WCMD - Mexico

The last card's inspiration comes from Mexico. When I think of Mexico, I think of bright colors & sunshine, which is what I was trying to achieve with this card. The colored tiles I found in my stash that I've had for years - they reminded me of Mexican tiles (but were extremely difficult to work with - glad I used those up!). Thanks for looking!

WDMD - Australia

The inspiration for this card is from Australia - the use of Aboriginal dotted outlines.



Credits: PTI Fancy Flourishes stamp set, PTI Orange Zest & True Black CS, Hero Arts sentiment stamp, misc. ribbon

WCMD - Japan

Japan was the next country that I used for inspiration. When I think of Japan, I think of cherry blossoms & delicate flowers & silk screens. I used my With Sympathy stamp set (closest thing that I had to delicate flowers) and stamped a panel of flowers, then cut it apart to resemble screens. Even though you can't really see it in the picture, the pink cardstock is embossed with polka dots. Pink and black is one of my favorite color schemes.



Credits:
PTI With Sympathy stamp set, PTI Sweet Blush CS & ink, PTI New Leaf ink, Cuttlebug dots embossing folder, misc. black ribbon

World Card Making Day

On a whim, I decided to participate in the World Card Making Day challenges at Papertrey ink. Usually, I'm not very good at coming up with cards on my own, but once I got going, these were a blast! Memo to me: participate more often!

The first card was inspired by India. I found this patterned paper in my stash and it reminded me of India, plus added some bling to the bottom of the card. Love how this one turned out!



Credits: PTI Ocean Mist & Rustic cream CS, PTI Enchanted Evening ribbon, PTI Star Prints stamps & Peaceful Poinsettia stamps, PTI clear rhinestones, Labels #1 Nestabilities die, unknown patterned paper that my sister gave to me!

Happy Birthday Card - Blog Hop

Woo hoo! I'm so excited! This is my first time participating in Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop. My fingers are crossed that I've done everything right!




The challenge was to use text on a card. I used a saying from the Birthday Basics to stamp on a scallop that I punched out of Enchanted Evening cardstock (LOVE the new color!) and then made a flower out of it. For the text on the kraft circle, I lined up many of the Happy Birthday sayings (from Birthday Basics again) on my stamp block & stamped it on the circle. Very fun & easy! Sorry the colors are a bit off. It's really sunny this afternoon and I couldn't get a good pic no matter where I went. Thanks for looking!

Mindy

Credits:
Paper - Enchanted Evening & Hibiscus Burst cardstock, Friends 'til the end (PTI);
kraft - unknown from eons ago!
Ink - Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow & Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Ribbon - Hibiscus Burst (PTI)
Stamps - Birthday Basics (PTI)

More class pics

A few more pictures from the Jessica Sprague class. This picture uses an edge burn technique - making the edges slightly darker so it draws your eye towards the center of the picture (aren't they cute anyway?).



The second picture uses a photo mask and text on the photo. I love how the sunlight was shining on Jameson (no, I didn't do anything in Photoshop with the light at all!). It just amazes me that little techniques like this can only take a couple of minutes but make such a huge difference.

Class pics

I'm playing catch up today on my Jessica Sprague photo class. Here's a few more of the photos that I played with. When she explains it, the techniques are easy and fun. Now, it's just remembering them so that I can use the techniques again - that's the tough part!

This one uses a clipping mask on the edges (photo taken at the Enabling Garden):




Here, I was using various textures on the photos. I love how they turned out!







On this photo, we were using a concept called "Through the viewfinder" where photographers replicating the look of using old vintage cameras but we used a texture on the photo instead of using an old camera. I can't decide which one I like the best, so posted both versions.

Loving class!

I'm taking the Jessica Sprague class on photo editing right now. Here's a quick picture from one of the lessons that I did today. Easy & fun!

Summer Salad

I made this salad today for lunch. It was so very yummy and easy that I thought I'd share it. Plus, it's healthy - can't beat that combo! I didn't measure the fruit - just put on what looked good. I put the finished salads in the freezer for a few minutes while we were waiting for the salmon to finish on the grill and the little extra chill was perfect. When I brought the plates out, Jameson said "that is so pretty and looks delicious so you need to take a picture of it!". Guess I have him well trained!

Summer Strawberry Salad (from Simple and Delicious July/August 2009)

1 bag of hearts of romaine salad mix
3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
1/4 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1/4 cup blueberries (I used frozen)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup poppy seed dressing

Arrange salad mix on plates. Top with strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, blueberries. Sprinkle with pecans. Drizzle with dressing. Serves 4

Moving Day

On Thursday, Jameson & I went to Waverly to move Kindra's stuff home from college. We both commented that it felt like we had just moved her there and we are already moving her home. Kin had just finished her Organic Chemistry final (note: taking Organic Chemistry for a May term class in 3 & 1/2 weeks - NOT a good idea!) so she was exhausted. Jameson and Connor carried SO many loads to the van while Kin & I packed up - Kindra is definitely a pack rat. Her dorm is not air conditioned, so it was extremely hot and hard work. Afterwards, we hit Dairy Queen and took a long walk around town. It's such a pretty little town. Here's Jameson, Kindra & Connor are by the river.



