Create Something Today

bitter sweetness

How can I simply put this past week. Interesting? Yes. Frustrating? yes. Blessed? Yes. Shocking? Yes. Exiting . Yes. Eye Opening? Yes. Sad? Yes. I would say just about every emotion was felt lately and It's all part of this crazy life we live.

To pick a few things and to start off. My workshop opened up Monday. I was SO exited the days before. Nervous as heck but exited just the same. I just wanted everyone to get at least one thing from each week that they can hold on to forever. So I was constantly really not knowing what would happen. I had a good turn out and everyone has been gems! I'm looking forward to doing another workshop and it's only week one!!! Of course it didn't go down with out some bumps in the road. All I have to say about that is...

 

So...as I'm thinking of that I had to think about the family and sickness. again {groan} First it was Chloe'. She got a fever 103.8. She got better. Then DerRick starts showing signs that he want to get sick but no biggie. Then Kennedy gets pink eye in both eyes. They prescribed her eye drops over the phone. I keep her from school. Then here comes Chloe' not to be outdone. I caught her itching her stomach. It was so quick but a momma is a momma and I knew something was up. She had a rash all on her stomach and back. O Lordy...So I take her in and she's fine. Then I wake up ad check my emial. I'm half sleep looking at the screen and DerRick is beside me on his computer. I ask how he slept. No answer. Without thinking, I ask him again. "How did you sleep honey?" No answer. I look at him and ask him if he heard me. All he could do was point to his throat and he looked like crap.

o man...

SO...I guess it's the boys and me for the long haul lol! This season and school do not mix. And having an army of kids passing ickies between eachother is a full-time job to try and control.

Alright, so next...I'm super eager to make changes to my logo and blog. I wish I could but haven't the time. So I wait. And am still waiting for the time I can change things up a little. I'm so darn fickle lol!

On a high note...I'M ON JESSICA SPRAGUE'S SITE!!!!!!! ....well....sorta of lol! Check it out

here

That is a cute box made by Linda (aka linstamps) with the use of my Capture + Record kit. It looks super cute and I LOVE how she worked the hybrid!!!!!

Then, sadly, One Little Word is no longer. It was time to shut it down. It ran its course and ...well...yeah. Um...if you would like to visit one last time and read Ronda's exit post then you can view it

here

until next time. Keep on creating. Thanks for all your love and willingness to share you. We have seen some truly amazing works and I can't thank you enough. WE can't thank you enough. Visit the team in the future. We are all branching off and doing other things. Growing. I'm doing my own growing. It's a process but one that I love. 

 

[Photo by Rachel Speed]

Chat soon lovelies,

❤ Karla

new release + brainstorming

Thanks everyone for all your prayers and wishes :)

 

He did ok he just was super sleepy and a little soar. We are able to treat his condition that they found. His stomach acid is irritating something and that something gets inflamed. (again, not one for medical jargon :)So yes, we are so glad it wasn't something else. We really appreciate all your kind words. So thank you :)

Today is a day to be thankful and it's also Thursday release day over at The Digichicks! I have two small kits in my shop that I might sincerely get addicted to. I know I'm going to use these suckers all the time!

Itty Stickers: Boy

 

 

Itty Stickers: Girl

 

These are word stickers that I hand wrote. I love them because they can go on any page. I used them in this post here. I added some funky drop shadows to them that made the stickers look all wonky lol! It's amazing what a drop shadow can do let me tell ya...So yeah, I hope you all enjoy these :) Remember they're 20 % off today-all day!

Speaking of creating...I've been thinking long and hard about where I'm going with my designs. I've decided to change up my shop a bit so that I can focus on each kit that I make. I'm not going to make full kits anymore. Meaning ones with tons of things in them. With the way my everyday dynamic is; it would be stretching the kits thin. Do I make sense? I've decided to focus more on elements and papers. I'm super exited about this because I think it will make each kit better and there will be more releases as well. I'm even thinking o changing my logo. Not the almighty 'K' of course lol! But I've just been playing around with the thought of making a permanent change because I'm always changing the color and all that so I figured I should leave all the fickle indecisiveness to the blog ^_^ Brainstorming and trying things out are what I've been up to lately.

