Paste Optional Designs

I <3 you - TODAY ONLY!!

2012-02-14T06:43:00.001-05:00

Today only at my Plain Digital Wrapper shoppe I'm throwing a Valentine's Day sale! You can grab anything in my shop for 42% off - that's 3 X 14 %!!!!

If that doesn't tickle your fancy - this might :) I'll choose one lucky customer to win a $15.00 coupon to my shop too!!!!!!!

I've also got a little goody for you - just because I DO <3 you all - I've got Bonus Bits to my newest kit, "Brand New Day" on sale right NOW!!!

You can grab this for a LIMITED TIME before I offer it in my shop - don't wait!

So snuggle up to your favorite significant other and celebrate the day!

LAST CHANCE: 40 % off for {i}DSD

2011-11-06T20:54:00.001-05:00

This is your LAST CHANCE to purchase any product from my shop at a 40% discount - PU or CU!

The Designers at PDW have a TON of stuff on sale, specials, two for deals, and more...and it all ends TONIGHT so don't miss out!

Mac Attack Monday: File Browsing Alternatives

2011-10-03T21:15:00.001-04:00

Mac Software Alternatives: Finder

While the Finder application does what it's name implies, I think it stops short in delivering many of the features we really need. It does browse through many file types and allows us to perform the basic tasks; however there are other applications out there that I think offer the features I most use and look for.

One option is Pathfinder (http://www.cocoatech.com/). Utilizing a dual pane browsing system, you can easily navigate to where you want to be in one pane, while retaining a static position in the second. Another couple of useful features they offer are tabs and bookmarks to easily keep your place with any file or folder you choose. Particularly helpful if you have a set of items you access often, or even if you want to set up a group of files by context or project.

A function that, coming from a Windows based PC to a Mac I missed, was being able to “cut” a file from one location and “paste” it in another. Finder allows you to copy and paste, but not to actually remove the file from one folder and place it in another. Even if you drag from one Finder window to a second, the best you can hope for is that the file will copy and paste a duplicate of itself in the new location. Sometimes that's just not what I want – being the organizational freak that I am.

Command clicking on a file brings up the usual alternate menu options but with a few more bells and whistles. You could always assign categories, but with PathFinder you can cut, copy path, choose which program opens that particular file, compress and email, and utilize any number of applications that work with it. For example, I use the program Notebook by Circus Ponies Software (http://www.circusponies.com/) to capture many of my thoughts and concepts when I'm designing. It's a nice way to do a flow chart with graphics, links, lists, etc. I can send whatever file I Command click on to this program in PathFinder without having to take the extra steps to open the application and then drag and drop the file in.

If you want to try it before you decide whether or not it's for you, the site offers a free 30 day trial license. At the end of the 30 days if you wish to continue you'll need to purchase a full license for $39.95, but I can tell you that it's well worth it. I've used PathFinder for almost two years and have yet to be unhappy with its features or performance, and would highly recommend it if you're looking for a file browser that has the potential for so much more.

NEW RELEASE & SALE!

2011-09-24T21:02:00.001-04:00

My newest release, Sit Stay Run Play is on sale for 40% off through Sunday, September 25th along with my ENTIRE personal use product line! It's available as individual pieces as well as an economic bundle!

Here are some amazing layouts by the Plain Digital Wrapper Creative Team using, "Sit Stay Run Play"!

You never know what you had until...

2011-09-11T18:44:00.001-04:00

..your trusty Macbook pro decides not to work for you.

Yep it pretty much wouldn't open anything faster than a snail's pace uphill in the wintertime this week - except Photoshop. I know, right - the ONE program that we KNOW is a resource hog was booting up just fine and everything else wasn't. I loaded Tech Tools Deluxe (came with my Apple Care plan), scanned, had it repair some inconsistencies in my volume structure and still nothing. So I figured that I'd start uninstalling the programs that I suspected were the culprits. First was Microsoft Office. I know...a MS product on my Mac lol but I swear it worked fine until this week. Specifically, Outlook functioned fine until this week. In any case I uninstalled all of my office products, and then MacKeeper Pro because that was the most recent addition to my applications.

