Brit Thing

The darn book won't stay open!

2012-01-25T17:25:00.009-05:00

I'm determined to learn all the buttons on my Canon camera. The manual is okay to understand, but print is way too tiny for my aged eyes, and it won't stay open. I downloaded a copy from Canon that's easier to read on screen, but it's a bit of a pain when I want to lounge on the couch and read from the coffee table (in my case tea-cup table!) with the camera on my lap. Printing pages was fine but with too many to print, I decided to purchase a Canon 7d Guide from Amazon. The book is great, but the pages still wouldn't open flat. I was just going to get it "spiral wire bound" from Staples, but found this guide for opening new books correctly and it really works to keep them open!

I love how this guide has been illustrated: guide

and another guide: How to open a new book

Frilly dilly bag

2012-01-16T14:06:00.001-05:00

Frilly dilly bag, originally uploaded by kirsten67.

I love the mixture of pattern and color.

I decided to try to get the pattern from Kirsten67 and make several of these in different sizes with some of my fabric stash for my studio and workrooms. I might sew a design on the front showing what I have inside the bag - ribbons, jewelry parts, etc. They'd be a colorful addition. Though knowing me, I'll make one or two then get tired of making them!

I just discovered the Frilly dilly bag came from....

Janelle Wind patterns:
www.thejanellewindcollection.typepad.com/

I've checked her website and Etsy Shop and can't find a contact or a way to purchase the pattern from the US

Original Chicago Metallic Popover Pan recipe

2011-12-22T14:07:00.004-05:00

We always have a typical English dinner for Christmas, and it’s always my job to make the Yorkshire pudding. My daughters bought me a couple of the Chicago Metallic popover pans that made my job so easy. Although I’ve tried other recipes, I prefer the original one that came with the pans. I keep losing it, but figured if I placed it here I'd never have to search again.

Original Chicago Metallic popovers from the packaging on the pans:

REGULAR POPOVERS

1 Chicago Metallic 6 cup Popover Pan

1 1/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

1 1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 even pieces

1 tablespoon unsalted buffer melted

Oil or spray (with nonstick vegetable oil spray) popover pan.

Preheat oven to 400' and set rack in middle of oven.

Preheat popover pan in oven about 2 minutes.

Blend flour, salt, eggs, milk and melted butter until mixture is the consistency of heavy cream, about 1 to 2 minutes. This can be mixed in a food processor, blender, electric mixer, or with a hand mixer.

The batter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

Batter should be used at room temperature.

Place 1 small piece of butter in each cup and place back in preheated oven until butter is bubbly, about 1 minute.

Fill each cup half full with Batter and bake 20 minutes.

Reduce temperature to 300' and continue baking 20 minutes.

Makes 6 popovers

Popovers are best right from the oven.

Serve with butter, jams, or other sweet or savory spreads.

I like to cook these like our British Yorkshire pudding, and serve with gravy made from the roast.

For a nice flavor, I place a little fat from the roast in the popover cups instead of butter, and I watch it carefully while pre-heating, it has to be hot before adding the batter, but too much heat could burn and give a scorched taste.

Frustrated by Blogger!

2011-10-25T07:46:00.002-04:00

I tried the new designs and features in Blogger - didn't like them, and now I can't get back to my old design. The header is centered over the posting block and not center of the page, the graphics aren't the way I set them originally.
It's just like Blogger was in the beginning, too hard to control.
I have some experience and training hanging paintings in galleries, and I like to use the same concept on my blog - simple with a white background. That way the colors have little competition.
I'm taking a workshop on Word Press next week, and might open another blog with Google Streets captures - of places we've lived or been. I love Google Streets.

Banksy art - on the streets of Brick Lane, London. So cool.

2011-10-04T18:19:00.003-04:00

Bansky is a British graffiti artist who does wonderful work on walls of Brick Lane, London.

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, England

2011-09-28T17:41:00.008-04:00

We began our walk to the castle at sea level, then after a fairly hilly walk, we saw the steps all the way up to the actual castle, I didn't think I would make it - but did. The entrance, where the photographer is standing, is the most interesting area, with all its nooks and crannies.

I finished this layout long ago but couldn't find my photo to go with it. I finally remembered I used our camcorder at the time because it brought out more of the depth than my film camera - this was before Digital.

I want to thank the following photographer for the use of his photograph, which is published under Creative Common License: Phillip Fayers for Tintagel Castle

Learning Photoshop

2011-09-27T21:10:00.010-04:00

Photoshop CS5 has so many new features to learn, and I've been delighted to discover many of them through the teachings of Jason Hoppe last year, and last week I attended a 4-day Intensive Workshop with Lesa Snider.

I admit I was quite biased in favor of Jason, but then found that Lesa Snider's teachings complemented his, very nicely.

If you've never taken classes at CreativeLive, and you're a bit of a techie like me, you're missing out! When they first have a workshop/class, it's real time and free. Watching on the screen, typing in questions to be answered by the instructor, and chatting while making friends with others in the chatroom, takes on the feeling of being in an actual classroom.

They replay that days stream through the night so you can watch it again, and it remains free to watch until the class is completed. The cost is low compared to similar classes online and at a discount if you buy while it's live. After purchasing the class and receiving the links from them, you can download to watch at any time or place of your choosing. If you prefer to save the space, you can leave it on the CL site and watch from there any time you wish.
I won this e-book at a drawing during a previous class.
It's so much better to be able to view a class before buying, I wish more company's were this generous.

Click here to see the courses available: CreativeLive Course Catalog

"Full Tilt Boogie" tutorial by Mary Ann Moss

2011-09-27T15:21:00.008-04:00

I'm playing with my camera on manual in an attempt to get photos of my ROTD Journal. I'll probably end up using my P&S outside to take them if it gets too complicated!

I signed up for the latest class by Mary Ann Moss, she is such a terrific teacher! I checked out all the classes and videos and she lays everything out as clear as the ROTD one. Lots of short steps makes one neat book with a variety of different binding stitches and techniques. I won't begin it until I find some neat old book covers to use from the Antique shops of New England. I'm so glad I didn't get rid of my scrap papers when I went digital, these journals will make make good use of them for nice gifts to someone.

The new class is called Full Tilt Boogie, such a fun loving name, just like it's owner, Mary Ann.
Check out her class description here: Full Tilt Boogie by Mary Ann Moss

"Remainder of the Day" tutorial by Mary Ann Moss

2011-09-27T14:53:00.004-04:00

I've been having so much fun making journals with the tutorial "Remainder of the Day" by Mary Ann Moss. I could never be happy sitting back doing nothing, that's probably why I dislike beach vacations so much. I loved exploring the undeveloped beaches of Guam and Hawaii years ago though. Going back to these same spots on the Internet, I see all the changes and how commercial they've become. I wonder if they are as fun as we once had climbing the rocks down to the beach area, and finding all kinds of shells, and other things that washed ashore? I wish I had a digital camera back then (way, way back!).

Check out Remains of the Day Sneak Peak video HERE

Security-type digital patterned envelopes for your ROTD journals

2011-07-04T08:53:00.005-04:00

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I finally finished and uploaded some envelope shapes with security-type patterns. There are 17 envelope shapes. They weren't meant to be used as regular envelopes because I made them skinnier to fit on printer sized paper. I used 24 lb paper for mine, and folded them to give a more authentic look.

