Digital Scrapbook Place

Friends

andyapc — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:04:42 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This was taken while waiting for the bus in June 2006. My youngest is on the left and that's her close friend on the right. It's amazing how well they get along! Lots of sniffles from me as this was yet another milestone, it being their last day of Kindergarten. background paper from spaceraven.net (recolored)

3 comments

Bell's Palsy

andyapc — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:04:53 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Journaling reads: In the whole scheme of things, a bout with Bell�s Palsy seems so minor, so nothing. But in my tiny, little corner of the world, it was something. It was scary. I went to bed on a Sunday night as I did any other night and woke up Monday morning with half my face frozen. I wondered if I�d had a stroke during the night, which was enough to make me have another one right then and there. The fact that I was due to undergo an MRI that very afternoon to diagnose multiple sclerosis pretty much meant my entire day was going to stink. And stink it did. As did the next several weeks. But when all is said and done, as weird as it sounds ... I�m glad it happened. Yes, I could have done without the unblinking eye and the lopsided face and the deformed mouth (which did come in handy for Halloween, I admit) but despite those things, it was an eye opening experience (pardon the pun). I learned to trust my doctor. I was reminded that those who matter see beyond physical appearance. I discovered that what at first seems horrific soon becomes ordinary, especially in the eyes of children. I found myself to be pretty resilient. And I realized, in spite of my twinges of doubt, that my husband will love and desire me, no matter what. Bell�s Palsy and all of its manifestations ranks pretty high up on the �this sucks� meter. But it was temporary, unlike MS, which it turned out I did not have. So, I�m grateful for a temporary bump in the road instead of a permanent one. And the next time something on that �suck� meter strikes, and there�s bound to be a next time because let�s face it, !*%#$ happens, I�ll think back to this episode and take what I can from it to get me through. Life is what you make of it, so you might as well put on a happy face, even if it is a bit crooked.

10 comments

Surface to Soul

andyapc — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:22:26 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This is the layout that has just been published in the new book Layout Blueprints (page 94!). Brushes on colored squares downloaded from spaceraven.net. Journaling reads: On the surface, you�re beautiful, smart and the walking definition of nonchalant. An occasional outburst of anger or laughter but for the most part, you reign in your emotions. But your eyes, Zoe ... they tell a different story. Those beautiful browns are windows to your soul and in them, I see the compassion, strength, joy and love you find so hard to express sometimes. You�ve really got it all, Zoe and I can�t wait to celebrate the day you realize it.

6 comments

The Journey to Me

andyapc — Thu, 25 May 2006 11:00:50 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This was part of my CK HOF entry. I think it's the 2nd time ever that I've scrapped myself - I don't find myself interesting enough! Journaling reads: I�m still carrying baggage but it�s doable. When I can�t find time to rectify it, my hair is more salt than pepper. Over the years, I�ve lost and regained the sum total of my actual weight. My glasses are getting thicker and my patience thinner. I can remember my first day of nursery school like it was yesterday but last night�s dinner is a mystery. I could swear I�m shorter. I�ve got more wrinkles but I�ve earned them so they�re growing on me - no pun intended. The freckles and varicose veins are another matter. I�m more Lands End than Cosmo; fashionista and diva will probably never appear on my resume. I�m sophisticated yet if need be, I can spew expletives like a trucker. It�s been a long, wild, bumpy, thrilling, awful, wonderful ride to the brink of 40. I�m still standing so I consider myself a success. If there�s one thing I�ve learned so far, it�s that I am, if nothing else, a work in progress. Background brushes by spaceraven.net

18 comments

Friends Forever

andyapc — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:52:02 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Another HOF entry. This is my youngest, Helena, with her friend Katelyn, picking raspberries last summer. It's funny to see the difference in height! They are really good friends and they had a ball that day.

14 comments

My Debut - My Finale

andyapc — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 21:43:38 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This was another HOF entry - one of the 4 favorites we had to submit. I already have another layout in my gallery where I blended these pics together, but I love them separately too. Corner brushes by Truly Sarah

6 comments

Daddy

andyapc — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:09:31 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Another HOF layout - this was one of the four "favorites" I submitted. I just LOVED the expression on Helena's face! Flower downloaded from stock.xchng; Andre Bogaert, photographer

14 comments

out for publication

andyapc — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:01:44 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): out for publication!

