My scrapbook layouts

‘Tis near Halloween

October 26, 2011 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

Blogtoberfest Day 26

Don’t miss out on my GIVEAWAY!

Twisted Sketches has revealed its latest sketch, #125, and the twist is “black.” Be sure to head over to the site to grab the sketch, then create something and link it up! 🙂

Here’s my Design Team layout inspired by the sketch.

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween.

The simple story behind this photo of me from 1971 is that I had a school Halloween party to attend, so Mom found this witch’s cape for me to wear, and Dad made the hat to match! Don’t I look frightening? 😉

It’s so fun when everything comes together this way on a layout. I thought the Fancy Pants “October 31” collection was perfect for my photo and the sketch. From the witches’ hats background paper, to that apropos quote I cut from another pattern, to the way the striped paper—when folded into rosettes—looks a bit like candy. It all just worked. Then I had a little fun with my Silhouette to complete the scene with the witch, bats and black cat.

I hope you’ll take the sketch out for a spin (on your broom)!

The colors call to me

October 22, 2011 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

Blogtoberfest Day 22

In a lot of states (like Ohio, where I grew up), you experience the autumnal change of colors when you look out your window. I truly miss that part of living in the north. Now that we’re in Texas, we have to go where the colors are. There’s a great little state park about 3.5 hours from us that has a spectacular stand of maples and other deciduous trees that, when the weather conditions have been favorable to them, release glorious color.

It’s not time yet to make this trek, as it usually occurs around the end of October/beginning of November. But I am itching to see those fall colors. So, I’m sharing a layout today of our first trip to Lost Maples in 2008. The photos are from November 2nd, and the layout is from November 15th, 2008 (I guess I couldn’t wait to print out these photos and immortalize our trip!).

We had such a beautiful day hiking and admiring the handiwork of God.

The journaling reads:

Head out early for a day at Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool
Get lost and drive an hour past the turn to Vanderpool
Find the cowboy town of Bandera and take an antique break
Finally arrive at the state park at 4:00; the park closes at dark!
Opt for the longer 5-mile hike, which helps us lose the crowds
Slip on the rubble on the steep walk down the mountain and turn my ankle
Almost run out of gas on the drive home
Have a wonderful fall day together out in nature

I hope you enjoy this wonderful fall day!

So grateful for rain

October 19, 2011 By Janice Daquila-Pardo 5 Comments

Blogtoberfest Day 19

The layout I’m sharing today is based on a sketch provided at sketch challenge site, Sketchy Thursdays. This challenge is open until Saturday, October 22nd, so you can still play along! In addition to following the provided sketch, we had to journal about what we’re thankful for and include at least five leaves on the page (as a photo, patterned paper, stamps, die cuts, etc.).

After 13 months of drought, the rain we had last week was a blessing.

The sketch and the journaling prompt worked together so well for me this time. I immediately thought of how thankful I was for our recent rainstorms. And with that thought in mind, the sketch stopped looking like strips of patterned paper to me and more like raindrops falling down the page. The journaling reads, “I am thankful daily for my family, my love, my health, my God and my home. But after 13 months of drought in Austin, I am particularly grateful for RAIN.”

The background paper I chose represents the parched earth that surrounds us. The patterned paper “raindrops” reflect the colors in the photo of the leaves in the puddle. And a little Glossy Accents on the word RAIN in the title reflects the blessed moisture. We certainly didn’t get enough rain to pull us out of our drought, but we’ll take every drop with gratitude.

The farmer’s market experience

October 17, 2011 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

Blogtoberfest Day 17

I created the layout below based on a sketch provided at the Pencil Lines blog because I wanted to spotlight these beautiful photos I took at our Austin Farmer’s Market this month.

It means a lot to us to support local farmers, especially in light of Texas' drought.

What is it about going to the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning?

We have to get up early on the weekend to get the best selection.
We have to drive several miles farther than the one-mile trip to our regular grocery store.
We have to pay for parking.
We have to be satisfied with whatever selection the farmers bring to town that day.
And we sometimes have to pay more for our purchases.

So, if it’s such a pain to go to the local farmer’s market, why do so many of us do it?

Perhaps because being out early on a Saturday morning feels like you’re really starting your weekend right—getting a jump on your to-do list (if, like me, you live by your lists, ~~even~~ especially on the weekends).
Or it’s that driving farther just to buy fresh produce makes it feel like an outing—a fun little jaunt you’re making with your partner or partners in crime, hot coffee in hand and hopes high for what you’ll find at the end of your drive.
I’ll admit that it’s more difficult to put a positive spin on having to pay for parking… but what if paying that fee makes you feel good about supporting your city’s economy?
And if you’re “stuck” with whatever the farmers bring, you’ll always be eating seasonally! By shopping at the local farmers market, what you get is fresh and ripe. This is a great way to increase your overall health because food that is picked before it has ripened suffers from decreased vitality.
You can find a variety of fresh, organic produce at more affordable prices than in a supermarket. Not to mention the fact that even if you’re spending a little more, you’re paying it to a fellow human being who lives and gives locally instead of to some massive agribusiness.
Shopping in the fresh morning air and talking to some of the people who grow these fruits and vegetables can really provide you with a deeper connection to and appreciation for your food and the nutrients you derive from them.
Last but not least, ripe and seasonal produce and flowers are gorgeous! They’re masterpieces. I’m sorry to say, but food just doesn’t look that good at SuperTarget.

So, if you’ve never been to one, or it’s been a long time since you last visited, I urge you to get thee to a farmer’s market. It’s such a satisfying experience!

Blogtoberfest Day 16

October 16, 2011 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

National Feral Cat Day

Today is National Feral Cat Day! This annual event is coordinated by Alley Cat Allies as a way to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for feral cats. Each year cat welfare groups and cat lovers across the country plan events to help educate people in their communities about feral cats and TNR. This year there are over 300 events planned in all 50 states.

Matt and I are involved in feral cat rescue efforts in our local area. We take great pride and pleasure in helping improve/save the lives of cats without homes. In fact, layouts of cats that you may have seen or will see on my blog are of those we have trapped and fostered.

Our favorite local cat rescue organization is Shadow Cats, a group “dedicated to improving the lives of community cats through humane advocacy.” The reason we like them so much is that they are dedicated to the care of the current resident population of ill, immune compromised, injured and senior cats. In other words, they take the cats who would not otherwise have any hope.

So, when Shadow Cats recently held an art market fundraiser, I decided to use my craft supplies and creativity to make a scrapbook album for them to auction. I made the album in all one color palette, using a subtle cat theme (mostly through my titles and a few images) and with spaces for only 4×6 photos (so there would be no cropping needed by the person who ends up with it).

I had a great time creating this project and hope that someone who has a beloved cat or cats will enjoy it forever. Have you ever used your crafting habit to help an organization in whose work you believe? I can highly recommend it. It made me feel warm and fuzzy—like a cat! 🙂