The end of the Pirate trail...for now!

Aye, ye scurvy bilge rats! Tis true...this be the last of the Pirate freebies...for now! All the other treasures have been stowed but will be available in my store as soon as we make port.



Don't forget to post your thoughts on the Grab Bag post below and visit my shop for the complete Here there be PIRATES! kit.

Get your transparent wordart sheet and lovely hair ribbon here.

Please, no file sharing...that's digital piracy. Arrr!
Send your friends to this blog so they can get their own pirate treasure!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Bag, lady?

Digiscrap grab bags - do you love 'em or hate 'em? Grab bags have hit the digi world with a bang and the artists promise they are full of quality items that are well worth more than the small amount they cost. I have even bought a few, myself, from commercial use to those that support charities, and I can honestly answer my own question with...it depends!

I know that's a cop-out, but it does. Just like a grab bag from a gift shop or your favorite second-hand shop, it might be filled with old outdated toys or a diamond ring. Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances (oops, a little pirate language creeping in there! Arrr!).

Recently, it seems to me that a lot of artists in many digi shops are "bagging" up their products every month. Is that a good thing? Frankly, I prefer the exciting, once or twice a year variety. Having them every month takes all the mystique out them.

Tell me what YOU "like" and "dislike" about them.

• Are they just a fad or here to stay?
• How often do you buy them?
• Did you get fabulous gems or stuff you'll never use?
• Will you keep buying them?
• Why or why not?
• Recently, one of my favorite digi-designers asked her readers questions like these and, as a result, is now offering a do-it-yourself grab bag where you can choose what you want (from a select list) to go in it. Would you like to be able to pick and choose or do you like to be surprised?

Have fun with this and be honest!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Pirate gold is better than regular gold...

Due to the overwhelming popularity of my 'DSO Blog War' Pirate freebies this month, here's the FULL KIT at last!!!

(Warning: if you haven't grabbed the coordinating freebies yet...they'll be gone soon!*)

When asked, 9 out of 10 people prefer Pirate gold over regular gold. I think it’s the packaging.

Not convinced?

Take a look at regular gold...

Now, take a look at Pirate gold...


Get the picture?

Now, here’s some real Pirate gold to add to your treasure chest of freebies you've been collecting from our DSO Freebie War!

Here there be Pirates! The Kit!

Real gold and silver doubloons, a historically accurate pirate flag paper, a real pirate names and fun pirate phrases paper, red wax seal alphabet with numbers and special symbols, fabulous gemstones and a never before seen parchment wordart!

For a limited time, get it in my shop at DSO for 20% off the regular low price of only 5 Doubloons! (that’s “dollars” to you landlubbers!)

There's more treasures where these came from, me hearties, so keep a weather eye out!!

Cap'n Cat

(* Shiver me timbers! If you forgot to grab the blog freebies, they'll be going on sale in the shop in July!)

Look what I dredged up...

Download no longer available.

And, in honor of all the pirate
fun we've been having...
here's a sneak peek of my new kit!

Yes, you guessed it...
Here there be PIRATES!

Plenty of pirate gold and treasures
for your Pirate parties, ocean journeys,
vacations in Disneyland, and
International Talk Like A Pirate Day
celebrations!

It will be available soon, me hearties!

Please, no file sharing...that's digital piracy. Send your friends to this blog so they can get their own pirate treasure and participate in our fun little blog war!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

How Dare She???

That PIRATE wench, Lexi, called me out! She thinks HER pirate stuff is "all that" but mine is waaaaayyyy better! Snap!

How about this for word art? And I'm raising you a red wax seal! Ha!
Download no longer available.

Take that, Lexi! I'm getting my plank all shiny and waxed and ready for you to walk it...Arrrr!

What do you guys think? Do I have the best free pirate elements or what? What's that? Speak up now, you don't want to walk the plank, too, do you? LOL!

Don't forget to visit me hearties' blogs to grab their freebies, too.
Bunny, Lexi, Heather, Kim, Mel, Lani, Lynn, Dorothy, Teriann, Joy, Cheryl, Darlene

Please, no file sharing...that's digital piracy. Send your friends to this blog so they can get their own copy and participate in our fun little blog war!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Uh, huh! It's still WAR - the freebie war that is!

The DSO gang is still firing freebies at ya and all in good fun!

Download no longer available.

Visit me hearties' blogs to grab their booty (freebies, that is...not the other kind of 'booty' - LOL!).

Bunny, Lexi, Heather, Kim, Mel, Lani,
Lynn, Dorothy, Teriann, Joy, Cheryl,
Darlene

Please, no file sharing...that's digital piracy. Send your friends to this blog so they can get their own copy and participate in our fun little blog war!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Sing it with me..."War, huh, what is it good for?"

Absolutely everything if it's a Digi Blog FREEBIE war with the designers at DSO! No live ammo, no bloodshed, we're just tossin' freebies at ya and all in good fun!



Download no longer available.