I wish I would have remembered to add a template for the "window", it's just a rounded edge rectangular shape that you can cut out of the front - you could use those cut from plain white envelopes, I might do that for mine;

Have fun with your Remains Of The Day journals!
chris

NOTE for scrapbookers:

I notice this has been picked up by scrapbook engines. These are envelope-shaped and I'm not sure how they'd fit in with your projects. However, I do have similar graphic papers I could put in a kit (free) if there's an interest - please let me know on this post.

The link from 4shared here:
Security Envelope .zip

My new toy - Wacom Pen Tablet!

2011-06-29T18:53:00.001-04:00

I finally broke down and bought a Wacom Tablet. I had a windfall of a little money to play with and It was a choice between this or a new lens for my camera and this won out, plus I still have enough left over for another toy! I've been doodling and playing with the new brushes in Photoshop with the pen of this tablet since I unwrapped it. It's so much fun!
I doodled spots and scallops on a background paper that I showed earlier, and the butterflies are of a brush I made from a real butterfly I've had for years, and the little girl is my sweet granddaughter, Ally, showing off her hair wrap!

Blended and Textured design

2011-06-18T20:47:00.003-04:00

I found a couple of the background blended papers that I had done with the help of Doug Landreth's texture, and the techniques learned in his class last week, so Photoshop didn't eat the lot of them up after all. These are more like my own, older style, but not as grungy. I'd like to get some images and play more with texture and Photoshop.

2011-06-18T16:18:00.001-04:00

I took this class: Beyond Photography - Artistic Post Production at Creative Live last week, and I'm so glad I purchased the course before the broadcast was finished - it was at a discount then. I've been watching bits of it again whenever I have a free moment and although I've got a good grasp on Photoshop, I found many nuggets, throughout the class, just as Doug Landreth said I would!

I might start posting my blended photos one of these days…when I get one good enough to show…when I have enough guts. I did blend one of my designs with a texture that Doug gave to us, and really liked it, unfortunately Photoshop crashed and ate it all up before I saved it.

I've got a few of my old photo blends somewhere hidden amongst my one-photo-a-day posts on my other blog: A Snippet a Day - I'm not very good at sticking with things I don't want to stick with, and gave up that project so soon!

Blended Designs

2011-06-18T15:29:00.004-04:00

These are two backgrounds that were basically the base
of those below. These were made in Photoshop
with brushes - mostly my own, a few other overlays,
gradients, and flowers that I drew with the
pen tool - all done in Photoshop.
I need to stop blending and making backgrounds
since my EHD's are filling up too quickly!

Blended Designs

2011-06-18T15:20:00.007-04:00

Warning - you might need sunglasses for

some of these!

Click to enlarge and see the many layers.

Playing with the blends in Photoshop gets to be addictive

and somewhat dangerous to all those pixels that are mixed

together. There's a lot of patience needed and heaps of

repair work with so many layers placed in the

blender - but I love doing it!

Artistic Photoshop Class - Free while live

2011-06-10T12:25:00.003-04:00

Artistic Photoshop Class - Free while live
http://www.creativelive.com/live
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/beyond-photography-artistic-post-production-doug-landreth

Brilliant colors

2011-05-31T22:57:00.010-04:00

I'm designing background papers for greeting cards and art canvas blocks for the wall. I have a little idea of the type of images I want on the cards, but need to work on it some more.

I'm still cleaning up the paper pack I promised way back when, but many of the papers weren't nice and clean when magnified. I'll eventually finish cleaning some up and will place them in a mini kit. The designs are coming out much clearer since I quit blending layers all together in Photoshop - a few layers at a time appear to work much better for what I'm doing.

Vintage card display

2011-02-20T22:47:00.009-05:00

Bringing out all the old Valentine's cards stirred up my interest in all my other cards I had stored in boxes. There's one box filled with old cards and letters given to me by family, that were in an old trunk in the garage for about thirty years. I brought them in the house a couple of years ago because they were smelling a bit musty, and since then I've tried everything to get rid of that smell with no luck. I thought they would have to be thrown but held them in the box until some new remedy was invented.

I remembered the handful of vintage cards I'd bought a number of years ago that had the odor but after displaying them for a while it was gone, so I thought it would do no harm trying this out on the Valentine's cards for a while. Not only did they look pretty, but I'm dead chuffed to have the mustiness all gone! I've decided to leave them displayed in my work room along with all the other "musty" cards for a while longer.

I'm going to use my conchos and ribbon to hold the prettiest of the cards, and set the others up high on the cabinets.

Valentine card for Saturday

2011-02-12T16:47:00.001-05:00

This card turned out much prettier than it shows here, it isn't as red and doesn't show the Diamond Stickles I added to give it a little bling.

My friend Tam wanted me to show my Valentine's tree, but it isn't anywhere near grand enough to post, just a small artificial tree filled with paper cards and hearts that I found around the house. It was a good thing to do because it forced me to gather all the old cards together and I found a lot of cards (not hand made), from my husband that sat in a trunk for about 30 years. A little while ago I forced him to sit as I read out all the loving messages in each of them!

I'm going to design a special tree for next year, maybe of dowels or something to hang our cards. Meanwhile, here's a link to a smashing Valentine Card wreath from Williams Sonoma ($39.95). I have many of the scraps shown, in Victoriana Calendars that I've been saving so I might just try to make one like it. I love Valentine's Day!

http://www.exoticexcess.com/decor/valentine-card-wreath/

Come Easter, if I remember, I'll post a picture of my Easter egg tree that has many of my hand crafted styrofoam egg ornaments. Many moons ago, the galleries that sold some of my other crafts sold these for me as well. I wonder if people still make them.

I'd love to see links to other people's hand crafted cards or ornaments!

Valentine Card

2011-02-11T17:34:00.002-05:00

Another card I made years ago for hubby. I cut the roses from a flimsy magazine so it's a little shabby chic right now.

Regent Street, London

2011-02-05T00:40:00.005-05:00

Christmas is the time of year when cards start to arrive from home (London) and I have longings of Christmas past.

Journaling:
Card from Home "We went shopping down the West End"

Can there anywhere be a more beautiful and spectacular sight than London's Regent Street at Christmastime? In the early 1950's, London was dull and lifeless, with a grey depressing look because of the veil of dust that came from smog and the remains of bombings of the war, but several years later, before I left, to live in Hawaii, this long passageway from Oxford street to Piccadilly Circus had turned into a magical wonderland, and I believe all of London's Christmas charm began here.

I remember the one year when I had a little money saved so I could give gifts to all those I loved, I was pleased with myself and decided to give this street a go. I sauntered from one shop after another searching for that one special thing that would make each person happy. I know I spent more time looking at the window displays and decorations than my shopping, and In the end I spent my money closer to home where the costs were more within my range.

It was Regent Street that stole my heart that Christmas, and I realized that even though most of London still wore a tawdry cloak, and money was still scarce, that in all the world, London was still a good place to be.
Credits:
Photo by permission of freefoto
Katie Pertiet card from Letter Box Christmas Kit
Ali Edwards_DecemberDaily_LayeredTemplates

A YouTube Christmas

2011-02-05T00:35:00.003-05:00

I need a break from all those hearts!
Stef's Creative topic in the Digishoptalk Forum for this week, is about creating layouts when there's no photo of the memory, story, or event, etc. These are mine from a couple of years ago.

