Digi: Paddle Pound Peddle~

PADDLE POUND PEDDLE

This family-oriented race encompasses running, biking, and canoeing on Denton’s Greenbelt.

The event challenge began with a 3.8-mile canoe trip down the Trinity River spillway, then a 2.5-mile run, & finally a 12-mile bike ride!  Jacq challenged her Dad to enter the race as Team: Dynamic Duo! LOL!

Marty has always been great about staying physically fit by running, biking & weight work-outs.  Jacq inherited his passion for fitness & health eating - well, healthier than me - Ms. Gotta Have a 2nd Bowl of Chili Con Queso!

Marty emailed these photographs from the Paddle Pound Peddle race.  The name alone was tempting enough to consider joining the fun.  I think I could have survived it, albeit a much slower pace than this pair.  They finished in a very impressive 2 Hour:35 Minutes.

Rock On Dynamic Duo!  I love you!

Credits~

• Anna Aspnes, Saffron Villa Layered QuickPage

Keep Creating!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Blog Event: Gems on Glamour Giveaway!~

Wonderful, exciting news for you sweet blogger budz! 

All of us love jewelry & fashion, right?!   So!  You absolutely must go visit *Marsha's Giveaway* she has generously posted at her blog, GEMS ON GLAMOUR!  She has an impeccable eye for beauty, fashion & couture jewelry.  Her posts are dripping with fabulous design trends & the beautiful, sparkling jewelry she creates tying her creations & fashion runway appeal together.

Be sure to comment on her blog, sign-up as a follower & tune-in to her April 1st Giveaway Announcement!  It could be you!  Or!  Hopefully, me!!!  The jewelry set she designed is stunning!  She has posted photos of it for you to peek at!

I adore the vintage-modern looks she laces together with precious gemstones & glinting metals, as well as her boutique-chic styled pieces that are continentally fantastic.  The high end jewelry she designs could be showcased at retailers like Neiman's.  Unknowingly, I had commented that her work had a commercial appeal while much of her career has been based in such a luxury retail store!

We are all aware at how many truly creative individuals grace our lives & eyes through blogging.  Marsha is creme-de-la-creme!  Her success & experience in high end retail sparkles through her jewelry.  Her talent delighting me every time!

GEMS ON GLAMOUR captures bold glimpses into the fashion industry's latest couture trends while her jewelry accents it all with a resounding *TADA*!!!  She has announced the Giveaway & she is also planning to open an ETSY.  So Marsha!?  Yes! Yes! Yes!  Go for it!  Wishing you continued success!

GEMS ON GLAMOUR could certainly rank as one of a girl's best friends! ;)  And to have an original piece of her work ... divine!

Good Luck!  Go Sign-Up Before Time is Up!

{Hugs}

Juls~

InSights: New Profile Pic~

Hey Gang!

It's raining outside right now!!  Texas can experience all 4 seasons in one month, totally serious.

Here's an example of why I love Photoshop classes!  I look a decade younger here!  All becoz of the *skin softening* technique.  I figure, hey, I can't afford a plastic surgeon right now but I do have a copy of Photoshop!

This is my new *hair-do*!  A bit darker with lots more layers.  I actually rolled it today & put some make-up on. {Okay, I caked the make-up on!!}  I'm back to rolling my hair away from my face, like we did in the 70s thanks to Farrah.

After looking through the photo session pics this afternoon, this one seemed the most like me and I thought it would make a cute profile photo.

Au Revoir!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: totally BLOCKED.~

Part II & III Continuation ...

The weather is finally clearing & warming up here in Texas!  Hope everyone is starting to see blue skies.  I've kinda been *totally BLOCKED* inside this winter and need to put those new tennis shoes on & start walking!  Last week was *reBoot* time -- hair cut, color & chemical peel. 

Ahhh ....

Better, Much Better.

A few weeks ago, Bella Butterflies in Grapevine, Texas had an Altered Art craft class.  Owner, Ashlea Robertson put together the cutest project & well, I HAD TO TAKE THAT CLASS!  And ... hey ... it's a *get out of the house moment*.  My determination to have fun was rewarded by making a darling 6x9ish painted canvas with une fleur {a flower}.  I'll post more next week. 

Your Juls was the only one to make a tulip accent instead of a daisy. 

