It's been a while since I've been invovled in a scrapping contest and although I didn't realize it, I've really missed it. I made it to round 2 in the Scrapartist Apprentice contest this week and that's always a great feeling :) Plus, I've really enjoyed the process in this contest - I've really let myself take the time to revel in a bit of stewing on my designs! So, for the last few days, I've been filtering ideas and letting things simmer in my head a bit (it sounds like I'm cooking something here doesn't it LOL!). For this round, they've asked us to create a solid paper and a patterned paper with an emphasis on texture - they even gave us some gorgeous inspiration to start from :) I've settled on what I want to do for my solid paper now, just have to decide on a pattern for the patterned paper. The entries already up are gorgeous by the way - there is gonna be some tough competition in this round! Be sure to check them out :)
On another scrapping-related point, I saw on Anna Aspnes blog that she has a new pre-made album coming to Designer Digitals Sunday and it looks really cool! Lots of layering, brushwork, etc. - all that fabulous Anna style! I'm not usually one for templates and ready-made albums, but this is gonna be an exception :)
Oh, one more thing, we finally joined Netflix (which is great by the way!) and I got RV this week. I tried to watch it, I really did, but I only made it about 45 minutes before I couldn't take anymore. I love Robin Williams, so it made me sad, but it just really wasn't good. Batman Begins is in the mail to us right now - hopefully it will be better :) I like a good comicbook/superhero movie, so I'm hopeful! Which also reminds me, Heroes was great on Monday night! Another show to add to my list of things I can't miss - right now that list has only three other occupants (The Office, Project Runway and How I Met Your Mother), so it's time for some new blood :)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A Little Plug
For my wonderful friend Ursula Schneider! I got my Scrapgirls newsletter today and saw it's official - Ursula is a Scrapgirls designer! Her first kit(pictured at left) is red (one of my favorite colors) and just wonderful! You can check it out HERE.
Monday, September 25, 2006
It's Monday . . .
... and once again the weekend went by too fast. But, at least there's lots of great stuff going on! I'm on pins and needles waiting for the next round in the Scrapartist Apprentice challenge! Plus, I'm hosting the Outside the Box challenge this week, so be sure to check it out! The challenge this week is inspired by an old Project Runway challenge (and yes, I'm completely obsessed with that show LOL) - they had to take the outfit they had on and make a completely new one. I did the same thing with an old layout :) You can check out the challenge HERE. Also, in the Digital Brew, we're featuring Dagmar as our Fresh Brew, so be sure to check her out - I just love her layouts!
I also have an interesting case at work, haven't had a criminal one in a while, so it's a nice change to have one again - it's a Miranda warning question. Very interesting stuff - these are the cases that remind me why I went to law school.
I also have to admit that I ate terribly this weekend - we went to a barbeque at one of Bob's friend's houses on Saturday and I went a little nuts LOL. But, I figure it won't kill me to cut loose once and a while. It was weird though - the first time since I started this whole diet thing in the beginning of August that I didn't keep track of what I ate and didn't even worry about how much or what. Honestly, I don't think I'll do it too often - I just felt yucky Sunday morning. It's amazing how much difference diet makes to your energy level and overall feeling of health.
Finally, I opened up a little Cafepress shop the other day. It's just one design and it's not scrapping related, but it's something I wanted for myself so I figured I'd put it up for sale. I'll warn ya though, I'm pretty much a pacifist and it shows - you can check it out HERE. I want to add some scrapping designs too, but that'll have to wait until later. In the meantime, I've got a t-shirt from Scrapartist and one from Rhonna sitting in my cart, waiting on payday :)
I also have an interesting case at work, haven't had a criminal one in a while, so it's a nice change to have one again - it's a Miranda warning question. Very interesting stuff - these are the cases that remind me why I went to law school.
I also have to admit that I ate terribly this weekend - we went to a barbeque at one of Bob's friend's houses on Saturday and I went a little nuts LOL. But, I figure it won't kill me to cut loose once and a while. It was weird though - the first time since I started this whole diet thing in the beginning of August that I didn't keep track of what I ate and didn't even worry about how much or what. Honestly, I don't think I'll do it too often - I just felt yucky Sunday morning. It's amazing how much difference diet makes to your energy level and overall feeling of health.
