Project: Senior Pictures

I just finished editing these pics (more than 24 hours, no joke) and I'm very proud to say that they look like my best yet (thanks to Molly and Kaiti of course!) These too were so fun to hang out with and they really made it easy for me at Brackenridge and Sunken Gardens. Thanks again! Click here to view more!

From Horror to Humor

Humor is a strange thing, have you ever thought what makes something funny?

A great example is illustrated below, how do you turn this Horror Halloween costume into a Funny Halloween costume?

From Horror Costume



...To Funny Costume



Now I don't know if it is just my "sick" sense of humor, but that addition of a bit of blood and the fact that the guy is hitch hiking and has a sign makes it funny - but as soon as you try and explain it... it is no longer funny!

Anyway if you want to see some more costumes to make you smile, check out this funny costumes page.

My New Website!

I'm so excited! I just opened my new website Primitive Peddlers last night! It's not even 24 hours old.
What it is, is a directory site for people who make and sell their handmades or have a shop online or brick & mortar shops that are primitive, altered art, antiques, shabby/cottage or vintage in style.
Each person (vendor) gets their very own page where they can list all of their websites or auction sites--be it just one or many. This way people have one place to come and find all of their favorite online vendors and they can see all of the places to find them.
There are various categories with more to come as needed.
Each vendor can list all of their websites, auctions sites, online markets, blogs anywhere online that they sell as well as other info like any magazines or publications that they may be featured in or shows that they are in etc. They can add a bio if they'd like and they can have 3 photos of their work, so people can see what it is that they create.
I make their page for them and then keep it updated as they want as well as promote my site and their sites. It's all about getting them advertised so people can find them and the cost is only 5.00 a month or 50.00 a year!
If you sell online and your style is Primitive, Altered Art, Vintage, Antiques or Shabby/Cottage I hope you'll stop by and look around and think about what we can do for you. If you just like to shop then I hope you'll stop by and see who has joined us and watch us grow. You can click HERE or on the photo above and you'll be there in no time! Hope to see you soon!

What I Won for the OWOH Giveaway

I won! I won! Remember the One World One Heart Giveaway recently, well I won a giveaway.................



.............from Betzie Smith of Time Enough . I received a gorgeous piece of floral barkcloth fabric, some beautiful red toile fabric and two really cool tiles--one that is tin and one that she made with a beautiful bird on it. I can just see a kitchen done in some of these beautiful tiles. I love it all! Thank you so much Betzie!
The OWOH giveaway was so fun to participate in and I've found some fabulous new blogs in the process. Don't forget to drop by Betzie's blog--lots of fun and creativity over there to enjoy. Now to go decide what to do with my wonderful new treasures......

Stained Glass Floral Doodle-Dallion v1 Print,Color&Cut Sheet

Please click on image to enlarge.

Item# PCC-SGFDD-01

$2.00 CAD file size: ~2 mb





Stained Glass Floral Doodle-dallion 1
Print, Color & Cut 3D Decoupage Sheet & Paper Pricking Border Pattern 1

My version of a virtual rubber stamp LOL! For those who don't stamp or want a cheaper alternative ( but you are limited re techniques and the joys of embossing powder ;) )

Includes 3 versions of sheet:

-1 Ready to Print B&W Decoupage Sheet in PDF Format 200 ppi ( need Adobe Reader to view and print).
-1 PNG File of Sheet 200ppi with a transparent background to color in a graphics program. (personal use only please don't share/distribute/sell your colored versions.)
-1 8"x10" Sheet in JPG format for those folks who like that ;)

This sheet is recommended to be printed on a high quality printer setting. Digital prints will color beautifully with the Magic Colored Pencil Technique ( oil or wax based colored pencils blended with Odorless Mineral Spirits/Zest-it/Baby Oil and a blending stump.) I will permit toner/laser photo-copying of a printed inkjet copy ( for the buyer's personal use only) if a coloring technique requires watercoloring, etc that would cause inkjet prints to bleed. I have "heard" that spraying an inkjet fixatif on the print will help with ink bleeding.

