Mele Kalikimaka from the Far Side of the Sea

Mele Kalikimaka! This is a page from my 2009 journal.


Far side of the sea, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.
A few days ago we went dpwntown to view the huge gingerbread display and wandered in to a gift shop where I found this beautiful shell enameled in my favorite colors. It had to come home with me of course!

Yesterday I remembered how much it reminded me of the sketch I had done so I was anxious to combine them and share a bit of Hawaii with you for the holidays!

Merry CHRISTmas

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

— John 3:16 (NIV)

Something to Think About

Making Christmas Special: Why I Gave Up:
http://www.incourage.me/2011/12/an-unlimited-time-offer.html
'via Blog this'

Another Peek

abcs1, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.
Progressing. Its the perfect day to be inside creating. Outside we are experiencing Hawaiian snow (aka: rain) but this also means the waves are good. 

A Sneak Peek

Here is a peek at a project I am working on. I will try to post as I go along.
abcs, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.

My Rooted Technology Meme

I came across this meme here and decided to give it a whirl. Obviously I am a beginning genealogist and one that is not much more interested than in her own personal family story at this juncture. None the less its a great meme to go through since there is so much information in the original one that may lead to wonderful resources and ideas to further my search. So its clear I have NO genealogy tech cred but as you can see I now know some things to work on!

If you want to join in the fun and show off your own tech cred, here are the rules for the My Rooted Technology meme:

• Technology you already use: bold face type
• Technology you would like to use or learn more about: italicize (color optional)
• Technology you don’t use, have no interest in using or no longer use: plain type
• Explain or give opinions in brackets [     ] at the end of each bullet point

1. I have a tablet computer such as an iPad that I use for genealogy[not yet . . . toying with the idea though]
2. I have downloaded one or more apps to a Smart Phone or similar device.
3. I belong to a genealogy society that uses social media. [This may change once we are settled in one place but that is a ways off still].
4. I use GEDCOM files and understand the various compatibility issues involved. [Are you kidding me? I'm a newbie] 
5. I have added metadata to some of my files and digital photos.
6. I have utilized an API from a genealogy-related application or website.
7. I have taken a DNA test related to my genealogy research.
8. I have used the FamilySearch Research Wiki. 
9. I have a Facebook account and use it regularly for genealogy.[I need to check in to how people are using fb for genealogy.]
10. I use tech tools to help me cite my sources in genealogy research. 
11. I have developed a genealogy-related app for a Smart Phone or similar device. 
12. I use a genealogy database program (Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic etc.)
13. I use cloud computer resources to store my genealogy data.
14. I have made one or more contributions to the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
15. I have attended a genealogy webinar.
16. I have organized and administered a DNA testing group related to my genealogy.
17. I use apps involving GPS and Geo-caching for my genealogy research. 
18. I have a Google+ account and use it regularly for genealogy.
19. I have created and published a family history e-book. [Heritage album]
20. I have create a wiki related to my genealogy research.
21. I have conducted a genealogy webinar as a presenter. 
22. I read genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research.
23. I have one or more genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research.
24. I have a Twitter account and use it regularly for genealogy.
25. I have one or more genealogy-related websites which I run and administer. 
26. I have created a screencast or video related to genealogy and posted it at a video sharing site (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.). 
27. I use one or more digital tools to capture and record my family history.

Zen for the day

bw zens 10, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.
This one is fairly small and simple but I really like it. For those of you seeing this on fb...why not give it a try and share your work? I'd love to see them!

Another Zen Diddy

bw zens 2, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.
Another recently scanned piece. I have a series of these tiny works compiled and bound in a mini book. Any ideas what else to do with them?

A Little Zen Goodness

bw zens 11, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.
I have been wanting to do some scanning of work I have piled up and finally got my scanner to cooperate so here is a tiny piece to enjoy. Do you like the pink addition to it or prefer all black and white? 

