I'm on Lindsey's Blog!

Oh, I've had a great surprise this morning! Lindsey added my sketch, along with Janneke's and her original to her sketch site. I'm very excited to be there with all the other girlies that she has posted on her site!

You definitely need to go over there and check it out. She has a choice of layouts for those of you who like one photo or many or one page spreads or two. Great sketches. I'm definitely going to do more. I would have done more, but for all the challenges over at Divine Digital that I've been doing lately!!!
This weekend I'll be heading to CK Convention. No classes. None that really interested me. I guess having taught myself and being a "cutting edge scrapper", I'd done or could teach all that they were having. I'm not being a bragster here, just true.
That's one great thing about hanging out at internet scrapbooking sites. You get to learn so much and definitely stay current!
By the way, I hope they have some of the new stuff from CHA there! I've been cruising various sites that have things posted and YUMMO to quote Rachel Ray!
Scrapstreet and Divine Digital had some Christmas in July stuff going on. It is fun to do Christmas in July. Great idea on that! I need to dig up some Christmas photos. Maybe after CK Convention!!!

Cool Challenges from Lindsey's blog

PULLED FOR PUBLICATION
Busy doing scrapbook challenges at Scrapstreet last night. I did 3 lo's all together -2 for the sketch challenge which was taken from Lindsey's blog and one for the lift challenge.

It was exciting to do the sketch challenge as I made my own torn paper! Yes, I did - using a brush and the eraser. Also made my own brush out of the cake top to stamp on the one photo. I'm just learning so much lately!

Participated in the online chat at divine digital regarding the Christmas tag swap. We all got a total of 16 tags - the two that we made plus everyone elses. Great variety and good job by all! It's kind of fun to have the chat format and get to know the other participants. The hostess had a quiz for prizes and I did get a 50% off coupon to a digital kit.

August Scrapstreet e-zine will be coming out soon, and I will have 3 lo's in there so I"m excited about that. Wonder if I will get anything in September. I have submitted 3 things for that! We'll see!

I also completely lost a lo that I started on vacation, but I guess that's what happens when you scrapbook digi in the car. I must have deleted it in error. I had the one I started, but the other one is nowhere to be found. I got a little carsick so I was in a hurry turning off my computer. Should have saved along the way. I
do know better than that! Oh well. I'll just do it over!

Also filled out a design team application for a website that Di posted at Scrapstreet. One never knows! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Day 12 at Divine Digital

Ok. It's hard to believe, but I am caught up from being on vacation. Divine Digital can post the next challenge, and I am ready! For day 12, Royanna talked about portrait photography. Frankly, I took a photography class at the local adult ed place a few year's back so I really didn't need the tutorial, but a refresher is always nice! Lucky for me, though, dd is obsessed with photographing herself and her friends. I had plenty to choose from to do the box layout challenge. Can't wait to see what day 13 is! oh Yeah! Now maybe I can clean up my hard drive a little and organize some of my stuff! heheheheh

Story Board & Christmas Tags

Well, we are learning so much at Divine Digital. Royanna is teaching us all kinds of things with Photoshop. I know people look for tutorials and buy books and such, but I have found everything I need on line by doing google searchs. Royanna, at Divine Digital, has a tutorial just about every day and a challenge to go with it. That has really helped me learn some things! I feel like my digi knowledge is growing exponentially. There is alot more to learn. I know I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of PSE 5.0!!!
Also did a challenge for a Christmas tag swap. I'll brag for a second and say that I've gotten rave reviews on my tags. I'm rather excited because I designed them myself. Although each does have an embellie on it from someone else...
Di posted about a CT call. I"mg going to try. It's for digi. I have no idea if I'll get it, but if you don't try, you will never know about it.
Now the storyboard is my friend's garden, Nancy. She has a knack for growing. I'm always fascinated by what she has in her yard when I visit. Check out her passion flowers. They are so beautiful! That bottlebrush is so vivid. Nature is amazing in its crayon box. Storyboard is by Royanna Fritschmann. The rest of it is a kit I designed called Inked & Distinct.
The two embellies on my tags are by Royanna. The rest is me! YAY! I found the quotes on the internet.
I"m really enjoying this digi scrapping. I guess you can tell by all the pages I'm doing. And as usual, I appreciate everyone's encouragement along the way!!!

