The Magic of Love

                                                  Believe it or not, I have a new friend!
While that statement sounds a tad funny coming from a 51 year old woman, I find that I am looking forward to getting mail since I have been receiving postcards from a lovely young lady from China by the name of Sally.  Sally and her sweetheart Devin belong to Postcrossing.com, a web site that promotes the art of correspondence on the often mocked postcard.  (I firmly believe that postcards are the equivalent of Twitter for the technology impaired.)
   What I didn't know was that Sally and Devin are embarking on the "beginning of the rest of your life" tour.  You know, graduating high school and on to college.  That time when you realize that the world is a much bigger place than you first thought which causes you to start thinking about what is really important to you and you begin to work towards "adult" goals.  It is that time when you start thinking about the rest of your life and how your going to live it - what profession do I want to go into?  What about marriage? Love? Fun? (Is their fun after high school?).  Getting old(er) - oh wait, that's me...oops!.
You get the idea.
   Sally was worried that University would cause her never to see her sweetheart again.  And me, being the old(er) woman that I am, had to tell her that their time in University will go faster than she realizes, so if she is meant to be with Devin than it will happen regardless of University.  I also said that I look forward of the news that they have gotten married and are very happy. Yes, I am a romantic at heart.
   So in honor of Sally and Devin, I have made them a postcard.  I really hope they like it.  I have it in the back of my mind to do a series of "Sally and Devin" cards.  I enjoy the imagery that has been provided to me by Marsha at Tumblefish Studios.   In my mind I can see the two of them in all sorts of adventures!
I can't wait to make this into a real postcard and send it to Sally and Devin!

I do believe in the magic of love; that it can transform lives for the better.  It is truly magical.  Pure alchemy.  It is one of those basic elements that every person feels.  It crosses all boarders, invades countries, and transforms individuals.  So for young love everywhere, welcome to the magic show.

Now for the credits - Tina Chambers (DSP) for the "Believe in Love" word art, Nicole Young (DSP) for the altered heart (It's in her kit Brokedown Love"), and the ever lovely Marsha Sayer-Jorgenson (if misspelled your name Marsha - I'm so sorry) the genius behind Tumblefish Studios at Deviant Scrap.  She provided all the other elements you see although I did re-color the background.

Laugh Clown, Laugh!

At Think Monday, Think ATC its time to go to the circus.  I'm part of the clown unit in the circus of life, so I was so there with this challenge.

So, having gone digital...again, I'm gonna give credit where credit is due!
I have used elements from Happy Circus (Irene Alexeeva over at Scrap Orchard), Center Stage (Lauren Bavin created this one), Frog King Forest (Nicole Young always does a wonderful job!) Both Lauren and Nicole are over at Digital Scrapbook Place.  And the wonderful clown is one of Ruby Rynne's wonderful creations. ( I found this image in her kit Nat IV at Scrapbooking Graphics)

No brains, no headaches

That is what a wonderful woman used to tell me when I did some boneheaded thing.  That I have migraines must prove that I'm really smart! (insert silly giggle here)
This is my creation for Sunday Postcard Art, the prompt is "Phrenology" If your not aware of that 19th century belief, it was a way to diagnose a person from the bumps on his/ her skull.  An area of overuse or disease would manifest in swelling that would push the skull out in areas.  Those bumps were then mapped according to diagrams and the diagnosis made.

I have used elements from Marcee Duggar (Maskee Large from DSP), Irene Alexeeva (Papers and banners, Altered Ego from Scrap Orchard), Suzanne C. Walker provided the frame ( Draw them In set. Her store at DSP ROCKS) the staples are from Tangie Baxter (Steamer Truck for the AJC journey.  Scrapbook Graphics) and then Phrenology brush (downloaded from The Coolest Brushes)
I should also insert here that I have been having problems using my brushes.  I have this wonderful stash of stuff and it just wouldn't work and I was so frustrated.  WendyZine (Scrapbookgraphics) turned me onto Elements Village, an internet spot for users like me.  Well, it seems that it was a button pushing problem.  I am so excited that I'll be able to use more of my brushes to create my fun stuff!
Now if anyone can direct me to a tutorial for keeping a kitten off of your keyboard (the button problem), please let me know.

My Immortal - Sunday Postcard Art

The prompt for SPA is "TIME".  Since Valentine's Day is around the corner I chose to use the words "Forever" and Eternity" along with the symbols of love, red roses, in with the collage artist favorite, a watch and/or clock face.
Since my favorite medium right now is digital I used the kit "Her Lullaby" from Irene Alexeeva (check her out at Scrap Orchard) and the border overlay is from Elizabeth Weaver from her Backstage Guitar add-on pack available at Digital Scrapbook place.  Ladies, thank you so much!

And thank YOU for peaking in.

Abandoned - Collage Obsession

Now that I have this done, I think I could do better, but don't want to.  Sad isn't it?  Time being at such a premium.  But there it is.
This is for Collage Obsession, the challenge is called "Abandoned".  We were given the photo of the Schneider Mansion and told to go for it.  The text on the journal book reads " After the girls left on the Grand Tour nothing in the house was ever the same.  With its life gone, the soul of the house whithered, dying slowly like the last green leaf in a bitter frost."  And under the picture of 4 girls under the opposite page it reads "Schneider girls.  Circa 1904"

I have to thank College Obsession for the pic of the mansion, Vintage Moth for the pic of the 4 girls, the postcard background and journal book are from Tangie Baxter and Amanda Sexton of Scrapbooking Graphics in their Steamer Truck kit.  I have Phoung Ton from Scrapbooking Graphics to thank for the dried flower and tape I used in the journal book (its from her kit Sentimental Journey) and Lauren Bavin from Digital Scrapbook Place for her Antiquing Pack that I used to bring everything together.

