Hi all, this is my first post and I am so excited. I just wanted to share my love for double page layouts.

People on the digiworld tend to forget that, if their pages are never printed, they may just get lost to future generations, left in a CD on the back of a drawer. So if you do intend to print you digipages at some stage, remember that you will have your layouts next to each other, and they might not “go” together if you don’t think ahead.

My favourite way of doing digipages is creating a 24X12 layout. That way you can balance the elements on each side. Here is an example using Dani’s collab with Miriam: Mahalo kit, and her Creative Crops 2: A New Angle:
 

However, it looks like most people are not comfortable with the 24X12 format, apart from the fact it is not the best format to share with the digicommunity (they always look a bit small in the galleries), it seems a bigger task to finish them. If that is your case, don’t worry, you can still make your albums “work”. You can create one of your layouts the usual way, and whenever you feel inspired, just use the same supplies to create another page. It doesn’t really have to be the same theme, but it helps if it is something that happened around the same time (so when you print you have no trouble having them in that order).  As an example, here is a layout I did a couple of weeks ago:

 and here is one I did yesterday for this post:

 

Because I used Dani’s Under Construction kit on both layouts, they look better side by side:

Makes sense?

I hope I have inspired you to create more double pagers If you do, don’t forget to post back here and leave us a link so we can leave you some love. Hope to see you again soon and happy scrapping.

Hi, Cindy here! I thought for my first blog entry as a “Dani’s Girl” I would show off some her amazing alphas I have been using a ton lately. They look so great on layouts and if you love alphas as much as I do, you will want to go pick them up at her store! (If you don’t have them already……)

First up is Dani’s

Acrylic Alpha

I just love this alpha, they are super big, so there are a lot of ways you can use them on a layout. They also have a subtle painted edge on them that gives them a wonderful look on layouts

Here is a couple of layouts with them

One by Dani herself……she used her Sweet Treats Kit (which is now retired)

Cheese!

Her daughter is just way too cute!!!

Here’s a layout by me using the acrylic alpha, and if you buy the alpha, it also comes with 4 frames (including the one shown in my layout) and bonus shapes….. what a deal!

Ta-Da!

The second alpha that I love is Dani’s Fabric Frayed Alpha

Here’s a layout by Melissa (mlewis) entitled Yummo! ……too cute!

And one more by Melinda (mmbstaley)….adorable!

I See You!

The third alpha I wanted to highlight is Dani’s Sketchy Alpha

I actually just recently discovered this alpha and it is awesome. It was originally available with Dani’s “Heartbreaker” kit which you can now find in the Bargain Bin for a great deal…….not only will you get the alpha, but a bunch of fantastic embellies and papers as well! You can find the papers here and the embellishment pack here.

Here’s a wonderful layout using this alpha by Jacque Larsen (crazyscrapper)

Play

The last alpha I wanted to show you today is one of my favorites…..it’s Dani’s Hand Stitched Alpha

I love her felt embellishments and this is no exception……and the stitching looks so realistic. It comes in 5 different colours, and you get matching felt stitched circles to match! This one is a must have!

Here’s a layout by me using this alpha as well as the “Sketchy Alpha”

Just One Little Peek

One by Traci Reed entitled A Whole Year with You …. isn’t it sweet!

and one by Vanessa (nesser1981)

Decorating Eggs 

Okay, well that’s probably enough for now. If you haven’t purchased some of these alphas….you’ve just got to do it, they will make a great addition to your scrapping stash and you’ll find that you will use them over and over!

Have a wonderful day!!!

I am so excited to introduce my first Girl Talk challenge. Let’s play dress up – blog dress up that is. Here’s how it works:

1. Dress up your blog with a new blog header using Dani’s designs.

2. Leave a comment on this post and link us up.

3. Dani’s Girls will choose a winner who will receive a $15 gift card to Dani’s store. Two random blogs will be chosen to receive a $5 gift card to Dani’s store.

