Snow Love

I was making room on my thumb drive yesterday when I came across loads of pictures that I had forgotten about. It was all the photos that my husband took while I was sick with postpartum depression and then when Ethan was sick with food allergies. I realized when I was going through them that we had some precious moments that I had forgotten about. I knew that I had to upload them and begin working on some layouts.

Supplies: Adobe Photoshop CS2; Patterned paper: With Love From Mushy; Label: Designs by Laura; Pearls, Buttons, Alphas, & Tiles: With Love From Mushy; and Digital Frame: Ella Publishing Company

It helps to remember the good during the bad, don't you think?

Create Well: Gather up some of the good to help you heal from some of that bad...

Grandpa, How Does Your Garden Grow?

This week I have had a little down time and am able to get some of my own scrapbooking done. Although, the studio is still a disaster and I have been unable to get myself up there to sort it out, I am able to work quietly on the laptop while the house is asleep.

I love the pictures for this layout (Paislee Press template). If there was one picture I would want to capture of my father-in-law it is in his garden. I am glad we brought the camera. The sky was beautiful that August day and Ethan was so curious. The paper and elements are from Michelle Filo with Little Dreamer Designs and Designs by Lili. The watercolor brushes are by Anna Aspnes with Designer Digitals.

This week my family is celebrating Thanksgiving with my twin sister and her family. I have my twin so close to see often and that I am very thankful for.

Create Well: Take some time to sit quietly and think of what you are thankful for.

Guest Designer: Joanne Mueller

I have the pleasure of introducing to you freelance writer Joanne Mueller. Not only is she an extremely talented writer, mother, homeschool teacher, and devoted wife... she is my best friend. She is the one I can call to laugh, cry, vent, pray, and rejoice with. God placed a call on her life to write her life story.

              

                                  

How long have you been a writer? What made you become a writer?

I started writing professionally in 2004 but first began to write in high school. There were a lot of major life events that I needed to process at that time and so I wrote poetry. This helped me to work through my emotions and was truly therapeutic. I enjoyed it so much that I then majored in English in college.

What inspires you in your everyday life?

God. Each and every thing that I do centers around serving and pleasing Him. This motivates me to stay home and take care of my children daily, and it certainly motivates me to write. In my writing, I desire to cause my reader to think more deeply and to know God on a more intimate level. I want my reader to reflect because in our busyness (me included) we often don't reflect.

Most of our readers are papercrafters and wish that journaling could be easier. Can you give them advice? What can they do to document that memorable moment?

The most practical advice that I can give is to keep little journals or pads of paper everywhere. Keep one in your purse, by your bed, and have a main journal for you to keep your thoughts in. I have several. I have a main journal that I write what I am learning in. I have one for each of my kids that I write things down in that they do or I write letters for them to read when they grow up. I have one in my purse for when we are out and about. And the most helpful one is by my bed. Often I get ideas before I fall asleep. That is when everything is quiet and my mind has a chance to think.


You can read more about Joanne on her blog, Declare That Which Is Profitable. If you like what you read today, leave her a comment and tell her how you were blessed! You can also follow her on Facebook, here.

Create Well: Keep little journals or pads of paper everywhere. Keep one in your purse, by your bed, and have a main journal for you to keep your thoughts in.

Classes at the Paper Zone: Holiday Charm

Registration for my class, Holiday Charm, has begun! I am taking this opportunity to teach my techniques on creating the acrylic charms and rings that you might have seen here or in our shop. The class is Saturday, December 5th from 12-2pm in Salem and the cost is $25 for six projects.

These charms are so universal! I created several items with them so that you could see how to use them. Personally, I am going to give many out as gifts this year. I love being able to give them as unique gifts but letting the receiver know that they can use the charm as a necklace after Christmas. The class will teach the techniques with Making Memories and Basic Gray papers with several different stamps and rubons to choose from. I love taking a class that teaches me how to create but lets me be free to make my project how I want. ;)

These are my samples for the display at the store. But, students can create theirs how they wish, or if they like do it exactly like mine. ;)

To register, call The Paper Zone at 503.364.9826.

