Learning with Smilebox

Today I started playing with Smilebox. It's a great way to make cute scrapbook-looking layouts of photos you want to do something creative with.

(Note: Took down this slideshow momentarily. It gave out my full name which i'm not comfy with. If you want to see it, send me an email and i'll forward you the link!)

Exciting new websites to check out...

I was looking around for some free fonts for my newest foray into scrapbooking and came upon this site:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/
Amanda does a GREAT job of providing handwriting fonts (complete with instructions if you should need them). Their site is fantastic and they are just an adorable couple.

Also loving the BHG scrapbooks etc. site:
http://www.bhgscrapbooksetc.com/

I plan on getting to Michaels this weekend for some scrapbook supplies as I don't own one scrapbook yet. Shame on me!

Tomorrow will be attending my niece Haley's dance showcase. I will tote along my camera and see if I can get backstage for some photos of the "Divas!"

Blessings for a great weekend!

The long, cold winter

Winter has been long and very cold and it's only nearing the end of January. I have had some good days this month despite the cruddy weather. I got a chance to take some really cute pictures of my boys, including Owen's new tooth! Look out world...he's chomping on everything! Last week I also had a chance to hang out with some good friends, Pat and Sheri. Heard good news from Sheri that she's moving back home so hopefully i'll be seeing much more of her. That is always good news! I'm also doing fairly well on my weight loss endeavors. Bye bye baby fat, hello cute spring clothes! Down 2.7 pounds towards my goal of 5 pounds this month. I even got on the treadmill a couple of times thanks to

the SWEET new iPod from my hubby for Christmas.

I almost forgot that Max had his first dentist appointment two weeks ago. He did fantastic and has no cavities! All of that wrestling him so he can get brushed was worth it!

Right now i'm learning how to use Elements. I took some family photographs of some friends of ours in November and managed to get them edited and printed this month. I even created an invoice for my "business." When she pays me this will be my first paying photography session. I plan on framing my first $1. Very exciting!!

happy 2008

It's time to look forward and make 2008 a good year. It occurred to me over the weekend that I had the ultimate high and ultimate low all in one year. The ultimate high was the birth of Owen on June 7th, the ultimate low being the death of my brother on December 9th. It's strange how life can change so much in 6 months. Luckily i've been surrounded by friends and family that have been there for all occasions, good and bad.

To look forward in 2008 i've got lots of things to keep me busy. I am planning a conference that will take place in May in New Orleans. I have never been there and so am looking forward to visiting the city and helping the economy (even as small as our associations contribution will be). I have also got plans to redecorate our basement. I'll be repainting the walls a beautiful shade of light gold, maybe finding some new art, rearranging the furniture, etc. I will also be converting our spare bedroom into a dressing/craft room for me. Since Owen was born we have had to be creative in order to find places for everyone's toys and clothes. Hopefully Ryan can come up with a creative and attractive solution for my dressing room. I'm looking foward to it. I got some new Amy Butler fabric for Christmas to help with pillows and even art work. Hoping to find some coordinating fabrics to add some color...i'll post pictures as I go along!

Happy New Year!