I love this super sweet Valentine LO from Bethanny. The blocking and pops of red against the white background, those stitches, and how about those adorable photos?!?

Be sure to head over to the gallery and forum to leave Bethanny some love for this fab LO! While you’re there, check out her entire gallery too!

-Kelli (kellig)

I’m excited to bring you an interview with one of our amazing hybrid designers, Krisi! So, let’s jump right in.

1. Your screen name? Your real name? Krisi616 – Krisi (well really Krisandra).

2. What is your main job/career? Mom,  Shelf Reliance food demonstrator, hybrid designer and an RN.  Of course being a mom is the most important of them but the others are just as important!

3. Are you married/children/pets? Married 13 years to my hottie husband and we have 2 girls – 3 and 6.  We have no pets, but have been considering a goldendoodle.

4. Where is home for you? SF bay area – Northern California

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Wendy’s chili flax corn chips and taco soup.   I had gastric bypass 4 months ago, so my eating habits have dramatically changed.

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Well I am not eating ice cream anymore but Shelf Reliance just came out with freeze dried ice cream that I tried and loved plus the sugar content wasn’t too bad!

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? I am not eating sugar now but I do have cravings still – BUT I crave way more salt than anything – which is where the flax corn chips come in!

8. Beverage of choice? Water – always has been – I love it!

9. What’s your least favorite food? Skip – there are too many!

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? I have always had a PC.  I use pse7 on my main computer.  I do have pse8 on the laptop but really only use that on vacations.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I started in 2007.  I had been a paper scrapper for 15+ years and even a consultant with a paper scrapbooking company.  I tried so hard after having kids to keep working on my pages but the “stuff” was barely out when I had to put it away.  So I thought why can’t I put my digital pictures arranged on a paper with journaling.  So that is exactly what I did!  Then 3 months later realized you could buy supplies and found ScrapMatters.

12. What was your 1st LO about? My first layout was my daughter, her first birthday pictures.  I used the collage feature for one side of the page in digital image pro – the first program I used.  The page is not in my gallery but here is one of my first ones:

First hybrid – can’t believe I am going to share it but I do want you to know we all start somewhere – and hybrid is so FUN!

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I love cooking (especially with Thrive from Shelf Reliance), photography, exercising (did I really just say that!), paper crafting, and going to garage sales.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Clusters and layers.  I tend to do simple pages.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to Scrapbooking? Photography.  I love to take pictures – a big part of scrapbooking, but would love to get better photos to use on my pages. I would also like to continue learning how to ski.  I went for the first time in January.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I love Glee and American idol.  I also like Amazing Race and think it would be so much fun to do that.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? I scrap on my desktop usually when the kids have gone to bed so it is pretty quiet.  I do often put on some music though.  I try not to snack at the computer and always have water there.

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

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I am the most unorganized organized person I know.

20. When did you start designing? I started designing in 2009 after I had been on the hybrid CT here at ScrapMatters for 4 months.

21. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? All over!  My kids bring art projects from school and the way it got folded in their backpack can spark an idea.  Packaging in stores can also make me think of other template ideas.  Also, my CT gives me tons of ideas as well.

23. Which of your products showcases you style the most?

24. Favorite product you’ve designed? I love my two page templates, having the bigger finished product is so great.

Wasn’t it great getting to know one of our hybrid designers?!? Be sure to stop by Krisi’s shop and check out all of her amazing products!

-Kelli (kellig)

Happy Saturday to everyone!  Jan (QuiltyMom) here with you for another Saturday Special.  Today we will learn more about creating lovely panoramic photos from multiple pictures.

A while back Mary (Plum Dumpling Designs) hosted a Saturday Special on using panoramic photos in a page. The page I made used a panoramic that I had pieced together from three different photos, and she mentioned that I should host a Saturday Special on how I do it. So, here it is!

Note: When I started this tutorial I had no idea that there were programs that actually merged photos together for you, so this is for those people who would need to do it step-by-step.  I use StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0, which does not have this feature.  Bonnie (cursivesmile) was kind enough to put together a tutorial for Photomerge for you who have that program and still need to figure out how to use it. To keep this post from being longer than it already is, you can find her tutorial here.

There are times when I go places that taking just one photo of a scene just isn’t enough where you can’t fit everything into one photo, so I try my best to take a series of photos along a “horizon like” that I can use to piece and blend together to try and recreate the scene. It’s best if you don’t use a wide angle to snap the photos, because the wider the angle of your lens the more distortion on the edges of the photo there will be. But don’t worry about it too much if you haven’t, or if you forget to do it. You can still work with the photos. Make sure you overlap the edges of the photos so they can be blended in your scrapbooking program later on.

My one disclaimer about this tutorial is this: Don’t worry if your newly created panoramic photo isn’t “perfect.” Sometimes it will happen, other times it won’t. Remember the only person who knows this is YOU, and really, nothing has to match if you don’t want it to, either. Have fun with it and see what you can come up with.

