Friday, May 29, 2009

Week 4 NDIDDS contest entry

Week 4 has come to a close...but we're not done yet! We have a HUGE entry this week, and one next week as well. We were given almost complete freedom for our entry this time around. When we are done, it'll be a mega kit. This week it was 20 papers, next week we'll be submitting 40 elements! That equals one huge, mega kit!
I am loving my entry this week. I have been wanted to do this theme for a while now, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity, and the right time of year too!
My mega is called "Land that I Love" and is a primitive, rustic, shabby, vintage, americana kit...if that makes any sense at all! lol
Here is my paper pack preview:



This is not a freebie, sorry...but it is available at a very, special, low price. And it is available only at Designs in Digital, and only for a short time...so grab it now, while you can!
***download here***

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Speed Scrap Coming Up! Saturday, May 30th

oooooops! I had the date wrong! It's really Saturday night, not Friday night! Silly me!

I'm sending you a shout out here! I'll be hosting (or hostessing) another Speed Scrap at Faith Sisters this Friday night.
We had a pretty good turn out for our first speed scrap during NDS, but I would love love love to see an even bigger turn out this time around!
I hope you can make it...Saturday night, May 30th 9-11 p.m. EST - which translates to 8-10 p.m. CST, 7-9 p.m. MST and 6-8 p.m. PST.

I'll be giving out this wonderful participation prize to all who come a finish a layout:



Just in case you have never ever done a Speed Scrap, here is how it works. At the top of the first hour, I'll give out one direction (for example, I might say choose 3 papers or pick 2 photos or something along those lines.) I give another set of directions every ten minutes until the top of the second hour, for a total of 7 directions. (Hint: the directions get easier as the scrap progresses, so don't freak out and think you can't do it! lol) You have a second hour finish all seven instructions and tweak your layout...see? no need to panic, you'll have plenty of time! Then there is about a 15 minute posting period. All layouts should be uploaded to the gallery; then just post the photo with a link back to the gallery and you "win!"

It's really, really fun! It's also very, very addicting! Once you've done one, and gotten used to the speed thing, you will be hooked!

I only have one rule: NO stressing allowed. LOL They are meant to be fun. You can interpret the directions any way you'd like, but it's important that you have fun doing it.

Can't wait to see you there!

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Little Blessings - NDIDDS Freebie!

Well, it's that time of the week again! If you have stumbled across this post, you are in for a treat! This week's freebie is (imo) ADORABLE!

Inspired by the embroidery on my antique pillow cases, I originally thought to do a heritage/grandmother's trunk sort of kit. However, the more I worked with the colors and elements, the more I began to see vintage baby. The colors are so lovely that boys or girls can be scrapped with them! The shabby, vintage feel means you could even scrap photos of YOU as a baby! Definitely a kit to use when you want to scrap a Little Blessing in your life!

So, go ahead on over to Designs in Digital and grab this freebie while you can! While you are there, grab all the other wonderful FREE kits too! The other ladies in the contest have created some truly wonderful and unique kits...so grab them all, but don't wait long, they are only there a week!



***download here***
(free download available may 22-28th only!)

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

B and her Daddy - Scrapped

The girls showed off their newly acquired skill (digital scrapbooking - in case you missed yesterday's post) to their daddy/poppie. He was delighted at what they had done and asked specifically for dd to do one of them together. B got right to work this morning. We found this photo of them together, and found a kit (my Forever in Bloom kit)...this is what she created:



Yes, I helped a little bit...she is only 6 after all. For the most part the choices were all her's, and I only made suggestions for her. She actually was the one to suggest something to "attach" the tag...too funny, and yes, I had to do the fine detailing to get the tag to actually hang from the hook...but that's okay! She had alot of fun! My ds5 is now begging to learn! lol

One funny thing that happened during the course of this scrap session...we were getting ready for the title, and B wanted the brackets. She says "I love those bracket things!" We get that all done, and she's thinking we're just typing in her choice of words. (I really don't like the way my pse does typing...whenever I type an N it stops working properly.) All that to say, I was planning to use an alpha. Well, the Forever in Bloom kit does not have an alpha...so I headed over to my brand new kit (downloadable tomorrow.) I opened the folder that holds the alpha, and said "Oh, you can use my brand-new alpha..." to which she interrupted "is THAT glitter?! I LOVE glitter!" ROFL I think I've created a monster!

