NOTES FROM THE HOLLER

Rina Releases "Revelry" Today

2011-05-08T01:41:00.000-05:00

It has been a big weekend for us here in Kentucky what with the Derby today and Mothers Day tomorrow, and then we celebrated our Grandson's 7th Birthday today, along with a late anniversary celebration as Gary and I have been married for 12 years now. So much going on and then I have had computer issues as well so I am sorry I have not been posting like I should. Hubby is letting me use his computer so I am going to keep it short and sweet today but I had to let you know about Rina's new release!!!

New from Rina this week at Scrapbook-Elements is "Revelry".

The festive Revelry collection is a carnival of brilliant color fit for celebrations of any kind. You will love the iridescent jewel colors of turquoise, teal, sapphire, jade and viridian green that are paired with luminous gold and just a touch of violet and aquamarine blue. Perfect for commemorating moments of merriment, elegant events, fun parties or simply rejoicing in having a good time!

DON'T FORGET!

We're celebrating {inter}National Scrapbooking Day 2011 at SBE
Saturday, May 7th through Monday, May 9th

(40% OFF throughout the store)

"Revelry" Page Set:

And, as always, you can purchase these components individually.

Here are a few pages I have made with this pretty kit.

And of course, I made a little pressie for you as well!

DOWNLOAD @4Share HERE
OR
DOWNLOAD @MediaFire HERE

And don't forget to check out Rina's Blog for I am sure she has a wonderful gift for you there as well! Enjoy and I hope to be back soon on a more regular schedule!

HELLO

2011-03-22T14:24:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the same beautiful spring weather that we are currently experiencing here in the holler. It is a shame that I have not gotten up off my butt to go out and enjoy the sunshine but I have had my windows opened the past few days to let in that fresh air! I have been so busy trying to get the first two Ancestral Record photo books finished that i have literally been scrappin' day and night. I have the first book finished, and almost finished with book two. I hope you take the time to look at the previews as I post them!

I have a page created just for the An Ancestral Record Book One <-----Click this link.
As I find the time, I hope to create a similar stand alone page here on my blog just for the photo books I am offering for purchase to my family and friends.

In the meantime, I don't want you to think I have forgotten about you, so I changed one of my heritage pages into a quick page just for you guys! I combined two of Kimberly Stewart's fantastic kits from HER SBE STORE: When I Think of You and Little Sock Monkey

I hope you enjoy it, and I will visit with you again soon!
DOWNLOAD HERE

SBE-UBI-VINTAGE FLEA MARKET

2011-03-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Scrapbook-Elements presents The SBE U Build It! Vintage Flea Market Collection
All Vintage Flea Market UBI items are priced @ $1 or $2

It's time for another U Build It! Event at SBE.

The Vintage Flea Market collection features a timeless color palette perfect for those heritage layouts, feminine layouts or any layouts needing a touch of the past.

There are over 70 coordinated products from 15 designers.
You are sure to find a great selection of items to use for your scrapping pleasure.

The March 2011 UBI will be available beginning Friday, March 4th.
The prices will range from $1-$2 for a limited time only.

All items in the U Build It! Category are priced either $1 or $2.
Available at these prices for a limited time only

http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=274

As I am currently working almost non-stop on my heritage pages at this time, I am sure you will be seeing lots from me in the galleries using this fabulous collection. I made these two pages this morning. The journaling came from a blog I found from a "hometown boy" Andrew Clark Porter-his words convey just exactly what I have been trying to get down on paper for months about my home town as I have been working on my ancestry books. So I combined his words with mine to create a two page spread. To me, they paint a portrait of the many places and faces I have grown to love here at home.

While you are here, don't forget to check out the Ancestral Record page (link at top of page). Book One is finished and I can get you a copy of this photo book at a low price, for a limited time only! Hugz!

Genealogy Relationship Chart Freebie

2011-03-01T15:16:00.000-06:00

Last night I received a phone call to order the ancestral record photo book I have been working on...Yippee! While we were talking, I was asked about how to figure out the relationships, and what exactly does it mean to be the 8th cousin 3 times removed. I turned it over to my hubby to explain to her because I get confused explaining that one, lol!

Fortunately for me, my PAF software has a relationship calculator! Speaking of which, with your purchase of An Ancestral Record-Book One, I will include with your order, at no extra charge, a disc with a copy of my Personal Ancestral File. This is my personal genealogical data base which currently has information on over 95,000 individuals! Now some of these folks, to date, I have not actually been able to link directly, yet, but all are persons of interest who possibly are connected to me in some way and most of them actually are descendants of Kiper, Mudd, Stewart and Phelps families. Many have photos attached as well.
To use this database, you will have to download a copy of the Personal Ancestral File from the Church of the Latter Day Saints, but it is a free software. For more information on this family tree software, and to download your copy go here LDS Personal Ancestral File.

Now back to the question at hand, how to figure out the genealogical relationships...
Last night I made a couple of pages to include in the An Ancestral Record-Book One with the famous outlaw, Jesse James, using Kate McClellan's The Civil War Kit from Heritage Scraps, which by the way, you lovers of genealogy must add to your digi-scrapping stash! Yep, he is kinfolk! Jesse and Hurshel Phelps (my hubby's Grandfather) were 8th cousins. Now that relationship is pretty easy to understand but Jesse is also 8th cousin 3 times removed to both myself and to my ex-husband. Cousins, upteen times removed can be a little confusing so I have made a little freebie for you today that may help you figure that out:, a Genealogy Relationship Chart. Link to download the chart will be an end of post.

Now quite honestly, I could never figure all this out without the relationship calculator of my genealogy software but our (Jesse James and myself) common ancestor is Matthew Arundell Howard & Annie Hall, Jesse's 8th Great Grandfather. I am related to him through my Mother, the Stewart side of the family, which is also the way I am genealogically related to my husband, Gary Phelps, and to my ex-husband, Larry Mudd.
Yes sir-eee! Just one big happy family we are! lol

Anyhoooo....hope you can find the Genealogy Relationship Chart useful. To make it, I used the chart I found online and Kimberly Stewart's When I Think of You kit from Scrapbook-Elements. You can check out all of beautiful collection by Kimmi in the SBE Store Here, and while there browse through the rest of Kimmi's SBE store, you will love it! Enjoy and Happy Scrappin!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE
OR
DOWNLOAD @4Shared HERE

UPDATE - AN ANCESTRAL RECORD

2011-02-24T10:50:00.002-06:00

To find all information on the photo book(s) ,
click here--->AN ANCESTRAL RECORD<---
or, click the page tab on top

Gentle Comfort by Rina Kroes

2011-02-08T04:43:00.000-06:00

The snow continues to fall outside and that is fine by me. I don't have to get out in it; I just sit at home, safe and warm and enjoy its beauty from the livingroom window. Still busy scrapping up a storm and trying to get all the memories floating around in my mind down on paper. I would like to share this one with you. I made it this morning using the Gentle Comfort Collection by Rina Kroes. I just love the shades of coral, salmon and peach that Rina has used in this collection!

This photo of my Mother was made in 1966, and when I think of her, this is most often the image I have in my head. I was ten years old and I guess that is the first time in most young girls life when their Mother really truly is their very best friend.

The layout is entitiled "Rituals" and journaling reads:

"I often sat on the edge of her bed
and watched Mama get ready to
got to church. She would fuss with
her hair and claim it had a mind
of its own always in direct contrast
with her own. She would powder
her nose and paint her nails,
and as she dressed, I would
tease her about her skinny
little chicken legs, and all those
other body parts which seemed to
hang lower with each passing year.
She confidently assured me that
she had generously shared those
same genes with me...
You just wait, she exclaimed!
In the final step of her ritual,
she lifted the top of her pretty
pink box which had always sat
atop her dresser, and select some
little trinket... a treasure of her
heart that would adorn her neck
or add a touch of shimmer to her
ears and magically, to her eyes
for they also sparkled as she studied
her reflection in the mirror.
I said, You look pretty Mama.
She would smile."

Stay safe and warm!

CHERISHED by Rina Kroes

2011-02-06T01:36:00.002-06:00

"Whether you are celebrating Valentine's Day, an engagement, wedding or anniversary, Rina's beautiful "Cherished" collection will provide plenty of refreshing inspiration for treasuring those romantic moments. This very feminine and slightly shabby vintage set is based on a delightfully youthful color scheme of pink-and-green. Colors range from vibrant fuchsia and honeysuckle to deep cerise, accentuated with fresh spring green, and toned with a delicate shade of cream and a kiss of soft rose pink. Included in this download you will receive 12 beautifully blended and textured background papers (12x12 inches). Also included (not shown on preview) are 7 matching solid-color papers. All of the elements come in BOTH pre-shadowed and un-shadowed versions (where drop shadows are only used where needed for added realism) and include the following: decorative stone arbor with trailing foliage and flowers; branch with 3 bleeding hearts; bundle of blossoms tied with ribbon; foliage with assorted pink flowers; hanging sweet pea flowers; large pink rose; white rosebud; 5 rose petals in assorted colors; white-and-pink fabric flower; pale pink flower; ivy corner; leaves; small cerise flower; crochet flower with pearl insert; tiny crochet rose; heart-shape frame of roses; circle frame of rickrack and crochet flowers; pearlescent pink frame; ornate silver frame; deckle edge photo frame; wooden swan; crackled decoupage box with lid and hearts; green glass swirl; tapestry brooch with tiny pearl insets; hanging silver embossed heart on string; brad with pearl insert; heart gem; gem circle; transparent embossed glass tag; silver filigree butterfly ornament; note card with decorative corners; oval tag with flowers and hanging string; curled ribbon; green ribbon/bow; 12-inch lace and pearl trim."

Here are some of the pages I have created so far with this lovely collection and follow all the way to the end and you may find a Valentine just for you!!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

And don't forget to run over to Rina's blog, The Reluctant Recluse to pick up another beautiful CHERISHED gift!

ENJOY and HAPPY SCRAPPIN!

Hello

2011-01-25T08:15:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! I.m still alive and kicking, just been busy working on my latest photo book. Another wedding album but this one has 61 brand new pages in beautiful colors of pink and gray. I think it turned out wonderful and can't wait to see it in print! I hope the bride and groom will be really surprised with it! Just wanted to share it with you guys...take a look at it ( scroll down to the bottom of page) and let me know what you think of it. I hope to be back soon and in the mean time, stay warm!

Its Friday!

2011-01-14T11:57:00.000-06:00

Yep, its finally Friday! I don't know why that is such a big deal to me for since I do not work outside of the home any more, its not like that day is any different than any other day, lol. I do know it means that for my sons, they can usually spend the weekend at home enjoying their families so as ole Martha says, "Its a good thing!"

I have been scrapping up a storm as usual. I have the wedding album done for Andrea using the Whispers of Winter Collection by Rina Kroes. I think it turned out lovely but I have heard nothing back from her as of yet :(
I have 39 pages done for the wedding photo book I am making for my hubby's boss. I am really enjoying the process of creating it as I am looking through my stash and using kits from some of my favorite designers. Many, I had not even unzipped yet, can you believe it? I had completely forgotten I had purchased some of them! When I get it finished I will post a screen show down at the bottom of this page with my other photo books so you can see it. Speaking of photo books, I spent about three weeks getting many photo books put together, ready for my family to order and print out. Many more are in the works- family are you listening? lol

My son finally got my friend LaRanda her cd with the layouts I had made for her using Rina Kroes' Marshmallow Collection. I have not heard anything from her either...hmmm. It kind of hurts my little baby-feelings when I don't get any kind of response when I make something for someone. It doesn't matter though for I do so enjoy my digi-scrapping but if people would only stop and realize the hours involved when making a photo book, or any thing, for that matter. Years ago, I spent hours and hours doing counted cross-stitch (between the years spent doing that and the years I have now spent at the pc doing digi-scrapping, its no wonder why I am blind-lol). Anyway, people always wanted me to make them something but they never wanted to pay me for my services. I don't really get that....I mean the auto-mechanic does not fix my car for nothing. I am charged when I go to the doctor. If I was fortunate enough to have a maid, she would expect payment for her services. I am doing my best to create pretty works of art from photos, to create memories the family can treasure. I spend many many hours at the computer doing this. Granted I do not consider it to be manual labor for I love doing it but isn't my time just as valuable as the auto mechanic? Oh well, it would be nice to be able to make some kind of a living from doing the things I love but until then, just as with my counted cross-stitch, most of the scrapbook pages I do, I give to my family and friends - labors of love as Great Mamaw Ruby used to say. Speaking of which, I have a little gift for you today!

This is a quick page I found on my hard drive, and I do not believe I have shared it with you before. If I have, please forgive this ole Granny for being repetitive. I used the Classic Elegance kit by Kimmi Stewart.
"Classic Elegance is simply that; classic! This kit is packed so full of little baubles, beautiful ribbons and lace and wonderfully textured papers that Kimmi couldn’t possibly fit it all into the preview. With rich crimson, classic charcoal black, creamy beige, the grit of wrought iron and softness of antiqued gold, it is full of elegant details that are perfect for heritage, fall, masculine and feminine photos." Please visit Kimmi's SBE store to see this, and many other wonderful products, and enjoy the gift!

