Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

If it didn't bring you joy,
     just leave it behind.

Let's ring in the new year,
     with good things in mind.

Let every bad memory go,
     that brought heartache and pain.

And let's turn a new leaf,
     with the smell of new rain.

Let's forget past mistakes,
     making amends for this year.

Sending you these greetings,
     to bring you hope and cheer.

Happy New Year!

~Kathryn :D

P.S. Have fun tonight & have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

NEW VIDEO: Almost Life-Sized!

Hi, everyone!

Congratulations on surviving the apocalypse! That was a lot less scary than it was made oput to be.

Today I have my last YouTube video before Christmas. This layout has a lot going on: it's the first kit club kit I've ever purchased, it's the first Instagram photo I've ever taken, it's one of my first photos with my new phone and Mr. Lifeguard is wearing my face! Whew!

This 12"x12" layout features an Instagram pic of Mr. Lifeguard holding a picture of my face (we had to take it for an eyeglass company) over his face. He's using his new phone, and because of the size of the Galaxy Note 2, it looks almost life-sized.

I used papers and embellishments from the Studio Calico "34th Street" kit with the "Penn Station" and "Herald Square" add-ons. I took advantage of a deal from Northridge Publishing that enabled me to get all that for the price of the kit, so I decided to give it a whirl. Not sure how I feel about not choosing my own supplies, though. You guys know how picky I am!

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:







I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: Almost Life-Sized.





This layout wwas a bit of a challenge, but I am hoping future layouts with the kits will go more smoothly. I probably just need to get used to a different style of scrapbooking. Or I'll realize it's not for me. Both are fine!

Have a great day, great weekend and a great holiday! See you Thursday!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

~Kathryn :D

Monday, December 17, 2012

NEW VIDEO: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

Hi, everyone & happy Monday!

On Saturday, I taught my "Boxed Set Album" at my local scrapbook store to nine lovely ladies! We had lots of fun & everyone left with a box and a book. I was super tired afterward, though, because I am not used to thinking for so many hours in a row. Hee, hee! ;D

Also this weekend, I got another layout video completed and uploaded to YouTube. This 12"x12" layout features Instagram pics of my brother and sister from his graduation party. My sister is holding a clock with the time "4:30" and he's holding an empty bottle of tequila (there were more than just the three of us at this party, I promise!). I used papers and embellishments from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy "Neapolitan" collection.

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:





I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.





Everything about this layout went more smoothly than the last one ~ from the actual creation of it to the editing flying by. That made me very happy! I feel like we may be closer to normal again. Well, as close to normal as I ever am.

You probably recognize my sister from the above photos if you've been following my recent layout videos. She and her friend Anna have been the stars and photographers of all those Southeast Asia pictures. Her friend Anna is currently serving in the Peace Corps, teaching at the Vinnytsia Khutory School in the Ukraine.

The school is poorly insulted from the weather, and it is getting cold in the Ukraine! Classes have had to be cancelled due to freezing temperatures in the class room due to rotting windows. It is getting cold in Vinnytsia Khutory! Help the volunteers get new windows to keep the kids warm by donating to the project at the Peace Corps website: Vinnytsia Khutory Project.





Small donations make a big difference! The books at Vinnytsia Khutory School are old, full of grammatical errors, and not well structured. The teachers have purchased some materials with their own money, but both teachers and students are unable to afford complete sets of new materials. By donating $16, a student can have a new textbook!



 
Here are some of the students you'd be helping with your donations:







Teachers at Vinnytsia Khutory do not have access to a computer and printer. By buying a computer, television and printer, teachers will be able to supplement their lessons with listening activities, videos and worksheets. Please help them improve the English Department with your donation!

Some people have reported difficulties with the direct link to the project on the Peace Corps website. You can also reach their project page by going to www.PeaceCorps.gov and putting the project number in the search bar: 343-367.

Have a great day, enjoy your week & thank you for your generosity!

Kathryn :D

Thursday, December 13, 2012

NEW VIDEO: One Drink Maximum, 12"x12" Layout

Hi, everyone!

I have lots to report today! A new video, plus some updates to my shop!

I was finally able to get my hands on Basic Grey's "Serendipity & Shine On" collection. I know I am really late to the party on this one, but my local JoAnn's never got this collection. I had to wait until I had a chance to go to one over an hour away from me. On the plus side, they had all the collection elements 50% off AND I had a 20% off entire order coupon, so my patience was rewarded!

This 12"x12" layout is an Instagram pic of a drink I was served at Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney. We went out for Mr. Lifeguard's 40th birthday & I ordered a hurricane for my pre-dinner cocktail. It was supposed to come with a float of Bacardi 151 on top. As you can see from the photo, however, more than half the glass was straight alcohol!

Below are some pictures of the finished layout:







I filmed this layout coming together for my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below, or click this link to watch it over on YouTube: One Drink Maximum.
 


 

It took me about three weeks to edit this video, working off and on. It was TORTURE! I had several challenges with it, not the least of which were some corrupted video files. I ended up having to edit half of it in Windows Movie Maker (which is my back-up video editing software) and half of it in Adobe Premiere (which is my preferred editing software).

As a result, some of the transitions in this video may be different & I struggled with the narration matching up to the video as well. Overall, not my best work. This is as good as this one gets, I'm afraid, but I promise the next one will be better! And I do have raw footage for another layout, so there is going to be a "next one" coming soon. Also about drinking. Hmm ...

I hope to see you all this afternoon and evening on USTREAM for more fun with the Bushel Box album! The bushel box album is an 8"x8" album done in a fall theme with the Bo Bunny "Apple Cider" collection. Fingers crossed, we'll actually finish the whole thing tonight! If we do, next week we'll go over some last minute Christmas gift ideas. The classes will be offered online today from 2:00 - 4:00 PM and again from 9:00 - 11:00 PM Eastern USA time on my USTREAM channel.

Also new in the shop today, we have a section called "Videos & DVDs" where we have put up an edited version of the online USTREAM class for the Boxed Set album. Clocking in at just under two hours and forty-five minutes, the DVD and videos has all the important information from the USTREAM class edited for time and easy viewing. It is available as both a DVD and a digital download. Click here for more details: Kathryn's Shop.

We plan to edit some of the more popular class series down and put them into this format. If there's a particular class you'd like to have on DVD, please let us know in the comments! We aim to please. :)

Have a great day!

Kathryn :D