Sketch of the month - January layout

Happy New Year! I had some time off in December and used that time wisely to get ahead and get craft projects done for January :) Yes I started the New Year off already ahead! I did this because I have decided to focus on FITNESS for 2011. Last year (weird saying that huh?) was all about transition for me and finding balance between fitness and crafting. Well this year the balance is gone, I've paired down my crafting responsibilities and I craft for fun and just 2 teams now. As such I am dedicating more time to those two teams rather than spreading myself thinly. 

So onto the New Year and a sketch a month. It may be 1 a month it may be more, I haven't really decided I'm just going to go with the flow! So here is the layout sketch for this month!

Naturally I made a layout with this sketch and decided to combine it with a Boxer project. Maybe that will be my "theme' each sketch? Anyways here is Nancys cute little girl Bella in a layout I made for Boxer. All products except cardstock are by Boxer and available online or in your local scrapbook store.

Wishing you all the best for the New Year! 2011 is going to be a great one, I can feel it!

Di

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com: Photo editing article

The November issue of scrapbooking.com is available online and in this issue I have an article about photo editing. To view this article and other great inspirational articles visit the scrapbooking.com website. The layout I did for the article is below, but you can see more detail and information in my article.

Enjoy your day!

Di

Read more...

Sponsor Post: Ella Publishing - Your Journaling Matters

Journaling is hard. Even for professional writers, deciding what to say on a layout can be truly challenging, let alone figuring out how to make it authentic, creative, and meaningful. But struggle no more, because help is on the way from Ella Publishing with a brand new e-book called "Journaling that Matters" simple strategies for finding the right words.

Angie Lucas (Ella founder and former magazine editor) and Kelly Jeppson (college writing instructor and freelance writer) join together to co-author this e-book. Journaling that Matters is packed with 51 easy tips to help you write from the heart without breaking a sweat. You'll love the expert advice, inspirational layouts, practical tips, and timeless suggestions that are suitable for writers of all levels—from the most experienced journalers to the most insecure. Kelly, Angie, and their eight talented contributors will help you unlock important stories and tell them with confidence. Also featuring the work of: Linda Barber, Moon Ko, Donna Jannuzzi, Layle Koncar, Audrey Neal, Keshet Shenkar, Wendy Smedley, and Stephanie Wheeler.

What I LOVE about Ella Publishing (other than they have a lot of great staff, including lots of the Simple Scrapbooks Magazine crew, like Angie Lucus and Cathy Zielske) is they give you a little sneak peek online so you get to see what you're buying before you purchase!

This e-book reminded me of the Quizzes & Questions book Simple Scrapbooks published a few years ago, but updated and at around 1/3 the price! Bargain if you ask me! Check it out at Ella Publishing!

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com: Dimension & Texture

My article for the July issue of Scrapbooking.com magazine was all about ways to add dimension and texture to a layout. On the layout below I used Foil paper, embossed stickers, dimensional stickers, clear stickers, rhinestones, and glitter to add depth and texture. Ordinarily I wouldn't use so many different types of medium on one layout but as these were from the same manufacturer I think they worked well together :)

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller, Adhesive Foam Squares (3L), Glue Dots; Cardstock: Die Cuts with a View; Computer Software: Corel Paint Shop Pro; Paper: Me and my Big Ideas; Stickers: Me and my Big Ideas; Tools: Computer, corner rounder

More soon!

Di

Read more...

12x12 layout templates for digital scrapbooking

After some thought and input from fellow digital scrapbookers, I am now selling my templates as single individual pages. I have had many emails regarding the templates and how much people love them but either cannot afford to buy a whole bundle or only want one of the templates and don't want to buy the bundle... well now you can buy them individually!!! I’ve started releasing my templates as individual page templates starting with DiAGRAM #1-4 below, as you can see I also had some fun making some layouts along the way ;) Remember all my products are Scrap for Hire OK! The templates are for sale at just $1.25 each, and available at my Scrapwow store and Di Hickman Designs store

First is template #1, This 12×12 template features space for a single focal photograph. Download includes layered PSD and individual PNG files. Each template is reasonably priced at just $1.25!!!

Whilst I was remaking the templates, repackaging and zipping I decided to get a little crafty and make some layouts with the templates! Here is one using the template #1 and a kit I'll be releasing soon.

Template #2 features space for two photo's, but could also substitute one of the photo's for a journaling block!

Again I whipped up another layout using template #2 and my Revitalized kit. This template works great as a filler page, where you don't need any journaling, or you could modify it and add space for a little journaling. Remember my digital products are available at my Scrapwow store and Di Hickman Designs store

Template #3 has room for 3 photo's, a large title area and journaling area. This layout template really has it all. Two smaller photo's and one focal photo, though it could be modified for two 6x4 photo's instead.

For this example layout of template #3 I also used my Summer Fun kit, and some elements (wordart/waves) from an old Summer kit by Heather Ann Designs.

Template #4 features room for one focal photo, a color blocked background and a curved title. The curved title is included as a layer in the PSD file as text on a path.

