Bringing Some Old Back for the NEW YEAR!

Don't have much time to chat today; I have still been fighting this CPU ever since it arrived. Why can't things work like they are suppose to? Anyway, I thought I'd bring forward some Freebies I did earlier in the year for you to catch up with; there's a link below each preview.

Go here to snatch this one!


Click here for this one!


And here for the last one!

Happy New Year Everyone!


Tootles!

Woo Hoo! It Came!

I received my new CPU today at 4:35pm! I hate the new Windows operating system! Vista is a load! I want my XP back! I haven't installed anything yet because I've been trying to figure out how to get around in the Windows Explorer like I use to! Just wanted to say "hi" and let you know that as soon as I can get my PSE5 loaded and get some semblance of order I'll be back!

My Little Christmas

Hello y'all! Well I had a Merry Little Christmas; the emphasis on "Little" being that it was only for a couple of hours on Christmas Eve and that Peaches (The Cat) keeps us from having a nice tree and decorations. Here's a page I scrapped for it.


As I told you yesterday, Kim and the children came down and had dinner with me and we exchanged gifts. Joshua's school did a wonderful fund raiser that was sure to please every loved one on your list: they had the children's signed artwork applied to coasters, hot pads, shirts, teddy bears, etc.! I got coasters and a hot pad, which are so dear to me, that I probably will forbid anyone to use them! They also gave me a beautiful set of opal and diamond earrings and a watch that I have really needed. The one I had for 24 years broke some time ago and I have been looking for a replacement and couldn't find one I liked with a stretch linked bracelet so Kim used considerable legwork and found me one that's just perfect. Joshua picked out a "handicapped pop top can opener" for me because of my hands; he is so thoughtful for an 8 year old! They also brought me my favorite scented cologne; and my traditional kitty calender!



Lynn gave me my new digital camera that I have had about a month. I didn't hear from my youngest daughter; my heart is breaking. I called and left a message but didn't hear back from her or the children. I sent an email to her office, hopefully I will know more soon. I hope little Tabba likes her camera! I got her and Suzy the same one and gave Timothy and Joshua gift cards because they are so hard to buy for.

I basically spent Christmas alone, right here in front of my computer. Lynn was here but not with me. I've decided to purchase myself a really nice gift: a new CPU with an Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 processor! Last week my current CPU just locked up on me because I didn't have enough RAM for my digital scrap page work. I did find out I can add RAM to my current setup but it might be years before LDW would install it for me and I don't have a way to get to the computer shop to have them do it. I just ordered it online from Costco.com which had exactly what I wanted for more than $600 cheaper than anyone else (including the manufacturer!). I'm really excited about being able to access my organizer and editor at the same time when I digi-scrap! The only thing I'm not sure of is the operating system: the new "Vista." I don't know if it's been on the market long enough to get most of the bugs out; wouldn't it be nice to buy a setup that never had a single bug? This baby I'm using now is really a great machine but even it had to be returned to the manufacturer because of bugs that couldn't be fixed on site! So when it arrives, in a couple of weeks, I might not get online for a while because of configuring the new layout.

I've checked with some of your blogs the last two days and I see that you all are having a wonderful time this holiday season-you are missing! I'm happy for you and anyone who has their family and loved ones close during this emotional time of year. It makes you melancholy for the good old days when you get over the middle age bump and start heading down the home stretch. I really am interested in how my online friends celebrated and with whom.

Going to check with Kim about those photos she's suppose to be emailing me.

Have a great one!

Tootles!

Since I started this post I have received an email from Suzi. They spent Christmas alone in the woods, hunting. She said they were happy to be together and that all of them were fine.

It has taken so long for me to post (I started at 12:55) because the CPU is sooooo slow-I'm waiting at least 5 minutes every time I want to bring something into Adobe PSE! And, I haven't heard from Miss Kim yet!

I Wish You A Loving and Joyful Christmas

I just had to come by and wish you the best Christmas ever. I hope you have lots of friends and family around to make it Merry and Bright!

I'm alone, but it's okay. My oldest daughter and her two children came down for Christmas Eve dinner and gifts. I wanted to take a lot of photos but I burnt my hand again today (I did yesterday too) and wasn't able to press the button hard enough. I actually thought the camera was broken, not me! LOL! Kim got a bunch of pix and she said she'd get me copies. Joshua really liked his treasure box and his other gifts and so did Kim and Suzy. I think Suzy thanked me at least 20 times for the digital camera! She's a real shutter bug, so I got her a really nice one.

Well I'm off to bed, it's almost 2AM.

Best Wishes!

A Gift For You!

Don't anyone faint! I've uploaded a Freebie for you as a Merry Christmas! or Happy Holidays! from me. This is an eyelet frame that I made to use on my layout "Suzy Baby" that I posted earlier. You can easily change the size and color to suit your needs using Photo Shop or Photo Shop Elements or any program that let's you lasso or select png files.

DOWNLOAD HERE

I hope you enjoy using it. Send me a link, if you do, so I can leave you some Luv!

