Finally...

I can't tell you how much of a scrapping slump I have been in and for how long. I can tell you that I am so relieved that I have finally been able to scrap something and I am so happy with how it turned out. For what seems like forever, I haven't been able to create much of anything that I have been totally happy with. I have started so many layouts and trashed them because my mojo just wasn't there. I think the long winter nights and the lack of photo opportunities have played a big part in that but in the last week or so there have been some nicer days and we have gotten out and played a little bit. To top it off Sine posted a freebie template on her blog today and it was perfect for the photos I wanted to scrap. If you want to grab this fabulous template, head on over to Sine's blog.

Here's the template:

Here's my layout:

Credits:

Template - BlogBee No. 06 - Designs by Sine

Papers and elements - SO Emily - Pineapple Plantation Designs

Style for Alpha - Wood PS Style - Bannerwoman Designs

Hello out there!

It's been far too long again.  I have had a crazy month that included business travel so I haven't done much in the digi-world.  I am going to do my best to catch up and I have challenged myself to do a blog post everyday. 

 

Today I need to post a long overdue thank you to a few people.  Mega-Doodle Inspired and Bannerwoman Designs are two of the testing teams that I am on and they have put out some awesome products.  The bonus of testing for them is that I get to keep the products after I had completed the testing.  You wouldn't believe how many products were put out during the month of February.  Here's a few for you to drool over:

 

 

I can't tell you how impressed I am with every single product I have tested from both of these ladies.  With each new action or style I try I find a new favorite.  You have to check them out for yourselves.

Miscellaneous Pages

Here's a few other pages that I haven't shared yet. 

 

This was for a Speed Scrap challenge at Get Digi With It:

Credits:
Paper and elements from the Scrap Orchard January Mystery Mega

 

This was for a template challenge at Get Digi With It:

Credits:
Template - GDWI Template Challenge Jan. 1-14
Kit - Grab Bag by Ziggle Designs

 

Journaling:
Your slumber party was so much fun. You were able to sleep on the living room floor, stay up late, watch movies and have special treats. There was a lot of giggling and smiles so you must have had a lot of fun.

 

This was for a Make it Snappy challenge at Scrap Orchard:

Credits:
Scrap Orchard January Mystery Mega

 

And this was just because I was having fun paying with a new scrapping style:

Credits:
WaterLO Project Snowflake World

ASDR4 - First Half

My partner and I have made it through the first half of ADSR4. 

 

Don't know what I am talking about???  Well, I never heard of it before either but, as soon as I saw what it was about, I knew I had to participate.  ADSR4 is the Amazing Digi Scrap Race 4. 

 

Basically, you are given two challenges a week and they must be completed before midnight of the following Sunday.  It's just like the Great Race on t.v. where there are fast forwards, road block and other things to make it really interesting.  There are prizes for each challenge and then a grand prize that all the finishing teams have a chance to win.

 

My partner is Malinda (mhulshoff) and you can read more about her on her blog; The Blue Side.  Our team is called Blue Dandy and we have our own team blog; Blue Dandy.  (I haven't been all that great at updating my layouts there either)

 

We have had six challenges so far.  Not only has they been fun but I have learned a lot from them.

 

Challenge 1

The first challenge was this:

 

1) Rip and tear a photo into three or more pieces! (that's a photo, not papers!)
2) Use journaling on your layout (something I stress is SO important).
This is a challenge to be completed by both racers.

 

Here's the layout I created.

Credits:
Kit - Efflorescense by Ziggle Designs
Alpha - Scrap Orchard J
Envelope - Envelope Maker Action by Mega-Doodle Inspired
Hummies Layered Paper Tears

 

Journaling:
You are usually so happy but sometimes you feel like things don’t go your way. This was one of those moments. You were into mischief a lot today and Jazmine was being allowed to do something that your weren’t. To show how you were feeling slighted, you hid in your bedroom and pouted. It wasn’t long before you were found and even with a pout you were cute enough for a picture. The lesson I hope you learn from these things is that sometimes things don’t always go our way. We have to live with the consequences of our actions and be prepared for dealing with the result of your actions. We know you are able to behave and that is why when you do get out of line we forgive you. These are the moments you learn and will make you a more fantastic person in the future. You are loved and we know that everyone has a bad day sometimes.

