2011 Scrapbooking Goals

After thinking about this post for a few days, I think I have my scrapbooking goals for 2011 in order. Here goes ...

1. Finish the Organize Your Stuff Challenge over at 2Peas in a Bucket

2. Complete the "12 Weeks To Better Photos" on the General Photography board at 2Peas in a Bucket

3. Jump into Becky Higgin's "Project Life" (my 2009 kit is called Project 365, but it's the same concept)

4. Participate in Patter Cross's "ABC Scripture Challenge"

5. Monthly participation in Shimelle Laine's "4x6 Photo Love" workshop at 2Peas
6. Fully engage in BPC's "Embrace Imperfection" workshop during the actual class (starts 2/10/11)

7. Finish BPC's "52 Card Pick Up" class (tons of techniques still to learn)

8. 2011 Christmas cards

Project 365 makes me nervous. I guess that's why I've put it off for two years. But this seems to be the perfect project to pair with learning the ins-and-outs of my new camera. Between the 12 week photo course, P365 and Shimelle's class, I'll be forced to get comfortable with my Rebel.

Now I'm printing-off this list, hanging it right at eye level at my desk, then going to add some class reminders to my Blackberry. For all my crafty friends, most of the classes/challenges listed above are FREE (# 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6). Come join me!

This an extremely ambitious goal list for me. Especially since it's only my paper crafting goals, and doesn't include any knitting projects. But the knitting is easier to just pick up and go, where the scrapping stuff, at least for me, needs to be planned. Any one want to share their list?

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

My new Rebel T2i

I have wanted to upgrade my Kodak bridge camera to a DSLR and have been researching models for months. It's been quite a while since I've used a SLR camera and I can't wait to get reacquainted. As my family and friends know, I am the Queen of Research. I choose the Canon EOS Rebel T2i and DH and I decided it would be my Christmas present. This is a camera I can grow into as I re-learn the basics of photography after using a point-and-shoot for so long.

I decided to purchase just the T2i body instead of a kit (lens included) since I wanted to choose lens I purchase based on my usage. I picked up the Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens to start with and have been thrilled with my photos so far. Next up will be a prime lens, probably the Canon 50mm f/1.4.

I'm starting the 2Peas in a Bucket, "12 Weeks to Better Photos", FREE online workshop next week and am excited to refresh my photography skills, step out of auto-mode and get comfortable with my new camera. Now I need to find a cute camera bag ;)

Jeanette Lynton's FINAL Color Me Monday

I Love the Winter Weather

"... OK, so perhaps I don’t love being in the winter weather, but I do enjoy looking at it. When the world is covered in a blanket of glistening snow and everything is touched with silver, it’s a pretty beautiful thing. Today’s final installment of Color Me Monday celebrates that look with a color combination in Buttercup, Grey Flannel, Outdoor Denim, and Sky. You’ll note that all the colors here are soft, with the exception of punches of Denim, reminiscent of a December nightfall. The Buttercup and Sky stamping (the background of the Winter Cheer card and pennants) are all in second generation, to give just a hint of color.

And just like the outdoors, every piece of artwork today is brushed with silver—the sentiments and snowflakes on the card are created with glitter rub-ons, the One of a Kind card is brushed with pearl paint, and my Mix ‘n’ Mingle clear banner is lavished in Dimensional Elements snowflakes frosted in silver and embossed in silver as well. Makes me want to cozy up for the end of the year!


And speaking of “end,” I did indeed say that this would be the very last post on Color Me Monday. It’s been such fun to experiment with color, share color tricks, and show my artwork and artwork created by my friends and fellow stampers in our art studio. If you’ve enjoyed Color Me Monday each week, then I think you’ll like what I have planned for 2011, too! I’ll be sharing “52 Weeks of Wonder,” a stamping technique every single week. Can’t wait to see you then!"

Jeanette Lynton

Merry Christmas

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with judgment and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

Christmas: God Is For You

Christmas: God Is for You by Rick Warren

But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."
Luke 2:10 (NLT)

Knowing God is for you will change your whole perspective on life. You'll stop thinking of God as someone looking down from heaven, ready to yell, "Gotcha!" anytime you mess up.

Instead, you'll realize God loves you; God is with you; and God is for you! God is for your success in life; he created you for a purpose and he wants you to succeed. It is God, your Creator, who will measure your success in life, and no one else.

This is extremely good news!

It means you don't need to be afraid of God because God is for you. Yet, some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him. Do you know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, "If I get close to God, he's going to lecture me. He's going to remind me of all the things I've done wrong, and then I'll feel even worse!"

Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said, "I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I didn't come to scold you, I came to save you."

And if God is for us, who can be against us?

Jesus came to save us, not to scare us. That's why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he says is: "Don't be afraid!"

In fact, when God sends a message to people in the Bible, it's not unusual for the first words to be: "Don't be afraid." There are 365 messages from God in the Bible that begin with a phrase like, "Fear not!" In other words, every single day of the year you can read a message from God that says, in effect, "You don't need to be afraid. I am for you; I am with you; I love you."

We celebrate Christmas because of this good news from God!

Art & Soul®: Pulling It All Together

CTMH has put together another amazing Art & Soul webisode. "Pulling It All Together" features mixed media stamping techniques that take your stamping ... beyond paper. Watch and enjoy.

"It’s the most versatile mixed media album ever. Learn how to stamp with pizzazz on the My Creations® Mix & Mingle album’s clear plastic and chipboard pages. Then watch it transform from an album into a wall hanging, a banner, a card, or use pages from it on your scrapbook layouts. You’ll also learn how to create gorgeous B&T Duos® paper using a faux painting technique with Liquid Glass. Jeanette Lynton shares her fully compiled calendar she’s been creating page by page and showcasing on her blog each month this year. Truly inspirational!"

Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday

The Best Gifts ~

"Presents are on everyone’s mind this week. Did we choose the right one? Is it wrapped and ready? Did it arrive in the mail yet? While getting and giving gifts is definitely a fun part of the season, I have to admit that the best gift of all is time together—and of course, the scrapbooks we create to preserve it all.

Today’s color combination in New England Ivy, Garden Green, Cranberry, and Crème Brulee features a layout that really hits home with that idea. This adorable little girl is Abbie, daughter to Stacy, our Marketing Manager. She’s an only child and apple of mom and dad’s eye! Stacy is such a sweet and caring mom, and Abbie is a favorite around the office, always sharing little notes and colorful drawings with the marketing team. I love this layout, which showcases a dozen of the things Stacy loves about her daughter—each one concealed inside a fun peek-a-boo window that Abbie will enjoy opening again and again. What a great gift!"

Jeanette Lynton