More Inspirations and a FREEBIE

Thank you so much for the nice comments
I appreciate them more than you can know!

I'm so pleased to say I finished another layout and I was
inspired to create another kit and FREEBIE!
I've sent 2 more kits into the mall, I hope they will go in
sometime over the weekend, but while I'm waiting I
want to keep my momentum going (you never know
when it will just go away) so I've added my
Simple Stacks - set 1 to Digi By Designs Super Saver Saturday

for 50% off!

BTW I do allow personal and commercial use for the Simple Stack sets.

My first Simple Stacks Template Freebie and
Simple Stacks Quick Page Freebie 1 are also still available.
(just click the names)
I hope to inspire everyone to give these a try!
I know you'll just love them!!


And now..................................
First a share.
My two oldest dd's have been elected as Officiers in FFA
for the 2008-2009 school year. They are so excited.
Although we do not actually live on a farm, they've seen
the opportunities FFA offers to the kids who join and
they are excited to follow in the footsteps of their cousins!

I created this yearbook page for Jaime,
who was elected Sentinel.
This is the absolutely perfect position for her,
she is such a social butterfly!!
And I created this Simple Stacks Quick Page Freebie 2
to share with you all. Download it Here

Thanks for visiting,
See you tomorrow?! (if I can get anything done today, lol)
Happy Scrapping,
MaryAnne

I'm just so excited and I have another Freebie

OMG! I can't believe I actually finished another layout and a freebie!

Inspiration was just swirling in my head all night long.

I created a Quick Page from my new

Simple Stacks Templates this morning.

These scrapbook are just so easy to use,

I can finish whole albums in just a few days.

Today's freebie is a Simple Stack Quick Page.

Download it Here

Created from yesterdays Simple Stack Template

(still available, go to the next post)

Since these templates make a double 4x6 scrap layout, I can use

any STANDARD 4X6 Photo Album to make my scrapbook!

Want to see more? Visit my store

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

Exciting news and a freebie

I'm on a roll again!

Hopefully this is just the start of a great wave of inspiration, it's been so long....

Anyway, I am about 2 years "behind" on my Yearbook scrapbooks for my girls now. So I really need to start doing those again, so I can get caught up before next years graduation. That got me looking for a way to mesh my "scrapper need" with my "designers spirit".

I think I've found the perfect solution!

I am now making templates for my daughters yearbooks.

When I started scrapping, I wanted books that my children could pick up, hold and enjoy all by themselves, so I began simply creating a "Yearbook" scrapbook using a standard 4x6 photo album. Creating this sized scrapbook has many many benefits and only a few limitations.

Some of the benefits include:

• The cost of printing layouts is very affordable, between .09 cents and .20 cents each.
• Finding a standard 4x6 photo album was as easy as visiting my local Walmart
• Standard 4x6 photo albums once came with my prints, but now only cost about $1.00 for one that holds 24-36 prints
• My children, even the 2 year olds, could pick up a scrapbook and enjoy them

The limitations:

• Designers don't make "4x6" portrait style Quick Pages
• It's hard to "scale down" 12x12 ideas for pages

So now after almost 17 years of scrapping, I'm going to try to remove the limitations!!

I'm creating "Simple Stacks"

These are 8x6 templates to create double page 4x6 scrapbook layouts. All you have to do is Create > Crop > Print and you'll have an incredible scrapbooks that you can afford to give as gifts, print multiple copies, etc. They make excellent Brag books, Yearbooks, Specialty Albums and more. And, unlike what is currently available, finding a "scrapbook" is now as easy as a visit to a discount store for a STANDARD SIZE 4x6 photo album. Average cost for this little gem is about $5.00!

I've already added my first set of 6 Simple Stacks to my store at Digi By Design and I'll be adding more as soon as I finish them. Take a look.

Finally, I really would love for more people to try these out!! I just know you'll fall in love, so I've created one just for you to try and I've already used it to make my first layout in almost a year! OMG!

Download it Here

Let me know what you think and watch for more excitement to come!!

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

GIMP TUT - Resizing a layout to print

Resizing your 12x12 layout to an 8x8,
to print as an 8x10 for Standard Photo Printing Services

Open your layout in GIMP - your layout will appear as a 12x12 I believe
On the Image, on the toolbar on the top of your layout - go to Image>Print Size (Fig. 1 below)
Fig. 1:

