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Found this fun map activity on the broken plate blog.
Ever since we switched to Mac back in December, I've been digi-creating with one hand tied behind my back. And since I'm not very good to begin with, that's no small handicap. We kept our Windows computer, but it no longer has online capabilities. It does however have Photoshop Elements 2.0. And I could do stuff in PSE2.0, archaic as it was. We were waiting and waiting to see if Adobe would ever announce when they'd be putting out PSE5.0 for Mac. As far as I know, that day hasn't happened yet.
In the meantime when I needed to create something (like a very simple blog banner) in PSE, I would go up to the Windows computer, use whatever digi scrapping items I was previously able to download, make my creation, save it on a jump drive and plug it into the Mac. Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it! A couple of weeks ago we finally broke down and purchased PSE 4.0 for the Mac. And this past weekend, finally got to installing it.
I'm trying to learn. I'm so easily confused though. I have managed to download some new {free} brushes, I especially like the Jason Gaylor foliage brushes.
So, this is my first PSE4.0 layout. It didn't take too long but I'm not sure I really understood what I was doing. I think I could spend a week trying to figure out layers alone. I got the 'this layer is locked' error message about 50 times.
Obviously, there's a lot to learn.
Good thing it's a long weekend...
Until I can figure out how to post this correctly in my sidebar, I'll just put it here...
Isn't it adorable : )
Saturday I got the idea that I needed an apron for Creative Escape. Yesterday I got the idea that I would try to make one. First I thought I'd use the black/white/pink color scheme of CE. Then I realized I didn't have any black and white toile or damask fabric on hand--because that's what I was picturing in my head. And whereas I was determined not to enter a retail store--for the entire day--I had to use what I had on hand.
What I had on hand turned out to be fabrics in my favorite green/blue/pink color combination. How serendipitous.
Now the last time I attempted an apron was back in June, for the cupcake swap I was in. The vision in my head was lovely. Scrap of fabric here, cut up a thrifted sheet there, stitch a cupcake on the pocket and voila. Or not. I had some technical difficulties with the waistband and everything got too bulky and I scrapped the whole idea. Which worked out just fine because Nikki send me an adorable apron with a cupcake stitched on the pocket.
With the cupcake apron fiasco fresh in my head, I decided to make a "full body" apron. Using a festive red Christmas apron as my guide, I began cutting up my fabric stash. There was some ironing down of seams, some stitching, more cutting, basically total fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants sewing. My favorite kind. I was a bit stymied when it came to the apron strings. I was going to use pink grosgrain ribbon but only had about 8 inches of it. Were I a Barbie doll, that would've been fine. Alas, I am not. Luckily I found more than enough salmon colored grosgrain in my ribbon stash--and it was over an inch wide. Even better. After a couple of missteps with the ties, I was in business. And now I have a craft apron for Creative Escape.
The funniest part was when I tried it on and Ebby exclaimed, "Hey, that's the fabric from my under bed thing!"
Yes, I'm wearing my daughter's dust ruffle around my waist.
And doesn't it look fetching?
The last day of summer vacation has arrived, and none too soon. My poor daughter is itching for school to start. She's been baking, painting, emailing and watching High School Musical 2 for the last week solid. All of her friends are obviously busy buying school supplies.
I finished my second Bitty Banner, a boo for Halloween. In the pictures I guess it's hard to tell the size, but they really are cute. I have a whole mental list of bitty banners to work on this week--when all 3 children are back to school (!).
I also signed up for another swap this morning. Artsy Mama is hostessing a 'Sweet and Sinister' black and white themed swap. I love the name of the swap, so cool. Her swaps always look like so much fun and the eye candy on her blog is amazing. Sign ups are open until 9/1 so there's plenty of time to join in. I'll definitely be on the lookout for goodies when I'm in Phoenix!
I've been wanting to make some smaller pennant banners to see how they looked and came together.
Yesterday I made my first one.
It's for my little friend who will turn 4 in October. Shhh, don't tell her.
I'm pleased with how it turned out. The pennants are 4 inches wide by 6 inches high. I used the vintage sheet music on the back and vintage ledger paper behind the letters. I stitched and embellished them, just like I do with the larger banners. This size comes together fairly quickly and would make a great decoration strung across a dresser mirror--at least I think so : )
Bitty banners will be coming to the etsy shop soon. In the meantime, custom orders with your favorite name or word are certainly available. Just email me.
In the meantime, we have to go out to Target.
For school supplies.
Again.
What was the name of that 90s David Spade/Wendy whatever her name is/Laura SanG-something sitcom?
Oh yeah.
Just Shoot Me.
Went to the mall with my daughter yesterday.
Perhaps there was a time in the past when I enjoyed back to school shopping.
Perhaps when I was 10 years old myself.
It is certainly not something I enjoy now.
After wandering somewhat aimlessly through one of the biggest malls in the Carolinas, we bought not one stitch of clothing. Though I did get a few art supplies at AC Moore. On sale.
But I did take these cute pictures of pajamas at the OshKosh outlet.
P.S. I added a bunch of blogs to my sidebar. Check them out, great stuff!
First, some of my latest favorites...
flickr is so much fun and so much inspiration. Today I was checking the activity on my photos and was delighted to find an invitation to a Vintage Banner Swap ! The hostess, Tini , is German and lives in Berlin. It really is pretty amazing, all the connections we can make through the internet. This will be my 3rd swap, I can't wait to find out who my partner is and get started!
Many new goodies, with more to come!
Halloween banners and birds, whimsical paper mache creations, and custom orders as always!
Take a look!
Here are some previews...
