...that feels weird to say. Usually I am dreading Mondays...it means that Tuesday is looming and THAT means that Jason goes back to work. But today is Monday and I feel happy...happy about a new week, fresh air, and lots of time to get things done. I guess I am just really into all things new. I definitely love a change of pace, so last week with Jason's parents here was really wonderful, but I am now excited to be back in a routine. Back to knowing what is going to happen when. And glad to eat a little on the lighter side! LOL! When I have guests I am not good at "going simple" and so I end up eating waaaaayyyy too much. Anyway, I'm rambling. And I need to stop because I have LOTS of other stuff to mention. :) But first, let me share a quick picture of the kids with the grandparents right before they left.
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Next...the blog. It got a little makeover yesterday. I REALLY needed it. It still needs lots more work but I am pretty Typepad illiterate and don't want to spend more time trying to figure stuff out. So, any typepad gurus out there? I need some help! LOL! One thing I changed was the column width. I used to have the center column set at "fluid" but since I have a 17in screen on my laptop it would make my header off center to me and that drives me nuts. So, I fixed the center column to 500 pixels (the highest typepad will let me go). The only problem with that is a bunch of stuff is now cut off from previous entries (the sides of my LO's). Oh, what to do? Be annoyed with a header of center or have stuff cut off? Hmmm...oh wait, I did just think of something that might fix it. I'll try it later :)
The wonderful little goodies in my header were made by the talented Meredith Fenwick.
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So, we all know my love pf Photoshop (that includes Elements and CS2). I am just continually amazed at the powers of this program. I especially love the photo editing capabilities...taking and "okay" photo and making it great. But not only that, making it great in DIFFERENT ways. I took a bunch of photos of Alaina yesterday and found one I really liked. So I played with it for a bit and here are the results...
Just having fun. I couldn't tell you for the life of me what I did to these photos...they weren't just canned actions (though that is not to say I didn't use any actions...on a few I did but I mixed and matched and did lots of other tweaking and I have no idea what combination of stuff I used! LOL!)
But, if you want to see "I can't believe someone actually MADE that" talent try perusing THIS site. This guy is incredible...
Um,yea....he MADE this...with Photoshop and Illustrator. That is NOT a photo. Now why someone would want to spend 11 months and 2000 hours creating this 15,000 layer 1.7 GB file when you really could just go to Chicago and take a photo of this same scene is a little beyond me, but in any case, WOW. The power that is in the hands of a graphic artist. And to think I get excited when I get my shadows "just right" and it looks like my photo really is laying on a piece of paper! LOL!
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A little digi shopping...as I have said before, I don't really shop all that much for digi supplies. I get (and have received in the past) a lot of amazing things from CT's I am on. And since I don't even have time to do all those things justice, I have a hard time spending more money on MORE stuff. Plus, there is sooooo much wonderful stuff out there that I get a little overwhelmed and then don't shop at all. There are so many talented designers out there and I want to support them all. But I can't! So I just buy a little here and a little there and try to use different designers. And then there are those designers that I am so familiar with and so I know that anything I buy from them will far exceed my expectations. Lisa Whitney is a FABULOUS designer and so when she releases new stuff (which sadly isn't very often) I know I will like it. So I didn't hesitate to pick up her new stuff this weekend...
Aren't those stapled ribbon frames AMAZING? LOVE them! I cannot WAIT to use them! Somehow, when I was at Scrapartist, a few other things ended up in my cart. Now how did that happen? LOL!
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Okay, after almost TWO YEARS of digi scrapping I FINALLY printed some of my LO's! I couldn't pass up the sale at Scrapbook Pictures so I went back and forth on how many LO's to print. I finally decided on 200 (not even close to how many LO's I have). They were here in THREE days and I am in LOOOOVVVVVEEEE. Oh my goodness. Seriously. It is just so amazing to see the pictures OFF the computer. The quality of the printing is AMAZING. I could not be happier. I spent Friday night putting them all in albums. Last summer I bought a bunch of wonderful linen albums when they were on sale for $5.00 (originally $25.00) and the LO's just look so pretty in those gorgeous albums all next to each other. WOW. And i LOVE seeing the kids look through the pictures. What an amazing feeling! So now I am SUPER tempted to go and get more printed. Seriously, only $.99 for an 8x8! Incredible.
