I've been a busy little bee and other ramblings

I have been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. The whole fiasco at The Daily Scrap just came at the wrong time. It was the end of the semester/term crunch time and let us just say that it was a wee bit stressful. Fortunately, The Daily Scrap is gone. It is GONE GONE GONE! It doesn't make it any easier for us designers, but it is a chance to just pick up the pieces and move on. I am still very angry at Kristi Reever for being such a dishonest business person. My energy is best spent focusing on designing and scrapping.

Part of my "moving on" was disassociating myself with Kristi in anyway. It meant that I could no longer emotionally afford to put any more effort or patience into the Digi Diner. I just couldn't. Kristi was also a designer at Digi Diner and I couldn't stick around and be associated with her in anyway. To me, it just wasn't a good business decision to stay. It wasn't a good emotional choice to stay. So I have moved on. I do wish the owners of Digi Diner well and hope that maybe one day it will be the site that it has the potential to become. If you haven't checked it out, you should. It has a cute concept and I do hope that it will continue to grow that concept.

Part of the "moving on" is setting up shop in my new stores. I am grateful to all the stores that offered all of the displaced designers from The Daily Scrap. Those kind gestures truly show the true heart of the digital scrapbooking community. You guys are all wonderful. The opportunites were all wonderful. Unfortunately, it was a hard decision to make. It wasn't easy to pick one store over another. Somehow, I did, however. I had to. It wasn't easy. I pretty much just decided to jump in feet first and hope that it wasn't another shallow promised store. I signed with 3 stores and while I am not in all 3 yet, the third store is coming soon.

Coming soon and keep looking!

You already know that I've got products up at Seaside Scraps. It is slow going. I have to repackage everything. You'd think that would be quick and easy, but it isn't so when you've got 10,000,000 other things to be doing. That said, I have started uploading kits to Digi by Design. I've also added another kit to my selection at Seaside Scraps. You will now find "Faded Romance" and "Lime-ade" at Digi by Design. I hear that the official Grand Opening is coming soon. . . like really soon. . . keep your eyes open for information on that.

I've been busy scrapping!

I guess the most important thing right now is that I've found time to scrap pictures of my kids. It is slow going. Gosh, I am out of practice. I need to keep doing this and see if I can increase the speed any. I think part of the slowness is because I am finding it hard to scrap with my own stuff. That was my goal for this year and I am going to do it. I have had a blast since Sunday (Mother's Day) just scrapping stuff instead of stressing over other stuff. Check these layouts out!

Lance - March 2007

Credits:
» Blue polka dot paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Blue crumpled paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Ribbons - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade: Elements" (element pack - coming soon!)
» Metal buckle/slide - Stacey Sansom's "Spinning Wheels"

Fonts used:
» Ameinne

Kyle - March 2007

Credits:
» Brown paper - Stacey Sansom's "Spinning Wheels"
» Beige crumpled paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Green polka dot paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Paper clips - Stacey Sansom's "A Touch of Blue"
» Ribbons - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade: Elements" (element pack - coming soon!)
» Metal buckle/slide - Stacey Sansom's "Spinning Wheels"

Fonts used:
» Ameinne

Andrew - March 2007

Credits:
» Polka Dot Paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Blue Crumpled Paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Yellow Crumpled Paper - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade" (paper pack)
» Ribbons - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade: Elements" (element pack - coming soon!)
» Metal Buckle/Slide - Stacey Sansom's "Spinning Wheels"
» Eyelets - Stacey Sansom's "Lime-ade: Eleemnts" (element pack - coming soon!)
» Paper clip - Stacey Sansom's "A Touch of Blue"

Fonts used:
» Ameinne
» Artistamp Medium

Now available at Seaside Scraps

Because I just changed stores, I thought I'd post the items that are currently available at my new store. I am officially selling at Seaside Scraps. I am still working on getting my kits up in the store, but so far these are the ones that are available (see below).

Unfortunately, I don't have anything new to announce. I haven't had a whole lot of designing time lately. Once I turn in my 2 major final projects for my classes on May 9th, I'll probably spend a couple of weeks designing and scrapping. We'll call it detoxing.

Wandering around aimlessly

I was homeless as a digital scrapbooking kit designer- at least for a while.

Unfortunately, The Daily Scrap is a dying site in the digital scrapbooking community. It was a while in the coming, but it is still sad all the same. They were the ones that gave me my start and break into the selling world of digital scrapbooking kit design. It was a fun ride. The designers were all great to work with. The community will be missed greatly.

There are things that could be said here, but some things are best left unsaid. Ultimately, the site started down the slippery slope to self-destruction when the designers weren't paid for all the hard work they have put in. As a business owner myself (though not in the digital scrapbooking industry), the hardest part for me to understand is "why?" A digital scrapbooking store is nothing without its designers. A store won't sell itself.

Being a digital kit designer is a lot of work. A lot of work goes into the design process to begin with. You can't force creativity. You can nudge it along, but you can't force it. But once you've gotten the product created, you still have to package it, price it, then market the crap out of it. Most store owners understand this. They know it is hard work. A lot of them are designers themselves. Most designers take the initiative to get their own stuff out there. Most advertise their own stuff. Most make themselves visible on the boards. Most post on their blogs like I am posting on mine. That being said, it is also in the site's/store's best interest to make sure that they get me out there too. The store owner is making a commission fee off my sales for crying out loud! In no way is it not a part of the store owner's responsibilities for their own survival to get out there and pimp every one of their designers. They don't get paid if I don't sell. It is pretty easy to understand. I don't understand why at The Daily Scrap, this was an ignored factor in day to day functions (at least in the end).

That doesn't dismiss the fact that there are many designers who were loyal designers and many exclusive to The Daily Scrap who are still unpaid for the designs that sold over the past couple of months. Most of us don't even know if we sold anything at all. That really takes the winds out of the sails. It is disheartening and discouraging. It isn't fair to say the least. But what is one to do about it? At this point I can't say that I sold more than $10 worth of product. It saddens me. It makes me angry. Even worse is that they pissed off the customers - loyal, money paying customers.

Before the absolute bottom fell out at The Daily Scrap and the bulk of the designers resigned, I had been looking for a 2nd store. I thought I had found it. I even got products up at the Digi Diner. This saddens me as well. I am absolutely irritated by the complete "lack of care" on the store owner's part. Again, the store won't make money without the designers and designs in the store. I figured it was a startup, and over time it would be built up and flourish. Now at the 1 month mark since joining the Digi Diner, the rose colored glasses have come off! It is a lot of little things. It is unacceptable that a store owner not log into their own site/store/forums every day. I can understand vacations/business trips/whatnot when those have been announced, but even after returning it still isn't a regular occurrence. Worse still is that our concerns as designers in the store go ignored and unanswered. Events that were planned/scheduled for grand opening didn't happen. Advertising the site as a whole doesn't happen. You don't even want to get me started on the usability of the site itself. It is infuriating. I will be resigning and pulling my products from the Digi Diner.

