Happy Halloween Everyone! Emilee (emileem) here with your Saturday Special. Today we are going to learn something very easy and NOT scary–ADJUSTMENT LAYERS.  I just learned about these and it changed my scrappin’ life!  Creating an adjustment layer, instead of directly adjusting your photo gives you greater versatility and flexibility.  Simply click on the circle in your Layers menu that is half white/half dark and you will see a new menu.

We are just going to focus on Levels, Brightness/Contrast, Hue/Saturation for this tut.  Click on one of those choices and you are able to adjust your photo as you desire–but your photo hasn’t been compromised.

As you can see, a new layer has been added.  If you would like to further manipulate that layer you can, or click the eye to hide it.

In my example, I adjusted the levels and hue/saturation in this picture. Later, I made the picture sepia tone to coordinate with the others in my project.

Here is my project–I used this Sat. Special as well as Jen’s tut last week.

It really is that easy.  Play around with Adjust Layers and see what you can do!  Let us know what you adjusted when you post your LO for the Saturday Special Challenge.  Please post in the Saturday Special Gallery as well as in the coordinating forum thread.
Here is some more inspiration from the ScrapMatters Creative Team:

from Liz (mommy22girls):

from Cyndi (Cyndi146):

and one more from Amber (sm_amber):

Remember:
**this challenge will run through Nov. 30. Entries that are posted today (Oct. 31) will count as a point toward your October total, entries received hereafter will count as a point toward your November total.
**No double-dipping; your LO must be unique for this challenge.
**You will receive ONE point for participating in the challenge and an additional point if you use a NEW ScrapMatters Product (released within the last seven days). Please state in the forum that you have used a new product.

That’s all.  Happy Scrapping on this Halloween day!

Three of our designers at ScrapMatters will be closing their shops at 11:59 pm on October 31st Pacific time. This is the last time you can get their treats at SM for now.

Please join me in saying so long and best wishes to:
Heather (Dirty Feet Designs)
Dacia (Fluffy Bunny Feet Designs)
Brianne (Hafen Creations)

Two of these designers are expecting additions to their already busy families and one of them recently had a new baby.
Congratulations to all three of you on your growing families. We wish you nothing but the best.  We hope to see you around and pictures of your families in our galleries.  You will be missed.

Let’s Get Together by Erica Zane and Denise Beatty Originals

Greatest Hits templates vol. 3 by Trixie Scraps Designs

Fabulously Negative – Templates by WM[squared] Designs:

1st and Park Way

Vellum Alpha by GG Digital Designs

“A Knight’s Tale” by Britt-ish Designs & Man in the Moon Designs

Thankful Blessings Word Art by Stolen Moments

Thankful Collection by Jennifer Barrette

Thankful Kit by Jennifer Barrette

Thankful Alpha by Jennifer Barrette

Thankful Quickpages by Jennifer Barrette

EZ Templates 7 by Erica Zane

CU Grunge brushes #1 by AnnaBV Designs

CU Grunge brushes #2 by AnnaBV Designs

CU Crayon brushes by AnnaBV Designs

CU Grungy tiled pattern brushes by AnnaBV Designs

CU Grungy tiled pattern brushes by AnnaBV Designs

Just Treats by Purple Tulip Designs

Space Case by Chelle’s Creations

Space Case Bonus Alpha — FREE with purchase of Space Case through 11/5

black or white alpha by Gwenipooh designs

Pixie Pals Alpha by Happy Scrap Girl Designs

Halloween Printables Pack by Sharon Dale

So This is Love Quickpages by Sahlin Studio:

It is October now, and this time of year is the start of the Holiday season…well, if you consider Halloween a holiday.  Maybe I’m just thinking ahead.  Maybe I’m wondering how I keep getting myself involved in a secret swaps.  In any case, this time I’m involved in a secret swap for Christmas and am pondering all of the ways I can use my love for digital scrapbooking and paper crafting to make stuff for my secret pal. Well, let me tell ya, I found some great stuff right here at Scrapmatters!

I think Scrapmatters is really growing in this area of combining passions and Geeky Diva just put out another great template for those of us that need a little “Hybrid Help.”  The Chinese Take out Box ( found here: http://scrapmatters.com/shop/product.php?productid=2438&cat=0&page=1 ) is a template that is designed especially for 8.5 X 11 paper. So you can “clip” your digital paper right into the template. The template can also be used on commercial paper for additional crafting options.  And it’s so easy even your 2 year old can do it.  Well…let’s not get to crazy.  Maybe your five year old, though…with supervision.

So anyway, using Hybrid techniques for creating gifts is a great way to show the diversity of digital scraping and the products we have all come to adore.  But if you’re STILL not convinced, here are a couple of great ideas on how you can use the Chinese take out box.

 And finally one by the lovely Kristi

Now, don’t forget to check out the Hybrid Gallery here at ScrapMatters and look at the awesome projects our little community has been creating and don’t forget to post yours there too! Also, the Hybrid is Hot section of the forum is available for your enjoyment as well.

Hello there! Courtney (cnscrap) here to host this weeks Grand Theft Layout challenge. For this week’s Grand Theft Layout Challenge we are going to lift the gallery of lacidock. You can check out her fabulous gallery here!

