Monday, January 31, 2011

Update:

I just had to say thank you to everyone who stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday, say thanks, leave links to layouts or just say hi this month! It's been so fun reading all of your comments! Some of you cracked me up with stories about angry pocketbooks, others surprised me with sweet cards - all in all, it's been a great Birthday Bash!

I'm sorry I didn't make it in yesterday to share the news here, I was busy celebrating my birthday with a nap! But....

It's A BOY!!! 

My husband took me shopping Saturday to pick out the nursery set - it's an adorable green and brown monkey theme! And we got a few outfits too - and the grandma's are already going crazy shopping for adorable things! Adam is looking forward to being a big brother, but he really wanted a sister, so he's struggling with the fact that it's a little brother. 

Alright, a few reminders quick...

Today is the last day of my big birthday sale, so hurry over and grab some goodies at 50% off (sorry pocketbook!) 

Today is also the last day to submit a layout using any of this months featured kits (there are 17 to choose from) just leave me a link to the layout in a gallery, any gallery, for your chance to win $5 to my store - at least 2 winners will be chosen, maybe more, depending on how many layouts get submitted today! 

Finally, today is the last day to grab the freebies - the links come down tomorrow. Most of them will be available in my store, but not all! So grab what you missed! 

Thanks again for celebrating with me this month, it was a blast! 

Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Birthday Bash: Day 17 {Freebie}

Today is the last day of the big Birthday Bash! I hope you've had as much fun as I have! I have one last kit on special today, plus my birthday sale is still going strong!



So the final kit we have on special this month is Mister. This is a collab kit with Mad Genius Designs and is all boy! The kit and all the add ons are 70% off today, and if you want it all you can use coupon code NS_BdayMister to get $2 off the Mister Bundle!


And here's the Bundle (all pieces are 70% off, or use coupon NS_BdayMister to get $2 off the bundle)


Today's the last day to submit those layouts using any of the 17 kits featured this month! If you missed the special on any of them remember they are all 50% off* today. Just link me up to a layout using any of the kits in a gallery (any gallery)! I'll be selecting 1 winner for every 5 layouts submitted and announcing the winner/s later this week! 

Alright, here you go, your final Birthday Bash Freebie!

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*Sale excludes theStudio collab kits

Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 16 {Freebie}

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday dear Manda, happy birthday to Me! Yep, today's the big day! I'm not sure what I'm doing to celebrate yet, but I'm excited! I love my birthday....at least until I dread growing older :D Anyways, in addition to a HUGE bunch of kits on sale for today's deal, my entire store is on sale!


And I mentioned that I have a huge bunch of kits for today's deal - the entire Mr. & Mrs. Collection is 70% off today. You can grab the main kit, any of the themed collections, the glitter, the quick pages or the add on at this low price - or grab them all! And if the Mr. & Mrs collection isn't for you, remember my whole store is 50% off today and tomorrow in celebration of my birthday! Weee!

Check out a few of the Mr & Mrs Products and grab your freebie before you head off to my store for you're big shopping trip!







And you only have 2 days left to submit your layouts using any of this months featured kits for a chance to win a $5 coupon to my store! Just upload your layout to any gallery, and share the link with me here!

Today's Freebie using the Mr. & Mrs Collection:

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 15 {Freebie}


A little over a year ago my little man Adam was very sick. It started with pink eye and sore throats and bronchitis and kept building and building...it eventually ended with my 4 year old (at the time) son developing a hernia from all the coughing and needing surgery. It was a very scary time, and inspired today's kit - Brave Patient.


And since this is one of my favorite kits - I want to show you the extras, also 70% off today

   


And there are just a couple of days left for your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

And today's freebie, created with Brave Patient

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Friday, January 28, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 14 {Freebie}

I never got a chance to tell you about this gorgeous kit I released earlier this month! It's a collab with Scrappy Cocoa called Love Yourself. This kit is on special today for 70% off!



All of the Love Yourself pieces are on sale today! And there are a few!

Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted! (Right now I'll be giving away 2....so your chances are pretty good!)

And here's a little freebie for you made with Love Yourself (and there's another one on Steph's blog)

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 13 {Freebie}

Well, we have a few more real life people to share our news with before I can share it here, but I promise to let you all know if it's a boy or a girl as soon as I can! Today I have another great kit for you, yet another collab that's on special! This one is Freakalicious! This kit was created with Scrappy Cocoa and Lightning Bug Creations. The kit, and all the add ons (Word Art, Clusters and Quick Pages) are all 70% off today only!


