Happy Birthday to Me! I guess...

How cool is this newsppaper clipping? I made it in 5 minutes. I will come back later and post a link to where I did it so you can try it too.
Edited: Link: http://tools.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

Hugs,
Kait

First Layout done with my freebie template!

I am so honored that Karen Lewis used my template! She sent me a link to her gorgeous layout and I just had to share it with you all. Don't you love her attention to detail? The frayed fabric, the stitching, the pink staples, the alpha...she took the template and made it her own! Awesome layout. And her daughter is the prettiest girl ever, too.

Here is a link to her layout, if you would like to leave a comment: http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8156

I HAVE BEEN BUSY: Layout#4 BeWITCHing

Kaylie has been a princess for 2 years in a row. I wanted her to choose a different costume this year and suggested she be a witch. She really didn’t like the idea but when we went to get her costume, the dresses were ugly. However, we did find the cutest witch outfit that she loved. The wig was the deal clencher! She looks BeWitching! October 12, 2006

Terry’s Templates Plus – Halloween Witch, Terry Maruca, SBE
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7167
Buttons on shoe done with a Fancy Brad Creator by Roberta D’Achille, RenderedMemories
Photo prongs and Title are from Taran Conyer’s BeWITCHing kit, SBG.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16892&cat=0&page=1
Spooky page set by Sausan Designs/Sylvie Wagner, SBG.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16930&cat=0&page=1
(Spider, laces and all backgrounds from Spooky kit)
Note: The glitter shoe was recolored to suit my layout.
Font: Arial

I HAVE BEEN BUSY: Layout#3 BOMB POPS

Kaylie loves eating ice cream. She especially likes “Bomb Pops.” .Yes, she likes eating the pop, but with this particular one she has an added benefit: it colors her lips red. She then pretends that it is red lipstick. I got my hands full with this little girl.

Misty’s Beautiful Journey kit, Misty Cato, SBE
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=82&products_id=6123
Misty’s Layered Templates Set “B,”by Misty Cato, SBE
Terry’s Date Stamps – 2004 to 2009, Terry Maruca, SBE
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6914
Masking tape is from Maya’s Dumpster Diving element set.
Font: Arial, Amazing Ruler

I HAVE BEEN BUSY: Layout#2 DOWN BY THE LAKE

Liam had a good time at the lake. As usual, he went to the pier to see the Blue Herons fishing for food. He also spotted this little turtle sun bathing herself. The minute she saw us, she quickly swam away. 10-05-2006.

Kay’s Tuscany page set, Kay Miller, SBE
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4286
Terry’s Text Paths Plus – TRIANGLES, by Terry Maruca, SBE
http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=108&products_id=7099
Misty’s Layered Templates Set “B,”by Misty Cato, SBE
Font: Arial

I HAVE BEEN BUSY: 4 New Layouts - Layout 1 BEAUTY

Kaylie is such a beautiful girl. But it is not her physical beauty that makes her special...it is her inner beauty and kindness of heart and spirit.
Credits: Terry’s Beautiful Dreamer page set, by Terry Maruca, SBE.
Misty’s Layered Templates Set “B,”by Misty Cato, SBE.
Shabby Glamour Glitter Alpha, by Taran Conyers, Scrapbook-Graphics
Font: Myriad

My Gift to You: Layered Sketch

Hello Everybody,

Here is a layered template in jpg, tiff and psd format. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. If you download, kindly leave a comment.

I would love to see what you do with the template. Come back here and leave me a link, or email me. Anyway, I posted a preview so you can decide if you want it prior to downloading.

I almost forgot...there are 2 extra flowers not shown on the preview.

Here is the link: LINK REMOVED/EXPIRED

Thanks,
Kait Gonzalez

The Alluring Laundry Basket

I really don’t know what the allure of the laundry basket is for Liam. Yesterday, while I was doing laundry, Liam got all the dirty laundry out and got himself inside the basket. Of course, his blanket made the perfect accessory. He used it as a hiding place, as a bed, as a fort...the possibilities are endless for his young, creative mind. One thing is for sure, he had “loads” of fun. October 9, 2006.

Sentimental Journey page set, by Kay Eflin, E-scapeandscrap: http://tinyurl.com/ldy5n
Layered sketch by designer Brenda Kempf. Thanks Brenda!
Inked edge done with an action by Atomic Cupcake.

