One of THOSE Days!

Well, it has been one of THOSE kinds of days for me. Seems like every thing I touch doesn't go well. And since one of those things that hasn't gone well is the TSG Newsletter, I am having to bow out again today on the blog. I was up last night until about midnight working on it, and was better than half way through with it when I went to bed. I guess I was a little TOO tired and I evidently forgot to save all that work (how in the WORLD did I forget to save it???)!!! So here I just logged on to try and finish the newsletter to find out that I have to pretty much start from the beginning again. And since it is already almost 8:30pm my time, I need to get off here and do some frantic work if I want to have it out tomorrow.

I will be back tomorrow, and hopefully with a more decent blog entry. Sorry everyone!

It's Me Again :)

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend. I will be your host this week on the TSG Blog. I'm really sorry about not posting anything until so late, but I am trying to get the TSG Newsletter together so it will be ready for release on Tuesday. So bare with me between now and then if I don't come back regularly. You haven't been forgotten!!

Hard to believe it is Saturday

I must say that I was nervous at the beginning of the week and now I can't believe it is over. I thought about what to tell you today and this is what came to mind. At one time in years past, my family could have had our own brass band. My grandfather was a bandmaster for the Salvation Army for 50 years plus, He taught all of us to play. I have always had a real passion for music. I stopped playing a brass instrument years ago due to a problem with my throat. I was told that if I continued to strain it in that way, I would not be able to sing. I love to sing more, and so I became the solist with voice. My sister plays the piano, and she has not played a brass instrument for years because of acid reflux which she has a seriously bad time with. She has GERD, and controls it completely by diet. Unfortunately for me, I am not that disciplined with my eating. I admire her though because she has given up any thing with caffeine, citrus and tomatoes, and anything that has citric acid added to it. She eats all low fat items and her husband does alot of baking for her. The one drawback she is finding now about being back in the US is the price of bananas. When she was a missionary in Micronesia she could be a whole stalk for $5.00. Now she pays $1.29 a pound.
My grandmother on my dad's side went to be with Jesus in 1970. But she was a true saint of God. Her love and compassion shined like the top of the Chrysler building, (anyone recognize the movie that is from),She taught me how to read and embroider by the time I was 4. She had patience that was out of this world. She played the piano at church. I remember clearly the day before she went to Jesus side her calling me into the hospital room and telling me that she was going "home" the next day. She affirmed that God had great plans for me and that she was completely confident that I would carry them through. A lot to lay on a little girl of 9, but it stuck with me and had a big part to do with who I am today.
I have enjoyed this week of telling you a little about me, my family, my church (The Salvation Army), and the awesomely beautiful place where I live, (Alaska). I have enjoyed reading your comments and giving you gifts. I hope that you have a blessed rest of 2008,and I look forward to seeing all your layouts in the gallery. I hope you have enjoyed coming and reading the blog, and that you enjoy the stickits. Don't forget to leave a little love for Lise Lotte Sunesen for her amazing kits that she allowed me to use for the stickits.
The last thing I want to say, is to keep your eyes on the forum. The fabulous birthday party of scrapping garden is coming up May 21st to the 27th. You won't want to miss this. We have great things in store for you. God bless each of you. Thank you for coming to the blog.

so sorry for being so late today

I first want to apologize for being so late. I got up this morning and started to get on the computer. My mom called and said her computer was having issues. I went over to fix it and to install the norton's update, A job that should take about 20 minutes was 3 hours and still not done. My mom's computer is only 256 ram and very slow at everything. After uninstalling, reinstalling, restarting, etc. there were still parts that had not completed. I had to go and get my winter tires off my car so told her I would finish the job later. Don't you just love computers!!!!
This is my LO for the petals of wisdom challenge take a look in the forum here.


if you really like my LO, keep reading for a surprise
Today is another beautiful day here in Alaska. The sun is shining and the temperature is average for this time of year. It is hard to sit inside and work on the computer. My husband just joined an exercise club so he is off doing a workout or sitting in the hot tub. He has this weekend off unless he gets called in, so he is taking advantage of the time. He works 12 hour shifts and so does not get much time to do anything, especially when he works the night shift of 7 PM to 7:30 AM. He is always getting called in for extra hours because he does his job, is never late, and does not ever call in sick. Tomorrow we are going to garage sales, yeah, I love to do that and it is like a family outing for us.
Well, I have a bunch of things to prepare for Sunday School on Sunday as it is the end of our Iditarod contest. I have had a lot of fun and they want me to write up the lessons and all that I have done to share with others. I have really enjoyed doing this one. Next we are going to play ball (baseball that is). That will be a new one so I have a lot to put together before the 6th Before I go, I promised a freebie. So to download the stickit of the LO above, click here (sorry, this link has expired)

