ScrapMatters' New Year, New Goals Sale!

Hey everyone, Happy New Year’s Eve,  Andrea here popping in to tell you about our plans for the New Year.  ScrapMatters is happy and excited to spend the New Year with you.  We like to have fun and party as much as the next digital scrapbooker.  To celebrate we are having a sale starting when the clock strikes 12 on New Years Day to help you digiscrap your NYE moments and help you set your goals for 2010 in motion.  ScrapMatters is starting a new Project 365 challenge this year. Please join us it should be a ton of fun.  We also have some kits on sale to help you reach your goals.  The SM forum wants your input on how we can make ScrapMatters even better.  If you want to give your two cents click here.  Happy New Year’s Eve Everyone!!!

Hi everyone. Stefanie here to host the last challenge of 2009. Wow can you believe it? Where did 2009 go? For this GTL I chose to lift AbAllen. I love her layouts, lots of clean lines and white space which I love. You can check out her gallery here.   I chose to lift Snow Fun

and I came up with:

and here is some awesome inspiration from the CT:

Jami:

and here layout:

From Jenny:

and her layout:

Jen:

and her layout:

Becca:

and her layout:

Lori:

and her layout:

Jen:

and her layout:

and the rules…you have until the end of January to complete this challenge. Upload your layout to the Grand Theft Layout gallery and come back here and link us up. You will receive one point for completing the challenge . You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products-but we sure love it when you do! You can earn an additional point for using any NEWLY RELEASED 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 at the end of the month!

Remember no double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

It’s Tuesday Template time! Wendy here with another template! It’s practically 2010, which seems completely crazy to me!! 

There is no specific theme or set of rules for today’s template, just have fun!! Use the template as is, or switch it up…it’s all up to you!

Here is the template:

Here’s *MY* LO :

Credits:

“1st & Park Way” by Pressed Petals
“In The City” by Sahlin Studios

Here is some inspiration from the ScrapMatters CT/DT:

Layout By: JenDavey

Credits:

Vintage Christmas by WM[squared] Designs
Vintage Christmas Bonus Alpha by WM[squared] Designs
Simply Dated v.5 by WM[squared] Designs
Doodle Borders by Britt-ish Designs (recolored)
JH_Amy Font by Jeni Hopewell

Layout By: jami

Credits:

Resolutions kit by AnnaBV Designs (new on 1/1)

Layout By: Becca

Credits:

Sahlin Studio’s Season of Giving

Erica Zane’s Border Dates

Layout By: Jill

Credits:

Innovation by Sahlin Studio

Layout By: Natasha

Credits:

Feel Free by Juno

Feel inspired? Good! Now go download the template –>> HERE! and lemme see what ya got! I’ve included both the .psd and .png files for you!

The “Fine Print” aka the Matter of Scrap Challenge rules:

You have the rest of December to complete the layout, and all of January as well, since this challenge starts the last week of December! 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 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!

Remember, no double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge.

Happy Scrapping!!

Here is my pick for LOTW, Let it Snow by gavins mom. I love the crisp colors and the beautiful side clusters. It was the perfect choice for this holiday season!

Congrats Gavins Mom!! Be sure to leave her some love in the forum or the gallery!!
 -Whit

This week we are interviewing one of our awesome designers!!  I choose Tracy/Trixie Scraps.  It was great to learn more about her.

1. Your screen name? Your real name?  Trixie Scraps is my screen name (also my design name).  My real name is Tracy.  Trixie is a nickname given me by my husband and father-in-law, so when I started designing, I figured it would work.

2. What is your main job/career?  Designing digital scrapbook kits and templates!  I love it!

3. Are you married/children/pets?  Yes, I am married for seven years to my husband, Erick.  We don’t have children, yet, and have been trying without much luck ever since we’ve been married.  We do have to furkids we love and spoil rotten – Diamond and Lucy.  They are both pit bull mixes that we rescued from shelters and they are just awesome, sweet dogs!

4. Where is home for you?  In the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

5. What are your 3 favorite foods?  Anything Mexican tops the list.  I love Italian food, too.  And eggs… I have a strange love affair with eggs, lol.

