Cherie Lenore

Instagram Portfolio...week nine...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:46:00 +0000

Wow, we are in March already. This year is flying at a fast speed already. It has been difficult to post my instagrams on time this week. Not sure why. I'm just not as focused as I would like to be. My favorite photo this week is the one of Dash in the jacket with the sketch filter. We live in San Diego and it is usually not cold enough to wear a big jacket hardly ever. It was super cold that night. I secretly love super cold nights, probably because I don't get much of them. Hope you enjoy the shots for this week...

♥If you're looking for the comment box, it's at the top of this post♥

March Color Palette...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Since owls have been stalking me everywhere I go, I chose an instagram photo tagged #owl...AND when you think about March, green is a good color. I was so excited when I found this photo for my march color palette. This owl pendant posted by lolamvb on instagram is so beautiful. I love the vintage vibe it has. I am so into owls right now and I want to start collecting every little owl I see! ...and all those pretty greens...just so beautiful.

Last month I posted about Followgram...this month I have found...Ink361.Click here to see my instagram at Ink361. Go check it out! You can see all your instagram photos, feeds, popular, etc!
Please let m know if you have an instagram account...I would love to follow you and maybe use one of your photos for my monthly color palette.Hope you are inspired!! ♥If you're looking for the comment box, it's at the top of this post♥

March Goals...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:10:00 +0000

Let's see how I did with my February Goals...

Loose 5 pounds
Finish Steve Jobs' book
Blog 3 times a week
Complete one pinterest project
Complete my first video tutorial
Paint three walls in my dining room Moose Mousse
Participate in some photo challenges

one

Ever since I got congestion in my chest on January 30th, I haven't quite got my rhythm back at the gym. I went to the gym in the month of February a total of 9 days out of 29 days. That's not as good as I wanted.

Next month I'm so going to do better! I only lost maybe one pound this month also. Pitiful, but am so going to be better in the month of March. I'm ready to go!

two

I finally finished the Steve Jobs book on February 13, 2012. I started it around August 27th. Almost 6 months. It hasn't taken me that long to read a book since I read Chronicles of Narnia, which took me about a year to finish. I really liked the book and found it very interesting and learned lots of things that I didn't know.

three

I did pretty good at this. I blogged a total of 17 times in the month of February, which averages to 4.25 times per week. I did miss an entire week, but my mom & dad were here visiting from Texas, I couldn't help that. I'm gonna be even better next month!!

four

I can't believe I pulled this off on the last day of February! Just yesterday I made a pretty little envelope that will fit into my journals!! Yay me.

five

This didn't happen and I just don't know if I'm ready to do this yet. We will see what the future brings.

six

This didn't happen either. Hopefully it will happen in March!!

seven

I participated in one Scavenger Hunt Sunday with Ashley Sisk. I may only participate once a month, but at least I'm participating right? I'm really trying to get better at time management at my 'new job.'

Five out of seven...not bad.
March is going to be way better than February, I know it!!!

Hope you were inspired!!

♥If you're looking for the comment box, it's at the top of this post♥

Pinterest Project...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:37:00 +0000

I finally completed a Pinterest project! I admit that I waited till the last day of February to do it, but the point is I did it. I just needed something simple to just jump in with and this is what I chose:

Make-Your-Own-Envelopes Tutorialby Emily Pittsat Simple Stories

and here is my envelope...

I used embroidery thread instead of twine...

I'm gonna stick it somewhere in my new Smash journal...

Hope you were inspired!!♥If you're looking for the comment box, it's at the top of this post♥

Instagram Portfolio...week eight...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:51:00 +0000

Another week of life, another week in instagram...Enjoy!

Hope you were inspired!♥If you're looking for the comment box, it's at the top of this post♥

Whats going on in Kindergarten...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:13:00 +0000

I haven't posted any of the things that Dash has been doing and bringing home from Kindergarten. I keep everything. I have EVERYTHING he has ever made, colored, drawn or written. I am going to do something with it all, I'm just not sure yet. I have a wall with blank frames on it that I fill with different projects he brings home. Everything else I put in a bin. I grabbed some of the things on top and took some photos this morning. First up are his Valentine's from last week. There was a specific rule at school that you can not bring cake, cupcakes or candy for birthdays or holidays. That is the rule. I so wanted to make a Valentine with Dash's picture on it holding something and inserting a lollipop on each one. But I followed the rules...Here are the Valentine's he took to school and passed out...Transformers and I taped the erasers to each one.

Here are all the Valentine's he received below. I put all the girly ones on the bottom, like Barbie. He got four pieces of candy items. Cheaters. I wish I hadn't followed the rules now. They didn't. Anyway, I'll get over it!

Next up is Dash's Flag Book. I love how creative this is. Especially the red, white and blue handprint!!

One of the main things we do at home is practice his popcorn words. There are 6 lists of popcorn words. They are printed on construction paper that follow the colors of the rainbow...red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. We have already gone through the first round which consisted of Dash reading sentences with the popcorn words in them. We are currently on round two. He has to write each word without looking at it. (Basically, a spelling test) We just passed Yellow List 3 on Wednesday of this week. Here is the paper (below) that showed he passed and will move on to the next list next week:

Below are the words that Dash wrote by himself without looking!!

