Welcome my 2 newest CT Members!

I'm so excited to introduce you to my 2 newest CT members. First off is Jennifer. She's been digi-scrapping for 2.5 years. She says she loves templates because they give her a firm foundation for a layout, and then from there it's super easy to add to it and make it her own. One of her favorite templates sets from me is my new Background Templates. This is her favorite layout done with the Background Templates. Isn't it beautiful? She used a kit from Kristin Cronon-Borrow called Happy Go Lucky.

Next is Sally. She's been digi-scrapping almost 3 years. She loves templates because they give her a starting point but she can move and rearrange things to suit her mood and style. She says her favorite templates of mine are my Heart Sets (1 here, 2 here, 3 here, 4 here) and her favorite set is Heart Templates IV. Here's a layout she made using a template from that set. And she used a kit from Wild Dandelion Designs called Sisterly Love. The layout is gorgeous!

Since I don't want to leave you hangin'. I'll let you try out the template that Sally used above for her layout. Just click the pic to download. Please give these girls a warm welcome!

New Stuff and a little sample!

I have some brand new stuff for you this week and then some oldies but goodies from my old store....all spiffed up a bit for Scrap Orchard....and all the stuff featured here is 20% off this week!

I think this is my fave new product. Do you like that stacked paper look or do you need a boost to start your page? This set is perfect....it comes with 8 TEMPLATES (yes, you heard me, 8 different stacks of paper). Everything from scallops, folders, zig-zags, rounded and square edges. You can check out all the templates here in the store. I do need to say a special thanks to Teresa for this idea....she asked for some paper layers and then I came up with this....if it wasn't for her I probably would have never even thought of making anything like this! So as a special thanks she's going to receive this whole set for free! Thanks Teresa!

Background Templates

Do you need a template to showcase a special person...well I think this set would work well for a "Top 10" page or an "ABC's of You" page. There is a frame on each template that includes numbers 1-10 and the alphabet A-Z. This is a simple and quick template to use but still has a unique look.

1-10 & A-Z Templates Here's an oldie but a goodie....new to some of you too I'm sure. This was a fun set to make. Each of the templates have folded layers that you can clip different papers to to make it look like the paper is folded over. I've added some journaling spots and some ideas for element placement...or just go ahead and use the flowers, zigzags and ribbon and clip your own paper to them. Fun, Fun Fun!

Folded Paper Templates

Here are some fun masks. It comes with 15 different masks with different "fun" words scratched out of them. I made these with my 2 year old in mind but of course they can be used for all sorts of pics.

Fun Painted Masks
Before I give you my freebie today I want to show you some beauties from the CT over at Scrap Orchard that have been playing around with my templates.

By Charmaine
Using my Folded Templates
Using Amy Stoffel's Kit Make a Wish

By my own CT Tiffany
Using my Background Templates
And Stuff from Gina Marie Huff

By Trina
Using my Background Templates
Using a Kit By DeCrow Designs called "He"

By my own CT Ellie
Using my Background Templates
Using the One Love Charity Kit

By Tiffany
Using my Background Templates
Using a Kit by Lindsey Riches called "A Cherry on Top"

By Tami
Using my Background Templates
And a kit by Traci Stroud and Jennifer Barrette
called "Miss Dress-up"

By Christine
Using my Background Templates
And Kit by Jenn Barrette called "Happy Go Lucky"

By Ann
Using my Background Templates
Using the kit "He" by Decrow Designs

And just because you made it through that whole post and I want you to try out some of my new stuff here's a background freebie for you (this one isn't included in the kit so if you purchase the Background Templates set you'll get 8 completely different templates!). I must admit I had so much fun making these that I went a bit crazy! I seriously couldn't stop making them.....so I have another background to give away soon so keep your eyes open for that....might be on my facebook page, I might send out a special newsletter....not sure yet. I know this one is a bit simple but I know you can still make some awesome stuff out of it.....and keep your eyes open for another free background soon!

Printing your Digital Scrapbooking Pages

So I've had a few people ask me if I get my pages printed and if I do where do I get them printed. I've also seen this same question being asked around the digi-community. So I thought I might do a little blog post to answer your questions.

