Trippin' Down Memory Lane

I used the word trippin' (down memory lane) because I have a major stumbling block as I create a layout. I have a terrible time keeping track of the "Credits". I have a little spiral notebook and when I start a layout I write down the paper or element and who to credit them to. However... I change my mind so many times that I have writing all over the place with things crossed off... what a mess! I may change the background paper 5-6 times until it looks just right to me. There must be a solution to this. Any ideas??

Credits: Paper, frame, mesh, flowers, swirls leaves by Cin, "Ava Adore" (from myjuicybits.blogspot.com);

ribbon by Gina Marie Huff, "Jolly Holiday-Ribbons" (from Weedsand wildflowers.com); white overlay by

julydesigns (from digital-crea.fr)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Mom was the 'Queen of the Birthday Parties' as I grew up. She and I would

decide on the theme and then she'd surprise me. I still have my Toni doll and the

cowboy outfit. Matter-of-fact I have her trunk with all of her clothes.

Credits: Paper and pocket by Scrapmuss Designs, "Under Construction" (from scrapmatters.com); Checked ribbon

by Simply Sweet Designs; Heart (from weedsandwildflowers.com); bear (from digitalcrea.fr).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was a photo I didn't pay much attention to until one day I noticed my

mom's notations that it was the picture she chose for our 1943 Christmas card.

Credits: Paper by Nancy Barton; Bow and holly "Christmas Day Collection" ( from raspberryroad.com); circular

design by Kate Honarvar "Jingle Jangle Christmas" (from pccrafter.com).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My mom looks so tired as she leaves the hospital with me in my bunting.

Credits: Paper by Kitty-Nikki "Butterfly Girl"; Stars by Holly designs "Sugar and Spice" (from shabbypickle.com);

word art by Jaelop Designs, "Girly Girl Kit" (from jaelop.blogspot.com).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have the Spring itch... but still waiting for my Pottery Barn bedding to arrive
(backordered until the 26th) so sometime today I'm going to transform the guest
bathroom with my 'Spring tub' (Rubbermade- for each season) of towels, pictures,
and goodies. That will feel so refreshing!!

Soooo... off to the basement shelves to grab Spring things... I'm very seasonal!

Hugs to you all!
Joni

My Daughter is having a birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRISTIN!

I know you are traveling today and wouldn't be home to get a card,

however I know you have your PC with you all the time, so... here's

the layout I made to shrink to card size. And you can get it on the plane!

I hope you have a smooth flight and a smooth business trip. Enjoy your

gift too... it's what you requested. You'll look smokin' in those new jeans!

May all your dreams and wishes come true!

And the latest photo of you and Wendy...

You are both so beautiful inside and out. I am so proud to be your mother.
So glad you had a fantastic trip to Los Cabos!

XOXOXO,
Mom

Down Memory Lane

Do any of you remember the old metal clip-on roller skates?
And that skate key hanging around your neck?
By the time my daughters were ready for skates, they were made of plastic. Credits: Paper,"Cool Bananas" from Digital Fingers; Word Art, Elegant Word Art by Bethany: String; Tag by Miss Mint
"Kindergarten Crafts' from peppermintcreative.com.

My mom was full of silly songs that she would sing with the neighborhood kids.

I loved this song because I had such a great mental image of a purple cow,

Credits: "Doodlelicious" by AMC; Frame, Miss Mint "Kindergarten Crafts" from peppermintcreative.com; Cows,

Font/dingbat "DB Animal Occasion".

You need to click on the layout to see the horrid expression on my face. My mom said that was due to the bright floodlights that my Uncle was holding. How far we have come with cameras in

my lifetime.

Credits: Paper, alpha, & hats from "Make a Wish" by Erica Hite from Scrapgirls.com; Ribbon, pink paint, and

word art by Vicki Stegall for '52 Inspirations' from oscraps.com.



Camera shy! That was me! This photo really captures it. Look at that body language

and the frown.

Credits: Paper and all elements are from "Breath of Fresh Air" by Gina Marie Huff from Weeds & Wildflowers.


Have fun and make it a great day!

Love to all,

Joni

Happy Weekend!

