There's a reason I don't do selfies very much like most girls do these days. I look stupid trying to come up with just the right face. It's a good thing I'm not a teen I guess. Anyway, the only reason for these selfies is because I was doing a Survivor type thing on one of the Digi Scrapbook forums I'm part of. I wanted a picture of me with the stuffed bear. Take a look here for the completed page and more info.
So anyway I needed this picture to go on my layout...I took like 10 shots and still wasn't completely happy with any of them. I did find 1 that I liked the best to use on my layout, but here's the other ones I feel comfortable sharing. And consider yourselves lucky that I'm not sharing them all over Facebook....AND there's no duck faces...
Now, we all know that I've been scrapbooking for a good 11+ years. It hasn't necessarily been CONSISTENTLY, but hey - it has been 11 years.
Anyway a few years ago digital scrapbooking came about and I didn't care for it much because it just felt 'flat' to me. I like the tactile way of scrapbooking where things actually 'pop' for you. I swore I'd never switch to digital scrapooking.
I lied.
After getting Paint Shop Pro to help me fix my photos and to help me with the family website, I now had the tools I needed. I still didn't/don't do A LOT of digital scrapbooking, but when I don't feel like pulling out all the stuff necessary for tactile scrapbooking - I sit at my computer and whip pages out. Sorta.
Anyway a few weeks ago, I happened across a program dedicated to all the digital scrapbooking, etc. that you could want! It's not a photo editing program and it is solely dedicated to all things digital. It's also VERY user friendly. A perfect program for beginners to use.
There was a few things that bothered me about the program - but that's coming from using Paint Shop and having a bit more control of things. That said, I still enjoyed using My Memories Suite! It made making the following projects so stinkin EASY!!!
I wrote this poem in High School sometime, and it felt like a good thing to use as journaling for this picture of me...
Awhile ago I found a cool hanging picture frame set from IKEA. It's set up so that you can have a picture in front and in back. I knew what I wanted to do for one side of these frames, but had trouble figuring out what to do for the other. I did do something a few weeks ago, but I just wasn't loving it.
I then found out that My Memories Suite is perfect for setting up a 6x6 layout (size of the frames) and came up with these...LOVE IT!!! These frames now picture a current picture of each of my children along with one of their earliest pictures.
This program also allows you to make a VIDEO without switching to another program. I just saved the movie and uploaded it to YouTube. This alone is AWESOME!!!
The program also allows you all sorts of options after you complete your project and all of the options are on the sidebar. You can print your project off at home or save your project as jpeg files. There's an option for professional printing of photo albums, calendars, cards and even trading cards. If you're interested in the multi-media aspect of things you are able to make an interactive photo album, a movie (like I did above), an ipod-ready video or a DVD.
I'm also trying my hand at a calendar. I simply used a premade layout for the picture part of the calendar and then created the grid part of the calendar on my own - WITHOUT using Paint Shop.
I'm so glad I got the opportunity to try out My Memories Suite and will probably use it as my scrapbooking tool most of the time. And guess what!?!?!!?! ONE of you LUCKY PEOPLE will get the chance to try this program out as well. FOR FREE!!!
Here's the nitty gritty:
Mandatory to enter the giveaway: * BE A FOLLOWER OF THIS BLOG * GO TO http://www.mymemories.com/ AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR FAVORITE KIT/PAPER PACK IS. ALSO TAKE A LOOK AROUND THEIR FREEBIE SECTION - THERE'S SOME FUN STUFF THERE!
For extra entries: (1 extra entry for each that you do) * BLOG ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR BLOG * MENTION THIS GIVEAWAY ON FACEBOOK * MENTION THIS GIVEAWAY ON TWITTER * BECOME A FOLLOWER OF MY CRAFTY BLOG (There just may be a giveaway going on over there in the next few weeks...)
Come back and let me know when you have done each...Remember there's a chance for 5 entries! This giveaway will END on Wednesday, JUNE 22, 2011 @ 11:59 MST. Good luck!!!
Also, if you don't feel like entering the giveaway or if you don't win, you can still get My Memories Suite for $10.00 off! The $10.00 off will be good until Sunday, June 26, 2011. Use the code STMMMS67294 at checkout!
I'm just in the mood to share, so that's what I'm doing.
For a few years I wanted a drawing tablet. It was never the forefront on my wish list, but it was always there. A few months ago, it jumped way up towards the top of the list and Eric agreed that we had a bit of money that I could use for it, so I've used it for a few things. Mostly with regards to the family website.
But the main reason the want jumped so high was so that I could do the following:
I know some are better than others and I still need to figure out the coloring, but for a first attempt I was pretty pleased and learned a few things along the way!
Also, since the talk of redoing those few months for my Grandma's Birthday Book, I thought I'd share what I did. I also realized I never shared them when I shared all the other gifts I gave people this past year...I don't know what's wrong with me. ;) And yes, I totally erased last names to keep things a little more private for my family members. (You should be able to see a larger version if you click on the picture)
I am bit confused as to why a few things are bothering me lately, when in all reality they shouldn't. Thus, the question: Why do I care?
