I love creating!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing your layouts using Simple Stacks with me! They are awesome!! I just love seeing them. This morning my dh was using my computer so I picked up one of the many scrapbook magazines I subscribe to. It was nice to take a moment to read a bit while looking at all the great layouts. But you know what I noticed?! This shouldn't be a surprise to me by now.

1. most of the layouts were 12x12
2. most of the layouts had almost no journaling

That really makes me sad. The journaling is some of the best part of a layout!! IMHO. I've looked for Brag Book ideas that fit my 4x6 scrapbook format. But they just aren't in the magazines! They publish all sort of sized books 3x3, 6x6, tags, 81/2x11, 12x12, etc. But no 4x6's! Well I've been looking for a new blog challenge and although not many actually do the challenges, I think everyone is so busy collecting they forget to use stuff, lol.

Anyway, my blog challenge 4 for today is to create a Simple Stacks Layout and submit it for publication! Lets show everyone that you can do a beautiful and functional scrapbook that you don't have to spend a fortune to purchase a special sized album, or so big it costs a fortune to print!!

Here are the details:

1. Use any Simple Stacks Template (purchased or a freebie)
2. Use any scrapbook kit (purchase, own designs, or a freebie. Digi Free has some great designs if you haven't found them yet.)
3. Submit the layout to any magazine, printed or online, with credits
4. Email me from July 15th to July 20th, 2008, a link or copied documentation that you submitted the layout using a Simple Stacks Template, include your full name and the Simple Stacks - Mini set you'd like.
5. This challenge is open to all scrappers, designers, ct's, etc.

Everyone who submits a Simple Stacks layout for publication, providing me with a link or copied documentation (so I can find out if any ever get published, lol. My own obsession, lol.) will recieve their choice of a Simple Stacks - Mini set. My Simple Stacks - Mini sets contain 4 Simple Stacks templates that will be on sale for just 98cents a set in the Digi By Design Mall during our Mid Month Madness Sale July 15th-20th, 2008. Since I will have to wait until the Simple Stacks - Mini sets are on sale this challenge will run from today until July 20th, 2008. I'd love to see everyones layouts!!

I've been very busy lately, taking Senior photo's for my dd and a very dear family friend. I've love to share some with you. The girls have added their pictures to their myspace accounts, asking for their friends to pick their favorites. So I thought I could too, lol. Blog Challenge 5 for today: leave a comment with your email and your favorite photo of each girl or email me the number of your favorite for each girl and I'll send you a special Simple Stack Template. This Blog Challenge will run from today until July 20th, 2008. So here are your choices

1

2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Finally, I've created a few layouts and a freebie for you!!

Here is a layout for my dd#3 created using Simple Stacks Template 080 (included in Simple Stacks - Mini set 5, on sale july 15th - july 20th, 2008)

and here is todays layout created using Simple Stacks Template Freebie 13

Download it Here

FYI - I'm just like most of you. I have little to no extra $ for scrapping supplies. That's why I do so many freebies :)

Enjoy,

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

Bundled Simple Stacks, news and freebie

Hi Everyone,

First thing I need to say is Happy Birthday Dad!! I can't go see him today, because we are cutting up the big maple, but I'm thinking of him!

I've bundled up my Simple Stacks, beginning today you can purchase all 10 sets in Simple Stacks Bundle 1 Here

This bundle includes 54 8x6 Simple Stacks Templates and 10 4x6 Simple Stacks - Covers to Closures. It's a total of 64 Templates, more than enough to completely fill a standard 4x6 Photo Album. It's priced to sell at just $20.00, that's like getting over 3 sets for free! I do allow the purchased versions of Simple Stacks for professional and personal use.

Over the holiday, my sister and my brother in law invited my family, my parents, her children and grandson to go camping and see fireworks in Algonac at the Pickeral tournament. It was really a trip down memory lane, to take the ferry to Harsens Island and show all the "new" family members the little cabin that my Grandparents rented every summer for as long as I can remember. We really got lucky to find the son of the original owners, "Frankie" was there doing some work. He let us take a look at the cabin and reminise about times we shared with Grandma and Grandpa while they stayed there. To my amazement it was just about as I remembered it! Even the painting of the pair of parrots, done by Frankie's mom Amy, was still hung in the old spot! I created 1 layout so far of our visit. Here's my layout.

Now I need to look through Grandma's photo's to find some old ones too.

I created this layout from my newest Simple Stacks Template Freebie, here:

Download it here

Well I better go help

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

A Simple Stacks layout

I finished my layout!! Yeah me!

