Monday, May 29, 2006

I've seen beauty...


and now you can too...


Credits: papers-Artlines Blackburn by Tracy Ann Robinson (Scrapbook Bytes), bronze beads from Dots a Fun kit by Cottage Arts; filters-nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 GE (Monday Morning Violet and Graduated Blue)

Obviously I mean the castle...not the layout (but I'm pretty proud of the layout too;))

Germany is one gorgeous country. The history is just amazing and of course, tragic. We saw it all...the 2,000 year old city Kempten, the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein, the famous Marianplatz with the glockenspiel in Munich, but also we toured the memorial of the Dachau concentration camp.

Over the week I'll share more about my trip with photos (or lack of photos in the case of Dachau). I don' want to forget this trip anytime soon! But I'm still pretty tired. Ciao!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Guten Tag...


or is it Guten Nacht? I'm really not sure!

But Germany is a gorgeous place! So full of history that I've never seen before.

I will have a more detailed itinary up this weekend...but my body is telling me it's almost 12:30 a.m. even though the clock tells me I should be eating dinner.

Anyway I did complete one layout on the plane...so I'll leave you with that...

Credits: Get Creative kit by Gina Miller (Scrapbook Bytes) [see link for kit in previous post]; font-Pea Jordan; sketch by Gina Miller

Monday, May 15, 2006

The sun is finally out...

After a week of dreary, cloudy, rainy skies, the sun has finally poked its way through and the sky is a brilliant blue...I hope it stays!

Well I didn't make it past the round 2 of the Ultimate Digi-Scrapper contest. No worries, though. I mean I was a little disappointed when I found out I wasn't going through, but all I wanted when I entered was the make it to round 2 (which I did). And I got almost three pages of good comments on my Round 2 layout...so I really can't complain. So now I'm cheering on the sidelines! I want to publically thank the judges and organizers of this contest and I really hope you do it again next year!

OMG! Did you see Gina's new kit that was released today?

(Click photo to go to store)

So cool! I can't wait to use this one!

I did scrap one page this weekend...


Credits: paper-Delicate Petals from Garden Treasures by Gina Miller; glitter border by Gina Miller; brushes from Distressing kit by Nancie Rowe Janitz; fonts-Arial Narrow and Pea Sara

Yes, that's me! I'm singing Popular from Wicked during the Miss Marinette Area pageant last year. No, not as a contestant (I'm past that!), but as a host and performer. I look forward to it every October!

Are you as excited as I am for Grey's Anatomy tonight? Can you believe the cliffhanger yesterday!? 10 More minutes...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Ultimate page #2...

Here is my next page for the Ultimate Digi Scrapper contest. Half are getting cut this time...and there is some AWESOME work there! I do like this page though....hopefully the judges will too!

Take a look and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Ok, let's try this again...

Here are the layouts I did using Gina Miller Designs...


{Oh Brother}

Credits: kit-Teal Explosion by Gina Miller (www.scrapbookbytes.com); font-CK Elmer


{True Love}

Credits: papers-Eclectic Assortment from Garden Treasures 2 by Gina Miller (www.scrapbookbytes.com); Funky Alpha by Gina Miller (blog freebie); Flourish brushes by Michelle Coleman (www.scrapartist.com)

Here they are! Ciao!

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Yes, it's true...

In less than two weeks I will make my first trip over the ocean to Germany. When I said in my last post I was surprised...I really was. This is the sixth time Andy has gone since we've been married for work and I never had a chance to go before. So when this trip came up, I assumed I would have to stay home again....nope...Andy surprised me Friday night by telling me he had tickets on reserve if I wanted to go. The conversation went like this...

"I have a proposition for you," said Andy.

This never leads to anything good. Usually this means I have to do some kind of manual labor.

"What?" I ask.

"Wait a minute," he replied and stepped into the bathroom.

Eye roll from me.

"Am I going to like it?" I call a minute later.

"No," he shouted. "Leave me alone for a minute."

Toilet flush, water runs and the door opens.

"What is it?" I'm getting impatient now.

"How would you like to go to Germany with me?" he asks.

Then he lists a few requirements...I would be alone at the hotel one day while he works, I may be on a different flight...yada yada yada...

"So wanna go?"

"Really?"

"Your tickets are on reserve."

"Um yeah...I wanna go."

And that's how I came to go to Germany...in two weeks...I'm still in shock :D

So anyway...I've been doing some scrapping lately. This weeks Ultimate Scrapper assignment is going to be a tough one...I need to take some more self portraits and sure enough I have a huge zit! Then I realized...I have healing brush...Why can't I have healing brush in real life?