These are next weeks words. We are on Green List 4.

At the beginning of January he brought a few things home that I just have to share. Mainly because they are JOURNALS! You all know how much I love journals...and when my baby brings home a journal...Heaven!

Fun right! Not only did he bring home one journal, he brought home another...the entries are just priceless.

His teacher has been focusing on the five senses. For the past six weeks it has been something different that they have needed to bring to school to share...

SEE...Bring a family quilt. I let him take my big one that my aunt made and gave to me for our wedding gift.
TOUCH...Bring an item in a brown bag that has one main texture. We sent him with a sanding block.
HEAR...Bring something that we can hear. I sent him to school with his rainstick that we got in Cabo.
TASTE...Bring 32 slices or pieces of one fruit to share. I sent him with strawberries.
SMELL...Bring, in a ziploc bag, a cottonball with something we can smell. I sent him with 3...cinnamon bun air freshner, men's cologne and some fruit body spray.

Here is the book about his five senses...

Numbers 11-20 have also been heavily focused on. He has been singing the number songs that he has learned non stop. Here is one of the number books that he brought home...

The big focus last week, specifically on February 15th, was the 100th day of school. Dash started saying his numbers in tens...really fast. He also did lots of activities regarding 100.

This book was my favorite...

because I really like his answers!! Who wouldn't want to eat 100 M&M's!!

Last project that I'm going to share is the 100 name list that they came up with. And look who's name is on the list there...mine...Cherie! You never see my name anywhere...and it's on the same page as Dash!! Fun, Fun, Fun!----------------------

I really love kindergarten and Dash does too! There are only a little less than 4 months less and it will be summer! Dash asking about the 104 days of summer vacation from Phineas & Ferb. Cracks me up! That's 104 days of Dash 24/7 for me...I can't wait, but I can. I need to get prepared with lots of activities!!

Hope you were inspired!!!

48 questions...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Found these questions at Kat's Blog: Kat's Place-My Life. I thought it would be fun to answer some questions about myself. I really enjoy finding out the random things in the lives of bloggers that I follow...hope you find them interesting...

What time did you get up this morning? 8:30am
How do you like your steak? medium
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Chipwrecked with Dash
What is your favorite TV show? I have 3...Project Runway, CSI, Pioneer Woman
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Manhattan!!!
What did you have for breakfast? Banana and cup of coffee
What is your favorite food? Ribeye steak
Foods you dislike? Sushi
Favorite place to eat? Cool Hand Luke's
Favorite dressing? Ranch
What kind of vehicle do you drive? Kia
What are your favorite clothes? T-shirt & jeans
Where would you visit if you had the chance? Shanghai, China...to see the Hello Kitty House
Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 empty, unfortunately
Where would you want to retire? Petaluma, California
Favorite time of day? drinking my coffee in the morning
Where were you born? Nacogdoches, Texas
What is your favorite sport to watch? Gymnastics & Ice Skating
What is your favorite fragrance? Lola by Marc Jacobs
What is your favorite face cream? Mario Badescu The Moisture Magnet
Favorite baby/kids products? no favorites at this time that I can think of
People watcher? Absolutely, very entertaining...especially if I have my sketchbook
Are you a morning or night person? definitely a night person, but I'm trying to become a morning person instead
Do you have any pets? tuxedo cat named Shadow (7) & an Australian Cattledog named Skyanne (2)
Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? nope
What did you want to be when you were little? teacher
What is your favorite memory? Early the next morning, after having my newborn son/c-section... I was stuck in the hospital bed, my husband was sleeping in a cot and I was kind of freaking out because I couldn't pick up my own baby. Then, I realized...why am I freaking out...I have my faith in God, he will see me through this just like he has seen me through other tough situations...duh.
Are you a cat or dog person? more cat than dog
Are you married? yes, 14 years in June
Always wear your seat belt? yes
Been in a car accident? nothing major
Any pet peeves? people who are inconsiderate and selfish
Favorite pizza toppings? black olives, mushrooms and onions!
Favorite flower? Gerbera Daisy
Favorite ice cream? Rainbow Sherbert from Baskin Robbins
Favorite fast food restaurant? Taco Bell, I know...pitiful
How many times did you fail your driver's test? passed the first time
From whom did you get your last email? my mother in law, Bev
Which store would you choose to max our your credit card? HOBBY LOBBY!!
Do anything spontaneous lately? bought some fabric to make a purse
Like your job? LOVE IT!!
Broccoli? yum!
What was your favorite vacation? Cruise to Alaska in 1998 with Jeremy!
Last person you went out to dinner with? My mom & dad
What are you listening to right now? my son play monster trucks♥
What is your favorite colour? PINK
How many tattoos do you have? none
Coffee drinker? yes, yes and yes!!

Hope you were inspired... Please let me know if you decide to answer them!!

365 Journal Project...week 7 & 8...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:15:00 +0000

I'm really excited about this 365 journal layout! My mom was here with me visiting from Texas last week. My mother has the most beautiful penmanship ever! I got her to label the pages for me. I wrote the details of my week really small so that her handwriting would be the focus.

