Mother's Day Specials

I hope that this weekend finds you celebrating being a woman -- whether it's your mom, you, your daughter, or your grand children!

MyMemories is offering you a gift this weekend -- a coupon good for $5.00 off a $10.00 purchase!   The code is case-sensitive, can be used only once and expires May 20, 2012.  When you go to checkout, copy and paste this code into the box labeled "coupon/promo code" -- GiveMom5

Don't forget -- when you purchase a kit at MyMemories you have several options for downloads.  You can select the download that will go directly into the MyMemories software, or yu can choose a traditional download and use it in your own software program, like Photoshop Elements or Photoshop, and others that can accept jpg and png files.

If you haven't purchased MyMemories Suite v3  yet, don't forget to use this code --  STMMMS89528 -- to get $10.00 off the price!

And another Mother's Day Sale -- 

Digital Scrapbooking Studio is also having a big sale -- 40% through the end of tomorrow for Mother's Day.  That means that everything in my Studio Personal Use store  - AND -  my Studio Commercial Use store is waiting for you at 40% off.  But you'll have to hurry!

The Art of Wild Abandonment Blog Hop

I've been taking an online class with Junelle Jacobsen, (oh, I'm in love with her little lambs!), called The Art of Wild Abandonment, through Christy Tomlinson's shop Scarlet Lime  (very dangerous place this shop is).  There's a  Facebook group where we've been chatting and posting our projects, and we decided to try a blog hop to see everyone's messy goodness!   I've been working lots of hours lately so I haven't completed as many projects as I would have liked, but these are the latest ones.

Be sure to click the tab at the top labeled, Art and Journals, for all the images.

We've been trading goodies, stamps, and bits of punchinella for weeks.  Then a set of clear stamps and a collaged card arrived in my mailbox unexpectedly.  Jodiann had found something she knew I couldn't do without, and had made this gorgeous card for me!  I had saved some other bits and pieces from notes she had sent, and this card was the inspiration for the first two pages in my art journal made from my old statistics textbook (hated that college class!).   A two-pager!

and a detail of the flowers and card from the right hand page:

And a couple of SheArt girls in progress

 I used a scoring board to pleat the paper for her skirt and had to do a running stitch at the waist to hold it

These are just the latest -- go to Art and Journals tab for the rest of them.

So now you'll continue on this little blog hop!
You should have arrived here from -- Julia Monroe  -- she does such beautiful work!

And you've heard me talk about my sweet friend, Jodiann!    Now you get to meet her at her blog -- Jodiann Cates

If you get lost, here's the full list --  Claire Smillie

NSD Weekend Freebie

Don't forget all the sales going on in my stores -- up to 50% off!

Digidesignresort -- theStudio PU -- theStudio CU --  MyMemories
Hummies World (discount shows in shopping cart)

And a little freebie extra for this weekend -- a wonderful quickpage made by Barb, one of my fabulously talented Creative Ladies!  Thank you, Barb, this is delightful!

 This was made with the pieces from the May Use It All Mini challenge    in the Digidesignresort Challenges.

And I made this mini to match the NSD Goodie Bag that has just been released!  It's only free for the next few days, so hurry and pick it up!

Enjoy the festivities all weekend long!

Cinco de Scrapo with MyMemories

MyMemories is combining Cinco de Mayo with National Scrapbooking Day -- and just making a party of it!  There's a store-wide sale to start, and a blog train too!  Lots of fun and goodies along the way.

Don't forget, if you haven't purchased the MyMemories Suite ver. 3, the coupon code to the right will give you $10.00 off the price!

Make sure you are signed up for the MyMemories Newsletter!  There will be special promotional codes in them and on their blog.  You don't want to miss any of the fun.  They will be giving away prizes for each new 100 Facebook fans they get that weekend!

MyMemories blog  

MyMemories Facebook page  

The designers participating in the blog train will all have one item that is free for the weekend only, May 4-6.  So you'll have to be FAST to get it.  Here's what you'll find from me -- a set of gorgeous, pre-made clusters!  You can find these Clusters made with my kit, Possibilities, in my store.

Here's the image of the Possibilities kit and the matching set of Stacked Papers.

You should have come from -- Maurine Stettler --  Let Me Scrapbook 

 And now I'll send you on your way to -- Designs by Marie 

And finally if you get lost along the way, the full list is here on the MyMemories blog 

New Goodies, Sales and Blogtrains! Oh my!

