Create Something Today

new release thursday!

O my goodness. How long has it been? I have a mini kit up in the shop today that is 30% off today only!

Number Essentials 1

oh what can I say? so in the mood for numbers right now. These are wire numbers that can be used flat or you can use them with the drop shadow and holes. All are layered so you can play! There are also two brush fills that you can add behind the wires or use alone. So freakin' cute! I played with the kit this morning ^_^

Ok, I meant for this to be simplistic lol! Sometimes I just keep going and going. Apparently I should have quite sleeping to and woke up to see Chris in the act of breaking my glasses in two! Oh boy...Well, I enjoyed playing with the number kit! I hope you do too ^_^

I've been neglecting this blog like mad. I'm still finding my groove a bit over here. It's been so nice. I was just telling my girl Wendy how I'm enjoying the interesting people, awesome places, perfect weather and being surrounded by palm trees everywhere I go. Definitely what I needed. Now I have to get back to creating!!!!!!!

I'm going to be back later on today. I have some birthday boys over here with cute faces I want to show off lol!

lately

 

Well, I'm pretty much settled here in California. It's gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous! I really needed a break to come back home and see my family and just be 'home' Here are some pictures of us at the park, beach and the Del Mar Fair.

 
We are having a lot of fun enjoying the climate and the palm trees ^_^ Now, I'm not going to lie; traveling over 2,000 miles with the 5 kids was probably just short of insane. I have to tell you though, it really wasn't bad at all. Everything went like clock work. My brother and I got out every morning no later then 8am and rocked out to the different radio stations + his iPod. The big kids watched Sponge Bob in the back and the little ones spent time fussing, snacking and napping ^_^ In Amarillo, TX we were shocked to find that the sun was still out at 10pm. I think it really messed with Matt's mind. We really couldn't believe it. It was so freakin' weired. Then we got stuck. Yep. We ran out of gas. O my goodness...we were going uphill on some rocky mountain in Arizona and ran out of gas. This unfortunate and so cliche event occurred at 3:15 or so. By the time AAA was able to make it out it was 5:45. The kids were Gems. Didn't complain. They played with rocks and tried to throw them over the mountain. The boys too ^_^ The weather was on our side. Sunny but on the cooler side + there was a strong breez. We upset an ant colony. Big juicy black ones. They came out and kept coming out. Hundreds? Thousands? There were a lot! The ants followed some kind of trail. We thought they were going to make a sharp left and head for the van and overrun our asses but they kept going strait. And when we finally saw they were starting to come back; we noticed that they were carrying food. We weren't food. Good...that's all I needed to know ^_^

So yeah, we have been busy getting everything together and making sure to have some fun in the middle. We went to the Del Mar Fair. So much flippin' fun! Of course next time we have to try the chocolate covered bacon. Oh yeah ^_^ The kids went on the ferris wheel and enjoyed the calm. They all wanted to go on it. It was gigantoid, cool looking and is always in all the kid shows they watch. You know what I'm talking about? lol!!!

As far as I go, I'm enjoying my little sister Chelsea. She is with us for the summer then will head back to UCLA. I'm going to miss her when she goes back :( She has been my best friend and a great baby sitter lol! Oh...and she's gorgeous! So easy on the eyes. lol!!! I haven't done any creating for a while. I'm in the mood!!!! So much inspiration everywhere! I needed a change of location more than I thought I did. I feel rejuvenated and ready to make some coolness! Tonight I'm going to play around. What have you all been up too? Are you doing summer albums? How has your summer been so far? Wishing you a good one guys. Off to fix breakfast ^_^

oh...and p.s., here is that Easter layout of the girls I did a while back ^_^

Friends

Alrighty, Happy Father's Day daddies!!!!!

belated winners ^_^

Ok...I'm way late on this one guys. I had some things come up. So lets get right to it!!! I have two kit collections out this week over at my shop!

Welcome Spring

Super fun and bright! But of course...you can calm it down if you want with the more mono tones. The cool part...you can get one more chance to win this kit! Check out the DHD blog and comment for a chance! This kit is also broken down into papers and an element kit just in case you have a preference. Next we have

Relax

This kit mellow but full of design. I know I'm going to keep going back to the twill borders and papers! The floral brushes will work great on any project for instant awesomeness ^_^ And again, if you're a paper person or love to play with elements then you can get those kits separately as well.

I know on my last post I asked you all these two questions

Do you scrap in the day or in the evening. Also...what is the latest you've stayed up getting your 'create' on? ^_^

I can honestly say it was a mix. There are day and night scrappers. I, myself, am a night scrapper. I just can't do it with the kids awake ^_^ And on the weekdays that means I won't be able to really hunker down and get busy until about 9 after I've put the house strait. The latest I've ever stayed up was 6:30 in the morning. That was about 4 years ago. And in 2008 I stayed up until 4:30 working on CHA projects for October Afternoon and Crate Paper. Let's just say I'll never procrastinate like that again lol...

