Independence Day sale at STS!

Download wordart here

OK guys, you don't want to miss this!

Starting tomorrow and running through the 4th there is a 40% off sale at Stuff to Scrap.
That's right---the entire store!

Happy shopping!

New products from Shel Belle Scraps

Download wordart here


Shel Belle Scraps has added some new and cute items to her store at Stuff To Scrap! If you love using templates for your layouts you're going to want these Circle Templates! They're saved in png, psd and tiff format.

There's also an adorable mini kit called Gallimaufry. It's full of thick rich colors and can be used for scrapping all kinds of photos. take a look at the preview...

Here's a layout I made using this kit...

I haven't gotten to work with the templates yet, but I can't wait to use them!

Check out Shel's Blog for more layout inspiration!

6-28-11

Download wordart here

Brag Book Page Freebie!

Download wordart here

This week I used the blue Congrats Grad mini kit. Just click on the preview to go to April's Blog for the download.

Make sure you check out the kit in April's blog store and don't forget about the special she has going on!

Sad news

Download wordart here

Orange Croc Guys mom has passed away. I'll be heading to New Jersey in the morning so that I can be there with him.

I've prepublished for the next several days and hope everything works ok. Just send an email if you can't get anything downloaded and I'll take care of it when I get home.

I need your help!

Download wordart here

NaNoWriMo is sponsoring a summer bootcamp version of the November novel writing contest and I just have to try and do this again!

The story idea I have rolling through my mind now isn't a happy one though, so my final project will probably be very different from The Day Ginger Snapped.

Kind of crazy, huh? You would think that I would have a happy light idea since it's summer and I'm not nearly as busy as I am in November.

Anyway, here's how I need your help....for the last project I used my name and the names of my friends for the characters. Now, I would like for you to give me some names for characters. I'll need guy names as well as girl names.

First names...last names...both...nicknames...names for nice characters and names for not so nice characters...your name...the name of someone you know...a funny name or just a name you like.

I can't start writing until July 1, but I can start getting my characters and ideas in order.

You can leave name suggestions here in the comment area or you can email them to me.

Thanks for the help!

Please vote for me!

Download wordart here

The voting is up for this months quickpage winner at Cool Scraps Digital. Please go vote for my page (gluvsc) and leave a comment for me in the gallery.

If you haven't downloaded my 8x8 page yet, you can still get it by clicking on the preview below...

Thanks for helping me!

The Day Ginger Snapped part 32

Download wordart here

Don't forget to pick up your own copy of The Day Ginger Snapped!

“Oh honey, are you sure you’re Okay?” Linda asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m just starting to get homesick.” I explained as I fought back tears.

“Well, then just come home! I miss you so much. Everyone does. Come home.” Linda pleaded.

“I can’t. I mean I will. Soon. I just have to figure out a couple more things first.”

“What should I tell everyone when they ask about you at the bar today?”

“Just tell them that I’m fine and that I had to call early because I’ve got another plane to catch.”

“What about the last guy you went looking for? Did you find him?”

Luckily Linda didn’t’ hear the gasp I gave as I remembered Ryan and the night I spent at his home. “I found him.”

“Okay…and? Give me the details already!”

“No details this time. I found him and I think his tally mark goes on the loser side of the board..”

“Oh goodie, you found another loser!” Linda yelled excitedly. “You have to tell me the story, though. You know everyone is going to want to hear it.”

“Linda, please, just this one time. No details.”

Linda was quiet for a moment waiting for me to say more. “Ginger, are you sure you’re Okay? Please, talk to me.”

“I’m tired. I’m just tired. He gets a loser tally mark and everyone gets a free drink. That should be enough information to keep them all happy.”

“You’re probably right, people will be happy about the free drink. But, you know that some of us would rather have you here then have a free drink. You do know that, don’t you.”

“I know. Give everyone a hug for me. Talk to you soon.”

I hung up the phone before Linda could hear my crying.

Spring-a-Ling by April the Scrapaholic

Download wordart here

Check out the cute new kit called Spring-a-Ling that April has added to her store...