Okay, I gotta tell ya, when I sketched the tulip out, the stamens were looking very similar to male anatomy.  I was horrified!  Hurriedly erasing but they wouldn't completely erase!  I wound up cutting them off!  Good idea, huh girls???! ;)  Everyone at the table was making fast progress painting their canvas while I was still trimming away.  SNIP! SNIP!  They started out worried about me, very worried.  Our sweet, Miss Ashlea looked a bit concerned & avoided our table somewhat ...  What kind of group did she get herself into this time!  By the end of the evening, they were very surprised at the end result of the glazed *fleur-minus-stamens*!  I will have to post some photos of it very soon for you.  But I'm holding out until I complete #2 of the series which will be as FAB!  Cute as a button!

We used canvas, scrapbook paper, acrylics, glaze & crackle....  Yay! A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!!

Curious?

Over the past weekend, my Jessi was offered as a surprise gift!  She quickly snatched it up & loved it!  She also wants to do the next class with me.  That will be nice mother & daughter time to share together.

Until the next post - Au Revoir!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: Direct Kicks Rule~

"DIRECT KICKS RULE"

Pure Powerhouse, Baby!


Pure Powerhouse ...

Very cool layout for a very cool kid.  My children are blessed for having a Mom that loves Soccer.  Soccer has been such a positive aspect of my life, as well as our children's.   The sport has this way of bringing out confidence, strength, determination, loyalty & no-holds-bar-sheer-will!  I *get it* when I hear throngs of crowds chanting Ole! Ole!  Yes, and have often wondered, "Why doesn't the United States have an ongoing song of joy for soccer?"  Organized youth soccer in the states has policies to keep rowdy parents, like myself, confined to only cheering *positively* for our recreational & club teams.  Yeah right.  But how about some music?  How about singing our home teams to victories?  Maybe we just can't top that song - it's so dang good.  Europeans are passionate about *football* across the globe!  I have attended a handful of FC Dallas, Major League Soccer games - loved them - yet, wanted to hear more excitement in the crowd.  My enthusiasm curbed.

Watching my daughter & her team of besties play at times makes me want to grab a jersey & stride onto the field.  I curb my own enthusiasm there ...  How often I have dreamt of, once again, standing in the middle of a soccer field with the sun shining down & wind on my face.  I long to connect powerfully with the ball just like my daughter's layout here ... Yes ... *Direct Kicks RULE*.  Totally.  Especially, when the team has set plays & strategies for directs & indirects.  I liken this feeling to swinging a golf club & knowing you've hit it well, balanced, & with power.  The ball sent sailing through the air while watching its' arch or darting speed towards its' target!  Soooo satisfying!

My life has changed since those school days of being coached by Richard Kenny, my childhood neighbor's dad and a British-European ex-soccer player, yet in some ways remains this same.  How lucky we were to have him.  He organized the first girl's soccer team comprised of Bishop Kelley students.  We were good & so it has continued, just as the team was started by him.  Bishop Kelley has been quite successful moving forward.  He would give me rides to & from soccer practice without complaint, rolling down the window while smoking a cigarette.  He had a wide smile, enthusiastic heart, highlighted by a very loud British voice & accent cajoling us into working hard, organizing & gelling as a team.  We were good to our teammates.  We were kind.  He encouraged us as individuals &, as needed for giggles or not focusing on skills, would put us deftly into check.  He taught us skillful and tactical plays.  Our passing game was excellent.  Our line-up old-fashioned compared to modern day line-ups but it worked for us. 1-2-3-5 from the back.  I was the *right winger*, now that position would be considered an outside mid-fielder.  I scored a few hat-tricks & was top scorer one year.  I could bend a corner kicks into the net.  Dribbling the ball through, around & over people was my trademark.  I could actually lift {arc} the ball over the opposition & run around them to move forward with the ball.  Yes, little rainbow-like arches made by balancing the ball on top of my cleat & propelling it over them!  Sweet.  Or making a 360 play to fake out someone.  No wonder Jacqueline & Mason are often called down by their respective coaches for fancy play... no surprise at all!

Soccer all started across the street from my childhood home in Tulsa.  We'd play in a very kind-hearted elderly woman's front lawn that must have been about 2 acres.  Her house sat very far back on the lot and it was fenced off which helped capture loose soccer balls.  My sister, brother & I would be challenged by the Kenny's occasionally for an afternoon scrimmage of soccer.  I was always up for it.  There's where my competitive edge was honed.  I wanted to beat Jim, Mr. Kenny's son, reeeaaallly badly.  He was in my class & although he was tops in academics, I could dribble better than him! :)  Oh Yes!  When we moved into our house during my 5th grade summer, Jim announced, "The Kenny's are the king of the neighborhood."  LOL!  Oh yea, well, this ain't Britain!  And we'd battle it out through kickball, basketball, kick-the-can &, yes, soccer!  Great memories of childhood play that I wish my children could have experienced.  These days, everything is so organized.  There is a lot to be said for spontaneous fun!

