Designing Again - Come Visit Me at SBE!

I'm designing again! 

For those of you who have travelled the journey of my blog over the past five years, you know that designing has been a big part of my life.  When I first began my blog I wanted to be able to "give back" to the blogging community, and when I discovered the joys of digital scrapbooking, I found another passion - designing! 

I began by creating very simple (and primitive looking to me now) elements and kits, but as I grew in confidence and my products became refined I began to think of taking this seriously.  I will always give some of my items away because I feel so grateful for this God-given talent and would like to bless you all with it.  However, while it has been nice to be a one-income family I'm longing to bring in some money of my own, even if it is so I can surprise my Mr. sometimes with a gift or two, or to contribute so we can languish in our retirement years (not so far away!) 

Most of you know I designed a few years ago at the Sophia Sarducci shoppe - until it closed - where I created under the assumed identity of Olivia Dorazio.  That was terrific fun and a truly positive experience.  I was nurtured by my manager Saxon Holt.  She was terrific and we became good friends and have remained so.  In fact, she seems to have a tap into my creative juice levels for she approached me exactly when I began to feel like I might want to venture into the designing world again.  And so, one thing led to another and I've hopped on board at the store where she is now a designer too - Scrapbook-Elements.com 

Not only do I get to work with Saxon again - the entire "family" at SBE has has given me a BIG WARM welcome, why I almost feel hugged!

My first kit launches TODAY - I hope you can check it out, spread the word, I'd love the "toots!"  Here are my previews:

Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

I invested hours upon hours into my first kit - digitally hand-painting many of my elements.  The rich oil-paint textures give the overall feel of almost vintage!

Digitally Hand-Painted Elements

30 of the 46 elements have been crafted using a digital art program - rich, textured strokes!  The other 16 elements include fun strings of cranberries and popcorn, perfect for layouts of your Christmas decorating party!

Artistic Christmas Papers Package

What you don't see here are the two bonus papers included! *wink*  There is something for everyone in this unique kit - and it's ON SALE (discount!) right now, so check it out at HERE at http://www.scrapbook-elements.com/ along with the many other beautiful items new to the store today! 

Here are some pretty layouts created from my kit - to give you an idea of how my Artistic Christmas kit is being used:





Layout by Judy (my SIL :)

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

various elements (birds, house etc) by Barb Derksen

Thanks so much, Judy, I love how you incorporated this old house into the layout - looks like a real old-fashioned Christmas - you think that old house is available over the holidays? 

Layout by Valinda (DEAR friend!) 

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

It always amazes me that two people can use the same kit and squeeze two unique layouts out of it! 



Layout by Valinda (DEAR friend!) 

credit: Barb Derksen's ARTISTIC CHRISTMAS KIT

Make that three different looks!  I'm tickled that something I created can accommodate your precious family memories in these layouts, Valinda.  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to make these layouts for me to share!  (After I get all my uploading etc done I hope to get outside too, like Christy and Freedom - they have the right idea!) 

And without further ado - what would my celebration launch be without giving you a FREE GIFT so you can get a sneak peek at the quality of this kit?  I've assembled this pretty little bird and boughs element for you to enjoy!  (PS - be on the lookout next week for several new products to come your way - I've been on a creative streak!) 

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