Isn't it cute? It's full of fun colors! Take a look at one of the layouts I've made using this kit...

I've turned this layout into a QP for you. Just click on the preview below to get the download.

If you would like the wordart I used on my layout, you can have that too. Just click here to download...

Make sure you head over to April's blog store to buy Spring-a-Ling!

Speed Scrap at Stuff to Scrap!

Download wordart here

Shel, of Shel Belle Scraps, is hosting a speed scrap on Saturday morning. It will be a great way to kick off your weekend! Check out the flyer below or the forum for more information.

Your participation prize is her brand new set of templates, Circle V.01.

Hope to see you there!

Attention Sue in Texas!!!

Download wordart here


You asked about a font I used a couple of days ago and I wanted to let you know that it's called kingthings wrote.

Brag Book Freebie!

Download wordart here

I used April's Congrats Grad kit to make a brag book page freebie for you today. I know that most schools have already held their graduations, but it's never too late to scrap those pictures. lol! Plus, I tried to make this so that it could be used for other types of pictures too. Just click on the preview to go to 4shared for the download.

Make sure you check out April's blog for another freebie from Nita.

Also, don't forget that if you purchase the full Congrats Grad Kit you can get one of the matching minis for free!

6-19-11

Download wordart here

June QP Contest at CSD!

Download wordart here

I decided to take part in the QP contest at Cool Scraps Digital again this month and I am so glad I did! We were given a beautiful kit called Devout Memories by KaKleiDesigns to work with. Check out the preview...

You can download the 8x8 quick page I made by clicking on the preview below...

There are lots of free quickpages waiting for you in the forum at CSD so make sure you go check them out!

Hopefully, you'll join in on the fun next month!

Spring Breeze by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams

Download wordart here

Susan of IvoryKeys Digital Dreams has released a new kit called Spring Breeze and it is beautiful! It's full of fun soft colors and has 12 papers, 31 elements, word tags and a full alpha.

Just check out the preview...

Take a look at some layouts I've made using this kit. This first one was for the template challenge at STS...

Check out Susan's blog for more layout inspiration and visit her store at STS to buy Spring Breeze. Make sure you check out her other amazing kits too!

The Day Ginger Snapped part 31

Download wordart here


***Remember to buy your own copy of The Day Ginger Snapped!***

Of course, I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to, but I just had to rest my eyes for a moment. Then the bed was just so comfortable that I figured I would lie down for five minutes. The next thing I know I’m looking at the clock and it’s 7AM

I quickly got up, put on my shoes, gathered my things and prepared to get out while the getting was good. After listening at the door and not hearing anything, I slowly opened it and walked out into the living room.

Ryan was no where to be seen so I headed right for the door. I had my hand on the doorknob and was ready to make my escape when I heard a voice behind me.

“I would never hurt you.” It was Ryan and he sounded child like and hurt that I would be afraid of him.

Without turning around or removing my hand from the doorknob I lowered my head as I said, “I know.”

I waited for Ryan to say something else or to move toward me, but he didn’t. So, I turned to face him. “I’ll never hurt you either. Please be careful because I don’t want to hear about you or anything happening to you on the news.”

Ryan still didn’t say anything or make any moves toward me, so I turned around, opened the door and walked out. I got turned around once I got into the yard and couldn’t figure out how to get through the gas station and back out to my car. After wandering around for five minutes or so I was finally sitting in the rental with the windows rolled up and the doors locked.

I’m not positive, but I think I saw Ryan watching me through the gas station window as I drove off.

You guys are the best!

Download wordart here

Well, I wasn't excited this morning when the phone rang at 9:30 and woke me up. I know 9:30 doesn't sound bad, but I was still awake at 2 AM so I wasn't ready to get up yet. I really wasn't excited when I answered the phone and learned it was a computer generated call from the library letting me know a book I requested was waiting for me.

UGH!!! I know you're holding a book for me! I got that same message yesterday! Please, can I finish reading the book I've already got? I was up until 2 AM reading it.