I bought some daffodils that were closed up so tight... looked like asparagus stalks.

A short time in water and they were open and so beautiful. I have them next to my computer as that seems to be the spot where I spend a great deal of time. Amazing what fresh flowers can do for your mood when we still have a snowy world outside.

I continue to edit old photos, put them in layouts, and tell their story. I'm still exploring my digital materials and my style. I love the clean & crisp look of Helen Hancock's layouts, but so far I've found myself diving into color... can't seem to stay away from it. It's just me!
Credits: Paper, cloth frame, & airplane by Amy Sumrall; Cloud and tag by Chriscrap's "Cocooning 2"; Flowers by Julia Makafinsky,
"French Country" fro Little Dreamer Designs; Border "Doodle Border 2a from Weeds and Wildflowers.
~~~~~~~~
Click on photo to read story.

Credits: Chair by Mimilou Designs, "Tell Me a Little Tale" from Digitalcrea.fr; Books and Word Art by TYO "Storytime";
Crown, ia "Newspaper Crown"; Wand, Pascale A's "Magical Wishes" for Scrapwedo.
~~~~~~~~~~~

1944


Credits: All materials by Danielle Engebretson/Danielle Engebretson Designs. Grass is from a brush that was already on my adobe program.
~~~~~~~~~~~


I loved going to camp each summer but this was the only photo that I could find from all those years. I went to Brownie Camp, Girl Scout Camp, Church Camp, and YMCA Camp. Ooooo... the stories I could tell about the Y camp.
Credits: Trees, from Raspberry Roads"Tree Templates" # 010, 03, 09, 01 also from Kryshart's "The Sky is Falling"; Frame, A Heimann's "Come Out and Play" frame 3; Word Aer, by Miss Mint's "Friends" Kindergarten Crafts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make it a great weekend!!!

Love to all...

Joni

Ho-Hum

This is what one does when bored, restless, and bouncing off the walls.

I JUST felt like playing and this is what I created...

Queen-Joni-of-Boredom.

I've always thought that 'bored people are boring'.

Guess that's me today! I saw this pic today of last years Easter/Spring tree. It's that time of the year

to go hunting for some small branches and think Spring. I'm trying to INSPIRE YOU!

Some of these ornaments are 39 years old. I bought them in Germany for Kristin's

very first Easter tree in 1970. Boy, time goes so fast. Her birthday is next week.

I found this book at Barnes and Noble yesterday. It's great! Much improved over the original 'Dummie books;. Good quality paper and lots of colored photos... really pleased with it. I spent a lot of time dipping in and out of it this morning. And get this... 30% off plus another 10% off from my B & N card and... drum roll... a $5.00 rebate. Practically free!

That's it for today. I'm off to read and take a nap (they go together in my life).

Love to you all!
Joni

PS My girls get home from their vacation in Los Cabos in Mexico tomorrow. Always glad when they're having fun together but also glad when their feet are on their home turf again.

A Snowy Day

I have this feeling inside me that it's Spring and then

I looked out of a window and we're having a BLIZZARD...

and not the kind you get from Dairy Queen.

I went to Pottery Barn.com and splurged on new Spring bedding.

And I lucked out... the set I wanted was on sale.

We have red night tables so I think this will make us feel fresh

and perky after all the illness in this house. I saw these Easter baskets on Potterybarnkids.com and I wanted to share some

inspiration with all of you. I can think of all kinds of possibilities for decorating

some baskets with liners and trims. I bet Thimbleanna would monogram hers!

I am taking quite a journey with all my memories. It is such fun and is sparking

memories of some things I've forgotten.
~~~~~~

Summer meant screen porches and storytelling in the dark.

Click on the layout to read my story.

Credits: A heimann "Firefly Lane" QP from Scrap Orchard; some elements by a heimann and Ziggle Designs, "Firefly Lane"

from Scrap Orchard; Fonts: Bradley hand and AR Christy.

My mom kept really good notes in our photo albums. Menus, names, presents

received at birthdays and early Christmas days. These notes spark memories

to fill in the gaps.

