*Manic Monday sales go into the shop early Monday morning and will “disappear” around midnight! HURRY! What are you waiting for!?! *

Evening Purse by Krisi’s Kreations

BBQ Weather by WM squared Designs:

CU Scallop Paper Shapers by Inspirations from Day

EZ Breezy by Erica Zane

In Spring by geniaBeana Scraps

Behind Me (Curves): Paper Templates by Jen Graham

This week I got to interview one of our very own Scrapmatters Girls, Michelle/Msbrad.  I am sure you know her, she leaves the best comments on your layouts in the gallery!

1.     What is your first name? Michelle ( I also answer to Michi and usually sign everything as ‘m’)
2.    What is your screen name? msbrad
3.    How long have you been at ScrapMatters? September 2008
4.    How long have you been digital scrapbooking? 2005
5.    Did/do you do paper scrapbooking? I was an obsessive paper scrapbooker. I have/had more supplies than some stores.
6.    What got you into digital scrapbooking? I was trying to use the computer to create text and titles on my paper pages. I used Print Shop, and Journaling Genie. From there, I tried to use the computer to make my photos into shapes or with a soft edge. Then I attended a PSE 3 seminar, and I was hooked.
7.    Describe your first digital layout? Oh dear! Very first was done in Print Shop and Microsoft Word. Not the easiest way to attempt to layer. It was blocks of photos of DH and his golf friends. I didn’t even use a kit.
8.    What is your favorite layout that you’ve scrapped? It is difficult to select one. I’m placing 2 which I did totally myself- no kit items.

9.    Can you share your ScrapMatters gallery with us so we can leave you some love? My gallery is here.
10.    Who’s gallery do you go to for inspiration? Too many to name. I love going thru galleries.
11.    What do you suggest when you find yourself in scrappers block? Read the challenge threads, Scout the galleries, Grab a template.  What do you do? Listed in the first half of this question or… Get up and walk away from it for a little while.

12.    What kind of scrapper are you?  (Clean lines, paper girl, cluster, etc) It all depends on what style I want on the page. One thing I’m not…is artsy-fantasy.
13.    Do you have any other hobbies? Anything crafty- done it all  If so, what are they? Mostly today…photography, digi scrapping and sewing.
14.    Do you participate in any of the challenges at ScrapMatters? Yes- I love them!
15.    How long have you been on the SMG? I think March, is my 1st SMG-a-versary
16.    Finally, is there anything else that you would like to tell the readers? I was the biggest ‘dodo’ ever when I started with the computer, and then digital scrapbooking. I could probably star in a “digi comedy hour” of all the ‘duh’ things I’ve done.  I am also very literal.
I love to teach digital scrapbooking to newbies. So many helped me when I started, I feel I am paying it forward.

Thanks Michelle for letting us get to know you better!  We love having you on the Scrapmatters Girls Team!!
-Wendy (Neverlandscraps)

For this week’s interview, I decided to chose a familiar face from ScrapMatters who a lot of us know and love… Liz (mommy22girls)! Liz always inspires me with her fabulous clustering and titlework- I can always go to her gallery and find a fresh new design that catches my eye! It was definitely fun learning a little more about her!

1. Your screen name? Your real name? My screen name is mommy22girls and my real name is Liz Moss

2. What is your main job/career? I am an attorney.  I own my 1 person law firm.

3. Are you married/children/pets? I have been married to Jon since April 2007 and we have 2 daughters Carrie (3 1/2) and Molly (2).  We also have a Westie named Spock who is currently at my MIL’s being shown.

4. Where is home for you? Sunny Arizona, specifically the Bullhead City Area

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Just three?  I guess 1) Fresh Fruit 2) Italian Food and 3)  BBQ brisket

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Irish Cream Coffee by Bringham’s but I can’t get it here so I would say runner up is Strawberry

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? It depends on my mood but mostly salty!

8. Beverage of choice? Either Coke Zero or Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade

9. What’s your least favorite food? Onions!  They are the food of the devil.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? I’m on a PC and I use CS4 to scrap and I use a Wacom Bamboo Touch.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I have been seriously scrapping since May 2009, I did digiscrap briefly in 2008 but I don’t count it.  I got started by want to do signatures on a mommies board and I got hooked into freebies and then I just loved the creative process.  Queen of Scrap cinched it for me.

12. What was your 1st LO about? It was about my oldest daughter.  My first ever is long gone, but this is my first at SM:

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? Other hobbies?  What are those?  I do like to read and watch TV and I have dabbled in writing. I also like to cook and bake. I’m a girl of limited interest.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Knowing when to stop! Honestly, I love the elements in kits sometimes so much I want to put all of them on my page and then I get cluttery.  I have to tell myself to not put that flower on the page sometimes.

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? I would love to learn how to quilt and sew (I have a sewing machine that I barely know how to use!) and woodcraft.  My ultimate goal is to make my girls a custom dollhouse!

