In the Wee Hours of this Morning

my challenge for Charity:Extravaganza has gone live.

This 48 hour online event is being hosted by Amanda Jones, designers and team at The Studio to benefit Charity:Water.

It started at 7pm (GMT), London time, on Friday and will wrap up today at 7pm (GMT)/1pm (CST). Anyone can play along with the challenges you find here, but to win fabulous prizes you must register for the event & make a donation here by Sunday at 7pm London time. You have until Monday, the 16th at 7pm (GST)/1pm (CST) to upload your challenges. Winners will be announced on the blog on or before Tuesday, November 17th.

For the grand finale Cathy Zielske will be setting the final challenge …

My challenge is to use only six words for your journaling & is based on the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs. Here is the layout I did.

Supplies: Paislee Press Plate No. 21 (oscraps.com), Paislee Press Viewfinder Frames No. 3 (oscraps.com), Taylor Made Designs Composure::Plus (oscraps.com), Traveling Typewriter Font (dafont.com)

Hope you stop by to play along for a chance to win a voucher for an Ella Publishing e-book and the Cosmo Cricket Mr Campy collection!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

lovemon

Doing A Little Decorating

Ever since I saw Wendy Smedley's post on wall displays I knew I wanted to frame a collage with a frame. I had a frame that I had picked up for $10 and was excited to be thrifty. Unfortunately, I waited so long to put it up that the frame went wonky. I still haven't given up on that one but until I can entice the hubs to use his power tools for my crafty good it will sit unhung.

However, I couldn't get the idea out of my head. So, I took advantage of a Michael's frame sale and bought a new exterior frame & interior frames.


Once the exterior frame was hung I traced the interior frames on the tissue paper the clerk had wrapped them in.


Then I cut each tracing, marked where the nail would hang & labeled each tracing and frame.


Originally I had purchased six frames for the interior but once I put up my tracings I realized I only had room for four.


Then I hung my frames on top of the tracings to make sure everything was where I wanted it to be.


Filled the frames with pictures and pulled off the tracings. Now, I get to look at some of my favorite shots of Garrett as I stand at my scrap table.


Have a great weekend!! I've started picking my papers for my December Daily Album and hope to share this coming week.

lovemon

The Annual Costume Shoot

has happened every Halloween but this year was different. This year I was able to pay in candy. This may not have been appropriate but boy was it effective! For the first year, there were no tears in any of the pictures. In fact he totally hammed it up for me.

The pictures were taken in my living room in mid/late afternoon with black velvet as a backdrop. This is what my studio looked like.

I always feel like such a cheese hanging up the velvet in the doorway but in the end when you get in tight it really doesn't matter. This is one of the best purchases I've made to help me along with my do-it-yourself photo shoots.

My other favorite purchase is the remote for my camera. Holly asked in the pumkin carving post about remotes. The one I have is a Canon remote that fits several Canon SLR cameras. I love that it is wireless, inexpensive at $25, and effective. A quick search at B&H of wireless remotes for SLR cameras came up with several different brands.

While we are talking equipment I have another favorite to share. I used to download my pictures directly from my Canon Rebel XT to the computer & it would take forever. It would frequently time out on me & I was continually frustrated uploading pictures. The SanDisk ImageMate All-in-One USB 2.0 Reader has me waiting no longer. Love how fast it uploads my pictures!

Hope you find these hints helpful!

lovemon

Have You Heard?

The Studio is hosting a Charity Extravaganza full of 48 hours of scrapbooking goodness benefiting Charity: Water.

I am so excited that I have the opportunity to be apart of this!! Starting at 7pm (GMT) on Friday 13th November The Studio will be hosting games, challenges, special guests and PRIZES. A new challenge will be posted every 2 hours for the whole weekend!

I just wrapped up my challenge & I am so excited to see what everyone does with it. If you want to play along go find all the details here.

lovemon

Are you Scrappy Enough?

Well, I suppose the real question is if you are crazy enough but since I am going to say yes, let's go with Scrappy!

I've sent my money, I've warned my husband, I'm doing LOAD October09!! If you are not familiar, LOAD is the Layout a Day challenge that my dear friend Lain Ehmann runs where you create a layout a day for an entire month!!