I was working on this layout when the power went out last week.

I love the texture on the papers! I created the layout using Gina Millers free kit "Windchimes" (dated June 29th) and a template from my Simple Stacks set 10

I can't wait to see it printed :)

bye for now,

maryanne

Congratulations Blog Challenge Winners!!

Hi everyone,

I am so glad life is returning to normal.

Today we went grocery shopping, as we had to pitch 99% of everything from the fridge and freezer because of the power being out for so long. As we were getting ready to shop, another storm hit the area. When the power went out in the store there was an audible disappointing "awww" from the entire store, lol. Glad to say it was only momentary. But just to be safe, I did the shopping and had my dd call home to make sure the power was on before we paid for the food. Now I have one of the cleanest fridges in the county and the emptiest.

So now for my fun stuff.

I was very happy to receive one entry for my Blog Challenge 1

Missy submitted this layout and will receive a free set of my Simple Stacks Templates.

What a cutie!!

Thank you Missy

I received three enteries for my Blog challenge 2

tjmuse submitted this layout

Missy submitted this layout

and LoriJ submitted this layout

It was so much fun to come back from such a trial to find these in my email!

Thank you all for participating.

Each person who submitted a layout for this challenge will recieve this set of Simple Stacks Template Freebies.

I created another freebie for my Blog Challenge 3, but unfortunately no one submitted any layouts for this contest. :( oh well, on to other things.

Now I am off to finish creating a layout for my dd's yearbook.

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

There's no place like home....

Hi everyone! We have power again!!

All my childhood "trauma" has been replaced by a single most terrifying event.

Mind you I have lived in Michigan all my life, so these events are mild to some that have occured around the world during those years.

When I was growing up it seems nature was always involved in the most traumatising events.

In 4th grade, lighting struck the lumber yard across the street from my school. The sound was deafening and there was no stopping that fire. The yard and building went up in flames right before my eyes.

A few years later, I was visiting my Grandparents on Harsens Island and lighting struck somewhere near the cabin. I awoke screaming! Sound echo's over the water and it was worse than the lumber yard lighting. (at least to a sound asleep child)

With these 2 events, I admit, I hate thunder. For a while when it thundered I was filled with fear so terrifying I was unable to function.

In College I had to learn to let it go, when we had to evacuate a Child Care Center during a thunderstorm and tornado event to keep the kids safe.

Also in college, I was teaching in a preschool when lightening struck the church across the street.

When I had my own children I learned to remain calm so they didn't get upset.

And now today I'm usually ok but on guard during a thunderstorm.

Well on Wednesday July 2nd, I was being lazy, not mowing my lawn as I should but sitting here playing on the computer, finishing up my stuff for my blog challenge when the news began reporting bad thunderstorms were on their way. The news seems to have elevated everything to a urgent status over the last few years, so while I am cautious I don't get alarmed anymore.

So as the storms were moving into Michigan, I kept the tv on and finished my work here.

I began working on a layout, remembering to save it frequently because if I loose power there goes my layout, kwim? Finally the winds kicked up enough to make my power flicker and close my computer. So I didn't restart. I don't want to loose my computer. Power came back, then blinked for about 5 minutes before it was gone for the day. Around 5ish the rain, hail and winds started to come. I called dh and told him not to drive home, the storm is bad enough I couldn't see the apple tree in the middle of my yard. I ran around closing windows, as the wind was changing directions and the windows we can normally leave open, were now allowing rain into the house. The intensity of the storm seemed to lessen, so I though we'd be out of power for a while that night. When I was standing next to my computer and I heard the most spine tingling crackling sound. Immediately I thought of our tree's. I don't know exactly what made me think of it, but I knew something was going to come down. Now at our house we have 3 full grown maples in the front yard, 1 on the north side, 2 smaller ones on the south, 2 in the back yard and an old dying apple in the middle of the back yard. So with so many tree's you never know about a storm. And the last few years tornado's have seemed to be focusing on our area. Our school even made the national news about 3 years ago when a tornado took off a portion of the roof during 9th grade orientation. Anyway, I knew something was coming down and standing near the middle of the house, I wasn't sure which way to move. I made up my mind quickly as I began seeing the 150 year old maple landing at the back of the house just 5 feet from my previous postion. I kinda bounced into the next room. And this was it, this is now the "worst" story for me. Being home alone, kids were at my sisters, I could react naturally without traumatising the children. Called dh told him to just talk. I can never talk when I get upset, I cry.

