Archives for November 2018

Sneak Peeks November 8th 2018

Happy Thursday! There’s a ton of goodies releasing tomorrow! Our designers are definitely getting into the holiday spirit!

From JB Studio

From Tinci

From Miss Fish

From JoCee Designs

From LDrag Designs

From Aimee Harrison

From Ponytails

From Neia Scraps

Tutorial Tuesday (Photoshop Elements)

Shaving Shadows

As you’ve already figured out if you read my tutorials regularly, I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I like things to look a certain way, and will try whatever it takes to get the effect I want. Shadows are something I don’t like to compromise on, and I often create custom shadow layers for my layouts. But I’m also a bit of a procrastinator and leave things until the 11th hour… and then I run with drop shadow styles, either ones I’ve loaded into my Styles menu or the ones the designer has added to the template I’m using. These Styles are limited in what can be tweaked, and when I’m building a cluster, sometimes the shadows just look wrong because the style isn’t more adjustable. In that case, if I’m in a real hurry, I look the other way, but I’m not happy about it. So when I discovered a Work Smart Not Hard method of customizing drop shadow styles,  I was all over it! I was absolutely giddy!! It IS possible to erase JUST THE SHADOWS quickly and easily, to give that realism to my clusters!

There are a number of designers who have collections of drop shadow styles for sale. They make short work of shadowing a variety of elements with a single click. But they have limitations in the adjustments you can make to them. At least that’s what I always thought…

The image below shows the software’s adjustment menu for Styles. You can open this menu by double-clicking on the Style icon (the little fx icon on the right hand side of the layer in the Layers Panel). Whatever settings you choose, Elements applies across the board.

Now, if I try to erase any part of the shadow on this layer, I run the risk of erasing the flower too. But with the shadow style left intact as a style, when I erase part of the shadow, I also erase the part of the flower that casts the shadow. And it looks very odd.

If I Simplify the layer (as I remind you constantly to do with your special effects), Erasing will erase everything equally; who has time for zooming in, using a tiny Erase brush and going pixel by pixel to erase just the shadow? I don’t.

See what I mean?

Here’s where the fun starts. If I Select the flower by CTRL/CMD>clicking on the image thumbnail in the Layers Panel

and THEN Simplify…

I can Invert the selection at any point either before or after Simplifying and it works just the same. To Invert, click on Select>Inverse or CTRL/CMD>Shift>I which moves the marching ants from the edges of the image to the edge of the document and Selects everrything in between – the shadow.

Now I can Erase just the shadow!! At this step I can use the Eraser brush at 100% opacity to completely remove the shadow, or I can decrease the brush Opacity to whatever I want to just to lighten the shadow in that area. Or I can partially erase, partially lighten. It’s a bonanza of options!

You may never have a reason to use this trick, but I’m glad I shared it with you.

November Feature Designer – Part 2

Welcome back to the second part of November’s Feature Designer post. Today we’re talking with the wonderful Jo from JoCee Designs. Jo is one of the fabulous designers at Gingerscraps that lives outside of the US. Jo is in Australia and getting ready for summer.

Let’s just jump into it and see how she answered my questions.

How long have you been designing?

Since 2009.

What made you decide to design?

I started out as a Layout Artist at ScrapGirls and just loved it. I am a graphic designer by trade so it was a natural progression to move into designing.

What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?

Mainly Photoshop with some Illustrator.

Describe your design workplace.

We have a big room at the back of the house that is my office/cat playroom/tv room. I have my computer, printer and our son’s computer up against one wall and a view to the pool behind us.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

Firstly, colour, I LOVE colour and then, depending on the time of year, either a holiday in the month/season or something fun that will be a bit different.

What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store and why?

Chocoholic.. because who doesn’t love chocolate! (and I had a lot of fun creating it.)

And the fun ones:

What was your first job?

Working in a costume jewellery store in Sydney.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

The late Princess Diana’s father and sister, Steven Spielberg’s mother

What are you reading right now?

The Seven Sisters set of books by Lucinda Riley.

What is your favorite quote?

Do unto others as you want done unto you.

What is something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

Celebrate my 50th birthday 😉

You have your own latenight talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?

P!nk!

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

The weather app cos I am a weather freak and need to know what it is going to do each day, WhatsApp, so I can keep in touch with friends and family and the one that keeps track of where my family is.

If you could have someone follow you around all the time, like a personal assistant, what would you have them do?

Give me massages in my neck. My stress lives there and it can be most painful at times.

Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants?

oooh, hard one… ummm.. both but if I really had to choose… future to hopefully see that we did good when raising our kids.

What commercial jingle gets stuck in your head all the time.

When we travel to the USA, we love the crazy adverts on the tv. When we were in LA in 2014 there was an ad that had the catch line… ‘cos pee happens’… we still use it to this day, lol!!

If you could turn the ocean into a liquid other than water, which one would you pick?

Nutella spread.

Thanks Jo. It was awesome to get to chat with you. She has some absolutely gorgeous kits in her store. Some of which may be in my stash and on my wish list. 🙂

Make sure to check out her store at Gingerscraps, her Facebook fan page and her Facebook group – JCee Designs Club. You just never know when she’s going to offer a mini kit or other fun things. If you check our her group before the 18th, you’ll find a coupon for 40% off her GS store.

Here is the sneak peek of the kit she and Miss Fish Templates did together.

In case you missed my interview with Juli of Miss Fish Templates, yesterday, here is the link:

November Feature Designer(s) – Part 1

November Feature Designer(s) – Part 1

Happy November to all my scrapping friends. Can you believe it’s this close to the end of the year and to the holiday season?

I’m so excited to bring you TWO Feature Designer interviews for November. One now and another tomorrow. I wanted to give each of these fabulous ladies their own spotlight.

Miss Fish Templates and JoCee Designs have teamed up this month to be our Feature Designers. Today I’ll talk to Juli of Miss Fish Templates. Let’s see her answers to my questions.

How long have you been designing?

2 years

What made you decide to design?

I had been scrapping for 14 years. I wanted a way to make some extra money so I could afford to get my hair professionally colored. My digi friends suggested trying to make templates to make some extra money. I have smart friends!!!

What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?

I use Photoshop CC. I doodle a lot while at meetings at my real life job.

Describe your design workplace.

I work in our family room so I can be with my family and interact with them while I work. I have a gaming lap top hooked up to a double wide monitor that sits in our shelves next to the fireplace. Some times I take it on the road and work at Starbucks or in hotels while we are on vacation.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

I design templates based on what my CT and my customers want. I try to make products that people can use to get their memories scrapped faster, but at the same time offers plenty of room to be creative. I am inspired by other scrappers, trends in fashion and decorating and other designers.

What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store?

Blended Stories 1

Now for some fun getting to know you questions:

What was your first job?

My first ever job was working in a nursing home at the front desk checking in guests and welcoming people.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

Do Disney characters count? I’ve met lots of those when my girls were younger. We had Disney passes.

What are you reading right now?

I don’t have time to read to be honest. I use all my non-work time to keep up my house and play games on my phone.

What is your favorite quote?

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.

What is something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

Learn Adobe Illustrator. I’d like to learn how to make kits.

You have your own latenight talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?

Michelle Obama

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

Text messages (I have 2 teen age girls and couldn’t live without it), Starbucks, Target.

If you could have someone follow you around all the time, like a personal assistant, what would you have them do?

Clean my house/car and cook meals for my family

Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants?

Back in time to spend more time with my grandparents and my step-dad. Miss them so much!!

What commercial jingle gets stuck in your head all the time.

Target – Stuck in the Middle campaign.

If you could turn the ocean into a liquid other than water, which one would you pick?

Wine for sure. Thankfully I live near the beach so I could have a few glasses and watch the sun set.

Thanks Juli – those were awesome answers. I’m not ashamed to admit I have a TON of her templates. I absolutely love them. I actually just used the template above last week. I love the blended look.

Make sure to check out her store at Gingerscraps, her Facebook fan page and her Facebook group – The Fish Bowl. You just never know when she’s going to run a cool contest to give away some of her templates. Her store is also on sale for 40% off through November 18th.

Here is the sneak peek of the kit she and JoCee did together.

Make sure to come back tomorrow for my interview with JoCee Designs!!

Fresh Baked: November 02, 2018

Well, we meet again! Some designers are already releasing winter kits. Some designers are just trying to get November started. No matter which camp you fall into, you’ll find the kit or template that fits your needs perfectly!

Remember when you spend $10 in the store, you get a great new collab! It’s time to spend time with your loved ones!fwp_thumb3
https://store.gingerscraps.net/GingerBread-Ladies-Collab-Time-With-Family.html

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Full Collection: https://bit.ly/2RgEnud
Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Bundle-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Kit-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Papers-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Elements: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Elements-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Pocket Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Pocket-Cards-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Graffiti: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Graffiti-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Extra Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Extra-Papers-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Alphas: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Alphas-by-CathyK-Designs.html

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Full Collection: https://bit.ly/2RgEnud
Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Bundle-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Kit-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Papers-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Elements: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Elements-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Pocket Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Pocket-Cards-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Graffiti: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Graffiti-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Extra Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Extra-Papers-by-CathyK-Designs.html
Alphas: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Autumn-Glory-Alphas-by-CathyK-Designs.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/CU-gold-silk-leaves-by-Clever-Monkey-Graphics.html

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Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Bundle-Collection-by-Connie-Prince.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Kit-by-Connie-Prince.html
Mixed Media: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Mixed-Media-by-Connie-Prince.html
Snippets: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Snippets-by-Connie-Prince.html
Messy Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Messy-Papers-by-Connie-Prince.html
Border Clusters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Border-Clusters-by-Connie-Prince.html
Templates: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-12×12-Template-Pack-CU-Ok-by-Connie-Prince.html
Extra Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Extra-Papers-by-Connie-Prince.html
Alpha Pack AddOn: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Alpha-Pack-AddOn-by-Connie-Prince.html
Word Art: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Word-Art-Pack-by-Connie-Prince.html
Quick Pages: https://store.gingerscraps.net/-2018-November-Quick-Pages-by-Connie-Prince.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Blessed-Life-Digital-Scrapbook-Kit-by-Dandelion-Dust-Designs.html

