A few things

I just wanted to respond to a couple of comments:

• ABC wants to see some baby boy elements with these CMW pastel blue mini kits. Although I cannot do it this go round, the kits are already made and loaded and to be honest, the only new designing I will be doing the next few weeks will be items for sale, I will definitely keep that in mind for the next set. You can always grab my Expecting Joy kit from DigiScrapShop :)
• Anon asked for the Alpha a I gave away back in February and wanted to know why I expire the links of quickly. I only use the free 4-shared account and I do not use it strictly for Piccolina Stuff (it is how I share the massive amounts of pictures I take of my little one with friends and family :) ). So, needless to say, I cannot keep everything in there all the time. I leave all links active for 2 weeks, and then expire them. Now, most of you know that they usually end up being active for about 3 weeks because I am not super good about keeping up with that, but I do promise that every link will be active for at least 2 weeks. Now, since I am a sucker for your requests :) and since the file is still in 4-shared, I will share it again. Here it is:

LINK EXPIRED
Just goes to show that it doesn't hurt to ask for something:).
Now for something I think is really cool. Every Monday night we try to have something called Family Home Evening (FHE). We have a little devotional/lesson, do something fun and sometimes have a treat. Last night the fun thing we did is make our handwriting into fonts. I have been wanting to try this for some time and a friend showed me her's this weekend, so I decided our activity for FHE last night would be this. The little one isn't even a year old yet, so no font for her, yet. But Hubby and I did ours. We used Your Fonts to do it, mainly because it is FREE and fast. Visit the site, print the template and write your font. Then you scan in it in and upload it. It literally only took minutes for it to make our fonts. I then saved them to my font file (with my other 700 hundred fonts :0 ) and then you can use them in word, PSE, or whatever. The website has great instructions. My only suggestion is that when you write your font you try to keep the letters in the same position inside the box on each letter, otherwise it can be a little wavy (see the example of my font, my husband was pretty straight and accurate, but that is what you expect from an engineer, right). Anyways, I hope you all have a great time trying this. We did. And go now, I know they are NOT going to have this be a free service forever.

3 Columns !!!

So, as you can see, I have been playing with my blog again. I just felt like all the stuff in the side column was getting lost since I kept adding to it and it kept getting longer. So, I decided to make my blog a three column one instead. I found this great blog that has instructions on how to edit the Html code of your template so that you can have a 3 column one. Now, I realize that may sound a little scary to go in and edit the html, but it really was not at all. (of course I backed-up my template before I started playing with it.) The tutorial to do it was well written and easy to follow. If any of you bloggers are interested, you can check it out at Three Column Blogger.

Tonight you get the alpha for the Color My World soft blue kit. I hope you all like it.
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Some more soft blue for CMW

So it looks like the new format for Color My World is well received. I am glad you all like it and I think it just makes it look nicer. I have the second mini kit of the soft blue for you today. I will then be giving out the soft blue alpha before I move onto another color. If there is one of the pastel colors that you just HAVE TO HAVE before Easter, please let me know in the comments so I can be sure to get it out to you all before then. I also need to get some new kits in the store for you all. As always, if there is a specific theme for a kit that you would like to see done, please let me know. Who knows, if I pick yours and do it, maybe you will get something special :) Anyways, enjoy the second mini kit CMW Soft Blue.

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Face Lift

What do you think? Yup, I did my own blog background. I used papers from my Expecting Joy kit and the embellishments are from the new CMW pastel kits. I have been wanting to design my own background for a little and since we are having a blizzard here today (and I cannot go outside to run, not that I am too upset about that :) ) I figured it was a great day to curl up with my computer and try to design the background. I am pretty happy with the outcome. The title font is awesome, isn't it?! It is from Amanda at Fonts for Peas and Free Scrapbook Fonts. She literally has hundreds of fonts and she even designs fonts from your handwriting, which I need to get done. The font I used in the blog title is called "You wish you were Shirley". And yes, all her fonts are this much fun. Go check her out.
Just a reminder that tomorrow, the 27th, is the LAST day for the Spring Fever Sale at DigiScrapShop. The sale is for 20% off an order of $10 of more. It is also the last day to grab the spring fever freebies from all the designers on the blog train. Don't forget the fabulous alpha you can get for free when you click on this ad in the store. For all the details go to this POST.

