Crafter's Boutique

31 Day Challenge Wrap Up

2011-06-10T15:43:00.001-05:00

We have spent the last 31 days scrapping and journaling about ourselves and I have a few questions for you.

Would you be open to doing it again, but more in depth?

What did you like or dislike about the way the challenge was conducted?

What would you have done differently?

In case you missed a day, I will select one commenter with random.org to win the complete 31-day challenge. You will receive all of the prompts in .pdf format and all of the templates used to create our books. (*Only commenters who specifically answer one or all of the above questions will be eligible to win.)

As a participation prize, anyone who completed and submitted links for 10 of the 31 challenges will receive the entire "Book of You" Scrap Kit. (My family and I are on vacation in Walt Disney World this week, so I will contact eligible participants by Tuesday, June 14th).

Missed some days of quickpages? Want to purchase the ones you missed? Volume 1 of the Book of You Quickpages is available on our Products Page.

Blog Train Blog Collab

2011-05-31T22:31:00.042-05:00

Today we are offering a fun collaboration kits from The Blog Train Blog.

The Blog Train Blog Collab

You have arrived at stop #31 on the The Blog Train Blog Collab and should have arrived here from Jen C Designs.

This month's theme is "Monkeying Around" and was so much fun to create! My portion and those of the other designers will be available for download the entire month of June. Enjoy and share your pages with us!

Download Link Expired

* (Edited to add) To make it more convenient the download link is now a direct download from my site. Please leave love and comments for me here on the blog.

Your next stop is #32 on the train at Snips and Snails Design. If you happen to get lost on the train, check out the official list HERE.

Please bear in mind that the designers participating in this blog train live all over the world, so if someone hasn't posted yet--check back later.

Aspiring Digi-Scrap Designers

Normally I would be releasing a blog train from ADSDesigners. The collab has been postponed and will be available to download starting July 1st for the entire month. Be sure to come back July 15th for coordinating quickpages.

I will also be back in a few days to complete the last 5 pages of the 31-Day Challenge.

31 Day Challenge -- Day 26

2011-05-26T07:00:00.019-05:00

Today is Day 26 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: One Thing
If you were given the opportunity to go back in time, what one change would you make in your life? Are there things that you regret?

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE: A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

31 Day Challenge -- Day 25

2011-05-25T07:00:00.014-05:00

Today is Day 25 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Trading Places
If you had the opportunity for one day to trade places with someone else, who would it be and why?

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE: A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

31 Day Challenge -- Day 24

2011-05-24T07:00:00.015-05:00

Today is Day 24 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: My Passion in Life
We've talked about your Hobbies and things you like doing in your spare or borrowed time. But of those things which would you consider to be your passion? Or are there other causes, vocations, etc. that you would consider to be your passion?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

31 Day Challenge -- Day 23

2011-05-23T07:00:00.020-05:00

Today is Day 23 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: My Hobbies
Share the things that you enjoy doing in your spare or borrowed time.

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 22

2011-05-22T07:00:00.018-05:00

Today is Day 22 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: The Song in Your Head
Many times the a song can deeply affect our emotions. Journal about the lyrics from a song that resonates with you.

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 21

2011-05-21T07:00:00.017-05:00

Today is Day 21 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Quotables
What one quote has had an impact on you or changed the way you think? Why?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 20

2011-05-20T07:00:00.028-05:00

Today is Day 20 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: The Colors of the Rainbow
Is there one color of the rainbow that appeals to you more than others? How does that color appear in your life?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

Just 4 more days until the release of the Digi Blog Train June collaboration kit. With more than 90 well-respected designers contributing to the collab, trust me when I say this collab is awesome and you are going to want to come back!

Here's a sneak peek of my portion:

31 Day Challenge -- Day 19

2011-05-19T07:00:00.016-05:00

Today is Day 19 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Food and Special Dishes

What is your favorite dish or meal? Are their special dishes that you remember from your childhood? Have you ever learned to recreate those special dishes yourself?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 18

2011-05-18T07:00:00.026-05:00

Today is Day 18 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

Life on The Big Screen
Have you ever watched a movie and felt like it was the story of your life? How does your story compare or differ from the movie?

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE:

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

31 Day Challenge -- Day 17

2011-05-17T19:00:00.019-05:00

Today is day 17 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Sadness
Unfortunately, things aren't always "sunny" in life. Write about the things that make you sad.

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 16

2011-05-16T07:00:00.018-05:00

Today is Day 16 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Smiles

Share 5-10 things that make your heart sing or brings smiles to your face.

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE:

31 Day Challenge -- Day 15

2011-05-15T07:00:00.026-05:00

Today is Day 15 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

I apologize for the delay in posting this week. Without getting too personal, it has been a rough week with my pain management, but I hope to get all caught up this weekend.

PROMPT: The Seasons
What is your favorite season of the year? List the reasons that you love that specific season.

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 14

2011-05-14T07:00:00.016-05:00

Today is Day 14 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Your Working Life

Journal about your very first job, your favorite job, your least favorite job and/or your dream job.

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 13

2011-05-13T07:00:00.024-05:00

Today is Day 13 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: College Days
Share memories from your days at college. What was your major? Who were your friends and roommates? If you didn't attend college, what factors led you to that decision?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 12

2011-05-12T07:00:00.009-05:00

Sorry for the delay with posting this day's template. It was unavoidable with the recent Blogger issues.

Today is Day 12 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: School Days, Part II

Share your experiences, teachers, and memories from grade seven (7) through grade twelve (12). We will do college days tomorrow.

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 11

2011-05-11T19:00:00.004-05:00

*My apologies for the delay with posting due to blogger issues.

Today is Day 11 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: School Days, Part I

Share your experiences, teachers, and memories from kindergarten through sixth (6) grade. We will do the other grades tomorrow.

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 10

2011-05-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Today is Day 10 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of 'You".

PROMPT: Vacations
Did your family go on vacations when you were a child? What was your favorite/worse vacation? If you didn't go on vacations as a child, what would be your dream vacation now?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 9

2011-05-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

Today is Day 9 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Childhood Pets
Did you have a pet as a child? What was it and were you the only one responsible for its care? If you didn't have a pet, why not? What would you have wanted as a pet if you had been able to have one?

QUICKPAGE: A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 8

2011-05-08T07:00:00.009-05:00

Today is Day 8 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: Childhood Friendships
One of the things that I cherish is the long standing friendships that I have made throughout the years. Quite a few of my adult friends were also my childhood friends.

Do you have someone(s) in your life that has stood the test of time and the changes that naturally occur?

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE:

31 Day Challenge -- Day 7

2011-05-07T07:00:00.018-05:00

Happy iNSD!

Today is Day 7 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

PROMPT: My Childhood Neighborhood
What was the neighborhood you grew up in like? Who were your neighbors? Describe the house you lived in as a child. Was the house you grew up in a family home?

QUICKPAGE:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 6

2011-05-06T06:00:00.004-05:00

Today is Day 6 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

PROMPT: My Family
Tell us about your family -- spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, etc.

Download Link Expired

QUICKPAGE:

31 Day Challenge -- Day 5

2011-05-05T06:35:00.003-05:00

Today is Day 5 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

Today's page for the challenge requires you to do a bit of research. What were the major headlines the year you were born? What new inventions first appeared on the scene? Who were the hot actors, actresses, movies, television shows, books, and songs?

These were facts that I had no personal knowledge of -- just the things that I was told or read. So I used websites such as:

If you know of another website that I and readers could use, please leave a comment. I just feel like my layout is lacking some more information.

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

PROMPT: My Birth Year
What events (big or small) highlighted the year you were born?

TEMPLATE: Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 4

2011-05-04T06:35:00.002-05:00

Today is Day 4 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

PROMPT: My Birth Story
Describe what you were told about your birth. What funny, touching, or unusual things happened the day you were born?

