Digi Scribbles

happy days

Hubby brought daisies for me. Guess I'm a bit strange, but I would prefer a bouquet of daisies anytime over roses, although I love roses too. I'm just a country girl at heart!

As you may recall I began designing for a new digital shop only a few short months ago. I loved the new store and my work was accepted well and selling like crazy. I would have been there until I got too old to see my monitor. But alas, things changed. Changes were made to the contract that simply wasn't acceptable to me. The long task of shopping for another design home began.

There is a happy ending to the store-search-saga! I'm now designing at two awesome shops! One is brand new and owned by two incredible ladies, we call the dynamic duo. The store's name and meaning; Aimee = Beloved Friend; Asher = Blessed, Happy. Aimee Asher is one of my new stores and  is owned and operated by Lynnie Smith and Donna Glenn.

Aimee Asher is a very unique digital shop as its community is patterned after My Space. Each member of the community has their own page and address, can collect friends, join groups, share comments, etc. It's so much more than just a shop, it's incredibly fun. The shop offers a variety of hybrid products as well as digital scrapbook supplies. Aimee Asher will soon be having its Grand Opening, so I'll keep you posted.

My second store also has an awesome name, this one rather whimsical, the Polk Dot Potato! Isn't that name adorable? This shop is owned by the sweetest lady who once owned a brick-n-mortar scrapbook store, Ashley Smith. She said my whimsical graphics were just what she was looking for. Ashley has built her store with a variety of different styles, rather than offering only one style, as so many other digital stores do. Something for everyone. I like that!

I've linked both stores above, and will soon have links in my side bar, so click and take a tour, you're sure to enjoy yourself and might even find something you simply can't live without! :)

Kizzy Dizzy Designs makes incredible, unique cards and gift sets and sells them at Aimee Asher. 'Tweet' Wishes 3d Card Kit with Gift Box is a new set created by KDD using my Songbird Creek kit. You can find their gorgeous set HERE if you are interested in purchasing it. This card has two choices of inserts, one says "Happy Bird..day", the other is blank for you to add your own greeting. Making it suitable for many occasions. The eyelet & bow detail on the front really sets this card off. The kit contains: Card, Envelope, Pillow Box & Tag + a freebie extra little gift card too. Anyone receiving this card will adore you for sending it and will enjoy the vibrant colors and the sumptuous strawberries!!

I have a brand new kit too, located at both stores. Betty Jo's Cherry, Cherry kit is brimming with my hand drawn illustrations of luscious cherries, and is reminiscent of my grandmother's kitchen at cherry picking time.

My friend Cheryl sent along this photo of her gorgeous, fairly new grandbaby Sara, who just happens to be wearing a little outfit covered with cherries! I couldn't resist creating a layout around the photo for Cheryl. The frame, buttons (recolored), and hearts were made just for the layout, everything else is found in the kit.

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

in the pink

Hubby and I, along with our friend Carolyn of Mountain Meadows, made our annual pilgrimage to our favorite rhododendron gardens today. We arrived early and it was still foggy as you'll see in my first photo. It was also windy so all my photos were a bit soft. I didn't even bother with a tripod as it would not have helped. So, I simply used a PS filter on the photos and they look as though they are supposed to be soft.  :)

As the fog began to lift we meandered through acres of huge rhoddie bushes with blooms in all stages; bud, full, and some were fading. A rain during the night sprinkled the flower clusters and grass with droplets that twinkled like diamonds as the sun slowly rose above the mountains.

Hours passed as we moved from bush to bush photographing the beauty surrounding us. I took 213 photos! Sorry, don't have time to show them all. :)

We were in pink heaven!

Pink, pink, and more pink! A shabby lovers dream for sure.

We were definitely not alone enjoying these sweet blossoms. Notice anything unique about this little bee?

Hope you've enjoyed our walk through the rhoddie gardens. You've definitely had your pink fix for today, right? :)

Oops! One more!

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

happy gift day

The fact is, life doesn't always happen the way we want it to. Some things have transpired the past couple of weeks, design career related, that have been very difficult for me and far beyond my control. Once again, I find myself in a transition period.

However, life often sends happy times right on the heels of sad ones. Yesterday, was one of those surprise-filled days that makes "the other kind" seem not so impossible after all.

