Pumpkin Scraps

Kinda Sad

2006-11-01T02:06:00.000-05:00

A good friend of mine is planning on launching her own CT call. I've encouraged her in her designing for ages, encouraged her to apply where she is now, and been bugging her forever about just when was she going to start her own CT, cause I'm determined to be the inaugoral member, lol! Well that's coming any day now, and where she's at doesn't allow their store CTs and designers' personal CTs mix. Being on her CT means a LOT to me, she's one of two people who got me into digi-scrapping in the first place, and she's been there for me in so many ways.

But what makes me kinda sad, is resigning from The Daily Scrap. I was there 7 months, made lots of friends. And I plan on hanging around there still. But that CTs not mixing rule, gotta follow my heart.

Why is it ...

2006-10-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

That it never just rains, it pours?

I applied to several new CTs, before I saw the email about Miki. Sometimes I just check out the calls, to see what's out there. Saw 2 CTs I'd be interested in, but thought they were long shots. Wrong on the first! I am now on Kari Hentzelt's CT, for Steppedonalego Digital Designs, very soon to be launched at the new Distressed Diva on November 3rd!

Yeah, I said I applied to several. I guess we'll see what happens with the other one, but that's at least a week off.

Good out of Bad!

2006-10-30T21:50:00.000-05:00

Never really commented much, not going to start now. But good has come of it, a former fellow CT member mentioned another CT she was on, a designer who was "a sweetheart" and might be willing to pick up some new members if she liked our galleries. Miki Ferkul of Microferk Designs. I checked out some of her stuff, and it's gorgeous! Just lovely rich colours, love it! Ripal has been drooling over her stuff for ages too, so we both say "Let's go for it!" Well Miki liked both of our galleries, so now we're on! Miki designs for Scrapbook Bytes, Scrapbook Elements, and Scrap Outside the Box.

Dragon Flaire Studios is coming soon!

2006-10-19T08:57:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm so excited! I'm a "Flaire Girl" for Maggie Lamarre, who's been designing for oscraps, and she's about to launch her own Dragon Flaire Studios this coming Monday!

There will be a launch chat at DigiShopTalk, please join us there! Clicking on the ad will take you to the calendar description, and the chat room link ...

It's Official!

2006-10-09T18:33:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I took my time getting organized. Didn't help that September was a crazy month, what with the kids going back to school, and Guiding/Scouting starting up again too. We're going 3 nights a week!

Anywho, I finally clued in that I had access to the NDISB CT forum. And finally found an addy to email my CT agreement to. And popped in and introduced myself. And begged for one of those custom CT blinkies that Theresa was making ... see my new NDISB blinkie over at the right!

Yeap, totally, officially a Natural Babe!

Kudos Team Strikes Again!

2006-10-05T23:31:00.000-04:00

And I love it! And hey, it's a good reminder for me to go through some of the recent Kudos Team hits and share some love myself! My Daniella layout at The Daily Scrap was hit on October 4th.

I LOOOVE good customer service!

2006-10-03T11:56:00.000-04:00

Denise Bailey had a gorgeous Sunflower kit out this summer. One of the CTs I didn't make *sniff* *sniff* but hey I'm delightfully busy with Sue, Maggie, Keely and TDS so I guess I can't cry too loud, lol! Anyways, I bought the kit but something funky happened and I never got a download link. Kept going back and looking, it never appeared. Finally got my act together and emailed Denise. Looks like zen cart hiccuped. I'd only paid $3.00 for it since I'd had a $2.50 coupon. But as an apology not only did she refund my $3.00 she also gave me a $10 coupon! Even better, she's having a sale on right now! So not only did I get my Sunflower kit, I also picked up some other stuff too! A very pretty purple and blue A Hint of Lavender kit, and her current monthly freebie Pressed Flowres mini kit which has a very beautiful, delicate lace. I also got some elements ... her Frame It elements, fun Price It bar-coded tags. And how could I resist something called Rusty Elements?! I also picked up some funky Paint Splatters from her brushes. And since everything was 50% off, I got ALL that on my coupon!! Check out all my stuff!

Just when I thought my life was full ...

