CHOO CHOO!!!! Feb LDS Blog Train

The February LDS Blog train is here!!! The theme is "Scripture Heroes." Never fear, though, if you're not LDS or don't like scriptures, you can still have this kit! :D

Download HERE

DesignsZ by Dede

My 4 Princesses Designs

Plum Dumpling Designs

The Latest Scoop, Too

Pink Igloo Designs

Let Me Scrapbook

Krisi's Kreations

Steadfast and Immovable

Digital Designs by Jana

Craft With Me   <-----YOU ARE HERE

Scrappy Pilgrim

Scraps 'n Pieces

Word Art World

Winks Art Graphics

Toddlers of Unusual Size

Jensen Motley Crew

Holley Berry Designs

Noisy Pancakes

Doras Digitals

Design by Alevtina

Hot Pink Pansy

Round 2 Voting is up!

For the Designer Darling contest at Stuff to Scrap. I've been very excited about my kit. If you like it, please register or log in to vote for it here.

Oh and by the way, hubby said that if I win, he'll buy me a Bamboo Pen!!!

For Forever

Ok, so I told you I'd switched my decor to Valentine's Day instead of Easter. Ever since then, My brain is non-stop love, hearts, pink , and kisses!

I've cut fabric for a table runner & pillows, dyed coffee filters, painted picture frames, and - of course- gotten my digi on! Remember the printout from a few days ago? Yeah, I'm not stopping there. It's "I Love You" in a whole bunch of languages. You can ask me to customize  colors and such ANY time by e-mailing me: imafishtank at gmail dot com

Well, there is something about love that I just HAVE to share. I can't imagine my life without my family. They are the very most important people to me on the whole planet. I mean, who DOESN'T think family is important? It is the basic unit of society! But it's more than that. It's loving them, being happy to see them, serving them, and finding JOY with them. That is one reason I'm so grateful to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. By making right choices, exerting self control, and repenting of sins that I've committed, I was able to marry the love of my life not just "till death do we part" but instead for ALL TIME AND ETERNITY. Isn't that wonderful! My marriage will last even after we pass on and as long as we continue to do our  best and as long as my kids do their best also, and repent of mistakes, we all get to be together forever and ever! The thought makes me so happy!!

So without further ado:

Just click so it opens up big, right click, save as. You can print it at home or send it off to be printed. Whatever floats your boat!

Wow! I am...

Relieved. Scared. Proud. Anxious.

I just finished the second part of my Designer Darling challenge. For the challenge, we were given two colors to start with and had to fill in the rest of the pallete. We then had to turn in 6-8 papers and 12-15 elements. Oh yeah, and we weren't allowed to use ANY Commercial Use items. It was a very welcome challenge. :D I'll be giving you a freebie, too, but first, take a looksie at

my papers. There are 7 of them:

And my elements:

Now that I have teased you, here is a freebie. Pretty much the extras I made that I didn't put into the kit to be judged.

*link expired* If you would like ALL three parts of this kit, please e-mail me and I'll send them to you!!  imafishtank at gmail dot com

Out of the ordinary

I don't normally post links to other people's freebie digikits because there are lots of sites out there specifically for that, but I found one of the worlds cutest kits EVER today. It's called "Punk Princess" and what does it feature? Oh yes- stars and skulls. And the main color? ORANGE!

Check it out HERE

I wanna win!!

My friend Sarah at Sew Very Happy is having a giveaway! You can win a $25 gift card to CSN! Fun, huh?

It's Snow Cold

So, one of my favorite things about digital scrapbooking is being on amazing CT teams- like for Maurine Stettler at Let Me Scrapbook. Her kits are gorgeous and she is a lot of fun to work with. So when was cool with letting us design add-on kits to her current kit It's So Cold, I jumped at the chance. 

Here is what I have for you!!

*link expired* If you want this kit, please e-mail me and I'll send it to you!! imafishtank at gmail dot com

Here's a preview of Maurine's full kit:

NOW you can have it! And a printable freebie, too!

Alright, I finally got my critique back for round 1 of Designer Darling (at Stuff to Scrap).

Overall, I"m very pleased with the reviews and knowing what needs to improve. I'm so excited for this next round I can't even TELL you! We were given 2 colors and the challenge was to come up w/ the rest of the colors for the kit and not use any Commercial License stuff. I had finished my color pallete when my sweet friend, Jamie (over at Black Sunshine Notes) stopped by and made a comment as to what the colors reminded her of. I joked about a name for it and then said it reminded me of point B on this thought train. Then I was upstairs washing my hands and it HIT me!!! I know what my theme is going to be! And I"m not going to tell you until I have it up!! I know, I'm mean like that. If you want a hint, click here.

