It’s my FAVORITE Challenge!!  It’s Tuesday Template time!  Wendy here with your latest template!

There is no specific theme or set of rules for today’s template, just have fun!! Use the template as is, or switch it up…it’s all up to you!

Here is the template:

Here’s *MY* LO :

Credits: “Artistic License” by Britt-ish Designs, “Motor Mania” by Britt-ish Designs

Here is some inspiration from the ScrapMatters CT/DT:

Layout By: alamama

Credits: “Summer Solstice” by Scrapmuss

Layout By: littlehiccup

Credits: “Imperial Girl” and “Good Fortunes” by Britt-ish Designs, “Mini-Glitz Alpha Pack” by Plum Dumpling Designs

Layout By: kimbytx

Credits: “Sunshine in my Soul”  by Britt-ish Designs, “Mini Glitz Alpha” by Plum Dumpling Designs

Download the template –>  HERE! I’ve included both the .psd and .png files for you!

The “Fine Print” aka the Matter of Scrap Challenge rules:

You have all of July and all of August (since it’s the end of July!)  to complete the layout. Upload it to the gallery, and leave BOTH the image and a link in the challenge forum–>  HERE!

You will receive one point for completing the challenge. You can earn an additional point for using a new product from the ScrapMatters store (PLEASE indicate you have used something new when you leave us the link in the forum), and one lucky winner will receive one more point – I will be doing a random draw!

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

Happy Scrapping!!

Hi Everyone!  Christy here with this week’s Saturday Special.  This week we are going to focus on creating layouts with lots of photos!  I don’t really have a fancy tutorial for you…but I do want to share some tips and tricks and encourage each of you to give a multi photo layout a try!

When I am making a LO with lots of pics, the first thing I do is edit and crop my photos and then throw them all onto a blank page.  I really believe in “fidelity to my photos”…I encourage you to crop your pics in the way that best suits the PHOTO and not to try to make them a certain size or shape for the sake of a layout… After all, the photos are what’s important here, right?  I LOVE multiphoto layouts with photos of varying shapes and sizes. I think that adds great energy and dimension to a page… so don’t be afraid to mix it up.   Once the photos are on the page, I start arranging them.  I think it almost always works best to keep the photos in a group/cluster (e.g. touching or close together) rather than spread out randomly across a page.  So, work on grouping your photos together.  This can be in a more side by side, linear kind of arrangement or in a cluster type arrangement.  My favorite (and I think the easiest) is to just kind of overlap/cluster them. Sometimes I give each one a little twist or turn, just to add some fun and energy. Sometimes I also add a thin white border around each photo to add some definition. Next, I shadow my photos.  Shadows are really important in multiphoto layouts because they will further define and distinguish your photos. Pay attention to the visible edges, and try to make those the ones with the shadows. You will need to play with your layering a little and see what looks best. Once I have my photos placed, I then add my paper, and finally I start adding some embellies.  You can still use lots of fun embellishments on a multiphoto layout… You just need to play with your layers. I sometimes cut some paper strips or shapes and tuck them here and there… As far as embellies, I will look for a spot that seems a little bare, or an edge that looks like it needs some more dimension and add a button or a flower, or whatever. Don’t be afraid to tuck and layer…. And make sure you play with your shadows… Make the shadows on your flowers and “bulkier” embellies bigger than those on your photos and papers.   Ok… last, I usually add my title and journaling. If, at this point, you feel like you have run out of room, here’s a trick that often helps… Group everything except your background paper and shrink it down a bit.  (This is a useful trick for adding more white space to your page as well.) You can scoot the grouping a little to one side or the other… or do whatever you need to do in order to make room for your title and journaling…  I love a good title… so spend some time shadowing and adding embellies to the title…. And of course, take a minute to journal.  You must have SOMETHING to say about all of those photos!

Alrighty, that’s about it. Are you ready to give it a try?  Your Saturday Special Challenge this week is to create a layout using AT LEAST 6 different photos. That’s the ONLY rule… not so tough, right?
Here’s a layout I just did:

Using “Life’s a Beach” and “Life’s a Beach — Snipettes” by Sahlin Studios.

