Finals Week, UGH! (Yeah!!!!)

I worked the entire weekend on my research papers, and case studies, and book assignments, and discussion assignments, OH MY! Needless to say, I was way too tired to craft.

This week is finals week and on top of studying, I have a ton of homework. So, I won't be crafting through the week, but wait for the weekend. I'm free until January (bring on the paper and ink!!!), then it's one more class and I'm done.

I'm planning to post next week. In the meantime...

~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

Hope you have a wonderful day. Happy crafting.

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #7

~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

I know I said yesterday's card was my favorite, but this one is so adorable, I'm rethinking that statement. This card again uses the Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit and Lawn Fawn's Sweet Christmas stamp set. I have made tons of cards with this kit and I have plenty of supplies left to make a few more. I haven't even started using the December Card Kit yet. I forgot how great a deal these kits are.

I stamped the all the images on Copic X-Press It cardstock in my new MFT Black Licorice Hybrid ink and colored them with my Copics.

I have been using the Momento Tuxedo Black ink for my Copic coloring for years, but I had a hard time getting a true crisp black. The MFT Hybrid inks work very well with Copic and the images are solid, crisp black. I'm so glad I listed to Amy over at Prairie, Paper, and Ink. She made the switch and I could definitely see the difference in her videos.

I white heat embossed the snowflake from this set above the house and created a winter sky using Distress Ink in Broken Chine, Peacock Feather, and Evergreen Bough.

I cut a bunch of patterned paper rectangles and mattes. I rounded all the corners with my Corner Chomper and layered all the mattes to the background. I Heat embossed the sentiment on a piece of patterned paper and trimmed it out using the MFT Wavey Borders die on the bottom. Using my Corner Chomper, I rounded the top right corner of the sentiment strip.

I fussy cut all of the Gingerbread people and the tree. I adhered the images and the sentiment strip tot he card using foam adhesive. I added stitch lines using my Signo Uniball Gel pen. I first thought I would add a solid white frame, but with all of my images, it got lost. I don't really like the solid lines, but I wasn't wasting a piece of quality cardstock, so I went with it.

I add glossy accents to the buttons on the Ginger People and accented the card using more of the My Mind's Eye Jubilee enamel accents from the kit (I've used tons of these and I still have a bunch left).

I hope you enjoyed today's card. I had a lot of fun coloring these images. I'm on the lookout for fun, non Holiday, images to color. I think I've colored everything in my stash. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting.

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #6

~~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

This is one of my favorite cards. I love the simple scene and soft colors. It has tons of heat embossing, which happens to be one of my favorite techniques. 

The papers are from the Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit. The stamp set is one I purchase quite a while ago from Close to My Heart but never used it is called Captured Moments. It is retired, but there are a few for sale on etsy.com or ebay.com. I embossed the image at the bottom of this snow flake paper from Lawn Fawn's Snow Day paper pad. Using pink cardstock from the kit, I embossed the sentiment from another old Close to My Heart stamp set called Holiday Commentary, again retired, using Ranger's Liquid Platinum embossing powder that came in the kit. 

 I cut a banner tail on the end of the pink paper and added an enamel accent from the My Mind's Eye Jubilee collection.

I wanted a metallic mat for the image, but I didn't have any paper that matched the embossed sentiment, so I added a thick layer of the Liquid Platinum embossing powder around a piece of heavy-weight scratch paper. I then layered my scene on top of this and popped this entire piece up on teal cardstock. 

I added this whole piece to the front of a white A2 card blank. I finished by adding stitch lines with my Signo Uni-ball white gel pen to the sentiment banner. 

I hope you are enjoying the 2014 Christmas Card series. I have several more cards to share, even my first attempt at a shaker card (not sure how successful I was). I hope you are getting inspired to create something for you friends and family.

Have a wonderful day and happy crafting.

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #5

~~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

I have another card today made with the November 2014 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. 

Using the Be Joyful stamp set, I heat embossed the snowflakes on white cardstock with white embossing powder. I did the same for the trees using green embossing powder on a heavy-weight white cardstock. I've had the green embossing powder in my stash forever and I have no idea what brand. I don't think it is great quality, as you can see it didn't emboss smoothly, but I kind of like it for this card. gives the trees a bit of dimension. #happyaccidents

I then fussy cut the trees and hand cut a couple of snow banks from white cardstock. Using Distress Ink in Broken China, Evergreen Bough, and Peacock Feathers, I created the sky portion of the card.