I've been scrapping for almost 12 years now. Only 2 of those have been digital scrapbooking so I still love to print my pages out and show them off in a "traditional" way. People are always amazed at my pages when they see them printed (believe me, it's not because they are great pages). They are amazed by the realism you can still get with digital scrapbooking. I think some people are still skeptical about this whole digital scrapbooking thing....and I want to prove them wrong. I want to show them how incredibly awesome it is! Wouldn't you agree?

This is a page I made over a year ago. This is just the .jpg image.

Here is a close up of it printed out. I'm not a great photographer but you can see the detail in this page. I'm still amazed that digital stuff can turn out this nice.....I mean look at that shadow it pretty much looks real (at least I think so). Now the pages I print do have a white border on them. So you can see that here. I do it this way because it's cheaper! But of course you don't have to print it with the white border. Or you can do like some people and cut the border off.

Here is a photo of my printed pages in a "traditional" scrapbooking album. I just slipped covers on them and put them in this book. So you can see you can do double layouts or single layouts. Now I can take the book anywhere I like and show it off to anyone I please.....or anyone who would bother looking at it.

And here's just a pic of the finished book. It's my 2008 album. I haven't quite finished 2009 yet. I like to wait until I have a whole year done before I print. I know for some of you that probably would be hundreds of pages to print but I only make a few pages for each month so it's not too bad.

There are 3 ways you can print your pages.

1. Buy your own 12x12 printer. I can't really give you any advice in this area......although some of my facebook followers have suggested Epson stylus photo 1400 and Epson R800. This is a more expensive way to begin but if you know you are going to be printing a lot it might be the way to go. But remember you still have to purchase your own paper and ink.

2. Upload your pages to an on-line print store and print your pages individually.

Here are some top recommendations from my facebook followers:

Costco (most recommended-although you do have to be a costco member-they do have a shipping option)

Scrapping Simply

Scrapbooks Please

Go to my facebook fan page to see the other recommendations.

I personally have only used scrapbooksplease and I have been very pleased with their service. I usually get the value matte print. This value does have the white border. I usually wait until I have a whole bunch to print that way I get my money's worth when it comes to shipping. It usually takes about a week to get the pages.

3. Upload your photos to an on-line print store and have them print them in a bound book. Although I haven't done this before I think this would be great for a gift album. For my regular pages I tend to like to print individual pages and then slip them into an album.

I hope this answers some of your questions. I realize I'm not an expert when it comes to this and I've only tried one store so I can't really compare it with other stores but I hope this still helps a little. Please check out my facebook fan page so you can see the recommendations from others. There are a few other places mentioned on there. And if you have a place you like to print at go ahead and leave a comment so we can all see all the options out there.

Another thing to remember about digital scrapooking pages is that even if you print your pages out you still want to keep a copy of the .jpg somewhere....either on your computer, external hardrive, CD, etc...

Oh and I used randomizer.org to randomly choose a winner for a $5 GC to my store and the winner tonight is a blog follower named Btrflywmn. On the 1st of every month I choose a winner from my blog followers and facebook fans. So don't miss out! Just join me on facebook and/or become a follower. I also do other giveaways and specials.

Added Note: Don't forget to check and make sure that you are printing on Acid Free-Archival Paper.

CU Freebie!

I've been enjoying a Saturday with my fam....doing typical things....birthday party, grocery shopping, a little cleaning, relaxing (a little) and about to go start dinner but I thought I would stop in and give you all a try of my new CU products over at Scrap Orchard. Plus I wanted to remind you all that on March 1st I'm going to be randomly choosing somebody from my facebook fan page and blog followers to win a $5 GC to my store. I do this every month so be sure you're not missing out!!!

Here's a little taste of my new Scatter Bursts and Scatter Waves. Just clip paper to them, style them, etc....and you'll have an easy, fun addition to your pages or kits. Just click the pic to download. Oh and they are 20% off this week....only $2.40 each!

Download is Expired.

Don't forget about Springtime in the Orchard. Purchase $10 at SO and you get this kit for free!