Tuesday, June 29, 2010

July Sneak Peek Day #4

The website updates later today with the new month's kits, so today brings our final sneak peek. We're taking another look at the July Doubleshot kit today through a beautiful layout by Doubleshot Barista, Rebecca Bose using the WRMK Retro Glam layout kit. I love that the whole layout is done at an angle, which adds a lot of interest to the page.


We're saving the fourth and final line of our July Flavors of the Month kit as a surprise this month. :) Tune in to the website later today for the full reveal of all of our new kits and the fabulous idea gallery!

Monday, June 28, 2010

July Sneak Peek Day #3

We've got another sneak peek of our July Flavors of the Month Kit today. Barista Christine Dunker gives us a look at the upcoming Girls' Paperie On Holiday line in this layout. You're going to love these papers and embellishments - so much to choose from!

Week #26 Weekly Challenge

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Inspired by the fabric elements in this month's kits, your challenge this week is to add a FABRIC FLOWER to a layout. Upload your layout to the WEEK #26 CHALLENGE FOLDER. All layouts must be uploaded by 9:00 a.m. CST on Monday, July 5th.

You can use that super-cool Pink Paislee Ribbon Pleat from the July Embellishment Kit along with the sparkly Bella Brad in your July FOTM Kit to create your fabric flower element, like Guest Designer Chrissy King did:


Or, you can make it easy on yourself and just use some of those beautiful Webster's Pages ribbon roses that came in your July Flavors of the Month kit. Group a couple together like Brenda did here for the perfect delicate accent:


or use a whole row of flowers for added punch like Brenda and Chrissy did in the layouts below:




or just do your own thing and create your own version of a Fabric Flower. Any Fabric Flower will work! :)

THE PRIZE: This week's prize features another HUGE kit of goodies from Crate Paper - this week we've got the gorgeous MIA line. (I just LOVE this color combo - so elegant...) You'll get the complete Mia collection kit with a load of patterned paper and die-cuts, and you'll get the coordinating rub-ons, glitter die-cuts, alphabet stickers and glitter borders. This kit is so big that you'll have enough to share with your favorite scrappin' buddy. :)


CHALLENGE RULES:There are only 2 rules if you want to enter a weekly challenge:
1.) Your submission has to be a new layout created for this challenge. :) You're on your honor here, but the idea of a Weekly Challenge is to finish new layouts and not simply upload old layouts. :) (Your actual layouts can be done in any size - 12x12, 8.5x11, 8x8... whichever size you scrapbook in!)
2.) Please only submit one time for each weekly challenge! (You will need to be registered on our message board to upload your layout to the Challenge Folder gallery. Registration just requires that we confirm your e-mail address so we know you're not a spammer. :) (In order to upload layouts to our gallery, you will need to be sure to resize layouts to no larger than 500x500 pixels and 72-75 dpi. If you're file size is much larger than that, you'll get an error message when attempting to upload. :) )

Week #25 Weekly Winner!

Congratulations to jillybean66. Your layout was randomly chosen as our winning entry this week! Please e-mail me at admin@scrap-room.com with your real-life name and address, and we'll get your prize ready to go. :) Check out all of this week's Challenge Entries in our WEEK #25 WEEKLY CHALLENGE GALLERY!

Sneak Peek Day #2

Today's Sneak Peek, by Doubleshot Barista Shawnna Samples, features the brand new My Mind's Eye Sophie line, which will be appearing in our July Doubleshot Kit. I LOVE this color palette and the innovative way that Shawnna used this kit and some fun well-placed items from her stash!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

July Sneak Peek Day #1

Sneak Peek Week officially begins today! If you'll remember, we sneaked an early peek last week with a fun summertime layout from Barista, Jenny Moore. She used Pink Paislee's Starlight layout kit - and I can hardly wait to scraplift this one! Here's a little photo reminder of Jenny's layout, in case you missed it. :)


So today brings us to a fresh new sneak peek from Barista, Lan Amphone. Lan used July's Pebbles TreeHouse layout kit and the coordinating Treehouse Chips from the July Embellishment Kit. (Those glittered chipboard pieces in that little "chips" bag is about the cutest thing in packaging that I've seen in a long time!) That red is showing up as pretty bright on my monitor, but it is a really pretty cherry red - my favorite color! (I guess I'll need to work on some monitor adjustments this week. :))


So you've seen Pink Paislee Starlight and Pebbles Treehouse so far for July. (I LOVE this kit!) Tomorrow we'll have our first look at the July Doubleshot Kit. Are you sitting on pins and needles? :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

July Sneak Peek Week Delayed a bit...