what you thought you knew

If the title caught your attention then read on. I want to tell you a little about The Salvation Army today. It was started in East London by William and Catherine Booth. I know that many of you probably think of a thrift store and maybe disaster relief, but that is not the full picture. Actually those are things we do because of our love for God. The beginnings of the Salvation Army was to take the gospel message out into the streets to those whom the church at the time felt unworthy of coming in. From the very beginning women also played a vital role in the ministry.
The first woman general was Evangeline Booth, she was the daughter of the founders. She was also very instrumental in starting the Salvation Army here in Alaska, Canada, and the United States. She came to Alaska on one occasion and after much prayer led the notorious Soapy Smith in prayer. She was not afraid to stand up and make it known whom she served and loved.
Today the Salvation Army preaches in 112 countries around the world. We have schools, hospitals, rehabilitaion centers, orphanages, etc all over the world. All of those activities are because of our service to God. We also have summer camps, mission trips, and our officers are trained in our own facilities.
William Booth had 8 children, one of which, Ballington, left the Salvation Army after an argument with his father and started the Volunteers of America. He called himself the general of the Volunteers of America just as his father was the general of the Salvation Army.
We have had 2 woman generals. Evangeline Booth 1934 to 1939 and Eva Burrows 1986 to 1993. I met Eva Burrows on a few occasions and she was a very loving person who had a compassion for all. She even came to Alaska as did Evangeline Booth.
William Booth once said "my best men are women," and women has played an integral part in leadership and opening work of the Salvation Army in many places including the USA. A young girl by the name of Eliza Shirley came here to the states and started the Army, then later George Scott Railton and 7 Hallelujah lassies as they were called came and officially opened the work in 1880.
Did you know that the longest running participant in the Pasadena Rose Parade on New Years Day is the Salvation Army band? They have marched for 88 consecutive years. Here is a LO I did of when I marched, it was in 1977, (yikes that makes me kind of old.)
The Home League of the Salvation Army is our womens ministry program. We just celebrated its 100th birthday. It was started as a ministry to women who needed help. They would gather and go into the homes and clean, prepare food, teach women how to do things like sew and cook, so that they could care for their families properly. Now we meet together each week following a fourfold program of Worship, Fellowship, Education, and Service. We also have character building programs for girls and boys that go along the same line as girl scouts. We have Sunbeams and Girl Guards for the girls and Adventure Club for the boys. They have uniforms, earn emblems, go camping, and the main difference is devotions each week. The girls program will be 93 years old this May.
One last very important part of the Salvation Army, all though there are many more, is the disaster services. We are usually the first on the scene, but not in front of the cameras. My first service was in the Thompson Canyon Flood in Colorado in 1976. I remember vividly a worker coming from up the line and asking how much my sandwiches were. I said there was no charge and he couldn't believe it. There was another group there selling food to these poor workers that had been out in the cold trying to save people for hours. I also served in the Waitsburg WA flood and several fires. My father even got to go to Mexico after a hurricane and help out. It is always rewarding being able to serve others in their time of need.
Well that is quite a handful of information, I hope you enjoyed this little history lesson about the Salvation Army. It is near and dear to my heart, and I want everyone to know the Salvation Army is a church first and a social service second. God bless each of you, have a great day and don't forget to come tomorrow (for another freebie).

A little late, freebie to make up for it

I am late in posting today because I was waiting for the link for a freebie. But we will get to it in a moment. Today is absolutely beautiful outside and last night the northern lights were active. I went out to watch for a few minutes. It is such an awesome site to see. For me it is a confirmation of a God who truly loves us. I don't see how anyone could observe such beauty and think it just happens. Yesterday was one of those days when I had to really push myself to get anything done. You ever have a day when you just don't seem to be motivated to do what you know you need to. I spent most of the day just watching movies and trying to clear my mind of all the stresses and deadlines and such. I think it was a good thing to do, although I hope that it does not have to be done to often.
Today they did a test of the Tsunami warning for awareness week. I am glad I knew it was a test because they always scare you. The Alaska Tsunami warning center is only 10 miles from my home and we have taken our youth groups there. It is quite something. Alaska as you know had the 2nd largest earthquake registered in 1964 and it lasted over 3 minutes. The devastation was phenominal. It happened on Good Friday that year and measured 9.2. The effects was felt all the way in California when a tsunami hit hours later. It is kind of funny but the other day my daughter and I was watching Earthquake aftershock in New York and we felt a 4.2 one. Thats the way it goes here actually we have small ones like that in Alaska some where every day.
Well enough about the doom and gloom. I would not trade living here for anything though. I came to love Alaska when my parents were stationed in Haines at the Salvation Army. My daughter then not quite one and I came to visit them and fell in love. I went home and told my husband we were moving to Alaska and he said ok and we did. We lived in Haines for 5 years, went to Walla Walla, WA for 5 years and have been back in Alaska for 10 years.
I have created a stickit for you using Springtime by Lise Lotte Sunesen, you can find the kit here
Here is my LO using the stickit.

and now for your freebie, you can download it sorry, link has expired.
hope you enjoy your day and the stickit.

pics of Alaska

several asked about pics of Alaska so I added a few on a slide show. Hope you enjoy them. Will be posting later for Wednesday with a freebie.

Check out my Slide Show!

Alaska the great land

I want to tell you a little about where I live, I must say it is the most beautiful place in the world. They say that God left the best for last when He created Alaska, and it is known as the last frontier. The first call to Alaska was the gold rush, many came to get rich quick, some did. For me, the charm is in its people and its beauty. So here are some facts that will give you a little insight to this fabulous place I call home
Alaska is the biggest state, twice the size of Texas. I know that will step on a few toes, sorry all you Texans, but it is a fact. If you place Alaska on the lower 48 as we call it, it will stretch all the way from Florida to San Francisco. Check out the photo, it puts the size in perspective.

