The World According to Angie

She's just "2 Tegan"

Digital elements from Carina Gardner's Very Cherry kit; brushes are by Jessica Sprague. Photographs copyright Angie Key; all rights reserved.

I love these photographs. They're proof that Tegan doesn't burst into tears at the sight of me any more.

This is Assignment 2b from the Digi: In Deep class I'm taking over at JessicaSprague.com, and the whole point of this one was to start from scratch - a blank PSD file - and design something using:

• only three colors (plus neutrals)
• one large focal point photo, offset from center
• several smaller photos
• leading lines
• journaling card popped off the page with a custom, angled drop-shadow
• a large letter filled with patterned paper

I then made a facing page, since my albums are largely 2-page spreads, and there were so many more photos I wanted to use from this shoot:

 

I think my favorite technique from this lesson has been the use of layered brushes. It's sort of the digital equivalent of taking rubber stamps and coating them with thick, acrylic paint ... and then stamping away - without all the mess. Zero clean-up!

I'm pretty happy with my finished layout! And I'm still loving this class.

project SAVOR - A ... Aunt Angie

 

(page template & graphic elements - Carina Gardner - ABC Inspiration @ JessicaSprague.com)

Journaling reads: I adore my role as Aunt Angie. Being a part of the lives of these precious little ones. Getting to hold kiss cuddle snuggle breathe in their innocence bask in their gaze and bathe in their love. The privilege of holding their tiny hands, of teaching and leading and loving. Of being another adult they can always count on and call on and trust.

 
Photograph of me with my brother's youngest daughter, Ivy Michele Lee Flinn. She was about 2 weeks old when Veronica shot this photo. (Didn't V do a good job?)

Happy 2010! (and my new favorite photo of all time)

I don't think I've ever been this relieved to welcome a new year ... a fresh start ... a chance to begin with a clean slate. 2009 put me through the wringer, and I'm ready to start anew.

But for all that, my 2009 holiday season was pretty darn good. Take, for example, this photo below:

It is now my all time favorite photo ever in the history of ever. My Jim shot it a couple days ago as we celebrated a belated Christmas in San Antonio with my family. My brother's youngest daughter, Lyla, was twelve kinds of tickled to be with her Aunt Angie, and I got plenty of hugs and kisses and giggles and grins. Being with her makes me deliriously happy.

And that's what I'm focusing on in the coming year: those things that feed my spirit, renew my soul, and bring me levels of delirious delight.

I'll get around to recording my other resolutions tomorrow. Tonight, I'll be dreaming of strawberry blonde curls, sticky kisses, and the sweet sound of her singing... "You are my Angie, my only Angie..."