So we have two winners!

For Relax

Congrats ladies!!! I will email you shortly with your kits!!! And thanks to everyone who commented! I just love reading your responses...can we say therapy? lol!!!!!!!!

Another great piece of cool news. I'm being featured over at DHD! So what does that mean? It means my ENTIRE shop is 25% off ALL WEEKEND!!!! And I have a freebie too! Yep! I have a paper pack for you all

Jude

This weekend only you can snag these papers free! Yeeeehoooo!!!!!!! I'm all about that lol! So here is some eyecandy for ya using the latest kits!

Thanks so much ladies! I will be back in a flash! ...for real this time ^_^...

 

 

 

 

 

new release thursday!

Hello friends! It's new release Thursday! I have some new kits in the shop that are 30% off for today only!

Template .002

 

Template .003

 

Template .004

 

Template .005

 

Templates .006

So much fun! I really enjoyed playing with these! Here is a layout I made using Template .002

This is actualluy a bitter sweet layout. It was a blast to do. I really enjoyed going to this art store I had never been too. Loved looking at the colors of everything. Paints, pencils, papers...OMG...sincere heaven. But it's also a reminder of an ended friendship. So, anyhoo...that was some time ago so now we focus on a layout by the freakin' amazing Patti!

So many ways you can use these! I really hope you enjoy! Last post I asked this question for a chance to win

What is your favorite page/project you ever made and why? If that's too difficult to decide then name something you did on a layout that you really liked. You can post a link in your comment or just explain if you want.

I'm so glad I asked this question. In a way it was like scrap therapy. When your a designer it's sometimes hard to stay on track. At least it is for me. It's hard for me to intigrate design and meaning. It's easy for me to get cought up on what 'looks good' and all of your answers brought me back to thinking again about what really matters. I still absolutely love design. I love the process and thought and everything about creating designs. Like these templates...every single stitch was done one by one. It was a true labor a love that took forever! But you know what? I loved doing it and I love giving you all goodness ^_^ So that will never go away. But I would love to find better ways to document my crazy life. Ok...I'm babbling...In your answers, most of you loved photobooks you have done for loved ones. So precious! And Ari Macias said quote "my favorite project is...ALL OF THEM:))))" lol...You gotta love that! Here is a look at some absolute favorites you guys linked me to

Page by Aria Andros

She says "...I also felt like I was breaking out of my old style and into something new (for me), which I always like."

 

Page by Zizzazi

She says "I had made the photo mask myself with some elements and then I had play with fusion mode and filter mode in CS .. and well I just love the result ;-))"

 

Page by Michelle

She says "...adding the "sunshine" to this layout in the upper right corner was really fun, I feel like it made the whole layout come alive. I also enjoyed challenging myself on this layout to be monochromatic with the green."

 

Canvas by Janka

She says "...I have a hybrid creation, which is special to me. This creation is a canvas pic I made to my husband for our 2nd anniversary last year. My style is changing but I still love that pic."

 

Project by Angie

She says "Because of the magic of Christmas, the joy of my little boy who helped me a lot in the conception of the project (he was 3 years old) and opened the little boxes every morning."

 

Album by Kirsty D.

She says "My favourite page has to be my "Meeting Hanson" spread. Not just because of the memory, but the title, and all the interactive stuff I have on it to get as much out of the memory as possible!"

So awesome ladies! And to everyone!!! I find it tough to choose which one layout is my favorite. I have two that jump out at me. Ok...three...or four...or... ^_^

kur.ee.us

This one I have a deep love for. It was my very first layout when I knew what I was doing and not applying everything with elmers glue. I made all the papers by stamping and cut novel pages. I even remember exactly what I felt like while creating this page...{sigh}...

snuggle bug

 

I really took a risk with this layout. I invisioned what I wanted the result to be and made it happen. The whole front is a transparency with Kody's cute mug all over it ^_^ Then I left a 'container' space right in the middle to add the title. The tranparency cover is held down by hinges and it opens to reveal the journaling.

Lastly but not leastly, I have this layout I did before the boys were born

so ready

I love this because of what it meant to me. Anticipating my little ones. I really was ready for another set. I mean as crazy as that sounds lol! I also love how I used many different mediums in here. It's not often that I use paint...wait...let me say that is WASN'T often that I used paint. I haven't touched paper in some time. Just so sadly overdue.

Ok, ok...so lets cut to the chase yes? We have 5 winners!