Again another layout example but this time using subdued papers and elements from my "Feeling Krafty" kit. I think this kit works well with this photo.

Remember the templates and other digital products are available from my Scrapwow store and Di Hickman Designs stores priced at just $1.25

Di

Read more...

May article for Scrapbooking.com

It's a new month and therefore time for my latest Scrapbooking.com article! For May I did a step by step layout progression for adding computer text to pages. I get asked a lot how to add computer text to layouts. How do you get the text in the right spot? Well this months article explains all that!

Along with my regular article are many more articles, check out Scrapbooking.com for lots of great projects and inspiration every month!

Di

Read more...

April article for Scrapbooking.com

This month my article at Scrapbooking.com is all about making your own custom hard-bound scrapbook using the Unibind Photobook Creator. You can read the full article at scrapbooking.com but I thought I'd share a few more of the pages today on my blog.

Supplies used for creating the album and pages are as follows:

• Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots, 250 (Xyron)
• Art pens: Black Signo 0.5 (Sakura)
• Cardstock: Jewel tones Stack, Black (DCWV)
• Embellishments: Journal cards (7gypsies), File folder (Heidi Swapp)
• Ink: Black (Tsukineko)
• Patterned paper: Mayflower Collection (Rusty Pickle)
• Photo paper: Glossy (Epson)
• Printer: Artisan 800 (Epson)
• Rub-ons: Travel Flocked (Heidi Swapp), do-dads (one heart… one mind) 

 For this article and more check out Scrapbooking.com April edition online now!

Di

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com March

This month at Scrapbooking.com my article is all about the sanding technique. I love sanding and with cardstock from companies like DCWV and Core-dinations sanding is making a huge impact on the latest and greatest scrapbook layouts! Having different colored core or just exposing that white inner core makes a huge difference on any page! This is my layout from the current article but the whole article can be viewed online at Scrapbooking.com along with many other great articles from the design team and from readers alike!

I just love this photo of Sky, so freakin' cute! Also loving the paper kits from Pebbles Inc! Awesome kits! The background for this layout is core-dinations cardstock too so lots of color revealed IRL, not so easy to see in a scan really, ah well! Another layout done for the doggy album!

Di

Read more...

Boxer layouts - dog papers

If you've paid close attention to the Boxer blog over the past few years, you'll know that I absolutely ADORE the doggy papers! They were what drew me to Boxer, made me apply for the Design Team and honestly I could scrap forever with their doggy papers :) I love scrapping my dogs but for this layout I decided to scrap a page for a friend, and specifically her dog Guido.

This page features both new and old dog products, again Boxer going the extra mile to update those older papers by coordinating them to the newer papers! Awesome! Here is the new Bone paper with the older woof words and woof stripes paper. Also on this page is part of the new new dog transparency!

The layout is completed with bone ribbon, brads, metal embellishments, alphabet stickers and dog bone charm all from Boxer! I also used the stitching ruler for the hand stitching.

On the layout below I combined those same papers, new bone paper, woof words and woof stripes, with the new dog transparency and a photo of one of my furbabies. This is Sky :)

 

Also on this layout are ric rac, grosgrain ribbon, brads and a metal rim tag. Love how everything coordinates down to the exact color match!

More projects soon!

Di

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com February

It's a new month and that means the latest issue of Scrapbooking.com magazine is available to read online! I love this magazine for eye candy and inspiration! Each month I get inspired to create, and I love having it online to view anytime :) My article this month is all about rub-ons and I created this layout for the article using a variety of rub-ons in lots of ways!

You can view my article and all the other February articles online now at Scrapbooking.com, Enjoy!

Hugs

Di

Read more...

Boxer Project - New Papers & Stamps

I am loving the new pink papers from Boxer!!! I especially love how they coordinate with some of the older papers in the Boxer store, for example the new crown paper, and new pink polka dot paper go great with the existing pink gingham paper! So cool that Boxer do this!!!

Also on this page are the new Boxer princess stamp set and new luggage tags! Loving those luggage tags!!! To finish off the page I used Boxer brads, ribbon and stickers.

More projects coming soon!

Di

Read more...

Published scrapbooking layouts & cards

Hi Everyone! Today I thought I'd share some projects I had published in the Dec/Jan issue of Ready Set Create. This issue was packed full of winter and holiday projects and as always some awesome eye candy! I love getting this in my email every other month :)

When I see the calls go up for magazines or ezines I send in work I previously created to see if it's something they want, but I also create for the calls. I figure if the mags don't want them then I have great projects to use on the blog for my blog readers :) It all works out in the end see! As you'll see from the watermarks on some of these projects, I made some of these 2 years ago! Which just goes to show, never count out the older projects!

