Welcome to another round of Grand Theft Layout! This week we’ll be lifting the amazing gracielou! I’ve followed Amanda’s work at other sites for awhile now and am so glad she has a gallery here at SM filled with her beautiful pages. To complete this challenge, you’ll need to browse through her gallery and choose a layout to inspire a page of your own. Make sure to reply to the GTL post in the forum and post your layout along with a link to the layout you chose from her gallery.

I lifted this page:

and came up with this:

CREDITS: Bella Gypsy’s (guesting at SM during July) Family Tree kit

Here’s what the amazing ScrapMatters creative team gurlies came up with:

CREDITS
created by Becca
using Erica Zane’s Southern Summer kit

CREDITS
by Heidi
using Jenn Barrette’s Ice Ice Baby kit & Sahlin Studio’s Circle Stitches

CREDITS
by Suzie
using By Becca’s Taste of Provence kit

CREDITS
by Jenna
using LawTeeDa’s Firecracker kit and Sahlin Studio’s Painted Alpha

CREDITS
by Melissa
using Stolen Moments’ and WM[squared]‘s Lakeside collab

CREDITS
by Dawn
using Stolen Moments’ and Girl Boy Girl Designs’ Exit #3 collab

As a reminder:

*You will receive one point for posting your layout in the forum thread and in the Grand Theft Layout gallery. You can receive an additional point for using new ScrapMatters products; please make a note of new products in your post in the forum. At the end of July, I will randomly choose one layout for a bonus point!

*You have until the end of July to complete your layout.

*Remember no double dipping. Your layout must be unique to this challenge.

*You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products, but we love it when you do!

Happy scrapping!

Hello, Melissa (Yzerbear19) here. Are you ready for another Tuesday template? The template for this week will be a challenge.

Here is the template:

Based on this layout:

Download here
(link will expire on 8/1/10)

The way that I have the template set up it has 15 photos, but feel free to use more or less. I included a single PNG of the grid as well as the individual PNGs so you can follow the pattern I used or create your own. Feel free to alter the template in any way: flip it, rotate, delete squares, etc.

Check out the *STUNNING* layouts from the creative team:

by canadianmommy

Uses: Make a Wish and Birthday Wordart by Sahlin Studio and alpha from HoHoHo by Chelle’s Creations

by jendavey

Uses: Lakeside by WM[squared] Designs and Stolen Moments

by TanyaH666

Uses: Lakeside by WM [squared] Designs and Stolen Moments, and Elements Included v.3 Templates by WM [squared] Designs

by cinna

Uses: "Lifes Little Surprises" by ScrapMatters Design team, "What Say?" and "If you give a girl a castle" by Erica Zane and "(carry my heart)" by Graham Like the Cracker & Stolen Moments.

by Aussiegirl

Uses: Trooper by GG Digitals

Thanks girls!!!

Some important reminders:
-You have until the end of July to post your entry. Be sure to post it to the “Tuesday Template" gallery and link it back to the thread in the forum.
-No double-dipping! This challenge CANNOT be combined with any other ScrapMatters challenge or Speed Scrap. Your layout must be unique to this challenge.
-You can earn an extra point for using any new ScrapMatters product during the first week of its release. Be sure to note the new product in your layout description and your post in the thread on the forum. In order to get your bonus point, it does need to be noted on your forum post.
-At the end of July I will select one layout to receive a bonus point for their next month’s total.
-You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products, but we like it when you do.

Have fun!!! I can’t wait to see how you all use this template!

Good Morning everyone!  Can you believe it is already July? The summer is flying by! At our house we have already taken several roadtrips around for quick weekend trips. I love to take pictures of the process of getting to our destinations and I bet you do too! Our kit for this month is perfect for scrapping the journey, Roadtrip by Creations by Rachael. I love it’s slightly rustic feel and all the perfect travel elements! Are you ready to get all those travel pictures scrapped? Just submit one 12×12 quickpage using Roadtrip and get back all the other quickpages at the end of the month! The Quickpage Exchange begins July 12 and continues until July 31st! The kit will be 30% off during the Exchange. Check out the the forum today for more details!

