Okay, so I was out of the country for about three weeks, but that doesn't account for entire time. Where did time go?! Between getting ready for and then taking a vacation to Australia, getting DS ready for a new school year, being swamped at work, and then scrapping my little heart out ... guess I just needed a break. But, break is over, and now I'm getting back into a routine.
Now, all that said, my "routine" is a little different. Honestly, I'd pushed myself pretty hard the past few months, and it was starting to show in my scrapping: I was scrapping for CT assignments (which was a WONDERFUL opportunity, don't get me wrong), but didn't really have time for myself ... plus my S4H business has started taking off, so I needed time to devote to that, too. My office has even asked that I put together a "memory book" for a manager - drop dead on that is October 1 ... that's after everything has been proofed, printed, and shipped to me. I said goodbye to two of my designers *** sniff sniff ***. That was a hard decision to make - they are both wonderful ladies. One gave me my first start on a DT/CT; the first one that made me believe that my work was good enough for someone to take notice ... and the other designer was my 2nd CT group - an eclectic international group where I felt right at home. Ladies, I'm glad you understood my position ... but don't worry, I won't go away that easily - I'll still be snooping around the boards, seeing what new kits you're bringing out! ROFL
I'm still working with a designer or two, but just scaling back what I'm committing to - long overdue. I've even now found time to pick up my cross-stitch (after a not-so-subtle hint from my mother about a project I've had for ... oh, I don't know ... three years? Oops), and during our visit "down under", I picked up a new tapestry canvas. I haven't done tapestry in AGES!! Of course, didn't think I'd have SUCH a hard time finding DMC tapestry WOOL (yes, wool, not cotton or embroidery thread) - did you know you can't even buy direct from the manufacturer here in the US?! Thankfully, DMC hooked me up with a company in WI who has now shipped the wool to me ... waiting ... waiting ...
Well, I guess it's best that I just pick up where I left off and keep going on from here ... okay?
Today, Saturday, I've spent the bulk of the day online at a Back To School crop at Making Memories For You. Why the whole day - well, I'm basically running the show - the crop was my idea! I've got three challenges, and a mystery challenge was posted by another member. We've had games on and off during the day ... with my fave being one I ran: What's on my desk? The object of the game is for members to ask questions on the board and using my response (usually yes or no only), they have to guess what is ... well, on my desk! Now, these types of games usually take 30-45 minutes ... but TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER (!!!), we were still going strong. Now, I ask you, if someone gave you these clues, you'd be able to figure out what the object is, right:
- Is it hard or soft? Answer: Hard with a soft grip.
- Is it used for work or pleasure? Answer: Neither really; used for a chore.
- Do you use this daily? Answer: Yes, most mornings and certainly even evening.
- No, it is not an iPod, laptop, mouse, hair dryer, brush, or toothbrush.
FLASHLIGHT!!! C'mon, it was a FLASHLIGHT!!! We take the dog out too early in the a.m. and too late at night and need additional light to see what she's doing in the backyard (last thing we need is to ... um ... step in "something"! Sry, TMI?!). To save the neighbors from the disruption we use the FLASHLIGHT rather than turn on the outside lights. YOU got flashlight, right???
One of my challenges at the crop is to use things you learn early in school - numbers or the alphabet. The challenge was to create a "top ten" list of things that describe you as of today ... or use the alphabet - all letters - to describe yourself, e.g., A is for Attitude, B is for Blue Eyes, C is for Cunning (oh, and these have NOTHING to do with me ... really, they don't ... you believe me, right?!). So, I got stuck on the A-Z list (not good since it was MY challenge! LOL), and I did the list instead ... here's what I created:
I just picked up the Isabella kits from Erica Hernandez at Two Peas, and loved all the fun colors and patterns ... and JEN! Jen, what can I say?! The template I used here comes from Jen M. - okay, so I modified it a "bit", but it's still - basically - hers. Jen has gone from a baby Pea, was "promoted" to Garden Girl at Two Peas ... and now ... now she'll be offering her templates at the site, too! Oh, I can say I know Jen when. Okay, enough! I don't actually KNOW Jen ... but I know OF her. There, better?I also did a few things with Carina's kits. Carina's recently released a new Halloween-inspired kit called Spider Web ... but I don't really have many Halloween photos - just not something I celebrated as a kid in Australia. Any-who ... I got what I thought was a good picture of my 2nd cousin during our vacation ... nope! Totally blown out - the "before" picture is here ... I had to tweak it quite a bit, add some layers, play with Levels ... and convert it to B&W (sorry, did I lose you with tech/computer geek talk?! Sorry 'bout that! LOL) ... bottom line: I created a grunge picture that I could use with Carina's papers, which had a kinda masculine feel about them; the word tags come from Sande Krieger's Teen Boy wordstrips. My page was inspired by "E&E" from Heather Bowser, SBE Mag Feb/Mar '09 issue:
Okay, I've still got work to do ... so I'd better get back to it. Later - and hopefully my next post will be much sooner than another few months from now - before Thanksgiving would be nice, right!? ROFL
1 comment:
great layouts!! Its okay kat we know you've been busy.
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