Fresh Baked Friday @ GingerScraps – April 11

Hello GingerScraps Friends!

Happy Friday! It’s time for another batch of Fresh Baked goodies straight from the GingerScraps kitchen! Our talented designers have been busy whipping up some amazing new digital scrapbooking products just for you—and they’re ready to add a splash of creativity to your memory keeping.

Check out what’s fresh and fabulous this week, available now in the GingerScraps store!

Remember if you spend $10 in the store you’ll get this great collab.

Let’s see what we have new in the store this week.

Have you started on your challenges? If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab (or a variety of other choices from previous challenge collabs) as a reward!

Tutorial Tuesday (Potpourri)

Greatest Hits: What’s Your Digital Style?

Can we talk about style for a minute? I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately, as I think my personal style is evolving somewhat. This tutorial originally appeared in October 2019 (as you’ll see as we move through it) and I’ll bet many of you are also seeing a gradual shift in your individual style. Perhaps it’s a function of expanding skills, or maybe an expanding stash ( 😉 ) or even something as simple as maturing. There’s no right or wrong in creating art, so don’t feel like you need to find a niche to be shoe-horned into, do what makes you happy. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, step outside your box and try something new!

We all have a certain style, a concept of ourselves and our environment; that style is reflected in the way we dress, the way we decorate our homes, the way we interact with others… and how we scrap our memories. If you spend any time wandering through the Gallery you’ll know exactly what I mean. There are scrappers whose style is instantly recognizable – you don’t even need to look for the scrapper’s name. But have you ever thought about the basic underpinnings of style? Let’s discuss!

First let’s look at the very popular Pocket Scrapper style. This layout from the GingerScraps Gallery is by ngocNTTD. Pocket scrapping is organized and photo-oriented. It’s one of the most basic of paper-to-digital styles out there, having emerged from Project Life and the various other daily, weekly and monthly project formats. Pages in this style document day-to-day and special events in a clean, grid-based arrangement. Any embellishment will be limited so as not to obscure the all-important photos. As you can see, ngoc has included 10 photos in her layout.

 

Heritage scrapping is a very popular style, especially for those of us interested in genealogy. Who doesn’t love vintage photos of our ancestors? There’s something very powerful in documenting our past in this way, as craftytam has done in her layout below. These layouts focus on history through the use of muted colours, with a slightly distressed look. Information relating to the life of the subject is a must for these pages, which may be as simple as vital statistics or as detailed as a complete life story. Journaling in hand-written fonts is characteristic.

 

A combination of these two is the Storyteller styleKatherineWoodin‘s layouts are such perfect examples of this style. Each page tells of a specific event; photos aren’t a requirement but if they’re used, they’re integral to the story being told. There’s a heavy emphasis on journaling, as you can see below. The use of embellishments is dictated by the feeling the scrapper wants to convey.

 

Classic scrappers rely on clean lines, limited embellishment, precise placement and precise use of words. Layouts are conservative, in several senses – paper scrappers might default to this style because it doesn’t use a lot of “stuff”. In this layout by gethane, the classic style is obvious.

 

And that leads us to the Modern style. Glori2 has solidly incorporated this style as her own. Modern layouts are the ultimate in clean and simple, which refers to minimalism and not the use of texture and grunge. Embellishments are few, and very carefully chosen. White space is vital to this style, giving the eye many options to rest.

 

I suppose the opposite of Modern is the Shabby Chic layout. This layout by kabrak1207 is a stellar example of Shabby Chic… muted pastels, vintage elements and ephemera, brushes and worn paper come together to create a visually appealing whole.

 

The Artist scrapper focuses on the overall image, using paints, brushes, blending and a multi-media approach. Kythe uses a deft hand here, blending not only the photo but also the leaves into her background. Those little ghosts look ethereal and are grounded by the vignette in the foreground. Artist-style layouts don’t rely on journaling to tell a story, and may not include a title either.

 

The last style is an art-form all on its own. Art Journaling conveys emotion through imagery. There really are no rules in Art Journaling, other than to use it as a way to express things we might not be comfortable expressing in any other form. Rather than putting a feeling into words, the use of word art, word strips, doodles, brushes, paint and textiles are used to tell the story. Intensely personal, this might be the most difficult of all styles to integrate into one’s repertoire, but cinderella has no problem!

