Getting a Late Start...

I've actually been up for a while but already have had a bunch of stuff to do.  Just to let you know, if you purchased the JUST FOR FUN #5 template set I am having trouble with the zip files. I am working hard to fix it but have removed it from the store until I can get it figured out.  Those of who already purchased it should have received an email from me.

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So, i just wanted to say a HUGE

to everyone for their overwhelming support!  I was blown away by seeing people all over the world using my templates.  I saw regular customers, new customers, and friends who have turned into customers and customers who have turned into friends.  Really, I am humbled and overwhelmed.  I starting selling these templates because I LOVE to scrap so much and I want to help other people get their scrapping done.  I was talking with a friend yesterday about the whole template craze.  At the beginning, I wondered how long they would remain popular.  I thought that perhaps this would just be another fad and then they would be gone.  But as we talked about it I realized that they are not going to go away any time soon.  They are a great tool! They are great for beginners who are just learning about their program and may not know how to do certain things (for example, curved lines or scalloped edges).  They are great for more advanced scrappers who want to spend more time choosing photos and paper than on design.  They are great for when you need to get a page done FAST.  They are great for those wanting to stretch their scrapping wings and try something new.  Before I started making them, I was in a rut with one photo layouts.  But when I started the page process with the DESIGN instead of the photos, it was easier for me to get creative and try new things.  Even now, I love using the templates I created because it gives such variety to my pages! 

I also want to mention how many OTHER great template designers there are out there.  Everyone has their own unique style and you can get such great quality product from so many people.  Here are a few of my favorites:

GINA MILLER -- She was the one who got me started in all of this!  She sent me one of her templates this past summer and it was like a light bulb went off in my head!  I knew right then that I could use my scrapping to help other people!  She has some amazing templates! I keep meaning to pick up this wildly popular one -- YEAR IN REVIEW .  Actually, I just stopped and bought it because I always think of it when I am NOT at the computer.  Can't wait to use it.

PATTIE KNOX has an amazing variety of templates.  Her style is just so clean and classy.  Love them!

TERESA FERGUSON at Sweet Shoppe Designs has a great selection too!

There are a ton of template designers out there!  So go check them out!

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I scrapped this weekend!  I was really busy on Saturday but yesterday was a pretty lad back day so I got to just sit back and enjoy scrapping for fun. 

Okay, I know these pictures are gross.  I am not usually one to use pictures like this but it will be good to have blackmail material when he is older.  And, I figure that when he is seven or eight he will probably think this is extremely funny. And, I need to confess something to you.  I am hopelessly addicted to this kit (WONDERFUL by Shabby Princess).  I cannot tell you how many times I have used it.  Probably at least seven or eight.  There is just something about her products and color schemes...just perfect. I also used some Tracy Ann goodies on this.

Just had a little fun with this one.  Everything is from CatScrap.

This page started out one way and ended up totally different!  I just love these fun papers by Poppy Andrews (who is coming to the DIGI SHOPPE!). So fun and full of spunk -- just like my little girl!

Okay, I don't say this often, but I LOVE this page.  I ADORE the kit (another Shabby Princess masterpiece ~WILD LOVE this time).  This was for the Amazing Digi Scrapping Race challenge to give advice to a "younger self".  Part of this page was  a mistake (the black) but in the end I loved it.  What is that quote?  Something like "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."  Love that!  Anyway, love this page...and the journaling was good for me!  Here it is if you can't read it:

You know, bad times come.  They come and sometimes they stay.  They set up camp and force you to live with them when all you can do is dream of getting out. They take everything out of you, leaving you tired, frustrated, distressed and depressed.  Sometimes they last so long that  you wonder whether ending your  life is the only way out. It sure can feel that way (but you
know that already).

What you may not know, is that they DON’T stay forever.  Sometimes you wake up one morning and they are gone...vanished...no where to be found. And sometimes you just find the strength somewhere deep inside and you to just RUN...as far and as fast as you  possibly can.  Either way, you are free from them.

And the best part of it is, that once you have lived with REALLY hard times the good things in life that finally find their way to you seem so beautiful. Even the everyday “normal”  things seem like the  most wonderful things you have ever seen. The world that seemed so dark for so long is filled with amazing color.

