Three new products from me this weekend at Designer Digitals.

Here’s an example from anke of the Designer Digitals Creative Team using my new Edge Sentiments.

I love how she used it as a “frame” above the main content of her layout.

Next up: Today Rocks

A couple of these were included in a limited time freebie for National Scrapbook Day. I created a few more to complete this package.

And third, No Day Like Today.

Here’s an example from kikimama of the Designer Digitals Creative Team:

Have a great weekend!

GIVEAWAY | One (1) person will win a $100.00 gift card to Freckled Fawn.

SUPER COOL SPECIAL OFFER | Freckled Fawn has packed some $5.00 washi tape grab bags just for Ali Edwards’ readers. You can purchase them here. Quantities are limited.

Freckled Fawn is an online shop filled with hundreds of delightful embellishments like washi tape, wood chips, resin shapes, paper clips–all perfect for your crafting needs.

CONNECT | Shop | Blog | Facebook | Instagram

GIVEAWAY | One person will win a spot in Tool School Mini Workshop with Jennifer Gallacher at Two Peas in a Bucket. If you have already purchased this class, your money will be refunded or you can give it away to a friend. (Please leave your Two Peas username in your comment)

ABOUT | We all have them: punches, die cut machines, die cut shapes, and even our most basic tools. And while some of these tools get more use than others, some get completely neglected. Garden Girl Jen Gallacher comes to the rescue with this workshop designed to help you use your tools in creative new ways.

The “Tool School” workshop includes over 100 creative ideas for using your tools. Some basic knowledge of how to use a digital die cut machine, a manual die cut machine, and paper punching are required.

In the following chapters, Jen focuses on teaching new ways to use each type of tool system. Full step-by-step instructions are included for all of the 102 techniques found on the 30 layouts for this workshop.

Chapters are divided accordingly:

Chapter 1: Punches
Chapter 2: Die Cutting
Chapter 3: Other Tools

In addition to the 37 page PDF, Jen has incorporated many of the techniques in each chapter video (120 minutes of video!). Learn how to die cut a shape from Washi Tape. Punch and layer two of the same photo. Hand stitch an embossed pattern. Or staple ribbon to your page. There are so many techniques to choose from! Each video also includes a full start-to-finish layout so you can see how Jen approaches designing with tools into her design process.

Samples include 12×12″ and 8 1/2″ x 11″ layouts and feature seasonal celebrations, family outings, and special memories.

Whether you’re looking to purchase and use new tools, or whether you’re looking to stretch your tool supplies even further, this fun and exciting workshop will give you plenty of ideas to choose from. Lessons can be completed at your own pace. A private message board forum is also available to ask questions of both Jen and to connect with other participants.

Join in on the fun!

The content of this workshop will be available immediately upon purchase. The lessons are available for you to work at your own pace and upon purchase can be accessed in the “Workshops” section under “Classes & Events.” Enjoy!

Cost: $12

Welcome to Project Life 2013 | Week Fifteen (April 8 – April 14).

A bit of a simpler week. A few less words. A few less embellishments. It’s all good.

Here’s a few close-ups:

A little something fun I played around with a few weeks back was writing with Stickles. It works! Definitely let it dry before slipping it into a pocket page. Yellow washi tape along the top and bottom is from Freckled Fawn.

I started this little card to document 5 things that Anna told me she thinks about when she goes to sleep (her happy thoughts to scare away the monsters). I only got three recorded and when I asked her again she didn’t remember. This are the sorts of things I really want included in this album.

One of my favorite things right now is just adding text right onto my photos by hand. Quick and easy and adds context.

This was a little experimental play – combining two photos that show progress – from buds to blooms. I taped the two photos together creating a 4×6 image. I added a “1″ and a “2″ from American Crafts and then drew a border and a little “yes please” sentiment.

I stood and looked at this page for awhile. I thought about adding more – I can always add more. I ended up calling it good enough so I could move on to other things I want to document/work on/need to finish. Bits of our lives are captured here. A ticket. A sticky note. Images. Percentages. Routine visits. Coastal adventures.

The little cork camera is from Studio Calico (Spencers Kit).