5 comments

Catch Up

andyapc — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:04:13 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This was one of the 4 favorite layouts I submitted to CK HOF. This was the first day of kindergarten for my youngest Helena - the last time I'll ever experience this! A very bittersweet day! Journaling reads: Your backpack is almost as big as you and you�re about to burst with excitement. You had to be cajoled into letting us wait for the bus with you and you�re questioning its arrival every minute or so. You are going to kindergarten. Happiness, pride, sadness and fear are all calling dibs on my emotions right now. I know you�re going to make a lot of friends. That�s a done deal with your personality. And I know you�re going to soak in knowledge like a thirsty sponge. I know you�re going to love your teacher and your classroom and your table and your crayons and your snack. I know that you will probably be reading by Christmas. I know I�m in for a mass of gray hair from last minute demands for homemade projects and costumes. These things I know. Definitely, you�re ready. Possibly, I�m not. I sent your sister on this path seven years ago and I�m still recovering from that. I blinked and now you�re off too? Was I not paying attention? Yes, my head is telling me that today is the first in a slew of fantastic days for you and me. But hold on ... my heart just needs a minute to catch up. Floral brush from beachfly.net; background brushes from spaceraven.net

19 comments

Nominee I Hope For You

andyapc — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:35:53 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Well, I entered the CK HOF contest and while I didn't win or even get an HM, I'm glad I entered it. It really made me stretch my creativity. This layout was for Assignment F - Technique. It's a photo of my daughter, Helena. Journaling reads: I hope that wonder and curiosity will be your catalysts, that an innate sense of right and wrong will guide you, that knowledge will inspire you, that a belief in God will sustain you, that your gentle and joyous spirit will lift you, that generosity will live within you, that forgiveness will comfort you, that exuberance for life, laughter and love will become your very essence. These things I hope for you.

20 comments

Helena in the Sun

andyapc — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:41:49 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I loved these photos of Helena - they were a little overexposed to begin with so I just played with the exposure and curves some more to get this high key effect. Butterfly brush from Tere-Art; mesh brush from spaceraven

8 comments

Just Add Water

andyapc — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:23:47 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): My youngest ultimately had fun in the sprinkler last summer. She is so cautious - always has to check out the situation before making a move. I used an action for that "W" - AACK - can't remember the name of it now! I based this layout on a recent BH sketch. Journaling reads: A daredevil, you are not. Like me, you were born with a predisposition to walk on the side of caution. Willy nilly isn�t even in your vocabulary and a brightly colored sprinkler on a hot day won�t even sway you. You wound up loving it, but only after carefully examining it and being coaxed by Daddy. It�s like looking in a mirror.

8 comments

Pittsburgh

andyapc — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 15:42:41 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): A while ago, I posted a plea for help in obtaining photos of Pittsburgh. I wanted to do a collage for my husband's Uncle Pat for Christmas. He lived in Pittsburgh, in the same apartment, for 50+ years and recently moved to NY to be near family for health reasons. He is the sweetest man. Beth Conant, a photographer who has galleries at acclaimimages.com & pbase.com, was gracious enough to provide me with a series of stunning photos of Pittsburgh - who knew it could be so pretty? I kept the collage very simple as I was dealing with a lovely bout of Bell's Palsy at the time and my right eye was not cooperating AT ALL. But, Uncle Pat loved it and that's all that mattered! It was 11x14 and I had it made into a placque for him.

10 comments

Mom & Dad

andyapc — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 17:30:23 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Yep - my parents. I only see them twice a year and each time, I'm a little shocked at how much older they appear. They've been married 43 years, God bless them. I hope my hubby can put up with me for even half that! Had to get rid of a lot of background yuckies - it was Christmas time and while I love all the Christmas decorations in real life, a lot of it looks like poop when it's in the background of a picture! Journaling reads: I see a reflection of you both in my features; I recognize an occasional mannerism here and there. More often than not, I sense a little of each of you in my choice of words and tone. Miles may span the distance between our houses but that is all that separates us. You are with me always and for that, I am grateful. Edge brushes by misprintedtype; corner brushes by truly sarah.

