I've been tagged

Okay - I keep getting tagged, so I guess I need to do this, lol. I've never responded to a tag before, so if I mess up the ettiquette, well, you'll all have to forgive me.

Kori, Alma, Kim Hill, Tina and Helron Designs all tagged me with this one - 'post the top 7 songs you're into right now'

Umm - I have a 19 month old
1) Row Row Row your Boat
2) Row Row Row your Boat
3) Row Row Row your Boat
4) Row Row Row your Boat
5) Row Row Row your Boat
6) Row Row Row your Boat
7) Row Row Row your Boat
In incoherent baby babble all day long...lol, actually it's pretty cute... for the first hour.

Now I'm suppose to tag 7 more people, but this one has been around awhile and everyone I know tagged me first, so I'm going to let it die here (you can send me to the blog police).

Kori tagged me with this - List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.

Let's see
1) I've seen two Presidents and the Queen of England in person
2) I modelled wedding gowns when I was 16 - my mom cried seeing her 16 year old in a wedding dress, lol!
3) My dog's tongue is so long it doesn't fit in his mouth - but I love him to pieces anyway.
4) My dream job would be to be a choreographer.
5) I'm having a heck of a time coming up with a fifth one. I'm afraid I'm terribly normal! I guess I'll just have to leave it at that.

Now I'm suppose to tag 5 people so I'll return the favor to those who tagged me above.
- Alma
- Kim Hill
- Tina
- Helron Designs
- Rina (no she didn't tag me, but I want to hear her answers ;) )

ScrapArtist Apprentice Contest

ScrapArtist is having a contest to select two new designers to join their team as designer apprentices. Contestants enter by submitting a minikit for consideration in the first round. All the minikits are available to the general public for free download. Check them out as there are some gorgeous designs on display. I created the layout above using items I downloaded from two of the entries (designers Sonja Castelluccio and Melissa Rose, beaded swirl by me) If I weren't so happy with my current shops I'd consider throwing my hat in the ring, but I do adore my current 'homes' on the net. There are so many amazing designs I don't know how the current designers at ScrapArtist are going to choose, but it will be fun following the contest. For those of you out there who are aspiring designers, there is still time to enter. You have until September 25th to submit your entry. Contest details here. See and download the entries here.

September Ezine will be out next week

The next issue of Inspired to Scrap will be coming to you Tuesday, September 26th (assuming you are subscribed). If you're not email me at mcato@scrapbook-elements.com with "Subscribe Newsletter" in the subject line. It's free and I will only use your email for distribution of the monthly ezine.

Another Blended Collection Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak at some of the papers in the Blended Collection coming Sunday to Scrapbook-Elements. This isn't close to all of them (if anyone knows how to do a decent preview of 48 papers, I'd love to hear from you), but this will give you a general idea of the backgrounds. If you scroll down a bit you'll see a preview of most of the elements in the collection. I hope to see you at my Launch Crop (details below).

Friday Freebie

The Friday tag is ready for download. Thanks everyone who has taken the time to visit this week and I hope you drop in again sometime.

You Are Invited to My Party

I will be throwing a party this Sunday at SBE to celebrate the debut of my Blended Collection. I'd love it if you joined me Sunday, September 24th at 10:00pm Eastern in the Scrapbook-Elements.com chatroom for inspiration, fun and and a complimentary add-on to the collection.

Thursday Freebie

A huge thanks to all of you who have taken time to leave comments. I have a great time reading over them each day. Thursday's Freebie tag is ready for download. Enjoy!

New Release Freestyle Finds - Wildflowers

This set of 6 funky flowers is inspired by the freestyle scrapping movement. Use these in your freestyle layouts or to add a unique, quirky touch to any page. Link: Wildflowers at Scrapbook-Bytes

Preview of the Blended Collection Elements

Here is a sneak peak of the Blended Collection Elements. I tried my best, but I couldn't them all into a single preview. This is most of them. The Blended Collection will be available this Sunday, September 24th at Scrapbook-Elements. You are also invited to join me at 10:00pm Eastern on the 24th in the Scrapbook-Elements chatroom for a party to celebrate the collection debut. Inspiration, free add-on and fun for all attendees.

Wednesday Freebie

The third tag of the week is ready for download! Take a look at the close-up sneak peak of the one of the kits in the Blended Collection (you'll find it in the file when you download the tag). This set, Autumn Blends, is my personal favorite of the collection. I love brown :)

Sharing a Resource

Recently I was getting frustrated attempting to convert a color photo to black and white. Even my trusty Virtual Photographer wasn't doing the trick. I just couldn't get the contrast the way I wanted it. I remembered a friend had once directed me to atncentral and I even had the site bookmarked, but had never checked it out. Lo and behold there was everything I needed; all sorts of actions to create any effect I wanted and more. There's lots of things to play with - and they are free!