Download Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 3

2011-05-03T07:00:00.025-05:00

Today is Day 3 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

Write 10 or more interesting, amusing, and/or surprising facts about you. Let's not state the usual facts (I am the mother of..., I am a wife, etc.). Change it up a bit and talk about YOU as a person.

I started writing and before I knew it I had 15 things. After the page was completely full, I thought of a few more things that I would have like to include. Oh well! I'll save those little nuggets for future pages.

A template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page.

When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

PROMPT: Introductions

TEMPLATE: Download Link has expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 2

2011-05-02T07:00:00.018-05:00

Today is Day 2 of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You".

A quickpage template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

Prompt: My Name Is
What name were you given at birth? What are your feelings about your given name? Do you know the origin and/or meaning of your name? At the end of your life, what would you like people to say, think, or feel when they say your name?

Quickpage:

Download Link Expired

31 Day Challenge -- Day 1 and Spring Fling Add-on

2011-04-30T22:00:00.062-05:00

Download Link

I have quite a few freebies for you today. The first freebie is an add-on to the April Spring Fling Kit.

Continue reading to find out how you can download other quickpages that coordinate with the Spring Fling Kit.

These quickpages will be available to download for free the entire month of May.

Also check out these coordinating quickpages from the other ladies at ADSDesigners.

Digi Cyber Scraps

Today is the start of the Crafter's Boutique 31-Day Challenge to create a Book of "You". This one isn't as involved as some days, but just as important. We are going to create the title page for your Book of "You".

Spend a bit deciding on the first impression you want to make when your family or children open your book. Use pictures on this page that start to give clues as to who you are as a woman, mother, sister, friend, aunt, etc.

A template has been provided for you to use, but there are no rules. If the template doesn't suit you, then create your own page. When you finish your page add the link to it on this post. Be sure to link to each day on the correct linky.

Prompt: Your Title Page

Quickpage: Download link has expired

Friday Freebies -- April 29th

2011-04-29T05:55:00.007-05:00

With the start of the 31-Day Challenge starting and the release of an add-on to April's Spring Fling kit on June 3rd, we are skipping Five Freebies Friday this week.

Five Freebies Friday will be back on May 6th.

Preparing for National Scrapbook Month

2011-04-28T07:00:00.008-05:00

Click image

It is almost time for National Scrapbook Month and Crafter's Boutique's 31-Day Challenge. Have you RSVP'd for the challenge? Just 2 more days--so get to it!

Five (5) Freebies Friday -- April 22nd

2011-04-22T05:54:00.031-05:00

Welcome to another Five (5) Freebies Friday! I have been having so much fun doing the Five (5) Freebie Fridays and I hope that you are too. All freebie links will expire before the start of the next Freebie Friday.

Freebie #1

Freebie #2

This first one is a sampler from my Chocolate Cherry Kit. This sampler includes 2-12x12 digital papers created at 300dpi and 4 digital elements.

As always the first freebie is a gimme, so you only have to click on the preview to download.

Today's second freebie is a set of quick pages from the same Chocolate Cherry Kit.

I decided not to make you work so hard this week on the freebies, so this one is another gimme. Again, just click on the preview to download.

I fell in love with the color palette and kit, so I created several other add-ons.

Keep reading to see how you can get the entire collection.

Freebie #3

Freebie #3 is a hybrid kit created from the same kit. The kit includes four cards (2 printed, 2 blank), a gift tag, and 2 baskets (1 small, 1 large).

This one will cost you a tweet. Click the button and once you post the tweet, you will be taken to the download link.

If you use this kit to create hybrid crafts, I would love to see your pretties!

As if that wasn't enough stuff created with the Chocolate Cherry Kit. For Freebie #4, I have an keyplate album. I think this would be adorable packaged in the basket from the hybrid kit and given as a gift.

Freebie #4

Freebie #5

Are you tired of this kit yet? I hope not because I haven't actually shown it to you yet. Here is the Chocolate Cherry Kit created as part of the February 2009 ASDSDesigners Collaboration.

This one will require you to work a little bit. Hopefully you will think the kit is worth the extra effort.

Do one of the following activities and post a comment letting me know (include a link). I will send you the zip file.

1. Tweet about Five Freebie Friday @crafterboutique.

2. Post a link to this post on Facebook, Ning, or any other social network.

3. Like us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Friend Connect.

Five (5) Freebies Friday -- April 15th

2011-04-15T05:53:00.039-05:00

Spring is in full bloom and there are so many expectant mommy's around me. This hybrid printable seemed like the perfect fit as the first freebie for Five (5) Freebies Friday.

FREEBIE #1

Before the expectant mother begins to open presents, have your guests write in things she might receive for baby as gifts. As Hostess you decide when and how many "BINGOS" to award. Whatever you decide -- have fun! (Download has expired).

FREEBIE #2

Freebie #3

Freebie #2 is a freebie that I offered in a prior Five Freebie Friday, but not everybody was able to Tweet and snag it. So here is your opportunity to get it today without having to tweet.

Two (2) bracket album quickpages called "Bubblegum Dream". These coordinate quite nicely with the baby shower bingo cards.

Download link expired on Thursday, April 21st.

Enjoy!

Freebies three and four are a re-release of an older monthly collaboration.

Freebie #4

The Sugar Shoppe Album is designed with the Cosmo Cricket Kate Album template. Simply open each file, add your picture (extra embellishments if you like), print, and adhere. This kit is designed to make a quick, inexpensive album in a flash.

The Sugar Shoppe Gable Box is a fun project to print and assemble. Print on heavy cardstock, use your favorite adhesive and create a cute gift box. Fill with sweet treats or other small items.

So how do you get your hands on these freebies? Leave me a comment on this post with ideas for kits you would like to see. I will randomly select two commenters to win both freebies.

I will announce the two winners on Monday, so check back to see if your comment was selected.

Freebie #5

If this post receives a total of 25 unique comments, I will re-release the "Sugar Shoppe" kit as a freebie #5 on Monday, April 18, 2011.

My Apologies

2011-04-09T06:49:00.001-05:00

I missed 5 Freebies Friday this week, but stay tuned for next Friday. I will return to doing the freebies.

Cathy (comment #6) please Contact Me with your information so I can send you the download link for Cherry Sorbet and Princess Sleepover.

Five (5) Freebies Friday -- April 1st

2011-03-31T22:43:00.173-05:00

Freebie #1 -- "Spring Fling" Kit

It's Friday and time for another addition of the Five Freebies (5) Friday. Once again I am offering up an opportunity for you to earn 5 freebies today.

So how can you get your hands on these new goodies? The first one is a gimme -- no strings attached.

Today is the release of the Aspiring Digi-Scrap Designers April Blog Train "Spring Fling". Every two months we pick a color scheme and theme, which is used to create a month long freebie on our blogs.

My contribution to this month's train is a digital kit that includes 9-12x12 papers and 19 elements created at 300 dpi. Click on the preview image to download the kit. Keep reading below to find out how to get coordinating freebies to my "Spring Fling" Kit.

Freebie #2 ~ For a limited-time download The Princess Sleepover Gallon Paint Can. It
is perfect to use for sleepover favors and goodies.

So here is your chance to download it again. Simply pay with a tweet about the freebies offered today.

For freebies #3 & #4 spend a few minutes on the blog going through old posts. Leave me a comment with the names of two(2) past freebies that you would love the opportunity to download again.

Freebie #5

Monday, April 4th I will use random.org to pick one commenter to win the two (2) freebies they selected.

As an added bonus, if this post receives a combination of at least 50 comments and/or tweets -- I will release the Princess Sleepover Party Kit on Tuesday, April 5th as a limited-time Freebie #5.

As if that weren't enough freebies, visit the other stops on the Aspiring Digi-Designers Blog Train to download "Spring Fling" coordinating freebies.

