My Life With... Cheese!

DSDI Designer Apprentice Team Call

2012-02-12T12:45:00.002-06:00

DSDI Designer Apprentice Program
Digi Scraps Drive In is looking for some newbie designers interested in refining their design skills to join our Designer Apprentice Team!
In this 15 week Apprenticeship, you will learn the basics of
digiscrap designing and everything that goes along with it.

Requirements:
Commitment to a 15 week program
You must have already started to play with design
You must submit a mini kit or design samples with application.
You cannot currently be selling in more than one store
All creations are exclusive to DSDI until completion of Apprenticeship
All Team Collabs are property of DSDI

Apply Today!
send an e-mail to admin@digiscrapsdrivein.com with your name, a short bio, links to products or freebies you have created (store, blog or forum), and download links for either 1 mini kit or design samples (3-5 papers and 6-10 elements) of your best work.

Application Deadline is Feb. 17th 2012.

Hybrid Projects for January

2012-02-01T08:13:00.006-06:00

I've started showcasing two hybrid projects a month over at Digi Scraps Drive-In now for a few months.

This month I created a Magnetic Memo Pad and a Recipe Card.

For the Magnetic Memo Pad I used the Once in a Blue Moon Kit by Jen C Designs.

I picked this memo pad up at my local crafts store for only a $1

If you'd like to read more about my blog article, go check it out here.

My second hybrid project for the month is a Recipe Card I created using Sweet Cooking Boy by Marie H Designs.

and my Recipe Card Tutorial and images.

Here is the blog article for this Hybrid Project.

Now Playing: The Fantastic Four (1/28)

2012-01-29T15:25:00.007-06:00

Well I've made it to the last challenge #6 over at Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenges.

Now Playing: The Fantastic Four (1/28)

Fantastic Four is a movie about superhero astronauts.

The Plot

You are inspired by one of these movies to scrap a page.

1. 101 Dalmatians
2. 50 First Dates
3. 13 Going on 30
4. 2 Fast 2 Furious

The Challenge:
•You must scrap a page inspired by one of these 4 movies.
•Your page must have a number somewhere on your page.
•Your inspiration just needs to be something tying it to the movie.

For example...
101 Dalmatians could be a page about your pet, or even a trip to London, or 101 favorite things or days.
50 First Dates could be about an injury you had, past or current dates, a love note, ect.
13 Going on 30 could be about being a teenager or your teenager by themselves or their loves. It could be about find your way to womanhood, or being in a city.

I went with the 2 Fast 2 Furious movie inspiration. Here is my son last year with his trophies for winning the Pinewood Derby for Pack 21 Cub Scouts.

Credits:
Heather Roselli's Team Template Gift for DSD (I altered the template a bit)
Word Art by Bethany
Derby by Chelle's Creations and GG Creations
Wicked Frames (flipped) by Karah Fredricks

Now Playing: Twilight (1/24)

2012-01-28T00:33:00.003-06:00

I have made it to Challenge #5 over at Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenges.

Now Playing: Twilight (1/24)

Twilight is a vampire movie based off of Stephenie Meyer's best selling novel.

The Plot

Since Twilight is based off of a book your page will be inspired by a book cover.

The Challenge
Your challenge is to scrap a page inspired by a book cover. You can find ideas here: http://bookcoverarchive.com/randomize

I chose this book cover:

and here is my layout from the above inspiration:

Credits:
Trixie Scraps- Monkeying Around Blog Train
Anna BV Designs -Captain Bathtub kit
TLC Creations Word Art

Now Playing: The Social Network (1/20)

2012-01-28T00:25:00.002-06:00

I've moved onto Challenge #4 at Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenge.

Now Playing: The Social Network (1/20)

The Social Network is a movie about the founding of Facebook.

The Plot

Edit: Scrap a photo from your facebook page

The Challenge
Your challenge is to use a photo from your facebook page gallery or friends gallery and scrap your page in a facebook style. This can be just the block look of facebook, chat style or even gallery style. We should be able to see that it looks similar to a facebook style layout.

A photo of our neighbors house across the street with Xmas decorations on the front lawn in August 2009. They were on vacation and it was a practical joke by neighbors/friends. It surely caught the attention of a lot of people, including our garage sale customers.

Credits:
Capturing Moments by Marie H Designs
Wordart by Bethany (Facebook Addict)
Facebook Like image- Photobucket
Font- SF Lani

Now Playing: Toy Story (1/16)

2012-01-28T00:20:00.003-06:00

I am participating in Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenges and this was challenge #3.

Now Playing: Toy Story (1/16)

Toy Story is a children's movie about toys that come to life in a little boys room.

The Plot

Scrap a page inspired by a children's song or nursery rhyme.

The Challenge - UPDATED
Your page title or journaling must have a portion of the song or rhyme in it.

Credits:
Fishing Adventures by lliella designs
Template by Brownie Scraps
Font- SF Lani

I used part of the Nursery Rhyme, I Think I'll Go Eat Worms.

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones,
Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!

Down goes the first one, down goes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm!
Up comes the first one, up comes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm!

Earthworm

I bite off the heads, and suck out the juice,
And throw the skins away!
Nobody knows how fat I grow,
On worms three times a day!

Earthworm

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones,
Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!

Scrap-Out Challenge #2- Groundhog Day

2012-01-23T01:06:00.005-06:00

I am participating in Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenges, here is Challenge #2.

Now Playing: Groundhog Day (1/12)

Groundhog Day is a movie about a man who lives the same day over and over.

The Plot

Your challenge is to redo an old scrapbook page!

The Challenge
Find your oldest gallery layout and re-scrap that page. This can be from any gallery in digi land that you have your oldest layout.

Here is my oldest layout in the DST Gallery- Under the Sea

and my new & improved page- Islamorada Fish Market

Credits:
Under the Sea Kit by Kristin Cronin-Barrow and Julie Billingsgate
Font- Love Ya Like A Sister

Once in a Blue Moon by Jen C Designs

2012-01-22T23:55:00.004-06:00

For the month of January, I worked with a kit called Once in a Blue Moon, a collaboration by Jen C Designs and Digilicious Designs.

Contains:
1 Alpha
20 Papers
51 Elements

Created at 300dpi. Suitable for Personal Use and Scrap 4 Hire.

I've created one layout thus far and a hybrid project with this kit, the hybrid will be uploaded on Tuesday to the Digi Scraps Drive-In blog and then I will update this blog post with the project.

DSDI's Scrap Out Challenge #1- Twister

2012-01-11T19:13:00.006-06:00

This was our first assignment for Digi Scraps Drive-In Scrap-Out Challenge- Twister.

Now Playing: Twister (1/8)

Twister is a movie about a divorced couple who keep running into one another while chasing storms.

The Plot

Take two layouts and "twist" them into one!

The Challenge
Your page must have 2 different layout inspirations from the DSDI Gallery. Post & Link the inspiration layouts and your final product in this thread and the DSDI Scrap Out Gallery by 11:59 PM EST 1/11/12.

I chose these two layouts as my inspiration for my "Twister Layout"

November 7, 2008

Son Shine

and my page.

Danger Ahead

Credits:
Masked Marvels Kit by Julie Billingsley

It's Snow Fun (January Flavor of the Month)

2012-01-03T23:52:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year! For January's Flavor of the Month for Digi Scraps Drive-In, we have the kit called It's Snow Fun.

For all your winter pics this kit was designed to be full of wintry fun and it totally lives up to it's expectations.

88 Elements
38 Papers
Glitter Styles
2 Alphas

Our price: $6.99

Below is my page, this was our backyard on Christmas Day! Where's the snow? This is Central Minnesota correct?

Here is another layout I created after we went to Powder Ridge and went snow tubing on some fake Minnesota snow since we really do not have any accumulation still in January!!! We had our annual Cub Scout sledding event scheduled for January 14th, but there still was no snow, so we went to Powder Ridge. It was a HUGE hit and the parents and scouts loved it!

I also used Wyld Peas Designs Easy Peasy Templates V.7

Visit to Santa by Marie H Designs

2011-12-30T17:11:00.005-06:00

Another great Christmas kit I got to work with this month is Visit to Santa by Marie H Designs.

Visit to Santa contains 16 papers, 60 unique elements and 1 alpha. All the papers are 3600 x 3600 @ 300 dpp saved in jpeg and the elements are @ 300 dpp saved in png.

PU/S4H/S4O friendly
SKU SKU18657
Market price: $3.99
Our price: $1.99 (€1.73)

Morgan had a silly facial expression in the larger photo, but I still loved the photo and had to scrap it!

Other products used:
Trixie Scraps Designs Blend with Me Vol 1 Templates

Snow Daze by Two Cute Kids

2011-12-25T15:05:00.005-06:00

Got Snow? The state of Minnesota sure doesn't! It is very sunny, with blue skies, a light wind and 40 degrees today and the ground is a dirty brown color! Actually our lawn is the greenest of the neighborhood I think. I guess we've not had a brown Christmas since December of 2006. Here is a photo of what my backyard looks like around 3pm on Christmas Day.

