Photoshop Actions for Scrappers

I have some new actions to help achieve some different effects to use on your photos when you're scrapping with them. These are both in my store at Digi Scrap Shak

Picture Divide
This action will quickly divide a picture into 3 equal pieces as if you took a pair of scissors to it and cut it into 3 pieces. Each section can then be moved or rotated to be placed on your layout anyway you'd like.

Works in PS CS2 and PS CS. Instructions are included.

Pick it up here in my store at DSS. Only $4.00

Photo Spot Highlight

Two actions are included in this set. One places a vellum overlay over the picture and creates a spot highlight that remains in the untouched color version. The "spot" can be moved anywhere on the photo and the size and shape can be adjusted. The color of the frame and thickness and the vellum can all be changed.

The black and white with color spot converts the photo to black and white and then creates a color spot that can be adjusted - size, shape, location, frame color and thickness. The black and white background can also be adjusted to darken the darks and brighten the lights to suit your photo and taste.

Works in PS CS2. Instructions are included.

Pick it up here in my store at DSS. Only $5.00

My Girl Scouts are in the News

Thanks to many people who purchased boxes of cookies from our Brownie Girl Scout Troop for the soldiers, we managed to purchase more than 130 boxes to send to Soldiers in Iraq. Last night at our meeting we organzied the cookies, signed a banner to include in the boxes, and created a thank you card to give to all the people that purchased a box to dontate. We'll be putting a list of all donors on a thank you card in the box as well. We also had 2 newspapers show up to take pictures of the girls and find out about what we were doing. The girls were so excited. I haven't seen the actual paper yet (Eric picked one up on his way to work tonight, so when he comes home I'll scan it to share) but I found one of the online versions. You can see the online article here from the Peoria Journal Star.

Gotta love though how quote are taken out of context...one of the quotes they used from me really sounds bad out of context! LOL I had told them the goal was to send at least one box per soldier (there are 40 people in Bill's unit) but we managed to sell over 130. We told Bill when he gets them he can give 1 to each guy and then share the extras with other units or they can keep all to them self so each guy gets 3 boxes. Heck, we don't really care how they split them up and if each guy gets 3 boxes rather than only one, we're just happy to be able to send them any." Anyway...if you read the article you'll see only really that last bit made it in and it sounds like I dont' really care if they get them! LOL sigh...what can you do right?

Anyhow..thank you to all of you that purchased a box or two from Alyssa for this great project. We know the soldiers will be thrilled to get these huge boxes of tons of cookies! I'll have some pictures to add soon and I'll put the scanned actual article when I get that later.

Finally a real update and photos!

I know I promised last week that I would post some pictures, and then I never did. I was trying to scrap the Valentine's Day ones, when I should have just posted the pictures first and then worried about posting the page later. I started the page Thursday night thinking I could do it real quickly and post, but then I ended up working on the page forever, completely changing it and finally giving up late that night. I just finally got back to it last night to try and finish it up. So..finally, here are a couple of the Valentine's Day shots I took of the girls in the layout that I finally completed.

I tried to take a few of me and each of the girls too, but I wasn't having a lot of luck taking pics of myself and the girls just holding my arm out. The ones of Alyssa and I are cute of her, but not by far too cute of me. LOL. Alyssa did take a few of Kyleigh and I though. I think this is about the best of those.

We had about 8 inches of snow last week (I think Monday night and all day Tuesday), and school was cancelled Tues and Wed. Eric wasn't able to get into work Tuesday either, so he ended up taking the girls out one day to play for a little bit and try to sled. The snow was so deep and fluffy though the sleds just really sank into the snow. Alyssa stayed down the street building a "snow fort" with friends so I didn't get any pictures of her past the ones of them walking down the street with the sleds. I got this one really cute picture of Kyleigh on her way out the door - she was actually for once happy and excited to go play. We had to talk her into leaving the kitty at home though.

When she and daddy came back from the hill up the street her little cheeks were sooo red. Eric said she'd taken a huge handful of snow and put her whole face in it to eat the snow! LOL She calls that snow "nummy nummy." haha

While Eric was shoveling the driveway Kyleigh and I laid in the snow to make some snow angels. Let me just recommend..if you don't have snow pants on this is not a good idea! LOL My back legs and butt were soooo cold afterwards because my pants were wet. LOL We had fun though.

