Scrapstreet Latest News!

The latest Scrapstreet issue is up and ready for viewing! Lots of good ideas and articles. Loving the digi section more each month as the team expands and gets settled. Loving the cover layout from my good friend Janneke, even if it meant I didn't win the cover (again I might add! Maybe one month!). Also my latest article on hybrid scrapbooking is in here titled "cut it out".

The free kit this month is Back to School, by Linda and Michelle. You can get more details on the free kit in the ezine here. I actually took this month off from my digi team duties at scrapstreet. For a couple of reasons, first I got really busy with paper design team stuff andsecond I struggle with back to school having no kids, and third well honestly I needed a break.

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Anyway. as always I'm going to share projects I had published in last months Scrapstreet, the August issue.

First up is the Showcase, and this month we got product from My Minds Eye. Now I'll admit I was secretly dreading this arriving and being the Bohemia line. I love My Minds Eye, and yes I do like the look of Bohemia I just cannot USE it. The asymmetrical papers just aren't me, and I still have a few of the Bohemia papers in my stash. I have to say though that I loved the Tres Jolie line I got. Soft and delicate, perfect for a variety of pages! I couldn't help thinking they looked very vintage and elegant. And no-one faint - I hand journaled!

Supplies: Paper, Die Cut, Buttons, Transparency: My Minds Eye,
Brads: Doodlebug, Pen: White Uniball Signo.

I love the MME so much I made another layout with it for the hybrid column. The column was titled "white text - it's what we're NOT printing". I'll share that later this month, or you can go read it here.

Also in Augusts issue was a hybrid card I made with the August free kit. Whenever I struggle with digi designs my default is to print the papers. I made the digi card, printed it, and added some traditional supplies.

Supplies: Digital kit: Sunshine by Dora Phillips; Brad: Doodlebug.

I have to say that I am so enjoying printing digital stuff lately, probably my latest phase. Plus this kit of Dora's was just too cute NOT to use!

I addition these projects I also wrote the card article as usual. Had so many cute cards for the "Hi/hello" call, the article just wrote itself!

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Current calls for Scrapstreets November Issue

November Cover Contest: Warm and wonderful--show us those heart-warming moments. They can be wrapped in wool or smothered in hugs, but we want to see the layouts featuring pictures that melt your heart. If chosen, you could be our cover winner. The winner receives a prize package and all finalists are published in the article.

Discovery and Digital Discovery: if we have never published your work, send in three samples of work showcasing your unique style and you might be one of our latest Discoveries.

Article Calls:

• First Frost--Share those first signs that winter is sneaking into your neck of the woods.
• Ribbon Fun--Are you a ribbon junkie? Show us some of your fabulous creations with ribbon--layouts, cards, altered items.
• Indoor hobbies--Other than scrapping, what hobbies do you and your family and friends enjoy?
• Are you ready for some football?--Show us your football guys and gals!
• Scrap Nap--Have those perfect little sleepy pages? Or funny drool covered ones? We want to see them.
• Comfort food--this is the month for it! what are your family's favorites?
• Get Chic--Journaling tags, cards, spots.
• Cards--Thankful and Thanksgiving. (get your cards in!!!)
  
• Pets--Animals and their treats!
• Altered Alley--Recipes boxes and ideas.

Deadline is October 1 for all calls.
Email submissions to submissions@scrapstreet.com

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Card Sketch Sept #1

Anyone else totally getting into the new month? I am! For once I am kinda on top of things. It's a rare feeling so I'm making the most of it! This weeks card sketch is below. The digital template is available for download here.


Seems I am really into digital cards lately. Printing them off a lot too recently. Love these colors for a child or masculine birthday. Trying to get caught up on my cards lately. Especially birthday as for some reason I appear to have run out!

Supplies: "Sandwashed Summer" Digital Kit by Di Hickman; Font: Steelfish Outline

Loving the fall colors of the We R Memory Keepers papers I got for the design team at Treasures to Scrap this month. Photo doesn't do this card justice, the flowers came out totally the wrong colors than they are in real life.

Supplies: Papers: We R Memory Keepers; Flowers: Prima;
Cardstock: DCWV; Stamp: Fiskars

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I think I managed to stump some of the sketch girls this week! Ok not really, a few emailed me telling me they had lots on this week with the kids back at school etc.

Card by Cindy Golchrist

Digital supplies: Digital papers and embellishments: "Boo" Kit by Dani Mogstad, Digital Staples: "Saturday Market" kit by Dani Mogstad.