It is really hard to get into the Holiday Spirit with no fluffy white snow and frigid temperatures, but really I am NOT Complaining! I am so not looking forward to having snow in March.

One of the many new designers at Digi Scraps Drive-In is, Two Cute Kids. Love that designer handle name myself! She has a gorgeous new winter themed kit called Snow Daze. She needed some layouts with the kit and I gladly obliged!

Snow Daze is only $3.00 in the DSDI Store right now.

Since we have no snow this year, I scrapped some photos last year of Morgan sipping some hot cocoa after sledding down the big hill in Sartell at a Cub Scout Pack event.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T21:08:00.003-06:00

Drive-In Scrap-Out! January Event

2011-12-21T08:30:00.003-06:00

I'm so excited to announce our January Event Special!

Drive-In Scrap-Out is a Movie themed Scrap Out challenge event. It'll run January 8-28 and there will be 6 challenges in total. Each participant moves forward if they submit their page on time and follow the instructions of the challenge correctly.

You are going to be SO excited when you see what all we've come up with for you. The prizes are all hosted by our designers and each week winners will get exclusive access to our $1 store section in which there will be new kits added each week.

You'll need to get registered for this even by sending me your DSDI forum username via email to register@digiscrapsdrivein.com .

We'll have some kick off events and challenges while we are wasting to get started! I can't wait to play with all of you.

Scrap Your Crap Challenge #60 - Buttons

2011-12-21T01:24:00.006-06:00

The December Challenge for the Scrap Your Crap Blog is Buttons!

Buttons have become a permanent staple in the crafters stash box and if you are anything like me, you have more BUTTONS than you will ever be able to use up in a lifetime.

This month use a handful (or more) buttons on your project. Think outside the box, maybe use them as a picture frame, create a shape outlined with buttons, or create a title.

To enter your project, layout or card, simply go to the Scrap Your Crap Website and leave a comment in the comment box section with a link to your blog or gallery that contains the challenge project.

Here is my sample for the "Button" theme, a birthday card for a child. I used several shaped buttons for this challenge.

Head on over the the challenge blog to see the other wonderful samples the SYC Design Team has made!

Products Used:
MME Pre-Folded Card
Karen Foster Clearly Stickers Birthday
Bo Bunny Make a Wish Cardstock Stickers
Buttons (Junkitz maybe?)
Scallop Number Tag from Etsy

Winter Memories by Marie H Designs

2011-12-21T01:07:00.003-06:00

Digi Scraps Drive-In is rocking this month with their new designers pumping out some awesome digital kits! This was the Daily Download for this month at DSDI. The Winter Memories kit is available to purchase in the DSDI Store for only $1.99

Or if you just missed a certain day, there is a way you can still get that day you missed. Check out this thread on the message board for more details.

and my page that I absolutely LOVE....

"OH YES WE CAN" Make a Difference Fundraiser

2011-12-21T00:48:00.002-06:00

Attention LOCALS:

Students at St. Joseph's School in Waite Park will be doing a service project called "OH YES WE CAN" Make a difference. They will be collecting ALUMINUM CANS (only) starting December 28th. There will be an easy drop off trailer located on the south east side of the school building. (Gym door) All proceeds will help benefit the Summer Youth Program. Thanks for your support in advance. I am reposting for Nancy Kalla of St. Joseph's School.

My son Morgan went to St. Joseph's Preschool program for two years in a row, it was really a great experience for him.

Gingerbread Kit by Digi Scraps Delights Robin Renee

2011-12-21T00:23:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas... well almost! I can't believe Christmas is on Sunday already! I worked with another brand new designer at Digi Scraps Drive-In, Robin Renee. Her kit Gingerbread is wonderful! There are so many cute elements and papers in this kit, it will surely get you into the holiday mode!

and here is a page using photos from last Christmas of the boys decorating cookies! A tradition we did not do this year because of all the sickness throughout the house. Maybe we will postpone cookie decorating until January?

Petshop Collab by Sunny Day Scraps

2011-12-20T23:59:00.004-06:00

Sunny Day Scraps is a new designer at Digi Scraps Drive-In. I worked with her adorable pet kit called Petshop Collab.

I don't have any pets, but I borrowed a photo of a lab from my friend Karene. He is quite naughty at times as you can see he is covered with mud.

Under the Weather...

2011-12-07T11:09:00.002-06:00

Sorry I've not updated in a while, I hope to do so this weekend.

I've had some rough times with my health in the last month or so. Hoping to be on the mend soon.
I really hope this is the end of the illness, but highly unlikely. Yes, I'm a pessimist! I'm recovering from Pneumonia and also have a GERD Flare Up as well. I just can't catch a break! My oldest son has been home from school the last two days and he might have to go into the doctor today. I'm waiting back for them to call me. Don't you hate when your kids are sick and you can't do anything to make them feel better? My Aaron has been a trooper with this and I hope today he can get some relief.

I've got some cool new scrapbook kits I got to create with that I need to show you, I love the pages I created! There are some great new designers at Digi Scraps Drive-In, you should go check them out!

Hope to be back writing again real soon. Family and Health comes first.

Hybrid Wish List Memo Pad

2011-11-27T16:17:00.005-06:00

My Hybrid project appeared on the Digi Scraps Drive-In blog today. Check out the article in this link.

I used Jen C Designs, Counting Down Collection.

I created this adorable memo pad. I will be making one for my younger son as well as one for my hubby!

Autumn Delight by LEIdee Q Designs

2011-11-20T21:15:00.008-06:00

Did you miss Digi Scraps Drive-In's Daily Download for this month?
Have no fear, you can still purchase the Daily Download, Autumn Delight in the DSDI Store.

It is on sale right now for only $1.99

A fun kit for all your Autumn Adventures!

Kit Includes: Full Upper Alpha (A-Z) Full Lower Alpha (a-z) Numerals (0-1) 1 Apple 1 Branch 4 Buttons 1 Fence 2 Frames 1 Journal Arrow 7 Leaves 1 Matte 2 Owls 2 Pumpkins 2 Ribbons 1 Squash 7 Solid papers 5 Patterned papers (drop shadow for preview only)

and here is a page with my friends wedding that I photographed last year.

I also used Jen C Designs, Stuck in the Middle Templates.

Tribute to Tyler (Digital Charity Kit)

2011-11-19T13:06:00.006-06:00

A friend of the Burdick Family has stepped forth to help create a Charity Kit in honor of Tyler Burdick, who passed away earlier this month with a long battle of Leukemia. This is a lovely collab created by 31 designers.

For all you digital scrappers out there, this kit is one heck of a bargain and it is packed. Best of all, the proceeds go to the Burdick Famiily.

If you are interested in buying this kit, then head on over the to Scrapable Digital Store.

Tribute To Tyler
A collaboration for the Burdick Family
31 generous designers have come together to create a Tribute to Tyler, a special little boy who has grown his angel wings, but still touches so many hearts. Please help us support Tyler Burdick's family as they begin their journey of healing and remembrance.
Read About Tyler's Story Here

Kit Includes:
Creations by 31 digital scrapbook designers

7 Alphabets
148 Elements
110 Papers
Templates, Styles, Word Art
Price: $10.00

Tyler was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on 6/22/09 at 4 months old. Relapsed 4/15/11. Transplant 9/15/2011. Earned his Angel Wings 11/2/2011.

Challenge #59: Mist Away at - Scrap Your Crap -

2011-11-16T00:47:00.004-06:00

I'm introducing the very first challenge in 2011 for the Scrap Your Crap Challenge Blog.

For this month we thought we would ease you back into the swing of things and make use of an element that has been seen on almost everybody's projects this year: MIST or SPRAY PAINT

Many of us crafters have built up an array of mists but I bet we only use a fraction of the colours we have.
So, we want to see you make use of at least THREE different mists/colour sprays.
If you don't have mists/sprays use paint instead.

Be sure and comment with a link to your *newly created* project so we can see and comment on them. All entries must be linked to the Scrap Your Crap Blog.

Here is my layout for the challenge, I went Digital but you WILL see paper crafts from me from time to time, I guarantee it!

Credits:
Kids @ Play Kit by Shelby Design Shoppe (Papers/corner scroll)
Wordart by Bethany
Live and Learn Kit Schmooangel Designs (Blue Paint)
Play Kit by De Crow Designs (Paint A- Black)
Derby Kit by Chelle's Creations (Red Paint Splatter)
Christy Haig Creations Template 8 Pack
Font: Raavi
Created in Photoshop Elements 7.0

check out the blog to see the rest of the Design Team's creations!

November Flavor of the Month

2011-11-13T19:12:00.006-06:00

Every month Digi Scraps Drive-In has a "Flavor" of the month, a new collaboration kit created by the Designers, which are known as Pink Ladies.

This month, Autumn Fun was created!

And here is my page using a photograph that my friend Karene took.

