Focus On – Templates

Good morning everyone! We had some people mention that they liked the previous/first “Focus On” blog post. So I am going to make a monthly thing! Today we are going to focus on something that is dear to my scrappy heart. Templates!

When I first started scrapping I didn’t know what a template was or how to use it. Now, at least every other page I scrap is scrapped with a template. I love how it allows me to scrap a way I might not would have scrapped on my own, how it saves on time, and how it really makes my composition better!

You can use templates for these reasons and more. You can follow templates exactly as given or you can take the template and let it be a running start for you. I love to take a template it and flip it on it’s head. Seriously! You can do that. I also like to take an entire template and shrink or enlarge it. There really is no ends on how you can use a template.

With that in mind, I am going to highlight some great templates from our store. As usual, there is a section dedicated just to them! You style might be different that what I showcase today (although I try to vary from what just catches my eye). There is hardly a week that goes by that there isn’t some templates in the Fresh Baked goodies.

Get ready. I am about to overload your senses with template goodness! All images are linked to their counterpart in the store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whew! What a slew of amazing templates, right? I had a hard time narrowing them down, as you can well see. Now, this is just a small glimpse into what the store has to offer in regards to templates.

We have designers that pretty much only design templates. We have designers that put out templates nearly every week. Designers who put out templates with nearly every collection; and designers who put out monthly grab bags of templates. If you want templates, we have them!

Not sure templates are your thing? Want to try one or two without buying them first? Make sure you check out our by-weekly template challenge in the forum.

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Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Hello ladies and welcome to the last challenge spotlight for the month of May–WHAT?! Yes, I can’t believe June is going to be here next week. Where in the heck did the first half of this year go? Even crazier, I just realized this month also marks ten years since my high school graduation. Time really flies! Before the last week of May flies off, make sure you join us for a last few challenges to earn yourself a shiny new reward! This week I am spotlighting the second template challenge hosted by Wendy Tunison! I love Wendy’s templates and I’m always psyched when I see her hosting a template challenge; take a look at what she has for us this month:

Banners? Scatters? Oh yes, I like this template. 😉 Check out what the ladies in the forum have already submitted using this temp:

By gwalters

By sladd79054

By jtnolley

Lovely pages, ladies! 🙂 Like I mentioned earlier, this is the last week of May, so if you want a rad reward come next month, make sure you’ve got your tally going in the May Challenge Points Tracking thread! If you have a question about this or any of our challenges, swing by the cookie jar and ask away. 🙂

That’s it for me for this month…see y’all in June! 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Hey out there in digiland, how is everyone this blustery and chilly Tuesday morning? We’re having a typical Texas weather week: 70 and sunny one day,  40 and wintery the next–no joke. Now that winter has made a comeback and it’s f-f-f-reezing outside, I’m staying in and scrapping! For this last week in February (whaaat?!), I am spotlighting another challenge with a freebie: the second template challenge hosted by Bekah of Bekah E Designs! She has come up with a simple but snazzy little template that I think you’ll Like. Take a look!

I like all the room for journaling and a nice big title! I usually gab a bunch here, but I want to get straight to the layouts completed by the ladies in the forum because they are simply outstanding this week!

By MSPeeler

By Kathryn

By sparkysgirl

Ok, where do I even start?! First, I wouldn’t even automatically assume these are all from the same template! While we can pluck out some similarities, they are all so unique and beautiful! I pretty much love everything Michelle does,  but that little picture peeking out the bottom corner is just plain adorable. Kathryn’s layout immediately struck my eye because of the glittery background that almost looks like a dimensional cut-out overlay. Lisa always does gorgeous cluster work and this page is no exception! Absolutely fabulous pages ladies, I love them all! 🙂

Don’t forget this is THE LAST WEEK of February and there’s only two more days left in the month after today! It’s a short one and all your challenge layouts need to be completed and tallied in the February Challenge Points Tracking thread by the end of the day on the 28th.  You can get yourself some nifty rewards to start March out with, so get those layouts in, girls!  If you need more info or have any questions about this or any of our monthly challenges, head over to the Cookie Jar and leave us a message. 🙂

That’s it for me for this week…and this month. Eek! See y’all in March! 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #1

Hello ladies and happy Tuesday!  🙂  Hope everyone’s week is off to a wonderful start; I am getting ready for my first test of the semester and I’m a little nervous; wish me luck! This week I am spotlighting a challenge with a freebie: the first template challenge hosted by Rebecca of Twin Mom Scraps!  Note: this challenge only runs through February 15, so make sure you snag it and post your submission before it goes away! Take a look at the template:

Really cute, Rebecca! I’m always a sucker for paper stacks, so you know I love this template! I’ve got big plans for this template…  😉  Of course, the layouts are already pouring into the gallery and forum. If you need some inspiration  just take a look below for a few of my favorite submissions so far…

By boba80

By Rdjrneace

By missdamsel

Awesome layouts! If you notice, I also picked three pages where the template had been modified. Whether by adding a photo, taking one away or using as-is, this template is pretty versatile and I’m loving how everyone is using it for all different scrapping occasions. If you like these layouts as much as I do, drop by the gallery and leave them some love! 🙂

Now that you’re sufficiently inspired, run and go scrap! Again, the first template challenge is only through the 15th, so don’t delay in getting this one done and tallied in the February 2013 Challenge Points Tracking thread! The more challenges you complete this month, the bigger a reward you get; click here for all the rewards info. If you have  questions about this or any of the monthly challenges, head over to the Cookie Jar and ask away! We’ll get you an answer as soon as possible. 🙂

I’m off for now to go study some for my test and shouldn’t you be scrapping? 😉 See y’all next week!

