Hello, It's Me: A Scandalous Introduction

If we are meeting for the first time, hello!

SCANDALOUS: Guess what? Don't forget your Gmail/Blogger password and your secret question because Google makes it impossible to retrieve your password. I have more than one Gmail account, and unfortunately forgot my password after taking a break from blogging. I've tried a about six times to retrieve my password filling out forms but Google's security is stronger than Ft. Knox. I have no idea how I am going to inform all my followers from my former blogs http://jshahin.blogspot.com and http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com so if you found me here, a million hugs and kisses and smooches!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

(goodbye old blog, boo hoo hoo)

WELCOME TO MY NEW BLOG!!!!
WHAT TO EXPECT:

• DIGITAL SCRAP LAYOUTS CREATED IN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
• PAPER & GLUE TRADITIONAL SCRAPBOOK LAYOUTS
• PHOTOGRAPHS OF ME AS A WIFE & AN AUNTIE, MY HUSBAND, OUR DAILY LIFE AND TRAVELS, PLUS OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
• FREEBIES
• COLLAGE ART
• CREATIVE JOURNALING AND ART JOURNALING
• TRENDS
• DIGI DARE CHALLENGES
• TUTORIALS, WRITTEN AND VIDEOS
  

ABOUT ME

How long did you resist scrapbooking or were you one of those people who were a scrapbooker all along and didn't know it like me? I started saving photos and scraps/memorabilia in elementary school during the 1980's. I have volumes and volumes of personal journals. I studied art and design in school and college, with a B.A. in Interion Design from Michigan State University. Then 5 years ago in June, I made the conscious decision to jump into this hobby with both feet a few weeks after my wedding. My cousin, Amanda, one of my bridesmaids, hand-painted and decorated the cover of a honeymoon mini-album as a wedding gift. Since I had made my invitations, and all the programs and decorations for my wedding - it was a natural progression for me.

My style today reflects my artistic background and eclectic interest in vintage goodies, collage and color. I love whimsy, storytelling, and artistic expression.

MY GALLERIES

my portfolio
{we are} storytellers
my scrapbook art
digishoptalk
twopeasinabucket

MY LATEST PROJECT
The below layout is for the lastest Digi Dare - a challenge blog daring you to scrap outside the box. This dare comes from Barb:

It’s that time of year again, school is starting. With the start of school comes lots of memories for me of classes, sports, dances, teen angst, and teachers! This week I’d like to challenge you to write about your favorite teacher. Tell us why he or she was your favorite and if he/she inspired you to try new things or helped you through a tough time. If you don’t have a favorite teacher, tell us about your least favorite teacher. I happen to have both and I remember them both vividly.

Dare Flair:

• Photos optional ~ we might not have pics available for such a layout, so don’t worry about it if you don’t.
• Use Primary Colors ~ try the ROYGBIV thing….Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
• Use at least one element that is school related
• Use a handwriting font for journaling
• Try to incorporate paper or an element that looks like looseleaf notebook paper

Happy Back to School!

It is also Roben-Marie’s turn to be sponsor. Anyone who participates will get a 30% coupon off her store! Link your layout meeting our dare by Thursday midnight on our blog.

Check out her store right now!!! I could buy it all.

Here is my take on this challenge. I was one of those weirdo kids who loved school, well - I loved learning is more specific. If I had to recall many happy times in school, there weren't a lot of those yet I loved learning new things. I was shy, quiet, and smart which made me the candidate for being the teacher's pet quite often. There weren't many teachers though who saw through that quiet, shyness except for Mrs. McCormick. She worked in our elementary school with the advanced students, pulling them out in groups to read mythology, or to work on independent projects such as creative writing. I remember when I gave up on a project she recommended a self-help book for my mother to invest in - not sure if it was for my mother or for both of us. My mother ignored the suggestion nonetheless. All the same, I did flourish that year. I emailed Mrs. McCormick with a copy of this layout, surprised to find her still in the same school district. She retired last year, and our school district pulled her back in this year to work at the High School as a Guidance Counselor.

Journaling: I owe a lot to Mrs McCormick who was a very special soul. Like several teachers in Ontario, I first met her in Elementary school. It was her goal to help my confidence and social skills. I felt smart, like I could do anything. I’ll always remember her extra efforts.
Inspired, that year in 5th grade I received straight A’s and my classmates voted me most likely to succeed. This faculty photo was taken about 3 years later at Ontario Middle School.

Credits: Journal Clusters by PaperBag Studios/Roben-Marie Designs; Vintage Schoolhouse by Kelly Sauvage; Watercolors Paperpack by Angela Woo (retired); Embrace Life by Sande Krieger; Spring Frippery by Rhonna Farrer; Rockabilly by beAUDacious Designs (retired); 1st Hour English by Emily Powers (retired); Summerville by Heaven’s Gate Designs (DAM June 09); Viva La Blooms Alpha by Julie Mead; The Artist’s Canvas Brushes by Emily Powers and Angela Powers (retired). Fonts: Pea Scrap Brandy and Rough_Typewriter.