Cautcha Lookin' Images - Digital Scrapbook Designs

Pre-Holiday Season

2011-11-17T14:56:00.001-05:00

Needless to say, it's frustrating when there's just not enough time in the day for everything that needs to be done, let alone free-time. Never seems to be enough of that. LOL! Being that I haven't posted for over two months, shows how life can slip by rather quickly. Especially, when I find myself spending what time I do have, taking photographs with my latest camera. Yep! My hubby gone and did it again... it's not even been a full year and he purchased another new camera for me as a birthday gift. :) It has became a truly relaxing, addicting, and enjoyable hobby, trying to capture that special image that you just can't take your eyes off!!!

By now you've probably guessed what this post is all about. It's another continuation of my photographs. LOL! You're also probably thinking, "So when or where are those scrapbooks pages and designs"? Well, like I said, there's only so much time in the day.

And... I became really disappointed by what I'm going to share with you. When my last computer went to the scrap yard, sadly it took along with it, a great many of my last pages I created. All of the original images are gone! On top of that, it also took to the computer grave my last two kits that I designed. :( One kit, that I absolutely adored, was in the Decopages store that I wasn't able to retrieve for myself before they closed their doors. The other kit was doomed to never be seen or used publicly. Unfortunately, prior to my piece of old-crap computer said it's final goodbyes, it also wasn't properly backing up anything on CD. So.... even though I was trying my best to keep all that I created, it wouldn't save that hard work like it was suppose to. I lost so much of what I had, including for scrapbooking and designing.

To further complicate matters, of course, I needed to purchase a new computer, which is what I have today, thankfully. However, my older photo programs aren't compatible. Plus, it still isn't in my budget to purchase the software I really want - Photoshop CS5. Presently, I use an older version of a basic Photoshop that came with this computer. Unfortunately, it doesn't have everything I need to create those stunning scrapbook kits that I was hoping for. :( Like I've stated in other posts, I've created some awesome papers, but not been able to do anything else in that field. Doubtfully, you, my followers would want just papers without the extras. Perhaps, this holiday season my dream will come true and I'll receive that special graphics program I so desperately want and need, to create stunning scrapbooks to share with you.

Until then, this pre-holiday season, I only have photographs to share with you, if you don't mind taking the time to view them.

Attention: Please keep in consideration that all these photographs that I have posted on my blog are copyright material and I'm the original photographer, unless otherwise stated. I do not give permission for any one to use, copy, save, sell, edit, tag, download, upload, etc. my photos for their own use. Hence, the reasoning behind me placing my watermark on all my photos!!! Please respect my (Cautcha Lookin' Images) property. If you'd like to share my work, have them visit my blog instead. Thank you for understanding!

First, up are the floral pictures. A couple of these my mom took from her own flower garden, trying out my new camera. She's an excellent photographer. Thanks, MOM!!!

These next images are the flying insects we have around our garden. Haven't yet had the chance of capturing a butterfly. Perhaps, next year!

Here are some beautiful fruits and berries that are found around our area.

Now, those lovely feathered friends that frequent our feeders and gardens. A few of these turned out better then I could have imagined and I'm thankful to have had the chance to capture them so beautifully.

I've also been fortunate to have captured some birds in flight, as well as, planes and helicopters, which I won't share with you. We've also had an unique visitor that I haven't seen prior to this year, the Double-crested Cormorant. At one time, we counted five of them roosting in dead trees near our lake, including one that we noticed that was tagged. Sadly, the other waterfowl that we're use to, wasn't no where to be seen. However, the Canadian Geese were plentiful, as always!!!

Heeeee, there's plenty more too see! Next are some of those Canadian Geese in our local lake.

And, if that wasn't enough waterfowl for you, hubby and I took a trip to a local lake and wildlife area, where I got some really nice shots of them, including the scenery. It was such a beautiful relaxing late afternoon!

Now onto some critters that frequently visit our yard for some yummies. I was finally able to get a few shots of a chipmunk and groundhog. :)

Here's a few relaxing shots of nature, our neighbor's lab, and our own Rottie, "Otto".

This Autumn I took a trip to our local cider mill, which I usually do annually. Thankfully, I remembered my camera and took some shots of that enjoyable late afternoon. For some silly reason, I never thought to bring one before now. It's so lovely there this time of year.