Journaling:

Holiday music began in the stores before thanksgiving, setting the mood for shoppers to get their lists crossed off before the big day, Most of us need it, that holiday feeling to get started with cookies and decorating.
I never realized music played such a big part of getting into the holiday spirit, and not being able to hear it well these past several years I found myself in an empty place I'd not experienced before. Then came my Bose headset. Plugged into the computer and with a search on Youtube, I was lost in the flood of nostalgia I'd been longing for.
The soft and velvet tones of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby worked best. Listening to these old friends brought fond memories of Christmases past.

credits:
Dana Zarling - Grungy little Christmas papers
Ali Edwards - TemplateNo13 with Font
Katie Pertiet - Brush from Days of December

Another heart, for Thursday!

2011-02-03T09:07:00.005-05:00

Some of these cards are a little repetitive, I never realized I had used a doily with so many. The sunburst is made from clay - one segment has broken off. I can't remember how I made this but it looks like I laid lace on top of the clay and rolled over it to get the texture. This card has a lot of dimension, but looks a lot flatter on screen.

Peacock for Wednesday

2011-02-02T20:20:00.008-05:00

This is really old, I made it with clay and cardboard and think there were instructions in a magazine. It's falling apart and the paper coils are loose. It is a "card" not mounted to a background and a poem on the back.

Tuesday's Valentine

2011-02-01T21:39:00.004-05:00

I cleaned this up in Photoshop for use in a layout sometime. I made these and other ornaments years ago when Victorian was popular. They're made of clay with added charms and tiny flowers of clay and silk. A gallery sold them for me along with my dolls, jewelry, cards, and other items. Another clay one tomorrow.

Valentine's Card for Monday.

2011-01-30T16:39:00.043-05:00

A Valentine card I made for my husband in 1993, not as old as some of my others.
The center cupid comes from a Victoriana Calendar.
I saw a heart of roses in one of my magazines and used it as the base of this card. I lifted the center heart higher than normal, so that silk roses would fit underneath and peak out. I bet if I sent him this again this year, he wouldn't remember it!

Wallpaper book used for Valentine's cards.

2011-01-30T07:11:00.002-05:00

A similar doily design to the previous one. These cards are about 8" x 10" and I found a wallpaper book to cut up for this one. The frame was sprayed and covered with lace - also sprayed with silver. I used thin foam strips to lift different areas this time. This was before Scrapbooking, or the Internet to find papers of the right color or weight and I remember having the background papers all lined up so I could go over them with a roller and paint. I think I cut up gift boxes for these. Today I'm thankful for Bazzil's 500 colors and 7 textures.

Valentine Card

2011-01-29T15:02:00.009-05:00

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This was a Valentine's card I made for my husband years ago. I used to love making the large Victorian style with lots of cupids, lace and flowers. Later I made more modern cards, but I think I'll go back to the old style again, especially since I have the computer to help me with images.

The base paper was dull purple velour, I wonder if this paper is still available. The gold rectangle frame was taken from a large Christmas card, and the lace was sprayed with gold paint - it's much duller now. I cut out most of the flowers and cupids from cards and magazines except for the center cupid and heart - that was a small card. I made spring coils from gold wire and epoxied them to the pieces for a 3d layered effect. Now there are all kinds of goodies in the scrapbook stores I could use.

Getting ready for Valentine's Day

2011-01-19T03:25:00.004-05:00

I had a table tree that had been filled with gifts for the little ones at Christmas. It's been sitting for the longest time waiting for Howard to help put it high in the garage, but he's too late because the tree is now filled with all kinds of Valentine hearts and cards from Valentine's past. When Howard saw it, he said he'd never heard of a Valentine's tree, and I said he's not in the know then. I searched the Google Images and sure enough, there are many Valentine's trees out there. I'm not the first!

I don't think the I can print the image above that I made in Photoshop. I want to make Valentine cards for all the family and friends who didn't receive a Christmas card from us this year. I was too busy, and it just didn't feel right sending happy cards after loosing a sister and sister-in-law last year, so the Valentine's cards will be to honor them.

Note: Feb 10, I ended up printing this smaller than its 12 inches and with a little Stickles, it turned out to be a very nice card.

What do digital stitches have to do with YouTube dancing?

2011-01-18T12:59:00.001-05:00

I've been trying to finish one of the kits I started so long ago. I kept feeling something was missing so I tweaked, then I'd leave it for a while and fiddled around with it some more, and now I want add some stitching, but then didn't like my own stitches (that I've used on my own layouts for many years!), so bought some CU stitches that could be used for freebies, but now I'm back to making my own!

I started working on the stitches yesterday but got all caught up in YouTube. I learned how to make real neat ornaments with my old Christmas cards, and then I watched videos of "happenings" - the train station where a couple starts to dance and before you know it, the whole place is filled with dancers. I will will myself away from YouTube today!

Tam, I need a new lens to do justice to my tiny dolls, and nobody goes down to my basement - except the grandchildren. That is until they get old enough to make comments like "You needn't go to the art store for anything, it's all here!"

Breadcrumb dough and weevils

2011-01-16T02:34:00.008-05:00

About a hundred years ago, as I worked in my basement making breadcrumb dough ornaments, I kept seeing these tiny black bugs and couldn't understand where they were coming from. We got the occasional spider or cricket, but that was all. Then customers kept telling me to change my dough to clay because the weevils loved breadcrumb dough in hot weather, and sure enough that was the bug. Then I noticed tiny holes in the older pieces I had around where the weevils were eating the dough. As soon as I got rid of all the dough, the bugs vanished.

While I was selling at one of the craft shows, I was invited to sell at a doll and miniature show, and that changed my whole outlook, and that's when I gave up painting for doll making. The ornaments gradually changed to tiny costumed dolls. I changed to polymer clay, then when I learned how to make molds, I made them in porcelain.

I specialized in the Victorian era with bustles and those ornate hats that I loved making. The wigs were made of raw mohair that I bought from the Sheep Show, and I cleaned that smelly stuff, then dyed and curled it into tiny wigs. Cleaning the greenware and porcelain, or making molds weren't jobs I cared to do, so several years later I changed back to polymer clay

I sold everything I made - which means I sold too cheap! Today I only have a couple of dolls - not my typical ones at that, and few fairies to show for the hundreds I made. After my husband retired I slowed down, then stopped selling dolls or my paintings altogether.

My ex-studio is almost organized again.

2011-01-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

I'm almost finished organizing my basement room. There are four rooms in the basement; the laundry and small book room ("library" feels too pretentious for my basement even though there are enough books to fill one). I also have a clean work studio for drawing, sculpting, and sewing. Then a back room for messy work -- it was once my painting studio where I could pour acrylic paint over the large canvas and as the liquid missed the catcher and hit the floor, it would find it's way across to the sump pump well. Later I used this room to clean greenware and fire porcelain dolls, now it's storage.

