It's a BLOG TRAIN!!!!

Welcome to Cara Olson Designs' Blog!  Happy Digital Scrapbooking Day.  You are riding the ScrapMatters Blog Train and you have arrived at Cara's Blog from Lina's blog. 

Our theme is "Thankful" and I'd like to take a moment to tell you what inspired me for my freebie - my little boy.  He will be three years old the end of this month and he is the apple of my eye.  We waited a long time to have such a precious child and I love him dearly.  He inspires me every day and I'm so thankful for him. 

I've created a template for you today.  It works beautifully with the featured kit, Many Thanks, from ScrapMatters.  Many Thanks is free with a $20 purchase at ScrapMatters, so *wink* plan your DSD purchases accordingly. 

Here's the layout using Many Thanks that inspired the template:

Here's a preview of the template and kit:

The Blog Train has ended its run and is now parked in the station.  Hope you were able to grab it!!

New Release day at ScrapMatters

It's the best day of the week.... it's new release day at ScrapMatters!  Here are a few of the new, awesome kits:

Here's a Halloween/Fall kit from Scrapmuss Designs called Lost Kingdom.  I absolutely LOVE this kit. The oranges are so warm.

And here's what I made with it:

Here's an awesome new set of Stacks from Chelle's Creations.  I don't know what I did before these!!!  They're amazing.  Here they are:

And here's a layout I made using them.  (It's also my entry for Battle of the Creative Teams at DigiScrapAddicts):

Here's a new kit by Jenn Labre, Red Red Wine.  Ever since I've gotten this kit, I hum that song every time I look at the kit.  LOL  I love the rich tones in this kit (not to mention I'm a big fan of great wine!).

Here are some super fun mats from Jady Day Studio - Matly in Love - Set 1. Love these.  I can see myself using them over and over and over.  And "set 1" implies more than one will be coming... hooray!!!

And here's a layout I made using both of these (my first photoless layout):

This is just the tip of the iceberg this week.  Go to ScrapMatters to check it out!

Votes Needed!!!

Hey Blog followers... Chelle's Creations (and I) need your help!  Battle of the Creative teams has started at DigiScrapAddicts.com and we need your votes. Click here to view our layouts for the Week One challenge. Click here to place your vote (for Chelle's Creations - it's toward the bottom of the list).  Thanks for your help!!!

Here's my personal layout for Chelle's Creative Geniuses:

New Kits at ScrapMatters today!

Tis the season for great fall and Halloween kits (among many other fantastic kits!) and this week's releases at ScrapMatters don't disappoint!

First, from Chelle's Creations is Beary Cute.  I personally have the Boy Bundle (pictured here), but she's got a simply adorable girl version as well.

Next is Colors of Fall by Creations by Rachael.  It's gorgeous!!

Next, there's Lil' Spookies by LawTeeDa Designs.  Awesome for cute little ones in their costumes.

And ooooooooh, I love this new collab kit from JennCK Designs and Stolen Moments Designs.  Yum!  It's called Aviator.

And last, and certainly NOT least is the new kit from Jady Day Studios called My Girl.  I loved this kit so much I dug out photos from when I was little just so I could scrap with it! It's absolutely fabulous!!!

Fabulous Template Freebie

Hello and happy Tuesday everyone!  I've created a template freebie for Chelle's Creations today, and I'm also offering it here.  Dontcha just love a new template?  I know I do.  Our lives are so hectic (and sometimes our scrapping mojo disappears just when we need it :/  ), that templates are such a gift. So enjoy!!! 

Here's a look at the preview...

Download HERE! 

Don't forget to post here to let me know you downloaded the template.  Also, link me up to your gallery when you get your layout done so I can come see your beautiful work! 

Have a great week!

I'm Hosting My First Speed Scrap!

I'm so excited!!  I'm hosting  my first Speed Scrap at ScrapMatters.  Come join me on Thursday morning, October 14 at 11 EST/ 10 CST/ 9 PST for a fun speed scrap.  Here are the details....

And I *think* this is the participation prize.  Super cute, isn't it?

Join me!  I'd love your support!!!

Awesome Promotions at ScrapMatters!