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No new LO's for you today. I didn't scrap at all this weekend. Hopefully I will have time tonight! However, this week is all about catch up for me. Soooo many little things that have piled up. And then there are the BIG projects -- like sorting and packing! I started going through baby clothes yesterday and I am getting rid of SIX huge tubs of clothes. I am tired of moving these things around when they may or may not ever be used again. For instance, even if we do have another girl sometime and even if I were to get pregnant now (please no) it would be like five YEARS before she could wear the stuff that Alaina is growing out of right now. Do I really want to keep it that long? Will I really still love it then? Probably not. I kept a few things I know I would want and I am keeping all the stuff of Caleb's that Levi is moving into but I just got rid of the rest. We will be donating it all along with a bunch of other stuff. I am soooo ready to purge! I love moving for the fact that it makes me clean out and get rid of stuff. And every time we move I get bolder and bolder about what I am willing to get rid of. I love fresh and uncluttered! But with three kids and a tiny house, that isn't always easy! But I am determined!
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Okay, well, my time here is up! I have kiddos to attend to and a fitness center to visit. I did NOTHING last week exercise-wise and I am feeling it! And with summer just around the corner my body is in desperate need of a little tune-up. Or rather, a very large tune-up. Ugh. Winter clothes make it toooo easy to hide the extra pounds! But bathing suits and shorts don't lie. So tread mill here I come.
I hope you all have a FABULOUS day!
And in honor of Kellie and little Miles, whoever leaves a comment today (make sure your email address is activated and current on the comment section) will receive a coupon to my shop. And at random, I will pick someone to receive a $10 gift card to the store of their choice (digi or otherwise). Kellie, I love you and my heart aches for you. I hope Mile's HEAVEN DAY was a time of feeling the presence and love of God.
I am a regular blog reader Janet but cant seem to comment because of the image verification I encounter (I dont see it!). I love your templates and am amazed by your design concepts :D
Posted by: Aggie | April 23, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Oh wow, LOVE what you did with the pictures.
Also, that is a very generous gift you are giving in honor of Miles. It has opened my eyes to see how amazing the people are in the digi scrapbook world.
Posted by: Natalie | April 23, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Way to go on cleaning out your kids' clothes. I need to do a better job at this myself. Good luck with the exercise and better eating this week. I know it makes a big difference with me - I've been on WW for 7 weeks. Have a super day!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 23, 2007 at 10:26 PM
I read you everyday, even get dissapointed when you don´t post early, but I keep checking, I think your work is amazing allways with fresh ideas (that makes the difference)and I also think you are improving each day, every time your work is more detailed and original, and thats wonderfull.
Ohh and your kids are sooo cute
Posted by: LucyL | April 23, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Love your new blog look!!! I'm working on my kids clothes too...UGH!
I appreciate your kindness.
Posted by: Christina | April 23, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Hey there! Glad you had a good week I missed my daily Janet dose LOL! I love the tweaking on Alaina's pictures totally awesome... And I bet your layouts look awesome printed out! One day when my layouts start looking great I will do the same!!! Have a good day!
P.S. Love your new header!
Posted by: Liz | April 23, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Your photos with all the cool editing on them look so great! You should bottle up those actions! :)
Isn't ScrapbookPictures great? I print every month so I'll stay caught up, and I am just never disappointed in the quality as well as the speed at which they're printed.
What a fabulous thing for you to do for Kellie! My heart aches for her. We were in college together.
Posted by: Melissa | April 23, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Janet,
I LOVE what you did with the photos of Alaina - awesome! I need to spend more time playing around with the actions I have.
I've also ordered from ScrapbookPictures - not layouts, but just some 4x6s - and was so happy with the quality and how quickly they arrived.
Finally, I think what you are doing for Kellie is so sweet! I can't imagine the pain of losing a child.
Posted by: MelissaL88 | April 23, 2007 at 11:30 PM
We're in the same boat with all the rubbermaid containers of baby/kid clothes. I may or may not ever use them, but it's so hard to get rid of them - Kudos to you for "moving on".
Love the new blog look - very fresh!
