Nov 21, 2012

New kit & prize winner!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!   I am so thankful for each and every one of you and for every chance we have to connect, support, and inspire one another in art and life in general.  I hope you have a beautiful holiday weekend if you're in the U.S. and if you're not, hope you have a beautiful weekend holiday or not!

New kit . . . . Christmas Junque has just released and it's on sale!
(picture below is linked to the shoppe)






















Here's are a couple of samples I made using the kit . . . 

Joy






















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/20/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Image credits:  everything from Tumble Fish Studio's Christmas Junque kit at DeviantScrap.com


Jolly Good






















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/20/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Image credits:  everything from Tumble Fish Studio's Christmas Junque kit at DeviantScrap.com

Noel
















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/20/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Image credits:  everything from Tumble Fish Studio's Christmas Junque kit at DeviantScrap.com

Santa?
















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/20/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Image credits:  everything from Tumble Fish Studio's Christmas Junque kit at DeviantScrap.com

And there's more!  Christmas Bundle 2012 kit released tonight too!
These kits from last year have been bundled up for a very special savings!  Even with the big sale going on this weekend, the bundle will save you money as opposed to buying each of these older Christmas kits separately.   The whole thing, including printable jpg sheets is only $9.00 for a limited time!






















Don't forget THE BIG FAT SALE happening all weekend at DeviantScrap.com!   It truly is a BIG deal to get 40% off of so many kits.  It doesn't happen often so don't miss this chance to stock up!



















And lastely, the winner of the new Christmas Junque kit!
I numbered the comments in order they were posted.  I threw out one accidental duplicate from one person and then used the number generator to draw our winner . . . lucky #11, sbpoet!   I will message you with your coupon code!


Nov 20, 2012

Big Fat Sale!

We're doing it again!
There's another big fat sale happening at DeviantScrap.com!  And I already rolled back the prices tonight.  (the ad below is linked to my shoppe)


















And don't forget . . .
I have a new kit coming out tomorrow, Wednesday, November 21 in the late evening.   If you want a chance to win that kit for free, just comment the post below this one (titled Goodies!). 

Nov 19, 2012

Goodies!

When I posted this picture on Facebook this morning, I wrote . . . I'm no angel except in the furthest depths of my imagination.   Yep.  But, it's fun to imagine . . . 

copyright Marsha Jorgensen 11/19/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital avatar.  Image credits:  everything from my new Christmas Junque kit coming out soon except the halo and moi.  Halo was just a circle cut out and altered with a PSE action for transparency.

I'm getting in the mood for Holidays!  Are you?  Though I do get stressed over all the Holiday chaos and time crunch, there is something joyful about that kind of stress.  It's tempered I guess by the fact that it's temporary and for a good happy cause.

I have a couple of things for you . . .

First, I'm going to be releasing a brand new Christmas kit on Wednesday night along with a special Christmas Bundle using last year's kits.  And, there is a big sale coming . . . stay tuned for that!   Would you like to win the new Christmas kit for FREE?  Just comment this thread and you may be randomly drawn to win!  Comment by 7 pm PST November 21st!























A lucky winner will be drawn Wednesday night!

And, here's a FREE Thanksgiving postcard for you.   Either right click on it from here or left click first and then right click it to save the image to your computer.   Free to use in your own work (even work for sale), but please do not sell or redistribute the image as is.

Also, here's a fun little thing to try.  
Florabella is giving away free snow overlays for your digital work.  You can find it here!  How fun!

Nov 13, 2012

Winners!

Hi everybody!  Sorry for the delay today in posting the prize drawing winners.   I had meant to do it this afternoon and got sidetracked extracting images and solving computer issues and the day got away from me.   But, I did manage to get it done tonight.  Thank you all so much for your participation and comments and spreading the word!


I numbered the comments in order of their appearance and used the random number generator to select our winners.

And here they are . . . 
Winner of the 1st prize, the DVD set from Kate Crane is . . .











comment #12 belonging to Sharon of Livewire Jewelry blog!



Winner of the 2nd price, the free new kit from me is . . .












comment #3 belonging to Bernie@OneMixedBag!



And the winner of the 3rd prize, the 10 postcards from me is . . .












comment #23 belonging to Melissa!


