SDBT: Cold Hands, Warm Heart

January is, honestly, one of my least favorite months of the year. November has Thanksgiving, December has Christmas, and February has my birthday. March is technically the beginning of spring, even if the weather may not always agree.

But January in my world is just cold. And I don't like the cold.

I've always been a cold-natured person. My feet are warm only in the mornings before I get out of bed. I have made an art form otu of dressing in layers. Everything I can possibly manage is either fur-lined or fleece or flannel.

So it was a wonderful chance to reframe my way of thinking when this month's theme was announced - "Cold Hands, Warm Heart." It was a chance to remember the good things about the colder months of the year - even if it's only a reminder that the cold makes us appreciate the warm months even more.

So that's my take on "Cold Hands, Warm Heart," and it was a guide for the phrases that I've turned into word art for this month.

DOWNLOAD

(The download may say it's corrupted, but I've had someone test it and it is fine.)

You can get the blog train goodies from our other designers by following these links:

Promethan Concepts

KJD Designs

Digiscrap Angelhaze

Skinni's Scraps and Stuff

Nellie Bell

Songbird Scrap Designs

Moore Blessings Digital Design

DigiJen Scraps <-- you are here

AND...a special note...starting in February, the Scrap Designers Blog Train will move away to from the tidal wave of activity that occurs on the 1st of the month, and we will start posting this blog train on the 10th of each month. So I'll see you back here on February 10th!

DBTL: Tourette Syndrome Awareness

Hello, Blog Train Friends! Happy Holidays!

Just like usual, the Digi Blog Train List is off and running this month to bring awareness to another cause.

This month we're focusing on Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome is sometimes inaccurately called "the cursing disease." In fact, Tourette Syndrome is considered a "tic" condition, and these tics can be either physical (as simple as blinking or shoulder shrugging) or vocal (throat clearing or grunting). Some vocal tics do involve inappropriate language, but it only happens in 10-15% of cases. You can find out more about the condition here. 

Earlier this month I had a chance to meet someone who has Tourette Syndrome. And honestly, if she hadn't mentioned it, I never would have known it. She takes medicine to keep the tics under control. Once I knew that, it made me even more angry that explosive outbursts of profanity has become the stereotype for this condition. It's. Just. Not. Accurate.

Our group has created some cute mini kits, word art and papers for you this month, plus an extra frame that you can pick up at the Facebook page. The designers participating this month include:

Angel Wing Scraps

Ostrea Designs

DigiJen Scraps <-- you are here

Shuckclod's Stuff

Dea's Design

Dreamn4Ever Designs

DBTL FB Page

You can get my set of word art using the download link below.

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I hope you find this word art useful. And while you're here, be sure to pick up the Christmas Word art that I created for the Scrap Designers Blog Train.

See you in a couple weeks when the SDBT takes off on January 1st. And between now and then, I hope you're able to have an enjoyable (and somewhat relaxing) holiday season.

'Tis the Season for Blog Train Goodness (2 Blog Trains)

I know I brag a lot about how generous digiscrap designers are. You can always find kits on sale, kits on super-sale, and random bits or even full kits being given away for free.

At Christmas, it seems everyone pulls out all the stops - there is soooooooo much free digi goodness at this time of year!

This is my first Christmas doing blog trains, and I couldn't be happier with what the designers have put together for you.

First of all, there's the first blog train group to let me join their ranks - Digi Blog Train List. Normally we use our blog train to draw awareness to various causes, illnesses and conditions. But this time we're just having fun and creating a huge gift for you!

It's called "Winter Wish 5," and you can pick it up at the group's Facebook page rather than visiting individual blogs. (Be sure to get all three parts!)

DBTL Facebook Page

The collab will be available until January 3rd!

Next up...the Scrap Designers Blog Train.

The full list of designers participating in this month's blog train includes:

Scrapbookcrazy Creations by Robyn

KJDdesigns

Dea's Designs

Promethean Concepts

Nellie Bell's Unique Boutique

Moore Blessings Digital Designs

Digiscrap Angelhaze

DigiJen Scraps <-- you are here

This group decided to work on a Christmas Song theme. My problem was that I didn't know whether to go "snarky" or "sweet" - I know not everyone is thrilled with the busyness, or the cold weather, or the drain on finances that comes with Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. And my daughter is one of those who would much rather spend her Christmas holiday on a beach somewhere if she could.

So since I couldn't decide one or the other...I did both.

The snarky/sassy version is called "Grandma's Killer Fruitcake." I'd never heard of the song, but one of the other ladies suggested it, and it's a perfect way to convey the feeling of this word art collection. You can find the lyrics here.

And here is the kit:

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The second one was an easy title - "O Holy Night."

There isn't anything especially religious in this set, but "O Holy Night" was my mother's favorite Christmas song, and no one loved Christmas more than my mom and her dad. Fittingly, they both passed away during the Christmas season, in 1999 and 1993, respectively.

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As usual, there are variations of some of the files. Since I couldn't decide whether people would prefer word art with pictures or without, you get both for many of the sayings.