From there, I went on to play in a Tulsa league, then on a team comprised of OSU students.  This occurred after politely being told by the college men's soccer team captain I was dating that I could not attend their practices anymore, but hey, there's this women's team you should go sign-up for.  Practicing with guys makes you a better player.  It increases your confidence & quickness.  Plus, you get dates.  I wrote the team song for us.  I believe it was to the melody of a Budweiser commercial!  Yes, it was ... I still have the lyrics in my college scrapbook.

I married & continued to play through Tulsa.  We moved to Dallas where I met Claudia, who had me sign up on her team because she noticed me wearing cleats out in our apartment parking lot.  I was still kicking the ball around then with a co-worker who played for Berkeley.  Sometimes, the built-in interior decorator has hurdled me into re-Design mode and I *HAD TO* change one particular team's name & uniform.  Afterwards, we began winning & took first place.  Clothes {uniforms} matter.  Keep in mind, I went to a private Catholic school.  We had to wear uniforms.  I loved our burgundy jackets with the crest embroidered pocket & the long dark grey & burgundy plaid skirt.  I also loved the Brazil team's world cup jerseys, so selected those for the ladies team.  Not that I actually kept up with World Soccer, no, I was shopping & thought they were pretty!  Then, I'd have babies, would stop, and sign-up yet again for NTWSA league, as soon as I could.  My babies grew into little girls and were promptly put on soccer teams at age 5.  I assistant coached Jacq's first team for a few years.  And as they got older, coached both her & Jessica's soccer teams.  I would set-up back-to-back practices to make my schedule & life easier.  Mason would come to every practice and play or join in skills sessions.  But I never coached his teams.  I left that up to the Dad's and didn't want Mason to be teased that his *Mommy* coached!  Later, I was elected Denton Soccer Association's Treasurer, automating their payroll and financials.  Then, organized the first British Soccer Camp for DSA.  I was enamoured that this company actually had British Soccer coaches and knew European soccer was good.  Yes, I felt that our kids needed more guidance than from a bunch of ex-American football coaches, although, a few were very good at beating my team with strategy but NOT by their skill level.  My girls passed better & made classic soccer plays on the field even when they were very young!  I had one father tell me that my drills were far too advanced for our team.  The following year he was apologizing for that comment, because indeed, I was right on the mark with skills and knew what my player's were capable of!  Girls are smart!  I wanted to build my team's skill level step-by-step and teach them the basics of good dribbling, shooting & passing.  So important for any position out on the field.   I also wanted our players to have that wonderful opportunity to experience British-style soccer & to improve overall skill level in the association.  The three British coaches stayed at our house & ate hearty, homemade meals by me, spoiling my kids with attention, fun & their quick wit!  *BLESS YOUR COTTON SOCKS!*  That's where I adopted the phrase.  Three of my players went on to play college soccer.   I instinctually knew that those three players would be playing at the collegiate level some day.  I feel like I passed the torch for good old Mr. Kenny.  My way of giving back the joy he & soccer have provided me throughout high school, as well as my life.

From there, my children went on to play for various high school & club teams.  Jacq's high school team won state twice through the leadership of Syd Khoury who still holds the top scoring record for North Texas State.  Then, the elation of when Jacq began playing college soccer for TWU's Fleur Benatar, who built the university's program, team & developed the soccer facility from the ground up.  I feel so lucky to have had the chance to live it & breathe it & sideline coach it as an avid supporter through her college years!  It's such a great feeling.

And watching Jacq take those Direct Kicks.  Wow.

Soccer has made me a good Mom. :) ............

{Hugs}

Juls~

InSights & Digi: This Is Me~

Okay, our sweet Madame Jessica Spragueness loves throwing these, ::ahem::, small tasks into her lesson plans to stretch our talent, {read or lack thereof}, to it's *just over the rainbow* potential.

And I gotta say, I scored on this baby!  All due to very poor photography skills & lack of knowledge.  See that camera I'm holdin?  It's a Canon Rebel XTi.  It's screaming to be taken out!  OUT OF AUTO-MODE THAT IS!!

