HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

We are just days away from Christmas and I still have so much to doooo!  At least I finished my cards today and now I just need to get them in the mail.  Hmmm...I wonder if Australia Post will deliver in time for Christmas?  

Aside from all the usual countdown to having everything done in time, I have been meaning to do another blog entry to kind of 'gather everything together'.  

I'll start with the Studio's Annual Christmas Carol Blog Hop (which you'll find below) - I apologise for the blocked download link - I have a new link now, so please try downloading again if you had trouble previously.  I love all the comments that people leave - it's so rewarding to know that your work is appreciated.  Thank you!

The Studio's Advent Calendar has a new piece each day through Christmas Eve.  Don't forget to check in each day to nab yours.  These have been created around the same palette, so you will be able to mix and match pieces from each minikit.  Enjoy!!

Next - NEW in store:

"Christmas Reflections" is a 'more-than-a-mini' that I did in conjunction with my wonderful friend, Manu, of Manu Scraps.  We both called our mini's "Christmas Reflections" and we used the same palette.  When you purchase both you'll be able to mix and match.  We also have a BONUS OFFER.

Special Limited Time Offer:

Purchase this kit AND Christmas Reflections by Manu Scraps to get these exclusive clusters FREE!

Simply email either Zesty Designs or Manu Scraps with your invoice and we'll send you the clusters* within 24 hours

*Note: This offer only applies if both items are purchased on current selling price or list price. NO points or coupons allowed to qualify for the free gift 

Here are our previews:

The BONUS:

NEW COMMERCIAL USE

I have three new paper packs releasing today.  They will be 30% off for a limited time.

RETIRING "Winter's Frost - Co-ordinated Collection" 

This collection will be 70% off until the end of the month - then it will disappear into the vault.

If you don't have this collection, now is the time to pick it up at the lowest possible price.

And lastly, just a reminder - The December Start-Up Challenge has another little freebie waiting for you!  

From my house to yours...Have a wonderful Christmas!  

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL BLOG HOP IS HERE!

It's here!!



Welcome to the Studio’s Annual Christmas Carol Blog Hop. Every year the Studio Designers gather together to “sing Christmas Carols” to all of our members, customers, fans & friends. It’s a way for us all to say Merry Christmas and a big Thank You for being so supportive. Each participating Designer has chosen a special Christmas Carol just for you and designed a cute mini freebie around it. So put on your dancing shoes & singing voices and come caroling with us. 

Remember these are free for your personal use and available for free a limited time only, please do NOT share the files with anybody nor upload to any other site or server, this would be against our terms of use (included in each zip, please read). 
If you want your friends to have a copy, send them to our blogs to get their own free copy.
Thank you!

Please note:  the download link has now expired.  This kit is now available in my store here. 

Below is the list of all the designers that are participating. If you get lost along the way, just come back here and pick up where you left off:

  The Studio 

ADB Designs 

Over the Fence Designs 

Manu Scraps 

Angel Hartline Designs 

Aimee Harrison 

Zesty Designs ← You Are Here - Link is now expired

BooLand Designs ← Your Next Stop 

butterflyDsign 

Jen Maddocks Designs 

Kim Cameron 

Prairie Song Scraps 

Benthaicreations 

Studio4 Designworks 

Wendyzine Scraps  

The Urban Fairy  

Heartstrings Scrap Art 

Berna Datema 

Sekada Designs 

Nibbles Skribbles 

Let Me Scrapbook 

Simplette Scrap and Design 

Carin Grobe Design 

PrelestnayaP Design

Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday and more

Hi All,
It's almost Thanksgiving and I'm guessing that most of you (if not all) will be either travelling to be with family or friends, or hosting them in your own home.  I'm taking this opportunity to wish you a wonderful time of togetherness and giving thanks.  I'm also guessing that Thanksgiving Day is a busy time and there won't be much time to be reading blogs, emails and such, so this is the last you'll hear from me until all the festivities are over and the big sales in the coming days are past.

Really then, this is so you are aware of what I have in my store at The Studio for you at this time and during this weekend.

THANKSGIVING DAY:  50% off Storewide - this is one of our huge sale days!! 