My precious friend, Carolyn of Mountain Meadows, returned from a trip and brought gifts for me. She knows how much I adore starfish, especially white ones, and brought the two in my photo above from Rehoboth Beach.

If that wasn't enough, she also brought these three gorgeous rose-spattered tin planters for me. Be still my heart; they are exquisite! I'll use them as containers around my home filled with all sorts of pretties and perhaps even a plant now and again.

Even with these stupendous gifts, and as much as I love her sweet heart and thoughtfulness, I'm still more than a little jealous of Carolyn. While away she visited a shop that I discovered online a year or so ago. It was there she bought the awesome planters.

You may recall a post I did on my old blog about wall plaques I ordered from an awesome online shop called The Four Shabby Chicks. While away, Carolyn stopped in the brick-and-mortar shop also owned by the chicks, located in Leesburg, VA. She had an awesome visit with Yvonne and Linda, two of the four chicks, while exploring their terrific store!

Well, Lord love a duck (or a chick in this case)! Yvonne remembered me when Carolyn told her she was my friend. Not only did she remember me, she sent me a gift from her specialty line called November's Breeze. My unique, hand-made journal measures 4-1/2" by 3-1/2" and I just love, love, love it. Click HERE to see the goodies inside my gift! It has little chicks and a shabby polka dot bow on the front, in my fave color; pink. And the name of my journal, Hopelessly Random, couldn't be more perfect!

This gift in particular assured me that life is making up for the unpleasant days I've just walked through. How do I know? Because Yvonne had no idea what was going on in my life, yet she sent me a gift directly related to my work as a designer. Not only is her little journal crafted in beautiful "scrapbook style", I knew the minute I saw it, what it was meant to be. I keep a tiny notebook with me at all times to jot down random names, colors, inspiring ideas for illustrations, fabric/paper swatches, and related kit element ideas. It's like my second brain! Up 'til now, I've been using a tiny, cute, but run-of-the-mill spiral notebook for this.  The new journal from Yvonne will replace the old, with incredible beauty and style, I might add. I'm quite positive my new journal will inspire me on to even better illustrations and digi scrapbook kits.

Thank you sooooooo much my precious friends, Carolyn and Yvonne, for your wonderful thoughts, gifts, and encouragement . . . I will cherish these beauties forever and think of you each time I use or admire them! But, most of all, I'm ever so thankful for friends like you!

My dear blogging friends, be sure to visit The Four Shabby Chick's online. If you happen to be in the VA area, do drop in for a pleasant visit. You might also want to visit Yvonne's blog, four shabby chicks, or there is a link in my sidebar. If you visit store or blog, tell 'em Betty Jo sent you!!

xoxo,

~Betty Jo~

creamer and cards

I collect white creamers. This is my newest. I found it on sale at TJ Maxx. Isn't it darling? Hubby recently painted several shelves white. Once I find the perfect location for the shelves I'll add more of my creamer collection and share a photo with you.

My friend Jan at Daisie Company makes the most gorgeous greeting cards. She often prints out my digi scrapbook kits and makes her cards from the printouts. For this elegant birthday card she used my Dumplin' Creek kit and added a beautiful vintage lady. For complete details click HERE. To see the inside of this incredible card click HERE.

Here is another of Jan's gorgeous creations. For this darling birthday card she also used my Dumplin' Creek set. Her designs are incredibly creative. Wouldn't it be fun to receive one of her beautiful cards? For complete details click HERE. For a peek inside this uniquely shaped card click HERE.

Jan thank you so much for using my sets in such beautiful and creative ways! With these two cards you have definitely demonstrated just how versatile a digital scrapbook kit can be.

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

the rose speaks . . .

The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.

My hubby brought roses for me one day this past week. The day called for a lot of difficult decisions on my part. He is such a Sweetheart and so considerate of my needs! I think I'll keep him!!

xoxo,

~Betty Jo~

splendor in the grass

I just managed to get some of the last strawberries this weekend from our favorite produce stand. Although they were a little bruised, I couldn't resist how pretty they looked in that aqua container. We had them with cream and sugar. They were splendid!

I have a new digi kit in my store at Daisie. It was inspired by my recent post on porches. When I was a little girl I had an occasional tea party on our Florida back porch with my tiny tea set. This kit has hand-drawn-by-me flowers, as well as tea pots and cups in purple, green, and yellow. It's a trip down memory lane for sure. Click HERE for complete description and how to purchase this set.

