Monday, June 30, 2008

Summer Stash Buster Challenge #6

is courtesy of Emelyn Magpoc!!


This is a Product Combo Challenge

Products to be used:
1. Any SEI papers--here I used the Dill Blossom from the kit
2. Use metal rimmed tags--here I used a long one for my title, old school MM!
3. Use book plates---another old school MM one! haha!
4. Use fabric--here I used KI fabric paper, the clouds
5. Create a layered flower ....HAVE FUN! :)

BONUS Challenge: Use this Sketch



Don't forget to upload your art!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Summer Survival Designer - Leena Loh



Hello there! I'm Leena and I'm from Singapore, a tiny sunny island in Asia. You could hardly see it from the map anyway. :) I'm a mother to a wonderful 4 year old boy, Ethan and I've been married to my hubby and best friend Rainer for 7 years. My 2 lovely four-legged hairy "girls", both are Jack Russell Terriers, Belle & Piggie have been my best companion for many years & they're very much part of my family!

When I started scrapbooking in early 2007, I just fell in love with all the wonderful SB things that can offer! God knows how much I've spent in this hobby! LOL! I'm a paper hoarder, chipboards lover and I couldn't live without Thickers. I could spend hours cutting up papers and I love layering them with fabric and embellishments. What's my style? Let's just say I love trying new things. What I love most about scrapbooking is the freedom for me to create anything I want.

My son is one of the reasons why I took up scrapbooking. I'm a full-time working mother and I travel extensively for work. So, I scrapbook him to help me reminisce his growing up years. I have also found inspiration through my family, friends and my surroundings. They are truly supportive of my interest in scrapbooking, especially my dear DH. He is constantly amazed with what I create because he knows that I am one person who would draw a cat that will look like anything but a cat!! lol….. ; )

Scrapbooking has also given me the pleasure of relieving myself from a hard day at work. It has also given me the opportunity to bring out the creative side of me which I never knew I had.

Right this moment, I'm also picking some sewing for fun. I love sewing pouches and bags and I hope I could learn to sew much more than that. Besides scrapbooking, I spend the best part of my time spending time with my family, reading, learning photography and hanging out with my girlfriends.

I'd love to thank Stephanie for this wonderful opportunity to be part of the SSK team and I'm so lucky to be able to play with the amazing kit that she has put up!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Em's Journaling Challenge!!

Journaling Challenge, by EM

When I saw the challenge, I wasn't sure how to interpret it. Was I supposed to write about different themes of journaling or different ways to journal? So, I thought I'd cover both bases and talk a little about each of them. LOL.

First a little bit about themes of journaling.
1. For me, my most common way of journaling is to pretend someone is looking over my shoulder and I'm explaining. This could be a couple of sentences long to a few paragraphs!

2. Another way is just by giving simple facts, when, where, why, who, how...

3. You can also use quotes on a layout to express how you feel .

4. Then you can start getting more creative with your journaling and really get more emotion on your page. Here are 3 challenge blogs that are loaded with inspiration!
--Creative Therapy
--One Little Word
--Scrapping The Music
I wish I had some examples for you, but time just got the better of me this week...but I'd love to see what you guys did!!

Now a few different ways to journal.
1. 99% of the time, I like to handwrite my journaling. I'm a pretty lazy, um I mean, time efficient scrapper, and for me it's easier to hand write my journaling. I don't have to turn on the computer, measure the space my journaling will be placed, and figure out which of my 1000 fonts I want to use..LOL!

2. I also like use strip journaling. This is great to either take up lots of space or help break up the paragraph.

3. You can also write your journaling in a form of lists.

4. Hidden Journaling is another option! In this laout the twill ribbon attaches to a tag that could be pulled out to reveal more journaling.

5. And finally another way you can journal is along a shape. You can either draw the shape yourself, like lines or flourishes, or you can use


--em
Get Your Scrap On

Friday, June 27, 2008

Stash Buster Challenge #5

Audrey brings us Summer Stash Buster challenge 5!

A Sketch Challenge.


For the BONUS: Create your project based on the theme LAUGHTER

Here is Audrey's awesome layout:


Be sure to upload your work in the Summer Stash Buster gallery!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Summer Survival Sneak Peeks are HERE!

I was lucky enough to get a few pieces of the Summer Survival kit from Stephanie this week. (Another perk of living in Southwest Florida!)

I snapped a few pics to share with you. Please note: The YUMMY! blue crackle paint is part of the Whimsical add-on!












There are a few left - if you are interested - you can purchase your kit Click to purchase Summer Survival Kit!

Hurry before they are all gone!

There are also some add-ons available here:
Check out the Add-ons!

