Don't miss the videos!

I have noticed that when I receive e-mails through FeedBlitz that I do not see the YouTube videos directly in the e-mail like I do in other readers and in the Feedburner E-mail option.

I have offered Feed Blitz on my blog as I felt it was popular with digital scrapbookers. However, now I am wondering if it is the best choice. I rarely see other bloggers using it in their sidebars.

I have decided to remove the option from the sidebar. This does not mean that you cannot still use thier service with my blog. It just means you will have to use other means to subscribe to FeedBlitz if that is your choice.

I have changed the option for subscribing by e-mail to the Feedburner box in my sidebar. I do believe it delivers a better e-mail, in my opinion.

I do not want to confuse newbies to the blogging world, so I only want to offer one choice.

Of course, I still love my Bloglines! Use whatever reader you choose. Many like Google Reader.

Just do not miss when I post videos! Not all readers show them and I do not always say "hey, there is a video below."

Have a wonderful day!

Chat Friday Night! & Freebie!

Consider this your official invite to a fun chat! Whoo hooo!

The Digi Shop Hop Crop is having a kick-off chat August 1, Friday night, at 10:00 p.m. EST. With 12 designers, there should be a lot of freebies and a lot of fun!

This is a preview of my freebie that I will be sharing at the chat.

Come to the chatroom here!





Each designer will be offering a mini-kit for $2 each. They match using the same color palette. The theme is School Spirit!

You can download my kit for free and see other information here.

Please do share with me if you make something with the kit! It took me a long time to make and you can reward me by sharing layouts!





I have made my own challenge for you right here in the forums!

Click here to read more details of the challenge and watch the video tutorial.

The challenge is to use Digi Shop Hop Crop kits and create a layout using text in paint spatters.




Everyone who participates will receive this alphabet freebie. The challenge will be available until the end of August.











Be sure to come to our chats! There will be one on August 1, August 15, and August 29 (all Friday nights) at 10:00 p.m. EST. There will be freebies, games, fun, challenges, and more! You may find the chatroom here.

What is a Hummdinger?

Back on July 7th, I created a new title for the forums, but am just now having a moment to blog about it.

As a digital scrapbooking consumer, I have never liked the idea of CT's (Creative Teams). I always felts as if it was advertising being shoved at me. I do not want to get started on all the reasons I do not like them, so I'm stopping here!

Therefore, after some conversations, a new idea was born! Instead of having CT members, scrappers can sign up to be "hummdingers."

What is a Hummdinger?

You can read more about it on my About Me page. It is the kind of people my grandparent's were. They were always giving of themselves without asking anything in return. If this is someone you want to be, please let me know!

Of course, there are stipulations as a Hummdinger.

You must agree to promote Hummie's World in any way you can! Share about it in other forums. Put it on your blog (see blinkie here). Share it with your friends! Share it in Yahoo groups? Just share!

All Hummdingers will wear a special pink fuzzy badge beside their names in this forum.




To sign up to become a Humminder, just sign up in this forum thread.

I also created a new badge for Subscribers. Since the gallery rules changed to allow Subscribers to have a completely open gallery, I needed a simple way to see who was and who was not a Subscriber. Without inention, I feel some felt judged by them. I in know way look at someone not having a badge in a bad light. I want all to feel welcome to the site. I want to see you there! Please! I love company. I just want people to be inspired and to learn. We all need to be supportive of each other. Often, just having digi-buddies keeps me motivated to scrap. That's a whole new blog post.


Can you imagine my surprise when I saw this in Miss Chris's sidebar? I have been so blessed by her (and others!). I thank God for them.

I am amazed that anyone would want to support my site without anything in return (as the CT's do by receiving free kits).

Hummdingers are truly wonderful people!

Clean Uninstall Instructions

I typed this up to help someone, but thought I would throw it up here on the blog just in case it helps someone else.

This is my method for a clean uninstall. Often, when reinstalling a software or upgrading, you need to uninstall a previous version before installing the newer version. Sometimes we reinstall just to fix problems.

However, if you leave any trace of the old install on your computer, it could replicate the problem on the new install.

Have you ever gone into My Computer ( "c" drive in Windows) after an uninstall to see that the folder and one or two files remain? It happens more often to me than not.

I have found that a "setting" file remains and when the new install comes into the folder, it reads that file. Some programs are purposefully set up to do this just for your convenience. However, it can cause trouble too.

Here is a good practice:
Uninstall through Control Panel.
Manually delete program folders and files.
Run CCleaner to clean the registry.
Reinstall.


Here are the instructions for a clean uninstall of Photoshop Elements on Vista.

