Testing my new camera

I spent part of the evening testing the different settings (all auto mode) and taking a few photos. Today I plan on spending the day watching a 90 minute video that is supposed to teach me how to use all the functions, or at least get me moving in the right direction for better photos. I can honestly say I will most likely need all day to go through the 90 minute training.
Here are a few more pics I took of some of my favorite ornaments. It is so fun working with natural light, flash and settings. I've yet to figure out what actually works.
I'm sure I should be doing something else with my day but this is far more fun.

New Year, 2009....wow

I have not been motivated to blog, nor be very creative for some time now. Today I decided to post here and see where I go. It's not a comfortable forum for me so I struggled with this blog but I thought I would start again and try to have fun along the way.
The holidays were actually nicer than I expected given that so many people have fallen on hard times. Living in California I've seen many lose their jobs, homes and in some very sad cases, their family. I've been blessed with not personally experiencing any of those. So my year ended well and it is starting out nicely too. I hope and pray all of you had a great holiday and that 2009 brings you more joy and great days that leave warm and happy memories for years to come.
I now am trying to learn how to use my new camera. I've had a point and shot all my life so this camera is going to be an adventure in learning. It's the Canon EOS 40D and it came with the 28-135mm lens, and a flash attachment. Now to figure out how that all works together.
I love scrapbooking and making new ways to display photos so this camera will be a joy to learn. If any of you have any helpful suggestions, please send them my way. I plan to spend a day watching a video that is meant to teach me how to get the most out of this great tool but I know that users are usually a great source of information.
Well, I will try to post a few of the photos I've taken so let's see if I at least mastered the uploading part.

I realize I've been abscent for a bit and neglected my blog but I hope to get better this summer. There have been a lot of changes with regards to my scrapbooking. TLC no longer exist and has changed or been bought by a new company called, "Breezy". I'm not sure if it has totally new owners because there have been posts showing the former owners of TLC to be partners in Breezy. It's all a bit confusing for me.

I still enjoy the use of Life Timez Online and I'm glad that is still available. I have been busy trying to complete some digital albums and getting all my old TLC inventory sold or used up. It's been fun to see what projects I can create when I put my mind to it.

I've also been busy with family. My sister and I laugh that there are great benefits to having a close family and yet it can be a challenge. The challenge comes when we find that far too often our weekends are filled with conflicting "things" and we miss doing some of our "events" together. I am blessed to have such a challenge, one that means that we love sharing our time together and that we are also busy with friends. That really isn't a complaint, just a challenge we come to now and again.

As you can see, I have plenty of opportunities to take photos for my scrapbooks. It's never a problem coming up with subjects to work on, it's finding the time. I scour the net for inspiration, reading blogs and checking out galleries that are filled with beautiful creations. Since TLC is not longer, I have found my home with I Remember When and Memory works.

The joy of I Remember when is that they carry a variety of products by different vendors. They are also owned by Xyron so I get the benefit of finding some great buys on those products too. So you can see I still have plenty to do and lots of things to scrap. I even have my oldest grandson looking forward to working on projects along side of me. How much better can it get?

Whirl Wind Weekend!

Wow, trying saying that fast three times! That's what this weekend felt like. After trying to absorb all that TLC put before us, and deciding on what my next step will be I think I've pretty much made up my mind, or not. I got the news late Friday afternoon that TLC would longer have a consultant based business, but rather a "buyers club" for customers/members only. While it is fine for hobbyist, I was hoping to keep my small team going and grow some so that I could work this more actively as I approached retirement.

Over the weekend I scoured through so many direct sales business opportunities that I actually felt I was getting the information confused. I did find one company that isn't scrapbook related that I'm going to work for part-time and see where that goes. It's a new avenue for me.

I also found Heritage Makers which is strictly digital but I can use my existing LifeTimez desktop software with it. I also found that it was much easier and faster to go digital when I'm scrapping for multiple people as gifts. Yes, I'm a hooked digi scrapper.

Yet, I still cannot give up paper scrapping so I am staying with Memory Works for buying my products and possibly looking into another consultant based company. I haven't decided yet. I may just take time to see how this year plays out.

There is a lot to consider and a lot to think about. How one part of your life can change so quickly bringing about other choices is amazing. I've found that I had a great group of friends in TLC and that I hope I can continue with. So, now what's next? Time will tell but I do look forward to more adventures in life.

TLC's Friday bomb!

Most former TLC consutlants are feeling pretty shocked and extremely disappointed as the news sinks in that TLC has kicked us to the curb. They e-mailed us Friday afternoon at 4pm (they always post bad news on Friday afternoons) that they dissolved all consultantships and are now a "discount buyer's club". I felt as if someone had socked me in the stomach. I think the only thing that saved me was that I had started getting disillusioned last July when they reneged on incentives then. Still, we thought TLC would survive and hoped it would pull the company together. Well, off to search for a more trustworthy company.....

