New Computer Stuff

My older computer just couldn't keep up with me and the internet..freezing, stalling and spinning in place.. I am fortunate in having great children. My DS#1 sent me a brand new uptodate-computer. Windows 7 & in my favorite Color!! Red.

It is so fast, but having to get the new wireless gear has held me up with creating and using it. o I went shopping and purchased PSE-8. They are on their way...Meanwhile, I've been relegated to the laptop.

I went looking for some "how-tos" for PSE-8.. and found a place I really l like- www.scrappersworkshop.com

Love the Tuesday Tips.. for knowing what the "tools" are all about.

I've been neglecting my camera and working with close up shots.. not as easy as it seems. I must have the "old lady shakey hands" since most of my shots are blurry. back to the use of camera stand (bean bag) and retaking some shots.

Friday the 3rd of Sept I'll be going thru some surgery/endoscopy to fix my GERD & check out a possible bile duct obstruction. I really like this Dr Trainer and can see why He is booked up to the end of the year. I was fortunate to get in as quickly as 2 weeks. He must see that I'm in trouble/pain. So bear (LOL) with me. I'll get caught up one of these days.

Recycle this!!

I love these little kleenex boxes and I buy several each month.. they are little bits of art that I hate to just throw into the garbage.. (actually recycle bin for papers).

I am a stamper, scrapbooker & recycle Queen.. so what do I want/need with these little beauties?? What could one do/remake with these?

First let's take one apart and see what inspiration comes to me..

OK!! a light bulb went off.. and I could use the top 2 portions..for:

I can perch this on a shelf since I left a little stand at the bottom.. or trim & flatten for a wall..*need several since they are small*. Or just the top with the oval opening for a scrapbook page!! Hey, lets look at some stamps for the bottom section..

How's that for RECYCLING!! Give ya any ideas?? If so, let me know.... I have a couple more boxes I can play with.

Gathering

Here I go again.. gathering items/material for some projects I've been talking & thinking about.

First of all a "tribal belt".

This one has alot of movement.. and in a triangle shape at the back. Long tan fringe all around!! I'm sure I won't be that detailed.. but I have, beads, yarn and material... (see the blue brocade at the top I plan to make a Belt from a goodwill dress I found for $8.00).

I gathered the necessary images/tubes/shapes to do a few digi scrap pages, I just hope my eyeballs will allow me to get something done in that area this week. Thinking of using this photo as color inspiration.. I didn't say THEME... Just colors.. PSE6 lets me pick colors out of a photo to use..I make a bunch of little boxes of color on one sheet & save it in a file for future referrence.

So My week has been "planned". let's just see if it all works out. GRANNY

costumes

Did ya notice those wonderful costumes each of the dancers wore?? Can you guess how many "layers" of clothing they had on? I betcha can't.. I'm still trying to figure it out, so here is my answer on this subject. Let's take a close look at Amanda from ATS-flyin skirts in her basic outfit.

Top: head, she isn't wearing the optional hair pieces, turban/hat or flowers, but she certainly could and still be tribal. Add long hair!! It's a must!

Bust: that cover is called a Choli.. it is basic wardrobe item and everyone should have a "good" choli . Choli's can have long or short sleeves and they come in so many colors and fabrics.. So spend some cash on a good one that you feel comfortable wearing. Now you can add on top or beneath such things as a "coin Bra", jewelry that include Cowrie beeds/shells or what ever at arm, necklace, or wrist. Dangle goodies or use a shear cover up over your belly.. You're still "tribal". (You want a good bra under your Choli for support, esp you well endowed ladies- you know whatcha need-just make sure the choli covers it.)

Waist/hip: Starting from unders.. harem pants or loose flowing pants in any color you like!!