9 comments

All the little ladies

andyapc — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:02:22 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This was a Christmas gift I gave to my MIL - it was an 11 x 14 layout of all of her granddaughters (my 2 girls are the last 2 on the bottom). I took the pictures at a pumpkin farm in October. I purposefully wanted them kind of messy looking because that's how they are on a daily basis! *sigh* - that is how my youngest daughter's hair looks all the time. I can comb it but within seconds, it just reverts back to that. Journaling reads: Laughter is day, sobriety is night, a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either. Floral brushes downloaded from adobe stock exchange.

12 comments

Parenting 101

andyapc — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 21:43:45 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Parenting 101: Just having a little fun and sharing my experiences with parenting. I swear, my 11 year old is going to push me right to the brink of insanity and my 5 year old is just going to nudge me right over it. Good thing I love them to pieces. Journaling reads: My philosophy can best be described as �flying by the seat of my pants,� with a healthy dose of �winging it� thrown in for good measure. Save the $12.95 + S&H. No book is going to fully prepare you for the wonder of projectile vomiting. You really need to experience it firsthand to truly appreciate its nuances. Remember ... there is no law that requires you to have 15 of your daughter�s friends sleep over on her birthday and feed them all breakfast and no amount of hissy fits changes that fact. Television can actually suck the ability to form a coherent thought right out of a child. Use this time wisely. Don�t worry ... you�re not alone. We�re all a little freaked out by Boohbah. There is a direct correlation between parenting a pre-teen daughter and deterioration of cerebral function at warp speed. Who are you again? It�s one week before summer and your 6 year old insists on riding her bike into the road. What do you do? If your answer is to restrict her to the driveway and explain that you are simply trying to keep her safe and alive to enjoy the summer and, with any luck, her next birthday - good for you! Just be prepared for her to promptly fall off her bike and suffer a spiral fracture of her left tibia from ankle to knee, resulting in the summer being pretty much a bust. When she breaks her arm almost exactly one year later under identical circumstances, don�t say I didn�t warn you and I won�t say I told you so. The laws of physics simply don�t allow for 7 friends to sit next to the birthday girl in a Honda Accord. This will make for some pretty ugly battles but hey, you can�t fight science. When your five year old suffers a partially severed ear, requiring 20 stitches by a plastic surgeon in the ER, and then asks if the mile of purple and pink bandage around her head looks �fashion,� just nod �yes� and try to ignore your clammy skin, greenish pallor, heart palpitations and acute dizziness. No one likes a drama queen. In a perfect world, your pediatrician�s office has self-sterilizing toys, snack machines and a 5 minute max waiting time. But we don�t live in a perfect world, do we? Put your game face on and pack a bag. The first time you channel your mother won�t be your last. I can�t lie to you. There is no general consensus as to the length of a �stage.� It can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 years. Yes, it sucks. But, at least you know. Battling lice can lead to post traumatic stress disorder. Really. Taking a daily shower and separating dirty socks and underwear from dirty jeans before they hit the laundry basket is not considered child abuse. Neither is requiring them to actually hit the laundry basket. The inevitable �I hate you� will cause great devastation but fear not ... chocolate makes all mommy boo-boos better. If you think you won�t ever bribe, yell, swear or use the phrase �because I said so,� ... good luck with that. You�re on your own.

36 comments

The Color of Their Soul

andyapc — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 15:14:00 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This is a Christmas gift to my members of my family this year. These are actually 2 separate photos of my girls (Zoe, age 11 and Helena, age 5). I just blended them together. I applied Mike Warren's Dragan Monochromatic Conversion Action on each photo - that action ROCKS. I downloaded it from atncentral. I forgot to mention ... I had to paste/copy Helena's catchlights into Zoe's eyes and manipulate them a bit to make them look natural. THat was a job! Quote says: If you're photographing in color you show the color of their clothes - if you use black and white, you will show the color of their soul.

