Fabulous Friday - Inspiration Challenge

I just love Fridays and one of the reasons I love Fridays is because it is Fabulous at Scrap Shotz. This week we have an awesome challenge from the talented Rosie.

One of the things I really love about the internet is the ability to find pretty much anything you’re looking for. Type in a word and presto, a multitude of websites appear! It’s a window shopper’s paradise! I’ll sometimes type in something random and see what comes up, which is how I found my next idea. I googled “lamps” and came across this picture

which resulted in this card.

I really liked the vintage-y feel of the lamp with the design on the base and the colors of it. I think the patterned paper and the touch of brown echo the feel of lamp very well!

Hope you have fun with this one! Thank you for inspiring us Rosie!

Copic Thursday!

We have been having a fabulous time with our copics this last week! Shading techniques can be tricky but can add soooooo much life to an image! If you checked in on us, you will have seen some of the work we've been doing but in case you haven't I'll share a couple of images that were posted in the forum!

This one was done by Tammy... you can see her light source is on the left side of the image...

Jen did this one and you can really see on the balloons that her light source is on the top right...

This week's challenge is coloring clothing... and specifically jeans! There are so many stamps that we use of kids/people wearing jeans that it's one of the most important ones in my opinion! And it can be a bit of a challenge with folds and creases and seams!

Check out the thread for all of our samples and tricks and tips! You'll find a tutorial posted in the thread each week to help you get started... and lot of them are videos so you can really see what the artist is doing to get the desired effect!

Hope you'll join us... remember to link your projects here for a chance to win!

I'll share my samples... not as something to aspire to though... I am just a beginner and have a lot to learn! I've got two different color combos that I've been using for jeans...I've just used the basic shading technique for jeans so far...

This one uses B41 and B45

And this one is B21, B24 and B29

Happy coloring!!!

Spotted in the Gallery!

Claude is one of our newest members, and uploaded to the gallery for the first time this week. I sure hope she has more of this goodness up her sleeve!

Fabulous Friday - Inspired By...

Denise has a fabulous inspiration piece for us this week... in honor of the Olympics!

Here is her challenge...

"I've always loved blue and green together and when I saw the bibs that the Olympic athletes were wearing in competition I knew that the wavy lines of colour would work for a birthday card for my nephew."

Let's see how this bib can inspire you! Be sure to link your projects here!

Copic Thursday!

Welcome to our series of copic challenges! Play along to improve your copic skills and have a chance to win a new copic of your choice each month! We will also be drawing one lucky winner at the end of the series who will receive 20% off their ENTIRE COPIC ORDER!!!

We will be posting a new challenge every Thursday in the Scrapshotz Forum. See details and our first "practice" challenge here...

Our second challenge is basic shading...

Blog followers may upload and link to the thread in the forum OR if you prefer leave us a link in the comments section to be eligible for a whole lot of fun and prizes!

On Special Assignment from our Roving Reporter

Welcome to another post from our Roving Reporter. This time our Roving Reporter is Andrea Weibe. Here is her post. Enjoy!

Technique

Hand stitching is an easy way to add dimension and texture to your paper crafting projects. By adding just a bit of stitching you can add so much warmth and homespun charm. Embroidery floss comes in a wide range of colour, is inexpensive, and easy to do! If you’ve never embroidered before you’ll want to look up a couple of different stitches such as the running stitch and a back stitch.

Starting with a button or five is a great way to get started with hand stitching. Making a border with a simple running stitch can really finish of a project off perfectly. Once you get the hang of it you’ll want to try different stitches for really exciting results.

Hand stitching can really make your focal point pop! Adding a simple circle or shape really helps draw attention to a favorite photo. Simply trace your object, pre-poke and stitch away. Hand stitching does take a little bit of extra time but the end result is totally worth it!

Tips

• Use “mouse pad” so you’ll be able to pre-poke your paper with a push pin with ease.

• Keep a needle threaded with black or white embroidery floss for easy access…you’ll be able to sew those buttons on in a jiffy.

• Remember not to pull too hard or you’ll tear your paper. If this happens just grab some tape and stick your paper back together.

• When making a *curvy* design you’ll want to make sure your holes are closer together so the design flows easily.

• Buy embroidery floss to match your papers to add a little surprise here and there!

Tutorial

I love to add a decorative title to my page using hand stitching.

