::ANNA::

Source of Smiles

[supplies + journaling]

I posted this layout at Designer Digitals a week ago or so.  Love it when a layout continues to make me smile.

DSE +

Digital Scrapbook Experience 2009 was great.

Lots of fabulous students who worked hard and made the event a huge success.  It was exhausting but energizing at the same time, and it re-affirmed the fact that I like to teach.

I came away with no photos of the actual event just lots of fun memories.  In fact, I was so busy the entire time  I barely left the hotel until Sunday morning when I took a little run through Provo.

I hope the event takes place again next year.  It was so cool to see these ladies progress over such a short time period.

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I arrived home after 3 days away and it seemed like I'd been away much longer.  So much had happened in my absence.

Luke earned his white belt.

...and also learned to ride on two-wheels, with a little help from Papa:

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Today my Mum and Dad went home. 

The house is eerily quiet as we adjust to having just 4 people in the house.  

Trying to be kind to myself over the next few days.

Britgirl + Inspiration

You may know her?

Britgirl, a.k.a Melanie Grimes, is one of the talented Creative Team members at Designer Digitals and probably the most prolific scrapbookers I know.  Check out her gallery.

Not only does she keep up with her blog but her posts are inspiring.  She combines photos of the ordinary with real everyday stories.  The good and the bad.  She does not shy away from the challenges of life and I respect that.  She continually delivers perfection through imperfection.

I have never met Mel, nor do I know her well, but somehow I feel we are connected.

Just recently she started a new project: An *All About Us* Album, and as soon as I read this post I knew I wanted in on the action.  I went to half.com and bought 4 of the books by Phillipp Keel for next to nothing and they finally arrived today...Just in time to take on the plane tomorrow.

I have no idea what direction I'm going to take with this but I'm excited and the cogs are turning...

The Weekend +

Time is flying by....

Enjoying the last week with my Mum and Dad and preparing for  Digital Scrapbooking Experience this weekend in Provo, Utah.  My parents will return to England just 2 days after I get back.  Hard to believe it's been 6 weeks already.

Making the most of our last days together.

This weekend was good. 

We had a major family get-together on Saturday with Eric's brother home on his mid-tour from Korea, Ell and Luke's 4 cousins, and both sets of Grandparents.

Sunday Dad and I took an early morning ride around the reservoir, before I cooked omelettes *my specialty* for the family.  My Dad then drove Mum and I into the mountains to view some Fall colors.

It's also hard to believe there is 3 inches of snow forecast for tomorrow.

Hello.  What happened to Fall?

Something New

 

 

Ella earned her white belt today.  Obviously super-proud of her, but also entertaining the possibility that apart from this adventure being really great for her,  I think she's going to be good at it. V. COOL.

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MIA a bit this week spending time with the fam.  6 weeks flies by doesn't it?

More *Smiles*

Another *Anna* release at Smilebox this weekend: Kolorscapes Everyday Photos book (below) and Military Service Slideshow now available.

My Mum, Ella and I went for a stroll along the reservoir this weekend. 

First time walking it.

Make a Smilebox photobook

9 + 9 + 9

In continuation of this post, I thought I'd share my results:

[supplies + journaling

I initially envisaged taking LOTS of photos but that quickly changed for a number of reasons.

In a nutshell, I knew I wanted to capture the day without the photo-taking dominating all the days events.  I'm also coming around to the idea that less is more in terms of photos.  Fewer photos means, less stress, less editing and overall less time on the computer.  That's a GOOD thing.

9 photos serves exactly the same purpose as 99 or 999 photos, and the time saved on this layout by using fewer photos, means I can now devote more time to other important stories on my *to tell* list. 

This single page took me about 1/2 hour to document  using the formula:

9 photos + 9 words + 9 stories

Pick a number and try it.

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Chat with me live at ReneePearson.com tonight at 8pm EST. 

Sale

The third quarterly sale of 2009 at DesignerDigitals has begun!

Everything in thte store  is marked down by 30% through Tuesday morning (September 15th) at 6am EST. 

There will be an all-day chat event taking place on Saturday starting at 8am EST.  Join me at 1pm EST for an Ad Challenge Chat.

I have 7 new products in the store today, with another 2 coming Saturday.

A few favorites for this week:

FotoBlendz Layered Template Album No. 2

You can see the first album here.

DifferentStrokes No. 1 BrushSet

*Love these*

ScriptTease *Fall* No. 1 BrushSet

and:

MultiFoto Triple Layered Template No. 1

Lately, I'm finding a double page spread is just not enough... The MultiFoto Triple Layered Template. I've been letting my photos and stories spill onto a third page of late and liking the results, and I'm wondering what you think?

 

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My chat on ReneeTV has been rescheduled at 8pm EST on Friday, 11 September.  Hope to *see* you there!

09/09/09

Thanks to this post, I'm making a point today to capture my every day. 

So camera in hand, I can honestly, I'm out of practice.

It's been a while since I've done something like this.

Thinking about what I'm going to do with all these new photos.

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Thanks to all those that tuned into ReneeTV on Monday night to chat with me and I'm sorry that the chat had to be cancelled due to *technical difficulties.*  I'm hoping at least you were entertained by my *winging it*.  Good news?  My chat is being rescheduled and I'll keep you posted.

The Super Colossal Back to School Digital Event Thingie!

at ReneePearson.com has begun. 

Every day this week you can come go to the site download new goodie bags, register for daily prize packs and grand prizes, and chat with your favorite digital artists. 

And it's all free!

What do you have to do?

Go to the site and register/sign-in.

• Grab your goodie bag.
  
• Register to win one of the Prize Packs, a daily Grand Prize and the Super Colossal grand prize.

And then there's the 'Super Colossal' event giveaway at the end of the week: a brand spanking new Epson Style Photo R1900 printer.

Join me at 8.00pm EST tonight at ReneePearson.com for the first chat of the week!