Winners:  I'll be contacting you tonight or tomorrow to get your prizes to you!

For the rest of you . . .
Here's a free image for you.  She's a little blurry only because the method in which she was printed laid the ink down in a dot pattern - scanners sure pick that up and accentuate it.  So, I had to soften it a bit to remove the polka dots.  I just really thought she was so lovely, even a little blurry - would look great in journaling work.  Either right click on it from here or left click first and then right click it to save the image to your computer.  I believe you can save it as a png since that is what the original file is.  Free to use in your own work (even work for sale), but please do not sell or redistribute the image as is.


































And that's not all . . . 
I'll be giving my next new kit to a lucky winner in the next week to 10 days, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the next prize drawing!  It's a Christmas kit!

Nov 12, 2012

Journaling Pieces 2 released

Happy Monday!  Don't forget about the prize drawing in the post below this one!

I have another new kit out - Journaling Pieces 2 has just released.   You can find it here!






















And here are a few samples I made from the kit . . .

Beautiful Song






















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Images from Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 2 kit at DeviantScrap.com

Okay























copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Images from Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 2 kit at DeviantScrap.com

Old Fish Fresh Jokes






















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Images from Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 2 kit at DeviantScrap.com

Little Thoughts
 





















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Images from Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 2 kit at DeviantScrap.com

You can see more cool samples from my Creative Team in the shoppe listing!  

Watch my blog tomorrow for the announcement of our prize winners from the post below.  PLUS, there may be a free image for you as a consolation prize for everyone else!  Hope you have a very happy Monday!

Nov 11, 2012

How about a prize or three?

Wahoo!   This blog has had over 100,000 page views, almost 300 this weekend alone!  That makes me happy, happy, happy!

And I'm about to release a new kit tonight and that makes me happy too!   So, I think we should have some prizes!   Just comment this thread and you'll be entered to win.  Winners will be drawn randomly after midnight, Monday November 12.

Prizes
First prize is this wonderful set of DVD's from Kate Crane.  These were the first 2 released by Kate who has a second set out but not widely available in the U.S. currently.  (have sent an inquiry about when we can find them here in the U.S. and awaiting that news - will update you.)   Anyway, they are FAB-U-LOUS!  And I have one new unopened set left (for U.S. and Canada format DVD players)!  By the way, Kate features Tumble Fish Studio images along with those of some other designers you may know in this set and her newest DVDs!























The second prize is my new kit for FREE!






















Journaling Pieces 2 will be releasing tonight, November 11, 2012.  But you can get it for free if you comment this post and are randomly drawn to win!

And the third prize is a pack of 10 of this postcard, made last year by moi.






















Okay, you know what to do!  Tell your friends too!  And watch for more new kit information tomorrow!

Nov 8, 2012

New Journaling kit!

Hi everyone!  I've got a new kit in the shoppe today and have another new one coming Sunday!

Journaling Pieces 1




















And here are a few samples from the kit . . .

Soul Healer






















copyright by Marsha Jorgesnen 11/4/12. All rights reserved.
Digital journal. Imaged credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 1 at DeviantScrap.com


Surrender






















copyright by Marsha Jorgesnen 11/4/12. All rights reserved.
Digital journal. Imaged credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 1 at DeviantScrap.com



Grin






















copyright by Marsha Jorgesnen 11/4/12. All rights reserved.
Digital journal. Imaged credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Journaling Pieces 1 at DeviantScrap.com


My good friend Tracey has a fabulous new kit in the shoppe too!  I love this kit! 























And for once, had some time play with her kit too . . .

Dream (from Tangled kit)

















copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/5/2012.  All rights reserved.
Image credits:  everything from Hidden Vintage Studios' Tangled kit except background and clouds which came from my own stash.

Believe (from Tangled kit)























copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 11/5/2012.  All rights reserved.
Image credits:  everything from Hidden Vintage Studios' Tangled kit except background and clouds which came from my own stash.

HintI would come check on this blog starting Sunday evening . . . there might be another prize give away!

Nov 7, 2012

Prize!

I just released my newest kit!  Be the first to comment this post and you will win a $5 coupon you can use to buy it!


New kit will be announced and featured in the morning!

Nov 1, 2012

I'm still here!

Hi everyone!  Happy November!