Being that I’m constantly *rearranging* my page before I do the final glue down I like to make my title on a separate piece of paper. Here is a quick and easy way to add a fun title to your projects.
• Hand write your word(s) on a piece of scrap paper or you can always use your computer printer to do this part if you’d like.

• Place your word on a piece of cardstock and pre-poke using a push pin and a surface such as a mouse pad. Poke your holes about every 1/8^th of an inch.

• Thread your needle and begin sewing. Sometimes with all those holes you may loose your spot. It’s a good idea to refer back the paper where you first wrote your word so you can make sure that your stitches are going in the right direction.

• I like to cut my word out to really make it pop! Just make sure that you don’t accidentally cut where you’ve stitched.

Thank you Andrea! I have always wanted to try this and you have certainly inspired me to give it a go!

What about you? Let Andrea what you are thinking too!

Meet Rosie, our Guest Designer

Rosie Neustaedter has been our Guest Designer here at Scrap Shotz for the past couple of months. It is high time we get to know her in this fun interview! Enjoy and get to know this great gal!

What name do you usually go by? Do you have a nickname that you could share?

Rosie. That’s short for my full name, Rosalinda, which my Mom has NEVER called me, even when she’s mad at me. My hubby calls me Posie once in awhile so I suppose that’s as close as I get to nickname.

Where do you currently live? Where would you like to live?

I live in a lovely 2 story home in Calgary. I must be honest, I love living in Calgary but I wouldn’t be opposed to “wintering” in Hawaii or Arizona.

Is your scrap area usually neat or creatively messy?

I’d say in between. When I’m in the midst of a project I’ve got stuff all over the place but as soon as I’ve completed that project I’ve got to put it all away or I can’t think about the next one.

Can you tell us one unknown fact about yourself?

I played goaltender in field hockey and my team took second place in the Alberta Summer Games in 1987.

What is your favourite scrapbooking/cardmaking colour?

I don’t know if I have a real favourite. I try to consider the theme of the project, colors of the pictures and recipient of the card when I choose colors. I can tend to get hung up choosing papers. Lately greens and browns appeal to me most.

What tool do you use the most? Why?

Other than my paper trimmer I use my corner rounder the most. I love how it softens the edges of papers/photos since I mostly work with squares.

Describe your scrappy/cardmaking style?

Simple and linear with a splash of accents. I’ve only just began incorporating more embellies in the last couple of years, thanks to Sandy’s kits!

What kind of camera do you use?

Canon Rebel xSi and Canon PowerShot

Do you use your camcorder? What do you use if for?

Sometimes, DH is the videographer in the family. We usually use it to video the kids.

Do you have a scrapbooking and/or cardmaking tip that you could share?

I use my brown inkpad A LOT! I love to add ink around the edges of journaling blocks and patterned paper blocks to give them a bit of pop off the background.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning person.

What food would you like to eat every single day if you could?

Chips! I am a chipaholic.

What size of shoes do you wear?

6

Do you share every scrappy purchase with your DH?

No and not because I’m trying to hide it just because it’s not terrible interesting to him. He likes to see the finished product!

Do you have a die cutter machine? If so, what?

Yes, Cuttlebug.

Please share your favourite project to date.

Thanks for sharing yourself with us Rosie!

Say "hi" to Rosie and let her know that you have enjoyed the interview and her gorgeous work!

Spotted in the Gallery!

Good morning! And welcome to your weekly rendition of Spotted in the Gallery with your host Jess! (That's me!)



OK maybe I should drink more coffee.... or maybe less??? LOL



I chose to feature one of our newest members today... welcome Laura (Angel Bear)! She has put some amazing work into the gallery this week! I absolutely love this photo and she has done a beautiful job with all the layers and fabulous distressed edges! Be sure to check out the gallery for more inspiration!

Fabulous Friday - Colour Inspiration

Our Fabulous Friday challenge is from Amber and it's gorgeous! I'll let you see for yourself...*drool*

A fantastic place to find color inspiration is from cooking and home decor magazines- after all, they are the experts and have gone to a lot of work to create visually pleasing pages for the reader! Check out this gorgeous table setting I found while browsing such a magazine! The colors immediately caught my eye!

loved the deep reds on the dishes, the bit of pink in the grapefruit, the yellows and of course the white! Here's what I pulled from the photo using my trusty paint swatches.

And here's my card inspired by these colors.

