Challenge Spotlight January 28th

Happy Tuesday! I hope you are keeping warm and maybe you got a snow day like my husband did! Today is a perfect day to stay in and scrap! You have a few more days to get your 10 challenges done to get an awesome Collab kit!

Today’s Challenge is the Designer Spotlight Challenge and this month the designer being spotlighted is Rachael from Seatrout Scraps! This challenge is pretty straight forward, make a LO using 90% Seatrout Scraps products. You can use freebies from Seatrout Scraps (she usually has a template on her fb page) She even has a coupon code you can use to get some of her awesome kits!

Here are 5 LO’s from our members for inspiration!

 

 

 

Each image is linked so you can leave them some love! Remember to update your tracker thread so you can get the awesome collab!

 

November Feature Designer: Blue Heart Scraps!

feature designer

Happy Saturday everyone! It’s been a while since we met and I’m happy to bring to you November’s Feature Designer, JoyLynn of Blue Heart Scraps.

I may be a bit bias because I’ve been a part of JoyLynn’s team in the past, but she is totally rad. One thing I love about Blue Heart Scraps is the ‘paper’ style to her designing. It one of my favorite ways to scrap, but enough about me and what I like, let’s talk about JoyLynn!

What is your design process?

It varies from kit to kit. Most times, I start with a general idea of what theme I want to go with and then try to find colors and create elements that fit my idea of that theme. Other times, I run across colors or pictures (either online or in real life) that I just can’t stop loving on, and try to build something from them.

What do you use to create your designs?

Photoshop CS 5, Adobe Illustrator (though no where near as much as I wish I could!), my Wacom Tablet, and every once in a while, I’ll remember that I have a copy of ArtRage I can open up. 😉

Describe your work space

Messy, it’s horribly disorganized!  So, lately I’ve been taking over the living room recliner and side table (to hold my mouse and tablet), until my husband gets his portion of the computer desk figured out.

What motivates you as a designer?

Seeing the beautiful pages created with my products and knowing that I had a hand in helping someone create a lasting memory.

While it’s always fun to hear about designers designing, it’s more fun to hear about the fun tidbits totally unrelated to designing! With that said,

What is the last book you read?

Last book completed was Emma’s Secret by Steena Holmes. Currently reading Fallen by Lauren Kate.

Tea or Coffee?

Tea, please…especially if you’re making a Starbucks run. Then I’ll have a venti, soy, no water chai with an extra pump of chai, please. Yum!

Can’t say I agree with JL on the chai bit (though I know MANY who LOVE chai!) but I totally love tea, just give me a strong black with a splash of milk and I am one happy scrapper.

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

I can cut and paste some crafts with my kids…does that count? 😉

Totally counts.

Any hobbies in addition to designing?

Reading, catching up on older seasons of TV shows (I’m currently flying through Glee. It’s really not that bad if you fast forward through most of the singing, LOL) and video games…because sometimes, I just need to lose myself in something mind-numbing.

I definitely know reading is a hobby, especially since you are one of the fearless leaders of the GingerScraps book club. I love to read too, but haven’t given myself the time to do so in too long, sadly.

Show us YOU in one shot!

My youngest child is a snuggler…so most nights you’ll find me just like this;

How do you feed your sweet tooth?

Lately, it’s been this yummy goodness!

(and because I was forced to take that picture, I totally had to eat one now, LOL)

Seems like as good of an excuse as any!

What is the most used app on your phone?

Besides Facebook? Probably Plants Vs. Zombies 2…but I blame it all on my boys (which is a lie, I barely let them play it on my phone, and when they do it has to be on their own name…not letting them get ahead of me on MY game, LOL)

What is your *favorite* kit that you’ve designed?

Let’s Get Reel! My family and I are HUGE movie fans. Because our boys are young, we don’t always get to the theatre as often as we like…but family movie/tv nights happen quite often around here!

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

The atmosphere. Everyone is so sweet and friendly and supportive. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve been a part of online.

Truth! It really is a very friendly, supportive place! We’ve got a great group of people and new scrappers (AND designers) regularly join us here, growing our community.

