An Experiment

The other day I posted a silly comment on my Facebook page. "If  I could get 1000 people to contribute $1.00 I could buy a laptop. I'm just saying." It got me thinking. Why can't we all help each other with just $1.00 a day. Think about it for a minute. Little Jimmy wants and needs a new bike. Mom can't come up with the money. How hard would it be for 100 people to donate just $1.00. In a matter of days Jimmy could be riding a new bike. All it cost you was $1.00. Wouldn't that feel great knowing that you just help make Jimmy's day. He will have the memory of his new bike for a life time.

I know that me wanting a laptop is totally different than Jimmy wanting a bike. The cost for one. The fact that I am an adult and Jimmy is not. But, just like Jimmy I really really really want a laptop. The memory that I will have from getting the laptop will last a lifetime just like it will for Jimmy, and I just really really want a laptop. With that being said, I have put a donate button on my blog. See it over there on the right hand side. Scroll down a little bit. There it is. If you click that button you can donate to my "Laptop Fund". Thank you Paypal. I plan on donating to it myself. Every time I walk into Target and pass by Starbucks and not get a double Talle, upside down, Carmel Machiato with soy I am going to "donate" $3.95 to myself. When I don't feel like cooking and want to tell everyone to hope in the car so we can go to Chili's to eat and don't I am going to donate $10.00 to myself. It is going to be my virtual envelope system. Don't know what that is? You can read about it here. Plus get a free template to start your very own envelope system going. I started this about 3 months ago and I have to say it has definitely been interesting and liberating. I totally recommend this system to everyone. 

I even made a little money tracker thingy.

I will make it a home on the side bar.

As always,

Love, Create and Be Happy!

A Yummy New Release

This release I had the pleasure of working with Janet of Bean Bunny Designs. She is one talented lady. We both have boys so we thought a "boyish" birthday kit would be the perfect addition.

I told you it was yummy!!

by La'Shawn

by Kimberly

by Elaine

by Kristi

Make sure you head over to Bean Bunny Designs' blog for more ct inspiration.

and as always

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Oh Project 52, how do I love thee.

I have nothing to release this week. I guess with Valentine's Day, kids being out of school and hubby coming home from being gone all week, it made it nearly impossible to get a kit done in time. The good news about that is, now I can show you what I have done on my Project 52. Never heard of Project 52, let me tell you a little bit about it. Basically, you take a picture every day. Then you scrapbook all the pictures for the week on 1 page. The pictures don't have to be perfect. Nor do they have to be of anything major. Just life. Which can actually pretty interesting if you think about it. Interesting isn't just a trip to a theme park or a big birthday celebration. It can be anything. As you will see with my Project 52.

I got turned on to P52 toward the end of last year. I know several people that do P365. I can not do P365. I just don't have the time or the patients or the discipline. That is when some one suggested P52 instead. This I can do. 52 layouts instead of 365. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. Plus, my grandmother had fallen ill and visiting her in the hospital gave me time to have chats with her. I didn't realize just how many things I never knew about her or that side of my family. I got to look at photo albums that are almost 100 years old. See pictures of my Great Grandfather when he was my age. There was one problem with these photo albums. Not only were they falling apart, they had no information in them. No names. For the most part no dates, no locations, nothing. The only information we had about the pictures was the information my grandmother could remember. Sadly I lost my grandma on December 5th. So I told myself that from that point forward I was going to document as much as possible. I want to be able to look back at my scrap books and be taken back to that day and time. My 13 year old sits and plays video games all day long, my dog loves to dig holes, my DH loves palm trees and has been growing them from a seed, I love to drink Starbucks.  I want to take that journey back in time when I am 65 or older. I want to be able to show my grand kids what their daddy was like as a kid. All of this stuff is important to me.

Here is my journey so far.

Now I must tell you that I have missed a few days. But you know what, that's okay. That is no reason to give up. I just added a little flair to the page in the spot where the missing picture would go or just left that day out all together. Don't let perfectionism keep you have documenting all of these awesome memories. Trust me I know it is hard not to, but the memory is more important than the page being 100% perfect.

You will thank me for it later ;)

Think it is to late to start Project 365/52? Well it isn't! There is no rule or Project 365/52 god out there that says you can't start now and go 52 weeks or 365 days from today's date. You know I am right. Start today.

Polka Dot Plum also has a spot in their forum for you to post your layouts and chat about P365/52. You can look at other peoples layouts and get ideas. It is fun. Trust me. 

I linked all of the layouts so you could see what products I used, plus you can leave me some Layout Love, please.

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Monday Meet and Greet

This week on Monday's Meet and Greet we are talking with Elaine. Elaine is a busy little lady. She is one of two Lead CT's over at Polka Dot Plum. She works really hard at keeping everything in order on the creative team side of things. How she has time to do anything else, I will never know.

Kristi:  How long have you been digi scrapping?
Elaine: 3 years

Kristi: Share with us your fav quote?
Elaine: My favorite song right now is a worship song by Hillsong United. I love these two lines: "In the chaos in confusion / I know You're sovereign still"

Kristi: Do you have and tips for newbie digi scrappers
Elaine: Join a forum at a store and don’t be afraid to play along with their challenges. You’ll learn a lot from your new friends.

Kristi: How do you conquer scrappers block?
Elaine: I love to browse the galleries around digiland. I'm always inspired by the creativity of other scrappers.

5. Share with us 2-3 of you fav layouts.

Kristi: What is your favorite gallery
Elaine's Favorite Gallery

Krisit:  Give us any other information you would like to add.
Elaine: I’m 26 and live in southern Ohio with my handsome hubby, Joey. I am a homemaker, but I also work as a freelance editor. I love all things creative—photography, handmade cards, sewing, cooking, thrifty projects, and (especially) digi scrapping!

