I just had to share a photo collage of my oldest daughter! We went to the zoo and I caught her sitting on the hay bales in a daze. I'm sure she was contemplating something!

Date:	2005-12-08 00:13
Subject:	Christmas Wish List
Security:	Public
Mood:	cheerful

Ahhh....I feel like a kid today. I spent the early morning at my mom's house. She asked me to go thru the Toys R Us catalog to see what she should get my kids for Xmas. They had already marked it up like crazy.

It brought back good memories of going thru the "LaBelles" catalog and marking off everything we wanted. She was so awesome to let us do that. Of course we always ended up with a few of those items. Nevertheless, the wishing was always the best part.

So after leaving her house, I went straight home and started my own Xmas list. I've never done that as an adult. But I realized I still want frivolous things.

My sister is my best friend, so I decided to give it to her. The things on the list ranged from Free to a couple a hundred bucks. Here's the list I came up with. It included things her kids could do if they needed ideas too!

Deluxe Epson Picture Mate



Somerset Studio Magazine Subscription



Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray
Le Sports Sac/Black/Rectangle size
Great scarf
Gloves
Hair Clips
Socks
Chenille Blankie
Watercolor Paper
I-tunes gift card
Awesome Coffee Mug
Peach Tea
Heating Pad
Inspirational Book of quotes
Cool Cross for my wall of crosses
Basic 8 x 10 frames
Yummy jar candles with crazy scents
Almond Roca
Frivolous Pretty Things
A Brag Book of Your kids for my purse
Anything for my walls that is pretty to look at
Online Gift Card for SBBytes.com
Book of paint or art techniques
Printer paper ream
Roll of Canvas
Anything Brighton
WACOM tablet from CompUSA
Any books by Sabrina Ward Harrison
The Art of FABRIC JOURNALS
Alphabetica by Lynne Perella

OK! So that's it! And it was so much fun to think about! I'd be happy for the first item on my list. I think my mom will get that! And of course the cookies and the brag book!

Merry Christmas! And don't forget to act like a kid for a minute!

RosiePosie :O)

Date:	2005-12-08 00:02
Subject:	6-Yr-Old Graphic Designer in the Makin'
Security:	Public
Mood:	artistic

So Cruz (my 6 YO Nephew) came over today. He asked..."Nina, Where are the 'maw-kuz'? And da 'pay-po'?" TRANSLATION: Aunt Rosie, Where's the markers and paper? He's got that little New Yorker accent that lots of kids have at this age. Oh, and I'm Nina because that's a Hispanic term of endearment for the Godmother.

ANY WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY......

He drew a cute little tree and said..."Nina, will you cut this out?"

So I did.

Then...."Nina? Will you put this on the computer so I can make a card for Mr. Welch?" (His teacher)

So I did.

He was happy with the first click of Photoshop....but of course, I had to nip & tuck and erase, and soften...blah, blah, blah.

Here is the result. His momma said they will be his Xmas cards for his classmates.

Date:	2005-12-06 20:43
Subject:	Is it Dad or Fred?
Security:	Public
Mood:	distressed

OK, so I love this little photo booth picture of my Dad. It's about 65 years old and I have the original. I feel so lucky to have something so nostalgic of him. So I was playing around on Photoshop and I created a photo collage including this cutie of a photo. I sent it via the internet to Walmart Photo center and had an 8x10 made. I took it to my mom & dad and said "Whadda think? Cute huh?". I was expecting..."ooh & ahh!". But instead I get.

"That's not me. It's Uncle Fred".

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?"

You mean I have to cancel a memory? OMG...this is tragic.

So we were at Aunt Lisa's house making tissue paper Mexican flowers. Cruz needs Lisa's help. "Here Mom. I'll fold, then you fold."




Back and forth. I don't think he really needs the help. Lisa tells Valerie, "Lick your fingers!" "Oh, I forgot". After 2 flowers, Valerie has had enough. She needs some pizza. Lisa is left with no audience. But she still finds it methodical to cut more tissue and wrap more flowers.




The kids decided to head outside. It was a beautiful day today. Probably around 72 degrees. Breezy. Lisa and I decided to take advantage of no kids by art journaling.



This is the journal I bound myself and finally embellished today. I love how it turned out. I used lots of layering of collage. Yummy!

Here is the first page of the journal. It's inspired by a journal prompt from Keri Smith. She said to draw a whold journal page of just circles. From there I felt like numbering 1/2 of them and writing the ABC's in the rest. Some are colored, some not. I'm beginning to see the beauty of leaving some things just black and white. Hmmmmm...what a good day for art.

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

So....yesterday......feeling very inspired. Knew that the ex was taking the kids for the weekend. (which I always love being alone!)

But after surfing the journaling sites I was so inspired to keep my kids. I called the ex and told him..."Can I keep 'em?". Of course he said sure.

So I woke up the kids....and said..."Get up, get dressed....we're going on an adventure!" Our goal. Not to spend money.

We packed the trunk with tons of art supplies, a picnic and blankets. They brought all their favorite stuff. First stop: My parents to say good morning....good thing.....Gramps gave em each $10!! And then we traipsed off to the book store (the new Borders) first for inspiration. Well, the inspiration came when Spongebob appeared for photos!!! They each got a goodie back and I was exicted! So something fun for free!



We mingled along the downtown Scottsdale area in & out of shops. We can always find mini goodies there! They hated the ugly mannequins at Nordstroms. So we snapped a shot. LOL!



Then since I stole them from their daddy, we met for lunch at the Olive Garden. It was very enjoyable until we saw a roach on our table. Moral of the story? FREE LUNCH. LOL.

Left Daddy and went to the library. (uh....get the drift? we love books) The kids wandered to the kid section. I stayed in the "Book Sale" section where I bought 4 old books & 2 magazines for a total of $1. (which Valerie had to lend me $0.25)

I found the kids journaling in the kids section. It was so cute. I sat in there with them for awhile too. No one was talking. I loved it. We were all in our own world. Dollars spent? $1.00.

We decided to leave & stop by Auntie's house. Her sweet baby always gives us joy. FREE. One baby snuggle.

Then we went to the Center for the ARts. It was a GORGEOUS day! Tons of people were there taking their Xmas photos. I sat on the picnic table journaling. The girls ran around with the their instant cameras taking photos. Adrienne found a rose that someone meticulously left on a bench. She drew it for about 1/2 hour. Too cute. Then Valerie decided to bring it home and Adrienne freaked out that she would even dare touch it. It was obviously left there for a reason. LOL. FREE. One moment of arguing.

Momma was tired by this time. Hope I'm not catching that icky flu! We decided to venture home. (even though I wanted to stop at the Antique stores....) Adrienne spent the night playing Zelda on XBox while Valerie & I painted the Kelly Kilmer way. She loved it. She said..."Mom...It's not even turning gross brown with all these colors on!"
FREE. Lessons learned.

We all finally retired. On the couch. Us three. Valerie always sits in the middle. Tonight, big sister called it. Valerie pouted in the corner with her marshamallow. We flipped on "Little House on the Prarie." It was the one with the little rich boy who goes to live with the Olsens. Remember? Willie has to wear a little Prince outfit? Then purposely gets beat up and the meanies rip it up?

FREE. Good t.v. with the girls. All while drinking a cold Corona w/lime (True Mexican girl) and reading "Spilling Open". (Multitasker) LOL!

It was a good day stealing my kids from the daddy. (he was sad...but oh well)

Total $$ spent: $1.00

Date:	2005-11-26 16:48
Subject:	Here's the inside of my new journal
Security:	Public
Mood:	bouncy

Working on a GI-Normous Journal. I think it's like 14x16 inches. I love it. It has a million blank-giant-ready-to-be-painted pages in it! I made it in Kelly Kilmers class a few weeks ago. Here is the collage that goes on the inside cover! Also some photos of the journal itself! P.S. My mood is now bouncy....cuz I like the image....lol!

Date:	2005-11-26 16:45
Subject:	Love Alone Days full of Art
Security:	Public
Mood:	busy

My kids are with the Daddy and I've had almost a full 24 hours of art time! First of course, I had to head to the art/craft stores last nite to spend my 40 & 50% off coupons! Bought some Liquitex & Golden acrylics, brushes, etc. Then I came home and worked on the following collage! Enjoy!

This was created by 1st: creating an image on white paper with a black sharpie marker
2nd: scanning into a digitized image
3rd: adding color via Photoshop
4th: adding text
5th: VOILA!

This is one of my favorite ways to create my art...via personal drawings and then digitizing them! They make great greeting cards!

I need to start posting here! I have been so busy with my website...that I've neglected to get to know people here. I've signed up for plenty of chunky/fat book swaps....so now I want to get to know those I'm swapping with!

Here are some photos of recent work I did.

I took a 3 day retreat with artist Kelly Kilmer in Phx. It was awesome!

I love the techniques she taught us! Not to mention she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty and playing!

Will write again soon!

RosiePosie :O)