Are You A Fan??

Funky Playground Designs is having a Facebook train with lots of freebies and goodies to pick up! Hop on over to the Plum Dumpling Designs' Facebook fan page to get on board and get those goodies.

You'll find your freebie when you click on the Exclusive Fan Freebie tab on the left sidebar.

Click "like" for access to the download of my portion of this awesome kit...all of the pieces coordinate so you'll have a free kit when you're all done!

Ring in the New Year with a Blog Train

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I love a new year and new beginnings! It always feels so good to have the clean slate that is January 1st! It also means lots of other new things...including a new Primary theme which is the theme for our January 2012 LDS Blog Train!!

As always, you can find the complete list of stops at the LDS Blog Train Blog. If you are following along, you should have arrived here from Let Me Scrapbook. 

I've created an alpha with a bonus paper for you today!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Have a lovely January 1st and 2012!!

Next stop: Fran's Scraps

Walk with Gratitude: LDS Blog Train

It's November 1st! Can you believe it? I'm still in shock. Good thing I have a blog train to keep me sane, lol! For a complete list of stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train blog.


This month's theme for the LDS Blog Train is Walk With Gratitude. The color palette is just beautiful.


Here's the slideshow of what you'll be picking up on the train.


And my portion...click on the image to download



Check out what Lisa from my CT did with the mini...



And Eve's LO...I know I have had experiences like this one...



Wishing you much to be thankful for!


Your next stop is Word Art World.

Choo Choo! Birthday Blog Train!

Happy Birthday to ScrapMatters! There will be a master list of stops posted at the ScrapMatters blog, so if you lose your way or want to double check your stops, check in there. I'm loving the rich colors of the Design Team collab, Garden Party. It's FREE with a $20 purchase during the Birthday Bash Sale. I know it won't be too difficult to fill your cart with $20 of goodies. Go check it out!! And you get more bang for your buck because all PU is 30% off!

Here's the full kit...do you love flowers?!

Here's a LO I scrapped with it using one of WM Squared Designs' Tuesday Templates...This kit is perfect for lots of outdoor LOs. And it is just jam packed with papers and elements.

And now on to the freebie...
DOWNLOAD HERE

Enjoy and take some time to smell the flowers today...even if they are just digi ones!!!

Previous stop: GeniaBeana Scraps
Next stop: Simply J Studio

Full list of stops available here: ScrapMatters Blog

New Releases: Just Me & A Freebie!

Sheesh - are you ready for this? I have a TON to tell you and show you today!! First up...I'm guesting at Polka Dot Plum for the month of July! How cool is that?! My shop will open on July 6th with a BANG or maybe it's a BOOM! (hint, hint!)

And at ScrapMatters...July 1st means Mix A Kit! This month's is nothing but girly and fun! So I decided to go with some doodles and doodled papers. These are on sale for 20% off for the first week!





And now for the LDS Blog Train freebie! For a complete list of stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train blog. After me, your next stop is...Kristal Kreations.


And finally...some inspiration using the Just Me products!

Have a lovely weekend! (And Happy Canada Day!)

Choo Choo! ScrapMatters iNSD 2011 Blog Train

Welcome to the ScrapMatters' 2011 iNSD Blog Train! You may have arrived here from Haynay's blog. If you get lost along the way or if the train gets derailed, please visit the ScrapMatters' blog for the full list of stops.

Our theme for this iNSD is "vintage, feminine, romantic, trendy." Uhhh...I struggled with what to share!! But I did come up with something. Each year we go on a flea market, craft show weekend in October. We travel along the Spoon River Drive here in IL and find all sorts of treasures.

One of my very favorite purchases from these trips (ok, my parents bought it...I was in high school!) is my antique brass bed. They found it at The Barn, the BandB that they stayed at. My mom was so excited to bring it home for me. It was a little tarnished, but we both knew that it would be spectacular with a little TLC!

