Performing Next as Mr. & Mrs.

Michelle & Greg did not know each other in grade school but if they had they'd have fallen for each other even sooner. Greg loved to pretend and act out parts. Michelle enjoyed the same.

I was delighted when Michelle's Mom sent me pictures of little Michelle. And I thought I couldn't have loved her more. . . .

Both Greg and Michelle are the oldest of 2 siblings. Here are the pictures before I did my cutouts where you can see the darling little brother and little sister!

The bridal shower is this Sunday!

Home for Christmas

Bob calls our home Greg's retreat. Leaving his research and his school work behind, Greg shares in our holiday traditions, relaxes and visits with old friends. 2011

On Christmas Eve, we always go to the newspaper (where Bob works) and pick up the Christmas Day newspaper, which is printed early to allow the pressmen to go home. The picture of Bob and Greg is in the photo room where Bob shares some of his pages with Greg. After that, we took a ride to the downtown campus to see the lights on Woodburn Hall. I call this photo a "Blue and Gold Christmas".

The Gift of Family

Waking up on Christmas, I saw a big smile on Bob's face before he even got out of bed. Greg was home from Minneapolis. Chris would join us for a traditional feast and stay to watch Harry Potter. Could there be a better gift than that of family?

What great weather we're having here in West Virginia! I'm hoping for the same when Michelle joins us for the upcoming bridal shower!

HSC Tradition

Every year my family joins me in the HSC kitchen on the eve of the last work day before the holidays to pack fresh fruit bags and pizza kits for the cafeteria and catering staff. On the last work day I made turkeys for our holiday luncheon. This year's turkeys had no bones (except for the drumsticks). All the dark and light meat was intact and the turkeys baked quickly (4 1/2 hours) and were delicious!

This is the layout from 2009. We're getting to be old hand at putting these together. Most years we make 50 bags and kits. This year we made 40. I leave the fruit bags in the area of the serving area and kitchen where each employee begins their work day.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

Know Your Place

Stephen Oliver Michael, "Ollie",was 2 years old on December 19. He's bright, active, talking and what I would call a terrific two year old. These are pictures I took of him on Thanksgiving Day. He is my sister Terry's grandson.

I called the layout "Know Your Place", borrowing the title from Sande Krieger's digital place card set.

"Know Your Place
1st Child to Laura & Steve
1st grandchild to Terry & Nelson
1st Great Grandchild to June & Jim
Thanksgiving at your Dad's Restaurant. . . you can sit anywhere you want!"

To make the layout, I made a digital collage, then adhered it to patterned paper. I added chipboard alphas and a few elements for dimension. I printed a duplicate place card like the small one I inserted on the collage and "clipped" it to the original.

Totally Styling. . . the Ugly Sweater Party

Isn't it funny, what's one man's trash is another man's treasure? I see people wearing sweaters like these all the time, especially during the holidays!

Chris' friend Steph made his sweater for the party they attended. They even donned hats. Glad to see the young folks in the holiday spirit. 2011

Turtle Doves

Mom and Dad, like turtle doves, symbolize a strong pair bond. They are always together, emblems of devoted love.

Here they are Thanksgiving Day, 2011. They have been together since 1946.

My Dad loves my Mom very very much!

Sisters

I'm always glad to get a picture together with my siblings. Here are the 3 sisters from my family on Thanksgiving. I took the first initial of our names and thought of a few words to describe each of us:

Cindy, the creator. Pages, menus, memories.

Terry, the teacher. Reading, writing, children.
Amy, the all American girl. Critters, family, career.

The charms also reflect a bit about us. The fork is attached to my initial because I am a dietitian. The sunflower to Terry, as she loves sunflowers. The dragonfly to Amy because she enjoys small critters and insects.

Back to my Christmas cards. Monday I ran out of ink, paper, stamps and more. After work on Tuesday, I drove 24 miles in town to stop 5 different places and stock up. Time to do a few more cards........

Another Year Has Gone By

In the midst of all the seasonal and new year preparations, it does me good to stop for a while and create. Here's a quick layout setting a picture of Bob and I to the words of a Bryan Adams song "Another Year Has Gone By".

