Friday, November 9, 2012

This & That: Pass the Book; Election Layout; Recommendations and More

Happy Friday! I have a little of this and that to share with you today.
First, there's a wonderful free holiday photography class with limited enrollment. It's run by Cheryl Johnson of Feel Good Photos. I've taken it before and loved it!  You can read the review here (although, in retrospect, I think it should have received a higher grade). You can sign up for it at this link. But hurry, as it fills every year.
Second, thanks for all the wonderful comments lately. 
I love voting (and not just to get the cool sticker). I am an unabashed Obama supporter, but I don't want to get into a long political discussion. Instead, I thought I'd share the layout I made for the 2008 election (which includes my "I voted" sticker). The picture is from the back of a magazine I receive from my alma mater.  The journaling is about how involved the whole family was in the 2008 election, how I took Clara to vote with me and the champagne we drank on election night.
I also loved reading about how everyone organizes their linens. I had to look up Amy's reference to "Manchester," which turns out to be an Australian expression for linen (I love learning stuff like that).  Also fascinating how many people use duvet covers. I've decided to keep three sets of sheets for each of the kid's beds and four sets for our bed (like Karen, we use flannel in the winter and twill or knit in the summer). I'm keeping two long and two short table cloths up here in the kitchen (short for when the table is regular size and long for when we expand it for company). I've also decided that we need to start using the cloth napkins, so I'm going to put them in a basket on the counter and see if I can get the family into the habit of using them (because I have a set of 12). I kept two sets of place mats, although I'm not sure why (as we never use them).  My kids use a massive number of towels; still trying to figure out how to curb that impulse.
Several of you have asked about the college application process here. Every senior in high school does something different, and there's a variety of different approaches taken by colleges and universities. Many private universities use something called the "Common App," which requires one long essay and one short essay.  Many of the public Universities have their own application with essay requirements (or do not require any essay). By planning carefully, Henry was able to write one long essay which fulfilled the requirement for most of his schools, but there are a couple of outliers, and he still needs to do those. He applied to ten schools in total: two California state schools; three private universities; and five out of state public schools. He should start hearing back around the end of the year.
Third, it's time for me to pass the book!  I have Trading Card Treasures up for grabs. 
The book is about making artist trading cards using your photographs. If you want a chance to receive the book, let me know in the comments.  The catch? After you keep it for a while, you need to pass it on to someone else to peruse and pass along. For details, check out this post from Melissa's blog Daily Life - Bits & Pieces. The idea of Pass the Book originated with Sian of From High in the Sky (click here).  I will soon be sending the book, Art Saves by Jenny Doh, back to Sian (although I will shed a little tear when I let it go; I might have to buy my own copy).
Finally, be sure to check out Jennifer's Jumbles Frosty Festivities, coming up Novemer 16-18.  You can read more about it at this link.  It's sure to be a lot of fun, and there's great prizes available as well!
Have a great weekend!

17 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

Thanks so much for the link to Cheryl's site....I tried to sign up last year but was too late....so went straight across....and at least the form was still there this year...in fact my comment is directly under yours!
Interesting you have different bed linens summer and winter....we have the same cotton ones all year....but change the thickness of the duvet summer to winter.
I think the general feeling over here is pleased to see Obama still in office.
And I'd love a turn with the book.

Carola Bartz said...

Thank you for these interesting links, Rinda!! I signed up for the photo class, hope I get in. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I always learn something in those classes.
The trading cards book sounds like something I'd enjoy very much and of course I'd love to receive it (who knows? perhaps I'm the lucky winner and can keep it for a little while before sending it on its way again).
BTW, we use only cloth napkins. I love the colorful ones. We also use place mats, and here again it's the colorful ones which are usually on the table.

Carola Bartz said...

Oh, and we are VERY HAPPY with the outcome of the election as well. Your "I voted" sticker is so much nicer than the ones here.

Cheri said...

Thanks for the link to Cheryl's class - this is probably the kick in the butt I need to do some decent Christmas pictures this year! Hope I am chosen to participate! (And I don't need to be in the drawing for the book).

scrappyjacky said...

I just got an email back from Cheryl....I THINK [hope]it means I'm registered!!!!

Amy said...

We use linens too, but manchester is the term used in the department stores for where you can buy the linens and other associated stuff.

I love that you've made an election page, I have those scattered through my albums too - oh, and thanks for the link to the class, I'm going to see if there is room as well.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I remember you mentioning this class I think. It sounds very interesting.

Amy said...

I'm back to say the same as Jacky - quick email response, so fingers crossed!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Yay - I signed up for Cheryl's online class again this year too. I got SO much out of it last year, so here's hoping I'm really and truly in the class (I got a quick email reply too, even though I expected it to take a little longer). I love your layout, Rinda, I plan to do a page in my Project Life about this election.

Oooh - and thanks for the chance to win Pass the Book. :o)

Karen said...

I signed up for Cheryl's class, too, and have already gotten a confirmation. Thanks so much for the link. I, too, noticed your "I Voted" sticker is much nicer than the one I received. I'm also an Obama fan, so was pleased with the outcome of the election. I just "won" the latest Pass the Book from Cheri, so please don't add me to the list for this one. Finally, I'm off to check out the Frosty Festivities. (Great post.)

humel said...

Thanks for the tip about Cheryl's class, I've enjoyed her articles in magazines so I'd love the chance to learn from her through this workshop!

Thanks also for the chance to read this book, I'd love to be in the draw, it looks fab :)

Thanks to my computer problems I missed your linen discussion, but I can't get at my linen cupboard right now to check anyway!! I did have a bit of a clearout recently, disposing of some torn duvet sets, threadbare towels and ancient items of various kinds, but I think I could be more ruthless still....

Abi said...

It's so interesting to hear about the university process and it makes me smile that you guys call it school! I really hope he hears back soon and gets the places he wants.

Becky said...

Interesting to hear about your university application process, very different from here! With the linens we just have one set and change the thickness of the duvet like Jackie!

Julia said...

Loved reading this post and nice to see your page. Thanks for the link to CJs course. Hope I'm lucky xx

Missus Wookie said...

Showed Wookie your voting page - he approved. Love that hope quote it is one of my favourites. We change material (cotton/flannel) and duvets, plus add on my brothers quilt which is lovely and warm.

Please skip me for the book draw tho' :)

Jennifer Grace said...

Thanks for posting about the event! I shall look forward to 'seeing' you at the weekend! I've just tried to sign up to cheryl's class too, thanks for the heads-up! x

Anonymous said...

Now this is what I get for being so far behind in my reading - missed Cheryl's class again. Here's hoping for next year. :) I must go back further and find out what all this talk of linens is about. Love your layout, we don't get I voted stickers up here in Canada.