See me signing #1 in the mirror while effortlessly holding my camera?  Not because I am #1 at photography for sure.  No.  I'm pointing and saying, "WAIT! JESSICA WAIT!  I MISSED THE DEADLINE OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND!!!!  COULDN'T YA JUST HAVE HELD A SPOT FOR ME, I HAD AN IMPORTANT PHONE CALL!!!?"  Within 20 minutes, the *Oh Shoot!* class I waited on since Fall filled up.  There was a lotta cheering & ... a lotta tears & angst that nite.  And our Jessica, well, she is taking up yoga & looking for workout music ...  I totally understand why!  Throngs of Internet-Knowledge-Seeking-Young Moms-Photographers-Middle-Aged-Chicks-Like-Me-Grammys-Scrappin'-Their-Grandbabies-Executive-Women-Lookin-For-A-Cool-Hobby-You-Name-It-WE-ARE-THERE.  We thirst for knowledge!  We have this little addiction ... but it's not so awful ... We're addicted to Jessica.

So, interesting, very interesting how the Internet has introduced a revolution of real women, powerful women, who have found their niche on the good, ol' "{W}-{W}-{W}"!!!  Jessica Sprague is one example - she's kinda like the Oprah of Online Photoshop Class Divas.  Then, a juicy little tidbit, Pioneer Woman, who has a website, lives on a ranch an hour away from anywhere, terms her hot hubby Marlboro Man, raising & homeschooling 4 children, excellent known photographer, Photoshop Action Expert, and ... blogger/writer ... and ... with that said about the writing, wrote a cookbook ... and then started a novel which is in the works & is close or she just finished writing ... Well!  *They* are looking to make a movie about her book *Black Heels* possibly starring Reese Witherspoon!  This just after the movie *Julia* wherein a Blogger cooks every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook for a year!  I recently rented this movie and adored it!

What I am really happy about is seeing Hollywood making films about ordinary modern women living extraordinarily simple lives.  Talented women, women with heArt, women looking for a *connection to the outer world & sharing their souls*, their talent, their lives -- Martha Stewart Sorta Kinda via the Internet!  Although, quite naturally, Martha is totally *There* re the Internet.  Like she'd miss out on ANY opportunity!  And did you hear that her Ex-BFF wrote a book about how awful she is?  After Martha toted her and her family around the world on lavish trips and shared her life, insights & talent with her?  Not good.  I gotta admit, I'm curious about it, but nah ...  She's using Martha yet again for $.  And, sorry, I totally relate to Martha.  I can be direct, precise & a bit of a perfectionist.  I can be self-indulgent, strong & bitchy.  This is me.  Yet, I have a very soft heart, am loyal & supportive.  I've been told that "She's never met a stranger."  Friendly, down-to-earth and high maintenance in ways.  This is me too.

When we first moved into our home here ... I secretly wanted to be like Martha!  I wanted the pristinely perfect garden bearing fruit & lush English Roses.  Not just any English Rose, mind you, David Austin engineered roses!  I wanted hydrangea growing along the sides of my home & overflowing with purple & rusty floral mounds!  I longed for pink peonies I grew up with in Tulsa!  I wanted a perfect veggie garden alongside our *barn* {storage unit} with a rustic, worn fence built around to keep out bunny rabbits!  I wanted to collect tea cups & tea pots ... yes, I started the collection ... but ... it's just not me.

On top of the gardening, I love interior decorating.  Especially French, my budget keeps my high taste for beautiful items, in check.  Except my office - that's French. {And I will do a French guest bedroom, I absolutely will, some day...}

Now, I want knowledge.  I want depth in my life.  I want to experience more joy in my life.  I want to share more love in my life.  The knowledge that women like this share with us motivates and inspires us all to try.  And for that, our lives are touched with lots of *It's a Good Thing*s.  These things may not fix all the issues in many of our less than perfect, boring or plain old, bland lives or exciting and way-to-busy to breathe lives, but we are enriched with the journey of learning, of trying, of perfecting, of honing ourselves.

Everything Matters.

Everything is Connected.

So truly, BRAVA Hollywood! for finding the pulse of the *real modern woman*, perhaps it took the Internet to discover who and how we really are.  Multi-faceted & unique, mixed in with a few stars that shine out & lead the way for us to improve our lives, our homes, our relationships, and ourselves.

We are *REAL*.

Plus, we're really sexy.

It doesn't take a red carpet to be sexy.  Just a Marlboro Man ... and some great lingerie ;)

{Hugs}

Juls~

InSights: TWU Soccer Sunday~

Click here to view this photo book larger

Here are some photographs from TWU's soccer game on Sunday!  I didn't spend any time arranging these photos, but captured quite a few good ones.  Shutterfly did the work once I uploaded and I simply chose a Classic White background for purposes of sharing.

