Christina Renee'

I'm back!

2008-03-20T22:50:00.002-04:00

Yea, ha pretty sad I haven't posted here since flippin August, isn't it? Well, I wont apologize and tell you I'll get better because you probably see enough of that every day, lol.

I have thought of posting here again many times because you know me, I DO have lots to say, ALWAYS! But then I decided not to come annoy the ones that love to hate me and all my CAPITALIZED words, heheee. Oh well you win some, you lose some right? I'll hush on this subject though because many of you are probably reading and thing WHAT is she talking about?? If that's you, GOOD, it's nothing important. :)

I did want to pop in here and tell you that I do have a new blog here. Authentic Artistry, is the CRD Shoppe blog where my team and I host challenges, freebies, inspiration and that sort of stuff. I haven't been doing much of the posting there because I sorta took an unannounced break that I KNOW many of you told me to do a DOZEN TIMES! :) Im also sure alot of you already knew this but this "Cyber" biz sorta took over my life, lol. I am back though and FULL of hot air. lol. So, if you care to have hot air blown your way and think you can keep up with my crazy head, I'll see you here. :p.

What's New at CRD?

2007-09-22T10:11:00.000-04:00

Hey all it's UP! Cocktail Hour! I just emailed out a newsletter which is also posted HERE on our News page (which we will now keep updated regularly) if for some reason you didn't get it! There's a coupon too! :) Happy Saturday! Be safe, have fun!

Cocktail Hour Sampler #2!

2007-09-21T17:54:00.000-04:00

Well I meant to post EARLY when I was not running MAN to get this bad boy finished but I forgot :(. Sorry!

I am SERIOUSLY SOOOOOOOOOOOOO... EXCITED right now! I NEVER EVER get time to just ENJOY a kit release and this time I sorta get to!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cocktail Hour turned out SOOOOO FABULOUS, FUN, FUNKY and just plain AWESOME, lol! It will be released at Amy's new Shoppe shortly and I will repost here with the link. But for now, grab this freebie and check out or Challenge at DST!

Download Cocktail Hour Sampler HERE (includes part 1 AND 2 both)!

"Cocktail Hour" with Amy...it's almost here!

2007-09-20T09:47:00.000-04:00

YAYY!!! We can't wait to show you the finished kit, it releases TOMORROW!!! But for now grab this sampler we have made for you if you want it! :)

Amy will post a challenge at DST in the next hour or so if you wanna play!

Have a good one :)

Edited to add: Download the ENTIRE Sampler in my newer post! :)

Well it's been TOO LONG...

2007-09-19T09:52:00.000-04:00

Don't yall get so sick of hearing people apologize for not blogging? Well, I thought so so I won't do it. bwhaaaaa!!

Okay, so my husband has PISSED me OFF for the DAY!! ARGH! :( Now mind you I go to bed usually after he leaves for work in the morning. Sometimes before when I've done that too many days in a row and am tired! So this morning I laid down at about 4:45. He was running his mouth at around 5:30. You know how they do... huffin and puffin looking for this, looking for that, PO'ed about this and that. Well this is my hubby anyways, lol. A HUGE kid that is used to me doing everything for him. This morning was about his glasses, he couldn't find them. Now I have told him a GAZILLION TIMES NOT to leave his stuff where Braden can reach it. You know little kids, they want to be like daddy and use all their stuff! So anyways, apparently Braden got his glasses down and he couldn't find them. So after blowing smoke for 10 or so minutes he comes and asks me to help him look for them. Well of COURSE that took 20 minutes and I found them in a toy box in his room. Now I'm UP for the day! Just IRRITATED :(.

Well the apprentice is doing very well. Everyone seems to LOVE her stuff which is so EXCITING for her! She did already open her own shoppe and we will release our collab there this FRIDAY, yahoooooooooo!!! I posted about it at DST already here http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=78984 but I just wanted to tell the loves of my life RIGHT HERE that we are going to be giving away additional pieces today, tomorrow and Friday for a scrap challenge :). Would love to see you play if you want! Amy is on the scout for a few CT's anyways. I'm making her since she's stealing all mine. bwhaaaaaaaaaa....BRAT! lol

I have some new stuff in the Shoppe! I finally got to get out to play and have been doing a few RAK's at DST and plan to do more too! There's a post in the happy thread and I have asked the team to choose people too. I can't be biased you now that :). You know I wish I could get to everyone but it wont happen unfortunately. :( Which is one of the reasons Amy and I will give away these things to EVERYONE that wants them and I have a freebie below and in the Shoppe for you too! :)

Yep, so me posting the entire collection was a definate mistake :(. Here is the link to the freebie set. http://www.4shared.com/file/24562152/aff2dd/CRenee_AlphaBitsFreebie_Aqua.html

Love you gals! I'm taking SEVERAL weeks off starting next week so lets have LOTS of fun until then, k! :)

New stuffs...

Isn't this BLINGING alpha the coolest of all time!!! lol. I am IN LOVEEE with the girls lo's, HOLEY MOLEY!

Have a great day! :)

My First Apprentice!!!!

2007-09-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

Good morninggggg! So how are ya today??

Me? I am EXCITED, THRILLED, ANXIOUS and a little tired, lol. So I have been keeping a little secret :(. Most of why I just haven't bloged because I can't keep secrets, lol! Okay so do yall remember WAYYYYYYYY back when I said I was collabing with a BRAND NEW designer? Well TODAY, I get to reveal her to you!!! YAYY! We had decided to put off the collaboration because things got SO crazy for me during the Grand Opening. But we will still be doing one that will be out the 16th of this month!

Okay, so the designer is.................................. Amy Hutchinson! :) Amy is a true artist, she really is!! You can look at Amy's gallery and tell that right away. She is known for her fabulous blending techniques and her most FAVORITE elements...Circles! I had asked Amy a while back if she had ever thought of designing? She wasn't too sure, hehe. Well I have a TRUE passion of helping people achieve their dreams so I was all up for helping Amy if she was interested. I also know that when I started to design, I couldn't get ANY information out of anyone, lol. I worked really hard for about 3 months solid, figuring it all out on my own. Now I want it share it. I will admit though, I taught Amy a FEW things but this girl's GOT IT! She is sweet as can be. SO CREATIVE and MOST of all INNOVATIVE! Her style, her designs and her Shoppe on the way are truly HER and a one of a Kind! I have asked Amy to join me at the Shoppe for the rest of September as my very FIRST Apprentice! Amy will be selling a few exclusive items here at CRD during her stay! So please help me welcome my first Apprentice, Amy Hutchinson!!!

Now, many of you know that I absolutely LOVE and adore my Creative Team. Well out f no-where they asked Amy (which is on my CT), if she needed help sporting her goodies. Ladies, I must say these girls ROCKED her stuff.........WOW OH WOWIE!!! So I wanted to show you those layouts featuring Amy's new designs you can look forward to. Now this stuff will be in her very own Shoppe next week. So check these baby's out....

(CRUD!! I's not letting me upload for some reason!! ARGGG!!!) I'll post when I figure it out here) Sorry!

Also, I have lots of new stuff! YAYYYY, I know can you believe it?? lol. I almost can't! Things have just been so stinkin chaotic, I can't seem to catch my breath lately! You would THINK that working from home wouldn't be SOOOOO..... stressful, WRONG! Lemme tell you, I used to be the Property Director over many large apartment communities. I have had up to 25 employees under me and I must admit, THIS IS SO MUCH HARDER!!! I don't know what it is...I guess just the balancing between family and work, family and work...oh it's CRAZY! So I am sorta setting myself up to take a little time off. I didn't want to go away without creating you some NEW STUFFS! That would be SO TRAUMATIC, wouldn't it?? lol

So here's the deal...I have working fast and furious to get stuff done, I'm STILL not there!!! :( So what I will do, is upload things as I finish them today. Amy's goodies are already in the Shoppe now! I have uploaded a few things that are older but I never had put in the Shoppe. I knew Amy was coming on, so I did set up a MONTH LONG COUPON as well.... 20% off any order all month. The code is CRDSeptPromo!

Thank you all SO MUCH for your kind words here, by email and Pm's They have really cheered me up and many times I needed it! :(. So thank you!

A couple more things so you don't think I forgot....

Got some stitches coming your way sometime this week!
All that purchased the Exotic Adventure kit, your smart, bwhaaaaaa..KIDDING. No but I made you a thank you gift and will send it out this week. It's kinda funky, lol.
I wanted to give you all the UN-Shadowed version of the Grab Bag flowers. So I am working on a blog freebie that will have those and some other styles in it :). Will be up this week as well!
Finally, the Songbird RAK's...they were SOOOO... nice over there! They FORCED me to take a refund AND the gift cards. Can you believe that?? So I will send you a gift card to SBA AND one to my Shoppe since it's been so long :(. I will get those out ths week as well!

I think that's it for today. I need to go finish my stuff before my body decides it needs sleep. lol. Talk to you soon! :)

OHHHH LORDY....YOUR EMAILS NOT BEING ANSWERED!!!!

2007-09-06T12:25:00.000-04:00

OMG, I could just CROAK, lol. Well we know that it is no secret that this gal is a popular one on an un-mentioned blog. I don't read that thing because the day I did, my attitude about EVERYTHING was HORRIBLE! I also have enough fans and customers such as you gals that watch it for me, hehee. Yall pretty much keep me in the loop and it is MUCH appreciated.

So to the point, sorry...the thing that was REALLY sitting with me WRONG is the ones saying they weren't receiving EMAIL responses!!! Reason is, I STAY on top of these NO MATTER what! I mean COME on WHY wouldn't I, kwim? SO guess what?? It just hit me TODAY...REMEMBER that emergency email addy, christinareneedesigns@yahoo.com, that was set up while I went on vacation??? UMMM YEA....well YIKESS, I just found 26 emails in there :( !!! I could DIEE!! I just STRIVE to ALWAYS answer yalls emails and I am SO mad at myself for that!!! So FORGIVE me, PLEASE!! I am FREAKING out about it right now, lol. I just want to answer them all RIGHT NOW at once, lol. I have 3 CT's helping so we can knoock those out!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO........................SORRRRRRRYYYY!!!

It's HERE!!!

2007-09-05T12:01:00.000-04:00

Hey loyal bloggers! Emily Merritt here in for Christina while she goes and gets some rest. I am so excited to bring to you Exotic Adventure!! It's up in the store and ready to go!! There will be more to come later this afternoon, like a contest with prizes, but for now...go get your kit!! Here's a little something to help you out...for 20% off use CRDSeptPromo!!

It's coming, it's coming...........

2007-09-04T08:16:00.000-04:00

SOOOOOOOOOO.....SORRY yall! I have been working NON STOP on ths sucker there is just SO MUCH PREP involved that I forget about, lol. It will be up SOON. I do have to take Bray to his first day of school but proll shortly after that. Just now this SUCKER IS SO DARN HUGEE!! SERIOUSLY the BEST deal for your money. Plus I have like 3 freebies in mind to make you to go with it and I haven't even raed your comments, lol. So it'll be up soon!!!!

EDITED to add...I guess I lied and I'm sorry! As I said before there are 4 of us involved and two have been unavailable mostly. I have been at this for 6 days almost straight and I am just physically BEAT! My son missed his first day of school because I kept thinking we could get this up. I can't, not right away anyways. There are things that are still lacking and I have GOT to go rest. I'm SORRY, I really AM. I'm MORE sorry that this all rests on me when I have TRULY done my DARNDEST. NO POOR ME here either, I have just GOT to quit working non-stop, kwim??

Anyways, SORRY. I will post when I am awake and can find out what's up :).

Another Sneak Peak...

2007-09-03T15:14:00.000-04:00

Here's another Sneak Peak for ya...My Papers!

Hey, In the mood to make you something free to go along with the kit. There are already 25, 18" long stitches included. What other kind of stitches do you like?? Circles? Grids? Shapes? Majority rules so speak NOW! lol

Okay no heart attacks please!!!

2007-09-03T12:39:00.000-04:00

Haha, you like my title?? Well dont pass out cause I'm here, lol...I know I have TOTALLY sucked lately! Well let me assure you, it's because I'm killin myself over here again, lol. NO play or REST, that's for darn sure!! :) You now what it is?? I think I just WAY overbooked myself. I mean I just LOVE to do collabs SO MUCH that I commit SO often. Yet between doing those and playing catch up (YES, STILL :( ) with all the challenges, gift cards, etc. I can't seem to get anything new in the Shoppe... I mean OMG, really, it's starting to actually IRRITATE me, you know?? Nothing to do with ANYONE, it's ME! I dunno, I basically feel like I am working 24 hours a day but not REALLY seeing A HUGE got'er done list. Do you ever feel like that?? Like you are RUNNING 1000 miles and hour, yet going freaking NO WHERE?? (BESIDES in a dream, hahaha. )

Anyways, PLAN is (yes, PLAN that I am going to TRY my DARNDEST to do) is to TRY to get these products only needing previews uploaded THIS week. I really DO have some cool stuff and it was SUPPOSED to be for today when we release the collab. But I couldn't STOP myself from creating for this kit and these girls on my CT. Yall SERIOUSLY MUST go look at their layouts...............OH................MY...............GOSH!! You know how sometimes when you get SO EXCITED you are shaking?? (Or is that just another weird trait of mine, rofl!) Anyhow, I was PRACTICALLY jumping up and down with excitement when I saw these lo's. Oh and btw, I am talking about a collaboaration kit, "Exotic Adventure", that will be released today :). This is what I was coming to tell you too...we are still shooting for today! Now it may be later this evening but I am working REAL hard to hurry! There is 4 of us and one is with out towners for the past three days, one has a day job TOO and one is prego, lol. So I am doing my best with all I have left to do. I will come post here when it's up and tell you about the storewide sale I'm havin :). Stay Tuned.....thanks for stickin around with this busy, NO bloggin gal :).

Wanna a sneak peak?? Above are just my elements for the kit! I told you I couldn't stop, lollol...

I'm BACK...catching up on EMAILS and PM's!

2007-08-27T14:19:00.000-04:00

Hey all, I just wanted you to know we got back from our little mini vacation yesterday. I am cathing up on PM's and emails today. I have LOADS but I wanted to post this to say I will try to take care of you just as SOON as possible. Thank you for being patient if you sent one!

ALSO, I can't find you, email you, track you down WITHOUT an email addy, lol. So, if you need something, haven't received something (gift card for example) or want or expect ANY type of reponse from me.... PLEASE, PRETTTTTTTY PLEASE leave me your email addy with your comment! :)

Sorry to cut this short, I haven't slept AGAIN (trying to get to lots of these emails) and I'm BEAT :(!

TTYS!

While Christina's away .....

2007-08-23T23:16:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone!

Not Christina, but CT member Sue here. Christina and her family are having a little RR this weekend so I'm here to give some info out to everyone.

(All info from Christina, I'm just the messenger :) )

1. The Hide and Seek zip file is being re-loaded tonight and will be accessible very soon.
2. The corrupt #2 zip file from the grab bag was re-loaded before she left this afternoon.
3. The grab bag will be up until about next Friday. Some people were asking :)
4. Christina's e-mail's may not be able to be forwarded. If there is a hot issue you can send to christinareneedesigns@yahoo.com. There are team members that can access those e-mails at that address. Some have the ability to re-set links, etc., but be patient some live in Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...oy, oy, oy!

I can't think of anything else right now. If the team thinks of anything, we'll let you know.

Cheers!

Grab Bag Time!!!

2007-08-23T10:34:00.000-04:00

Hey you all, first off, OMG has it been 10 DAYSSSS since I last blogged??? WOW! WOW! WOW! Time REALLLLLLY flies you know?? Well I am SURE sorry, I guess I'll be LUCKY if I even have any readers left huh?? SORRY :(. I did take a few days off and then I have been catching up on emails. So you will definitely be hearing from me more now. Well actually we are leaving to go out of town for the weekend. But, if they have Internet, I'll be around, if not, I'll be back soon! :)

So GUESS WHAT??? I made you a Grab Bag! CR Style of course, hehehe! I say that just because of the way I previewed it. Kinda cool, huh? Well I thought so, lol. You know I find NO FUN in copying other people so I had to do something different of course! So check this out, DON'T MISS THIS THING, k! Yall KNOW, I don't EVER tell you that you MUST buy something but this thing, YOU MUST, lol. It's GREAT, it's AWESOME and it's packed full of goodies! You'll EVEN get something from Bray (my son), haha.(hint hint if yall have been seeing them around)! But that's just one small part of what's in this :). I'll shut up now so you can get over there and GRAB IT!!! lol I am also half way done with a WHOLE LOTTA new stuff, so keep watchin!! I REALLLLLLLY wanted to get some up today but NO WAY now, cause Steve is already yelling at me to GO, rofl!

I WILL be checking for emergency emails here right before I go, otherwise, I will catch you when I get back :) Actually, I'm taking the computer so if they have internet I'll keep an eye on them :). We are going to stay in some lake houses with the EXTENDED family in Austin. Sounds really fun, I'm kinda excited. Mostly looking forward to just relaxing with the familty!! I will probably do lots of crafty things too, lol. NO, I can't stop, REALLY!! So bye for now, have fun with your STUFFS, lol, and I'll see ya soon.

Oh and btw, the EXCITING NEWS...we are going to start a CRD Team Challenge Blog!!! YAYYYYYYY, I know. I have received MORE emails than I care to mention, heehee...asking when our next challenge will be because you got SO inspired with the last few. So were gonna do it! We are actually THRILLED to do it and I have the COOLEST first challenge in mind already, rofl! Yea, NO WORRIES, my mind runs 90 to nothing with ideas so I think I have 20 of the MOST fun ones in mind ALREADY, lol. The SCARRRRY thing is I feel like I have also somehow got lucky enough to have JUST as CREATIVE and UNIQUE team members with even BETTER ideas too!! So this will be a blast, you know we will load you up with cool free stuff too. I don't really like doing many of the you gotta buy this to play, not fair to the BROKE FOLK, ya know, bwhaaaaaa!! I been there, TRUST ME, I KNOW!!! lol...So more about this later, I REALLY don't know WHEN we can get this rolling because I have the BUSIEST months coming up :(. But we will FRIGURE it out!! :)

Happy Thursday! Have a FABULOUS weekend! :) Talk to you all SOON!

Oh and I REALLY HOPE you like what's in the Bag!! :)

OHHH and there are a few new products in the Shoppe too, I almost forgot! I'll post pics next time, gotta GO NOWWW according to dh, lmbo! Dirty Notes though...CHECK THOSEEEE OUT!! And Hide and Seek Mini Kit, if you didn't get it from the challenge, it's GRUNGY GREATNESS!! BYE!

Hide and Seek Winners!

2007-08-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

Okayyyy....Drumroll Please..........all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners layouts are clickable so you can congratulate them if you want. Congrats ladies, these are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!

Here are ALL of our entries for the challenge....(click to enlarge so you can actually SEE, lol). I decided to give our 3 runners up a $10 Gift Card to the Shoppe too !!! :) I also made you ALL a little kit just for entering. Hopefully you'll like it! It includes the stuff you see here in these previews and a LOT more! There are actualy 6 papers, not 5 like it says in the preview too. The links to each layout are below in a previous post, if you want to see these fabulous layouts up close.

Thanks again to you all. These layouts were SERIOUSLY just SO AMAZING. Maybe I really like them SOOOOO.... MUCH because they are just LOADED up and I love that!!! Congrats to you all!! I will get your gift cards and kits out to you in the morning. :)

Well we had an action packed weekend of fun with Bray. It was his 3rd birthday this past Saturday. I'll try to go through some of these pictures and show them to you tomorrow. I have a freebie for ya anyways.

