First you find set up your design file in Silhoutte Studio.  Here I have used an original design by, Lisa Faber, you can find it under Mermaid Life in our file section.  As you can see she has an example of a possible color scheme on the side.

 You will then click on the Line Color Tool.  Looks like a sideway rainbow.

Okay…. So I tried this. It did not work.  The file would not allow me to Ungroup so that I could highlight what I wanted to color.  So you see sometimes you have to cry, pout, give up.. nope.  You have to try something else cos’ there has to be a way… I am a newbie in this! I mostly do cardstock and cards.  So lets learn this together… Okay.  Let’s click our undo arrow to get back to our original screen.

Okay… So I highlighted the file and right mouse clicked and chose – Make Compound Path.  Then I clicked on the paint bucket. So far so good.  I highlighted the word Mermaid.

Okay we are onto something here… I chose Purple. Now notice the inside of the “e”, “d”, and a couple of swirls are filled in.  Because I Made a Compound Path I need to click on the inside of each and click on another color – I chose white.

 Alright then.  Not great color choices but this is just an example.  Now on to the next step.

 Click on Cut Settings – it’s the little pen looking Icon.  Notice Standard is click ------ at this point you need to click on ADVANCED….

All right lets wrap this up…

You’ve clicked on the pen icon.  You’ve clicked Advanced.  Notice the color choices are now in little boxes – make sure the Fill Color is highlighted (oops failed to make a an ugly blue circle on it!!! Also note you can change your Material options, here vinyl is chosen.  I have the one color square highlighted because it here you can add a PAUSE between color cut/sketch --- you right click right on the square and an ADD Pause option will appear and you click on it.  And you would do this on every color (except the white in this particular file because we just want that blank)

Well folks this is as clear as I can make this.  As for me I think it would be easier to separate and line up my vinyl/cardstock by color on my screen and mat then print.  But that’s just me!!!  HOWEVER this would be a fantastic way to do a sketch…. The end.

Woke up to some serious thunder! and then there was lightening...and a few minutes later there was my grandson in my room :) how blessed am I that I can be an anchor of safety for Lucas....... 

It has been raining for hours and the pond is in danger of overflowing onto the yard and the pools of water continue to rise. So far the fish are staying at the bottom of the pool... I will be checking occasionally to make sure the fish will not escape.

As a believer I am reminded:
The unknown is always frightening to all of us.  It is good to know that we have Jesus to run to when the storms hit.

A Rayah Story

I will try and do this little Rayah story justice. On Skype: Rayah holds up a AAA battery. Rayah: Nana, what is this? (points to battery) Me: It's a battery. Rayah: No Nana it's my friend, Michael Jackson... (at the age of 3!!!) Me: Well hello Michael Jackson, how are you?? Rayah: using a weee squeeky voice, Hello Nana I am Michael Jackson, then... she starts singing (in a weeeeee squeeeky voice) Just beat it, beat it, beat it..... I am laughing my fool head off. So now after all these many years I have two grandchildren liking Michael Jackson.... the end.

I have no idea how to work this blog.

  I had the pleasure of taking photos.  Engagement photos to be precise.  It was a long day but lots of fun. I am so happy for my friends and their upcoming marriage.

I enjoy more than anything scrapbooking my grandchildren. I have so many pictures and not enough time to scrap them all.

This photo is my favorite of all time. She has such a sweet look on her face and her pose is so stunning.
And the crown tells it all. She is my princess and my joy. Rayah at 2 years old, 2010, Iwakuni, Japan.

Life in General

I have been home two weeks from Japan and have realized my USA world did not take a vacation.
I have been informed of marital problems, health problems, financial problems, death...and the list continues.

It has taken me a bit to except these happenings, but I am managing. I whisper little prayers as I go about my day. It helps me feel better and like I am contributing to their lives. Because without the Lord's intercession their problems could be hopeless.

We spoke on Skype with the Japan Gentry's last night. Our Rayah is speaking so clearly now, and she was wearing her big girl panties! Mike Z. is just a cute hunk of boy. Sarah and Mike seemed so happy playing with their two children. I am so proud of them.

Lucas today.... has been dressed up like Batman. Lucas coming in from outside: Batman's home...!! Me: I am so glad. How is the world getting along? Lucas: real well. I wonder where Alfred is? Me: Whoa u better stop right there I am not your butler! Lucas: that's okay, Papa is!!!