I stamped the greeting from the Be Joyful stamp set on one of the "snowy hill" pieces. I layer the back "hill" flat to the cardstock. I added the back tree on top of that. Then I adhered the front "hill" using foam squares. I glued the bottom half of the front tree to the "hill" and used foam squares to adhere the top half of the tree to the sky.  The kit came with a package of enamel accents by My Mind's Eye called Jubilee. I adhered one of the hearts (let's be honest, to cover an inking mishap) above the greeting. Again #happyaccident

I adhered my scene to a piece of white cardstock that was slightly larger than my focal piece. I then popped this up on a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of tree card stock from the kit and then adhere that to a piece of Riding Hood Red cardstock from Stampin' Up. Christmas Red Stickles ornaments were the finishing touch.

I hope you have a wonderful day and happy crafting.

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #4

~~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

Today's card features products from the Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit. It is a standard A2 card using patterned paper from the card kit. The paper is Snow Day by Lawn Fawn.

I stamped the tree image and all of the ornaments from Lawn Fawn's Trim the Tree stamp set onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card. I colored the tree and each ornament with Copic Markers. I used an awesome holiday stamp by Stampendous called Holiday Words to create the sentiment. What I love about this set is that all the words are separate, yet each has it's own character that allows you to build interesting sentiments. 

I fussy cut each ornament and adhered it to the tree. I set this aside and cut the background piece with one of my Spellbinders Label Nestabilities dies. I used my white Signo Uniball pen to add stitching. Next, I added the strip of beautiful snowflake paper to the left side of the card.

Using my Sakura Stardust gel pen, I add a bit of shimmer to the ornaments and a few Sakura Metallic pens to add "lights" to the tree.

I finished off by adding sequins trailing down the left side. These are also from the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit and faux stitching around the sentiment using the blue Metallic Sakura pen.

This was my first time using many of these products and I love them. 

I hope you have a wonderful day and happy crafting,

Dana

Free Holiday Digi Papers

I'm taking a break from posting the rest of my Christmas cards to send you a gift. An entire set of Holiday Digi Papers. 

Click the Image to Download

OR

Go to: http://www.mediafire.com/download/yc981dyu7aehsxs/HolidayPapers.zip

All of these papers were made using templates from all the designers over at Pixel Scrapper.

I like papers that can be used for any time of the year, so I added a bit of purple to the pages. There are only a couple that are definitely Christmas or winter themed, but the rest can work for any kind of project. 

Don't forget about my 200.000 blog hit giveaway, 

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

Hope you have a great day and happy crafting.

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #3

Giving is always the best part of the Holidays. Today's card features Mimi and her friend exchanging gifts from the Penny Black's Christmas with Mimi stamp set and papers from My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6 x 6 paper pad.

I stamped the image with Momento Tuxeo Black ink and colored it using my Copic Markers. I matted the image using patterned paper. I attached a piece of blue patterned paper to a standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 A2 card base created with Neenah Desert Storm cardstock from Simon Says Stamp. I cut banner ends in a few strips of patterned paper and added them under my sentiment.

I used sequins from the Simon Says Stamp November 2014 card kit to add flurries to the left side of the card. 

I just love these Mimi stamps. They are so fun to color. Stay tuned for the next card in my 2014 Christmas Card series. 

Don't forget about my 200.000 blog hit give away, $25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

Hope you have a great day and happy crafting.

Dana

Supplies:

Momento Tuxedo Black

Penny Black's Christmas with Mimi

Neenah Desert Storm

Copic Markers

SSS Sequins Snowdrift

2014 Christmas Card #2

~~Don't forget about my 200,000 blog hit giveaway, win a~~~

$25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Card (See details here). 

UPDATE: This stamp set is available at Simon Says Stamp.

This is one of my favorite stamps sets. It's from Impression Obsession and it is called Let it Snow. I'm not sure you can purchase it any longer, but I can't make a set of holiday cards without using it on at least one card. I colored the image with my Copic markers and added Diamond Stickles to the snowmen.

All of the patterned paper and cardstock is form the Simon Says Stamp November 2014 card kit.

I used my spellbinders snowflake die and circle dies for this card.

Finally, I popped everything up on foam tape and called it complete. This card just sparkles in real life.

Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana

OMG! Nearly 200,000 blog hits. Giveaway time!!!

I cannot believe I have gotten nearly 100,000 blog hits in about one month's time. It took me 4 years to hit the 100,000 mark. I want to thank everyone who visits my page regularly. Without you, I would never make it this far.

