Hi everyone and welcome to this week’s Grand Theft Layout Challenge!
Today’s choice is Sasha. Her gallery is kinda new to me but I was really amazed by her work and I really want to do some thiev.. ehm lifting, of her pages!
So your challenge this week (and the whole month you know) is to browse Sasha’s gallery, find a layout you like and come back here with both the page you picked and the page you scrapped! I really hope you’ll like my pick

This is the page I lifted:

And this is the result:

Credits: A Walk in the Woods by Plum Dumpling Designs

And more from the uber talented CT ladies:

Wendy (Neverland Scraps) lifted:

And she threw up this super cute page:

Credits: Cherry Tree Lane by Graham Like the Cracker and WimpyChomper Designs

Melissa (prettypeaches) picked:

And did her own:

Credits: A Girl’s Perfect Birthday By Jady Day Studio; Basic Bits By Inspirations from Day; School Memories Add On Alpha By Jady Day Studio; Sweet Spring Templates: Set 6 By True Blue Studio

Tronesia choose:

And made:

Credits: Serenity by Andilynn Designs

Chel was inspired by:

And created:

Credits: September Mix-A-Kit pieces by KimB

———–

-You will receive TWO points for posting in this thread & in the Grand Theft Layout Challenge gallery. And you can receive TWO additional points 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 September to complete this challenge to earn MOS points.

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

-You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but remember your SM gallery must contain at least 50% SM product beginning July 8, 2011.

Here is it can’t wait to see what you create with this!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Kairyn used Jady Day Studios Summertime Fun – Hitting the Waves

Cyndi used School Days – The College Years by WM[squared]

Carina used Jouney of the heart collab by Ellise’s Pieces and KimB

Challenge reminders:
-You will receive TWO point for posting in this thread & in the Tuesday Template 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 September to complete this challenge

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

-You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but remember your SM gallery must contain at least 50% SM product.

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!?! *

Back To School by WM squared Designs:

Summer in Hooville by Jady Day Studio

Hi,

I’m Michelle [msbrad] and I had the pleasure of interviewing Lynett [lynett_rock] a member of the ScrapMatters Girls. It was fun to learn more about her.

1. Your screen name? Your real name? My screen name is lynett_rock and my real name is Lynett Rock.  Go figure!

2. What is your main job/career? I teach calculus and physics at a small junior college in Warner Oklahoma.  I am actually the departmental chair of mathematics, science, and physical education.  I don’t know why I have the coaches in my department but I do!

3. Are you married/children/pets? I have been married the last fifteen years to the nerdy boy I meet in mechanics class at OSU when I was working on my masters.  We have three kids, Scarlet-17, Tyler- 13, and Harrison-9.  And for pets, yes please!  I have two inside dogs Gretchen and Minnie, they are a miniature and toy schnauzer, respectively.  Two outside dogs, 2 cats, and four horses.  Oh and Scarlet has chickens, why I don’t know but she does!

4. Where is home for you? Muskogee, Oklahoma!

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Just three?  I love anything Mexican, chocolate, and bread.  So basically anything that will add to my waist line is my favorite!

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? I adore cherry amaretto.  But to make it better, chocolate syrup is needed.

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Yes please.  All of the above.  I actually love trail mix so I like salty sweet

8. Beverage of choice? Diet mountain dew with cherry for day time activities but cosmos for evening times.  Although I have to watch cosmos….they are addictive

9. What’s your least favorite food? I am not found of cauliflower or broccoli but it is because I got food poisoning after eating a bunch once and it was not a good experience.

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? I am PC, and I use SBC + (the creative memories program).  Although I do have CS2, I just find SBC + so much more user friendly.

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I did my first album in November of 2006 as a surprise Christmas gift for my husband.  I was really surprised that it made him cry.  It was the story of our dating/marriage/family.    I was a traditional paper scrapper and when Creative Memories started selling digi stuff I slowly transitioned.  It was a good fit for me because I already did a lot on the computer.  I still have bunches of paper supplies but I am slowly getting rid of them and going completely digital!

12. What was your 1st LO about? (Pics and links will be needed for the blog post) this is so embarrassing.  It was made using a creative memories quick page and it stinks.

I have come a LONG way since then!

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I have been taking photography classes for the last year, I ride horses, and I play with my three kids.  Also, since January I have become somewhat of a gym rat.  I spend on average 1 ½ there Monday-Friday.  I take the weekend off to recover.

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Knowing when to stop.  I love to use lots of elements but I also like my pages simple so I have to balance between the two.
15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? I have been working on my photography skills.  I want to take photos of my kids that are not just snap shots but works of art.  Not every shot has to be perfect but once in a while I want a shot that makes everyone stand up and notice.