I don't know about you but I cannot wait until next week is over . . . the U.S. election is about to drive me insane.  But, in the meantime, I have a great distraction for you.

It's a great big phat sale at DeviantScrap.com!


















And that's not all!   The November issue of The Deviant Muse is available and there are some FREE goodies you can grab while you download your copy!  You can download it here.


















And there's even MORE!
There are lots of games with prizes in the DeviantScrap.com forum here.

Looking Ahead
I have a new Art Journaling kit coming out later next week and can't wait to show you.  I've had a hard time not playing and creating as I've tried to get it wrapped up and ready to go.  Be sure to check back in after the weekend for more news!

Thank you!
Thanks to those that have taken the time to help advise on my irritable blog syndrome.  LOL   I have about decided to stay here on blogger as I just haven't had time to "learn" wordpress.  I'll keep researching it all a bit at a time.

Thinking about . . . 
The many many people on the East coast and sending up positive recovery thoughts and prayers while I count my blessings here.  Hope you all have come through it relatively unscathed.

Oct 22, 2012

Figuring things out . . .


Happy Monday morning!

Well, as I said in my last post, I'm not happy about the new blogger interface.  Well,  the old new interface that's been around since last year.  Until recently, bloggers had the option to continue using the old interface which I found much easier to use when posting, arranging, and linking pictures.  

The new interface, without HTML code adjusting, automatically has pictures opening in a separate light box, which I absolutely don't want.  I used to be able to link the pictures so that if you clicked on the picture it just reloaded the whole blog page.  OR if you wanted to share a friend's picture (with permission of course!), if it was clicked on, it would open their blog page or whatever page you had it linked to.  With the new interface, as is, if you click on a picture and if you don't link that picture, the picture opens in the lightbox and from there anyone can right click it and save or copy your picture in the original size you uploaded no matter what size you displayed in your post.  Again, something I didn't want.  Beyond that, if you DO want to link the picture to any site at all, it is a clumsy operation and awkward visibly on the blog.  Half the time I try to link a picture, the link can't be hidden as it used to be but instead appears as ugly text in a weird spot next to the picture even if I leave the "diplayed text" blank.  If you don't want the ugly visible text, you can't link the picture half the time.  Other times, I link it (and erase the text to display) and it works just fine.   But more on that in a minute . . .

In addition, you used to be able to grab the corners of your pictures and drag or pull to resize your image to EXACTLY the size you want.  Now, you have to choose one of the predetermined size choices - nothing as exact as the way it used to be.  So the new interface has TAKEN AWAY flexibility and ease of use.  Don't you hate it when the powers that be make it harder to use something instead of easier?

So, I bought a custom Wordpress blog and have been playing with that.  The whole picture issue is what it used to be here on blogger and I was so relieved about that at first.  Unfortunately in Wordpress, I have found it much harder to design the page.  Here are few of the issues there:  I can't find how to have 3 columns for instance AND I had to pay $99 just to be able to customize the few things I wanted so far, like font, colors, banner, etc.  To get a 3 column blog, as I have here, is not something I've figured out yet.  I'm afraid it may involve an additional purchase or possibly having to download Wordpress software and then finding and paying for a host site to host the blog.   Very confusing and daunting.   In Wordpress, the gadgets are called widgets and the page where you place these widgets is confusing to navigate.  You can add the widgets to predetermined widget areas but there is no "map", as there is in blogger, of where those areas are on your blog page - I'm left to guessing where to add them and then previewing to see where they ended up.

As you can tell by now, I am not happy about the blog situation.  And of course, this is the case just after I had recommitted myself to building up my blog with more consistency, frequency and features.   I was wondering the other day if my new enthusiastic plans had crossed paths with fate when I discovered the new interface was mandatory as if to say . . . "don't do the blog thing".  But I can be stubborn even when fate seems to be telling me something and I'm not ready to give up yet.

This means, however, that any viewers I may have managed to keep here in the crazy last 2 years will have to endure some more inconsistent and rather boring posts until I get it situated or decide to live with inconvenience.  