Thoughtful - Sentimental Journey by Kay Eflin

Kaylie was by the lake side admiring a bunch of wildflowers. Liam knows how much she likes flowers so he reached over and pulled them with all his might. When he gave it to her, it still had a huge clump of dirt and roots attached. We had a big laugh over that one! She gave him lots of kisses to thank him for his thoughtfulness. Oct. 05, 2006.

Credits: Sentimental Journey, by Kay Eflin, E-scapeandscrap: http://tinyurl.com/ldy5n
Doodles – Hearts, by Sausan Designs, Scrapbook-Graphics: http://tinyurl.com/p5ydj
Doodles – Arrows, by Sausan Designs, Scrapbook-Graphics: http://tinyurl.com/mggpg
Altered Artistry – Stained Textile Alpha, by Sausan Designs, Scrapbook-Graphics: http://tinyurl.com/pjks3
Layered Template by Kimberly Geswein.

Smithville Lake - Tenda Rosse kit by Karen Aicken-E-scapeandScrap.net

My walk to the lake was amazing. The trees are so colorful and the lake is brimming with life. Autumn at its best. Oct. 9, 2006.

Tenda Rosse page set, by Karen Aicken, E-scapeandscrap: http://tinyurl.com/jlp8m
Taran’s RibbonerieI, Taran Conyers, Scrapbook-Graphics: http://tinyurl.com/j75r5
Karen’s Quick Clicks (sketches), Karen Aicken, E-scapeandscrap: http://tinyurl.com/kp7sf

Scraplift Ronna Penner Challenge at Scrapbook-Graphics

Done as part of a Studio Start Challenge #12 - scraplift challege of Ronna Penner - at Scrapbook-Graphics. I used Elegant Wedding page set, by Ronna Penner, Scrapbook-Graphics
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16912&cat=257&page=1

Doodles – Arrows, by Sausan Designs, Scrapbook-Graphics
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16942&cat=0&page=1

Font: Arial
Note: I recolored some of the backgrounds to suit my layout. (Orange and brown colors are not colors from the kit but from my son’s blanket)

Sunflowers For Kaylie

I found the most perfect kit for my photo! Taran Conyer's Owen's Sunflower Fairy is fabulous. I love its green/orange/brown color scheme. The Fairy graphic is so cool, too.
Credits: Owen’s Sunflower Fairy, by Taran Conyers, SBG
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16910&cat=0&page=1

TK Doodle Font, by Taran Conyers, SBG
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16384&cat=279&page=1
Star overlay by Doris Castle from Special Olympics charity kit at SBE
Designer PhotoshopAction- Fancy Brad Creator, by Roberta D’Achille, RenderedMemories
http://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=128
Launchpad (layered sketch) by Bree Clarkson, DSD; Font: LD Note Pad
Brads are not part of the kit; made with an action by Roberta D’Achille.
Raffia ribbon is from Ronna Penner’s Old School page set at SBG.

Laughter Is An Instant Vacation

You must be thinking that I take tons of photos of dd...and the truth is, yes I do. She loves having her picture take and I love taking the pictures...so it works out for us. My son, on the other hand, is lik me....camera shy. I just don't like the way I look on pictures!

I just did this layout of Kaylie...got to love her pretty smile and sparkling eyes.

I fell in love with this kit called, "Laugh at Life," by Ronna Penner, at Scrapbook-Graphics. The colors are beautiful!
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16926&cat=0&page=1
Layered sketch by Ronna Penner, Oct. 2006 SBG newsletter
Warming action by Holly McCaig. Font: AL Songwriter. Staples from the Tenda Rosse kit, by Karen Aicken, e-scapeandscrap.net

Change of Weather Has Me Feeling a Bit Down

Hi! It is Tuesday and I am wired. I took some Nyquil last night for a head cold and it kept me up all night. I went to bed around1 a.m. and got up at 6 to make coffee and lunch for dh. It is now about 9:30 a.m. and I am sleepy. I am usually a night owl anyway, so this was not such a big deal for me. But now that it is daytime and the warm sun kisses my face, I feel sleepy. Maybe I will go to bed early for a change.

DD started Kindergarten on 9/18/2006. It was an exciting day for her. I used Ronna Penner's Old School page set, at Scrapbook-Graphics.
Old School page set, by Ronna Penner, Scrapbook Graphics.
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16758&cat=0&page=1
Sweetheart Script font, by Ronna Penner, Scrapbook-Graphics
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16636&cat=279&page=1
White borders done with an Insta-Mat-ic Action , by Terry Maruca, SBB
http://scrapbookbytes.com/store/product.php?productid=19866&cat=310&page=1
Layered sketch by Traci Reed.
Font: Sweetheart font, by Ronna Penner, Scrapbook-Graphics and Small Fonts

It's Monday and Norm the Gnome Sighting

Good morning everyone!