DOWNLOAD HERE

A Scrappin' Happy Time

2011-01-02T04:57:00.001-06:00

I have been very busy, as I'm sure most of you have, the past few weeks. We really enjoyed the holidays this year! Very little emphasis was put on the commercial aspects of gifts and decorations but rather just making time to spend a few hours with family and friends. It was quite nice, indeed! And, as usual, I spent many hours with my scrapbooks on the computer. I now have over thirty photo books completely finished and ready for printing! I am so proud of them and have much more I hope to get done this year. It may be foolish to some but I guess I view it all as my legacy... something to leave to my kids and grandchildren when I have left this earthly world... I don't want them to forget me, lol!

I have really been working hard on heritage pages but then a new kit will be released, and I drop everything to start a brand new project! That darn ole Rina gets me every time! Such is the case with her newest collection, WHISPERS OF WINTER Of course Rina has a page kit complete with beautiful papers and lots of elements but in her typical fashion, she has not stopped there. This week she has added to the SBE store: borders, accent clusters, frame clusters and stacked papers - just tons of gorgeous stuff! I really do not have very many snow pictures BUT my Grandson was in a wedding last year that had a winter theme complete with snowmen and snowflakes....there is another album in the making! Indulge me please, and I will show you what I have done so far...

You really must run over to the SBE store and check out all of the WHISPERS OF WINTER COLLECTION by RINA KROES to create pages for your own winter wonderland! Plus, its all on sale!
See you soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-01T13:21:00.000-06:00

I WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
IT IS MY PRAYER THE LORD CONTINUES TO BLESS EACH ONE OF US WITH LOVE, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS...AND THE GOOD SENSE TO RECOGNIZE WITH MUCH THANKSGIVING EACH BLESSING THROUGHOUT 2011.
PEACE!

Rina's Whispers of Winter

2010-12-26T02:12:00.000-06:00

"Rina's glistening "Whispers of Winter" collection is based on a soft wintry palette of several cool powder-blue shades mixed with silvery white, peaceful lavender/amethyst and just a sprinkle of shimmering indigo. You will be enchanted by the exquisite frosty elements, magical snowflakes and icicles, as well as iridescent pearl textures, flickering glitter highlights and sparkling gemstones that seem to twinkle and dance in the brilliant moonlight." I used this lovely page kit to create a few heritage pages for my Book About Me, and of course I have a little freebie as well. Check out all of the new releases at SBE HERE and enjoy the freebie!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

Kimmi's Snow Angels

2010-12-19T02:52:00.000-06:00

Kimmi has released more in her series of eight SNOW ANGELS MINI KITS, amusing snowmen with wings, in non-traditional 'snow' shades perfect for winter layouts and crafts! Each little kit has other unique elements with Kimmi's usual flair with several background pages per kit.just right for any style including feminine, masculine and children. Check out all the NEW RELEASES in the SBE store today RIGHT HERE

Here are a few of my pages I made this week using the SNOW ANGELS MINI KITS and you may even find a little freebie at the end! If I do not make it back any more this week, I wish you A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

GENTLE COMFORT FREEBIE

2010-12-13T10:06:00.000-06:00

All of the kids in the surrounding area are out of school today due to the snow we had yesterday, and I know in a few hours they will be driving their Mom's crazy tracking in and out as they play in the snow. Just a word to those Mom's, enjoy it while you can, for much too soon they will leave the nest and you will be as I am today...sitting alone, staring out the windows and wishing you were with them listening to their laughter as they throw snow balls at their Father as he comes in from work. Have fun and enjoy every little moment!!!

Don't forget that today is the last day to buy Rina's new page Set GENTLE COMFORT at the special introductory price! If you have not done so all ready, sign up for the NEWSLETTER HERE so you can get the quick page I made with this kit. I have a gift for you today! Muse Bon has made a lovely decorated frame that she has generously shared with us today (download link below) and don't forget to check RINA"S BLOG HERE for more GENTLE COMFORT inspiration and another lovely gift created by Muse Kabra!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

NEW RELEASE from RINA "GENTLE COMFORT"

2010-12-12T01:29:00.000-06:00

"Looking for some peace and tranquility during the business of the holiday season? There's a time for excited merriment and exuberant celebration, while at the same time a longing for some solitary moments of calm and reflective meditation. Rina's "Gentle Comfort" collection is based on a soothing palette of tender coral, salmon and peach hues with rosy brown, soft green khaki and gold. This collection is so beautiful and feminine it can be used throughout the year for a variety of different occasions, including weddings and heritage layouts (works great with sepia-tinted photos)."

I have had so much fun playing with Rina's Gentle Comfort Collection this week! I just love it and I know you will too! In fact, I am hoping to get an entire album done with this one collection! Let me show what I have done with it so far, and please, sign up for the Scrapbook-Elements Newsletter if you have not done so all ready for I created a beautiful quick-page (if I do say so myself) which will be available in Dec.

See You Soon!

Snow Angels Mini Kits from Kimmi

2010-12-05T07:26:00.000-06:00

Kimmi has released the first two kits of her new Snow Angels Mini Kit Series! I promise you will love them!

SNOW ANGELS MINI 1 and SNOW ANGELS MINI 2

For months now, we have been trying to talk Ava into giving all her pacifiers to the baby elves...This worked for her older brother but I don't know about Ava Rose. She still tells us she does not care about those ole baby elves; they can not have hers! Note in first layout, she has one pacifier in her mouth and three or four in her hand, lol! Big brother Isaac explained to Ava how he gave his pye-pyes to the baby elves and in return, Santa left him Cranky the Crane for his Thomas the Train but Ava still will have none of this talk. The day is drawing near and she still has not consented; NO!!! she says, the baby elves will not get her pye-pyes!

For the first of the above layouts, the page design was inspired by Muse Sandy's Christmas page which was featured in the December DST Insider-congrats Sandy! You can see her page HERE and be sure to leave her some love!

NEW BURNISHED ADD-ONS

2010-11-21T00:11:00.000-06:00

Rina has released some wonderful add-on sers for the Burnished Collection today at Scrapbook-Elements. You will adore the beautiful BURNISHED 12x12 Quick Pages and 4x6 Brag Book!! Plus she has created not one but two coordinating alphabets: BURNISHED ALPHA SET #1, BURNISHED ALPHA SET #2.

I used the Burnished 12x12 Quick Pages to create more beautiful pages with photos from Lyndzie Hack (our great niece) of her cousins, my Step-sons. Just beautiful they are!!!

And of course, I had to create something to go along with the gorgeous of Rina's BURNISHED Collection
to share with you guys, so how about the word art I created when making the above pages...I hope you enjoy it and have a lovely Thanksgiving Week here in the good ole USA! Love to you all!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

Forget Me Not

2010-11-18T22:41:00.000-06:00

Today I was feeling a little melancholy...it seems that feeling always creeps up on me this time of the year. November was always a special month for me with my birthday, my Mother's birthday, my Grandmother's birthday, and my parents wedding anniversary but they are all gone now, and I do miss them terribly. And then the holidays are coming. As I start making plans for our Thanksgiving, I look forward to the times I gather with my family but I still do miss the holidays at Mama's. My middle son, Nicholas has not spent a holiday with us since he joined the NAVY in 1999. I know he is happy and does his best to make the holidays special for his own family. Many miles physically separate us but his brothers and I feel he is with us in spirit.

Then comes Christmas...I do not even want to think of that....needless to say, I am not ready for it but like death and taxes, it will come. I am not going to stress about it this year though. We won't spend much money on presents this year; you can't spend what you don't have but that really is ok with me!! I am not going to stress the small things for we have so much more! I am just so grateful that the Lord has blessed my family so richly and even though we will not gather around a brightly decorated tree singing Christmas carols as they do in the movies I love to watch, my family and I will be safe and warm with full bellies as we unite in spirit, in joy and in love. My sons have grown into such fine young men in whom I am so proud of. Thank you, Jesus for your many blessings!

Today, I played with one of my new DSD purchases: FORGET ME NOT by Studio Rosey Posey.
"I love the combination of all the blues, turquoises and little flowers with the vintage feel of the papers."

For a full list of all the credits, see my DST GALLERY HERE
Check the Rosey Posey Studio at Scrapbookgraphics for many beautiful digital scrapbooking supplies
HUGZ to you all!

Food For Thought

2010-11-17T13:58:00.001-06:00

I received this in an email recently...
I don't really like to participate in blindly forwarding email to gunk up inboxes so I thought I would share it with you guys today...
just a little food for thought!

"I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE! "

RINA KROES' BURNISHED

2010-11-09T13:43:00.002-06:00

New at Scrapbook Elements is Rina's Burnished Page Set and Danglement!!!

Rina's lustrous Burnished collection is a spectacular riot of autumn colors based on a palette of delicious wine, plum and cranberry shades blending together with the orange richness of pumpkin spice and mustard. The burnished old gold and weathered verdigris rust form a stunning accent to the chartreuse and olive green of seasonal turning leaves.

As with all new products, this collection will be available at a special introductory price (25% off) through Monday, November 8th.

*** NOTE that ALL of these products featured today are Scrap4Others-Friendly!
For more information on Rina's "Angel Policy" Terms of Use,
feel free to read them HERE at Scrapbook-Elements ***
(Photos by Lyndzie Hack Photography)

VISIT RINA"S BLOG FOR THE QP BY KABRA

HALLOWEEN RIDDLES

2010-11-08T14:12:00.005-06:00

I hope all you digi-scrap addicts enjoyed a wonderful weekend! Although, I spent very little time online this weekend, I did thoroughly enjoy the DSD activities at SBE and found all 75 of the hidden quick pages in their scavenger hunt! I followed several blog trains and hops which accumulated several mega collabs, and then I was given 20 bucks for my birthday so I was able to purchase a few lovely things as well! I stayed up all night last night, unzipping and organizing all my new goodies and look forward to playing with them all!

The reason I was up all night was to allow my hubby to rest without my continuance tossing and turning as he had such a hard day. He has been suffering with a bad tooth ache for a couple of weeks now, and then he had, what we thought were gall bladder attacks, all week. Doctors have told him for years that he needs to have his gall bladder taken out and he refuses, as eventually, he feels better and goes for fairly long period of times without an attack. Yesterday, he did not think he could take the pain any longer and had me take him to the ER.
We sat there for over four hours and never saw a doctor but his pain finally subsided and the nurse told us that he thought it was pleurisy. So we took his advice and came home with a bottle of Motrin and saved ourselves five or six thousand dollars as we have no medical insurance. He rested well last night and does indeed feel better today, so hopefully he will feel all better soon!

I have so many different projects going on but I did get my Riddle Book for the kids finished this morning! I used HALLOWEEN KITS BY KIMBERLY STEWART @Scrapbook-Elements with the fun word art by fellow Muse Bon for all of these pages. Much of the riddle word art is still available on Kimmi's Blog.

Now to get this printed and the kids will love it!!!! Of course, full layout credits can be seen in my SBE gallery here

Here is another little freebie for you today as well using another kit by Kimberly Stewart. The freebie (and all other freebies on my blog here) will be available for only a limited time, so get them all now, and ENJOY! Check out KIMII'S STORE HERE. Her kits are so much fun and so easy to use!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE

Some PDF Image Extract 1.5

2010-11-03T03:23:00.000-05:00

From time to time, I come across some little software or program that I feel like I just could not live without. I just discovered one this morning that I would like to share with you...SOME PDF IMAGE EXTRACT 1.5 I have several PDF E-zines and periodicals and have always wished there was a really easy way to save images from the PDF file, and now I can easily do so!! It really is super easy! Just open up the PDF with the software and it converts the images super fast to JPG....LOVE IT!

Read the CNET editors review and download by clicking here-------->SOME PDF IMAGE EXTRACT 1.5 to convert those images now.

Country Halloween Wishes from Kimberly Stewart

2010-10-28T14:36:00.002-05:00

Kimmi has the perfect set for your Halloween and autumn-themed layouts, crafts and cards:
COUNTRY HALLOWEEN WISHES Kit by Kimberly Stewart

Included in this download you will receive the following items: 9 – 12x12 inch darling, digital background papers, 2 acorns, 1 cute witch bear, 1 book plate, 3 bows, 1 sitting doll, 3 fabric flowers, 1 fancy trim, 3 buttoned felt circles, 1 felt star, 2 flowers, 1 wooden frame, 1 rubber band frame wrap, 3 journal mats, 1 page wrap, 1 rusty paper clip, 1 pumpkin, 6 ribbons, 1 safety pin, 2 lengths of messy stitches, 3 round stones, 3 tags, 1 small teddy bear and 1 trick or treat sign. A special thank you to ScrappinDoodles.com and Cheryl Seslar Designs for the use of the fantastic graphics! All elements are created at 300 ppi for superior quality printing. Drop shadows are only included where needed for added realism. Sized 12x12 inches the papers can easily be resized or cropped to suit your needs.*This product is SCRAP4OTHERS friendly! *

It was the perfect kit for me to use with the beautiful photos our niece took here in the holler last weekend!