The other day Kyleigh was actually wearing something besides pink so I grabbed the camera to capture this moment - to prove to everyone my kids do actually wear something besides pink all the time! ha Ky had brought me this purple poneytail holder she found in Alyssa's draw in the bathroom, so we put that in her hair. I think the poney holder is bigger than her poney tail! LOL She thought she was hot stuff though, and trying to get a picture of the BACK of her head was quite a chore. I had to chase her all over the house for several minutes to get a few decent pics.




Ok..finally, I forgot to post these last week too. I posted them at DST and DSP, but forgot to come add them to the blog. I was so busy last week trying to get lots of new things in my store at PDW for the grand re-opening. This is the 2nd set of frames I did that were distressed. I think I may have mentioned I was making them, but I didn't get the previews up.

You can pick these up at my PDW store.

This week I'm working on some more kits for SBB Ezines. I finished the kit for the May issue Sunday night. I have the June issue one to go. I also have some other upcoming special things at both PDW and DSS. I'm trying to get all these things done that will be due in early March because my FIL is coming next week and I'll be going to see my best friend next weekend. I don't expect much designing is going to get done next week. I am starting on some other new things for DSS this week - hopefully I can have some of that up by the end of this week.

Well, I should go get some lunch. I went to bed about 2 AM last night with today's goal/plan being to get up by 9:30 and go with Eric to the gym to work out. I was so tired this morning though from not having much sleep Sunday night, that I just couldn't get moving quickly. Eric didn't seem to be moving much faster than me. I guess it may take us a few days to change our schedules to be able to do this. We're both used to sleeping in a bit more. Usually Eric goes back to sleep for a few hours after Alyssa leaves for school, until Kyleigh wakes us up, but today I think he just stayed up and got Kyleigh up a little earlier. Maybe we'll make it to the gym tomorrow - wish us luck! We REALLY do want to do this. I think we may go take a walk around the neighborhood after lunch (before Eric goes to work) since it's finally a little warmer (up to almost 40 degrees today!) and so we can say we at least did something today!

Have a great day!

Announcing...

my newest Creative Team members

First let me say thank you so much to all of you that applied. I was amazed by the number of applicants and the great talent out there! It was a difficult choice and i wish I could have taken more on. Thank you so much!
Please help me welcome the newest members to my Cretative Team:

Dottilicious is now available

something fun and funky and all dotty and girly...Dottilicous! Available at PDW now.

Papers

Elements

Forgot to share another bit of news in my earlier post. I set up my own forum recently. I've started setting up some categories for those of you that use my product to link me to your galleries so I can be sure to see them and leave you some love. It's a great way to share ideas for inspiration for others too. I hope you'll consider coming on over to check it out and join. :) Let me know if you can think of any other categories of forums to add.

http://sarahs-scraps.com/forum

ok..I've got to get to bed here soon, so previews of the distressed frames will have to come tomorrow. It's been a crazy day. I'll have my recent layouts and some new photos to share soon too. We've had another 8 inches of snow this week, so Alyssa's been out of school for two days, and today I tried to get a good pic of both girls in red for a V-day LO, but the girls were just being silly. I did get a few cute ones of them playing.

Nighty night..

New product, DOLLAR DAYS sales, and more to come

Just a quick post for now as I am stillll working on more, yep..more to come still this week.

For now: I have two new sets of PNG frames in my PDW store. Vol. 1 is a set of 10 frames, 8 are rectangular, 1 12 inch negative strip and 1 polaroid. Vol. 2 is a set of 7 square frames. Vol 3 and 4 soon to be coming - same frames but distressed. Pick these up at PDW before the 17th and they're only $1 each!!!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I have a swweeeeet treat for you at Digi Scrap Shak today and tomorrow only. EVERYTHING in my store there is $1, $2 or $3. Templates, element packs, brushes, all $1; paper packs $2, and kits for only $3!

This week is also our Grand Re-opening at PDW, so just about everything in the store there is $1, $2 or $3! LOTS of great bargains this week. These deals are good today through the 17th!
visit my PDW store here.

