mypictales.com

I managed to get a couple more layouts for my niece's book done, the past couple days. She was my flower girl, even though she was only 15 months old, and she did GREAT!! We had been told she would be to young, but my Mom and I knew she would do fine, and even if she had messed up, it wouldn't have mattered. However she almost did better than the ring bearer, and was leading him down the isle some of the time, instead of him having to lead her. The one photo on the journaling page, (One of my favorite photo's from my wedding, because of the delight on the faces behind her) shows my Aunt Betty, and I just love her expression, she was looking at Kali with a huge smile on her face, because she was doing so well.

Kit Credit: Fairytale Wedding, Victorian Wedding, Easter Basket kit, and Heathers Purple Rose kit ALL by Blushbutter

Well after lots of pulling of hair, and gnashing of teeth...its possible I may have my book uploaded. There is still a problem, it gives me an error message, when the book is 99% done uploading, but they said that its there, it just not showing up in my member area...but they are going to get with me tomorrow and see about fixing this problem too. Hopefully I'll still be able to use a coupon even though most of this has not been their fault. I had to finally call my phone company, and ask if the modem had a firewall on it, and how to turn it off. That seemed to do the trick, and let me finally start uploading. I tell you, I'm tired of messing with this for now!! LOL

My pic tales has been great, they tried to help me out alot, sent lots of e-mails, and called me a couple times trying to figure it out. Their customer service is wonderful, not many companies would try to do everything they could to help you figure out a problem, that was on your side, and not theirs!! I've heard their books are even better than the one I got from Shutterfly, which I was really happy with, so I'm sure I will be getting more books from mypictales.com because they seem to care about their customers. Granted, I haven't actually SEEN a book printed yet, so don't know for sure, but I would bet, from their standard of customer service, that their standard of printing is going to be top notch too. I'm sure I'll be all excited when I get my book, and let you know how it turns out!! I just wish I had thought to call the phone company last week, when I first discovered the problem, so I would have had a chance of getting my book by my Birthday...or shortly thereafter. LOL Oh well, least I should have the order process done by them...least I would think so!

The things I have liked most about this company so far is the fact that I can put as many pages as I want, in a book, that I can do a custom cover for the 8.5X11 books where with shutterfly I can't...only the square ones have custom covers there,the GREAT customer service that they have, AND last but not least the fact that each extra page is half the price of shutterfly's extra pages. All in all, I'm looking forward to seeing my book printed, and as long as I like the books...being able to order more later on, when I get more layouts done.

Anyway, I haven't gotten anything done that I needed to the last couple of days, except for baking some bread, and these two layouts, so I have to get off here, and hope I can get supper on time...or not to late. LOL Hopefully tomorrow I can catch up, and still maybe get a couple layouts done, we will see.

Happy Mothers Day!!!

I want to wish my wonderful mother a very Happy Mothers Day!! Thank you so much for all you have always done for us Mom. I Love you very much!

I hope all of you Mom's have a great Mothers Day. Its a special day so try to take some time to do something you have been wanting to do!

I was able to work on Kali's Prom pictures today, I didn't expect to get them done, but I did, so thought I would post them tonight. I did a 8x8 version for her book, and also a 8.5X11 version for my 2008 book, although I won't post them because they are pretty close to the same, with just some minor changes. Wasn't she just beautiful in that pretty pink princess dress?

I had to do a page with just her on it, which meant I then had to crowd all the other photo's onto one layout. LOL Well all the other ones that I decided to use. There were lots more, a lot of which were close to the same, or blurry, so I tried to pick the best ones out to use. While I know that I could be happier with the pages, I'm not as dissatisfied as I thought I would end up being, so that makes me pretty happy! LOL I just think she is sooo beautiful, that I would be hard pressed to do a layout worthy of her I think.

Kit Credit: Pink and Cream Circle Frames, Victorian Wedding Kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings kit , Beautiful Belles kit, and Victorian Dolls kit by Blushbutter. I blended several backgrounds to get this one.

Once again, I want to wish all of you a great Mothers day, especially that most wonderful special Lady who I was blessed to have for my Mother. I love you Mom!!

I DID IT!!!

I decided to work on layouts this weekend, so I could get 2007 done and this afternoon, I finally finished with the 2007 pictures!! Yippee!!! *giggle* I do still have to do a cover, for the book, but hopefully that won't be to hard, I'll do that, once I get all the layouts into the book software. I discovered, yesterday, that the place I was going to have the book printed at, has a 40%off coupon good till the 15th so I'm really glad I've been pushing to get them done, as there is no way I would have been able to, in a week, had I not been so close. I was going to try a new place because they do my size of books either direction (landscape and portrait), without a hole in the cover, like Shutterfly puts, and I can do a custom cover! I hate to spend way to much money, to try out someone new, since I don't know what they are like, but at least this way, the 40% off coupon code, will help out. Hopefully I like how the book comes out, so I can print more there. Course I'll have to take a little out of savings to get it, but hopefully I won't need that bit for a new car....IF the dealer ever finds me one!! LOL I was going to just get the layouts done, then print it later, but hard to pass up a sale, when I don't know how often they have them.