I'm just sitting around waiting on the car to get home so I can do my grocery shopping. I made a birthday card for my wonderful friend, Theresa, this morning and I have to get a stamp and mail it today-her birthday is Christmas Eve!

I scrap-lifted it from Ready, Set, Create!'s newsletter. You can go to my gallery at The Scrappy Gourmet or Serendipity Scrapbooks to see the products list. The galleries are listed and linked to the right.

Have a Merry!

Tootles!

From Me to You!

This post is sticky-see new posts below!

Suzy Baby!

I was looking back on my pages and realized I haven't finished one in 10 DAYS! Christmas really keeps us busy, busy, busy! I decided to do a baby page for Suzy. We aren't sure exactly what age she is in this photo but I believe she's about 3 months old. (Her grandmother had this pic without any notations on it at all!) The journaling says: "Suzy, you were about 3 months old in this photo. I wish we had been your parents back then! Weren't you a cute little roly-poly thing!? It doesn't matter that we didn't know you then, you'll always be our baby anyway!"



I really enjoyed putting this one together-I even made the lace round to frame her photo. Of course there is a lot of Flergs' designs included. I guess we are just kindred spirits because I love everything she makes! Pick some up here. There are even quick pages available too! If you want to see the products list you can find it at DigiShopTalk gallery.

Christy at Serendipity Scrapbooks chose my Christmas cards as Picture of the Day for Wednesday! I'm glad they didn't read the inside, LOL!, I put New Yeak! instead of New Year! You'd think I would have proofed it better than that.

Have you ever gone to Vicki Chrisman's blog? This Art That Makes Me Happy? I subscribe to it because I love her projects, photos, and tidbits about her life. It really is interesting and she's a fab photog! Today she has a new project posted that was done for Fancy Pants Designs, it's really beautiful, have a look see. Turn on your speakers because she has music piped in!

Oh, I have to tell you about my night! I didn't get any sleep at all because of a squirrel! The little devil got in the attic and I think he's fallen down between the walls because he was scratching all night long! The silly cat that I call mine, Peaches, is scared to death and doesn't want to be upstairs in the loft by herself because of him! LOL! Talk about a "scaredy cat!" I sure hope he has removed himself to the outdoors by tonight. I need my rest because I'm on "Mommy worry duty" from around 9 AM tomorrow until the afternoon because Kimberli is driving to Virginia with her family to visit her father.

Well, this post turned out a lot longer than I thought it was! Hope y'all have a great night and a good day tomorrow!

Tootles!

Almost Ready!

Okay. I went back upstairs and got the flash drive. Here's the pix I took but they really aren't all that great-I try and try but I'll never be a photog!

First, I think you can see the Glimmer Mist better in this shot of the gift card box:


Then here are the stages of the Treasure Box (I forgot to take one of it plain):


I put a lot of little stickers and such of things that he loves and put like 8 coats of finish over them!

I'm going to write him a note and put it in the box to let him know that I love him! The letters stamped on the top are all the letters in his name.



I need to finish up in the kitchen! (The font is messing up in this post.)


Tootles!

It's Getting Closer!

Are you ready? I'm almost finished with the little things I wanted to do for my family for Christmas. Joshua's little treasure box is reassembled and is awaiting one last coat of finish. Wrapped most of the gifts and only have a couple left. Other than picking up a few small things for the children and making the menu for Christmas Eve not much left for me to do. I love it when things fall into place and I'm not rushed or being pushed over the edge because I waited too late to do all I wanted to do!

Here's some pix of the little boxes I made. Both of them have been sprayed with the gold Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels. It really makes them sparkle under the Christmas lights! I love the gold much better than any other color; hope you can see it in these pix.

I took another pic of the butterfly box that I hope is better than this one but forgot to bring it downstairs with me.

Joshua's little treasure box started out as a wooden box in the raw and I sanded and painted and put little stickers on the insides that depict the things he loves to do or just plain loves. I'd show you the finished product but it has to wait to dry and get another finish layer. I was really good about sanding between coats this time (I'm famous for rushing to the finish line and foregoing the sanding) and I hope it stands up to the test of time.

I've been getting a little "maudlin'" lately. I find myself thinking of my mother every day and wondering if I'll live longer than she did. She was 73 when she died which is a little over 10 years from now for me. I guess when you get older and you're having a good time the thought of your life ending pretty soon is a real downer. I'm not ready to go yet; there's so much more that I want to see of this world and people I want to love for longer and friends I want to make. Told you I was "maudlin!"

On a happier note, we heard from Lynn's long lost brother yesterday and he's coming to see us in February! I'm really excited to see him since I never see my brother who I haven't heard from in over a month. Kimberli is preparing for her trip to Virginia to see her dad and his family; she wanted to see her sister but I don't think that's going to happen. At least she will be back in time to spend Christmas Eve with us!

Gotta go-I'll get the pix from upstairs and post them soon! Happy Holidays!

Tootles!

Happy Saturday!

What a week! Everyone is so busy getting ready for the holidays that it feels like I'm in fast forward speed even though I haven't really done much. All the online stores are offering special discounts and having designer contests and challenges. I've done all the Christmas shopping I plan on doing; had the car yesterday and finished up before I went and picked up my grocery order. That means Saturday is for me!