And here’s some inspiration from our fabulous CT:

From Plum Dumpling Designs

Using: White Christmas and Boys of Summer by Britt-ish Designs, Holiday Cheer by WM[squared] Designs, and Mini-Glitz Alpha and Iconology: Christmas by Plum Dumpling Designs

From VirginiaJen

Using: Kit is Patriotic Pride by Trixie Scraps. 2009′s are from Double Dates by Fluffy Bunny Feet. Stitches are from In Stitches: Basics by Brittney of Britt-ish Designs. Staple is from Half Moon Bay by Chelle’s Creations. Font is Monster Paparazzi

From Kv2av

Using: Sahlin Studio’s Lots of Photos Blocked Templates and Happy Scrap Girl’s NEW kit Sense of Adventure.

From Cyndi146

Using: Jingle all the Way by GG Digital Designs; All Stitched Up Alpha by Chelle’s Creations; Mini-Glitz Alpha, Iconology: Christmas & Messy Christmas by Plum Dumpling Designs

From Cristina

Using: In the Summer Time by Juno Designs. We’re Just Dating v. 2 by Britt-ish Designs. Font: Pea Olson

Have fun! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.  I am always looking for great new ideas for multiphoto layouts… so, I expect I will be scraplifting some of you!  Happy scrapping!!

Size Does Matter With Elements

For this one I used smaller elements.

Here’s some inspriation from our CT, who are the best!

Christy made this LO using Erica Zane’s *Sail Away*

See how the big waves “hold” the photos in place. While the smaller size of the chair, shell, birds, etc. add to the feeling of the LO and not distract from the photos.

Monique made this beautiful LO using Grab Bag No.4, by Anna BV Designs, Designs by Tater, Dirty Feet Designs and Geeky Diva Designs.

Notice the three different sizes of the flowers. They balance, highlight and really add to the LO. The circles bring your eyes right to the photo.

Cyndi made this LO using Ohana & Date Stamped by Britt-ish Designs and Fun Times Alpha by Andilynn Designs.

Cyndi shows how you can use various sizes and use a lot of elements, yet keep the photos as the focus.

Cristina made this LO using Strips and Pieces Template and Foam Stamp Alpha White by Sahlin Studio
Girl Power by Chelle’s Creations
Font: Pea Olson

Cristina kept her elements on the smaller side as to not take away from the totally cute bunny!

Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Remeber:
You must post to both the gallery and the forum.
You get one point for participating in the challenge.
You can get one more point for using a new release (something from the SM shop released within the last seven days). PLEASE let me know it’s NEW in the forum!
You can get one additional point for being the winner. I will pick a winner at the end of July.
No double dipping…your layout must be unique to this challenge.

And, since this challenge is posted during the last week of the month, your layout can count for this month or next. If you want it to count for this month, you must post before the end of the month, and if you want it to count for next month, then you should wait and post your layout after the 1st of the month.

Hi Everyone.

Denise here to bring you another Saturday Special….and I am excited to be talking to you about white space (or negative space or empty space).

I LOVE white space. I think one element of my personal scrap style is the use of white space…and I love it because of what it can do for you layouts.

White space is the portion of your layout that you leave empty. It includes the space between your photos, margins, edges, etc. The white space on your layout is an important design element and key to good composition.

If you don’t have enough white space on your layout it will appear busy or cluttered…and if you have too much your layout it will appear unfinished.

White space…gives your photos space…to be featured, to be admired…and adds style to any layout. But, your layout doesn’t have to be ALL white space to fit into this category…you just need to have some.

If you don’t normally have a lot of white space in your layouts I know you are thinking…oh no  I have to do a layout with just one photo and almost no elements. And, believe me, those kind of layouts work and are so beautiful, but you can have white space in a layout with five photos and 20 or 30 elements.

Don’t believe me?

Well, here’s my layout…showing off white space.

There are many things that you can do to utilize and maximize the white space on a multiple photo layout. You can pull your photos off to one side, leaving the other side free. The way that my photos and my elements are grouped adds drama and style to my layout…but still plenty of room.

Here are some other examples of using white space with multiple photos from the creative team.

Stacy grouped her photos together and pulled them off to the sides. She took advantage of two sides of her layout and still left plenty of space in the middle for breath and flow. I love how her white space really creates a fun movement across the page…and you feel like you are actually in the trees with her daughter.