My friend Misty Cato invited me to co-create a digital scrapbook kit with her. I was delighted to do so and it can be found in Misty's store at Sweet Shoppe Designs. I awoke the morning after Misty's invitation thinking of pink watermelons, of all things, so drew watermelons, flowers, and buzzy bees for this set. I love the way it turned out. Isn't it simply "Adorable"?? For a limited time, an Adorable Me Mini-Accordion Album is free with the purchase of the kit.  Be sure to check out Misty's blog as she has some awesome digital scrapbook tutorials posted there. Click HERE for complete description and how to purchase this set.

My dear friend Cheryl created two gorgeous digital scrapbook pages with Adorable Me for her cutie pie granddaughters. Details of the first page can be found HERE. The second layout hasn't been posted yet, will add detail link later.

Meikina is such a doll in that hat!!

Just look at this cute pout on the face of Cheryl's new grand baby, Sara!

 Hope everyone is having a wonderful beginning to this awesome new week!

xoxo,

~Betty Jo~

and the winner is

CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNER!!!

I used Mrs. Glosser's Custom Random Number Generator to choose a winner of my 2nd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway. This was my first ever giveaway and it was soooo much fun.  I was sad that I could only have one winner out of the 85 wonderful participants. During this giveaway, I've discovered some wonderful, new-to-me women  with incredible blogs scattered around blogland. Thanks to each one of you for participating . Thanks to Kim for having such a wonderful annual giveaway. This one caught me a little unprepared, but I'm already planning what I'll give next year!

OK, enough chatter! You want to know who won, right?

Drum Roll Please!! tat, tat, tat, tat-a-tat, tat . . .

The winner of my giveaway is a precious friend and blog buddy Beverly of Tea Time and Roses!

Congratulations my sweet friend!

Be sure to visit Beverly's gorgeous blog and enjoy her beautiful photos and hand crafted creations while you're getting to know her. Beverly, you are such a  dear, and I'm thrilled your number was chosen! I will be contacting you in a little while with some questions that will help me choose some personalized gifts to add to your winnings.

Beverly I see another Congrats is in order! Congratulations to you and your family for that precious new grand baby, Jeremiah. He is a little doll baby. I know you are all on cloud nine with that little cutie pie. You can use the scrapbook magazines from my giveaway as inspiration for creating a beautiful digital scrapbook to show him off even more!

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

have no clue

I have no clue what this little yellow wild flower is. I just noticed it this morning from my studio window, growing among the grasses at the edge of our property.

Now for a little reminder of the 2nd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway. There are only a few days left. I will be drawing a name next Saturday morning from all the awesome comments you've left in my giveaway post you can find here. I can hardly wait to see who the winner of my giveaway is, and to shop for that personal gift I promised would be added to the goodies. If you haven't joined the fun yet, there is still time. For a list of all the participating blogs, and awesome treasures being shared all over blogland, click on the logo at the top of my sidebar. Good luck everyone!

This is a very busy week for me. I've got lots of work lined up on my digi-scrap drawing board, so I'll keep this post short today. I plan in the evenings to drop by your place for a visit.

Hope all of my friends had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend.

xoxo,

~Betty Jo~

piña colada

The alcohol-free version!

I adore the flavor of pineapple and coconut together. I baked pies this morning for our Memorial Day family get-together later today.

Pineapple Coconut Pie

1-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (8-1/4 oz) can crushed pineapple
1 cup flaked coconut
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 (9 inch) unbaked pie shells

Make sure butter has cooled a little. Mix sugar, eggs and butter. Mix in pineapple, coconut and vanilla. Pour into pie shells. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until done. We like Cool-Whip on ours.

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

veggin' out

We truly enjoy the fresh-from-the-farm produce available in our area this time of year. Not having a proper farmer's market nearby, we buy from the nicest local guy who sets up under an awning attached to his van in a convenience store parking lot. Although we aren't vegetarians, we'll have several vegetarian meals a week from now throughout the summer and into fall.

During the winter in these mountains, good produce is hard to come by, and we are forced to eat frozen from the supermarket. During spring and summer we become "Semi-localvores", which means we eat a lot of food that comes from within a hundred miles of our home. We believe it is healthier since it is normally picked within twenty four hours of our buying it, and it definitely tastes better.

