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.