For Template .002

 

For Template .003

 

For Template .004

 

For Template .005

 

For Templates .006

Congratulations ladies! I will email you your kits shortly! Thanks everyone!!!! Lots of goodness coming up ^_^

Thanks again!,

 

new release thursday + something new

Hey, hey! It's Thursday and I have 5 new kits up in the shop that are 30% off for today only! We got

Cardstock Essentials 2

 

Cardstock Essentials 3

It's nice when you have a good collection of solid textrued cardstock on hand. There have been so many times when that is exactly what I was looking for but didn't have any! These cardstocks are cool because they texture is awesome and the colors are true. And the notions are extra goodness that I'm loving right now!

 

Didi Essentials 11

These are a must for my digital stash. I love the look of paint or inked edges on my photos and papers. It really changes the look dramatically with no effort at all! I like these distresses edges because each size has a thin distress and a more thicker one for our creative mood swings ^_^ Ok...just looking at them makes me want to play lol!!!!

 

Clear Essentials 2

 

Clear Essentials 3

A new love of mine, clear acrylics! Can't get enough. Addicted? Yes, I'm guilty and proud of it. I don't know it's like for the past couple releases I wanted to give you all the things that I personally love to use all the time. Essential kits. Ones that are timeless and you can go back to now and forever ^_^

Here are some layouts by the Creawtive Artists using the latest releases

Pages by Wendy

 

Page by Erin

 

 

Page by Jennifer

woooeeee...so neat! I was able to get my 'create' on this past week too! I made this layout of my boy Kayson

...adore that photo... Then Gennifer Bersette over at DHD held a Digi-Morph challenge! We were sent a layout that we were suppose to lift and we had to follow a specific instruction. So as the challenge went on and one by one people did their lifts with each instruction being different, the starting layout morphed and it was really cool! So to make a long story short; here is the layout from Jolie that I was to lift

So I had to lift this layout and her challenge for me was to do an extraction. Ok...I don't think you all heard me...AN EXTRACTION!!! I was like WHAT????? Dude...I prayed lol! But I did it!

Yes, I sure did. Using a photo I already scrapped before! HA! I'm proud of myself for doing a technique I had no knowledge of how to execute and no plans on trying lol!!!! Thanks Jolie! It was fun!!!!

Now...we have other business to attend to. Like revealing winners for this Thursdays release! Last post I asked this question

What do you think the next scrapbooking trend(s) will be? It could be in digital or traditional scrapbooking. If you can't really think of any, what do you find yourself doing over and over again in your designs?

Some of you answered your thoughts on if digital or traditional would be more popular in the future. Hybrid was the popular answer. I believe hybrid is super neat. But it also can be difficult to wrap your head around sometimes. I'm all about teaching and I would love to go over some hybrid tricks when I get the chance too. Some of you had other ideas of what you think will be popular. Large photos, soft pastels, graphic. Right now I'm seeing the larger photos and the mono spaced typefaces like

also small typewritter fonts are super popular right now. They will never go out of style...timeless. But then again, I'm all about the oldies-but-goodies so who's to say what's in style and what's not. Just do you ^_^ So yes, thank you all for your answers! We have 5 winners! 

For Cardstock Essentials 2

 

For Cardstock Essentials 3

 

For Digi Essentials 11

 

For Clear Essentials 2

For Clear Essentials 3

Congrats ladies! (I really need to fix my time zone information lol!) I Will email you shortly with your kits! now to leave off on a great note

 

 

Be back in a flash!,

clear tips + inspiration

Ok...so I'm loving the Clear Essentials. I just can't help myself ^_^ And I love to see how others use them! On my layout below. I did not apply a drop shadow. I duplicated the scalloped circle (behind the 'today' sticker) and lowered the opacity of the duplicated layer a bit.

The hallow circle borders had no shadows either. But I saw soem layouts that used drop shadows on the clear pieces and I love the way it looks! I wanted to know their secret formulas!

 

Page by DHD decorator Shannon Dombkowski

Shannon's butterflies look like they are floating! Her shadow formula:

Color: 000000                                                                                                                                             Blend mode: multiply
Opacity: 50%
Angle: 45
Distance: 18
Spread: 0
Size: 13

Then we have a page by Creative Artist Jennifer Flaherty

Here super secret, that is not so secret any more, shadow secret formula is...

Color: 2C1901

Blending Mode:  Linear Burn

Opacity: 35%

Angle: 45

Distance: 15

Spread: 0

Size: 15

Very subtle effect that makes a huge impact. Oh I love eye candy...Have a super Friday everyone and if you got a juicy secretly secret shadow formula I'd love to share it ^_^ Lastly we have a layout that caught my eye for

 

This is an adorable layout by Kym Tsukamoto. She lifted a layout from Debi Schroder for the Lift Me Up challenge. This was actually her 4th lift! I'm so glad she did it! Everything you see here came from the Remarkable kit. Thanks Kym ^_^

Catch you all in a bit!,

 

Lift Me Up Showcase + some new stuff!