I decided that pink would be the color because of Valentine's Day.

Isn't her ~~handwriting~~ penmanship just lovely! Mom brought a fun new toy that she had just purchased...

a Xyron 150 Create-A-Sticker! We were excited to try it out...I punched out this heart below with a Martha Stewart punch and ran it through the Xyron sticker maker. Very easy and simple to turn anything into a sticker! You just can't put anything in it any wider that an inch and a half. I so want one now.

Mom & Dad left on Saturday morning and we spent the long weekend camping.

I decided to write all the details of my week with a Micron .005 pen and keep it really small.

I added the owls above because while my mom was here, owls stalked us everywhere. I will be posting more about this. The sketch below is our cute little camping trailer. I will also be posting about that soon.

There are only 7 days left of February. Can you believe it?

I am having so much fun with this project! Wonder what theme I will use for the next layout? I usually wait until the 1st week has passed and choose the theme depending on what I'm up to!

Hope you were inspired!

Instagram Portfolio...week seven...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:46:00 +0000

I have been missing because my mom is in town.

I will be back next week I promise.

Here are my instagram photos from last week.

Enjoy...

Hope you were inspired today!

Instagram Portfolio...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:52:00 +0000

It's that time again. Instagram time. I started the February Photo a Day, but just didn't keep up.I have done really well, just taking one photo a day. I think I will stay with that for now.Here is my week in Instagrams...

Hope you were inspired today!

Sketchbook Show & Tell...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

I purchased a class before the new year and finally took the time to sit down and do the exercises. There were about eight videos for five pages. It was really good loosening up and journaling exercises. The first page was all about doodling. It reminded me of Zentangling. The prompt was to write about what was on your mind the most right now. I added the explanation but in a very confusing back and forth fashion so that it wouldn't make any sense except to me. Page 2 was about creating a fun watercolor background using different techniques. Then, I just used a black pen to doodle randomly and create interesting shapes, then added my journaling. The prompt was: what my goals were for this year, what did I want to accomplish this year.

Page 3 was my favorite of all. I started the page out with journaling about what was on my mind with my left hand, gessoing over it, adding a watercolor wash and then stenciling. So much fun! The 4th page was adding collage. Choosing your focal point image, working around it with a few other elements, then adding some journaling. The prompt was: what is something that has happened recently that was a big deal to you.

I ask that you please do not judge this next piece it is really raw. I HATE drawing noses and mouths. I am not good at it at all! Never have been and I probably never will be. When the instructor for the class started drawing a portrait, I was mortified. I had this beautiful background of gray with pick paint drips on it. I think I wrote out the words to the Dixie Chicks song Wide Open Spaces (I love that song), which was underneath it. So, I just pulled up my artist pants and went for it. I started with a kind of a heart shape face, put in a space for the eyes, the nose and the mouth. I smudged and added, smudged and added. I think the nose was better before, but I messed with it and ended up with the koala nose. Once I had all the basics I just didn't have the patience to try and put color into her face so I just left her gray and put the color in her lips. My thinking behind this page was that this is me now, kind of black and white, not back to my 100% self, and then declaring that I'm coming back!!! Considering how really bad that I am at noses and mouths I hope you can appreciate this.

Once I walked away from this piece, watched tv, did the dishes, etc. I came back to look at it and showed it to my husband. We really had a good laugh with I'm coming back. Obviously, she is a ghost that is haunting me and threatening that she is coming back! Ha ha ha! We laughed and laughed together about it. I love it even more now.

Next up is my new Zentangle book that I told you about last week. I have added two pages of tangles that are mine to keep and I don't have to give them to someone!! Yay!!! The one on the left was actually done at Cristina's house. She was having a Cookie Lee party and instead of driving all the way back home afterwards, I stayed the night. Her sister stayed as well. We talked late into the night. And as we talked, I tangled. It is so amazing how relaxing it is. I probably spent a good 6 hours on it. The drawing on the right was inspired by a vase of flowers that Cris has on her table. I spent about 3 hours on it the next morning.

So these are my pretties to share. Thanks for taking a look. Please tell me what you think!!Just don't make fun of my gray girl!Hope you were inspired!!

Photography by Dash...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Photography is coming very natural to Dash. Probably because he has always seen that camera in my hand and knows that I take photos of EVERYTHING! About a week ago, Dash asked if he could take pictures with my camera. I gave him my camera and let him do his thing by himself. He has shown me that he respects my camera and is very careful with it. It is really fun to see what is important to him. First up, his super hero cup and leftover peanut butter and jelly crusts. In the background is a bunch of my paint stuff.

Below is our backyard. This is our angel that came with the house.

Dash's beloved monster trucks...

One of Dash & Jeremy's Xbox games...

Dash's karate uniform washed and ready to wear...

My shower and my shampoo...I did not expect this one. Very random.

My Domo on my nightstand...

Shirts and jackets in Dash's closet...

A velcro game we got at Burger King...

Silly Jeremy...

My T-shirt...

Some papers from school and his spelling words...

Skyanne's bed...

