Hello all my artsy friends! I am back with another quick tip to help you customize your photo edges to match the color scheme of your digital pages. We have a fabulous SOSN 50% off sale today with all kinds of digital kits loaded with fall colors and goodness. I used several of kits in the sale to make this page (click on layout for full credits): Notice how the edges of the four centered frames are colored to match the papers and elements? It is a super easy process to create that look (especially if you are using one of Fiddle-Dee-Dee's templates, like I did). All you need to do is add a stroke around the photo spot and then select a color from one of the papers or elements on the page. I will walk you step by step through the process. Step 1: Add a stroke If you are using one of Fiddle-Dee-Dee's templates, a stroke is … [Read more...]
Yay for September M3!
Hi Pad Scrappers,Polly Liana here, thrilled to help debut this month's M3 collection. For those of you new to the concept, M3 stands for Mixed Media Monthly. Every month, some of our talented mixed media designers collaborate around a palette and three words. This month, the words are CAPTURE/FOCUS/PHOTOGRAPHIC. Let's have a look at the main kit for this collection:Isn't it terrific? Because it's obviously got a photography slant, it's so perfect for any photos you've been meaning to document. I love how they kept the palette largely monochromatic so it coordinates with any theme you want to scrap. But with that soft aqua and pops of bold burnt coral, it's got interest too. Here are some of the add-on kits that were designed to coordinate with the main kit: Delicious, right? I want to scoop all of these up to use with my recent photographs. And you can … [Read more...]
Creating Mixed Media Backgrounds
Let me share a few ideas with you on how to create your own personalized mixed media background, which can be used over and over again, turning layers on and off, in whichever manner suits your page design. The possibilities are endless, use your imagination, tryWhat I love about the mixed media products is the variety and versatility, being suitable for any scrapbook style. Almost any products can be utilized in creating backgrounds but I find the mixed media line-up of products to be a good starting point because you will always find paper, elements, stamps, word art, paint and overlays to choose from.To start creating my background paper, I choose a textured pink paper from the M3 March 2018 collection. Then I added a few doodles and elements. I choose a soft jagged edged brush, chose a slightly darker color than the base paper, and at a low opacity I brushed over the large … [Read more...]
Favorite Title Fonts
Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! I just wanted to pop in and share some of my favorite fonts for making digital scrapbooking titles. These fonts can be used as is for a more graphic look, or used as the foundation for a dimensional alpha element. Here are my steadfast faves (all of which are available for free personal use from DaFont.com): One of the easiest ways to add dimension to a font is using one of the many amazing styles from the store. Mommyish has an amazing set of Requested Styles in the SOSN sale today for 50% off. Here is what they look like applied to the fonts above: Adding the styles to the fonts could not be easier. All you have to do is load the styles, then type your title and click on the style you like to apply it. And that is it - instant title Wow! (If you are unsure … [Read more...]
8 Podcasts to Enjoy While You Scrap
I love having background noise to keep me company while I sit at my desk and scrap.I listen to them for creative inspiration, to learn more about my craft, and to just have fun!Today I thought I would share some of my favorite podcasts to listen to while I scrap and invite you to share some of your favorite podcasts as well!Pocket Talk by Jess ForesterIn this podcast, Jess Forester interviews pocket page scrapbookers about their creative process. This podcast is designed to inspire and educate and will answer any specific questions you may have about pocket scrapbooking.The Everyday Artist This is a new podcast focused on creativity that looks to be very promising. The host mentioned in the first episode that she plans to have some digital scrapbookers on the show at some point. The second episode was released today and it's all about Creative Self Care. I can't … [Read more...]
Blueberry Muffins – make ahead or freeze!
We have a busy clan over here and I'm always looking for some premade breakfast dishes that can be eaten on the go! Not that any child of mine has ever eaten breakfast AT the bus stop because they were running late (insert eye roll)DIRECTIONSHeat oven to 400 degrees.Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. When you add in the wet to the dry ingredients, only mix the dry and wet ingredients until they are combined. If you over mix, the muffins will be dense and flat. This recipe makes approx 8 large muffins.Fold in the blueberries.BAKE MUFFINSDivide the batter between muffin cups. You can, sprinkle a little sugar on top of each muffin. I chose to skip this step because we eat a low sugar diet as much as possible, so this step can be skipped.Bake muffins 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are no longer wet and … [Read more...]
Create Crate Monthly: Bohemian Fall is here!
Well, it's still hot where I am, but September means fall is here! Time for sweaters, pumpkin, crunching leaves, and crisp air. Now that we've hit September, we are edging closer and closer to the end of 2018! Another month means another great Create Crate Monthly!Look at all those rich fall colors! There are so many great details here. The word art is great here, and that owl is oh so cute. This is just the main kit, there are a bunch of great Add-Ons by the designers to check out too! The main kit is $11.99 this weekend and all Add-Ons are 20% off. If you decide to SUBSCRIBE to Create Crate Monthly, the cost of the kit is $8.99 and Add-Ons are 35% off! That sounds like a bargain to me!I'm going to be sure to keep my eye out for some awesome layouts in the Gallery very soon!Head to the store and SUBSCRIBE to Create Crate Monthly now!! … [Read more...]
Shadowing Magic
Hello everyone and happy "almost" Fall/Autumn! I'm just dropping in with a a new Autumn inspired layout and a quick shadowing tip to share with you. Here is a layout I made with kits from today's SOSN sale: Notice that many of the drop shadows are warped? I want to share a tip with you on how to quickly add some random dimension to your shadows to make them look more realistic. You may be familiar with the Wave filter, but I am going to share the settings I generally use and a shortcut to help you warp all of your shadows quickly so you can move on to creating your next digital page. Wave Filter The first step is to enter the Wave filter settings. The Wave filter can be found under the Distort category in the filters panel. When you click on "Wave" a settings box will pop up. When it … [Read more...]
Remember and Document
Hi guys! It's Monica here with a bit of a somber post today.As many of you are aware, today marks seventeen years since the tragedy of 9/11 occurred in America. This event had a profound impact on the lives of many Americans. Today has been set aside as Patriot Day, an annual day of observance to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And as such, I found myself hard pressed to write about any thing else today.I want to write to you today about our obligation and privilege as memory keepers to actively remember and document national and personal tragedies.One way to observe and to continually remember those who were the most deeply impacted by this and other tragedies is to document our thoughts and observances about them. This can be done in so many ways, but it is important that we do go. This may sound a bit … [Read more...]
Delicious Scone Recipe
Hi Pad Scrappers!Polly Liana here with a wonderfully easy and delicious recipe for chocolate chip scones. I've been making them all summer and they're so yummy!What are we waiting for? Let's get to it!Ingredients:1 3/4 c all purpose flour4 teaspoons baking powder1/4 c white sugar1/8 teaspoon salt5 tablespoons unsalted butter3/4 c heavy cream1/2 c chocolate chips Preheat the over to 400 degrees.Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large bowl. The sifting is important because it blends the dry ingredients and keeps the dough smooth and silky. Use a pastry blender (or your fingers) to cut in the butter to the dry ingredients until the pieces of butter are the size of a pea.Stir in the chocolate chips.Pour the heavy cream into the dry ingredients and with floured hands, mix gently … [Read more...]