Welcome to Friday. We have a boatload of new releases this week and I’m just going to jump right in. Remember you get this beautiful kit when you spend at least $10 in the store.
And now the new goodness:
And look at all these goodies in the April Bake Sale!!
Remember, if you complete 10 challenges, you get this awesome kit.
It’s time to {bloom & grow}.
So, for parts of the States, the weather is very confused. One area is getting tornadoes. Another area is now prepping for snow after near 80F temps. At least the ever changing weather is giving us some chances for unique pictures. Something to take our mind off the other things going on.
Now, for some adorable layouts to showcase some awesome new stuff coming out!
Snickerdoodle Designs wants you to capture life!
Tinci is making it easy to scrap!
JB Studio has two kits. One is a re-release and one is about blooming in adversity!
CarolW Designs is adding a little here and a little there.
Aimee Harrison is ready to welcome Spring … if it ever arrives!
Dagilicious wants you to keep holding on. Now am I the only one with Avril stuck in their head now?
Lindsay Jane thinks it might be birthday time!
Enjoy the rest of your Thursday. And check out the store for even more goodies tomorrow! It’s gonna be a great day.
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In the Background – Harnessing the Power of Your Software
I hope you weren’t thinking I jammed on you again this week. I made some serious miscalculations… My son had a liver biopsy today and although I knew we’d be at the hospital for several hours, I underestimated both the amount of time we’d spend sitting and waiting, as well as how draining it would be on both of us. And I overestimated my enthusiasm for going all day without food, fluid or a bathroom!
Susan said she’d like to try her hand at making her own custom backgrounds and I just happened to be fooling around with a few ideas for a layout that would work into a tutorial on using ordinary items in extraordinary ways. So this is the result. I’ve put most of the instructions right on the screenshots (there are 37 of them but don’t let that intimidate you – I’ve shown literally every step) so I’m not going to add a lot of text in between them. I hope you like the final result! I started by choosing a solid paper, a patterned paper that fit into the desired theme, a mask and an edge mask.
My paper is going to be soft and faded, but all the things I’ve done here can be customized to whatever look you want. I think it could easily be bent to a very bold, colourful, evocative layout, or boho’d up for an art journal layout. The limit is your imagination!
I love using Fill Layers to change colours on “flat” items like this edge mask.
I’m planning to use a heritage photo for my layout and opted for a sort of sepia palette.
This is the most important thing to remember when you’re changing colours with Fill Layers. Check that box!
Merging layers is the best way to ensure the changes you make are going to actually be applied where you want them.
I changed the Blend Mode to Pin Light. (I tried them all to see what each did before I settled. That’s the fun part of this process!) Then I thought, “How would this look with a Filter applied to it?” So I opened up the Filter menu.
Again I tried a few, but decided Texture>Patchwork would look good.
Okay, I know this change is really subtle, but you can see that it changed the colour and added a nice depth to it.
On to the mask. I love Irina’s masks. They’re just gorgeous and can be used so many ways.
Rather than clip a photo to the mask, I clipped a patterned paper to it.
Okay, that’s nice, but not exactly what I want.
Tweak, tweak.
Once I had it kinda-sorta where I liked it, I Merged the two layers so all the rest of the changes were sure to go where I wanted them.
Something as simple as changing the Blend Mode to Overlay makes it look completely different.
I decided it needed a little more presence so I copied the pattern/mask layer. That layer I left untouched.
Okay! Now for the really fun part!! Brushes. If you don’t have many, you should check out the sources for free ones online so you can build a collection. Remember, ALWAYS put your brushes on their own layer. You need to be able to make adjustments JUST to the brush.
I have a collection of brushes, some I bought and some I didn’t. This set of handwritten ones was a purchase years ago… store has been long forgotten so I can’t even point you to it.
It was too stark so I changed the Blend Mode to Color Burn.
I want the writing to be there, but not “THERE”. So I also decreased the Opacity to 35%.
In keeping with my theme, I added a swirly brush in one corner.
And Copied it…
For symmetry, I flipped the copy and them moved it up into the top corner.
… then Merged the two layers.
And I Copied the new merged layer so I could put swirls into the other corners too. But after that, I’m done with symmetry!
There they go…
Do you need some hints?
The fact that I moved the swirly layer under the handwriting layer isn’t a crucial point, but I did want my handwriting to sit on top of the swirls. Then I went with Overlay on the Blend Mode.
