AWESOME BLOG CANDY ALERT!!

If you haven't done so already...visit Paulina over at Pretty Pink Posh for some amazing EK Success blog candy ;)

All you have to do is leave her a comment...but I definitely recommend you become a follower -- she's awesome! Not only that, if you become her follower, you can leave an extra comment for another chance to win!!

Good luck [to me]!!

Just kidding... ;)

Sweet Sweets!

Hey there!

You'll be glad you stopped by today...I have some pretty pastries to show you from my trip up to New Jersey / Philadelphia a couple months ago.

I should be packing now for my trip up to Montreal tomorrow, but of course, I'm procrastinating :)

I was emptying the pictures on my ca

mera to create room on the memory card and came across these pictures I forgot about. This little bakery in Philly was delightfully cute. The window displays were uber-cute! It's called Termini and if you're in that area...you

really need to stop in for some goodies.

Now, I'm kinda proud of myself because I finally learned how to use my camera after 3 years of having it. I don't have anything super amazing, but it's a perfect little camera for me. The Canon PowerShot S315

is a nice mix between a point and shoot and a fancy professional camera :) My husband's uncle is a photographer in New Jersey (I'll post pictures of his amazing studio soon) and he was pretty impressed with my little camera!

That was exciting to hear, lol.

Anyway...I've always shot with auto and a flash. Isn't that what everyone was taught? Well it's wrong (well, it's not as great as it could be, I should say!)

Uncle Jeff told me that it's really important to experiment with different settings, and he never uses anything other than Aperture and Shutter Speed settings (which on my

camera are Av and Tv).

So, this trip I decided to use none other than those two settings. These pictures on this posts are SOOTC (straight out of the camera) and I am still kind of in shock...I really like the way these came out -- WAY better than if I would have used just an Auto setting.

Don't those Cappuccino Biscottis look incredible? They were! I love how just a few in the center are in focus and the rest is blurred. I did that! Me! I'm just so excited that I'm finally taking good pictures with the camera that I already own!!

And these cupcakes...these were practically in the back room and I was behind the counter! My zoom is pretty good, I'd like to think! I have to confess, I didn't have a cupcake, but they look so fun and yummy!!

Last picture I'd like to end on -- not exactly sure what is chocolate covered, but it looked so good. It was really difficult not sampling everything in the bakery! (Not my best picture, but I don't have time to photoshop it before I really NEED to start packing!!)

Which is now, lol. I have to wake up at 5am to catch an 8:30 international flight at an airport an hour away (and get breakfast...and coffee).

Can't wait to post more pictures of my awesome New Jersey / Philadelphia trip!! And I am so excited to be using my camera in Montreal -- I hope to get some awesome pictures :)

Have a great week and weekend...I'll see you next Tuesday!

Hugs and Love,

J

Thank you DAD for being you!

Happy Father's Day!

There are so many wonderful things I can say about my dad...I'm really lucky to have him in my life.

I wanted to share a couple really great poems/songs that remind me of my dad, and if you still need something to write in your Father's Day card...these may be really great for you.

My Father, My Guiding Light
Dad, you’re like the sun to me,
a sure thing, always there,
beaming light and warmth on my life.
Whatever is good in me today,
I owe to your wisdom, your patience,
your strength, your love.
You taught me by example,
as a role model,
how to be my own person,
how to believe in myself,
instructing me without controlling me.
Even when we disagreed,
you held us together,
so our bond was never broken.
I understand what you did for me,
and I am so grateful that I have you
as my solid foundation, my rock.
I respect you, I admire you, I love you,
my guiding light, my father.Here's another to enjoy:
Father Daughter Dance Song

My daddy was my hero
For my very youngest years;
Daddy kept me safe and happy,
And he chased away my fears.
I watched in awe and wonder
At each manly thing he did;
Oh, I looked up to my daddy,
When I was a little kid.

My dad was still my hero,
As the years passed, one by one.
He taught important lessons,
And he took some time for fun.
He was my firm foundation;
On my dad I did depend;
He was always there for me,
My dad, my guide, my friend.

My father is my hero,
Now that I am fully grown.
I love him and respect him,
The best man I've ever known.
I knew when I would marry
That my husband had to be
A great man, just like my father,
Dad, my hero you'll always be.
Both By Joanna Fuchs
I love you Dad! Thanks for always being there for me. And even though my hubby isn't a dad yet, I still want to thank him for all he does for me, too!
To all the Fathers out there...have a wonderful day!
Hugs and Love,J
the good stuff :)paper: Papertry Ink (PTI) rustic cream cardstock; Stampin' Up kraftstamps: hero arts: woodgrain, Unity Kit of the Month ink: Papertrey Ink (PTI): simply chartreuse, tea dye duomisc: burlap from Michael's, PTI ribbon, Martha Stewart doily

Good Luck!

Happy Friday!!!

Last week (last week? possibly...the weeks are running into each other!) I finally went over to my fellow scrapbooker's house for a day crop. It was SO nice to be able to see all my girls again!! My wonderful friend Terry so generously opens her house up to us to give us all a place to craft together. On top of that...this girl has a collection...of everything. You should see her craft area -- it's her entire living room!!! LOVE!

So while I was at Terry's house, I made 3 cards (I know it doesn't sound like a lot but it takes me for-e-ver to make a card). But every card I made at her house I just loved. Those girls have a way of bringing my mojo back :)

So here's the first. It was for my sister who was taking the biggest exam of her life. The MCAT. She studied for 8-10 hours a day, every day for 2 months! That was her full time job, lol. I wanted to give her this card the day before she took the test, just to let her know how proud I was of her!

I'm so glad I have finally used the Star Prints stamp set by Papertrey. Isn't it delightful? I don't have the coordinating punch (yet) so I just cut these out by hand, but it's worth it!

My sister loved it...and on top of that, she felt like she did REALLY well on the test! Unfortunately, the results take 8 weeks to come in! (How can they make them wait that long??) But, I have all the confidence in the world with my sister...and I know she'll be the best doctor around.

Hugs and Love,

J

All supplies: Papertrey Ink (PTI)

except for flourish stamp (unknown) that I borrowed from Sherri :)

Wedding Wishes - Damask

Quick Post!

This was for my friend's wedding from back in MARCH! My goodness...I'm so behind in posting. Hope you like it -- I made the background myself :)

Good night!!!

recipe:

stamps: damask from michaels ($1 - yes, $1...), Papertrey PTI Giga Guidelines (sentiments)

ink: Papertrey Ink (PTI) raspberry fizz and smoky shadow

paper: white cardstock; Papertrey (PTI) smoky shadow

Sizzix Big Butterflies die cut; Martha Steward butterfly punch

misc: rhinestones from michaels