Also, I strive every day to be a better person.  I think that we should all work on ourselves everyday.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I have a list!  Movies are fairly easy I love Stars Wars and Gone with the Wind.  Those are my favorite movies ever!  But I will watch anything once except horror films.  I get nightmares!

TV shows are more complicated:  NCIS, Survivor, Rizzoli and Isle, Trueblood, Law and Order, Mentalist, and before it was cancelled Numbers.

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? I scrap where ever the urge hits me.  Usually sitting on my living room couch with the kids next to me, the TV will be turned on to NCIS or Law and Order on USA.  I might have a snack but definitely and drink.  I do scrap on my laptop because my desktop is so OLD.  I have been known to scrap in the car on long road trips while my husband drives.

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

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I don’t know how little known it is but I am a total nerd.  I have a masters in physics from Oklahoma State University (even though my Daddy is a big University of Oklahoma fan and may never forgive me).

20. Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style? I don’t know if I have a style.  It depends on the photos I am working with and the kit I chose.  It can clean and simple one day and then very complicated the next.  I believe in doing what makes you happy at that moment.

21. Favorite LOs that you have done?

Family Fun

This is a recent layout from our vacation this summer.  I love that all five of us are in the picture.  I tried to not overpower the wonderful photo with too much, so nice simple lines here.

A photographer

I love letting a large photo steal the show.  This layout has a gigantic photo of my husband’s feet.  I took it for one of the assignments in my photography class.  It was suppose to be body parts and photos and the instructor was looking for elegance.  I went the other direction and took photos of body parts that were not elegant.

Magical Kiss

Once again, the photo steals the show here.  Just look at my kids faces!  I used a star bust template to get the wonderful background.  The colors are bold, perfect for any Disney layout.

Thanks for letting us get to know you better, Lynett!!

Michelle (msbrad)

Normally, we feature our regular members at ScrapMatters for LOTW/POTW, but there is some talent among our CT and SMG too, so this week we are featuring one of each!  This week’s LOTW goes to lightmistress (Simona) from our ScrapMatters Creative Team.  Love the underwater scene created with the blended big photo. Fantastic placement of elements. As I look at this page I feel I am peering into the sea.

This image is linked so please leave her some well deserved love!

Michelle (msbrad)

This project idea is just amazing!  Check out these photos!  My selection is Taylor’s Wall Art by our own SMG’s Melissa (missi-me).
What a clever- creative idea for a hybrid project. Love the 3D dimension. How perfect in your child’s room not to mention an excellent gift idea!

This images are linked so please go leave Melissa (missi_me) some love!

Michelle (msbrad)

I LOVE scallop edges! I use them on almost every page I do. There are many great templates out there with amazing scallop edges but I thought I would show you a simple way to make your own anytime you wish. The cool thing about this technique is you can create it while you are scrapping, it isn’t something you have to do before you start, which I love because sometimes I get into creating a layout and just need a little extra something that a scallop edge can really bring to a layout to make it POP!

Here is an example of a page I am creating and have decided to add a scalloped edge too:

First, I add a new layer where I would like to scalloped edge to be. Next, I need to select a hard-edged round brush. Next, select the brush tool and then you can adjust the shape, size, and spacing. Here are the settings I chose: Hard Round Brush Size 350 and 95% spacing:

The spacing setting is important, because that is what will give you the scallop shape instead of a straight line. You might want to test this out once or twice before finding the settings you like most.

Make sure that your new layer that you just created is selected in the layers pallet. It doesn’t matter what color you use because you are just creating a clipping mask and will be covering it up with paper.

Hold your shift key, click and drag to the bottom of the page or where you would like to scallop edge to start and stop. Holding the shirt key will automatically create a straight line. Here is the scalloped edge I created:

Now select your paper and clip it to your new scalloped edge mask.

Add your drop shadows and you are done. EASY!!!

You can also use different brushes to create different shaped masks. Play around with it and have fun!!