I just have to get the rest of the book (I'm half way through the year, getting the pages in) put together, and then do the cover, and send it off. I don't know how long they take to print, but I will be antsy till I get it I'm sure. LOL I am however really glad to be almost done, so hopefully I can slow down a little, work on Kali's book, and actually do a little more around here. Thanks so much to my wonderful DH for putting up with this obcession I get to scrap, scrap, scrap at times, which then makes the housework suffer. You are truly the most understanding man, and I love you!!

The first layout is a rainbow, over my DH's work shop, and the 2nd one is the sun shinning through the clouds. It cast a strange really neat glow over things.

Kit Credit for both: Citrus Sunrise by Stone Accents It was a freebie on her blog.

This is a homestead we drove by, when we went for a drive on our anniversary last year. The old barn drew me, so we stopped so I could get a picture of it. I can't help myself, I LOVE old barns!! Course I had to take a picture of the old granary and other outbuilding that was there.

Kit Credit: Beautifall by Lauren Bavin

This is a helicopter that flew low over our place last year. When DH was in the service, he worked on them, so he loves to see them fly over...not that they do it lots. He is always putting a name to the kind of aircraft we see, this one happen to be a Blackhawk.

Kit Credit: Savanah by Designs by Krista It was a freebie on her blog. It was a freebie on her blog.

This is our goats last year, when we let them into the new part of the barn, naturally since we were out there, they thought they should get some handouts. They tend to be really greedy!! LOL I couldn't resist putting billy's picture big, even though he died last year. We have yet to replace him...we do hope to this summer, but will see.

This shows the goats looking around the new part of the barn, that we let them into for the first time. I don't know that they really knew what to do with themselves...and didn't stay in there, once we left. This part, will have stalls, if we ever get them finished. DH has way to many projects going on, so who knows when they will be totally complete.

Kit Credit: Woodland Fantasy by DigiZines by Teri Hanson

This is of course where the barn project it just getting started. DH had to take some rafters we had bought really cheaply several years ago at an auction, and put them together, since he wasn't going to have a big huge long beam down the middle of the barn. That's is pretty much the first thing he did, by laying them across the stacks of pallets, he has in the photo, so he didn't have to work with them down on the ground. It doesn't do to well, for him to lean over, or crawl around on the ground, with his bad back and knees.

Here is the barn project really getting underway, with the setting of the poles. DH used a bunch of old telephone poles, that were here when we bought the place. Needless to say, this barn didn't cost us near what it would have, if we had bought all new stuff for it, which is good, since we don't have that kinda money, and needed more space for the goats! Course that's one reason, some people seem to think of this as hillbilly hill. *giggle*

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Lifetime Moments by Manu

Speaking of Hillybilly hill, this is our place, as seen from the neighbors place...think we were at his garden at the time. It sure looks like there are more trees closer to the house in these photo's, but really there isn't. They are mostly along the creak, with a few dotted here and there, mostly hedge if they are further away from the creak, although there is one nice big tree in the goat pasture further from the creek that isn't hedge. (Probably that one that almost hides the house)

This one we are just getting the rafters up, on the lean to part of the barn. The easy rafters, as I could help with them without a ladder!! LOL Thankfully I didn't have to help on the others as the neighbor came down and helped DH and his sister put them up.

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Florentine by Irene Alexeeva I'll link to her blog, as she isn't in a new store yet...she said she will be soon though!

This layout shows a couple of our cats one evening, it was starting to get dark out, and DH took their picture while they were sitting on our truck. The both seem to be possessed by something, with their eyes glowing like that. The only thing is, the one cat was trying to hide it more, since hers were only glowing in her reflection on the truck. I thought that was really cool! LOL Maybe we need to see of SG1 from stargate command will come see if they have a Goa'uld in them. *giggle* (For those who don't know, what thats about, its a TV show we are addicted to watching...even though its not on TV anymore.)

Kit Credit: Get Kitty by Irene Alexeeva It was a freebie on her blog.

This is the father of the groom at the wedding we went to last year. Its DH's cousin. I do hope I don't have to much pink on the layout, or have it looking to "girly" for lack of a better word. LOL I wanted to use the wedding colors, but since they were black and pink, I kinda find that hard to do, for a guy. Maybe since he had on a pink tie, he won't mind so much having a little pink on the page. *giggle* I also hope I didn't blur the background TO much, so that it messes with your eyes. I've never done that before, but wanted him to stand out a little more, and thought maybe that would work. I did recolor some of the elements in the kit, for the layout.

This is the bride and groom, with the Unitity Candle, during the cermony. The last layout shows the "getaway" where they got into the back of the old truck, and went for a short drive around the block, while everyone else went back inside, and then they came back, and made their entrance, to the reception. We really had a good time at the wedding, even though we couldn't stay for a long time, as we had a long drive (4 hrs) back that night. I'm so glad we were able to go.

I really had to lighten the cermony pictures...the other ones some too, but just not as much. We were sitting towards the back of the church, so I was lucky to get as good of pictures as I did...would have been nice to be sitting on the aisle, but I managed. I'm not great at getting the pictures to look good, when I have to lighten them so much, but I don't guess they turned out all that bad.