I have a new kit Dotilicous that will be in the store at PDW later today or tomorrow and it will also only be $3 this week during the Dollar Days Grand Re-opening. I'll be back with the preview later, and previews of the distressed frame sets. PLUS, I actually did a little scrapping recently, so I'll have some layout shares. Gotta run and take care of the kiddo for now - nap time has come to an end!

happy shopping and picking up some great great deals today.

Another Productive Day

I've really been having some up and down days this week. That time of the month must be close (how sad does that sound that I don't KNOW for sure? That's my crazy hormones and upnredictable cycles for ya - lovely huh?). Anyhow, I was chatting with a good friend, Gina (CraftTeaLady) the other night as she was trying to cheer me up and help me put things into perspective. She mentioned that she bets I feel like I never do anything all day, when in reality I probably do a lot. YES, this is sooo true - and sadly I do know it. I'm so hard on myself about EVERYTHING. This even includes allowing myself to feel like I actually did a lot for the day. I make myself to do lists that are so unrealistic anyone would be unsucesful at completing it, and EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THIS, if I don't finish everything on the list, or most of it, I often tell myself.."man I just didn't get anything done today." Well I have started lately trying to cross off things on my list or check them, and even started making a new list of things accomplished. This at least allows me to see I do get things done. Gina suggested though that I write down everything I do for the day. Usually all I put on my completed list are those things I finished that were originally on my todo list, and we all know we do more than is really on that list throughout a day.

So today..here's what I've done (not necesarily in order):
Finished a kit for the April SBB Ezine
Created my freebies for my chat tomorrow (tonight)
Checked all of Alyssa's DVDs, added new ones to our movie list, and made labels for her DVD case to help her better keep track of all of these.
Cleaned the kitchen (actually a couple times - after lunch and dinner).
Made dinner (dh made lunch)
Dusted
Picked up the living room
Unpacked my bedroom (finally! We still have more to do, but we made some real progress finally)
Found all the bathroom stuff for the girls' bathroom so finished decorating that
Reorganzied a few things in the linen closet
Finished the Chevron (our publication) article requests for OPA and mailed those out
Attended a chat
Took Alyssa to ballet class
Commented many times in the SBB forum and gallery and a few times in the DSS forum and gallery
Did homework with Alyssa
Cared for and played with the kiddos
Signed up to set up a forum for OPA

Whew..I think that's all of it, but hey I may have forgotten something. Either way, that list is pretty darn long so I don't think I can say I did NOTHING today! lol


Alyssa has been a challenge lately. Her teacher has discussed the possibility of ADD with me, to which I was at first shocked and thought absolutely no way. The more I watch her, the more I am wondering. Her teacher called me again last night about her behavior (she's not doing anything terrible in school, she's just really independent and doesn't always follow directions as she should - no surprise since I have the same problem here). We talked about what happend for the day and then talked more about signs/red flags the teacher has noticed that may be ADD indicators. I think the best thing may be to at least discuss it farther with her doctor and do a little more research - it's been a long time since I read or studied anything on ADD. It's almost time for her 7 year old annual well child dr. visit, so I think I may go ahead and see if I can make the appt a little early to start discussing this.

Today she and I were putting the labels in her DVD case while Kyleigh was napping (Alyssa got out of school early today). When we were done, she went upstairs a few minutes ahead of me. I went up just a couple minutes later to get things out of her back pack and called her to come so we could go through things she brought home and do her homework. She didn't answer, so I started looking all over and started getting really irriated that she was hiding or something. Finally I realized she just wasn't in the house! Her coat and shoes were gone. The back door was still locked, so she must have gone out the front. She was no where around the house. I started to panic - she's NEVER left the house without asking me, and I was just at a loss. I finally called down to one of her friends down the street and sure enough she was down there! UGH I was so upset with her. I told her she was going to be grounded for a week. She's never been grounded before, and she has two birthday parties she was invited to this weeeknd. I feel terrible to take away all of her time with friends, and not let her go to the parties, espeically since she's never done something like this before, and I've never grounded her before. I just don't know.... She does have a Girl Scout Daddy Daughter dance tomorrow that Eric took off work for the day to take her too, and I'm still letting her go to that. I'll have to sleep on the parties. Eric has Saturday this weekend off too so we were planning to go do a few things all together. hmmm She was really good the rest of the night for me, and the girls didn't fight or anything today (that's really RARE these days!). All things to consider.

