Advent calendar -- a book a day

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(image source)

This advent calendar idea is to wrap books for a child to unwrap each day and then read together with the child.  I love this idea and can see it even being used by a teacher or preschool or home daycare.  If you have the funds, new books could be purchased.  However, I can see this with books that have not been read in a while as a way to recycle and make new what you already have.

I can also see this idea as small boxes wrapped that can be reused each year to save money on paper.  You could put books in the boxes or any other idea that you might have.

Wouldn't this be a fun thing to make for your grandchildren?  You could make simple digital scrapbooking layouts with a message and insert them in the box along with a piece of candy or other small gift.

Sign up for classes to begin December 1!

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DECEMBER CLASSES FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS

The subscriber area is accessible for only $5.50 per month. You do not pay per class, but rather one fee to view everything available. For more information on how to subscribe, click here.

You can do the lessons as a lurker. However, the classes provide support to help you complete the lessons and challenges, as well as the community experience of doing them with others. It's amazing what earning an icon by your name can do to motivate people!
You can register for the below classes here.

You can review the guide for each class, along with details about the class and a description on the tutorials tab on the banner at the top of the page. Just scroll down the sidebar to look for the class you are interested in.

Registration is open through December 7th.


OPEN CLASSES FOR DECEMBER ONLY

DESIGNER CLASS
Are you interested in designing your own kits or just want to gain some skills to make your own elements and papers for your personal scrapping? This class is for you!  This class also includes creating a blog, copyright, and many other topics.

THE FUN EXTRAS
Take a trip with us through some of the more less known gems of the forum... and get to know each other in the process!

COURSE 2
This is one of the most popular classes at Hummie's World! You are about to embark on a journey of techniques and discoveries that will have you scrapping for a long time! This is not a class meant to be rushed through!!! Take your time and really absorb the information.

COURSE 2 TAKE 2
Because of the success of Course 2, many of our "pioneers" wanted to have a refresher course on what they've learned. So, we've taken the lessons, jumbled them up, and are offering them to you once again for a new icon for you to sport in the forum! So-- this course is designed for those who have completed the first 80 lessons in Course 2.

ELEMENTS CHALLENGE
Get inspired to use elements in a different way. You will be encouraged to think outside the box!

The above  classes will always be visible for viewing to subscribers. Once enrolled, you can continue earning credit for lessons as long as you reach the monthly goal set for you. There is no need to enroll again each month.

The below three classes will only be open for viewing during the month of December and will not be available again until June. It is our hope that by limiting participation to three extra challenges each month that more will participate in each class at a time, rather than being spread out over so many classes. Let's scrap together as a community! Scrap as many layouts as you can in a month and then join us again in six months to pick up where you left off. 

USE IT CHALLENGE




Each challenge has a download available made by Hummie. Use it in your layout. Get creative and be inspired! Just use it! Use it simply, sophisticated, elegantly, or whacky. Just use it! Use it high or use it low. Just use it! Use it under or over. Just use it! Easy does it, easy doozes it. Just use it! Use it in, use it out, use it round about. Just use it! Use it small or use it big. Just use it! Use it natural or use it recolored. Just use it! Use it straight or use it twisted. Just use it! Use it now or you'll have missed it!

 

FAITHBOOKING


Faithbooking is simply keeping a "book" of your "faith." Faithbooking is intigrating our faith beliefs and faith experiences into scrapbook pages. Faithbooking is leaving a legacy of faith heritage to our children, and our children's children. Faithbooking emphasises our spiritual journal.  Please read more about faithbooking on the guide for this brand new upcoming class.

RECIPE CHALLENGE



Are you looking for something to give as a gift? Then hurry to do these lessons and create a book or set of cards!

Are you wanting a new fresh way to organize your own recipes? Choose a new set-up and create layouts with recipes on them. There are many ideas in ways to utilize digital scrapbooking layouts as recipes. You can create a hardbound book at Shutterfly. You can create 6 x 4 cards and print them individually and put them in a box or a binder with that size slots. You can make full page layouts and put them in three ring binders with sleeves. The ideas are endless.

Teach the Children

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Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa.

As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something important was missing. It wasn't long before the tiny, twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep. I don't know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn't alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as poem described him, but he was not the "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed. And there were tears in his eyes.

"Santa, what's wrong?" I asked. "Why are you crying?"

"It's the children." Santa replied sadly.

"But Santa, the children love you." I said.

"Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts I bring them," Santa said, "but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It's not their fault. It's just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children."

"Teach them what?" I asked.

Santa's kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly.

"Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent."

Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. "Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen, with it's unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. It's needles point heavenward as a reminder that man's thoughts should turn heavenward as well."

Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. "The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always fulfills his promises, and that wise men still seek Him."

"Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. "Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave his life and shed his blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red it should remind them of that most wonderful gift."

Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided, to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."

Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how man can show his thanks for the gift of God's son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ's footsteps. To go about doing good. Teach them to let their light so shine before men that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkle lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see."

Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane is in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the crook of the Good Shepherd, which He uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life. Teach these things to the children."

Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh, fragrant greenery and tied with a bright red bow. "The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love." "The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children."

"But where does that leave you Santa?" I asked. The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face.

"Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving.

If the children are taught these other things there is no danger that I'll ever be forgotten."

"I think I'm beginning to understand at last." I replied.

"That's why I came," said Santa. "You're an adult. If you don't teach the children these things, then who will?"

Author Unknown

Paper Cone Decoration

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(image source)

This is so simple and creative.  The right papers were chosen to make this just right too.  Click on the image source link above to download the printable pdf templates. The creator filled each cone with goodies to be used as an advent calendar.

I can see this done with digital scrapbooking papers (as always, don't I always think that way?) to open up a world of possibilities.

Crossing the monkey bars

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Letting Go:

Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward. - Anonymous.

Snow in my yard today! Will it be a bad winter?