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?  Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food… I don’t get to eat ice cream so much these days!  Ice cream is one of those foods that I am prone to overeat in excess.  So I really try to avoid it.

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet?  Usually sweet… chocolate is a big deal, esp. lately!  I do groove on salty occasionally though, too.

8. Beverage of choice?  Alcoholic?  Lambrusco (wine).  Otherwise, I drink fresh-brewed iced tea like it’s going extinct soon.  And lots of water, too.

9. What’s your least favorite food?  Lima beans, brussel sprouts, peanut butter… in that order, lol.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use?  PC and I just upgraded to CS4 a few months ago.  I hated it, at first, and still find a few of its quirks to be quite annoying, but I’ve mostly gotten used to it, now.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?  I’ve been digiscrapping for just over 2 years, now.  I started over 6 years ago as a paper scrapper and Creative Memories consultant.  When Creative Memories introduced their scrapping software, I was hooked on digi.  By three or four months later, I was attending Creating Keepsakes University, where I took an all-day class with Jessica Sprague and learned how to use Elements 6.0.  And then about six months after that, I started learning how to design.  I’ve been designing now for 14 months.

12. What was your 1st LO about?  Gosh, I don’t even remember!  And I don’t think I have my first layout… I am sure it was trashed a LONG time ago.  Let’s just say my first few layouts were nothing short of embarrassing!

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?  Yes… I also enjoy knitting and crocheting, reading, photography, and cooking, too.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?  Most times, it’s the title.  Sometimes I struggle with shadows and can’t get them the way I want them to look.  But titles are usually what I struggle with most.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?  I’d love to learn some foreign languages.  I always thought it would be fun to continue my education in French and be able to speak it relatively well, then go visit Paris.  But, sitting down and finding the time to continue learning the language is the biggest challenge!

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows?  Reality TV is a big deal in our home.  We watch a bunch of reality TV shows, with Survivor and Biggest Loser topping the list of favorites.  And I love Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice.  And sitcoms.  LOL, we watch a LOT of TV, and maybe I shouldn’t admit that.  But, with no kids to tend to, our time at night is mostly our own, and that’s pretty much how we spend it!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?  I don’t have a typical scrapping environment… it can be anything from music to daytime soaps on the TV in the background.  I do normally have a bottle of water or iced tea parked next to me.  And I usually scrap on my laptop in my reclining chair in my family room.  But, I’ve been known to take the computer in the car and scrap on long road trips, too.  And, my mom and I try to go to 2 or 3 scrapbook weekend retreats a year.  I’m normally one of the few (or the only) digiscrappers in attendance.

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be?  Ribbon and flowers.  Reach for them all the time.

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?  Hmm… I graduated from my Associate’s Degree program with a perfect 4.0 GPA on my 28th birthday.  I toy with the idea of going back to finish my bachelor’s, but can never make up my mind what I want to do, so I haven’t! lol

20. When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed?  October 2008 was my official launch date, but I started dabbling a bit last September.  My favorite product is normally my most recent kit, lol.  So, I am pretty fond of my Yuletide kit at the moment.  And my second favorite kit I’ve ever designed would probably be a toss-up between Carly and I Lost My Tooth.  One elegant, one cute… kinda like my split personality, lol.

21. How would you describe your design style?  I don’t think I have one, lol.  I seem to do “cute” well… and when all else fails for me, that usually works.  But, I do try to replicate a “paper-scrapped” look as much as possible.  I’m not into the fantasy-look and I don’t like things that look very “digital.”

22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation?  ANYWHERE.  From a swatch, a photo, a theme, some cute bedding, home décor, the list goes on.  Carly, for example, is based on the colors and patterns I saw on one of my soaps (General Hospital).  One of the characters (gee, named Carly!) got a “new living room” and the day they moved in on the show, I just fell in love with it and knew I had to make it into a kit.  And then, I am such a fan of the new show Glee (especially of Mr. Scheuster!) that I had to make a kit inspired by that, too.  Inspiration is a funny thing and really can come from anywhere, lol.

23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?  I suppose the “cutesy” kits have more of a leading role in my store… so kits like I Lost My Tooth, It’s a Slumber Party, Rainbow Promise, Softball Stars, Me & My Teddy, Santa’s Workshop, Snow Day, The First Feast are probably the best examples of the style I most often reach for… but I still don’t think I’m stuck in any one particular style and will give just about anything a try, even if only once.