They were still too obvious so I turned them down to 50%.
I had this goal of creating something that looked aged and a little distressed so naturally, I wanted a coffee ring on it somewhere!
But where? By putting it on its own layer, I can move it around until I like it.
I think this is the spot for it.
This brush set is amazing! It has about 8 different styles of lace and can be used in so many ways.
But it couldn’t be so in-your-face. Overlay at 37% is where I stopped.
I stopped playing with it and just looked at it for awhile. What was missing? What didn’t need to be there? Well that bald spot to the right of the masked paper needed some attention. So I added a grid brush that sort of follows the contours of the mask’s edge.
Some fine-tuning …
and a little resizing and I’m so happy with how it turned out. Now to do the layout………
Happy Monday my friends. It’s hard to believe it’s the beginning of another week. I hope you had an enjoyable Easter weekend.
Today we’re going to start with the the Buffet Challenge. This month the challenge is hosted by Trixie Scraps. The only requirement is that you use kits and/or templates from this month’s buffet. Each month the designers create kits using a color pallet provided to them. By using the same colors, it allows easy mixing of the kits. This month’s colors are definitely Spring inspired:
Let’s see some of the layouts these kits inspired:
From basketladyaudrey:
From Grace.:
From greenfiend27;
And from kimb:
I’m so in love with these colors.
Now for the Back It Up Challenge hosted by ADB Designs. Each month, Diane encourages you to back up those photos on your camera, tablet, or phone so you don’t lose them. Then she gives you a challenge to use those photos. For April the theme is: Spring break, staycation, family vacation, etc.
The layouts for this challenge are gorgeous.
From Elynnia:
From Lisa Campbell:
From msbrad:
And from poki-04:
See what I mean? They are gorgeous.
Are you close to getting your 10 challenges done? If not, don’t fret. For one, it’s not even the middle of April yet (although it feels like it), and for another, if you don’t get them all done this month, they roll over until the next month until you get 10. Here’s a peek at the reward waiting for you for April.
Have a great week. I’ll be back on Saturday with more!!
Happy Easter!! Today we’re looking at two more forum challenges. I originally thought I would have some days that had only one challenge, but we offer so many in the forum, once I put them all in planner to schedule them, I realized I would have to double them up. I think it’s awesome we offer so many ways for you to earn the free collab.
First up today is the Brush Challenge. This month it is hosted by PrelestnayaP. She’s provided a brush to use in both .png and .abr formats. It’s an awesome paint splatter:
Let’s see what some of our members have done with it.
From AriadnesClue:
From dhariana:
From digiscrapmomma:
And from jjaprice:
It’s always so exciting to see how each scrapper chooses to use the brush in their layout.
Now let’s look at the Storytelling Challenge hosted by Dandelion Dust Designs. If you love to journal, this challenge is for you. Each month you are given a focus word and an optional idea. Here is the requirements for April:
Here are some of the submissions from the forum and gallery.
From bkasko:
From emscraps:
From Firstoscartgrouch:
And from ktmoonblue:
Absolutely wonderful.
You only have to complete 10 of these awesome challenges to get the full collab kit. It’s always so beautiful and full of goodies.
Come back tomorrow for two more challenges. Are you finding anything new to try?
Happy ?Saturday. Hope you are all enjoying this Easter weekend. Today I’m here to shine the spotlight on two more Challenges.
First up is the Gingerscraps Created with Rewards Challenge hosted by our own sweet Ginger. The only requirement for this challenge is to use the Free With Purchase kit or the Challenge Reward kit form the previous month.
I have grabbed a few member layouts from the gallery as samples. Let’s see what I found.
From Belis2mi using Bring On Spring:
From shariana using Bring On Spring:
From CathyS using read, learn, know, go:
From ktmoonblue using read, learn, know, go:
Now, let’s look at the Font Challenge hosted this month by Craft-tastrophic. Each month the host designer picks out a free font for you to you in a layout however you wish. This month, the font is called Columbia. I love fonts and this on is super cute.
Le’s see what I found in the gallery.
From Dee H:
From justpennys:
From A-M:
From lm44west:
I love the different ways they have chose to use this font.
Remember, any 10 complete challenges will get you this beautiful kit:
Hope you are enjoying these spotlight posts. I’ll be back tomorrow with more.