 

  

Sketching paper designs has been super fun. I'm playing around with new ways of putting my papers together. Tried a itty-bitty-mini and it was a disaster! There was no "make it work" solution going on here lol! I tried a little shortcut and found that sometimes shortcuts are not the best way to get things done. This book was suppose to be for OLW (late again, yes I know :) so I'm going to start over.

hmmm...not really much else to say other than my boys are wanting me right there with them. Lately, if I get up I'm going to hear about it. It's been like that for a couple days now. So as I'm typing I have Chris laying next to me, the computer on my lap and Kayson is asleep on the other couch. I'm cooing and cawing Chris every 10 secs or so. Pacifying him with my voice. My Wacom pen is stuck in my hair like a hair pin. That way I can grab it when I need it and not reach to get it. O man...It's a site to see but I'm getting this post done hu?

And actually; I'm done now so I'll be back in a flash!,  

-out

chris, cards + a tip

 Hey guys. I just saw DerRick and Chris drive off for the hospital. Chris has to have a simple procedure but it still frightens me. I wish I could go but no. We would have had to get there by 8 am and it would not begin until 10. The kids would not last that long at the doctors. So yeah, I think this is best anyway. I'm not sure how I would do you know what I mean? That's just been on my mind all the time for the past couple of days. I just hope everything goes ok and they don't find anything else.

 

[ 2 months ]

[suppies- PP, heart circle tag, word stickers (stickers available Thursday): Karla Dudley Designs]

On a more light and crafty note...Last Wednesday I posted my tip up over at One Little Word. I showed how to make a simple Peek-A-Boo card.

You can view the post

here

I made a card using punches for the effect.

  

 


I used postage stamp punches from Martha Stewart to achieve the Peek-a-Boo effect. I lined it with a transparency to that I can stick elements in the windows yet be able to see inside. That layer is on top of fabric which has the three openings cut as well.The card is closed. Sewn all the way around the perimeter. The note pulls out from the top from a slit. And speaking of Martha...Love the felt pillow project she has on her site right now!

I would love to try and make some. Or to have those would be great too lol!

The winner for OLW will be announced soon.

Later guys!,

-out

some givaways and a special little girl

Whew...it's been a eventful week + weekend. Kody has Boy Scouts in full swing. Have to get the patches sewn on his uniform. It was cool to get his fit and badges. The Store was full of boy scout goodies. Some sparkly, some clear, some metal, some fabric, cups, hats, scarves, plaques, pins, books...he was in a boys heaven! And the girls, they are all about friendships right now. When I drop them off at school they find their closest friends and yell their names. Then they all get together and play in the playground before school begins. It is too cute. They run in a pack, yelling and screaming for no apparent real reason but for happiness sake. Have you ever wished you were a kid again? I have.

Kody, Kennedy and Chloe' have been real troopers and the best siblings. I never felt any pressure to have to give them all my attention when the boys came. They never got that 'jealous streak' Probably because they have each other :) They love to help out. Even if they try to help too much at times lol! I love em' so...

On another note, as far I go I've been working on some new kits for the shop. I also printed out some pictures for an album I hope to get done sometime in the near future :) Seem to be having some type of fickle tendencies with my blog lately. I keep changing it lol! It's odd because I'm so not like that in real life. I sincerely need to give the van a bath. Ol' Bessy is a tad dirty at the moment. I made a special breakfast (cheese, eggs, sausages, pancakes, biscuits, bacon, apple butter...) on Sunday morning. You would have thought the Dudley clan was back from eating slop from outer space. They scarfed it down like the expiration date was the day before! I was like whoa. Speaking of good eats. DerRick cooks 3 things. Count them 1, 2, 3. They're a pasta dish, tortilla soup and my favorite strawberry cheesecake. They are all really very good. And each of those recipes came from recipes.com. LOVE this site. They have the most delicious recipes and you can add notes too. My favorite feature is the ability to print out the recipes in different sizes strait from the site. You know what that means? Recipe albums! lol!!! No but really, love love love. You would think I could cook with all this talking right? Nah, can't cook. But after being reacquainted with the site again I'm going to give it a Dudley try!