Kit Credit for the last three layouts: Victorian Wedding kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings Kit, and April Challenge Kit ALL by Blushbutter

Well if you made it all the way through this post, you must have some staying power! LOL I know its long, with so many layouts, but at least for a little while, maybe the posts will be shorter...unless I ramble a lot. We will see. Have a great week everyone, and thanks for your comments, both here and through e-mails!! :)

The Call of the frogs

This was taken on our way home from my cousin's funeral last year. I loved the look of the sun, over the water. It was a very peaceful looking place. We had actually stopped to take a picture of the pink that was showing up, in the sky to the south, but this was actually my favorite picture, even though there wasn't any color in the sky. The other pictures didn't turn out as good as they should have, because the camera setting had gotten switched and I didn't catch it. But I was still happy enough with this one, I had to scrap it.

This is some of the family that was at the funeral, the cousin's daughter, and some grand kids. We had a good time, seeing family, even though it was a sad occasion. Jr (as I always knew him as) lived a good long life, and was loved by many.

Kit Credit: Sweet Surrender by Lauren Bavin

This is our nephew, his girlfriend, daughter, and girlfriends daughter (I'd say step daughter if they were married, but not sure how to say that since they aren't. LOL) They make a nice little family.

Kit Credit: Box of Quilling, Easter Basket kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings Kit & Cardboard Frames All by Blushbutter. The wordart was a freebie at DSP by Kerri Erickson

This is our house, as seen from the direction of the barn. The trees we planted out front a couple years ago, haven't grown all that much...hopefully they take off one of these days, and start looking like they will someday be big! LOL I love this old house, I never thought I would want a one story house, with some of the rooms being a little on the small side, but I fell in love with this one, the first time I saw it, and feel blessed to have been able to be the ones to move it to our farm, instead of someone else moving it to theirs.

This is the Barn, and DH doing a little dirt work, around it, with his tractor. The chickens were enjoying him digging in the dirt and uncovering bugs for them too. Its a wonder they didn't get ran over, they sure seemed to be in the way a lot.

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Summer Dreams by Blushbutter This is one of those $2.00 kits too, so better go get it!! Least it is for this month, not sure after that. The ink bottle in Our House is from Easter Basket kit by Blushbutter

This layout was going great, till I got done with the papers, and pictures, then I had to try to figure out what elements to use, and where to put them, and I stalled out. LOL So I didn't put much on this one either, I don't know if I looked at it to long, putting all the pictures and stitches on there, so I got used to having less on it, or what, but I finally gave up, and this is the way it will be I guess. I like it, it just seems a little bare. Oh well, anyway, this is my niece's school pictures from kindergarten to 11th grade. I'll do a page with her Sr pic's for beside it, once she gets them taken, and to me...later this year.

Kit Credits: Craft Scrapbooking Kit, Baby Girl Heart Strings Kit and Snow flakes kit ALL by Blushbutter. The Arrow I did myself.

National Scrapbooking Day (NSD):

I hope everyone will have a great time celebrating NSD!! I didn't do anything here in my store, as I'm so small, I can't compete, and ummm I've been so busy working on layouts that I didn't try to think of what to do. Sorry!! There are lots of sales going on though, and I've managed to get in and buy a few things myself...I was planning on getting a few kits this month for my Birthday, so I just went shopping a little early. So Happy Birthday to me!! *giggle* Gosh, I had way to much fun, and got some beautiful kits, to many, as I hadn't planned on spending so much, (3 or 4 kits was what I was going to stick to) but just couldn't stop myself, I think I ended up buying 7 kits...if you count the two from Vicky as two, they are more like one BIG one, as they match. LOL. I had trouble deciding which of Manu's kits to buy, and which to wait for later for.

I bought Vicky Morrissy's Beautiful Blossoms Roses 1 & 2, its just beautiful!! I've been wanting it, but with not doing much with my heritage photo's, and figuring that's what I'm use it for the most, I put it off, but a couple weeks ago, I promised myself I'd get it for my birthday, even if I don't get to use it right away. LOL Course when I saw it on sale, I had to get it early, so I could save a little bit of money...and then end up spending it at Manu's store over at SBG. *giggle* Also I tried out a new designer, I saw her stuff a couple weeks ago, and while I know she isn't NEW she is to me. LOL I bought one of GiselaB Designs kits plus picked up her new cluster frame freebie while I was there. Needless to say, I'm broke now, but have more kits to finish my 2007 photo's with, and then some. LOL Speaking of freebie's, I got the add on to one of Manu's kits on her blog too, and she has a 2nd one, that hopefully she will tell us where is, once she knows. Also speaking of Sales, Blushbutter is having one too, so its a perfect time to go grab some of her kits, if you have been wanting them. You KNOW you want to! :)

Now whats going on with the weather?

DH sent me a link to a news report this morning, about some bad storm damage close to where we used to live in Indep. Mo. I still have some family down there, so hopefully they are all ok. I'm wondering if the house had any damage or not, it was Grandma and Grandpa's house for 60 years, so while we did buy it from them and live there for a few years, it's always Grandma's house to me. I saw on a video that just a few blocks away, a restaurant was totally destroyed...really hope we get to go to that family reunion, so we can drive by "Grandma's" house, and see if its still there.