Also included:

Paper Pricking Border Pattern sized to print 4.25"x5.5" but can be easily resized to suit your needs. ( Note: the pattern is very fine and will require a finer needle and it is recommended to prick on regular weight paper or vellum, not cardstock.


***Commercial Use Only if used on a handcrafted tangible item ( eg. a greeting card ) No distribution/sharing/selling allowed ( in digital or in print as well as your own colored copies )

Purchase Help and Options for Savings

*All purchases are handled with PayPal and they will give you several options to pay, through your PayPal account or, if you wish, via your credit card. The downloads will come via E-Junkie automatically after payment. NOTE: You will receive an email with a link to a web page where you will download your product. Each product will come in separate emails. The files you download will be in zipped format. Windows XP and Vista have utilities to help you extract/unzip your files or use an unzipping program ( please email me, I have several free ones to recommend). The product will extract/unzip to a folder with the same name as the zipped product with all the files inside. All prices are in Canadian Funds; I have provided a currency converter on this blog for your convenience ( Paypal's rate may vary slightly ).

PLEASE READ:

*If you plan on purchasing more than one item, please consider these 2 options:

1. - Check for bundled purchases - I will be offering several items bundled together and the bundles will have a discount.

2. - For Digital Purchases ONLY:
The more you buy, the more you save :)

If your total is over $10 CAD , you will automatically receive a 10% discount.*
If your total is over $20 CAD , you will receive a 20% discount.*

* discount will be automatically tallied during your checkout process and it is only for the current transaction.

But what about a discounted bundle in your item total? If your total is over the $10 or the $20 you will still get a discount on that discounted bundle :))

Digital downloads are sent to you via download links. You should receive the links very shortly after your payment has been processed. This is done automatically via E-Junkie. E-Junkie will send you an email with your download links ( to the address you use for PayPal so make sure it is a current and viable address, your payment receipts from PayPal should go to this address as well ). The links will be time limited and download limited to avoid sharing of links. If you do not receive an email within 5 -10 minutes, please check you email account's spam folder. Please email me with any problems (please include your name, paypal email and/or order number) and I will do everything in my power to make sure you get the downloads. I will reply as promptly as I can but it could take a day or two to work something out ( I am a busy mom with a part time job ;) )

IF YOU ARE ON DIAL-UP!!! Please make sure you can handle an individual download file of up to 5 MB for each file. If you know you have connection problems and have had problems with files this size, I can provide a CD Burning service see LINK for details.

Thank you for your patronage.

Terms of Use

All of the graphic images were created by Tracey Lynn Miller ( Fred, She Said Designs ) , including any sample images and are copyrighted to her. Cards, papercraft projects, tangible hand-crafted items may be sold. NO mass production - that means over 1oo identical items unless you contact Tracey Miller and receive her permission. All other uses of the images ( eg clipart graphics on websites, web design, your own digital creations for distribution - either for free or commercial) are prohibited unless permission is received. If you are unsure, please contact TraceyLynn Miller.

By purchasing or downloading these graphics or obtaining any free downloadable graphics by Tracey Lynn Miller of Fred, She Said Designs, you are agreeing to the terms of this user license. These graphics, once sold or freely downloaded, do not become your property. None of the downloaded products or links may be shared with anyone. Your purchase is for you only. You may alter the images ( eg size, colour, etc) HOWEVER, you may NOT share/distribute/or sell those altered images ( either in printed format OR in digital format) .

Card and papercraft projects, scrapbook pages created using these graphics may be submitted to magazines, contests, and internet galleries with proper credit given to Tracey Lynn Miller of Fred, She Said Designs including name of kit ( if applicable).

Since products are digital downloads, returns cannot be made. If you have problems with a file or the downloading of it, please contact me.

Kids Costumes for World Book Day

Started by UNESCO as a way of promoting and developing reading throughout the world, World Book day is now entering its 2nd decade in the United Kingdom.

Support for what is an excellent idea is growing year on year. In the UK and Ireland, it is celebrated on the 6th of March and free book tokens are given to school children. Different schools who have registered and will approach the World Book Day differently, with some inviting a book seller to visit. Other schools will invite a story teller. Many schools encourage their pupils to come dressed as their favourite book character.