Where to start?  I think I'll start with the newest goodies.

How about a set of Blendable Templates?  Each one has a large mask and clusters.  You can use the mask to blend a photo into your background paper, or blend several papers together by clipping one to the mask.  There are smaller squares in the clusters to use for additional photos.  They're available in all my stores:

Digidesignresort  --  the Studio  --  Hummie's World

And here's a little inspiration for you using these templates -- from Irma and Jodiann

The next new goodie is set 4 of my Page Mask Blenders.  These are seriously fun to use!  Full page sized masks perfect for paper blending, and blending your photos into backgrounds.  Available at all three stores

Digidesignresort  --  the Studio  --  Hummie's World

And now for the sales!  With National Scrapbooking Day on Saturday, we're getting a head start on our shopping lists!

Digidesignresort -- started today, no coupon codes needed, just fill up your cart!

 Hummie's World  --  runs May 4-6

 the Studio Sale is Saturday, May 5 --

Oh, did I forget Blogtrains??  Not really -- check back again!

New CU Textures

Remember I mentioned having taken a lot of photos on my trip to Arizona?  I have finally finished making a bunch of new textures from them -- four separate packs of textures!

I walked around all day taking photos -- not of the scenery -- but barns, old planks, crumbling painted walls, sidewalks, iron trims!  I was having a great time till I realized that people were watching me zooming in on walls and odd things. I decided it was time for lunch and disappeared into a little cafe, LOL!

They are available in both stores -- Digidesignresort  and at  theStudio

These are transparent overlays.

MyMemories Suite Software -- Featured on Lifetime

Starting today, you can see what MyMemories Suite v3 can can do to help you quickly create your pages and preserve your memories!

Tune in to The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television! (Check your local listings.)  Or you can watch it HERE   The link will update the minute the program airs.

I'm really delighted to tell you that I have joined their design team, and you can find a growing list of my products at MyMemories store.

You haven't seen the MyMemories Suite v3 software?

MyMemories v3 is a nice alternative to whatever you might be using now.  It's unique, quick, and gives you lots of options for customizing every scrapbook page you make.  And it's a perfect choice to get you started if you're looking at trying digital scrapbooking.

It comes with over 1500 papers and over 1000 elements, and over 30 templates -- you'll get started right away with whatever project you have in mind, from cards, to scrapbook pages, calendars, school projects -- whatever you can imagine doing.  You can even add video and music!  It's intuitive and easy to use, and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

The best part !   I'm  giving away a $10 off coupon code  to purchase MyMemories Suite v3 !  Look to the bar on the right side, you'll see the MyMemories blinkie, and the code is just above it.  The software is $39.97, but you can get  $10 off   by copying and pasting that coupon code into the box labeled "coupon/promo code" when you checkout.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch this 10 minute video -- it will give you a quick look at what it can do.  Here is a full  list of features.

Here's another great feature of MyMemories -- their Design Club.  This is how it works:

The club is a monthly subscription that is only $5.99 each month, and you can cancel at any time.
You get 5 exclusive new kits each month (these are not sold in the store)
An email alert is sent to you each month letting you know the kits are ready to download.
You go to your "My Account" section each month and download from there.
Once you finish your photobook or album, you can then print it through their printing partner

Be sure to tune into The Balancing Act on Lifetime TV to watch the segments about MyMemories software.  Or watch it here.

Studio Blog Hop to Celebrate an Anniversary

April marks Toiny's three-year anniversary as owner of theStudio.   We are excited to kick off year four with a big Celebration.  All April we are dedicating ourselves to bringing extra fun, extra excitement, extra challenges and extra sales.  For the first time, we will have 50% Off Sundays starting now.  We will continue to have Deal of the Day at 70% Off, and our site will be 33% Off, both my Personal Use shop and my Commercial Use shop, all of April.

Be sure to visit the 3-Year Anniversary Celebration forum for lots of fun, challenges and prizes, and please join us in another Scrap-A-Thon on Sunday, April 1 starting at 1:30 pm EST.  There will be new hosts each hour!

And great news!  theStudio is having our first ever Designer Call!  You can fill out our simple, online form HERE to be considered.

I have a kit I've just placed into the store for this occasion, called Fresh!  It's perfect for this early spring season and Easter time.