Of course, I had to share with you as well so here's a Quick Page for you to grab before you rush off to KIMBERLY'S STORE to check out all her great products! While you are here, maybe you should check out all my previous FREEBIES here on the blog, because come Sunday night I will be removing them and they will be gone forever! Enjoy your upcoming Halloween weekend and BE SAFE!

DOWNLOAD HERE

An October Wedding

2010-10-17T16:33:00.002-05:00

Made exclusively for SBE's October 2010 U Build It! Collection. Mix-and-match from several SBE designers to build your OWN kit: papers, elements, borders, tags, word art, frames, alphabets, templates, glitter styles and much more! Rina's "Naturally Male" Stacked Papers are already assembled for you - all you need to do is add your photos, embellishments and journaling (if used in conjunction with Rina's matching "Naturally Male" cluster frames you will be able to create exquisite pages in no time at all!).

This collection is very versatile, suitable for all types of great memory pages. I am using the Naturally Male Packs to create some really nice wedding pages from my cousins October wedding.

And here is the pressie I promised you! Enjoy!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE**

U Build It! Naturally Male Collection

2010-10-16T15:17:00.003-05:00

Scrapbook-Elements presents The SBE U Build It! Naturally Male Collection

All Naturally Male UBI items are priced @ $1 or $2

It's time for another U Build It! Event at SBE.

The Naturally Male collection features a rough and rugged palette sure to work with masculine layouts for all ages.
There are over 60 coordinated products from 14 designers.
You are sure to find a great selection of items to use for your scrapping pleasure.
The October UBI will be available beginning Friday, October 15th.
The prices will range from $1-$2 for a limited time only.

All items in the U Build It! Category are priced either $1 or $2.
Available at these prices for a limited time only

I used the Naturally Male Collection to create some special memory pages!

Don't forget to get the Naturally Male Quick Page on yesterday's post, and tomorrow I will show you another collection of Naturally Male layouts I am working on...might have a little pressie for you then as well!

Introducing October UBI-Naturally Male

2010-10-16T01:42:00.003-05:00

You’ll naturally fall in love with

UBI NATURALLY MALE!

Kimberly Stewart brings her magic

With deep intense colors

And Rina Kroes intricacy takes shape

Visit KIMBERLY STEWART’S UBI STORE HERE!

And see RINA KROE’S UBI STORE HERE!

See details & more of Rina’s Designs HERE

And visit Kimmi’s Blog for more Previews and FREEBIES

Exclusively At Scrapbook-Elements!

Got a little freebie for you too! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

DOWNLOAD HERE

MY Face Book

2010-10-08T03:00:00.001-05:00

It is so fun reconnecting with people I have not seen in many years through FB. Its funny how seeing one face can bring back so many memories...case in point, Judy. She was one of my closest friends throughout my school days, and I began every school day during high school with a morning walk with her. I decided that I would begin yet another project, MY FACE BOOK, bits and pieces of memories with faces of special people from my life.

Happy by Anita Designs
Paperpack Bloghop Freebie from designs by Anita
Word Art from the Oct Coffee Cup Challenge @DigitalScrapCafe
Template 3 from Joey Designs
Fonts: Noodlescript and SBC Courtney's Journal

Journaling reads:
Like many of us from the LHS Class of 74, Judy and I went through all 12 yrs of school together but she and I grew pretty close during high school.I lived in town and walked to school but I got there early so I could join Judy in our daily walk round and round the school every morning.
One of my favorite memories is the time she and I attended our first basketball tournament.
We were 12 or 13 yrs old & filled with pride in our school!
When we lost the game to our No.1 adversary, the Clarkson Red Hawks, and they threw popcorn
and toliet paper all over, she and I were mortified!
We did not know this hoopla was acceptal celebratory practice by the fans of a winning team.
Nor did we know about the traditional practice of players from the winning team cutting down the nets from the goals and as they did that, we cried like babies in utter shock!
We could not believe they hated us, the mighty Leitchfield Bulldogs, so much that they were trying
to destroy our beautiful gymn. I believe that night rather than wearing Bulldog Blue, she and I were wearing Freshmen Green!

Have fun scrapping your memories!

Halloween Riddles

2010-10-02T07:44:00.003-05:00

I went to the Caneyville Fair and Homecoming yesterday with the Grandchildren, and they had a great time at the parade. It was a really nice day, perfect weather for a parade and with it being election year, lots and lots of candy was being thrown to the children's delight! I saw lots of pretty fall decorations in yards on the way there. I use to go all out decorating but last year, I passed it all on to the DIL who lives in Cameyville. I felt it was kind of pointless to decorate down here in the holler for no one sees it, and it was becoming a chore rather than enjoyment for me. I fear I feel that same 'enthusiasm' coming on for Christmas decorating this year. I really must fight that for I take that as a sign of growing old, lol! Any hooo, I have started another little scrapping project...one of the Royal Muses, Miss Bon has created several Halloween word arts using some of the adorable Halloween kits by Kimberly Stewart. I really wanted to use the riddles word art but I have very few halloween-ish photos to scrap but I do have tons of photos DIL's sister has sent me so I am making a little Halloween Riddles Book for Isaac and Ava. I am going to try to make a page with all of their aunts & uncles, etc. Let me show what I have finished so far with some of Kimmi's newest releases in the SBE store

As always, for a full list of layouts credits, you can see descriptions in my galleries at SBE or DST
I hope you have the chance to get out and enjoy the cooler fall weather. I am still planning on visiting Jackson's Orchard soon, and this week with the kids having their fall break from school and my sons being away from home for work, I am hoping to have my DIL's to bring the kids down one day and while the kids play together, the girls can help me get some fall transplanting done in my flower beds! I have a little gift for you today as well, a Frank and Friends Quick Page...enjoy!

DOWNLOAD HERE

FREAKY FRIDAY

2010-10-01T03:18:00.003-05:00

Fridays are Freaky during the month of October at SBE!
Make plans to stop by every Friday to take advantage of the Freaky Friday 40% off one day sale!

The witching hour is midnight central each Friday night when the sale will cease to exist.Sale excludes UBI, DOTM, Close Outs, Designer Resources, CD Burns, Gift Certificates, and items regularly priced $2 or less.

http://store.scrapbook-elements.com

My Digi-Scrapping Birthplace-SBB

2010-09-29T17:24:00.001-05:00

I discovered digital scrapbooking almost immediately after receiving my first home computer way back in 2003. Since that time I have spent countless numbers of hours glued to my keyboard turning out thousands and thousands of scrapbook pages. I have downloaded who knows how many kits, products and freebies, and have been forced to delete many of those as the years go by because no matter how hard I try, there is just no possible way to manage and use everything! Many of the sites and designers I first began with have disappeared from the community but others have managed to chug right along. Case-in-point, Scrapbook-Bytes

My SBB profile says that I first became a member there in Aug 2005. In fact, that is where I first discovered my all-time favorite designer Rina Kroes! Through the years, I have bounced from site-to-site and occasionally visited Scrapbook-Bytes but I really had all-but-stopped visiting the forums there. I used to be stuck with terrible dial-up internet service and SBB was such a popular site, I could just not get in there. However, I recently popped into the forums once again, and I really like what I am seeing there. Now that I have good internet service, I plan to start participating more in the SBB forum rather than just popping into the gallery to post a layout.

I noticed that I have 85 pages with a current total of 1015 layouts posted in my Scrapbook-Bytes Gallery. I laugh when I took a look at some of my first pages! Now with years of digital scrapbooking experience under my belt, I still have a LONG LONG way to go before I can create the perfect scrapbook page but some of those pages, and some of the products I used....at least I can say, I have most definitely improved!!! I started hitting the delete button to remove some of those first pages from the gallery but some of them I really would like to keep. I don't want to become a hoarder who thinks they have to keep every single thing but no matter how bad they are, some of those pages are still quite cute to me, lol!

I have decided that I am going to make use of one of the SBB Gallery features to create "My Albums".
If you have not discovered this feature, you really should check it out! Not only can you create your own personal albums but there are lots of ways to edit your albums as well: create album cover, sort your pages, and choose whether you want your album public or private. I can see this feature being used as not only a great organizational tool for me but also by my family and friends who want to see the family pages, or my sons military albums, etc.

I have been working on My SBB Albums for several hours today, and I have discovered this is something which is going to take me a little while to do but my intentions are to whittle down that number of 1015 GrannynKy photos and create some beautiful albums from that mish-mash of layouts! I hope you stop by and leave me some lovin' in MY SBB GALLERY as I have hundreds of pages which have been forgotten there far too long, and because I am asking for some love, I plan on giving a little back as well. For every time I post or edit one of my pages in the gallery, I will leave a comment or two in return! That IS proper gallery etiquette (not sure of that spelling or word, lol) after all! It is about time that I get back to the basics as I become reacquainted with my digi-scrapping birthplace-SCRAPBOOK-BYTES!

Speaking of getting back-to-basics, here is another little pressie for you - with Kimberly Stewart's Whimsical Angels of Love ENJOY!

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Happy Birthday to my Brothers!

2010-09-24T14:41:00.002-05:00

I am posting this a day late...yesterday was just a bad day for me.

Sept 23rd is my twin brother's birthday. They are now the same age as me, at least until my birthday on Nov3, lol. As I think of their birthday, I think of the special birthday dinner Mama always fixed for them...smoked pork chops. That was Ronnie's favorite, and they were good...you can't buy them like that anymore. Birthdays, always meant Mama got out the special dishes, and her beautiful glasses, and she set the table perfectly. We miss her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON and RONNIE!
(I can't forget Jackie as well - I hope your birthdays were wonderful!)

I made this page with a poem I found on the internet using
The Marshmallow Collection by Rina Kroes

SBE Scripture Challenge

2010-09-21T16:18:00.003-05:00

I just finished my submission for this weeks Scripture Challenge at SBE
I hope you don't mind but it turned out so well, I had to share it with you!
I combined Rina's newest collection Marshmallow with her Joyful Awakening Elements

My baby brother and his wife went out west for a summer vacation this year in their RV.
I have not seen them since they got back from their trip but I have been able to snatch some photos from his facebook album! I thought you may like to see the two pages together so I am posting them as well.

For a full list of credits, click here MY SBE GALLERY.

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

2010-09-21T11:14:00.002-05:00

Sometimes we think little things like a card do not matter but seeing the pleasure on your face as you read your daughter's birthday card to you last year proves that notion wrong. I have not heard anything yet but you were due to come home from Afghanistan yesterday just in time to celebrate your birthday with your family today. What a joy this will be for you all...a birthday filled with memories to last a lifetime! I love you my son, Welcome Home and Happy Birthday!

Layout Credits:
Haunted By Memories Of You from Designs by Helly
available at: Gotta Pixel and Scrapbook-Bytes

Have A Great Week!

2010-09-20T12:46:00.002-05:00

Well its Monday...the day is finally here! Its the day before my DS #2's 31st birthday, and the day he is due to arrive back home from Afghanistan! I know it will be some time before he can reconnect with dear ole Mom, and that is perfectly ok! I am just happy he is home safe and sound once again, and I hope he is able to spend some time at home taking it easy and enjoying his family! I love you Nicholas!!!!

I surprised Isaac by picking him up at school at Friday, and he spent the entire weekned with Granny and Pap. We did absolutely nothing extra-special but we had a good time doing it! I got tickled at him...Saturday evening he was playing on the swing in the backyard, and was going to show off to me doing some kind of big spectacular trick when in midstream, he figured it was a bit more than he was willing to attempt. When he stopped, I started teasing him, and said. "That's ok! Granny loved her little weanie" He immediately responded,
"Granny, I am not your weanie! I am your Baby!" Gary's (Pap) brother was out there and he chuckled and told me that his little boy whom is just a few months older than Isaac does not like it when he is called a baby, and immediately corrects them lets them know he is a big boy. Of course, at times Isaac informs he is a big boy as well but I am so thankful he is still content, most of the time, being Granny's Baby. I am really dreading the time, and I know it is approaching much too fast, when he 'outgrows' his visits to Granny and Pap. The children of my oldest son find it incredibly boring here in the holler when they visit so they seldom come. Therefore, I cherish the time I spend with Isaac for I do realize the sweet moments we now share are numbered.

I wanted to show you just a few more layouts I have created using Rina's Marshmallow Collection...remember, today is the last day to get the Marshmallow Addons at their introductory price!

For a full list of credits, you can visit my SBE GALLERY
Have a great week!