 

Challenge 2

The second challenge was this:

Cabin Fever
(interpret this as you will, but it must be evident that this is the thought/theme behind your page!)
Must include:
3 photos
4 papers only (no more or less)
8 different elements - at least 1 must be acrylic
2 different fonts
Must have a title, and journaling (which must be visible - if it is not readable, please include in your description)

 

This was an intersection where we had to complete the layout together.  Our finished layout turned out well.

 

Credits:
4 papers from Scrap Orchard January Mystery Mega
Acrylic Frame - created with PS Wow! Style
String with beads, Button, Flower and Felt Leaf from the Lakehouse collab kit by Angie Kovacs and ChrissyW at Elemental Scraps
FlipFlops and Swimsuit from the CLD July Collab kit - created by Paula Phillips Designs - recolored
Popsicle from the CLD July Collab kit - created by OneScrappyMom - recolored

Font 1 - Downcome
Font 2 - Missy BT

 

Journaling: School's out. The sun is shining. The kids want to watch t.v. and play video games. Everyone's getting antsy! You want to get out of the house and have fun. There's only one answer. Pack your bags and head to camp!

Alpha - Charlie by Chris Wasielewski at Elemental Scraps
Template - Pressed petals by alamama at ScrapMatters

 

Challenge 3

Challenge three was a regular stop, which means that both racers will need to do their own layout.

The challenge was simple.

Find the first layout you created that is still uploaded to a gallery and scraplift it using techniques, trends and concepts that you have learned since you did that original layout.

 

This is a scraplift of the first layout I ever uploaded to a gallery.
My original LO can be found here: http://www.digitalfreebies.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/24149/ppuser/6081

 

Credits:
Kit - Reindeer Games by Ziggle Designs

 

Challenge 4

Challenge four was the Art and Soul Challenge!

We both needed to complete this challenge! However, this it was a FAST FORWARD challenge which means that the first team done could SKIP the January 18th challenge if they wish!  We didn't finish first but I personally would have participated in the next challenge anyhow. 

1. The Art of it: Your LO must have artistic flair! Literally! Your LO must have at least 3 things “artsy” and/or “altered” on it–(such as but not limited to: paint splatters, a paintbrush, paint spills, crayon doodles, goopy glitter, watercolors, canvas AND/OR altered art items such as wings on photos, art dolls, vintage doodads, ephemera, etc). Really stretch yourself and try something “artsy” that you haven’t tried before!

2. The Soul of it: You must journal something from your Soul. Something positive, heartfelt and meaningful to you in your life! Something you’ve learned, something you’ve gleaned from your life experience. Perhaps something you would want to pass on to the next generation! (It can even be your favorite quote and why it touches/inspires you) Uplift us, make us smile–inspire us! You must share your journaling with us-if it’s hard to read or blended into the background-part of the challenge is to share your journaling in your description.

 

Here's the layout I did:

Credits:
Paper tear action by Atomic Cupcake.
All elements from WaterLOProject Behind the Desk.

 

Journaling:
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This bible passage reminds me that no matter what happens throughout the day, it is a gift. There is beauty surrounding us. Each day has another masterpiece just waiting to be discovered. Only you can choose what to do with it.

 

Challenge 5

Challenge five was to create a layout that has no photos on it, but includes at least 3 different and separate photo frames.  We both had to complete this layout.

Sometimes we have special thoughts, feelings and/or memories about a person or place or event or pet or whatever, but no photos. OR, we could be missing someone who has passed on or something that is no longer in our lives and would dearly love to be able to express that on a page.

Because scrapbooking is all about recording our life journey and that of our family we can still create a page to record and preserve those special thoughts, feelings and/or memories with a little thought and planning and with the creative use of photo frames and journaling (although journaling is not required for this challenge).

 

And my layout:

Yes, you saw this a few times before but here it is again.

 

Credits:
Frames - Designs by Sine SO Useful Frames
Lace background - Obsidian Dawn Lace patterns
All other elements - Scrapbrat Designs at CLD

 

Journaling:
I carry pieces of you with me throughout my life. You have helped me to become the woman I am today. Because of you I am a strong and independent woman who can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I am kind, loving, honest and caring because of all the things you have taught me. Thank you for being you and teaching me to be me.

 

Challenge 6

The sixth challenge was a roadblock.  This means that only one of us was supposed to complete it.  Malinda decided to take on the challenge. 

 

You must choose a layout from your partners gallery and scraplift it using the following direction:

Take your chosen layout from your partners gallery and flip it either horizontally or vertically.
Now take the layout and rotate it 45 degrees.
You must use this "new" version as the sketch for your layout.
When creating your layout you must use the EXACT same number of items that your partner used in the original layout, no more, no less.

