More for Saxon's Deal

Still trying to get all Saxon's kits for $.99 each. She has so many different themes and all fun! I am going broke saving money! But this is so much fun. I really love seeing my pages as examples of her kits. I feel like a star!

This is from her kit "At the Museum - China." I was so shocked when I opened one of her papers and it was almost identical to a photo I took in Changsha at the Yuelu Academy of Classical Learning, now known as the Hunan University. The photo on the stairs is our adoption group getting ready to enter the University.

The next page is from the kit "At the Museum - India." Aurora had a presentation on India to give. I have a shalwar kameez from India and although I'm much bigger than Aurora, with the right pants, she was able to pull it off. She just had LOTS of breathing room! I have a number of scarves made in India, so we picked the prettiest one, lots of my jewelry, and did her makeup. She didn't look very Chinese when we were finished, but she was so beautiful. She'd only let me take one photo, so it had to have a very special kit to evoke the Indian spirit. I thought this kit filled the bill beautifully.

This is the kit "Vintage Valentine." The kit had a real nice "old-time" feel. It's delicate and beautiful and I thought the photos of Uncle Cennie with his two youngest boys could stand the more feminine touches due to the love you can see the man has for his kids. It's too bad he was squinting in the sun in the one pic. Mom says he was quite the handsome older gentleman. He gave Mom one of her first jobs. She said he was a wonderful employer who always made you feel special and you wanted to do your best for him. I love how this kit goes so well with Uncle Cennie's straw hat and gives you the feel of days gone by.

The kit here is "Loss of a Good Man." It's masculine, but gorgeous colors. The duel frame was really handy for showing the contrast from the Pop who held me back in 1960 and the older, wiser version holding Luke 51 years later. My dad loves little kids and it really shows on his face. I love the way this kit let me show that.

Saxon Holt's Deal

Saxon Holt of "A Saxon Creation" said if she had any kits that had 5 or fewer example layouts, she'd give you the kit of your choice for $.99 if you'd do a page for her. She saw my Valentine pages - where I'd used her kits exclusively - and gave me a kit for $.99. Oh Boy! That was exciting! So, I went hog wild!

I started using the kit "Snow Day" and came up with a page of my dog Scuffy, playing in the snow.

I asked for the kit "Zoobilee Zoo" for $.99 and I got it! SCORE!!!

So I started looking at some of her other kits and found "Honey Pot Bear" only had a few sample pages and I had that kit. I had wanted to use it to do a page of Luke in his overalls. He had these brown overalls that reminded me of a pair I bought his Mom when she was a baby. They had Winnie the Pooh on the bib. I had Winnie the Pooh on just about all her clothes, and toys, and walls, and bedding... you get the idea. So I made this page of the Sweet Baby Luke.

Saxon let me have "Gloomy Day" for $.99 for doing that one. Then I saw her kit "Very Valentine" didn't have 5 sample pages. I had been looking for a great "girlie" kit to scrap some pages from a birthday party Aurora had attended. They had this really great idea to pose with picture frames and the photos came out so clever! I really liked what they achieved and I had to make a really special page for them.

the kit comes with some really beautiful background papers. I put the polka-dotted paper as the background and then I saw a paper that had an interesting design on it. I wondered what the design would look like, if I matched it up like tiles. So I made the background paper into a smaller square, then made a copy and flipped it. The two designs looked great together, so I did two more squares, just upside down. I really liked the effect.

I got "At the Museum - China" for $.99 for doing that one.

I had some pictures I wanted to use her kit "RAWR!" for, and although she had more than 5 sample pages on that kit - and I knew I wouldn't get a $.99 deal for it - I just had to scrap that page anyway. You know how sometimes pictures will just call out to you and ask for a special page? That's how I felt about doing this one. Luke is getting so big and he's just so full of personality, this kit really fit the bill.

Late last night I saw "Radar Love" could use more sample pages, and I thought about what pictures would best fit the kit. There's a special young man in my life I watched grow up from the bratty little kid he was, to marvelous man he is today. He fell in love with an incredible young lady and they married. They have two kids now and live far away in Wisconsin and I miss them very much. Their wedding was incredibly beautiful. I thought of those wedding pics as soon as I saw the kit. Whatcha think?

Valentine's Day

I am blessed to be married to the greatest guy in the Universe. He always makes me feel special and cherished every day, but today he brought home a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me. I loved them so much, I wanted to do a page about them. While I was at it, I wanted a page of the two of us together. Our daughter snapped some pics and within the hour, I had the pages made! I just love the speed of digital scrapbooking! For these pages I used a combination of Vintage Valentine and Violet Valentine, both by Saxon Holt.

