Hey there. Welcome to another Friday. We’re so close to the end of the year. It’s hard to believe it’s finally here.
Remember you get this kit for free just for spending $10 in the store.
If you love Christmas, you are going to love the new kits this week. Christmas abounds.
Remember any 10 challenges completed gets you this awesome kit as a reward.
Add Some Links to Your Signature!
Last week Missi, manager extraordinaire of the GingerScraps world, asked me if I had a tutorial for adding creative team or blog links to those fancy signatures a lot of our members create each month. It was a very timely question, since my siggy was still stuck back at Hallowe’en. I’m going to start with a refresher on adding signatures to forum posts and then show the simple steps to add links to them. Ready? (Pro tip: Open GingerScraps in two separate tabs, one for the Forum and one for the Gallery. Also open up the destination of your intended link in a separate tab.)
When you open up the Forum section of GingerScraps, over at the far right of the header there’s a Settings button. This is where we’ll find the Edit Signature option, so let’s click on it.
There it is! Click on that!!
See what I mean? Definitely time for a new siggy! Almost hidden at the top of the screen is the existing signature, and below is the Edit box. This is where we’ll be working.
Right-click on the old signature (if you’re changing it… if you’re loading one for the first time, skip ahead!) then choose Cut to remove it. Or you can simply click and hit Delete, or click and CTRL/CMD>X. Any of those methods will get rid of it.
Now move over to your Gallery tab. Click My Photos to go to your Gallery and find your signature in it. Open it. Right-click on the image and choose Copy image address.
Go back to the Forum tab. As the screenshot shows, I like to center my signature under my posts, so I’ve got the Center Justification button clicked. To add the image of my signature to the box, I click on the icon in the middle line of options that looks like a photo being stretched from the corners.
Then I Paste the address I Copied from the Gallery into the command box and Clicked OK.
Here’s another pro tip. I save my signatures as PNGs so the background is transparent. That lets things like glitter, lace, leaves and branches appear to be sitting on the Forum page and the edges to have an organic look. If the signature is saved as a JPG, the background will be white and the rectangular edges will be visible.
Before I Save my new signature, I’m going to add a link to the GingerScraps Blog. (You, of course, can add a link to your personal blog, creative team gallery, Instagram or other desired space on the web.) There aren’t many font choices on the site, but that’s not a huge problem. I added text to describe what I’m linking to. You can vary the size and the color of the text to suit yourself.
Now go to the tab with your destination opened on it. Highlight the URL, right-click and Copy it.
Return to the Edit Signature screen and Highlight your text. Don’t worry, the URL is still copied and waiting. Click on the icon that looks like a globe with a couple of links of chain at its lower right.
Now Paste the URL into the box and click OK.
The screenshot isn’t quite large or clear enough for you to see that the text is underlined now, which indicates it has been hyperlinked. But it’s there. When you’re finished with that, all that’s left is to Save Signature.
And here is my new siggy as seen in the Forum. I tested the link just to be sure it works. Next month, if I create a new siggy and update it, I won’t have to add the Blog link again, because they’re separate processes in the Edit Signature box. That’s a bonus!!
Happy Friday everyone!! I hope you all made it through the week happy and healthy.
Have you put up your Christmas tree? The Free with Purchase kit is perfect for those tree photos. It’s yours for just a $10 purchase in the store.
Let’s look at a few of the new kits available in the store this week.
Have you gotten started on your challenges this month? Any 10 completed challenges gets you this great kit as a reward
Stuffing that Envelope!
Did you ladies enjoy the tutorial on Reflections, Perspective and Shadows from a few weeks back? I hope you did. I know the ladies on the creative team for Ginger at Dandelion Dust Designs did, and becky_a wound up with a Layout of the Week with her version of the scraplift. After such success, the team has brought me another technique challenge after they found this beautiful layout by Blackkathy.
That envelope is to die for, isn’t it? It looks three dimensional and so real! So challenge accepted. Let’s hit it!
I looked and looked through my stash for an envelope or pocket I could transform and came up empty. So I created a template, which I’ve zipped up for you to download if you like. You can find it here. Then I clipped a paper from CathyK‘s Christmas Delight kit to it. (It’s rotated 90° to have the stripes running diagonally instead of the original vertical.) When you go to use the template, clip your paper to the base layer BEFORE you move your envelope onto you layout. That way you’ll have both the paper layer and the stitching together.