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Card by Linda Flinders

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Card by Cheryl Meehan
Supplies : Papers by Doodlebug, Flower Punch by Woodware, Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug, Stamp by Studio G

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Card by Kelli Smith
Supplies: paper pizazz; brads from joann's; stamp from studio G

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As usual hook me up in the comments or email me (link to left) if you do create something with the sketch, as I love to come check them out!

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September is a busy month

for cards in our family. Both sets of parents anniversarys, an aunt & uncle, plus it's our anniversary too, and then birthdays. So I thought I'd share a couple of the cards I made for the upcoming anniversary's. I can't share them all, as my mother does check my blog so hers will be saved for a future blog post (and sketch!) at the end of the month.

Ok first up is one using the latest sketch. When I make sketches I often make a few cards with the one sketch, usually I'll save some of the cards to post in the week, and this is an example of that. I wanted to see if anyone would think to cut the card on the angle. I did see one so far that actually cut the card. I think the sketch works great for this, or a tri-fold card? Come on, get you're thinking caps on! lol! Warning- blurry photo ahead!

Supplies: Patterned paper: (text) Masterpiece studio's; (Stripe) DCWV; Silver cardstock: Unknown; Bling & Flower: Walmart

Supplies: Patterned paper: (text) Masterpiece studio's; (floral) DCWV; Silver cardstock: Unknown; Stamp: Fiskars; Ink: Joannes, Rubber Stampede; Silver pen: sharpie; Plaid dimensional glaze; Photo Mount: Unknown

As for the text paper, it's been in my scrap stash a while, and I apparently tore off the tear strip the last time I used it (a LONG time ago). If anyone knows who makes this text patterned paper, can you leave me a comment, or email me, thanks! **UPDATE - Found it! Masterpiece studio's! Thanks Jolene!**

Also why did it not occur to me to use a different background when photographing these? I swear they aren't levitating in mid air really!

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August Round-Up

Round up for August as per Katie's blog.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Face of fear - Dean Koontz; Vanishing Acts - Jodi Piccoult; Bought both these in at the Doctors office, they have a 50c book table

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
TV - psych, monk, American Chopper, LA Ink movies - wildhogs; live fast die hard; weird science; escape from LA; evan almighty, Harry Potter. Towards the end of the month we watched a few films. Bobs hours kinda settled a little towards the end of August so we got a few days together here and there.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Bobs birthday, curryoake at the guys, Karaoke and Curry yum!

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Bob got the awesome present of nothing! seriously what do you get the guy with everything? He has all the gadgets etc. I guess this is the problem as you get older, you have everything! Anything we need we buy, anything we want we discuss and usually buy.
I got a little goodie package from UHU adhesives of more product to review. Love little packages like that in the mail.
Got a package from one heart... one mind with some papers etc in it, plus the point of sale leaflets with projects I created, plus saw my projects in their catalogue.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
No illnesses. My allergies seem to finally be under control thanks to the nasal spray (speaking of which I need to get another).

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Aforementioned party for Bobs birthday. Good night that! We went out with Chris and Alicia to Santa Barbara. Other than that Bobs work schedule has been crazy. Can't plan a darn thing. Still too hot to ride :( Even hotter over this holiday weekend! Dreading our electricity bill this month!!!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
At the curryoake party Gautam, Sandeep and Shrikanth cooked for us. Being Indian they naturally made us some homemade curries which were awesome. Loved the aloo matar. We switched to a grainy bread this month, and are enjoying the par-baked rolls we found at Trader Joes!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Hmmm nothing I can think of? We spent a while looking at carpet and floor tile, the joys of home ownership!

What were this month's disappointments?

Other than the lack of Bob time? nothing else to report on this one.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Opened digi store at Treasures to Scrap. Got magazine assignments for cardmaker, and paper creations after they saw my work on display at CHA on the one heart... one mind booth. Creative Techniques picked up a digital layout! My first digi layout in print. Memory Makers picked up a layout (again one heart... one mind) for the Feb issue. All the pubs are for next year.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Asteroid shower, not as good as the one I watched previously but saw a couple. At the end of August we got our employment authorization cards, so hopefully that darn greencard isn't far behind! It's months now since they approved us.

Total craft projects

Another month where I didn't keep track! Need to get my list up and running again. Definitely missing this.

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Questions about sketches...

about sketches. Seems I'm getting lots of emails on the same questions lately, so I'm reposting the FAQs from before, changing some answers and adding new questions and answers too. Then gonna put a link in the sidebar to the post :)

Do you allow people to be published with my sketches?
Yes! Submit away! But please acknowledge the sketch creator in the supply list. I realize that some mags don't publish this info but heck you did your part!

