Scrappin' & Stuff with Sooze

Designer Spotlight at Ahhhscrap.....a Coupon and a Freebie!

2010-07-01T07:01:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I brought you all a freebie....in fact it's been a while since I kept my blog up-to-date! Things have just been so hectic here at home, though I'm trying to make some time for designing/scrapping. I've just finished several new items for the store, designed some party invitations, revamped a friend's blog and have started designing a photobook. That's in between trying to get hubby's visa organised,decorating the house, renovating furniture, looking for a job and planning a wedding! Did I mention that my daughter is engaged??? Yes, I am VERY excited about the upcoming wedding (March 2011) and last weekend she found THE dress. We had gone to "browse" and after trying on several dresses - which were all beautiful but not quite right - she tried on one which made everyone in the shop say "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh" and to say she looks beautiful in it is such an understatement!Wish I could post a photo, but it's a big secret until the wedding day!

Anyway, my freebie is a mini kit (7 elements and 6 papers) called Spring Fling and you can get it here.

This month I am the Spotlight Designer at Ahhhscrap.com and to celebrate I'm having a 50% off sale.....including new items.....which will run all month long! Below are previews of some of the items (old and new) you can pick up at half price.

Also included in my new items (and the latest freebie) you'll find a coupon which is worth $1.00 off your next purchase of $2.49 or more from my store at Ahhhscrap. The coupon is good for unlimited use (so keep the code handy!) and it's valid till the end of 2010. My blog readers can find the coupon below.....just quote the code at checkout to receive your discount....and yes, you can use it on my sale goods

Just click HERE to go to my sale at Ahhscrap...and while you're there check out the latest collab kit....it's huge!

That's about it from me for today. The sun is out so I'm planning on spending some time working on my garden.....still a long way to go but it's already looking 100 times better than when I moved in!

Thanks for stopping by and, as always, happy scrappin'!

It's Been a Busy Month!

2010-05-27T19:11:00.000-05:00

Phew....May has just flown by and I'm finally getting settled into our cottage. I still have a lot of painting to do, but the place is furnished and is starting to feel like home. I've also managed to start work in the garden and can't wait to see it all in bloom.. Unfortunately, hubby is still in Pensacola, while we wait for his visa to come through...so I'm having to cope on my own here (and he's trying to cope on his own there!). We're both anxious to get him over here so we can get back to normal.

Last weekend my daughter, Julie, and her fiance Gavin held their engagement party.....we all had a great time and a good laugh at each other - it was fancy dress! As soon as I find a spare couple of hours I'll scrap a couple of layouts. Julie and Gavin looked fab as Batman and Robin and all of their friends and family put a lot of effort into their costumes. As well as dancing, we also enjoyed karaoke - and yes, I did get up on stage a couple of times!

Hopefully now that things have settled down a bit I can get back to scrapping/designing on a more regular basis. However, I have decided to "retire" from ScrapMall, as I just don't feel able to put in the time required to keep up with collab kits, advertising, etc. I will still be on the design team at AhhhScrap though. To mark my retirement from ScrapMall I am selling every item in my store for 75% off....from May 28th until June 11th. I'd like to thank Catia, ScrapMall's owner, for allowing me to join the design team and for all her hard work on behalf of the designers. Click here to visit my store and grab yourself some fabulous bargains!

Well, that's it from me for now....back to job hunting!! Thanks for stopping by and please do come back soon.
Happy Scrappin'!
Sooze xx

The Wanderer Returns....and It's National Scrapbooking Day!

2010-05-01T08:50:00.007-05:00

I'm Back!! Some of you will know that I recently moved back home to Scotland after living in Pensacola, Florida for eight years. Although it's been a pretty stressful time and I had huge problems with my laptop (hence not blogging about my big news earlier), I am thrilled to be home with family and friends. All that's missing now is hubby! As he's American we are awaiting his visa application being approved so he can join me in Scotland.

As I said, it's been somewhat stressful but made much easier by my BFF Lorraine, who let me stay at her place for a few weeks until I found somewhere of my own. Last Monday I moved into a cottage in Newtongrange, which is about 10 miles from my hometown of Edinburgh (capital of Scotland for those of you not in the UK). I absolutely LOVE my cottage....it's in a village but only minutes away from Edinburgh. Lorraine lives a few minutes walk away and everyone else is very easily within reach.

With all my laptop problems - and the big move - I haven't been able to scrap anything for a couple of months....but I plan on doing some "before and after" layouts of the cottage as soon as I get to the "after" stage! It's very hard work when you're doing it alone, but I'm having a ball. I wonder what hubby will say when he sees my pink themed kitchen!! :)

Anyway, I am back now, so will hopefully be able to get back into my scrapping/designing now that I'm getting settled....and I seem to have solved the laptop problems for the moment. What a great day for me to come back too! Did you know that today is NSD - National Scrapbooking Day? There are tons of events going on in honour of NSD and the one I'm going to mention here is a special sale at Ahhhscrap.....30% off storewide! Also, every day this week you'll find a fab freebie on the Ahhhscrap blog. As if all that weren't enough, you can get this month's collab kit for free by spending just $10 in the store today! (May 1st 2010)....and you'll find that several designers - myself included - have sales running this week. Everything in my part of the store is 50% off so don't miss out on some great deals!!

I have a new kit - just released today - called Forever Friends - which I hope you'll like. You can get it on sale, 50% off this week only, at Ahhhscrap.

That's it from me for today....happy scrapping and thanks for stopping by!

Sharing Layouts

2010-01-06T14:50:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful tme celebrating with your family and friends...and have taken lots of photos for scrapping! I decided to charge my blog "decor" last night...yes, I know it's a bit early for spring colors, but I was just "feeling" pinks and yellows! Who knows, it may change again within a couple of weeks!

I wanted to share some layouts with you today, while I take a break from housework! My CT are a very talented group of ladies and I appreciate them SO much! I hope you enjoy their layouts as much as I do!!! I don't know why I wasn't able to load them when I wrote my last post, but no problems today, so here they are anyway.....

The first two pretty layouts were created by Lis. She used my Christmas Cheer kit. Thanks Lis - you're a sweetie!

This is one of mine - I used mostly items from my All Boy kit. The page was done for my two step-granddaughters, who are both keen on sports.

The next couple of layouts are by Clara Sue. As always she did a lovely job showing off her beautiful grandchildren. She used the All Boy kit for the first layout and Christmas Cheer for the second. Many thanks Clara Sue!

Karrie produced a couple of layouts using the Christmas Cheer kit, which she scrapped beautifully. Karrie...I appreciate your contribution to the CT!!

Finally, Heather sent me these two gorgeous Christmas Cheer layouts. These will be Heather's final layouts for me as she has decided to end her spot as Guest CT Member. Big thanks to you Heather for your beautiful work!

The kits used in these layouts are available at either Ahhhscrap or ScrapMall.

That's it for today...I was hoping to have a freebie for you, but didn't get it finished in time, so do check back later this week!

Christmas 2009 Layouts

2009-12-29T13:45:00.000-06:00

Hi All,

Hope you had a very happy Christmas. We had a very quiet day here, but still managed to eat a HUGE amount of food between the two of us! Christmas Day was spent in the kitchen mainly, but I enjoyed cooking my first turkey.....yes, at my age it's unbelieveable that I haven't roasted a turkey before now but we always went to Mum's for Christmas dinner and she was a WONDERFUL cook! Anyway, the meal was delicous, everything turned out perfectly and we stuffed our faces! I got some lovely gifts - two pairs of boots from hubby (one pair ankle boots, one pair knee high). My daughter, Julie, and her boyfriend Gavin bought me a copy of PSP Ultimate X2 - which I was thrilled with! I've only had time to install it and play for a few minutes, but plan on looking for some online tutorials today. I'm hoping that a lot of what I've learned in Photoshop will also be useful in PSP.

The day after Christmas (Boxing Day to those of you in the UK) I took some "me" time to get a few layouts done. I never seem to have the time to scrap these days, so it was a nice relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. I still have a couple of photos to scrap - my step-granddaughters with their Christmas gifts, so hopefully will find time to get them done today. For now, I thought you might enjoy seeing some layouts created with my Christmas Cheer kit.....

These little cuties are the grandchildren of a friend - thanks to Judy for sending me the photo and for allowing me to post it here.

Hmmmm, I wanted to share a couple of layouts created by my CT, but for some reason Blogger keeps giving me an error message when I try to upload them here.....will have to try and figure that out and post them later.

If you haven't yet grabbed the Blue Christmas freebie, please scroll back to the last post and grab it now. Remember to leave a comment in my Shout Box or under the post - I really appreciate you taking a minute to say "hi!"

Finally, for today, I wanted to mention Artscow again. If you want to try making a photobook - then this is the way to do it! If you sign up for a free account here you'll receive credits for 1200 (yes 1200!) photo prints and 3 8"x8" photobooks, as well as many other freebies. All you pay is shipping! I've had several photobooks, bags, watches, playing cards, mouse mats, etc and have been very pleased with the quality of everything. You can also use my kits on Artscow by clicking here and then click on the "Add to My Kits" button. Everything I upload to Artscow is free for the first two weeks of release!!!

Time to go finish making my turkey soup....and hopefully get some more layouts done later this afternoon.

Thanks for stopping by and to all of you who have supported my designs and visited the blog in 2009. Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Susan xx

PS. Almost forgot to mention.....if you have some Christmas money to spend on scrapping then please stop by Ahhhscrap or ScrapMall for my $2.00 sale, which ends December 31st. Everything in my stores has been reduced to $2.00, including new and older kits, element packs and even CU items - some reduced by as much as 76%!

Freebie, New Items in Store and a $2.00 Sale!!

2009-12-20T18:01:00.000-06:00

Wow - I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post! November just seemed to fly past and now we're fast approaching Christmas. Luckily I did all my shopping online this year and it was SO much easier...I mean how can you beat sitting with a cup of hot chocolate and browsing several stores at the same time! As most of my presents get sent overseas anyway, it seemed to make more sense to spend a little extra on the gift itself and pay a small delivery charge instead of paying a small fortune to send by airmail.

A couple of weeks ago I came across a fabulous lttle program which may be of interest to any budding (or experienced) designers or graphic artists. It's called "Livebrush" and I just love it! There are new styles and updates being added all the time....the possibilites are endless. If you'd like to find out more, you can read about it and watch a demo video by clicking here.

I hadn't planned on doing a Christmas kit this year, but my friend Amy asked me to redesign her blog for the festive season....once I started I couldn't stop and a Christmas kit was born! You can check out Amy's blog here. The kit is called Christmas Cheer and is available at both Ahhhscrap and ScrapMall. Best of all, I'm having a $2.00 Sale at both stores...so you can pick up this kit for half price until the end of this month - some items are reduced in price by as much as 76%! I've also just released a Rainbow Paper Pack - again, available for only $2.00 during the sale. The paper pack (25 papers) will make a great addition to your stash and comes in some really pretty colors. See the previews below....

I decided that for a change I would offer a little mini kit as your new freebie - I usually offer either elements or QPs. This mini contains 3 papers and 6 elements...and it's called Blue Christmas. I hope you enjoy using it and please do remember to leave a message if you grab the freebie! To those of you who are newbies at digi scrapping, your feedback and comments are much valued by the designers who offer their work for free - leaving a word of thanks means a great deal to us and only takes a minute of your time.

You can get Blue Christmas here.

That's it from me for today. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been kind enough to leave comments in my ShoutBox - here on the blog - or by emailing me directly. I'd also like to thank those of you who have supported my designs in 2009 - I don't have many customers, so those I do have are EXTREMELY valued!!

Merry Christmas to everyone - may you all enjoy a wonderful time with your familes and a happy, health and prosperous 2010..... wherever you may be!

New Kit, Layouts and a Freebie!

2009-10-31T15:02:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

I released a new kit this week - Tea Party - and wanted to share a couple of layouts that Judy and Clara Sue created. I spent a LONG time making this kit....got a bit carried away to be honest. I love working with girly kits, so kept thinking "ok I'l just add one more element, then I'm done" but kept going and going!". Anyway, I was very pleased with the way it all turned out....and then seeing these gorgeous layouts made all the time and effort worthwhile!

The first two are from Judy.....I love the effects she uses on her layouts and she's always so creative when it comes to using kits! Also, the fact that she has such cute models (her granddaughters) helps!

Here's one from Clara Sue - isn't this the most adorable photo?? This is her youngest granddaughter - it seems like yesterday she was born, but she just celebrated her first birthday. I wish we'd had digi scrapping wqhen my Julie was a baby!

As always, if you have made a layout using any of my kits - old or new - I'd be delighted to feature them on the blog. Just send me a message either here or email me at scrappinsooze@cox.net

Now for the kit previews.....I've done two so you can see the papers more clearly. All elements are NOT shown on the preview....and you can get this kit along with all my other items for $2.00 at Ahhhscrap or ScrapMall- this is the last day of my $2.00 Sale though - so get t now while it's at a bargain price!! Just click HERE for more details.

...and here's your freebie - a QP I made with this kit - just click here to get the download link.

That's it from me for today....remember to bookmark my blog or follow it so you won't miss out on any freebies! If you have a Facebook account then please add me to yout friends list - you'll find me HERE. Thanks to everyone who sent me a message or left a comment here on the blog - I appreciate it!

If you're taking the kids out "Trick or Treating" tonight then have fun and stay safe!

Midweek Freebie!

2009-10-28T18:56:00.001-05:00

Hi All,

I've been working on some lace overlays and papers this week, as well as finishing off another kit (more on that later in the week) so I thought you might like a freebie! I've put together 3 lace papers for you and you can get them here. Please let me know if you have any problems with the download, as I've decided to give Rapidshare a try....

Here's the preview for the freebie. I hope you enjoy it!

Before I go, just a reminder that my $2.00 sale only has a couple of days to go - so please stop by either Ahhhscrap or Scrapmall to grab yourself a bargain or two!

Many thanks to everyone who left a comment on my last post or in my Shoutbox - every comment, no matter how short, is VERY much appreciated!

CT Intro and a Blog Freebie!

2009-10-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Big drum roll......

As promised I'm here today to introduce you to the newest member of my CT. As soon as I saw the sample layouts she sent me I knew I had to have her on the team! So here's a little about her...

Heather, from Texas, is fortunate enough to be a SAHM to her two young children and is happily married to her best friend, Jeff. She's been scrapping for over 15 years and digiscrapping for just over a year, using Photoshop Elements She loves to learn new scrapping techniques and says her style is constantly evolving....whatever she's doing, she's doing right because I love her style! You can check out her blog here and one of her online galleries here.

These are the layouts Heather has done so far with my latest kits - All Boy and Travel Bug I love her journaling, which is something I don't do nearly enough of in my own layouts (note to self: "start adding more journaling!!")

To celebrate Heather joining the team I wanted to give you all a little gift....it's a Halloween sampler (see preview below). You can pick it up here. PLEASE leave a quick "hi" in the comment section below or in my Shoutbox to welcome Heather!

Just before I go, I wanted to mention to any members of Scrapbookflair that I've just set up a sponsored challenge (starting October 30th) which I hope you'll join in with. The theme is "tea" and you can get details here. If you're not a member of Scrapbookflair, but would like the chance to win my soon to be released "Tea Party" kit you can sign up for a free account today!

Finally, just a reminder that my $2.00 sale is running at both Ahhhscrap and Scrapmall until October 31st.

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy the freebie...and come back soon for news of a very special event happening at Ahhhscrap - coming soon!

Happy scrappin'
Susan

$2.00 SALE!

2009-10-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

Don't miss out on some fabulous bargains - including my newest kits - from today until October 31st. Everything in my stores at Ahhscrap and Scrapmall is priced at $2.00 or under!

I'll have details soon of a very special event coming up soon at Ahhhscrap, so come back soon or sign up for my newsletter today!

You may remember that I recently put out a CT call....well I was very fortunate that a fabulous scrapper applied and, of course, I snapped her up right away! I'll be posting details of who it is and, as always when introducing a new CT member, I'll be poosting a freebie too....look out for that this coming weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sooze

New Kit, a Freebie and a CT call!

2009-10-12T15:59:00.006-05:00

Hi All!'

Hope you all had a great weekend and are ready to face the week ahead!

As you can see from the title of this post I'm looking for two Guest CT members....if you are interested in working with my kits then please drop me a line at scrappinsooze@cox.net. Initially I'm looking for two scrappers who will be on the team until the end of this year...with the possibility of staying on for longer. I need people who scrap regularly and who post to several online galleries and participate in groups, forums and blogs. In other words, I need people who will get my designs "out there"! If you like my kits and would like a chance to work with them then please do apply. I'd like to choose a couple of people by the end of next week.

While I'm on the subject of the CT, I'd like to thank Brenda for her wonderful contributions during the past couple of years. She has had to leave the team due to family committments and will be sorely missed!

My latest kit - The Travel Bug - is now available at both Ahhhscrap and Scrapmall, where you'll also find a couple of freebie QPs. The kit is BIG - 20 papers and 55 elements...everything you'll need to make all your travel/vacation related layouts. Click on the previews below for more details.

I was quite pleased with the way this kit turned out.....some of the elements took a LONG time to draw, but maybe it's just that I'm so picky about getting things "just so"!
Remember that if you like to make photobooks you can download my kits to your account at Artscow. com - they are always FREE for the first week of release!

That's it for today.....have a great evening and thanks for stopping by!

Click on the graphic above to download today's freebie or click here.

October Mix n Match at Ahhhscrap - $1.00!!