Also, our holiday update at One Bright Spot has started! Check out the new items here!

Evans Genealogy: Inside Pages

During the process of creating the first volume of this heritage album, I have fallen in love with my family's story! I have been reading about what it was like growing up in Oregon City at the turn of the century. It is fascinating. What is even more exciting is to find photos online from the State Library that match the story that I am telling! Click on an image to see it larger.

Create Well: Go ahead... as you create, fall in love with your family all over again.

Evans Photography: Melissa's Edit

I so wish I could tell you that I was in Greece and Italy this last week... but it is just me living through someone else's beautiful vacation while I edit their pictures. ;) One of our dear customers sent me these pictures to work with! Can you believe it?! Of course I had to imagine I was in Venice once again; it has been sixteen years!

We do photo edits... feel free to email me with your vacation pictures. I don't mind dreaming of far off places while my two year old runs circles around me in his underwear.

Create Well: Be inspired by beautiful places of beautiful color.

One Bright Spot: Guest Designer Ann-Marie Borg

The talented designer Ann-Marie Borg gave me permission to share her beautiful layout with our new digital kit Simple Pleasures, collaboration with Michelle Filo of Little Dreamer Designs.

"Best of Friends" by Ann-Marie Borg

I loved the way she used the elements on her page! You can follow Ann-Marie and her other designs at her blog, Glue and Pixels.

A Faith Perspective Faith Blog Hop!

Welcome to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop. Today, we're out in force on the internet -- showing our faith and giving the glory to God! United, we stand as Christian paper crafters and blog owners to make a presence on the internet for all to see. We're celebrating the theme of friends and we're happy to share our projects with you based on the verse:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. " Ecc4:9-10a

If you're just joining in on the fun, you can find the start of the train here: First, we would like to take a moment to thank our generous co-sponsors: Layers of Color Stamps, Gina K Designs Stamps, and Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps. Together with Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, these companies have donated some wonderful prizes for today’s blog hop.

Prizes? Oh, yeah! There will be three lucky grand prize winners for today’s event.

To enter, simply hop to the blogs of all of the participating staff members of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, take note of the staff member’s name, and leave a comment on their posts. Then send us an email at games@scrapbooknewsandreview.com listing each of the staff members who participated in today’s hop. It’s that easy. All entries must be received by Monday, November 16, 2009 at 12 noon, EST and three winners will be randomly chosen to win.

What are the prizes?

One $100 gift certificate from Layers of Color Stamps AND a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

One basket of goodies -- four stamp sets from Gina K Designs and a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

One set of digital stamps from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and a 3 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

In addition, every participating staff member of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will offer a free one-month subscription to the magazine to one of their lucky visitors by simply leaving a comment on their blog. That's a lot of chances to win, so let’s get to the Hop!

I created this Christmas wall hanging with our sponsor Layers of Color's Regal Wings clear stamp. I love the look of this hanging that I could leave it up all year round! ;)

"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - praising God..." Luke 2:14 (NLT)

I used recycled clear packaging to stamp the wings on to. I used Staz-On ink on the wings and then sprayed with clear adhesive. I shook on a bit of white glitter to the adhesive.

I sewed ribbon on with my sewing machine.

A large thanks to Layers of Color for the chance to be a guest designer this month!

The next stop on this blog hop is Mary Demmons! Not only are her creations sweet but the music on her blog is my ultimate FAVORITE! ;)

Create Well: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

Layers of Color Release Party and Blog Hop

Just a sneak peek of my project for the  Layers of Color stamp release party and blog hop beginning Saturday! There will be loads of prizes and freebies! I love parties. Actually, I love parties that I can go to in my pjs. ;) Make sure you stop by this weekend to join in the fun!

Create Well: It's my party and I'll wear my pjs if I want to...

Evans Photography: Holiday Show

Here are some photos that I took of Molly Mo's and Vintage Trifles Holiday Show. I love the altered art that Martha comes up with. My friend Sarah had to take this cute card home! Can you blame her?

