Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year! (and another desktop freebie!)

Hello friends! I hope you had the most wonderful of Christmas's ever!
I can't believe it is the end of 2010 and the beginning of a brand new year! I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for 2011.

If you're anything like me, you're going to love what I've created especially for you...

I LOVE to change my desktop each and every month, crazy, I know! Usually I find a pretty one online somewhere and just pop in photos, it's really easier than it sounds, honest!

This month, I decided to use the new A Vintage Holiday from Trixie Scraps to create a lovely desktop for January...and to share it with you! Have you seen the new kit? OMGoodness it is amazing! You will love it! Here's a preview:



<-- link to store here-->

Since everyone has a different sized desktop, I created this one in three sizes, hopefully one will fit your needs... All three sizes, 1280x1025, 1280x800 and 1024x768 are included in the download.

Here is what it looks like:


Please download here and enjoy!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Monday, December 27, 2010

Happy New Year! (and a freebie)

Hello Friends!
Wishing you a Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, that you spent time with your family and reflected on the reason for the season! I know we did!

Today I have a desktop freebie for you! The new year is coming, why not celebrate by giving your monitor a new look? I used two of Mary's products to create this special gift! One is her fantabulous new Cut It Out Snowflakes - I just love those!




The other is her wonderfully timeless kit Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - so versatile!



Here's a quick peek at the desktop I created for you (with my newest sugar plum modeling for you!) ...hope you love it! It comes in three sizes...1280x1024, 1280x800 and 1024x768, there should be one there to fit your needs!



Download here!


Enjoy this and the new year!

Blessings!
*Ü*
merchi

Friday, December 24, 2010

Chelle's Having a Christmas Sale!

Wow!
Look at this! Chelle's Creations is having a Merry Christmas Sale! Woot! What a great
time to grab some of her terrific stuffs from her ScrapMatters shop!



This add was made with her Holly Jolly Holiday kit...isn't it darling? I LOVE it!

Hope you are having a most marvelous Christmas!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

How DO I Do Those Double Pages...

Hello! How are you this fine December day? It’s Triple T Tuesday on the Trixie Scraps Blog, and I’m wrote out some tips and tricks. I'm offering a little freebie, too! I thought I would share all of that here as well...

I was asked to share how I create my two-page layouts. Well, way back when, shortly after I started digi-scrapping, I read a tutorial that talked of “flow”…that particular tut was referring to putting your pages together in a book, and how the colors, story or elements on each page should flow together. At the time, I was only doing single page layouts, and so I started mixing up my pages as if I was putting them in a book…looking for that flow. Pretty nearly at once I realized if I focused on “flow” I was losing the chronological order of my pages – well, I couldn’t have that! lol That is when I decided to do double-page layouts…so I could have the “flow” and not lose the chronological order of things.

Right, there’s some background for you… This is my typical procedure… I pick my photos and my kit and if I want to, I grab a template. Sometimes I use the same template on both halves, sometimes I use two different templates. If I want to use the same one, I will rotate or flip it for the second page so that they are not identical.
Here’s an example using City Girl and Renaissance Romance by Trixie Scraps:






As you can see, I’ve used pretty much the same papers and elements on both sides of the page, but they look a bit different because the one template has been flipped/rotated. Sometimes the flip is obvious as in the above example…and sometimes not so obvious as in the example below which uses the Trixie Scraps kit Autumn on the Lake:






And then a third option is to switch out the papers of the second page – you can do this whether you’ve used the same template or not. When using the same kit, why not get the most bang for the buck by using a variety of papers! If you like the stacked paper look for a background, simply rearranging the order of the stack can give a very different look to each side…see the two examples below…

I used Take Me Away to create this one:



This one was done with Sunday Afternoon




If you are using two different templates you don’t have to flip or rotate one…unless you want too! (And there will be times you’ll want too, but I’ll save that for another time.)

Once I have the general design of my page down, I move on to elements and their placement. Sometimes a ribbon or a scatter crossing from one page to the next is a nice way to tie the pages together. I generally using the same elements on both sides, with maybe one unique element added in on each side. If you look again at the above example, you can see what I mean.

I’m hoping that was clear and straightforward! If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you…you can pm me in the ScrapMatters forum, and I’ll be happy to talk with you further!