Are people being published with the sketches?
Again yes! You'll see I myself have been pulling work out and replacing with "out for publication" signs. I know of at least 2 people who will be in the June/July issue of Ready Set Create with layouts/cards made from my sketches! And I'd like to say PLEASE let me know if you're being published with my sketches! I LOVE to see them being used and would love to see them published!

I need more layout sketches, are you doing more layout sketches soon?
*Free layout sketch/template every month, on the 1st of the month. Occasionally there will be more a month but at least one every month.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere! My old layouts, cereal boxes, a logo or ad I see. It really can be anything. I might see a cluster of button embellishments in a magazine layout that makes me want to use buttons for a month it really depends on a lot of things! Especially my current fad that I'm going through be it stamping, buttons or ric-rac. Though I do try and offer different sizes, formats or styles each week.

How about sketches for 8.5 x 11 layouts?
*The digital layout template includes both 12x 12 and 8.5 x 11 layout sizes. I must remember to post BOTH sizes on the sketch upload day.

Do you start with the sketch first or the project first or the sketch?
Both! Something I sit and draw out tons of sketches, especially if I'm sick or waiting for something. Other times I'll just create lots of cards and take the sketches from the cards I've created.

Are you doing any more collaborations with other designers?
*If you have a rough sketch and you wanna hook up email it to me! Usually I change it up a little depending on how balanced it is, then I'll make the digital template and send it out to the sketch girls. Even if you've made a card and you'd like to see it made into a sketch and featured on the blog, let me know. I'm open to inspiration!

What program do you use?
*I use photoshop CS3 but I first started basic sketches in Paint Shop Pro. Any drawing program will work for a basic flat image sketch (jpg), even sketching on some blank paper with a pencil and scanning it into the computer. For the digital template photoshop is awesome! I switched from Paint Shop Pro to Photoshop CS and although the learning curve was steep (they are a lot different!) I don't regret it one bit!

Do you sell digital layout templates?
*YES! You can see my templates for sale in my digital store. I sell them in packs of 6, and hope to continue adding to the inventory. I also sell 8.5 x 11 and 12x12 sets. Card template sets, brag books and more... coming soon

Are you going to offer more digital freebie kits?
Ah the burning question! Short answer: YES! The problem for me lies in the TIME factor. As I do everything: paper, digi, hybrid, cards, layouts etc time is an issue for me. I hope to offer some freebies though, every month, even if it's just a little mini kit, kit sample or something.

Can I use the sketches on a site for challenges/contests?
Yes, but I would appreciate a link back to the blog, and if you drop me an email I'd love to come check them out!

Please keep in mind that this is for SKETCHES (JPGs) only NOT the layered digital templates. Please don't link directly to the downloads, and don't copy and share the digital template this is against my TOU.

Do you create custom sketches for sites for contests etc?
Yes I do, again just drop me an email, telling me where it's for, when you need it by etc. I can't guarantee I can always do these but if I'm not super busy then I don't mind at all!
Also, I am often available for Guest Design Team positions. Just email me and we'll work something out. I try not to do GDT around Jan/July when I have CHA projects to work on, but other times I am open to discussion *wink*

Are you looking for sketch girls?
Not right now, but usually I add a couple of girls every 3 months or so as things change. I post the call in my newsletter and on my blog. Hopefully in the next month or so I will be hosting a call for a digital/hybrid design team, to work with my digital designs.

Ok did I miss anything? If I did then add a comment or email me and I'll update this post. Thanks!

*indicates new response.

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When is it time?

I recently finished a marketing course aimed at scrapbookers/artists and one of the questions that really home to me was "when is it time to move on?" Now I'm not talking about closing the blog or anything don't panic, but the question for us was aimed at Design Teams, when is it time to move on? Now some teams have a finite set of months that you are set to work then your time is up, others you can be on forever, so when do you decide it's time to leave? Well for me, that time came last month. I made the decision that designing my own digital products was a conflict to be working for other designers, so I quit Shelle Pukas Creative team. I told Shelle I would see August through giving her a month to find a replacement should she want to. She was wonderful about it, and although sad to see me leave TOTALLY understood being a designer herself. So THANKS Shelle for the last 6 months, and to the whole team.

Anyway here are a few projects I did last month for Shelle's team.

