let's see.

so i thought i would answer a few questions today and a few tomorrow.

i also wanted to share some layouts.

i hope you are all having a beautiful weekend!

weekends are pretty much exactly the same as the week around here,

but we are having a great one.

sadie is now completely walking. no lurching or falling for the most part.

she's nuts.

i'll turn around and she will have booked it completely across the house.

both girls are snotty and coughing (AGAIN...sigh.)

i'm praying they get well this week, i won't feel good about leaving them with BB and G-daddy if they are sick.

but oh my goodness, I can't even tell you how much I am looking forward to CHA.

i can't even wait to meet everyone, and also see all of the new lines that will be coming our way. 

if you will be there, please say hi to me! 

i'll be with studio calico, and i will also be working at the october afternoon booth from 12-5 on sunday.

i'll be the tall spazzy girl in the studio calico shirt with wide, overwhelmed eyes!!

heeee!!

okay. on to a few questions.

1. How did you become such a good photographer? Take a class? Self taught? Where did you begin??  Thank you so much, Janie. But I'm not a good photographer. I think I see the good, special moments between people instead of missing them in the big picture, but i have so much to learn with photography. I mostly shoot in the AV mode, but this year it is my goal to learn how to do much more. I took a free photography course by Joanna Bolick at 2peas and it's fantastic. I need to go back and make it through the entire thing. I was pregnant with Sadie when i took it, and needless to say, I didn't give it the best attention.

Where do you start? Learn how to use whatever camera you have. Get the manual out. I wore my little point and shoot out before I moved on to a DSLR. Learn how to adjust your settings and take photos without flash. Observe, and take interesting pictures. Not just big group photos. Get down on the ground and interact with your kids. Take pictures while you are down there. Just play. 

Not every photo has to be perfect. I'm a mom and a scrapbooker, not a photographer. I don't think all of my photos have to be flawless. I don't photoshop at this point b/c I don't know how. I love real, genuine photographs, where you can feel the emotion. I love them when they aren't over-photoshopped.

Many of you have asked what camera I use. I have a Canon Digital Rebel xti with a 50 mm 1.8 lens. Like I said, I don't photoshop (clearly, hehe), but I edit my photos a bit in iphoto.

2.Can you show us more pictures of your home and how you decorate. Show some more pics of your mom's home while you are at it! I'll work on taking some new photos ASAP. The house is kind of a mess right now, I'm packing!

3. What type of albums do you use? American Crafts D-Ring fabric covered albums.

in all different colors. I even have some of the corduroy ones.

4.What are your 3 favorite colors of cardstock? white, kraft, and aqua blue. though i really just mainly use white and kraft.

5. How many days until J comes home?- about 5 weeks until R&R. He will be back for 15 days and then he goes back to complete his deployment, which is over this summer.

okay. that's enough of that for now. more tomorrow =)

and here are the layouts i wanted to share.

the first is just for fun, i did it for a 2peas challenge to "scrap the sentimental".

journaling reads: it's true. horribly cliched but 100 percent true. my knees still get weak when you kiss me, when i first see your face after we have been apart.  it's like being a teenager and falling head over heels in love for the very first time.  you always will be my one true love and my teenage crush all rolled into one.

patterned paper- crate paper (brown), collage press (green) ,october afternoon (houndstooth), cosmo cricket (orange)

labels- twogirlzstuff (etsy)

buttons- vintage

rhinestones- k and co

alphas- sassafras

and the second is another prima layout with all new product.

how cool is that garland???

everything here is prima.

see these and other new releases HERE.

That's it for today, have a blessed Sunday!

xo

s

Comments

[amy]

What great layouts Sweetie! I love how sweet you and J are!
I adore your shots you get and you are right, just get in there and take the photos! Take 400 of them and then find that one special one, I always love the moments you get...
xoxo!

[Tara Van Moorsel]

Gorgeous layouts ... as usual. I love the huge title on the "weak in my knees" layout. Just perfect. And the labels look fantastic. I have a bunch that I ordered after seeing them on your blog but I never seem to use them very often. Maybe I need some more colours and styles. Better order some more;)
That garland is mucho yummy. Gimmee.
Have a wonderful time at CHA. So jealous!

[Susan Beth]

Love both those layouts! Praying for you to have a safe and joyful trip to CHA! I went one time a couple years ago, and it was amazing!

[Maryangella]

Beautiful layouts as always.
I love how even though J is away from you all and in not such a good place, he still manages wo have such a sweet smile, and your journaling for his layout.... oh my! How such, what a blessing that after so many years you still feel that way. God bless you all.

[C. Rayevich]

both layouts are VERY VERY cool as always. But I LOVE the first one!! the title and journaling!! It soo reminds me of me and my husband...
Have agood Sunday!!
((Hugs))

[jenn emch]

Yowza! Both layouts are gorgeous but the one of Harper is stunning! I hope you have the best time at CHA. I can't wait to hear about the shennanigans you girls get into! LOL!

[Rachel]

I think you're a great photographer! Thanks for sharing your photography background with us. And the LO of you hubby? I love it! Your journaling is so honest and the combination of papers is just right!