Hey, blog friends... there are some sweet deals at ScrapMatters this week.  Check them out at ScrapMatters

New Releases for 10-1-10

Sorry I've been lax in my posting!  Life has certainly been busy.  I've got some awesome new releases from ScrapMatters to show you today.

First is Serenity by Happy Scrap Girl.  Isn't it gorgeous?  The colors are just so beautiful.

And here's what I did with it:

Next, is All Hallow's Eve from Chelle's Creations.  I love that Chelle did a vintage kit!!!  It's soft, muted colors are so spectacular - and everything looks so pretty.  It almost scraps itself!

And here's what I made with it (it's ME in 1974 with my fave cousin Matt! - wow am I old!  LOL):

Here's a new on from WM[squared] and Graham Like the Cracker.  I love this kit.  It's called Family Matters - The Family Tree Collection.  I love love love it.  It's an AWESOME collaboration.  Here's a look:

It took me hours to scrap this page.  Not from anything related to the kit, but because it was so emotional for me.  It was the perfect kit to scrap one of my favorite photos of all time.  <3  Here's what I came up with:

Here's one from a guest designer at ScrapMatters this month, Jennifer Labre Designs:

And here's what I made... yep, this one's me too.  In 1973:

New Layouts with fab new kits!!

Happy Friday everyone!  I've got tons to tell you about today since new kits are out today at ScrapMatters.  My first one is from Chelle (and it's the one I am totally drooling over - I {heart} this kit!!!) and it's called Sew Crafty.  Here's a look at the layouts I made.  I made THREE!!!

Next is this week's kit from Ro at Man In the Moon Desigsn and it's called Any Which Way.  I am smitten with how bright, fun and versatile this kit is.  It's amazing.  What did I do with it, you ask?  Here's my layout with Ro's kit and paper curves from Happy Scrap Girl's More Than Curves.

And last, but not least is another layout I made for the Extreme Layout Makeover challenge at ScrapMatters in which I featured a template from Stolen Moments - Scraps by Number: Just Call Me Sara and Haynay Designs kit, Falling For Pumpkins.

Have a great weekend, everyone and don't forget to go to ScrapMatters for some new scrapping goodies!!

Man in the Moon's New Kit (Sneak Peek)

Here's another kit that comes out Friday - Man in the Moon's bright and fun kit, Any Which Way.  Here's a sneak peek:

Can you get the gist?  Soooo cute!  Ro's got a "win it before you can buy it" competition. It's posted HERE in the ScrapMatters forum.  You'll have to wait until Friday to see what I did with it!  :)

I Made the ScrapMatters Creative Team!!!!!

Can you hear me shouting from here?!?!!  I cannot believe I made the team!  What an honor.  I'm totally still pinching myself.  :)  I'm still learning my way around the back-end of the SM site, but I'm thrilled to be on the team with so many creative and talented ladies!  I'll keep you posted about awesome new kits coming out from ALL of  the SM designers (so great to look behind the curtain - LOL) and will also tell you about some great activites and scrapping challenges.  Keep your ear to my blog....

Until next time....
Cara

I can't stand it!!!!

Okay, so I told you that Chelle's Creations is coming out with an awesome new kit on August 27.  And I told you I was creating the Sneak Peek for next week... but I can't wait that long to show you!!  This kit is so PERFECT for me.  And I do mean perfect.  Two of my favorite things: scrapping and [mystery topic].  Heee hee hee.  Sorry for the suspense, but I shouldn't really let the cat out of the bag yet.  .. oh, okay, since you're going to MAKE me, here's a look at the sneak peek (my first):

New kits!!!!

Happy Friday, everyone!  I've got a couple awesome new kits to show you today.  First up is Chelle's Creations new back-to-school kit, called - what else? - Back 2 School.  It's so darn cute!  Here's a look at the kit:

I love these vivid primary colors. And aren't those felty crayons to die for?  So cute.  Click the link above to go to ScrapMatters' store to get it.  Here's what I made with the kit - Drew's first day of PRE-preschool (LOL!):

Next up is the today's new kit from Scrapmuss Designs.  Maria also put out a back-to-school themed kit called Learn Twice.  Here's a look:

Aren't those muted tones yummy?  I even tweaked my photos to match the tones of the papers.  Here's what I did with her kit:

Pick yours up today at ScrapMatters' store.