BLACK FRIDAY:  $1.00 DOORBUSTERS and 50% off Storewide

SATURDAY:  40% off Storewide

SUNDAY:  30% off Storewide

CYBER MONDAY:  $1:00 DOORBUSTERS and 50% off Storewide


CU COLLAB GRAB BAGS! 
I have two new CU collab Grab Bags, both containing 6 full size packs for $6.00 - VALUE YOU CAN'T BEAT!
As usual, I've teamed up with my bestie, Manu, of Manu Scraps to bring you this bag - with BONUS paper pack!

This bag contains a mix of exciting new goodies for your stash - all for just $6.00!!

The second bag "All About Men" has a great masculine theme put together with my good friend, Diane, of ADB Designs.

Finding good quality resources for male kits can be difficult, so this should be a great help - and all for just $6.00.  Don't miss this one!

$1.00 DOORBUSTERS:  CU AND PU PRODUCTS

 BLACK FRIDAY - 

CYBER MONDAY -

Well folks, that's it from me!
Enjoy your THANKSGIVING DINNER (and as you're enjoying your Turkey and Cherry Pie - think of me here in Australia where we don't have Thanksgiving Day.  LOL)

Hugs
Esther

Biggest Black Friday Deal - EVER!

This is crazy, but true!! You must check this out - time is short - Black Friday is so close.

And you could be a WINNER!! 

Once you've entered you can access your own referral link and share with your friends.
Each time you share you get an extra chance to win. 

This is HUGE!!

I just had to get this amazing news out! 

Do you want to be my winner?  Just click on the image above or CLICK HERE.

I can't wait to see who WINS! 

It's November - Give thanks!

We all have so much to be grateful for.  I know Thanksgiving in North America is a time for families to get together and celebrate and yes, not just to celebrate, but to give thanks to God too.  In Australia, we don't have such a day - Christmas is our big day of family get togethers, festivities, celebration and thankfulness for all the blessings we have.  When we look at the plight of refugees worldwide, the victims of war, drought, flood, earthquake, fires and hurricanes, the poor and starving, and so many others who have next to nothing, yet can still smile - I am eternally grateful for where I live and all that I have.  I am mindful of my abundance and I truly give God thanks daily.  Having much means that we have much to give. 

This isn't meant to be a sermon, (hahaha), but I just wanted to draw attention to this significant and special time of year - especially for those in North America - and even though Canada has already had their Thanksgiving.  Let's all give remember to give thanks!

My second purpose was to show the new minikits that I have in store: 

"Winter Warmth" has a warm palette and "Winter Sparkle" was inspired by a cool palette. 

These are both priced at $2.99 but are currently on introductory special for $2.09 - 30% off

I've also put my Autumn 'more-than-a-mini' on sale - "Autumn's Kiss" is priced at $3.99 but 30% off saves you $1.20.  It is currently $2.79.

These three are perfect for this season of the year.

I also recently released a new Commercial Use pack of border transparencies. 

CU Border Overlays:

Six transparent border overlays - currently $4.50, 35% off for a limited time so just $2.92.

Add a little extra to your papers.  Great for any time of year.

Lastly just a mention of my November Start Up Challenge at theStudio:

This challenge is growing in popularity - you get a little starter minikit for free and once you completed the challenge there is a bonus gift at the end of the month.  Make sure both sections of the challenge are fulfilled! 

This month's starter mini:

I have a lovely little freebie included in my newsletter this week too - are you signed up?

Have a great rest of the week!
Hugs
Esther

Tiny prices - bargains for you!

Do you like a bargain?  I guess most of us do, especially when we find something that we need or that really appeals to us.  Well, I have news for you...right now, at the Studio we have our $2.00 Kit Sale.
Yes, that's right, several kits have been set on sale which means "Big Savings".  Don't miss these!

Want more tiny prices??  I have just released my next set of "CU Bit'n'Bobs".  These are Mini Value Packs, normally priced at just $1.50, they are currently 25% off, so for a limited time they are $1.12.  Crazy, I know, but true!!  (I bundled these new packs together too, so you can have all four for $3.00 - that's 50% off.  Find the bundle HERE.)