So now a few days later I can make light of the whole thing. Tree's broke. Wiped out the stroller, lawn mower, fence, yard swing, hammock, spring horse, hose real, electric wires to the garage, trellis, tomato plant, back step, oh yeah and the corner of the house. Lots of work to do. But the humming bird feeders and bbq are a ok. And the cucumber still has a flower, but I don't know it won't be gone soon.

My 17yo's comment at 1am last night was "the pictures don't really do this justice. That tree is just so big back there"

So here are some pictures for you.

No way to let the dog out to the bathroom now, lol.

My Blog Challenge

Thank You to everyone who has participated. I have looked at your layouts they are wonderful!

And I have emailed you your prizes. I will be posting the list of winners tonight (gotta do some work now)

Thanks again,

Sorry so long,

maryanne

offline,in the dark, in michigan

Hi,
Last night we had a storm in Michigan, that knocked out the power to our whole town and blew down one of our 150 year old maple trees hitting the back of the house. Everyone is okay, but now the dog has to walk out the front door through the wooden fence, climb over the tree just to go to the bathroom. So my mom can not finish her blog challange as of today like she wanted. She will complete the challange, send the prizes, and announce the winners asap, as soon as the power's back on.

So if you haven't had a chance to do the challenge yet, you can still do it, email mom the link, and she won't know anyway.

Tyra (far away from home)

A Simple Stacks layout, news and freebie

Hi everyone,

I have my first Blog Challenge 1 Prize winner!

Missy posted this layout and submitted her links

This is just adorable!! Thanks for participating Missy.

I just finished creating and packaging the Blog Challenge Prizes!! I'd love to send one to you.

Please submit your links to enter asap.

I should have mowed today, but I was productive instead, lol. I finished Simple Stacks Set 10 today!! Here's a preview.

I played with one of these and can't wait to get to play with the others.

I have no Digital Scrapbook Class tonight, good thing it's going to thunder, lol. So I get to go to Digi By Designs chat at 9pm that will feature our July Mega Kit "Summer Brights".

Today I have a Simple Stacks Quick Page Freebie for you.

Download it Here

It's thundering now, ack! Gotta go. Happy Scrapping, MaryAnne

Blog Challenge, layout and Freebie

Hi everyone,
I was talking to my dh tonight and I told him about my blog challenges. Now he's supportive, but thinks I spend way too much time on scrapping stuff, lol. His comment about my challenges was that when he saw people say "the first 5 people to respond...." he figures it's a scam.
Well that got me thinking. In everyday life yeah I take that stuff as scams, but in scrapping nope, lol. Am I gullible or what? Anyway, as I assured him this isn't a scam, I really want to see what people do with stuff I make. And I'm willing to give more freebies to reward scrappers who show me what they've made. It's just my way of saying thanks for taking the time.
Therefore, I'm so excited to say I've had 1 person submit links for my blog challenge #2!!
tjmuse created this layout from my Simple Stacks Template Freebie 9 and a "kit in progress" Poppies created by Acorn Designs. Here's a link to her layout in the gallery. I gave it some luv :)
Thanks TJ
I still have 5 spots for Blog Challenge 1, 4 spots for Blog Challenge 2 and Blog Challenge 3 available to all! I worked on about 4 templates this afternoon, now I have to start deciding which will be prizes, which might go into a Simple Stacks Template set 10 or if they will become new Simple Stacks Template Freebies, hmmm......

Wednesday July 2nd the 9pm chat at Digi By Design is featuring our Monthly Mega Kit created by the designers. This months kit is "Summer Brights". It's just beautiful and huge! This kit contains: 80+ papers, 190+ elements and 3 alphas! It's 547 mbs!! It's on sale right now for just $3.99!
Here's a preview.
All the designers also make Quick Pages for the crop, here are some of mine.
I'm not sure which they will be giving away. Stop by the chatroom and say HI!
And now, as for my Simple Stacks Templates. Well I guess this first one will be a new Simple Stacks Template Freebie
Download it here
But these others, I don't know...
Any suggestions?
Well it's only midnight here, I'm going to see if my children are online.
Happy Scrapping,
MaryAnne

Busy, busy day...

I just have to share.
I went to Eva Kipler's blog and found a desktop calendar freebie called happydance_julydesktop
I finished it with photo's of my dd's on vacation and I just love it!!