Credits: Stitching, mimilou "Love" part 1; silver heart, TMS "Choco Cherry"by The

Maltese Scrapper;

Multi-colored heart, SC elements from Weeds & Wildflowers; red felt heart, mimilou

"Love" elements; Striped heart, "Felty Valentines" by Graphic Jam Designs;

hearts on a string, "Crazy Love" from Digital crea.com;red string, Moune-Enormada,

add on.

~~~~~~~~

I love creating these pages but I dislike keeping track of supplies used. I'm just not an organized person. I just keep trying.

Love to you all!

Joni

PS. We saw Australia tonight and I loved it!! A good old-fashioned movie where you need tissues.

The Continuing Saga...

Boyd continues to improve but this has really sapped his energy.

We are so lucky to be retired and have the time to move at a

snail's pace that his healing requires.

~~~~~

I have a COLD... an old-fashioned, nose-dripping, coughing,

sore throat, cold. Haven't had one in years.

I pray Boyd doesn't get it.

~~~~~

I continue to work on "MY STORY" in photos and words.

My Mom and I used to sit and look at the photo albums

over and over. She'd tell me the stories behind all the

pictures. I'm so glad she did as I can recall them

and now have stories to record.

~~~~~

If you want to read any of the journaling on the layouts

just click on the photo.

~~~~~
When I lived in Germany (teaching), I was so aware of

the parents taking their babies outside in all kinds of

weather from snow to rain. Their buggies were designed

with a cover to allow just the babies face to be exposed.

Credits: Paper by july designs & Hearts by july designs "Mes Coeurs" from Digital Crea;

Frame by A Heimann from "Come out and Play".

Credits: Paper (unknown); Frame by snp "Cardboard Frame;
Bears by S Wheat Creations, "Rainbow Bears".


Love to you all!
Joni

Happy March 1st!

The Good:

Boyd is slowly healing and even went to the grocery

store yesterday and made dinner. His leg is healing too!

Only 6 weeks to go on the IV antibiotics at home.

It's just become a part of our lives.

The Bad:

I've been making digital layouts for therapy & enjoying

it. However... I didn't keep track of who to credit for the

materials. I decided to just put them on my blog anyway

and get organized for everything else I create.

So... thanks to all the fantastic designers who

created wonderful papers, elements, and alphabets.

The Good:

I started an organizational system that is a binder

alphabetically tabbed for designers & info.

I also created a small flip book for recording all future

layouts I create with credits for each supply used.

Now I can stop 'whining'.

~~~~~

The following layouts are all a part of the album called

"My Story".

When this is completed in a zillion months, then I will

move on to "My Mom's Story" and "My Dad's Story"

Someday my daughters can curl up and walk through

our lives.

~~~~~~

Ellen, my first Effenbee doll was always special.

My mom made Ellen adorable outfits and quilts.

My first doll that drank and wet and sucked on a

pacifier. She made several visits to the doll hospital

during her life.

I still have my dolls and their clothes in a trunk.

My legs bowed slightly... like the curve of a pumpkin.

Fun memories of a fun day!

Yup... that's newborn ME!

Did I ever mention that I am an 'only child'?

I loved every minute of it.
We always celebrated St Nick's night and we still do.

Not the most exciting photo but it brings back a lot of

good memories.

The current Milwaukee Zoo is one of the finest in the US.

But there was nothing as wonderful as our original zoo.

They had an enormous monkey island that I could

watch for hours.

Like Eloise... I had a Nanny.
That's Nanny Lockvam with me at the zoo.

I certainly don't look ready to settle down to sleep.

Ah yes... a quick sponge bath in the sink.

I have always loved my telephones through the years.

First year of ballet. The recital!

I was always the tallest.

My first Easter and basket.

My mom didn't miss a photo opportunity.

Now I am so grateful for that.

Well... friends, that's it for this post.

Hard to believe it's March with all the snow outside.

Some of our worst snow storms have been in March in

Wisconsin.

XOXO

Joni

You Are All So Caring!

Thank you all for the sweet comments.

This is a tough time in our lives and your comments

mean more than you'll ever know.

I feel your warmth from Australia, Kuwait City,

the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, and the US.

