30 Days of Pictures

Every day in September I'm going to take and post a picture. It's the super shortened version of Project 365 that has been going around. I love the idea of taking a picture every day for a year, but I don't think I would ever really do it. Thirty days shouldn't be too hard though!

Who wants to join me? Post your pictures here (or at least links to your pictures)

Teepee Lake

Keith is such a cool dad. He took Luke on a backpacking trip a couple weeks ago to the spot he grew up backpacking with his dad and brother each year while growing up. We have done a lot of hikes, but this was Luke's longest hike yet. It was a 4 mile hike on a pretty rough trail. Although he was really tired when they got to camp he really wanted to go fishing. Fortunately he caught a fish right away and they got to eat it for dinner. Luke loved that. Camping was tiring enough they decided to cut their trip from 4 days to 3, but they both came home really excited they went.

Enjoy the Journey

Finally! Complete previews of the new CD to be released in a couple weeks at Digital Scrapbook Memories! It's called Enjoy the Journey. I created the majority of the CD, but Danielle Catalano-Titus and Angie Iacobazzi created a few of the best 3-D embellishments.











By the way... Luke started school today. I am so anxious to see him and hear about his day.

Where Did the Summer Go?

Wow! This summer flew by. I can't believe the party is over and we are back to the school routine starting tomorrow. Here are several pictures from our Teton vacation with my family.


Above: Our campsite minus one tent that is just out of view. We always stay at Colter Bay. I love it there.

Below: I LOVE this picture of my brother and his youngest two kids. His kids are so lucky to have him for a dad.

Below: One of our favorite things was dipping our feet in the lake water. This is Taggart Lake. The kids did a great job hiking the 1.5 miles (3 round trip) to get here.


Above: One of these pictures wasn't posed! I can't remember which one. Well, actually it was because it took me so long to get my camera, but it wasn't posed at first. I love these kids.

Below: Luke requested this picture. He wants to print it and "keep it in his collection". He has only requested a couple pictures in his lifetime, so this was a big deal. This boat driver took us on a somewhat wild ride accross Jenny Lake and soaked one half of the boat. Luke thought it was hilarious. He was one of the wettest and was totally happy.

Above and Below: Our Taggart Lake hike. The girls were so adorable and were having a great time. I had a really hard time enjoying their adorable actions though. They were walking so slow and had to stop all the time! They did speed up occasionally and run the wrong way back down the trail, only to have to turn around and need a break. Sigh. I would have enjoyed it more but I was in charge of lunch and half of the family was way ahead. Below right: Grandpa and Grandma stopped about a half a mile into the trail and waited by a gorgeous river. I love the sound of rushing water! I have been hiking this trail since I was little with my grandparents. I remember this area before the fire, then I remember hiking it almost every year since the fire up until the time I got married. It has been so much fun watching the area regrow. You can barely tell there was ever a fire anymore, aside from the fact that the trees are smaller. I love that I have been able to hike this trail so many times with my family.



Above: My favorite picture of the trip.
Below: The last time we were in the Tetons, Megan was about this age. I have some cute pictures of her in her diaper playing in the water too. I need to post them side by side.



I love my family!


Below: This was her "Ariel" rock. Remember Little Mermaid? Haha. So cute!

Jr. Rangers!

On our trip the kids worked really hard to become Jr. Rangers. NPS has great programs for kids to become Jr. Rangers in all of the national parks. You learn so much doing it and it's a lot of fun too. We loved the program, and the kids were extremely proud to get their badges. The process of becoming a Jr. Ranger is really cute. First you have to fill out this booklet, then you have to go to the visitors center where a park ranger talks with you and reviews your answers. Last you raise your right hand and repeat the park ranger pledge. It was so cute I teared up a bit.

Then and Now

We went to the Tetons with my side of the family last week. It was a great trip. The Tetons are truly one of my favorite places on Earth. It's incredible and I have so many good memories up there.

We haven't been to the Tetons for a while (2005). Look how much the kids have changed since we were there last.

Another Scrapbook Page

I scrapbooked some old pictures yesterday with some new papers and elements that are going on the next DSM CD. I love these stitches. They are inspired by my daughter's Bubblegum jeans. There is another element like this with brighter stitches that will go on the CD too.

Upcoming Classes and Another Sneak Peak

Above is another sneak peak at the upcoming DSM CD. I think that Facebook Flair is so fun, I thought I would make some high resolution flair for scrapbooking.

I've been asked to teach several classes at CK's Digital Scrapbook Experience in Provo, UT in September. It looks like they have several amazing teachers. It's nice to be included in that group.

Here are the classes I'll be teaching:

Basic Tablet Techniques
In this intermediate class, students will learn how to complement existing digi kits with their own unique papers and elements they create using a pen tablet. Students will be able to practice with and experience the general feel of the tablet, and learn the basic functions of the pen tablet. This is a hands-on workshop where each student will be able to practice using a Wacom pen tablet. Students will use the tablets while using such programs as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Students will learn to use their pen tablets to make doodles, and then turn those doodles into colored paper pieced elements.

Digital Introduction for the Novice Scrapbooker
This is a refresher course for those novice digital scrapbookers who need a refresher before class starts on Friday** In this beginning scrapbooking class students will experience the ease of which pages can be created using Photoshop Elements. They will learn the basic properties of exploring the workspace, as well as photo manipulation. In the class we will assemble a basic scrapbook page. Students will receive a CD of kits and elements which they will be able to keep. They will use these kits to create and print a page to take home with them.

Undecided Third Class
I'm trying to change the topic of what they asked me to teach. I want to teach a hybrid class.




This event is a lot more expensive than our DSM retreats but I know they are a lot of fun. I've been to several (non-digital) before and loved them. Let me know if you go so I can look for you.

Sneak Peak

Here is a small sample of some designs I've been working on. It's fun to see the kits coming together. DSM will have these papers on a new CD in September if all goes well. I'll show you more detailed images closer to when it's released. The full size images have some really cool textures I'm in love with.





You can see one more small preview here.