[Denise]

I hope you have a wonderful time at CHA. I wish I was going so I could meet you. :o) Beautiful layouts. Are your layouts ever not beautiful? LOL!

[Jen Day]

Love love love your layouts!

[Stacey]

I love the Q and A! I too can't wait to see pictures of your house. I love to see how others decorate. I'm have no confidence in my decorating. What a sweet layout about Jimmy! You are an amazing wife and you take such good care of him. He must always feel safe knowing he has you looking out for him. I love the layout of Harper too.

[Angela W]

We are all snotty here too...Ugh. I hope you have a great time at CHA and meet loads of great people! I so hope to go soon and meet all of you SC gals! Great layouts! I had seen the Prima one on their site. I saw one with Sadie on another site reccntly too! I laughed cause I always know your girls when I see their pics!

[amy a.]

You LO's are absolutely gorgeous. I love your work!! Wish I could go to CHA this time but nadda. Have lots of fun and share pics if you have time!! Would love to be in the Oct. Afternoon booth - heck, would love to be in any booth!! LOL!!

[Anna Sigga]

My baby girl is snotty too but hopefully it will be over soon.
Love your layouts girlie and I love what you have been creating with the new Prima stuff!

[Stephanie Klauck]

Beautiful layouts Steph.
Hope the girls are feeling better soon.
Have fun at CHA!

[tammy]

Beautiful page Stephanie. Thanks for the Prima link, I think I died and went to heaven with all those new releases unbelieveable.

[Kami]

Have fun at CHA, I am so jealous! I hope to attend one of these times. Gorgeous new layouts too!

[andreeanne]

Really love the layouts Stephanie. I love what you write for you husband. I'm sure he would love it. My son is sick too and I hope he would feel better soon. I also love what you did with the new stuff from Prima. have a good sunday.
andree anne

[Kimberly]

Totally GORGEOUS creations!!! Love your sweet words for your husband too...what a blessing you have. I hope your girls are feeling better too! xoxo
Lots of love,
K

[Melina]

thanks for sharing

[Nicole]

can't wait to hang with you either sweets...we're gonna have a BLAST!! =)

[Stephanie Mah]

great pages!!!! :)

[Deb Wisker]

Great LOs Steph! The Prima garland is awesome!
I shoot raw and barely edit my photos either and have 2 photo programs in my computers....just can't be bothered, KWIM?

[Laura]

Aw, what sweet journaling on your "Weak in My Knees" LO!!

[Christine Campbell]

Can't wait to see you!! I'm in booth 2616. :)

[kim Strother]

I live in CA, about 40 minutes from where you will be at CHA, wish I could see come say Hi, but I won't be there. I would love to be there! But oh well, please take lots of pictures to share with us.

[Jamie Hansen]

hello. I just wanted to say i think it is great you take the time to give feed back on people's questions. :)

I just wanted to comment:
I think your husband is brave and you have two beautiful daughters.

tah tah 4 now

[Jill]

Thanks for sharing these lovely layouts!

[Melita]

beautiful LOs Stephanie! sorry to hear that the girls aren't feeling well...my kids are starting to head down that road too. Have a great time at CHA! Wish I could be there! Go say hi over at the Fiskars booth and tell them Melita sent ya! =)

[melanie]

you're tall? why am i picturing you as this sweet little petite thing? :)

[aja]

she is a beauty!

[april foster]

love your "weak in the knees" LO! perfect for that challenge.

[Selena Kimsey]

I love that layout about J! Perfection! And Harper is gorgeous as always. Beautiful layout.

I am so sad I am not going to CHA again. I really was looking forward to meeting you!

Cannot wait to read more of your questions you answered.

[Cheryl]

I'm loving your "weak in my knees" layout...so, so sweet. Your hubby has a great smile...but I bet you already knew that. Glad to hear that he'll be home with you and your cutie pies in the near future...even if it's just for a bit. Deployments just bite, don't they? Thanks so much for sharing your talent and your family with all of us!

[Courtney F.]

Your layouts are fabulous, as always! I know you are counting down those 5 weeks!! And have fun on your trip, too! Congratulations to J on his new job - very exciting!! I look forward to reading your blog everyday!

[Valerie Schultz]

Love the new layouts. Thanks so much for sharing, you are such an inspiration. I am so jealous that you get to go to CHA! Have fun.

[jules p]

great layouts. the one of your hubby-well, i got teary-eyed on that one. and your sweet H...she is just beautiful. Squeeze her while you can.

[kristii]

absolutely awesome work!!! I am so inspired by you!!

[susan weinroth]

oooooooooooooooh i LOVE the layouts (as usual!)... hope you have a BLAST at cha...!! its such a fun time!! :)

[Jung A]

i have a question...i noticed on twopeas, on the technology photo challenge that you have the flip....i was thinking about getting it, so how do you like it?

[Heather M.]

That layout of J is just awesome! You are so sweet!

I hope you have a blast at CHA!

[erin]

hi stephanie,
i hope i get to meet you at cha. please come and visit me at the my little shoebox booth:)
i'm the short one, LOL. suzy and i are both short.
your work is gorgeous as always, and that picture of your dd is priceless.
erin

[jenney]

Beautiful layouts!!!