Whaddaya know...it fixed it like nobodies business! I was doing a little victory dance that probably rivaled Elaine's "dancing" in Seinfeld, but what the heck, I figured it out all by myself :P The end result is, I had to go back to using Apple Mail - not my favorite mail app, but it works and I can get it to do what I need it to. and my computer has never worked more efficiently. Unbelievable, considering I've had this Macbook since February 2009.

In any case I wanted to share something really exciting with you! I was spotlighted at Plain Digital Wrapper this week :) My kit, "It's Your Birthday" has some neat goodies created by our talented Creative Team for you! There will be three free downloads available - one on our PDW newsletter (sign up HERE to receive it), our blog, and on our Facebook page.

Here are some of the amazing layouts and projects created using the kit:

I have a coupon for you to score 40% off of the "It's Your Birthday" page kit good through September 31st, 2011 - just use the code iluvcake to receive your discount!

New Release - Baja - Limited Discount Pricing!

2011-08-13T22:27:00.001-04:00

Remember when I had the neat little give away at the iNSD chat and when I was the 'Featured Designer' at Plain Digital Wrapper? Well I loved the color palette so much that I ended up creating an entire kit from it! I released "Baja" yesterday at my Plain Digital Wrapper Shoppe and it will be on sale for 42% off of the retail pricing through Sunday night!

If you missed the Baja goodies that I gave away during the iNSD chat and my 'Featured Designer' spot at PDW, never fear - I have compiled them into a Baja Add On Bundle and have them also for sale at a 33% discount in the shoppe! I've also got a set of clusters that aren't in the shoppe YET but you can get them here for FREE before anyone else!

So grab the download link for the clusters below - and I promise you, you'll want the rest of the kit!

I'm Sorry...this offer has expired - check this blog often for future freebies!!!

Crazy? Who's Crazy?? Not me....lol

2011-05-30T10:55:00.001-04:00

Well I was so excited about my Featured Designer spot at Plain Digital Wrapper that I jumped the gun by a week lol...so read the post below (dated May 23rd) to see what goody I have for you to download!

A little Baja to get you through the day

2011-05-23T22:04:00.001-04:00

So, I'm the Featured Designer this week at Plain Digital Wrapper and in honor of that, as well as a vain attempt at combating all of this freaky rain we're having, I've got a paper add on freebie for you :)

Baja will be a full kit (and then some) that will be coming out soon, but here's a taste of whats to come!

Download Add On Paper Pack HERE

New Twist on an "Old" Standard

2010-11-07T18:57:00.001-05:00

We're all familiar with the traditional Jack O' Lanterns that you see all over during the Halloween season - but I've come to look forward to the interesting twist that one local Beauty Salon puts on an old favorite.

Gals and Guys Salon in Grafton, MA has a contest every year for their staff to decorate pumpkins for the clientele to vote on their favorite. Prizes differ every year, but I've seen that the staff there really let their creativity flow. They don't limit how they decorate the pumpkins and this year was no exception. I apologize because for some reason, my point & shoot camera really didn't work well - if there was even a hint of a tremor in my hand, the photo came out blurry. I guess I might have to start carrying around the canon (riiiight...that's a bag and a half!).

Without further ado - here are the photos I took. There were 8 entries this year, but unfortunately one of them was not available when I went to the salon. Apparently it had started to rot lol.

Aren't these too cute? Makes me want to head out to my local supermarket or farm stand and see if I can't turn out something half as good :)

PDW is Looking for a Few Good Designers!

2010-10-24T18:24:00.002-04:00

Have you heard about the Design Team Call that's going on at Plain Digital Wrapper?

Just send a quick email to designer@plaindigitalwrapper.com by October 31st, 2010 to apply! I can personally attest that I have never felt more at home anywhere else (and I've been on staff at a few shops). We are a caring, fun and creative group dedicated to making sure we offer our customers the finest in digital scrapbooking products.

