Spring Hike

Here is another attempt at a digital layout. These are pics from my Hiking 101 entry previously. I'm beginning to get the hang of this yay! One of these days i will definitely start a hybrid one. Oh and thanks Julie for your comment on my previous digital layout... your blog is awesome!

The paper and elements that i used are from the promise collection by shabby princess designs - i love their kits!

Going digital

After a few hours playing around in photoshop i ended up with my first ever digital scrapbook page. I was always for the old fashioned way of cutting and pasting elements but i found it fun doing a digital page anyway. I think i may have to get into hybrid scrapbooking, which is a combination of digital and the traditional way of doing it. It's creating from the best of both worlds.

These are photos i took of two of our cats - Spot and Astro.


Digital template by Jessica Sprague
Paper by Amy Teets (Sun Porch Collection)

In the Navy

My brother enlisted in the US Navy on February 16, 1988. After 20 looong years, he retired as Chief Petty Officer on December 20, 2008. He has been all over the world aboard war ships months at a time and is now ready to start a brand new life.

These pictures were taken during his retirement ceremony in Virginia. It was a very nice ceremony. The most touching part of it all was during the flag pass where his subordinates slowly pass the flag while playing a very solemn song. When the flag reaches him - he salutes, faces my mom, kneels and hands her the flag. We were also presented a bouquet of flowers being part of the immediate family. On his exit march we walked down the aisle behind him while officers had swords crossed above us and a bell ringing indicated his exit from the military.

The shadow box where he stands next to was hand crafted solely by him. Usually shadow boxes are made by the Navy for the retiree but he decided to do it himself. It took him weeks to build those model ships, detailing every single thing. He is holding a sword which was given to him in special honor of his outstanding service. My brother... my idol.


Materials:
Paper and embellishments - the Paper Studio
US Navy stickers - K&Company
Cardstock - Bazzill

Hiking 101

My husband and i went hiking last weekend. It was almost all uphill and i couldn't last long enough to reach the top! I really need to start working out again. The area seemed like a blair witch project setting and i felt we were going to get lost in the middle of nowhere. I didn't enjoy it very much so to divert my attention to something else the hiking turned out to be a great photo opportunity. Here are some shots i took.

Nine to Five

Just when i stopped looking for a job, somebody contacts me! Now how great is that?! :) I start work on Monday, back to the 9-5 routine. Well it used to be 8-530 so this won't be too bad. After 8 months of sitting around and having the time of my life, i think it is about time to get back on the working world again. The only sad thing about it is that i won't be able to scrapbook as much. The good thing though is that i can buy more scrapbook stuff lol! I have gotten myself so involved in scrapbooking and photography i surely will still find time to do it. :)

I finally got a shot of the male cardinal bird. It was sitting on a tree near our bird feeder. What a beautiful creature.

Female Cardinal

I was eating brunch the other day when this Cardinal stopped by for a visit on our bird-feeder set out in the patio. I couldn't resist taking pictures of it. These birds are very sensitive to motion so i had to carefully take the shot behind glass. I just love how unique they look. The male bird is red in color but i haven't been lucky to take a shot such as this. The female bird is distinguished by its red bill.

North by Northwest

Otherwise known as NxNW, this restaurant/bar offers really good beer and food. They brew their own beer. So far i have not tasted one dish that i did not like from this place. My husband and i hang out here every sunday with friends. They have what they call the Sunday burger special - a huge, juicy, 100% beef burger with a side of fries with two pints of beer - for a reasonable price of $12.99! Now how good a deal is that?! Their fries are also one of my favorites, with their special salt (i think it's sea salt with garlic)... yuuuummmy! I know it's not healthy, but if you have it once a week then it's all good ;)








Another place that i love to hang out at is The Domain - a high end strip mall with shops like Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus, Z Gallerie, Ralph Lauren, and lots more. The ambiance is perfect with lighted up trees, a small waterfall and a fireplace. Definitely a lovely walk on the strip at night with all the lights.