And, those photos of Alaina are gorgeous...whatever you did, it worked:)
Posted by: leslie | April 23, 2007 at 11:43 PM
I too enjoy your thoughts on life, motherhood, and scrapbooking. Your products make it so easy to get my LO's started! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: lnkmom | April 24, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Wow! 200 layouts in one shot huh? But at that price, that can't be beat! Wow! now I'm thinking about having them printed out, too! LOL!
Oh and LOVE the new duds on the blog! Very very cool!
Posted by: Rona | April 24, 2007 at 12:12 AM
The blog looks great! LOVE what you did with the photos - they are all GORGEOUS!! I think I especially like the one right after the original. Beautiful work! Have a great week!
Posted by: HaleyW | April 24, 2007 at 01:02 AM
love the new look Janet! I got a new camera today and now I need to start play with it :) the actions will have to wait a little more... have a great week!
Posted by: Iara aka baersgarten | April 24, 2007 at 01:23 AM
I LOVE what you did with those pics, actions or not, I sooo need to learn the photoediting side of photoshop better!
Off subject... I love the cd album templates so much, I am making 2 mothers day albums with them right now, such great stuff!
Posted by: Lynette | April 24, 2007 at 02:20 AM
Hey, how 'bout you stop by and load up six MORE tubs on your way to donate? LOL! Don't you just love dropping that off? Awesome work on the photos of Alaina, the fourth one is definitely my fave. I have got to make myself start using actions! I'm a Lisa Whitney fan too. In fact, I know of a big 'ol fat pack and that kit that would make a very happy marriage! So sweet of you to remember Miles, I can't count the number of times I've had tears this weekend. Have a great week!
Posted by: scrappy | April 24, 2007 at 02:53 AM
Oh - how refreshing to see you getting back into a new week and blogging!!! I missed it a little - I must admit!!! OK - I will give you a break. :) Love the photos of Grandma and Grandpa with the kiddos - so important to have! No typepad guru, but for some reason on my screen your LO's have always gotten cut off a bit - just depends on EVERYONE's different screen sizes! I love the new header though!
Great way to Pay it Forward for little MILES!!!
Posted by: MandaKay | April 24, 2007 at 03:28 AM
Hi, Janet! I enjoyed your post today. I like the new blog look, too! Have a great week!
Posted by: Julie | April 24, 2007 at 04:31 AM
oh sweetie!! I was just sitting here reading your blog like I do daily...and was so surprised to see what you're doing for me and little Miles. I am so in awe and inspired by this digital community. Thank you so much for embracing me and my little guy! I am so thankful for the hope we have in Christ that we will be reunited with him someday. Thanks again my friend!!
Posted by: KellieP | April 24, 2007 at 04:34 AM
Wow, I love, love, LOVE those pictures. They turned out beautiful!! I love Lisa's products too. Good luck getting back on track with your diet and exercise. Today is my back on track day too. It's so easy to get sidetracked. You're a sweetie to honour Kellie and Miles. The digi community is amazing!
Posted by: Rainee | April 24, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Love all the things with your photos. It's so fun to play around with them. Too fun!!
Love what you done and cute photo.
The digi community is so blessed to have so many wonderful people. How awesome of you ALL to do this for Kelli and Miles. We need more kindness in the world today!
Have a great day!
Posted by: Tina | April 24, 2007 at 07:07 AM
It's amazing what photoshop can do! We use it to digiscrap but I know we haven't used all the amazing things it can do for our pictures and LOs. :) Amazing too what you did with your pictures! :)
Posted by: olivia dizon | April 24, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Hi Janet!
Love the tweaking you did to the photos. Awesome!
And it's amazing to see all the love for Kellie! Love abounds in digiland!
Posted by: Joy | April 24, 2007 at 11:27 AM
hi janet!
LOVE what you did to the photos!! i thought they were ACTIONS?!
Posted by: Elizza | April 24, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Love love those photos Janet!! Can't wait to see the LO you come up with for them :)
I totally agree about Lisa Whitney too-her designs are awesome!!
Posted by: Margie | April 24, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Hi Janet, great makeover on the bloggy! ;) I love your templates girl....and I too thought your photos were used with actions..WOW!!!! Lovely shots, btw...I think I need a better camera LOL!! Hope you are having a great day. :)
Posted by: Jenna Jaquez | April 24, 2007 at 05:45 PM