1. Uninstall the program through the Control Palen.

2. Manually go to C:\Program Files\Adobe and delete the Photoshop Elements (#) folder (if there is any).

3. Manually go to C:\ProgramData\Adobe and delete the Photoshop Elements(#) folder (if there is any).

4. Download and install CCleaner. There are two cleans you should run. On the sidebar on the left, you will see it defaults to "cleaner" tab. Run this scan by click the button in the lower right hand corner. You don't need the analyze button as it just gives a report. NEXT, click on the "registry" tab on the left sidebar. Click the scan for issues button. After the scan, follow through to delete the selected items by clicking the "Fix Selected Issues." I never keep a back up when it asks, but that is up to you. RUN th registry clean a second time. It always seems to pick up something new after deleting some things.

*This step is important to clean the registry of anything that was not uninstalled properly in PSE.

5. Now that you have insured a totally clean uninstall without anything left over anywhere, reinstall the program.



This process has saved me many times on many programs. I ALWAYS run CCleaner after every uninstall, even if I am not going to reinstall the probram.

Cheesy Beef Soup

It's too warm for soup! So tuck this one away for the fall.
I just found it interesting that you could use Hamburger Helper for soup!

No my mind is turning. Isn't yours?

I am thinking crock pot meals! What other dinner mixes could be used like this? Any chicken ones?

****

1 lb. ground beef
1 med. chopped onion
1 pkg. Hamburger Helper mix for cheese burger macaroni
5 cups water
1 can chopped tomatoes
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1/4 t. basil
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen (mixed) vegetables

Brown ground beef and onion in skillet, stirring frequently; drain.
Add sauce mix, 5 c. water, tomatoes and seasonings.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Simmer, covered, for 10 min., stirring occasionally.
Add macaroni and vegetables.
Cook, covered, for 10 to 15 min. or until macaroni is tender.

Newest (recycled) trend - text frame templates

I used my upcoming school kit for the digishopcrophop for my layout.

This is the newest (recycled) trend in digital scrapbooking. I saw this technique years ago, but when ShutterbugDesigns was published in the Digital Scrapbooking Magazine, it became a hot trend again! Digitreats picked up on it and did a written tutorial (in addition to the written tutorial in the Aug/Sept. 2008 issues of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine).

Now I am seeing it all over digi-blog land!

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to make the templates with various words as freebies. I'm not sure why anyone would want to download them as freebies since they are so easy to make right in your layout for the word you specifically need, but if you check out DigiFree, many are offered.

By request, I have done a video on this technique.

There is a higher quality video in the Subscriber Area.
I invite you to either leave me a comment to share a link to a layout made with this technique (anywhere, I don't mind, really) or to utilize my gallery and forums to share with us.

The Briliante Weblog Award

I SO appreciate whenever I receive these rewards, but I have trouble getting around to passing them on. I do want to take a moment to at least acknowldge them, but I do not have time with all my other to-do's right now to find time to make a list of other blogs.....wouldn't you rather have new videos?

I've got SO many requests for this and that, that I am afraid I am going to fail.

I also would like to get on over to church to do my part today to help in the new building construction. In addition, I want to relax by the pool and enjoy my new book for the Book Club that Miss Chris started. I am way behind on returning e-mails and blog comments. I've got piles of papers in my house that need some attention. Oh, my!

Thank you Karooch at Scraps of Mind for this award!

Thank you April the Scrapaholic for this award!

Thank you Latte' Dah for the nomination! Your name always makes me smile and I always appreciate the comments you leave on my blog!


Your words are warm fuzzies to me and I want to at least return the "link love."

I thought there were two more people, but I've so many e-mails, let me know if I missed you!

Pan Fried Potatoes and Gravy

Potatoes are my enemy! I can never resist them and this looked yummy and homestyle!

Pan Fried Potatoes And Gravy
1/2 stick plus 1 tablespoon butter, divided
6 medium potatoes, sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste

In skillet, melt 1/2 stick butter. Add potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until golden, turning constantly. Remove potatoes to heated platter. In skillet, combine 1 tablespoon butter, flour, milk, salt and pepper to taste. Stir until somewhat thickened. Pour over potatoes.

Impossible Cheeseburger Pie

I've always liked thee Bisquick pies, but rarely think to make them. They are so easy. I found these that look good.

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

1lb gound beef
1large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/2cup Bisquick mix
1cup milk
2eggs

Heat oven to 400.
Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
Cook beef and onion until brown; drain.
Stir in salt.
Spread in pie plate.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Stir remaining ingredients with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
Bake about 25 minutes.