I know I have had periods without posts and you keep coming back. Many times it is due to my college workload, but that is coming to an end (About flipping time). So I will have more time to devote to posting and hopefully making those videos I keep promising. (I just need to get over my fear and do it.)

So to celebrate this milestone, I am having another giveaway. 

I am giving away a $25 gift card to Simon Says Stamp.

To be eligible to win, all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me your fondest holiday memory. The giveaway will end on December 31, 2014, at 11:59 pm CST. A winner will be chosen at random and will be announced here on my blog on New Year's day. 

Please be sure you leave contact information if you want to be part of the giveaway. 

Thank you for being part of my crafting journey. Stay tuned from my next 2014 Christmas Card post. 

Wishing you peace and love this Holiday season. 

Dana

2014 Christmas Card #1

As promised, my Christmas card series has begun. Today's card was made using papers from My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6 x 6 paper pad. I've had this paper in my stash for quite some time. I realized the colors matched many of the elements in the Simon Says Stamp November 2014 Card kit.

I used the Sending Holiday Cheer stamp set by Hero Arts. I bought this last year and it has become one of my favorite Christmas stamps. I started of by creating a mask for both houses using Inkadinkado's Stamping Mask paper. Then I stamped the yellow house onto white Papertrey Ink cardstock and applied the mask to that house. I then stamped the second house slightly up from the other house to make it appear the green house is behind the yellow house.

Using Distress in the colors of Broken China, Evergreen Boughs, and Peacock Feathers, I created the sky. Using my Signo Uni-ball White Gel Pen, I added dots for snow. I then removed both masks and colored my houses with Copic Markers. Once that was finished, I used my Spellbinders circle dies and die cut around the image. I used a slightly larger scalloped circle and created a mat out of patterned paper. I adhered all of these together, added Diamond Stickles to the snow areas on the houses, and set this aside to dry.

I cut a 4 1/4 x 11 inch piece of white cardstock for my card base. I scored that at 5 1/2 and folded it to make a standard A2 card base. I then used strips of the paper and applied then across the card. I stamped my sentiment, added the enamel accents from My Mind's Eye that came in the SSS November Card Kit. Lastly, I adhered my focal image using foam dots and the card was done.

I hope you enjoyed this card and got inspired. Stay tuned for the next card in this series. Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana

Christmas Card Series Coming

I just ordered a bunch of Christmas stamps and dies from Simon Says Stamp. They should be arriving today. This weekend will be all about cards. I haven't made cards in a while. I didn't even make cards last Christmas and I felt bad for that. So this year, I'm going to go all out. The plan is to try new techniques, work with new tools, to just think outside the box. Since I don't have a ton to make, I can spend a little extra time on each. I guarantee no two cards will be alike. I cannot mass produce cards. It goes against my DNA. If a customer asks for a set of duplicate cards, I can do it, but I get bored very quickly (I think the ADD takes over after the first card, which sparks ideas for a new card. Since I am mass producing, that idea has to wait. Then the second card in the duplicate set sparks even more ideas, etc. By the time I am finished, my head is just swimming with so many ideas I'm about to burst.) Sorry, I digress.

OK, back to the Christmas cards. I will post one card a day until I run out of cards to post or Christmas arrives. Not sure which will be first. The fun part will be that my friends and family will see them, but not know which card they will receive. So, they get to enjoy all the cards and guess which belongs to them. (I'm sneaky that way).

To add to the fun, I won a surprise package from DCWV. I have no idea what will be in the package (even more exciting), but I'm sure there will be wonderful products I can use.

So stay tuned, lots of fun project shares to come. I might even get brave and do a video or two. We will just have to see how it all works out.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana

Spookalicous Bundle, Not Just For Halloween

I love it when collections are so versatile, that even though they have a specific theme, there are plenty of elements and color choices that they can be used for any occasion.

I made two layouts with the new awesome Spookalicous kit by Sheila Reid at Pixel Scrapper. This kit has plenty of Halloween themed items and colors. However, the colors and some of the elements can be used in many different ways.

My first layout is a traditional (or maybe not so traditional) Halloween Layout, Featuring my "Little Vampire."  I love the colors in this kit. There are enough colors that I could have chosen to go with the traditional blacks, oranges, greens, and purples, but I loved the way the other colors match her costume. 

