Missing you...

I haven't posted lately, mostly because I have been preoccupied with a dear friend of our family who has just lost a short but fierce battle with cancer.  She passed away yesterday, after given a short time to survive after her cancer came back and attacked her entire body.  It's hard to believe how quickly and permanently a life can change in just 6 short months.  I am so grateful she was surrounded by those who loved her most--her husband, two young daughters, mother, mother and father-in-law, and other special family members who have been offering constant service in the care of her children.  


Here's a picture of the girls back in 2005, when they went to visit my daughter, Laura, at Utah Sate one weekend (90 min drive each way).  Just another example of how they supported each other.

(My daughter Laura, Denise, Christie, Trisha (in front), my daughter Sarah)

My daughter, Sarah, was very fortunate to make a journey from her home to see Denise (6 hour drive) and spend some time with her over the course of three days, and take care of her daughters to give the family some relief time.  We all made that trip vicariously with Sarah, and were grateful for the updates and expressions of love she passed on for so many of us who felt helpless being so far away.

This is what I posted on FB to express just how much I love this girl and the powerful influence she has had on my family, and everyone who's known her:


One of my basketball "daughters" passed away today leaving behind a husband, and two little girls ages 1 and (almost) 3, as well as many family members and friends. Denise Angus Lahusky has made a difference in the lives of everyone she has ever met. I am privileged to have had her spend so much time in my home, and with my daughters during their years at Kearns High School (graduating class of 2005). Those girls have formed a bond which will last for all time, and I feel blessed to have been a part of it and watch the love and support they continue to give each other, especially Denise. She was without guile, had a teachable, fun-loving and child-like manner about her, always giving without concern of receiving. I love you D, and know the world will be just a little dimmer without your bright spirit in it. May you rest in peace from your cancer-ridden body. You have fulfilled your mission, and I look forward to when I will see you again.

I love the sentiment on this card.  So many people "talk" just because they can, and don't say much of anything, but Denise shared and communicated through her playful personality, sincere love and concern for others. and the way she could light up a room with her smile.  I picture her singing-her life had a purpose and I truly believe that she will continue to use her talents and abilities to love and serve in the next life.  For now, Denise, have a nice rest in the arms of your Savior, and hum your favorite song.  You'll be forever loved and remembered...

I Love the Land of Digi!

I used to be a full-out, all-out paper scrapper way back in the 90's.  You know the drill, you buy all the paper you need until your next visit (because she who dies with the most paper wins!), go into the back room of your local scrapbook store to punch all the die cuts you could possibly ever need in various colors and shapes (remember all those fish, waves, and beach balls you cut out for the beach scenes you could create just in case you ever made it to the coast?), and don't forget the STICKERS!  A page wasn't a page unless it had at least, what, seven on it?  I worked on my kids scrapbooks, from the youngest to oldest.  It made me feel better that at least 4 of my 6 kids got their albums entirely caught up to date (that date long ago, still in the 90's when the scrapbooks supplies got put away and didn't come out for over another decade.  Needless to say, by that time, what was I to do with all that outdated product?

Let it be said up front, I am a Hopeless Hobby-Hopper!  If I fall out of interest in one thing, there's always something else to take its place.  I mean, remember all that paper I had?  Well it could be used in stamping! I became a home distributor and stamping enthusiast.  Never let it be said that I don't go all out when I embrace a new hobby.  I became familiar and proficient with things like embossing, different kinds of stamp pads, brayering, layering, and lots and lots of stamps.  Luckily, I still have a soft place in my heart for stamps.  I can't help but add the latest and greatest to my collection.

To make a long story short, due to some personal medical problems, I took a hiatus from crafting for a while, quite a while.   I slowly worked my way back in though...and baby, I am BACK!  I have made some paper pages, totally gotten into card making and paper crafting, and now I have entered the digital world.  I have to attribute my inspirational sources to the blogging community more than any other place.  I have subscribed to Paper Crafts Magazine and Creating Keepsakes for what seems like forever, but the nurturing of my crafting soul has been had by Two Peas in a Bucket, Noell Hyman at Paperclippling, Kristina Werner, Scraptime, and The Daily Digi.  I enjoy listening to podcasts The Paperclipping Roundtable and The Digi Show, amongst others.

With my interest in digital scrapbooking, I had to learn to use Photoshop Elements.  I currently have version 8.  I also have PhotoShop CS4, but need to force myself to use it more so I become more proficient.  I am learning to love editing photos in Photoshop almost as much as I love taking pictures.  I thought I would try out a technique that was discussed on The Daily Digi this past week; it's about converting your photographs in Photoshop into pencil sketches on your digital page layouts.  You will find a link to the article here.  I was eager to give it a try, so I broke open my MacBook Pro and went to work.  It's hard to choose from oodles of photos, but my g-baby Emma was right there on my screen willing and ready to take the plunge with me.  This is what I came up with...