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I am addicted to Netflix!  TV: Glee, Bones, Top Chef, and anything on Food Network   Movies: Singin’ in the Rain, Star Trek (the new one), and Up!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? My environment:  Chaos!  My desktop is in our living room.  The TV usually has on Nick Jr. and my girls are constantly interrupting.  I usually have some sort of drink and mostly likely a collection of things I have confiscated from my children.

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

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? Little known, I’m pretty open about my life.  I did just take the Jeopardy quiz online to come eligible for an interview to be a contestant.

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style? Eclectic color cluster explosion.   I love bright colors and patterns and I love put alot of elements and alphas on my page.  I usually mix and match my kits, although I try not to when do a CT layout.

21. Favorite LOs that you have done?

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us learn more about you, Liz! Check out her wonderfully talented gallery here!  Head on over and leave some love! Have a great day!

-Whit (whitneyt)

You know those neat layouts where there is a section (or sections) of the photo that they make just POP? Or those cool layouts where the photos look like a set of offset tiles? Well this tutorial will teach you how to achieve that effect.

First open the photo or photos you are going to use on your layout. Find a photo that you really love the whole photo but that also has something in it that you really want to stand out.

Now, open a blank 3600×3600 (like you do to start a layout) and paste your photo(s) into it. Position your photo on your layout. Then click on your Marquee tool in your tool box. Draw a selection around the item in your photo you want to highlight or pop up.

Now press Ctrl-J to make a new layer from your selection. This will make a new layer out of your selection and will not affect the original photo layer. Repeat this process as many times as you like, making sure you are on the original photo layer when drawing out your marquee.

Now add a drop shadow to really make your selection pop! The larger the shadow, the further off the page your selection will appear to be. Try different setting, play and have fun!

And here is what I created using Erica Zane’s What’s Cooking Bundle:

Check out the fun our creative team had using this simple method:

Cara:

Using Chelle’s Creations: Fetch That

Bonnie:

Using – That’s Not My Clover Kit & Add-On; & D.B. Wannabes v.2 by Erica Zane; & Doodle-Its: Borders Bundle by Jennifer Labre

Kim:

Using: The Places You’ll Go and Precious Alphabet from Amy Stoffel

Chel:

Challenge reminders:
-You will receive one point for posting in the appropriate 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 March 2011 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!

Can’t wait to see what you create!!

Look What’s New at ScrapMatters.com 03/4/2011!!

Happy March to you! Are there any signs of spring yet where you live? Our designers seems to have spring on the brain because we have a wonderful set of bright and fresh new releases that are sure to provide the perfect kit to scrap your memories with!

We would love to welcome our fabulous new guest designers for March, Kay Miller and Lindsay Jane. Welcome ladies! We are glad you are here with us. March is going to be a fabulous month!

Me and Teddy by Wimpychompers

We live in a toy store! by Wimpychompers

Rainbows & Butterflies: The Collection by WM squared Designs & Graham Like The Cracker :

Rainbows & Butterflies: The Kit by WM squared Designs & Graham Like The Cracker
Rainbows & Butterflies: The Alpha by WM

Rainbows & Butterflies: The Word Art by WM squared Designs:

March Extravaganza Grab Bag!

Blessings Element Clusters by Chelle’s Creations
Blessings Stacked Papers by Chelle’s Creations

Scrap Like Jan Templates by Chelle’s Creations

CU Little Birdie Doodles by Chelle’s Creations

Bugs & Slugs by Creations By Rachael and Mye De Leon

That’s Not My Clover by Erica Zane

That’s Not My Clover {add-on} by Erica Zane

D.B. Wannabes v.2 by Erica Zane

Rainbows and Butterflies by Jen Graham and WM[squared]
Rainbows and Butterflies the Collection by Jen Graham and WM[squared]

Rainbows and Butterflies: The Signature Pack, Rainbows by Jen Graham, Krafted by Kim and WM[squared]
Rainbows and Butterflies: The Signature Pack, Yellow by Jen Graham, Krafted by Kim and WM[squared]

Rainbows and Butterflies: The Bonus Alphas Pack by Jen Graham

Good Job Word Art by Haynay Designs

Spring Kissed by Inspirations from Day

And free for a limited time…
Spring Kissed Sampler by Inspirations from Day

March Special Edition Grab Bag {PU/CU} by Jeanine DeOre

March 40% Off Sale: Delight Collection by Jeanine DeOre

Doodle-Its: Borders Bundle 1 by Jennifer Labre Designs
Doodle-Its: Borders 1
Doodle-Its: Borders 2
Doodle-Its: Borders 3

Daybreak by Jennifer Labre Designs

Orange Crush by Jennifer Labre Designs

It’s Carnival Time by LDrag Designs

It’s Carnival Time: Bonus Alphas by LDrag Designs

It’s Carnival Time: Add on by LDrag Designs

KimB’s March CU Grab Bag

Park Play by Kay Miller Designs and Jady Day Studio

Spring Symphony by Lindsay Jane

Spring Symphony Borders by Lindsay Jane

Hey everyone!  LuAnn here with your March Getting Hybrid Challenge!