Rina's Scripture Challenge

2010-09-15T12:48:00.004-05:00

I love to do forum challenges throughout the digi-scrapping community. They always provide me with inspiration, especially at times when I just can't find my mojo. I find so many I would love to do but there is only so much time in a day so I really have to commit myself to doing only a few, otherwise, I would feel overwhelmed and just give up. The one challenge that I really try to complete every week is the Scriptures Challenge with Rina Kroes. Rina has been hosting this challenge at Scrapbook-Elements since 2007, and her lovely word art serves as testimony to us all each week. For me personally, I have not attended a church regularly in many many years but thanks to Rina's Scripture Challenge, I do have my Sunday morning worship service most every week. Read more about Rina and her Scriptures Challenge at her blog posting A 5 Month Recap of Scripture Challenges. Browse through the forum threads at Scrapbook-Elements and the Scripture Challenge Gallery for some wonderful inspiration!

Each week Rina creates a piece of beautiful word art, and she shares it with us a free download in the SBE Forum. The free download is available for one week only BUT Rina also periodically packages them and sells her Scriptures Scraps in the SBE store. Right now she has 30 packages available for sell so if you have missed collecting any in the past, or have just discovered this beautiful word art...none of us have to feel sad to have missed it - it is all available to us!

I used the Word Art4 from Rina's Scripture Scraps #23 on a page I made for a friend of mine which uses Rina's newest release MARSHMALLOW along with a few sparkles from Rina's GLORIOUS. I also used Rina's Marshmallow AddOn which will be available as her gift to us in the September SBE Newsletter. You can sign up to receive the Newsletter HERE. Have A Great Day and hope to see ya in the forums!

CB-Land

2010-09-14T13:42:00.003-05:00

Its Tuesday and my hubby has been waiting for this day for some time now. He left out bright and early this morning to go pick up his friend so they could keep their appointment with the CB repair specialist in Louisville whom is going to solve all their CB ailments! My DH will be so happy to have his Bull Creek Sub-Station back running up to par. Here are a few photos of his antenna and tower here behind the house.
He is so proud of that big tower!

I can't help but laugh when I think of the hours and hours he spends sitting back in his throne, the big leather desk chair sitting at the end of the kitchen table. With his feet propped up AAAAUUDIO-ing to the world, he is the Master of the Universe...his universe any way, lol. I do get aggravated with his "little hobby" for sometimes for it can seem that his CB-Land is the only world he cares about but I know that is not the case. He likes to talk, plain and simple!! Via the CB-radio, he joined a social network which has allowed people from all-over the world to communicate with each other long before facebook came about, and it has become his primary form of entertainment. Just as millions of viewers turn on the television as a means of gathering news and information pertaining to their life or to "watch" their favorite stars and shows, it is the same principle in CB-Land. However, you become an active participant rather than simply watching for once you key-down that mike and speak, you become a part of the show.

One begins by wishing those listening a warm greeting. Conversations progress and develop, and before you know it, you consider people who go by names such as All-Mighty, Stormy, Rooster, Jungle Boy, Slim-Dog, Caveman, Monkey-Wrench, Bomber and Stranger as your friends. Through this form of regular contact, one listens to what ever it is another chooses to talk about. One can listen as another complains about the high price of medical care in America while another states their opinions as to the cause and others state how they believe the problem can be eradicated.. On the radio, you can participate in any conversation as much or as little as you choose but once you speak, like it or not, you become an individual in a more complex structure, and you better have thick-skin!

Members become more closely connected through the channels they participate on with more specific types of interdependency developing. Regions, friendship, kinship, common interest, dislike, prestige, beliefs, knowledge, abilities and dis-abilities create more complex sub-divisions within the group. Cliques develop with the role of outcasts being defined as anyone the "Queen Bee" dislikes. Clique members verbally victimize the outcast in order to continue their membership in the clique, and to receive praise from the queen bee or clique-leader. Power struggles, changing interests, increasing maturity of the clique members, or members getting fed up with the antics of their queen bee can result in more division within the group.

Oh yes! CB-Land can be very entertaining. There are roles available for all: Republicans, Democrats, teachers, preachers, sex-therapists, doctors, patients, lawyers, judges, clowns, fools, lovers, fighters, warriors and peace-makers. They are all there, each one is dependent upon the other and no topic of discussion is forbidden. It is a complex world which my husband loves. I love him so I venture into his world from time to time. I like the friendships I have found there but it can be dirty, disgusting and scary. It is sometimes hard for me when they play their warrior games. I do not like to hear one group speak of their hatred and contempt toward another group. I get hurt and I often feel betrayed. I get angry when they try to carry over their CB-role into the real world and mark any one as trash or as outcast. We have all proven that there is not one single person any better than the other. None are any more guilty nor any less innocent because all of us have been playing in the game.

Rina Releases Marshmallow Mini Kits

2010-09-12T22:09:00.001-05:00

Rina's "Marshmallow Mini's" are a collection of 3 smaller, simpler (and more affordable) coordinating page sets that can be used individually or mixed-and-matched together, whether you are creating a single page or a whole set of matching pages. Filled with deliciously sweet pastel colors of candy pink, bubblegum blue, and sunny yellow, these mini kits are perfect for precious pretty girls of all ages (even for small boys, babies or spring-time memories).

I used Rina's Marshmallow Kits to create some wonderful pages for friends of mine whom I had not seen in several years. I recently was reconnected to them through facebook and I just wanted to let them know I wish the very best for them and their families!

The above page is my submission for Rina's Scripture Challenge this week at SBE. Each week Rina creates beautiful scripture word art which she makes available for one week only so don't forget to go check it out after you visit the New Releases at the SBE store.
For a full list of layout credits check out my SBE GALLERY
Have a great week!

Facebook Tag

2010-09-08T17:00:00.002-05:00

I am so glad that I gave Facebook a try once again. I am not out to accumulate hundreds of Facebook friends or fans as some people are rather, I am finding it is an amazing tool to reconnect with my past. I am still leaning how to post messages,etc on Facebook but when I see the smiling faces of people I went to school with, or cousins I have not seen in thirty years or more - well it just makes my day!!!! And when they share their pics with me...that's just awesome! As most of you know, I have been addicted to digi-scrapping for several years now and I am always begging my kids and family for pictures to scrap...now I have boo-goos available to me!

I want to scrap them all for us so I came up with a great idea. I am going to start up my own little game of tag! Whenever I make a scrapbook page using your photo(s), I will "tag" your photo/album on Facebook, and post the link to let you, my Facebook Freinds, know where you can find the posting. I do have to shrink the pages for the web but if you would like a full-resolution copy of the page(s) so you can print it out, we can arrange that! Just shoot me an email and we will work it out! FYI, I do Scrap4Hire so if you are interested in having a unique one-of-a-kind album created for you, contact me!

As I said earlier, I have been making scrapbook pages for my family for several years, and when they send me pics, they know I will post most of them in a gallery within the digi-scrapping community somewhere. However, there are a few who have asked me not to post their pictures on the web, so if I "tag" you and you would rather that I not use your pictures when making my scrapbook pages just let me know. I will immediately remove it from the gallery! I am not doing this for any type of personal gain but because there is something, somewhere, at sometime that has linked you and I together. Perhaps I will make a heritage page for my family albums, or maybe I will recall a fun high-school memory that I want to share with my children and grandchildren...who knows what I will come up with but know that it will always come from my heart because for what ever reason, you are special to me! See ya at Facebook!

The Wee Faerie Ring

2010-09-07T12:03:00.002-05:00

As I reluctantly spent most of this past holiday weekend alone, I found myself reflecting about memories of yesterday. Delightful moments of pure magic often intermingled with flashes of despair, life can be most bittersweet but as I have often said, my digi-addiction is the best therapy I have known. Through it, I can often kick depression to the curb just as it dares to pop its ugly head into my world!

My Daddy used to tell me that I live in my own little world, and he did not mean that as a compliment, lol. He said that I looked at the world through rose-colored glasses, and what I saw was not reality. In his opinion, I created my own problems because Debbie's World was pure fantasy. My brothers have pretty much told me told me that same thing over the years, and most recently, my husband told me the same thing. Of course, they all use different words, but all of them believe Debbie's World exists only in Debbie's mind. Ridiculed, devalued and sometimes seen as selfish, I often stand in defense of Debbie's World. Now mind you, wars have started over less! However, the digi-scrapping community has helped enable me to build an arsenal that is much more beautiful and results in much less blood shed.

Within the digi-scrapping community, I often see proof that life is a fairy-tale! Daffodils and dragons, fireflies and fairies are as evident as the smile upon our faces as we pour through the galleries. Designers and layout-artists offer evidence that our lives are filled with magical moments. Yesterday, I discovered The Wee Faerie Ring.. Her talent to see the magic has led her to create kits such as Fairy Cakes, Land of Nod, Sugar Coated and Teddy Bear Picnic. Each kit is a free gift to us so that we can see "the magic and the dreams, its all right here with us." Many kits also have beautiful Quick pages created from Wee Faerie kits by Jetjez. I used both to create the following layouts...

When I was 12 years old I knocked Steve McKinney out of the tree we were sitting up in by his kitchen window when he ridiculed my belief in Santa Clause. I knew that Santa Clause existed because he left evidence of his existence under the tree at my house on Christmas morning every Dec 25. I will still defend my ability to see the magic and I pray that I am always able to believe in the happily, ever-after!

Big Labor Day Store-Wide Sale!

2010-09-05T10:54:00.003-05:00

Join SBE in celebrating Labor Day with a 40% off sale
Sunday, Sept. 5th through Tuesday, Sept. 7th

Sunday through Tuesday, September 5th- 7th (central time)
40% off* *excludes UBI, DOTM, Close Outs, Designer Resources, CD Burns, Gift Certificates, items regularly priced $2 or less

Run over to the SBE store and pick up those things you have had on your wish list!

Its times like this I wish I had a bottomless pit of moolah available to my payPal account, lol! I wanted SO MUCH but look at the goodies I was able to get this morning!

Of course, Rina and Kimmi have all of their kits on sale as well, so don't miss out on this big event! Here is a little pressie for you today as well using Rina's Bellisima Page Kit

Enjoy!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-04T15:40:00.003-05:00

I used to look forward to this weekend so much! The Grayson County Fair at Leitchfield (my home town) is always held on this weekend, and that was an event we always looked forward to! As a teen-ager, my Mother and I always went to the Miss Grayson County Beauty Contest which was held on the opening night of the Fair, and during a couple of years, I worked in the Young Republicans Booth selling hot dogs and cokes during the fair days with my brother Don. We thought we were so grown up doing that!

After I was married, I always took my crafts, my hobbies, my canned goods and baking to the Women's Building on the afternoon of the opening day. Back then, the Grayson County Homemakers, a group of which I belonged to, sponsored the Women's Bldng and encouraged all residents to bring their best wares to have them judged. I took quilts, dolls, cross-stitching, embroidery and counted cross-stitching; anything I (or my family) had made that I was especially proud of, and wanted to "show off". The display shelves would be overflowing with wonderful hand-made goodies from the talented county residents, and it was always fun to see what my neighbors had been up to during the year!

Each year, I always hoped that maybe this would be the year, I would accumulate enough points on my entries to win one of the coveted silver trays! I never did but I did usually always win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place ribbons on most everything I entered. I think the one thing, I was most proud of was the year my green beans won the coveted 1st place blue ribbon! I had always wondered how could they judge one winner out of 50 or 60 quart jars of green beans which basically looked identical. The year mine finally won, as I did one of my last cannings of green beans for the season, I took the best looking beans I had, selected the ones which were uniform in size, laid them out by a ruler on the counter, and sliced them up diagonally with a sharp knife. Each little segment in that jar was absolutely perfect...and believe it or not, that jar won First Place!!!! That jar of green beans with its blue ribbon sat proudly on display in my kitchen for many years!

The money I would win from my fair entries, though it wasn't much, always enabled me to give each of my sons a little extra money when we went to the Demolition Derby at the fair on Friday night. The weekend, always concluded with the big Labor Day Parade on Monday. My brothers and I with our families would always meet at Mama and Daddy's house, then we would walk down to the corner of the main street to watch the parade of marching bands, floats, tractors, cars and horses.
Those really were the days, and I really do miss them!

A couple of years ago, after Gary and I were married, we started a new fair tradition. As my oldest son's birthday is August 31st, we would take my son's and their families (minus Nicholas who has never been home on Labor Day since he joined the Navy) to the fair. We would meet at Mr Gatti's to fill up on pizza before we went to the Demolition Derby on Friday night. But alas, it seems this tradition was short-lived for this year with our finances being limited since DH has been laid off for most of the year, we were not able to do this. I guess, it really wasn't that a big deal to my kids for none of them have even called about it this week but I have been a little sad about that most all week. Anyway, after all of this ramblin, the point is that I am sitting here alone, pounding on the keyboard and reminiscing about precious memories of my heart when it is an absolutely beautiful day outside! I need to get up off this fat butt of mine and go out to make some new memories!

Before I do that, let me wish you a wonderful Labor Day weekend filled with lots of memory-making moments! And I would like to share a little freebie with you as well. This is a QP I think I may have posted in the past but I cleaned it up a bit...I think it looks much better so replace that old one, if you have it! I used

the Whimsical Angel of Love Mini Kits by Kimberly Stewart
In Kimmi's Whimsical Angels of Love there is a series of four mini kits which add a wonderfully sweet addition to your digital scrapbooking stash because they are perfect for all of those special photos of your loved ones just waiting to be scrapped. The precious, quirky angels are perfect to use to create those unique cards, sweet crafts and or layouts of the ones that you cherish.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Its Monday!