In other strange weather news, Western Nebraska got more snow! I can't believe it, its just not suppose to snow, least not around here, in May!! Granted that's west of here a ways but still. Sure hope it doesn't come here, I know DH talks about there being snow on his oldest brothers birthday, which is in May, but I personally don't remember ever having snow in May, and would like to keep it that way! *giggle* Thankfully we didn't move west, when we were thinking of looking for a place in the country!

Its been beautiful here the last several days. We did get some rain in the night and today, but don't think it was lots. Its not been sunny much today, but after the last several days I don't mind as much, and after the news from around the Midwest, I really don't mind, because at least we didn't have snow, or high winds!

Moments like this (below) is one reason I LOVE the country.

Last night, I was sitting here at my computer, working on a couple of these pages, listening to the frogs sing outside my open window. It was just starting to get dark, and the longing to go outside and listen to them because strong, almost as if they were calling me. Now usually it takes a bit, to get me away from my computer, when I'm actually getting a bunch done, but I finally gave in, and went and sat on the patio for little while. It wasn't to dark out, so I could still see things, not just the outlines, but actually see them. But because it was getting dark, the sky was more of a gray blue, than a blue, with thin wispy white clouds in it, along with a few of the brightest stars twinkling already. I sat there listening to the frogs serenade me and smelling that cool night smell that was wafting towards me, on the slight breeze. I swore I could smell the hay field, even though there wasn't any hay down in it. It was pure heaven, and even Rascal sat and enjoyed it with me for a little while. Just before we came in, the coyotes started yipping in the distance, to add to the magic of the country evening. The coyotes are another sound from my childhood, that, while not as endearing as the frogs, it takes me back to my growing up years, and the happy memories I am so lucky to have.

Have a great weekend everyone, don't spend TOOOO much at the sales, and thanks for your wonderful comments.

I'm getting there!

I just love to watch kittens playing. Love how totally adorable they are scampering around. Grown cats are fun to watch too, but the added cuteness of them being babies, makes watching kittens play, even funner. This is a couple of ours playing in the barn.

Kit Credit: Fresh Beginning add on by Manu...it was a freebie on her blog.

This was Bunny's first baby. He was kinda cute, and Galen called him Pierre, while we had him. We sold him at the goat auction though, as he was a male. Its kinda hard to give them up at times, but we don't need to many males...especially ones that are related to our females, so we have to take them up to the auction, as that gives us some extra money, to be able to buy more females. LOL Maybe someday our goat herd will be a better size, that way.

Kit Credit: Lifetime Moments add on by Manu. It was also a freebie on her blog! I have actually bought a few of her kits, but so far haven't managed to get many of them. I am enjoying using her add on's, so I'm sure I will have to go get some of her others too, when I get around to it! LOL

The Horse Tank, was made by my DH's great-grandpa in 1913. It used to sit on a farm to the south of us, that the family used to own, but since they don't anymore, Galen talked to the owner and asked if he could have the tank, and when he said yes, he and the neighbor went down and got it, so its sitting on our farm now. I remember Galen showing it to me years ago, so I'm glad he was able to get it.

This is Carmel, standing in one of the cedar trees, that the goats have stripped, up as far as they can. Not sure why she was there, other than the fact that she is strange, cause she was just standing there, looking around the pasture. Galen's seen her in it several times, just looking, and said its almost like she is "the lookout". LOL

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Shade Garden by Designs by Krista...another blog freebie.

This shows 4 goats we bought last year, checking out their new home. It almost looked like they had never seen a chicken before, the way they were checking it out.

Kit Credit: Veranda Breeze by Misty Cato

This layout, and the next one, were ones I did to go with another layout, I had done last year.

This shows my office, as I found it when I got up on my birthday. Galen's sister decorated it for me to surprise me, and she had to do it in the middle of the night, because I had stayed up late, don't think I went to bed before midnight...or even later. I thought it was rather sweet of her to do. Thanks KT! Oh and Galen picked me some flowers to add too it, I love it when he does that. :)

Kit Credit: Blissful Blossoms by Lara Payton

Here is Pierre is again, hung up, on a 5 gal. bucket...don't know how he managed it, but its rather funny. Then I also scrapped a sunset photo with the same kit. I like things side by side, that look like they might go together, ...not always going to be that way, especially probably in 2006, as I wasn't thinking that way, when I scrapped the ones, I've scrapped already.

Kit Credit: Beauty in Bloom by Manu (I actually bought that one...on sale, but hey, what can I say. LOL)

I really am getting closer to the end of my 2007 photo's!! I think there are around 20 layouts left, if I haven't miscounted, or unless I find DH has a bunch, that I just have to scrap. He sends me some of his pictures sometimes, and at others he doesn't. I'm kinda hoping there won't be to many that I need. LOL I really want to get these done. I'm trying to do a bunch today, as I don't know how many I'll be able to do for the rest of the week.

