OMG... What a Pinch Me Moment!

OMGosh... I'm still so in shock over this... totally amazing and so hard to believe. Back in 2007 when I first started digi-scrapping I found this little blog with some amazing sketches... see I discovered first how to work with sketches... templates where just a twinkle in their creators eye. But I digress... back to my chosen topic. I found not only the sketches inspirational, but the layouts... AMAZING! And over the years, I have honed my style... which I'm sure is shaped by the amazing pages I saw.

Well, a few weeks ago... I saw this sketch blog was having a Design Member call. I have always been inspired by the paper pages I saw, but I don't know what made me want to apply. I truly didn't think I stood a chance... first, I'm a digital girl... and I want to be on a paper blog? Talk about identity crisis. But I just love this blog... so I sent in my app. Now, a couple of days ago, I get the dreaded e-mail... you know.. the thanks but no thanks e-mail... so imagine my surprise... when she asked me to join her team. So check it out... yep... that's me --> Natasha Akers USA (Digital)...

I'll admit, that I'm shaking in my boots just a tad... but I'm so excited... and I can't wait to get started!

Totally Tuesday...

Hey Folks! It's totally Tuesday and I'm listening to the sound of the jets flying around overhead. I've come to the conclusion that nothing good is on tv... a person can only take so many reality shows. This weekend is an exciting one for us. Lindsay will be finishing the last mile of the Shamrock run. She's been attending running club at her school all year and she's so excited about it.

Well, putting my head back into the sand my husband call the scrapping world... one of my favorite designers is having a call... what a dream it would be. If you haven't heard about her or the call... make sure to check them out!

Now... onward to the gorgeous kits I just can't stay away from out there in digi-world. Check them out below:

I just love Lauren's new kit... all pink and pretty... what fabulous pattern papers too!

Credits:
Can't Hold Me Down by Lauren Grier
Template by Rainy Dayz Designs

I did get to play with Jady Day Studio's new release from Friday... I just love the rainbow colors!

Credits:
Just My Luck by Jady Day Studio
Tempting Templates {vol. 3} by Rainy Dayz Designs

I just love love this kit by Creations by Rachael... so many beautiful pattern papers and the embellishments are to die for!

Credits:
Friends Are Forever by Creations By Rachael
Cindy's Templates: Set 87 Pg 4 by Cindy Schneider
Font: DJB Issie Script

This little box is a totally hit with my girls... they just love it and have requested that I make more of them.

Credits:
Mix it up - Hybrid Challenge March 3rd at Scrapbook Graphics - Template by Tanja (thunderdragon)
First Day Of Spring Collection - Full Kit By Boutique Cute Doll

What an amazing collection BCD released on Friday! AMAZING... really the number of totally rocking spring goodies is amazing!

Credits:
First Day Of Spring Collection - Bundle By Boutique Cute Doll
Funny Alpha By Boutique Cute Doll
Crocus Templates by zinnias and swallowtails at The Lilypad
Font: Ariel

I've had my eye on this Lady Bug kit for a while... I just love the papers and all the little goodies and the alpha (which I didn't use in the layout) is amazing. I'll admit that I really love acrylic goodies!

Credits:
Sweet Ladybug by Boutique Cute Doll
First Day of Spring: Flowers by Boutique Cute Doll
First Day of Spring: Add-on Papers by Boutique Cute Doll
Crocus Templates by zinnias and swallowtails at The LilyPad
Fonts: Hobo and DJB Issie Script

Well folks, that's all for tonight. I've got some exciting news to share with you all when next I write. So... until then... Happy Scrapping!

New Goodies Friday: March 11, 2011

Happy Friday Scrappers and Friends! How'd your week go? Mine... it went really quickly! I don't know what's happening in your neck of the woods, but here... Spring is in the air! I'm totally ready for our weather to warm up... but you know before long I'll be saying that I can't wait for it to cool down. Yesterday was a stormy day here... I know my hubby was a little let down that we didn't get any thunderstorms... I know my girls are happy we didn't get any. Personally, I don't mind one once in a while.

Today's a special day for my family... over 30 years ago today I arrived on my parents doorsteps. After their many years of waiting... they finally got their little girl to adopt. Growing up we never did really acknowledge this date... but I do remember another family who always went out for Ice Cream on their adoption anniversary date. That sounds like an awesome way to celebrate.

Now, onto the new goodies! Lots of awesome goodies hit the digi-shelves today. Of course my designers have some amazing new goodies... first up take a look at Jady Day Studio's amazing new Just My Luck... I love the rainbow colors!

Next up... WM[Squared] has two amazing kits this week! First up is Crazy Love... I love the fun and funkiness of this kit... check it out below:

also be sure to check out the matching Crazy Love Alpha or pick them up together in this Crazy Love Bundle.

Here's my page with this lovable kit:

Also, she release this totally fabulously Lucky Me kit... it's GREEN... have I mentioned that my favorite color is GREEN!

Here's my Lucky in Love page:

Now... Gina Miller's new Collab with Jacque Larsen totally takes me back to my childhood days... of playing with Legos with my friends... check it out:

I just love the fun colors and aren't those elements fabulous! Also, there's a girls add-on... make sure to check that out!

Now, last but certainly not least is Boutique Cute Doll's new MEGA Collection: First Day Of Spring! Check it out:

This collection is jam packed with so many goodies... a full kit, add-on papers, alphas, tags, wordarts, flowers, balloons, frames, stamps and stitches... totally LOADED... make sure to check it out!

Well, folks, I believe that's all for this Friday! I'm off to window shop around the community!

Happy Scrapping!

Penny for my thoughts... on Sketches!!!

Well, it's another day and I'm back with my thoughts on Sketches. I totally love sketches. I find them so easy to work with but I've been told by others that they have a really had time creating layouts with them. I totally think that it may be the tools in my stash that help me out. Want to know more of what I'm talking about? Well, let's start with my example - Always Be Yourself

Kit: Life Lessons: 101 by Lauren Grier & Kristin Cronin Barrow

I love how this page turned out. Want to see the sketch I used? Well, I found it on the Scrapbook & Cards Today Bonus Sketch Section.

Now to shake this sketch up a bit, I turned to my stash. I just love using shapers and such. For this sketch, I used Lauren Grier's Layered Up In You: Circles, Edges, Rounded and Waves. These little goodies are perfect for working with sketches.

Also, when working with sketches (or even templates for that matter) you can use all or any part of the original. With this layout, I rotated only half the sketch... I left the center portion the way it was.

So the next time you are looking for inspiration, don't be afraid to use a sketch... and look outside of what the elements are shown as.

Happy Scrapping!!!