1. Your screen name? Your real name?
sahlink Krista Sahlin
 
2. What is your main job/career?
SAHM, I do work PT in a real-estate office 2 afternoons/wk
 
3. Are you married/children/pets?
Yes, yes, and yes. My awesome hubbie is computer programmer, so that comes in handy. Two people that like to call me mama: Sophia-7 Gabe-5 and a cocker spaniel that wiggles her tail a lot – Leinie
 
4. Where is home for you?
Rochester, MN
 
5. What are your 3 favorite foods?
Godiva chocolates, Starbucks coffee & Mashed potatoes. Everything a growing body needs!
 
6. What’s your least favorite food?
“Canned PEAS”, ever since I was a little girl… I used to hide them in milk cartons at school, now avoid them completely.
 
7. What was your favorite moment from your recent Disney trip?
Oh, wow! This is a hard one…there are SO many ‘favorite’ moments. Can I pick like top 10 moments? HAHA I would say the favorite “Disney moment” would be going to the AAA Storytime. We went not expecting much out of it. We checked in and they told us a ’surprise reader’ would be there shortly. We were seated in a small theatre with 6 other families (maybe a total of 10 children) and in walks Snow White!! I was SO amazing!! She was in character the whole time. With only 10 children in the room each child got her SOLE attention for at least 10 minutes or more. She read them a story, then spent time talking again with them (and of course photos and autograph book) But WOW, we went in not expecting much and was just BLOWN away by the experience) SO NEAT! “Oh and my son introduced his favorite dwarf, snoopy! Snow White just giggled and said maybe that’s his nickname ”
 
8. PC or Mac? What program do you use?
PC
 
9. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?
I’ve been digitally scrapbooking since last NSD day May ‘08. I found out about SM from Britt on the DISboards. Then realized I FINALLY want to go digital! I did dozens of tutorials on youtube.com HAHA!! But that’s how I learn most of the basics. But being a part of this fabulous SM community, I’ve learned a lot from people here!
 
10. What was your 1st LO about? How has your scrapping changed since?
My first layout. HAHA!! I smile looking at it, I don’t think it’s bad…its just a different way of scrapping. I was more in a paper scrapping frame of mind.
 

 
I find I enjoy more of my layouts that are traditional ‘paper scrapped’ looking…but it’s just so fun to be able to play around and be creative so the change would be that now I like to be more artistic.
 
11. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?
Time, Time Time
 
12. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
Music, yes. When I’m designing I like classic music. When I’m scrapping I like dance/pop music. TV, hate it, it distracts me. But my DH has his desk in the same
office, and when he’s working the TV is on. (Compromise, right?)

Drinks: water
Snack: Does breakfast and an occasional meal count as snacks?
 
13. When did you start designing? Why did you decide to start?
Not the most glamorous of reasons. But, I was laid off at the beginning of the year from my small PT job. So, I started to think about what I LOVE doing… (that should be obvious!!) Now I find that I can’t WAIT to get to work. I’m up at like 6:30am springing with ideas. Crazy?!? Perhaps! But I am loving it!
 
14. What is your favorite product that you’ve designed?
I would have to say metal. I LOVE metal elements & pieces, so I think you’ll see a lot of that from me.
 
15. How would you describe your design style?
Very Eclectic (just like my scrapping style) I guess I can never just pick a style, cuz I like a little bit of all styles. Doodles, grungy, clean, natural, metal
 
16. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation?
Pictures I need to scrap!! HAHAHA! Yep, I have folder of photos that I’ve been saving for that perfect kit. And sometimes, they don’t come around… so my ideas are most
definitely stemmed from that.
 
17. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?
I don’t know if I have a classic ME kit yet. I suppose we will have to wait and see. But if I had to pick a start of a kit it would be LOVE LIFE. I want people to have kits to scrap normal everyday moments, get them to think to journal and storytell.

 
18. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?
I am finding that I love designing with LOTS of bright colors. It’s ironic to me because I usually am a muted, natural colors type of person.
 
19. Favorite kit you’ve designed?
Hmmmmm… I’m at the begining stages of designing. But I put my heart into creating “Enjoy the Moment“, so I’m sure it will always be my little baby.

 
20. Favorite LO?
I don’t know why… but I just love this one. It makes me smile.
 
Park Play

Thanks Krista for letting us get to know you better. We look forward to seeing more and more of your kits in the shop! Check out her gallery HERE and her shop HERE!