 
What do you think? Isn't this super cute????

More Love at Scrap Shotz

Yesterday's post was so much fun that I decided to do it again today!

Here are some quick card ideas for your loved ones.

Doesn't this card by Jess put a smile on your face? I just love that American Crafts rub-on!

And how about this card from Rosie? I have such a soft spot for dry embossing...

What about these gorgeous cards from Heather? They are so elegant.

And look at this "heart felt" card from Amber? Cute or what?

Now if you need a fast way to create a treat bag, check this out from Denise!

Score a 2” x 11” strip of cardstock at 6 ½ and 6 7/8”
Layer pattern paper on top of the surfaces that will be seen ( 1 ¾” x 6 1/8” and 1 ¾” x 3 7/8” ) as desired.
Cut a circle (sample is 1” ) in the short side.
Adhere short side to tall side so that a “pouch” is formed for your treats.
Add a bow and decorate as desired.

How about these darling LOVE-ly ideas today? You feeling the love yet??? :-)

Love Is In The Air at Scrap Shotz

Ever wondered how other people enjoy Valentine's Day? What they do to make it special for their loved ones? Well for the next few days, you are all in for a treat, a treat that you will LOVE!

The Design Team will be tempting and inspiring you with sweet morsels all week. And best of all, YOU too can be a part of this LoveFest because all the projects can be completed in 15 minutes or less!

Let me start with some funky but oh so appreciated love notes :-)

My girls absolutely love getting little notes in their lunch kits or on their pillows or frankly anywhere in the house! This is an easy peasy project that uses up all those little scraps of paper too!

We like to serve up heart-shaped foods for breakfast and lunch. There is nothing that makes the meal taste yummier than an "I Love You" napkin! Just dig out your love stamps and stamp an image in the corner. Voila! 5 seconds to make but a lasting 5 hours of enjoyment!

How about creating a special mood at dinner time? Check out these luminaries from Jen! Here they are as a centrepiece during the day.

And here they come alive for dinner time! Cute cute cute!!!

Here are the directions on making these luminaries -

For the 3 different sizes of luminaries, use an 8x12” sheet, a 10x12” sheet and a 12x12” sheet of pattern paper.

Score each of piece along the 12” side at 2.75” intervals, leaving a .75” end.

In two of the scored panels for each lantern, cut a heart shape out and affix a piece of vellum to the backside, covering the heart-shaped opening. 

Adhere a contrasting strip to the top of each lantern to finish it off and then glue the .75” flap to the inside back of the first panel, making a square.

These can safely contain candle, flameless candle or light source of some kind for a pretty Valentine Glow!

Aren't these adorable ideas? What do you think? Have I inspired you with a little love? :-)

Scrap Shotz is having a Design Team Call!!!

Did you hear? Scrap Shotz (SSZ) is having a Design Team Call! Here are the details...

It is time once again to start our search for a couple of new designers to join our SSZ team! This is an amazing Design Team to be a part of, as you know the kits are second to none and Sandy is generous and fair to a fault! I can tell you that our package is one of the best in the industry - we want you to be happy!!

So, what you've all been waiting for, the details, of course!!!

We are looking for 2 dynamic, creative and enthusiastic new Design Team members!!! If you love being a part of a thriving online community and designing with the best kits in Canada, then this is the call for you!!

If selected as one of our new Design Team members, you will receive:

•A full SSZ monthly kit – if you’re not familiar with our kits, have a look! They are jam packed, current and complete!

•25% discount on all other store purchases, to be shipped free of charge with your kit!

•$15 retail store credit every month, to be spent how you wish!

•Your photo and bio on our Design Team page!

What do we ask of you? Here you go!

- A six month term, with possibility to be renewed for an additional six months beginning March 15, 2010 with a review at 3 months.

- Exclusive to Scrap Shotz (US and manufacturer sites are fine, but we ask that Scrap Shotz be the only online site in Canada that you design for)

- Minimum of 4 - 6 projects created every month with the monthly kit, to be uploaded on the last day of the month. 2 of these projects must be layouts.

