Thursday, May 29, 2008

Couple of Quick Updates (and Freebies!)

I want to let you know about the latest SAS newsletter, hot off the press! There are a total of 16 freebies - yes, you read that right - 16 freebies included. Make sure to sign up at stoneaccentsstudio.com so you don't miss an issue, and here's the link for the current newsletter.

Also, I was tagged by Barbara (DigiMomDesigns) and saw this blog meme for WAHMs link on her blog. It's a place for some "positivity" for work-at-home-moms, which we all need. Having kids who are older (my youngest is finishing 9th grade, the two middle ones graduating high school soon, and oldest just completed his sophomore year in college,) the thing I've learned is that as they get older, they still need their parents around. Some of the actual needs change... it's no longer the kissing-the-boo-boos and making lunch every day kind of thing... but their lives are very busy and that means MY life is busy. Whether it's carting the boys to their orthodontist appointments, sports events, or music festivals, I've had the freedom to work around these without having the pressure of reporting in to someone else and worrying about my work not getting done, since I make my own hours. Sometimes they just need to talk things through. I actually got chastized by my college-age son a couple of months ago for not calling him enough. (Hmmm... I actually did call him several times but they were not convenient times for him to have a lengthy conversation, so apparently that doesn't count...)

I actually was in the workforce for over 20 years (held a job since I was 16 years old), but as soon as I was able to stay home with my kids, I did. Bottom line is, I am so grateful for having been a SAHM/WAHM and for having the flexibility I need for my children. I'd like to hear from a few other WAHMs, so I'm going to tag Luisa, Mel, and Lisa Joy.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Would You Eat Here?

My friend Lynn likes to find these bizarre places to visit and things to do. She sent me these photos, which dang near gave me a heart attack. (Darlene + heights = scared!) So would you eat here? If you do, I suggest you use the restroom ahead of time...



Love the pianist in the background!

If you haven't seen the latest Stone Accents Studio newsletter, click here to get all the latest updates and the freebies within. Make sure to sign up at stoneaccentsstudio.com to get the newsletter delivered right to your email.

June is nearly here and that means all new challenges at DSO and SAS! I'll be hosting the Quote Challenge at DSO, and here's a peek at the posting bonus for this challenge:

And don't miss the new My SAS-y Self Challenge at Stone Accents Studio. This month the topic is the dads and father-figures in our lives. Here's the posting bonus for this challenge:

Isn't it fun? If you do all the other challenges at SAS, by the end of the month you'll have a huge mega kit for free!

Here's a layout I made which will be used for both challenges. :) This page was made using My Guy.

This is my dad and me when I was a whopping 2 1/2 months old.

This week's freebie is a pretty frame that coordinates with my Chryssie Mini Kit, available at DSO and SAS. Click here to download and please, no sharing or hotlinking. Enjoy!


Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Wednesday Freebie!

This is going to be short because I'm swamped right now. I've got two graduating high school seniors and a big party to plan for, not to mention finishing their scrapbooks and doing some video-editing on DVDs, etc.


BUT... there is some great news to share with you. Both DSO and SAS have hired several new very talented ladies, so you really need to check out both stores and see the new designs. Stop by the forums, too, and say hello while you're there! :)

SAS is having a Spring Cleaning Sale from May 21 - 27. Check out my boutique where you will find nearly all of my products marked down between 35%-50%!

Your freebie for today is a pretty template. Please, no sharing or hotlinking - send your friends here to download instead. Click here and enjoy!



Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Meet Chryssie

Hope you all had a fun time celebrating Mother's Day. Mine was really laid-back, just the way I like it. Hubby threw some steaks on the barbie so we didn't have to fight the crowds at the restaurants. Very lovely!


I just finished a colorful new mini-kit. Chryssie is a great kit for your springtime and summertime layouts. It's already in the SAS store and will soon be available at DSO. And it's cheap, too!

Here's a layout I made using Chryssie. It's my stepson and my niece, photo taken a couple of summers ago.

This week's freebie is a Quick Page made with my So Sweet kit. Have fun with it but remember, no hotlinking or sharing the link. Send your friends here to download. Click here to download.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Wow! May has arrived in full force...

... and there are a lot of new activities going on. First, mark your calendars for the next Scrap 'N Chat at DSO. It's Monday, May 12th at 9:00 pm Eastern time. Join us in the chatroom (link at the top of the forum page) for a free template and lots of fun! If you post a LO to the gallery using the template, you'll get this posting bonus. It's a Quick Page made using Viva Festiva... which, by the way, is the daily download this month at DSO, so check it out every day to get all the pieces FREE!


Here's a layout I made using this QP. It's my two boys and my niece and nephew from many years ago.

Also new at DSO, our very own Luisa is moderating a Spanish Section of the forum. If Spanish is your primary language (or, if you're like me and want to see how much of your high school Spanish classes you can remember), head on over and check it out!

The beginning of a new month means new challenges in the forums. My SAS-y Self Challenge is posted at Stone Accents Studios. Of course, this is an All About Me challenge and the challenge this month is to create a layout or two about your closest friends. I know, it's hard to narrow down which ones to write about. I picked two of mine - Carmen, because we've been friends forever, and Wendy, because of the circumstances that brought her into my life. It's a two-page spread created with my Girlicious kit.

The Posting Bonus for this month's SAS-y Self challenge is a lovely part of the Mother's Day Brunch kit. (Don't forget, you can get ALL the parts of this pretty kit just by completing the challenges at SAS.)

Speaking of Girlicious, this is the featured kit at SAS's Designer Give-Away Challenge for the month of May. What this means is, you can purchase the kit for 50% OFF, and if you post a layout to the gallery using this kit, you'll get this exclusive posting bonus for free! This bonus is only available by completing the DGAC challenge this month, so be sure to check it out!

(Note: You have to follow the link to the forum and request a COUPON CODE for Girlicious. It is not automatically marked down in the store.)

Here's your freebie for this week. It's a Quick Page using My Guy. Please, no hotlinking or sharing the link. Enjoy, and don't forget to visit the rest of the Humpday Hunnies! (Check the sidebar.) Click here.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Designer Call and Newsletter Freebies!

DSO is looking to hire a few talented and friendly designers, so we're running a designer call. Take a looky here and if you're interested, send an email to the address on the ad.

Check out DSO here!

Here's the link to the most recent SAS Newsletter - check it out because there are several freebies included!