I'll go for now, I'm really trying to finish up some things to put in the Shoppe. It's been pretty busy with emails lately but hopefully I'll have some in tomorrow. I am also VERY HAPPILY creating for a SERIOUSLY HUUUUGE Digi Scrap event coming up!! My deadline is in two days and I haven't even started :(...BAD huh?? I'm not really worried though, yall know me and I'll just stay up around the clock if I have to, rofl!! Also, BIG, FUN, HUGE, SUPER HAWT news that I will share with you tomorrow too. It's about CRD :)....Gosh what else?? I really have SOOOOO MUCH to tell you all. SO MANY EXCITING things have been happening for me lately, I just feel SO SUPER BLESSED, really! I have been waiting to say anything because I'm not sure what I can say and what I can't. But TRUST ME, I'll tell you all as SOON as I am able to. So stick around and you KNOW you will WELL taken care of and appreciated by me FOR SURE!!! :)

EDITED TO ADD: Since my computer broke I wasn't ever able to finish getting the gift cards out to you all that responded to Natalie a few days after she PM'ed you. I was caught up with all that responded right away, I think. I lack about 10 that will go out to you tomorrow along with all these new ones here :). Thank you so much for your patience!!!

Computer Broke!!!!

2007-08-13T17:51:00.000-04:00

Hey, I just wanted to pop in here to tell you that my computer broke over the weekend :(. Braden bent the power cord down at the back of the laptop where it plugs in. ARRRGHHH!!! Anyway, it's fixed now though. They just called and I have to go pick it up now. When I get back I will post our winners :). See ya soon!

Cute picture of Bray :)

2007-08-10T21:20:00.000-04:00

(click to enlarge)

Hey I scrapped....bwhaaaaaa....well not really, lol. But hey for ME, it's alot, lol. Shabby Princess has been giving away these adorable desktops from her blog lately. Her FAB CTM's (Yall should see this CT page btw. She used some of my stuff and I'm JEALOUS it's SO darn cute!) create these and I just love them. At first I'm like ehh.. cute but I don't need that. But NOW that I actually use them, I just LOVE to open my laptop every day only to see my little boy smiling back at me :). GOSH I can not BELIEVE he will be THREE tomorrow! SO sad :((.

So here is a cute little picture of my baby for you to stare at while I finish making something, lol. I used Lauren Barden's Color Sepia action on the photos. Braden's eyes are actually blue, not brown, he even looks quite tan too doesn't he? rofl, well don't let that fool you cause it's been WAYYYY to hot to go out lately. And he is SOOOOO...SLEEPY which are why his eyes are half closed, lol. It was like 1am or something CRAZY. We had so much fun that day and he was in that TOO TIRED mode and TOTALLY fighting it. Btw, he is REALLY into to fieshin as he says. So at the moment he was making due with a bowl of water the he piled some toy fish and trucks of course into, heeeheee...SO CUTE!

Hide and Seek----I'm SORRY, I'm SORRY..I of course decided to play around and make the Hide and Seek winners announcement all cool. NOW....I decided to make this little mini kit for all of you that played along :). So don't be TOOO MAD, k. I am going to go finish it up and come back to post. I have NOOOOOOOOO... IDEA when that will be. I am REALLY liking the stuff and want to make a full kit but I'm trying to hold back sorta just b/c I know you all want to know who won. So, see ya when I see ya, lol...it WILL be before midnight though, PROMISE!

Check your email!!!

2007-08-10T08:27:00.000-04:00

Hey you, check your emails please! I sent ya something :).

I am RUNNING out the door to Braden's yearly checkup so I will post our Hide and Seek winners when I get back! Happy Friday!!! :)

edited later to add.... a picture of what I sent to you :) Everyone that had EVER registered at CRD should have gotten this :) Have a GREAT weekend!

Good MORNING!

2007-08-09T06:40:00.000-04:00

Wow it's 5:45 AM here. I'm blogging EARLY for a change, lol!

Okay so I updated all the Hide and Seek Challenge links below. We would LOVE to hear your favorites if you aren't entering. Most of the CT has their votes in so either way, we will announce the winners sometime later today! YAYYYY...FINALLY, huh, lol.

Oh yea and I forgot to address the fact that a few of you said you had NOT gotten your coupons and/or GC's yet. I will get those out to you today. Thanks for letting me know! :)

Okay, I am gonna go get some sleep now. See ya soon! :)

Hide and Seek Challenge!!!

2007-08-08T15:12:00.000-04:00

OMG, these layouts are SERIOUSLY SOOOO FABULOUS!! Lauren on my CT put them all together for us to look through and vote but the PROBLEM is DST gallery is still down. You KNOW that I want to announce these winners just as bad as you wanna know who they are, lol. But I guess we need to wait until the gallery comes back up because only a few of the CT members have gotten to vote. We also want to know YOUR PICK!!! I will post links to all the submitted entries. When the gallery is back up, will you PRETTY PLEASE tell us your top 3 IN ORDER, hehe. Even if you don't feel comfortable voting, YALL MUST GO TAKE A LOOK, these are SERIOUSLY WOW!!! And there are pretty BIG prizes being given too :).

I'm sorry you all that entered are having to wait. Then again, I KNOW you all know things happen. I am feeling REALLY bad for Shannon (Owner/Founder of DST) and her family right now too. She must be going through SO MUCH stress and that poor girl has a baby on the way. Keep praying for her. Let's hear your votes and we will announce our BIG WINNERS SOON!

Here are our entries...gosh, I HOPE these links work, if not I will be back to update when the Gallery is up...

Summer Visit
Sunday Gravy
Rupa Suja
Walkies
Starbucks
My Girls
Shadow Playing
Pirate vs Ninja
Play
The Faces I Love
Daddy Is Flying
Bonsai
Paparazzi
Future Chef
Two Big Friends
Discover Life

Hola!

2007-08-07T13:51:00.000-04:00

So I think I finally got ALL of the coupons and gift cards sent out yesterday. YAYYYY!!! I had lots of help from some CT gals so that was a GOOD! I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE giving away stuff and this time there were SOO MANY of you. Gosh there must have been at least 30 of you that completed all 7 of our Grand Opening challenges, that is SOOOO AWESOME! But you all should have your 25% off coupon, the $10 gift card for completing all 7 challenges and of course all of our BIG winners coupons also.

Well I tell ya I have been a little overwhelmed with all the stuff I just let build up around here during our Grand Opening month. Not work stuff because for the most part we TRY to stay caught up on that. But do us women not have SOOO MANY duties or WHAT? lol. I know I am like the WORST at concentrating on ONE thing and not all the others too, that is JUST ME. But I swear I must have made a list a MILE long of stuff that needs to be done around here. I just HATE it when I let it all build up like that, ya know? I just want it fixed ALL in one day, rofl.
My sons birthday is even coming up on the 11th, yea, like THIS Saturday. He is turning 3 so it's not like that age where he REALLY realizes what we are doing but he kinda does, you know? Originally I was thinking we would have his party at a place called "Pump it Up" but it might be too late now, hahaa. Pump it up is SO MUCH FUN though. It's a place indoors where they have 2-3 rooms of these HUGE bounce houses. Even the adults have a BLAST! It's kinda funny though because when we went there for my nieces birthday a few months ago, I had SOOOO MUCH fun, WAY TOO much fun actually. It's like I forget I get older though. rofl The next day I am not even sure I could get out of the BED, I was SO DARN sore, lol! But we'll see...most likely we will just hang here at home and have family over. He doesn't really have that many friends anyway considering he stays at home with me. The only ones he DOES have is at the church and mothers day and he has been out for summer.

Anyhow, we are having a REALLY hard time judging our winners for the Hide and Seek Challenge. All of these entries are SERIOUSLY AWESOME!!! I had even thought to ask you that didn't enter to helpus judge but I would need to get these loaded n a slide show or something. We DO have the thread over at DST thst we started way back when but I can't seem to even get IN TO DST right now. That's WEIRD, is something up??? I will keep checking and get these layouts posted there so you can all see. They are just FABULOUSSS! We will choose a winner today though, PROMISE. We started to yesterday but the team has so many favorites, lol.

Oh VERY IMPORTANT!!!
We will need to shut down the Shoppe for a few days. I had told you that we did some MAJOR upgrades right before the Grand Opening so we could increase bandwidth and all. Yet we just kinda did a temporary fix by moving all to .net rather than .com for it to work. So NOW we need to move it all back to .com and that will take us a few days. I will ask Lauren when she is up for doing this and I will keep you posted!! If you want to Shoppe with your coupons and gift cards you just might want to do that SOON. Otherwise, I am HOPING, not promising but HOPING to have some new stuff up by the time we re-open. There is really a LOT of things I am wanting to do for you all, make, etc. yet I have GOT to get caught up around this place too before I LOSE my mind, lol. The MAJOR one being to get BACK on a BETTER sleeping schedule. That way maybe I can be back to blogging at 7-8am rather than 7-8pm, hahahah!!

Off to see what's up with DST and our Hide and Seek winners. ttys!

Real Quick...

2007-08-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

I wanted to pop in to say we are working on sending ALL Of the coupons and prizes out to you today. Thank you for being SOOO patient and understanding...Congrats to you all!!!! Woohoooo!!!

Happy Friday! :)

LONGER , MUCH MORE INFORMATIVE post to follow later!

We have WINNERS!!!

2007-08-02T11:33:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon...Gosh it seems like it has been FOREVER since I have blogged in this early, lol. It's definitely not my old days of 7am'ish but hey it's still a little earlier than usual right. :)

Guess WHAT??? We have WINNERS, one HUGE WINNER too...YAYYY!!! When we had our Grand Opening, we announced that there would be someone to win Free Products from ME for 3 FULL MONTHS!!! After THAT, they would receive a coupon for 50% off ANYTHING in the Shoppe for ANOTHER 3 months!!! The way it worked was for every $10 you spent at CRD, you were entered into this drawing. Well we had many people that fell into that category. So we used the random number picker and based our winner off their order number and we matched those up. Sooooooo......Drumrolll pleaseee.................Our OVERALL GRAND PRIZE WINNER of CRD is:

Crystal Blake aka Lukasmommy!!! yayyyyyyyyy!!!!

but WAIT, that's not ALL...there are also three runners up! Congrats to:

Shanah aka Shanah will receive a $100 gift card to the Shoppe
Sarah aka *Sarah* will receive a $75 gift card to the Shoppe
Mabel aka Mabel will receive a $50 gift card to the Shoppe

and there is MORE WINNERS....

During our Grand Opening we also had many challenges throughout the week. I have to give my team a HUGEEEE thank you on these. I had NOTHING to do with them unfortunately, lol. They came UP with them, hosted them and just kept them SOOO FUN! I HONESTLY wonder where they come up with all these FABULOUS ideas!! hehe!! We have gotten TONS of emails from all of you saying how inspired you were and how much FUN you had. SO YAYYYYY TEAM!!! TY, TY, TY!!! I told yall they were AWESOME didn't I!!

Thank you to all of you that played along. We did give little prizes out for the winners of each challenge but we also announced there would be a BIG WINNER! The OVERALL winner was chosen from many of you that participated in all 7 challenges we held. We were SOOO EXCITED to see that SO MANY of you did actually do all 7 too. The winner was chosen based on many things including creativity, how many CRD products were used and overall participation. They will ALSO receive 3 months of FREE stuff from ME!!! Sooooooo......ANOTHER Drumroll pleaseee.................Our GRAND PRIZE WINNER of CRD's Challenge Week is: Chey yayyyyyyy!!!

but WAIT, there is STILL MORE...We didn't say that there would be runners up, but hey you all KNOW me better than that. lol Let's give our 3 runners up something too! You all worked SO HARD!!! Congrats to:

ZaCola, TriciaDoll and JanaM. You will all receive a $25 gift card to the Shoppe as well! I would also like to reward ALL of our scrappers that participated in all 7 challenges so you will receive a $10 gift card to the Shoppe TOO! :) Then for EVERYONE that entered into any ANY challenge at all will receive a 25% off coupon to CRD as well.

SO YAYYYYY, LOTS and LOTS of winners and that is just EXCITING!!!! CONGRATS to you all! :)

We will be in contact with you soon :).

Thanks again to you ALL for making our Grand Opening the best EVER!!!! :)

Update-Winners of the Songbird Kit. I am still waiting to hear back from them on the gift cards, so I will send those out as soon as I do. Sorry! :(

I have been taking a little break this week actually. Well a break to get caught up, lol. How fun is that?? But, you know me, I will be back before you know it! Have a Happy Thursday, I get to go to the doctor now....FUN, FUN, FUN!!! NOTTT :(

SORRY!!! and a MUCH NEEDED UPDATE!!!

2007-07-31T15:49:00.000-04:00

Hey I just wanted to pop in here to tell you I was SORRY!!! I feel like I ruined the Hide and Seek Challenge :(. I DO still want to do it though if yall want. What I will do is put ALL the clues here today. You will have until THIS Friday at midnight CST to post a link to your layout HERE in this thread. We will vote and announce the winners Monday, August 6th. How's that sound? Click on the picture above for a larger view.

Also, there are a few product updates. It looks like the Linens Collection is missing 2 papers. One brown and one purple. I have figured out which ones those are and uploaded them as a add on. Also, both of the stitch sets, Ziggity Mess Lines the latest and Ziggity Mess Circles that came out at the Grand Opening are missing the holes only files. I also have added an update for those. I am waiting to hear from Lauren (web master) to see how we can just put these updates on your accounts for those of you that purchased them. So hang tight and I will let you know when I hear from her!

Also, a HUGE CONGRATS to those 5 of you that won the Songbird Kit, wooohooo!!! I purchased the gift cards from Songbird and they are actually valid for any months kit. PLEASE post your email addy here if you are a winner and I will get these to you. If I don't have an email from you all soon, too bad you lose............HAHA, TOTALLY JOKING! I will find ya! Just don't want to if I don't have to, hehe! I have heard from a few of you and those will go out in just a minute if they haven't already.

And FINALLY, we have our BIG winners for the GRAND PRIZES at or Grand Opening!!! Unfortunately, you are gonna have to wait until tomorrow for this one, lol. Tomorrow is August the 1st which starts a Brand NEW month so PERFECT time to announce I think!!!

Today, I am catching up on emails. So if you have sent one, most likely you will have a response today :).

For those of you that have missed me blooging, haha, yea right, huh? lol I am spending this week getting ALLLLL caught up and ORGANIZED, lol. Sooooo....Next week I am hoping things can get back to normal and yall will have to dread hearing from me again.

Ohhhh...have yall seen the add on to the French Countryside Collaboration Kit??? Shabby Princess and I had SO MUCH FUN making that kit that we did an add on. French Countryside Font and Stitched Alphas. You can only get it in her shoppe right now. Yall this sucker is SOOOOO COOL!! She made this COMPLETELY CUSTOM doodley font that I just FELL IN LOVE with. You get the font file so that you can use on anything you want and you can EVEN use it commercially!! I stitched it up 3 times in brown, blue and red. Check it out here, the price is SERIOUSLY a steal on this one!! The Princess is also having a SALE right now, you MUST check out all the NEW stuff she just released....sooo AWESOME!!!

Okay peeps I will see you tomorrow for the big fat announcement of our Grand Prize winners!!! Don't have too much fun without me today, okay. :)

So GET THIS...

2007-07-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

Well it's no secret that I sleep very little. So yesterday my body apparently needed it and I woke up at 1pm, lol. Didn't go to bed until 8am, but still 1pm...WOW! Well so GUESS what I wake up to? No electricity!!! My first thought was OMG did I not pay the bill, rofl. See I DO forget to do that sometimes. But NO, it was an accident on their part, WRONG HOUSE! HOW ridiculous is THAT!!! I was FURIOUS! Who wouldn't be when it is freaking 100 degrees here. Now, I am not so much a FREAK OUT reactor. For the most part I guess I just kinda go with the flow, well on SOME things, lol. The air finally came back on around 10pm. Soooo... let's just say after 9 hours of PURE HEAT, Bray and I were SOOO grumpy and truly exhausted!!! :( It never really got above 85 in the house but STILL when you are used to 75, it was HOT!! See we couldn't get out because Steve and I are sharing a vehicle right now. Remember he had that car accident a while back? He got a new car but it was being cleaned and having the windows tinted. Arrrgghhh!

I feel like I have just had the WORST luck lately, rofl. It really makes me wonder if it is not God speaking to me saying, you NEED a break (shrug). I'll tell you my creativity is off the charts, hehe. I must think of 10 new unique ideas everyday. I feel like I am PUMPED to do them, but then my mind just floats around. I feel like I just can NOT focus lately, I don't get it. But to be real HONEST, it is TOTALLY frustrating me! I really do actually have several things made. Some that have even been ready for WEEKS. Yet, they lack previews. It's like I really just have to be in the mood for those, kwim? I feel like my previews are my scrapping, which most of YOU know too...you just HAVE to be in the mood and right NOW, I just wanna create! lol I am feeling really BAD because we are doing the "Hide and Seek" Challenge and some of the clues are supposed to be in with the new products. So let me just say this... I know of a designer that is doing a release tomorrow, a pretty big one actually, heehee. I am somewhat in on that a weee-tiny bit which is really where all my time is going lately. So I tell you this BECAUSE what I think I will do (hopefully you aren't TOO upset) is also release my stuff on Friday! A few of the things will be the ones going in her shoppe also. I promise, it's gonna be AWESOME!!! This girl is working her little tushie off!!! So I will go ahead and post some clues here to catch us up, because we will STILL continue our challenge of course! Then on Friday there will be additional clues in all of my new products in the shoppe also. So EXTRA clues, How's THAT??

Wildflowers!!! Lots of Hide and Seek Clues!

2007-07-25T08:50:00.000-04:00

Well I managed to get something new in the Shoppe FINALLY, lol. Wildflowers...YAY!! I am loving these just cause they are different, kwim. Right now I need SLEEP, lol. I will most likely have other things in before tomorrow.

Hide and Seek, are you playing??? It's gonna be fun! Clue 1 was in the newsletter, Clue 2 was in the "Kind Words" freebie, clue 3 will be posted HERE for yesterday, clue 4 will be posted HERE for today, clue 5 should have been in the "Wildflowers Stamps" freebie but I will post here as well just in case and clue 6 is in this new product, "Wildflowers". You can grab it here. :) Have a great day!

ANOTHER Fun Freebie!

2007-07-24T21:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, more messes, lol. Please don't hold it against me, lol. Here I was TRYING to be all efficient and send my customers a little gift with their newsletter but noooooooo, rofl! SO, Lauren DID do an edit on the post below, you can now go and grab my little surprise, "Kind Words for Kind People" in the News section of the site.

Okay, I made you something else too :) Digital Stamps!!! Why two freebies in one day, just cause, I love ya and I like making you things, REALLY! Plus yall are WAYYY TO DARN GOOD TO ME! So grab Wildflower Stamps here!

I DO have a new release or two that WILL be up in the Shoppe in a few hours as well. :)

Sorry for all the CRAZYNESS!! I will be having a little or BIG, lol surprise for you on Thursday AND TONS of good NEWS to share. :) In the meantime, go check out Disc Talk Radio. It's FREE, CRD is Spotlighted, you can get a large kit from NANCIE at SA for $3 (crazy) and it's a BLAST to listen too!!

Have a FAB day!!!

Well CRUD!

