Hello everyone,

#5 – Happy interNational Scrapbooking Day!  Since today is all about scrapbooking, your challenge is to scrap a layout about scrapbooking.

Interpret this however you like, but most importantly have fun with it!  Here’s my take on the challenge.

I scrapped about my love of digital scrapbooking and used the ScrapMatters Design Team Collab – Queen of Scrap.

And Krista used the same kit to scrap her scrapping obsession too.  hehe

I hope ya’ll find some time this weekend to grab some great deals in the shop and join in some of the fun in the forums.  Don’t forget to check out the whole list of May’s Bingo Challenges here, and play along this month for some fantastic prizes.

Take care and keepscrappin’

Kayla

Hello everyone,

Ramona of Memory clips has made up yet another fantastic Double Page Template for today’s challenge.

#22.  Double Page template time!

Download the Template here

And here’s some inspiration from our CT.  Kairyn Lisa made up this fun layout.

And Isabel (Leandi) made this pretty one.

It’s not too late to join in on the Bingo Challenges. You can find a list of all the challenges here in the forum.

Hello everyone,

It’s Kayla aka keepscrappin here again today with your ScrapMatters Bingo Challenge.

#5 – Teeny, Tiny Title Challenge – Use a teeny, tiny title on your layout.

And here’s some inspiration.  Kairyn made this gorgeous layout.

And here’s my layout.  It uses the NEW Simply Spring from Memory Clips

Well, that’s it for today.  Remember to go check out the forum here for all the March Bingo Challenges so you can play along for some fabulous prizes this month.

Take care and keepscrappin’

Kayla

Hi everybody,

Isabel (Leandi) here with a new challenge for today.

Your challenge today is choose products you love from 3 different ScrapMatters designers and make a layout.

Please make a note of the 3 designers you used in the Bingo Tracker thread!

here are some pages for inspiration

1. by debbysrose she used  Stolen Moments-Beautiful on the Inside, Kim Broedelet-Snapshots of the Heart(her portion only), Down This Road-Love Letters

2. by keepscrappin she used MAK items from Down This Road Designs, Julie Marie Designs, and Simply {Kat}

Have fun can´t wait to see our creation!

here in the Forum you can look for the challenges

Hugs and kisses Leandi

Click the ad to see this in our forum!!

We have a few openings for permanent CT positions and are looking for those talented scrappers that love ScrapMatters, love our Designers, and have what it takes to join our incredibly inspiring Creative Team Members!

————————-{DUTIES}——————————
• Create 4 layouts minimum per month using 90% ScrapMatters’ products. Three of the four LOs per month featuring your assigned designers.
• Post these layouts at 4 galleries–DigiShopTalk, ScrapMatters and two other galleries of your choice that allow outside linking. Enable SM designers.
• Actively participate in the ScrapMatters forums and gallery—at least 20 comments in the SM forum and at least 20 comments in the SM gallery.
• Host one ScrapMatters Bingo Challenge each month and post it to the SM Blog. Assist other hosts with EE’s for additional Bingo dates.
———————————————————————————
Specific details will be provided in the CT Contract. This contract is for 6 months and runs from February 2012 to July 2012.

Interested?? Please send your application with the following information to:

smctcall@gmail

Only fully completed apps that are received by the deadline will be considered. Everyone will receive an email informing them of the results of their application after final team decisions are made.

Deadline: 12pm (noon) PST on Sat., Feb. 11, 2012

Please include the following in your email app:

1. Full name/screen name at ScrapMatters
2. Brief Bio
3. Current Teams
4. Link to most active gallery and forum
5. Blog link
6. Why should you be selected for the ScrapMatters Creative Team?

Good luck to all that apply!

Hi everyone!

Since we have Valentine´s Day just around a corner, a list of your top 10 favorite romantic movies seems just the right thing to scrap about! I made mine using  a kit from our new designer Siamese Studios here at ScrapMatters:

Now I hope you´re excited to see my list and I can tell you that it was hard to narrow it down to only ten:

Now I´m really excited to see your pages and read YOUR lists. I wonder how many of mine you´ll pick to yours?