 

Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 12 {Freebie}

Today is a really big day for me and my family. Today we get to find out of this little bean in my belly is Pink or Blue! Boy or Girl. And after we find out, I'm going shopping! If you have any photos laying around from when you were pregnant, today's deal is my pregnancy collection Pink or Blue. All of the pieces are 70% off or use coupon code NS_BdayBaby to get $2 off the bundle deal! Remember these prices are for today only! Think Pink for me, ok?



Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 11 {Freebie}

Today's kit is not only 70% off today, but it will also be retiring at the end of the month. Summer's Eve is a collab kit with Ruby Lane Designs. It was created with events like Prom, Homecoming and other romantic and formal events in mind.



Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

And here's your Summer's Eve freebie

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Monday, January 24, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 10 {Freebie}

Here we are, 10 days in, a little more than half way through the deals and freebies! Today I have a kit that is perfect for scrapping some of the harder things....those who are no longer with us. In Loving Memory is filled with elements to help you scrap pictures of loved ones who have been lost....it's filled with beautiful elements and is 70% off today only!



Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

Grab today's freebie while you're here, then head off to grab the great deal!

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 9 {Freebie}

Today's kit is another great collab! Along the Nile is a beautiful kit created with Scrappy Cocoa and JW Digi Scraps and today it's on special for the big big discount of 70% off!


Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

And be sure to grab today's freebie while you're here!

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 8 {Freebie}

Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Perfect Pumpkins.....or more accurately Picking Perfect Pumpkins which is today's deal of the day. The Picking Perfect Pumpkins Kit, Add On and Cardstock are all 70% off for one day only!




Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

Grab today's freebie made with Picking Perfect Pumpkins before you head off to snag this great deal! 

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Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Friday, January 21, 2011

Birthday Bash: Day 7 {Freebie}

Well, we're a week into the fun! Day 7! Are you feeling tired yet? I hope not, but if you are you should pick up today's kit - Goodnight Sleepyhead at the super discount of 70%! This kit is soft and sweet and perfect for all of those pictures of sleepy little ones (or big ones).



Don't forget your chance to win a $5 coupon to my store - Create a layout using any of this month's featured kits or new releases and post a link to the layout in a gallery (any gallery) as a comment on any Birthday Bash post! I will select 1 winner at random for every 5 layouts posted!

Here's your goodnight sleepyhead freebie too

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And today is the last day of Scrappy Cocoa's birthday bash - grab her kit Sugar Sugar on special! Be sure to come back here tomorrow, remember this bash lasts all month!

Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU

Thursday, January 20, 2011

How I'm Getting Caught Up

I have been working really hard to get my son's albums as caught up as possible before June - when baby arrives. I've been posting on my personal Facebook page about my progress, and it has raised some questions about how I was doing it - so I thought I'd share my system with you! I used to do all of my scrapping the old-fashioned way, but when my son hit a certain age, it was too difficult to find time to scrap since he wanted to play with all of mommy's 'toys' and that's when the falling behind began….Then, a little over 2 years ago, I discovered digital scrapbooking and started playing catch up. It's been a bit of a challenge, but after putting a little time and effort into figuring out what I needed to scrap, I've got a system down and am able to whip out layout after layout when the urge to scrap hits me. 

Don't believe me? This past weekend I scrapped 9 layouts from my catch-up list. NINE! (and 119 photos...)


I know my system isn't going to work for everyone, but it's worked really well for me. And getting it set up is the hardest part, but it's a pretty simple concept. At first, it was so overwhelming thinking about how many pictures I'd have to sift through to get caught up. It seemed impossible. But then I sat down and made a plan, and so far, so good. 

First you need to figure out what needs to be scrapped. Specifically. This is way more detailed than saying "I need to scrap 2008" or "I need to scrap our vacation".  I decided to break it down by layout. Don't be afraid! Yes, this is going to take a little time - but trust me, as we get further into the process you'll be thanking me for making you do this! 