Some of the best fancy dress ideas for World Book Day?
One of the best ways I have found for looking for inspiration when deciding on a fancy dress costume is to browse on-line costume shops. This does not mean that you have to purchase your costume, but it can give you some excellent ideas on what to make.

Girls Costume ideas for World Book Day:

• Alice in Wonderland Costume
• Queen of Hearts Costume (Alice in Wonderland)
• Cinderella Costume
• Princess & The Pea Costume
• Snow White Costume
• Tinkerbell Costume
• Teen Dorothy Costume (Wizard of Oz)
• Heidi Costume
• Witch Costumes - From many books including Winnie The Witch & Shakespeare!
• The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe costume ideas
• Little Miss Muffet
• Little Red Riding Hood Costume
• Goldilocks & The Three Bears costumes
• Beatrix Potter Books - Think Rabbit costumes

Boys Costume ideas for World Book Day:

• Harry Potter Costume
• Robin Hood Costume
• Dennis The Menace Costume
• Wizard Of Oz Costume
• Child Tin Man Costume (Wizard of Oz )
• Child Scarecrow Costume (Wizard of Oz )
• Aladdin Costume
• Peter Pan Costume
• Noddy Costume
• Wombles Costumes
• Paddington Bear Costume
• Puss in Boots Costume
• King of Hearts Costume (Alice in Wonderland)
• Zorro Costume
• Dracula Costume
• Frankenstein Costume
• The Cat in The Hat Costume
• Jungle Book Costumes
• Oliver Twist Costume
• Wind in The Willows Costumes
• Peter Rabbit Costumes
• Costume ideas from the Bible
• Gulliver's Travels
• Dr. Dolittle Costumes
• Pinocchio Costume
• Aladdin Costume
• Winnie The Pooh Costume
• Lord of The Rings Costumes
• Jack & The Beanstalk Costume (Jack & a Giant Costume)
• Pirate Costume
• Young Bond - James Bond Costume
  

Where to buy World Book Day Costumes
Amazon.co.uk has an excellent range of fancy dress costumes for children:
Children's Costumes on Amazon.co.uk

More on World Book Day 2009

Aeroportraiture

I took my friend Ruben's senior pictures the other day at Kelly Air-force Base, where his dad works as a mechanical engineer and designs planes. It was also my first time doing an actual portrait session with someone. Well, I hoped for the best, and thanks to a very photogenic Ruben had some good results. Thanks again for letting me take those pics Ruben! Click here to view more!

Show & Tell Friday--A Birthday Book From My Sister

I know, I know my birthday was last week, but today I'm sharing my really cool paper bag book that my sister made for me as my birthday card. I just love my new little book! Thank you Rhonda!

I love the darling button flowers and the colors she used.........

....more button flowers and fun little tuck ins--love the eyeglasses and the jewlery pieces. In fact it just dawned on me--the colors of the little jewel dangle there and the ribbon that ties the book closed are purple and green--which are the same as our birthstones--amythest and peridot--cool! Oh and don't forget the mini wand--I've yet to use it, but I'm sure it works. ;)

That's right--it's all about the fun and our little secrets--secrets of fun. One of my very favorites pieces in the book is the butterfly--it's so cool!

So do you know..........yes I am the queen! LOL! (even if the ribbon is hiding it a bit). Took me years to convince her of this too--after all I am the big sister. Of course I'm sure she's just humoring me. She reminded me recently that when we were kids (she is the middle child) that I would tell her that I was the cinnamon bread and she was the liverswurst of the sandwich. Now I don't recall that really, however I hereby move her up from being the liverswurst to being honey butter.

I love the back cover and it's definitely true that housework can kill you, so I haven't honed my skills there. I love, love my little book and have already enjoyed walking through it many times and discovering something new each time.

I believe I have about 18 of these little books now and every so often I'll pull one or two of them out and enjoy going through their pages seeing all their fun pictures and pieces and remembering the person who made that one book just for me. Right now I have my collection displayed around my sewing room, so they are everywhere tucked into little spots and they fill them up perfectly!