I have done a couple using Gina Miller's designs as a part of my obligations as a guest creative team member:

Ok...I'll have to post these tomorrow...Blogger has other ideas...Come back then...

Sunday, May 7, 2006

I made it!...

Ok...remember I entered the Ultimate Digi Scrapper contest?

I made it into the second round!

:D :D

I'm pretty happy right now!!!

Oh yeah...

and I'm also going to Germany in two weeks...

Surprised?

Yeah...me too!

Thursday, May 4, 2006

Happy Birthday Stephanie....


(2 days early)

But today is her Friday as she's off on a fun weekend with her hubby to celebrate...
So stop by her blog and give her some birthday lovin'!

Perhaps I'm nuts...

Maybe I'm setting myself up for punishment...I really don't know.

Why?

I entered the Ultimate Digi Scrapper contest. *hide under a blanket*

*peek out*

I really don't know what to expect...I mean 377 scrappers entered...and only 200 will go on to the next round...that's my goal...to make it to the next round.

I stayed up late last night working on my entry...this week we have to feature our best photo. Due to the rules of the contest, I can't post my layout here, but you can see it by clicking here.

From there you can click on the gallery and see the others' ladies work...there's some stiff competition here!

I used this photo before, but my layout had to be new. The page looks simple, but it actually took me 2 hours. Is it too simple? What do you think?

I LOVE this photo though. It's of Andy playing in the dunes last summer. This photo represents everything I love about him...his fun-loving nature, especially.

I'll find out on Sunday if I make it to the next level...wish me luck and if you get a chance leave me some love...

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Happy Birthday to One Foxy Momma....

And here she is...



Credits: papers-Garden Treasures 2 Cherry Blossom by Gina Miller; stitches-Stitch Essentials:Revamped by Gina Miller; fonts-CK Renaissance and CK Regal
Don't I come from one good looking family? Yes, this incredibly young woman is my mother! She would kill me if I told you her age, so I won't...but you seriously wouldn't believe me anyway. Isn't she gorgeous?! Love you Mom!
And since I'm a multi-tasker, I couldn't resist using Gina's beautiful Garden Treasures line when making this card/layout. I LOVE these new stitches also! They are so realistic and you get so many colors and styles...so you must go to Scrapbook Bytes and pick these babies up! You won't be disappointed!
Now for your friendly driving report---don't speed!
Yesterday I was driving back home, minding my own business...thinking of new layouts and scrapping ideas (what else do you do in the car?)...when a friendly state trooper stopped me to point out I was going 60 mph in a 50 mph zone. When I get pulled over...I don't argue...Yes...I was going too fast...No...I'm not rushing anywhere. Fortunately for my driving record (which is completely clean now) he gave me a warning. And I will be thinking of new scrapping ideas only in the shower were I cannot hurt anyone...lesson learned.
I also want to thank Stephanie for her sweet congratulations yesterday! We actually met through Gina's blog and have become great friends! Thanks Steph!

Monday, May 1, 2006

Excuse me...I need to TOOT...

I got a little surprise in my e-mail box yesterday...it was the fabulous Gina Miller asking little ol' me if I wanted to be one of her guest creative team members for the month of May! What did I say? Well after jumping around the room...I managed to compose myself to reply with an estatic yes! I am so excited and can't wait to get started! If you are familiar with her work and the work of her equally fabulous team...you are well aware I have a lot to live up to....but it's a challenge I'm willing to take! So stay tuned for some layouts featuring Gina's work!

Even though I was visiting friends in Madison all weekend, I did manage to get two layouts done last night:



Credits: kit-Spring Renewal by Digital Memories Magazine Design Team; font-CK Magnificent



Credits: kit-Five and a half by Angedawn; brushes by Nancie Rowe Janitz; font-CK Man's Script

The previous one makes more sence with this one that I did for Gina's sketch challenge at Scrapbook Bytes.


Credits: kit-Five and a half by Angedawn; brushes by Nancie Rowe Janitz

And as I write this...Gina left me a comment about my bad day post below that I had to announce my good news....LOL!

In other news...

Happy Birthday Grandpa Joe!

Well apparently Grandpa doesn't wish I post his photo today! Unfortunately I never met him as he died in 1971 a few months before my parents married. If he were still living he would be the ripe age of 111-years-old (and no...that's not a typo!) Let's try that photo again so you can see how handsome he was...

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Blogger wouldn't let me, but I found a way...Tomorrow you'll see his daughter, my mom as her birthday is tomorrow.

Ok...well I've rambled enough...as you can tell my bad day has turned around!