"So many 25ths of December, just as many fourth of Julys."

On a Saturday afternoon Bob asked me if I wanted to take a walk with him up the hill by our house. Here we're doing what we did many years ago "Acting like we only just met".

I wanted to use both side of the Teresa Collins Christmas Calendar paper. So I scanned the opposite side, then digitally cut out the blocks of the paper I needed (December 25 and Four). I added words to the blocks, a digital frame by Cottage Arts to my photo and a Rhonna Farrer brush for the title. Now when I listen to the Celine Dion Christmas CD when she sings this song, I'll think of us and this time.

2011

Setting the Tree

In 1950, the town of Westernport got help from the family business, Reeves Motor Company, to haul the Christmas tree from the Keyser bridge to town, then lift it into place. That's Uncle Harry standing against the back of the truck.

By Design

Michelle's wedding dress is going to be as unique as she. Conceived by her, sketched by her best friend Allyson and made by her cousin Barbara. . . "it's going to be beautiful!". The pictures are fitting the initial blank, the fabrics they chose and the final design. In total it is 26 yards of fabric,
5 yards of boning,
5 yards of horsehair braid and 18 yards of ribbon. November 2011

Shine for Me

Bob and I had a great getaway Friday when we traveled to Wheeling, WV to see the Festival of Lights at Oglebay Park. It was a beautiful day and we arrived at the park before dark and walked around taking pictures of the mansion, the Christmas shop, the deer and each other. The sunset was gorgeous. Then we got in our car and traveled through the 300 acres to see the 70 larger-than-life displays. Journaling to my layout: "The best lights at the Wheeling Festival of Lights were the natural ones. 'You carry your own light, shedding light on my heart.' November 2011"

Here is the layout I made in 2006:

Journaling from "Best of America": "Chris had several days off from school in November and we'd planned on doing something with him on the first long weekend. The weather was warm and it seemed like a fine time to go to Wheeling and see the light displays at Oglebay Park. It is America's largest light show, a holiday tradition that began in 1985."

Here's To You Clancy's

It was the 8th time the family gathered at the nephews' pub-Clancy's Irish Pub- in Keyser. What a fun tradition this is.
I heard Toby Keith sing this song on Thanksgiving Day's CBS morning show. "Clancy's Tavern"--could that have been any more timely?

"And the old nine to fivers and the regular Joe's of the world
Are singing here's to you Clancy and your neighborhood tavern."
Thanksgiving 2011

Holiday Giveaway Winner & Small Business Saturday

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Thank you for your comments. The winner of my giveaway, chosen via True Random Generator, is Shawn, whose blog, Poetry in a Tea Cup is lovely. Here's what Shawn said: "Your pages make me smile..family together and a FUN tradition. there are only the 3 of us each yr at Thanksgiving so it is quiet but we look forward to the days off from the normal routine and listening to Christmas music while we prepare dinner. I plan to make a LO about our Santa ornaments. Enjoy your blessings".

I love Scrapbook.com where I have met many lovely and talented people. If I'm looking for a supply, I know I can find it there. I also love Local Scrapbook Stores and look for these everyplace Bob and I venture. I was so pleased to find this store in Wheeling, West Virginia and learn that there was a sister store in Washington, Pa.
Mom's Memories had a nice selection of papers and loads of embellishments and distressing supplies. Both Marisa in Wheeling and owner Jessica in Washington were so enthusiastic. Marisa showed me all sorts of altered projects. Jessica's young daughter Liz was busy making cards and accommodating too. Here are some pictures as I was partaking of their Small Business Saturday specials:

Holiday Giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving! I would like to give 1-$20 Scrapbook.com Gift Certificate to one random follower. Please leave a comment on this post by midnight Saturday EST. In the comment, tell me what holiday layout you are planning.

