It's MY House, Freebie & New DD

And, so, another holiday weekend is in the books.  Memorial Day is today.  Everyone had a nice, long weekend.  The family all went camping at the springs.  It was quiet.  It will be quiet a lot more with Sarah and the children moving.  Sarah is buying a place from a friend of hers.  I'm happy for her.  I will miss the babies being here so much.  I love the little guys!

This will be the first time I've been on my own in forever!  I've always had somebody living here.  At times, I've had too many people staying here.  I've tried to help out a few friends through the years.  Now, it's all mine.  It is odd.  I've become quite defensive of it lately.  It's like, okay, I'm alone.  Leave me be!  I have found myself wishing people would leave or not stop by.  Is that bad?

This whole thing with Sarah moving has actually been quite hard for me.  I have spent many an hour stressing and worrying over it.  Will they have enough?  Can Sarah do it?  How will the children be?  I dunno.  I just worry.  I know her situation.  But, with all my concern, now that it has come about and she has moved, I want the place to myself!

I have two other bedrooms to decide what to do with.  I don't exactly need a den.  I could use a place for my paints and paper and other crafting stuff.  I'm debating as to whether to move my computer into this room.  The other room will still have the grandchildren's beds.  Sarah bought them new beds for the new house.  That way, the grandchildren can sleep there when they stay over at Granny's.  LOL

 

Be sure you check out the slideshow at the top of page.  It's the new FREE Daily Download from Magickal Scraps.  This month's collaboration is called "My Summer Garden".  Be sure to collect the whole kit by visiting each day for the pieces.

Last, but, not the least, I have made a little kit for the Color Challenge over at Magickal Scraps forum.  It's called "Vino" and the preview is below.  I made some pretty brocade papers and some with grape patterns.  Have fun!

 

(Click on image to go to 4Shared for download.)

With that, I bid you adieu until next time.  Don't forget to 

 

Smile!

Su

Freebie, DD, ICE & a S l o w PC

This week has been one hell of a week!  My pc has been acting up.  Talk about s l o w !  I went in and removed some stuff I didn't use or need and tweeked things a bit.  I ran the registry cleaner and actually sped it up some.  LOL  I have the fast internet, at least, that is what I am paying for.  There have been a lot of storms and lots of outages in the past few weeks, so, maybe that is a part of it.  I got a little panicky earlier when I had to re-boot, after almost every piece of e-mail I read.  That sucked.

On the home front, everyone seems to be just a tad out of sorts.  The two little ones have been teary-eyed alot, especially Jaela, the drama queen.  She figured out that her high-pitched, obnoxious scream bugs the hell out of everyone.  Sometimes, she is hoarse afterwards.  I guess they have been giving in to her when she does it because it actually hurts your ears.  I am putting the skids on that.  Nicky started to give in to her the other day when she shrieked for her way.  I stopped him.  He said he didn't want to hear her scream.  That was the point, I told him.  She knows you are going to give in to her if she does that.  So, we're toughing it out.  We've had a few sessions that didn't ever seem they would end, but, overall, I think she is getting the point.  Her scream sessions are shorter.

Nicky has been ornery.  (Maybe it is from hearing Jaela scream.  LOL)  I think it is that time of the year when school kids don't think the last few weeks of school will ever pass.  Summer break is almost upon us.  They have already been going to the beach and the springs, plus, we have the pool.  They are ready for some time off! 

I kept Kaleb one morning so my DIL could do the shopping.  He is such a good little guy.  He loves to sit and listen to you talk.  His mommy and I were talking about stuff when she dropped him off.  He was in his seat on the sofa.  I looked down at him and he was just a smilin' at his mom.  She wasn't even looking at him, yet, he was tickled to pieces, watching her!  I took a couple of photos with my daughter's camera, but, I can't find the cord to upload them.  When I do, I will post them.  Kids!

Meanwhile, I found the coolest software!  Microsoft has come up with a program that takes a group of your images and splices them together in a panoramic image.  It is awesome!  It's called ICE, for Image Composite Editor.  It takes the appropriate images that you load into the program and stitches them together where they look like one big panorama view.  I read the review on it and the writer did his own experiment with the program.  It seemed like it would be pretty cool, so, I downloaded it and grabbed my camera.  I stood on my front steps and shot a series of five(5) photos from left to right.  I didn't even use a tripod.  Click, click.  Came inside, uploaded them into ICE and sat back. 