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SNOW!  As I left for work, I was greeted with the snow in the yard that fell last night.  I thought it was all sleet that I kept hearing while we watched tv, but it appears that eventually we had some snow while we slept.



I cannot remember the last time I saw a blue sunny sky and it is not even December yet! I have been worried for a while that we are going to have a bad winter. Winter has never set in this early for this long before that I can remember.  I'm already feeling cabin fever like I usually do not feel until mid-January.  We have had snow in November before, but not such a long time without a sunny day, even if cold temperatures.

I've heard rumors that there are forecasts for a bad winter too.  It has something to do with the wet year we had earlier in the year. You may recall all the flooding we had here in Southeast Missouri.

So I googled and found this Huffington Post writing which includes the NOAA, Farmer's Almanac, and The Weather Centre. From the Farmer's Almanac condensed version on this post, I cannot tell which region Missouri would fall, but if we are considered the Midwest, it says "very snowy conditions" and The Weather Centre indicates "Above-average snowfall."

As long as it is snow and not ice, I'll be okay with it.

I found this image here.

So Missouri is in the "average temps very wet" region -- does that mean a lot of wet rain or wet snow?

I found this image here.

This puts Cape Girardeau in the white, so what does that mean?  The "above average snowfall" is above my city on this map.

Only time will tell. Who knows if there is any validity to any of these reports, but the wishful thinking of possibly forecasting long range makes life fun.

I bet the "wooly worm" gives the best forecast.  I need to find one of them, but I've never seen one in the Fall.  Hmmmm.

Tutorial - Making Distressed Sticker

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Here is a nice video tutorial for converting a hand drawn image to a sticker and then distressing it. You can find the download and the original post by Viva Artistry with this video here.  I was unable to find the brush she refers to in the video.

Wooden Photo Gift Idea

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I found this video tutorial below for transferring photos onto a piece of wood. I immediately thought about how anything could be made with digital scrapbooking skills and then transferred onto a piece of wood. Any size can be done too.

It is important to note that the printed image must be done with a laser printer, not an inkjet; however, the print can be done on any paper. Many copy machines are laser print.  In addition, mirror the image before printing.

I am familiar with Modge Podge, as I feel most people are, but I am not familiar with a gel medium. I found it described at ScrapJazz. This appears to be the product at Hobby Lobby.

Wouldn't make a great Christmas gift for grandparents?

693 Christmas and Winter Scrapbooking Titles!

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There are 693 titles to choose from!  Do you find this useful? 

Click here to see them.

Going to have a tea party!

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I am so excited as I plan a tea party for nieces and great-nieces!  I want to make this an annual thing and so I wanted to find some special teacups to use each year.  Here's a sneak peak at one of the cups I found over the weekend.  There are three colors, pink, yellow, and blue.  They were on clearance.

This idea started from my nephew mentioning all of my barbies and dolls and gear that he remembered me keeping from my childhood.  I must have shared it with him when he was young and he remembered! 

Of course, I had three sons, so all this stuff from my childhood sits in the basement.  I had an idea to have a tea party for just the girls and their moms and to bring up all of my childhood toys to play.  I'm sure when I get it all up, I will be sharing photos on the blog. 

I have makeup, pins, and hair bows for us to start our party with too.  It's going to be SO much fun.  I cannot wait!

House of Fifty Holiday Guide

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This is 186 pages of eye candy!  Just flip the pages and if one topic doesn't inspire you, the next is sure to pique your curiosity. There are even click-able links to resources online.

Open publication - Free publishing - More decor

Build a stand up world with Punched Out Font

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(Image Source - in comments)

Okay, I SERIOUSLY want to find time to try this!     The Punched Out font is available for download at Dafont or Fontstruct.  It looks to be a tedious project, but you can print the font, cut along the solid lines, fold along the dotted lines, and put some glue on the shaded flaps. 

It would be great printed with digital scrapbooking paper, huh?

I can see the letters made with various sizes and placed in frames or setting on shelves.  What words would inspire and move you to have displayed in your home?

Resource Roundup

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Here's a list of some resources that have been shared either recently or from the archives.

Happy clicking!
*****

Gift Wrapping Ideas - love these because they are so simple.

Free Gift Tags

Snowflake doily ornament - would be great on top of a gift package

I need one of these earbud cases. I keep loosing mine. I wonder if there are any at etsy

I remember waiting for people to get to Facebook--then waiting for people to get to Twitter--now waiting on them to get to G+ -- change hard (10/11/11)

Yeah! Facebook sued! So come join me on Google Plus! Where are you all there anyway? (10/11/11)

I have just installed the iOS 5 for my iPhone. It took 48 minutes in total (10 min to download). Is anyone else downloading? (10/12/11)

Yeah for the hashtags on google plus! It brings the best of Twitter to G+! (10/12/11)

hey, pray for us ... to have strength to make it through this difficult time with one of our relatives health -- it's whipping us like cream (10/13/11)

First post from my new iPhone 4gs!! (10/17/11)

Why are two sons concerned about angry birds and whose genes did they get that from. (10/17/11)

iPhone 4S : Invoke Siri, then hit the "i". Then tap on the respective app you want to know how to ask Siri about. Gives you commands. (10/18/11)

Google Plus Users: Look what I found. This is useful! Add yourself! http://www.group.as/digital+scrapbooking/ (Oct 21)

I was told tonight I am very light on my feet when I dance; great, now I feel like one of those football players on dancing with the stars. (10/23/11)

The cards did it! #worldseries Whooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Super di duper! (10/21/11)

Whooo hooooooooooooooooooo! It ain't over until it's over! Cards tie it! #cardinals #worldseries (10/27/11)

Good morning world. Today I miss my Dad (on his bday) and it is the final game of #worldseries and it is Friday. Yep. That's today. (10/28/11)

