Rockin' girl "thinking" blogger

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

So I just wanted to say thanks for all your emails etc lately, they do brighten my day and make me smile! Thanks to Chris who nominated me for this "rockin girl blogger" award!

Apparently I have to nominate 5 people it seems, so after long consideration (ok 2 minutes) I decided to nominate:

  • Nancy - girl always makes me laugh!
  • La Tonya - Only scrapper I met online that I met IRL. Rockin' at CHA!
  • Julie Ann - always pushed me, helped me and always makes me think! And so willing to share information!
  • Shimelle - don't know her personally, never met her, stalk her blog. I wish I could be as free in creating as she is. And the woman rocks the cupcakes!
  • My sketch girls! Had to mention them! Every week they rock my sketches and I get a bounty of eye candy in my inbox to share with you all!
My 'twin-separated-at-birth' Robin would have gotten a mention if she updated her blog regularly! *HINT HINT*



And in the last week I got nominated twice for this "thinking blogger" award! First by Regina then by Jen, that's just so funny to me! This is something I love doing and if that makes you think then great!


So again to nominate 5 sites worthy of a thinking blogger, hmmm let's see.

  • The EDS blog, loved that site from the get go and always inspires me
  • Julie Ann gets mentioned again cos well every conversation with her leaves me with so much to do! This woman makes me think!
  • Keri Smith - if you don't know her - go now and read her blog! Awesome illustrator and artist.
  • craft magazine - blog about all things crafty
  • Angie Pederson - scrapbook industry news, she keeps me informed of all things scrap related


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Bumper week this week!

Monday, July 30, 2007

So this Wednesday is the 1st of August! It's Wednesday so it's card sketch day and it's the first so it's layout sketch day! Holy cow! I have tons of emails from the sketch girls to sift through, and I haven't even done my OWN layout yet! Did I mention it's Bobs birthday Wednesday too? and the digital store opening a week today? I got 2 magazine assignments to work on too, due the 15th! Along with regular DT stuff! Someone help! So if I'm quiet at the beginning of the week you know why, ok?

On another note the weather here in So Cal is heating up a notch! Temperatures are forecast in the high 90's maybe in the 100's! This is the reason for no bike photo's lately, we haven't been in a few weeks. Bobs bike started to overheat last time we went, it's TOO HOT. Unless you get there at 7am to ride, and even then if you're out for a few hours you get the tail end of it. And for us to get there at 7 means getting up at 5 at least. Plus Bob is on crunch time at work, the game is nearing completion and they are working on bugs. Poor thing is working a TON right now, and I hardly see him, let alone us have time to go out on the dirtbikes.

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah I completed a template pack for the store opening next week, I really need to work on more so hopefully doing that today! Lots to do! I cleared off my scrap table yesterday in preparation for working this week on some paper projects (as well as digi) and now I can't wait to go scrap! Enjoy your Monday!

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More sneak peeks

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Ok here are some more sneak peeks of the scrapbook dimensions 16 month, 2007 - 2008 weekly planner! Julie Ann gave us the go ahead to share these pics with you all! You can order the calendar at the scrapbook dimensions store. The calendar has monthly prizes and lots of fun stuff for people who participate in the weekly challenges that the calendar provides. Lots of cool stuff! A yahoo group was opened specifically for the challenges too. I can't wait to get my copy!




SKETCH section! You KNOW I am loving this part!



What are you waiting for? Go order one!

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can you stand more digital layouts?

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Already shared some layouts for Shelle Pukas design team but here are a few more! I've been desperately trying NOT to use those summer kits anymore! They are sooo tempting though! So I branched out a little into christmas, and autumn kits!


Shelle Pukas fun & funky christmas kit; font: wonderful wendy

autumn paper pack, stitching pack by Shelle Pukas;

Autumn paper pack, cardboard grungie pack by Shelle Pukas

Don't you LOVE the cardboard grungie paper? too cute! I reinstalled all my actions and found some new ones since I switched programs! Fun! Gotta play with those later! Ok lots happening, gotta get on and CREATE!

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Digi layouts for EDS

Friday, July 27, 2007

My first month on the everyday digital scrapbooking blog CT. The sponsor was scrapkit.nl and their wonderful floral kits. I just loved the vintage floral as soon as I saw it and just couldn't wait to use it.