Kin & Connor:





Kindra was happy to have both of her guys with her - probably so she didn't have to do all of that moving on her own!



When walking over the bridge, we could smell the heavenly smell of chocolate from the Nestle plant that is close by. Ahhhhhh..... one of the best smells in the world - chocolate!



Back on campus, we went to the dorm where Kin is going to live next year (this dorm is air conditioned, thank goodness!) and saw some of Connor's artwork from this last semester.





At the end of the day, this is how we all felt (totally exhausted!). We all told Kin that she has no choice - must take less stuff next fall!

Confirmation time

Jameson has been going to confirmation at our church every Wednesday night and yesterday afternoon was the big day that he was finally confirmed. Before going to church, he got his first lesson in learning to tie a necktie from Dad.


I thought he looked all grown up in his tie, but he later decided that he wasn't going to wear it (but I luckily got in a few pictures before that).




They had a fairly large group of 8th graders (I think 58 kids) so the church was packed.


Jameson did a great job reciting his favorite bible verse - spoke out clear and strong. We were very proud of him. Kindra was able to come home from Wartburg for his confirmation even though she is the middle of taking a 3 week intensive course in Organic Chemistry (crazy kid!) and had a test today. It meant a lot to Jamo to have his sister here (he kept asking if Kin was going to be able to come), so she was here.



Afterwards, we went to one of our favorite restaurants - Hickory Park in Ames. Since it's on Kin's way back to college, we thought at least she'd be part of the way back to school & would have a good meal in her for some final Organic Chemistry cramming. She was in high spirits & kept us entertained while we were outside waiting for a table.

I will dare...

Another layout from Jessica Sprague's class. They are so much fun to do!

Afternoon in Pella

I'm taking a class from Jessica Sprague right now: Type+Writer. I highly recommend her classes (even though I'm seriously behind in it). You learn a lot and they are so much fun, once you actually sit down to work on it! Here's the first layout from the class.

Get Well Card

A card that I made for a friend using my new PaperTreyink stamp set Mega Mixed Messages and their paper Friends 'Til the End . Absolutely love both the stamp set and the paper!

Florida - Part 2

Continuing our Florida saga.....

Because it was Kindra's birthday, she got into Disney for free. When we picked up her ticket, they gave her this button to wear.


Little did we know that this button was the catalyst to receiving birthday greetings from SO many people all day long. She probably didn't go 5 minutes without someone (both Disney cast members and other visitors) saying "Happy Birthday". Talk about making a person feel special! We teased Kin that never in her life will she get that many Happy Birthdays in one day again (unless she goes to Disney for her birthday!). We really should have kept track of how many times it was said to her that day.

After we left Animal Kingdom, we headed to Downtown Disney, which is one of my favorite places in the world (ok, Disney World at least!). First up was supper at Earl of Sandwich. Don't quite know how they can make a simple sandwich taste so good but we love it.



Then, it was onward to Ghirardelli's for the most incredibly amazingly delicious hot fudge sundae, which Kin & I split in honor of her birthday (it was HUGE!).






After a few minutes of browsing in a couple of shops, we walked through Pleasure Island. We usually never make it past the Lego store near the edge of Downtown Disney, so it was interesting to see a whole new area.


Finally, to top off Kindra's birthday, Mimi & Papa had gotten us tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil. We couldn't take pictures during the show and frankly, wouldn't have wanted to miss even a moment to take a picture. I'd like to try to describe it, but it's an experience that can't be described. The show held us spellbound, in awe of the performers and busy trying to see everything that was going on. If you ever have a chance to see the show, go see it. Incredible, amazing, superb don't even come close to describing it. Go see for yourself.



Since Cirque got over so late, we stayed at a nearby Best Western, where we got some excitement when we got back to our room. Shortly after arriving, a fire truck showed up (complete with lights and men on walkie talkies). Next up were not one but 2 ambulances. The hubbub was concerning a group of high school/college aged kids, some of which were in the room 2 doors down from us. They ended up taking away 2 of the girls in ambulances. We gave up trying to be discreet & peek out the window to see what was happening and went up on the balcony to watch (great seats!). No one at the hotel would tell us what happened but we had fun guessing. It was our late night free entertainment!

The next morning, we hit the Nike outlet to feed Kindra's Nike Shox addiction - she does so love her Shox!



Have to admit, the pair that she got are adorable. I got some too; mine are normal ones though.



Back to Mimi & Papa's where it had finally warmed up enough to sit by the pool all afternoon - ahhh... (still a little chilly to get in though)




Kin made friends with the neighbors' dog, Kringle, next door:




A few of the beautiful flowers and trees in & around Mimi & Papa's house:











Their lime tree:

Their grapefruit tree:

Amazingly enough, upon returning home, Kin's backpack held a total of 15 grapefruit, 4 oranges and 3 limes. Yum!

Backyard:


Kindra helped Papa plant some flowers:



This is where breakfasts should always be eaten:


Yes, Kin is having her favorite breakfast of all times - cake!

One last moment of sunshine by the pool before heading to the airport:




Back home again to cold gray rainy skies (and obviously none too thrilled about it!).


Note bulging backpack full of fruit! Is it time to go back yet?