Hello my faithful readers! :o)
I didn't want to let the weekend slip by w/o a quick post.
Did I tell you that I signed up for an "online class". You remember, it's all part of my "aspiring to be more than I am right now" for this year. Well, it's an online class to teach me how to digitally scrapbook in my Corel photo editing software (which I love). Actually, all my goal was is to learn how to add "brushes" and new borders to my photos. I already have scrapbook software (which I love). Well, my head is swimming with new words such as "rasters and layers". I've learned to download scrapbook elements and actually unzip them. (I've never actually done that - Scott is the techy in the family - time I learned.)
So, it's taken me hours to figure out something that someone could have showed me in minutes. However, there is a little satisfaction knowing, "I did it!"
Once I actually create something worth sharing, you'll be the first to see it here!
Best wishes everyone - I'll be back soon,
Melle

Photos as promised....

McKenna and fellow first graders sang this weekend at The Villages Cultural Expo.

Andrea received this beautiful new handmade quilt from her great aunt Charlotte.

Although, this photo may not be much help, I've started combining 12 x 12 photo sleeves with 4x6 and wallet size pages.

I've just about finished a Halloween themed mini-book.

This will be a calendar when finished. Each month is created out of an envelope that will hold a tabbed card that slides out. On the card I plan to list important dates to remember, etc.

Just finished these birthday invitations for a friend at work. Yep, a paying job!

Goodnight all, and best wishes for a great week!

Melle

Just for fun....

Awww, Saturday morning, my favorite moment of the week.....
My blog still "under construction", but thought I'd add this post, just for fun.

I got one of those cute emails that ask you unique or odd questions, I usually don't have time to answer them, but had a chance today:

six names you go by:
mom
momma
melle
mrs. broaderick
hon
LST (that's from my mom!) :O)
3 things you are wearing right now:
jeans
a white top
and my FSU Crocs
(all my favorite, it is Saturday morning!)
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
unlimited crafting time in my creative place
how to digitally scrap in my Corel PSP - that online class starts tomorrow - I can't wait!
Two things you did last night:
stayed up until 11:00 catching up on the blogs I follow and surfing the internet for craft supplies
stayed up another hour catching up on craft shows that are saved on DVR
Two things you ate today:
I haven't eaten yet - however, I'm sure it would be something not very healthy....
Two people you last talked with on the phone:
hubby - he has to stay at work and work another 24
in-laws - grandma & grandpa are back from their 11 day cruise!
Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
have lunch with my mom at Mimi's :O)
and finish making cards for a friend at work
Three favorite drinks:
COKE
water
cup of tea, Earl Grey, hot (for those of you who might be Capt. Picard fans)

Have a good day everyone!
McKenna's school sings today in the Villages - hopefully, I'll have photos to post :o)
Melle

Under construction!

Hello!
For those returning viewers (all 2 or 3 of you) :) you can see that the blog seems to have a new look. I had a wonderful time at my scrapbook retreat this weekend (yes, photos on the way of the stuff I made), but while I was there I also learned how to change my blog to 3 columns. (Okay, confession, I didn't really "learn" how to do it - thank you so much Yvonne for just doing it for me!)
For those new viewers (the 1 or 2 of you), bear w/ me and my funky looking blog page - I'll keep working on it.
Now that I'm back to work, reality is setting in and I have stuff to finish for work tonight- fun stuff though - I'm on the school yearbook committee and lovin' it!
Best wishes everyone!
Melle

Contemplation...

I snapped this photo this weekend of McKenna and loved it! Okay, I've probably played with it way too much in my photo editing program, but it was fun anyway. McKenna had a birthday party Saturday AND Sunday to attend. I am so grateful she makes friends easily and that she has so many :o)
It's been a week since I posted last, and there's not really anything new that I can think of now that we are all back in the school routine, but I did get a chuckle this evening that some of you may be able to relate. I would guess we are in about Phase II of the Wii.
Phase I was - we finally got a Wii and immediately played all the games that came with it until we all have reached an average level of play and now are ready for some variety....well, here comes Phase II - we all have requested and are now trying to master a few new games and bought some additional attachments (tennis racket, baseball bat and golf club) that make play more interesting. However, Phase II is only complete after what we did this evening....rearranged the living room furniture for maximum play room! I thought it was so funny that an hour before bedtime we are rearranging the couches and fussing about what wall the TV should be on in anticpation of future activities! :o) LOL!!!!

I am so looking forward to the upcoming scrapbook retreat. I have planned and juggled schedules in hopes of maximizing every moment of this weekend. If all goes well, how about I post a photo or two of what I complete? A calendar in the works, a Halloween mini-book to complete and a new type of 12 x 12 scrapbook to start - wish me luck!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful week everyone (and see most of you soon)!

I did it!

In my goal to "aspire" to be more than I am right now tonight I finally did it - I just filled out my application for employment at Walt Disney World! I have every hope that I will work there this summer as a Disney Photopass Photographer.
Actually, I started my web surfing tonight trying to find some photography, or digital editing classes here in the Ocala area. Nothing. So that led me to back to the Daytona Beach Community College website. DBCC is where a lifetime ago, I started a degree in photography, but never finished. Well, although the idea still has potential, at this point and time, I don't really want to take classes for the purpose of a career, I just want to take classes for the purpose of knowledge.... an unusual college concept, I know.
The next search led me to the University of FL - I know - yuck - but since I am a graduate and the drive would be shorter....but that would be a tireless pursuit. Any "meat and potatoes" courses are restricted to junior level or have so many prerequisites - UF - good for it's red tape!
And so, that finally led me to a website I was checking frequently, but then forgot all about it once I got so busy at work - jobs at Disney! I'll keep you posted (no pun intended :o))

And so, in the meantime, I'm still interested in photography or digital editing classes in the area or can even trade services if anyone can tutor me?? hmm??

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow! January 1st, 2009, I just can't get use to it!
Okay, there are gals out there (you know who you are :o)) who have been inspired like me by Ali Edwards. I'm eager to learn more (as is my theme this year), but she does "a word a year"....so as promised, I think I've finally thought of a word that will sum up my goals for this year. I was thinking of "renew" but I think a better word might be "aspire". I aspire to be so much more than I am right now. I want to be a better photographer; I so want to do more with my computer creatively (s.a. my photo-editing software, s.a.digital scrapbooking, s.a. blogging, s.a. Power Point, s.a. make a DVD).....I already know how to these things, but not completely.

Aspire - definition: to aim, hope
Aspire - synonyms: be ambitious, be eager, crave, desire, dream, hanker, long, pursue, seek, strive, struggle, try, want, wish, yearn.

Yep, I think that about sums it up :)

Happy New Year everyone! May it be wonderful,
Love, Melle