I chose “Pumpkin Bucket” to lift. I loved her blocking and the use of the photo holder. This is her layout:

And mine using Sahlin Studios A Story of Friendship and photo holders:

And now some inspiring layouts done by our CT Team!

Kathleen (kv2av) picked Sweet As Sugar:

And created this striking layout using HappyScrapGirls’ Sense of Adventure and Britt-ish Designs’ In Stitches: Basics:

Cyndi (Cyndi146) picked Simple Pleasures:

And created this sweet layout using Make Me Smile by AnnaBV Designs, Back to Basics Soft Alpha by Denise Beatty Originals and Metal Photo Holders by Sahlin Studio:

Jenn (jennamy82) picked Lucky Me:

And created this beautiful layout using WM Squared’s Green & Serene:

Amanda (panders77) picked Love:

And created this cute layout using Sahlin Studios Tuck and Wave templates, Lifes a Beach, Foam Stamped Alpha Sorbet, Lifes a beach Snippettes, Circle Stitches and Alpha from Enjoy the Moment:

A few quick SM guidelines:

- Since this challenge is near the end of October you will have until the end of November to complete this challenge. Please upload it to the GTL gallery and leave your LO image and Laci’s LO image (both linked) in the GTL 10/28/09 thread.

- 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.)

- I will choose one lucky winner (random) who will receive an ADDITIONAL point!

- You don’t have to use SM products in this challenge, but we LOVE it when you do!

- Remember no double dipping…your layout must be UNIQUE to this challenge!

Looking forward to seeing which layout inspired you!

You can download the template here. The only requirement is that you use a quote or word art on it, otherwise use the template as you wish.

Here are some example’s using the template:
From me:
‘Underwater Escape’ by Erica Zane

From Sylvia
‘Loverly’ by Sahlin Studio and ‘Bracketed Words: Beauty {wordart pack}’ by Trixie Scraps Designs

From Cyndi (trying her hybrid skills out!)
‘Feeling Fall’ by WM[squared]

From LuAnn
‘One Fine Day’ by Happy Scrap Girl Designs and ‘Edge 2 Edge: Songs’ by Britt-ish Designs

This challenge will earn you points in the Matter of Scrap Challenge System. Please post your finished cards in the Hybrid Challenge gallery. You have until the end of November to earn points for this challenge. Should you want your points to count for the month of October, please post by 10/31. You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products but we love it when you do. What are you waiting for? Get out there and show us some hybrid creations!

Hey There It’s LoriBear here to bring you the Tuesday template!  There are no specific rules for this so you can dress it up just the way it is or change it up, flip it around,  whatever your creative self likes!

Here is the template I whipped up for today,

Here are a few layouts for Inspiration

Layout by LoriBear

Credit -” Berry Zing”  by Sya’s Blueprints

And the most awesome Scrap Matters CT Girls did a few too,

Layout by Jillyfish

Credits: “Enjoy The Moment” by Sahlin Studio, “Leave The World Behind” and “Delicate Mickey Sprinkles” by Britt-ish Designs and “A Most Magical Alpha” by Happy Scrap Girl Designs

Layout by Cyndi146

Credits: “Indian Summer” by Trixie Scraps and “Worn Scuffed Chipboard” Alpha by Sahlin Studio

Layout by Jennamy82

Credits: “Eggplant Envy” by Erica Zane

Layout by Neverland Scraps

Credits: “Back to School” Bundle and Extras by WM[squared]

You can grab the template here — DOWNLOAD HERE

I’ve included both the .psd and .png files for you!

And a recap of the Matter of Scrap Challenge rules:

You have the month of November to complete the challenge as this is a late month one. Upload it to the Tuesday Template gallery, and leave BOTH the image and a link as a reply to this post!

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!

I hope you enjoy the template and I cant wait to see what you do with it! Have Fun!

Hello there!

Maria here, with some random thoughts about inspiration and taking pictures.

Today we are going to browse through couple of photo galleries from all over the world and get some awesome ideas to try!

First of all, I would like to introduce you one of my favorite russian photographers – Tanya Garanina. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand Russian, just browse her blog to find some amazing shots!

She finds extraordinary angles and discovers beauty everywhere.

Here’s another link for you:  this photographer is from Moldova.  Sergiu Barancean is not a professional photographer, but his pictures amaze me!  Just look at these minimalistic landscapes:

I can feel the still air of an early morning by the river, can’t you?

And the last but not the least link for today takes us to the fairy tale of Indonesian forests.  Rarindra Prakarsa creates perfect scenes with fantastic colors and ideal composition.  Just look at this “Ordinary morning”.  I wish I could have one of those!

I hope you found your inspiration today!  Now grab your cameras and click!

If you have other favorite galleries, don’t forget to share!

Hugs,

Maria

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to tell you that we are having a call for the ScrapMatters Girls.

They are our wonderful team of site “cheerleaders” and we love them. It is such a wonderful group to belong to and we are looking for new recruits.

I hope you will come and join us.

To apply: e-mail smgteamcall at gmail dot com a short bio, why you want to join the team, and a link to your gallery. Call ends 10/30 12 pm EST.