Just gotta vent

Wow - it doesn't seem like a week ago since I last posted. Time flies!

My eldest daughter got braces on Tuesday evening. Poor thing hasn't eaten a thing since. Not for lack of trying! I know they take some getting used to, but it IS upsetting me, especially since next week is her birthday, and in the meantime Anna's birthday is tomorrow, her party is Saturday, and there's lots of fun stuff in between and afterwards that she feels she won't be able to get the most out of because of the braces. What can I tell her? "It'll only be another two years". Hardly a comfort. I remember it well. I got dh to go and get her some ice cream on Tuesday night, and we stocked up on soup and 'Weetabix' in the meantime until it's less painful and promblematic for her to chew.

That wasn't even what I'm here to vent about. I'm here to vent about that wonderfully brilliant deal I got at PhotoBox. Remember? I got 30% off my entire order and saved myself almost £60. Result! Or so I thought.

I got the package Friday afternoon. Come Tuesday afternoon, just a week after I got the original coupon for 30% off, I get ANOTHER promotional e-mail, but this time, it's for "Buy one get one free" on the 8"x8" size that I print my layouts in. Basically in the space of a week, I could have saved 50% rather than 30%, and saved myself £40 in the process. Not happy.

E-mailed customer service after recieving said promotional e-mail explaining that I wasn't happy, having spent a lot of money on this occasion, and in the past, with their company. There wasn't a mention of the offer before or after I checked out, advising that if I waited a couple of days I could save a significant amount. Disappointed with the service.
They e-mailed back saying basically, they understand my frustration, they aren't aware of upcoming promotions (I'm calling BS on that one, does somebody just think these things up on the spot one day?) and I can still use the promotion code. Tell me something I don't know.
I e-mailed back saying thank you, but that wasn't the result I was hoping for, and I'd appreciate being pointed to their refund policy, to which they answered that I could send my order back and be refunded in full. My thinking was that I could be refunded for the order, and order again using the new promotion code, still saving £20 or so even with the cost of shipping the prints back to them. This is still an option, as I am still waiting to hear from them as to whether they are going to refund me the £38 difference or whatever it is, and avoid hassle and money on both sides (for me, having to send back the prints and reorder, and for them, having to print duplicates and have prints they are just going to dispose of), or have me send back the prints and reorder. Such bad business practice, but it looks like I will be doing the latter later today. It took me a good while to upload the 197 layouts and I sure as hell don't want to do that again. But I guess if that's what it comes down to, that's what I'll do.

Anyway, that's what's getting to me today. I am busy shopping for Anna's family party on Saturday, just have to go last minute food shopping on Saturday morning to get a few things fresh. We don't really have any plans for tomorrow, I might take the little ones somewhere if the weather's nice. I'll post some photos on Friday/Saturday!

Have a great Thursday.

Stressful few days

I have two kids come down with colds, headaches and what not - dh has been working a lot, so I'm on my own. Luckily one of said kids is my almost 18yo, so she's doing OK by herself. I think she has been stressed with recent university applications and such, and working and college, hence the headaches. She spent the day at home today, and just slept on and off (so not like her).

It's really bad timing, because she was actually supposed to get braces fitted this afternoon, but since she was having a hard time standing up (blackouts, dizzyness), and couldn't breathe through her nose because of the cold, we had to put that off. We went on Tuesday morning to have impressions and x-rays taken, and it's not too bad, luckily - just two years with 'train tracks' and a retainer thereafter. The big thing is that she'll be 18 in a couple of weeks, and we need to get them fitted by her birthday for her to qualify for free treatment on the NHS (saving us £3,000!) - so it's all systems go!



I received an e-mail from PhotoBox with an offer code for 30% off! I've been waiting since last October for a sale to print the 200 layouts I've accumulated, because I wasn't prepared to pay over £200 for them. I ended up paying £143, just over, including Courier shipping (they dispatched today and will be here tomorrow!) for the 197 8x8's and 30 4x6's that I had in print credits. I also bought another album and two packs of page refills from The Scrapbook Boutique which was also having a 15% off sale, with only 99p shipping - love that place! Another £18!

