Hi, friends! Sarah here with our first card challenge of October. I really wanted to make something easy and fun this month – something even a few of you non-hybriders might be inspired to try. So with the help of my lovely friend, Reboscraps, I made not one but TWO templates for you.

Click on the image to download the template, or grab it here.

Use the template to make a Halloween or fall-themed card, or use the pumpkin shape to decorate goodie bags, home decor, and so much more. I’m REALLY excited to see what creative things you all can do with this.

Here’s the card I made, using Witches Brew Solid Papers and Witches Brew Alphas by Graham Like The Cracker.

And Tamara made this cute shaped card, using Autumn Beauty by Jeanine ~ The Collection.

Ami made these cute little pumpkins to tuck into her candy bags, using Sketchy Times – Alpha by WM[squared] Designs and Terrified Solids by Down This Road Designs.

And check out this super cute lack o’lantern card Karen made, using Harvest by Jennifer Labre

Finally, Sharon made this beautiful card with A Spooktacular Evening by WhimpyChompers

Now it’s your turn. Let’s see your hybrid creations!!

A few friendly challenge reminders:
- You will receive one point for creating a card, printing & photographing it and then uploading it in the It’s In The Cards gallery and posting in this thread.
- You will have until the end of October to complete this challenge.
- Remember, no double dipping! You cannot combine this challenge with any other challenges.
- You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products, but keep in mind that as of July 8, 2011 at least 80% of your gallery must contain ScrapMatters product.

This week’s Grand Theft Layout Challenge is ready. Are you up for the challenge? Drop by the forum to check out the details. This week you can lift anything that inspires you from Ona’s gallery.

I lifted this gorgeous page. I was inspired by all of the paper layering and the split design that was tied together with the vertical elements.

I came up with this using Starting Anew from Jady Day Studio

Still not convinced?

Hop on over to the Grand Theft Layout Forum for more inspiration. I cannot wait to see what you create!

Welcome to another fun Tuesday I hope you enjoy what I created for you. Have
fun. Ü

Go the forums and check it out

becca used Dis-moi un secret by Steph.designs

Ophelia used Elise’s Pieces’ It’s Madness Baby.

fonnetta used My Girl by Jady Day Studio

Can’t wait to see what you create.

Challenge reminders:

-You will receive one 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 October 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 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!?! *

Fall Shapes – CU by WM squared Designs:

Away to Grandma’s by Jady Day Studio & Amy Stoffel

Vintage Shabby: Sweet Deal

Zen Garden – by Inspirations from Day

Late September by geniaBeana

Wow, it’s October already!  This year is flying by!  Cathy here with a little project to help you out at Halloween.  Ever end up with plans the night of Halloween and you’re not able to be home to give out the candy?  Or maybe you want to escort your little characters as they trick or treat their way through the neighborhood and just need a helping hand for a bit.  Believe it or not, your craft and digi supplies can come to the rescue!

You can create a sweet sign to leave out with your stash of goodies. This way you get to enjoy your other plans, the Halloween visitors still get their treats and your house doesn’t get tricked, hopefully!

This is a fairly simple project. All that you’ll need is a picture frame, some printing paper and your favorite Halloween themed digital kit.  Lucky for you, the Mix-a-kit series at ScrapMatters for October has some great Halloween themed items.  You can pick and choose the portions of the kit that suit you best.  I used Frightful – The Patterns, Frightful – The Extras (by WM Squared Designs); Scary Elegance – Paper Pack (by Haynay Designs); Shabby Solids - October Mix (by GeniaBeana); Haunted House Elements, Haunted House Alpha (by Dream Big Designs), Purple Monster Alpha (by Amy Stoffel)

I found an old picture frame that was not being used and painted it black. It is an 8.5″x11″ frame which I turned on its side.  I designed my sign in Photoshop.  I printed it out on Red River Canvas paper.  Just popped it into the frame and I’m all set.

Perhaps the creepy eyes “watching” will keep the kids from taking all the candy!  I used a brush to create smoky clouds to help accentuate some of the design.

Believe it or not, I’ve had to leave a bowl of candy on the porch for the trick or treaters to help themselves in the past. I thought they would empty the bowl in no time. But I actually had leftover!  Hope you have a crafty and Happy Halloween!

This week we get to check in on a long standing SM Designer….WENDY of wm[squared]!!

1. Your screen name? Your real name? wm[squared] Wendy

2. What is your main job/career? My main “job” is designing. But i’m also a student!

3. Are you married/children/pets? Married for almost 13 years, no kids and one crazy cat & dog!

4. Where is home for you? South (VERY HOT) Texas!!

5. What are your 3 favorite foods? Italian, Seafood & Italian. lol. I really like Italian food!

6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip

7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet? Both!!

8. Beverage of choice? Dr Pepper!!

9. What’s your least favorite food? Sushi (or anything raw!)

10. PC or Mac? What program do you use? PC! PS CS4

11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started? I’ve been digi scrapping for probably 4 or so years, and designing for almost as long. I got started while living in California! I started out as a freebie hunter (didn’t we all?), and went on from there! It was so much cheaper than paper scrapbooking, which was a huge bonus!