Alaska is the land of the midnight sun. In the summer we have 19 hours and 21 minutes of daylight where I live. Of course farther north the sun comes up in late May and goes down in late August. The flipside though is that in December we only get 6 hours and 30 minutes of daylight and up north the sun goes down late November and comes up again in January (for an hour each day to start).
Alaska has a wide diverse culture one of which is the Tlingit

Indians. They live mostly in the southeast and love to dance, bead, fish, and tell stories. I and my family have all been adopted into the clan. I and my daughter are ravens and my husband is an eagle. My Tlingit name is Ka Jint which means helping hands. My parents were also adopted. We have all been given necklaces and vests. I have on a few occasions even been priveleged to dance with the Chilkat Dancers in Haines. Sadly this group has now pretty much either died out or moved to other places. My sister, Darlene, also danced with them as 4 of her children are half Tlingit.
Alaska also boasts the tallest mountain in North America. Moutn McKinley is 20,320 feet. We also have 3.5 million lakes which cover 20 acres of land.The state flower is the "Forget me Not", and the bird is the willow ptarmigan, most Alaskans jokingly say it is the mosquito. The fishing is excellent, with King Salmon that is out of this world. It is very common to see moose wondering around in the city, occasionally even a bear.
The other most phenominal thing in Alaska is the northern lights, also called the Aurora Borealis. The beauty of them is far beyond description. To see the lights dance across the sky is something that you just don't forget. It is a beautiful display of light that is all natural.
The capital of Alaska is Juneau and it is only accessible by plane or boat. In order to get your car there you have to put it on the Alaska Marine Highway. You can drive to Skagway and Haines in southeast and then Anchorage and Fairbanks and several places in between. It takes about 36 hours of solid driving from Skagway to Bellingham WA. I know, my mom and I have done it.
Well, I could go on for a while longer and brag about this beautiful place. The mountains, the wildlife, the flowers, the people, but I guess I better go for now. Have to save something for another day. Have a great Tuesday and don't forget to come back tomorrow, you might find a little something special.

no Monday blues here

WOW, what an incredible Easter Sunday we had. It was very long, but I would not want to have missed any of it. My daughter and 2 other youth did a cute skit at church. They did an excellent job. We had guest speakers for our services, and the one for the evening was just great. Our Easter Dinner at church was scrumptious. There were about 45 of us that stayed and ate together. It was a truly blessed day.
And now a word from our sponsor; don't forget to check out the challenges and crops at the scrapping garden. Check out the paper patch crop information. The crop will be held the 27th (Thursday) at 9 PM EST. The featured kit is Think Spring by Pammy.
Also take a look at the challenges, There is something for everyone.

A little more about me: My parents went to school to become a Salvation Army officer when I was in 7th grade. My 2 sisters, my brother and I were very lucky in that we actually had a 2 bedroom apartment across the hall from my parents. We all ate together in the dining room and this was just sleeping quarters basically, but we still had our own. Pretty amazing for an 11 year old girl and her younger siblings.
My father was a very wonderful and kind man. I greatly miss him at times, but he taught me so much about life that I am just happy to have been his daughter. He was the kind of man whom loved his family and was always surprising us. I remember one time he came home late from work, told us to put shoes on and we went for ice cream in our pajamas. Another time I wanted to attend a special activitiy and he dared me to eat 6 tacos for him to pay my way instead of using allowance. I thought it was great, I loved my mom's tacos and it really seemed unfair on his part. He always took the time to be a part of our lives in every way and involved us in his ministry as well. That is why I am who I am today.
Because the Salvation Army moves their officers around much like the military does, I ended up going to 6 different schools from 9th to 12th grades. Yet I still managed to graduate with honors. I attended Eastern Oregon State College where I received an AA in Early Childhood Education. I have always loved working with children but my reason for the degree was not to teach in the school, but to use that knowledge for teaching in the church. I have been the leader of the Salvation Army character builiding programs for girls for over 25 years in 12 different places. The high award for the middle and senior high school girls called the generals guard has been received by myself, my mom, and my daughter.You might say it is a family tradition. One that I hope some day will be carried on with my daughter's children, (that is if she has any in the future.)
well, that is it for today, stay tuned in tomorrow to get another glimpse into my world, (Alaska that is)
Have a great Monday. Oh, I have a freebie for you today. I made a stickit using Lise Lotte's kit Winter Dream, hope you like it. Download (sorry link has expired).

Happy Easter

Good morning, it is the most wonderful of days the whole year as it is Easter Sunday. My day will be very busy and long so I wanted to get this up now. Today is very special for those of us who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and so it is filled with activities at church, (The Salvation Army). Our sunrise service is at 8:00 AM, next we have breakfast together, our Sunday School and morning worship service will be at the regular times. This year we are having Easter dinner together with a potluck at church. We have a great bunch of people who love to fellowship together each week and we really are family.
Tonight we will travel into Anchorage for a special service with a brigade of cadets. Cadets are men and women training to become Salvation Army officers, (pastors). It will be nice to see them and the leader of the group is a long time friend.
Let me tell you a little about myself. I was born in San Francisco at Letterman’s Army hospital, (that is US army, not the Salvation Army.) My father was in the navy at the time. I have 2 sisters each born in November, just as I was, my sister June is 1 year younger and my sister Darlene is 2 years younger. I have one brother who is 5 years younger and he is a detective for homeland security as well as a city policeman. My mother lives a mile away and we are very close. My dad went home to be with the Lord in 2003.
I have been a part of the Salvation Army all my life. In fact I am what is known as a 4th generation Salvationist. My great grandparents on my dad’s side, were also members of the Salvation Army as were his parents. My granny, (my mom’s mother), was also a member of the Salvation Army. My husband and his family also are members of the Salvation Army. I do want to say that this is our church. The place we call home for worship and service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, I will tell you more tomorrow, but for now I would like to with you all a wonderful Happy Easter. Hope your day is filled with joy. Here is one of my recent LO's done with Lise Lotte Sunesen's kit Love is a Journey, you can find it in the scrappinggarden here:

Last day Saturday!

