Protests...

I've been somewhat intrigued by the "protests" being waged around the country.  Being born too young to remember the great protests of the 60's, this is a fairly new phenomenon for me.  Up until now, most protests were waged by radical factions that I supposed were filled with over zealous supporters of lost causes. My first real experience of meaningful protest came a few years ago, when in Tennessee, our legislature proposed a state-wide income tax.  Here in Nashville, cars drove by the capital all day and night honking their horns in protest while crowds filled the public areas around the capital with loud vocal groups protesting such a tax in our state.  Eventually, the legislation was dropped and we continue our income tax free statehood. An amendment to our state constitution was added requiring a state wide vote before such legislation could ever be enacted again.  A successful protest in my opinion.

Today, there is another protest going on.  One against federal legislation against internet companies.  There are two bills - SOPA and PIPA.  Sounds like a mexican dessert, doesn't it... Anyway, as you troll the web today, you will notice google's name blacked out and the complete shut-down of Wikipedia.  Al Gore's Internet (sorry, I couldn't check that fact on Wikipedia) was meant to be an open free transference of information.  The great information highway as it was once dubbed.  But as with any highway, since the beginning of roads as we know them, there will always be highwaymen.  Highwaymen...men like the infamous Dick Turpin of England (no relation) who stole so much from so many only to slip away through the forest and get lost among the trees.  Today's highwaymen are much more sophisticated.  They have left the asphalt jungle and headed for the information hightway.  Piracy of music, movies, artwork and other creative works has become a major underworld business.  And while our asphalt roads have jurisdictions, those lines are blurred on the information highway.  Global communication is now possible in mere nanoseconds. Information that once took air transportation to cross the ocean can now be sent in a practically timeless manner.  So the question becomes, "How do we regulate this new world?" As the great democratic nation we are, we propose legislation that will "nip it in the bud" as Barney Fife would say. We have devised two complicated bills full of legislation that will penalize everyone at the cost of free speech, commerce and undocumented encyclopedias.

"Why do I care?" you ask.  Well, because I kind of enjoy my little Etsy store.  I enjoy creating things and since my house is bursting at the seams, I enjoy sharing them and selling them to other people.  Am I going to make a fortune at this? No. But this new legislation opens the door to have entire websites shut down because one portion of that site is in violation of this law.  There is no recourse, appeal process - only 5 days to comply.

So, how does that effect you?  Well, think long and hard before you upload that picture of your cute little tikes to Shutterfly.  While you only want 4 mugs to give to the grandparents, that cute t-shirt of Tinkerbell your tike is wearing is infringing on Disney's copyright.  You could shut down Shutterfly with one single order. Or what about our beloved Facebook? Could it be shut down by someone uploading their Paris vacation pics and specifically a photo of the Eiffel tower lit at night? Yes, it could. The entirety of Facebook is at stake here.

Yep, it's stupid.  Most laws are when they are first proposed by short sighted people with no vision beyond to the end of their nose.  While I totally understand that there are piracy issues that need to be dealt with, I think it is time to protest rash thinking in our legislative bodies.  It's time to put some thought into our broad sweeping actions before we act. Where's Andy Taylor when we need him?

But don't take my word for it.  Use the internet in the way it was intended.  Go out their and search for the information that will enlighten you.  Find out what your congressman is doing and share your opinions with him or her. Maybe even join a protest if you are so inclined.  I promise not to call you radical.

Brrr....Burlap!

I always try to use all the leftover bits and pieces when I craft, so naturally, I am constantly finding new ways to use all those leftovers. Here are two new items that I've added to my Etsy store that are part of that constant drive to use everything up!

Both are available by clicking here.

Two years later....Two little boys...Praise God!

This is a video of our youth minister and his wife, Chris and Bekah Gannon that was used at a youth ministry conference last week.  Chris and Bekah had a very difficult pregnancy of twin boys and this is their story of that journey. It reminds me to count my blessings every day.  Thanks to the Gannons for being an inspiration to our family and for sharing their lives with us.

Gannon Story from Joseph Mankin on Vimeo.

Holiday Happiness!

Well, It's Time for Another Post...

It's the Christmas Season and I have been hard at work in my Etsy shop making stockings and tree skirts to don the homes of Santa hopefuls.  I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of new people and sharing my creations with them.  Here is a picture from Melissa who did an awesome job decorating her mantle!

If you haven't popped into my store, you can do so by clicking here. I have added some new "buntings." If you adore the shabby chic look, you might want to check them out. Buntings or banners, as they are also called, are great ways to set a mood with a single word.  You can string them on your mantle, a cupboard, bookshelf or between two posts. I did two for Christmas and one for all year long.  Here are the photos.  I look forward to adding to them as the year progresses.

All three of the buntings are extensions of my stockings and tree skirts.  I try to use as much of the fabric scraps as possible so that very little goes to waste.  "Waste not, Want not" as the old saying goes.

Hoping you and your family have a joyous Christmas!

Northside annual barbecue Saturday, September 24 5:30 PM in the gym $8 per plate kids under 12 eat free.


Diane Turpin

Jeanet Almhøj: 3 Reasons why you should try out for the DET

Since I'm too lazy right now to do my own post, I'll send you over to Jeanet's blog. She has a lovely post about the most fabulous Creative Team in the digiscrap world! I am pleased to have served on the Digital Elite Team for three terms, with my current term ending next month. I love DSP and all the designers there are wonderful! If you are ready to take your digiscrapping to the next level, sign up for the elimination style contest and put on your leather skin! This contest is not for the faint of heart!

Jeanet Almhøj: 3 Reasons why you should try out for the DET: ¨ The deadline for signing up for the next DET contest at Digital Scrapbook Place is getting close now and I know that a lot of members hav...

Photoshop Tips

Most of you know that Photoshop is my friend. I love Photoshop! It is truly an extension of the art of photography. I love taking my photos making them pop! Adding drama that grabs your attention. Friends often ask me how I do it and it's hard to explain. There are tons of little tips and tricks that I have picked up along the way from more advanced users. As most of you know, Digital Scrapbook Place is my home on the net for all things scrappy, including great tutorials on using PS. Recently, I have found a great new website via Facebook - PSD TUTS+. They have tons of free tutorials for Photoshop and most are videos so you can be mesmerized by the wonderfulness of all things PS! They have a great collection of tutorials called Photoshop Basix by Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor Martin Perhiniak. If you want to broaden your skills, checkout these tutorials. They are shown in PSCS5 but I think most are adaptable to older versions, such as the PSCS3 that I use. Several will translate over to the later versions of Elements too!

Here are a few scrapbooking layouts from our beach vacation last week. Hope you enjoy them and YES, those sunrise pictures were "enhanced" just a tiny bit. Layer masks were involved...and some opacity changes...multiplied layers...oh...such fun!