Sunday, June 28, 2009

Since I took a break from scrapping, I now see there have been so many new creative ideas for layouts that I missed! Wowsers!!! In case you haven't yet, just take a peek at some of the forum's galleries. Absolutely STUNNING and breath-taking pages!! Gorgeous eye-candy, indeed. Needless to say, I thought how in the heck 'em I gonna play catch-up with all ya? Good grief! Then I visited those stores and seen brand new products that are truly inspirational and done by extremely gifted designers. Digi-Scrapbooking has come a long way, BABY! LOL!!

So, today I'd like to share some of those great finds if you haven't already heard. As usual, I'm always sending you off to Kim B Designs, but heck, she has and always will be my fav! Have you seen her kit Mezzaluna or any of the layouts from it at DSO or on her blog? This has to be one of the richest most gorgeous kits I've seen in a long time! Many many pages I've seen have all been outstanding. So if you haven't had a chance yet... do yourself a favor and have a look-see! I just had to play around with her freebies from this kit Mezzaluna Wordart (see layout below) and I have to say, I WUV 'EM! Of course, I just had to snatch another freebie from her called, Colour Me Happy, which I also used in my layout. So, take a look at Kim's store at DSO... You won't be sorry, unless, that is, you miss out!

Another awesome designer is closing out all of our beautiful and unique goodies. What I love about her designs is she has hand drawn or photographed the majority of her own work! How talented is that?! Also, many kits I've seen has some of her original work in them. Any who, I'm speaking about the one and only Bonnie van Esch. She has a 80% sale on all her PU and CU items in the Enchanted Studio Scraps store, until the end of this month, and then all her items are gone forever! What an awesome deal that you can't pass up!! Most of her kits are really geared towards family and children, which is the majority of what we scrap in the first place. While you're there at ESS, look around at all the other lovely items they have at great prices.

I'd also like to announce GS Creations. Just recently, I came across her blog and creative designs. All I can say is; WOW, WOW, WOW! It was too funny that I was thinking the other day how cool it'd be to see a Swan element and there it was. She already created a beautiful version of one and had it displayed on her blog for all to see. What I love about her talent is... she sells some of it as designer resources for those of us that need that little extra help, like me. Yippie! So hop on over to her blog and you'll see her latest creation, an adorable frog prince that is for sale in her store at DSO!!! It's perfect for all those romantic and fantasy-story-telling pages. I'd also like to add that I just had to try out her beautiful freebie, Spring Blossoms April's Blog Train, that I used in my layout below. It's absolutely GORGEOUS! I just love those glass elements and beautiful leaf frame. I know, I know... I'm really really behind using older freebies, but heck, they're NEW to me, they are always of use, and STILL lovely to look at! LOL!!

Well, on to the new, news. I was finally able to finish a layout. Wahoooooooo! Can you believe it? LOL! I can't remember when I did my last one, it's been that long. Any ways, I just received many darling photos of my super-drop-dead Gorgeous niece. She had a couple huge events in her life lately. Turning 18, graduating from high school, and now preparing for her college trip this coming fall. All I can say is, I'm so PROUD of you lady!!! So, without further ado, her she is.... Nicole. Love ya, sweetie!

For this layout, besides the items I already mentioned above, I also used Gunhild Storeide's freebie Little Clip Alpha. She has some awesome elements that she creates and shares with us that I use frequently. These alpha really came in handy and was already colored for me perfectly! Furthermore, I used my own paper from, Simplicity, that you can download from an earlier post. I really think this photo of my niece blended in just perfectly with the awesome colors that Kim B picked for the DSO color challenge this month! Because I could work with these colors so easily, I just had to make a layout, too! And you still have a couple days left in June to join us!!!

BTW, I forgot to mention that the Happy Anniversary papers I created was for the Digi Ridoo Scraps, June Design Me This Challenge, hosted by Bree. She gives an awesome tutorial and.... if you can believe this... terrific designer tools to do the challenge. Which I took total advantage of! This month is all about layers, erasing, and blending to make complex papers. How can you say NO to that?! So, you have a few more days to hop over and play with us! It's truly educational and oodles of fun!!!

WOW! I didn't realize I had so much to share. LOL! I better get another picture of coffee... hee, hee, hee. Those that know me, know this to be true. LOL! Okie-dokie then, you all have a wonderful upcoming week.

Hugs

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

Just wanted to wish all the dads out there a Happy Father's Day! I'm sitting here waiting for my hair to dry... so I can meet up with my Daddy-O for the day. I can't wait!!!

Also, you might want to stop by Digi Lover's Addiction. I know this might be old news to most of you, but I haven't had the chance to sit and freebie hunt for a looooonnngggg time! LOL!!! She has some adorable glitter (bling-bling) hearts still up on her blog since Feb. 2009, to download free! These embellies might work nicely with the Happy Anniversary papers I just created, if you'd like to pretty things up a bit. Besides, her designs are GORGEOUS! Make sure to drop her a thank you for her hard work and kindness if you download.

Digi Lover's heart freebies: Do You Like Surprises; A Little More Love; Still Spreading the Love

Now, go spread some love to those awesome Dad's out there! I know I will!!!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

A June Wedding

Once upon a time... a couple fell in love. Eventually, they decided to marry and have a beautiful outside June wedding. That couple was my parents. Today, I'd like to celebrate their marriage with you on their Anniversary. In doing so, I'm giving away this freebie gift to you. It contains 4 romantic-type papers perfect for such an occasion.

Download: Happy Anniversary papers

Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Simple Life

I've always enjoyed nature and so does my family. Heck! What's not to like about it?! There is so much to see and enjoy. It's peaceful, relaxing, educational, and just plain fun!!! Many artists have always appreciated God's creations to get their true inspiration. Especially, when it's up-close and personal. Any ways, lately I feel I'm drawn to nature even more. Taking in life as simple as possible. So, I thought I'd share some of that with you today.

A few of these photos I've already used in my most recent papers I created. I'm sure more of them will be used later when I'm up to it. I hope you can relax a little along with me today...

I was lucky enough to capture this male Red-Bellied Woodpecker in flight.

We really enjoy the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak when they come around.

This Whitecapped Sparrow was so generous to pose for me on this house.

Canadian Geese visit our nearby lakes and yards every year to have their young.

Many of the Mallard ducks also stop by regularly to feed on the bird seed.

Squirrels run around our neighborhood trying to enter homes for food.

As you can see... the squirrels are every where and not even afraid of our dogs!

This is one of our handsome males ~ Cash ~

These following photos are Weigla bushes that are planted in the gardens.









This is our Blue (False) Indigo from the pea and Weisteria family.


I was lucky to capture this fuzzy visitor, a Bumble Bee, enjoying the nectar.

Our Bleeding Hearts that have grown around the house in all the gardens.


That's all I have for now. We've had many visitors over the years, some new and others that return, enjoying them immensely. There's no way I could even begin to name them all. LOL! However, I'm thankful for each and every one. They add so much life and interest to our beautiful gardens and yard.
Thanks for letting me share!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Add-On Freebie

Just a quick pop-in to say hello! Thought I'd do an add-on freebie, since I made so many papers. Today has 20 and yesterday had 10, so you'll get 30 papers in all. Enjoy!

Download: Simplicity Add-On Papers