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