And a few more . .

More pix

Pix of Channa

Isn't she stunning?

More of Channa's Pix

More of Channa's Pics

Chana's Pictures

February BetterPhoto FInalist: Whitney

I'm so excited! I just found out I had another portrait chosen as a Finalist at www.betterphoto.com. That is so thrilling! Maybe this is the one to go all the way for me?

Here she is, this is from Whitney's senior portrait "studio" shoot!





She is so beautiful, and a natural model. I am so thrilled that one of hers was chosen! Best of luck to you, Whitney!!

In other news, we have had a new addition to our family. Yes, we have a new baby. Her name is Sushi. That's right, Sushi. She is the cutest little Chinese Pug ever!! Here are couple scrap layouts I did of her.



This kit is called Missy Ann, and it's by Kimberly Giarrusso, and is available at www.thedigichick.com.



The kit for this layout is called All Things New, and its' a complilation kit by the designers at www.thedigichick.com.

And here's just a really cute shot of her. It looks like to me she's thinking, "Do I look like I'm kidding? LOL. Isn't she just the cutest???? She's my buddy! She follows me everywhere I go, and sleeps at my feet under my desk all day long!



I'm also excited to tell you that I'm going to be selling my Digital ScrapBook designs at a new store starting next week! It's a secret for now, but stay tuned for that unveiling!!!

Well, the kids are out on spring break. So mom gave us some money and let me take them to the movies this afternoon. We went and saw, "Night at the Museum." If you haven't seen it yet, you gotta! It's really a great movie, very fun and full of energy! The kids just loved it!

I guess that's all for now. I promise, I'm going to start doing a better job blogging. I've been trying to get my digi scrap business going, and I've neglected my portrait blog! I've got some great new engagement pix to share, and two weddings coming up! So that will bring lots of new pictures!

Stay tuned for some contests and prizes too! Lots of exciting things coming! Thanks for reading, I'm glad you decided to!

It's all good,
da

January Finalist: Unexpected

I was so excited yesterday, to find out one of my bridal portraits were chosen as a Finalist at www.BetterPhoto.com. I haven't even entered that much there lately, too busy, so I was amazed to have one be recognized!

The image is of Allie Sisco, and it's called, "Unexpected."

I titled it Unexpected, because I didn't notice her bracelets until afterwards when I was editing the pictures. I know a lot of brides probably would have taken them off. But I found it charming, and a bit unexpected that she opted to leave them on. They are a part of who she is. I also really liked how she had her hands. She was an original bride, and I am thankful to have captured this beautiful moment.

Thanks for looking,


da

Just a Couple Scrap Pages

Hi there! I have been so busy adding to my design blog, I have neglected this one. So how in the world are ya? Not much going on here. Just working!!

I just wanted to post a couple of recent scrap pages. I haven't gotten to scrap in almost three weeks now!! Too busy! But here are some recent favorites of the kids!

I think these three are some of my very favorite pages I've done. The kit is Always With You by Maria LaFrance, and is available at www.digitalfreebies.com or www.digiscrapdivas.com. By the way, you can click on the pages and they will get bigger so you can see them better!

I know, both of their eyes are closed . . .but they were feeling the snow fall on their faces. It was snowing like crazy! It was beautiful, and we don't get much of it, so we enjoyed every minute of it! I loved seeing the snowflakes on their eye lashes!

These are some older pics of Jackson, but they are some of my favorites of him. The list is his list of favorite things now, as a 9 year old. The kit I used for this I think is Fiesta by Kelly McDonald. I can't remember.

My little pumpkin pie learned how to tie her shoes IN ONE AFTERNOON!! She rocks, this girl has it together! She was so excited she was jumping for joy! Believe me, so was I!

And finnally, another old picture of Jackson. I think he was 7 here. He had just lost his two front teeth. A favorite of mine. I took this while we were in Tulsa at a park one afternoon. This was done for a Quote Challenge at HODS (www.hookedondigiscrap.com) and the kit I used is the February Mega kit put together by all of us designers over there. I made the charms and the charm bracelet hanging across the top, and the Be Still My Heart word art sticker on the picture.

I tell you what, we have got some very talented and undiscovered talent over at HODS. You should come check us out. If you've never scrapped before, you should give it a try. It's so much fun! I love being keeper of the memories! And using scrapping to tell the rest of the story that my photographs are telling.

Well, better go. Got some serious house keeping to do today. I've been neglecting it all week. So you can imagine what I have waiting for me. Uggh.

Talk to you later! It's all good,

da

Today's The DAY!!!

