Floral Wreath (handmade for my wedding)

Embellishment/Frame

Commercial Use

Floral Wreath

-FREEBIE-

 

This was one of the centerpieces I made for my wedding reception 10 years ago.  Inside it, we placed a glass ivy bowl, with water and a floating candle. It is a vine wreath, on which I hot-glued a variety of dried flowers.  I scanned it and modified it some for you - the download includes the original wreath, a wreath with some of the center removed (to make it easier to use as a frame), and a frame made by linking a series of wreaths together.  All were created at 300 ppi and are in png format.  Commercial use OK - see TOU.

 

Click HERE to download.

 

 

Notes for the day:

 

Well, I only have one more day of home IV antibiotics left.  I'm feeling pretty tired this week, as my husband unexpectedly had to leave Tuesday for a 2-week trip to California.  He produces a TV show, and he had a cameraman back out at the last minute.  But, we're catching up a bit on Lydia's homeschooling, and I'm managing to keep everyone fed, get them to school on time, etc.  I'm not doing a whole lot of cooking, but there's only so much I can do on my own!  :)

 

I have yet to find time to address all the kind folks who have left awards and layouts for me - I PROMISE I will post about them as soon as I can.  I hope I'll have some computer time tomorrow, but it may just be wishful thinking.  I wanted to at least get one little freebie out to you today, since it's been a while.

 

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

Scrapdoctor Returns (finally!): Braided Ribbons and Wrap

Template/Embellishment

Commercial Use

Braided Ribbons and Wrap

-FREEBIE-

  

Well, another major illness kept me away from blogging for a while (see below if you want to know more), but I'm back now (though may be slowed down for a bit!) I have a freebie for you today - it is a set of embellishments offered in both light and dark grayscale for easy recoloring, as well as in my typical 12 additional colors as samples.  I have also included a metallic gold version.  The set is all made from narrow, braided ribbon, and includes a 12-inch straight ribbon, a ribbon wrap with bow (also 12 inches but can be trimmed down to fit your objects), and the wrap and bow each as separate pieces to allow you more creative flexibility.  All were created at 300 ppi, and are png files.  The photo frame is not included in this download, but is available (free) in my June 8 post.  (The photo itself is not included, either - I don't guess you have a use for a picture of MY kids!  LOL)

 

 

Click HERE to download the grayscale versions.

Click HERE to download the colors, part 1.

Click HERE to download the colors, part 2.

 

 

Notes for the day:

 

Wow - it's been a long time away!  I apologze for that - I would certainly like to keep you consistently supplied with freebies.  However, I have been quite ill for about a week and a helf, and in the hospital (again!) for the past week.  I am doing better now, and scheduled to go home tomorrow.  For those of you who have been following my blog for some time, you may recall that in April, I was hospitalized with a bladder infection that happened to be from an ESBL-producing bacteria (these are the newest "superbugs," which can only be killed with IV antibiotics - and often requires the most powerful antibiotics in existence.)  I had a week of home IV antibiotics at that time. 

 

A little sidenote to teach about bladder infections: most are caused by e. coli from the person's own digestive system.  We pretty much all have e.coli in our colons, and is considered part of our normal flora.  It doesn't cause problems unless it gets into the wrong place (i.e., the urinary system.) 

 

Well, this time, I developed a kidney infection, with high fever, chills, pain all over - was pretty doggone sick.  The culture eventually showed that it was the same ESBL-producing e. coli again. Apparently, this organism can colonize the gut, and become part of the "normal flora," which is not possible to eliminate with medication. When I had my surgery, the incisions probably made an easy-access route for the bacteria to enter my bladder, and voila! Back on IV antibiotics again.  This time, I was transferred to a different hospital to have the Infectious Disease specialist involved (because ESBL's are quite deadly).  I felt better being under the care of someone who is very familiar with this organism, as most doctors I've talked to are not even aware of it yet.  I'm stable now, and tomorrow am having a PICC line put in so I can go home on IV antibiotics, which I will need for 2-3 weeks. So now, I'm afraid that every time I get a bladder infection, it is likely to be the same organism and require IV's.  NOw that we know about it, though, I hope they can just set up home health without having to hospitalize me first. Of course, I'm missing my kids terribly and can't wait to get home.  I'm too far away for them to visit me here.  There's no place like home...