I used one of the templates from the November Template Grab Bag by Jen C Designs

Her templates are CU Friendly, which I think is wonderful!

Cuppie Cake Time Bundle Kit

2011-11-13T18:36:00.005-06:00

Who doesn't love cupcakes? I seem to 'collect' everything with cupcakes on them, you name it, if it has cupcakes on it, I buy it!
This kit caught my attention right away since I ordered some specialty cupcakes for my son's 7th Birthday this past October.

Cuppie Cake Time Bundle by Digi Deborah Designs
You get the full kit including 20 papers, 38 elements, 1 glitter pack add-on, 1 gel style, and 3 alpha. The alphas come with individual .pngs and full sheets.

$9.00 for the bundle.

Cuppie Cake Time Kit
$6.00 for just the kit (papers & elements)

And my youngest on his 7th Birthday!

iDSD Celebration

2011-11-01T08:42:00.003-05:00

Just letting you know about Digi Scraps Drive-In big celebration this Friday through Sunday. Hope you can stop by!

DSDI is also having a Designer Call

No Paypal fees
Minimum of 2 products a month
60%|75%|85% commission rates
Contribute to bi-monthly Flavor of The Month
xCart management for products
Active in forum & gallery
Host challenge or contribute to blog
Private CT forum
Use of site CT

To apply send the following:
Your name & designer name
A short bio
Links to your social media sites & any stores
Preview & sample of your favorite product

admin@digiscrapsdrivein.com

Halloween Hybrid Treat Topper

2011-10-27T23:35:00.007-05:00

I am in a Halloween/Fall Treat Bag Topper Swap over at The Stamp Shack this month. The rules of that site is that all items must be 'hand stamped' but in this new age of papercrafting meets the digital world, "Digital" stamps are allowed to be used. When I saw this Halloween Facebook Fan Exclusive Freebie on Digi Scraps Drive-In's page and Tricks & Treats Mini Kit by Charm City Scraps, I instantly had an idea!

I used parts of this Freebie called Spooky by Cjoy2Day Designs...

and the papers and adorable trick or treaters border from this kit...

and the end result was this....

Now if you want to learn how to create a topper like this, then head on over to the Digi Scraps Drive-In Blog and check out my newest Hybrid Tutuorial.

Hybrid Halloween Candy Tube

2011-10-25T09:11:00.003-05:00

here is a Hybrid Candy Tube I created from a Facebook Fan Exclusive Freebie from Digi Scraps Drive-In Facebook Page by Cjoy2Day Designs.

Look at the How To Tutorial on the DSDI Blog here.

Products used:

Spooky Freebie by Cjoy2Day Designs
Matte Photo Paper
Ribbon
Nicole's Crafts Acrylic Candy Tube

Peace Out Collab

2011-10-21T12:28:00.004-05:00

For October, the designers over at Digi Scraps Drive-In created a groovy kit called Peace Out!

Get in on a little retro peace with this fun and creative Pink Lady Collaboration.

37 Elements
23 Papers
1 Glitter style
1 Gel Style
1 Craft Style
1 Alpha

all for $4.99

I love the colors in this kit, but I was afraid I couldn't showcase it well as I had no 'groovy' photos in my stash! Luckily, our Halloween Costume Party for the Cub Scout Pack was this past Tuesday and these married Den Leaders came up with some very creative costumes for themselves! They were so nice to pose for me as well! Thank you Jerilyn and Jesse!

**Digi Scraps Drive-In will be getting a new look this weekend. The store will be closed from Friday through Sunday. I hope you all enjoy the weekend. The site owner be updating the Facebook Page as we go along and in the forum if you want to join a challenge this weekend.**

I'm a Queen of Crap!

2011-10-20T11:02:00.007-05:00

I made the Scrap Your Crap Challenge Blog Design Team.

Here are your Queens of Crap for the 2011/2012 term!

Natt Smith

Regina Castillo

Renee Zieglmeier <--------------------Yay, this is me!!

Caryn Kidwell

Martine Labelle

Norine Borys

Nitisha Griffin-Johunkin

Jenifer Evans

Dana Tatar

Kate Vickers

And then there are the two Mothers of Crap - who work behind the scenes to bring you the new challenges:

Greta Adams
(SYC Founder)
http://meocracy.blogspot.com/

Kim Sonksen
(Blog Admin and DT Coordinator)
http://kimsonksen.blogspot.com/

Thank You Kim and Greta for giving me this opportunity to show off my scrap crap that I've been collecting for over 10 years now!

Halloween Costume Party

2011-10-20T00:45:00.004-05:00

This past Tuesday, we had our Cub Scouts Halloween Party! Take a look at all the fun we had!

I used Charm City Scraps, Tricks & Treats Mini Kit and Sahlin Studios Eclectic Template.

Krissy Jeffers Benefit

2011-10-16T23:35:00.004-05:00

This is the mom of a Cub Scout in St Joseph, she is battling Cervical Cancer. Despite what the family is going through, they are still very active in scouting. My husband knows Clint personally.

Please remember them in your prayers and if you can, please attend the fundraiser this Sunday.

Tricks & Treats Mini Kit by Charm City Scraps

2011-10-16T09:58:00.003-05:00

Here is one of two layouts I can share with you for right now. Another Hybrid creation is in the works using this adorable kit, Tricks & Treats by Charm City Scraps.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I always jump at the chance to create with Halloween themed designs. I'm infatuated with Halloween really, I bet I have the biggest digital and paper scrapbooking supply stash for this spooky holiday!

Check back for my Hybrid creation and tutorial!

New Blog Look!

2011-10-16T01:13:00.003-05:00

Every few months or so I get the 'itch' to change up the blog background. I think I've finally found one that will last through the month of November at least! I'm cleaning up my links on the sidebars and checking each and every one of them to make sure they are still active. Sadly, quite a few of them are not.

I'm sorry I've not posted much Creative Team work. Two of my Digital Designers are taking a little break from designing, so I'm hanging tight and the other site I'm creating for I'm working on a Hybrid project that I will share with you at a later date!

I will post some crafty goodies soon!

Sentiments ATC's

2011-10-02T17:33:00.001-05:00

Here are another set of ATC's I created for The Stamp Shack site. Again, they are all a little different, this helps me use up my stash!

Supplies Used:

MME Home
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Stamp
Creative Memories Stickers
Memento Ink- Rich Cocoa

Nautical ATC's

2011-10-02T17:28:00.004-05:00

I created these ATC Cards (each are all a little different) for a swap on The Stamp Shack website.
They were due on September 30 to the hostess, I hope I met my deadline!

I can't recall the paper brand or stamp I used so I will be back to credit those. Excuse my so-so photograph. I had to use my flash and the color of the paper isn't very accurate.

Vintage Romance

2011-10-02T17:18:00.005-05:00

I worked with Vintage Romance Kit by 3 Lil' Monsters Designs over at DigiScraps Drive-In for September. I'm a few days late in getting the kit done, oops. September was a busier month than I thought it would be. Not too much time for play.

This beautiful kit has a vintage garden feel, and is perfect for romantic or wedding layouts!

It includes 12 patterned papers, 6 textured cardstocks, and 34 elements.
Grab the entire kit now for only $2.00

Lil' Helper

2011-09-20T23:48:00.004-05:00

My first kit to work with for the month of September at DigiScraps Drive-In was Lil' Helper by LEIdee Q Designs

Credits:
Lil’ Helper by LEIdee Q Designs
Template Pack 9 by Christy Haig Creations

Slipping into Fall

2011-09-20T21:19:00.003-05:00

The kit I got to work with for September is called Slipping Into Fall by Monkey Mesh Designs. It's a wonderful kit to scrap photos of the kids jumping into the big pile of leaves or simply some colored trees. I scrapped some photos of my friends' wedding I photographed last October. The papers and embellishments were perfect to accentuate the simplicity and beauty of the photos.

Credits:
Template Pack 9 by Christy Haig Creations
Slipping Into Fall Kit by Monkey Mesh Designs

Born On My Birthday Digital Kit

2011-09-10T19:01:00.005-05:00

As we are approaching my son Morgan's 7th Birthday next month, I've just now scrapped a photo of his excitement over a gift on his 5th Birthday.

I used Monkey Mesh Designs adorable kit called Born on My Birthday. I also used one of her templates in the The One Vol.1 Template Pack.

Here is my page using these two digital products. I really love this layout!

DSDI Birthday Bash #2

2011-08-30T15:01:00.003-05:00

Happy 2nd Birthday DigiScraps Drive-in!

Woohoo! We've made it to our 2nd year and we are celebrating all month long!

Week 1
Blog Hop

Week 2
$2 Storewide Sale

Week 3
Speed Scraps

Week 4
Scrap-a-thon

Stay tuned for more information for when the celebration begins!!

Friday Freebie!

2011-08-26T13:27:00.002-05:00

Monkey Mesh Designs has two great freebies available for a limited time on her blog, go check it out! If you love Wordart and Actions like me, run to Tamara's blog and get her freebies!