Why I Scrap and Do Family History

I just finished reading this article and thought to myself how happy I am that I have begun to record the stories of our family. Years ago while the girls were in school I had their grandparents come and tell about their experience with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was priceless and many of the stories they told had never been heard before by my husband; their son. They had both taken the time to write down some notes and now I need to take the time to be sure I know exactly where those notes are.
We are planning a visit over to the island they live on and I have a running list of questions and things I want to cover with both of them as well as the other older relatives.
It all comes down to this...if WE don't tell our story...who will?

Rhonda's Journey

This is a mixed media collage for Rhonda. Because 30 years is a long time. And just because. She knows why. It was done on a 18x24 canvas.
The writing is a quote from A.A.Milne -
"We'll be friends forever, won't we Pooh?" asked Piglet.
"Even longer." Pooh answered.
And the JOURNEY...continues.

In the mood to CREATE...wait...create....wait...

I decided to do some art work this morning and began by scanning and printing some of my original work to use in a nifty crafty project idea I saw on alisa burke's blog. (specifically the garland)
So I thought I would use my Silhouette to cut my circles since my largest circle punch is only 1" and I wanted them larger. Then I realized I had not installed the program to my new laptop which I have had for how many months now? Okay. So install software. YAY! Wait! WHAT? Only 50 images? Arrrggg...need to reload all 12K images for the second time. SIGH.
Decide to write blog entry while waiting. 4K downloaded. Decide to talk to daughter. Return to blog entry. 6K done. Begin to lose interest in nifty crafty project idea. Drink coffee. Wait. Wait. Wait. 7K. This is aggravating to someone who wants to CREATE SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.

12 minutes later. Added a change to a watercolor to hang above my desk. I had the van Gogh quote, "The more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." on the painting but it was really difficult to read so I rewrote it on white paper and added it. Much better.
10K.

30 seconds......
TADA!!!
Now to cut circles.

Greetings!

Merry Everything!

Already Using My Logbook

Last night I was inspired to gather ALL my bits and pieces of stories I have sitting around in way too many various places and find a system that works to organize them. At first it was a bit over whelming to see everything piled up including notebooks, binders, scraps, backs of envelopes, etc. The binders are from writing classes and workshops I have completed but story ideas and beginnings were scattered throughout them so I pulled them from the binders. I did the same thing with the remaining pile of stuff. I ended up with a pile of papers that seemed far more manageable. I then began to divide them into categories which for me ended up being only three; story telling methods, ideas of stories I want to tell, and stories I had already begun to write.

For "storytelling methods" I have, over time, compiled a variety of interviews, questions, memory sparkers, and techniques to invite either myself or someone else to tell a story I want to bring to mind and eventually record in my scrapbooks or family history books. I guess you could say this is the HOW of my storytelling.
Due to the classes and workshops I've done, I had a nice little pile of "stories I had already begun to write" out but either had not yet finished, or still needing polishing or a place to store them long term until I was ready to add them to the books. These were all hand written stories versus those that are stored in my laptop. I have yet to develop a good system of "stream of consciousness writing" on the computer so I often prefer to hand write memories as it allows me to doodle and let more memories come to the surface.
Under "ideas of stories I want to tell" was more a listing of incomplete thoughts that are meant to trigger my memory when I sit down to write.  You know those brainstorming moments when you recall random things from childhood that you want to expound on but don't have the time to record right then? Or the little comments you hear at a family gathering that you know will need more added to it to become an actual story? Sadly I had no way to track these great but random ideas other than this messy pile of scraps and bits.
I decided to use the "STORY LIST" that came with my LogYourMemory logbook and recorded all the topics I hope to cover and tossed all the tiny scraps and bits of paper away. On a day where I am focused on writing it should be easy to grab my logbook, review the topic ideas and choose one or add a topic to the list as they come to mind. The stories that are more complete are now stored in my genealogy binders until needed. And all the ideas for collecting stories are in their own folder. I think I am set!
I would love to know how you organize your stories before they are ready for printing. Do you have a system or idea that might help me? Please share!