Last but not least, with Thanksgiving coming this week everyone is focusing on what they are thankful for, so it is only right that I ask you, what are YOU most thankful for?

What am I most thankful for? The chance to be ME. I have an incredible family who love me regardless (even though I disappoint them often), two of the most precious boys the world has ever been blessed with (who have taught me more about compassion and acceptance and unconditional love than I have EVER thought possible), lifelong friends who make me laugh so hard I cry and then cry until I laugh (and have offered such a selfless dose of support and understanding this past year). Life isn’t always easy and happy and filled with sunshine and rainbows and unicorns who poop lollipops – but I am so ridiculously blessed!

I love your honesty and colourful descriptions, and I have to agree with you; life isn’t always sunshine and lollipops but the people that support and love us truly are a blessing and help us through!

Thank you JoyLynn, for letting us get to know you (as a designer AND as a wife, mother and just your regular rad chick).  Make sure you follow her on Facebook for up to date news, fun and freebies! Also, check out Blue Heart Scraps blog if you don’t have Facebook, or even if you do because you never know what kind of goodness she’ll have to share with you!

Because JoyLynn is our rockin’ Feature Designer for the month of November, she’s supplied us with some rockin’ coupons.

Check out all her awesome designers, RIGHT HERE! Coupons expire on November 30th (good through the day) so definitely take advantage! One time use per customer per coupon, use one or use them all but don’t let them waste away. 🙂

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d like to know what YOU’RE thankful for!

So please, leave a comment below letting me know what it is that fills you with gratitude and be entered into a random drawing for YOUR CHOICE* of a Blue Heart Scraps kit  (*no bundles or collabs.) ! Comments will close on November 30th and a winner will be contacted 5PM CST November 30th(so make sure to include your email!)!

Me? I’m thankful for a community of scrappers that has given me best friends, inspirations and opened my eyes to a whole new way to get creative!

 

 

 

Feature Designer: September

Good day GingerScrappers!  I’m a day late this month, but am thankful to be able to be here anyway, after giving my laptop a bath. Don’t ask, just know it hasn’t suffered any irreparable damage which is always a good thing when water + technology collide.

Enough about me, let’s talk about Monica! Who is Monica, you ask? You know her as ViolaMoni here at GingerScraps and this lovely lady is our September Feature Designer!

September is a special month for Monica, not only is she the feature designer here at GingerScraps, but it’s also her birthday month!

She has provided a few awesome coupon codes for us to use in her GingerScraps store:

Now that we’ve been officially coupon’d let’s get to know more about Monica as Violamoni!

What is your design process?
I usually find my inspirations from “real life” and from beautiful photos around the web. I choose a theme to work with and then I choose a color palette that can fit well with that theme. Then I can start, usually I start from solid papers.
What program (or other) do you use to create your designs?
I use Adobe Photoshop CS5 extended and Art Rage.
Describe your design workplace 
I have a black PC with a RAM of 6GB  (no laptop), a bamboo tablet and an HD full of scrap stuff 🙂
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What motivates and inspires you as a designer?
Seeing positive feedback from my customers!
What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?
Being Me is my favorite kit, because….that’s ME! My colors, my style, …I LOVE it!
I definitely love the colors myself!  There is more than just the kit itself, check out the whole bundle! (all of which are in our GingerScraps store!)
One of my favorite things about ViolaMoni’s designs is the Art Journaling aspect. I’ve always wanted to give it a go, as it’s a bit out of my scrappy zone but now I’ve got an excuse to try with the Designer Spotlight Challenge. Just create a layout using 90% of ViolaMoni products and, BOOM! challenge completed!
What is something that is out of your scrapper comfort zone? Is there anything you are willing to try that you have only admired from afar? 

August Feature Designer round two!

Happy afternoon fellow Gingerscrappers!

I’m back for round two of our Feature Designer spot this month with Theresa of Simple Girl Scraps. If you missed our first post, you can find it here.

We’re getting a bit more personal today, and I get to share a few of my favorite Simple Girl Scraps products with you! As always, let’s jump right in, shall we?

I asked Theresa to share a past photo of herself and pretty sure this is the best backdrop ever

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What is the most used App on your phone?