And now on to the freebie I mention at the beginning… (did you think I forgot?) As you know, Trixie Scraps in hosting a December Daily Album with prompts and freebies everyday, all month long! I’ve been working on my album, and I LOVE it! If you are just learning about this, you’ll want to view this post for more information. To go along with all the freebies, here’s my December 21 Daily Download - a frame cluster created with a kit made especially for all the December Daily participants! Hope you enjoy it!




Download here – please remember, the link will expire in 48 hours.

Merry Christmas, everyone!



Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Friday, December 3, 2010

It's been way too long!

So I'm back with a post! lol I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with this...

I have a new goodie to show you this week, by Mary of Plum Dumpling Designs.

She made these adorable Cut It Out Snowflakes, and I just love them!

Cut It Out Snowflakes

Wendy of wm[squared] hosted the Tuesday Template Challenge at ScrapMatters for November 30, and using her template, I created this layout of my kiddos playing in the snow:

2009-01-07WinterMagic-L

2009-01-07WinterMagic-R

The full two page spread looks like this:



Don't the snowflakes make this darling? I love them!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Friday, October 15, 2010

Good News!

Just about two years ago, I began digital scrapbooking. After several months, I tried designing...if you've been following my blog that long, you probably remember some of my kits...if not, you can get a peek at them on the right there in the Slide show.
While trying my hand at designing, I got to know a sweet lady named Mary. Her design name is Plum Dumpling. We learned together. She has stuck with it, and now I've been invited to join her team! I'm so excited to get to work with her again! I've added her blinkie to my sidebar, and you can visit her ScrapMatters store by clicking the blinkie.

ScrapMatters had some issues this week with security, but thankfully they've got it all ironed out. Since they're back online, they're celebrating with a 10% off sale - on the entire store! PU and CU included! Woot! What a great time to go shopping...I know I've got a few things on my list to pick up!

Did you know they ScrapMatters is also celebrating their anniversary? Yep - and you know how great their challenge system already is - they've made it better just for this month! Woot! You can double your points and earn a gift certificate twice as fast this month only!!! Wow! Participate in any challenge, and earn two points instead of one - use a new release, and earn two more! That's right, you can earn up to four points on each challenge you participate in - yeehaw! AND they've upped the gift certificate amount, too! Way to celebrate, SM! If you've never been to SM, you should head on over and check out the challenges...follow my lead --->

Have a terrific day!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Thursday, September 30, 2010

It's Fall! (and a freebie, too!)

Back at the beginning of the week, I realized October was right around the corner! I can't believe how fast this year has gone! Well, I thought, why not make new cards for our pocket chart wall calendar - what a fun idea! I had already done new ones for September (now they look so boring, so I'll have to do new ones again for next year) and new ones for December. I love how my December ones came out - I used one of my digital scrapbooking kits. You'll have to come back at the end of November to see that one! lol

I chose to use Simply Autumn by LawTeeDa Designs. I did have to add in a pumpkin and some leaves from another kit however... but everything else is Simply Autumn...here's a preview of the kit:


I picked mine up at ScrapMatters, my favorite digital scrapping place!

This is a sampling of the cards...you don't want to print this preview as it is not print quality...please download the set of all 31 cards and print those instead...


I saved them to my calendar cards folder in my documents, then I double clicked the image. Up pops the Picture and Fax Viewer window! I then use the button for printing at the bottom and choose full page fax...there you go! I hope you like them - feel free to download them here and tell your friends! Please leave a comment here on my blog if you download...this way I know if someone appreciates them - and I'll share each month. Otherwise, I won't bother! lol

Fall *Ü* Blessings,
Karen

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Shabby Shoppe Challenge

I like to go to The Shabby Shoppe and get my free desktop each month...Why? 'cause, well, they are SO swee-eeeet!

I didn't find the desktop available yet, but I did find a neat challenge to participate in... a template challenge! LOVE them, they've got to be the easiest challenges to do! lol

Here's the LO I ended up with...I'm really pleased with how it came out...what do you think?


I used their new freebie kit for this one, called Plentiful...I'd love to know if you do one, so come back and tell me!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Freebie Alert!

Hello friends I created a a fabulous freebie that I'm offering up on Chelle's blog! But before we get to that, I hope you all had a marvelous Labor Day weekend? The weather here in Maine was just awesome! We spent the bright sunshiny days at the lake...where did you spend the weekend?

Did you see Chelle's latest sports kit? Kick It! is perfect for all your fall soccer photos! Here's a preview, and you can grab it at Chelle's ScrapMatters Store:


She has so many color options as an add-on too! I chose orange because that is what my son was wearing the day I took this photo...