Five (5) Freebies Friday

2011-03-25T09:42:00.005-05:00

In anticipation of the release of my new kit for the ADSD April Blog train, I am offering up an opportunity to earn 5 freebies today.

Some of these have never been released before on Crafter's Boutique and I hope you enjoy them.

So how can you get your hands on these new goodies? The first one is a gimme -- no strings attached.

Freebie #1 ~ link expired

Freebie #5

For freebies #2 - #4; spend a few minutes on the blog going through old posts. Leave me a comment with the names of four(4) past freebies that you would love the opportunity to download again.

Monday, March 28th I will use random.org to pick one commenter to win the four (4) freebies they selected.

As an added bonus, if this post receives 100 unique comments--I will post "Gone Buggy" as freebie #5 on Tuesday, March 29th.

"Gone Buggy" was never released as a freebie on the blog and contains 9 - 12x12 digital papers and 14 fun elements. All created at 300 dpi to make your crafting and scrapbooking projects shine.

Giving away freebies is just too much fun, so for every 50 additional comments over 100 -- I will release another "Gone Buggy" freebie. Either the "Gone Buggy" Gallon Paint Can Kit and/or the "Gone Buggy" Party Kit.

I've Missed Scrapbooking

2011-02-23T10:25:00.002-06:00

I have so missed scrapbooking and designing digital scrapbooking stuff. More importantly, I have missed you guys and this blog.

When I stopped designing it was with the intent of just taking a little bit of time to gain some balance in my life. I didn't mean to fall off the face of the planet.

Plus, I was having some major issues with my computer. You can't work on ideas if your computer is possessed!

Over the weekend my children pulled out every scrapbook I have ever made and showed them to their grandmother. They spent the longest time reliving some of their fondest memories and adventures. And that's when I remembered why I started scrapbooking to begin with--so that they could have moments like those. Moments when the memories are so fresh you can taste and touch them. I want some more of that.

So here I am with a newly re-designed blog thanks to "A Blog to Brag About" and her awesome work. Let the party begin!

Doodly Party Games

2009-08-04T21:19:00.002-05:00

Rachness is hosting a month long party on her blog at Doodelle with some awesome goodies to give away.

Here are my answers for the first party game

"I can't sleep till my husband and I watch at least 3 episodes of "Lost". We didn't watch the show when it originally aired, but now we are addicted!"

"I can't live without my TIVO. Seriously how did we watch television before with all of the commercials?"

"I know that it's love because no one else makes me want to be a better person spiritually."

See you at the party!

New Releases & ADSDesigners June 09 Soft Denim Collaboration

2009-05-31T22:55:00.017-05:00

There are several new releases available today in the store that will work great for your summer photos and crafts.

"Gone Buggy" kits are sure to be a hit with the little guy or gal in your life.

The "Gone Buggy" paint can cover kit includes:

one front cover
one back cover
one lid cover

The "Gone Buggy" Hybrid Kit includes:

2 bag toppers
2 bookmarks
2 printable games
2 note cards
1 sucker cover &
2 tags

The "Gone Buggy" digital scrapbooking kit includes:
9-12x12 300 dpi digital papers
14 elements

Today is also the release of the June 09 Aspiring Digi-Scrap Designer's Collaboration themed "Soft Denim". Each designer created her interpretation of the color and theme. Here is my humble contribution.

The "Soft Denim" mini kit includes 6 12x12 papers and 10 elements created at 300 dpi.

{link expired}

ADSDesigners May 09 Summer Beach Collaboration

2009-05-01T06:00:00.005-05:00

This month's collaboration with Aspiring Digi-Scrap Designers was fun because of the awesome colors. I hope you enjoy my contribution as much as I enjoyed creating it. After last month's fiasco with my wordpress blog, I decided to play it safe and release the kit here.

{link expired}

Now it is time to present to you the other designers who participated in this collab. Please take a moment to thank them for their efforts. Your thanks will help to encourage them to continue to offer more freebies.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

Alternate winners for the Cherrios Giveaway

2009-04-06T18:40:00.001-05:00

Two of the original winners failed to contact me with their information, so alternate were chosen. Congrats to the new winners. Please contact me with your details so that Cheerios can mail out your prize.

The following two commenters were selected:

Judy Z said: "I have regular checkups with my doctors. I try to eat right, maintain a healthy weight and work out with my cousin 3 times a week. I try very hard to keep my stress level down."

Bree said: "One of the ways that I maintain a healthy heart is by joining a dancing class. The regular exercise keeps me fit and healthy."

Please continue to support Cheerios efforts in providing free cholesterol screening by inputting your codes from specially marked Cheerios cereal boxes. Each code entered is worth $1 in the fight for heart health. Click on the logo and you will be taken to the site for more information.

Wordpress Hack and this month's collaboration...

2009-04-03T10:56:00.017-05:00

I just recently added a wordpress blog to the Crafter's Boutique website. My reasoning was that it would be easier to have everything in one place. Well I am in wordpress h*&^ right now because the site went down overnight and it is going to take me a while to get things back up and running. I hate to switch everyone mid stream, but it is unavoidable. Sorry!

So here is my portion of the "Spring Things" collaboration for April. Please let me know if you have any problems downloading.

{link expired}

ADSDesigners April 09 Spring Things Collaboration

2009-03-31T23:56:00.002-05:00

ADSDesigner's Hurry up and Get Here Spring Collab

2009-03-01T00:01:00.008-06:00

It is once again time for the ADSDesigner's Monthly Collaboration. This month the theme was, "Hurry Up and Get Here Spring". I hope that you enjoy all of the designer's contributions and show that appreciation in your comments.

I have not experienced any problems with my 4-shared links, but I am including FileSavr links to be on the safe side.

{links expired}

ADSDesigners February Chocolate Cherry Add-on 2

2009-02-15T00:01:00.006-06:00

If you couldn't guess already, I loved this month's theme and color swatch. So I kind of went crazy creating freebies for my blog. Hopefully, you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed designing them.

This week's freebie is a keyplate album created with my Chocolate Cherry Kit.

{link expired}

ADSDesigners February Chocolate Cherry Add-on

2009-02-08T00:01:00.007-06:00

This week's add-on to the "Chocolate Cherry" kit is two quickpages. If you create quickpages with this kit, please leave me a comment so I can link to your pages.
Also, I am offering another great freebie album next week. Stay tuned!

{link expired}

Enjoy!

ADSDesigners February Chocolate Cherry Collab

2009-02-01T00:01:00.006-06:00

It is once again time to roll out the ADSDesigner's Monthly Collab. This month's theme is Chocolate Cherry and includes some fabulous kits by the designers.

Check back weekly to receive Chocolate Cherry Add-ons to my portion of the kit.
Also, Lynn at The Mathematician's Assistant created some really cute brag book pages that you can snag. Thanks Lynn for creating such wonderful pages!
*If you came her for the February ADSD Collab, don't forget to check out my entire blog for other freebies to match this kit!

{link expired}

Continue on the blog train by visiting the other designers and collecting their goodies. Please be sure to leave comments and thanks along the way.