Speaking of Autumn, I also snapped some shots of the lovely colors this year. Usually, I miss out on those vibrant displays, but surely didn't want to this time around! Even did a few drab looking ones, of the local wetlands, towards the end of the season.

Would you believe it if I told you these are my very first moon photos that actually turned out like I had hoped for? LOL!!! This has always been a difficult shot for me, especially since my cameras could never get the detail I was looking for, let alone the moon itself, in all it's glory. Well, here they are! One shot during the day, which is way too cool, and two of the same cloudy full moon night.

Here it is.... finally, the end! LOL!!!! Hope you enjoyed getting your tooshie numb and fingers a throbbing from all that scrolling. :) Until next time, I leave you with this wise quote that I saw on my Cider Mill outing. God Bless!

Photographs Part Deux

2011-09-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

I surely hope you enjoyed all those photographs from my last post. Because I'd like to share more with you today, as well. Told you I was kiddin' when I said that I have lots more! Eventually, I hope to have some scrapbook items to give away. I've been making several textured papers with all of these pictures, it's been so hard to stop myself. It's taken me in several directions and it's sort of hard to stick to just one, seeing so much potential in them all. LOL! However, I cannot wait too see the end results of what I come up with!

Any ways, hope that you can grab a cup of joe, tea, or favorite cold drink and escape your daily grind for just a little while...

This poochie is our baby boy, Cash, he's such a sweetie-pie and I just had to sneak him in here!!!

I'm guessing you're about mid-way done with your beverage... so you may want to sip a little slower or perhaps treat yourself to another :) because here's some more for ya!

LOL!!! How you liking all these creepy crawlies and flying bugs? :) I've never been so lucky getting different types of insects in photos before this. It's truly amazing how unusual some of them are. BTW, better go get another refill....

I guess that's enough for part deux of my obsession for taking photographs. I will later share a third segment, because there's so much more to come! ha, ha, ha

Have a great and safe labor day weekend!

Photographer Gone Wild

2011-08-26T13:17:00.000-04:00

Give a girl a new camera and lOOkout! ha, ha She'll go bonkers taking photos of EVERY thing! And, do I ever, mean every thing!!! Especially, us scrapbook designers. We see potential papers, elements, textures, new ideas for kits, etc. in those photos. Don't dear tell her about those extreme close-up photos she can take... don't dear show her! LOL! You're asking did I have WAY too much coffee this morning. Nope! Still sipping on my 1st cup. That is after I took some more photos today. LOL! I have WAY too many pictures... that's what I have! But I cannot seem to help myself. :) I'm beginning to think I have OCD for photography, just like I did for scrapping. ha, ha

Okay, I'll stop gabbin' about it all and start showing you the loads of photos I was speaking about yesterday. Of course, I'll spear you the multitude of different shots of the same item I took and probably not any textured pics. I'll maybe post those on a different day to give you an idea on how important textures are to a designer. I'll just try to share what I thought was the really really good ones for now. LOL! Cheers!

I was so fortunate to have winged visitors come to the flowers while I was shooting them. I've captured different types that I haven't a clue what they are, but it makes the photo very interesting and seem to come alive! My favorites are more of the out-of-the normal photos. For instance, the plank of dead wood with the shadows of nearby plants. I couldn't have gotten more lucky to find it and then to get the right time of day to show the beauty that it casted on that day. Well, enough of my yakkin', I'll never get done showing you all of these. Besides, not enough time in the day to play with them all in Photoshop, either. ha, ha, ha

Wow! ha, ha, ha.... I'm just getting started! (silly tongue) I'm not kiddin'! Hope you're ready for some more of these lovely treats! (huge smile)

I know what you're all thinking, that I wasn't kiddin' after all. LOL! Well, I need to stop here, since it's taking me all morning, plus some of the afternoon, to share with you a small portion of what I've taken. I'll save more for later. LOL!!! Yes! I do have a bunch more! I thought to leave you with this last one.... a calming sunset. Have a wonderful day!!!

Another Year Gone

2011-08-25T12:17:00.000-04:00

Almost a whole year has passed since the last time I posted. Basically, I had forgotten about this blog, since I haven't created any scrapbook layouts or designs. I also became discouraged with the closing of the Deco Pages' store that I had designed for. They were my first family that I became a scrapbook member of and accepted me from day one. They treated me kindly with inviting me as a designer and dealt with all my newbie issues. I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people! I was invited to go to another store that was opening, but I just wasn't ready at the time. That was during all the awful stressful events in my personal life I already posted about last year.

