Closing my Divine Shop and some layouts

Well, I have decided to close up my Divine shop, and I have put my resignation in over there. I just don't frequent the site as often as I should, and I know that I need to do that to make my shop as successful as I want it to be.

I have something new up my sleeve but I can't really talk about it yet.

So, for now I am going through my kits one-by-one and revamping then , adding elements and papers, or retiring them. It is hard to go through your older work because you see things as your tastes change that you don't like anymore, or as you learn new techniques, the old ones don't look as good as they once did.

So, keep your eyes pealed for some new and improved stuff from me :) I will be releasing some blog freebies soon too over on the Steel City Scraps blog. I will miss being at Divine for the Ingredients Challenge (which I may still do on my design blog) -- and being with the wonderful friends I have over there.

I have a new Creative Team that is kicking bootie -- some girls have stuck with me from the jump and I ADORE THEM both for their layouts, but moreso for their friendship and support. I also have some new girls who are busting out some incredible layouts - and I would love for you to drop over the CT blog and leave them some love! You can check it out here: CITY GIRLS BLOG.

But, ah, what the future holds...............

On that note: you guys know I am on a few CT's now -- and loving it because it forces me to allot some scrap time in my life --- which I so desperately need!!

So here are some of my latest layouts ---

I created this self-portrait for a Duchess Designs blog challenge last week - I used her Girlfriends: Kathryne kit for this one. Take a good look because you won't see me scrapping a picture of myself for awhile.

SELF-PORTRAIT

The next one was also for the Duchess -- her latest Girlfriends: Peyton -- I love these peach colors!

SUGAR AND SPICE

I did these next two for Danielle Corbitt's featured kit of the week Just a Lil Flirt - this is huge! and it is such a very cute kit! I could have made more layouts with it -- and probably will.

TREAT THAT'S SWEET

For this one I also used her Wrapped in Floral Frames -- really cute !

DADDY AND LAUREN

Lastly, I did two more for Danielle Corbitt using her Backyard Blast kit. This one has a ton of summery elements!

LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

PUPPET SHOW

Thanks for looking :) Feel free to drop over to my Digital Candy gallery and leave me some lovin :)

Christie Lemmon Designs at Digital Candy

Christie has a had a dream for awhile now, and that was to get into the shop at Digital Candy. Well that dream came true this week !! I am so happy to tell you that Christie's shop is now open for bisnass! You can check it out here.

Over at Digital Candy they have some amazing challenges, friendly people and it is just an all around warm and welcoming site. It isn't overwhelmingly large, but still a nice crew! NEVER BORING!

Thought I would share some layouts with you I did for both Digital Candy challenges or for my creative teams over there.

First, THE SPEED SCRAP hosted by JenLin!! HELLO! I loved this challenge. You get one hour to scrap your page, instructions are given every few minutes and you have to follow them to finish your layout. It was incredible, and I wish there was another one this week. I am really, really looking forward to the next one. I used Christie's SIMPLY ADORABLE kit for this layout - except the stitiching which came from her Cherry Lemonade kit.

MADELYN'S BOO BOO

Next, I did two layouts with Christie's new kit called Mud Puddles. This is a sneak peek because it isn't even in the store yet! It will be released tomorrow, and I am here to tell you -- even though it's boy colors -- you can definitely go in alot of different directions with this kit. Very versatile, and I loved working with it.

LIL DIVA

BUDDIES

Thanks for looking :) Head over to Christie's new design blog and leave her some love!

Funky Playground rocks!

So, Beckie is participating in a fabulous program over at Funky Playground called 'Teacher's Pet'! It's kind of like a designer bootcamp but the great part is that all the assignments they create are FREE!

To get the free kits, you have to subscribe to the Funky Playground newsletter (which you should anyway)... but subscribing will get you the code to unlock the freebies! There will be over 100 free mini's available throughout!

You can CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Funky Playground Newsletter!

Then you should go to the FuNkY pLaYgRoUnD GaLLeRy's TEACHER'S PET section and download to your little hearts content!!

This is Beckie's Free kit that is up there now! I love the frame and the bracket mat~ but then again I am in love with brackets right now!! Grab Beckie's kit here.

Here is a layout I did with it --- HARD AT WORK!

