News & a Freebie!

Hey Scrappers!

I’m about to have some big changes in my life, so I thought I’d let you know about them. Starting next week, I am going to be a working girl again! Well, a working from home girl anyhow. :-) I am going to be watching my friends’ kiddies when she goes back to work next week. So, in addition to my own 2 DD’s I will be watching a little boy who is the same age as DD1, and an infant baby girl! They will be here 3 days a week. 4 kids under 5 – I’m going to be very busy, but it will be a lot of fun. :-) The other 2 days, my DD1 will be going to preschool.

Why am I telling you this? Cause I’ll likely have a bit of trouble organizing my life the first few weeks, and the thing that will be last on my to do lists will have to be this blog list (really, I’d like it to be cleaning or laundry, but my family would not like that too much!). So, if I miss a few days, I don’t want anyone to worry about me – I’m just super busy. Wish me luck (and sanity :-) ) !

In trying to prepare for all of these changes, I have been trying to get myself more organized – and get my family ready. So I have been making all kinds of charts and lists. I decided to turn one of the charts into a template for you! (are you trying to show some excitement???) The chart I made is to help DD1 get herself going in the morning. She can’t read yet, so I used pictures in my “done-up” version. You can see it here:

DD needs to get dressed, put her clothes in the hamper, use the potty & brush her teeth. She's a bit pokey in the am, so maybe this will motivate her - she'll get lots of stickers! (Tell me it will motivate her...)

BTW, I used Kara Perrien's Garage Sale Girl Blog Freebie Kit. It's not available anymore, but, you can check out her blog (and other freebies) at: http://karaperriendesigns.blogspot.com/ She's going to be selling at Stone Accents soon, so be sure to check there too!

Here is the template for the Reward Chart / Chore Chart / Activity Chart – whatever you want to call it. Password is happy :

The squares are small - 1 inch x 1 inch, but you can easily write (& Read) Days of the week, or a short chore item. I don't think it would work well for pictures, but you could try it.



Free Digital Scrapbook Kits & Paper Packs:
http://www.digitalfreebies.com/freebies.php Aidan Again Bonus
http://mary1501.ma.funpic.de/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0 100% Organic
http://neverlandscraps.blogspot.com/ The Outdoorsman
http://alexascrap.blogspot.com/ My discovery
http://censloft.blogspot.com/ Clowning Around
http://littledreamerdesigns.typepad.com/ Color Challenge
http://picture-perfect-web.com/Blog Sweet Treat
http://craftyscraps.blogspot.com/ A dozen Lined Papers & Buttons and Bows
http://thena.typepad.com/my_weblog/ Papers
http://dreaminscrapbook.blogspot.com/ Orchid Mini Kit
http://hm-scraps.blogspot.com/ Little Kit
http://imafishtank.blogspot.com/ Little Boy Hero
http://janoschsscrapblog.blogspot.com/ Summer Feeling
http://lindsayjanedesigns.blogspot.com/ Midnight Blue
http://lisawestdesigns.blogspot.com/ Mellow Breeze
http://mesokee.blogspot.com/ Patterns Pack
http://msgini.blogspot.com/ Pigskin Papers
http://nbk-nicnic.blogspot.com/ The Leaf Cards
http://nwfotobug.blogspot.com/ Vintage Flair Sampler
http://sunshinedigiscraps.blogspot.com/ In the Army Now
http://scrappyscoop.blogspot.com/ Friday Freebie


Free Layered Templates:
http://www.digitalscrapbooking.co.za/blog
http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/08/6-more-freebie-templates-by-sarah.html
http://princesspamela.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://kimbsdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://lorrisscrapsandmore.blogspot.com/
http://timounette.canalblog.com/
http://sirscrapalot.blogspot.com/2007/08/hi-everyone_30.html


Freebie Quick Pages:
http://artisticmusings.typepad.com/artistic_musings/ Quick Album (link near end of post)
http://anas-photography.blogspot.com/
http://dittersfreedoodles.blogspot.com/
http://scrapyourartout.wordpress.com/

Free PSP & Photoshop Tutorials, Tips & Tricks:
http://funkyplaygrounddesigns.com/blog/?p=52 Photography Tip
http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/08/designer-technique-ksharonkdesigns.html Visual
Triangles
http://lifeofscraps.blogspot.com/ Shutter Speeds & How to make a Deckled Edge
http://scrapyourartout.wordpress.com/ Using a Quick Page in PSP

