Buffet Challenge {March 2025} Host: Kristmess

Buffet Challenge {March 2025} Host: Kristmess

Another month gone and a new Buffet challenge awaits! Feel the fresh breeze of spring with the beautiful pastel shades in the March Buffet collection!

Taking part in this challenge is very simple—all you need to do is scrap a layout using something from the March Buffet collection. Super easy, as there are lots of great choices!

Post your layout in this year’s Buffet Challenge Gallery, and don’t forget to come back here and post it in this thread as well.

Here is the color palette for this month:

I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

REMEMBER

All About Me { March 2025} Host: Adrienne Skelton

All About Me { March 2025} Host: Adrienne Skelton

Hi! I’m Adrienne from Adrienne Skelton Designs, here with a fun challenge called “All About Me”. If you’re like me, there is one thing that is often missing from your scrapbook pages … YOU! This challenge will help you create layouts all about you. These albums are not only fun to look back at, but they will be priceless treasures for future generations. You can add these pages to your family albums, but I think it’s extra fun to have a special book just for these layouts and then create new ones every so often to see how you and your life have changed.

This challenge will take place over two years. I’m going to try to throw in a mix of pages, from childhood through adulthood. Keep in mind that photos are not necessary – but they are extra fun if you have them or can get some. What’s most important is the story – the story of YOU.

Of course, if there is any information on your page that you don’t want to post publicly, feel free to blur that out or cover it up in some way.

This month, for your “Book of Me” (or whatever you choose to call it), let’s celebrate you!

***My Career ***

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

REMEMBER

March 2025 Challenges Temporary Home!

Hi GingerScraps Family!

Thank you so much for your patience during our transition to a new and improved forum and gallery! I got a sneak peek today, and I just know you’re going to LOVE it!

The most common request I’ve received has been about the challenges. I initially considered posting them on Facebook, but since many of our community members don’t use Facebook, I’ve decided to post them here on the GS Blog instead!

This might make scrolling for Daily Downloads, Tutorials, or other blog content a little trickier, but don’t worry—you can use the “tagged with” feature at the bottom of posts to quickly find what you’re looking for. Whether you want to see all the Daily Download posts or just the March 2025 Challenges, the tags will help keep everything organized!

How It Works:

  • This post will serve as the Master List of all the March 2025 Challenges.
  • As each challenge is posted, I’ll update this post with a direct blog link to that challenge. I might not post ALL of the challenges but I will give you plenty to inspire you while we wait for the forum.
  • BOOKMARK THIS POST or save the link so you can easily check back for updates!

Once the forum and gallery are back up, you’ll be able to upload your pages and post your links in the March Cookie Jar thread as usual.

We’re also still chatting and sharing in the GingerScraps Facebook group, so come join the fun! 💛

Thank you all for being such an amazing community—I appreciate your support and patience more than you know!

Happy Scrapping!
💖 Ginger

2025 Challenge List: Most challenges are linked to their dedicated blog posts.

#2025 {2025} Host: Connie Prince

All About Me {2025} Host: Adrienne Skelton Designs

Bucket List {2025} Host: Scraps N Pieces

Buffet Challenge {2025} Host: Kristmess

Color Challenge {2025} Host: Aimee Harrison

Created With Rewards {2025} Host: GingerScraps

Daily Download Challenge {2025} Host: CarolW Designs

Designer Spotlight Challenge {2025} Host: Changes Monthly

Documenting Your Life {2025} Host: ADB Designs

Everyday Memories {2025} Host: Miss Fish

Font Challenge {2025} Host: Scrappin’ Serenity

In A Word {2025} Host: Buzzbee Scraps

Inspiration Challenge {2025} Host: CarolW Designs

Journaling Challenge {2025} Host: The Scrappy Kat

Jumpstart Your Layouts {2025} Host: Jumpstart Designs

Layout Bingo Challenge {2025} Host: Tami Miller

Memory Mix Up Challenge {2025} Host: Twin Mom Scraps

Mini Kit Challenge {2025} Host: Memory Mosaic

My Memories {2025} Host: Neia Scraps

Perfectly Paired {2025} Host: JB Studios

Photography Challenge {2025} Host: GingerScraps

Pinterest Challenge {2025} Host: Lisa Minor

Project 365-52 Challenge {2025} Host: Missi : This is a general “day in your life” challenge.

