Spring Cleaning in the New Year!

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Jeanette in the forum remembered our Spring cleaning group from last year and we thought it would be a great idea as a new year's resolution or just as inspiration as we take down Christmas decorations.  I know my house always seems so much cleaner after I put Christmas away because I've had to move everything around and then put it back out.

Here's the group to chatter to encourage each other every day.

Here's what we did today (so far).  Some time ago (maybe two months!) I had spilled a drink into my nightstand and we pulled everything from it and set it on the nearby treasure chest.  We never cleaned all the things from within the drawer and put them back away!  I am so emarrassed, but showing you so that you know it is okay to join us as we all do things we don't want to do.

So that is what hubby and I just did.  It took all of 20 minutes to do.  Now why did we let it set there all this time?

And I can even close my nightstand drawer not that we moved things around!

Recipe for a Happy New Year

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Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time.

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing don't do it), prayer, and one well-selected resolution.

Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Author Unknown

Heart Exclamation Freebie

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I made this for the UseIt! Challenge class and, as always, I share everything for a short while through my blog.  You can always find it again by joining the class.

The download is in the forum here.

Preserve the World

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He told the people during the Sermon on the Mount (and ultimately us), "You are the salt of the earth?" Your first thought regarding salt may be that it is used to flavor food. But another use for salt, especially in Jesus' time and culture, is as a food preservative.

What a wonderful New Year's resolution. Jesus calls for us this year (and every year) to add flavoring to the world. Where there is anger, add peace. If you run into hatred, pour love on the situation. If you encounter hurts, heal the wound with compassion. Season hopelessness with hope through Jesus Christ. Add a faithful flavor to the faithlessness of the world.

Jesus also calls us to be a preservative in the world. We can't do this on our own, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit working through us. In this age when commitments are short-term and faithfulness is a filthy word, we can be examples and encouragers of these attributes in others. God wants to share His life and Word through us, the salt of the world.

What a gift He has given by salting us throughout all seasons of life! If you feel that your life or faith has lost its saltiness, there is hope. Salt, the seasoning, cannot be recreated to be salty again if it loses its taste. But with the Spirit's power and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, you can be recreated to be the salt of the earth that will last beyond this world and into heaven.

We are the salt of the earth! I think I'll reflect on that as I get some water to drink after eating all these salted peanuts!

May God bring out His saltiness in you, as He lives in you through this year and into eternity!

Happy New Year!

Ben Breedlove's Story

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I am sharing these two stories about Ben Breedlove for those who many have missed it. Ben, 18 years old, died on Christmas Day and this is his story. I think it speaks for itself, in silence.





Here's a tribute video.


Here's a video in voice about Ben by Ben.

Participation Donation for Design Competition

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We invite you to join us in Destination: Design! This is a designing contest, but I am the judge and will give personal, private feedback. You can read more here.  You can enter today!

I am working to obtain some donations for all who participate.  Here is the first donation I am sharing with you.

Mariscraps has offered these CU bows for all participants (during the week which I give it out).


You can find Marscrap's store at Angels Scrap Shop.

She has offered a coupon for you to!

Take a Digital Scrapbooking Class

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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 classes 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 January 7th.

COURSE 1

This class introduces you to digital scrapbooking and takes you through the basics of learning Photoshop Elements through hands on learning. However, if you are an experienced scrapper, do not underestimate this class as many have excaimed how surprised they were to learn so much.

FILTERS

Take a tour through the filter drop down box in Photoshop Elements. Do you ever wonder what each filter does and how you can utilize it in digital scrapbooking? Each lesson will challenge you to utilize a filter or a group of filters. Push yourself to think outside the box. These lessons might change your scrapbooking style from traditional-layout-realism to artistic.
TEMPLATES

Do you find yourself staring at a blank workstation when you're trying to figure out how to place photos, papers and elements on your layout? Just don't seem to have any mojo? Never fear, Hummie's Templates are here!
Jump onboard the template course and find whole new worlds opened up to you as you explore all the templates available to you! With over 80 templates in all, and always growing, there is sure to be lots of inspiration for you to get those photos scrapped!

PHOTOGRAPHY

In this new class, you will learn more about the settings on your camera, composition, fun techniques, and fixing photos.  Some of the lessons will require use of a camera and some will require use of Photoshop Elements. Many of the tools in Photoshop Elements for fixing photos will actually enlighten you to the similar settings in the camera.  The comparison between PSE/Photoshop and the camera will bring a whole new understanding to both in a way you cannot get otherwise.

The above four 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 January and will not be available again until July. 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.

ABC CHALLENGE

Some suggestions for an alphabet book include describing a loved one or yourself, highlighting Bible verses, making a gift book, making an educational book for little ones to study their letters, making a quote book, making an ABC seasonal theme, making an ABC recipe theme, or making an ABC holiday theme. The possibilities are endless!

FONT CHALLENGE

Do you love FONTS? Are you always looking for new FONTS? Then this is the place for you!! You will be supplied with a link to a FONT to download. Your challenge will be to be creative with the FONT as you create a new layout. Once you've completed your layout, you will post it to the gallery so we can see how briliiantly you used your FONT!! Come join us...it will be fun!