Mags

Wendy & Sarah @ Kikkin' Kreations

Angie (Elemental Pixie)

Gina @ Moondance Creations

Judith

Becky

A Changed Heart Designs

Adele @ Blind Sight Designs

Bonnie @ The Maltese Scrapper

DesignsByAmilyn

Candie @ Candie's Creations

Cindi

Linda @ Linda's Dream Designs

Donna @ Tootlebugz

Gail's Space

Aubrey's Mom

Jessie @ Stormie Scraps

Vero @ The Scrapping Tree

Crystal @ Digital Scrap Fun

Diana @ Digital De-Zerts

Penny @ AllieKat Creations

Mary @ Barking Penguins Scrap

Anne

Arvita's

<--- desiab @ Crafter's Boutique ---> You are here

Manda

Wendi @ Willow Grace Designs

Buzybee (Penny Lewis)

Deanna at Flower Scraps

Debbie

Jenn Gigowski of BMC

WillowRaven at Purple Dragonfly Creations

Catmom

Bits N Bobs

Morgaine Creations©

CATT

Dawne of Desert Bloom Designs

EmCeeScraps

Vintage Paris Princess Designs

Erikia {aka PinkuPixie}

Creative Digital Scraps by Chiara

Joni at Bouquet of Pixels

Lynn at the Mathematician's Assistant

ADSDesigner's Frostee Blog Train Freebie

2008-12-31T21:59:00.004-06:00

I have really been missing being a part of the ADSDesigner's Monthly Blog Train, so I got busy making a few things for everyone this month. Later this month I will be releasing a hybrid kit using another designer's Frostee kit.

This is a digital quick album to fit the Cosmo Cricket Ethan Album using the Frostee kit by Vero @ The Scrapping Tree.

{Download Expired}

Continue along the train to see what the other 23 designers have for you. Enjoy!

Forgotten Sugar Shoppe Add-on

2008-12-23T06:24:00.002-06:00

Lately life has gotten in the way of me getting to sit at the computer and design scrapbook or hybrid kits. Some times though you just have to carve out the time to do the things that you love. So today I spent the whole day designing to my hearts content. Over the next few weeks I will be adding a few new things here on the blog and in the store. I hope that you will enjoy my efforts.

The funny thing was once I sat down at the computer and starting going through my external hard drive, I found some forgotten freebies and projects. I am posting one from the sugar shoppe collab a few months ago.

What can you look forward to in the next few weeks? Well I will be releasing several projects for the January collaboration with ADSD group. The wedding sets that I had hoped to have in the store by now are almost completed and they utilize some new templates. I am so excited about offering something different from my usual kits.

{link expired}

Happy Crafting!

Sugar Shoppe Add-On Freebie

2008-10-15T01:30:00.004-05:00

Here is the first of the Sugar Shoppe Add-ons I have for you. This is an album I created with the Cosmo Cricket Kate template using papers from Deb(Scrappin Cop)'s October Sugar Shoppe Kit, as well as parts of my own kit. Visit Deb's BLOG to get her complete set of papers and elements.

I don't know if I am coming or going lately. I created this post when I was working on the Sugar Shoppe Collab post and didn't link to the download. Sorry once again for messing up.

Enjoy!

{link expired}

ADSDesigner's Sugar Shoppe Collaboration Release

2008-10-01T06:30:00.010-05:00

ADSDesigner's October Collaboration is here. This is the preview of my kit available today. The next two weeks I will be releasing add-ons to the Sugar Shoppe Kit, so be sure to check back.

{link expired}

Follow along the train to pick up coordinating pieces of the Sugar Shoppe Kit.

Mardesia at Crafter's Boutique <---You are here!

My First Award

2008-09-30T15:52:00.001-05:00

I received my very first award for my blog from Dorothy at Dorothy's Creations!!! Thanks Dorothy--you made my day.

Here are the seven blogs that I would nominate:

Digi by God's Design because her faith is her life not just a part a few days a week.

Rachness at Dood-Elle for her generosity with her doodles and creations. I know she has been nominated before, but I love her blog and freebies!

Teri at Teri's Thing-O-My-Jigs. She is also a very generous designer who loves making the most beautiful quickpages ever!

Jady Day Studio. I love Yari's style and the kits and freebies she creates!

Di Hickman has some of the best card templates and hybrid crafts. That is what I aspire to be one day!

Britt at Britt-ish Designs. She has the most awesome Disney-ish kits ever on her blog!

Heather at HSDesigns. I absolutely love Heather's sense of humor and it comes across in her blog.

The winner can put the logo on her blog.
Link the person you received your award from.
Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
Put links of those blogs on yours.
Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated.
If the Blogger you nominate has already received this award they don’t need to pass it on.

ADSDesigner's Sugar Shoppe Collaboration

2008-09-30T11:32:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow is eagerly awaited release of the free ADSDesigner's Monthly Collaboration Kits. This month's theme was Sugar Shoppe and there was an awesome color palette to go along with it.

This month for my part of the collaboration I will be giving away a mini kit with an assortment of papers and elements. Also, you will have an opportunity to download a 9 page Cosmo Cricket Kate album and a decorated gable box. Stay tuned for all of the goodies.

If you haven't picked up September's collab, you should before it is removed from some of the blogs on the train.

See you tomorrow bright and early.

Princess Sleepover Freebie

2008-09-24T17:22:00.007-05:00

I am posting late today because I have been busy trying to finish up my part of the ADSDesigners October Collaboration due to be released on October 1. I'll try to do better tomorrow. Also, I have been working on some new wedding kits for the store that I think are going to be really nice. Can't wait for you to see them and let me know.

Here is a new scrapbook page that I worked on today for the Tuesday Template challenge at ScrapMatters. I normally don't use any actions on my photos, but my hubby has been showing me some of his projects and I got jealous. The action that I used on this picture made it look so nice!

Credits:

Template #14 by NCBdesigns for the Tuesday Template Challenge at ScrapMatters

And I didn't forget about the promised freebie for today from the Princess Sleepover Set. My schedule had to be adjusted a bit, but I still have something for you. This is a cover for a gallon paint can. Stay tuned this week because I will be giving away hybrid goodies to go into the can.

{link expired}

Happy Crafting,

Crafter's Boutique Grand Opening & Next Freebies

2008-09-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

I had so much fun with you guys the last few days of the official Grand Opening of the Crafter's Boutique Store. I hope you had as much fun and enjoyed your freebies.

Matter of fact I had so much fun that I decided to do another 7 days of freebies starting tomorrow. Here is a preview of the freebie kit I will be giving away.

That will take us right into the release of the ADSD October collaboration "Sugar Shoppe". Get your fingers and your hard drives ready!

Cherry Sorbet Freebie part 7

2008-09-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

I have an adorable blog background to match the Cherry Sorbet Kit for you. I found a tutorial on how to create them, so I decided to play. Let me know if you use it on your blog.

Cherry Sorbet Freebie Day 5 & 6 w/Apology

2008-09-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

I owe you a huge apology with the download for day 5. It was suppose to be a mint tin and I goofed with getting the album, blog post and download done before I had to leave. Plus, once I got home I was in serious pain from a RA flare up.

So to make it up to you--I have a key plate album and tomorrows quickpages that will be left up an extra day. There will not be a new blog post tomorrow, but when you come back on Monday I will have a blog background for you. Who knows I might throw in another freebie.

Stay tuned!

{link expired}

Cherry Sorbet Freebie part 4...

2008-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've got four (4) more 12x12 digital papers for you. The papers were saved at 300 dpi for high quality printing.

This download is for personal use only. Please read the terms of use in the download.

Cherry Sorbet Freebie part 3...

2008-09-18T06:24:00.006-05:00

Part 3 of the Cherry Sorbet Kit is ready to be downloaded. It contains 5 elements that coordinate with the rest of the kit.

Remember that the link will only be available for 2 days. Once its gone--its gone to the store!

{Link Expired}

Grand Opening Sale & Cherry Sorbet Freebie part 2...

2008-09-17T07:00:00.006-05:00

(click on banner to be taken to the Crafter's Boutique Store)

I hope that you are enjoying the downloads, because I am having too much fun giving a way these freebies. Are you ready for part 2 of the Cherry Sorbet Kit? This download is for two (2) of the four quickpages shown below that match the kit.

Remember that the link will only be available for 2 days. Once its gone--its gone!

Leave me some love and let me know what you think of the kit and the freebies.

(link expired)

Cherry Sorbet Freebie

2008-09-16T07:00:00.011-05:00

We are celebrating the grand opening of the Crafter's Boutique Store by having a week of sales and freebies.