So I have been off contemplating. . . looking. . . searching for another store. Any store, really. Hesitation abounds. What does it take to get past the rejection and the situations of the past? I can't tell you that. I just don't know myself. I did, however, take the plunge. I might have bitten off more than I can chew, but I have new homes to go to.

Come this summer I will be in 3 stores - 2 have yet to go live on their stores, the other I already have 2 products in. It was a hard decision. I am really excited about all of them. The first was more of an opportunity than anything. I will be joining Maggie in her newest/latest venture of Dragonflaire Studios. It it is expected to go live June 1st. It is a hybrid scrapbooking site - digital, paper, and everything in between. I am kind of excited about that. I didn't think that I would, but I am. I currently have products in the store at Seaside Scraps. You should go check it out. At least go and buy something of mine to make me feel better. The final store will be the one at Digi by Design. The store isn't up yet, but the forums are. They are slowly developing the site as they go. I am not sure when the store will go live, but I am excited about that.

Anyway, I am not homeless anymore. That makes me happier. I plan on designing more actively this summer when I have more time to sit and focus on just designing. I plan on getting a lot more scrapping done this summer too.

A freebie!?!?!

"Gentle Blues 1" is live and available for your FREE download at the Digi Diner. Simply go to the "On the House" section and download it.


This won't be the last of the "Gentle Blues" so keep checking back for more!

I'm giving it away

Coming soon to the Digi Diner are a set of freebies. Well, actually, there will probably be 3-4 sets of freebies by the time I get done. Evidently, you can call something worthless but it doesn't necessarily mean that it will die off in the "creative mind." Thus, I am giving away the originals that started my "Gentle Blues" series that never came to completion. Perfect little freebie kits - give aways. I'll post when they are up and ready for consumption.

I have a second home

I have been looking for a little while. Nothing major. Nothing serious. Just looking for a second store to sell my digital scrapbooking goodies. Sales haven't been super spectacular at The Daily Scrap. I just wanted to see if having a second store would improve the odds. You know, test the waters? See how it goes?

That is still the case. . . testing the waters. . . there are no guarantees that a second store will improve the chances of my stuff selling. One never knows this unless they try, however. I finally took the plunge.

I am now a designer at the Digi Diner. It is a cute little site. A start up, but sometimes it is an awesome opportunity to get into something at the ground level. If you haven't checked it out, you should.

I even created a new paper pack just for my debut at the Digi Diner. You can find "Raspberry Lemonade" only at the Digi Diner. "Raspberry Lemonade" is a huge paper pack, featuring 75 papers in pinks and yellows, with hints of purples and a touch of brown.


Don't forget that you can find "Lime-ade" at The Daily Scrap. "Lime-ade" is the sister paper pack for "Raspberry Lemonade." Coming soon you will be able to get a add-on elements back for "Lime-ade." An add-on pack for "Raspberry Lemonade" is sure to follow shortly thereafter.

Screaching halt and other happenings. . .

I know you all know how life goes sometimes - trucking right along and then there is the traffic jam and then you're back on your merry way again. Yep, it happens. Yep, there is nothing you can do about it most times. You just learn to tap the breaks and go with the flow.


That said, I managed to SCRAP! Oh yes! Scrapping is good for you! Digital is even better.

I managed to finish another 2-page layout. I even did it in a matter of days, as opposed to several months. Go me!

This time it is Andrew and Lance, pictures from August 2006 - when Lance broke his leg. I caught a moment shared between brothers. You just never know where the simplest delights will come from. Take a good look at Andrew's facial expressions in these pictures. Lance is obviously happy, but Andrew's facial expressions are priceless!

Papers: "Lime-ade" by Stacey Sansom

Fonts: Times and Zapfino

It finally came!

My copy of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine finally came yesterday. I was so excited! Too bad I felt absolutely crappy last night (allergies/sinuses) after being out all day in the pollen with the boys at their school's big fundraiser/carnival. I am really paying for the all day out doors today. I haven't even had a chance to sit down and look at it yet. Here I sit blogging about it instead. There is something wrong with this picture.

I actually scrapped something at scrapbook night with my friends. I didn't finish it, but I started something. I'll work on finishing it today if I feel better after eating some lunch. I have a 278 pictures to scrap from yesterday's activities.

When life gives me you limes, make Lime-ade

No need to pucker up with this paper pack, it is a delightful blend of greens and blues with a hinting of yellow. It is perfect for a variety of pictures. It is especially suitable for those that scrap pictures of boys, but the pack remains amazingly gender neutral. So when life serves you limes, get "Lime-ade" and scrap until your heart's content.


"Lime-ade" will be available exclusively at The Daily Scrap. Get it for a special introductory price of only $2.75.

"It's my birthday!" SALE

Next week is my birthday and I am celebrating by passing the savings on to all of you! Starting March 4, 2007 everything* of mine in the mall at The Daily Scrap will be marked down 31%. So don't miss out. Mark your calendars - this sale runs March 4-12, 2007!

* "Spinning Wheels" is already 34% off and "Faded Romance" is already 33% off
Both kits will remain that way during this sale.

I've been at it again!

I managed to personalize my personal blog this week. It was fun. I created the banner using my "Spinning Wheels" kit (with add-ons) that is available at The Daily Scrap. The add-ons are not available at TDS yet, but keep any eye out for them. The fonts used are: Chopin Script, Blue Highway D Type, Artistamp. It was a lot of fun to create. Go check it out!

Scrapping really is a release for me.

I needed to create an invitation to hand out at church tomorrow for the lady's night on Tuesday night. I have scrapped this one as well. I have used my "Faded Romance" kit again with some add-ons. I wanted it to be somewhat consistent with the initial flyer. The kit is available at The Daily Scrap. The add-ons are not yet available, but keep an eye for them.

Fonts used are : Amienne, Artistamp Medium.

These printed beautifully!

Is he trying to be a frog?

Yesterday I looked at the ad challenge found at The Daily Scrap for the month of February. I usually don't. I just don't have the desire to do many challenges. I'll do them if they catch my eye. I am not super interested in the attendance of posting bonuses either. I just like to scrap.


When I looked at this particular ad challenge, I immediately thought of pictures that I had taken just earlier in the day. It was perfect! See the posted inspiration. Obviously, I've taken some liberties to modify and adjust the inspiration a little bit. I've also done mine as a 2-page layout instead of just one.

This was a lot of fun!

The journaling reads: "I walked into the living room to find you, marker in hand, coloring all over yourself. I am not quite sure where you got the marker from. I don’t think anyone ever knows how an active and curious 2 year old finds these things, but you found a green marker nonetheless. Fortunately, you kept your green marker masterpiece to your body for the most part, but why oh why couldn’t you have just colored on that piece of paper that was laying right next to you on the couch? Paper is for artwork, not little boy’s bodies. I rushed you off to the bath to clean you up. You turned the bath water green!"