TA-DA!

FINALLY got my wireless printer set up so that we can both print from it wirelessly!!! A seemingly small accomplishment but HUGE from my perspective! Already printed a pedigree chart and family group sheet for R's genealogy! This also means the scanner is now located next to my work table so its easier to scan old photos and new art work.

Another small task I accomplished today was getting my Log Your Memory logbook ready for 2012. Much simpler this year since I used it in 2011 and had the tabs and dividers all done. And this time I opted to get the printed version instead of printing it myself.

Upcoming Classes/Workshops

Twelve (bigpictureclasses) with Stacy Julian - 1 Jan
Roundup Your Memories (bigpictureclasses) with Katie the Scrapbook Lady - 5 Jan

I also have 18 short self-paced workshops to go through at bigpicture but I won't bore you with all that info until I am actually working on them!

I mentioned I did Storyology with Ali Edwards though there are a few more prompts that I want to think through a bit more in the next few days. I also have Scrapbook on the Road from Ali that I plan to do before I take our next trip (which is over New Year's so I best get moving on that shortly!)

Jumble of things

I have been busy but not on here. I decided it might be best to just do a list of some things I wanted to share.
ART:
- Created some art work for holiday gifts for the family but waiting to post pictures til after they are given. - Finished 3 paintings (hmmm...where are those photos?)

SCRAPBOOKING:
 - Did Ali Edwards' STORYOLOGY workshop with Patti
- Finished Text FX class - Completed Scraphic Design Foundations with Tiffany Tillman
- Waiting on feedback from that class so I can move on to Core class
- Ordered my Log Your Memories logbook for 2012
- Added some quotes and tags to my One Little Word album

GENEALOGY:
- Continuing to grow as family history curator; making good progress on the family trees and gathering stories to include in future projects.

LIFE:
- Got a smart phone and am actually learning to use it. LOVE IT! Don't know how I lasted so long without one.
- Emiko is recovered from her emergency surgery (October).
- She had a rough 2 days back in the middle of November with at least 10 seizures in less than 36 hours. Neurologically she is struggling but seems to be more herself every day. It is a slow process but we are all adjusting. We are continuously grateful that we are able to be at home with her and monitoring her most of the time as opposed to her being in a family where she is at home while everyone has to work. Randy tells her often she doesn't need to worry about being such a handful and having so many special needs. That's why she is ours; we don't mind. It melts my heart to hear him.
- Pondering my One Little Word for 2012

 I was trying to make this a complete entry but since no one actually reads this I am gonna let it go as is. right now.
wOW. The formatting is all jacked up. ah well.

So this is one of my BIG projects for 2012. Patti and I are both taking the class which will be especially nice to keep us "together" after I leave the island. THAT is another BIG project for 2012 and not one I am happy about or looking forward to. But it is what it is so....moving on. I have some things to do to get ready for it and somehow I keep forgetting about it. I figure if I post about it it may help me get on the ball and get it ready before 1 Jan!

What number are you?

Apparently I am the 2,935,665,927th person alive on Earth
and the 76,495,371,580th person to have lived since history began.

Find out YOUR number here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515

LOAD Completed

LOAD officially ended 30 Sept but our instructor just posted this cute little medal for us so I thought I would add it here and give you my final count of pages completed!

-Completed one chipboard mini-book
-Completed 47 (YES FORTY-SEVEN) layouts in one month

YAY ME!! So here is my medal:

Notes on the Journey: Software anticipation

Imagine my fingers drumming on the table top.....sigh...
Notes on the Journey: Software anticipation

Steve Jobs' Quotes

Since I am not a MAC, it may seem strange that I would post about Steve Jobs. It shouldn't though. (Remember that I am a PC by marriage not choice!) Below you will find a link to his complete commencement address made in June 2005. Here are some of my favorite quotes from that speech which should give you greater insight to me or confirm what you already know and explains why I would write about Steve Jobs.

"...much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on."

"I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating."