24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?  My CT would tell you that I use a lot (maybe too much) pink.  And if I’m being honest, I find girly color schemes to be easier for me.  But, I also love seasonal colors and boy colors, too.  About the only thing I really don’t much like is designing with pastels.  I tend to go bright and bold most of the time, since that’s my happy place.

25. Favorite kit you’ve designed? If I have to pick just one, right now its Carly.  Or Yuletide.  LOL, how do you pick?
Carly

Yuletide

Thanks for interviewing me, this was fun!

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedule to answer my questions!! Check out all of Trixie Scraps Designs in her store here! 

-Amanda (dznyscrapper)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to YOU! Emilee (emileem) here to bring you an easy tutorial. I think we all need something simple this time of year–don’t you? I’m going to talk about editing a scatter to better suit your needs.

I love when a designer includes a fun scatter in a kit–basically I love anything that makes my life easier–but sometimes the scatter needs a little tweaking to conform with my LO.  Let me give you an example using Andilynn & Haynay Designs Visions of Sugarplums Kit that includes a few great scatters.

Here is the LO I’m working on; I’ve decided I need a scatter under my title so I add a fun scatter, but it’s not long enough to emphasize my whole title.  First, I duplicate the whole scatter and drag it to the opposite side of the title, but then I have a blank space in the middle.  Next, I click on my lasso tool and highlight a portion of the scatter I would like to duplicate:

Then I duplicated (CTRL J with PSE) that section and moved it to an appropriate spot.

Next, I decide to move the first scatter so it is above my title, but it is a bit busy–so I take my lasso tool again and highlight a few sequins and delete them from the scatter:

Now I have a great scatter for my LO:

See how easy that was? Always remember you can edit elements by changing the size, color, shape, etc.

Here some more examples from the ScrapMatters CT to help get your creative juices flowing:
from Cyndi (Cyndi146):

from Nancy (kathleena):

Your challenge is to create a LO using this simple tutorial–edit a scatter to better conform to your LO–then add your LO to the Saturday Special Gallery and Forum.  Remember you can receive ONE point for your LO and TWO points in the Matter of Scrap Challenge system if you use a kit that has been released in the last seven days.  This challenge will continue through January 31.  Post your LO in December to receive points in December; post in January to earn points in January.

Emilee

For this week’s installment of the Grand Theft Layout – I’ve selected one of our awesome hybrid designers here at ScrapMatters-Sharon-aka skyezak.  You can sneek a peak into her amazing gallery HERE!  As you can see-she does SO many cool hybrid creations-and her digital pages are always totally fabulous too-so I am sure you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect work of art to lift!

Here’s what I chose to lift:
Let it Rain

And here’s my take using Erica Zane’s Winter Crush kit:
Let it Snow

Here are some more terrific lifts by the ScrapMatters Creative Team:

Amber (sm_amber) lifted Cherish

to create this stunning LO Blessed using Softly Spoken by Pressed Petals and Blessed
 & Metal Photo Holders by Sahlin Studio

Emilee (emileem) chose First Day of School

and was inspired by her blending to create this gorgeous Christmas Memories LO
 with GG Digital Designs Pinecones and Holly Berries Kit

Jenn (jennamy82) lifted Sharon’s LO titled Life’s Blessings

to create the totally fabulous & bright LO Key to My Heart using Nocturne De Fleur by ScrapMuss Designs & Die Cut Vellum Alpha by Britt-ish Designs

Now for the details- you have until the rest of the month of December to complete the challenge. Upload it to the Grand Theft Layout Gallery and leave your LO image and link in the Grand Theft Layout thread HERE in the forum.  Please indicate what you lifted from Sharon’s Gallery.
You will receive one point for completing the challenge.  You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products-but we sure love it when you do!  You can earn an additional point for using any NEWLY RELEASED 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 at the end of the month!

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

Hey there everyone! It’s Erica here with this week’s Tuesday Template! I’ll keep things nice and simple for you this week so you can focus on your family during the Christmas festivities! That means there’s no theme to follow this week, just grab the template, scrap it up, and enjoy!