I created a LO and decided it would be fun to give it away as a QP... but since you may want different words on yours, I made two different ones to give away...you choose!

Here's your freebie:



You have to head on over to Chelle's blog to grab your freebie...go now and SCORE!

Have a terrific Tuesday!


Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Saturday, August 7, 2010

New Team and a New Look

Hello my fellow scrappers!
Did you notice my new look? Isn't is simply adorable? I LOVE it! It is blogwear by Trixie Scraps Designs...she has turned several of her kits into blogwear. I love pink, so this one really appealed to me...plus it kind of suits me this summer while we're spending alot of time at camp.

This is the kit called Nature Girl:
Nature Girl {Full Kit} by Trixie Scraps Designs

I knew you'd love it! You can click the preview above to go straight to the Trixie Scraps store at ScrapMatters. Below is the blogwear version:

Nature Girl {Blogwear} by Trixie Scraps Designs

As you can see, there are lots of different choices, and you can mix and match! I love the versatility! And with this new look, I can post larger previews, too! How cool is that?

OH! And in case you did not know, ScrapMatters is celebrating it's 3rd Birthday, and the entire store in ON SALE! Woot! If you want some great deals, you'd better get there right away...the sale won't last forever!

With all the excitement of telling you about my new look, I almost forgot to tell you my good news! I'm now a TrixieScraps Star! Yeppers, I've been asked to be on Tracy's Creative Team. I'm so blessed! I'm really excited to get to play with all her goodies, and also to be able to share them with you! Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Chelle's Birthday Blog Train!

Are you ready to really celebrate!


Chelle's Creative Team has "teamed-up" for some very special freebies! We've all posted something wonderful on our blogs, and you can hop from blog to blog and pick up our goodies along the way! (List of stops at the end of this post...in case you get lost! lol)

My freebie is based on a LO I did with Chelle's Celebrate (bold) kit, available at ScrapMatters:
This is the LO I did:
The template is based on the left side of the page:
Here's is what you will get:
Click the image...or click here to download. Then just open, create and enjoy!

After you've done that, be sure to come back and check Chelle's blog EVERYDAY for more super stuff! AND...don't forget... Chelle's ENTIRE store is on sale!
Here is the list of stops along the blogtrain:

Chelle's Blog (Stacey's freebie): http://chelles-creations.blogspot.com/
Janine: http://digitalscrappinrocks.blogspot.com
Carol: http://thepadgettwayoflife.blogspot.com/
Fran: http://franscraps.blogspot.com
Karen: http://merchimakesit.blogspot.com/ <<< You are HERE!
Kate & Megan: http://www.earleyfamily.com
Kayla: http://www.keepscrappin.blogspot.com
Tanya: http://www.tanyatumbles.com
Emma: http://www.scrappy-dappy-doo.blogspot.com
Juli: http://julifreshfish.blogspot.com/
Heather: http://heatherw25.blogspot.com/
Tracy: http://tracykosofsky.blogspot.com

Lastly, Friday is the deadline for Super Fan Saturday...check this out, and get your layout in so you can get that really cool alpha for FREE and be eligible to win a $5 gift certificate to Chelle's store!

Have a wonderful day and don't wear out your mouse clicking on all the goodies!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Ready for Some FUN?

Well, Chelle's birthday celebration is just warming up!


Be sure you check her blog EVERYDAY! Her team is giving away presents to celebrate.

This week, I'll be giving away a special gift to one lucky winner...check for that on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, Chelle's creative team will be hosting a blogtrain! Woot! That means LOTS of free goodies! You surely don't want to miss that! And lastly, also on Tuesday...

A fantastically fun Speed Scrap! Yay! You know I LOVE those! And the prize for that? Oh, you're gonna love this...
See you at SM on Tuesday for that...and hopefully around and about this week for all the fun!

AND...AND...AND, I'm not done yet... Chelle's ENTIRE store is on sale! Yes! Go grab you some scrapping goodies!
Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

FORE! Happy Birthday, Chelle!


Hello Fellow Digi-Scrappers!
It's merchi (aka Karen) here with another edition of Chelle's Birthday Celebration! This is going to be one awesome party, and I hope you'll be here everyday to celebrate with us!

Today I am going to bless someone with Chelle's Hole in One Word Art Pack! Yep, it's a RAK! One lucky (but random) winner with receive this:


which coordinates SO nicely with Chelle's Hole In One kit:


Both are available in Chelle's Digichick Shop. This is a LO I created using both...