CT Calls:
http://ljcrochet.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-hate-this-computer.html
http://nwfotobug.blogspot.com/2007/08/vintage-flair.html

Other Fab Freebie Finds:
http://shabbyprincess.typepad.com/shabby_princess/ Desktop
http://dancinglines.blogspot.com/ Flowers
http://juliavanderwerf.blogspot.com/ Fairy
http://lemonaidlucydesigns.blogspot.com/ Wrap It Up!
http://florescentjellybeans.blogspot.com/ Stained Glass Tags
http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/ Journal Strips
http://simplysarahdesigns.blogspot.com/ Word Art
http://sophiadaviesdesigns.blogspot.com/ Tag
http://blog.spot-design.net/ Collection of Monograms
http://traceycaudlesdigiden.blogspot.com/ Zipper Frames
http://valgouveiascraps.blogspot.com/ Alpha

On Safari...

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I know I sure did. DH & I took the kids to Toronto for the weekend. We went with my BF & her DH & Kiddies. It was great. Everyone got along really well, the girls were fantastic & we had an absolute blast. We went to the African Lion Safari the first day, and the Toronto Zoo the second day. I actually think everyone enjoyed the Safari more than the Zoo, but both were really fun. If you're not familiar with the Safari, basically, you ride around the path in your car, and the animals are running all around you!
Here are some pics to share:




My camera battery actually died the second day, so I didn’t get very many pictures at the zoo. But, BF was great and took just as many of my kids as she did of hers. Can’t wait to see them! Thanks A!

When I checked my blog this morning, I had a big surprise. I have been nominated AGAIN as a Rockin’ Girl Blogger! This time by Bunny. Last week I was nominated by Mindy, and a few weeks ago, I was nominated by Michelle . I am so flattered by all these nominations. And really surprised. And trying hard not to giggle cause if you could see me some days you would NOT think I’m a rockin girl! I’m a SAHM, and there is usually evidence that my little DD have been near – you know, things like jelly-hand-prints on my used-to-be-white shirts. I can often be caught singing that favorite Barney Clean up song to get the girls moving… Definitely not Rockin Girl moves J but, I love staying home with my kids.

So I guess I should stop procrastinating and nominate a few other ladies!

1.) My dear friend “A”. She’s been my BF for more years than I can count. She is a huge support system to me, she makes me laugh, and has taught me how to “not beat up on myself”, be a better mom to my kids, and (maybe most importantly) introduced me to scrapping. Now, I’m starting to teach this paper girl scrapping Digi Style. She’s a bit PC shy, and has no blog (yet, heehee) so I don’t expect her to do a thing with this nomination, but wanted to do it anyhow.
2.) Hummie – She is a fab resource for the digi community. She offers great tips and links for scrappers & bloggers. She has set up blog carnivals & the DigiScrapping Blogroll. She has an obvious love for this community and for God. I’d like to know just how she finds to the time to do it all!
3.) Julie O – This girl inspires me! She (like me) is a SAHM who has just fallen in love with digi. Her enthusiasm for designing often keeps her working very late. She’s got a new shop opening up, and she is just the sweetest lady around. She has been encouraging me to try my hand at design – cause digi is very hot right now, and it’s a great time to get your feet wet. And, she wrote me the sweetest email about how being listed on my blog had helped her to become “known” in the digiscrap world. If you’ve not yet been over to her new site, you really should check it out. She just announced her new designers & she’s got tons of freebies.
4.) Kate Hill – This girl cracks me up! If you’ve not been to her site, just stop by and take a look at her blog header – really, just too funny! She’s also sent me some of the funniest comments when I was posting about the Couch Potato. She’s also got fab freebies!
5.) Andrea - from Andilynn Designs. She was one of the first people to “notice” and comment on my blog list. She’s a great lady & has fab designs. Be sure to check out her blog & shop!


