Take a picture. It lasts longer.

So, if you're a sucky photographer like me, you will love Funky Junk Interior's "Blog Photography Workshop". I lovingly refer to my photography as "craptacular", and really, I would love for it to be better. The awesome thing about this workshop is that it's based on using point-and-shoot photography. Finally, I don't have to feel like a putz for being the last scrapbooker in the world without a digital SLR!

The first installment from last week talks about keeping your camera still, either by propping it on something or keeping your elbows locked into your sides and holding your breath while you press the button.

Here's a photo of my layout from last week where I know that I moved (I think the terrible lighting may also have caused a shutter delay on this shot). I tried, but I had to breathe!

If only I was a cyborg, I would never have my pesky need to breathe damage otherwise workable shots. *sigh*

Here's one where I used the same method, but am quite certain that I didn't move much at all. It really made a difference!
Propping the camera on a stationary object seems to have worked even better...but wouldn't you know it - I can't find the photos! If only I was a cyborg, I could store all of those photos internally. *sigh*

This week's tutorial is on lighting which is a chronic issue in my photos, as I often complete my projects and photograph them in the evening. I am too tired to give it a try tonight, so I'll post about that soon. If only I was a cyborg, I wouldn't have to sleep. *sigh*

Oh well. I guess if I can't be a cyborg, at least I can learn some mad photog skills.

Sweets for the sweet

Scraps of bright and cheery paper make for super-cute and simple 11th-hour Easter cards.

I have the cutest niece and nephews in the land. Hopefully they'll enjoy these cards - and hopefully they'll arrive to their far-off destinations in time! While I wish I could be there to watch the kids gather eggs...

I am perfectly happy to be in my own home when the sugar rush sets in.

Well, actually, I'll be at the John Mayer concert on Sunday night enjoying a little candy of my own with a couple of girlfriends. (Ear candy, Cliff. Ear candy.)

{These are a simplified version of the cards Frances made with her Paper Poppy kit from March. Thanks, Frances!}

I loves me some Paper Poppy!

So this kit was beautiful. It was jam-packed. It had a lot of variety. It had a gorgeous, vibrant colour palette.

But guess what? It's not a palette I'm used to. So of course, when I started playing with it, I was stumped. Crud. I waited ever so (im)patiently for this kit to get here. What do I do now?

So I dug through my old photos looking for colour inspiration. I knew that somewhere, I must have some photos that would be worthy of this bright and cheerful paper. I mean, I figured out how to mix lavender eye shadow with blue mascara in grade seven. Surely, I can make this work.

Plus, I only needed one photo since I planned to adapt this March challenge sketch by Helen Croft at Scrap A Little. It can't be that hard...right?

And then it occurred to me that maybe I've just not captured "cheer" on camera. "Hogwash, self," I replied. "I seldom go a day without cheer. Surely, I have caught it on film at some point or another."

Apparently, I said that to myself back in the 90s while I still used a 24mm.

But what made it worse was that the whole time I was putting 110% (or some other superlative sports metaphor) into finding a photo that would work, the palette was taunting me. "Make cards out of me," it goaded. "Beautiful, cheerful cards. Your niece and nephews will love me. Spread the love, Teri. There are enough yellow and red goodies here to make cards for 163 of your closest friends."

But, "No!" I said. "You will not win this fight, bright colour palette. You shall be defeated."

So I tied my cape around my neck. (That cape may or may not have been metaphorical. Either way, it paints a formidable picture). I huffed, and I puffed. I used my spidey-senses and ran faster than a speeding bullet. And guess what happened?I was victorious! Take that, bright colours!The title reads, "Summer is fun at 26". In fact, I love how this turned out. It really made me step out of my usual comfy box and try some new things. I even managed to work a couple of extra challenges into this one. Apparently, no challenge is too much for Captain Cheer.
These handmade flowers are my entry for the Paper Poppy's handmade flower challenge. I used the scallop-circle-punched book pages that were included in the kit, and I used my Stampin' Up chalks to add a some colour before folding up the edges a little and adding floss stems. The chalks and the little birdy rub-on in the centre of one of my flowers are also my entry for the Practical Scrappers' challenge to use something that's at least one year old.

But none of those things sounds befitting a victorious and powerful superhero, so I left them to the end of the post.

So, to the Paper Poppy Kit Co., thank you for introducing me to beautiful new colour combinations that I never would have tried on my own. This challenge has done wonders for my creativity.

Now if only you could help me out of this comfortable lavender-eye-shadow-and-bright-blue-mascara box I've been living in for the last fifteen years, I'd be much obliged.

Checkin' em off my list.

I'm just home from day one of two in our annual Teacher's Convention. I have learned so very much today that my students will be excited about (who wants to debate capital punishment??) but I am in serious information-overload at the moment.

So, here's my plan:

1. Make a list of things to do. Check.

2. Grab a drink. I shall not disclose the variety. But please remember, it's five o'clock somewhere. Check.

3. Write this post. Use it to answer a couple of queries sent my way. Half-check.

4. Scrap my little head off. (Actually, that's not true. I have a rather large head.)

Ok, so let's get to number three.