Beckie is going in to have her new baby girl tomorrow morning super early so if everyone could just send their thoughts and prayers for an easy surgery and recovery for Beckie and super healthy baby vibes for the little one, I would appreciate it. BIG HUGS BECKIE!!! Can't wait to see the pictures of your sweet pea :)

IF YOU GUYS ARE INTERESTED I AM HOSTING ANOTHER CT CALL FOR STEEL CITY SCRAPS --- YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT HERE!

A New Shop for Beckie Wallace !!

Well, I was saddened about two weeks ago to find out that Beckie was closing up shop for awhile so that she could prepare for the birth of her third daughter. How quickly things change to brighten my day!

SHE HAS A NEW SHOP!!!

BECKIE IS A SUNSHINE GIRL!!!

I couldn't be happier. I have long been a fan of Sunshine Studio, so this is just a new reason to hang out at one of my favorite spots! Now, I would follow Beckie to just about anywhere--- but I am really glad its Sunshine Studio.

To celebrate--- there is a GRAND OPENING SALE!!Be sure to check it out! And don't forget to snag all the freebies on her blog too!

Some Layouts ....

Here is the first scrapping I did in a LONG LONG TIME. It was so fun, and it really is my first true love. I do love taking the time out of designing to scrap ! I need to do it more :)

The good news is that Christie and I partnered up for the Birthday Race over at Digital Candy, so my scrapping fix will be met ;)

This one is called Forever Sisters and it is made with Beckie Wallace's AWESOME kit called At the Ballet - it is available now EXCLUSIVELY at Digital Candy - ELEMENTS and PAPERS.

Here is one I did for the Candy Jar Challenge over at Digital Candy!

It's done with an old pic of MJ and you can see the CREDITS HERE.
Here is one I did for the Scraplift Challenge over at Sunshine Studio!

It's called - SWEETHEART and you can see the CREDITS HERE Last is one where Christie forwarded me a blog featuring this free template! It is amazing ;)

You can check out Lauren and the CREDITS HERE.
SOOO FUN!

Creative Team Call for Steel City Scraps

I am hosting a creative team call through May 18th. I highly encourage all interested readers of my blog to apply! After all, without you guys, I wouldn't have designs in my boutique right now :)

Please browse my previews on my design blog - or here, and if you are interested in being a part of a fun team, you should definitely apply! I appreciate 'real' people, fun personalities and all levels of scrap experience!

I don't have much in my boutique yet. I am still prepping, and designing new items. But there are even more announcements to come in the upcoming week - so I wanted to get this out there as soon as possible :)

Hope to hear from you !

Call reads:

Looking for a few good scrappers! Is it you?

Newbies or Veterans - Open call !

Requirements:

1-2 layouts per kit posted to 3-4 galleries:

Divine Digital, DST, Color Line Designs

and one more of your choice

Participation and presence in forum events

and help in advertising my sales and promos.

To Apply please send:

* Brief introduction *

* Why you would be a great part of my team *

* A link to your best gallery *

* Any current and former CT's you were on *

to rachnmaddie@yahoo.com

***** DEADLINE: May 18th *****

Selective Coloring Challenge

Over on the IVillage Digi Scrapping board, there was a selective coloring challenge.... well, you know I don't pass up a challenge!!!



Here is My Cookie!!!!

The selective coloring is that her cookie remained pink but the pic is B&W - jazzy huh???

I made this with Beckie Wallace's INCREDIBLE (my favorite kit of all time) Boy Meets Girl Kit!. You can grab it at SAS or Digital Candy !!!!

Beckie also has a SHITLOAD (that's right - its uncensored, remember?) of freebies on her blog. So head on over there and check them out! And check out our Creative Team Blog --- and see our kick ass layouts!

Leave me some love at SAS!

Thank you Beckie

For those who don't know - I LOVE BECKIE WALLACE!

She gave Steel City Scraps a big ol' shout out on her blog ! I am so thankful to her for so many things - I can't even begin to list them. Above all else, she is such a great mom and mentor - incredible designer - just a sweet friend! I love being on her team, and look forward to whatever she has in the works! Thanks Beckie!

You can check out her design blog here, but be sure to stop at the Creative Team blog to see what we got rolling too! Her designs can be found in her shoppes at SAS and Digital Candy !

YOU ROCK !!!!!

Creative team news :(

I decided (begrudgingly) to step down from two of the Creative Teams that I am on, at least for now. I needed to make some adjustment in my life and it was just time. It is a necessary change right now, but perhaps I will be able to come back in the summer when school has let out. We shall see!

In the meantime, I am still scrapping and still learning to design. I have so much wonderful feedback from everyone on the kits I have created so far, and I really like it. This might be that creative outlet I have been searching for. I am working on an idea that is a spin off from UNDER MY PILLOW, but totally different. That is what I am doing today.

A few people have already suggested to me that I may be able to sell the kits, which is very complimentary since I am not sure they are 'worthy' yet. I am nervous about that, because I have heard of some designers getting flack when they turn from freebies to $$$ kits. By flack I mean, people actually telling them their kits are good enough to download for free, but not good enough to pay for. I would like to sell eventually. I have a group of people around me who I trust, and they will not steer me wrong. We will see how it plays out down the road.

On that note and going back to the whole - you are good enough for a freebie but not to buy, I have to say how much easier to be blunt like that and hurt someones feelings on the net. I think people wouldn't say HALF of the things they say if they were face to face! If you really feel that way, don't download it and go away to the many other people giving shit away. I am pretty outspoken actually, but I would NEVER intentionally hurt someone. I think most people are like that in real life, but online - that's another whole ball game. People type anonymous comments and just think they can hide behind their computers. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I am sure it will!

Impromptu Challenge - Unconditional

I don't know if I am just a sap lately, or if it is because Mike is away at a conference right now. But I couldn't help but do this impromptu challenge over at Stone Accents Studios. The challenge was to create a layout about what unconditional means to you, using the dictionary definition.

Now here is a testament to Beckie's kit - I am not a big fan of orange, but - honestly, check out the florals in this kit! The orange one is so unique in color and it just seems classy to me.

Well, anyway- here is what I came up with.

The foil hearts are kick a$$ too - hey, don't say a word - I said it was uncensored!

New Beckie Wallace kit - KISMET

Gotta love this new kit by Beckie Wallace who, by the way, has TWO NEW STORES! She has her shoppe at Stone Accents Studio, and we are currently celebrating her Grand Opening over at Digital Candy as well!

Kismet is brand new, and in both stores so check it out now! It is currently on sale at both stores so be sure to hustle to get it if you are interested.

Here is my new layout using the kit - called DREAMS. Which I just love this picture, well for many reasons. I had just gotten them bathed and dressed for bed. I put Lauren next to MJ on the chair and MJ immediately went for her hand. They were watching Backyardigans, so they were in their regular trance - they just held their hands up in the air. So long, in fact, I had time to run and get the camera - and there they still were holding their hands up like they were doing some kind of Renaissance dance! Love it!

Beckie Wallace - freebies!

Beckie Wallace has some freebies up on her design blog! Check them out! This is just a sample!

A GLOSSY ALPHA: Some cool metallic hearts and flowers:In the Woods paper pack :

Go snag them here at Beckie Wallace Designs!

Change can be a good thing

Well, my favorite designer, Beckie Wallace, has some new digs over at Stone Accents Studio. What does that mean for you, well it means big savings until the 15th - see the sale sign below and click here to go to her new shoppe!

Congrats Beckie on the new digs! I said it before, and I will say it again - you are stuck with me, mama - to the ends of the Earth!

Thursday Scrappin update

Here are two layouts I did in the past few days. They are for my teams, which I can't tell you how much I am enjoying them. If you ever have a chance to be on a creative team - jump at the chance! There is so much more to it than getting their designs for free (although thats awesome). The secret is that there is such a wonderful network of women who are supportive, nurturing and inspirational out there who share your interests.



The first one was created using Amy Leigh Fennell's Fresh and Funky kit! Fonts used: Zirkon and Willing Race.

I used Beckie Wallace's new Sea Spray kit for the next one. I love the combination of golds, brown, creams and blues in this kit. It really reminds me of the beach! This is Madelyn from the summer of 2006 at the cabin. How much she has grown! I think she will really love it this year - its going to be tough chasing two down there :) Font used: CK Letter home.

Queen of the Crop - Day one

My partner in scrapping Christie and I decided we were going take on a challenge this weekend. So we are participating in the Queen of the Crop challenge at GDS! I got a little behind with a late start, but I got more done today than I thought I would !!

First layout challenge was a prompt "Kids say the darndest things", I actually copied and pasted one of my Maddieisms right onto the journaling. I used Amy Leigh's Brilliant Blossoms for this one! Fonts: 2Peas Crazy Pooch, 2Peas Rubber Ducky.

Second layout challenge was to scrap a kid goofing off (easy enough considering the goof I live with!). I used a kit from the Sweet Shoppe by Kristin Cronin-Barrow called Paradise Bound. Alphatendress2 by Petit Moinaux, font: gigi.Third layout challenge was to scrap what I consider to be my own personal masterpiece in life.

I used Sea Spray by Beckie Wallace for this one. I really love this kit's soft warm colors. It reminds me of being at our cabin on Lake Erie! Font used was called Amura.

Fourth layout challenge was to scrap someone's favorite thing. This is Doreen Stolz's Daydreams kit, the laundry label is by Tracy Reed from the Sweet Shoppe and the font: as bold as brass.

These are the four I got done today. I may get one more done tonite- we shall see. Mike is on his way home, and I begged him to stop and get me a Wendy's cheeseburger - shame on me for eating this late, and a cheeseburger at that!

Snow Day pictures finally scrapped!

I know I promised these pictures a week ago, but I couldn't find just the right kit to scrap them! Finally, I got an email. It turns out that one of the designers I create for made the perfect kit for me to use, and this morning - I put them to use :)

Title: Playing with my Daddy

Credits: Karla Marano's Wintry Wonders available at Karla's Kaleidoscope Designs

Font used: POP

This one is done with the same kit - not necessarily as a Page two - but it could work !

Title: Snow Much Fun

Fonts: goofball, lovitz

Karla's Divine Digital Sale

Karla's Kaleidoscope Designs is having a huge sale - 50% off or more on all products in her boutique over - at DIVINE DIGITAL ! You must come over and check it out!

Here is the promo:

Karla also has some freebies over on her blog! I made some brag book pages for Valentine's Day as a promo for her ! So go snag em ! Be sure to scroll down so you get all four of them !!

Sunday creative team layouts

This first one is made with Amy Leigh's Love, Tenderly kit. The kit is so awesome, I will probably do a third layout tomorrow, thats how much I adore it :)

This layout is the first one done with Karla's Cupid's Crush kit. Love this kit too. It is for Valentines Day, but could work with just any girlie theme !!

I love being on my creative teams.

Feeling.... B L A H!

Kindergarten was great, it was so nice to see my old class and catch up with some of my fellow teachers from my school. I miss it there alot. I love teaching Kindergarten, and it was alot of fun until after lunch.......... a had a girl 'get sick' not once, not twice but THREE TIMES in THREE DIFFERENT PLACES. I just couldn't get this poor little one to the bathroom quick enough. Fortunately, the classroom is large and so the 'ripple effect' I was dreading didn't happen, thank goodness. The janitor came and cleaned it quickly - with the weird but intriguing saw dust stuff. What the heck is that stuff anyway? But the kids were great ! Loved it :) I actually chuckled as I was walking to my car because I had such a good day. I guess the 'upchuck' would ruin someone else's day, but the fact that it really didn't effect me at all to mean that I still had 'it'... whatever 'it' is.

Other than that, it has been a long, few days... nothing major, just feeling .......... B L A H! Under the weather, tired, grumpy... you know.... B L A H!

So, here is a layout for tonite! I used Amy Leigh's new Love, Tenderly kit... and I can honestly say - this is one I would have spent money on :) I love the colors, girly, but could be for adults too! I just love all the elements, and have like fifty ideas in my head right now.

Here is the first one:

Next one, I did last night with Beckie's Dreaming under water kit. I was experimenting with a new curled edge action and I love it (as you can tell - I used it in both layouts today !).

One quick layout

I did this layout tonite with Amy Leigh's Pretty as a Picture kit. I really love the colors in this. Vibrant - just what I needed today. Never did get to the challenge layout, but tomorrow is another day.

Today, I did about a kabillion loads of laundry. This requires me to match and fold socks - which to me is equivilent with going to the dentist for a root canal! I hate matching socks, so typically I throw them all in a small hamper and just deal until we none of us have any matched socks in our drawers. Well, that day come today! So, seriously, after the kabillion loads of laundry. I sat on the living room floor and sorted an even larger number (quatro-billion???) pairs of socks. But it is done now, which means I won't have to do it again for, oh... about a month or so (i wish!)

Here is my layout for the day :)