Sound fun? Then head off the store to find something new to dress up your blog! Your deadline is July 11 and results will be announced July 13.

Here is a great example Melinda has scrapped for us. You can see her blog here.
If you need help on creating your own custom blog header, please see this thread for more information.

Thanks for playing! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Hi Everyone! I’m really excited to be hosting this week’s Altered Tuesday! I have a project that will get you ready for Fourth of July using Dani’s Yankee Doodle Candy Kit. This kit is a collaboration between Dani and Kimberly Giarrusso and is full of yummy papers and embellishments that are perfect for all types of projects and LO’s. One of the things I love about this kit is the lime green color thrown into the mix with the traditional red, white and blue – it’s such a fun combination!

Today’s project is a Fourth of July centerpiece. The supplies for this project are:

• Yankee Doodle Candy Kit (available here: Sweet Shoppe Designs)
• Bucket (The one I used is from Target, it has a star cut-out on the front of the bucket)
• Dowels (or other sticks)
• Dried Rice, dried Beans or styrofoam (to put inside the bucket to hold the dowels/sticks in place)
• Misc. Embellishments (I used buttons, ribbons, etc)

I began this project on the computer by layering 3 of the embellishment stars in the Yankee Doodle Candy Kit on top of the digi papers in this kit. I varied the size a little but stayed around the 4″x4″ range for the size of the stars. I then printed and cut out the stars, backing them with chipboard to make them sturdier. I chose three digital papers in the kit and printed a 5″x5″ square of these papers which I used to cut three more stars with a die cut machine (or they can be hand cut). This gives a total of six different stars which you can further embellish if you like. I used buttons, ribbons, a bit of felt and a flower on my stars. I also printed and cut out the flag embellishment in the kit to use in the centerpiece with the stars. To attach the stars (and flag) to the dowels, I used glue dots.

Decorating the bucket was simple, the bucket already had a star shaped cut-out in it so I printed a small square of digi paper from the kit to adhere to the inside of the bucket – with the pattern showing through the star shape. (If you have a plain bucket, without the cut-out, you could add a star to the front of a bucket.) I also adhered ribbon around the top and bottom of the bucket with a bow and a bit of ric rac tied off to the side on the top of the bucket.

Now to the “rice” part….When I make things like this, I like to use dried rice inside the bucket to hold the dowels/sticks in place. You can also use dried beans or styrofoam, but I find that rice works best because you can move the dowels around easier to arrange them. I poured a bag of dried rice into the finished bucket and then added the star dowels, arranging and then trimming the ends of the dowels to make them varied in height. For a finishing touch, I printed a sheet of digi paper from the kit and cut it into small strips which I wrapped around a pencil to curl. I used the curls inside the bucket to cover the rice and add a fun “fill” to the bucket.

That’s it! I hope you have a fun and creative Fourth of July! If you decide to try an altered project or layout with Yankee Doodle Candy, please reply and post a link…..we’d LOVE to see it!  Also remember to check back next Tuesday for another “Altered Tuesday”.   -Cindy

Hi everyone!  I’m so happy to be writing my first post as one of Dani’s girls.  I’m Vanessa!  So nice to meet you.

So enough of my silly ramblings, lets just get on with it, shall we?  I’ve been on the search for those awesome, eye catching, stop you in your tracks layouts featuring Dani’s products.  Let me tell you, there are just so many out there, I had a really hard time deciding which ultra talented lady to pick. 

Well, I finally narrowed it down, with a little help from the hubby.  I know, hurry up Vanessa, who did you pick.  LOL! 

 Nikki (nikkiARNGwife) totally blew me away with her Rock On layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I asked Nikki to share a little bio with us, so we could get to know the woman behind the awesome layouts. 

I’m Nikki, 33 and married to Brian for 5 1/2 years. I’m the super-proud Mommy to our sweet little boy, Avery who is 2 years old and definately the main subject of most of my layouts. He is a double blessing to us because he came into our lives after 3 years of unexplained infertility. I was a teacher before I got married but I’m now a SAHM and love it.