Quick look:

Did you pick up your $1.00 packs (or $8 bundle) in the Co-ordinated Collection?  There's only a few days left on these.  You'll find my collection, "Mountain Air" in store HERE.

Quick look:

Last, but not least, if you think a FREEBIE would be great, as well as all these super savings, spend $8 on personal use products and you can add the Free With Purchase to your cart.  My "Tea or Coffee" is FWP for a few more days only.

Quick look:

That's it for this week.  Have a wonderful weekend!

New Mix'n'Match Collection + Freebie

It's that time again...Co-ordinated Collection time at theStudio!

Each quarter the designers get together around a common palette to create beautiful collections that will allow you to pick and choose to create your own wonderful matching collection.  The theme this time is "Highlands" with the Scottish Highlands being the underlying inspiration.  Not everyone has been to Scotland or wants to go to Scotland, so I took a slightly different path and while using the same palette, chose "Mountain Air" as my theme.  

As I was designing this bundle, the lines of the Kite song from Mary Poppins kept running through my head: 'Up through the atmosphere, Up where the air is clear'. My thoughts were filled with pictures of high mountains where the air is pure and clean.  I could almost smell the pine forests on the mountain slopes.  I could 'see' the clear mountain streams and waterfalls and the crystal clear lakes.  I pictured sitting in a rocking chair on the verandah of a log cabin, taking walks through forests and listening to the music of water tumbling over rocks as it made it way down to a valley far below.  I could see a camp site on the edge of a lake with families gathered around a camp fire cooking dinner and chattering about their adventure-filled days.  I just wanted to breathe in that mountain air and let it fill my lungs and refresh my body and soul.

My MOUNTAIN AIR Collection has a total of eight packs - each priced at just $1.00 for a limited time.  The 8 pack bundle is just $8.00 right now.  Take a look at my bundle:

 

The Element pack contains 76 elements, there are 18 mixed Papers, 12 Art Papers, 12 Textured Solids, Photomasks, Page Accents, Transparent Border Overlays and Wordart. 
This Collection is not to be missed!!  Check it out in MY STORE: https://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/collections/coordinated-collections/highlands/?features_hash=13-40

LAST CALL:  
CU Collab Grab Bag by Manu Scraps and myself will be gone on Monday and will be split into individual packs to go into our separate stores.  Grab this while you still can at just $6 for 6 full-sized Commercial Use packs (also good for Personal Use.)

FREEBIE:
Co-ordinating FREEBIE Add-on that matches with the Co-ordinated Collection at TheStudio!
Don't forget to pick yours up at TheStudio today!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

DSD News!

It's that time of year again...DSD (Digital Scrapbooking Day) and there is a lot going on around digi-world this weekend.

First of all, at The Studio, we have a 50% off storewide sale this weekend, plus other special things to whet your digi appetite...such as $1 FLASH SALES...
I have Personal Use and Commercial Use products in the one day only Flash Sales, so this is Friday's:

Be quick - time is nearly up for these... ruuuunnnnn!!

Saturday I have these:

And Sunday I have these:

Don't miss out on these great bargain buys.

Then my good friend, designer Manu of Manu Scraps, and I have put together this fantastic Commercial Use Collab Grab Bag - that 6 full sized packs for just $6.00!  These won't be
available for long, so get in quick.  These can also be used for Personal Use. 
Take a look at full reveal in store HERE.

https://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/digital-art/grab-bags/cu-dsd-grab-bag-by-zesty-designs-and-manu-scraps/

CHALLENGES:

The October Start-Up Challenge is waiting for you in the Forum HERE.

Download your FREE Start-Up Mini Kit, add a few extra pieces from your stash, to create a beautiful page.  

This is October's Mini:

THE STUDIO'S ANNUAL BIRTHDAY COMPETITIONS:

Next Designer Contest and Layout Artist Competition - these kick off on October 7.  Sign up now HERE.

These are great fun!  

COMING UP THIS WEEK: 

The next quarterly Co-ordinated Collection is due to be released in a few days...

Here's a 'Sneak Peek' at mine

 

That's it for today...