Blogtoberfest has come to PDW!

2010-10-17T18:27:00.001-04:00

This week we are celebrating our very first Blogtoberfest at Plain Digital Wrapper! Each of the blogs listed below has a download link to a portion of a past PDW Team Kit - you will grab a piece at each stop you visit with :) Just click the "trick or Treat" graphic at the bottom of this post to grab the piece that I'm offering here :)

I'd love it if you left me a quick comment to let me know that you visited, but it's not a requirement - I just want you to have fun!

One more thing, if you post a Layout using at least part of the Blogtoberfest kit this week, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $15.00 Coupon to the shop!

1. PDW Blog http://plaindigitalwrapper.com/blog/

2. PDW facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/plaindigitalwrapper

3. Southern Creek Designs blog http://thereisafineline.blogspot.com/

4. Donna http://pixel-mischief.blogspot.com/

5. Lori http://ldhoriginals.blogspot.com/

6. Susie http://suslyngloscraps.blogspot.com/

7. Jemy http://craftyinsomniac.blogspot.com

8. Katers http://kater07.blogspot.com/

9. Lynn http://pasteoptionaldesigns.blogspot.com

10. Marla http://mscrafts8.blogspot.com/

11. Kimeric http://kimerickreations.blogspot.com

12. Becki http://crazsquawcreations.blogspot.com/

13. Vicki http://txbubbles-bubblesbabbles.blogspot.com/

14. Sondra http://rosemarythyme.wordpress.com/

15. ScrapDZines http://scrapdzines.blogspot.com/

Something really cute

2010-10-16T20:34:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that the word "cute" doesn't usually exit my mouth for any reason. It's just not a term I've ever been fond of - no reason in particular, it just "is".

Anyhow I was in Target this week for a plastic container to hold cereal in, and as it usually does, I find all sorts of other things that I have to have. This was THE thing this time:

(The photo was taken with my cell phone in my office at work - I thought it would be a nice, simple decoration for the holiday.)

Target had a whole slew of these banks all dolled up as different Halloween costumes - you can see their complete collection here. They're $8.00 a piece but if you're looking for something unique, I think they're, well, cute.

I did also see some that were done up with tiara's which I thought might be neat as a birthday present for a girl (maybe with some money in the bank to "start them off"), but I can't find any examples on the store's website to show off.

How do YOU decorate for Halloween at home? In the office?

Brand NEW Commercial Use Booty Bag!

2010-08-31T21:52:00.006-04:00

Before I get going, let me be clear about two things:

1. I've been horribly neglectful of my blog.
2. No matter how many times I SAY I'll be better about posting to it, I fail miserably.

However, I WILL try to do my best to update this regularly. I've been on a little bit of a sabbatical from all of the normal design & promote routine I once had. Work has been VERY full, and any mojo I had went the way of the dodo bird :P

Nevertheless, I've had some new products come out lately - and one that will be released tomorrow :)

My 2010 Commercial Use Booty Bag!

Huh?

September 19th has the distinction of being "Talk Like a Pirate Day" and Plain Digital Wrapper is throwing a month long TLAP shindig!!! Tomorrow we'll kick off our Booty (grab) bag sale - for one week the Designers will have these juicy little treasures under wraps but for sale at a BIG STEAL! A 3 product bag is $3 and a 5 product bag is just $5 - can't beat that!

I can tell you that my bag is not gender or seasonal specific, and I'm sure you'll love the contents. These are some of my best products to date :)

Wanna sneak peek?

Another Challenge for you!!

2009-07-11T01:15:00.003-04:00

Hiya!! We have another challenge for you!! We want you to create a LO with a quote. It can be a meaningful quote, silly, funny, serious, whatever you want!! And, of course, we have prizes!! Once the LOs are all done, the CT will vote on a winner. Said winner will receive a $10 coupon to the Paste Optional Designs store at Plain Digital Wrapper!! And, we will use a random number generator to pick a winner who will receive a $5 coupon! So, all you have to do to enter is create a layout using a quote, post it in a gallery, and leave a comment here with a link to your layout!! You don't have to use a Paste Optional kit but, we do love seeing them in use!! If you use a POD kit, please, post in the gallery at PDW

A little inspiration!