Impossible Beef & Tomato Pie

3 cups cooked beef, cut up in bite size pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup thinly sliced celery
3 coarsely chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
2 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
5 eggs
1 1/4 cups Bisquick
1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

Heat oven to 350ºF.
Grease a 13x9x2" baking dish
Layer beef, onion, celery, tomatoes and cheese in greased baking dish
Beat remaining ingredients until smooth (15 sec. in blender on high or 1 min. with electric mixer on high)
Pour into dish
Bake 40-50 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.

August/September Digi Shop Hop Crop

Hey all, I'm going to be participating in the August/September Digi Shop Crop Hop.
The Crop Hop was formed as a way for Designers in small stores to come together in organizing a collaborative kit and fun activities. You will find coupons, freebies, and fun challenges as you hop from site to site. This is the second edition of the Crop Hop.

Check out their cool store front! I am SO impressed with these ladies!

Digishopcrophop.com Each store has its own clickable front and if you scroll to the bottom, you will see cute links to the forum, gallery, and other areas. Too fun, huh?

Here is my mini kit preview which will go live August 1st!
Each store will have a mini kit for sale for $2 which coordinates to make a collaborite kit.
The theme is School Spirit.
I only used a few of the colors in the palette for my mini kit.
You can see other previews of matching kits on the blog.
I see there are even more previews in the gallery.

However, since I do not have a store any longer, my mini kit will be for free. (Yes, they allowed me to be different and I appreciated that!)

I plan on creating a challenge to use my mini kit to receive a freebie alphabet, so watch for more details!

In addition, I plan on creating the rest of my kit and offering the complete kit in the Subscriber Area. I'll be sure to share a preview when I get it done!

There will be three chats, right here at Hummie's World!
August 1, August 15, and August 29 (all Friday nights at 10 PM EST)
I am excited! There should be lot of people, freebies, and fun!

I have enjoyed working with these ladies. What a great group of designers!

Please leave me a comment if you plan to attend. Warm fuzzies abound!

The first chat will have lots of freebies and you will meet the other 11 designers.
I think it's going to be fun!

Smack Blogs

Here is my first post on Smack Blogs.
Here is a previous post about Praise Blogs.

It is a generally unspoken rule for designers to not share links to the Smack Blogs. Why? Sharing the links only drives more traffic to them. I have followed this unspoken rule previously; however, I feel that the majority of digital scrapbookers are already aware of where they are by now, so it does not matter whether or not I post them at this point.

I do not visit them. I have no desire to visit them. Sure, I've been to them occasionally just to understand what they are or look at a specific posting due to specific discussions referring to it, but in general, I have no desire to go there.

The smack blogs have evolved into a new set of blogs regarding Grab Bags. The DigiSmack Blog editor began purchasing grab bags and revealing the contents thereof. New blog name suggestions were taken and a new blog was born: Digi Grab Bags Revealed.

I never understood this concept. It would seem to me that it takes away the whole purpose of a grab bag, to purchase something and be surprised at its contents. Some designers were undoubtedly upset. However, some designers embraced the idea. For me, as a designer, why not just reveal in your own advertising what is in the grab bag to begin with, rather than having a graphic of the outside of a bag?

I suppose the "fun" of it all, the suspense of what is in a bag and having it revealed, would be a good marketing tool. Maybe that is why it was embraced. If sales increased when a grab bag is revealed to be a totally awesome one, why wouldn't a designer embrace it? Still yet, it just seems like a backwards way to go about things, but I suppose that is what marketing is all about.

There are now blog posts (see links below) which reveal jaggies, messies, and errors in grab bags, sharing the quality of the purchases, not just what is in them. Once again, there are good and bad outcomes by such practices. Do the good outcomes outweigh the bad ones?

People have a strong desire to know when something is not good so at to avoid it. That is natural. That is good. There is nothing wrong with that.

I do know that it has made a better awareness of all scrappers and designers as to what jaggies and messies are and what things to look for when purchasing or be careful of designing. It has been a real eye-opener for many, but is this a good thing to do at the detriment of another?

Of course, when product reviews go beyond quality issues and into personal preference and opinion, that is not a good thing. I have seen designers falsely accused of stealing and other issues and their reputation ruined. Read what happened to Kristina Contes on the smack blogs. I have seen small matter dramatized above and beyond.

Can you imagine the feeling in the pit of the stomach of a designer who is reading a bad critique of their product? My heart reaches out to them each time I read a bad critique. Can you image even more how they hurt when the accusations are false? Is this pain really something we want to be responsible for causing? What if it were you? Where is the compassion? Where is the consideration of other's feelings?

There are better ways to do things. I believe quality issues should be taken up with the designer directly. If you find a mistake (as we all make errors), contact the designer directly. Allow her time to correct the file and fix the downloads in private. It is a win-win situation. She learns to become a better designer and you and others are able to use the repaired files.

"Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done" (Ephesians 4:32).

