Dear Darling and a little something for you!

Okay, before I take you to the Darling stuff, I'd like to answer this first. :)

Indy (who has just opened a new artsy website, TheIndyPlayground.com -- let's go check out her wonderful mixed-media artwork!) left a comment on this blog a few posts back asking how I made my double-page spread (like this one) look like it comes from a real book. Well, I'll try to explain but please forgive me if I'm not making any sense. LOL

I got the idea when I saw a friend (this would be you, ViVre) did that to her DP at DSC forum and I just had to have it. But she used a commercial overlay and I was too cheap for it. :D So I did my own version with a little shadow trick. You know - just regular drop shadow from one side (with a little larger offset and blur radius than usual), then I copy only the part of the shadow that spills over to the other side, paste it on another layer, flip it and move it to meet the other shadow in the middle of the spread. There you have it.

So deceptively simple, right? I'm sure it's pretty crude comparing to the commercial overlay but it works well enough for me. Hope this helps! :)

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Let's move on to Dear Darling!!! I'm just in love with this new kit by Rachelle (Rachness Designs). It's not just your regular cute kit. All elements and papers are uniquely designed and well thought out. I love how it seems to invite you to sit down and make something pretty for your loved one(s) and write a special message to them.

Included in the full kit, you will find a great handwritten set of alphas as well. Or if you prefer, you may also purchase the alpha set (or the element set) seperately.

Speaking of alpha, Rach also has another set out and I think this one, Crayon Edge Alpha, is absolutely FAB!!! It's a basic alpha that you can use over and over, but with a fun twist that you can apply to spice up your pages.


Here is my page using Dear Darling. I also used a template that Rach gave away as freebie some time ago as an inspiration for the journaling cluster. I call the page "Through a Child's Eyes." :)

The day I made this page, my son Neill and I fought. After both of us cooled down, he came and apologised. I gave myself some time, then sat down, scrapped the page, and wrote this message to him.

Journaling reads:
You always ask what it was like when I was at your age. Was my homework as difficult or my school bag as heavy as yours? I just realised that it might be your way of telling me to cut you some slack. Yes, sometimes you forgot to send in your homework and lost your belongings. But you are young and I have made all the same mistakes before. Thanks for reminding me that it helps to look through a child's eyes to be a better mother. I love you!

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So, I've got a little something for you too. You can have the journaling cluster I made for my layout above as a gift from me and Rach! Click on the preview or here to download. Leave me a few words here if you like it, will ya? Thanks! :)

Check out Rachelle's blog to check out other CT pages using Dear Darling ! And don't forget to give Indy's and Tammy's blogs a visit as well. They both also have something cute the kit waiting to share with you. :)