2007-07-24T15:12:00.000-04:00

Okay, I am sorry to see lots of you haven't gotten the newsletter. I do know that tons have also so I'm CLUELESS. I need to wait and ask Lauren (web lady) when she comes on. But I am going to have to guess the following....email incorrect on your account and/or your email provider is not accepting it for some reason or another. If you want to leave your email addy, we can manually send these out at some point today/tonight. When Lauren comes on, I will ask about a newsletter sign up for the blog if at all possible.

EDIT: A copy of the newsletter has been put up on the CRD News page and includes a link to the freebie for all those that didn't receive it in their inbox. We'll be moving to a better newsletter system very soon so hopefully won't have these troubles next time! Thanks for understanding! :)

Newsletter is out!

2007-07-24T08:39:00.000-04:00

Hi guys, the newsletter HAS been sent out! If you were signed up, you SHOULD have it. Be sure to check ALL folders (spam, junk mail, etc.) if you don't see it. If you have not signed up and would like to, please go to the Shoppe. When you create a new account, it will ask you at the end if you would like to sign up for the newsletter.

There WILL be a new product and a blog surprise for you later today!

See you lator gators! :)

We are ON for TOMORROW! :)

2007-07-23T15:27:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, I just wanted to pop in to say we are on for tomorrow! :) My out of town family just left so I'm gonna get to work, hehe! Soooo... look out for some fun new stuff TOMORROW! A longer post then!!! :)

Have a FABULOUS Monday.....or TRY anyways, lol!

Hi Everyone

2007-07-20T08:33:00.000-04:00

This is Mish, Christina's Creative Team Captain.

I'm just popping in to let you all know Christina had some bad news about a family member today and is *very* upset right now. Thankfully it's nothing tragic, but it has still greatly distressed and upset her.

We were planning on having the newsletter & all out today, but I'm not sure where things stand with that right now, so I think it's going to have to wait a couple of days until she is able to finish it. We're so sorry for the delay, but we hope you can understand!

We will be aiming to have it done for Monday, but if that needs to change, I'll come back to let you know.

if anyone can spare a thought or a prayer for Christina and her family right now, I'm sure it would be appreciated.

Thanks for your support everyone, it really means a lot to Christina!

Mish

I'm BAAAACK...

2007-07-18T12:49:00.001-04:00

I'm Back and feeling SOOOO.... much better!!! YAYY! I think I was just BEAT I guess! What I do is sleep like 10 hours in a week and I seriously feel TOTALLY fine. I think the adrenaline is just pumping and I'm ALL good!!! BUT, after two weeks of doing it, my body just GIVES I guess. lol...DARN thing!!! It's like my husband will try to wake me up, he says 10 times and I hear NOTHING...that's scary. I guess my body NEEDS sleep every once in a while. So I was getting all these restless feelings and I'm thinking it was me trying to fight it. I don't know, but I'm all good now! hehe.

I DO feel like a total loser though. We were supposed to me doing some new product releases and things on Monday for this week. Well here is what we will do...That will all start tomorrow. You will be getting a newsletter (with a little surprise from me, hehe) that will tell you all about it. We are going to announce the Songbird Kit winners (FINALLY), last weeks challenge winners and the fun challenge for this next 7 days :). So be on the lookout for that.

Okay so about my son...OMG are almost 3 year olds SOOOO FUN or WHAT??? lol. I have always enjoyed my son obviously but these days are just a hoot!!! It's like they form SUCH a personality at this age I guess and he just keeps us rollin. rofl! He also wants to be Mr. Independent though too. I'll fix him a bowl of cereal and he IS RE-FIXING it REGARDLESS. Hey, that is PERFECTLY FINE with me, lol. WHATEVER, I tell him, lol. BUT, not only is he funny, independent, ADORABLE and SO very entertaining, he is a PERSISTENT little butt too. hehe. We have lots of play time but when I go to sit down to work, hecccckk NO. I bet he interrupts me EVERY 2 minutes to get up and do SOMETHING. And it's like I feel BAD if I don't you know? Like guilty for working or something. But I am SO NOT RICH. I HAVE to work and pay the bills just like everyone else, lol. I feel like the LUCKIEST person that I get to do that here WITH HIM and that I LOVEEEE what I do, yall KNOW that, haha. BUT it MUST get done too. So I don't know, it's BEATING me up lately, lol. Not that I'm overwhelmed, I just feel BEAT!!! lol He is only one child too, I SERIOUSLY can not IMAGINE you all that have more. They are CRAAAZY FUN but LOTS of WORK. rofl! I wouldn't trade it for anything though. :)

Do yall realize, you have not really seen pictures?? OMG, I'm crazzy, hehe. I will try to get some up this week so I can you my adorable boys! :)

Oh and hey, you see we are in the spotlight?? How COOL is that. Listen HERE! I can not TELL you how AWESOME that place is, I LOVE IT!!! Not because they are spotlighting us either, lol. I have been a huge fan ever since they first started and I wasn't even a designer, lol. I was even paying for their service and HAPPY to do it. Now it's FREE! You can also get a huge kit from there for like $3 from the FABULOUS Nancie Rowe Janitz at Scrap Artist! You can just really learn so much by listening to their shows I THINK. And get to REALLY know other people including designers. That was my favorite :), You should check it out!

Not feeling so great :(.

2007-07-16T15:36:00.000-04:00

Sorry yall. I just feel really funky today. I'll be back tomorrow to post. I just realized I forgot to do the Songbird RAK's to, so I will do those tomorrow also. Sorry guys :(.

Ohhhh DUHHH....I forgot....the DRAMA!

2007-07-13T04:10:00.000-04:00

I have been SO darn tired lately. I was just here reading my comments because I KNEW it would make me happy, and they DID!! MWAH!! But then I realized I forgot the most IMPORTANT thing I wanted to say in my earlier post...

I have ONE thing and ONE thing ONLY to say about the drama that is going on at DST about me!

Team, Customers, Fans, Friends, THANK YOU! Thank you so soooo VERY MUCH!!! You guys are LOYAL man, I mean LOYAL! 100% of ANY Drama that arose about me, MY TEAM and the the new Shoppe was QUICKLY stopped by SOOOO many of you! SHOCK, I was TRULY SHOCKEDDD! Not that I didn't have faith in you but for you all to REALLY go out of your way to come to my defense BLOWS me AWAY! Thank you, thank you all SOOO VERY MUCH!

I am off to make something for you now :)!

Songbirds July Kit!

2007-07-13T00:44:00.000-04:00

btw, have yall seen Songbirds FABULOUS July Kit? This months kit, EUPHORI is a collaboration with Gina Miller! It is SO COLORFUL, I just LOVE it! Remember these gals do this for charity only so if you can support them in ANY way, MANY people will REAP the rewards!

I myself would like to RAK, 3 people this kit. If you are interested, post here and I will randomly draw names this Saturday!

You can grab the kit here!

They also have a blinkie you can sport, which will support them TOO!!!

Okee dokee, where do I start???

2007-07-12T19:12:00.000-04:00

ROFL!!! How about with the GOOD stuff, lol.

WOW, WOW, WOW, what a FABULOUS response you guys. I NEVER, EVER in a million years could have EXPECTED all the traffic the new Shoppe is getting. To be really HONEST with you I was actually REALLY disappointed with myself because there were SOOOOOOOO.... MANY other things I wanted to make and just could NOT get around to it. But overall I think it's going more than well and I thank you from the BOTTOM of my heart!!! All I can really think of right now is what I want to make you, to thank you!!! lol

Okay so there are MANY things I want to cover and I am going to REALLY do my best and try to be brief, lol. ONLYYY because I can chat ALL day and like I said I REALLY wanna make you something after I check all my emails, lol. PLUS, I REALLY don't think you have a bunch of time to listen to me ramble, haha!!!

Bloging--OMG, so WHAT is my problem? lol. I tell you yall I have worked AROUND the clock for WEEKS just trying to catch up on emails ad prepare for this. I have had EVERY good intention of coming over here since Monday to keep you updated but I will be COMPLETELY honest, I am BEATTT. It FINALLY caught up with me, no sleeping that is, and I am just BEAT! I really have not had the energy nor the time to do it. We posted on the sites home page and my team is doing their best to take care of any and all issues for me at DST while I handle the CS. So I SINCERELY apologize and can not WAIT until things are back to normal! :)

New stuff--So are you happy?? Do you like the new stuff?? Can you believe the the UBBERR TALENTED gal I collabed with??? What a DREAMMM, huh? I think I peed myself when she agreed, bwhaaaa!!! I told her that too. That princess, I SERIOUSLY CAN NOT EXPRESS to you (I know you know this, lol) how sweet she is. I know she probably has a GAZILLION offers to collab weekly and I feel SOO honored, TRULY LUCKYY!! So French Countryside, isn't that like THE PERFECT name for it, hahaha. She came up with it after it was all finished and to me it just brought it all together in two words. We had a BLAST creating this even though she was REALLY on vacation and I dealing with the preparation for the Grand Opening, lol. It was just sooo coool to see our different takes on things. I know most of you were probably COMPLETELY SHOCKED just because our styles are slightly different.

But when I think of a collab, I like a challenge. I like too have two opposites come together to make one, kwim? However as I was creating I was getting scared that I was gonna scare off her customers. Just thinking...ohh no this is SOO NOT going to go together and then WOW...it meshed SOOO perfectly!!! This thing is HUGE, I have to say it IS a must have... I think all but 3-4 papers are solids (well with only a slight design such as polkas, grids, ornamental, etc.) and are all the PERFECT go to versatile papers!!! It is just TRULY YUMMY!!! There IS so much in there that I am wanting to put together a little slide type thingy so you can all see what's in it up close. Anyone know anything cool? Anyhow this HUGE almost 500mb kit with NINE (9) downloads is only a little over $6 on sale right now. You MUST grab it Who knows if she will ever collab with me again, ROFL!!! :) , heehee!!!Oh and WHO doesn't know the Shabby Princess right?? But here is link to her Shoppe http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/. She TRULY has the MOST UNIQUE, AMAZING and SUPER HIGH Quality designs in her shoppe for you to check out. I would have to say personally that her customer service is her TRULY EXCEPTIONAL quality too. She guards her customers like a CHAMP and spends BOO COOS of money just to give away FREE kits at her other site http://www.shabbyprincess.com/, and I have learned she doesn't sleep either, hahaha...see I'm not the only one!!! lol

Issues--HOLY MOLY are there ever issues, ROFL!!! First of all let me say this... a large part of my CT, Lauren Barden (web MASTER) and I are working AROUND the clock taking care of everything we can. However, server issues that are controlled by the people who OWN the server can not be fixed by us especially when the problem is the sheer volume of traffic! Let me explain...

Originally, I had NO IDEA what to expect. First of all I was just opening so I wasn't sure about how much traffic to expect. On top of this the Princess was not going to put the collab in her Shoppe unless I wanted her to. She thought it would be nice for all of the traffic to come to my site. See did I NOT tell you, she is TRULY AMAZING!!! Well I gladly accepted hung up the phone with her and it hit me...HOLLLLYYY MOLLYY, lol. This chick runs on FOUR DEDICATED servers!!! Sooo.. needless to say, I got to work and spent LOADS of money preparing for the largest group possible. I KNEWW I was OVER EXPECTING but best to be safe right! Well come Monday we had server crashing and had to move and re-upload files and all sorts. Tuesday we opened and things went NUTSO. Shabby Princess and I re-discussed our plan and decided it would be best if she did NOT send out an announcement quite yet. There were already SOOOO MANY orders coming through that even the dedicated servers I purchased were not able to handle it.

Hundreds of orders were placed in just the first 2hrs of the store opening.... that is INSANELY HUGE. I am not sure how many stores run on dedicated servers but I can tell you that I was on a shared server which is typical, yet sharing space with 400 other companies. On a dedicated server it is all you. So what I am trying to say I guess is we have done EVERYTHING humanly possible to handle this. It is NOW OUT OF OUR CONTROL!!! The problems are completely because of the volume of traffic and unfortunately the issue can not be fixed.

MOST large stores that have a grand opening or sale of this magnitude, have these SAME problems and I think a lot of people are forgetting that fact. Lauren Barden kept telling me it's gonna go down REGARDLESS, it ALWAYS does. I did NOT want to hear it, I just ventured off and bought all kinds of extra space to help. She installed it, no questions asked, lol, know you know why I LOVE HER so much, lol!!! Yet, here we are, site down every now and then regardless.

Like I explained before, SP and I made a business decision to hold off on her announcement. We did this to PROTECT both of of customers and to have the LEAST amount of problems as possible. So this traffic is merely my FABBBBBBULOUS fans, you all that are coming to grab my stuffs :). And YESSS, I WUV, WUV, WUVVV you for it!!

I am SO SORRY it took me so long to post. My team and I have been working FURIOUSLY trying to get through these emails and PM's to try to assist you in the quickest way possible. However, the list just wasn't getting any smaller so I am hoping this will help. I DO WANT you to know that this is NOT, NOT, my normal way of doing things. Things are just MUCH larger than I EVER anticipated. PLEASE don't let this keep you away in the future!!! Thank you all again! Your support is OVERWHELMINGLY AMAZING and I appreciate is more than you know!!!

Q & A from my Team Captain, Mish:

I sent an email but haven't received a response.

CR has more emails than she can handle. We are helping her as much as we can. If you have a question and/or need something quickly then most likely we can help you before she can. I have typed up these common questions and answers hoping this can help alleviate some of the emails also. If after reading this you still have questions, please email christinareneedesigns@yahoo.com and we will try to respond as quickly as possible.

I can't get into the shop, WHY?

If there are still people who can not see the store at all, it is your OWN ISP that is the issue. We do not handle people’s personal Internet accounts. Therefore we can not intervene with people’s ISP’s. If you can not see the store at all, please contact your ISP and discuss the issue with them. They will be the only ones who can help you with that.

My download links are not showing up in my account, where are they?

The reason they are not showing up is due to traffic to the site. The overload of traffic that is interfering with your home PC & preventing it from connecting right away to the server to grab those links. It seems as if EVERYONE IS getting their links just NOT right away. So if they are not there or some are and some aren't, they will most likely appear soon.

Why are my files that I downloaded are corrupted?

The files themselves are not corrupt, the issue again is due to the overload of traffic that is interfering with your home PC & preventing it from connecting properly with the server while downloading. The traffic overload is slowing download times so much that the server is unable to connect properly to every single computer quick enough. Until traffic slow down at the store, this is out of our hands. We can not slow the amount of traffic in the store ourselves.

Why is is taking SO LONG to download my goodies?

The high volume of traffic is also effecting to download speeds. If you have X amount of bandwidth, then you can handle X amount of downloads at a decent speed. We have purchased an INSANE amount of bandwidth possible. But when the amount of traffic is exceeding 23,000 hits a day, it exceeds the bandwidth available, causing some people to be unable to see the store and others to be able to access, but very, very slowly.

My downloads have expired, what can I do?

If we have to reset download links for every single order we will! But it WILL TAKE TIME TO DO SO. Please keep in mind. Hundreds of orders in 2hrs… times that by a couple of days and we have A LOT OF ORDERS. We will deal with things as swiftly as we can, but please bear in mind this will most likely take a few days. Please email us at christinareneedesigns@yahoo.com an we will do our best to reset them ASAP!!!

Communication

We apologize for the delay in sending out an actual newsletter update, but the CT girls have been constantly at DST filling people in, explaining circumstances, answering questions, responding to PM's, etc etc etc. I realize many of you would have preferred more personal contact with Christina Renee herself like she usually does, but if she wasn't doing the stuff she is doing & was responding to people personally instead, there would be complaints because she wouldn't be doing the other things she is.

For some people, I doubt there is anything we can say because there are a few who don't want to accept that the problem is the NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS nothing else. To those of you who have been so wonderfully patient, THANK YOU. Thank you for your support, your patience and most of all your understanding.

Thank you for your support of Christina Renee Designs, you are all AWESOME!

Mish – Creative Team Captain

So your probably wonder what I'm gonna do about this, right? lol. Well first of all, I am going to be extending the sale at the Shoppe through next week, so through July 22nd. I did not realize certain peoples ISP did not update daily and even thought this is not my problem, I AM going to take care of you!!! I can NOT PROMISE that the French Countryside Collab will still be on sale though, so snatch it up THIS WEEK!!! We also had mentioned an exclusive freebie and a product of the day going in the Shoppe. All of these things will happen next week instead. I don't want to ADD to the traffic until most of you can get the things that you have purchased already. We will also be extending the deadlines of the challenges being held at DST, www.digishoptalk.com. More information can be found there in either the designer announcements forum or the Insirational Scrapping Ideas Forum. I will say this AGAIN, I have the BEST team EVER and THEY are the ones doing these challenges. There is NO way, I could right now. So you can thank THEM for that one! I left it completely up to them! :)

That is all for now yall! I reallly, REALLLY DO hope you understand WHYY we are having these issues and I MOREEE SO hope your realize that is is NOT normal for it to happen. Sure we may end up having to expand more in the VERY near future and are prepared to do so. But anything else we could have done at this point would have ONLY caused even MORE problems!!!

HUGE HUGS! Thank you for your support! :)

Wanna have some fun???

2007-06-25T15:37:00.000-04:00

CHECK OUT MY NEW CREATIVE TEAM!!!!! Yahooooooooooooooo!!! This has GOT to be the BEST TEAM EVER, I swear!!! We all say that don't we, hehe. But I promise!!! These gals not only scrap some of THE best layouts I have ever seen but they take care of me too :) Yall KNOW I need that, lol!!! If you get a few minutes you REALLY should go check out their latest work....AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME stuff!!! Check them out HERE!!! I am SOOO VERY lucky to have each and every one of them! Than you girls!!!!

So Happy Monday!!! Sorry for the late post. But the team and I have been putting something fun together for ya. As you know the BIG Grand Opening of the store is coming July 9th. Well I ALREADY feel like I have the BEST Creative Team EVER to help me with this. We are SOOO... EXCITED and have SOOOOO... many fun things planned for you that week. We can hardly wait! But I also need to get back to what I do best, lol, DESIGNING...okay, well maybe what I LIKE to do the best, hehe. So we NEED more help! The team is already pretty large but we also have LARGE plans too, lol. So to make this month even more fun we thought we would bring on 3 more SERIOUS SCRAPPERS through the month of July. I say SERIOUS, because there are more requirements than normal only because there will be lots to scrap with. So please ONLY apply if you can commit to a MINIMUM of 5 layouts between now and July 9th. Pretty steep huh? I know, and to be real honest that's MINIMUM. So really I prefer more if you can commit to more WONDERFUL!!! If you are interested, read the CRD CT Challenge above and get scrappin! :) We are SO EXCITED, his will be FUN!!!

Grab your FREE Supplies HERE!

Also, guess what??? Our SECRET, Brand New designer that I am collabing with for the Grand Opening has something for you! A freebie! Yall are going to LOVE these! FRENCH KNOTS...wooohooo...how cool it that? She made you 2 stars in french knots. One Black and White and one Rainbow. That's not it, she also threw in the coolest little ledger paper frame. One thing I think you will notice immediately is this gal's designs are GREAT quality because she seems to be SUPER anal about her designs, lol. That's a GOOD thing though! :) But here is something else, her shadows are FABULOUS too! So with all of her elements you will get a with and without shadow version of each.

Since we wanted to keep her a secret until the BIG DAY, I offered to upload her freebie for you here. LUCKY us huh? lol. This is her FIRST EVER and I KNOW she is DYING To know what you think, so PLEASE do BRING IT (in other words, leave her a comment, ROFL!) PRETTY PLEASE!