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Scandinavian Adventure

A few years ago I was able to tick something off my bucket list - a trip to Scandinavia!  It was one of those, 'if I don't do it this year, I probably won't ever get to do it', decisions.
At the time I was a children's librarian, and one of the big attractions for me was a visit to the place of Hans Christian Andersen's birth and the museum in Odense, dedicated to this wonderful author. I had booked a tour of Scandinavia, but I decided to arrive a few days earlier than the tour departure date so that I could go to Odense.  I searched online and found out all I could about travel to Odense. It seemed that rail was the best transport to take, so I booked a hotel close to the railway station within walking distance from Copenhagen's central business district.  I arrived at the railway station and asked in English about taking a train to Odense.  The lady in the ticket box didn't speak much English, but after a little to-ing and fro-ing, I managed to purchase a return rail ticket and waited patiently on the platform for my train.  The train whizzed through the countryside and after a little while I was in Odense.
I've always believed that the most important tool when travelling is your tongue.  I asked for directions and finally found the little village that is all 'Hans Christian Andersen'.  I wandered the cobblestone streets and admired the small cottages.  I found a very small one with a plaque that had "Hans Christian Anderson" on it and I was able to wander through the rooms, my imagination running wild with images of what it must have been like to be born in such a place.
In the little village there was a souvenir shop (there's always one, isn't there?) and there was a delightful range of Christmas products that proved light enough to pack in my luggage.  I like to buy Christmas decorations of places I've been to - it makes my Christmas tree decidedly 'international'.
Next I came upon the Museum and what a totally fascinating place it was!  In such a place, children can immerse themselves in the fairytales.  I spent quite a long time reading about each exhibit.  I loved the three dimensional displays and marvelled at the thought and detail that had gone into this magical place.
Having visited Odense, the sculpture of The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen had special significance.
Another highlight pre-tour, was Tivoli Gardens.  I met another traveller in the hotel and we decided to meet up and go to Tivoli Gardens on our last night.  It was another fun place to visit and I was glad of the company.
The day after I transferred to the hotel where the tour group was departing from.  The next stage of my Scandinavian Adventure was about to begin.

Well, there's a little intro to my wonderful, memorable travels through Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia (to St Petersburg), Estonia, back to Sweden, then through Norway and back to Denmark.

Recently a customer made an enquiry through the Studio about Scandinavian digital scrapbooking kits. It sparked my interest and I decided to create such a kit.  I wanted to produce a kit that was totally authentic to the region and I think I have done just that.

My "Scandinavian Adventure" kit is now in my store at the Studio and is currently 30% off as an introductory offer for a limited time.

Here is a look at this huge kit which has 95 individual elements and 24 papers in a variety of styles.

 I decided to scrap some of my memories with my kit.  Here are two of my pages:

 If you have been to Scandinavia, or have plans to travel there...may I suggest that you take a look at this kit as a means to scrapbooking your travel memories.

Have a great weekend.
Happy scrapping!

Summer Splash - new Collection is here!

What a busy week!  The gorgeous "Summer Splash" Collection has just been released at the Studio.  We had a major store upgrade through the week and I wondered if all the inevitable wrinkles would be ironed out in time for the collection release...but they were, and now I am excited to be able to show you this new Summer collection.  

SUMMER SPLASH:

The long hot days of summer arrive and the imagination is filled with thoughts of salty sea breezes, swimming in the ocean, strolling along the shore, building sand castles and collecting shells.
If the beach is not within reach, then cooling off in the pool, stretching out on a sun lounge or deck chair with a good book under a shady tree with a cold drink may be your closer-to-home option.
No matter where you spend those lazy, hazy summer days, you'll be needing plenty of water, fruit juices, ice cubes, ice cream and icy poles to keep you cool.

This pretty collection in cool blues, soft teal, orange and deep pink, brings you plenty of choice for your summer digital scrapbooking pages.

There are 80 unique elements in this Collection so there is great versatility here.  There are patterned and plain textured papers as well as an artsy paper pack.  There are additions that will help add interest to pages as well, such as word art, photo masks, page accents and edge overlays.  This Collection is chock-a-block with good stuff for all those wonderful summer vacation photos!