Day 10 At Divine Digital

Day 10 at Divine Digital is about your style. Well, my favorite style is collage. I put a little saying on this lo. It says, "A cluttered mind is a terrible thing to waste!" LOL!

I like to do linear and graphic styles as well. Of course, anytime there is LOUD color, I'm in! I also like vintage. It just depends upon my mood.

Kit credits:
Photos: Royanna Fritschmann
Traci Reed
Lauren Bavin

I should be out mowing the lawn. Am I? No, I just had to do my challenge. I'm almost caught up from being on vacation! I didn't do one challenge though, as I mentioned before because it wasn't my cup of tea.

I also noticed they were having a Christmas tag swap. I might have to participate in that. It sounds like fun!

Day 9 at Divine Digital

Our challenge today was to use all the letters of our name in our title. So I did! Template was provided by Royanna Fritschmann and digital kit is by Traci Reed - Vibrant.

Scraps of Life

For day 8 we had to scrap 10 goals that we had in life. Now, I should have made the 10 ones I already did! LOL! I have more than 10 goals and I have some serious ones and some superficial ones. I just jotted out what came into my head in no particular order.
Lots of credits for this design:
curve: me!
wings: Blue Moon
stitches, photo turn, lace, binder: Traci Reed Unbound
every thing else: Royanna Fritschmann at Divine Digital

I hope you like my quote from Satchel Paige..."sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits."

I didn't do day 7 because it was some stuff I wasn't really interested in. We don't have to do every day. If you do 30 out of 50 challenges, we get a coupon or something. I can't remember off the top of my head, but Royanna's challenges and tutorials are so good, it doesn't really matter.

Now I'm off to do day 9!

First freebie

I have my first freebie posted on my blog. It's a love sticker. Check out the link to la art and design studios. That is l - a as in Leigh Ann.

My kit is done except for one thing. One element. It's one embellie, but I've been having too much fun making digital layouts. I'm addicted. I have a problem! LOL!

ATC Card and Making A Sticker

Well, I'm back from vacation. Lots of stories to tell, which I will. I need to catch up on so many things...ie bills and such. Today was eaten up by getting a new tire since we got a flat on the way home. Praise GOD!!! that no one was hurt and it was just annoying because we had 2 holes in the sides of the tire - each one was 1"!!! Anyway, my tire on the van is an odd size so I had to take it to the dealer to get the tire. Which is fine. I just had to have a tire!

I did have a few minutes to scrapbook tonight so I did a challenge at Divine Digital. Day six was to do the tutorial and make a grunge brush and then use it to make a word sticker. Then use the word sticker on an ATC. So here is my ATC:


Credits: DAISIES welcome Kit; Traci Reed

Tomorrow is laundry and paperwork and cleaning to catch up so I will have some time during my morning coffee to check on friend's blogs and cruise a few boards!

On Vacation!!!

So I've been on vacation...and still am...in sunny FL. Soon to be home. One thing that was fun is working on my laptop while we were driving. I got the alphabet done for my digi kit! And on the way home, I can scrapbook with it with some of the photos I took on vacation!

We are having a great time visiting my cousin. She is always a scream. Our families get along great, and it is very low key.

We did hit Cypress Gardens. That is a whole story in itself and will probably result in a single page of journaling only to fit it all in! We got lost on the way, stopped in a seedy spot to get directions and saw a drug deal (OMG), finally got there. Enjoyed our day. Decided to cool off when they had to close things for a few due to the rain...only it was a stationary rain with thunder and lightning, resulting in them having to close the park after an hour and a half of this, except our stuff was still back at the water park..so the first aid guy had to ride my dh out to get our stuff...still raining...got lost again on the way home...lovely tour of Lake Wales!!! Stopped to get gas and two guys were about to get in a knock down drag out. Amazing!

Check out some local shopping. Visited my parent's grave and took flowers. Hit Ron Jon's surf shop for the kids. Visited dear friends and enjoyed time with them. Lots done. Tired, too. Ready for my own bed. That's how you know it was a good vacation!