Grab the Sampler Freebie HERE!

Thank you BUNCHES!! Feel free to get the challenge goodies and just play if you want. Have a good day! :)

Congrats to our THREE $50 Gift Card Winners!!!

2007-06-22T17:12:00.000-04:00

Thank you again to EVERYONE that was SO kind to leave love for the CT! We have three FABULOUS winners....Jacque, Petra and Emily!!! Congratulations ladies! I will email you your gift card shortly :). (Petra and Emily, I need your email addy's-email me please @ christina@christinareneedesigns.com)

Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. I have NO idea why my Internet went out after my last post, but it did. Needless to say, I have been going NUTS here trying to get this up. I am sorry it wasn't sooner!

MORE EXCITING NEWS!!!!

2007-06-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

So I really did not think it could get any better right now, but it just did! I am going to do a collab kit with my biggest IDOL in scrapping! YAYYYY!!!! (GOSH I need little jumping, blinking rolling similes right now!!!). I can't tell you who of course, it's a TOTAL surprise, but I KNOW you will be THRILLED! Or at least I think you will! hehe

Here is the only thing though, I need to put off the Grand Opening until the 9th. Main reason being, all I have done this entire week is emails. And I tell you, it is 9:30am now and I haven't even slept yet from yesterday, lol. So, like round the clock emails. I REALLY, REALLY wanted to create lots of new fun stuff before the GO too. But I am EXTREMELY slow and that would only leave one week which wont work :) Because not only am I doing the collab with this FAMOUS gal, but I am ALSO doing a collab with another AWESOME gal! A BRAND NEW DESIGNER, never designed before EVER! And yall, she is going to blow you away!!! I am SO SERIOUS, she's starting to scare me (ducking down, whispering, lol). No, but really she has so far shown me NOTHING BUT unique. So, I'm trying to talk her into getting her own store already, lol. But no, she is SERIOUSLY that good!!! She'd never say so, she's the sweetest, quietest, kind hearted gal! So she'll be a surprise too ANDDDDD...you know I of course will have a SUPER scrapping SURPRISE for you!

So I gotta tell you something I just remembered as I sit here and stuff my face with this Apple Fritter (it's a donut, if you don't know) ( a GOOD one, lol). Sorry, I eat when I am happy, sad, depressed, emotional, RAGING, crying, you name it, I eat! haha. So a few weekends ago, I went to grab some donuts (not sure why we are into these right now, they are SO BAD for you, I know!). Well usually I just grab a bunch of whatever, wherever I go just so there's a variety right. So this time I got 2 Apple Fritters, 1 cinnamon twist and one dozen donuts (1/2 reg and the other 1/2 chocolate). Well I think I went to sleep, I proll stayed up all night like normal. So when I get up guess what my hunny ate? Just guess? Well let me ask this, what would YOU would have eaten? You walk in the kitchen, your DH is sleeping, there is a DOZEN donuts and 3 SPECIAL donuts....well you guessed it, that brat ate the 3 special donuts, u know for like 3 special people maybe, lol. SUCH a dang BOY! Seriously acted like this was a HUGE shock that I didn't get those 3 for him, lol. So needless to say, the donut shop was closed because it was now noon and my DIET was starting on Monday (like every Monday) and I was PO'ed, lol!!!

Okay, I'm going to wrap this up with our 3 LUCKY WINNERS of the 3, $50 Gift Cards I told you I would draw for in the previous post. Thank you EVERYONE for doing this, I was SO happy when I saw how many comments yall were leaving these girls. One even came to me and was like "OMG, I have gotten more comments on a lo here than I EVER have"!!! SO YAYY! YOu made MAAANNNY, MANNY girls SO very happy! Lauren ran the random # counter thingy numbers 1-422 this morning. We had 422 comments in that thread. So whomever posted on these three #'s, wins! I'll be right back, I gotta go find out who they are, lol. We ran the numbers and I forgot to do the most important part. So, brb!

Not sure yet!

2007-06-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

Sooo...I'm not sure if I want to tell you about LIFE or about how much I LOVE YOU ALL or how many emails I have and to not be mad at me. bwhaaaaaaa or what!!! But I know one thing, I needed a BREAK!!! lol

So let's start here...Holy MOLY what a heck of an opening. Let me just say this, I don't know what in the WORLD I would do with my CT. OMG, they just kinda took my ideas and theirs and ran with them! If your not sure what I'm talking about they hosted many FUN challenges over at DST last Friday and one continued through Saturday. They were honestly so much fun and now we have a few happy winners which have been contacted and I will also list them here! One that way really SUPER funny was the one hosted by Mandy HERE! I wish I could show you all the lo's but there are a bunch! Check them out if you want something fun to do.

Anyhow, I am THRILLED to death with the opening of the new shoppe. I almost can NOT wait until the Grand Opening on July 2nd!! We have SO MAY exciting things in store for you!!! I just KNOW that some of you HAVE to be SO SICK of me saying this but I TRULY, TRULY ADORE, LOVE, APPRECIATE EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU for your support! You know some people say I am too giving but I just have to disagree. Well I agree I guess but I DO think it is for the BEST CAUSE. I mean I popped in here Saturday or Sunday morning, I can't remember which one to tell you that I was at #4 on the top digi blogs (and no, I didn't even THINK to get a screenshot, CRAP, lol, but I just checked and was 14, YAYYYY). After I posted, I thought oh I have got to get to sleep some people are probably not going to take that the right way. We after I un-buried a few emails this morning I read your comments and SERIOUSLY, how can I NOT be so generous. Yall are so freaking nice to me is it TRULY unbelievable!!! It's like you are happy for me, you appreciate my work and sleepless hours (lol), etc. It JUST HAS TO BE REWARDED and lots. That's how I feel anyways. If you could have saw the smiles on my face this morning from your comments you would have laughed, I was just SO HAPPY :) grinning from ear to ear. So I did have to REALLY HOLD MYSELF BACK this morning from making you something else but if I don't get through this MOUNTAIN of emails I won't be able to have lots of new stuff for you at the Grand Opening!!! I hope you understand!

On another note, the Shoppe Opening post and those comments, WOW! I'll be honest, I have only been able to get to like 5, it's just scarring me, lol. I also figured I better get to CS before all that. So if you DID ask a question or need assistance with ANYTHING AT ALL please just shoot me a regular email (use the link on the left, I fixed it) and I will try to get to you ASAP! Now out the 5 I read, I was SO..SO..SO..SO HAPPY, I mean not only were you all leaving the girls comments but so many of you were leaving SEVERAL. That is just SOO NICE, I know they are just LOVING IT SOOOO MUCH! So THANK YOU!

Many of you emailed to say you couldn't get into the forum and/or upload YOUR personal lo's. Well the reason for that is they are for the CT only at this time. I just REALLY HAD NO IDEA
that anyone would even be interested in a CRD public forum, I am HONORED actually. Do yall REALLY want to torture yourself into listening to my mouth run ALL day? lol. Well I think it would be fun actually (haha) so maybe after all the craziness wears off and after the Grand Opening, I will bring it up for discussion again! But for right now, I feel like I have created a MONSTER (a good one of course) that I have GOT to get under control somehow. There are just too many ways I like to handle customer service and definitely not enough hours in a day for me to get it done like I want it AND design. So, I'm workin on that :).

Lastly, lots of you had trouble even getting INTO the forum. If you don't mind, read this and hopefully it will explain why and that it has been fixed!!! Thanks to Lauren of course!!! :) LOVE HER and nothing feels better than to know she's got my back so thanks AGAIN Lauren!!!

Well again, I feel like I have rambled too long so that's it for today!

Thanks again for support, being HERE, visiting my shoppe, LIKING the shoppe, your comments, and SO MUCH MORE! You all are just the kindest hearted people around I am feel SO VERY, VERY lucky to have you in my life :)

And I have been typing one handed so long that I swear if I hit post and I get an error I will just DIE!!!

Oh yea and thank you sooo MUCH for all the compliments on the Shoppe look. I just can't wait until Lauren gets the splash page working. See the layouts and products will rotate as new ones are uploaded. I know lots of other site have that but isn't it SO cool! I was kinda trying to make that page look like it was a scrapbook layout. So it's almost like a digital layout with different pictures all the time :)

Okay a REAL BYE now! LATOR GATORS

The challenge winners are as follows. Congrats ladies!!! Thanks for participating!

Blog Trivia hosted by Amy Hutchinson (arwen1616):
Sara
schmoopie
Jennifer
Rainee
Dagmar

Product Trivia hosted my Mekissa Lewis (mllewis):
Holly Griego
Gen Worley
PurfikGal4U
Sara Schiller
Stefani AuBuchon

Lil' Fan Fare LO challenge hosted by Kris Crosby (kriscrosby):
Jeprdy
Quirky
Maidi
Meadow92
Nighty

Others to be posted later!

I made it to #4...Yahooooooooooo!!!

2007-06-17T06:06:00.000-04:00

I made it to #4...Yahoooooooooooooo!!! Hey it's 5am here, I haven't been to sleep yet so YES I am a little loony right now, lol. But I was trying to get all this stuff set up, change my banners, etc. and GUESS WHAT...I made it to #4 on the top digi blogs...bwhaaaaaaaaaaa. Now I HAD to come tell yall that RIGHT NOW because I know when people wake up I won't be anymore, lol. I'm just the crazy lady with the new store. LMAO!!! So anyways I broke a record, had to share, lol! Have a FABULOUS SUNDAY!!! :)

Today is the official day!

2007-06-15T13:11:00.000-04:00

I guess, lol! Well we actually opened yesterday but only really announced it here. So today we will do some fun stuff to celebrate!!! I had SO many ideas for things I wanted to do with yall, but I decided to just stick to making you something fun and leaving the other fun stuff up to my FABULOUS CT! I basically told them here is a load of GC, do what you want and give them out? So at this point all I know is there will be several challenges and things to participate in if your up having some fun and winning some $$$ to the store :)! Also, remember that EVERYONE that enters a challenge will be getting another 25% off coupon to the store!

Once again, I owe it all to you for making this all possible. It means so much to me! I made you a little something, Piled HIGH w/Attitude!!! Something you will see more of in the future. All different sorts. You all know that I don't ever ask for you to do anything to grab my gift to you but this time I want to. :) I can NOT say enough about my CT. They have worked SO hard to help me hype this thing and upload all of their lo's to our brand new store gallery. Will you PRETTY, PRETTY Please click HERE and leave at least one comment on one layout in the gallery. Come back and post the link of the lo, you left love on and grab your gift. The reason you will come back here and post your link and your email addy is BECAUSE we are giving 3, $50 GC away to the store :). Now I would say that's worth 5 minutes :) plus you will make some girls REALLY happy!!! Thanks again yall!!! Have FUN today!!! All the threads are somewhere on DST HERE, lol! I'm headed there myself!!!

(Thank you all for your participation!! This freebie link has now been removed but don't worry, you can still grab this in the Dollar Store section in the CRD store)

Christina Renee Designs is HERE!!!

2007-06-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

Yep, can you believe that? OMG is is SOOO surreal, you have NO idea :). Let me tell you all about it! Cause I just KNOW you want to hear, lol (NOT, right).

So I had told you I missed the deadline last week at FPD and was going to throw the new stuff up in a store where you could purchase them, right. Well that WAS the plan. However, I just still had sooo many emails and things to do from the Lil' FAN Fair kit that I was stressin about having to figure out a store and all that too! I also knew I had to find a better way to accommodate you, my customers and fans to get the freebies, sales, gifts, etc. that you SO deserve! Sending a link out to that many people, it was just a MESS which I sincerely apologize for!!! Now let me first say this...we (business partner and I) built our own site/store for my other business. We did it to try to save money and let me tell you, it IS NOT WORTH IT!!! But then again I HATE to figure things out and THESE days do ANYTHING except for design :). So I emailed up Lauren Barden on my CT. You know the queen of all digi websites, lol. I asked how quick she could build a simple store. I really had always in visioned opening a store and having a huge Grand Opening with LOADS of new products. I am VERY MUCH an ALL or NOTHIN kinda gal, lol. So since I did not have LOADS of new stuff and not much time I just wanted a very simple store with my products put in. Well...NOTTTT. One thing lead to another and I would say Lauren had me a store with ALL my products in, a gallery AND a forum for the team in less than 4 hours! IS THAT NUTS??? That is how AWESOME she is! Now came my part, the design, uck, lol. I don't really think I am all that great at laying stuff out the way I have it in my head. But I did it anyway. That took a few days though. Mostly because I just did ALOT of soul searching trying to get this vision of mine out on paper. Lauren was a DREAM throughout this entire process. I am VERY laid back with ANYTHING EXCEPT for my designs, image, vision, that type of thing. I get REALLY picky in those areas. Lauren never ONCE batted an eye to ANYTHING I asked her to do or change (which was a million times, lol). It's like she just goes and does stuff, doesn't say a word and walahh all my products and descriptions are in. That's NOT part of her job, she just did it! It was EFFORTLESS with her, just SO completely effortless!!! I will never be able to thank her enough for making my dream come to life!!! Thanks Lauren!!! :)

So now let me get all sappy here for a minute, lol. Yall, I CRIED when I saw my site! It is SOOO ME! Like I said I have had sites before, but this IS different! This was not only many things that I myself created but it looked EXACTLY like I had in visioned in my head. It's SOO VERY SURREAL and I love, love, love, love it SO VERY MUCH! It just feels like home you know? I REALLY can not hardly wait for yall to go see! I just hope that you all feel AS at home as my team and I do!

Real quick, I'll hurry cause I know you just want me to hush so you can get over there, lol. Since I did NOT have time to make bunches of new things, this is NOT the official Grand Opening. It will be on Monday, July the 2nd! My original plan was to go ahead and open the store and run a store wide sale of 25% off. Well it was brought to my attention that I had already sold a bunch at FPD at full price. I knew then I might end up making some of you upset over that. Sooooo... here is what I am doing...you all will get a coupon code for 25% off, valid for any one entire transaction. This way you can save it to use anytime before July2nd when there will be ANOTHER sale! :)

I swear I have the BESTEST team ever now. OMG, everyone on there is so fun and they ALL want to help out any way they can! So I gave them a budget of a crapload of gift cards, lol. They got to come up with little challenges themselves and will be running them over at DST tomorrow throughout the day. Now, not only do you have a TON (lots of challenges) of chances to win if you participate but EVERYONE that DOES participate will get one (1) 25% off coupon to use in the store. So YES, for you my bloggers, you get TWO!!! They just have to be used in separate transactions and BEFORE July 2nd! There will also be more surprises tomorrow so I will see you back then! :).

The coupon code for you is CRDfans. Enter that during your transaction to save 25% off your entire purchase. Now it will only work once so don't forget :)

Thank you ALL again for your support and making this ALL possible!!! Click to get to Christina Renee' Designs. Have a great day!

Don't give up on me!!!

2007-06-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

I'm still workin on your stuff. Be back in a bit for a full post :)!!!

Hola!

2007-06-13T14:50:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon! I'm posting late for many reasons today. Number one is I am BEAT! You know I have been planning a little surprise lately. Well I am ready to reveal what it was :). I have a NEW store!!! All my own! Can you believe it??? I will tell you more when I send you an email later this evening including a little surprise for ya. I am SUPER EXCITED about this but I am also exhausted right now :). I have been up for practically two days straight and my body is finally giving in, lol. I will be pepped later though, you know I will :). I will send you an email with a surprise IF, I have your addy from the Lil' FAN-Fair kit. If you did receive the LFF kit, there is NO reason to leave your email addy again because I should have it. Unfortunately, we don't get to see who purchases what at FPD so I only have email addys from you that have sent them to me. If you want to be on my email list and get this, please comment here with your email addy!

I don't want to give you the store address yet because I don't think its working. I will need to wait for my FAB developer, whom I will tell you more about later, to wake up and enable the store. The official Grand Opening will not be until July 2nd but I will take care of you before then :).

There will be a longer post and LOTS of fun stuff planned for tomorrow but today I NEED SLEEP, lol! See you here bright and early in the morning!

I'm HERE, I'm HERE! lol

2007-06-11T10:33:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I posted over at DST before coming here this morning and I am getting spanked for it, lol. Don't be MAD, I just wasn't even thinking. I am SERIOUSLY WAY ahead of the game this today I guess.

So what's up with me, well ummm...I, am ADDICTED to Digital Scrapbook Designing, have I told you that? haha. Oh my AC went out on Friday! Yep, compressor broke and the dang house is only 5 years old. So it was either $1600 for a new compressor w/ a 1 year warranty OR $2400 for a completely new AC with a 10 yr warranty. And guess what? We missed the 5 yr warranty on the old one by 2 freakin months. Is that enough to just pee you off or WHAT! Well we went ahead and got the new AC right then. It has been like 85-93'ish degrees here and SUPER muggy. We had already been without it for almost 24 hours, I was READY to KILL SOMEONE, lol! But hey, it didn't stop me from designing, lol. Nope, got me 2 big fans from my neighbors, plotted my big rear on the couch and STAYED there. I was NOT about to try to clean or get ready to go ANYWHERE, it was WAY too RIDICULOUSLY HOT! For this texan anyways, lol.

Well what else? The surprise will most likely be revealed tomorrow, YAYYYYY! It MAY be Wednesday but shooting for tomorrow :). I will also be announcing my CT June guests. I have to tell you that this has been the FUNNEST group! Not only do I just LOVE these people as scrappers but now I get to talk to them and see how sweet they really are! Oh and they scrap their BUTTS off!!! OMG, I have been really busy with the surprise lately that I have been saving their lo's to the side to comment on. Well do you know that I counted last night and there are OVER 60 from them in like 8 days! That's AWESOME!!! I have to secretly admit, I LOVE a HARD worker because I am such of one myself! :)

Oh and Anne DeJong and I did a collab together. Post is here!

Okay I'll hush for today so I can get back to it. Here is the CRAPLOAD of new stuff I just posted at DST. Hope you likey!!! Have a GREAT MONDAY!!!

All of these new products are in the store now at FPD. CLICK HERE!

So you know I am up to something...

2007-06-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

So you know I am up to something...don't you? lol.

Sorry, yes I am ignoring you on purpose, lol. I am NOT a good secret keeper and I do NOT want to spill my little exciting news. Don't worry it's not earth shattering or anything, just exciting for me which means for you cause you love me..bwhaaaa... that was pretty funny wasn't it? But hey that's what some of you say! :)

I think, think, THINK I got through Most of all of my emails, yayyyyyy! I feel SUCH RELIEF! What a flippin NIGHTMARE! It's actually pretty embarrassing to be honest. I try to do something NICE and what a freaking MESS! Oh well story of my life I guess, lol. Hopefully, I have found a fix, *hint, hint*.

