Have you been enjoying the freebies at digibydesign.com?

Digibydesign will have a few new designers on board soon. We have really been growing fast over the past month, and its been very exciting.

This time of year it always seems like there is so much to do and so very little time to get it done. I am just working on a few new items for the store, I have a bunch of things just sitting on my computer and I need to package them up.

My scraplift challenge is on til Dec. 31.

12 Days of Christmas Starts Saturday

Are you having a wonderful holiday season? The economy this year has made things a little harder, but it also is a blessing, because it highlights what is so much more important than just stuff. Anyway I am feeling grateful for the time I can spend with my family at this time of year.

In the spirit of giving, and having fun - digibydesign is bringing back the 12 days of Christmas Dec 13-24th. Each day there will be a new gift for you to download and of course sales. The freebies this year are at the store, so you can look there for them.



Mine is Day 2 so make sure you check out my store on Sunday for my freebie. Of course all the freebies will coordinate so come everyday.

Not so Perfect Picture

I have posted a new scraplift challenge at DXD. Come and play this month. This month I am focused on the less than perfect picture.

So how do you use pictures that aren't as perfect as you would hope? Either they are old and discolored or even newer blurry picts? First, I also enlarge the photo if I am going to. Then, I try to correct the problem as much as possible, either running Sharpening filters or adjusting the colors/contrast.

After I have corrected the pictures, then I create a duplicate on a different layer and run a filter on the corrected version that changes it into digital art. I like to use Virtual Photographer, posterize, watercolor, and colored pencil filters. But I always play with different layers and blending modes too, until I am happy. Sometimes it takes me a long time to figure out what I like from all this playing, but I feel like the end result is usually something special.

Sale and Freebie

I missed last week, but I hope today's post makes up for it because I have a little something for you today. First things first....





Digibydesign is having a huge sale this weekend 50% off, with 75% off between 9-11 PM on selected items! Be sure to visit and pick up some great holiday supplies. There are a few new designers and there will be more to come in the next few weeks.

I have a few new products in the store - check out my new Word Strings. Here is a freebie for you to check out. My kids keep wishing for a snowday, but so far we just have rain.

Brief update

I've finally posted a new scraplift challenge for this month at DBD.

I'd like to mention that DBD is having a sale on all their megakits - 50% Nov 14-16!

Stories in Hand

I'm posting again this week, I know it is shocking - I am hoping to make this a regular habit. :) I have recently signed up for Jessica Sprague's new online class, and I am excited for it to start. It is a system to help collect stories that you have wanted to tell, and it is not strictly for scrapbookers. Anyway here is the link: http://www.jessicasprague.com/

Semi-new stuff

Ok, so I am going to try to be more serious about posting here. I have lots of good ideas and lots to scrap, but only so many hours in the day.

Have you seen my cross word art? They were in my grab bag and now I am selling them along with my crossword overlay. They are available at DBD now for only $1.50, but the sale will end soon.

Quick check in...

I've been slacking recently. Check this blog out though, people who loose their cameras may be reunited. http://ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com/

I've been working on a new kit, but I have a few more pieces to do before it is complete. In the meantime, enjoy the Super Saturday Sale at digibydesign.com.

Moving On

Sandra has recently decided to stop her Wednesday chats, so I plan to use the time to work on my own designs. It was sad to resign from her team, her designs are so very usable and print so well, but I need to focus on getting my name out, and getting people to look at my designs with more LOs, ads, and freebies. I just want to reclaim some time back for me.

Its fun to do CT work, and I will keep doing Athena's and maybe take on guest ones, here and there, but I need to balance that out with my designing obligations. I have also been testing some actions for a designer recently and I think I will keep doing that too.

Seven things...

This is for Kari, but I don't tag others so you will just have to enjoy the list.

OK, I am going to keep all facts scrapping/craft related, because that is what this blog is for. :) I think I have a couple of weird crafting ones anyway.


Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. I can spend 4-5 hours designing one element, but usually can finish a pack of papers in an hour. LOL, I think I should be making more paper packs, don't you?

2. I am trying to figure out how to design, and build a font using only freeware or open source software.

3. I recently took a Charlie and Lola book out the library to inspire my designs, but my kids won't let it out of their rooms, so I can't look at it.

4. Here's a real random one - once I sculpted roses from Wonder Bread and Elmer's glue.

5. I still haven't finished my kids' baby books, because I started designing when I started scrapping. :)

6. I used to do watercolor portraits from photos (by hand, not on computer) and paint them in sepia/rose tones. I think that is where I get my obsession with sepia photos.

7. The hardest part of designing for me is coming up with the descriptions, and previews. I guess I need a course in marketing communication or something.

