Looks like there are THREE spots is ONE spot left!

We have at least THREE spots only ONE spot left (THE RETREAT IS FULL) for the Spring Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat. If you'd like it, let me know ASAP. Details are below.

Where: Memory Lane Retreat, North Branch

When: Friday, March 25-Sunday, March 27, 2011

Cost: $145 for Friday-Sunday; $30 to add Thursday, March 24

Details: The fee includes all meals and beverages except for one food item which is assigned. Everyone has their own bed and work table. There are prize drawings throughout the weekend and a treat bag upon arrival. Memory Lane is located close to the Tanger Outlet Center, only 55 minutes north of the Twin Cities.

You will find a virtual tour HERE and a host of other links below:

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-all-about-egg-nog-chai-lattes.html

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2009/12/tales-from-retreat.html

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2009/12/vroom-vroom.html

If you have any questions, let me know!

Monthly Faithbooking Crop :: February 2011

Our next monthly faithbooking crop will take place on Saturday, February 12 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm at Hosanna! in Lakeville. Snacks/beverages will be provided (though you are welcome to bring a snack to share) and extra supplies will be on hand. If you'd like to join us for all (or part) of this fun day of scrapbooking, just let me know by email at acvega at frontiernet dot net and I'll have a spot prepared for you.

The monthly crops are FREE and include prizes, journaling inspiration, and more! If you have any questions, let me know.

follow-up to the logbook post

In case you had a little trouble navigating the Log Your Memory website, here are a few more details about the 2011 Memory Logbook.

Not only can you view an entire month at a glance, but each day is broken down as well:

There are photo ideas, quotes, and journaling helps along the way, including summary pages which are much like forms (monthly check-up and holiday/birthday recap pages, for example) with a ton of journaling prompts.

There are also weekly scrapbooking page ideas as well as a place to sketch out your own.

As you can see, mine is already getting A LOT of use :) Personally, I prefer the 8-1/2x11 spiral-bound version because it makes it a whole lot easier to journal. It's divided into two sections - January 2011-June 2011 and July 2011-December 2011. You can purchase them together by clicking HERE. (They are also available for purchase individually.)

Chock full of ideas and inspiration.

You'll find another cropper's take on it HERE in addition to Katie the Scrapbook Lady's post HERE (which is what totally sucked me in). Let me know if you have any questions!

straight out of the camera [sunday]

Today's image, without tweaking:

And by far, my BEST purchase of 2011. Not only is it my daily planner and the total inspiration behind my weekly hybrid pages, it is a wonderful journaling tool.

I.LOVE.IT.

They have a website that is equally cool. Click HERE to check it out for yourself. The Log Your Memory store is HERE and is the place to shop for your own 2011 Memory Logbook.

Have a great day!

Weekly Challenge #5 - Fairy Tale

While the journaling for this challenge is central to the page, I wanted to keep the heart of my story private... thus the faded appearance. This was a difficult concept, journaling in the form of a fairy tale but one that suited the story behind these images. It begins with, "Once upon a time..." and predictably ends with, "and they lived happily ever after." You could use this concept to share the story of how you and your spouse met, becoming a mother for the first time, or you could do what I did and focus on an object or two. I'm getting a little behind on my B&A posts but hope to have some fresh material for you soon! (For those of you just stopping by, this is only the start of a digital hybrid page. I'll post the completed page once the three-dimensional elements have been added.)

5 Fun Things Friday

1. Candy by the Decade.

Purchased a '40s decade for my grandpa to help aid in his recovery after surgery.

2. Doritos Flamas.

Found these in New Mexico... little bit of lime+a whole lotta hot. You can purchase them HERE.

3. HomeAway Vacation Rentals.

We are totally using this for our next vacation.

4. Interested in starting a journal?

Then take a look at THIS INSPIRING POST.

5. Mixing Bowl.

I'm always looking for killer recipes and was excited to hear about this recipe-sharing website.

Happy Friday!!

they call it "the land of enchantment"

As I mentioned in my last post, Tony and I spent the weekend taking care of business in New Mexico.

Specifically, tending to my FIL's property and personal belongings. It was our first visit there and I was totally unprepared for what we found.

Color. And lots of it.

And beautiful tile work (a recent addition, as we were told by Coke's NM friends). I was BLOWN AWAY by the attention to detail:

From the custom mantel to the copper sconces... and the silver switch plates that matched this dining room mirror:

All so unlike his place here in Minnesota, so unlike HIM... or so I thought :) It was clear his heart was there.

So easy to see why.

Here are several more shots of his home:

More recently added tile work.

Master bedroom and bath (his bedroom was COVERED with images of his children and grandchildren... we'd packed them before I had a chance to photograph the room). Below is the guest bedroom with the second balcony (not pictured is the walk-in closet that rivaled that of the master bedroom):

The second bathroom:

And lastly, a view from the outside:

We also had the most wonderful opportunity to get to know a handful of his closest friends:

We shared many laughs and tears with them. Tony and I saw clearly why he loved it there so much. It was a very special weekend.

Special indeed.

inventory reduction sale - 40% off select items

Before heading out of town, I'd mentioned a sale. It will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm - you are welcome to call in your order or stop by that day to see what is still available. Again, if you'd like a list of the items on sale let me know!

straight out of the camera [sunday]

Tony and I just returned from a 4-day weekend in New Mexico. In addition to taking care of my FIL's belongings, we got his condo in order. (We are still unsure about the direction we will be taking with it.) It is a beautiful place and I'll be sharing more with you later this week. The image below was shot in my FIL's dining room:

Posted straight out of the camera (no tweaking).