Eve's Newest Kit

This is Eve's newest kit, available here. And it's on sale for 30% off for one week only.

Eve Recinella Designs

One of my favorite digital designers is Eve Recinella. I have read her blog for quite awhile. She recently opened her own shop, Eve Recinella Designs. Then last Friday, she debuted at Sweet Shoppe Designs. Well, Lauren Grier also sells at Sweet Shoppe Designs, so I asked Lauren on Tuesday if she could talk to Eve and tell her how much I would love to be on her Creative Team. On Wednesday, I got an email from Eve, asking if I was interested in being on her team.

WOOHOO!! I am now on Eve Recinella's Creative Team! I worked on a layout for her just today. I'm not quite finished with it, but I'll post as soon as I'm done with it.

Color Blocked Layout

I did this layout for a class in Paths - which is a really cool feature of Photoshop CS2. It is a drawing tool that is way too complicated for me to try to explain - I have a hard enough time using it! LOL!! Anyway, the class is offered at Digital Scrapbook Place, and Lisa Carter is the teacher. She is the best teacher I've had over there (with the possible exception of Stacey Jewell Stahl, from whom I took Creative Journaling and Typography - another great class). It would be a close race between these two. Lisa will be teaching Actions in January - I think I'll have to take that one too.

John David is the grandson of one of my best friends.

Credits: Kit - A Baby Boy Story by Jen Reed.

Stitched Word Label by Gina Cabrera.

Page Bracelet by Cindy Simon.

Fonts: Pepita MT, Times New Roman.

Scrapbooking Quiz

I was reading webfrau's blog from Digital Scrapbook Place, and she had a link to this fun quiz. I was amazed at how true it seems for me. You can take it here.

***

***

You are PAPER!

***

You are an all natural basic person who likes to act as a foundation to others. You are willing to take a backseat in most of your relationships and let others take the spotlight, while you show your support and help them shine! Underneath it all, you are the one who makes it all happen. You are the focus and stability in any group, even if you are not the leader. Others look to you to set the pace and provide ideas for ways to get things done. But Paper Beware - sometimes you get a little edgy with the people who look to you for support and can give them some papercut remarks that can hurt their feelings. Remember to watch what you say, because you are best when leading by example.

Thanksgiving Twenty

Do you cook all or part of the meal?
we cook most of the meal - guests bring a few items
How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal?
I don't keep track
Do you eat at home or go to someone else's?
at home
Describe your perfect bite?
pumpkin pie with whipped cream
White meat or dark?
white
Stuffing with giblets or without?
without
Anything you won't eat at the Thanksgiving meal?
no - I wouldn't cook anything I wouldn't eat LOL
Carve Mr. Gobble at the table of serve on a platter?
platter
Favorite pie?
pumpkin
Formal table or Chinet?
formal - it's the one time a year I get out my china
Your menu?
Turkey, dressing (not stuffed into the bird), cranberry salad mold, sweet and white potatoes, corn on the cob, applesauce, apple bread (we had lots of apples on our trees this year), salad, pumpkin pie
Favorite leftover?
cranberry salad mold
Extended family, friends, both or just immediate family for dinner?
both
After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or football on TV?
neither - usually just visit
Do you watch the Macy's parade?
no
Christmas decorations up before or after?
after
Black Friday shopping or sleep in?
just a regular day
Any special Thanksgiving tradition?
we always play monopoly before dinner
Favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
gathering with family and friends
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
I don't have one favorite memory - Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sale at Katie the Scrapbook Lady

I read several scrapbooker's blogs, and one of my favorites is Katie the Scrapbook Lady. I love her products, and she's having a sale. If you click on the ad below, you will be taken to her shop. Have fun shopping!

Sunrise

Here is the layout I did with Lauren's Punky Girl kit - available at Sweet Shoppe Designs (here) - I really love this kit! I took the picture from our front porch last month.

Digital Sketch by Christine Smith.

New Blog Banner

I put up a new blog banner today - it's easier to do with the new blogger, so I may change it every so often. This one uses 2 kits from Lauren - Punky Girl (for the background, tag, and alpha) and Ana (for the flower, pin, and swirl). I've also done a new layout with Punky Girl, which I'll post soon.

Chocolate Circle Journal Pages

I finished the next set of pages for my circle journal last night. The theme of this one was chocolate.

