www.scottmansfield.com

Another family thing: Some know him as Scott, some as Scooter, some as hubby, brother or son, but one thing is for sure -- get to know him and his amazing photography. Scott has taught me to actually see what is right in front of me - to capture a feeling on film - to look at the world through the lens and see it's beauty. Check out Scott's web site - his work is sensational, thought provoking and a pleasure to behold.

Just Playing Around

Nothing to blog about, yet, so I've been playing around with my header. (and a few of my new digi playthings.) That's heady stuff! Too much, not enough, back to the original or just back to the drawing board ? --- these are important questions a blogista needs to address. I'll just let it rest for a bit and see if grabs anyone's attention. I'm just an amusing blogger amusing myself, but, I do love those flowers.
my simple header and then I went crazy.......

In the scrapbooking world there are tags for certain styles of scrapbooking, e.g., traditional, simple, block, digital, classic, grunge, etc. I don't do grunge, using embellishments that have nothing to do with the picture or theme, scruffy papers, odd colors, and just stuff filling the page. However, I had to do a little bit of grunge to match this fantastic picture --- I just had to. This is one of my favorite pictures of son & wifey during a photo shoot many years ago and another digital page for the books. Thanks Scooter & Sara for a great photo. For an up close and personal look, just click on the layout.

(credits for the scrapbook legals: word art and butterfly by fei-fei stuff Crazy Beautiful, grunge frame outline by J. Sprague)

It all started when I thought I should get all the family pictures out of the boxes and into a couple of photo albums. While looking for the albums to fill, I discovered there was a whole world I had not been aware of --- Scrapbooking. I was hooked and the rest, as they say, is history. My scrapbooking style has changed since beginning eight years ago and who knows what is next. I love this hobby, this obsession, this passion of working with paper, scissors and glue (with a few computer tricks thrown in for fun) and all the friends I have made across the U.S. in the name of scrapbooking. So, if you want to see and read the Mansfield family history -- just ask --- I'll show you all 60 something albums.

(digital credits: flowers by Pasilee-ecologie and notebook paper shape by Katie Perteit the rest is all mine.)

It's All In The Family . . . . . . .

Paper Artists run with scissors and run in the family! This is a page for the albums when Andrea (aka Lily & Leda) and I (aka Sams'Studio) had a small space in Bellingham's local handmade shop. The shop closed after a few months (no fault of ours) but, we had a fun adventure sharing our love of paper. These photos were taken on opening day - as time went by we filled our shelves with new designs, different products and sold, sold, sold.

This is just one of Andrea's many paper talents. Give her a piece of paper and watch out - it's a wall hanging, a piece of jewelry, a note card, an idea that IKEA should copycat or a dialogue of paper. If you haven't yet, jump over to LilyandLeda.etsy.com and treat yourself to one of her treasures. (If you'd like to see the above digital layout picture up close and personal - just click on it)

(SB legals: pattern papers-Amy Teets Sun Porch, Katie Pertiet, LaCremerie Fruits Noirs, Sweet Blossom Designs by Sara, flowers-Peppermint Creative South Hampton & Michelle Coleman Wild Sherbet, brads-Amy Tweets) whew! The rest is mine -- all mine.

Assignment: Book Report

Well, I’ve got some pimping to do --- oh pleaze, not that! (although, I could use the money - I hear young men and older/wiser women connections are hot right now.) Moving on ---- If you know me at all, you know that I love a great mystery series. I love discovering new authors, starting with book one and on down the line. I’ve read all the female authors from the U.S. and have a pretty good handle on the male authors, too. I don’t care to read dark & dirty or spooks jumping out to Boo me (I scare easily --- you know if you go down that dark and dank basement nothing good is going to happen). Plus, I refuse to read true crime stories (that evil does not deserve to be published) but I love good “get into it” mysteries. Having said that, given all the facts, I usually can pick the perp within a couple of chapters - but continue reading for the enjoyment of the story, characters I want to more about, the mystery of the book and the author’s writing. And just sometimes, I get it wrong (“innocent until proven guilty, Sam!”).

Here’s where the pimping comes in --- I recently discovered an author that has his act together and writes a most enjoyable read. Even if you don’t read mysteries per se, these books are for everyone. Mr. Karp is one of the funniest writers with barbs and banter throughout, great character studies, story lines that are plausible with twists and turns to keep you up all night reading and laughing. Lomax & Biggs are the heroes of the story, two LAPD detectives that you won’t be able to get enough of throughout all of Mr. Karp’s books.

Now, I understand if you have commitment issues - don’t we all - however, Mr. Karp has posted the first five chapters (they’re small chapters and it won’t take you long to read) of his third book, Flipping Out, being released the end of March. Hop on over to his web site and get a belly laughing taste of this great mystery writer’s book. And, if you’re like me -- start with book one: The Rabbit Factory followed by book two: Bloodthirsty. That is, if you’re looking for a good time!