Color My World goes PASTEL

Just in time for Easter, Color My World has gone pastel. I promised when we started CMW that I would do some pastels for you all. I am so excited for these. I think they look great. And as you can see I am unveiling my new format for giving you Color My World. I am going to give it out as mini kits from now on. So everything in each mini kit will be the same color (papers and embellishments). I have found that people are a lot more fond of mini kits that just getting papers or embellishments. I think the presentation looks a lot better to, though I will miss the rainbow effect of papers.
This is just a sampling of what you will be getting over the next several weeks. There will be two mini kits for each pastel color and an alpha for each color. I think these colors will work great for Easter layouts (I would love to see the layouts you do with my kits). So the first one you get is the soft blue. I hope you all are as excited about the style change to Color My World as I am.
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DigiScrapShop Sale

Just letting you know that I am still alive and have been working on some new freebies for you. I was out most of last week because I had family here. I have been out these last few days because my family left something for me, a nasty cold :) I am feeling much better tonight and have been working most of the afternoon on some Color My World sets. These are the pastel ones that I promised for around Easter time. I am also working on a different way of giving them out, so hopefully it will help Color My World to be better received. I hope to have the first part of it ready for you all by tomorrow evening.
Just a reminder that you have a few more days for the 20% off an order of $10 or more at DigiScrapShop. Just click on the ad to go to the store. And remember that you can get the alpha in the ad for free if you find the ad and click on it in the store. Also, remember if you make a purchase in the store, send me the file name and I will send you the link and password to get this fabulous Spring Fever ad on for free.

DigiScrapShop Coupon Code

Some of you have been having issues when you try to use the coupon code: choochoo in the store. I let the store owners know about the problem. The problem has been resolved and you should be able to use it now to get 20% off a $10 or more purchase. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

DigiScrapShop BLOG TRAIN is rolling out!!!!

Spring is here!!! It is the first day of SPRING!!!!! To celebrate, DigiScrapShop is having a sale AND a blog train with some of its designers. See that cute alpha in the ad? That is a FREEBIE. To get it, go to the store (just click on the ad) and find this ad in the store and then click on it to get the alpha for FREE!!!! And as you can see from the ad, we are running a great sale. 20% off of a purchase of $10 or more. Your entire purchase does not have to be from my shop, but I would appreciate it :) You can purchase from anyone of the very talented designers in the store. The coupon code in choochoo, for the blog train, of course.
This is my part of the blog train. Just click on the preview to get your little hands on it.Link Expired
Now, to get some more fabulous freebies in this blog train, visit these lovely ladies.
Laurie's Scraps
Kalo Designs
Blight Sight Designs
Serene by RW
Word Art Fun
Laurinda's DigiScraps
DigiLover's Addiction
Connie's Creative Chaos
RK Design
Kathy's Scraps
Now, as an extra incentive for you all to visit the store and make a little purchase, I have made another mini kit to go with Spring Fever. To get this fun freebie you need to provide me with proof of purchase from DigiScrapShop. The easiest way to do this is to just send me the name of the file in your download load link (do not send me the link, just the file name, it is the very last part of the download link, for example: 01-123.zip). Send this to me at piccolinadesigns@yahoo.com Once I get this from you, I will send you the link and password for this little freebie. You do not have to purchase from my shop in the store (though it would be nice) it can be anyone's product, I just want you in the store and shopping. :)