Forgot to update you on hubby and many of you sweet cheeks have asked. LMAO at myself today, I am just FULL of the analogies aren't I. Probably not even what you call it :). Anyways, back to my story... DH was on his way home from fishin (yea were hicks, we live in TEXAS for gosh sakes, lol) when a lady ran a stop sign right in front of him. Well unfortunately, he could NOT stop and he hit her. She was 60 with no drivers licence and it was not even her car (nice huh?). Well she DID have insurance, so now we are just dealing with that crud. She also got a ticket, failure to yield, so TOTALLY her fault, poor thing. No one was really hurt except for can you believe they all (3 passengers) went to the hospital on backboards and tried to sue MY insurance for their doctors bills? WHAT the He**? Are they NUTS? Must be! So the funny part about it is the rental car place was down to the Luxury's at $80 a day (DARN!). Well they gave it to us for $40 (cause that's what her insurance covers) and let me tell you my dh thinks he is PIMPIN! lol. I couldn't even tell you what kind of car this is, Infinity, GRX, I think, but it is DECKED OUT and AWESOME!!! I try to sneak out and drive it when I can. Is that hilarious or WHAT? I have NEVER been like that, I MUST need a LIFE! But this thing gets it man, it rides SO smooth and is way FAST and just SUPER fun! lol. I drive a Dodge Ram truck (love my truck) but it's nice sometimes to drive something different.

Anyhow, I'll shush so I can get back to my surprise. Can't wait to tell/show ya, so stay around!

HAPPY THURSDAY! Have a good one :)

Update!

2007-06-05T13:15:00.000-04:00

Well good afternoon, lol! I had a doctors appointment that I had COMPLETELY forgotten about this morning.

Well I decided last night that I was going to put off the stuff going up in the store until TOMORROW so I can get all this "Lil FAN-Fair" stuff worked out. I have to say I am more that confused at this point, lol! Some of you say you got it, some say the link won't work and some say they never got it. I can say that there are probably still several of you that have not ever received it yet. Reason is all the emails go to the same place so until I can sort through LOADS of them adding names to the list of who hasn't got it you wont have it. Sorry :(. I did re upload the LARGE file 3 different times and sent out 3 different links last night. So what I am going to do now is split this thing up into 2 parts, papers and elements and resend that out to you ALL once I get through these emails. So please be patient and I will do that just as quick as I can. :) I will post here when all is out!

The kit NEVER went out...YIKES!!!

2007-06-04T13:51:00.000-04:00

OMG, I feel like the biggest idiot EVER! This kit never even went out to you guys on Friday!!! I just resent it, you'll see my details in that email. It's a Constant Contact html email so check your junk mail/spam folder if you don't have it shortly. If you still haven't received it in the next few hours, please comment here. I think I got everyone but I'm not sure cause some were posted here and some i got emails for and some were at DST, etc.

Thanks yall! SORRY!!! :)

Oh yea and SORRY I am not commenting on all the comments, there is just NO WAY! I still have 214 emails right now in my inbox that I haven't even looked through and I REALLY want to get this stuff loaded up to the store and make you something special for tommorrow. I hope you understand!!! :)

HELLLLLLP!!!

2007-06-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

HELP, I'm swimming in emails and can't get outttt!!! lol That's a good thing, right? Well I think so!!! I am MORE than IN SHOCK with all the posts below. I really am, I mean I thought I'd be lucky with 100 but over 200 is just simply CRAZY!!! :) You guys are the best and I will never be able to thank you enough for your support!!!

Lil FAN-Fair

I did want to say, if you commented after I sent out the bulk of the emails on Friday then I haven't had a chance to send out another one yet. But I will today! I know, I'm such a LOSER with the "BIG L" huh? We'll I am sorry! But what happened is this...I spent the first part of the week creating "Lil FAN-Fair" for you all so I HAD to spend Friday and Saturday finishing up things for the store deadline on Sunday. I love to read yalls comments and emails so much that honestly that I can make an entire day out of it. SO I knew if I started, I would never finish my stuff. So yes, basically I haven't even read your sweet comments yet. But NOT b/c I don't want to, because I wanted to make lots of goodies to put in the store this week for you and my new June CT! So I plan t get to these today and you WILL get your kit then. I will actually come and post here when I think I'm done so you can tell me if you didn't get it or not.

My loss, your GAIN!

Okay, so other news....AFTER all that I STILL MISSED the darn deadline to put my stuff in the store. lol! I could have had a few things go in but to be honest I had worked WAy to hard (like no sleep one night, lol) to get it ALL up! So I passed on having anything put in. So here is what I plan to do...I set up a little store that I will link you to from here TOMORROW. As far as I know I will only put the newest stuff in there (as soon as I figure out how, lol). There are like 12 things though, YAYYY!!! This is only a temporary thing, I have no plans of leaving Funky Playground of course, but I wanted a backup plan for if/when I miss deadlines. So there will be a SALE and another SURPRISE so BE HERE, k! :)

June Guest CT

I am really sorry to let some of these guests go. They have all worked so hard for me and we are REALLY going to miss them! I will be taking care of them dearly though so I am sure they'll be fine :). But I do need to do that (mental note). I am EXCITED to be bringing in some more guests for June. This time I let my team choose the June guests. They have seriously chosen some AWESOME scrappers that are just fitting right in our sweet little (or BIG, lol) family. I still have MANY post to go through over at DST today to contact all that applied and I actually think they are still out there choosing, so don't give up on us yet! I will make the announcement tomorrow on our new FABULOUS team for June.

What else? Umm I think that's it, unless you wanna see a few things that will be in my little store tomorrow. Okay, you talked me into it, lol. Here is just a few of the new things that will be on sale tomorrow HERE. See you then! :) Have a great day!!!

Today is MY LUCKY DAY!

2007-05-31T14:27:00.000-04:00

Wanna know WHY? Well because I get to thank you from the bottom of my heart today!!! Guess HOW? Well I made this kit for YOU, my FANS!!! Yep, it's NOT a freebie for all this time, this is for YOU. That's why it's called "Lil' FAN-FAIR". Isn't that the cutest name? Kelli on my team came up with three of the cutest names. I chose this one THIS TIME!

So before I tell you how much I LOVE you guys, some of you might be saying "WHAT? HUGH? AM I A FAN? DO I GET THIS, UHH WHAT, HOW, WHEN, WHAT DID I MISS, ETC. lolololol! Well I had posted a thread a while back here on my blog that if you were a reader to post your email there. I also plan to surprise everyone that responded in my fan thread at DST last week AND all you blog readers that leave me comments, that's the only way I know you're here. I give away lots of freebies and there will be another one VERY soon...like Monday probably. But this time I truly wanted to do something special for my stalkers, lol. I LOVE my stalkers or should I say the people that WANT to know about me, my life and what new I will be putting up in the store. I hope you understand! There are actually quite a few of you, believe it or not. :) Since I will be emailing the link to this "not so lil" lol, it will take a bit so please bear with me. I may even wait until in the morning because I have some things to do this afternoon. Please understand we do NOT get reports from the store on who buys what. I also don't keep track of all your comments. SO if you believe you are a fan, lol, leave a comment here with your email. Once again, this is NOT a freebie for EVERYONE, I will have that up soon, so please don't spread the word on this one that's it's free. Now I don't mind if you want to show off what you got as a gift from me, I actually would love that. But please do not tell others to come here and reply just cause.

Fans, I LOVE YOU...I do!!! Many of you might know my digi designing adventure only began in March, so it has not been long. However, I would NOT still be doing this if it weren't for YOU! I would have to get a job, lol. I feel like I work harder at this than ANYTHING EVER BEFORE but I also enjoy it more than ANYTHING EVER BEFORE! I seriously can not THANK YOU ENOUGH for supporting me! I love that I can create things that you actually WANT to use to scrap memories of your friends and family. That just means the WORLD to me!!! So thank you!!!!!!

Sorry to cut this short, I gotta go get Braden. I'll post more tomorrow!!!

I hope you are as EXCITED to get this as I am to give it to you!!! It is such pleasure!!!

Btw, Holly, did you see I chose your colors....Aqua and Red! ttyl! ****HUGS****

3 days in the making!!!

2007-05-31T08:40:00.000-04:00

Hey, wanna know what this is? Go ahead and guess. I almost can't wait to tell ya, lol! It's not complete yet so keep checking back (guessing around 10'ish or 2 hours from now). And TRUST ME, you WILL WANT TO CHECK BACK!!! :)

Hubby was just in a car accident!

2007-05-28T14:16:00.000-04:00

He's okay!!! No worries! But then again I don't have all the details. He left early this morning to go fishing and he was coming home when he got into an accident. Apparently a lady pulled out in front of him. So more details tomorrow but I just wanted you to know why I wasn't posting my new stuff today. I'll post tomorrow. But there are a few new things in the store here.

ttyl!

Forgot to tell you...

2007-05-25T08:21:00.000-04:00

I have been receiving many comments about how sorry you are that I had to pay BIG for giving away my freebies. I APPRECIATE your concern VERY MUCH! But guess what? I didn't have to pay it!!!! YAY!!! Nope, worked out a deal with the hosting company and they let me upgrade my account. Isn't that SWEET! I was thrilled because honestly I thought I was going to PASS OUT when I saw that bill. There was just NO way I wanted to pay that for FREEBIES. The stupidest thing on my part was that there are places like 4Shared where the bandwidth is FREE! So I have definitely learned my lesson!!! Even though I upgraded to a higher monthly plan w/ LOTS more bandwidth, I don't think I will EVER take that chance again!!! lol

So guess what this means for you??? FREEBIES... and SOON!!! I hate to tell you WHEN because it always seems stuff comes up to prevent me to meet deadlines. But I will tell you that I have a SURPRISE in store for my faithful fans/blog readers only, VERY SOON! You that responded to that post a while back as a reader will FINALLY get what you were promised, lol. SORRY! There will be another little something after that to celebrate a special something (haha) for everyone that wants it. But this other one is for my fans and blog readers only and will be emailed to you. YOU need to be rewarded cause I LOVE YOU!!!

Well I guess that is it for today, I REALLY need to get to my loads of emails and CT call stuff and SURPRISES for you and stuff for this week (already finished 5 so far, wooohooo) and collab at FPD and forums and.......................EVERYTHING else, lol. So see ya Monday (or sooner)! Have a HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Just life, lol!

2007-05-23T07:36:00.000-04:00

Well I am HYPED up again today, lol!!! I worked out and I'm drinking another latte. To be honest it's been FOREVER since I have had coffee which is why I think it is making me SO HYPER. haha. But man do I feel great! I really really do! This working out is sooooooooooo....relaxing to me. Sounds COMPLETELY crazy huh? Cause if you would have told me that last week I probably would have slapped you! lol. I HATE it, I HATE it, I HATE it!!! So don't think I am some work out buff cause I'm NOT!!! We just have a wedding to go to in August and by gosh...I have GOT to lose this weight. Not that I am IN the wedding, it's just my dh's cousins, but it's an excuse you know and I HAVE to have an excuse to do something or it will NEVER happen. Anyways, I think it is SO relaxing because it is an hour of ME time, by myself, listening to what I want to listen to and wallow in my own wonderful thoughts, hehe! I have ALWAYS loved getting up at 4am for this reason alone. It's me by myself. Plus by the time Braden wakes up I have ALOT done and don't feel so stressed that I'm not getting any work done.

Well I have to say that by not doing my other business is REALLY relieving ALOT of stress for me. It's almost like I don't even know what to do with myself. But I really think once I get used to it, it's just going to be good for everyone. Less $$, but hey...more mommy, wife and designing right?

Well so do you love me?? lol. Well of course you do cause your here right? Kelli started this thread yesterday at DST http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=55395 and I am SHOCKED...SO SHOCKED at the people that have posted. I mean it's only 40 something so far but that means the WORLD to me!!! I mean can you imagine that not that long ago I was SO HESITANT that even 1 person would like my designs. There is just SOOOO...SO much TALENT in this community it is UNREAL! But I do try my BESTEST to bring unique ideas to yall everytime. It's almost boring to me to not work my brain to come up with something totally different. lol. SO THANK you for loving me!!! I can't tell you how much it means to me!!!

Hey, btw...HOW in the HECK do I respond to yalls comments on blogger??? It makes me CRAZY cause I just want to say something back most of the time and can't w/out going to search you down. Some of yall have even asked me questions and you probably think I am a TOTAL loser. Sometimes if it's not Anonymous and if you have a blogger account, it lets me click on your name. But then if there is no "contact me" on your blog I can't respond. There just HAS to be an easier way, don't you think?? Do you know?

Oh and is nonfat lattes fattening? I just love stopping by the coffee shop after my workout but is that defeating the purpose, lol???

Oh crud and before I go...I am SURE most of you know Nancy Comelab well either way she is selling at the Lily Pad now. Well you know her ever SO AWESOME frame clusters?? She is running a freaking AMAZING, UNREAL, MUST HAVE sale right now. All the frames with the little orange "Special Offer" tag, if you get them all (there are 10), you pay $7.50. Yes, that is $0.75 for each cluster. Okay if your not aware that is CRAZY AWESOME, UNHEARD OF!!! I don't even scrap or know Nancy but you better bet I bought them all, lol. So IF you can spare the extra money you might want to check them out. The sale goes off I think on the 25th so 2 days...HURRY!!! I would show you a picture but this stupid blog puts all of them up top and I hate that. I pay for a typepad membership but I just need to switch everything over...DREAD that! I also snagged Natalie's new cardboard buttons, they are SO FUN!

Oh one last thing..hehe..Can you believe Shannon at DST is prego with her 3rd baby??? I am just SOOOO freaking happy for her and her family. I have always LOVED Shannon and her hubby ERIC for starting DST because I truly feel it is the only way yall know me. It's really the only place I even advertise. So CONGRATULATIONS to that sexy lady and her family!!!

Oh and Melissa (mlewis) I ADORE you for saying my blog is funny! I just LOVE that I can be myself here is what it is! So thank you!!!

See you soon to chat your ear off again!

A whole new ME and new products!

2007-05-21T07:57:00.000-04:00

New Me

Yep, it's HIGH time to get in shape and lose some weight! I have to tell you that ever since I found Digi I have tuned into the BIGGEST ADDICT and home body I think possible. And considering my favorite two things are chocoalate and coke I have gained probably 20lbs since March. I mean is that freaking CRAZY or what? I'm serious though I did NOT want to do ANYTHING but design and do Digi stuff.

Well as you know I am also a stay at home mom of my PRECIOUS boy, Braden, that's almost 3. I was taking time here and there to do things with him of course but mostly just stuff around the house. I just couldn't leave my laptop for that long, lol. On the weekends we were of course getting out and doing things or cousins would spend the day and night over. He also was in school on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 9:00-2pm so that got him out of the house too. So on top of being a mommy to Braden and wife to my understanding hubby, I of course did my digi stuff, but I also run a fairly busy other business. Good thing is, I do it with a business partner, so that FOR SURE helps me stay SANE. Well because of you all digi has been good for me. THANK YOU!!! So I decided last week that I would take a break from my other business for a while. The cool thing is, my partner Jamie, will continue to run it as is so we wont have to close it down. I just HAVE to go with I am passionate about and right now that is spending time with my son while he is still young and digi designing. With Braden out of school now I also KNEW it would just have been much harder to entertain him and continue working 80+ hours a week. I also knew if I don't start caring for myself, it could get BADDDD, lol. Soooo... yesterday I got up around 5:00 and worked till like 12:30 trying to finish up as much as possible to get in for our 12pm deadline for the store. Then Steve, Braden and I ran around the rest of the day spending our tax return, haha, on stuff for us. First we went to The Children's Place and FINALLY got Braden some summer clothes. Don't you just LOVE boys, they are SO easy, I think. We got him 4 pairs of shorts, 8 shirts, 2 hats and a pair of sandles for $119.00 after a 15% coupon. Isn't that AWESOME??? Cute stuff too!!! Remember I only have the one child so I like to dress him well, lol. My neighbor has always told me I have dressed him like he has a job since the day he was born. Unfortunately, it's probably true. People told me I would regret it, which I already do, but his first real set of pictures, he is in jeans, lol. I'll have to scan it in and show you. It's literally HIDDIOUS, lol. But he's ADORABLE and that's what matters, right? Anyways, then we headed to Target to get work out clothes for me and Steve and we got Braden the new movie, Flushed Away, which is really cute btw. Next we headed to the gym to get a membership, UCK! It was like $99.00 for the both of us and $30 each a month and $5 a month for the Kidz club (well see if he ever goes). We left there and got MUCH needed haircuts and then went on a search for Steve some new tennis shoes. Finally, we finished up at the grocery store where we bought lots of healthy stuff, YUCK! lol. Then we came home, Steve helped me clean up the casa (CRAFTS EVERYWHERE, and I mean EVERYWHERE), we bathed and I went to grab dinner at On the Border, lol. Gotta get that last YUMMY meal in right? We sat down and watched that new movie and hit the hay at like 10:30pm which is a RECORD for me. I did not even get back on my computer from that morning (I NEVER do that), I was SO beat! Anyways, got up at 4am this morning and went to workout before Steve had to go to work. I LOVED it actually, I really did!!! I'll tell you more about it another day since I have RAMBLED on more that yall have EVER probably ever wanted to hear, haha. I stopped on the way home to get a nonfat latte, so I am a little (or alot) chatty today!lol

New Products

So on with the new stuff this week. I FINALLY figured out my problem of why I don't get that much designed each week. I LOVE the playing part! You know, for me that means doing the crafty stuff and/or figuring out EXACTLY how I am going to do papers and doing my previews. These all take a while already. But when it comes time to clean up the scans or finish all the papers, I just don't do it. I still do the fun stuff. Well then here it is Saturday and I literally will have less than 24 hours to get my stuff to FPD in time to put up for that week. Also, please realize I take my previews VERY, VERY seriously and if you haven't noticed I start over EVERYTIME. So to me it's like my scrapping but theydo take me like 3 hours minimum to do one. Stupid, huh? I know, but I REALLY love to do them this way. Like I said it's like my scrapping so it's FUN! Needless to say, I have lots of things, I mean LOTS in the works but just not finished. So I will TRY to get some of those things completed. It's just Like I have soooooooooooo... many ideas I just want to keep making new things, lol.

Anyways, I finally made some papers this week. It has been a while! If you like grungy, I think you will TRULY LOVE these ALOT!!! "Grungy Grids" are 8 papers that have very subtle color to them and the affect that the grids are wearing off on the edges. These papers are really distrsssed and all inked up. They are seriously my FAVORITE so far!!! I also included the ADORABLE inked up grungy corner ribbon and old journaling paper as a bonus with the set. The second thing I am also in love with...I made you some "Worn Label Tape Word Art". Who doesn't LOVE label tape? I did 100 (yes ONE HUNDRED) words in black, blue and red. So you'll get 300 words total. I even split EVERY single one up as it's own .png and labeled it by title so they would be easy to locate when you need them. You just really can't go wrong with label tape and ESPECIALLY this set that I grunged up for ya! I also did an alpha in the same colors and will try to get it out next week.

So I hope you enjoy the new stuff this week. I will be back tomorrow with some exciting news so make sure you check it out!

Have a FABULOUS Monday!!! Sorry to talk your ear off today, lol!!!

Ohhhhh MY GARSH!!!!

2007-05-14T09:45:00.000-04:00

So I was going to do another little freebie this morning to go along with these stitches that are in the store today but since this is the acct w/out unlimited bandwidth I wanted to check it.

Okay so GET THIS..... I had already went OVER by 316% in 13 WHOPPING DAYS!!!!!!! It renews every month...now that is just IN SANE!!!!!!! Holy COW, I had NO freaking idea!!! Do you know how many DL that is???? Ohhhh MY GARSH, lol. I bet most of it was the Miles kit obviously since it was the largest. At least it was for a REALLY GOOD cause....guess how much they want???? $1327.29...YEP and all for FREEBIES!!! Isn't this just NUTSO BUTSO??? I'm in SHOCK! lol. Totally in SHOCK!!! So needless to say no freebie today..haha..maybe later in the week when I can get this sorted out. Also, this means ALL of my links, including the freebies here on my blog will no longer work. I will need to re upload those after I pay the $1300 so bear w/ me! Maybe I can get something worked out and get it out this week cause that's just CRAZY!!! No worries though!!!