What I love is that the focus is on participating everyday. This helps me embrace intended imperfection in knowing that not every layout is going to be a wowzer. I participated in February for the first time & had a blast.

You can read more about the October Challenge here. And if you missed my layouts from February you can see them here.

Have a great weekend!!
lovemon

Inspired By Ella

Today Ella is celebrating the ebook Text Tricks for Scrapbookers by Margaret Scarbrough & Sara Winnick. Head on over to the blog for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to digital word artist Jodie McNally's online store!

The other great thing about today is that everyone gets to use a 20% discount to all Ella readers, for TODAY ONLY. Just use code ella-rocks! at checkout. Hurry -- this offer expires at 11:59 PM CST TONIGHT!

I had a great time going through the book last weekend & was inspired by Sara's layout on page 16 to create this layout!

Supplies: Studio Calico Over The Rainbow

Have a wonderful Friday night!

lovemon

Say "Cheese!"

Today is all about pictures over at Ella Publishing! There is a fun interview up with Rebecca Cooper, author of 40 Top Tips for Better Photos. Also, there is another giveaway!! Make sure you visit the blog today for a chance to win action sets from Maggie Holmes & Brenda Acuncius. They are also giving away a spot in Maggie's upcoming online photography class!!

You can see the actions put to good use in Rebecca's article in Scrapbook Ellaments, 3-Minute Makeovers. If the article leaves you wanting more then seriously pick up this book. If you've ever sent me a note or posted a comment on Facebook that you want to learn how to take better pictures then pick up this book.

I loved this book & think its a great resource for such a tiny price.

lovemon

Would You Believe Me

If I told you my dog ate my homework? No, well how about my cat? Mitch walked into the living room this morning to find Jonesy eating my work that occupied me late last night. Seriously. No joke.

I know I'm a bit behind the curve today but if you haven't already go check out the Ella blog to get some interesting insight from Angie & Wendy and throw your name in the hat for another fun prize!

I'm hoping to be back a bit later tonight with my thoughts on their new book Quick & Creative Quizzes. But, in this house you never know, the cat might decide to eat my homework again!

lovemon

Scrapbook Ellaments is Here!!

If you haven't already headed over to Ella Publishing today, I beg you that you do!! The newest publication Scrapbook Ellaments is up for your FREE viewing pleasure. As if that weren't enough incentive, you have a chance to win this Epson Artisan 710 all-in-one printer!!

Go check out Scrapbook Ellaments and then head on over to the blog to leave a bit of feedback & you will be entered to win this printer! Seriously, how cool is that?

Do you remember when I shared a few sneaks? Let me jog your memory...



Well, you can see them over at Ella!!Make sure you visit here & also here to see them in their full glory.

Here is one more summer inspired layout just for fun!

Materials: Studio Calico Documentary Kit (July)

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye, Lighten Up Best Buds Nothing But Dots

Cardstock: American Crafts, Earth Tones Brown & Studio Calico, Lemonade

Pen: American Crafts, Precision Pen .03

Embellishments: American Crafts, Thickers Rockabye October Afternoon, Label Stickers Roadmap Sassafras, Cardstock Stickers Sweet Treats & Brads Monkey Business Making Memories, Cork Alpha Stickers Great Escape Little Yellow Bicycle, Journal Tablet Everyday Fiskars, Scallop Sentiment Border Punch

Have a great Monday & see you back here tomorrow for my review of Quick & Creative Quizzes by Wendy Smedley and Angie Lucas!

lovemon

Ella Publishing Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone for blog hopping with us yesterday!! I am beyond thrilled to see so much excitement about Ella Publishing building. I'm also looking forward to exploring all the new blog links.

Congrats to Lisa W!! I'll contact you with the details.



Don't forget to check out Scrapbook Ellaments today & to leave a comment on the Ella Blog for a chance to win a Epson Artisan 710 printer!!

lovemon

Let the Ellabration Begin!!

What better way to kick off the Grand Opening of Ella Publishing than a week of fun & giveaways?