And some more inspiration from Chelle's fabulous CT:



Do you feel inspired yet? Do you know just what photos you'd scrap with this kit and word art? Might it be mini-golf photos? Regular golf? Or something else entirely? Leave a comment on Chelle's blog here OR in the DST thread over there and you'll be entered to WIN! That's simple enough, right? So? Did you leave a comment yet? What are you waiting for - a party or something? lol

I'll be back Saturday morning (Saturday, July 24) to announce a winner - I hope it's YOU!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Monday, July 12, 2010

WOW! Super Fan Saturday



Are you a fan of Chelle's Creations... then you will love this new feature that will score you a new product of Chelle's EACH month... for FREE! Yep a FREE product of Chelle's each month! Plus have a chance to win a gift certificate to her store!

What do you need to do? Link up your layouts that you do using her products on the Link Up below to any gallery you have it posted at - so we can be sure to leave you some much deserved love! The layouts you link up MUST be created during the Link Up period. For this month that will be July 3rd to the 30th.

When should I do it? Each month we will post a new Link Up - after the previous one has finished - simply link your layouts that you create. Just linking one is enough but we would love to see more so feel free to link them all up!

And here are a few pictures to help you how to do it!

The submission area looks like this below:



Once you enter the above information and click next step it will take you here:



Choose the FIRST image that has the layout you want to feature and click on select. That is it - you are done!

GO HERE to learn more and submit your layout!

Maybe you are wondering WHY? Why should you submit a layout to Chelle's Super Fan Saturday? Well, in case you missed it at the beginning of the post, it's because...

One random winner (from ALL the entries) will win a gift certificate to her store for $5. The more layouts you create with her things the better your chances are to win the gift certificate at the end of the month. AND not only that...but everybody who participates gets this really cool prize (excuse the pun! lol)



What are you waiting for? Get creating with some of Chelle's fabulous kits! I'm off to sumbit my entry right now! (Actually, I can't win...so but you can...why are still here reading my blog? Get scrapping!)

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Chelle's Creations is having a CT call!

Below is all the info you need...why not get your application in today!



Just in case you can't read the ad, here are the details in Chelle's own words:

I am looking to expand and growing my team with talented scrappers that love to promote my products. Here is the skinny if you can’t see the ad above:

The Requirements:

* 3 layouts per month using my products

* 1 “Extra” a month (a quickpage, cluster, etc. that is assigned by CT staff)

* Post to 4 galleries, 3 of those galleries must allow linking

* Participate in my CT forum and contribute to the blog.

The Perks: Full access to my store for your CT term.

To Apply: Send an email to chelles.creativeteamcall@gmail.com and include the following:

* your username and real name

* a link to your best gallery

* a short bio

* why you would be a good fit on my team


Guest and full time spots are available on the team and the call closes on July 11th at midnight PST. The team will be announced on July 16th. Can’t wait to see those applications!


I'll be looking to see you on our team soon!
Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Guessing Game (and a chance to win BIG!)

Hi-ho!
Do you like guessing games? Do you like winning things?
I know I do!

Well, here's your chance to win BIG with Chelle!



Just guess WHERE Chelle will be a Guest Designer in July. Enter your answer on her blog or in the forum at DigiScrapAddicts or DigiShopTalk. You can enter more than once...but only correct answers will go into the drawing. Entries must be submitted by 9 a.m. PST/10 a.m. MST/11 a.m. CST/noon EST on June 30th.

Now, I bet you're wondering what you might win... The Grand Prize is EVERYTHING Chelle releases during her month as Guest Designer! WOW! Five other lucky winners will be chose to win one week's new release item(s)...five new release days in July = five winners!

So what are you waiting for? Get over to Chelle's Creations blog and enter your guesses! And I hope you win BIG!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen

Thursday, June 24, 2010

These are a few of my favorite things...

Doesn't thinking of your favorite things make you feel joyful?
Well, here's a new mini kit from LawTeeDa Designs:



Favorite Things: Joy is a great little mini kit with bright, joyful colors! Brand new and released today at Scrap Matters!

I found it was the perfect kit to scrap these photos of my dd:





and both pages together look like this:


I know you have some very special photos that make you feel joyful too! Why not head over to LawTeeDa Designs at Scrap Matters and pick it up while it's on sale!

Blessings, *Ü* Karen