It's after three in the afternoon and so far I've watch a very informative "Healthwise" program on PBS that was about acid reflux disease. It seems that at my age there is no cure or help other than continuing to take the proton inhibitor drugs. If I live too long my only hope is that they discover another drug to use because you form an immunity to the inhibitors and need to change.

I also worked on my Joshua's treasure box that I'm making him for Christmas. He likes to keep special things in a box so I thought I'd make him a special one just for him.

I've read my email and also read a very large newsletter from Stone Accent Studios. Purchased a couple of things that were on sale for a grand total of $3.30!

I'm getting ready to go to Scraphead and get Flergs' new kit Rough and Tumble and the glitter kit that goes with it. You don't have to buy the mega kit, you can just get the papers or just the elements or even just the glitters. Flergs is also doing special kits for PaintShop Pro, and making some quick pages too! Very, very busy young lady. Check out her designs:


I ought to think about getting the QP's but I never do, it sure would save me a lot of time! After I get Rough and Tumble I'm then going to watch a new DVD called The Best of Adobe Photoshop Elements Techniques. I purchased it online for $20 plus like $6 in shipping-it better be worth all that since it only cost them $1.60 to mail it!

I'll be posting some pics soon of some gifts and gift boxes I made; I keep forgetting to bring the flash card downstairs. I'm so ditzy it's a wonder I can even find my computer!

Tootles!

Just Some Tidbits . . .

Thought I'd tell y'all about this new site I've been posting some digitals at. The name is ScrapScandiStyle and it's located in Norway! There's a store and forum too. Some of the folks speak English and some don't but you know what? If you really pay attention you can get the gist of what's going on. They are a really nice bunch of people and it seems like everyone of them comments on every page posted! Don't know how they have time-I really struggle to keep up with my peeps at my favorite sites. I haven't been doing that great a job of it lately. Take today for example, instead of going online and checking out the new postings around the net, I worked on an animated Christmas card to send to my online buddies. Took me all day and I'm not pleased with it-I need to tweak it a few more times before I send it. I don't know why I'm so slow; my friend Flergs makes the time to comment and she has two small children and a husband and business to contend with! She has been designing so much lately it's a wonder she has any time at all to give back luv to her fan club! I managed to fold, stuff, and stamp my Christmas cards so that Lynn can mail them tomorrow. Now this isn't scrapping or Net related but I did make a large ham quiche today and it took some time and I washed one load of clothes. LOL! There was a time when I worked a 10 hour job, took care of my two little girls, did all the cooking, laundry, etc. and still had time for my friends. Old age does have it's drawbacks-there are not enough hours in a day for me to get done what I want to.

I want to send a shout out to all the folks in the mid and North West who are battling ice and snow storms! Wow! I don't envy you guys. Y'all stay bundled up if you have to go out but stay in if you can, like they always say, "better safe than sorry." We're having a heat wave in NC; I have on flip flops and shorts today.

My Suzy stayed out of school today! I think this is the first day she has missed in years. She really does have a good school ethic and I was surprised to learn she felt sick enough to stay home. I wonder if my posting the new page for her had anything to do with it?! LOL! Just kidding. She has a band recital this evening and I wish I could go but no wheels means I stay at home a lot.

I'm getting ready to go fix me some supper. Haven't had much of an appetite lately, which is a good thing since I probably would break the scales if I was brave enough to get on them. Have a great evening!

Tootles!

For Suzy!

This is for our Suzy! She seems to think that for every page I do of Joshua I need to do one of her! She's such a little minx! She's 13 years old now and really hasn't changed all that much, i.e., she still likes to have her picture taken-over & over, she still needs us to tell her how pretty she is 50 times a day, and she still pouts and prances! The journaling on this page is about how we had to play "modeling" and she did the modeling and I was HER announcer! She was only 5 in this shot-such a little cutie!



Okay, Baby, there you go! It's published!

Tootles!

I Made My Christmas Cards!

I did it! I designed and made my Christmas cards! I purposely bought 20 Christmas themed stamps to force myself to do the card thingy this year. It has just gotten so expensive to mail cards now a days that I haven't sent any out in years. I need to this year because like everyone my purse is a little thin this year. Those friends and family of mine that would normally receive a token of my affection will now be getting a card. As I've matured ( read, gotten older) I have realized that gifts of your time and effort are so much more special than something you pick up at the mall. I really do love and appreciate my friends and family and hope the feeling is mutual.
I adopted a tiny little kitten that I named "digi do" in honor of my new scrapping ability! She's at the bottom of my blog, so go play with her for a while. If you are among the complainers to our "Designing Diva's of the Whimsical Wonderland" give away, for having to wait for the Freebies, then you need to play with her for a long while until you calm down. Like my Mom always said, "never look a gift horse in the mouth!" (It took me years to figure out this little gem, LOL!)