Finally, I opened up a little Cafepress shop the other day. It's just one design and it's not scrapping related, but it's something I wanted for myself so I figured I'd put it up for sale. I'll warn ya though, I'm pretty much a pacifist and it shows - you can check it out HERE. I want to add some scrapping designs too, but that'll have to wait until later. In the meantime, I've got a t-shirt from Scrapartist and one from Rhonna sitting in my cart, waiting on payday :)
Monday, September 18, 2006
What a Weekend!
Well, lots to talk about today LOL! On Saturday Ursula and I made the trek up to Phoenix for the CK Convention! It was loads of fun - mainly due to the company! I've said it before, but I really think that the internet is a wonderful way to meet people and make friends! Although we haven't known each other all that long, she really feels like an old friend to me in a lot of ways - it was great to spend some time together in person! As for the convention - it was pretty cool. I bought the Urban Coutoure collection from Basic Grey and a 6x6 pad of their new design Lily Kate. I also got some great fibers, a pad of Life's Journey paper, a few necklace charms and some Diamond Glaze (which Ursula had to explain to me LOL), and a ton of stuff from Lil Davis who had a $1 and $2 booth. Sadly, when we were just about to pay after waiting in the huge line at Lil Davis the fire alarm went off and everyone had to vacate the building! It was a little crazy, but we got back in within 20 minutes or so I guess and were able to pay for our stuff right away. It made for some excitement, but it wasn't too bad!
From the Convention, we went out to check out the Bazzill Warehouse sale in Chandler. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it! I left there with a big box of 8.5x11 paper, tons of envelopes, a few fibers, a bunch of their great little books (gatefold, accordian, zippered, and coin holder) and even an idea book for $40! My paper stash is probably set for a couple of years now LOL! We had a late lunch/early dinner and made one last stop at Ikea before heading back to Tucson.
Then last night I put the finishing touches on my kit for the Scrapartist Apprentice contest (pictured at left). I'm really happy with how it turned out. No matter how I end up doing, I've already learned a lot in the process! I actually had most of it done about a week ago, but I had to put together a preview and I finished that off last night. Somehow that's always the trickiest part of a kit for me LOL! Anyway, be sure to check out all the entries the Apprentice gallery - there's some great freebies there already! And, you can pick up my freebie here
Friday, September 15, 2006
Justice Ginsburg
I had the opportunity to hear Justice Ginsburg speak this week at the UA Law School. We are fortunate here to have had several justices visit us, including O'Connor and Rehnquist (I even took a class from him!), but I sort of figured that with Rehnquist's passing and O'Connor's retirement the days of Justices in Arizona might be over for a time. But, the school managed to get Ginsburg to come for one of its big speaking series to discuss the impact that O'Connor and Rehnquist had on the Court and her experiences with them. It was really interesting - she was thoughtful and funny (albeit in the way that only lawyers really find funny LOL) and it really got me thinking about how blessed I am as a woman to live at this place and time in history. Even as late as the 1970's, it is unlikely that I would have the opportunities that I do today, particularly in the legal field. It's easy to forget how things were and to take for granted the rights we have today. Hearing about the experiences of the brave women like O'Connor and Ginsburg who entered the field before me always inspires me to do more and to make the most of the opportunities I have! All in all, I was honored to hear her in person and it inspired the layout at left :)
And, by the way, how great are these papers by Vera Lim? They're from her new Autumn Days kit - gorgeous! And, Jennifer Howland's Dirty Flourish brushes rock too - I love the one I used here! Thanks to Rhonna Farrer for the great font tip too - the title is Newcastle which she suggested on her blog and I love it!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
My First Ever Convention
That's right, I'm finally going to my first ever CK Convention - the one up in Phoenix this weekend! Ursula and I are heading out Saturday morning to hit the vendor's fair. I didn't sign up for classes or anything, some of them look okay, but I'm not really sure that a lot of them are really my thing. But, I am excited to see how these things are and, of course, to get a look at some great goodies all in one place! And, I'm hoping for a stop at Ikea too and that's always fun! If you have any advice on must-see things at the Convention, let me know - I think I'm gonna be a little overwhelmed LOL!
In health-plan related news, I weighed myself this morning and I'm down 14.5 pounds! And, I'm pretty well adjusted to the new diet now - I went to get some things at the grocery store last night and I had no problem walking past the candy aisle without even slowing down :) I got some grapes and peaches for sweets and, in my one indulgence for the moment, a bag of Sun Chips for our favorite salsa. If you're a salsa fan you should try it (if you can find it) it's Sting and Linger, the medium or the pineapple flavors - we get a lot of good salsa around here, but it's my favorite by far!