The second layout is a costume layout, but not Halloween. It is a spring layout that features outfits for a concert at school were each class dressed as a different era and sang songs from that era. The bright colors from this kit worked perfectly to reflect the spring theme. Notice I used the "die cut" fun page from the kit, to make a journaling spot. The fun pages are actually 12 inches wide, but I thought the shape would make the perfect label. Even though the graphics are created one way, doesn't mean you have to use them that way. You have the option to resize as you see fit. 

There were plenty of non-Halloween elements to chose from, which made it super easy to do this layout in about 15 minutes from planning to posting. Did I mention I love how quickly I can do a digital layout verses a traditional layout. This would have taken me hours to do traditionally because of the fear of wasting supplies. Not a problem with digi supplies; they never run out, so you have total creative freedom. Plus, if you don't like something, you don't have to rip elements off the page, you just hit delete and start over. 

I hope you visit Pixel Scrapper to see all of the wonderful freebies and full kits available. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana

My First Tangle

With so much going on lately, I haven't had any "official" crafting time, but there is no way I could not do some form of art. So I've been doodling. I was having so much fun, then I realized what I was doing (and had been for years) actually had a name, Zentangles. So, I started researching and realized there is a huge list of official tangles and tutorials for most all over the web. 

I watched a few videos and read about Zentangles and all the "rules." However, rules in art are not always Zen, so I just took what I saw and did my own thing. I am quite pleased with the results. This an art form I can do anywhere, anytime, with very little expense. 

Below is my first complete, shaded Zentangle. I think it is pretty good for my first. 

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

MIA this week

Just wanted to leave a quick note letting you know that I may be MIA this week. I've been on the road for work and I have finals Friday. So, it will probably be a non-crafting week. However, I plan to be at it hot and heavy this weekend and for the next couple of weeks. Then my last "semester" of college. Eight more weeks and I will be done. I can't wait for December 20th to get here. Then, LET THE CRAFTING BEGIN!!!

Have a great week,
Dana

The Winner Is....

I want to thank everyone who visited my page, commented on my videos and just made the past few years a success. I'm so glad I found my way back to crafting and that my blog allows me to share my creations with you.

There were some great suggestions for digital kits. I think I can come up with some you gals and guys will like.

Now, for the winner. Random.org chose...

MamaGames: "Thank you for your part of the train. :) As for the contest - this is weirdly specific but I would love some kits that include animals and autumn colors. My kids go to at least 3 annual events like Boo at the Zoo where they are having some kind of fall- or Halloween-themed event at an animal park, and I need something that combines both ideas! ~laugh~"

MamaGames, yes your request was very specific, but I like it. I would never have thought of a Halloween Zoo themed kit. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I will see what I can do. 

I also sent you an e-mail asking for your address so I can send your goodies to you. If I don't hear from you by October 10th, I will chose another winner. So don't miss out. 

Again, thank you to all my visitors and stay tuned for more fun to come.

Dana

Reminder: Giveaway open until 6:00 CST

I will be drawing the winner for my 100,000 blog hits giveaway tonight after 6:00 p.m. CST. You still have time to enter. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning. Good Luck and thank you for all of the awesome comments. I read each and everyone.

Have a great Day.
Dana

Pixel Scrapper October 2014 Blog Train - Autumn Art

I love this time of year. All the bright vibrant colors of nature and the cooler relaxing temperatures. Makes me want to curl up on a porch swing wearing a big sweater, with a blanket on my lap and a cup of steaming coffee in my hand.

 I'm usually at work before dawn and I just love watching the sunrise outside my office window during this time of year, If I could, I would choose to have Autumn all year around. It is just a peaceful time.

This October's Blog Train at Pixel Scrapper captures that beauty with Autumn Art as the theme. I don't always participate in the Blog Trains, but this one just called to me. I love the palette. I could not wait to get started.

Below is my submission for the Blog Train. I love the touch of blue and purple. They just add that pop of brightness. 

Click the image above to download.

After you download my submission, head over to pixelscrapper.com to see all the other free submissions from other Pixel Scrapper users that coordinate with my kit. 

Don't forget about my giveaway. It has been extend to October 2nd. Why the extension? It's my birthday and what better way to celebrate than to make someone else's day.  

To enter leave a comment on this post letting me know what themes you are interested in. I need ideas for new digital kits and I want to make things that make both you and me happy.

Prizes:

• One month Personal Use license from Pixel Scrapper. Now you can join in the digital layout fun or collect digital images to print and use as many times as you like. Just imagine paper that never runs out. That is a huge deal!