Now, show us what you've got!!

A Beautiful LO!

2009-07-03T13:46:00.004-04:00

There are those times when you see a LO and it just blows you away. Sometimes it's the color selection, or the photo, or just the simplicty of the design that allows a very powerful story to be shared. I want to share a LO from one of our RAK winners that I absolutely LOVE by Dida :)

Well done, Dida!!!

New Challenge Freebie!

2009-06-19T11:04:00.005-04:00

Here's a new freebie that goes with the Challenge Kit and QP Pack.
Take Part in the CHALLENGE and receive the kit FREE!

We're sorry, this download offer has expired. Please check back for NEW free samples!

I have a Freebie Template Pack for you.

2009-06-17T23:27:00.004-04:00

I thought you'd all love a template pack to use with all the cool kits you've got!

Download here!
Don't forget to leave some love!

Today's Challenge Freebie

2009-06-17T13:01:00.004-04:00

We have a new challenge Freebie for you.

We're sorry, this download offer has expired. Please check back for NEW free samples!

Post your List Layout to The POD Gallery and link us up here on the blog.

Each participant will receive Cool Touch by Paste Optional Designs,
just for participating!!!!!

Click Here to see what comes in your kit!

After all the submissions are in, we'll choose our favorite LO.
The winner will receive the Cool Touch QP pack,

which coordinates with the Cool Touch Page Kit,
your participation gift!

Link us up and receive Cool Touch, today!

We'd love it if you used POD products, but this challenge is product open - use anything you like.

Layouts are due by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, June 21st.

Not sure where to start? Need some ideas?

5 Things I Love About You
5 Reasons to Live in Florida
10 Reasons to Visit the Beach
Top 5 Best Books
20 Questions to ask ...
5 Favorite/Dream Vacation Spots

A Little Inspiration!

Here's a little gift for stopping by.

DOWNLOAD

Thanks so much for dropping by! We look forward to seeing your wonderful pages.

Paste Optional Designs Layout Challenge

2009-06-14T20:45:00.015-04:00

We have a challenge for you.

Post your List Layout to The POD Gallery and link us up here on the blog.

Each participant will receive Cool Touch by Paste Optional Designs,
just for participating!!!!!

Click Here to see what comes in your kit!

After all the submissions are in, we'll choose our favorite LO.
The winner will receive the Cool Touch QP pack,

which coordinates with the Cool Touch Page Kit,
your participation gift!

Link us up and receive Cool Touch, today!

We'd love it if you used POD products, but this challenge is product open - use anything you like.

Layouts are due by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, June 21st.

Not sure where to start? Need some ideas?

5 Things I Love About You
5 Reasons to Live in Florida
10 Reasons to Visit the Beach
Top 5 Best Books
20 Questions to ask ...
5 Favorite/Dream Vacation Spots

A Little Inspiration!

Here's a little gift for stopping by.

We're sorry, this download offer has expired. Please check back for NEW free samples!

Thanks so much for dropping by! We look forward to seeing your wonderful pages.

Hybrid freebie!!

2009-06-04T21:29:00.006-04:00

Hey everyone! Jamie here with a hybrid freebie for you!! I used the new kit, Cool Touch. Isn't it gorgeous?!?

And, here's the goodie I have for you, it's a candy bar wrapper! I left the journaling block blank so you can add whatever text you need!! Then, just wrap up a yummy bar of chocolate and, instant gift!!

Just click HERE to grab it!!

Announcing: My BRAND NEW Creative Team!!