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate. And we'll see you back here in a few weeks for the next Awareness blog train by the Digi Blog Train List ladies.

DBTL: Spina Bifida Awareness

Hi, all! And welcome back!

This week the Digi Blog Train List takes off again with its Awareness series. For November, we are focusing on Spina Bifida Awareness.

Spina Bifida is a condition that occurs during pregnancy, with results for the baby ranging from "unnoticeable" to paralysis and learning disabilities. These days, many cases of spina bifida can be treated so that the effects are minimized. There is also a correlation between prevention of spina bifida and the levels of folic acid that a mother gets in her diet during early pregnancy.

You can find out more about this condition at the Spina Bifida Association or even Wikipedia has some easily understandable information about it.

As usual, our designers have come up with some great mini kits, papers and other goodies to help draw awareness to Spina Bifida.

You can find their contributions at:

KJD designs

Dreamn4Ever Designs

Angel Wing Scraps

Moore Blessings digital Design

Dea’s Design

Shuckclod’s Stuff

DigiJen Scraps <-- You Are Here

Ostrea Designs

DBTL FB Page

For my part, I tried to come up with some word art sayings that are encouraging, but also try to keep a positive perspective on life with SB. 

As it seems is becoming my custom, there are actually more files included than you see in the preview, because sometimes I think, "Well, what if they want this fancied up a bit?" Or, "What if they just want the words?" So I include both versions. 

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I hope  you're able to use some of these in your layouts - whether they relate to Spina Bifida or to some other special situation.

For those of you in the US - have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week. For everyone...see you back here next month!

SDBT: Attitude of Gratitude (Nov. 2017)

Welcome to the Scrap Designers' Blog Train for November!

I have to admit...Thanksgiving is probably my favorite of the "big" holidays in the US, for three reasons:

1. It's not commercialized like a lot of them are.
2. It's about family.
3. It gets everyone else to do something what I try to do all the time anyhow - look for the good in every day and be thankful for it.

So when this month's theme "Attitude of Gratitude" was announced, I was practically giddy, and I had such a hard time limiting myself to a reasonable number of word art files.

So here we are - 9 designers who are ready to help you get the holiday season started with a special gift to you - all the blog train freebies!

Promethean Concepts
Nellie Bell
KJDdesigns
Sugarbutt Artistic Designs
Dea's Designs
Digiscrap Angelhaze
Moore Blessings Digital Designs
Songbird Scraps
DigiJen Scraps  <-- You are here

And here's my part. I hope you enjoy it and are able to use these to add a bit to your holiday layouts. 

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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I'll see you back here next month!

DBTL: Personality Disorders

Even though I went to school and trained as a therapist/counselor, the experience of emotional struggles became much more personal when my daughter was diagnosed with a combination of OCD, ADD, anxiety and depression. That was nearly 10 years ago, and I'm still learning how best to help her, because her situation changes as time goes on, as her medicines become less effective, as she gets newer or stronger meds.

And still, those are all considered "minor" disorders. This month's Digi Blog Train List focuses on even more intense conditions that some people must deal with on a daily basis. I won't begin to say that these conditions can be cured, but with proper medication and counseling, they can be understood and people can know how to live with them. (And when I say "live with them," I also include those who interact with people with these disorders - for example, it would be extremely wise for single people to do some reading about narcissistic personality disorder so they'll recognize a narcissist when they meet one.)

You can get an overview of Personality Disorders here. You may recognize some traits listed here that appear in people you know.

As for the DBTL...we have 8 designers giving you 9 wonderful stops on this month's blog train.

And as usual, I've put together some word art to go along with this month's theme. Some of it is meant to be encouraging to others. Some of it is more suitable for doing layouts about personal struggles:

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You can find all of our offerings at:

Ostrea Designs

Dea’s Design

Moore Blessings Digital Design

KJD designs

DigiJen Scraps  <--you are here

Angel Wing Scraps

Cocotounette Designs

Shuckclod’s Stuff

DBTL FB Page(click bonus)

I hope you like what we've put together. See you back here next month!

Scrap Designers Blog Train: October Delights

Happy Fall, Y'all!

This month I've joined my second blog train - the Scrap Designers Blog Train. A huge thanks to the ladies of this group for letting me join their party.

Here in the Midwest USA, temperatures are getting cooler, nights are getting longer, leaves are changing color, football is on the TV, and kids are planning their Halloween costumes.

In our house, we start October with one birthday (my husband's) and end it with another (my grandson's).

So we have all KINDS of October Delights to celebrate - and I can't wait to use some of the wonderful offerings from various scrap designers for my layouts!

You can pick up bits from the other designers when you stop by their blogs:

(Remember - we're scattered around the world, so it may take 24 hours for everyone to get their blogs "live.")

Sugarbutt Artistic Designs

Dea's Designs

Promethean Concepts

DigiJen Scraps <--You are here

Digiscrap Angelhaze

KJD Designs

Moore Blessings Digital Designs

And my part is this set of word art. I hope you enjoy it.

DOWNLOAD

See you back here in a couple weeks!