SCRAPPING GOAL



This class is designed simply to help motivate you to get yourself started scrapping? There are always many complaints in the digital scrapbooking world of having "lost my mojo." Often, I sit and stare at the screen and cannot make myself get started!

These challenges are here to help you learn to make personal scrapping goals and stick to them to give yourself a jump start. They are meant to work with any photos you are already intending on scrapping, not to side-track you to new avenues.

I'm dreaming . . . this pool in my yard!

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Wouldn't you like to have a pool like this?

God's Promises for the New Year

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I will bless you (Gen 12:2)
I will not fail you (Josh 1:5)
I will heal you (II Kings 20:5
I will guide you (Ps 32:8)
I will instruct you (Ps 32:8)
I will teach you (Ps 32:8)
I will deliver you (Ps 50:15)
I will satisfy (Ps 132:15)
I will help you. (Is 41:10)
I will strengthen you (Is 41:10)
I will uphold you (Is 41:10)
I will hold your hand (Is 42:5)
I will not forget you (Is 49:15)
I will comfort you (Is 66:15)
I will forgive (Jer 31:34)
I will restore (Jer 10:17)
I will be y our God (Ezek. 36:28)
I will put my Spirit within you (Ezek 36:27)
W will save you (Ezek 36:27)
I will love you (John 11:21)

Author Unknown

A case of Christmas "real comedy" from the children

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This is a video of my cousin's little boy.  He is the little one, hopping on one leg in the first song and randomly doing the worm in the second song (near the middle).

This is a bad case of "the longer you try to make little children stand there, the more they jiggle).



There are microphones on the floor that they are yelling into.  Apparently it is a big distraction.


And yes, here he is -- he can sing and not just dance! Smile.

Gold, Commen Sense, & Fur

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My husband and I had been happily (most of the time) married for five years, but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if He would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide. God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year, He blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess. In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother, I didn't even come close. I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God. I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine. My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes."

My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes." A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama, Mama." Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived. My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."

The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation. "I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," Pastor Brian laughed, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Author Unknown

Straight No Chaser: The 12 Days of Christmas

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The above video really was a great way to start my Christmas Eve! It made me smile. I had never heard of Straight No Chaser, but I would pay to see them if they came to Cape Girardeau. Visit YouTube to see more of their videos.

Here's there newest:


Oh wait! The Christmas Can-Can to lights!

My Barbie Airplane (Barbie's Friend Ship)

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I have many of my dolls from my childhood, but I had three boys!  I'm awaiting a granddaughter.  I recently pulled up my dolls and am trying to take photos and videos of each. It was so crazy to be sitting and "playing" with the dolls to dress them and stage them, just like when I was little.  Oh, the flashback!

Here is the first.  My camcorder has been giving me troubles recently and the color is off, but you get the idea.  The photos are, of course, more true to color.

I called Barbie's friend Trixie, but cannot find that on the internet.  I searched on the internet, including e-bay, for a doll like the one I have, but could not pinpoint one, although some were close.  I'm not sure why that name sticks in my head and whether it is correct or not.



This man shares about the construction and you can see how it opens up in this video.

Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith at South Bay Galleria

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Heartwarming!

The Christmas Truce

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"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all people."
Luke 2:14

It is sad to think this Christmas season that in the very place where the angels uttered these immortal words there is no peace. There may be no traditional Christmas celebration in Bethlehem's Manger Square again this year when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. But we need not despair. God will find a way to make peace in Bethlehem and Iraq and Afghanistan and everywhere else where people are hurting one another. God always finds a way.

Eighty-nine years ago, on the first Christmas Day during World War I, British and German troops put down their guns and celebrated peacefully together in the no-man's land between the trenches. The war briefly came to a halt. In some places festivities began when German troops lit candles on Christmas trees on their parapets so the British sentries a few hundred yards away could see them. Elsewhere, the British acted first, starting bonfires and setting off rockets.

Private Oswald Tilley of the London Rifle Brigade wrote to his parents: "Just you think that while you were eating turkey, I was out talking and shaking hands with the very men I had been trying to kill a few hours before! It was astounding."

Both armies had received lots of comforts from home and felt generous and well-disposed toward their enemies the first winter of the war, before the vast battles of attrition began in 1915, eventually claiming 10 million lives.

All along the line that Christmas Day, soldiers found their enemies were much like them and began asking why they should be trying to kill each other. The generals were shocked. High command diaries and statements express their anxiety that if that sort of thing spread it could sap the troops' will to fight. The soldiers in khaki and gray sang carols to each other, exchanged gifts of tobacco, jam, sausage, chocolate, and liquor, traded names and addresses, and played soccer between the shell holes and barbed wire. They even paid mutual trench visits.

This day is called the most famous truce in military history.