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Happy Tuesday, all! I’m so excited because today is the first day of school! *squee* I’m so excited about the sociology classes I’m taking this semester and ready for things to get underway. 🙂 Speaking of excitement, I’m really excited about my spotlight for today because I’ve completed the challenge and I loved it! This week I am spotlighting the second template challenge hosted by Jen of Jen C Designs! It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Jen’s templates and I love the freebie she’s created for this challenge. It’s a simple template, but it’s just perfect; take a look!

Cute, right?!  Like I said, so simple but so perfect. Truth: I’m always a sucker for paper stacks. 🙂 Thanks for the awesome template, Jen! Of course with a template this great, the layouts are pouring in over in the challenge thread. There are lots of good ones, but I’ve picked out three pages to get your creative juices flowing…

By chigirl

By altimasport

By jenltip

Awesome creations, gals! Here we have three totally different layouts using the same exact template. One held the same as the designer made it, one with less photos and one with way more…and all excellent pages! 🙂

Now you’ve GOT to go snag this template before the challenge ends when the month does! Can you believe it’s already the end of January?! (Seriously, time is flying lately.) That means this month’s challenges are coming to a close! If you haven’t started your post in the January 2013 Challenge Tracking thread…what are you waiting for, silly?! You want a reward don’t you? I know I do–I’m a digiscrap hoarder for sure. Post and start tallying up your completed challenges for January so you can start out next month with a shiny new prize from the GingerScraps shop! 😀

Don’t forget that if you have any questions about this or any of our monthly challenges, you can leave those in the Cookie Jar and we’ll get back to you asap. 🙂  Ok, now that I’m done blogging, it’s time to go STUDY! 😀 😀 😀 Yes, I’m excited to study! 😛 Y’all have a rad week and I’ll see you back here next week for the last challenge spotlight of January. 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Hello and happy Tuesday! Can you believe it’s already the third week in December?! Only a little over a week left in 2012–eep! Where did the time go? Now that school is over (all A’s–go me!), I can finally start scrapping again! Since I’m a little rusty now, I definitely want to use a template and what better way to get a freebie template than by joining in on the second template challenge hosted by one of our new designers, Isabel of Crisdam Designs! Check out the super cute template Isabel has made for us to create with the second half of this month…

Awesome, right? I love the curve along the right side and I’m always a sucker for a little paper stacking! Even though this template challenge just started, we’ve already got some wonderful layouts in the forum. Check out a few ladies’ creations here for inspiration!

By Sarah

By rdjrneace

By Ricki

I’m always thrilled to check out these challenges and see the amount of talent we have in the GS community! 🙂 I love that snowy spray Sarah has, all the vibrant ribbons Debbie used and the softer non-holiday pastels Ricki used for a little break in strictly holiday scrapping. 🙂 Wonderful work, ladies!

If you haven’t started tallying your completed challenges, you need to head over to the December Challenge Points Tracking thread and start counting up those layouts! At the end of the month, you’ll get a lovely little prize depending on how many challenges you complete. It’s not to late to get scrapping and earn a fun reward! 😀

Well, dinner’s just about ready, my tummy’s rumbling and I need to finish a Christmas craft before bed, so that’s it for me! Y’all have a great week, finish up your Christmas shopping/wrapping and I’ll see everyone back here next week for the LAST challenge spotlight of 2012! CRAZY! See you next week! 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

To start, I want to take a moment to send well wishes and good thoughts to those being affected and those with family/friends being affected by Hurricane Sandy. To our GS family in the path of the storm, please be safe and keep us updated on your status when you can. We’re thinking of you and we love you!

<3

This is the last week of October–can’t believe it–so we’re down to the wire and this is my last spotlight of the month! This week I am highlighting a challenge with a freebie: the second template challenge hosted by Rebecca of Twin Mom Scraps! Rebecca has come up with such a cute little template for us to work with; check it out!

I love the circular photo spots and the scalloped edge. Awesome; thank you Rebecca! 🙂 I’m looking through the layouts done with this template and there are just so many beautiful ones! Seriously, you gals have outdone yourselves this time–you’re making it hard for me to pick just three to highlight! Lol! To make it a little easier on myself, I picked some spooky-themed layouts since tomorrow is Halloween! Take a look at these for some inspiration with this template:

By zanthia

By sladd79054

By mamaape

By missdamsel

Ok ok, I know I still highlighted more than my usual three, but these were all awesome layouts, I couldn’t help myself! You all did amazing things with this template, this entire post could just be cool layouts I love! Great LOs, ladies! 🙂

So TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY to get your challenges completed and tallied up! You must have all your completed challenges tracked in the October Challenge Points Tracking thread! (Yes, I even made that bold for you so you don’t forget to click through and get you points tallied up.)  The challenge rules and rewards are also posted in the points tracking thread, (yep, bold again!) so read up and get your count in for a fabulous reward! If you have any questions about the challenges, leave them in the Cookie Jar and we’ll get it answered just as soon as possible! 🙂

Alright, that’s it for this week…and this month! I can’t believe it’s about to be November. I guess time flies when life is good! 🙂 Y’all be safe out there, have a great rest of your week, a spooky fun Halloween (can’t wait to see new Halloween layouts in the gallery!), a restful but candy-fueled weekend and I’ll see everyone back here next month! 😉

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Hey ladies and happy Tuesday! Is everyone having a good week? As we get more into the school year, I am getting
busier and busier! I’ve got so much to do this week for my classes; I sure wish I could take a day off work to
catch up! SO, this will be a short and sweet blog so I can get back to my new best friend: my sociology textbook! (Hehe!)

DON’T FORGET this is the last week to complete your challenges and get your total in to count towards a buffet item or store gift certificate for September! This week I am spotlight the second template challenge hosted by Ryan of Roseytoes Designs and she’s got a cute little template for us to create with:

Thanks for hosting and supplying a great template for us, Ryan! The layouts are pouring in from the forum ladies! Check some out here for some inspiration:

By nikkiecole71

By jbdolfin

By ofpinksandfairytales

Great job, gals, I love what you all did with this template! Everything is so pretty, it was hard to choose just 3 to highlight! 🙂

As promished, short and sweet! I’ll remind you all again this is *the last week* to get your challenges completed and tallied up in the September Challenge Points Tracking thread.  You’ll want to get as many challenges in as you can to snag some awesome prizes! As usual, any questions about this or any of our other monthly challenges can be directed to the Cookie Jar where some smart cookie will get you an answer asap. 🙂

That’s it for this blog! Hope everyone has a great rest of your week and end of September. See y’all next month! 🙂

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #1

Happy Tuesday everyone, hope your week is off to a good start. This week I am spotlighting the template challenge for the first half of September hosted by Rachel of Pretty in Green. This freebie challenge only runs for credit through September 15 (although you can snag the template all month long and post your scrap), so I wanted to let you all see the lovely little template Rachel made for us in time to get the challenge completed for credit.

I love a unique template; I like the circular and rectangular photo spots here and just the fun general design. I’ve been poking around in the challenge thread and found some great layouts for inspiration for you…

By altimasport

By rdjrneace

By mamaape

I like how Chris used the center photo space for journaling–great idea, Debbie’s geeky cluster and how April framed the reflection. Awesome pages ladies…and so many more gorgeous pages in the template challenge gallery, as well.

Don’t forget, this template challenge has to be completed and tracked by September 15 to count for credit towards your monthly total. Claim your spot in the September Challenge Points Tracking Thread and keep your tally going to earn some cool prizes at the end of the month. If you have any questions about this or any of our other monthly challenges, head over to the Cookie Jar and ask away.

That’s it for today; have a great rest of your week, everyone, and I will see you all next week.

Challenge Spotlight – Template Challenge #2

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe this is the last full week of July–WHAT?! Seriously, the year is already past half over…where does the time go?? Well, I know where all my time goes: SCRAPPING! This week we’re making it even easier for you to scrap as I spotlight a challenge with a FREEBIE: the month’s second Template Challenge hosted by Amy of Unforgettable Moments! I’m a big fan of Amy’s templates, so let’s see what she’s got in store for us!

Cute stuff! I like the layered papers and funky frames on the picture spots. Thanks for the cute template, Amy! This is yours absolutely free just for playing along with us on this challenge! Now, I’m sure you want to see this baby in action, so let’s peek at what the ladies of the forum have cooked up for us so far…

By mamaape

By sladd79054

By MamaCake

This is one awesomely versatile template; all the ladies really made it their own–awesome work, gals! Now let’s see what you’ve got! All you have to do is stop by this challenge thread, pick up the free template, make something amazing with it and post for credit! *NOTE* There is also a little gift you for in addition to the template! See the thread for more info! And as always, if you want to see your layout highlighted here, play along with us! 🙂

Don’t forget, there is a new rewards system starting this month! You can read about it in the forum before you visit the July Challenge Points Tracking thread  and start your tally of challenges completed! I’ve got mine done for the month, so hop on the good foot and get going! Remember, if you have any questions, you can send them to the Cookie Jar and a lovely GS lady will be sure to help you out!

That’s it for this week; see y’all next week for the LAST spotlight of July! EEP! Have a fabulous week! 😀