Spotted in the Gallery!

Well I know we ALL have unscrapped Christmas photos still calling our name! This is your inspiration for that task! Kelly uploaded this gorgeous creation to our SSZ gallery this week... isn't it just about enough to warm you up on these COLD February days?

Fabulous Friday - Chromotherapy Challenge

Today we have a fab-u-lous challenge from our Guest Designer, Rebecca Hilligas. Rebecca has prepared a stunning Chromotherapy challenge. Here are the details:

For scrapbookers color is a very important element in our process of memory keeping. We’ve all looked through a row of papers or embellishments in a scrapbooking store or online. Color inspires us; it can create a calming aura or a happy vibrant one.  You don’t need to stop just at craft stores or websites to get color inspiration. I did a little virtual surfing through the Pier 1 website and found lots of great sources of color inspiration. Take this cute little picture frame with the kraft colored background and the brightly embroidered flowers. Its a great starting point for a layout or card.

Here’s my interpretation of the frame. I used a kraft background with Echo Park’s Little Boy pattern paper for my pop of bright colors.

My challenge for you this week is to use kraft cardstock with brightly colored papers. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Thanks Rebecca! Let's show what you got!!!!

Fabulous Fundamental - Distressing Part 2

Before Christmas. I showcased the first of a 3 part series on Design Team Member, Laura Gilhuly's distressing secrets. Here is the second in the series.


Another cool technique is crumpling; that is, taking a piece of paper, crumple it into a ball, unroll and recrumple a different way. (Editor's Note: Is it really that easy????) 

Gently and carefully uncrumple.

Using your ink pad,  directly and gently rub it all over your paper.

It will look something  like...

Add another ink color.

You could stop here. Your project would have plenty of texture and be amazing!

But if you like your paper a little flatter, cover with a white tea towel or paper towel and iron on a med setting until your paper is flat.

It will look something like this....

Now you could go even further if you wish and use your edge distresser and distress the edges.

Don't worry about ripping your papers. If you do, it adds character; the harder you push the more distressed. If you rub your edge distresser back and forth it will be more of a curled edge. If you go in one direction your paper will be more shredded or frayed.

This layout I used inking and my edge distresser.

For this one I used the crumpling and inking techniques

Thank you Laura for sharing your design secrets with us! 

Spotted in the Gallery!

Rebecca's challenge on the forum this month was to mix it up in terms of photo effects! I just love this layout that Lynnette uploaded using both a color and black and white photo... love the look! And what gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing it with us Lynnette!

Fabulous Friday - Blueprint Challenge

So how has January treated you thus far??? I've got a treat for you this Fabulous Friday; it's a Blueprint Challenge from the lovely Stephanie.

Here is the blueprint:

And here is Stephanie's awesome interpretation!

I look forward to seeing your interpretations!

Spotted in the Gallery!

Ruby has done some AMAZING work with the January SSZ kit!!! These photos of her gorgeous granddaughter are the perfect match to the latest kit products! Thanks for sharing Ruby, beautiful work!

Fabulous Friday - Anything But

How is everyone on this Fabulous Friday??? I personally am glad the week is wrapping up and have planned some much need scrapping time this weekend. To kick start my scrapping, I am going to tackle Laurel's Anything But challenge. Take a look below for the details!

Hi there, Laurel here.  This week the theme is Anything But.  I love the anything but challenges, it gets me out of my scrapbooking/card making box to try something new or different.  This week I have used some of the Bo Bunny Crush papers to cover a 'to go' coffee cup.  I purchased some of these at our Dollar Store, cut one down to use as a template and voila, quick and easy!  I have filled this with some yummy cinnamon hearts and willl surprise hubby with it on Valentine's Day.  I challenge you to see what you can come up with and make a quick and easy gift for someone.

Thank you Laurel for this awesome challenge! I see 56 of these in miniature form in the very near future! My daughters are looking for something fun and interesting to make for their friends at school!