Christy grouped all her photos and elements together and pulled them into the middle. This cluster is dramatic and interesting without being overcrowded or busy. Her use of the cluster and the added white apace really conveys a sense of fun and highlights her beautiful daughter.

Krista used the same techinique as Christy…but she took one of her elements all the way across the page…so that her white space is above and blow her cluster, rather than surrounding it.  And since her layout is open relaxing and openess…her theme is reflected not only in her photos and her journaling…but in the actual composition of her layout.

Melanie choose the center cluster, but she also used the space on the side of her layout for journaling. ..and the journaling becomes its own element…but again…lots of space to add drama and focus to her layout.

Finally, Christine choose to group her photos and use paper to really anchor her layout down. But, rather than being heavy…the added white space creates interest and focus and on her amazing photos.

So, your challenge is to create a layout using white space and multiple photos.

If you are new to using white space…start small. I would suggest grouping your photos and your elements together to create a cluster…and place it in the center or on the side of your layout. If you are used to using really big photos…try making them a little smaller and giving yourself a little room.

And, a few housekeeping details:

There’s no double dipping. Your layout must be unique to this challenge.

Everyone who completes the challenge will get a point in the Matter of Scrap Challenge System.

You do not need to use ScrapMatters products, however, if you use something new from the ScrapMatters store (within the first seven days of a product’s release), you get an extra point.

And, I will choose my favorite layout to get one more point at the end of the challenge.

Don’t forget to upload to the Saturday Gallery here , and link back to this thread with your layout image and link.

You have until the end of June to complete this challenge.

Happy scrapping!

Hey all! Haynay (heather) here to bring you this week’s Roadmap to Scrap!

1. Choose a template–but, you have to rotate or flip it from its original position.
2. Choose pictures–enough to fit your template. I need ONE photo to be up close!
3. Must use black, white, or brown as your background paper.
4. Use as many solid and/or patterned papers as you want, but they MUST be monochromatic!
5. Use circles and add stitching of some sort to at least one of them.
6. Add some glitter on something.
7. Work on some fabulous shadows!
8. Use word art at your title…and date/journal! (you don’t have to journal if you don’t want to!)

In order to reach our final destination, we MUST have all 8 things in our layout. You can of course do more than these 8 things…and the rules are open to interpretation. Be creative, for example, if you use something that meeting more than one requirement, lucky you!

You will have ALL month to scrap your layout, and when you complete it, you MUST post it to the “RoadMap to Scrap” Challenge Gallery AND in the forum here to get credit.

Your completed layout will earn you one point in the Matter of Scrap Challenge System.

In addition, you can earn another point by using a newly released product (you must scrap and upload your layout within the first 7 days of the products release – and remember, you MUST indicate in your post here in the forum that you used a new release).

Credits: Blissful Romance by Simply Sweet Designs and a swirl from Say it With Bling

Jaime’s LO:

Credits: Pink papers – ScrapMatters Birthday Collab Kit; Stitched Circle (recolored) – Andilynn Designs Holly Jolly; Crown – Simply Sweet Designs Blissful Romance; Glitter butterflies – Happy Scrap Girl Designs Girls Rock; Glittery stars and circle trails – Britt-ish Designs Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust; Journaling Frame – Erica Zane Dragonfly Delight; White paper – Jeni Hopewell Always Kiss Me Goodnight Add-on Freebie; Fonts – CK Fun, CK Simple, Ma Sexy; Template (rotated) – Sya’s Blueprints Mix and Match (set one)

Christine’s LO:

Credits: Britt-ish Design’s Monstrosity, template

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

So excited to see what everyone’s LOs look like! Happy travels!

2.What is your main job/career?
I’m a stay at home, homeschooling mom and love it! I’ve been home now for almost 10 years. Wow!

3.Are you married/children/pets?
I’ve been married to my best friend for 12 years now. We have 5 beautiful children. Pets or pests? Oh, gotcha! Yes, we have two dogs – 1 of which I truly adore, Hot Lips, and 1 which would be the later, Titan.

