Weeeeee!!

So I got offered a guest spot (with the possibility of it turning into a permanent spot!) with one of my all-time FAVORITE designers!!  I'm OVER the MOON!  This is a lady I like personally, as well as thinking she ROCKS as a designer.  I can't express my pure giddiness!!  :D  :D  :D

I applied for another CT earlier, one that I have little hope of getting, but hey, I have ZERO chance if I don't at least try, right?  :P  And uber template creator extraordinairre, Susan Robinson, gave us TWO bundles to create with.  You KNOW I'm in hog heaven, right?!  Haha!  Since the products aren't out there yet, I can't post my layouts yet (I'm pretty sure that's how it works, and I'm not taking any chances!) but I have already done... five or six?   Yes, I'm a MACHINE!  hahahaha.   Look for those layouts coming soon!

I did do one layout I can post here, for the color challenge over at PDP.  I bought a new kit for it and everything (which I L O V E by the way!  SO much gorgeous in this kit!!) so I hope you enjoy:

kit: Fall Frolic (by Jennifer Fox Designs and Amanda Heimann)

Getting Myself Out There

I'm doing the thing, answering CT calls everywhere that looks like fun, with designers who have great looking products, or new places opening up.  It's fun, it's exciting, it's nerve-wracking, and it's often disappointing.  But I did get picked for one, for a place opening up January 1st.  So I'll have my first 'regular' CT gig!  Yay!  I have enjoyed my guest stay with SRD, but it's a different sort of feeling because it's a guest spot, and I won it as a prize, not based on merit.  So hopefully this is a step in the right direction.  I don't want to be on 40 thousand CT's, but a couple of regular spots would really make me happy.  I scrap so much better when I have more of a purpose than 'to preserve this memory for my children'.  Things are moving along, and I'm keeping my chin up, not letting the ones I don't make get me down.  I know I'm new, and I'm a work-in-progress.  One day I won't be new, and I think I've got the potential to be really good.  So for now I'm happy to just make my way there at my own pace.  :D

Ooh, how exciting!

I uploaded my challenge layouts to DST because PDP's gallery is down.  Well, I looked back this morning and saw that my layout was chosen as a GSO!!   I would feel more proud if it wasn't a template, but I can't help but be a little excited anyway.  Go peekie!

http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?p=2235862&posted=1#post2235862

I did another 'just because' scrap, oooh, I know, right?!  LOL  Here it is:

template: by Wild Dandelions (Tracey Howard #1)

kit: Julie Bullock (Painted Lady)

I got quite a few photos I can't wait to scrap, so look forward to even MORE 'just because' pages, w00t!

...and another...

kit: Winter Wishes by Sir Scrapalot Designs

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you had a splendid one, and that each day something presents itself to you that makes you stop and feel thankful, it's a wonderful feeling.  :)

I did a couple of layouts for challenges at PDP today.  Since the gallery's down there, I had to upload them elsewhere (DST).  Here they are:

kit: Twisted by Allison Pennington and Polkadotplum Designs

scraplift of: muleka by Li Katuki for the Twisted Lift Challenge at PDP

Template- template set 3 (#1) by Megan Turnridge
Kit- Blooming Heart by Wild Dandelion Designs

Just a Couple

Very quiet for a Wednesday, but I did a couple of layouts:

kit: Posing Pretty by Designed by Sunflowers.

For the Plum Mixture challenge at PDP:

Autumn Kiss by Plum Designers- bg x3, glitter brad,

Such a Hooooot by Jennifer Fox Designs- ribbons x2, ricrac, twine, staple

Funkalicious Fall by Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD- ricrac

Fallin into Fun by SuzyQ Scraps- ricrac

pawprint from Meow Meow by Atomic Cupcake

Digi.Scrap.Friends

...have you seen this site yet?  It's brilliant.  It's like... Twitter for digiscrappers, with pictures!  :D   I'm on there, my profile is here http://digiscrapfriends.com/pg/profile/koalamama.  I've just started uploading, and boy is it a pain because I only recently found out about the 'online sizing' of layouts, so I am having to go and make a copy of everything in the smaller size before I can upload, then credit, then tag... but I'll get it done, because I can't stand having anything half-done.  :P

I did a 'just because' scrap, these are pretty rare!  Usually it takes a challenge to get me motivated, give me inspiration, all that.  But here it is:

kit: Delight in Everything by Designed by Sunflowers.