So I set to work restoring my bed. I spent several evenings in the garage. Sometimes with help, sometimes alone. But I got that brass to shine like the top of the Chrysler building! There are so many things I loved about my bed. I loved the brass, of course. I loved the antique springs and the way it would bounce! I loved all the work that I put into it. I've always thought that I would love to pass it on to my daughter if I ever have one. If not, I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I have a granddaughter! For now it will remain in our extra bedroom for guests.

This LO was created using the new ScrapMatters' Collab, Timeless. It's free with purchase for iNSD, so be sure to hop on over and check out all the new goodies at incredible sale prices!

And now onto my freebie! Look familiar, hehe!

LINK EXPIRED
Link will only be valid until May 14, 2011 (8am PST). After that, you'll be able to grab the goodies from the shop though if you missed it!!

Next stop: Jeanine DeOre Design Studio

Enjoy and Happy iNSD!

New Release: May Mix A Kit & FREEBIE

May Day! May Day! Important news!! Ok, well it's more just fun than important!! Today is the first day of the month, so that means ScrapMatters is releasing a whole new set of Mix A Kit products! The colors this month are just beautiful and the designers have really outdone themselves! I have a lovely little paper pack out for you today: Lemon Meringue Paper Pack...

Remember: Mix a Kit will be on sale for the first week! Mix, match and have a ball!



I wasn't able to scrap a page with the Mix A Kit products last month, but this month I made the time. It was so much fun to create my own kit to get the look that I wanted! Here's my LO using: Dandelion Elements by Elise's Pieces, Messed Up May by Erica Zane, Lemon Meringue Paper Pack by Plum Dumpling Designs and Tiny Vellum Dots Alpha by Plum Dumpling Designs. I had to recolor these to match, but it was a cinch!



I'm also participating in the LDS Blog Train this month. The theme is "Bright and Beautiful." I've created a little alpha with a few embellishments for your bright and beautiful pages.


You may have come here from Hot Pink Pansy! Welcome!! I'm so glad to have you here!

For a complete list of blog train stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train Blog.

Here's a sneak peak of all the products you'll pick up along the way...

And here's my contribution: Bright and Beautiful Alpha
Download Here


Next stop on the train: Scrappy Pilgrim


Have a lovely May Day!

6 Be's: LDS Blog Train FREEBIE!!

Hi and welcome to my little digi home! You may have come here from The Latest Scoop, Too. If you get lost along the way, please be sure to visit the LDS Blog Train Blog for a complete list of stops.

This month we focused on the 6 Be's that President Hinckley taught. It's a lovely spring time theme, isn't it? And although I hate, loathe, despise and abominate bees, there is a lot of truth to the 6 Be's!

Here's a preview of what you will be picking up along the train.

And here's my portion

DOWNLOAD HERE



Enjoy and have a lovely March!!

Next stop: Steadfast and Immovable

Scripture Heroes: LDS Blog Train

Happy February! You've arrived at the Plum Dumpling Station of the LDS Blog Train! You may have come from My 4 Princesses Designs. For a complete list of stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train Blog.

Here's a little peek at what you'll be picking up along the train.

And here's my part!

DOWNLOAD HERE

On to your next stop: The Latest Scoop, Too

Enjoy!

Choo Choo! LDS Blog Train Freebie!

Happy December! Can you believe it is already December? I hope you are feeling relaxed and in charge. I'm hoping to just enjoy this season and really focus on what is important. Which leads us to the theme of this blog train: The Greatest Gift. This year Clark can really begin to understand Christmas and it's true meaning. We love talking about the symbols of Christmas and how they all point towards Christ.

Here's a preview of the whole train....

And here's my portion. DOWNLOAD HERE

For a complete list of blog train stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train blog.

You may have arrived here from Psycho Zoe

Your next stop is Let Me Scrapbook.

Enjoy and may you have a Happy December and a Merry Christmas.

DSD Blog Train - Choo Choo!

appy Digital Scrapbooking Day everyone!