Credits:

Everyday Cookies papers and photos by Katie the Scrapbook Lady from A Cherry On Top

Paint (bottom of page 1) by Christine Smith from The DigiChick

Swirl and heart stamps by Nancie Rowe Janitz from ScrapArtist

Wordart by me but inspired by Lisa Carter from Digital Scrapbook Place

Journaling background by Katie the Scrapbook Lady from A Cherry On Top

Shmootzy Alpha stamps (cookies in title) by Nancie Rowe Janitz from ScrapArtist

Digital Sketch by Bree Clarkson from ScrapDivas

The wordart says "I never met a chocolate I didn't love" - fonts are Artistamp Medium and CK Flourish. Journaling around the circle says "I love all kinds of chocolate, but I have a special fondness for -" - font is CK Marker. The chocolate chip in the title is CK Flourish.

Blog Tag

I've just been tagged by Lauren Grier. Thanks a lot Lauren! LOL!!

These are the rules to play blogtag:

List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.
Tag 5 friends and list them.
Those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.
Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

So, here goes. About me:

1. I can't stand for my ears to get cold, so I wear a hood or a scarf or earmuffs, even when it's in the 60's out.
2. Tight clothes make me itch.
3. When I'm out hiking with my DH, I'm afraid to cross streams. Seriously - I can't do it without help.

About my cat:

4. He lies on his back a lot, but hates to have his tummy rubbed (to look at him, you'd think he's inviting you to rub his tummy).
5. He wheezes when he breathes and snores when he sleeps.

Ok, now I need to tag 5 more people. Hmm . . .

Susan
Jessica
Chris
Paint Chip aka Cindy

Ok, that's all I can think of. Sorry guys!

Punky Girl

Lauren came out with a new kit today, and seriously, I think it must be her best one yet. I can't wait to scrap with it. It's called Punky Girl. You can get it today only (Saturday 11/11) for 20% off, right here.

Time in a Bottle

I also completed another set of circle journal pages. The theme of this one is your favorite song, so I had to make mine about "Time in a Bottle," because it is such a special song to my husband and me. You can click on the pictures to see them larger. The lyrics are on the left page. Journaling on the right page reads,

"This song has always been special for me. When Glen and I met, I was living in Omaha and he was living in Stillwater. We hit it off immediately. He came to Omaha every two or three weeks. We wrote letters to each other every few days and phoned frequently. After several weeks, I wrote Glen a letter in which I quoted these words from Time in a Bottle:

"I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go through time with."

Glen went home for lunch the day my letter arrived. He went inside, put on a record, let his dog out, and fixed his lunch. Then he sat down to read my letter. Just as he got to my quote, the same song came on the record player.

This is just the first of many examples of a special connection that we have always shared. Frequently, one of us will say something, and the other one will say, "I was just thinking that." I guess it means we were meant to be together."

Credits: Food of Love Kit by Jen Caputo of The Digi Shoppe.
Font is Times New Roman.

Lucky Kitty

And then I've done a couple of new layouts about my cat.



This layout was published in the Feb/March 2007 issue of Ready Set Create.

My cat's name is Lucky, and we call him lucky kitty all the time. Journaling around the circle reads, "Cats are such interesting animals to watch. They keep themselves so clean. Lucky washes himself every morning, and does a very good job of it. His fur is always very soft and silky."
Kit is "Ana" by Lauren Grier, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Sketch is by Jen Caputo from the Oct. Insider.
Font is CK Chemistry.



Credits: Lavender's Blue Dilly Dilly kit by Robin Carlton & Lauren Grier of Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Staples from Raspberry Chocolate Torte kit by Lauren Grier of Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Wordart by Tina Chambers of Digital Scrapbook Place.
Digital sketch by Jen Caputo

Long time no post!

My goodness it's been a long time since I posted here! I've done a few layouts that I want to share.



This is a picture of my friend's daughter-in-law and grandson, when they were here for a visit recently. Journaling reads, "Betty's daughter-in-law, Nancy, and her grandson, John David, came for a visit in September, 2006. John David loved to suck on the condensation on the outside of a glass. It was so cute! He is a very happy baby."
Tyler kit by Lauren Grier, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Digital Sketch by Rachael Giallongo (modified by me for 11X8.5).
Font is CK Sassy.



More pictures of my friend's adorable grandson!
Kit is Harvest Trail by Amy Bleser and Lauren Grier, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Word art is from My Gypsy Rose Kit by Michelle Coleman at ScrapArtist.
Digital Sketch from Collection 7 by Jen Caputo at The Digi Shoppe.
Font is CBX - Scriptorium.

80 Birthday Party

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted anything to my blog! But I haven't been doing much scrapping, and I just don't post much when I don't scrap. I finally got a 2-page layout done tonight, though, so I'm posting that. I used Lauren Grier's gorgeous kit Raspberry Chocolate Torte To Go and a digital sketch by Jen Caputo. Fonts are Times New Roman for the journaling and Artistamp Medium for the title.