Today is my last day as your host this week. I had a nice time and I hope you all did too. Enjoy the freebies! I will be taking the links down today.

I have some plants to re-pot and I just finished up making some brown sugar baked beans. It will be a very busy day tomorrow!

Thanks for your comments and for chatting with me! I hope to see you around TSG!

Keep an eye on my store! You never know what will pop up!

Happy Easter!

Good Friday to you!

I am sure that many people are busy getting ready for Easter this weekend. I am going to save most of what I need to do till tomorrow, so I am not trying to occupy my little one alone!

We had a very nice morning. We stopped to see my brother and his girlfriend's new house, went to "GG's" house (my grandmothers) and had some great Crab Bisque from a local sub shop up the road from her house. Currently the little man is taking a nap, so I got the opportunity to post the other half of my spring freebie! My program was working this morning, so I finished it up real quick. You can download it on my blog. MICKEYBDESIGNSBLOG That freebie will be up for a bit, but the 2 from me here will be coming down tomorrow. If you haven't snagged it yet - what are you waiting for!?

I am planning a little blog contest soon, planning a small CT Call, I have my April submissions getting all wrapped up, and I am planning my next crop! My program has slowed me down a bit, so I have a little catching up to do (for my own goals).

I hope you have gotten a chance to check out the TSG forum and challenges. I have 5 bingo numbers already! I have been trying to do some of the challenges, but I have lost too many half done layouts that I stopped trying. I hope the program decides to cooperate now.

Well I better get somethings done here while it is nap time!
I hope you all have a fabulous Friday!

Nite Nite...

Well...CS3 was still acting up last I checked. I think it might have a bug and need reinstalled. That will just have to wait till tomorrow. I really like the other freebie, so hopefully soon I can finish it and get it up for you. My blog address is http://mickeybdesigns.wordpress.com
I realized after my last post that there isn't a link to my blog on this blog, so I better give it to you so you can check in once my week is up! I am sure I will be back as a host sometime, but in the meantime you can find me there.

Had a good day helping clients with their pain today. I enjoy being able to help people get out of pain. Some people don't realize how much massage can help with pain and injury. That is what I specialize in. I see a lot of people with neck issues, rotator cuff, sciatica and fibromyalgia. I really like to take on the challenge of clinical massage. I do occasionally do a "fluffy" massage, but mostly it is medical related.

On the subject of designing, I am working on my first printable item. Eventhough all 300dpi kits are printable, this is a special template. I will release it sometime in April once I make sure to do a trial run with it. I won't ruin the surprise by telling you too much about it!

I can't believe the week is going by so fast! Tomorrow is Friday already. I have the day off! I am working on 2 clients Saturday morning, so it will be nice to have tomorrow off. I have some errands to run and some things to do to get ready for Easter Sunday.

I better go get myself to bed. As my son would say in his most adorable voice. Nite Nite.

Happy Spring!

I am so happy that spring is finally here! It is very windy here, but not terribly cold. I really hope the real spring comes soon!

Today is a busy day. I was hoping to get the freebie to you earlier this morning, but I haven't gotten a chance till now. Last night I was working on a coordinating freebie to post on my blog, but my program is having issues. If I get it done, I will still post it, so look for it!

Here is a preview of the freebie I made for you to celebrate Spring!

*Link expired*

I just got finishing up with a client, I have one coming at 4 and another at 5:30pm. I will try and get back on later today sometime to chat a bit more. I need to work on getting my taxes done and figure out why CS3 keeps locking up on me!

In the meantime, how about stopping by the TSG gallery and leaving a little love for the members to so nicely post layouts for you to see. Gallery

Later Alligator!

Wonderful Wednesday to you!

Good afternoon! Just put the little on down for his well needed nap. We ran a few errands this morning and then I will be doing a little massage later today. I am so lucky to have a good paying job that I can work part time with.

I am glad you have liked the SticKit! I decided that since Digifree just picked up the SticKit, I will leave that and my freebie tomorrow up till Saturday!
I never made SticKits until I started designing at TSG. They seem like a nice way to get a good layout when you are crunched for time. I am very happy to know I am not alone here on the blog! I feel much better knowing that someone else is out there!

Oh my!...Johnny Depp...He is a very talented actor (cute too!). I would be trying to get a peak at him too!

I have a special freebie for you tomorrow to celebrate the first day of SPRING! I am so very ready for winter to be over. It hasn't been a bad winter, but it has been so gloomy and wet. I need regular sunshine and warmth. We moved to our new house about 4 months ago. In the old house we had oil heat - oh how I miss it! The new house is all electric. It will be great in the summer to have central air (we are also surrounded by a bunch of trees so the shade will help too), but the heat in the winter is so cold. I am so tired of being cold. Although, it does give me an excuse to slow down for 5 mins and drink a nice cup of tea.

Tonight at 10pm (Eastern) is the Sketch by Design crop! Tonight's featured designer is our wonderful Pammy Yates! Here is the thread with all the details and a preview of the featured kit - LINK

I hope you all took an advantage of the sale these past 2 days! The store is just filled with great kits and supplies!

Well I am off to go get caught up on some things! I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Freebie Day!

Morning all! I am trying to type this with my squirmy son on my lap, so I will keep it short. He doesn't cooperate very well when Mommy needs to use the computer.

I have a SticKit freebie for you today. I made it using my Sweet Daisy Kit which is available in my store at TSG. I adore Daisies, so I am sure I will be making more kits with Daisies in them.

Here are the kit previews:

*link expired*

I have a pretty easy day today since my 2 hour morning client cancelled due to having a sinus infection. I will be going to get a foot reflexology treatment this afternoon - 1 hour on my feet! Gotta love that!