OMGoodness, is this not just the cutest photo? I had totally forgotten that I hadn't scrapped it yet. I was going to use a different kit, but then saw this one, in my stash of free one's I've gotten, and had to use it. I love that frame!! It won't really match the layout that will be beside it, but oh well, this kit was perfect for the photo, so I'll live. This is our niece who was born last year. This is probably my favorite photo of her, least of the professional ones of her, that I've seen so far. They have gotten some since, but not got them to me yet. LOL Makes me wonder now that I say that, if they were taken this year, or last though...hmmm if I get this book printed, then get some more photo's of her from last year, I guess they will have to go in this years book. Not ideal, but its been known to happen, even in my photo albums, that I put together.

Kit Credit: Classic by Designs by Krista Yep, it was another blog freebie!

This photo is one of my favorite ones for the year, if you will remember, when I did my Favorite photo's layout. However while I did put it on that layout, I also want it on its own, for in middle of the book. These were right outside our front door. I'm surprised they wanted them there, and the fact that we would go in and out, didn't keep them from building their nest just a few feet from our head. I'm so glad I got a picture though, cause they are just adorable!

This is our nephew and his little girl (the one above that is so cute! LOL)

Kit Credit for both of the last layouts, Botanical Beauties by Jean Daughterty Designs

Ok, that's it for today, and maybe for several days. LOL I've got some things to do, so don't know if I'll be able to scrap all that much for 2 or 3 days, and then not THIS much! (Although I didn't do ALL of these today, I just didn't get around to posting over the weekend.) Anyway, Have a great week, I'll be back, at least by Thursday, as I have a post all ready to go, for the new challenge for May on Blush~n~Dusty's Yahoo group. Hopefully I can do another couple layouts this week, but we will see. One of these days, I may actually work on another kit....but since I'm on a roll, with 2007 photo's, I think I'll wait till I'm finished with them, before I worry about it to much. LOL

As always, thanks so much for your comments, here and through e-mail!!

A couple layouts and a tongue lashing

I managed a couple layouts for Kali's book this morning. The first layout is her parents, and the changing of her diaper...one of those every day moments with babies. The 2nd layout is my Dad, holding her. I thought the Orange of this kit went with her mothers shirt, so used the Gentle kit again, with some of the quilling flowers on the metal corner. I really love the flags I used in the 2nd layout, for the title. I also love the fact that there was a set with a drop shadow, and a set without, this time I used it with, but once in a while I could see where that wouldn't be what I would want, so its nice to have the choice! And don't you just love that fluffy looking feather. LOL

Kit Credit: Gentle Kit, Box of Quilling Kit, and on the first one I used a frame from the Digi Frame Pack ALL by Blushbutter

Not much newsworthy happening, least not around here. We did get a tongue lashing this morning, by one of our Doxie's when we got back in from milking, cause they inadvertently got locked outside. *giggle* I came in, saw them both standing at the patio door, in the kitchen, and let them in, then Rascal started barking at me, like he does, when we've been gone, and he is chewing us out, for not taking him with us. Then about the time he was settling down, DH came in, and he started all over again. DH felt sorry for them, so gave them one of their treats...which always makes Rascal start barking in excitement and dancing around, till DH can get them out of the bag, and give him one. It was rather funny to be chewed out this morning by a doxie though. I had to laugh at him, which only made him do it more. :)

Hope you all are having a good day! Thanks so much for the comments!

I had way to much fun, playing with these pictures.

I really LOVE this picture! I love that cute, adorable smile on my DH's face, (if you can see it, since the picture is small) and that wonderful laugh that Aunt Betty is in the middle of. Its really priceless, I don't know what they were laughing at, but I'm sure glad I caught it on camera, when we went to DH's cousin's wedding last summer. This is one of those pictures, that makes me at the very least smile, if not actually laugh, when I see it, because even though its just a photo, they make me want to join them, in their laughter. Oh, I had so much fun putting these layouts together!! I think laughter really does enrich our lives, and I'm blessed to have it in mine quite often.

The 2nd layout is at the same wedding, its Aunt Betty and her three kids. I had to fix the picture, because I took two about the same, and in each one one of the boys had their eyes shut! I couldn't believe it, so I decided to play around, and fixed it so they weren't. Then of course I had to have some fun with it, before I merged the two layers. I cloned the open eyes from the one photo, onto the shut eyes of this photo, and put them on a different layer...and then sat there clicking the layer off and on a few times, so he opened and shut his eyes....I can't help it I guess I haven't grown up yet. *giggle*

Kit Credit: Vintage Florals by Shadow Scraps. I really love this kit too, its so pretty!

Anyway, its late, so I better get off here. I still have e-mails to answer, before bed, but was having to much fun with these two layouts to stop earlier. LOL I hope everyone has a great week, thanks so much for your comments!!

Milkin and Scrappin

I did the layout for Kali's Dad's letter to her to go opposite the one from her Mom. I used several photo's of her and her Dad as she was growing up, along with one that Dad took this weekend at her prom.

Kit Credit: Grandcestors by Idgie's Heartsong There is so much more in that kit I want to use, but I'm so slow lately at getting things done. LOL If I ever get back to my favorite kinda layouts....heritage....I'll be using more of this kit for sure.