"It is then that we are more able to "speak the truth in love." (Ephesians 4:15).

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (Matthew 7:1).


Should there ever be a time when a designer's quality becomes a community issue? What if she refuses to repair the item? Should that be announced in public? Does that warrant smacking? When is it okay to publicly rebuke someone? Is it ever okay? Is it ever a loving thing to do?

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17).

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

The tongue is very powerful.

James 3:3-5 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."

Of course, there are Bible verses on rebuking too. If you want to learn more, do a search for the same.

BLOGS (Smack and Counteractive Praise) WHICH ARE ALIVE

Scrap Smack has been going strong since May 2 0f 2007.

Smashed Peas in the Bucket has also been around since May 26, 2007.

Digi Scrap Smack has been open since August of 2007 (while digital disturbances was still open).

What's the Digi Goss? opened February 3, 2008.

Grab Bag Critique is a new this July which shares screen captures of low quality workmanship in grab bags.

Digi Design Critique is also a new blog this July, but focuses on the quality of kits.

Digi Grab Bags Revealed began June 18, 2008

Strictly Revealed is a brand new blog which seems to be on the up and up. It is run by Melanie of byGodsDesign. She receives the bag for free directly from the designer and in turn offers this free advertising. There is no negativism. I was happy to see this new blog as it is all on the up-and-up.

SMACK BLOGS (AND PRAISE BLOGS) WHICH ARE PART OF HISTORY

Digital Disturbia - this blog now requires an invite and was the predecessor to Digital Disturbances.

Digital Disturbances as of September of 2007 it requires an invite.

The Digital Dish is currently open to invited readers only. It was opened after Digital Disturbances closed. I remember reading this one and it was really ugly.

Digiscrap Discussions was set up by Christy with good intentions after Digital Disturbances closed, but has never gotten off the ground.

Scrap Praise is also closed, but was a good attempt to promote a positive attitude.

Scrap Smack UK is closed.

Scrapbook Stuff That Sucks is alive, but inactive.

Inked Edges (Second Video)

I made a second video with a different method to ink edges in Photoshop Elements. It can be found in the Subscriber Area.

Here is the freebie I made while recording the video for you to download. I thought I would do the word "Again!" as that is what I can imagine on a back to school layout for my teen sons.

Have a happy day!

Just Stuff

I thought I'd take a moment to post a personal post for my family and friends (if any of them still read after all that digital scrapbooking stuff I post).

I am finally better after having been sick for 19 days. That was a long haul and a trial on the emotions and body. I just feel tired now after having pushed myself for so long, going to work every day even though I felt horrible (except for the two days I finally took off to go to the doctor). The doctor gave me steriods and antiobotics and it took 4 days for them to begin to work. I was often down thinking no one cared about me, especially with only 4 men in the house. Hubby tried to care as best as a man can try, but the boys never said a word or lifted a finger. That was frustrating. Several days after working all day I would come home and there would be the three of them, sitting about the living room, waiting for me to make them supper (and I was sick!). Did they even have an inkling how bad I felt? I hate it when you look okay, but feel rotten. My friend Julie was the highlight of my sickness when she baked me banana bread and wrote me several e-mails checking in on me. Little things really do mean a lot.

So, since I am already physically exhausted, I decided to go ahead and shock my body into getting up earlier at the regular time again. I figured that rather than feeling yucky now and recouperating only to begin getting up early later and feeling yucky again as I was recouperating, it made more sense to do it now.

I took some time yesterday after work and went to the pool. I've not been swimming all summer and was craving it. I couldn't get the boys to go with me and wish I had someone to converse with, but it was nice to just relax. I love to just lay in the sun. I know it is bad for cancer and wrinkly skin, so I don't push to do it like I used to. I told Mason the other day that he got his dark skin from me and he looked at me funny. He declared that it could not be so because I was always so white. Has it really been that long since I've had a really good tan? I tan so easy too and it takes very little effort to get a good tan for me. That was an eye-opener for me.

The boys started band camp yesterday. Their summer vacation is official over. This week is just percussion and color guard. The boys are going from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week. Next week, for the next two weeks, the entire marching band goes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, with breaks for meals. It always amazes me how they *want* to go and work so hard. The band directors are awesome to instill such values in these youth.

We received Jaron's senior photo proofs yesterday. Wow! They are totally awesome! I am very happy with the photographer we choose. I do not know how I will pick from them all. I bought him his first suit for the photos. Life is full of "firsts" as we watch our children grow and it doesn't stop when they are little. I think his growing has stabled enough that he will not grow out of it soon. In addition, he's borrowed his Dad's suit enough times I'm sure he will be able to make use of his own suit. He looked so handsome. He initially picked out this wild bright orange and blue tie. Thankfully he allowed me to share with him a more subtle tie. He looks so sharp. Some of his proofs really bring out his really long eyelashes. That impressed me.

