Hi everyone- Suzanne here and I am so excited to be bringing you my very first challenge! I love template challenges- so I hope you like this one too. There are no special rules- just do whatever you like with the template and have fun.

Go HERE to download

Here’s the page I did using Happy Scrap Girl’s Kit “Flirt” that was the inspiration for the template:

And here are some wonderful examples from the wonderful CT:

First up is this lovely layout by monsu using “Life’s a Beach” kit and Snipettes by Sahlin Studio-

kimbytx also used “Life’s a Beach” kit  by Sahlin Studio for her adorable layout-

By WM [squared] Desings using her kit “My Hero” and “Simply dated V.2″ -

Here’s Juno’s using “Sunshine in my Soul” by Britt-ish Designs-

And last but not least, tgmousechick used “Easter Day” by Juno Designs to create this cute page:

And finally here’s a reminder of the Matter of Scrap rules:
Because this is posting on the last day of the month, you have until the end of JULY to complete your challenge. Once you post your layout in the gallery and link back to the challenge thread in the forum, you will receive one point.  If you are super fast and get the page done, posted and linked back by today you will get your point for June- otherwise all other points will be for July.
If you use a newly released product from the Scrap Matters store on your challenge layout, you earn an additional point- but make sure you indicate in your credits that the item you used was a new release.
Your LO must be posted before the end of the month to be counted toward that month’s point total.
At the end of the month I will choose my favorite for an extra point!
You don’t have to use SM products to participate in this challenge, but we love it when you do! Remember, no double dipping. Each LO must be created for one challenge only.

Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you all do with this template!

This weeks LOTW is Good Night Fairies by kathleena. It was chosen for the whimsical and vintage feel! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it!! Congrats kathleena! Make sure you leave her some love in the gallery and in the forum!

Now on to our…

This week we have the pleasure of learning more about one of our Designs Star winners…Rachelle aka maryzmom & Chelle’s Creations.

1.   Your screen name? Your real name?  I have a son with special needs.  For eight years every doctor, nurse, specialist, therapist, teacher, etc called me Marky’s mom, so it seemed natural to call myself markyzmom, I go by Chelle, but my real name is Rachelle

2.   What is your main job/career? My husband and I own a financial services company.  We do insurance and financial planning.  He does the selling, I manage the office.

3.   Are you married/children/pets? We have six children ages 22 to 8.

4.   Where is home for you? How long have you lived there?  I live in a small community in northern Utah.  I live 300 feet from the home my parents lived in when I was born and 250 feet from the home I was raised in (where my parents still live).  Other than college, I’ve only NOT lived here for six years.  How’s that for boring?

5.   What are your 3 favorite foods?  I  LOVE homemade wheat bread, a nice juicy steak, and plump red raspberries

6.   What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?  I like the fruity sherbets best

7.   Snacks…Salty or Sweet?  Neither, my favorite snack is plain almonds.  LOL!  But I do have a sweet tooth.

8.   Beverage of choice?  WATER  I keep a water bottle on the floor next to my computer.

9.   What’s your least favorite food?  Vegetables!

10.  PC or Mac? What program do you use?  Yes.  I have a desktop PC with elements on it and a Macbook Pro with Photoshop CS4 and elements on it.

11.  How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?  I’ve been printing hardbound “scrapbooks” for five years, but while I was recovering from surgery last summer, I talked my DH into bring the desktop downstairs so I could work.  I was browsing the internet and discovered that you can BUY digital scrapbook supplies!  Woo Hoo!  I was in heaven!

12.  What was your 1st LO about? My first hundred or so layouts were just a border with pictures and words-like a regular book.  But this is my first Speed Scrap: 

13.  Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? Thread crochet.  Spending time with my family (immediate & extended).  Playing games.  Watching basketball.

14.  What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?   Composition!  I LOVE layouts with a vertical composition, but I scrap 11×8.5 horizontal and keeping a variety in my layouts is a challenge.  And white space!  I can’t help but think I’m wasting space!  LOL!

15.  What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?  Draw.  Paint.  I would love to improve my artistic skills.

16.  What are your favorite movies/TV shows?  I really don’t watch TV.  Ok, I have a LOT of SpongeBob, Hannah Montana, and Suite Life of Zach and Cody memorized, but not from watching it.  My favorite movies are Sneakers, Hunt for the Red October, Miss Congeniality,…

17.  Describe your “scrapping” environment.  Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?  In the office, at my desktop.  Waterbottle next to my feet (where it can spill on the carpet, but NOT on my keyboard) and a handful of almonds on the desk.  My daughters in the room working on homework or chatting with friends on gmail.

18.  If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be?  I LOVE stitches and ribbons

19.  Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?  I have a master’s degree in mathematics.