In short, you will 1) choose your photos, 2) place them in order on the page, 3) edit so they match as much as possible, 4) line them up, 5) cut blended edges, 6) flatten together, and 7) trim (optional).

Place your photos on the page in order from left to right, then if necessary, edit the photos so they match as closely as possible in color, size of subject matter, horizon line, etc. This will make the blending much easier. Bring some of the photos to a 50% opacity level and overlap them in a rough panorama. Choose a focal point and/or horizon line to align them as best as possible, something that will matter the most to make the best seamless blend possible.

In my example you’ll see I’ve chosen the mountain edge as my guide for that is the focal point of the scene. On one side I’ve chosen a little dip in the mountain to fine tune the alignment; on the other a crook in the tree. There will be distortion at the edges of the photos, so you will be looking to find the point where you will want to make the blends for the most seamless transition.

When you’re happy with the arrangement, bring all the photos back to 100% opacity, make a copy of the photos, group and hide them just in case you make a mistake later on that can’t be fixed.

(You will only be blending the edge of the top photo. It isn’t necessary to make a blended cut on the bottom photo since it will be hidden.) Find the center point for a blend.

Using the blended edge on the straight edge cutter, place the median line for the blend cut on this center line, widening the blend amount as necessary, and cut. This takes some experimentation, so use your “undo” feature until you’re satisfied. Some photos will take a larger blended edge than others – it all depends upon the visual matter.

(You’ll notice that the tree branches don’t match up. This is when you ask yourself, do you really care? If it doesn’t bother you, then it’s good enough.)

Here is the other blend:

Repeat this for every edge where necessary.

Once you have everything the way you like it, flatten together the photos so they become one piece. Then trim the top and bottom edges – and you’re all done! (ETA: The final trimming of the photo is optional, especially if you would be trimming away important parts of the photo by doing so. Karen’s page, below, shows how she creatively displayed her un-trimmed panoramic photo.)

Here is my page with the final panoramic photo. I used Back to Nature by Mye DeLeon and Curvaceous Templates and Text Paths by Happy Scrap Girl.

And here are the wonderful pages made by our very talented Creative Team:

Karen (bydelstorp) created this lovely page. I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing her secret about her gorgeous photo, either. Since she wouldn’t have been able to crop the panoramic without cutting out important parts of the image, she brilliantly chose to cover the steps created by the photo merge with curved papers. Thanks for the tip, Karen! She used Bedazzled by LDrag Designs and Bend in the Road (altered) by Stolen Moments Designs.

Fiona (canadianmommy) Made a 2pager with hers, combining her photos with photomerge in CS4. She used Ho!Ho!Ho! and Double the Fun Templates by Chelle’s Creations:

Amanda (dznyscrapper) created this getting ready for Disney page with Photomerge, using Stolen Moments Makin’ Me Happy and Happiest Addon:

This darling softball page by Kelli (kellig) is made with Fuss Free Week by Week Set 1 by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs; and Batter Up, Batter Up: Black, and Batter Up: Softball; Kick It (alpha) by Chelle’s Creations:

Bonnie (cursivesmile) made this gorgeous page (check out that view!) using Imagination Creation Mega Collection by Stolen Moments & Studio Flergs:

Challenge reminders:

• You will receive one point for posting in this thread & in the Saturday Special gallery. You can receive an additional point for using new Scrap Matters products; please make a note of new products in your post. And at the end of the month you’ll be entered into a random drawing that could earn you some bonus points!
• You have until the end of February to complete this challenge to earn MOS points.
• Remember no double dipping…your photo and/or layout must be unique to this challenge.
• You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but we love it when you do!

I can’t wait to see what you create!  – Jan

Hi Everyone! Sorry for posting this later in the day than usual. I’ve been battling a virus…a computer virus! Luckily my computer is in the shop and a dear friend has let me take over her computer for the following tutorial!

Today’s tutorial is brought to you by a can of beans. Well, mainly just the can.

I was recently making dinner when I noticed that the can would be the perfect solution to the pencil problem on my desk at school. (I’m a math teacher). However, it’s not exactly the prettiest thing to sit on your desk. Thus, I’ve turned to hybrid to pretty it up a bit. My first stop was the scrapmatters store to drool over the goodness and select a few fun pieces. I chose:

and

Next, I measured my can and set up a layout that size in Photoshop and filled it with my layout. (hybrid tip) When shadowing for a hybrid project over emphasize your shadows. It really helps to capture the depth when you print your project.

Next I printed the document and cut it out. I took one of the white margins I took off the top and used it to line the sharp portion of the top of my can. Just glue it in place and cut tabs on the paper portion sticking up. Then place glue on the inner rim and press the tabs down to secure.

It doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth, just enough to cover the jagged edge. Your last step is to glue your project to the can and embellish as needed. I chose to not add anything extra this time because I figure it’d give my high schoolers something to pick off. Here’s the finished project:

Hopefully I’ve helped you to look at your trash in a whole new way!