Next a skirt or two--if one is see thru all the better. Here you want "flowing fabrics". (the image has one cotton skirt with RED border at bottom over harem pants). On top of the skirt, ADD a scarf with tassels..or coins!! Or both!!or Add a shorter colorful "square" skirt. (Tribal is more about tassels & fabric flowing while the Cabaret style is more about Noise & glitter)

BELTS: this is a separate catagory..and you can really spend alot of time, money & effort on Tribal Belts.. There are coin belts.. tiny intricate belts to large glittering noisey belts, or cloth belts with lots of flowing fringe, tassels & flashy items.... the image has long light brown yarn & tassel belt.. A good belt will cover your bottom and tie in front/side with long ends that hang down.

We are showing bellys, All belly's. You don't have to have a flat belly or tooth pick bod to dress up and DANCE.. But if you are self conscious about your belly, use a shear cover up. Just some chiffon fabric sewn to your bra and tucked into your waist/hips ..but it has to be SHEAR!!

FEET: you can wear slippers or go bare foot.. I have a thin pair of house slippers in black that I use..but mostly I am bare foot. Ankles can have bells, bobbles or jingles. Toes can have RInGS.. HOW fun!! but that is getting back into the cabaret style costuming.

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Search and learn, there are so many great costumes, that you may want them all...so here is the trifty way to get outfited.. SEW- Make those Harem Pants..*they are under everything so don't have to be perfect..just elastic at the waist & ankles!! The large flowing skirts has elastic at the waist, and your belt covers all that..Make a belt with yarn and bits N bobs from your sewing stash...Loop, chrochey long strands of yarn, and make lots of large tassels!! add your own style of fabrics ..remember colorful!! and you are good to go!!

OK, Now I am hooked. I sew and I have this stash of YARN.. great for making TASSELS..

I think I can make a darn good "belt"!! Gotta check my fabric stash....Hmmm

Tribal Dancing-YouTube

ok, the code doesn't wanna work for me here. So I just added the link. Hope it shows ya what I recently got hooked on. Awaiting a skirt & pant set so I can at least dress the part. I love the American Tribal dances. There are the Caberet style which the MEN really go crazy for, but I like to look and dress "my age" and it is a bit Renni Faire lookin'. Hope to get an hour or two's practise in later today.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYKqH8xIaaw&feature=PlayList&p=6B196A4C54FF1710&index=1&playnext=2


I found some new CU tubes that I may have to Clusterize for ya.. Just thinking it is a tad late for flowery stuff.. so maybe Halloweeny??

I'm here...Whaz Up!!

I'm just lazy...with this blogging thing. Esp since I had to give up designing digital kits. The ol' eyeballs are not co operating and my screen keeps fading away on me. I will try to continue doing some scrapping..more paper now than digi with the eyes giving me trouble.. Glasses DO NOT help or improve the condition. So I have to slow down and give up some things.

Other News. Working up the courage to have some surgery done to "fix" the Gastric Reflux problems. Getting a BAND to prevent the "juices" from coming up instead of going DOWN. I tell ya, Old age is not for the weak or faint of heart. Gotta have courage and be prepared for anything!! Like insomnia! (keep some good audio books on hand).

Had a bunch of Fluid Retention..but got rid of 6 lbs with some meds and careful dieting. .. And if that wouldn't keep ya watching your diet...then a bout of constipation should put you on guard to the amount of Roughage you need. LOL. Life is good!! NOT!!

50 years & counting

It's such fun to look back.. way back in this case! I got this tiny 2x3 image of me when I started high school. (A friend was doing the 50 yr class reunion "news" booklet for the class of 1960) and I got access to a couple of goodies..

So what do I do with those tiny but precious images. Well, look out Photoshop E. 6.0 You are gonna get a work out!.

on the right>> is the scanned image..8.5x11 - I'm the 3rd one down from the top.. one image of me has a wet spot on the chin.. the other is pretty grainy. I went with grainy.. crop, straighten and play with the extra features in the "tool" menu!! You may get something you really want to KEEP and SCRAP.

It's still pretty grainy.. I did scan it at 600dpi.. reduced that to 300. but still lots of pixel to work with. the far right is "pinlight" and I really like that look.. I'll add a Hue to match my background page and scrap it!! I'm 14 in this photo..