Have a great day!/ Carina

There is ALWAYS something to look forward too. Things we are waiting for:  A baby, a wedding, a birthday.  Recently, my children and I counted down to Daddy coming home from deployment.  Now we are counting down to Halloween.  (We are also counting down to our Return to DisneyWorld–been saving for 3 years.  We are leaving on Nov. 1)  That would be a great idea for countdown blocks!  But what I have to show you are my Countdown to Halloween Blocks!  I used several pieces from the October Mix a Kit.  Here are the main kits I used. This one I loved because it gave more more variety in my numbers.

I loved the Frightful word bits too.

This alpha reminds me of a fat squishy pumpkin.

I used almost every piece that Dream Big Designs created for the Mix A Kit. Here is a look at just the papers, but the super cool alpha that is glittered around the edges is worth checking out too.

Here is another alpha that my son loves and picked out for me to use.

These aren’t even all the goodies I used, you can find all the parts of the ScrapMatters October Mix A Kit here.

Let me show you my finished project.

Yes, these are the cutest little blocks. You maybe have seen them all over.  Usually they are made of little wooden blocks.  But mine are made out of 3 pieces of cardstock and some Glue Dots.  Don’t get me wrong I love the wooden ones, and I think they would last longer.  But if you are anything like me, even if you went through all the trouble to make the wooden kind you wouldn’t be able to find them next year, and would have to make them all over.  I think if I were giving these as a fancy gift I would go the wooden route.  But these have held up great to my 3 elementary kids so far, and since they were so easy I will want to make more next year anyway.

I designed my own template for this little project.  And I will definitely tell you how I did it.  I am not going to go in to full out detail, because when I upload thing that I make for my own use to share I always worry that in all my excitement that I have messed up something.  So I have sent the idea to Krisi’s Kreations, and I think that she is going to fancy it up a bit and quality check it and all that jazz and have it in her store.  (I am thinking Christmas countdown).

Let me go ahead and tell you how I did it for now.  I use a regular printer at home, so I needed to be able to print on regular paper.  To do that safely, I found the blocks could be 1.75 inches.  This isn’t the way I made my template in the beginning but through trial and error this is what worked.  You know it is one of those things that took me all day-but had I known then what I know now it would have been as simple as this.  You need to create a 1.75 x 1.75 inch square in your program.  I use Photoshop Elements 7, but it will be the same idea in any program.  I recommend filling it with color. Then all you have to do is duplicate it five times.  Then line them up like this.  You can draw the flaps on afterward with a pencil.  I have put them on the template to give you an idea-but you won’t see them after they are assembled.

You will need 2 square blocks.  Then for the base you will need a rectangle block.  This was the part that took me so long, but in hindsight it wasn’t hard.  But boy did it elude me at first.  Using the block template layered file, You just turn the middle squares into 1.75 x 3.5 inch rectangles!  Leave everything else the same.  My base looks different because it is rotated, but don’t let that confuse you!  Just remember that you will see the squares too, so decorate them as well.  Here are my flattened square blocks and rectangle base.

Your first block will have 0,1,2,6,7,8 (but you have to use a font that will let the 6 also be used for 9.  Your second block will be 0,1,2,3,4,5.  This will let you count down a full month.  Or hey, you could make this a perpetual calendar too!  I had so much fun with these little countdown blocks. I hope you will too!  I am sure to be back with Christmas Countdowns.  Here is one more picture.  And thanks so much for looking! Tamara.

Download here.

Here is my layout with this template using Andilynn Designs A Boy’s Treasures and Words Matter: A Boy’s Treasures.

And here are pages created by the wonderful CT.

Amy used Love This Boy by Amy Stoffel.

Here is one from Chel using Jady Day Studio’s Hitting the Waves, Band Geek Designs’ Under the Apple Tree Alpha & Dream Big Designs’ Cabin Critters – Graffiti.

Cami used First Flight by Dream Big Designs.

Carina used Country Time by Forever Joy.

Tamara used Imagine If by Erica Zane.

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 August to complete this challenge for August MOS points or wait to post in September for September 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.

Can you believe that it is June already? Where is this year going? Hey there everyone, Cathy here to host the June 2011 Getting Hybrid Challenge. This month I thought it would be fun to help get people involved in hybrid crafting by challenging you to make flowers. You can make any type of flower that you want, from simple to extravagant.