Query A) "What do you do with all those pretty ribbons, Teri? Your scrap-space looks lovely and that pic at the top of your blog is awesome!!! You ROCK!" (Anonymous)
Well, first of all, I think this was probably my mom. Who else is that nice to me? :) I use them to make pretty messes. Oh, and I use ribbon to tie around cards, and sometimes as a layer on scrapbook layouts. But lately, I've mostly been using it to tie around gifts. Especially since I found some gorgeous white-on-black polka-dot gift wrap, I can customize my gift wrap for the intended person super easily. Oh, and I don't have to hear Cliff complaining that his buddy Bob's gift is too "pretty".

Query B) "Yaya! Wanna see exactly what you got in there. . ." (Mandi)

The "there" is my March Paper Poppy kit, which finally arrived yesterday! (Ahh, the joys of living in the north!) And so, here it is in all its glory...
Except, the Cosmo Cricket "Red Line" Ready-Set-Chip alphas didn't make it into the photo. How vexing.

And now, I'm off to dive into that kit. But before I go, please go check out the "Giveaway with a Heart" at Sarah Ann's Bon Mot ! This is a cause I feel really strongly about. Here's what she has to say about it...

"Well, I have found an amazing organization called NightLight International that rescues girls in and at risk of trafficking and prostitution in Thailand. They also give them jobs to help them earn money and learn a different lifestyle. And, guess what they do? Make jewelry! Actually, they have a business and teach the girls all different aspects. Some learn to design jewelry, and some make it, and some learn the business side of it. I love this idea, because they are not only doing something to help the girls get out of terrible situations, but they help them stay out, which is so effective!"

Head on over there to help out and potentially win a gorgeous piece of jewelry. Thank you, Sarah Ann, for your big heart! :)

A little math.

+

=

"Crazy in love". Or, "Crazy, in love".

So my little project from the other night's not done. Boo, I say! Boo!

I had hoped to get into my craft room last night, but then it was discovered that "the secondary panel [in our furnace] has a short". That's fancy-talk for "it's friggin cold in here."

Luckily, I rent from fantastic people who are on it like rockstars. Or like glitter on everything you own six months after you've used glitter.

That being said, I'm at home sick today, and I'm hangin' out in bed 'cause dis is where da heat's at, yo.

One little space heater = one warm room. Cliff has just arrived home from work, so it seems doubtful that the aforementioned "one room" will wind up being my craft room.

So, here's a previously-made page -- and one of my faves! -- to satisfy my need to post.


BoBunny Double-Dot, Colorbok transparency, papers from a Me &My Big Ideas slab, white rub-ons of unknown origin, and craptacular photography courtesy of the incandescent bulbs in my kitchen.
Who makes that typeface paper? It was one of my favourites and I used up every last scrap. Methinks I need some more.The flocked-and-winged heart was cut from the same M&MBI slab. I curled the wings and popped them up with foam tape.

The stitching around the circle was done in a somewhat haphazard fashion. It serves me well that "haphazard" actually looks good when it comes to sewing on paper.

What a mushy layout.

I guess you could say, "I've got my love to keep me warm!"

To which I would groan and curl up a little tighter in my duvet. But I'd be smiling on the inside.

PS: Just thought you'd like this little tidbit. Cliff sings to the dog a lot. I mean, a lot. Often these are made-up songs, or versions of songs he's been playing on the radio that day, as he's in broadcasting. He also likes to sing in a particular register that really gets the dog howling.

So he's been in the kitchen, cooking and singing. Of course, Molly started howling.

To which he just facetiously responded, "Yeah, I know the words, I effing made it up!"

Ahhhh. *Swoon* He's all mine, ladies.

PPS: He just told the dog that she'll "never work in this town again!", Al Capone-style. On the other hand, he also just brought me eggs and toast in bed. I guess I have to take the good with the crazy.

Yeah, yeah. "Birds of a feather." Point taken.

This is what happiness looks like.

When I got too tired to finish the project I started tonight, I found myself feeling so content and grateful.

I have so much to be thankful for today.

I went to a fantastic concert last night by the Newfoundland band Shanneyganock.
I am so grateful to have the energy and health to dance the night away. Oh, and thank you for the self-confidence (or lack of social decorem, perhaps?) to be the first and/or only one on the dance floor.

I went there with some fabulous Newfoundlanders who truly appreciate this genre of music.Thank you! I have been blessed with the most energetic and hillarious friends!

After some quiet time today, my marking is ready for school in the morning. Wow - and I don't even have to stay up until midnight to get the last few papers done! Thank you for helping me to overcome my instinct to procrastinate.

I have a scrappy project on the go and great music playing on my laptop.
My life would be so empty if it weren't for being crafty and sharing in the creativity of others. Thank you! What a great way to end the day!

And then, this happened.
Thank you, God, for giving me a sense of humour.