Here is what it did:

I think it is cool that, in one photo frame, you can see both ways down the street.  Neat!  Maybe no one else can see the implications where a shot like this would come in handy.  I can!  See?

I took this photo the day my son and his bride were married.  They are all a bunch of comedians!  It was an extremely casual and laid back affair, thank goodness!  But, the shot would have been improved greatly had I been able to take several shots and stitch them together.   Think of how terrific some nice outdoors shots would be.  Mountains, or the beach, perhaps.  Wow!  Have a look-see for yourself.  The program is free and it is from Microsoft.  Here is the link.

As of this point in this post, it has taken me three days and multiple reboots just to get this far.  Sheesh!

For all that, I have a little something for ya.  Several people commented on the background of my recent art challenge piece for Digital Whisper.  Since I saved it in .psd, in layers, I took all of the subject matter images off and left just the background.  Here it is if anyone else would like it.  Click to enlarge, then right-click and save to disk.

The DD at Magickal Scraps is coming along great.  All of the links, back to the first of May, are still active, as of this writing.  Snowy is in the process of working on the store.  I know I can't wait until things are up and running once again.  Go pick up some lovelies in this colorful kit, "May Flowers".  (Slide show at top of page)

I have something else, but, if I don't get this posted, it won't matter.  I'm just having too many pc issues.  It takes forever to upload anything.  I'll see what I can do.  Either way, I will be back soon.

Take care and don't forget to smile.  It's better than any make-up.

Hugs,

Su

DD "May Flowers" & Happy Mothers Day

I have been in quite the creative mood!  With challenges back up in the Magickal Scraps Forum, we've all been busy working on them.  Everyone was so happy to be back doing challenges, the creativity, board-wide, is awesome!  The first image is for the "Positive Affirmation Challenge".  I think you know or can see what is expected.  Whatever works for the individual.  So, I am starting at the very basic level.

The next one was done for two purposes.  One is a weekly challenge at Digital Whisper with the theme "life".  I thought of the triple goddess.  The second purpose is for this:

Happy Mothers Day

to All Moms, Everywhere

Next, I have the previews for the  May DD at Magickal Scraps.  Click on any image to be taken to the 'download'.

That takes up through Sunday.  I hope those who celebrate Mothers Day have a wonderful, laid back, enjoyable day.  Blessings to all of you!

Hugs,

Su

DD "May Flowers" at Magickal Scraps

Aw, nuts!  LOL  I am so bad about posting at a regular time.  I somehow got myself behind, too.  That's what posting late, late, late at night does.  I look back at the date of the most recent post.  By the time I publish, in the wee hours of the morn, it is the next day's date.  I see that and think it is current and, oh, bah!  The folks that are collecting the DD from Magickal Scraps all go to the forum to download, anyway.  Still, I feel I should post the previews so everyone can see what we put together.  So, here are yesterdays and today's previews.  Click on either image to go to the forum for the download link.

I am in the middle of several projects.  The Color Challenge and a few other things.  I should have some goodies for ya.  I'm trying real hard to keep busy.  There are some issues I am trying to deal with that will consume me if I let them.  LOL  Keeping busy helps.  Until then...

Hugs,

Su

Jaela Boo & a DD, too!

I am only going to show the May 3 DD today.  I have been uber-busy doing some designing.  I let the time slip away from me - again.  Heh-heh.  I have been playing with the color palette for the Magickal Scraps May Color Challenge.  It is turning out real nice.  When I get a spurt of inspiration, like I did tonight, I roll with it.  

It wouldn't complete my evening, if I didn't write about the family.  Well, briefly, tonight, Jaela came into my room, not long before her bedtime.  She got in my office chair.  She likes playing in it.  I set aside what I was doing to spend a few minutes with her, just her and I, slowing down for the night.  She had a pencil and paper on a clip board and was 'scribbling'.  She asked me to trace around her hand.  So, I held her pudgy little hand down flat and traced around each finger, very gingerly.  She kept flexing her little fingers.  I managed to get it done just as her mommy came to get her for bed.  

Like any other night, she was not happy to have to go to bed.  As she was toted off, her head down on her mommy's shoulder, crying, I couldn't help but notice her presence remained.  I could still feel her damp, sticky hand as I guided the pencil around it.  Her giggle was still resonated.  It is so free and hearty.  While she drew, we talked about her bedtime.  She was telling me how she doesn't like all the screaming and crying.  Um, that would be her screaming and crying!  LOL We go through this every night.  She just hasn't gotten used to sleeping in her own bed.

