Sunday, April 29, 2012

Creative Completeness...

 **Warning!  Heavy Photo Post**

Yes, Creative Completeness!
That is how I would describe my yesterday!  I spent some quality scrapbooking time with some of my sisters and  brothers. 4 classes, 100 creative souls, laughter, giggles, sharing, cutting, and inspiring one another with stories and ideas.  Now, that is a day to be cherished and scrap about. 
We had a fabulous host Scrapbook Village and Barren River Lodge and Resort.

Preparing for Class Participants



 
Garden Book Class
 This is the class that I taught.  We used some fabulous products by Moxxie
 I enjoyed sharing some ideas with these ladies and 
they were all fabulous students and I too learned from them. 
 So, as I promised them and without further ado...
Opening Ceremonies 1

Opening Ceremonies 2

Opening Ceremonies 3

Opening Ceremonies 4

With great anticipation and excitement we all gathered in the grand ball room with instruction for the day and to make sure that everyone knew the flow of moving from class to class.  
Each class was 1.5 hours with 30 minutes breaks and an hour for lunch.
With class packets, schedules, and supplies in hand..."they are OFF!"

Class 1

Class 2

We all were blessed with some special "parents" amongst us.  I was not aware that most foster children do not have pictures of themselves as they are not in one place for very long or for whatever reason they do not have photos of events or just day to day happenings that they can reflect upon when they get older or share with their families.  So, we were pleased to know that we had a set of 2 parents that took the scrapbooking classes and absorbed all of our crazy fun and addiction to learn a way to preserve and give to the children that share their homes if only for a short while, something that they can take with them.  
A memory.  Preserved.  A story.  A history.  Something that belongs just to that special child.  
Okay, that simply swells my heart and chokes me up.
 I have never thought of NEVER having a photo or a story to share behind a photograph. 

WOW!
New Story Tellers and Memory Keepers
Everyone that took my class had a chance to learn why I keep stories with my photos.  They also learned the inspiration behind the "Garden Book."  They all learned that we do not "gossip" and share photos.  
They learned that we are "storytellers" with photos.  We just love adding that creative touch to make them more special.  I hope one thing that I got across is how important it is to tell the story behind the photo.  
If they use their own handwriting, it is more special to the reader.

Class 3










What can I say?  Out of all the people in the world...as many backgrounds, family histories, economic status, or color of ones skin...nothing compares to the heart and love of scrapbooking memory keeping storytellers.  They simply, "ROCK!"

Class 4





The heart of a storyteller creating her stage to tell a story.  
Share a photo with a wonderful memory.
She tells the story to all who will listen or care to gander within her special albums.

A scrapbooker tells the whole story.  
The smells that were about that day.
The music that was playing.
Giggling so hard that ones drink went through their nose and made us bust a stitch that we to this very day remember and tell the story over and over. 
 It has been written down and the scrapbooker has a picture to go with it.  
You can bet your boots on that!

So, ladies and gentlemen...until next year.  
Take a photo, write down the details, and tell your story.
I want to hear them all!

I enjoyed sharing with each and every one of you!



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

It is a Happy Tuesday!

Okay, here are a few pictures to let you know what has been happening.
She had her final appliance installed today!
My daily constant companion and friend, Chynna!

March 2012- Brianna's Emergency Room Visit

Oh!  How can I forget?
My NEW NUMBER is 225

Monday, April 23, 2012

Creative Week

This week I am packing all the goods up for the Scrappin' N Classes
 this coming weekend at the Barren River State Lodge & Resort.
But I do plan on getting a few hours in here and there learning more about my 
Silhouette Cameo.  Oh my heavens this tool is fabulous!
Here are a few more layouts using bits and pieces that were on my table.
The Game of Champions
My family takes game playing pretty seriously. 
 The Archer's are not good losers at all.
They are competitive.  
So, you can imagine when several of them are at one table 
playing a game of strategy and stamina!

She Patiently Waits...


Chynna longs for Brianna to come home every single day.  
She sits at all the windows on the front of the house.  
She gets all excited when the first bus stops about 30 minutes ahead of her girls' bus.  
But...she patiently waits.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012

Earth Weekend!

