just simply sarah/Diamond Ink Designs

Terrible terrible me!

2011-06-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot to stop over here and let my readers know that I have a new BLOG for my new design name - Cabana Girl Designs! I finally created my own blog for my designs. Come check it out and grab my portion of the June Blog Train Freebie.... my lil monkey!

I set up the rss and email feeds on the new blog so please sign up to follow me on the new blog! Lots more blogging to be had there.

You can also find me on Twitter or Facebook! YEA ME for finally getting all this done! And THANK YOU!

Feel the Love Blog Train has pulled into this station

2011-02-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

First, I want to say thank you to those of you that left me the wonderful uplifting comments on my last post. I am still thinking about it constantly and I know I really should just forget about it but its hard. I am a good person and I just hate thinking of what the parents think of me now. But the good news is that one of the babies, the one that was treated the worst is no longer there and I am watching him! He has been such a joy this past week and I have been amazed at how happy and animated he really is. I am in the process of opening my own in home daycare and until I get my license I can watch only one other family's kids... so he is it! And he needs this time with my undivided attention and love.

I have my part of the Feel the Love blog train. It is a fun project that the designers at Digiridoo Scraps decided on. The palette and name for this train is the brainchild of Band Geek Designs. Isnt she just wonderful for taking on this project? I think so! If you are just jumping on this train, here is a list of all the other stops where you can find more mini kits to coordinate with mine! Wow, that makes this a mega train!!!

Band Geek Designs
Diamond Ink Designs <----- U R here!
Dana’s Footprint Designs
Studio4 Designworks
Digidesigned by Wilma
Little Welsh Girl Designs
Key of D Designs
Sarah Barber Designs
Chocolate Geranium Designs
Feli Designs
DigiDesigns by Denise
Scrappin’ Addict Designs

This is what you are downloading and remember to grab it up quickly because the links will only be active for ONE WEEK and then you can find it in my shop! Make sure you grab both files because one has papers and the other has the elements and I know you are gonna want to play with both!!!

Free Download No Longer available
You can find it in my shop!

I hope you enjoy this little Valentine treat. I would love to see what you make with it. Enjoy the day!

Feel the Love Blogtrain

2011-02-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

If you are just coming from Band Geek Designs' blog, then you are expecting my part of this train. I will have it up for you tomorrow! I am so sorry for the delay. I have just been feeling really down this past week and half. I had to leave my job after the owner's husband got in my face after I made a suggestion that they take what I perceived to be an argument into the other side of the house so the kids in the daycare didnt have to hear, nor did the infant and toddler observer who was sitting there. He basically said that he was the owner of the house and if I didnt like what he was saying in his home then I could leave. I felt very threatened and scared so I left. Now the owner is telling parents that I was fired because I kicked a child. Now that is just slander and completely wrong. I am so upset by the whole thing and even though I dont have to have any more communication with that person, it still hurts that she would say that after all the work and love I put into her business. It seems like I never learn who to trust when it comes to businesses.

So here are the other stops on the train... Go grab up the rest of the pieces and be sure to stop back by tomorrow for mine! I promise it will be worth the wait.

Band Geek Designs
Diamond Ink Designs <----- you are here
Dana’s Footprint Designs
Studio4 Designworks
Digidesigned by Wilma
Little Welsh Girl Designs
Key of D Designs
Sarah Barber Designs
Chocolate Geranium Designs
Feli Designs
DigiDesigns by Denise
Scrappin’ Addict Designs

All the kings horses....

2011-02-01T23:28:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... I have nothing to say about Humpty Dumpty but I couldnt think of any other Royal/Highness/King/Queen songs. I think I play with babies too much to have that song in my head.

I just wanted to give a quick shout to let you know about 2 special people and where you can find them now! First up is LouCee Creations. She has opened up.... well, re-opened up her shop at DSO and you can find her there exclusively!!!! And she is giving you the royal treatment by having a 55% sale! HOLY MOLY!

Isnt this ad the cutest? It should be because it is made with her newest release, A Royal Wedding. So if you like it, you should go grab it up now while it is only $2.25!!!

LouCee Creations is also my newest FAV Commercial Use designer. Her stuff is TOP NOTCH... I kid you not! All of her kits and CU items are QUALITY CHECKED by someone else, other than her! So 2 sets of eyes means great stuff for you!!! Look at these two new items and then check out the rest of her shop!

Ok next up.... Guess where Ellie Lash is guest designing at this month? Any guesses? Hmmm... well, let me show you then... lol

oh... what is that up there? ^ ^ I see... Ellie is guesting at Creative Mundi this month! And she created this extremely beautiful kit that is exclusive there. Check it out and maybe you will find other things there you like too! And keep on waiting for where her next official home is! LOL.... I was hoping to tell you today but not yet. Sorry! :)

Thanks for stopping by to read this! I sure hope you check out these awesome ladies! And if you are looking for the blog train, its the post after this!

