Is it just me, or does it feel like December is just going by so fast?  Yikes, ten days until Christmas and I still need to do a lot of shopping! I am so looking forward to my week off…maybe I can get some scrapping done.  There’s so much inspiration in the GSO thread that I’ll know where to look when I need ideas to get my own pages done!

I definitely find lots to scraplift in Stefanie’s (Eyeore’s) gallery!  Olivia nominated this layout that Stefanie created for a Matter of Choice challenge.  I love how she mixed color and b&w photos and as usual, her knack for choosing papers and elements is right on! Check out both her layout and challenge!

Olivia also chose this photoless layout by Juno and I’m so glad she did!  I love the layout and also her favorite Christmas songs! I like the idea of documenting things we like. The background paper is perfect and the alpha & word art are layered nicely for the title!

Olivia was on a roll and also treated us to this awesome layout by Ozegirl!  The photo is so sweet and absolutely perfect in the sunburst! The clustering and page design are fantastic!  I really like the title, too!

Michelle (msbrad) chose this photoless layout by Emmy (emmyxlou)…the quote and message are fantastic!  I really like how Emmy used the ornaments for the year and the string of lights between the paper layers are great!

Michelle also nominated this beauty by Manda Lane and said that it makes her smile!  This layout makes me smile, too, and that’s a wonderful criteria for chosing a GSO! The blend is fabulous and I really like the personal touch of the handwriting font.  I know I’ll try to lift the title work some day!

Another layout that makes me smile…this time by HeatherKate!  When she chose it, Jessica said, “The simplicity of this LO is outstanding! I just love the use of the blue on the white with the BW photo!! Beautiful!!”

There are more wonderful layouts in this week’s GSO thread, please check them out and feel free to leave love for any or all of them!

~Dolores

There were some beautiful layouts in the gallery this week and, as I love Christmas, it was so hard to choose just one! This layout by HeatherKate did jump right out at me, though. I love the clean page and how the scatters just draw your eye into the photo (simple can be so hard for me to do!). Joy is so evident in the photo, as well.

To leave her some love, you can click the image. =)

She used Joy to the World by Amy Stoffel.  It is simply stunning!

Monday ONLY!! Select items are 50% off!! Visit the ScrapMatters Shop for more details!!
*Sale runs 12am-11:59pm ET. HURRY! What are you waiting for!?! *

Erin Kay Studio

Have you seen our December guest designer Erin Kay Studio?  Well if you haven’t, sit down, pull up a computer and spend a few minutes getting to know her. I asked Erin to share a bit about herself and her design work and her is what she had to say.

“Well, I’m Erin (obviously!) and I am a 28 year old mom to my two awesome kiddos. I have been with my significant other for around 9 years now. I think I am often thought of as being very introspective, thoughtful. Sometimes I think TOO much and am known as an OVERthinker, haha. I also have a really good sense of humor. I’ve always been an artistic type. I absolutely loved to oil paint when I was younger…before keeping those sorts of things around became an issue with little ones running around. I’m not sure I’d even have time for it anymore now!

I started getting into digital scrapbooking about 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my son…perfect timing right? I was also really curious about how the designs were created, so that’s how designing came about. I really enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get after having finished a kit or other product…it just makes me happy. I also really enjoy reading tons of books and am an avid photographer.

To create my designs, I use many tools from Adobe Photoshop CS5 to Adobe Illustrator, Art Rage, etc. I also use my bamboo tablet from time to time and also my Nikon D300 DSLR to take photos of realistic elements to include in my kits. I also have an HP all in one printer/scanner but in my opinion it often leaves much to be desired when scanning so I don’t use it for that very often.

People seem to like to know where I get my ideas and it seems lately they come from perusing galleries. I am particularly inspired by paper or hybrid scrapbook projects these days. Often it is the way something is journaled or titled that sparks an idea in my head. It helps to know what real people are scrapping about. From there I create a color swatch and start moving forward with the rest of my plans.”