Girly 2 Shoes

2011-08-25T17:50:00.005-05:00

Monkey Mesh Designs new release kit is a cute girly one! Go check out Girly 2 Shoes in the Scrappity Doo Dah Store. I had to borrow some friends photos for the kit and I am very pleased with how my pages came out!

It is on sale right now for just $3.50, just released today on 08/25/11

Cute girly kit with loads of pink and girly elements.

10 papers ( 7 patterned 3 solids )
41 elements

Thanks goes to Amy and Kelly for letting me use some adorable pics of their daughters to make some scrappy pages using this kit!

Friday Freebie Time!

2011-08-19T01:52:00.006-05:00

Attention all coffee lovers, there's an adorable mini kit up for grabs! Head on over to Monkey Mesh Designs Blog to download this cute little mini kit! Get the mini quick, cause the link won’t be up forever!

Clean Scene by Monkey Mesh Designs

2011-08-19T01:29:00.006-05:00

Have you seen the new kit by Monkey Mesh Designs called Clean Scene?

Great kit with loads of doodles and wordart to complete your pages.

14 papers
1 full alpha
40 elements

Released on: 08•16•2011
Price: $4.50

I love the doodles included in this kit and the clean, crisp colors of the patterned paper and any kit with wordart is number one on my list. I love wordart, quotes and phrases in a kit. It is a nice little cheat on journaling if you don't want to write a bunch of information on your page.

Here is a layout I created of my 'boys' working hard on a project we've had on the agenda for some time!

Monkey Mesh Designs Creative Team

2011-08-16T22:28:00.006-05:00

I was asked a few days ago by Tamara if I'd like to be on her Creative Team for Monkey Mesh Designs. She saw my 'listing' on DigiShopTalk on what my style/availability was and thought I was a good match for her designs. I think she was right on the mark! Thanks Tamara.

Here is my newest CT Badge I am sporting on my sidebar of my blog! Isn't it purty?

Here is the first kit I worked with of Tamara's called Hodgy Podgy Monstahs

This fun and cute kit includes great monsters...but they're not scary at all!
It comes with 15 papers, 1 alpha and 36 Elements.
$4.00

Here is my page, I loved how it turned out. Back in the closet those monsters must go!

**Mommy's Closet Template by Marshmella Designs was used to create this layout**

Sew Inspired by Cjoy2Day Designs

2011-08-09T12:23:00.003-05:00

I have never sewn a day in my life, so I needed to get creative to scrap with this kit and I love the layouts!

Sew Inspired by Cjoy2Day Designs is available in the DigiScraps Drive-In Store for only $3.99.

Be a Boy kit by Camomile Designs

2011-08-09T12:11:00.003-05:00

I answered a One Kit Call on Digishoptalk for this kit and was given the opportunity to work with it. Its a great boy kit, I love the colors and little elements.

Go check out Be a Boy by Camomile Designs in the Zig Zag Scrap Store.

This kit contains:

10 papers in JPG, 12x12;

55 elements in PNG (not all elements showed on preview);

one blue(Upper case) alpha;

one yellow(Low case) alpha;

price: USD $5.15

Clownin' Around Kit

2011-08-08T20:46:00.006-05:00

Check out Augusts Flavor of the Month at DigiScraps Drive-In called Clownin' Around.

Clownin' Around is full of great elements and papers that take you back to the days of going to the circus. You'll enjoy scrapping your photos and your children's.

1 Alpha
91 Elements
49 Papers

for just $6.99

Below are my pages with this adorable kit! It makes me want to go to a circus just to get some more photos for this awesome kit! I've not been to a circus in like 20 years. The boys always seem to be sick when the circus is in town!

Got ATC's?

2011-08-04T10:21:00.004-05:00

I was busy last weekend pumping out some more awesome ATC Cards for a swap over at The Stamp Shack. One theme was Retro Kitchen and the other was 7Gypsies, so I could use any 7Gypsies Products!

Supplies Used:

7Gypsies Paper- Mykonos
Lizzie Anne Designs Stamp
Making Memories metal Adhesive Sticker
7Gypsies Travel Rub-Ons

Supplies Used:

MME Stella Rose Paper
Digital Word Art by Bethany
October Afternoon-Thrifty Shop
Woman Stamp by Unity
Apron Stamp by Lizzie Anne Designs

Paradise Found!

2011-07-29T01:00:00.006-05:00

Special thanks go to Miss Mis Designs of this beautifully created Summer themed kit called Paradise Found! I answered a One Kit Call on Digishoptalk and Misty let me work with her newest release! Thank you so much!

I scrapped a few photos of my sons at Cub Scout Day Camp earlier in the month!

This Kit contains:
22 Papers – 62 Elements – 1 complete alpha

for $4.95

Speed Scrap on July 30th

2011-07-28T13:02:00.003-05:00

Who's up for a Speed Scrap???

On July 30th at 8pm Eastern in the chatroom over at DigiScraps Drive-In there is a Speed Scrap! Please join us!

Template - One Kit Call

2011-07-25T00:31:00.006-05:00

In the month of June, I was given the chance to work with this Template- Emmii Design.

Template *Petit Point*

Credits:
Template- Petit Point by Emmii Designs
De Crow Designs/Sahlin Studio -Play Kit
Brotherly Love -by Wild Dandelion Designs

Artistic Trading Cards

2011-07-17T22:48:00.005-05:00

I was on a crafty roll this weekend. I completed 3 of my many ATC Swaps on The Stamp Shack. The themes varied along the board, but I am quite pleased with them actually.

Playing the Numbers ATC Swap hosted by suzi_f

Supplies Used:

Core'dinations Cardstock
Catslife Press Stamp
Stella and Rose MME Paper
Simply Chartruese Paper Trey Ink

Halloween/Fall ATC hosted by jazzypurple853

Supplies Used:

My Mind's Eye Blackbird Halloween Words
Stampin' Up- Eat, Drink & Be Merry
Memories Ink- Black

How does your garden grow? ATC Swap hosted by Merry4003

Supplies Used:

October Afternoon- Hometown Depot Park
Lizzie Anne Designs Stamps- Happiness Saying
Hero Arts Jewel Stickers
Memories Ink- Black

Giggly PolkaDots Guest CT

2011-07-16T14:47:00.006-05:00

Thank you JJ for letting me work with your Playground Fun kit!

Playground Fun includes:
There are 33 elements and 12 papers
PU/S4H/S4O

Not all Shown in Preview
Kit includes
12 papers
3 buttons
1 staple
1 clothes pin
3 sets of stitching
2 sets of leaves
2 tags
2 paint smears
1 ricrac
1 ribbon
1 sparkle mesh
2 sparkle splats
2 frames
1 hopscotch drawing
1 kit
1 swingset
1 swing
1 tire swing
1 teather ball pole
1 sign
2 birds

For Only $3.99

Sweet Stuff @ DSDI

2011-07-16T14:26:00.009-05:00

They have a wonderful summer inspired collaboration called Sweet Stuff.

I've rejoined the Creative Team over at DigiScraps Drive-In after a few months hiatus. I missed them too much, thankfully Jaime let me come back!

Here are a few pages I scrapped of the boys.

Masculine ATC's

2011-06-29T20:56:00.005-05:00

I joined another ATC Swap over at The Stamp Shack message board, they are due next week so I had to hurry up and get them done, so I can mail them tomorrow. Here's what I came up with for the Masculine theme these ATC's were for. I hope my swapping friends like them!

Stamp-Leavenworth Jackson Clock
Rub Ons-Foofala Dad's Ties
Ink-Memories Brown
Paper-Bo Bunny's MAMA-RAZZI FLASH

See, I do play with paper sometimes!

Morgan's 1st Resident Camp

2011-06-27T01:21:00.008-05:00

This weekend was Morgan's very first Cub Scout Camp trip away from home. Andy and Morgan went to Parker Scout Reservation in Brainerd. Of course Andy went up there with him, but he participated as a Tiger Cub Scout, not as the sibling of Aaron! I made some digital scrapbook layouts of the events that Andy so graciously photographed and even got some decent videotape of! More pages to come!

Credits:
Templates by Sweet Tomato Designs Project 365 Bundle
Fresh Outdoors Kit by Designs by Vicki

This layout is from our Tuesday night Pack Meeting where we made and flew our Stomp Rockets. It had been raining all week and we had really heavy rain earlier in the day, so we moved the meeting to the Moose Lodge. In between rains, we got to go outside and fly our rockets. The kids and Andy had a blast!

