For only $4.00 through March 3rd, 2009 you can pick up our Red Carpet Extravaganza CU Grab Bag at Plain Digital Wrapper!  Eight Commercial Use OK products that will work in PS, PSE, PSP, etc and are geared to improve your work flow and enable you to produce your own products at a faster pace.

PDW is also running a Red Carpet event in the Forum and Gallery - there will be prizes given out for Challenges and Praises…see the details below

Wait…what in the world is a ‘whistlepig’???

Better known by the name Groundhog, it’s a creature that we Americans celebrate on February 2nd every year in an effort to chase away those winter doldrums.  How you say?  In Punxsutawney, PA they have a famous groundhog named Phil who comes out of his home on Gobbler’s Knob to take a peek.  If he happens to see his shadow, then the US will have six more weeks of winter.  If he does not, then the word is, Spring will come early (we always hope for that, but to my knowledge it hasn’t happened yet!). 

In celebration of our world famous friend, Phil, PDW is having a Groundhog’s Day Sale from January 31 - February 2, 2009, where most (CU and PU) items are $2.00! I’ve put every last thing in my shoppe on sale for $2.00, except my close out items in the annual clearance event, which are all $1.00 (and only available through today, January 31st)

I’ve also got it on good authority that Kris Meyers is hosting her own birthday party through out the month of February on her blog!  She won’t say exactly how old she is (I KNOW she’s younger than I am lol, but that’s all I’ll say), but does it really matter when you can download a piece of this every day for free???

Each piece will only be available for 24 hours, so you’ve got to remember to visit her blog (and leave her some love for doing this *G*) each day.  I’ve also heard from a ‘reliable source’ that she may offer the kit in her PDW shoppe at our next new release day for sale.  So, if you’ve missed a piece (or pieces) or you just don’t have the time (or in my case, the patience) to download each day, consider purchasing this cheery bit of scrap happiness when it becomes available!

I’ve been telling people for a long time that I would explain the "paste thing" on the blog, and kept forgetting to do it (you’ll see why further on lol).  So, without further ado, here’s the reason why paste and paste eating are connected with me

WARNING:  There are other shops listed in this post that I used to sell at.  This is for historical purposes only, and no one need read anything further into it.  (Just covering my bum)

When I first got into designing, the second shop I sold at was the now defunct Daily Scrap (NOT to be confused with The Daily Scrapper which is an amazing digiscrap news site), and we had weekly staff meetings to make sure everyone was up on what events were planned, issues we needed to attend to, etc. 

One meeting night we must have ALL been a little over tired, because we were sillier than usual.  Someone entered the chat room and asked what we were up to.  One girl said "running with scissors" which was usually my favorite thing to say.  Since I find it difficult to be serious, I added that I was "eating paste".  Of course, the girl who was running with scissors (I always wondered if she ran with the blades pointing towards or away from her - I hope it was away lol), said she was also eating paint chips.  So I told her she could use my paste as a dip for the chips.

I know that eating paint chips is dangerous for your health, but I have a twisted sense of humor and it’s just funny to me.

The two of us were always running amok with our insane humor, and it just caught on at the site. 

I ended up at Digi By Design, with many of the same Design Staff that was at The Daily Scrap, and they all knew about the paste eating.  We’d joke that if I’d forgotten something, or done something really stupid, it was because I’d eaten too much of the sticky stuff.  (TJ used to tell people I smeared it in their hair too - but I will neither confirm nor deny that.)  It got to be such a regular topic of conversation, that Beth (TJ’s design partner) became my unofficial "Paste Pimp" tempting me with all sorts of gourmet flavors such as mint chocolate chip, raspberry, peppermint, etc.  She would bribe me to do things with these tasty concoctions, and I was powerless to resist the pull of her offerings.

Somewhere in that time period I began selling at Plain Digital Wrapper (where I am still today), and as part of my introduction I told people I was harmless unless you tried to steal my paste (I figured it would be a good ice breaker).  Betsy picked right up on it, and seemed to get a kick out of it (hey, she hasn’t fired me for my paste addiction yet), so it continued on.