If you'd like this kit- let me know and I'll e-mail it to you! imafishtank at gmail dot com

And also, here is a printable for you. Like I said in yesterdays post, if you want more variations of this printable, "Like" me on Facebook!

Just right click, Save As.

A Present for You!

If you "like" Craft With Me on Facebook, there's a present for you there!

Bloomin Happy!!

So this morning, I got to work rightaway! I cleaned my living room, loaded the dishwasher, showered, got dressed, and got all my kids dressed too!
Then I worked on THIS for you!

You can download them HERE- and I'm curious- here on the blog, when you click the link, does the download start automatically or does it take you to the folder of downloads? Please leave a comment letting me know which. :D

Right now I'm crazy beside myself waiting for my critiques from round 1 of the Designer Darling contest. They had a voting thing on the blog (hence the Vote! Vote! Vote! post of yesterday) and as of right now, I have 14 votes. That's 7.57% of the votes. Now, the votes only play a small role in the judges decisions, but still. I'm one of THOSE people who needs validation.

Seeing Stars

So, can you tell that I'm pumped about the Designer Darling contest? I made some coordinating stars for you last night! The edges are jagged. I decided that I like it that way. I thought about smoothing them, but I think it takes away from the fact that they are hand drawn by me. :D
Click HERE to download:

Vote! Vote! Vote!

Voting is open for Designer Darling Round 1!! I'm nervous and scared, but hopeful. To bribe you to go vote for me (Craft With Me- Praiseworthy), I'm offering you these pretty ribbons!

Snag them HERE

And just a reminder what the "Full" kit looks like:

The links aren't available here on my blog just YET, but they will be soon. Keep checking out previous blog entries for other add ons I've made.

Oh yeah, and then there is this

A page! Made with MY kit, Praiseworthy, that I entered for the Designer Darling contest at Stuff to Scrap. I don't think I've ever actually done a page w/ my own kit.....

I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but the kit.... the kit I'm happy with. Want to see it again?

And if you scroll down a couple posts, you'll see a freebie add-on. And since I'm crazy like this, I'm giving you a pack of solid papers today. Get 'em HERE, and don't forget to leave some love!!

Scrapbook Pages

Oh man, so I have been on the computer ALL day!!! Finished the Designer Darling kit (which you can download the freebie of and if you leave nice comments, maybe even the WHOLE kit). PLUS did some work for two OTHER amazing, fantastic designers!!

Here is a page using Maurine Stettler's kit, It's Snow Cold, which you can pick up here. She also has a mini-kit on her blog for FREE!!

Also, from Hot Pink Pansy, a fun page from her kit Live, available HERE

Happy Scrapping!

Designer Darling

Oh my goodness! I finally did it! I'm facing my fears and diving RIGHT IN! Most of you are well aware of the fact that I design for Digital Scrapbooks and that I do it all for free. Mostly because I'm scared out of my mind that if nobody buys my kit, it will mean that nobody likes me. Yes, I'm aware that's the silliest thing you've ever heard, but it's totally how I've felt.


BUT I finally took the first step and entered the Stuff to Scrap Designer Darling contest. First round we all had a color palette and were told to make 6-8 papers and 12-15 elements. I did it and I'll show you my preview, but I made more than needed, so I'm giving you the rest. Wish me luck!!!

Here is a mini for you:: Download HERE  (and if you happen to get dropbox for yourself, please use imafishtank@gmail.com as your referral so I can have more free space!)

Here's the full kit, not yet available for free download.

Friday Finish It

It's Friday again!! Which means, it's time to post what you finished this week. Remember it doesn't have to be complicated!

New Recipe? Check

Finished Project? Check

Completed a Goal? Check

So this week, I started a lot of things but didn't finish much. I have been creating DigiScrap kits like crazy. Two of them I've finished. The first is for a chartiy kit and it's called Dandelions and Lollipops, not yet available, but here's what I did:

The next kit I'll be showing you a preview of will be available here on my blog for FREE starting on Feb 1. It's for the LDS Blog Train. I was in charge of this month.

I have also entered in a contest for Stuff to Scrap to be one of their Designer Darlings. I'm so nervous! But I'm not showing it to you yet because I'm not done. :D

Link up, y'all!!

Mega Change of Plans

After thinking, searching, hemming, and debating, 

I have decided that I will NOT be doing Easter this year, 

but instead.... 

VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!

Whoo Are You- January 2

Remember, go to Night Owl Crafting. Grab the questions. Answer them on your blog. Link back your blog to Night Owl. Visit the other linked up people and comment on their blogs. It's a big party.

