Horray for Hollywood!

Here's the my latest item to hit the store - Hollywood Elements. It's chock full of elements you could use to scrap a trip to L.A. or even Disney MGM Studios and everything in between. Come check in out in the store!
Look Here!

Getting Back in the Groove and Happy National Digital Scrapbooking Day

After almost 8 months, I'm finally getting back to the hobby I enjoy so much. This year has been a roller coaster and I'm not done with all the rides yet but the hills are getting smaller and the curves aren't as sharp. Let's just keep it that way! Hopefully I can resume making great products for my store and to give as freebies on a more consistent basis. There will still be gaps of time where I may fall off the earth - we are currently in the process of selling our home and are getting ready to build a new one. Both very exciting but time consuming projects. My plan is to keep designing as a way to hold on to my sanity and give me some "me time". So here's a small freebie that I know is a little late for the holiday (but better late than never!)
Also, in honor of National Digital Scrapbooking Day, I have a 50% off coupon for my store. Just use NSD09 at check out!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting me again!
ChiaraDownload it in my store here:
Halloween 09 Sampler
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My grandfather

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that my grandfather, John DiChiara, passed away Saturday afternoon. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers during the last several months. They were very comforting to me and my family.

Chiara

Hurry Up Spring - ADSD Collab

Here's a few pretty papers to go along with everyone's great contributions to the collab. Sorry that I couldn't get more done this month. Between caring for my grandad, a child with the flu, planning a 10th birthday party, I just couldn't seem to get it all done.
My granddad is now home with Hospice care so I'm not sure about freebies this month. I hope to be able to have something for you but I just don't know what each day will bring.
Until next time...

Download1
Download2

Here's the rest of the blog roll so you can be sure to get all the great goodies!
Mags - http://magsgraphics.blogspot.com
DesignsByAmilyn - http://designsbyamilyn.blogspot.com
Gina - http://gina-moondancecreations.blogspot.com/
Jen - www.scrappingwithjen.blogspot.com
Aubrey's Mom - http://scrappinbyaubreysmom.blogspot.com
Donna - www.tootlebugz.com
Foxy - http://foxyladycreation.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://digital-keepsakes.blogspot.com
Becky - http://beckysscrap.blogspot.com/
Linda - http://lindasdreamdesigns.blogspot.com/
Candy - http://candystreasures.blogspot.com
Joyful Moments Designs- http://digitalshop-margie.blogspot.com/
Shel - http://shelbellescraps.blogspot.com
Joni http://mooscrapworld.blogspot.com
Lei - http://fairydustprincess-magicmaker.blogspot.com/
BlueVelvet DeZigns- http://nutnbutdezigns.blogspot.com
AllieKat Creations -- www.alliekatcreations.blogspot.com
Lynn - http://themathematiciansassistant.com
EmCeeScraps http://emceescraps.blogspot.com
Buzybee Designs - http://buzybeehive.blogspot.com
Deanna at Flower Scraps - http://flowerscrap.blogspot.com
Anne - http://mousee23.sosblog.com/
Bits N Bobs - http://scrappingbits.blogspot.com/
Willow Grace Designs - http://willowgracedesigns.blogspot.com
Cyndi, Wetfish Designs - http://wetfishscraps.blogspot.com
Bonnie/The Maltese Scrapper - http://bonniecarter.blogspot.com/
Mardesia - http://craftersboutique.blogspot.com
Catt - http://cattscrapps.blogspot.com/
Gail - http://gails-space.blogspot.com
Morgaine Creations© - http://morgainecreations-gone-scrappy.blogspot.com/
VanJo Designs- http://harley310.blogspot.com/
beckmoore(Debbie) - http://beckmoorescrapalittle.blogspot.com/
Elemental Pixie - http://www.elementalpixie.blogspot.com
Isabella - http://www.lotsofprettythings.blogspot.com
Wendy & Sarah - www.kikkinkreations.blogspot.com
WillowRaven @ Purple Dragonfly Creations - http://www.purpledragonflycreations.blogspot.com/
Lynn - http://heavenlycrafts.blogspot.com/
Blind Sight Designs - http://blindsightdesigns.blogspot.com/
Bhe Lacson - http://www.bhebhethartzdesignz.blogspot.com/
Cottage Stella - http://stellarificcreations.blogspot.com
Mandy - http://scrapswithspunkitude.harkinsfamilyblog.com/
Jessi-http://stormiescraps.blogspot.com/
SnapScrapCreate - http://snapscrapcreate.blogspot.com
Panda Bear Designs - http://www.pandabeardesigns.blogspot.com/
My Sweet Tater http://tatersplace-mjstitch.blogspot.com/
Lois AKA Ladye - http://scrappinwithladye.blogspot.com/
Mary: http://barkingpenguinscraps.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ Kalo Designs http://kalodesigns.blogspot.com/
Dawne at Desert Bloom Designs - http://desertbloomdesigns.blogspot.com
ScrapperGirl Designs http://scrappergirldesigns.blogspot.com
Erika {aka PinkuPixie} - http://ppbits.blogspot.com/
by God's design - http://digibygodsdesign.biz
You are here! Creative Digital Scraps by Chiara - http://creativedigitalscraps.blogspot.com
Digital Scrap Fun - http://www.digitalscrapfun.blogspot.com
Heather - http://giftedgoose.blogspot.com/

Another freebie

As I mentioned last week, I'm setting this up in advance just in case.
I know my preview says that it's set 2 but I promise it's set 3. Forgive my laziness not to go through the effort of changing it.