Blogging Around

I'm recovering from this "cold" that seems to be striking so many people around me. I should be napping but I keep thinking about all the fun projects I want to do. So what am I doing instead? Well, I'm obviously not working on one of my projects but I am doing something I enjoy but rarely make time for, I'm blogging.
I have so many friends that have wonderful blogs, filled with great ideas. I love to see what is new on their blogs and it also helps me take a peak into what is happening in their lives.
While there are downsides to the internet, I find that it has been such a wonderful tool for staying in touch with friends, making new friends and much more. I love when one of my friends sends me a new blog or website that they think I'll enjoy.
So if you have one you want to share, feel free to pass it my way!
Well, I'm going to get started on one of my projects and see how far I can get....

What shoe are you?

I was reading Sonia Rodriguez's blog and I came across the one asking what shoe are you. I couldn't resist and so I filled out the short quiz. I had to giggle at the response but I thought it was fun so I wanted to share it here. Enjoy!

You Are Bare Feet

You are a true free spirit, and you can't be tied down. Even wearing shoes can be a little too constraining for you at times! You are very comfortable in your own skin. You are one of the most real people around. You don't have anything to hide. Open and accepting, you are willing to discuss or entertain almost any topic. You are a very tolerant person. You are accepting and not judgmental. You should live: Somewhere warm You should work: At your own business, where you can set the rules

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Thanksgiving 2007

Thanksgiving always includes lots of good food to share with family. This year was no different, and thanks to everyone that came we had plenty of delicious food to share.

Stacey brought a few crafts along to keep you busy. She had the boys make Pilgrim hats and Danny was happy to show off his. Each year I try to get all the ladies in the family together for a photo.

This year I managed to get our men together for a group shot. As you can see, they were reluctant but they still posed. Aren't they a handsome group? Can you tell which one likes to be Santa?


Stacey also had a "What I'm Thankful For" tree that we each made a "leaf" for. On that leaf we wrote what we were thankful for. It was very sweet to read each leaf and know that the branches of our family are strong. Yes, it was another year of giving thanks for all the blessings we have!

September is here!

It's hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. late August and this first part of September brought SoCal some very warm days. I'm sure there are many who are looking forward to cooler days. With school back in session, football season underway (Go Bruins!), and the Los Angeles County fair is underway I'm sure you have plenty of photos waiting to be cropped.

Speaking of cropping, September is also the month my friends Kristie Lippert and Julie Fackler are hosting their Scrapping for Soldiers events. I'm sure they are more than ready and each will have a successful crop and a fun day for those that attend. I'm vendoring at a crop hosted by Scrapbook Culture at Pachanga Casino Resort on September 22nd. If you'd like to attend, give me a call it would be fun to see you there. I also have a day crop on the 15th with the MeetUp group in Chino so marked your calendar for that too.

Now, while I don't want to stress anyone out, you do realize Christmas is around the corner? I've got the perfect gift idea for all of you. TLC introducted their Limited Edition Jingle Chatter Book and it's got everything you'll need to create a beautiful holiday gift. I'll be hosting a workshop in October to get you stared on those special gifts so contact me right away to reserve you spot. Don't forget to contact me for your Jingle bookz order too!

I've been so busy getting ready for Scrapping For Soldiers, on August 25th that I've neglected keeping my blog up to date. While I'm still pressed for time, I want to remind everyone that there is still time to get your space reserved and I to let you know that we now have Scrapping for Soldiers products available. It's been great going through all the wonderful donations that so many companies graciously sent to Jules for our crops. You'll love the "goodies" that you will get at the crop. So send in your reservations today to reserve your cropping space.

I've been so busy getting ready for Scrapping For Soldiers, on August 25th that I've neglected keeping my blog up to date. While I'm still pressed for time, I want to remind everyone that there is still time to get your space reserved and I to let you know that we now have Scrapping for Soldiers products available. It's been great going through all the wonderful donations that so many companies graciously sent to Jules for our crops. You'll love the "goodies" that you will get at the crop. So send in your reservations today to reserve your cropping space.

If you can't attend the crop but would like to show your support, you can simply send a donation or you can order from Cafe Press (by clicking the link below) and order some nice items. The proceeds will still go to Soldier's Angles who will buy calling cards for our service men and women that are stationed away from home. Well, it's time for me to get back to prepping for the big crop. If you have any questions feel free to contact me scrapinsooz@yahoo.com, and don't forget to shop at Cafe Press!

Scrapping for Soldiers Products Available

Announcing the new cafe press shop - Scrapping for Soldiers!!!! www.cafepress.com/scrap4soldiers Here's just a few items that you can find in our store.

All proceeds will be sent to Soldiers Angels for our soldiers. So shop online and help support our soldiers. There's a great selection of products that you're sure to love!!!!