2010-08-30T19:07:00.004-05:00

Its Monday! The last few days of August has brought to us some cooler temperatures here in the holler, and we have much appreciated the break as the unrelenting sizzling heat has broke many records here this year. Now if we could get just get some much needed rain! Humans are funny people-we seem to never be satisfied with what we have!

Today has been a lazy day for me and I really have accomplished nothing but I have been daydreaming about how I wish Gary would someday agree that we need to build onto our house. I was cleaning out my email folders and came across this photo of a darling little house...I wish my house looked like this! He could build onto the front of the house and make my little house look like this doll house! I love all that pretty gingerbread!

See what I mean about "never being satisfied". My house is perfectly fine and I barely can keep it clean now but still I want more! After I cleaned the bedrooms last week (walls, ceiling, linens, curtains, knick-knacks...everything) I spent the next couple of days just taking it easy as the scrubbing caused an old shoulder injury to flare up again. I did manage to clean up my pc and have most everything moved to my external hard-drive now. 700 GBs and I have it nearly full now! I have tons of digital products, and many I have never used, but yet I continue to buy and download more! No wonder my husband can not understand when he sees all the PayPal transactions. "But just look at the memories I am preserving for my family" is my argument to him, lol! This is what I have made so far with that adorable GONE FISHING BUNDLE by Fly Pixel Studios I showed you last week!

And here are some of the goodies I have made with this month's SBE-U Build It!-Simply Feminine Collection with my adorable Granddaughter and her Mother!

Kiimi's new SIMPLE BEAD ALPHAs-WHITE and BLACK and BEADED WORD SETS for BOYS and GIRLS are so easy to use and add extra special touches to layouts!
(You can visit MY DST GALLERY for a full list of credits forall of these layouts.)

Each month SBE features a different Scrapbook-Elements designer in association with the monthly newsletter which is sent out mid-month to our newsletter subscribers. The Designer of the Month will have some special items for you that will be available at 30% off during her month. Only items in the Designer of the Month category apply. Each designer's month will run mid-month to mid-month. Kimberly Stewart is the Designer of the Month for August 2010.

I found another gift for you while I was working on my pc!
Rina's "Bellisima" is an exquisite collection of antique metals, veined Italian marble and trailing vine leaves. Colors blend together beautifully from slate blue, olive green and creamy marble to warm brick red, which all together bring you a classic romantic collection to exquisitely enhance your treasured photos.
Enjoy the freebie, and see ya soon!

DOWNLOAD @BOX HERE
OR
DOWNLOAD @4SHARED HERE

Gone Fishing!

2010-08-25T10:00:00.004-05:00

My DH will absolutely kill me!! I have been on a real spending spree lately what with Wallie World and digital scrapbook supplies, and I promised him last week that I would put a cease to it but I could not help myself! What is it that has caused me to risk life and limb you ask....

GONE FISHING from Fly Pixel Studio at Ninth and Bloom

When I saw the preview with the cat holding a fishing pole, well I HAD to have this kit! My boys all love to fish, and DH always questions what kind of pole a cat uses when they go catfishing, so I know I will make good use of this kit! I got the GONE FISHING BUNDLE on sale at 50% off so hopefully, he will not to much damage to my head! Click on the above links to check evrything out more closely and
Happy Scrappin!

KIMBERLY STEWAR STARS AT SBE!

2010-08-23T12:40:00.001-05:00

Indescribably delicate! Perfect accents!

BEADED WORDS BOYISH SET

BEADED WORDS GIRLY SET

Also, the 5x7 CALENDARS are ready!

AND…Don’t Forget!

Kimberly is Designer of the Month at SBE!

Here’s your chance to snag some Fabulous Kits!

Click HERE to be taken to the Sale part of the store!

Visit Kimmi’s Blog for All Previews and FREEBIES

**Exclusively at Scrapbook-Elements**

HappyScrappin!

August UBI at SBE

2010-08-20T16:41:00.001-05:00

It's time for another U Build It! Event at SBE.

The Simply Feminine collection features a soft color palette that evokes a feminine feel from infant to grandmother.
There are 59 coordinated products from 10 designers.
You are sure to find a great selection of items to use for your scrapping pleasure.
The August UBI will be available beginning Friday, August 20th.

All items in the U Build It! Category are priced either $1 or $2.
Available at these prices for a limited time only!

Here are Rina's gorgeous UBI Creations for this event.

Back from The Brink

2010-07-18T06:32:00.002-05:00

Scrapbook-Elements Store is now back online!!

To celebrate our return we are having a 35% off sale
on almost everything in the store from now through Monday midnight CT.
This includes all current "New Releases"

Rina is back as well! I know you have anxiously been waiting for her and as usual, she has not disappointed us with her new page set, LUSH.

"Uninhibited raucous color abounds in Rina's vibrant Lush collection, inspired by the luxuriance of wildlife and fertile forests. Natural earthy tones combine with splashes of verdant greens, exuberant red and slate blue (with just a touch of delicious lime and orange) that will set off your black-and-white photos beautifully. Great for woodland adventures, tropical getaways or conjuring up exotic locations."
Here are a few of the pages I have made this week with this beauty! And of course, if you follow along with me to the end of this post, I have a LUSH gift for you!

Kimmi has an adorable new release with her PURRRFECTION kit
This Purrrfection set is packed full of precious felines! Included in this download you will receive the following items: 11 - 12x12 inch digital background papers, 5 delightful kittens, 2 cats, 6 small beads, 1 mini brass brad, 1 butterfly, 1 pink button and button tie, 1 group of pink buttons, 1 cat charm, 1 fish bone charm, 2 cat collars, 3 fabric flowers, 1 fabric heart, 1 journal block, 5 journal strips, 3 ribbons, 1 ribbon bow, 1 ribbon knot, 1 stamp frame, 1 triple stamp frame, 1 staple with shadow, 1 staple without shadow, 1 string and 1 tab.

As always you can check my Galleries at SBE or DST for a complete description of my layouts with all their credits. And as promised here is my gift for you with Rina's Lush. If you run over to Rina's Blog, Kabra has a beautiful Lush gift as well! And remember, all new release are on sale until Monday!
Enjoy and have a great week!

DOWNLOAD HERE @BOX
DOWNLOAD HERE @4SHARED

Horray for the Red White and Blue!

2010-07-04T23:55:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone in the good ole USA enjoyed a great Independence Day! I have had four of my grandchildren this weekend and we had a great time! They played HARD all day yesterday and then last night we took a picnic and drove to the Rough River Dam to watch the big fireworks show. They really enjoyed themselves! Today we went to one of my brother's home and had a cook-out. I took lots of pictures but I have not had time to get them out of the camera but I am sure I will posting some new layouts with them soon. I really am pooped but I had made the cutest little quickpage for you this week. I used the newly released ALL AMERICAN KIDS KIT from Kimberly Stewart - an All American set perfect for a fun filled patriotic holiday! Kimmi also released the equally patriotic LIBERTY KIDS Kit! I played with both kits a little this week and had so much fun, so I hope you go check them out today. And don't forget to download the freebie I made for you! Enjoy!!!

DOWNLOAD HERE @BOX

Time To Play Supa Digi Kit

2010-07-02T00:06:00.001-05:00

"Summer is here, the sun is shining and the warm weather beckons us outside...YAY!!! Its TIME TO PLAY!" That is the new theme of the Supa Digi Kit Freebie at ScrappinDigiKreations.
Grab them "On The House" from the SDK store absolutely free!

Also at the Scrappin Digi Kreations Store, SammyD Kreations has some wonderful fun $1 Dollar Deals!
I got the TIME TO PLAY Quick Pages for some delightful fun photos of my Granddaughter at play.

I also purchased SammyD's Mischief Quick Pages for a few of her birthday photos from last year.

I love to use quick pages! They are just so easy; pop your photos behind the QPs and you have some delightful pages and who can resist the deal of four pages for only one buck! Check them out HERE at SDK.

Hump Day with Teen Tude

2010-06-30T00:42:00.001-05:00

Wednesday is Hump Day:and we are half-way through the week. We here in the USA are looking forward to a big holiday weekend, the 4th of July! I am sure my sons will take their kids to one of the fireworks shows in the area, and we always have a family cook-out at my brothers house. I still have to try to get my stuff together for the big yard sale my DILs are having on Saturday. But today, my husband and a few of his friends are meeting here to finish putting up the big 100 ft CB antennae tower for his "Bull Creek Sub-Station! He loves to talk and there is always a listening audience for his foolishness on the CB. That is about the only hobby he has, lol!

For me, my love of digi-scrapping led me last night to double-check and finish some of the photo books I have to make sure they are ready for printing. I added a couple of slide shows from these projects over on the right side of my blog so I hope you take the time to peek at them. I can't wait to actually see these in print! While looking through things, I came across the Brag Book I made for one of my niece's last year for Christmas. I used the Teen Tude Collection by Rina Kroes for that project, and I think it turned out really cute. I loved working with Teen Tude!

"Not too frilly and not too funky, Rina's "Teen Tude" captures the complexities of teenage girls caught between the playfulness of childhood and becoming a young lady. A little bit on the wild side, but still exhibiting the innocence of youthful girlishness, as she stands with her feet planted in both worlds, still struggling to find her identity in the teen scene. Colors range from deep purple, violet and aquamarine to dark blue, black and white, with some funky leopard skin, some dazzling bling, some trendy hounds tooth and plaid, as well as a cool guitar, skateboard and 2 silhouettes created from photos of my own teenage daughter. You will discover that this fun and colorful collection is perfect not only for the exuberance of young girls, but versatile enough also for boys and other age groups." Here are three of the TEEN TUDE brag book pages I made for my niece. And, there is no sense in letting this lay around on my hard drive gathering virtual dust so I am going to share this 24 page Teen Tude Brag Book with you guys!!!!

I have split the brag book up into four separate downloads, and I have uploaded them to two different sites - hopefully I have enough bandwidth to handle the needs, lol! I hope you enjoy them!!!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

HAPPY SUNDAY

2010-06-27T21:23:00.001-05:00

Kimmi has released for use today three little kits of darling, digital elements and backgrounds that are perfect for capturing your favorite fur baby and its favorite human companion. Kimmi's Best Furry Friends Kits are so adorable that you will use them for other pages as well! I made some pages to go in my youngest GD's brag book!

Also today from Kimmi, you have to check out the Beach Bears Kit! I love these colors, and they look so well for those sepia toned photos we all love!

Muse Charne has a real pretty gift for you one her blog using the above kit, so Go Check It Out and don't forget to leave her some love if you download it! Have a great week!

SammyD's Tide of Life

2010-06-23T16:20:00.001-05:00

As a told you some weeks back, I am fortunate enough to be on the Kreative Team for Scrappin Digi Kreations once again, and I have been playing with a new release, Tide of Life from SammyD Kreations. I love the colors and those cute flowers in this collection!

I also use the above kit on my submission for the SDK Cut It Up Challenge for a companion page to the above. I like the way 2 coordinating pages look when you open up the printed photo book. I hope you go check out the fun challenges at ScrappinDigiKretions!

I also made a couple pages for my youngest Granddaughter's Brag Book which will be her Mommie's Christmas gift this year! The delightful frame cluster in the kit made it ever so easy! And to make things even
easier for you, I created a Tide of Life BB page for you too! I hope you enjoy it and see ya in the SDK Forum!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Its Hot, Hot, Hot!

2010-06-21T12:21:00.002-05:00

Summer is definitely here! For the past couple of weeks we have been dealing with the heat and humidity that normally arrives in July and August. If this has been a preview to the upcoming summer months, we are in for a hot time in the holler! All those gardens that were put out early, survived the flood, and now looking so pretty may just cook now! I have been piddling in my flower garden a little but mostly staying in my cool air-conditioned home and scrapping up a storm! I had so much to catch up on that I barely knew where to start. Today, I'll begin with showing you some of the special layouts I created with some of the hot products by Tracey Monette-Clever Monkey Graphics:

My grandson Isaac loves Diego television show so I used those lyrics with the cute childlike doodles of zoo animals in Taylor's Zoo. I combined those elements with Tracey's Multifarious Elements and Papers from SBE. Multifarious is tough and delicate all at the same time and worked perfectly for my theme!

The Collab-Grab Bag from Funky Playground Designs includes 13 Mini Kits in the most scrumptious colors and sunshine theme! I used the Mini Kits from Tracey Monette and Charlize Creations for a cute page with journaling based on a favorite game of my grandchildren, I Spy.

The Dentist's Chair is a collaboration kit by Tracey and Alissa Jones filled with all the major aspects of dentistry, orthodontics, and the tooth fairy but it can be used for so much more as well!