Hey All! We've had some big computer issues crop up this week, and we were forced into the monumental task of having to get a new computer and get all of our software and files and folders and photos transferred over to the new system. Needless to say, we're a little bit behind the curve this week. :) We've been making good progress though, and we've almost got everything switched over to the new computer. By tomorrow, I am hoping to have full access to all of our photos and folders and be able to begin our July Sneak Peek Week.

Thanks for your patience. :)

Tammy

Monday, June 21, 2010

June's "Mid-Month-Pick-Me-Up!"

It's the middle of the month, and it's time for a little inspirational shot in the arm to get you scrappin' with your June kits before we all start getting psyched for the new July kits in a couple of weeks.

This month's "Mid-Month-Pick-Me-Up" is a fun technique tutorial brought to you by Barista, Jenny Moore. So quick and easy - but packs so much punch! Give it a go!

HOLE PUNCH TECHNIQUE TUTORIAL:

Want to do something that looks totally unique? Here's a very creative way to create custom titles for your scrapbook pages using….. A HOLE PUNCH!! That's right, a hole punch! I first saw this technique in the October 2005 issue of Creating Keepsakes and LOVED it! This technique works especially well when using a dark piece of cardstock for your main paper and bright, bold patterned paper for backing.

To create a hole punched title:

1.) Write your title in pencil or temporarily adhere a printed computer font title to your main cardstock. (You will remove this after you punch your title.) I used Krylon repositionable adhesive to temporarily adhere my font to my cardstock. I used a font called CK Cursive in a 94-point size.


2.) You will need at least 2 different sizes of hole punches to create holes along your title. You can alternate using the big hole and using the smaller hole, giving a great graphic contrast to your title. If you don’t have a hole punch with at least two different sizes, you can use a paper piercer or even a large needle for the smaller holes. I used the Making Memories Silent Setter, which comes with 3 size options.


3.) Once you are done punching, remove the font template from your cardstock.


4.) Adhere your patterned paper in a contrasting color behind the punched title.


5.) Flip your paper over and there you have it! A unique punched title that really "pops!"


FINISHED PROJECT:

Week #25 Weekly Challenge! (Plus an early sneak peek!)

Welcome to Week #25's Weekly Challenge! The ScrapRoom is proud to be sponsoring the fun weekly sketch site, Sketch Inspiration. We are giving away one of our June 2010 Flavors of the Month Kits on Trisha's fun sketch site this week. After completing and uploading this week's Blog Challenge here, be sure to add your entry at Sketch Inspiration as well for a chance to win two different times with one layout!

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Use this week's sketch from Sketch Inspiration to create your layout. To enter, upload your layout to the WEEK #25 CHALLENGE FOLDER.All layouts much be uploaded by 9:00 a.m. CST on Monday, June 28th.


Here is an example from Barista, Jenny Moore using the upcoming July Kit! (How's that for an early sneak peek!)


THE PRIZE: I've got another set of the gorgeous Crate Prudence goodies, so we're giving it away this week! You'll get the complete Prudence collection kit with load of patterned paper and die-cuts, and you'll get the coordinating rub-ons, glitter die-cuts, alphabet stickers and glitter borders. This kit is so big that you'll have enough to share with your favorite scrappin' buddy. :)


CHALLENGE RULES:There are only 2 rules if you want to enter a weekly challenge:
1.) Your submission has to be a new layout created for this challenge. :) You're on your honor here, but the idea of a Weekly Challenge is to finish new layouts and not simply upload old layouts. :) (Your actual layouts can be done in any size - 12x12, 8.5x11, 8x8... whichever size you scrapbook in!)
2.) Please only submit one time for each weekly challenge! (You will need to be registered on our message board to upload your layout to the Challenge Folder gallery. Registration just requires that we confirm your e-mail address so we know you're not a spammer. :) (In order to upload layouts to our gallery, you will need to be sure to resize layouts to no larger than 500x500 pixels and 72-75 dpi. If you're file size is much larger than that, you'll get an error message when attempting to upload. :) )

Week #24 Weekly Winner!

