Catch Up.

I can not believe it has been since April that I last posted! Easter, End of School happenings for my Glamchildren, Moving 3 of my daughters into new houses, vacations, camping on the beach and attending the most awesome book club ever on Coronado Island in CA. were slipped in between working at the AZ Art Alliance Gallery and getting a painting done here and there. The daunting task of going through all of my photo folders makes me tired already, so I will just go ahead and put a big letter L for Loser on my forehead and move on.

I will however, post the one time we got all of the glamkids together (missing 2) one day at the beach. More posts definitely ahead, I've got some fun things in the works! (If you are reading this, thanks for not giving up on me.) ((Oh, and new post on my Art blog too!)) (((AND, if you go to the AZ Art Alliance website, there is a coupon for 25% off items in the gift shop that has an image with my jewelry on it. Wha-Hoo!)))

I recently joined this "IronCraft" blog roll. Each week there is a different arts and craft challenge. I thought it would give my creative juices a workout. This week's challenge is called "Just Bunt". I made this Banner Bunting with all $1 scrapbooking items from Target a while back. (The bunting that I am working on now is not ready for this weeks challenge, but hey, I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I am VERY excited for the challenges.)

Anyway, I just love that Valentines Day is 6 weeks after Christmas, it is a drag to have all those fun decorations up and then nothing, so yeah for Valentine Decor! Red and Pink surroundings await!

Yeah, I finally got my computer fixed!

This last few weeks I have been unable to post on my blog. I kept getting this: javascript:void(0) . So my fabulous girlfriend Lori came over to help me. Nothing worked. Then latter the next day, her husband suggested that I update my Windows Internet Explorer to the "8" version. I went to do this and "9" was available. So I updated it. Still nothing, seems this is still an experimental program. So finally this morning after much searching (I am no expert in computer skills) I found where to uninstall the "9" version and install the "8" version. It worked!!! I share this because this seems to be a problem that others have had. I can't wait to share my Holiday photos!

My Altered Inspiration Books

I LOVE quotes! and I have been collecting them for years now. So, when browsing the book section at the local thrift store, I came upon this old recipe book. It was Perfect for a Quote organizer! I just dolled up the outside and added new headings to the categories.

Here's my book of inspiration for entertaining and what-not...

and here is one that I glue in all the wonderful ideas I get from each of you about paper dolls and half dolls! (my doll collection of choice, they are easier to find a place for.)

So a huge shout out to all of you bloggers who continue to inspire me, thank you!

Digital Scrapbooking...

So I spent about an hour putting this page together. When I work in paper, it would take 15 minutes. But I am going to follow through and really learn how to do this better. I am teaching myself Photoshop Elements 6 from books and some Scrapgirls video lessons. I hurts my brain a little, but I hear that's good for not getting Alzheimer's.

Anyway, I am so proud of Xander for loving Scouts so far, and Nash was an enthusiastic singer for sure! What fun!!!

Also, I know that I need to credit the designers for the graphics that I used. How do you digital scrapbookers keep track of all that information for when you "publish" your pages on your blogs?

Everyones Blogging!

Well, my middle daughter Kelli finally made her blog! I told her it was a requirement to have a blog especially if you have children. She is expecting her very first baby in July. We are all so excited. So check out her blog once in a while. Kelli is an amazingly talented girl. She makes these wedding cake toppers out of Fimo Clay. She sculpts the couples clothes in the same fashion as the brides and grooms original outfits. She also adds such wonderful detail, I can't wait for you to get to know her!

My Family Tree Wall Mural

After MUCH pressure from her mother and sisters, my oldest daughter Brooke has FINALLY created a blog!!! She is so funny and creative (as are all my daughters) that I am sure that you will adore her as much as we do. Check out her blog: Brooke ala Mode.

So today I finally started on the "family tree wall mural" that I have been wanting to paint for some years now. The greatest obstacle was finding the right spot to paint it. When I moved some things around in my bedroom to make room for the old vanity that I have been restoring (will unveil soon...) the right spot came to mind. The wall is about 8 feet long and 10 feet high.

I googled "family trees" and downloaded some images to look at. I can not paint ANYTHING with out looking at some images first. (That is why I am soooo bad at cartooning. Just can't do it.)

This photo is when it was just about finished. I did some more fine tuning and added my signature. I have now just finished priming a bunch of frames that I will paint and distress the color ivory. I have not decided whether the photos of all my family will be in color, sepia or black and white. I think I need to see a few examples in the frames and on the wall first. I'll show and brag about it in a few days...
One of the things that I just LOVE about blogging is that when I "brag" there are actually people out there that are interested in my projects! So thank you fellow crazy art girls (and boys) everywhere!!!!

Happy Easter Yesterday

My sister Melanie, me & my brother David in front of our "John F. Long" house in Maryvale, AZ.
Me.
I will be off-line for the next week. My computer is getting another hard drive and more memory. Yeah, it will be faster and I will be able to keep more photos on hand. This will mean more time saved in the process. Have a Great Week!!!!

Swap Items Ready for Mailing...

I had the most fun making these pieces of paper clothing for the "Hanging Up Springtime" swap with Gypsy Mermaid Life....

These tags are for the "St. Patrick's Day Tag Swap" hosted by The Tattered Rose.......

and this is the greeting card that will be included in my package to be sent for "Bella Enchanted's Easter Basket Swap". I love doing these swaps as it gives me an "assignment" that I might not have otherwise given myself creative wise AND I make FABULOUS new artsy friends from all over world!!!!! So a big SHOUT OUT for all those wonderful gals who put together these swaps. Thank You!!!!!!

This blogging is like learning a new launguage!

OK, so I am not happy with how my blog looks, and I am going over and over all the options that I can change, and I don't see any of the cute things that other people have designed on their blogs. My brain is hurting! I know that after a while, I'll catch on, but learning all this new stuff isn't fun yet. I don't know why I stressing, because no one even knows about my blog yet. Tomorrow is another day!!!!

PS I found the spell check. Yahoo!