#1: This whole layout competition thing - I went in just wanting to get the free kits and totally not expecting to really get anywhere. So why does it leave me thinking I have no talent for this and why did I do it when I knew what would happen. However, I didn't expect to only get 2 votes (and no, I didn't vote for myself) when others were getting 30.
Guess that could've been worse at least 2 people thought I was worth the effort. That made me feel a bit better. And then comes the pride issue. I look at the ones that made it through and wonder, "How the heck did that happen?"
#2: After posting our family pics on Facebook and getting all sorts of compliments (mainly on the kids) I then get one comment from an aquaintance I had in high school that says this: "sorry shilo not ment for you." Now I am assuming that this person was talking about my hair. (I guess they could've been talking about any number of things, or they accidentally posted something on my pics, when they meant another person's pics...Only there's not a deleted post prior to that one, so I doubt it)
It annoyed me. I have no idea why as this person is one of the VERY LAST people I would ever go to for fashion/style advice. And yes, this person is free to have their opinion - but why say something like that to someone? That's something you should keep to yourself.
I for one actually like my hair and quite a few other people have said the same. I suppose other people could be lying to me, but why? The girl that did my hair (You ARE AWESOME BTW) loved how it turned out as well and had so many nice things to say to me afterwards.
So why, when someone who isn't really in the 'fashion know' tells me something isn't meant for me, does it bug me so?
#3: I feel like no one really reads this blog. Which again, shouldn't make me upset since this is my way of keeping a 'journal' and I am hoping my decendants will want to take a gander at at least a few of my posts, yet it makes me feel sad.
Yeah, I know that isn't anyone's fault but my own. It's just one of those facts that's hard to face when the other blogs I read have comments almost daily or followers up the wazoo. I don't really need a crapload of followers or comments, but to know there's more people reading this blog than my little sister would be awfully nice.
The answer to most of these questions is because I am totally unsure of myself. It's something I've struggled with ALL MY LIFE! And I am sick of it, but it's one of those things that is just so hard to change!
I had to laugh/cry the other night while I was watching a past episode of "Ghost Whisperer." In short the person that was being 'haunted' was looking for a certain type of love. The ghost pointed out that the type of love she was looking for wasn't going to be found with another person. In short, she needed to love herself before she could get the acceptance and love she was after.
It's totally where I struggle. Loving myself....It ain't easy.
The website has been updated with August's happenings. www.hardyfam.me
And in other news: that layout competition? Yeah, I got cut, which I figured I would. But all is not lost. I got a lovely parting gift: another free digi kit! Which in all honesty is all I was really after in the first place.
So, in my quest to find new digital scrapbook kits I once ran across a certain site. Well all of her kits are located at another site for purchase.
I bought a kit once and then started to get newsletters from the company. In the last newsletter there was a competition of sorts....It was about layouts and using as much of a kit as you can (with it still looking nice) to showcase the kit...
Yesterday, guess what I did?
I signed up to be in this competition...I am now wondering WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING!?!?!?! I usually 'scraplift' others ideas... I got the first kit today and will work on the layout probably later today - it has to be done by midnight Saturday...
Luckily I have an idea in mind this go around...and maybe I'll get booted out so I won't have to worry about it next week...Guess we'll see...
I will share the layout here when I get it done, so any of you that are interested can see!
So, for a long time I've been getting my desktop backgrounds from a digital scrapbooking site. Well, I finally decided to try my hand at creating my own using a digital scrapbook kit. You can find the kit I used here.
Anyway, if you are interested here is what the background looks like:
And if you click one of the links below you can have your own 'copy' and paste in whatever pics float your boat.
If you happen to use the background, let me know and I will post the one I make every month.
Also, if you need any help getting the wallpaper to work for you, let me know. I am more than willing to help out. (You will need a paint program other than just Microsoft Paint to get your pictures posted onto the wallpaper)
Now that Christmas is over and gifts have been given, I can share what I made for my parents and Eric's parents for Christmas.
It wasn't anything major or grand, but it had thought behind it and it served its purpose. I have to give Lil' Sis' credit for actually finding the idea and sending it my way. Without her, it just wouldn't have happened. So thanks Lil' Sis'.
What I made for "The Parents" were photo books. Now, I didn't just do some random book where I threw in whatever pictures I wanted to - nor did I do something like a "yearly review" book. What I did was a photo book based on The Proclamation given by the First Presidency years ago.
My little sister ran across this site while looking at a different site. Now there was 2 possible versions of her template to purchase. One of them only allowed you to insert your own pics, the other one allowed for the changing of everything from the background to the font. I chose the second.
Choosing the second option allowed me to choose the background style I wanted to use and it also allowed me to change the fonts into something I liked a little better. After compiling all the pictures and getting each page looking the way I wanted - I uploaded them to Shutterfly and after only a few days got the books back.
Now, these "examples" aren't really the book, but I figured a video would work just as well to show off the pages.
Enjoy!
Note to family: Sorry for sharing some of these photos with "the world." Please don't hate me...