Logan has been working overnight at Wal-mart this summer with store restructuring. It worked out well that he could find a temporary job just for the summer, but I know he is anxious to get back to college. With him working opposite shifts, I do not see him much. He still enjoys getting together with the group and playing frisbie occassionally.

Hubby's birthday was Sunday and we let him do what he wanted to do. The boys cooperated with him and drove around looking at cars, his most favorite thing in the world to do. Then we went out to eat at Long John Silvers, of all places. He loves to eat there. It is not a place I care to eat, but their shrimp is good, so we go there occassionally just for him. Then we went to see a movie. He picked Wall-E, a Pixar film, of all things. I couldn't believe I was sitting there watching a children's cartoon and that we spent all that money for us to watch it. It was a cute movie, but my boys are grown. Okay, well, I guess that saying about "boys will be boys, but then again, so will men" is so true. I think he picked that movie because so many movies have bad language and stuff in them and so he choose the one that did not. That's admirable, but...

I am excited because my neice's baby is due on Sunday. Every time my phone rings I get a moment of excitement and wonder. I'm attached and watching that phone every moment just waiting for that call. We saw her on Sunday and she has dropped even more. She certainly looks ready to go into labor at any moment. You know how they say a pregnant women "glows." Well, her mother who is going to become "grandma" was glowing more than her.

My brother-in-law is supposed to be home from Iraq and moment now. We are waiting for that call too. He is in the States, just not in town yet. We thank God that He kept in safe.

I have been recording and posting a video of the church sermon each week on the church's website. I am enjoying doing that as I feel I am utilizing my talents to bless others. The new building is going up and it is interesting to watch the progress each week. Now that I am feeling better, I am anxious to get over there to help some day in the construction.

Enough babbling.

I hope all is well with all of you.

Inking Edges in Photoshop Elements (& a Freebie)

There is a new technique challenge in the Subscriber Area for inking edges.

I love this effect! I put it on papers, photos, and a mat. It's great for guy layouts and I forgot how fun it is. I am going to have to make sure to do this technique again.

Credits: Papers and Overlay by Miss Chris



Here is a freebie word art which I made in the below video on how to ink edges. A full size version is in the Subscriber Area.

More Random Polka Dot (& a 3rd video!)

There is always more than one way (and often more than two or three ways) to do one thing. I recorded yet a third video on making polka dot papers for the Subscriber Area.

In doing the recording, I made some papers. It just seems senseless to throw them away and not have them used, so even though they are random, here they are just for you!

Download

Quick Tip #15 - Moving Palettes

Did you know you could do these things with your palettes?

I apologize for the preview, but when I clicked the "x," the palettes would not close for anything! As soon as I turned off the video software, they would close. I even restarted my computer and stopped everything that was running that I could find. Oh well, I think you get the of how it works.

Thanks to everyone who has been leaving me comments lately. They mean a lot to me!

More Gingham (& another video)

I just recorded a second way (there is always more than one way to do things!) to make gingham papers and put it up in the Subscriber Area of the forum.

I thought I would share the few things I made while making the video for those to download.

Download

Wordle.net is too cool!

I am having SO much fun with Wordle.net! I can see so much potential for layouts with it. I made this one with it--just artistic. I like layouts without a lot of elements and stuff on them.

After creating your Wordle, you can save it as a .pdf and import the .pdf into Photoshop Elements for your layouts. Cool, huh?

I recorded a video to show you how to do this and put it in the Subscriber Area as a technique challenge. I look forward to you sharing with me what you can do with this!

*****
Since I had so many questions last time--for you--

To subscribe to the Subscriber Area, read the directions on this page. It is done through the forum for only $5.50 a month to have access to all of my videos (over 125 and recording all the time) and freebies (of which I am working towards adding more, but it's up to 43 templates, 3 full kits, and 22 other freebies).

Sharing Flowers

I have not shared photos of my flowers this year as I did last year.
I do have to give credit to hubby for doing all of the watering this year. I need to get out there and weed. He's always timid to weed as he doesn't know what is a weed and what is not.

The backyard does not look as good as the front yard, so I am just sharing the front yard for now.

Here is a shot of the front of our itty bitty house where me and four men are jammed into.

Abbie Rae always enjoys taking walks in the yard with me to look at all the flowers. I have been too busy even to take 5 minute walks this year. I used to do it daily and she was always excited to walk with me every day.

I really wanted to take photos last week as this bed in the front of the house looked twice as good last week, but I just had no energy and was so sick.

I took a lot of close up photos of individual photos (it's so fun!), but will only share a few.