2009-10-05T13:22:00.012-05:00

Hi All!

Before I get to the details of all the new items and specials in the stores right now I wanted to share a couple of layouts from my brilliant CT!!The first layout is from Karrie at kezcreates, using my All Boy kit. Look at that sleepy little face!The little lady having a meltdown moment is Miss B - Judy's granddaughter. Judy always manages to catch such fabulous photos! She also used the All Boy kit for this layout.

Clara Sue's gorgeous grandson is the subject of this super cute layout. He's growing so fast - seems like yesterday we were seeing his newborn pics! Clara Sue used my Bathtime Fun kit.

Also using the Bathtime Fun kit, Christi came up with this fun layout showing her little guy having a ball with his bathtime toys.

Just a quick reminder that Ahhhscrap has just released the new items for this month's Mix n Match....and that each item (pack or set) is available at the very special price of $1.00 for the first week only! Click on the image above to go straight to the Mix n Match category.

I also wanted to show off a couple of new items I have in store, both at Ahhhscrap and Scrapmall Click on the graphics for more details.

While you're browsing the stores do check out the latest collab kits - Ahhhscrap have a fun and bright birthday theme this month and it's HUGE! Catia Cunha, over at Scrapmall, has THE MOST gorgeous baby girl kit on a very special offer - here's a preview and you can click here for more details.

That's it from me for today. Hope you all had a great weekend and a raring to go for the week ahead! Thanks to those of you who leave comments in my Shoutbox - I appreciate them VERY much!

October Mix n Match - $1.00 per Item!!

2009-10-01T14:17:00.006-05:00

Today was hard for me....had to say goodbye to my daughter Julie and her boyfriend Gavin, as they're flying back to Scotland after a two week stay here in Florida. I HATE goodbyes but I'm determined that this will be the last one......I wan to get back home!! Hopefully we can sell the house here and move back within the next few months. Then I guess we'll have to start from scratch again as far as housing, furniture, job, etc goes. It's a major upheaval but well worth it just to be with family and friends again...and no I will NOT miss the weather here in Pensacola!!! I would rather wear a sweater and be able to go outdoors in Scotland than have shorts on here but it's too humid to be outdoors for more than five minutes!Anyway, enough of my complaining! I wanted to let you all know that following on from the success of the launch of the Mix n Match category at Ahhhscrap last month, it's time for the 2nd collection. If you don't know what Mix n Match is then you should check it out! A color palette is chosen by all the store designers and we come up with coordinating paper packs, element packs, layer styles, etc....and you choose what you want to make your own kit. Of course you can buy just a paper pack if that's all you want or you an build a mega kit! Remember that for the first week of each month the current Mix n Match items are available at only $1.00 each...so you can grab yourself some excellent bargains. Just click on the graphic above to see what's in store this month. Below you'll see previews for my contribution this month....just click on the previews for more details.

I've also recently released a few other items at Ahhhscrap and Scrapmall....several sets of wordart (Wedding,Baby and Dog related) plus a set of various types of fasteners which I know you'll use over and over!

I'm off to track Julie's next flight (Charlotte, NC to London)..........missing my baby!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and do come back soon...and thanks to those of you who leave comments - they are VERY much appreciated!

New Kit and a CU Freebie!

2009-09-14T13:13:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

First of all, I must say "sorry" to those of you who tried to download the freebie from my previous post. I must have had one of those "duh" moments (which happens a lot lately!) and forgot to even upload the freebie, let alone add a link! Thanks Karrie for letting me know and I'm happy to say it's been fixed! You can grab it here.

Today I wanted to let you all know that I have another new kit...this one is called "All Boy". This kit should come in handy when you want to make layouts showing off your little guys. For details of the kit contents you can go here. Please note that not all the elements are not shown on the preview below....

I was playing around in Photoshop a while ago and came up with some charms , but never got around to making enough to sell as a set. There are five assorted charms in this CU freebie and you can get them here. Enjoy....and please remember that even though they are offered to you as a gift, you may NOT share them via websites, groups, etc. Just point your friends to my blog.

At the moment I'm working on some more wordart sets, so yesterday I spent a couple of hours hunting down some interesting fonts. If you love trying new fonts here are a few of the sites I visited....do remember to check the TOU's for each font you download!

Dafont.com

Fonthead.com

LarabieFonts.com

Have fun and come back to see me soon!

CU Freebie and Baby Wordart!

2009-09-03T23:23:00.008-05:00

Hey folks....just a quickie to bring you a little freebie. I just put a couple of new items in the stores (Scrapmall and Ahhhscrap) - Gardens Buddies Templates Vol. 1. and Baby Wordart. I'd just completed my Autumn Garden kit and thought I'd make my snail, butterfly and other garden creatures into CU templates. The snail and butterfly are the first pair....should have more in store within the next few days. As well as layered psd files, you'll also get separte png files and a sample of each creature. The Baby Wordart doesn't need any explanation, does it? There are 10 wordarts included in this set....see preview below.

The freebie on offer today is a sample precolored png file each of the snail and butterfly - not the templates. The color of the samples is the same as the templates preview shown below, but you can recolor in your graphics program. Get the freebie here.

Enjoy! Oh, and if you're is the USA then happy Labor Day weekend...have fun and stay safe!

New Kit, News from Ahhhscrap and a Freebie!

2009-08-29T15:53:00.005-05:00

Once again I've let the blog slide a bit. Things have been really busy at home and I've had so many projects - nost of which are now done, thank goodness! Still have a way to go though. I'm painting the house with a view to putting it on the market so we can move to Scotland and with my bad back it's very slow work....I can only do an hour or two per day. Progress is slow but steady!!

So it's catch-up time! First of all, I want to show you my latest kit "Autumn Garden" which I finished at midnight last night! I think is my best yet, but that's just my opinion! It's full of rich fall colors and some super cute elements. Some of the simplest elements were the ones that took me the longest to draw...the watering can, the bee and the fence all took a while because I wanted to get the shading just so!
There are 20 papers and 35 elements in this kit, which you can get at either Ahhhscrap or Scrapmall - new today and on sale at both stores! Here's a preview, but please note that the preview only shows part of the kit...

I've made two QPs, using the new kit, as your freebie today. You can get them here or here.

On to other news.... I'm excited to tell you about a new category on offer at Ahhscrap (from September 1st). It's called "Mix n Match" and features lots of paper and element packs all using the same color palette. We designers have had fun with this new venture and are looking forward to bringing you a new palette each month. You can pick and choose which items you'd like to build a kit - or you can simply choose one item you like, maybe a paper pack or an alpha - the choice is yours. Just Mix and Match whatever appeals to you! Each month the items will be offered at a special reduced price for the first week . For September the palette is called "Shabby Fall" and is full of gorgeous, rich colors. There's no "theme" as such...other than the colors of course...so you're bound to find some items which you can use over and over again. Do stop by and take a look at what's on offer - September 1st onwards.Another new venture, for me, is becoming a designer at Artscow.com. They offer some fabulous deals on photobooks (new members receive LOTS of free offers!) which you make using the Designer Kits section on the site. Most designers offer their kits free for the first week and thereafter at a very reasonable cost. All you do is open a free account and add the items you like to "My Kits". Once they're added to your account they will stay free for as long as you have them in your kits collection. You can use them to make photobooks, canvas prints, mugs, keyrings, letter openers, fleece blankets, pillows and even umberellas! There are tons of choices and I can tell you from personal experience that the photobooks are first rate quality. I made one for my friend's birthday and she was thrilled with it! Oh...and all I paid for was the shipping! You can check out my kits section here. If you decide to take advantage of all the great offers at Artscow then PLEASE sign up for your account HERE. This will take you to my unique referral link which means I get another freebie from them if you sign up/buy something! Also, check out my kits section here. You ALWAYS find at least one of my items free....something new every week!

Well, that about wraps it up for today. Have a great weekend and happy scrappin'!

I'm Back! (with a Freebie!!)

2009-07-26T21:41:00.009-05:00

Hi!

It's been a few weeks since my last post and this one is going to be a short one!

I fell and hurt my back at a concert on July 4th (yes, I was sober!) and it hasn't been easy for me to sit for any length of time. I guess it puts pressure on the base of the spine or something. It means that I haven't done much in the way of scrapping or designing....well not as quickly as I'd like anyway. I did just finish a new kit "Bath Time Fun" which is now available at both Ahhh Scrap and Scrap Mall. I was also able to get a "Grandma's Brag Book" photobook made for a friend's birthday, which am SOOOOOOO pleased with! Here's one of my favorite layouts from the book, although it's more of a photo with filters than a layout really......

So, like I said, I'm keeping this post short....but still have a freebie for you to collect. It's a couple of QPs which I made using my newest kit. Here are the previews of kit and freebie....and you can get the freebie here.

Please note that not all elements are shown on the preview and that I've done a separate preview for the papers so you can see them better....

Please remember to leave a little love if you take the freebie and a friendly reminder on behalf of all the designers I work with at various stores and sites....we love giving freebies but don't forget that they are provided as a sample of a designer's work, so if you are in a position to support your favorite designers by purchasing the occasional item then please do so. For many of us designing is not a hobby....it's a way we try to earn a living, so any support is very much appreciated! :)

Hope you all had a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by and do come back soon as I have another couple of freebies lined up for you! Now where did I put that muscle rub?????

$1.00 Sale at Scrap Mall and a Freebie Golf Kit!

2009-06-21T09:01:00.012-05:00

From today until June 30th I'm the Featured Designer at Scrap Mall, so I've decided to offer anything in my store at only $1.00. Yes, that includes full kits and CU items too! I've added a couple of new items this week, a gorgeous vintage inspired paper pack and 2 sets of overlays (all CU ok). Click on the graphic above to visit the store and grab yourself some bargains!

ScrapbookFlair have just released their latest Designer Collection - a golf kit designed by me! Ideal for scrapping layouts of Dad on the golf course - a gift he's sure to love for Father's Day!

All the designer collections at SBF are free to download. You can choose to download just the backgrounds, elements or templates (QPs) you want, free of charge, or for a small fee you have the choice of downloading the entire collection in one zip file. They also offer the entire collection on a FREE CD - you just pay a small shipping charge!
The SBF templates (QPs) come in ptf file format (SBF's native format) and can only be used in their software - which is also available for free. It's a great program for beginner digiscrappers and those who are more experienced. The elements and papers come in png and jpeg formats and can be used in any graphics/scrapping programs. Please remember to read the TOU on the website - all collections are for Personal Use only.

While you're downloading the collection, do stop by the forums, check out the challenges area and browse the galleries to see what a fantastic and lively site this is!

Here's what comes in the Golf Collection.....

(Click on any of the graphics to go to the download page)

To all the Dads out there - Happy Father's Day and to everyone else, hope you're having a great weekend!

New Items in Store, Freebies & Birthday Events!

2009-05-31T14:12:00.011-05:00

I have lots to tell you about today, but will try to keep it short and sweet! It's my birthday today, so I want to get away from my laptop for a while!

Ahhh Scrap is celebrating their 1st birthday this coming week (June 1st - June 7th) and will be having a storewide $2.00 sale. Yep, everything is on sale for $2.00 (or under)....except for CU items, which will all be on sale at $3.00. The fun starts at midnight tonight with challenges running all week. Prizes will be up for grabs, so do go along to the Ahhh Scrap blog for more details. There are also lots of freebies available in the store, including a couple from me (see below for details).

ScrapMall has some great bargains at the moment all over the store, but particularly from this weeks featured designers, Tania Ramalho and Mari Liess (both are offering 50% off all their items). See the store homepage for details and while you're there please stop by at my store at ScrapMall for my $2.00 Birthday Sale!
I have a couple of new items to tell you about today...both are available at special prices this week at Ahhh Scrap and ScrapMall. The first one is a new kit which I think you'll enjoy using. It's called "At The Seaside" and consists of 15 papers and 40 elements. It's a super kit for all your summer vacation layouts. Maybe you have some photos of a family day out at the beach or the kids playing in the sunshine? Well, this kit will be just perfect for you.! Here are the previews (I did a separate preview of the papers so you could see them better)...... The second new item is a set of CU nature/floral themed overlays. Great for all you designers out there who love using overlays to help design your papers or for scrappers who just like adding a little something extra to their backgrounds. Personally, I can't get enough overlays - they're definitely my weakness when it comes to digi shopping!

I have a couple of freebies on offer for you today, which you can get by clicking on the preview pics. The first on is a QP made with the new kit. ....The second freebie is one I put together ages ago but never got around to posting. It's called "Kiddie QPs" and is sort of a mini sampler. It contains 3 very brightly colored QPs and a surprise bonus!
For those of you who don't already know....I have decided to stop using any file sharing service (4shared, etc) for my freebies as there seems to be so many viruses being spread that way. I want my computer and yours to be safe....so you can only get my freebies from the stores now. It's much safer! By the way, if you do happen to see any of my designs on offer through Yahoo Groups or blogs (other than this one of course!) I would really appreciate you letting me know. You are very welcome to point your friends to my blog, but PLEASE, do not share my files! I work very hard to make my kits and offer the freebies as a sample of the quality of my items, in the hope that someone will actually buy something from me! :)

Okay, that's it for today! Please remember to leave me a message on my Shoutbox if you stop by or grab the freebies. I really appreciate the feedback! Also, if you enjoy my freebies, then please consider making a small purchase from my stores, as it lets me know that people like my designs and it also helps towards the costs involved in bringing you the free samples. Thanks a bunch!! Have a great day and please come back soon!

PS....don't forget to come along and join the challenges at Ahhh Scrap!

Current Sales!

2009-05-23T19:07:00.005-05:00

Click on any of the graphics below to find some great bargains!!

New Kit and a Freebie!

2009-05-09T12:43:00.004-05:00

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are, like it is here in Pensacola. Yesterday my friend, Tammy, and I spent the afternoon at the beach....it was soooooo relaxing and nice to get away from the laptop for a few hours! Although I covered myself in sun protection I did manage to end up looking like Mrs Strawberry Head! My face is pretty red! I'm usually much more careful about getting sunburnt..having watched hubby go through skin cancer treatments and surgery on several occasions I know that getting skin cancer is a serious business. If you have plans to spend this Mother's Day at the beach or just anywhere outdoors - please remember to protect yourself and your family with lots of sunscreen.

So, today I'm back in the real world.....working at the laptop trying to get my latest kit uploaded to the stores, update the blog, looking for places to advertise and starting on the next project!

I'll keep this post short and sweet as I have so much to get through this afternoon. The new kit is called "Celebrations!" and was created thanks to a request from an Ahhh Scrap customer. She was looking for a kit to use in her aunt's birthday album....and wanted me to use the same palette as my "Girls Night Out" kit. She was very specific about it not being too feminine though...so I went with lots of elements that could be used for a variety of celebrations and nothing too frilly/flowery/fussy! I think the kit turned out very nicely and could easily be used for masculine or feminine layouts. If you already have the Girls Night Out kit, you may want to try this one too as it coordinates perfectly.

Today I'm offering you a small freebie sampler from the Celebrations! color palette - so if you try the sampler and decide you'd like to have the kit too you won't be doubling up on anything. The sampler contains 2 papers and four elements and you can get it here. I've been meaning to mention that one of the main reasons that I post my freebies to the stores now is that there have been so many instances of people picking up viruses from some of the free file sharing sites like 4shared, that I'd rather not take the chance. I know that a lot of people just don't download the freebies from these file sharing sites now....the stores are a much safer way to go as the freebies are sent directly from my computer to their server. Anyway, here is the sampler preview and if you enjoy using it I hope you'll consider purchasing the full kit while it's available at 20% off.

To all you Moms, Mums, Mothers or whatever you like to be called in your part of the world...Happy Mothers Day for tomorrow (in the USA anyway). I hope you all are spoiled for the day by your kids and hubbies!

National Scrapbooking Day This Weekend!!

2009-04-30T09:25:00.005-05:00

National Scrapbooking Day is almost upon us and there are lots of sales and special events happening. Just think of all those kits you've been wanting to buy - now is the time to pick them up for a fraction of their regular price!

Ahhh Scrap is celebrating NSD with a storewide $2.00 sale. Yes, even CU items are reduced to $2.00! Spend $15 or more and you'll also recieve a free collab kit too.

Scrap Mall is also celebrating this weekend, with a 50% off sale from April 30th until May 5th. If your purchases total $6.00 or more you'll receive a free kit! Remember that all items from Scrap Mall are either S4H or Commercial Use friendly.

I've just added two new CU products to the stores...and yes, they are also on sale for this weekend only. You can get them at Ahhh Scrap or Scrap Mall. While you're at Scrap Mall please take a moment to check out the current Featured Designer, Heather Hill, for some terrific deals and a free "Birthday Doodles" with any purchase of $5.

Have a great weekend....happy shoppin' and happy scrappin'!

New Kit and a Freebie!

2009-04-27T18:37:00.006-05:00

I just finished uploading another new kit to the stores and wanted to share the previews here on my blog. Also, as always, I have a small gift for you based on the newest kit.

The kit is called "Summer Love" and is available at Ahhh Scrap, Sugar Mama Scraps and Scrap Mall. I've also made a set of 6 brag book pages which coordinate perfectly with the full kit. I absolutely LOVE the colors in this kit and there are some really cute romantic elements.

I made a separate preview of the kit papers so you can see them properly.

...and here is the preview of the brag book pages....

You can get the kit (and the freebie) here or here at 25% off until the end of this month.