A wonderful series of Skyanne!!! I usually have the hardest time getting her to sit still. She thinks I want to pet her when I get down on her level. Dash is more on her level so it was easy for him to get these natural shots of our sweet Skyanne. Great job Dash!!!! (she is an Australian Cattledog or Blue Heeler)

Dash even managed to get Shadow, our cat. She owns the upstairs. It's all hers, but she likes to be under my bed the most. She does not like Skyanne at all. She doesn't really like Dash either, you can see that in her eyes.

Dash's self portrait! He captured those beautiful eyes perfectly!!

These next few photos were taken while I was taking a nap...looks perfectly innocent and normal, then...

What a great surprise those were! I love love love how silly they are together! I have always hoped for Dash to get Jeremy's sense of humor. Looks like it is completely happening!!Hope you were inspired today! (by Dash)

365 Journal Project...week 5 & 6...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:20:00 +0000

The theme of week 5 and 6 is stickers and zentangles. I have been doing a lot of Zentangles lately and wanted to add some of the patterns that I use to the page. I also wanted to use stickers for the month titles, days of the weeks and dates. I also incorporated some stickers that I actually accumulated during these weeks. I wanted to just fill it up with words, zentangles and stickers. There are some blank spaces still, but I ran out of time and decided it had enough.

During my date with my best friend Cristina, her husband gave me some floral stickers he had gotten in the mail!! They are so pretty and vibrant. Just a splash of color on a page of black ink.

Dash started karate on February 1st. I grabbed this sticker from the front of the intro folder. I don't think anyone will notice it is gone. Besides stuff like this is fun to look back on after folders and paperwork gets lost.

I always keep the parking receipt we receive when we go to Disneyland. I usually mark our location and take a photo of it with my phone so that when we leave I can just look at my phone instead of digging in my pocket for a piece of paper I could loose.

The Zentangle to the left of the word february is called Mumsy. I am really liking this tangle pattern. It's one of my favorites on the page. If you know me, you know I love to draw flowers and what a fun flower it makes.

Last Sunday we took Dash mini golfing. He LOVES mini golfing. I'm trying to teach him that he wants to get the ball in the hole in the least amounts of putts. We went alot when he was around 3 and he would get that ball in with the most amazing luck in 2-3 putts everytime. Now, not so much now. I don't want to make him over competitive, but I want him to make an effort to aim, instead of just hitting it randomly.

I am really loving this project. I love the freedom I have each week to create something new.I can't wait to complete the next 2 pages!!!If you are wondering what this is all about please read about why I started this project.Hope you were inspired!!

Disneyland...once again...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:30:00 +0000

I'm not really sure what has gotten into Jeremy, but he has taken us to Disneyland every two weeks this year. This is our third time! We are definitely getting our moneys worth out of our passes! We arrived today at around 10am. We parked in the Toy Story Parking lot and had to wait in line for the bus. We haven't been during the day since December. Here is Dash patiently waiting for our turn to get on the bus that will take us to Disneyland.

Here we are, our family shadow.

Look at that blue sky. Winter, sminter.

These poppies are where the giant Christmas tree was just four weeks ago.

Simple lamp post decor with proof that it is winter with the leafless tree in the background.

We decided to ride the Jungle Cruise first thing. I have never rode on this before. I know, crazy huh? The line for this can get insanely long. It was only a 20 minute wait so we went for it!

You can really get the sense of old Disney in this building. Everything is old and original. Jeremy and I were commenting on how narrow the lines were compared to the newer rides in California Adventure. The average width of a person has changed drastically in 60 years.

Dash was a little nervous at first because he had no idea what it was.

But as he watched the boats getting loaded he was really excited.

The animatronic animals were really simple and kind of funny.

But knowing how old this ride was made it really fun...

...and the cast member that narrated the trip was hilarious! Jeremy said that this is the ride that all the celebrities want to ride when they come to Disney. I didn't realize how fun this ride was. It's all about your guide and how funny they are. When we passed by the lion family that was watching over the one zebra while he was 'sleeping' she said, "Now that's something you don't see everyday. Oh, wait I do see that everyday, every 10 minutes, all day to be exact." I thought that was so funny!! I can't wait to go on this again!!! It really made my day.

After the jungle cruise, we noticed that the Indiana Jones ride was only 20 minutes also. We measured Dash...he was right at the height requirement...and got in line. Dash seemed to be ok with it. He was very concerned with darky dark tunnels. I told him that it had been so long that I didn't remember. That's not lying right? I haven't gone on this ride in over six year. I really don't remember. He really did great. I tried to explain everything to him as we went through the ride. I tried to tell him what was coming next and told him that everything was just pretend. Afterwards, as we walked towards the exit, Dash said, "That was awesome!!!...and creepy. I don't want to ride that again." At least we got him on it once.

Here is the major construction going on at Disneyland.

The Matterhorn is all covered up with scaffolding.

Must be getting a facelift.

I have to admit I was so concerned with getting the castle behind Walt & Mickey that I did not pay attention to Dash not looking at me. I also found out, by a super nice cast member, that Dash cannot stand up on this. He has to sit as a safety precaution. How would you like that job at Disney? "Please don't stand up there, you have to sit as a safety precaution!"