I hope you'll join us in Show & Tell Friday and pop over to Kelli's Place and check out what everyone else has to share. There's always something fun! Happy Weekend!

Bigfoot spotted in forest in England?

It seems that the legendary Bigfoot was spotted south of London, England in a forest.. or is it?

Bigfoot, who also goes by the name of Sasquatch is described as a large, hairy bipedal hominoid and is said to live in remote forests in the USA, but recent reports and video sightings suggest that he (it?) may have moved over to the UK! With the increased security at airports you have to wonder how he managed to get over here - perhaps Bigfoot stowed away on a ship?

There are other explanations on how Bigfoot has managed to move from North America to Europe as some people believe that this animal, or its close relatives (brothers, sisters or cousins?), may be found around the world under different regional names, such as the Yeti of Tibet and Nepal, the Yeren of mainland China, and the Yowie of Australia.

What ever the case this video doesn't lie!



I have a Gingerbread fancy dress costume from Jokers' Masquerade that looks suspiciously like the Bigfoot caught on camera!

Fancy Dress Competiton

Are you a blog or website owner?

Thought you might like to know about a fancy dress competition where you could win a fancy dress costume.

All you have to do is write a few paragraphs on your site about Jokers' Masquerade and any of their prizes that you could win. Check out the link for more details on how to enter the fancy dress competition

Good luck!

Artful Blogging, Inspirations & Sew Somerset

Artful Blogging, Inspirations and Sew Somerset are 3 of the most gorgeous magazines filled with the most wonderous things! You will need a drool rag and a pen to add to your wants list. I have always been a magazine nut and this week I'm in hogs heaven over these 3 magazines--and it's an expensive heaven at nearly $15 a pop! But hey we're worth it right!


If you haven't found the Artful Blogging magazine you're really missing a treat. I missed the first one and need to back track and get myself one. This is the 2nd issue of Artful Blogging and it's choc full of wonderful blogs to visit and gorgeous photos.

Here are just 2 new blogs that I've found through it--and I haven't even scratched the surface!

Rebecca Sower Rebecca's blog is filled with gorgeous photos of her creative mixed media altered art style pieces. Definitely a site to get some inspiration going.

Marilyn Healey More inspiration and gorgeous photos galore of her wonderful talent. Don't forget the drool rag!



As I was standing at the magazine counter in Barnes & Noble drooling over the Artful Blogging magazine I just happened to find this magazine Inspriations tucked up beneath the shelf and it all but jumped into my hands! It is filled with the most absolute gorgeous embroidery and needlework projects.


See what I mean! Just look at this gorgeous pincushion. It is designed by Kris Richards of Australia. I couldn't find any internet info on Kris, but she did seem to have projects in several other issues of Inspirations Guess I'll just have to buy the rest of them! I don't know about you, but the Australians have some of the most beautiful sewing and crafting magazines filled with such a unique and beautiful style that is vintage and feminine and whimsical even.



And finally I got a hold of Sew Somerset! I had wanted this magazine and could not find it anywhere--locally that is. I finally found this one on ebay and snagged it! It too is filled with gorgeous projects and tons of inspiration. There's another issue coming out in June and I'll be camping out at Barnes & Noble til I get my copy!

Just 2 of the many, many awesome blogs I found in this magazine are.....

Sue Bleiweiss who has the neated project for a button box and sewer's padfolio.

My Artistic Side she has a project for a photo hanger using a vintage image and fun trims.

All of these magazines are absolutely filled to the brim with projects and inspiration and even if a few aren't your particular style of choice of medium to work in they certainly inspire new ideas and get the creative juices flowing and after all isn't that what it's all about. I need some Advil now--they've had my mind in such a whirl that I have a headache!

I would like to add that I am in no way responsible for any new addictions or the amount of money that you will spend caused by reading this post--just don't say I didn't warn you. That Stampington site is highly addictive. My next issue to hunt down it the Altered Couture or maybe it should be the Belle Armoire or maybe.............