May there be a Christmas truce in Bethlehem, in Jerusalem, and in every place in the world where violence reigns. This is our prayer on Christmas Eve as we sing "Silent Night, Holy Night" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

Author Unknown

Holiday Glow in Layouts

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(image source)

There's a great tutorial over at Anna Aspens by AnnaTeamer, Chris Asbury for creating a "holiday glow" by taking photos of Christmas lights and blending it into the layout.  Click the source image to read the tutorial and see more images.

This is a similar technique to how I achieved my recent desktop background image.  I laid the holiday beaded branch on a white piece of paper, took the photo, and blended it into textures.

Digiscrap Freebies - a New Freebie Hunter

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There's a new freebie hunter site selecting freebies called DigiScrap Freebies.  I must admit they are doing a wonderful work selecting quality products.  I love the large previews.

Here is a list of the other freebie hunter sites.

Mary's Mama

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Mary's Mama
By: Rebecca F. King

I'm pretty sure Mary had a mama.
Don't you think so?
They never talk about her mama.
There's lots of talk about Mary, of course,
and some about her husband -
you know, Joseph -
the carpenter -
although he seems to have disappeared
after Jesus became a teenager -
and just when a boy needs his father the most!
and naturally, everybody talks about Jesus.

But what about Mary's mama?

Mary had to come from somewhere -
she must have had some mama of her own -
someone who held her
someone who rocked her
someone who loved her.

If Mary was, indeed,
this gentle saint,
this mother who loved her son
who raised him to be a good boy
to honor his parents
to learn his lessons
to love God
well, if this was Mary,
how did she learn it all
if she didn't have a mama to teach her?

Now, you know, as well as I,
that Mary had a mama.

I've been thinking about Mary's mama.
What kind of person was she,
to give birth to the one who
would be the mother of Jesus?
What kind of mother was she,

to raise the one who
would raise Jesus?

What I mostly wonder, though,
is how she must have responded
when Mary -
barely teenager Mary -
told her THE NEWS.

"Mama?"
"Yes, Mary?"
"Uh, Mama?"
"Yes, Mary, what is it?"
"Um, well, um, it's like this . . ."
"Like what, Mary?"
"Well, you know, um, you see . . ."

"Come on, child, out with it.
What could possibly be so hard to tell me?"

"Well, Mama . . ."
"Mary!"

"Mama, I'm . . . pregnant."
"Pregnant? Mary? How . . .
When . . .
Who . . .
What on earth?!"

"Well, Mama, actually, it's not on earth.
It's in heaven.

Well, from heaven, I guess."
"But Mary, how can this be?"

"Promise you won't get upset?"

"Child, I can hardly promise that
at a time like this
but tell me,
and I promise I'll listen."

And I think,
after Mary told her mama
all about the angel
and the Holy Spirit
and this baby from God

and after her mama worried
about Joseph
and whether they could manage
and what would the neighbors think
after that,
they sat there,
Mary and her mama,
and they hugged each other
and they laughed
and they cried
tears of fear
but also tears of joy
because after all,

Mary was going to be a mama,
and Mary's mama
was going to be a grandma!

And if Mary is the Mother of God,
as some believe,
doesn't that make her mama
God's grandmother?

Quick Tip - Guides in Photoshop Elements 8 and up

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This video was first shared October 31, 2009.  

This video shares a quick tip in using the new guides in Photoshop Elements, as well as a few uses for them.

Click here to view the video.

What is awaiting us?

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“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.” ~Joseph Campbell

Crafty Weaving Paper Ball tutorial

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 (image source)

The paper weaved ball seems like such a fun activity for children and adults to do together.  I can imagine them strung together as garland for a tree or even room decorations.  You could print digital scrapbooking paper and make them from that or any other kind of paper. You could attach them to gifts.  The creativity is endless.  Click the image source link for a photo tutorial.

Here is part 1 of the video tutorial



Here is part 2 of the video tutorial

Brake and Swerve

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I shared this a few months ago and am moving it to my blog.  I should just post on my blog in the first place!

You ever have that sick feeling when you brake and swerve to miss a squirrel, then look in your rear view mirror?

Today's lunch -- do you think I'll poop green tomorrow?

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I originally shared this a few months ago.  I still have to laugh at myself.  I used to not eat broccoli, but something changed as I got older.  Now, I can sit and eat a whole bowl with just a little sprinkled cheese and be perfectly happy.

I used to be able to buy chopped broccoli in bigger bags, but I cannot seem to find it anymore.  Most of the frozen broccoli is in bigger pieces now.  I did find at Schnucks the Birds Eye chopped broccoli in a rectangle box, so I'm happy again just eating away!  A few minutes in the micro and lunch is served!

I used to put it over baked potatoes too, but lately it seems I am able to eat less and less.

gdgt.com - social networking for gadget lovers

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I've been checking out gdgt.com and as a person who has techy in her blood (thanks Dad!), I find it interesting.

The site is pronounced "gadget."  It is a social networking site for techy people.  It appears to be a great place to get honest reviews about techy products.  I just hope I can remember to go there again!

Here's my profile:  http://gdgt.com/profile/hummie/
You can friend me if you want.