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

My 6 & 7 yo's want to scrap...

I think this counts as school...I really do!

I had so much fun this morning! I taught the girls how to digi-scrap! lol
It can count as computer instruction (and art and keyboarding and writing, too!)

I was doing a lo, and they wanted to "help" so I was showing them how to clip layers and shadow and such. They loved it so much they wanted to do their own lo. One at a time, I let them choose a template, then their own photos, and then I suggested a kit to go with the colors in the photos. (Well, dgd just picked the kit based on the name! lol)

They ended up with very different pages, but they are SO proud of what they have done, and are begging to do another this afternoon! I think I've got them addicted!

Here is dgd7's layout:

She used my WHATever! kit (available at FaithSisters.com - She loves bright colors!

This one is dd6's:

She chose my Rustic Friends kit because of the reds and greens in the photo.

I thought it so cute that they both chose to do photos of their sisters!

*Ü* Blessings,



Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Friday, May 15, 2009

"Hot, Hot, Hot" Summer Themed BlogTrain

Ticket, please!

That's right, it's BlogTrain time again! Yep, it really is!
This time, I joined up with a bunch of girls from the Design Star contest at ScrapMatters... we decided upon a summer theme...and boy is this train HOT!

I used the same colors in my Takin' It Easy kit...so everything will match spectacularly!

Quick preview of the kit:


This is my contribution:


***sorry link expired***


Thanks for stopping by, travel to your next stop by following one of these links:

http://www.carolzeitz.blogspot.com
http://www.chocolatekidsmommy.blogspot.com
http://www.mhkscraps.blogspot.com
http://www.notes4theheart.blogspot.com
http://www.greenboxcreations.blogspot.com
http://www.designsbyhillary.blogspot.com
http://www.kparkerdesign.com
http://www.geniabeanascraps.blogspot.com
http://www.tikimamadesigns.blogspot.com
http://www.digitaldesignsbylisa.blogspot.com
http://www.digirobyn.blogspot.com
http://www.wolfffpack6.blogspot.com
http://www.merchimakesit.blogspot.com <--- YOU are HERE
http://www.judet95.blogspot.com


Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tea for Two, Two for Tea - Me for You, You for Me!

Since I started working on this kit, I've had that song running through my head!
This is week 3 at NDIDDS, and this week we were given a theme (girlfriends) but told to make up our own color palette. Hmmm...I sometimes wonder which is easier, having the theme and making up the colors or having the colors and making up a theme!

Anywhoooo...I've done this little girl teaparty/shabby chic kind of kit, and I really like how it came out! I think I surprised myself! It took me a couple days to wrap my brain around the whole idea, and to get my doodles going...then the kit came together, but it wasn't as cohesive as I wanted it to be. So I had to go back, remove some elements and add some more in...I think it was well worth the extra effort! What do you think?

I have to tell you the story behind my choice of themes:
My daughter was first invited to a girls-only tea at the age of three. A homeschooling Navy family had just transferred to Maine from Hawaii, and they started attending my church, and lived just up the street. Their little girl Delaney was my dd's age, and they became fast friends. They have since moved away, but we now love tea parties.

We have hosted several girls-only teas as well as teddy bear teas which have included *gasp* boys (and teddy bears)!

The kit will be available for free download beginning May 15.

You can grab it here, but first here's a preview:



Don't forget to visit Designs in Digital on May 15th to download!

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Friday, May 8, 2009

Forever in Bloom - free mini kit

OMGosh! I can't believe I didn't have this up and ready yesterday! This week just got away from me! lol I have been busy, busy, busy!

This week at NDIDDS, we were given two color swatches to choose from...I chose the bright colors, and I love this kit I've created for you!

The two word art quotes are about daughters...our daughters are the most beautiful thing in the world to us, more beautiful than the rarest flower! They are indeed, forever in bloom!

Those quotes, and my own three daughters, inspired me to make this kit. Full of little blooms - with the look of felt, clay and chipboard, I'm sure you'll love it!

Here's the preview:



***sorry link expired***

You can view all the kits in the NDIDDS gallery at Designs in Digital each week there are new downloads available.