Credits:
ooh-n-ahh Designs Templates Volume 7
Fly Me To The Moon Wordart by Snickerdoodle Designs by Karen
Space kit- Sweet Blossom Designs by Sara

Keep Fighting Cancer Benefit

2011-06-20T12:16:00.006-05:00

For Scott Eibensteiner

Time
Sunday, June 26 · 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Location
St. Cloud VFW Granite Post 428
9 - 18th Avenue North

More Info
Spaghetti Dinner Served 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Live Auction at 4:00 pm

+ Bake Sale
+ Silent Auction
...+ Other Events

In 1999, Scott was diagnosed with the deadliest kind of brain tumors, a glioblastoma multiforme grade IV. The prognosis was six months. His journey has been extraordinarily challenging. He has survived five brain surgeries, IV chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy, and radiation several different times. In the eleven and a half years he’s been battling he has never complained, not asked why me? Scott’s amazingly positive attitude has given him years beyond what doctors ever predicted.

Scott is a devoted husband and dedicated daddy. He served in the United States Marine Corp as a Sergent and is currently a business owner of Outdoor Décor Landscaping. He is a friend to many including a best friend to his brother Chris, who he lost tragically in a snowmobile accident in January of this year.

His hardships have been unthinkable. Despite a devastating MRI scan on May 4, 2011, where he was told his options at this point are very limited, Scott is determined to win. He has began re-radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic, which is hoped to lengthen Scott's life by up to 12 months.

The money raised through this page and the benefit will cover the various medical and living expenses during this difficult time. Please consider making donations for the silent and live auctions, as well as the bake sale.

DONATIONS:
Mail checks to:
Scott Eibensteiner Benefit Fund
Great River Federal Credit Union
1532 St. Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301

GET INVOLVED:
To donate auction or bake sale items, please contact Barb Gregory 320.761.3826 or tiredre@aol.com

Father Knows Best!

2011-06-15T00:39:00.004-05:00

Just letting you know of a cool online scrapbooking crop going on this weekend, be sure to pop on over to Scrapadilly Forum and check out the challenges, they are always creative and I'm sure this crop will be no different!
The crop starts at 9am on June 17 through June 27.

Addiction to Facebook...

2011-06-07T00:59:00.004-05:00

Yes, if you are my Facebook friend you know I am highly addicted to it... I love it... yes, I admit, I have no life and a somewhat messy house due to it!
Everyday I get my Horoscope and my daily "Message from God." Yes, I've always been into Astrology, but here once in a while, I'll go read my Message from God... not a religious or spiritual person at all, but this statement rings very true. I don't have a fancy cell phone, so I'm only addicted to my Facebook Apps! ;)

Since I'm such a night owl, I often post my next day's horoscope right at midnight for the next normal folks' "day." Here is what is in store for me on Tuesday, June 7, 2011

This was my Message from God today;
... that there are no accidents. What you think of as accidents are simply your conversations with God that you haven't yet been able to understand. But take heart, all happens in God's will and every conversation has deep meaning for you...

.... with some recent happenings in my life/family life, this hits very close to home. As my husband says, "Everything happens for a reason," and here lately I'm finding that to be the case almost always even though I rather not admit that to him!

My Aquarius Horoscope for today read; If you live in a busy family house, or share a property with a group of friends or flat mates, it’s important that you create the type of peace and quiet that even the most gregarious of Aquarian’s can sometimes need. If this isn’t possible at home, why not join an art club or take gentle strolls near nature. Sanctuary is important for you too.

Very true again... as I really am getting serious about getting my online Etsy Store up and running full of inventory... I'm feeling crafty and have so many new ideas rolling around in my noggin. Just warning my Facebook Friends, I'm on a good roll and am posting all my inspirational sites and ideas, I love to spread the love!

I also am one that needs my own little quiet time so to speak, I will get grumpy if I am not given enough quiet time and I have been wanting to take a walk around the neighborhood with my camera, my best photography is usually of things out and about in nature! I wanted to bring the kids to the nearby neighborhood playground and duck pond, but with the high heat we had today in Central Minnesota, I decided to just stay inside and get some chores done.

As with that being said, if you want to hide me or delete me on Facebook, I totally understand... I can get carried away sometimes!

~Renee

Need 2-Liter Pop/Soda Bottles ASAP!!

2011-06-05T14:54:00.002-05:00

LOCALS... can you please save your 2-Liter Plastic Pop/Soda bottles for me?? I need them for a Stomp Rocket event with Cub Scouts the week of June 19th! Save them for me and give me a call and I'll pick them up!

I don't have a photo of what we created last year for Stomp Rockets, but if I find one or if we can whip one up real quick, I'll show ya!

Summer Agenda...

2011-06-03T02:13:00.002-05:00

So what do we have planned for Summer?
Lots of stuff. Both boys have Cub Scout Resident and Day Camps in the next few weeks.
We hope to do more camping in our 5th wheel, got any suggestions for campgrounds in Minnesota?

I'd like to tackle my craft room mess downstairs in the unfinished basement, it needs some organization desperately. Maybe then I can get my Etsy shop loaded up with some crafty goodies.

I'd like to teach both of my boys how to tie their shoes.. yep, they still don't know how to tie correctly.

I'd like to teach Morgan how to ride a bicycle!

I'd like to ride my own bicycle more often! I honestly haven't been on that thing for about 7 or more years, seriously!

I plan on going to the gym 3-4 times a week. I need to get back on track on a regular exercise routine and get back to my goal of toning up and losing a little bit more weight.

I hope to make a trip to Summerland to use up some free admission tickets I won from Moms Like Me of Central Minnesota last year.

I also won some free Waterpark of Mall of America night stay and waterpark passes too. I need to find a free weekend so we can enjoy those activities.

Of course, my daredevil boys want to go to Valley Fair this year as well. I am not quite sure Morgan exceeds 48 inches yet, but he will still enjoy the "kiddie" rides I am sure.

Of course we'll have to hit all of the area Summer festivals... I always look forward to the Lemonade Festival at SCSU.

Maybe I can introduce the boys to rollerskating/rollerblading this year? I used to love to rollerblade, of course that was about 10 years ago pre-kids when I was in much better shape. I have those in the garage or basement somewhere, I'll have to dust those off and give them a try too.

So my goal is to get out of the house and be as productive as we can be this Summer! I've got 2 active boys that I need to keep busy. Of course a few days will have to be some park and splashpad playdates, so I can get some "tanning" in, this pasty Minnesota skin needs some color!

What does your Summer activities look like? Give me some more ideas!

Another 7 Gypsies Altered Tray!

2011-06-03T01:27:00.003-05:00

My newest 7 Gypsies Photo Tray I made a few weeks ago at a Scrapbooking Crop at ny local craft store. I had been wanting to find the time to do another tray since my gift one I completed for a relative for Christmas last year.

Here's Aaron winning big on his last Pinewood Derby Race.

I have one photo-less compartment because I still need to print a photo for that spot. Can't decide if I want just a single photo of his blue tank or a photo of him with a huge smile and holding his two trophies.

I'm addicted to making these things! I still have to modge podge it. I'm heading down to Maple Grove next week with the boys and hope to stop by Archiver's and stock up on a few more of these trays. I simply love them and think they make the best gifts...

Memorial Day Camping...

2011-06-01T00:16:00.006-05:00

was sort of a bust... It was cold, windy, rainy, muddy and it did hail that weekend. All I can say, is that I was glad to be camping in a 5th wheel with heat! When we arrived around 7:30pm on Thursday afternoon in Duluth's Spirit Mountain Campground, it was a brisk 38 degrees according to my husbands F350 Truck digital read! Wow... Of course, I overpack and am ready for any weather that may come my way, so I had numerous outfits for an array of seasons, my husband wasn't so lucky. He had only packed a few pairs of shorts and had the jeans he was wearing because somehow, he left his intended to be packed pairs of jeans behind at the house somewhere... I never did find out where he left them. We had to make an impromptu trip to the area Walmart where he picked up a few pairs of pants. I had also picked up a few long sleeve/sweatshirt style shirts for my boys as I only packed them one long sleeve shirt, a few pairs of pants, but mainly short sleeve shirts and shorts. My bad... I have never lived in the North Shore before, but was told by my husband who is from up there, that it will be warm... no, it really wasn't! lol
Lesson learned!

The highlight of my weekend was the Spirit Mountain Timber Twister. I honestly think that is the only thing I liked about this campground/camping trip. Below are some photos we bought for a cool $39.99 for these digital images of our times going down the Alpine Coaster. They were too cute not to buy! I didn't want to pay $9.99 each for a 4x6 print, so we went ahead for the digital images for $39.99. Ouch... but they will be a nice addition to my Camping Smash Book and to my Digital Scrapbook Camping Album. Crafts Direct has the Smash Books for those who are interested! They are back by the Paper Crafts Demo Counter... I finally broke down and asked someone where the heck they were at the counter and all I had to do was turn around! Duh... These are really cute books, I want one in every color and they have the cutest little sticker and pocket embellishments too!

I got a few of these printed today at St. Cloud Camera & Photo in 3x5 size, not bad, not the greatest quality photo, but it captured the moment! I just love how St. Cloud Camera and Photo prints their photos with white borders, I must admit I was never a fan, but here lately, I've loving the white borders. They did a pretty good job for adjusting for the underexposed photos taken too.