It's getting late and I need to stop posting so late in the evening because I'm not always in the best frame of mind. But I do enjoy your comments and emails and sharing things with you! I'm working on some butterflies! I'll be sure and post them as soon as they are done but I have to get some other things out of the way first.

Have a great day! Tootles!

Check This Site Out!

You just have to go to ScrapScandiStyle and buy their charity kit for "Trevor!" It's only $9.90 and I counted 52 designers participating in this giant endeavor! You not only get something great that comes along maybe once in a digi-scrapper's lifetime but the best thing is you get to help out a fellow human being in the process!


And don't forget about the mega Christmas kit that our Designing Diva's are posting for the 12 Days of Christmas called Whimsical Wonderland! I just downloaded day 7 from Amanda's site Perfectly Imperfect Amanda. The links are permanent for now so don't miss out! Start at Sugar Snap Scraps.

There's also the designer challenge kits at Stone Accents Studio that are down-loadable for free. Just register at their gallery and look for the designer challenge. You get to vote for the designer you like best-they are currently on round two of the finals.

I've spent my entire day (hours and hours) sitting here downloading and organizing the downloads from these three sites! I wanted to work on a page today that featured Suzy but that will just have to wait because I really need to get to bed!

I don't get to see Joshua again this weekend. :( He and Suzy both have joined INDOOR soccer teams for the winter months! Those children love their sports! I'd like to go up and watch but any driving I do tomorrow (excuse me, it's today) will be short; squeezing the steering wheel is horrible on my thumbs.

Tootles!

Just Finished!

I just finished re-loading the photos into yesterday's post. I looked in all the help places and didn't find anything about a glitch in the video postings. Hope these stay!
Tootles!

Blogger Trouble?

Don't know what's going on but the pix I put in yesterday's blog have disappeared and Blogger won't let me put them back! What would we do without computers? but wouldn't life be simpler if we didn't have them? I'm so glad though that they came to being while I was still around to enjoy them. I'm going to re-post the Eyes of Wonder layout. Well! Evidently Blogger won't let me post new pics either! I'll check back later and see if the problem has been fixed.

I'm really busy organizing and working on all my new elements and papers I've downloaded from multiple sources in the last few days! I'm having a great time but I need to stop and make a few layouts and some Christmas cards. Problem is when I sit down in front of this baby it's really hard for me to get back up and do something productive! LOL! I've even been thinking about getting a new desktop with more RAM so that what I accomplish is done quicker.

I did buy Christmas stamps in order to make myself send out a few cards to those people I love and don't see enough of anymore. I'd like to make the cards and have ordered some Christmas paper to do so-we'll just have to wait and see it I can accomplish it!

You might want to check out Stone Accents Studio tomorrow-they are having a contest for new designers and are letting members download the designed kits for free! I don't know how many rounds of elimination they are having but they are on the second round now. Those kits will be available for download after 7 PM Friday night (I think that's EST). I've already downloaded the first round! They are also having a challenge using the new designer kits for members of the forum and gallery. Check it out!

Need to get back to work.

Tootles!

PS: Be careful while you're out doing the Christmas and daily chores. There was that terrible shooting spree at a mall yesterday and I just heard that a mall here in Charlotte had part of their parking deck collapse! Take care of yourselves and happy shopping!

It's Been Too Long!

Hello! What a week I've had! Let's see, last weekend I got to see Kim and Suzy for a while; they helped me do the shopping (Kim doing the driving, Suzy doing the lifting) and took me to breakfast. I spent the remainder of the day ensconced in from of the computer trying to get my 9,000+ digital elements organized. Sunday I watched the Panthers finally win one at home over the 49's while still working on the organizing. Then . . .

Okay! enough boring speak. You know how nice the people who scrap are? I don't know what it is but they are a different breed altogether from other groups. I tried to do a solid for Flergs since she is always giving out Freebies to us all, well, she didn't let me get away with it! She had to send me MORE elements for my collection (I have over 900 of her elements!). She's so sweet and thoughtful even though she's up to her neck in children, designing, and making the giant collaboration Whimsical Wonderland! Wow! Have you all seen it? Don't miss out! Go to any of the participating designer's blogs and there will be links for 12 days to their wonderful kits! Let's see, there's Flergs (of course), Ellie Lash, Kristi, Idzibitsy, etc, just to name a few. Just check them out quickly before the links are expired! I've been kind of nutty over them (surprise!) and
check their respective blogs all day long. The ladies are located all over the world so I never know when the new kits are going to be uploaded. I can tell you this: these are going like hotcakes! Every time I go to download I have to wait in line to get mine-hundreds of down-loaders at a time!

I see that you have been downloading my Freebies but not many are coming back to let me know if they are useful to you or not. I would really like to know how to improve my offerings so please let me know-you can do it anonymously if you choose at the download site.

I just finished another digi layout. I really like this one! What do you think? Too much? Too little? Doesn't matter, LOL, I like it!


Oh, he was such a sweet baby! He's only 8 now and still just as loving and kind as he can be! The things I like most about him are the way he loves his family and lets them know it, his sense of wonder about all things, his happy personality, and his sense of humor!