"..you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

"Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice."

"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life."

Text of Steve Jobs' Commencement address (2005):

'via Blog this'

Annie Vought

Beautiful work that shows the artistry of the hand written letter.
Annie Vought

Another Trip Documented

After completing the title for our trip to Yellowstone Mount Rushmore, I decided to finish up my scrapbook pages for that trip. We went on this trip way back in 2000 and I've had photos attached to pages for quite some time but never added any journaling or memorabilia to them making them more than a little boring to look at. I won't say they are the best pages I've ever done (they aren't) but they are done and I am content with them.
These pages make a second completed chapter in what will eventually become "Our Trips with Grandparents" album and that is pretty exciting to me. I have also decided to add 8 pages to my LOAD count (even though I finished more pages than that I feel like I really only completed these 8. Either way I am happy they are done and in our Places We Go album (Vol 2).

Text FX Work

Another class done and here are the projects we completed. What an awesome class and Tiffany Tillman is a wonderful teacher. There is so much more to explore n the world of typeography and I am excited to be able to begin adding in new techniques to my work.
Which one do you like?

LOAD Progress Report

I am SO excited with the progress I am making with LayOutADay (LOAD)! Of course I am not following it to the letter but have adapted it to get some projects done that I've either dropped the ball on or just plain forgot about. As of yesterday we were to have completed 17 layouts. Here is my count:
-Completed one chipboard mini-book for Caity's Prom
-Completed 36 layouts that documented a huge trip of the East Coast we did with Randy's parents back in 2006. For now this is an album in its own right but will become a section of a larger album that includes all the various trips we have taken with his parents over the years. I am thrilled with it and am already working on a second trip!
-Completed 1 layout for "Our Trip to Yellowstone Mount Rushmore"

No matter how you want to count the mini-book (as 1 layout or as 8 pages) I am still ahead of things and oh-so-very-happy with my progress!

Some lessons learned: I don't really LOVE paper scrapping (unless it is for a specific SPECIAL layout)
1) it is much harder to get color matches
2) you cannot resize photos
3) sharing layouts is difficult and requires additional steps of photographing the layouts, uploading them to both your computer and a photo sharing site
4) there are few ways to batch process pages making the entire process far slower than digital. Doing one layout a day means getting out your supplies, working on that page, putting everything away and then repeating that process every single day.

Result: Patti and I decided we can do this more efficiently with a few of our own tweaks applied to LOAD. We created a checklist of sorts and hope to give it a trial run sometime in October as we work on getting the remainder of our LOM category drawers emptied out.

September Online Classes (that I am taking)

Just to keep things straight in my own little pea brain...here are the classes I am currently participating in (while still doing Log Your Memory 2011 Challenge, One Little Word and creating a year long look at our life using Cathy Zielske's "The Monthly"). No wonder I have not been doing much in my art journal, sketch books or on canvas lately.

LOAD Update

I haven't posted anything about LOAD recently but that's not because I haven't been working on it. The class is broken in to 2 stages; the first 9 weeks was "Training" and now we are into the "Marathon" stage where we work on a layout every day! That step began 1 September so here is my update.

Patti and I both found that we didn't have a huge need for the prep stage since we are both into our 4th year of LOM. We have things pretty well organized and know our styles and likes and dislikes. Laine does a great job of helping you work through those topics if you aren't familiar with LOM though. We both had previously identified a bunch of photos, papers, stories, ideas, etc that we really wanted to scrap but for whatever reason we just hadn't. I placed all my stuff into a plastic file binder with each idea, etc in a separate section. On `1 Sept I read through Laine's prompt/suggestion but ended up just pulling a set of photos from my file binder along with the papers, etc that I chose for it.
I ended up doing TWO layouts actually! One is page of a trip to Philly and another is a trip to Rushmore. Today went really well despite not having any idea of what I was going to do. I haven't even read Laine's prompt for today btw and its now 850 pm. However, I pulled a group of photos from my binder again and completed 5 pages from a trip to Williamsburg, and 2 pages from a trip to Lancaster PA.
Total number of pages so far...9!! We are only trying to one a day but when the scrapping juju is working go with it, right?
I originally intended to work on Caity's prom photos but I never got around to ordering the photos. I did that yesterday but then didn't end up going over to pick them up. That led to working on the photos I described above. I also ordered some additional prints from Jamestown and Williamsburg (about 90) I discovered when doing my massive backup recently. I have now decided to put those all in a PAS (Photo Album Scrapbook) since there are so many of them.
OH! I just remembered I did a digital layout today as well from a trip to Lewes DE to see the tall ships so current total is TEN!!!

