Monday, October 18, 2010

The Big Cheese Contest

I may have mentioned it before, but I am taking part in a contest currently over at Scraps with a Mouse called the Big Cheese! This is actually only the second contest I've ever entered, so that is exciting in itself. Another reason I'm excited is because the participants are all so fun! Everyone is incognito (sh! Don't tell anyone!), so we all have our own little mouse personas. And... best part of all, the grand prize winner gets a Wacom Bamboo tablet! And that's a great reason to cheer! :D

Now, part of being a part of this contest is that I should tell people about the Bamboo tablet. Before I had entered my first contest, I had never heard of a Bamboo tablet before, so I was very confused about why everyone would be so excited about winning one. Well, let me tell you, if you haven't looked at one before, you are missing out. Computers have come a long way in the last few years, and a Bamboo tablet is one of those fantastic gadgets that a digiscrapper will find to be utterly AWESOME to use. You draw on it with the special pen, and presto! It draws on your screen. Maybe it's because I'm old school and am old enough to remember using a rotary dial telephone all the way through elementary school and programming on an Apple IIc, but this is incredible to me. You can use it like a mouse, moving around the screen and clicking, or you can use it like a paint brush, varying how hard you press to make thicker or thinner strokes. And you can even journal in your blocks with your own handwriting! I mean, I'm having a hard time trying not to sound like an informercial. lol

Perhaps, if you're like me, you would find all this versatility a little overwhelming. Well, fear not! Wacom also has a great site call the Penscrappers, where they can fill you in on ways to make your tablet work for you. They have wonderful contests, wonderful prizes, wonderful people to answer your questions, and so much more. It really is a beautifully done site, and the variety of information there to make your Bamboo work even better is really impressive. If you want to get a feel for just how versatile the Bamboo tablet is, this is a great place to visit and revisit!

Most importantly to me, though, is that the more I have been around the digiscrapping community, the more I have been impressed with Wacom and what they do. There are a lot of different companies that are trying to cash in on the digiscrapping craze. Many of them are just blips on the radar, really; they have this or that to sell. Wacom is really the only company I have noticed reaching out and making good to the community and the world at large. The prizes they have offered have gone to all kinds of deserving places, and that really impresses me. I like what they have done and what they are doing. Take a look, and I'll bet you'll be impressed, too.

So, cross your fingers. This mousie would love to win one of these, but if not, I'll bet Santa will bring her one (if she's very, very good! lol). In the meantime, check out Scraps with a Mouse and see those Big Cheese contest layouts. Heck, join in a challenge or two! They're nice ladies over there, you'll be glad you did. :)

Thursday, October 14, 2010

SWAM Blog Train! Choo Choo!

So, folks, it's the one you've been waiting for....



Doesn't it look lovely? :D I think there's a little something for everyone in this train. All different kind of styles and looks. Very fun!

Mawkinberd's Think Pink Blog Train Freebie Preview

(click preview to download at 4-shared)


So, ready for some more blog train fun? Give these other talented ladies a visit! I think you'll be glad you did. :)

@jacquies
Circle Of Life Scraps
inabluemoondesigns
Jacqui's Scraps
Mawkinberd's Nest (You are here!)
Happy Scrap Arts
PapillonCrea
Teresa Digi Designs
PJ's Designs
moments along the journey
Starlight Creations
mom2moo designs
Bonnie Blou Designs
Texas Girl Scraps
moments in times scraps
Get 2 Scrappin'

Thanks for visiting, and happy pink scrapping! :D

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pssst.... Hello?

I know, I've been hiding again. But it's been for a good cause; I've spent a lot of time working with Linda of Kelin Designs on changes and improvements to The Digi Scrappers' forum and galleries. Part of that task has been working on layouts for various things, so my gallery is filling up pretty well there. I'll eventually load them to Flickr as well, but for now, I've been concentrating on this place. Also, I've reposted some layouts I've done with Jacquie's beautiful word art in her special gallery, so if you missed 'em the first time around, you'll want to check them out. Her word art is the final word on these layouts! :P

In addition to that, I've also been helping out around Scraps with a Mouse. For instance, did you know that their first blog train will be starting Friday? Yep, we'll be doing a really fun theme, too; Think Pink! If you want to know a bit more about it, there are some previews in the forum, but I will also be posting the slideshow in the next day or so. And yes, I'm participating! I put together a little something pink for everyone to enjoy. And I have to say, there are some really beautiful entries in this one, so I think everyone will enjoy getting a chance to see these beauties! Don't miss this chance to get introduced to some of the Scraps with a Mouse designers and CT's!

Scraps with a Mouse is also hosting The Big Cheese Scrap-off in the next couple of weeks, and I am participating. Only catch is, I can't tell you who I am! We all have to be incognito as "cheesy" little mouse invaders. :P So, once the contest is over, I'll have a few layouts to show you that I'm doing "on the sly" with my little mousie friend. Don't worry, she doesn't bite anything but cheese!

So, lots going on right now. Hope you'll check out the new galleries (and the forum!) at The Digi Scrappers, and don't miss out on the Scraps with a Mouse blogtrain later this week!