“You Make Me Happy” is cut from a card from a Dear Lizzy die cut package (Lucky Charm).

The “weekend goodness” journal card is from my new set called Hello Weekend.

SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK FIFTEEN

Click on the images to link to the products.

Welcome to Project Life 2013 | Week Fourteen (April 1 – April 7).

Am I still doing Project Life? Absolutely.

Am I behind? A little. I’ve got a bunch of weeks in progress and will be sharing them over the next week. This week and week fifteen have been “almost done” for weeks and photos are printed for the other weeks.

A couple things I need to do:

1. Order another black 12×12 album for the next four months (I’ve been doing three albums per year, four months in each album). Right now they are all still in the first one for 2013 and it’s getting tight.
2. Find a new routine that will gel with the work I’m doing for Hello Story (my new class at Big Picture that starts in July). I think it’s totally possible to do both Project Life and traditional pages, I’m just working on finding my own groove between the two.
3. SIMPLIFY. At least for the next couple of months I think I need to keep this project simple while I’m in the middle of content development for this workshop. I think getting the album back down on my kitchen counter with a stack of cards will help me with this.

How are things going for you? Are you new to Project Life? Are you a veteran? Still loving it?

Here’s Week Fourteen:

Here’s a closer look:

The “listen, believe, trust” card is from my Everyday Love Journal Cards that was printed on photo paper.

“Yo April” are Cream Thickers from American Crafts that I ran through my sewing machine with red thread.

“Heart this boy” word art on the photo of Simon making cookies is from Love You Boy.

I’d love to do a week where I fill out one of those Best/Worst cards everyday. The one above was printed on some leftover paper that I had used as an over-spray catch under whatever it was that I was actually misting with paint.

Here’s a look at the right side:

The star card is from Kelly Purkey’s kit for Simon Says Stamp.

Little pink word stickers are from My Mind’s Eye.

Still loving cutting up journal cards and adding them to my pictures. I like not re-inventing the wheel each week and adding a bit more context to my photos.

The journal card here was included in Studio Calico’s Project Life add-on kit (May 2013).

SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK FOURTEEN

Click on the images to link to the products.

The things I find myself saying again and again to one or the other or both of them right now:

Take your hair out of your mouth.

Have a good day at school.

Just a minute.

I’ll be right there.

Turn off the TV.

Wait, please.

Please take your dishes to the sink.

Go get your book.

Stop. Just stop.

Please be kind.

Follow directions.

Please put your shoes in the basket and hang up your coat.

Awesome job on your homework.

Inside voices please.

I’m super proud of you.

Use kind words.

I love you.

You are awesome.

Goodnight. I love you.

Today as part of the Behind The Brand series I would like to introduce you to Lisa from Lisa Leonard Designs.

How did you get started with your business? How long have you been in business?

Lisa Leonard Designs started as a hobby business. I did home parties around town and sold to local boutiques. When I started blogging, the business began to grow—and once we launched our website things really took off!

What is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?

Definitely the flexible schedule it gives me so that I can be with my kiddos. Don’t get me wrong—I work a lot, but I can choose when I work, and that is such a blessing!

Where are you located? What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?

We’re in San Luis Obispo, CA. We are close to the beach which is amazing. There are hiking trails right behind our house. And the downtown area is full of adorable boutiques and thrift shops. Pretty much the perfect place to live!

What inspires you?

I get inspired by other creative people, the sunshine, a good book and time alone. I love to let ideas swirl around in my head and then see them come to fruition with a new design.

What goodies are on your wish list?

Right now I’m scouring thrift stores for old Persian rugs and funky oil paintings. I’m addicted to thrifting!

Tell us something new you have happening with your business:

We just introduced our adorable new alphabet cake toppers. The possibilities are endless! And of course our new gold jewelry collection has been a huge hit with our community.

CONNECT WITH LISA | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BLOG

A couple weeks ago I shared a new little project I’d put together for Simon called What We’ve Learned From You.

In that post I mentioned that I was planning to find a 4×6 album that would be just for him that he could keep in his bedroom. I found a simple plastic 4×6 album at Michaels that was perfect for this project.

For this project I designed a What We’ve Learned From You 4×6 Layered Template Set. Grab it on sale today for 30% off over at Designer Digitals (sale ends this Wednesday, May 14).

Each 4×6 page slipped right into it’s own pocket.

I gave it to Simon last week and I’d say he was pretty happy with the result. This stuff matters.

He read it to Anna and then called Chris on the phone and read it to him too.

Anna wanted to add a photo of herself (and she should have been included originally of course) and told me some of the things she’s learned from Simon which include:

1. sharing
2. not yelling at me (Mom)
3. writing letters (alphabet)
4. jumping
5. writing letters in my own book
6. doing homework by myself
7. learning not to hurt him
8. jumping on the small trampoline

DESIGNER DIGITALS QUARTERLY SALE ENDS TOMORROW | This template set and all my other digital products are on sale at Designer Digitals for one more day at 30% off.

The quarterly sale is in full swing over at Designer Digitals. Everything in the shop is 30% off through Wednesday, May 14th. I released two more new products on Saturday.

First up: Friends Sentiment Boxes 3×4

Messy Life Lines – these are so great across a 4×6 photo in Project Life. I printed all my photos for last week using the set of Messy Daily Lines (Monday – Sunday).

Have a great week!

Five people will receive the May monthly kit from Elle’s Studio.

• #442 • rhonda nickol said…I am hoping this is my time to win because I love both giveaways! Fingers crossed,thanks for the chance to win!
• #305 • Melinda Wilson said…Ali, thanks for the opportunity to win!!
• #77 • ScrappyBarb said…Crafty goodness! Thanks for the chance to win!
• #525 • Carey said…Thanks for the chance to win!
• #324 • Angi@MakingMayhem said…More small card goodness! I love using those fun bits on my cards and layouts, and of course my PL. Thanks for the fun giveaway!

One person will win a $35 e-gift card to Evalicious.

• #80 • Stacyk said…I frequent both places periodically for my PL needs. Thanks for the chance!

One person will receive a Silhouette Portrait™. US residents only please.

• #185 • Pattie said…What a great giveaway…a silhouette has been on my wish list for quite a while!

Congratulations! If you see your name above please email us with your contact information.

GIVEAWAY | Five people will receive the May monthly kit from Elle’s Studio.

Elle’s Studio is excited to announce that they now have a monthly kit full of exclusive and limited edition tags! The best part about this kit is that it will work for you, no matter what you enjoy making. Each kit will include tags that you can use for layouts, mini books, cards, and of course, Project Life! You’ll get a mix of tags that you will not find anywhere else, or in any of their collections. Most tags will be tags you can use for everyday themes, and there will even be some seasonal and monthly tags in the mix, too! Each month look for a mix of sizes and shapes, and anywhere from around 20 to 25 tags – the perfect amount to keep you busy all month long!

Each month, the limited edition kits will go on sale on the 10th at 8:00 am PST, at their website, and, their very first kit is available now! These kits will be able to ship first class: shipping for USA residents will start around $2.00 and go up from there, depending on the weight of what is in your cart. For overseas, it will run about $6+ depending on your location.

Once these kits sell out, they will not be restocking, so make sure you mark your calendar or join their newsletter list to receive a reminder of when they go live each month. And, don’t forget that their brand new collections, Cameron and Saltwater, start shipping to retailers this Monday – so check out your favorite online store or local scrapbook store for those new items!

You can also visit Elle’s Studio blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

GIVEAWAY | One person will win a $35 e-gift card to Evalicious.

Evalicious offers paper tags, badge buttons & cling-mount red rubber stamps that are perfect for documenting your daily life. Our new Escape collection is a must have for those of you who are thinking of going away on a trip or have gone away and want to document your travels. We also added 15 new sets of rubberstamps to our shop. There is sure to be one that will complement your project.

Don’t forget to stop by our blog for product inspiration and tutorials from our awesome design team girls.

SPECIAL OFFER | This month our little indie shop turned 5! To celebrate we are offering 25% off our rubberstamps. Simply enter code: happybirthday (valid until May 13).

CONNECT WITH EVALICIOUS | Facebook | Twitter | Blog