This opens a Print Size Dialog box (fig. 2)
fig. 2
Change the Width and Height to 8 inches - If the width and height are linked you will only need to change 1 then tab and the other will change (fig. 3)
fig. 3
Click OK
Now your layout will be 8x8 (I've pulled my image window just a bit larger than my canvas
size to show the 8x8 measurements) (fig. 4)
fig.4
On the layout image window, go to Image>Canvas Size (fig. 5)
fig. 5:
This opens the Set Image Canvas Size Dialog box (fig. 6)
fig. 6:
Make sure the width and Height are NOT linked.
Change the Height to 10 inches, make sure there are no numbers in the Offset.
Click Resize
You will now have your 8x8 layout on an 8x10 canvas (fig. 7)
fig. 7:
Notice on the bottom you can see a checkered pattern.
This is the portion you will need to trim off to make the printed layout an 8x8.
(I have a trimmer and a rotary cutter with a straight edge that I can bring down for you to use if you need it)
This is on a transparent background, therefore when you print nothing will be printed
on the checkered area.
If you'd like, you can add text on the checkered area that says
"8x8 layout printed as an 8x10" (fig. 8)
fig. 8:
(I added a white layout just to show you this preview so the text will show up on the screen)
This just lets the printer know that you know the layout is 8x8 and that you want it printed on
an 8x10, so they will not remove any of your layout by zooming in to fill the canvas.
Save as usual
For Printing - Save as a jpeg to take to a commercial printer (walmart, meijers, etc.)

Hope this helps. If it doesn't or you need other help, I can meet you any day or time except Thursday at 11-1.
can't wait to see how it looks
maryanne

Something new

I've been invited to my local library to teach Digital Scrapbooking!
I can't wait to get started. I've spent a few months creating a curriculum, finding programs, gathering sites, etc. And tomorrow is the big day!
First class!!
Now that I'm playing again, I need to make some new kits, or design an action or script, oh and I can't forget the freebies!!
Well it's late, see you soon,
maryanne

finding mojo...

Anyone know where my mojo went?

Seriously, I'm just so out of it right now. I think it comes from sleeping again, lol. For so long I didn't sleep well and I tried everything to get some sleep. So after my surgery I was in my room at 3am with my roommate, who had her hip replaced and was in agony. There was way too much light, consquently I asked if there was anything they could give me to help me sleep. Even on heavy pain medication after back surgury, I wasn't going to sleep, lol. The doctor gave me some meds and I actually slept for 4 hours! When I was released I asked if I could get a script, explaining how little I've slept in the last 6-8 years and everything I've tried to help it. So the Dr. gave me the script and I've kept taking it. It really does help me sleep. I'm actually getting about 6-7 hours of sleep a night, but I found it affects my ability to be creative, lol. My dh doesn't believe me when I say: there is absoultely NOTHING in my head! lol. When I try to create kits, quick pages, etc nothing is happening! So I'm trying a different approach. I'm going back to doing layouts for my dd's. Maybe while I'm creating the layouts, I'll need to create paper or elements for them and that will lead to freebies or kits, lol. It can't hurt anyway, I'm so far behind, lol.

So today I did 2 cover layouts for my dd's "yearbook".

I can't decide which one I like best

My daughter took this photo herself (I'm so proud of her!!)

I used papers and elements from Digi By Design's monthly team kit Tickets Pleaseas well as a few other papers and elements (see full description here)

Thanks for stopping by

maryanne

ps. I just got an idea for a freebie, if you get a chance check back in a bit. I'll see if I can pull it together.

I've added one of my favorite winter kits to my store

This kit contains elements for a huge list of winter sports and activities,
including: ice skating, cross country skiing, down hill skiing, speed skiing,
speed skating, snowmobiling, sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding,
figure skating, curling, down hill racing, playing in the snow and more.It contains 28 12x12 papers, creative word art, charms, ribbons,license plates and a make your own license plate collection, brads,eyelets, closures and prongs, staples, fibers, word washers and a
great selection of "snow sport" based page elements.
All items created at 300 dpi.

All at an introductory price of just $2.50 for a limited time!
Get Winter Sports - Common to Xtreme Here

AND

I finally had a chance to play with this kit this weekend
and I created the following 2 Quick Pages

Download QP #1 Here

Download QP #2 Here

Other news

I have all of my kits, scripts and elements 30% off today.
This includes commercial use items like paper maker overlays,
Paint Shop Pro scripts, as well as all my scrapbooking
kits not already on sale.
To take advantage just visit my part of the Digi By Design Store

happy scrapping,
maryanne

Hello

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a great halloween! Here in Michigan, it was cold and then began to rain, right in the middle of Trick or Treating! No Surprise there. We could have 60-70 degree temps all week and it would still be cruddy and nasty on Halloween! lol.

Anyway, I've just been in a huge slump and I can't seem to crawl out of it! So today I'm approaching it in a slightly different way.

I used 2 of my kits to create a layout for my dd and saved it as a QP to share. Actually there are 2.

Here's Jessica in her halloween costume.

I liked the simple look of this first one

Get this QP Here

Journaling reads:
I really wanted some "good" photo's of you in
your halloween costume. But in Michigan
it's impossible to plan for this occasion.
The weather rarely cooperates!
This year was no different. As we left the house,
it was still light enough for a photo, thanks to the change
in daylight savings. But that still wasn't good enough. It was too
cold to go out without your coat and mitten. To top it off, about
30 minutes after we started, it started to rain.
Can't take pictures in the rain. So this was my best shot. Here you are
as your favorite character "Cinderella". Hope you remember
your halloweeens fondly, despite the weather.
~ I Love You,
Mom

but I kept thinking it needed something.

Get this QP Here

Since I love to mix kits (I'm never happy with just one) I ended up using paper and a new element from my Witches Den kit and a graphic element from my Trick or Treats kit.

