Wednesday, June 20, 2007

wrapping it up..

I'm putting the bow on the package. :) The Birthday Bash Box of Baubles package that is! I had one little thing to finish up today and wouldn't you know it, it was one of those days where I just couldn't get it done right away. Finally though... I'm uploading!! Yay!

I'll be back to update when the links have been sent out and I'll let you know who won the gift cards to my store for leaving my blog some love!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

less than 3 days

That's right.... less than 3 days and my new grab bag will be released! I am so excited about this one. It has so many fun things in it. This is definitely a bag I'd be thrilled to buy.

For those of you who got in on my free grab bag promotion, you'll get it tomorrow!! I'm so excited to be able to send it to you all. I'm putting the finishing touches on it right now (well as soon as I get my kiddos to bed!)

Is anyone up for another sneak peek? Just a tiny one? Ah, heck, why not? Here it is....

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What do you think we have here? Any guesses? If you'll remember, I said before that my preview had a hint on it... notice that these beads are the same color as the package on my preview? I was sneaky, lol!

Alright... time for me to get my little ones to bed. Its been a looong day for them (and for me!).

Monday, June 18, 2007

fun with blogger

I've kept blogs since 2005. I used to be really good about posting to them regulary. One blog for the family, one for my daughter and then one for my son when he came along. However, all of the blogs fell by the wayside last November. I was ready to delete them when I decided to play around and update them. My husband's family all live so far away that we don't get to see them often. I started the blogs as a way to keep them updated on the day to day happenings of our little family. So instead of trashing the blogs along with past entries I decided to revive them, give them a face lift and a little pep. I spent a little time today working on new blog headers (something I had never done before, I'd just used the generic one). They turned out so cute, I just had to share them!

Here is the one I made for my son using the kit I named after him, Declan.

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The pictures in the negative strip were taken at birth, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months exactly. He has grown so much!

My daughter's is a bit different and a little funky. She thinks she's a rock star so I had to use that somewhere on her blog header. I used the kit I named after her, Caitrin, for this as well as a little something I have coming out soon.

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I think it shows off her attitude quite well! The extraction was fun and something different for me since I just don't do that in my layouts. Now to finish updating and send the new links to the family!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

6 years ago today

Its so hard for me to believe that my world changed so much 6 years ago. It was Father's Day 2001 and I was 20 weeks pregnant with my first child. Without going in to too much detail, I'll say that my son, Tyler Anthony was born at 5:17pm on June 17, 2001. He passed away during birth but would not have been able to survive at that gestation anyway. Losing him was a very difficult thing for my husband and I. Even though its been 6 years (and two healthy rug rats later!), sometimes it still feels so fresh to me. Today it really hit me. Its Father's Day just as it was then. When DH gets home from golfing we're going to take the kids out to release balloons for Tyler just as we do every year. This year we're going to send one up to my grandma too. I'm sure missing both of them a lot.

The happy part is that 5 years ago today I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my second child, my daughter, Caitrin. In just one short week she will be 5 years old. It hardly seems possible that she could be turning 5. I still picture her at a few weeks old. Why do they grow up so fast?? I don't have any newborn layouts uploaded (heck, most of those were paper scrapped!) but here she is at 10 days old... so tiny and sweet!

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Well, my little guy fell asleep on my lap so I need to put him down... I'll be back! LOL

spread the love...

My poor blog is just feeling lonely. She knows that there are many blogs out there who get lots of comments and she's feeling a might inadequate. In effort to boost her self-esteem, I decided to try and boost her comment section a bit (shh! Don't tell her, I want her to think its all her!). I'm giving away gift cards for my products and the lucky recipients will be chosen at random from among the comments I get on this post. So go ahead... spread the love and make my blog feel special!

And... since this post needs something colorful and fun, here is a sneak peek at that Birthday Bash Box of Baubles that will be on sale soon (the one those of you who made purchases between June 9th and 15th will get free!)....


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Look interesting? Colorful and fun? I think so!! Remember, this is only a teensy bit of what will be in this box. The box is filling up fast and getting heavier by the day! If you aren't one of the lucky ones who will get it free, remember to watch for it when it is released!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Free grab bag you say? One more day!

Just one day left of my free grab bag promotion! That's right, Friday is the last day. If you haven't taken advantage of this one, you might want to. Make any purchase (even a tiny one) and you will qualify to receive my next grab bag (I'm calling it the birthday bash box of baubles, lol!) free! I will be sending out the links on or before June 20th. You'll have it in your hands before it hits the stores! You just don't want to pass up a deal like this (at least I wouldn't, grab bag junkie that I am!).

I mentioned yesterday that I was going to put the alpha and template from the DST chat in to my stores. I decided today to give the template away on my blog instead. Who couldn't use a free template, eh? Yesterday I showed you the layout I made using the template. In case you missed it, here's the preview of the template itself.