There are so many options for how to make hybrid flowers to go with your scrapbook pages, cards and other crafts. With the use of digital papers, the possibilities are endless! You can simply print out some digi papers and use your flower punches to create blossoms. You can make use of some of the hybrid helpers we have in the shop as templates for fussy cutting or cutting with your electronic cutter.

These flower templates by Krisi’s Kreations are a great place to start. The set includes files types that you can use right in your digital designs, or for cutting with a machine or by hand!

I’m going to share a tutorial for creating some beautiful paper roses. For my project I’m using Summer Lovin’ Prints by Kim B and Summer Breeze by Jennifer Labre. They are both part of the June Mix-a-Kit which is on sale through June 7!!

You’ll need to cut 3 6-petal flowers for each rose that you are making. The Sizzix Flower Layer #5 die works great for this. It includes a large and small flower die so you can make 2 different sized roses.

You will need to snip between each petal to allow for curling the petals into shape. You will also need to cut the first flower one time, straight between 2 petals all the way to the center. The second flower you will cut on either side of one petal into the center and separate that petal. Save it, you will be using it. With the third flower, you will cut to the center on either side of 2 petals and separate the double petal. Save this too, you’ll be using it.

You should have what is pictured above for each rose that you are going to create.

Once you have your flower parts cut, ink the edges. Since I am using digital papers that I printed, I also inked the backs.

With the first flower (slit cut to center), place some Glossy Accents glue on one petal at the slit that was cut to the center. Manipulate the petal on the other side of the slit to cover over the glued petal, creating a cone shape with the flower as you do this. Use a paper clip to hold this in place to allow the glue to dry. Repeat this process with the remaining 2 flowers, creating a cone shape and gluing the overlapping petals. Secure with paper clips while you wait for the glue to dry.

Take the double petal cut from flower #3. Curl the petal to the left toward the back of the flower piece. Carefully curl the flat side in toward the curled petal. Curl it tightly creating a center petal for the rose. Pinch it together with your fingers and glue. Hold it together to allow the glue to set momentarily. Sticky fingers are a good sign of hybrid crafty goodness!

Take the single petal that was cut from flower #2. Curl each side of the petal in towards the center as shown above.

Curl the petals back on each of the cone shaped flower pieces. I like to use the handle of a small paint brush to do this. For the larger petals I can use the thicker part of the handle, and for the smaller petals, I can use the thinner part. You can also snip a small piece from the tip of each cone. You may need to snip slightly more on the 2 smaller cone pieces to help them set into the rose as you assemble it.

After you’ve curled your petals, begin to assemble the rose. Start with the largest cone piece and then insert the medium one inside it. I turn it so that the petals are a bit offset. Place some Glossy Accents into the center of the cone to glue in place. Repeat with the third cone piece nesting it inside the rose and gluing in place. Then take your 2 center petal pieces and set as the center of your rose. I have no magic suggestions here, I play with it until I like the way it looks. Sometimes I have to snip a bit more off the bottom of these pieces in order for them to sit down in the rose the way I want them.

Now comes even more fun! You can dress up your flowers. I sprayed mine with some Tatter Angels Bronze Mist. Then I added some glitter to the edges of the petals for extra bling. Some Stickles glitter glue in the center of one of the roses added a little pizazz!

I used the roses on a picture frame that I had covered in paper from the Summer Lovin Prints pack. Here is a closer look at the flowers:

I’m showing these flowers on a finished project, but you don’t have to for this challenge. You can just make some flowers and share them!

Here are some wonderful samples that our talented Creative Team made for you:

Look at this stunning cake that LeAnn made. I think the cake is gorgeous on it’s own! Then she added a beautiful rolled rose bouquet, amazing! She used Kim Brodelet’s Roche kit. The little white flowers are simply cut-outs of elements from Kim’s kit. (Special thank you to Mari Koegelenberg for the rolled flower template).

Tracy made these brilliant flowers by printing out a bunch of the digi flowers from Jennifer Labre’s Sunkissed: Sunset. She then layers them to create these beauties!

She used them to decorate a card. Isn’t that sweet?