Krisit: Now for your silly and fun question. Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
Elaine:  So the tiny man could have a job, of course! He turns off the light when the door closes.

Elaine has made a special freebie for you.

You can snag it by going to this link.

Love, Create, and Be Happy!

Thursday's Random Thoughts

I'm not sure if you guys know that I CT for 2 FAB designers. Ramona the Pest Designs and Victoria Feemster Designs. These ladies amaze me on a daily bases. They have been releasing some great products. I have been slacking and not really show casing all the FAB stuff they do. So today I am gonna play a little catch up. Plus I thought it would be a neat way for you to get to know me a little.

First Ramona the Pest Designs

Look at that cute little face. How could resist. Honestly. This is of course is Stinky, my youngest son. Being Stinky. I used Ramona's newest kit Love You Still and a template from A+ Designs called Zippity Do.

This is my DH and Stinky. They are inseparable. I snapped this picture while they were drawing together one night. I used one of Ramona's Template Pack Vol. 3 and Home Sweet Home.

I don't get very many pictures of my oldest. He can be very difficult sometimes. I think that is why this layout is special to me. I used the kit Farm Country and again I used Template Pack Vol.3. I flipped the template on its side this time.

This is me with my oldest sister. We are 3 years apart. She is in the military so I don't get to see her much, but when I do, we have a blast. We took family photos when she was here. That probably won't happen again. She was pregnant with my nephew Lucas at the time. I used Friends Forever for this layout and a template by Sunflowers Studios.

Now lets move on to Victoria Feemster Designs. This is one busy lady!! She released all these kits in the same day!

This is my dog Rock. He is a white boxer. I honestly think he is the best dog in the world. I made this layout using  Just Love Me. Sugar Hill Company had a thing called collect the collab where you could find the download links all around the site until you have the full kit. Pretty cool if you ask me. 

This is another collab that Victoria did. This one is with Connie Prince (who I love) and it is called Pocket Finds It is perfect for all those boy layouts. I also used another template by A+ Designs.

This was using a kit called It's All Me. It is yet another collab that Victoria did. This time she teamed up with Spinky Dink Scraps. I love, love, love the colors of this kit. It is packed with 75 elements and 20 papers. I used it for my week 3 of Project 52. I will be posting more of my Project 52 in the future. Oh and I almost forgot. I used Everyday Life template from Happy Scrap Girl.

That is what I have been working on as a Creative Team Member. I hope you feel inspired and the urge to shop all at the same time.

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Waiting for Spring New Release

Yay!! You came back. Today I am releasing, drum roll please, Waiting for Spring. I am so ready for the cold weather to be gone and I am in Florida, having a much milder winter than most! I feel for you northern folks. This kit is for you!

This kit has 48 elements 8 patterned papers and 7 solid papers. If you snag it today you get 20% off.

Right now I also have a contest on my Facebook page. Leave a comment and win the kit free!! Head on over for full details and your chance to win. Contest ends Thursday at midnight eastern standard time.

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Sneaky Peeky of Waiting for Spring

Join me on my journey into sneak peek land.

 I can wait to show you the full reveal tomorrow.

That is all!

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Monday Meet and Greet 2/7

Since I've never really had a creative team, I am super exciting about finally getting one. I want you all to meet the wonderful ladies that make all the fabulous layouts for me and do so much more.

First is Kimberly. Kristi, one of my other FAB CT came up with some great questions for Kimiberly. Let's get to know Kimberly.

Krisit: How long have you been digi scrapping?
Kimberly: Almost 3 years

Kristi: Share with us your Fave quote.
Kimberly: "being an individual is worth more than a copy, so remember you were not born to fit in, but rather to stand out!'

Kristi: Do you have any tips for newbie digi scrappers?
Kimberly: Research ways to organize your digi files and set up a good system first thing!

Kristi:  How do you conquer scrappers block?
Kimberly:  I spend some time looking in different online galleries, it doesn't take long to get my creative juices flowing.

Kristi: Show us 2 or 3 of you fav layouts

Kimberly: Give us the link to your fav gallery

Kimberly's Favotire Gallery

Kristi: Give us any other information you would like to add.
Kimberly: I am a Stay At Home Wife and Mother, living in the mountains of East Tennessee. I love to read, take photographs and bake.

Kristi: Okay now for a silly fun question. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Kimberly: Because it is trying to escape, of course!

Kimberly also has a FAB blog called Craft Your Heart Out: If you head on over there she has a special freebie for you.

Come back next week for another addition of Meet and Greet. Who knows, there may be another freebie in it for you.

Also Tomorrow I am giving you a sneak peek of my next release coming out on the 9th. It's called Waiting for Spring.

Love, Create and Be Happy!

Yay Baby is released today

Need a little retail therapy, head over to Polka Dot Plum and snag my newest kit Yay Baby for 20% off.

These are some of the layouts from my wonderful, fantabulous ct girls.

by Kimberly

By Melissa

by Kristi

Don't forget to check me out on my Facebook page and on Twitter. My creative team has some fabulous things in store.


Love, Create and Be Happy,

Sneaky Peeky Time

Hello all. I'm here to give you a sneak peek of my newest kit. It has been a long time since Rhonda Sunflower Designs has put something out, so I am super excited.

This kit is called Yay Baby!! If you pick it up tomorrow at Polka Dot Plum you get 20% off. Plus go check out my Facebook page for a little contest I am having. All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite element to have in a kit and you are entered into a drawing. Yes, it is that simple. One person will win the kit for free and the other with get 50% off. So don't delay. Head over there now!!

Love, Create and Be Happy!