Tomorrow we will be traveling to Keyser WV where my family gathers at the nephews restaurant, "Clancy's Irish Pub" for our meal. The restaurant is closed to the public and we bring covered dishes. The game room, booths, wide screen TV and wings make the meal so much fun for all. Here are my layouts for 3 of the past years:

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Boys of Fall

I am so glad Chris has a break from school and shared these photos, taken on a Mountaineer football Saturday. "Best friends and apartment mates, Chris and Bryan enjoy studying together or just kicking back and relaxing in each others company. They definitely have each others' back."

To make the background I pasted digital brushes (Jen Allyson's "Organic Borders") onto cardstock. After adding my paper elements, I brushed the paper with sparkling pigment ink.

Frito Bandito

Two months into a strenuous college schedule, Chris and Bryan prepare to hit the streets by trick or treating. The people in the South Park homes loved the twosome, especially their former Spanish teacher.

Halloween was one of the busiest club nights in Morgantown and since the "18" lines were last to allow entry, Chris and friends decided to gather at the boys' apartment instead. Chris and Bryan pose with Batgirls Steph & Katie.

I made the trees with digital images from Little Dreamer Designs.

2011

These Autumn Leaves are Yours

This layout is in memory of Maxine Gay, Bob's Mother, on the anniversary of her death November 12, 2005. Maxine was 86 years old when she passed away. She was so proud of her grandsons. The song is a ballad by Scottish singer Paulo Nutini.


"Autumn leaves under frozen soles
Hungry hands turning soft and old
My hero crying
As we stood out there in the cold
Like these autumn leaves
I don't have nothing to hold.

Autumn leaves, they are are fading now
That smile I've lost
Well I've found somehow
Because you still live on
In your grandsons' eyes
These autumn leaves
Are yours tonight."

Come Ye Thankful

Seeing Greg in this 1992 Thanksgiving Feast reminds me of the times as a youngster I dressed in Pilgrim outfits, made by my Mom, and marched to a church on Maryland Avenue to sing patriotic songs. Greg was in Kindergarten at Presbyterian School.

Jay

On a beautiful November Sunday, I removed the kitchen window screen and photographed the blue jays feeding.

The background was made by pasting a digital vintage overlay onto a piece of gray cardstock. Vintage overly from Echo Park.

Here's a layout I made in 2007 about this beautiful bird species:

Journaling: "Brilliant crested bird--you keep me from feeling blue in winter!"

Story About My Dad in the Tribune

This photo of my Mom and Dad (looking at a scrapbook I made them) was in yesterday's Keyser (West Virginia) News Tribune. The story about Dad's World War II recollections can be found here.

Veteran 11-11-11

At 89, my Dad is a person of long service in many positions. He's a Dad, a husband, a manager, a gardener and a dishwasher.

For these and for his service as a US Marine in World War II,
I made this tribute to him for Veterans Day.

(11-11-11).

Falling for You

I spotted a stamp yesterday with this quote and it I knew what I could do with it. The pictures are from 1973 when Bob and I first met. The "Add" slip is my copy of the authorization for me to take the photo class at WVU where we met.

Journaling: "After the worst summer of my life spent in 2 sessions of Chemistry, I had to change my fall courses. I added an elective-J 120- where I met Bob, a teaching assistant. Think it was met to be. . . 1973

Another layout from the time can be found here.

Sweet Ending to "Minne(scr)apolis"

It was a 2 day journey home and I had plenty of time to plan my layouts with the many photos we took on our trip to visit Greg and Michelle. Bob nicknamed my project "Minne(scr)apolis". Culver's Restaurant was a fun place to eat going and coming from our trip to Minneapolis. Here we share a "custard" sundae. September 2011

Field Road

We intended to visit Rich's Farm on this last pretty Saturday of October but we were too old for both the Pumpkin Farm ("Kid's Day") and the Fright Farm (for the "Bigger Kids"). So we drove a few miles past and stopped at Yum Yum's Bakery to share a Greek Salad and Marble Bagel. We'd both spotted this road with sunlit cornfields nearby and stopped for pictures on the way home.

Journaling: "Just 25 miles from home on Burgess Field Road near Uniontown, Pa. the Amber Waves of Grain and Purple Mountains confirm we live in a beautiful part of America."