MyMemories Blog Wednesday Challenge

Unfortunately, Vicki from *A Work In Progress* is retiring. Her talent will be sorely missed. Fortunately for us, her entire store is on sale for $1 a kit. This week's Challenge is to create a page using one of her kits. I made this with "Color Happy." It's so bright and cheerful!

If you actually look at the pic, you'll see Aurora's pinky finger is bandaged. She was playing a joke on me and opened the door while I was dressing... in front of half the girls from Church. I slammed the door shut... unknowingly, on her fingertip. The fingertip grew back (surprised me too!) but she loves to tell the story, "My mom is so mean, she once cut off my finger!"

Sunday Scrap Challenge

The challenge for tonight was:

Step 1: Choose 1 solid or textured background paper
Step 2: Choose 3 or 5 photos. Place 1 in the center of your page and the rest on either side of the center photo (make the ones on the sides smaller than the middle photo).
Step 3: Use some stitching to "frame" at least 1 of your photos.
Step 4: Create 2 rectangle using the shapes feature and place them behind your photos
Step 5: Using the same text repeated (I used "Claire the Caterpillar") make a text box that is the height of the page and repeat your test over and over again..
Step 6: Use 5 embellishments and place them anywhere on your page! Shadow, date and post!

Show whatcha think? You wanna do one for me to see? That would be fun. Go create!

True Love

Today, I did a much simpler page than usual. My hubby gifted me with a clean kitchen. He had my sink sparkling! He and I work from 5:30AM till 11PM most every day. (The hazards of being self-employed). Believe me, anything I didn't have to clean is a wonderful gift, and deserves a special page!

I used "Struck By Love" by Marie H designs. http://www.mymemories.com/store/display_product_page?id=MHMH-CP-1201-11314 She routinely has great sales on her designs. I got this one last week for $2.70, so keep your eyes open for designer sales. You can get some fantastic bargains.

And a word of advice on picture-taking... take a look at what's behind your subject before you snap. We keep a cup of pens and pencils on the top of the fridge. It's right behind Steve's head. He looks a bit like he's got yellow bunny ears.

Scrap Challenge

Yesterday, we had two Scrap Challenges on the MyMemories page. The first one was for beginners and the second was for those more experienced, but anyone could play either challenge. The first one was:

Step 1: Choose 1 background paper. It can be solid or patterned.
Step 2: Choose 3 photos and place them anywhere on the top half of your page.
Step 3: Choose a ribbon, ric rac, doodle, or similar embellishment and place it on your layout as a divider between the top half and bottom half of your layout.
Step 4: Choose 4 embellishments and put them all touching at least 1 of your photos in some way.
Step 5: Add some word art (or make your own).
Step 6: On the bottom half of your page journal about your photos. Remember, you won't always be around to re-tell the story of what was going on when the photos were taken.
Step 7: Shadow your photos and embellishments, date your page (if you want) and anything else that you want to do to finish up your page!

The second challenge:

Step 1: Choose 1 background paper (solid or textured).
Step 2: Choose 3 photos. Stack them on top of each other so that only a bit of the bottom 2 are showing. (almost like they were dropped and landed on top of each other but a little of the bottom 2 photos are "peeking" out). Mat your photos.
Step 3: Use 3 patterned papers and make shapes that you arrange underneath your stack of photos.
Step 4: In one corner of your stack of photos make a cluster of 5 embellishments.
Step 5: In the opposite corner of your stack of photos make a cluster of 3 embellishments.
Step 6: Add a title or journal about your page. Shadow, date and anything else you would like to add!

The Challenges and the Contests really give you a chance to stretch your knowledge and to try something new. Plus, they're lots of fun!

Getting Started with Digital Scrapbooking

My daughter says I need to repost this:

Getting Started!
I've had so much fun with digital scrapbooking I thought I'd share with you. I tried making layouts using Photoshop, but it was a little complicated for me. I found this page on Facebook called MyMemories. I lurked for a while and thought maybe I would give the software a try. Everyone said it was really easy, so I decided I was going to "bite the bullet" and buy the software. It was $40, but a friend gave me a code to use to get $10 off the software, plus $10 to spend in the shop mymemories.com. I figured that was like half price, and I'm a real bargain hunter, so maybe this would be the thing for me.

First, I went to the website and took a look around. They had all these free kits you could download, whether you had a PC or a Mac. Plus, if you choose not to buy the software, you could download them as "General" files and use them in Photoshop. Well, what's better than free? Then I looked at the Dollar Store. So many kits for $1!! Wow! You get the papers and embellishments with some of these kits - for $1. Loving that.

