Wordle.net is too cool!

I am having SO much fun with Wordle.net! I can see so much potential for layouts with it. I made this one with it--just artistic. I like layouts without a lot of elements and stuff on them.

After creating your Wordle, you can save it as a .pdf and import the .pdf into Photoshop Elements for your layouts. Cool, huh?

I recorded a video to show you how to do this and put it in the Subscriber Area as a technique challenge. I look forward to you sharing with me what you can do with this!

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Since I had so many questions last time--for you--

To subscribe to the Subscriber Area, read the directions on this page. It is done through the forum for only $5.50 a month to have access to all of my videos (over 125 and recording all the time) and freebies (of which I am working towards adding more, but it's up to 43 templates, 3 full kits, and 22 other freebies).

Back on track? Site changes.

It has been SO long since I have been able to find time to do anything scrapping related. I hope to get back on track soon. I do have a few more weeks of personal stuff to tackle, but I'm trying to devote my day off today to scrapping and my site and then I'll tackle the other stuff tomorrow.

I am making some changes in the forums.
First, I have decided to move three challenges to the Subscriber area only. I knew when I first started this site that I would have to evaluate and tweak things until it feels right.

Although I do have Subscribers, the area seems dead most times. By moving some things to that area only, I believe the subscribers will feel their subscription cost more worthy and maybe bring some activity to that area.

I do so love just giving everything for free, but some have suggested I am too generous. This was not an easy decision for me to make.

Therefore, the Template Challenges (& freebies), Designer Element Challenges, and Technique Challenges will only be available in the Subscriber area.

The new videos will no longer be available for free. It seems I get 100's of people viewing them and yet they never feel lead to subscribe. The cost of $5.50 a month is so low, so I do not understand and feel I need to tweak things.

There will still be plenty of sample videos in the forum, quick tip videos on the blog, and freebies around (including the popular Designer Color Palette Challenge which has been opened back up for all to view--you no longer have to be logged in).

Check out the new colors in the forum, as well as a few new graphics.

There is a new technique challenge in the subscriber area! There are three ways (in this tutorial) that you can create clear text for your layouts!

Check it out here.






In addition, I have almost 90% decided that I will be closing my store. It is a burden to me. It has been 4 months since I last found the time to create a kit. Without new things going into the store, no one purchases anything. The burden of always having to get new stuff out is too much. In addition, the set up of the store is a pain and stress for me.

Therefore, I do believe in the near future I will be offering all of my store items and future new kits for free to those who are subscribed.

This is a hobby for me and I want it to be fun for me. I do enjoy making the video tutorials and challenges--I need to stick with what I enjoy doing and keep it simple.

Time with Friends

I had a great time unwinding with my friends yesterday for an overnighter. We drank and hot-tub'd the night away. I was in great need for it after pushing myself so hard for so long with all the things I need to get done.

I was excited that they were interested in learning digital scrapbooking and we spent Saturday afternoon creating two layouts together.

Credit: SBB Collaberative free Tidbytes kit.


We discovered our memories are getting worse, so it was important to do a layout right away and journal before we forget!

Credits:
Template by Timounette ,
My Scrapbook Art NSD Collaberative Kit as follows:
Scroll: Dianne Rigdon; Flower Kate Hadfield; Paper, Susan Bartolini; RicRak Amanda Heimann

Blogroll

Just a VERY quick note in a busy world for me to let you know that I am aware that there are about 20 people patiently waiting on me to add them to the blogroll.

Thank you for being patient with me! My life is nuts, but I will get to them and get you added. Right now I have to prepare for VBS that starts tomorrow.

Hugs!

Warm Fuzzies Abound!

I just have to mention these recent posts as a way to say thanks for the warm fuzzies.

I know I fail often in sharing when people blog about me and I do hope you understand if I have not returned favor by a post.

I feel like this little insignifant unworthy person and then I see people blogging about me and it is hard to describe in words how I feel. I can tell you that I often put my hand up over my mouth and nose and squint my eyes in shyness as I stare at my computer screen in my empty room saying "Oh, my goodness!"--but I'm not sure what words portray that feeling.

The ladies in my forum tipped me off to DigiFree's sidebar. She is so famous in the digiworld that it feels like a DigiQueen is acknowledging me. In addition, I'm not sure what to think about being listed with such great sites as Digital Photography School and Problogger. Really? There's no comparison to be had. Thanks for the warm fuzzies, Maria.


