CottageArts.net provides a variety of digital freebies and promotional offers for its audience. These offers typically consist of digital downloads such as scrapbooking templates, photo tools, and digital kits. The primary method for accessing these freebies is by signing up for the company's "What's New" newsletter, which alerts subscribers to new digital downloads, tutorials, freebies, and sales. The company explicitly states in its privacy policy that it does not share personal information with anyone.
The freebies offered by CottageArts.net are often created in conjunction with articles published in Somerset Memories magazine. For example, the "Follow your Heart Scrap.Words" digital freebie was created for readers of Michelle's Digital Watercolor Painting article in the Spring 2015 issue. Similarly, the "Chalkboard Love" digital freebie was created for readers of the Chalk Art article in the Spring 2014 issue. These freebies are described as samplings of larger commercial series available in the CottageArts.net shop.
Specific categories of freebies available include:
- Scrap.Words: These are digital word art sets. The "Follow your Heart Scrap.Words" is a sample of the "Say it Again Scrap.Word" series.
- Chalkboard Art: The "Chalkboard Love" kit is a sample of the "Chalkboard Love" series.
- Quick Pages: The "Butterfly Wings Quick Page (ScrapOver)" is a PNG format quick page compatible with most image editors supporting layers. It was created using papers and elements from the "Butterfly Wings Pak."
- Photo Tools: Freebies related to photo editing and techniques. One such freebie was created for an article on the "DianaPhoto app" and included two photos to follow along with the tutorial. Another freebie offered a sneak peek of "Photo Art Blends 6," providing a 12x12 photo texture compatible with image editors that support layers and blend modes.
- Layered Templates: CottageArts.net offers layered PSD templates for digital scrapbooking. These templates are compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, and they open in Corel Paint Shop Pro, though some features like layer styles and text paths may not be available. Instructions are included with these templates.
In addition to freebies, CottageArts.net occasionally runs sales and birthday promotions. For instance, during a 7th birthday celebration, the site offered daily blog freebie downloads that expired at 9 am CT the following day. These items were subsequently made available for purchase in the shop. The site also promotes "Grab Bags" and various digital kits, such as the "Winter Blessings Page Pak."
To download digital content, users generally need to unzip the files using a utility like WinZip. The site uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to protect credit card and billing information during transactions and is PCI DSS compliant. The standard license for products is for personal use only; a Limited Professional Use License must be purchased for professional purposes.
Digital Scrapbooking Freebies and Newsletter Sign-Up
CottageArts.net offers a selection of digital freebies primarily targeted at the digital scrapbooking community. These freebies are often samples of larger commercial products and are frequently tied to tutorials or articles in publications like Somerset Memories. To be notified of these freebies, users are encouraged to sign up for the free "What's New" newsletter.
The newsletter serves as the primary notification system for new releases, sales, and inspiration. The privacy policy associated with the newsletter sign-up assures users that their personal information will not be shared. This direct communication channel is essential for consumers looking to access limited-time free downloads.
Examples of specific freebies mentioned in the source material include:
- Follow your Heart Scrap.Words: A digital freebie created for readers of a Spring 2015 article on Digital Watercolor Painting. It serves as a sample of the "Say it Again Scrap.Word" series.
- Chalkboard Love: A digital kit created for readers of a Spring 2014 article on Chalk Art. It is a sample of the "Chalkboard Love" series.
- Butterfly Wings Quick Page: A PNG format quick page created for a Spring 2012 article on Mixed Media Quilt. It is compatible with most image editors that support layers and was created using elements from the "Butterfly Wings Pak."
- Photo Art Blends 6 Sneak Peek: A 12x12 photo texture provided as a freebie for readers of a Spring 2013 article on Mobile App Happy. It requires an image editor or photo app that supports layers and blend modes.
- Double Exposure Freebie: A freebie associated with an Autumn 2014 article on Double Exposure, which included two photos to follow along with a DianaPhoto app tutorial.
Promotional Events and Limited-Time Offers
CottageArts.net utilizes promotional events, such as birthday celebrations, to engage with their audience and offer time-sensitive freebies. During a 7th birthday week in May, the site offered daily blog freebie downloads that expired at 9 am CT the following day. This strategy creates urgency and encourages frequent visits to the site. While the freebies expired, the items were noted to be available for purchase in the shop if missed.
The birthday event also included team inspiration and details outlined in a newsletter. The site emphasized the use of layered templates (Scrap.Templates series) as a tool for teaching beginners digital scrapbooking and for speeding up the page creation process while allowing for customization. These templates allow users to fill individual layers with their own photos and papers.
Product Compatibility and Licensing
CottageArts.net provides digital products with specific compatibility requirements and licensing terms.
Compatibility: * Scrap.Templates: Fully-layered PSD templates are compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. They can be opened in Corel Paint Shop Pro, though some features like layer styles and text paths are not supported. * Quick Pages: PNG format quick pages are compatible with most image editors that support layers. * Photo Textures: JPG format textures are compatible with any photo app or image editor that supports layers and blend modes.
Licensing: * Personal Use: Products are licensed to one user for personal use. * Professional Use: A Limited Professional Use License must be purchased for each product used for professional purposes.
Security and Transaction Safety
When purchasing digital content or placing orders on CottageArts.net, the site employs industry-standard security measures. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology is used to encrypt credit card numbers, billing, and shipping information during transmission. The site is also stated to be PCI DSS compliant, adhering to the payment card industry data security standard.
Digital Content Acquisition Process
Acquiring digital freebies and purchased content generally involves a few steps. Users often need to sign up for a newsletter to receive notifications. Once a freebie is obtained, it typically comes in a compressed file format that requires an unzipping utility, such as WinZip, to access the contents. Instructions and usage guidelines are usually included with the download.
The "Winter Blessings" freebie kit, for example, is available via a link to Forever.com. This kit includes 1 paper, 3 embellishments, and 1 photo mask (Click Mask). It is designed for creating wintery pages and is a sample of the full "Winter Blessings Page Pak." The kit is designed by Michelle Shefveland and is compatible with Artisan 4 or 5, with tutorials available on Pixels2Pages.net for using masks.