Color My World Bling

Here are some swirly, glittery embellishments for the Color My World kit. I like the idea of this kit, but it just does not seem to be doing as well as my mini kits are. I don't know if I should just ditch Color My World and focus on designing kits for that store and giving you the mini kits from them. Such a dilemma to me. I love giving you all freebies to work with, but like I said, CMW just does not seem all that popular with you all. Anyways, enough of that.
Just a warning that I may not be back to post until Thursday or Friday. My house is going to be taken over this week. Every year I host a little get away for my younger brother and sister (13 and almost 16, yikes!!!) and my nieces and nephews that can come. We do crafts, we decorate cookies, we go see shows (Finding Nemo on Ice last year), visit museums (yay, there are two free days this week and we will be at both) and just have fun. So, as you can imagine, I probably will not have much time to post, if I do it will probably be just to pass a freebie link and not much chatter. I promise I do have something fun coming up for you all.
Here is some more bling for Color My World.Link Expired

New Orleans Layouts

One of my online scrapbooking friends admitted the other day that she had to go out and take pictures to be able to do some scrapbook pages for a challenge. Why? Because she is all caught up on her pages. I was amazed by this and also inspired by it. So, I have set a new goal for my scrapbooking. I am going to try and have all new photos scrapped within 2 weeks of taking them. So, you get to see some of my pages from New Orleans. I still have a few to go, but it has been fun to use stuff from the Color My World Mega Kit. Now, you all already have some of this stuff, and just consider the rest of it a preview for what is to come. I will admit that these were somewhat difficult for me to do, mainly because I have never really worked with this color combination. But, when doing pages about New Orleans, I think these are the colors you have to use. Did you notice I used beads as well? :) Look for a future layout of my little one wearing the beads she got in NOLA.

Now for your freebie. Of course it is going to be a Color My World one since I just showed you what you can do with it. Today's freebie is some solid papers that are a little grungy. Remember, all my CMW paper packs come in two downloads, so make sure you get both of them.Link Expired

Quick Pages

Just a real quick question: Do you all like quick pages? Would you like me to make some as a freebie? I personally have never used a quickpage, but I do know some digiscrappers that only use quickpages. Just trying to see what you all want.

Expecting Joy Papers

DigiScrapShop has added a new feature that designers can put more than one preview of their kits in their shop, so I have been busy making and uploading the previews. I think this is a great feature so that you can see better what you are getting in my kits before you buy it.
I have the papers for Expecting Joy for you today. I hope you all like them.Link Expired
So, how did you all like the tutorial? Did you find it helpful? I need to figure a better way to post it in the blog, but I finally got tired of the error messages I was receiving that I just took screen shots and used those.
Also, thank you to everyone that has been posting my blinkie on their blog. I think I have kept up with it and everyone that has put it on their blog so far should have received the password to download the Warm Kit.

Some Clarification

All of the DigiTreat ad ons are FREEBIES. You do not have to do anything but click and download (leaving a comment would be nice, but not required). The only kit that requires you do a little work for it is the Warm Kit that you get if you post my blinkie on you blog. Thank you to all the wonderful ladies that have done so already. I have enjoyed visiting you blogs and learning a little more about all of you. Some of you were even kind enough to do a post about my site and my work. That means a great deal to me. Thank you.

Expecting Joy

WARNING: This is a HUGE post :)
First. THANK YOU! For all your nice comments. I have been going to 4shared and reading the ones there as well. There are a few of you lovely ladies that are leaving comments on both my blog and at 4shared. Thank you. Comments really do make me smile and help motivate me.

NOW for the new kit. I am very excited about this one. I worked very hard on it. It had to be perfect because this is such a special time to scrapbook. I wanted fun elements, but also some sophistication. I hope that you all like the way Expecting Joy turned out. I think it is a great kit for scrapping the ups and downs (I was morning, afternoon and evening sick for 4 months)

of pregnancy. In doing my research for this kit, I realized there really are not very many maternity kits out there, especially digi ones. (Bet you didn't know I did research for my kits, did you? I like to make sure mine are unique and not so run of the mill). Anyways, here is the preview of this kit. Just click on it to be taken to the store to get the full kit.

With the full kit I included a tutorial in PDF format that teaches you how I strung the charms on the chain. Now, I am a huge fan of passing on knowledge so I am going to give you that tutorial right now. I am going a little backwards on freebies today. I usually give the papers first, but today I am giving the elements first so you can use them for the tutorial. Although you do not get a chain in the freebie, you do get ribbons that can be used instead. So grab the freebie and then lets learn together.I did have someone test this kit with the full version of Photoshop as well and it worked well for them. All the elements used in the tutorial are from the full kit of Expecting show. If you need to see the image larger, just click on it. As always, feel free to ask questions.