Sample of my new kit

Here is the start of my kit. I six papers and one ribbon so far. The cardstock looks like twill and so does the ribbon. The striped pattern also looks like twill. The other two look inked. Need to decide what else to put with it!

A new blog

I've started working on my blog "la art & design studio". I'm planning on designing digital kits and elements for sale. I have a few elements designed for my first kit already...a ribbon and some papers...I'll have to get cracking when I get back from vacation. Everyone needs some time off!

Making a brush from a picture.

Ok. I did it, but I tell you, I"m not happy with the lo at all. Day 5 at Divine Digital is making a brush from a photograph. Selecting what you want, cutting it, cleaning it up and naming it as a brush. I made the daisy on this lo as my brush. I like the brush itself, just not the lo. I think the problem is the cake!!! It's for my cake decorating mini album anyway. I designed everything except the frame. That was a freebie from Royanna Fritschmann. From now on to be referred to as RF until I am finished her challenge. Her name is lovely, but it is too stinkin' long to type all the time!

Creating patterned paper in PSE

REMOVED FOR PUBLICATION IN SEPTEMBER SCRAPSTREET.COM MAGAZINE

Busy evening creating over here! Got a little tutorial from Divine Digital and Royanna Fritschmann on how to make patterned paper. So I did! It was fun and not as hard as I thought!

This layout showcases my papers! Wahoo! Of course, overlay by Royanna Fritschmann at Digital Designs. Stiches by Lisa Whitney @ ScrapArtists, and kit by Traci Reed, cut circle template by Jen Caputo!

Not too many more camp layouts to do, but I"m sure I'll be taking alot of pics this year so I want to get them done. I'll wait until there is a sale again before I print out all I've done lately. Dd's book will be getting nice and full.

Not to be ignored. I do have some lo's to do of my handsome ds. Some from spring break and such. He's just sort of low key lately so I happen to have more pics of dd. They go through phases and I'm sure it will all even out in the end!

The day 4 challenge at Divine Digital was to make a layout and answer three questions about myself, but frankly, I didn't want to. We were supposed to use our newly created paper. I went and used the paper, but did a SNS Lift Challenge at Scrapstreet instead.

I really love challenges and sketches. They have gotten my mojo going lately! Can't wait to see what day 5 is at Divine Digital!

Day 3 @ Divine Digital

I'm having a few problems at other galleries getting some of my stuff uploaded. I figured out one...my files were too big. Fixed that. Posting away at Divine Digital. Now to work on the other.
Divine Digital's day 3 challenge was to make a flip flop layout. I think I could have done better on the flip flops. I tried to give them some dimension. I made the background paper myself using a tutorial by Royanna Fritschmann and an overlay she created. She also designed the flip flop shape.
I"m trying to write this with one of my contacts up in my head. So it is making it hard to see. I need my new lenses to come in at Walmart. Should be any day now. Until then I guess I'm going to be a cyclops with one eye or blurry. Geeez!!!!
Tomorrow RF is going to teach us how to make patterned paper. I used the overlay she created, and have figured out how to ink the edges of my own paper. That is a small miracle in itself. Just fooling aroudn with the brushes.
I need to link to her tutorials. They are very good. I believe she uses CS2, but it works with PSE, too. I know there are differences, but so far nothing I can't figure out!
I had a fabulous breakfast with my dear friend, Dee, today. She is an amazing Christian woman who has really inspired me on my journey. I love talking with her. She read my blog and then checked out Mel's blog. She was telling me she thought Mel was from Australia. I said, "Yes."
She is quite fascinated with how I met Mel (at Scrapstreet) since her sister is a missionary in New Zealand. So Mel, you have a fan! And she loves your baby!

Divine Digital Challenge Day 2

Today's challenge was Color My World. So I did. Orange. I'm in an orange phase right now. Not sure why. Not to wear, mind you. No way. I just love burnt orange. Remember that shade from the Crayola 64 box when we were kids? My scrap room is painted that shade, only Sherwin Williams calls it Monarch. I have one green accent wall because green has always been my favorite color in the whole world.
I used the overlay feature and screen in PSE for the first time. It actually turned my green to a yeloow, which matched what I had going on with this page anyway. The overlay feature turned my black "inked" edges to the dark orange you see on the layout's edge. Also used some filters to get the frames on the page.
This page is completely my own design. Like the photo stack? I saw that somewhere and had to try it. Now my contacts are kind of blurry right now so I'm not seeing sharp edges. I think they are dry. I'm assuming this lo turned out ok!