Here's a video:

Gift tags using shipping tags and remnants

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(image source)

I've shared many resources for gift wrapping in the past as it is something that I love receiving, but never seem to have time to do.  There are so many simple idea.  I'm creating a new label on the blog for Gift Wrapping and want to collect the ideas under the label, rather than resources, now.

Click on the image source above for ideas on using shipping tags bought at office supply stores.  Just use left ever wrapping paper (or digital scrapbooking paper!) to cover them and decorate with other remnants.  I love home made things -- just shouts "love."

Bokeh Video Tutorial (Free!)

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Bokeh is fun! I used to feel that bokeh was a mistake and would retake or delete the photo, but now I realize how artistic bokeh can be. It is all in how you look at it. Bokah is also great for blending into photos and this video shares some examples.



This is the photo I took during the video!  So fun.



I share with you in the video how I added the bokah taken while video tapping to the an image.

You can watch the video in this thread.

It's much easier to do than it seems!

1 Corinthians 13 - a Christmas Version

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If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Author Unknown

Destination: Design

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Join us in buiding your design skills!  (tip: an educational video or two each round, this round is up!)

Click here to read the details and join enroll in the contest.

Hummie's World Gift Certificates

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For more information, see this thread.

Easy Cheesy Bacon Biscuits

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 (Image source)

Click on the image source link for more photos and instructions for making these biscuits with bacon and cheese.  I think this is actually something my husband would love and want to try it.  Basically, it is biscuits in a buttered skillet, covered with bacon and cheese, and more cheese and baked.  I'm getting hungry now!

I found the recipe here.

Keeping Christmas

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Are you willing…
to forget what you have done for other people,
and to remember what other people have done for you;

to ignore what the world owes you,
and to think what you owe the world;

to put your rights in the background,
and your duties in the middle distance,
and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;

to see that men and women are just as real as you are,
and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;

to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason
for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life,
but what you are going to give to life;

to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe,
and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds
of happiness—

Are you willing to do these things even for a day?
Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to stoop down and consider
the needs and desires of little children;

to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;

to stop asking how much your friends love you,
and ask yourself whether you love them enough;

to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;

to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you
really want, without waiting for them to tell you;

to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke,
and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;

to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings
with the gate open—

Are you willing to do these things, even for a day?
Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—
stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—
and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago
is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas.

And if you can keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.


Henry Van Dyke

Nativity Download for you from Brenda

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You can find this download in this thread.

Brenda made this to share with you and I encourage you to visit her blog to leave her thanks or leave some thanks here. I see she does have some other goodies for you to download on her blog. Brenda has been a student here in the designer class and I'm so proud of how far she's come and grown in her skills.

Forging my own . . .

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Letting Go: The farther behind I leave the past, the closer I am to forging my own character. Isabelle Eberhardt

A surprise gift in the mail from a stranger!

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Oh wow! So, we when left Lihue, Hawaii, I had this orange bottle of lotion we forgot to put in our check-in luggage.   Hubby ran back to try to catch the check-in luggage, but missed it.  It was too large for approval during carry-on.

The help desk lady took my name and address and said something about it not costing much to mail and that it would probably go through.  I figured it was better handing it to her than just putting it in the trash.

SO, we never got it and thought it was gone.

We got mail today, four months later, and I just opened it. There was not one, but TWO bottles of lotion and snacks! And it cost $10.95 to mail to us! We are in shock!

So we've gotten now a Christmas gift from a complete total stranger!

There are good people in this world.  There are really good people in this world.

May this Hawaiian spirit be an inspiration for you today.

It's 9 days before Christmas and ...

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It's nine days before Christmas and. ..

They are bringing out the spring things to sell!!

10 Christmas Commandments

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You shall not leave ‘Christ’ out of Christmas, making it ‘Xmas.’ To some, ‘X’ is unknown.

You shall prepare your soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that your soul is forgotten.

You shall not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

You shall not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

You shall give yourself with your gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and the one who receives it shall treasure it forever.

You shall not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

You shall not neglect the needy. Share your blessings with many who will go hungry and cold if you are generous.

You shall not neglect your church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

You shall be as a little child. Not until you become in spirit as a little one are you ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

You shall give your heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of your Christmas list.

Author Unknown

Where are you looking?

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Letting Go:  “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

Tea Bag Tags (gift idea)

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(image source)

I saw this teacup with the hearts hanging down and, as a tea lover, thought how sweet it would be if someone made me this gift!  Ah.  If you click the image source link, you will see instructions on how to make the whole teabag, but I am thinking easy and just take the tags off of teabags purchased and to add some personal tags.  What a simple great gift idea.

Does your oven door look like this?

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(image source)

Does your oven door look like this? I know mine does!  It is actually quite embarrassing.  Click the image source for a written tutorial on how to clean the glass on the inside of the oven.  I really have to try this.  Here's the video too.

Facebook Timeline

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Click here to activate your Facebook Timeline.

Do you have yours activated?  What are your thoughts?

