Hi everyone, Jill aka Juno here to bring you a brand new Grand Theft Layout challenge. This week we’ll be lifting kathleena. Check out her gallery here. I’m sure you’ll have a hard time chosing just one layout to lift.

I lifted:

And here’s my layout, using So Grateful by Sahlin Studio and Sugarplum Paperie:

Courtney lifted Winter Walk:

And here’s her layout, using Erica’s Sweetest Days and Britt-ish Designs’ Pocket Full of Templates 4:

Li14 lifted Bring It:

And her layout, using Sense of Adventure by Happy Scrap Girl:

Jenn chose to lift One Day Apart:

Her layout, using Baby Mine By Becca & Tuck N Wave Templates by Sahlin Studio:

Wendy lifted Tumbs Up!!:

Here’s her layout, using Bookworm and Strawberry Swirl by Kaye Winiecki:

Before you go and check out kathleena’s amazing gallery, be sure to remember the rules:

-You will receive one point for posting your layout in the challenge thread, as well as in the Grand Theft Layout gallery. You can receive an additional point for using new Scrap Matters products! Please make a note of new products in your post.

-You have until the end of January to complete your layout for your points to be counted towards January points. Otherwise post your layout after the first of the month to be counted towards February points.

-No double dipping! Your layout must be unique to this challenge.

-You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but we love it when you do!

-Have fun!

It’s Tuesday Template time! Wendy here with another template! It’s nearly February, which is crazy talk!

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:
Date Stamp: “Simply Dated – V.4″ by WM[squared] Designs, All other items: “These Are The Best Days” by Connie Prince

Here is some inspiration from the ScrapMatters CT/DT:
Layout By: Jillyfish
Credits: Boogity Boo by Tater

Layout By: Julie
Credits: Enchantment by Britt-ish

Layout By: Jenn
Credits: Make a Wish Collab by Trixie Scraps and Stolen Moments

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 January to complete the layout, and all of February as well, since this challenge starts the last week of January!  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!!
Wendy

Hi everyone this is Liz, I have taken over this challenge for Jen so here is her tutorial:

This week, our topic is using an extraction to highlight a portion of a photo using color.  You start out with a photo that has a particular part that you want to highlight.  I wanted to highlight Zach’s blankie in this photo…

My lesson is done using PSE6.

First, I brought my photo onto my canvas and then made a copy of it and left the copy directly on top of the original.  Then, I got to work on my extraction.

There are several ways to extract.  You can try Amanda’s method from her Jan 2 Saturday Special using the eraser tool or you can try what I do using the Quick Selection tool.

First, I select the Quick Selection tool.  It looks like a magic wand pointing at a “dancing ants” rectangle.  If you hover your mouse over your tools, their names pop up and you can find the Quick Selection tool that way too.  Once you’ve selected it, roughly outline the part of the photo you are trying to extract.  Dancing ants will start to make an outline on the photo.  It won’t be perfect.  Now, to refine your ants, in the upper left hand corner of your screen there are three little mini quick selection wands…one with a “+” and one with a “-” and one with nothing.  If the dancing ants are missing a part of the photo you want to extract, choose the wand with the “+” and go back to that area and run the wand just inside the portion you want to add to your selection.  So, if I want to include someone’s arm that was missed in the initial selection, I would run my wand ON the arm, not the outside of it, to add it to my selection.  And the opposite goes for the “-” wand.  If there are parts that it did select that you want removed from the selection, use the “-” wand to take them out.  In both cases, the “ants” line will move as you go to show you the new selection line.

Once your selection looks good and you want to cut the rest of the photo away, choose Layer/New/ Layer via Cut in your menus and the photo will now be in two pieces, the part you extracted and the rest. Delete the rest of the photo.

Now, we’ll work on the other copy of the photo that is still whole and layered behind your extraction.  We need it to be B&W…so make that layer active and choose Enhance/Convert to B&W from the menus.  Now, your extraction pops on the photo because it is in color!  Merge those two layers.

You can edit both photos as you usually do by playing with their shadows and sharpness and brightness and saturation until they both look good.