And here is the whole kit!  Isn’t it awesome?!?

So let’s get roadtripin’!  I can’t wait to see what you create!!

-Amanda (panders77)

Here is my pick for this week:

I LOVE all the pics and how she documented her baby’s first year of life. The mix of colors and patterns with the waves and fantastic title work all works together beautifully! I’m just in awe of this stunning page. Congrats, cznycstr713! I’m sure your son will enjoy looking back at all these wonderful memories as he grows older.

Head on over to the gallery or the forum to congratulate her!

-Kendall (kendallt)

This week I had the honor of interviewing a few of our guest designers for this month.  I love seeing all the new styles in our store and was excited to learn more about them!  First up are the girls from Bella Gypsy Designs, Lena and Tabatha.

1. Your screen name? Your real name?  thelenabena/Lena Brandenburg and gypsystar/Tabatha Reed

2. What is your main job/career?  We are both full-time designers!

3. Are you married/children/pets? I am getting married August 28th and have 3 kids. Nathan is 9, Naomi is 3 and Parker is 2.  Tabatha has a wonderful SO and she has 3 kids too. Gabriel is 7, Tristan is 6, and Julian is 2

4. Where is home for you?  We both live an hour south of Lexington KY but I’ll be moving to Lexington after I’m married.
5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Lena–hummus, tacos and tiramisu and Tab–Pepsi (not a food but it counts LOL), fajitas and mashed potatoes

6. PC or Mac? What program do you use?  PC and we both design in Paint Shop Pro with a bit here are there in PSCS2

7. What is the most challenging part of designing for you?  Not being distracted by the internet.

8. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?  We both would love to improve on our photography skills. Oh, and time management

9. What are your favorite movies/TV shows?  We like these in common too! True Blood, Big Love, Top Chef, Grey’s Anatomy…we heart TV

10. Describe your “designing” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?Generally with 1 or 3 kids demanding constant sippy cups and fruit snacks, 1 or more children hanging off our legs, and the phone ringing constantly.

11. If you only had 2 elements in a kit, what would they be?  Ribbons and ricrac for Tab…for me…flowers! And more flowers!

12. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?  Yes.

13. When did you start designing? How did you get started?  In 2006 Tabatha launched a digi scrap store when A Cherry On Top launched their digital site. This was when digi was still a pretty new concept. She taught herself. 2 weeks later she noticed me doodling on everything and asked if I wanted to join her! We’ve been together ever since.

14. How would you describe your design style?  Very paper-friendly. I was a paper scrapper and we try to keep our kits mostly looking like things you could really do with paper
15. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Shopping! We love to go window shopping and pull inspiration from everywhere!

16. Which of your products in the Scrapmatters Store showcases your style the most?

 –between the cozy style, the fun name and the bright colors..yep that’s us!

17. What is your favorite color scheme to design with? This is the funny part…I prefer muted and Tab prefers bright. Go figure

18. Favorite kit you’ve designed for Scrapmatters?

Thanks for the inside scoop ladies!  Check out their whole store here!

Next up is Ellie Lash! I was so excited to see her designs again!

1. Your screen name? Your real name?  I’m just plain Ellie Lash in real life and in digiland.

2. What is your main job/career?  I’m a stay-at-home-mom.

3. Are you married/children/pets?  My husband and I just celebrated our nine year anniversary this week!  We have three year old twin boys.  No pets yet, but we’re seriously giving it some thought!

4. Where is home for you?  I grew up in Hawaii, so I will always sort of think of there as home, but I’ve been in Arizona for quite a while, so I think of this as home now.