Just before I get to the freebie, I wanted to mention a couple of things which may interest you. Over at Scrap Mall you'll find some great deals from Litterbox Creations.....Kitty is the Featured Designer until April 30th and is offering 50% off all her items. So go along and grab yourself a great deal!

Ahhh Scrap is undergoing a "facelift" and has some super freebies and fantastic bargains. While you're there, don't forget to pick up this month's collab kit....it's HUGE!!!!

Sugar Mama Scraps is offering a free kit with every purchase! Go check it out!

The free sample today is a mini pack of 4 papers made to coordinate with the Summer Love kit - these papers are NOT included in the kit, so if you buy the kit you won't be doubling up on the same papers.

Here's the preview.....you can get the freebie here or here. I hope you enjoy using it...and as always, all I ask in return is that you take a moment to leave a little luv!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

New Kit, $1.00 Coupon and a Freebie!

2009-04-10T19:26:00.004-05:00

It's been a very busy few weeks as far as designing goes...I just finished two Designer Collections for SBF (to be released shortly) and just this afternoon completed a kit to put in the stores! Now I have to start on my collab commitments and freebies for the stores...

The new kit is called "Sweet Baby" and is done in shades of lilac, aqua and lemon, so it's perfect for either a boy or girl. There are some really cute elements in this kit (35 in all) and 12 papers. You can get it at Ahhh Scrap, Scrap Mall or Sugar Mama Scraps today. Use coupon code "SweetBaby100" at Sugar Mama Scraps and you'll get $1.00 off the price until next Friday (17th). It's also marked 25% off at both Ahhh Scrap and Scrap Mall.

I thought I'd offer you a couple of QPs which I made using this new kit. Hope you can use them....grab them right here and please remember to leave a comment if you take them. There has been a lot of discussion in various designer forums lately about the huge number of freebies that are taken on a daily basis versus the number of people who say "thanks"...it seems that only about 10% of scrappers will take a few seconds to say "tyvm". As you can imagine this s very disheartening for the designers and I know that several have begun cutting wayyyyyy back on the number of freebies they offer purely because of this. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now! :)

If you'd like to keep up to date with my blog...new kits, freebies, sale news, and special offers you can sign up for my monthly newsletter (sometimes an extra one is sent if there's a special event, like a blog train or sale). I never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Scrap Mall is having a Dollar Day today....so if you want to grab a bargain you should hurry along there!! Sugar Mama Scraps is now under new ownership and there are lots of special deals on offer....for instance, a free kit with every purchase!!

That's my news for today...thanks for stopping by and please do come back soon. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it, and to those who don't...have a great weekend!

Hop Aboard the Freebie Blog Train!

2009-03-31T18:25:00.005-05:00

ALL ABOARD!!!

The train is getting ready to leave the station, so jump on board and get yourself some free templates!

Start at the "main station" (Brooke's Blog) by clicking here and follow the link she posts for the next train stop. Or, if you arived here from another blog on the way, then click here for the next stop. (Kathy's blog)

Please note that not all links will be active until tomorrow - April 1st.

Here's my contribution to the train...you can get it here.

While we all hope you enjoy the train journey, please do remember that all the freebies are given by the designers as a way for you to try out their creations. If you enjoy a particular designer's work - and use it in your layouts or designs, then please remember to support them by making even a small purchase. from the Ahhh Scrap store.

While you're in the store don't forget to look out for some extra freebie items scattered there...and there are also tons of sale items from many of the designers.

Thanks for stopping by and - woooo wooooo...the train is now leaving!

CU Freebie Time and Some News!

2009-03-31T09:06:00.009-05:00

Hi All,

Hasn't the weather been strange this week in the USA? There have been snow storms, tornados, unusually high amounts of rainfall...and a few days ago I got sunburnt!! Wherever you are, I hope spring is just around the corner for you!

Some news that I know will interest you - the designers at Ahhh Scrap have come together to make a blog train (which starts tomorrow, April 1st). This blog train's theme is "Templates"..so if you love working with all sorts of templates - everything from layouts to elements - then do stop by tomorrow for more details and links.

I also wanted to share a little freebie with you today; a pack of five striped papers. There's a little surprise in there for you too! Here's the preview and you can get it here.

Just before I go, I thought it was about time I shared some layouts with you....it's been a while! The first one was created by Clara Sue and shows her for adorable grandchildren.....aren't they the most gorgeous children!!! She used my "Love is in the Air" kit for her layout - you can get selected items in my Ahhh Scrap store at 50% off for TODAY ONLY by clicking here.

This striking layout was done by Judy - as always, she has just the right photo and knows how to use it to best effect! This layout shows one of her beautful granddaughters and the same kit that Clara Sue used.

The last layout is one of mine - it came about because our friend's little boy came to visit and when I asked if I could take his picture he said he wanted photos of all his "bits"! So we had fun while he pulled faces and posed...I must have 50 shots! I didn't use a specific kit for this layout - just "made to measure" for the photos.

Well that's it for today - don't forget to come bac tomorrow for all the information you'll need to hop aboard the blog train!! See you then - have a great day!

Freebie - But Be Quick!!

2009-03-17T22:47:00.003-05:00

Just a quick post tonight to let you know that I have a 48 hour freebie in the Ahhh Scrap store right now. It's a pack of 5 grungy papers...CU friendly. So hurrrrrrry!!

You'll find it here. and please, while you're there do consider supporting my designs and freebies by making a purchase, which would be VERY much appreciated!

If you're Irish, then Happy St. Patrick's Day!! If you're not Irish, hope you had a happy day anyway!

I'm Back...with a little freebie!

2009-03-06T21:21:00.007-06:00

Wow - I can hardly believe it's been a month since I last updated the blog! I usually update once a week (sometimes more) but these past few weeks have been so busy that I just haven't got around to it.

I been literally bound to my laptop creating two collections back to back for Scrapbookflair's Designer Collections. Both have just been released this week and they're yours to download free! The first one is called Making Family Memories and is somewhat heritage inspired. The second collection is named Women's Day and was created for International Women's Day, which I believe is this coming Sunday. All the collections in the download section can be used in any graphics/scrapping software...except for the templates (QPs)..which are saved in ptf format for use in the Scrapbookflair program (free download).

As soon as I'd finished working on the SBF collections I had to produce the monthly newsletter for Ahhh Scrap on behalf of Brooke (the owner) who is, as I write this, giving birth! I can't wait to see pics of the new baby! While I'm mentioning Ahhh Scrap, I should also let you know that I'm having a 40% Off Sale on my whole store right now. You have to see this month's collab kit at Ahhh Scrap! It's HUGE - 115 papers and 186 elements! It's called "Pet Lovers" and is an absolute must for all you pet owners out there. Best of all, it's only $4.99....and if you use coupon code "c52b6594f1" you'll receive a $1.00 discount!

Having finished the newsletter, I then decided it was time to get something new in the store. I'm feeling quite "vintage inspired" at the moment so I put together a couple of CU element kits (previews below). If you love making heritage layouts or are a designer looking for items to add to your heritage kits then do check them out while they're available at the reduced price.

I have a little sample freebie for you today...you can grab it here.

Scrap Mall has a great collab deal for you this month too - this one is a grab bag which contains 10 items (8 CU, 2 S4H) plus a $1.00 off coupon all for just $5.55! Wow, can't beat a deal like that for CU Items!! Click on the sale graphic at the top of this post if you'd like to browse what's on offer.

So, in between designing collections, element packs and my contribution to the collab kits..and producing the Ahhh Scrap newsletter - I've been carrying on with my job hunt. Things just seem to be getting tougher out there....so many unemployed and too few jobs. I'm waiting to hear back from an interview I attended just over a week ago. I called the office manager this week to find out if she had any news (either way) and was promised a call by the end of this week. Didn't get the call though. I have lots of applications in...and I'll keep on trying until I get something!!!

This weekend I plan on taking it easy, except that I MUST get my own newsletter out....and maybe finally getting a couple of layouts done! I've started another kit, but will put that on hold until Monday.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and are beginning to feel spring in the air in your neck of the woods! Thanks for stopping by and do come back soon........

Freebie Time, Sale and a Spring Fling!

2009-02-06T17:11:00.007-06:00

Hi All,

Today I wanted to share my latest creations and offer you a little freebie.

The kit is called Spring Fling and is done in soft pastel shades, just perfect for all your spring type layouts. Yes, I know that spring hasn't reached most of us yet....but it's coming! Personally, I prefer spring to summer, but that's probably because it gets so humid here during the summer months that it's just too uncomfortable to be outdoors....so I sit indoors freezing in the air conditioning! Anyway, I'm wandering off the point again!... The new kit should be useful for lots of different themes apart from spring...I can easily see it being used for litle girl layouts too.

You can check out the kit at either Ahhhscrap, Scrapmall, Sugar Mama Scraps or iire designs. Here's the preview........

This preview will give you a better look at the papers in the kit.......

To coordinate with the kit, I also have on offer a set of 6 QPs.....

All of my kits, elements packs, etc are on sale in all four stores, including the new stuff. You can pick it up now for a bargain price! (40% off at Scrapmall!!)

The freebie on offer today coordinates with the new kit and contains 3 items - a triple frame,a charm and a stamp. These items are an add-on to the kit (not a part of it) so if you enjoy the freebie I hope you'll consider supporting my designs by buying the kit or the QPs. You can pick up the freebie here. PLEASE don't forget to leave a comment when you grab it - using my Shoutbox is probably the quickest way..I really appreciate those who take the time to just say "hi" or thanks".

Are you a Scrapbook MAX! user? Then you should check out a new store, owned by Steve Russell. If you buy booster packs from the SM site then you'll know Steve's designs. His store - iire designs - has regular kits on offer as well as an ever growing number of booster packs and templates especially designed for use in Scrapbook MAX!...so check it out.

SALES AND SPECIALS

Ahhhscrap has tons of goodies on sale at the moment, as well as some great freebies, and this month's collab kit "Road Trip" is FABULOUS!!! This HUGE kit is available for only $4.99 and contains 120 papers, 2 full alphas and 225 elements!

Scrap Mall is beginning to fill up their shelves with some really nice stuff - everything in this store is ether Scrap 4 Hire friendly or Commercial Use. There are plenty of opening offers in this new store - everything by me is offered at 40% off.

Sugar Mama Scraps has a Valentine's Day kit on offer FREE with any purchase! Scroll down to the bottom of the home page for freebies while you're there.

That's about it from me for today. I'll be sharing some CT layouts within the next few days and wll have another freebie....so come back back for a visit soon! If you want to make sure you don't miss a freebie or news of sales and new designs, sign up for my newsletter. I usually send it out on a monthly basis...and I NEVER share your email address with anyone. You can find the sign up box here on the blog (look in the sidebar).

Have a great weekend!

New CT Member, New Store, New CU Freebie!

2009-01-16T22:23:00.009-06:00

Hi!

The weekend is here already! Where did this week go to...

It's been a very busy, but productive, few days for me. First of all, I was going through the replies I received to my CT call - thanks to all who applied! - and made my first choice. So, who is it? Well, you may know her by her screen name "kezcreates"...otherwise known as Karrie. I'd admired Karrie's layouts on Scrapbbokflair for some time, so was delighted when I saw her email and snapped her up! Not only is Karrie a talented scrapper, but she also designs - so I was highly honored that she wanted to join my CT. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is mom to 3 - 2 boys and a girl. You can visit her blog by clicking the banner below.

Having only joined the CT yesterday...I was amazed when she posted her first two layouts using one of my kits (Winter Wonderland). Here they are....don't they look they're having a ball!! You can visit Karrie's SBF gallery here. So...welcome to the team Karrie!

As regular readers of this blog will remember, whenever I introduce a new CT member I like to celebrate by giving away a small freebie, so of course I have one for you today. It's a colored glass alpha, which is commercial use friendly. Here's a preview and you can get it by clicking here.

My BIG news this week is that I've been invited to join the design Team at a brand new store - Scrap Mall. I am so excited, as the store owner is Catia Cunha, a designer I've long admired. There's not a ton of stuff in the store yet, but it's filling up fast and I should also mention that EVERYTHING in the store is going to be either Commercial Use or Scrap4H !! I also wanted to mention that everything I put in the store up until the end of this month s 50% off, so if you don't see anything you want today just keep popping back! I'll be adding stuff every day for the next week or so at least...as will all the other designers. From now on I will e offering ALL of my kits as Scrap4H friendly...so if you've bought something of mine recently, please feel free to use it in your print projects for sale. You can email me for the new TOU.

Did you notice the new Scrapbook MAX! banners in the sidebar? Well, They're there because all of my kits are compatible with the Scrapbook MAX! software and I'll be writing a software review shortly. If you're new to scrapping and haven't made up your mind about which software to buy, then you should check out their website for details. I also have something else in the pipeline...but shhhhhhh....more about that next time!

Hope you'll all leave a little welcome message for Karrie in my Shout Box and that you enjoy using the freebie. Have a great weekend!

New Kit, Freebie and a CT Call!

2009-01-12T12:50:00.009-06:00

Hello!

Hope you all had a good weekend. Ours was fairly quiet, although we did manage to get out to see "Gran Torino", the new Clint Eastwood movie. It was great! Classic Eastwood at his best. Not a film to take the kids to though, because of the strong language!

Last night I finished a new kit....my prettiest yet, I think. More of that in a moment.....

As you can see from this post's title, I am putting out a CT call. This is slightly different though...I need someone who will, in exchange for receiving all my designs for free, be able to market my designs. I suppose that what being a CT member really is but I need someone who'll concentrate more on getting my designs "out there" to groups, forums, etc. Of course posting layouts to galleries is one way to show off my kits, but I thought that by getting my name/designs out to more scrap sites/forums/blogs then maybe (??) I could actually sell something! Anyway, if you think you would like to apply for the position then please contact me at scrappinsooze@cox.net and we can discuss it further.

Ok...back to the new kit! It's called "Love Is In The Air" and although I created it with Valentine's Day in mind, I tried not to make it too specific to that day so it would be a little more versatile. I reckon you could use it for any romantic/love related layouts or even (because of the colors used) for girly type layouts. I hope you all like this one as much as I do and that a few of you will help support my designs and the freebies I bring you by going along to either Ahhhscrap or Sugar Mama Scraps to purchase the kit. By the way, the freebie today is an add-on to the kit - so none of the contents are repeated in the kit.

Here's a layout I made last night along with the kit preview and a preview of your freebie....

You can grab the freebie here...and don't forget to stop by my Shout Box to say "hi" before you leave! Also....don't forget my news from the last post re the chat room now available. Everyone is welcome to use it, so f you want to arrange to "meet" a friend there then please feel free to give them the link so you can chat! Thanks for stopping by and please do come back soon!

Chat Room!

2009-01-07T22:49:00.002-06:00

Hi All,

I am sooooo excited about this! I have just figured out how to add a forum and a chat room to the blog! I'm hoping you will all give this a try and make it a regular stopping place to come chat about scrapping or just life in general. The forum will mainly be used for questions, suggestions, tip and tricks, news, etc.

I still have some tidying up to do - I want to make new headers, etc, but the chat room is up and runing now, as is the forum. You can visit them by clicking on the links in the sidebar.

To use the chat room you will have to have Java installed on your computer...which you probably already have. If you don't have it you can install it free from www.java.com When you click on the chat room icon here on the blog you will be asked for a name and profile - the profile is not really necessary, but please do add it if you'd like to - then click on "chat" and the room will open. Hopefully when you visit there will be someone else there to chat to...but I am planning on making regular chat "meets" at specific time, so watch out for details coming soon. Oh...and when you want to start chatting, type your "hello" or whatever at the bottom of the chat room...not in the main chat area!

I have also reopened the mailing list for my monthly newsletter, so feel free to add your name (details in the sidebar). I will NEVER pass on your email address or other details to anyone else, so please sign up with confidence. By subscribing to the newsletter you'll be kept up to dat with new freebies, kits, sales and anything special happening in the forum or chat room.....and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Well, that's my news for tonight! Hope you'll all take advantage of the chat facilities now on offer!

Another Freebie - just because I feel like it!

2009-01-05T22:27:00.003-06:00

Hey ladies (and gents)...I have another freebie for you tonight, from my latest kit "Winter Wonderland". I was playing around all afternoon just trying out some stuff in Photoshop and came up with a nifty little frame that has the look of an album. I decided to see if anyone who visits the blog would like to have it...then I added a few pieces from the kit for good measure!

There are 2 papers and 6 elements for you to play with. If you enjoy using them please consider buying the full kit from either Sugar Mama Scraps or Ahhhscrap! The full kit contains 15 gorgeous papers and 40 elements! (see yesterday's post for the preview pic)

I want to say thanks to those of you who left a comment for yesterday's freebie....either on 4shared, my Shoutbox or via email....I REALLY appreciate the feedback! Anyway, here s a preview of the Winter Wonderland sampler and you can grab it here. Enjoy!

New Year, New Kit, New Freebie!

2009-01-04T18:32:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time over the festive season and are raring to go in 2009. I'm hoping that this year will prove better for hubby and me....last year wasn't our best. Any day now I'm SURE to get a job and that will be a huge help!!!! For the time being I'll keep plugging away at the designing and hope that things pick up there too. As always I'm, optimistic that things will get better for us.

I just finshed a new kit this afternoon and wanted to get it into the stores right away and to mention it here on the blog. I also have a freebie QP for you.