I know some say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", but is there a way to get the old dog to remember her old tricks? Arg! Long story, dd will know what I'm talking about, lol.
dd's are off visiting again. I swear they are nomads in the summer. They only stay in 1 location for a very short time.
Today was not a good day for scrapping, it was spent at an appointment, then shopping (how does a 4 year old keep losing her clothes?) then meeting up with my sister so she could have my girls visit. Then trying to see a movie, no kids go play right? Nope, there wasn't any good movies on. So we went junk shopping - thrift stores. We don't need more junk, just have to look, lol. Finally we rented a movie "The Great Debaters" Very Good Movie.
Finally around 12:30 I decided I wanted to make another template.
Oh and I checked Digi By Design and someone put my newest Simple Stacks - set 9 in the mall (thank you :) ) What perfect timing.
Here's Simple Stacks - set 9

And here is a Simple Stacks Template Freebie for today

Download it here.
I did it a little different, hope you like it.
It is amazing to see 277 people downloaded yesterdays Simple Stacks Template Freebie!!

I would love to see some layouts that someone has created using my Simple Stacks Templates.
So I have 3 blog challenges for those who may be interested.
Blog Challenge 1: The first 5 people who send me links from 2 different galleries to a layout they created using a purchased version of Simple Stack Templates and they allow me to feature their layout on my blog, I will give their choice of one full set of Simple Stacks Templates.
To claim your prize - just email me the links at curthsdigitaldesigns@yahoo.com, include your full name, email address and the name of the Simple Stacks Templates you'd like.

Blog Challenge 2: The first 5 people who send me links from 2 different galleries to a layout they created using a Simple Stacks Template Freebie and they allow me to feature their layout on my blog, I will send them a special surprise bonus of 2 Simple Stacks Template Freebies specially created for this blog challenge.
To claim your prize - just email me the links at curthsdigitaldesigns@yahoo.com, include your full name and email address please.

Blog Challenge #3: Anyone who creates a layout using either my Simple Stacks Templates (purchased version) or Simple Stacks Template Freebies and posts them in Digi By Designs Gallery and 1 other gallery, allow me to feature their layout on my blog. I will send them a special surprise bonus of a Simple Stacks Template Freebie, created especially for this blog challenge.
To claim your prize - just email me the links at curthsdigitaldesigns@yahoo.com, include your full name and email address please.

You can participate in all three Blog Challenges if you'd like. Please have an original layout for each of the blog challenges you'd like to complete.
I have to have an end date for this challenge.
Simple Stacks make creating layouts a breeze and I've been creating freebies and template sets for about a month now, so you have a lot to choose from. So, lets say you must post your layouts and email me your links by Thursday July 3rd 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time.
I will send out prize links by Thursday July 3rd 10pm Eastern Standard Time.
Anyone interested?
Well time for bed.
Happy Scrapping,
MaryAnne





PS. If my girls visit, find me on yahoo messenger while your gone ok? I still would like to talk to you. Love ya, mom.


Night Everyone.

Vacation, Senior Pictures and more

Well it's that time, I had to start taking some senior photo's. I've been browsing the web for some idea's and I think I have some that my dd will love. While we were on vacation we found a nice little spot in Big Rapids. The photo's are ok, but I think we both need to keep trying.

Here's the layout I finished for her.

I used my newest Simple Stacks Template Freebie to create this layout

You can download it here

I also finished another vacation layout, it's a bit artsy, but I loved the photo!

I used one of my newest Simple Stacks Templates - set 9

(They'll be in the store soon, but now I have to fix the preview before it does, lol)

I have a great selection of Simple Stack Templates now, I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do.

Time for dinner,

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne

Mosquito’s are horrid, so I stayed in most of the day...

Hi everyone,

The mosquito's are just nasty here in town. Any time I went outside they swarmed me, so needless to say I didn't go outside very much. I did fix one of the bird feeders I have, the squirrel broke it while we were gone. And I filled the hummingbird feeder, I now have a male and female coming in multiple times a day.

This morning I worked on some of my Digi By Design July Mega Kit Quick Pages, while I was creating another vacation layout. I love how it turned out!

I think it needs a facing page for some journaling, hmmm....

I'm trying to figure out what photo's to include in the girls yearbooks too. There are so many to choose from.

Finally, just for you, I created another Simple Stacks Template Freebie.

Hope you like it.

Download it Here

I haven't had a chance to create a layout with it yet, but I'm sure I will soon.

Anyone have a preference for how long I leave the downloads available?

I've left them available for a long time, because I know I get frustrated when I find a freebie that I love but it's expired. Just wonder what other people think about it.

Well that's all for now,

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne