January 24th, 2009
People are taking photos each day and making layouts - A Year In The Life Of… This is a huge project going on in digiland. Going to really try & keep up with this one. Days fly so fast - sometimes it’s hard to remember what happened last week, lol.
I opted to do one layout per week, using a quickpage or brag book page - using one or more photos and just putting the main points down. Here’s my week one:

QP by mary 80 using ‘Secret Door’ by Erica
Felt I really had to make time for this! Doing so much OTHER stuff, thought I owed it to myself - I’ll have something to look back on. May as well start now.
Project 365.
All for now, Mina
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January 23rd, 2009
Well, I have neglected my poor blog - I resolve to give it a little more loving. My offline life interrupted my wonderfully serene online life and there had been precious little time for designing.
When I was able to get back to my machine, I went on a serious Downloading rampage and among my gem finds I picked up a free kit called ‘It’s A Boy’s World from Sara of Sweet Blossom Designs. What attracted me were the PAPERS!
I am going through a funky phase right now, so this kit was perfect! The frames are so versatile and suit any kind of layout. I made a Brag Book with it, adding my doodles for the phunk factor:

Here’s a couple with pics, thought I’d journal by hand with an Artline or Sharpie pen once they were printed.

Visit Sara’s blog and see what she has to offer.
All for now, Mina
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October 20th, 2008
I have never known a store like DigiScrapStation, where all the designers are in love with the boss… and each other! Been thinking about it (yeah, I know - my head hurts) and I’ve put it down to the following things:
* the boss is very open about store business. We are informed of every tiny thing from when she has an idea - the development of it - and the implication of it.
* the boss is very open to receiving ideas.
* the boss never assumes ‘ill-feeling’. For example: when I’m writing emails, I tend to talk bluntly. This is because I haven’t time to waste, so I cut to the chase pretty quickly. Some of what I say might be considered ‘rude’ because, as you know - there is no tone when you write.
* the boss is big on a ‘no-stress’ policy. If something happens - it does. Work can wait. There is absolutely no pressure to contribute or do anything you don’t want. There is no minimum for product per month.
* the boss is big on reward. From organised incentives to surprise ones. She is not afraid to delegate. All designers know of every sale that happens. No secret stuff here.
That’s enough about the boss. What about the girls?
* the girls have taken the boss’s lead and support each other - no holds barred. From something misfortunate in the family to learning new tricks of the trade. The support is phenomenal. To receive such acknowledgment on the scale we do at DSS is great for the soul.
All of the above has made everyone want to work harder than they intended, I’m sure.
There is a ‘Designer Focus’ series on the DSS blog - Mondays and Thursdays. I’ve just been reading through them, and in particular - the things instore designers have to say about being at DSS. It is pretty amazing stuff.
Something must be going right because DSS continues to grow - no mean feat in these troubled times.
Yeah, just thought I’d tell you.
M 
Posted in Thoughts, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
October 20th, 2008
Quotations can have a most sage or humourous feel to them. They are often inspirational and profound. I’ve got a couple of spirals for you:

Click pic to download. Here are a couple of QPs so you can see them in context:

They are delicate and muted in colour. Quite romantic. Again, click the pic to download. 12″ x 12″ png files.
All for now,
M
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October 12th, 2008
You’ve probably noticed that the text is all over the place in some posts. That’s because I’ve switched themes. So - no - I’m not drunk or anything. Right! Better get back and do some work! Mina 
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October 12th, 2008
Well, I’ve not been around the last month or so - my offline life took over for a bit. It has felt like a little holiday. I’ve not been designing much either, but I have been trying to learn a little about internet marketing.
I’ve been learning how to set up blogs and websites on server space. Because I’m only learning, I’ve been doing stuff with free web space, and free anything-else-I-can-get. Like domain names, website builders and a host of webmaster tools that I know I won’t use but want to find out about them anyways.
I’ve been sifting through a bombardment of marketing information, got myself into information overload - and even started dreaming about being on my machine pressing buttons, lol. Everything is slowly shifting into their proper places now, but I know there is so much more to learn.
So now I am back. What have I got for you? How about this:

This quick page is made from a kit that hasn’t been released yet. Have a good day won’t you?
All for now, Mina
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September 24th, 2008
Last post of the month with the word thing. This week:

Click the pic to see what the task is!
All for now,
Mina.
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September 17th, 2008
This week:

A wee bit different this time, click the pic to go see!
All for now
Mina.
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September 10th, 2008
This week at the DSS blog:

Click the pic to go see what the fuss is about.
All for now
Mina.
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September 3rd, 2008
I’m handling the posts for this month at the DSS blog.

This one’s a title prompt. Go look to see what the jazz is.
All for now
Mina.
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