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I'll give you the link shortly... first I have to show off a layout I did. :)

I've been blessed enough to have been on Traci Reed's CT for quite some time now. I love working with her designs and she's such a fun person to be around. Sadly, I didn't reapply this time because I'm just too busy to keep up with everything so this is my last month on her CT. *waaaaah* Anyway, she just released a new kit called 'He'll Break Your Heart'. Its a tropical, surfer boy type kit. Its perfect for those pictures of your teenage boys because of the fun elements in the kit. It also works well for little boy pictures... I had to use it last night to scrap a picture of my son in the wading pool. Here you go... my little surfer boy!

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I love this picture because you can see how red my little guy's hair is. He takes after his mama, that's for sure! He still doesn't have much hair but what he does have is super straight (he doesn't get that from mama), thin, fine and red. I just love to play with it. Anyway, his sister brought the doll in to the pool with them and he had a great time making the doll slide down the little slide and catching it at the end. He's a loving little guy!

Okay... off to get something done. I've sat at the computer too long! I did promise you the link to that template though so be sure to stop by and download it here!

I scrapped, again!

I was working on a template today for my anniversary chat at DST and I had so much fun with it that I decided to scrap with it before I closed my file. My daughter called the template 'crazy'. It is definitely out of my proverbial box but I like it. Here's my finished layout.

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I used my Caitrin kit and my white cardboard alphabet (inked with Atomic Cupcake inked edges action). I rarely scrap with my own stuff so I'm very excited to have used the Caitrin kit twice already! Its funny because I like what I design but I am so sick of looking at it by the time its done and previewed that I just file it away and figure I'll scrap with it some day. Silly, isn't it?

Anyway.... for those who missed the chat at DST, I'll let you in on a little secret... I gave away that fun alphabet I used on the layout yesterday to everyone who came. I also gave them the template, of course, for the template challenge and a coupon to try out my products. I honestly love giving things away!

I decided to go ahead and put the template and the alphabet up in my stores so that you can pick them up if you missed out. They probably won't make it up tonight though, I'm sleepy and I should probably get to bed.

Just a reminder... only 2 more days to get in on my free grab bag with any purchase deal. I'm so excited with how many of you are taking advantage of it. It will feel like Christmas when I send out the links! Like I said, I love giving stuff away!!

Speaking of give-aways... remember how I mentioned giving away a Memory Purse or two....?? I have decided that I will give at least one away at each store (ES and OAKS). I will have the details for you soon. I have to say, I totally LOVE my Memory Purse. I get so many comments on it and I just love being able to change it out when I want and be creative with it. Of course, that reminds me that I really need to update my bag ;)

Anyway, in scrapping news.... (I really need to organize my posts better, eh? I jump around a lot!) I have been on a grab bag kick. I've bought 4 of the grab bags from The Digi Shoppe this week. I picked up Bren Boone's, Micheline Martin's, Ashley Olson's and Faith True's. Those girls really packed their bags! I can't wait to use some of those goodies to scrap!

Now... off to bed....

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

I'm a clutz!

There is no doubt about it. I am a huge clutz. A few weeks back I fell off my bicycle (in front of people we know no less!), I constantly stub my toes on things around the house and today I fell and hurt my hand and ankle. Fortunately with some heavy doses of ibuprofen both are feeling better but it sure didn't feel good when it happened!

Anyway... the main purpose of this post was to let you all know that I'm hosting a chat at DST tomorrow, 9pm EST! I'll be giving away a layered template as part of a layout challenge. If you complete the challenge and post your layout (PMing me with the link), I'll send you a little goodie for participating. I'll also have a little freebie for you just for coming! It should be fun! I can't wait!!

Today has been a crazy day. Dh is working long hours and its throwing us all off. I feel as though I'm getting nothing accomplished. Hopefully taking the kids out to story hour at the library tomorrow will give us that much needed break.... if, of course, the little guy stays happy!

One thing I did do today was sit down with my 4 (almost 5!) year old and scrap a page for her. She told me what she wanted on it and where. She even told me how she wanted the paper torn. She decided on the title and I added my own journaling thoughs. We used my Caitrin kit papers for it plus a new alphabet that will be coming soon. Will it be in the store? Maybe. Will it make its way into a grab bag? Possibly, LOL! Oooh the suspsense! Anyway, here's the layout...

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If you like that frame we used, you'll be happy to know I'm giving it away to my blog readers!! Its decorated as shown on the layout and you can download it HERE. As you can see, it coordinates rather nicely with the Caitrin kit, so if you have the kit you might want to grab the frame!

In design news, I'm busy working on my next grab bag... the Birthday Bash Box of Baubles. Isn't that a mouth full? Can you say it 10 times, fast? LOL! Anyway, this box will be filled with lots of great stuff and everyone who has gotten in on my Grab Bag promotion will receive this fun box! (Yes, I'm calling it something different, but it is technically my next grab bag. :) ) Many of you have already qualified to get this box for free! If you haven't, there's still time! Just make any purchase of my products from Elemental Scraps or One of a Kind Scrapz through June 15th and I'll send you this baby FREE! I'll be sending out the links on or before June 20th! You'll have this in your hot little hands before it is released to the general public! Look down a few posts for more information... and here's a sneaky peak at my birthday box... there might just be a hint of what's inside....