Since we are apartment dwellers, we don't have garden space so I plan to grow some lettuce and tomatoes in pots on our small patio. There isn't a green thumb between us, so if you have any tips or favorite resource links for growing vegetables in containers, please share.

See my cute little bee up there added to the photo. He is going straight for that sweet Vidalia onion. Oh how I love Vidalia's. Those are not grown locally here, but are trucked in from GA. I snapped that shot in my photography light tent just before preparing those goodies for our supper a couple nights back. Not only are they yummy to eat, but I think colorful veggies are beautiful to look at too. Be sure to share photos on your blog of your veggie gardens or containers, and recipes. I never get tired of seeing them!

If you haven't already signed up for my giveaway, you can do so in the comment area of the last post or HERE.

'til next time,

~Betty Jo~

2nd annual cottage give-away

I'm having my first giveaway!  :)

Kim, at The Twice Remembered Cottage, is hosting the 2nd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway and I'm joining in the fun. You can click on Kim's banner in my right sidebar, for all the information and list of participants so you too can participate. Even if you don't offer a giveaway at your blog, there are a lot of wonderful treasures out there that you can sign up to win.

There are only two rules for my giveaway in order to be eligible:

• You must have an active blog on the web
• You must comment on this post with a link to your blog and a valid email addy so I can reach you if you are the winner.

I'm offering the following five items; A new copy of Easy Roses by Georgeanne Brennan, a new Laura Ashley pot holder with roses (never been used), an old white jar with roses, and two past issues of Digital Scrapbooking.  (After all, I'm a digital scrapbook artist, I have to offer those, now don't I? The magazines come with a warning; Digital Scrapbooking is addictive!)

I will also be adding a surprise gift, suited to the winner, after I view your blog to get an idea of your personal colors/taste.

The drawing will take place on May 31.

Here is one of the many beautiful photos in Easy Roses.

Big Hugs and Good Luck on the giveaway!

~Betty Jo~

on the verandah

Don't you just love a pretty front porch, pronounced verandah here in the south?

This morning as we were driving to our son's, referred to as Super Geek for the remainder of this post, I was thinking how wonderful it would be to have a large front porch. Perhaps you have one, and if so, please know how fortunate you are. If it has a porch swing, you are more than fortunate, you are explicitly blessed. Next time you are swinging in your swing, sipping lemonade or a mint julep, think of me. We have a tiny, tiny porch, more of a stoop really, at the front of our small apartment. I normally place a few potted plants there. Perhaps this year I'll add a small bench, an old rustic window or door to jazz it up.

I've been unable for a couple of days to upload photos to my computer. Lord love a duck! How can a blogging dudette, or dude for that matter, live without that ability? I had my camera along on the trip to visit our Super Geek in case he needed it while working on my download problem. On the way over I stopped in our small town and photoged a couple of pretty porches.

This house is quite old and blue, although the poor light made the front look almost white. Just look at that comfy swing and rockers!

This house is lavender! If you think that's a bit much, wait until you see our old jail which has now been painted pink! (Saving that for another post.) At least this house matches the wisteria hanging over the gate. By now, with all the pastels, you're probably wondering if our mayor is the Easter bunny!

Another shot of the walkway leading to the front porch.

On our way home, we stopped at a new antique consignment store in town that has opened in a very old factory building. Can you believe it; I came out without buying a thing? We then drove over to another antique consignment shop, set up in an old fourteen room house. I found several things there I liked, but needed to measure a few spaces here at home first. As I mentioned, our apartment is small. I passed up a large white metal bird cage for only $18, while looking for larger furniture pieces. I may just have to go back for that cage though; I can't get it out of my mind. (Carolyn, if you're reading this, stay away from my cage Girl!) Hey, it might just be the thing I need for our front verandah, front stoop, or whatever it is.

By the way, my computer problem turned out to be a simple fix. I have another program which has been interfering with my download program. Super Geek helped me out pronto and that's why you're now seeing these pretty porches.

It also means I can show photos of whatever I decide to offer in the 2nd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway coming up May 31. I'll tell you all about that in the next few days . . .

xoxo,

~Betty Jo~ 

a new beginning

OK, so I couldn't resist!

I had to post something, even though it is only a pretty photo of a lilac you've already seen. I hadn't planned to open my new blog just yet, but I simply couldn't wait. More coming soon.

 xoxo,

~Betty Jo~