This is the sidebed in the front yard. It appears hubby is spending way more time in his brother's yard than our yard with all that grass that needs weed eat'n. We are excited though that his brother is due back from Iraq in the next few days.

There were tons of bees and here I stood, trying to get photos of them. Am I stupid?

I caught this one in flight and in the full version it is interesting as to how the wings look in movement when I zoom in. It's odd how you can see a leg to the right, but not the left.

Join me in the Photo Hunt blog meme!

I am going to focus on getting back involved with this Photo Hunt blog meme. I really enjoyed it when I was a regular of it and want to get back into it.

tnchick runs it and she's awesome. She hangs out at Gotta Pixel a lot I have noticed.

Each week she picks a theme. The themes are posted a year at a time so that you can prepare in advance. Here is 2008's themes. Often I choose photos from my stash.

Read more about the Photo Hunt here.

Just post the photo on your blog each week.

The photos are supposed to be posted each Saturday, but because of world time differences, the hunt tends to start happening on Friday evening.

After you post your photo, go to others' blogs to see how they interpreted the theme. She used to maintain a blogroll, but it was too much work.

To find others' blogs, there is a post each week that goes up at 2:00 a.m. central time zone. Add your comment so that others' know you are participating. Go read the comments to find others' blogs.

You can also tag your post for Technorati and go to this page to find others' posts. You can then go to Technorati and search for PhotoHunt to find those who have posted.

Have fun!

Creating Gingham Papers (& a Freebie!)

Here is the next part to my Potty Kit (for layouts of little ones learning to go potty).

In making these papers, I created a video to teach you how to make them.

A higher quality version is in the Subscriber area (along with over 125 other videos for only $5.50 a month!)

If you have never made gingham papers, I think you will be surprised at how easy they are to make! Once you've got them made, use them to make other cute elements!

Thank you for all the comments. I am reading each one of them and will respond as time allows.

If you make anything using this tutorial, please do share with me (by leaving a comment or by sharing with everyone a freebie download in the Subscriber Area).

Download

More Polka Dots

I am trying SO hard to get well! Fifteen days now of these swollen lymph nodes and ear pain is really getting me emotionally down.

I am patiently waiting for the steroids and antibiotics that the doctor gave me today to take effect.

Meanwhile, I recorded an additional video on making polka dots to expand the learning a bit. The video can be found in the Subscriber Area. In making the video, I made these papers which will coordinate with an upcoming "potty" kit.

You can find others' contributions in this same color palette in the forums here. You'd better go take a peek as they did a great work!

Download

It's a Drag and Drop World

Digital scrapbookers will enjoy this video. We drag and drop everything onto our layouts and if we don't like it, we remove it and start over or drag it around until we find something we do like.

I always say that my Photoshop Elements makes me artistic. The reason why is that I can drag things, resize things, and recolor things until they suddenly look good!

If only I could do this in real life. I'd love to be able to drag and drop my sons' rooms in a few slides to make them clean. What about my groceries? Wouldn't it go so much faster and be a lot less lifting, bending, and moving if we could just drag our groceries into our cabinets?

Making Polka Dot Papers, Baby Shower Ideas, and a Freebie

I had a lot of fun at my neice's baby shower. I'd like to share with you!

First, I made some polka dot papers in Photoshop Elements and printed them out on thin inexpensive photo papers with my borderless printer. I was so impressed with out they turned out! I may just have to do this again in the future on other crafts.

Next, I had taken a photo of her with her hands in a heart on her belly. I filled the heart area with polka dots and cut the photo into a heart shape. I saved it as a .png file and printed it out on multiples per page.

I cut the paper into strips and glued them, along with the hearts, so that they slipped over water bottles as labels. It was fun to do girlie crafts for a change since I have all these boys in my house.

I took the "baby" word art that I had made for the invitations and used an Atomic Cupcake action on it to make stickers. I cut them out and glued them to a circle which was then glued to a party stick and stuck into cupcakes. I made white cupcakes with strawberry icing and then simple brownie cupcakes.

I took the leftover cuttings and prints to make a calendar for the guests to write down their guesses on when the baby would be born.

My party planning partner made this scrumptious no sugar angel food cake. The filling is whipped cream with no sugar pudding mix fluffed into it.

She also brought these cute napkins. How simple is that to make something so "wow." She also brought other foods and decorated the gift table, but I think I've shared too many photos already. We all had a great time!

I made a video tutorial to share how I made these polka dot papers in Photoshop Elements. You can find it in the Subscriber Area (which has over 125 videos currently available for only $5.50 a month).