Tuesday's Freebie

It's time to download Designer Tag Two. Check inside the download folder for a sneak peak at one of the kits in my Blended Collection and an invitation to the Collection Launch Crop.

Monday's Freebie

Did you notice I didn't update my blog much at all last week? Well, I've been working hard and I'm thrilled to announce that my Blended Collection will be coming soon to Scrapbook-Elements. To celebrate I'm offering a designer tag a day here on my blog. Make sure you stop by everyday to pick up your tag as each night I'll take down the link and post a new one. Here's the first one - enjoy - Blended Tag One.

New Set of Layered Templates with Style Layers

My latest set of Layered Templates with Style Layers is now available at Scrapbook-Elements. These templates come as layered .psd files that allow you to combine your own backgrounds and elements to create a unique look. The optional layer styles allow you to add extra effects like inked edges and grunge.

New Release Imagine Spring

My newest kit, Imagine Spring is now availabe at Scrapbook-Elements. The muted colors are perfect for fall layouts, but the flowers and coral remind us that spring will return. Stop in and pick up the page set, quick pages or combo pack.

Layer Template Freebie Link Refreshed

Several of you asked if it was possible to get this free sample template as the links below have expired, so I've refreshed it. Click here to download.

New Release Layered Templates with Text Paths

Here is my latest take on the layered template movement - templates with text paths. These are layered .psd files with text path layers that work in PS or PSE. Scroll down a bit for a link to a free sample template. A pack of four templates is now available at Scrapbook-Bytes.
Layered Templates with Text Paths

New Release Sheryl's Love

Named after an inspiring friend who is full laughter, love and life, Shery's love is bright, funky and fun. Sheryl's Love is available as a Page Kit, Quick Pages, or Combo Pack at Scrapbook-Bytes.

Free Sample - Layered Template with Text Paths

I've just finished my third (and last for a little while) set of layered templates. Each template in the set contains a text path for journaling. The template comes as a layered .psd file and it is my understanding that the text path portion will only work in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Here is free sample for you play with. All the links are the same file.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5

Template Challenge at SBE

I am sponsoring the September Template Challenge at Scrapbook-Elements. You can pick up another one of my Layered Templates with Style Layers in the SBE forums. Create a layout using SBE products and post to the challenge gallery you'll receive this Tranquility minikit. Find all the details here.

Free Sample - Layered Template with Style Layers

Try out my Layered Templates with Style Layers! These are layered .psd templates. Download at one of the links below or from the Samplers section in the Scrapbook-Bytes store.
Link 1
Link 2

New Release Layered Templates with Style Layers

I mentioned I was working on my own take on the layered template craze. Here they are - layered templates with optional style layers that allow you to add things like inked edges and grunge in a snap. These templates comes a layered .psd file to which you add your own backgrounds and embellishments. Instructions for PS and PSE are included. Users of other programs will want to download my free sample to make sure these can be used in your program. The free sample is available on this blog or in the Samplers section in the Scrapbook-Bytes store.

New Release Misty Blues at SBB

My latest kit has been released at Scrapbook-Bytes. Named by the wonderful ladies on my creative team, Misty Blues is full of blue and taupe and highlighted with daisy-style flowers and frayed fabric accents. Check out the page set, quick pages and combo pack at SBB. Also I am currently working on my own twist on the layered template craze. Stop back in on the blog tomorrow for a free sample.

Celebrations Crop

I host a monthly crop at DigiShop Talk the first Monday of every month. Each month I pick a different topic to celebrate. This month we are celebrating girls of all ages. I invite you to join me Monday, Sept. 4th at 11:00pm Eastern in the DigiShopTalk chatroom as we celebrate girls. You don't have to have a daughter or granddaughter to take part. Celebrate a sister, mom, friend or yourself (you deserve it)! Hope to see you there.

New Release Imperial at SBE

My new kit, Imperial, debuted SBE today. I used it to scrap my Christmas photos (yes, I am a tad bit behind on my scrapping). I'm amazed at all the ways my ct used this kit - weddings, christenings, black and white photos, sepia photos, they did great. I'll showcase some of their work over the course of the week. Meanwhile you can check out the kit in my store at Scrapbook-Elements: Page Kit, Quick Page, Combo Pack.

I've been Nominated

I've had three kits nominated for kit of the month at TheScrapHabit. I have no idea who nominated me, but whoever did - thanks! I'm honored! Please stop by and cast your vote.

New Sketch Challenge Posted

I've posted the September sketch challenge at TheScrapHabit. As always the sketch is multiple photo two page sketch. This is may way of forcing myself to do more multi-photo pages. This month there is also an emphasis on journaling - another weakness of mine. You can find all the details at TheScrapHabit. Post your layout by September 30th and receive my Grandpa's Study minikit.