Apparently, David Freese, who hit home run bottom of the 11th to win Game 6, is from my Alumni High School District. Who would have thunk. (10/28/11) 

Dictionary Art

Thirteen Hybrid Gifts to Buy or Make

More Rounded Corners Photoshop Tutorial

Placing a Frame Within a Photo Area

Felt Magnet Tutorial

Fabric Gift Tag Advent Calendar Tutorial

Photoshop Elements: Use an Alpha Sheet

Tabbed Ornament tutorial

Inked Edges (written tutorial)

Holiday Tag Tutorial (could be ornament or used year round)

Free Christmas Tag Roundup at Mel Stampz

Make your Own Custom Notepads

All Lined Up tutorial

@MoTravelMama: The Missouri Wine app is now available for free download. It provides winery listings, maps & wine

@oldguycomedy: a barrel of fun yeah! Uh is this with or without monkeys?! Lol” You are so funny! (11/3/11)

@oldguycomedy: Disclaimer: not responsible for accidents due to uncontroled out bursts of laughter in ones cubicle!!! Lol!” LIOC!!!! LIOC!! (11/3/11)

@oldguycomedy @digiscrapfun If you don't stop I'll need an Underwear Hero appearance ! (11/3/11)

@oldguycomedy Goodness! What did the doctor give you today? ( for you back) that set off your funny bone ? (11/3/11)

@oldguycomedy @digiscrapfun LIMC!!!!!! (laughing in my cubicle) (11/3/11)

http://www.apple.com/iphone/tips/ I'm studying up on the iPhone/iPad tips -- some are great! Like to click the bar at top to scroll up.

Reminiscing about the beginning of the "Underwear Hero" inside joke. Was it really in 2006? (11/8/11)

and did I seriously ever blog about feminine pads? What was I thinking! (11/8/11)

Cool! Tweets from the Members of Congress! (as if I followed politics, but I still think the list is cool)

I'm remembering last year the give-a-way a day on my blog with patterns as a "nov thanks" & this year I'm thankful I don't have that stress! (11/10/11)

@three13gifts: A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.”

Tomorrow is 11/11/11- I feel a deep sense of oneness. Shall we think peace? Tomorrow is Remembrance Day-pause in silence @ 11:11 a.m. *p.m.?

I cannot record a video because this numbness from the dentist won't wear off. Maybe it is a required not off with tv. (11/10/11)

Loss of power in Cape Girardeau! Fun fun! (11/14/11)

Sitting in dark at home. Now what? Have to go sit in car to charge phone I guess. (11/14/11)

BK is hopping-- everyone with no electricity eating out. Saw gym was open. I guess I go there next. So much for working. (11/14/11)

Good morning world! My son turns 21 years old today! Today is another sappy, sentimental day for me.

I'm in shock! One son actually remembered the others birthday and sent a card to arrive on time! Maybe its a sign they will be ok.

Delicious has a cool new "stack" feature. I kind of like it and can't wait to play

software program to keep your computer synced with the official gov time. (June 2009)

Why is the http://www.time.gov/ official US time 5 minutes different than my computer? What about yours? (June 2009)

A reminder from me: How long has it been since you backed up your computer? I just started my backup. (June 2009)

upcoming cookbook from the lady who used her crock pot every day in 2008 6/22/09

My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. Clarence Budinton Kelland 6/21/09

A father sees himself in his child's eyes. Alexander Wood 6/21/09

Alphabeat from the UK reminds me of that good old 80's pop rock music. 6/21/09

The Story of Fathers Day - email it to Dad 6/20/09

Trying out Tremors to see what it does for me...new ap for Twitter.

May God's love guide you through the special plans He has for your life. 6/19/09

Learning that stupid people get Granny Art for free and turn around and sell it. WHAT! More #digiscrap drama. 6/18/09

Photoshop Tip page (not sure I've ever seen this page before.) 6/19/09

Table of Condiments That Periodically Go Bad 6/18/09

God's Chisel 6/18/09

RT @justjulzz: for those creative souls with iPhone, this looks like a MUST HAVE app "BRUSHES" NOW I need an iPhone 6/18/09

My prayer at the moment: May God bring this country to calmness and peace 6/18/09

How to play chess on Twitter. But don't these twits get annoying to other readers? 6/18/09

I am thanking God right now that I live in America. 6/17/09

For Fathers Day (don't cry) 6/17/09

Facebook FanPage created after May 31, 2009 or had less than 1,000 fans on that day will be eligible to claim usernames on Sun June 28, 2009 6/15/09

This article was helpful to me about what MMS is. 6/15/09
About tethering 6/15/09

This is the day that we are to recommit ourselves to God's service. 6/14/09

God no longer counts my sin; so I no longer count other's sin. 6/14/09

Camxso at Diviant Art has some cool shapes (found via @scrappincop) 6/14/09

Isnt' this a super realistic looking #digiscrap page by Akizo? 6/14/09

What a neat blog called "I am blessed"--awesome quotes, inspiration, and photos. 6/23/09

I must have missed that Ray Boltz is gay somewhere along the way. Still love this song! Praise God! 6/13/09

Color Combinations on your Layouts 6/13/09

Another great article! Finding time for our hobby: 6/13/09

New blog post: 10 ways to save time: leave comments and share your ideass: 6/13/09

Create a realistic puzzle from any digital photo 6/12/09

Simulate a polarizing filter with the gradient tool 6/12/09

Quick Zoom Shortcuts in Photoshop (yeah, PSE has some similar ones, did you know that?..I guess I need a tut!)6/12/09

How about some typography tutorials to use as inspiration for digiscrap layouts. 6/12/09

May flowers of love around thee be 'twined, and the sunshine of peace shed its joy o'er thy mind 6/12/09

I could probably eat and eat and eat @AngiePedersen 's Strawberry Awesome Salad Thing! 6/11/09