And last, I used the
Born on the 4th of July kit by Tracey Monette-Clever Monkey Graphics.
While dedicated to Independence Day birthdays, this kit also works great for all sorts of red, white, and blue layouts, and since this is the time of the year that most everyone is planning their summer vacations, I always am reminded of the fun times we used to have during our 4th of July vacations. As I recall those special days in my mind, my heart led me to create this as my submission for the June Scrap From The Heart Challenge at RAKScraps.

As always you can get a full list of credits and layout descriptions in My Galleries
(Clickable blinkies over there on the right). Until next time, stay cool and...

Good Morning!

2010-06-13T06:53:00.001-05:00

Good morning! Have you guys missed me? Sorry I have been absent for so long but you know how life can sometimes get in the way of things...I wanted to drop in today to let you know that I have not forgotten you and to show my appreciation for your loyalty in good times, and in bad. I have a little something for you today! Its a cute little QP I created from a layout I made this morning using the Tulip Angel Mini Kit by Kimberly Stewart. I hope you enjoy it and hopefully (keep your fingers crossed) I will be back soon!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

UPDATE

2010-05-04T01:26:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to drop in to say hello and let you guys know that I am alive. I will probably remain somewhat absent for the rest of this week and probably next. I have started my census job, and with the 8/9 hours daily grind of driving and doing that job, and my sinus infection or whatever it is (yes, I am still a little puny) I am just too pooped to scrap when I get home. Sunday night was the first night that I actually slept all night in weeks and now here tonight I woke up at 12:30 coughing my head off again. I think it is sinus affection because my ears are all stopped up still and now, the only time I get these coughing spells is when I lay down.

I like the census job (it started last week) and although there is definitely nothing hard about it, I find that I am pooped when I get home...combination of getting back into the routine of working in public again, and the stop and go driving all day long. It even has aggravated an old injury I received in my shoulder years ago at the factory and it is just aching now. I am sure I will get use to all of this soon and then I will feel like scrapping in the evening..I hope so anyway, lol.

With the record rains we had this past weekend in South-Central Kentucky, our big Derby Bash we had planned for Saturday was canceled so we are trying to have the get-together this Saturday, and then next Saturday is the clean-up day at the Phelps Family Cemetery so don't worry about me if you don't hear anything out of for me for the next week or two - I'll be back, as Arnold says, lol!

Update on the shingles as well...can you believe after a month, I still have a few scabs left But most all the pain and the itching from them is gone. That is one illness that I pray I never have to go through again, let me tell ya - lol

Hugz!
Debbie

NEW RELEASES & NEW CT

2010-04-25T20:55:00.002-05:00

I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Sunday with your family! I am posting so late today and I am sorry for that but I am afraid I am sorely under the weather. I have spent most all day piled up the couch with my roll of toilet paper close by (my replacement for a box of tissues). The congestion part of my cold is getting better thanks to the Alka Seltzer Cold Plus but my throat, head and ears hurt terribly so I have done nothing but try to sleep. DH did get something accomplished today...he and his BIL Rollie dug out the horseshoe pits and got them framed in nicely. Due to the heavy rain we had last night, they are going to wait a day or two before they go down to the Green River and get a couple loads of sand to fill them with. It has been years since I pitched horseshoes so I am looking forward to the kids coming down throughout the summer and playing with me.

You know how I look forward to Sundays and all the wonderful New Releases at Scrapbook-Elements, so let me show you a few of my favorites. Both of these are now on my wish list: CathyK's Beautiful Day is just adorable and I am a big Toy Story fan so of course, I love Alissa's Some Toys and Beyond Infinity Combo Pack.

Kimberly has a released her cute Whimsical Angels of Love - four of the most adorable little kits to add to your stash! And from the Creekside Lodge Collab from Kimberly Stewart and Rina Kroes comes two great
quick page albums and a gorgeous word art set!

I am also very happy to announce that another wonderful SBE Designer has allowed me to join her CT Team-Tracey Gilbert Monette of Clever Monkey Graphics! It will be very fun to work with her fun designs!
Check out Tracey's SBE Store Here and she also a store at Funky Playground Designs. Today at SBE, Tracey releases her Volleyball Page Kit. I have to contact my Granddaughter's in Florida and see if they can send me pictures for this fun kit!

I have oodles of pages created with Kimmi and Rina's new releases this week so check out my SBE Gallery in a day or two if you want to check them out. I probably will not be around much this week as I start the training for my new census job and I am getting ready for our Derby Bash, as well as nursing this flu bug I have so faithfully attached to me...its so nice to be needed by something, ROFL! Have a great week

Update for the Week

2010-04-24T14:15:00.001-05:00

My sickness this past week was some kind of bug passed on to me through the sweet generosity of Isaac and Ava, lol. They have all had one form or the other of the same ailments amongst their family. Friday I was feeling a little better so knowing Isaac was out of school on Fridays, I went up to their house and took Isaac and Ava, and their Mommie out for a burger and fries (yes, I went off my diet for that-don't tell Gary). We stopped by the high school and bought some some plants from their ag class. Isaac and Ava had a ball choosing their flowers! Took them home and played with them for a while before I came home and worked in my flower garden. It was 84 degrees here and I was sweating like a hog in my long sleeved shirt and blue jeans! I spent several hours just relaxing in my porch swing and watching the turkeys come in for their evening stroll before I showered. Some time during the night, I started coughing and sneezing and today I have a full-blown cold!. I guess I did too much on Friday, or got too hot. Anyway, April has not been too kind to me as I have stayed sick with one thing or another! Hubby braved the rain we are getting today and went to the Dollar Store and got me some Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus so I can try to well before I start my new census job on Tuesday.

Knowing I won't have a lot of extra time next week with my new job training, I have scrapped like a mad-woman this week trying to get all my Muse CT requirements ready for the next two weeks, and I still am not finished! That ought to be a little hint to let you know lots of new things will be coming out in the next two weeks from Kimmi and Rina, so start counting your pennies, lol! Plus, I still have to finish some projects for ScrappinDigiKreations, as well! Whew!!! I love crunch-time like this!!!

Anyway, between my new job and the Derby Party we will be having here in the holler next weekend, I may not be around much so I wish you a great week, and I hope you have a wonderful time during the upcoming NSD!

Welcome Miss Elizabeth Faith

2010-04-19T08:27:00.003-05:00

My family continues to grow! We have a new addition! Miss Elizabeth Faith was born on Saturday, April 17th, 2010. My hubby, who has always delighted in the fact that I am a little older than he is, does not really like the fact that he is getting old right along with me as he is a Great Great Uncle once again! Congratulations to Elizabeth's family! She is a lucky little girl for I know she will be your Precious Princess forever!!

For the page below with my first new pics, Elizabeth's Great Grandmother (my SIL) sent me, I used the Soft Spring Awakening Kit from Pixelfairy at SDK. Its is such a sweet kit and perfect for the precious photos!

On that same Saturday afternoon, we went to a baby shower for another wee one we are expecting soon. My nephew Dale and his lovely wife Kylie are expecting their first child, a son in just a few weeks! Grandchildren Isaac and Ava went with Pap and I and they had such a wonderful time. Afterward, we went out.to Captain D's for some fish with my twin brothers. Isaac ate every little bit of his food in a very short span of time but Ava was a little more picky and was not going to eat. It was a rather funny situation and my brothers stated what I have often said, "She may look like her Mama but she acts just like her Daddy!" They did finally get her to eat most all of her food, and it only cost them three quarters so she could get bubble gum and a ball out of the vending machines in the lobby, lol.

Did you guys see the country music awards show on television last night? If you are a fan of country music as we are, I am sure you loved it, and how bout that little Kentucky gal, Laura Bell Bundy! Brittney Spears better watch out! I made a whole list of beautiful songs that will inspire some wonderful scrapbook pages in the future. Now if I can just get the kids to send me some new pics!

NEW RELEASES AT SBE

2010-04-18T21:06:00.003-05:00

Sunday is here again and you know what that means - new releases at Scrapbook-Elements! I have been trying to think of a sort-of "schedule of events" for my blog and as I always look forward to see all the goodies at SBE each Sunday, I am not only goin' to show you Kimmi and Rina's new releases but I am also going to show you one or two of my other favorites! So this week, I will kick things off with a couple of products I am sure to add to my wish list!

Mandy King says this kit was inspired by her sweet little guy who remembers each night to do just what the title says: Thank You God For Dirt. Now that in itself is cause to add this to your wish list but it is filled with some really cool elements!

I love use the templates by Holley Berry Designs and she has decided to add Template Mega Packs to her shelves at SBE such as this, Template Mega pack #61-80.

Rina has added more beautiful packages for both her Tenderly and Beloved Collections today!

Kimmi has a charmingly sweet addition with The Lucky Penguin
and you will fall in love with Kimberly's Little Bunny Foo Foo! And, of course, I have to show off some of the pages I made, lol! They did turn out terribly cute and if you follow all the way to the end, I will reward you with a little treat! Then you can shopping within the NEW RELEASES at SBE!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Scrappin Digi Kreations

2010-04-17T12:30:00.001-05:00

While dealing with the terrible ordeal of shingles...really! It is an ordeal that I hope never to suffer through again! They are 100% better now, though. Most of the "places" are scabbed over now and cause little occasional pain but I fear several of them will leave scars...that is of little consequence to this old Granny's body!
Any-hoo, I just have not been in the mood of scrappin a whole lot so I began to reorganize my external hard drive. I have so many wonderful kits, etc. but I forget that I have them...or when I want to use them, I can not find where I put them. I have most everything organized by designers but it is impossible for my pre-Alzheimer's mind to remember who did what! So I have begun to put some of my things in files categorized by themes. I just know this system will work better for me in the future! The real treasure, I found while doing this was to be reacquainted with one of the forums I participated in the past - Scrappin Digi Kreations!

SammyD founded Scrappin Digi Kreations in November of 2005 and I first discovered the site in 2006. Due to the extremely friendly atmosphere of the site, I became a regular and it was not long before I became a member of SammyD's Kreative Team. Due to personal issues, I resigned from my position and most all my digi-scrapping but after the death of my mother, I bought a new computer and slowly got back into the swing of things within the digi-scrapping community. Point to note-when you get a new computer, don't forget to add all your favorite links! Needless to say, I did not, and when I was organizing my hard drive this week, I came across an old SDK kit. With so many sites and forums closing this past year, I wondered about SDK and was pleasantly surprised to find they are up and going and stronger than ever! I immediately corrected all my profile details there such as email addy. etc, and after contacting Sammy, I am most pleased to announce that I am once again a member of SammyD's Kreative Team!!!!

The Scrappin Digi Kreations Store is filled with wonderful products for the digital and hybrid crafter, so I hope you check it all out soon! It is the home of the Home of the Supa Digi Kit Freebie where every month a new theme is introduced and the designers offer mini kits to add to your stash absolutely free! This month, these kits are ADORABLE with sweet girlie colors for the little ladies in your life.

The SDK Forum is filled with all the SDK news, product announcements, challenges and Kreative Inspiration and I rushed in to re-introduce myself and join in the challenges like the Create A Card Project
where each month you can create a card to add to your stash. I got in right on the April 17th deadline for this project. I used the available April 2010 April SupaDigiKit for my card and I would like to share it with you! I hope you can use it, and I hope to meet you soon at Scrappin Digi Kreations!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

April Recipe

2010-04-13T17:28:00.003-05:00

For the month of April we will be exchanging recipes for Desserts at Scrapbook-Elements.
We invite you to join with us in the fun! Here are my submissions for the exchange this month.
I used products by Kimberly Stewart for my cards:
When I Think Of You, Today's Moment and Summer's Evening.
In exchange for submitting your recipe, you will receive the entire month's collection!
A great way to collect new recipes and these cards make great gifts!

And for my recipe for you this month, I have a recipe that I hope to try soon! Candy Bar Cheesecake
sounds sinfully delicious! I used Kimmi's Today's Moment Kit for my recipe. I hope you enjoy it!!!

*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Digital Scrap Cafe

2010-04-13T12:25:00.003-05:00

I love to participate in challenges! They offer great mojo to get my scrapping done and recently I participated in a great little series "Operation Collecting Eggs" sponsored by Val c designs over at Digital Scrap Cafe. I visited all seven blogs of Val's CT and got some real inspiration in getting more pages done. (You can visit my DSC Gallery if you would like to check out some of the pages I completed.) Anyway, for participating in at least 4 of the challenges I received the BE FUN EGG Z IT and I even won a couple of the challenges! This morning I was awarded the MEMORIES kit from Val c designs and I look forward to playing with it soon! Thank you so much to Val and her girls for the great fun, gifts and inspiration! I hope to continue participating at DSC, and I encourage you to visit them soon! They have an open gallery policy and everyone has been real friendly to me in the forums!

I also wanted to say a very special thank you to Marzenka of sussieM Designs who recently gifted me with the most adorable kit, HERE COMES THE SPRING!!!

I can not wait to find the perfect pictures for this most special kit. Thank you so very much!!!!!