See you soon!  Chelle has something AWESOME cooked up for next week and it's right up my alley.  Can't wait to show you the Sneak Peek (which is my job this week).  Ro from Man in the Moon also has a super cute kit coming out next week.  Stay tuned.....

Wow! Where has the last month gone?

Holy cow!  I'm so far behind here.  Life's been crazy with my career 360.  I'm taking insurance classes to become licensed to manage risk and coordinate insurance coverage.  I've certainly fallen off of the radar. Now that I've finished my last class (for a while, anyway!) and just have to take my last exam, I'll have more time again for scrapping.  (That's way more fun anyway!!!!)

I did want to show you a really cute kit that came out today at ScrapMatters; it's called Wizarding Magic.  Here's a look:

Isn't it super cute??  If you are lucky enough to get to Orlando/Universal Studios this is the perfect kit to scrap your visit to Hogsmeade or Hogwarts.  Plus, the movie is coming out this fall too.  OR, it's great for Halloween pictures too.  Got get it today!

See you soon!  Happy scrapping.  :)

It's a BIRTHDAY celebration!!

Chelle is celebrating her birthday in style.... and we, her CT, are giving away TONS of goodies!  From now through the end of the month, visit Chelle's Blog to catch all the great giveaways and play in all the festivities.  To whet your whistle. here's my giveaway for Day 7 of the celebration:

You can get the freebie by going to Chelle's Blog or directly by clicking here.  Hope you enjoy it!  And please stop by here and/or Chelle's blog and show us what you did with it!  I'd love to see it.

Are You Chelle's Super Fan??

Are you a fan of Chelle's Creations... then you will love this new feature that will score you a new product of Chelle's EACH month... for FREE! Yep a FREE product of Chelle's each month! Plus have a chance to win a gift certificate to her store!  Wanna see what's up for grabs this month?

What do you need to do? Link up your layouts that you do using her products on the Link Up on her Blog to any gallery you have it posted at - so we can be sure to leave you some much deserved love! The layouts you link up MUST be created during the Link Up period. For this month that will be July 3rd to the 30th.

When should I do it? Each month we will post a new Link Up - after the previous one has finished - simply link your layouts that you create. Just linking one is enough but we would love to see more so feel free to link them all up!

So head over to Chelle's Blog and link up your layouts!! 

Madly Scrapping

It's summer and it's crazy busy.  What, with taking my little fish swimming and some surgeries/medical issues, it's been so out-of-control.  But here I am to show you a little of what I've been working on.  I can't show you everything (sinister grin) because not all the kits I'm working with have been released yet, but you'll see them soon.  :)

Chelle of Chelle's Creations has been a machine this month as she's doing a guest spot at The DigiChick in addition to her regular stuff at ScrapMatters... and she is featured at The Daily Digi this month as well.  All this and she has children too.  She amazes me.  Anyway, I've got a Product Flashback featured on her blog that posts tomorrow.  Check it out! 

It's Christmas in July as ScrapMatters and Chelle has her winter kits on sale 30% off until July 15.  Here's her newest kit, Ho! Ho! Ho!

And the layout I made with this super fun kit (the button tree is awesome, isn't it??)

Here's a kit of Chelle's that only available at The DigiChick, Grandpa's Garden.  It's so cute.. and perfect for scrapping photos of my little boy and my dad working together at the farm.  Here's the kit:

Here's my layout:

Scrapmuss Designs is participating in the ScrapMatters Christmas in July sale too.  Maria created a new kit called Knit Me a Winter Mini.  It's adorable and on sale for only $2.45!  Here's a look:

And my layout:

And here's another layout I did for Sarah Bennett with her kit, Old Glory - a collab with Trixie Scraps.  It's very vintage.  I really love it.  Here's the kit preview:

Here's my layout:

And last, but not least (of those that I can show you today - LOL) is a layout I did for Designs by Tater.  I used her super cute collab kit, Yankee Doodle Doo, that she did with Keepscrappin' Designs.  It's the perfect kit.  It's like it was made for me.  I love the little felt people and the awesome alphas.  Great kit! 

Here's my layout:

 

So thanks for looking and I hope you found some inspiration here today.  :)   'Til next time...

Cara