Fonts used: Adobe Garamond Pro

I even scrapped the layout with all of my own stuff. I have really found that it isn't easy to scrap my own stuff. I can make it, but I can't use it. Well that had to change. My personal challenge is to use the stuff that I design.

Striped paper: Stacey Sansom’s "Spinning Wheels"
Green Paper: Stacey Sansom’s "Simply Lush"
Bookplate: Stacey Sansom’s "Going in Cirlces"
Ribbon & Bow: Stacey Sansom’s "Faded Romance" (recolored)
Vellum: created on the spot

Inspiration: February 2007 Ad Challenge @ The Daily Scrap (Dove soap products magazine ad)

Is it ok to go against the grain? My scrapbook related ramblings. . .

I know that many believe that the standard in digital scrapbooking is 12x12 inches. I don't disagree, to some degree. I think it has just become accepted. That is ok, it is certainly easy to accept. That said, I know that not everyone scraps at 12x12. I do not scrap at 12x12. As a result of this, many of us smaller size scrappers are being forced to crop and/or reduce the sizes to fit our 8x8 canvases (or 10x10, 6x6, or whatever suits your fancy). I don't think that there is necessarily anything wrong with this persay, but it does add yet another step between me and my finished product. Let's just get it done, already!

As a designer, this got me to thinking. I know, thinking is a bad thing. Sometimes it just hurts when those lightbulbs explode. Sometimes, however, little flickers is all we get. Those aren't so bad. Maybe it was partly caused by the fact that I was trying to dig myself out of a designing slump. I wasn't selling. Well, as of what I know right now, I am still not selling. That is another story by itself. We'll see what Friday's payroll from The Daily Scrap yields. Again, that is another story we won't go into. I wasn't designing much either. I am a busy person. I was having problems (1) finding the motivation to keep turning out stuff that noone buys, (2) finding time, (3) finding the energy, and (4) coming up with fresh, fun ideas. All of those can lead to a major designing slump. Ever heard of "writer's block?" Well I had "designer's block!" Evidently I was suffering from "Scrapper's block," too.

Now the thought that came to me was "why not design at 8x8?" Yeah, why not? I mean, it is natural for me. I scrap that size anyway. So I decided to go back and pick a layout that I had started. I usually design as I scrap. At least that was the way it was before I started selling in a store and the pressure was on. The ideas were right there! I had to embellish and develop and extend what I already had. It was a start though. Sometimes getting started is the hardest step.

I had created my first 8x8 kit. It felt good. I didn't feel pressured to push the limits of my aged computer's dying abilities. I didn't feel pressured to have "enough" to fill a 12x12 page. I didn't feel preasure. That was the good part. So I did another one! Again, it just felt good.

Now I can't tell you if they have sold yet. That is the sad and disappointing part of the whole process. I wish that The Daily Scrap would offer us a 'real time" accounting of what is and is not selling. It would just be nice to know. It would be nice to know when ads are working and which ones are working. Of course, this is another story for another day, perhaps (or perhaps not at all).

So. . . I am a 2 size scrapbook kit designer. I design both 8x8 and 12x12. I know this doesn't solve the problem for those 8x10 and 8.5x11 scrappers out there, but I am trying to do what I can. I am just trying to define my place in the digital scrapbooking world.

On a different note. . .

I applied for another store. I applied to be a designer at One of a Kind Scrapz. It is not that I am not unhappy at The Daily Scrap. I am not UNhappy there, the people are great. However, I am not certain that it will ever be what it has the potential to be. I know and understand all too well that it is a huge undertaking. I get that. I respect that. That is part of the reason that I didn't just start my own store when I got the crazy idea to actually sell my designs.

I didn't even know that I was "interested" in looking at another store. There were a huge number of new Creative Teams being posted at Digi Shop Talk over the past few days, and that was something that I was interested in. I don't want to be on one, persay. I really don't. I just know that as a designer, I will need to extend a call one day soon.

The CT calls are in the same forum area as the Designer and other calls. There was one call posting that just struck me. So I opened it. I stewed on it for a few days. I emailed back and forth with the person that issued the call to get some more details. I wanted to be certain that going into another store would be more than I wanted right now. I just can't handle much more "digital scrapbooking design" responsibility right now. Too much going on.

But I finally took the plunge. I applied yesterday. I am still waiting on a response. We'll see. No big deal if I don't. I'm staying at The Daily Scrap reguardless. Part of my designs would be exclusive to The Daily Scrap as it is one of the few places that actually accepts 8x8 kit designs. Again, we're back to going against the grain. One of a Kind Scrapz only accepts 12x12 kits.

Has your love for scrapping faded?

Has your love for scrapping faded? Then pull out those old photographs and dust them off. Take a few moments to relish in those memories. My newest kit, "Faded Romance," has hit the TDS Mall. This kit offers a subtle variation of color and is perfect for a variety of pictures.


Get "Faded Romance" for a special introductory price of only $2.50 until March 13, 2007!

Did I catch that scrapping fever?

Well I couldn't just leave 1 layout that had remained incomplete as the only one that reached its completion today. I just couldn't. I took my Adobe Illustrator quiz and I decided that I need to finish another layout that had remained incomplete. I actually scrapped! A 2-page layout even. Go me!


I bought the Canon Digital Rebel XT back in May (end) and these were some of the first pictures I took using it. Not all of them were great, but I did get some that made me go "WOW!" Let's just say that it didn't take much to convince me of the quality of this camera. The pictures worth worth 1,000 words.

These are just a few of the ones I took that day at Mercer Arboretum's Botanical Gardens. I can't wait to see what this spring holds. I had planned on taking the boys to see it this past Saturday, but the weather had other plans for us.

Kit used: Stacey Sansom's "Simply Lush" (yes, I actually scrapped with one of my own creations) available at The Daily Scrap.

Fonts used: ITC Souvenir Light BT, English111 Vivace BT

For those of you that must know, this layout only took me 6.5 months to complete. OK, now I feel bad. I should be more diligent. It is something that I truly enjoy doing.

Today has been such a GREAT release of creative energy. Usually that energy is going into a web design client or what is left after that goes into trying to come up with a "new" digital scrapbooking kit idea. Today, however, my focus has shifted to just reflecting, remembering, and enjoying.

I'm looking at which child?

I finally scrapbooked a complete layout. A 2 page layout at that. I've been in design mode for so long, I would think about sitting down for actually scrapbooking and I would get design ideas instead. That doesn't get much scrapping done. Anyway, here is my most recent "completed" layout. Take a look!

I was going through some old photos. You know those printed photos from years ago? The ones that those of us who have joined the digital revolution have allowed to collect dust. The ones that are still in the developement envelopes and tossed in a box to "get to" later (which never comes). Those pictures that require us digital scrapbookers to actually scan something and so we continue to put it off.