When my son was born I thought I would delve deeply into paper scrapping which is something I’d really only dabbled in before, but I soon learned that the hassle of all those supplies and mess just wasn’t working in our home where I had no room just for my hobby and a newborn demanding a lot of my attention. I first discovered digital scrapbooking in the fall of 2005 after my husband deployed to Afghanistan and I needed some type of hobby to keep myself busy. I started with quickpages and the rest is history. It now is my number one hobby and I enjoy it very much.

I have to admit that I only within the past couple of months discovered Dani’s designs but fell in love instantly. Her bold, bright style is usually just perfect for layouts of my little guy.

It’s you like to check out even more of Nikki’s great pages, go check out her gallery.  http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=3103

Be sure to leave her some luv!  Thanks again Nikki!

 

Okay so here in South Texas we are not having a heat wave – it is just darn hot all the time. Which makes Dani’s “Heat Wave” kit perfect for just about every Summer activity we have done so far this year. From pool layouts to chasing bugs in the backyard – this kit has it all! And the little cardboard elements – oh they are sooo cute – you just have to see them.

Ack – I can’t believe I didn’t say this right up front! It’s my 1 week anniversary of being a Dani’s Girl and I am still doing a happy dance! Hehe! Okay, returning to our regularly scheduled programming already in progress…..

Dani totally rawk’d Heat Wave – it is the perfect Summer fun kit! Take a look! Take a look at these awesome layouts created using Heat Wave! First up is a new Dani’s Girl – Traci Reed. Traci’s layout titled “Swim” just makes you want to go and jump in the pool!

Kalli’s layout titled “Our Daily Must Read’s” shows just how versatile the colors and elements of Heat Wave are! Look how wonderful it goes with all those great children’s books!

In my book, there is not much cuter than a little boy in a swimsuit enjoying the pool. Chic_mama’s “What a Babe” layout uses the great popsicle stick frame and cardboard water drops from the kit – oh soooo cute!

And finally, a funny face to make you laugh and a great layout to inspire you is Summer’s “Fun Together” layout. I love the wave and the corresponding wave paper and the great alpha title!

Since I know you are now convinced that Heat Wave is a must have – here’s the link to grab it up! And when you do – come back here and link us up with your layout using the kit – it is always fabulous to see Dani’s kits in action!

Thank you so much for staying with me and taking a look at these fabulous layouts! I have it straight for the source, tomorrow Dani has something wonderful for us all! Oh and don’t forget about Dani’s fantastic Bargain Bin sale that is going on this weekend too! You don’t want to miss this sale! Till next time, have fun!

Yes, that’s right- we aren’t done with the introductions yet!

Nicole Haeker is 29 years old and mother of 2 year old Colin. She lives in Germany and has been scrapbooking since April 2006.

Ashley Wright is 19 and studying photography with a minor in graphic design in college.

Michelle Filo is a Brazilian born Australian. She has two little boys, Mateus who is 3 and half years and Lucas who is 7 months. She works part time, but is mainly at home with the kids.
She did some paper scrapping in 2005, but had no time for it until she found digi in April this year.

Rachelle Erickson lives in the Pacific NW and is a graphic and web designer who has designed traditional paper scrapbook supplies for companies across the US. She has been scrapbooking herself for over 10 years, and has recently found digiscrapping. Her beagle, Sunshine, sits at her feet while she works.

and rounding out the team, Justine Hastie is known as bellbird around digi-world. She is a SAHM to Alyssa, who is nearly 2years old. She lives with her family and their birds in Australia and has digiscrapped since Sept 2005.

Welcome to all of the newest Dani’s Girls! I know we are going to be seeing lots of great things from this fabulous team, So stick around!

Please help us welcome five more Dani Girls!