The kit is called "Winter Wonderland" and is now available at both Sugar Mama Scraps and Ahhhscrap. Both stores have some great deals right now. Sugar Mama has a free kit called "Let It Snow" which you can add to your cart with every purchase, as well as a small freebie section! Ahhhscrap has lots of January sale items plus a gorgeous (and HUGE) collab kit - "All You Need is Love" (over 120 papers and 180 elements!!!) for only $5.99....and some freebies scattered throughout the store.

Here's a preview of my latest and please note that not all elements and papers are shown in the preview. There are 15 papers and 40 elements in this one....

You can grab the freebie QP here and please remember to take a moment to leave me a comment - the quickest way is to use the Shoutbox on the blog homepage. I can't stress enough how much it means to see a comment waiting for me when I come online....just a "tyvm" or a "Hi Sooze!" makes me feel that at least people are not here just to "grab and run"! :)

Christmas Cookies Freebie

2008-12-24T21:28:00.004-06:00

Tonight's post is just to bring you a little Christmas gift. I recently released a set of "Christmas Cookie" elements at Ahhhscrap and Sugar Mama Scraps and I wanted to share some of them with you, along with a few other little goodies.

So here it is....and it comes with my thanks to those of you who leave comments here on my blog and to the few who make it to the stores to buy my kits. I'm grateful to every one of you!

You can grab the freebie here and please take a moment to leave me a message in my Shout Box.

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends!!

Freebie QPs!

2008-12-15T22:22:00.001-06:00

Hi All,
Just a quick post tonight to bring you a couple of freebies - QPs, which I made using my Christmas kit "Cool Yule!".

The first preview shows 2 QPs that you can download here on the blog and the second is another QP which you can get at Ahhhscrap tomorrow (16th) and will be available there for 48 hours only.

You can download this set here and PLEASE, once again, all I'm asking in return is that you leave a quick "thanks" either under this post, at 4shared or in my Shout Box (which is the quickest way to do it). Just as you appreciate collecting freebies...I appreciate all comments and thanks so please do take a moment. By the way, you can also collect this freebie over at Sugar Mama Scraps.

The second freebie QP is available for only 48 hours over at Ahhhscrap. If you don't see it on the front page of the store just go to the designer list and click on "Scrappin Sooze"....you should find it there tomorrow. Here's a preview...

That's all from me for tonight....going for an early night as I have a job interview tomorrow morning! Fives months of unemployment will get you very excited about just having an interview!! Wish me luck - I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by and please visit again.

Cool Yule! Kit and a Freebie Sampler!

2008-12-11T23:08:00.000-06:00

It's after 11pm and I'm tired after a busy day shopping...so this is going to be a very short post!

I wanted to let you know that I have another new Christmas kit - Cool Yule! Because I'd already made a Christmas kit this year (All I Want For Christmas) I'd planned on making this second one a little mini kit. However I got so caught up in it that it's turned into a mega!! There are 24 papers and 75 elements!! I just LOVED working with these bright colors and have already made several layouts using the kit...most of them non-Christmas, like the two below. I'd been wanting to start scrapping some of the photos I took while my daughter, Julie, was here last month and the colors in Cool Yule! just seemed appropriate for the pics....

I had to split the kit previews into 5 parts to show everything!!! Here are the previews and you can get the kit at either Ahhhscrap or Sugar Mama Scraps.

The freebie is a little sampler, which I haven't had time to make a preview for, but it contains 2 papers and 6 elements....have fun with it and if you enjoy it I'd love to see what you do with it! You can download it here.

Thanks again for stopping by and please come back soon!

Merry Christmas From Our Little Family!

2008-12-07T11:48:00.000-06:00

Before clicking on the play button you'll need to go over to the sidebar and put the music player on pause!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

December Daily Freebie at Sugar Mama Scraps!

2008-11-30T22:46:00.000-06:00

Christmas is almost upon us...can you believe it??? Another year has passed too quickly - or am I just getting older? Oh well, nothing I can do about that. But I can tell you about a special "Countdown to Christmas" over at Sugar Mama Scraps. Starting tomorrow (December 1st) you can collect a freebie every day of the month! Each freebie will be available for 24 hours only....so don't miss a day! Also, with EVERY purchase you make you'll receive a free Rustic Christmas mega kit!!!

Another freebie for you - this time from me personally, is a couple of December desktop calendars/wallpapers which I made using my kit "All Want For Christmas". This freebie has to be collected from Ahhhscrap and you can get it here - and this one is only available for 48 hours before it goes into the store......so grab it now while it's free!

Also...check out Christi's blog for a freebie QP. This is her very first freebie, so PLEASE be sure to leave her a little love when you grab it.

That's it for tonight....just wanted to give you a "heads up" about those freebies and show off a couple of new layouts by Judy and one from Clara Sue...aren't they gorgeous!!!!

Thanks for stopping by - come back soon!

BIG SALES and a Freebie!

2008-11-26T21:20:00.001-06:00

Hi All,

I wanted to remind you that there are a couple of GREAT sales coming up! Sugar Mama Scraps is having a Dollar Sale for Thanksgiving. Not every item in the store will be reduced....but there are going to be tons of bargains. Actually, I've already reduced everything of mine in the store to $1.00....no time to do it while I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow....so you can grab those dollar deals tonight and all day Thursday.

Americans will know what I mean by "Black Friday"...but for those of you living elsewhere, let me explain. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when all the stores have huge sales....trying to get their sales figures into "the black" for the year. Anyway, over at Ahhhscrap they're planning a HUGE Black Friday sale for the 28th. Do go along and browse the bargains while you're digesting that Thanksgiving dinner (and hubby is washing the dishes!!) Also, don't forget that they have a dollar day every Wednesday!

Also, just a reminder about my section of the store over at Crafty Scraps ...I've reduced everything to $1.50 until the end of this month when I will no longer be selling there (see post below for details).

I have a freebie for you today.....a set of three QPs from my kit "All I Want For Christmas". You can grab them here and as always I would love to get some comments from you! I know that 4shared now make you sign in to leave comments (which s a real pain), but you can always leave them under this post or in my Shout box on the left side of the page. I really do appreciate a quick "tyvm"!

I've also made a set of six brag book pages from the new kit. You can get them at Ahhhscrap or Sugar Mama Scraps now.

Just before I sign off for tonight I wanted to share this layout I made. Here are my two boys showing off their new sweaters....

For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving....have a wonderful day and don't eat too much turkey!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.....hope to see you here again soon!

Another Sale!!

2008-11-22T16:33:00.001-06:00

Just a quick followup to my post from this morning...news of another sale you might like to take advantage of.

As you know, I sell my designs at several stores....one of them being Crafty Scraps. Unfortunately, at the end of this month I will no longer be selling there. The store owner, Michelle, is dealing with some serious health issues and will not have the time or energy to cope with all the demands of running store with lots of designers. So, she has decided that although thestore will remain open, it will only feature items for sale by herself and her co-owner. I completely understand why she felt the need to cut down on her workload and concentrate on her health. She has been a joy to work with and I hope you'll join me in wishing her well!

Having just received this news, I decided to reduce every item in my section of the store to only $1.50. That means you can get 10 full kits for only $15!! I believe that Michelle intends to remove all designers items at the end of November, so I will leave the sale on until then...which means that you have only 8 days to grab a bargain! Don't miss out, as these prices will not be repeated!

Once again....Crafty Scraps WILL still be operating, so do keep shopping there! Thanks again to Michelle for allowing me to be a member of the design team and it was a pleasure to do business with her!

I'm Back...with a Freebie!

2008-11-22T10:46:00.002-06:00

I'm back! Did anyone miss me though? Oh well, whether it's your first visit to my blog or you're a regular....welcome!

I'm going to keep this post fairly short today, just wanted to bring you up-to-date with my news, some sales going on and to announce my new Christmas kit.

My daughter, Julie, came over from Scotland for 3 weeks....so I put all thoughts of scrapping/designing aside while she was here so we could spend some "quality" time together. We had a lovely visit - I wish it could have been longer though. Three weeks seemed like a long time when she arrived...but not so long when it was time for her to go home! I took loads of pictures, so will hopefully get some layouts done within the next few days.

For those of you who are members of Scrapbookflair, you should have received an email to announce the release of the Hanukkah collection that I designed. Even if you don't celebrate Hanukkah, you will find lots of goodies in this collection that you can still use. If you're not a member of the site...why not??? Sign up (it's fast and free) and you will have access to all the designer collections. I guarantee you will be busy for hours with all the free downloads! Also, they have a lively forum section and a whole bunch of friendly scrappers to welcome you! Their sister site, Scrapbooksplease is having a fantastic sale at the moment....if you like to have your layouts printed professionally then you will love this sale! 8' x 8' prints are prices from 74 cents and 12' x 12' from only 99 cents!!! Click on the ad below to visit the site and get yourself a really great deal. If you're thinking of giving a scrapbook as a Christmas gift then this is the time to order your prints!

Also just completed is my "All I Want For Christmas" kit, which I am loving!! I plan on making another Christmas kit next week - something a little different, so watch this space! Your freebie today is a small sampler from the new kit - more about that in a sec.

I wanted to give you all a heads up about a Thanksgiving Sale that's coming up...strangely enough on Thanksgiving Day (November 27th). :) Sugar Mama Scraps is having a Dollar Day sale.....so head over there on Thursday to grab yourself some great bargains!! Just click on the ad below to visit the store.

Now for the previews for my new Christmas kit - available at Ahhhscrap now. The kit contains 15 papers and 45 elements - hence the two previews (and still not all elements are shown!). The freebie from this kit is a small sampler containing 1 paper and 6 elements - I hope you enjoy using it and PLEASE leave me a comment if you download it. Here are the previews to the kit and you can download the freebie here.

One more sale to mention - check out Ahhhscrap's special offer during November/December (details below)...and in case you didn't know, every Wednesday is Dollar Day at Ahhhscrap!!! Click on the ad below to visit the store now - there are some GORGEOUS kits available, including this month's HUGE collab kit for just $4.99!!

Thanks for stopping by - come back soon!

New Kit and a Freebie!

2008-10-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

Where has the week gone?? It's flown by for me, partly because I've been so busy with house cleaning. Yes...you read that correctly...I have a clean house! My daughter, Julie, is coming to stay for 3 weeks and is flying in from Scotland on Tuesday. I'm so excited that I haven't been able to sit still!!

I did get time to make a new kit though! It was a request from one of my CT members, Clara Sue (nana susie) whose new granddaughter, Marlee, was born on Tuesday. Marlee's mommy had decorated the nursery in one of my favorite color combos, so I was very happy to be able to make a kit to go along with it....and hence the name "Sweet Marlee" Here's a preview....

Clara Sue sent me this layout she made with the kit yesterday...it shows her granddaughter Ayla with her new baby sister. Clara Sue...as always you did a beautiful job and thanks for sharing your happy news. Many congratulation to the family on your precious new addition!

Although this kit has a couple of baby specific items, it really is suitable for layouts of girls of any age. There's lot of lace and flowers and bows.....a very feminine kit! You can get the kit at a special sale price over at Crafty Scraps, Sugar Mama Scraps or Ahhh Scrap. Yes.....I am now designing for a third store...Ahhh Scrap! Go along and check it out...they have some great freebies on offer as well as some really beautiful kits on sale.

For todays freebie I have two QPs which I made from the Sweet Marlee kit. I haven't had time to make a preview, so you'll just have to collect them and get a surprise! You can grab them here.

To those of you who do leave comments when you take a freebie, I want to thank you for taking those few seconds to say "thanks"...it really is much appreciated. On this subject, I came across a very well written aticle about freebie collecting, which I think ALL scrappers and designers should read! You can find it here.

Remember that you can contact me with any kit suggestions or color requests. I'll see what I can come up with. If I do fill your request then I'll give you the kit free!

That's it from me for tonight. Hope you've all had a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Blog Hopping for Freebies!!

2008-10-15T10:04:00.001-05:00

Good morning everyone...hope you have a while set aside today for surfing and downloading freebies, because you've come to the right place! As most of you will know I recently took part in the SAS Designer Contest and made some new friends in the process. Well, we wanted to say "thanks" for all the support each of us received and today is the day! Actually, the downloads will be available until at least the end of this month....so if you don't have time to download everything today you can come back to get the rest!

This whole "event" was suggested by Nani, who also did all the organising, created the web page, and generally kept everything running smoothly! So everyone who downloads one or more of the freebies has Nani to thank for it!

Click here to get to the main Party Page and you can then follow the links to each designer's freebies. Have fun and THANKS for your support during the contest!!

My freebie is a set of 6 brag book pages made with my "Just 4 Fun" kit and you can grab them here. PLEASE don't forget to leave a little luv!

More Awards a Freebie and a Closing Down Sale!!

2008-10-08T20:05:00.004-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that I'd decided to close down my ecrater store, mainly because it doesn't have the instant download facility which we scrappers love. It's such a pain to buy something only to have to wait for the store owner to receive notification of your payment...then they have to email you with the download link and password...and that could take several hours. So although the store served its purpose for a while I think the time has come for a "Going Out of Business" sale...and you benefit! As you can see from the ad at the top of this post, I have reduced the price of EVERYTHING left in the store to $2.00 (there are even a few items at under $2!!). Strictly speaking the sale doesn't start until tomorrow (Thursday)...but I've just finished changing the prices so if you want to grab a bargain tonight then feel free!

As you know I am now selling my designs at Crafty Scraps and Sugar Mama Scraps, so you can still buy my kits PLUS you will be able to download them immediately! Remember that at Crafty Scraps you will receive a HUGE (over 200 pieces) collaboration kit FREE with any purchase and there's a new collab kit every month. Over at Sugar Mam Scraps you'll also receive a FREE kit with any purchase to celebrate their grand opening....so do go along and check these stores out! I've also had an offer to sell at another store, but that hasn't been finalised yet...more about that at a later date!!

My last post included news of a couple of awards I'd been nominated for...well tonight I have another couple!! The Gold Star Blog Award was sent to me by two lovely ladies...Rachael & Nani. Thank you so much ladies! I met Nani during the SAS designer contest and she was the most supportive cheerleader you could wish for....one of the most upbeat people I've ever "met". She is also starting a blog train soon, which I'll tell you about in another week or so.

Rachael is the brains behind the current charity blog train for "Here For Life" (read about it here) and she kindly sent me my second award. Thanks again Rachael! By the way, don't forget that you can still hop aboard this blog train to help a good cause and snag yourself a collab kit from 6 designers! Thanks to those who have already donated - hope you're enjoying your kits!

I haven't had much designing time over the past week or two....so I decided that tonight's freebie would have to be something quick! Hence the two QPs on offer, both made using my "This Old House" kit. This kit is so big it had to be split into two parts....see the previews below. You can get this kit at either Crafty Scraps or Sugar Mama Scraps.

The freebie is HERE.

That's it from me for tonight....do remember to pay a visit to my ecrater store to grab a last minute bargain! Thanks for stopping by....

CU Freebie and Some News!

2008-10-06T21:19:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

First of all, I hope you like the new look of the blog. I've still got a little tweaking to do here and there, but overall I'm quite liking it! It's the first time I've tried making a blog background and I enjoyed using my "This Old House" kit on it. I've also made a new blinkie...so please feel free to grab it and link to me.

I also added a "Follow This Blog" box yesterday, so I hope you'll click on the box to be notified of new posts (and freebies!).......and have you noticed the Shout Box? This makes it even quicker and easier to leave me a message or comment when you visit the blog......so please take a few seconds to say "hi" while you're here!

I still have a few blinkies and links to post, but that will have to wait until tomorrow...I'm off to bed as soon as I've finished here.

I haven't posted since last week, so I wanted to bring you up to date with the designer contest results over at SAS. Well, I didn't get into the top three - not surpisingly! I was very pleased to have made it to the finals though and will definitely try another contest when I find one! The three winners made some gorgeous kits and deserved to be placed at the top...however there were also many other beautiful designs entered, so congrats to everyone who entered!! Good luck to the winners with their new SAS stores! I also wanted to thank everyone who supported me with their encouraging coments and votes - they were much appreciated!

My big news is that I am now selling at another store! Today I joined the designers over at Sugar Mama Scraps!! I haven't had a chance to upload much yet, but as well as some of my older kits and wordarts you'll find that the kits which were made for the SAS contest will be repackaged and in the store. Of course I'll still be selling at Crafty Scraps too. I have decided to close the ecrater store though. It served it purpose for a while, but the lack of digital downloading is a real pain to deal with....both for me and the customers. I'm planning a special sale there...more about that tomorrow.

I've recently been nominated for a couple of awards, but being so busy with the design contest I just haven't had a chance to acknowledge them...or to pass them on. So, tonight I have to thank several people for nominating me over the past few weeks.....

This award came to me from three sources....Lesley (aka Tailz-the-kat) so a big "thanks mate" to her ! You can check out Lesley's blog here...she has some wonderful designs and loads of freebies.....and a wicked sense of humour!

I was also nominated for the award by Karrie (kezcreates) whose blog is here. She also has some beautiful designs, freebies and links to TONS of great scrapping blogs!

Lorelei of Fab D'zines Freebies also sent me this award. She has some really cute freebie kits on her blog...check it out today! Thanks Lorelei!!

The idea is that when you accept this award you then pass it on to 7 other people who deserve it, post links to their blog and let them know that you've nominated them!.....so I would like to nominate the following.....