The folks over at Serendipity are busy, busy, busy. Daily challenges, monthly challenges, special sales, questions of the day, new techniques, etc. If you're looking for a good scrapping time give them a try! They never cease to amaze me with their kindness: even though I cannot paper scrap too well right now they are still asking me to join them in their challenges and groups. Really a nice bunch of people; you know you cannot say ladies anymore-the men are joining us like crazy! Wonderful!

I'm going to go and try to make myself a blinkie! If I do, I'll post it on this site if you want to get one-who knows? maybe I'll make a good one!

Tootles!

Afternoon

Well, I'm sure I've p----d off my reality friends. They've been so sweet trying to get me to join them for today's luncheon-I don't know why they put out so much effort for someone who just doesn't want to be there. I've tried and tried to get back up to speed with friends and family but it just isn't an easy thing for me to do nowadays. I'm getting closer to my cyber friends every day. I don't have to smile, act like I'm not in pain, satisfied or interested if I'm not. No pretenses-just the true old Liv. It really is freeing, isn't it!?

Speaking of family, I'm use to not hearing from my youngest daughter in Virginia (she has always preferred her daddy to me) but now I'm not hearing from Kim. She sent me an email yesterday and said she'd call later but she didn't. I don't like to call her because I never know what I'm ringing into! I just worry if she's taking good care of herself or not. I know the children are fine-she would never keep something to do with them from me, but she likes to hide her own condition from me. Maybe she'll come and visit tomorrow.

My friend, Jill, has an appointment with the doctor next week and promises to keep me posted. I do believe she is trying to get more sleep and rest so as not to irritate her condition.

Lynn is home from work today. If I felt better I'd use the car. I still need to get Joshua some Christmas gifts. I'll probably just shop online.

Well, I am trying to stay true to my word and posting more often. I updated all the old links to my freebies so cruise back through the postings and find them! I will start working on some more soon. I don't really have any problem at all working at the computer!

I did finally put a counter on this site. Of course the count is not correct since it started at zero and I just got it. But hey, who really cares? Ignor this----I took it off, it wasn't working correctly and was messing up the site.

Tootles!
Liv

First Chat!

Hey Y'all!

I went to my first chat today! It was at DigiShopTalk and it was with designer Misty Mareda. It lasted for an hour and I had a great time and hope to do that again soon! We even got freebies for attending! How cool is that?! I also joined their Gold Membership (even though I am already a member of the site) that includes 12 digital monthly kits. You get a kit a month and it's way cheaper than paying $3 or more per kit! The one thing I was surprised about was that I didn't feel out of my depth. There seemed to be all levels of competence in digital scrapping represented. I found out about some sites I want to visit and perhaps join and also how to navigate my way around a chat room! The participants were quick with PM'ing me to let me know what was what if I had a question. All in all, a very good experience.

My friend Flergs has been ultra busy lately, just creating away! I think have everything she's done and if I don't I will soon. I've done some more designing but not good enough to offer to anyone. I did make a frame like the old timey Polaroids use to use; I used it in my LO Happiness is . . . I'll post it and come back and put a link to it here soon.



Isn't Joshua adorable in this shot? It just makes me smile all inside to look at it! I really need to smile more because even if you hurt, smiling and laughing makes you feel better. I've really tried to concentrate on other things and I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it so far. A friend's birthday was last week and the gang is getting together tomorrow to celebrate. I'd love to go but I'm just not up to it and don't think they really understand. Lynn is picking up a fair amount of the slack that this crap has kept me from doing. No, she hasn't vacuumed, but hey no one's going to come in and rob me of my dust and dirt! LOL! I have a friend that has a cleaning business and I know I could get her to come and clean up but I don't want anyone I know to see my mess. Right? Some things are better left unseen.

I haven't heard from Jill this week; I think I'd better email her and see what the doctor said about her condition. Keep praying that it isn't Fibromyalgia. I'm going to do that now. I'll try and post something sooner rather than later. I've been kinda remiss about this blog.

Tootles!

Little Scraps of Wisdom (or experience)

Hi everyone. Another Saturday going by. Life just goes by too fast once you hit 50! Honestly, you young people out there need to listen to me! USE YOUR TIME TO DO THE THINGS YOU LOVE AND BE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE-NOW! Please don't put off doing or using something because you have to work or clean or whatever. Enjoy it while you can. Okay, 'nuff said.

Been working like a Trojan trying to get some scrapping done! I enjoyed it but-NO, no buts. I enjoyed it. I'm pleased with the finished BFF (best friends forever, for the uninitiated) LO. Isn't it funny how the LOs you make that you really love never get much attention but the ones you aren't completely happy with (or just despise) get kudos from others? Example: Joshua (cornered). It was for a specific challenge. I did it in about 30 minutes from concept to conception; don't care for it at all. It was chosen as Pick Of The Day (POTD) by Christy over at Serendipity Scrapbooks. I've gotten so many compliments on it. But BFF has attracted hardly any attention at all! What do you think?