I also booked a weekend trip to Paris for the girls and I in a months time, for their birthdays - my eldest is turning 18, and my second daughter will be 16 three weeks later. Neither had any big ideas on what they wanted to do, in terms of a party, or for presents, so, I decided that since I loved the time we spent together without the little ones in Tenerife during the summer, it would be fun to go to Paris together, like we used to do each year before the little ones were born. So, my two girls, my eldest's boyfriend (who's birthday is the week after hers!) and my other daughter's best friend (who shares a birthday with my eldest) leave on the Eurostar early on the Friday morning, and come back on Sunday evening. We are staying extremely close to the Seine and Eiffel Tower, so there are lots of sights to see on the Friday and Sunday, and on Saturday we are planning to do EuroDisney! Here's the hotel we're staying at Les Relais de Paris Eiffel Cambronne - looks nice enough for a two night stay! Can't wait!

OK, that's it for today!

Post-birthday

I had a nice day yesterday - I was just with the little ones most of the day, but Jamie kept coming in to me (like he was reminding himself!), kissing my cheek and telling me "happy birthday", and once or twice, "you're so pretty, mummy". I love my little boy.

I was almost knocked clean over by the thoughtfulness of the DDE girls. Take a look at all the cards they made me!












Phew!! I am so lucky to be able to call these ladies friends.

Not much planned for today - we went to Mass this morning, and I'm just cooking lunch now. I realised yesterday that I've been working a few months ahead of myself with my Digital Artist Magazine CT layouts. I've done the December ones, but the ones due in three days time? Nope! LOL. I don't have many Halloween photos, because my kids have never really trick or treated, or dressed up in any way, shape or form for Halloween - except my 15 year old who has been into it the last few years with her cousin and my SIL, who is American. I don't think Halloween is bad, or anything like that, and I would actually like to dress up the little ones into something sweet (and I still may do this year) but there is just nobody else that I know of here in England that makes a big thing of it (oh, and my dad and the inlaws would about call child services if they thought I was 'celebrating' it). So I guess a couple of layouts are on the cards in the next few days!

Something else I need to do in the next few days is organize my almost-18-year-old driving lessons! She's had her permit for a few months now (they can drive here at 17) but she was busy with college and exams, so we never got around to booking them. DH was also supposed to take her out for a bit of practice, but that didn't happen either. Busy busy busy. I am so scared for her to start, but for all the wrong reasons (now, my fifteen year old on the other hand, scares me for the RIGHT reasons). She is SO cautious. Even when she's in the car with me, her dad, or anybody, she jumps as we pass side roads where there's a car waiting to pull out, or if we don't brake early enough in a queue of traffic. You should have seen her on the go-karts at the beach. She was driving around like she was on a country lane! I know it's something she will get used to, and I'm lucky that she is cautious enough to notice these things. I guess we'll have to see how she goes. I have a feeling she'll be like me, and pass first time (unlike DH, who took four or five times!)


I did scrap again yesterday, in the midst of the all the loving from Jamie. I've always loved this imperfect photo of Anna that I took on fathers day, and these papers by DaniB - and these lyrics seemed to match so perfectly.

And lastly, have you seen the new Digichick Dezine? The kit this month is divine (have a look inside for my LO with it). Have fun!

One more day..!

I turn the big 3-9 tomorrow! One more year of the thirties left!
My only saving grace is I'm waiting for Danni, a good friend of mine, Danni, to have her baby boy - Levi James. She is in labour as we speak, little girls Ali and Lucy waiting patiently (!) at home. Send your good thoughts and ELV's her way!


I downloaded one of Holly's new kits French Country yesterday afternoon and couldn't wait to use it - here's the page I created with a photo my 15yo took at arms length at the wedding we went to back in July of herself, her sister and her sister's boyfriend. They get along very well together. It's love, just in different forms.