Don't forget about the sale going on till midnight tonight! 34% almost the entire TSG store!

Thank you to those who have left me comments. It is nice to know I am not "talking" to myself! LOL!

Have a great day!

SALE at TSG!!

From today till Midnight (EST) on th 18th, almost everything at The Scrapping Garden is on sale for 34% off!

Go to the store and get yourself some bargains, will ya! TSG STORE

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

While I am not at all from Irish heritage, my friends who are say everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. We were at a St. Patty's Day party over the weekend. Took the little one with us and then dropped him off with my parents and went back for a little while longer. It was a fun time.

Today I have a regular chair massage job. I go to the business with my special massage chair and do 20 min. chair massages for 5-7 employees. I have been going there for over 6 years.

I hope to get a little designing in this afternoon and then I will go to pick up my son. I am sure he will keep me very busy for the rest of the day! LOL!

Have a wonderful day! Keep your eyes open for my first freebie! It might be today...tomorrow....*smile*

~~~dusting a little Irish luck to everyone~~

Break in the day

Well...I am back for a bit while my son takes a nap and I thought I would come back and chat for a little bit.

I am very new to designing, but hope it shows that I am a fast learner. I was just upgraded from PSE5 to CS3, so I am trying to learn the new program ASAP. I have been having a great time coming up with new kits and making layouts. It really helps when I make a layout using one of my kits so I can see how versatile it is and if I need to add or take away anything from it. I am considering a CT of just a few people. Being a mom to a 1 year old, designing, and working as a Massage Therapist doesn't leave me much time to make layouts. I like to also make layouts with kits other than mine, so I need to make some time to do that! LOL! It is so rewarding to see layouts made with your designs, so please make sure to share your layouts with the designers. We all appreciate that so much!

I have a few kits I am working on now. I usually have the ideas and colors figured out for various kits, but I try and work on one at a time so I can really focus. I really like the one I just finished, but you will have to wait till next month to see that one! I did my own artwork again, which is a challenge for me since it is on the computer and not a pencil and paper.

I will have some freebies for you this week, so keep checking in. I have a busy working week and I will be helping to get things done for Easter next Sunday.

Make sure you pop in at the TSG forum and get involved in the challenges. I am still trying to catch up with everything going on there. It is a very busy place! The new Kit Club just started up, so check that out too! What a deal! Here is a link for you.

Thats all for now! I will catch up with you later! Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle

Good Morning All!

I am Michelle aka MickeyB and I will be your blog host this week.

Today is a busy day for us, so I will come back later today to tell you a little more about myself and the happenings at TSG.

Make sure you get your numbers in for The March Bingo game! Here is a link for you to that part of the TSG forum Here You have till Midnight on Monday to get your numbers in!

Talk to you more later!

My Week is Done

Well, here it is Saturday already. As apprehensive as I was about blogging this week, I've enjoyed every minute of it. I want to thank everyone who came by, everyone who left comments, and especially everyone who participated in the Blog Challenge this week. Even though today is my last day, I surely hope that you'll continue to build your album layouts with the remaining pieces of the Snapshots kit that you'll be getting throughout the rest of this month.
You can look forward to a surprise in your PM box in the coming week.

I am delivering the BIG news to you today, the day we've all been waiting for is finally here!
The Scrapping Garden has released it's very first Club Kit. You have your choice of 3 subscription rates and no matter what you choose, you won't be disappointed!!
See the entire Club Kit HERE. And please don't forget to follow the instructions in the product description in order to receive future access to your subscriptions.

I leave you today with your final Snapshots SticKit download. I hope you enjoy
this one as well. I'll look forward to seeing your layouts. Download your SticKit HERE. (sorry, this link is no longer available)

Thanks again everybody for a great week and HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

TGIF!!

Happy Friday everyone!

I see we have a newcomer to the Blog Challenge catching up! That's awesome! I can't wait to see what everybody does with today's download.

I've got some catching up to do myself. I didn't get to post yesterday, so this afternoon I hope to get 2 layouts posted. I intend on continuing to build on my album even after this week is done.
I've decided to have 3 photo albums made as Shutterfly albums for myself and 1 for each of my brothers for Christmas this year.

I'm really excited today as hubby got my countertop set on my cabinets lastnight so after I post here this morning, I'm heading to my new room to begin "moving in" and reorganizing all my scrap stuff. I've got TONS of paper scrapping supplies but I'm not quite ready to part with all that yet......maybe some of it........but I plan on continuing with hybrid albums now, a new phase of scrapping for me. I went from totally paper scrapping, to totally digital scrapping and now I'll have the space to combine them into hybrid scrapping. Isn't it amazing how long this "fad" as some would call it has lasted. I for one am sure glad it has. There's no better way to preserve the "snapshots of our lives".

I'm even more excited as tomorrow The Scrapping Garden will be releasing our very first Kit Club package. Just WAIT til you see what all is included!!

Now, for today's download. Get yours HERE, create another gorgeous layout and post away!! (sorry, this link is no longer available)

Until tomorrow..............HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Thursday Ramblings

Good Thursday Morning everyone!

As I was thinking of what to post this morning, I have to admit that I was dreading this week simply because I didn't know WHAT I was going to say, but now...........I'm loving it!!