Judy

Ambowife (Tracy)

Wolfnanny (Amy)

Cherrish Treasures (Lis)

LeahsFrog (Rachael)

Shawtyp (Heather)

Mitsybelle

My second award was a huge surprise and given to me by two people...Donna over at Designs by Donna . Please check out her blog for some very pretty freebies and to read about, and pray for, her little grandaughter Kaitlin, who is going through a difficult situation at the moment. Thanks for the award Donna!!!

This one also came from Jay at Scrappers Adventures . Her blog is always so interesting to read...all about her family, homelife and of course scrapping!

I'd like to pass this award on to Carol at CJ's Angelscrapper who is such a lovely and generous lady. Carol set up a website where all the designers were just starting out and she gave her time and efforts freely to help us all gain exposure to our blogs and stores. Thank you Carol!!!!!

Finally...your freebie tonight is CU friendly...use it however you like (but please read the TOU enclosed!). It's a "Lucky Bag" of basic element templates...a button, some hearts, a frame, etc. The great thing about templates of course, is that you can use them to "cut out" the shapes with the background paper of your choice to coordinate with your layouts/kits. So, have fun with them and you can grab them here.

That's it for tonight.....I'll be back tomorrow with news of my BIG SALE at ecrater!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Charity Blog Train is Now Boarding!

2008-10-01T22:51:00.004-05:00

Click on the image above for details on how to make your donation and collect your kits!

Please consider making a $5 donation to this very worthy cause! As a "thank you" for your donation you will be given the download links and passwords to each designer's contribution to the collaboration kit.

About the Cause

Click here to learn about this organization and for more information on how you can help..... and to see the previews from each designer, visit Rachael's blog.

The designers have been revealed!

Nutkin Tailz Designs

and here's my preview .....

Charity Blog Train Starts Oct 2nd!

2008-10-01T22:31:00.002-05:00

Scrap for Charity Campaign 1

Can you help?

Rachael, a fellow scrapper and member at Scrapbookflair came up with the idea of starting a "Scrap for Charity" group, which I was very happy to be a part of, along with several other designers.

The idea is that you make a $5 donation to the charity/cause and when you get the acknowledgement/receipt from the organization you will be given the passwords to download the kits! You can get more details on Rachael's blog.

The first campaign in the Scrap for Charity run is: Yellow Ribbon-Here for Life and it will begin on October 2nd. On this day the kits will be revealed along with all the guest designers, if you wish to make a donation now in anticipation of the kits release you can do so by clicking image above.

Wednesday Freebie Add-On

2008-10-01T20:04:00.001-05:00

I'm going to make this a very quick post! I have a charity mini-kit to get zipped and uploaded....more on that later....

Tonight I have your third and final add-on to my "Just 4 Fun" kit. I guess you are all pretty familiar with the Designer Contest by now...but for those who don't know about it (can there really be any scrapper who hasn't heard about it???) you can go along and register at Stone Accents Studios to download all the free kits in the SAS Designer Contest...then place a vote for your faves. The voting ends tomorrow and I'm way back in about 6th place so I could use some more support people!!! :) Here are the relevant links....

GALLERY

VOTE

.......and remember that you do need to be logged on to vote and download the kits. PLEASE consider "Just 4 Fun by Sooze" when you cast your vote!

Looks like I won't make the top three, but hey, that's the way it goes sometimes. I'm still glad I entered and am proud of myself for getting through to the final round of my first designer contest!

So....here's a preview of todays' freebie and you can get it here.

Your Tuesday Freebie!

2008-09-30T23:06:00.000-05:00

Oops! I was just heading off to bed and realized that I hadn't posted today's freebie add-on to my "Just 4 Fun" kit. Hubby and I decided to get out of the house for a few hours today and it completely slipped my mind when I got home.

We just walked around the mall, stopped for an early dinner and picked up some bargains....a couple of books (the latest John Sandford who we both love, and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski..which was one of Oprah's book club choices for 2008.) I also got a wok..as we are both determined to stop eating crappy processed foods and frozen tv dinners! Cliff doesn't know it yet...but he is going to get some simple stir-fry cooking lessons!!! I've been home for a couple of months after being laid off from my job and my rear end gets wider by the day....I just sit here at the laptop and snack 'n' scrap - it's going to stop!!!! I hope

If you haven't been over to Stone Accents Studios this week, you can still pick up my entry for the final round of the SAS Designer Contest. Check out the gallery for more fabulous kits - all yours for free. Do remember to leave a comment for any kits you download - I know I appreciate it and I'm sure the other designers do too. There's still time to get your votes in too...so PLEASE consider "Just 4 Fun" when you do your voting! Many thanks to those of you who've already left encouraging comments and votes!!

Anyway, that's what we did today and I'm exhausted from all that walking (sooooo unfit!!!) , so without any further chatting on my part, here's the preview to your Tuesday add-on and you can get it here.

I'll try not to forget tomorrow's freebie!!!! :)

The Final Round and a Freebie!

2008-09-29T18:50:00.001-05:00

Well ladies (and gents), with your help I have somehow managed to get through to the final round of the Stone Accents Studios Designer Contest!!! The voting will start shortly and, once again, I'm asking for your help - and your votes!!

This week we were given no palette and no theme....which kind of made it harder to come up with a kit that people would like and take the time to vote for! It took me until Friday afternoon just to come up with a color palette I liked (and still no theme!). The more I got "into" it the theme just sort of developed as a "fun" kit. Hence the name "Just 4 Fun". I love the result.....however I'm pretty sure that people will give more votes to the softer, prettier kits. As long as you all enjoy using the kit then I'm happy (happier still if you voted for it though!)

Here are my two "previews" for the kit......and you can download it from the gallery Please remember to visit the poll whle you're there and leave your votes.....every one counts!!!!! Also remember that you need to be registered at SAS to download the kits and to vote!

I did a sample layout using the kit...........it shows my lovely Mum and Dad enjoying their garden, back in 2003. I wanted to make a cheerful page for them rather than an "in memory" type page - Mum passed away in March 2005 and Dad just last September. Mum loved her garden and could be found in her greenhouse even on rainy days, tending to her clippings and seedlings!

...and your freebie add-on today consists of 2 papers, a QP, a clip, a button and a cupcake! Here's the preview and you can get it here. Enjoy!!! Don't forget to come back for the rest of the add-ons this week!

Once again...thanks to all who've voted for me over the last three weeks and helped me to get to the final!!!! xxx

Last Freebie Add-On for "This Old House"!

2008-09-25T11:26:00.001-05:00

Here it is ladies....your last freebie add-on for "This Old House". There are another 5 elements in this add-on....so if you downloaded the previous 3 add-ons this week then you'll have a total of 20 extra elements/papers to coordinate with "This Old House"!

If you've just found this blog then I suggest you take a peek over at Stone Accents Studios birthday bash....there are loads of fun things to join in with. PLEASE take time to stop off at the SAS Designer Contest and look at all the gorgeous entries for this week - and download your favorites! Then take a few seconds to VOTE for the ones you like best (2-3max). Hopefully my kit will be amongst those you think deserve a vote!!

Voting ends today....so you'll have to hurry to get there in time!

Here's your preview of today's add-on. You can download it here. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to leave me a comment or a vote, either here, at 4shared or at Stone Accents.

Here's Your Wednesday Freebie!

2008-09-24T18:41:00.000-05:00

If you've come back to my blog looking for the next freebie add-on to my "This Old House" kit...then you're in luck! Today I have another five items in this add-on, which you can see below.

I want to thank everyone who's given their support during the SAS Designer Contest....whether it was by leaving an encouraging comment or by voting for my entry...thank you, thank you, thank you!

If you haven't had time...or didn't know about it....then you have until tomorrow to get your votes in and download your favorite kits for free! Just register at Stone Accents Studios, check out the contest gallery and then go leave a vote at the poll. Remember that you can only vote once...but you may choose up to 3 kits to vote for.

There will be one more add-on to my kit tomorrow, so don't forget to come back for it! IF I get through to the fnal round of the contest (it's very close at the moment!) there'll be another freebie kit and more add-ons next week (starting Monday)....so wish me luck!

So, here's the preview of today's freebie and you can grab it here. Please remember to leave a comment if you take it.....which I've made even easier for you by adding a "Shout Box" on the left side of this page..so please do stop for a moment and say "Hi"!

Time For Your Tuesday Freebie!

2008-09-23T19:28:00.000-05:00

The voting is now well under way at the Stone Accents Studio designer contest and it's going to be a close call! There are already a couple of front-runners ( and deservedly so!) while the rest of us are still hoping for many more votes to get us into the final round on Thursday.

So, if you haven't voted for your favorites yet, please stop by the gallery to check out the gorgeous kits (all available for free download) and then go to the Voting Poll to vote for your faves (2-3 maximum...and you can only vote one time). The gallery and voting poll links are in yesterdays post.

Today I have another add-on to my entry for the contest - This Old House - which I hope you think deserves a vote! To anyone who has already voted for my kit.....thank you so much!!!! I hope you're all enjoying the kit!

Here's the preview and you can collect it here. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the next freebie add-on!

I'm in Round 3!!...more Freebies For You Too!

2008-09-22T20:53:00.002-05:00

Well I did it! Yep...made it to Round 3 of the Stone Accents Studio designer contest!! Woohoo!!!

This week the contestants were given what I thought was quite a bland and dull palette (all browns and tans) and a theme of "heritage". It took me a while to warm up to the challenge, but in the end I'm very pleased with my entry. Whether or not it's good enough to get me through to the final round is another story!

That's where you all come in! I'm really going to need your votes this week if I'm to move on to round 4.....so please download my kit, look through it to check the quality and then go vote for it!!! :) You can place your votes here!

Here are the two previews of my kit...called "This Old House". Remember that to download this freebie kit you'll have to be registered with SAS first. You can do that in two minutes, right here, and then help yourself to all the gorgeous kits in the gallery. Just click on the thumbnails and you'll see the download links in the kit description.

I know that most of the designers are nervous and stressed in this round of the contest, so I'd like to remind you to leave them an encouraging comment while you download their kits. ...and do remember to place a vote for your favorite 3 or 4 kits (hopefully mine will be amongst them!)

I kept some of my elements back to give you as freebie add-ons to my kit from today until Thursday. Each add-on has five items....so that's an extra 20 items (papers and elements) you can add to the kit just by coming to the blog everyday to get the download link!

Here's the first add-on....

and you can get it here. Any comments you leave are VERY MUCH appreciated!!! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the second add-on!

Finally, I wanted to post a couple of layouts I did with my kit...the first one is my great-great grandmother, Catherine...and the second is my Nana, Rose.

Last Freebie Add-on for Girl's Night Out!

2008-09-18T11:34:00.001-05:00

For those of you who downloaded my Girl's Night Out kit over at Stone Accent Studios....and the freebie add-ons here on my blog...here's the last part of this kit.
I wanted to thank all of you who have left a comment, or voted on my kit in the Designer Contest, or just left a "TYVM" on 4shared. Each comment or vote was VERY MUCH appreciated!!!
It looks like I may just scrape through to the next round of the contest...and if I do, we'll be starting this all over again from next Monday! So, do check back here to see what happens. Hopefully I'll have news of another free kit and some add-ons for you!
Apart from the contest, I've been busy making an album for my brother's 50th birthday which I MUST get finished this weekend so I can mail it in time. Then I have a commission to work on a pet's album for an ex-colleague. After that's all done I should find time to start a kit for the store!! I had asked, here on the blog, for suggestions for kits...and Amy came up with one I'd love to get started on. Not telling what it is yet...I'm keeping "mum" for now! :)
So....here's your final add-on to Girl's Night Out. I hope you've all enjoyed this kit and please do remember that if you'd like to share your layouts made with this kit then I'd love to see them and show them off here!

You can download the freebie here.

Third Add-on Freebie to Girl's Night Out!

2008-09-17T21:10:00.002-05:00

Here ya go! As promised I have yet another add-on to the Girl's Night Out Kit for you.

For those of you who don't know about this kit...it's my entry for Round 2 of the Stone Accent Studio designer contest. If you'd like the whole kit (20 papers and 20 elements) you'll have to register there. It only takes a minute and then you'll be able to download ALL the wonderful kits and QPs created by this week's entrants. PLEASE do remember to leave a comment for any kits you choose to download. It does help the designers to get some feedback on their hard work....and it's also just plain polite to thank them!

I'm keeping this post short and sweet tonight, so will just end by saying that the voting is only open until tomorrow, so PLEASE make your way over to cast your votes here. for your favorite kits! Remember that although you can choose 3 - 4 kits to vote for, you may only vote one time!

Today's freebie consists of 1 background paper, a triple ribbon border, a glitter butterfly charm, a glitter fabric flower and even a little black dress! Here the preview and you can download it here.

Hope you enjoy using this kit as much as I enjoyed making it...and don't forget to come back tomorrow for the final add-on!

Another "Girl's Night Out" Freebie Add-on!

2008-09-16T17:28:00.004-05:00

Hi all,

As promised yesterday, I have another add-on for the Girl's Night Out kit! If you haven't visited my blog for a few days you should scroll back a couple of posts!

The voting is underway at Stone Accent Studios designer contest....and my entry is about half way up the polls. So, I'm doing better than expected... but the voting is open until Thursday so you still have time to go over and cast your votes! There are so many really gorgeous kits in this round that voting for your fave 3 or 4 is pretty difficult! Remember though, that you have to be a registered user to vote...and to download all those beautiful kits for free! If you use my kit, and like it, I'd really appreciate your vote!

As well as posting a freebie, also wanted to show you a layout I made with the QP from todays add-on. The photo shows my beautiful mum (on left) with her best friend Annie, taken at a local dance hall. Mum was 17 at the time. Didn't they look glamorous? People don't seem to dress up much these days and I think that's sad.

I was thrilled to receive a couple of awards for my blog this week. Time is running away from me though, so I haven't had a chance to post them yet. I'll be showing them off later this week....and nominating my own fave scrapping blogs in return!

Yesterday I said I'd like to show off a couple of layouts done by my CT, so here they are!

The first one was done by Clara Sue, with my new kit "Bugs 4 Bryce"...and the handsome little guy in the layout is Bryce himself! Bryce is Clara Sue's grandson...and she'd asked me to make a kit on a bug theme for his birthday photos. You can get this kit over at craftyscraps and there's a freebie chipboard alpha here, if you scroll back two or three posts.

This little beauty is Judy's grandaughter, Brigette. Judy's three grandchildren are all so photogenic that she's never short of subjects for her layouts! This one was made with my On The Beach kit....also available at Crafty Scraps. By the way, if you haven't paid a visit to Crafty Scraps yet then please go check it out.....if you buy any item from the store you get a HUGE colab kit free!! There's a new colab kit every month, which is made by the store designers.

Last layout for today....this is from my bestest ever customer (and now a friend!) Amy. She is the sweetest lady...you may know her as "wolfnanny". She always sends me the layouts she makes with my kits....which is a HUGE thrill for me! I just LOVE to see what people to with my designs!! This layout was sent to me last night...using one of my older kits "Denim". I think Amy did a beautiful job with this!

Are you still with me??? :) Ok...now for the freebie! As I mentioned in yesterday's post...I had a few bits and pieces made for the Girl's Night Out kit that I couldn't get in there (we were limited to how much we could put in our kits by contest rules). Yesterday's freebie was a "surprise" gift bag...today you get to see what's on offer! Here ya go...and if you like it, you can download it here.

That's it from me for today....come back tomorrow for add-on number 3!!

Design Contest Round 2....and a Freebie Add-On!

2008-09-15T20:31:00.001-05:00

Hi All,

Here I am looking for your votes again! I've uploaded my entry for round 2 of the Stone Accent Studios Designer Contest. This week there were 33 entries.....that means if you register with SAS you can download all those kits for free! We were given a color palette this week (as opposed to a theme last week) so if you download a few of the kits you should be able to mix and match and end up with one HUGE mega-kit!! All that is asked in return is to please leave an encouraging comment for any of the designers whose kits you download. If you see a kit you'd like, simply click on the thumbnail and you will find the download link in the kit description. If you haven't yet registered with SAS....it only takes a minute..and it's a great scrap site. They have loads of challenges going on this month...so join in the fun!

When I saw the color palette I wasn't sure which way to go with it, but it reminded me of evening colors....so I went with (what better way to spend an evening) Girl's Night Out! As well as the usual flowers and bows I wanted to add a bit of bling to the kit....so I got my digital camera and took some photos of a couple pieces of vintage jewellery I've collected over the years, some makeup and a perfume bottle. Then I had the longgggggggggg task of extracting them all....but I was very pleased with the way they turned out! We were asked to make 20 background papers and 20 elements, plus a QP. I had so many more pieces made that I decided to make a Gift Bag A Day...4 in all, starting today. Each freebie contains 5 items....so do come back each day until Thursday to collect them all. Your first one is at the bottom of this post.

There are some really beautiful kits in the contest this week....so although I'm asking for your votes (if you like my entry of course!)...I'm also askng you to vote for an other kits you like. You may choose 3 or 4 kits to vote for...and can only vote one time. I really appreciate those of you who took the time to vote last week...and would appreciate even more votes this week!!! :)

This week's gallery is here and you can cast your votes here.

Here's a preview of my kit - Girl's Night Out.....

You can download the first freebie add-on here.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for your next freebie! I also have some layouts to share from my wonderful CT!

Design Contest Update, New Kit and a Freebie Alpha!

2008-09-11T13:36:00.002-05:00

Hi all!