2009-06-01T21:48:00.001-04:00

I am so proud and excited to announce my new Creative Team (called the 'Paste Eaters'):

Annette
Chris
Denise
Jamie
Katie
Kelly
Laura
Lisa
Meghann
Tonje

These ladies have been hard at work coming up with new ideas for contests, products, samples as well as posting examples of their creative goodness already! I know you'll be as inspired and impressed as I already am :)

A little "something" for you :)

2009-05-21T22:13:00.000-04:00

I'm running an "It's my Birthday!" sale in my Plain Digital Wrapper store! From Tonight (Thursday, May 21st - through Monday, May 25th, 2009) my entire store is 35% off :) And, because you visited my blog, you get an additional 15% off - so that brings the total discount to 50% !! Use coupon code: bday2me (good for 15% through May 25th, 2009) to get you to the 50% mark. Yes, it's THAT easy!

Speed Scrap 9pm CST 5/16/09 @ PDW!

2009-05-16T13:25:00.000-04:00

We're holding our weekly Speed Scrap Chat/Challenge at Plain Digital Wrapper and I have to tell you if you can set aside an hour or so to do it you will love it! I'm not the most prolific of scrappers, but I can tell you that participating in the speed scrap has really allowed me to grow as a scrapper. I get to experiment with different styles (as chosen by the host), and then when we're actually putting the Layout together I don't have time to "over think" things. It produces some really interesting and pretty results!

All Aboard the PDW Blog Train!

2009-03-30T21:59:00.001-04:00

We've been celebrating blogs over the past week. What they're for, different ways to use them, design types, troubleshooting. Of course, the week wouldn't have been complete without having our own Blog Train! We've got some fantastic coordinating samplers that I hope you enjoy! You can download mine below - but here's a peek at it:) I hope that you'll take part in the bloggerific events going on in the forum :)

And before you download my goody...here's a list of the people participating in the train - note that the last stop is the BRAND NEW PDW Blog! Denise Williams (aka Princess for Life Designs) has been working very hard to spiff it up, and we think it's gorgeous! Feel free to leave love at any (or ALL) of the blogs - we'd love to hear from you!

Lisa Hanks - http://thereisafineline.blogspot.com/

Kanga - http://kangas-kreations.blogspot.com/

Julie - http://julieitis.blogspot.com

Denise - http://princessforlifedesigns.com/blog

KariQ - http://kariqdesigns.blogspot.com/

Athena - http://blog.studioincognitodesigns.com/

Kris Meyers - http://nwfotobug.blogspot.com

PDW Blog - http://plaindigitalwrapper.com/blog/

We're sorry, this download offer has expired. Please check back for NEW free samples!

Plan "B" - My Life's Motto

2009-03-24T21:35:00.001-04:00

I swear I live by "Plan B" - it doesn't matter if it's work, home, or the dogs, something always happens that causes me to deviate from my original plan and have to go for the alternative. It's taught me to think on my feet and be creative when I need to be, but there are some days that I'd just like things to go according to the original plan.

For instance, the dogs. I have two dogs - Minnie who's 15 that we've had since she was about 4 months old, and Amapola, who we (read:I) adopted from the shelter in September. Amapola is a super affectionate dog to me, but to my husband she STILL runs when he comes into a room. When he sits down on the couch though, that's a different story altogether. She stands in front of me (I'm usually sitting next to him) and she's staring at DH with the puppy eyes, waiting for him to invite her up on the couch between us.

I can't get her to sit on the couch if DH is there - it's his call according to her lol. He has to go through this routine of wiggling his fingers, waving at her, and then when she comes close enough, pats her head. At that point, she usually gets up between us and lays on him. Go figure.

At night, she sleeps in the bed pretty much on me, but if DH is gone for the night, she insists on laying in the spot on the couch he sits in. And if he's away more than a day or so, she gets really upset, leaving me "presents" and wanting to stand at the end of the driveway to watch for him.

She also is afraid of cameras, flashlights, my cell phone (because she's figured out that I can take photos with it) and my ipod backight. I'm seriously going to take this dog to see a behavioralist.