And finally, as a thank you to you, our customers, the Design Team has put together a fabulous Blog Hop filled with coordinating mini kits. You can start the Hop HERE, it opens officially on April 1, and work your way to collecting an awesome, free, mega kit by day's end.

Here's my little contribution!  I hope you enjoy using this freebie!

Here's the full list of stops -- have FUN !

Piggy Scraps - http://piggyscraps.blogspot.com/

Aimee Harrison - http://girlboheme.com/gbstudios/

Deli Scraps by Min - http://www.deliscraps.blogspot.de/

Scrapbrat Designs - http://scrapbrats.blogspot.com/

EqrAveziur - http://www.aveziur.com/

Nibbles Skribbles - http://www.nibblesskribbles.com/

Snickerdoodle Designs - http://SnickerdoodleDesignsByKaren.com

Shelly Marie Scraps - http://shellymariescraps.blogspot.com/

Scrappy Cocoa - http://scrappycocoa.blogspot.com/

Digilicious Designs - http://digilicious.typepad.com/digi_licious_designs/

Amber Shaw - http://designsbyambershaw.blogspot.com/

Let Me Scrapbook - http://letmescrapbook.blogspot.com/

Julie C Designs - http://www.scrappinhappens.blogspot.com.au/

Kimberkatt Scraps - http://kimberkattscraps.wordpress.com/

Jen C Designs - http://www.jen-c-designs.com/blog

Janet B Designs - http://janetb-designs.blogspot.com/      <------  You are Here

SKrapper Digitals- http://www.skrapperdigitals.blogspot.com/

The Studio Blog - http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/blog/

Getting Started

I have been intrigued with this messy art for a long time, but my perfectionist tendencies have stopped me.  Because, of course, it must be perfect -- never mind that I've never done it -- it just has to look like the work done by those who've done it a long time.  (I know, I know, completely irrational, but there you go.)

Did some googling, found some YouTube videos, and stumbled onto Donna Downey's and Christy Tomlinson's blogs and art journals.  And there I stopped, soaking in the colors and textures and ideas, and the desire to create with paint and pencils and paper.
And I found Christy's workshops, and signed up for two of them,  SheArt, and the Art of Wild Abandonment taught by Junelle Jacobson and Christy.  And got more excited at the prospect of learning this!

       
In chatting with my buddy, Jodiann, I sort of confessed to my fascination with this art, and sent her some links, and finally asked if she wanted to play too?  She did!  And signed up for the workshops.   We are honestly having so much fun!

So, I went through my art supplies and outside of having crayons and markers and construction paper for my grand daughters to play with, art supplies didn't exist.  So I had to go shopping for supplies -- I mean breathless-with-excitement shopping for supplies!

Sketchbooks, Mod Pauge, gesso, ink stamp, some scrapbooking paper (because I've never done paper scrapping), watercolor pencils (love), and have ordered some other items recommended in class materials.  But I needed an art journal book, so off I went to our used book store.

So I followed some instructions that said to count 3 pages, those will be glued together with Mod Pauge or similar medium, and then rip out the next 3 pages.  Repeat through the book.

So here's how it went:
Here are the "clumps" of pages stuck together and left to dry.  Second one shows the pages after being gessoed.

The third one, well, let's just say it's a good thing that we can cover up boo-boos with paper and paint, LOL!

Vacation Sale

Heading out for a few days of vacation, and I think that's a perfect time for a little sale!  Say, about 30% off, maybe?

Ok, the sale will run through March 18, at Digidesignresort and at theStudio.

I've placed my "go-to" drop shadow style set in both stores.  There are 11 styles in this set for use on everything from paper, to buttons, to curly ribbons.  There is also a psd file in the zip -- I call it a Style Stack.  You can use it instead of installing the styles in Photoshop Elements.  Each layer is labeled with the style used on it.  All you need to do is have your layout open, and this psd open.  Right click on the layer style (the layer is named) that you want to apply, select Copy Layer Style.  Then go to your layout, right click on the layer you want to apply that style to and select Paste Layer Style.  And there it is!  Remember that you can then go in and adjust the sliders to get exactly what you want.

And -- I've been fascinated with photographing textures lately.  I've taken a bunch of photos of walls, peeling paint, wood siding, planks, etc.  Want to take a guess at what new stuff might be coming?