InSights: GiGi Overseeing Floral Design~

Hi You All!

Hope your Monday went well. Towards the end of the day, I finally got things rolling along. I've been told I'm a night owl, so figures! This post ties into the Tres Joli Home post from today. Take a look at my little GiGi. I was up late and she was on the floor looking so tired but didn't want to go to bed without me, so I grabbed a pillow from the sofa and made her a temporary tuffet to rest on while I worked.

See the one with her eyes closed ... I'm thinkin' it wasn't because of the camera.



Then, there's one where she looks like she is smiling at me - such a sweetheart!
She thinks I wanna play now!








Look who hasta join in!? Our Ol' Sammy-girl. I call her THE EMPRESS. Look at those loving eyes. How can people not like dogs????? Okay, so can I help it if she has a slightly menacing look? She's nice to us!!~

So, two of my doggie-dogs kept me company while I forced myself to focus on finishing the floral! Which turned out quite lovely, I might add. Although whenever I go through designing floral arrangements, I question it until it's done! Then, I'm usually very happy with the end result. But there have been many, many, times where I think, Holy Moses I should just start over!

I don't think the dogs would have let me, based on Sammy's photo ...

Here's the floral lookin' good . . .











Here's the floral where I'm thinkin' *NOT!!!* Or as my sister Cheri always sez, "Yeah ... no." Yeah, uhm, I think I was a bit giddy at this point. Roses & hydrangea do not have antlers .... And it could have spanned the entire length of the vanity, if I had let this monster get out of control!












Okay, final product - close to 1 a.m. in the morning ... "Looks good to me!"


See my post at Tres Joli Home to see where this landed. And I'm not finished with that project. Hopefully next week, when the window treatment gets finished. And my photography skills have to step up a bit!





{Hugs}

Juls~

Digiscrap: Proof~

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. It's been a very busy two weeks for me but I was able to accomplish this layout of Mason.

This is a great template from Jessica Sprague that I used for one of Mason's summer golf tournaments. I also used a font *JS* suggested that you can get at daFont called *Angelic War*. I love the swirly, grungy style of it! Too Cute! The tones of the template work very well with a golf or outdoor motif.

These photos were taken at Bridlewood Golf Course in early August. He played very well that day placing 4th. I edited each photo using a photo burn technique which is darkening the edges & lightening the focal point {Mas}, so that it stands out.

He's grown up so much this summer. I cannot believe he's actually going to be a junior this year! Wow. Time flies... He is still working hard on technique, spending many, many hours on the golf course & driving range. I am looking forward to seeing how his high school golf team plays this year. They have a lot of incoming freshman & several juniors. And one of his teammates is eligible this year which will be great for them. I hope they all do well and look forward to taking lots of photographs!

*JS* has an upcoming photography course that teaches you how to shoot in RAW mode vs. AUTO. I'm interested in taking it but not sure if I'll be able to with the *Beautiful Evidence* class I'll be taking. The *Beautiful Evidence* class will complete a 22 page 12x12 digital scrapbook album. There's also a lot of journaling that goes alont with it. It's focus is on your life. Sounds fun but I am so behind on day-to-day photos of my life! I'm a sports mom and decorator. My life revolves around kids and clients {when I'm working}.

Speaking of which, I have started working again for a client who needs help with a masterbath and bedroom *facelift*. So, primarily accessories, rearranging and window treatment. I'm hoping to post more details in the Tres Joli Home blog. It's reasonable to say that juggling home, children & work can be VERRRY challenging. My life is filled with details and can get overwhelming. So, this weekend, I just stopped - that is, after we helped move Jacqueline back home. I said, "Girls! Let's go get in the pool!" And the three of us, along with GiGi, floated around & talked. Sometimes I need just a few minutes of *veg* time to relax. Later that evening, we spent time with Don and cooked out with his family - then hit the hot tub. He was so sweet & helped us with Jacq's move home, bringing along his flatbed!

As nice as floating around in a pool & hottubbing it sounds, I am so anxious for Fall. The crisp weather, beautiful sunsets, sweaters & jeans.

Delightful....

Juls~

Hybrid: Challenge 08.15 - I Create~

HYBRID CHALLENGE W/E 08.15 - I Create~

This is Part I for the Hybrid Scrapbooking Group at Jessica Sprague since my ink cartridge is running low! Part II will be adding the paper & embellishments! Not only am I low on ink, but also looks like I am low on photos and need to start taking more shots!

There are several layers, including an awesome template, grungy mask & cool papers. I like the earthy, warm feel ... or maybe I am just ready for Fall!!!

It sez:

*I CREATE*

"I enjoy the comfort creativity provides

along with the joy of knowing that

the details in life matter & are important to me.

Whether I am playing a song on the piano,

transforming an interior space & making it pretty,

dreaming up a cool scrapbook layout or altered art piece,

the process always generates a wonderful,
emotional connection to my life.