12. What was your 1st LO about? It was a cute picture of my hubby and I. And it’s scary!! lol.

13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)? I *LOVE* to travel!! I also love photography!

14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you? Finding the time to do it! When I have spare time, I usually spend it designing. So to say that i’m REALLY far behind on scrapping would be a huge understatement!

15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking? Photography. I would love to learn everything from taking the picture to developing my own photos.

16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows? I love TV, and i usually have it on in the background while I work. Some favorites are: Castle, Psych, True Blood, Dexter. I could go on and on!

17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where? all of the above!! I scrap/design in my office. And i love snacks & tv on in the background!

18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be? flowers, ribbon

19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…? I think i’ve shared this so many times that’s it *IS* a known fact, but I’ll share it anyways. I was born in Italy, and have duel citizenship.

20. When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed? February 2008. It’s so hard to choose just one!! But I really love my Great Escape Bundle & Add Ons!

21. How would you describe your design style? Realistic, fun, funky, and very themed.

22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation? Everywhere! My CT, Pinterest, you name it!

23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most? I think anything in the last year really showcases my style.

24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with? i like muted colors as opposed to bright color schemes. And i’ve been LOVING gray a lot lately!

25. Favorite kit you’ve designed? The Great Escape Bundle & Add On, although, I love all of my kits!! ;D

Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better, Wendy!!  You can check out ALL the goodies in her store HERE!

Kim (kjrogers01)

I love this layout!!  First of all, it is DISNEY….and who doesn’t love Disney??  Secondly, I thought it was such a clever use of this kit because I can totally identify with her journaling!!!  I love her twist on making a triathlon kit fit in with her activity while on vacation…pool, walking, etc.!!  So, fantastic kit + fantastic idea = fantastic layout!  Congrats to jennschultz on being this week’s Layout of the Week winner!

Please click on the image above to leave her some love on this project!

Lisa (Kelseyll)

This cute card by JenTapler just jumped out in the gallery with those bright colors and I have to say I am partial to rainbows!!  Love the layering and mix of patterned papers!  Congrats on being this week’s winner!!

Please click on the image above to leave her some love on this project!

Lisa (Kelseyll)

Welcome to this week’s Saturday Special! I’ve got a really easy tutorial on how to make shape or element look embossed on your layout. I’m sure there are several ways to do this, but I find this one to be easiest for me. I’ve done this in PhotoShop CS5, but it should be pretty similar in PSE.

Step One:
First choose a paper (solid ones work best) and either a shape or element. I’m using a solid paper and bubble outline element from Jennifer Labre’s Squeaky Clean. Just drag the element, or draw the shape, anywhere on your paper. Once I get the element on my page I usually zoom in to 100% to get a better view.

Step Two:
We’re going to fill our element/shape. Go to Edit>Fill and a dialogue box should open up.

Step Three:
In the dialogue box you want to choose the color black, mode: normal, opacity: 100% and most important – check the box that says preserve transparency. This will keep the black from flooding your whole page.

Step Four:
Now that your shape is filled in black you’re going to change the blending mode on your layer to difference. To do this click on the scroll box above your layers that says normal and go down and pick difference. This is going to make your shape disappear temporarily, but don’t worry.

Step Five:
Now double click the layer of your shape to open up the layer style dialogue box. Click on Bevel and Emboss. Make sure you don’t just click the check box, but the actual words so we can make a few adjustments in the settings.

Step Six:
This next part is not an exact science. It depends on your shape, it’s size and the look you want. So play with the settings until you get the look you want. I usually go with a subtle look, choosing lower settings. I also always change the color of the highlights and shading to match the color of my paper. You can see where I’ve done that here.

Step Seven:
Finish choosing your settings and then click okay. And that’s it! You’re all done!

And some fabulous inspiration from the CT

From Ophelia using Pieces of Fall paper pack/elements, elements from Indian Summer, Bracketed Templates and Spiromania all by Plum Dumpling Designs.

From Heidi using He’s My Valentine and Cut It Out Snowflakes by Plum Dumpling Designs and Quickie Calendar 2011 by Krisi’s Kreations.

Chel made this super cute layout using Cat’s Meow by our guest this month, Viva Artistry and a One Singular Sensation Template by Band Geek Designs

And Kayla made this super cute LO using Spooky Templates by True Blue Studio, Spring Into Easter by Jady Day Studio & Messy Masks by Inspirations from Day

The fine print:
- You have until the end of October to complete a LO and upload it to the Saturday Special Gallery and copy it to this thread.
- Using a product within the first week of its release earns you an extra point!
- You don’t have to use ScrapMatters products, but we love when you do!

Look What’s New at ScrapMatters.com 10/7/2011!!

Hello October! In addition to the fabulous new goodies our designers have for you this week, we also have a wonderful guest designer with us as well, Viva Artistry!