Latest Crafty Projects

Been too long since last blog. Life has changed, I have grown, and am still trying to get crafty every chance I get. These are some masks I made at last weekend's Scrapbook Expo. We had lots of fun creating these beauties.

And lastly, meet Marvin. He belongs to my girlfriend and I finally got him finished. I used enamel, which is beautiful, but can be a mess to work with. I also used ink and paint marker for the details.

Last Updated in November...

...really?! How time flies when you're having fun.

I just received word that I will be published again in Scrap N Art digimag again. So very exciting! I have a layout and a card to share that I submitted, but it did not make it into the issue.

Miriam had been wanting to be a flower girl for a very long time. Kean had been a ring bearer numerous times, but she still hadn't gotten the chance until last July. My sister-in-law graciously asked Miriam to attend at her wedding, took her shopping for a dress and shoes (along with some other goodies), and Miriam was delighted!



I also made this card for Jeanette and Frank's anniversary:



And since baseball season is upon us, I made this layout using pictures from a couple of years ago:



Happy almost spring!

Published!

I am so very super excited 'cuz six of my layouts are being considered for publication in Scrap N Art magazine. I had to take them down from my blog for now, but I can post them back in March 2010. The issue I'm being considered for is Jan/Feb 2010. This is so very exciting. (Did I mention that I'm excited?) I would love to get regularly published and it sounds like things might be heading that direction. Wish me luck!

Scrapbook Expo

I had such a fantastic time at Expo with Kristine, Jenn, and Christina. We ate some yummy Japanese food, shopped a little, finished some layouts, and shared lots of giggles. Since then I have had quite a bit of scrappin' mojo, so now I have several projects to share. :)

You might be wondering why there are so many old pictures in these layouts and that is because I finally started sorting through all my old photos. I would like to get them all into albums, but there are a few that I love so much that I just had to scrap 'em.

Also, thank you, Bob, for the wonderful scanner which created these beautiful images. They look so much better than taking a photo!

One Layout to Share

I just wanted to upload this one layout. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. I did a stamp resist technique for the yellow and black rays, used alcohol inks on glossy paper for the large cloud frame, and drew the clouds by hand.

Sad News...

My friend Sonda has a daughter named Baylee with Leigh's Syndrome. In early July the doctors discovered a brain tumor inside Baylee and have given her three months to live, at best. I believe strongly in the power of prayer, so please say one for this little girl and her parents. For more info, go to http://www.sondat.typepad.com/our_new_home/

Layouts to Share, Photo Class-Week 2, and More!

I was very blessed to get to crop with my friend Lena last Friday night.  I don't get to see her too often, but I always enjoy her company.  We had lots of giggles together.  AND I completed three layouts!  Okay...well, I *started* three layouts and finished them the next day in my Scrap Studio.  *geesh* I wish I weren't so slow!  You'll notice there are no layouts this time of Miriam since I am going through all of my old pictures and scrapbooking them or putting them in albums.

Okay, so a few tips from Photography Class...I had to order a better camera in order to take this class, so I have jotted down some notes for general picture taking.  Once I get my new camera, I will be able to give more technical instruction.  

Your Point of Focus should be the clearest, sharpest point.  In a portrait, the Point of Focus is the eye.  If you are unsure where to set the aperture and shutter speed, use the Sunny 16 Rule:  Set the aperture to f16, then use a shutter speed closest to the ISO or faster.  For example:  when using ISO 400, set the shutter speed to 1/400.  Remember to use a tri-pod if shooting a shutter speed faster than 1/60!

Most digital cameras come with an Auto White Balance function that works pretty well most of the time.  Another way to think about White Balance, is to think of Color Temperature.  The White Balance evaluates the light and sets the camera to adjust.  For example:  snow gives off a bluish light, so the camera compensates for the blue color by adding magenta.  If you would like to manually adjust the White Balance or Color Temperature, use the setting that indicates the light source, such as "sun light" or "fluorescent light."  "Tungsten" indicates regular yellow lightbulb light.

In iPhoto as well as Photoshop, you can view a picture's Histogram.  The Histogram looks like a graph with peaks and valleys.  In iPhoto it is found when one presses the Adjust button.  Ideally, a photograph should have all of it's peaks in the center of the Histogram.  You can adjust the exposure by dragging the arrows at the bottom of the Histogram left or right.  Pay attention to how this is affecting your photo.  Although this is a guide to a well exposed photo, it is not a hard and fast rule.

We have had a busy week here in the Arch/Brock household.  Miriam has been in Art Camp during the mornings and on playdates in the afternoon.  It finally got hot here in Sacramento and the peas are suffering for it.  Jerry built them a very impressive shade, but I'm afraid they are not going to withstand the summer heat.  I've harvested the hardened peas and will save them to plant in October when the heat is not so intense.  The tomatoes, carrots, sunflowers, bell peppers, zucchinni, cucumbers, pumpkins, and potatoes, however, are thriving.  Kean got a new Ben 10 videogame and has been avidly playing it since Uncle Gordon gave it to him on Tuesday.  The kids and I are going camping with two other moms and their kids next week.  I hope to get lots of great pictures of the hiking and beach fun.  The picture below is one that I altered in Photoshop during class of Miriam from Art Camp.  Happy Father's Day to all you lucky fathers!