Everyday this week is going to be filled with Ella fun!! Today I have a coupon to giveaway for a free Ella e-book of your choice!

Here's what you do to be entered to win:

Download a blinkie for your blog here.
or

Blog about Ella.

or

Post a Facebook Update about Ella

or

Send out a Tweet about @EllaPublishing

Then just leave me a comment letting me know how you spread the news about our Ellabration today. Just like that you will be enter to win a free e-book! I will close the comments today at Midnight CST. First thing tomorrow morning I will pick a random winner! Also, please make sure your email is somewhere in your comment so I can get back to if you are the winner! Easy peasy right :)

If you haven’t been to the Ella blog yet, go take a peek at the schedule of festivities & prizes all week!! Also, tomorrow the Ellaments eZine is revealed!

Throughout the week I'll be posting pages inspired by Ella e-books.

I'll leave you today with a peek at how I'm keeping my Ella e-books. There are so many cute things you can do to bind them but I opted for simple. I grabbed a clearance binder at Target, added some page protectors & slipped in my books. Love it!!

I almost forgot!! Visit my Ella Friends today for more chances to win!! Hop over here to see who else having a ton of fun!!

lovemon

Two Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Eight

Meals YOU have given North Texas. To say I'm thrilled is not even adequate. Everytime I update Garrett he gets this very wide eyed look and a shy smile on his face. I'm not sure he is comprehending exactly what we are doing for the children of North Texas but he does know we are doing something to help others. If that is all he takes away I'm over the moon.

To learn more about where your money is going I encourage you to watch this video. Garrett & I watched it this morning and at the end he turned to me & said "Are we giving one hundred six seven meals?" I watched as his eyes got big and that sweet smile spanned his face when I told him, no, we are giving 2,588 meals. THANK YOU!!

There is still time to donate to our Virtual Food Drive, here. Our drive runs through Sunday night and then on Monday morning I will post the winner of all three of Ella's first publications!!

If you haven't popped over to Ella's live site I suggest you do & grab yourself a freebie. Next week there is going to be all sorts of fun with Ella Publishing; stay tuned for more details!

I just can't say enough how grateful I am that you have helped my family Close the Gap on hunger. I know that there are many people in need in our global community & I truly appreciate you helping my local community.

lovemon

Hello Sweet Friends!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! In a little over a week you have raised $415 for the North Texas Food Bank; that is 1,660 meals provided!!!

This has definitely exceeded our family goal of providing 1,000 meals. However, as I read more about the programs that the North Texas Food Bank provides I would love to get to 2,000 meals by the end of the week. All I need is nine more people to donate $10 and we can accomplish that!!

One of the programs that reaches my heart the most is Food 4 Kids that provides kid-friendly, self-serve food for the weekend to those elementary school children most at risk of going hungry over the weekend. The program currently serves over 200 schools in 17 school districts & provides food every weekend during the school year to approximately 4,400 children in the greater Dallas area.

This testimonial truly opened up my eyes to the need of several of our American children.

From the Frontlines…A testimonial from RISD Academy

"One student came running up to me the next day after receiving the food on Friday and just hugged my legs tightly. As I unpeeled him I asked, what was wrong. He simply responded, “I had the best weekend! I ate all my food and shared some with my little brother. I hid it under my bed and ate it whenever I felt hungry.”

Another student asked the teacher several times throughout the day to come and see me. He asked, “Are you going to give me food again?” I answered, “Yes, every Friday.” He came back again the same day to ask, “Are you sure you’re going to have enough food to give me some again?” Again, I answered yes. A third time in the same day he asked, “When can I come and get my food from you?” I turned and knelt to his level and took his hand. I gently squeezed and said, “As long as I can and you are in this school, I will give you this food every Friday. All you have to do is be here.” He hugged me so hard I could hardly breathe.

I don't understand why we don't hear about these children in need, our own country's children, more often. My eyes have now been opened & I will not forget they need us.

This mornings sermon delivered a simple message at the end "Love begots Love". While images were shown of one hand helping the other I felt tears well up & when they showed pictures of our Church's own Food Pantry I almost lost it. We were asked when given a choice, will we choose love?