Well besides that drama, lol. I couldn't believe when I logged in here this morning that the last time I blogged was last Tuesday...SORRY!!! I seriously lost track of the days. Braden got a stomach bug and was sick for a few days and then I came down with it. So I really didn't do much of anything but take care of him and myself. It actually seems like I did ALOT more but who knows, now I can't even remember, lol. I do know I had planned to release 3 more things besides these stitches this week but then I got all caught up on Hello on Saturday night and wasn't able to meet the deadline on Sunday morning. Oh well, there is always next week, right?

Okay, so now about the coolest, funkiest stitches that you ABSOLUTELY will NOT be able to live without, I PROMISE! Have I ever told you that before about anything of mine? NOPE, so you KNOW I mean it this time!!! hehe. These are seriously soooooooooo.... LONG in the making and will be WELL worth your $3.49!!! Get R Done Stitches, lol, is that not the coolest name, I just HAD to do it. The reason for the name is these stitches are alot larger than most of the ones you have probably seen. They are made to get the job done! Included is 10 Fiber Stitches with the most realistic holes you've seen in 10 colors each. So 100 WHOPPING stitches for you! And guess what else I even took the extra few hours to separate each and every ONE of them into separate files sorted by color for you!!! So you HAVE to get these!!! haha. You can seriously use them OVER and OVER and OVER again!! I will try to upload a sample freebie for you later in the week also. The stitches are HERE!

Well off for now, I gotta go sort out this darn account before Steve KILLS me!!! But I mean it THIS time! haha

Guess who learned how to STITCH???

2007-05-08T14:20:00.000-04:00

Yeppers, that would be ME!!! Finally, huh? Well I have actually worked on it on SEVERAL occasions but gave up cause it wasn't what I really wanted. So I finally got it like I like it, I THINK!!! But I REALLY want to hear from you and what you think, HONESTLY!!! Now if you don't care for very weird stuff you probably will NOT like these, lol. They are definitely DIFFERENT but then again they are fiber stitches! So they are made to look super fuzzy and shabbyliscious as I call them, haha.

And of course you get the first stitches. They go really great with the Urban Buds but they can also be used in lots of other ways too. So download and see what you think and give me an HONEST opinion!!! I wont be upset either way and I realize everyone has different likings so I just kinda want to see what the majority of you like???

Also, got some new stuff in the store yesterday. Hope you like!

Sorry this is going up so late btw, but we have had storms here and my Internet has been down. Have e a great Tuesday!!!

(Thank you all for your interest!! This freebie has now been moved into the Dollar Store section of the CRD Shoppe!)

I love yall!!!

2007-05-07T17:22:00.000-04:00

I do, I seriously...seriously DO!!! I don't think I have EVER had that many comments on a freebie before!! We'll except for the Miles kit, but we asked for those. You just have NO IDEA how good your comments make me feel, REALLY! I could hardly get anything done on Friday because I just wanted to read the comments, lol! I just kept going to my email and hitting send/receive OVER and OVER. Is that so funny or what??? So remember this okay because it SERIOUSLY just makes me want to give you more and more!!!

Okay I have good and bad news for ya today. Which do you want first? Bad Okay (that's what I always choose first anyway, lol). Bad news is I didn't show you what I have new in the store this week and I did not get my freebie out to ya. I also took a 3.5 hour nap!!! GOOD news is I spent the majority of the day (which is why I didn't even get my product announcement out, haha) on learning how to do a certain something for the FREEBIE for YOU. So you will see the new stuff and get the FREEBIE TOMORROW! Also, I feel well rested, lol!

So, I will see ya bright and early tomorrow cause I need to go finish your freebie before Steve gets home. He usually is happy if I get something done BESIDES stay on this computer all day, lol. SOOO I might actually try that this week!!! hehe

Happy National Scrapbook Day...Another FREEBIE!!!

2007-05-05T12:08:00.000-04:00

Happy National Scrapbook Day my peeps! So hows the shopping going? Hopefully good! I did see that the board over at DST is HOPPING!! We'll here is the dealio... I started to work on something as SOON as I got up at 4am yesterday, well by 6pm I still wasn't NEAR done. Since our deadline to get new stuff in was not long after, I just gave up. I was actually BEAT just b/c I had worked on the SAME darn thing ALL day with no breaks except to feed my child and pee and it still wasn't coming together right. So anyways, I am working really hard to bring you some new things to the store on Monday instead. I'm SORRY, I know that's not AS fun but hey you can save SOME money for Monday right???

However, I DID make my old faithfuls a freebie!!! These Urban Buds are too cute and made just for you of course. I think what I will do to get you back on Monday is add on to these flowers as another freebie...heehee. That's how it works right, my lose, your gain!!!

Anyways, the store is running a storewide 25% off sale TODAY!!! This does not happend often AT ALL, so you might want to take advantage of it. Also, if you spend $10 you'll be entered into a raffle for an ENTIRELY FREE SHOPPING SPREE to the store!!! So make sure you check out the home page of the site for more deatils on that.

Well yall have a BLAST today and ENJOY shopping, chatting and scrapping while I am hard at work doing what I LOVE, lol!!! See you back on MONDAY FOR ANOTHER FREEBIE!!! Don't FORGET about me!!!

(Thank you all for your interest!! This freebie has now been moved into the Dollar Store section of the CRD Shoppe!)

Tomorrows News!

2007-05-04T07:58:00.000-04:00

Hiya you faithful blog readers, how are ya on this FABULOUS Friday?

Me, I am GREAT! After all the scare over Steve this past weekend I got a HORRIBLE abscessed tooth. YUCK! Never had one of those before. I have had a root canal done on the same tooth TWICE already and it broke last week. Well this time it broke in two but was still attached, kwim? So there was like a gap...are you grossed out yet, lol!!! Sorry, well anyways it got infected and the dentist put me on antibiotics and pain meds. It has been a few days now and I am feeling LOTS better! They will have to go ahead and pull it...YIKES...never had this done either. The dentist said it would probably come out in pieces since it was broke SO deep. So I'll do that next week OR when hubby's 12 month insurance waiting period (to have extractions, I guess) kicks in June 1st.

Well I planned on telling you all about us taking Braden on his first fishing trip last weekend. BUT it will have to wait until next week because.......Traci and Corina have decided to let us put new stuff in the store for TOMORROW, National Scrapbook Day!!! YAY!!!!

Since I wasn't sure if we could and I haven't been feeling all that well I probably wont have but one or two things BUT I am hoping you'll like them. By the way...what kind of papers do yall want to see? I am in the mood to do some of those today. Don't just say grungy either, lol. Give me a GOOD description on what you want...floral, inked, chalked, painted, solids, prints, textured, vintage, old, dirty, stained, shabby...you get it!!! I can tell you that there will something that has to do with ribbons for sure, just not sure what else.

So just popped in to tell you that you might want to check back tomorrow to see what I came up with and ummm...well I kinda have the urge for another little surprise for you too! ALSO, you will NOT believe what we have in store for you TOMMORROW at the store. Holy SCHMOZIE, it's AWESOME!! So I will tell you about that as well. I know things will be HECTIC for you shoppers but hey this only happens once a year right? So ENJOY it!!!

Peace out! lol, just had to say that!!! HAPPY FRIDAY!

And the WINNERS are....

2007-05-03T08:24:00.003-04:00

Well we have some winners for the R.A.K Challenge with the Miles Kit. Thank you all that participated in this. I KNOW it meant the WORLD to Kellie!

I asked Kellie how she wanted to pick the winners and she wanted me to draw randomly. She said it would be IMPOSSIBLE for her to pick favorites because every single one meant so much to her!

So when I sat down to color with Braden last night I added each of your names to a scrap piece of paper (I did include the ones from yesterday as well). I had my hubby pick 5 names from the basket and then a designer for each from another basket and here is what he got...

Pamela Gibson-Traci Murphy-$10 Gift Card to Traci's stuff at the Playground

OrphanAnnie1016-Gina Miller-$10 Gift Card to Gina Miller Designs
Jteachie-Natalie Braxton-$10 Gift Card to Natalies stuff at The Lily Pad

MommySpice-Corina Nelson-$10 Gift Card to Corina's stuff at the Playground

jennieb75-Me (Christina, DUH, lol)-$10 Gift Card to my stuff at the Playground

Thank you all again, this was fun seeing all these great layouts!!! I will be PM'ing you at DST with the Gift Card code and expiration date information. If you do not receive that from me before the day is over, please email me!

Congratulations girls!!!

Be back tomorrow to let you know if I will have new stuff on Saturday for NSD!!!

New Products, NSD, my dh!

2007-05-01T07:49:00.000-04:00

Good morning!!! Well it is nice and rainy here at home and it looks like it will stay that way for the rest of the week. That's okay because for some reason I like the rain these days. It doesn't make me feel so guilty about not getting out of my house, lol.

So before I get to the new products I thought I would tell you about some stuffs. The other day, my hubby, Steve, tells me that his chest is hurting REALLY bad and has been for over a week but he didn't want to worry anyone. We I am not much of a worrier but when he said this I FREAKED just b/c I had been wondering what was wrong for a few days but he just kept saying he had a headache. Well instantly I pick up the phone and called his mommy...yep, he's 34 but a big mamas boy. That's okay because I love her TOO! So 2 hours later she FINALLY talks him into taking 1/2 of a pain pill. He does not like to take ANYTHING unprescribed obviously b/c of random drug tests they do at work. He drives for Budweiser. After he took that he went right to bed. So the next morning I call him at work to check on him and he says he feels like CRAP and WORSE than he did before. So by this time I am really worried. After LOTS of convincing I got him to leave work early to go to the DR's appt I made him. He has worked at Bud for about a year and a half and never missed a day so it's pretty hard to get him to do this. His mom took off work to drive him so that I could stay home with Braden. Later, we went for support. Anyways, he ended up having a inflamed esophagus. Something had irritated it somehow and was causing all this pain. They gave him Nexium and told him it should clear up soon. So all in all, scary but it all worked out fine....which is GREAT!

Reminder, TOMORROW is the last day to turn in your lo you have done with the FREE Miles kit. You can submit it here or in this thread at DST http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?p=563589#post563589. We will draw 5 random winners tomorrow to win a $10 Gift Card from Me, Corina Nelson, Gina Miller, Natalie Braxton or Traci Murphy .

It's FINALLY here..."Lost and Found" at Funky Playground Designs starts TODAY. It is a box stuffed full of goodies that you will get if you spend $10 in the store. It's all a surprise but trust me, you will want this BOX!!! There are so many cool things in there and it is TOTALLY worth your purchase...PROMISE!

Speaking of... I have some cool new things for ya this week too AND there are some pretty AWESOME impromptu sales on lots of my things in the store also so make sure you check those out. You can get to my store by clicking HERE! Also, you know that National Scrapbooking Day is this SATURDAY, May the 5th. Well I am not too sure what all this is about, lol. But I am waiting to hear if we get to submit new products before then or not. I am REALLY hoping so!!!

Now to the new stuff in the store. This week I bring you Bookplates that you can frame in photos with. They are like 3.5x3.5 and 4x4 and you get 2 different sizes in 16 styles so 32 TOTAL. I could NOT stop making these they are SO super cool! Also great for journaling, elements, etc... I also made, Glitter Frames ( I am lauging inside btw at a customer hating glitter, sorry girl). I just had to do these. I personally love some glitter but I do promise to try to keep it cool, lol. These frames are soo cute though I think!!! Once again you get 2 different styles and sizes in 12 colors each so 24 TOTAL!!! So go SHOP, add $10 worth of stuff to your cart and enter lostandfound as the coupon code to get the big box of goodies for FREE!!!

Btw, these COOL blinking previews were done my my AWESOME CT member Chere Edwards. She has started to offer blinkies, ads, etc for sale and they are FABULOUS! She picked up an OVERLOAD of customers IMMEDIATELY. So I will link you to her blog when I know what it is, lol, if for some reason you are in need of anything like this.

Be Back tomorrow with the winners of the RAK and if new stuff will be out or not this Saturday for NSD. Have a good day!

Happy Monday...RAK Challenge update!

2007-04-30T11:54:00.000-04:00

I wanted to tell you that we decided to extend the deadline of the RAKS we are giving. You know the one where you submit your lo's that you create with the Miles Kit. Well the original post at DST got merged so lots of people could not find it. They did start a new section there, "The Happy Place", so we posted there. Here is the new thread where you can post http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=49932. I did receive a few emails with links also and even though I have not had a chance to respond, I will post these in that thread too!!!

We will be waiting to announce new products at FPD until tomorrow. Reason is we have the NEW EXCITING, "Lost and Found" in store for you that starts then. You will WANT this box...TRUST me!!! So go scrape up $10 because it will TOTALLY be worth it...PROMISE!!!

A little challenge for ya!

2007-04-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

Did yall see this lo by Gina yesterday? WOW! Isn't this AMAZING? She used one of my Funky Watercolor Papers that I sure was a bit of a challenge...but she made it work so GREAT! Her daughter, Emily is just adorable in any picture too though. I just loved the way she used Natalie's new ribbon stitches(aren't these the COOLEST!) as stems and the journaling strips as stems and such. Just too AWESOME!!!

Hey guess what? I am up and it's before 4:00 FINALLY!!! Man it's been a LONG time, lol. I was SO exhausted last night that I went to bed before 10:oopm and I knew if I did that I MUST get up by 3:30'ish. But I LOVE gettin up early, it just makes me get SO much MORE accomplished in a day or at least I feel like I do. I have been telling myself I MUST get back on this schedual because I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. So we will see, I will sure give it a go. I just NEVER want to go to bed, lol. But then if I don't go to bed, I can't get up! Anyways, enough about me.

Got a little challenge for ya. I told you on Tuesday that a few of us designers wanted to RAK a $10 gift card each in honor of our friend Kellie P and her son Miles. Soooo... if you are interested in winning a $10 gift card from Me, Corina Nelson, Gina Miller, Natalie Braxton or Traci Murphy here is what you can to do:

1. Create a layout based on something that YOU treasure
2. Use the Miles kit found here FREE on my blog
3. Post it to an online gallery
4. Leave us a link in this thread at DST-http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=49427
5. If you are not signed up at DST and prefer not to, feel free to leave a link here as a comment.

It's that easy, we want to see what FABULOUS things you create with this beautiful kit for Miles. Five winners will be randomly chosen and given a $10 gift card from one of us. Now get scrappin, the deadline is this SATURDAY, April 28th at midnight and winners will be announced on Monday!

Have fun, cant wait to see what you create! We know it will mean alot to Kelli.

New Link for Quick Pages, Sorry!!!

2007-04-24T17:59:00.000-04:00

Hey all, sorry the links were not working for you. I have corrected it and went ahead and combined them all together. I haven't had internet most of the day due to the storms and tornados here, ACK! SO I am VERY sorry!!!

Download ALL Quick Pages Here!

Free Quick Pages in Memory of Miles

2007-04-24T10:27:00.000-04:00

(BIG Thank you to Chere Edwards for doing this preview for me)

Good morning! As you know the "Dream Team" really came together last week and this past weekend to bring you the Miles Kit. KelliP is the CT Guest Manager of my team and we all really wanted to try and do something special for her. I did not want to introduce any new products this week because I wanted this week to be about Kelli and her family. We will be having a BIG week next week at the Funky Playground and I will let you know more about that later in the week!

Some of my team has put together a few quick pages for you with the Miles kit. They are here for you to download for free of course. All we ask is that you you pay it forward to someone that you love and care about. The download links are here.

DOWNLOAD ALL QP'S HERE!

Also MORE EXCITING STUFF!!! More of your favorite designers wanted to do something EXTRA Special for Kellie this week. We are offering the following gifts and will let Kelli decide how we should disburse these. She has taken some time off this week so as soon as I get in touch with her I will let you know how to win theses FABULOUS gifts.

Me-$10 Gift Card to my store

Corina Nelson-$10 Gift Card to her store

Traci Murphy-$10 Gift Card to her store

Gina Miller-$10 Gift Card to her store

Natalie Braxton-$10 Gift card to her store

Jessica Bolton and her Eclectic Team also put together a FABULOUS kit and Quick Pages this week in memory of Miles which you can pick up on her blog.

Thank you ALL for SO MUCH SUPPORT and the CRAZY amout of comments this week for Kelli. This community has REALLY shown they can come together when someone needs them and that just MAKES ME SOOOO HAPPY!!! Keep'em commin!

Rachael Giallango even RAK'ed ME with her AWESOME new templates, "One and Only" Collection, that will be hitting her store at The Digi Chick on 5/3! You have to check them out! How cool was that! Thank you Rachael!!!

In Memory of Miles-FREE Kit!

2007-04-22T23:52:00.000-04:00

In the digital scrapbooking world, we get a rare opportunity to meet other ladies that share our passion for creativity and preserving our memories while we do what we love. These bonds that we form are often forged by the sharing of these memories as we share the pages that we make; being able to read each other's journaling and share in the stories quickly bypasses some of the "formality" of a regular face to face relationship. We get to chat with these ladies whose stories we know, and they become part of our daily lives.

When you serve on a Creative Team or make your home in a forum, these relationships are even stronger. One of the relationships that I have had the opportunity to make is with Kellie. She is a beautiful wife and mom, with a strong faith, and a very talented artist. Kellie had shared with me that her beautiful son, Miles, had passed on to be with Jesus two years ago today (April 22 nd) with a rare childhood condition. Miles' twin brother, Mason, and his baby sister, Maddy are blessed to receive Kellie and her husband's affection and love, but Miles is missed.

Several of Kellie's friends got together and decided to make a tribute to Miles in honor of Kellie's example and friendship to us. This kit is free of charge; we just ask that you abide by the terms of service within, pay it forward by sharing something with someone YOU love and care about and post a comment here. All comments are wanted to give to Kellie to save with Miles memories. We wanted to make a way for all of us to continue to preserve those precious memories - joyful and painful - for years to come, and in our own way say how much that we love and appreciate Kellie's presence in our "digi" lives.

Kellie, we do admire and love you, and pray that each day that you wait to be with Miles again is joyful with memories of his sweetness. God bless you and your family today and in the days to come!

Chere Edwards has made this wonderful blinkie for you to sport in memory of Miles. You can right click on it at the TOP of my blog and save it to your computer. Then you can upload and use!

Thanks again and be sure to come back tomorrow for more FREE goodies and Gift Cards in memory of Miles!!!

DOWNLOAD 1

DOWNLOAD 2

New Ribbons, Papers and Tags...woohooo!

2007-04-16T12:12:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it is Monday ALREADY??? I know I can't! It was a very short weekend for me. I think it's because I NEVER have my stuff ready for the store before my deadline on Sunday so I usually spend all weekend finishing. And then I STILL can't seem to make deadline, lol. What is my DANG problem...heeheee! They are gonna kick my rear outta there!!! Seriously! We'll either way, it's up and I had LOADS of fun making this stuff as usual! More ribbons and papers and tags...wohoooo. Let me know what ya think.

All my things can be found at the good ole Funky Playground Designs!

Have a GREAT Monday! I'm gonna try to catch up on my emails and in the gallery today even though I REALLY wanna go scrap for the Hodge Podge Challenge, lol.

Happy Friday!

