Babsarella's Pocketful of Sunshine

Happy Anniversary....

To my BIL and SIL....

Hope you received the card.

We are wishing you a most happy and beautiful day! Congratulations on 28 (I think) years!!

Tags and movies...

Howdy blogger friends! Hope your Wednesday is going well. I am all psyched for the new season of Project Runway this evening!!! As I mentioned yesterday, I finally finished the tags I was working on so I thought I'd share. I used distress inks and paints to create the backgrounds. Then the images were stamped on paper and colored with Prisma pencils. I restamped the face area on grungeboard, added some color, and attached over the paper version of that image. I'm not sure why, but this first tag reminds me of Alice in Wonderland for some reason.

  I have always loved these quirky images, so when I saw them at Stampfest, well I just couldn't resist. This second tag has a sort of travel theme goin, so I am planning to put it in one of my travel journals.

Here you can get a better view of the text I added.

I think I may have shared this one before, but I recently added the stars. The stamped grungeboard was left from one of my other tags, so I just used a Sizzix die and created the stars. I was bummed to find out that grungeboard is a bit too thick to go in a hand punch, but then again, it probably would not have come out very well anyway (or I would have killed my hand muscles trying).

I spent several hours dealing with photo stuff last night...downloading, tweaking, adding frames to some photos, saving in various locations, etc. The tweaking in Photoshop is definitely addictive and really does take quite a bit of time, but I do think the end results make it worthwhile. Only problem is that so much computer work starts to make my eyes tired and watery. I finished about 9:30pm and then decided to watch one of the movies I picked up at Blockbuster. Miss B had been watching Step Up 2 (while watching a tv show in between) and really enjoyed it. Then I selected College Road Trip. I wanted to see it in the theater when it first came out, but just ran out of time before it left. Well, OMG....it was the CUTEST movie!!! I totally loved it. And Albert the pig....squeal...I LOVE HIM! (I have always wanted a pig but someone in my house won't even think of it. He tells me that Miss 4 legged B is plenty and besides, her nickname is Pork Cutlet).  So, getting back to the movie...it is certainly not Oscar material, but lots of fun and lots of laughs.

Well, that's about all for now...Have a great evening and I hope to catch ya again tomorrow!

Photoshop experimenting and a couple movies...

More Photoshop experimentation...

Still chillin with the movies. Wednesday evening was Veronica Guerin. This film stars Cate Blanchett (who always does the most incredible job) as a journalist in Ireland reporting on the drug problem. It was most interesting, partly because I really didn't know much about the drug problem in Ireland, and how some of the laws they had created an even worse situation. It is not a light or happy movie, but if you like films about courageous people, I highly recommend it. Last evening I watched Eastern Promises. It was pretty gruesome with throat slashings and making dead bodies untraceable. The story was ok (it deals with the Russian mob in London) but it would not be high on my list of recommended movies.  

Hope to catch something at the movies this evening...haven't decided what just yet. Tomorrow I can finally get my hair done (yay!), and I hope to find some time for a little creating. Miss B comes home late tomorrow evening.

Hope you are having a FAB FRIDAY! Catch ya real soon..

Happy Wednesday...

 Hope your week is going well. Mark and I celebrated his birthday last evening with me making a spaghetti dinner at home and then watching the movie The Great Debaters. This was such a good movie. I love watching movies where the characters are motivated, persistant, and able to rise above their challenges. We did have to pause a few times for the birthday boy to take a couple phone calls from family.

  Of course we also received a call from Miss B. She felt bad being away for her Dad's special day, but this was the only time that would work for her Texas trip, so she made sure to have his card ready before she left. We had a fun time shoppin for cards from the girls (me, Miss B, and Miss 4 legged B). We are always on the look-out for bulldog cards (yes, I do occasionally purchase cards), and we found 3 at Target that were too perfect. They went over big (as did the handmade card I posted yesterday).

The card in this post is one that I made last Sunday in my creative frenzy. The pencil stamps are one of the new purchases from Stampfest and they are made by Lost Coast Designs. The focal image (Paperbag Studios) was stamped on paper, and then again on grungeboard. Then, the image of the man was cut from the grungeboard and mounted over his image on paper. The only thing that I don't care for with the grungeboard stamping is that is is not easy to read the text on his jacket. I have also been using Prisma pencils to add a little color to his face, but I find that I need to wait a bit (or maybe set with heat) for the ink to dry so it won't smear. I am looking forward to playing some more using these new products and fun techinques, but it will probably be later in the week. I picked up 4 movies I have been wanting to watch on Monday, and still have 3 more to go. 

I'll try to post again tomorrow with another card...till then...sending my best wishes your way...

Highlights from Orlando....

It was a busy weekend in Orlando. Miss B spent much of the time in the hotel with her team either competing, getting ready to compete, and supporting team members. She was in 3 different team dances which were on Friday. The production number (which had all members of the junior and senior teams took first place in the production number category. That meant that they had to compete again on Sunday evening in the Showcase. Well, they were thrilled to also win first place production number in the Showcase too! Now, I don't totally understand why they compete against the same groups they competed against on Friday, but that was the case. Anyhow, Friday snuck away for a few hours to the Florida Mall, since Miss B's dances were not until later in the afternoon. Saw a really cool store with a surfing area right inside (I kid you not).

On Saturday, I decided to head over to Stampfest 2008. I had never been to a rubber stamp convention and was anxious to see what I might find.

I found all sorts of pretty things, but my most favorite booth was Stampers Anonymous. They had Mr. Ted Cutts doing some great demos and since I have many of the things already at home, I decided that I really must try some of his great techinques.