- Kit insert projects monthly as per designated theme and sketch (these are included as part of your reveal)

- Post an additional 2 projects of your choice in the gallery every month (these do not have to be projects created specifically for SSZ)

- Challenge and accompanying project posted on the blog once per month as per rotating schedule

- Share a personal design tip or "secret" once every six months as per rotating schedule

- Full participation in online crops 3/year

- Monthly challenge with accompanying layout

- Ability to work, at times, under very tight deadlines, as we often have very short turnaround times with our kits

- Daily message board and gallery participation. This is quite possibly the most important factor in this call! We cannot stress this enough. We have a great online community and our members are of the utmost importance to us, so this is huge. This will be discussed in further detail with our successful applicants!

If you think this call sounds like you and you’re not familiar with our online community, then please join us for awhile and get to know us, let’s make sure you’re a good fit for us and we’re a good fit for you! We'd like to see a minimum of 50 meaningful posts before the DT Call closes in order to be eligible. If you are already a current member of our online community, make yourself visible, we’re watching!

We will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, February 10th. The deadline for Design Team applications is Sunday, February 28th at midnight EST. You will receive a confirmation email within 2 days of receiving your application.

Please email 3 pieces of your best work (please keep files to under 200KB each) to scrapshotz@hotmail.com . These don’t have to be new, just your best stuff!), a short resume if you have one, a bit about you, a link to your blog and/or an online gallery and let us know why you think you would be a great addition to the Scrap Shotz Team!

Lastly, please include one creative idea that you would be happy to implement should you be chosen, to help generate member particpation at Scrap Shotz.

New Design Team Members will be selected and contacted by March 10th, 2010 and announced on the board on March 15th. New members will be making their Scrap Shotz Design Team debut on April 1, 2010 with the kit reveal!

One last personal note: As you can imagine, we receive dozens and dozens of applications for our calls. So when applying, please understand that we are considering many factors when selecting our new designers, including but not limited to scrapbooking style, geographic location, and experience. Our goal is simply to put together a great team with a variety of assets, personalities, and styles. Applications will be kept on file for future DT positions.

*Due to some of the very tight deadlines we work with with our kits, Canadian Talent only at this point please*

Please consider applying! It’s a wonderful online community to be a part of and we look forward to seeing what you have to offer!!

Please email any questions to scrapshotz@hotmail.com or post here!

Good luck everyone!!!

Spotted in the Gallery!

The gallery has been an outstanding source of viewing pleasure and inspiration again this week! Between all of the crop challenges being posted and the DT's fabylous reveal we've had lots to choose from!





This week I'd like to share a little Valentine's treat that I found in the gallery (from dcarter) to get us in the mood for the upcoming week on the blog, and lead us straight into the weekend!

Check out the blog all week long for more great Valentine's inspiration!

Fabulous Friday - Blueprint Challenge

Here we are again, Friday, well actually, Fabulous Friday! We have a fabulous challenge from Heather, a Blueprint Challenge that I hope you will all enjoy!

Here is a word from Heather:

Life is busy, isn't it?! When I finally get time to sit down and scrap I can find it a frustrating process. Design a layout is always the most challenging part for me and sketches help out immensely. To make it even easier and save more time, I've used the same sketch more than once. Why mess with a good thing especially when time is so precious? So I used this sketch to create this layout and a layout I did with the February kit. I don't plan on putting them side by side in my album so I don't think anyone will notice and I saved myself so much time in the process. Saving time and energy = a very happy scrapper."

Here is my layout...(I think it is gorgeous, don't you?)

Here is the corresponding blueprint...

Are YOU up for this challenge? I hope to see lots of layouts in the gallery that have been inspired by Heather's blueprint! Don't forget to hook me up in the Comments, ok?

On Special Assignment from our Roving Reporter

Our Roving Reporter Series continues with an expose from another active Scrap Shotz member, Kelly (KZ). Kelly examines the not-much-talked-about subject of "Pajama Scrapping!"

Here is Kelly's report...

A few years ago, I met an online woman known only as “pajamascrapper” a name I found fascinating. Over the years since, I’ve come to know her real identity but the concept behind her nameis truly appealing to me!

One of the greatest things about scrapbooking I think is that it is often done in the privacy of my own home. I have a great scrap room with custom-built shelves and desk so nobody but me (and my online friends) can “see” what I’m doing. This means that I do not have to dress for the day OR in any certain manner. Nobody cares what my hair looks like or if I’ve brushed my teeth or not.

Pajama scrapping is one of the reasons I love this hobby. It suits me and allows me to relax in a manner I see fit. For me the time of day when the bra can come off is unlike no other. To release my “girls” gives a sense of true freedom and putting on my long nightie or my loose flannel pants and sweatshirt seems to release my creativity as well. It is then that I venture into my scrap room to play with my paper and create.