Quote Challenge {2025} Host: CathyK

Recipe Card Challenge {2025} Host: Let Me Scrapbook

Recipe Challenge {2025} Host: Angelle Designs

Scrap-Lift Challenge {2025} Host: Alexis Design Studio

Signature Challenge {2025} Host: HeatherZ Scraps

Surprise Challenge {2025} Host: Magical Scraps Galore

Template Challenge #1 {2025} Host: Robyn Scrapbookcrazy

Template Challenge #2 {2025} Host: Tinci Designs

Template Challenge #3 {2025} Host: J. Conlon and Sons

That’s Entertainment {2025} Host: Boomersgirl Designs

Tips & Tricks Challenge {2025} Host: Karen Schulz

Use it All {2025} Host: ScrapChat Designs

Wild About Styles {2025} Host: Wetfish Designs

Word-Art Challenge {2025} Host: Cindy Ritter

2025 *Challenge Reward System Info*

2025 Monthly Challenge REWARDS:

  • Complete any 10 challenges for the month, and receive a $7.00 Coupon towards any Challenge Reward Collab.
  • We will feature a new Challenge Reward collab each month and you can earn that here first (before it is released in the shop) OR you can use your coupon towards any of the previous Challenge Reward Collab in the shop!
  • Simply visit the Challenge Reward Collabs section of the shop, pick one collab you want and use your reward coupon to collect your reward.

2025 Monthly Challenge Rules:

  • Challenges run from the 1st day of the month to the last day of the month.
  • All challenge layouts must consist of at least 80% GS products from current GS designers.
  • Templates count at 20% of your total.
  • If a designer departs from the shop in the middle of the month, participants are allowed to use their products for challenges that month. However, it is essential to choose products from a current GS designer in the following month.
  • Daily Download and Welcome Wagon products are permitted (refer to individual challenge rules for specific guidelines on usage, such as the Designer Spotlight Challenge).
  • Speed Scraps and Chats DO NOT contribute to your challenge rewards. Nevertheless, your host will typically offer enjoyable goodies for all attendees of their Speed Scrap or Chat events.
  • Each challenge must feature a unique layout. In other words, you cannot use the same layout for more than one challenge.
  • Participants are responsible for tracking their completed challenges. Locate the monthly tracking thread in the “Cookie Jar” and adhere to the provided guidelines.
  • Be sure to read the instructions from each host, as you may also receive some participation prizes along the way.
  • Rewards will be distributed after the 5th of the month. Layouts posted after the last day of the challenge month will not be considered for any rewards.

2025 ACCUMULATION Rules:

  • You CAN accumulate points for the challenge collab.
  • You will receive the Reward for the month in which you COMPLETE your 10 challenges.
  • Challenge points OVER 10 WILL NOT be carried over to the next month.

For Example:

  • You do 5 in March, 2 in April and 6 in May – you would get the May collab.
  • You do 7 in March and 4 in April – you get the April collab
  • You do 10 each month you get EACH Collab!! (BEST DEAL!!)

GingerScraps: New FREE with Purchase Collab, New Monthly Mix, New Buffet & More!!

It is the 1st of the month and you know what that means; a huge, exciting newsletter! Before we jump into all the new items in the store, we have a bit of news about our GingerScraps forum and gallery.

There are some exciting changes coming to GingerScraps. While our forum and gallery are temporarily offline as we transition to a brand-new platform, the shop remains open with new products every week and all our usual sales and specials. Plus, the blog is open with new content posted daily to keep you inspired! We can’t wait to unveil the new forum—it’s going to be an amazing upgrade!

I’ll keep you updated in our newsletters and on the GingerScraps Facebook page. In the meantime, join our private GingerScraps Facebook group to chat with your GS friends, share your layouts, and get tons of inspiration. Stay tuned—great things are ahead! .

 We will be postponing the Spring Scrap-A-Thon until the new forum is up and running. I do not have an ETA yet, we might just wait till April 1st, that seems like the best idea at this point.

As always, I’m here and happy to help! If you have trouble with anything or questions reach out to me via the support ticket system.

