Brought to you by the letter "Nn" for Jellyfishing...

Like yesterday's layout, this one was also created using the Shine digital bundle by Sheila Reid. This bundle can be found at Pixel Scrapper. Yesterday I used this bundle for a birthday layout, the soft colors and the beautiful images were perfect for a very feminine layout.

Today's layout is a bit more beachy. I wanted to capture this awesome moment between my daughter and her boyfriend's son. Jacob is new to us and the only child in our immediate family. So, that means everything he does is adorable. This little boy has filled my heart with love faster than I ever though possible.

Jacob crawls in bed with Kelli wanting to do his flash cards. He is going along, doing very well naming the pictures and Kelli is helping him with his letter sounds. They get to the letter N and Jacob proudly announces the picture is “Jellyfishing!” I’m guessing he has been watching a bit too much Spongebob. Oh, the glimpse of a child’s world.

As I mentioned yesterday, this kit is very versatile; that is what I like best about digital kits. You can make them work for so many different applications.I urge you to head over and check out this bundle and all the other digital goodness available at Pixel Scrapper.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,

 Dana Desmond

60th Birthday Surprise Party Digital Layout

My layout today was created using the Shine digital bundle by Sheila Reid. This bundle can be found at Pixel Scrapper. Even though I have used this bundle for a birthday layout, the soft colors and the beautiful images definitely have potential for all kinds of spring or baby layouts. The word art in the kit is absolutely inspiring.

Mom thought she was going to a 40th birthday party for my cousin Andy. When she got there, we told her the bakery had messed up the cake and that is was so bad she had to look at it. She got halfway across the room before she saw the “60” on the cake.

I urge you to head over and check out this bundle and all the other digital goodness available at Pixel Scrapper.

A College Graduate

After 8 years, I finally finished. 

This page was made using the Reflections Mini Kit by Sheila Reid. This kit can be found on Pixel Scrapper website. 

Thank you for stopping by. Happy Crafting.

Dana Desmond

Country Music Hall of Fame

On our way to Florida in 2011, John just had to make a detour through Nashville, TN. He had always wanted to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I think this was the only part of the trip he truly enjoyed...other than the rest of us leaving him alone in the hotel room with sole control of the remote. LOL

This layout was part of the "Roll the Dice" layout challenge. I used the Birthday Wishes kit by Sheila Reid . This kit can be found on pixelscrapper.com.

I used the layout template. I love starting with the templates and then allowing my creativity to go to town.

For this and other wonderful digital scrapbooking kits, Visit pixelscrapper.com.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

Dana Desmond

Birthday Wishes Digi Kit at Pixel Scrapper

Before I get into my layout share, I just want to apologize for being MIA. I have been sick for the last month and have not created anything at all (maybe that's why I was sick???).  This is the first week I have felt good since December 19th. I have a few mini albums I'm thinking about selling, so I want to video those over the next couple of weeks. We will see if that actually gets done.

So, my layout today uses the new Birthday Wishes digital kit by Sheila Reid at Pixel Scrapper. I very rarely use the kits as a themed kit and this time is no exception. I actually scrapped photos from our 2006 family vacation to Michigan. One of the highlights of the trip was getting to see the Mission Point Lighthouse and walk on the peninsula out into Lake Michigan. I walked as far as I could and never reached the end. When I got back, everyone was waiting for me at the car. Oops.

This layout took me about 20 minutes to make. If I had scrapped this traditionally, I'm not sure it would be done yet. I'm so afraid to cut into my papers and then regret it later, that I will ponder over my layout forever before making a commitment. Digi kits give me the freedom to just create.

I encourage you to head over to pixelscrapper.com and try one of the free kits.

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

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

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

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

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