Here’s the LO I based my template off of, using Erica Zane’s A Touch of Winter:

And, here are some great LO’s from our fabulous CT!

alamama made this LO using Sahlin Studios Innovation:

Stefanie created this using Old Time Christmas using Designs by Sarah Bennett

SylviaB used Cotton Candy Christmas by Stolen Moments, font is JH Suzanne by Jeni  Hopewell, Circle Stitches by Sahlin Studio, Border Dates by Erica Zane to make this LO

And finally, alansrock made this cute LO made with the December newsletter kit made by Purple Tulip Designs and wm squared:

Just a reminder of the challenge rules:- You have until the end of December to upload your finished LO to the Tuesday Template Gallery and in the thread in the forum as well. If you do, you will receive 1 point for the Challenge.
- You are not required to use ScrapMatters products, but we love it if you do!
- If you use a new release in your LO (within 7 days of release), please note that both in your credits in the gallery as well as your post in the forum.
- At then end of December I will pick my favorite LO and that person will receive a point towards their total in January.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Enjoy it! And Merry Christmas!

It’s “just another Manic Monday” at ScrapMatters.com!!! Monday ONLY!! Select items for $2 or 50% off!! Visit the ScrapMatters Shop for more details!!
*Manic Monday sales go into the shop early Monday morning and will “disappear” around midnight! HURRY! What are you waiting for!?! *

Holiday Cheer by WM[squared] Designs:

Summer Sailor by Stolen Moments

Benjamin by Jeni Hopewell

“It’s Christmas Time In The City” by Britt-ish Designs

Bead Happy by Happy Scrap Girl Designs

Here is my LOTW choice: Xmas Outtakes by quietangelsb.  I just couldn’t help myself when I saw these pictures!  Just look at that sweet face =)  I love the classic christmas colors and how the elements are all placed on the edges of the page.  It is just busy enough without taking anything away from those adorable pictures!  Congratulations!!

Head on over to the gallery or the forum and leave her some love!!

-Tanya (TanyaH666)

This week I interviewed Jen Davey from our fab CT team. She is so fun!  You have to read the whole interview..lol!

1. Your screen name? Your real name?
screen name is jendavey and real name is……Jen Davey

2. What is your main job/career?
We aside from being a mother and wife, I also work at our local hospital as a Recruitment Coordinator for the Area Health Education Center. I get to do cool stuff with high school and college students to get them ready for a career in healthcare…LOVE IT!!!

3. Are you married/children/pets?
Yes, I am married with 3 children: Landon (5), Ledger (3), and Lauren (2)…and we also have two dogs and two cats….it’s one crazy house around here!!

4. Where is home for you?
The great “Show Me” state: Missouri

5. What are your 3 favorite foods?
Olive Garden salad (and any other salad), Crab Legs, and Grilled Cheese….nice combo huh

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Almond Mocha…it is to die for!!!

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet?
I have to have both and one right after the other!! When I find snacks that are both I am in heaven!

8. Beverage of choice?
Coke Zero or Bud Light (depends on the day I’ve had LOL)

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

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use?
HP Laptop…PSE7

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?
I have been digiscrapping for almost 2 years now and I got started with a Speed Scrap at SM…no kidding!! I have the worst LO ever to prove it!!

12. What was your 1st LO about?
Oh man…I can’t find it right now…it was on the “old” SM forum…here is the oldest I have on the new forum. And yes this was also from a SS here at SM

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?
I love exercising and running. Would like to train for a marathon but not sure when that will ever happen…

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?
Paper and photo placment is my biggest challenge.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?
I am seriously thinking about going back to school to become a nurse…

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows?
Criminal Minds, Glee, Trauma, and Private Practice right now. I LOVE way to many movies to even list them!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
TV in the background, and usually on the couch with my laptop on my lap….kids in bed =)

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

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?
a little know fact…or an unknown fact? How about an unknown fact, when I was born I wasn’t supposed to make it through the night because my lungs were not developed….but look at me know!!!

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style?
I LOVE to cluster….and use tons of elements! I also like to scrap everyday random photos!