TextFX - Another online class

I forgot to mention that I am doing another online class called TextFX with Tiffany Tillman.


This class is being taught at ReneePearson.
Like many people I have a weird obsession with fonts and type and text in general so I super excited to learn more about this!

All I seek in painting

Fortunately for me I do not hanker after victory any more and all that I seek in painting is a way to make life bearable. ~ van Gogh (written to his brother Theo after his 4th Sunflower painting; creed adopted by me long ago!)

Working and enjoying watching "Vincent"

This is a test...

feel free to ignore it!

Tangled Alphabet video

This darling alphabet was created by a fellow tangler and her daughter created the video. The artwork is beautiful and the video is just charming! Enjoy!

Retouched Photo

Here is a scan of an original family photo that I have.
And now after retouching in PSE8. Any feedback? I've just begun to try my hand at this so any hints you can add are welcomed!
In looking at them again I wonder if I should have left the architectural feature to his left? And I think I may have blended too much between the table and the wall. What do you think?

Scribbler art

scribbler art, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.

This is just a quick little thing I did on Scribbler this morning and then combined the 2 images in PSE. I see that I missed removing some of the background but oh well.

Digital photo repair

My MIL wrote in my dh's childhood album that this was her favorite photo of him. I have to agree he is pretty stinking cute! But the photo was badly damaged as you can see.

I decided to try and repair it a bit in PSE8. Here is my result. Not bad huh?

So this is the LO I created for it. I hope she likes it! I know I do. What do you think?

Borrowed from Notes on the Journey: Ideas on Staying Creative

This is a great little video to watch periodically when you are feeling blocked creatively.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Notes on the Journey: Ideas on Staying Creative: "- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad"

Done!

Its a minor accomplishment and really only means something to me but my 10K plus photos are backed up on flickr and dvd. I started the process on 3 July. I won't wait as long next time.
Actually it is now a part of my monthly digital processing checklist
(credit to Katiethescrapbooklady)

Do YOU have a set time to back up your digital pictures?

BTW...if you go to my flickr account and can't see my 10k+ photos, don't freak out. I have them in a COLD STORAGE file that only I can see. It's for backup only. And other than photos I post here on my blog and all my art work, my photos are visible only to family and friends. If you can't see them and think you should be able to, let me know!

LOAD week 3

Still hard at work organizing digi stuff but took the time to work through the LOAD assignments for this week.

Homework Assignment: Be a detective in your own scrapbooking. Think about the kinds of pages you’re creating, and the kinds of pages you’d LIKE to create. Since taking Library of Memories(LOM),now known as Finding Photo Freedom (FPF) for the past few years I enjoy scrapbooking SO much more than ever before. I've taken some design classes and found the style I like and for the most part I stick with it. I still like to try different things now and again but know the look I like for my scrapping pages.
Layout Assignment: Create a layout in the way that you “normally” scrapbook, whatever that is. Here is one I whipped out this morning using items from Jessica Sprague.

I am so beautiful, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.

Photo Assignment: It’s self-portrait day! I know you hate it – we all do. Find a way to get a photo of yourself—mirror, selftimer, a kid.