Amy Bleser is a SAHM of 3 children who she refers to as “my 3 little nuts.” Amy and her family live San Antonio, TX. She also does some designing but mostly loves to scrap.

Kalli Svoboda is mom to Maggie (4) and Marley (2) and has been scrapping for about 1.5 years. She is a part-time pharmacist and lives in Springfield, MO (originally from Nebraska).

Missy Strand is a a SAHM of 3 boys. Blake and Gabe are 4 and my youngest Reide is 2 . She has been digiscrapping since October of 2004.

Kristine Crosby is a SAHM (taking a break from being a pharmacist) to 2-1/2 YO Kira and 1 YO Noah. She currently lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. If you can believe it, Kris is a newbie to digital scrapping!

Kitty Chen is mommy to a 14 month old lil boy… and wife for a great and lovely web designer. Kitty is also new to digital scrapping and is only in her second month of scrapping!

Before I get into the altered team intros, I wanted to take a minute to introduce my co-leader on the blog- Melissa Lewis. She lives outside Nashville, TN and is an Administrative Assistant to a college president. She is a mom to an almost-4 year old and is in the process of adopting a baby girl. She’s been digiscrapping for about 18 months and can’t wait to scrap pink!

She’s got lots of fun ideas in store for the blog, so we hope all you readers stick around and join in!

Now, on to the altered team. What a great bunch Dani picked out!

First up is Traci Reed. She’s a WAHM and digital designer at SBG. She has two little boys, Karsten and Josiah (3 and 1) and she and her husband Patrick live in California. She made these adorable t-shrits for her boys to wear on father’s day- what a fun idea!

Next up, Denise Doupnik, married to her hubby for twelve years and they have two kids – Nolan 5, Eliza 3. She lives in Southern California, has been digital scrapping for 1 1/2 years and still likes to play with paint & flowers occasionally.

The third new team member is Libby Weifenbach. She is an orthodontic assistant who lives in Arkansas with husband of 12 years and 2 kids. She was a paper scrapper for 8 years before going digi last summer, and is on CTs for Robin Carlton, Bree Clarkson, Kathy Moore, and ScrapForums.com. She has jumped right in and whipped up this great project with Heat Wave:

and fourth, Cindy Gilchrist, a SAHM to an almost 7 year old DD. She’s been SBing for about 12 years, and the past few years has mainly focused on cards and altered art. She is also on teams at Cropper’s Cottage (traditional), ScrapGypsies (hybrid) and Trish Jones Designs (hybrid).

I can’t wait to see all of the goodies these gals are going to come up with for us over the next 6 months! Welcome to the team, ladies!

and since you’ve all hung out with me this far, here is your project of the week.

I made this for one of my girls, though I’m not sure they can agree on who gets it LOL I found these cute mini foam purses in the clearance section of one of my craft stores around Valentine’s Day. It was actually a Halloween item that was still hanging around, so it was a super deal

I printed a few of the great embellishements Heat Wave at 100% size, cut them out and glued them onto the front of purse. I then added some flowers, secured with office brads I gussied up with some pink sparkly embossing powder, and then tied a few ribbons around the handles. Now, if only we can get some agreement as to who it is going to belong to! Here are two of the candidates

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Happy Monday! It is my pleasure to begin introducing you to the new Dani Girls. Please sit back and enjoy the beautiful layouts the girls have put together for you!

First up we have Cindy Schneider! Cindy lives in Ontario, Canada and has been married to her husband Brad for 7 years. They have two children, and she has been digital scrapping for one year, and like the rest of us is addicted!

Next, we have Nicole Ishida. Nicole is originally from Melbourne, Australia, but currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Her sweet son Thomas is 21 months old and is the subject of many of her pages.

Vanessa Armstrong is married to Sean, and they have one daughter Keira. She is an active AF Staff Sergant currently stationed in Alaska.

Aren’t they all talented! More introductions to come tomorrow so stay tuned!