It's here, it's finally here!! Today is the day that the digital scrapbook store I am a designer at, www.HookedOnDigiScrap.com, is having our Grand Re-Opening!! The store has been totally revamped, a whole new crew (including yours truly) and a bunch of new, never before seen kits!!!

If you've not gotten into digital scrapbooking yet, you are missing out on all the fun! We are not only offering tons of new kits, but there are albums and quick pages too! That means all the work has been done for you, all you have to do is pop in your pictures, and print your album!!

I currently have two kits available, and my NEWEST kit is DEBUTING today! It's called, "Cowgirls Rock!" This kit was inspired by my little beauty, Camryn! It has all my favorite colors, and some really great elements! There is a charm bracelet, with lots of cute charms, including a sparkly cowgirl!! There are ribbons and papers galore! Here is a preview of what you get!

Aren't those just super fun? Now rush on over to the store at www.hookedondigiscrap.com, and look up my store page here. For the next couple of weeks, there are lots of grand opening specials going on! So get over there! What are you waiting for?

Here is a page I did of Camryn using it!

Until next time,

da

Jessica Hughes Charming Jewelry Collection

DC Portraits & Imaging is proud and very pleased to offer something a little extra special to my portrait clients. As of now, we are offering the most exquisite line of photo jewelry on the market today. These beautiful pieces are lovingly designed and put together by my friend, photographer & designer, Jessica Hughes.

From beautiful bracelets to gorgeous necklaces, you can find that something special you've been looking for right here. Jessica has used beautiful fresh water pearls, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, and more to create these exquisite pieces.

And, to make them even more special, they will be adorned with images you select from your recent/upcoming photo session. These little beauties would make the most wonderful Valentine gifts ever . . . so be sure and forward this message on to the hubby, so he can get in on this!!

I'm featuring two of my favorites here just to wet your appetite, but you'll have to go to my site to see the rest. And believe me, you don't want to miss them!

First is the Mommy & Me braclelet set. This is just the sweetest thing! You get two bracelets, one for mommy and one for your little angel. Mommy's bracelet will have a photo tile, with the image of your choice from your session (past or future) and the little one's bracelet comes with a bead with their name and birthdate engraved on it! How sweet is that?



Next we have the elegant Freshwater Pearl Twist necklace. This necklace is just charming from the get go! This necklace measures 18". It is made with beautiful freshwater pearls, sterling silver beads, and sterling wire. It is completed with a sterling heart toggle. It also will feature a two sided tile or frame, with the image of your choice on it.



Now that I have your attention, here is the exciting part! YES, THERE'S MORE!! (I know, it makes the mind reel!) From today, until February 3rd, I am offering a 20% discount on these pieces, just so you can be sure and get one for Valentine's Day!



You can view the rest of Jessica's beautiful treasures on my website, here. So hurry now, and get those orders in so that you can have your lovely treasures in time for V-Day!

So, until next time!
da

God is Good!

I just have to share something that happened to me this week. I had taken pictures at the wedding of the son of some very good friends of ours. I had been kind of slow getting to them, and just pulled them up on Thursday to start working on them. When I put the cd rom in it was BLANK. No pictures. I had deleted them from my harddrive too . . . thinking they were safely archived on my cd. No such luck.


Well, I was just devastated. I cried, I prayed . . . I cried some more. Every time I thought about calling my friends to tell them I cried. It was just an awful feeling. To make it worse, my kids were the ring bearer and flower girl. It was Camryn's only opportunity to be a flower girl. She looked so beautiful, we had gone and had her hair done at a salon and everything. And of course Jackson was his usual debonaire self. They did such a wonderful job coming down the isle . . . and I had lost these precious memories forever.


I did two things. I prayed like crazy. And I posted my dilema on my portrait 101 group. I really just posted there to get some pity. Someone to tell me it wasn't my fault, to understand how traumatic this was for me. I knew they would get it.


They did send me love, hugs and comforting words. But more than that, they went into action. Many of them PRAYED HARD for me. Some of them had ideas for things I could try to recover them. I'm particulary thankful to some software recommended by Nicole Kessel. I can't think of the name of it now, will get that and post it here, but I downloaded it. Tried it out, and it pulled up about 400 pictures off my memory card. 100 or so of those were from the wedding!! I didn't get any of the ceremony, or before stuff, but I got the bridal portraits, the pix of the couple, and the family shots, and the reception! So, miraculously I have something to give the happy couple.


I tell you what prayer and networking make things happen! So, a special thanks to the Lord God for helping me out, and for blessing me with these wonderful friends who are full of knowledge and know how. The combination made my miracle happen!


So now . . . I thought I'd show you a couple of the miracle pictures.

Thanks for looking!
da