The Good Life Challenge At Divine Digital

Divine Digital has a monthly challenge blog by Ryanna Fritschmann that I got this lo template from called "The Good Life". The Digi kit is by Traci Reed and is called Vibrant.

The blog has a month long list of challenges to help us grow. I'm hoping I'll learn some cool stuff as I go along. I'm just going to do what I can since it's summer and the kids are here and there.

This is my cousin's son in our pool. I have pictures of all of us with this lobster. Except Scott, but I made one with him in it...a little cut 'n paste. He will be quite surprised when I show him, especially as he is sleeping in the original photo that I cut his head out of! He said the only way he was getting a picture with a lobster was with a fork. I've got his pic. Now I just need to scan a fork and do a lo! He's got a great sense of humor, so I know he will get a charge out of it.

It was a hot one here today, although surely not the hottest day of the summer. I did manage to get in some pool time! I'd like to in the evenings, too, but the bugs are just unreal right now.

Tonight I will do challenge #2 at Divine Digital while I watch tv...my fav show of the summer is on, "So You Think You Can Dance".

Newly Created Frame Template

I created a set of templates with scalloped and squared edges. I used one of them on this lo, along with Traci Reed's Digi Kit Joyful. Now if I could only figure out where to sell my digi creations! heheheheh

Fishing At Ralph's Pond

Just a lo of 4th of July activities.
Digi kit: Serene by Traci Reed
Sketch by Di Hickman July 2007. Check it out. It's on her blog.

I'm getting pubbed in Ready, Set, Create!

I was goofing off today and feeling brave because 3 things were selected for Scrapstreet.com's e-zine in August so I went over to Scrapsubmit and went crazy! Believe it or not, I got an e-mail today saying that this altered clipboard I made (which, if I do say so myself, I love). It hangs in my house. Anyway, Ready, Set, Create - a 200 page online mag- sent me an e-mail saying they wanted to publish my clipboard! I nearly started crying I was so happy (or perhaps unmedicated or just a ding-dong).

Anyway, it is going to be in the Oct/Nov. issue. And they even charge for this mag. People subscribe to it. I will get a free issue. Isn't that exciting! Now how am I going to scrap that! LOL!

I did submit to some paper mags, too. We'll see about that. I want to try more the digi paper mag submissions. I guess I need to get busy! I was published a while ago in Correspondence Art. I think they went out of business. Not because of me, though.

My Scrapstreet July Cover Layout

Okay, I'm shameless, but how can I not make a scrapbook page of the highlight of my scrapping year? I asked Dora first so I didn't violate any copyrights. Maybe I just need to get it printed on a post-it and stick it to my forehead.
Digi credits: Friendly Colors 3 Sisters Productions, Circle Shapes by Jen Caputo, and stiches by Lisa Whitney @ ScrapArtists.com.

I'm trying to get all these lo's done because www.scrapbooksplease.com is having a 99 cents 12x12 printed layout sale. That's like 75% off the normal prices that I have found. I've sent about 10 lo's for them to print. I hope they do a good job.

I read where some people print theirs out 8x8. I'm just afraid I wouldn't be able to read the journaling. I kinda like 12x12, although I could do 8 1/2 x 11. I might do that. I also read if you print at home and do that size, it costs about $1.00 per page. I can just always wait for different places to have sales, too.

Eraser Tool

OUT FOR PUBLICATION IN SCRAPSTREET.COM SEPTEMBER E-ZINE

I played with my eraser tool to make this lo. I edited the picture. I probably could have done better around the edges, but it was my first try at doing something like this.
I also made the one layer look like vellum by adjusting the opacity for something different.
Kit is April Free PEA Kit by Rhonna Ferrar. I do love her stuff!
This lo is my cousin, Paula, and I. Inseparable. Trouble from the word go. And goofy!