As promised here is part one of the Cherry Sorbet Freebie which includes (4) four 12x12 300dpi papers. There seemed to be a problem with being able to get the download, so the password has been removed.

Remember that this link will only be up for two days! The good news is that in two days a new link will be added for another part of the kit.

Stick with me until the end of the reveal and there might be a nice surprise!

(download has expired)

Grand Opening...

2008-09-15T06:00:00.005-05:00

With all of the excitement of the release of the ADSDesigners September Collaboration--Cornucopia of Colors, I thought it would be the perfect time to have the official grand opening of the Crafter's Boutique Store.

Starting at 8:00a.m. tomorrow, we are offering seven days of freebies on the Crafter's Boutique blog. You will have the opportunity to download paper, elements, quickpages, and even some hybrid scrapbooking products from my new "Cherry Sorbet" kit. Links to each piece will only be active for two days, so you have to come back often!

Here is a sneak peek at the entire kit:

Happy Crafting!

Some more pages...

2008-09-12T13:17:00.006-05:00

I have really been feeling stuck when it comes to scrapbooking. When I would start to do pages I felt as if nothing was working together. The last two days I have done more pages than all of last month.

If I had to put a finger on what is different I think it would be acceptance. For so long I think that I have been trying to scrapbook like some of the other pages I see online. No more. I have just accepted the fact that my style is simple and minimalistic. Trying to do anything else is not going to work for me. So my layouts don't have 15 different elements! The ones that are there are alright with me.

With acceptance has come creativity. So here are a few more pages that I completed today. Each one I started with a template and re-worked to fit my vision for the picture and page.

Credits:
Ellie Lash Template Challenge 904
Papers and elements by JEdwards
Tag by Royann Fristschmann
Fonts used--Angelina and Tahoma

CREDITS:
Circle and Stars Template by Kristin Aagard of Plain Digital Wrapper
CU Overlays by Wilma's Creations
Paper Kit Festival by Shabby Princess
Fonts used were Angelina and Bernhard Modern Std

CREDITS:
Template #18 by No Reimer or Reason
Paper from "Bold and Beautiful" Kit by Melanie Violette
Swirl Ribbon by Seebee's Freebies
Fonts used were Angelina and Book Antiqua

Such is Life...

2008-09-11T09:17:00.009-05:00

Well Gustav came and went and we suffered no major damage. Our 2 acre yard had a ton of branches down, but no trees fell. For that we are grateful.

Unfortunately, the camper that we were in the process of selling got completely flooded. My in-laws have been using our older camper on their property while they were in the process of building a new house. Upon returning from Alabama the tub was full of water and you could see the water line along the bedroom wall.

My FIL went in and removed everything that he could and set up two industrial size fans to get rid of some moisture. I am not holding out much hope of mold not setting up inside.I doubt that anyone would willingly buy a flooded camper, so at this point we will probably be giving it away. A close friend of ours is looking for a project camper, so that is were it is destined to go next. We had hopes of selling it and using that money to pay on the new camper, but such is life. Realizing that things don't always go as planned we will be okay.

I have been working on some scrapbooking pages this week. The first page was done as part of a challenge on the DIS boards. Here is my contribution:

And this is a two page spread that I am working on for a WDW album.

Credits: Template #18 from No Reimer or Reason
Paper from "Bold and Beautiful" kit by Melany Viollete
Swirl Ribbon by Seebee's Freebies
Fonts used were Angelina and Book Antiqua

*Edited to add
I had just finished up and posted this installment when I got a message from my husband. Guess what flooded again!!!? Ike is causing the water levels to rise where my in-laws new house will be and the camper got flooded again. My in-laws got out and their home is fine, but the water is up to the stop signs. At this point I don't know if I could even give the camper away!

ADSDesigner's Cornucopia of Colors Blog Train Freebie

2008-09-01T06:00:00.009-05:00

I didn't get to do a countdown to the release of the ADSDesigners September Collaboration this month. Living along the Mississippi Gulf Coast my week has been consumed with watching Hurricane Gustav and making preparations for evacuation. Our plan is to go to Alabama with family and wait out the storm there. To anyone else effected by the storm--be smart and stay safe.
I have some other add-ons almost complete to go with this mini kit. As soon as things clear up here and I am able to give it my full attention, I will post some more goodies for you. In the event that it takes a while, I have created some auto-posts with other freebies.

Be sure to continue along on the blog train and download the other parts to this mega-collaboration. Please be mindful of the hard work and time that the designers put into creating this kit. Show them your appreciation by leaving comments.

My mini-kit includes 5 papers, 2 wordart, 1 embellishment, 1 journaling box, and 1 quickpage.

{link expired}

Continue on the Cornucopia of Colors Blog Train:

Andrea at Andrea's Blog

Angel at Angel Flying Solo

Ann at Meanderings and Crafts

Beckmoore at Beckmoore's Scrapalittle

Beth at Lighthouse Designs

Brooke & Joni at Ahhhscrap Blog

Carol R at Artsygranny's Digital Delights

cbruski at Digital Scrap Fun

Charlie at Charlie's Digiscraps

Chiara at Creative Digital Scraps

Crazy Diamond at Designs by Crazy Diamond

Deb at The Scrappin' Cop

Debbie at Digital Keepsakes

Jaydensmama at Jayden's Mama Designs

Jamie at Jamie's Creations & Scraps

Julia at Bluetoille Scraps

Kathy Goldstein at The Scrap Loft

Kimberly at City Scribe Scraps

Lei at Fairydust Princess Magicmaker

Lioness3 Legacies at Designs by Lioness3 Legacies

Lois at Scrappin With Ladye

Lori J at Scripty Scrap

Lyndie at Gone Scrappin' Designs

Lynn at Heavenly Crafts

MagsGraphics at Mag's Graphics

Mandy at Scraps With Spunkitude

Mardesia <-----You are here!

Marie at Emcee Scraps

Melonie at Designs by Mel

Merrilee at This 'n That & Scrapbook Chat

Michaele at Burkhart Scrapzone

Michelle Blagg at In a Sunshine State of Mind

Nadine at Scrappin' Mamma's Digitals

Nancy Schmidt at Nancy's Nook

Nora at NB Digiscrappin

Oase at Panda Bear Designs

Pam at Laugh & Scrap Out Loud

Buzybee at The Buzybee Hive

Penny at Allie Kat Creations

Rachel at Creations by Rachel

Shannon at Scrappy Shannon

Shel at Shel Belle Scraps

Sheryl at A Zone for Digiscraps

Stacy at Kalo Designs

Stephanie at Stephanie's Stuff

Terimayo at Teri's Thing-O-My-Jigs

Terresa at Terresa's Designs

Virginia Higgins at Lady V Dzine

Lori Imel at Living 4 Him 2

By God's Design at Digi by God's Design

Scrappy Cat at Scrappy Cats

Kelly at Late Night Scraps

Amber LaBau at Stolen Moments Design

Buying a Craft Table

2008-08-26T15:22:00.001-05:00

No matter whether you're looking for a craft table for your kids or one to display all your latest creations at the local Craft Fair, purchasing the right kind and size of table for your needs takes just a little forethought.

A craft table can be an invaluable tool for any home, whether children are going to create monsters out of clay on It or you need something to work on for your own craft designs and needs. Some people use these tables only occasionally, while others use them daily. The best kind table to get is something that can be easily stored when not in use.

A folding table is your best bet, no matter what you need it for, and many can find inexpensive varieties at local Wal-Mart or Target stores. Buying a table at a craft supply store is also an option, though you may end up spending more than you want to. However, tables offered by craft stores are often geared toward specific needs, so if you're particular, you may want to start looking at the craft store as opposed to the local retail stores.