These particular pictures were already on CD so I popped it in and browsed. . . I found the pictures featured in this layout. They caught my attention. They brought a smile to my face. I JUST HAD TO SCRAP THEM - immediately. I started - right away! I just had to scrap them after all. How could you not scrap them?

The really sad part about all this? I started this 2 page layout 10 months ago. The pictures struck me so much, because I couldn't remember who I was looking at for a moment. I was looking at an image of my youngest son who was roughly the same age as the one in the pictures. If I hadn't been able to tell from the background elements in the pictures, I wouldn't have known that it wasn't him.

These are pictures of my middle child, Kyle (now almost 7).

This layout was the inspiration for my kit "Dusty Boy Memories" (available at The Daily Scrap). It is a simple kit, but sometimes the simplest kits are the most fitting for those memories that we have to rub the dust off of to enjoy. The alpha in the layout out is not in the kit.

Fonts used: ITC Souvenir Light BT, Courier

It felt really good to actually to actually scrap today. I just felt like I wanted to do it since last night. Last night when the desire hit, it was too late to get started on anything. I did some of the things I needed to get done earlier today and so I treated myself to some scrapping time. It felt good. I am glad that I did it.

HAPPY SCRAPPING EVERYONE!

The unnamed gets a name!

Well I have finally finished the "unnamed" kit. I couldn't come up with a name. I just couldn't. Nothing seemed to fit. But alas I didn't think that anyone would appreciate a kit named "?????????" So it had to have a name. It needed to be finished too, but that's another story all together. Tonight it not only got its name, it reached completion. Go me!

Check out "Faded Romance." It should hit The Daily Scrap Mall sometime in the next day. If you want to see this kit in action, be sure to see my previous post "If duty calls, just scrap it."

Go ahead, let them SPIN their Wheels!

Go ahead and let them spin their wheels and take LOTS of pictures! "Spinning Wheels" is officially in the mall at The Daily Scrap. This kit is perfect for all things transportation so have a little fun! Better yet, let them have lots of fun. . .
Get "Spinning Wheels" for a special introductory price of $3.25 until March 12, 2007. Don't forget, there is more to come because what good is spinning your wheels without cars, trucks, and trains? Get "Spinning Wheels" now!

I don't know where it came from, but I am glad that it came!

I don't know where my mojo came from the last few days, but I am grateful for its appearance and extremely glad that it came to visit. I hope it doesn't leave right away, I am kind of enjoying its company. I have been busy DESIGNING for the last 2 days and I am ready to unveil to the world what I've done.

Now, before you go saying "what about the other kit?" Don't panic, it is still there. . . it is even being worked on, BUT when the inspiration comes you just have to go with the flow. So my new "unnamed kit" as of yet is still unnamed though it is mostly finished, just a few more finishing touches left to do on it.

But CHECK THIS OUT!!!

This kit is perfect for anyone who has boys! I should know, I've got 3. Got pictures of your children with hotwheels, trains, planes, and anything cars? Then scrap them! I plan on scrapping mine - I've got lots. It is perfect for all those road trip pictures. Been on vacation and what to share? Then scrap them!

And for what it is worth, this is NOT all. This is just the starter kit. It is a full kit, but it is just the start of things to come. I've got at least 3 more kits lined up to go with this, each specializing in a mode of transportation (cars, trucks, and trains). You never know I might find that I need more than just those 3, so stayed tuned. In the meantime, snatch this kit up and have fun. It should be hitting the mall at The Daily Scrap in the next several hours!

Happy scrapping everyone!

Where did that come from?

I think I found my mojo today! I think I found my mojo today! I just sat down and *boom* there it was. It came out of NO WHERE! I am so excited! *happy dance* You all will just have to wait and see what I've got in the works. . .

If duty calls, just scrap it

Well you all might be surprised to see something like this appearing - it hasn't happened in so long after all. I have officially SCRAPPED A PAGE! Now, it isn't a page of pictures - at least, not my pictures. It isn't even a page of my memories. It is a scrapped page, none the less. Go me! Scrap! Scrap! Scrap! It was such a release today. I should do this more often. I just don't always have the time. I should make the time. I guess I could spend less time trying to design, but I enjoy doing that too. I am just slow at all of it in general these days. But, I scrapped! Check it out. . .


What is this for? Part of my duties at church is to do the newsletters and calendars every month for the ladies group (the Relief Society) and to design flyers for the activities if needed. We have an activity coming up the first part of March. So here is the flyer! It is done completely with the kit that I am currently working on. It is a kit that is still un-named. I'll get there. I just can't decide. Part of working on this flyer really helped me get some stuff done for the kit - it was lacking in elements. I am excited about this flyer. I am excited about the new kit as well. I hope to have it released by the end of this coming week. We'll see if we actually get it out then, but I am going to try.

Fonts used: Amienne, Artistamp Medium

Check out the Bargain Basement Sale at The Daily Scrap

Come on, you know you want to. . .

Check out the Bargain Basement Sale at The Daily Scrap that's going on right now. . .

I mean, who can resist an awesome sale - most kits starting at just $1.50. This one happens every weekend over there - kits and designers may vary. This weekend, however, we're celebrating the premier issue release of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine. The Daily Scrap has an advertisement in the premier issue and we're celebrating by passing on even more savings to you. Go check it out! Runs all day Saturday (Feb 17) and Sunday (Feb 18).


You can add my 2 kits: "For Marissa" and "Going in Circles" (seen in the ad above) to your collection and not feel guilty. You certainly won't break the bank or blow your budget. Get more goodies for less!

Don't be shy you know you want to. Get my kits and many other kits by many other designers for drop bottom prices Saturday and Sunday only!

A Touch of Blue and Other Ramblings

Well it has been a long time coming, but my newest kit has finally been released for sale in the mall at The Daily Scrap. I am quite excited about the release of this. I designed it to be a gender neutral kit. I wanted to keep those that scrap girls interested but I also wanted to make sure that those of us who scrap boys don't feel left out. You'll find the advertisement for the kit below:



A while back I posted about a series of kits in the blue variety. Inspiration ran out, I guess. I just couldn't pull it together. So I combined the Gentle Blues kits that were all still "works in progress" and thus A Touch of Blue was born. And here is the preview for the finished kit:



If you hurry, you can get A Touch of Blue for a special introductory price of $3.50 until February 23, 2007! Pick up A Touch of Blue!

I am not sure what else I will have in the works. I've got a million ideas running through my head. I can't always keep them straight and they don't always work out. I am currently working on a submission to the soon to be released March Mega Kit in collaboration with the other The Daily Scrap designers. It should turn out to be a lovely kit. The colors are not your ordinary March/St Patrick's Day colors, but they are lovely. Keep an eye for more details!