By the way, Electric Barracuda by Tim Dorsey is a really good book.

My day got better when I went online and saw that people has actually ordered copies of my book. I know it was you guys! You're the best! I should probably wait for you to get your copies, but I'm not. I'm going to go ahead and tell you that you're mentioned in the dedication because you really are the best!!!

I spent most of the afternoon lying around the house and looking at all the things that I should have been cleaning or doing. Don't judge! I'm on vacation, I'll clean tomorrow. lol!

For dinner, I met the girls at The Cheesecake Factory. YUMMY!!! Yes, I'm having cheesecake for breakfast in the morning. lol!

Now, I'm going to finish my book and go to bed. That way I can wake up eat more cheesecake and go to the library to pick up my next book.

Life on vacation is awesome!!!

April is having a sale!

Download wordart here


April has added a huge new kit called Congrats Grad to her blog store and lots of small mini kits to go with it. The mini kits are perfect for matching individual school colors!

Right now, you can buy the main kit and get the mini kit of your choice for free.

Just check out April's blog store to see the kits and check out the sale!

Get your copy, now!

Download wordart here

OK people, no more waiting for Friday to read the unedited version of The Day Ginger Snapped! Now you can purchase your very own copy!

Aren't you excited?!?!

One of the prizes for completing NaNoWriMo is getting a free proof copy of your novel. Well, that prize was about to expire so I had to order it or never see my work in book form. By the time you go through everything you need to do in order to get your proof copy, it's ready to sell to anyone and everyone. So, I figured, why not?! Let's see if someone, besides my mother, orders a copy. lol!

There are a few changes in the book form and the version you've been reading. Plus, OCG read and edited it for me. (He got a big kick out of the character I named after him.)

Don't you want your own copy? Don't you want to buy a book and help a poor school teacher who won't see another paycheck until the end of August?


Happy Reading!

Life is good!

Download wordart here


I slept until 9AM today! It was awesome!

Trust me, as it gets further into summer, I'll be sleeping even later. lol!

6-13-11

Download wordart here

What a day!

Download wordart here

I spent the first half of my day running errands and the second half of my day fighting with an un-cooperative computer.

Not the way I wanted to spend the first day of my summer vacation!

But, you know what? A bad day on summer vacation is still a pretty good day!

Tomorrow is all about sitting by the water and reading a book.

Words of wisdom...

Download wordart here

I woke up Thursday morning to a super nice email from Paula, who had found the post I made last year for the girls I knew who were graduating high school. I left for school feeling all sentimental.

As I was driving to school, they played Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen) on the radio. I hadn't heard that in a couple of years, but I remember when it first came out and you heard it all the time. Well, now those sentimental feelings were actually tears.

I arrived at school ready for a great last day only to find an email from my principal telling ALL of the Kindergarten teachers to pack up ALL of our stuff, because ONE of us would be moving. At this point the tears took on a whole other meaning.

I told my principal I would cry like a baby if he made me move. He offered to sit and cry with me. I offered him bribe money to leave me where I am---one whole tax free dollar---he wasn't interested. I said there weren't enough boxes available for all of us to pack up our stuff and to please, PLEASE just give us the news---good or bad. He promised to do just that by the end of the day.

By lunch time, the teacher that joined our grade level this year volunteered to move. She said that it was only fair since the rest of us were established and attached to our rooms. I tried to give her the bribe money, but she didn't want it either.

After school, the parents were picking up their kids and lots of hugs were given, good-byes were said and promises to come back for a visit were made. One parent cornered me and I had to stop her before she started speaking. I let her know that the only rule I had at this point was that you shouldn't make me cry.

She thanked me for everything. She said that she had sent me a little boy who could barely even recite his ABCs and I had sent back a little man who could read. She made me cry. She broke the rules. I didn't offer her the bribe money.

I don't really know anyone who is graduating this year, but like I said I'm feeling all sentimental so I though I would add some wisdom to go with last year's post. Afterall, I know that at least one of those girls isn't following the advice I gave then. (Miss Mary, I know that you're reading this and YES I am talking about you!) This is based on the lessons I have learned or had to relearn this year.