Questions:
1. Do you use an alarm clock or some device to wake you up, or do you wake up on your own
I have kids. Is there another kind of alarm clock?
2. If you could go on any game show, which one would you choose?
Wheel of Fortune. :D But knowing me, I'd extra suck from the pressure.
3. Do you prefer the weather to be hot or cold?
HOT!!!! I love love love summer and absolutely hate winter. Tell me again why I live in Utah?
4.What color of clothing do you wear the most?
I love color, but I have noticed I wear lots of brown and orange. And purple.
5. What is your favorite color?
It's actually a color combo:

The Sanity Project

I'll start w/ a pic to get your attention. You realize I'll be doing this a lot more often since I"m not cool enough to be like those amazing blogs people actually love and read

You all know I love my kids, right? Yesterday we had dancing time and they even got to go play outside (YAY for nice weather). But then hubby called and informed me he has to work in the "other" office the rest of the week. The other office is 45 min a way instead of 5, so that's an extra 2 hrs every day. So I made plans to go to my mom's and sew today, then my cousin is going to hang out tomorrow, then I'll have the car Thursday and everything's kosher.

Well, then hubby came home and further informed that not only does he have to work at the other office, they also want him working 1-3 LONGER each day. YAY for the paycheck, but then a little bit of panic set in. Xanderman had been whiney, Juliana's going through this bizarre stage of I-don't-know-what and Vaughn, well, Vaughn's just 2.  After that bit of news and an especially rough day (we all have 'em now and then!) I was not in the best mood. Which I was called out on.

Then hubby came to the rescue with a pizza. Family Home Evening was certainly not formal, just a discussion on the table about gratitude. Once kids were in bed and we had our studying done, we watched Veronica Mars- which cheers me up in seconds!!

I'm here to ask for ideas on things I can do w/ my kids this week that don't take ALL my time- since there is regular 'ol housework to do, laundry to finish folding (Yay for netflix!), and naps to be taken. But I want to not be grumpy at my kids.

That being said, I need ideas that don't need a Cricket or Vinyl or a Sewing Machine. :D

Friday FINISH it!

Here's where you show off what you finished this week. It could be a new recipe, a project you started 5 years ago, a mini-project, a step in a program, a weekly update on a class, an art journal page, whatever you are excited to share that you accomplished. Leave a link to your blog in the comments, then hop around and see what everyone else did!!

It could be more than one link, or just one. It's so your call.

This week, I finished:

7 Pennant Banners

4 Fabric Boxes for my Bookcase

 

See, I was going to do a tutorial for these, but I'm not really happy with the way they turned out. Sure, they look great ON my shelf, but individually, not so much....

A bunch of hair pretties
We did these for Young Womens on Tuesday, but there will be a separate post about hair pretties later.

A gift for a friend:

And a desktop background:

I know this week seems like I did a TON- I did. But this is not normal. Normally I'm lucky to get one thing finished. Hence the weekly post, to push it a little!

Unintentional Sabbatical

I haven't really been gone for this long. I have two or three saved drafts on my blogger waiting to be published. Reasons they didn't get posted? Not good ones.

Oh hey look, be distracted by a picture:

Which picture do you like better? I am trying to find the popular style. :D

I want to start a weekly FRIDAY FINISH IT link party. And I had my first one all ready- cept for the pictures. Now let me explain. My camera is a great camera. It takes wonderful pictures, considering the low budget of it. It just has ONE tiny itty bitty problem. The battery latch is broken. Which means that it is being held together by rubber bands. We couldn't afford a new one for Christmas, so my sweet hubby bought me a bag of colored rubber bands, lol. Anyway. to take the memory card in and out is literally a pain.

Here are a couple more pics,

Which of THESE two do you like better? And do you prefer these bright colors, or the faded ones from the first set?

 

Anyway, today the search begins for the cord that lets me hook my camera up to my computer so I don't even have to mess with the rubber band. Hubby says we used to have it but it didn't work well. I don't remember that so much. But then again, there's a lot I don't remember till I'm reminded.

 

How about these?

 

 

Which of these two? I promise these are the last comparison ones. Inquiring minds NEED to know. And out of ALL the pics, which was your favorite? If you respond to these questions, I'll change 5 of your pics to your desired style for you! Make sure your comment has a way to reach you- whether it's an e-mail address or link to your blog or whatever. 

So, speaking of memories that you don't remember until they are brought up- Roger and I were talking the other day about high school and how he had all these AP classes. It got me to thinking- my parents expected me to have A's and B's as much as possible. I know our school had AP classes, so why wasn't I in any of them? Why didn't I even TRY to be in any of them? Why didn't my parents make me? So I asked my mom.

 

Hey look at this!

Xander refuses to look at me if the tv is on.