I also scrapped this evening - three days in a row! I bought this kit, Space Boy by Shabby Princess, specifically with these pictures (there are more!) and one from Jamie's birthday party in mind. Neither have anything to do with Space (I think the game was Winnie the Pooh!) but are those colours not PERFECT?? Love them!

How sad is it that I have no plans at all for tomorrow. My 15yo has Theatre Train in the morning and my 17yo is working until 6pm, as is dh, who is working the entire weekend, so I guess celebrations will have to wait. I may go on a shopping splurge (I haven't decided on online or offline yet ... but I do have to make a trip to the post office and new boots sounds SO appealing..)

Funny (horrifying!) story from today - my fifteen year old brought home a few friends this evening, and they got changed and headed off to the cinema. A few hours later, somehow, she managed to come back with about 7 extra people. They all marched upstairs to her room (and how she fit them all in, I don't know, the room barely fits her sister and herself) and were up there 10 minutes or so when I had to go up and get the laundry basket (I am SCARED to go up there with so many teens - scared!) and I overheard a conversation about TAMPONS. There were a couple of boys in this group! I resisted the urge to rescue them. But it doesn't stop there...the next thing I heard:
"But you can't have sex when you have a tampon in, right?"
Dropped. to. the. floor.
This is from almost-16-year-olds. Says a lot about the sex/PSH education in this country. She's staying the night at one girls house tonight, so at least I get the night off from that type of conversation. I think my dh might have a heart attack.

So that's it for tonight - two hours to go until the last year of my thirties - they've been good to be so far! Here's hoping!

I scrapped!


I couldn't wait any longer to use Gina's new stuff! You can see the credits here. I took these photos on Fathers Day back in June - I bought the little ones colouring books from the Disney store the day before, and of course, Jamie had to draw in Anna's - it's just more fun to take your sister's, you know?!
I also scrapped a new page with Holly's new stuff...I'll post tomorrow! I still have to sleep on it to make sure I like it!

I logged on to another board I frequent, for Jamie's age group this evening, to discover a lady's husband died. This is the third (including Steve Irwin, admittedly) husband and father I have heard of dying in tragic circumstances in the past couple of weeks. Each time I hear I feel a pang in my chest. I feel like bursting into tears for them, and their kids. I cannot imagine the sorrow and fear and uncertainty they experience after something like that happens. I just cannot fathom. Things can change dramatically in an instant.

Take good care of yourselves, your husbands and your kids. And say a prayer for those ladies that have lost their loved ones, and the children left behind.

Faster connection, here I come!

I shared this on the boards this morning, but I am excited, so I'll share it here too. We've been paying way too much for our connection for way too long. At least a year, probably more. Way above average for a very slow connection (in comparison to what is available). It's 512k or 1mbps or something like that. My daughter's boyfriend was here last night, and found out we can actually upgrade to 8mbps for the price we are paying! For free, of course. So in a week or so I'll be downloading kits eight times faster! LOL. Even the thought sends shivers.

I am so looking forward to scrapping with Gina Cabrera's new goodies tonight, hopefully! I have a few things to get done but then I most definitely have a date with PSP. Have you seen her new Bookworm and Snippet Essentials? Just gorgeous! You still have a while to get them at a special price, too! RUN!

I am also eyeing Michelle and Lori's new set at ScrapArtist. All I need now is some fall photos.

For those in England, what do you think of Princess Nikki? Nikki Grahame from Big Brother going out and doing lots of different (obviously NOT suited) jobs? I think she's hilarious, and watched last week and it wasn't bad - but while in the Big Brother house, I was sure it wasn't melodramatic, or rehearsed, it has seemed so since she's learned of the public's perception of her. It's on again tonight, and while I will watch (if I'm not scrapping, of course!) that part sort of ruins it for me. Good idea - just the wrong timing, I think. It's hardly been over for a month.

And with that, I'm off to get a hot chocolate (got some more Aero in the house - and I also got a MINT one for dh to try - and scrap some.