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Monday, May 4, 2009

NEW kit ~ New Challenge

One of the wonderful things they do at Faith Sisters, is a challenge called "Creative Healing". It is meant to be a way to heal our many sorrows through crafting, in this case scrapbooking. Karla heads up this challenge each month, and as a designer, I had the opportunity to create a kit around her challenge.

Her challenge will be posted tomorrow, and so I'll only share a bit about it tonight...
She says..."I feel led to pick this month to remember those we have lost and to find the joy and comfort that God promises us.

Jeremiah 31:13 NIV
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

She also quotes Isaiah 61, Psalm 119:76, Isaiah 49:13, Jeremiah 8:18, Matthew 5:4, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; which all talk of the Lord's comfort.

The kit I created in called "Treasured Memories" and focuses on the memories we can treasure...here's a preview:



It's available in the Faith Sisters shop.

When I get a chance, I'll upload a freebie here for you...but while you're waiting for that, check out what the fantastic Creative Team at Faith Sisters did for me:

This one is by Melanie...


And this one is by Chris...


Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Need a Desktop? Here Ya Go!

I decided to participate in a different challenge at Designs in Digital...rather than just the NDIDDS, I wanted to join in on the typical challenges, and "Roll your Desktop" caught my eye! CatLady Designs provided the template, which made it easy-peasy!

I redid my desktop, and decided someone out there may like a new desktop as well...and maybe, just maybe, you don't want to create one? I've got one for you, I apologize that it is one size only (1280x1024).

First, thought, I thought maybe you'd want to see the desktop in action...here are my little ones:


I used one of my newest kits for this...one I did with Trudie (Scrapbrat Designs) for the very last Inspiration Lane Desire 2 Inspire challenge. The By-Gone Days kit, is available only at Inspiration Lane...go check it out! Here is the kit preview:



Just in case you want to grab the kit...lol (I'm including a link)

Here is the preview of the desktop:


***you can download it here free***

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Ready to get SCRAPPED? It's Speed Scrap Night!

A special Speed Scrap in honor of iNSD...please join me in the Faith Sisters forum for a fun couple hours! Seven directions, two hours and one totally fabulous layout!

Can't wait to see you there...I'll be looking for YOU!

Gosh! It might be helpful if I included the times, eh? Okay then...it's 9pm my time (EST) and 8, 7 and 6pm CST, MST, PST respectively.

If you've never done a speed scrap, this is how it works. At the beginning of the scrap, I will give one instruction...then every ten minutes for the first hour I will continue to do so. At the top of the second hour I will give the last instruction, and you will then have another hour to complete the layout. There is a special gallery at Faith Sisters for all of the Saturday challenges, so you'll just upload to that gallery and post your photo and a link to the gallery in the forum. Then we spend a few minutes leaving each other some LOVE! It's all good! It's really a very addicting activity! I LOVE speed scraps! I hope you'll join me.

OH! And if you do join me - I might just be giving away some freebies!

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?

Friday, May 1, 2009

Mother's Day Blog Train FREEBIE

Before I say anything about the blog train, I have to put a reminder out there for the Speed Scrap I'm hosting tomorrow night at Faith Sisters! (9pm EST) Come spend time with me! I'd love to meet you and hang out for an hour or two! Okay...on to the train...

Those half-baked girls have been at it again! This time we decided to focus on mom. We chose some wonderful browns and pinks for you to scrap those favorite memories of mom with. Be sure to stop at every stop so you can get the full mega kit! But, don't worry, if you miss a stop...it will be for sale at Brownie Scraps in a month or so, and all proceeds will benefit breast cancer research.

Here's my portion:




***sorry, link expired***


And, this is the list of train stations:
Flutterbyefaery Designs
Designs by Ramona
Wyld Web Designs
Remember ME Digitals (also hosting Marni Designs, so be sure to get both samplers!)
MrsJayBob Designs
JayaPrem's Hangout
Tinkay Designs
Scraps by Helen
MERCHi Makes It! < --- YOU ARE HERE
GET Designs
Elise's Pieces
Mad Genius Designs
InspiredbyDominic Designs

While I've got you here...don't forget to grab my "Grandma's Angels" mini FREEBIE at Designs in Digital. The preview for that is in the post below.

Blessings,
*Ü*
Karen
Why not visit my store front?