Don’t forget to check out the Buffet Bundles. One easy click to add bundles of Buffet goodies to your cart.

These colors are all about Spring and I love it.

Remember any $10 spent in the store gets you this great collab.

Welcome the beauty of a new season with “March Into Spring” by The GingerBread Ladies! This charming collection is perfect for celebrating Easter, fresh blooms, and all the magic of springtime.

With a soft palette of pastels and earth tones, this kit is filled with bunnies, butterflies, birds, and plenty of flowers and greenery. Whether you’re documenting nature’s renewal, holiday traditions, or simple spring days, “March Into Spring” is the perfect way to bring the warmth and joy of spring to your pages.

This collab includes: 9 Alpha {Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers & Punctuation}, 51 Papers, 81 Elements, and 4 12×12 Template {page, png, psd, tif file formats}.

This Free With Purchase was created by ADB Designs, Alexis Design Studio, Karen Schulz, Tami Miller Designs, and Tinci Designs.

Celebrate the beauty of rainy days and the promise of sunshine with “Raindrops & Rainbows” by The GingerBread Ladies! Inspired by gentle spring showers and the magic that follows, this collection is perfect for capturing cozy moments and bright new beginnings.

Featuring raindrops, colorful umbrellas, rubber boots, and rainbows stretching across the sky, this kit brings the charm of March weather to your pages. Whether you’re documenting drizzly afternoons or the joy of a rainbow after the rain, “Raindrops & Rainbows” will add a touch of springtime magic to your creations.

This kit includes: 1 Alpha {Uppercase, Numbers & Punctuation}, 52 Papers, 98 Elements, and 4 12×12 Template {page, png, psd, tif file formats}.

This Monthly Mix was created by Adrienne Skelton, Lindsay Jane, Magical Scraps Galore, and Scraps N Pieces.

March’s Daily Downloads are provided by Designs by Connie Prince and Scrapbookcrazy Creations by Robyn. Each zipped file will contain two folders, one for each designer.

We are excited to announce we have a new Guest Designer starting in March.

The Brit Chick

BIO:
My name is Tamsin and I live in Iowa, I am a Brit for real, I’ve lived in Iowa for 18 years with my American husband who drives truck over the road, we have 6 grown children between us and 12 grandchildren. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats. I’ve been digital scrapping and tagging and designing since 2007 and took a long break and now I’m back, there’s been a lot of changes but I remember how much creativity photoshop inspires in me. I’m a big crafter and love to try new things. I also love to travel, we are going to New Zealand this year as I’m a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan and this is my 60th birthday gift to myself. My creative style is ..umm ..eclectic I guess, my ideas are sometimes a little out there, oh and I adore steampunk!

Make sure to watch all the GingerScraps social media outlets for updates on the forum and gallery.

DD: MAR 1

It’s a new month and time for a new Daily Download. Before we get to the new sneak peek, let’s look at the full kits from February.

Good Night Little One by JB Studio Designs by Dani

Not Today by Cindy Ritter Digital Designs

Now to the March Sneak Peeks. Most months will have two daily download kits for you. Each zipped file will contain two folders, one for each designer. This month’s kits are from Designs by Connie Prince and Scrapbookcrazy Creations by Robyn.

https://bit.ly/4ijvz3u

Follow Connie on her Facebook Fan Page and her Facebook Group.

Follow Robyn on her Facebook Fan Page.

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.

Fresh Baked Friday @ GingerScraps: February 28, 2025

Hey everyone, I hope today find you well!

There are some exciting changes are coming to GingerScraps. While our forum and gallery are temporarily offline as we transition to a brand-new platform, the shop remains open with new products every week and all our usual sales and specials. Plus, the blog is open with new content posted daily to keep you inspired! We can’t wait to unveil the new forum—it’s going to be an amazing upgrade!

I’ll keep you updated in our newsletters and on the GingerScraps Facebook page. In the meantime, join our private GingerScraps Facebook group to chat with your GS friends, share your layouts, and get tons of inspiration. Stay tuned—great things are ahead! .

 We will be postponing the Spring Scrap-A-Thon until the new forum is up and running. I do not have an ETA yet, we might just wait till April 1st, that seems like the best idea at this point.