My girl Vee is accepting sponsors on her site. For those of you with a streak of rebellion, an eye for the eclectic and haven't been by her blog yet then what are you waiting for? She has a way with paint that would've Bob Ross blush. I love her dearly. Now I got so busy that I forgot to mention she was holding a drawing on her blog. Who ever won would win an invite to my workshop: Journals 3 Ways. It's already over so because of that I'm holding one here NOW! Comment and I one of you all will be a lucky winner! I will pick + announce the winner on Friday :)

Also, there is a very special card drive that is going on through the 15th of October. Kate, just a little girl, has been diagnosed with cancer. You can read her incredible story here. And Kristina Proffitt along with Jennifer McGuire are holding Cards for Kate and are asking all scrappers and even your children to make a card for her. There will be some giveaways also and I will have a couple of word brush kits for a winner. There will be several ladies contributing so make sure to stop by and create something for a special little girl :) Grab the badge bellow and spread the word!

So what I'm I going to do today? Probably obsess over what they kids will wear for picture day tomorrow. The girls teacher said that she would try to get a picture with the girls together too. I hope so. That would be neat. My boys are getting chunky and squishy and oh so mushy! LOVE it! The more jelly the better I say! Almost 3 months. Time flies yes? I also need to start coat shopping for the colder days. I woke this morning  and turned on the heat. For the first time since last fall I tuned on the heat. It's about that time to get ready!

..............................................................................................................................................

*** Begoña Alcañiz, Hey honey, I've been trying to email you and give you my workshop information. I keep getting it back so if you could please email me with an alternate email address that would be great. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!!!

Alrighty, I will chat with you all soon :)

-out

olw + digital chat

It's my Word Up over at One Little Word! I chose the word OPEN.

I feel like miracles have been happening all around me. Some smack me in the face and some are subtle and when I look back on them I am amazed. Like the boys. They are miracles. They are lucky to be here. I'm lucky to be here. With all the events that were trying to get in the way, somehow a miracle happened and now we are all here safe and sound. Be open to all possibilities. Be open to good no matter how low you are. I mean just being here typing on this blog is crazy. I would have never thought ALL this would be happening. My family, my online family. This place where I am making a difference in peoples lives. Thinking back to times when I thought I would never get out of bed again. My shyness...almost crippling in the past and now I reach out. I just called one of my sons good friends' mother for a play date. Yeah that may seem like normal to some but I was all freaky about that kind of thing. Always a worry wart for no reason. But I've grown so much and I love where I am at right now. I can honestly say that I am happy. Who woulda thought? I'm open to miracles alright. Two sets of twins back-to-back? Yeah...I'm open to miracles in deed.

This word up is sponsored by The Paper Niche.  They are offering up their beautiful September kit, School Rocks, for the selected winner. AND...they will receive a free invite to my online workshop: Journals 3 ways!!!

I hope you join in! I decided to do this page of the boys...

[credits- pp, letter sticker, staples, tag, brad, stitches, circles word brush: Karla Dudley Designs; Printer block letters (open): Kim Hill.]

Kayson is on the let and Chris is right. (they are total opposites yet identicle...crazy!) This is all digital using some of my new papers!!!! I also have some old kit stuff thrown in there like the staples, the number 2 sticker, circles word brush and stitches...So exited because these kits will be available tomorrow over at The Digi Chicks! Yep some old and some new! It feels good to be back! Will post more details tomorrow! But in the meantime...here are some more sneak peeks of some papers:)

(page by Anilu M.)

(page by me.)

I'm super exited to create kits again! It's been a challenge like no other just to create anything. I've most definitely had to re-work my creative processes since my family has grown um?....exponentially. lol! But yeah, I've taken a good while off from creating digital kits and have done some thinking about where I wanted to go from here.

I always loved the idea of merging traditional scrapbooking with digital scrapbooking. Whether it be hybrid or creating kits that simulate paper products. All-in-all I love making kits that can mingle with each other. I think I was successful with that in the past and I will work to continue to keep my kits that way. I LOVE using different manufacturers on my paper layouts and I love that same whimsy on my digital layouts as well.

So, what's new with Karla Dudley Designs?