I was going through this years pictures and seeing what I had and hadn't scrapped, and also looking at the layouts for this years book, and seeing what needed a layout that looked good beside it this morning. So when I saw that I would need one beside the last layout that I did of Kali's Prom Dress, I decided to use the other photo I had of her trying on her prom dress. Hopefully I'll manage to get caught up with this years photo's in the next few weeks, now that I've decided what I have left, that needs scrapped. Then I can maybe get back to last years photos...course they need organized too, so I can see what I've used, and what I haven't.

Kit Credit: Box of Quilling, Victorian Wedding kit and Good Men kit by Blushbutter.

Except for the wind, yesterday was a beautiful day. It was warm, and I've had the furnace turned off since yesterday...which is the longest so far this year!! I also had some of the windows open all night, which was wonderful...it got a little cool by morning, but sure was nice to be able to have that fresh air, and listen to the night sounds...which actually was mostly the wind. LOL I did shut them this morning, as I get cold when I'm not under all our blankets, but so far haven't turned on the heat...hopefully I won't have to. Today isn't suppose to be quite as warm, but its still not as bad as last week.

I'm still milking, the hand milker we got didn't work to well, so I would still have to milk at least half the milk, so it was just faster all around to send it back, and do it all myself. We are planning on trying another one, which is the one I wanted in the first place, but it was so much higher, DH convinced me to try the cheaper one. (He KNOWS I'm a cheap skate usually, so it didn't take much to convince me. LOL) However once we get the money back from that one, I guess we will have to order the other more expensive one, and pray that it works. It has good reviews, and DH can only find one person who didn't like it, so least that's something. I really hope it will pretty much milk out the goats, so there isn't more than a couple squirts left...my left hand cramps up bad when I have to do it all...and even my right does some, just not as bad. However its nice to have the milk, so as long as I can, I will milk by hand, if that's the only way we can manage it. We still haven't managed to get enough in the freezer for a nice batch of cheese...but we are getting there.

I do have to admit, though, that I would also love to have a milk cow, cause I would love to be able to make my own butter...never been to fond of cows, cause they are so big, but having fresh butter all the time would be wonderful. Unfortunately cows are way to expensive...so unless we can "scrounge" one for free I don't suppose we will be so lucky...least not for a while. A couple of milk cows, and a bull would go nicely in our back pasture...once we get the fence done, and provide us with lots of butter...prob to much. LOL I know what your thinking, the bull won't give us much milk...however he would make sure the cows could keep providing us with some by making sure they had calves now and again, so that's why I included a bull in the mix, although I don't know if I would really WANT a bull...least not if he is the least bit mean. Since DH keeps saying he has milked a cow, but not goats...maybe he could manage to milk them. I on the other hand, have never milked a cow...so I would use his excuse on them and say I can't! *giggle*

The "training" for milking is going well...least for the goats. When they get done eating and start stamping their feet, or sitting down or whatever they do, to make it impossible for me to milk them, I give them a little more feed, and hurry up and milk some more. Yep, its going good for them, not so much for me though! LOL I have no idea how people who have well behaved milk goats do it, but I sure wish I knew. I know I shouldn't let them train me, but I just can't milk them when they are sitting down, or moving around so I can't hit the opening on the bucket, so what else can I do, but dole out their food a little at a time, to try to make it last till I get done milking. It is REALLY annoying to say the least, but I can't say that I hate going out there every morning...wish it could be afternoon, instead of morning, as it would fit into my usual schedule better, but someday, I'll get a new schedule figured out. Till then, things will just not get done, if I run out of time...not that that is really anything new. *snicker* Course come winter, I'm not so sure I'll enjoy going out every morning and freezing...can't milk with gloves on, and as warm as two fingers would be on each hand, cause they are in contact with two warm teets (two fingers is all I use, as they are so small), the rest of my hand could freeze...but maybe in the winter we won't have to milk as much, cause we will be expecting babies.

Anyway, enough rambling, I need to go find lunch, and get some dishes washed...and any number of things, that probably won't all get done. LOL Have a great day everyone, and go say Hi to Blushbutter at DST, she is Queen for the day there today!!! She is also giving away some goodies...so look all the way through the thread!

Grandparents pages

I worked on Kali's grandparents pages today. The journaling isn't on the layouts because its private. I included each set of Grandparent's wedding photos, along with a photo of their kids, and of course them WITH Kali. I kinda like how they turned out.

Kit Credit: Vintage Vibrance and Rosey Recollections by Lara Payton I think Rosey Recollections was discontinued a while back.

We had a good weekend, and its lots warmer so far this week, than it was last week!! Course today, its windy, but that's not really unusual for Nebraska. Its sitting at 70 F. right now, so I'm going to have to go out and see if I can get some sun, without blowing away.

Kali said she had a good time at prom, although it was over way to soon. Once the professional pictures come in, I'll have to get those layouts done, but I'm waiting, so I can look at all of the pictures, and decide which to use. I have a ton left to do for the book anyway...just can't seem to get busy and get them done! LOL

When the Dr called DH last Friday, the first thing she said, was he could drop the extra med she put him on last time, since his blood sugar was way down, so I was happy we didn't even have to ask!! She was very pleased that it was down.

