InSights: Happy New Year!

H E L L O    W O R L D!

H A P P Y    N E W    Y E A R !!!

20TWELVE Photos + Phrases - Project Intro

Are ya ready for 2012???!  I AM!  

C O U N T I N G   D O W N   T O   M I D N I G H T!

Plus!  I am super excited about this latest project!

AND . . . 

Are ya ready for some really cool templates that may just kick your digital scrapbooking up a notch!?   

:)

Over the course of 2012, I will post Monthly, as well as Weekly templates for you to use as a springboard for creating a visual snapshot of your year in photos and phrases.   You will also receive prompts and embellishments that aim to inspire and make you think about YOU, YOUR LIFE, & YOUR GOALS.  

This is gonna be Super E-Z!

SNAPSHOT OF MONTH WITH PHOTOS + PHRASES!

Tailored in a way that makes it simple to simplify and fun to amplify!


ADD WEEKLY LAYOUTS AS YOU CAN!


BUILD IT HOW YOU WANT IT!

What is great about the Monthly On This Day template is that it can be used as a mechanism to record events or daily quick thoughts, as well as to pool your inspirations, dreams & goals through the imagery.  I'll also be writing posts & creating tutorials about Photoshop, a sprinkling of my photography "efforts", ideas & creatif stuff!  You put your spin on it and post your layout here.  Chat about your project and how it's coming along in the Papier Creatif Forum.


Think your Followers would enjoy this?  Share the info and freebies - here's a BLOG BUTTON to post on your sidebar, which would be really sweet of u!

For now, here's a vimeo intro & overview for the project!

InSights: Christmas 2011

C H R I S T M A S   2 0 1 1

What a great holiday season this has been!  We actually got the house decorated festively.  Thanks in large part to my daughter, Jacq, who just got back home from inservice for physical therapy at an acute care hospital in Oklahoma City.  She stayed with my sister and brother-in-law for 6 weeks working full time.  She enjoyed working with the staff, meeting with patients recovering from a multitude of disabilities and illnesses and providing care in an actual hospital setting.  We are so proud of her!

Jessica also attends college and works full time in a day care setting.  She was recently promoted to Lead Trainer and her classroom has been used as a prototype for other facilities within the organization.  She is working towards a degree in Occupational Therapy.  She has always been very gifted with children, who adore her.  And I think it's partly because she still has a bit of little girl inside and is very laid back.

Mason is playing collegiate golf and his team had a pretty impressive season.  He placed 4th at a local tourny here in Texas and boosted the team to 3rd place overall.  We are really looking forward to seeing how they do next year!  He keeps busy with golf and his friends constantly.  We are proud of his efforts and accomplishments.  He has changed so much since starting college and is becoming a man . . .  :: sniff sniff :: 

Our puppies, Lily, Leo and Eagle, kept the holidays warm and fun.  It was really nice to have a pack of pups with us to share Christmas.  Nothin' like a sweet puppy-dog to make you smile.  I just can't stop kissing and loving on them!  Lily is "my little kitten".  See?  She's the one pictured at the bottom looking right at you.  She connected like that from birth and I instantly knew she was special.  Leo, in the middle, is getting prettier and prettier.  Looking a lot like his Mom.  Starting to be a little more social lately.  Loves playing keep away.  Eagle, pictured at top, is a sweetheart.  She is so loving and affectionate.  She has the ultimate puppy eyes with that beautiful mask of butterfly ears.  She loves belly rubs!

Hubby is now working from Dallas instead of Washington, DC.  Two and a half years of traveling to bring home the bacon.  We are all very appreciative of his hard work.  He never complained.  He worked on the big US Post Office website redo.  H-U-G-E.  They are still wrapping things up.  He is supportive of my career aspirations and determined spirit.  That's me . . . I always have stuff goin' on.  He likes me busy, actually.  Check out my You Tube channel and you can see him playing guitar, *Stormy Monday*.  He videoed it for his sister, Debbie, who is learning to play guitar.

So, we spent Christmas day at my brother's with his family.  My parents and sister's family came in to Texas as well.   That always makes the holidays feel more special.  We made our traditional pot of Wassail, turkey and dressing, white chocolate chip cookies which we've devoured!  So yummy!  Then, hung out in the evening at our house playing cello, guitar & piano.  Singing Christmas songs and a little Stevie Nicks ;)

I am looking forward to getting back into Creatif Mode!

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday too!

Happy Holidays!