Free Digital Scrapbook Kits & Paper Packs:
http://neverlandscraps.blogspot.com/ Candyland
http://fourcubs.zervona.net/blog/ Silk Dreams Blog Freebie
http://brentboone.typepad.com/brens_blog/ Cool Summer
http://censloft.blogspot.com/ Geometric Papers
http://cheryl-creations.blogspot.com/ Spanish Gardens
http://heyitsjustme-krista.blogspot.com/ Simply Elegant
http://faith42love.blogspot.com/ A Star is Born
http://msgini.blogspot.com/ Twinkle Twinkle
http://corina.typepad.com/itsallaboutme/ Be Kind Part 2
http://janniscrapdesigns.blogspot.com/ Skool Dayz
http://jimtown.blogspot.com/ Patches
http://karaperriendesigns.blogspot.com/ This one’s a surprise – go get it!
http://kimbsdesigns.blogspot.com/ Autumn
http://missviviscrap.canalblog.com/ Back to School
http://lindsayjanedesigns.blogspot.com/ Pacific
http://deorseltjes.blogspot.com/ Summer Picknick
http://melsmadhouse.blogspot.com/ Zesty Summer & Glitter Flower
http://mermaidshaven.blogspot.com/ Adornment Add on
http://brynnmarie82.blogspot.com/ Roy G. Biv The Thought Bubbles
http://nanas-attic.blogspot.com/ End of Just a Whisper & Over the Rainbow
http://www.photo-hexe.net/ Country Sampler
http://rosemadedesigns.blogspot.com/ Ashbury Freebie
http://raspberryroaddesigns.blogspot.com/ Deep Woods
http://sass-n-scraps.blogspot.com/ Closet Heirlooms
http://scrapzbypimptress.blogspot.com/ Rock Me
http://scrapzonebygabi.blogspot.com/ Overlay
http://sindiegosscraps.blogspot.com/ Dad’s Ties
http://stoneaccents.blogspot.com/ Feeling Sassy
http://sunshinedigiscraps.blogspot.com/ Coffee Break
http://tea4twophotos.blogspot.com/ If not For You
http://fishinmom.blogspot.com/ Heritage Rose Kit

Free Layered Templates:
http://scrapandrea.blogspot.com/
http://princesspamela.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://sirscrapalot.blogspot.com/
http://sharingcreations.wordpress.com/
http://simplysarahdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://traceycaudlesdigiden.blogspot.com/
http://passishabby.blogspot.com/

Freebie Quick Pages:
http://anas-photography.blogspot.com/
http://karladigi.blogspot.com/
http://tinawilliamsdesigns.com/
http://www.virbrandi.com/
Free PSP & Photoshop Tutorials, Tips & Tricks:
http://artisticmusings.typepad.com/artistic_musings/2007/08/hair-scare.html Mini Tut, resizing photos for cluster frames
http://dreamscrapping.blogspot.com/2007/08/scrapbooking-shortcuts-for-photoshop.html Shortcut Keys for PS & PSE
http://scrapyourartout.wordpress.com/ Create Text Paths for Frames (& free Paths for use in PSE)
http://multiplechoicesphotography.blogspot.com/ Sharpening
http://veerle.duoh.com/index.php/blog/index/ Creating Pins in Illustrator


CT Calls:
http://scrapdragondesigns.co.uk/Blog

Other Fab Freebie Finds:
http://a-skrpbkmoms-diary.blogspot.com/ Stitched Ribbon Frames – Registration Needed
http://burkhartscrapzone.blogspot.com/ Word Art
http://heavenlydesignz.blogspot.com/ Baby Dreams Frames
http://heraldsplace.blogspot.com/ Grungy Elements & Word Art
http://freebies-by-lisbonlioness.blogspot.com/ Paper Alpha
http://kyliemoore.livejournal.com/ Journaling Bits
http://mandyraescrapbooks.blogspot.com/ Bar Codes
http://mireillescrapy.blogspot.com/ Glitter Freebie
http://mmdcreations.blogspot.com/ Epic Word Art
http://carla-meuscraps.blogspot.com/ My Father Labels
http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/ Alpha
http://nursesdesigns.blogspot.com/ Baby Doodles
http://alexis3700.wordpress.com/ Coffee Mug Insert
http://pictures-by-drehi.blogspot.com/ Word Art
http://sarah172.blogspot.com/ Bows
http://sassyscrapsbylisa.blogspot.com/ Frame
http://scrapittydoodah.blogspot.com/ A long Black Add on
http://lalalime.blogspot.com/ Drive in Movie Element
http://vjscraproom.blogspot.com/ Elements
http://zeitfuermich.blogspot.com/ Frame

New Feature

I was chatting with Bunny from Scrap Your Art Out – you must know by now that I love this blog. It's a wonderful resource of tutorials & freebies from some very talented ladies. Bunny started it, and some of the other DSO gals are in on it. But, it is not DSO affiliated – anyone can sign up to help them post new tutorials – ya know, be teacher to this fab digi community. So if you're interested (and can write a good tutorial), swing over to their blog, and send them an email. Be forewarned - this blog is not designed to advertise your shops or new designs – it's to teach & share with other scrappers.