Di Hickman's June 2007 Sketch

You have to check out Di's blog. I have a link to her blog on mine. She is a cool chick with alot of talent. I finally figured out how to work the PSE and use her sketch, which she has broken down into parts. It took a while to put this together this evening, but I am really pleased with the results. Thanks Di!!!
Let me give the digi credits: Paper, embellies are Traci Reed - Unbound Kit
Ink Edges - Nancie Rowe Janitz @ ScrapArtists
Stitches by Lisa Whitney @ ScrapArtists
font: Daisy
Don't want to leave anyone out. Want to make sure they get their due!
Di has her sketch up for July, which I will probably do tomorrow. Why not!
I really have a digi issue these days. I can't stop scrapping. There is so much to learn on this PSE. Of course, it is nice to "cheat" and download some helps. For example, those inked edges. I read an article that said that inking was kind of a pain to get it right. Frankly, I have no idea. I'm sure I will give it a shot eventually. But for the time being, I have Nancie Janitz little thingy to use!

73 And Counting!!!

REMOVED FOR PUBLICATION AT SCRAPSTREET.COM SEPTEMBER E-ZINE


I checked out some of my friend, Jen Caputo's, design spots. She is very talented. I downloaded her cut circles from www.Scrapbookgraphics.com. They have some really nice kits, too. I downloaded a set of six from there. I also went over to ScrapArtists and downloaded a free inked border and some stitches. Yes, I know I was making some stitches, but frankly this was so much easier!

The orange layout above features Citrus Freeze by Ann Langpap 2Peas, Lisa Whitney stiches from ScrapArtists, and Jen Caputos' cut circles.

My other layout is the one I was going to post the other day. I did one more, too, that I need to get up. My very next layout will be 72 more to go meaning it is number 200! I'm going to do a quick 'n dirty so I can hit my magic target! Some might call it cheating. I call it: Git 'er done!

More Digi Layouts- Almost Done 200 LO"S this year

okay, I'm down to 75 lo's to go. When I hit 72, I will have done 200 layouts this year. 200! I can't believe it! Now that's alot of scrapping!

I made a lo last night that I will post later on. I just need to add some journaling to it. I used a new Sepia filter from OptikVerve that I learned about on Scrapstreet. It was very easy to download and use just like they said. It went great with my lo. Just the right effect.

I tried making the bow that one of my Scrapstreet friends sent me directions for, but there weren't any picture, which made it very confusing. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for something that technical last night! I think I'm going to buy one of those bow making add-ons. I did make a pretty dark green satin ribbon, but I ended up not using it. Some things are just better left to those who can do it with ease. At least for the time being, until I am better!

I tried some new brushes as well. I really need to learn about brushes. They are very useful and something I dont' quite understand. Especially about intalling new ones. Like I made that stitch brush and I used the arrow brush I got from 2Peas in the Venice Beach kit. I'm just not sure how or where to install them to get them to be permanent.

I did download a brush viewing software, but I'm not quite sure how that works either. At least I'm not bored! LOL!

Off to the gym and then some more digi scrappin'. I want to hit the 200 mark this weekend. I'm sure I will!

The Zig zag stich in digi

I found a tutorial on the web, but I don't know if it was in PSE. It was confusing a bit. I couldn't get the straight stitch to work. I got the zig zag figured out. I need to spend more time on the brushes. I think there is alot to learn in that category. This stitch is actually a brush I made. It is very subtle. I think I need to make it darker...next time! LOL!

I also added a "corner folding" plug in. I found the plug in at a website, and Scrapstreet provided the tutorial for PSE on how to add plug ins. Will have to mess with that more later!

There are so many tutorials out there. It's hard to fit them all in. Right now I'm just trying to learn something new with each lo. Although, I do have a few plug in lo's that I can do on the side if I just get too worn out from trying to figure out a new technique!!!

My favorite technique so far is the drop shadow. I know I haven't even scratched the surface yet of what this program can do. That's what amazes me!

Scrapstreet has a great tutorial by Christa this month on brushes, too. I need to check that one out. I read it, and it was really explained well. Maybe tonight when I am watching tv!

76 layouts left after this one towards my annual goal. My goal is actually to hit it by the time school starts. I better get my rump going! Although this digi has really got my mojo in high gear.