Dusty Boy Memories

I've released a new kit. . . Dusty Boy Memories


Now, if you're a 12x12" scrapper, you might be a little disappointed - this kit is designed for the 8x8" scrappers. Sorry guys! It was fun to do a smaller kit.

This kit was inspired by middle son, Kyle. I was going through some old pictures and found a picture of him when he was roughly a year old. I just had to scrap those pictures, and this is the kit that I started.

Going in Circles

Check out my latest kit: Going in Circles! It became available on November 6, 2006. Here is the advertisement you'll see going around announcing its arrival. . .

I am very excited about the vibrant blues and purples in this kit. It will be fun to scrap a variety of pictures with. It is a good sized kit containing: 6 patterned papers, 6 solid papers, 21 circle cutouts (13"), 7 ribbons, 7 folded ribbons, 8 brads, 8 eyelets, 4 sticky dot circles (5.5"), 1 paper tag, 7 round metal rimmed tags, and 3 rectangular metal bookplates. Here is a full kit preview. . .


Want to know where to get it? Head over to The Daily Scrap! Be sure to send me links to your layouts using Going in Circles so that I can see what you've done.

Long time away and more ramblings

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had blogged (either here or on my personal blog). I should pay more attention to these things. I have just been crazy busy lately. I finally feel like I am starting to come up for air. That drowning feeling is starting to fade.

I was taking a biology class at the local community college to go toward my degree requirements. I am not a science person to begin with. I just don't like it. I don't care for it. It does not interest me. It never has. It probably never will. This class kicked my butt. I couldn't just take a standard term (16 weeks) class, I had to take the fast-track version of the course. Remember that these are completely online courses. . . everything right down to the labs are done online. No in-classroom time at all, the online forum is the classroom. I am pretty bright. I do well even in things that I don't always get and certainly don't always like. I figured "what the heck, it is only 8 weeks of torture and then I am done with it." So in I went. Oh boy! That was a very fast paced 8 weeks. That is a LOT of information to cover in 8 weeks. It was constantly biology. Nevermind that I also had another class on top of this one. . . it was all about biology during these 8 weeks. Lots of reading. Lots of reading that is going over my head. Lots of work. Let us not forget that group research paper complete with power point presentation. UGH! TORTURE! The sad part is that I really miss the class now that it has been out for a couple of weeks. I don't miss the intense coursework and studying, but I do miss the online course experience. Of all of my online courses, this has been the absolute BEST class in the "experience" department. The professor really made an effort and encouraged to not only think outside the box, but to learn about ourselves and our interactions with others. This was the most interactive class I have ever been in and it was also the best in the experience department. No, I didn't learn everything biology I should probably know, but I did learn a lot and I had a fun time doing it. Thanks Mr. Boyle! For what it is worth, I got a B in the course! I was so stinking close to the A that it wasn't funny, but alas I didn't quite make it. Getting the B stings the GPA a bit, but I'm sure I'll recover fairly quickly.

I have been working around the clock. . . well, it feels like that after spending 8 hours in front of a computer doing nothing but. . . working on capturing and editing karate tournament videos for Texas Sport Karate News. This is a lot of work. I am several tournaments behind. Everyone is being patient. I am probably less patient with myself. I am just overwhelmed and it is a lot to get caught up. My goal is to be caught up by Super Grands (usually Thanksgiving weekend). Today I finished all of the Acapulco tournament. It looks like I will finish all of the Ocean Nationals tournament as well. Then I'll be onto the others I haven't done yet. It is a lot of work.

We won't forget my own web design company, Inventive Site Strategies, Inc. We've had another client job done. I liked it. It was a nice change from the past several we have had. I am now waiting for the next one. . . I am not sure when that will be. Of course, there is always the Texas Sport Karate News. . .

I am desperately trying to finish some more digital kits. I haven't fulfilled my duties at The Daily Scrap in a couple of months. I am just so far behind in everything. Getting sick and getting behind and crazy busy are not a good combination. I do not recommend it. I have found that designing takes a lot of time I don't really have. I just have so much going on that finding time to sit and just design is very hard. I really need to make it a priority, but so many other things demand my time too. I am hoping that things improve a little bit in the next few weeks. I currently have started and almost ready for release: 4 full kits and 1 alpha (3 colors). In the works are 3 paper packs. I am not sure where I will go from there.

Does the feeling of inadequacy ever go away? I sit down to try and put the final touches on these kits (mentioned above) and I just sit and wonder if they are really good enough. Are they? I don't know. I worry constantly that they aren't ready for release. I worry that I don't get a file exported correctly or at the wrong resolution (this has happened, but is fixable). I worry that people just won't like it. Worry. Worry. Worry. Does that stop? How long do you have to be doing this before the feeling goes away?

I will be gathering together a Creative Team soon. I know that at least one member is estatic! I am not entirely sure who else will be on the team yet, but I am working on gathering together a list of names to personally ask them. Once the above mentioned kits are available to the public, my Creative Team will be announced. I am working on a "designer" logo and blinkies right now. This is proving to be a lot harder to come up with than I thought it would.

I will update again soon. . .

How about this more personalized blog?

I finally made myself personalize my blog. Well at least this one. You would have thought that as a web designer, I would have gotten it done sooner. But who has the time? Not me! But I did it. . . finally.

Anyway, the kit used is MY "For Marissa" kit. The fonts used are Artistamp and Brush Script Pr.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorials

Initially I had all the links for these in the sidebar for easy finding, but it got cluttered too quickly. . . so. . . I will put the list of my tutorials here.


Getting Started with Digital Scrapbooking

Let's Talk Software

Does Size Matter?

More coming soon!

Is there ever a dull moment?

I am trying to scrap, really I am. Now if I could just find the time.

I have decided that while I can generally design a kit fairly easily once the ideas get flowing, it isn't so easy for me to scrap my own kits. Just my luck. So I have decided that I am going to be scrapping my "Simply Lush" kit. I am not sure what the exact results are going to yield yet, but we're going to do it. So far, I am set up doing a 2 page spread, so we'll see. There is so much this kit could do that it is hard to find the pictures to fit with it.

Something for everyone to look forward to is sketches and mini-albums. Yes, I am going to try my hands at some quick pages and putting them together into mini-albums. I sat down to do some sketches for the mini-album and now have a grand total of about 40 sketchs to draw from. Hmmmmm. I am not sure what all I am going to do with them right now.

I am currently working on another kit. You've see an early preliminary here already a few months ago. I am working on finishing the "Circles" kit. It should prove to be fun and delightful. I have had some more ideas and am in the process of making those reality in the kit. I had hoped to have it completed and uploaded to The Daily Scrap Mall by this past weekend, but things got in the way. Then the goal was Monday. Nope, didn't happen. So right now I am setting the deadline for myself for Friday morning. We'll see if I make it!

Another kit is in the store

I have uploaded another kit to The Daily Scrap Mall. I am very excited about this kit.