16 comments

Science Fair

andyapc — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 17:04:19 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): *sigh* - It's hard to make a layout about a science fair exciting. But, Zoe was pretty excited about the fair itself and worked very hard on her project. It was fun to see her work so well with Nate (her step-father). Swirly brushes from 8nero; snowflakes were custom shapes downloaded from Adobe Studio Exchange (Raymond Dukes, I believe). Journaling reads: No run-of-the-mill volcano for you. No, you wanted a bit more drama for your first science fair. So, we ran all over town in search of dry ice, a big cooler and thick gloves, all the while solemnly promising school officials that neither we, nor anybody else, would snack on the ice. We kept a constant vigil by your display for hours to ensure just that. You thoroughly enjoyed concocting that mini cauldron of swirling smoke. You put a small chunk of ice in a test tube and topped it with a balloon, which then proceeded to slowly inflate from the trapped carbon dioxide fumes - a very cool visual aid in your presentation. The big question on all of our minds: would the balloon just slip off the tube with a duzz fizzle or would it blast off the tube and whiz around the entire gym? As it turned out, neither - it exploded with a deafening roar and in that instant, you became the hit of the fair. You may not have won the grand prize in the judges' eyes but you certainly did win the popular vote!

9 comments

Letchworth

andyapc — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 22:42:56 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): OK everyone - don't faint. I actually used a kit. *gasp*. I know, I know ... can't believe it myself. I used Lisa's Halloween kit from the DSP store and I recolored it. I don't know if you can tell due to the compression, but I used the polka dot overlay included with the kit on the black backgound - love that overlay! Ok ok ok - I know - there are no drop shadows on anything. I can only venture so far out of my comfort zone. Drop shadows are enough to make me NEVER leave my comfort zone.

6 comments

Puzzle action - DSU 215 Lesson 1

andyapc — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 21:04:51 -0500

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Holy cow - first action I ever downloaded and WOW is it ever a good one! It's Panos Efstathiadis' action from Adobe. It's actually a set of actions and it as SOOOOOOO easy - I had no trouble at all with it! (did you notice, anyone?? No questions yet from me in the forums ... can you believe it??) You can make 3 different kinds of puzzles and then move each individual piece if you want. TOTALLY LOVE IT! The only problem I encountered was when I saved it as a jpeg, my layer effects were diminished A LOT - when it's a .psd file, the layer effects are much more pronounced. I'm not sure if I did something wrong - I saved it the way I always do. Any ideas??

10 comments

Courage

andyapc — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 18:48:15 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): An acquaintence of mine asked me to do a collage of her daughter's gymnastics meet. I obtained a release from the photographer for these pictures - I just love them! I used this quote because apparently her daughter struggles with confidence issues and has a tendency to doubt herself right before a meet. I think she looks phenomenal in these pictures!! photography by Craig Furze Photography.

14 comments

After collage (Before pics posted earlier)

andyapc — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:22:14 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): **As seen on page 88 of Woman's Day Specials Scrapbooking & Keepsakes - Oct '05** THis was my first time restoring old photos. I was pretty happy with the results but more importantly, my father in law was ecstatic. It made me feel great to be able to give this to him! I LOVE PSCS.

23 comments

Before pictures

andyapc — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:18:16 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): These were pictures that my father-in-law gave me - they were the only ones he had of himself with his mom and dad - there is also one with his sister. These pics are 50 years old and as you can see, in terrible shape. I've also uploaded the collage I made from them that was published in Woman's Day this month - it's amazing what PSCS can do!

2 comments

Helena's ear

andyapc — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 10:44:54 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): As some of you know, Helena had a terrible accident last Friday night - the top of her ear was almost completely severed. A plastic surgeon sutured it with 20 stitches in the ER. I have calmed down enough now to take some pictures. 1st: the pink/purple bandage, 2 days after it happened. 2nd: the ear this morning - not as bad as I would have expected 3rd: Helena, this morning - not phased one bit As you can see, Helena is one spunky little girl and a little near-amputation didn't phase her at all (while mommy, on the other hand, was just a puddle on the floor waiting to be mopped up). Would you believe Helena asked if she can wear the bandage to school today because it's very "fashion"??? I need some tranquilizers.

12 comments

My border punches (DSU 225)

andyapc — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 23:21:37 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I cannot believe that I am actually grasping the concept of paths. I'll get more elaborate with these down the road - I just wanted to get this portion of Lesson 3 done as I fear I'm falling slightly behind.