MGL Scraps from SBG shares a nice tutorial for extracting a toy truck for a layout. 6/18/09

Man Sings Basket Of Puppies To Sleep!! Cute!! 6/16/09

Very interesting: LCD monitor test images; learn about specific calibrating. 6/15/09

animal dingbat font! Too cool! 6/14/09

Youtube is setting itself up to be the video place for Twitter. I'm glad..don't need another place to keep up with! 6/11/09


Easier-Than-Ever Scrapbooking 2 from Creating Keepsakes - new in 2009! 6/10/09

March/April issue of Scrapbook Business Magazine 6/10/09

CK Media magazine Simple Scrapbooks - former staffers of the magazine launch a new site 6/10/09 4:55 PM Jun 10th, 2009 via TwitterGadget

Stretchy Yoga Baby. Just about adorable! 6/10/09

Uggg...my son just said "mom, what do I do with this?" and I turned around and it was a CAT!..He wants to keep it. Uggg! 6/10/09

Off to the dentist -- regular cleaning -- still don't want to do it; would rather sleep! 6/10/09

If He brings you to it He will bring you through it. 6/10/09

Going to bed early; tired; feet hurt; dentist at 8 a.m.; so when did 10 p.m. become early? That used to be the limit in my earilier days. 6/09/09

Back to TwitterGadget in the browers, only using 23,028 k memory....much better option; back to sticking with it. 6/09/09

Finally trying out the ever popular Tweetdeck; basic setup uses 93,788 K of memory....wow! See...don't need that; that's why stayed away! 6/9/09

Profound statement of the day (yeah, right): Cashews on an empty stomach make for some really smelly farts. 6/9/09 [/LIST]
Just returned from Wal-mart grocery shopping. Bought lots of main dish stuff with a full cart, but pleasantly surprised at low total cost. 6/8/09
I am LOVING this and may need to do it! Ecological business card - create and buy a stamp! Stamp it anywhere! 6/8/09

Loving how the wet water theme is portrayed in this layout at The LilyPad 6/8/09

Crystal Rae Photography: 1st Ever Tutorial: Make Eyes Pop 6/8/09

God always gives the best to those who leave the choice with Him. 6/8/09

Must have walked through a tick nest today; now I cannot stop imagining them tickling me as they walk; uggg! Maybe bath will help. 6/6/09

I'm headed out to spend night with high school & college friends (& the hot tub and wine). Be gone 24 hours, but may twit from cell phone. 6/5/09

Sitting outside with hubby at Panera weekly date eating strawberry salad and panini 6/5/09

Remember to stay young and have fun! (To a young heart everything is fun. Charles Dickens) 6/5/09

80+ Very inspiring uses of Typography 6/5/09

Got paid; paid bills; no money now; Isn't that the general story of life? 6/5/09

Okay, I cannot keep up with everyone in the Subscriber Area today! Praise God though! 6/4/09

I just PM'd myself; that's pretty bad. Hey self! 6/4/09

A link for all you 80's music fans! 6/4/09

Texting son now: "You did not tell me where you are: punishment? You buy me a Sonic slushee cause I need one" Do you think it will work? 6/3/09

Maybe if I do enough laundry now I can convince myself that I deserve a Sonic slushee. You think? My fav is cherry vanilla or watermelon 6/3/09

Okay. They said "slushee run" at work, then did not go. I've got Sonic Slushee on the brain and now there's no son home to go get me one! 6/3/09

Life is a series of surprises, and would not be worth taking or keeping if it were not. 6/2/09

Wanda's prayer journal post. Just added a tab to my Microsoft OneNote for a prayer journal. 6/2/09

Create a #digiscrap color scheme at ColorRotate. overview here. Go play! 6/2/09

Does anyone ever feel they are always buying mops? Why don't they last long enough? Done vaccuuming...headed out to water garden and weed. 6/1/09

Oh, and my jean shorts now have that natural stone-washed look to them. Sigh. Off to vaccuum. Sigh. How quiet though! I'm alone. 6/1/09
Does anyone else ever feel a need to clean the bathroom naked? I'm soaked! Softscrub bleach works great, but now need a new t-shirt. 6/1/09

Praise God! My son just got a second part-time job to help pay for college; we were worried in this economy. 6/1/09

Someone shared FreeFoto in my gallery; a place to get non-commercial use designs for layouts, blogs, etc. 6/1/09

Headed to funeral (hubby's cousin) hour drive there and back - will make for a long day. 5/31/09

I'm LOVING Microsoft OneNote! I think I'm addicted now. I'm going to be organized! 5/31/09

Watching Kayla (The Legacy Lady) Letterpress Drawer Digital Style video #digiscrap 5/31/09

Love how she did this #digiscrap layout with the omg title and use of black and white 5/30/09

Jen shared an awesome favorites folder tip for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements Users #digiscrap #photoshop 5/30/09

Check out photos of our fun food at our weekly dinner date tonight 5/29/09

I like this #digiscrap layout 5/29/09

Cape Girardeau has first confirmed H1N1 virus case. Finally reached us. Sigh. 5/29/09

So, I go to back my vehicle up and am scared by this person in my side view mirror! Oh, wait! It's me! Somebody bumped the mirror! Scary! 5/28/09

How To Create Light Sources from Various Directions in Photoshop 5/28/09

Typekit is a trending topic now; but worth the read for the knowledge:5/28/09

#3wordsaftersex is a trending topic?!!! My answer: "Love ya, honey." 5/28/09

I cannot find my bras, but of course, hubby NEVER does (admits) anything wrong, even when he touches laundry when I tell him he's forbidden 5/28/09

Next Newsletter Freebie

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Here's the next newsletter freebie! If you know from past freebies where to find it in the forum, you can get it now.  If not, be sure to be signed up for the newsletter to get the link in your inbox. There's a sign-up box on the homepage of the forum. http://www.hummiesworld.com/  or the blog.