I missed one!

Somehow I overlooked a challenge at PDP.  Eep!  It was the "A Month at a Time" Challenge, where you pick something special from the month of November and make a page about it.  Sounds pretty easy, right?  Sure!  Except that it's been a particularly rough month, and most of the 'milestones' we've seen have been of the unhappy sort.  I don't like to scrap about things like that because my whole reason to scrap is to preserve memories for my children.  I don't really want them focusing on things like their parents' impending divorce.  So, it took me a while but I did find something and made a cute little page for the challenge.  Here it is:

Kit: In a Funk by Nikki Epperson of GSD and LCC by Amy Stoffel.

More Fun

I decide to do the 'Twisted Lift' before turning in last night (from PDP's challenges).  It was fun, and kind of hard!  I think I like what I did, but I haven't really decided yet.  Haha!  I think it's just hard not to compare it to the layout I lifted the recipe from.  Anyway, here it is:

Lifted recipe from Funkalicious Fall layout by sassynsweet
recipe/credits:
3 papers (1 patterned, 2 solid)* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 photo (color)*
1 frame (x2)* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 folded ribbon (x2)* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
3 ric-rac (1 x2)* Funkalicious Fall- Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD (one recolored)
1 leaf* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 flower* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 bead spill (x2) Funkalicious Fall- Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD (partially recolored)
1 glitter splat* Delight in Everything- Designed by Sunflowers
1 stitches (x2)* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 ribbon bow* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 stitched heart* Funkalicious Fall- Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD
1 sticker* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers
1 staple (x2) Funkalicious Fall- Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD
1 tag* Autumn Kiss- Plum Designers

And for the AAM Challenge, we were to scrap something we do on a daily basis.  Here's mine:

Kit: Blossoms Within by Brandy Designs

Ah, challenges :)

I've done a couple of l/o's (one challenge) with a new grab bag I picked up this morning.  LOVE it!!

Template: Under the Mistletoe #1
Kit: Under the Mistletoe Collab (Grab Bag) by GSD Nikki Epperson and Lyndie Collins.

Kit: Under the Mistletoe Collab (Grab Bag) by GSD Nikki Epperson and Lyndie Collins. except: splat (recolored) from Defining Moments by Brandy Designs (collab with Marni Designs)

Photoless Layouts

This week's new release features four photoless templates.  I did up a layout with each, they are really fun and easy to use, and I'm a big fan of journaling anyway, so photoless is right up my alley.  Here they are:

template: Photoless (#4) by Susan Robinson Designs
available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16788&cat=0&page=1

kit: Twisted by Allison Pennington and Polkadotplum Designs.

template: Photoless (#3)  by Susan Robinson Designs.

available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16788&cat=0&page=1

kit: The Plot Thickens by Nikki Epperson of GSD and Allison Pennington.

template: Photoless (#1) by Susan Robinson Designs

available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16788&cat=0&page=1

kit: Delight in Everything by Designed by Sunflowers.

template: Photoless (#2)  by Susan Robinson Designs.
available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16788&cat=0&page=1

kit: Forever Yours by Nikki Epperson of GSD.

Make sure you check out all the other yummy new releases over at Polka Dot Plum, too!

It's Almost Wednesday!

Which means tomorrow I get to post up new layouts for you that were made using the totally awesome new templates that Susan Robinson Designs will be releasing.  Yay!  :D   It also means new challenges at Polka Dot Plum.  I'm so excited!

In other news, I didn't make the CT I applied for (it was the first one I tried for, I knew I wouldn't get it, but it's still kinda sad.)  It's a new designer so she really needed an experienced CT.  Not sure if I would have made it regardless, haha!  But I'm still thrilled that she's coming to PDP because her kits look beautiful and I can't wait to buy and use them!

So, tomorrow look for new layouts here!  :D

Now what?

Well, it seems that there isn't to be a 'new' release, but an introduction of past products newly introduced to the store... so what does that mean for me?  I'm not certain, but I have a sinking suspicion that it means there are already 'inspiration layouts' done, so I probably won't get anything included.  Again.  I haven't asked yet, and I'm a little afraid to because I don't want to come across like I'm complaining or kicking up a fuss.  I'm not.  I will be disappointed if that's the way it works out, but I understand it wasn't by design, crappy stuff happens and it seems Murphy's workin overtime with me these days.  I didn't realize there was so much 'CT Etiquette' that I don't know.  I wish so hard that there was a list posted somewhere.  I understand that every designer is going to have different rules, but surely there could be a 'general' list somewhere?!  I feel so lost, and dejected, it's hard not to just throw up my hands and walk away.  But I want this so much!  So I guess I will just wait until the product is released, and put together some (hopefully) beautiful layouts with it, and post them everywhere I can. Hopefully a few people will be inspired to go buy the templates!  :)

Ok, so, I *think* I know how to credit these layouts, so here goes!

Inspired by/scraplifts of  Ivana Alves' gallery here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&page=1&ppuser=9486
*with special thanks to Susan Robinson Designs*

kit: Juliana's Dreams by Designed by Sunflowers.
except: circle frame- Cuppycakes by Jennifer Fox Designs
bead spill- Posing Pretty by Designed by Sunflowers
sun- Budding Friendship by Brandy Designs
button- Delight in Everything by Designed by Sunflowers
dragonfly- Delight in Everything by Designed by Sunflowers

kit: Flora and Fauna by Polka Dot Pixels.

kit: Under the Rainbow- Jennifer Fox Designs

except: 

arrows (2)- SuzyQ Scraps (tnt1)

star- SuzyQ Scraps (tnt1)

stitch (1)- SuzyQ Scraps (tnt1)

stitch (2)- SuzyQ Scraps (atp1)

Aww, man!

So, the template pack I've been working on layouts for was based on inspiration from an individual.  I have busted my butt working up layouts for all 3 templates.  Well, today we found out that the entire pack has to be pitched because the girl hadn't properly credited 2 of the 3 layouts as templates.  Yikes!  I feel badly for the designer because these were really involved templates, I'm certain a LOT of work went into them.  And now she has nothing to release, so she's going to have to start all over again.  As for myself, I'm a little bummed that I worked so hard on this and the layouts can't be used, but I'm glad I did them anyway.  I need the practice.  I'm really happy with my work, so I'll be posting them as soon as I can figure out exactly HOW to credit them!  Scraplifts, I guess?

Anyway, I'm trying not to let it get me down.  It just seems like Murphy's at work here.  Pretty much everything since I won this guest spot has gone wrong.  I feel like I'm making a poor showing of myself, but I can't see anything I could have done differently.  Maybe it's just not my time yet.  But I'm going to keep trying!

D'oh!

I made the biggest bonehead move last night.  I was working on a new (gorgeous) template, had it better than halfway done, and all of a sudden my computer seized up on me!  I had to hard-restart it, and because I hadn't saved my work along the way, I lost it all.  Argh!!  I was complaining about my sorry state of affairs to my sister-in-law, and she says, 'You can set your program to auto-save like every 5 minutes.'  O.o  I knew that, why didn't I ever do it??  *facepalm*  Haha, ah well.  I'll be rebuilding the work I lost because the template (coming soon from Susan Robinson!) is simply gorgeous, and I was really loving the way it was coming together.  I just get so mad at myself when I do stupid things like that.  In my defense, I'm a hurtin' turkey (I put my back out yesterday) so I'm not necessarily at my best... but as to why I didn't have my program set to autosave a long time ago?  I'll take the 5th.  ;)  I'm in a scrappin mood today, so hopefully I'll have some pic's to upload here later on.

Recent Work

I participated in this week's Template Challenge over at PDP, and I wasn't sure when I first saw the template if I'd be able to do something that would look 'right' or not.  I gotta tell ya, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out!  I used Funkalicious Fall by Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD, and the template was provided by Sugar Plum Valeria.  Here's what I came up with:

This is one of the many reasons I love doing challenges.  Sometimes I come up with layouts I would never have created otherwise, and I really like them!  :D

Birthday Wishes

Today is Susan Robinson's 23rd birthday, and I wanted to take a minute and say,

Happy Happy Birthday, Susan!  And may you have many, MANY more!!  :D

Surely these must be written down somewhere...?

Seriously, there must be like a list of CT do's and don't's written somewhere for total noobsters like me, right?

Well, in case you're as clueless as me when you first get started... here's something you probably oughta know:
Save a copy of your layout at 72dpi, sized 600x600.  This is the 'online' size!!  If you're a dorkburger like me, you'll be having everything in 200dpi or 300dpi, and when you try to shrink it to 600x600 you'll keep getting error messages that your file is too large, and you'll wonder what on earth you're doing wrong because you can plainly see other people have layouts 600x600 fitting just fine!  *facepalm*

So, my layout was completely WRONG and so it didn't get included in the CT inspirations with today's new release.  I was a little bummed, but the designer was kind enough to let me know why it wasn't in there, and even went so far as to instruct me on how to make them so they fit in the future.  THANK YOU, Susan!  Now I just feel sheepish, and blonde, and hope that those in the know aren't laughing *too* hard at me behind the scenes!  :P

At least now I know I'll have it right for next time, so I can just focus on putting out some really nice looking layouts, and promote promote promote!  :D

Fun Stuff

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy Wednesdays?  :P

I've done a couple of the new challenges already.  Susan Robinson's new release is up in the store so now I can go tell everyone!  :D  I love this template pack, it's minimalistic and beautiful, very well-balanced (which is something I have trouble with at times!)  I used her Sketchpad Collection 9 (which is available here http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16787&cat=0&page=1 ) for the following:

 kit: Sweater Weather by Sir Scrapalot Designs

kit: Funkalicious Fall collab by Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD.

kit: Miss Royalty by Wimpychompers

Now, to get these up and (hopefully) encourage people to grab up these templates!  :D

New Release Wednesday

I'm so excited, and only a little bit lost.  :)  Tomorrow will be my first 'new release' day while on a CT (guest or not, I'm giddy!)  I've done a couple of layouts with templates that are being released and haven't uploaded them anywhere yet, so I'll get to do that first thing.  There will also be new challenges at PDP tomorrow, I love those so much!

I just spent the last couple of hours ready to pull my hair out, frustrated to tears, googling like a madwoman, scouring the interwebs for tutorials... finally I was able to figure out how to reverse the direction of text along a path.  WHY did they make it such an involved pain in the butt?!  Why not simply offer a box to check, text going clockwise, or counter-clockwise?!  I mean, come on!

Anyway, I prevailed (yay, me! lol) and now I am turning in, so that the morning comes bearing all its awesomeness and new goodies that much sooner!  :D

The Beginning

Well, I decided that since I am interested in CTing for designers, I should make a blog that's appropriate for sharing designs and layouts, etc.  I'm still very new to the entire digital scrapbooking scene, but I am jumping in with both feet and really, truly enjoying it.  I've met some fantastic people, seen some amazing products, as well as some truly awe-inspiring layouts created with them.  I hope that one day I will be half as good as some of these ladies!  I have such respect for designers, it's not something that interests me personally, but I LOVE making pages with their stuff.  I'm trying to decide if I have a personal 'style', and when I look through my layouts, I still seem to be dabbling.  I have some really bright, funky ones, some really soft, pretty ones, some that are busy, some that are full of white space... I don't think I have my own comfort zone yet, which I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not?  I'm pretty fearless, though, I'm all about trying it when it comes to scrappin.  Sometimes it turns out looking great, other times I hate it!  But it's all a work in progress, right?  Making me into a fab digiscrapper.  :P

This past weekend I won a guest spot on my very first CT, with Susan Robinson Designs.  She's a truly gifted template designer and I seriously couldn't be more excited.  I have to tear myself away from the computer from time to time, otherwise I could just sit and do page after page with her templates.  LOVE THEM!!  All the girls on the team are amazingly talented, and so nice.  It's an honor to get to guest with them!

Let me put up a couple of pages that I've done using some of Susan's templates, and let's get this blog rolling, shall we? :P


Gavin, first week

Template: Sketchpad Collection 8 (template2) by Susan Robinson Designs.

available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16786&cat=0&page=1

                         Kit: A Lot Like Love by Nikki Epperson of GSD.

Punkins Punkins

Template: Sketchpad Collection 8 (template 3) by Susan Robinson Designs.

available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16786&cat=0&page=1

Kit: Funkalicious Fall by Jennifer Fox Designs and Nikki Epperson of GSD

except autumn word art charm by Atomic Cupcake.

Just me

Template-Sketchpad Collection 8 (template 1).

available here: http://www.polkadotplum.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=16786&cat=0&page=1

                                              Kit- Pixie by Creations by Rachael.


Hopefully there will be much more to come later, so keep an eyeball on this blog!  :D