LOAD week 2

Homework Assignment: Start small. Identify one area of your scrapbooking “space,” whether that’s a kitchen cabinet or the entire basement, and spend 15 minutes organizing. Try to do this a couple of times this week.
I feel really good about the organizing progress I've made this week. Between beginning to get things together for a garage sale (things are priced, boxed and waiting to be added to) and my digi organizing I think I have more than met this objective.

Layout Assignment: During your organizing process, pull out a few items that you forgot you had. Use them on a layout this week. Yesterday I was finally able to use some of my digi kits and templates that I've been wanting to use for a LONG time and got 13 pages for my 2011 Monthly book ready. Its amazing how fast you can do this stuff once you have a great system going. I cannot tell you how essential I now think it is to have organizing software for scrapbooking. I should have bought it long ago. Here is one of LOs I did last night.


Photo Assignment: Photograph something that makes you smile. It could be a kid, a kitten, a clematis – your choice. I had to post this picture because I took the photo and then Caity came in a while later and said, "This just makes me smile!"

Week In The Life | Ali Edwards

Just a reminder this is coming up very soon!Week In The Life | Ali Edwards

A freebie for scrappers

More Digi Organizing

I spent the day working through a small number of photos today and documenting my digital workflow system. Basically this just means the steps you go through once you upload your photos from your camera until you produce a physical page to place into your album and everything that happens in between! Since everyone's equipment, software, objectives are different I won't bore you with the details of my workflow. If you are curious or need something to get you started on yours just contact me and I am happy to share it with you.

I am finding the learning curve with ACDSee to be a bit frustrating as I am anxious to make strides with my digi pix like I have with my traditional photos. Patti came to work with/help me again today and I am SO grateful! Its always nice to have some one sitting with you as you mumble about batch processing the IPTC and if that is even possible with your program (which it isn't! Grrr!) and especially if they don't look oddly at you while you do. And in this case, she even knows what that means and can help me figure it out! (Pretty awesome considering she doesn't use the same software and is a MAC person!)

Here's a look at my LOM closet last year and this year.

Studio Move and ACDSee

"The best laid schemes of mice and men...go oft awry..."
ah! So true.

Seems that it was just a few months ago that I relocated my art studio upstairs and had settled in. This weekend found me moving it back downstairs once again. Its no big deal as to why but it is a change none the less. Here is the UP side...I was able to clear out some things I haven't used and tossed them. That always makes me happy. Also with my recent scrapping projects I was able to clear out tons of those items as well. It is rewarding to see my traditional paper scrapping area getting smaller and using less space! On the other hand (and I DON'T consider this a DOWN side by any means) is my art supplies have grown tenfold! *L* They now occupy about 2/3 of my space.

More UP side:
-I do like being in the main part of the house surrounded by my family and not having to go up and down stairs is a blessing.
-Emi's pen is next to me so its much easier to keep an eye on her, monitor her seizures, and let her in and out.
-Randy set me up with dual screens for my computer which is pure luxury while working on digital projects.
-I can get my easel outside much easier!

So while I may have lost a day to moving things I feel even more organized and ready to go than I did before.

Adding to that is my new software, ACDSee 12. Having completed the Jessica Sprague class on organizing digi supplies and then actually organizing my supplies I was ready to move on to my photos. I am currently plodding my way thru creating categories and rating pix. Then I decided to do something absolutely brilliant and WAY OVERDUE...I am backing up my photos on discs. So far I have 5 dvd's done with 2 more large files to copy. Feeling very accomplished I must say.

What are you doing this weekend for fun? What's your latest organizing project?

Why I Scrapbook

tn Brown Eyed Girl, originally uploaded by Trish Nonaka.

In one of the classes I am taking at Big Picture Classes, LOAD (LayOut A Day) with Lain Ehmann, we are to examine WHY we scrapbook. Here is my response.

I scrap as a creative outlet.
I scrap to capture moments I don't want to forget; both big events and daily life.
I scrap to share our story as a family.
I scrap to share our faith with future generations. I want them to know they inherit a legacy of faith and belief in Jesus.
I scrap because I want to reflect on the gifts and goodness God has given me.
I scrap to remember where and who I came from.
I scrap to share inner thoughts and dreams.
I scrap to leave a tangible way of touching loved ones when I'm no longer here.