For those interested, and back to the picture linking . . . if all else fails, I did find a tutorial on how to adjust the HTML code to prevent your pictures from opening in the lightbox.  That tutorial is HERE.   It's a little confusing but if you read through it a couple of times, you'll get it.   I tried it and it worked as you can see with the picture below (it won't reopen in a new window or lightbox).  Before finding the tutorial, I had resigned myself to just making a smaller version of my pictures before posting.  If you select the option to post the "original size", I had read it won't open in the new window or if it does it won't be that big original size it would have been normally.  In other words, you can make a blog version of your image smaller than what you might normally, and upload that smaller version and then choose the "original size" option.  That way, if someone copies or saves it, it's just a dinky little file that would be poor print quality.

It's interesting that if you do use the tutorial and edit the HTML, and after you do, when you click on the picture in "compose" mode, the little blue box now appears with an option to edit the link there.  If it just would do that in the beginning in that little blue box, it would make much more sense and be much easier.

Paradise Girl
copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 10/2012.  All rights reserved.
Digital.  Image credits:  Mostly from my new Autumn Junque kit at DeviantScrap.com

Resolve
  
copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 10/17/2012. All rights reserved. Digital. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com  

Beyond the linking and image sizing issues, am I the only one that experiences clumsy composing around a picture?  For instance, if I add a picture and then want to continue typing below it, I have to hit "enter" several times to get the cursor below the picture again to continue typing.  That even leaves the HTML code weird with about a million  "break" codes and it's hard to get the line spacing right (like no space between the picture and the next line or too much space between the picture and the next line).  It's very hit and miss for me.

What a long boring post for most of you!  I will get this all figured out soon.  Until then, I was kinda hoping by posting all of this some mystical magical force would cause some blogspot employee/glitch fixer to indulge me and fix these things.

Oct 15, 2012

Changes coming . . .


I absolutely detest the new blogger interface.  It makes it sooooooo much more difficult to post pictures, which is the main thing I do here.  I don't want the pictures to open in a separate window for one thing and I want to be able to link them without having ugly link type showing in weird places.  So, I'm debating whether to find a new blog home or just quit blogging altogether.  I will be eventually removing all of  my blog content here because I hate the pictures opening in a new window.   Actually, to be honest, there are days I think about just going to get a job and quit the creative thing altogether.  C'mon . . . I'm not the only one that has days like that, am I?

Well, I'd love to be able to show you my new kits and some new work - but I'm so frustrated with blogger at the moment I could scream.   I hate that you can't link pictures without the ugly type showing around it.  What is blogger thinking?  Anyway, will just show you the new kit for now . . .

Autumn Junque
 

I'll keep you posted on where I end up with the blog.  If you have any other blog host reviews or tips you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them.




Sep 13, 2012

Hello, again, hello!

Gosh, I have a hard time reigning in the chaos long enough to pay attention to my blog. Evil Facebook has lured me over and my spare time is too often spent there (whether it's time well spent is debatable some days). I had a good artist friend decide to do away with her blog and I've been thinking about it . . . but I'm just not ready to cut the chord yet.

So, I'll spare you the latest chaos around here . . . and there's been some doozies lately. But, I'm alive, we're alive, and onward and upward. I don't know how well I'll get you caught up but I'll hit the highlights in this longer than usual post.

My Space (addressing my chaotic journey of late - for the ATC swap at DeviantScrap.com)


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 9/12/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital ATC: everything from Tumble Fish Studio kits including house from Old Haunts; border from Nitty Gritty 2; lady h
ead, elephant, and left hand from My Picks; right hand from Your Zetti Self; legs from You're Invited; camel from Wild Things, floor from Happy Place; butterflies from Flying Things; crown from Lowbrow; background paper recolored from On the Grid.

First, the big good news . . .
I've had work published in a book! My first book publication, in fact. About a year ago, Martin Dawber found my work through Flickr and asked to borrow some of my work for his new book Modern Vintage Illustration. I was excited and sent in the work he requested. About a month ago the book came out and at first I was a bit upset that all of the participating artists had to purchase their copies at a discount. I expected a free copy as most magazines send you free issues when you're published. But, then we were in Barnes & Noble the other night and I couldn't resist looking for the book. I hadn't seen a copy yet. And there it was and my goodness! I was surprised to find all 5 requested pieces had made it in, 3 of them full pages and one of them in the coveted position opposite the Foreword. Then, seeing the caliber of work from the other artists . . . well I was floored that I was in the book at all. I can't tell you how amazing it feels. Then I realized having to buy my copy was small beans compared to the incredible exposure the book could bring. I am grateful beyond words and still pinching myself.