I’m still working the kinks out with the new laptop, finding out which files I haven’t transferred when I go to use them and I’m having some trouble getting comfortable with it… and Windows 11. It can only get better, right? But at least my finger works again!

Designer Spotlight: April 2025/2

Jumpstart Designs

Okay, so I’m going to warn you right from the jump… Sheri and I have known each other a LONG time, so this post is going to be … chatty. Maybe grab a beverage and a snack!

O: Sheri, remind me again, how long have you been designing?

J: Almost fourteen years!

O: I think I started collecting your designs very near the beginning. I have some kits and templates that go back to 2012! What motivates and inspires you when you sit down to create?

J: Color (sic), and spending time on Pinterest and similar sites. I always have a bunch of ideas of what I’d like to design and do differently but finding the extra time to play around with new ideas doesn’t seem to happen very often.

O: Pinterest can be such a rabbit hole! I have to limit my browsing time, otherwise nothing gets done. Time for the favourite child question. Do you have a current favourite kit in your store? <hyperlinked to Sheri‘s store!>

J: EARLY AUTUMN WHISPERS. Fall is my favorite time of year and I wish it could stay autumn all year long! I try to enjoy every minute of this season before the cold and snow sets in.

O: I LOVE that one!! I have the whole collection. I really like the way you use colour, and how your illustrations always fit the theme so perfectly. I also love fall, once I’ve got my garden put to bed and the days are still warm. It’s like life just slows down a bit. Since I’ve just given you a compliment, what’s the nicest thing someone has ever said about you?

J: That I must be a good mother because my children are awesome! Some days I question my parenting, but I’ll take that compliment any day!

O: Same, sister, same! What one word would your family and friends use to describe you?

J: Probably smart ass. LOL. Oops, that’s two words!

O: Well, I think it’s one word. Smartass, dumbass… right? I’d be called the same. Have been called the same. And other less savoury terms. Warning label?

J: WARNING: Subject prone to sarcasm!

O: This must be why we’re friends! Super power?

J: Being able to make time stand still.

O: Ooh, that’s a good one! But it could be dangerous in the wrong hands. You’d have to be careful when choosing when to stop the clock. Would it just be YOUR time that stops, or everybody’s? Yep, overthinking it again… Have you ever thought about time travel?

J: I’d go BACK IN TIME for sure! I’m not too thrilled with society these days. I think we’ve lost our collective minds and I fear for how things will be for my children and grandchildren. I miss the good old days when most people valued self-reliance, integrity, and knew how to be respectful of others.

O: Well said! Pair time travel with being able to stop time and we could have a much better world. With the way things are right now, it’s sure not Shangri La. Seems like the people with big money are running the world and that’s a bad thing… What would you do if you had lots of cash, like a lottery win?

J: Probably buy just enough property in the mountains to build a few little homes so my kids and grandkids could all live with me forever. If I had my way, they’d be with me no matter how old they get! Oh yeah…. And I guess saving for retirement might also be good idea so I don’t have earn a living until my last dying breath.

O: Mom and Nana Jan loves the idea of a family compound where all the people I love would be in one place. Labour organizer Jan would totally approve of your second goal. It’s something I tried really hard to get through to the young nurses I worked with who complained about having to contribute to the pension plans we had, and who didn’t want to put away a little money now in a retirement savings plan that our employer would match, to have a nest egg for later. If they could see my retirement investments now, after I’ve already been retired nearly 6 years, they’d maybe understand. It’s always a good plan to save for the day when you don’t have employment income. Now, let me slink down off my soapbox. Time for a fun topic: sing or dance in the shower?

J: Neither! I’d probably trip and fall over the edge of the tub, and God help anyone who’d have to hear my voice! That’s one talent I did NOT inherit from my parents. They were both musical and had a country-western band for many years. They were even good enough to play for President Ronald Reagan when he came through town back in the day, but it’s better for everyone if I don’t attempt singing myself! LOL

O: I do both! I have a waterproof Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom, Sirius XM on my phone and a gigantic shower stall. I mostly go with 60s and 70s hits and belt ’em out at the top of my lungs. Don’t care if the neighbours hear me either! When The Drifters start into On the Boardwalk, I can’t stay still. I love country music too; maybe I’ve heard something your parents have done. Since you’re from a musical family, can I assume you play an instrument?