Now, whenever any of us on the PDW staff forget something, do something silly, etc.  we blame it on the paste.  Hey, if you’re not using it to paper scrap with (’cause were Digi silly!), then it might as well be put to good use, right??

There.  Now I’ve told you the history of my paste eating addiction.  If you happen to be looking to get me a gift for some occasion, you might want to consider replenishing my stash - I seem to be sharing it a lot these days *G*

A Fellow PDW designer friend, Kris Meyers has a neat contest running on her blog.  It seems that she’s having a little trouble naming her favorite kit, and she needs YOUR help!  The person who’s kit name she picks will get it for F*R*E*E*!!!!!

Go to her blog here for complete details!

http://nwfotobug.blogspot.com/2008/10/name-it-and-its-yours.html

I have a man I used to work with named, Rick.  He was older than I was, and was definitely a child of the 60’s & 70’s.  He is one of those people that when you’d run into him and ask how he was, he’d always answer, "groovin’".  And he was - truly.  Always walking to the beat of his own drum, and always one of the nicest, most intelligent people you would ever meet.

The word "groovin’" stuck in my head, and one day I decided to do something just for me - in my own groove. That’s when "Flow and Move" was born (sounds corny, huh?).  I did papers my own way, elements I like to see (as opposed to what’s popular or what people might think is "overdone") and I love it.  It happens to be on sale Wednesday and Thursday this week for 25% off.  I’ve offered it as a full kit, a paper pack and an element pack to (hopefully) appeal to whatever "level of commitment" you’re comfortable with :) 

There’s also an addon-alpha set that is on sale (25% off) as well for Wednesday & Thursday.  I think the colors will work well with all sorts of fall palettes, but you can be the judge.

I’ve got a free sample for you that coordinates with this kit - it’s a cute wrinkled painted paper that I made.  It will only be available for a short time - enjoy!

DOWNLOAD PAPER HERE

I’ve been saying for a few years now that I’d like a second dog.  We’ve had Minnie (a border collie-lab mixed breed) for 15 years now, and though she still has a ton of spunk (see how YOU are when you’re the equivalent of 105 years old lol), I know that she won’t be around forever.  I’d rather give her someone to hang out with, and a furry friend that’s already acclimated in the household before she goes (when she does, I’ll be losing my best friend apart from my husband).

This isn’t supposed to be a downer post though - but as always the decisions I make have an interesting way of biting me in the butt!  The new dog, Amapola (it means "Poppy" in Spanish), is fantastic - she doesn’t get into the trash or "patrol" the counter much, but she’s being a challenge to re-potty train at five years old.  She was housebroken at the shelter, but when you change a dog’s environment, they sometimes have to be re-acclimated as to where going to the bathroom is O.K.

So, I’ve been steam cleaning the rug a bit (read: A LOT), but today we’ve had two days of no pee, and today was only a small bit of poo to clean (like she really tried to hold it - at least that’s what I’m telling myself).  I praise her up and down when she goes to the bathroom outside - and it’s slowly starting to work.  Hey, at least I have this really cool upright rug cleaner who’s brushes are specially made for pet hair

She’s super snugly - loves to sit between DH and I on the couch, sleeps pretty much against me on the bed, and just generally likes to be close to you.  She is a bit freaky about flashlights, cameras and now, phones with cameras lol.  I’ve shut all of the sounds off on the phone and the camera, but she still tries to hide (or shakes, which I hate to see…so I stop).  She’s also very timid around men (have no idea if she was abused by men in her past, but I figure its a safe bet), but she’ll hang with DH if he’s sitting or lying down.  In fact, she’ll lay across his lap sometimes.  If he’s up and moving, she heads for the hills though.  He’s been taking her outside before he leaves for work (he goes to work after I do), so she’s slowly getting used to him.  It’s been hard on DH though, he’s so used to Minnie (our other dog) who’s not afraid of people (only sharp noises like thunder storms), and was so easily trained.  At first he was really frustrated with the rate we weren’t progressing at for Amapola’s training, but he’s relaxed a bit now.