Joshua:


BFF:
I'm toying with the idea of getting myself Photoshop CS3 for Christmas. Everyone around seems to have PSP. (What is PSP? PhotoShop Premium, PhotoShop Puppy, PhotoShop Pudding, or as my grandson would tell me PlayStationPortable? LOL! I guess I'm just a dummy, I went to Adobe and didn't see anything you could call PSP.) The CS3 is over $600 but they say an upgrade to it is only $199. If PSE5 to PS CS3 is an upgrade, I'm there! Or I could just forget about designing and use papers, elements and designs from some of the thousands (if not millions) of digi designers out here in cyberland. You know, I could get a lot, make that A LOT, of downloads for $200! Maybe I should rethink this. I currently have an eMail out to my friend Flergs asking her advice. Shoot, I could just buy her designs forever and not worry about the design part.

Didn't get to see my granddaughter Suzy this past week. She was busy seeing her "boyfriend" and her bio-mom so she didn't come down with Kim and Joshua. Suzy is going through teenage angst and Kim is going c-r-a-z-y trying to be a good mom! Oh, Kim. How well I remember your angst. I almost had a nervous breakdown during you and your sister's teenage years! Enjoy Joshua while you can-5 more years and he'll be angst ridden too! LOL!

As for my other two grands, well, let's just say that I miss them and would love to see them too! Tabba calls me once in a while and we talk, or rather she talks and I listen. She and Suzy are the same age and pretty much go through the same stages at the same time.

Remember when I asked for prayers for my friend Jill? Well I think we've hit upon what her problem is: Fibromyalgia. She promises to see the doctor this coming week to determine if this is true. I sent her the symptoms and she and her husband are pretty sure this is what she has. I hate this for her. Her children are very young and so is she; having such a debilitating disease will make life very hard, indeed. I guess you have to look at it from the standpoint that the headaches and fatigue could have indicated any number of Fatal Diseases which Fibro isn't. It just makes your life full of pain and misery.

I've purchased a mess of digi downloads this weekend (with Black Friday and all) so I need to load them into my organizer so I can digi-scrap.

Tootles!

Check out Flergs Post!

You've heard me discuss Flergs' darling children and especially little Kaylee. Well she's showing a group of pictures with today's post. They are adorable. The link is below!

Welcome to my world: I'm on a role!!

Welcome to my world: I'm on a role!!

I'm Still Kicking!

I guess y'all thought I'd kicked the bucket?! If you count pain as a killer, I shudda' been dead! This mess that's going on with my hands is now in my knees and hips. I will not give up!

I have completed some digital pages and one card. To have a look check out my galleries or click on the scrolling slide show at the right. The last one I did today and is called 'lil DIVA. This is my daughter, Kim, back in 1977 and she was eight years old! Such a cutie. Her sister should have been on this LO too but she never made it to the stage which is a shame because she was just adorable. I used a bunch of Flergs' elements and layer styles on it. I really love it except for the fact that I forgot to add drop shadows prior to saving it! The card is a sympathy card I did for my previous brother-in-law and his family. His wife suddenly passed away-a great shock to us!

Speaking of Flergs, she so is awesome. As busy as she is, she takes the time to email me. Oh ---and guess what (all you digital scrappers)!? She has posted a permanent link to her Freebie Glitter Styles! Go to her blog and get them! I've now got all her papers and butterflies! WooHoo!

I'm working on some more Freebies for you also. But the key word here is "working." That's what I'm doing but they aren't anywhere near finished yet. Don't forget to check my previous posts for the Freebies I did complete! The links are still active.

I hope y'all are all planning on having a big Thanksgiving family day! I don't know what my Virginia daughter is doing but my North Carolina daughter is going to work at her church helping with serving meals! You got to admire someone who is disabled but still gives till it hurts! Afterwards she and her family are going to see their South Carolina relatives. As for me and mine, I'm not ever cooking a turkey again! Last year I cooked this big ole bird and for some reason the smell made me ill. Then when the day was over and I had to pluck the bones clean to save for later meals, I got very "physically" ill (you know what I mean). Haven't been able to eat much in the way of meat since then. I exist mostly on fruit, pasta, tomatoes, black olives, and cereal. I am making the rest of the fixins' though. Candied yams, stuffing (dressing is what I call it), brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce and the like. Got a roasted chicken for Lynn to eat-not me!

I am truly thankful that I was born and raised in the USA! with all of the cyclones, typhoons, genocide, war, and famine going on. I need to stop complaining about my health and get on with my life.

For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, Have A Happy One! For those of you in other countries, Have A Happy Day!

Tootles!

Not So Good

Hey Y'all,

Not feeling too good lately. Hope I get better soon because I'm really wanting to upload some papers that I started designing. I have always liked to design things, I just never thought I would be designing something for others! What fun!

I haven't made a LO in a while, just don't have it in me right now. I want to; but just can't seem to get out of this funk.

Keep your eyes open for a major freebie collaboration by some of the best digi-designers around. Check out Sugar Snap Scraps daily for this biggie! Can't wait to see what they come up with! (Of course my fav designer, Flergs, is part of the design team!)

Tootles!

Butterfly Heaven/New Layouts

Hey Y'all! Well, another night without sleep. I paper scrapped (just a little) and no part of my body is cooperating with my brain except 8 fingers! LOL! I'm sure it's going to get better soon because I have not stopped doing everything anyone has suggested. I think the combo of Fibro and arthritis is very hard to maintain.

The Flergs Butterflies finally came online!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!! Of course I downloaded them immediately! Can't wait to think my LO through and use them! Flergs is so cool. I also got some photo actions. These are things I have no understanding of but Flergs is a master at making. Click on the link in this paragraph to see and purchase the Butterflies!

Here are my pages. I used some of my door prize winnings on the Halloween page. I also used the Queen & Co. felt cutwork self stick ribbon. It is beautiful, but it was a long, drawn out, process for me to remove the backing and adhere it to the page. This was the first time I used the self stick, I think I'm going to like the plain much better (that is if I keep trying to paper scrap).


How are you liking the Bling Circles? The Daisies? Let me know.

Tootles!

Some New Digital Pages

Yes, I know, it's been a long time since I posted. Things have been a little topsy, turvy around here. A cold is luming around me giving me head and body aches. And things in my daughter's home weren't that terrific this weekend.

I plan to paper scrap today no matter what! I have done some digital pages though for the Daily Challenges over at Serendipity Scrapbooks! Miss Kristen seems to always have points, to give out to forum scrappers, that discount her online store items. I need 4 entries to be eligible for the drawing. Here are my pages for this week so far, Devoted and Splish Splash!:

Devoted was entered in the challenge "A gathering of Accents." I stacked the photos myself because I'm a dork and couldn't get the PS action to work!

Splish Splash! was entered in the challenge "Making a Splash." This challenge called for paint or ink splashes that were used for the background of titles or journaling.

There is a "layered rub-on" challenge that I want to try today. There is also a "make your own 3-D embellishments" challenge. All of these need to be posted by Wednesday so I don't think that's going to happen.






I have a Freebie ready for you. It is circles of bling. Bling circles are all on one page of a .png file. Simply lasso(choose), copy and paste or lasso(choose), drag and drop. There are four colors on the page but you may be able to generate more using the Hue & Saturation action of PSE or PS. Let me know what you think!

I'm off to paper scrap! Tootles!

Just A Quick Note!

Hey Y'all! Well it's Friday afternoon here in NC and I'm getting prepared for the weekend which includes all my errands (since I do not have access to a car during the week). I need to plan the menu for the next 7 days and shop online. I was hoping to get some digital and paper scrapping done today but I don't think that's going to happen! My hands don't feel too bad right now and I'd like to take advantage of that but it will have to be after I get all my chores out of the way.

I made some more digital purchases last night! They were from Scraphead and one of them was Flergs' Bling Alpha. Super cool! I'm going to check back later and see if Carol has posted any more of her elements and actions. I want her butterflies!


Check out my new blinkies! I have one for Flergs and one for Serendipity Scrapbooks. The Scrappy Gourmet doesn't have a blinkie so I just altered their logo to fit. Gotta give my girls their props!

If any of you out there have Winstream Broadband, would you let me know? I'm having trouble with very slow downloads and they are saying it's the file provider but I don't think so. Just want to compare notes with you; I might be changing to Roadrunner if things don't get better after the technician comes by on Monday.

Oh, yeah, I'm going to be making some jeweled circles for download this coming week so check back so you don't miss them!

Tootles!

I Uploaded the Daisies!

Hey y'all! I won another prize from Serendipity's Crop Jamboree! It was for the digipage "Christmas Morn" that I entered in the Colors! Colors! Colors! Challenge. I've just started doing digi so it was a real surprise that I won this on merit!!! I really want to paper scrap soon; Kristen has a great November kit with the blues that I love. Check-out MasonsA1Mom's Design Team Posts in the Serendipity Gallery and you'll know what I mean. Gorgeous! All of the Design Team projects for this month are awesome, I just find that I am partial to Stacey's work.

FREEBIES!

Liv's Lovelies (at least these 9) are finally a reality! Here are the daisies that I promised! I like them and I hope you do too. They are 300ppi and do not have drop shadows. Oh, and they are .png files so they do not have a background. If you experience any trouble let me know. Let me know how you like them so that I will know wether to make other elements for you. Also include any request for other colors and I will do my best to make them for you. If you decide to use them, I would love to see your work so leave me a link and I'll leave you some luv!

Here's the link to download the Sketch I did last week in case you didn't see it. Sketch

Hope everyone's having a great week!

Tootles!

Whew! What a Weekend!

I had an amazingly good time at the Serendipity Cyber Crop Jamboree! I won a door prize on Friday and found out this morning that I was one of the drawing winners for the altered box challenge! You know how proud I am of finishing that box! Even though I was not able to paper scrap along with everyone else, everyone seemed to want me there; it was really cool. Maybe the next time there is a cyber crop my hands will be better and I can crop too!

Kristen has recently revamped her online store and it's looking good! She carries a lot of items that I cannot get at my other favorite site and ships immediately. The forum at Serendipity is so much fun. There are not a lot of scrappers on there at any given time, but someone is always around. Great homey atmosphere and you really feel welcomed. Serendipity is now hosting a Shameless Plugs Challenge. Isn't that title a riot! LOL! I don't think Kristen's mind ever slows down. I've already put plugs at my old blog and have some on this one too! But if I won one of the drawings I don't know what I'd do with the gift certificate! I have so much invested in scrap organization and supplies you wouldn't believe me if I told you. And since my hands aren't working-who knows if I'll ever need paper scraping supplies again!

Speaking of paper supplies reminds me of digital supplies and what I found last night! As always, I checked out Flergs' blog last night and she was going on and on about a new digital designer she had found named Tracy Ann. I scooted over to check her out and WOW she's good! I bought seven kits! They are awesome! I can hardly wait to try them out (especially the one pictured at left) but couldn't today because Kim came down with the children and we went cruising at the mall.


I also wanted to get some more of my elements uploaded and publish a link for you to pick up some Freebies but I promise to get that done within the next 48 hours (God willing). I thought I was going to get it all done this weekend but I got hooked on the Cyber Crop. Well, need to go back to the old blog site and finish up over there. If I don't come back and post tonight, I'm sure to do it tomorrow!

Tootles!

I Finished The Box!

I finished the altered box challenge! I was concentrating so hard on getting it done without hurting my hands that I got a major/Killer cramp in my back. The pictures don't do the box justice because I'm not a photog! I try though.

I need to go because The Amazing Race! is suppose to come on after the Colts/Patriots game and I don't want to miss it! I'll post more tomorrow and let you know how I did at the challenge!

Oh! Guess What? Flergs commented on my two previous posts! I feel like I've been tagged by a movie star or something! LOL! I never thought I'd communicate with someone in Austrailia!

Tootles!

Great News! and Busy Weekend!

Really great news for me! My friends prayed about the lost files on my hard drive and Yipee! everything came back! I was so happy that I was caught speechless. Didn't let anyone know until today because I didn't want to jinx it!

Such a busy weekend. Serendipity Scrapbooks is having a Cyber Crop Jamboree that started yesterday and goes until noon on Monday. I've never participated in a cyber crop (or any for that matter) before but it turns out to be a lot of fun. You get to "talk" with others in the forum in the different "threads" of challenges.

Today is Digital Scrapbooking Day! All the digi sites are having great freebies and discounts and I picked some up myself. I really like those mats that have been offered lately and plan on using the ones I have more and more. I'm going to apply some of Flerg's glitter to them for another Christmas page. Cool huh?

I have been working on the altered box challenge over at Serendipity Scrapbooks, but it is taking me forever. My hands just don't want to cooperate! I did a digi page for the Colors! Colors! Colors! challenge and I think it turned out pretty good.

I am going to make some digi element files available very soon, I just wish I could figure a way to zip the blasted things without having to buy a zipping program. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and figure a way to do it!

Joshua is doing fine today. I was upset with Kim because she let him play soccer today! He is not suppose to do any exertive exercise until after next Wednesday. She said she just couldn't keep him from playing and he played goalie so he didn't overdo it. Phut! What do I know? Suzy was home sick when she went to pick her up for lunch and to have a visit with me. They decided to stay up there in Cabarras Country. (I think Kim was a little afraid I'd jump on her about Joshua if she came down. LOL!) But I do miss them.

You need to check out Flerg's blogspot today. She is designing for Scraphead now! Wow! She is awesome.

If you need to catch up to me prior to these last two days at my old website, just follow the link in today's title.

Toodles!

The Trick's on Me!

Hello all.

First the most important thing: Joshua's surgery went well! He's recuperating just fine. Thanks for all the prayers. Kimberli sounded much better after the surgery too; she was getting dangerously depressed about it.

All of you who offer up prayers could help me out with a couple of things, if you would: 1) Kimberli's physical and mental health 2) My friend Jill's headaches 3) My bad thumbs. Thanks with all of my heart.

Trick or Treat?

How about I didn't turn on my porch light last night because I didn't want to answer the door while home alone: NO Treats! What was the Trick? The Universe is conspiring against me! I cannot use my hands to paper scrap so I started working with digital scrapbooking. You know, I told you that I was going to make some elements and offer them as Freebies for download? Well, all the hours I have put into the .png files and all the downloads I did myself are G O N E !!!!!!! I have been storing these files on my 160GB external hard drive thinking they'd be much more secure than on the internal hard drive-NOT! All of my files are gone. Nothing to show for all my work. Friends have said I should put out a call on some of the forums I frequent for help but I just don't have the heart to work on it right now. I was so pumped about the daisy files I did yesterday-why me? Want some crackers and cheese with that WINE? I will try some basic cures but that's all. My computers and programs have zapped me for the last time; it's ridiculous that I can never count on my expertise in computers and programs but everyone else can. My friends (and family) call me all the time wanting help with their computer problems and I fix them! Bummer, maybe I need prayers for my mental health too.

Chat soon!

(for those of you new to my blog, the link above will bring you up to date on this new site but only for a short while!)