My Hearts Dream Freebie and more

2011-02-01T14:23:00.001-08:00

Happy February! Wow, did January fly by or what? To me it sure did, especially since I was out sick for 2 whole weeks of it. I had been pretty sick in December but never really got better only worse and then in January, I ended up with the FLU and after still not better, the doctor said I had bronchitis. A week later I was not feeling any better in spite of all the drugs and another doctor told me I had WHOOPING COUGH. Crazy but I just got my test results back and I did! Apparently we have an epidemic of it here in California. I am on the mend now and have no cough left, only an injured rib. 2 weeks in bed was really really boring so I was able to get some designing done. I also watched all 3 Twilight movies alot!!! Yep... and have you all seen this pic released from the scene of Breaking Dawn?

Yes... I so wish that were me! November cannot get here fast enough!

I have lots to share, including a blog train freebie so keep reading. I only post things I care about so I would appreciate if you take a moment or two to check them out sometime (hehehe, like the Rpatz video above!!!)

February brings new things to Digiridoo Scraps such as challenges, a Queen Love-a-Lot Contest, a new Team Collab called Crazy You and next week, a new kit from me! So much love in the air! ahhhhh

Do you have what it takes to be crowned our first ever Queen Love-a-Lot? Stop by Digiridoo Scraps and join in on this fun contest. Everyone that signs up will get our monthly collab for FREE and you get the opportunity to be the reigning Queen!

And if you like this ad, well, its a sneak peak of an upcoming release from Band Geek Designs. Shhhh, dont tell her I showed you!

Crazy You is the February Team Collab. Crazy You is awesome.. I think! LOL. I love the color swatch that was chosen from a gypsy skirt. The contrast in funky colors is delightful and entertaining. This kit can be used for Valentine themed layouts, love, anniversaries, marriage, date nights, and maybe even for that page about your kids driving you CRAZY!

So while you are playing the Queen Love-a-Lot contest and getting this awesome collab for free, you might as well check out the fun challenges we have in our Corroborree Centre. This month we have a Color Challenge, a Calendar Challenge, Font Challenge, Quote Challenge, a Scrap Outside the Box Challenge and as always, the Art Journal Challenge hosted by Sarah Barber Designs.

Digirdoo Scraps is looking to add some new talent to our line up. If you are interested in working with a great team, where decisions are made together and there is lots of camaraderie, then please apply. All styles and experience levels are welcome.

Now, I know you are seriously tired of reading right? Has all this been boring? Awww... I dont think it was. How about I'm nice and go ahead and post the blog train freebie? Yea, does that make you happy? If you are following the train, then you should have come from Digilicious Designs' Blog. If you are just finding this post and would love to jump on the train, you can start HERE.

I split the kit into two downloads, elements and papers. Sorry but the downloads are thru 4shared. I am working on an FTP direct download for ya'll but only if I get lots of comments! How's that for bribery? LOL Here is the preview of what you are getting. I seriously need to work on making smaller kits to give away but for now, you get to reap the benefits. Also, check the Super Important Info folder because I put in a little goodie for you!!!! :)

Download Elements Download Papers

ok, ya'll got lucky. 4shared was SOOOOOOO SLOW tonight, I couldnt even upload my files so you get a direct download! YEA. Make sure to say thanks! The next stop on the train is at eqrAveziur grafic design. Make sure to leave love everywhere you go so that it encourages us to keep on chugging!

I am not on many CT teams much anymore since I had to go back to work full time but there is one team that I will never leave. That is the team for Ellie Lash. Now if you dont know who Ellie Lash is, well, she is almost an historic icon in digiscrapping. LOL Ellie started up Sunshine Studios originally back in the day with Studio MGL and Flergs. She was also at Scrapbook Graphics for a while before retiring and then thinking better of that choice, came out of retirement to sell at Sunshine Studios again. She is expanding her horizons and you will find her at some new stores this month. Also, if you dont know this, she sells her Commercial Use products under the name That Girl Design. So check back tomorrow for the grand opening news and in the meantime, you can find all her products in her personal store. Oh, and check out her CT's blog. The Angels always have fun giveaways and I write a weekend wrap up once or twice a month.

As a note, my last months Blog Train Freebie has now been removed as have all other freebies except for the one contained in the post below (Aussie Koalie). However, I did find it on an illegal file sharing site and it really made me sad. I do hope that if you download my kits, that you keep them for yourself and direct others to my blog rather than sharing the files. I love to give away kits and have fun but I will not stand for piracy. Thank you!

Australia Day Blog Train

2011-01-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

All aboard the choochoo train, all aboard, all abooooooard! choo choo (singing in my head the song from PlayHouse Disney) Welcome to STOP #9.

Happy Australia Day! Nope, not Australian but so what! My friends are and the shop I sell at is and its a reason for a FREEBIE so lets celebrate. Do you like that ad up there? Well, it was made by the awesome Sarah Barber. Thank you Sarah. I love it and your creativity! Many of the designers at Digiridoo Scraps are having a sale this weekend as a result of Australian Day so make sure you stop by the shop and have a lookie. We have so many different styles of designs that I know you will find the perfect kit.