After lunch Jeremy got snacks for him and Dash. Jeremy got the parfait...

...and Dash got a cookie.

Here is what is on the napkins right now. I wonder how often they change the design?

This 'Let the memories begin' slogan has been going on for a while now.

This is what Dash's kids meal came in. A shiny Jedi Training Academy box. We had front row seats for the 12:45 show. I tried to talk Dash into participating, but he didn't want to. Weird kid, I know. He is just being extra cautious. I'm hoping one day he will just get in there and do it. After all, he has seen this a couple times.

First, the jedi masters come in and chose the kids. They put robes on them and hand out lightsabers. Then show them how to engage and disengage their lightsaber and then the basic moves...right shoulder, left shoulder, right leg, duck. Left leg, right leg, to his head. (may not be exact, but you get the idea) Then some dramatic music comes on, storm troopers run out and the stage lifts to reveal Darth Vader.

Darth Maul makes a dramatic entrance.

Then, the kids apply what they just learned. You either fight Darth Maul or Darth Vader. The jedi master (on the stage to the right of Darth Vader) narrates the entire time. This guy has been doing this for years. He ad libs some really funny lines. Darth Vador says something about he feels something in the force disturbing. The jedi master says he finds his breathing disturbing. There is so much more. He really entertains not only the kids, but the adults as well.

Once all the kids have had their turn, Darth Vader and Darth Maul get back on the stage and it disappears underground. The storm troopers just stand there.

The jedi master uses the force to tell them to leave and to have a nice day.

Here are all the kids that participated. They each receive a certificate.

Hopefully, Dash will participate one day.

After the show, we got fast passes for Autopia.

The fast pass gives you the time that you can come back to the ride

and not have to start at the end of the line. You get a little cut in line. Works great!!

Dash wanted to go into Innoventions. This used to be the Carousel of Progress many many years ago.

Dash really loves this place because of the virtual games you can play on the floor. There is a projector on the ceiling and you can play along with the game on the floor. The game before had whack a mole and soccer. This was all we could find. The soccer game had been moved. This is what it looks like if there was nothing projecting on the floor.

Here is what it looks like while you are playing the game.

Dash also played a game of what it would be like to drive one day in the future.

It has autodrive, autoslowing, and also auto steering if you run into something.

Dash looking through a magnifying glass at a spider.

Here is an example of being in the right place at the right time.

At 2pm this cast member walked in and began to tell the story of Peter Pan.

The story was projected on this screen and the walls. The windows had lcd monitors in them and went along with the story. There were several special effects.

This was the best one! Three 'pirates' got to set off the canon. Dash had already done it and I didn't get the shot. The smoke coming out of the canon was awesome. It also made an animated shot in the wall wherever the canon hit. Dash really thought this was cool.

We would have never know they did this

if we wouldn't have just walked in this room and sat down when we did.

In the next room there is this dressing table.

There is not a mirror but a camera that reflects your image. I want one!

After Innoventions, we waited in line for Autopia.

Dash rode with me today. We were #5.

When Dash drives you get yanked around in all directions.

He hasn't figured out how to steer yet, so the car bounces off the track back and forth.

It's really funny.

Here is Jeremy behind us. We were obviously driving the european cars.

The steering wheels are on the right.

This is for Jeremy. H-E-L-L-O? No bumping!

The lady in front of Dash & I was driving like a tourist. She would just stop anywhere and look around and take a photo. Her whole family stopped to get a picture of them all. Everytime they stopped Jeremy would 'accidentally' bump us.

Dash said he was thirsty and we stopped at this place, Edelweiss Snacks, for a drink.

Guess what? They have Jumbo Turkey Legs and Corn on the Cob. I'm so having that for lunch next time! Jeremy got Dash an orange Fanta and I got a Frozen Apple Juice (it was like an icee).

Oh my heck, this was so good!!

So good, Dash drank most of it and Jeremy was stuck with the orange Fanta.

Next time, I'll get one of my own and one for Dash. It was de-licious!!

Backside of the castle.

We were on our way out and I wanted to take photos of their Valentine decorations.

Simple and cute.

Back to the Toy Story parking lot. Specifically, Woody A21.

It was a really great visit!

We rode rides that we hadn't rode in forever and got Peter Pan read to us with special effects!

I'm hoping next time Dash will do the Jedi Training!

Hope you were inspired today!!

100 Collections...pens/markers...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Dash is going to celebrate his 100th day of kindergarten on February 15th. Each student has been asked to share a collection of 100. This got me thinking about all the collections I have around my house. I have a lot and I want to photograph them and share them with all of you. I think once I pull them all out I'm going to organize them and figure out a way to display them or at least organize them better!! What fun! I'm excited about this. So, I decided to start with a collection that is in front of me almost everyday. My markers and pens. I love them all so much. I use the pens the most, but I am constantly adding different markers all the time.

Here are my beloved micron pens. They are the foundation of my sketching, especially my Zentangles. I love the 005 the most! It's the smallest tip and I can get lots of detail done with it. I also use this pen to write in my perpetual diary. I need a tiny, fine tip to get the few lines in, so there will be lots of room for the years to come.