Grab it in the store: here
Last week to use coupon LoveMe for 25% off.
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Weekly Freebie and Update

I made it back again to post another freebie for you. I'm continuing my series of commercial use overlays with another set of 6. I got such a great response on the set from last week - I really appreciate all the sweet comments (and well wishes for my granddad).
I also need to apologize because I know I've received very thoughtful messages that people have linked to my blog and I've even received a blog award. I'm sorry I haven't acknowledged these kind gestures I will try to remedy that as soon as I can.
My mom had to take my granddad back to the hospital yesterday. He now has pneumonia and his oncologist has said his body is too weak and sick to try to administer chemo. At this point it's time to call in Hospice care. I'm not sure when he'll get to come home. I imagine the next few weeks will be hard on us all.
I'm going to set-up my post for next week to be automatic so you will have links to next weeks freebies in case I'm not available to post.
Until next time...

Grab it in the freebie section of the store: here
Don't forget coupon LoveMe for 25% off your purchase!
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This week's Freebie

I'm back with another little freebie for you. This month I'm going to do a series of overlays - everyone can always use those! At least I know I can and do. It seems like I always have my favorites that I go back to over an over again. Hopefully you'll find these a good addition to your stash. Also, I usually don't do this but they are for commercial use as well. No credit required. Make sure you grab them all before the 30 days is out because then they'll move into the dollar bin.
Also, in honor of all the love floating around - here's a 25% off coupon for the store. Use code LoveMe to get your discount. It will be good until the end of the month.
On a personal note, I've been staying with my granddad more and more lately. He's really deteriorated in the last couple of weeks. He's very weak and can barely get up to leave the couch out of necessity. He goes back to the oncologist next week to talk about whether he should attempt chemo or not after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure 2 weeks ago. It just seems like everything in his body is starting to break down all at the same time. It's so hard to see such a drastic change just since the holidays. Thanks again for all the kind words and prayers being said on our family's behalf.
Hopefully, I'll be checking in again next week with another set of overlays. Till then...

Go HERE for your download.

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Februay Freebie

I'm writing this on Wednesday so I can be sure that it's up for you on February 1st. We have been hit with that nasty ice and snow storm that hit a good part of the US yesterday and today. You don't think of ice as being destructive but this has been awful. My mom has a power line down across her driveway and the one to her house is down and tangled in some tree branches that have fallen from the weight of the ice. She also has an oak tree in her backyard that it easily over 100 years old and one of the tree sized branches fell from it and took out her fence. She doesn't need all this stress on top of everything going on with my granddad.
Right now I'm just thankful that we have power and heat (75,000 homes in our area out out of power because of the ice and trees breaking the lines). My boys are outside right now enjoying the day off from school and playing in our piles of snow.
I hope where you are is safe and comfortable - hug your family!
Here's this month's ADSD collab. I was surprised how quickly this one came together for me but I was happy with it. I hope you like it too. I'll keep it up on the blog for the month of February and then it will head to the dollar bin in the store on March 1 along with the Rosebud kit.
Here's my preview and the 4shared links and hen make sure you catch the rest of the pieces with the list below:

Elements
Patterns
Solids

Don't forget these other great designers' contributions:
Mags - http://magsgraphics.blogspot.com
Wendy & Sarah - www.kikkinkreations.blogspot.com
Angie (Elemental Pixie) - http://elementalpixie.blogspot.com
Gina - http://gina-moondancecreations.blogspot.com
Judith - http://justanotherscrap.wordpress.com
Becky http://beckysscrap.blogspot.com/
A Changed Heart Designs - http://mommyaddictedtoscraps.blogspot.com/
Lei - http://fairydustprincess-magicmaker.blogspot.com/
Adele http://blindsightdesigns.blogspot.com/
Bonnie - http://maltesescrapper.com
DesignsByAmilyn - www.designsbyamilyn.blogspot.com
Candie - http://candiescreations.blogspot.com
Cindi http://harley310.blogspot.com/
Linda @ http://lindasdreamdesigns.blogspot.com/
Donna - www.tootlebugz.com
Gail - http://gails-space.blogspot.com
Aubrey's Mom - http://scrappinbyaubreysmom.blogspot.com
Jessie - http://stormiescraps.blogspot.com/
Vero - http://thescrappingtree.blogspot.com
Crystal - http://www.digitalscrapfun.blogspot.com
Diana - http://digitaldezerts.blogspot.com/
Penny - http://alliekatcreations.blogspot.com
Mary - http://barkingpenguinscraps.blogspot.com/
Anne http://mousee23.sosblog.com/index.htm
Arvita's - http://arvita-elams-flights-of-fancy.blogspot.com/
desiab @ Crafter's Boutique -- http://craftersboutique.blogspot.com
Manda- http://www.disasterindesigns.com/
Wendi @ Willow Grace Designs - http://willowgracedesigns.blogspot.com
Buzybee (Penny Lewis) - http://buzybeehive.blogspot.com
Deanna at Flower Scraps - http://flowerscrap.blogspot.com
Debbie - http://beckmoorescrapalittle.blogspot.com/
Jenn Gigowski of BMC - http://busybeingblessed.com
WillowRaven at Purple Dragonfly Creations - http://www.purpledragonflycreations.blogspot.com/
Jen - http://scrappingwithjen.blogspot.com
Catmom - http://the-cats-meow-catmom.blogspot.com/
Bits N Bobs - http://scrappingbits.blogspot.com/
Morgaine Creations© - http://morgainecreations-gone-scrappy.blogspot.com/
CATT - http://cattscrapps.blogspot.com/
Deb - http://thescrappincop.blogspot.com
Dawne of Desert Bloom Designs - http://desertbloomdesigns.blogspot.com
EmCeeScraps - http://emceescraps.blogspot.com
Vintage Paris Princess Designs - http://vintageparisprincess.blogspot.com
Erikia {aka PinkuPixie} - http://ppbits.blogspot.com/
You are here!
Creative Digital Scraps by Chiara - http://creativedigitalscraps.blogspot.com
Joni - http://bouquetofpixels.blogspot.com
Lynn - http://themathematiciansassistant.com

Rosebud Freebie part 3

Here's the third and final installment of the Rosebud kit. I think this download has all the elements in it. You can grab it in my freebies section of my store here.
Next week, I'm back on the blog train with the ADSD group. We've put together a great collab called Chocolate Cherry. It will be great for your lovey-dovey stuff. I also tried to make mine with plenty of generic patterns and pieces so it would be pretty versatile. So be sure to check back on Feb 1st.
I'm sitting with my granddad most days now until my boys get home from school. It's hard because it leaves a gap of time that he's alone until my mom gets off from work. It's the best we can come up with right now. He starts chemo this Wednesday and we're hoping it goes ok for him.

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Rosebud Freebie part2

Here's the next installment of the Rosebud kit. You can download it through my store here. I hope everyone is staying warm - the weather has just been bitter lately. And we haven't had it as bad as some! I'll be enjoying the MLK holiday today with my boys today snuggled up on the couch watching movies and staying toasty!
Also, thank you for the sweet thoughts and prayers about my granddad. They have been comforting to read. We found out last Friday that he has Stage 4 lung cancer. The doctor isn't sure he could tolerate chemo and that it only has a 50% chance of slowing the tumor growth. It's his decision on whether he wants to try chemo or not. Needless to say, it's been an emotional few days for the family with lots to think and worry about.
Until next week...
Rosebud Part 2

I'm back with good news, bad news, and a freebie

I’m finally back after being away for several weeks and I have so much to cover.

First, I have some good news. The Digital Scrap Mall has undergone some remodeling and it is now how it’s owner originally wanted it to be – with each designer having their own store front under the mall heading. It’s a very cool concept and it’s been so much fun setting up my own store! I’m so excited about it. There’s a separate section for freebie downloads so you don’t have to mess with a cart, a layout gallery and other goodies. So check it out at www.digitalscrapmall.com/creativedigitalscraps and look down below for my Grand Opening ad and coupon information.

Next up, I finally have a freebie for you after a many week hiatus. I think I’m going to try something different for a while. Instead of coming up with little unique freebies during the month, I will do a kit and share it in pieces as the weeks progress. This month we’re starting with Rosebud and you can go Here to get the first of three downloads. A preview of the full kit is down below.

Some other changes to my blog are that my freebies are no longer going to be free forever. Items will remain either at 4 shared or at my store’s download area for one month and then they will be moved to my dollar bin. That’s plenty of time to snag it and once it’s moved it’s still a good deal (especially when you have a coupon).

Lastly, on a personal note, my 87 yr old grandfather has been diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema. He’s completing tests this week to determine the stage of the cancer and what his treatment options are for the future. With that said, I will try to maintain a weekly freebie download as much as possible and following up on any store issues as promptly as circumstances allow. Hopefully things won’t be disrupted too much but I’m sure everyone understands that family comes first.

Until next week…

Rosebud Part 1