Here's my contribution to the blog train. Don't you just love the color scheme we used? The colors remind me a summer evening. And guess what?! It's the same color scheme as our February Challenges participation prizes so if you want to have even more goodies in these colors, come and have a look around in the Corroborree Centre in February and join in a challenge or 2.

Free Download no longer available.

You can find this in my shop!

Thank you for stopping by! Your next stop is Stop #10 - Feli Designs

In case you've lost track of the stops, here's the list of all of them. You can hop on the train at any stop. As our designers are spread all over the world you may find a stop has not yet been posted. In that case, hop on to the next one and check back later.

1: Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs
2: Dana's Footprint Designs
3: Digidesigns by Denise
4: Digidesigned byWilma
5: Key of D Designs
6: Sarah Barber Designs
7: Scrappin' Addict Designs
8: Studio4 Design•works
9: Diamond Ink Designs <---- this is where you are right now
10: Feli Designs
11: Little Welsh Girl Designs

layouts, sales and games

2011-01-13T22:17:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased at how many visitors I have gotten to my blog so far this month! Who knew a blog train could do all that? LOL. And I am equally shocked at the number of comments I have received. Now granted it is no where equal to the number of downloads but I am still pleased that people are taking the time to say thanks. It makes me wanna do more freebies!

I havent had any time yet this month to design. Working full time does that sometimes. But I have had time to scrap a little. I love scrapping more than designing so when there is a little bit of free time (and the motivation) guess what I choose? Here are a couple of pages using newer kits by Ellie Lash. You can find her at Sunshine Studios and she also has her own personal shop now. I used templates from Berry Sweet Designs for both of these layouts. I was never a template girl but I am in LOVE with all of Berry Sweet's. You can find her products at Polka Dot Plum and MScraps.

This layout is created with Cinnamon Cocoa by Ellie Lash. Its a wintery type of kit but as you can see, it can really be used for any kind of layout. Template is from Simply No2 by Berry Sweet Designs.

This layout is created with Sweet Snowflakes by Ellie Lash Designs. Another wintery type of kit but very adaptable. The page stitching and the photo border are also by Ellie Lash. Template is from the Cut Outs set by Berry Sweet Designs.

I love this layout!!! Ok, I know it looks bad, but seriously, it was sparkling cranberry juice! I just love the profile of my baby's face and that skinny arm holding that glass. I created this layout for the Color Challenge at Sugar Hill Co. You should try it, you get a free little add on kit by Victoria Feemster to use or you can purchase the full kit. The background paper (recolored) and the photo border are again from Ellie Lash. The stamp behind the papers are from a Sugar Hill Collab called Sweet Memories.

This is the last layout I created this week. Vintage Colors is a new release by Michelle Underwood and you can find it only at 2 Peas in a Bucket. I just love Michelle's style and ease of putting random colors together for a great look. The photo is me and my bestie, Joyce (aka Becky).

Well, I have more info for you.... a sale! Who loves a sale? LOL. But its not from me! ha. Its from LouCee Creations. I have had the privilege of knowing this awesome gal as fellow CT mates and recently as a fellow designer at Digiridoo Scraps. But alas, she is packing up and moving! Its sad but you know what makes me happy? She is having a 50% off sale! Heck yea!!! The sale ends this Sunday but I bet I could pull a few strings and get it extended!!! LOL.

I love LouCee's kits! Like LOVE... I have a desktop calendar that I made last year with one that is still my fav to use even tho its not September anymore. Plus LouCee has excellent Commercial Use products that have all been Quality Checked. No Strays, No Jaggies, No random crap in the middle of the image! Seriously, I use her stuff and I use it because the quality is good. Go check it out, see for yourself and if you are not happy, let me know!

Yea, long post for me. I think I am really trying to beat my own posting record. So I will leave you with a little freebie. I had posted info about it in December but I just want to make sure that everyone grabs it that wants it before I take it down at the end of the month. I created an Add On to my Country Holiday kit and it was available as part of Digiridoo Scraps 25 Days of Christmas. So if you didn't run over and grab it there, then here is your chance. Just say thanks if you take it... using your nice manners and all.

freebie no longer available

PS... Are you a Swagbucks stalker? LOL... if you know what Swagbucks is, then you are a stalker! You can now play Free Games on Swagbucks!!! So Cool. These are Flash Games so you play directly from the site and there is no downloading. Sign up now for Free Games and you earn 30 additional Swagbucks right away. New to Swagbucks? Sign up and you get 30 for signing up, plus 30 for signing up for the Flash Games. Just click on any of these Free Games links.

Jan Blog Train - Grandma's Quilt

2011-01-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

Wow... Happy New Year! I can't believe another year has flown by. Is it me or does time move faster when you are getting older? mmm... Speaking of time, the designers at Digiridoo Scraps teamed up this month and created a monthly collab called About Time. It has time related elements and word art, fun organizational elements and much much more. There is over 80 papers and more than 100 elements. You can grab it for FREE if you make a purchase of $5 or more. I say its a great deal!!!