Then I loaded up the envelope with pretty seasonal goodies that will work with my photo. (It’s from Pixabay, the photographer is Terri Cnudde.) I used more of the elements in Christmas Delight as well as from a couple of CathyK‘s other kits. Remember when you’re putting objects “inside” pockets or envelopes that are stitched down that your objects have to sit within the stitched border. They shouldn’t rest UNDER the stitching, unless they’re flat or you plan to warp your pocket/envelope around them. In this screenshot you can sort of see the bounding box for the crocheted snowflake I’ve tucked in there. (More about THAT choice later…)
To achieve the dimensional look of a stuffed envelope we’re going to use the Dodge and Burn tools. I’ve shown several ways to use these tools before and if you’re already comfortable using them, you’ve probably figured out where I’m going. first up is the Burn tool. If you remember the basics, Burning darkens or burns the where you apply it, while Dodging lightens. I’m going to use a LARGE (367 pixels) soft brush with the Burn tool with the Range set to Shadows and the Exposure set to 55%.
Make sure the active layer is the ENVELOPE and keep it the active layer all the way to the end! I’m right handed and work toward myself rather than away, but you’re welcome to start with either corner, depending on your own preference. I’ve placed the cursor as shown to centre the tool over the actual corner of the envelope. Click and drag the brush down, across and back up along the edge of the envelope to darken it where it would be more tightly attached to the background.
Now you can see the difference. It already looks more contoured. And you could stop here and it would be just fine!
But that’s not my jam… so I’m going to highlight areas where the paper of the envelope would be stretched by the things inside it. I started with the chocolate dipped spoon. To know exactly where the handle is touching the paper on the inside of the envelope, I CTRL/CMD>clicked inside the layer thumbnail for the spoon – don’t click on the layer itself, just the thumbnail. You don’t want to change your active layer! The marching ants show me where the edges of the handle are and I can adjust the size of my brush to fit inside. This time I’m using the Dodge tool with the Range set to Midtones, the brush size is much smaller (65 pixels) and the Exposure is 30%. I click-dragged the brush down the centre of the handle.
And this is the effect it gave me.
Then I moved on to the candy cane, which is sitting underneath the spoon. It *might* be pushing the spoon into the paper a little harder so the area where they intersect is a smidge lighter.
This springerle cookie mold is a bit more complex. It has a significant ridge in the centre of the outline and so I’m going to do the Dodging in two steps. First I’ll do the whole width of the metal, then with a smaller brush I’ll go over the high ridge again. I’m not going to be too picky here, just close enough.
I think it still needs something. So I’m going back to the Burn tool with a smaller brush and I’ll go around the outside of the star to add a bit of shading.
It doesn’t have to be right there in your face, but perceptible if you know what you’re looking for.
This little gingerbread house cookie has holes in it. So I think it needs the same treatment.
See what I mean? It’s subtle, but definite.
I kept working down the layers, adding contour as I went. This paper strip really only needed a tiny bit of shading/Burning along the edge, since it’s flat and probably a bit stiff.
Ah yes. The crocheted snowflake. What was I thinking? Dodge the high spots, burn the low spots. Zoom out. Look at it. Zoom in and add a bit more. Zoom back out. Repeat until I’m happy.
There, I think that’s good enough!
Here’s how it’s looking so far. I think I might add a bit more shading to the outside edges of the envelope, and in between the thicker objects.
I’m really pleased with how it looks. So now to finish the layout!
Happy December everyone. Can you believe we finally made it?
Before we jump into the Buffet for December, don’t forget to check out the Black Friday sale that is still going on. There are some great deals to be had.
Don’t forget to check out the Buffet Bundles. One easy click to add bundles of Buffet goodies to your cart.
Look at these Buffet colors. So beautiful and perfect for the holidays.
Let’s see what the designers have. I see the start of the holiday season starting to show up in the kits.
Remember any $10 spent in the store gets you this great collab. Get ready to scrap those Christmas Tree photos.
The December Monthly Mix collab is beautiful. It’s time for some {winter magic}.
The beginning of the month means a new Daily Download. December’s DD is provided by CathyK Designs. How many new Game Night photos have you taken during the pandemic? This kit will be perfect!