-Heather

Hi it’s Sharon here with a new Saturday Special Challenge for you and I have decided to see what wordart we can make using our digital supplies. Wordart is all the rage these days and adds so much appeal to a layout, whether it’s subtle in the background or boldly taking centreplace on your page. You can use so many things to go into your wordart such as alphas, fonts, brushes and other images.

I made up this layout using WM[Squared]’s SHABBY CHIC kit and a template from Denise Beatty Originals SPREAD THE WEALTH and you’ll see my wordart in the background with a few different phrases relating to my title. I also added a bit of grunge with some brushwork in behind the text to make it stand out a little more. This wordart didn’t take very long at all but it added a little ‘pop’ to my layout from Denise’s template. Try playing with the opacity, colour and blend modes of your brushes and/or text as I didn’t mean to end up with the green brushwork behind my text until I changed the blend modes and really liked the effect it gave!

Christy (aka The Werners) also made up a layout for this challenge and her wordart is boldly standing out across the bottom of her page. Love how Christy fitted it nicely into an angled section of her page.

So off you go and play! There is no theme to adhere to – just be creative and come up with a little bit of wordart that adds to your project.

RULES (click HERE for an overview):

There’s no double dipping. Your layout must be unique to this challenge (QOS is the only exception).

Everyone who completes the challenge will get a point in the Matter of Scrap Challenge System.

You do not need to use ScrapMatters products, however, if you use something new from the ScrapMatters store (within the first seven days of a product’s release), you get an extra point.

And, I will choose my favorite layout to get one more point at the end of the challenge.

Don’t forget to upload your layout to the Saturday Special Gallery , and then visit our Forum thread HERE to link us up with your layout.

Because this challenge is on the last day of May, you have until the end of June to complete your entry.

Natural Wonders – a ScrapMatters Design Team Collab

Rose Cottage – a ScrapMatters Design Team Collab

The Key to Happiness by Happy Scrap Girl Designs

The Key to Happiness Quick Pages by Happy Scrap Girl Designs & Pressed Petals Designs

Let’s Camp S’more by Chelle’s Creations

Lots O’ Photos Blocked Templates by Sahlin Studio:

Teen Grunge by WM[squared] Designs:

“Ohana” by Britt-ish Designs

Leafy Treetops by Erica Zane

Faded Columns: Value Pack by Plum Dumpling Designs

Take Me to the Movies by Sya’s Blueprints and MickeyB Designs

“Spread the Wealth” Template Set by Denise Beatty Originals

Scribbles by Jeni Hopewell

A Stone’s Throw by Haynay Designs

Happy Friday, everyone! Linz here with today’s photography tip. Actually, it’s more of a photog/scrapping tip! Have you ever spent hours searching for the perfect kit to match your favorite photo of the moment? Of course you have! It can be so tough to find one that’s “just right” for photo. For me personally, I like my photos to match the kit — in more ways than one! Certainly I want the theme to mesh well, if there is one. In lieu of a theme, I try to choose a kit that goes well with the feeling or mood of the photo. I mean, it just wouldn’t look right to scrap one of my typical photos of my little man being his wild little self if I decided to go with a calm, serene  type of kit, right? So that’s another way we can “match” things. Finally, I absolutely LOVE when the colors in my photo also appear in the papers and/or elements within the kit. Maybe you’ve never paid much attention to whether or not this is true for your pages. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way, but there are definitely ways around it. Let me give you an example!

I loooved my son’s expression in this photo! The whole vibe just went so well with the grunge and metal in Off Tha Chain by Tracie Stroud & Krystal Hartley. There was just one problem! This photo was taken outdoors on a lovely spring day.  Blue skies, bright sunshine and green grass just weren’t jiving with this page at all!  So I chose to crop it close (eliminating the view of our backyard) and turn it black & white.  Another quick tip — branch out here too! Sure, the desaturate feature is quick and will remove the color from your photo, but it often leaves it looking drab and dull. Play with blending modes, curves, levels, etc OR there are plenty of free actions and/or scripts that will do the work for you!  Once you’ve compared the results, you’ll never go back to the old way.