I really like what Erin had to say while wrapping up her interview, I think that her comments about community will resonate with many of us, I know it does with me!

“With all the technical aspects aside, the part about digital scrapbooking and designing I enjoy most is the sense of community. I receive a ton of support from around “digitown” and that speaks way more volume to me than anything else. Besides that, we are sharing pieces of our lives with each other when we share a layout and that’s really special.”

Be sure to click on over the Erin’s guest shop here at ScrapMatters to see what she is sharing with us this month. She has shared a blog exclusive coupon for our readers as well:  30% off: eks_smfeature. Thanks, Erin!

Happy Gallery Standout Showcase Day!  This is when I get to highlight some of the awesome layouts found in the ScrapMatters’ gallery.

This first layout by Amber was nominated by kv2av who said, “So absolutely gorgeous. Everything about this is lovely.” Amber created this beauty for a challenge tut on mixing patterned papers and really aced it!  I like how the papers don’t compete with the adorable photo! The big title is great!

Next up is another layout created for a challenge, this time a Tuesday template, so we’re all in luck and can scrap like Li!  Jessica said, “This is so amazing!! Love your title work with all those stars!! And that touch of lace is perfect! Stunning!!” when she added Li’s layout to the GSO thread!  The strips of paper and lace are perfect!

This masterpiece by filandstef is not only a GSO, but was also chosen as Layout of the Week! It’s absolutely wonderful! Jessica also chose this and said, “The blended photo is so awesome!! What a great way to record memories of your child’s first Christmas!” So much to love here…it’s awesome!  I could stare at it all day!

Amanda liked a lot about this wonderful layout by Lisa (lkane12673)!  “What a wonderful LO. There are so many little touches that bring this LO all together. Really like the banner placement and the patterns in the flower cut outs.” I totally agree!

Barbara created this challenge layout and Michelle likes the photo and layout so much that she’s planning to try the photo idea!  The photo really is fantastic and the framing is super!  I love her take on the quote challenge!

Michelle also treated us to our last GSO for the day by Sue…I’m so glad she did!  I couldn’t put it any better than Michelle did, “Fabulous page! Wonderful composition for picture in picture. The blend is terrific as the the layering of the framed focus photo. Neat paint splatters and border work.”  It’s just wonderful!

There are more amazing layouts chosen for GSO in the forum this week, please check them out!  I’m sure you’ll agree that we have some amazing scrappers here at ScrapMatters!

I’m off to do some holiday shopping…thanks for stopping by to see these awesome layouts!

~Dolores

What a beautiful page this is! it caught my eye right away as I was looking through the gallery. I love the wonderful design, the creative split title, blending, lovely corner clusters, and fantastic journaling! Congrats to filandstef for this beautiful page!

To leave her some love, you can click the image. =)

She used A Christmas to Remember by Meagan’s Creations!  What a  gorgeous kit!

What a wonderful teacher’s gift this is! it is a hybrid altered clipboard. I love the paper choices and terrific “Take Note” tag!  Congrats to rtoose for being this week’s winner!

You can click the image to leave her some love.  She used Vintage Desktop by Litabells to complete this project.

It is time once again to showcase who our SMG team voted for to be the LOTM and POTM winners.  Each week they watch the gallery carefully for layouts that just stand out.  We post those here each week on Thursdays.  At the end of the month we review all those chosen and select ONE in each category to receive a GC to the ScrapMatters store!  Pretty sweet deal and EVERYONE is entered every time you upload a layout using products from our designers whether it was free or purchased!  We’d love to see more hybrid projects!!  Sometimes we don’t even have a weekly winner!

OK…drumroll please!

Our November Layout of the Month goes to cinna  for her gorgeous Confident Layout featuring items from Juno Designs‘ 2012 Grab Bag.

And, our Project of the Month October winner is majula76  for this gorgeous gift box using the Hexagonal Box Template by Simply J Studio!

Congratulations ladies!  Be watching your PMs for a little gift code to spend in our store!!