Make your Scrap To Do list of all the layouts you need to do to finish each album. For me, I want an album for each year of my son's life (calendar years) so I set out to make a list for each year, layout by layout. Each of my lists has about 80-100 layouts that I need to get scrapped

I don't think I can explain this part in a generic way, so I'm going to show and tell you what I did. I opened up my pictures folder for the year I needed to scrap and literally started going through them day-by-day. Take a look at my current lists to get a better idea of what I'm talking about:

On a sheet of paper I wrote the month as a title, then as I came to an event or image from that month that needed scrapping, I wrote it down. I wasn't too specific, but enough that I could glance at my list and know what it was. 

Example: 1-30: My Birthday, 2-24: Playing Basketball - You can get a better idea of this looking a little closer at my lists (these are pulled from my 2010 list, see, I'm almost done with February)!


When I had a month with a lot of random pictures that were really cute - but would mean a bazillion 1 page layouts (aka: time consuming), I'd add a 'Misc' or  'Cute' to my list (see samples below). Making my list/s took a long time - but when they were finished I had a tangible and visible list of what needed to be done, and, surprisingly having the list in front of me (regardless of how long it was) actually made catching up seem much more do-able.


The next step is the actual scrapping! You know, the fun part… Now, when I get the urge to scrap I sit down, grab my list and pick one of the items to scrap! When the layout is done, I can cross it off the list, which feels great and lets me visibly see how much closer to my goal I'm getting! When all the layouts are crossed off your list, you're done with the album!

And that's how I'm catching up - getting all my photos scrapped :D 


Some additional tips and thoughts….

Remember, you are playing catch up. You still want beautiful layouts, but be smart with your choices. Think about the ways you can get more bang for your time. Cram the photos on if you need to! Stay away from multiple one-photo layouts - unless it's a day/event/activity that one photo is all you need to scrap.

Personally, I scrap faster with templates - mostly because all the photos have a place on the layout from the beginning so when I'm doing catch-up layouts, I tend to do a lot with templates. 

Make a separate list for each thing (each year, each child, each 'album' so that you can easily filled ideas to scrap when we get back to scrapping….

When making your list, don't worry about the exact images you need to scrap - focus on the events, dates, occasions. If your pictures aren't organized or scanned you can make a folder or pile - but don't focus on getting the pictures ready for the layout, you can select the exact images (or scan them) when you're ready to scrap that event. One other thing to keep in mind when you're making your list is that we're playing catch up - and we want reasonable albums :D This is why a lot of my albums have multi-photo layouts featuring a bunch of pictures from a month - this prevents a whole bunch of single page layouts! 

Start with just one list for now. One year, one event, one child (whatever fits your final-product goal) so that you have something to use as a guide when you get the urge to scrap - but keep going! Get all your lists made and ready so you always have something unique to scrap! 

It is so satisfying to cross out days and even more satisfying to cross out entire months! And, because I put in time and effort making the lists, I know that when everything is crossed out my album is complete! No second guessing, no hoping I didn't forget something - it's done! 

Don't edit or Once it's done it's done. I do save layered Tiff files of all of my layouts, but that's more to be able to fix a spelling error or something….or because I'm anal and can't delete them! But one of the steps I take each time I finish a page is to flatten it and save the full size layout in a 'to print' folder. And once it's done and ready to be sent out for printing - I won't go mess around with it. If you keep going back to fix things, you'll never catch up! It's the little imperfections that make these more personal! It's OK to forget a shadow, trust me! 

Always try and scrap from the list first. Whenever I get a CT kit to work with or buy a new kit or just feel like scrapping something - I turn to my list and try to find an event I need to scrap that I can work on. This often saves a lot of time, I don't have to dig through picture folders to find an event or images that will work - and it often allows me to be creative with kits as I stretch them to work with what I need to scrap!

And finally, if you are doing single page prints, order anytime a sale comes along! You can put the prints right into albums when they arrive at your door because you can use your list to help you leave space for the layouts that aren't finished yet. A bunch of my albums have pages that look like this (see image) a post-it lets me know what layout I am still waiting to design or print to insert.


Whew, that's quite a blog post! I really hope this helps at least one of you develop your own system for getting caught up. Really, what it comes down to is getting organized. For me, it was getting organized in a way that would allow me to stay focused on what needed to get done - but for you it might be something different! I would love to hear your thoughts, answer your questions and  see your Scrap To Do lists! 


Check out all my products at theStudio PU and theStudio CU