Window Art

During my visit to UTSA yesterday, I spotted a very interesting window covered in abstract paintings. The art of others inspired my own creation with the camera. Click here to view all pictures

Wedding Bells

Two of my closest friends, Martin and Kelli Martinez, were wed on December 22, 2007. I was honored to take their wedding pictures and gain more experience in the process. Best wishes to the newly weds, Mr. and Mrs. Martinez! Click here to view more pictures

More Cards!

Our mail has been traveling a bit slow with all of the snow we keep getting and so today when I went to the post office I found more treasures awaiting me and they are treasures!

This is the beautiful card and snippets of Valentine ephemera sent to me from Mica of Garboodles Soup A wonderful and very unique card and so very 19th century. I love it!


The picture just doesn't show what all is involved in this beautiful card, so I scanned it in, so you can see all the paper piercing, the tiny cut-outs by hand and the small, beautiful handwriting. A work of art for sure! I just love it. Thank you Mica! If you haven't been to visit Mica's blog you are truly missing out, so hop on over and see what this talented lady does.


My next treasure is from Joyce of Brookside Cottage . All this arrived in a most beautiful pink striped box. Joyce always does fun things with her packages. The pink heart is big and so beautiful in pink--I love pink! The other cards and bookmark she handmade and are so beautiful too and lots of wonderful sweet details! I seem to use that word beautiful a lot, but hey it fits everything! Both Joyce and I are ME fans and I love how she decorated the inside of the little box with an ME card that she embellished and the lovely little ceramic heart earrings are so pretty. Thank you Joyce! I love it all!


This has been so fun doing this swap and I do plan to do more throughout the year. I will also be leaving all of my awesome Valentine treasures out til the end of the month, so I can enjoy them a little longer. I always miss my Valentine's when I pack them away. Hmmm....who knows maybe I should make a year round Valentine corner somewhere! Hmmmm................ ;)

New week...new updates

Above, you can see pictures for the swath of danish and croissants that were baked in Baking class this week. Also, in Food Basics, it was moist heat cooking and we did a green bean salad and braised beef shanks.

It has been a pretty intense week. First, we had a Baking quiz on Monday, followed by the sanitation (ServSafe) certification exam on Weds. In between I had to work (11 hours on Sunday and six on Tuesday) and there was a horrible snow storm on Tuesday night, which had my car swishing from side to side going down Mass Ave after class at midnight. I also sent my resume to Fenway and Caesars Palace. Fenway (yes, the BoSox Fenway) is looking for a bunch of cooks for the upcoming baseball season to work in the various restaurants within the ballpark. I was surprised, when I received a call from a guy named Nookie (sp?) just under an hour after I sent my resume to them. To cut a long story short, we arranged to meet at Fenway (Yawkey Way Gate D) on Tuesday at 2pm. I'll probably park my car at the Porter Square T station and take the T into Fenway. Then attend class at 4:30pm. Oh, and the Baking class has been moved to Thursday for this week.

Also, the Caesars Palace one is quite interesting. It is a Culinary Management Apprenticeship with Caesars Palace. It's kind of a management trainee program that runs for 10-12 months in Vegas. Sent my resume plus a cover letter to the contact person there. Hoping to hear back as it is a huge opportunity for anyone chosen for it.

Art Prize Award

Wow! I won the Art Prize Award and I feel so honored! It has been passed to me by my friend Robin of Bird in Hand Primitives Thank you Robin!

Here is what this ward is about.....

"Art Prize and Award"This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. "

I appreciate each of you out there who come and visit my blog and thank you for leaving the lovely comments that you do. I love keeping up my blog and I also love visiting all of the other awesome blogs that are out there and there are gazillions of them!
It is now my turn to bestow this award to a few of my fellow bloggers and believe me this is a very difficult choice, because there are so many fantastic blogs that this could go to.

Those who I bestow this Art Prize Award to are......

Lana Manis of Honeysuckle Lane

Nancy Gerber of Atticbabys

Suzanne of Pear Tree Primitives

So to those who have received this award the rules of passing on this award are as follows: Post the award on your blog and share who you received it from and then choose a few fellow bloggers to pass it along to, making sure to add links to all.