As always, I’m here and happy to help! If you have trouble with anything or questions reach out to me via the support ticket system.

Are you all ready to see all the beautiful products our designers have for you this week!?

Today is the last day to get this collab for free when you spend $10 in the store.

Today is also the last day to grab the February Monthly Mix at this price.

Let’s see what is new for this week.

Don’t forget to get your challenges uploaded. Complete any 10 challenges and you will get this collab as a reward.

(Or a variety of other choices, visit the forum for all the details).

Tutorial Tuesday (Photoshop Elements)

Quick Trick: Dupe a Graphic Novel Look

On Sunday I was with my son while he watched an adventure/comedy movie on Netflix. When the movie ended and the credits started rolling, I noticed the producers had turned some stills into graphic novel images, and the idea for this tutorial was born. Turning a photo into a graphic novel cartoon is really easy! This is the photo I chose to play with.

First thing I did was make two Copies of the photo. You can right-click on the photo layer then choose Duplicate Layer>OK twice of you can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL/CMD>J twice. Your call. [I make these Copies so each manipulation is on a separate layer and can be further tweaked to obtain my desired results.] Then I turned the visibility for the top two layers off so I could concentrate on the bottom, original layer. “Close the eye”. You don’t HAVE to do that if you choose not to.

With the BOTTOM LAYER active, click on Filter>Sketch>Comic…

This is the Filter interface, and the default settings. Comic  >> Soften = 4  >> Shades = 5.14  >> Steepness = 1.4 >>  Vibrance = 0.5 and Thickness = 1.4. You can move the sliders around to see what each does and choose the look you like best. I kept the defaults.

Next, activate the MIDDLE LAYER and again click Filter>Sketch>Graphic Novel…

The defaults for this one are as shown: Painted Gray  >> Darkness = 4.64  >> Clean Look = 4.4  >> Contrast = 0.52 and Thickness = 1.43.

I did some adjusting here. Painted Gray  >> Darkness = 3.87  >> Clean Look = 4.4  >> Contrast = 0.82  >> Thickness = 1.21 and Smoothness (1/2).

Then I changed the Blend Mode to Overlay. Click on the bar at the top left of the Layers Panel and choose Overlay from the dropdown menu.

There’s one more Filter to add.

I moved to the TOP LAYER, and made sure my Color Picker was set to Black in the Foreground, White in the Background. [This is important so don’t forget to check! I learned it the hard way.] Then I clicked Filter>Sketch>Halftone Pattern…

The result isn’t super-visible here but if you could zoom, you’d see it easily. The defaults are Size = 4  >> Contrast = 50  >> Pattern Type = Dots.

Ah, there it is! I adjusted the Size to 6 and the Contrast to 40.

Again, I changed the Blend Mode to Overlay. Then I turned the other layers back on.

If I want to, I can adjust the Opacity of each layer, change the order of the layers and make other adjustments as I wish. I think I might go a bit farther with the original Comic layer, and maybe with the Graphic Novel layer too, and make it even more cartoon-y. I can do that by adding another Filter to each layer. But for a 5 minute exercise, it looks pretty good!

See you all in March!!

Fresh Baked Friday @ GingerScraps: February 21, 2025

Hi scrappers! Have you visited the Welcome Wagon area in the forum to get your new exclusive goodies from our designers?

Love Blooms in the Welcome Wagon is officially HERE! Our members-only forum area is overflowing with love, and our amazing designers have created the cutest freebies just for you!

Here’s how to join the fun:

1. Register or log in to your GingerScraps Forum account.

2. Head over to the Welcome Wagon area.

3. Visit each participating designer’s thread to find a sweet message and a FREE, exclusive product!

Don’t forget to check out the Fresh Baked new releases while you’re grabbing your freebies.

Join the Fun & Grab Your Freebies Now!

With love,
The GingerScraps Team

Spend $10 in the store and you’ll get this great collab for free.

Take a look at the new challenge reward kit. If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab as a reward! (Or a variety of other choices, visit the forum for all the details).