Along with my painting, I started making simple breadcrumb dough ornaments so that my daughter could sell along with her own darling animal ornaments at a Christmas Show and make some Christmas money. After her first show, she and her friend came home all excited, even though the show had very few customers because of the fairly heavy rain, she sold nearly everything to the other vendors! The following year I signed up for a very popular juried show, and I had to figure something "different" to sell so we'd have a better chance to be picked out of all the others. I made some breadcrumb doll ornaments in period "costumes" (very different back then). These proved to be the right choice because we had orders even before getting selected - from the selection committee. This was a good sign for us. At the show, we sold all the doll ornaments within the first couple of hours, and the following year was same. When my daughter went away to college, I knew I had a good thing going with these ornaments to help pay for my expensive painting supplies, so continued on my own by doing shows throughout the year.

Too much writing for now - tomorrow I'll go into how I became a porcelain doll artist!
I also promise to get some of my digital stuff ready for freebies again very soon, it's sitting waiting to be jaypegged (I think that is a made up word), zipped and sent. I just have to find the flowers I made long ago to go with the papers!

Christmas decorations - out!

2011-01-12T11:31:00.000-05:00

I was busy Monday and Tuesday trying to get the rest of the Christmas decorations put away so forgot all about my "line-a-day".

Before Christmas I worked for ages clearing and cleaning my basement studio, but it was so worth it because with nice warm lighting. it became cozy and pleasant. I even thought I'd start working down there again, but unfortunately, it became a nice haven for the Christmas stuff so now it's a wreck again!

We've been plagued with the new "stink bug" from China, and they say Maryland will have it even worse next year, so putting all the decorations in the garage again is out of the question, I have a suspicion that's were the hoards of bugs hide. Howard thinks I'm too paranoid - and he's right!

I'm determined to claim my space again! Anyone want a used kiln for miniatures or jewelry? Come get it and it's yours! How about a million Gourmet magazines?

“THE BIG MEAL”

2011-01-09T11:27:00.004-05:00

It has been so much fun checking all my old haunts and trips in England through the Google Street View. This morning I took a walk from my old home to my old school and noticed the many changes. The Victorian house that I lived in is very pretty now, and all painted white with flower boxes and a tree in front! Back when I lived there, nothing would grow because of the smog. Everything in London had a film of soot before the "clean air act". I'm thinking of setting up a special blog of captured pictures and my journal writings from over the years.

Today I found "The Hoops Inn" on Google Street View. I wrote the following in my journal back in 6/18/99:

THE HOOPS INN, Devon, England

We stopped off on the way home from Bideford and ate supper at the very impressive looking Hoop’s Inn. I had Lamb’s shoulder set on the most delicious creamy mint sauce, along with baby new potatoes, a vegetable mix of broccoli, carrots, and squash.
Howie asked about the large mixed grill - she said it wasn’t large by American standards.......wrong!!
It was the largest meal on the largest dinner plate I ever did see. Pork and Lamb chops, steak, gammon bacon, liver, kidney, sautéed mushrooms, tomato and onions, extra large steak fries...........and a fried egg on top! He ate most of it, but left the kidney and liver.

The Inn was very charming, and we were lucky to be one of the first diners, so chose a cozy window seated area. The grounds and the beer garden were especially attractive. Flowers filled the garden and were in full bloom. We didn’t want to leave, but it was getting late.

Don't you love Google Street Views?

2011-01-08T22:00:00.002-05:00

I have to re-date these posts because I first do them on a text file and don't always post it to the blog on the same day as I write it!

When Google sent out their fleet of cars with the nine cameras mounted on the pole and ball to capture the world street views, I think it was for someone like me! I can spend hours re-living the past just by going back to places we once lived or visited.

This evening I showed Howard how we could go back to Devon, England and drive down the country roads with the hedgerows on each side via the Google Street View maps. I found the area and pulled down the little figure to the street and voila, we were transported to Bideford!

Bideford was one of Britain's largest port in the 16th Century. We loved to amble up and down the narrow streets and along the quay where the fishing vessels, cargo and pleasure boats all sat and waited for the tide to come in. I think we did see the water on one of our visits.
It was fast "driving" through the Google Streets, but I found the quay and also The Kings Arms, where we stopped whenever we came to town.

On our last visit to this 17th century Inn, we shared a tiny table (just large enough to hold our mugs of beer) with a couple of girls in their mid twenties. The one girl told us how she'd hitched a ride to Bideford in her teens, got a job. and never left.

I tried to Google drive up and down the very steep narrow streets, but it was difficult - I kept crashing into buildings! On our real visit to Devon (about ten years ago) we spent hours walking all over this town. I found the Cemetery - this place held Howard's fascination with the age of the headstones, I think he must have read the inscription on every last one of them - I left him there while I walked around a bit and when I came back, he was writing one that fascinated him. I know I still have it somewhere.

Tomorrow, I'm going to look for The Hoop's Inn on Google - this is fun!!

2011-01-07T16:51:00.003-05:00

I'm trying for at least a line a day, just until I get back into blogging. Hope it works! I'll try adding photos later.

Kitchen Sponges

2011-01-06T16:37:00.002-05:00

Hint from the weekend Parade Magazine
Kitchen sponge holds lots of bacteria and germs. To eliminate them, wet the sponge and place in microwave for 2 minutes.
I try to change my sponges before they get too bad, but it doesn't take long before they take on that kitchen odor. I did the microwave method on two sponges and they came out looking new and smelling fresh. I'll so this often now!

It was nice talking to dd, Lauren today.
Howard doesn't get "Lark Rise to Candleford". It may be because he doesn't like costume shows, or maybe he naps or does a crossword and only listens to program.

Too Many deer

2011-01-05T16:29:00.008-05:00

I counted 17 deer passing by in our back yard woods!
And again the "Lark Rise to Candleford" put Howie to sleep this afternoon!
This evening, I watched Bourne something or other again for the umpteenth time, I never tire of these movies!

Another day!

2011-01-04T15:36:00.005-05:00

Howie napped again through "Lark Rise to Candleford"

The dining area of our l-shaped open plan dining/living area always looked a bit crowded and cluttered, so when a designer gave me the hint to only place two chairs around the table if we don't use it everyday, that really freed up the space and I liked it. For our family Christmas dinner, I completely emptied the area to fit the large table (with 2 leaves) to fit 9 - it did so pretty good, the children sat at an extra table set-up nearby.

Now I've pulled out the leaves and put away a few of the chairs I'm amazed at how well the remaining 6 chairs fit around the table so well, and yet still having a nice spacious area. I think I'm going to leave all the extra bits of furniture and plants away from the space. A couple of pictures on the wall is all it needs - plus a new lighting treatment over the round table.

Lark Rise to Candleford

2011-01-03T15:33:00.003-05:00

Jan 3
Monday
I loved the new Brit show this afternoon on "Afternoon Tea", Lark Rise to Candleford, a British costume drama.
Howard said he napped through most of it!

"The Hoarders" was on TV - it was pretty disgusting, A really strange man collected rabbits until they took over the house, and the second hoarder was a woman who had all kinds of farm animals. Her house was so full she had to sleep in the trailer with some of them. She abused the animals and her grown children!

This show does help me clear out my clutter though for fear I'll end up in this show!