5. What are your 3 favorite foods?  Oh, so hard to choose!  Definitely sushi.  Also lemon chicken and waffles (but not together, lol)
 
6. PC or Mac? What program do you use?  PC, I use CS3, but I’m dying to upgrade to CS5!

7. What is the most challenging part of designing for you?  Finding the time to get everything done.  There are never enough hours in the day! 

8. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?  Oh boy, there are so many things!  I’d love to take some cooking classes, learn to sew, knit… oh and photography!  I’d love to take some photography classes.

9. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? Right now my favorite TV shows are Glee and True Blood. 

10. Describe your “designing” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
I design in the office where there are fewer distractions.  Sometimes I listen to music, but usually silence is better for me.  I always have a drink (lemon water, since I gave up soda – again!) but I try not to snack since I really only design in the late evening

11. If you only had 2 elements in a kit, what would they be? Oh, hard question!  Probably a frame and a flower.

12. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?  Hmmm… I won first place in a literary contest in college for an essay I wrote on infertility.

13. When did you start designing? How did you get started? I started designing freebies on my blog in July 2007.  I was skinning forums at the time and stumbled across a digital scrapbook site.  I just fell in love and have been addicted ever since!

14. How would you describe your design style? I never know how to answer this question!  LOL  I would say it’s probably cutesy-paper-pieced-traditional.  Maybe?  LOL

15. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Everywhere!  But I think mostly from color. 

16. Which of your products in the Scrapmatters Store showcases your style the most? Right now Americana is the only thing I have in there, but I think it represents my style qutie well.

17. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?  Anything with pink in it!  However, I know that most people are allergic to pink or can only stand it in small doses, so I try to keep a rein on it.  LOL 
 
18. Favorite kit you’ve designed for Scrapmatters?
I’m going to cheat and say the next one I have coming out.  It’s going to be a cute one!  I’m already in love with it!

Thanks Ellie!  I know we will all be waiting at the edge of our seat for that new kit!  Check out all her goodies here.

-Amanda (Panders77)

Hello girls I am Lina (aka LDrag Designs) and today we are going to talk about
shadowing!! I know that there are a lot of ways to add shadows to an element
but today we are going to take it a step further by using basically the Guassian Blur filter from photoshop! I use photoshop CS2 so I hope that this will help most of our readers!!!
Let’s start!! I see many times shadows on papers that exist only on the two sides because a layer shadow style has been added through your Blending modes Options on your layers palette!!

Let’s see how we can add a shadow on all sides. Open a paper and drag and drop on it another paper! Then make the top paper smaller like this!

Now if I add a shadow style on the blue paper it will look like this. See how the shadow was applied only to the 2 sides and other 2 were left completely plain!

So clear the style and duplicate the blue paper. Then go on the blue paper that is below and do this!
go Image —– Adjustments —- Hue/saturation —- Lightness -100%  like this

The next step is again on the same layer to go
Filter——- Blur ——– Guassian Blur

A good number is around 8-10 but it always depends on how big you want your shadow to be and of course you can lower the opacity of the layer is it is too dark!

See how all the edges are now shadowed. I love this technique on papers, because you can play  a little more using your smudge tool like this! Where there are creases or curves you can smudge a little so that the shadow can look more realistic like this!!!

And that’s it, you are done!!!

The same technique applies and can be used on elements too, esp on ribbons and strings to add a big shadow!!
See this example.

I have applied all the steps except the smudging!!
1) Duplicate layer
2) Image — adjustments —hue/saturation —- lightness  minus 100%
3) Filter —  blur — guassian blur

See how the shadow looks very bad, very dark and unrealistic! To correct this we must first lower the opacity of the shadow layer on your layers palette! I think 60% looks fine!

And then you go this step

4) Edit —-  transform  —- warp

You can see a rectangle with dots and lines. These will help you angle the shadow whever you want and how you want to. Just move the dots you want until you have the result you want. It requires a little playing before you achieve the desired outcome!!