More photos to be uploaded of our soggy camping trip, I didn't make too many appearances outside of the camper, I admit I was grumpy and crabby and just getting over a sinus infection and the last thing I wanted to do was go camping 3 hours away from home!

End of Year Picnic

2011-05-23T02:34:00.003-05:00

Cub Scouts Pack 21 once again is providing the food for the Westwood PAW Picnic.
Here are the prices for the food, this year we are including a "Meal Deal" for only $4.00, this includes a pop or water, hamburger or hot dog and a bag of chips of your choice.

See my handy flyer I created:

Extracted image jpegs from the internet
Backyard BBQ Kit by Penny Springmann
Font: Love Ya Like A Sister

If you have a current Kindergarten age child through 4th Grade, they are eligible to enter the Cub Scouts program. If you'd like more information, come see us at the Picnic!

Renee

Sniffle, Sniffle...

2011-05-18T19:02:00.005-05:00

Well, I just said goodbye to my last Design/Creative Team I was trying to hold onto. I just do not have the time these days to dedicate to my online teams. I hate being a disappointment, but the boys are getting older, both are in Cub Scouts now and already the summer days are filling up fast with activities, parties, events and more. Maybe after the hectic Summer I can re-join a team or two, but I don't see a window of opportunity to be an active Design Team Member as of right now.

I have to play catch up this weekend on several ATC Swaps for The Stamp Shack that are due. I'm hoping to get those done at my Scrapbook crop I'm going to on Friday evening with some friends.

Other than that, the next week is Book Fair week, so I'll be volunteering 3x a week and then helping out with the PAW End of Year Picnic. Then we're off to camp for a few days, then a few more days of school, then we're out for the summer! Yay!

Cub Scout Graduation last night went very well. I have a Webelos 2 and a Tiger Scout now. I made these adorable (photo will be posted later) campfire table centerpieces that were a real hit! I made 9 of them and only came home with 4 of them, some folks asked if they could have one, I gladly said yes. I have leftover supplies, so I can make some more of them. Its amazing when you find some cool stuff just by Googling, Scout Crafts!

Well, time to take some Allergy medicine yet again, the sneezing has begun. I take Claritan in the day and Zyrtec/Benadryl at night. This Spring has been the worst for my allergies and my eyes have been so itchy and red as well. blah.

Happy Hump Day everyone, two more days until the weekend.

12 Days

2011-05-16T09:12:00.003-05:00

Everyone else has 13 days left of school, but the Zieglmeier Family has 12 days left. We are taking one day off of school to go camping later in the month. The first trip out with the 5th Wheel, I hope the weather is nice!

I will be so happy when we don't have to take our normal daily driving route to the school because of some annoying road/bridge construction that is going on blocks away, right in front of the school. It will be nice to avoid that area completely in the summer time, but then again, I don't think this madness is supposed to be complete until late Fall. In the end we will have a nice widened road and a new bridge, so I really shouldn't complain should I?

Lots planned for this week alone. I thought I'd have some free time to get caught up on showing you my crafty side as well as my two boys crafty sides, but that is just not going to happen until school is over and all my end of school year obligations are done.

This week, starting today at my boys Elementary School, the yearbooks are given out and the extras are for sale. I am soooo nervous to see the teachers/students reactions since this was my very first year being the Lifetouch Yearbook Adviser. I knew I had some pretty big shoes to fill, but I think I did alright! I am completely OCD about things and photography especially, I proofread until I couldn't see straight. I do see however one flaw, hopefully everyone else will overlook right smack on the front page! I should have had the print for the yearbook dedication a tad larger and maybe bolder, it kinda gets lost on the page I think! But then again, I am too harsh of a critic on myself, hopefully it will all be good and I will quickkly sell the 70 yearbooks we have leftover!

For the rest of the week, starting tomorrow evening, we have our annual Cub Scout Graduation! My Webelo will graduate to Webelos 2 and my Kindergarten child will be introduced as a future Tiger Scout! Awww... where did the time go?

On Friday, I am going to a Paper Scrapbook Crop hosted by Crafts Direct. I was invited from a friend and am happy that I could go. I plan on working on a shadowbox for Aaron displaying his big "win" during Pinewood Derby this year! I will be using one of the 7 Gypsies Photo Trays, I just love these things. I made one a few months back for a relative, celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and I am hooked!
I've got to get my photos printed still but I got some cute Photography themed paper along with some achievement paper and some cute Racecar stickers.

Hey Scrapbook companies, if you are reading this.... You need to create more Cub Scout and Boy Scout products! The supplies are so limited and I really do think this would be one hot seller, so get to it and start designing some great scrapbook stuff all about scouts, camping, geocaching, service projects, etc. I will be your number one fan!! Pretty Please?

Other than that, nothing too major going on this week! I do have to tell you that yesterday, my oldest, Aaron, finally learned how to ride his bike! It's been a hard road, but he finally was able to ride and I am so happy for him! Little brother is trying really hard to learn as well, his bike is a little too small for him I think. We are going to do some garage sale searching this week for a 16 inch bicycle for him.

Aaron and Orchestra

2011-05-04T21:25:00.001-05:00

Aaron brings home some info on Orchestra for next year. He tells me first hand that he doesn't want to do Orchestra at school but just wants to use the violin at home because he can't get out of it until the 6th grade if he doesn't want to do it anymore.

Hmmm. So do we buy/rent him a violin and hope he is a willing participant during the entire 5th grade and hope that this isn't a recipe for disaster?

I'm nervous because of his Autism and his frustration level learning a new thing like that.

He has a choice between: Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass. He chose Violin, I haven't heard his 2nd choice yet.

He isn't interested in sports at all, he is active in Cub Scouts but after next February he will be moving into Boy Scouts. He is a very quick learner on most things as well.

Any advice?

Monday is a new day!

2011-05-02T02:43:00.002-05:00

Well I'm up super late and it is technically Monday and I hope to have a new blog post for you, but it will have to wait until I get home from work this afternoon.

I've got a lot of the boys artwork and class work to photograph and get up on my blog! Where did I get such creative boys from? My 4th grader and my Kindergarten boy are the most creative boys I know. Their close attention to detail just surprises me every day! I'm encouraging both of them already to go into Engineering or Design of some sort, because they have the knack for it already. If you don't believe me, just wait and see the projects I upload throughout the week. I think they just have the most special teachers this year that encourage and bring out the best in them! A special thanks to Mrs. Maus and Mrs. Stang of Westwood Elementary for bringing my two boys out of their shells this year! I can't believe there is only 4 more weeks of school left, both excited and scared. Mostly because I have now been working at the school this year and do want a Summer break, but that means I need to keep my own two boys entertained as well! Any suggestions? What are you doing for the Summer vacation?

Challenge 39- Butterflies/Things with Wings

2011-04-29T23:48:00.007-05:00

Who doesn't have some Butterfly paper, embellishments or stamps somewhere in their scrapbook stash? I know I personally love butterflies, I'm drawn to them actually.

If you've got anything with wings or butterfly themed, then head on over to Sarah Hurley's Challenge Blog, Challenge #39 is for you! On the challenge blog you can see the creations of the other Design Team Members.

Here is my card for the challenge,

All but the clear sentiment sticker and the sun sticker are Sarah Hurley products.

This challenge will run to the 15th May (an extra week!) while the Design Team take a short break to work on some other projects with Sarah - we will be back on 18th May with the winners and on the 19th May with a brand new challenge! In the meantime please follow Sarah's blog for updates (she also has some blog candy at the moment so a good time to pop over and visit!) Any kind of papercraft or digital work is accepted.

Creative Block

2011-04-29T17:14:00.003-05:00

Wow, I've been having one heck of a creative block for months now. I'm in an overall funk, I think its the lack of sunshine affecting me. It's been a LONG Winter and I'm ready for warmth and sunshine!

With that being said, I've decided to take a break from most of my Design Teams. I've either resigned or taken a little hiatus for the Summer. I thank my teams for being so understanding while I sort things out. I'm hoping to return to my teams refreshed and full of ideas.

Back in the day, I remember being on 4 or 5 teams and I don't know how I managed that, but it seems like life is so busy and hectic here lately and my kids aren't even in sports or anything demanding like that yet. The boys are both active in Cub Scouts, we've got end of the year school events going on and I have to figure out how to sell 70 extra Elementary Yearbooks this year too. Plus we hope we can utilize our 5th Wheel we purchased last year as much as we can this Summer. I'm going to try to be more active and organized around the house and back to the gym, so Monday through Friday I'll be not on the computer as much, but my weekends will be free game!

April Showers Challenge #38

2011-04-17T20:30:00.004-05:00

It is Team A's turn to host the challenge over at the Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog this week. There is still a few more days left to enter the challenge, so go to the blog and get your entry in!

Sandie is the host of this weeks challenge, April Showers. Since it's April, I thought of all of the rain that comes with this month! Hence... April Showers (water theme). Since rain is wet, it can be anything wet~ baths, rain, beaches... you name it! Use your imagination! I can't wait to see what you all come up with.
Below are the Design Teams creations based on this challenge.