One more example…

This is one of the first photos taken of my newborn son (3½ yrs ago) and also one of my favorites. I was working with Baby Jackson by Mickey B Designs, a gorgeous kit full of unique, realistic elements. It’s a calm, peaceful photo so it was a great match in that sense. However — here I go again with my color obsession — his hospital blanket had bright pinks, purples and blues. I found the pattern and colors very distracting! They really took away from the beauty of the photo. So I once again got to work, using an action as well as several layers of different blending modes. The result is much better suited for the page, don’t you think?

I hope I’ve given you all some things to think about today. This is just one more way to improve the quality of your pages or even just scrap a little outside your comfort zone. We’d love to see what you can do. Feel free to link us up if you’ve decided to play with these techniques. We all enjoy spreading the love!

Have a great weekend!

Ready for another decor challenge?  Whether you are wanting to change your decor for a new season, a holiday, a birthday, or other celebration, a banner can be a fun and easy way to add the extra “WOW” that we are often looking for!  I’ve seen several different ideas for banners out there in cyberspace, and all of them are unique and add a personal touch.  Your Dazzling Decor challenge for this month is to create a banner of your own!  Here are a list of ideas that might help you get started:

- Create a banner for an upcoming holiday or season
- Add some style to a new baby’s nursery by creating a banner with their name
- Hosting a shower?  Think baby, wedding, graduation party ….
- Everyone has a birthday – make a Happy Birthday banner that you can hang every time your family celebrates their special days
- Congratulations are often in order (new job, promotion, award, baby, wedding, graduation, etc)
- Welcome home a friend or family member who is returning from a trip

I created my sample using chipboard circles but don’t feel limited – try using triangles, rectangles, squares, ovals … the sky’s the limit!

Here’s another sample that Jaime (ocmath) created for Halloween:

I had a great time making my banner and see myself making several more for myself and others.  I can’t wait to see what you come up with

As always, here are the guidelines for the challenges at Scrap Matters:
- Entries must be posted in the appropriate challenge gallery, and in the corresponding thread in the forum
- Since this challenge begins during the last week of the month, entries must be posted before the end of the following month (June 30) to be counted toward that month’s point total
- You’ll get 1 point for completing your banner and posting it. Plus, I’ll select one entry at random for a bonus challenge point.

Hey all! Heather (haynay) here for another Grand Theft Layout! I’ve recently found that I have tons of judet’s LOs in my favorites folder! I think you will be able to find many LOs that will inspire you! Go to Judet’s gallery and have fun!

Judet did this sweet and simple page:

Here is my page using Megan Turnbridge’s Funky Love and Erica Zane’s Tropical Escape:

And here is what some of the CT did with it:

Sharon scraplifted Dandy-lime

Here is her take on it using Jen Barrette’s collab kit with Lauren Grier LADY BUGGA and Tater’s WORN POLKA DOTS alpha!

Christine lifted Snow.

She used Tracie Stroud’s *Harmony*, *Mod Boy*, *Ooga Booga*, & Brittish Design’s *We’re Just Dating*

And, Stefanie lifted My Girl:

Here is her LO

How fabulous are these!!! Amazing!

Here are the Matter of Scrap Challenge Rules:
You have all month (and since it’s the end of May) all of June to complete your layout! Upload it to the gallery and leave BOTH the image and a link in the challenge forum!

You will receive one point for completing the challenge. You can earn an additional point for using a NEW product from the SM store! (Please indicate that you used something new with your LO/link  in the forum.) And, one  lucky winner (random) will receive one ADDITIONAL point!

Remember no double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge! Can’t wait to see your lifts!

Hello, everyone!  I hope anyone celebrating Memorial Day has recovered from their barbeques and parties.  It’s time for this week’s Tuesday Template!

Here’s the link

There are no rules for this week- other than to find the perfect photo to put in that big photo spot!

Here’s the page that I made to inspire the template.  It’s using a fabulous kit by one of brand new designers here at ScrapMatters, Sahlin Studios, called “So This Is Love“:

Gallery link here

If you need some more inspiration, here are some great examples made by our Creative Team!  Here’s one by littlehiccup, using the Rose Cottage Collaboration that’s available to contestants in the Queen of Scrap competition:

And one by iisusieii.  I love how she flipped it and used that big block to fit even more photos!  Susie used “Enjoy the Journey” by WM [squared] Designs and Dirty Feet Designs:

Here’s another one from kimbytx.  She used “April Showers” by Megan Turnidge and Tracie Stroud:

Finally, here’s a fun one by Christy (The Werners).  She used “All Things New” by Tracie Stroud:

As always, I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!  This is one of those end of the month challenges, so you have a little extra time to work with it.  You can only earn one challenge point, but if you post the layout by the 31st, it will count towards May totals.  Otherwise, you have all of June to post a page and earn a point for June totals.