And finally because  the shadow is a little darker than needed. I will lower the opacity to 42%. I think it looks great!! What do you think?

This was it girls! I will be waiting for your pages!!!!

Here is my LO using this technique!!

I used Erica Zane’s new kit Southern Summer

Here are some more samples from our amazing ScrapMatters team…

Becca/becca372  used Lawteeda Designs new Favourite Things Mini:Love  kit

Loribear used the awesome Drift Away collab by Graham Like the Cracker and By Becca

Amanda/abhall76  used So Happy Together by GG Digital Designs

Canadianmommy used HoHoHo kit by Chelle’s Creations

and Natasha/bcnatty used Wings & Wildflowers and Happiness from Creations by Rachael

Thank you girls!!! They are all amazing!!

Head on over to the forum to post your LO

Here are the official rules:
You have until the end of the month to complete this challenge.

You will earn 1 point for your LO and a bonus point if you use a new release (within 7 days of release – be sure to mention this in the forum and in your credits).

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

No double dipping, your LO must be unique to this challenge.

At the end of the month I will pick a random LO as the winner to receive an extra bonus point.

Look What’s New at ScrapMatters.com 7/9/2010!!

Cool Winter
Cool Winter Add on

True Blessings: the bundle
True Blessings: the kit
True Blessings: clusters & frames
True Blessings: borders & solids
True Blessings: the glitter styles
True Blessings: the add on

Sweet Heart of Mine
Sweet heart of MIne add on
Summer Smoothies
Nostalgic Sunsets

Lakeside by Stolen Moments & WM[squared] Designs

Lakeside Extras by Stolen Moments & WM[squared] Designs

Lakeside Bundle by Stolen Moments & WM[squared] Designs

I Scream, You Scream!

One More Sleep: The Sweet Deal by Jen Graham and Stolen Moments

One More Sleep: The Kit by Jen Graham and Stolen Moments

Okay all you card makers . . . are you ready for another challenge? Here is this week’s template (click on it to go to the download link):

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 July. Then post it in the forum challenge thread as well. Make sure to let me know if you use a new product so you can get that extra point, too!

Here is one I made using the template:

Supplies:
Digital kit: Happy Spring by Simply J Studio; Flowers: Making Memories; Flower brad: Creative Impressions

You can flip the template to get a different look:

Supplies:
Digital kit: Originality by Simply J Studio; Ribbon: Offray; Font: CK Cooper

Need more inspiration? Here are some cards created by our ever talented hybrid team:
Amanda:

Supplies:
Digital kit: Play by Sahlin Studio; Flowers: Die Cuts with a View; Other: plastic flower ring

Cristina:

Supplies:
Digital kit: Make a Wish by Sahlin Studio; Graduation cap: School’s Out for Summer by Haynay Designs; Font: Pea Olson

I hope you’ll play along . . . I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!!

It is that time again to lift someone we :wub: here in the SM community.  I had the honor of “checking” this persons layouts during the QOS contest.  I instantly fell in love with her style, shadowing, composition, the details … well, everything! So I couldn’t wait to host this challenge …are you ready?? We are lifting tanyariley!! :jump2: Her gallery is located here and filled with plenty of inspiration!  So what are you waiting for??  Go scraplift! :loveshower: Make sure to check out the  here for any questions.

Here is the lo I chose to lift:

My layout using Jennifer Barretts Frolic:

Here is some more inspiration from our fabulous CT:

.megan. lifted:

and here’s her layout using Safari Stampede collab by Creations by Rachael and Late Night Scraps

Stefanie lifted:

Cyndi146 lifted:

using Exit #3 by Stolen Moments & Girl Boy Girl Designs by Jen Balding

**I still can’t believe Spencer has girlfriend ^^ … where did time go???** :giggle:

Now that you have some wonderful inspiration, it is your turn! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

Good morning everyone!!! Stefanie here for another Tuesday Template. I am a template-a-holic. Sometimes it’s the only way to get my creativity jumpstarted and you know it’s ok to use a template. So here is your template for the week. Hope you enjoy! Use your creativity and make it your own!

