Sierra, in all seriousness, says to the twins, "OK, the sooner you guys grow up the sooner we can get a dog."

August 5, 2003
Sierra to Mommy, "Mommy, I'm so glad you came out of your mommy's belly!"

June 11, 2003
Sierra saw a bug crawling on the floor with a huge crumb in it's mouth. Sierra noticed this and said, "Mommy, it's helping us clean up!"

January 9, 2002
"I loo" = I love you

Imperfect pigtails

I don't just record the fun life stories and the drawings I'm happy with. Here is a drawing I did to remember, hopefully not too long from now, that Mackenzie has an emotional melt down if I don't get her pigtails "perfect" in the morning. As the moment approaches to do her hair before school my heart starts racing, I start sweating, I prepare myself for her tears. I drew this picture with Mackenzie one afternoon as we discussed her "overreactions" to my inability to provide her with the perfect pig tails. We talked about ways that she could express her emotions in a way that communicates them in a positive way for her AND for me. She seems to have learned through our discussion during my drawing that she can use calm words to tell me she wants a "do-over" for her pigtails. She finished my drawing (using Micron pen) with writing her name. Some good communication, time together, effective parenting, recording of a life story, and a snapshot of her handwriting on that date - so worth the effort! Even though it's not "fine art" (or my best drawing!) I am more than happy with the outcome!

Tagged by an Etsy Blogger

Michelle Lewis of Little Paper Dog and a fellow member of Etsy Bloggers tagged me yesterday. She asked me to tell 6 things about myself that most people don't know and then tag 5 other team members. So ... here they are:
1. My husband is a recreational and a professional pilot and we live here. It's a flying community with a 3000 foot grass airstrip and airplanes regularly taxi by our dinner table! We are a close knit neighborhood because everyone who lives here has at least one thing in common - a love for airplanes and flying!

2. Yesterday while the kids were all at school, and my hubby and I had a day off together, we went for a motorcycle ride! It was my first on his new Ducati and very enjoyable. I just closed my eyes and felt the wind!
3. I like to smell good! One of my favorite things to buy on Etsy is bath and body products. My latest purchase is a sugar scrub from Bathing in Luxury.
4. I am very organized, but loose my glasses on a DAILY basis. I spend way too much time looking for them - also recruiting the family for this task.
5. My favorite snack is frozen blueberries with whipped cream. Mmmmm, almost better than ice-cream!
6. I listen to podcasts ALOT. Favorite subjects include podcasts about my faith, technology, running, creative hobbies, and kid stuff!

I would love to tag 5 more people, but in my search I didn't find one Etsy Blogger who hasn't been tagged yet! If you want to participate consider yourself tagged by me!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Mackenzie's 6th Birthday - the other half of the twin set! Oh happy day! This is one happy 6 year old who is on the school bus right now carrying 2 dozen fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to her classmates.

Happy Birthday!

The twin's are 6! To be more exact, Cameron is 6 today and Mackenzie, twin sister, is 6 tomorrow! There are 2 1/2 hours between them and it stretched over midnight. So we just celebrate all week! Stay tuned for Mackenzie's picture tomorrow!