Still in hiatus...

I am sure it is clear from my lack of posting that I have been on hiatus for a while. I have pretty much lost my mojo for a bunch of reasons. I am trying to get back my creative juices but really I don't think I am there yet.

One of the things that I noticed today, was that I am not allowing myself to move beyond a project that I stalled on. I told myself that I couldn't do anything else until I finished a certain project, and when I ran into a road block I just stopped. Sometimes that can be a positive thing, like keeping me focused, but this time it just stopped me and for months. Well I think I might allow myself to do some pages not related to get back in.

Nuthouse Chat

Wilma4Ever and ManuScraps are up for a chat tomorrow (Saturday, September 5th at 2pm EDT) !! Join us in the chat here:
http://www.nuthouse-scraps.com/Forum/chat/

There will be much fun and we're giving out a freebie or 2 ;)
Both have another freebie for you (not the chat freebies):

Manu's Fashion Bags:
And a great cluster frame on Wilma’s blog:

A Nuthouse Challenge

So are you up for another challenge???
Do i hear a yes!!
Well here we go there is another template for you to make a stunning layout with.

You can download it for free here and make a stunning layout!!
For participating you will get a posting bonus!
This months posting bonus is a Herb Garden Add-on.

Feelin' Pretty

Well I think I have finally settled down with this new look. I will be adding in more of my inspirations and friends as I get the chance. In the meantime, I better get back to my to do list.

Blog Update

Please forgive the ugliness around here, I am working my blog design. I am still getting used to the fixed width format. I am also working on adding in more of my inspiration links around here to make this place feel more comfortable to me.

Summer break

Where have I been? Earlier this summer it was just the kids keeping me busy, but this last month I have taken a break from designing to do some technical work. So for the past month, I have been re-skinning Nuthouse-scraps.com to look more like a scrapbooking site. I took some of the kits the team made in honor of the grand-opening and I reworked the headers, background, etc. I have still have some pieces of the site to finish up and of course I have some software upgrades too.

Now that I been stretching my technical muscle, I look at my blog and feel like it needs an upgrade too. So I guess that will come after I am done with the site.

In the meantime, I am also missing scrapping, so I will prob take a break to make a few pages soon. I have to finish up last year's school LOs so I won't be stressed when the school year starts.

Nuthouse-scraps has a new freebie upand some other new products so check them out.

Have you been to the nuthouse-scraps blog lately? Today Aquarius has a gift for you if you go.

What is up for NSD?

I am posting this a bit early, but I wanted you to know about the fabulous sale at Nuthouse-scraps this weekend.

There will be lots of brand new grab bags too, and Topical paradise Mixed Nuts will be available.

Egg Hunt

This weekend I'd like to invite you to browse the store. I have been slow to get things in, but I know the others are adding in like crazy. We have been generous with our sales lately, but that is just cause we are excited to have the store open. You might not see deals like this again soon.

So you want to find the egg hunt? Check the forums.

All Aboard! DST Blog Train

It's a blog train!

The blog train is here! This blog train is 91 participants long. We are from all over the world in many different time zones. Please allow a full 24 hours for all blog train links to be completely active. You can find a complete list of blogs here at the Blog Train Blog!




After you have grabbed my freebie, check out Tracy's Scraps for the next stop!

I forgot to mention before.... nuthouse is having 50% off sale to celebrate the grand-opening! That is crazy pricing and you probably won't be seeing that again anytime soon. Plus check the post below for some more freebie goodness.

This is no Joke!

To celebrate the grand-opening of the store, Nuthouse-scraps is giving away a bunch of freebies. Follow the clues in this thread to find all the goodies hidden in the store.

I finally got my blinkie updated to match my blog header (too bad it doesn't blink anymore, lol) and there is now a link to my store in the sidebar. If you click on it, I have a few things in already with more to come.

Check back later for another goodie I am giving on the blog. Choo choo!

Mindful Work

I have some big changes coming up soon, but I am trying not to loose sight of why I am scrapping. I am scrapping to express myself and to save the stories that I treasure about my family. At the beginning of this year I did the ADSR, and it felt amazing to get so much done in such a short amount of time. I think once I get myself a bit more organized, I am going to set some serious goals for creative growth and getting some of my stories told. Yes I have my whole life to tell the important stories, but the thing is more stories show up everyday.

I never wrote down the word I chose to represent this year. My intent is POSITIVE. Anything that is a challenge to me, I am going to look at it as an opportunity. Instead of complaining, I am going to look to be grateful.

A Nutty new Adventure

I am no longer at DxD and I am going to be joining a new store - once I get my paperwork in order. I am working on some new designs and I am excited with my new direction. Please stay tuned.

In the meantime check out the new digs at http://www.nuthouse-scraps.com/. I have been getting my geek on helping set up there.

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.