Kiddos, New Release, Free Desktop

Recently we got Jamin a little desk of his own and set it up next to mine. I thought it would be a nice place for him to color or play with his cars where his sister couldn't mess with them. Boy was I wrong. Clearly it is a stage for the daily 'Jamin Show' with dancing singing and a rocking guitar.



I have a thing for hair bows. Mya has bows in every color; clippy bows, elastic bows, bows on headbands ... it's really out of control, but she looks so darn cute in them.



I didn't get around to posting over the weekend, but Afternoon Stroll is my latest release at the Sweet Shoppe. My recent team call netted a host of talented scrappers and you can see their work in the layouts in the side bar.



Here is a fresh desktop for October. Enjoy!

Out and About in the Digiworld - Tasting Life Twice

I took comfort from one of Jessica Spraque's recent blog posts. It's good to know one of the best in the biz has some of the same dilemmas I struggle with and I'm going to hang on to this particular vision of hers,

"I want to refocus on the stories. Not on hollow technique that will make you a whiz-bang Photoshop ninja. Just do a Google search for that. (You’ll learn how to make glossy buttons and fiery text in no time! ;) ) But what it’s ALSO about is telling a story that is part of our life. About leaving a story that matters. And relishing the experience of tasting life twice as we work our craft. ... I do think it can be done. I love making awesome pages and sharing amazing Photoshop techniques. But I think we got into this scrapbooking hobby because we had stories to tell (oh, and also because we love to collect supplies. Admit it!)"

I love the idea that scrapbooking lets us 'taste life twice'. Thanks for the refocusing Ms. Sprague - kept hold of it and I'll be following you.

Congrats to After Five Designs on their Grand Opening.

Amy Wolfe is having a birthday sale at the Lilypad. Everything is 35% off. Discount shows up in your cart.

I love it when talented designers team up and bring out the best in one another. Such is the case with a couple of great collaborative releases this week; Retro Garden from Cori Gammon of Scrapartist and Flergs of Scrapbookgraphics ...



and Autumn Blossoms by Pineapple Plantation Designs of ScrapOrchand and Amanda Heimann of The Digichick.



Chere has posted several basic video tutorials at FunkyPlayground including how to save your pages for the web, upload to a gallery, etc.

The Graphic Reporter has posted tips on intensifying color in photographs.

Inspired by Jessica's goal of 'leaving a story,' here are some beautiful pages that tell a story.

In I Love Pink, tconlan writes about her brave girls experience getting her ears pierced.



I don't speak Portuguese, but I'm guessing this beautiful page is about Lizandra's son learning to crawl and explore his world.



In My Boy, OneHappyMama scraps the first photograph she has of her son with sweet journaling on her first impressions of him when first arrived in their family.

New Releases - Painted Chic and The Right Stuff

Mya is growing so fast. She's made that transition from a baby that gets carted around to whatever everyone else is doing to a little one with her own thoughts about what ought to happen and when. She can be quite sassy about it too. Her spunky streak is probably a good thing as it helps her manage her big brother. Here is a recent page I did of the two of them playing together.

The journaling reads, "Jamin and Mya played for over an hour in a pile of blankets and pillows. At 9 months of age, Mya already knows how to hold her own in a pillow fight."


Credits: Papers from Watermelon Pop by Meredith Fenwick and Sun Porch by Amy Teets, Flourish from Little Day by Sausan Designs, Decorative Border Templates by Michelle Coleman, Mat from November by Michelle Raine, Flowers by Anne deJong, See Clearly Alpha by Misty Cato, Word bits from The Write Stuff by Darcy Baldwin and Misty Cato, Font is DJB How Cute Am I by Darcy Baldwin

New releases from me this weekend include Painted Chic which I created together with my friend Betty Jo Martin.



Here are just a few of the pages from the creative team. You can see more on the slider in the left sidebar.



Darcy Baldwin and I released The Write Stuff, an element pack collection containing items that can be mixed and matched to create eye-catching titles, journaling, dates and other text elements for your page.



Here is a closer look at some of the items in The Write Stuff.

Darcy's font DJB How Cute Am I



Word art



Word Cuts



Journal spots with made-to-fit text paths saved separately. Each journal spot comes in 5 accent colors.



and a Date Pack.



Complimentary Template
Here is a free template based on the layout above. Enjoy!

TrendWatch - Tattered and Layered

One of the latest looks popping up in the gallery are layouts that looks to be on a 'stack' of two or more papers. In most cases the papers have a distinctively worn, distressed and tattered look. The beautiful autumn page, Bugs by Lindse is one such example.



In My Sweet Marina Sandra Carvalho Baptista has taken the look one step further by layering assorted elements throughout her paper stack. The 'bottom' tattered edge paper is on a white background. The lack of a background paper with clean edges enhances the realism of the tattered stack.