Digitreats Shout Ad On

Here is the preview for the kit you will get if you post my blinkie on your blog.You can just click on the preview or on my blinkie in the sidebar to be taken to the post with all the instructions on how to get this fun kit. It is a freebie, after you do a little work.
Here is the last Digitreats Ad On for this round. This is probably my favorite one. The Shout colors are great.

You can get some Chocolate

I am currently working on getting some of my old, expired freebies put together in kits and offered in the store. I have uploaded Chocolate Valentine to the store. You can get the entire kit for only $3. Now I know that for all of you who were on the ball and got all the freebies pieces to the kit, this is not a good deal, but for those of you who did not get it all, I think this is a great deal for you. So click on the image and go visit the store.

A Sneak Preview

If you want people to leave you comments, make the freebie have a bad link :) Just kidding, I did not do it on purpose. I have fixed the link. It seems to have been a problem with 4-shared because some people were able to get to it. Sorry

No, I do not have an announcement :) Sorry mom :) This is just a sneak peak of the newest kit I hope to have in the store by the end of the day. I think the stamp turned out great and can be a really fun way to announce the great news that you are expecting a bundle of joy. The kit is full of maternity/pregnancy items to help you document those nine months as you wait for that little bundle of joy. Be sure to come back soon to get the mini kit. I hope to get the first part of it out to you on Friday morning. I just wanted to give you a sneak peak.
Now, not to be a meanie, I do have a freebie for you today. This is an ad on for Digitreats Smirk kit. Have a great time with it.

P.S. I am a little sad by the lack of comments, where is everyone? Are you all just really busy?

Digitreats Ad Ons

Pamela over at Digitreats has allowed us to do ad ons again. I love her kits and think it is a great opportunity to be able to ad to her work. Today you will get the ad on for the Giggle ad on. Be sure to check back by Saturday for the Smirk and Shout ad ons. Also, I have a new kit coming out that I am so excited about to share with you.

I Color My World With Piccolina Designs

I don't know if you have noticed my new blinkie to the right or not, but some of you have. I have had some requests for the code to my blinkie so that you all can post it on your blogs. I am thrilled that you all want to post my blinkie on your blog.





If you do post my blinkie or have posted my blinkie on my blog, send me a link to your blog at piccolinadesigns@yahoo.com After I have hopped over to take a peek at your blog, I will send you a little something for being so kind and posting it.
Here is the code for the blinkie:

<a href="http://piccolinadesigns.blogspot.com" > <img border="0" width="200" alt="create animated gif" src="http://picasion.com/pic8/0af8a9a8aff2d64de3f2fd6e9aaab648.gif" height="67"/ > <br/ > </a >

To post a blinkie in blogger go to CUSTOMIZE/LAYOUT/PAGE ELEMENTS/ADD A GADGET. Select HTML/Java Script. When the window pops up, past the code from above into it and click save.

This is the kit you will getYou have to send me an email saying your posted it on your blog. Once I see it on your blog I will send you a password to access the download.

March Already

Can you believe it is already March?! Sorry for the delay between posts. I was able to spend the weekend in New Orleans. I loved the architecture there and kept my camera busy taking pictures of it and at the cemeteries (they reminded me a great deal of the ones in Italy). I'm sure I'll post a layout or two with pictures from New Orleans. If you are a fan of great architecture and history, I recommend New Orleans. I know most people go for Mardis Gras, but my DH and I do not drink or party really, so I don't think Mardis Gras would be that great for us.

Here are some more bling elements for Color My World. I hope to finish up another kit this week, so you should be getting a mini kit pretty soon. Also, A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased something of mine from Digi Scrap Shop. I was the sales leader for February. This meant so much to me, especially since many of the designers in the store are veterans and I am the new kid on the block. I know I owe it all to you and I am so grateful.