For Marissa is a beautiful kit with rich colors. It is perfect for fall pictures, but the inspiration was a summer swimming picture. Don't feel that it can only be used for the fall season. It uses rich turquoise, greens, browns, burnt oranges, and greys. You can get the kit here!


This kit was inspired by my friend Marissa. She sent me a picture of her son (2 days older than my youngest) and I was just in awe with the colors. I couldn't resist the urge to scrap that beautiful picture.

But it was from that picture that the whole kit evolved. I was grateful for the inspiration. It started small, but through encouragement from Karin and Ripal it kept growing and became what it is today. The kit went from what was in the layout to what went to the store in a matter of a few days. Once the ideas started flowing, they just kept coming.

A little history, Marissa is not a digital scrapbooker. That is ok. She creates beautiful paper scrapbook pages. She's also a wonderful photographer. I have no desire to convert her to a digital scrapbooker. I don't think she has the desire. But, I couldn't upload the kit without showing it to her first. She was very excited and loved the kit.

What's new in Stacey's digital scrapbooking world?

Absolutely NOTHING!

Actually, that isn't entirely true. The truth is that I haven't done any new scrapbook pages. Nope. I haven't scrapped in a while. I have a few started, but none finished. Sad, but true.

However, I have been diligently working on a kit. Yep, ANOTHER KIT! How cool is that? This kit was started a LONG time ago. It was inspired by a friend of mine and a picture she had taken of her son (2 days older than Lance). It was a beautiful picture. The simplicity of it just struck me.

SO I was looking at kits I had started. . . trying to decide which kit I was going to finish next. I saw this one and thought that I'd just make it a mini-kit. Well that thought didn't last long. I was in a slump, but then the ideas just kept coming and coming and well it is a whole kit now. It is loaded with papers.

On top of this. . . I am working on an alpha set. Yes, even more cool stuff. It is slow in the making, but I am hoping to release it about the same time I release the above mentioned kit. They go nicely together.

I'll keep you updated!

I have kept quiet long enough

I haven't blogged about this as I have just been too busy. I am bursting with joy right now, so I can't help it.

I had applied to 2 more online digital scrapbooking stores for designer positions. I was turned down by Digiscrappin.biz but was offered a position on their Element Team. Yes, I took the spot.

Then I got my email from The Daily Scrap. There was an initial mix up on the emails. I got another rejection. That was soon followed by a profuse apology, stating that I did in fact get the spot. I got the spot. I got the spot. I got the spot.

I was SO excited. Of course, it all came at a very BUSY BUSY BUSY time for me. Just crazy. A to-do list 10 miles long and growing. I decided I was taking the leap and accepted the position and submitted all the required stuff. How was I going to get the kits completed and ready for purchase and download?

WELL. . .

My first kit hit the mall today!!! YAY! YAY! YAY! I am so excited!

Here is a preview of the kit:


I am just delighted. I am excited. I will be working on getting some of the other kits ready for the mall as well. I can't believe it!

So everyone, keep an eye for news about new and upcoming things!

Sometimes you just have to scrap

I posted a few days ago about my getting some scrapping done. I am finally making it back to post my layouts here for everyone to see. Hey, sometimes it takes a little more time than anticipated.

I call the first layout "Wonder" as it includes the lyrics to Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." I thought it was just fitting for this picture. This is a picture of my oldest son chasing after my youngest son who was off to explore the arboretum without anyone else. He had a grand old time running around and checking everything out - especially the fish ponds. He was totally fascinated by the fish. I still need to scrap those pictures.

Credits:
Everything made by me.

Fonts used:
Bickham Script Pro
Adobe Garamond Pro

Programs used:
Adobe Photoshop CS2



This next layout is a 2 page spread featuring all 3 of my boys on our trip to the arboretum. It was incredibly hot that day we went, but I think they all had a great time just seeing all there was to see. They had this lovely stone wall area that was perfect for resting (and for mommy to snap some pictures). I don't do many 2 page spreads, but this one was just fun.


Credits:
Everything made by me.

Fonts used:
Real Virtue
Adobe Jenson Pro

Programs used:
Adobe Photoshop CS2



And here are the 2 pages individually:

Good things are to come

I was asked the question, "How do you describe your scrapping style?" That is a hard question to answer in some ways, but in others it is SO EASY to answer. Simple! I am definitely a simple kind of person. I don't care for elaborate embellishments. I also prefer to have my pictures tell the stories. For me, it is all about the photos and what is going on in the photos. I journal where I have to, but I'd rather my pictures do the talking where they can. I have found that in a lot of ways, this carries over into the digital scrapbooking kits I am designing. I try to keep them simple. I also try to keep them fairly gender neutral. I do have 3 boys after all. I don't get a whole lot of use out of pink and ruffles.

I thought it was about time for me to share some more previews from my upcoming kits. I am not sure where I will release them just yet, but I am working on some leads. I am excited about them at any rate. I haven't used any of these myself, but I know that my friend and digital scrapbooker, Karen, can't wait to get her hands on these. In due time. . .

I couldn't leave the Gentle Blues kit series with just 1 kit, now could I? Another kit in the series that is sure to be fun for both girls and boys.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 002

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and Argile

Papers: 5 solid, 2 patterned

Elements: 3 slide mounts, 2 ribbons, 2 rows straight stitching, diamond tiles (flower, plus extra tile colors) with stitched stem, 2 metal bookplates with tacks, and 2 eyelets

I bet you were starting to think that there was a trend in the shades of blues found in the Gentle Blues Kits. I did a total "Gotcha" with this kit. This kit took on a much warmer and earthy tone and feel. I think it is striking for both boys and girls.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 003

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and abstractish Stars

Papers: 6 solid, 2 patterend, 3 curved/torn

Elements: 2 leather straps, 1 star buckle, 4 paper tags, 4 slide mounts/frames, and straight stitching

I am not 100% certain that these are the only elements that will be found in this kit. Still trying to decide if anything else will overdo the kit, or if we've reached the "enough is enough, already" point.

Now we're onto a kit that hasn't earned is elements yet. Don't let that fool you, this kit is rich with colorful papers. I don't know, maybe the papers will be the focus on this kit. Anything could go at this point.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 004

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and Polka Dots

Papers: 11 solid, 2 patterned

Elements: None yet.

Ramblings and going ons

Well I didn't get the SBB store position, but that's ok. I was super disappointed at first. It took forever for them to announce who the new store members would be. The anticipation just kept building and building. Disappointment followed. The reality is though, it doesn't directly reflect the quality of my stuff. I was up against a lot of talented designers. It must have been hard for them to select the few they wanted.

I am not giving up. I could just open my own store. I can't imagine where I would find the time to do it though. Things are soo busy in my life right now. Getting a position in an already established store would be best for me. I'd be able to focus on turning out new product and spend less time worrying about keeping a site up to date. It isn't outside my capabilities, but it is outside of my current time restraints.