Five years

I've read lots of blogs today in rememberance of 9/11 and the terrible events of that day. I don't think anyone will forget it, as long as they live. I don't really have a 'story' from that day - it was like any other day, I guess. Like it was for everybody. I wasn't personally affected by it. Emotionally, it shook everyone.

My dh's brother's wife (my SIL) is originally from Statten Island, NY. That is where she met my BIL. He was over there on holiday, and she moved over here with him. She is the first person I thought of when I heard the news. Luckily, none of her family were killed or injured, although her sister was in Manhattan at the time, and got hit with the debris (rubble) on the way to pick up her son. We also found out, a couple of years later, that a man my husband used to work for when he was 9 or 10 (he cleaned his shoes!) had a son that was killed in one of the towers of the World Trade Center. He lived on the street we now live on. That is the closest it came, for us.

Whenever I think of 9/11, and the people of New York, and of America, I remember how I felt on 7th July last year, when our transport system here in London was targeted similarly, although thankfully on a smaller scale. It's hard for those who haven't been to New York, who weren't familiar with the WTC and who don't know anybody there to really get the full SHOCK factor of the day. I remember in the days after I used to look up at the tall skyscrapers of the London skyline and imagine one of them exploding, or collapsing. Really hard to do. I've seen the images so many times, but I wasn't there, and I will never have that full impact of the day, perhaps luckily. I read somewhere that London was supposed to be targeted the same day (not from a very reliable source, I might add). Regardless of it's reliability, it did give me food for thought. The plan was reportedly to target Westminster - Parliament, Big Ben, all those big monuments on the banks of the Thames. The first thing that came to mind, perhaps selfishly in light of the great loss of life that would inevitably occur, is how much I would MISS those buildings should anything happen to them. And I remembered how I felt, on 7/7, seeing these places that I have been to, and that I recognize - and in a way, the PEOPLE that I recognized. I didn't know anybody that was killed, but I recognized them none the less. The businessmen and women in suits, and the students commuting to university, and the tourists ready for a day of summer sightseeing, and just ordinary people on their way to work. My husband traveled by tube most days in the 4 years before 2005. He travelled the whole length of the Northern line. I have used the tubes many times. My girls use the tubes. I have taken Jamie and Anna on once, when we went to Harrods. I was scared for the people I know, living in close proximity to this evil. When I think of all that, I feel sad for those all around the world that felt that 50 times over on that day, and everyday since.

That's it for today. What else is there to say.

Christmas in September

OK, firstly, have you seen Holly McCaig's blog recently?? I'm sure it'll feel like Christmas has come early unzipping that stuff! DaniB also has some awesome new stitching out at the SBB store, and I am so excited to get those. Stitching is my weakness - love to use it, but love collecting it even more! I'm so glad I do digi, because I can't sew worth dirt, but I just love the look.

Actually, what my title was really about was what I've been scrapping this weekend. I just have the journaling and maybe some last-minute-Meredith-brush-strokes to add to a layout I've been working on since about 2PM (lots of interruptions in that time, though!) - with my Christmas Dinner pictures from last December! I actually already scrapped them, with the same kit I'm using, but I was never happy with it, and Andrea sent out assignments for the next few issues of Digital Artist Magazine which of course, includes Christmas, so I thought I'd have another go and see if I can inspire anyone! Lots of fun things going on with that magazine, be sure to keep an eye out each month!

Speaking of magazines, the ScrapArtist Muse September issue debuted this afternoon - I have a LO or two in there, along with the rest of the fantastic CT - this month focusses on School stories, and memories, so go take a look and be inspired!


And lastly, Happy Birthday to Kellie Shore (aka marmy) - I have had the pleasure of working with her on a couple of creative teams, and she is so talented, and a sweetheart to boot. Here are the credits for the card!