~~~~~~

Boyd sleeps off and on all day and very little at night.

He gets an IV of antibiotics twice a day at home.

He seems to have perked up today and has

been watching some TV.

I'll know he's on the mend when I see him

do his New York Times Crossword puzzle.

7 weeks to go.

~~~~~~~

My daughter Wendy and husband Darin sent him

this great edible arrangement,

The fruit was all really tasty!!

Thanks guys!

I missed the last 2 weeks of the Photoshop class I was

taking but have caught up when Boyd is sleeping.

I have learned so, so much!

There is one more Photoshop class that I can take from

Jessica Sprague in March and I will definitely take it.

~~~~~~

I made this layout tonight as I watched the Academy

Awards. It was my first try at extracting a figure from

a photo. I noticed that I have a piece of my arm missing.

I've actually done a lot of layouts but I don't have the

supply lists for all of them and therefore shouldn't

really put them on my blog. Not a law... a courtesy.

~~~

All of the layouts I'm creating are with old photos from my

growing years for my girls, so they will know all

about their mom's life.

Supplies: Paper, Green dot by Jeanelle Page, "Kidden Around" add on; Bird House,

bzb designs, "Maddie's Garden"; Flowers, grass, yellow butterfly, sun, by Dita B,

"Spring Time Elements"; Small blue and orange flowers, large green flower, blue

butterfly by Sara Ellis collab. dje "Spring it On"; Ladybugs, bitty blue flowers by

JM's "French Country" for Little Dreamer Designs.
~~~~~

Thank you again. You are all very important to me!

~~~~~

Keep the people in Australia in your thoughts and prayers.

The fires have done such damage to so many.

~~~~~

XOXO

Joni

AN UPDATE...
First the computer crashed and I replaced it with a new HP laptop... which didn't work when we got it home. Boyd spent 2 days trying to tweak it into operation. Finally we broke down and hired 'The Geek Squad' to come out and work their magic. 4 hours later it seemed to be up and running... until they walked out the door. Meanwhile... Boyd started running a fever. We thought it was a virus that everyone seems to have. Finally I dragged him to the Emergency room and they put him in the Intensive Care Unit. 104 degree fever and scary white blood cell counts. Many 'scans' later they found the infection site... in a bone in his leg. He has had massive doses of antibiotics and came home last night... after 10 days in the hospital. They inserted a tube into his heart and taped to his chest... as he needs to have a bag of antibiotics twice daily for 2 months at home through this tube.

As I ran back and forth to the hospital I ate a lot of junk food. Today I will head to the grocery store to stock our depleted food supplies and cook some tasty & healthy meals... after the Visiting Nurse comes... and in the predicted freezing rain.

And the computer still doesn't work!

Please add Boyd to your prayers.

My computer has crashed!

It's been shutting down on me off and on for several weeks...

but has been a 'real hairy monster' this past week.

Sooooooo...

I've lost my blog list

and

other goodies.

Fortunately...

I have my photos and digital supplies

on an external hard drive.

~~~~~

I'm borrowing my husband's computer to write this

and I can build a new blog

list from recent comments.

I shall return with a new computer this week!!

~~~~~~

Special XOXO's to...

Helen Hancock, Karen, Chantelle, Nicolette & Midas,

Junie Moon, Anna, Green Girl, Nan, Isabelle, Angie, Jacquie, Lovie,

Hunnybunny, Vera, Rhona, Melanie, Anina, Amy, Babona, Barb,

Kristin, & Wendy.

I love you girls!!

And to Chris and Tina...
If you leave a comment sometime you

might make the list.

Tee-hee!

Joni

Chugging Along on Overload...

Our cat Gabby is such a character and we cater to her

whims.

Also known as "enabling".

Love her to pieces!!