Sandie's Creation

Ria's Creation

Christine's Creation

Lisa's Creation

Jo's Creation

My Creation (Renee's)

Taking a Break...

2011-04-16T14:43:00.003-05:00

The Great Unplugged Challenge

http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/great-unplugged-challenge-910823/?cmp=SMC-FB_FFUN_

I'm actually going to do this. I spend entirely too much time on the internet and it is honestly ruining my life. I get so sidetracked and before I know it I've been on the computer half the night just looking at stuff, not really getting anything done.

I'm actually taking time off all of my Creative/Design Teams and just creating when I want to, for me, at my leisure. I've neglected my household, stayed up entirely too late putzing on the computer and then feel so groggy in the morning, need an afternoon nap, then stay up on the computer again getting absolutely nothing accomplished but yet the icky cycle continues and I think I'm at my breaking point. I need to get back on track, go to sleep at a decent hour, wake up feeling refreshed and get on a good routine schedule. I've been slacking on getting good sleep, then that results in bad food choices as I just want to grab what I can to eat. I'm losing on all ends of the spectrum and I need to get my focus back on what is really important- my health, my family and my emotional well-being.

This challenge runs for 5 days starting Monday. So as of 12am Monday morning, I will not be checking email, social networks or message boards. After this 5 day challenge, I am going to try to continue not to be so dependant on the internet/computer and keep my addiction to this laptop a healthy one.

so that is that! I won't be gone forever, but I do need a break.

For this week I am just being Internet free, maybe after this I can try to be Television free for a week! I think TV would be much harder than the internet, but we shall see!

DSDI Facebook Blog Hop

2011-04-15T10:38:00.004-05:00

Head on over to find out how you can participate in the blog hop that has started today!

Here is how it works....

1. Head on over to each of the designers Facebook Fan's page.
2. "Like" their page if you have not already.
3. Stay tuned and on April 15th. You'll start your facebook hop on Jen C Designs FB Fan page and ending with DSDI. You'll be getting a message from Jen giving you your freebie and giving you the location of the next Hop. Each Designer will be sending out messages between April 15-20th to all their fans with your exclusive freebie.

Here's a little sneak peak at the color pallet. You are going to love your gifts!

So get to hopping! Here are the Pink Ladies pages who are playing.

DSDI Fan Page
Jen C Designs
ooh ~n~ ahh designs
Bonnie Blou Designs
mom2moo Designs
Moments In Time Scraps
3 Li'l Monster Scraps
Daphadilly Art
Studio Demo
Bean Bunny
Simple Girl Scraps

Check out the Blog Hop thread at DSDI for the links.

All about Morgan (by Aaron, the younger brother)

2011-04-06T23:14:00.005-05:00

Well, my son has done it yet again. He writes from the heart and is so honest. I think he is well beyond his years as a 9 year old and a 4th grade student.

Here is another writing assignment by my son Aaron. At his school, they are getting ready for some important testing, so I think this was practice.

Here's what my oldest writes about his younger brother, I think they had to use descriptive words.

Morgan is a handsome brown eyed friend. He's frisky, he likes to sing and he likes to eat pizza. Morgan is silly sometimes but he is very smart. On weekends he likes to play video games. All and all he's an awesome, happy, well loved brother!

I had a tear in my eye after I read this, I haven't read it to Morgan yet, I wonder what he'll say?
I'll let you know tomorrow!

Sarah Hurley Designs {Mums the Word -Challenge #36}

2011-04-04T21:29:00.005-05:00

For my first official challenge as a Design Team Member over at Sarah Hurley Designs Challenge blog, I created a few cards with the "Mums the Word" theme. Sarah Hurley Designs is an online store and challenge blog based out the United Kingdom. She is a very creative gal with an entire store of inspiration to get your crafty mojo flowing!

Here are my projects I created with using some of her digital patterned papers and digital stamps/images.

Below the Sprinkles Paper and Cupcake Paper are from Sarah Hurley Designs.

The Butterfly Oval Sentiment and the Hot Air Balloon Sky background is from Sarah Hurley Designs.

ATC Card

My Life Story (According to my son, Aaron)

2011-04-04T21:06:00.003-05:00

My son is in 4th grade and at the end of every week, I get that huge stack of papers. He thinks I save them all, I would love to but obviously that isn't possible. I do keep a select few drawings, tests and whatever else catches my eye.

Today I finally got through the massive pile and came across a paragraph he had to write about his life!

My Life Story by Aaron

It all started July XX, XXXX, when I was born. My mom and dad was happy for me to be in their life. When I was 3 my little brother was born. I was given a toy baby to know how to treat my brother well. I had a loose tooth when I went to kindergarten. My tooth came out that night. My 6th Birthday came. I've got many of toys. One year later my little brother went to Preschool. He had to stay in Preschool for two years. My grandma died. I was very sad. Then I got braces. I enjoyed having them on. I weared my braces for a year. Then I got them off. Next I got my retainer. I started to click it. Finally I'm in 4th grade now. I know more things would happen in my life.

I might just scrap this in paper to include the actual writing assignment!

March Reveal for Gel-A-Tins

2011-04-03T00:22:00.003-05:00

For my first month as both Design Team Coordinator and Design Team Member of Gel-A-Tins Stamps, I worked with the adorable Easter Bunnies Clear Stamp Set. Now if this stamp set doesn't get you yearning for Spring, I don't know what will! I had to get some new pastel Momento inks to play with my new stamps too!

Mini Spring Note Cards

Easter Themed ATC's

Full Sized Easter Card

To see the rest of the Gel-A-Tins Design Team projects, then head over to the new Gel-A-Tins Blog.

March Gel-A-Tins Creations

2011-03-27T00:51:00.004-05:00

I finally got the chance to update the Gel-A-Tins Stamps Blog! Woohoo... I'm so sorry for the delay, March Madness is how I describe this month in the Zieglmeier Household but I guarantee it has nothing to do with Basketball!

If you want to see what the Guest Design Team and the new Design Team Members have done for the month of March, then hop on over to the Gel-A-Tins Blog and let them know how they did!

Here is one of my cards I made using the Easter Bunnies Stamp Set from Gel-A-Tins.

I LOVED working with this set, the designs are so pretty and I am so looking forward to Spring, Easter and NO MORE SNOW! I didn't expect or enjoy the 9 or so inches of snow we got on Tuesday night, but I did like the cancelled school day on Wednesday. Good news is, our school district doesn't have to make up that missed day! Best news I've heard in a long time!

Proud Mommy Moment!

2011-03-23T00:20:00.005-05:00

Tonight was the official Pack 21, Pinewood Derby Race. Last year was Aaron's first race and well, it didn't go so well. Lots of disappointment and tears occurred. well I had tears tonight......

Tears of Joy! lol. Aaron won 1st Place for his Webelos Den and 1st Place for Best of Show for the entire pack. Tonight he was undefeated. He competes on Saturday, with the second place winner, Mason, at the District Office for all area packs! WOOHOO! Yes, I was quite emotional but not until Assistant Cubmaster Tammy, kissed Aaron on the forehead as she congratulated him. That is when the tears began flowing. At one point Andy looked at me with the WTH is wrong with you kinda look and I had to look away. It was a proud mommy moment, what can I say?

This is his only second Pinewood Derby ever... last year was downright horrible. He did awesome in the trial runs, but horrible the actual race. He got 5th place and no trophy and freaked out (Asperger's style). It was very hard to watch last year my son was unconsolable and couldn't calm down and accept that he lost. The assistant Cubmaster had wanted to do something nice for him so she got him a Pinewood Derby participation trophy a few days later to cheer him up! It was a very thoughtful gesture.

Tonight when he had already won two races already, he was getting very excited, he was getting a little cocky and I was hoping that it wasn't going to flop and be a big recipe for disaster! Aaron was undefeated tonight, he won all the races. So just when I think the Pinewood Derby is over and done with, not quite yet, we've got another race on Saturday. Then I can stop stressing hopefully. But as a mother to a child with Special Needs, this was quite an achievement for us all. I'm sure I'll be quite mushy when journaling on those future Digital Scrapbook pages!

2K $2 Celebration at DSDI

2011-03-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

We are celebrating reaching over 2000 members!!

Everything in the store will be on sale this weekend, Saturday & Sunday.

**NOTE: No other discounts valid with this offer.

Happy Shopping Everyone!!

Scrappin' It Green Crop

2011-03-14T22:46:00.001-05:00

Come join us on March 18-28th at Scrapadilly for the Scrappin' It Green Crop!

Kindergarten Writing Workshops

2011-03-13T03:11:00.004-05:00

I volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday mornings in my son Morgan's Kindergarten class. I love helping the kids with their writing and sometimes we do a painting project. The teacher usually holds a class meeting where they go over a certain lesson and she asks them questions prompting them to think about and discuss certain events. The subject ranges from, what they like to eat for lunch, what their favorite thing to do is or a memory of something you did last weekend. Then they are to write and draw something that pertains to that topic of discussion.