Can you believe it is February? The winter is almost over and I am definitely ready for some sunny warm days. I am ready to start scrapping some outdoor photos! Our kit this month is “Captivated by You“ by Amy Stoffel. This kit is like a breath of fresh air. It is full of flowers and bright cheery colors that will banish your winter blues. So come and join us for the Quickpage Exchange!

Take a look at Amy’s yummy kit:

Scrap one page using this versatile kit and get all the other quickpages in return. “Captivated by You“ will be 30% off starting today through the end of the month. Head on over to the forum for more detailed information on how the QPE works. I hope you will join us this month and save yourself some scrapping time!

-Kelli (kellig)

Hi everyone.  It’s Andilynn here with a little reminder…it’s still not too late to sign up for the Design Star (DS) Contest.  You have  about 18 more hours to sign up so don’t be shy and give it a try!  Chelle and rest of the  team have so hard to make this contest the best.  It was so much fun last time, don’t just take my word for it– we have several designers from the first Design Star contest giving it another go!   I am  excited to see what wonderful, talented designers we find this time.   Like last time the contestants will be assigned a random Design Star number and their kits will be judged by their DS number and not by their designer name.  This isn’t a popularity contest, plain and simple we want to find some nice, friendly talented designers to join our team. Keep reading for more info:

Announcing Design Star 2011!

Design Star is an elimination style design competition with a grand prize of becoming a ScrapMatters Designer! The five rounds will take place over the next several weeks. The challenges will be typical design activities: making kits, paper packs, element packs, alphas, scrapping, and hosting challenges. Commericial Use items will be severely restricted (exact rules will be given in each round)–we want to see what YOU can design. It’s a very exciting competition for designers AND scrappers.

If you are planning to enter, see the directions below. If not, keep your eyes open. The contest entries will all be FREE downloads!!!! Woo Hoo! You’ll also want to cheer for your favorites!

HOW TO ENTER:

Send an email to our contest email: scrapmatters.designstar@gmail.com
with the following information –

1. Your Full Name
2. Your ScrapMatters Username

You will receive confirmation that we got your email within 24 hours. DO NOT ask questions to that email, they will not be answered. When round 1 begins, you will receive your “secret designer number” via the email you used to send in your information.

SIGN UPS CLOSE FEB 14th @ 6 PM Pacific Standard Time. Round 1 begins Feb 15th.

What a super idea to add the candy and make it look like he’s holding it!! Congrats on winning POTW!!

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

-Heidi (scrappin5kids)

I love this sweet photo and those super paper strips behind the photo to make it really pop! Congratulations on a SUPER LO!

The image is linked so head on over to the gallery or the forum and leave Li some love!  Congrats again!

-Heidi (scrappin5kids)

This week  I was excited to interview Lor from Studio Rosey Posey.  I love her awesome products and it was fun to learn more about her!

1. Your screen name? Your real name? I go by Lor on the internet, since it is easier to spell!  My real name is Lorilei pronounced (Lauralee)

2. What is your main job/career? My main job currently is digital scrapbook design, and I have a few print/web clients.

3. Are you married/children/pets? Married for 18 yrs, 7 yr old daughter and 2 outdoor cats!

4. Where is home for you? I live about an hour north of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? My 3 favorites would be pineapple, yorkshire pudding with gravy and bacon.

6. PC or Mac? What program do you use? Mac, I use PS CS5 for scrapping, and use Painter, Illustrator and Indesign for design work.

7. What is the most challenging part of designing for you? All the saving and packaging.

8. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? I would like to learn how to use Oil Paints better!

9. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? My favorite shows are American Chopper, Idiot Abroad, the Housewives of Wherever and my favorite movies are Gone with the Wind, The Sound of Music, Moulin Rouge, Mission Impossible, James Bond, etc. etc..

10. Describe your “designing” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? TV is usually on.. daugther is either playing or doing her school, coffee in the morning, I share a room with Hannah who has her art/school desk.

11. If you only had 2 elements in a kit, what would they be? a flower and another flower

12. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? hmm,  I am really a fairy?

13. When did you start designing? How did you get started? I started designing about 3-4 yrs ago.  I first started selling at My Digital Muse and then took a year and a half off after Holly closed it to work with an Author.  I started Rosey Posey Studio in March of 2009 and then signed on with Scrapbookgraphics in October 2009.

14. How would you describe your design style? I love all types of styles, vintage, traditional, cutesy, a bit of fantasy.. I am eclectic

15. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Pretty much everywhere.

16. Which of your products in the Scrapmatters Store showcases your style the most? I would say out of the two right now Girls Rule would showcase my style the most.

17. What is your favorite color scheme to design with? I don’t really have a favorite but pink is always fun for me!

18. Favorite kit you’ve designed for Scrapmatters? Techno Boy was really fun to make!