Well, I'd love to blog more, but it's getting late and I'm pretty tired. I have another dental appt tomorrow - turns out I have two small cavities so now I have to go get fillings. bummer... I also still need to finish my contribution for the February PDW kit tomorrow. I need to make a call tomorrow to set up a roller skating activity for my GS troop too. Lots more todo...as I said earlier always a full to do list.

Oh before I go, I do have a new LO share. This one I did a little while back for the February SBB Ezine, so I couldn't show it before now. Just a simple page of Kyleigh sucking her little thumb with her nose bent. hehe

Ky Nov 06 (credits here)

I've been productive AND scrapped

I haven't done any designing now for two days! I've been working on OPA stuff, and did some work in my bedroom again for a little bit this morning. My goal is to get that darn room unpacked by next week - a little a day I'll eventually get it down. So, I cleaned out my OPA email today..it had over 200 emails in the inbox and now has about 15 that I need for website work for them. I did a bunch of current webupdates, and next will be work on the quarterly publication that is coming up again next week week plus I am aiming to finish up all the last bits of this new website package by the end of this week. This project just feels like it's been on going for forever now. Heck it started before Kyleigh was born!

Anyhow..I'm taking an OPA break now for the evening. I'll have to do some more on it tomorrow and then some design work I need to do (some new deadlines coming) tomorrow night. For tonight, I think I may try to scrap another page.

Here's a few new pages I posted early this morning and this afternoon. :) It felt so good to do some scrapping again after nothing for 3 weeks now.

{Snow Friend}

(credits here)

{Brownies for Uncle Bill}

(credits here)

{Bill & Jamie cover}

Used cover page in my 8x8 png Sweet Sensation mini album

{All Bundled Up}
(credits)

Ok..well I know this is a short posting..but I want to get in some scrap time and see if I can finish another page tonight. I can't stay up late tonight as I have a dental appt in the morning and need to work at unpacking that bedroom in the morning while I have Eric around to maybe help!

More new stuff and a couple goodies for you

{new at DSS this week}

Well, it turns out...my Sweet Sensations Kit is going to be available at DSS now along with the mini album I made from it last week. Since this is a smaller kit, I've listed this one for only $3.50. It has 4 papers, 10 elements, 1 PNG quick page and a full alpha.

I have a little add-on to go with the kit as well. It's a couple extra elements I made when I was creating the mini album.

You can have this free by downloading here. (please consider leaving me a comment if you take). (DON'T pop out of here too fast...there's another goodie still in this post for you).

{new at PDW this week}

I also have a new item at PDW this week - My new Sponge Stamped Alpha. You can pick this up here.

{Available in the SBB Ezine this month}

I have a new kit that will be available free for download in the February Ezine at SBB - be sure to pick up your copy to get it and many other exclusive downloads, wonderful tutorials, and great articles and inspiration. I can't show you the my kit preview until the ezine goes out, but how about a little teaser? hehe

{Ok, and one last bit of design news...}

To celebrate Amy C. and I both starting up at PDW, we've moved our Winter Dreams Collection there and we're "re-launching" it this week.

Since winter is almost over, we've dramatically reduced it for this new launch. You WON'T want to miss these new deals! The individual kits and mini album have been reduced from $5.00 to $3.50, and when you buy the complete collection (4 kits and the mini album) which would normally be worth $25.00, you only pay $10.00!!! AND, you get a bonus element pack not available for individual purchase!

and if that's not enough..for all our blog readers, you can get the add-on that was previously only available at our launch chat here for free!

Download this freebie here (please consider leaving us a comment when you take)

Ok and with that...I'm taking a day or two off from design as I really need to spend a couple full days working and catching up on some OPA work that I've neglected and meant to get done this weekend.