Sharing. I want to share with you tips on how to achieve neat-o digital and hybrid results on your layouts + projects. I want to share with you techniques that I come to love. I hope to share your ideas too! I want to share you! Put work up from you guys so that everyone can see how cool you are! No but really, I'm so inspired by fellow artisans and I want you all to get that same 'fuzzy' feeling that I get looking at all the goodness around the web :)

Design. I am evolving as we all do. I'm finding myself exploring new avenues in my designs. I'm working on bringing them to life. I have always loved graphic design and typography so be ready to see a lot of that ^_^  I'm into hybrid as well. O the places we can go with hybrid! I can honestly say that I never really know how my designs will end up looking like. But I love pleasant surprises! I do know that I will strive to make kits that are universal and look pretty cool too ^_^

Interaction. I want to be able to share ideas with you all in the best way possible when I can. Visual/audio tutorials can achieve this in a way that pictures can not. I hope that this approach will be very helpful and super informative for you all. I want to keep you informed in-between posts as well. I will be starting up a newsletter again. This one will be a lot different. It will be more informative and not just about digital design but about scrapbooking as a whole. I promise I won't bug you with one every single day lol! It will be sent to give you the heads up on whats going on with my shop, blog, inspirations etc.

Purpose. I have a passion for scrapbooking. When I wasn't doing it I was missing it. I love both digital, traditional + hybrid. I believe each have there time and place. I also think that to have the option to choose is so cool. Overall I want to share a bit of myself. Right now, for example. I find myself short of time. So I need to get my creations done in a flash. Digital is perfect for that & so now I want to share this journey with you.

....of course this is all a process. It won't happen over night but this is where I'm at and right now I'm super happy and super exited just to be an artist!

I will be back tomorrow!,

-out

olw + a diss

Ok... so I was tardy again for OLW :) I tell ya, it takes me a good two days to finish one layout as of late. I have to take so many breaks it's madness lol! I finally got it up. Lynn chose the word INVINCIBLE. Powerful yes? And so was the Wicked play I saw and so with that said this is my take

 

The picture is way fuzzy & dark (sorry about that) I used bits n' pieces from that day of the play. Like that ticket and a fortune. I made a mistake at the top and scribbled it out lol! Make it work right? :) I used a bit of Gundun's cute cloud + graph patterned papers as well. If you join in this time around you have  a chance to receive a signed copy of Becky Flecks book, Page Maps! This book is full of cool sketches and designs so come check it out!

In other news...I went to drop the girls off at school and I was chatting with one of the Moms as we walked up the hill. We really click right? So yeah, she says to me "Oh I see your hanging loose just like me. No bra and it's all good." Hmmmm...yeah, why was I WEARING A BRA????????????? I mean what the...

Oh...and the Macro experiment did not work on my end :( My flash kept popping up when I put it on the 'flower' mode ARG! Me and flash clash so yeah, not the jam.

Ok...I'm just going to go now and eat and non-bake oreo pie. Oh yes I am and THAT is all good.

-out

coming soon and the first day + kit news

hello everyone! Man o the freak man...it been super hectic. A good hectic but if you call not being able to eat anything but an 11 pm dinner a good hectic then yeah. That's my life right now lol! Today was the first day I actually felt exhausted. Not even kidding you. Check this out. Ok...so like the boys wake up at the same time right? I go to to make them each a bottle. I shake them up. Then I take the top off of one of the bottles and go to feed it to Chris. Um? Hello? Milk spilled all over the little dude!!!! I looked at him. Delayed and stunned for a few seconds like holy mac...I need a nap lol! But yeah, he didn't mind one bit. Speaking of...the boys got a HEP-B shot yesterday.

 

They were both asleep when they were given the shot Both whimpered for like 3 seconds (with their eyes closed) and then fell back asleep. Aw...gotta love the way of the baby! 

These past couple of days have been all about that doctor visit and school.

Yeah, Chloe' would NOT smile for the life of her lol! But that's ok :) They were so exited to go. They are super independent. I just know they will be running the joint in no time ha haaaa!

 

Kody got to back to his old school. All that calling worked! They didn't forget us hu? lol!!!! But yeah, he was ready too. His main thing was making new friends and reading. This boy LOVES to read :)

 

Always have to have that 'back shot' lol

 

Kody went right to his seat and started coloring.

 

The girls sat down on the carpet and played with blocks. I said "see you later" to Kody and I got a kiss :) I said "see you later" to the girls and I got nothing. They could care less if I left or not lol! You just never know ^_^

I've been up to something...