I want to take a moment to mention that a dear friend and fellow CT member of Ellie Lash's team, Melanie aka SassyPixie, has opened up her own store. Everything is on sale this month for the Grand Opening. Stop by and check it out. Just click HERE to go.

In the past I have always loved the bi-monthly blog train that is ran by Trish from Enchanted Scraps. I love seeing how over 100 designers create individual pieces and it comes together in a beautiful kit! This month is my first ever time participating in the blog train as a designer. So exciting. I love all the mini kits I have seen so far and I am sure you will also. The theme this month is perfect so many layouts... heritage, sewing, crafts, family and more.

If you just found me, you have probably just come from Mistica Designs' blog. If you are lost, or have no clue what I am talking about (LOL), then you can start at the beginning HERE.

Here is the preview of my part. I went overboard... small is NOT my middle name.

You can grab my part from DropBox. It is 4 files, sorry! I hope it works out for you as I am really like this company! If you like it and decide to join up would you please put me down as a referrer so we both get extra storage space??? UHm.... scratch that on how great Dropbox is since they suspended my links. I have emailed them as to why!!! Anyway, uploaded to 4shared. Not any of our fav way to download but its all I got right now, sorry!

freebie no longer available

I hope you enjoy this portion of January's Blog Train. Please leave a comment if you download. I would love to have your feedback. For the next stop on the train, head on over to Jumbbumbledesigns. Have fun!!

2010-12-11T02:23:00.000-08:00

Wow... where has time gone? Seriously... this year has just flown by. Crazy. 2011 is upon us and I sure hope its a better year than this one has been.

I released my second apprentice kit, Country Holiday, at Digiridoo Scraps last week. Then I got sick and have been in bed all week long so blogging about it was last on my list. I am finally feeling better but still coughing my lungs up. But hey, all things for a reason right? Well, how perfect is this? Today is also my contribution on the Digiridoo Scraps blog/forum. I have an Add On to Country Holiday available for FREE. And I think its super cozy! mmm.... dont ya wanna go check it out? Yep... go!

Here is a preview of Country Holiday. The full kit contains 15 papers and 31 elements.

I am offering it for only $3 but if you go check out the FREE add on, you might find a special something something. You can find this kit in the shop. And below is a preview of the Add On.

Well, not much else has been going on. I haven't had a lot of time to scrap but here are a couple layouts created using Ellie Lash's new kit called Jolly Holiday. You can find it at Sunshine Scraps separately or in a bundle.

Hmmm... trying to think if I have used any other kits lately! I just scrapped a page tonight using a new kit from Scrap'It Designs. Heart and Soul can be found at Digiridoo Scraps. My page also uses some grungy glitter called Haute Couture by Kathryn Wilson. I think it works just perfectly here! Oh, yes, he is beautiful!

Lastly, my blog seems to not like links lately.... so, please excuse the randomness and inability to click on anything.

Come What May...

2010-11-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally happened. My first kit is in the store at DigiridooScraps. WOW! I am so nervous about it still. I know most of that anxiety is because I am a perfectionist and if I can't do it right, then I shouldnt do it. So, it gives me great pleasure in introducing my first kit.. Come What May. Inspired by the movie Moulin Rouge, I created this kit with a bold vintage feel to it. The papers themselves are rich with color and patterns and no two are alike. The elements were picked to help bring your page to life with storytelling. I also created an alpha with a very romantic feel to it.

And since this was my first kit, I was very unsure on how to price it. Therefore you can grab up this one of a kind kit for only $3. Yep... 3 bucks 3 bucks 3 bucks! You can pick this up ONLY at Digiridoo Scraps.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my kit. If you doubt the quality of this kit, please be assured that it has gone thru an intense Quality Control inspection. Yep. Since I am in an apprentice program (I wanted to be able to learn how to do things correctly, versus just throwing crud out there), my kit was checked by my whip cracking mentor. Then once I had it perfect (or so I thought), it was sent thru Digiridoo Scraps QC process where another whip cracking tiny imperfection finding person took a lookee at it... and sent it back to me. Small mistakes, but a no no still. Now its perfect is as perfect can get for a digital kit. I want to say a special thanks to Wilma, Caryn, Charlie, Marianne, Beth (aka Dinky) and Lonetta for all the help and guidance! I am definitely not a pro yet but learning more and more each day. Thanks for your support.

Oh... and definitely check out the ROBERT PATTINSON video at the top of the blog... Uhm. I likee!

I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills

2010-11-08T23:04:00.000-08:00

My son learned this song at school and is slightly obsessed with it now. He sings it day and night, with the real words and with his own lyrics. Here is a video of him singing it...

Some like it hot...

2010-11-07T23:52:00.000-08:00

and those of us who attended my Speed Scrap on Saturday, well, we like it SIZZLING! It was the best Speed Scrap ever... hottie style! Yep, we scrapped our hotties... well, mostly vampires (there is a vampire war going on with the ladies over there), but there was a McSteamy... uhm, I think he is a Dr! I am thinking it needs to be a monthly event... who's in?