That's all the "news" I have, so I better get off the computer, I have to start some rice for supper, and go outside, till the bedding I've been washing is done, so I can make our bed. I hope everyone is having a good day.

Sunshine!

Yesterday was such a dreary day, and for some reason I was longing for some warm cheerful sunshine. The week seemed to have been more dreary than I wanted I think, and while things got done, it seemed to take forever and not leave much time for anything else. Today however the sun is shining, its 55 degrees out, which is warm enough to not need a coat, since there isn't any wind, its really a beautiful day out side! I was out earlier, we even managed to figure out where to put our cloths line...that I MAY finally get this month. I would have tried to talk him into getting the poles in today, except he had to go somewhere this afternoon. Oh well, for sure this month, if all goes well!!

I started this layout last night, after supper and stargate, because I all of a sudden got an idea for it. Its the page that goes opposite the one I did yesterday, so I wanted it the same....but different, you know same colors and all, but a different layout. So since I actually got an idea for it, instead of just having to come play around with things, I worked on it and got it almost finished last night. That made me happy, cause I had more time today for other things, yet got my two layouts for Kali's book done this week...even if that's all I manage, I can be happy about that. Anyway, this is my niece, with her Dad (my brother). I cut the quilling corner that I used in my last layout up, for this layout, so I didn't have to have it on a corner. I thought it worked pretty good, and love the flowers around the photo's too. Of course I used the ferns yet again....can you tell I love those ferns! LOL I've used them in 3 out of the 4 layouts I've done with this kit so far. Wonder how many more I could use them in! *giggle*

Kit Credit: Easter Basket by Blushbutter

We got our hand milker today, so I can stop having to milk the goats by hand fully, which will hopefully make my hands ache less!! I've noticed my left hand doesn't do near as good a job of getting the milk out as my right...but that's probably just because I am right handed. I can't wait to see how the milker works, and how the goats like it over me doing it all. Hopefully it will help DH be able to manage it, at least some of the time, by himself. Annie, the goat that is my favorite to milk, is also the hardest to get up on the stand, so she can eat, and I can milk. The other goat will jump right up and get to eating, but Annie has to be lifted up. We can't figure out what her problem is, and why she just won't remember how to jump up there on her own. LOL I guess she can't be easy all the way around, has to be stubborn about something, since she isn't so bad trying to get her to stand for milking.

Anyway, I have some things to do, so better get off here. I hope you all have a great weekend! Thanks for your comments!! :)

Beautiful Day!!

Well I managed a layout today, don't know how! LOL This one is for Kali's Mom and a short letter she wrote her, to go in the first part of the book. Its private, so I won't be sharing the journaling.

Kit Credit: No Shrinking Violet by Idgie's Heartsong

I also got the photo's of Kali, scanned out of my older albums, so now just have to organize them and figure out what I have room to use. Then, maybe I can get down to actually scrapping more!!!!

Yesterday, I was up to my knees in Lace. *giggle* Ok not really, but I was working on some lace extractions for my newest kit, and I couldn't stop cause it was so pretty. It was behaving itself and extracting pretty well....or maybe I was just in the right mood to do it, I don't know. Anyway, I can't wait to get back to work on that kit, I think if it keeps going as well as it has been, that it could be one of my favorites. Course its got purple and green in it, which are two colors I love (duh! LOL) so that could be why. Anyway, hopefully I can do some more on it, in the next few days.

Its been sooooo nice here the past couple of days too! No need for a coat or anything. No frogs singing in the creek yet...like there were last year at this time, but last year we had warm temps to early and the fruit trees froze, so we don't need that again this year! I did manage to get a few photo's of the baby goats, but haven't managed to get them off the camera yet, so don't know if they turned out. We still have way to much mud out there, so I didn't go out and spend a long time with them. Maybe one of these days it will be warm AND dry, so I can.

The neighbor came over and helped spread out the big pile of rock, that was left in front of the barn, so now at least we can get into it again. We are so blessed with some of our neighbors!! Also the company we got the gravel from called and told us we could take some money off the bill...not enough to get another truck load, which we could still use, but hey, it still helps, and makes me less mad, that they left a big pile. Last time it didn't get spread out like it should, the other company we had used that time, didn't bother trying to make it right.

Sunday when I talked to my Mom, I found out a cousin died, (Everett) he had cancer. He actually was an umm.... 2nd or 3rd cousin I think. I helped him build a fish cleaning house in Minnesota one summer, when I was visiting my grandparents, when I was young. I enjoyed visiting him and his wife that summer, and even though we didn't stay that close, I have enjoyed the good memories I have of that summer once again, after hearing he was gone.

Well all in all, I have had a good week so far, I hope all of you have! Enjoy the warmth, if you are Lucky enough to have it, and have a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for your comments.

New Babies!!

Well here is the other page that goes beside the one in my last post. I had fun with it. I can't wait to actually get this book done, and printed!! I know it will be over a year yet, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing it in a book....and seeing how a thicker book looks. I think I'm going to have to save money, so I can get myself a copy, not just my niece! *giggle*

Kit Credit: Heart Strings baby girl kit and Silver Frame pk by Blushbutter.