W I S H I N G   Y O U   &   Y O U R S


A   B E A U T I F U L


H O L I D A Y   S E A S O N !

Photographie Creatif: {winteresque}

I put a flickr gallery together of snow-inspired imagery & titled the collection, {winteresque}.  Click on the link for a closer look at this beautiful photography & credits.  Albeit at 5 am yesterday morning, I took some time and relaxed while browsing through photos.  Love the snowy lenses, feathery trees, natural splendor and beautiful architecture iced with that wintery background!  The angles on these photos are fantastic.  Some of the scenes fade gently in a monochromatic color scheme.  Picture perfect. 

We are preparing the house for the holidays and working on the master bathroom reno.  It is getting there and looking good!  You all will have to check out my interior decorating blog, Tres Joli Home to see what the tile looks like.  My tile guy, Francisco, finished installing the tile, so now it has to be sealed, grouted and sealed with a top coat.  I am using my son's bedroom as a "walk-in" closet! ha!  It will be really nice to have it finished.  Then, I'll start painting / priming to get the walls ready for a Venetian Plaster finish.  I have also added to the list, painting and glazing the shutters.  It's a very unique, yet classic tile design.  I hope to have photos up over the weekend.


Have a great weekend!  

New Product: Romantique Mugs for Christmas

I n t r o d u c i n g   T h e   L a t e s t

 

"ROMANTIQUE MUGS"

Studio Scrapbook*Works Digital Kit
{zazzle*works}

for the Juliet in All of Us ...

Do you have scrapbook friends, family or co-workers
 who love their java? 

These vintage Romantique Coffee Mugs 

will get their creative juices flowing for sure!

{order your favorite for yourself!}




AVAILABLE @ MY ZAZZLE STORE

The gypsy mug with the red interior looks the most Christmas-y!  This is my favorite of all the patterns.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

The Romantique Coffee Mugs may be ordered individually or order all for a  really cute set!  I am getting several sets as gifts this year ... {shhhh!}   :)


Order the style and color option you prefer.  The images wrap all the way around the back.  Really, really cool!  Go to My Zazzle Store.   View the front, center and back.  And best of all, these are *MADE IN USA*!


Our family traditionally makes Wassail every Christmas.  Here is a great recipe for it.  It's soothing & delicious!  Perfect for holiday parties and dinners.  

[ Moi.  Bein' Kris Kringle!]

[Wanda Holding Her Namesake Mug.]

[Jessica Holdin' Them All at Once!]

[Jacqueline Giddy! SCORE!]

[Cheri {sipping} and Brandy {smiling}!]

HOME RUN FOR CREATIF MUGS!!!

Print this recipe out and tie it to the mug as a gift!

WASSAIL RECIPE WITH RUM.

• 2 quarts apple cider
• 1 cup dark rum
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• pinch of nutmeg, grated
• Cinnamon sticks, garnish

PREPARATION:

1. Stud the orange with cloves, slice.  
2. Place spice in cheesecloth & tie with baker's strong.
3. In a medium pot, combine the studded orange slices and the remaining ingredients except the rum.
4. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and add the rum.
6. To serve immediately - strain, ladle into mugs and garnish with cinnamon stick.

FOSSIL LUVS VINTAGE TOO!

New Product: Boo Da Licious Frame*Works

AVAILABLE AT PAPIER CREATIF STORE

I  n  t  r  o  d  u  c  i  n  g    t  h  e    L a t e s t 


"BOO DA LICIOUS"

Studio Scrapbook*Works Digital Kit

{mega*works}


it's fun to be Spooky!

The *Boo Da Licious* Halloween {mega*works} digital scrapbook kit also includes these 3 different frames in .psd format so you can adjust according to your photos.  Fun & festive!  Perfect for your own little spooks!

New Product: Boo Da Licious Alphabet Previews

I  n  t  r  o  d  u  c  i  n  g    t  h  e    L a t e s t 

                                    "BOO DA LICIOUS"

Studio Scrapbook*Works Digital Kit

{mega*works}


it's fun to be Spooky!

Here's some more Halloween fun in case you haven't had a chance to scrap your Halloween pics from October or years past!  

The Boo Da Licious {mega*works} Halloween digital scrapbook kit also includes 3 styles of alphas that you can use for various occasions.  Plus, BONUS! BONUS!  I have added some extra elements to the kit for you to play with!

You can have a lot of fun with this kit!  I love it!