20.  Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style?  I like my layouts to look like a photograph of a “paper” layout.

21.  Favorite LOs that you have done?

Love this one because of the colors:

Love this 2-pager:

Loved this pic, and LOVE how the LO turned out:

22.  When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed?

I started designing last fall, but my first attempts were laughable.  I got serious and started asking for feedback so I could learn and improve in January.  I became an official designer at the end of the design star competition.  My favorite product?  Probably the Let’s Camp S’more kit.  It’s been so fun!

23.  How would you describe your design style?  I like my elements and kits to look like you could’ve bought them at a paper scrapping store.

24. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation?  There are buttons, photographs, magazine scraps, and pieces of ribbon stuck to a corkboard next to my computer.  That wall is my source of inspiration for designing.  I like to look in the gallery or in printed scrapbook magazines for scrapping ideas.

25. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?  Let’s Camp S’more - lots of realistic elements

26. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?  I LOVE blue, so I usually end up with some blue in each of my color schemes.

27.  Favorite kit you’ve designed?  It’s usually the most recent kit I’ve designed.  But I’ll always have a fond spot in my heart for Make a Splash - I learned so much from the design star competition and this kit really shows it.

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you better. We sure love your LOs and your designs. Check out all of her kits HERE!

Size Does Matter With Elements

For this one I used smaller elements.

Here’s some inspriation from our CT, who are the best!

Christy made this LO using Erica Zane’s *Sail Away*

See how the big waves “hold” the photos in place. While the smaller size of the chair, shell, birds, etc. add to the feeling of the LO and not distract from the photos.

Monique made this beautiful LO using Grab Bag No.4, by Anna BV Designs, Designs by Tater, Dirty Feet Designs and Geeky Diva Designs.

Notice the three different sizes of the flowers. They balance, highlight and really add to the LO. The circles bring your eyes right to the photo.

Cyndi made this LO using Ohana & Date Stamped by Britt-ish Designs and Fun Times Alpha by Andilynn Designs.

Cyndi shows how you can use various sizes and use a lot of elements, yet keep the photos as the focus.

Cristina made this LO using Strips and Pieces Template and Foam Stamp Alpha White by Sahlin Studio
Girl Power by Chelle’s Creations
Font: Pea Olson

Cristina kept her elements on the smaller side as to not take away from the totally cute bunny!

Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Remeber:
You must post to both the gallery and the forum.
You get one point for participating in the challenge.
You can get one more point for using a new release (something from the SM shop released within the last seven days). PLEASE let me know it’s NEW in the forum!
You can get one additional point for being the winner. I will pick a winner at the end of July.
No double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge.

And, since this challenge is posted during the last week of the month, your layout can count for this month or next. If you want it to count for this month, you must post before the end of the month, and if you want it to count for next month, then you should wait and post your layout after the 1st of the month.

Hello, all!  Tgmousechick her with this Thursday’s Hybrid feature!

When I throw a party, I tend to go a little overboard with the theme, and a trip to the Party Supply becomes an expensive endeavor.  But, I love the put-together look of having everything coordinate- the plates, the centerpiece, etc, etc.  And the favors.  Oh, I love the party favors!!!  Little trinkets that say “thanks for coming!!”  They tend to take up the largest part of that blown budget, but they are the most fun- when you can find what you want!

With hybrid, tailoring that perfect party favor becomes easy!  With thousands of digital kits out on the market, there’s a pretty good chance that you will find a kit (or a couple) that suits your theme perfectly.  Pairing that with a shape pattern or a hybrid template makes it simply to achieve custom results.

Today’s project includes a freebie template!

Download here!

I created these little “fryboat” cups to serve as treat cups, or to hold small items that you’d like to display.  They are super easy to trim and put together- essential if you’re making a bunch of these!

In my sample, I’ve used them to hold color-matched M&M candies for a baby shower theme.  I used the bright and sunny “Summer Breeze” kit, a collaborative kit by Jeni Hopewell and Andilynn Designs.

Although the cups are really cute, I think what really makes the presentation is the metal tower.  It’s a cupcake tower made by Wilton.  With cupcakes all the rage these days, it allows you to display them with style- I get wows everytime I bring in cupcakes for an event- all of my decorating work is highlighted when it’s presented in such an eye-catching fashion.  This is the first time that I’ve used it for something other than cupcakes, but it certainly won’t be the last!

Your challenge this month is to create a hybrid party favor.  You can use the freebie offered above, or use another design.  Since this challenge falls at the end of the month, you can keep creating through the month of July.  Projects posted up to the 30th count towards this month’s points, and those created in July count towards next month.

Party favors can take many shapes and varieties.  Here are some great examples made by our amazing CT!

