Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog

Project 12 - January Reveal & March Sketch

Hi there!  It’s the March edition of the Project 12 challenge, which means it is time to reveal the winner for the previous challenge, and organize those photos for the next sketch.

I can tell you I have been completely blown away by the wonderful talent participating this year, and am so glad to see so many people inspired by this challenge.  I hope it has helped light a creative fire as well as aiding you in organizing your photos and your scrapbooks.

In case you needed a reminder, here is the January sketch:

And this is what I came up with this month:

I loved Becky’s sketch so much I went out and purchased a large snowflake punch!

I could have gone with pink because of the common colors in all of my photos, but decided to do a wintery color of blue/green to go with January and the snowflakes.

I mixed a couple of different date elements for my title.

Because I was using my everyday photos, a couple of them weren’t ideal for the size indicated in the sketch.  In particular I mean my gymnastics photos.  So I switched sizes with the photo next to them and reduced their size a little bit.   I love how it turned out.

I really liked having the sketch in advance because it helped plan out my photos for the month.  My eldest daughter Morgan turned 6 in January, which is a big deal at our house, so I knew a birthday photo would make it’s place in the vertical 5x7 spot.  When picture time came, I knew what I needed to capture.  That was nice, without controlling the photos I took that month.

We made it really easy this year for anyone to participate in this challenge.  You didn’t need a blog or a scrapbook gallery to play along. 

See the Facebook gallery for submissions here.

I did take some time to go through the submissions linked in the previous Project 12 post, and wanted to share a couple of ideas other participants had.

Erin made her very first 2 page layout for this challenge!  Hooray for trying something new!  I love her punches of red in the design and the layered scalloped ribbon:

http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/20160

I love the black polka dot background on Heather’s layout.  The whole color palette is delicious and I love the use of stars in place of the snowflakes:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/148162-heatherm/1597014-jan-10/?c=t

In the design of the sketches for this year long challenge, one of the focuses to make these layouts identifiable over the rest of your scrapbook pages was a border around the edges.  You’ll notice that theme with all the sketches this year.

I really like what Maya did with border punches to the inside edges of her layout.  She’s created a really fun frame.

http://mayadahan.blogspot.com/2010/02/project-12-january.html

Remember, you don’t have to use the sketch and you don’t have to do a 2 page layout to participate in this challenge.  Just capture your month.

We’ve seen the February sketch for the current month, but here’s a peek at what’s in store for March:

Love it!  Love the flower.  My husband Steve and youngest daughter Payton both have birthdays in March.  Looks like I have some planning to do. 

As a reminder, here are the details. 
1.  Your February layouts need to be linked to this thread.  For a second chance to win, also link them to the March 1 post at http://davinie.blogspot.com. 
2. You have until March 20 to link your February layouts.  
3. If you would like to be included in our monthly Facebook album, email your completed layout to [email protected] and they will be uploaded to the Facebook gallery, which will count as your entry.
4. On March 27, the two winners will be announced, and the April sketch will be revealed.

Want to know what you are playing for?  How about a prize pack from the Barnyard Collection from Doodlebug?  Sound good?

I’m so happy you are playing along!

So, without further ado, here are the two winners:

Julie is the winner from my blog!

http://julieslife-lexea.blogspot.com/2010/02/january-layout-for-project-12.html

And the second winner is:  Vicky P.

Congratulations!  You both won the Homefront and Anthology Collections from Studio Calico!  A very fun prize indeed!

See you in a couple of weeks! 

Davinie

Freebie Friday - Bella Blvd

Hello Bellas!  Today is one of those days that I really LOVE what I do.  I love waking up every Friday morning knowing we are going to have another fabulous giveaway - and this one does not disappoint!  If you guessed from my hint yesterday that we would be featuring some Bella Blvd...than you were absolutely right!

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Stephanie Hunt, President and Designer of Bella Blvd. while at CHA recently and enjoyed every minute of it.  This lady has talent I tell you!  Her fresh designs, eye for colour and fun, whimsical themes make this product line so easy to use (can one wallpaper a room with 12" x 12" paper???).  I asked Stephanie to share some designs from one of our new favourite spring lines - Estate Sale and I think you'll love it as much as we do!  (love, love, love the fabric flowers!)

 

  
 
And, because Stephanie is so generous, she has offered our readers a fabulous Estate Sale prize package just for YOU!  So, if you would like to win this fabulous Bella Blvd. prize pack, be sure to leave us a comment below.  We will randomly select a winner on Thursday, March 4 at 6:00 p.m. EST. Good luck!  Be sure to check out the Bella Blvd. blog for more inspriation too!

Now on to the winner of our Scrapbook & Cards Today subscription giveaway. The winner is ...

Michelle Nadraszky who said ...

Squeal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would love, love to have a free subscription!!!

Congratulations Michelle!  Jen will contact you in the next few days to get all of your mailing details.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow when we have our January Project 12 sketch reveal and release the brand new March sketch by Becky Fleck!  Don't miss it!

Have a fabulous Friday!

~  Catherine 

Reader's Submission Thursday with Stephanie Howell!

We absolutely loved this layout submitted by Stephanie Howell - look at those adorable photos!  The crochet flowers perfectly capture the moment of these girls in their beautiful hats and sunny smiles.  Thank you Stephanie for sending us such a burst of colour during these cold winter days!!

"These photos of my daughters make my heart so happy. I just had to scrap them on a "happy" layout with colors to match. They brighten my life so very much with their vibrant, sunny personalities!"