These are really pretty looking markers. I haven't used them much. I found them at Ross for $2.99. I think I just liked buying them to add to my collection. I will have to dedicate a page just using glitter markers.

These crayola markers are pretty original. The tip is made up of three 'pieces' and each piece is a color shown on the marker, so you can kind of blend them together to get whatever it is you are coloring to look more natural if you will. I got these on clearance at Staples a couple years ago for a $1. I love the names...Amazon Rainforest, Caribbean Current, Grand Canyon. I want that job...hmm what shall I name this one!!!!

These are my favorites of all time!! Sharpie Pens. My mom bought me the basic color set...red, orange, green, blue, purple. I, by chance, came across these Caribbean colors and I can't tell you how many black ones I've gone through. The fine tip is perfect for drawing everything!! Even writing. Love the way they write.

I use these RoseArt skinny markers anytime my sketches call for color. I have every color I need and the tip is just right. I just can't justify spending a lot on markers and these were under $10 for 47. (maybe I have lost a couple) This set pretty much has all the colors of the rainbow!!

I got these at hobby lobby. I really like the marker tips that are like a paintbrush. It helps get the details a little better than a regular maker tip.

OOOooo...then comes my gel pens. All of these gel pens are from the dollar bins at Target. They work great! Especially the glitter Hello Kitty ones, my favorite! (you knew I would have these, right?)

Here are more of the RoseArt skinny markers. Love all these colors. Gives me a nice choice depending on what kind of mood I'm in.

In this collection there are 172 pens and markers (at least for now) It is constantly growing. I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into my world through one of my collections. I hope to share a collection with you randomly once a month. Next week I am going to work on a better way to organize my markers and will share whatever it is that I come up with.

Do you have any collections? What do you collect?

I think collections really show who you are!!!

I would love to see them.

I challenge you to gather them together, photograph them and share them!!

Hope you were inspired today!!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:45:00 +0000

It's been almost 9 months since I have participated in Ashley Sisk's Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I have really missed it and thought about it here and there and am finally ready to return. I also haven't picked up my Canon Rebel since October last year. I just haven't felt like it. I've been using my iPhone 4s for EVERYTHING. I have missed my 'real' camera and carried it with me this week. I am a lot rusty and really need to get back into my groove. But practice makes perfect...well maybe not perfect but better than before, right? Here are my interpretations for this weeks items...

ONE...Strike a pose

This is a mother and daughter that I captured this week. Love the daughter's dramatic eyes!

TWO...Footwear

These are my favorite heels right now. I have never worn them. I really want to wear them soon.

THREE...Hobby

This is a peek into last week and this weeks 365 Journal Project. This is my favorite 'hobby' right now.

FOUR...Shiny

These are some gorgeous beads that caught my eye at a Cookie Lee party.

FIVE...Color me green

I am putting together a collection of 100 for my son. His kindergarten class will be celebrating their 100th day of school with a display from each student. He has 100 monster trucks to share and here are the green ones.
Hope you cut me some slack this week. I really can't wait to visit some other Scavenger Hunt participates and be inspiredV!! Please visit this weeks Scavenger Hunt to see all the different interpretation. It really is inspiring to see everyone else's photos! Hope you were inspired today!! Go grab your 'real' camera and take some photos!!

Instagram Portfolio...week five

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:41:00 +0000

How do you find people that you want to follow in Instagram? I have no idea how I found some of the ones I follow. Others, I know that I have searched #hellokitty and decided to follow them. One instagramer I follow is mandyytan. Her photos are so girly and vintage. They are really great eye-candy.

Do you have some suggestions? I'd love to hear who you follow and why.

Here is this week in Instagrams...

Hope you were inspired today!

Sketchbook Show & Tell...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:17:00 +0000

I have been participating at Swap-bot.com for almost ten months. I'm kinda over it. I have made one really good swap friend in the UK and that was worth all the time I spent on all my art work and mailing it away. I'm just kind of burned out. I spent the most time on Zentangle Journals.
The premise for this swap was..the first one you participate in, you purchase a journal of your choice, add a bio to the first page, then add 5 pages of Zentangles. You send this journal to your assigned partner and you receive one from someone else. So, each time I participated I added five pages of Zentangles to the journal I would receive from someone else. I received some doozies (8x10 paper held together by curl ribbon) and some simple nice journals. I also received one journal twice...what are the odds. The swap did start out with only 4 people, now it has grown to 19. I swapped Zentangle Journals six times. The first one was in July. It's going to take a LONG time to get a full book and I want some Zentangles for my own sketchbook!! Just having the photo of my work is different than having the real thing.
So without further ado, here are my latest Zentangles that I sent to my partner in Michigan...

But now, STOP THE PRESS, let me show you the beautiful journal I received! All I've been thinking was I hope I get a really nice journal to stop on. Really nice, how about really awsome!! The maker of this beauty is Robin and she has a blog full of all kinds of creative goodies. You should definitely give her a visit!! She even posted how she constructed the front of the journal...my new journal! You can also see the Zentangles that are inside. She is very talented!! I love it so much and can't wait to fill it with Zentangles to keep and share! I'm also really excited about getting to know my new friend Robin!