 

Additionally, there are many people I feel I have neglected lately - to those of you who so kindly bestowed awards on me, tagged me, and left links to kits you made with my designs,  I am very grateful. I DO plan to address all of these as soon as I can, but wasn't able to do more than post a freebie at this time.  Hopefully I can catch up this week. HOPEFULLY........

 

Hugs to everyone - I've missed you!

Jeanie

Gem Brooches - Commercial Use

Embellishment/Template

Commercial Use

Gem Brooches

-FREEBIE-

 

Today's freebie is a gem brooch that belonged to my paternal grandmother.  It is presented in both light and dark gray for recoloring, as well as in 12 additional colors, coordinating with many of my previous CU freebies.  These were created at 300 ppi, and saved as png files. I hope you enjoy them!

 

 

Click HERE to download.

 

 

Notes for the day:

 

Yes, I'm STILL working on rezipping all my previous files to increase compatibility for you - if you have any issues with my files, please e-mail me so I can reply to you and work to correct any problems.   

For those of you who have been keeping Mrs. A. (see above) in your thoughts and prayers, I'd like to update you a bit.  I actually met her in person for the first time today, when I was delivering another load of baby furniture and clothing.  I found her to be one of the most selfless, sweet and inspiring people I could ever hope to meet. We talked for nearly 2 hours, and I felt as if I had truly found a kindred spirit.  I hope you all know how very much you have done to help her and her family.  For this, I am EXTREMELY grateful.  The is scheduled to be delivered later this week (Thursday), after which Mrs. A. will delve into aggressive chemotherapy.  Thoughts and prayers will be needed even more then.  If any of you know of good books to help her family, especially her children, cope with this, I would appreciate any recommendations you may have!

I spent a good bit of this evening playing with the sewing machine my husband got me for our 10th anniversary in May.  He is a video producer and needed a large fabric diffusion screen that could easily attach to a frame, which he will use to soften the lighting during filming.  It's taking a lot of time (and a lot of Velcro), but I'm having fun doing it. My old sewing machine, which had been with me for 20 years, could no longer sew backward, which made it hard to lock off the seams.  I didn't know what I was missing - this new electronic type has a lot of features that make things run more smoothly. I even found a lady who refurbishes old sewing machines (or uses them for parts if she can't fix them) and teaches sewing classes for homeschoolers.  I'm going to donate my faithful old macine to her and see if it can still do any good for anyone.  If not, may it rest in peace in sewing machine heaven...

 

Out with the old...

In with the new! :)

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

Make your own Block Alpha - Photoshop Action - CU (and cute baby tiger...)

Photoshop Action

Commercial Use

Block Alpha - Make Your Own!

-FREEBIE-

 

Hi, everyone!  For those of you who thought I might have dropped off the face of the earth, I haven't!  :)  I am so sorry it took me so long to post this, but there was a lot of tweaking to do on it, and I have also been very busy this week, having just started homeschooling my daughter.  

So, today, here is my first Photoshop Action freebie - available for commercial use.  This action will create a wooden block alpha in either light oak or white wood, with the letters made from a color of your choice, OR from a paper of your choice!  If your paper has a larger pattern, the action also includes a sub-action to reduce the pattern size for you.

 

The action was created in Photoshop CS3 Extended on Mac - I believe it will be compatible with PC's, and likely with Photoshop CS2 and higher (it does involve the use of scripting).  I would sincerely appreciate any feedback or comments, so I can work to make it compatible for as many of you as possible!  Please be sure to read the instructions that come with the action - you will need to install the included script so that the action will run properly! :)

 

Click HERE to download Part 1.

Click HERE to download Part 2.

 

 

Notes for the day:

 

Lydia and I started homeschooling on Monday. She and her little sister Elena are enjoying it greatly, as am I.  Lydia's first three weeks of Social Studies focuses on ancient Hebrew culture, so we are learning a lot - we even visited a Jewish temple last night, which was a wonderful experience.   

 

Two days ago, we went to our local Town & Country Fair, and had a great time despite the heat and humidity. (It's been running about 100 degrees here lately.) This year, there was a Big Cats show, with the chance to have pictures taken with a 2 1/2 month old tiger cub - he was SO soft and adorable - but SUCH big paws!  