PC System Clean Up

2010-04-02T06:56:00.000-05:00

From time to time, I like to share with you software that I truly will not do without. Glary Utilities is such a valued software. It is an award winning system clean up which supports Windows 7, 2000, XP and Vista, and with its one-click maintenance it is truly easy-peasy! There is a full version available which is currently on sale at 30% off but I use the Free Version as do many other users. A member of the Geek-Squad first shared this secret with my husband, and as our resident pc-doctor, he passes it on to every pc he works on. I personally use the one-click maintenance EVERY time I finish using my computer to keep my computer working at top performance. To check the software out, read testimonials, and for the free download
just click here ------>GLARY UTILITIES FREE.

SBE IS CELEBRATING THEIR 6th ANNIVERSARY

2010-04-01T08:28:00.003-05:00

Come check the SBE forum for some fun 6th Anniversary challenges with some great posting gifts and other goodies.

Kabra has a wonderful posting bonus for her Mix and Match Challenge in which you are to use at least 3 different SBE products on your finished page.

For my submission to Kabra's Mix and Match Challenge, Fishin 4 Memories I used:
These Days by CathyK Designs, Fish Tales by CathyK, Alpha Scraps by CathyK and the End of The Rainbow Alpha by Kimberly Stewart.

Lisa aka scoobie81 is hosting the Shrink It Up Template Challenge. The challenge is to take a template and "shrink" it, and Lorraine has provided a template that you may choose to use as well. I used the provided template for one submission, Happiness and then I also made a second submission, Denim and Lace. Both pages were created using Easter Chic by ShelleyRae Designs.

Jeannie is hosting the "Why I Scrap" Challenge. perfect inspire for this page I had been wanting to create for one of my kids photo books.

Every day during the celebration you will want to check out "What' In The Cake" for some amazing goodies as well, so hop on over to the SBE Store .

At 40% off, it is a great time to get some of those things that you have had on your wish list!

Sunny Sunday

2010-03-28T06:26:00.001-05:00

I was hoping today would be a bright and sunny Sunday but it is pretty stormy around here. I am afraid the daffodils are going to be beaten past their prime by the winds and rain as I have been unable to get them yet. For the past few days, I have been suffering from another ailment. I'm not sure what is going on as I have not been to a doctor but I think I am suffering from a kidney infection, kidney stones or something like that. Yesterday, I started running a fever as well and in pretty severe pain but today I am feeling some better but on top of all that, I can hardly breathe due to cold or sinus infection. It just really sucks sometimes to be over fifty!!!

The poor ole boys of Kentucky, my Wildcats lost their ballgame yesterday. They are a young team and just could not get it together but those boys are super talented, and Kentucky is still so proud of them. We look forward to next year!!

Kimmi has a beautiful new kit being released today at Scrapbook-Elements! Kimmi created The Sweet Pea Kit in honor of her own beloved daughter Sweet Pea. "She is growing up fast and will be graduating high school this year! So, this set is a lot like her, a mix between quirky and bright and soft and elegant. It’s ideal for creating springtime layouts and or craft projects." You will love the perfect mixes of purple with pink! I have made a couple of pages to show you, plus, a little freebie for you! I have not shared a recipe for you in a while so I made this one just for you! I acutally have not tried this yet but I did get a bag of whole-wheat flour so I plan on trying it out soon. I hope you enjoy it, and BTW, all the new releases are on sale - 40% off this week!!

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Its Finally Friday!

2010-03-26T09:35:00.003-05:00

Its finally Friday and the upcoming week-end promises to be gorgeous so I hope to get out of the house and go pick bouquets of daffodils! I think they are my favorite spring flower! The Kentucky Wildcats won again last night!! I really feel they are going to win the whole shebang this year! I hope so-those boys are just amazing!

When I jumped on the scales this morning I was thrilled to find I have lost a total of eight pounds in two weeks! That makes me thankful that I was strong enough not to give in to the temptation of sneaking a candy bar when the DH sent me to the store yesterday for coffee filters! I really was becoming discouraged for I can not really tell I have lost any weight yet when I put on my jeans, and I am really missing my sweet treats and sandwiches but I must admit that each day is becoming a little easier to do the right thing. I just have to face the fact that I have packed on a lot of extra weight the past few years and it will take time to lose it!

Today I would like to share with you a couple of new places I have found this week. Sister Muse Denise aka wererich pointed the way to a fun new digi-scrapping site, My Life & Scrap. They have lots of challenges with an open gallery so I intend to pop in and out there frequently in the future! Their blinkie has been added to "My Galleries" to the left on my blog; click on it any time you want to check out what I am doing over there, and be sure to check out the forums as well!

I found a neat, neat place to satisfy my urge when I go freebie hunting: Digital Daisy's Hand Picked Freebies. Christie aka Digital Daisy finds some wonderful things to inspire and keep one scrappin' . Her blinkie has been added to the left under the Freebie title. Most all my blinkies over there are clickable and will take you right to the corresponding sites!

My blog "Notes From The Holler" was added to Hummie's DigiScrapping Blogroll! I think her blog roll is a great tool for just about any one you want to find is there so I have added it to the left of my blog as well. Scroll through it to find some real treasures!

That's it for now but I have several things I hope to get done today so I may come back and blog again today... if not, I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Liiitle Friday!

2010-03-25T07:08:00.008-05:00

The host of our local morning show on television calls Thursdays "Liiittle Friday" - I like that. Not that Fridays are any different than any other day in my life now but when I was working, I always looked forward to Fridays as it was the last day of the work week! Back in the days of my first marriage, Fridays were pay days and the last day of school for the kids so we would go out to McDonalds or get pizza, rent a couple of videos and stay up as late as we wanted... Fridays are a day we all look forward to so the term Liiitle Friday for Thursdays gets one excited for the upcoming weekend!

I went to bed early last night, about 9:00pm and then woke up early at 2:00am. I was not really ready to start scrapping, nothing on the boob-tube worth watching and when I checked my email, I found a coupon from ArtsCow for a thirty page photo book for only $9.99 with free shipping! Yippee! I spent the next couple of hours picking out 30 of my favorite pages I have scrapped lately, and preparing them for the photo book. As I have told you before, I use the Artscow Blank Cover Templates from Studio Wendy at SBG. I prepared my book cover adding one of my favorite layouts to In Memoriam Papers by Kimberly Stewart and Rina Kroes, and then I prepared the page backgrounds using a simple white paper from the In Memoriam Set and a black paper from Rina's Almost Midnight PaperPack.

So that will be the front cover of my photo book with 30 layouts with my Grandchildren, Isaac and Ava, the children of my youngest son Matthew.

As I was making my selections to include in the above photo book, I came across some of last years freebies that I had posted. When I cleaned up my blog and corrected my labels, the links for some of past freebies were removed but I want to make sure they are available to all my new followers, so as I come across them in hard drive, I will be adding them to my blog once again! Today, I have two quick pages I made last spring using Spring Has Sprung by Kimberly Stewart.

Kimmi says that the tender, soft shades of spring, packed with lots of flowers is perfect for any of your precious photos of babies, girls, boys and of course spring, for your layouts, craft projects, cards and more! The alphabet adds a bit of glitz to your layouts with beautiful pink, emerald, and light topaz gem stones timmed in sparkling gold. I adore this kit and often use the elements and alphabets on my pages so I know you will want to add this kit to your collection! I hope you enjoy the quick pages!

*DOWNLOADS NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Busy Busy Busy

2010-03-24T09:42:00.005-05:00

I have not made it out in the yard working yet but I have been busy scrapping up a storm! Lots of pages have been completed lately, as well as the beginnings of several projects. I have made several quick pages for albums for both Rina and Kimmi. The upcoming albums from the CT are to die for so you will want to keep your eyes on the look out for their releases.

I have 61 pages completed for Marie's Beloved (by Rina Kroes) wedding album. With over 500 photos of that wedding, I hope to get 100 pages done for her. I have 25 pages done for the Grandchildren's Photo Book using new releases by Kimberly Stewart; I want to have 30. There are 17 pages completed in my Granddaughter Erynn's album using Rina's Bells of St Clements; the goal for that one is 25 to 30 pages. Plus I have 8 or 9 more Photo Books using various products in the making, not to mention the various brag books I am working on. I hope to be able to have everything finished and printed by November of this year so there will be no last minute scrambling for Christmas by me, lol.

I was reading over some of the comments on my blog and in my galleries, and I really want to thank every one who takes the time to post! They really do brighten my day! Carole N left a really nice message on my posting about Artscow Photo Books. Thank you Carole. Since March 10th of last year, I have had nearly 20,500 visitors to my blog! Now I know that number is minute to many of the talented digi-scrap artists in the blogging community but that number brings a smile to my face so I sincerely thank all who stop by Notes In The Holler!

I have been addicted to this hobby since I received my first computer back in 2003, and I still use the same old program that I began with, The Rosco Media Creator, Photo Suite 7. I have been fortunate enough to have several other top-programs bestowed to me as gifts but I just can not find the time to learn how to use them. Maybe some day I will get caught up on all my projects and then I can venture into the brave net world of PSE, but for now, I just continue on as I always have. I am so thankful that many designers now include shadowed elements for that is one area that my program sorely lacks in!!!

One of the Easter pages I posted last week using Kimberly Stewart's Ted E Rabbits QuickPages was chosen for this week's Made Ya Look Monday at Faith Sisters, and Sister Muse Sandy aka snojewel has one featured there as well! Then today, I discovered one of the pages I posted yesterday was chosen as Layout of The Week at MyPicTales blog. I get so thrilled when one of my pages gets a little special recognition like that, so thank you to those who picked me! Of course, I have to show off a little bit myself, after all, I am a proud Granny so please indulge me as I show you a couple of the layouts I posted in the galleries yesterday.

Since I seldom get to see most of my dear grandchildren, I often thank the Good Lord above for the special moments I share with these two. And when I chose these pictures, I did not realize it, but they were taken exactly one year apart...I thought that was a neat coinky-dink!

I used the beautiful Tenderly Page Kit by Rina Kroes for these pages as well as the Tenderly Newsletter Gift from the March Scrapbook-Elements Newsletter. Each month the SBE designers fill the newsletters with some amazing gifts. If you have not signed up to receive the newsletter, I urge you to DO SO HERE

Also I wanted to let you know that our Miss Rina is the March Featured Designer at Scrapbook Elements!
Each designer's month will run mid-month to mid-month and as the Designer of the Month for March, Rina has several of her most beautiful products on sale!
You can check them out here: DESIGNER OF THE MONTH.

NEW RELEASES AT SBE

2010-03-21T02:34:00.006-05:00

Sunday is here again! I know you probably get tired of hearing me say this, but where does all the time go? Spring has finally arrived and the days are growing longer but there is just never enough time! I did get started on spring cleaning this week while DH has been busy with the March Madness of Baseketball - GO CATS!!!!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that this is another winning year for our beloved Kentucky Wildcats! They really are an amazing team to watch this year! And with all the nights of basketball on television replacing the normal shows I watch, I did a little scrapping and discovered another addiction....playing Boggle Match games on the pc. I would clean a little while, then Boggle a little, then scrap a little....that basically describes by week. I was planning on working in my flower gardens this coming week but now they are saying to expect rain so this week will probably be a repeat of last. I am such a busy lady, lol! But let me just show you what I have been playing with this week...Kimmi's new releases in the SBE store today!

First we have "WHEN I THINK OF YOU".
The When I Think of You set is packed with fading foliage, jewels, baubles, frames and ribbons that are perfect for capturing that special someone that you love. It’s also perfect for romantic, masculine, feminine, heritage, vintage layouts. I used it here for a couple of pages with one of our nephews and his girlfriend. (As usual for a full list of credits, check my gallery HERE)

Kimmi also has several new Quick Page Sets in the store today: RAIN RAIN GO AWAY, SPRING IN THE AIR and TED E RABBITS. I combined the three sets with a few pages I made with those kits and have the makings for a really cute photo book of our Easter 2009 with the Grandchildren!

Of course, I have a freebie for you as well that I created just for you from one of the above WHEN I THINK OF YOU layouts. I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget the new releases are 25% off on Sunday and Monday only!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Ted E Rabbits

2010-03-16T18:59:00.003-05:00

I have been playing all afternoon with the cutest little Easter kit. TED E RABBITS by Kimberly Stewart.
The Ted E. Rabbits the Kit was fashioned with a cute gathering of whimsy with the most adorable teddy bears dressed as bunny rabbits! This kit is perfect for all of your Easter, spring and baby photos for layouts and or your craft/hybrid projects, and I now have a great start on a Easter 2009 Photo-book for my Grandchildren!

And as the shore shelves fill with all kinds of Easter goodies, I have a little treat for you as well!
Enjoy!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

NEW RELEASES AT SBE

2010-03-14T07:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Sunday! You know what Sunday brings with it..NEW RELEASES at SBE, and both Kimmi and Rina have the most adorable kits for you today! Of course, I have been playing with them both! (For a complete list of layout credits, check my gallery HERE.)