Congratulations to Staceyscraps. Your layout was randomly chosen as our winning entry this week! Please e-mail me at admin@scrap-room.com with your real-life name and address, and we'll get your prize ready to go. :) Check out all of this week's Challenge Entries in our WEEK #24 WEEKLY CHALLENGE GALLERY!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Week #24 Weekly Challenge - Sketch Week!

I love Sketch Week - what a great way to start a layout. Sketches provide direction while allowing for individual creativity, and just doesn't get any easier and more fun than that!

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Create a layout based on the following sketch and upload your layout to the WEEK #24 CHALLENGE FOLDER. All layouts much be uploaded by 9:00 a.m. CST on Monday, June 21st.


Below are examples from our Design Team Members:
Jenny Moore:


Lan Amphone:


Deb Wisinski:


THE PRIZE: And because these Crate Paper Collection Prize Kits are so awesome - we're going to do another of these prize packages! This week's prize features a HUGE kit of goodies from Crate Paper's Lemongrass line. You'll get the complete Lemongrass collection kit with load of patterned paper and die-cuts, and you'll get the coordinating rub-ons, glitter die-cuts, alphabet stickers and glitter borders. This kit is so big that you'll have enough to share with your favorite scrappin' buddy. :)


CHALLENGE RULES:There are only 2 rules if you want to enter a weekly challenge:
1.) Your submission has to be a new layout created for this challenge. :) You're on your honor here, but the idea of a Weekly Challenge is to finish new layouts and not simply upload old layouts. :) (Your actual layouts can be done in any size - 12x12, 8.5x11, 8x8... whichever size you scrapbook in!)
2.) Please only submit one time for each weekly challenge! (You will need to be registered on our message board to upload your layout to the Challenge Folder gallery. Registration just requires that we confirm your e-mail address so we know you're not a spammer. :) (In order to upload layouts to our gallery, you will need to be sure to resize layouts to no larger than 500x500 pixels and 72-75 dpi. If you're file size is much larger than that, you'll get an error message when attempting to upload. :) )

Week #23 Weekly Winner!

Congratulations to wdlucchesi. Random integer chose your entry as our winning entry this week! Please e-mail me at admin@scrap-room.com with your real-life name and address, and we'll get your prize ready to go. :) Check out all of this week's Challenge Entries in our WEEK #23 WEEKLY CHALLENGE GALLERY!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Week #23 Weekly Challenge: Scraplift Challenge!

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Create a layout based on any of the layouts in our JUNE IDEA GALLERY - that's right - scraplift any of the layouts in the JUNE Idea Gallery in whatever way that you are inspired. Upload your layout to the WEEK #23 CHALLENGE FOLDER. When uploading your layout, please make a note that lets us know the title of the layout that you scraplifted, along with the name of the designer so that we can see how the original layout inspired you. :) All layouts must be uploaded by 9:00 a.m. CST on Monday, June 14th.

Below are a few of my favorite layouts from our Baristas this month. I can hardly wait for some time to do a little scraplifting myself this month. :)
Brenda Carpenter:


Lan Amphone:


Jenny Moore:


Deb Wisinski:


Christine King, Guest Designer:


THE PRIZE: This week's prize features another HUGE kit of goodies from Crate Paper - this week we've got the gorgeous MIA line. (I just LOVE this color combo - so elegant...) You'll get the complete Mia collection kit with a load of patterned paper and die-cuts, and you'll get the coordinating rub-ons, glitter die-cuts, alphabet stickers and glitter borders. This kit is so big that you'll have enough to share with your favorite scrappin' buddy. :)