• Two of my handmade mini albums

• In addition, I have collected quite a few other goodies that I'm sure would love to come live with you. (papers, ink, embellishments, tools, etc.)

I can't wait to announce the winner. The giveaway is open to all, so head over and comment.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting (don't forget to enter my giveaway).
Dana

We did it!!!!!! Over 100,000 hits.

I have decided to extend the giveaway a couple of extra days. I will be drawing the winner October 2nd. Why the extension? It's my birthday and what better way to celebrate than to make someone else's day.  

To enter leave a comment on this post letting me know what themes interest you. I need ideas for new digital kits and I want to make things that make both you and me happy.

Prizes:

• One month Personal Use license from Pixel Scrapper. Now you can join in the digital layout fun or collect digital images to print and use as many times as you like. Just imagine paper that never runs out. That is a huge deal!

• Two of my handmade mini albums

• In addition, I have collected quite a few other goodies that I'm sure would love to come live with you. (papers, ink, embellishments, tools, etc.)

I can't wait to announce the winner. The giveaway is open to all, so head over and comment.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting (don't forget to enter my giveaway).
Dana

All About Me

Today's layout is my submission for Pixel Scrapper's September layout challenge "All About Me." I know the background is very busy, but I wanted to include quotes I've been hear to say over the years. Some are inspiring, some serious, some an insight to my beliefs, and others come from my goofy side.

I think everyone should have a life motto. If you notice one quote is bold, "Your happiness is intertwined with your outlook on life." I try my best to live by this thought. Life is what I make it. If I have a negative outlook on life, life is going to give me a negative experience. 

I really suggest everyone stop and take time to do a project like this, whether it is a layout or a journal entry. Take some time to reflect on who you are and what you stand for. You might be a little surprised what you find within.

Don't forget about my 100,000 hits giveaway, ending at the end of September. We are so very close to hitting this amazing goal.

To enter leave a comment on this post letting me know what themes you are interested in. I need ideas for new digital kits and I want to make things that make both you and me happy.

Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

Giveaway - We are getting close to my goal

Don't forget about my 100,000 hits giveaway, ending at the end of September. We are so very close to hitting this amazing goal.

To enter leave a comment on this post letting me know what themes you are interested in. I need ideas for new digital kits and I want to make things that make both you and me happy.

Prizes:

• One month Personal Use license from Pixel Scrapper. Now you can join in the digital layout fun or collect digital images to print and use as many times as you like. Just imagine paper that never runs out. That is a huge deal!
• Two of my handmade mini albums
• In addition, I have collected quite a few other goodies that I'm sure would love to come live with you. (papers, ink, embellishments, tools, etc.)

I can't wait to announce the winner. The giveaway is open to all, so head over and comment.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting (don't forget to enter my giveaway).

Dana

Outdoor Adventures by Sheila Reid

I am having so much fun with these digital layouts. I am getting so much more scrapbooking done than I ever thought possible. Plus, I can share these layouts with family and friends by simply printing them multiple times. I can create any size album I want. So, others aren't stuck with huge albums lining their shelves. Watch out Grandma and Grammy, I see Christmas gifts in the future. 

This layout uses the new Outdoors Adventure Bundle by Sheila Reid at pixelscrapper.com. I didn't even use many of the kit options available. In addition to the items you see here, there are patterned papers and alphas to go along with this kit. Below is a picture of the entire Bundle.

Don't forget, I'm giving away a one month personal use subscription at the end of the month.

To enter leave a comment here on yesterday's post. 

While you are there, download the free Halloween digital paper created by me, as a gift to all my online friends.

I think that is about it. I have a lot more digital items I want to create, so let me know on the giveaway post what kinds of kits you would like to see. You never know, you might get your wish.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

Free Halloween Digi Papers + Giveaway When I Hit 100,000 Views

WooHoo!!!

When I started my blog back in 2010, I never imagined I would reach 100,000 views, but here we are, almost there. So to celebrate, I'm going to have a giveaway for all my wonderful followers.

Prize:

• One month Personal Use license from Pixel Scrapper.
  Now you can join in the digital layout fun or collect digital images to print and use as many times as you like. Just imagine paper that never runs out. That is a huge deal!
• Two of my handmade mini albums
• In addition, I've been collecting quite a few other goodies that I'm sure would love to come live with you.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post giving me ideas for future digital kits. Only one comment per person.

This contest will close at 12:00 a.m., September 30, 2014. At which time I will draw a winner.