Sylvia B. used a paper template by Mirkwood Designs paired with the Mystery Mix grab Bag #5:

And Kari had these favors in her gallery:

Just a quickie reminder of the Matter of Scrap Challenge guidelines:

Upload your layout 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 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 project for this challenge, you cannot use the same project to complete another challenge.  I can’t wait to see what fills the gallery- have a great day!

Hello Ladies!!  Wendy here for your next installment of “Grand Theft Layout!”.  This time around we’re going to lift the lovely Cyndi146!  I don’t know about you, but I just love her style!!

You can find Cyndi’s gallery–> HERE

Please remember to post your inspiration LO along with your LO!

Here is my inspiration:

M&M

And *MY* LO – a little less sweet, a little more sassy:
Credits:  “Teen Grunge”  & Date Stamped V.2 by me (WM[squared] Designs)

SylviaB lifted Grandma:

Here is her verison:

Credits:  ‘Life’s a beach’ by Sahlin Studio

Krisi616 lifted “Sky High”

Here is her version:
Credits:  “Hocus Pocus” & “Lucky Girl” by WM[squared] Designs

Aren’t they great?  Ok, now it’s your turn!  Head over to Cyndi’s gallery and get to liftin’!
Here are the Matter of Scrap Challenge Rules:

You have the rest of the month to complete your layout! Upload it to the gallery and leave BOTH the image and a link in the challenge forum –>  here!

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 an ADDITIONAL point!

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

Happy Scrapping!!

Hi everyone!
This is Monique with a new edition of many people’s favourite challenge!
As you probably know by now, I love clean and linear designs, so this weeks’ template is just that!

You can download it HERE

No special directions for this template.
Use it as a starting point for your own page, but feel free to add, detract or change it up in any way you’d like!

I used the You Say It’s Your Birthday ScrapMatters Collab for my layout:

And here’s some more inspiration by our fabulous CT members:

Suzanne used Honey Dew by WM [Squared] Designs for her page:

Wendy created this page with Shabby Chic and Simply Dated – V.2 by WM[squared] Designs

Natasha used Erica Zane’s Tropical Escape Kit for her layout:

And last but not least, Krisi adapted the template for her preferred format and used the Daily Download Collab called Stars & Stripes Forever:

I love these layouts, and I’m excited to see what you come up with!

These are the Matter of Scrap rules:
You have until the ned of this month to complete this challenge and once you post your LO in the gallery and link back to this thread in the forum, you will receive one point.
If you use a newly released product from the Scrap Matters store on your challenge layout, you earn an additional point!! But make sure you indicate in your credits that the item you used was a new release.
Your LO must be posted before the end of the month to be counted toward that month’s point total.
At the end of the month I will choose my favourite for an extra point!
You don’t have to use SM products to participate in this challenge, but we love it when you do! Remember, no double dipping. Each LO must be created for one challenge only.

Good luck and have fun! I can’t wait to see how this template inspires you!

This week’s LOTW is Precious little hands by hedderlee. I love the quality of the photo how the hands and the paint are so clear and the background is muted out giving the eyes only on the tiny hand.  I mean come on, you can see the fingernail on the thumb!  Such quality.  How a mom seeing behind a childs mess and focusing on the inner artist.  I love the simplicity of this layout, the creativeness of this layout.  I just love her take on the layout.  

-Wendy (neverlandscraps) 

Hello everyone! For this weeks spotlight I thought it would be fun to inteview Jaime (ocmath) the Leader for the SM Hybrid CT Team! I am always drooling over her awesome hybrid projects in the gallery and was excited to learn a little more about the person behind the paper and glue!

1.Your screen name? Your real name? ocmath, Jaime

2. What is your main job/career? My main job now is being a stay-at-home-mom, which is the busiest job I’ve ever had, but I love it! Before I chose to stay home with my kids, I taught math at a junior high. I loved that, too.
3. Are you married/children/pets? I’ve been married for almost 12 years and have 3 kids (7yo boy, 5yo boy, 3yo girl).

4. Where is home for you? Utah

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Cream of Wheat, Cookies (especially Black & White cookies), Pasta

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Oreo

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Sweet

8. Beverage of choice? Ice water

9. What’s your least favorite food? Off the top of my head, I can’t really think of anything. I’m not really that picky. Well, I can’t stand black licorice (does that count as a food?) . . . blech. Oh, and anything too spicy . . . I don’t like spicy.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? PC, Photoshop CS4

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? How did you get started in Hybrid? I have been “officially” digi-scrapping for about 2-3 years, however I remember making scrapbook pages in 1999 in PrintShop when my twin niece and nephew were born. So, I guess those were technically digital, but nothing like you would see today! LOL I started out as a paper scrapper, so when I started making digital pages as well, hybrid just kind of followed. I love to mix traditional elements with digital.