Today I'll share just a part of my day working at TSG. My normal routine begins with checking my e-mail, which can include notices of new kits from the DTs that need uploaded to the store (which Dyanna is graciously taking care of for me while I'm working on TSG's new shopping cart for your new shopping experience), customer service e-mails, checking the forum for new posts, commenting on layouts in the gallery, approving ads for the TSG Yahoo Group, being interrupted by a phone call or 2 or even more, TRYING to work on some new designs for my own part of the store, and anything else that may come up during the day here at TSG. It's very rewarding being an owner of a digital scrapbooking site BUT it's ALOT of work. Trying to juggle the site and my real life is maddening at times! Okay, enough about that. You get the picture.

Only 2 more days until the release of TSG's very first kit club!! I'm getting more excited each day.

I'm also VERY excited and anxious each morning to check out the Blog Challenge Gallery. I can't say enough about the layouts I see being posted each day and it seems as though all the participants are so happy they've taken the Challenge. Awesome albums will have been created by week's end. Check it out!!

Which brings me to today's download, yet another beautiful Snapshots SticKit for your pleasure.
Download yours HERE. (sorry, this link is no longer available)

Can't wait to see even MORE layouts appear for the challenge!!

Until tomorrow.........HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Happy Wednesday!

Well, I managed to struggle through the day yesterday on little sleep. Hubby took me out to dinner (he said he didn't smell anything cooking when he got home, LOL). He was teasing of course and had planned on taking me out anyway.

The only thing I had asked for on my birthday was for him to finish my scrap/craft room. We have an extra bedroom that we cleared, had a hardwood floor laid, wall papered with a textured burlap look paper and now the cabinets and countertop have been placed. There's a nice big closet for him to build my shelves in, the wood trim to be finished and then all that'll be left is to get my cable relocated so my computer can go in. I can't wait and I'll be sharing photos of my new "office". Maybe all I'll need is a nice comfy recliner and a small frig, then I'll be set! ROFL

I have to tell you that I'm amazed at the layouts turning up in the Blog Challenge Gallery.
Everyone participating will be glad they've gotten this far into their legacy with the gorgeous memorable photos being posted. I've got an extra special gift planned for everyone who has posted for everyday of the challenge.

Another BIG day I'm VERY excited about is the release of our new Kit Club on March 15th.
I wasn't going to mention it on the blog just yet, but I'm just too excited to keep quiet about it.
3 more days!!! Be sure to keep an eye out for advertisements and watch for it in the store, you'll be amazed at what all is included each month!!

Now, on with today's fourth SticKit download. Get yours HERE (sorry, this download link is no longer available) and join in the Challenge this week. You'll be glad you did!! You can use the free SticKits I've been supplying OR even better, you can use the pieces from the Daily Download that you're collecting to make your layouts.

Until tomorrow............HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Tuesday Post

Hi everybody!! I didn't think I should say Tuesday Morning in the title, since for alot of people, it's probably evening already! I'm sorry to be so late in posting today. I worked lastnight and then of all days for them to have a "mandatory" inservice........today was the day.
I'm wiped out!! And believe it or not, (and I'm sure some of you remember Robin always teasing me about falling asleep in my chair at the computer), that's EXACTLY what happened.
I came home from work, sat down to post on the Blog here, checked a few e-mails first........and the e-mails were as far as I got before falling asleep. OOPS!!

Okay, I better get on with the post before it happens again. LOL

I was thrilled to see the challenge layouts that are appearing in the Blog Challenge Gallery. If you haven't seen them, you should take a look and leave everyone some luvin'. The Snapshots kit is turning out to be a great looking heritage backdrop for all the wonderful photos popping up.
See them all HERE.

I've created another Snapshots SticKit to share with you today and keep the albums growing this week. Download yours HERE and let's see even more wonderful layouts!! (sorry, this download is no longer available)

I want to remind you that for the month of March, if you purchase $10 worth of my kits in one purchase, you'll get this BEAUTIFUL Snapshots Brag Book Album FREE!!

You can see my Store HERE.
So, until tomorrow.........HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Monday Morning Blues

It's Monday, the beginning of another work week. I sure enjoyed my weekend off. Between working at TSG and being in the middle of my huge de-cluttering project around the house, I managed to stay awfully busy on my days off.

I've decided for all you faithful bloggers, that instead of giving you pieces of the Snapshots Daily Download that you'll be getting anyway, I'm going to give you a SticKit each day this week to use for the Blog Challenge.

I've posted the first layout of myself and my 2 brothers. I was almost 2 years oldin this photo. You can see my layout in the Blog Challenge Gallery HERE.

I've come to the conclusion that the ONLY way I'll manage to complete layouts is touse SticKits or Brag Book Albums. Both make it so easy to snap a layout together.Now if I could only decide whether to scrap haphazardly or chronilogically (is that spelled right?) All my photos seem to be in the haphazard state, so that would probably be easier for me. LOL

I hope you all are enjoying the Snapshots kit. Look for my new kit, Timeless Memories, to come to the Store real soon. It's a different color scheme but will go hand in hand with Snapshots to help you leave a legacy to and OF your family.

That's it for today gang, except to give you your download link to the 2nd SnapshotsSticKit. Remember, the 1st Snapshots SticKit can be found in the March Garden Gateway newsletter.

Download your Snapshots SticKit #2 HERE. (Sorry, this link is no longer valid.)

I have to head off to work tonight from 7PM to 7AM Tuesday morning, so your blog post will be later in the morning on Tuesday. Look for another Snapshots SticKit to download!!

Until then.......HAPPY SCRAPPING!!

Happy Sunday!!

Happy Sunday everybody! I hope you're all surviving the winter months in the Northeastern United States, and elsewhere according to The Weather Channel. We've seen more than our share of snowfall this winter with record breaking accumulations in my location.
