Hey all you beginners out there!  It’s Anna here with something I’ve done that has changed my digi-scrappin’ life!

The holidays are an extremely busy time for me.  I bet they are for you, too!  This week I have been working with my daughter to create a book for her husband for Christmas.  While I was helping her, she commented “You are so fast!!!” I started to think about the reasons why I am able to work so quickly, and that gave me the idea to share some knowledge with all you newbies!

If you are still reading you must be in search of a faster way to digi-scrap.  I know that when I first started scrapping, I would spend hours and hours working on a layout.  I am a busy mom with a part time job.  I am constantly on the lookout for a faster way to do what I do every day!  In fact, people in my family laugh because I am always analyzing different driving routes to figure out which is the faster way! LOL!!!  Do you do that?

Anyway, I realized that if I wanted to continue this hobby, I needed to find a way to fit it into my busy schedule. When I first started using keyboard shortcuts, I realized their potential.  Basically, anything you do over and over again in Photoshop can be done faster.  One way is by getting into the habit of using keyboard shortcuts.

I know for many of you this is basic knowledge.  But I didn’t grow up with a computer, so it amazed  me how much faster using a few keystrokes made my layout creation process.  For a time, I would put a post-it-note on my computer with a new shortcut.  I would leave that note up until I had that one mastered before creating a new one and working on it!  I kept doing that until I very rarely used the drop down menus.

By doing this over and over, I became an extremely fast digi-scrapper!  It also made the process of creating a layout a whole lot more fun.  I could focus on my design instead of  “now where is that command in the drop down menu…hmmm…is it under edit?…select?” Anyway, you get the idea!  I want to challenge all you scrappers out there to learn a new keystroke this week and maybe even create one of your own (but that is for a different lesson).

Every version of Photoshop has different keyboard shortcuts.  You will want to learn the ones compatible with your program.  I use CS5, but most are universal or similar.  It was nearly impossible to narrow down the shortcuts I use to just ten keystrokes…but I didn’t want to overwhelm you all!

For a more extensive list, one of my favorite finds is located HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!  Casharina and Jenelle will be here tomorrow with more happy holiday hybrids!

AnnaTips and Tricks, Uncategorized 13 Comments

Hi guys!  It’s Anna here to bring you this week’s awesome LOTW!  I know that everyone is busy this holiday season so I was pleasantly surprised to find so much fun in the inspiration gallery!  As I was choosing this morning, the layouts that made me smile got my attention.  I must be in a silly mood!  This layout made me giggle because some of my little ones make a similar face when I use the flash!  Kids are so funny!!!  Here is the hilarious layout I chose!

Congratulations to freedurt for her Flash layout!  Thanks for bringing a smile to my face.  I’m thinking that the $10 Shabby Shoppe gift card we are sending via e-mail might bring a smile to your face, too!!!  Enjoy! (and, just incase you don’t see it in your inbox, be sure to check your spam folder too!)

The next couple of weeks on the BLOG will be jam-packed with more festive fun!!  On most days we will have not just one, but TWO posts per day…WOOHOO!  Starting tomorrow make sure you keep on scrolling so you don’t miss a thing!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great Monday!

AnnaLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Hey guys… Anna here bringing you another awesome Product Spotlight.  Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and that’s why I am so excited to bring you SP’s amazing Bountiful!

If you’re anything like me you still have lots of fun fall photos to scrap.  Bountiful is the perfect collection to make your autumn pages gorgeous and guess what?…it is on SALE for a limited time!  That means you can pick up all this amazingness (lol – is that a word?) for just $3.50 – right HERE!

If that doesn’t excite you enough,  just look at what our Shabby Artists have created with the incredible Bountiful digi-kit!

To see these layouts up close, go to the Shabby Artists gallery!  For even more inspiration, take another look at SP’s Digitally Designed Pumpkins. She used a quite a few elements from Bountiful (along with some other favorite fall kits) to make her post incredibly beautiful!

Stop by tomorrow for an awesome Focus on Photos post from Beckie!

AnnaProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 8 Comments

Hello to all you wonderful digiscrappers!!!  Happy Monday!  It’s Anna here and I have to let you know I had a great time browsing through the gallery this week.  I always find lots of incredible layouts and inspiration there! 

For this week, I selected lifeisgood‘s layout “October”.  I am loving all her gorgeous fall leaves and that pennant banner!  I feel this layout really captures the essence of fall!  Of course, how can you resist that adorable photo?!  I couldn’t!!!

Congratulations lifeisgood, you’ve won a $10 Shabby Shoppe gift certificate (sent via email)!  Thanks for sharing your lovely layout with us!

Enjoy your fantastic Monday, but make sure to stop by tomorrow to see our latest Product Spotlight!

AnnaLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hi there :) and welcome!  It’s Anna here with another exciting product spotlight!

Take a look at SP’s Silly Boy :: Nut-Nut (on SALE for only $4.25…for a limited time)!

Here is what SP had to say about this collection when it was first released:

I often refer to our son as a ‘nut-nut’ when he is acting silly…not too long ago…he just looked at me and called me a NUT NUT (I’m ALWAYS acting silly)…which I thought was hilarious…so…there you have it :) There are some great boy colors here…that are still nice and soft!!! Very versatile, too! Lots of fun chipboard accents here…as well as a really cute digi stamp (my fave piece – he he)! The alphabet paper is soooo perfect for all types of vocabulary pages…school pages, etc! Let your imagination run wild! Hope you love this one as much as I do! Also…there are two versions of the quilt squares paper included in the kit…one WITH stitching and one WITHOUT the stitching :)

I had great fun scrapping with Silly Boy :: Nut-Nut! Take a look…

Silly Boy :: Nut-Nut is not just for little boy layouts!  With just a few adjustments, I created this one.

Kylie rocked the kit with her fabulous “goofy boy” layout!

…and finally, nothing but perfection from SP!

I hope you have enjoyed today’s Silly Boy :: Nut-Nut Product Spotlight!

Kylie will be here on Thursday to announce the winner of Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge SIXTEEN and post a brand-new FREE template and challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and happy scrapping!

AnnaProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 2 Comments