Layering papers is a great way to incorporate bold patterns into your page. Both Sandra's page (above) and SeattleSheri's Diamond in the Sky layer a bold pattern among mostly solid papers to add a splash vibrant color.



Layering papers works well for all themes from masculine like Sheri's and Lindse's pages, funky like Sandra's or even girlie like She is so Sweet by lenescobar.



You can give any paper in your collection a worn look using the Worn Photo Overlays Set Two by Something Blue Studios. There is also a commercial use version for designers.



If you'd prefer papers already distressed and ready to layer here are a few options.

Tattered Cardstock by Libby Weifenbach



Paperie Stacks 2 by Shelleyrae Designs



Scruffy Tones Paper Mini by Jan Hicks



Worn Out Boys by Cuppycake Designs



Have a great weekend!

New Releases - Happy Chappy and Digging Dirt

I got the opportunity to team up again with Krystal Hartley to create Happy Chappy, a fun, funky take on traditional papers and textures found in menswear.



My son's current favorite plaything is a toy John Deere tractor. Digging Dirt is for him and tractor-loving men and boys everywhere.



I've added to the Date Bits Series.



FREEBIE
Here is a free alpha that should work with both Digging Dirt and Happy Chappy. Enjoy!

Out and About in the Digiworld

The September Songbird Avenue kit, Autumn Wood, features guest designers Two Sisters Design. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.



The Baby Love Letters blog is a great source of prompts for journaling inspiration (even if you aren't writing to a baby).

Those looking for composition inspiration will like the Pencil Lines blog filled with sketches and plenty of stunning layouts with each one.

Page Maps by Becky Fleck is another great source of page design ideas.

Atomic Cupcake is offering a free puffy felt action through Sept. 20th. Photoshop and PSE versions are available.



The digiworld is losing the talents of long time designer Kim Christensen as she has decided to retire. If you ever happen to see this Kim, we never knew each other, but I'm a long time admirer. You'll be missed and I hope rich blessings follow you in whatever you put your heart to next.

Kim's store at Funky Playground is on sale through Sept. 14th and you can buy the whole thing for $25.00. You'll find loads of great things for boys such as these Dirty Shirt papers for $1.00.



And some versatile element packs like these flossy stitches for $1.50.



Several weeks ago, I posted a Monday Morning Inspiration challenge about scrapping things for which I have no photos. NettieB ran with the challenge and came up with this fun layout.




I love the moment captured in sammi's Raspberry Kisses.



Last by not least, here is a beauty from pomi, Summer.

New Release - Richer

Mya is enjoying exploring her brother's toys while he is at school. Now that you are smiling (I hope), here's is my latest release.

Richer is a remake of my very first kit ever. The original was inspired by the blessings of family. The new one remains true to the theme, but everything else has been redone.



For those who are curious, here's a look at the original, first released at Scrap Outside the Box in January 2006.



Free Sample
Here is a set of grungy months that coordinate with both my Richer and Autumn in the Air page sets.

Preschool, CT call and Freebie

Jamin started preschool today. It was an emotional rollercoaster for him. He loved his red back pack and was all excited to go until we arrived at the classroom. Then he decided he didn't want to stay if Mommy and Mya couldn't stay with him. Eventually he put on his brave boy face (and I put on my brave mommy face). By the time I picked him up he was telling me about his nice teacher, how much he loved school and that he didn't want to leave because he would miss his friends. The euphoria lasted through our first day of school McD's lunch and then he got frustrated because he can't go back tomorrow (its a Tu/Th program). Such a whirlwind of emotion packed into one day.

Here he is heading out the door this morning.


Credits: ABC & 123 and Barely There Elements, Misty Cato, SSD, DJB Lorraine font by Darcy Baldwin, SSD



It's been almost two years since my last open call because I find these so difficult. However, it is time to expand my creative team. Creative team members receive free product in return for creating layouts I can use in advertising and promoting my work. Here's the specifics:

Requirements:
- Minimum of 2-3 layouts/month using my products. Layouts are to be posted to the Sweet Shoppe Designs gallery and one other of your choice.
- Check in regularly to my private CT forum at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

To apply email the following to mistycato_ct@yahoo.com by 9/10/08.
- name/screen name
- gallery link
- link to a favorite layout you have done (doesn't have to be my products)
- list of other creative teams and/or design obligations
- anything else you'd like me to know

All applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt and decision emails will be sent on or before 9/13/08. If you have any questions regarding the team or requirements please send them to mistycato_ct@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Free Sample
Here is a set of 6 thought clouds. Don't miss my lovely little spokes model down there in the bottom corner :)