While some may cringe at the original outlay of expense for a good, sturdy and practical craft table, the benefits of owning one will more than pay for its cost in ease of use, convenience and space. Easy storage offers an added bonus. Before you race out to purchase a crafting table however, know what you need it for before you start shopping.

Are you going to use the table only occasionally, and for non-crafty purposes? Do you need it for designing, sewing, artwork or drafting? Is your future craft table going to be used in the basement or the kitchen, or will it be stored in your car for craft fairs and swap meet needs?

A narrow table will benefit kitchens and smaller rooms, such as children 's bedrooms, but a wider, longer table will work well for craft fairs and basement areas. Determining where you can store the table when it 's not in use is another key factor in the decision to purchase a particular width or length of craft table. Will your table be stored in the car, a broom closet or leaned up against a wall? Think about that before you buy.

Sometimes, a table will include pouches or compartments to store items that range from pens and pencils to yarns, knitting needles and bolts of fabric. Those types of tables won't be able to fold and store as easily as a plain table, so take that into consideration when you're shopping.

A craft table can be used for other things besides creating crafts, such as puzzle fitting, card playing and gift-wrapping. They are usually available in square shapes or rectangles and can come in wide or narrow widths. They can be super sturdy or a little wobbly, but determining who will most likely be using it most, in addition to the purpose of the table in the first place, will help you make the right decision when it comes to purchasing that craft table that you just can't do without.

by Candice Sabrina

For more information on crafts, try visiting http://www.craftguidance.com - a website that specializes in providing craft related tips, advice and resources to include information on craft table.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

24 Creative Gift Wrap Ideas

2008-08-19T07:55:00.002-05:00

by momscape

The purpose of a present is to make the recipient feel treasured, and with a little special care in the gift wrap, you can do just that.

Here are 24 creative gift wrap ideas.

1. Wrap your gifts with another gift. For example, you might wrap a gift with a bright new silk scarf. Wrap a gift for a gourmet with a pretty printed kitchen towel. Wrap a gift for a child in a fun and colorful new T shirt, and a gift for a baby in a receiving blanket. Tie a gift for a man with a new necktie. Finish a gift for a woman with a new necklace.

2. Strive to use wrap that coordinates with the gift. For example, use fun scrapbooking paper for a crafter and copies of old maps for a traveler.

3. Print your favorite family photos of the year onto plain white paper and use for wrapping small treasures.

4. Use fabric scraps and ribbon. Each time you are in a discount store, stop by the fabric clearance section. You can often find elegant and unique supplies at a deep discount.

5. Cut shapes or monograms from cardstock or old holiday greeting cards and hang from ribbon, jute or yarn.

6. Make your own gift wrap with waxed paper and the embellishments of your choice. First, cover your ironing board with a cloth. Take a sheet of waxed paper and lay it flat on the cloth. Adorn the paper with flower petals, confetti, dried leaves, anything you like that is relatively flat. Now put another piece of waxed paper on top. Place another cloth on top of the waxed paper and run a hot iron over the top. The heat from your iron will seal the edges together.

7. Recycle gift wrap from previous years.

8. Sew simple fabric gift bags that can be reused year after year.

9. Adorn the gift with silk flowers or small charms. The scrapbooking industry has made available so many amazing little embellishments that are perfect for adorning gifts.

10. Use rubber stamps to stamp the name or monogram of the recipient (or a special holiday message).

11. Use a particular section of the newspaper as gift wrap. Whether it is the comics or the sports page, this is an easy, inexpensive way to add a personal touch, especially when combined with one of these other techniques.

12. Fold a gift box from holiday cards.

13. Wrap a gift in a drawing or painting that your children have made.

14. Use natural elements from your backyard to adorn gifts. Pine boughs or pine cones, dried grasses, and dried leaves are all charming choices.

15. Purchase plain paper and ask your children to decorate the wrapped item or gift bag with drawings and special messages.

16. Browse flea markets, garage sales, or dollar stores for inexpensive and unique boxes, bags, and bows. You can even decoupage an old cigar box with photos or memorabilia and create a gift box that is a gift in itself.

17. Use stamps, stencils and stickers to dress up plain white or brown paper.

18. If you have young children, ask them to make handprints on plain white or brown gift wrap before wrapping presents for their grandparents.

19. Create a scavenger hunt to lead them on a search for their gift. My kids love to find their presents through a series of clues, and it builds such lively anticipation for the present itself.

20. Find an inexpensive purse or handbag at a discount store and package a range of gifts inside. You might even include a new wallet with a gift card or two.

21. Purchase inexpensive balsa wood boxes at craft or hobby stores. Paint them and adorn with stickers, rhinestones, and beads. The gift box becomes a one of a kind treasure box. This is especially appreciated among young children, who love new keepsake boxes.

22. Tie an old fashioned rattle on a gift for a baby.

23. Use cloth diapers for a baby gift and attach with jumbo diaper pins.

24. Create a gift basket. Fill the basket with colorful crumpled paper, tinsel, raffia or straw. Assemble small gift items inside into an attractive display. Top it all of with colorful, decorative cellophane. The cellophane should be at least twice as wide as the diameter of the basket. Place the basket in the middle of the cellophane and gather the excess at the top, tying it with a shiny ribbon.

With a little extra time and attention, you can make a memorable gift even more so by choosing materials and gift wrap that suits the personality and style of the recipient.

About the Author

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she hand picks the best online coupons, including coupons for photo processing and photo gifts and coupons for gift wrap supplies.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Let's try that Freebie again.

2008-08-18T09:13:00.005-05:00

I think that it is going to be one of those Monday mornings where things just don't go quite like you planned.

It would appear that yesterday's download wasn't complete, so let's try that again.

I've uploaded the final day in the Zoo Spirit Add-On Freebie and checked this time to make sure that it was correct.

Thanks for the comments!

{link expired}

Final day of the Zoo Spirit Add-on Freebie

2008-08-17T06:39:00.007-05:00

We've reached the final day in the Zoo Spirit Add-On Freebie, but not the last day that we will be offering freebies on the blog. Check back periodically because as I put new kits in the store I will be offering some here as freebies first.

Thanks for the comments!

{link expired}

Day 3 of the Zoo Spirit Add-on Freebie

2008-08-16T06:31:00.006-05:00

I think that I am having too much fun giving away freebies. This could become addictive!

Today is the third day in the Zoo Spirit Add-on Freebies and I hope that you are enjoying your downloads as much as I am enjoying offering them to you. Another surprise waits for you when you download.

Have fun and don't forget to come back tomorrow for the final day of the Zoo Spirit Hybrid Add-ons.

{link expired}

Day 2 of the Zoo Spirit Add-on Freebie

2008-08-15T06:30:00.005-05:00

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's freebie. There is another piece of the kit available for download today. Again I am going to surprise you with what is included.

Enjoy and I will see you tomorrow for another freebie!

{link expired}

Zoo Spirit Add-on Freebie

2008-08-14T07:30:00.012-05:00

I know that you are enjoying the release of the August Collaboration from the ADSD yahoo group! The kit turned out awesome and there is so much to work with.

As an add-on to the Zoo Spirit kit I am offering a Personal Use hybrid gift set that you can download, print, and create. You will need some of your own supplies to finish the items, but you probably have most of them in your scrapbooking stash.

Check back over the next three days for a different piece of the hybrid kit. Make sure that you are here because links will expire when the next one goes up.

Can't wait each day? Then go over to the STORE and buy the entire kit now.

{Link Expired}

New pages.

2008-08-12T10:00:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy working on new kits and elements that I have neglected to do any scrapbooking. I decided to remedy this after my DH uploaded some pictures from this past weekend.

Let me know your thoughts on my new pages.