I have a couple of leads I am following currently and am hoping that at least one of them will turn up the great opportunity.

I am not sure how it happened, but I finally found the time, or rather, motivation to scrap. Sunday I scrapped 3 pages in a matter of about 5 hours. It was SO THERAPUETIC!!!

Thursday I went with my photographer friend, Marissa Sutherland, to Mercer Arboretum with the photography group she is in. She thought it would be helpful. I was hesitant, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to pick up the camera again and get some practice. I was working mostly on exposure. I was having tons of problems with getting the right exposure with the digital Rebel. I got lots of practice moving from sunny spots to full shade. I got some good pictures of the boys while I was out. I ended up scrapping 4 of those pictures in the 3 layouts I did (a one page and a two page spread). They turned out wonderfully.

I have several more pictures I want to scrap. I just need to find time to do it.

I have also started another kit. I know, I know. . . "finish the other ones, aready!" I am working on it. Spare time is something I don't have a whole lot of these days. Summers are just crazy that way. Just think, I won't be turning out just one kit and you'll be waiting for more. I'll be turning out several and while you're working with those kits, I'll be turning out more. Who doesn't win? I have 2 kits that are ready outside of just exporting everything to the appropriate PNG and JPG formats and creating their TOU files. I have 2 kits that are mostly finished, they just need finishing touches -- adding some elements, exporting to the appropriate formats, and then creation of their TOU files. Then there are the other 2 that need elements. I do have one kit that is just all papers. Initially, I thought I'd add elements to the papers, but at this point I don't think I will. The papers are done and so I'll probably just release them as a paper pack.

Keep checking back, I'll be posting my most recent layouts and previews for my new kits.

Please be patient

I am in the process of consolidating 2 blogs to make it so that I only have 1 digital scrapbooking blogs to maintain. I am hoping that doing such will allow me more time to actually blog and update as I go.

So, please be patient if you see things changing.

I am a Digital Scrapbook Place Mentor

I just received my 3 month assignment for 2 mentee's at Digital Scrapbook Place. I decided I really wanted to help others and this opportunity came up, so I applied. I am surprised that I was assigned to help 2 people. I'm excited! I've already heard from one person.

Maybe this will be the motivation to get me scrapping regularly again? I don't know. I am just having problems getting motivated. When I want to scrap, I am too busy. When I have time, I just don't want to scrap. *sigh* It is a vicious cycle, I suppose. The new digital camera is helping a lot to get the motivation sparked. Let's see if it stays more than a spark.

At any rate, I am excited to be a DSP mentor. I am hoping that it will be a learning experience for all of us.

Digital Scrapbooking should be my priority

Digital scrapbooking should be my priority, but the reality is that I have other things in my life that take over. I have been so busy that I can't even think about digital scrapbooking most days. When I do have time I am so stinking tired that I just can't bring myself to scrap.

Alas, I have scrapped 1 page in the past couple of months. This is since the Ultimate Digital Scrapper contest. I didn't make it past round 1, but it did break me out of my shell. Anyway, here is the latest page I have done.

Credits:
Everything is made by me.
Fonts used: Helterskelter (not sure where I got it from) and Artistamp (www.haroldsfont.com)
Program used: Adobe Photoshop CS2

I am not sure what caused the sudden "need to scrap." It might have something to do with the fact that I have a new digital camera to play with and while it isn't a perfect transition from my old digital camera along with the really crappy pictures I am also getting some really great pictures as well.

I am sort of disappointed that I haven't had more time. There is so much that I want to do. I was supposed to start selling in the store at ScrappyKats but it seems that the owner has gone A-WOL. It is unfortunate. I am sure that she just got busy with life, moving, and a new baby. Still. . . But the opportunity has come up that if I can pull it off in time Scrapbook Bytes has a call out for designers for their store. I WANT TO SO BAD! I hope that I can get everything together tonight or tomorrow and get it submitted. HOPEFULLY!!! It would be an amazing opportunity.

So off to compile the requirements for the SBB store stuff. . . .

Let the contest go on. . .

I overcame my fear and personal insecurities and entered a digital scrapbooking contest. The 2006 Ultimate Digi-Scrapper Contest over on digiscrappin.biz to be exact. Now I don't know if I have totally snuffed out the insecurities, but this was a good start. There are a lot of good entries. There are some big names in the digital scrapbooking world. It should be fun!

Here is a link to the contest's gallery: 2006 Ultimate Digi-Scrapper Contest Gallery -- Week One

And since there are 370+ registered entrants, here is a direct link to my contest entry: Stacey's first week entry.

Thanks for looking.

You want me to do what?

Just when things seem to be looking up and things start going as I *want* them to, life gets busy again. Can it stop already? I just want to sit and relax for a few weeks. Enjoy the scrapbooking. Sip lemonade. Design more digital scrapbooking page kits. I don't want much. Really I don't.

So I have. . . I believe. . . 6 kits started. That is a HUGE improvement over a month ago. Of course, they are not ready for "public release" just yet. I still have things to do. I just need time. More of it. I have 2 that just need the finishing touches (Terms of Use, converting everything to proper formats, etc). The other 4 are still needing little things to make the kit *feel* complete. . . then again, the finishing touches. It isn't that I don't want to finish them for another 6 months. Gosh, I'd have them ready for release tomorrow if I had the time.

Life is just too busy right now. Of course, I could be working on those kits (or any number of other things I have to get done) instead of typing all this. I'm taking a break!

My class is coming to a close. It is out mid-May. This is good. However, the final is the FINAL PROJECT that is a real site for a real-life, legit company. No big deal. HA! This project counts for more than HALF of my grade. So, I have to do my best on this project. No half-assing it. Of course, the "schedule" for completion just caught me off guard. I am going about my daily life, thinking "there are 3 weeks of class left." *laugh* Who would have thought that you'd actually have to turn the project in EARLY?!??! So I have to finish the first draft for submission BY Friday. No big deal. I've already got it started. I just need to plug in the information and finish the layout for the subpages of the website.

Then while I am still thinking that I had 3 weeks of classes left. . . there are only 2 weeks left now. . . my "web business" partner calls. We've got an unhappy client. No big deal, we'll make the customer happy. Or at least try our hardest. So I also have a site REDESIGN to do on top of this major project. *scream* Fortunately, it shouldn't be too hard. It is just that I have so much other stuff to do. I'll get it done somehow. ASAP is come and and almost gone.

Oh, but home life doesn't let up either. We've started painting the house. We started the baby's room. I was supposed to get a 2nd coat of paint up this week. NOT HAPPENING! I've got 2 websites to do instead.

Let's not forget that other people demand things of our time as well. . . tutoring, computer tech support, shopping for things, phone calls, on and on and on. . . Oh, I ran for office of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society -- Treasurer. It was an uncontested race. . . hmmmm. . . I wonder where I will find the time to devote to that.