6 comments

My Digital Paper Edges (DSU 225)

andyapc — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 23:19:49 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): The black shapes are my edges - not too exciting but I love that I can make any curve I want now!!

6 comments

My flower brushes

andyapc — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 08:57:05 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I couldn't believe it when I saw Lisa's proposed extra homework about the flower brushes - I had just taken on a project where I needed to make my own flower brushes so it was perfect timing! I'm just posting the brushes - I haven't posted the extractions themselves - hope that is OK.

8 comments

silhouette

andyapc — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 00:15:17 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I tried to use this technique on a gymnastics photo (she's on the balance beam). Yep ... need LOTS of practice with editing my path using the magnetic pen tool. What else is new??

9 comments

My tags

andyapc — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 23:41:09 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I'm sorry, I know these are not very creative - it takes me a long time to be creative and time is somewhat scarce these days. I hope I did this right - I created the tags using paths, but when I did this layout for them, I just drew them out as custom shapes with "fill pixels." Is this right?

4 comments

Remember?

andyapc — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 22:50:37 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): **Published in Memory Makers Magazine March 2006!!* My brother and me - then and now. We cannot believe that we're "grown-ups" now - we always used to laugh about being middle aged but now it's here and it's not so funny anymore! The big "40" is looming upon us. I kept this super simple, because I wanted the focus on the photos and journaling. I tried a bunch of background things, but I felt it was too distracting. I used duotones on both photos. Journaling reads: Remember when you would leap off the hearth onto your knees, shaking the house to its foundation? Remember swimming and golfing at Craig Hill? Remember punching me in the same spot on my arm until I gave in? Remember us cheering you on at your soccer games? Remember all of your surgeries? Remember being persona non grata to each other in high school? Remember Mr. Adduci and Miss Leschender? Remember sneaking driving lessons in the blue pinto? Remember the wild house party when Mom and Dad were away? Remember graduation and going our separate ways to college? Remember when I lost my sanity for two years and you could no longer bear to be a witness? Remember your toast at my first wedding? Remember holding your first niece? Remember the night you left to move 3000 miles away with just $200 because that was all I could afford to give? Remember reaching out over those miles late one night, convincing me that divorce was the end of an old chapter and the beginning of new one? Remember how many times I yelled at you, hoping to knock some sense into you during your own period of insanity? Remember not hesitating anymore to say �I love you� to each other? Remember how we grew up? Remember how we grew apart? Remember how we grew close? Remember?

17 comments

Simply as Bear

andyapc — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 01:32:07 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I'm sure every child has their own version of Bear. I live in fear that we will lose Bear or that he's just going to disintegrate - Helena would be just devastated. Journaling reads: He�s been a permanent fixture in our family since day one. He�s your constant companion, your source of comfort, your object of amusement and your best friend. He�s been tossed around, tossed aside and tossed out. He sneaks into the car, the bathtub, the restaurant, photographs and Mommy and Daddy�s bed. He�s been to Virginia and North Carolina and even made it across the border to Canada and back. He travels by both car seat and suitcase. He�s found his way into the washing machine many times and the toilet once. He�s tattered, ripped, faded and, on occasion, emits a funky odor. And every night, long after we�ve tucked you both safely into your bed, we�ll find him clutched tightly in your arms still, ever your loyal and trusted friend. He�s known simply as Bear.

16 comments

Master Gardener

andyapc — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 22:21:37 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): My youngest just loves to garden and she's actually pretty good at it. She obviously inherited her green thumb from her Daddy because I could kill a weed just by looking at it. Journaling reads: Spring couldn't have arrived quickly enough for you. You were just dying to get out and get your hands dirty. The first nice day and *wham* - you threw on your sneakers, grabbed a shovel and, practically pushing Daddy out the door, promptly dove into the nearest garden and dug right in. Our flower beds look terrific and you are one happy little gardener.

9 comments

Blue You

andyapc — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:25:01 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Thanks to another scrapper (Krash), I have discovered a whole new realm of addiction - duotones. I may have to be surgically removed from my computer chair. This is my youngest. I started with duotones and ended with curves and have no idea what I did in between. Not my normal style, but lately I cannot even begin to define normal.

