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

Toes in the Sand

Today is layout 6 or 10 for the Pixel Scrapper Summer Madness July 2014 layout challenge. Not sure I am going to make the 10 with only a day and a half left in this month (Where did the summer go?). This is a picture from out 2011 trip to Flagler Beach, Florida. This was the first time to the ocean for the kids. I think they fell in love. If I could, I would spend the rest of my life at the beach. I love everything about it (well, maybe not all the places the sand tends to creep).

I used the At the Beach digital kit by Sheila Reid. This kit was perfect for these photos. The journaling cards had the perfect sayings and the colors just brought out the natural beauty of the photos. I really loved using these kits.

A few months ago, I purchased a 12 x 12 printer. I think I'm going to print all my layouts and put them in my scrapbooks just like I would traditional scrapbooking. That way I have them scrapped and if I get time, I can add a few physical embellishments. I think this would be the perfect way to do custom photo albums. If anyone is interested, let me know and I can scrap one for you.

Until next time, thank you for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana

I Love That Man of Mine

Another digital scrapbook page for the Summer Madness July 2014 Layout Challenge (5 of 10) at Pixel Scrapper. I used the Road Trip collection by Marisa Lerin. I love the colors of this kit and I wanted to try to use it for something other than travel. I think the result was a success. I started with a template (you can find it here) by Elif Şahin. 

Isn't he adorable ;-)

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to head over to pixelscrapper.com. I guarantee you will find the inspiration you need for your next project.

Dana

3 Silly Elves

This is layout number 4 of my 10 planned layouts for the Summer Layout Madness July 2014 at Pixel Scrapper. Again, I used the new Christmas Blessings Bundle by Sheila Reid for this layout of my nephews. They are blessings too. They make life so interesting. Each of their unique personalities makes life so much fun. You just never know what you will get with these three. I asked my niece, who is much older than these three, if she ever wished she had a sister and she said she wouldn't know what to do with a sister. I totally get that. I was the only girl growing up with a bunch of boys until my sister was born when I was 10. Makes life interesting.

I'm having so much fun using these kits. It is perfect when I don't have the time to scrap traditionally. Plus, if you don't like what you are doing, you can start over without wasting supplies. Plus, you never run out of paper or embellishments.

I hope you are enjoying my "playtime" as much as I am. Again, if you have any photos you would like me to scrap for you, leave a comment below. I also do traditional personalized scrapbook album as well if you would rather have that. I will post some examples of my mini albums. That will probably happen this weekend.

Until then, thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.
Dana

Christmas in July with Christmas Blessings Bundle

Sheila Reid with Pixel Scrapper released a new digi bundle today called Christmas Blessings. I chose to scrap a photo of the first Christmas without Kelsey at home. Having a bit of "empty nest" going on that year. But by the new year it all turned out fine. 

The is layout 3 of 10 for the July Madness 2014 layout challenge. 

Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to click over to Pixel Scrapper to see all the wonderful layouts being created. 

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana

Exciting News!!!

Are you ready for it? I have been selected for the Creative Team for pixelscrapper.com. My duties as a Creative Team member are to create a layouts for my assigned Designer, Sheila Reid, for every new kit or bundle she creates. I am also responsible for proofreading the kits and making sure files work the way Sheila intends.

• Perk #1 - I get the honor of creating for a wonderful site that is there for the creative crafter/artist. I love Pixel Scrapper's business model and philosophy.
• Perk #2 - I get to work with Sheila who is a very talented designer. I love all her work
• Perk #3 - I get to work with the kits before they are release.
• Perk #4 - Free subscription for my term.

Visit the site to see the rest of the Team. Also, look through the galleries, spreading the love through comments for all the beautiful designs you find. There are some absolutely wonderfully creative people on this site. Whether you are a digital scrapper or a traditional scrapper, there is plenty of inspiration for your next project.

So, you can expect to see lots more digital scrapbook pages. Also, if you have a batch of photos you would like me to scrap for you and you don't mind them being posted here on my blog, my Facebook page, and in my Pixel Scrapper gallery, send them to me and I will use them for my Creative Team design work.

If you have any question about digital scrapbooking or how Pixel Scrapper works, let me know in the comments below. I am more than happy to help.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana

A Boy's Best Friend

So, I forgot to mention yesterday that I'm participating in a digital scrapbook layout challenge called "Summer Madness July 2014" over at pixelscrapper.com. It's more of a self-imposed challenge, as you get to name how many layouts you will get done in the month of July. It isn't too late to join, head on over to the website and post your magic number.

I was a little conservative and chose 10. Yesterday's post was 1 of 10 and today I'm posting 2 of 10.

I used the Pond Life Bundle by Sheila Reid to create this layout of my son and his best friend. My husband decided it was time John-Kyler knew how to change oil. It didn't take long for Simon to decide Kyler needed help. These two are the best of friends. Simon is definitely one of the family.

Post comments and questions below. I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Dana

Pixel Scrapper Digi Design

Here's another Pixel Scrapper digital design. I'm loving this site so much. Papers for every style, many for free commercial use. However, I subscribed to the site because I love it all. I'm able to use all the images on the site without having to worry about copyright infringement. I do however, think it is appropriate to credit the site and its designers. Like Sheila Reid, who designed the Friends Forever Mini Kit that I used on this layout of my niece. Isn't she beautiful!

I highly encourage you to check out this site. Even if you aren't a digital scrapbooker, you can print the papers and embellishments and use them on traditional layouts and art projects.

If you visit the site, leave me a comment and let me know.

Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting,

Dana Desmond