2007-04-13T17:33:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to give you a couple of sneak peaks for a new ribbon set that will be out next week. SO EXCITED at how these turned out. I think you will LOVEEE them!!! Still working on everything else so can't show ya that stuff yet!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!

Some FABULOUS Inspiration and FUNNY story!

2007-04-10T05:38:00.000-04:00

Yea I am definitely NO scrapper and will NEVER claim to be but I a have been doing these just because I feel they don't HAVE to be perfect, kwim?Now THAT for me...means I spent 5 hours versus 10, lol. But anyways...I did this yesterday for the FINAL day of the sale on the Dream Collection and OF COURSE forgot to post here.

So yall think my rabbit is funny huh?? LOL. I have heard more stories on this darn rabbit and they SERIOUSLY CRACK ME UPP!!! I just HAVE to post this one...I forgot to ask her if I can but I am just SURE she won't mind and I wont mention ANY names. Now mind you I haven't hardly ever talked to this customer but I just love her now, she CRACKS me up.

Customer-"I cannot WAIT to get these eggs! They're so cute! And I have to admit, I'm mostly looking forward to getting that rabbit. OMG! It's HILARIOUS! I totally want to put him in all of my Easter layouts. Sort of like a "Where's Waldo?" thing where he's just peeking out behind other elements. LOL! "

Me-"OMG girl you have me laughing my butt off right now.."Where's Waldo"??? That is so flippin hilarious!!! He is cute, isn't he. You know me and my different' ness. I can not EXPLAIN to you how long stuff takes me to create because I just have to have the different stuff, lol. I make MYSELF CRAZY sometimes. Sooo...it is REALLY good to see you and others are enjoying it."

Customer-"LOL! Seriously though... can you picture it? I hand my mom and my mother-in-law beautiful hardbound scrapbooks from Shutterfly on Christmas this year, filled with layouts of pictures of their 2 granddaughters, created lovingly by me throughout the year... They're paging through it, oooing and ahhing and getting a little teary-eyed at times. "

"And then they get to the Easter layouts. At first glance, they see their beautiful granddaughters, all dressed up in pretty skirts with bows in their hair, smiling like little angels up at the camera. And then they start looking at the rest of the page. Their eyes circle the page slowly, taking in every piece of tulle... every staple... every drop shadow custom created by me. And then (insert dramatic pause here).... they see your rabbit. "Hey (removed name), what the heck is that?" LMAO!"

Is that not just HILARIOUS! I think the funniest part is...right after this conversation I got the CUTEST lo, where another customer used my Easter Chipboard...SO CUTE...now go see who's peeking out....bwhahahahhaaaaaaa.

Hope you had a good laugh! Have a great Tuesday!

It's Monday!

2007-04-09T09:06:00.000-04:00

Yep, woke up late this morning...hate it when I do that. Especially becuase Steve (dh) relies on ME to wake him up. My normal wake up time is anywhere between 3:45 and 4am and I'll tell ya, I don't seem to have a problem getting up then as long as I go to bed by midnight. Butttt.... when it's more like 1:30'ish when my head hits the pillow, I flat out DO NOT even remember turning off any of the all FOUR, yes 4 alarms we have set. Ugghhh.

So I am sad to say that TODAY is my last day being featured at Dream "Brights" and Easter Chipboard freebie sadly end today as well! So if you haven't picked those up you can do so here! You get the paper pack for $2.24 and the Easter Chipboard FREE, if you email me (info@scraptations.com) your receipt!

I hope you had a good Easter. We sure did! We really just kinda took it easy and spent the whole day with Braden and his nanny. All the rest of the family was out of town or at some big soccer tournament. We died eggs, had and egg hunt of course and just played and watched movies. Sounds boring, I know but actually it was WONDERFUL and relaxing!

Soo.. I spent last week to try and get caught up which I somewhat accomplished. Still lack getiing my blog readers their goodie but that's becuase I really wanted to give you all a gift card to my store but apparently that will screw things up with the books. So I gotta come up with something else. Hang in there, you know I'll take care of you!

I have ONE, only ONE, but FABULOUS new embellies out for you today. Shabby Flowers. Yep more of my "Chic Fabric" that everyone seems to like so much. Hey, I am just EXCITED to use up some of my HUGE-MOUNGES fabric stash I simply just HOARD! lol. I even went as far as using a NEW action for designers to use commercially on your products that you will SOON see on the market from Ms. Lauren Barden! You'll LOVE it!!! I really hope you like these and enjoy the break on your wallet...beacuse next week will be a different story, lol.

Thank you to ALL of you out there besides my team that are teling others about my stuffs! I have caught SEVERAL of you doing it in the forums and have treated most of you. I really like to do that. So Thank you!!!

I'm off to grab all my teams FABULOUS layouts with the Dream "Brights" to show off so see ya lator gator! Try to have an okay Monday!

Glitter, Glam....FREE!

2007-04-06T18:18:00.000-04:00

Well I finished a little early....yay!!! Now maybe I will be able to design some stuff for next week. I haven't had a chance to yet because I was playing catch up this week and wanted to treat yall for being SOOOO.... GOOD to me! BUT I DID get caught up....and whewwww...it feels SO GOOD!

So I told you this was cute, huh? Want some FABULOUS Easter Chipboard? And before you say Easter is in 2 days, lol...I have a solution. For one it's FREE, well with a VERY small purchase of my Dream "Brights" paper set. But those you can use over and over anyways. The "Brights" are on sale too and are only $2.24 for 10 LUSCIOUS, smokin hot papers! Then you get all this FREE too! Also, I got creative and clustered eggs around the edges, cut holes with the eraser tool then merged them with the background and waaalaaah beautimus chipboard scalloped edges you can use ANYTIME, not just for Easter because you can't even tell they are eggs. Cute huh?

Included is 1 Rabbit, 1 birdy and 8 different eggs. All are approx 4x6, so... LARGE. I also included the watercolor grass that you got with the egglets. Finally, you'll get 3 .abr brushes (and .png files of course). 1 Floral Branch you see in the preview that you can color and 1 grass and meadow brushes that aren't shown here.

So all you have to do it go here get the "Brights" papers and email me your receipt to info@scraptations.com and I'll hook you up! Also, just a reminder if you spend $10 over at the store, enter "funkthatspring2" when you check out and you will get the HUUUGE collab kit FREE. Now you do have THROUGH next MONDAY at midnight CST to take avantage of my offer...HOWEVER the collab get that's free with $10 purchase ends on Sunday at midnight. So don't wait too long, k.

If you have already purchased these papers, same goes...email me the receipt.

Also, keep in mind it is Easter weekend soooo... I may not be able to get you the FREE Easter Chipborad RIGHT away but I'll sure try!

Don't forget these "Brights" are featured at Disc Talk Radio through Monday. Check it out! Have a LOVELY and safe Easter. See you back on Monday.

Quick Thanks...

2007-04-05T22:14:00.000-04:00

I was just going through all these comments and wanna say a BIG FAT thanks to all of you. I have NEVER asked for comments b/c frankly I think if people like your stuff that much, they'll feel the need to comment. Just my opinion though.

But these comments are honestly what keeps the freebies coming to you! I THRIVE on appreciation...I REALLY...REALLY DO. I have known for a long time in my life that work was NEVER about the money for me (used to think it was). It is the appreciation of my HARD work efforts! And this business has been the MOST fun and rewarding business I have EVER been in...yep big sap! Sorry!!! So as long as your letting me know you like what it is I do...I will keep'em comming.

Have a great FRIDAY, I am off to finish this AWESOME element freebie w/ purchase for Saturday. Easter Chipboard!

New Guests Creative Team!

2007-04-05T11:36:00.000-04:00

Credits for layout.

Please help me welcome these FABULOUS scrappers to our team for April! We are thrilled to have them to play with us a while. I created a little freebie to help CELEBRATE!!! Check out Eggletts below.

I had a really HARD time making a final decision on our new guests. There are just SO many good scrappers out there! I am REALLY pleased with my selections. I am also interested in many others that applied for the gig too. SOOO....PLEASE don't give up and hopefully I will be contacting you in the very near future!

Welcome girls, we are so EXCITED to have you on the DREAM TEAM!

Egglets...a FREEBIE!

2007-04-05T01:32:00.000-04:00

Good mornin...I added some guests to my team today and wanted to whip up something to share with you to help us celebrate!

Here are some cute little Eggletts. There are 20 small stickers and most even have a peeled up edge. I made them really grundgy and rustic of course cause you all know that's what I LOVE, lol. I threw in some grass that looks like watercolors kinda too. Now let me just say something...do you see how these look like they are just peeling off the page? OMG, I used Traci Murphy's Drop Shadow "Lift 2" in this preview and WOW...just WOW! Traci lets us use her drop shadows over at FPD (lucky me I know, lol) and let me tell you...I am ADDICTED!!! As stupid as it sounds they are SO MUCH FUN!!! I can't wait to finish something anymore because I just wanna play with her drop shadows. You REALLY should check them out and ESPECIALLY this "lift 2" one for these stickers and all the other stickers you might have. Now just so you know this one is probably not for stickers but hey who cares, they look FABULOUS TO ME!!!!!

NOW....I will have another somewhat FREEBIE up on Saturday. It is WAY CUTE and I REALLY Think you are going to want it. I posted one of the chipboard eggs here for you to see. The only requirement is you purchase my Dream "Brights" Solid papers. They are the ones below that are featured at Disc Talk Radio this week. They are ALSO on sale for $2.24 for 10. So your getting 10 papers and these WAY CUTE (10-15 of them) elements you will see all of on Saturday for a little over 2 bucks. They will match the papers perfectly too! If you have already purchased the "Brights" you can email me (info@scraptations.com) your receipt and get it also. Don't miss it, the sale and offer ends next Monday at midnight!

Have a great weekend, see you bright and early Saturday morning!

DOWNLOAD EGGLETTS HERE!

BiGGGGGGGGG Week!

2007-04-02T11:05:00.000-04:00

We'll I didn't get HALF the stuff finished to put in the store this week that I had anticipated on. But there are some great new goodies for ya! BookPlate Alpha, Ity Bitty Ribbons and Grunge Frames are all in the store NOW! But wait here is the BEST part...this week Funky Playground has added a new designer, Kim Giarruso to the store and to help welcome her most of us have done a collaboration kit to give away! Funk that Spring is soooo AWESOME and available to you for FREEEEEEE with only a $10 purchase!!! But HURRY, that's this week only and after that the kit will be $6.99 so you will want to snatch it up NOW!

Also, don't forget that my Dream "Brights" are being featured at Disc Talk Radio starting this Wednesday, April 4th-Monday, April 9th. So don't forget to check that feature out over there, it's FREE. I also wanted to give you a little sale on these that started today. They are 25% off through the feature so go grab'em and get your FREE Funk that Spring too.

So on top of all those EXCITING events my guest call is OVER! I gotta go finish checking out loads of galleries to pick our new guests.

I also still need to send all my fans that responded to my thread on "Do you read my blog, really?" a surprise like I promised. So don't worry I haven't forgotten about ya. I just got swamped with trying to complete my new stuff for the store this week and doing that FUN collab with the other designers at FPD. It just took me sooooo.... long to do that preview because it was SO MUCH FUN to play with! I just LOVE the BRIGHT colors in that kit! You will WANT it, trust me!!!

So enjoy your day...I know I will!

Guess What???????

2007-03-30T05:17:00.000-04:00

I'm in the SPOTLIGHT at Disc Talk Radio!!!! yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.... can you believe it??? Guess what for? Part of this kit, "Dream-Solids, BRIGHTS" that stressed me out so bad, lolololol. I'm telling you...God is ALWAYS looking out for me, thankfully! I am just THRILLED to death. Hard work DOES truly pay off...YAY! It will be spotlighted on the Dishin' the Digi- Coast 2 Coast show on DiScTalkRadio. The show will run from 04/03 - 04/09. I will be doing a sale on these papers for that period also. Just not sure what yet. So if you haven't snatched these up yet...keep a watch out for the BIG sale soon! I am SO happy, I have ALWAYS been a HUGE fan of Disc Talk Radio and have faithfully listened to EVERY show! lol. They RAWK! If you haven't ever been over there, you should check it out, REALLY. Nothing is more fun than to curl up with a BIG cup of coffee and listen to all their shows, lol. I have learned so much by doing it and I feel like I KNOW designers even though I don't really, KWIM? Best of all, it's FREE! But you can also subscribe for like $5 a month or something and get GREAT kits which is WELL worth the cost of the subscription! Go check it out!

Enough about meee...I can NOT BELIEVE all the responses I got of readers. I am SHOCKED! WOW! I just love you girls!!! I received such a sweet email from each and EVERY one of you. Thank you! I think I sounded like a real whiner, looking back, lol. I didn't mean to, sometimes we just gotta let it out, KWIM? So I appreciate yall listening. HOPEFULLY, you'll keep coming back! I want to send you all something and WILL! I will just need to go through all the messages so give me a few days.

Sorry, NO sneak peak yesterday. I am NOT COMPLETELY sure at what all I wanna finish and release so I didn't want to get you all excited just yet. Forgive me!

I got up SUPER early today to try to get some stuff finished for a BIG week next week! Not only will it be my feature week at Disc Talk Radio but we also have a new designer joining us at Funky Playground Designs, YAY! So we are running something special starting Monday over at FPD TOO. Watch for it!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!!! Oh yea and there will definitely be a FREEBIE soon!

AWESOME, GRUNGY Stuffs next week...oh my!!!

2007-03-28T07:48:00.000-04:00

Can you believe 2 posts in one day? Just had to pop in to say...I can NOT wait to show you the cool stuff I'm gonna have for ya next week... OMG, I am SO EXCITED, I almost can't wait!!! Maybe a sneak peak later, just depends on how the day goes. Today is my busiest day with my other business...so we'll seeeee! Grungy, Grungy, GRUNGY!!! YAY!!

Does anyone read my blog? Really?

2007-03-27T14:07:00.000-04:00

Just checking because I am so that person that if I don't think anyone is listening, I ain't talkin! LOL. I guess that's why I really don't post all that much, kwim? So let's do this...if you are reading my blog right now, leave a comment with your email addy in it through Friday and something nice will happen to you. Nope not a joke or a chain, lol...just DO IT!! And please don't tell your buds cause I really wanna see how many people read, especially since I am not a big poster (but can be) LOL.

I think I'm going to change my blog to typepad. I have just heard it is much more user friendly to customize. If you know any different please DO tell. I don't think I can move all my post so far over there is the only thing, kwim? But I have a CT now...WOOHOOO! and I really want to link you to their fabulous galleries from my blog. This blog just seems to be a joke sometimes to customize or maybe I am just CLUELESS, hee hee.

So last week was a HUGE eye opener for me! I just about killed myself to get that kit "Dream" done for my team ad you of course. I don't really know why it was SO stressful, I think I just waited until the last minute and it just got WAYYYYY too stressful. I was SO tense in my neck, I maybe slept 10 hours the ENTIRE week (not a joke) and by Saturday I was a MESS. I mean literally, a MESS. I went to my sis's to take my bored to death son, Braden to play with my niece. I still had a gazillion emails to respond to (Love it, it's okay keep'em comin, just was a bad week) and I could NOT bare to let my poor son be so bored again. I go over there and all is okay, we were actually sitting outside because the weather is just gorgeous here in Arlington, Texas, like 70's and sunny. The kiddos were playing and having a good ole time and me and my sis were just catching up. We'll I was on my laptop of course, returning emails and re-uploading file after file because SOMETHING was SO wrong there too, uggghhh. Anyways, I was already a mess I told ya and feeling like a BAD, BAD mom, wife, sister, daughter, in-law, etc..etc.. so every little comment was just upsetting me for some reason. But mostly it was the one she said for me to have my son checked for a autism. I was pretty much in tears at that point and just wanted to LEAVE!!! Ugghhh. So I did, my niece came with us to spend the night and all ended up great. But all in all I did TONS of thinking and am going to change some things up for SURE! I have decided to try to be the wife, mommy, etc. I used to be. lol. I am doing my darnedest to try not to work while Braden is at home. I get up early like 4am cause I can get lots done before he gets up at 8'ish. Then I try to get a few things done while he is napping and then attempt to get him to bed early so I can work some more. He also goes to Mothers Day Out at the church on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 9-2, so I can work then too. So we'll see. It went great on Monday and today he's in school... Which reminds me, oops gotta go get him! So keep reading and I'll keep writing. I would LOVE to hear from you!!!

My New CT, New Kit, Special Promo and Guest Opportunities...

2007-03-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! Got lots of exciting stuff to post today!

YAY! Finally, ready to announce my TOTALLY FAB, Creative "Dream Team". I am THRILLED to death with this team and want to CELEBRATE TODAY and TOMORROW!!! I wanted to make them a special something to welcome this team aboard. They haven't even seen this yet, it was a SURPRISE from ME! The entire "Dream" Collection was inspired by these wonderful girls on my team. I asked for a few of their favorite colors and a couple of words that describe them. I came up with 3 luscious paper packs and this wonderful set of elements you can see here. TODAY and TOMORROW ONLY... All of these items are available at Funky Playground for 50% OFF! Not only that BUT if you purchase the entire collection of 30 WHOPPING luscious papers and loads of elements for only $6.50, you will get these Graffiti Alpha Brush Sets for FREE!!! ALSO, another option for some of you that might have been holding off to purchase some of my stuff...if you spend $20 in my store I will give you this entire Dream Collection and the Graffiti Alpha Brushes for FREE (14.99 value)!!! So your saving 30% on all my stuff!!! Not to really confuse you BUT if you really wanna go HOG wild and spend $30 in my store I will give you the entire collection AND 2 other prducts of your choice for FREE! (See ways to redeem at the end of this message).

Welcome "Dream Team"! I am so excited to work with you all and hope you like the goodies I made for ya!

Ways to Redeem----If you want the entire collection you will need to purchase all seperately at the store. To get the FREE alpha, EMAIL me at christy@scraptations.com your receipt and request and I will send it you you. Same with the other promos, purchase what you want and to get the FREE Dream Collection, Alpha or other products, EMAIL me your receipt and request and I will send you the link. The shopping cart at FPD can't handle these requests.

Finally, are you interested in playing with the "Dream Team"? Well I have loads of ideas up my sleeve including a weekly pimp to get all my stuff FREE...BUT I will have to save that announcement for another day, lol. (I think this is all I can handle). HOWEVER, if you are interested in playing with us...post links in the thread I started at DST (http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=42761) or if your not a member there, you can email me what you create with the "DREAM" Collection THROUGH next week and we will be picking some playmates...lol.

Thank you all so much for being a fan and even reading my boring ole blog. I reallllly do appreciate it very much!

Have a happy weekend, I better get to these emails, lol!

Guess my CT...get a FREEBIE!

2007-03-18T21:02:00.000-04:00

First I gotta say...why does it take me a freakin week to blog??? Geeze could I ever be Gina? I mean how in the world does she get it all done? I don't even sleep (dead serious) and I still can't seem to get everything done in a day. What is my problem? I move quick too...just can't figure it out??? How weird!

Anyways, can you believe I have a Creative Team? We'll I do and I don't want to give any hints except for the fact that I call it the "Dream Team". I am SOOOO... EXCITED!!! I can't even believe the people that will be a part of this team. That's all I'm saying for now, lol. So here's the deal...let's play a fun game. I will start a thread over at DST too. You can post here or there, doesn't matter but you only get one chance, k!