The Aero hot chocolate finally ran out, so top on my priority list tomorrow is to get some more of that stuff! Heaven in a cup. I also have a few things to do with my big girls this week (parent-teacher talks, orthodontist appts, help with work and statements, etc) so I probably won't have much time to scrap or take pics - I really need to get on top of that!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

More 9/11 thoughts

Last night, the girls and I watched another dramatisation/documentary on the tragedy called "9/11: The Twin Towers". I actually found it on YouTube while browsing the web looking for repeats I could tape for my dh. It was truly eye opening. A fantastic unbiased and compassionate insight into the ordeal faced by just a handful of the people affected directly that day.
As I mentioned, I did watch the "Miracle of Stairwell B" documentary earlier in the week, and I was just amazed - but I was almost equally awe-struck by the story of about half a dozen people in one of the lifts (elevators) of the towers, that obviously stopped working when the plane hit. They managed, using the tools of a window cleaner who happened to be in there with them, to prise open the doors, and then carve their way through the wall, into the bathroom and down the stairwell to safety. I thought it was just incredible, ingenious - miraculous. I realise there were other lifts in the towers that did not share the same fate - but it was that story that really shook me up.

Today I started thinking about the girls' birthdays in a months time. My two big girls will be 18 and 16 on the 5th and 25th of October respectively. I had no idea what to buy them - I did the driving lessons last year for my 17 year old, so I have another year to wait before I can do that again. Neither want big parties. They haven't mentioned anything at all. So, I thought about our time in Tenerife in July (just us - me and the big girls, no babies, no sippy cups, no preschool runs!) and how much fun it was for all three of us. And I thought back to Octobers before Jamie was born, when we visited Disneyland annually for my younger daughter's birthday, which always fell in the October school break (half term). We (as a family) haven't been since the year 2000 (although my 15yo did go with her school back in February). So, I've decided to book five tickets to Paris for a few days, and take the girls along with one friend each, as their present. What do you think? I'm thinking Disneyland one day, sightseeing, shopping, dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower? I really would like to book the tickets and hand them over to the girls and surprise them, but I don't know how that would work, since one is working twice a work, and they both make plans way in advance, especially for school holidays. Not that I'd think they'd turn down the opportunity, I'm just worried about the variables! I'd also have to make sure that the parents of the kids they want to come with us are OK with it - my daughter's best friend, who I think she'll pick, has holidayed with us before a few years ago, but it was within England. I'm pretty sure my 17yo will pick her boyfriend, so no problems there (he's 22 and makes his own decisions, just about!) So what do you think? Yay or nay? It will be expensive, maybe even a little extravagant (I plan to Eurostar both ways - aren't we the fancy ones!) but I really would like to go all out. It's only a few days, afterall.

Still no scrapping, but TGIF and the weekend usually brings SOME oppertunity to hit PSP! I actually scrapped a page last night, using Holly McCaig's kit for the DST October Gold Members, but obviously I have to wait to post that!

OK, I can't hear Jamie, so I better go see what he's up to! Have a great weekend.

Quick one today..

Cause it's pushing 11PM here in England! Not much to report from today - I had a total bimbo day. I said a few really stupid things that I don't recall right now, but my 15yo got a kick out of them.


This is the LO I did last night and wasn't sure of - still can't make up my mind. Seems I'm doing that a lot lately. I bought this kit from Heather Ann recently (after we got back from Tenerife in July, anyway) to scrap some pool pics, in one of her marvelous sales. Not actually for these pics, but these are what I ended up using. I couldn't think of any journaling I hadn't already used, so I searched Two Peas Soup and came up with this quote - again, don't know if it works. Anyway - this is Heather Ann's "Wet and Wild" kit at her site, with some stitches by Gina Cabrera.

I also wanted to draw your attention to my Photography challenge this week at ScrapArtist. Last week, nobody participated (poor me - LOL) and this week I fear the same, even though I tried to make the challenge simple (who doesn't have back to school pics right now?). So if you have time, I would appreciate someone coming over to join me in the forum this week!


I took this photo back in July, although it was a common sight all through summer, so I thought I'd post it. I think it totally symbolises summer where I live, with the big crane on the skyline. It's certainly no magnificent sunset sky, but it's nice enough for good ol' polluted London.