I'm sending hubby outside with the camera this afternoon to snag some photos of our latest blast! For now, I'm snuggled in my office chair with a cup 'o joe and chatting with all of you.
Let me tell you about the challenge I've got for you this week. We'll be using my "Snapshots" Daily Download kit that I'm sure you know you can get a piece of in the Daily Download Challenge to get your weekly bonuses there too.
What I've got in mind for your challenge is this: I'd like for us to complete an album this week by creating layouts using the "Snapshots" kit and choosing a different photo everyday this week.
For today's photo, I'd like for you to find a snapshot of yourself as a child. We'll go through the years in a week and complete our "Snapshots of My Life" Album.
So now you know to dig through your piles of photos and find some interesting photos of yourself throughout your lifetime and let's make a really cool album to show off in the GALLERY.
I realize you don't have that many pieces of the Snapshots kit yet, so just for those of you who are visiting the Blog this week, I'll be giving out pieces ahead of time to enable you to complete your Album with more pieces to the kit.
You can also get a free Snapshots SticKit by reading the TSG Garden Gateway Newsletter.
For today's layout challenge, use what you've downloaded from the forum so far and I'll have more downloads for you tomorrow to help you through this week.
I DO hope you choose to take the challenge and I'll be looking forward to seeing your layouts in the gallery!!
Take care......see you again tomorrow,

If you click on the "highlighted" Gallery above, it'll take you to the Blog Challenge Gallery where you post your layouts. You can either post daily or all at once at the end of the week. HTH.

Oh Boy Puter Problems!!

Well, I expected not only to have a freebie for you today but a sneak peak of my new kit, and a CT Call. I have them all done but no way to get them posted here. I am using the family computer. For some reason I am having really weird problems with my computer. Last night everything was okay but as soon as I tried to log on this morning I began having problems. My computer registers that I am connected to the internet but it cant find any servers. Not even Hotmail or MSN. go figure. It is really weird. I will most likely spend the next week getting all my important info Off of my computer so I can take it in to be looked at. I am not really thrilled about it.

So anyway I think I can just type out my CT Call here. Sorry it isnt all fancy.

I am looking for One permanent CT and one Guest CT. The Guest CT is a three month commitment. I am also looking for someone interested in using my kits to make ads for me. The benefits is to be able to keep the kit you are working on for free!

What is required:
At least use 2 kits per month making 3 layouts from each kit to post at three to four sites, including The Scrapping Garden, Digi Shop Talk, Gotta Pixel, and if you want one of your own choice.
Make 2 Stickits or 1 Brag Book including front and back cover for me to use as Friday Freebies or posting gifts. You may make your layouts into stickits if it would make things easier and also for the layouts I do not mind if you use templates. (Stickits and brag books must be your original design)
If you are interested in doing the ads please email me and I will be glad to send you requirements. Making the ads is not a hard thing to do just time consuming and I need the time to design. I will need to to post the ads for me at the advertising sites I give you.
If you are interested please contact me at ascrapbookdiva@hotmail.com or pm me at www.scrappinggarden.com.

Well, I am sorry that I havent been really great this time blogging and that my life is a mess this week again. Things really arent like this normally in my family. Usually things are nice and quiet. I hope it gets that way soon. Take care everyone and again thank you for all of your wonderful comments and well wishes. I will see you again sometime next month. You can catch me on my personal blog at www.divascustomscrapbooks.blogspot.com Remember that I have Friday Freebies most of the time. I try to be consistent with that unless I am sick or there is something up with JP. I also have freebies or layout shares during the week sometime. If you have purchased any of my kits and have made any layouts make sure to post them in my gallery becauese I would like to honor you on my blog sometime for layout share. If you have pictures you would like to share then again upload them to the same gallery at The Scrapping Garden, www.scrappinggarden.com and I will be glad to share them on my blog also. It would be great to see who you all are. Make sure to tell us who everyone is.

Have a great weekend everyone and I will see you all next month.

Hugs

Today is Better!!

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. I am feeling a tad bit better today. This disease is such an up and down thing. The change in the seasons is usually the worst time for me :( . When the weather changes back and forth everyday and the barometric pressure is going crazy, so does my fibromyalgia. I think the hardest part to control is my mood. I have a tendency towards depression anyways and with a chronic pain disorder I go through periods where just getting up in the morning is a fight. Sometimes I just want to give up. Thank goodness and thank God that I have something creative or I would go out of my mind. John also is my light. He fills my heart so full of light and love. Sometimes I think that is why God in his infinite wisdom gave him to me.

Enough of that. I am getting very anxious for my son to come home. I miss him so!! We have so much fun together now that he is an adult. When he comes to visit we are all over going and doing tons of fun stuff. Now that he has a drivers license it is even better. He loves to drive and is very willing to do my errands for me which is a great help considering.

I did something very stupid today. LOL Yesterday was late start for John at school. Yesterday we had a doctors apt. A recheck on his pnemonia. Well, last night when I went to bed I thought today was Wednesday and reset the clock to a later time. OMGosh was I surprised when the bus didnt come, and didnt come, and didnt come! I called upset wanting to know where the bus was. Thank goodness that Candy the lady in charge of the transportation and I are friends. We finally figured out what the problem was: ME!!!! ROFL I apologized and decided to keep John home today. The pain puts me out of my right mind. It is really weird. Even after I start feeling better I still feel like I have cotton stuffed in my brain. An after effect of intense pain my Doc says. It does go away after a few days but in those few days I can do some pretty stupid and funny things! lol