October 2011

Somebody's Following You

I normally create layouts with photos of people I love. . . but this one was fun just the same. The words are from a song by the Eagles:
"Back over your shoulder you've got an icy chill. Man, you thought you'd get away with it. . . Now you know you never will. There's a Jack-O Lantern moon in the midnight sky.. . Down in the graveyard on that old tombstone there's a big black crow calling you home."

Pictures from McHenry Md. (mist on Deep Creek), Kingwood Pike near our house (moon), Boston Burial Grounds. Here's the layout I made in 2007 after we got the pictures of the moon:

Journaling: "I thought it might be a "new moon" (2 full moons in 1 month), but that occurred May 31st. But I couldn't pass up the chance on the last day of June, 2007, to get a picture of the gorgeous earth satellite. It was a perfect night. After taking Chris home from a night at the movies with friends, Bob & I drove up to the Kingwood Pike overpass. We didn't even get out of the car, as he steadied his long lens on the side mirror while taking slow exposures of the celestial orb. With only an occasional passing car, it was a moment just for us."

Felt Like a Dancer

When mom was describing how much she enjoyed the therapy for her legs she said "I feel like a dancer". While I can't say I've ever seen her dance, I know she is poised and graceful. At 86, she still has that elegance she had as a teenager. She is pictured on the right in both photos, c 1940 and 2011.

The Great Temple on the Prairie

"From a humble beginning as a small log chapel overlooking the Mississippi, the Cathedral of Saint Paul sits dramatically overlooking the city." I sprayed the 7 Gypsies "City Scape" board with Krylon "Make it Stone" and added a notch for the cross in the steeple. October 2011

Solo

Last Sunday was a beautiful fall day and Bob was working so I walked up the hill behind our house solo. I avoided the cows and got my feet muddy but loved the sun. October 2011

Bob's been giving me heck all week after we found 3 bears on our deck one morning this week! "You could have walked right into those bears!" I didn't know we had bears. . .

Mill Ruins Park

The water-powered mills forming Minneapolis in the 19th century were the largest in the world. The Washburn A Mill could grind enough flour to fill 100 box cars and to make 12 million loaves of bread per day. In 1878 flour dust in the air ignited and destroyed a mill. The tragic explosion led to reforms in the milling industry in ventilation systems. The Stone Arch Bridge was built in 1883. The ruins in the park provided fabulous backdrops for pictures and were part of a delightful day of tours given by Michelle and Greg. 2011

I made the flour sack by cutting a coffee bag,sewing new seams and stamping it. I even used the same draw string.

Setting the Stage

Reunited and established in their careers and research, Michelle and Greg have set the stage for their wedding. They reserved the beautiful Noerenberg Gardens and boathouse for the wedding. On Lake Minnetonka, the gardens and peaceful surroundings are perfect for a like couple. The reception and dinner are planned for nearby Jake O'Connor's Public House with entertainment by The Wild Colonial Bhoys. We were amazed at the beauty of everything and glad they seem to be enjoying the planning too.
October 2011

I pulled the twigs for the top part of the layout from a bird's nest that blew from a tree a few weeks ago.

Seasons Go Round

It was a windy fall day in mid October when we went to Chestnut Ridge Park to catch the leaves at 75% color and spend time with each other.

The song is from Joni Mitchell:
"And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came.

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through."

October 2011

Extra Eye

I loved it when Bob picked me up Sunday while on the job and took me with him to photograph fall colors. Like everyone else, I love to capture pretty scenery. But what's most important to me is focusing on people and after Bob photographed the pair fishing, I captured him getting caption information from the boy's delighted uncle. My "extra eye" focuses on my family. October 2011

The quote "Love is not blind, it is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard" is by James Matthew Barrie. The beautiful papers are from the magazine Somerset Memories, a Stampington & Company publication.

This photo is from the second place we went to Sunday. This trout pond and the reservoir in the layout are only a few miles apart. In the course of 30 minutes, we were able to capture two gorgeous places just 10 miles from home. Couldn't get any better!