Hehe, what Apps? I have an old school LG Rumor! I had an iPhone when I lived in Tokyo, but just got my sister’s hand-me-down phone when I moved back to my hometown. I don’t use my phone much anyway, since I’m mostly attached to my laptop.

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

I don’t do as much as I used to, but I like to knit, sew and quilt! I also work on my paper scrapbooking albums when I get the chance!

And here is a page from one of her paper albums:

I WISH I could create non-digital layouts this awesome!

Hobbies in addition to crafting?

In addition to crafting, I enjoy going to the gym and recently competed in my first power-lifting competition! It was the hardest 3 months of solid training I’ve done before, but also very rewarding!

Lastly,

What is your favorite thing about GingerScraps.net?

I’ve always loved the community and the enthusiasm our members have with the challenges! It makes GingerScraps a fun place to be!

Challenges are such a big part of why I love GingerScraps too! There are so many to choose from, or if I’m feeling ambitious, complete them all! Speaking of challenges, join in one of our newest, the Designer Spotlight Challenge. It’s an easy challenge, just create a layout using 90% of product from the feature designer of the current month. So for August, you must use 90% of Simple Girl Scraps products, it’s a fabulous way to find hidden gems. Hidden gems that I of course (in a bias nature) am going to share with you!

 A few of my FAVORITE Simple Girl Scraps products (all in her GingerScraps store):

Check out all her products, I’m certain you’ll find something you love!  And don’t forget, as feature designer this month, Theresa has provided an awesome coupon to her store (one time use per customer).

Follow Theresa on Facebook, Simple Girl Scraps Blog and more for updates, freebies and more fun!

Facebook | Blog | Pinterest | Twitter

Thank you Theresa for sharing a bit about yourself, both as a designer and a totally rad power-lifting, paper-scrapping gal!

 

August Feature Designer!

Happy Monday scrappy friends!

If you didn’t know already, Theresa of Simple Girl Scraps is our August Feature Designer!

 

I’m excited to share with you more about Theresa and the extra awesome coupon she has available for everyone during the month of August.

Today we’re going to talk about Theresa’s design process, inspirations, her favorite kit and more!  Let’s just jump right in, shall we?

What is your design process?

I usually start with a color palette and work a theme from that. Sometimes I know what I will create, other times it just kind of comes together as I work on it.

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

I use CS5 and my Wacom graphics tablet mostly.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

I always wanted to be a designer, mostly so I could have the kind of materials I wanted to create with! But I love seeing others create with my designs, and I even have a Gallery Standouts feature on my blog!

Describe your design workplace

I’ve recently just moved into a new home – a country house on a river, but my new work space is in one area of the very long kitchen. I’m not really set up yet, but I usually have an L-shaped desk with a bulletin board and printer nearby – and of course, my pink laptop! It’s a mess right now, so I won’t share a photo, but keep watch on my blog for an update post!

What is your *favorite* kit you’ve designed and why is it your favorite?

Just Be You is my new favourite kit, but I say that about most new kits I create! It’s basic in coloring – great for my Disney photos, but it’s also a little bit messy, and a little bit vintage!

This is also one of my favorite Simple Girl Scraps kits! It’s extremely versatile, plus that crossword puzzle paper? YES PLEASE! It is currently available in Simple Girl Scraps store.

While you’re checking out all that Simple Girl Scraps has to offer, here’s a special coupon Theresa has offered for us all!

*good for one time use per customer*

Follow Theresa on Facebook, Simple Girl Scraps Blog and more for updates, freebies and more fun!

Facebook | Blog | Pinterest | Twitter

 

Challenge Spotlight – Desktop Challenge

Hi, all! Since this is the last challenge spotlight of the month, I’m going to dive right in with an easy one that comes with a freebie! This week I am spotlighting the desktop challenge hosted by Tracy of Trixie Scraps Designs! This is a great challenge to end the month with since it’s a quick one that starts with a freebie template and ends with you having a fun new desktop wallpaper for August! Check out the template Tracy created for us:

LOVE IT! Then again, I always love Tracy’s templates. 🙂  There are lots of layers here to play with and I love photo spots on desktops. Check out some inspiration from the gallery:

By Tamie

By ScrappyCoyote

By sarahm172

Love all of these wallpapers; great job, ladies! I wanted to pick three with different designers’ kits and color schemes so you can see how easily customizable this template is. I still need to get mine in, but anyone who knows me knows all my desktop wallpapers have a common theme… 😉

HOKAY. July ends this week, ladies–eek! You’ve got through Wednesday to get any challenges completed and recorded in order to get a sweet reward come August! Make sure your post in the July 2013 Challenge Tracking Thread is updated and tallied up.