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For my OAKS customers, this box WILL be available at OAKS as well as ES, I just haven't gotten my preview done for there yet. This time, the same 'grab bag' will be available at both stores.

Time to log off and go spend some time with my night owl children!

Monday, June 11, 2007

heeeellllloooo scrappers!!

I hope that you all had a great weekend! Ours was nice. We didn't go anywhere or do anything special but we had fun none the less. Unfortunately, today begins a super long week for me. My DH works midnights as a supervisor at a forms manufacturing company. His typical hours are 11-7 but its that time of the year (vacation time that is) and there is no one to cover the day shift supervisor who will be on vacation so Dh and the other remaining supervisor are stuck pulling 12 hour days. On top of that, its his weekend to cover the overtime crowd so he has to work 6 really long days this week. Now, he used to do this ALL the time before he made supervisor. However, since the promotion I've gotten spoiled and used to having him home more, so I'm bummed that he'll be working so much this week.

The only good thing to come of it is I can CHAT with you all without the hubby here to bother me!! Hee hee! I'm hosting a chat at DST on Wednesday, June 13th at 9pm EST. I'll have a template challenge for you as well as a little freebie just for coming! I hope to see you there!!

In other news... I scrapped yesterday!! Woohoo!! Its been a while and it was nice to sit down and think of nothing but working on a layout. I usually get half way through a layout and let my mind wander to the next kit I want to work on or something.

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Everything on this layout was created by the talented Jennifer Trippetti. I'm lucky enough to be on her CT but I have to say, even when I'm not scrapping a CT layout I find myself reaching for her stuff. I use some of her Digitalwear Basics on almost every layout I do!

Anyway... did you know I'm running a blog challenge over on the Elemental Scraps blog? The challenge runs through the 15th so hurry over to check it out!

Off now to take care of my little guy who isn't showing the sunny disposition that he was in the layout I did yesterday!

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Friday, June 08, 2007

an update post

Okay, I have to admit it. I am blog challenged. I try to post often but I really suck at it. So, there you have it. My big confession!

Now that that is off of my chest... let me get down to business updating you all! A lot has been going on with me in the digi-world and I don't know if everyone is up to speed. So, here's the 411...

First of all, I resigned from Digi Scrap Shak last month and from Digi Scrap Divas this evening. It was a hard decision to make, leaving stores I really liked, but I am finding myself with more and more to do and less and less time to get it done in. Who knew that the 7.5 hours a week my daughter was at preschool gave me so much free time? I'm finding that I spend most of my days outside watching the kids or taking them places to keep them occupied, my evenings cooking and cleaning and my nights designing. I haven't slept much in the past month and I'm starting to feel like a walking zombie some days. Hopefully this change will give me more creative energy so that I can bring some fabulous new products to the stores and some freebies to the blog. :)

Now... let's see... I hope you were all around for the unveiling of the new site design at Elemental Scraps. We had SO much fun over there and the new site looks fabulous! If you haven't checked it out you'd better! The store is chock full of tons of new product from some fabulous designers. I tell you, there is a lot there that I want to get my grubby little hands on (and will as soon as I have more time to scrap!). I released several new things myself over the course of the celebration. Here are are just a few things, in case you missed them....

I started the weekend off with Caitrin (well, I released it a few days prior to the store closing for the remodel, but who's counting?. Caitrin was inspired by my daughter. She picked the colors, she told me she wanted some bling in it and she gave me her personal approval for every element. LOL! We had a great Saturday together creating this kit!

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Next came Declan... this one inspired by my son. Its cute. Its grungy. Its all boy!

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I had so much fun with this one that I couldn't stop, so I ended up with a fun add on!

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I released a few other kits including this mini kit called Cool Waters...

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Then, I had a fabulous grab bag with 4 totally new products. Here's a peek at my grab bag reveal...

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If you hurry over to Elemental Scraps today you can still get all the grab bag goodies for just $4! That's $1 an item!

And.. did you hear??

June marks my one year anniversary as a digital designer!! A year!?!? Can you believe it? It seems like it was just yesterday that I released my first product to the public and sat with baited breath to see if anyone would like what I had created. I have had a great year and I am so thrilled to be part of this community. I love my 'job'!

Anyway, to celebrate, I'm going ALL OUT in June!! I'm going to have sales, chats, challenges, freebies and even find a few guest CT members! I've been so busy with the ES makeover that I haven't had time to cement the details but I'll have them before Monday so be sure to check back. I have some fun things in store and I'll even be giving away a Memory Purse (or more!)

But, alas, its 5am and I haven't slept yet since my little guy woke up fussy so I need to call it a night (morning?) and get hope for some sleep before the 4 year old wakes up!

Before I go though... I want to start the ball rolling on my month of celebration with a freebie! These cardboard shapes are so fun! They can be painted or glittered or made in to element clusters, you name it! And, they would go great with my white cardboard alphabet.


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Download here (link removed) I'd love if you'd leave me a little comment ;)

And... with that, I'm off to sleep....