The Paustenbaughs

Spring Training-Photography Style

I had the great opportunity to preview one of Erin Cobb's photography videos for the current Ella Spring Training class.  I have followed Erin for some time now and just love her photography style, so I was excited to get this assignment for spring training!

Both girls  have entered that stage in childhood that their paparazzi mama has run her course and I get super goofy smiles or the super fake ones.  Not good.  I love candids, but once the camera goes to my eye I immediately get the stink eye from them.

Erin had some great tips for pulling out some expressions from your kids without them even knowing it. 

I still got some goofy grins, but ended up with some very expressive ones as well!  I took a few of Ella, who happpens to be Mrs. Expressive of our family, and turned them into a layout for the Ella blog today:

Thanks for stopping by and if you're taking part in Spring Training, let me know how you're liking it!  I'm loving all the tips in the videos already!

Spring Training Time

Today starts the day for Ella Publishing's Spring Training for the next 2 weeks and it certainly won't disappoint!  I watched one of the photography videos and made a layout from the photos I took through Erin Cobb's tutorial.  It'll go live on the blog on Wednesday, but here's a sneak peak:

Lots of good videos and tutorials coming your way in the next 2 weeks!

You can still take advantage of the 10% off coupon (LEOTARD) and join in!

 

Easter Cards and a Giveaway

 First, I am so, so sorry I didn't get to this sooner!  I totally meant to, but with getting ready to travel and the actual traveling, it slipped my mind. 

The winner of the Studio Calico Kit is Amy Coose!!

Congrats Amy!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Don't forget that it's not long until the Ella Publishing Spring Training 2012 event!  April 23rd will be here before you know it!  If you head over now you can use the code SPRINGTIME10 to save 10% right now!

There's a great line up of instructors to help get you in shape in time for National Scrapbooking Day in May!

But today for one lucky winner I get to give away one spot in the upcoming class!  Just leave me a comment below and I'll draw a winner on Friday!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Speaking of Ella Publishing, I never heard from the original winner of the Stamping Secrets eBook, so I'm going to try again!

This time the winner is Teka Cochonneau!  Just email me at tcpaustenbaugh (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll send you the pdf.

________________________________________________________________________________________

 And FINALLY it's Easter week on the Pebbles blog and I had 2 cards up on the blog yesterday.  Still not the expert card maker, but feeling better about doing them.

Have a happy, happy Wednesday!

Stamping Secrets Giveaway

Have you had a chance to take a peak at the new eBook Stamping Secrets yet? I have read through it twice already and am ready to go back and read through it again.  Lots of helpful info and tips to use for stamps, which I really need!  Not just that, but they have included vidoes with this eBook as well!

This book has expert tips and techniques using various stamps.  Lots of new ways to use some of those stamps that might have laying around wondering what else to do with them!

So today I'm here to give away one free Stamping Secrets eBook!!  You will adore it I promise!

Just leave a comment telling me if your a new, intermediate or expert stamper.  I will keep comments open until Friday morning at 6 am EST and a winner will be posted by 8 am.

Me-I'm mostly lean to new, but trying to get more practice!

March Take 12

Monday was the 12th, which meant it was time for another month of Ella Publishing's Take 12 Challenge.  Hopefully you've been able to join in, but if not, it's still not too late.  It's never too late to start this project!  And if you're like me, then on the 12th you'll need to set your phone alarm to continue to remind you (I may or may not be super forgetful!).

Here are my photos highlighting our Monday:

1. It was a chevron kind of work day, compliments of Target.

2. So super excited for our home state Indiana Hoosiers going into the tournament this year.  It's been a rough few years for Hoosier basketball and now we're back!

3. My work space. Looks super dark, but turning on the overhead light will nearly blind me and my students!

4. YIKES!!  Need I say more on that one.

5. Glorious, glorious day on Monday!  Spring has sprung!

6. Another sign in my backyard that spring is here-yippee!

7. My Easter weakness. Starburst jelly beans.

8. And another sign of spring? Watery eyes and itchy nose-it's allergy season too.

9.  Because Mondays are super busy, our usual Monday night feast.

10. And I can't get a normal smile out of this one to save my life.  Crazy town.

11. Working hard on her star student festivities for this week!  She's beside herself with happiness!

12. My Monday evening-blogging, commenting on blogging and editing.  It's a party in my house!!

We'd love to see your photos and layouts over on the Ella blog!  Link us up!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

And because everyone is waiting on pins and needles (heehee!)!  I really, really appreciate all the input on my dress post.  I was grateful everyone came over and weighed in!

I'm taking these 2 and will deciding probably on the morning of the change of command since I'm indecisive like that!

If I'm feeling spunky, I'm going with red, black and white and if I'm feeling particularly Jackie O., then the white and black it is!

The gray one, although I love it, will REALLY show the sweat, which will be no good starting out!!  And the other one was a wool skirt on the bottom, which I didn't realize until I looked at the tag and talk about being a sweaty mess!

Thanks again for all the input!  I guess the big reveal is June 14th after the Change of Command ceremony!

Spring Means, uh, Halloween?