I included a before and after to show the true effect.  Next,  I just had to make her the center of attention...

....then the universe...

I can't wait to hone my skills and learn to focus my time and attention to accomplish my goals and desires in digi-land.  I don't lack for subject matter, that's for sure.  As far as my digi-collecting goes, my digital files have expanded their way out of my computer and into an external hard drive.  The awesome thing about digi-scrapping is that when you buy a kit from a designer or get freebies (as they are called) they are yours to use forever; not once, like a piece of paper, but over and over again.  If that's not the best argument for giving digital scrapbooking a try, I don't know what is.  There are free tutorials and free digital supplies out there galore.  That's how I learned.  I was a downloading mad-woman.  What can I say?  I'm a collector!

Crepes Sunday!

I decided to pull out the camera and share in one of our family favorites.  I bet you wish you were here!  Our family has the tradition of making crepes on the first weekend of October and April, to correspond with the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We get into mass production mode between sessions, and oh man, they are sooooo good!  I still haven't got the batter proportion quite right yet--do I double, triple, quadruple?  Whatever amount I make, I always have to make more (and I've been doing this for about 20 years!).

The best ingredient are the berries which we pick up frozen from Sam's Club or Costco and let them thaw, then sweeten slightly.  If you want chocolate chips melted on your crepes, then you'd better let me know while they are still on the pan so they will melt to perfection by the time it hits your plate.  Yogurt is usually an option, but if there's ice cream in the freezer, it's been known to be an ingredient as well.  Hey, European Connection did it!  Last, but certainly not least, don't forget the berry syrup- either boysenberry or blueberry.  It is the crowning glory and decorative touch, especially when it blends with all the delicious juice from the berries.

I stand at the griddle cooking for so long that once people have had their breakfast crepes, round 2 starts.  I see ham and cheese start to replace the previous ingredients and now we're into lunch crepes.  Oh well, I'll keep cooking as long as people keep eating.  All I ask is for a hot crepe when I sit down to eat.  That isn't too much to ask.

I should let you know that I also make crepes for Christmas.  They really aren't hard to make, they're just time consuming.  (There's a reason I buy cold cereal!)  Three times a year for a delicious brunch and gathering of family and friends equals a wonderful meal and great company.

"Crepes, thanks for the memories, see ya in December."

Blog Design/World Card Making Day

"Holy Smokes"--I have been trying to get my blog designed more to my liking.  I have been using some talented designer's products (with purchased permission, or with CU options) to make the feel and layout of my blog more "ME".  The designer elements in the header were created by Anna Aspnes and Jodie Lee.  Check these talented ladies out!  Anna is now at Oscraps and Jodie is with Jessica Sprague.  I may have thrown in some others, but basically, I wanted to have some clustering on the right, and a nice bold font--I chose Impact.  You likey?  Me likey.  It's getting better.  Still have a ways to go.  I don't have a hubby with computer programming skills so unfortunately I am on my own here.

World Card Making Day is TOMORROW!  Are you ready to mass produce some cards?  Paper Crafts magazine is having a contest with some killer prizes.  The deadline to get cards in is October 11.  Give it a shot, every year I have thought about doing it, but I have actually got some done and ready to go!  I want to enter in each category.  I'll take some pics of my cards and post them here so you can see them.  Everyone, join with me and submit.  Take the plunge and overcome whatever obstacles have been holding you back!  You have everything to win, and nothing to lose; except your entries.  Unfortunately they don't return your submissions. :(

Have a great weekend and keep on crafting!

Some Favorite Past Layouts

I love to do digital scrapbooking.  These are a few of my favorites so far, and as you'll notice, there are some little cuties in them as well. 

I recently made a page for my oldest daughter and her husband.  I haven't shown her yet, so here it is!  They have moved away to attend medical school and had the gall to take their babies with them.  If that's not bad enough, she's having their third baby in December...of course I am just poking fun.  I'm so proud of the hard work they've done and they deserve every achievement and opportunity that's come their way.  All of my kids have made excellent choices in selecting their spouses.  I'm so grateful for the way they love and support each other, and stay dedicated to each other and to their goals.  I'll be introducing my family so that you will get a feel for what inspires me; they are a huge part of my life and I am constantly inspired by them.

Here you go Laura.  This one's for you and Alex:

Here goes everything!

Like I said, this blog has been a long time coming. I read an article linked to by Kayla on her blog at Digital Scrapbooking 101.  It embodies so much of my feelings, excuses, fear, successes, and reasons to keep trying, no matter the cost.  There is a cost you know, at least to me.  If I don't embrace and nurture my creative side then I notice the rest of my life feels like it's missing something.  I need some sort of creative outlet everyday, whether it be small or large.  To ME, it does make a difference.  Maybe you can relate to this too. Check it out here http://zenhabits.net/the-little-but-really-useful-guide-to-creativity/.  Can you relate?