That’s it for this week…and this month! See you in August! 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – NEW Designer Spotlight Challenge

Good morning, gorgeous scrappy ladies!  🙂  Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start; I really wish it were the weekend already so I could be at home in the A/C, napping and scrapping! 😉

This week I am spotlighting a new challenge here at GS: the designer spotlight challenge! In this new challenge, all you have to do is use 90% products from our spotlight designer (you can use a template from another designer)…that’s it! This is going to be a great way to introduce you to a designer whose products you might not have worked with before and get you going through your stash! 🙂 Our first designer in the spotlight is Rachel of Pretty in Green!

Our rockin’ ad team lead, April, did a great interview with Rachel last week; if you haven’t read it yet, go check it out! Rachel also provided a spiffy coupon for you to grab some of her designs for this challenge. The coupon is in the challenge thread, so scurry over and snag it!

I’m pretty excited about this challenge, ladies.  I love the idea of going through my stash and scrapping with some kits I might have forgotten about. I’ve already got one in mind for PiG…and I’m not the only one! Check out some of these layouts the ladies in the forum have created…

By scrappy_mom

By Lisa

By dillydoodles

I love all of these layouts! Don’t you love the variety of kits used here? Rachel has even more fabulous designs in her GingerScraps shop. There’s something for everyone and some really excellent unique kits you don’t want to be without. My personal favorite kit of Rachel’s is One in a Million:

I just adore the muted colors here and how some of the sentiments look like chalkboard art before chalkboard art was even a trend–so cool! So, you can probably guess which kit I’ll be using for this challenge.  😉  How about you? We’re already a week into July, so make sure you’re got your post up in the July Challenge Tracking Thread. Tally up your completed challenges and at the end of the month, you’ll be in for a rad reward!

That’s it for today’s blog, ladies! Y’all have a wonderful week and I’ll see you back here next Tuesday for another challenge spotlight. 🙂

July Feature Designer part 2!

feature designer

Welcome back to our Feature Designer spotlight! In case you missed the introduction, Rachel of Pretty in Green is our Feature Designer for July. Last week we talked about Rachel as a designer, today I’ve got some tidbits on Rachel the amateur photographer!

Do you craft outside of the digital world?

Photography and Sewing, sometimes I just need a break from the computer and if its nice outside I grab my kids and my camera and head to the park, if it’s a nasty day I break out my sewing machine and fabric and usually end up sewing up some kind of dress or skirt for my girly.

Right now I’m pretty excited about photography, I recently got myself a new Nikon D5100 and I’ve been taking some super nice pics of my kids and family. I’m not yet sure if I’ll venture in to a photography business yet, but it sure is fun!

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While we’re talking gadgets and cameras, what is the most used App on your phone?

I’m kind of new to the smart phone thing, I got an iPhone earlier this year. The only thing I really wanted it for was for taking pictures, that way I’d always have a good camera with me, so I mostly use Instagram and the camera, and I think I pop on to Facebook way too much, LOL!

Speaking of Facebook, check out Pretty in Green’s Facebook page!  She has fabulous fan freebie available when you Like her on Facebook,

and that’s not all, she also has a funtabulous freebie on the GingerScraps Facebook page, perfect for those Fourth of July photos you took this past weekend.

PinG_ALittleRW&B

 Wait wait wait, I’m not finished yet..  I know, it’s like mega awesome Pretty in Green BONUS! Rachel has also created this months Daily Download on the GingerScraps blog!

(image not linked, please see Daily Download post on blog for download links)

So much good stuff, and in case you missed it last week, there is a special coupon for all of you too!