Journaling reads, "Since Charlie came for a visit October 5-9, 2006, we had an early birthday party for Mom on October 6 (her actual birthday is October 29). She had never had a birthday party before. Attending were Carol, Frieda, Dianna, Gene and Mahlon, Kathy and Jim, Robin, Thora and Ron, Charlie, Brian, Glen, and me. Kerri made the cake. Robin brought flowers and balloons and helped me decorate, and Judy and Jean sent flowers as well. We served Asti Spinelli, punch, mixed nuts and M&M's. Everyone seemed to have a really good time."

Two More Circle Journal Pages

I finally got another set of Circle Journal pages done this week. The theme of this set is easy low fat recipes. I'm not much of a cook, so any recipe I make is going to be pretty easy. I like both of these chicken recipes. Everything is from Feels Like Home Kit by Robin Carlton, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Cards

You can also make cards digitally. I've made a few over the last couple of weeks, so I thought I'd share those. For the first two, I used Manhatten Loft Kit, and for the second two, I used Sunday Mist Kit, both by Cindy Simon at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking. On the third card, I also used a tear overlay by Stephanie Krush, and on the fourth card I used a stitch from Lauren Grier's Vanessa Kit.

Sorry Jen

I really love Jen Caputo's digital sketches, and I use them a lot. I realized yesterday that I made a comment in my last post that probably came across totally differently from how I meant it. So I want to take a second to apologize to Jen and make it clear exactly what I meant, just so there's no misunderstanding! Jen does a fantastic job with her 12 X 12 sketches, and she also does a great job of converting them to 8 1/2 X 11 sketches. I have bought most of her 8 1/2 X 11 sketches (in fact, I bought her newest collection just today, available at The Digi Shoppe). A few of her older sketches are not available in the 8 1/2 X 11 size, and I have learned how to convert those myself. When I do them myself, I have found that it is fun to play with them and decide whether I want the page to be horizontal or vertical. While it gives me more options, it is also more work. Sometimes it is worth the work, most times not. So once in awhile, I might decide to buy the 12 X 12 sketches and convert them myself, so that I would have those extra options (meaning the horizontal layouts and the extra work). But not very often - I didn't with the collection I bought today - I bought Jen's 8 1/2 X 11 sketches.

And now, she's even making card sketches! How cool is that? You can see them on her blog.

John David

I seem to be back to only posting when I have a new layout. So, here's a new layout! This is the grandson of one of my best friends - isn't he just so cute? And of course she made the quilt he's on. I used Lauren Grier's newest kit, It's All About You, as well as a new digital sketch from Jen Caputo that was a freebie in September's issue of the DST Insider (the newsletter for DigiShopTalk.com).

I've learned to modify her 12 X 12 sketches to my liking - maybe better than the ones she does herself, but shh, don't tell her that! LOL!!! Especially since I asked her to make them in 8-1/2 X 11 for me. Now I wasn't the only who asked her, or she wouldn't have done it - it would hardly have been worth it for 1 sale. But it gives me more options if I do it myself - for example, I can decide whether I want them horizontal or vertical. So I may start buying them in 12 X 12 in the future. I'll just have to evaluate each one individually as they come out.

It's All About You

Lauren created a new kit this week, called "It's All About You." I really love her designs, because they're just a little bit different. I mean, look at the frame with the buckle on the side - isn't that cool? I've never seen that anywhere else. This kit Contains: 8 papers plus an additional 5 coordinating solids, 1 belt loop, 1 button, 3 blank journaling strips, 4 word snips, 3 charms, 4 corner fasteners, 1 loop fastener, 1 index card, 1 frame, 1 stitch, 1 splattered paint, 1 screw, 1 wooden pin, 1 safety pin, 1 staple, 3 stars, 3 tags, 1 tag string, 1 word stamp. And you can get it at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

My Home

Here is the new layout I did with Lauren's newest kit.

Journaling reads, "We built our house in 1989. When we bought the land, there weren't any houses behind us; now, there is a whole housing development there. We considered moving for a long time because of it but have finally accepted it. In every other way, our house is perfect for us; with the land and ponds Glen wants and still being close enough to town for me."