Here is my finished layout using September Mix-a-Kit:

and here is what our outstanding creative team rocked out using this tutorial:

Ophelia using geniaBeana Scraps’ School Rules and LDrag Designs’ All Scribbly Alpha:

Heidi using the new MAK:

Wendy using WM[Squared] Rock Star: The Extras, Rock Star: The Wordart Bits, Rock Star: The Papers and Rock Star: The Alphas

Heidi using My Favorite Valentine, Creatively Inspired Templates Vol. 1, Cut It Out: Carefree Dates, Fair Are the Meadows, Swirl and Twirl, July Birthday: Paint Accents by Andilynn Designs and i scream by Plum Dumpling Designs:

Melissa using Dandelion Dream: Alpha By Dream Big Designs,Dandelion Dream: Elements By Dream Big Designs,Dandelion Dream: Graffiti By Dream Big Designs,Denim & Daisies: Papers By Jennifer Labre,Denim & Daisies: Elements By Jennifer Labre,Purple Dream: Templates By True Blue Studios

Simona using Blessings of Life by LDrag Designs, So Scribbly Alpha by LDrag Designs

Come join us in the forum….can’t wait to see your creation!

Look What’s New at ScrapMatters.com 9/02/2011!!

Hello! Happy Friday to you! I hope you are ready to scrap because we have some awesome new scrapping material for you.

Please welcome Cara of Sweet Tomato Designs! She is our guest designer for the month of September!

Elise of Elise’s Pieces and Kim B have teamed up with totally gorgeous new collab that has honestly left me speechless. Krisi’s Kreations has an adorable new hybrid box that’s a must have for your hybrid scrapping stash. But don’t let me keep you… there’s shopping and scrapping to be done.

Look What’s New at ScrapMatters.com 9/01/2011!!

Happy First Day of September! It’s a new month which means our fabulous designers have a new Mix-a-Kit offering for you!

This month’s super fun palette was chosen by Liz of Band Geek Designs. Our designers had so much fun with it, and there is something here for everyone’s different scrapping needs.

9/01/11

Getting Hybrid Challenge for September (Double points all month for the September Challenges see the detail at the end!)

Last year, when my son was in kindergarten he was asked to draw a picture of his favorite thing. He drew a large trash can filled with trash. For one split second I was worried. Then I thought, “what a precious momma’s boy!” I was so proud. I have a whole area in my garage that is just old boxes and wrappers that will one day be re-purposed into Hybrid Goodness. So Septembers challenge it to turn trash into treasure. My favorite trash is anything clear! Cardboard comes in a very close second.

Lets take a look at my Trash. ( I am not kidding after a short time of re-purposing things-people will start to give you their trash).

See that little “McCafe” cup. It is the most perfect little gift because it doesn’t take very much candy to fill it up. Oh and it is the size that McDonald’s gives away on Friday mornings. Which is great for me because it is the only time I can ever have a McCafe or Frappe because my body can’t handle the sugar in the regular sizes.

So this little cup is going to be a gift for the Janitor at my kids’ school. The School mascot is an Astro. The janitor always tells the kids to shoot for the moon. So when I found some little white chocolates and the perfect kit I was excited. I find that if I don’t turn some of my trash into treasure at least once per month, then my husband starts to throw it away! That man!! He has been gone for 6 months-so I have not had to worry. BUT he is coming home on TODAY, so I have to get busy! Let me show you this perfect kit by Down the Road Designs.

Now you may be a mathematical genius and know some formula for figuring out how to make the perfect template. But I tried a few ways that involved my tape measure, wrapping paper around a cup, tracing and of course wasting. So here is what I finally did that worked. You will notice some hole punches and black marks on my template cup. These were part of my failed attempts so don’t think yours will need to look like mine-but I didn’t want to waste a good McCafe cup.

Here is the process that worked.

I started by cutting my cup apart.

Then I stapled the side of the cup to a piece of paper and traced around it.
Then I scanned it and opened it in my editing program. I filed it will digital goodies and this is the final result.

If you can find a cup without a ton of branding then you can put your sleeve on the inside, but the outside works pretty good too.

There is so much Trash out there just waiting for you!

Scrappycath created a stand for her phone using a Borders reward card (that she won’t need anymore) using
Elise’s Pieces Whoo Loves Ya  Papers and elements.

Karen is another Hybrid Gal who loves to manage her trash where it won’t interfere with husband. She  used Cherry Tree Lane by Graham Like the Cracker and Wimpychompers Creations dress up a soup can which is now her lovely pencil can.

And Sharon re-painted a 6 pack holder white to create a quick and easy baby gift of 3 bottles on one side and rolled up diapers on the other side using LDrag Design’s Lemonade kit

Can’t wait to see your Trash to Treasure!

The details:
-You will receive two points for posting in the challenge thread at ScrapMatters & in the Getting Hybrid Gallery

-You will recieve 4 points  for using new ScrapMatters products; please make a note of new products in your post.

-You have until the end of September to complete this challenge to earn MOS points.

-Remember no double dipping…your project must be unique to this challenge.

- You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but remember your SM gallery must contain at least 50% SM product beginning July 8, 2011