I'm mostly interested in keeping mine private and nearly empty!  I'm not sure how I feel about Facebook keeping my "scrapbook" of my life.

A Christmas List

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Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things will be yours.

Author Unknown

Make a Pinwheel Bow

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(image source)

Click the image source for a great tutorial from Kiki Creates and a download for making these fabulous pinwheels.  What a fun idea for a replacement of a bow on a gift.  From her samples, it appears great for both children and adults.

The Unsharp Mask sharpens?

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(image source)

Click the image source link for a nice tutorial by MCP Actions on the unsharp mask.

I recently shared a video in the photography class which covers many ways for sharpening.  I think the video is a real eye opener as to how many of the sharpening techniques work by first blurring the image.  Subscriptions are only $5.50 per month and you have access to all videos, even if you do not take the whole class.

Transferring print to canvas

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 (Image Source)

I really wish I had time to try this and maybe some day I will.  Click the image source for instructions and more images of many more ideas using your printer and different types of transfer paper to embellish everything from fabric to furniture.

To transfer to canvas, bump up the saturation on your image and print it on an overhead transparency. 
I am going to guess that this has to be with a laser printer, not an inkjet.  Many copy machines are laser print.  In addition, mirror the image before printing.

Cover the surface of the canvas with a gel medium (common brands in craft stores are Liquitex and Golden).  Place ink side down on the gel medium and get out air bubbles.  Burnish it with a spoon or other hard surfaced object by rubbing it hard.  It can be rubbed on either side.  Test it by lifting the corner.  If it doesn't work, put it back down and rub some more.

Extract Now

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This video was first shared on 4/2/09.

Here is a video tutorial on the free software tool called Extract Now. You can find it here.

The video shares what a time saver it is!  I've used this to extract my digital scrapbooking supplies since before I did this video.  It's awesome!

Adding a little eyecandy image to your iPhone

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I found this great ap on the iPhone and I'm having so much fun with it.
I would have never originally downloaded this because of the word "pimp," but I saw it recommended on another site. Pimp Wallpaper has great images to skin your home screen and your lock screen.

When the ap first starts, you have the above choices.  I've mostly been playing in the wallpapers.

I discovered all of these new types of wall papers that have boxes or shelves that actually fit around the iPhone folders.  They are just so cool!  I have to change them up every few days.

When you click on "wallpapers" you are given all of these folders of choices.  Of course, I've mostly been playing in the Christmas folder, but have peaked in several of the others.

This one looks great as the wallpaper for my iPad.

Here is a sample of one of the general wallpapers.

This one is my favorite one for the home screen on both my iPad and iPhone.

It's always good to bring a little color into your day!

Act Christmas

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It is easy to think Christmas,
and it is easy to believe Christmas,
but it is hard to act Christmas.

Sticky Note Frame Gift

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(Image Source)

Isn't this a great idea for a simple gift?  Print out your favorite digital scrapbooking paper and insert it in this frame.  I can see your favorite quote on the printed paper too.  Click the image source link to see some more examples.

I would put this on my work desk.

What is a Chevron Pattern? How do you make one?

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(Image Source)

I found this Photoshop Tutorial for making a Chevron Pattern in Photoshop.  Click on the image source link to see photos of this pattern in use. 

I had never heard of the name "Chevron" before, so I looked it up.  It is an inverted v-shape badge or insignia on a uniform.  So, if you put them together, you get a zig-zag pattern.  I would have called it a "zig-zag" pattern.

Give up or . . .

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Letting Go: Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be. - Anonymous.

The Presence of Christmas

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"Christmas is not just a season,
Christmas is not just a day,
Christmas is more than a reason
For parties, presents and play.

Christmas is truly the essence
Of joy that the Savior brings;
Christmas is surely the presence
Of Jesus, the Kings of Kings!"

William Arthur Ward

Never too old too . . .

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Letting Go:  "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C. S. Lewis

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We went shopping tonight and had a bit of fun in the store.  Forget the stress of the crowds and have a little fun!

Pay no attention to the man in the elf hat!!


Shopping with"Mrs Elf"! Lol
 We even played hide and seek in the toy isle!
Shhhh, but I think Barbie is gaining weight!  Ken has such a big head!  When did they get bigger?  Are they trying to fix the problem of little girls dreaming of growing up to be so thin?


There were so many odd things for sale in the store.  I wish I would have taken more photos when I saw them.  Here are two.

Really? Would these housebreak a dog any better than pull ups potty train? Isn't immediate reaction what works?  Now how can you tell immediately when your doggie has gone in these training pads?  Do people really buys these? What ever happened to sticking their nose in it and sending them outside?  It always worked for me. 

I will say though that when our Yorkie got to be 15 and was blind and deaf, she could never tell where we were to ask to go out, so she just started going everywhere.  For many months, we actually put a baby diaper on her.  May I share that we had to deal with doggie diaper rash?  Seriously!  He got a bath daily along with powder to avoid the rash.  Goodness, I look back on that and wonder how I made it through it and, even moreso, why I pushed through it all those months.



