Help [ME] Ronda

Fieldtrip Friday: Olde Town Arvada

yes i know it's Tuesday. 

i wanted to share my photo log, my visual journal of our journeys.

Emily + Me + Explorations = Growing & Living

i so recommend you doing this in your own town.  Just grab a friend and GO!

previously was Lafayette

this time: Olde Town Arvada

I love the no rules, just fun, explore, and go with the flow of these trips.  This time, we only made it down one street, Grandview Ave.  We started out at a Nature's Gifts Candle shops, then to a cool paint it yourself Ceramic Shop, and finally to Pensey's (The most awesome spice shop).  Most of our time was spent in one shop, In To The Fire.  Kathy, the owner, was so delightful.  Going with the flow, we decided to stop and paint our own pieces, Butter dishes.  We had such a good time, painting the day away.  Take a look through our journey through my lens.

It was such a good day.  I can't wait to get my butter dish back (the tuscan looking one).  I love emily's sense of humor with her "empty" butter dish.  She's a keeper.  And yes i have put those spices to good use.

Lots & Lots of Love, with a little spicy kick to it.

Photo Books + RAK

I love to travel.  I love to take pictures.  So when this opportunity came along to try out Shutterfly's photo books, i jumped at the chance to put my travel pictures into a "coffee table book." 

At first i was a little intimidated about creating this book.  So many options, i didn't know where to start.  So i read through their article on "Create a photo book."  Once i got started, i found it wasn't that hard.  It was extremely easy to edit and change things around.  In fact the most difficult thing in the process was deciding what i wanted to create. So if you create one of these, have a game plan in mind.

When in doubt, start with the photos & the story i want to tell.  I thought an 8 x 8 book would be cool.  With this being a Coffee Table book, I knew a black background with white edges would really make the photos pop.  They have tons of options for the backgrounds, plus the opportunity to customize their options.  I could even make my own digital pages to upload.  I also used their storyboard option which made it easy to just plop my pictures on a page.  I went back and edited each page, making sure it was what i wanted.  I can't wait to get my hands on this book!!!

And now i am hooked.  I think i am going to create some Christmas presents using these photo books.  Simple, easy, & using the photos i love.

and now to share that love, because i have one Soft Cover 5 x 7 photo book up for grabs.  Just leave a comment to be entered into this RAK.  A simple Hi or Pick Me will do.  You have one week to enter, so i will close the RAK, midnight Oct. 5th. 

edit: I thought you might want to peek into my photo book.

between you & me...

1. One week ago i saw this rainbow.
2. I was really shy when I was young.
3. Mama told me the most important ingredient in cooking is LOVE.
4. Between you and me, I love bubble baths, Lindt chocolate, and walking barefoot in the rain.
5. Take your time & be genuine.
6. Time will pass!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with the kiddos, tomorrow my plans include cleaning & scrapping and Sunday, I want to cook some homemade fettuccine Alfredo & an apple pie for Phil (the FIL)!

and here are some of my October Cocoa Daisy sneaks...

Love to you...

evidence of a teenage boy

a photolog.... because he has proven to be ever so elusive

being OPEN

Word Up over at One Little Word.  Karla's inspiring words about OPEN.

Be open.  I know this.  I am open with some things... mostly.  Here is what i see with me.  I see a girl who has grown up with quite a few struggles in her life.  I see a girl who is afraid to talk of these struggles.  I see a girl who tries to save the world because of these struggles.  and now i see a girl who is starting to realize she can't save everyone (with the help of therapy).  And the one person she needs to rescue is herself.  but that requires me to be open.  and it frightens me.  to dig deep into all those dark corners.  to really understand and know me.  to realize things weren't my doing nor my fault. and then to move forward.  it is what i have been working on since February.  I see me changing little bits.  the perfectionist in me wants it to happen overnight.  it's not going to.  be open.  let out all the thoughts & worries.  sometimes i do.  sometimes i swallow them and think, i will deal with them later.  i put it off.  i am trying to be open.  i want to be open.  i want to be free.  i want to really thrive and not just get by day to day.  in order to do that i have to be open.  i have to forgive.. forgive others, forgive myself to be open, realizing it doesn't make me weak.  in fact, it makes me stronger.

i realize by posting this, people will worry about me.  I am ok, trust me.  I just see areas where i need to grow & change.  just putting it out there means i have to face it.  and that is the first step.

details on the layout.  Background paper is Jillibean Soup. So diggin jillibean.  old book papers painted on.  Some mists, Frozen Lake & Riptide.  Paint Splatters.  and an awesome Purple Onion Stamp called Antique Ledger Background. 

all things daisies...

October Sneak of the kit.  So yummy.  I love the colors in this kit.  I love the accessories too.  I can tell you it looks fantastic in person.  Sneaks of my creations coming soon.

Did you see this?  Yes we are at it again!!  So many great things in the works for this crop.  I will have another class too.  I will share more info on that as the date approaches.  In the meantime, get registered on the Message Boards so you can join in on the fun!

It's all GREEK to me!  Mykonos, Greece.  Tricia has a special announcement here about a totally awesome Scrapbook getaway for Sept. 2010.  Ali Edwards, Karen Russell, Jenni Bowlin.  So very cool.  Tricia is there now finalizing the plans.  As soon as i have more details, i will post them.  in the meantime, i thought i would let you know.... I AM GOING.

Filling you in...

Friday Fill-ins, #142

1. My car is named Shirley.

2. October is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem to be pretty darn good..great things on the horizon

4. I am so not telling, too many family members read this blog!!!  is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened to please & thank you?

6. ______ is not impossible! Let's change this to the positive, shall we?  Life is full of possibilities.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to art journaling with Jessi, tomorrow my plans include cleaning, baking, & then playing and Sunday, I want to have birthday cake with my mom (happy birthday mom)!

Parenting Survival 101

First comes teaching her how to drive.  DUDE... that's just plain scary.  You get use to those little moments of fright and try to teach in those moments. 

A year goes by. 

Lexi got her license on Monday.  She had been asking when she could borrow the car. 

YIKES. 

Next, the hardest thing to do as a parent is learning to let go. 

So today I let her drive herself to her dental appointment.  It is only maybe a mile or two from the house. 

She knows me.  She knows how i worry.  Lexi called me when she got there.  I admit i was crying a little bit at letting her go.

Next she asked to go to a friend's house right by the dentist office.  Ok i can do this. 

She texted me when she left the dentist office and then when she got to Jayme's.  And i didn't even ask her.  Needless to say she made it home safely. 

And i survived. 

Fancy a Tutorial?

My Fancy Christmas Wreath.  The tutorial on how to create this wreath using pattern paper is up over at the Fancy Pants Blog.  You can check it out HERE.  I tried to show you each little step so it is picture heavy.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

hi there

I greet you with a smile. 

I am ready to go this week. 

I have my to-do lists in hand. 

My day planner is full of possibilities. 

I know that things may come up & cause shifts in my schedule. 

I will go the flow.

I have things to bake.

I have things to sew.

I have things to create.

I have play dates set up.

so Hello Monday.  Let's get started.