A nice visit

2011-01-02T15:28:00.001-05:00

Daughter Linda visited with our grandson, Joey. Linda borrowed the car for a "few" days. Hers is sick and Jim's truck needs paperwork. It was a good visit though, I think I have a photo to be made into a scrap page - coming soon!

A New Year

2011-01-01T15:19:00.002-05:00

After all these years I finally realized that ringing in the new year via T.V. activities at Time Square, NY. is not for me! Last year it was agony watching folks in the bitter cold get interviewed by equally shivering hosts. This year I popped in and out and at least the hosts had some sort of shelter, but the music on each of the channels I switched to wasn't that great for a New Year's Eve!
Mind you my ears don't help, seeing I have to use a Bose headset in order to hear the T.V. but since hubby expressed the same feeling, we'll rent a good movie or two, next year, and settle in with our Bacardi eggnog.

The Story of Leah

2010-09-03T08:20:00.021-04:00

please click on layout for larger view

The journaling reads: "The story of Leah who came all the way

from China to live in this strange new world. She had to put up with food
that she had never tasted before; words coming out of people's mouths
that she did not know. and visits to doctors who pricked her arm,
poked at her tummy and bound her feet and legs in plaster
making it difficult to get around. It would be years before she'd

understand this was all done for love for this sweet little girl so she
could walk tall and free.

Our granddaughter is having non surgical treatments for her club feet.

Her legs are in casts that have to be changed each week.

This first week she appears to be doing fine.

Another paper from my upcoming kit. The the frame with stitching isn't included.

The free stitches were made by GUNHILD STOREIDE

and found on her website: Gunhild Storeide

Leah so cute

2010-09-01T02:49:00.013-04:00

please click on layout for larger view

More papers for my next give away kit. The frame and recolored curly ribbons are not included.

They are free graphics made by the talented Gunhild Storeide

and found on her website: Gunhild Storeide

The frame is found on page 19, and the ribbon (Gingham Bows) are on page 2

Leah's Second Birthday

2010-08-31T12:00:00.007-04:00

please click on layout for larger view

Using my daughter and granddaughter to show one of the papers I've been working on.

These past few years I've been getting all girlie and pretty! I used to love grunge and gritty.

Oh, the flowers in the paper are from a photo I took outside a McDonald's outside Hazleton Pa.

Oh Hurtie Feet!

2010-08-30T17:04:00.002-04:00

I've had lots of fun during the summer making papers. I used the blender in Photoshop to combine and mix some photos from my nice new camera with some of the sketches and brushes I'd previously done, but the finished images remain in a frozen state on my computer desktop.

Of course it didn't help move things along when I sprained my foot, became immobile, and had to rely on my dear hubby for everything. At first, he'd occasionally forget I was upstairs and couldn't move, so I just breathed in the whiffs from his Stouffer's lunch as it heated in the microwave. I knew it wouldn't be long before he'd bring me a cup of tea - he's always been thoughtful like that even when I can move around, and since we've always eaten separate lunches, this was an easy forget. I didn't want to be one of those constant complainers or a "get me this" and "get me that" sort of invalid. Mind you, I found myself turning into one of these with very little effort.

My first bit of independence came with the desk chair on wheels Howard so brilliantly thought up. It felt so good to be able to get off the bed and wheel myself around upstairs for the short spurts my foot didn't hurt. I even braved the crawl down the stairs and up again (warning: don't try this for more than a day, it's murder on tender knees!). Howard would carry the chair downstairs for me to move around in the living room and kitchen until we remembered another unused chair in the basement, so now I had one on each floor. It was pure luxury to be able to crawl downstairs, pull myself up (I need to lose some weight!) without slipping on the tiled floor, and use this second chair to manipulate myself around the kitchen to get breakfast and lunch for myself.

As my injured foot started to heal, the other one flared up - what pain! It was probably because of the extra use and twisting I gave it while "wheeling" myself around. But each day my feet grew a little stronger and the pain milder. It took weeks before I could actually limp down the stairs using both my feet. Then I did the whole ten yards and walked (ever so slowly) all the way to the basement and back without aid of chairs to wheel me. Today I removed my elastic bandages and feel very little pain, what joy!

Although my feet are not completely healed, I'm back at my main computer and looking through all the papers I previously made, but still I can't seem to let them go. They just aren't good enough, they're too pretty-pretty, have no texture, the colors are too safe. etc. etc....and that's why they sit there frozen.

Maybe I'll post a couple on this blog for a few days to see how they look in another setting......

Leah Freebie Digital Pack.

2010-05-30T11:03:00.014-04:00

Please click for a larger view

I hope you enjoy this pack. It has 12 papers and a few extra items. I enjoyed playing with some of my flower and texture photos in Photoshop's blending modes, then added some watercolor brushwork. These came out a little bright, but I have a more subdued pastel pack and also some graphic style papers, suitable for minimalist layouts in the works for my next give aways. Unfortunately I won't be able to get them finished until the end of the month, summer is very busy right now.

As usual, please let me know if you find anything wrong with these papers, or if the links aren't working, thanks.

Scroll down to see examples of this and other freebie packs. If you only have the linked preview view please click HERE. to view the rest of my blog.

Freebie digital pack in two parts, download links:

Leah 1 by Chris Shoop

Leah 2 by Chris Shoop

Leah Papers. I would love a hint - Do you prefer the pastel or bright?

2010-05-25T14:51:00.009-04:00

Please click image for a larger size

I want to celebrate the flower because they're celebrating The Chelsea Flower Show in London right now, and I would so love to be there. I also want to celebrate our new granddaughter whom we met for the first time a few days ago and she's as pretty as a perfect flower. Welcome to your new country and your new family Leah.
----------------------------------
This is a peek at the papers I'm working on named Leah to celebrate the flower and this sweet little girl. I've many of the same design but different colors and I understand people not liking re-colored papers, but these have been re-colored through a process of blending and adding a variety of multicolored layers and textures, and not simply re-colored in Photoshop's Hue and Saturation mode. I wonder if this is realized? Anyway I'm trying to get a few more different papers to to with these. They'll be free as usual.

The Chelsea Flower Show is put on by the Royal Horticultural Society in Chelsea, London each May. This is possibly the most famous gardening event in the world and because it's so popular, tickets have to be bought in advance. The first couple of days is only open to RHS members.

Free Photography classes all weekend starting Friday 14th 1pm

2010-05-13T11:50:00.013-04:00

I'm one of their junkies, but otherwise have nothing to do with Creative Live

(formerly Creative Tech) except I want to spread the word about their terrific classes.

This weekend there's going to be a rewatch of the first six weeks of The Fundamentals of Digital Photography Course, with John Greengo.

He's a part of the team with Art Wolfe's "Travels to the Edge" TV series and is a very intelligent and knowledgeable teacher who has a unique style of teaching with his own terrific graphics. These really help simplify the understanding of the many photography concepts.

It's free unless you want to download the classes to re-watch later. Me and my new camera will probably be there the whole weekend so I'd better get some meals made ahead of time!
Check out Creative Live

- A Live Worldwide Creative Classroom

Devon Cottage freebie

2010-05-09T13:06:00.022-04:00

Please click image for a larger size

A bit of shabby chic that remind me of the worn, but clean, linens that covered the tables of the tea shops, where we would stop in the afternoons for our cream teas, in Devon, England.