 

 

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

Colorful Blocks Alpha - Six Entire Sets! - Commercial use OK

Alpha/Embellishment

Commercial Use

Colorful Blocks

-FREEBIE-

 

Today's freebie is a big set - this is an alpha with colored letters and edging on an oak-finish wooden block.  Includes capitals A-Z and numerals 0-9, created at 300 ppi, png format.  SIX entire sets are included (red, blue, yellow, green, orange and purple).  They are available for commercial use as well as personal use. I hope you enjoy these!

 

 

Click HERE to download primary colors (red, blue and yellow).

 

Click HERE to download secondary colors (green, orange, and purple).

 

 

Notes for the day:

 

Thank you to all the people who have offered thoughts, prayers and donations for "Mrs. A." Your compassion and generosity are astounding, and I am MOST grateful.  Together, we will make a big difference for this family!

 

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

I think I solved the problem! :)

Wooden Elements - Cherry - Commercial Use OK

AND, for those who have had difficulty opening some of my files:

 

I did a LOT of experimenting with different saving techniques, scripts, formats, etc. yesterday to try to figure out once and for all why I keep having occasional e-mails from folks unable to open certain files.  My tests revealed that apparently it was not a problem with anything I was doing in Photoshop at all, but actually came from the program that zips the files!  

 

So, I believe I know how to fix the problem - I need to re-zip EVERYTHING with new settings. So that everyone can use my freebies, I'm going to make this repair work my top priority.  Those who have had problems opening my prior files, would you please download today's freebie and e-mail me to let me know if it has resolved?

 

Here's a quick freebie - just some wooden frames, photo corners, tag and such, cherry finish, 300 ppi, png.  Zipped using the new, improved settings, LOL! PLEASE let me know if there are any issues opening the files - I think it's all fixed and I want to be sure.  

 

Click HERE to download.

 

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

A Bow of Many Colors...

Templates and Layered PSD file - Embellishment

Commercial Use

Multilayered Stitched Bow

-FREEBIE-

 

I really enjoyed making today's freebie - I had a request for layered templates, and later a request for a particular bow, and this was the result.  Everything was created at 300 ppi, one is a PSD and the rest are PNG's, and all are available for commercial use.

 

Most importantly for designers, I think, is the layered PSD file.  It contains one layer for the center stripe, one layer for colored stitched edging, and another layer for gold edging, so you can choose which edging style you want.  The color overlays are already in place - all you need to do is select the layers you want, double-click on the color fill layer and select your colors.

 

And...for those of you without Photoshop, I have also included grayscale templates you can use for your designing.  There are 4 templates: one with a gold edge (you can just select the grayscale portion before recoloring), then three with the edge in a dark, medium and light shade, respectively.

 

There are also 30 completed bows, in many colors - 18 are in the same color scheme used in my prior CU freebies and 12 are in a variety of other colors.  The latter are primarily to show you the multitude of looks you can achieve by using one color for the center and another color for the edging.

 

Please let me know what you think of this - and please send me previews of any kits you make with it - I'd love to see your creations! :)

 

 

Click HERE to download Part I (the layered PSD file and the grayscale templates).

 

Click HERE to download Part II (the colored bows that coordinate with my prior CU freebies).

 

Click HERE to download Part III (the bows in assorted colors).

 

 

Notes for the day:

First of all, thank you SO much to those of you who have participated so far in helping the foster mother described  at the top of my blog.  Some fellow bloggers have even kindly offered to spread the word on their own blogs, for which I am VERY grateful!  So far, I have been able to purchase some of her most-needed items, and will be working on cleaning them up this weekend. Your donations, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated - every bit helps!

 

On another wonderful note, our foster children got to return home with us this morning!  It was SO good to cuddle them in my arms again!  I am now healed enough to lift the baby's weight, but I'm not sure how long before I can carry the toddlers.  But, healing is going well - feeling stronger each day.

 

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

Baby Blocks, and Yard Sale kits are now free for Commercial Use!

Alpha/Embellishments

Baby Block Alpha VI

Marie

-FREEBIE-

This is the last of the pastel baby blocks - but I'll have some brighter blocks coming to you soon! This set is in peach, created at 300 ppi, png files, with capitals A-Z and numerals 0-9. Drop shadows for preview purposes only. Commercial use OK.  The set is named after my grandmother, Marie.

Click HERE to download.