So, I asked my mom yesterday why I wasn't in any of the AP classes and she reminded me that they pulled me out of Spanish III. I wish I could remember why! Actually, no, no I don't wish. I had to have been PRETTY miserable. My mom said that out of the 8 kids, I was the only one they ever let drop a class. And it was just that ONE class. I remember I went to yearbook instead. And it was my sophomore year. The ironic thing? I LOVE the Spanish language. It had to have been socially, which is why I don't know that I want to remember. Oy, the torture!

This isn't torture!

Isn't she adorable? This was New Years Eve. She was modeling one of the hair flowers we made. Which I'd like to do a post about.

Thanks for sticking with me this whole post. It feels good to post again. More coming soon, I promise. As soon as I get my head on straight.... or at least a little straighter.

Tomorrow will be the FIRST Friday Finish It! Don't miss it! Be ready to link up!!!!!!! 

Whoo Are You- Happy January

HOOOOOOOOO ARE YOU?

HOOOO HOOOO!

The rules: Go to Night Owl Crafting. Copy the Questions. Answer them on your blog. Link up. Visit other people's blogs. Comment.

Here are this week's questions!

1. Did you make any New Year's Revolutions?

I made them before New Year's, so they're just Goals. :D I want to master my camera- know it inside and out, up and down, with my eyes closed, lol! I also want to learn the ins and outs of PSE8. ANd my MAIN one is to finish something every week.
2. What are some goals you have for 2011?

Well, I guess I just answered that, lol.
3. What is something that you got for Christmas? 

I got a 1 TB hard drive for all my photos and digiscrap stuff. Also games!

4. Did you see any good movies over the holiday season? 

Finally saw Inception. LOVED it!

5. Do you do your own taxes or have someone do them for you?

I have my awesome friend Angie do them for me. Because she's AMAZING!

Right Now

I wish that right now I could be:

1. Working on a small secret project.
2. Building the entertainment I want downstairs.
3. Folding laundry.
4. Sleeping.
5. Working on my art journal.
6. Cutting out and pinning pieces of some fabric baskets I need.
7. Playing Go Fish with my kids
8. Be on a date with hubby.
9. In a classroom.
10. Crocheting.

Lemme see your list! Remember, time, energy, and money are no issues in your little dream world.

New Year, New Holiday

Many of you already know this, but I choose a holiday every year and work on decor for it all year long. This allows me to have time for big projects, scour thrift stores and garage sales, and take advantage of after-holiday sales.

The first year I tried this, I worked on Halloween. I made some very cute things! My favorite was my SPOOKY Halloween Banner

I was also pretty darn proud of my Cupcake Cupboard Door Art

And most definitely my wreath- although the wreath is EXTRA special because I made it with a friend. Funny how creating something together can form bonds and make an item even more meaningful than it was before.

Those were the highlights of the handcrafted items, though I also made an afghan. On top of the big projects, I had the best surprise from Lori at Goody Goody Gumdrops. She sent me a print of some Halloween art that she had done. It looked fantastic on my wall.

I also collected little things here and there through the year. But that was 2009.




In 2010, I focused on The Fourth Of July.
I made some very  cute things. Like, my new obsession, a banner:

I also had some art projects for the 4th

And I've been working on an afghan that is not finished. Why isn't it finished, you ask? Because I cannot for the LIFE of me find the blue and white yarn!!!!!!!!! I have it around here SOMEwhere. I was hoping that putting away Christmas stuff would help me find it, but so far, nada. I did make a tie wreath, though. That I put out for like 2 weeks. Now it's faded.

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit of a let down after not getting a LOT of things done that I wanted. I wanted to make these cute fireworks, like my friend Jeanette over at Keep Me In Stitches has:

Aren't those cute? I also wanted to make some fun pinwheels and red white and blue balls, but I had many, many a craft fail in 2010! I'm hoping to pull double duty this year and make some things both 4th of July and this year's holiday.....


EASTER!!!!!

I have lots of ideas in mind. Things I've been hiding away in a file. I hope I can remember where I found all these!

This is my all time favorite Easter decoration I've ever seen, from Make It and Love It. Now there is OOOONE Teeny tiny problem with this decoration that I"m in love with. Say it again with me, "Robyn doesn't sew." *sigh* We'll figure SOMEthing out. It may end up being made of paper, but by golly, I will HAVE this banner!!
I've also been trying to convince my friend Jeanette to make me a mini quilt like this one she made:

 But she thinks I need to learn to make one. Me+Sewing Machine= Tears

It can be found at The Hand Me House. Beautiful, huh?
I've had an idea of which afghan I wanted to make for Easter, but I'm wondering if it's really what I want to do. It will be LOTS of work.... and not in straight lines.

The pattern is free at Lion Brand Yarn. It's called the Park Slope Afghan. What do you think?
Any ideas to must have Easter Crafts, please PLEASE share!!!