Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog

Hello from sunny CHA!

Hello friends!  Happy Monday!  The team is here in sunny California for the CHA tradeshow where we have the opportunity to see all of the new products coming to a store near you soon!  Here is just a quick overview of some of the amazing things we saw today...

Some cute projects from Jillibean Soup...and as usual our hearts went pitter patter!

and look what I spotted...Kimber's new book!  Loved it!

and of course...some beautiful Maya Road!

Caroline, owner of Maya Road and designer/author Lisa Pace!

Unfortunately the camera then experienced a small problem so we could not take any more.  We have it fixed and will have even more images from the showfloor for you tomorrow!  We just cannot wait to share with you all the amazing things we have seen.  From a ribbon cutter, to beautiful craft pins, to papers you want to frame for your wall.  Yes, we've see it all!

Check back tomorrow for day 2 from CHA!

~ Catherine

Who feels like a "Sunday Picnic" giveaway today?

Oh we heard you say "I do, I do"!  LOL!  And so do we!  We loved that Courtney Walsh shared this beautiful new line from Webster's Pages with us and we were even more excited when she said she would love to offer one lucky SCT reader a chance to win this collection! 

"With its cheerful colors and whimsical motifs, Sunday Picnic is the kind of collection that inspires happiness. The first of our new releases to feature both Classic and Clean & Simple designs, this is one line that will help you tell your stories in a beautiful way...no matter what your style is."

As we head into February, this fresh line is a welcome site and would be welcome in your scrap space we're sure!  For your chance to win, just leave us a comment below by Thursday, February 2 at 6:00 p.m. EST.  Good luck!!!  We would also LOVE for you to visit Webster's Pages facebook page and send them a warm SCT thank you for this prize!

Now for the moment I know some have been waiting for, well actually there are about 1,140 of you wondering if you won this...

So congratulations to Jules for winning this beautiful iPod Touch! 

Congrats on hitting 1000 posts! I love, love, love SCT!  Posted by: Jules | January 19, 2012 at 09:20 PM

Jules, we will be in contact with you for your mailing information today!  A special thank YOU to everyone who posted such wonderful comments about what the SCT blog means to you each day.  At a time when the team is working hard on CHA projects, CardMaps Vol. 2, the spring issue and Crop & Create, it's so nice to know you are inspired each day by their work here.  We have an awesome team...and we have some amazing readers.  Thank YOU!

The team is heading to CHA tomorrow so be sure to check in Monday through Wednesday next week for some amazing CHA sneak peeks!  Kids in a candy store we'll be!  Enjoy your day and be sure to leave a comment below.

~  Catherine

Announcing Crop & Create BC!...and one more ;)

Scrapbook & Cards Today is SO EXCITED to bring Crop & Create to Burnaby, British Columbia, on Saturday June 2 and Sunday, June 3rd!  Hosted at the beautiful Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Crop & Create Burnaby will be a one-of-a-kind experience.  Joining us as educators will be Vicki Boutin, Kelly Goree, Kimber McGray and Caroline Lau, owner of Maya Road!  A stellar line up for amazing teachers!  Registration opens on March 5th and if its anything like Crop & Create Moncton where classes sold out in 12 hours, you will want to be ready to register quickly for your favourite classes.  Class descriptions will be available on February 27th.  BC here we come!

On another note, are you on facebook?  If so, we have a new feature we are starting on Monday, February 6th called "Inspiration Monday's!" on the SCT facebook page.   We know that each day 1,000's of layouts are created, yet we at SCT magazine don't get to see them except when we do a specific call for the magazine.  And we would like to change that!  Starting on February 6th we would love you to upload your favourite layout of the week on our facebook page.  You can even tell us why it's your favourite!  At the end of each Monday (12:00 a.m EST) we are going to randomly select one person to receive a copy of our most recent issue!!!  We love seeing your work and want to see more of it.  Plain and simple.  So we hope you will take part in our fun "Inspiration Monday's"!

Don't forget you have until 6:00 p.m. EST to leave a comment on THIS post for an opportunity to win this...

An iPod Touch!  Good luck!   See you tomorrow for a fun giveaway of course!  It is Friday after all  ;)

~  Catherine

 

Happy colour combinations create...a happy layout!

Good morning!  It's Wednesday, middle of the week, and not too cold here in Toronto thankfully!  The team is getting ready to head out to Anaheim, CA on Saturday for CHA which for those of you who don't know is where we get to see (up close and personal!) all the brand new products that will hit our favourite scrapbook store's shelves over the next few months!  Like kids in a candy store we will be!  Of course, we don't want to leave everyone out and because we love to give sneak peeks, we will be taking many pictures and even some video to share with you starting next Monday.  Of course we will also be choosing one of our favourite things to give away :)

Today we have Courtney Walsh joining us again with another look at the Sunday Picnic collection from Webster's Pages.  This collection just inspires fresh!

"Certain color combinations simply inspire happiness. Light, bright and airy colors and patterns with whimsical designs and motifs are the perfect way to record some of your happiest moments.

