Merry Christmas

Liam opening gifts on Christmas Day. 12/25/2005

Santa in Sleigh from Holiday Puffy Sticker by Julie Mead @ CottageArts.

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/hopust.html

Bg. pprs. from Winter Dreams Ppr. pk by Julie Mead @ CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/widrpapak.html

Glitter icicles, stars, presents, sign and wordart title from Paper Bag Christmas Element set by Julie Mead @ cottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/pabagchelpak.html

Ribbon loop and mini tag from Paper Bag Elegant Elements by Julie Mead @ CottageArts.

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/pabagelelpak.html

Staple and scalloped bent photo frame from Study Buddy Pak @ CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/stbupapakw.html

Font: Times New Roman

Sketch by Becky Fleck.

Dear Santa

Font: Times New Roman, Placard Condensed, Kids First Print

Snowflake, holly and presents: Holiday Puffy Stickers by Julie Mead/CottageArts.

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/hopust.html

Note: I altered the stickers by removing the puffiness. I also recolored the presents. I recolored the snowflake and added a highlight layer to the star to make it glow.

Tree/Joyeux Noel Duex Page Pak by Julie Mead/CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/jonodupapak.html

Note: I extracted a branch from the tree and layered the branches on the tree to achieve a fuller look. I also reduced the size of the stars, holly leaves and lights.

Lights on tree from Let It Glow Elemental pk by Julie Mead/CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/letitglelpak.html

Stars, beige print ppr. in round mat from Joyeux Noel Add-On Element Pak by Julie Mead/CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/jonoadelpak.html

Scrap Template 2 - Page Layouts at CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/sc2pala.html

Note: I altered the template by adding an additional photo.

Staple from Study Buddy page pk./CottageArts

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/stbupapakw.html

Count On Me To Remember

K & L placing flowers on Adam's Grave.

Bg. Ppr.: Fleece Blanket Pak
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/flblpapakw.htmlFlowery Swirls are from Count on Me Element Pk.
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/coonmeelpak.html
Power Borders 1 template by Julie Mead @ CottageArts.Net
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/pobo1te.html
Template (modified) from CottageArts Simply Done 1
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Seeing Autumn

Here is my layout using the Bountiful Blessings kit from CottageArts. Isn't that a beautiful background paper? Aren't those colors luscious? It was perfect for my photos, too.

Bountiful Blessings Collaborative Pak
Sketch Collection 21 by Jen Caputo/SBG
Fonts: Times New Roman, FG Matilda, Embossing Tape

Want to See a Sample?

Remember that little action I was telling you about...the one from CottageArts? Well, I had a chance to use it and here are my results.

I started with what I thought was a good photo. Then I ran the action and what you see in the middle is exactly how it came out after the action.

The last photo on the right is the same one after the action, but I played with the levels and hue/saturation levels. I think I went a bit oversaturated in this sample, but if I tone it down just a tiny bit, his face won't be so pinkish and I will have a great photo.

I wi sh I could show you the bigger versions, but Blogger is having problems at the moment and I can't upload them. Oh well, even if this is small, it is better than no samples at all.

Looking for some ACTION?

Did I get your attention? :)

The kind of action I am TALKING about is a PHOTOSHOP ACTION. Michelle Shefveland from Cottage Arts created a DIGITAL DARKROOM ACTION: Lighten and Pop, which link will appear in tomorrow's edition of the CottageArts newsletter.

What did you say? You are not a newsletter subscriber yet? How about you register now so you don't miss out?! http://www.cottagearts.net/newsletter.html

ButterflyWings 3 at Cottage Arts

Isn't this a cute page? This is Kaylie on her first day of school. She is now in First Grade. I used the Butterfly Wings 3Pak at Cottage Arts. The "school" alpha is by Traci Reed at Scrapbook-Graphics. The "K" was done with an alpha template by Janet Phillips at Scrapbook-Graphics.



Another page with the Butterfly Wings Kit, which I just love!

Calendar Pages and Butterfly Pak 3 at Cottage Arts

2008 CD Case Calendars can be purchased here:
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/20cdcacapak1.html

The last 2 layouts on the slide show were done with the Butterfly Wings 3 Pak with Alpha from CottageArts. See link below.

Butterfly Wings 3 Pak with Alpha can be seen and purchased here:
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/buwi3pakw.html
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First Day of Kindergarten

Remember the kit from Cottage Arts that I showed you this morning (STUDY BUDDY)? Here is my page! BoyIt came together rather nicely, if I say so myself.
Kaylie was excited to start Kindergarten and to meet her new teachers. She was in the “Froggy” class so her room was decorated with all kinds of frogs and fishes. It was a bright, cheerful and fun room. They even had a pet frog!