I guess that's it for now - be sure to stop by Scrapartist and check out the Digitial Brew! Everyone who participates meaningfully will be getting a great freebie from Michelle, so don't miss out! And, keep an eye out for some fun new challenges coming at the Digichick soon too - with our new CT members now on board, the creative juices are really flowing over there!
In health-plan related news, I weighed myself this morning and I'm down 14.5 pounds! And, I'm pretty well adjusted to the new diet now - I went to get some things at the grocery store last night and I had no problem walking past the candy aisle without even slowing down :) I got some grapes and peaches for sweets and, in my one indulgence for the moment, a bag of Sun Chips for our favorite salsa. If you're a salsa fan you should try it (if you can find it) it's Sting and Linger, the medium or the pineapple flavors - we get a lot of good salsa around here, but it's my favorite by far!
I guess that's it for now - be sure to stop by Scrapartist and check out the Digitial Brew! Everyone who participates meaningfully will be getting a great freebie from Michelle, so don't miss out! And, keep an eye out for some fun new challenges coming at the Digichick soon too - with our new CT members now on board, the creative juices are really flowing over there!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thoughts on Today
First of all, the all new Digital Brew starts up at Scrapartist today! So, be sure to stop by and check out all the great inspiration! We're focusing on white space, titles and the fabulous art work of AKSheridan in the Fresh Brew and some journaling ideas in the House Brew! I really can't tell you how excited I am about the whole thing! I'm having a great time working with Candy and Lauren and I think it's gonna be a great place for all kinds of artists to hang out and share inspiration! I hope you'll be a part of it :)
On a much less enjoyable, albeit necessary note, I feel compelled to write a bit about my thoughts on 9-11. Five years later, it seems that everyone is in the mood to comtemplate that day and what it has meant for our country and I'm no different. It was definitely a day I won't ever forget. I woke up early that morning, Bob went to work at 6 or 6:30 am or something, so we were always up really early. I saw him off to work and went back to my own apartment (we lived next door to each other then) and turned on the morning news. Since we're three hours behind the east coast at this time of year, the first plane had just recently hit. They were saying that they thought maybe it was an accident, everyone was trying to figure out what was going on. But, I spent some time in New York in college and I couldn't imagine how it could be an accident, I mean I didn't even remember hearing planes overhead while I was there. As I was thinking this, the second plane hit. I couldn't believe it. I sat there, staring at the TV for a few minutes and then picked up the phone to call Bob at work. He had already heard too, so we talked for a minute, I don't even remember what we said other than I love you, and I hung up to get ready for class. I was in law school then - my first year - and although I just wanted to sit glued to my TV, I had to get to class. So, I got dressed and went, still shocked that New York, a city I loved, a city that seemed so immense and permanent and untouchable to me, was in smoke. I'll tell you, if there's anything more bizarre than discussing civil procedure and contract law in the face of all the pain and destruction, I don't know what it is. Our professors all thought we should go forward with class, so we did. But, people were on cell phones, trying to contact friends and loved ones in New York and we brought TV sets out into the lobby - everyone just sat there between classes in stunned silence, watching events unfold. Some of us got together to pray, others just hugged each other and cried. The law school environment is very intense, especially in that first year, and I think that really magnified the experience of that day for many of us. It was just such a weird contrast - to realize how insignificant the whole thing was in the face of these events and yet to still have to continue, because despite what happened, you were still in law school and all those pressures were still there. After that, I was glued to the news for days. I don't remember when I had to stop watching, but that time did come. Then slowly, life returned to normal, but always with that renewed reminder that we never know when our time will come. I had always been one to kiss my loved ones goodbye each day, to tell them I loved them and that I appreciated them, but 9-11 really drove that home for me. I still get up every morning (now at 5:30am) to make sure my husband knows he's loved each day when he leaves for work. A lot has changed since then, but that lesson of the preciousness of life and its fleeting nature has really stuck with me.
