Inspire Me! September 2012 Blog Train!

Welcome to the September Blog Train! - INSPIRE ME!

Whether you are visiting "by the Shore designs" on this lovely Labor Day weekend - or later in the month....I'm glad you are here!

The start of the blog train is HERE - head back there if you get derailed.....
You hopefully arrived from 4 My Babies Scraps
And your next stop will be to visit my good friend Kelly at Simply Kelly Designs 

Here is my contribution to the blog train (and if you head over to my facebook page - you'll find another freebie that coordinates as well)     Note: October 1,2012 ~ This Blog Train has reached its destination and has ended. This mini kit will be part of of a larger kit available at my stores in October.  Be sure to stop back by my blog and facebook and say hi - you never know when there will be goodies waiting for you. 

Make sure that you subscribe to this blog and "like" me on facebook and twitter - I have some fun new adventures starting later this month and can't wait to share!

(p.s. we have designers from around the world participating in this blog hop - if a link is not yet active, please make sure to head back and try again)

Have a beautiful day...by the Shore.

Photoshop Friday 8/24/12

We are home from taking our daughter to college and I am in catch up mode.   Let's start with Photoshop Friday from August 24,2012.

I really like the typography technique in this session of Photoshop Friday (available at jessicasprague.com).  In this session, we use a simple word or phrase multiple times and add a touch of color to one or two letters/words that tell the story.  And I love the template that came with it - I only needed to add my own background paper.  The way this came together created an awesome layout to remember a very special day - and I have another layout in my "to be printed" folder.

I am fine-tuning a few new digital kits. One of these kits features overlays as shown on the background paper above. Overlays are a great way to add life and texture to a solid color - and you can tweak it to make it yours.

I am also finalizing a mini-kit for a new blog train that begins on September 1st.  Mark your calendars - this Blog Train and all of the freebies are sure to "inspire" you!

Wishing you a great day...by the Shore.

PhotoShop Friday - A New Adventure!

We spend years preparing our kids to be independent young men and women - but who prepares us to let go.  My next few layouts will likely feature my daughter who is beginning her new adventure - college!

This Photoshop Friday (template and mini class from jessicasprague.com) offers a really fun technique using the gradient tool to help the larger picture gradually blend into a white background - perfect for journaling.

And speaking of new adventures, "by the Shore designs" is embarking on a new adventure as well.  Any guesses?  (Look for hints in my next few posts and the 'reveal' in just a few short weeks!)

Have a blessed day...by the Shore.

Week 33 - Project 366

33 weeks down - 19 to go (really??? where has the year gone)

With the start of the school year for my youngest, we can now start to find our new "normal".   Each season brings new activities, new adventures to enjoy together and new memories.  Life is good.

My 366 Days in 2012 Quickpages are still available at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and My Memories.  It's never to late to start.  And I would bet you have a lot of pictures sitting on your hard drive to scrap!

May you have a blessed week...by the Shore.

a HAPPY and COLORFUL layout

I created a layout for the 5K I ran (okay, I mostly walked) last weekend - The Color Run.  I could not quite decide which version of the layout I liked best, both are currently in my "to be printed" folder - but I would love feedback from you!

The first version reflects my typical scrapbooking style - simple and relatively clean.

On this second version, I added paint splotches which is reflective of the overall theme of the Color Run.

Almost too busy for me, but...there's something that I like about it.....

Which version do you like best - and why....

These layouts feature my newly released Summer Happiness collection - available at Natural Designs in Scrpabooking and My Memories.

(and if you want an alpha to coordinate, please check out my current facebook freebie)

Today, we enjoyed a picnic lunch and a walk around a lake - awwww - beautiful weather....by the Shore.

Take the CAK Challenge

This is the fourth of five challenges at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking for the month of August!  I think you're gonna like it!  (CAK = Customer Appreciation Kit)

And by the completing this challenge by the end of the month, you will receive the following mini-kit which fully coordinates with our August CAK.

So head on over and jump into the CAK challenge!  Challenges 1,2,3 are also still open! An a new challenge will be posted next week!    5 Challenges ~ the chance for 5 FREE mini-kits!

(and don't forget, I have a new facebook freebie ready for you to download - here)

We are getting a sneak peek of Fall today in Colorado - cooler temps (ahhhh)....by the Shore.

PhotoShop Friday

You know how much I love my "to be printed" folder - and I couldn't wait to add the following layout.

This template came from another great Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com.  I simply adore layouts of my girls spending time together.  These memories are priceless.

Loving my "to be printed" folder...by the Shore.

A New Challenge at NDISB!

Each week a designer at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking will present a new challenge – and when you complete that challenge, we have a ‘mini-kit’ for you that fully coordinates with our monthly Customer Appreciation Kit.  And you will be able to get that Customer Appreciation Kit for FREE with only a $5 purchase. So, come and play with us, spend a minimum of $5, complete our 5 challenges, and you will have a massive mega kit – all for FREE.

Pamla shared this week's challenge and you will love it!