I hope you enjoy this pack that include papers, pattern and plain, a couple of masks, and a few extras. Scroll down to see examples of it in use under "Shabby Chic" http://britthing.blogspot.com/ Along with other freebie papers.

Freebie Pack Links in two parts:

New Link for the first papers Please let me know if it doesn't work at cris21045@yahoo.com I'll make the pack into smaller files and send you the link. thanks

cjsh Devon Cottage1nu.zip
cjsh Devon Cottage2.zip

The West Country, England

2010-04-02T01:49:00.003-04:00

We've been looking at our photos taken on our last visit to England and it's getting me a bit homesick. When we do our month long visit, we love to visit one of the West counties; Devon or Cornwall, then on to Wales for a week, up to the Lake District and down again to London for a visit with my family. Devon has many tourist spots along the coast and it's a nice visit after all the children go back to school and free of all the crowds. A raincoat and rain hat are always on hand, umbrellas are cumbersome and too easily left behind as we have our Cornish Pasty and chips along with our ale in one of the pubs for lunch.

If we have a large breakfast and skip lunch, a cream tea at one of the tiny tea shops or Patisserie is a must for later in the afternoon. In England supper extends to midnight in some areas.

Freebie Shabby Chic papers (Devon Cottage)

2010-04-01T11:13:00.022-04:00

Our grt granddaughter, Brooke

Granddaughter, Ally

Brooke

Our daughter and grand daughter.

I've been re-visiting photos of our summer visits to Devon, England and am working on some shabby chic worn cottage-looking papers. These are a few of them and I hope to get the rest by next week. I'll also be adding a few elements (star spray, butterfly etc.) and some clipping masks.
The Word Quotes in the 2 lower L/O's are from PhotographyWordArt by Ali Edwards at Designer Digital.com
The Disney Land L/O is much paler than in Photoshop. I'll check a printed version and may have to modify it.
I'm using some word art (smile) "mod-quotes2" by Fei-fei's Stuff at Oscraps.com and in the L/O with 3 pictures "You" is from taylormade-signature3-alpha also at Oscraps.com. This last one was a lift and I have to go search who's it was lifted from.
Sorry, the word art can't be included in my free kits.

Free pp in two links please scroll down

2010-03-17T03:45:00.011-04:00

My great granddaughters, Brooke and Bria last December.
This is more of the King's Rd, Chelsea Papers that I'm offering as a freebie pack.

Chelsea was the home of many famous people: Shelley, Sir Thomas More and J W Turner. Oscar Wilde, George Eliot,and later Mick Jagger have all had homes there. It's most famous street, King's Road, is part of the long promenade that runs from the Royal Mews through Sloane Square. It was laid out by Charles II as a link between the Palace of Westminster and Hampton Court. In the fifties there were many boutiques and art galleries along this road, but now it's filled with the same shops as is found on most high streets.

"Dylan slept here" Chelsea in the 1950's

2010-03-16T23:32:00.008-04:00

This paper and ribbon is offered as a freebie along with some other jeweled toned papers. Arty Chelsea in in the 50's was my inspiration.

Dylan Thomas slept here

London's Chelsea was once the place of writers and artists and a bit of Bohemia. My sister, Marie and her husband fit well as they made their home here before they moved to Rio de Janeiro in the fifties. Marie told me a story of the time she woke up one morning after Bill, her husband, had left for work and discovered one of his drinking buddies asleep on the couch. When he got up he wanted to make conversation, but being pretty upset with Bill, she made him leave. A few days later he arrived at her doorstep with a bunch of flowers that looked like they'd been picked from someone's garden, and they were tied with a shoelace. She said if she's known he was the famed poet, she'd have kept the lace, I told her I would have kept the couch and labeled it "Dylan slept here"

Kings Rd, Chelsea - Freebie Papers

2010-03-15T14:33:00.007-04:00

I placed these in two packages so there are 2 download links.
There are the papers shown and 2 ribbons - one is translucent to take on the color beneath. I also included an extra red paper that's a little brighter for those of you without the program to do this yourself. I did the Butterfly at a very low resolution so it didn't look too good at close-up. I'll try to make one for my next pack later on. Hope you enjoy these, Chris

BTW the lower papers are a bit boring looking but are to go with the upper ones.

You can download this Paper Pack here:
cjsh King's Rd Chelsea.zip\

And here:
cjsh King's Rd Chelsea2.zip

Sunday afternoon in Hyde Park

2010-03-14T21:19:00.009-04:00

The paper from my paper pack giveaway below.
Tags are from KPertiet at Designer Digitals
Couldn't resist lifting PeppermintG's page at

PeppermintG

Springtime Hyde Park

2010-03-12T21:15:00.016-05:00

You can download this Paper Pack here: cjsh Springtime Hyde Park.zip

FREE PAPER PACK
I finally finished my first freebie. It's amazing how fiddly it is trying to get the final papers done. I have another 100 or so papers on my desktop all waiting to be processed.
When doing papers for my own pages it was simple and didn't matter if there were imperfections or didn't have the perfect texture, because I could fix as needed. Giving them to other people though - even if it's only a couple of folks, I had to make sure the design was centered and correct, the texture was subtle and not like a rocky beach when viewed at full view, the overlap was trimmed etc, etc.
I have to admit these are a little safe and sedate and not the wild grunge I usually like, but at least it's a start. Now to find out how to zip, name and upload to the proper place. Advice is invited.

Well duh!! After searching the web,and even asking on twitter where to get a zip program on my Mac (I used to have one on Windows) A kindly gentleman told me it w as already on my mac but called the archive!

Dance little lady

2010-02-03T00:02:00.006-05:00

Ally's dance lesson.
The background paper and dancing dolls are by chris (me), the clipping mask is from Annna Aspnes kit : 12X12PageHPFotoBlendz2_.

There's this British paper cutting artist that does wonderful paper sculptures coming out of books. Seeing them was an inspiration for doing my - more stylized paper dolls.

Su Blackwell: http://sublackwell.blogspot.com/

George

2010-02-02T23:58:00.006-05:00

My brother George.

I saw a movie-star grid like this on the net so made one for my brother's photos.
I need to give credit for the texture background - will hunt it down.

Maybe I wont delete this blog after all.

2010-01-30T10:24:00.007-05:00

Except for the occasional visitor, I thought I was pretty much alone here posting pages for my family to see. They have busy lives and only look if I show them, so I gradually started to neglect my two blogs. I finally decided to get rid of both of them and just keep my stuff on my computer.

I was shocked when I discovered Picasa, and found out the number of views I was getting. Some of my layouts have over a thousand hits, I realize this is not many to some active blogs, but when you think no one is watching, it is! I now feel guilty that I haven't been posting the credits for my layouts. Most are from designerdigitals.com, or made by me.

My original intent for blogging was to use it to give away freebies of the many papers and elements I was making in Photoshop. Now I know I have visitors, I might just try to learn how to do that.