12. What was your 1st LO about?  I don’t remember my very first digital layout, but one of my firsts was this 2-page LO of my husband putting together a swingset. I didn’t keep track of the credits back then, so I can’t even tell you who the supplies are from, although they were probably freebies somewhere.

One of my first hybrid projects was probably fry boxes.

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? Yes, too many! Photography and reading are probably my two other main hobbies, but I have so many other little hobbies or things I want to learn how to do, it’s insane. I really need to give some of them up.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking (and/or Hybrid) for you? The most challenging part for me is not having enough time to do everything I want to. I have so many ideas of things I want to create floating around in my head, but not enough time to complete them all.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? I want to keep improving my photography, and I want to become more proficient in sewing.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? My favorite movie is probably the BBC Pride & Prejudice. I have also always loved The Princess Bride. TV – American Idol, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Psych (I watch far too much TV!)

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? In our (my J) office downstairs. Usually music or TV in the background, but sometimes complete quiet. When I’m up late and the rest of the family is asleep, I love how quiet my home can be, so I will usually turn off the music/TV. I almost always have a glass of ice water next to me.

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO/hybrid project, what would they be? LO – Alpha, Tag; Hybrid project – Ribbon, Flowers

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I’m a chicken . . . I hate roller coasters or anything that resembles a roller coaster, but I’ve been bungee jumping twice! Crazy.

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style? Less is more. I lean toward clean, simple, non-cluster layouts, however I also like to branch out and try new things once in a while.

21. Favorite LOs/projects that you have done? One of my favorite hybrid projects lately is creating coordinating packaging for gifts. I have two in my gallery right now.

One of my favorite digital layouts lately is this one called Dance. I did it for a Speed Scrap and was really happy with how it all came together.

22. What’s your favorite part of being the SM Hybrid Team Leader? My favorite part is all the amazing people I get to work with. We have just announced our new hybrid creative team, and I am really excited to get to know all of these girls. They are all very talented. Everything about ScrapMatters is great . . . it is just a fun place to be!

Thanks Jamie for letting us get to know you better! Check out Jamie’s gallery HERE.
-Amanda (panders77)

Hello ScrapMatters community!!
Natasha (bcnatty) here bringing you this week’s version of the Saturday Special. My topic of the day is Clean and Simple Scrapbooking!!
When I first started scrapbooking I felt like I had to put all these different elements and…things…down on my page…and then I came across Cathy Zielske’s Clean & Simple Scrapbooking, and I felt like I had been saved!! This was definitely in my comfort zone, and totally transformed my scrapbooking style.

So, to paraphrase the inspiring Cathy Zielske, clean and simple scrapbooking is three things. First, it’s a philosophy. Spend less time, leave most of your photos on your hard drive, scrap non-chronologically. Second, simple is a style…but within that style, you can have many different styles (shabby chic, collage style…) just as easily as you can have clean, graphic layouts. Simple is just less “stuff”, it’s letting your photos and/or journaling take the center stage. Lastly, clean and simple is an overall graphic approach – fresh linear pages that tell the story as directly and clearly as possible.
Simple doesn’t necessarily mean that a layout will take less time, and it definitely does NOT mean boring!! The “less is more” approach can open up a whole new world of possibilities!!

Need some help? Here is some inspiration…

First, my LO using Tater’s Urban Boy

And here are some beautiful, simple layouts from our amazing CT!!

Here’s one from Chia

Here’s one from Cristina

And Monsu

And lastly Alamama

See how beautiful clean and simple can be?! I can’t wait to see your beautiful creations!!
Have fun and remember…simplify!!

“Mystery Mix – June Grab Bag No.1

“Mystery Mix – June Grab Bag No. 2″

“Mystery Mix – June Grab Bag No. 3″:

Mystery Mix June Grab Bag No.4:

“Mystery Mix – June Grab Bag no. 5″

“Mystery Mix – June Grab Bag No. 6″

My Hero by WM[squared] Designs:

Diamond All Stars by Haynay Designs

Diamond All Stars Word Art FREE with purchase of kit!

Old Glory by GG Digital Designs

Old Bead Board Alpha by GG Digital Designs

Time Saver Templates – Set 7 by GG Digital Designs

“Independent” by Britt-ish Designs

“Brown Town Alpha” by Britt-ish Designs

Foam Stamp Alpha – White by Sahlin Studio:

Foam Stamp Alpha – Black by Sahlin Studio:

Foam Stamp Alpha – Combination by Sahlin Studio:

Foam Stamp Alpha – Sorbet by Sahlin Studio:

Quick Notes by Plum Dumpling Designs

“Pocket Full of Templates 2″ by Britt-ish Designs