2006-09-12T18:52:00.000-04:00

I got a comment. Maggie Lamarre saw me on Peta's Wana be a Digi Star blog. She liked my work and wondered if, despite my slew of recent additions I had time to join her CT. She currently sells at Oscraps but will be selling her stuff at Dragon Flaire, which is going to be up and running real soon. I check out her stuff on her A slice of Life blog, and it's beautiful. Can't resist it, no way. So I say yes, and now I'm a Flaire Girl!

But I think I've hit my limit. And coincidentally Peta emailed all the current wana-bes to ask for an update. I gave her mine, and asked her to mark me as "no longer looking, a Wana be success story!" I sooo appreciate the exposure her blog gave me. And Peta's just so nice too!

LOL, it never rains, it pours!

2006-09-07T21:59:00.000-04:00

I just got an email from Sue Jones. She saw my profile over at Peta's Wana be a Digi Star blog and was wondering if I'd be interested in joining her CT. Um, wow! So I browse on over to her stores at Digitals and digiscrapdivas and yes I'm definitely interested! Email her back to say yes; already I'm signed up with the Yahoo group and the blinkie, and the kit previews ... fun, fun!

And if I wasn't busy enough, Vivian at The Daily Scrap was talking about promotions, mentioned she needed an all-round helper. So I volunteered, thinking it was just for the duration of the promotions we were discussing ... nope, she's permanently swamped! LOL! But hey, it should be fun, though I think my job title is "gopher" ... anything to help!

Wow, a spin-off CT!

2006-09-06T19:52:00.000-04:00

Keely sells at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking, and she sent an email to us CT suggesting we check with Monica about the store CT. So I pm asking a few questions about how to apply, and get a reply back today as if I'm already a member ... too kewl! Will definitely have to check out the forums and gallery there more thoroughly!

Woohoo, a new CT!!

2006-08-27T16:18:00.000-04:00

I actually got this news mid last week, but was waiting for the official announcement, then got sidetracked by a busy life! LOL!

Anyways, I'm thrilled to announce that I've been chosen to scrap with Keely Simpson's delightful sketches! She creates them under the name Scraps 4 Shane Designs, to raise funds for her son Shane's medical bills. She sells them at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and hopes to expand to a few more stores. I'll let you know when that happens! Our team blog can is called Scraps 4 Shane Designs. And another kewl thing is that my good friend Ripal was asked to join Keely's team too! Plus another 3 scrapping gals I'm looking forward to getting to know.

We get to scrap 2 layouts from each of her sketches, and need to work with at least 2 sketches a month. That should be a great help with my scrapping schedule at The Daily Scrap, plus just totally fun for me!

Keely is totally kewl. :-) I took her original sketch we were all asked to scrap with, and turned it into a rectangle. I mean, I really only scrap in rectangles, except for special projects. I was worried that she'd object, given I revised her work. But she loved it, and directed me to the rectangle sketches she had in her gallery. I mentioned a few others that I'd love to see as rectangles. Which she very promptly revised! She also asked me to look at her other squares and suggest others that'd make good rectangles too!

And now Ripal and I get to play with blinkies ... oh the fun!!

I Wanna be a Digi Star!

2006-08-21T20:58:00.000-04:00

I'm in good company, there are lots of us out there who'd love to be on a CT or three! And Peta has found a way to help us, through her fab new blog project! It's called Wana be a Digi Star and it features a new scrapper every couple of days, a scrapper searching for a CT. Well today is my day! Only one comment so far but I'm so thrilled to be featured! And hopefully something will come of it!

Kudos Team

2006-08-19T19:11:00.000-04:00

Wow, I was hit by this group, but didn't even know it! Saw a post in The Daily Scrap forums that someone at our site had been hit by them, followed the link, and found that a couple of us had been hit! Check them out at Kudos Team My Determination layout from Diva Thursday was hit August 18th. :-D

Diva Sunday

2006-08-13T21:02:00.000-04:00

Wow, I made great time today, it's still 3 hours till midnight! This is my last day, my last 3 kits to choose for my golden week!

The first kit I requested is Miss Pix's vibrant Lil' Engineer. Going to see what I can do with train pics from the St Louis Zoo. Kit #2 is Brenda Johnson's sweet and sparkly Shabby Daisy. Kit #3 is Cheryl Whitesel's oh so pink Think Pink. No clue what I'm going to do with the last 2, but hey I have time!