I hope you are having an awesome day full of games, prizes and killer deals! You should have arrived here from Graham Like the Cracker's blog. For a complete list of stops, please visit the ScrapMatters blog.

Somehow, between Halloween and cooking and crafting and Christmas, Thanksgiving seems to get the least amount of notice from me especially since I don't have to cook the BIG dinner. But it is so important for me to reflect on what I have in my life and how thankful I am for it.

This time last year, my husband went into the hospital with pneumonia. We thought it was just a mild case to be treated with antibiotics. Well, he was put in the ICU almost as soon as he was admitted. Day after day we waited for news of improvement, but none came. His amazing team of doctors finally decided that it would be necessary for him to have surgery on his lung. The doctors and nurses couldn't believe that a 30 year old needed this surgery. However, as soon as he had the surgery, the infection started clearing up and he started getting better. Recovery was another long 8 weeks, but he recovered - thank goodness. His doctors remarked on how an older or less healthy man would not have survived the pnemonia or the surgery.

I am thankful.

For my loving husband. For my two handsome and healthy boys. For my faith. For my family. For my health. For my friends. For so much more.

I've created an embellished stacked paper for you today. It's made with the beautiful kit, Many Thanks, by the SM Designers. I hope you like it!

LINK HAS EXPIRED. The link will only be active for one week, so grab it now!!

Have a Happy DSD and an even Happier Thanksgiving!

Next stop: Kat

LDS Blog Train: Family Home Evening FREEBIE

Can you believe it is October already?! Are you as excited as I am? I love fall when I get to wear sweatshirts all the time. Probably not the most flattering choice, but oh are they comfy!!

I'm excited too because the LDS Blog Train is still up and running! Thanks Andi for all of your work in organizing this and keeping it running. Our theme this month is Family Home Evening. What a blessing it is to get together once a week as a family. Even though our kids are small, I know what a difference it makes in our home.

So...if you started at the top, you should have arrived here from Susie's blog. And for a complete list of blog train stops, please visit the LDS Blog Train Blog.

Here's a slideshow of what you will be picking up at each station:

And now, on to the freebie...

Download Here

Enjoy and have a fantastic Conference Weekend!

ScrapMatters' Birthday Bash Blog Train!

All aboard! You are on the ScrapMatters' Birthday Bash Blog Train! You've just stopped in the Windy City. I hope you enjoy your stay! You should have arrived from Jen's blog aka Graham Like the Cracker. If you get lost or the train derails along the way, you can find a full list of the blog train stops at the ScrapMatters' blog.

First let's take a look at this awesome birthday kit - Cupcakes and Candles - Woo Hoo!

On to the freebie, right? I have a layered paper to make scrapping those birthday pics a cinch! My birthday is coming up later this month, so I'm just going to plop my 31 year old picture right on this page! Awesome.

Download Expired

Next stop... Fiona's blog aka canadianmommy

Choo Choo!

A Name and a Blessing - LDS Freebie Blog Train

Happy August 1st! Today I'm part of the LDS Blog Train Blog's blog train (hehe!). The theme this month of A Name and a Blessing is so appropriate since we just blessed Kent on the 11th. Here's a picture of our family on his special day!



Here's my portion of the kit, A Name and a Blessing...

DOWNLOAD HERE



Here are all the previews of the goodies you'll pick up along the way! Awesome isn't it?

Your next stop is Stacy's Backdoor Designs. For a complete list of participating blogs, visit the LDS Blog Train blog.

Choo choo!

ScrapMatters' iNSD Blog Train!!

Hello and welcome to your next stop on the ScrapMatters [inter]National Scrapbooking Day blog train! You should have just arrived from Fiona's (canadianmommy) blog. That's the stop before this one. Welcome to the wonderful midwest - Illinois to be exact!

SM has a beautiful mega-collab out today that celebrates the "moments that matter" in our lives. You might have picked up on the fact that this is our theme for the blog train! Maybe you're laughing, maybe crying...hopefully having a fantastic time reading everyone's stories and picking up their freebies.