Here is my layout... featuring, none other than {drumroll} Robert Pattison! Yep, look at that hottie! Dang.

http://www.digiridooscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16658&ppuser=337

And.... look carefully.... I used my own kit... COME WHAT MAY! Yep... that kit will be available someday... and I am laughing inside because I have been trying for 3 days to upload to the FTP and have had lots of issues, which will hopefully be resolved tomorrow. So, look for this kit on SALE soon!

I'm spilling the beans

2010-11-05T02:25:00.001-07:00

Ok, I know I have told you that I have a secret. Some of you have guessed. Some read about it on Facebook or twitter. I am finally ready to come out of the closet....

I am designing! Whoooop! Big secret huh? Are you excited? I am. I am an apprentice designer at DigiridooScraps. What a fantastic program DRS has available for its team members. Its tough, yet supportive. I have learned so much, mostly tho about quality! Yep.... DRS quality checks every single item that goes into the shop. Amazing.

My design name is Diamond Ink Designs. It is a name that was born during an extremely long brainstorming session with my dear friend, Beth aka Sweet Mesquite. And if you know anything about my obsession with a certain sparkly man, then you can kinda guess what part of my name stands for. Lol

Here is a sneak peak of my first kit being released this weekend, just in time for Digital Scrapbooking Day.

I am so excited about this kit. I hope you will be too. I will be back with more info early Saturday.

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A freebie for you....

2010-10-06T23:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, please do not look at the horrible mess my blog is under right now. Its one of the millions of things on my To-Do List and kinda like a work in progress as I only get x amount of time to move stuff around.

This week I had the privilege of working with a kit from an old friend, Jewel, who designs as Mad Genius Designs. Her kit Trick or Treat is full of fun vibrant Halloween colors. I couldn't resist the eyeball papers and created this layout. You can find Mad Genius Designs at DigiScrapDriveIn.

And I dont know why but I can't post any freakin links on my blog right now. Ugh!!!

And because I had soooooo much fun with this, I created a QP and a cluster just for you! The QP is the same as my layout and the cluster is the fence and such (with and without the tree). I think the cluster would be a cute blog header too! Its all in one file folks so move your mouse HERE (http://www.4shared.com/file/_jzXeSF7/Trick_or_Treat_FREEBIE.html) to download from 4shared!

Thanks for stopping by! I promise I will get my blog fixed back up and I will also share with you what I have been up to lately.... It starts with a D and ends with a G! Can you guess?

**EDITED TO ADD**
Sorry for the issues with downloading, hopefully it will work now. If it does NOT work still, please just copy & paste the 4shared URL & you can access it that way. Thank you, and sorry again!

I wanna live on Robert St.

2010-08-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I am super behind in all my CT commitments. Did you know that working a full time job in the day and a part time job at night leaves NO TIME for scrapping? Yea! NONE. But one night at midnight when I had gotten home from work and wasn't tired, inspiration hit and I created this layout using the August PICK YOUR BITS from Color with Caryn, available ONLY at DSO.

Here are the other portions of Picnic Promenade by the other DSO designer.

This week Caryn of Color With Caryn has brought a few of her fantastic Commercial Use goodies over to Digiridoo Scraps for you. Here are some of what she has released this week:

She has also bundled up all over her Overlay Essentials Cardboard into a big package of all 4 sets!!

Another bit of stuff from Color with Caryn... Do you like templates? Check out Caryn's template challenges at DIGIRIDOO SCRAPS & DIGISCRAP OBSESSION.

Ok, that's it for now! I will be back to show you some stuff from Ellie Lash!

What's New....

2010-08-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Well, July ran away from me also! My kids started back up at school on the 21st. I started working FULL TIME on the 26th. My oldest turned 9 on the 31st. And now its already the 7th of Aug... Holy Macaroni... Its gonna be 2011 before I ever have time to post anything awesome! LOL. I do want to share the info below with you because it is just SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR. Also, you can read the August edition of the Digiridoo Scraps Newsletter HERE (I think there is a surprise in there).

Did you know that every month there is a brand new, HUGE mega at DigiridooScraps that you get free with each and every purchase, no matter how small!? This month’s is SO much fun! It’s called “Be the Artist.” Take a look….

Told you it’s huge! LOL!

Remember….FREE with ANY purchase!

Wow, its July?

2010-07-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, who stole the month of June? Seriously, it went by way to fast. I blinked and my youngest turned 5 on June 22nd. It was a sad day for me. I look at my baby and just feel tears start to well up in my eyes... then he jumps on my head and the sweet moment is over! Ack Boys!

As always I am a terrible blogger so no apologies, ok! But I have some things to share from various designers, shops and ME. First up, the wonder Color with Caryn now sells at DSO, in addition to DSV, DSW and Digiridoo. How exciting is that! Plus DSO has moved their challenges back to the forum so its easier to participate now. DSO also has PICK UR BITS, where you can mix and match different parts from different designers to create your own collab/kit. This month’s swatch was rich, and sultry and the name of the series is “French Country”. I love the colors of this and all the designers parts are fantastic. Here is Caryn's part:

Caryn also has some new CU products out, like these fantastic Shells. Isn't the red Starfish awesome?

