Holiday Sampler Event is Tomorrow!

Join Scrapbook News & Review tomorrow for an awesome time at our holiday sampler event! We will have challenges, games and prizes!

Here are some of the manufacturers who will be hilighted:

Bo Bunny
Fancy Pants
Glitz Designs
Graphic 45
May Arts
My Little Yellow Bicycle
Stewart Superior
Technique Tuesday

Tune in every hour to see some creative projects, classes and great inspiration from our talented Staff Members!

Some Editing

I've been as busy as an elf getting my Holiday projects completed (of course, I can't show any of them to you just yet...)

In the mean time, it occured to me that little tips and tricks that I do automatically, may not be something any of you are use to doing. I started scrapping a little over a year ago and looking back, my style has changed dramatically!

This is one of the very first layouts I ever created.

I always find that I am drawn to layouts with beautiful photos. Simple adjusting of contrast and colour can make a huge difference in your photos. You don't necessarily need expensive software to achieve this effect either. The program I use is ancient and actually came with my computer when I first bought it years ago; "Microsoft Picture It". I LOVE it!! Wrinkles, blemishes, marks, stains, etc - be gone! Of course I never edit any of my 'own' photos ;>

Here is an example of some before and after photos. What a difference! The after photos may not look great in a regular photo album, but for layouts, they just stand out so much better against bold patterned paper.




For each of the after photos, I increased the contrast dramatically. Thereafter, I adjusted the photo colour to as bright as it would go - without losing the contrasting lines defining the facial features, etc.

How Sweet it is

Just a quick post for now. Here is another layout I created using Scrapbook Star's November kit - featuring papers from The Shabby Green Door - Farmer's Market Collection!

I added my own grungeboard to the kit, but inked it with the Rocket Red ink that was included, so I didn't feel too bad :) I also added some stitching around the edges for a little texture. To achieve the scallop circle without adding patterned paper I used a piece from my stash and turned it over to the back. From there I inked around the edges to achieve a masked effect.

An Awesome "Me" Day

What a wonderful day I've had today!! My hubby is heading to the canucks game tonight so gave me a 'me' day this afternoon! SOOO very needed and I loved every second. I started off at Michaels (the only LSS around) and picked up some Mod Podge, grungeboard, etc. Then off to the local thrift store in town where I found a HEAP of amazing stuff that I am dying to refinish!! I have altered projects on the brain and cannot wait to get started! I actually was able to 'browse' through all the neat little shops around town with a coffee in hand and not even once had to utter the words 'don't touch!' - LOL.

Anyhow, just wanted to share - sometimes its so very worth taking time for yourself - to destress, refocus and just enjoy life!

Thanks babe!

Shabby Chic!

Happy November 1st!! And its actually an hour earlier than I thought! 1 extra hour to sleep in right? (yea, tell that to my 17 month old! LOL)

Well, with a new month comes new Design Team Reveals and today is no exception. I had the pleasure of working with Scrapbook Star's newest kit which features some gorgeous papers from The Shabby Green Door - Farmer's Market!

These papers were worn perfectly and fit my style just right!

Here is the first one I created using elements from November's Kit!



The playful letters were from Doodlebug designs, originally white, but I inked them with the awesome Tsukineko ink - also included in the kit!

This kit was jammed full of awesome goodies - rub ons, border strips, ink, journaling stickers, bling - gotta go check it out!!


Check back on Thursday for my 2nd creation!!

A Little Ahead of Myself

Oopsy!

In my excitement over the many projects I had created in the last little bit, I was so eager to post them all - finally! BUT I've just found out that I am only able to post the sneaks for you and cannot reveal the entire layouts/projects on my own blog until the end of November.

NEVER FEAR!!

You can still see them in all their glory (LOL) at the Scrapbook News & Review site and Forum!!

P.S. - DH has most definately caught the piggy flu... not good.