Found out today that I'm going to be paper pubbed in Scrapstreet's Mag in August, too. Now isn't that exciting. It is actually one of my favorite layouts that I have done this year called Makin' Waves. I will post the links to them when the mag comes out next month. I'm just so jazzed!

Just Messing Around

"5 Things" Tag.
Name 5 favorite television shows:
* Oprah
* CSI Las Vegas
* So You Think You Can Dance
* AI
* Grey's Anatomy

Name 4 favorite memories:
* My wedding day.
* When my children were born.
* DH and I in Hawaii
* Vacations at Edisto

Name 3 things you want to do before you die:
* Travel to Canada, Alaska, & Puerto Rico
* Run a 10K
* Write a book

Give 2 names that you would use NOW if you were going to have a new addition to the family:
* Canady (pronounced Kennedy)
* Cayce

Name the one thing that you're working on now to improve your life:
Photo Shop Elements- always trying to improve my mind by learning something new

If anyone wants to do this tag, please copy and paste but also let me know you did it.

Being Digi Pubbed in August

I'm truly blessed this year as far as my scrapping dreams. Well, I can't complain about anything else either, frankly!
I'm being pubbed in August at Scrapstreet for a sketch challenge they posted this past weekend. What has me really excited is that it is digi. So I'll have been pubbed in both paper and digi. OMG how exciting!
You can't reach your dreams if you don't try. And I keep trying. I'll have to remove the lo from my blog since it's being pubbed. But I don't mind a bit. YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE! Doing the happy dance all over town!
I really appreciate all the encouragement my Scrapstreet friends have been giving me, too. It's nice to have a place to scrapbook that is so encouraging. Everyone cheers everyone on.
Thanks to those of you who have left comments on my blog, too. Super appreciated.

Rock Lobster Digi Curves

Went crazy with the digi curves and used a swirl. Kit is from 2Peas by Tia Bennett. Curves are my own design that I learned about on the 2Peas board. Gonna have lots of lobster layouts for the 4th of July.

Making A Curve for Digi Scrappin'

Okay...78 layouts...Keep 'em coming! I'm going digi crazy!

This lo is dh in the pool. This was some of the door decorations dd and her friend had up at UCA camp. That lobster cracked me up, and I had to bring it home. I guess our brain is fried from too much sun, because we both took our pictures wearing this silly thing. I need to scrap me next.

I learned to make this curve. I found a post about it at 2Peas. I think most everything about digi scrapping must be on the internet!

Stamp Shape and Drop Shadows in Digi

Kit is Tropical Elements from Scrapstreet and it was free!

I have to challenge myself, although it isn't hard since I'm still learning this PSE program! Today's challenge was to create a stamp png file so I would have that shape. I'd learned to make the scalloped edge from Di Hickman's tutorial, so I took that knowledge and made my stamp shape. You can see I used it on this layout!

Also, went to Misty Cato's blog and learned to do a drop shadow behind my photograph.

It's taking all day to do these layouts, but with editing the photos and learning new elements, it's not surprising! It's so totally worth it!. I'm down to 79 layouts to go...the countdown continues.

I may be slowed down for a few days as my cousin is coming to visit. The great thing is, I'll have some fun photos to scrapbook after she and her family leave. They're staying through 4th of July. I'm excited they are coming. It's nice to have family visit.

I will post a tutorial about how to do that stamp shape after they leave. Oh my, my first tutorial. How exciting!

I almost bought BHG Scrapbook Etc's Digital Scrapbooking mag, but I decided to wait. It wasn't all PSE and I can find so much online. Now there was a thing on making your own paper in there that I really wanted to check out. All things in due time!

Scrapstreet Magazine COVER

http://www.scrapstreet.com/magy2/gojuly/features/red.htm

I'm the cover at the July issue of Scrapstreet.com mag! I can't believe it. I feel like I'm on top of the world. It's a lo of my parents, who are always in my heart. It's extra special since they are both gone now!

Lou said we should frame it. No problem! I'm definitely printing it out! He's very excited for me! What a great dh I have! He's always interested in my scrapbooking and so enthusiastic.

I get a great prize pack, too. Oh, I can't wait for that to come in the mail! Wahoooo!