I am working on a few different kits right now. One called Grandma's House. The colors for this kit I took from the Color Challenge and you can get a glimpse there in the forum. Hopefully I will get it posted there today. Karen always comes up with some challenging color palletes for me. I always have to stretch out of my comfort zone. Always a good thing. Pushing the envelope never hurts in the creativity area. You may open up a flood of creativity that was just waiting in your brain to be tapped. Also, I am on the Mega Kit Design Team for April and also have The Promotional Kit coming up and that will be Bette's Butterflies. Then Marsha and I have out kit for next months chat coming up also. It will be an Easter Theme so make sure to start collecting up your Easter Pictures.

I hope you all have an awesome day!! and God Bless you all!
{{{Hugs}}}

Freebie Day!!!!

I know, I know finally huh! It has been a rough week. I know I have made promises I have not been able to keep. It has been hard for me to get anywork done the past few days. I dont know if I have mentioned I have fibromyalgia. When it gets close to a season change and the weather starts going back and forth. I have increased pain. The past few days I have been forced to take muscle relaxants and just go to bed. It never pops it's head up at a good time. Never at a good time. Anyway, I felt much better today after sleeping until almost noon pacific time today. I have been okay since. So, I had time to make a freebie. I hope you enjoy it. The colors are very spring oriented and fun. On April 1st you will get to see the kit this came from. Here is the preview.



Here is the link: http://www.scrappinggarden.com/april/als_tsgfreebie.zip

On another note. Marsha and I had our first crop tonight. It was so much fun. I would like to invite you to come on by the Growing Your Elements forum and find out more about the challenge and how you can still partcipate. I will be putting together how you can do that sometime tomorrow. So by tommorrow evening pacific time I will have that up. We would like to extend the invitation for you all to come next month. I know some of you cannot make it so we will try as much as we can to help you out so at least you will be able to receive the posting bonus.

This year has seen a lot of crazy weather so far and I hope you all have been surviving okay. It has been tough here because we get one day of really nice weather and then it is freezing at night and rainy the next day. I have heard about alot of you still having ice problems, snow problems, and even tornado warnings. I will pray that the Lord will keep you all safe and pray that he will begin to tame the weather.

You all have a wonderful day and God Bless you all. I hope so much that you will love the freebie.

Hugs to you all,
Peace out!! lol

I spoke too soon!!

Yes I did! It is raining today!! :( Of course it rained since I had to go do errands, isnt that always the way? I am a little behind today so I dont have your freebie ready yet. I promise tomorrow I will have one for you all. Also, a few layouts using my new Celtic Dreams Kit.

It will be out tomorrow in my store for 25% off. I even got some stickits made for those of you who do not have a lot of time. Just plop the pictures in below the layout, resize the pics a little and call it done!!

I am now going to begin to work on a baby girl kit. One of my DH's high school students is having a baby within the next month. It is going to be a girl. I have decided I am going to make an 8X8 album for her. So if anything I will have some Stickits to put in the store. Hopefully by the end of the week. Or on Tuesday for sure. I hope. You never know what is going to happen.

In two weeks my Oldest son Marc is coming home on leave. He is in the process of transferring to Balboa Hospital in San Diego. I am so glad he will be closer to home and maybe we will see him more often. He is in the Navy and is an E-5 Corpsman. He was on a fast frigate in Hawaii for three years. He really loved it.

Well, I need to run and eat lunch. Sorry about being so late and being last minute. I will blog tonight again before I go to bed so it will be here bright and early for you East Coasters.

Have a great Day,
Hugs,

It's Me Again!!

Looks like you all are stuck with me again this week. Hope you all dont mind too much.
John Paul is doing fine. Getting better and better everyday. He has a check up Doctors apt this Wednesday and they will do Blood work and an X-ray to make sure the Pnemonia is leaving. He finished his course of antibiotics a few days ago so I am sure all will be well.

Here in WA the sun has been shining for a few weeks now pretty much anyway. lol Here in WA everything stops when the sun is shining and we go out and worship it! lol Not really but it comes close. We get so little of it around here that it is really special when it does shine. The temperature has been around 60 degrees which is great for this time of year and it feels so warm in the sun. Spring is just around the corner. I am so glad. It was a cold, cruel, winter!

Linda Cumberland's son's mother-in-law has been diagnoised with cancer and she is taking an extended leave to help her family. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as well as the rest of the family. I will be taking her Blueprints of my Garden while she is on leave. A new challenge will be starting on the 17th of March. Wait until you see the Blueprint we will be using. it is so cute and springy. I think you all will love it! Linda had the Blueprint ready so all I will need to do is to make a posting bonus. I think I may have one almost done just waiting for this. I always have something waiting in the wings just in case. Again, please send thoughts and prayers to Linda and her family now at this terrible time for her and her family. I will keep you updated as I hear anything.

I have a new kit coming out on Tuesday called Celtic Dreams. It is a huge kit. So huge I had to break it into a Paper Pack, and Element Pack and I am working on the Stickit Kit. The stickits will have some Old Irish Blessings that have been floating around my family for awhile. What, I cant hear you, a little louder please. Oh, got it you want to see. Okay, here you go.







So, what do you all think? I hope you like it. I had a blast creating it for you. It will be 25% off for the first week in the store.

Tomorrow I will have a sample from this kit for you to try out. I know it will wet your appetite for more! lol

Here is an ad for Marsha and I. On Tuesday March 4th we have our first Growing Your Elements Crop. 7:00pm eastern time in the chat room.

Hope to see you all there in the Chat room! We will have fun, fun, fun!!

Have a great day and I will see you all tomorrow!!