I ask you my sweet friends to please help me give love. I know that the economy is rough right now & many of you may be affected by job loss or other hardships. However, there are many of us that have been lucky so far. If you are able to skip the Starbucks run or, for me, the Chinese takeout, and give $10 instead to the North Texas Food Bank, it would really make a huge difference in a child's life.

By the way, have you seen the sneak of what's up for grabs??? A few weeks ago Rebecca Cooper posted a sneak of her new book over at Write.Click.Scrapbook

I happen to have an advance copy in my hands and it is DIVINE!! Don't forget, I will draw a winner from those that have donated to receive a copy of ALL three of Ella Publications first e-books.

I am also happy to report that I met my deadline at work on Friday and have spent the weekend recovering. We've been playing together this weekend & the focus has been on family. Next up is getting my crafting life back on track!

Garrett had a beautiful afternoon today with his girlie that has moved to Kinder this year. I'm so thankful for the friendships he has formed already in his young life. It's exciting to know that we could be nurturing a lifetime friendship even at this early age.

With the prospect of company next weekend, its now time to face the reality of getting ready for the week. I have tons of Mommy musings rattling around in my head & will be back soon to share.

Have a wonderful Monday!

lovemon

Would You Like To Help?

My family is sponsoring a Virtual Food Drive to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.

I saw this news report a few weeks ago and the wheels were set in motion. Here is a layout I made last night to capture this small, but defining moment for our household.

Supplies from the Studio Calico Documentary Kit

Journaling:

I found myself watching a story about the surge of applications for food stamps overloading the Texas system. As a result, Moms & Dads are struggling more than ever to feed their children. With the State unable to help, they are being sent to food banks. Heart strings pulled I was determined to write a check.

Out of the background your little voice emerged, "Mama, did you know that little hands can make a big difference?" In that moment I knew I had to do more than write a check. Here was my chance to show you that yes, your little hands can make a difference.

That night we talked about the hungry children & you were shocked. You wanted to know their names, where they lived. I suppose to make it real.

Unfortunately they don't have a voice & they are innocent victims. It doesn't matter to me how this has happened all that matters is how we can help. I want you to grow into a man that holds the same truth in his heart. I want to raise you to have helping hands.

This is how we came to hold on online food drive benefiting the food bank.

You may be wondering what exactly a Virtual Food Drive is at this point. Well, according to the North Texas Food Bank, you can think of it as online shopping for those in need. Instead of bringing canned goods to a drop off point you get to point & click. If you would like to learn more here is a video explaining it in greater detail.

With a Virtual Food Drive the food bank cuts down on expenditures and is able to spread your dollar farther. One dollar is able to provide four meals and saves approximately $100 in the expenditures associated with a canned food drive.

Last night I told Garrett about our Food Drive and he made the first donation. We went to our Virtual Food Drive Website and donated Macarroni & Cheese, since that is one of the foods Garrett eats. It was extemely easy to do, I let Garrett do all the clicking, and within minutes I recieved a reciept in my inbox for tax purposes.

As we were doing this I told Garrett that we are trying to give 1,000 meals to the children and he responded "We can do more Mama, right?"


In order to help us reach our goal of 1,000 meals and perhaps exceed it as Garrett has requested, I ask that you donate.

Please visit our Virtual Food Drive, Click Here, and give what you can. It's amazing to me that every dollar supplies four meals. I want to help feed the children of North Texas and teach my son that together we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

After you have made your donation, if you would please leave a comment on this post, with your email, because I have something to give away!!

Lain Ehmann & Angie Lucas have generously donated copies of the first three publications of Ella Publishing Company.

Don't forget to register at Ella Publishing by August 30th for a chance to win a year's worth of free e-books!! Also, join the Facebook Group and follow Ella on Twitter to get all the inside scoop.

My family will be sponsoring the drive through Sunday, September 6th and I will have Garrett draw a winner shortly thereafter.

Thank you so much for making it to the end of this post. I hope you will pass along my message and help my family Close The Gap by supplying 1,000 meals to the children of North Texas.

lovemon