I feel so sorry for children, these days.  I guess they will look at their childhood as happy when they get older.  But, I just don't see how.  Things were so different with me and then, my three.  My mom stayed home with us children.  I stayed home with mine.  Mom always had Dad around, so, she had help.  I had my husband, first, then, another guy that I eventually married.  So, I had someone around to help me, too.  My daughter is still single and she works full-time.  The little one goes to day care all day.  Her brother goes to school, then, to after school care at the same place as Jaela.  They don't get to spend that much time at home.

Today, the two of them, Jaela and Nicky, took off down to the ditch, one house down, to catch 'minnows'.  They're tadpoles.  They have a net and they go climb down into the huge ditch and try to catch the little critters.  They returned home a little bit later, Nicky on his Razor and Jaela on her Hot Wheels, carrying the net.  She has these springy, black ringlettes that hang down almost in front of her eyes.  The two of them looked like a couple of ragamuffins.  Maybe, that is the reason I felt sorry for them.  I don't know.  

I do know that, if nothing else, I am their 'safe place'.  I will always have the time for them.  I will always do everything I possibly can for them, too.  I love those little children.  I love all my grandchildren.  I'm just closer, naturally, to my daughter's.  That big smile and cheeky grin are what make it all worth while!  Nicky comes in from school every day and comes to see me.  We always say, "Did I tell you yet today that I love you?"  Then, giggle about it.  I don't usually see them in the morning.  It causes alot of hassle for Sarah.

I want them to remember this stuff with me.

Here is May 3rd's Daily Download preview.  Click on the image to go to the Magickal Scraps forum.  The download links are there.

I do hope you enjoy it.  I'll see ya tomorrow!

Hugs,

Su

Challenges, "May Flowers" DD and Freebie

Maybe, I'll actually get a post out on the date intended.  LOL  It's 10:45.  We'll see how I do.  I get so side-tracked, it is almost ridiculous!  

For this month's challenges at Magickal Scraps, Snowy brought back several of the standard challenges we all enjoy, 'Color', 'Template' and 'Scrap the Month' Challenges.  Then, she gave the rest of us 'free license' to create our own if we wanted more.  (She's still pretty bummed about the store and still trying to save something.)  Wow!  There are some great ideas that have turned into challenges.  Nana came up with a couple that should take us each down a more personal path.  There is a 'Positive Reinforcement Challenge'.  I'll let you figure that one out.  There's a 'Healthy Living Challenge', too.  Nana is well-learned in herbals and all the good potions and remedies from our dear mother earth.  We will be researching different gifts from nature, then, doing a layout to share the information learned with each other.  Kyra came up with a great one, 'Detective Challenge'.  We check out our favorite mystery or detective authors or characters, then, create a layout that looks to be a book cover.  I returned the 'Design-Technique Challenge', following a tutorial and some additional steps to come up with some really cool papers or backgrounds, collage sheets, even.  Click on the link below to go to the Magickal Scraps Forum to read more about the challenges.

Magickal Scraps Forum Challenges

It isn't much, but, here is one of the pages I made for the 'Design-Technique Challenge" as an example.  Please, take it if you like.  Click image to enlarge to 1600x1600, then, right click and save to disk.

I also want to share with you today's, May 2nd, Daily Download preview for today.  Click on the image to go to Magickal Scraps DD in the forum for download and link.

  

I just want to say thank you so much for all of your really wonderful comments.  I enjoy them very much.  I never expected anyone to read my babbling, much less, respond.  And, always, so sweet!  I really don't expect anyone to thank me for a download, either.  The way I see it is that it is the internet, for Pete's sake!  Now, in defense of that comment, I am not trying to support myself on my designs, either.  Many folks are!  I respect that.  I am just one that is learning every time I open Photoshop.  I don't know where this will lead, but, scrapping and this sort of design sharing works great for me as it gives me material to use to learn the program.  Just doing the "Color Challenges', for example, using a set color palette and theme, has given me so much experience in using Photoshop!  I find the folks in the scrappin' community a really great bunch of people, as well.  Everyone is so nice!

So, that's that!  LOL  Thank you for your interest.  Good night.  