(*one time use per customer) 

I’ll be back next week with more about Rachel, including how she satisfies her sweet tooth and my favorite Pretty in Green kits! Happy scrapping friends!

July Feature Designer!

feature designer

Happy July everyone!  It’s been said before, but I truly cannot believe how time just whizzes by. I’m excited to bring to you a new feature we have at GingerScraps starting this month: The Designer Spotlight!

Each month we’ll be spotlighting a GingerScraps Designer and to kick things off for July, say hello to Rachel, known as Pretty in Green!

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Rachel has been a designer at GingerScraps since 2009. In a perfect world, I would have been able to sit down over a cup of tea and chatter away with Rachel about what inspires her as a designer, her family and her hobbies outside of digital scrapping. Instead the Internet brings us together, gotta’ love technology!

Today it’s all about designing, Rachel as Pretty in Green.

What is your design process? 

Once I am inspired I look for just the right colors, or if the colors have inspired me I look at my digi stash and see where I can start, and then I pick out a cardstock overlay and start with solid colors and then patterned papers then the elements, and then sometimes I add just a few more patterned papers.

What software do you use as a designer?

I’m a Photoshop girl.

What motivates and inspires you as a designer?

My kids, my husband, family day to day.  I usually create kits that I need to scrap my life, but sometimes colors really speak to me and I go from there, that usually ends up being the really fancy kits.  I have found through designing that I’m a girly girl who really likes damask prints, LOL!

Describe your design workplace

My dinning room table, or my living room. During the summer months I sit in the dinning room which is more comfortable. During the winter I move  to the living room coffee table because it’s warmer in there, but I sit on the floor and that is not so comfortable.

PiG Workspace

What is your favorite kit you’ve designed?

Oh man, this is always a hard one, there is something I love about each one of my kits, but if I have to choose, then I’d have to say Courageous because it’s a kit inspired by the Pixar’s Brave.  It’s a kit with forest greens and cool blues and touches of warm red, I love the way that kit scraps, it has a lot of ME in it.

Courageous is available in Rachel’s GingerScraps store:

It’s also currently 30% OFF, BONUS!

Next week, make sure to check back for more about Rachel as we dive into her hobbies outside of digital designing! Until then, hop into the forum and take a look at our new monthly challenge featuring our Spotlight Designer!

Rachel has also generously provided us all with a SUPER coupon during the month of July!

*One time use per customer

Happy scrapping and see you next week!

Meet the Designer: Meg of Ocean Wide Designs

GOOD MORNING GINGERSCRAPS! (imagine Robin Williams a la Good Morning Vietnam)

I decided it would be fun to bother Meg, our guest designer this month (Ocean Wide Designs), to tell us more about herself. We already know the basics, but for anyone who is just catching up let me share with you,

I live in Central California with my husband, Jeff, and our furry-babies… Riley, a small terror… I mean, terrier! and our two guinea pigs – Sparkles and Bubbles. Jeff and I love to travel the west coast, we like doing outdoorsy things like hiking, geocaching, kayaking, fishing, camping, etc. I work from home running our small businesses, including the Real Life Scrapped social network! When I have the time I LOVE to read cozy mysteries, bake goodies that go straight to my hips, work off those goodies with Zumba & my treadmill, and do crafty things like crocheting & embroidery.

She’s busy busy busy and still finds time to design and scrap!

This is (a) very casual harassment interview, so enjoy!

Designing: How long have you been? What made you start? What’s your favorite thing to design: templates or kits or both for separate reasons? Any tips for a beginner scrapper?

I’ve been digiscrap designing for two years now! That fact just hit me 🙂 I’ve always done freelance web and graphic design stuff, but I must of had a lapse of judgement two years ago to start digiscrap designing!  I honestly started digiscrap designing because I wanted to make a few extra dollars doing something I was already doing and loving. It was hard to get started, but I’m glad I stuck with it! I never would of met all the people that I have if I hadn’t branched out to designing.