AVAILABLE AT PAPIER CREATIF STORE

Click to see a larger image :)

1 PLAIN ALPHA - Midnight Black Background, Spice and White

1 GLITTER SCRIPT ALPHA - Ghoul Green Glitter with White

2 GLITTER BLOCK ALPHAS - Ghoul Green and Broomstick Brown Glitter

News and Events: Three Papillons, Two Turtle Doves and a ...

My 3 little Papillons are growing up and I am getting more and more attached.  I thought I'd share these photos with you dog lovers out there!  I just put the ad in the paper for them this week.  They will make really cute Christmas puppies.  And I am looking for tender, loving owners who appreciate this beautiful breed of dog.

Lily is the runt and the most affectionate in a snuggly way.  She is content to curl up on my chest underneath my sweaters and jackets.  It's been in the 30s - 50s in Texas the past few weeks.  Makes potty training kinda chilly sometimes.  I love watching the interaction between her and her mom, Gigi.  They have very similar dispositions.  This dog will be a *Momma's Girl * for sure! ... ohhhhh ... I am going to miss her.

Eagle, or as I affectionately refer to her as *Eaglie*, is my other little girl ... She is a lot like her Daddy, Georgie!  Athletic with his face markings and bounces straight up in the air just like him!  I call out *Boing! Boing!*, when she starts jumping around.  She is as affectionate as Lily, lots of kisses, but prefers wrestling around with Leo.  She is so smart!  When I am preparing their food in the kitchen, she stands looking at me and turns to go to the family room where I feed them.  The other two follow me while my little, Eaglie, gets a head start!  Look at her beautiful markings!  She is just about pure white except for her pretty winged face and black spot above the tail.  She has a hint of a spot on her back.  I think she'd be a great show dog.  And if someone were to train her in agility, she'd be excellent.

Leo is ALL BOY!  He loves playing.  I knew it from the first time I took him outside.  He was quieter than the others when he was born.  As soon as he went outside, he perked up and became more playful!  He listens well and is the first to curl up with me, when the day winds down.  He's got a beautiful, thick tri-colored coat.  Note in this photo, he is the first to run to me.  He's such a sweetheart!

I am still working on my Master Bath Reno, adding a few extras to the Boodalicious Halloween kit, and tryin' to get geared up for Christmas.   With my house turned upside down, I am not looking forward to making more messes with boxes.  And my girls and son are all off to college now.  They used to help me quite a bit..... BAH! HUMBUG!  But!  I always feel so good when it's all done and lookin' festive!  I'll put some Natalie Cole Christmas music on and have a glass of wine.  That ought to do it!

Christmas Kit: Noel Primitif

"NOEL PRIMITIF"

{studio scrapbook*works kit}

Treasure Your  Memories

Available at Papier Creatif Store

This is a fun Christmas kit with a really cute & whimsical alphabet, a tin-styled frame in turquoise, berry & nutmeg that may also be used to border other papers and/or pages.  I really love the Xmas Photograph No. elements.  Totally cute idea to use the actual numbers from your camera, as an accent!  You can reduce the size of the element to suit your taste.  The decal/sticker graphics are excellent and great to layer your digital scrapbook layouts with.

{mega*works kit link}

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!

x-o-x-o

News and Events: My Little Babies

Here they are!  Six weeks old and sweet as can be!  I know that I will cry like a baby when they go to their new homes.  If you live in the Dallas area, they are for sale :)

They are Papillon, French for Butterfly!  Named for their large, butterfly shaped ears with long fringe.  This breed has a very sweet disposition, even a bit sweeter than the Maltese.  They are loyal, patient, playful and loving.  They are also quick to learn agility training.  My male, Georgie, is bright and one Summer I had him hopping over bars in just a few minutes.  They are very fast runners, quick and natural hunters.  They love treeing squirrels and cornering rabbits.  I believe that these three will grow up to be Tri colored, as they are now.  They all have a touch of black.  The mother, Gigi, is a red and white.  Georgie is a tri.

Hopefully, I will get back into Creatif Mode.  I am having a hard time focusing with everything on my plate right now.  All I have to do for Papier Creatif is to wrap & pack the Halloween kit and finalize a beautiful album.  With my Master Bathroom Redux going, most of my energy has been going into that.


You are welcome to visit my interior decorating blog, Tres Joli Home, to see what I've been up to.  I am starting back to work full-time in January now that my son is in college.  I really feel that digi and Photoshop has added more depth to my design knowledge.  I'm so thankful for everything that I have learned and for the friends and contacts I have made.  You guys are great!