If you scrap, leave me a comment as to why you do.

Scrapbooking Update

Yes occassionally I blog about my scrapbooking progress here as well as my art. Today is one of those days. You might notice a new "blinkie" on the side bar that looks like this:



My friend Patti and I have been hard at work on our photos and using our LOM system to its utmost. Even if you know nothing about the method you will still understand that in 3 days I:
- emptied 9 storage binders of photos from 1981-2005
- created over 20 more pages for albums
- created one complete album of Randy's adventure in Hokkaido
- staged an additional 20 plus pages for an upcoming class we plan to take the end of this month

- and placed all the remaining photos into categories (4 drawers total; all labelled and organized so yes, I can put my fingers on a particular photo in just a few minutes time!) That means that EVERY UNSCRAPPED printed photo I have in my stash is now living in the sum total of only 4 drawers measuring 4x6x18in. And every one of those has room to spare. Essentially, I am caught up!

That was last week....
This week brings me back to the blinkie. The photos that I mention above are all printed photos. I still have GOBS of digi pictures on my hard drive. I've found I rarely print individual photos these days and only print out complete layouts all ready to place into my albums. That is the general rule and yes there are exceptions. But I digress...

Since the majority of my scrapping and photo keeping is now digital, I invested in ACDSee (an organizational tool) and just completed a class on the program. I've been BUSY adding all my digi supplies to the catalog, adding/organizing/deleting folders and files, etc. I cannot wait to use this system in the near future (hopefully this doesn't confuse you but I have mine set up the same as my LOM system). I still need to work through my photos (Previously used PSE8 to organize them but didn't like that much...LOVE it for editing but organizing.)

I also moved all my scans of my artwork over to ACDSee to organize those as well.
Hopefully I will get all this work done, get a nice workflow going and will be posting here more regularly than I have been recently. Just didn't want you to think I left the planet!

Tsunami Doodling

The color blotches were already on the paper and I just began doodling over the top of them in an effort to practice a style similar to ancient Japanese woodblock prints. I thought it was kinda fun but didn't go back to do a more finished piece. Maybe some time in the future I will attempt it. Otherwise its just a great idea and practice piece.

33/100 "Maggie"

This is just a simple linear drawing using some colored pencils for accents. I did this back in March but did not share it here til now. Thoughts?

Artists for Respect!

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More Back-logged Artwork

Goodness! I just now realized that I am WAY behind in the posting of my 100 Faces series! SIGH. Oh well...no   biggie! Here's a bunch in one post. Let me know who you like and who creeps you out! I know I have a few more that I need to scan and share so stay tuned for more!

32/100 - While not my usual style this was fun to do. And it reminds me that I need to pull out my Japanese motif book I bought a few weeks ago and practice!



31/100 This is from a facial tutorial I was following.


29 & 30/100 Even though I'm not happy with how the little girl's ear and facial features turned out I am REALLY happy with the kids' hands on the glass window!


28/100 Found this photo in HanaHou magazine on the flight home and began working on it during the flight...it was too bumpy to finish then.


27/100 While I like to keep this a politically free zone I was intrigued by a photo of our Governor and kept thinking what an interesting face he has (for drawing anyway.)


26/100 Ojisan at Kona Airport - This guy was sitting a few rows away from me at the Kona airport. The funny part was this lady sitting directly across from me (and that I was ignoring totally) must have been bothered by my glancing up and down to sketch because she eventually leaned over into my viewpoint to make eye contact with me! It made me laugh out loud! She gestured wanting to see the sketch and gave me a thumbs up!


24&25/100 "Uncle" and "Facial Features Practice" - I was trying to capture my husband's uncle before he dozed off to sleep. I don't sketch faces very quickly so it was a challenge.


19-23/100 "Da Keiki at Aunty's House"


17& 18 "Twins"