Life on Silver Lake

2010-01-30T04:30:00.003-05:00

We sit and watch nature do its thing as people play in their party boats
and the camp children maneuver their bright blue kayaks out of the way.
The occasional seaplane disrupts the quiet as it positions itself to span the breadth of the lake.
We watch an eagle scoop its supper with a single plunge as the camera gets ready to open its eye. . . .not soon enough.
The ducks also sense the click and so dance a little ditty as they scamper on their way.
Yes we watch while the heron. . . .or is that a crane? sweeps down to find a spot amongst the reeds.
We sit, we wait, and we watch. . . .

I've used my words about our visits to Silver Lake before, also the photo but Anna Aspnes Fun Play kit brought them together in a different way.

Joey skateboard

2010-01-09T14:58:00.001-05:00

Christmas Decorations

2010-01-09T14:52:00.003-05:00

Meeting Santa

2010-01-09T14:47:00.005-05:00

Meeting up with my daughter and two of her children and her two grandchildren at the mall. It was over an hour wait the little ones did well in line until we were almost at the end. The little one, Bria, spilled her drink all over her tights and Brooke, who was so excited before, decided she didn't want to meet Santa. Fortunately there was a Gymboree close by so I rushed and bought an overall and Linda just changed her in time. Couldn't get a smile from them!

I made the bubbles from a web tutorial

2009-12-04T17:07:00.003-05:00

Ally, our Granddaughter has this expression every time I ask her what she's thinking about!

Our Great granddaughter, Bria, as she was when we left for our trip.

Bria no longer a baby!

2009-11-30T15:38:00.011-05:00

Bria
We haven't seen you since before we left for our trip and what surprise to see you have grown so much - from a baby to a toddler. Where did that baby nose and those big saucer eyes go?

Everything from DesignerDigitals.com except the glass balls and the background papers. Oh, and the stitching holes that I scanned a number of years ago from real stitching holes.
.......................................................................................

The glass balls: (This isn't a tutorial, just the steps I took)
for the ball cover I used Filters: Render > Lens Flare and Distort >Polar Coordinates
then used the tools: Transform, Radial Gradient, and Color Burn.

Underneath with Katie's ornament brush, I took it into styles and played around with stripes and a couple of other styles (turned off the shadows because it would flatten the ball. A real hanging ball would send a cast shadow if close to a wall or such)

Then tweaked with the Burn and Dodge tools, and set the transparency for the glass cover so the underneath pattern would show through (had to add more highlights because of this)
Katie's ornament brush was great because it already had a pattern, top, and hanger.

Yokohama Festival

2009-11-30T15:32:00.003-05:00

I've been sorting through the slides I scanned a couple of years ago. These go all the way back to the fifties.

On this particular Sunday, our best friends were having their son Baptized, so I fortunately popped the camera in my purse. I'm almost sure the slides were bright and clear once upon a time, but they're dark with many mold spots now. Lots of Photoshop work! Japan, 1970

Yokohama Festival

2009-11-30T15:17:00.005-05:00

We had just left the Chapel one Sunday morning after the Baptism of Caroline and Paul's son, and found ourselves in the midst of crowds of people waiting for something to happen. There wasn't anything for us to do but join the crowd, since our car was blocked in by theirs and them! At first we heard a faint sound of music that got louder and louder and suddenly the street was filled with lines of colorfully kimonoed ladies, and some guys carrying a very long dragon and having so much fun as they laughed and ran down the street with it! Japan 1970

Fishing in England

2009-02-26T09:41:00.006-05:00

A long time since I posted!
I found these slides but couldn't make out what was on them until I scanned them into Photoshop and lightened them.

This is my Brother and his son, I think it might be the Devon or Cornwall coast, I can see the sea in other slides - I'll have to write and ask him. I have the twin to the jacket he's wearing. Eileen, his wife, gave it to me on my way to Turkey and it really saved me from the bitter winds from the Sea of Marmara, while I stood and waited for my bus that took me to Karamürsel several times a week.

A Very British Cream Tea

2009-02-25T01:21:00.003-05:00

Three of my brother George's children.

Trafalgar Square, London, 1981

2008-02-20T09:19:00.005-05:00

I'm doing an album for my two daughters from slides of all the places they've been. Credits later

This was a trip to England to meet their relatives. They were so surprised to find so many cousins their same age!
They were climbing the lions in Trafalgar Square when these two lads came by. They were fascinated by Linda's accent and wanted to know more about America. Cousin Joanne is looking on.

Guam

2008-02-20T08:51:00.001-05:00

Lucille's daughter, Lauren, Linda and Lucille with her son.
This is the area where a Japanese soldier held out from WW2. He was discovered in his hiding cave in 1972.

Skyline Drive, Virginia 1965

2008-02-20T08:47:00.005-05:00

Linda with her dad.

Linda with me. This was a lift of Christina's page on Designer Digitals website

Japan 1970

2008-02-20T08:43:00.008-05:00

On a trip to the five grand Lakes of Japan. I'm looking in the direction of Mount Fuji, but Howard didn't capture it in the photo so I added a later pic.

My two little girls, Linda and Lauren. Yokohama, Japan

Lauren

2008-02-10T15:10:00.004-05:00

2008-02-10T15:10:00.003-05:00

Grandson, Mikey on the boat to Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod.

Linda Contentment

2008-02-10T15:09:00.001-05:00

2008-02-10T15:08:00.001-05:00

Granddaughter, Brandy.

2008-01-30T02:13:00.001-05:00

Our great grand daughter, Brooke.
Credits from Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals
The paper curl is mine

Trader Joe's missing recipe!

2008-01-22T11:42:00.000-05:00

I got a bit fed up with my other, unfinished layout so put it aside for a while!!
Trader Joe's recently opened a store close by and of course we had to go see what the buzz was all about. I love their tasting bar for testing new foods before I buy, and so far I've loved their spinach salad with cranberries, pecans and cheese.
In spite of the green tinge caused by the pesto, I also really like the Pesto Orzo with pine nuts and parmesan cheese. I put the recipe and ingredients somewhere, and can't find it - darn!

2008-01-22T09:06:00.000-05:00

Credits:
All from Designer Digitals -
Jackie Eckles
je_big_quirky_stitches_1.
je_10amFontChat_paper1

KPertiet_CurledNotePaper
KPertiet Sunday Ad Challenge
je_10amFontChat_paper1

Ikebana Lesson 1970

2008-01-03T07:30:00.001-05:00

Although I spent a number of years studying the art of Japanese flower arranging, there were rarely, if any photos of me arranging because I was always the one behind the camera!

Journaling:
Edosan, showing the lines of soe to a friend.

Once a week our teacher would travel all the way
from Tokyo just for us five girls!

Our lesson was always such a treat. Besides talk
of flowers, there was always good conversation on
Japanese philosophy and art

Credits:
Doris Castle:BG paper:CreamBordered, LeJardin
Frame: ARafaello_tattered_n_torn_sample
C Renee_AlphaBits
Gina Cabrera: Bow_Floral, Ribbon_OrangeFlower_Brown
Paper_Sweet_Blooms
RME_oriental_stamp6. RME_oriental_fan RME_oriental_paper8
Ztampf PhotoTurn_Arrow2, Soul Searching kit
Font: urura

Oh Christmas Tree

2007-12-31T21:57:00.001-05:00

Our grandson about four years ago!

all from Jofia's Warm Christmas kit

Getting all Nostalgic!