Furthermore, for a long time I didn't have the means due to major computer troubles and constant illness. Now that I have a better new computer, I still have to wait for that long lost friend all of us are dependent on... the new design software of my choice. I haven't yet decided which one to choose. The older familiar PSP - Corel that I've used in the past or the wonderful Adobe Photoshop that I only dabbled in with free software and absolutely love. More then likely cost will be the winning factor, which will probably be the Corel. However, I'm waiting on the possibility of a newer edition, which might still be awhile yet for them to develop. I've heard mixed reviews with what is available presently.

So, in the meantime, I thought I'd periodically post about my scrapbook layouts from the past and my fascination with a newer digital camera that I received as a lovely gift from my husband. Unfortunately, I done lost memberships with scrapbooking forums and galleries. Which means, I don't remember designer credits, except for those designs that I created myself. I had kept all that information at online galleries. So, any time I post that I don't recall the designer... I truly don't! I'm not doing this out of disrespect. If I'd know the designer, I'd give credit, but it's been a very long time since I made them, I went through two computers, and lost a great deal of data that couldn't be saved.

I may even dabble with the idea of... possibly... giving away my past store kits for free. I have to think about that some more. However, I may be able to find some of my older freebies and re-upload those. We'll have to wait and see which direction I'll head with this, because I haven't given it much thought until now. Maybe if I get some feedback from my followers and visitors, that will be the deciding factor of what I choose to do.

Until then, I hope you enjoy a few of these photos I took and within the coming days, I'd like to add all those goodies I was speaking about. Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of all this.

I have a ton and I mean ton more photos to share, but I'll leave that for another day... Enjoy!

M.I.A.

2010-09-22T17:02:00.001-04:00

Well, all I can say is, life happens to us all! You must have thought I fell off the face of the earth. LOL! Unfortunately, it sort-of feels that way. My husband and I have had a bumpy year, jumping through many obstacles and hoops along the way! Needless to say, in between that time I couldn't bring myself to design, let alone scrap anything. Even though I could have used the wonderful scrapbook community to help get me through this time in our lives, I was just way too busy, easily distracted, and went through way too much. That definitely puts a damper on creative thinking! However, I really do hope to be able to get back into the swing of things come this winter. I so miss all of you and the whole scrapbooking experience.

Any ways, I'm sure I've missed a great deal of new way cool designer deals, kits, and awesome layouts over my absence, but I sure hope to get back to what I truly love in the near future. Until then, enjoy your fascinating hobby and God Bless!

Download-A-Day

2010-02-02T10:20:00.001-05:00

Just a quick reminder that our monthly download a day has started. Each day at Deco-Pages you can get a new freebie from the terrific designers!!! This month's theme is Mardi-Gra! Yep!!! Don't miss out on this gorgeous colorful kit!

Go here to grab your part every day!!!

Haitian Relief Fund

2010-01-31T11:57:00.001-05:00

Deco-Pages designers created The Haitian Relief Fund - Hope Quick Page Album and Mini Kits. For a very small donation you'll receive 32 Quick Pages and 2 mini kits!!!

Learn more at Deco-Pages: Haitian Relief Fund

Since I lost everything on my blog, I thought I'd repost about a couple of my Deco-Pages store kits and share some of the CT members' layouts.

Keepsake Memories is perfect for those vintage and heritage layouts.

Now some layouts!

Butterscotch - credits: by me

Post Natal Depression - credits: by acountryrose

A Daughter - credits: iwannaalife2, Deco-Pages LOTD

Remember - credits: hummerdawn, Deco-Pages LOTD

Sweet Dreams of You is extremely versatile for any occasion.

Now for some inspiration!

Bit of You - credits: by me

Peek-A-Boo! - credits: acountryrose

My Boy - credits: by me

Niagara Falls - credits: by me

Floating Like a Bubble - credits: scrapladyandmore

Hopefully, I be able to add some more soon for you to enjoy! Thanks for looking!!!

Eye-Candy

2010-01-17T07:01:00.000-05:00

I just have some eye-candy to show you today. There are several pages I did before the holidays using many designers quickpages that came in really handy. I just never had a chance to share them until now. So, here they are... hope you enjoy them!

My brother's son, Andre, catching a nice fish during a camping trip in 2008. credits: Scrapouilleries QP Vero 2 Seaside.

