Blog train time!

Welcome to the Blooming Doodles Blog Train! Amy Sumrall is moving to the-Lilypad today and her CT is celebrating her move! Follow the train to download a sweet goody from each of us using Amy's new kit Blooming Doodles, and be sure to stop by her store to check out all the awesome new releases.

Here's my little word art freebie - you can pick it up by clicking here.


Keep in mind, we are all in different time zones so if one of us has not posted yet, be sure to check back later. Here's the train - your next stop is Sylvia's fab blog!

Cristina: http://cristinascrap.blogspot.com
Julie: http://mycrazylifeasamomandawife.blogspot.com/
Tara: http://thewildmountainthyme.blogspot.com/
Sally: www.rainbowskydesigns.wordpress.com
Jennifer: http://neverendingfairytale.com/scraps
Brandy: http://luckisforlosers.blogspot.com/
Holly: http://scrappinlilmoments.blogspot.com
Nicole: http://crop-a-holic.blogspot.com
Heather: http://createdbyheather.blogspot.com
Tina: http://www.theflohrs.blogspot.com
Laura: www.simply-scraps.net
YOU ARE HERE ===>Tracy: http://tracykosofsky.blogspot.com
Sylvia: http://sylviascraps.blogspot.com
Crystal: http://crystallongbrake.blogspot.com
Bryn: http://www.scraptacularscraptacular.blogspot.com

Well yes, I COULD be more excited!!

It's no secret that I am completely in love with designs from Kelleigh and Elise, individually. So when I found out they were collaborating, I almost lost my mind. And what they came up with - oh my. Beside myself. If you're even a little bit crafty, take a look at these amazing hybrid party kits - they contain invitations, party hats, cupcake picks, favor bags or boxes, and thank you notes - PLUS a coordinating digital kit to scrap your memories from the party. And best of all - these are just the first two in the series!

Both kits are available at The Digichick today - on sale, of course! And a little birdie told me there might be some extra little add ons coming soon for each kit.

First - Partysaurus

And here's a little something I came up with using the digital kit include in the package and Kelleigh's Playing Cards #2 Template Set for the box:

And here's Butterfly Birthday (precious!) - I have a similar project cookin' for this kit but just haven't had a chance to put it together yet:
So go shop - now!! And maybe have a half-birthday party if none of your kids have a REAL birthday coming up!

SSD FOBTY 8/27

Exercise...hm. I'm lucky. I have a pool in my backyard and an elliptical and treadmill in the house, along with Wii Fit and assorted Reebok steps, balance balls, yoga and Pilates paraphernalia. At various points in my life I've used them, and well, sometimes not. I really need to get back into a routine!

Really, could I be any more excited??

I was selected for The Digichick's Creative Team!!! Oh my gosh - I am still speechless.

Here's my first CT layout using a brand new kit being released tomorrow - Where Your Heart is by Jan Hosford - it's just gorgeous! The product preview is under my layout...and remember new releases are 20% off on Thursdays.

Sneaky Peeky!

Amy is moving to a new store on Friday - I can't tell you where but I CAN tell you that it's FABULOUS!!! And...she is releasing some awesome new kits, as well as some of her most popular older kits. Here are a few sneaky peekies! Check back on Friday for the news, some fun, and maybe a freebie!! ;)

First day of Kindergarten!

Christmas - seriously???

When Mari told us she was releasing a Christmas kit this week, I thought she was crazy! It's only August! But then I saw the kit and immediately thought of all the beautiful projects I can get started on now for Christmas. This Noel vintage kit is just beautiful - and also very neutral and perfect for so many layouts and projects. Also, visit Mari's blog to find out how to get a coordinating alpha for free.

SSD FOBTY - Favorite Summer Photo

Such a fun summer weekend

We had so much family fun this weekend! On Saturday morning, we took the kids to the beach - it was really windy and rough but we hung out in the sand and at the water's edge - and the strong breeze made it not too hot! Sunday morning, I took Alexa to her riding lesson then we had some quality mommy/daughter shopping time. We spent the afternoon in the pool, and after dinner we washed my car and had a huge water balloon fight! Here are some layouts to show you what a great time we had:

Credits: Little Fish by Kristin Cronin-Barrow; Cut up Template by Lauren Reid; Little Boy Blue by Misty Cato (string); Jellybelly Add On by Melissa Bennett (stitching); SmartyPants by Shawna Clingerman and Julie Billingsley (staples)
Credits: template by Juli Fish; Candy Sunshine by Sugarplum Paperie; On the Line by Sugarplum Paperie (August Grab Bag); Old School by Kelley Mickus (flower - recolored); string is by mgl Scraps
Credits: inspired by http://www.myscrapbookart.com/galler...mp;ppuser=2437; His Playroom by Traci Reed; Bitty Stitchies by Lauren Reid and CutUps 1 by Lauren Reid.

An unbelievable 50% off sale!

Amy is moving to a new store and has a super sale going on at The Digichick! Amy has fun, whimsical and just adorable designs - this is definitely a can't miss sale - you can visit her store by clicking here.

It's Thursday - and you know what that means...

It's new release day at The Digichick, and everything is 20% off! Both Elise and Kelleigh released some awesome new stuff this week - see below for the products and my projects!

This Golden Day Mini Kit by Elise is one of my all time favorites. I just love the beautiful contrasting color combo she used - and the papers in particular are just fantastic!


My layout:

I really love this Pencil Box Collection Template Set by Kelleigh. The smaller pouch holds 3 pencils and the box holds 16 - yes, that's 16!!! pencils. How perfect for back to school, or to hold little goodie gift pencils for a child's birthday party.
My project uses the larger box template, a little ribbon, a single eyelet, and digi papers/elements from Smarty Pants by Julie Billingsley and Shawna Clingerman.
Kelleigh also released two freestyle album template sets - an All Boy set and a Princess set. They are so cool - each page is printable on 4x6 paper, so you can just upload them to your favorite print developer, cut them out and assemble!!!! I actually purchased both of these when she had them at Jen Wilson's store and used them right away - I just need to take a better photo of the Princess album in order to post it!

My project using the All Boy set and digi papers/elements from Robots in Disguise by Julie Billingsley.

SSD FOBTY - favorite song

Today's SSD FOBTY is to blog about your favorite "guilty pleasure" song - it's no secret that I love anything with a dance beat that I can move to! Although none of these songs are super new, three that I love right now are:
Right Round by Flo-Rida
When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls
Single Ladies by Beyonce'

Now I need to get up and dance!

Layouts, Layouts, Layouts....and more!

I've been home from work all week and both kids have been napping like crazy - so I have been scrapbooking! Here are a few of my faves:

Credits: inspired by http://gigikennedy.typepad.com/photo...t-me-740sq.jpg; background paper from Dawn Inskip's August Grab Bag; frame from Mari Koegelenberg's August Grab Bag; pressed flower from Elise Hansen's August Grab Bag; ric rac by Lliella designs (recolored).

Credits: Smartypants by Shawna Clingerman and Julie Billingsley

Credits: inspired by http://www.myscrapbookart.com/galler...mp;ppuser=2864; Hey Mr. Weatherman kit by Kristin Cronin-Barrow except for the border stitching (Eva Kipler) and acrylic bubbles (also by KCB from Little Fish kit).

Credits: template by Kresta Littleton; papers and elements from the Sweet Shoppe Designs Summer Sampler by LLIELLA Designs, Heather Roselli and Melissa Bennett.
Credits: inspired by http://www.myscrapbookart.com/galler...mp;ppuser=2864; papers and elements from Happy Place by Lauren Reid.

Do you know a sweetie pie??

Mari released an adorable kit today - perfect for baby girls or little princesses! It's aptly named Sweetie Pie. I created a little door sign that I plan to attach to a baby shower gift. Enjoy!

FOBTY

Today's SSD FOBTY is to post a photo of a place you've been in the last month. We've taken two trips to Moscow in the last month - so here's a photo! This one was actually taken on one of our visits in 2005, but it's a great representation of the city.

Published!

I have a layout in this month's Artisan Notebook, a real, honest-to-goodness digital scrapbooking magazine! My layout is one of four different takes on the same sketch.

Credits: Summer Delight by Sugarplum Paperie, Atomic Cupcake's chalk action

PageMaps

I am such a Becky Fleck fan (you can find her Pagemaps here). I anxiously look forward to the first of every month when she releases a new batch of sketches, and I constantly use them for inspiration. This month, I got to do one of her sketches in advance, and she included my layout with the sketch release!

Here's the sketch:


I took a little creative license and used the awesome "10 Things" kit by Traci Reed and Meghan Mullens - the font is Pea Hannah Vanilla.
Enjoy!

Grab some grab bag goodness (ha!)

Ok, I know that some of you aren't fans of grab bags because you're not sure exactly what you're going to get. But - they are such a great way to sample work by designers you love or designers you're interested in. Yesterday, a bunch of new grab bags were released at The DigiChick - and most of them are only $3!! You get some combination of mini kits, alphas, paper packs and embellishment packs. I've purchased a LOT of TDC grab bags and I have NEVER been disappointed!

Elise, Kelleigh and Mari (in alphabetical order - hee hee) all released grab bags yesterday, and they are FANTASTIC!!! Here's a preview and what I've done with the bags (so far!):

Elise's GB has so much stuff in it - including a very neutral kit that is book lover-themed but really can be used for anything!!!! So, don't let this layout fool you into thinking that it's all baby stuff - just the mini kit I chose to use is:

Kelleigh's GB contains three awesome hybrid templates - this is what I did with two of them!
And finally, I love Mari's GB. Some of the items are very vintage feeling with a soft but yummy color palette, and there are also LOTS of basics included that are real must-haves.
Happy shopping!!!