J: I played the piano for many years but haven’t touched one in a long time. I also bang on our bongo drums now and then and have always thought it would be fun to be a drummer.

O: My husband fancies himself a drummer, and even has drumsticks. But no drums… he just bangs on tables, books, couch cushions and sometimes (gently, with just his hands) on our son’s belly. What’s your dream car?

J: I’m and SUV sort of gal but ultimately I’d just like one that’s paid for, haha.

O: We downsized to one vehicle this time last year. We need an SUV or station wagon (I don’t think they make them any more) because of our son’s wheelchair so I put a lot of research into what we chose. We traded in my nine-year-old Escape and hubby’s six-year-old Fusion for a 2024 Kia Seltos and it’s great! We didn’t have to come up with a ton of cash either; the trades were quite generous. Even with the chair in the cargo area, I can haul a LOT of groceries! If you could only eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would you go for?

J: Homemade tacos! Actually, anything Mexican with lots of cheese!

O: Mmmm, tacos!! I love a good fish taco myself. I’m not sure what I’d choose if I had to though. Gotta watch that good old Hemoglobin A1C… getting old really isn’t ideal. Other than necessities, what’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?

J: Hugs from my grandkids!

O: Yep, that’s it right there! Speaking of, I think I hear them now. Go get you some hugs, Grandma! Thanks for the chat!!

Now, before I forget, Jumpstart Designs is providing one of the Daily Download kits here on the Blog. She’s also one of the hosts of the Designer Spotlight Challenge in addition to her regular monthly Jumpstart Your Layouts Challenge – where you get a free minikit every month Are you playing along with that one? You should!! Don’t miss out on the COUPON either!!

 

 

 

Fresh Baked Friday @ GingerScraps – April 4

Happy Friday friends. I hope you have been finding inspiration for all those Spring photos.

Remember if you spend $10 in the store you’ll get this great collab.

Let’s see what we have new in the store this week.

Have you started on your challenges? If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab (or a variety of other choices from previous challenge collabs) as a reward!

GingerScraps: April Buffet

Welcome to the April Buffet. Did you have fun with the No Joke sale? This months buffet will run from April 3-7.

Remember if you spend $10 in the store you’ll get this great collab.

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

Let’s see what is in the buffet this month. Remember that you can combine any of the buffet kits to make your own collection.

Have you started on your challenges? If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab (or a variety of other choices from previous challenge collabs) as a reward!

Designer Spotlight: April 2025/1

Adrienne Skelton

One of the changes made for 2025 here at GingerScraps was to have TWO Designers in the Spotlight each month – as long as two Designers signed up. 😉 This is the first month where we have two who agreed to let me tell you their secrets. 😀 Since Adrienne got to me first, she’s got the Spotlight first.

J: Thanks so much for chatting with me, Adrienne! You’re a relative newcomer to GingerScraps and we really want to know you better. How long have you been designing?

A: I started to design back in the early 2000’s . In 2010 I had to take a health break due to illness. I have been back since 2021 and loving every minute of being back!

J: Ooh, that’s a long time. I hope your health has improved and stays that way! So, way back when what led you to begin designing?

A: I used to do paper scrapbooking, but at the time I had young kids and being able to afford buying scrapbook kits was expensive, so I decided to put my art skills to use and design something digital using Paint Shop Pro and from that point on I was hooked!

J: Somehow I knew you started as a paper scrapper. I think most of us did. I also think most of us would agree that only having to buy papers or set of embellishments once and being able to reuse them a million times, with zero spilled glue, is a huge advantage. You mentioned Paint Shop Pro… are you still using it to design?

A: No, now I use Photoshop and Procreate on my iPad, sometimes I will hand craft items and scan and use them.

J: I’ve seen some of your doodles and I love them! Do you have a favourite kid — I mean KIT in your shop?

A: 😀 That is a very hard question! If I had to pick one it would be She’s a Wildflower. I just love how this kit came together. I designed all my drawings and doodles using Procreate ( I love to draw even if its digitally) and put it all together with Photoshop. I think because this kit reminds me of nature so much! Being out among the wildflowers.