Melanie created this bouquet using papers and flowers from It’s Midnight by WM[squared] and GeniaBeana Scraps. I see a few different types of flowers in there, some print and cut from the kit, some rolled and some using the scrunch technique. She adhered them to the lid for a mason jar. Would that make a super cute gift package?

Tamara made this flower using the April Mix a Kit, a paper flower and some ribbon. The perfect addition to her super sweet project!

This flower by Karen is just so cute! She combined a few techniques to create it from the Mix a Kit April: Footloose and Fancy Papers by Graham Like The Cracker, Springy – the Elements by Wm squared, Carefree Solids paperpack by Kim B, Sprung patterns by Stolen Moments

Wow, that’s a whole bouquet of blooming creation!!! I hope we’ve planted the seeds and have you wanting to let your hybrid skills blossom! (you saw all those puns coming, didn’t you??

OK so here’s the scoop on the challenge:

-You will receive one point for posting a photo of your finished flower/s in the Getting Hybrid Gallery and then linking it up to the Getting Hybrid Forum thread HERE . You can receive an additional point for using new Scrap Matters products; please make a note of new products in your forum post to help me give you the correct credits. 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 June 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 we love it when you do!

And don’t forget, you don’t have to use your flowers on a completed project, but we would sure love to see it if you do!

So, let’s fill the gallery with some beautiful flowers!!!

Welcome to the Saturday Special…and do I have an artsy, fun challenge for you!!

Today we’re going to learn how to transform your photos into pencil drawings. My friend, Maria, created a layout almost a year ago that I was fascinated with. It featured her son as a pencil drawing and it made her layout so interesting. So here’s my recreation. I used Photoshop – hopefully those of you who use other programs will be able to follow along.

1. Start with selecting your photo. Crop, resize and balance out the ligh in it first so you have good contrast. Try to pick a photo where you have clear detail.

2. Remove the color. Create a new adjustment layer by selecting Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. When the Hue/Saturation dialog appears, slide the Saturation slider all the way to the left, removing all color from the photo.

3.  Duplicate the Photo on a new Layer. In the Layers palette, click and drag the original photo onto the Create a New Layer button at the bottom of the palette. This creates a duplicate of your original photo.

4.  Invert the Colors on the New Layer. With the new layer selected, click Ctrl+I to invert the colors in the photo. Your picture will look strange – like an old school negative.

5.  Set the Mode to Color Dodge. Change the blend mode of the new layer by choosing Color Dodge from the blend modes drop down menu at the top of the Layers palette. Dodging lightens the underlying image. The lighter the upper layer is, the more it lightens the bottom layer. The resulting image will be almost pure white because the two layers contain opposite versions of the same image.

6.  Apply Gaussian Blur. This will get some interaction between the two layers. Blur the Inverted, Color Dodged image slightly. Select Filter > Bur > Gaussian Blur. As you change the number of pixels for the blur, the pencil sketch will start to appear. The amount of blur will depend on your image. I used 5.8 pixels on my image. The greater the blur, the wider and darker the lines and shadows will be.

You can also use Motion Blur, Radial Blur or the Blur More filters. See what they do for your image. You can also change your blend mode from Color Dodge to Linear Dodge if you like the effect better. It’s personal preference.

7.  Burn and Dodge. You can stop here, or you can use the Burn and Dodge tools to lighten and darken certain areas of your photo. I used Burn to take off some of the shadow on my son’s face.

8.  Tweak your Opacity. After looking at what I had created, I wanted to bring back a little of the natural color in the photograph. I did this by lightening the top layer in the Layers Palette. Instead of using 100% opacity, I lowered it to almost 50% to get a hint of the original colors. You can tweak this to your liking, or leave it as is.

Here’s my final “sketch”

And here’s how I used it in my LO:

I hope this is a new and fun tutorial for you and that it inspires you to try something new. Post your creations here and link us up so we can leave you love in the gallery. Here’s some inspiration from our awesome CT:

By canadianmommy
(Using Sketchy by Erica Zane):

By Chel
(Using Amy Stoffel’s Only the Sky & the background is blended with a Kraft paper from Sarah Bennett (retired))

Here are the Rules…

-You will receive one point for posting in this thread & in the 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 April 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!