This freebie is also in the Subscriber Area. However, I am offering it here on the blog for a limited time, just as always! I included the sticker as well as a paper made with the sticker. I found it to be cute as a background as well as to cut out for cupcake decorations.

Click here.

Quick Tip #14 Embedding Photos in E-mail using PSE Organizer

Jeannette inquired of me how to embed photos in an e-mail using the Photoshop Elements Organizer, so I did a quick video to help her. I do not generally use this option as the Organizer can use a lot of RAM, but it does have some cool frames and other options if you are really wanting to impress your friends! I generally send embedded photos in Outlook and will do a tutorial on how to do that next.

Let me know if this video helps you! I do so appreciate all the comments I've been getting. Warm fuzzies abound!

Vista Service Pack 1

I was surprised a few days ago to see my Vista machine downloading Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

When new Operating Systems (OS) come out for Windows, you always hear people say to wait at least until the first Service Pack comes out so that the major bugs can be fixed. I am assuming that since this Service Pack 1 is now out, more people will feel more comfortable in utilizing Vista. With a Service Pack the OS is usually considered stable.

I have not had too many problems with Vista and find it much like XP. After the initial finding-my-way-around, it became clear that most everything is in the same place as before, but just a different method to go about finding the things.

The only thing I find annoying about Vista is when it asks for owner's permission and temporarily goes into a greyed out screen. I don't really see the need for this and it does freak you out each time it happens. I'm not sure there is any getting used to that.

Cnet's review of the Service Pack 1 is average, indicating that it has a lot of good stuff in it, but not everything needed.

Here's a great video I found on the subject.

The last resort

I have resorted to (and no, not the resort by the beach I would like to go to) gargling with heavily salted water.

Yep, when I have full adenoids and ear pain, the last resort is to gargle salt water and let it set in the abscesses of my throat to kill off all the bad stuff.

Of course, it's probably all in my head. I have this weird imaginative vision in my head that the little salt crystals are attacking all the little bad germies that reside in far edges of my neck. Hey, if imagination can make it feel better, why not!

P.S. It didn't work. What next?

P.S.S. Hey, I think it just started to work as I was typing that. My ear pain has a little release in it. Will my adenoids be next to feel better?

Off to gargle again.

Quick Tip #13 - No Marching Ants

In this tip, learn how to make those pesty marching ants, also known as selections, go away so you can see what you are working with, all the while keeping the selection. Yep, its invisible selections!

I'd love to hear from you why you would use this tip. I am having trouble coming up with reasons why I would make the selection invisible.

More Conversations with Teenage Sons (& More Bathroom Babbles)

Conversations with Teenage Sons

Son: Mom, can I raise the mirror in the bathroom?

Mom: (it suddenly hits her why he's asking this and she is trying to hold back a big grin) Why? Do you have to bend over to see yourself?

Son: Yeah.

Mom: But if you raise it, then it will be too high for me and I'll have to stand on a chair to see myself.

Son: Well, it's your turn. I've had to bend over for about 2 years now.

Mom: I guess I need to go shopping for a larger mirror (and no, you are not moving that mirror!)


So, I had to have the other son pose in front of the mirror for me just so I could get a photo to blog about it. I had to hold the camera up next to his face to get a shot of what it looks like from his view.

It appears he's had this problem for even more years than the younger son and never said a word.

It reminds me of when I see my children growing every day that I do not see them growing as someone who has not seen them in months. We do not notice the subtle growths until something is totally outgrown. We outgrow our clothes; we out grow our space; we outgrow our childish ways, we outgrow our hurts, we outgrow our tastes for things, and we outgrow our mirrors.

There are some things we never outgrow. We never outgrow our need to be loved.

Most importantly, we never outgrow our faith. From the moment God gives us our gift of faith, it takes root and grows. Our faith is ever growing throughout our entire life. God in His wonderful ways as given us unfathamable faith that can never be outgrown. We never have to stoop down to see the faith which is in us.

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Sometimes I feel closer to God than at other times. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is just working through me; other times it just seems blah. However, it is not God who has moved away from me. It is me who has moved away from God. He is always there for me, waiting for me anxiously to come to Him.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Once again, my life is happening in our bathroom. Read other Bathroom Babbles.

Honoring Grandpa Kit (Freebie)

This post was originally posted on July 4, 2007.

I am reposting it to let you know that this kit has now been added as a freebie to all that are subscribed to the Subscriber Area of my site. To become a subscriber to see all of my videos for $5.50 per month. This is my first addition to the freebie section in the Subscriber Area, but I do plan on adding more quickly and, thereafter, shutting down my store.

I am combining the Themed Thursday this week with a freebie to celebrate the 4th of July and to honor my Grandpa who passed away this year.

{edit} Themed Thursday challenges are now in the forums. You can find this one here.