J: Those are the doodles I was just talking about! I think I’d print them on watercolour paper and use them for greeting cards. I like the colour palette you chose; it really fits the theme. Dear readers, if you’d like to get a look at the collection just click on the name above – it’s hyperlinked! Do you have any other talents you’d care to tell us about?

A: I am self taught pianist although I am not very good, I still enjoy plunking on the keys every now and then.

J: I took piano lessons back in the Stone Age but we didn’t have a piano for me to practice on. Being the Type A, ADHD-adjacent person I am, that just couldn’t continue! So I let it go. How would those close to you describe your personality?

A: LOYAL , very faithful and sincere, to a fault. I can sense others emotions and am very supportive.

J: You’re an empath! That can be really hard to live with, the psychic cacophony that can’t be turned off. What sort of distraction works for you, other than designing? Do you have an special vacation spot that lets you relax?

A: My perfect vacation would be laying on the beach somewhere listening to the ocean waves, feeling the cool breeze on my face, Or that could also be somewhere / anywhere in nature where I can be at peace with my thoughts.

J: Got it. I’m not really a beach person, but I do like to be alone somewhere I find mentally restful when I’m stressed. My garden fills that pretty well. What would you do with your prize if you won the lottery?

A: First I would make sure my family was taken care of. Secondly I would buy a house where I had a lot of land, a lake and plenty of nature.

J: So, pretty much what we did… although we didn’t win the lottery, hubby received an inheritance. We don’t HAVE a lot of land, we actually don’t own the lot our house is built on, we lease it. But we have a view lot with a pond AND a lake! Lots of wildlife too, although I’m not a fan of our dog’s bestie – a coyote. She doesn’t seem to know that big puppy isn’t a puppy at all! Good thing it can’t jump our fence. The angle is just too steep. If you had a warning label, what would it say?

A: Be careful and stay away when she is angry!

J: My daughters would slap that label on me for sure. It takes a lot to get me to blow, so when I do, it’s epic! And I rarely give any sign I’m heading for a flashover; it’s my super power. Would you like to have one?

A: I’d love to be able to see the future!

J: I think that would be awful! Imagine if we KNEW about what’s happening in the world right now this time last year, but were unable to stop it. That would be so bad. Anyway, I hope what’s in your future is a greatly successful Spotlight month. Dear readers, Adrienne is providing one of the Daily Download kits this month here on the Blog, as well as co-hosting the Designer Spotlight Challenge in the Forum. That’s on top of her regular monthly All About Me Challenge too! She has a coupon for us!

I’ll be back soon with our second Designer Spotlight, Jumpstart Designs.

 

 

 

Tutorial Tuesday (Photoshop Elements)

Guided Edit: Pattern Brush

Today’s tutorial can be built upon in so many ways, and I’ll mention some of them at the end. For now, I’m going to show you a super-quick and easy way to make custom confetti for your layouts. I’ll be using two papers from Jumpstart DesignsSweet Sweet Perfection in my example.

To use the Guided Edit, you need something on your canvas; it can be a paper or a photo. Then click Guided at the top of your screen, and choose Fun Edits. You’ll be looking for the Pattern Brush, which should be where the red box is below.

There are a total of fifteen Pattern Brushes to choose from; they all have potential for some fun looks. For right now, we’ll use the one that resembles bokeh, the first option of the second row of Brushes.

I clicked on Paint and just randomly moved the sliders around. You might want to play with the Size and Scatter settings.; remember you can always Undo [CTRL/CMD>Z] if it isn’t making you happy, change the settings and try again. For confetti or other element scatters, leave the Opacity set at 100%.

Then I proceeded as I would for any Brush, moving my hand in a random pattern across the paper.

Just to show you the other option at this stage, I backed out to just the paper, and instead clicked on Fill, then clicked just once on the paper. This is what I got.

Trust Adobe to know some of us would be bothered by the ones hanging off the paper, and giving us a tool to make it better! The Pattern Eraser Tool can be employed to clean up your results however you choose.

As I said above, this Edit can be used on photos to quickly add bokeh. If you find too much of the photo is obscured you can add some Blur to it. For confetti we don’t need the Blur, so when you’re happy with what you see, click Next.