Is anyone else having problems remembering what day of the week it is? I’m working from home and making it a point to get dressed every day, but I find I’m having to make sure I update my planner daily to make sure I know what day it really is. I’m also struggling to remember that it’s Easter weekend. I’m sure I’m not the only one, so at least it’s good to have “friends” in the same state of mind.
Get his full beautiful kit when you spend $10 in the store.
~Signs of Spring~
Let’s see what’s new in the store this week!
.
Have you been following the blog posts spotlighting our Challenges? Remember if you complete 10 challenges you get this great kit:
It’s time to ~Bloom and Grow~!
Time is dragging on, and nerves are getting a little frazzled.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help, however you need it. We all need a listening ear.
It’s getting harder to stay inside as the weather warms up, but the designers seem to be finding a use for all the time on their hands, and are creating beautiful kits that you’re just going to want!
Now, for some adorable layouts to showcase some awesome new stuff coming out!
Tinci Designs wants you to share lots of memories with her new template series!
Carol W is wanting you to create happy memories in her newest template set!
Aimee Harrison has a couple of kits, including an Easter kit and a monotone series!
Alexis Designs wants you to feel beautiful inside and make some framed layouts!
Whimpychompers wants you to find that hunny bunny and snuggle!
Mags Graphics is all about taking care of you!
JB Studio is reminding us that we are one.
Dagilicious is all about that spring swing!
Miss Fish is on the hunt for a flower patch!
So, get outside for a little bit, while practicing that social distancing. Get yourself some fresh air, take the camera with you, and remind yourself that it will be okay.
Eventually.
Hey GingerScrappers! Let’s get to know Laurie…
1. How long have you been designing?
12 years on and off
2. What made you decide to design?
I have always been creative so this is just another way to be creative.
3. What led you to decide to design together?
I love the designs from Just Because! She is an amazing talent and a great person too, so why not?
4. What do you use to create your designs (program, additional tools, etc.)?
PS CC
IPad
and a Lenovo Laptop
5. Describe your design workplace.
Right now it is in my bedroom on a foldable table. I had to move up here so I can work away from the kids. But usually it is on our kitchen table.
6. What motivates and inspires you as a designer?
My kids most of the time.
7. What is your favorite kit currently in your GS store and why?
uhhhhhhhh…… I have no idea! Probably one of my “magical” ones. I love Disney and all that magic!
8. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
wow, ok….ummmm…. Probably a typical Thanksgiving dinner. But I love all sorts of food!
9. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Soccer… it is easier to understand.
10. What did you want to be when you were small?
A Lawyer, Doctor and Teacher. All at once.
11. Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Right now….Allergy pill. Hahaha.
12. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Charlize Theron…. she is sooo pretty!
13. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
#NOFILTER! I do not filter out what I say most of the time. So what you see if what you get!
14. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Yikes! I have so many…. to have a discussion, probably Leonardo DiCaprio.
Before we get into today’s challenge, I have to make a confession. I didn’t do a layout for either of these. My EHD was not playing nice tonight. Actually, I think my computer is just tired of me working from home (haha). But bigger reason is that when I looked in the forum to pick some samples, I knew I wanted to showcase only those. These are amazing.
First is the Facebook Header Challenge hosted by CathyK. This is usually one of my favorites to do. If you are a template junkie (like me), there are templates out there to help. This month’s theme for the header is “HOPE”.
Let’s see a few of my favorites from the gallery.
From honeybee:
From ptktj:
From shawnarenee31:
From pauline:
Aren’t these inspiring?
Second, we’re looking at the Let’s Get Acquainted Challenge with Snickerdoodle Designs. Here is this month’s question:
It’s officially Spring.What is it about the season that calls to you most? Is it talking a walk in the warm sunshine, feeling a cool breeze on your face, or perhaps planting a garden or tending to the flowers in your yard? There are so many things that we can do in the Spring that we can’t do in other months. What is your FAVORITE thing about Spring?
Since most of us are “sheltering in place” or on “lockdown,” feel free to show us what you are doing.
Let’s see what I found in the gallery. This first one spoke to my soul. Nani and I share a love of scrapbooking and baseball. I’ve been blessed to actually spend some time with her (at a baseball game no less).
From keevs:
From 01lousmith:
From Glori2:
Again – these were all so stunning, I decided it was better to share them.
Remember, any 10 challenges gets you this fabulous collab:
Enjoy your week. I’ll be back on Saturday with two more great challenges.