Downloading the software was easy and so was downloading the kits. Once I got the software installed, I opened up the file for one of the kits, and it automatically downloaded to my Applications folder. Cool Beans! I decided to try one of the "Quick Pages." The designer puts together everything but the photo. I have SO MANY photos I need to get scrapbooked! Holy cow! It was so easy! And it looked really professional. I really liked it, so I decided to try a page using the kit and make it up myself. Not super good, not super bad. I uploaded a jpg of the page to the MyMemories facebook page and asked for critique. A lady said it would look better with "shadows" so I gave that a try. What a difference! It looked like all the photos and embellishments jumped off the page!

I am having so much fun with this! If you think you might want the software, I'm going to do for you what my friend did for me. If you buy the software, when it asks for a Promo Code, cut and paste this:

STMMMS31635

It's best to cut and paste so your get all the letters and numbers correct. That will get you $10 off the software and the software will come with a coupon for $10 any purchase in the store.

If you decide to give it a try, let me know. I'd love to share pages and tips with you. If you decide not to get the software and continue to use Photoshop or something like that, also let me know. I'd love to swap ideas!

Speed Scrap-Blog Style Contest

I won last week's contest, which was a LOT of fun!  So here's my entry for this week.  I really love that grandson of mine and I think this page came out really nice.

We had to take one photo and make it any shape other than rectangle or square.
2) Place 3 dark papers behind it (2 had to be patterned)
3) Add 4 pieces of ribbon or ric-rac
4) Add at least 5 more embellishments
5) Add a journaling tag
6) Shadow and Date

Whatcha think?

Lots of good Sales & Freebies today

MyMemories

Okay - since there are at least 20 of you that want to jump on the Saturday sale here it is!! It's a GREAT code! Add at least $20.00 worth of goodies to your cart, use the code here in the COUPON/PROMO code box at check out and save $10.00 on your purchase!!! Woo hoo! Promo code: SUPERSCRAP2012 (please keep in mind that this code will also be in the newsletter this weekend, but you can only use it once in your account!!) Have FUN!

Missys Bits

Pair this up with my 50% off sale on Christmas goodies and you get get one doozy of a deal at My Memories! http://www.mymemories.com/store/designers/Missy's_Bits?r=Missys_bits

LIKE the MagsGraphics Digital Kits & Keepsakes page and you can snag this SUPERBOWL-themed embellishment pack for free! It coordinates with the "Football Frenzy" kit that's in stores now!! A fan already? Then click on the "Welcome Tab" on her page. :)

LLL Creations

Hey everyone ... there is an exclusive freebie now on my facebook. Come on over and get it! :-)

Sugar Moon Designs

I have a new fan freebie for all my fans . . . it's a little mini kit to let you know, "You are Loved"! Just click on the "Exclusive" link over there to download it! Don't forget to check out my stores at Divine Digital, With Love Studio, and MyMemories I have some good sales on now - and there's more fun and FREE stuff coming this month so stay tuned! :D

Sugar Moon Designs

Get the scoop on With Love Studio - plus download a GORGEOUS collab for free - AND check out all the FANTASTIC coupons from all the WLS designers! SO much goodness all in once place! :)

HOT SPOT: With Love Studio

www.myscrapbookart.com

So fitting for this month’s love theme, we share with you our HOT SPOT, With Love Studio! Have you popped into the forum or store yet? If not, you’re missing out! It’s truly been a pleasure for MSA to get to know those that make WLS the lovely place that it is!

A Work in Progress - Designs by Vicki

I am very sad to announce that I am retiring from designing at the end of February. All of my kits are just a dollar each until the end of the month though! They won't be available anywhere ever again, so don't miss out! x

Designer - A Work in Progress | MyMemories

www.mymemories.com

My Memories Suite Design Shop - Designs by A Work in Progress

Mye De Leon

Who's up for some Retro Craze? I've put it at $1 for 24 hours only! Hurry and grab it! http://www.mymemories.com/store/display_product_page?id=MDLD-CP-1108-5087

Retro Craze

www.mymemories.com

Retro Craze, a digital scrapbooking kit from MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking.

MyMemories

WOW!!! That's awesome! Here's a fun FREEBIE from this week's Featured Designer, *Peppermint Creative*!! Thanks so much Miss Mint!

Candy Fairway Pack

www.mymemories.com

Candy Fairway Pack, a digital scrapbooking kit from MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking.

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