I created a new blog page (upper far right tab - "Published") to show the work that was used in the book. My Dream Police is opposite the Foreword. The book cover (linked to Amazon) by Julien Pacaud is below:


cover by Julien Pacaud


New kits . . .

I've had some new kits release since my last post. Here's a few previews of those:

The newest kit is this one, Old Haunts




It's Official




This hugely on sale Fall Bundle 2012 (only $12.00 for everything and that's nearly 50% off the regular price of these kits!)



UNpredictable . . . just a great unthemed stash kit




And lastly, some new work.
I finally updated my Flickr and am in the process of getting back in the swing of posting at my favorite Creative Souls and Deviant Scrap galleries.

Confections


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 9/12/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital Collage. Image credits: everything from Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com in cluding man, frame, birds, "confections", and "no exit" from Old Haunts; flower border and eye from Fall Bundle 2012 (Slightly Sinister and Hint of Odd); ornament from Ornamental; striped paper from Journal Papers 2. Blindfold from personal stash.



Illusions and Diversions


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 9/12/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital Collage. Image credits: Everything from Tumble Fish Studio's Old Haunts kit at DeviantScrap.com.



Problem Child


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 9/12/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital Collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com: girl, arch, house, people, "treatment facility", "help" from Old Haunts; background created from 2 papers in Journal Papers 2; ornaments from Ornamental. Wings from my personal stash. Flowers from Holliewood Studio's The Collector kit at DeviantScrap.com



My Schtick


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 8/29/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: face, body, legs, hat, tickets in side border and telegram overlay in background all from It's Official; colored border from Freestyle; hair from UNpredictable; and black vine borders from Nitty Gritty 2 kits. (all Tumble Fish Studio kits at Deviantscrap.com)



The Delicate Delegate


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 8/25/12. All rights reserved.
Digial Journaling. Image credits: everything from Tumble Fish Studio kits, mostly It's Official, background color from On the Grid papers, a side border and ladies from Nitty Gritty 2, and flowers from Remembrances.


Lame Sauce


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 8/2012. All rights reserved.
Image credits: everything from Tumble Fish Studio's UNpredictable kit.


Coming up . . .
I look forward to sharing some prize drawings, featured artists, and freebie images . . . all coming soon!

Aug 5, 2012

Winner announced!

I'll keep it short and sweet tonight and just announce the prize winner for the drawing mentioned in the post below. We had 18 people comment and using the Random Number Generator, #4 was selected. If the entries are numbered in order of their appearance, that makes Andrea our lucky winner!


I will have a new kit coming out very soon and we may have to have another drawing then! Thanks for playing everyone!


Aug 1, 2012

Midnight Reverie Released!

Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie, part of DevianScrap's first Collective Collaboration!
The designer's at DeviantScrap have all come together in this very unique project, each offering up their own kits inspired by the book "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. My portion of the collaboration can be seen below and the kit pictures are linked to my shoppe.



(preview of 12" x 12" papers in Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie)



Printable jpg collage sheets are included in Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie kit!



Don't miss this very special offer from the designers at DeviantScrap.com!



Below are some samples I created using my kit in the collaboration . . .

Center of Attention


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 7/31/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com including"be seen" words from Nitty Gritty 2, everything else from Midnight Reverie.


Balance


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 7/31/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie kit at DeviantScrap.com.


I Feel Funny


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 7/29/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie kit at DeviantScrap.com.


Pixie


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 7/31/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie kit at DeviantScrap.com.


Greatest of Ease


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen 7/28/2012. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Tumble Fish Studio's Midnight Reverie kit at DeviantScrap.com.


Don't forget to pick up your FREE copy of this month's The Deviant Muse zine at DeviantScrap.com! The cover shot below is linked to the shoppe where you can download your copy for FREE!



Prize Drawing
To celebrate this huge collaboration project, I wanted to offer one lucky person a chance to win a Tumble Fish Studio coupon good for $10! Just comment this post below by Saturday, August 4, Midnight (PST) and you will be entered into the drawing. Winner will be announced Sunday, August 5.