In case your wondering, these kits are not in the store right now. They were part of the Digi by Designs Mid Month Madness, I wanted to add more to them and put them back in the store as full kits, but my creativity has failed me. If anyone is really interested it getting one or both, just let me know by emailing me at curthsdigitaldesigns@yahoo.com and I'll see what I can do.

TICKETS PLEASE!

is the newest Mega Kit from Digi By Design

Tickets Please! Whether your little one is a shining movie star or you have recently made a trip to the movies this kit is sure to please. Packed full with popcorn, stars, and fame it is sure to be a delight! 460 Mb 67 papers 219 elements. It's available, for a limited time, at an introductory price of just $3.99! I had a chance to play with a portion of this kit already, it's awesome!!

be sure to keep a look out at this forum

for some incredible freebies everyday!

Enjoy,

MaryAnne

Super Saturday Saver and more...

Today at Digi by Design is

Super Saver Saturday

and the fall madness has continued!

Today there are a total of 51

fall and Halloween products available

for 50% off!

Here's a preview of what I have available.

Button Pack 3

Button Pack 4Feels Like Fall

Feels Like FAll Add-onFeels Like Fall HalloweenFeels Like Fall Halloween-Quick PagesFeels Like Fall Halloween ExtrasNatural Inspirations Collection
Thanks for visiting!

Here's a little coordinating Freebie for you

You can download it Here

Happy Scrapping,

maryanne

It's FRIDAY!!

Thanks for making this week so much fun!

I used my Trick or Treats kit

to create this little freebie for you.

Sorry Download expired

Thanks again,

maryanne

Happy Thursday!

I hope you've enjoyed the freebies so far!

Today I have some stickers/word art

samples that coordinate with my

Witches Den kit, that's part of

Digi by Designs Mid Month Madness.

Here's what I came up with.

Sorry Download Expired

If you haven't seen the huge list yet go here.

There are 157 kits, alpha's, elements,

etc that are being offered for just .98 cents!

There are even commercial use products

available, like my Multiple Button Script Special.

This script was written for Paint Shop Pro (written in PSP 9)

and will create 4 styles of buttons with just a few

clicks. These buttons can be used for just

about anything, commercial use is permitted!

Do you love freebies?

Don't forget to visit the

Digi by Design Blog Party.

and

Have you seen the Spooktacular Quick Pages

in the forums? Be sure to check those out too!

Here's a link to the forum

Today's is one of mine

These Quick Pages were created by the

designers of Digi by Design using our

October Mega Kit

Spooktacular

This kit includes over 90 papers, 200 elements and

4 alphas by 13 designers. 500 Mb of goodies.

I have another freebie idea in my head this morning,

so I just might be able to squeak out a second

one today (we'll see if the scrapping gods

and my 4 year old smile on me today).

Have a great day,

maryanne

Today...

We lost power very early in the morning,

and they didn't get it fixed in time for

my girls to go to school, so we're having

a FREE DAY!!!

I don't have much time, but I did get this

little freebie together for you!

Sorry download expired

If you didn't already know, some

of the Digi by Designers are having a

Blog Party, read all about it here and

you can pick up some great and generous

Freebies (hurry I don't know when they expire).

Also, we've only got 3 days left in the

Digi by Design's Mid Month Madness.

Don't miss your chance to snag up to 157

awesome mini kits, alphas, even some

commercial use products for just .98 cents each!!

New Product and Freebie

Good Morning,

I'm so excited to have some new product in the

Digi by Design Mall for the Mid Month Madness.

Here are a few that I have available this week,

October 15-20th, 2007 for just .98 cents!

Trick or Treats

Witches Den

Witches Den Alpha

Witches Den Alpha 2

And I created a special alpha to coordinate

with the Witches Den Kit just for you!

Sorry Download Expired

Have a great day,

MaryAnne

Digi by Designs Blog Party

Today is the start of the Digi by Design's Blog Party freebie madness!

Unfortunately I've been so busy trying to get

my life back in order I didn't have the energy to

participate. But, I did make a few alpha's to give away!

I'll post one or more each day. Here's the first one:

Sorry Download Expired

This week is a busy one at Digi by Design

I have 9 new items in for this event.

I'll post previews in a bit, but for now you can view

them here:

Bibelot

Bibelot Buttons

Button Special

Button Pack 5

Trick or Treats
Witches Den
Witches Den Alpha
Witches Den Alpha 2

Multiple button Script Special

- this is a Paint Shop Pro Script that is ok for Commercial Use

There are a total of 157 items listed for this Special Event

Now thru Sunday you can get cool coordinating mini kits like these

off these blog listed below:
http://rosemadedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://acorn-designs.blogspot.com/
http://mermaidshaven.blogspot.com/
http://manu-scraps.blogspot.com/
http://sasboksdigidesigns.blogspot.com/
http://florescentjellybeans.blogspot.com/http://lilbitsd-zynz.blogspot.com/http://heidigdigiscraps.blogspot.com/

Have a great week,

MaryAnne