Here's how the kits look!

I totally loved all my layouts today. So I'm going to share them all!

First was Strawberry Face. MIL got a strawberry cake for dh's two sibs' birthdays. Complete with honkin big glazed strawberries. Rusty was into those like a dirty shirt, lol! And had the face to prove it!

Next was Dana. A gorgeous photo of my girl, simply showcased in a glowing mini kit.

And my girl again, kicking up the water at Six Flags St. Louis. I even made the background paper!

Diva Saturday

2006-08-13T01:08:00.000-04:00

And it's only an hour past midnight, done my Saturday bunch!

The first kit I requested is Berna Datema's richly coloured Raspberry Rhapsody (& Blackberry Blues). Kit #2 is Lucy Marino's Sunset Bay mini kit. Kit #3 is Maryanne Curth's Basic Blooms & Borders doodles. No clue what I'm going to do with any of it, that's my project before I go to bed!

Here's how the kits look!

And one from yesterday ... Hockey Sisters. Dana and a friend, hanging out at yet another hockey arena while their brothers played hockey.

And on a fun note, I won the Wall of Fame this week, so I'm officially the Golden Diva! But because I was just a fill-in diva, I don't get the unlimited access. Phew! I would have keeled over if I had! But I get my name up on the wall as the Golden Diva, and I get to choose any 5 kits from the store. Plus I still have my 1 pick from my Bronze Diva tie with Ripal the other week. Ideal, since once I've scrapped my last 6 layouts, I'll have 6 more I'm interested in ...

Diva Friday

2006-08-12T04:20:00.000-04:00

Though I guess that should read Diva Saturday, as it's 4 in the morning! But I've finished scrapping another 3, requested another 3!

The first kit I requested is Sandra Adamson aka Seascraps's lovely and patriotic I am Canadian. It called out to me "Come make a new siggie with me!" Next I requested Stephanie Ogren's deliciously pink and black Calling all Girly GIrls. Going to scrap a cute "hockey sisters" pic with it. Lastly I asked for Tracey Caudle's Rusty Boys. Going to try scrap a pic of Mitch with his goalie helmet with it.

Here's how the kits look!

And one from yesterday ... Graduation Girl. Dana at her nursery school graduation party, in a lovely, dreamy dress. And Stacey's kit was such a treat to scrap with!

Diva Thursday

2006-08-10T19:55:00.000-04:00

Four days done, technically another four available to me, that's half way! And I've got 13 layouts done, so I'm totally on target!

The first kit I requested is Stacey Sansom's rich and gorgeous Simply Lush. It just arrived in the store yesterday, had to had to have it! Found an ethereally beautiful pic of Dana to use with it, it's going to be so fun scrapping with a friend's stuff! Next I requested Rebecca Myers' A Girl's Room. Ironically or perfectly, I have pics of Dana's redesigned room that I'll scrap with it! Lastly I asked for the TDS Team's Buckets of Paint. I have an old layout I did of a paint-smeared Rusty that I never liked, going to try make a decent layout of it this go around!

Here's how the kits look!

And one from yesterday ... Determination

Diva Wednesday

2006-08-09T10:46:00.000-04:00

Three down, almost half way there! Getting into the swing of scrapping, posting, looking for more.

The first kit I requested is Jafer Design's elegant Vivian's Inner Beauty. Haven't figured out what pics I want it for, but it's so pretty. Next I requested Deena Hagen's cute This One's for the Boyz. Going to try it with some really cute pics I have of a resourceful Rusty. Lastly I asked for Kristi Reever's cool and funky Flashback. Looked specifically for that red, so I can scrap a series on my very determined Mitch.

Here's how the kits look!

And two layouts from yesterday ... Dana and Avery

And the TDS Elements Team Primary Essentials July kit I participated in ... used my papers!

And a bummer note, I didn't get on Misty Cato's team. Some days I get fed up with applying. But at least I got a $6 coupon. Problem is, I only apply to teams where I really like the designer's stuff, I'm going to have to show some restraint in order to get out of that store with only $6 worth of merchandise!

Diva Tuesday

2006-08-08T09:38:00.000-04:00

Two days done, still fun! It *is* starting to get a little mind-numbing though, all that pouring my creative energy into 3 layouts a day. Posted my layouts round the digi-world, and sent off for my next 3 kits.

The first kit I requested is Kim Higueria's Michelle. Going to try use it for my St. Louis pics. Next I requested Marina Brendstrup's Dreamcatcher. Lovely rich colours that'd go great with some pics I have of my mum and grandparents. Lastly I asked for Amor Leblanc's absolutely gorgeous Fleur de l'été. No idea what I'll do, but I had to have it!

Here's how the kits look!

And one of yesterday's layouts ... Splish! Splash!

Diva Monday

2006-08-07T11:28:00.000-04:00

One day done, what fun! I was up till almost 5 am scrapping! But I've got my first 3 layouts done. Aiming for 24 in the week!! Posted my layouts round the digi-world, and sent off for my next 3 kits.

The first kit I requested is Alma Townsend's Splash. I've got some old pics of Mitch at age 2 or so filling a pool. Next I requested Kashiabean's delightful Floral Brushes Set. It'll look gorgeous with some black & white photos I have of a friend's girls. Lastly I asked for Khristy Schmidt's Boy Toys. No idea on that one, but it was so cute I couldn't resist it!

Here's how the kits look!

And one of my first layouts ... Open House.

Silver Diva!

2006-08-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

Wow! I've been participating the past few weeks in The Daily Scrap's Wall of Fame challenge.

Here's this week's layout.

Lots of fun. This week I tied for 2nd, which makes me a "Silver Diva". Yeah! But even better, the chick who won is on vacation. So they're giving her her turn next week. And since the other Silver Diva won last week, I get to take on the Golden Diva duties! And what might they be? Only unlimited access to the mall at The Daily scrap!! Okay, not quite unlimited. One by one I can request and scrap with a kit from each designer in the mall. If I manage to work through all the designers then I can pick what I want. And actually, since I'm on the TDS team so they know and trust me, they're letting me pick 3 items at a time. Perfect given that I do most of my scrapping late in the evening and into the morning, lol! I don't have to hope and pray that either Vivian or Kristi is up and about when I'm ready for something new. In fact I'm just about to get scrapping. The first kit I requested is Diggi Q's rocking Under Construction. I'm going to use it to scrap some of the pics I took at our local Dufferin Aggregates open house. Man, those are some big machines and a big quarry! Next I requested Jessica Dixon's Elegant Linens, this week's Wall of Fame kit. No idea what I'm going to scrap with that one, better get thinking! Not that I can win Golden Diva for another month, but still the fun of scrapping! Lastly I asked for Terri Walsh's terribly cute Baby in Blue Jeans. That one is easy, her sample layout on her kit promo sold me. I have a great pic of Rusty and two baby group buds, looking adorable!

Here's how the kits look!

And I have extra inspiration to use with all these kits! Yeah, I spent a good chunk of today browsing through Scrapbooks Etc. But I also got an email from Jen Caputo yesterday. Sigh, another rejection. I'd submitted a logo to her contest. But for submitting, I got a $4 coupon to her store, so bought her new 8.5 x 11 templates! We're convincing her to design in rectangles as well as square! I confused the heck out of her though. I've been using both my given name and my nickname in the scrapping world. Started off with one, kinda starting to switch to the other. Used one to submit to her, another to cash in my coupon. So she was wondering just who the heck I was cashing that in. Sorry Jen!

And here's her collection, way kewl.

Yeah, and speaking of rejections, I didn't get onto Ashley Olsen's team either. Sigh. But she did say she thought my gallery was "lovely". So I keep trying to improve my scrapping, keep trying to grow. And keep trying out for CTs that appeal to me!

Breathing Room

2006-08-04T23:02:00.000-04:00

My friend Ripal just came up with this term. People always refer to "negative space" and she used this phrase today instead. I like it! I mean, what the crap is "negative" space? And if you do the same layout with a white background, all of a sudden it's "white space" instead. Heck, it's all just breathing room!

There are a couple of Kewl CT calls out there ...

2006-08-04T15:45:00.000-04:00

Ones where they give you assignments, want you to give them a layout with their stuff ... I really like that. I mean, when you give a link to your gallery somewhere, that's somehow not totally representative. I usually give them the link to my Scrapbook Bytes gallery, because it's the most comprehensive one. But it has pages of stuff there, going back a good year or so. I'd like to think my scrapping has improved over time. I'm working on making my gallery at DigiShopTalk.com mostly of my good stuff. And on my to-do list is to make a "favourites" gallery here on my blog. Though of course my slide show is already partly that. Maybe I'll do it when I update my family website, and my digi-scrapping stuff there. LOL, rambling, possibilities!

Here's a new layout I just finished today. I know I already scrapped it before, but I love that picture, wanted to try doing it differently.

Won't say who it's by, though I guess I'll be putting it up on several forums so it won't be exactly secret ...

Hey, I'm Famous!!

2006-08-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

LOL, okay, not exactly. But I did a layout from a sketch by Ginger Thibodeau, and she put it up on her R U Square blog. Too kewl! I'm liking a lot of what I see there, including the fact I'm not the only weirdo to scrap rectangles! ROFL! Here's the layout, one I did for The Daily Scrap.

I used Saskia Bokkers' William kit available in the mall at The Daily Scrap. My friend Stacey aka 4guysandme gave me the idea to cut out the "swimming" from one of my photos and I think it's just too kewl! Fonts are Gill and Gilligan's Island.

Love it, love it, love it!

2006-08-01T00:31:00.000-04:00

I just added a slide show to my blog! And it was soooo easy! Just went to slide.com. The hardest part was signing up, but after that I just picked my fave layouts, organized the order, copied it to my blogger template, and voila! I'm so happy!

Been kinda busy, not sure doing what though, lol! I've applied to 2 creative teams, let's see what happens. Missed the call for Jasbeanies' team, major bummer! And I'm playing with some more papers, they're kinda kewl. But I've gotta do some more tuts, expand my repretoire some more!

Waaah!

2006-07-26T22:26:00.000-04:00

Kinda a bummer week for me. I didn't even make the top 5 for my category in the DNTS contest, out of 25. Obviously still some growing to do as a scrapper. I do have to email Miss Mint, she said she'd tell us what our top finish was?

And I haven't made the last 3 CTs I applied to. Of course that happens, but it's still hard not to be bummed. I mean, Robin Carlton, she had 80 people apply, and some pretty amazing ladies in that list I'm sure. I wasn't surprised, especially since her stuff is so gorgeous, but you still get your hopes up though, ya know? She was so sweet, emailed all of us, and gave us all freebies just for applying, that was nice! I'll have to look some more, I'd like to be on one other CT, maybe more. We'll see what workload I can handle.

Here's my DNTS layout from the other week. Had a ton of fun with it. The theme was to document a conversation, and I had the perfect one. A conversation that happens a lot between my 10 yo son and I, makes me laugh every time!

Kit Credits: Cork, paper, pins from Gina Miller's BYOBB kit and add-on
Elements/Extras: Miss Mint Stamped Grunge alphas, Dictionary Decoupage hearts and Rusted Copper tag and string.
Fonts Used: Saginaw, First Grader, Jayne Print

OMG, I think this officially makes me a designer!

2006-07-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

At least sort of ... I've started doing Photoshop design tutorials, as I've mentioned. And I joined an Elements Team over at The Daily Scrap. Well, we just put together a combo mega-kit for Independence Day and Canada Day, called Primary Essentials. It has some of MY papers in it!! I'm just so thrilled! I submitted 10 papers, in red, white, blue and yellow - both plain and stripes. The full preview is below, and those stripies in the middle are mine!

There is just a whopping ton of stuff in it! They show more of my papers in the second preview ...

The full kit can be found here in the TDS Mall -

Primary Essentials

Glitter!

2006-07-16T22:50:00.000-04:00

Oh what fun, I played with glitter! I really liked it, even made me a pretty purple flower. Fun, fun!

Another Week, Another Layout ...

2006-07-13T15:33:00.000-04:00

Can't believe there's only one week left in the DNTS contest! Sooo curious to know the results, wish they'd post our week-to-week points!

This week's theme is inanimate objects, and our special relationships with them. My children have always had special relationships with their blankies, especially my last, Rusty.

Journalling reads:

"All my kids have loved their blankies. Mitch had two that he just totally couldn't be separated from. Dana had several too. But Rusty has been the absolute blankie king ... he just loves soft, fleecy blankies, and will sleep with as many as he can. It's something about the softness; he just cuddles into it. That's why my baby has eight blankies!"

Background paper is from Miss Mint's Denim Ink kit. Elements are - Miss Mint's Dark Denim alpha. Silver heart from Miss Mint's Antique Hearts. And blue swirl from Miss Mint's Blue Lavendar. All stitches from Serena Thomas' stitchset. Fonts Used - Saginaw, Edible Pet.

And the momentum continues ...

2006-07-06T01:10:00.000-04:00

I had the perfect pic from the weekend, that I was dying to scrap. And I'd already picked out one of Saskia's kits to scrap it with. Then came assignment #3 in Digitals Next Top Scrapper contest.

We were to scrap 10 things about ourselves, or one of our loved ones. I've been concerned about Rusty's speech. He's supposed to have had 10 - 20 words at 18 months. So I put my own spin on the challenge!

Journalling reads:

"Rusty has always been a child of few words. At 18 months I honestly couldn't say he had 10 words much less 20 words. All it took was a little figuring out though; he wasn't using consonants."

And his list of 10 words ...

uh = up
Mumma = Mumma
ah = cat
yuyee = suce (soother)
yuse = shoes
i = hi
da oo = thank you
oo-ee = cookie
ihn-ee = stinky
o! = no!

I used Saskia Bokkers' Red, White and Blue kit available here at the Mall at The Daily Scrap. It was the perfect foil to Mr Blue Eyes and his red shirt!

I used Miss Mint's Denim and Stamped Grunge alphas, plus Dolphin and First Grader fonts.

I wasn't feeling the love ...

2006-07-01T00:40:00.000-04:00

I mean, I posted my DNTS LO just after midnight on Tuesday ... and it went almost a full 48 hours before ANYONE left any positive feedback on it, meanwhile others were garnering lots "oh how cute!" comments! I know it's not cute, but I still thought it was good ... and finally a few people have complimented me. Phew, my fragile, needy ego will live another day, lol!

The latest paper ... mulberry. Doesn't look as fibery (yeah, so what if it's not a real word :-P ) as Tandika's. but I'm still happy with it. Had to get Ripal to help me, as I didn't have the one filter required to create the basis for extra fibres. She's got PSCS2, I only have PS7. Gotta upgrade!

Week Two

2006-06-28T22:09:00.000-04:00

I'm enjoying the Digital's Next Top Scrapper contest. It is fun creating these pages, with more of an emphasis on quality scrapping than on showcasing kits. Believe me, I enjoy being on creative/design teams, but times like this I try to let my creativity take full rein. And it's amazing to see what everyone else comes up with, to see that range of talent within one gallery. Though I *do* wish we could know the voting results from week to week!

This week the challenge was to scrap a fave saying, and to use type to be creative. While Akela isn't a member of my family, he's a close friend, and this just called to me to scrap it. It may not be as "pretty" as some of the LOs that have been posted, but I'm proud of it.

Journalling reads:

"Cub camp is a tough-love experience. They’re expected to organize and pack their own gear. They’re expected to set up their own sleeping areas or tents. They’re expected to do their own dishes. And more.

These expectations aren’t always easy to meet. But as they grow and mature over the years, they do meet them, and we raise the bar again.

If they whine, or forget something or want coddling or catering to, they hear Akela’s favourite line ..."

The background pic is of my son, his first year at Cub camp, having had a total blast and wearing chicken wing sauce all over his face. It's slightly transparent, with a slate grey paper from Miss Mint's For My Father kit in the background. Staples are from the same kit.

I had fun with the alpha ... I wanted a # but not many alphas have it. So I used the "l" and created my own! It's Miss Mint's Duct Tape alpha, and just perfect for a LO about Scouting, lol!

Fonts are Agency FB, Batik, BlueCake, and MA Sexy

Busy!

2006-06-26T08:30:00.000-04:00

The kids get out of school at the end of this week. That's my birthday prezzie! But is life going to be quieter or busier with them off? Somehow I'm thinking busier. Yeah, they'll help keep Rusty occupied, sometimes, but there'll also be lots of running around; taking them to camps and friends' and soccer and and and ... I'm looking forward to it though!

