I've done some scrapping!

Just as I'd hoped, ever since I made the decision to retire from designing, I've been more motivated to sit down and scrap.  I've done three layouts recently (that's 3 more than in a long time).  I wanted to share them with you!

First is one I did with Click! a collab with Angel Hartline that I created a while back.  I sure am going to miss doing collabs with Angel!  She's just super awesome!

Next, Manda of Nibbles Skribbles was sweet enough to let me play with her new kit - Boy Thing.  It's available exclusively at theStudio.

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm really enjoying the chance to scrap a bit more.  But don't forget my retirement sale continues at theStudio where everything is $1 (or $2 for bundles).  Super great deal you won't want to miss!

It's time to say Goodbye....but only to designing

Retirement Sale

If you get the newsletter from theStudio, you've already heard this news.  I'm sad, excited to release the guilt and move into the next phase, and already itching to design but know I simply don't have the time needed.  That's right, I'm retiring from designing.  But I have been offered an incredible opportunity to do an occasional guest appearance, and I am really really looking forward to just scrapping and enjoying that for a while.  Designing takes a lot of time if you want to do it well, and too often designers don't get to scrap as much as they'd like.  Between my new job and being closer to family and friends, I just don't have the time to run my design business properly.  But I can't wait to restyle what digital scrapbooking looks like in this new life, and this blog won't be going anywhere.  So, I hope you'll stay as followers to the blog for those occasional freebies, guest appearances and hopefully some pages from the lovely designer friends and others out there!

Everything in my Studio store is on sale now for $1.  (Bundles are $2.) Visit my Personal use store or my Commercial Use store. I also wanted to share with you the message I shared with Studio newsletter recipients. Goodbye.  Too often it's never a word we want to say, but I guess it's time for me to say goodbye to designing.  It took me a long time to come to this decision, but I've made it.  In January, my family and I moved home to Iowa.  A place where my family and our closest friends live.  I was provided with a new and amazing job opportunity, and everything just happily fell into place.  I thought at the time I would take a month or two off and then pick right back up to designing.  Unfortunately that didn't happen. I tried in fits and starts to design again, but there was always another opportunity to do something with friends, visit family, and the boys have blossomed into all kinds of new activities.  It's marvelous, but unfortunately my design business has suffered and its time to move on.  I want to get to a place where I can enjoy scrapping again and just design the occasional freebie or something.  I feel guilty neglecting my business, and releasing it sets me free to explore the digital scrapbooking world in new ways that better fit my new life.  I've so enjoyed being a part of theStudio, Toiny and all of the designers are so wonderful.  This really and truly is a special place in the digital world.

My web page, www.jwdigiscraps.com, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jwdigiscraps will be active for at least another year, so when I do feel the bug and do some scrapping or something, you'll see it show up there.  I also hope to enjoy theStudio as a customer and friend as well and look forward to seeing you around from time to time.  And who knows maybe I'll make the occasional guest appearance! I'm honored to have been a designer in this special place, and I look forward to this new chapter in my life.  I hope you'll celebrate with me this month as I retire my store.  Thank you all for being wonderful friends.

Remember, Janice's products are all on sale for $1-2 until the end of October!

In Our Hearts CT Layouts

My CT is still trying to get back into the swing of things. (As am I, I hope to do some more designing of my next kit tonight!)  I just have a couple of layouts right now to share with you.

The first is a guest, the wonderful Kari, who created this beautiful layout of her grandmother who she lost earlier this year.

The journaling is particularly moving and reads:

I miss you so very much, Grandmama.  When I was back home, one of the first things I thought of was “I have to go see Grandmama”.  Your birthday was rough.  Mother’s Day I made a card for you, before it dawned on me that you’re not here anymore. You might not be here physically, but you’re never far from my thoughts. I made things you’ve made better than anyone & prayed you were at my elbow, guiding my hand. I love you Grandmama. So much. 

She also used a few other bits besides my kit:  SpinkyDink Scraps Stitch Me Up, Flergs String Em Up Chrome Alpha, JLD With a Twist temp, and the font is DJB Lisa S print.


Sarah did a great hybrid project with a tumbler insert!  Check it out!

Great work!  I love both of these items. 


You can still get the kit, any of the individual pieces or the total bundle for 30% off!  Head on over to my store!  Take care everyone!

In Our Hearts - my newest kit and Deal of the Day!

I know it has been a long time.  I'm so sorry for that.  It is my deepest wish to get back into the rhythm of designing.  I've moved (twice in 6 months, although the 2nd time was just down the street), started a new job, wrecked my car, and found the joy of living near family and friends.  I have definitely lost the routine of scrapping and designing in all of this, but I am working my way back!  Today I do have a new kit and bundle for you that is very dear to my heart.  It's called In Our Hearts and is designed for scrapping the memories and emotions of loved ones lost.

Back in late March, I lost someone suddenly that I cared very much about.  I'm an only child by blood, but somewhere around the time I was 9 my parent's had a hired hand on the farm.  A high school guy who had lost his father when he was young.  Time went and he became like a big brother to me.  Protector, corrupter, and just general wonderful part of our lives.  He was my children's godfather.  And he was killed suddenly in a car accident.  I was (and still am) shattered.  Creating this kit took forever because it was my way of saying goodbye.  And I know that my grief is only a morsel of what his wife and 3 children feel every day.

I don't mean to bum anyone out, I just wanted to share the story of how this kit came to be.  So many have lost loved ones before their time.  I've called it In Our Hearts, because that's where our loved ones remain, Our Hearts.  And without further ado, here is that new kit.

And I couldn't seem to stop at just the kit.  You'll also find that I've created solid papers, journaling prompts, and word art to make a complete bundle.  (Also available individually.)

Here is a look at the full bundle.

Both the full kit and bundle are Deal of the Day at the Studio which means a HUGE discount of 70% off!  (You can also buy the add-ons separately at 30% off.)  The Deal of the Day lasts through Sunday so don't delay!  (After Sunday you can still get 30% off of everything through August 20.)

Click, go, shop. And scrap those difficult, but oh so special memories.  I'll be back with a layout or two in the next day or so!

A Freebie a Long Time in the Making!

As some of you may know, I got a new full-time job in late January and moved my family from Wisconsin to Iowa.  I actually consider the move to be going "home" since this is the area I grew up.  A move and a new job kept me very busy, and I thought I was going to get something done in time for Valentine's Day and then didn't.  I'm starting to find my grove again, so I finished up that Valentine's kit, and now I'll offer it to you as a freebie for one week only!

Check out this adorable layout that CT member Sheri made with the kit!

And here is the kit!  It's a "mid" sized kit, somewhere between a mini and a full-size!

Link Expired.  Please check my store to pick up this great kit.

I'm working on another very special kit, and hope to be able to start having things more regularly.  I'm sure I'll be a bit slow yet.  We are currently house hunting so we can move in July when our six-month lease is up.  I should be a pro at moving by the end of this summer!

Thanks to all my terrific fans!  And don't forget to check out the April Blog Train in the post below if you missed it on April 1.