This month we’re going to be decorating candles, votive holders, jar candles and more with beautiful decorative wraps. They are the perfect way to add color or a personal touch to tables, shelves, centerpieces and more.

But most importantly….
**These candles are for decorative purposes only – please do not ever light a candle that has paper and other flammables on/or near it**

Here is my candle sporting a gorgeous new wrap using Jady Day Studio’s collab kit with KimB’s Designs called What Matters Most.

and a close up of the details:

So let’s get started with how to make your own candle wrap!
Supplies:

• Candle

• Epson Matte Presentation Paper

• digital kit of choice

• embellishments of choice – buttons, ribbon, brads, punches, flowers, dies, ink, pop dots, 3D foam squares, etc.

• double sided tape (or other adhesives of choice)

1.  Measure around your candle – allow for an overlap.  Determine how tall you want your candle wrap to be.

(My candle is a 6 inch pillar – my wrap is going to be 9 1/2 inches wide by about 3 1/2 inches tall)

2.  Create your candle wrap using a photo editing program of choice.  I’m using Jady Day Studio’s What Matters Most digital kit.

3.  Determine if you want your candle wrap to be all digital including shadows or if you want to print each layer of your wrap and then assemble true “hybrid” style.
(I decided to print my paper layers separately.)

4.  Determine how you want to decorate your candle wrap – now don’t panic!  Just think of it as a long narrow layout that you will print out and wrap around a candle. 

5.  Print your wrapper and/or the pieces to your wrapper on matte presentation or matte photo paper using your printer’s best print option.

6.  I distressed the edge of my patterned paper and used a lacey border punch on the cream colored plain paper and inked the edges. I adhered the lacey punched papers to the back of the edge of the patterned paper.  After wrapping my papers around my candle, I used double sided tape on the overlapping area to secure the wrap.

7.  To create the flowers, I printed some square blocks of the solid pink and solid cream digital papers in the kit.  Using my Big Shot, I die cut some Cherry Blossom flowers.  I also die cut a butterfly from the solid pink digital paper and added two small crystals to the center of the butterfly.

8.  After inking the edges, I punched two small holes in one petal of each of the pink flowers and two small holes in opposite sides of the cream colored petal.   I used twine to create a cross stitch to attach the flowers together.  Then I added a flat back pearl to the center of each flower.  The pearls were a little too white in the middle so I lightly dabbed the pearl with the same ink that I used on the edges of the flower.

9  The flowers and butterfly are attached to the candle with 3D foam squares.
And there you have it – a beautiful candle perfect to display or give as a gift!

How about some inspiration from the team?

Cathy (Scrappycath) created this beautiful jar candle wrap using Thankful for you by Mye De Leon:

Jewelle (jubeejewels) created this fun candle wrap using So Silly by Amy Stoffel:

Amanda (Abhall76) created this gorgeous wineglass lamp shade which uses a battery operated tea light – she used Zen Garden by Inspirations from Day:

**Again…This candle is for decorative purposes only – please do not ever light a candle that has paper and other flammables on it**

Here are the ScrapMatters challenge guidelines:
- Entries must be posted in the Getting Hybrid challenge gallery HERE and also linked up in the comments section of this post.
- You will have until the end of March to complete your project
- You’ll get 1 point for designing, printing and putting together your project, and then posting the photo of it in the gallery. You will get a bonus point if you use a new release within one week of it’s release to complete your project. You must mention that you used a new product in the comment section of this post to get the bonus point!

I can’t wait to see what you create so be sure to link me up so I can leave you some luvin’!!!

LuAnn

Hey there, Kelli here and I’m so excited to be hosting my very first challenge as an official CT member here at ScrapMatters!!!

This week’s Grand Theft LO is coming to you from the awesome, packed gallery of prettypeaches. I love Melissa’s style of layering while still having so much negative space. Your challenge is to select a LO (or hybrid project) from Melissa’s gallery to lift. Be sure to post a link to the lifted layout in your gallery credits too please.

Here is Melissa’s page that I lifted:

And here is my lift:

Take a look at the wonderful lifts from our talented Creative Team:

By andrea4376:

Melissa’s page:

Andrea’s lift:

By camijo:

Melissa’s page:

Cami’s lift:

By cursivesmile:

Melissa’s page:

Bonnie’s lift:

Challenge reminders:
-You will receive one point for posting in this thread & 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. 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 March to complete this challenge for 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!

-Kelli (kellig)

Hey friends, welcome to this week’s Tuesday Template Challenge! Its Jenn (jennamy82) and I have a fun little template for you to try this week.

No specific rules for the challenge, rotate it, add to it, delete from it, flip it, modify it anyway you wish!

Have fun!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Here is some gorgeous inspiration from the ScrapMatters Creative Team!

Here is my layout.

By Jen D.

By Jami

By Bonnie

By Carina

by Heidi

For the challenge rules please see this thread in the SM forum.

Have a great week, cannot wait to see your layouts!

-Jenn