In the meantime, I have created a free Halloween digital paper pack just for you. To download, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

Summer Daydreams Kit by Sheila Reid

I used the new Summer Daydreams kit by Sheila Reid at Pixel Scrapper to create this layout of my son's prize catch over the summer. He and his Dad were fishing for catfish and were a little shocked when this rolled to the surface. It took them a bit to figure out it was a Sturgeon, a protected fish in the Missouri River. So, after snapping this picture, they dutifully put him back in the water.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

Our Graduate

This layout was made using the new School Fun Digital Bundle by Sheila Reid at pixelscrapper.com.

This could be used for so much more than school layouts. In fact, I'm going to challenge myself to do just that later this week. I think it's fun to find new ways to use these kits. I'm currently working on a mini album using a kit from pixelscrapper.com. I'm going to print the papers and embellishments. Since I have a Silhouette Cameo, I can use the trace feature for the embellishments and I won't have to fussy cut a thing. I definitely recommend these kits if you have a Cameo. There is something for every one's taste.

I do have a bit of a confession. I'm sure you noticed I didn't post layout 7-10 of my July 2014 Layout Madness. Truth is, I got busy and forgot to make them. When I get around paper and adhesive, I can't help myself and I get lost. At least I was creating something right. 

Speaking of creations out of paper, I have quite a few mini albums I need to send to new homes. I'm in the process of deciding if I'm going to post items on Etsy or Zibbet. Zibbet is cheaper, but Etsy is a bit bigger and may get more traffic. If anyone out there has any advice as to which is better, let me know in the comments below. I really need to get my items posted. I really want to do youtube.com walk throughs of each album before I post. I just need to get up the courage (can we all say chicken baby). 

Also, I have not posted my update on my craftroom. That's because every time I clean it up, I get all excited about having a clean space to work in, I mess it up before I can get the video made. 

I think that's all for now. Head over to pixelscrapper.com and check out all the cool stuff. You will definitely not be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana

FREE Digital Scrapbook Papers Designed by Me

This is my first time participating in one of the Pixel Scrapper monthly blogtrains. This month's theme is Garden Party. When I think of a garden party, I think of an English rose garden and tea. So I chose to use vintage images from The Graphics Fairy along with the assigned color palette to create papers with a vintage feel. Since this is my first time designing digital papers, they are very simple, but at the same time, very versatile.

Click the preview image below to 

download the full set of digital papers. 

Then head over to the August 2014 Blogtrain list for more free downloads from some great designers.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.
Dana

Cool Mohawk Dude!

I'm on a roll. I have the rest of the evening to create 3 more layouts and honestly, with the Pixel Scrapper kits, that will be a breeze. There is no way I could get this many pages finished the traditional way. Don't get me wrong, I love the feel of the paper in my hands, but it takes me hours sometimes to do a page and I can do a digi page in a few minutes. Plus, there's a little bit more creative freedom because if I don't like something, I can just delete it and start over. No wasted product.

Today's layout is a group of old pictures that are so dear to me. My son has turned into a self-proclaimed "Redneck" and I will probably never see this site again.

John-Kyler had his heart set on a mohawk, but school wouldn't allow them. So, we waited for summer vacation and gave him the mother of all mohawks. Only problem was, his hair grows forward, so no matter what we used or what we did, it would not stand up for more than a few minutes. He decided it looked like a duck tail on his forehead, so he had me cut it off immediately after we took these pictures. I still think it looked pretty cool.

I used the Lil' Monsters Bundle by Sheila Reid at pixelscrapper.com for this layout. The layout in it's original form is muted colors. I just used Photoshop and darkened the elements to make them blend better with the colors int he photos. I love this page.

I've had a few people ask if you need special software to use the Pixel Scrapper kits and the answer is no. My first layout I used Microsoft Word. It wasn't as easy, but I was able to get it to work. The second I used Publisher, a bit easier. I did purchase Photoshop Elements 10 and it was the best investment I've ever made. There is a bit of a learning curve to get used to working with layers, but if you think of them as individual pieces of papers, it is much easier.

You don't have to do a complete digital layout with the kits either. You can print the elements and use them in your traditional scrapbooking. The good part is that you purchase them once and you can print as many as you want, unlike traditional scrapbook supplies, where when you use them, they are gone. So cost effective.
I highly encourage you to check out pixelscrapper.com. It is the perfect place for the frugal crafter in all of us.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana