Monthly Archives: July 2013

Scrapbook Layout Sketches eBook on Amazon's Top 100

I’m very excited today because I found out my Kindle eBook “Scrapbook Layout Sketches” is on Amazon’s Top 100 Best Sellers List!  It came in at #20 in the Papercrafts category of Crafts & Hobbies and #91 in the Scrapbooking category of Crafts & Hobbies.  Yay!  Scrapbook Layout Sketches Top 100

I hope to move up in both categories over the next few weeks.  I would love it if I could get some good reviews.  While I think the book has a lot of great ideas, scrapbook sketches and color examples, it would be wonderful to have some positive encouragement from the many people that have purchased it.  So if you found the contents helpful, if you thought it was put together well, if you liked the sketches and examples, please log in to Amazon & take time to give me a 5 star review.  If you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, you can get it by clicking the link below.  And when you finish “Scrapbook Layout Sketches” please take time to let me know what you think by giving me a book review.

http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=scraptdesign-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00DSVP5P8&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Sore Losers-A Sign of the Times?

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BatterSore losers; are they a sign of the times?  I believe so.  At least in the United States.  We are living in a time when being a loser is unacceptable.  We have all seen children, and adults, that quit or have a little temper fit if they are playing a game but not winning. They’ve never been taught to lose graciously. They are sore losers!

Today in children’s team sports everyone has to be a winner!  No strikes.  No outs.  In some cases, no score! There are no losers, they must all be winners and receive a trophy at the end of the season.  It is beyond ridiculous.

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Wake up people!  Children are adults of the future.  Parents are supposed to be preparing them to be responsible, contributing members of society.  If they are taught throughout their formative years that everything they do is awesome & given accolades for even mediocre efforts what will motivate them to improve?  They need to know that in the real world there are winners and there are losers.  There will be disappointments and they need to be prepared that they will lose some of the time.

As adults they’re going to discover they’ll be competing with others for jobs, promotions, relationships, etc.  How will they react when the object of their affection won’t give them a second look?  What about when the boss doesn’t make a big deal or reward them for simply doing the job they’re being paid to do?

I try to do my best in everything I do.  If I’m learning something new, I want honest feedback so I’ll know what I’m doing right and I can improve in areas needing improvement.  I don’t want false praise but I appreciate honest, tactful encouragement.  As a scrapper, I am grateful for tutorials & the helpful hints I’ve received along the way. They have helped me improve and I continue to learn new things all the time.

One of the things I’ve really enjoyed is being a scrapbook layout artist on several designers’ creative teams (CT’s).  None of the teams required long term commitments and most of the designers were very nice when I decided to leave the team until….  About five months ago I left a CT I’d been on for a long time.  Although it’s a volunteer position I wrestled with the decision for many days then my husband said, “What’s the big deal? You’re a volunteer!”.  When I told the designer I was moving on she acted fine, but then I noticed some odd things started happening.

We had a secret group on Facebook for the team.  I posted a note telling the other team members I’d enjoyed working with them but I was leaving to pursue other interests.  Only a couple of people got to see the post or reply before she banned me from the group!  A couple sent me private messages which I appreciated.

This designer had allowed me to design many items that were sold in her store and I was paid a commission.  I had given her a month notice and told her I’d promote the items I’d made until the end of the month.  In a few hours she responded by saying she had removed all of the items I’d designed.  I checked and found more than twenty still in the store. I decided to promote one a day for the rest of the month. It would be a win/win for us both.  I posted the first item but in less than an hour that item was deleted from the store.  I tried again with a couple of more items and the same thing happened!  So I just sent her a message with a list of all my designs that still needed to be deleted.  Now it’s lose/lose.  She lost a sale, I lost the commission.

Then I noticed in some other Facebook groups she no longer comments on any of my posts.  She used to act like I was the best thing since panty hose but now she totally ignores me.  And that is what made me think maybe she’s a victim of the current theory of child rearing that embraces “No Losers”.

Sore losers are rampant in our society now.  When you rear generations of “every one’s a winner, there are no losers” the result is adults that act like children.  They’re your BFF as long as you’re doing something for them but if that changes they hate you! Childish!  Instead of wishing you well in your new pursuits, like a mature adult; they pout and say if you don’t want to play with me I’m never going to play with you again, pfsst!  Grow up and quit acting like a sore loser.

 

The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Sketchbooks

Some scrappers may wonder, “Who uses sketches?”, “What are they?”, “When would I use one?”, “Where do I start?”, and “Why would I need to use a sketch?”.  If you have found yourself asking these questions you’ll be interested in the article I posted here.

You may or may not need to use sketches.  You may need them some of the time but not all the time.  But if you are new to scrapping or find yourself needing a little push sometimes a sketch is one way to get you going.  So hop over and find answers to your questions if you’ve been wondering.

If you agree you need a little push in the right direction my Kindle eBook will help you.  It’s loaded with sketches and full color examples you can use right now.

 

 
http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=scraptdesign-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00DSVP5P8&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Get My Layout Sketchbook Free Today!

If you haven’t already gotten my layout sketchbook, you can pick it up today FREE!  If you have hit a scrapping road block & need a little inspiration this eBook is what you need.  Scrapbook Layout Sketches gives you some great ideas & some full color examples to get your creative juices flowing again.  Scrapbook Layout Sketches is a Kindle eBook available here.  If you don’t have a Kindle you can download a Kindle reader for your PC, laptop, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Blackberry or Mac here.  So hurry on over & pickup my book for free today!

Scrapbook Layout Sketches

My Perfect Day!

If you had to describe your “Perfect Day” what would it look like?  For me nothing could be better than spending time with my husband, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  In a few short months I’ll be able to add grandson to that list, yay.  We don’t live in close proximity so when we are able to get together I am perfectly happy just to spend time together.  If I was able to move closer to them I could have a whole bunch of perfect days.  I’d love to be able to be there for every day activities like dance recitals, swimming lessons, school programs, field trips and soon feeding, burping and changing the baby.  Hey a girl can dream!

I’ve been trying to persuade Paw Paw to  sell our business and retire.  Then I’d be able to be the mother and grandmother I’ve always wanted to be.  Here is a layout of my last perfect day.  It’s been over six months and we overdue a visit.  Hopefully that’ll happen later this month.

Celebrate Life

New eBook Coming Soon!

I’ve just published my first eBook which will be available soon.  Probably in the next 12-24 hours!  I’m excited to see how it’s received.  If you are a scrapper and you’re looking for some new layout ideas I hope you will check out my new sketch book.  I’ll be back with more information as soon as the publishing is complete.  Here’s the cover I designed using Kimeric Kreations kit Bright Side of the Road.

Scrapbook Layout Sketches

July Word List

Do you like the challenge of the daily word list?  It’s hard to believe but it’s time for the JULY word list, so hear you go.  Now get busy and see what you can come up with.  The Digi Scrapping Divas word list for July was created using Beach Therapy by Fayette Designs.

July Word List