She also has these fun DOTTY styles:

Both of these products are available at all 4 of her shops. The links are up in the 1st paragraph!

Caryn is also hosting a template challenge at Digiridoo HERE and at DSO HERE. Here is the prize for the challenge at DSO.... can u say WOWSA????

Uhm, what else? Oh.... Ellie Lash has new Grab Bags at the SUN. A Personal Use bag that you can grab for only $3 and is filled with fun items that will NOT be released afterwards. If you want to see all the goodies that are in the bag, click on the image below. But if you know Ellie, then you know the bag is full of delightful pieces of fun.

Ellie also sells CU products under THAT GIRL DESIGNS and she has a new Grab Bag out also that has 6 awesome CU items for only $5.99. Click on the image below to see the full reveal in the shop! I just love that Ellie doesnt do surprise bags!

Designs by Sweet Mesquite has a new template pack in her shop at Digital Scrap Ink.... and I personally think they ROCK! Click the image to see them in the shop! My poor friend has been really sick lately so she hasn't really cranked out an kits. I sure hope she feels better soon because I miss her lively conversations!

Over at Digiridoo Scraps, its a new month and that means a new monthly collab that you can get free with ANY purchase you make in the store. Yea! This month the collab is Gardenology and it is seriously the best one yet.

And while you are at Digiridoo, please check out this charity kit that was created by several of the DRS designers, including me!!! Yep, that's right. I am doing the apprenticeship program at DRS and am being guided by some awesome designers. Keep your eye out for my kits. I will be designing under Diamond Ink Designs. I am not sure if I will move my design stuff to another blog or not. Seems like a headache to manage to blogs. What do you all think? One blog or two?

I also found out that there is a newbie blogger/scrapper that has a super similar blog addy and email to mine... kinda creepy if you ask me. Her blog addy is missing ONE LETTER than mine. So instead of Iamsimplysarah, her's is Imsimplysarah.... I know when I started my blog 2 years ago, I googled names to see if there were other blogs like the ones I was considering. So now not sure how to handle it. Any advice?

So the charity kit, to stay on topic... It benefits SIDS research. If you are unfamiliar with SIDS, then please read HERE. SIDS is a terrible thing for any parent to go thru and the worst is that there is really no known cause. The kit is called Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is an Aussie day dedicated to informing others about SIDS and Kids. This kit contains 42 Papers, 156 Elements, 1 8x8 brag book and 1 12x12 Layered Template.... all this for a simple donation of $5! Click the image below to go to the shop for more previews!

And here is a preview of my portion that was donated to this kit....

Again, please consider donating to this cause! It would mean so much to many parents if there was a cause found on why one morning you walk in to find your child not breathing anymore, for no apparent reason.

Thanks for reading this super long post! I will be back with more stuff soon I hope! Life has been super busy lately. I have been working 2 part time jobs and one is moving into full time hours and the other is sporadic at times. But this past week, I worked both jobs, almost 40 hours each. Needless to say, that has left me with NO time to scrap or design. Have a great week!

Do you ever just wanna...

2010-05-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

scream and yell and stomp your feet and then throw things until you feel better? Then run to your safe spot, break down and just bawl your head off? Yea... that's how I feel right now. And why? I have no clue. I could probably say its PMS but seriously, its like a week too early. Either that and it is PMS and it is just getting worse and worse with each passing month. Was life being a girl easier in my 20's? hell ya... no kids to make my ears hurt, no husband to think I am a drunk for wanting a bottle of wine tonight, no worries about laundry not being done and the dogs not fed. Shoot, I loved my early 20's!

But those days are gone and there is definitely no getting them back... dang! And I am getting old. My skin is starting to wrinkly, my butt is no longer plump, lets not even mention the number of chin hairs that pop up over night! I am getting my moms ugly horrible dry cracked feet (thanks) and I already have her premature gray stringy straight hairs that I color once a month and they still show up like a skunk!

Back to my bad mood... I had no one to take it out on so I am venting on my blog... cuz hey, its my blog!! Seriously... I am in a pissy mood. WHY? and make it go away.... I am being hateful and pissy and picky and fussy. I'm irritable and tired and cold and hot and sleepy and not. So I tried finding a pic on Google that represented my current state of mind and short of a monster, nothing really fit. So I leave you with this....

And I am going to bed... nite.

I am.... uhm... so blonde sometimes

2010-05-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well.. I was so excited to finally post my part of the blog hop last night that I completely forgot to link you to the rest of Color with Caryn's Creative Team... oops.

So, if you want some more lovely pieces to match my contribution, then stop by the rest of these blogs.