This relaxed concept may not suit everyone but for me it’s perfect. I no longer have children at home and my husband knows how to cook for himself. He is happy when I am otherwise occupied because it leaves him free to pursue his own past-times. This past weekend I participated fully in the online crop here at Scrapshotz. The design team outdid itself once again with their challenges (check the gallery if you don’t believe me!) and the fact that the theme was “FASHION”, is what caused me to think about dressing (or undressing).

Seriously, I have been hanging around this scrapbook world for a few years now and I’ve YET to hear anyone say, “Man, I can’t wait to get home and do my hair and nails for a great evening of scrapping!” Generally, what you hear is something along the lines of, “I can’t wait to get home and into my comfy clothes (aka pajamas in my case), and after the kids are in bed, watch some mindless television while I scrap.” In preparation for an online crop, often questions asked in the forum ahead of time are, “Do you have your photos? Do you have your snacks? Do you have your comfy clothes?”

Even when you participate in a day crop outside your home – especially in a group of friends - if you look around, you probably won’t see anyone dressed to the nines (so to speak). Most of the women there will be in stretchy pants (or loose jeans), hair pushed back (certainly not done at the hairdresser before she arrived) and little if any makeup. Hey! Maybe you run in fancier circles than I do but that’s how my friends show up for a day of scrapping!

When I go to weekend crops, what I see as far as dress is even MORE relaxed because you see your friends in all manner of dress and undress. We do shower (one of our friends even brings her own toilet paper for comfort!) but the dress code is always casual. As you’ve learned if you read this blog, packing for a crop is a complicated business so if you do manage to find room for a small bag of your clothes it’s a real bonus!

So back to this whole concept of pajama scrapping, whether you wear your actual pajamas to scrap, or just put on some pseudo-pajamas in the form of comfy clothes, the concept is the same. Scrapbooking is not a hobby you need to dress for. In fact, an argument can be made that it’s a hobby that you undress for. And before anyone starts thinking about naked scrapbooking, I have to say that is a whole other topic and something you probably “should” do in the privacy of your home… and please stay from that heat embossing tool if you do!!!

Now that you have read Kelly's article, what do YOU think of pajama scrapping? Let Kelly and myself know in the Comments, ok? :-)

I also wanted to share a beautiful layout which showcases Kelly's work...all completed in her pajamas, of course! :-)

P.S. If YOU are interested in being a Roving Reporter, drop me an email or pm.

Prizes!!!

Wowsers! The crop prizes were amazing! For a complete list of crop prize winners, click here.

To keep the winning streak, let me announce the blog winner for the week of January 25. It is none other than..............








Laurie (Wally)!!!!

Congratulations Laurie! Thanks so much for posting a comment every single day and doing the Fabulous Friday challenge:-) My bowl was overflowing with Laurie slips which is so totally awesome! Thanks to everyone for posting comments...you make my job soooooooooo hard! :-) (But there IS a prize every week!)

Kit Reveal: February

Wow wow wow is all I can say about Scrap Shotz's amazing February kit featuring BasicGrey's Origins line. Inside there are 10 double sided sheets of pattern paper, the matching alpha sticker sheet, one beautiful die cut paper and full packs of Pops, Clips, Writers Block, die cut shapes and canvas tags. You will also receive half packs of Bloomers and Brads. Other special items include a 12x12 piece of adhesive backed cork, Prima gems and KoolTak mini dots. Of course, I can't forget the 8 pieces of Bazzill cardstock. Doesn't this kit just make you drool???

Now let me show some amazing work by the Design Team this month!

Check out this stunning layout from Amber - love how she used the cork!

How about this beauty from Jen???

And this is so adorable from Heather!

Love this from Denise!

And last but definitely not least, what about this number from Rosie???

I think you will agree with me that this reveal was spectacular! How about letting the girls know too? :-)

Spotted in the Gallery!

Well it was crop weekend and you know what that means! The gallery is just overflowing with fabulous projects! If you're looking for inspiration it's the place to be!

It was nearly impossible to choose a favorite from all of the fantastic uploads... but I've decided (finally!) on these cards by Jennifer Roach...

There's still time to play along! You have till Monday evening to post your crop challenges! Hope to see you there!