The new Sunday Picnic collection from Webster's Pages conjures images of a stroll through the park on a spring day, a leisurely bike ride in the warm sun. And it’s these playful elements that put the FUN in scrapbooking.

Designer Iris Babao Uy demonstrates how joyful this collection can really be. Her layout, featuring two photos of her adorable daughters, is covered with happiness. Hand-cut motifs and brilliant layering make this page playful and fun.
 
Iris created a nice foundation for her layout using a mask and spraying on some blue mist. From there, she was able to layer her photos, gorgeous motifs and some Perfect Accents, assembling them in a cluster of perfection. 

When you want to convey a happy moment, it’s great to start with a color palette like this one. From there, anything you add is sure to bring a smile.

 

Whether you prefer intricate details and layering or clean and simple white space, bring a little happiness to your pages and remember how joyful life can be!  So go ahead and create a "happy" layout today!  And be sure to check out the Webster's Pages blog for even more inspiration!

~ Courtney Walsh

(pssst...remember to join us right here on Friday where Courtney has a little something to share!)

Are you afraid to cut your favourite papers?

Good morning, Lisa here!  Do you ever hold on to papers that you love, and specifically choose NOT to use them on layouts? I do. Sometimes I can't stand the thought of cutting into them. I worry that I won't do them justice. This is paper we're talking about, people. It is meant to be used and enjoyed! For the layout below I picked four papers I truly loved, and gave them each their own little corner to shine. I paired them with a black and white photo of my girls that really took my breath away. (I have no idea how I got them to make those ethereal expressions, but the fact that they were lying on the ground with me standing over them might have had something to do with it.)

Then, of course, I did a little decor in each quadrant... I can't help myself. After much resistance, I have given in to the pennant banner craze-- in this case chipboard triangles covered in washi tape:

And then one little word to sum it all up in a lovely "Thickers" font:

 

This layout makes me happy, because I used products that I love. Link me up to a layout that makes YOU happy!

~ Lisa Kisch

"Make a statement" challenge with Courtney Walsh!

What’s the most important part of your scrapbook page? If we surveyed ten scrapbookers, everyone would likely have a different answer to that question. Me? I think it’s nice to change it up a little. On some layouts, it’s about an amazing photo. On others, it’s about the journaling of a story I can’t wait to tell (and never want to forget). And on others, it’s about the overall sentiment.

Take this page, for instance, created by Jaime Warren  (click this link to see her fabulous blog!) and using the brand new Sunday Picnic Collection from Webster's Pages. First of all, isn’t it adorable?

Jaime’s layout made me smile the second I saw it, not just because of the fun, bright colors, but because of the whole idea behind it. “You Make Me Happy” pops right off the page…and what a great thing to tell your child, spouse or best friend.

So, here’s the challenge today…create a layout with a supersized title, one that jumps off the page. Allow yourself to forget the rules of what your focal point SHOULD be and have fun with it. After all, this is art…and that means you can make it whatever you want!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• “I have a confession…” Create a layout about a funny guilty pleasure or something no one knows about you.
• “My purse tells a story…” Create a page about the contents of your purse. It’ll be like a peek into your brain—how fun is that?
• “Friends are Forever…” A layout showcasing your special friendships—or those of your kids—will become an instant classic.

Let your imagination run wild…what is it that you’re feeling right this second? Sit down and create a page about it, letting that sentiment be the star!

~ Courtney Walsh

Thank you Courtney for a great challenge!  The Sunday Picnic collection is so beautiful (and already shipping!), we just had to share more...

Courtney is back on Wednesday with a great project and you may just want to mark your calendars to be here on Friday  ;)

Have a great day!  Just a reminder that Crop & Create Moncton registration opens tonight at 7:00 pm. EST. 

~ Catherine

We have pictures from Crop & Create Markham!

Just a little suprise post on a Sunday!  With Moncton Crop & Create registration opening tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. EST we thought we would share a few photos and give updates on Crop & Create Markham last weekend!  With great classes, fabulous food and a really fun group of ladies...well, it was the best!  Here is just a little peek at the fun...

Before opening...

Let the fun begin...

Lori, Leica and Hannah hamming it up!

And here are some of our guests...

(cutest Mom & Daughter duo!)

Wonderful ladies these two are! 

(Ms. Debbie Williams...what can we say...you were so much fun!)

(Vicki and Dee...fun happens whereever these two ladies go!)

Best of luck at the upcoming wedding!  (Our friend on the right is getting married soon!)

(Love this Leica girl!)

Becky announcing the 50/50 draw for Breast Cancer!  $425 was raised!  Well done Markham ladies!  But really, doesn't Becky look divine???!  Pretty in pink!

And then well, there was the FOOD!

and to end our photo tour, we had to put this one in...

Let's just say these two had a LOT of fun in the photo booth  ;)

Of course, there was more fun to be had.  Our blindfold card challenge and the ugly sweater contest offered up some fun times!  So ladies, if you are thinking about joining us in Winnipeg on March 23 and 24 (only 20 spaces left!) or Moncton in April 20 and 21st (registration opens tomorrow!) or even in BC (location and date to be announced Wednesday!) then don't delay.  More fun than you have had in a long time!  For more information, check out our website at www.scrapbookandcards.com!