And finally, any 10 challenges completed (and there are over 25 to chose from) will get you this {sugar plum fairy} kit as a reward.
And now a few samples from our store CT. Take a look in the Gallery for more beautiful layouts.
Who is ready for some AMAZING deals!? It’s our last big, site-wide sale of 2020, and some of these deals only come once a year, during our Black Friday event! It is the perfect time to stock up on all the goodies that you’ve had your eye on!
In addition to our weekly New Releases, we also have a special Black Friday category that is packed full of HUGE DEALS, Grab Bags, Shopping Sprees and more! Happy Scrapping and Happy Shopping!
Is it Thanksgiving, or Giving Thanks?
This year, Thanksgiving has a completely different meaning for most of us. Here in Canada, our celebrations at Thanksgiving are always much less exuberant than those of our neighbours to the south (and six weeks earlier). Even so, we had to make some accommodations to the times we’re living in. When this year began, I imagined our Thanksgiving to include my elderly parents, my sister and brother, our daughter and son-in-law and the three of us, all around the table with a big turkey in the centre. Instead, it was the three of us, our daughter and son-in-law and the world’s smallest turkey. But it was how it had to be. With the whole of the United States heading into their 4-day (or is it a week now?) Thanksgiving extravaganza at the same time that the weather has pushed people indoors AND a rapid increase in COVID spread has begun, it looks like the perfect storm to this observer. So I’d like to take a few moments to encourage everyone to think about the real meaning of “thanksgiving”.
Every one of us, no matter where we are or what’s happening in our lives, has something to be thankful for this year. Some of us have big things – graduations, weddings, promotions, new homes, new family members. Some of us have small things – a new friend, a better job (or any job!), learning a new skill, time for DIY projects, finding something long thought to be lost forever. But all of us have SOMETHING. An attitude of gratitude starts with recognizing that, and what better time to start making that shift than at Thanksgiving?
I know people are tired of restrictions and want life to be the way it was before. There’s a lot of temptation to just say to heck with it… I’m out! But the thing about this situation is that we have lots of examples of how short-term sacrifice bears long-term benefit. The Spanish Flu pandemic is one example. Far more people died in those two years than we could possibly imagine, but the ones who survived have allowed US to exist! They too hated the restrictions placed on them – much harsher than the ones we’re faced with, to be honest. But in the end, they did what needed to be done. World War 11 gives us another strong model of personal privation that ultimately kept the world spinning. Just like this crisis, the effects were stronger and lasted longer in some areas than others. I think they had it far worse than we do… compulsory identification of all citizens and aliens, food and gasoline rationing, blackouts, restricted travel, internment camps and conscription all came into being. And for the most part, people did what needed doing without much resistance. But they didn’t have many of the amenities we take for granted. The internet for example! With it we can not only stay in contact with each other, but we can SEE each other without being in the same place. Imagine how a farm family in 1944 would have loved the opportunity to visit with neighbours without even leaving home! We have unlimited options for amusement right in our own homes, while they had to shelter in place in the dark every night. We have easy access to whatever food choices we might make, and can have it brought right to the door; no thought of “this is all the hamburger we have for the month”. We have an international army of scientists working flat out to understand how COVID works, how to treat it better, how to save lives and to develop vaccines so that NEXT year, we’ll have a real reason to be thankful as we gather with the people we love. We’re really very lucky, but we don’t appreciate it when we focus on what we’re giving up.
So what does this have to do with scrapbooking, you ask. Everything! Scrapbooks record the significant people and events in our lives so we can remember them later. The good parts… and if you’re “real”, the bad too. My challenge to each of you is to take a few minutes just to think about what – and who – you really need in your life. Why are your choices important to you? What are you prepared to do to keep them? What do you have to celebrate in 2020? What makes it worth celebrating? And to finish up, are you ready to be thankful for what you already have? I am. I hope you are too.
It’s Friday again. One week until the holiday season officially starts. Are you planning any big shopping trips or staying in and shopping online this year?
Don’t forget, any $10 spent in the store will get you this awesome kit for free.
Let’s see what the designers have new for this week.
Remember, any 10 completed challenges gets you this kit as a reward.
