Wednesday, April 25, 2007

More Fun With Photoshop

I made this change to my little scrapbook page.....thanks to a suggestion by SunnyNole. I had to tilt "Grandma Jan's" head up a little to make it look right....but, I think it looks pretty good. I put this together to test out how to make "cut outs". It is a little cheesy, but I think it is pretty cute. Baby crying....gotta go!

Monday, April 23, 2007

Photoshop

This is the silliest thing, but I have dreamed...literally dreamed of having a legal version of Photoshop to play around with on my own computer. Yesterday, this dream came true. I have been shopping around trying to find something that was easy to use and yet allowed for some creativity when designing photo projects....I settled on Photoshop Elements 4.0 (since I have a Mac). I heart this program. It is so cool. I am trying to figure out what I am going to do for my mom, mother in law and grandmothers for Mother's Day. That was the premise of my first project. It is not the final work, but this is a good start.

Photoshop

This is the silliest thing, but I have dreamed...literally dreamed of having a legal version of Photoshop to play around with on my own computer. Yesterday, this dream came true. I have been shopping around trying to find something that was easy to use and yet allowed for some creativity when designing photo projects....I settled on Photoshop Essentials 4.0 (since I have a Mac). I heart this program. It is so cool. I am trying to figure out what I am going to do for my mom, mother in law and grandmothers for Mother's Day. That was the premise of my first project. It is not the final work, but this is a good start.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Why I blog

I blog as an outlet and to live out this fantasy that other intelligent people care about what I have to say. Blogging, for me, is not just about what you write, but about what others write that inspires you. I blog about my kids, my family, my "creative ventures", etc. I read about others kids, family, and "creative ventures". Some of these people I feel a strong connection with. However, I feel offended when I feel like they are leaving crucial parts of their lives out of the story. I don't know why. I understand it is none of my business, but I still fell shorted. This causes me to wonder....what is it that I leave out. Is it that I struggle with the addiction of a loved one? Or that I despair over not being able to spend as much time with my husband that I would like to? I want to be honest, but I know that people do not always appreciate honesty in its raw form. I hope to be the kind of reader/friend that does appreciate this part of life.

Inspired by decor8.

The Girlie Show

In the past five years, or so, I have gained a whole new appreciation for art and beauty. It has become both therapy and inspiration for me in my daily life. There have been several events that I can contribute....Trip to Europe, visiting MOMA in NYC, the natural beauty of San Francisco last spring, living among artists in Edgemere Park, and the Girlie Show.

I have never taken time to explore "my creative side." I just assumed that I really didn't have one....the most creative things I did was cook and take family pictures. (I also needlepoint, but I have only finished one of the 6 or 8 canvas' I have started.)

Today, I can say this has all changed...drastically. I spend several hours a day working on projects, thinking about future projects, and looking at other people's creative ventures looking for inspiration. It has also changed the way I parent. I spend time EVERYDAY working with Adam (my 21 month old) working on creative activities. Sometimes it is art...sometimes making up stories....sometimes just creative play with toys.

I dream of days when I can decorate my home in creative ventures of myself and my children. I have already begun, but there is still a way to go. I dream of days when Adam tells me that he is artistic and creative, because this is something I never thought of myself when I was a child.....and I thoroughly believe that all children are creative. I dream of days when I can take my children, Adam and Nathan, to visit MOMA, Europe, and yes, the Girlie Show.

I see art and beauty in a different way than I did 5 years ago. I see it as looking at life through God's eyes. After a Master's degree in Religion, I can say I have learned more about God and Faith by looking and creating art.

This is all what this blog is about.

Now, for my Girlie Show Plug...I learned about the Girlie Show from my neighbor, one of the shows producers. I volunteered a couple of years....last year I was too pregnant to go out in public in the Little T volunteers are required to wear. I have to say, the first time I went to the show, I had never seen anything like it...eclectic is the only way I can describe it. Now, as it continues to grow I am proud to have it in Oklahoma City. I am also proud to know one of the producers. Here is a short documentary that tells about the show...it is great, but does not do the show justice for how much fun and how inspiring it is.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Pattern Etiquette

I sewed my first project from a pattern....I usually either make up a design or use instructions...I have never used a pattern. One BIG problem...I asked my husband's aunt if she had an apron pattern I could borrow. She said she did; she found it; and I took it home. Here is the problem...when I opened the pattern, I realized it had never been used. I opted to just cut in and save all the pieces. I don't know if I should buy a new pattern and give it back or just give back the cut up version....any suggestions?

Anyway, I was happy with how it turned out. I made this Easter Apron for my sister as a hostess gift. It is super cute!

Monday, April 2, 2007

Progress...Slow But Steady

Things have been busy around here.....so busy, I guess I have forgotten to blog. I am working on several projects, reading several really good books, and trying to keep my two sweet boys out of trouble. I have found a simple baby quilt pattern that I have made two blankets out of and have plans for two more.....I figure, practice makes perfect.

This is my first baby quilt. I made it for one of my oldest friends. We met in first grade and have kept up for over 20 years now.....I can't believe I just said that. Anyway, as different as we are, we have lived seemingly parallel lives. She just had her second boy, Kade. I sent her this blanket.
We have spent a lot of time in our yard....working and playing. It is looking good right now. These tulips have now come and gone, but the yard looks great.

More to come later....