You’ll be whisked to this screen where you have the option to Save your work or to Continue Editing. Click on In Expert then click on Done.

If you look at the Layers Panel, you’ll see that Elements has added two mask layers to the paper. The layer closest to the original paper layer isn’t actually visible, even if the Visibility is turned on, so go ahead and delete it if it’s in your way. I dropped a patterned paper from the same kit on top of all the layers.

I think most of you know how to Clip papers to the layers below them, but I never assume… So if you’re new, right-click on the top paper layer then choose Create Clipping Mask. Or you can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL/CMD>ALT/OPT>G. **IF you’re using Elements 14 or more recent! If you’re using an older version your keyboard shortcut is CTRL/CMD>G.

To Merge the patterned paper with the confetti scatter, click on the paper layer then hold down the SHIFT key and click on the masked layer. Both layers will be active. Then right-click and choose Merge Layers from the drop-down menu. Or you can instead use the keyboard shortcut CTRL/CMD>E. Once the layers are Merged, you can Resize by grabbing one of the “handles” at the corner on the Bounding Box and moving it in or out.

Pop a little Drop Shadow on the confetti layer to add realism.

Simple!

Can you see using the Guided Edit>Fun Edits>Pattern Brushes for other scatters? You could use a glitter-gel Style on the hearts for bead-like hearts, a glass Style on the little starburst ones to create a gemlike look. What about a wire or metallic Style on the stars? I can see myself experimenting with this one a lot!

My sprained finger is still splinted, but it’s close to healed; the swelling is pretty much gone from the injured tendon. Still some stiffness and discomfort with flexing it, but a bit less every day. I never realised how much I use that finger when I’m typing!

 

GingerScraps: NO JOKE Sale & More!!

We love a good April Fools’ joke, but this deal is 100% real!
For April 1 & 2 only, enjoy a jaw-dropping NO JOKE 60% off sitewide at GingerScraps! (Some restrictions apply).
Don’t miss out—this sale vanishes at 11:59 PM Eastern on April 2!
Reminder: The April Buffet arrives on April 3, and it will be 50% off from April 3-7. There will be no $2 Tuesday & Wednesday sale this week because these deals are already too smoking hot to pass up!
No prank—just pure savings! Snag your favorites before they’re gone!
And don’t forget—grab the New April Free With Purchase collab when you spend over $10. Plus, get started on those April Challenges in the forum, and collect the April Feature Designers Daily Downloads—FREE each day on the blog!
Now hurry and head to the shop—these deals won’t last!

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

Life’s Laughable Moments by The GingerBread Ladies is a digital scrapbooking kit bursting with fun, silliness, and pure joy! Celebrate the moments that make you smile with a vibrant palette of red, orange, yellow, blue, and teal, perfect for capturing life’s funniest and most lighthearted memories. Packed with playful elements, cheerful patterns, and whimsical touches, this kit is all about embracing laughter and finding joy in the little things. Whether you’re scrapping goofy selfies, inside jokes, or fun family moments, Life’s Laughable Moments will bring energy and happiness to your pages!

This Free With Purchase was created by Buzzbee Scraps, Craft-tastrophic, Cutie Pie Scraps, Dear Friends Designs, and Designs by Lisa Minor.

This collab includes: 76 Papers, 125 Elements, and 4 12×12 Template {png, psd, tif file formats}.

Simple Blessings by The GingerBread Ladies is a digital scrapbooking kit that radiates happiness and warmth. Designed with vibrant springtime hues of purple, teal, orange, and green, this collection is filled with beautiful florals, graceful butterflies, and heartfelt accents that celebrate life’s simple joys. Whether you’re scrapping memories of a peaceful morning, a cherished moment, or a day filled with love and laughter, this kit will add a touch of serenity and positivity to your creations.

This Monthly Mix was created by CarolW Designs, Ilonkas Designs, Let Me Scrapbook, and Moore Blessings Digital Design.

This kit includes: 1 Alpha {Uppercase, Numbers & Punctuation}, and 55 Papers, 88 Elements.

March’s Daily Downloads are provided by Adriene Skelton Designs and Jumpstart Designs. Each zipped file will contain two folders, one for each designer.