A Reminder of the other Matter of Scrap Challenge rules:

Upload your layout to the gallery, and leave BOTH the image and a link in the challenge forum–> found here!

You will receive one point for completing the challenge. You can earn an additional point for using a new product from the ScrapMatters store (PLEASE indicate you have used something new when you leave us the link in the forum), and one lucky winner will receive one more point – I will be doing a random draw!)

If you post a layout for this template challenge, you cannot use the same layout to complete another challenge.  The one exception to this is the Queen Of Scrap contest- a layout posted for this challenge does count for Queen of Scrap page totals.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Did you know that today is Memorial Day here in the United States?  I’m sure you did…how could you not with a three day weekend, barbeques, etc…!  Memorial Day is a time for us to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country.  As you’re reading this, I am hopefully doing just that while visiting Gettysburg…

Here’s an international twist to Memorial Day I found at usmemorialday.org.

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children’s League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their “Buddy” Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

I hope you’ll take some time today and reflect on those who have given so much for your country.

And some scrapbooking inspiration…

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. Joseph Campbell

Bravery never goes out of fashion.  William Makepeace Thackeray

A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.  Novalis

It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes.  Louis Pasteur

True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.
François de la Rochefoucauld

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today
The Kohima Epitaph

I’m so sorry this is so late! It’s been a rough day BUT I’m so excited to share with you this week’s LOTW & our spotlight.

This week’s LOTW is Beautiful Girl by astraley. I just love this LO! The colors are wonderful and she did such a great job at clustering (somthing I wish I did better). Plus the picture of this little girl is adorable. Make sure you leave astraley some love in the gallery and the forum. Congrats on winning LOTW.

And now…

1. Your screen name? Cyndi146 Your real name? Cyndi Price

2. What is your main job/career? Six months ago I went back to work part time after being a SAHM for 15 years. I work the office of a local cemetery. Mostly though, I’m a taxi (see next question)

3. Are you married/children/pets? Married for 19 years in June. Four AWESOME kids… Spencer (15), Zach (13), Raegan (11) & Halle (9)… all as busy as can be. No pets but my kids are BEGGING for a dog. I have a feeling dh is going to give in.

4. Where is home for you? I live in Roseville, California. I’m native Californian and have lived in Roseville since I was 6. Love the weather… hate the expense.

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Love anything coffee. And the special pumpkin flavors they have out in the fall.

6. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Combo

7. Beverage of choice? Anything diet… or coffee.

8. What’s your least favorite food? My problem… I like just about anything.

9. PC or Mac? What program do you use? PC… my friend is building me a super computer right now. Well, super computer compared to the 2G RAM I have right now. I use CS2 and Elements 3. Will upgrade to CS3 when I get the new computer.

10. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I’ve been digiscrapping since 2006. At the time, my family of six was living in a 200 sq.ft. studio apartment. It was so hard to drag all my supplies out to get a LO done and get it all cleaned up again and I felt myself getting further and further behind in my albums. I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop Elements and was hooked. I thought for sure that when we moved into our house later that year, I’d combine both paper and digital but I have yet to use any of my paper supplies again. I’ve given most of my stash to my two little girls who are showing quite a knack for scrapbooking It does a Mama proud.

11. What was your 1st LO about?  My first LO was a 2 pager from dh’s birthday. I was so excited when it was finished. I don’t even know where I got the kit. It was a freebie from somewhere back before I knew you were supposed to keep track of those things.

12. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? My family is very musical. I play a number of instruments and sing. I was a worship leader for many years.

13. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Getting started. I spend far too much time searching my pictures and supplies folders looking for what will go just perfectly with what. Speed Scraps are so good for me cuz I just have to DO instead of thinking things to death.

14. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? Chuck, Psych, Burn Notice, AI, DWTS… we love TiVO Also, Pride & Prejudice (the long version), Lord of the Rings, The Sound of Music and ANYTHING with a Superhero.

15. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Most of the time I’m scrapping on my laptop wherever my family is. TV will be playing anything from Hannah Montanna to ESPN. If I’m by myself (which doesn’t happen very often) I’ll usually have the TV on just for noise. I’ve grown used to noise.