Hope you were inspired today!!!!

February Color Palette...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Welcome to a fun new monthly project I am doing. I just love looking at my Instagram feeds and seeing all the loveliness out there. I was messing around with a photo and pulling different colors out and ended up with a color palette. I love how the paint manufacturers come up with paint names. So I made up literal names for each color. This photo happens to be taken by my good blog friend felicitydaily. I'll be doing this every month just because I love the inspiration just pure color gives me!! Here is my February color palette. Hope you like it...

Hope you were inspired today!!
Oh and if you don't know about this yet, you've got to check it out. Followgram is where you can go to see your instagram feed and others on your computer!!!! Here is my Followgram page if your interested. I'm cherielenore on Instagram if your interested also.
One more thing. I am doing February Photo a day! I missed January. I'm still posting a #photoaday on my own. Now, in addition, I'm going try the photo prompts for February. In case you have been living under a rock and have no idea what I'm talking about,which I was apparently during January...here are the prompts...

These prompts are from Fat Mum Slim. Now go take a photo and post it to Instagram!!!

February Goals...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:37:00 +0000

This is a photo of my lemon tree in my backyard

I did not post my January goals. But...I wrote them down. Here is a recap and how i did...
1. Go to the gym Monday through Friday every week2. Discipline yourself and eat the right portions3. Start a do it yourself planner of some kind in my new sketchbook moleskin4. Write everyday in a perpetual diary of some sort5. Get your weekly routine finalized by the end of this month!!6. Go over Dash's popcorn words every day during lunch7. Plan a date with my husband and also plan a date with my best friend, Cristina.
one I kicked butt at the gym!!!! I did not go to the gym the first week of January because Dash was still at home. On January 9th he went back to school and I went to the gym...everyday that week, everyday the next week and everyday last week. This week...on Monday, I woke up with congestion in my chest and couldn't breathe, so I have been instructed by my husband..."no gym this week." So for January I went to the gym 14 days out of 31 and I lost 7 pounds! You better believe I will be starting back on Monday for sure!
two I have done pretty good with this. I eat Cheerios for breakfast every morning and soup for lunch everyday. I am trying so hard to drink more water. I have no problem drinking while I work out, but it's harder to drink it at home. I do my best to eat low calorie and healthy for dinner, but every now and then a tamale or a burrito sneaks in there. I have definitely cut down on junk. My treat is to eat Sweetarts. That's my favorite!
three This I have started! You can check out the post for the last week of December and the first week of January. I also completed Week 2 and Week 3 of January. It's random each week, but I'm really loving it!
four

I was browsing the journals at Barnes & Noble and came across this little beauty...One Line A Day A Five-Year Memory Book and really loved the idea of keeping a diary like I did when I was in elementary school. I love looking back at my diary and seeing the silly things I was doing or what I thought was important to write down! So I created my own...I found a journal that had small grid lines on it which would be perfect for dividing each year. I got out my date stamper and stamped each page at the top with the month and date for the entire year. I even included a page for February 29, just in case. Here it is...

My lovely little perpetual journal. I just write a couple lines a day so when I look back I can get a glimpse of my day. I for sure have enough space for five years. When I'm done, oh what a treasure!!
five This has been the biggest chore. I can't tell you how many times I have changed my weekly routine. I started out trying to do a little housework every day of the week, but I got burned out. So, for the new year I decided I was going to have 2 days of housework and the rest of the week some projects and some creative stuff. That worked like a charm. Here is a peek into my weekly routine, if your interested...

six Dash has now passed almost all of his popcorn lists. There are 6 lists. Each week he has to read sentences correctly that include that particular list words. He will be tested for List 6 on Friday. Then we will start over again on list 1 and he will have to start writing the words to pass each test. Here are all the popcorn words... seven I lagged on the husband date. But, I did get a date in with my best friend Cristina. She and I worked together for 15 years. We have been a constant in each others life every day at work. When I stopped working it was devastating for the both of us. We agreed that we HAVE to get together every month because we are each others rock! Now, I just need to get better at planning a date with my husband.
Let's see how good I can be in February.Hope you were inspired today!!

January Random Instagrams...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:45:00 +0000

I am really enjoying putting together an instagram portfolio!I have other instagrams that I want to share as well.So here are all the other things that I am instagramming as well....

Dash lost his 2nd tooth at Knott's Berry Farm. I got my nails done. Dinner at Phil's BBQ

Having fun with close up shots at the park...playground structure, park bench and a tree

I love this picture.

We got in front of Mickey's Funwheel at Disney's California Adventure and took a photo of ourselves. These are really hard to do with three people! But they are the best!

Disneyland trip on January 6th...they were still playing Christmas songs!

During Christmas time they do a special lighting of the castle every night.

It is amazing how they make it look like it is covered in snow and ice!

Rare photo of me!! Jeremy & Dash playing Tron at Flynn's arcade

and iLuminate (from America's Got Talent)

Jeremy and Dash have been having nightly air hockey championship games!!

...and some Hello Kitty notebooks from Target.

Another Disneyland trip on January 20.

Pineapple soft serve from the Tiki Bar, Sleeping Beauty's Castle and Dash & I riding King Triton's Carousel.