Credits: Morning Bloom Kit by Lauren Grier, Available at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Fonts: Times New Roman and Artistamp Medium
Misc: Circle by Dianne Rigdon from Art Inspiration Collection Kit, Available at ScrapArtist
Sketch by Rachael Giallongo (InLoveWithDOTS) at The Digichick

Rejection

Well, I didn't get the CT assignment I applied for. I'm not terribly surprised, but I have to admit I'm a little disappointed. Not extremely, but a little. There's another call for The Digichick that I think I'm going to apply for too. I'm sure the competition for that one will be REALLY tough, and they're only looking for 2 or 3 people, so I'm not sure exactly why I'm going to put myself through this. Except that the Digichick would be a dream assignment if I got it. It wouldn't be for just one designer; it would be for all the designers there; how cool is that? So what does it hurt to send them an email? So I guess I'm going to do it - I just have to remember not to get upset if they turn me down.

Morning Bloom

Lauren has come out with another new kit, and this one is even better than her last one. It is called Morning Bloom, and here is a preview of it. It is available at the Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Girlfriends

I did a new layout last week. This one was for a challenge on The Digichick where we were to scrap about a place we visited each week. I took the opportunity to scrap about sewing with my girlfriends, since we do that every week.

Journaling reads: "I sew once a week with my very good friends Frieda and Betty. We trade off meeting at each other's houses each week, making exceptions as needed for any special reasons. We don't meet on the same day each week because our schedules vary, but we manage to meet almost every week. We share fabrics or thread if someone forgets to bring something for her project that day, but we share so much more than that. We share smiles and laughter and sometimes even tears, because we share our lives with each other. It keeps us all sane!"

Credits: Collingwood Kit, Giggle Me Happy Kit, and Hippie Chick Kit, all by Eve Recinella, Available at 3 Scrapateers
Arrow by Christine Smith - Freestyle Arrows, Available at the Digichick
Stitching by Christine Nash - Simply Stitching Imperfect Frames #1, Available at A Cherry On Top
Jump ring from Twist of Lime kit by Mari Koegelenberg, Available at the Digichick
Digital Sketch by Jen Caputo, Available at Plain Digital Wrapper

New CT application

I applied for a new Creative Team today. This one is different though - instead of a digital scrapbook designer, it's a sketch artist. So it would mean I could use any product with her sketches. Only one problem - I think there were a TON of applicants! So I have no idea what my chances are - probably not too good. But they would be zero if I didn't apply, so I applied. Applications close the 20th, supposed to hear the 23rd. Wish me luck!

My Sewing Room

I did this layout for a challenge on The DigiChick. We were to identify our favorite spot in our house, which for me is my sewing room.

Journaling reads: ". . . is my favorite place in my house. I love to spend time here because I lose all sense of time and I can create beautiful things here. I have two sewing machines - my Bernina that I quilt on and my Viking that I embroider on."

Credits: Fudge Dream Supreme kit by Robin Carlton and Lauren Grier at Sweet Shoppe Designs Freestyle Flowers by Christine Smith at The Digichick
Word Snippets by Lauren Grier at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Digital Sketch by Jen Caputo
Font: CBX-Watson

Lucky

This layout was published in the Feb/March 2007 issue of Ready Set Create.

I created this with Lauren's new kit. My cat Lucky. Full of Sweetness Kit by Lauren Grier available at Sweet Shoppe Designs. Digital Sketch by Jen Caputo available at Plain Digital Wrapper.

Full of Sweetness

Here is a preview of Lauren's latest kit - today only, it's 20% off, so what are you waiting for? LOL!! You can buy it here. It's really one of her best kits yet. You really need to buy it! LOL!! Gorgeous papers and elements in some beautiful colors.

Photoshop

I printed 3 more layouts today - so hopefully I'm all caught up with printing. And I bought Photoshop 6.0 on eBay today, so I guess I made my decision - LOL! Here's what I figured - I sold an embroidery hoop about a month ago for $85, and I've been saving that money for something special. Then I sold some embroidery software last week on eBay, which netted me $329. I also have some other software I'm selling which won't sell for anything close to the first one, but is currently at $39. So I figure if I'm ever going to buy it, now is the time, right?

Printing

I realized I hadn't printed any layouts in awhile, so I printed six layouts today! I love the way they look when they're printed. I really need to do a better job of printing them as I do them. Anyway, I think I may be caught up on the ones I want printed now - I'll have to go through all my layouts and see. And next step is to burn them all to a cd to be sure I have backups of everything - I sure don't want to lose anything!!

I'm also considering buying Photoshop. I've been using Photoshop Elements for a long time. I won't pay the full price for it ($649!!!). But I discovered yesterday that I could buy an older version of it on eBay for around $100, then buy an upgrade version for $169. So now I have to decide if it's worth almost $300 by the time I add shipping costs and everything. It has some features I would like, but is it worth the $$$? Still not sure. But since I sold my old embroidery software for a little over $300, I'm considering it. Of course, I did just buy a Wacom tablet, but I would have bought that eventually anyway. LOL!!