Lots of happenings across the country that revolve around our Earth!
HAVE A GREAT Earth Day Weekend.
Earth Day 2012 Weekend

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Dog

The furry animal that can make grown men speak in "baby talk."  
Our Chynna has this effect on all of us.

I created this layout a few weeks ago.  
I am busy playing with my new toy.

Only a few tickets left for Scrappin' & Classes.
I hope to see you there!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

This and of Course..."that!"

Last week we went to the Nashville Zoo and I simply fell in love with the color of the Flamingo.
  They were just adoringly wonderful and who would not love this color, huh?
I love their color

So, yesterday the doodling bug bit me again.  I really have not drawn or painted anything in quite a while and I am preparing myself for some elementary lessons before I take Flora's painting class.  I am really excited about it.  It is "my" summer camp for sure.  So, last night I grabbed an old journal and started to just play with color and move my Copic Markers around and see what happened.
I enjoyed the flow process of this doodle.  
Then I looked back at it later and realized it reminded me of the album cover, GODSPELL.  
Remember that one? 
This is actually an entire profile.  
But I cropped it after photographing as I am not sure I like it or not.
I do however, love the nose.  Inspired by the love of my life.
Not sure what was going on here...but trying out some doodles and adding color as an after thought. 
 This is of course a work in progress.
Inspired by my dog and her crazy hair...
Doodling Simply Gives me the Warm Fuzzies!

Friday, April 13, 2012

My 13th of April...on a FRIDAY!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!
So, you know what I will be doing this weekend.

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Studio Software
Teal Tote
8 Pens
Extra Mat
Extra Blade
Ball Point Pen/Holder for Silhouette

Have a terrific weekend.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Drum Roll Please...

The Nashville Zoo was great!  
Here is a highlight of our day.











DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

I am in a STALL big time!  
Time to shake things up a bit...

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

A Little Pictoral Review

Today, my family and I are heading down to Vanderbilt for a few of my physician appointments.  However, we are taking a detour to the Nashville Zoo.  I have not been to the zoo since the day I turned 40.  
That is how I spent my 40th Birthday, at the Atlanta Zoo. 
 So, I am excited to see what type of habitats and animals that are just a few miles South of us here in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  You know my camera will be going with me today!
So, what has been happening lately?
Bri waiting to be seen by the doctor.

X-Ray of knee and hip area (left).


Brianna hurt herself and fell wrong last weekend and we ended up in the emergency room.  She bruised her femur and hip.  She was in constant pain for most of the day.  Rest and ibuprofen were what the doctor ordered and of course her Daddy "babied" her all day.  It was quite scary if I say so myself.
All is well now.  She is back to normal.


On Good Friday, we went to see the matinee showing of Titanic in 3-D.
I must say, I do enjoy seeing the movie on big screen.  This is Brianna's favorite movie.  She loves the story line of Jack and Rose.  She has a great curiosity of everything "Titanic."  

Our Easter Eggs


Kaleb and Mom (me) - Easter 2012  
Kaleb joined us for Easter services at church. 
 We then went for brunch at Applebee's.
It was perfect.

On the weight-loss front, I am officially down 82 pounds but seem to be in a stall.  I hope this is the result of muscle gain as my inches are decreasing by the day.  
All of my "new" clothes are already too big.  Speaking of which, I cleaned out my closet and am putting all of my business attire and clothing to sell in a consignment shop.  I have about 7 garments hanging in my big walk in closet.  Crazy, huh?  This was a huge step for me.  I kept hanging onto them in fear of gaining my weight back.  But you know what?  I WILL KEEP IT OFF!  This is my life now.  The gym, eating right, being active, and taking life in fully and drinking lots of water along the way.  
I feel great!
Self-Portrait 
Another self-portrait.  I am enjoying seeing the "new me."  Too many years I hid from the camera.  Not anymore...I am diving into life and in my books you will see pictures of me as well.  Not just my daily photos of family and activity.  I am now officially "foot printed" into life.

Have a great week.  
I will update you with photos from the Nashville Zoo for sure.