So don’t give up.  Keep going.  Keep pushing through the crap and reach for something better.  You WILL find it. You will find true love and happiness.

I really debated about the word "crap" on a layout.  I actually don't like the word but unfortunately is a word that comes out of my mouth at times. Sometimes I just can't find a suitable alternative.  And I want authenticity on my layouts -- true representations of who I am.  If I was telling this story to my best friend this is how it would have come out. So, I kept it.  Sorry if it offends anyone.  My language is usually very subdued and proper.  I won't even let people say the word "b u t t" in our house.

This was was fun!  Anyone who knows me in real life (okay, not anyone, maybe it is just my family and my closest friends!) knows that I have this teddy bear, Pogo.  I got him when I was six and have slept with him ever since.  I did give him up for two years when I was first married (didn't think Jason would want competition with such a good looking guy) but after the most random issue with a comforter and an allergic reaction to it, Pogo came back into the picture.  Maybe I'll explain that crazy story in more detail another day!  Anyway, Pogo has been a huge part of my life and I have been meaning to do a page about him.  For our last challenge for the Race we had to scraplift our partner.  I lifted Hollie's BROKEN CANDY DISH LO

I was inspired by her telling the story of a special object and since I had take these pictures of my guy a few months ago, it was good to finally use them! 

The journaling on mine reads:

It is hard to believe that my mom paid 25 dollars for you.  It was 1983, I was six, and you were one of my Christmas presents. We went to this little toy store in Lansing, called TOY Village.  I remember picking you out but looking back on it now, I can’t believe my mom paid for you.  Twenty-five dollars is a lot for a teddy bear -- even today!  But $25 then is equal to almost $50 today!  WOW!  Maybe my mom knew how much I would love you.

It’s been 23 years since you entered my life.  You have been the one steady thing in my life...the one friend who was always there, who never left me, who always listened. You have been EVERYWHERE with me(except for those few junior high years when I was too “cool” to have a teddy bear.). You have traveled all over the world, lived in many different countries,  and spent almost every night with me since Christmas of 1983. Not everyone has liked you as much as I do. My dad used to think it was fun to hide you or hang you from the ceiling with a noose.  And my dear hubby thinks it is funny too.  But they are just jealous of how much I love you!  They wish it was them:)

And so Pogo, it’s you and me.  You are aging. Losing your nose, dull crumpled fur. but, I’ll  always be there just like you have always been  there for me.  I love you!

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Okay, that's all for today!  Jason is off and the boys have doctor's appointments.  But first we are going to grab some lunch (I LOVE Fazoli's days!) and we might go bowling this afternoon!  Family days are the best!

Comments

[Margie]

Adorable LO's Janet!! Of course I am straining my eyes to read your journaling and if I had used 1/2 my brain I would have thought to scroll down to see if you wrote it out on your blog LOL!! I could finally get a couple of your templates-so hard to choose but I think they are never going away!! They are so handy and people are able to do so much with them.

[Beaucat]

I LOVE your page about the teddy bear. Shhh, but I still sleep with mine too. My toddler has tried to steal him from me but he has plenty of his own. Your top layout made me laugh too - DS almost always has a runny nose that I photoshop out of pictures.

[Shabby Miss Jenn]

OMG your templates ROCK!!!!!!!

[Stephanie]

Love all your LO's. The booger one is too funny. We had a formal portrait taken with my kids were younger. The proofs were small and we chose what looked the best one of everyone. When we got the 16x20 size, we could "then" see that my dd had snot running down her upper lip LOL Anyway, just wanted to say that I've been wanting to buy your templates for a while and finally took the plunge this weekend. Thanks! Loving the SP wonderful kit too =)

[HaleyW]

I love all of the pages. The snot-bubble pics are just too funny! And I love the teddy bear page - I still have a very special stuffed animal that sits on a high shelf in my daughters' playroom. I really need to get some pictures of him and do a page. I think I'll work on the journaling this week since I'm thinking about it... when I should be listening to this conference call. hehe

Have a great week!!

[Jennifer]

You always amaze me that you can create so many pages and they are all fabulous! I really need to pick up some of your templates - love them!