Inspired yet? Man, I am getting into the holiday spirit! ;)

Create Well: Are you in the holiday spirit yet? Get inspired!

Evans Genealogy: Inside Story

A quick post to share the progress I am having with the family heritage album. I am flying through these! ;) Although, I have tons of help with family members telling me who-is-who and being able to just copy and paste the family's writings into the layout. Talk about easy journaling! Plus, I can't thank Paislee Press, Taylor Made, Pencil Lines, and With Love From Mushy enough! They seriously helped with their awesome templates!

Plus, I seem to not be able to do a layout without Ali Edwards' brushes. Maybe it is my inner self wanting to have handwriting like that... ;) Not sure... but I just have to have it on the page! Exciting news - my negative scanner is ordered! Can't wait to have that piece of sweetness in my hands!

Create Well: Don't make digital scrapbooking hard! Start slow with some great templates and have fun with it!

Layers of Color: Peace on Earth

I am super excited for this weekend's release party over at Layers of Color. Make sure you join them for free goodies and loads of fun starting Saturday! I am included in a special blog hop this weekend, so make sure you come back to check it out too!

I created this brilliant little birdie for my Christmas tree. I used a bird I got at Craft Warehouse for $1! I then used this stamp from Layers of Color. I stamped 2 crowns, added rhinestones, and then sandwiched them together with a push pin and glue dot. I pushed the pin into his little head. Afterwards I added the dictionary script, and some little pearls.

I can't wait to add this to my Christmas tree!

Create Well: Think of unique ways to use your stamps for altered Christmas ornaments!

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy birthday sister! I had the best birthday with my husband and son today. Then we went over to my in-laws' house to drop the little man off so that we could meet Becca and her family for dinner. She and the rest of my family spoiled me rotten. I have never felt so loved as I have this week...

Tonight my father-in-law surprised me with the rest of the money to purchase the negatvie scanner that I have been wanting! I need the scanner to scan the hundreds of familiy negatives I found dating back to the late 1800s! Can you believe it? I can't wait to rush to Focal Point tomorrow!

Today also was the release date for Porch Magazine, where some of my photos from the Molly Mo's Antique Faire have been published.

Speaking of Molly Mo's, Diane and Martha from Vintage Trifles had their holiday show Friday night. We went and had a blast. I started taking pictures but, told Becca, "Why can't I just have fun looking around like normal people?" Glad Diane let me put my camera down so that she could take this picture. We had a blast and couldn't help but be thankful for our new friends in antiques!

One Bright Spot: Necklaces

Our Open House went great! At least that's what Becca said. ;) I was sick and missed all the fun. Now that our Holiday Open House is over, we can start celebrating online! You can find a lot of product on sale this weekend to make room for all our holiday items!

Our holiday update will be next weekend! Some of my new necklace designs are below. Becca and I love to create unique and beautiful things for the holidays. These items are only in our shop until Christmas!

                                             

Make sure to celebrate National Digital Scrapbooking Day with these digital freebies from Layers of Color! Don't forget to join in the fun at Layers of Color next weekend for more freebies and a blog hop!

Also, check out  my layout at Scrapjazz that was published this week! ;)

Create Well: It's ok to start spoiling yourself for the holidays early. ;)

Evans Genealogy: Title Pages

So, the entire Evans household had the swine flu last week and are still trying to get better this week. You wouldn't believe how this community has been hit with the flu! I am behind on a few of my design projects because of it. I tried to get some work done today, but I couldn't even find my scissors in the mess of my studio! Hopefully I will have more to share this weekend. The one thing that you can do when you are sick is digital scrapbook. ;)

A few months ago, I told you about my husband's family trusting me to document their family history. I have been collecting the stories and have begun the beginning pages of the nine brothers and sisters of this special family!

I used Taylor Made Designs and Paislee Press digital templates. These pages will be published in a Shutterfly album when I am done.

Create Well: Take time to document your family's historical stories. Don't just write about when they lived but how they lived.