~ Catherine

pssst...if any of our attendees are reading this post and have some images from Crop & Create Markham, please send them to us at create@scrapbookandcards.com to add to our Crop & Create facebook album.

 

Big news! Very exciting!

We can finally share some really big news!  Our wonderful and incredibly talented Editor-in-Chief extraordinaire Becky Fleck has partnered with one of our favourite companies, Spellbinders, to launch a monthly line of coordinated dies!  Woot, woot!  How exciting is that?!  Here is the official word...

"The PageMaps Designer Collection by Becky Fleck will open a whole new world of scrapbooking possibilities. She is the founder of the highly popular and successful sketch site, www.pagemaps.com and author of the best-selling sketch books, Scrapbook PageMaps 1 and 2. This ever popular book series is further enhanced by a monthly release of coordinated Spellbinders die templates. Office Supplies, a Spellbinders Shapeabilities die template, will be the first to launch at 2012 Winter CHA."

Becky's new dies will be available on February 1st!  I know exactly what your thinking, it's Friday, and we should be having a giveaway right?  I agree!  As soon as these dies become available we'll pick a favourite and send it to you!  Just leave a comment below (or a congrats to Becky!) and we'll choose one lucky winner on February 1st!  We'll also get images as soon as we can to share!  Good luck!

Be sure to join us next week as we have the ever wonderful Courtney Walsh joining us here on the blog.  Wait until you see what she has in store!  So delightful!  And don't forget that registration for Crop & Create Moncton opens at 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday night.  Classes are listed here, so be sure to check them out before registration as they will sell out quickly!  Moncton friends, we are so excited to come to town on April 20/21st!

Have a great weekend and we'll see you Monday!

Catherine

Oh, and don't forget we are giving this away here!

 

Our 1,000th blog post...and a surprise!

Where does the time go?  1,000 blog posts already?  WOW!  When we started the SCT blog in 2008 we had no idea if anyone would even stop by and now each day thousands stop by from all over the world.  It has been an amazing tool to reach you and to hear you.  Each of you.  Because YOU are what it's all about.  And YOU are why we love doing what we do.  So today we thought we would like to offer an amazing present to say thank YOU! 

Yes friends, that is an Ipod Touch!  This way, no matter where you are, you can keep in touch with us each day.  We could not think of a better way to say thank YOU then to give someone the opportunity to be on the go with us and not miss a thing!

Would you like the opportunity to win this?  All you have to do is leave a comment below and maybe tell us what the SCT blog means to YOU!  You have until Thursday, January 26th at 6:00 p.m. to leave a comment below.  GOOD LUCK!

And, we will also be giving away 10 copies of the brand new signed copy of CardMaps Vol. 2 set to be available for preorder on February 1st!!!  Just think, you'll have a reserved copy of your very own!  14 designers have been hard at work and Becky Fleck has outdone herself with 50 beautiful CardMaps!

Thank YOU for being the best blog readers and for inspiring us to do our best each and every day!

~ Catherine
Publisher, Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine
www.scrapbookandcards.com

Adding textural elements to your page with Lisa!

Happy Tuesday everyone-- it is absolutely freezing here in Toronto, but not 48 hours ago I was on a beach in Mexico with my hubby, and I can still feel the sand between my toes! We were lucky enough to have a few kid-free days of one one time, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to do that. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

On our trip, I documented the details with both my phone, and my Canon 40D. There is something I love about Instagram-- not least of which is I don't have to worry about getting sand in my camera! When I picked a few favourite shots for the week, I decided to let the textures of our Mexican beach vacation inform my design choices:

 

Firstly, I picked a kraft background and cork accents to get the texture of the sand. I used hits of blue, translucent teal buttons, and silver glittered letters to represent the sparkly blue waters of the ocean.

 

More subtle textural elements included white stitching (like on the brim of my sunhat), and a bit of yellow lace ribbon (inspired by the sundresses I wore all week).  Although I labeled some of the photos, I tucked a journaling card under the photos to add a few details (like about the guacamole we lived on all week, and the pelicans who roosted on poles in the water all day).

 

Overall, I think the textural elements of this design really convey the feel of our Mexican getaway!  So, my challenge to you is add textural elements to a layout that are inspired by your photos. I'd love to see what you come up with!  Link your layout back here so that we can see what you've come up with! 

~ Lisa Kisch

Thank you Lisa!  Great challenge this week!  We also just wanted to let you know that Crop & Create Moncton classes are up!  Mark your calendars as registration opens next Monday, January 23rd!  And for those looking at Crop & Create Winnipeg, we only have 20 spaces left and some classes are almost sold out!  If you would like to know how Crop & Create Markham was, be sure to check out our Crop & Create facebook page.  We'll also share some pictures and tell you more about it right here on Thursday!