Create Something Today

Happy National Digital Scrapbooking Day!

Hello guys! Today is the day for all you digi artsits and hybrid artists to celebrate the wonders of technology lol!!!! No but really...it's the day to take some time out and do it digital! Even if that means typing some text and printing it out...with digital there are so many possibilities! And to help get motivated and inspired, ALL of my kits in my digital shop are 35% OFF!!!!!! Oh yes baby, huge discount for a huge day! It's a really great deal on top of a great deal because one of the things that I love is that my kits are already very affordable so today is a good day :) Here are some layouts to get you inspired and to get those digital juices flowing...

Here neeceebee used multiple kits to make this stunning page. She used papers from the Zander: Play paper pack she also used the Itty Stickers: Boy and Fall '09 kit. Love this layout. Makes me want to scrap so bad! I need to make time today. Are you? ^_^

You can find more ideas using my kits here and I will see you in a flash!,

-out

workshop delight

It's almost Monday and that means week 2 is going to start! I'm exited about it! Everyone is super sweet and are eager to learn. I wanted to show you some pics of one of the journals that have been made

This album is by lasmanitasdevinnie she made a stunning keepsake. I loved how she punched out my paper designs with the circle punch! And those feet......seriously adorable!!!!

Thanks for sharing L!

-out

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

new kits + a tip

Hello everyone. It's Thursday and that means new release day over at The Digi Chick. Come out out my shop. I have some of my older kits and 3 new paper packs! Everything is 20% of today only so come check it out! Here some previews of the new paper packs that are up in the shop.

I love circles and lines so why not lol! Here are some pages from the DT using the new papers.

pages by Anilu Magloire

page by  Essensevibez

ooo...love them. And such different styles too! I hope you all enjoy :)

Since last post, I have been getting some emails inquiring about decorative borders. Like in this layout here

I have put this little video together for you so that you can see how I do it. There are probably other ways but this is the process that I use to make decorative borders in Photoshop.

You can download the brush I used here:

Download Kd_HoledScalled_br

I included the.png file just in case you don't have PS. And just my luck if the download is wonky! I'm always having technical issues in some way or another so if it's not downloading right for you then please email me.

I hope you guys are having a relaxing day thus far! I will be back in a bit

-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

OLW, tickets , great news + Q's

Ok, I just have to give myself a huge pat on the back. Having 5 children is a crazy blast!!! I go through my days giggling to myself over things I would have ranted about in the past. Like take today for intense. I woke up 30 minuets late. Now, I should be inserting a couple of cuss words in here but nope. I took on the morning as a challenge. ( EVERYTHING is a challenge these days ) I got up and asked myself if I could get all three kids dressed and ready, make a snack for them, pack Kody's lunch and school snack, get myself dressed because I have to walk the girls to their class, do the girls hair and brush all their teeth in 30 minuets. Oh but wait. I needed socks. They were in the washer. Had to put them in the dryer and hope they dried in time. That was the first task I took on because I would need everyone of those precious 30 minuets to dry them. Needless to say they when I took them out they were wet at the ankles. (don't you just loath that?) Ok...so as I put damp socks on my children. I rush to the car and start to drive off. And I start checking things off in my head. Crossing all my T's right? Then BLAMO... The image of a ham sandwich still chillin' in the fridge filled my brain. O Crap! I had to go back home and pick it up. Dropping the sucker off a little later was not an option. O man....But yeah. Just little things like that are everyday things and are now welcomed. I accept them: the forgetfulness, the rushing around, the need to be TOTALLY sure of everything being done and said are all part of the new family dynamic. It takes super patience, intuition a.k.a psychic powers, quickness, being the mother/father + friend & executioner and the true ability to adapt. It's SO not about me anymore right? I have come to the conclusion that you really do have to be nothing short of some stage one super woman to juggle a family of 7. The Lord has a plan for me and all I can say is that this has been one wonderfully wacky ride! Thank you Jesus!

So guys, what have YOU been up to? lol!!! If you are wondering why I have all these caps in this post it's because all the text options are suffering from some type of technological mal function of some kind. The hole panel is jumbled and gray so I'm not going to try to attempt anything fancy. I can't even attempt links so yeah...

Say...OLW has a new Word Up and I'm back too! Ronda Chose the word Beauty and here is my take

I decided to make a journal to add all the 'princess' photos of my girls in here. I used Making Memories decorative tape and flocked word sticker 'beautiful'. I also used some Martha Stewart glitter on a strip of sticky tape to add some bling :) I typed out the word 'beautiful' on the bottom and added flower embellishments that are tied down with thread.

I've noticed I've been doing the same things over and over. It's either a tag or a butterfly. Take your pic lol!!!

So yeah, DerRick is going to have a good time at a four day birthday party. His best friend rented a party bus and everything. I'm happy for them both. But sometimes I just feel a little down. I haven't seen my family in a long time. He gets to pretty much see them anytime he can get the time off. I have the economy and distance keeping me away from mine. Sometimes I NEED the ocean. I literally crave it. San Diego is my home-home you know what I mean? Don't get me wrong; i love the country. Definitely has it's perks. But you can't deny where you come from. And right about now I'm overdue for a visit. So...anyway, my point is is that I think my Mom is feeling it too. So we can't meet anytime soon but she still made sure I was going to get away somehow. She got me a ticket to see the play Wicked!!! I am SO exited!!!! ...thanks Mom.

On to some other great news...

I will be making digital kits again! Not only will my old kits be over at The Dixie Chicks soon; I will also be able to continue making kits there as well! I am so exited. I have been thinking a lot about the direction I want my kits to go in. Even got a mini paper pack finished just to be an over achiever lol!!!

Ok...so I have some questions to ask you guys. I realize with the workshops coming up; your opinion matters greatly. I would love to get your feedback from time-to-time and to answer any questions that you have.

Firstly I was wondering what you guys are interested in learning about. 

* miniBOOKS/journals?

* Cards?

* Layouts?

* Specific techniques?

* Digital, hybrid, typography?

* Elements like vellum, transparencies or masks etc.?

* Anything under the sun as long as it's mad cool?

Just wondering where you all were at. I would love to incorporate your interests in my teachings and the more feedback I get the better.

Alrighty I better bounce out of hear. I'll let you all off the hook lol! The boys are waking up so that's my

Q

Happy Birthday Chelsea ^_^

-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

looking back

Still drooling over here. Yep, ready to get back to creating. Hands down, period.
I did get one half of a layout done. here:

That is the left page. I based on this sketch I did here:

{ sorry about the poor light }It holds a personal note for the boys in the envelope that I made and I plan to do the opposite page with the story of their birth. it felt good but I still want to get that drive back from when I first started. Now it seems like it's been SO long since I really, truly loved what I was doing. I started looking back at some of my old projects and got inspired to create :)

I first came upon these layouts. They were when I was on my first design team: Love 2 Scrap in 2006

And this one I made for one of Ali's challenges. (it's big so ya gotta click on it :)

and then there was Christmas Dusti of '07. She along with the rest of us over at OLW just wanted to wish you all a happy holiday!

Looking at these makes me want to scrap (and paint :) so bad. I remember how I felt back then. Super eager. I'm staring to feel like that again. Back then, I remember, I also took the time to print off text too lol!!!!

But yeah, School starts for Kody and the girls on Monday!!! I can't believe it! Woooeeee...  I got the girls their backpacks today at the mall and I almost lost it. Oh boy....I'm exited though ^_^ and so are they! Are you all ready?

The boys are doing real good. Getting chunky lol! The best part right? Love it!

So much more to come! I will be back in a bit

-out