16 comments

My DATC #3 - for Debb a/k/a keeplearning

andyapc — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 19:41:41 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Debb - for your inspiration and friendship, for your kind and gentle nature, for giving me something to strive for - this one's for you. (I must add a note: Without Lisa (a/k/a JAGS), I could not have done this text on a curve - thank you Lisa for your patience and generosity - I sincerely appreciate it.)

8 comments

DATC #2 - andyapc - limited

andyapc — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 13:29:20 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): omg - I haven't left the computer for hours because of these dang DATC's. I am so pathetic. My 4 year old actually made ME lunch today (an apple and a cheese stick and a reeses peanut butter cup ... I raised her right). This is my 2nd DATC and might be my last for awhile - I seriously have to get something of a life that doesn't include my computer chair permanently affixed to my bottom. Brushes from adobe studio exchange and I have absolutely no idea how I did all the colors - I had about 30 layers and lots of clipping masks and color burn blending modes. Who knew?? Limited to 10 - please pm me if you would like one - I'd be honoured!

10 comments

From This Day Forward

andyapc — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:57:21 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Another one for my SIL's wedding album. They made such a beautiful couple! I had a lot of fun working on this album. I blurred the background of the photo to create more of a DOF look and then I applied a VP filter to it (gotta love Virtual Photographer). Floral brush is from 8nero.net (love that site!!) I couldn't find any poems/quotes that I wanted, so I made up my own. Journaling reads: From this day forward, our lives will be forever intertwined. From this day forward, we will forge our own path. From this day forward, hardships will not be fought alone but conquered together. From this day forward, one will reach out a steady hand to the other who falters. From this day forward, we will find comfort and strength in each other. From this day forward, we will know pure joy.

15 comments

DATC - andyapc - limited

andyapc — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:30:12 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): YIPEE - I did it!! I hope I did this right!! And it's all Starling's fault 'cuz she asked for one. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, THE LAST THING I NEED IS ANOTHER ADDICTION. *sigh* - moving on ... this is a limited edition (10 of them). Please PM me if you would like one (what do we do, email the high resolution jpeg version??) swirl brushes by Truly Sarah

9 comments

My Bro

andyapc — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 14:56:57 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): In a chat weeks ago, I mentioned that I had a twin brother who was single and lived in Las Vegas. Sempson and Deeya have asked me since then why I don't post a layout of him. He just came for a visit (it was our 20th high school reunion weekend - AAAAACCCCCKKKKK - I'm still trying to wrap my head around THAT one) and I took this picture of him. No one can believe we're twins - except for our eyes, we look nothing at all alike - he's a foot taller than me and can eat like a machine (well, so can I for that matter, but I'll gain 10 pounds just thinking of twinkie. LIFE IS UNFAIR). We're polar opposites of each other - I'm am East Coast soccer mom living in the suburbs currently trying to get gum off of my computer chair and he's mixing it up with as a bartender at the Palms in Vegas where he makes idle chit chat with the rich and famous on a daily basis. Did I mention life is unfair? (Don't get me wrong - I love my family and wouldn't change my life for anything but WOW - having a drink with Brad Pitt every now and then might just do me wonders!) Circle brush and polka dot paper by me!! (yipeee!!) Anyway, Sempson & Deeya - this one's for you.

26 comments

Sharp Dressed Man

andyapc — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 22:46:16 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I'm doing a wedding album for my SIL and I thought I would try something different - this is my BIL and his 2 best friends. I don't know if I got the perspective right on the frame. They didn't expect to get a Hummer limo and the inside was totally wild - not exactly what they had planned on, but pretty cool nevertheless. Faces are blurred on purpose. Title is a lyric from ZZ Top.