I used the kit in my upcoming tutorial, and in a couple of layouts below. The brown, blue and green is just such a pretty combo. Works great with sepia toned photo's. The swirls are part of a journaling kit at scrapkit.nl I just erased the block leaving the swirls. Loving swirls, flourishes or whatever you want to call them. And hey Zoe, look its the hat you sent me!

Vintage floral kit, journaling box set, available at scrapkit.nl;
font SP Wonderful Wendy


This next one is unusual for me. I love the paper though so I had to use it. Erased part of the photo and mat so that the floral pattern looks overlayed on it. Also used the floral png in the kit that is the same as the brown background design to carry the image over the photo. I think this gives the layout a lot more depth rather than just a photo on a page. Can't remember what the font is right now. Oh and I added a stroke to the title font so that it stood out more


More to share soon! Have a great Friday everyone!

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Calling all digi scrappers!!!!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Just spreading the word out that Treasures to Scrap is looking for digital scrapbookers for their creative team. The new digi store is opening early August and they have a great pool of designers lined up for the team to work with! Not sure if I can say who yet but they include some past sponsors, and erm... me! LOL! So if you wanna come hang out at my home on the web, check out Treasures!

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Card Sketch July #4

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Another week, another sketch! Been kinda quiet on the blog lately cos well I'm busy designing digital stuff for the store opening. I asked today and the opening date is the 6th August! So less than 2 weeks! YIKES!!! Ok, anyway it's Wednesday again and here is this weeks card sketch. Digital girls can find the template download here


As always if you create something using the sketch hook me up in the comments, or email me. I love to come and check them out! Here are my cards, along with cards from the sketch girls!

Supplies: DCWV cardstock & rub-ons; SEI patterned paper; eyelets

Kelley McDonald Angel Spirit kit



Card by Jackie Price
Supplies: SBW paper; 2 rhinestones - from jewelry dept at Michaels; rub ons




Card by Lucy Chesna
Supplies: MM pattern paper, Lil Davis Clay tile alpha, white, PC eyelets,ribbon, mm charm star



Card by Wendy McGlinchey
Pink and white card stock, Dunelm fabric flowers, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Rubbadubbadoo Greetings Stamps, Black cotton



Card by Cindy Gilchrist
Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Digital Pattern Papers from "The Bella Collection" at Shabby Princess, K & Co Chipboard Sentiment, My Mind's Eye Ribbon, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Flowers and Buttons (from my stash) and Machine Stitching.



Card by Joanne Atkinson



Card by Jolene Johnston
Supplies: DCWV card, Crate paper, Colorbox chalk ink, JoAnn brads, Fiskars stamps



Card by Pearl Liu
Supplies: BG Phoebe pp, MME Cardstock, KCK stickers ,Brilliance ink



Card by Linda Flinders



Card by Indah Permata Sari
Supplies: Traci Reed's Boy Theory Kit; Traci Murphy's Drop Shadows



p.s Yes I am still sifting through emails for sketch girl applications. Hope to finish that up this week. Lots to do, it's on my "to-do this week" list.

Enjoy!

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Did you see?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Over there to the right? I added a newsletter sign up link. This is for the weekly newsletter I send out every Wednesday. Features blog highlights, download links for templates and a monthly newsletter exclusive (last month was the scallop paper templates). Plus general chatter from me. Definitely loving the new delivery system!

I'm BUSY working on digital stuff for the new store. Lots happening behind the scenes. Working on a summer kit that I am loving right now. Also some template packs. I have so many things on my digi "to-do" list thats it's really intimidating. Hoping to change the look of the blog over the next week or so, and finally get my link lists updated!

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Magazines...

Monday, July 23, 2007

So I've had "magazine review" on my to-do list for a while but not got around to it, and well its because I haven't read many lately. But to give you a recap of my recent mags

Digital Scrapbooking Magazine - I still haven't made my mind up about the new digi mag. I'm holding out for a 'proper' issue with no staff introductions, as yet I haven't seen anything I don't already know, and the layouts aren't much different to other mags. Maybe it'll get better with more consumer feedback? Plus I still can't fathom why it's more expensive than Simple/CK...

Simple Scrapbooks - The July/August issue, I loved it. IMO by far the best issue in a long while. Lots of great layouts, some good articles and lots of eyecatching layouts. My favorite mag for a while.

SB etc - July. Another good one. Love SB etc. I wish they had a bigger reader gallery though (like most mags). Didn't really care much for the articles but creativity was definitely sparked by this issue. I like SB.etc cos of their range of styles. Each page you see something different.

