Hey all, Polly Jewelle here! As a hybrid scrapper I find myself collecting things while thinking in my mind, "Hey, I could use that for a project!" Today I'm going to give you a very quick walk through of how you can take something other people would see as trash and turn it into a wonderful treasure. This trash to treasure story starts with my little five year old who went into the dentist the other day and she came out telling me that she had several loose teeth. She instantly demanded that she needed a tooth box. In our family when a loose tooth falls out we put it in our tooth box and put it next to the bed. That way the tooth fairy has easy access to it and doesn't have to wake us when lifting the lid open to leave our surprise. With my daughters declaration of needing a tooth box, I set to work.1. Take an Altoids tin and spray paint it. I chose white because that would … [Read more...]
June Challenge Spotlight
It's Polly Karen here again with this month's installment of the Challenge Spotlight. This is where I pick out just a few of my favorite layouts created for the monthly challenges here at the pad. We have 7 new challenges each month and for those that play along, you can earn a nice coupon for your next shopping spree (2 challenges = 10%, 4 challenges = 20% and 6 challenges = 30%). On top of the lovely coupon this month, if you complete all 7 challenges, not one but 2 lucky scrappers will win a one month guest spot on the Creative Team (to be a Polly). So many great reasons to play along and you'll also have some great new layouts to be proud of too! So, let's take a look a small sample of the amazing pages flooding the challenge galleries this month: 1. BYOC Challenge - use 90% products from this month's BYOC collection and from at least 3 designers: by … [Read more...]
Summer Art Journaling-The Skinny
Three weeks ago, I very nervously posted a chat for art journalers to begin that Friday! I was so blown away at those that came to chat and then more at the wonders of the skinnys the ladies created for the challenge that coincided with the chat. Now, I know it is hard for some to get to the chats, and that is why this challenge is so comfortable. Like your favorite pair of jeans! SKINNY ones! lol, because we are building a page one skinny (3x12) panel a week. You don't have to be in the chat, because I post all the info every week after the chat! It has been such a blast, and seeing this Friday coming up so quickly makes me sad to see this particular challenge come to an end, but I am way excited about how the pages will finish! The GRAND finale!Everyone who completes the 4 in one challenge will receive a gift from dear Michelle Godin this month! All entries are to be … [Read more...]
None Destructive Modifications
Hi everyone, Dalis here with another short tutorial (big on photos, but short in time... I pinky promise). We often have to modify either a picture or an element to suit our needs or to fix lighting or distracting shadows or objects. I usually play a lot with the dodge/burn tools in Photoshop. I like how easily you can create some dimension with just those 2 tools. Of course if you have ever tried to burn or dodge, you may have done it directly on top of your picture or element. Doing this will change your element or picture. I once was watching videos and saw this guy did this and I thought it was brilliant. He was doing it for other tools but I thought that it would work for my favorite dodge/burn combo.Let me show you how to use the dodge/burn tool without modifying your original element or picture. (At the end of this tutorial, I am sure you can find many reasons and uses … [Read more...]
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Digital Addiction?
Disclaimer:This post is by no means demeaning or belittling anyone with a substance addiction, it is done tongue and cheek, and as a means to laugh at our addiction called Digital Scrapbooking. What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Digital Addiction?A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as our family may notice. For example, sleepiness may be a symptom while only seeing the back of mom's head may be a sign to our families. Digital dependence can cause powerful cravings. The Digital Addict may think about walking away and turning off the computer, but finds it extremely difficult. away and turning off the computer, but finds it extremely difficult. The Digital Addict may find themselves taking photos of strangers just to have a supply of scrapable photos. Just in case a new kit comes out that … [Read more...]
Tips for Newborn Photos
Hi Happy Scrappers,Polly Liana here, back from the land of Labor and Delivery with my new daughter Phoebe, who is almost two-and-a-half months now. Since my last post was filled with tips for maternity photos, I thought it only natural to follow it up with tips for newborn baby photos. I've been photographing newborns and babies for almost four years now and I've learned a few things along the way. For instance, don't throw a baby in a bowl with a blanket and expect her to be happy and peaceful. (This is my first daughter, when I clearly had no idea what I was doing.) Instead, follow these tips and you'll be on your way to those great peaceful, snuggly newborn shots you see everywhere.1. Use natural light and an ottoman or beanbagI've said it before and I'll say it again. There is nothing like beautiful filtered soft light from a window. Flashes make babies squint and … [Read more...]
To remember them…
This week it's been a roller coaster of emotions in our family. One of our dogs (Lulu) has been suddenly diagnose with acute kidney failure. Even though she has a slow growing cancer tumor, we were not expecting to see her so bad so soon. It took us all by surprise. I scrapped about my feelings the day we had to leave her at the hospital to help me cope with that. Then I realize many of us use our scrapping to remember those we loose, those that are taken too early from our lives. Have you done a page to remember a loss one? Or a page to help you heal a bit about a loss or a traumatic event? We all know that life is not all pink and rainbows, but we don't see many pages about loss. I found a few in our gallery. I want to thank to all of you that share such a personal and hard moment and feelings with us... to you I send a virtual hug. Jenny is a master at putting these type … [Read more...]
Worn Can Be a Good Thing!
I don't know about you, but sometimes life can just wear ya right out, and being refreshed is so important! I get those times and have to shake it off and press on in life. But.............There is something that being A Bit Worn can be a good thing! I am talking about Valorie Wibben's A Bit Worn Series. I first noticed them when Jenn Barrette made this page called Not HappyI was just in awe of how the bits of paper, circles and total wow on the butterfly on this page! I had to try them. Well, I did and it just didn't have the same appeal. I was bummed, because I knew how cool they looked on Jenn's page. I am a bit like a dog with a bone, and just kept gnawing at it. I would try and use them now and again, because of these other pages:Hanazana1 Hello Summerand her page SerlichI was determined to get the effect that Hana had on her pages...I push and pushed and … [Read more...]
Gallery Finds
Hey LilyPad friends! Polly Jewelle here with this weeks gallery finds. The gallery is flooded with all sorts of wonderful layouts! I have ten layouts for you that inspired me. Have fun looking at these layouts!One Day by jenevangThe Best of Friends by Katherine BRoad trip by asaliJune Random Challenge by sondraFree to be me by redplaid3Being Me by auliaRemember This , Happy Times by dotcomkarisummer football by kaphelpsGiggles by icicleladyBest When Carried by lindseylouBe sure and check out The LilyPad gallery for more inspiring layouts! … [Read more...]
My Five Fantastic Favorites
Ok, so... I have been browsing the gallery and Oh. My...There are some FANTASTIC pages in there and I'm going to share with you five of my favs...(say that five times fast)by MlleTerraMoka I don't know what it is but something about a page with a wooden background.Gets me every time. :) Just simple and sweet.by Ana.Paula The black and white (LARGE) photo is adorable and I love that it's up against these black, white, and red cards. by dotcomkari All of these gorgeous elements and super cute photo against this wooden background. LOVE!by LilisMother This layout was so perfectly put together with all of the mixed patterns and ellies!It totally screamed out at me in the gallery!by Cherry Limeade I'm in love with the white space on this one. Love the slant and the doodle effect to it! Great page!How did you like my five favorites?Feel free … [Read more...]