The Innkeeper's Tale

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They think I'm some kind of cruel, heartless landlord. Someone must have told them that. But they're wrong, just plain wrong, and it's time to set the record straight, once and for all.

People say I'm an innkeeper. I suppose you'd call it an inn. To us it's just a big house. My grandfather, Joshua ben-Yahoudi, built it back when his trading business was at a peak. And he built it big enough to fit all fourteen kids.

Well, a few years ago, the missus and I were just rattling around in that big house--kids grown up and all--and we were thinking, maybe we could take in a few travelers. Rachel has always been mighty good in the kitchen, so we just let out word that we'd take people in, and they started to come. Every night we'd have a person or two, sometimes more. People would always come back when they came to town again, intent on another bowl of Rachel's lamb stew.

Then came that blankety-blank census the governor thought up. Taxation, pure and simple! People from all over the province flooded into town that week. Filled us clean up. Rachel and I slept in the main room where we always do, and we started putting guests in the other three rooms. They kept coming. Then we doubled up two or three families to a room. They kept coming. Finally, when we had filled the main room with four families plus Rachel and me, we started turning people away.

I must have gotten in and out of bed ten times that night, stumbling over bodies to get to the door. "No more room, sorry folks. No more room. Come back in the morning. We have a couple of families leaving then." They'd mutter something and head back to their party, and sleep somewhere next to a house under the shelter of a blanket. I just couldn't make any more room. That's the honest truth.

But I did make room for one more couple. Joseph was a burly man with big arms and strong hands, down from Nazareth, I think he said. He wouldn't take "no" for an answer. I would say, "No, I'm sorry," and he'd tell my about his "little Mary." Well, when I saw "little Mary" she wasn't very little. She was just about as pregnant as a woman can get, and awfully pale. While Joseph was pleading, I saw her grab her tummy in pain, and I knew I couldn't let her have that baby outside in the wind and sleet.

The barn. That would just have to do, I told myself, and led them and their donkey out back. Now it was pretty crowded, so I shooed several animals into the pen outside to make room in one dry corner. Joseph said, "We sure are grateful, sir." Then with a serious look, he asked me, "Do you know where I can find a midwife in these parts? We might need her tomorrow or the next day."

That man didn't know much about having babies, it was plain enough to see. I ran to Aunt Sarah's house and pounded on the door until her husband came. "One of the travelers is having a baby," I told him. "I'll wait while Aunt Sarah gets dressed." I stopped a moment to catch my breath. "And tell her to hurry."

By the time we got back to the barn, Joseph had "little Mary" settled on some soft, clean hay, wrapped up in a blanket, wiping the perspiration off her brow, and was speaking softly to her as she fought the waves of pain. Aunt Sarah sent me to get my Rachel, and then pushed Joseph and me out of the barn. "This ain't no place for men," she said.

We waited just outside in the shelter of the barn for hours, it seemed like. Well, all of a sudden, we hear a little cry. "You've got a baby boy," Aunt Sarah was saying as we peeped around the corner. She hands the young-un to Rachel, and she wraps it up in those swaddling bands she had saved. Cute little thing, I tell you.

Well, Joseph goes over to Mary and gives her a big hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and Rachel hands Mary the baby, and then comes over to me and takes my hand. "Remember when our Joshua was born?" she whispers. The lantern was blowing almost out, the cattle were lowing softly, and baby Jesus was asleep in his mother's arms. That's how I left them as I walked Aunt Sarah home. Chilly wind, though the sleet had stopped.

By the time I got back, Rachel was in bed, and I was about ready to put out the light, step over sleeping bodies, and get under the warm covers, when I heard some murmuring out by the barn.

I'd better check, I told myself. When I peeped in, I saw shepherds. Raggedy, smelly old shepherds were kneeling down on the filthy barn floor as if they were praying. The oldest one was saying something to Joseph about angels and the Messiah. And the rest of them just knelt there with their heads bowed, some with tears running down their faces.

I coughed out loud, and Joseph looked up. I was almost ready to run those thieving shepherds off, when Joseph motioned to me with his hand. "It's okay," he whispered. "They've come to see the Christ-baby."

The Christ-baby? The Messiah? That was when I knelt, too. And watched, and prayed, and listened to the old shepherd recount his story of angels and heavenly glory, and the sign of a holy baby, wrapped in swaddling bands, to be found in a stable-manger.

My Lord,, it was my stable where the Christ-baby was born. My manger he rested in. My straw, my lamp, my wife Rachel assisting at his birth.

The shepherds left after a while. Some of them leaned over and kissed the sleeping Christ-child before they departed. I know I did.

I'll always be glad I made room in the barn for that family-- that holy family. You see, I'm not some mean inn-keeper. I was there. I saw him. And, you know, years later that boy came back to Bethlehem, this time telling about the Kingdom of God. Oh, I believe in him, I tell you. I was there. And, mark my words, if you'd seen what I've seen, you'd be a believer, to.

by Ralph F. Wilson

I'm sharing my December background with you

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I loved the fall background I made and shared, but it was time for a change up, so I took this photo today and blended it with some textures for you (and me).

You can download the full size on Flickr, just click on the "actions" drop down and choose "view all sizes." I hope you enjoy it!

Help us make a holiday color book!

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The nature color book was popular and everyone's participation brought me great joy!  I thought we would do another one, but this time have fun taking and sharing photos from the holiday decorations.  I'm anxious to see what's in your corner of the world.

For more details, see the forum here.

This is the first one I made ...I decided later that it was so dark!

Quick Tip #19 - Using Alphabets

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Why do alphabets come in two formats? Sometimes they are on the same file and sometimes they are individual .png files? Hopefully, the designers are making both available in each of their files.

How do you separate them to use them when they are on one file?

I first shared this video on 8/13/08.  You can view it in the forum sample video area here.