So, we’ve had her for 18 days now, and I think she’s adjusting pretty well.  We tried crating her at first (and I still think it’s the way to go), but DH felt like the "bad guy" putting her in, so he refuses to do it.  Instead we’ve limited the parts of the house she has access to - though at times I think she still has too much so soon after moving in.  She’s not sure how to play with toys really - we have been tossing a tennis ball to her, but while she runs after it, mouths it a little, she drops it and comes back to us lol.  She and Minnie hang out - they don’t exactly play together really, but they do like each other.  They do try to steal each other’s food (I swear I’m just going to let them eat out of whatever dish they want to one of these days), and hide toys on each other (oh how I love to find them under my pillow!), but there’s no unhealthy competition - Minnie is the dominant dog - there’s no question about that.  If I give out treats or food, she gets fed first, and when they’re both looking for affection, Minnie gets that first too.  (I have to maintain that pack mentality or it will be chaos.)

Anyhow, here’s a couple of photos of Amapola - they are awful, but the ONLY ones I’ve been able to get so far…

And what do you know - I have a new release on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008! It will be 30% off for two days (Wednesday and Thursday) and I think you’ll love it!  Halloweenie has all of the traditional holiday imagery and palette, but has many pieces that can be used for all kinds of projects!  I created a special "Flair" element pack as well - can YOU tell which one is my favorite???

I also have a free sample Quick Page that coordinates with the Halloweenie kit - preview below:

I’m sorry; this download offer has expired - check the blog again for future free samples.

This free sample QP is only going to be available while this product is on special at Plain Digital Wrapper - so don’t delay!  For those of you who aren’t fans of purchasing a full kit, I also offer a paper pack and element pack for your scrapping pleasure

Happy Scrapping!

Haven’t you always wanted to sound JUST like a pirate?  How about grabbing yourself some amazing treasure?  You can do it ALL at PDW!!  Friday and Saturday, September 19 - 20, 2008 they are holding their Pillage and Plunder sale in honor of "Talk Like a Pirate Day"  There are a bunch of designers offering a "buy my store" sale and others are slashing prices so low it’s GOT to be a crime!

If you’ve always wished you could actually talk like a pirate, but didn’t know how to, this link will get you on your way: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/translator.html

Here’s a funny pirate video to entertain you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSIjlUMV6Is

Here’s how the sale is running in my particular shop:

• $1 Element Packs, Paper Packs, Alphas (except combo packs)
• $2 Page Kits, Quick Page Sets, Combo Packs
• $3 Commercial Use

I know it’s been a loooong time since I’ve blogged - to be honest I’ve been in a little bit of a creative and blogging slump (though I have no idea why).  I think I’m out of it now though as you will see below lol.

I have to tell you - this happens to be my favorite time of the year - I LOVE Fall!!  It’s not just Halloween - I love apples, hay rides, the idea that I can not die of sweating (I hate to be hot!), football, baseball playoffs, and of course this is when I start the whirlwind crafting effort to get gifts done in time for the holidays.  At the moment, when I’m not doing something design or scrap related, I’ve been knitting and compiling photos for slide shows and albums that I’ll be giving out.  I’m even thinking of making soaps and body products again.  I haven’t done it in a few years, but people have started asking me about it, so it might be the way to go.

In any case, I’d love to share with you the new kit I have in at PDW! 

Just through Saturday, September 13, 2008 you can purchase my new kit, "Ever After" for just $2.00!  Twelve papers, over 30 uniquely crafter elements, and a luscious burnished bronze alpha (saved as individual PNG files - no cutting needed!) are all you’ll need to tell your own fantastic tale! Grab your ‘happily ever after’ while you can at this great introductory pricing.   If you’re not looking for a full kit, I have a paper pack and element pack also available at my PDW shoppe.

Available exclusively at Plain Digital Wrapper.

For a limited time I am offering a free coordinating tumbler insert on my blog for download.  You can grab it below.  Feel free to leave me some love it you are so inclined; all I ask is that you do NOT redistribute this file elsewhere - send those you wish to share this with directly to my blog - thanks!

Sorry - this offer has expired; please check back for future free samples.