How, by Stephanie Howell

Supplies: cardstock: Bazzill, Studio Calico Bakers Dozen Kit, Petit Fours Add-On, patterned papers: my mind's eye (colorful papers), scenic route (white grid), studio calico (doily border), word strips: making memories, chipboard circles- american crafts, alphabet stickers- american crafts, punches: martha stewart (scallop), EK success corner rounder, Doilies: Sweet Vintage (etsy), pen: american crafts, ink: colorbox chalk ink in creamy brown

Oh yes and don't forget to enter a comment to win a one year subscription to Scrapbook & Cards Today!  Enter here by 6:00 pm tonight!   Also, mark your calendar to join us this Saturday when we have our January Project 12 sketch reveal and release the brand new March sketch by Becky Fleck!  Don't miss it!

See you tomorrow Bellas!  (hehehe...hint for tomorrow's giveaway - any guesses?)
 

Designer Project with Emily Pitts!

Good morning!  I promised you on Monday that I would show you another way to add stitching to your projects.  I've also got a fun technique that I learned from quilting, but can easily be transfered to paper. It's called improv quilting and this is my inspiration piece, created by Elizabeth Hartman  and I found her through her Flickr. I saw this quilt and once I figured out how to duplicate it, I filed it away as a fun thing to try on a scrapbook page sometime.

This article has moved here: http://www.scrapbookandcards.com/scrap-quilt-pattern

 

 

Interview with Becky Fleck!

 

Without a doubt we are super excited to be working with sketch artist Becky Fleck in 2010!!  If you don't know Becky, she is an extraordinarily talented graphic designer and author of the best-selling book, Scrapbook PageMaps: Sketches for Creative Layouts...an absolute must in your scrap space!  I have had the opportunity to work with Becky these last few months, including working with her and Davinie on Project 12, and thought you might like to know a little about her too....

You’re a graphic designer by trade. How did you get started in scrapbooking?

About seven years ago, I decided to create an album to commemorate my in-law’s 60th wedding anniversary. Looking back, I think it was nuts to create a 60-page album that spanned their entire life together when I’d never scrapped a day in my life, but I had so much fun experimenting with different papers, embellishments and techniques. I’m a “jump in with both feet” kind of gal and I was officially hooked on the hobby after that.

Your page maps are so versatile and offer lots of room for design flexibility. In what ways can someone adapt a page map to fit their own style?

First and foremost, I would suggest not following the page map exactly as it is drawn. By shifting around the elements of a page, altering photo and title positions, and changing up embellishments, your own personal style will come through. Flipping and rotating page maps to fit your photos and theme is another way to mix in your own style. Most importantly, just relax and have fun with the design process.

How would you describe your personal scrapbooking style?

I lean towards a pretty linear style with a fair amount of dimension, but often I get myself out of a scrapbooking rut by trying something new that departs from my typical style. It’s fun to get out of my comfort zone from time to time.

What are your greatest inspirations and how do you translate them onto your scrapbook pages?

My two greatest sources of inspiration are the stories behind my photos and the magazine Anthem. I am a huge proponent of journaling because as scrapbookers, we are the authors of our lives. One hundred years from now, I want my family to know the true and authentic story of me, not just the who/what/where/when.  Anthem magazine is a really edgy, urban culture magazine that is put together with a fascinating and captivating design, along with killer ads from the most well-know to the most obscure companies. An issue of Anthem never fails to inspire me on some level.

What other hobbies/interests are you involved in outside of scrapbooking?

I am hopelessly obsessed with football and fly fishing. From April to September, you’ll find me standing in numerous rivers and streams throughout Montana, Wyoming and Canada. From September to February, I’m permanently planted in our family room on Saturdays and Sundays watching NCAA football and the Minnesota Vikings. Seriously, I tell all my family and friends, “Do not call me on a Sunday unless you are on fire or in the ICU!”

What is something someone might not know about you? I know the Canadian anthem by heart. :)  (note...very impressive!!)

In case you missed our recent Project 12 post and Becky's fabulous January and February sketches, here they are...

January's sketch

 

February's sketch

Thank you Becky for sharing some of YOU with our readers!  Look for Becky's article in our upcoming Spring issue releasing in stores and online on March 26th and be sure to visit www.pagemaps.com for many hours of inspiration.  Have a great Tuesday!

~ Catherine
 

Designer Challenge with Emily Pitts!

Good Monday morning everyone!  Yes, I know...it's Monday, but thankfully Emily is here with us and has a great challenge for you!

I love to stitch on paper! I happen to have a very nice sewing machine that I bought before I started scrapbooking. I bought it because I fully intended to sew clothing, crafts, and quilts, after all, I've been a seamstress since my mom taught me how to make a pair of paperbag waist pants when I was 10! But I started scrapbooking and those other hobbies took a back burner.  Now that machine sees mostly paper these days. I'm sure it doesn't mind. Sewing on paper is big right now, I'm seeing it everywhere.

My challenge for you this week is to add some stitching to your projects. But Emily, I don't have a sewing machine, you say? Well there's a number of ways you can interpret my challenge. You can add stitched rub ons.

Stiched rub-ons by Studio Calico

Stitches rub ons by Hambly Screen Prints

Both Hambly and Studio Calico offer fun rub on stitches to add to your project. Or you could use this paper by Prima, the stitching has already been done for you!

How about this paper by Cosmo Cricket? With the stitching printed right on it, it doesn't get any easier, now does it?

Now, here's my take with machine stitching! Please come back on Wednesday to see another way to add stitching to your pages, that's all I can tell you...

 

(note from Catherine:  Emily and I truly do share a profound love of Buca's antipasto salad.  I think the girls should feel lucky that we shared...lol!   Our dinner at CHA was great - thank you girls for joining us!)

Be sure to join Emily again on Wednesday.  Ciao Bella's!  (oh, and by the way, that was just a little hint for what may be in store for Friday :)   Have a great day!