Notes for the day:

I've got some fun freebies lined up for you - that's why I'm having to post more than one a day! ROFL But, the kids (some of them) return tomorrow, so I'll need to slow down my blogging to spend a lot of quality time with them.  My biological kids are still out of town.  Lydia returns from my parents' house on Wednesday, but Don's mom is playing it by ear as far as when Elena returns.  They both seem to be having such a great time together, I'm starting to wonder whether grandma is planning to send her back at all...LOL

Today, I received a note in my C-box from Sarah saying that she would love to see some CU grass stuff.  I carefully thought about it for a LONG time...about 10 seconds...and decided, "Why not?"  I was planning to release most of my designs for S4H/S4O use anyway (with the exception of those that used CU items made by other designers, to avoid violating their TOU's), but since I'm not interested in profiting from designing, why not commercial use?  So, Sarah, my entire Yard Sale kit is now available for commercial use.  Have at it!  The TOU included in my baby block set from this post will now be the one to apply to the Yard Sale kits. However, the TOU is not yet actually IN the Yard Sale downloads, and I honestly don't have time to do that today.  But, over the next week or so, I plan to review my kits, and change most of them from personal use only to commercial use.  I will let you all know when this process is completed, and give you a list of which ones are included in the new CU frenzy!  :)

Love and hugs,

Jeanie

Baby blocks part 5, and see part 6 in next post...

Alpha/Embellishments

Baby Block Alpha V

Landen

-FREEBIE-

Another set of baby blocks - almost done!  This one is in yellow, created at 300 ppi, png files, with capitals A-Z and numerals 0-9.  Drop shadows for preview purposes only. Commercial use OK.  

Click HERE to download.

Notes for the day:

I have been trying to figure out a slideshow I liked for displaying my visitors' layouts, kits, etc. I tried Picasa, and found an album with a bunch of Blogger pictures.  I started deleting ones that were duplicates or that I didn't want in the slideshow.  AFTER I deleted many, I read the "are you sure you want to delete?" window more carefully and realized the pictures were then removed from my blog!  Whoops!!!  So, today I had to go back and replace many images on my blog. I also had a LOT of phone calls to make - fortunately, I could do both at the same time, for the most part.  

For those of you who read my posts by subscribing to my newsletter or feed, please take a look at the top of the blog itself - a wonderful lady is in need of help, and I hope you will read her story.

I've got another freebie to post for you, and some cleaning to do before the kids come home tomorrow morning (yay!!!), so I'll end here...

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie

Pregnant Foster Mom with Cancer Needs Help

The following is the story of "Mrs. A." as was previously at the top of my blog.  I have updated the story there, but wanted to keep the original details of her plight in a post, so those who don't know about her yet can find out what this assistance effort is all about.  So, here it is:

 

Hi, everyone - I wanted to let you know about a dreadful situation I was called about several days ago.  As most of you know, I'm a foster mother - I received a call that another foster mom is in serious trouble and needs help. (I'll call her "Mrs. A.")  Here's her story: She has 5 children ages from around 7 to 18 or so (some biological, some foster).  She found out she was pregnant just after she found out she has breast cancer.  She has had some chemo during pregnancy, but not the strongest kind because of the baby.  Now she has metastatic cancer in other organs, so they have to take the baby early to give her more aggressive chemotherapy.  On top of that, her husband was laid off a few weeks ago, and since he's a union worker, he can't look for another job because they will lose their health insurance.  They don't have enough money for their house payments, and they had NOTHING for the baby (a boy) except a changing table.  And, they are STILL committed to helping the children in their home.  Even with their struggles, they are dedicated to helping others. Some friends and I are doing all we can to help her - we're buying furniture, clothing, bottles, diapers, and all we can for her. But, we can't do it alone.  With your kindness and generosity, we have most of the gear the baby will need, but still need to help with diapers, formula, etc.  Also, they are in desperate need of help with electricity and mortgage bills, groceries, etc.

I offer all my designs to you for free, and will continue to do so. Considering that, if you feel that you have benefitted from my designs, I hope that in return you might consider making a donation to help Mrs. A. and her family. Please click the Donate button (at the top of blog page) if you would like to participate - even the smallest amounts will help. Even if you cannot donate, thoughts and prayers for the family would be appreciated as well. Thank you for anything you can do! 

More awards - I can't believe it! :)

Alpha/Embellishments

Baby Block Alpha IV

Audrey

-FREEBIE-

Second freebie of the day - baby blocks part 4 of 6.  Mitzi, if you're out there, please check my prior posts and you will find the pink blocks you were looking for!  :) Again, these have capitals A-Z and numerals 0-9, created at 300 ppi, png format, and OK for commercial use...