So, I finally got around to devoting a blog to my "crafts." It's mostly scrapbook layouts as that is what I spend most of my time doing, but it's there that I will post about all the other crafts I do as well. The addy is: http://scrappinsmiley.blogspot.com/ Hope you will all take a look and let me know what you think!
*Since Photobucket makes me want to kick their bucket, I decided to make the slideshow on Slide. Enjoy*
So, for my Grandma's Christmas gift, I made a "Birthday Calendar" scrapbook of sorts. My hope was that it would save her the hassle of transferring birthdays to a calendar every year. The following slide show shows each of the pages.
Hahaha...Sorry about the title. There was a song my parents had on record (ya know the black, shiny, vinyl things that resemble a CD?) Anyway, this record they had was a "single" which meant the song they bought the record for was on one side and this other song called, "Torn Between Two Lovers" was on the other. (Note to self - track down song...)
Anyway, on the the real reason for this post. So the other day while waiting at the Pediatrician's office I was looking through my Creating Keepsakes magazine (points for me, I actually remembered to bring something to keep me occupied in the waiting room) and came across an ad for something called scrapblog.
Now of course this peaked my interest...It combined 2 of my favorite things to do - scrapbooking & blogging. While it isn't exactly what I thought it was, I am still pleased. Though it does have some kinks I am trying to figure out how to work around...
I know that Eric is "thrilled" that I found another thing to waste my time way to scrapbook. Anyway take a look at my scrapblog and while you are there create your own and share. My scrapblog is at http://www.scrapblog.com/LethargicPoe
So, if I happen to be missing for awhile here, check my scrapblog.
In other news, I wasn't able to find afforementioned song, but did find the video. And no, there is no hidden meaning in it for me. I think the only reason this song stuck in my head was BECAUSE of the subject...Anyway, enjoy. The lyrics are posted below the vid.
TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS - Mary MacGregor
There are times when a woman has to say what's on her mind Even though she knows how much it's gonna hurt Before I say another word, let me tell you "I love you" Let me hold you close, and say these words as gently as I can "There's been another man that I've needed and I've loved, But that doesn't mean I love you less, And he knows he can't possess me, and he knows he never will, There's just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill"
(chorus) Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving both of you is breaking all the rules Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving you both is breaking all the rules
You mustn't think you failed me just because there's someone else You were the first real love I ever had, And all the things I ever said I swear they still are true For no one else can have the part of me- the part I gave to you
Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving both of you is breaking all the rules Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving you both is breaking all the rules
Couldn't really blame you if you turned and walked away But with everything I feel inside, I'm asking you to stay
Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving both of you is breaking all the rules Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving you both is breaking all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving both of you is breaking all the rules Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving you both is breaking all the rules
So in all 100% honesty I will say that I really struggle at feeling like a good mom, wife and daughter.
It's nothing new, but I finally decided to do something that will help me a bit. I created a mini album with uplifting thoughts from General Authorities.
My plan is to change the display page weekly and during the week, focus on that quote. I may even decide to share the quote here.
Anyway, here's the completed album. I decided it was easier to make a little video rather than post each pic. (Each individual page will be posted on the website with July's update.)
You will probably want to hit the stop button on the music player at the bottom of the page so you don't have a bunch of music playing.
I am not talking about those black, or green, or whatever color those insects are. No, I am talking about THIS cricut. Familiarize yourself with this now - BEFORE reading on... :D
For my birthday in 2006, all I wanted was a Cricut. I figured Eric could get together with his parents and mine, then the price wouldn't be so bad. However, Eric purchased it on his own. I was so excited to have it, but I knew it was one of those purchases we probably shouldn't have made. Oh well - on to my story!
Fast forward to last week...I am trying to find something for Mother's Day gifts, and had an idea in mind. So I travel the 30 minutes or so that it takes to get to the nearest Roberts Arts & Crafts in search of the items I would need. I was sad to discover that they didn't have the main component. I walk around the store trying to find another idea and run across the fact that the cricut has vinyl! I was so excited and knew immediately what to do.
The picture below is of the finished product. I took unfinished frames, painted them, added the vinyl lettering to it and finally the pictures. I have many more ideas in mind for this vinyl as well. I forgot to take the picture before I wrapped my mom's and Eric's mom's, so it is just the ones I did for the grandma's. I am a bit frustrated about that becauseI liked the way Eric's mom's turned out best.
In other news, we are teaching Nathaniel about baseball early! It all started with Grandma & Grandpa H. giving him a cute little "ball" outfit when he was born - size Newborn... Then a few weeks ago MY aunt & uncle (who really have no idea how fanatic Eric's family is about baseball) gave Nathaniel a cute little bear that plays the song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." This kid is going to know the song long before he attends his first game - which will hopefully be this summer!
The other day, I had Nathaniel lying down on the floor and had his bear in his eyesight. He had lots of fun swatting at it and of course, as I take the pictures he decides to spit up. So I apologize for the spit up in the picture, but you can see how much fun he is having with his new bear. :D
Little Baby Lexi
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There are times when certain scrap kits just call to me...this was the case
when I saw Connie Prince's Baby Love. My little sister had a baby in
January, s...