Here goes......

1. You probably shouldn't try to bribe people, but if you do make sure you have more than one dollar in your pocket.

2. It will always rain when you least want it to.

3. Sometimes it is the person you least expect to have any influence on your life that will make the biggest impact.

4. Some people are just mean. Try to be nice to them anyway.

5. Life will be comfortable inside your comfort zone, but comfortable is all that it will ever be. Don't you want more than that? Don't you deserve more than that? Don't we all?

6. There will always be people with advice on what they think you should do. Most will have good intentions. Listen to what they say, but use your head and your heart to decide what is best for you.

7. Dr. Seuss will always give better advice than I will.

8. Listen to Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen).
Get over the fact that it's from over ten years ago and listen. Then, listen to it again. After that, listen to it at least once a year every year. I promise that each year you will find new meaning in the words.

NOW....

Download wordart here

I am officially on summer vacation!

WOOHOO!

The Day Ginger Snapped part 30

Download wordart here


I didn’t turn to face Ryan as I heard him close and lock the door. Instead I stood there with my eyes closed thinking, “This is it. This is how I die.”

Ryan walked around me and I opened my eyes as I heard another door open. He was giving me a very strange look and my feet that had betrayed me before were now frozen in place.

“There’s a restroom back here if you need it and I can get you something cold to drink.”

Oh great, at least I won’t die thirsty.

Ryan motioned for me to go through the door and like a good little prisoner I did. He closed and locked that door too.

I was surprised to see that we were standing in the service area of the gas station and it was actually very clean and modern. There were even a few very expensive cars parked inside the bays.

Ryan opened a double door sub zero refrigerator and grabbed a bottled water. He handed it to me and pointed toward another door. “There’s the restroom over there, if you need it.”

“Thank you,” I said as I walked toward the closed door.

Once I was inside the bathroom I tried to open the window only to learn that not only was it painted black so that no one could see in or out, but that it had also been nailed shut. I quickly prayed to God and anyone else that might be listening, asking that they help keep me alive. I didn’t want to give Ryan reason to be angry or to come looking for me, so I pulled myself together and walked out of the restroom.

I looked around and didn’t see Ryan anywhere, but there was a backdoor opened to the outside. I walked toward it hoping it would be a means of escape for me. I couldn’t believe what I saw as I exited the gas station! The back of the gas station opened onto a beautiful, landscaped area with an Olympic sized pool. This was all included inside the fence that surrounded the house, so it was hidden from the irregular, lost car that happened to travel out this way. Ryan must have heard me gasp as I looked around, because he looked up from the gas grill where he was cooking a very large steak that smelled wonderful.

“You’re one of only a handful of people that have ever seen this area. I hope I can trust you to keep quiet about it. I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with the cops and looky-lous that would come by if they knew just how I live.”

Before I could say anything, I heard a car horn blowing in rhythm and Ryan closed the lid on the grill.

“You better get inside now. Go into the bathroom and close the door. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out.”

I stood there confused and frozen in place as Ryan yelled “Go!”

I backed into the service bay again, but I didn’t go into the bathroom. I wanted to figure out what was going on. So, I stood out of sight and peeked around the door into the yard. I watched as Ryan hit a button on the fence that was hidden behind some plants. Part of the fence opened up and two cars pulled into the yard. One was a beautiful black BMW that looked brand new and the other was a red sports car.

A young, well dressed guy got out of the sports car and shook hands with Ryan. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but my guess is that Ryan was explaining the rental car that I had left out front. Apparently, the guy bought whatever story Ryan was telling him because he motioned toward the BMW and Ryan hit another button that caused a garage door to the service area to open.

I ran into the bathroom, closed the door and left the light off. I heard Ryan and the guy enter the gas station and heard muffled voices. I held my breath as I heard the sound of the BMW entering the garage. I heard several car doors open and close. I heard the men talking and
laughing, but still couldn’t tell what they were saying. I heard things being moved and then I finally heard the red sports car start up and drive away.

