It's All About The Pictures

Because there is another big shake up going on and unfortunately the CT I am on is being dragged ( or is it drug?) into it, I haven't been doing a lot of scrapping or posting. I have produced a few pages that I'm quite happy with, so today it's all about the pictures.
This first one was done for one of the most challenging Speed Scraps I've ever participated in. When I say challenging, I'm not kidding. Everyone has there own level of difficulty depending on what they are used to, this was way up on my Difficulty Scale! I got it posted with only one minute to spare! It was sweating bullets time all the way! I don't know if I got all of the instructions completely correct, but I do love working with a black background and a bit of bold color that pops right off the page.
I used a kit called Catch The Spirit by Digi Overdose and did only minor color adjustments.

Since my sisty sent me some of these old photo's from my past, I've had a lot of fun scrapping them. Recently this kit and I crossed paths and it was a match made in Heaven! The kit is called Live, Laugh, Love and it is by Create Wings Designs.
I used one of my favorite techniques, extraction. The Word Art is part of the kit. I'm especially fond of these pic's because I love seeing that I was a happy little girl once upon a time.The next three layouts I made for my daughter's Valentine's Day. She and her husband have raised their three boys to love Disneyland and everything Disney. I can think of a lot worse things to influence your kids with, and if you live close enough to go there, why not? Anyway, with the latest batch of Disneyland photos in hand, I made her three layouts, one for each kid.
This first one is of two year old Noah. I used a simple challenge to make this one. Everyone was given the same "mini kit" and had to use everything in it. It is really amazing how many different ideas come from the same set of tools. I'm pleased with how this turned out except that my handwriting is so shaky.

This second one is of Tanner, the oldest child. He likes musical instruments. I don't know if any one noticed or not, but the swirl under his picture has an ampersand like squiggle on the top. I put it there because it looks like the music symbol, but maybe backward because my brain works that way sometimes.
I love this picture of Tanner, he is so cute laying there in Pluto's bed. Looks like he'd be perfectly happy to stay right there and take a little puppy nap.
I used the kit American Pride by Digi Overdose to create this one.

This last one of my daughters three is of Isaac. I remember that it was made during a challenge, but which one I can't recall. By looking at it, it's easy for me to see that instructions asked for monotone and several other things that I never do. It actually looks like someone else's layout to me.(added note: I looked up on my notes and this was a Speed Scrap layout)
It has been 8 months since I've seen these guys and it surprises me to see that Isaac has changed more than his younger brother(as far as looks go). No matter, they just keep getting better looking all the time anyway! And I hope their beautiful Mommy like these little "Valentine's" that I made only for her. Not her sister's or her brother's or cousin's, just her.
OK, these last two are thrown into the mix just because I love working with Photoshop and the many different options you have to play with that totally change the look of your photograph. When it comes to portrait type pictures, my favorite effect so far is the "stamp". I used that effect in both of these layouts. The results in this first one are so awesome that I don't want anyone to see the original!

The stamp effect in black and white combined with the few touches of red make this a layout that I'm actually proud of.This last one is also using the stamp effect. This time in black and white and in gray and white. I was able to achieve that two toned effect because the picture is actually two separate extractions. In addition, the two top papers are blended together to appear as one and the title is also blended in there among the candy hearts.

The kit used here is Sweet Love by Stephenette.

That is it for now. A new month begins on Sunday and with it, hopefully, good news and better spirits.

Here are a few new layouts. I hope there are no repeats from previous posts. I noticed that I did that last time.

This first one was created using the Warmth of Friends blog train that Enchanted Studio Scraps had when they were just beginning. I did the layout for a Speed Scrap over a Scrap Matters today. It was hosted by Stefanie and lots of fun as usual! I loved her instructions (well, most of them) and I think this turned out well.



This one may be a repeat, but it's a sentimental favorite of mine so worth a second look. I call it "You Are Missed".

This one is sort of a companion to the last one. I used the kit Sweet Lullabye by Digi Overdose. It is available here:

http://www.enchantedstudioscraps.com/xcart/product.php?productid=200&cat=0&page=6

I might as well say this next one goes along with the previous two. A lot of people may think I'm crazy but I've never been one to hold a grudge. It took a while, but I came to love her and her kids and she loves me and mine. We all suffered a great loss. I've Always loved this picture that I took of them on their wedding day so decided to scrap it, with love.

The kit Always is available here:

http://www.enchantedstudioscraps.com/xcart/produst.php?producyid=426&cat=0&page=1

Layouts with Digi Overdose Goodies!!!!!

As you know by now, I'm on a CT for Digi Overdose over at Enchanted Studio Scraps.I have a bunch of layouts that I haven't posted yet in this blog. I truly think this is the hardest I've worked at a job in like....ever! It probably would have been easy as cake just a few years ago. Nowadays though I really need someone to talk me through some of the techie stuff. I'm not really complaining, unless it's about getting old, I love being on a CT and just wish I could keep up with everyone else and learn as easily. For example, it is after 2AM and I've only slept 2 hours since yesterday (Wednesday) morning. All I've been doing is a few layouts and a lot of posting and trying to figure out what is where and do I have the correct notes on this one and that one and make sure I only transfer the correct ones to this place and then try to learn about all the different links to tie them all together. After I load the ones in here, I WILL get some proper rest. I can learn links tomorrow.

This layout was done with Always

I love working with black and white. Pictures, papers, elements....the great thing about the Photoshop type of products is that no matter what color you might have to start with, it is easily changed, and if you don't like it you can undo it and start over or just leave it alone. Pretty cool stuff!! All of the flowers in the Love is a Beautiful Thing layout started as the pink one.

This layout was created using American Pride

Lyrics are from Bob Dylan

Here is another layout using the wonderful kit Always

The Alpha is Hollywood News Sparkled

If I have time after doing a couple more layouts and finishing my posting and (Please, Please, Please) learning this linking thing, I get some more posted here.