CHALLENGE RULES:There are only 2 rules if you want to enter a weekly challenge:
1.) Your submission has to be a new layout created for this challenge. :) You're on your honor here, but the idea of a Weekly Challenge is to finish new layouts and not simply upload old layouts. :) (Your actual layouts can be done in any size - 12x12, 8.5x11, 8x8... whichever size you scrapbook in!)
2.) Please only submit one time for each weekly challenge! (You will need to be registered on our message board to upload your layout to the Challenge Folder gallery. Registration just requires that we confirm your e-mail address so we know you're not a spammer. :) (In order to upload layouts to our gallery, you will need to be sure to resize layouts to no larger than 500x500 pixels and 72-75 dpi. If you're file size is much larger than that, you'll get an error message when attempting to upload. :) )

Week #22 Weekly Winner!

Congratulations to jojojorenee. Random integer chose your entry as our winning entry this week! Please e-mail me at admin@scrap-room.com with your real-life name and address, and we'll get your prize ready to go. :) Check out all of this week's Challenge Entries in our WEEK #22 WEEKLY CHALLENGE GALLERY!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Introducing our June Guest Designer: Chrissy King!

I am so excited to have my friend, Chrissy King, guest designing for us at The ScrapRoom this month. Chrissy and I have known each other for more than 20 years now - since our college days in Missouri. She is originally from a small town in Illinois, just like I am, and we both worked together in the college recruitment department for awhile before winding up working together again at CIY after we both got married to our college sweethearts. We both found out we were expecting our first child at about the same time, and we went through those first pregnancies together. We both had sweet baby boys a few weeks apart. I am grateful for the time that she was in my life. Her high energy, ready smile and kind spirit were regular blessings to me.

Since she and her family moved to Central America to serve as missionaries many years ago, I don't get a chance to see Chrissy very often, but I have enjoyed keeping up with her life and her family by following her intersting blog. When I discovered that she was an avid scrapbooker and saw some of the beautiful pages that she created, I knew I had to ask her to guest design for us. Thankfully, she agreed, and I am so excited for you all to have the opportunity to get to know her a little bit better here.


About me: I am so excited to be the Guest Designer this month at The ScrapRoom. I've been a member of the ScrapRoom for a year now, but since I haven't posted on the boards, you don't know me yet. Well, let me remedy that!! My name is Chrissy, and my husband and I are missionaries in Costa Rica. We've lived here for six years now (and lived in Honduras for five years before that)!! I love Costa Rica: the people, the food, the language, the scenery, and I feel so blessed to live and work here!! I am Mom to four great kids who are the subject of most of my pages: three boys and one girl ranging from the oldest at 16 to my "baby" at nine! I am also an English teacher and the Secondary Department Coordinator at a small private high school here in San Jose. So, I keep busy!!

I started scrapbooking around the time my youngest son was born. We had returned to the US for a few years after our time in Honduras, and I discovered this great hobby!! I started teaching classes at our local store and making samples of new lines. And I totally loved it all. And right about then, we came back to Central America--which was totally wonderful for so many reasons, but a real bummer for my growing scrapbooking obsession!! Luckily, with online stores and idea galleries like the ScrapRoom, I can still stay in touch and see all the latest and greatest!!

Tammy asked me to pick a couple favorite layouts to share. That's almost impossible for me because I love them all but each for different reasons!! I started thinking and realized my very favorites are usually the ones I just completed (as they are new and fresh) or my oldest ones (they remind me why I do this!) So, in that light here are a couple "favorites"

"Today" is a recent one based on the May sketch (week 19). And the other two are oldies -- about six years ago -- but I love them. They remind me why I scrapbook. The kids have changed SOO much since these pages and I love to look back and see what I wrote or what they looked like. So important!! But I also chose them because I realize that is still my style. I love adding in new papers, new embellishments, new doodads, but my style is still pretty simple and classic. I like clean lines, great pictures and patterned paper with a few buttons and some ribbon thrown in here and there!!




So that's me in quick review. I'm excited to see what all of you do with the June FOTM kit. You're going to love it!!