I have one for the blog here (it’s to the right under "Meta" but here’s the direct link: http://www.studioincognitodesigns.com/blog/?feed=rss2) but I also have one for my own Designer forum at Plain Digital Wrapper!  If you’re interested in subscribing to that - just click this link SUBSCRIBE TO MY PDW FORUM and voila! you are assured of hearing about all of the news related to me!

Now I have to tell you how ingeniously eeevil my dog is.  Minnie is an almost 15 year old Border Collie Lab mix, that has been our faithful and loving companion almost as long as we’ve owned our home.  With very few exceptions she’s been a well behaved puppy (still call her that), that people love (and she loves back).

This evening a neighbor came by with her two little girls to visit, talking about our dogs, and I couldn’t help but brag how good Minnie is.  She doesn’t take food that’s not hers, she doesn’t have accidents (except when we have a thunderstorm, and lately she’s decided to have them in the shower - I kid you not.  That’s an entirely different post on it’s own!), etc. 

I noticed she was getting a little antsy around the girls (one of them can be a little bit rough, and she just doesn’t like it I think), so we went in.  I gave her a dog cookie, and when she got up, there was a little puddle forming under her butt.  She’s had accidents before where she really didn’t know she was doing it (you can tell by her body language; she almost seem surprised).  This wasn’t that kind of reaction.  She kind of looked over her shoulder and walked away.  Definitely a message to me for making her be outside with the girls lol.

I fire up the Bissel Little Green Machine we have and clean the spot, all the while talking to my sister on the phone. As I’m putting the machine away it hits me;  When the doorbell rang I’d left a couple of pieces of hard hot Italian sausage and Swiss cheese on the coffee table.  No biggie, Minnie won’t touch it, she knows its mine.  Still I start calling up the stairs to the den and telling her that she’d better be far away from the food.  My sister is giggling madly by this time…

I get to the top of the stairs and can just barely see over the railing and you guessed it - the dog had her face BURIED in the paper towel I’d had the sausage and cheese in!  I was laughing so hard by this time that I couldn’t even yell at her (not that she’d care - she was pretty brazen about the whole deal).

So I figure she peed in the mud room (wash room) on purpose knowing I’d be cleaning it up, so she could make a bee line to the den to eat the goodies on the table.

That’ll show me for making her play with the neighborhood kids AND bragging about me

Oh, did I ever tell you that her full name is "Minnie the Moocher"??

I’m getting a complex about this….

I’ve been absent from blogging because of the following events:

My 500 GIG EHD bit the dust (incidentally had ALL of my personal design files as well as my scrapping, photos, commercial use purchases, etc.).  I had backed most of it up, but there were some things from the last few months that had not been.  I have to say that with the exception of one shop (who never answered my support emails) EVERY shop I approached about re-downloading the past few months purchases were gracious enough to allow it.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  (Incidentally I have been burning those items and any new projects/purchases to DVD like a fiend!).

My XM radio died.  Yes, I have a satellite radio..and while some would think it is a luxury, I am enough of a nut about music that it’s essential to my daily productivity.  I can get the Red Sox games on there no matter where I am, and I can channel surf to my hearts content.  I was able to purchase another one of the same model through one of Amazon’s resellers, but it too was defective (got super duper hot in the cradle and the boombox - burned my hand!), so it’s gone back.  As soon as the re-seller logs my return in, then a new RoadyXT will get shipped out to me.  Until then, I can listen online - but it’s limited as to the channel selection.  The catch here is to get the same model I previously owned; otherwise all of the accessories I have are no good.

I THOUGHT my radar detector had died too…and by that point I was losing my mind!  But, as it turns out, the outlet strip I have in my car (that it’s plugged into) died, so the detector is O.K.

These things have made my mojo muse super pissed off and it was almost impossible to be creative in anyway.  As I recovered files and found some stuff backed up, I was less and less tense and got my bum in gear.  Hence the grab bag that is on sale at PDW now through July 21st, for $3.00.

I had teasers on the original ad that went out, but I figure I’ll be fair to my loyal blog readers and give you the revealed preview WITH the coupon that’s stashed inside one of the zips

And here’s the coupon for you!
 

I’d LOVE to see what you do with the GB - so send me links to your LO’s and you just might find them here on the blog as a feature!!