Kimmi brings to us The Rain, Rain, Go Away set - perfect for capturing those rainy day moments whether it’s splashing in all of the puddles or just watching the rain fall through the window. This set is ideal for rainy day craft projects also and is fantastic for any style; boys and girls, and outdoors. Included in this download you will receive the following items: 20 – 12x12 inch delightful, digital background papers, 1 spilled beads, boy under a cloud, boy under an umbrella, purple and white metal bracket frame, 5 buttons, 2 button ties, 11 rain cloud, 1 metal fastener, 1 metal fastener mini brad, 1 girl and umbrella, 1 journal mat, 1 journal strip/tag, 1 yellow paper frame, 1 straight ribbon, 1 surly ribbon, 1 ribbon frame wrap, 3 sequin spills, 1 staple, 3 strings, 1 tab, 2 tags and 2 umbrellas.

Soft misty mornings with the first signs of spring gently emerging among melodic bird song and the innocence of fresh new blossoms. This is the theme of Rina's beautifully feminine "Tenderly" collection, composed in a color palette of gentle pastels: delicate peach, pink, powder blue, soft spring green and creamy taupe. Accompanied by lace, flowers, sparkle and a touch of whimsy, this set will become a favorite classic in your collection.

Here is a little quick page I have for you today to help get you started creating beautiful pages with these collections, and don't forget New Releases at SBE are 25% off their regular prices on Sunday and Monday, only. ENJOY!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

PHOTO BOOKS

2010-03-11T14:20:00.002-06:00

I have really been trying to make my blog a place where I can spotlight a few of my scrapbook layouts while spotlighting some gorgeous designers' kits or digital challenges and at the same time keeping my family updated on whats going on here in the holler. As I have been doing my spring cleaning, I have changed and rearranged in an attempt to also keep all a little better organized. For example, on the left, I added the "Search" bar at the top as well as the "LABELS" widget to help one find something specific more easily. For instance, the freebie hunters can click on the freebie label and all the freebies currently available on my blog will pop up. I have updated all my posts, so previous freebies no longer available will not pop up.

Recently, I started having a few photo books printed for gifts, and I know I will be creating more of these this year so most of my layouts are created with this in mind. I primarily use the Artscow Templates from Studio Wendy @SBG so that my creations are in the printing "safe zone", and I find the Artscow Photo Books most affordable as they send out coupons very regularly. Currently, I have four or five different books started that I will continue to work on during the year; "The Book About Me" was mentioned in the previous posting. I will also feature one of my books in a slideshow on my blog throughout the year. The BELOVED Wedding Album I am working on for my niece is at the top of my blog now. It is a big project, as I hope to have about 100 pages in it when finished.

I removed the music from my blog for it seems the majority of people do not like blog music. I have also had a few requests to remove blinkies but I like my blinkies so they are staying but I did trim them down for you so you see, I am willing to compromise, lol. I have several different Blog Rolls so you should be able to find any digi-scrapping blog you are looking for. A new segment is the "Hidden Treasures" - a few special blogs or shops that I have discovered which I wanted to share with you, and if you are a FontOHolic as I am there is a segment for them as well. As we all know, there is always going to be someone, who finds something to complain about but I do hope you find your visit with me, for the most part, enjoyable.

BOOK ABOUT ME

2010-03-11T12:24:00.004-06:00

There is a new challenge going on over at Scrapbook-Elements, "This Book Is About Me" and I have decided to join in to scrap my life story for my kids and grandkids.

• The challenge will be posted every 2 to 3 weeks in the This Book is About Me Forum.
• Lynda will offer up a piece of wordart that can be downloaded immediately, as well as a page prompt and a participation gift to everyone who participates in the This Book is About Me Challenge. You may join in the challenge at any time by starting at the beginning. Use the prompts that you believe apply to you. It is not necessary to do every page that is suggested. The word art downloads will remain available.

It is early in the challenge and my plans may have to change but I am going to attempt to use the Victorian Christmas kit by Saxon Holt Designs and Microferk as the basis of my book creations. I know, Christmas for a Book About Me...are you crazy? But I love the papers in this kit, and I love their designs, and since I have not gotten the chance to play with it a lot, I am going for it. I can use other products with it to keep it from me Christmasy...that's the fun of digital! Here are a few previews of the kit.... I have the Stacked Papers on my wish list too!

The first part of the challenge was to create a title page for your book. In part 2, we were to provide
a bit of information about our families before we came along. But as I came along almost immediately after my parents marriage (one year later) I started my book a little bit differently by providing some basic facts about how my parents met and married. They married in 1955. I was born one year later, and only ten months later, I had twin brothers, and about 18 mos later my baby brother was born. It seemed like everything happened so fast for Mama and Daddy. My third page continues telling the story of how my parents met and it was used for the SBE March Layout Inspiration Challenge

I attempted to create an old-fashioned "ladies hankie" look to my pages for my Mother and Mom Kiper (my paternal Grandmother) always carried one in their pocketbooks. I always thought they were so dainty and pretty. For a closer look at my pages and to see a full list of credits, just check out my gallery postings. While there check out the other Book About Me Gallery Postings for more inspirations, and get cracking on creating your own book about you!

Virtual Reality

2010-03-09T12:31:00.002-06:00

My DH has been laid off for a while now and since he is has been at home so much, my daily routines pretty much revolve around him. Meaning I eat when he eats, sleep when he sleeps, go when he goes. Its not a bad life really except he requires three times more sleep than I do! Give me from four to six hours and I am ready to go, he sleeps in stretches of 12 to 14 hours, and when he sleeps, I do try to keep things quiet contrary to what he believes.

When I get up, I normally like to jump right in on the housework. I get all my chores done then I have the rest of the day to digi-scrap or work outside, or whatever but all winter long because he is still in bed sleeping, I get up, make my coffee and plop my big ole behind in this computer chair... AND because he probably will not get up until the news comes on this evening, my behind will probably stay in this chair most of that entire time! Isn't that sad! No wonder why, my backside is getting so wide and flat, huh! Hopefully as the days grow warmer and longer, I will start venturing outside and get into a routine of morning gardening like I used to. Anyway, back to yesterday...

When I first got up yesterday, I continued to tweak on my new blog look a little, checked my email, posted in a few forums, the usual routine, and then for some strange reason I decided I would jump on the social networking bandwagon and I joined Facebook. I now think this probably was a mistake. You see I have an addictive-type personality, and with Facebook comes Farming and Building Cities and Lord knows what else...and not only do you have to tend your own farm but you have to go out and help all your neighbors! While I was out in the real world yesterday, my new virtual world was going haywire.

I awoke this morning to find something suspicious was going on with my email and Google suggested that I change my password. That irritated me slightly for I try to use the same password on everything, so I changed that to by secondary password. Then I found my email inbox filled with friend requests and virtual gifts from names that I did not even recognize! Now this ole Granny watches television enough to know that the virtual world is nothing like the real world for there, you love everyone and help everyone, and give til your broke and the gold will continue to flow in your direction. In my real world, I had to plunk out $350.00 yesterday for a new dishwasher and $200.00 for groceries so my bank account is empty, and my house still needs cleaning, the clothes still need ironing, my kids have not called and I still don't have a dog!

Anyway, I accepted the friendship and gifts and traveled over to visit the virtual world and found my strawberries had wilted and died. Now mind you, they were just planted, so that let me know tending the ole farm would require more time than just popping in once or twice a week. My neighbors had fertilized my few little plant beds while I was away and because some one was so kind to me, I feel beholden to go help them but I can not see how to help them! I popped into to visit a couple of neighbors but I can't see how to help them!. They are all professional farmers with crops growing everywhere, animals ripping and running, haybarns bursting at the seams, baskets of vegetables and fruits everywhere, birds flying in the sky over their perfectly manicured fields and grasses, gorgeous flowers....it is enough to make me sick! I was there for only a few seconds and I had all ready broken half of the Ten Commandments because I was so envious! I have a hard enough time making it the real world and I think I had better just stick to it. My pre-Alzheimer mind can not handle the stress and I fear giving up too much to the virtual world while letting the real world go to hell-in-a-handbasket!

SPRING CLEANING

2010-03-07T20:32:00.000-06:00

If you stop by and things look a little wonky, I apologize but I doing a little spring cleaning around here. You know what its like - painting the walls, hanging up new pictures and tidying up a bit. I should be finished in a day or two, so please stop back by and let me know what you think!

HAPPY SCRAPPIN'!

KIMMI'S WINTER PENGUINS

2010-03-07T12:58:00.005-06:00

Even though we had some snow here in Kentucky this year, I have no new snow pictures to scrap. I have had no camera of my own for a while now and it is hard to scrap when you count on others for photos, let me tell ya, lol! Fortunately, one of the benefits of my DH being the PC DR for the family is that I get access to all of the photos from those machines he works on...even to those they wish I had never seen! Such is the case with these pages I made this week with the newly released WINTER PENGUINS kit by Kimberly Stewart! I really like the colors of this kit!

Tim is the life-long friend of my DH. He is also his ex-BIL and his boss, and it seems like he still enjoys to party like its 1999, lol! I think it does us all good to turn loose and just enjoy ourselves sometimes but I also believe that sometimes, in this ole life, we may attempt to disguise our sadness and longings for something different with a smile on the face and a beer in the hand. On that note, in typical Good Granny fashion, I added a little bit of "food for thought" with quotes on a couple of the pages:

The below page is my submission for the SBE March Title Take Challenge, Treasured Friends. I used a template from the blog of Happy Girl Scraps with a quote from Epicteatus: "Unless we place our religion and our treasures in the same thing, religion will always be sacrificed." After I made this, I realized this background paper would be perfect to use a Scrabble-type alpha with for the title. I know I have one of those somewhere so I will have to search that out for another page with this kit.

On the second of this two-page spread, I used the March SBE Featured Font, Jellyka, Saint Andrews Queen, and sketch template5 freebie by LorieM Designs with a quote from Walter Anderson:
“I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.”

As I watched Tim dance at the company's Christmas dinner last year, his whole fun dancing style brought to mind Toby Keith's song "Who's you daddy" so that, along with the SBE March Template by Mikki Livanos was the inspiration for the below two-page spread.

For the final "WINTER PENGUINS" page I am sharing with you this week, I used the SBE-HOT Template by Holley Berry Designs for the first page. Then I decided I really needed to do something more to give the page extra pop to illustrate all the fun Tim was having so I gave the page an "upgrade".

As you can see, these pages have absolutely nothing to do with Kimmi's cute WINTER PENGUINS but she includes so many wonderful elements in her kits that they can be used for so much more than the kit name implies so go forth and be inspired, lol! Be responsible with your "fun" and Happy Scrappin!

RECIPES

2010-03-04T11:41:00.009-06:00

I don't know if you are aware of this but SBE has resumed the recipe exchange throughout 2010.
The themes this year will be "category based" with a new category each month as the focal point for recipes.
For more information on that exchange CLICK HERE

I have submitted several cards for the exchange this month.
The above two use SPRING IN THE AIR KIT by Kimberly Stewart.
Kimmi's kits are so fun to use, and they are so versatile!
You can combine papers and elements from several kits to create layouts that are uniquely yours! So please check out her store ---->KIMBERLY STEWART STORE
I am also creating some recipe pages in letter-size format this year in the hopes that I will have a variety of projects to use for Christmas gifts in 2010, and guess what? I have two that I would like to share with you today!!! Enjoy and Happy Scrappin!

DOWNLOAD @MediaFire HERE
OR
DOWNLOAD @Box HERE

Ready For Spring?

2010-02-28T05:33:00.003-06:00

With all the snow around this winter, I am sure most of you are like me and fully ready for spring! I can not wait for some warmth and the bright yellow of daffodils! Kimmi has been busy and has whipped up some really cute releases this week to help us satisfy that spring itch!

I have used both Kimmi's Just Another Spring Day and Kimmi's Mooo Kit together for some really cute pages!

To help you break free from the cold icy grip of winter, I have a cute little Quick page made from the above layout!

*FREEBIE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Red Velvet Cake

2010-02-25T13:20:00.007-06:00

If you have never had Red Velvet Cake, then you are missing a real treat! I must admit that I have not even had it very often, let alone make it but I while working on Marie's wedding album, I made me a couple of recipe pages to include in my recipe book to prompt me to bake this delicious yummy more often. First let me show me show you the new pages I made this morning.

Rina's Beloved Collection at Scrapbook-Elements

I think the pages turned out really nice so I thought why not share them with you!
Since I have many recipes I am wanting to include in my recipe book, I may start sharing more with them, if you would like...just let me know.

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*

Beloved Add Ons from Rina

2010-02-21T05:55:00.004-06:00

I always look forward to the add-ons Rina releases with her kits!!! Today she has Beloved Stacked Papers, Frame Clusters, Borders and of course, her Danglement in the Scrapbook Elements Store, and of course they are on sale but for two days only so run over and grab them all for some wonderful and easy layouts to include in your Beloved page kit

I have been using them to make some more wonderful pages for my niece's wedding album!

I hope you enjoy this little gift I am offering as well!!! Happy Scrappin!

*DOWNLOAD NO LONGER AVAILABLE*