Supplies: Paper, P-Pink dark (designer unknown); Word Art, "Cats' Elegant Word Art

by Bethany; Flower, "Lovely Valentine" by Scrappindoves Designs; Leaves, "Green

felt Leaf" by K Hart; Border, "Border-it" Life 365 for Weeds & Wildflowers; Brushes,

b silva floral.
~~~~~

In our Wisconsin cold and snow there is nothing like something

cooking that smells good and will warm your insides.

Boyd is such a great cook...

sometimes fancy,

sometimes plain...

but always healthy and tasty!

Supplies: Paper,"Pumpkin Pie" by Misty Mareda Designs from Little Dreamer Designs;

Tabs, "Dinner Party" by s carling; White Paper, "Kiwi" from Shabby Princess (reduced

to 55% opacity); ZigZag Stitched Frame, "Stitching rectangle, Word Art, O Scraps, Taylor

Made

~~~~~

Yup... the old Annual Physical.

I needed a reward for going so I bought myself these pink roses.

Also stopped at Bath & Body for some more CO Bigelow

lip cream... lemon cream this time.

Sassy... you got me hooked!!

Supplies: Paper, "Happy Love Kit" by Jackie Eckles; Frame, (frame4) & "Heart Branches"

(Branch 1), & Word Art (adore)"Kiss Me Sweetheart" by Ellie Lash; "i" font, "cheri".

~~~~~

Yes, I am a cinnamon sugar toast addict!

Always have been!!

Yummy with a cup of tea.

I picked up a new Cinnamon Sugar shaker recently

and thought it's time to document this love

for "my story"

Supplies: Paper: Blue & White dot, Cafe J "Love Bug Add-On"; Striped paper,"Family Ties"
for Scrapgirls; Frame, "Christmas Day" from Raspberry Road; Red Letters, Alpha lower
case "All in One"; Cherries, Sally Ann for Raspberry Road Designs;Mat with X Stitch,
Erica Hite's "Family Days" from Family Ties.

~~~~~~

I've been having lots of computer problems lately so I havent
been very active in the blog-reading department.
But... I'll catch up!!
~
When my computer works I head right over to my Photoshop
class assignments.
~
I've been tagged by Helen Hancock.
Thanks Helen!
I'll get to it this week... promise!
~~~
XOXO
Joni

"Time stands still best in moments that look

suspiciously like ordinary life."

- Brian Andreas

~~~~~

That is a great quote to describe scrapbooking...

a moment in ordinary/everyday time.

~~~~~

This is a layout from one of my class assignments.

There's a lot going on because we are learning

from each step we take (22 pages of instructions)

with video support for this layout.

Now that it's completed it tells a bit about routine time

in my life and can go into one of my

albums.

Supplies: All from Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Class "Now We're Rocking".

~~~~~

"Comic Books"

This layout was one I did outside of class.

It was so important to me that my girls know about this

memorable tradition that my Dad started when I was 4 years old.

I have such fond memories & feelings of those Saturday nights.

Supplies: Background paper, Kiwi White by Shabby Princess; Ribbon, "Twill Ribbon" by

Shabby Princess; Ribbon Scraps, "Tapes" from Weeds & Wildflowers; Brads, "Brad Bonanza 3"

by P Knox for Designer Digitals; COMIC word, "Vibe Alpha" from Art WHSE.

~~~~~

"Halloween"
I remember this photo being taken like it was yesterday.

We were both 10 years old.

Susie lived across the street from me and we played together

most of the time... dolls, paper dolls, dollhouses, etc.

And we could be found up the apple tree or on a raft in

our swamp.

Fun memories!

Supplies: Paper, "Haloween Papers" for Pixels & Ice Cream; Tree, pumpkin, spider and

orange paper mat, "Hootfest" by Heidi Larson from Little Dreamer Designs; Journaling

mat, "Halloween Papers" from Pixels & Ice Cream; Acrylic Frame, "Tom Turkey

Collection" for Raspberry Road Designs; Hanging Spider, "Halloween Brushes Vol 2"

by Michelle Coleman for Little Dreamer Designs.
~~~~~

Make it a great weekend!

XOXO

Joni

More Layouts and Stories

I'm getting hooked on digital scrapping!

It's so clean and neat and organized... although

I know I will always have to play with my glue, scissors,

and stacks of paper.

I'm basically a tactile person.

~~~~~

My ornament hunt this year was for Scandinavian

ornaments.

Wendy and I stumbled across these cute little children...

or are they tomtes?...

when we were shopping in Scottsdale AZ.