My creativity takes all the fragments of my life's imagery,

dreams, passion, love, knowledge,

combustion of ideas & blends them all into art."

Hope you all are having a great weekend thus far! Please don't be shy and leave me a comment. I appreciate each and every one and look forward to reading them!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Hybrid: Challenge 08.08 - Oh! The Places I've Been ... ~

HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGE - W/E 08.08.09

Merging the worlds of digital scrapbooking with paper! I've finally done it! It took a *deadline* of a challenge I created for the Hybrid Scrapbooking group on Jessica Sprague.

I decided to do a layout of *moi* for a change! When you are the family photographer, like myself, photos of yourself are few and far between. These two particular photographs worked well together, especially for this challenge.

I used a pre-made layout from Designer Digitals which always saves you a ton of time. Now, the initial color scheme looked very bright with red & black, but I added several background papers, frames and used color overlays to revamp it. The simple green background the text box is on allows a small floral paper to bleed thru which is a very cool, textured look. To pop it, I used black since the photo mask was already black and black lettering helped the text section show up better & balanced it. Then, to define the photos, I resized them to fit into the space and used a digital frame for them both.

What is great about Hybrid Scrapbooking is that you get your projects off the computer. Unless you are good about getting digital layouts printed {which I haven't been doing yet but hope to}, it forces you to print your projects out and get them in an album where they can been seen & touched! My family & friends enjoy looking at my paper layouts. The ease of digital is great because they can be quickly shared with everyone online.

I was very pleased with the print quality of these digital papers. My concern was that they would not have the depth I'm used to with paper. This project turned out great! Just remember it's important to keep your ink levels up and the printer in good working order or they will streak and/or colors will fade.

These photos were taken in Arkansas on Spring Break in 2007. Wow - time for another vacation, eh?! The text box reads:

OH! the places i've been ....

"I've traveled to

faraway places in

the world like Paris,

Canada & Mexico.

And while each

country was pretty

& had it's own unique

culture & beautiful

backdrop of city,

mountains, or ocean,

I am most relaxed

in a simple cabin

overlooking the

Ozark Mountains.

For me, a jacuzzi

& campfire

rank higher than

bistros & snow skis."

Materials:

• DesignerDigitals"Oh! the *places* I have been....." digital layout .pdf
• The Shabby Shoppe, Autumn Medley, Paper Damask
• The Shabby Shoppe, Autumn Medley, Paper Sage Green
• The Shabby Shoppe, Autumn Medley, Paper Floral
• The Shabby Shoppe, Autumn Medley, Frame 1
• Basic Grey, Infuse, Clr. Salt//inf-843
• Our Stories, Mounting Corners, Clr. Black, #OSM-401
• The Robert Stanley Collection, Brown Paisley 1 1/2" Wired Ribbon, #603431
• Black Beaded Floral Fashion Ribbon, Item # Unknown

Hope you all are having a great weekend! Please do not be shy & leave me a comment to say hello or point me in the direction of your blog! I appreciate & enjoy them ALL!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digiscrap: New Challenge & Mason @ Gleneagles~

More Photoshop lessons & more golf! Outside of the wonderful visit we had with Nicky, this has basically been my life this summer.

Did I mention to you all that while Nicky was in town I had an allergic eye reaction? As soon as I picked her up from the airport, we did two things: 1) Starbucks then 2) Emergency Room clinic. This is the 2nd reaction I've had since my eyelid surgery in November! We're not sure what I reacted to -- could have been the antibiotics, new eye shadow, 3 different cleaners I combined, caulking, or potent toilet tabs. The ER doc thinks the eye shadow. I'm thinkin' antibiotics ... My eyes were swelled up for days even after the steroid shot and pills! Pretty uncomfortable to say the least. Nicky was sweet enough to monitor the status of my eyes pretty much hourly {or every 15 minutes, especially in the mornings}. "Juls! Put some cucumber on your eyes!" I did and it helped take the swelling down quickly.

She trekked along with me to the later part of one of Mason's golf tournys. Not a personal best for Mason, however, I was happy that she could watch him play a few holes. We walked and remarkably, it didn't kill us! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Or does it just kill you slowly????

This 9-piece tiled layout is great to use when you have multiple photos of the same outing, adventure, game, event, etc. I'm considering doing best photo for each hole; 2 pages per tourny. 18 photos total, right? But I'm not consistent enough with the photos or attending the entire round. And there are so many photos I love of each course, it's difficult to widdle down.

I hope to do an album for Mason of his Summer tournys, so he'll have something to look back on & be proud of. He's improved quite a bit this summer: tightening up his game by beginning to shoot under par and also strengthening his mental game. It's a very frustrating sport at times, but he's come a long way since the fall by competing in this league.

We are very proud of him & happy that he loves the sport! He's so dedicated and passionate about it - ya gotta be to play golf!

A LITTLE SUMTHIN-SUMTHIN

I've posted a Weekly Hybrid Challenge on Jessica Sprague that I'll also be sharing with you all each Sunday due the following Saturday @ midnite! Feel free to join in here by simply posting your project on your blog & noting the link in my comments section.

Here's the 1st CHALLENGE W/E SAT. AUG 08th! I found this layout at DesignerDigitals which is a wonderful site, if you aren't already aware of it. This is called *Oh! The Places I've Been!* and has a large section for journaling. I have also been doing so many layouts of my children and family, that it will be nice to do a little sumthin-sumthin' for moi!

Here's the layout - ENJOY!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digiscrap: Siblings Are the Chocolate Chips~

In the Cookies of Life, Siblings Are the Chocolate Chips!

Well, it's been an emotional week for me - all about heritage & family. My memories delved into past holidays, childhood, teenage years, college - you name it - I was having major flashbacks! And naturally, my life growing up with Cheri & Donnie was in the forefront. There was warmth, laughter & sparks of sibling rivalry! But we've always loved each other dearly & they are two of my closest friends.

I had planned on doing a Summer Serendipity layout of us, and so the timing & uplifting sentiments were perfect! Three Peas In a Pod - that's us.

See the land rover-thingy? {Okay, it's a *Ranger*} That's my brother's. He took us for a majorly hellacious ride near the shores of Grapevine Lake. I'm sure that the kids could hear me screaming for him to slow down from a mile away! He didn't ... Just like when he wouldn't slow down driving us in go-carts. The go-cart race was this week - why I keep getting into fast moving vehicles with him is nuts. I had also forgotten that he used to race them. Yes, RACE them ... really fast! He's always been a bit of a dare devil. And while I was screaming, my sister, Cheri, was grinning ear to ear. I think she was glad in an evil kinda way that I was scared out of my mind!

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE... :)

Oh, and wait until I post my next project of them before this ride happened. Their true colors were captured in a series of photos with my trusty camera! See Mom!? I told you I was the best behaved!!!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digiscrap: Play From Your Heart~

This lesson comprised a few textures, rounded mask and text styles to add character & depth to this photo of Mason at Eagleglen Country Club. I remember when I was taking this shot, I decided to focus on his face instead of the classic swing succession I normally do. I love it! That's our boy!!!

So, this is a continuation of the Jessica Sprague class that I am taking. Fortunately, it's self-paced because I've had a little company this week! My half-sister, Nicky, visited us from Michigan and we met for the 1st time EVER! It was a wonderful experience and we got to catch up on our lives and have a little fun in the process! It was quite cathartic in that I believe we were able to answer a lot of questions about ourselves and our families. Life is not always simple - it can twist & turn as easily as a river. Sometimes it's rocky; sometimes it's smooth.

It's interesting that on an emotional level, she and I are very in tune. Our thoughts and reactions to issues, ideas, feelings, etc. have a common signature. She also enjoys journaling, which blogging has been to me the past several months. On top of that, I've often written lyrics, poetry, short stories, gardening journals, and when I was younger kept a diary to express my feelings. She's a writer, a high school teacher, softball player, gardener & most of all, great Mom to her beautiful daughter, Jordan, my newly-found niece!

Although the topic of my natural father, divorce and our estrangement over the years since childhood was not the most comfortable topic, we were able to connect and share intensely different perspectives about the situation. It wasn't an easy situation for either of us at times in differing ways. Fortunately, I was blessed with a loving family and step-Dad that I've only known as my Dad. And the stubborn streak that I inherited from my natural father, was present when I told my Kindergarten teacher that my name had not been called, "My name is Julie Happe." The bond my Dad created and that stubborn nature made my "selfly-adopted name" stick throughout school. I was also determined to prove this to anyone who tried to show me otherwise. I never wanted my Dad to feel hurt, so I never emotionally allowed my natural father into my life. And given the choice, I always wanted to stay with my immediate family during holiday visits.

However, my natural father did pass away without us ever having an adult conversation, and as I've written, that was a regret. Somehow I felt that we both understood where eachother stood on things. And although I did have curiosities about him and his family, I did not want my children to have any ambiguity about who their grandfather is. And I also trusted that had my Mom felt better about the situation, she would have encouraged it more. But it just was not so ... and so the pages flew.

There were talks with my Mom about his side of the family and later in my life she had suggested that I call him. She knew that he was ill and his health was starting to fail. I felt that if he had wanted to talk to me that he would have contacted me. I was not ready to face the past. A past that was difficult for my mother and that caused her to change her life considerably - to the point of moving from her family.

But I received a letter from my Aunt shortly after my Grandfather's death. A letter that clearly showed me the part of myself that had been missing for so many years. I read it in the driveway, as I cried. It was beautifully moving and compassionate, as I am. It was filled with love, as I am. I felt I knew my Aunt by the simple words she hand wrote. She introduced me to Nicky. And Nicky is a diver vs. a skimmer - just like me and our Aunt.