Visit me hearties' blogs to grab their booty (freebies, that is...not the other kind of 'booty' - LOL!).

Bunny, Lexi, Heather, Kim, Mel, Lani,
Lynn, Dorothy, Teriann, Joy, Cheryl

Please, no file sharing...that's digital piracy. Send your friends to this blog so they can get their own copy and participate in our fun little blog war!

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Get My New Celtic Seasons Kit FREE - Part 2!

Here's a preview of part 2 of my Celtic Seasons kit - Lughnasadh (pronounced 'loonasa').

What's that? You forgot how to get it for FREE? Go to Divine Digital's forum (you may have to sign up but it's FREE). Then go to the June 2007 DLAD link and download the available parts of the free kit. Bookmark the page or subscribe to the topic so you remember to visit every day!

Next, create a LO using the DLAD and post it in your favorite gallery. Yes, you can use images from other kits, but try to use the DLADs as much as possible. Finally, send me a link [catrionamacg @ gmail.com] and I'll send you part of Celtic Seasons!

Every week during the month of June there will be another piece of the kit up for grabs - for a total of four: Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and Imbolc. Here are the posting dates:

* 1-7 June - part 1 [view the preview]
* 8-14 June - part 2
* 15-21 June - part 3
* 22-30 June - part 4
* 30 June is catch up day! If you missed a piece of the Celtic Seasons kit, this is the day to post a last minute LO and let me know which ONE you need. You only get to pick one piece, so plan accordingly!

Don't worry, if you miss a part it will go on sale in my shops at DD and DSO on 1 July.

Remember, sharing files is a form of digital piracy - even free ones. Please send your friends to my blog so they can participate in this challenge and get their own free kit. It's not that hard!

If you want to learn more about digital piracy and how you can help prevent it, click on the "Stop Digital Piracy" link on the left.

Slainte! {Gaelic for Cheers!}

Make a MiniDigiBook for your Dad in 10 Easy Steps

Other than the annual new tie, Dad's just LOVE things you make yourself.

This little book can be made with any digi kit or you can make up your own graphics. I'm going to make mine with the June Divine Digital free download-a-day kit along with some of my JIT 6x4 bragbook templates.

1. Decide on the size: 6x4 bragbook, 5x7, 6x6, or 8x8 are easiest.
2. Pick a title like the sample image on the left: “Just Me and My Dad” (remember, this is a MINI book...not a full blown album!).
3. Write a dedication page: "This little book was created especially for...." Make sure to hand write your signature at the bottom.
4. Use the title to create a cover page and add the date.
5. On the following pages, include a bunch of photos from the time you were little through now.
6. Write a poem for your dad and add it somewhere in between the photo pages. Can't think of what to write? Check out http://quotations.about.com/cs/specialdays/tp/10_fathers_day.htm or http://www.quotegarden.com/dad-day.html for a suitable quote to use on this page.
7. Add a page or two featuring your dad's favorite hobbies or leisure time activities like fishing, playing a sport, traveling, or even just being a couch potato! Does your dad like to cook or BBQ? Add his favorite recipe. If you also have a picture of him cooking - add that, too!
8. Ask other family members and relatives to give you a list of the things they love and admire about your dad. Sprinkle these thoughts and quotes throughout the book.
9. On the next to the last page, write the "Top 10 Reasons You're the Best Dad!"
10. On the last page, include a favorite picture of you and your dad together.

Did you like this project? Well don't stop now...make one for your Mom or Brother or Sister or Kid or Cat or Dog or Friend or Mail Carrier or anyone you can think of!

Now for the fun part...if you post a few pictures of your book or layouts you did for it in your favorite galley and then post a comment to this article with a link to it, I'll send you a free goodie!

Any man can be a FATHER, but it takes someone special to be a DAD.

Here's a simple and fun idea your whole family can make for dad on Father's Day. Decorate and hand write the phrases like “I Love You,” “You’re the Greatest,” or “Best Dad” on little slips of paper. Leave these “little pieces of love” all over the place: in the car, the dresser drawer, on his tooth-brush, in his briefcase, in his shoe, and on and on. I'm sure you can think of many out-of-the-ordinary places to put them! He will be sure to smile as he discovers each one on his special day. Even if he doesn't find them all, he'll really have a laugh when they finally come to light!
(many thanks to Sandra Magsamen for this idea!)

Magical Postage Stamps for Muggles!

In celebration of an illustrious British author and a true global publishing phenomenon, the Royal Mail will issue a collection of Harry Potter stamps on 17 July. They are reproductions of the UK release book covers. The stamp set will be issued just ahead of the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book by JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™.

What? You don't live in the UK? No problem...you will be able to order a set for your collection online!

While you're waiting, why not get the gorgeous country definitives, celebrating the unique heritage and history of each of the four countries of the United Kingdom: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. Even if you can't use them to post a letter, they'll look great on your traditional paper projects, in your travel journals, or even in your stamp collection!