Hugs,

Su

PS:  I made it before the 3rd of May!  It's only 11:30!  LOL  Yay!!

MS May DD, Foolery, a Link & a Freebie

Oooh!  I am so bad!  Here it is, the first day of a collaboration with Magickal Scraps and I am just now getting around to blogging.  It sure wasn't from lack of interest!  No, one word can explain it.  Florida.  LOL  We have been having some fluke storms.  I mean, torrential winds and rain coming sideways at the windows.  Last Sunday, we had one in which there was alot of fallen-tree damage, like on my neighbor's house.  Well, last evening was a similar storm, only my son's neighborhood was hit real hard this time.  They were without power until about an hour ago.   A little over 24 hours.  So, we had them all come here.  My little grandson, Kaleb has a little heat rash on his torso and neck.  They couldn't cook or bathe or watch tv.  LOL  It sucks!

  When Hurricane Andrew came through some years back, I was without power about 36 hours.  After about 12 hours, I was going crazy!  Seriously!  Without power, my house was so quiet!  Three of my own children, two or three other people's children, and, now, my grandchildren have grown up here and it has really made this house a home.  All the tv and music and screaming and laughing.  The sound of the refrigerator and the a/c are both 'givens'.  But, not then!  It felt like my home had lost it's soul.  Without the activity and energy, it was just wood and nails.  It started getting to me.  Then, I talked to my daughter by phone and started bawling my eyes out.  She came and got me and took me to her house, where there was power.  I just wanted to stay in my house, but, it was getting me crazy!  LOL

Unless you live under a rock, you have to know that today is iNSD, International Scrapbooking Day.  My e-mail runneth over!  So many sales;  so little time!  So little money!  LOL  Actually, I spent a total of $11.00 and bought myself some new actions.  I found some for 60 cents!  60!  For that price, even the Christmas stockings looked like a bargain, not being 'in season'.  For my money spent, I think I got 15 items.  Mostly actions.  Yup!  I am fascinated with actions!  When I grow up, I'm going to make one all my own.  

I don't know if anyone has noticed, yet, but, I added a second "page".  Blogger now offers multiple pages you can add.  They are 'static', in that what you put there is there.  There aren't any 'entries'.  Just the one you create on the page.  It's kind of neat.  I started adding links to 'resources'.  I've added stuff twice, now.  The 'menu' is at the top of my page, under the header.  I haven't quite figured out the best way to set it up.  I am always finding something new and intriguing.  I need to be able to add to the page.  Check it out!

I have a great resource link for you.  Have you ever heard the name Caleb Kimbrough?  How about "Lost & Taken" website?  Well, now you have.  This guy is amazing.  His specialty is photography; his hobby is textures.  His are not sets of multi-colored swirls nor are they 'cute'.  He finds an interesting texture and shoots it.  Then, he tweeks it with blending modes and other adjustments, and puts it together in manageable "sets" for your free downloading.  No attribution; CU Okay!  I think he enjoys what he does.  He's considerate.  He aims for what folks are wanting.  And, he is steady.  He puts out new stuff all the time.

So, what do you think of the May Daily Download?  The slideshow of DD's is at the top of the page.  The ladies did a wonderful job with the colors and theme!  The forum is safe to go to, now.  Our store, not so much.  It is screwed up.  Damn hackers!  But, anyway, the daily download will be, once again, offered in the Magickal Scraps DD Forum.  Today's part, is this:

(Click image, or above link, to go to the forum for today's DD)

See what I mean?  So bright and cheery!  I know I can always use some cheery.  

Have you ever noticed how your color choices can reflect your mood?  Left to my own devices, I automatically go to the deepest, darkest shades of rich colors - purples, reds, golds, a lot of black.  Maybe it is reflective of my personality, or whatever.  Dark.  I'm not sure.  But, I do know that color, and generous variances of it, will put me in a good mood.  I start singing to my dog.  She thinks I'm singing to her about food, so she pays attention, very intently!  Having determined that color makes my dog happy, too, there is absolutely no scientific evidence on this, or, at least, none that I have looked into.  LOL  And, no, I'm not on those kind of drugs.  LOL

To "kick off" the May DD, I have another little something.   I'm posting so late, it is already the second of Mai.  And, I need to go to bed!  LOL  I love my big ol' family.  My house is sooo small!

(Click on image to go to MediaFire for download)

Happy May Day & Blessed Beltane!

Hugs,

Su