Supplies: January Freeze digital kit by Di Hickman available at: My Di Hickman Designs store, My 3 Scrapateers Store, or my Scrapwow store

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

Supplies: Paper: Cosmo Cricket; Cardstock: DCWV; Stickers: American Crafts; Pen: Sharpie; Photo Corners: 3L

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

Supplies: Paper: Colorbok; Charms: MM; Rub-on: JoAnns

Supplies: Paper: Colorbok; Charms: MM; Rub-on: JoAnns

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

Supplies: All Scrapworks

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

Supplies: Scrapworks

Supplies: All one heart... one mind

More crafty projects coming soon!

Di

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com December

Wow for the first time I was late with this article, I am surprised Jami puts up with me! Thank heavens she understands about flu! I started the layout and one card for the article then got sick so I was a day late handing this in, which I totally hate. I am so anal about my deadlines, but it couldn't be helped :( Anyway the latest issue of Scrapbooking.com is available for viewing online. My article this month is about die cuts.

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots; Brads: Beige, Cranberry (Making Memories); Die Cuts: Seasons Greetings (Pebbles Inc); Font: Times New Roman; Paper: Seasons Greetings Tree/Green, Swirl/red, Stripe/Dot (Pebbles Inc); Printer: Epson Artisan 800; Software: Paint shop pro Photo X2 (Corel); Sticker: Seasons Greetings (Pebbles Inc)

Supplies:Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots; Paper: Season of Joy (Scrapworks); Ribbon: Cogsmo (Cosmo Cricket); Sticker: Season of Joy (Scrapworks)

Supplies: Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots, 250 (Xyron); Art Pens: Black Signo 0.1 (Sakura); Cardstock: Jewel tones Stack, Pastels Stack (DCWV); Paper: Season of Joy (TLC); Ribbon: Misc; Scrapbook Kit: Christmas (Top Line Creations); Stamp: Christmas (Boxer Scrapbooks); Tools: Die Cut Machine, Candy Cane die (Sizzix)

Check out the latest issue for lots of holiday inspiration!

Di

Read more...

Sky-B-Do

This week I thought I'd share a page I made for my pets scrapbook album. Yep if you know me, you KNOW I am a HUGE dog lover. Which is why I LOVE Boxer products. There pet products is what introduced me to Boxer and what made me apply for the Design Team and why I stay :) I just LOVE their dog papers and products!

Boxer Supplies: Bone paper; woof words papers; brown stripes paper; Tan ric rac; white brads; small tag; bone grosgrain;

Also whilst I am on the subject of dogs (my favorite subject) remember that in the Boxer store we now have the large firehydrant chipboard album kit :) If you've been to a scrapbook show you've probably seen this album I made, and Angie and Vicki made the album into a kit :) How awesome is that?

You can check out the album kit at the Boxer website, for details, more pics, prices and ordering info. I loved making this album and hope you all love it too!

Di

Read more...

Scrapbooking.com October

My latest article for Scrapbooking.com is up online and available for viewing. You can check it out here. Thought I'd share a teaser of the layout I made for this article called "Feelin' Good!". Basically inspired by my rediscovered love of health and fitness.

I have to say I love these papers from Me & My Big Ideas. How fun are they? The layout is hybrid, I printed the photo's with borders and printed the journaling using the reverse text technique. Plus as I said to my friend Nancy when I showed her the layout "Flowers AND bling on the same layout!!!". HAHAHA has to be a first for me!

Check out all the other great articles this month at Scrapbooking.com

Di

Read more...

Up up & Away

I love hybrid projects, paring digital with traditional. The green and red papers were printed along with the photo's as a whole sheet. I simply cut them out of the letter size sheet and adhered them to the Boxer paper!

Boxer Products: Yellow dot paper; Dog lovers mega alpha; Dog lovers small alpha; Library card;

Di

Read more...

the teacups...

Thought I'd share a layout today :) Haven't really done many layouts recently but I got this one published in Ready Set Create's June/July issue and it is one of my favorites in a LONG time. I really felt like the whole layout just came together pretty easily, I guess I was just feeling the creative groove at the time? Maybe it's because it's hybrid and everything seems to come together quicker for me when it's hybrid? Who knows I just know I like it :)

Supplies: Fonts: SP Wonderful Wendy; Paper, button, brads: Boxer Scrapbooks; Digital journal stamp: Di Hickman (DiALOGUE 4);

The pic is my Dad at Disneyland back in 2003. My Mum was in the photo too but I cropped her out as this was a layout about Dads. Oh and I have to say I am LOVING the turquoise polka dot paper from Boxer! Mmmmmm dots.... you know I LOVE dots :)

Back tomorrow with some cards and a sketch :)

Di

Read more...

Dance Diva

Going girly this week for a layout with the ballet papers and stamps! This layout features my Nancy's daughter Bella! Isn't she a cutie? Love her to bits. Anyway I pulled the papers and colors from the photo's. I printed the title onto the white cardstock using my computer then added the stamped image afterwards.

Boxer Scrapbooks Supplies: on your toes papers, Ballet Stamps; White mini brads

This layout was published in the May issue of Scrapstreet Magazine but I had to share with our blog readers! Those ballet stamps are so versatile, and the music score does a great job of providing lines for journaling!

Enjoy the weekend!

Di

Read more...