17 comments

Patient - As seen in SS Digi #5

andyapc — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 22:05:12 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I applied a virtual photographer filter to the photo - can't remember which one - and changed the blending mode to luminosity. First time I've worked with these kind of colors - not sure if it looks right, especially since I can't figure out how to tone down all that white in the middle. When Granny Sue is coming over, my youngest will literally sit by the door for hours, waiting for her. This is a conversation that we had last fall while she was sitting on her little chair, waiting by the front door. Mommy? Yes, babe? When is Granny coming? Any minute now. But I don�t see her. She�ll be here. But when? When she gets here. But when is that? When you see her. But I don�t see her! Because she�s not here yet. Oh . (Pause) Mommy? Hmmm? I�m patient. Yes peanut, you sure are.

27 comments

Our Home

andyapc — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 15:21:29 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Well, took me awhile, but I finally did that "gift shop" tutorial at davrodigital - whew (wiping sweat from brow) - looks nothing at all like the tutorial example but at this point, I don't care! Anyway, this is finally "our" home which we bought last year, and I mean that literally as the first house we lived in had been previously owned by my hubby from his 1st marriage. I'm hoping that we make some wonderful memories in this home and that our girls will always want to come back here after they grow up.

19 comments

This is Me

andyapc — Tue, 31 May 2005 20:22:29 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Well, I finally did it. I scrapped myself. I really debated about posting it - kind of makes me feel naked. But I figured, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Had no good pics (I avoid being in front of the camera like the plague) so I took this shot myself with my new camera - used the timer for the first time. Kept the layout very simple because of how much I had to say (I actually shocked myself!). Alpha by neocognition, recolored. Swirl brushes on background from 8nero.net. Journaling reads: I am nothing if not practical ... I believe loyalty and betrayal can never be overrated ... I worry about anything and everything and if there�s nothing to worry about, I worry about that ... I am punctual to a fault ... I need to know �why� ... I am not particularly religious but I believe in Him completely ... I am a compulsive eater ... I have hope, even though it may not seem like it ... I am self conscious ... I value friendship dearly ... I can�t sing worth beans but that doesn�t stop me from belting one out in the privacy of my own car ... I take calculated risks ... I don�t like surprises unless I am totally prepared for them ... I like dogs but not enough to live with one ... I am emotional ... I trust easily the first time, not the second ... I wanted to be a writer, lawyer, wife and rock star, not necessarily in that order ... I grieve for those I never knew but wished I had ... I wholeheartedly agree that there is a time and place for spontaneity ... I cannot and will not live without my computer ... I used to love to fly ... I have regrets but none that haunt me ... I do nothing halfway except meet ... I cry ... I�m 38 and I�m OK with that ... I�m approaching 40 and I�m not so OK with that ... I�m a good cook, much to my mother�s surprise ... I am proud to be Greek ... I�m a survivor of many things ... my patience wears thin quickly ... I would die for my kids ... I am crazy in love with my husband ... I need new clothes ... I analyze/paralyze ... I am more than what I thought I would be ... I believe that simply being a woman is empowering ... I like choices but not too many ... I crave security ... I want fame but am unwilling to pay the price for it ... peanut butter and hot chocolate are vital to my existence ... I have a sense of humor, albeit dry ... I sometimes wonder how we survive ... I love music ... To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book but I�ll never see the movie ... I am my own worst enemy ... I want so much more for my kids ... I am happy and so incredibly fortunate ... This Is Me

52 comments

NomineePackage Deal

andyapc — Mon, 30 May 2005 20:04:54 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): **Published in Creating Keepsakes March 2006!!* This is the 2nd layout for my husband for Father's Day. This is my first attempt at the high key / porcelain effect - is it too stark?? Sunflower came from a photo I downloaded from stock.xchng (Brisa is the photographer). I am forever grateful to my hubby for loving Zoe. Journaling reads: It couldn�t have been easy. Taking a second chance on love is nothing short of a leap of faith. But throw into the mix a little girl who already had a daddy she adored and it�s got disaster written all over it. Zoe and I came as a package deal. You knew that loving me automatically entitled you to a one-way ticket on the parenthood express - no refunds, no returns, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Can I even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you took that ride? Slowly, quietly, you formed a bond with Zoe. You may not be her daddy and you may be her parent by default, but you became her friend by choice. You earned her trust. She loves you. She seeks you out. For that, and a million other reasons, I love you.