I need to get out and shop more - do they really think this name is a good marketing technique to get me to drink it? Yep, I'm going to walk around the office with this. Not!

Santa Hat Brownies

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 (Image Source)

Diane shared these in the forum and I just had to pass them on!  Click the image source link for the recipe and instructions.  

I bought a mini-cupcake maker in January for a wedding shower.  It works wonderful!  I plan on getting it out tomorrow for our tea party for mini-cupcakes, but we made brownies in it too.  I'm going to let the girls decorate their own mini-cupcakes, but maybe next year I'll do this! 

Twas the Night....Jesus Style

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Twas the night before Christmas and in Beth'lem town,
All the inns were so crowded, Mary couldn't lie down.
The baby was coming, all willing and able!
And the only safe place to be born was a stable...
Some shepherds were sleeping on a hillside nearby,
While Mary was singing her first lullaby.
The lambs in their sheepfold, all wooly and white
Had just settled down on this clear, starry night.
When an angel appeared right there where they laid!
While they rose up in fright, he said, "Be not afraid."
The Lord's glory shone as the angel did say,
"Good news I bring to you all on this day.
A savior in Beth'lem is now born for you.
He lies in a manger; swaddling cloths are the clue."
When what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a sky filled with angels, singing loudly and clear!
God's glory they chanted, for all they were worth,
And peace among all whom God favors on earth!
More rapid than eagles they all disappeared,
A shepherd then shouted to all who would hear,
"Now Levi! Now Reuben! Now Isaac and Jacob!
On Eli! On Matthew! On Simon and Caleb!
To the stable in town, to the manger of hay,
Let's go quickly and see where the Christ child does stay!"
The shepherds could hardly believe what they saw:
Jesus lying in the manger asleep in the straw.
So, down to their knees all the shepherds then sank,
With their hearts full of wonder, their God they did thank.
And then in a twinkling to Joseph and Mary,
The words of the angels, the shepherds did carry.
As they drew in their breath, their heads spinning ‘round,
The shepherds departed with nary a sound.
Mary pondered these words in the depths of her heart;
She ne'er would forget how the shepherds took part.
A bundle of joy, Mary thought of her child.
And he looked like a pure lamb, so gentle and mild.
His eyes full of wisdom, even though just a baby.
"My Jesus, a Savior?" She wondered. "Well, maybe."
His soft little face seemed to glow with a smile,
So their troublesome journey now, too, seemed worthwhile.
Soon after came wise men from places afar.
Many days had they traveled to follow a star.
They looked for a king who would rule over all,
After speaking with Herod - the worst choice of all.
Herod plotted and planned - a right nasty old king -
He tried to kill Jesus, and end this whole thing!
The Magi came in and they kneeled at Christ's bed,
And gave him three gifts. And then, thinking ahead,
They took a new road on their long journey home.
And Jesus and family to Egypt did roam.
Much later, he laid down his life for our souls,
Forgiving our sins, Jesus Christ made us whole.
He rose from the dead, to his friends gave a mission.
And we are now given new life with a vision!
So let us exclaim on this most holy night,
"Merry Christmas to all! Jesus Christ is the light!"

By Penny Rahm, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Oh, I love burlap too!

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(image source)

Okay, so I like linen, but I also like burlap!  The texture is just so pleasing.  Maybe that is why I like it for my digital scrapbooking papers too.  Click the image source to see more images, but  just love the photos in a circle resting on the simple burlap with the black frame. The circles could be in the shape of any letter that is significant.  I am wondering about a Christmas framed image with circles of photos in the shape of a tree.  Simple and fun!

An image for you.

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I made this with my iPad -- took photos--played with aps.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas

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By Tom Neven

Who needs 10 lords-a-leaping for Christmas...or two turtle doves. Here’s an updated list.

1. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a zipper:

It is usually wiser to keep your lip zipped than to compound a problem. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19)

2. On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a calculator:

This is a special calculator, with the cancel key prominently placed in the center of the pad, conveniently twice the size of all the other keys so it is easy to cancel accounts instead of keeping score. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).

3. On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a duffel bag:

This model has two handles, one on each side so the load is lighter for both of us. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

4. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ballerina doll:

Nothing epitomizes grace and balance like a ballerina, and a good wife even more so. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies….She is clothed with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:10,25).

5. On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a shovel:

This is a Smokey Bear shovel so we can put out sparks before they become raging fires. In your anger do no sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27).

6. On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a pocket watch:

This timepiece is carried in a breast pocket, close to the heart, so we can remember to give each other time to grow. It was he who gave...to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

7. On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a Monopoly game:

You can own houses on every street, but you’re still poor without a good wife. Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14).


8. On the eight day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a candle and sealing wax.

Do not neglect to keep the fires burning or to seal your love for each other. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6).

9. On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me some super glue:

Tearing apart two things joined by super glue results in damage to both. So they are no loner two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate (Matthew 19:6).

10. On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a spice jar:

That way, we can season our words with grace, encouragement, and love. Do not let any unwholesome take come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

11. On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me a washcloth:

This cloth has God’s Word embroidered on it. Husbands, love your wives, just a Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word (Ephesians 5:25-26).

