Sparky's Scratches Real friends don't care if you're a little different…

The moment I discovered Pinterest, I knew I was lost – lol. I’m a sucker for picture galleries, my favourites list is way too long and Pinterest is the solution to both ‘problems’.
Whenever I now see something interesting, I can just click ‘Pin it’ and it’ll be archived. And not only in a way that I can find it back, but also with a gorgeous picture attached to it 🙂
One of the first boards I started was ‘Christmas‘ (hey, you know me, right?) and I already had to split that up as it was growing too fast.

With the love for Pinterest, I also gained another Pet Peeve. Why do people just ‘pin’ things, without checking the source? I may be anal about giving credit, but that’s the way the netiquette taught me.

Sites like heartit and tumblr are crowded with youngsters – or so I assume – who don’t give a hoot about where the image came from. Of course I’ve added a Harry Potter board, and found some amazing images at tumblr – without a source 🙁 I admit, sometimes the image is so beautiful, it’s a shame NOT to pin it, and I gave in, but it bugs me every time I see that particular image on my board.

What’s even worse: images of crafts, linked to the image at Blogger. Not the Blog, just the uploaded image. So 1) you don’t know who made it as you can’t track the blog down 2) no idea if there was a tutorial which would make it possible to create it yourself.

Another thing: beautiful pictures of nature, ballet, couture dresses – with no link to the creator, simply ignoring the copyrights.

What I do, if I find an image without a source and I want to pin it: Google for it. That’s sometimes easy if it’s a very specific subject, but I agree it can be hard. Guess that’s the private detective buried deep down in me wanting to get out :p If I do find the source I pin the image and sometimes leave a comment on the pin that got me searching. But I don’t want people to think I belong to the Internet Police, so more often than not I let it go.

So.. now I’ve got that off of my chest, I can recommend Pinterest to everyone who loves a good picture gallery ánd who’s favourites list is always expanding.

You’ll need an invite, so if you’re interested, drop me a line at dutchsparky58 [at] gmail [dot] com and I’ll send you one!

Happy Pinning!

My friends know I pretty much like all Seasons… except Summer! Although Winter is my alltime favourite, I like Autumn as well. Love the rain, love the lower temps, which finally make it possible to get rid of the Summer clothes I hate, love the early darkness, love the colours of nature.
To celebrate the Season, here’s a freebie Autumn kit for you!

Download Autumn Papers 11.4 MB
Download Autumn Embellishments 6 MB

Enjoy, leave some love and spread the word!

Have a lot of family pictures to scrap? Here’s the perfect WordArt! And – even better – it’s free 🙂

There is one ‘blank’ Thankful and you also get:
Thankful for….
… my precious little baby
… my wonderful children
… my beautiful daughter
… my beautiful daughters
… my loving family
… my dear family and friends
… my treasured friend
… my loving husband
… my sweet four legged friends
… my treasured son
… my treasured sons
… the beauty of the earth
… many things I sometimes take for granted

Download Thankful WordArt 3 MB

Enjoy, leave some love and spread the word!

Out of all the graphics I create, I like the artistic process of creating WordArt the most. Searching for just the right font, arranging it so it’ll be a feast for the eye. It’s very much underestimated, as it can take up hours to get it exactly the way you envisioned it. I am so pleased with the results of my Halloween Subway Art! It’ll get a special place in our living room and I want to share it with my visitors.

Download Halloween Subway Art 2.05 MB

It’s a jpg file, 300 dpi and it can be printed as A4, but I’ve printed it out a bit smaller so it would fit inside the ‘passe partout’ – not sure what that is in English, lol!
EDIT: I’ve learned – thanks Amanda! – that the English word is mat! 🙂

Please don’t send it around, but point friends in this direction, so they can download it for themselves! Enjoy!

Cancer is cruel, cancer makes no exceptions, rich or poor, young or old, man or woman, everyone is at risk. It affects so many people’s lives. I think that we all know someone who’s life was turned upside down because of the cancer. And often people think: this is the end… Unfortunately that can be the case, but there are positive stories as well (several of my family members and friends are the living proof!).

I get the chills every time I visit Faces of Stupid Cancer, where survivors post their picture and their story in short. Even though it’s heartbreaking to realize the fears those people must have been through, it’s comforting to know that they’re alive and kicking! I wish them well!

We can only hope that there will always be funds enough to keep the research going. Some illnesses can never be cured, but there’s been so much progress in Cancer Research that many people have been saved.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here’s a chance to help funding free mammograms! It only takes a click a day 🙂

One of the most important things is early detection. Read more about that here.
A very informative site is the homepage of the American Cancer Society. I know we all have busy lives, but please take the time to read their guidelines and explanations. It could save your life or that of a friend.

I have mixed feelings when I sell another of my support cards for children with cancer at Greeting Cards Universe. Proud because someone thought my card was the best – out of the hundreds that are available – but sad at the same time, knowing there is a recipient dealing with the illness. I can only hope the card gives them strength to keep fighting and that they will survive and live a long and happy life.

At the same time, I know that a card can do wonders for your moral. Who wouldn’t want to receive some words of comfort and support, it really helps mentally when you know you’re not alone!

People often find it difficult to come up with the right words. Whatever you do, don’t write: “I’m there for you, call me when you need me”. Big No No! People won’t call when they need you. Make sure you call THEM to let them know you’re serious about the offer! But only make that call if you can commit. If, for whatever reason, you’re not in the position to offer physical help or lend an ear, a card with encouraging words is enough. Don’t make a promise you can’t keep!

Dedicated to Monique and Gerry. Not a day goes by without me thinking of you. I miss you a lot!