27 comments

Together

andyapc — Tue, 24 May 2005 18:22:36 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): **As seen in SS Digital Scrapbooking Issue #4 published 11/2005!!** I think I'm feeling melancholy - my girls are growing up so fast - I blink and *wham* - another year has whipped by. They're 6.5 years apart but they are incredibly close - when they're not spitting mad at eachother. Journaling reads: One of my all time faves of you two. A temporary lull in the cyclone of emotions that is your relationship. I think this picture may very well capture the essence of your affinity for one another. Zoe, the protector, the comforter, the 10 year old voice of wisdom and experience. Helena, the clean slate, the naive but willing and devoted protege. Sisters from the beginning, friends to the end. As for the middle? Well, that's for the two of you to discover together.

23 comments

Daddy & Helena

andyapc — Sat, 21 May 2005 22:51:23 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I have an awesome husband and I thank God for him every day. This is a layout for a Father's Day gift. I took this shot over Thanksgiving and was pretty happy with it, considering I am no photographer! Of course, the filters from Virtual Photographer ROCK. Journaling reads: She made her presence known long before she arrived and once here, she demanded your utmost attention at all times and would settle for nothing less. She is strong, smart, funny, independent and outrageous. She'll have you laughing one minute and infuriated the next. And in a moment like this, she is, above anything else, her daddy's little girl.

24 comments

Time Stands Still

andyapc — Fri, 20 May 2005 21:54:09 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I just found this on my hard drive!! This was a total scraplift of one of Wendi Speziale's layouts from Anklebiter Designs (I think her website has changed from a year ago - I can't find her original layout anymore - if anyone knows where it is, please let me know so that I can link it). I did this layout almost a year ago, when I was first learning how to digi scrap and getting my feet wet with DIP9. I think this may be the only time I have ever scraplifted a layout. This is my friend's daughter, Lily.

15 comments

Until then ...

andyapc — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 23:49:39 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This is my homework for Lesson 3 of DSU220. My oldest daughter is turning 11 tomorrow, and I'm seriously wondering how I'm going to make it through these "tween" and teen years. Her moods change from second to second and we have entered the "ugh, it's my Mom" stage. The sun rises and sets on Daddy, but apparently, I have been moved to the bottom of the food chain. Definition brushes made by me. Swirly background brushes downloaded from 8nero.net. Journaling reads: I should have know how independent you would become. You never were one to cling; where others were shy and hesitant, you were willing and able. You have always been strong willed. Even though these traits are making for some pretty tough moment at the present, I know they will serve you well in the future. But sometimes, just for a second or two, I'll feel selfish and wish you were a little less self-assured, just a bit, so I could feel as if you needed me more. But part of being a mom is knowing when to hold on and knowing when to let go. So, I promise to try. Try to give you more space and savor the rare "I love you" along the way. Try to forget about those moments that are anything but. For now, you need me around. I'm looking forward to the day when you want me around. Until then, know that I love you, just the way you are.

29 comments

Name brush - DSU220 Lesson 3

andyapc — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 14:25:10 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): This actually looks better when stamped on a white background with black ink. Anyway, it was created with a flower from Anna Aspens - although the flower looks pretty faint here. Oh well! Very very basic ... just wanted to get the steps down.

9 comments

Every child is an artist - DSU220 Lesson 2

andyapc — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 21:45:41 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): Lesson 2 homework! This is my youngest daughter, Helena, on the day we went to the park to paint her tote bag for preschool. I was really drawing a blank as to how to use brushes on this photo, so I fell back on my habitual graphic style with a black background *sigh*. I applied the ambience filter from Virtual Photographer to the photo. I used Brush #134 in the default brushes for the "grass" and adjusted all the options for it. Although it's hard to tell, I used the Azalea Brush #69 from PSCS Special Effects Brushes to create the edging on the picture. Journaling reads: Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up (pablo picasso). Font is goodfish.

22 comments

DSU220 - Lesson 1 homework

andyapc — Sun, 03 Apr 2005 12:43:59 -0400

by: andyapc

Description & Credits (Please give credit if you use the work of others! No commercial scrapping sites or acronyms. Designer and/or kit name only.): I had a very hard time with creating a realistic looking torn edge. I finally stopped tweaking and just left it, as is. I'll keep practicing and try to upload another.

11 comments