12. On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a turtledove:

Well, maybe they were on to something when they wrote the original version. How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves (Song of Songs 1:15).

I love Linen

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(image source)

I never realized how much I love linen!  Of course, lace is great too.  I think I should go buy a whole bolt of linen and wrap my universe in it!  Click the image source link above for a tutorial on how to make these tree cones.  Simple and elegant.  It looks great against the contrasting green of pine.

Digital Scrapbooking Designer Call

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I realized that to attract designers to sell at a new store, I needed to sweeten the deal. So I have revised the terms and this call is open until I announce it is closed, so apply at any time.

I am continuing to work to set up the store and it is coming along slowly, but surely. I have spent a lot of money to open the store and am taking a leap of faith! Won't you join me as a pioneer and take the leap with me?

REQUIREMENTS
- create really great designs!
- create at your own pace - I know how stress and deadlines can zap your mojo!
- participate in activities as you have time - we all have a busy life and I’m confident you will do your best.
I have a life too and do not have time
to be keep track of your requirements

DETAILS
- 85/15 commission
- no paypal fees
- control over product/sales/coupons with x-cart
- payments via PayPal monthly
- $5 server fee for sales below $30

TO APPLY
send the following to hummie@hummiesworld.com
- designer name and a little bit about yourself
- links to current store(s), blog, Facebook, Twitter or other social networking sites.
- downloadable sample of your work

Join my Page on Google Plus

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I do not believe I have ever shared my business page on Google Plus here on my blog.  I do have a lot of you following the personal me on Google Plus, but somehow cannot get you to join the business page.  Maybe you are not visiting Google Plus often?

Here's a link to my business page.

I do not want to double post on my personal page and my business page, so please join it.  You are welcome to follow me in both places, but I intend to keep the content separate, so if you like my chatter, follow the personal me.  If you like business related announcements, follow the page.  If you want both, follow both!

I really like Google Plus over Facebook, but until the masses begin using the service, it will be hard to get people to use the service.  Since you are already hooked up with all of your close friends and family on Facebook, I realize it is hard not to visit there to keep up with them.

Cute Rudolph Donuts

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 (Image Source)

Oh, I saw this an just knew it would be an easy fun surprise for my hubby who loves chocolate and loves donuts.  What a great treat to leave for Santa!

I think I may make these this weekend for my "tea party."

Click the image source above to find what else Oriental Trading offers for the holidays, including more recipes and Christmas coloring pages.

It's never too late to have a happy . . .

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Letting Go:

“It's never too late to have a happy childhood, but the second one is up to you and no one else." Wayne Dyer

Resource Roundup

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Here's another round up from my posts around the world!

Happy clicking!


Resources

Thanks! new iPad user here:  Tips and Tricks (Nov 16) 

 Phone and Device ap by Adobe -- are they thinking into the future?

 Scrapbook and Cards Today is a free magazine

Free December Desktop

Create a Post-It Note in Photoshop

Simple Photo Editing (Cleaning Up Photos with Wacom Tablet and PSE)

Create an Uneven Paper Strip (video)

10 Handmade Christmas Gifts You Can Make Now

Sparkling Gift Tags

Create a Village Advent Calendar

Scrapbook & Cards Today (free magazine to download or read online)

10 Creative Christmas Photoshop Tutorials

Realistic Paint Splashes tutorial

Paper Candy Canes

Get Some Actions(s)! Tutorial

Neat Ribbon Trick Tutorial

Mixed Edges Tutorial

Magnetic Advent Calendar tutorial

Photo Gift Tags

Snowy Bars tutorial (for candy bars)

Creating custom card tutorial

The art of panning (I want to try this photography technique!)

Snow Drift Candle Holders

Christmas Quotes I tweeted

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. Roy L. Smith

Christmas is weird. What other time of year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks? Crabby Road

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis

At Christmas, to you get the gettmies, the gotmies, or the guilties?

Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~Mary Ellen Chase

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. - Unknown

Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all but softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish it grows small-Eva K. Logue

The Four Stages of Man: - He believes in Santa Claus - He doesn't believe in Santa Claus - He is Santa Claus - He looks like Santa Claus

Reply from Hubby to above quote: It's the man stage of Santa! Now go shave. “@oldguycomedy:  hurry come guess what stage this is! Lol”

Keeping Christmas is good, but sharing it with others is even better.

Christmas is the time to remember that we are all in the world together.

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas & New Year, but should worried about what they eat between New Year & Christmas.