I also got a demo on the Zutter binding system (which I am sorry to say I have had at home from a long time and never used). I will be pullin this thing out too because it was super easy to use. On Saturday evening, we headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. I was superexcited to see they still had Wolfgang Puck's restaurant and we were early enough to get a table pretty quick. (I loved the one by us, but it left the mall and I was so sad.) We also got inside just in time to avoid a major downpour (which happens almost every afternoon in the summer).

On Sunday, while Miss B was still with the team (and the dancing was not until late), Mark and I headed over to Disney's Animal Kingdom. He went on the new Expedition Everest rollercoaster (while I waited). After he came off, I was SUPER HAPPY I didn't ride it!! We also did the safari (tons of animals were out) and then headed over to Epcot. On our way there we got selected to be an honorary family of Disney, which prettymuch only gave us a certificate, a couple of buttons, and a ride in a golf cart to our car. Mark was hoping for a free meal!

In Epcot, our first stop was for some food. We tried to eat Mexican, but they were full for the day. We decided to get a margarita for the road, and headed on to another restaurant. We got lucky in Italy and had a lovely meal there. After that, we took in a few more rides (The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Mission: Space, and Test Track). We then headed back to the hotel to clean up and watch the Showcase.

Monday we headed out early and made our first stop back in Epcot. We wanted to see a new ride called Soarin, but the line was too long on Sunday, so that was our first stop. The ride gives you the sensation of hang gliding over California.

  After that, we took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom (Blair's choice). It was much more crowded on Monday, so we were concerned about how much we would be able to do, but we made a plan and got on all but one thing.   This was our first stop. Had to see it with Jack Sparrow in different places. Plus there was very little wait.

  Mark is checkin out our next move...

  And Mark managed to take a photo that was not blurry!

  It was a fun day and the weather held up in til about 5pm. Once the clouds rolled in, it was time to head out. We even got lucky and rode with the driver in the front of the monorail. Quite a different perspective. Especially with all sorts of lightening on an electrical track!! We arrived home quite late and prettymuch just dropped our bags, picked up the pupper from Mom, got cleaned up (boy was it hot!) and headed off to dreamland.

I have been playing catch-up ever since!!

Miss B and I did manage to catch a movie...The Jane Austen Book Club. LOVED IT!!

Well, gotta get busy makin a card for the almost-birthday-boy. It is a BIG one this year!

A few new things and a little trip

We are getting ready to head up to Orlando for Miss B's Nationals Dance Competition, so I wanted to share a few things that I recently worked on...First up is this card

I used the face from Stampers Anonymous with a Character Constructions body. Background papers are from Basic Grey. The lacey stamp to the left is from Paperbagstudios.

  Next, another card where I used this little photo I had around and I also sewed on some material in the background and used a little piece of batting behind the buttons. Just one of those cards where I was playing around, using up odds and ends. (It looks better IRL than it does in the photo).

  Yet another card...I had colored the image (Stampers Anonymous) and had no time to finish the card til last night. More fun using up scraps. I have lots and lots of scraps. I could probably never buy any more paper and still make tons of cards. That is why I am trying to use lots of self-restraint when I see pretty new papers.

  Just a little closer view of the fairy on the card. I found the 'french fairy' text and thought it would be fun to use for this image. Of course, she had to have some sophisticated French clothes. Ever notice that French clothing has rich and interesting color combinations? Well, that is what I was going for here. It is kind of hard to tell, but the little thing on her collar is a rhinestone. There is also an epoxy sticker on top of her hat over the number 76.

Last, but not least, here is the completed project that I started in my class. I put a little paper in the background and attached the canvas. The frame is pretty deep, so it worked perfectly with all the hardware and such that is on the front of the canvas.

I Finally got a chance to see the film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. This is a French film about a man who was the editor of French Elle magazine and quite the playboy, but has a stroke which now leaves him in a condition called 'locked-in syndrome'. Having only the use of 1 eye and his mind, he wants to die, but he eventually accepts his fate and through the assistance of his therapists, he is able to find a way to communicate and write a book. The story is told through his voice. It is powerful and at times hard to watch, but the acting is amazing. This film is certainly not for everyone, but I recommend it if this sounds like something you might enjoy.

As I mentioned, We are heading up to Orlando for the dance competition. This is the final activity of Miss B's year on the team. Although she was happy to be asked to participate in this, she has realized that it is a BIG time commitment, and she has too many other interests to stay on the team. She plans to continue her regular dance classes, but by discontinuing her team practices, she should have more free time for school activities such as clubs and drama.

While we are in Orlando, I am hoping to get to Stampfest 2008 in Kissimmee, and we all three look forward to spending a day or two in a Disney park. Miss 4 legged B will be going to the doggie spa.

Hope you have a most enjoyable weekend, and I'll catch ya when I get back!

p.s. Yes, I tweaked and played with all these photos in PSE 6.0 before putting in this post.

Playin in PS Elements...

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been playing around in PS Elements. I love all the cool effects I see in different photos online, especially where the colors are just so gorgeous and dreamy. The Urban Acid action is my favorite, but I also adore so many other photos where the colors seem to just pop, or emulate the photos of another era. I know most of the tweakin goin on is in full blown Photoshop, but since I have the scaled down Elements version, I wanted to see how close I could come. Now, I am certainly not PS savy, and I even purchased a book, but I think a lot of the learning is just having time to play and experiment with all the different features. So that is what I did.

First up is this photo of some roses which has been tweaked with a filter or two, then added some inked edges and text.

 This is the original photo...

  Next up is one of the beach photos I took over Memorial weekend with Miss B and her friends. I was going for a 1960's sort of feel, and I am pretty happy with the results...

  Here is the original...

  This is the bakery where we often eat at the beach. I tried to 'warm' it up and then I added some text on top for fun...

  Here is the original photo...