Credits:
Study Buddy Pak/CottageArts.net
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/stbupapakw.html
Index card from Index Bits by Trish Jones/Index Bits/SBG
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=19004&cat=0&page=1
ABC border from the On The Border 1 by Janet Phillips/SBG
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17596&cat=0&page=1
Label by Traci Reed/EndofSummer kit/SBG
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17384&cat=0&page=1
Folder by PaisleePress/StudyHallpage set/Oscraps
Fonts: Futura Lt BT, Futura MD Bt, Dear Teacher Normal, KidsFirstPrint, FG Klara
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Study Buddy Page Pak by Cottage Arts

I just got my newsletter from Cottage Arts and saw this kit! Michelle did a wonderful job with the bg. pprs., alpha and embellishments. And it came just at the right time, too, as my kids will be heading off to school in less than 2 weeks!

Check it out...and guess what? It is on special!!! Grab it before it goes back to regular price!
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/stbupapakw.html

Out for a Stroll at Woolman Lake

I am in love with this botanical paper; it is perfect and just the way I like it. And if you are a registered member and receive the newsletter, you will more than likely recognize it as it was one of a few featured! I love the designs found at http://www.cottagearts.net/ Click on new items to see the latest kits available. Do tell me what you think of it! 2146

Butterfly Wings Pk. 2 at Cottage Arts

Isn't this layout pretty? I just love, love, love its colors, stitched frame and brushes. It is called Butterfly Wings Pk. 2 found at CottageArts.net.

I also fell in love with an alpha pack: Elgant Alphas Pk. 1, which has 4 alphas! I used theBronze Bubbles Alpha for this layout, but can't wait to use the others. They have a classic, vintage look to them that appeals to me.

Sweet Innocence by Doris Castle at COTTAGEARTS.NET

Ta Da! My layout with this awesome kit!

Kaylie has had Lily since Christmas 2001. Kaylie takes her just about everywhere she goes. Over the years, Kaylie has had other dolls that can talk, dance and walk, but they can not hold a candle to Lily. Lily was her first doll and holds a special place in her heart. 09-03-2006

Sweet Innocence page set at CottageArts.net (see below for link)
Template: Sketch Collection 18 by Jen Caputo, SBG (modified)
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=18196&cat=0&page=1
Font: Century Gothic



I am in love with this page set, rightly titled Innocene of Childhood. It is jammed packed with stickers, glittery elements, wortart and gorgeous colors, textures and designs. The flower stickers are so pretty and springy, suitable for all types of layouts. I especially love the ribbons and glitter elements. Below is a link to the kit at the store, if you want to take a closer look.
http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/swinpapak.html

If you need to see for yourself the variety of layouts that can be created with this page set, check them out here: http://www.cottagearts.net/sdnews2/July07/DTMlayoutsJuly.htm



Doris even had the time to make quickpages for those of us short on time. But no just quickpages, a well coordinated album of quickpages! I tell you, Doris thinks of everything!

She realizes that summer is a busy time and that we might not have time to actually sit down long enough to create a page from scratch, so she made it easy for us to not have an excuse to get our pages done and those memories saved. Thanks Doris! You are a doll!

Link to quickpages: http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/swin12alpak.html

If you made it all the way down here, here is the free sampler that you can download at CottageArts. http://www.cottagearts.net/sdnews2/July07/freekitpageJuly.htm

Make time to sign up for the newsletter. It is totally worth it. You get notice of sales, samplers and tutorials.

What is YOUR destination?

I love this new kit at Cottage Arts. It is great for travel pictures, but you can use it for just about anything. There are different types of journeys in life so just be creative.

If you'd like to pick it up (it is on special now!:)

http://cottagearts-net.stores.yahoo.net/depapak.html

This is my layout using the kit. I just love the kit and page.

If you would like to see other pages done with this kit, check it out here:

http://www.cottagearts.net/sdnews2/June07/DTMlayoutsJune.htm

Love One Another

Kaylie and Liam sharing sweet moments while pretend-fishing at the lake. 05-18-2006Font: Sweetheart ScriptInked edges: Scrap Edges 1 set at Cottage ArtsTemplate by Rachael Giallongo - SillyOne, DigichickPhoto corner and bg. paper from SWEET NOTHINGS paper pack at CottageArts. Short stitch, stamp blossom, title and alpha from SIMPLY LOVE page set at CottageArts.