 

Also, I have gotten a lot of requests to post CT Calls, I hadn't done it because I did not want to pick favorites. But, I think that I am now going to add a section for this at the end of my list. If you are searching for CT's or designers, I will add you link to my list everytime you make a new post about the CT. So if you post it on your blog 3 days in a week, I'll add each of those days. If I don't post it, send me an email. It helps me too, if you make it obvious – big, colorful, pictures, whatever, but sometimes I miss them right in the text…

 

I also get some requests to exchange links & promote shops. For right now, I would prefer not to do that. I might put up a post about something I ran across and really loved – because I think others might think it's cool too, but I'd rather not just post to advertise shops. KWIM?

 

Here's your list:

 

Free Digital Scrapbook Kits & Paper Packs:

http://neverlandscraps.blogspot.com/ Candy Land Link 2

http://bearicutesfab.blogspot.com/ Mini Kit

http://acmommy28.blogspot.com/ Green Tea

http://heathermanning.wordpress.com/ Whimsical Flowers

http://digiheaven.blogspot.com/ Grandma's Button Box

http://beth-dragonflyscrapper.blogspot.com/ 3 Kits here be sure to check them out!

http://janniscrapdesigns.blogspot.com/Country Charm Blues

http://juliavanderwerf.blogspot.com/ Overlay

http://kimbsdesigns.blogspot.com/ Pretty in Pink

http://lindsayjanedesigns.blogspot.com/ Homestead Paper Pack

http://kyliemoore.livejournal.com/ Dusty Floral

http://aniehaus.typepad.com/my_digital_scrapbook_blog/ Add on

http://nanas-attic.blogspot.com/ Just a Whisper Part 2

http://nursesdesigns.blogspot.com/ Happy Day

http://sindiegosscraps.blogspot.com/ Dad's Ties Kit Part 2

http://tea4twophotos.blogspot.com/ If not For You

http://fishinmom.blogspot.com/ Heritage Rose Parts 1 & 2

http://vjscraproom.blogspot.com/ Paper Pack

http://zeitfuermich.blogspot.com/ Flowers & Swirls

 

Free Layered Templates:

http://scrapandrea.blogspot.com/

http://coliescorner.blogspot.com/

http://dihickman.blogspot.com/

http://digital-scrapbooking.org/gardenscraps

http://jimtown.blogspot.com/

http://rubysthoughtsonthat.blogspot.com/

http://scrappindigistyle.blogspot.com/

http://simplysarahdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://sirscrapalot.blogspot.com/

 

Freebie Quick Pages:

http://burkhartscrapzone.blogspot.com/

http://faith42love.blogspot.com/

 

Free PSP & Photoshop Tutorials, Tips & Tricks:

 

Other Fab Freebie Finds:

http://annetje77.blogspot.com/ Sticker Word Art

http://censloft.blogspot.com/ Glowers

http://hodge-podgebykatka.blogspot.com/ Flower Spirals

http://justforthescrapofit.com/blog Glitterfly Freebie

http://karaperriendesigns.blogspot.com/ Funky Glitter Buttons

http://jkuoha.wordpress.com/ Ribbon Slide

http://lela20.blogspot.com/ Tab

http://nbk-nicnic.blogspot.com/ Bows & Frames

http://scrapshambles.blogspot.com/ Carved Stones

http://seebeesfreebies.blogspot.com/ Stitches

http://lalalime.blogspot.com/ Fun Flowers

http://dranet.blogspot.com/ Quote

 

CT Calls:

http://digital-scrapbooking.org/bunnys-blog

http://stoneaccents.blogspot.com/2007/08/feelin-wonderful-4-and-little-hint.html