Can I sit down and scrap?

The good news is that in all of this, I have MANAGED TO SCRAP!!! Yes, REAL DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK PAGES! Not kits. PAGES! I have started two 2-page spreads. That's nice. I have yet to finish them, but with everything else that is going on, I am surprised that I even got started. BUT the biggest move for me in the digital scrapbooking world is that I entered a digital scrapbooking contest. I entered the digiscrappin.biz's Ultimate Digi-Scrapper 2006 contest. I don't know why. It is insane with everything else going on. The first deadline is 11pm on Friday, May 5th. *panic* How am I going to get this done?!?!?!?

Another preliminary preview

I initially started a kit call "Gentle Blues" it was supposed to be appropriate for a baby boy without being "baby-ish." The ideas started. The ideas kept coming. So fast they came. I couldn't keep up. It started off as a small kit and it quickly grew and grew and grew. Eventually (and rather quickly, I might add), it contained 25 different patterned papers. Scratch that single kit idea. I broke it down and ended up with the starts of at least 5 smaller (but good sized kits). Then the lull in the desire to complete them hit. The rutt in digital scrapbooking started.

I am pleased to announce that once I got past the initial kit (Stacey's Circles Kit), the ideas started flowing again. I really did scratch the entire "Gentle Blues" kit. I did. I had to. I started over fresh. Thus resulting in a series of kits called "Gentle Blues."

I am actually happy with the results thus far. The purpose of these kits are to contain the color BLUE and variations of blues, while also containing other complementary colors. My goal is to have kits that are simple and boyish, yet are universal. You won't find fancy frills in these kits. Maybe in some of my future kits, I'll venture off into the more frilly edges of the universe, but for now I am catering to my boys.


Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 001
(1st in a series of kits)
Main colors: Blues
Patterns: Stripes and faint circles
Papers: 2 patterned, 4 solid
Elements: Buttons (2 different sizes), paper tags, ribbons, rectangular buckle/slide, and stitching (zigzag and straight)

This kit is not 100% complete as of yet. I am looking to add a couple more elements. Its release to the public will be soon.

The well can't run dry forever

or can it?

While this post isn't about tutorials or anything of that nature, I wanted to share that I have found an end to the dry spell I have had in creativity. I had started some digital scrapbooking kits so long ago. That was where it got to. I had several started, maybe 6-8 kits started. They just didnt' get very far. I was in a rutt with scrapbooking too. I haven't completed a page since January. It is sad to say. It is the truth.

But, I started the designing process again a couple of weeks ago. It was slow and painful at first. As the hours rolled by, the easier the whole process became, the faster and more freely the ideas flowed. I am happy to announce that big things are coming. Well, maybe not so big, but a big deal for me. I am excited and pleased to announce that within the next month I should be releasing 5 digital scrapbooking kits.

With that said, I also hope to be able to get back into preparing tutorials to help others in their quest for digital scrapbooking perfection. It is fun, but there is so much to learn. There are so many techniques to figure out. You just have to find you happy place and work things out for yourself sometimes.

Anyway, I have started to post the preliminary previews.

The long awaited

I am finally releasing the preliminary preview for my first kits. It has been a long process, but once the creative juices got flowing things started to come to me.

The first kit created by me to be released to the public will be -- Stacey's Circles Kit. It is a bold kit. It is a bit more bold than *I* use myself, but I know plenty of people that go for the bolder side of things. I think it is a fun kit and can be used for both boys and girls. The official release for this kit should be sometime in the next week. I still need to work out the logistics.

Title: Stacey's Circles Kit

Main colors: blues and purples (bold)

Patterns: circles

Papers: 4 patterned papers, 6 solid papers

Elements: ribbons, metal bookplates, paper tags, round tags (with metal edges), tag ties, eyelets, and brads

Yet again, no new pages to boast about

I still haven't completed a scrapbook page, but I have started another kit. I suppose soon enough, I'll have pages again. I now have my middle child's first karate tournament to scrap. That said, I was serious when I said I had been creating and was wanting to create more. The other 2 kits are still without "finishing touches" but I want to sit on them for a few days and see what I need to add after not looking at them for a couple of days. I am excited about starting a new kit. It is sometimes hard to decide just what color combinations will be a hit, but I am working on my own visions at this point. Keep being patient, good things are coming!

Still no new digital scrapbook pages

I still haven't finished any more scrapbook pages. I have, however, gotten out of the rutt I was in. At least, that is what it is feeling like. I am currently working on creating another kit.

I still haven't released the initial kit I have designed, but I am sure that I'll want to add some finishing touches to it so I have set aside 2 weeks as my "sleep on it" period. I just want it to be finished when I do release it. I am also not 100% decided on how I am going to release it. I have already found a "creative team" member that will help me get the word out. I am excited about that. Everyone will see the kit once she's gotten her hands on it.

I also want to finish this kit I am working on now. The new kit. I just don't want this to become a 1 kit project. I want there to be a whole line of kits created by me. I know that time is tight so getting a good start now and not getting ahead of myself is one of the best things that I can do. So everyone just be patient. Good things are coming.

I will also be creating a kit based on the things my brother encounters during his 2 years in Prague, Czech Republic. The architecture is lovely over there. The colors on the buildings are delightful. I told him I would scrap his pictures for him. I haven't gotten started yet, but I am hoping that this new "change" in the norm will help get me the start I need. My goal is to base a kit or kits off of the things that are common in the areas he will be in. A lot of the patterns will probably be based off the architecture. I am excited about it. Now I just need to be sure to find the time and put my heart into it.

Life gets in the way

Well, I hadn't really scrapped, digitally or otherwise, since mid to late January. This was the last scrapbook night I attended with my friends here. It is a travesty. I am just a very busy person. I have 3 kids, a husband, and everything that this involves. I am a student. I am a business owner. So I am just busy. It was starting to drag me down though. I LOVE to digital scrapbook! I was missing it something awful. With the kids and everything else, I don't always have the time to finish my school work in a timely manner. It is just hard. Most of the time I have to wait until after the baby goes to bed and then I am usually too tired. As the routine became, I either didn't have time when I wanted to OR I didn't have the desire if I did find the time. However, this week I managed to get my homework done and submitted early. As a reward, I decided I was going to scrap. Sounds like a nice reward. Of course, it turned into more work as I ultimately want to complete some digital kits. I have a bunch started. None finished. So yesterday and today I have been working on one of the kits that I started a LONG time ago. The good news is that it is coming together nicely. I have many thanks to offer Karin Godak for the encouragement, the motivation, the pep talk, and everything else. The bad news is that I probably won't be releasing the kit to the general public right away. Don't worry, if you are interested it isn't too far off in the future. I just want to complete a couple more before I start releasing the kits. So everyone hang in there! Be patient! There is a lot of work that goes into putting together digital kits.