 

Here's my layout that Malinda lifted:

I hope she doesn't mind me sharing but here is the layout she created.

 

credits:
cu items by - Ashlee Wall, Kim B designs, Manuela Zimmermann, Disasterpiece Studios and Studio Flergs
Paper by Vera Lim Free to live
font - CK Ali's writing

Another favorite store

A digiscrapper could go broke buying all of the fabulous designs that are constantly put up for sale.  I don't know how people do it.  I have been lucky enough to be able to test some awesome new products at Elemental Scraps.  If you are looking to find a way to spend a few more dollars (snicker) go check out some of these products at Elemental Scraps.

 

These are just a few of the great products available and if you look closely you will see that a few of them are freebies.

 

 

 

 

 

And, here are some of the great layouts I created with those items listed above.

 

Credits:
Alpha from the Garden Charm kit by Pamela Donnis at Elemental Scraps
All other elements and papers from the WaterLO Project Behind the Desk kit.

 

Credits:
Template - ChrissyW 's Template Challenge 12
Kit - Leah Riordan's Great Expectations at Elemental Scraps

 

Credits:
Template - Template Freebie 8 - ChrissyW at Elemental Scraps
Kit - January Scrap Orchard Mystery Mega

 

Journaling:
Jazmine and Ali love playing in their bedroom with their Disney Princess and Dora dominos and brand new walkie talkies is a    great way to start the day. They don't really play the dominos game but instead they sort, stack and build with the dominos. This was also a PJ day. Since we would be home all day, we stayed in our PJ’s. Jazmine is also wearing a Cinderella costume and a new bathrobe that she got yesterday. Mommy wears her bathrobe a lot of the time at home because she’s always cold. When these robes were spotted we knew that Jazmine and Ali would fall in love with them.  Jazmine didn’t stop wearing hers since she got it.

 

Credits:
Kit - Playtime - Angie Kovacs at Elemental Scraps

 

Journaling:
Who would have thought that a grilled cheese sandwich would be someone’s legacy? I often make grilled cheese sandwiches for my girls and each time I think of Auntie Barb. I remember her often making me my favorite grilled cheese sandwiches. Anytime I would visit their house she would ask me what I wanted for lunch and the answer was always the same. She made the sandwiches on her giant electric stove. One of my favorite memories was a time when I told her she made the BEST grilled cheese sandwiches and she proceeded to burn my sandwich really badly. We laughed so hard over that one. Now that she is gone I hope she knew how very much those sandwiches were appreciated. She made everyone with love because she loved me so much. She meant the world to me and I miss her very much. I will continue to make my girls grilled cheese sandwiches and each one is filled with love from me and Auntie Barb.

 

Credits:
Kit - Cuddle Time by Angie Kovacs at Elemental Scraps
Fabric Piece by Gunhild

 

Credits:
Template - Template Freebie 10 - ChrissyW at Elemental Scraps
Kit - Lakehouse - Collab by Angie and ChrissyW at Elemental Scraps

 

Journaling:
We adopted Nellie from a pure bred rescue about 4 years ago.  I remember seeing her listed on their website for a long time.  I was kind of a stalker to their website.  I would check in almost daily to see what pretty kitties they got in.  I felt bad for Nellie.  She was there for so long that I started feeling really bad for her.  She definitely wasn't the prettiest kitty in the bunch but she still deserved a loving home.  She had some eye problems and an unknown history.  I told my husband about her and we decided to go visit her and see if she would be a good addition to our home.  Her foster mom told us over the phone to not expect much.  She said she that our first reaction will probably be that she is pretty ugly but she said that she is so ugly that she is kind of cute.  When we got to see her she was very skittish.  She was kind of ugly but there was something really adorable about her too.  She didn't like to be held and stayed away from the other kitties in her foster home.  After some deliberation we decided to take her home.  Her eye problems might have required for her to have future surgery but we were willing to take on the risk.  She was definitely not a lap cat and she didn't like to be picked up or held.  We kept the name that the rescue had given her.  Nellie seemed fitting because she was so nervous all the time.  Well, here we are so many years later and she is almost not like the same cat.  Her eye problems seemed to mostly stem from her nervousness.  When she gets really nervous her eyes water like crazy.  She loves attention now.  She will even hop up onto my husbands lap and soak up any attention that he will give her.  Nellie was a great addition to our family.  Oh yeah, she doesn't look much like the same kitty we picked up all those years ago.