I love to design both kits and templates… for different reasons. Kits because I LOVE coming up with all the different pieces and making it all come together. Templates because they get me scrapping, which I don’t seem to do as much now that I’m designing.  I’m totally a template addict 🙂

Tips for a beginning scrapper… don’t get discouraged by all the amazing layouts you see everyone else make! You’ll get there someday too 🙂 Don’t be afraid to become a participant of a community, like GS.  Scrappers are some of the friendliest people on this planet and are always willing to lend a hand! Plus we know how to have a great time 🙂

From one template addict to another, I love your Sea Charts (especially vol. 5 😉 ) I also have to agree with you on the don’t get discouraged bit. I was just looking at my own “first” layouts/pages and my oh my… I never thought I’d get to where I am today from those horrid things  masterpieces. 😉

What’s your favorite kit to date?

Happiness is…

I totally love the color pallet- I’m such a sucker for purples (and greens…together). I’m also a sucker for splatters, and you have a SUPER add on of some terrific splatters, so of course, I’m totally going to share ’em here and now,

Here is some inspiration! Using this fun, super pretty kit is one of Ocean Wide Designs CTM’s (Rachel). Seriously awesome page!

Back to nosing around Meg’s personal life, shall we? Because that’s what we’re really  here for! 😉

This next question is vital, it was brought up in a previous interview and I feel it’s imperative for all interviews. Being a coffee FREAK, wait- I should be more specific- CAFFEINE freak, there we go- I must know if there are other crazies out there like me. So, Meg,

Coffee or Tea?

Tea… I love coffee and all, but tea is so much better 🙂 Earl grey with natural bliss low fat vanilla creamer = LOVE!! I love all kinds of different teas, my husband usually gets me something tea related at Christmas.

I’ve actually been drinking a lot of tea myself lately, but I prefer English Breakfast, with just a little bit of milk. Definitely favor black teas.

One super quirky thing about you: 

Geeze, I don’t know anything that isn’t quirky about me. Ok… I’m a blend of English/Scottish/Welsh… but in High School I was president of the Armenian Club. Those Welsh genes for having an extreme amount of hair, then the Scottish genes for making the hair dark… I had everything but the nose to make me look Armenian. All of my friends were Armenian (huge Armenian Diaspora here,) and so I joined the club to hang out with them. Senior year the club voted for me to be president – AGAINST MY WILL!!! – and it’s something that’s followed me ever since. They said that I was perfect for the position because I was “odar” aka non-Armenian and responsible. My husband tells everyone I’m Armenian anyway, and they believe him… even though I don’t have the nose AND I’m seriously allergic to garlic. Oh… that’s another quirky thing, I’m allergic to the most random things – garlic, cherries, grapefruit, carrots, grape skins… 

First of all, I love the stream of unfiltered consciousness that is that response. Second, I like that you threw in your completely random allergies. AWESOME response, my friend.

Your top three places you want to visit (anywhere in the world):

1. England… because it’s where my paternal family is. My grandparents moved to North America after WWII, but most of the family is still there. Our family history in Great Britain goes past the War of Roses, so there’s lots of sights I want to see 🙂

2. South Africa… because it’s like my husband’s second country. He’s been there a lot, and I haven’t. He would move there in a heartbeat!

3.  New Zealand… need I say more? I almost moved there after high school to attend a university… but there was that whole issue with it costing an arm and a leg.

I say, YES TO ENGLAND! I’m a wee bit envious of your direct connection to that lovely country (I’m sort of a HUGE fan).

One last question,  What is one thing you NEVER leave home without?

My iPhone… I’m kind of attached and always connected. I do so much, that I always have to be available.  Plus it comes in handy when my grandpa wants me to look up sports scores during dinner LOL!

I’m pretty attached to my phone too, I try not to be, to “unplug” every once in a while- typically when the battery dies during the day and I’m too lazy to re charge it. HA!

Well, that’s enough poking and prodding into Meg’s life (for now, bwahahaha!). Meg is going to be hosting a special speed scrap next week!  So make sure to join her (us!), she’ll have a freebie JUST for showing up! I say that’s a WIN! So mark your calendars, and if you don’t, I’ll be reminding EVERYONE in the next few days anyway. 😉

Have a happy scrappy weekend my friends! And thank you Meg, for entertaining me, I mean, all of us! Look forward to the speed scrap/chat!

April