Finally! A new Postcard!!

For Sunday Postcard Art I proudly present Mimi!  Who is wondering "if the eyes are the window to the soul, does that make the eyebrows the valances?" This was a fun one and I thank SPA for the prompt to create this.
Now for the credits...ahem....
The girl and eyes...they are from Ruby at Scrapbook Graphics (link to the right) Your gonna want the kit "Native too"
The background..well thats the work of Lauren Bavin from her kit "Seriously Steampunk"  You have to go to Digital Scrapbook Place for that one.
The curtains belong to Nicole Young and her kit "Forever in NeverNever" and that one is at Digital Scrapbook Place too! (Yep, the link is to the right, too...a also...aaaa....you get the picture)
The font is called Fabulous 50's and it was a freebie that I downloaded from the internet.

Lest We Forget - SPA

Happy 4th of July for those of you in the USA!

And  Happy 4th of July to every one else...you just may not have the fireworks...LOL!

This is my creation for Sunday Postcard Art.  The pictures on this postcard are photos of my maternal Grandfather who fought in World War I, and my paternal Uncles who fought in World War II (one died during that war) and also fought in the Korean conflict.  I am VERY proud of them.  They answered a call that today, most people do not understand.  Military service is now a pathway to a government paid education.  Little thought is given to the sacrifice necessary to live a military lifestyle and the call to serve the country.  

For those who choose that life and path of service, you have my undying gratitude.  

Thank you.

2 sides of the same Kid

I, like every other grandmother out there, believe that their grandchildren are the best.   This is my now 3 year old grandson, Ian.  He and his sister are the lights in my life.   

However, like any 3 year old, he flips from a great mood to cranky at the drop of a hat.  My youngest daughter sent me these pictures of my "Dude".   

I am sure that when he is 18, he won't find these pictures amusing, especially if I pull them out to show a current girlfriend.  

The Love of Parents

This was my final entry for the New Kids on the Block contest for Digital Scrapbook Place.  The photos are of my parents, both deceased, my daughters, son-in-law, the grandkids, and me.  

Some of the elements in the layout have been altered either by re-coloring them or de-saturating the colors, whatever I needed to do to make it work. 

The contest started out with over 100 beginning digital scrapbookers and ended up with 50 or so who made it through all 3 rounds.  

I am very proud to say...I placed 7th.

My first dance

Yes, I did it.  And here's the pic to prove it.  I belly danced in public for the first time.  It wasn't perfect and I had issues with this costume.  But I did it!  I danced, moved, smiled, and enjoyed the freedom of it all.   I enjoyed the live drummers that we had with us and found that as I was standing listening that I was moving my hands and hips in time with the beat.  The music moved me.  

Now it is time for me to become stronger, more flexible, confident, moving gracefully through my days, comfortable in my own body.  And with that will be an acceptance that I will never look "model thin"( quite frankly I don't have the time to put into that effort), but I will have a confidence of an older woman who is taking care of herself and not ashamed of becoming older.

My Girls - 1984

One of the reasons that I create stuff, is that I want a tangible record that I lived.  It is very important to me that I give to my children and grandchildren a record of life, not only of mine but of the family that they have never met.  I suppose part of that comes from not having much of an extended family myself.  I grew up an only child; awkward, shy, overweight, alone and very lonely.  I didn't excel at anything.  I was the one that you really didn't know was in class.  My parents worked hard and had their own issues that I stayed far away from.  My extended family I barely knew and rarely saw, except for my paternal Grandmother who lived with each of her children at one time or another.  

Family is so important to me.  I am now an "orphan", both of my parents have passed away.  I have tried to instill in my daughters the bonds of family and loyalty, even though I was a very poor role model. 

We all have survived, and in a sense thrived.  My daughters are very good women.  I have two grandchildren that are adored and sheltered by us.  I have a son-in-law that is the best.  He has served his country in Iraq, and has paid a price for that service.  He is a loving, caring, man.  I am a blessed woman to have such a family.

This picture is from 1984.  My youngest is on the left, oldest on the right.  They truly are best of friends and worst of enemies.  But despite all of that, they are family.  They fight each other but unite to take on the world together.  I am blessed.

The Kissy Fairy

Grandma and Jayna

My first digital page without any assistance, and of course, it is all about my Grandchildren.  I miss them more than I can say.  Just that thought can move me to tears.  

With all of the uncertainty in the world right now, at least our families and friends can be a shelter in the storm...if we let them.  Hug time a little tighter, smile longer, laugh freely, listen patiently, and know in your heart and soul that you are not alone.

Another lesson completed

I am working hard to get through the lessons that I signed up for learning to scrap with Photoshop Elements.  This graphic is the last in the 4 lessons.  I haven't completed #3 yet.  During this lesson I found that I could crash the program without really trying.  I am working on a Mac, and the lessons are really for a Window format.  Oh yeah, I'm a techno-dork.

I have been enjoying my mornings with my coffee and computer before work.  Its been quiet, I have some feral kittens that come to the door every morning while I am scrapping and look for food. (Yes, I feed them and pet them while they eat.)  I listen for the sound of the early birds singing the sun up, and prepare myself for the day ahead.  This is one of the best parts of my day.  I will have to start adding some yoga to this routine, I know.  I have had back pain everyday for the last 6 months.  The best I felt was the day after the belly dancing workshops, I woke up with no pain at all.  Those workshops were so much fun!  I'll tell you about it later.