First of all, I wanted to let you know what's happening over at Stone Accent Studios designer contest. Thanks to those of you who took the time to vote for my entry! Because of a misunderstanding of the rules by some of the contestants, the powers that be at SAS have decided to put everyone through to the next round! Tonight we'll all find out what our next challenge is...so you know I'll be asking for your votes come Monday evening!! If you haven't had a chance to go visit the contest then please do....if you register with SAS (it only takes a minute) you will be able to download all 32 kits entered for free! Scroll back to my last post for the links to the poll and the gallery. If you see a kit you'd like to download then just click on the thumbnail and you'll see the download link in the description . PLEASE be thoughtful enough to leave a quick comment for those kits you download....if you're a regular visitor to my blog then you'll know that this is a personal "bugbear" of mine. After all, if someone handed you a gift in person then wouldn't you say "thank you"??? It only takes a second to type "tyvm" while you're downloading a freebie...and it REALLY does make the designer feel like their efforts are appreciated! Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now!!!!

One of my CT members, Clara Sue, asked me to make a kit for her grandson Bryce. He turned 6 on Monday and was having a birthday party on a "lizard and bugs" theme. Well, I finished the kit last night and put it in the store at craftyscraps at the special introductory price of only $3.00. I had SO much fun making this kit as it's not really like anything I've done before....so thanks for asking me to do it Clara Sue! I'm always open to suggestions and requests for kits...so if there's anything you'd like me to try making just ask! Anyway, here's a preview of the kit.....

I decided that the freebie from this kit would be the chipboard alpha. I was really pleased with the way this turned out and thought that you'd be able to use it on all your bright and colorful layouts! You can get it here.

Don't forget to add this blog to your Favorites....there are always freebies up for grabs!

The Voting Has Started!!

2008-09-08T21:01:00.000-05:00

Scroll back to my previous post to read about the Designer Contest at Stone Accent Studios and follow the link to the contestant gallery...you can download all the kits for free!!! I believe there are 32 kits in all...so you'll be busy grabbing all those freebies!!

Please, while you're there, stop off at the voting poll and leave me a vote! I've only got one vote so far....so really need your support! :) The poll is here and I should mention that you can choose three or four of your favorite entries, not just mine.

The gallery is here. Wish me luck!!!

Freebie Mini Kit...and I Need Your Support!

2008-09-07T19:43:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! Mine has been a mix of being busy...and being lazy! Yesterday I had to make a kit for a Design Contest over at Stone Accents Studios. They are running the 4 week contest to see who they will choose to join their design team....so I thought I'd have a bash at it! I've never done anything like this before and don't expect to get past round 1...but that's where I need your help. If you're a member of SAS you can view my entry and leave a comment here. .

There are some truly amazing kits...and they'tre all yours for free!! PLEASE do remember to leave coments for every kit you download though!!

In my kit description I have also put the download link, so you can also help yourself to the kit while you're there. You can see the preview to the kit I made below...the theme for this week was "Heroes" and I originally intended to to a police theme. However, I then decided that I would make it a little more generic so that the kit could be used by more scrappers. Hope you like it!

There are 10 papers and 12 elements in the kit. I am SO proud of myself for making the belt...looks simple, but it took me ages...and the police shield - well, I sweated blood over that one! :) Anyway, I did learn some new techniques, which is one reason I entered the contest!!

Voting starts Monday at 6pm CDT - so do come along and cast your votes!

I'll be back soon with some updates, news and more freebies! As always, thanks for stopping by!

A Midweek Freebie!

2008-09-04T17:04:00.000-05:00

I don't usually have time to update the blog during the week, but I wanted to add a quick post with another freebie for you and to let you know that I added another item to my store.

The last kit I made (Bubblegum Princess) inspired me to make some wire/metal page titles...with a bit of bling! So I made ten titles that would coordinate beautifully with the kit. You can get them at craftyscraps or at my ecrater store. I always like to mention - for new readers - that if you buy from the ecrater store you won't get instant download (they don't have digital delivery at ecrater)...however if you buy from crafty scraps you'll get the download as soon as you pay for your items. Also....if you buy any item from crafty scraps during the month of September you get a FREE colab kit...so go check out the store! Anyway, here's a preview of the page titles....

I wanted to give you a sample title as a freebie...then decided to add a couple more items so you could make a page. The freebie includes one page title, one glitter flourish, one wire heart and 3 pink background papers. Download it here. Here's what you get....

If you download the freebies - new or old - I would REALLY appreciate a quick comment while you're waiting for the file to download!

Pink and red are my fave colors...but I think I'm all "pinked out" for the time being. Time to move on to something completely different...so watch this space for a non-girly kit coming soon!

And the winner is.... Plus a Freebie QP!

2008-09-02T15:56:00.000-05:00

Nancy W - thanks so much for your winning suggestion! I've emailed you the download link and password to the new kit, which is called.....Bubblegum Princess! As soon as I read the name I knew it was the right one for this kit...however, I did go back to Photoshop and made a crown and a couple of other "bling" elements in honor of the kits name!

I added the kit to both stores this morning. Remember that if you buy it from my ecrater store you will have to wait for the download link....buy it at crafty scraps and you'll be able to download it instantly! I should also mention that it's on sale for a limited time!

I've made a really cute QP from this kit which you can grab here.

Thanks to all who emailed me with name suggestions for his kit - I really appreciate any and all feedback I get from the blog. It's nice to know that some people actually read what's here and not just look for the freebie download!

I'm also (always!) looking for suggestions for future kits. Do you have a favorite color combo? Are you looking for something with a specific theme? How about styles....grunge? cute? heritage? What kind of elements do you like best? Let me know what you'd like and I'll see what I can do!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Win My Latest Kit...and a CU Freebie!

2008-09-01T13:22:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

First of all....to those of you along the Gulf Coast, I hope you are all out of harm's way during Hurricane Gustav. We've had heavy rain, thunder and gusty winds here in Pensacola since last night and are now under tornado warnings, but so far, so good! I know some people will not fare so well.

Onto my first subject - I am almost finished with another kit and, once again, I have no idea what to call it. So I'm asking for your help in naming the kit. Whoever suggests the name that I pick will win the kit! So get your thinking caps on! I have a few more elements still to add, but this preview shows the colors and the wire elements...

I've also done one layout with the kit.....

I'd like to get this kit in the store within the next day or two....so get your entries in quick! You can either leave your suggestion in the comments below this post (remember to leave your email address though!) OR you can email me at scrappinsooze@cox.net.

Your last freebe from me was a pack of ten pink papers, so I thought I'd do a pack in blue for you this time. This freebie is Commercial Use friendly!! You can download it here.

Before I sign off, I wanted to mention that Crafty Scraps have a freebie section in their store and while you're there snagging your goodies, please have a look through the store - there are LOTS of wonderful kits, elements packs, overlays etc on sale rght now!

Hope you've all had a great weekend...and again, if you are being affected by Hurricane Gustav then please stay safe!

2008-08-26T22:58:00.001-05:00

ON THE BEACH $3.50

CLICK TO PURCHASE

New Kit, CU Stuff and a Freebie!

2008-08-23T12:08:00.001-05:00

Hi All,

I've been a busy bee this week! First of all there's a new kit which I just love! It's called "On the Beach" and will be just perfect for all those summer layouts you still have to catch up on. There are some great beach-theme elements in this kit too....see the preview below. You can pick up the kit in my ecrater store or at craftyscraps. Remember that if you choose to buy from the ecrater store that you'll have to wait for me to send you the download link - at crafty scraps you'll get instant download.

I also decided to make a couple of Commercial Use items - although (of course) you can use them for personal projects too. The first is a really pretty set of plant/flower elements, which have a pearly metallic finish. The preview pic definitely does not do justice to these elements...they are gorgeous!!

While I was playing around wth Photoshop I decided to create some metallic elements which are also for personal or commercial use. If you're always looking for basic elements like paperclips, safety pins, staples, brads, prongs, etc...then you'll find this pack invaluable! As well as the basics there are also several more unusual "decorative" elements. In all the pack contains 30 elements - great for any kind of layout and especially for the busy designer!

Finally, I just finished this pretty set of 10 pink background papers. I thought you might enjoy this as your freebie today...and if you'd like to use it commercially then please do! You can download it here.

Just to finish up today, I wanted to share some layouts with you. This first one is by Clara Sue and I just LOVE it!!! These gorgeous photos were taken on Ayla's 2nd birthday and beautifully scrapped by Clara Sue, using my "Fresh in Gingham" kit.

Here's baby Jacob making his debut. Isn't he just adorable? Lis scrapped this very pretty page using the "Oh Baby!" kit.

This one is from Judy - she gets the BEST photos of her beautiful grandchildren and this one is just too cute! She used "Indian Summer" for this super duper layout.

The last layout for today is one of my own, using the new "Gingham & Dots 4 Guys" kit. As you can see...there are no guys in this layout, so don't let the name of the kit fool you! The photo of me and my daughter, Julie, was taken on September 27th 2000......and it only took me 8 years to scrap it!!See my previous post for a preview of this really cute kit.

Thanks for stopping by - enjoy the freebie!

New Kit and a Freebie!

2008-08-14T23:40:00.000-05:00

Hey all!

Hope you're having a great week! Mine has been busy, as usual but I did manage to get another gingham kit done. The last kit "Fresh in Gingham" was made for the girls, so I thought I'd better do another with the boys in mind! Of course just because the colors are more "masculine" doesn't mean you can't use the kits for girly layouts! I made some "acrylic" elements for the new kit...let me know if you like them! I'm so loving the gingham theme that I may make a "gingham for babies" kit if anyone is interested, so once again, I'd appreciate your feedback on that.

Talking of feedback...I'd love to get your on this question - do you prefer kits to come with or without drop shadows? I always include them in my kits for those people who don't have that option in their scrapping programs...but I've been considering leaving them out from now on. Do you have a preference????

I wanted to remind you all that my designs are now available through craftyscraps.com and those of you who are customers may prefer to use that store because of the instant downloads available. If you prefer to keep using my ecrater store then please do!

Here's a preview pic of the kit, followed by a layout I did of my nephew ( for my sister). For this layout I used a QP that you can download here. As always, all I ask in return for the freebie is a quick comment on 4shared while you wait for the file to download. Thanks...I really appreciate it!

Thanks for stopping by....check back soon for another freebie!

New Kit, a Freebie and...Smelly Sharks!

2008-08-09T22:24:00.000-05:00

Hi all...thanks for stopping by!

Hope you're all having an enjoyable weekend. We went to see the weigh-in at a fishing tournament today...mainly to see the BIG fish! We did manage to see two pretty big hammerhead sharks. In fact I had my picture taken next to one (a 200 pounder) and I have to say, those things stink! Of course, it was dead and gutted...and hanging there in 95 degree heat, so I guess it was only to be expected. Anyway I held my breath while Cliff fiddled with the camera!! I'll have to scrap the pics so you can see how big it was...and I must say, I'd rather see a dead shark at the beach than a live one!

Today I finshed a kit called "Fresh in Gingham" which I am really in love with! I've already used it on one layout (see below) and can't wait to use it again. I know this is a kit I'm going to use again and again in different combos. For your freebie today, I'm giving away two QPs made with the new kit...I hope you enjoy using them and please do remember that it only takes a second to leave a comment while you're downloading. You can get the freebie here and you can get the full kit here.

Here's a layout I made this morning - before I even had the kit finished (couldn't wait to use it!). This is the most recent pic of my daughter, Julie.....complete with her new pierced lip!!!

If you don't have any "girly" pics to scrap then don't worry...I plan on starting a similar kit to this one, but in more "boy-friendly" colors....so do come back and check for news of that....along with another freebie of course!

Happy scrappin'!

Layouts and a Freebie!

2008-07-31T19:45:00.002-05:00

Hi - thanks for stopping by!

Today I wanted to show off some layouts that were made by some of my CT members and a couple of customers, all using my kits. There are two reasons for posting these layouts. Firstly, I hope to show that everyone can use the same kit, but come up with completely different results...and secondly, of course, to promote those kits in the hope that you'll help support my store (and the blog freebies!). Making kits and layouts is a real pleasure for me, but it does involve a certain amount of costs. For instance I've upgraded graphics programs three times since I started designing, plus I buy a lot of designer resources, etc. So for every kit I sell (which isn't many!) I can put that money towards buying more stuff I use to create the kits! Anyway, hope you enjoy looking at the following layouts and that they give you some inspiration for your own scrapping.

The first two are by Judy (see her SBF gallery here) and visit her blog here ........She used the "Oh Baby" kit for the first layout and the newest kit "Indian Summer" for the second. As always she did a stunning job!

These two are from another CT member, Brenda (see her SBF gallery here). She used the "Indian Summer" and "Oh Baby" kits very differently than Judy...but came up with an equally beautiful layouts!

The final two layouts are by Amy, who is (by far) my best customer...I think she's bought just about everything I've made! Thanks to Amy for letting me post her layouts here. The first one is made with my "My Girl" kit and the second using "Ooh La La".

I guess that enough layouts for one day...I have plenty more! However, that can wait till the next time.

Now, for the promised freebie! I started this one as a QP for an SBF challenge and decided to carry on with it and make a little mini-kit as a special "thanks for visiting my blog" gift! It's called "Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat"....so I guess you can work out the theme! Yep, for all those feline layouts, this little kit will be perfect. There are 4 papers, 2 QPs, a ribbon, a bow, a frame, a tag and a charm. You can download it here and I hope you enjoy using it. Please remember to leave a comment if you download it! Thanks and happy scrapping!

New Kit, Freebie and Me..Up Close & Personal With Brooks & Dunn!!

2008-07-29T16:09:00.001-05:00

Well I did it....I met Brooks & Dunn! The concert was last Thursday at the Wharf, Orange Beach (Alabama). I was so excited to learn that I'd won a "Meet & Greet" backstage pass and could hardly wait for the big day to arrive! Unfortunately I only won one pass...and hubby would have had to fight me for it...luckily he was more than happy for me to go meet the boys. First of all, let me tell you that it was HOT and VERY HUMID that night...whch explains my very bad hair in the photos!! The Meet & Greet was not quite what I'd imagined it would be....I was thinking that there would be about twenty fans getting a few minutes each to chat with B&D. Not the case....there were about 100 of us crowded into a small room backstage and when Kix and Ronnie came in we were all allowed to take photos until it was our turn to go meet them. With that amount of fans for them to meet it would have been impossiblt to chat to everyone, let alone give autographs...so it was just a quick "Hi, how are you?"....shake of the hands, smile for the camera and ..."Next!! Move along please!!"

The Meet and Greet was actually more of a Greet than a Meet! However, even though it wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be it was still a thrill to meet them and have the photos taken.

The concert was absolutely BRILLIANT!!! More than surpassed my expectations and I would urge anyone who lives near a venue B&D are playing at to go see them! Best song of the night for me was "Believe"....wow, Ronnie can sure belt it out and I was standing not 10 feet away from him!

Here's a layout I made today from some of the photos.....

Now for the plug for my latest kit! The kit is called Indian Summer (thanks Clara Sue!) and I used it in the Brooks & Dunn layout above. It's kind of grungy and as you can see...colors are rust and shades of green. There are 10 heavily textured/grunged papers and 36 very cool elements in it, including shabby flowers, torn cardboard bits, curled ribbons, frames, tags, etc. Go check it out in my store...and get it for only $3.00 now!

Here's another layout I made using a freebie QP from the new kit...you can get the freebie here....it includes a QP, gold page title and a tag.

I mentioned in my last post that I am now on the design team at Crafy Scraps and I wanted to mention something special here about a very special lady. Her name is Jazzy and she is having the worst year you can imagine...the sudden death of her 39 year old daughter, health problems of her own and just a couple of weeks ago her beloved special grandson, Andrew, passed away in her arms...aged only 16. The scrapping community are trying to raise funds for Jazzy to help her out and show her how much we care. While you're browsing through the store at Crafty Scraps will you please click on the Charity section and buy a kit? All proceeds will go to Jazzy. I hope you can find it in your heart to spend a couple of dollars for such a good cause.

I have some CT and customer layouts to post this week...hopefully I'll get them uploaded tomorrow...and who knows - there may be another freebie!

New Kit, Some News and a Freebie QP!

2008-07-13T15:09:00.004-05:00

Hi all,

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Mine has been busy....catching up on housework, laundry and working at the computer. You may remember that my company recently closed it's local branch, so I was about to lose my job. Unfortunately that did happen, but the owner asked me to stay on as webmaster for their site (working from home). I thought it would be a couple of hours at the weekend...but it's proving to be much more than that just keeping it up to date! However, I am enjoying it and it's something to add to my resume! I also started a new job...but that's a whole other story!

My BIG news is that I have been asked to join the design team at Crafty Scraps store - owned by Michelle McCoy!!! I am SO excited about that!!!! Please go pay the store a visit....there are some amazing kits and all at VERY reasonable prices! I uploaded my first few kits during this week, including the newest kit "Ice Cream Colors" which I just finished last night. You can get the kit either in my own store or at Crafty Scraps. You can see the freebie QP below, which I used for an Easter layout. If you'd like the QP you can get it here....and PLEASE remember to leave a comment while you're waiting for it to download.

Now, for me even BIGGER news!!!! Cliff and I were really excited to hear that Brooks and Dunn are playing at the Amphitheater at Orange Beach (about an hour's drive from here) and decided to join the fan club so we could buy our tickets early. Well, when I was looking at their website I saw that fanclub members who had tickets could enter a drawing to win a "Meet and Greet" with the boys. Yep, you've guessed it...I'm going to meet Kix and Ronnie in person!!!! I got the email on Friday telling me the good news and I didn't stop smiling all day! I'm just hoping I don't turn into a gibbering wreck when it's my turn to say hello...and that the photos turn out good enough to scrap! The concert is on July 24th, so look out for a layout from me very soon after that.