Yay! I will be starting Online Workshops in October! I'm really exited about this because I'm eager to show you all in depth how I put things together! I hope you guys enjoy! More information about my workshops to come. If you would like to put this badge on your blog then cool!  I know it's a little while off but the more the merrier! The code is:

<a href="http://karlastudio5.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l71/karlastudio5/workshopblinkie.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

For some more cool news...I will have my older digital kits up over at The Digi Chicks super soon!!!! All I need to do is get them ready for transfer. Right now over on their hybrid site is a project using Mini Envelope Album Kit. Here is a peak:

These little treasures are from Nicole Seitlerand her and daughter. You can view and get more information

here

And here is another album

here

So neat to see the different takes in this template!

Whew...I'm about to go take a well needed nap. Yeah...that sounds mighty spiffy.

-out

Drop Shadows + Backrounds

I have another tip up over at One Little Word. It's all about drop shadows on your photos! And I have one more tip for ya.

Are you bored by the backround color in Photoshop? I am. And although when I'm  in regular preview mode and my screen saver shows through, I till get distracted by it. Here are two examples of what I mean:

This is what my screen looks like by default.

 

You can see my screen saver + my dashboard items back there and sometimes it get too distracting. Especially when I'm doing a painting ^_^ 

So when I Switch to a different view mode that get's rid of the back round...

 

I get this. {blah}

 

I mean it's ok. But after a while of seeing it for so long it gets super boring.

So to change that backround I simply select my Paint Bucket Tool. Pick a color. Hold down Shift and click on the backround! I chose a blue color and ended up with this

 

Awww....mucho better. And I can change it anytime I want. The cool part of it is that it stays after you close PS too! So that's neat-o.

A quick note about Full Screen Mode:

It's easier to scale large things down in this view. Also if you have a brush that you want to go off the edge of your project, you can do it in this mode and it won't dissapear from being too large. ( I hope you all know what I mean :) Also...text is a lot easier to work with in this view mode do. I often find myself switching from this to standard because all the other things I have going on are hidden.

Ok...let me stop babbling before I get too confusing lol!

Happy creating!,

-out

cool news!

I'm so exited to tell you guys that I will be guest designing over at The Digi Chicks! I LOVE it there...you just have to check out the forum. The topics are super useful; a lot of tips there for you. I know I learned somethings myself! I will have a full kit and two mini kits for you all! And one of them is something new that I've never tried before :) Here's a sneak peek

The kits will be on sale Thursday, June 4th! I hope you all stop by!!! Again, thanks again everyone for all your love and encouragement! I hope you like them ^_^

Just starting digital but are a bit apprehensive? Check out this site. It has a cool lists of myths us scrappers often have about going digital and gives reasons on why they are just myths. Check out the whole site, super informative.

Also... check out Evernote! It's super neat. It's coming in handy with my online baby shopping! It's free and it can also be used as a journal, is compatible with your cell phone and all that jazz too ^_^

Alrighty, I gotta go. I had e a busy day today...SHOPPING!...and now I have to help DerRick get his office ready for inspection! Tell you details tomorrow!

-out

congratulations!

Woooeeee...it was dynamite over at One Little Word this last couple of weeks! So much inspiration and so many goodies to give away to celebrate our second year! Thanks to all that participated and who left your love! (I needed some love after looking through all those entries. Over 300? Holy Moly in a haystack!) Nah, but it was all good. So many neat-o projects to see and then I came upon one that did that pulling thing again. I stopped and I knew that it was my personal pick.

I chose this mini from Megan Anderson.

You can view the whole album here.

Love it! The wood cover and butterflies...yeah...I'm diggin' it majorly. And it's about two teens. I always wondered about scrapping teens. You know how it is with the young ones...flowers and cutsie stuff. But I always wondered if I would have a smooth transition into teen hood. Especially the boys. Ok...am I making sense? But yeah, Congrats Megan!!!!!!!

Other news...we have a leaky pipe. I guess you would figure since our house was built in 1946! But leaky pipes? Not cool. So, the plumber came by and said that the pipes to our bathroom are all dandy and new. But the pipes the are under the kitchen sink and Kody's bathroom are cast iron. In other words,  not in style anymore. So yeah...have to spend some bucks to get that taken are of. Bummer.

Alrighty, I'm going to go. My girls are vicious when they're hungry lol! 

-out!