Credits:
Template by Marcie at www.DigiDollarama.com
Kit is "My Sunshine" by Melany Violette/Designer and owner of simplycleandigiscraps.com
Action is from Atomic Cupcake

Credits:
Template for PU by Sheryl Barcenas aka Shebadoo at A Zone for Digiscraps
Kit is "Cherry Sorbet" by me.
Actions from Atomic Cupcake.

Today is the Day for the Zoo Spirit Collaboration!

2008-08-01T08:04:00.005-05:00

Today is the day that you have been waiting all week for! That's right. It is the release party for the free mega-kit from the ADSDesigner's Group!

There are a lot of goodies to be had, so please pace yourself! Make sure that you have food and water near the computer--this could take a while.

Once you finish the downloads (sometime next week), come visit us on the forums to give the designers more love!

Have fun and please remember to leave some love for the designers. They have worked hard all month to make these gifts for you, so it is only fair that you take the time to show your appreciation. Also take into consideration that the ladies reside in different time zones, so be patient if a link is not up yet.

Check back periodically because I will have a few add-ons for the kit.

So without further ado....

Here is a Bracket Album I created as part of the Zoo Spirit Collaboration from the ADSDesigners Yahoo Group. The kit that I used is from Babette at LBCreations. The download will remain on my blog for the entire month of August.

Click on preview to download.

Follow the Zoo Spirit train to these other fabulous freebies!
* A new blog has been added to the bottom of the list!

Abyscraps

A Changed Heart (Amanda Truitt)

Angel Flying Solo

A Zone for Digiscraps

Ahhscraps (Brooke & Joni

Beckmoore's Scrapalittle

Burkhart Scrapzone (Michaele)

Buzybee Designs (Penny Lewis)

By God's Design

City Scribe Scraps

Crafter's Boutique <------ You are Here!

Creations by Rachael

Creative Digital Scraps by Chiara

Creative Dreams

Designs by Crazy Diamond

Designs by Lisa Minor

Fairydust Princess Magicmaker

Gone Scrappin' Designs

Heartprints Digital Designs

In a Sunshine State of Mind (Michelle Blagg)

Kalo Designs

Kelly's Sanity Saver

Kim's Scrappin'

Lady V dZine

LBCreations - Designs by Babette

Lighthouse Designs by Beth

Lighthouse Scrapping and Harbor Designs

Living 4 Him 2 (Lori Imel)

MagsGraphics

Munchkin Scraps by Jody

Nancy's Nook (Nancy Schmidt)

Nicoal Goes Digiscrapping (Stacey Crossley)

Panda Bear Designs

PinkuPixie's Bits n Pieces (Erika)

Random Inspirations (Monica)

The Scrap Loft - Kathy Goldstein Designs

The Scrappin Cop (Deb)

Scrappinmamma's Digitals (Nadine)

Scrappin with Doodle

Scrappin' with Jersey Girl

Scrappin' with Ladye

Scrappy Cats

ScrappyShannon

Scraps by Shilo

ScripityScrap Designs

Serina,s Designz

Share Joy

Stellarific Creations

Stephanie's Stuff

Utski Can Scrap

Sweet as Mel

Almost There!

2008-07-31T09:21:00.000-05:00

You are almost there. Tomorrow is the big day! Get your fingers stretched and clear out a lot of space on your hard drive. Tomorrow is the highly anticipated release of the ADSDesigner's August Collaboration Mega-Kit.

1 + 1 is 2...

2008-07-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

I am so proud of you for hanging in there with our countdown. You only have two more days to go and the torture will be over. You can do it because the pay off will be amazing!

Just 3 Days to Go!

2008-07-29T09:13:00.000-05:00

There are only three (3) days that stand between you and getting your hands on the mega-kit from the ADSDesigners group.

Can you take the pressure of waiting? YES you can. Because the kit is worth it!

What's 4 Days in the Grand Scheme of Things?

2008-07-28T09:03:00.000-05:00

I know that you have waited longer than four (4) days for other good things in your life. For instance, you had to wait over 9 months for the birth of your child(ren), some of us waited years to marry our life partners, or you struggled in school to get a degree to do your life's passion.

So in the grand scheme of things what's 4 days to wait for the August 1 release of the ADSDesigner's Collaboration?

Only 5 More Days to Wait

2008-07-27T09:02:00.000-05:00

You only have 5 more days to go!

Can You Wait 6 more days?

2008-07-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

Is the wait about to kill you to see the new collaboration from ADSDesigners? I've seen the previews and I have to say that you are going to love it.

Let the Countdown Begin...

2008-07-25T08:58:00.000-05:00

In exactly one week from today your hard drive will be humming because it is almost time for the release of the Aspiring Digital Scrapbook Designer's Collaboration kit.

In June 40+ designers got together and created a mega-kit centered on one theme and color scheme. The release and kit were a smashing success.

On August 1 you will get to see what these designers have to share with you. I've seen the previews and I can assure you that this is not something you want to miss!

Backyard Playground revisited & Countdown

2008-07-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

In June the ADS Design Yahoo Group created a colossal collaboration called Backyard Playground and offered it as a freebie on a Blog Train. With 40+ designers the kit was ginormous and diverse.

Lois from Scrappin with Ladye created 6 new quickpages from last month's kit and would like to share them with you. When you download this freebie please be sure to leave some love!

Stay tuned as we start counting down to the release of the August collaboration from the ADS Designers Yahoo group!

Digital Scrapbooking Templates

2008-07-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Free Digital Scrapbook Templates

by Anna Hart

Digital scrapbooking presents a unique way to capture special memories for posterity. Whether you are a computer veteran or a novice, you can create digital scrapbooks that go a step beyond conventional photo albums. You can add to the photos: small notes, embellishments, and stickers to tell the story more fully.

Free digital scrapbook templates can make the job easier for you. The scrapbooking paper, frames, titles - even embellishments or stickers are already placed for you. You don't need to find or prepare each element. Just slip your photographs into place, add a journaling note or caption, and you have finished pages. Free digital scrapbook templates are, in a sense, scrapbooking kits.

Free digital scrapbook templates are a great way to learn digital scrapbooking. They are also a great way to see, before you invest money, whether you enjoy digital scrapbooking. Templates show you what you can do, and take the work out of it.

These free digital scrapbook templates are often provided as samples, with themes that appeal to a large number of people. The hope is that you will enjoy your experience and return to the website to purchase more materials.

Understanding Free Digital Scrapbook Templates

Free digital scrapbook templates are nearly-finished scrapbook pages. Some call them pre-made pages, or pre-made layouts. To use free digital scrapbook templates, you follow a few easy steps.

1. Download your free digital scrapbook templates. They should be in "png" format. Many will be zipped to reduce size. Unzip your downloads, and place them in a computer folder.

2. Open the software program you will use with your free digital scrapbook templates. Many programs you may already have will work well. Microsoft Word, PhotoShop, and similar programs are good. You may have purchased digital scrapbooking software.

3. Scan photos for your digital scrapbook pages.

4. Open the free digital scrapbook template you want to use. Open photo files, and place your photos on the page. Crop photos, if necessary to fit the opening. Send them to the back layer, and slide them into place.

5. If the colors of the papers in your free digital scrapbook templates do not complement your photos, simply use your
paintbrush" tool to change the colors.

6. Add a small box on your page, and type in a note about memories that go with the photos. This "journaling" might be as short as a caption, or a paragraph that will help viewers understand the photos.

7. When you are satisfied with your page, flatten all layers, and save it as a new file.

8. Now you are ready to print. Use acid-free paper so your colors will remain bright and true for years. Print it as a page of a larger scrapbook. Or print your page as a scrapbook card.

9. Optionally, you may want to save your pages to a CD – or send a finished page to a friend or family member. You might even want to send your completed free digital scrapbook templates to a "print-on-demand" company to have them bound into a permanent book.