Creating Keepsakes - had a quick flip through at the newstand whilst shopping in Vons last week. Nothing grabbed my interest so I put it back and got SB etc instead. Maybe its just not my style? I don't know. I've heard a few reports of people not liking the current CK issues. All mags go through this though right? I mean Memory Makers went through changes at the beginning of the year.

Scrapbook Dimensions - I got issue #2 a few weeks ago. First time I've seen this mag, and I like it! I think given a choice of this or digital scrapbook magazine I'd take this one. It's just aimed more for me in that it's hybrid. The articles were good and it definitely gave me lots of ideas. I like the fact that they offer online pdf mag and/or paper issues too. The main difference between this and other mags is the blending of digital and paper reviews and ads. Doing both digital and paper I loved everything in this mag.

Scrapbook & Cards Today - First time I've seen this mag in person (they do an online version too) and it's great. It's got a better quality feel than the regular mags like CK, MM or SS. Just sturdier. Both this and Scrapbook Dimensions reminded me of Correspondence/Paper ART magazine, thicker, higher quality magazine. Loved the issue and well I am slightly bias cos I'm in this one, but I liked the layouts and the articles.

So there you have it my brief summary of the mags I read lately.

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Review: Summer Simmons

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Summer Simmons sponsored the digital team at Treasures to Scrap this month, along with Kelley McDonald, so lots of digital this month. Which for me was a bad thing because all my computer issues this month. However I did get my required layouts done and enjoyed playing with her kits. So as usual here is a little review of her kits and some layouts.

Ok firstly Summer has an awesome name for her site! Sugar giggles, how fun is that? You can find a link to her gallery, design team, store and her blog there. We got a gift card this month for Summer's store and I got 3 kits and a couple of goodie packs, namely the fabulous frames and journaling brushes. The first kit I knew I definately wanted was "citrus grove", its my favorite color combo lately blue/orange and anything! Plus I was drawn to the papers. Definitely my favorite kit of hers.


Not surprisingly this is my favorite kit of hers. The accents are great with stitching flowers, tabs and beads. A very versatile kit too. Here are a couple of layouts using this kit.

Citrus grove kit by Summer Simmons; Vellum panel by me

Citrus Grove kit by Summer Simmons; Vellum circle by me

One of the other kits I was drawn to was the ladybug picnic kit. I'm not sure why? Maybe the fun colors and patterns? It just had a playful feel to it. I'm thinking these colors would be good on cards, so I'm gonna try some hybrid later this week, stay tuned for those!


Now I don't have kids but I made this work for other occasions! So next time you see a themed kit, think outside the box! I was kinda stumped initially but then as I was going through photo's spied this one of my sister-in-laws dog Flo, and remembered the "dream big" embellishment. Plus the background colors in the photo went well with the colors in the papers. I used the ribbon in the kit as journaling strips!

Summer Simmons Ladybug picnic kit; blue paper, paper clip - my own designs

Another trick to remember is if the photo clashes with the papers convert it to black and white. This is a photo of my Mum and her sister. Classic self portait shot with the arm outstretched, I cropped it a little and converted to black and white. (btw: I'm bringing vellum back in a big way apparently! 4 of these layouts today have a vellum look on them!)

Summer Simmons Ladybug picnic kit; vellum & blue papers - my own design

Last but not least is the Bohemian Summer kit, each month I try to pick things that don't jump out at me, that I wouldn't normally pick. It's a great way of challenging yourself or making you think outside the box.


First layout is a scraplift of Lynn, I'm her sponsor in this months contest at Treasures to Scrap. The contest this month is for undiscovered treasures, a new(ish) member gets sponsored by long time member and they complete challenges, this weeks was a scraplift your partner, you can see Lynn's original layout here.

Bohemian summer kit by Summer Simmons; Grunge Overlay - my own design

Strangely even though I the colors in this photo matched the colors in the kit great, I just struggled to make it work with some of the papers. I definitely decided that busy papers are meant for simple layouts, hence the switch back to clean layouts this week.

Bohemian summer kit by Summer Simmons; Vellum, frame and ribbon - my own designs

So a real mix here of styles and colors. I guess that really shows the diversity of Summer's kits. For more layouts with Summers kits check out the Treasures to Scrap sponsor gallery.

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Oh the pressure!