Member Spotlight - Ellen D

Tell us a little about yourself and your favorite scrapping subjects.
My name is Ellen and I'm in my 30's, and on my second career. I spent 7 years working for Child Protective Services, and have taught school for 3.5 years now. Technically I'm a Special Education teacher, but my classrooms are General Education for the local middle school. I'm also the advisor for National Junior Honor Society at my school.

I have a great husband who is truly a partner in our household. I LOVE IT!!! We live in Central Texas with our two small children Zander (6yo, boy) and Alyssa (3yo, girl). Z and A give me plenty of scrapable material, and are really my favorite subjects. They love starring in their own story books. I also tend to blog about them a lot because they're so funny. I think they come by the silliness innocently - I tend to have strange things just happen to me and who ever happens to be in the line of fire. Ellen's Blog


When did you start scrapbooking?
I think I started scrapping about 5 years ago. Not sure, it just evolved. I know how I got started. My mom bought me a bag - Crop in Style - for my birthday. I had no idea what it was for or what to do with it. Then of course I had to get stuff for it so I put a set of markers in a row in the holders. With my job at CPS we did these things called Life Books. I was passionate at creating a Life Book for every child I took from a home. There were too many times I would remove a child and their parent would disappear. Since I was the last person to see their parent with them I was determined to take pictures of the kids in case the parent returned, and to gather as many mementos as possible from the home before I left. I would beg parents for any pictures of them especially of them and the child together. I would gather any and all birth documents. Trying to preserve this family as much as possible. When parents would visit I would take pictures and make sure both got a copy. I would write down little things I heard in the visits about the family. Family traditions, memories they shared. Eventually I started doing the same for my son, realizing that I worked a dangerous job and that someday I may not come home. What were the things I wanted him to always remember? What were my values he needed to know? What about my childhood, and how it shaped me. Preservation was the key. I no longer work that job and I don't worry about not coming home, but I know that anything is possible so I do my best. The families I worked with didn't know that when I knocked on their door that they may not be sleeping under the same roof that night. Every day in this country people are killed in accidents, and that could be me. I know its fatalist, but I look at it as a daily gift. Each day I get to spend time with my children, and that's a total gift. Each memory I get to preserve for them or value taught, that's a gift. Each moment is such a little treasure that God has given to me, and I am eternally grateful and humble for it.


Who are your favorite manufacturers?
Ranger. Because they make Tim's stuff. I like things a little funky.


What are your favorite embellishments?
I'm such an ink-a-holic. After taking Tim's class in Houston with my buddy Dawn, I have fallen in love with the versatility of grunge board.

How does your creative process work?
I have a process? You know how some people have a left brain and a right brain. Some scrappers find something fun and start there. Others use sketches, and plot out the process. My process is when the two hemispheres of my brain collide. Some days I just throw things together on a page. Other days I write out a script, and then attack. Most of the time I just wonder how something will work so I try it. If it goes bad I can just try something else.


How would you describe your style?
Funky. Uniquely me (except for when I lift things, and then I'm uniquely them). I really liked it the other day when I read Emelyn's comment that I was "very artistic". That totally made my scrap day!

Where do you find your inspiration?
I read - a lot! I read magazines, books, internet (blogs websites), anything I can get my hands on. In my reading it's either an element on an art piece, or layout, or a technique, or theme, or some phrase that caught my attention. I like using literature, and Bible verses as starting points. I love it when there's a quirky little phrase used that catches my ear. Right now I'm working on this poem by Emily Dickenson, "Hope is the Thing with Feathers". Still in the mental stages, but I'm sure something fun will come of it. My other inspiration point is photography. I love taking photos outside and they frequently inspire me to create something. Love nature!

Ellen - thank you for sharing with us!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Stash Buster Challenge #4

Marie Pilgrim brings us the fourth challenge for Summer Stashbuster!

The Challenge:
Create a layout with the theme - Wisdom



Bonus Challenge:
Use each of the products from this list:
1. Use two patterned papers.
2. Use two alphabets.
3. Use paint, ink, or Glimmer Mist; something wet!
4. Use a journaling block (sticker, cardstock, chipboard, etc).

What a cool product list!! Come on - Bring it! I can't wait to see what you create. Be sure to upload to the Summer Stashbuster gallery.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summer Survival Designer - Audrey Tan



Hiya, I’m Audrey. I’m live in the United Kingdom although I’m originally from Singapore. I’m married with 2 boys, Oliver, 7 and Zac, 5, both of whom form the basis of inspiration for my pages. They are probably fed up with their paparazzi mom taking photos of them constantly to use on her pages. I re-discovered scrapbooking in autumn 2004, via card making. I attended a class and was instantly hooked. I realised it was something I used to do 16 years ago. Each time I went on vacation, I would take endless photos and keep souvenirs, all of which would be decorated and journalled in a photo album. At least this time, materials are of archival quality and much more interesting!



