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!

Photography Class, Week 1

I've completed my first week of digital photography class and so far it has been great. I like my teacher a lot, he is really knowledgeable and I have already learned quite a bit from him. I thought I would post my class notes here so that I can refer to them later and also for anyone who is interested in taking better pictures.

The first thing I learned is that I need an SLR camera! I have a very nice point and shoot which takes nice pics most of the time, but I can't make the aperture very small or large. It does have a wide range of shutter speeds tho, which is nice. I now know how to change it so I can take action shots without the flash and the image is not blurry.

The aperture is the opening inside the camera which allows light in. In low light, the camera should be at the widest setting and the smallest for lots of light. The aperture is also called the F Stop. On my Canon, it is indicated by a number that begins with F. The bigger the number, the smaller the opening.

The shutter speed controls how quickly a picture is recorded. For still shots, start at a shutter speed of 1/60 and continue to work your way up (faster) until the shot has the light you want. More light is allowed in at slower shutter speeds. Never use a shutter speed slower than 1/60 for a handheld shot. Instead, mount it on a tripod and then decrease the shutter speed. For action shots, increase the shutter speed as high as it will go without looking too dark.

The ISO is the "film's" sensititvity to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitivity to light. With digital cameras we have the option of changing the ISO without having to change out the film. For most pictures, keep the ISO as low as possible without making it too dark.

Now go practice! Set your camera to M for manual, set your shutter speed at 1/60, your ISO to 400, and play with your aperture. When you hold the shutter button down halfway, the camera will focus itself and warn you if your aperture is too large or too small. On my camera it gives me a positive or negative number. When you are comfortable with adjusting the shutter speed and aperture, try playing with the ISO. Be sure to upload the pictures onto a computer so you can see if they are clear or grainy. Some programs like Adobe Photoshop record the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings for you so you can recreate it on another picture. Have fun!

Finally, Some Work to Share!

I've had a few weeks' break from school while the kids are still in school, so I got a little scrappy time. I completed one layout and another is halfway finished. Plus I made a couple of thank you cards for Miriam's birthday.

In everyday life, Kean will be competing 5th grade and Miriam will be completing 1st soon. We were very pleased that Miriam was GATE identified which means she will benefit from all the fabulous teachers that Kean has had in the program. Jerry is working a lot, but we are happy for the work, just like everyone else. I am looking forward to starting a photography class next week, so hopefully I will get a good teacher and be able to take some better pictures. Be watching for my assignments over the next couple of weeks.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Things have been so very busy with school, home, and life. Seems like everyone is having to cut back, go out of town for work, and spend less. Not really a bad thing if you think about it.

I do have lots of pictures to share of our recent adventures and milestones reached which I hope to get to this week while we are all out of school for Spring Break. For now, I would like to share this poem which has made a big difference in my life. I hope that it touches you as well.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street...
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost. I am helpless. It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street...
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in, again.
I can't believe I am in this same place,
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street...
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in-it is a habit-
But my eyes are open,
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street...
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

Happy Valentine's Day! (belated)

Our family spent a very lovely Valentine's Day weekend with friends. There was a TON of snow and it proved to be a time full of wet, cold fun. I didn't take too many pictures, but I did want to share the V-Day cards I made.

Jerry's:Kean's:
and Miriam's:

Happy 8 Years to Us!

Today marks our wedding anniversary. 8 years ago I married my best friend and soul mate. We had a wonderful steak dinner with my in-laws complete with a homemade cake and heart balloon decorations. My very talented mother-in-law, Patti, made this gorgeous banner for the cake. Happy Anniversary, My Love! You are the absolute dream!!!

Favorite CHA Releases

As many of you know last week was CHA in Anaheim. Of course, I wasn't there (maybe someday) but I am excited about some of the new products. What I'm not excited about is that Paris Hilton has entered the scrapbooking world. Although she didn't design the products herself, she does get to approve them. They are aimed at teens in an effort to tap into that developing scrapbook market. I don't know how she could be more opposite to scrapping, but I guess she has to get her tentacles into everything. *shudder* What's really disappointing is that she is considered a "role model" for today's teens.

ANYWAY...here are some of my favorite new releases. Although I have been a huge fan of Basic Grey for years, I'm not jumping up and down about their new products. All I could think when I was flipping through was, "Seen it, seen it, seen it..." However, I do like their Wisteria line. The brads are especially yummy.

I had cooled to 3 Bugs in a Rug over the last year or so, but I love their new lines! Aren't those little birds precious? I love the mix of subdued colors and the throw back style to the 60's. Those owls remind me of the owl from the old Tootsie Pop commercials. You know, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop..."

Also very cool is the Melange series from Creative Imaginations. Marah Johnson (one of my favorites) and Christine Adolph combined their styles to make this funky fresh line. I dig the camo paper and those leopard print duckies are to die for. I'm not in the market for any baby scrapbook products, but I'll be watching for what else these two come up with.

I saved the best for last! Maya Road has come out with some ADORABLE chipboard shapes as well as a mist to color them with. I must have them all!!! Check out those angel wings, and those trees, and what about those gears?! So cute, fun, and different!

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I did scrap last Scrump Day, but I can't post the layout yet. I am doing another round of Scrap Whispers, so I can't reveal it until the race is over. On a side note, my friend Jennifer pointed out that "scrump" actually means "to steal fruit." Too funny!

"Scrump Day" Layouts to Share

After only completing one layout last semester, I decided I need to pick one day of the week for scrapbooking. I picked Wednesday, and since it is called "Hump Day," I created "Scrump Day." :D Of course I don't get to spend an entire day scrapbooking, but I did get one layout done. Here it is plus the one from last week. These are for my niece's scrapbook album. Love ya, Brieze!

Scraproom Reveal

As many of you know, since last November Jerry and I have been working on remodeling my Scraproom. Completely. Paint, floors, everything. Well, I am pleased to announce that it is finished! And I just love it.

The walls are a very pale pink, similar to a french manicure. The curtains and chandelier are from Ikea. The light on my desk is also an iPod dock.
For the flower jars, I saved Frappaccino bottles, spray painted the lids, and then stamped some tags for labels.
These jars are from Ikea and hold all of my brads, buttons, and small embellishments by color.
Jerry made this pegboard for me. Everything came from Home Depot. And where does all that lovely light come from? A Sun Tunnel-I just LOVE it! And here are a few things I altered especially for the room. The clock and clock face are Heidi Swapp.