2007-12-30T15:26:00.000-05:00

I've been looking at all the warm and inviting Christmas pages at Designer Digitals, and seeing the one that Mollie posted, with her tree filled with ornaments collected from all over the world, and each with a special memory attached, makes me a bit nostalgic for my "big tree" with the ornaments that are packed in numerous boxes in the garage!

For the past few years we've enjoyed fewer decorations and a smaller, thinner tree that doesn't take so many weeks to put up. It can only handle my lighter ornaments that are mostly a collection of artist's designs. I never realized I'd been choosing angel ornaments when I bought or bartered with other artists and craftspeople, until I gathered them all together, so now I call this my "angel" tree!

I had planned to give up on the "big tree", but reading Mollie's page makes me want to get mine out at least one more time before sharing them with Linda and Lauren.

"Christmas Dinner Menu, 2007"

2007-12-25T14:00:00.001-05:00

Click pics to enlarge.

THE MENU:
While waiting for the rest of the family, Lauren lights the
candles to warm the table for Christmas Dinner. Prime rib,
roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding are keeping warm,
while Lauren’s chocolate fondue with strawberries, chocolate
cake balls, and other delicacies to dip, wait until after we’ve
opened our gifts. Linda and family are on their way with
the vegetables and an apple pie for dessert.
In the hustle of finishing the dinner, I forget the bread
and spinach salad, but because of all the other foods these
aren’t missed!

Credits:
Jessica Sprague template
From Designer Digitals:
Dana Zarling Paper: Grungy Christmas
Katie Pertiet: Old Time Christmas Kit
Doodle Do Title Borders
Lil Metal Charms_Christmas Collection

"Christmas Day"

2007-12-25T11:30:00.002-05:00

Linda, our oldest daughter in front of the tree on her first Christmas. I remember the toys well. The tall plastic sailor toy went missing while we were visiting New York the following year. She'd thrown it out of the car window!
Everything by Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals.

Faces of Christmas

2007-12-18T13:50:00.001-05:00

Jessica Sprague template
from Designer Digitals:
Dana Zarling: Grungy Christmas
Pattie Knox: FeltFriends_Reindeer Dudes

Remember

2007-12-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

Christina Rennee frame

2007-11-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

I did manage to get one useable photo of granddaughter Ally at our family Thanksgiving dinner!

I used Jofia Devoe's Happy Island kit - so much fun to play with!

Ally

2007-11-14T02:56:00.000-05:00

Granddaughter Ally at the playground. Most all the shots that day turned out blurry! Ally was so active and didn't stay still for a minute so that didn't help, plus I need some sort of tripod. Maybe I should stick to trees and flowers that don't move!

I had a hard time concentrating on this and ended up lifting part (the left side) from wildchild
Plus Inspiration from Lynns gallery at Designer Digitals

designerdigitals.com

Lynn Grieveson: Amelie Kit
Katie Pertiet: Curled Note Paper

2007-11-04T16:20:00.000-05:00

My great granddaughter Brooke, fascinated by the sound of wind chimes, reaches up to try and grab them.

4 frames were slightly enlarged and arranged around the edge. Pink paper on top and edges selected with lasso tool and cleared (deleted). A lightened version of the pink paper was chosen with the picker to be used as a stroke around the edge (1 pixel stroke). A drop shadow was given to the pink paper - the color was a very dark version of the pink.
Her hand was selected and cut out and a soft eraser cleaned it up. The photo was cropped below the hand and placed into a frame, The cut out hand was then positioned in place.

All items from Vera Lim of Vera Lim of Vera Design

2007-10-07T23:16:00.002-04:00

They really did wear dresses that short back then!
My daughters outside our home in Yokohama, Japan about 1970

I used De Anna's (Rubia) wonderful outline technique she shared at Designer Digitals

Paper from KPertiet_VintageWinter
Frame - KPertiet_SunPrintFrames-3.png
Butterfly from Katie Pertiet
Rhonna Farrer bird
IOD papers apron strings
Chris (me) tears and brushes
font :earwig factory, CK Double Mou

2007-09-02T00:55:00.001-04:00

Guam very early 70's
Lynn Grieveson: Island Blues kit found at Designer Digitals
Christine Renee_WildflowerStamps_FloralFrame

2007-09-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

Jen wilson Meaning 1

2007-08-28T08:34:00.001-04:00

My mum about 1968
I arrived in England with Linda and Lauren after a couple of years in Turkey to find my Mum had left to visit my two sisters in Chicago and this was taken on that visit. I caught up with them later which was to be my last time with Mum.

Credits:
Katie Pertiet: paper strip from La Cremerie Myrtille (slightly colored)
jewelry Tag, Flossy Stitches, Posted Valentines.

Chris (me) Background paper, frame.
Brushes: Jason Gaylor

2007-08-22T06:14:00.000-04:00

We had a lovely visit from Ray, Lauren and Ally over the weekend and went out for supper - first time Howard and I ate beef in a long time! I think Linda, Jim and family were having too much fun in their boat on the Bay To join us!

Katie Pertiet: PinUp Vintage Frames at Designer Digitals- love those!
Gina Marie Huff: Believing in you at Weeds and Wildflowers
Chris (me) A gradient orange overlay for the bg paper.
" " Flower clusters that I had fun making in Photoshop.

A nice match for my couch!

2007-08-11T03:10:00.000-04:00

Daughter Lauren wearing the perfect match for my couch!

I'm having a great time with these frames. This one's a little different in that I usually "paste into" the photo to the frame in Photoshop, but since this acts more like an overlay and blends into the photo, I place the frame on top and erase the rest of the photo. I'm going to try to insert cracks and tears so instead of a frame it will look like an old photo!
I wish I could figure this blogging stuff as well as I do Photoshop!

Credits:
The frame, page edging and paint splatter overlay by Chris (me)
Katie Pertiet, Black frame edgers
All the rest from
Lynn Greiveson, Amelie kit.

Never Forgotten

2007-08-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

I have no other photos of my mum, brother and dad's sister from this era so used this old torn and cracked pic that cried out for a grunge layout!

I've restored this photo before, but recently decided that I like tears and folds in old photos. I loved a layout by Nevache (will link to DST later) It reminded me of an old worn 1890 magazine I had on the computer so decided to use it to fold around Katie's frame.

Credits: Chris Shoop (me): Grunge and folded frame, flowers and leaves, flag, cord. Katie Pertiet: LetterBox papers, FlossyStitches_yellow, Tiny PostageFrames, FiledPhotoFramesNo2 paperclip Kelley Mize: measured edges

Joey's Birthday Treat

2007-07-31T09:56:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to link to credits on these, will learn this blogging one of these days!! The tear is mine and the paper is Katie Pertiet's Botanist 3

Our annual "Take grandson out for a Birthday treat" day!
This year it was off to buy a skateboard - not any old skateboard, mind you, this had to be the "pro" kind instead of the toy one from Target he'd been using. Ours came from Dick's and we had two very helpful young men get Joey fitted up with the best one for him but wouldn't break the bank for Pappy!

2007-07-24T18:04:00.000-04:00

My daughter, Linda when we lived in Guam for a couple of years in the early seventies. I need to write down memories before they're forgotten!