And while I'm here sharing pictures, here's my desktop this month! I was reminded by the thread over at DST. I took these photos at a friend's little boy's christening party. I just love the outfits the kids have on. I used Michelle Coleman's "Birthday Boy/Girl" stuff for this LO, and CK Retro Block - love that font for stuff like this.

Until next time, goodnight!

Sad Day

I woke up this morning, and as usual, didn't pay too much attention to TV news - the first thing that comes on each day is the CBeebies channel, which stays on until "Bedtime Hour" from 6-7, so there's really no hope of me catching anything other than Teletubbies or Tweenies. I came online to browse the boards about half past ten this morning, and saw the news on several I frequent that Steve Irwin passed away early this morning my time. I couldn't have predicted, if you'd asked me previously, that I'd feel as sad as I do. I didn't particularly watch his show religiously, although I did enjoy it, and I admired his way with animals, his nature and his relationship with his family - in particular the way he was raising his daughter in the same way he lived his life - which I think was exceptionally well and worthwhile.
I guess he just seemed invincible, putting himself in seemingly life threatening positions most days of his life. The circumstances are just tragic. A few wrong moves, and he's gone. I feel awful for his family - his wife and his two young kids, who will miss him terribly.

I also just finished watching a TV documentry called "9/11 - the miracle of Stairwell B". Truly miraculous. I had to turn away more than once, because I just find some of the images horrendous, even now. I'm sure the majority of people are the same way. I cannot even begin to imagine what the people in the towers - and their families - were feeling that day. I find it hard to understand how people can witness - live through, even - these amazing 'coincidences' and still doubt the existence of God. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs - and I understand that to some, the whole incident probably only strengthened their opinion that no kind of God would 'allow' such a tragedy - but from where I'm standing, it just reinforces His presence in the world, and I love to hear such stories of joy amidst devastation and life in the face of death.



I've scrapped one and half pages this evening, too! The half is still in the making, awaiting journaling, and my approval - LOL! Can't decide if I like it or not. But I had to play with this kit of Holly's called "Bohemian Love" with these photos of my oldest daughter and her boyfriend at a wedding we went to a couple of months back. I took them on my daughters point and shoot with the flash on by necessity, but tried my best with them, and I think I like the outcome. I think they're too cute - but I just can't get the skintones to work when I photograph them! I guess I'll have to work on that!

It's getting late here in England, so goodnight for now!

Bliss is..


Sitting here on a Sunday night, almost 10pm, with the little ones in bed for the night, the big kids in bed of their own doing (!), with the house reasonably clean and quiet, and a hot chocolate to boot - but not just ANY hot chocolate! Have you tried the AERO hot chocolate? You know, like the chocolate bar, Aero? We bought a "trial" TUB at the supermarket about a month ago and got through it in no time. It's the tastiest most chocolatey hot chocolate I've ever tasted - doesn't taste like you're just drinking hot water, like most of the others do, to me. Anyway, I found another box of it at Sainsburies last week to make eight mugs, and HID IT away from the big girls. I know, mean mummy. I did get them some other sachets, but the Aero is MINE ALL MINE!

In scrapping news - I scrapped NOTHING this weekend. Just too busy doing other things. I did try and have a go with a template earlier on today, but I couldn't get it to look right. I guess I just like to do my own thing. I never did like feeling restricted, and I felt like I couldn't personalise the templates enough. I don't know. They look like a lot of fun, but maybe not for me.

I might just finish up this hot chocolate, browse the boards one last time and head off to bed, and hope for 8 hours sleep (which, at this point sounds so real I can almost taste it..) Goodnight!

Just a LO!