That's all my news for today.....I'll have other much bigger personal news to share in a couple of weeks (hopefully) so do come back and join in my celebrations! (no....no-one is expecting a baby!!!)

Take care and see you soon....keep on scrappin'!

New Store Widget Added!

2008-06-14T12:35:00.000-05:00

I've just added a new widget for my store. On the left side of this page you'll see "My Kits". You can now scroll through the thumbnails of my store inventory without leaving the blog! If you see something you like, just click on that thumbnail and it will take you straight to that item...how cool is that!

New Kit, New Store and a Freebie QP!

2008-06-13T22:32:00.000-05:00

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post - so many things going on at home/work right now I just haven't had the time to do much in the way of scrapping or designing.

I'm sure you don't want to read about my troubles...so will skip all the gory details and fill you in quickly with my news. First of all, I'm about to lose a job I love! My company is closing their Pensacola branch - next week will be my last with them. Luckily I've managed to line up a job with an Allstate Insurance agency and hoping that I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working for Leisure Tyme RV! My current boss has asked if I would be interested in becoming their website manager/graphic desgner...so if I can fit a few hours a week in around my new job then I'm going to give it a shot!

Hubby has just had surgery on his face to remove some skin cancers. We were expecting quite a simple procedure - similar to what he has done every six months to have the pre-cancerous growth frozen off. We knew that this time, because those growths had developed into squamous cell cancer, that he would have to go "under the knife". Unfortunately we weren't aware that these growths are kind of like icebergs...what you see on the surface is not what's actually underneath! So, he now has over 40 stitches in his face, along with a black eye and a lot of swelling. Luckily he's not in too much pain...and the swelling has gone down a bit today.

That's the main news....won't bore you with the rest! I did manage to fit in a little dsigning and have come up with a really nice kit called "Twilight Time" which is in shades of blue, lavender, aqua and soft brown (preview pic at top of this post). I've tried a couple of new techniques with this kit and I think you'll especially like the acrylic charms, the glitter splats and the chain border. For your freebie today I have a QP made using the new kit and you can download it here. Remember that as with all my new releases you can get this kit from my store at the special introductory price of only $2.00 - for a very limited time only!

On the subject of stores...I've opened a new store which has gifts for the scrapper! You can get anything from t-shirts to mugs and mousepads to tote bags and even a doggie t-shirt! I still have a lot of designs to get into the store, but do check it out! The link is on the left side of this page under Scrappin' Sooze Gifts or you can click here to visit.

Finally, for tonight, here are a couple of layouts I did using the new kit....the first one is my beautiful daughter, Julie (photo was taken a few years ago - she was about 17 here). The second layout shows my friend's grandson having his first swing!

Sports Freebie and Some Layouts

2008-05-25T14:58:00.001-05:00

It's Memorial Day weekend here in the US of A, so I wanted to post this special layout and take this opportunity to share Hugh's story with you. Hugh was my mother's uncle and a member of the British Royal Navy during WWII. All I knew about him what that he died during the war aboard HMS Aurora. Well, I was browsing through some family pics and came across this one (the only pic I have of Hugh) and I decided to do a little internet research. I was amazed at how quickly I was able to fnd out the missing details of what happened to him.

His ship was taking part in the Battle of Leros (a Greek Island in the Aegean Sea). On October 30th, 1943 the Aurora was hit by a 1000 lb bomb, which set alight the ammunition it was carrying. 47 crew members lost their lives that day, one of them being my Great-uncle Hugh, and 30 more were injured. I am so pleased to have this information to add to the family tree, as we didn't even have Hugh's exact date of death.

I remember years ago my mother tellng me that she'd been to see a psychic...who said that her daughter Susan (me) had a Guardian Angel named Hugh. My mother didn't remember him at all, so didn't really pay too much attention to that...but when she mentioned it to family members they reminded of of her uncle who'd died when she was a little girl. So...I've always had this curiosity about Hugh and I'm so proud to feature him here on my blog today.

Please remember that although Memorial Day is specifically an American holiday...we can still remember all those service men and women from all around the world who lost their lives while fighting for freedom.

Ok... now let's get right to what you're here for! Today's freebie is a little something I put together for all sports fans. It's not a full kit...just some papers and a few sports elements, but I think it'll come n handy for those of you who have husbands, sons and daughters who take part in sports. Hope you like it! Download it here.

I wanted to post more layouts today. The first three are mine...

This one was done for a challenge on Scrapbookflair...it shows me with some of my layouts.

The second layout shows pictures of my daughter, Julie, as bridesmaid at her friends wedding....and the one below was a photo I took last Christmas (my friend's granddaughter) that turned out a lttle grainy. I thought the photo was still useable...so I made it even more grainy, turned up the contrast, desaturated it and hand-colored portions. I was quite pleased with the result, which is very different from my usual layouts

The next three layouts are from my lovely CT ladies...first is Lis who used my Mother's Day kit for this gorgeous layout....

Christi used my Oh Baby! kit to show off her beautiful new son, Luke, to the world....isn't he adorable!!!

Last, but certainly not least..is this amazing layout by Judy, using the Winter Bling kit.

That's it for today....I have loads more CT layouts to share with you....but in the meantime you can visit any of the CT member galeries over at Scrapbookflair. While you're there, why not sign up and join in all the fun!

Hope you all had a GREAT weekend.....and if you're off for the Memorial Day holiday, then have a safe and happy day with your loved ones - and remember what the holiday is all about!

Winter Bling Kit and a Freebie QP!

2008-05-18T18:18:00.001-05:00

Wow...what happened to this weekend...it's almost over and I still have so much to do!

I hope those of you who've downloaded the last two freebies have enjoyed using them. If you mssed them just scroll back to the previous posts. All my freebies are still available...but some of the older ones will be closed soon, as my 4shared account is filling up fast!

Today I wanted to tell you about a kit I just finished today - Winter Bling. Yes, I know that summer is fast approaching, but if you're anything lke me you'll have LOTS of photos from months - and years - ago still to scrap. The kit preview is below and is in my store now at the special introductory price of only $2.00!! This kit is done in shades of pale ice-blue and aqua...with textured papers and some glitter snowflakes to give it that hint of bling!

The freebie I'm offering today is a QP from the new kit. Get it here and don't forget to leave a little comment if you grab it, please!

I had hoped to share some more CT layouts with you today, but I don't have time to resize and upload them, so will get them up on the blog this coming week...along with another freebie!

Hope your weekend was a happy and relaxing one!

CT Member Intro, Layouts...and a Freebie!

2008-05-16T20:11:00.000-05:00

At last, the weekend is here! It's been a long, busy week and I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning!

Before I start telling you the news...what do you think of the revamped blog? I wanted a change from the bright pink I had before. This color scheme is easier on the eye and I'd been wanting to make a new blog header for a while now.....and I still managed to keep a tiny bit of pink in there! I hope you all agree that it's a change for the better! If you look at the sidebar you'll see that I've added links to my CT member galleries on Scrapbookflair, so I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit each one.

That brings me very neatly onto the first subject for today...an intro to our newest CT member - Judy Lee. She lives in Montana with her fiance, is mom to three, mother-in-law to one and grandma ("Nina") to 3 (plus one angel grandbaby). Not only does Judy-Lee enjoy digital scrapping, she is an avid paper scrapper, photographer and loves to make candy wrappers and gift cans. Crafty lady! I was introduced to Judy-Lee by another CT member - thank you Clara Sue - and I'm very happy to welcome her onto the team! Here's a pic of Judy-Lee....and yes, she is young to be a grandma...her first grandchild was born when she was 34!!!

Here's Judy-Lee's first contribution to the CT layouts. She used the "Mother's Day" kit for this one, which shows her with her mom...thanks Judy-Lee!!

While I'm on the subject of the CT, I'd like to share with you a few layouts done by three of the other members. I'm really spoiled for choice as to which ones to show you!! This first one is by Brenda and she used the "Gone Fishin'" kit on this lovely layout.....Brenda always uses my kits in ways I wouldn't have come up and for that I applaud her! I know she will always make my kits look good!!!! Thanks Brenda!

This next one is by Clara Sue, using the "Mountain Breeze" kit. This is a very special photo to Clara Sue, which shows her mom (who has been very sick) feeding her great-grandson, Conner. A precious photo for sure!

This layout from Judy is of one of her favorite models....her granddaughter! All three of her grandchildren are adorable and extremely photogenic!!! Judy is a very talented photographer and always has just the right photo to scrap. I am always amazed at her beautiful layouts....thanks Judy!!! The kit used here is the new one "Oh Baby!" (see previous post for details).

I don't want to overload you with too many layouts tonight, so I'll post more CT pages this weekend. I hope you enjoyed seeing these ones as much as I did!

Well, I promised you a Freebie and here it is. Regular readers will know that whenever I do a CT member intro I like to give away a freebie and I was kind of stuck as to what I should do this time....so, I made up a mystery "goodie bag" of several items which you should be able to use. I hope you enjoy this little freebie, which you can get here. Please remember to leave a little comment while you're downloading it...comments are always very much welcome and appreciated!

I'm just putting the finishing touches to another new kt - hope to have it released this weekend, so do come back to check for that (and the freebie from it).

Have a great weekend!

Mother's Day Sale...ALL WEEK! New Kit and a Freebie!

2008-05-11T18:58:00.001-05:00

Hi all,

First of all my apologies for not updating the blog in a couple of weeks. I was laid low with a bad back....followed by some sort of cold/virus/flu! I'm feeling much better now and raring to go!

As all of my USA readers will know, today is Mother's Day (celebrated on different dates in other countries) so as my gift to all you "moms" out there I am offering a special Mother's Day sale at my store. All my full kits are on sale at only $2.50 each for this week only! Of course, you don't have to be a mom to take advantage of this great offer!!

I also have a freebie sampler from my latest kit for you. The kit is called "Oh Baby!" and has a bit of a vintage feel to it, with some great elements that I know you'll enjoy using in your layouts....and not only baby layouts! Remember that when I add a new item to the store it goes into the "New Items" department and is on limited offer at only $2.00!! You can't beat that price for a full, great quality kit! Here's a preview of "Oh Baby!"....

The freebie sampler should give you a "feel" for this kit..it includes one paper, one torn edge, a shabby flower, a baby pin, a bow and a frame. You can download it here. I hope you enjoy using it and please do remember that it only takes a few seconds to leave a "thank you" at 4shared while the freebie is downloading.

I have more news for you and loads of layouts created by my wonderfully talented CT but that will have to wait until tomorrow night. Tonight I really must get some ironing done! There's a new CT member who I'll introduce to you (and for regular readers, you'll know that means a freebie for you!). I also have a couple of very pretty layouts done by one of my store customers that I'd like to share with you. I also have another new kit to be released next week....wow, another freebie for you from that one coming soon!

Hope all you ladies were spoiled rotten by your families today....Happy Mother's Day. To those of you not celebrating Mother's Day today....have a great day anyway!

Bows Freebie!

2008-04-20T21:10:00.000-05:00

Just popped on tonight to tell you about my new kit and to give you a little freebie pack of bows.

The new kit is called "Mother's Day" and I think you'll like it....soft shades of lavender, blue and moss green make it perfect for a whole range of layouts, not just for scrapping those photos of your mom/mum/mother! One layout I did was my chihuahua, Scraps, taking a nap....and the photo goes perfectly with this kit....

I've also done a couple more layouts with this kit....one of my mum for a Mother's Day challenge and I even did a heritage layout with it. So don't be mislead by the name of the kit...it really is very versatile.

Your freebie today is a set of six cute little bows in soft pastel shades. I know we all need as many bows as we can get for our layouts, so I hope you can put them to good use! You can get them here.

Didn't this weekend just fly by??????? Hope you had a good one!

New Kit and a Freebie QP!

2008-04-12T23:25:00.000-05:00

I've been so busy lately....work has been hectic and I've been designing a couple of new kits - so I'm afraid the blog hasn't been updated in a couple of weeks. Hope you've all stuck with me!

Some time ago, someone asked me to design a fishing kit and at last I've actually done it! Most of us have photos of someone in the family fishing, so I hope you'll be able to use the freebie QP from this "Gone Fishin'" kit. Really it's a mini kit...as it doesn't have quite as much as I'd usually add to a full kit. There are 6 papers and 24 elements (everything from lures, fish, a dinghy and reels to frames and even a trophy!) The kit is in my store now at a special introductory price of only $2.00!

You can pick up the freebie QP here and as always I'd love to see your finished layout.

Here's a layout I made using this kit.....it shows my late Uncle Pat showing off his catch of the day.

I'm also delighted to say that I was recently invited to become a member of the contributing design team on my favorite scrapping site! I'm not saying any more about it for the moment....but at the end of this month they will be releasing my kit (designed especially for them!). The whole kit will be available for free download...so do check back here nearer the time and I can tell you more then!

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago I gave you the chance to get my "Plum Crazy" kit for free - a special "timed" freebie. It was available as a freebie for one week only. If you missed out on getting it free, you can pick it up in my store now at a special price of only $2.00...again, a limited time offer, so grab it at that price while you can.

Now...I need some feedback from my blog visitors. I do have another couple of kits underway at the moment, and toying with the idea of a "vintage" baby kit and a Mother's Day kit. After they're done I thought I would open up a "suggestion box" for you to tell me what you'd like. Do you want to see more florals?... more "boy" kits?...more grunge? Let me know and at the end of this month I will design a kit from one of your suggestions...and the person whose idea it was will get the kit free! So, get your thinking caps on and tell me what you want!

Finally, for tonight, I wanted to thank everyone for their interest in my "Mary Rose" kit. It was my first vintage kit...and it certainly won't be my last! I enjoyed making it and there's a strong possibly that you'll see a "Mary Rose Part 2" in the very near future...watch this space!

Hope you're all having a great weekend - happy scrappin'!

EASTER SALE, A NEW KIT AND A FREEBIE!

2008-03-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter everyone!

Today I have a freebie, a brand new heritage kit and a BIG sale on at my store!

The new kit s called "Mary Rose" - named after my Mum, who spent a lot of spare time, over many years, researching our family tree. It's thanks to her that I have some wonderful old family photos and the information to go along with them. In fact I started designing this kit because I want to make myself an album about my female ancestors. I've only scrapped two pages so far, but now that the kit is finished I plan on really getting the album done. I made something similar for my daughter's 21st birthday....and she loved it! The preview below only shows a small portion of what's in this kit ....there are 15 papers and about 60 elements! You can get the kit in my store for a limited time special price of only $2.00!!! Here's a preview of the kit - and a layout I made using it. The layout shows my great-great grandmother, Catherine. The top photo is the oldest one I have and is dated 1867.

To thank my past customers and, hopefully, to bring in new ones - I am having a BIG Easter Sale at my store for the next few days! EVERYTHING has been reduced!! All full kits (except the two newest ones) are priced at $1.50 and there are even some items at $1.00!! The two latest kits are still in the "New Items" department and are at their introductory price of only $2.00. Go grab yourself an Easter bargain while the sale is on!

Your freebie for this week is actually a "double freebie" - both from the new kit "Mary Rose". There's a plopper page and a little sampler of paper and elements for you to make another page of your own. I hope you like it! You can download the freebie here, and once again I'd love to get your comments and feedback on both the freebie and the full kit...so please leave me some love! :)

I hope you're all having a wonderful Easter with your families!

Freebie QP and MiniKit, Layouts and More!

2008-03-07T20:40:00.001-06:00

Welcome back!

I've been busy this week, finishing a couple of projects that have been hanging around for a while....namely a mini-kit I started about 2 months ago and forgot all about, and getting another new kit (the one I made for the February Digiscrapdepot challenge) zipped and uploaded to 4shared.

So, tonight I'm giving you two freebies! The first one is a Quickpage from the challenge kit "Pamela" and you can get it here. I saved this QP at 6"x6" because the file was HUGE at 12"x12"! However because it's a png file (and saved at 300 dpi) you should have no problem resizing it to fit larger pages.

The full kit is now in my store....look in the "New Items" category and you can get it for the next week or so at the introductory price of only $2.00! You can also get the other new kit "Mountain Breeze" for the same special price, for a limited time.

If you're checking back to see who won the "Name That Kit" contest you can scroll back to the last post for details. The winner was Rose (aka ladyofthethorns) and she kindly sent me a link to her layout made with "Mountain Breeze". She did a wonderful job on the layout and I'm so pleased she enjoyed using the kit and agreed for me to feature her layout here on the blog. Thanks again, Rose and many thanks to all who sent me their suggestions for a name for this kit. I was delighted by the response and will definitely be doing something similar again soon!

For your 2nd freebie tonight I have something special...a mini kit called "Plum Crazy". This kit will be going into my store next weekend (March 16th), but until then you can get it here for free! This is the preview from the kit....

This weekend, if I can find the time, I'm thinking of revamping the blog...maybe a new header and background. I'll have to see what I can come up with and if I like it better than the original pink and black combo. I'll also be choosing the two new members of my CT....so if you want to be in with a chance to be on the team please contact me before Sunday!

Now, if only I can find the time to do a little scrapping it will be a good weekend!

Hope you all enjoy the freebies!

New Kit - Contest Winner!