I’ve been with Homegrown since 2005 when Steph gave me my first opportunity to be on her design team. Since then, things at Homegrown have changed tremendously. This year’s Summer Survival kit marks the first anniversary as I was designing with SSK 07 last year. However, you would have seen my work in the form of sketches as I’ve been doing all of the Survival kits sketches since its inception.

Taking up scrapbooking as a hobby has certainly opened doors of opportunity, not to mention friendship as well. I’ve been published before, served on other design teams and definitely have made a lot of friends from around the world, all of whom share the passion of scrapbooking. I’ve enjoyed scrapping so much that I’ve even started a monthly crop with a couple of friends where we provide classes and a great environment to mingle and learn. Regarding my style of scrapping, I certainly love to experiment and try out new ideas. I’m a stamp fanatic and this is evident in my pages. I’m also into the mixed media art and I do tend to bring this over into scrapbooking. Hence, sometimes my pages will turn out to be a hodgepodge of creative experiments.



I’m definitely looking forward to playing with SSK 08 and hope to be able to inspire with my creations. I would like to thank Steph for creating the Survival kits and coming up with such delectable goodies that make creating a sheer joy!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Etsy Find by Kathleen Taylor

Ok, before I start this I have to admit something.

I did not know what an "etsy" was.

I know some of you are saying "How can Kathleen not know what an Etsy Store is?" Trust me ladies when I tell you after browsing the Etsy website, I was asking myself the same thing!

I decided to blame all the brain cells I lost during my pregnancy on this one! ha ha!

But now I have found Etsy and I am in love.

Now, I have to tell you that I saw a lot of yummy goodness on Etsy and I thought it was really going to hard to pick one thing that I loved. Well, that was until I came across Nicole Lombardo's Etsy Store. It literally made my mouth drop (and drool a little)!

Let me share some pictures of her scrolls.

This one here is my favorite!


How gorgeous are these frames?

And WOW! So many ideas are popping in my head on how to use this one!



I was a crazy lady in Nicole's Etsy Store! I could not help myself. Before I knew it I had like 20 different scroll designs in my shopping cart.

And I got them in my hot little hands last week too.

I even did a layout with one of them. I loved the way it turned out!



I emailed Nicole and told her I wanted to a little article on our blog about her Etsy Store. She could not have been any nicer.

Even her blog rocks! You should really check it out!

About Nicole:

Nicole has been scrapbooking for over 10 years and is a graphic designer. She has always loved designing things, but did not become serious about her scroll work until she was laid off last year.She says she would not change what she is doing for anything. Nicole loves the fact that her creations give others (ME!!!) inspiration.

And something so cool....

Fun Nicole Fact: Some of her scrolls were made into rub-ons for Bo Bunny! You know the ones we just used in the Spring Survivor kit! How awesome is that!???

Ok I gotta run..Nicole's Designs are calling me to create!

Thank you Nicole~ I will be back at your Etsy Store soon...VERY soon!!

Kathleen Taylor

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Summer Stashbuster Challenge #3

Anita Letts brings us the next Challenge!!

I was so excited to do challenge #3 being that it is a photo challenge. My challenge to you is to photograph something related to summer. Whether it be an inanimate object, something that reminds you of summer, or just a photo of your favorite thing about summer.

My bonus challenge to you is to use at least 4 products from this list:
-a journal spot
-kraft cardstock
-letter stickers
-scallops
-any American Craft product
-Sassafrass Lass product


For mine I used:
-Teresa Collins journal spot
-kraft cardstock
-American Craft thicker stickers
-Bazzill scalloped cardstock and scallops on the journal spot
-American Crafts thickers and rubons
-Sassafrass photo corners and pp
-October Afternoon diecut arrow
-brackets unknown

I just had to use these photos of Sammy that I took last week of his pants falling down. That is always an almost always occurence around here. They kids were playing in their blow up pool and Sam had just gotten out. The poor kid doesn't have much of a bum to hold his pants up.

Now its your turn. Lets see yours! Go take some pictures! Oh and don't forget to post it in the Stash Challenge Gallery. Can't wait to see what you all come up with. You will receive 5 pts for doing the challenges and another 5 for doing the bonus. Let's see how many of the products you can use on your layout!

Have a great day!
Anita

Friday, June 20, 2008

Eye Spy! Summer Stash Buster Projects!