It is finally Monday. Yay!

Let me share with you what happened last night. We had all gone to bed and had settled in for the night when we heard a big crash. I jumped out of bed and went down to the kitchen to see what had fallen, but everything was clear there.

I then heard Great-grandma, who is 92 and hard of hearing, calling me. Apparently, the shade on the fan had become loose and yes, you guessed it, fell down and crashed. After I cleaned everything up she didn't even want the fan on! LOL

On another note, I recently read at Scrapbook-Graphics that their beloved gnome, NORM, who is known to be naughty at times, has banished without a trace.

I took a really good look at him so I would be able to recognize him, in case I came across him. Well, imagine my surprise, if you can, that while I was out for a walk scoping out the local fungi population, I came across what I thought was a toy. Closer inspection revealed that it was Norm! Apparently he is interested in Mycology, just as I am! I couldn't help but to fall in love with him, but sadly, I had to return him to SBG, who were most grateful for his safe return.

Beautiful Dreamer

I love this picture of Kaylie. I don't recall what she was doing at the moment that I took the photo, but I recall liking the way the light was reflecting off of her face and the pink glow. I really wanted to keep the layout simple and focused on her. The slight sprinkle of stars overtop the photo and title and the brads are all the adornment I feel are necessary for this page to work. What do you think?

The kit I used is called, Beautiful Dreamer, by Terry Maruca, at Scrapbook-Elements. The Pixie Dust is also by Terry; also found at SBE.

I Won A Kit from Roberta D'Achille!

I am so happy! Roberta D'Achille posted a challenge at DST that she would give her newest kit, "L’Shanah Tovah," for free to the first 5 people who e-mailed her. And for the first time in a very long time, I was lucky! This is the layout I made using the kit. Thank you, Roberta!

The kit has the most wonderful rich colors. Dark reds, deep greens, and some textured pages that are simply amazing. But don't take my work for it, check it out here: http://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=148

I really like this sketch by the talented Jen Caputo. Have you seen her sketches? If not, you have to check them out. They are awesome!

Card Templates for Download at Scrapbook-Graphics

OMG, have you seen the challenges going on at Scrapbook-Graphics? If not, you HAVE to see it. We always scrap pages about our children, pets, and moments of celebration. But how often do we REALLY scrap about our dissapointments or our moments of desperation where we wish we could start over and erase that specific chapter out of our lives?

They have a challenge at the moment where you get to scrap about 10 things you wish you had known. I have to tell you that the layouts featured in the newsletter were F A N T A S T I C! These ladies poured their hearts out. I don't know them, but was so very proud of them for putting their thoughts down in paper and sharing it with the rest of us. That, my friends, takes courage. As for me, gone are the days of fluff. I will face my good days and my bad days and will scrap them equally. After all, our lives are not perfect...

Before I forget, below is a link to Scrapbook-Graphics where you can check it out; and while there, check Studio Start #11 - there is even a surprise there for you! What are you waiting for? Run! Oh yeah, here is your link: http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/blog/

Signing off, the always lovely, Kait

Digi Pick of the Day

My layout, "My Garden," using Ronna Penner's In The Garden was chosen as digi pick of the day on 9/21/2006. How exciting. Here is a link if you would like to see it:
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2850&cat=500&ppuser=1276

Congratulations to Debbie Pearson and Doris Castle are in order, too.

Doris' kit, "My Heart's Delight" was chosen as digi-pick of the day on 9/28/2006. Here is a link to the kit if you want to see/buy it: http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16858&cat=0&page=1

Debbie's kit, "Tuscany" was chosen as digi-pick of the day on 9/27/2006. Here is a link to the kit, if you want to see/buy it: http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16893&cat=0&page=1

It is always a surprise and a thrill to be chosen as digi pick of the day.

First Freebie

I don't know about any of you, but I love using COFFEE STAINS on some of my pages. If you like them as much as I do, here is a link for you to download them. Please leave a comment if you download it. They are grey, but you can recolor with your program's hue/saturation.

http://www.4shared.com/file/4010047/18cf6223/coffeestains-grey_copy.html

Thanks and enjoy!
Kait