To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 32 Theme: Friends* *This one is for Michelle. Use any or all of the following in your project: What was the name of your friends in grade school? What was special about them? What adventures did you have together? What was the stupidest thing you did with your elementary school friends? What is your favorite memory with your grade school friends? What keepsakes do you have from your time with your grade school friends? Where did you meet your best friend? Where is... Continue reading

This promotion has ended. Thanks for your interest! The sign up for the Egg-stravaganza ends at Midnight PST tonight. If you haven't put your name on my mailing list yet, hurry before the clock strikes twelve! To see what all the lucky newsletter subscribers will be receiving, check out this post. Continue reading

This promotion has ended. Thanks for your interest! Oh this is EGGS-tra special! My very dear friend Valerie Randall is one of those people who oozes talent from every pore. Not only can she draw and design with the greatest of ease, she also is a master typographer and art director. Her creativity and imagination is awe-inspiring and she is openly shares it with those around her. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with her and learning from her, now I have the joy of laughing and chatting with her as well. Valerie is a true blessing... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 31 Theme: Air Use any or all of the following in your project: What is your earliest memory of being airborne (i.e. Dad throwing you in the air; playing airplane; actually riding a plane)? What types of flying objects have you owned (i.e. rocket, kite, radio controlled helicopter)? In what ways does air affect your outside décor (i.e. flag waving; wind chimes; wind sock)? What ways do you like to “catch air” (i.e. jump skateboarding; fly over ridges while skiing; wind boarding)? As... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 30 Theme: One hour Use any or all of the following in your project: What if you had one hour to go anywhere you wanted to go, where would it be? Where would you go with one hour of vacation? Where would you go with one hour to learn? If you had one hour, who would you have a conversation with (anyone living or dead)? How would you spend one hour with your spouse/significant other? How would you spend one hour with your... Continue reading

Too totally excited one of my favorite movies EVER—Babe—is out now on Blu-ray. Delightful, sweet, humble, and charming, Babe is something special the whole family can enjoy. If you loved UP, you will enjoy this 1995 classic as well. The first time, as well as the most recent time, I watched it, I laughed and cried and laughed some more. And I can’t wait to watch it again. A must have for any collection. :D Continue reading

More than once over the past several days, I’ve found myself thinking about the concept of “abundance” and how the spirit of overflowing has enriched my life. Some may find this a strange time to be thinking of blessings and fruitfulness with our brethren in Japan facing the shock of loss and years of rebuilding; it is moments like these when often the true beauty of mankind shines through. Tragedies and natural disasters prompt a surge in blood donation, food drives, and grass roots efforts to help any way possible. The clever and resourceful ways people not only survive—but thrive—in... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 29 Theme: Hidden Treasures Use any or all of the following in your project: What tokens do you keep from outings and events (i.e. playbill; corsage; lift tickets)? What do you use for your treasure chest? What kind of things do you keep for sentimental value only? What treasures did you horde as a kid? Where did you keep them? What things count as treasures (i.e. heart shaped rocks; three leaf clovers; decorations from a baby shower cake)? What treasures have you found... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 28 Theme: Imaginary Characters Use any or all of the following in your project: Who is your favorite super hero? What do you like about them? What personality traits of your favorite super hero did you imitate as a child? What comic book characters do you follow? What cartoons did you watch growing up? Who was your favorite character? What holiday character was your favorite? Why did you like that one the best? At what age did you realize these characters were not... Continue reading

“This world is but a canvas to our imagination.“ Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Continue reading

This article originally appeared in the Scrap Girls Newsletter on March 7, 2011. Finding one of life’s little gems is always a lovely surprise—like scoring an extra treat in a Cracker Jack box. We happened across one of those hidden treasures on a recent trip to Alcatraz Island. It was a bright clear day—which is a gift in itself for the Central Coast of California; and we were a party of four: Michael, our daughters Ashley and Alyssa, and myself. The fact we had both of our college age offspring together at the same time was a wonder, and it... Continue reading

Actually it is an early birthday present, and I’ve been enjoying it for over a month now. Care to guess what it is? To be totally honest, it's a combo Mother's Day, Father's Day, mine and my husband's birthday presents all rolled into one. Now do you know? You’ll never guess it, so I’ll just show you: In case you have gunk on your glasses or your internet connection suddenly lapsed, the photo is of our heavy bag/speed bag set—as in boxing. Yes, the kind with the gloves. Who’d have believed I would enjoy learning to use the apparatus or... Continue reading

My first ever Picking Poesies Newsletter hits the virtual highway by the end of this week. I’m so excited about the occasion, I’ve decided to celebrate—digi style. I spent days thinking of something fun and useful my friends and fellow scrapbookers would enjoy as a prize. I thought about giving away one of my eBooks or offering to make a layout for someone, but none of those ideas seemed special enough. And finally, over the weekend, it came to me. I’ll give away not one, not two, but a trio of very useful things. Three original, not-for-sale, Digital Scrapbooking Layout... Continue reading

“I wish you all the joy you can wish.” William Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, 1596-97? Continue reading

Theme: Grow* *for ideas on how to use this theme, go here. Note: I will randomly post these articles whenever the muse strikes. If you do use a prompt as inspiration for something you create, please share a link to the blog, gallery, album or family friendly site where you have posted it. Thanks for playing along! ”Give me a pile of chicken poo and I can make grass grow on a doorknob.” The man didn’t say “poo,” but you get the drift. I was visiting family in Oklahoma and had been rudely awakened by the most pungent and unpleasant... Continue reading

Amanda started it: She just had to get her artist page going on Facebook. As soon as hers was up and running, Theresa, Trish, and I were right there with her, getting ours going as well. Not because we are competitive or anything; oh no—we just didn’t want Amanda to be lonely there on Facebook without any friends to speak of and no one to comment on her stuff. We, as good and selfless pals, sacrificed our time this week to join Amanda in her endeavor. And now, proud as peacocks, all four of us have our pretties out for... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 27 Theme: Making Wishes Use any or all of the following in your project: What is the earliest wish you remember making? Did it come true? What is the story behind your first wish (i.e. blowing out candles on fifth birthday cake)? What is your favorite “wish” song? What is your favorite “wish” story? What traditions does your family have about wishes? What are the rules for playing (i.e. wishbone from the turkey; Christmas crackers; etc.)? What wishes have you made on falling... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 26 Theme: Online Connections Use any or all of the following in your project: When do you first remember using the internet? What role does the internet play in your everyday life? How has the internet and the massive online presence changed lifestyles from when you were a child until now? What is your favorite thing about being online? What about the internet irritates you the most? What would you do for one whole day without internet devices? One week? One month? Where... Continue reading

”A smile a day helps keep the grumpies away.” marnie lyn adams 2011 Continue reading

Meet Amy Lemaniak: photographer, mother, wife, scrapbooker, and friend. I first had the pleasure of crossing paths with Amy when she joined the message boards at Scrap Girls and later became a member of the Layout Artist Team. Since then, I’ve enjoyed watching her talent as a photographer blossom and grow into a beautiful business of its own. What are five words to describe the creative you? Fresh, Fun, Real, Simple, Sweet In your latest project, what was your artistic goal? As with most of my photo sessions, my goal is to capture the personalities of the people I'm photographing.... Continue reading

To join in the fun, read how The Art of Joyful Living works in this post. Week 25 Theme: Connections Use any or all of the following in your project: What is your friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend connection to someone famous? How far back has your family tree been traced? What states and countries do your relatives live in? What states and countries do your friends live in? What connection do you have to someone in politics? What funny story do you have about meeting someone on a blind date/online only to find out you already know them? Where do your online friends... Continue reading

Not sure exactly how and why it started, but I’m fascinated by fortune cookies. I love the idea of a tasty treat with a mysterious message hidden inside—like dinner and a movie at twitter speed. For at least ten years, I have been saving our fortunes: every single one of them. At this point I have collected hundreds, and I faithfully tuck them into a salt glaze pottery jar for safe keeping. When we finally buy our some-day-house, I’m going to use those bewitching slips of paper to make A PROJECT, yet to be determined (although I am currently leaning... Continue reading