We now have three new baby goats, God willing they will survive. We had one yesterday and then two this morning. Just as DH got out to feed the goats, he saw the last one born. They are all adorable!! The one this morning was finally Bossy, the one we have been thinking should be having them, cause she has looked huge for months. We only have a couple more goats we expect could have some, and one of them won't be till almost June if she does. We have two girls and a boy...so hopefully at the very least the girls survive, as I would like to keep them. The boys we would sell, for money for a new billy....but hopefully eventually we can get some money together for that, even if we don't have enough billys to sell, to buy another one. I got a few pictures this morning, of DH using my hairdryer on them, to dry them off, but have yet to get them off my camera. I'll have to try to do that, and get them scrapped soon!! LOL

I am almost as done as I'm going to be on a new kit, so hopefully I can finish that this afternoon. We will see if I manage to finish it, and get it in my store, if I do, I'll post it on my blog later today, or tomorrow. I have a few things to do around the house too, so better get busy! I doubt I will be doing any more layouts this week, as I need to work on some scanning, and also some other computer stuff, so have a great rest of the week, and weekend everyone!! Thanks so much for your comments!!!

Busy trying to get organized

Yep, I could use some organization in many different areas I think, but for now, I'm working on trying to get Kali's photo's organized, so I can figure out what I'm doing. I have most of what is on my computer copied into another folder, that is divided into years, now I need to go through my photo albums for the last 17 years, and scan any in of her, that I don't have on my computer. Mom is busy scanning some that Kali's other Grandmother (Thanks Laura and Mom!!) sent over, and has already sent me some of them...and will the others when she gets them done.

I have a folder, of ones without dates, that I will have to find dates for, before they go into the yearly folders, but will do that once I get the others scanned out of my books. Then once I get everything into the right years folder, I can figure out what I'm going to use, and try to make sure that I don't get to many pages. I can always double up on photo's if I need to...and still make sure I have a few pages left, for what is taken between now and when she graduates next year. I find I work better, if I'm somewhat organized, and kinda have an idea of what I'm going to do...least on a project like this, that can only have a certain number of pages. I have the first several pages of the book figured out(figured out as in what the pages will be about...not figured out HOW they will look! LOL)...along with the last several pages, so now I just have to get all the pictures together, and figure out all the pages in between.

This layout is the first of two showing her Mom while she is pregnant with her. We don't have many photo's of then for some reason. Only two from what Mom has found so far, strange when we have so many of other times, but I guess that's the way it goes.

Kit Credit: Heart Strings baby girl kit and Silver Frame pk by Blushbutter. Aren't those shoes just toooooo precious!!

Needless to say, I'm going to be busy messing with photo's for a little while, so we will see if I manage any more layouts this week! LOL We also have to go to the Dr for a post surgery appointment...and go shopping. Now that I'm a little more into working, I can't cause I'll be gone, and have to get organized. Doesn't that figure!! *giggle* I know, I should have been working on getting the photo's organized last week, when I wasn't feeling creative....but didn't think of it then. Silly me.

I finally got some more jeans ordered today, I was getting desperate, and they were on sale, so I finally just did it. I don't wear them lots, but do some in the winter...and you know me and getting things on sale!!! *giggle* I'd been saving some money for them for months....but only one pair, so I used some money I was going to use for something else to go with it, but least now I'll have some more. Clothes are really LOW on my list of things to buy, if I have something that will work, why bother, is usually my opinion! LOL However I noticed the pair I wore a couple weeks ago, need tossed soon, so couldn't put it off any longer. (I ordered a couple nicer shirts too, so will see if I like them, once I get them).

Well DH just found out that one of the goats was birthing...still not the ONE who looks like she has triplets, so maybe if we are lucky we will have another baby before long...and hopefully, God willing, it will not die on us! LOL We had 70 degree (F.) weather on Sat, but naturally no one bothered to have their babies then. LOL Least it is above freezing....barely.

Anyway, I better get going, I have to get supper in the oven, then maybe I can post this around, while its cooking....unless I go out to the barn! LOL Have a wonderful week!

Finally got to work on my special project!!

Yep, this is the first page...well first page I have done, not the first page of the book....for that special project for my niece, and yes, its square!!! LOL Strange I know. I won't be doing the pages in order, just as I decide to! LOL These are several photo's of her, when she was 3 and under. I tried to pick some out, where she was with some of the many people who love her. This is a general one, Kinda for the start of a section on her younger years. I'm not totally sure how I'm going to set this up yet...I have some pages kinda figured out, but will just do most of them, as I go. It seems to be the way I work best! LOL Some of these could actually be used again, on a page with more journaling, if I want to do one, with more photo's of that kind. I have no idea how big this is going to end up....can't be more than 100 pgs! LOL I could have trouble, cause 100 pages, could add up fast!

Kit Credit: Gentle by Blushbutter

I really like how this page turned out! It took me long enough, so I should, but that doesn't always mean anything! *giggle* I love that gemstone heart I put around the title, I think it makes the page stand out more. The swirl that I put right on top of the background, doesn't show up all that much, but it did add something to the page, when I added it! I do love this kit!! The only question I have about the layout is...do the names and dates distr