Supplies: Shelle Pukas "In Bloom" kit

Edited: Being published in New Zealand Magazine

Supplies: Shelle Pukas "Funky Christmas" kit

One question I get asked over and over about the card sketches is the digi cards: "what do you do with them?"
Well the answers are many! Firstly the most natural thing is that you can save them as a jpg and email them to people. They can easily be personalized for the recipient. Usually I'd save as a small jpg, same as you would for uploading to websites etc.

Supplies: Shelle Pukas Peaches 'n' Cream kit

Another thing you can do with the digi cards is print them! I'm not sure why traditional scrappers think this is a foreign concept but think about it, totally flat card which LOOKS like it has dimension! Here is the same card printed out onto flat white cardstock. Note how when printed they lose that 'artificial' digi look. Remember you could leave the sentiment off, and just stamp it on when you needed the card, that way it would work for many occasions!

And yes I usually do a sentiment inside and print it out. Think of the possibilities with this, you can totally personalize this to the card recipient. Or all the times you find a card verse you like, but just want to change one little bit? Digi is perfect for this!

Sorry for the blurry pic, one handed shots are not good!

Hope you try printing your own cards soon! Until tomorrow....

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September Layout Sketch

Heck it's September already!!! Where is the time going? Well as it's the 1st of the month that means its layout Diagram time. This months layout sketch features one big photo, but could be broken up into smaller pics, lots of layering and two journaling spots. The digital template can be downloaded here at the TTS store, don't forget to stick around and check out the other templates I have for sale.

Here is my first layout with the Diagram, hoping to get a couple more done with this one. I have more digital stuff to share soon, the last week or so has been crazy busy round here!

Shelle Pukas autumn paper pack; Flower clipz pack by Di Hickman; fonts: SP Wonderful Wendy + Stencil;

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As always the sketch girls did some AWESOME work with the sketch. Where you're paper or digital there is lots of inspiration below! Thanks girls!

Layout by Egle Noel
Supplies: Sweet Sophie Paper Pack by Michelle Bradley (A Cherry On Top); Sweet Sophie Element Pack by Michelle Bradley (A Cherry On Top); Krafty Chic Collection :: Alphabet Ensemble by Anita Stergiou (A Cherry On Top); Elementary Essentials :: Peacock Crystals by Anita Stergiou (A Cherry On Top); Color Play Flower Power by Tracy Ann Robinson (Scrapbook Bytes); FONT: KGD Lindsay

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Layout by Renee' Morris-Dezember
Supplies: Rhonna Farrer's 2Peas *FREE* June '07 Kit "Color my World"

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Layout by Lisa Peppers
Supplies: Primavera Kit from Designs by Shelle

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Layout by Tracy Madsen
Sweet Delights, Rina Kroes; font is papyrus

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Layout by Lisette Madsen
supply list: pattern papers and ribbons from Rhonna Farrer, clearstamps from Autumn Leaves, Flowers from Prima

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Layout by Kelli Smith
supplies: junkitz, autumn leaves, scenic route chipboard letters

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Layout by Dawn Inskip
Supplies: Patterned Paper (Hobby Café, Daisy D's, Sandylion, MME, Rusty Pickle),
Fabric Crown (ILM Group Ltd), Transparency (Hambly), Precious Trinkey (Li'l
Davis), Chalk Inkpad (Clearsnap), Chipboard (Maya Road), Anchor (7G), Other:
Ribbon, Buttons, Crochet Thread, Lace, Pin, Tags

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Layout by Jolene Johnston
Supplies: K-ology papers and chipboard (Addison collection), Colorbox ink, Dream Designs flowers, Making Memories brad, Ribbon Trends rick rack, Sakura pens, stamp by Stampendous

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Layout by Celeste Brodnik
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Pattern Paper: Treehouse Memories, My Mind's Eye, Photo corners & Chipboard Alphabet: Heidi Swapp for Advantus, Transparency: My Mind's Eye, Machine Stitching

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Layout by Debbie Wright
Digital supplies: Kim Johnson "Back to nature kit" Treasures to Scrap

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Layout by Christina Dean
Supply List: chatterbox papers - dark gallery floral (gallery) and vest stripe (great room), bazzil cardstock - light olive and java, chatterbox lettering stickers, crafty things charm, bella paper blossom and ribbon

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Layout by Amber Bell
Supplies - Scenic Route chipboard "learn", My Minds Eye patterned paper, Bazzill cardstock, Heidi Swapp alpha, JoAnn's brads, and unknown ribbon.

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Don't forget if you do use the sketch or template hook me up in the comments or email me and I'll come check out your creations! I love to see them!

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