And don’t forget to shop the November Bake Sale that ends TODAY! So many great items for only $1 each.
Keep your eyes peeled for some awesome goodness for Black Friday.
Jazzing Up a Neutral Background
Let’s see how NOT trying to outsmart WordPress works!
Let’s talk about personal style for a minute. We’ve all got our own preferences when it comes to how we construct our layouts. I like neutral backgrounds and am totally lost (terrified is more like it!) when it comes to using papers with bold patterns. But at the same time, I often feel that using a plain paper or cardstock leaves my layouts looking a little unfinished. So you’ll notice that I add some sort of border to most of them. When I looked at this month’s Bake Sale I was delighted to see that Lindsay Jane had a set of her Edge It border masks in there that I didn’t have. She also has a line of simple doodled borders I’ve been collecting. But she’s not the only one who creates gorgeous borders. Most of our talented designers have border sets in their stores. Take a moment to check them out!
Anyway, I thought I’d show you how to take a simple piece of cardstock and make it into an eyecatching background using borders.
This cardstock came from a GingerBread Ladies collection called Certainly Summer. I like it a lot because it’s got a nubby texture to it. But it’s PLAIN otherwise.
Here’s one of those border masks from Lindsay’s Edge it V7 pack. (Yes! The set of 6 is on sale until November 20, 2020 for the incredible sum of $1!) Of course, it’s black in its original state, and that isn’t the look I’m after…
Contrasting borders look great in certain situations, but I really like monochrome looks a lot, so I grabbed the Eye Dropper tool and clicked on the cardstock to activate the Color Picker to keep my border in the same colour family.
By going just a bit darker, I can turn this border into almost a vignette-like look. I love that I can see the contrast between the current colour and the colour I’m choosing.
To get that new darker teal onto the border mask, I’ll click Layer>New Fill Layer>Solid Color.
The menu takes a lot of the work out of the process by letting me Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask. In one step I can turn just the border a different colour.
This time when the Color Picker opens, Elements shows me what the new border will look like, and it gives me the option of changing it if it doesn’t please my eye.
I want to have control over the border as it is with the new colour filling it so I Merged the two layers. I love how it’s coming along.
But it’s still a little bright. Wanting subtlety, I decreased the Opacity to 40% and like how it looks.
But what would it look like if I clipped a paper (from PrelestnayaP‘s Delicate Moments) to that border? (Or to one of the borders in Irina‘s kit?) Let’s see!
Here it is, clipped to the border and the two layers Merged. I think it looks a bit like snow, with the pattern indistinct. Hmm.
If the pattern isn’t a factor, maybe if I decrease the Opacity to 60%? That’s nice and subtle.
Here I’ve added a doodled border from Lindsay Jane’s Page Borders V34. I’m going to 
it with the same darker teal that I used before.
That looks pretty!
After I toned it down a smidge, the outer border looks a lot more interesting.
What happens if I add a Bevel Style to that doodle border? The best Bevel for adding visual interest in this situation is the Simple Emboss. I think it’s a bit heavy-handed though.
Layer Styles are adjustable, so if you don’t like what you see, play with it! I double-clicked on the fx symbol on that layer and opened up the adjustment menu. Then I dropped the size of the Bevel to 3 pixels. (Default is 21 pixels.) I think it still looks a bit sharp though.
So I decreased the Opacity of that layer to 10%. Better. But still not what I want.
I ended up removing the messy border layer to showcase the embossed border better. And now I’m going to clip another cardstock layer to the embossed doodled border layer.
That looks pretty good, but still too in-my-face. So now what?
With the Opacity at 10% I have a nice, soft embossed border!
But before we go, let’s see what it looks like if I add some glitter to that messy border. This can be either by using a Glitter Style or by clipping a sheet of glitter paper to the mask. Yes! That might work for a fancy layout!!
There are so many ways to find our own style!
Happy Friday the 13th. I saw someone say that the last Friday the 13th was in March. Here’s hoping this one resets all the crazy. Hope you have a great weekend and are ready to enjoy some goodness from our designers.
Remember, if you spend $10 in the store you get this great full kit for free!
Let’s see what the designers have been working on.
Have you grabbed the November Monthly Mix?
And, how are those challenges going? Any 10 completed challenges get you this awesome kit as a reward!