Today is March 12th, so you know what that means?!  It's time to TAKE TWELVE!  Today only you can save 12% on any 2 items, including the Take 12 Guided Inspiration Kit for taking your photos.  

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Today I have a new layout up on the Ormolu Blog and well, since it's spring I did a Halloween layout.  I tend to scrap against the grain and this is no different!  You have to go with what inspires you, right?!

I had these great Negative Number tags from the Studio Calico Brookly Flea Kit and started with those first, well, after the photos of course!

Maya and Ella decided that for Halloween this past year they would convert their pillow pets into costumes.  They loved their costumes and I think they rocked them too!  So for an evening we had some pets in the house again and the only kind of pets I want for a while-they're house trained!! 

And Ella has her costumes planned out for the next 5 years!

Happy Monday!  I'm off to continue taking my photos!

 

Eight is Enough

I took the Ella Publishing challenge this week and made a layout using only 8 layouts.  I started off thinking it might be a little difficult, but not so bad.  Boy was I wrong!!  I realized how many little bits and pieces I use on my layouts that equals WAY more than 8 products. 

I chose to use 3 sheets of patterned paper because I knew that I could at least use punches to break down that paper.  I use twine on almost all my layouts so I knew I would definitely use that too.

That library card is downloaded from Shimelle, via 2 Peas In A Bucket.

And since there is a new Stamping eBook debuting this week, I dug out some stamps to use too!  Until March 7th the ebook is 29% off!!!

This book has some really great expert tips from some phenomenal stampers and includes video instruction too.  Seriously, for an amateur stamper like myself, it has some amazing tips and tricks in it!

Head on over to Ella, or you can link on over from the button to the left.

<<<------------

Random

Nothing profound or creative to put here today, but I do have a bit of randomness.  Oh, and an awesome giveaway!

Head on over to Ella Publishing for a Leap Day sale this week!!

Lots of ebooks available and you can save a bundle with this sale!!  I took a peak at the Stamping Secrets book and it is so good, especially for an amateur stamper like myself!!

Ella is also having a giveaway this week in honor of the new stamping book.  Head over to the Ella Blog and leave a comment here to win $150 worth of stamps!!  Seriously some good stamps being given away there and so wish I could enter to win!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

In non craftiness, Terry and I had our first date night in more months than I care to admit this past weekend.  We headed up to DC to see Jim Gaffigan perform.

We had so much fun!  We had dinner, some drinks and a whole lot of laughs too.  Just what we needed this weekend and hopefully it isn't as long until the next date night!

If you have never heard of Jim Gaffigan you have to watch this and have kleenex available for the tears as you laugh-hysterical!

 

 

I'll be back later with some craftiness this week!

February Take 12

Did you take part in Ella Publishing's Take 12 Challenge yesterday?!  It's still not too late if you didn't participate last month.  No right or wrong start day or way to do it!  And if you did participate, just upload your work to the Flickr group or to the blog and you could have a chance to win a prize pack!

I was really afraid I might forget yesterday since it was a weekend, but I remembered (yay me!).  This month I did a combo camera and phone photos and it worked out well!

1. This month brings a for sale sign in our front yard. Hoping it's short lived!

2. The girls making one of their 4629 Power Points for the day-you never know when someone will want to see a Victoria Justice Power Point by a 7 year old!

3. That snow on the ground, plus super cold temps equals a run on the treadmill instead of outside.  Not happy about that, but happy to have a friend on the treadmill beside me.

4. Cold day=lazy day.

5. On our reading lists right now.  Harry Potter for Maya, Horrid Harry for Ella and 11/22/63 for me.

6.  Because my husband is the best he brought flowers for all his girls on Saturday since our Valentine's is once again spent apart.

7 & 8.  Laziness went out the window for swim team practice and because of the Open House we took some fun time too!

9.  Always the hard working hubby, even at swim team practice!

10.  Oh, did I mention the cold?!!  Me no likey!  And unlike last month, no open windows at home.

11.  I have no words for this one.  She keeps us entertained to say the least.

12.  Working up on some math before the school week.

 

Those are mine for this month!  Love seeing the changes already between the 2 months!

Happy Monday!

52 Fridays: Love

Before I get to the 52 Photo for this week, I wanted to direct you to a great giveaway over at Ella Publishing featuring Adornit.  Head on over and put your name in the hat for a chance to win!  

And don't forget, Sunday is the 12th and time for the next installment of Ella's Take Twelve Challenge!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Now, onto this week's 52 Fridays from The Bloom Forum.  Our theme this week was "Love", which is fitting with next week's big holiday/event!  Sadly, I'm on my own this year, but have 2 lovable ladies to spend my day/evening with on Tuesday!

I actually wasn't sure what angle I wanted to take on this week.  Sure, I could do an obligatory photo of my honey and myself, but since he's rarely here that was going to be difficult!  Wednesday I stopped in for a coffee and splurged for a bagel.  I rarely get bagels and I'm glad that I did because I got home, put the cream cheese on and noticed this little gem:

No, not a Valentine theme bagel, just happenchance and it was perfect!  And after the week I was having, it was a very welcome surprise.

Now, head on over to Viviana Serrano, Westchester, NY to see her take on this week's theme!