Here’s mine…

And here’s more fab inspiration from our CT:

From Andrea:

From Emilee:

From Jan:

Tip:  You can use this same technique to make a part of a photo stand out in a different way.  Maybe there’s a distracting backgroud…  Do the same steps above except instead of making the photo behind B&W, blur it by choosing Filter/Blur/Gaussian Blur from your menus and playing with the radius number…10 is a good place to start.   Now your extraction stands out because it is in focus and the distracting background is blurred, but they are both either color or B&W so there is less contrast.  With this method you will want to choose the Refine Edge option at the top of the screen after you’ve done your Quick Selection and play with the Feather number.  This will make the edge of your extracted photo blend well with the blurred background photo.

Ok–you’re turn, let’s see what you can do!

You don’t have to use SM products but we love it when you do! To get your challenge point, please post your LO to the Saturday Special gallery and post it here too in this thread.  You have until Jan 31st to complete this challenge.  You’ll receive one point towards your January total. If you use a New Release for an extra point, PLEASE NOTE IT IN BOTH YOUR CREDITS IN THE GALLERY AND YOUR POST TO THE THREAD in order to receive your extra point. At the end of the month, I will pick a random winner, who will receive a bonus point on February’s total. Now go out there and be extracting maniacs!

Hi there!

It’s Deb (aka dbrprc) here to share some of the fantastic hybrid projects I have found in the  Hybrid gallery recently. I just love looking through the gallery for inspiration, and I never cease to be amazed by all the wonderful talent found in our digi community! All of the images are linked so you can see full credits and leave some love in the gallery.

First up, I found this sweet little bookmark and envelope by erica922, using Love Letters, a kit by guest designer Connie Prince. What a sweet and simple little valentine gift this would make!

Next I came across this cute CD calendar by notes4theheart, using Let It Snow by WM [Squared] designs and Purple Tulip Designs. I want one of these for my desk!

Then I found this adorable mini board book by bellbird, using various kits by Britt-ish Designs and more. What child wouldn’t love to flip the pages to look at all the fun, colorful pictures?

Check out this cute party favor box by scrappymelly, using lots of various digital supplies. I love the cute cupcake and the addition of the ribbon wrapped around the handle. What a fun gift to send home with party guests!

Look at this adorable candy pencil by wildblueeyez, using Back to School: Extras by WM [Squared] Designs. It is just too cute for words! It would make such a great little teacher gift.

And finally, aren’t these scrabble tile pendants by panders77 just beautiful? I really want to give this a try too!

I hope you’ve been inspired to try some of your own hybrid projects after seeing all these wonderful ideas.  There are lots of goodies by the hybrid designers here at ScrapMatters to help you get started. Here are just a few recent things for you to check out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hi! I am so excited to be hosting another GTL challenge…they are my FAVORITE! So…this week we will be browsing the gallery of Kaye (nockosh). She is one of our WONDERFUL and AMAZING Guest Designers this month. I love love love her style and her layouts are full of fun! Check out her gallery here.

Ok now on to the good stuff….some inspirtation! :

I chose to lift Talking to Mr. Dialtone:

I just loved EVERYTHING about her layout…as you can see from my layout below (lol) :

Jen (jendavey) picked froggy friend:

And created this cute layout using Chit-chat and Chocolate by AnnaBV, It’s Your Big Day by AnnaBV (grunge stamp), and JH_NeeNee Font by Jeni Hopewell:

Jenn (jennamy82) picked love life:

And created this sweet layout using Love Ya and Wired Love by Page Frocks:

Amanda (panders77) picked go figure:

And created this beautiful layout using All bundled up by Man in the Moon and Mickey B Designs, the Alpha from I’m Yours by Brittish Designs and Decrow Designs, Stitches from Chocolate Frosted Snowflakes by Stolen Moments Designs, Glass Pebble Alhpa by Sahlin Studios and the Date Stamp from So Grateful by Sahlin Studios and Sugarplum Paperie:

Jen (abcmomof4) picked concentration mouth:

And created this stunning layout using Sahlin Studios Love Life and explore.learn.grow and
Britt-ish Designs Toy Sheriff stitch:

Jan (QuiltyMom) picked werribee zoo:

And created this lovely layout using FALLen by Scrapmuss:

A few quick SM guidelines:

- You will have until the end of January to complete this challenge. Please upload it to the GTL gallery and leave your LO image and Kaye’s LO image (both linked) in the GTL 01/20/10 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 of Kaye’s inspired you!