Blast from the past

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Why oh why did we keep these phones?  Hubby found them in a box in the basement and it was an immediate blast from the past!  I remember when we thought they were SO cool because we were not tied down by a cord.  These were SO expensive and that is maybe why they were saved in the basement.  We haven't had a land line for at least 5 years now, so what good are they to us now?  It just reminds me not to save possessions, but to share them while they are still good to someone.

Letting go of certainties . .

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Letting Go:  Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties. - Gail Sheehy.

Google Friend Connect to go away

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I know a lot of people seem to have Google Friend Connect on their blogs, so I thought I would share this with you because it is going away.  To see what else is going away from Google, click here.  You may want to watch next year (or do it now) and remove the widget from your sidebar.

Give Thanks

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"Let's go over the list once more," I muttered to myself at the check-out stand. "Oatmeal, frying chickens, and a half gallon of rocky road. Yuban coffee and a couple loaves of Roman Meal bread. A gallon of milk about rounds it out."  The register whirrs. I plunk down my money. "Thanks," I say to the checker.

"Don't thank me," the grocery checker chuckles. "You pays your money, you takes your choice."

No thanks needed? Your forefathers' hands caressed hard seed grains as they sowed freshly-turned furrows. They knew whom to thank.

"A man scatters seed on the ground," Jesus observed. "Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)

No wonder Pilgrims gave thanks.

But the average person lives too far from the soil to awe at amber waves of grain. I had glanced at my watch and tapped my foot while the checker worked slowly through the loaded grocery cart ahead of me. So what's to be thankful for? Shorter lines?

Yes, for starters. Women stand in lines for hours in Moscow to buy fresh fruit. The selection on our supermarket shelves would boggle the mind of a Mexican villager.

We thank God for a job to pay for our food--thousands are out of work. We thank God for a warm home and a table to eat at - the homeless live out of their cars or from under a bridge.

"But I work hard for what I have," you object. Yes, so does the Chinese peasant bending over in a cold rice paddy.

You pays your money, but you can't buy health. You pays your money, but you can't buy family. You pays your money, but you can't buy rain to water crops in Peoria and Des Moines.

Thank you God, for the gifts you've given which I have no inherent right to. Make me genuinely grateful. Amen .

Author Unknown

Decoupage Lace onto Bowls

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 (Image Source)

I love this!  Someone can make me one for my desk at work to hold clips.  :)

These are so simple to make with just some Modge Podge.  A quick trip to the hobby store for three items, bowl, lace, and decoupage, and a little bit of time, and you have a feminine treat for yourself or a gift.  Click the image source link above to see more examples.

Realistic 3D City Models

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Check out this video! Technology just keeps advancing. Where will it go from here?

Using Live Camera Feed to Create Textures

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I saw this video and now I am anxious to get Photoshop Touch! It looks like so much fun to play with. You can use your live camera straight into Photoshop Touch to creat textures using the camera fill! I now you must agree with me that this looks like a lot of fun for us digital scrapbookers, right? My imagination is running!

You can get Photoshop Touch for both Android and Apple tablets for only $9.99.

Xmarks - my new techy thing!

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Oh, I had so much to do today and instead I am distracted!

Since I got an iPad, I have struggled with the bookmarks in it. I had it set to sync with Internet Explorer through iTunes, but my IE favorites were a mess since I have been mainly using Delicious.  

So I tried finding an ap for Delicious, and even tried two of the free ones, but nothing seemed to work well.

I had previously tried having my most used links in Yahoo Toolbar and Google Toolbars, but it seems keeping up with the compatible versions of each in each browser is a pain, as well as  having to log into the toolbars all the time.

So I continued to look for a solution.  I use both Firefox and Internet Explorer, but my favorites/bookmarks are not the same in either of them.  So, as soon as I began searching the internet for syncing Firefox and Internet Explorer, I came up with more ideas.

I found Xmarks and decided to try it.  It took me a long time playing with it because it did not seem to be working right.   I had a lot of empty folders.  I would delete them, but then they would come back.  I finally figured out, after a long time playing, that because my iPad was plugged in, the empty folders were being put back on when I was syncing through iTunes!

So, I manually fixed up my favorites through Windows folders, then I choose the "advanced" section of the "info" tab in iTunes and clicked bookmarks.  This replaces only from the computer to the iPad (or iPhone), deleting what is on the device.  Now that I had a good sync again, everything began to fall in place.

You will need to install Xmarks on both Firefox and Internet Explorer.  It is also available for Chrome and Safari if you use those browsers.   After installed in Internet Explorer, you can find the settings in two places.  First, as in the image above, you will note the light blue icon at the bottom.  I can click on this to choose options and to make Xmarks manually sync.  It is good to become familiar with the settings, especially if going back and forth between browsers testing.  There is an option to have it sync when you close the browser too.

You can also find these same settings in the tools drop down box in the browser.

In Firefox, these same settings can also be found in the tools drop down box.

Here is what the settings look like.

It sync to a "cloud" online and you can log onto the website at Xmart to see and use your bookmarks from any computer.

Once I had the two syncing between browsers and then did a force push to the iPad, everything seemed to work smoothly!  I have duplicate folders for "favorites bar" and "bookmarks toolbar" so that I can use them in each browser as a bar, since each are called something different.  Now, I can sync favorites/bookmarks between browsers and when I plug in my iPad and iPhone, it also syncs from IE to the devices!

Life is so much easier now!  However, it took me all morning playing to figure it out, but it works!

Here is a video that shares how to use it which was helpful to me.

I see a setting in the xmarks website that allows me to import from Del.icio.us, but I'm almost afraid to do that yet as I'm not sure what mess I would have in my browsers. I think I am organized, but I'm not confident in myself!   I wish it synced with it, rather than importing, but maybe some day I will do it.  I have a LOT of bookmarks in Delicious, so I'll put my most used things in my browser and use Delicious for the masses.  :)

Oh, I like it when things are made easier!