16. Snacks? Where? I’ve been known to eat my dinner at the laptop so as not to miss a Speed Scrap. Most of the time I have something to drink. This time of year, Crystal Light Sunsplash Orange… yum!

17. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? Stitching and sparkle.

18. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I couldn’t think of anything so I asked my kids. They said that when I’m scrapping I’ll start a sentence and then just stop… mid sentence. Problem is, I totally lose track of what I was saying and will have to rethink the whole thought again. I’m afraid it’s true.

19. Favorite LOs that you have done?

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you better Cyndi! Make sure you check out her gallery HERE!

Hi scrappers, Emilee (emileem) here! I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend so far.  I’m excited to bring you an awesome design tutorial from Britt of Britt-ish Designs.  She has agreed to let me ‘reprint’ a tutorial she wrote last year as follows:

This week I want to focus on LINE. Whether you mean to or not, almost every scrapper uses line to express emotion and feeling in their work. What separates the outstanding layouts from the average ones are those that use line to its full advantage!

What is “line”, you ask? Well, in design, “line” refers to how the viewer’s eye movement can be controlled by the arrangement of the work. Eye movement is unconsciously influenced by the way things fit or flow together, both on the horizontal and vertical planes.

Different lines subconsciously give different emotions or feeling to our layouts.

When you use horizontal lines in your layouts, (i.e. lines going from left to right across straight across the page) give feelings of peace, calm, quiet, and joyful serentiy.

Possibly we relate horizontal lines to the peace of a rising or setting sun on the horizon, lying down to sleep, or the calm sea. Whatever the reason, utilize horizontal lines in your layout design with horizontally arranged photos, long lines of type or journaling, or panoramic shaped photos and frames when you want the viewer to feel tranquil and serene.

Like this example from Cyndi (Cyndi146) using Tale As Old As Time and Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust by Britt and Paper Pieces Template by Plum Dumpling Designs–

Vertical lines (i.e. lines going up and down on the page) suggest potential for movement. Verticals stripes, stacked photos, even tall lettering or alphas all create vertical lines.

Like this example from Stacy (shutch) using Sahlin Studio’s Enjoy the Moment–

And another example from Andrea (chia) using Sahlin Studios Enjoy the Moments and Snippettes: Enjoy the Moments–

With the potential for movement, comes a feeling of anticipation, hope, and optimism. Perhaps our minds relate vertical lines with ladders leading upward and onward. Use vertical photo-booth strips, vertically striped papers, or ribbons running down the page to create a happy and expectant feeling in your layout design.

And lastly, diagonal lines (i.e. lines on a tilt, not parallel with the edges of the page create movement. They give the viewer feelings of vitality and energy.

Like this LO by Britt herself–

By tilting photos, running elements from corner to corner across the LO, not lining up photo mats and elements symmetrically, or using a diagonal striped paper, we give our page liveliness and excitement! Clustering and using that “messy” look you’ve seen in layouts, creates contrasting diagonal lines, and adds even more life and more energy.

Look through your existing layouts. I guarantee you will find that these line rules apply to many of your pages, even if you didn’t know it at the time you scrapped it! These rules are unintentional. We don’t feel certain ways about lines because we are told to; it’s subliminal. And these rules of line aren’t hard fast. They are theory. You’ll find that some layouts may not follow these rules at all!

However, by being conscious of line and utilizing the influence of line to express emotion, your layouts will become even more effective. And when you look back at your memories years from now, you will be able to feel the emotions of each page, as powerfully as you did the day you scrapped it. And isn’t that “what matters most”?

Okay, me again…Isn’t Britt fabulous?  I think taking a second look at your line composition will really enhance your LO’s.  Your challenge is to complete a LO using Britt’s tutorial regarding line before the end of May.   I have one example of my own, using Happy Scrap Girl’s Wild.  I used vertical line to capture the movement of the elephants–and toddlers:

Remember our standard challenge rules:

There’s no double dipping. Your layout must be unique to this challenge (QOS is the only exception).

Everyone who completes the challenge will get a point in the Matter of Scrap Challenge System.

You do not need to use ScrapMatters products, however, if you use something new from the ScrapMatters store (within the first seven days of a product’s release), you get an extra point.

And, I will choose my favorite layout to get one more point at the end of the challenge.

Don’t forget to upload to the Saturday Gallery here , and link back to the forum with your layout image and link.

You have until the end of May to complete this challenge.  I can’t wait to see what you create!