Head on over to our challenge forum and join the fun!

Complete this week's challenge and you will get the following mini-kit!

Hope you join me on this challenge...by the Shore.

Project 366 - Week 31 & 32

The last few weeks have been busy (totally enjoying time with my girls before they head back to school)  We've been having fun packing for college, shopping for school supplies, and spending time together.  I just finished weeks 31 and 32 for my Project 366 album.

I love how easy it has been to stay on top of this album. My 366 Days in 2012 Quickpages have been awesome ~ simply add the pictures, dates and journaling ...and save the pages to my "to be printed" folder.  These quick pages are still available at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and My Memories.

I am already planning ahead for 2013.  Each year I do something slightly different with my "picture of the day" album.  I think I may use instagram and take all of my pictures with my cell phone.   What has worked for you this year?  What would you like to see in my stores in 2013 to support YOUR "picture of the day" album?

Here's to the last few days of summer vacation....by the Shore.

Color Me Happy

I have shared a few times with you that I LOVE color!  And that I love getting messy with paints and other color wonders when I have the chance.  So....taking a little detour from digi....

Yesterday, my daughter and I participated in the local COLOR RUN - the Happiest 5K on the Planet! 

Here are a few of our BEFORE pictures.....

And  a few of our AFTER pictures....(can you say Color Extravaganza!)

 

The Color Run is held in cities around the country.  If you ever have the opportunity to participate - I highly recommend it. (ColorRun Link) Not only is it color sensational...they also designate a local charity, so it is a major fundraiser considering the number of participants.    The charity for the Colorado Springs Color Run was the Waldo Canyon Fire Victims Assistance Fund (an opportunity to help others in our own community)

This was also a very special opportunity to spend time with my daughter before she heads off to college in a week or so.  We chatted, we smiled, we laughed and we had an incredible time together.  (Life is good)

So...what made your life colorful this weekend?

Find some COLOR....by the Shore.

Summer Happiness

Summer Happiness is now available at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking .

Summer Happiness is chock full of summer goodness.  32 textured papers in hues of blue, purple, green, pink, orange and yellow.  Elements feature fun and happy "smiley friends" that are sure to brighten your scrapbook page or special project.  Available in three individual packs or as a full collection for those that "want it all".

As we head into the weekend - wishing you happiness with your friends and family...by the Shore.

August Week 2 Challenge

The newest challenge at Natural Designs in Scrapbooking has been posted.  The August Week 2 challenge is from Chantal at Chunlin Designs.  The prizes for our August weekly challenges fully coordinate with our August CAK - My Best Friend.

Here is a sneak peek at the prize for week 2. (super cute - isn't it)

And here is a preview of the prize for the August Week 1 challenge I issued last week.  (I love bling)

Join us as we complete the challenges, collect prizes and add layouts into our "to be printed folders".

Happiness....by the Shore!

Happy Summer!

I am busy working on a new digi collection and enjoying the last few weeks of summer with my kiddos.  One heads off to college (kleenex is ready) and one is entering 6th grade and her final year at elementary school (woohoo).  Exciting times ahead for both of my daughters.

The color palette for my soon-to-be released collection is below - and is a must for summer scrapping.

Spending extra time with family in the summer brings me lots of joy!  And of course, those summers when I can go to my favorite beaches are priceless. What makes you happy in the summer?

Have a wonderful week....by the Shore.

It's Friday!

And that means it's Photoshop Friday at jessicasprague.com

Here is my layout today - and it now sits all alone in my "to be printed" folder - which I emptied earlier this week to place an order with Persnickety Prints.  (But it won't be alone for long - I am working on a few additional layouts today)

I recolored the elements from this Photoshop Friday template and added papers and elements from my "A Rose is A Rose" collection available at NDISB and My Memories.

Natural Designs in Scrapbooking :  My Memories (papers) (elements)

Another warm day in Colorado - looking forward to a cool down this weekend.  Enjoy these Summer days with family and friends - Fall is just around the corner....by the Shore.

A NEW CHALLENGE AT NDISB

Natural Designs in Scrapbooking has restructured their monthly challenge & challenge rewards and you are going to love it. I will personally host one of the 5 challenges each month-and mine is a Challenge Potpourri!  

  The first challenge has been posted  - come on over and join the fun! 

 

Wow...it's getting closer to the weekend...by the Shore!

And this is why....

(and this is why)...I LOVE PERSNICKETY PRINTS!

I placed an order for prints on Monday morning (11:06 am)  I received an email that same afternoon (2:41 pm) that my order had been processed and shipped.  And today, my order was in my mailbox (which means it had to be at the local sorting center early this morning or sooner for my carrier to include it in today's deliveries)  I ordered 50 12x12 prints, 7 8.5x11 and 1 8x8.  They arrived looking as awesome as ever.

Great quality! Great customer service! Great value! Fast delivery!   Is it any wonder this is the only place I have my layouts printed?   Thank you Persnickety - you're the best!

Wishing you a super 'middle of the week'....by the Shore.