Treehouses and Broken Windows

The saying, "the early bird catches the worm" pushed me out of bed at sunrise on a Saturday morning to venture out in freezing weather (literally!) and discover the unexpected. What I found was an abandoned tree house that sat on the edge of a dried river bed, lit beautifully by the morning sunrise. There were uprooted trees from years of land shift, decorated by age-old mushrooms that could not be ignored. Click here to view all pictures

The Hafli

I have an amazing friend and companion in my life who has been belly dancing for her church for 8 years. Just last week, I was fortunate to gain a free ticket on the floor as photographer- the only exception to the dance show that annually sells out with 600 people in attendance. Knowing one of the dancers is a plus, too :) ~ Brittany is the one in blue. Click here to view all pictures

Valentine's Day

The holidays are perfect for any photographer looking for some inspiration. Amidst chocolates, flowers, and teddy bears, I searched for the shot that would scream "Valentine's Day!" I found that shot during my spanish class this afternoon, a Dallas Cowboys teddy and flowers were perfectly positioned in the foreground of a white-board calender that said it all.

Nikon D80, 2'' f30

Happy Valentine's Day! Card Swap & OHOW Winner!

After many, many interruptions today I can finally sit down and share with you all that I have to share and I have a lot! First of all--Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Enjoy the day and eat a bunch of chocolate and in case Cupid didn't bring you any chocolates there's nothing that says you can't go buy your own, so celebrate the day and enjoy!

I would also like to give a great big Thank You to Lisa Oceandreamer for hosting the One Heart One World Giveaway. Also a great big Thank You To all of you who participated and signed up for my giveaway. I've been so amazed at all of the entries I had here and also all the bloggers who participated and one of the best parts has been finding new blogs to read and enjoy. I can't wait til next year to participate again!

And the winner of the wool felt sewing set, vintage jar of buttons and heart & hand card is..........................................

Kathi of Feathering My Nest

Congratulations Kathi! I'll be emailing you very shortly to get your mailing addy, so I can get your prize sent to you.

---------------------------------------------------------

Now to share with you my Valentine's Day Card Swap.

If you remember I had posted a one on one Valentine Card Swap a couple of weeks ago and I said I would open them today and share them with everyone, so here we go.....

This is what I have received--everything from beautiful envelopes to a big box!

And this is what is in those envelopes....................

This one is from Donna Martin of Cottage Days & Journeys

It looks like an old fashioned post card with a new twist. I love it! The old stamp and postmark are so cool! Thank you Donna!

This one is from Kathi Robinaugh of Out On A Whim Her little Cupid is just adorable and lots of fun details! Thank You Kathi! I love your card!
(Kathi is a wonderful Altered Art Artist, so I hope you'll check out her blog and many sites).

I just love this little darling by Angela Prince-Bex of The Country Cellar She is so adorable and so very vintage. I've always wanted one of these. Thank you Angela I just love her!

This beautiful card is from Trudy Honyecutt of Crows in the Attic Primitives The picture just does not show how beautiful it truly is and all of it fun little details. When it arrived the little key in the corner was hanging outside the envelope, so I knew something wonderful was inside--and I was right. I love it Trudy Thank You!

This is what came in a good sized box, a beautiful and super fun card by Karoline Simmons of Cherished Vintage Karoline spoiled me with chocolates! and a cool glittered Be Mine sign on top of her card. I love it all! Thank You Karoline!

Here is a close up of Karoline's card so you can see some of it's fun details. Just below the cool paper fringe are beautiful clear beads. I love it's vintage style!

And this is the card that I made and sent to everyone. While cardmaking is not what I do, I truly enjoy making them and I'm learning more and more each time I make one--and I still have a lot to learn!! I will be emailing each of my dear card swappers later tonight for a more personal thank you and I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing their wonderful talents. I know I have truly enjoyed each and every lovely card.
Thank You!

A big, big thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I truly appreciated it and it made my day a very wonderful day!
One final picture of my birthday cake and roses from yesterday. I still have the roses, but the cake is pretty much gone and yes it tasted as good as it looks!