Personal Tweets

Had that funny feeling I was being watched today, but I shrugged it off and finished dancing. (Nov 21)


That's just really sad for me. I hope they don't do it. @KMOXTIAMDoug Close Lone Elk Park? Maybe. Details after CBS at 7 on KMOX (Nov 21)

So excited!! I think I may have found video coding that works!! (Nov 22)

Good morning world! What's your destination: goals for today? (Nov 22)


Wow. The boy is bringing a girl home for the first time!! Daily surprises! Ssh. It's a secret I'm told. Bad mom for tweeting it. (Nov 26)

Whoo hoooo! It's not even December 1st and we have all our gifts bought and wrapped (just need one more add-on for last one). (Nov 27)

I said I was tired of working so much for one day -- and hubby said "send yourself home." rotfl I am at home, working! (Nov 27)

I woke up early every day of 4 day weekend super early - no sleeping in. Now my body wants to sleep in and I have to go back to work. Ugg! (Nov 28)

something's wrong with my monitor - first was pink! Now everything is blue-ish tint after calibrating. Is it trying to tell me something? (Nov 28)

@lisaklipfel rotfl well, I know I'm not pregnant -- my monitor could give birth to --- hmmm -- snow!! (static) (Nov 28)

hallelujah! It finally calibrated right! It only took 20 times; this laptop must be getting old...don't know what was wrong; lost sleep! (Nov 29)

Love your positive spirit! Every countdown post makes me smile. RT @DestinDreamin snow on the ground and 181 on my countdown to "summer". (Nov 29)

Good Tuesday morning world! Ignore the ugly sky and cold temps and think about what a good day it can be! (Nov 30)

Ahhhhhhhhhhh aka sound from my mouth while spinning round and round (Nov 30)

Good morning!! Digi scrappers are the most kind helpful people!! (Dec 1)

I'm trying!! “@JoyceMeyer: Focus on your potential—what God has created you to be—not your limitations.” (Dec 1)

Hallelujah! I think I see me some sunshine in Cape Girardeau! (Dec 1)

@oldguycomedy I love you dear, but you need to stop making so much food for dinner -- I'm getting fatter! (Dec 1)

The smell of sweat is sure to make me loose weight! RT @oldguycomedy tonight I will make only aroma! (Dec 1)

@VisitCape Yes it is! I just want to put my face to the sky and breathe in that sun! (Dec 1)

Whoa . . Youtube changed its interface! Check it out. (Dec 2)

Oh yum! “@simplekitty @famousquotefeed It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. ~Douglas Adams

Headed to church and it is pouring down raining in Cape Girardeau Missouri (Dec 4)

uggg... not good ... I'm not feeling well ... feverish ... I think it might be an ear infection . . suffering succotash (Dec 4)

It's a reoccurring problem -- I think swimming at the gym brought it on. Trying to push myself to work. (Dec 5)

Just waking up for the first time all day! Took another meclizine -- going to make sure this ear dries up so fever goes away. (Dec 5)

Just thinking -- should I eat? I'm not hungry, but haven't eaten since yesterday . . . or should I go back to sleep. (Dec 5)

You always put a smile on my face! @kfvsweather @kfvsnews RT: Brian, your Christmas planner, wonders if St. Nick might need a boat..... (Dec 6)


From the Archives

We don't know if he did it on purpose or if it was an accident yet. Feel bad for his mom, wife, and children mostly. 5/28/09

Sad news at Hummie's World coming in tonight - hubby's cousin shot himself and died. 5/27/09

I've forgotten to eat dinner again! Anyone up for eating a hamburger in a can with me? 5/27/09

God has always used ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary mission (on my calendar today) 5/26/09

I've worked hard today; my brain is a THUNKED out. 5/26/09

Great little tip on keeping track of digiscrap file info in PS or PSE 5/26/09

Just found the COOLEST tutorial site- new but definitely promising by @chemc loving the layers tut 5/25/09

Watching the Voca People - uh?: 5/23/09

Miss Mint reminds us to Scrappy Spring Clean! Great reminder! I use compressed air. 5/23/09

Cool blog post with graphical people sayings. Think outside the box for #digiscrap inspiration 5/22/09

Love the spotlight and realism of the #digiscrap layout. Where's the journaling though? Might be except for journaling. 5/22/09

100 Tips about All Adobe CS4 Applications - This one is useful 5/22/09

I'm here. Had a great day yesterday; in pain though; feet hurt bad and I took a tumble - palm and leg also hurt. 5/22/09

Headed to Iron County, Missouri today! Elephant Rock State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain, Pilot Knob, Johnson Shut-ins; do internet search 5/21/09

Ah, a BIRD was the cause of the lack of power yesterday! Remember, I was tweeting from the darkside 5/21/09

#idol finale was top notch! Wow! Lional Richie, Cindy Lauper, Queen, Santana, Rod Stewart, Kiss -- this 80's girl loved it! 15/20/09

@starxlr8 He won because he was better (in my opinion); Adam's screaming was too much for mainstream #idol 5/20/09

Watered and enjoyed my garden after work; roses smell wonderful!; making carmalized onion sandwiches; what next? 5/20/09

Nails for you to Download

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I made these from scratch. Nothing. Nada! I tend to like realistic scanned elements, but I'm also trying to stretch myself to make things from nothing. I hope you like them. There's something about them I just could not get right, no matter how many hours I spent on them!

These are in the Element Class (forever), but you can download them for free for a short time on this page in the forum.