I have decided to share a very recent "moment that matters" with you today.

We are expecting baby #2 on May 27th (26 days away, but who's counting!) and we are very excited! I haven't had the most difficult pregnancy, but I've felt under the weather for quite a bit of it and have had some trouble keeping my iron levels high enough.

With Clark, DS #1, we didn't find out what we were having. I pictured the moment when I would deliver my little one and the doctor would say, "It's a ...!" I thought that was going to be the best moment ever. I had planned on having a water birth with a midwife present and was very prepared for the task before me. After 30 hours of labor, they told me that I could go home or they would induce me to help the labor progress. I decided that induction was better than going home empty handed. After some monitoring, drugs, etc., it was decided that I would need a c-section because Clark wasn't recovering from the stress of the contractions. When they laid me down on the operating table, I felt like I couldn't breathe. The anesthesiologist assured me and Jason that I could breathe just fine. They decided to put me in twilight while they did the section so I wouldn't panic.

When I came to, I had missed everything. Jason and Clark were gone, and I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. I had to ask the doctor.

For this second pregnancy, I wanted to try again. I knew that I was going to have a scheduled c-section, so I wanted the gender to be a surprise. I'm pretty patient...I can last 9 months without knowing if it is a boy or a girl. But on April 10, I woke up and needed to know. I scheduled an appointment with a 3D ultrasound place and we went to find out that baby 2 would be another boy. I immediately felt so much better knowing. It has been such a turning point for bonding with little Kent. For some reason this time it mattered that I knew beforehand what we were having.

Here's a little preview of our little Kent. He wouldn't take his hands down from his face, so we don't have any good shots of him. You can kind of see his profile in the upper left hand corner. A forehead, a little nose, a cheek. Of course there will be cheeks...Jason's family is notorious for them! We did, however, get a great shot of his manhood, but I thought that would be a little less than appropriate for the blog, lol!

And now for your freebie element cluster...be sure to grab it now. Links will be disabled on Thursday, May 6th.



Download here

Enjoy and Happy iNSD!!!

Next stop: Krista's blog aka Sahlin Studio

New Release: He's My Valentine and Blog Train Freebies!

You've reached the Plum Dumpling Designs' He's My Valentine blog train...keep reading for your freebie!

I'm really getting excited about Valentine's Day, but I always have a hard time finding a kit that doesn't include pink - for some reason I just can't scrap a Clark LO with pink...call me crazy! So I've decided to come up with a masculine Valentine's kit for all of those husbands, sons and boyfriends that we love so much. The best part...you can use this kit for girls and 4th of July! Talk about multipurpose! Here is...

He's My Valentine by Plum Dumpling Designs


A little inspiration from my CT and I...

LO by me

LO by Me

LO by Bethanny

Now on to your freebie...my team is sharing printable valentines made with He's My Valentine! These would be perfect to print out for grandparents, friends, schoolmates, anyone really! I hope you enjoy using them as much as we enjoyed making them! These valentines are made by my CT leader, Heidi (scrappin5kids), and me.

Download here or by clicking the preview.


Here's the rest of the blog train line up in case you get off track!

1. YOU ARE HERE: Mary http://plumdumplingdesigns.blogspot.com/
2. Adi http://lepingouindesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Janine http://digitalscrappinrocks.blogspot.com/
4. Bethanny http://digidaisychain.blogspot.com/
5. Laura http://www.shrkmomscreations.blogspot.com/
6. Lisa http://www.kelseyll.blogspot.com/
7. Lynn http://themathematiciansassistant.com/
8. Erin http://3princessesandcharming.blogspot.com/
9. Chel http://scrappingchelcreations.wordpress.com/
10. Shan http://vidoni.blogspot.com/

11. Becky http://myscrappingdreams.blogspot.com

Have a lovely weekend! Happy Early Valentine's Day!