Sketch layouts

I've always been a fan of sketches, starting way back when Becky Higgins was the only one doing them. I loved her books, and tried to follow along.

Through the years, I've also tried PageMaps and sketches in other magazines. I always liked how they looked in the magazine, but I could never seem to translate them successfully for my own photos and products.

Then, during one of my many blog surfing adventures, I found Sketch Support. Once again, I loved the sketches, and was hopeful I could make them work.

And they actually did. There's just something about these sketches that really fits my style of scrapping right now. I've actually whipped out several pages this year using those sketches.

Here are a few.

This one was based on one-page sketch #8.

And some detail shots.

This is based on two-page sketch #10.

And some detail shots.



This one is based on one-page sketch #14.

And some details. The trim at the top is left over from the actual costumes.

I love seeing the new sketches each week. I'm so happy to have finally found a sketch style that works for me!



Love my camera

An early Christmas present for me this year...a Canon EOS Rebel T3. To say I love it would be an understatement. I'm still shooting in automatic mode, but I plan on learning the other settings soon.

It's making blogging for Craft Critique so much easier. No more jury-rigging my lights, backdrops and shooting outside.

We took the girls to the Chinese garden near the zoo for a little photo shoot. It was hard to get all three to cooperate. Well, mostly Anna, who preferred running to sitting.

My favorite from the day.

Of course there were a lot of these.

But I think I got one that will work for my purposes.

A week in the life

I must be insane, but I decided to play along with Ali Edwards' Week in the Life project. I'have done the December Daily for the last two years (neither is completely finished), and thought this would be fun.

I decided to start on Saturday, since Emma's first communion was this weekend. I will probably continue through next Saturday since that will be a more typical weekend day.

So here are some shots from Saturday through Monday.

Saturday, April 17

• The day started with communion practice (forgot the camera).

• Headed to Target for a sweater to wear on Sunday. The girls bought some sunglasses from the Dollar Spot.
• We headed to a garage sale up the street where Claire picked out pink wicker furniture, just right for Barbie dolls. This markedly improved the mood for the day, keeping both big girls occupied most of the afternoon. It got even better when Grandma arrived with a tiny tea set just perfect for tiny Barbie tea parties on their new furniture.

Sunday, April 18

• Emma's communion. Lots of pictures, some tears from Mom. So proud of my little girl. She was so beautiful.

• Lunch back at home with Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Cheron. Just relaxed the rest of the day. Everyone was beat.

Monday, April 19

• Another big day for Emma---ear piercing. She was off because of communion and the timing was perfect. She only cried a little, even though one ear had to be done twice! She picked out the Hello Kitty studs, of course.



• Fun playing in the backyard with Dad and in the neighbor's tree house. We ate outside and enjoyed the clear, but a little cool, weather.

I'm writing more detail by hand. This is all I have patience for in using Blogger. My photo placement is driving me nuts!

@ 2 months

At two months you:

• Weigh 10 pounds, 6 ounces and are 22 inches long.


• Smiled for the first time on our trip to KC to meet Grandma Marcia and Papa Ed.


• Started sleeping 6 to 7 hour stretches at about six weeks, and going to bed by 10 p.m.


• Love to be held up, so you can see the world around you.


• Were baptized on April 4, which was also Easter and Grandpa George's 70th birthday. What a blessed day to become a child of God.


• Wearing size 2 diaper, and still fitting in most 0 to 3 month clothes, although you're in some 3 to 6 months items as well. Newborn clothes are defnitely too small!

• 

May God bless you always, sweet Annalise!

Craft Critique reporter

Sometime before Christmas, before I broke my ankle, before Annalise was born...so another lifetime ago, I applied to be a Craft Critique reporter. I was so excited to find out in January that I was selected. A combination of writing and crafties--I must be in heaven.

My first post went up on March 24. Go check it out, and while you're there, sign up for the chance to win a membership to Club CK, http://tinyurl.com/ye3ren9

And here is my disclaimer, http://www.cmp.ly/3/r62o6e

At one month

At one month...

You weigh 8 pounds 13 ounces.

You're awake much more, watching the crazy antics of your bigger sisters.

You really wake up at 11...P.M. and love hanging out with Daddy from 1 A.M. to 3 A.M. We're still learning the difference between night and day.

You eat, a lot.

You rarily spit up, and you burp very easily (sometimes while you're eating).

Overall, you are a content baby.





You are so very loved.

Belated Birth Day

Annalise Margaret Reidy
11:01 a.m., Feb. 15, 2010
6 pounds 14 ounces, 19.7 inches



Big sisters Emma and Claire were so excited!



I LOVE baby feet!



Welcome to the family little one. We love you so much!