I plan on working on a soccer scrapbook album for Jacq's soccer!  I already have decided to use Anna Aspnes class, Album Magic for it!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: My Georgie & My GiGi~

I toyed around with a Polarized UV Filter today with my camera and took a few long awaited photos of Georgie & GiGi.   The sun was not completely out, partly-cloudy, so the overall effect is still being sorted out.  There were a few photos that definitely picked up more traces of blues.

This background for my dogs turned out pretty cool.  I literally got down on my belly to get a close-up of the wild flowers {weeds} growing in my backyard.  Each year brings out a sheet of multi-color covering a large portion of our lawn.  And when Spring is finally in full force, often my yard is covered with the small white wild flowers - a bit magical & charming.  Yes, I feel like Snow White ...

For those of you not familiar with this particular breed of dog, they are Papillon meaning *Butterfly* in French.  They are noted for their friendliness and are an elegant breed of dog of the Spaniel family, distinguished by their large butterfly-like ears.  They were bred for companionship and make excellent watch dogs.  {Well, not like my Lab/Chow mix, Sammy... but yes, they bark when strangers & friends arrive.}  If you are interested in the breed, this breeder seems very good, Braylor's Papillons.  The search for Georgie took me 2 1/2 days to find a male with gorgeous markings.  Braylor's did not have a litter available at the time, however, they have beautiful show quality Paps.  Papillons are also extremely trainable when it comes to agility.  Last summer, I had Georgie jumping over obstacles and he quickly caught on to commands.  I know he'd be awesome, if I worked with him more.  They are amazingly quick!  They enjoy hunting down squirrels & tormenting them.  And the squirrels in our yard, purposefully, chatter at them & tease them in the mornings.

The photo of GiGi was of her running back home, after sneaking out of my office.  I had it gated and she slipped through!  Finally, she listened and came running back to me, knowing full-well she was in trouble but enjoying it ... Look closely at her photo, she looks like she's trying to check out my temper-meter!  Just beautiful!  When she is playful, she lifts her chin, erects her ears very high and pulls her tail up over her back into a plume.  Really gorgeous.  Show dog pose.  Although, she is quite timid and ultra-sweet, she is the most loving dog I've owned.  The reason why I found another one!  My Georgie.

Georgie's stoic, yet playful nature is charming. He is a very sweet boy.  He's is always looking for a toy.  Constantly cow-towing to Chief & Poco which I get concerned about.  Chief really needs to be on medication, seriously.  Georgie is so well-meaning, gentle & sweet.  He behaves better than most people I know!  Kindness is a plus in my book!



I have a series of photos of GiGi running towards me that I thought about doing a layout for.  When I started working on this one, the background really took a front seat.  It looks a bit poster-style with graphic effects.  And the texture, high-up in the background looks rather exotique in a way.  Kind of wild!  Like my dogs can be!  The shot was a horizontal and I blew it up big and did a 12x6 layout.  I could add more to this later, but I'm really digging the simple, earthy, vibrant, Springy, happy style!  And my dogs stand out proudly.

Chief & Poco are looking more like sheep dogs than maltese these days.  So, photos for them will have to wait.  Every time I shave, clip & shampoo them, I swear I will brush them out daily -- all to no avail and they wind up looking like sheep again!  Sheep with dreadlocks! LOL!

Oh my goodness, another late nite ... but a few more fabulous layouts for you to see!

Hope you enjoy them, as much as I do!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: Winter Tree~

This photo was taken after the last snow fall.  As I was leafing through photographs, I got completely sidetracked simply because this picture is so cool!  Had to do something with it!

Yet, as ready as I am for Spring & Summer and a bit tired of Christmas and Winter layouts,  I could not stop editing this photo!  Postcard Pretty!  Very Pretty!  Tres Joli!  Such a wonderful example of the beauty Winter holds, but really, *buh-bye*! 

Credits:

Julie Horner, Photography

Anna Aspnes, Overlay

Anna Aspnes, Monoblendz Paperie, Aqua

Jessica Sprague, Grungy Photo Mask

Princess of Shadows, Vintage Grunge Textures


Edited Photo:

Before Photo:

Keep Creating!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: Our Little Buddy~

Okay, I gotta admit, I dreaded this layout.  I thought it was adorable but that it was "too little boyish" & well, my son is a teenager now!  And actually, I could see applying this layout to many things now!

As usual, Jessica Sprague provides not only her technical expertise, but also shares the creative, inspirational side of herself!  She has both sides of the brain going on, for sure ...

This Lesson was filled with new techniques, the blending of photos was most interesting.  I always like how she takes a shape, copies it, fills and expands it out -- like the *&* thingy.

So, draggin down two big boxes of photo albums without them falling on my head was worth the effort to find these cute photographs of Mason, when he was an infant & a toddler!  He had personality then -- and still does!

Tonite we went to dinner at Applebee's and were listening the a song in the background.  He started singing and dancin' a bit.  He has a good voice!  Yes!  He sings on key!  And the guy can dance - he's got rhythm!  I was like *look out*!

I'm still smiling about it ...

Keep Creating!

{Hugs}

Juls~

InSights: Newly Designed Blog Background & Header~

Wow, ya'll ... it's 4:58 a.m.!!!  Creativity has spoken & the ballot is out!

Hope you like the newly designed blogger background, header & slight name change!  A cute font worked it's magic & the subtitle is fitting, don't you think?  Typically, posting is very relaxing to me.  I love computers!

So, here it 'tis .... and guess what?  I designed it!  Now be honest, do you think I have a knack for this?  Coz I'm thinkin' *ilikit*, *ilikitalot*!  Who cares if I had to resize over a half-dozen times!  I haven't quite figured out why the header keeps extending over, so that will need to be tweaked. 

And you know gold, slate grey & creams are bigtime these days!

{papier creatif}

& digital d'Stress

Cute!  So Stinkin' Cute!!!

Bring it on, Monday!  Oh! Wait a sec!  It *is* Monday!  Bed time!!!

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: Fall Follies~

Jessica Sprague's Digi-In-Deep self-paced class is packed full of techniques, cool layouts & ideas!  Here's the first layout from this series.  Really fantastic stuff!  And the photographs are all edited with Jessica's tips!  The girl has got it goin' on for sure! 

Just adore the lined paper distressed to the MAX & polished off with lots of brush work!  I'm really learning to use the Eraser Tool, Expanding Objects, Creating Masks to adjust for photo editing, levels, curves, Spot Healing!  Blemish?  No prob!  Got it covered. 

David looks like GQ and Jacq looks like Cover Girl!  Don't you know that we all look like that with Photoshop? LOL! ;)   He always helps stoke up the chimnea & lites up Jacq's face as well!  We went to dinner with them this evening & had a nice time.  I found out that they went to see *Alice*!  Oh!  I really wanna see that movie with Johnny Depp!  That dude has major talent.  They said to see it with 3-D glasses, they did 2-D & thought it would be even better!  Kinda dark at times but that's the Director's style.  I prefer thought provoking drama w/ humor or ultra light & airy anyway!

Also, I just started reading the book Outlander that a friend of mine told me about.  It's really good & I've heard through my reading group that it is quite addictive!  There are a series of 5 books, if I'm not mistaken.  I've already purchased 3!  Get this!!  I ran over to SecondHand Book store to find it.  I was picking up another unrelated item & considering gardening journals for friends, but I digress ....  I asked the customer service desk if they had a computer to I could check my email for the name of the book & the author's name.  Totally drew a blank.  You're not surprised, are ya?  So, one of the sales clerks asked, "What's it about?" "Well .... it's about a mother & daughter who time travel and they come across the huge rocks in England or Ireland or something..."  "Outlander?" "OMGEE!  Yes, I think that's it?"  Can you believe my luck?  I've gotten so numbed to poor customer service, I had resigned myself to driving back home & returning another day.  20 minute car trip ... but ... I didn't have much faith, on top of the fact that my overview of the book was so minimalist!

Oh!  I love good customer service!

{Hugs}

Keep Creating!!!

Juls~

Digi: Creativity Mini-Album~

Bonjour Toulemonde!!!  Decided to greet you all in French, since this blog does have a French name after all!  How's your weekend?  What's the latest & greatest?  I'm plugging away here working on lots of projects!  This is a mini-album that is sized in a print format of 8x8!  I like the chunky size for an inspiration album based on Creativity & special words, that one*Word 2010 project I've been mulling around in my head!  I can combine the two ideas together.  We shall see ...

Oh this weekend got the ideas churning!  And so often, my ideas are not static, but sparks that evolve often into something that's more than I hoped for!

These colors were terrific to work with.  Anna Aspnes is indeed talented - a true artist.  And I'm always bragging on Jessica Sprague, naturally.  Layouts are designed by her, the Royal Heiness of Digi-Goodness!  Brushes are Rhonna Ferrer - fabulosity comes to mind, when envisioning these!

This {above} is an album cover, well today it is - I frequently change my mind.  But I thought the line *We're Just Sayin'* was cute because it includes quotes about Creativity and one of them is my own!  Imagine me repeating that in slang ... yes, that's typical of me.

The second page really captivates me - must be the contrasting colors, the fact that I love sparrows & finches, it's earthy, dreamy & cool!  I could also see using these as part of a cover{s} for journals!  So, feel free to print these out for your personal use!  My gift to you all for *Following* me & being my *Blogger Budz*.  I appreciate the comments & emails that you all send.  They truly brighten up my day!

Here's a quote by yours truly, ahem, okay ...

"Creativity always generates

a wonderful emotional

connection to my life

by combining all the

fragments of life's imagery;

dreams, passion, love & knowledge,

whilst magically producing

a combustion of ideas into Art!"

Author: Juls~

I found this quote today online by author, Nikos Kazantazkis.  I've never heard of Nikos before but these words are succinct & speak to my heart simply & powerfully.

"By Believing Passionately in Something

that Still Does Not Exist, We Create It.

The Non-Existent is Whatever

We Have Not Sufficiently Desired."

Author: Nikos Kazantazkis~

Wow!  This is such a true statement.  {CLEAR AS A PHREAKIN' BELL!} I can relate to this personally & creatively.  Everything in life begins with a thought; an instant current of mindspeed, propelled by fact, fiction, reality, impulse, emotion or reaction.  I have quite a number of projects completed in my lifetime & some unfinished.  It's the unfinished ones that get to me.  As long as I'm on a certain path, can plan & make those thoughts into actions that create or matter in life, I'm good.  If not, the idea rolls through my mind until they are either carried out or given up on.  And I don't give up easily.

Kind of cute that *Believe* is the word chosen to tie-in with creativity & the reindeer hints of Christmas & belief in Santa.  Santa's magic wreaks havoc with me but I do believe in the spirit of him.  It's just that he can be a bit heavy with creating expectations of me & when I need the magic, where is he?  Okay ... I'll move on.  Is Winter over yet???

The quote for this page was another great find!  It speaks to me on a purely creative level that I totally relate to!  I love music & playing piano; I enjoy writing on my Blog; & I enjoy dancing, preferrably only around family & friends!  But life is to be enjoyed!  Time is to be spent with people who love & cherish us!  Not those who bring you down, are critical, hateful or flat out CRAZY!  There are too many good people on earth to let a few bad eggs spoil the rest of Us!

I believe in loyalty & kindess.  I always give people the benefit of the doubt & forgive them after a few personal foibles.  None of us are perfect!  But when I feel that a person has character flaws that prevent a friendship from being built on a solid foundation of trust & respect, I'm done.  I cherish those people in my life that set my sails soaring, keep my hopes high, enjoy what I have to share & are generous in spirit!  Those are the people who matter most to me!

"To be creative means to be in

Love with Life.

You can be creative only

if you Love Life enough that

you want to Enhance its' Beauty;

you want to bring

a little more music to it,

a little more poetry to it,

a little more dance to it."

Author: Ohso~

Choose to Be in Love With Life ....

{Hugs}

Juls~

Digi: Butterflies & Kisses~

Alo Blogville Friends!

After submitting a layout to Penscrappers of Jess, Jacq started hinting, "Hey ... I really like that layout you did of Jess ..."  My queue to get with it & do one of her!  The photographs are from Valentine's Day after she had gotten ready to go on a date with her boyfriend.  She looked absolutely fabulous & so I rushed to get my camera for a quick photo session right before she walked out the door.

I actually did another layout with the same photo last nite but it seemed way too traditional, so after a glass of wine or two {no kids, not goblets...}, I opted to do an edgier layout to compliment the romantic holiday!  I think she'll love this, when she sees it.  Lots of layers & brushes have been used to dress it up & provide movement & interest.  But truly, the photograph on its' own is quite stunning, so I've added a few extra that I retouched with Photoshop.

She is remarkably beautiful to us - whether in her soccer gear or all dressed-up!  I love every facet of my daughter!  I had flashbacks of her as a baby over the weekend that I'll share with you...