Wow - the Summer Stashbuster Challenge is in full swing.

We have posted three challenges on the blog and there are seven more to go! Be sure to check it out and post your work in the Summer Stashbuster Gallery

In the meantime - I took a little trip through the Stashbuster gallery and spied some wonderful layouts!

Check these out!!
Melaniestan's Circus Fun layout




MichelleD's CREATE
layout


AJH's Mothers Day Love layout


MarieP's Everyday Blessings layout


Come on ladies - show us what you have created! I would love to feature you on the blog with our next Eye Spy!!

Check in tomorrow to see Anita Letts challenge!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Summer Survival - Don't miss it!

We have an incredible list of designers lined up and ready to create some awesome projects!

You can order the main kit with projects included here:
Summer Survival Program 2008

And don't forget these awesome add-ons:
Coloring Book


A Bit O Black!


Spinning Teacups


It's Playtime


See all the INCREDIBLE add-ons or order them here:
Summer Survival Add-ons

Hurry Hurry Hurry before they are all gone!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Summer Stash Buster Challenge #2

I had the pleasure of creating Challenge #2 for Summer Stashbuster!

Challenge 2:
Color Combo Challenge - Yellow is a HOT Hot Hot color this year and I find myself drawn to it in clothes as well as scrapping! I challenge you to use YELLOW and TURQOISE on a layout or project!

Bonus Challenge - Include IMAGINATION in your layout! You don't have to necessarily use the word - be creative and show me imagination!

Here is my layout! I can't wait to see YOURS!


The products I used:
Daisy D's Catching Fireflies Paper
Bazzil
Sassafrass Lass
AC Thickers
Hambly overlay
Prima flowers
Q and Co button
Making Memories Brad
Heidi Swapp bling
Trim and rickrack Joanns
Jewels Darice


Reminders:
Remember to add up your points - 5 points for doing the challenge, and an additional 5 points for the Bonus Challenge. We'll be posting the next one on Saturday, so don't delay! You can post your art to the gallery here:
Summer Stash Challenge Gallery
While there are no individual challenge deadlines, all work needs to be uploaded by July 13 to receive your points and be in the drawing for a super prize! They're gonna come fast so get ready to get scrappy!

Have a delightful SUNNY day!
Lisa Woodhart

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Technique Tuesday by Em!


Technique--Cutting Images out of Patterened Paper

With all the beautiful patterned papers lately, I love to cut out the images and use them as embellishments---it would make the perfect matching embellishment each time! Here are some examples in which I cut the image out of PP.

For these 2 layouts I cut out a section of the PP to use as a large accent. For the "I am so happy" layout, the large piece was perfect for a border. To give a bit of texture to the piece, I added some 3D objects like flowers or rhinestones.


For this layout I cut out the stars from the PP and used pop dots and placed them directly on the same PP. It give a 3D feel to it.

This is one of my favorite techniques, cutting out a variety of images and layering, pop dotting, crumpling, them all together! For the"Got Milk" layout, I even cut out images from the die cut journaling box. Embellish the designs by adding stickles, brads, gems, etc for a fun look.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Welcome Another Summer Survival Designer ...........

Emelyn Magpoc!!

We are lucky enough to have Emelyn designing with the Summer Survival kit. I thought it would be nice to rediscover Miss Em here on the blog.




HI, I'm Em!! I've been married since May 1998 to, Heintje. We have an 8 year old son, Jordan, a 4 year old princess, Jasmin and a 15 month baby boy, Joey. They are the main subjects of my scrapbook layouts. I have been scrapbooking forever, cutting out magazine ads, saving old movie tickets, etc...but I have been scrapbooking as a hobby since 1998 when I met a Creative Memories Consultant.

I love all kinds of scrapboooking goodies...but my passions are EMbellishments! I love to load up my pages with them, layering flowers, adding tons of brads on pages, mixing and matching ribbons. I don't have a particular style, but I just go with how the photo moves me. I love to enlarge my photos so they will take front and center on my layout, but I also love to make layouts with a bunch of pictures. I teach classes at a LSS from anything from mini books to creative cards. I create handcrafted invites and sell my card creations at local boutiques.


I have completed many albums...but I have many...many...many more photos to scrap. Now that my "job" as a Design Team member is to create layouts, I hope to get more completed. I am so excited to be part of this kit club and playing with all of the fun goodies I have known Steph for years and she puts together fabulous kits. I hope that I can inspire you to let your creativity flow and create wonderful pages that will be appreciated for years to come....




Thank You, Stephanie for giving me this wonderful opportunity!!
Emelyn Magpoc

You may visit Em at her blog:

Ems Blog