We finally rode on Toy Story Mania again! The line is usually 1hour & 45 minutes, tonight it was 30 minutes!

We also rode Ariel's Undersea Adventure & Dumbo The Flying Elephant.

Photos at Monster Jam!

Dash with Ryan Anderson, driver of Son Uva Digger. Dash on El Toro Loco's tire.

Dash & Jeremy waiting for Monster Jam to start!

The Monster Jam track, Lucas Oil Crusader and Dash eating red licorice. (he calls is ricolish)

That's all my random instagrams for this month.

Just so you know, we have annual passes for Disneyland.

It's only an hour and a half drive so we go a lot!!

Hope you were inspired today!!!

Instagram Portfolio...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:25:00 +0000

January is almost gone...and February will be here before we know it.Here are my instagrams from last week!

365 Journal Project...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:05:00 +0000

If you are new and want to find out what this is all about,you can read all about why I started this project.
So, each week I want to have a theme, depending on what inspires me that week.It was unusually hot the past couple of weeks so I chose to highlight what Southern Californiais known for...palm trees, the ocean and the beach.So I put down a light wash of gesso to prepare the page for paint and used watercolorsfor my palm tree ocean and the sand.Here is the completed two week layout of my Journal Project...

details...Close up of my watercolor palm tree!

details...

At Disneyland we were stopped by a cast-member and were asked to take a survey.

We answered questions like...how satisfactory is your visit today...how have the lines been today

...what has been the best part of your day...stuff like that.

He gave us this sticker when we were done.

details...Here is one of the tickets from Monster Jam......along with a list of highlights from the night.

Simple and very basic.Overall, this project is really turning out to be fun!My next layout is going to be free space before I start on the next two week layout.Wonder what I'll do? You'll have to come back and see.Hope you were inspired today!!!

Monster Jam...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:31:00 +0000

Today is finally Monster Jam and Dash was super excited to see all the Monster Trucks!!!!

At the pit party we stood in line for Linsey Weenk the driver of Lucas Oil Crusader. Dash wanted to ask him about Blue Thunder and where did Blue Thunder go. Linsey Weenk drove Blue Thunder last year. He told Dash Blue Thunder was underneath Lucas Oil Crusader. Very cleaver! Dash liked that answer. Linsey also liked Jeremy's iPhone cover. It looks like a cassette tape. Linsey showed Jeremy his iPhone cover which was an old calculator. That was cool.

Dash in front of the Lucas Oil Crusader.

Dash with Metal Mulisha. A truck we have never heard of. Dash has a very large collection of Monster Trucks and I can safely say we do not have this one.

The line to see Ryan Anderson, driver of the new Son Uva Digger truck was the longest and we didn't want to wait. So, I got Dash to stand on the fence just to get a photo. Came out pretty good, I think.

They had the Grave Digger truck situated where you could not walk around it. You had to wait in line to even get near the truck. The driver was not Dennis Anderson or Pablo Huffaker. Those are the only two drivers of Grave Digger that I really know who they are.

Dash in front of the Ice Cream Man truck. Too fun!

This is my favorite!!! El Toro Loco!!!

Ok...we are in our seats and ready for it to start. They had some old cars come out and make a lap. If you look close you can see Mater, the Starsky & Hutch car, then the Adam 5 car, the General Lee came out and Rosco P. Coltrane. We always sit up top because it's louder down lower and I worry about something flying off of the truck.

Ready for Monster Jam to start!!! Unfortunately, the seats behind us did not stay empty. The guy that sat directly behind us kicked a bottle of beer and it splattered all over Dash and I. Good thing we were prepared for rain. We just wiped the beer off of our jackets with rags that Jeremy had brought in case if the seats were wet. Luckily, Dash didn't feel it or hear any of it with those headphones on. The guy eventually couldn't keep his mouth shut and was arguing with people behind him and security escorted him out. My night had kind of already been ruined.

All the trucks on the field with the spotlight on Grave Digger

First race was about to happen and one of trucks was already stalled. Bring on the CAT!

El Toro Loco flipped over at the end of his race. Bummer, he was my truck to win.

It was a cool wreck though!

The CAT pulling El Toro Loco out of the stadium.

Lucas Oil Crusader was the Race winner!! Jeremy picked him to win.

During intermission we were going to get the bottomless bucket of popcorn for $11. But, they ran out of popcorn. Thank goodness we didn't get it before!!!! So, Dash got some licorice.

Not too long into freestyle Terminator broke down and had to be pushed with the CAT back to his spot.

After this was when the splattering of the beer happened. I was not happy at all. All I wanted to do was go home, but I sucked it up because I knew how much Dash loved Monster Jam. I just didn't take anymore photos for the rest of the night. Son Uva Digger won freestyle. That was the truck that Dash picked to win. Dash also got a new Son Uva Digger flag to go with his Grave Digger flag. Spoiled little boy. Hey...you are only five once!!!

Instagram Portfolio...

noreply@blogger.com (Cherie Lenore) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:01:00 +0000

I am having so much fun instagramming each day.I also love looking in on what other people are instagrammin!Yay instagram!