Marianne: http://www.nowthenhabibi.com/scrapping-stuff/

Susan: http://ivorykeys74.blogspot.com/

Michelle: http://www.myflightsoffancy.com

Beth: http://sweetmesquite.blogspot.com

And if you just have no idea what I am talking about, then read the next post down! :)

Chutes and Ladders... or stairs in my case

2010-05-06T01:48:00.000-07:00

So I am slowly recouping from slipping down the 3 stairs in my house and landing hard as heck on my tushie... almost 2 weeks ago. Have you ever seen a butt swell up? Let me tell ya that it aint a pretty site. My 8 yo son said that it looked like my butt was growing a butt. My 4 yo said that I needed to take band aids and keep putting them side by side until it was this big.... as he is holding up his hands in this giant 2 foot square! Uhm kids... be nice to your mom's butt. After 5 days the swelling and pain hadn't subsided so I went to the doctor. That was a fun experience (read that as NOT)... having my butt x-rayed, having the doctor poke my butt to see if it hurt (yea, it did) and having my dear husband making me laugh at stupid jokes! Good news was that my bum bum was not broken... but it had a contusion. A week of muscle relaxers, pain meds and sleeping my stomach has helped but I am ready to get back up and do stuff.

So as always, I am late posting stuff. Ah well... life ya know. I have a mini kit freebie for you as part of the COLOR with CARYN monthly blog hop and a QP for you that you could use for Mother's Day! So, lets get this party started.

First up, Janice of JW DigiScraps let me play with her beautiful new kit - a Mom for the Ages. OH MY... I am in love with the colors of this kit. I couldn't' decide on papers and she included so many elements that I wanted to put them all on my page. JW DigiScraps is a guest designer this month at the Studio and you can grab this awesome kit of hers for only $3. This is one kit that has multiple uses so I would snag it up if I were you. Here is the kit preview....

and here is the layout I created using a template from Sara Ellis. She had an awesome bag of templates on sale for NSD and this was one of them. Oh..and I love the old retro WOMEN/MOM/COFFEE signs. I collect the images on my computer and sure wish I could buy some to put in my house!

So the QP I am giving you is the above image... minus the mom's pic! LOL... I figured you could put a pic in and then use the squares to write good things about your mom, gramma, aunt, etc. This QP will only be available until Mother's Day so make sure you grab it now!

freebie no longer available

Next up is my portion of the Color With Caryn Creative Team Blog Hop.... whooo hooo! I think my mini is more of a mini this month! And since I am still new to this, please let me know how you liked the kit and if you make a layout, link me up please! I would love to see.

And before I give you the download links, I want to let you know about the wonderful papers I used in this mini kit from Color with Caryn. You can find at her products in her DSW and DSV shops (and hopefully back at DRS soon). So, if you are looking for HIGH QUALITY CU items... you can't go wrong with Caryn's.

ok... now you can have the download links! Thanks for stopping by and reading all about my broke butt! See ya soon with more stuff.

freebie no longer available

straight to jail, do not collect $200

2010-04-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

My fantastic friend and CU designer, Color with Caryn, has some awesome news!! She has just joined the esteemed collection of CU designers at DigiScrapVault! Whohooo! And to celebrate this joyous occasion she has her entire shop on SALE... for a whooping 50% off! Holy Batman.. you best get on over and check it out.

http://www.digiscrapvault.com/shop/color-with-caryn-m-32.html

And you definitely need to stop by Color with Caryn's blog to sign up for her Newsletter. She just gave out a CU mix FREEBIE and you can read about it HERE. But sign up for future editions, ok. I'm not sure Caryn will give out the links again.

Speaking of signing up... Color with Caryn is having a Facebook Fan Contest. If she gets to 300 fans, she will give out a FULL CU product. Whohooo! So make sure you join her Fan Page by clicking here. And once you've joined, please use the "share with friends" link under her logo to spread the word!

Let's see... what else? Oh... the Digiridoo Scraps Collab - Dont forget that if you buy any product in the shop during the month of April, that you will get the monthly collab for free. See that banner up there? Under my header... Yep, that one! Check out that awesome collab. Or here... look below for a better view! Best run on over HERE and buy something, like something from Color with Caryn or BerrySweet Designs, or any of the other awesome designers there. While there, sign up for the NEWSLETTER. Also, join Digiridoo Scraps Fan Page on Facebook. We just did a big giveaway and when we get to 500, its time for another.

want to win a free kit?

2010-04-10T12:14:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite designers, Michelle Underwood, is offering a chance to win one of her kits... All you have to do is decide which of her kits you like the most and leave a comment on her blog!! How easy is that? You can find Michelle Underwood's kits at 2Peas in a Bucket. Click the image below to go to Michelle's blog...

And for some inspiration, this kit is Michelle Underwood's newest release, The best days of our life. I loved this kit~~ So many fun elements!

Here is the layout I created with this kit. It took me forever to do all the flowers and circles because I had my layout originally with a frame and then decided that I liked the pic bigger and had to rearrange all the flowers and circles! But I love how it turned out!!

Click on the layout to see full credits in DST Gallery

The Easter Bunny is on Holiday...

2010-04-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well, late as always... but its all good! The Easter Bunny is on Holiday is a fun blog hop that the creative team for Color with Caryn decided to do. We will be doing one each month so remember to by our blogs occasionally (or follow us on Twitter/Facebook/Google). But before I get to my part of the train, I want to point out that the majority of the items I used are Commercial Use products made by Color with Caryn. You can find her products at DSW and Digiridoo Scraps. These are high quality products with strict Quality Checks!! The following previews are items I used and I have linked them up for you...

Now... for the scary part! For the Blog Hop, I made the following mini (uhm, that was my intention) kit for you. You can download it using the links below. If you download, please take a minute to mind your manners and say thanks! Also, feel free to leave me quality feedback about the kit.

And jump on the train to grab the rest of the pieces from the following creative team members.

Caryn : http://blog.colorwithcaryn.com/

Sarah: http://iamsimplysarah.blogspot.com/ <-------------- You are here

Marianne: http://www.nowthenhabibi.com/scrapping-stuff/

Michelle: http://www.myflightsoffancy.com

Beth: http://sweetmesquite.blogspot.com

Susan: http://ivorykeys74.blogspot.com/

Becky: http://ctblog.beckyandjames.com/

Ok, thanks for stopping by!

I don't wanna grow up...

2010-03-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

I wanna play all day. I wanna stay in pajamas and watch tv.... oh, dang, what am I singing? That isn't the Toys r' Us kids song. But speaking of growing up, a fellow CT friend turned designer, Scrappy Bits n Pieces by Becky has just released a new kit called Big Kid Now and she let me play with it. I love love how my layouts turned out! Seriously, how could scrapping this subject come out any cuter? Uhm... I did have some help though because Mrs. Mojo ran away with Sancho. So I used templates from Color with Caryn's new set of Template Essentials.

Fantastic templates +

adorable kit =

priceless layouts!

For full credits, click on each layout to view @ DST Gallery

Now... I have a treat for you! I turned each of these layouts in QP for you! Super easy for you to just put a photo in, add some journalling and Viola! Ready to send out for printing. To download each QP, just click on the preview. If you want both QP's, click both images!

Now if you download, remember your manners! It just takes a sec to show your thanks and that makes me warm and fuzzy! Warm and fuzzy me wants to do more for you!

Now, just a few more things... Tomorrow, April 1st, Digi-Designs by Nicole is hosting a SPEED SCRAP at Stuff to Scrap and you are not gonna want to miss this one. She is giving out an entire full Easter kit as the participation prize! Whoot! Click on the links for more info! And... more.... Stuff to Scrap designers are having a blog hop right now! Start at Digi-Designs by Nicole's blog and follow along to collect lots of goodies!

Hmmm... what else! Oh... I know. Michelle Underwood just released a new kit the other day called It's the little things. I love this kit and so I created a layout about ME... rare, I tell ya! And being a CT layout, I posted it around all the mandatory and not so mandatory places and guess what? I got LOTD at TheDailyScrapper~ Whohooo!

For full credits, click on the layout to see it @ DST's gallery

Hmmm... I also ended my Guest CT spot at Captivated Visions. I was so sad because this month was just crazy hectic for me and I never got an opportunity to work as many of Rachel's beautiful kits as I would of liked. I work 2 part time jobs and of course now its starting to get busy! Go Figure! Below is the last layout I did and I used Captivated Vision's Bellis Perennis kit, which is just cute as can be with flowers, leaves, awesome papers (I had a hard time picking so I used lots of strips), strings and ribbons! Plus I love this alpha! You can find this kit at Gotta Pixel where it is on sale right now.

For full credits, click on the layout to see it @ DST's gallery

Ok kids... have a good night! I am off to make more stuff! I work tomorrow morning, Friday morning and Friday night so I doubt I will be on again for the weekend. I really do have some thing for you all that I have been working for a while. Its done but doing the previews and splitting it up is just taking me forever. But I have decided to show you a little sneak peak (and if you recognize the color scheme, then you KNOW how long I've been working on this)

enjoy life... Operation Write Home Blog Hop

2010-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Its the Blog Hop time and of course, I am late. I was prepping everything last night and Dark Knight was on Cinemax and I hadn't seen it yet. Who knew that sitting down for one movie would lead to me snoozing on the couch all night? Then this morning, we headed off to breakfast with the in-laws and it was barely 10am when Grampa pulled the cover off the pool and in went all the kids. It is a gorgeous day here in San Diego... hence the picture below.

So, hopefully you are stopping by here from Cynthia's Blog. And if you are just joining the HOP... You can go HERE to start at the beginning. I made a card to kinda celebrate spring and life... The paper and the flower is from SEI and the scalloped tag is from Marcella by K... everything else is just random stuff.

I am all about enjoying life more often now! Events in my life have made me realize that we are just here for a short amount of time. I love my kids and enjoy being with them, even if its just the annoying mom... mom... mommy... hey mom.... mom...

So head over next to Cheryl's blog and see what she has for you! I love her blog background with the cutest monkeys! CLICK HERE to go directly to her BLOG HOP post.

And I was gonna have a treat for those of you who may digiscrap, but dang it, I dont have it done. So, if you want to bookmark me and come back later... it will be here!