More important than my memories of that day, however, are my feelings about where we have come since then. Honestly, it makes me feel guilty, but it's hard for me to commemorate that day because I feel like we have lost so much in the last five years. The fear and uncertainty that that day brought about has been used to erode the very values that are at the core of our nation's strength and unique character. In this country, we honor the rule of law, we don't accuse judges of helping the enemy; we denounce torture and other human rights violations, we don't seek to hide it and excuse it by splitting hairs over definitions; we live in freedom and the knowledge that the government can't search our homes without cause, we don't have laws that allow agents to enter our homes without our knowledge and list to our phone calls without a warrant. Sadly I'm not sure those things are true anymore. I hope that like the times of national crisis we have faced in the past, the fear of this time will pass and those things will be true again. I hope that in the face of the evil that showed itself on 9-11 we will not let evil take hold of us too, but that we will instead hold firm to our values, to our beliefs, to the things that make this country great. I hope that we will chose freedom over fear. Because in the end, as Benjamin Franklin once wrote, "those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." In the meantime, as I remember 9-11, I pray for our leaders, for our troops, for our citizens and even for our enemies. Let us all hope that a new era of peace and freedom may begin.
On a much less enjoyable, albeit necessary note, I feel compelled to write a bit about my thoughts on 9-11. Five years later, it seems that everyone is in the mood to comtemplate that day and what it has meant for our country and I'm no different. It was definitely a day I won't ever forget. I woke up early that morning, Bob went to work at 6 or 6:30 am or something, so we were always up really early. I saw him off to work and went back to my own apartment (we lived next door to each other then) and turned on the morning news. Since we're three hours behind the east coast at this time of year, the first plane had just recently hit. They were saying that they thought maybe it was an accident, everyone was trying to figure out what was going on. But, I spent some time in New York in college and I couldn't imagine how it could be an accident, I mean I didn't even remember hearing planes overhead while I was there. As I was thinking this, the second plane hit. I couldn't believe it. I sat there, staring at the TV for a few minutes and then picked up the phone to call Bob at work. He had already heard too, so we talked for a minute, I don't even remember what we said other than I love you, and I hung up to get ready for class. I was in law school then - my first year - and although I just wanted to sit glued to my TV, I had to get to class. So, I got dressed and went, still shocked that New York, a city I loved, a city that seemed so immense and permanent and untouchable to me, was in smoke. I'll tell you, if there's anything more bizarre than discussing civil procedure and contract law in the face of all the pain and destruction, I don't know what it is. Our professors all thought we should go forward with class, so we did. But, people were on cell phones, trying to contact friends and loved ones in New York and we brought TV sets out into the lobby - everyone just sat there between classes in stunned silence, watching events unfold. Some of us got together to pray, others just hugged each other and cried. The law school environment is very intense, especially in that first year, and I think that really magnified the experience of that day for many of us. It was just such a weird contrast - to realize how insignificant the whole thing was in the face of these events and yet to still have to continue, because despite what happened, you were still in law school and all those pressures were still there. After that, I was glued to the news for days. I don't remember when I had to stop watching, but that time did come. Then slowly, life returned to normal, but always with that renewed reminder that we never know when our time will come. I had always been one to kiss my loved ones goodbye each day, to tell them I loved them and that I appreciated them, but 9-11 really drove that home for me. I still get up every morning (now at 5:30am) to make sure my husband knows he's loved each day when he leaves for work. A lot has changed since then, but that lesson of the preciousness of life and its fleeting nature has really stuck with me.
More important than my memories of that day, however, are my feelings about where we have come since then. Honestly, it makes me feel guilty, but it's hard for me to commemorate that day because I feel like we have lost so much in the last five years. The fear and uncertainty that that day brought about has been used to erode the very values that are at the core of our nation's strength and unique character. In this country, we honor the rule of law, we don't accuse judges of helping the enemy; we denounce torture and other human rights violations, we don't seek to hide it and excuse it by splitting hairs over definitions; we live in freedom and the knowledge that the government can't search our homes without cause, we don't have laws that allow agents to enter our homes without our knowledge and list to our phone calls without a warrant. Sadly I'm not sure those things are true anymore. I hope that like the times of national crisis we have faced in the past, the fear of this time will pass and those things will be true again. I hope that in the face of the evil that showed itself on 9-11 we will not let evil take hold of us too, but that we will instead hold firm to our values, to our beliefs, to the things that make this country great. I hope that we will chose freedom over fear. Because in the end, as Benjamin Franklin once wrote, "those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." In the meantime, as I remember 9-11, I pray for our leaders, for our troops, for our citizens and even for our enemies. Let us all hope that a new era of peace and freedom may begin.
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