Free Digital Scrapbook Templates Changes

As mentioned above, you may want to make changes to your free digital scrapbook templates. At first, those changes may be as slight as changing the color of the scrapbooking paper. As you learn more about digital scrapbooking, the changes may take in other elements.

You may want to add digital charms to empty spots – or place charms across corners or edges of your photos. If you have a photo of a child receiving a skateboard for Christmas, you might want to place a couple of skateboarding embellishments on a page. These extras add a personal touch to the themes of free digital scrapbook pages.

Helpful tip: Even if you are a veteran scrapbooker, you will find free digital scrapbook templates a help in getting fresh ideas. Start with downloads of free digital scrapbook templates, and customize them to your creative satisfaction.

About the Author

© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about free digital scrapbook stuff at http://www.scrapbooking-for-fun.com. Anna is posting new articles regularly on that site. You won’t want to miss her recent articles on digital scrapbook free downloads.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Learning Adobe Photoshop

2008-07-22T18:30:00.000-05:00

Learning Adobe Photoshop Is Easy With Tutorials

by Mario Churchill

So you want to learn Adobe Photoshop. Whether you need it for business, pleasure or to make your photography hobby more tolerable, you'll find a lot of uses for Adobe Photoshop. It is still the premier graphics editing software and has made its mark in print, TV, the internet and even in films. There are plenty of resources you can use: books, magazines, CDs and even online tutorials. It 's up to you which one is the most convenient.

Using Adobe Photoshop tutorials

There are two ways you can use Adobe Photoshop tutorials: through step-by-step lessons or leap-frog, buffet style sessions. Which one you choose depends on your aptitude, patience and immediate needs. Say for example, you need to learn how to watermark within 24 hours, you cannot realistically go through the introduction and basics just so you could get to the appropriate lesson. There are Photoshop tutorials that can teach you exactly that, and only that.

However, if you have the time, choose the step-by-step process. It might take you some time to get to the more advanced part, but you'll thank yourself later for making the effort. If you're a little impatient and want to learn tricks right now, no one 's stopping you. Here 's how to get started:

Go to the main source.

Adobe.com has a page that 's dedicated to Photoshop tutorials. There are thousands of tutorials to choose from and for a beginner, it can get a little overwhelming so best head for the 'Basics' first. The site lets you learn what Photoshop can do, walks you through the terms and the menus and then shows you which tools are used for what purpose.

Other sites

CBTcafe has a textual tutorial on Photoshop that makes understanding the tools and their functions a lot easier. Check out that tutorial and learn how tools work exactly.

Another site is Eyes On Design. The homepage features a no-frills list of Photoshop tutorials with thumbnails of the results. Learn warping, color tricks, texture and background manipulation and a lot more. You'll love the fact that the site is arranged neatly and there are very few ads that clutter the corners. Makes it easier for you to concentrate on the tutorials and nowhere else.

Software Training Tutorials is a site you'd want to check out if you're looking for Adobe Photoshop lessons in DVDs and CDs. But there are plenty of free tutorials on this site, most of them on video. Get started with the free lessons on the basic functions and operation of Photoshop and advance on tools, selection, masks. Learn layers, vector tools and effects, all online. Tutorials are graduated and you'll learn in increments. If you absorb lessons fast, you should be able to use Adobe Photoshop with ease within one or two weeks' time.

Hidden features

With every Photoshop version released, expect to find more than what you get from the box. Software contains many tweaks and tricks that are usually not found in the most comprehensive instruction manuals. These hidden features can be subtle or plain obvious but you'll find them extremely helpful later when you're pressed for time or if there 's a particular editing job that stumps you.

A site that lets you in on the little secrets is http://CreativeMac.com. The hidden features on this site are for Photoshop 7.0 users but there are lots of tips you can use for higher versions. You'll find the article a good reference later.

About the Author

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For a free photo shop tutorial and or to purchase a video photo shop tutorial checkout his website.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

New to me sites.

2008-07-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

I have found some great new (hey they are new to me!) blogs and websites. Quite a number of them offer free digital goodies. Some of them are even free for commercial use, so these are great for designers to use and create.

Of the new to me sites, my favorite has to be: DigiFree. The site scours the net and brings you a nice list of freebies available each day. I recommend that you check the site daily because some of the links expire after 24 hours.

Running a close second is ADSDesigners. This site is actually a forum that was created because the yahoo group was so large and started generating so many emails. The ladies on the site are friendly, helpful, and talented. Want to design your own scrapbooking elements? Then this is the website for you.

Poor neglected blog...

2008-07-18T09:21:00.001-05:00

I've been having so much fun lately creating crafts that I have neglected my poor blog. I promise to update you on a more regular schedule.

Right now I am working on some digital scrapbooking freebies of my very own. Yeah!!! This is tougher than I thought, but it sure is fun. My DH may not agree when his dinner isn't cooked and his clothes are dirty, but he hasn't complained once.

So stay tuned for my freebies. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait.

Cricut and the new Design Studio Software

2007-12-22T17:49:00.000-06:00

I am having fun playing with the new Design Studio software with my Cricut from Provo Craft. I admit that I have been slightly intimidated by others creations so I have not been as forthcoming with my own. I decided that the software is new to all so a learning curve is to be expected.

I just wanted to take a minute and share some of my first attempts with the software.

This is a 2008 inspired by Carolina on the Cricut boards. I just added a hidden mickey so that I can use this in my upcoming scrapbook.

(click on picture for a larger view)
Cartridge used: George & Basic Shapes
Download at: 4Shared

The second one is a layout that I am working on for my youngest daughter. There are two pages in the file. The second page is an award that I plan to cut the ribbons off of to make a pie.

(click on picture for a larger view)
Cartridge used: Plantin Schoolbook

Download at: 4shared

Leave me a comment and let me know if you found these files useful. And if you use them in a layout direct us to where we can see it on the net. Thanks for looking!

Showcasing my pages...

2007-12-18T17:07:00.000-06:00

I added a photobucket slideshow to the top of the blog to showcase some of my layouts. Right now it is all digital pages, but I will soon be adding some pre-digital pages.

Digital Freebies...

2007-12-14T09:46:00.000-06:00

I love a scrapbooking bargain and the best bargain is free. I love scrapbooking freebies, but I will also look through the kits and items for sale and try to make a purchase. There are several websites that I frequent to download the goodies. Check them out and watch them quickly become your favorites.

The Shabby Princess designs at The Shabby Shoppe are easily one of the top websites for digital kits. By signing up for their newsletter you are informed when a new digital kit has been released. The site also has a page with most of the past freebies that you can still download. I will admit that the majority of my collection of digital files are from their team of designers and I have a hard time making myself use other kits. My blogwear was created by Shabby Princess and is named Modish Girl.

Another digital scrapbooking sites that I recently discovered is ScrapArtist and they have wonderful digital freebies. Check out their GALLERY of digital downloads. So far my favorite kit is the DIVA KIT.

I need to get scrapping with all of these wonderful goodies! But as I find new sites I will update you on them.

ProvoCraft is the Devil!

2007-12-13T18:00:00.002-06:00

Provocraft is really trying to entice me to spend my Walt Disney World money on new cartridges for my Cricut and Expression. They are running several promotions that are really tempting.

The first one is tied in with the release of the Design Studio software. It is called the Every Dang Cartridge in 2008 Giveaway and there will be 18 winners of all the cartridges that Provocraft releases in 2008. The catch is that you have to buy Design Studio from their website at the price of $89.95. That is not a bargain price on the program, but many are seeing it as worth the extra money to have the chance to win. I think that I will hold off on downloading the full version of the program because as of yet all the bugs have not been ironed out.

They are also running a second promotion to get a free cartridge HERE. Buy 2 cartridges from an authorized dealer between Dec. 5 and Dec. 31 and get a cart free! There is a mail-in form you have to download.

Get behind me Satan! I can't buy anymore carts or scrapbooking stuff this month.