I wouldn't even be posting today if I didn't have a LO to share - I created this one last night for the challenge at DigitalDesignEssentials to scraplift the wonderful Megan Leeson. I have scraplifted her before, and LOVE her designs - but somehow I completely strayed off her LO here that I was supposed to be lifting. I was drawn in by that small barcode type bit at the top that says "I love you" - I thought it looked so cool. I looove these pics of Anna too, that I took on Jamie's birthday, in her little summer dress. I have about 30 and every single one of them is super cute. I see a lot more pretty pink dress and straw hat layouts in my future!!
Everything on the layout is by Gina Cabrera at DDE - I will be gallery posting it either tomorrow or Monday morning, if you want to know specifics.

Once again, I am sooo excited to see the first issue of Digital Artist Magazine such a success! I just had a read through myself and am blown over by the talent (and sooo excited to see my own page in there, and one of my catchlight pics of Jamie, too - he's a born star!). I know, it's the second day of September, but I can't wait for the October issue now! LOL. Andrea has me wondering what fun assignments she'll hook us up with next!

On that note, look out for The Digichick dezine this month in the boutique - the free kit this month is fabulous and I really love the layout I was able to create with it, of my girls taking advantage of some of the Spanish delicacies in Tenerife (there's your hint!). They are also moments away from choosing some new CT members, which is so exciting for the rest of the team. I know they had submissions in the 100's and the talent is incredible. I can't wait to see who's joining us.

OK, that's it for now - hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Toot, Toot

So, back when I was in Tenerife (allllll that time ago! Or so it seems...) I checked my e-mail one day at the hotel, and I had one from a lovely lady called Andrea. And she invited me to be on the CT for a new digital magazine! I am on too many CTs for my own good, as you probably know, so I thought about it, and decided it was too good an oppertunity to pass up - so I accepted her offer, and followed a link to a forum to meet the other artists.

WOW!!

You should have seen the line up. She has some of the most talented individuals gathered together to be part of this publication. It's phenomenal and I am so excited to be included and to be able to share, finally!! It's been hell to sit on this TOOT for so long!


Click here for Digital Artist Magazine

Look out for great things from this magazine! Lots of fun stuff coming up in the first issue, which debuts tonight - including a kit from Mindy Terasawa of Sweet Shoppe Designs! Don't miss it!

Lots going on today!

In digiland, at least!


First, I want to wish Happy Birthday to my fantastic friend-gone-designer, Eve Recinella! Eve was my first CT - she asked me and a few others on our (I say our, I only joined a few months back) birth board to join her on her designing journey! And she has come SO FAR! I am so impressed and excited to be a part of it, really. And I am so privileged to get this stuff to work with free of charge, show off her work to the rest of the digi community and sway them to go buy some Eve goodies! Her popularity has rocketed recently, and she totally deserves it! Go and check out her new CD collection on sale today for 34% off, to celebrate her birthday. It ROCKS! And you can see more of her kits at 3scrapateers, if you click her name to the right ->.

I was excited to receive the DigiShopTalk Insider today in my inbox, and find a free sketch by Jen Caputo included as a download! I have never used a template, but if Ihad, I'd use Jen's. I've always been a little scared to purchase, because I have no idea how they'd work with PSP, my programme of choice, so I guess I'll take this one for a test drive and see how it goes.

Also in my inbox this morning I found some new GINA goodies waiting for download, including this super cute Month by Month Mini Album. It makes me want to have another baby (blue, of course) just looking at it. I've always loved the "So Blue" kit of Gina's, and Laura's done a fabulous job with it. I love the grungy edges, and what a unique idea to do a pregnancy album. I've always regretted not recording more of my pregnancies. Next time - ;-) Also check out Gina's other new goodies - the Bare Naked Chipboard Bundle and Alpha Essentials as well as the new DDE Monthly Challenges. I've already made a start on the Scraplift challenge, which this month is the incredible Megan Leeson of the DDE CT. Fun!

Lastly, I'm eagerly awaiting the new Spotlight Designer kit with Gina Miller at ScrapArtist which will debut today. Word has it that it's perfect for school pics, and my little boy starts school in a few weeks time (his first year - sniff!)

There also seem to be lots of sales, re-openings, designer relocations and such going on today, so I'm off to take a peek, and maybe go on a mini spree before the kids get home from Granny's!