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https://bit.ly/ddnd-GS

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Bundle – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-BUNDLE-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html
Kit – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-KIT-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html
Journal Cards – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-JOURNAL-CARDS-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html
Word Bits & Dates – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-WORD-BITS-and-DATES-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html
Accents – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-ACCENTS-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html
Extra Papers – https://store.gingerscraps.net/Celebrate-2018-October-EXTRA-PAPERS-by-Heather-Z-Scraps.html

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Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Bundle.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Kit.html
Elements: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Elements.html
Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Papers.html
Clusters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Clusters.html
Alphas: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Alphas.html
Glitters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whodunnit-Glitters.html
Cardstocks: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Who-dun-it-cardstocks.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Kristmess/

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Read-Hot-and-Cozy-Trio.html

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Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Bundle.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-PageKit.html
Flairs: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Flairs.html
Grunge: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Grunge.html
Clusters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Clusters.html
Titles: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Titles.html
Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Count-Your-Blessings-Cards.html

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Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Bundle.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-PageKit.html
Flairs: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Flairs.html
Grunge: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Grunge.html
Clusters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Clusters.html
Titles: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Titles.html
Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Passport-Japan-Cards.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Joyful-Day-Collection-by-Lindsay-Jane.html

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Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Joyful-Day-by-Lindsay-Jane.html
Quick Pages: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Joyful-Day-Quick-Pages-by-Lindsay-Jane.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Believe-In-Magic-by-LDragDesigns.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Christmas-Joy-by-LDragDesigns.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Winter-Wonderland-by-LDragDesigns.html

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Bundle: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three-collection.html
Page kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three.html
Journaling Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three-cards.html
Graffiti Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three-graffiti.html
Glitter Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three-glitter-pack.html
Bonus Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/The-Wicked-Three-bonus-papers.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Dark-and-Spooky-Night-KIT-by-MagsGraphics.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Miss-Fish-November-Buffet-Bundle.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whole-Lotta-Photos-3-Templates-by-Miss-Fish.html

022
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Whole-Lotta-Photos-4-Templates-by-Miss-Fish.html

023
Alpha Charms: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Farmhouse-Fresh-Alpha-Charms.html
Graffiti: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Farmhouse-Fresh-Graffiti.html
Pocket Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Farmhouse-Fresh-Pocket-Cards.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Farmhouse-Fresh-Kit.html
Collection: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Farmhouse-Fresh-Collection.html

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Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Fall-Follies-Kit.html
Collection: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Fall-Follies-Collection.html
Pocket Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Fall-Follies-Pocket-Cards.html
Accents: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Fall-Follies-Accents.html
Borders: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Fall-Follies-Borders.html

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Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Kit.html
Collection: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Collection.html
Bonus Papers: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Bonus-Papers.html
Clusters: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Clusters.html
Journal Cards: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Journal-Cards.html
Word Art: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Pumpkin-Patch-Word-Art.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/November-favorites-1..html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/November-favorites-2..html

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Collection: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Collection-Bundle.html
Kit: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Digital-Kit.html
Flair Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Flair-Pack.html
Ombre Paper Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Ombre-Paper-Pack.html
Plains and Polkas Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Plains-and-Polkas-Paper-Pack.html
Element Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Element-Pack.html
Patterned Paper Pack: https://store.gingerscraps.net/Give-Thanks-Patterned-Paper-Pack.html

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https://store.gingerscraps.net/Night-Life-BGD.html

Remember, if you complete 10 challenges, just ten, you get a free kit as well!!

cr_thumb3

It’s time to get some time with your family.

Sneak Peeks November 1st 2018

Just when you thought there were no more new releases for the week due to the new Buffet, we have a few sneak peeks for you!

From Heather Z

From Lindsay Jane

From LDrag Designs

From Aimee Harrison

Have a great weekend!

Fresh Baked: November 01, 2018

I cannot believe that we’re already to November! The official start of the “Holiday Season” is upon us. While you’re stocking up on half-price Halloween Candy, you’re grabbing some of that Christmas candy too. We’re creatures of habit! But the best habit to have is to check out the store each month!

It is the First of the month, and that means the reveal of our new Buffet!!

Don’t forget to check out the Buffet Bundles, one easy click to add bundles of Buffet goodies to your cart, and an amazing value too!

[Read more…]

DD: Nov 01

We only have a few short weeks in 2018 left, but that doesn’t mean that the downloads have to stop!

Before I show you November’s, here is the gorgeous kit from October:

dd-oct
https://store.gingerscraps.net/Happy-Home-Page-Kit.html

And here’s November:


https://bit.ly/2D6QgQI

Remember, the download is kept up for 5 days, and then it is taken down. If you miss pieces, the kit will be available for purchase on the first day of the following month.