Hello, Hello!!!! Want to see some scrap goodness? Head on over to the  2011 Lift Me Up showcase! The blog is live and the ladies want to share what they have cooked up ^_^ ....enjoy!...

Lastly I have some new releases up in my Silhouette Shop!

Again, if you love the Silhoette and a diggin' my designs let me know! You can email me and drop a line! Thanks everyone and I'll be back in a flash!

blessed

Just popping in to say I'm so lucky. I'm lucky for so many things. But my Dad called me today to wish me a happy birthday. That's awesome. We talked a while...Then the participants of the Lift Me Up challenge had my back.

You all know how I have a technological monster that enjoys picking on me right? Like some kind of monkey on my back. Instead this sucker lives inside my computer. And I just knew that the challenge wouldn't go without a kink somewhere. Well, I was right. In the end of it all I needed a bit of help and without even asking everyone jumped up to help me. I don't know...it's like I've gotten to know a lot of these girls. I'm just so blessed. Ok...I'm getting all sentimental n'junk. Maybe it's close to that 'time' of month lol!!!!!!! Anyway...thanks ladies....

I decided to forgo tacking a nap and surf Pinterest.

ok...so darling. These are baby invites. I mean awwww...... Oh man, I just heard one of mine just woke up! Duuuude. I'll be quick... [link]

The most awseome calendar ever. My children would 'kill' it but it's sure nice to look at! [link]

Me + There = oh heck yes! ...{sigh}...  [link]

Amen.  [link]

Sometimes I just wish I could go back and do it all over a gain. A little differently...Happy Birthday to me ^_^  [link]

 

LOVE this

Hello everyone. Just stole some food from DerRick. Some steak sandwich thingie from Chili's I really don't like Chilli's food but I was hungry ^_^

So yeah, tonight the girls got their pop poms for cheer. They are so exited. Can't stop flinging them around. I told them to take care of them. Put them in their room and shut the door. Because once they are out in the living room they are free game and any little 1 year old can use them as slobber toys! lol! So yeah, I'm glad they're glad ^_^ 

The coach is really impressed with Kody's natual talent. He can jump high and is fearless on the mat. Of course he ran and did some type of ninja front flip and I almost had a flippin' heart attack! But yeah, she wan's me to help coach her level 5 team (high school age) on Fridays. So that's where I'll be tomorrow! Who knew right? ^_^

Just in case your like what? I've been doing all-star cheer ever since the 7th grade on through College. I was on the University of Louisville All-Girl team and won the 2001 and 2002 NCA National Championships. I wish I could fit my rings but I need to do a resize...bigger...^_^

So on a crafty note, I have a layout to show you from Creative Artist Margelz!

She's got that dirty minimalist thing goign that I love! She used the latest kit releases and I'm adoring that black! I also got a new Silhouette release in my shop for all you Silhouette lovers out there ^_^

Ok...so I'm on a stamp kick lately. Like dude...can't get enough! This design is cool because you can use them separatly or overlay the stamp design over the solid. They fit together like a glove ^_^ Try playing with cut patterned papers too for coolness. But that last suggestion is more directed towards me becuase I tend to only cut with white cardstock lol!!!! I might be looking for some Silhoette designers to some magic with my designs. That would be awesome! Drop me a line!!!!

But yeah, I hope you enjoy. I'm going to enjoy my last night being in my 20's.

 

creative artist goodness

Hello hello! I've been pretty busy here with the kids on spring break! I tell you...they eat a LOT!!!! lol...But yeah, I've also been getting in some pretties from the Creative Artsits!!!

Erin added captions to a batch of photos using the Vinatage alphas and Digi Essentials for the staples. Here are some of them below.

She is one who rocks the basics. Everything is so clean and fresh. Take a peek at her blog for some more simple inspirations!

Jenny is my newest creative artist and she did this adorable layout using the Vintage Alphas and Cypris.

[ you can view credit details here ]

I love pages with dialogue. I love dialogue period! The things kids say and wonder about ...lol...I really like how she used the vintage letters. Here's another by Jenny using the Cypris kits

[ you can view credit details here ]

Um?...wow...I'm going to have to figure out how she did that!

I've been looking around and have been really inpired by the creations you all have been making with my kits. ...thank you... I've decided to feature layouts! Our feature layout today is one by Theresa Marie!

[ supplies - Just Thinking and Template .001 ]

I can't deny it...those little darlings steal the show! But I do love how she used the .001 Template with the paper in the backround like that. I think it's neat ^_^

So yeah...just thought I'd share with you all ^_^ More inspiration to come! And a chance to win my newest kits tomorrow!

On another note. Kody is SO exited

He gets to go to Toys R Us to add to his toy collection. And of course the girls are coming along for the ride although they don't know what they want. Kody has it down to a 'T'. He wants a Lego Spinner and he has been reminding me for a week! lol...so hilarious...

Be back in a flash...