Take a look at the new challenge reward kit. If you complete any 10 challenges this month, you get this gorgeous collab (or a variety of other choices from previous challenge collabs) as a reward!

Earth Song by The GingerBread Ladies is a beautiful and serene digital scrapbooking kit that celebrates Mother Earth and the importance of conservation. With soft pastel hues and a tranquil, nature-inspired design, this kit is perfect for capturing the beauty of the outdoors, the wonders of spring, and your love for the planet. Filled with earthy elements, delicate florals, and heartfelt touches, Earth Song is a gentle reminder to cherish and protect our world. Whether you’re documenting nature walks, gardening, or moments of mindfulness in the great outdoors, this kit will bring a sense of peace and harmony to your scrapbook pages.

This Challenge Reward was created by Aimee Harrison, Cindy Ritter Designs, LDragDesigns, and Scrapbookcrazy Creations by Robyn.

This kit includes: 2 Alphas {Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers & Punctuation}, 52 Papers, and 81 Elements.

Take a look at this sampling of layouts from the store CT using the April Challenge Reward kit.

Fresh Baked Friday @ GingerScraps: March 28, 2025

Welcome to another Friday. It’s hard to believe we are almost in April.

You only have a few more days to get this great collab for free when you spend $10 in the store.

Time to see what is new this week in the store.

You only have a few more days to grab the Montly Mix at this great price.

You also have a few more days to get your challenges done and uploaded. Complete any 10 challenges and you will get this collab (or a variety of other choices from previous challenge collabs) as a reward.

Tutorial Tuesday (Individual Style)

Challenge Spotlight: Everyday Memories

I seem to have an injured tendon in that finger I sprained, so it’s back in the splint for the foreseeable future. If you spot a typo (or ten), please just ignore them. 🙂 But enough of that! This month I’d like to showcase the Everyday Memories Challenge, sponsored by Miss Fish. Here is her prompt: “Manifesting your dreams in 2025 “You are a masterpiece of your own life, make sure to paint yourself in the colors you love.” (Unknown) This month your challenge is to create a vision board, sometimes known as a dream, motivation, inspiration, manifestation, or goal board.”

The layouts that follow are the ones that have been posted to the Challenge Gallery. There are others that have been posted to the thread that I haven’t included. The images are in the order they were posted, and they’re linked to the Gallery via the Scrapper‘s user name. Just click on it for a closer look.

First up is this vision board by FormbyGirl. She’s chosen to go with a Top 10 list of the things she plans to focus on, and it’s obvious the main one is FAMILY. I love everything about her layout, which has a definitely cheerful and optimistic look to it. The word strips she chose act as captions for her photos, and that sweet element of the woman in tree pose made me smile.

For her vision board, carla has included some goals and some leisure objectives. Her photos frame her clusters and the layout as a whole has a serenity to it.

Guess what demma_b13 has her sites set on. 😀 I like how she’s run the photos for each of her travel goals down opposite sides of the page. Let’s all hope she gets her wish, the one in the lower left corner.

I think scrapmevrouw would get along really well with carla! I like how she’s created a grid-styled layout and the bright colour palette that really draws the viewer in.

VariaMoon is manifesting some personal goals with such confidence! I like the little map fragments used as mats behind her photos.

Ooh, I’m sensing a theme… vacations! It looks like larkd is planning three cruises for this year. The background paper waves, maps and timetables relate to the theme so well. Have fun!

I think we can all guess what msbrad has chosen as her main vision for 2025. What great action photos. I can’t believe David is so grown up!

5grand really took the notion of a vision board to heart and has created an actual clip board! The elements she selected reflect the various goals she has identified via her photos. I can relate to the social media “diet”, I need one too!

It seems memmienelleke took the prompt quite literally. Her passion is scrapping and she painted a portrait of herself. She shares a birthday with my middle child. 🙂

Several of the things I hoped to see in 2025 have already come to pass. My son’s new wheelchair arrived and he has started using public transit to go to his day program! My friend Jenn came to visit with her 8-year-old daughter. And I attended the Peach City Feis – an Irish dance competition. It was amazing, the talent those dancers have. Expect to see some Feis layouts once my finger heals. I guess I should make it a goal to be less accident-prone for the rest of the year.