~~~~~

You can click on photos to enlarge.

Supplies: Paper, Kiwi White from Shabby Princess; Tree border & Tag, Scandinavian

Christmas Journaling Delights; Ribbon & Bow, "Christmas Day Collection" for

Raspberry Road Designs
~~~~~

Yes... I had years of ballet, toe, and modern dance...

all the way through college.

This was my first year on pointe and I had a solo

dressed like a rabbit... wouldn't you know.

The day of the first show, a huge German Shepherd dog

bit me in the thigh and I sported a lovely gauze

bandage that matched the white tulle of my costume.

~~~~~

Thanks to Helen Hancock for sharing the cute ballerinas

on my layout. Helen has been my INSPIRATION to

start digital scrapping. Stop by her site.

Supplies: Pink Paper by Barton from "Love Me Do"; Ballerinas, by Amy Sumrall from

"Little Ballerinas" pack; Frame, "Doodly Pattern Frames #1" from Weeds and

Wildflowers.
~~~~~~

Yes... I do knit!

I'm just consumed with other things at the moment.

I knit a ski sweater in College with lots of

pattern.

Supplies: Papers, frame, heart flower, yellow heart, all by Erica Hite for Scrapgirls;

green checked bow, "Holiday Magic" for Shabby Princess.
~~~~~~

I had such a happy childhood!

I tried very hard to make my girl's childhood years just as

wonderful.

Supplies: All supplies from "Make a Wish Collection" by Erica Hite for Scrap Girls.

~~~~~~~

Make this a great week!

XOXO

Joni

New Layouts That Tell Stories.

I was going to take a blogging break during my 4 week class
but decided to just keep going
and
share my new digital layouts and the stories behind them.
These layouts have already been placed in their new homes...
scrapbooks that tell the stories of my mom, my dad, and me.
Many of these stories are unfamiliar to my girls.
~~~~~
Rather than repeat what is written on the layout...
just double click on each layout and you can read it there.
My mom was very resourceful during the war and creative.
We lived well despite the economy.
Here is an example...

Supplies: Paper, a teets "Sunporch"; Overlay with grunge border,

Artist Edge Overlays No. 1 by ANNA; Ribbon, "Harvest Spice by

Shabby Princess; Leaves from "Tom Turkey Collection" by

Raspberry Road Designs; Tree from "Apple Festival" by Raspberry Road

Designs; Letters, Brown by Shabby Princess.

~~~~

This is a photo taken at a baseball game

at the U of Wyoming-Cheyenne

during Kristin's graduation week

back in the 90's.

I had just gotten a perm

and had no clue how to handle my hair.

This layout was made with class materials.

Supplies: Paper, buttons, blue letters, tag from "Carnival Mega Kit" from Robin & Team at

Sweet Shop Designs; Frame from "Candy-Frames" from Sweet Genevieve Designs.

~~~~~

My Mom's mother died when she was 5 years old. Her father

was a longshoreman in NY. He couldn't take care of her so he

went back to Norway and she was put in foster care. She was

in 13 homes during her early years. She became a nurse,

married my Dad, and gave birth to me at the age of 36.

She was the most wonderful mother and I miss her dearly.

Supplies: Paper, "Red Dots" from "Love Me Do"; Santa, holly, & star, by Gina Marie Huff for

Weeds & Wildflowers; Ribbon/Bow,candy cane from "Christmas Day Collection" for

Raspberry Road Designs.

~~~~~~
My Dad had 3 Aunts that he dearly loved. They were all

from Norway and a bit eccentric.

Supplies: Paper, 'Enchanted Paper Set1 from Raspberry Road Designs'; frame from
"Doodly Pattern Frames" by Gina Marie Huff & Heidi Lynne Williams for Weeds and
Wildflowers; flowers, stems, butterfly from "Lazy Days of Summer" by Gina Marie
Huff for Weeds and Wildflowers.
~~~~~~
I seem to be having some blog problems
so I'd better quit before it gets worse.
Sorry for spacing, etc. errors.

XOXO
Joni