Ok, now that you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, yes, I did indeed scrap! In addition to the brag book I’m currently working on, I created these 2 fabulous (if I do say so myself) LOs of our 1st “studio” photo shoot as a family.  I used two of the templates in Bunny’s new Holiday Template Set and Kim’s From Santa With Love Kit (click on the pics for full credits). If you hurry, I believe Kim still has a few coordinating freebies on her blog.

Isn’t my baby adorable?!? Her Daddy’s pretty cute too! LOL! I’m a very lucky woman!

Did you notice the “wooden” frames around my baby’s pictures? I used Akvis new ArtSuite program/plugin to create them! I LOVE that program - in fact make sure you subscribe to the DSO Yahoo group

so you get our new e-zine - you can find out more about the plugin there.

If you are a DSO fan and you answered yes, then here’s the scoop! DSO is going to publish our very first e-zine (electronic magazine) in January.  So, we are looking for winter themed layouts made PRIMARILY with DSO products (they can be 100% digital or Hybrid) as well as Hybrid projects that are created primarily with DSO products Still interested?  Send your submission to support@digital-scrapbooking.org with DEC Layout Call - Winter as the subject.  All submission are due by December 20th and MUST include a complete supply list.  All layouts and/or projects selected will be featured in the January issue of the e-zine and receive a $5 gift certificate to the DSO store.  So, what are YOU waiting for?  Show us what you’ve got!

The start of a new month means the start of new challenges which also means new chances for you to earn free stuff! This month will be a little interesting as our Gallery at DSO is currently closed due to technical difficulties, so when posting your challenge submissions, you can either link to your blog or another gallery showcasing your work.  We’ll come leave you love wherever you tell us too! That being said, here’s a preview (click the pictures to visit the Challenge link in our Forum) of what our Designers have for you (with special Thanks to Bunny for creating several of our “Ads” - you RAWK!):

Joy’s Ad Challenge - use this ad to inspire your own LO.

Kim’s Color Challenge - Use the colors below to create a LO or a mini kit to share and receive this awesome kit from Kim.

Doodle’s Dares - Coming Soon

Livia’s Lyric Challenge - Coming Soon

Andrea’s Quote Challenge - This month Andrea has selected a quote about Friendship - use it in a LO and earn this:

Lynn’s Recipe Challenge - Post your favorite Holiday recipe and get this Christmas mini from Lynn as well as all of the other recipes that are shared.

Mel’s Shape Challenge - Mel wants to see presents - so include at least one in your LO and she’ll send you this super cute mini.

Teriann’s Template Challenge - Wow this month Teriann’s provided a 2-page template for your scrapping pleasure. Show us what you’ve got and get something fabulous from Teriann.

Jazzy’s Photo Op Stop - All Jazzy wants is your photos - altered that is!  Create a LO using a photo or photos that you’ve altered, tell us how you achieved your result, and Jazzy will send you this:

Shannon’s Great Exchange - This month we’re creating Bracket Album pages using any of LPand3Dogs (aka Lynn) Designs.  Send in one page and get lots in return!  I’ve created four pages using Lynn’s Gemsical kit and  templates from my friend Carissa to get us started.

Whew - lots to keep you busy huh?!!? In other news, Mel made this announcement:

Ok, that’s all from me - at least for now. It’s grocery shopping day which means Nadya and I get to brave Wal-Mart!  Have a great Monday!

Shannon

I CAN’T believe it’s December already!  One more month down and an entire year has been completed!  My Christmas cards arrived yesterday, so I guess that means it’s time to start writing and mailing them!  I had them printed at Snapfish and so far am quite pleased with the results.  I was torn between Snapfish and Shutterfly,as I’ve always had really good results from Shutterfly. In the end, my 20% discount at Snapfish was the deciding factor since I get cash back from eBates with either of them…and again I am very pleased with the results.  Although I checked into their products, I didn’t use ArtsCow this time because they only offered photo cards and not greeting cards; however, they have an awesome assortment of other goodies and when you sign up you get tons of “free” items to try out.  I’m leaning towards a mouse pad for Nadya’s Daddy and ornaments for the Grandparents.  They also offer referral bonuses, so if you like ‘em - tell ‘em I sent ya (my link is above) and then get your friends to join too!

Digital-Arts Cafe is having a HUGE blog party Dec 1 - Dec 7 so I thought I’d join in.  I hadn’t been happy with the things I’ve been working on lately, so I’m very pleased with how this one turned out.  I’ve been working hard to create some realism in my papers and have fun with the elements - so I hope you enjoy what I’ve come up with.  I must say a special “Thank You” to Kim Broedelet, Bunny Cates, Wenchd Grafix, and MegaDoodle for their commercial use and designer preview items - you guys are awesome!!!

Click on the previews to visit the download site, and while you’re at it, leave a comment here and at all of the other blogs - we really appreciate a simple Thank You.   The link to Blog Party Central is located after my previews.  Have a Happy Monday and a great week!

Links have expired - thanks for joining us. The kit will be in my DSO store soon.

Blog Party Central

Shannon 

So, Bunny challenged us from her blog to share a Holiday recipe.  I have one that is particularly special to me - it’s my Papa Red’s gingerbread recipe. So, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I thought this one would be perfect!

Papa Red’s Gingerbread Recipe

2/3 C Shortening            1 C Boiling Water

1/3 C Maple Molasses      2 Eggs (unbeaten)

1/3 C Dark Karo Syrup     2 C Flour

2/3 C Sugar                   1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Baking Soda        1/2 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Ginger                   1 tsp Cinnamon

***************************************************

§ Add shortening to mixing bowl

§ Pour boiling water over shortening and let stand until shortening is melted

§ Add molasses, karo, sugar, and unbeaten eggs

§ Stir until the sugar is dissolved

§ Sift Dry ingredients into mixture

§ Beat until smooth (batter will be thin)

§ Pour into a greased and floured 9”x13″ pan

§ Bake at 350^° for 30 - 40 minutes

Mmmm - I love this stuff!  My mom recalls that even when times were really tough for them, Papa would make this in the winter time after he was done working in the field.  So, there you have it, a lil bit of history.

Have a fabulous Friday and an amazing Weekend…and for Papa, hug someone you love!

Shannon