Morgan is very creative in both his artwork and his writing if I do say so myself. He is only 6 years old and I can see he follows in big brothers footsteps in his creativity and attention to detail.

Take a look at some of his Kindergarten writings this year, I've got a very smart little boy!

I've started to photograph his artwork, so be on the lookout for more Creations by Morgan!

This is Morgan and Aaron playing Chess together.

This must have been prompted by the question, "What did you do this weekend?"
Here Morgan draws a picture of his room and writes, "I was cleaning my room."

Stamp Diva (25% Off Entire Store Coupon Code)

2011-03-13T01:08:00.000-06:00

Just copying/pasting from the website, sorry for all the caps! I've purchased here before, very quick shipping, good prices.

http://www.stampdiva.com/

SPRING CLEANING! 25% OFF ENTIRE STORE THROUGH MARCH 19. USE SPRING25 COUPON CODE. IN-STOCK MERCHANDISE ONLY.

"Head {cl}over Heels" Celebration Challenge

2011-03-10T11:38:00.004-06:00

March 11-18

Join us in a Celebration event mixing it up between Valentine’s & St. Patrick’s Day.

"Head {cl}over Heels"

Ton's of Fun & Great Prizes!

www.digiscrapsdrivein.com

The Pirate Life Digital Stamps

2011-03-09T10:04:00.006-06:00

These digital stamps in both black and white and in color are teriffic to work with. These new images are from Sarah Hurley Designs.

My goal for this new Design Team is to try to create something digtally first and then I will play with the printed digital stamps to create a papercraft.

I was just playing around in Photoshop Elements and created a Postage Stamp out of the colored stamps and then put the stamp on a PSE made Postcard.

Take a look-

If you are interested in purchasing Sarah's Digital Stamps, then head to her store.

Give me another day to get some papercrafted projects done with these adorable pirate life digital stamps.

Adventures of a Scout Kit from Digi Scraps Drive-In

2011-03-08T22:03:00.006-06:00

I just love this month's Flavor of the Month from Digi Scraps Drive-In! Yes, I'm biased because we are a dedicated family of Cub Scouts, but there are just not a lot of kits based on scouting readily available!

This month's Flavor of the Month is available for purchase at DSDI for only $6.00,
Go grab Adventures of a Scout Kit. You can participate in our monthly challenge over at DSDI called It's a Fad and you can get a coupon for 50% off this kit. Just register for the message board, check in on that thread and tell them you want to participate and the host will PM you a coupon code to get the kit for half of the price! Easy Peasy!

This kit includes:
29 Papers
66 Elements
2 Alpha Sets

and here is a layout I created, hopefully I will have time tomorrow to get another page done. I've got tons of photos of scouting events!

New Blog Look

2011-03-07T23:59:00.005-06:00

Ok, I am done with the snow, I want Spring to arrive ASAP! I hear we are supposed to get snow again on Wednesday though, boohoo.

I am in process of adding some new DT Blog Links to my blog, it is going to take a few days to do. I thought I goofed up my blog because I couldn't see "My Followers" at all, I even logged out of blogger, but I asked a few friends and they said they can see it, so I guess I didn't totally screw it up! I just didn't want my followers to think I deleted them! I still can't see my followers and I even logged out of Blogger and I still can't see them, but I was assured that they were there! Go figure!

Tomorrow I hope to get some Design Team projects done with some Sarah Hurley Designs and Gel-A-Tins Stamps.

This week is the boys Winter Break, so I need to keep them entertained somewhat, but I rented a few movies for them today, so hopefully I can set them up with those tomorrow and I can get my craft on!

I made the Sarah Hurley Design Team!

2011-03-03T23:17:00.002-06:00

Introducing....

Sarah Hurley Design Team Announcement

The new people are:

Sandie
Jo
Tams
Siobhan
Leticia
Sue
Renee
Christine
Natalie
Ria
Taraleigh
Claire
Tammy
Jaine
Camilla
Sarabeth

Congrats ladies, I can't wait to get to know you and work with you all!

Gramma's Drawer by Melly Scraps

2011-03-01T22:35:00.004-06:00

Melly Scraps Gramma's Drawer kit is now available for purchase.

A soft, slightly antique kit, inspired from things found at my Gramma's house.
*** NOTE - this was given away as a freebie in the 2010 Designer Survivor competition ***

Kit includes:
12 textured papers (patterns & solids)
1 full alpha (uppercase, lowercase, numbers and some common symbols)
25 elements:
3 ribbons
2 buttons
2 flowers
2 string bows
1 doiley
1 envelope
1 journal
1 lace border
1 book plate
1 brad
1 butterfly
1 string of pearls
1 pen
1 photocorner
1 pocketwatch
1 tag
1 row of stitching
1 bead frame
1 metal frame
1 frame/journal cluster

This kit is only $3.00

Here is my page- I Do. Some photos of my friends wedding I photographed in October.

Eternal Collection Bundle by Daphadilly Art

2011-02-25T08:19:00.003-06:00

The Paper Shakers over at Digi Scraps Drive-In were given a chance to create with Daphadilly Arts newest kit collection called Eternal.

Daphadilly Art just put this on sale today for only $4.00

I Love You Just A Little Bit Kit and Templates by Jen C Designs

2011-02-24T22:23:00.005-06:00

Jen C Designs has a new Template pack and a super sweet kit out called, I Love You Just A Little Bit.

Bots of Love Kit by Bean Bunny Designs

2011-02-24T22:08:00.003-06:00

I chose to work with Bean Bunny Designs for February. She gave me her Bots of Love kit to work with. What an adorable kit. Perfect for any photos really, ranging from Valentine's Day to just a general page, these little robots are just darling!

Vintage ATC's

2011-02-17T00:38:00.002-06:00

Yes, I've been bitten by the ATC Swapping bug! Here are some more cards for a swap over at The Stamp Shack.

Products used:
Graphic 45 Paper
Faux Postage Stamp by Lisa Vollrath-Ten Two Studios
Postcard Stamp by- Leavenworth Jackson
Brown Memento Ink
Chalk Ink

Penguin ATC's

2011-02-17T00:30:00.003-06:00

Each ATC is different, using up my stash. This is for a swap on The Stamp Shack site.

Supplies Used:
Sweetwater Stickers
Creative Imagination Fortune Cookie Stickers
Paper- Martha Stewart
Stamps4U Penguin Love Stamp
K & Company Flower Stickers
EK Success Punch

Bucket List ATC Swap

2011-02-10T23:47:00.002-06:00

I am addicted to ATC Swaps. What are ATC's you ask? ATC (Artistic Trading Cards) are miniature pieces of artwork that are sized 2.5 x 3.5 inches large. I did two variations for the Bucket List ATC Swap over at The Stamp Shack. I would like to Travel to all 50 States via our new 5th Wheel.

Sandylion Stickers
JilliBean Soup Stamp- (world)
Paper- ?? old stuff from my stash
Ink- Memento and Chalk Inks

Gel-A-Tins DT Announcement

2011-02-07T21:51:00.002-06:00

Congratulations!!!!!

Congratulations on being accepted on gel-à-tins very first design team under the new ownership!!! We had almost 70 submissions and it was no easy task narrowing it down to our first team.

We had originally planned on 6 DT members to fulfill the 8 month term, but we just loved everyone submissions and were faced with a huge dilemma-

After several hours and many pages of notes we decided to extend the main core group of DT members to 11 with one guest DT each month. View your name below to find out which part of the team you will be on.

Again Congratulations and thank you for your interest in gel-à-tins. We are looking forward to working with you while we re-brand the company in the crafting industry and to let it be known that gel-à-tins is back providing superior products and excellent customer service

Main Monthly DT Members: ~
Renee (DT coordinator)
~ Ellen
~ Karin
~ Gladys
~ Sharm
~ Cassie
~ Cherie
~ Angela
~ Sheree
~ Natalie
~ Nicole

Monthly Guest DT members:
March- June & Moe
April- Tilly
May- AnnCaryl
June- Tessa
July- Chris
August- Becky

Be on the lookout for information about our first DT online meeting. Here you will learn more about me, the company, our goals, what is expected of your positions, etc. Renee and I just need to figure out what time zone everyone is in, LOL!

Thank you again for your enthusiastic applications and for sharing your talent with us!!!

~BonBon

Get Your Game On {Flavor of the Month Digital Kit}

2011-02-06T01:55:00.004-06:00

I LOVE the Flavor of the Month for February for Digi Scraps Drive-In.
Who doesn't love playing a good board game every now and then?
It is in the DSDI store for $6.00 but if you opt to take part in our monthly challenge called- It's a Fad, you can get a coupon for this kit and pay only $3.00 for it! Check out the challenge thread to get more details! If your participate in the challenge, you will be entered in a drawing to win next months Mega Kit for free!

This was a really fun kit to work with, here are my pages I created this month. Hope you enjoy them!