When things we have seem few . . .

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"When things we have seem few, I wish you less desires." Hummie

“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those.” Michael Nolan

Dear God

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DEAR GOD:
I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier
or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

Author Unknown

Oh joy

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I thank you Lord

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Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life!

Author Unknown

Paper Tree (with digital scrapbooking paper?)

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(image source)

I love this simple idea!  It would even make a nice gift.

As a digital scrapbooker, I am always thinking "hybrid" projects.  I can see making my own digital scrapbooking paper or even using a favorite kit and printing the papers that are scrolled.

You could display this in many ways.  You do not need a frame.  What about an easel?  They are inexpensive in hobby stores.

For more images and a tutorial, see the "image source" link above.

A weekend get-a-way

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I wanted to share with you our weekend get-a-way. It was a gift for the holidays that we received early. It was much needed!

We went to two wineries, a museum and church, a old settler's village, a big rock, and a bed and breakfast.  I do not have time to share it all with you and do hope I can get to it in other posts another time, but here is a few parts.


Yep, we hiked up to see the big rock in the middle of the Mississippi River. (Tower Rock). We'd never been to the overlook, but it was straight uphill exercise!  In 2001/2002 the river was so low that we actually walked across to the rock with the boys.  That seems like a long time ago.

We had not eaten all day and had asked some people where to eat.  Apparently, there was only a bar, a pub, and a tavern close by, but all three of them we were told had good food.  So we stopped to get some food at the pub.  Seriously ? We entered the highly recommended tiny smokey pub and there was a wedding reception in there, complete with bride holding a beer and dancing with her bridemaids in cowboy boots.  I'm still baffled!



Here is our bed at the bed and breakfast!  This bed is SO big, I couldn't find my husband on the other side! :)


We want one of these! We were dreaming that would could convert one of the bedrooms into this. This is at a Bed and Breakfast in Frohna, Missouri.



This "rain shower" is big enough for a party! (just kidding) Oh man, there are two fabulous shower heads -- you don't want to get out!


We used this small vial of stuff and thought it was doing nothing to add bubbles, but when we turned on the jets, the bubbles overflowed everywhere! It was hilarious fun. (sorry, no real bubbles photo for you, just the bubbles in the glasses).


Okay, I liked.  Are you seeing two kinds of bubbles? Here's to going again -- soon!



We ate dinner and breakfast in the beautiful dining room.  I have photos of the other rooms in the house, but no time to get them together for you.


Our hostess started breakfast off with this yummy yogurt. We thought it was enough food for breakfast, but it was just for starters. You really have to go here.

Yes, I take photos of everything. :) Scrumptious breakfast (no need to eat the rest of the day).

Template #82

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This is certainly a unique quirky template.  I made this layout Oh, so long ago.  You can download it in the forum here.  It is also in the Subscriber Area, along with the other 81 templates!  You can be busy for a while scrapping!

Thanksgiving and Prayer

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We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Day-to-day doldrums . . .

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"When things seems day-to-day doldrums, I wish you difference." Hummie

“Everyone is different and everyone is good at different things" Puddle from Toot & Puddle The New Friend

Stocking Holders

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(Image source)

I really love the idea of stocking holders and even bought some one year, but I just do not have a good place in my small home to hang them.  So our hang on a door with nails.

I like the idea of building simple ones with pieces of wood.  I can very much see printing out digital scrapbooking paper of my choice and decoupaging it onto the wood.  The photo could be clipped on as in this example and changed every year as the child grew, or it could be decoupaged on too.

Video Tutorial and Challenge --Repeated Elements in Photoshop Elements

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This was first shared on 5/13/08.  I am bringing it forward for you to see the video again.

This is a lesson in Course 2.  If you like it, I invite you to sign up for Course 2 to do over 80 similar videos for your layouts.


Click here to watch the video.

Use your imagination with this technique!

Watch the video to see how easy it is to repeat an element. What elements can you repeat? I did a brick. However, I thought about repeating a face or a gradient dot. What about a button? Look through your photos and your stash until something hits you!

Remember, you can repeat into one line or one area. There is no need to fill the entire background with the repeat. For instance, you can repeat a button to create a border. Keep it straight or offset.

You are only limited by your imagination with this technique!



Credit: Flergs Nana's Garden (and my brick wall)

God's Hold is Sure

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There were two brethren who differed on the question of the believer's safety in Christ. They were discussing the question, and one said to the other:

"I'll tell you, a child of God is safe only so long as he stays in the lifeboat. He may jump out, and if he jumps out he is lost."

To this the other replied, saying: "You remind me of an incident in my own life. I took my little son out with me in a boat. I realized, as he did not, the danger of his falling or even jumping into the water. So I sat with him all the time, and all the time I held him fast, so he could neither fall out nor jump out of the boat."

"But," said the first speaker, "He could have wriggled out of his coat and got away in spite of you."

"Oh," said the other, "you misunderstood me if you supposed I was holding his coat; I was holding him."

Author Unknown

When things are not enough . . .

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"When things seem not enough, I wish you grateful spirit." Hummie

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” Leonardo da Vinci 

They are like a warm blanket toasting away the stress

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This week has been one crazy week!  What weeks are not crazy for me though.  It seems I never have time to blog anymore about my real life.

This week one of my "babies" turned 21.  I took a vacation day.  We and some family visited a winery.  I just have to show my boys how wonderful wineries are, even if you do not drink.  The views, the food, the places of relaxation, the music, and the nice people make for a great get-a-way, even if for a short while.

I used to coin collect when I was younger.  One day recently, we were cleaning our sons room and I gathered up these coins spread all over his shelves.  I put them safely in a bag, only to find myself in trouble.  Apparently, he had them all organized in piles and I messed them all up.  Only mom was concerned with the dust under the coins.