Tutorial Tuesday (Individual Style)

Challenge Spotlight: Wild About Styles

It’s already the third Tuesday in February – which is almost over! – and time for YOUR chance to shine! Today we’re looking at one of our new Challenges, Wild About Styles, which is hosted by Wetfish Designs. It’s an intriguing Challenge where Wetfish provides a free-for-the-month set of Styles for use in the Challenge; this month the set contains 12 different maps. Yes… Maps. And the goal is to use more than one for your layout. She’s even provided us with a sample layout!

Let’s see how our GingerScrappers used the Styles for their layouts… Remember, each layout is linked to the Gallery so you can take a closer look and perhaps leave a comment. Just click on the Scrapper‘s user name (it’s bold, underlined and in living colour) to jump right to the layout. They’re posted in the order they were uploaded to the Challenge Gallery; there may be others in the Forum thread that aren’t in the Challenge Gallery, as I discovered last month.

Our first participant is nimble4u. She’s used at least 6 – no, make that 7 – of the Styles, applying them to each of the papers from the Tinci Designs template she chose. How’s that for following the rules? 😉 I don’t read Dutch, but she’s obviously travelling.

Alasandra has used so many I can’t keep track. She has applied them to her frames and some of her embellishments; that really customizes her layout. She, too, used a Tinci template (I have hundreds of them, so I recognize them right away) and the theme of her layout is travel, but in a more generic sense.

I’m sensing a pattern… lm44west also applied the Styles to the papers here. Her paper layers don’t have distinct shadows so it’s a bit difficult to separate them. I *think* she’s applied a different Style to each of the characters in her title.

Pixel Palette‘s used a subtle hand for her layout; by blending a large map with a floral paper she’s created movement in a layout about the single most impactful moment in travel history. She also applied Styles to her title and behind her smaller photo.

I could totally see this layout by greenfiend27 on a classroom wall somewhere. It’s literally an “animals of Australia” poster, complete with a map-Styled frame.

KatL has used two map Styles for sure. Her aerial photos are well-showcased with map mats.

With another variation on a theme, pbhill has used several Styles applied to her paper mats… and that great banner! The Styles she chose draw from the colours in her photo.

Katherine Woodin is most of us right now, am I right? So much of the continent is snowed in and freezing. She applied a Style to her background and title, and when I zoomed in I think she’s even blended map Styles into her photos. Very interesting effect.

Anybody who knows msbrad (Michi) knows she LOVES to travel and takes hordes of photos. She was a teacher in another life, so she also follows rules. 😉 Lots of different maps are visible here, even if you don’t zoom in! I love how she’s got a bike with tulips sticker to echo her bike with tulips photo. Made me smile.

Jill went simple, applying a Style to her background then blending a photo into it. She Styled her title, and perhaps the word strip in her cluster. The hiking/camping elements she’s clustered look so real!

At first I thought trinanne had only used a single map Style here – which is PERFECTLY oriented to her subject, but then I took a closer look and she’s applied a semi-transparent map Style to the frames around her photos. That bread bowl… now I’m hungry!

I’ve downloaded the Styles, and now I’m inspired to create a layout. Are you?

Love Blooms FREEBIES + Fresh Baked Friday at GingerScraps!

Happy Valentine’s Day! We love and appreciate each and every one of you, and today, we’re celebrating with something extra special!

Love Blooms in the Welcome Wagon is officially HERE! Our members-only forum area is overflowing with love, and our amazing designers have created the cutest freebies just for you!

Here’s how to join the fun:

1. Register or log in to your GingerScraps Forum account.

2. Head over to the Welcome Wagon area.

3. Visit each participating designer’s thread to find a sweet message and a FREE, exclusive product!

But that’s not all… It’s Friday, which means Fresh Baked new releases are in the shop today too! Don’t forget to check them out while you’re grabbing your freebies.

We hope your day is filled with love, happiness, and lots of scrappy fun! Celebrate Valentine’s Day the GingerScraps way—with creativity, community, and plenty of love. Let’s make this a Valentine’s to remember!

Join the Fun & Grab Your Freebies Now!

With love,
The GingerScraps Team

This month’s Free with Purchase kit is perfect for all your Valentine’s Day memories. Spend $10 in the store and you’ll get this great collab for free.

Let’s see what we have new this week.

Take a look at the new challenge reward kit. If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab as a reward! (Or a variety of other choices, visit the forum for all the details).