2008-03-05T20:54:00.000-06:00

First of all..let me say "thank you" to all who entered my little contest to win the new kit. If you read the last post you'll remember that I'd finished another kit but just couldn't come up with a name for it....so I asked all you creative ladies (and gents?) to put your thinking caps on and send me your suggestions. Well I was surprised and delighted by the response not only in the comments section here on the blog but via email.

There were so many wonderful, imaginative and fitting names suggested....but I knew right away when I got an email from Rose (aka ladyofthethorns) that she'd come up with a winner, which perfectly suits this kit....big drum roll here please......"Mountain Breeze". I hope you all agree that Rose deserved to win a copy of the kit! Thank you Rose!

I'm working on another couple of kits right now...so keep coming back - you never know, I may just need help with names again!

That's all I have for you tonight. I'll be back at the weekend with a freebie for you. I just wanted to let you all know that "Mountain Breeze" is now in my store and to announce the winner of the kit. oh...and in case you didn't read the previous couple of posts I'll just repeat this.....any new kit that goes into my store will be in the "New Items" section at the special introductory price of $2.00. There will always be two items in that section...when a new item is listed the oldest one will be moved to it's permanent category and regular price. So you'll always find the two newest items in the store under the "New Items" section...and they'll always be at a special price for a limited time. So go grab yourself a bargain...."Mountain Breeze" or "Softly Spring" for $2.00!! There will be another new kit added to the store this week....so "Softly Spring" will be on special only until then!

Good night all...happy scrappin'!

Win a Kit! Grab a Freebie! CT Callout!

2008-03-02T22:20:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I need your help! I've designed a new kit and try as I might, I just can't come up with a name for it! I wanted it to be something to do with "nature" because of the flowers, leaves and tree elements (as well as the colors). I'd like to get the kit in my store this week and it's all ready to go...except for the name! So....if you can come up with a great name for this kit, you could win it! Just leave your suggestions in the comments section under this post and I'll choose a winner in a few days.

I have a little freebie "plopper" page for you...made from the new (nameless!) kit......here it is....

You can grab the freebie here

Finally...due to family circumstances a couple of my CT members have had to cut back on their scrapping time...so I am on the lookout for two new members. If you're interested in working with my kits and helping me to promote my designs, please email me at scrappinsooze@cox.net with a link to your online galleries. I'll get back to you with details of what being a CT member entails...basically it's making a couple of layouts with each kit I send you ( maybe twice a month) and uploading your layouts onto at least two scrapbooking sites. If you're new to my blog and not familiar with my kits then please scroll back to earlier posts or browse through my store. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Hope you all had a great weekend...and don't forget to get those suggestions in for a name to my new kit!

QUICK REMINDER - CHALLENGE!

2008-02-28T22:20:00.000-06:00

Just popping on tonight to give you a reminder about the February challenge over at digiscrapdepot. The challenge is explained fully in the forums, but basically all you have to do is download (at least) three different freebies and use them in any kind of layout. Post your layout in the gallery and then put a link to it in the challenge forum, along with credits to the designers whose freebies you used.
There is a great prize for the 1st place layout - a subscription to Digital Scrapbooking magazine! I have been asked to donate a kit to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place layouts.....the kit is brand new, never released and will not even be available in my store until after the winners have received their prizes!
There have been very few entries for this challenge - probably because most people who visit the site just go for the freebies and don't even check out the forums.....so go check it out NOW! Good luck!

PS - I'll have more time for the blog at the weekend...I have a couple of freebies lined up for you but haven't had time to get them zipped and uploaded to 4shared yet!

STORE REVAMP/SALE, LAYOUTS & A FREEBIE QP!

2008-02-17T22:15:00.001-06:00

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Mine was quite lazy...for a change! Apart from doing a little shopping yesterday - and the bare minimum of housework - all I've done is sit at the laptop and scrap - what a treat!

I thought I'd share just a couple of the layouts I've done this week... the first one is a photo I took of my daughter, Julie, while she was here on vacation last August. We were enjoying a day at the beach....

The second layout was done for an "I Love Scotland" challenge on a scrapbooking site....

Now - about the new kits. I have two new kits in the store this week. The first is "Bright and Breezy" and the one I just finished tonight is "Softly Spring". If you scroll back to the last posting, you'll see an example of "Bright and Breezy" used in my layout "Caught In The Act" - it's a nice bright kit, just perfect for all those kiddie pages. "Softly Spring" is just that...deep colors, but soft (if you know what I mean!) and a lot of grungy texture. Here's a preview...

I've revamped the store tonight...there are a couple of new categories...namely "Clearance Items" - which are items that will be retiring soon - and "New Items, Special Limited Time Offers" - which are my latest kits at special introductory prices! Every time I make a new kit it will go into this category at the very special price of only $2.00!!! However, it will only stay at that price for the first two weeks of its release...so grab them before they revert to their regular price. More bargains for you - I have lowered the price of every full kit to $3.00, mini kits to $2.50, elements, paper packs, etc are all from $1.00 - $2.50.

Still with me?? Great! Here is your freebie for tonight - a QP from the "Softly Spring" kit. I thought it would work great for those sleepy kid pics we all have in our collections.

You can download it here. Enjoy and please remember to leave a little love! :)

Last thing for tonight - I promised to keep you up-to-date with the happenings over at Digiscrapdepot. Well, they did manage to get enough donations to get the new server up and running - but they still need more to keep the site going! I think that if every person who uses the site makes a very small donation of a couple of dollars then we'll all come out winners....freebie hunters have unlimited access to the thousands of creations donated by the designers...and the designers get all that exposure for their work.....I certainly think it's worth making a regular donation! There's no pressure for anyone to make a donation....but if you can spare a couple of dollars to keep the best freebie site on the net open....please do! Ok...I'm off my soapbox now! :)

Come back soon to check out more freebies, more news and more layouts. Don't forget to get yourself a bargain at my store too!

Freebie QP, Layouts and Help Needed!!

2008-02-11T16:48:00.000-06:00

Hi All,

Before we get to the good stuff I wanted to mention that our friends over at DigiScrapDepot need your help! If you've never been to the site then you must check it out...it's probably the best place on the internet for freebie hunters! If you're a regular at DSD - either a designer who posts freebies there, or someone who downloads the freebies - then I hope you will lend a hand. The problem is that the site has grown so much that the owners are having to buy a larger server to host all the wonderful freebies, gallery layouts, etc. The popularity of DSD has exceeded all expectations! You can read details about what's going on here. I hope that the designers who use this site to promote their kits, and those scrappers who enjoy using all the free goodies on offer will find it in their hearts to send a donation (every dollar helps!).

PLEASE try to help!

Ok...now that you've read about DSD and made your donation, welcome back! :)

I have some new layouts to share with you...a couple by me and some by my wonderful CT members.

Here's one I did for a challenge on SBF, "Show Us Your Mom"...
This one was also done by me today...I just received these pics from a friend, showing her 10 month old son caught in the act of climbing into a kitchen cabinet. I LOVE the expression on his face in the top photo!

This next layout is by Brenda...I just love the way she used the Passion For Purple kit in this one. Thanks for sharing this with us Brenda!

The next layout is by Judy...also using the Passion For Purple Kit but with a totally differnt look to Brenda's page. It always amazes me how different scrappers can have such varied results using the same kits! Thanks to these talented ladies....they have opened my eyes to the possibilities of what can be achieved! Judy has a real eye for design and three adorable grandchildren to photograph!

Clara Sue created this layout of her gorgeous grandson, using the Denim kit. This is just adorable...thanks again Clara Sue!

The last layout for today is by Brenda. She used the Sugar & Spice kit for this beauty! Pink and brown make one of my all-time favorite color combos and this photo could not be more perfect to go along with it!

I'll share some more layouts wth you next time, will also keep you updated with new kits about to be released, add another freebie and let you know what's happening with the DSD site. Please come back soon!

If you're still with me....here is a little QP I made this afternoon. I used it....plus some other recolored elements.... for the layout of my Mum. Dont worry....it won't come with my photo in it, this is just a sample! :) Enjoy!

Download QP

Layouts, New Kit and a Freebie Sampler!

2008-01-26T13:47:00.000-06:00

Today I wanted to share a couple of layouts with you. These were done by Judy & Clara Sue...friends and CT members. Both of these lovely and artistic ladies have gorgeous granddaughters and when they saw the Sugar & Spice kit I think they knew just what to do! I'll be posting more layouts over the next few days not only to show what can be done with my kits, but hopefully to inspire you. I can honestly say that every member of the CT has given me inspiration...I am constantly amazed at their imagination and talent!

I also found, tucked away in my files and folders, a kit that I finished some time ago but had never posted a freebie or even a preview! So here's the preview of "Passion For Purple" which is now in my store....

The papers and some of the elements in this kit have an oil paint texture..and a lot of metallics too! Here's what's included in the full kit;

7 papers
1 page topper
3 flowers
3 bows
3 buttons
4 frames
1 mat
1 mat/frame combo
2 metallic edge ric racs
2 photo prongs
1 screw
3 tags
3 tassels
1 torn edge
3 wordarts
1 quickpage

It's bright and fun to use, so I hope you enjoy using the freebie sampler - which you can grab here - and here's a preview of what you get in this sampler.

That's it for today. Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and manage to get a little scrapping done!

New Kit "Sugar & Spice"!

2008-01-23T20:23:00.000-06:00

I gave you a freebie QP earlier this week...and today I'm previewing the kit it came from - "Sugar & Spice". I was very pleased with this kit...it's so pretty and I love this color combo.

It's in my store now at only $3.50 and the kit consists of;

8 papers
5 flowers
1string of beads
1 arrow
2 bows
1 butterfly
2 buttons
2 brads
3 eyelets
3 frames
1 paperclip
4 photo clips
2 staples
1 swirl
2 ribbons
1 ribbon wrap
1 quickpage

I hope you enjoyed using the QP...and if you missed it then just scroll back to the previous post and grab it there! Please remember to leave a little love! :)

New Year...new Freebie!

2008-01-20T21:38:00.000-06:00

Wow! I can't believe it's almost the end of January and haven't posted since Christmas Day! I really don't know where the time has gone. My main resolution this year is to put more effort into my friendships...you know, keeping up with emails, phone calls, etc. Well, my other resolution should be to manage my time more effectively! So far that hasn't happened...here I am, dead tired on a Sunday night having planned to update the blog since last weekend!

Anyway, lots of news afoot, but that can wait until later. Watch this space! I also have lots of great layouts by my CT to share with you...but I need to find the time to resize them for the blog first! I must learn to prioritize!!!

So for my first post of the year I'm being very lazy and just letting you all know that there's a new kit, "Sugar & Spice" about to be released - it'll be in my store within the next few days - and of course there's a freebie too! I know a lot of you like quickpages...so here's another one to add to your collection. Hope you enjoy using it and , as always, I'd be delighted to see what you do with it. You can grab it here.

Freebie Quickpage - What a Star!

2007-12-25T21:34:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day with your families and loved ones....and that Santa left you some lovely goodies under the tree!

I just came on to post a little quickpage made tonight while trying to digest all that food I ate today! The QP was made from parts of a kit I've just started. I'll keep you up-to-date with the progress of that one. I won't be doing any more to it tonight though...I'm exhausted and have to be up at 6 a.m. for work tomorrow morning. :(

By the way...if you had a problem downloading the last freebie QP, please do try again. I got a message saying that one reader couldn't get it to download...so I'll go check it as soon as I sign off here tonight.

Here's a pic of the new QP and you can grab it here. Enjoy! One last thing..I saved this png file as an 8 x 8, to make the file smaller (and faster to download), but you should be able to size it for a 12 x 12 layout without any problems. Please let me know if that's not the case with whatever program you're using to make your layouts.

Merry Christmas!...a New Kit and a Freebie!

2007-12-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Here it is, Christmas Eve morning and I'm sitting at the laptop working on scrap kits instead of baking, house cleaning, etc! Oh well, I'm sure a lot of you are doing the same thing...and it's very relaxing so I feel like this is my "me time" today! Apart from just wanting to wish you a very merry Christmas, I also want to offer you a little freebie from my just finished kit "Spring Break" and to show you a couple of layouts I did last night. You can see a preview pic from the kit at the top of this post.

Also...the $1.00 sale in my store is still on! I've decided that instead of ending the sale today (which was my original plan) I will leave everything in the store priced at $1.00 until New Year's Eve!!! So you have a few more days to grab some terrific bargains! Of course the new kits that I've added to the store over the past week or two are also priced at only $1.00...but only until the sale ends.
So.....here is your freebie quickpage from "Spring Break" and you can grab it here.

Finally, here's a layout I did last night...using the Spring Break kit. The photos were taken on our first night in Mexico. Would you look at that sunset!!!!

The second layout was also done using photos from our trip to Mexico. The papers and elements are from a mixture of two kits...Spring Break and another I'm working on now (as yet un-named)
The last layout was done using one of my Christmas Quickpages (set of 6 available in the store for only $1.00!!!). I took the photos of my friend's two grandchildren....not the best photos I've taken, as they turned out rather grainy. I thought they were still worth scrapping though!

Ok...now I really must get on with the Christmas preparations! I usually bake cookies or make some kind of candy for my three neighbors....and I haven't even started that yet! I hope you all have the merriest Christmas ever and that you and yours stay safe, warm and just enjoy some family time.

Merry Christmas!!

A Christmas Freebie...Plus the $1.00 Sale Continues!

2007-12-17T22:11:00.000-06:00

Hi Folks!

I wanted to share a little freebie with you tonight - a Christmas Quickpage. This is one of 7 I designed yesterday. The other six qp's are being sold in my store as a set. My regular readers will remember that I have a very special sale running in the store right now....every item is only $1.00!!! The new Christmas Quickpages Set will also be included in the sale! As you can see from the preview above they are in the traditional red and green with a touch of glitter here and there.

Here's what the freebie quickpage looks like and you can grab it here.

That's about it from me for tonight...except to say "thanks so much" to all of you who have treated yourselves to some items (and got some great bargains!) from my store during this Christmas sale. I appreciate every single purchase, as it all helps to offset the costs involved in making my kits.

Thanks!!!!

Freebie Time!

2007-12-12T22:09:00.000-06:00

Hi All,

Just a quick post to bring you a freebie I promised last weekend. This is a sampler from my new kit "Nicole Rose", which I designed and named for my new great-niece. I think this is such a pretty kit...and it's a BIG one! There are 20 pastel/grungy papers and 83 perfectly toning elements (including 1 quickpage). If you scroll back a couple of posts you'll see the kit preview, which will give you more of an idea of what's included. For those of you who haven't read the previous posts you'll be delighted to know that I have a HUGE sale on at my store, where EVERY ITEM....including this brand new kit....is priced at only $1.00!!!! You just can't beat a deal like that!!! As I've mentioned before, this sale is my way of thanking previous customers, regular visitors to my blog, anyone who has left me comments on my freebies and, of course, to encourage new customers to try my kits! I'll probably leave the sale prices in store for another week....but this sale will end soon!

I hope you enjoy using the freebie, which you can grab here....and as always, all I ask is that you leave me a little love!

Thanks for stopping by and please come again soon!

New Kit, Freebie Quickpage & a BIG Sale!

2007-12-08T19:48:00.000-06:00

As promised in my last post I'm here with another freebie for you, plus a preview of my latest mini kit, a layout by one of my readers and news of a BIG sale in my store (just in case you missed the last post!).

First of all I'd like to thank Jen for letting me post her layout here on the blog. She used the freebie sampler from my "Come Into My Garden" kit and made such a beautful job on her layout that I just had to share it with you all! Thanks Jen - I'd love to see more of your work! If any other readers would like to see their layouts featured here, please drop me an email...I'll be more than happy to show them off here! So, here is Jen's gorgeous layout.....
As regular visitors here will know, hubby and I have just returned from a short vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I got some great photos and will be scrapping them for months to come! So far I've only managed to find the time to do one digi layout though...hubby sporting a sombrero! The funny thing about this photo is that it wasn't taken in some picturesque location or quaint flea market...it was actually taken n Wal-Mart in Puerto Vallarta!! Naturally I couldn't use the photo as it was so I had to extract it! I still can't believe we just HAD to go check out Wal-Mart while we were there! Anyway, here is my layout....

I used my kit "Jenny" for the layout. If you scroll back a bit you'll find a freebie from this kit!

Just in case you missed last night's post I want to mention a very special sale in my store. This is the sale to end all sales! Partly to thank my readers and customers... and obviously as a way to promote the store to new customers... I am reducing EVERY item in the store to only $1.00!!! This will be a very limited time offer, so grab a bargain while you can...imagine this - five kits for only $5.00!!!! You'll never get a bargain like this again!

Last bit of news is that I have two kits ready for the store....which means a couple of freebies for you! Actually, one of them is a mini kit called "Carolyn" (for my sister). This will be going into the store later tonight...and yes, it will (for a limited time) be available in the sale at only $1.00!!! Here's a preview from this mini kit....( I'm just LOVING the colors in this one!)......

The other kit, which I just have to zip and upload is called "Nicole Rose" after my new great-niece. This one is a (BIG) full kit with 20 papers and 83 elements! This is such a pretty kit and yes, this one will also be included in the $1.00 sale!! I hope to get it into the store within the next couple of days. As soon as I do, I'll also post a freebie sampler for you.

Finally, for tonight, here's your freebie from the "Carolyn" mini kit. I decided to offer another Quickpage as they seem to be very popular, so I hope you like it. PLEASE remember to leave a little "tyvm" if you take it. Enjoy! You can grab it HERE.

That's about it from me for tonight! Thanks for stopping by and come again soon!