Here are a couple of pages that I created using photos from a couple of special vacations I had:

The individual packs in the Summer Splash Collection are priced at just $1.00 each and the 8 pack Bundle is $8.00.  These prices are only good through July 27  2017.

Now let me show you the packs!

SUMMER SPLASH ELEMENTS - 80 gorgeous elements!

SUMMER SPLASH PAPERS - 18 stunning papers!

SUMMER SPLASH ART PAPERS - 12 beautifully crafted art papers!

SUMMER SPLASH TEXTURED PLAINS - 12 fabulously textured plains!

SUMMER SPLASH PAGE ACCENTS - 5 wonderful large page accents

SUMMER SPLASH EDGE OVERLAYS - 6 transparent fun page edge overlays

SUMMER SPLASH PHOTOMASKS - 5 fantastic large photomasks

SUMMER SPLASH WORDART - 13 really cool ready-to-use wordarts

THE WHOLE SUMMER SPLASH BUNDLE - includes all 8 packs!

So there you have it!  Run over to The Studio while the price is low and save a heap!! 

Enjoy your vacation time - take lots of awesome photos then have fun creating stunning pages!!

Sunday with a difference!

Sunday for me was yesterday.  It was like most other Sundays in so many ways...up early and off to church.  Like most other Sundays, we began with worship - and the worship was beautiful.  It was Spirit filled - the atmosphere was charged with Godly energy.  As I sang, I felt my spirit find a 'oneness' with God's Spirit.  

A little back story here.  Our church has been going through a time of transition.  We had six months without pastors, then we welcomed our new pastors.  The lease on our building was coming to an end.  We believed God was taking us to new premises; that  He wanted to do something completely new with us.  So as the months passed, doors opened and we eventually moved into new premises.  It was so "God" because we could never have thought or imagined that we'd be where we are now situated in the heart of the city.  Our numbers were stripped back.  God had said that we could expect this.  People moved - some out of town, some to other churches.  It was challenging and often a little bewildering, but through it all, we have kept believing for what God has in store for us - the something "New".  We are ready for growth and stability - we feel that the transitioning phase is over and we are now engaged in a rebuilding community phase.  It's fresh, it's exciting...

Yesterday it came time for the Pastor to bring the message.  Instead, he left his notes on the lectern and said that he believed God was taking things in a different direction.  He said God had spoken a word to him - "Intercession".  We have been praying for many of our peeps who are or who have been through some 'deep waters'.  The Pastor asked if people would like to share how they'd seen God working through their circumstances to bring healing, restoration, peace.

There began a wonderful time of sharing.  A number of people told their stories of God's intervention, his provision, his opening doors that had previously seemed firmly closed, his healing power and so much more.  It was a time to celebrate the absolute faithfulness of our awesome God - his power, his goodness, his mercy and grace and his everlasting love.  

Yesterday was a beautiful  'stand out' Sunday in our church!  Thank you, Heavenly Father. 

MY DAD - new collection for Father's Day!

It's been a long time since I did a masculine collection, but I've finally done it...MY DAD has been released in time for Father's Day! 

It is on introductory special (35% off) for a limited time, and 53% off the Bundle.  It is exclusive to TheStudio too.  You'll find the "My Dad Collection" here:  https://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/collections/m/my-dad-by-zesty-designs/

About the collection:  "My Dad" is a digital scrapbooking collection that can be used for a multitude of masculine inspired pages, across the generations.
There are a number of themes included from sports and games, gardening, tools to music and reading. 
It is built on a palette of strong, bold colors with plenty of neutrals that will mix and match beautifully.
This collection is one that will have you wanting to use it over and over and over again!  It is just so versatile. 

Here's a look at the collection:

NEWSLETTER:  In my newsletter tomorrow I will have an exclusive freebie made with the My Dad collection.
Not signed up?  Sign up today so you don't miss it!

JUNE CHALLENGE:  Don't forget the Start Up Challenge in the Forum at theStudio.  The June Start Up Challenge is up now - start with the free mini kit - at the end of the month there will be a bonus gift for participants.
Why would you want to miss all this goodness?

New Commercial Use coming soon...


That's it for now.  Enjoy your weekend!