DBTL: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Awareness

Welcome to this month's Digi Blog Train List!

Each month, designers get together and use their creative talents to bring awareness to various causes. This month's focus is on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer in any form is a horrible disease where the body's cells turn on themselves and start growing out of control, almost invariably leading to a long fight for one's life.

You can learn more about this specific blood cancer through the American Cancer Society's website.

In the meantime, you can collect designs from these 9 designers by following the links below:

Dea's Design
KJD Designs
Cocotounette Designs
Moore Blessings Digital Design
Ostrea Designs
Angel Wing Scraps
DigiJen Scraps  <-- You Are Here
Shuckclod's Stuff
DBTL FB Page (click bonus)

And you can download my word art here:

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Thanks for stopping by...see you next month!

DBTL August - "At My Own Pace" (Down Syndrome Awareness)

I have an amazing cousin.
(Well, he's actually my first cousin's son.)

He graduated from high school.
He graduated from college.
He is a ballroom dancer.
He is a teacher's aide in an elementary school.
He travels the country going to conventions.
He has a girlfriend.

And he lives with Down Syndrome.

Because, you see, living with Down Syndrome doesn't mean you can't do things. It just means it might take you longer to get from Point A to Point B. To find out more about Down Syndrome, the National Down Syndrome Society website is a good place to start.

This month, the Digi Blog Train List folks chose Down Syndrome Awareness as their theme. Our designers have come up with some adorable kits:

As for me, I learned a lot as I went looking for word art inspiration. But what sums it up most is this "Down Syndrome Creed" that I found:

So with that in mind, here is my part of this month's blog train. 

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Other stops for this month's blog train include:

Digicats (and Dogs)

DigiJen Scraps  <-- you are here

Dea's Designs

Ostrea Designs

Cocotounette Designs

KJDdesigns

Shuckclod's Stuff  

DBTL FB Page (click Bonus)

Thanks for stopping by ~ hope to see you again next month!

DBTL: Military Support Awareness (My First Blog Train!)

Of all the blog trains that are released every month (or bi-monthly) (or quarterly) (or annually), THE one that I actively go looking for each month is the Digi Blog Train List's "Awareness" series.

So when I decided to try my hand at something creative, it was easy for me to decide which train I wanted to join...if they would have me. In addition, I noticed that while the many designers in this group are both amazingly talented and generous with what they offer for free, there doesn't seem to be a lot of wordy bits included, so this is something that I could do.

And, wouldn't you know it...the very month that I decide to ask if they could use my contributions, I find out that the theme for the month is one that I suggested roughly a year ago! So this just tells me that this is meant to be and the timing is right.

So here we are: My first-ever blog train offering.

This month's topic, "Military Support Awareness," is one that's dear to my heart. I'm not a military spouse personally, but I've known many amazing men and women who have served - and I've known some of the families who keep the home fires burning while they're away. I've also known some families who have lost their loved ones - if not in battle, then in the battle once they are back home, either to depression or to alcholism/drug abuse or to cancer caused by chemicals they were exposed to while deployed.

So with the US's Independence Day just behind us, it's not too late to contact someone you know who is active in the military...or who is retired from it...or who is missing someone who is deployed...and let them know you appreciate their efforts.

Here is my contribution for this month's blog train. I hope you'll be able to use some of these when you scrap to honor our military men and women and their families:

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Be sure to stop by the other designers' blogs to pick up the rest of this collection:

Digicats

Ostrea Designs

Angel Wing Scraps

Dreamn4Ever Designs

Dea's Designs

DigiJen Scraps <-- YOU ARE HERE

Shuckclod's Stuff

DBTL FB Page (click bonus)

(The usual disclaimer: Our designers are from around the world, so if they haven't posted their part of the blog train yet, please try again later.)

Thanks for stopping by - see you next month!

Welcome!

Welcome to DigiJen's world!

My name is Jenni, but in the digiscrap world, you'll more likely see me as DigiJen. I've found it's a nice way to keep separate my digiscrap life and my normal life. (Which is a nice way of saying it keeps my non-scrappy friends from yelling at me because I post so much scrappy stuff.) 😉

Normally you'll see me posting ads around Facebook for other designers. I've figured out that I have a special skill set - I can write, and I don't mind spending time posting ads. This works well with artistic types who prefer to spend their time creating more digiscrap kits and would rather not spend time so much with the "business" end of a scrap design business. So we team up, and everyone is happy.

Although I'm taking a hiatus for the month of July, you'll normally find me extolling the delights of kits by these very talented designers:

BoomersGirl Designs 

 Dagi's Temp-tations (templates)  

Day Dreams 'n Designs  

Kate Hadfield Designs  

LissyKey Designs (templates)  

Magical Scraps Galore  

MagsGraphics  

Marie H Designs  

MDD Designs (templates)  

PB Designs  

ScrapbookCrazy Creations by Robyn  

Time Out Scraps  

SOOOO....if you want to subscribe to this blog, you'll be able to keep up on the latest from a whole group of designers with very different styles.

There's another reason I've started this blog...but you'll have to wait about 11 more days to find out what that is.🐈