Click HERE to download.

Notes for the day:

I am feeling lots of love from you wonderful folks lately - you bring me LOTS of joy!  To top it off, I have recently been given two more awards!  First of all, Mozz from Forever More Creations

bestowed this adorable award on me - given my fondness for small children, I find the childlike look of the award so cute and sweet.  Mozz has a wonderful blog with some very intricate designs, many with a lovely vintage feel, and many also with a bit of a magical flair.  Please visit her and check it out!

 

Another award was from Joni at http://jonigray.blogspot.com - it's my second time to recieve this particular honor, and I'm very grateful! Joni, too, has some very beautiful designs, so please go check out her site!  Her designs have a very clean, crisp feel to them, and I particularly like her "Romantic Memories" kit with its Oriental theme.

For both of these awards, the rules are the same: 

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.

I'm taking the liberty of combining, so that the following 7 people I am nominating to receive BOTH of the awards shown above! Congratulations to all of them for their wonderful work! :)

1. Mabelle of mydigiSTYLE.com - Mabelle's designs are very personal, and her stories deeply moving.  Shes bares her very soul in her designs and cares very much about her visitors.  You will frequently find that Mabelle posts rewards for people who have done something nice - sometimes it's just a set of those who e-mailed comments to her, or those who posted layouts to her gallery...but you know that when you leave her some love, it really does matter to her.  She has changed the look of her blog periodically, according to  her latest life events it seems.  Her newly designed site is very contemporary and bold!  She is a true innovator, having created digiscraPOD - taking digiscrapping to a whole new level by making a podcast about it!  Who would've imagined!  And it's as lovely to listen to her as to read her blog. Please visit Mabelle - plan to stay a while to get to know this wonderful woman with a very big heart! :)

2. Elizabeth of Pillowgirl's Scraps - Elizabeth has some great designs - She first captured my attention with her CU stashes - they are alway chock full of VERY useful CU items!  She also has given away a number of fantastic freebies, many of them also for CU.  She has a set of overlay freebies that I think are some of the most practical and usable ones I've had.

3. Les Kits de Scrapteam Photofiltre - You will hardly believe your eyes when you see the HUGE number of pieces in each of these kits.  Each is a collaboration from several designers on the team, but always fits together wonderfully. They do not skimp on details in the least! Some of their kits are very unusual refreshing.  I just LOVE their style!

4. Adelina of Adelina's Designs - Adelina has gorgeous designs, very intricate and delicate.  She clearly puts a lot of care into her work.  She typically offers incredible quickpages as freebies, which coordinate with her latest kits for sale.  Her site is well worth a visit!

5. Nicole of NBK Proudly Presents... - Nicole has some truly amazing work!  I can hardly think of anyone from whom I have downloaded so many kits!  Even when my hard drive is full to the brim, I see Nicole's latest and think, "Something else will have to go, because I MUST have this gorgeous creation!" Her designs are really an inspiration. 

6. Vicki of A Work in Progress - I have NO idea how she does it, but Vicki has been cranking out great, versatile new kits day after day after day!  Does she have the secret to finding more than 24 hours in a day?  I wonder...hmmm. Somehow, rarely a day goes by without another lovely creation from Vicki in my inbox (I am a loyal subscriber).  I love the way she includes her color swatches for each kit - it's a great way to help people modify their other embellishments to match those in the kit!  Vicki is also a lady with a lot of joy for life, and a great sense of humor. 

7. Xandra of Xandra Martin Designs - When you visit Xandra, you'll find that she has a lot of fresh and cheerful kits for you.  I have a great deal of respect for Xandra, as I first found her site when she was part of a huge, wonderful kit to benefit children with autism.  

8. (Yes, I'm cheating a teensy bit and nominating an eighth blog for both awards...hey, since there are two awards, I actually COULD nominate 14 blogs...)

Last but not least, I wanted to call your attention to a wonderful blog I hope you will visit soon. Benevolent Boutique is "digiscrapping for a cause."  Each kit sold in their boutique is created to raise money for their charity of the month.  For example, July's charity is Reece's Rainbow, and organization devoted to helping children with Down Syndrome.  Please visit their lovely shop, and help out those in need while you shop for your goodies! :)

Hugs to everyone,

Jeanie