21. Favorite LOs that you have done?
I love this one so much because the elles just look so real and Christmas is our favorite time of year

I also love this one because I adore this picture of my oldest when I was pregnant with my second child. Huge love of Sahlin Studio!!

I have a huge obession with patterned backgrounds right now, and this LO was so much fun to do:

And this is the last one…I just love the blocking and colors on this LO…and I LOVE my family

22. What is one thing you tend not to use on layouts?
I tend to stray away from buttons for some reason, you will see very few buttons on my LOs

23.What is your favorite childhood memory and have you scrapped it?
I haven’t had the chance to scrap any of my vintage photos, but I have always loved my birthday and really love all the pics of my birthday parties growning up!
24. Do you have a common saying or catchphrase that you use all the time?
I (TanyaH666) am gonna answer this one for her. Jen always says “Just Sayin’”. As a matter of fact she says it so much and we all love it so much, that it is the source behind the Just Sayin’ Word Art packs from WM[squared] Designs!

Thanks Jen for letting us get to know you better!! Check out Jen’s full Gallery here!  Stop by and leave her some love!

-Tanya (TanyaH666)

Hello All… this is Cyndi and I am here to challenge you with a new technique for our Saturday Special.  Today we are going to revisit an oldie but a goodie.  Shadowing transparent objects.

Let me start by saying, there are soooo many ways to do this.  And probably much easier ways than I’m about to show you.  But I started digi-scrapping in Photoshop Elements and was so frustrated that Elements didn’t have all the fancy flexibility as some of the other programs.  Let me tell ya… this method works in Photoshop Elements.  I hope it works in other programs too.

Also, a lot of designers these days are shadowing their elements just to make it easier on us.  But let’s say you want a darker shadow than what’s provided.  We’ll assume that’s the case.

Let’s start by opening the transparent elements you want to shadow.  Now drag them onto your layout.  I’m using Krista’s gorgeous alpha from her new kit So Grateful and just a colored background so you can easily see the results.

Duplicate your element layer from the flyout menu on the layers palette or just click Ctrl-J.  Now click on the lower layer.  Shadow your lower layer as you prefer.  (Settings that work well with acrylic are Distance 5-8, Size 5-8 and Opacity 60-70%)

With your lower layer still active, go to Edit > Fill layer.  Fill the layer with Black and make sure the Preserve Transparency box is checked.  Use the bucket tool to completely fill in the element with black.  Hide your top acrylic layer and make sure your “filled” layer is solid black.  You may need to touch up some spots with your brush tool.  Just be sure not to go outside the lines

Now go to the top of the layers palette and set your blending mode to Difference.  Your black fill should be gone with just the shadow showing.

Now click on your top acrylic layer to bring it back and you should have a wonderfully shadowed acrylic element.

Your challenge is to scrap a layout using at least one transparent element (acrylic, vellum, glass, etc.) and be sure to shadow them.

Here’s my LO

using So Grateful by Sahlin Studio and Sugarplum Paperie; Fabulously Negative Template v.3 and Simply Dated v.2 by WM[squared]; Edge 2 Edge Word Art & See Right Through You by Britt-ish Designs

And some from your CT and DT…

from Amber
using Innovation and Lots O’ Photo Templates by Sahlin Studio

using Sarah Bennett’s Tough Boy and Clearly Funky alpha

using Haynay’s new Playtime Petshop, Sahlin Studios and Sugarplum Paperie’s So Grateful, and Brittish Designs We’re Just Dating V3 and Doodlie- Doos Page Borders

and from Liz

using Chocolate Frosted Snowflakes, All Bundled Up, Icy Alpha, Clearly Seen Elements and In Stitches: Wonky and A Story of Friendship and template by Cindy Schneider

Please upload your LO to the SATURDAY SPECIAL GALLERY and link back to THIS THREAD so we know you are playing along. 

This challenge will run through December 31.  No double-dipping… your LO must be unique to this challenge.  Everyone who participates will receive one point.  You’ll also get an additional point if you use a NEW ScrapMatters Product (released within the last week.)  Please let us know in the forum that you’ve used a new product.  Also, one special LO will be awarded another point.  That’s 3 possible points for an easy peasy challenge. 
Can’t wait to see your beautiful shadows!