{little personal update before I head out this morning}

I know it's been so long since I've posted anything besides previews! I've been just busting my butt to try and get lots of new goodies in both stores to make up for my lack of new product in December, and to fill up my new store at PDW. Anyhow.....

My best friend and I finally picked a place to go for our girls only weekend, picked dates and I bought the plane tickets yesterday! whoo hoo We are going to Myrtle Beach next month to relax, veg and pamper our selves. OK, maybe a little scrapping too..I'll prolly show her how to digi scrap while I'm there - see if I can convert another hehe. I can't wait to go - not just for the relaxing weekend, but because I haven't seen her since October 2004 when we were both prego with our 2nd kids. Her little boy was born about 3 weeks before Kyleigh, so we've both been pretty busy since the spring of 2005. :)

Dh and I went on a date last night - our first since our anniversary in JUNE! We went out to the coolest little restaurant for dinner, but by the time we finally got seated and finished dinner, it was too late to go to a movie, so we did a little shopping and then came home. It was so nice to just have a couple hours together again with no kiddos. When we got home the babysitters already had the girls in bed so we got out one of our movies we hadn't yet seen and watched that here. Turned out to still be a great evening. We really need to do a date night at least once a month.

Oh, I can't remember if I ever posted that I finally did make some calls and made an appointment for my annual ob/gyn appt so I can also talk to the dr at the same time about my endometriosis. I figure this way I'm not having to pay to go to the Primary Care Doctor just for him to refer me off to a speicalist. This way I am actually going to my regular appointment and if needed they can refer me to a specialist from there. I just didn't want to pay $80 to just see a dr for a referrel. I don't think I hav a copay, or at least it's less than $80, to do my annual OB/GYN appt, so this is a little easier to do.

OK..well I think I want to hit the bed earlier tonight than I have been doing for many days now. I've got some more design work to do for this week, but I'm taking a few days off. I already did a big house cleaning today, so I'll have all day tomorrow to be able to concentrate on getting caught up on OPA stuff, and MAYBE I'll even get to scrap tomorrow night! It's only been like 3 WEEKS! :(

Happy Monday.

Looking for a few good scrapers…

I have a few new openings on my creative team, and would love to see what you have to offer.

You can view my designs at Digi Scrap Shak and Plain Digital Wrapper.

Basic Requirements:
*Create 1 LO per week, up to 4 per month.
*Post at the store galleries I sell in (DSS and PDW), DST and one other of your choice
*Display my blinkie in your signature

If you’re interested in working with my designs, please send me your name, user id, link to your most complete gallery, any other CTs you are on, and 2-3 (500x500, less than 125K) of your favorite LOs.

Applications due by Feburary 15. Email to scrappinsarah@aggienetwork.com with CT Application in the subject line.

Looking for something for the boys?

New at PDW, I present "Garrett" This kit was made with boys in mind, but the elements are still general enough the can be used on anything. The name sake comes from my CTM Amanda Heimann's (aggiefamily) little boy Garrett who is such a cutie!

If you pick up BOTH the Garrett elements and papers this weekend, you can use code "garrettcombo" to get an extra $1.00 off the already discounted price. Regularly it will be $3.00 for each part, but for a short time it is listed at $2.50 each..with the coupon you can get both the elements and papers for a total of $4.00!!!


Pick these up here in my store at PDW.

and here is a LO by Amanda of her son Garrett in his special vest using this new kit named just for him! Be sure to stop by her posting to see her full credits and leave her some love.

Sweet Sensations mini album

I have a few new things to share!! :)

Sweet Sensations 8x8 Mini Album at DSS

New to the DSS store today, My 8x8 mini ablum made from my Sweet Sensations Kit.

The album includes 8 pages and 1 cover, 8x8 in size and all png quickpage format. All you need to do is pop in your pictures and any text you want to add and in a few seconds you'll have a SWEET gift.

These are just in time for you to make a quick gift for someone special for Valentine's, or the colors are appropriate for a later date as well. ENJOY. Regular Price will be $5.49, but it's on sale for $4.00 untill February 8! Pick it up today and have your gifts ready tomorrow.

I'll have some more previews and goodies on my site this weekend, so be sure to check back. :)

Happy Scrapping