About five minutes passed, before Ryan called out that it was safe to exit the bathroom. I slowly opened the door and found him putting groceries away. There were three large boxes filled with food sitting on the table and Ryan encouraged me to help put the cold things away as he
went outside and checked the grill.

I grabbed a box and opened the fancy fridge to put the food away. I was lost in thought, trying to take in everything I had seen since arriving here when Ryan walked back in carrying the cooked steak on an oversized platter.

“I’m sorry, but this is over cooked. I didn’t know the guys would be getting here so soon or I would have waited to start the grill.”

“Oh, that’s fine. It really smells great.”

He set the plate on the table and rubbed his hands on his overalls. “Well, I’ll go get cleaned up before dinner. Would you mind putting together a salad? You should be able to find everything you need in here.” Ryan motioned toward the fridge and the boxes that were still on the table. Then without another word, he turned and walked out.

I put the groceries away and made two small salads. As I sat down at the small table, Ryan walked back in looking like he had showered and changed his overalls. He was even wearing a shirt.

Ryan smiled at me, but didn’t say anything as he cut the steak he had cooked in half and placed each piece on a separate plate. He placed the plates on the table and grabbed two more water bottles. Then he opened a drawer to dig out some silverware, grabbed a roll of paper towels and came back to the table.

“Sorry I’m not the best cook around.”

“Hey, I wasn’t even expecting a meal. Thank you for sharing this one with me.”

“Well, if I remember right you didn’t like your steaks well done.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “So, you do know who I am?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure at first, but I remember you now.” Ryan smiled shyly and lowered his head.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I’m surprised you remember me at all.”

“I remember you.”

“You worked construction back in the day, what made you change to auto repair?

“Nothing made me change. It’s just how my life turned out.”

“Well, you must be good at what you do, cause these are some expensive cars people have trusted you with.”

Ryan gave a short laugh as he said, “Yeah, I’m good at what I do.”

“Why did you build your business out here? It must be hard for customers to find you.”

Ryan looked up at me and waited a minute before he spoke. “The people that need to find me know where I am.”

“But….Oh my God! Are these cars stolen?” I dropped my fork and pushed my chair back from the table.

“Stay where you are.” Ryan hadn’t raised his voice, but I knew that I would be better off staying put. “There are some questions that you won’t want the answers too.”

I stood there shocked and speechless and Ryan went back to eating his dinner.

Once Ryan figured out that I wasn’t planning on sitting back down to dinner, he stood and cleared the table. He washed the dishes without saying a word. Then without even turning to look at me he said, “It’s dark out now and you don’t need to make the drive back into town. You
won’t be able to see and you may get lost in the dessert. Besides, it hasn’t been that long since my partners left and I don’t want to run the risk of having you cross their paths.”

I hadn’t spoken or moved since he told me to stay put. Ryan finally looked at me and motioned for me to follow. “I’ll show you where you can spend the night then in the morning I suggest you leave and forget that you were ever here.”

I nodded without saying a word and followed Ryan out of the gas station and into the little house. I was amazed by what I saw. The outside of the house looked like an abandoned shack, but the inside was beautiful and filled with intricate wood work and handmade furniture.

“Did you do all of this? It’s amazing!”

Ryan nodded as he led me to a door off the living room area. “You can sleep here tonight. The windows don’t open, but you’ve got a private bath and you can lock the door here from the inside. You‘ll be safe here.”

I walked into the room and Ryan backed away closing the door as he left. I sat on the bed and quickly dug into my purse for my cell phone.

No service. Figures! Well, who would I call anyway?

I stood and walked toward the door. I placed my ear against it but heard nothing on the other side. I locked the door then sat on the bed determined not to sleep. I wasn’t even going to close my eyes.

And the winner is.....

Download wordart here

OK, the last day of school is over and it was.....interesting. I'll fill you in on that later.

Right now I wanted to let you know that the winner of the $5 STS gift certificate is ........

DEE!

Dee, please send me an email so I can get your prize to you!