4.Where is home for you?
We live in the big ‘ole state of Texas out in the country. I think I was misplaced and should have been born in New England, but can’t seem to find my way back. Really, I’ve never been to New England, but it’s my dream to go there someday.

5.What are your 3 favorite foods?
Anything Greek
Fajitas from Uncle Julio’s
Ice Cream! (yes, even in the Winter!)

6.What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate from Baskin Robbins

7.Snacks…Salty or Sweet?
Both – together of course! Chocolate covered peanuts, French fries and ice cream. Why are we talking about food? It’s almost the New Year! Time for a resolution! Haha!

8.Beverage of choice?
Caramel Macchiato – homemade or straight from Starbucks. I’ve learned to make them perfectly at home, so it’s harder to justify the $4.33 anymore. I’ve even done a LO of it!

10.PC or Mac? What program do you use?
PC – Mac? I wish! I’m using PSE7.0, but haven’t quite taken to it yet, from PSE6 – the actions are different.

11.How long have you been digi-scrapping?
Almost 6 months. I started in July.

12.What was your 1st LO about?
My first layout was about our trip to Branson, Missouri.

13.Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?
Now that I’m a Nikonian, I’ve gotten back into photography. Some say those are related, but I think they are much different forms of art!

14.What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?
Trying to narrow down the number of photos I want to use.

15.What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?
Going back to photography (remember, they aren’t related!) I would love to learn to compose my photos well and get out of automatic mode.

16.What are your favorite movies/TV shows?
Well, don’t laugh, but we don’t have TV here, so I usually watch things via the family computer from online or DVDs. My favorites are Little House on the Prairie, Survivor, and The Office.

17.Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
Sometimes I’ll turn on one of my favorites (see above) and just have it going in the background and sit at my desk. But, if I haven’t seen it before, I’ll be on the couch with my laptop (now that I have a tiny EHD!). Hubby works nights, so most of the time I stay up way too late scrapping!

18.If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be?
Probably buttons and a flower (even on my boy LOs. I have 4 boys and 1 girl, gotta squeeze those flowers in wherever I can get them!

19.Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?
I’ve given birth to my last 3 children at home (2 in the water). Yes, on purpose!

20.Can you tell us a little about your scrappin’ style?
I love templates! I use them on almost every LO. Is that a handicap? I also use the color within my photos to pull my LOs together in most cases. Usually I’ve already picked a title before I started the LO, so I have an idea of where I want to go with it.

21.Favorite LOs that you have done?
That was hard. I think my scrapping has really progressed since I’ve been hanging out at SM! Must be all the awesome LOs in the gallery that have inspired me so!

Hey everyone–Shari here.

Have you seen the new Old Navy commercial, you know the one advertising metallic jeans? I get a good chuckle when I watch it, that is after I cringe a little. I don’t know who decides what’s hot and what’s not in the fashion world but metallic jeans? I mean who wears those things? Okay, I know I’m not exactly a young thing anymore. In fact if you ask my four year old, I am old. That being said, I’m pretty confident my sixteen year old daughter wouldn’t even wear metallic jeans but then I could be wrong. She tends to disagree with me about most things these days. Don’t get me wrong, I love metal. I love shiny metal and brushed metal. I love old copper tea pots and the little brass plant mister that my husband uses to spray the kids hair when he cuts it. I love my shiny gold wedding ring, although I secretly wish it was white gold or even platinum now but hey, like I said, I’m old and yellow gold was in when I got married. I guess that’s a sign that not only am I old, but so is my marriage! Okay, sorry, I got off track there. The point I’m trying to get to is that I love metal, not in the fabric of my clothing, but on my scrapbook pages. The beauty of digital scrapbooking is you can put all the metal you want on your page and it won’t add any more bulk to your albums. How awesome is that? And just to show you how much I love metal and what a hot trend this is going to be, even in the scrapbooking world, I’ve included a little metal goodie for you.

So hey, whether you like to digi scrap in your jammies or those metallic jeans you don’t dare wear out in public, grab up these silver snowflake photo corners and get busy adding a little shine to your winter pages. Get your metal here.

Just wanted introduce our talented new designers and to let you know about the sale we’re having in their honor!  Hope you’ll stop by and introduce yourself and give them a big welcome.