~Courtney (cnscrap)

Good morning, all! Are you ready for a new template??  Then you’ve come to the right place. I’m not setting any extra rules for this challenge, so just grab some pics you’ve been dying to scrap and get to work! Can’t wait to see what you create.

download .psd and .tif files HERE
download .png files HERE

The template is based on this layout, using A Stone’s Throw by Haynay Designs.

Here’s some inspiration from our amazing site CT. I love all their different takes on the template!

Kathleen used Heart’s Content by Erica Zane and Denise Beatty Originals.

Liz used Alice by Britt-ish Designs.

Jenn’s layout features One of a Kind by Juno Designs.

This layout by Jan was created using Wintersong from By Becca.

Finally, here’s a layout from Amanda using Sprinkler Party by Mickey B and Man in the Moon Designs.

These layouts are all so different, and yet they started with the same template. So don’t be afraid to make it your own!

You have the rest of January to complete this challenge & will receive one point when you do so. You can also earn an extra point by using a new product from the SM shop within a week of its release (important: you MUST indicate that you have used something new when you post your layout in the forum thread!) When the challenge has ended, I’ll be choosing one random winner who will receive an extra point as well.

Don’t forget to post a link to your layout in the forum so you can get your point! Remember, no double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge.

Saturday Special 1/16/2010

Hey all,  Mickey B here to bring you the next Saturday Special!  There always seems to be an on going interest in tips and tricks to clustering and layering for your layouts.  I am here to show you a few tips that I use when making my layouts.

Here is a shot of my starting point.  I have the background paper and photo placement done.

I usually just look at my layout and try to find some balance in it.  So in this shot I have some bones and stitching complimentary to each other by being opposite.  I added one splatter and then duplicated and slightly rotated it for the other side corner to add a little interest there.  Next I used the 3 + triangle technique I learned a long time ago.  When you use an odd number of elements it gives a look of more variety than using an even number of elements or items.  I also placed them to they form a skinny triangle around the subject of my layout.  This adds a nice subtle visual effect and helps draw your eyes there.

Now I have added some ribbon layering under the bones and stitching to give it a little extra.  I added some additonal elements trying to remember to duplicate, but rotate to add a difference to the elements.  Sometimes it only takes a little rotation to get a nice look.

Here is my final layout!

Credits to:
The collab kit “Extinct” by MickeyB Designs and WM[squared] designs and
MickeyB Font by Jeni Hopewell

Here are some other examples from our fab CT!

By Alansrock using the kit I lost my tooth by Trixie Scraps

This layout is by Panders77 using Erica Zane and Denise Beatty’s NEW Heart’s Content and Eat Your Veggies

This layout is by Jendavey using Love You Always by Sarah Bennett and Singled Out Templates by Pressed Petals

This layout is by Jennamy82 using Love you Always by Sarah Bennett

You have till the end of January to finish this challenge.  Make sure you post your layout in the Saturday Special forum thread with your link and to the Saturday Special Gallery for credit.  You will receive and extra point for using any NEW ScrapMatters designs so make sure to also mention that when posting!  I will pick a winner at the end of the month!  Have fun!

Happy 2010 everyone! LuAnn here with the first card challenge of the new year! A new year of card challenges with some small changes.

As you can see from the subject line, we’ve gone back to the original name of the ScrapMatters’ card challenge – “It’s in the Cards!” And we’re switching the challenge to every other Thursday. But other than that, the challenge will remain the same – hosted by your favorite hybrid goddesses!

Before I show you the template, let’s review the rules of the challenge:

*Remember that to earn your Matter of Scrap point for the month you need to photograph and upload your card to the Hybrid Challenge gallery by the end of the month. Then post it in the It’s in the Cards challenge 1/14/10 thread as well.  Make sure to let your hostess know if you use a new product within a week of it’s release – if you do, you get an extra point!*

Here’s our template – the template was inspired by a card created by stamper Donna Baker:

Download template here

Here’s my card using the template and Juno Designs’ Dessert kit:

And check out what the team did with my template…

Sylvia’s gorgeous card using Dare to Dream by Jennifer Barrette:

and Cristina’s take on the template – using Day by Day : January mini-kit by Chelle’s Creations:

So, let’s see what you can do with the template!

*and for those of you who are interested in trying hybrid but have no clue where to start, be sure to join us in the forums in February for our Hybrid Bootcamp – where we’ll cover all the basics to get you started!*