Guess who's on my "Dream Team". You get ONLY one chance to guess so make it a good one, lol! You can guess up to FIVE girls or guys MAX and you must have 3 of them right to win. It shouldn,'t be that hard cause there's 11. and 2 guests. Guests don't count on this one though cause I still gotta catch them up!!! Unfortunately, you can NOT be on any one of these peoples CT's UNLESS I can confirm that they indeed did not tell you already. If you do already know, I can confirm...lol!!! please don't guess, it wont count. But don't worry, if you can't guess this time...I have another plan for THURSDAY when we do the official announcement!!! You will NOT want to miss it, it's even BETTER!!! I will post more details before Thursday when I know what they are, heehee.

So wanna know what you win this time around???

You will get one single ribbon curl OR one 12z12 curl in your color choice from the set above. These will be released this week (tomorrow) at the Funky Playground. They are $4.99 for the entire set. Aren't they fab??? Also, all winners will be entered into a drawing where 3 of you will win the entire set and any other product of mine you want! I'll announce those winners on Friday.

Oh yea and IF YOU WIN, you will just receive a PM from me with the download. PLEASE DO NOT SAY IF YOU WON OR NOT B/C THEN EVERYONE WILL KNOW!

So guess away...who belongs to this fabulous "Dream Team"?

Oh, one more thing...do you love me??? Smootch...Smootch!!! Sport my blinkie!!! I put it on the left!

WOW! What a week!!!

2007-03-12T23:14:00.000-04:00

Whew... I am finally breathing after getting through last weeks Grand Opening at FPD. It was AWESOME!!!! I am really loving it there. Thank you all for your support! Between that an the little pixel booboo I made I didn't have lots of time to design but I was able to create some goodies this week.

I also spent some time going through my other files and would like to replace the shabby bunched ribbons if you purchased those. So please email me and I will send you a new link.

I have also included some fabulous inspiration that was created with some of my stuff that was sent to me or I found in the gallery at DST. Enjoy!

I guess I don't blog much because I kinda feel like I only need to post when I have a freebie, announcement or new product. I just don't think you are really interested in hearing about my life. But maybe you are, lol. So I will just start posting regardless, k.

I do have the best announcement EVER, for me and will post about it very soon.

Nighty, Night!

Newbie Pixel Problem and update

2007-03-08T08:42:00.000-05:00

Hopefully most of you that purchased my Knotted Ribbons have seen the post over at DST. If not here is the link http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=39098. Basically, I screwed up! lol! I really had NO idea what stray pixels were and apparently I have some in those ribbons. I am just worried that I might have some in other files too since I had no idea about them. I plan to go through EVERY last one of my files just in case and will keep you updated! I was REALLY disappointed when I got the email from Corina at FPD about this. I was just SICK over it!!! I stayed up literally ALL night to make it right because I knew I would NOT sleep with that on my mind. KWIM? Corina and Traci were SO sweet about it just like anything there and tried to reassure me that it happens to everyone. That helped a little but it's just quite UNACCEPTABLE to me. I am REALLY SORRY about this and the only way I felt I could try to make it up is by giving you the new fixed file (obviously) AND a FREE product. Corina suggested I post about it over at DST and I was SCARRED to death! She said it would be best so that other people that did NOT see the extra pixels now that may later and think that is what they can expect from me always. Well I trusted her instincts and let me just tell you, I am SHOCKED with the response. You all have SO SUPER SWEET about the whole thing! I really can't thank you enough. I am really such a very giving person and that is all I want to do...especially when I screw up. I felt like offering a free product of mine was the least I could do for the hassle I had caused you all. So I am glad to see it helped! Thank you!!

I am not completely through all my emails giving the new link and free stuff so if you have not received a response, bare with me and I promise you will TODAY! It was just CRAZZZZY yesterday!

Sooo...on a good note...Look at these AWESOME layouts people sent me using my new stuffs...I absolutely LOVE seeing lo with my stuff so send them my way! I may not post everyone due to time, lol! But they seriously MAKE MY DAY!!!

Have a FABULOUS Thursday!

A FREEBIE to celebrate my BIG DAY!!!

2007-03-05T09:52:00.000-05:00

You know I couldn't go without giving you a gift to celebrate my BIG DAY!!! It is ALL because of you that I am creating. Thank YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

My little freebie is actually my very FIRST handdrawn doodle! Yep, had no idea I could even draw, lol. I REALLY hope you like them, I am a little nervous!!! I am calling it "Lots-a-Curls" cause that's what it is, lol! I placed them together to create a 12x12 frame but I also included them seperately if you want to use them another way. I also did a word art "Bringing the funky back" of course! That is Traci's perfect little quote for FPD! These are also colored in the brand NEW site colors you can find over at Funky Playground Designs. Afterall, it is to help celebrate FPD! You will notice they look colored with a marker. That's on purpose. I could have used the paint bucket in PS but nooooooo... not me, that would have been way to easy. HA! I did hand color these in PS of course with a wet paint brush. So enjoy and use it EVERYWHERE to help celebrate a NEW and very FUNKY, Funky Playground Designs!Have a FABULOUS day, I know I will!!!

DOWNLOAD HERE!

SURPRISE!!! I am a new FUNKY kid at the PLAYGROUND!!!

2007-03-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

I have some super EXCITING news to announce! I am joining Funky Playground Designs to share my creations. I know I have been a ghost for the last week or so. I have been KILLING myself to create some AWESOME stuff for you!!! I had NOTHING! It was also VERY hard for me to keep quite so I just avoided DST all together because I would have ran my blabbermouth!

Funky Playground Designs is adding 6 new designers to the already FABULOUS artists Traci Murphy and Corina Nelson. They have worked So0000... hard to add all of our stuff to their store and also had the entire site redone!!! We are all SO very EXCITED for you to see it! Shoot, actually we haven't even seen it ourselves, lol! There is a Re-Grand Opening that starts TODAY and everything in the store is 20% off!

I really strive to offer very UNIQUE and creative designs that I really poor my heart and soul into. So here is a sneak peak of what you can expect from me this week.

Now get to FPD to snag my stuff, lol, and see who and what all these other AMAZING designers have come up with!!!

Happy Valentines-Heart FREEBIE!

2007-02-14T18:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines day yall! Sorry it took ALL day for me to post that. It's been a really hectic day. I made a little FREEBIE for ya. I know it's not much at all but hey, it's something right? It's just a stitched up striped ribbon in the shape of a heart. I thought it was cute! You don't have to use it just for Valentines either but DUGH, I am sure you know that. The postcard in the preview does not come with it, it is just part of the preview. Sorry, it's not mine. I have to give credit to PinkTagIllustration at IStock for that one. I was in a hurry b/c my son's been GRUMPY with a cold. Ugghhh..

Anyways, I got a few PM's at DST today saying that my email was rejecting everything b/c it was full. I pull everything into Outlook so I had NO IDEA I had to check the server too. OMG, there were 633 emails clogging it up. Scarrrrry thing is that was only 2 weeks worth. WOW!!! So if you sent an email that I did not respond to OR placed an order please send me another one because I did NOT get it. Sorry!

So thanks again SO much for spreading the word. You really have NO idea how much it means to me! Usually, when I give away a freebie I'll get like 1600-1800 downloads a day for 2-3 days and then it dwindles down to only a few hundred a day. But with this last one there has been over 7000 in 3 DAYS! MY GOSH, I had no IDEA there were even that many people that digi'ed, lol... I FREAKED out when I saw that. I just knew I had went WAY over my bandwidth for the month but nope, I am only at a whopping 2%. So lots more coming your way!!! Keep checking back.

LOT'S of LOVE to you! Have a VERY safe, healthy and HAPPY Valentines evening! Mine will consist of me picking up Sonic, enjoying the snow we are getting here in Texas and designing. What fun, right? Actually, it is to me, it's my idea of a great evening. LOLOLOL!!!

DOWNLOAD HEART HERE!

DigiScrapTabs-Another FREEBIE!

2007-02-10T12:43:00.000-05:00

(Click on image to see GREAT detail)

Got another freebie for you today! When I was designing my lo "Can't Get Enough" I had the idea for these DigiScrapTabs. I pulled together lots of OLD books and this is what I came up with. I am in LOVE with these!!! I love them SO much that I plan to make more of the "Threaded Frayed Ribbons" soon so keep checking back. I used the DigiScrapTabs in my lo below.

Included is 10 different variations of or thick hard book tabs. These are pretty large too. 15 different aged type set titles. The rusty staple, rusty paper clip, realistic stitching and one threaded frayed ribbon. Instructions for using the ribbon are included in the download. You can mix n' match all of these because they are all separate .png files. Enjoy!

Hurry tell all your friends they may not stay FREE! lol!

Have a FAB weekend!!

(Thank you all for your interest!! This freebie has now been moved into the Dollar Store section of the CRD Shoppe!)

I made time to scrap!

2007-02-10T12:01:00.000-05:00

I made some time to scrap with my new kit Urban Love. It's been a long time since I have scrapped because I was so bummed about losing it all to a crashed HD. I am glad I did this because it reminded me of how much I LOVE doing it! I love how this one turned out too. Hopefully you will!

Credits:
ChristinaRenee (Blog)-Urban Love Kit on my blog(Background papers and paper strips around edges, Poloroid by me, Black Ric Rac FREE on my blog (DigiScrapWrap), Cuddle & Love Tabs w/ stitching FREE on my blog (DigiScrapTabs).
RonnaPenner (ScrapbookGraphics)-Black Stitching volume 2.
MandaBean-tape from scrapperware.
MichelleColeman-Stamped Alpha free on her blog
Sausan Designs-brown butterfly,blue flower, ribbon strip stitch and tied twine from Valentiono kit. Stitched heart from Adorably Worn.
MichelleUnderwood-sticker Butterflies and cardboard. B on paper from supercool alpha. Just Perfect sticker from One Fine Day Kit.
JenWilson-Accounted For White Paper in Fading Days, B-soldered charm alpha, white stitching on ric rac-stitching 101.
Font-MA Brownie Too downloaded from internet.

Great BIG Thank you FREEBIE... DigiScrapWrap

2007-02-04T01:13:00.000-05:00

I seriously can NOT thank you all enough for believing in me. I had tons of orders for Urban love, over 5000 downloads for Heritage (OMG!!! 1800 in ONE DAY!!!, YIKES!!!) and it all was because of YOU spreading the word. It just really makes me SO happy!!! I also can't thank http://www.digishoptalk.com/ enough. Shannon has the most fab group and there is honestly nothing like it. I mean what site can you advertise your designs at and get this type of response? Thanks Shannon!! If you are not a member, you should check it out, it is FREE but I would recommend you pay the $25 yearly membership fee to help support the site. It is POCKET CHANGE compared to what that wonderful group has to offer!

Anyways, I didn't know any other way to thank you than to give a freebie. I created DigiScrapWrap which is ribbons and things. I really hope you like it. I will offer this for FREE until I go over in bandwidth, lol. So go hurry go tell everyone you know NOW!

Keep checking back. I will have more goodies!

Have a fabulous Sunday! I am going to try and stay off my computer for the WHOLE day. It will be a MIRACLE if it happens.

(Thank you all for your interest!! This freebie has now been moved into the Dollar Store section of the CRD Shoppe!)

COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY!!!

2007-02-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

I am COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY with the response I have gotten. First I want to say I have received all your messages on my blog but I wish I could have responded individually. Not sure how? THANK YOU all SO MUCH for buying Urban Love, downloading Heritage, sending SO MANY WONDERFUL comments and for many of you that even went out of your way to tell others about my designs on your blog, other forums, etc.!!! I can't believe it! I seriously could not EVER have imagined being this overwhelmed with such GREAT people. I just can't believe I have fans!!!lol. I even received an ABUNDANCE of offers to sell my designs in stores and bunches of you offered to be on a CT team for me!!! I am just SHOCKED!!! Which by the way I haven't had a chance to respond to all of those messages just yet but I will today.

I think I am caught up with all the orders. I hope I have not missed anyone. If you have not received your download for Urban Love. PLEASE email me and I will get it to you promptly.

I did receive an email that 2 of the elements were missing from the download. They were the brown circle stamp and the triple red heart stamp. They were filed away with another kit. Oops, I couldn't believe she was the only one that realized it! Anyways, I plan to send these out to all of you when I get a chance. If you want it sooner just email me and I will send it right away. Sorry about that.

Anyways, off to make a thank you treat!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!

Urban Love Kit-It's here, Finally! Only $1

2007-01-29T16:21:00.000-05:00

Urban Love, I thought of this name after I was done with the kit. I had another one in mind but since it turned out TOTALLY different this one just stuck and I loved it. This was originally going to be a Valentines kit that I was creating but I changed my mind since Valentines was approaching so quickly. It can definitely be used for Valentines, it would be PERFECT!

I just love how this turned out. I hope you do too. I feel like I found my own personal style, FINALLY!!!This is only my second kit and I think it turned out better than my first (I hope. lol). Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated since I am brand new!

Once again I can't explain how hard this designing is but I just LOVE it. I definitely found myself appreciating these wonderful designers SO MUCH MORE! But I have learned A LOT!!!!

You can purchase this kit for only $1 by clicking the link on the left. The kit will have to be emailed to you so make sure you check your email account with Pay Pal after your purchase. In most cases you will receive the kit within an hour during 6am-11pm but it could take up to 5 hours. Thank you all for such great support. I hope you enjoy it! Send me links to your layouts, I would LOVE to see them. Let me know if you like this too!

Valentine Kit coming soon!

2007-01-26T07:58:00.000-05:00

I have been working myself to death making a Valentine kit for you guys. I absolutely LOVE designing BUT I am SO, SO, SO critical of myself. Uggghhh...I am seriously driving myself CRAZY! Went to bed last night at 2:30am and was back up this morning at 5:00am. This is VERY normal for me lately. I can NOT make myself STOP but my eyes eventually give in around 2-2:30'ish. lol. I guess the REAL problem is me still trying to find my own unique style. My neighbor that I am very close to keeps telling me, just relax, you haven't been doing this that long. But that doesn't work for me, it is just not ACCEPTABLE!

Anyways I think you will LOVE this kit! I am SO excited about it and really just want to start scrappin with it now, lol, but I gotta finish. I am hoping to get it up here on my blog my tomorrow morning. No promises though, you just never know with this and I have a BUSY 2 yr old. It seems my imagination WAY surpasses my ability to create. I really need a lot more training, for ME anyways. This kit is definitely NOT just for Valentine's but since it was originally created for such and it is so close to then I will put it up for only $1 here. Not sure if I will break it up or not, it just depends on how much is there.

Please keep checking back. I will for sure post at a site I LOVE, www.digishoptalk.com even though I haven't had much time to spend there lately.

Back to work I go......chat later! Have a SUPER Friday!

I have been in a TOTAL funk!

2007-01-20T22:19:00.000-05:00

What is my problem? I honestly don't know? I just woke up one recent Monday and couldn't keep from crying. So sorry I haven't posted lately I have just been in a funk. I feel like it is all over now, who knows? I hope so...

I just want to ramble here a bit so maybe I can get over this too...So how in the world do you digi scrappers do this? I am REALLY feeling SO overwhelmed with it all. Basically, I run a great business that requires over 40 hrs a week of me already. I found digi, scrapped it up and lost everything when my HD crashed a few weeks ago. I designed a kit for myself to use, found I LOVED designing so I decided to give it away to see if there was a market for my designs. TONS of you downloaded it and that encourages me even MORE to want to design. But I also need to become more a part of these great digi communities first and I need to redo all my personal layouts and post in the galleries. In the meantime I would like to design the stuff I use in my layouts myself but MY GOSH it's NOT working out! I just can NOT seem to find the time! This means I need to go digi shopping (lost all that I had before)! Not that that hurts my feelings at ALL but GEEZE how many flippin stores are there now??? Where do I start??? Just like most of you I have my favorites but sometimes you need to be open minded to the newbies coming in too. Right? Ohhhhh...SO stressful! I think I'll just go scrapbook something, lol! Bye

Thank you for ALL the fabulous response!

2007-01-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

I was hoping to really impress people with my kit and mostly see what can be done with it but I had NO clue I would receive SO much great feedback and responses. I love you guys!!! LOL!

Honestly, I started building Heritage for me and to challenge myself on what I could do. It really took A LOT more time than I expected. Don't get me wrong I could design ALL day but I have another job to, darnit! So I had pretty much decided I would finish Heritage for the sense of accomplishment which I absolutely have to have(It keeps me SANE), but wasn't really going to design anymore. HOWEVER, you all are really making it SO hard and inspiring me to continue. I have started on another kit that I plan to give away for FREE of course. I just really don't know how long it will take because I can't dedicate ALL my time to it like I have been. So we will see.

Thanks again for ALL your kind words and if you use the kits, PLEASE send me a link to your layout. I would LOVE to post some here. Have a great rest of the weekend. I know I will because I just got CS2!!! YAHOOOOOOO!!!! I can't wait to play!!!

Layout with the new kit

2007-01-05T22:35:00.000-05:00

I just had to put this together since this really is the reason I do everything in life. Of course I am not in the picture as usual but I will try to start now! One of my many MILLION New Years Resolutions. LOL!

Download link working now!

2007-01-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

SORRY! I had to add http: to fix it. Oops. Enjoy!

Free Digi Scrapbooking Kit! Download Ready NOW!

2007-01-05T03:24:00.000-05:00

I really hope you enjoy it and please leave suggestions, comments and pretty please layouts if you make them. I lost ALL my pictures, layouts, kits, etc. due to a crashed HD yesterday so I REALLY am jealous and NEED to see your layouts. Not sure if you can post here but you can email me at info@scraptations.com. Thank you to ALL thay have inspired me to do this. I really had A LOT of fun and find it completely ADDICTING! It was SO MUCH HARDER that I ever could have imagined. The color scheme and designs come to me pretty easily since that is ALL I think about lately. But my gosh...cropping it, saving it, packaging it, ziping it, uploading it, what a freakin whippin. It took me FOREVER!!! I am sure it will get easier if I decide to continue designing but I can say one thing... I have SO much respect for all you designers that work SO darn hard at this. It is tough! But a BLAST! I think I sleep at my laptop. My poor hubby is OVER it, lol!

Enjoy the kit and PLEASE let me know what you think.

(Thank you all for your interest!! This freebie has now been moved into the Dollar Store section of the CRD Shoppe!)

My first kit!YAY!

2007-01-03T16:17:00.000-05:00

Here is a preview of my first kit. I am SO excited! I will upload the link to download it later.

Why this blog?

2007-01-03T01:02:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my newest home! I realize there is a whole world of blogs out there to read but hopefully you can add one more to your list, lol! I have started this blog basically to give away free digi scrapbooking kits I create for you to scrap your lives treasures.

I am a stat at home mommy of one wonderful child, Braden. One thing you will learn about me is I must STAY busy. Not that my toddler does not keep me on my toes all the time, I still feel the need to start MULTIPLE projects. I worked in the extremely busy hectic career world as a property manager for years. I lost my job when I was nearly six months pregnant and after having Braden I could not MAKE myself go back to that. I had learned how to use coupons to their fullest advantage while being off work. This lead me to starting IWantFreeGroceries.com. Which has allowed me to stay at home. Honestly, I work harder than EVER before but I would not have it any other way. I LOVE staying home with my son to watch him grow up!

Anyways, along with the freebies I plan to give, you can get some insite on all my other plans I have in store like Scraptations, Designs by me, Christina Renee', EmbellishRelish and CentralSaver.

I am really looking forward to sharing my life with you all and hope you stay around. Oh and it may take a few days to get my blog header changed, sorry for the ugliness!