Saturday, July 21, 2007

So a couple of days ago I switched allergy meds to Claritin, hadn't tried it for years and since the one I was using wasn't making much of an impact on the sinus issues with my seasonal allergies I figured a change couldn't hurt. Well HA! Apparently the old ones work better than Claritin. Anyway long story short, I used half a box of tissues this morning and well have felt like crap all day due to the sinus pressure. The pressure is less now cos I took a sinus pill, which I dunno if I should combined with the Claritin but DAMN had to do something. We went to Costco after lunch, and I bought some different allergy pills so we'll see what they are like tomorrow, when I can take those. Slept for 2 1/2 hours this afternoon (yes Mum ME! yes I know I must have been bad).

Ok leaving you with a layout I did for Kelley McDonald, be back with more digital stuff tomorrow when I can hopefully concentrate without my head exploding or constantly blowing my nose. Urgh... Allergies suck!

Credits: papers: Kelley McDonald; Frame: Summer Simmons; stamped alpha: Doris Castle; eyelets, vellum alpha, vellum arrow, scallop template: all by ME *smile*

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more, one heart... one mind stuff

Friday, July 20, 2007

Ok gradually sharing all the one heart... one mind stuff I've been creating over the last few months, kinda playing catch up here. This is all stuff I created in April. I'm kind of having a love affair with their products again lately. They started making buttons you see... and well I have a slight addiction to these, hopefully be able to share details on their new line etc soon! Its being revealed at CHA this weekend!

all products by one heart... one mind, except - DCWV cardstock; Misc flower; ink

all products by one heart... one mind, except - DCWV cardstock;

all products by one heart... one mind, except - DCWV cardstock;

all products by one heart... one mind, except - DCWV cardstock;

all products by one heart... one mind, except - DCWV cardstock; offray ribbon; glitter

all one heart... one mind, except - snowflake

all products by one heart... one mind, except glitter; epoxy sticker; snowflake

More one heart one mind projects to come soon!

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can you beleive....

I forgot to blog yesterday? I got into digi stuff yesterday and it just popped out my head! Totally forgot all about it. Not that I have anything to share till tomorrow, digital stuff coming tomorrow! Doing ok with the deadlines, got stuff I'm working on, one secret project that I need to get done but am procrastinating over. So need to get on that! Lots of things on todays to-do list. My allergies are BAD! Actually bought some different meds yesterday so hopefully they'll work better. I have a doc's appt on the 6th anyway so if they are still bad I'll mention it to her. Hmmm what else? Oh yeah its CHA this weekend and I'm not going. My work is there though, so if you're at CHA pop over to the one heart... one mind booth to check out the new line! (and my stuff! lol).

Ok I need to get working on this digi kit....

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Card Sketch July #3

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Happy Wednesday! Another week flying by! Another card sketch! Loved everyone take on last weeks! This one has so much potential, the center panel makes this sketch ideal for photo cards! For the digi gals the template can be downloaded here.
As always if you create with the sketch, hook me up in the comments or email me, as I'd love to come check it out!


Credits: Citrus Grove kit by Summer Simmons

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; PP: Around the block; Stamp: Stampendous; alpha: Miss Elizabeths

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; PP: Around the block; Stamp: Stampendous; alpha: Miss Elizabeths



Card by Brigitte v.Tienhoven
Credits : PaperMoons_Kitz_chocolate2 at papermoons; Sliver Sparkle Action at Scrapgirls.com; Font used : FG chris



Card by Jolene Johnston
Supplies: Basic Grey Infuse papers, Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter sticker alphas, Die Cuts With a View card, StazOn ink, The Paper Studio brad, Dream Designs flower, Zig Writer



Card by Kelly Nelson
Supplies: Bazzill cardstock, Grant Archival PP, Maya Rd rubon, a glaze pen, sewing machine; cuttlebug embossing folder.



Card by Wendy McGlinchey
Supplies:- Stamps - Rubbadubbadoo script, greeting and postage stamps, Italian Farmhouse image - Inkadinkadoo. Inks:- Versafine Majestic Blue, Seashells - Ocean Aqua, Sandal and Seashell Pink. Embellishments:- Silver buckle, pink organza rbbon and navy blue satin ribbon.



Card by Linda Flinders



Card by Krista Pearl
Credits: Backgrounds - Traci Sims - Faded Floral, Solid Dk Blue, and Bleached Stripes all from Bleached Denim; Fonts - king cooL KC, Kimberly Geswein and Goudy Stout



Card by Joanne Atkinson
Supplies: 3 Bugs in a Rug, Heidi Swapp pink brads, misc. flowers , white card stock, pink ink, stamps


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