Click on the image to download the template
Here is my layout using WM[squared] “It’s my party’

and some awesomeness from the CT

From Lori using Connie Prince’s “Love without End”

From Kendall using “The Hunt is on”by GG Designs

From Fiona using Fishing Buddies by Wimpychompers

From Kat
redits: All by Britt-ish Designs
Bouncy
Happiest Dots on Earth
Fish are Friends
Mouse Ear Stitches
And Photo Finishes The Basics by Stolen Moments

From Kim using Britt-ish Designs Made in America and Easter Salutations collab with Tangie Baxter

Whew! What inspiration!

You have until the end of July to complete the layou. Upload it to the Tuesday Template gallery, and leave BOTH the image and a link as a reply to this thread.

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.

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

First of all – so sorry for being late!  This holiday weekend is killing me & Kaylee forgot how to sleep more than a hour or so at a time, my brain is fried, lol!  So, let’s get right to it!

Ok, so there are many different ways to create & line up shapes for a “blocked” LO…I’m going to show you one that *I* think is pretty EZ!

First, open a 12×12 document (or whatever size your LO will be) then make a square or rectangle – make it the size you want your blocking to fill.  I went for a big block… (btw…I made my block with the rectangular marquee & then filled it, if you use the shape tool, you’ll need to rasterize/simplify  it first, otherwise you’ll end up deleting your shape!)

If you want your blocking to be all nice & tidy, turn on your rulers & drag some guides to where you want the blocks divided.  I had a 9×9 square, so I put a guide every 3 inches.

Then create a new layer above your shape.  Using your marquee tool, select a long rectangular shape that is the thickness you want your gaps to be.

Make sure you are working on the new layer & fill in the selection with whatever color is EZ for you to see.  Center it on one of your guides (or eyeball it if you are not into measuring!)  Then duplicate the layer and move the new one to the next guide/place you want a gap.  Continue duplicating layers & moving/flipping until you have lines in all the places you want gaps.  I ended up with 9 blocks.

Merge all the line layers into one layer & ctrl+click the layer (or right click the layer & click “select layer transparency”) so that the lines are all selected…then click on your shape layer & hit delete.  (You can now delete the line layer.)

Ta-da!  There are your blocks!  As you can see, the only problem with this way is that all the blocks end up on one layer – but it’s perfect if you want all your blocks to have the same thing clipped to them.  You can also use this as a “template” and magic wand one box at a time and fill on it’s own layer (or ctrl+j to create a new layer from the selection).

I ended up doing a bigger one with more blocks…I just selected the corner block & rotated it a bit.

I was too lazy to create a new layer for each block, so I clipped all my photos to the one layer & just deleted the extra from each one as I went along.

Here is my final LO (using my If You Give A Girl A Castle kit).

Here are some more samples from our amazing ScrapMatters team…

Heather/snowdrop used Zany Amy by Erica Zane and Jellies Alpha 1 and Die Cut Vellum Alpha, both by Britt-ish Designs

Lori/loribear used the SM Design Team Collab – Spring Fresh

Heidi/scrappurple used Cute Lil’ Kaylee by Erica Zane

Kendall/kendallt used Eat Your Veggies by Erica Zane and Denise Beatty

Lina/ldrag2004 used Johnny & Nadine by LDrag Designs

Can’t wait to see your blocking in action!   Head on over to the forum to post your LO

Here are the official rules:
You have until the end of the month to complete this challenge.

You will earn 1 point for your LO and a bonus point if you use a new release (within 7 days of release – be sure to mention this in the forum and in your credits).

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

No double dipping, your LO must be unique to this challenge.

At the end of the month I will pick a random LO as the winner to receive an extra bonus point.