I had no idea he was into coin collecting, just as I was when I was young.  It gave me an idea for a birthday gift.  We bought coin book for him to put his coins in, as well as a guide book.  I also brought out my old collection and sat reminiscing as I remembered all the containers and collections I had spent hours over when younger.  I gave my son my collection for his 21st birthday.

When we left the vineyard, we decided to take the road my map app was trying to make me drive down, although it seems a private driveway.  Oh goodness!  Was I ever thankful I turned that way.



I had to stop the car and get out and snap a photo of the beautiful view.  It was even more gorgeous as we drove down the road, which is much longer than this photo portrays, as the trees continued around the bend.  I was all excited over such a silly little thing as this view that I wonder what they thought of me as I tried to share with them why I soaked in these moments.  Maybe some day when I am gone, they will learn to appreciate what I was sharing with them and understand.

The day was very dreary, cold, wet, and rainy.  The long drive there and back was disappointing because if felt like winter was here.  Few trees were still vibrant colors and, in fact, most had lost all their leaves. 

However, I was given the opportunity to snap this photo and hold onto the beauty of this moment in my mind for a while.  It made all the grey skies disappear as I ignored them and relished the beauty in my mind.

Do you ever hold onto little moments like these to get you through an entire week?  They are like a warm blanket toasting away the stress.

When things make you grouchy . . .

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When things make you grouchy, I wish you unexpected smiles. Hummie

"So I thought: I want to walk through the halls and say, 'Good morning, how are you?' to all of them, even if they're grumpy and grouchy and don't want to talk." Angela Pringle

“I'm only grouchy and moody on days that end with Y.” Author Unknown

When things seem far away . . .

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When things seem far away, I wish you closeness. Hummie

"He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby." Chanakya

Resource Round-up!

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As always, happy clicking!

Article on Depth of Field

Content Aware tutorial

Review of text tool tutorial

Circle Collage tutorial

Fixing Underexposed Image in ACR tutorial

Fixing Overexposed Image in ACR tutorial

It's all in the title tutorial

Tips for Photography Baby

Simple text in a frame idea. Change it up every month!

Vinyl cutting goes Hybrid tutorial

 Photoshop Tutorial - Text within a Journal Shape


Out of Bounds Tutorial


Creating a rainbow )Photoshop Video Tutorial)

Creating Photoshop Brushes from handmade art (written tutorial)

Upcycling an empty sticker paper into a layout.

Creating Scrolling Text (Video tutorial using Photoshop Extended)

Deep Autumn Glow (Photoshop Video tutorial)

MLG Photopop tutorial: Making Colors Pop (July 2009)


lol...my cousin is a hoot! He wrote: "Buckwheat has been shot" Buckwheat is dead. I repeat.... Buckwheat is dead. (July 2009)

Reading at DST. Appears that sales in the #digiscrap world have come to a screeching halt for many. Believed to be this way every year. (July 2009)

Clear the Clutter video (July 2009)

Two Peas Photoshop Elements Digital Scrapbooking tutorials  by Sandy Krieger (July 2009)

I like this #digiscrap wedding layout. Simple is always good. (6/26/09)

@ScrappinCop http://twitpic.com/8g6sf - Great advice! (6/11/09)

@ScrappinCop http://twitpic.com/8hnt0 - Oh my goodness! That's hilarious! (6/26/09)

My vehicle says it's this hot.(6/26/09)


Strawberries and dumplings? What an interesting idea!

My new favorite Flickr Group: "Looking into the Past." Clever!! 6/9/09

Virtual camera lessons 6/23/09

freebie! some cool Wet Paint Acrylic Photoshop Brushes 6/23/09

What a neat blog called "I am blessed"--awesome quotes, inspiration, and photos. 6/23/09

Christmas Countdown


Giving Thanks Banner and Download by Corina Gardner

Hybrid Tutorial - Covering Switch Plate with Digital scrapbooking paper.

How to make a hair bow

Introducting the new Hummie's World Staff Team!

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Help me welcome our new staff here at Hummie's World!

Please welcome them and ask them questions in this thread in the forum.


Please read more about our staff here.

I am in the process of installing a store and Kelly will be the Store Administrator. First, she will be working to recruit and interview potential designers. She will be working closely with them after they hop onto our world!

Georgia's main job will be as Editor of the newsletter, but she's agreed to be an all around side-kick like Dawn whenever we are in need of help.

Of course, everyone already knows Dawn, but for those who are new here, Dawn is our Class Aide (yes, I gave her a new name) who keeps track of class credits. She has been my side-kick for almost 2 years now and this site would not be possible without all the help she's given during that time. She is selfless with her time and has done way more than her job entails.

Left, right, forward, bounce!

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I shared this on Google Plus at the beginning of October and had a very thought provoking conversation about it.

I love things like this that make you think, especially analogies to life.  There are always choices in life for us to make.  Your life changes as we choose to go right, left, forward, over, or around.  Sometimes these choices lead to dead ends because we made the wrong choice.  It is like a maze and we have to turn around and go back to find the right way to go, the right choice.

I have a common phrase I find myself saying more and more often lately. 

"Today, I feel like I am in a pinball machine."

Yes, it seems to be my new path to bounce around in all sorts of directions striving to move forward, but tackling one task at a time, and bouncing off to another one.  My only hope is that while I'm bouncing back and forth, I am also slowing moving forward in tiny steps.

Thoughts

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When things seem impossible, I wish you miracles. Hummie

“We can see a thousand miracles around us every day. What is more supernatural than an egg yolk turning into a chicken?” S. Parkes Cadman

Heart matting over framed map

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(image source)

I recently took down a tapestry in my bathroom, which I loved, and gave it away as a gift.  I'm considering new ideas for the wall space and found this to be simple and meaningful.  The heart could be cut from any white paper.  The maps are a neat idea behind the heart, but I am wondering if I could change out the piece behind with other ideas.