My sister Lori and her son Paul going fishing for the day together on his new boat. credits: Scrapouilleries QP Vero Etang Magique.

My cousin Angie's son, Bubby, on his 1st b-day. He's eating the cake that his Great-Aunt made for him! credits: Scrapouilleries QP Vero Circus of Fun.

Butterscotch and Snickers, my parents dogs, snuggling together. credits: Le Scrap de Lucie QP The Eternal Summer.

Butterscotch and his buddy Teddy. My parents' pets are way too adorable! credits: Scrapouilleries QP 1 The Eternal Summer.

My cousin Angie's daughter, Gabby, smiling big, like always. credits: Scrapouilleries QP Vero Sweetie Pink.

My Aunt Marsha, smiling big, too! It must run in the family!!! credits: Scrapouilleries QP Vero Blue Dreams of Angelo.

My cousin Tammy's son, Cory, taking it easy over at his Great Uncle and Aunt's house. credits: Kim B's Designs Blessings, KB FS Deon Border - Bdayfreebie5, sorry... but don't recall who's alpha or other products I used.

My mom's grandmother on her father's side. credits: Thaliris Designs QP Natural Element.

My cousin Angie's daughter, Katie, showing off one summer day! credits: Thaliris Designs QP Sweet Crystal.

My brother's daughter, Nicole, hade some beautiful photos taken of her, for her high school senior year. credits: sorry... but don't recall who's this is, all I have is QP Full of Beauty.

This is also, Nicole, having more senior photo shots taken of her. credits: Hutchie Kim B Roche QP.

And... one more of Nicole, this time for her senior prom! Isn't she GORGEOUS!!! credits: Hutchie Kim B Mezzaluna QP.

Well, that's it for now. I have tons more to share, but I'm sure you're getting tired of scrolling!!! LOL! Until next time...

New Kit & Quickpage Freebie

2010-01-13T06:11:00.006-05:00

Wow! It's mid-Jan 2010 already and I haven't even started working on my new look for the blog or had the chance to post. Being that I'm starting over, I'd like the look to be cleaner and totally different this time, so I'll have to see what I can come up with, if I can ever find the spare time to do it. LOL!

Anyways, onto the business of the day, since that is really why you're here. ;-) For those of you just visiting... I'm not new at digi-scrapping or giving away freebies, my blog just looks like it. Hopefully, in time, I'll be able to add up those posts and share those gorgeous layouts, like I once did before. For returning visitors, thank you always for being a fan of my work and sticking through this rough-spell with me.

Heartstrings is a new kit in my store at Deco-Pages that I just completed tonight. I figured I'd get ahead of schedule for this holiday season and did a Romantic/ Valentine's Day kit. It's perfect for that special person in your life.

Since I just completed this kit and came back from a hiatus, I don't have any layouts for inspiration to show you right now. However, I'm sure the Deco-Pages CT Members will be working hard like they always do, to complete some for you. I'm so thankful for those talented ladies work!

And, I saved the best for last. A Quickpage FREEBIE for you!!! That's right! I haven't forgotten about you. Of course, this QP was made using my newest kit Heartstrings.

To Download: Heartstrings Quickpage

If you're looking for some more freebies, check out the newest addition at Deco-Pages. Started the 1st of this year, we are now offering Download-a-Day freebies. It's already become a huge part of daily activity at Deco. So come join the fun, become a new member, meet some new friends, show off your gorgeous layouts - who knows you might be picked for LOTD, try a few challenges, play some games, join up with Club-Deco and more... there's lots to do at Deco-Pages!

Have yourself a terrific weekend!

Oooops!

2009-11-18T21:44:00.000-05:00

For my scrapbook followers, in case you're wondering what happened... I had a situation come up and ended up loosing my past blog history. :-( Oooops!!! So as the saying goes, "I'll have to start over from scratch!"

Hopefully, I'll have a new look (if I can remember how to get a blog template up working, LOL) which I needed anyways and have news to share with you this coming new year. I'll be traveling out of town visiting with family next month, so I doubt I'll be able to get anything up for you, until then. Hopefully, I'll be able to pop-on with something before then, if everything goes smoothly, but don't hold your breath for toooo long! LOL!

If you don't hear from me until then, have yourself a fantastic holiday season! May you have many blessings come your way.

Hugs! ;-)