Ginger Scraps has this huge long post all about me as today's Friday Feature Freebie. Wow! She really took the time to get to know me and not just my tutorials, but also to share the organization of my site and where to find everything. That sure took her a while.
Thanks Ginger. You made my day!




I have long enjoyed Monique's blog. She's an awesome blogger herself. However, today she is a blogger at Blissfully Domestic and I could sure feel the warm fuzzies abounding there too. Thanks Monique!



Okay, well, for lack of words to describe my feelings, here's what I look like every time I see someone else blog about me. Does this say it all?

Resource Jamboree & Shamless Link Love

Remember, anyone is welcome to add links to great resources in the Resource Jamboree thread! Don't be shy to add your own article if you write one for your blog.

The June thread is up and be sure to go back and see everything found in May.

The current issue of the blog carnival was posted at Studio in Cognito Designs .

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As I stated in my videos, I'm do not get into exchanging links just to exchange them. I normally want to link to a quality item. I used to provide the links on my blog. Thereafter I moved them to the blog carnival. However, now most of them go right into the forum for the Resource Jamboree. Feel free to add your quality posts to the jamboree yourself. However, stop by the blog carnival widget first! See, now you have two resources for adding your own link love!

However, I thought it would be fun to make a post to give back link love to recent people linking to my blog--just because--and for no other reason. You won't see me doing this much. :)

Thena has an awesome list of sites! Really--check it out! If you haven't seen Thena's" poetry site yet, it's a must see! If I am at a loss for words on a layout, I turn there and Thena inspires me.

Candy has been OH so faithful since I moved the Color Designer Challenge to the forum last December to come along and make quick pages with the things others share. She also came to me and found a way to utilize her talents for making Quick Pages by utilizing my heritage kit to make a prize for a monthly quote challenge.

Patti M did the "What Scrapbook Item Are You" quiz and put it at the bottom of her blog. She appears to have some really awesome paper scrapbooking stuff and I enjoy seeing it...great photographs of it.

Dragon Lair also took the test! Go see what item she is! And while you are there...check out her new blog..she's recently moved her blog.

Sandra has a great blog...never been there before, but she is enjoying my house rule posts (goodness...have to get some more posted!). Really, you should read about how she deals with socks. Did you know I used to put nail polish on socks brand new out of the package just so I could sort them? Yep...went shopping for the oddest colors and each boy had their own color!

Technique Challenge - Curved Bent Template

First, I want to thank everyone for all the comments recently. I am reading them all, but I am so busy I will have to catch up on replies later. They do mean a lot to me.


I recorded a new technique challenge video for making a curved photo template in Photoshop Elements.



There is also a prize for all who participate made by Julie! It's totally awesome!

Thanks Julie!


See challenge and video here.

June Designer Palette Challenge

The June color pallette challenge is up. It seems many people enjoy this challenge.

Please remember that anyone can participate. The best way to learn how to design is to create and share. If you are an established designer, make something and share, but be sure a link to your store is in your signature line!

Does designing intimidate you? Then make quick pages to share with the things that other people create. Kudos to Candy for picking that up every month--we could use more people!

Just share in the forum here.

What Scrapbook Item Are You?

Dani found this quiz. If you like to analyze like I do, come and play with us.

The quiz can be found here.

I am a sticker. I keep reading it and seeing some truths and some non-truths in it about me. What part do you think is true?

Digital Scrapbooking Chat Converter in Vista

So, you do not live in EST and unsure how to determine what time to show up at a chat.


You can use an online converter. However, this is TOTALLY cool! For all those digital scrapbookers who have ever come in on the end of a chat or arrived an hour early, this is for you! Now you do not have to think. Wow. I like it when I don't have to think. Give my brain a rest and enjoy the chat!

This is a feature on Windows Vista, but not XP. Bummer.

Have I got you curious? Just watch the video.

I am sharing this technique challenge on my blog, but please keep in mind that I do not post notifications of all new things here on my blog. Join my notifications Yahoo Group to keep up with the new things in the forum!

This challenge is to bring focal weight to a photo by using turned mats. There is a video with more ideas in the forum. I hope to see you participate! Sharing layouts is one way to inspire each other.

I look at this layout and realize I was only scrapping 6 months or so when I made this totally from scratch! See, if you are new to scrapping, you CAN do it!

Queen for the Day

What a great day it is for me! I was so surprised to have been randomly placed as Queen for the Day at DST on my son's big birthday!

I feel a bit odd promoting my own "warm fuzzie" day, but unless I share, how will you all know?

I look forward to seeing you at DST and answering any questions that you may have.

So, who was it that said something about a "golden birthday" some weeks ago? Supposedly it is significant to have the years of your birth match the day of the month....and my son is 21 on the 21st of the month! Go figure that! It only happens once in your life. Hmm..Wikipedia also calls it "champagne birthday." Do you think I could find some champagne today?

Gradient Dots in Digital Scrapping Layout

Here is the second technique challenge to find ways to utilize the gradient tool in digital scrapbooking with Photoshop Elements.

You can see the video on how to make these gradient dots for your layout in the forum here.

I do hope to see some participation. The last gradient challenge has no participants yet, but as always, all of the challenges are always open! Digg one up and be inspired! (I hope!)

This is a layout of my brother-in-law who is home on leave from Iraq (although he's bleeped out for internet privacy).

Happy Mother's Day!

The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed,
but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
Rajneesh

Candy has an awesome challenge in the forums with the quote. I was pleased that it motivated me to drag out the old photos of the birth of my first child. I journaled the story of his birth which I've told over and over through the years. I am happy that it is finally down in print. For me, the opportunity to have time to scrap this is gift enough from my men. Sentimental me enjoys reflecting on past memories for Mother's Day.

Credit: Jessica Bolton Lil Darlin kit

For everyone who submits a layout with the quote, Candy will send a quick page made with my Heritage kit. I love what she did with it, especially the hearts on the metal border.

You can join the challenge here in the forums.

National Scrapbooking Day

Is everyone having a fun National Scrapbooking Day?

I tried to make myself write the next tutorial, but all the fun in digiworld just kept tempting me away! Oh, I've spent some money! I don't do that very often, but I'm going to have new stuff to scrap with! Yeah!

I was in the chat at SBG and realized I'd not gotten out of bed yet, just sitting here with my laptop. I decided to ask the ladies in the chat if they thought I could get my hubby all the way down from the ladder outside where he was cleaning the gutters just to bring me a drink so I could stay here and spend money. Really! He's going to let me spend money? And not get out of bed all day? lol!

Look....he got me a drink...and willingly...with a smile! And to top that off, he even let me take his photo so I could blog it!

Now, for all the stupid stuff he does, he does a lot right too.

I haven't found any challenges I want to do yet so I can scrap...off to look!

Digital Scrapbooking Resource Jamboree

Here is a reminder to be sure to watch the Resource Jamboree threads! Rather than posting information on my blog, I have been putting my great finds in the forums. I welcome you to add anything you find (or even if you write it yourself) to the thread.

Last month's thread is jam packed with great stuff! You can see it here.

Today is the first day of May and we are kicking off a new thread!

Also, please do not forget to contribute to the Blog Carnival which is being run by Kiki Scraps (oh, I forget this month--sorry!). Her first issue after taking it over is posted here.

I see they found some great finds without me though! This issue just posted today is at Cen's Loft--so go check it out!

National Scrapbooking Day Activities

I have some fun things planned for National Scrapbooking Day!

ACDSee will be with us at a chat on Friday night and will be giving away two copies to the Photo Manager. If you don't have this awesome software, now is your chance to ask questions about it.

Head on over right now to the forums to participate in the "How Did You Do that Challenge." Grab the freebie tag in the forum too!

Then join us in discussing how to engrave in Photoshop Elements.

Play with this technique and share how you would do it right here in this thread sometime before Friday night's chat. Then come to the chat to watch the video sharing how I did this technique. It is easier than you think!

The freebie tag and the alpabet freebie that will be given away during the chat are both engraved using my method.

I want to learn from you too! So share how you would do it, share any freebie you make with it, or just share a preview of your results. Tell us how you did it!



Visit my meager store now. Everything is 50% off. Shop now here because I know you won't have time to visit while all those great sales are going on at all the other shops! My shop is small because I spend so much time recording videos rather than designing, but any purchases are truly appreciated as they help support the cost of the site.


Yep, did you catch it! The chat is at 9 p.m. EST May 2nd in the chatroom! Only 50 people will be able to enter, so come early!


Oh, and Chris is ready to have some fun too! She will be at DST on Saturday RAKing people with a 2 week trial to the Subscriber area!
To see what is available at the subscriber area, visit the Tutorial Index pages. The icons with the arrow designate those videos available in the Subscriber area. In addition, I'm recording as fast as I can!

KISMIF Motto

Some of my readers may not know that I've been an avid Boy Scouter for many years. I believe I started in 1993 and I am still a registered scouter. Many of my hours were spent in leading cub scouts and many more in camping with boy scouts.

The cub scouts have a motto which I realized is very applicable to digital scrapbookers and many other areas of our lives.

Keep it Simple, Make it Fun

The acronym for the motto is KISMIF --go ahead, say it out loud!

I am often commenting on layouts and referring to them as "simple, yet effective." Simple layouts speak volumes and they can be some of the easiest layouts to put together. Simple layouts can be SO artistic.

I said in the forums the other day and thought it made a great quote:

"I don't know if simple is always better, but simple is always right."

Many of us digiscrappers get caught up in making better layouts that will get ooo'd and ahhh'd over. We strive to be better than before or to find something new and unique better than our neighbors. The galleries are full of layouts just screaming for praise!

But sometimes it is important to take a step back and remember what we are really scrapping for. If we get too caught up in the whirlwind of the digi-community, we tend to loose site of the fact that we are really only creating treasures to preserve memories that will last a lifetime.

Yes, there is something that is too hard to put into words about how we feel after we have used digiscrapping as a creative outlet. It is almost like the natural high a runner feels. We sit back and look at our finished layouts with wonder. "Did I really create something so cool?"

It is this natural high we get with this creative outlet that makes us want to create something even better. We get caught up in an upward cyclic whorl of always being better which eventually leads to the stress of not meeting up with our own personal goals.

Step back a moment and reflect on what our first goals in scrapping are. Remember to KISMIF.

Are you having fun?

Grab Bags

Grab bags seem to be really popular. I do not understand why myself. I have never purchased one. Maybe if I did I would see why they are liked so much. Maybe there are really really good deals in grab bags. It just seems like too much of a gamble for me. I like to know what I'm getting.

For me personally, I do not use many flowery girly pink stuff with ribbons and bows that are the focus of so many kits. I have four men as my subject matter in my layouts. The chances of me getting things I would never use are high. Maybe they should have grab bags divided into male and female themed bags? I might be more opt to take my chances.

I do watch several Yahoo advertising groups and do enjoy seeing new kit previews, but all these ads with just a photo of a bag to advertise grab bags is starting to get to me. I'm tired of deleting them. So, last night I set up a filter so that anything with the word "grab bag" would go straight to my trash can. Yep, look at that--first thing this morning I had 38 e-mails in my deleted items which I didn't need to go through and manually delete.

Ahhhh---I think I'm happier now.

Brushes Video Tutorial and A Theme Song!

Hummie's World has a theme song!

Lori sent me this video last night as a warm fuzzie and it sure did make me smile! I just wish she could have seen my face when I realized what it was. At first I thought it was lyrics and I'd hear a tune to follow along. Then I heard her voice and saw the video! Giggle.

Leave Lori love in the comments below or in the forum. Please share some warm fuzzies back with her!





Hummie's World (tune Elmo's World)

Scrapbooking fun!
Scrapbooking fun!
Hummie's World.

Scrapbooking fun!
Scrapbooking fun!
Hummie's World.

Hummie's World is teaching
and fun things too....
That's Hummie's World...


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I have Part I of a video tutorial on brushes up. You can think of it as Brushes101. Next I will make Part II which matches the written tutorial for creating brushes and installing them.

Also, I have previewed Tumasoft software and will be sharing a video of it. It's a must have software! Just wait until you see!

I will also share with you a video of brushes in ACDSee and in ABRViewer so you can have a preview of those programs.

So much to come. Stay tuned!

For a limited time, you can see the brushes video in this thread. You must be logged in to see it. In a little while, it will be moved to the Subscriber area.