Jacqueline & Marty have always had a deep connection as daughter & father.  They are very similar in temperment, they have a keen interest in physical fitness, diet & exercise, they are selfless, extremely intelligent & gentle.  Jacq was our 1st child and, like many of you the entire process of becoming pregnant for the 1st time, going through pregnancy for the 1st time, delivering a child into the world; our world, for the 1st time, & watching her grow up from infancy into a beautiful woman is truly, a spellbinding, heartful journey of metamorphosis.  All the 1st's that a 1st child brings.  The magic, delight, the incredible adoration & love for your child that is like nothing you have ever known.  I knew I was a woman with a full heart, compassionate, giving & dedicated to whatever crosses into my life; but I was not aware of the emotional overflow my heart was capable of until the births of my 3 children.  With Jacqueline, I felt that for the 1st time.  I knew I would love her forever.  I knew there would always be an unspoken tie, beyond the virtues of responsibility & merely being a mother.  A tie of love to last through all time & eternity.  I would be there for her always.  And in spirit, forever.

Yet, as close as my little *Jacq* & I were, she was as close to her father & in some ways closer still.  Each day, after a long day at the office, he would spend time with Jacq, tickling, kissing & talking to her, reading to her, playing with her.  And I was gleeful to capture photos of her mimicking his every expression one day, where he'd purse his lips together & she'd copy him, then he'd make an "o" shape with his mouth & she'd copy him, then he stuck out his tongue & she copied him.  Her intense eyes studying him, happy to be in daddy's strong arms & enjoying his playful heart.  

I'll never forget feeling a bit rejected as *Mommy*, when she reached out for her Daddy in our neighbor's swimming pool!  I was like, "Hey!  I'm *the mommy*!  You should want me to hold you!!!"  But you know, I understand what it's like to be held in the arms of a strong man who is kind-hearted, simple in his ways & steadfast.  Of course!  I sensed this about him, when we dated!  The way he played with his nephew, Nick.  How Nick loved him!  And how Marty would hold him & toss him about at the lake with Nick smiling gleefully at this Uncle.  A snapshot.  I remember telling his Mother that was a moment that I fell in love with Marty, actually, more deeply in love with Marty.  My mind fast forwarded to parenthood & I knew he'd be a wonderful Father & he is.

Things haven't changed too-too much since the days of her toddling about.  She follows her Dad on jogs & bike rides, she's followed his academia footsteps throughout grade school, high school & college, as a leader.  She's a leader on the soccer field; as he was in football, basketball & baseball.  She's as calm as he is.  Yet, she's much like her mother, me.  She's detailed, focused & passionate.  She's filled with a compassionate heart.  She's loyal to her friends.  She's artistic, creative & musical.  She's not quite as emotional as I am because she controls it like her father.  And the musical ability is from us both.  The stars must have been in perfect alignment the moment she was conceived because, I swear, the girl has the best of us both!

This past weekend on Saturday morning, Jacq was sitting on the sofa.  And Marty, who realizes his little ones are growing up & have grown up, pulled a Daddy on her.  He scooched beside her on the sofa & put his arm around her while she leaned her head on his shoulder.  A snapshot.  Their feet up on the ottoman and both smiling smuggly, just like the photo of them sticking their tongues out at eachother.  Adoration, affection & attachment: the love between a Father & Daughter.  Timeless.  And as a mother, for my children, I always wanted them to have that kind of love in our family.  A simple treasure.  A truth.  A life tether.  A hand to hold.  A heart to dwell in.  

She's still our little girl, all grown up ... 

Now!  On a different note, getting back to the whole goblet thing!

The goblet story ...  When I partake of spirits, I get quite happy!  I've observed others who are, well, mean drunks!  Norma & I typically wind up laughing.  It doesn't matter whether it's one or two glasses, I get the giggles, start cracking jokes, get louder, a tiny bit obnoxious & just let go!  So, one night, one of my kids asked, "Hey Mom?!  How many glasses of wine have you had!!???"  And I answered truthfully, "Just one GOBLET!" LOL!  {A huge wine glass that looks like a gold fish bowl of which had been filled to the brim!}

That's my new motto: Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

Materials List~

• Designer Digitals, Anna Aspnes, Passionaire PageSet
• Two Peas in a Bucket, Michelle Underwood, Too Trendy Kit
• Two Peas in a Bucket, Rhonna Farrer, Fashion Patisserie Brushes
• Fonts: Retro Rock Star & Fluoxetine

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!  Feel free to leave me a cute story to share of any antics you've been up to lately ... or send me an email for confidentiality! ;)

{Hugs}

Juls~