This is a layout I made with my freebie kit. I have studied several photos of Grandpa in uniform and because he has no medals or other insignia on his uniform in these photos, I believe these photos to be the ones taken before he left for WWII. Grandpa was in Patton's Army, in the Battle of the Bulge, and made it all the way to the wall before his legs froze. I like the quote I found as it seems applicable to how brave he must have been heading out.

Quote on Layout: "The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it." Thucydides



Claudette made some freebies with the kit. Read the post about it here.

If you use my kit, please do share with me your layout. I love warm fuzzies!

The frames in this kit and several other elements were made from the photos above, so they are authentic of the time period. Credit: Atomic Cupcake actions.

Rejection

So, I am making some changes to my site and the decision was not easy. I was not sure what reaction to expect from people. Would I get ugly e-mails just because I decided not to give away my templates and new videos for free any more?

I announced the day before that I was making changes, but I do not believe people really read. I know I am guilty of that.

So, I put out my first e-mail that the newest template is available in the Subscriber area and watched. I immediately saw people trying to access the page to download the freebie. It takes no time when I send out an e-mail for me to see the traffic.

It wasn't very long after that I observed someone unable to access the freebie unsubbed from the Yahoo notifications group.

I'm not sure what to think about that.

At first, I sort of want to run after the person saying, "Wait! If you really cannot afford the Subscriber area, just ask and I'll give you the freebie. Don't leave me. You've been with me so long. I'm so sorry to make you so mad, but my decision wasn't easy. Am I that horrible that you should leave me?"

I feel a sting of rejection. So, I'm not worthy to this person any longer?

Then on the other hand I want to say "Good ridence! If the only thing you are interested in is getting my template for free and you are not interested in anything else I am doing, then I don't need you around!"

And then I feel guilty for even allowing myself to think that. It seems so wrong and so cruel.




At least I have assurance that God never rejects me. Even when I do not please Him, He does not reject me.

Matthew 15:24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

For it is when I am doing things that do not please Him that He is there for me, a lost sheep, wandering about where I should not be. He is ready to forgive me and bring me back into His loving arms.

Isn't that an awesome feeling!

I can only pray that I can go and do likewise to others; to reach out to those who feel rejected and let them know that they are accepted. I know I fail at this too, although it is in my heart to be this kind of person.

Everyone only wants to feel accepted. So many people do not feel accepted. Why is it so hard for us to feel good about a person and yet not express it to them so that they feel accepted?

Who is it out there that feels I do not accept them when in my heart I really do? They just do not know I do because I have not said what I need to say.

If you are reading this, please know you are not alone and that people do accept you. Life just stinks sometimes.

Template #43

Template #43 is now up for free in the Subscriber area!

It utilizes the same techniques as shared in yesterday’s video for clear text on the speaking bubbles.





I am anxious to see what you can do with this one. It has so much more potential that what I did with it.

Buying New Sheets

I absolutely love Overstock.com for buying my bedding! I've always been happy with the products. Hopefully this will be true today too.

I am so in love with the sheets I currently have one my bed that I only wish I could order the same set. They have lasted over 4 years and are now getting big holes in them. I went to look up what they were and there is no name brand with them, but they are 400 count and only cost me $52.94.


I took a peek at local prices once again and found that for my queen size bed, a 500 count sheet would cost me at least $80.00 on sale.

Everyone knows not to get sheets less than 200 count as they will begin pilling and getting those ugly balls in no time. I remember when I was SO poor that I could only afford the cheapest sheets and I absolutely hated getting all those little pills off of my sheets as they felt horrible to sleep in. I would sit for hours just pulling off those balls to get the most worth out of my money.

Four years ago I found Overstock.com and bought these current sheets and I never want to go back! Actually, comparing the length of time the sheets last to the cost, the better sheets cost less over the long run.

Overstock has this really cool search feature to find just the right sheets for your needs. Each time you choose an option, it refines the search. Of course, I started with size, then I search by thread count. I was looking at the 800 to 1000 thread counts, but realized in reading comments that going to high on count might not be good either. It appears that the high counts are very thick and heavy. In addition, they feel scratchy until they are washed several times.

So, I decided to search for "sateen," which is what my last set was, and then by price. I found this 600 count set. It does not have many details in the description, but neither did my last set. It says it has pockets large enough and it was available in the right color too! My last set was a sage color (the first time I'd ever had anything but white) and I'm in love with it.

So, I went for this one. I figured I'd test out the next count up, being 600 instead of 400, to see what it is like. Over the years, maybe I'll find the perfect count for me.

Oh, now for them to only arrive! Aren't snuggle down in new sheets just like a vacation? Maybe I need to find some new bubble bath with a great scent before the arrive.