Entry for Contest

Do you want to see my entry for "So You Think You Can Design?" at ScrapOrchard?



You can get to the link by going through the gallery. You can support me, by making a LO for my kit and posting it to their site. Thanks.

All Items 50% off

Head over to digibydesign.com for NSD (May 3) and see the entire store on sale for 50% off!

All of my items are 50%, except my new grab bag. That will be $2 for the month of May.

Chat tonight!

A couple of things.... Tonight I am featured designer for the Wacky Wednesday Chat at digibydesign.com! Come join us in the chat room at 9PM, there will be a freebie for you.



I am actually featuring two kits tonight! Rugged Pine and Fly Boy! So you can mix and match - they will both be on sale tonight.






In addition, don't forget to check out the other stuff on sale for the mid-month madness. At $.98 you can't pass that up - I have some glittery frames in the store for that, but don't wait too long cause they will be gone in a few days (April 20).

Charity Kit

Hi All,

I've been busy finishing up the end of the month chores, but I wanted to mention... I helped design a few items for this charity kit. The kit is a gift for anyone who donates $20 or more to Autism Speaks. I work with Tammy on Sandra's team and the story of her granddaughter has touched me. If you are interested in getting the kit, check out the website.

This week FlyBoy is in the store. Check out this kit for airshows, paper airplanes, air museums, or plane visits.



Check out my super saver saturday kit too. Boy Basics this week and the alpha. 50% off. Just one day.

An Idea Journal

Do you have an idea journal?

When I started this blog, I wanted to discuss my learning process for digiscrapping and photography, as well as my designs. Since then I have bee lucky enough to get a store and start selling some of my designs, but I haven't taken the time to write about what I have been learning as I started scrapping and taking pictures.

The first thing to discuss, in my opinion is an idea journal. I can't remember all things I want to scrap and take pictures of while I am living my life. I need a place to collect all my ideas and put them on paper. I have an idea journal for layouts and I also collect my design ideas in there too. That is where I go when I want to see what stories I want to make. Its where I sketch out idea for layouts and QPs that I am making for me or for sale.

If you have small kids and want to remember certain moments or quotes, its great to have a notebook handy where you hang out with them. I can't remember things if I have to wait to get to my computer and type them in.

Do you have an idea journal? How do you use it?

Grab Bag at Digibydesign

Just thought I would mention... this month I have a grab bag up for sale. Its all new stuff, $10 for $2. Templates, papers and elements for your scrapping pleasure. You need a hint? Here's a big one.



Buy it now at DxD.

Blinkie

I've just made myself a new blinkie to help promote my designs on websites and in forums. You can see it just to the right here. I love that I learned to make animated gifs, and maybe there will be more blinkies in the future.

When I started designing I knew there was a lot more to being a successful designer then just designing, there are hours and hours spent reading and updating posts, looking at galleries and commenting, challenges to manage and ads to create and then send off to promote the designs. I am still ramping up on the ads, but I know that if I want to be a successful designer, then its not just designing. Many of the designers that I have admired have recently cut back on their stores, or their designing in general in order to better balance their lives. I love designing, but I know I need to keep the balance. I figure if I stay happy designing then I will keep designing.

To that end I have spent a lot of time designing recently so I am planning to a bunch of layouts next week instead of design. If I don't actually scrap anything this will become more like a job then art.

Designer Call at digibydesign.com

Happy Leap Day everyone! I wanted to make sure that you all know that you could have the chance to work with me at a very fun place.

Digi by Design is looking for digital designers to join their growing digital community. If you are interested in becoming a designer with DXD, please contact us at michelle@digibydesign.com and include the following:

A brief resume’ of your scrapbooking experience
a download link to a full kit you have recently created
and additional previews of your other products and galleries.

These will be used to review your work.

Valentine's Day Sale

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to announce that there is a big sale at digibydesign.com in honor of Valentine's Day! Check it out... my stuff included 30% off.

New Featured Kit and a Freebie

I am so excited! I am going to be featuring my new kit Boys Basics at the Wacky Wednesday chat at digibydesign this week - Wednesday at 9PM - 50% off on Wednesday only that's $2 - what a steal. I love the colors, they come directly from my boys' closet, so I think I will be using this kit ALOT in the next few months. Come to the chat for some more goodies and fun.




To entice you a little more, I am sharing a coordinating alpha I made for the kit. It will only be available here for free for a limited time.




*linked deleted* - watch for this item in my store.

Better late than never

I have been a pretty terrible blogger lately. I just wanted to let you all know that digibydesign.com is have a Midmonth Madness sale until tomorrow 98 items for $.98. I had time to make a few items for it, I just love how the toujours mini came out:


I am busy working on a few new things here and there, so I hope to have some new blog updates soon.