On the scrap front I'm starting to do digi-ads for The Daily Scrap and One Source Scrap Ads. It's a little different, because I get to make up my own copy as well as put together the design of the ad, but I think I'm really going to enjoy it. And I was totally flattered to be asked!

Just finished my fourth Saskia Bokkers layout for The Daily Scrap, and have totally had a blast! The hardest thing was just picking two kits to work with, and actually after I made my selections I went back and bought two or three more of her kits and stuff to play with! When I have the time, lol!

Here is Rusty in all his glory, eating ice cream.

Kit is Saskia Bokkers' 1977. Just a bright, beautiful and funky 70s kit, lots of fun! I'd actually wanted to share the wealth, and use this kit on two different kids, but somehow it was two Rusty pics that leant themselves so well to it.

Alpha is Tandika Starr's chipboard alpha. I adjusted down the brightness and contrast, so it would fit better with Saskia's paper. And I used a Serena Thomas criss-cross stitch. I love stitches, and am looking forward to using more of her stitches!

Learning to Design!

2006-06-22T12:46:00.000-04:00

Had to wait till finances were right, the joys of being unemployed, but I finally signed up for a membership at Digiscrap Designer. The reason? Design tutorials! Tandika has a whole slew of design tutorials, available to members. Been having a blast already, I made some textured handmade papers, and a worn paper overlay. Working with my good friend Ripal on this, it's her turn to choose the next tutorials we play with. And hopefully in the fall they'll have another go round with the mentoring program, and we can get in on that! Timing would be perfect, as we'd have played with all the tutorials all summer.

But I used a paper I created for my first week's entry into Peppermint Creative's new contest, Digital's Next Top Scrapper. Not that I'm planning on winning, but I'll have fun trying, and I love seeing what everyone else comes up with too!

The theme was "Stay Positive", ie scrap what you most like about yourself. Not only do I love photography, I love what it means to my kids. There's nothing they like better than to sit through albums and look at what they looked like as babies etc. They're not complaining about my digi-scrapping either, lol!

We also had a design challenge: to use repetition. With the 3 papers and the alpha, I think all that pink served as repetition and helped give the page the cohesive look they wanted. And then the repeating hearts across the photo strip were the icing on the cake.

Journalling reads:

"Some people say the first child gets all the pictures, the second child way fewer, and the third practically none at all. Not the case when your mother is a ... cameraholic!

I got my first camera when I was 16, from one of my first paycheques. And I've never looked back! I just loved capturing moments; pictures of my friends and family to keep forever! Twenty-five years, and thousands and thousands of pictures later, and I'm still hooked.

To me pictures are all about memories, about preserving the present to share with the future. My children have been blessed by this addiction, this abundance of photographs."

We had to use at least 3 elements from Peppermint Creative. The striped paper, and the pink paper behind the journalling are from Miss Mint's To My Mother kit. It was free in May, but of course I didn't see it till June, so had to buy it. But less my 40% participant discount, not complaining at all! Gotta remember to check their freebie kits every month!

Anyways, I created the background paper, based on Tandika's handmade paper tutorial, picking up several very close colours from the striped paper. I think it goes with my page better than a very similar paper Miss Mint had in her kit. The little hearts are also Miss Mint, her Antique Hearts embellishments.

The alpha is Lil Pinky from Kylie Clark aka scallywag. I'm hoping she's entered in this contest, I always love seeing the unique and beautiful pages she creates.

The stitches are all from Serena Thomas' stitch set over at Digiscrap Designer. I was actually on her CT from February on, but life's gotten too busy at the mo, she's taken a step back and disbanded her team. Making it onto her CT was what forced me out into the big online digi world, before that I had stayed pretty much to my own little board. And I'm loving it out here, so thanks Serena! I hope life slows down a little so she can come back to designing seriously again soon, I'd love to be back on her team.

Time to start blogging again!

2006-06-01T23:28:00.000-04:00

It's been a while, and it's always been about family, kids etc. Now that I'm getting addicted to scrapping, let's talk about that instead! Or at least that's my plan, the moment I find an iota of free time ... lol!