R U a Beginner Scrapper??

I received a wonderful surprise in my In-box today when a friend of mine Kait Gonzalez shared a list of links she had formatted to help beginner scrappers get around the world of Digiscrap and provide them with resources such as tutorials, freebies, and well just awesome information to assist the beginner scrapper get started and be creative. I thought the information was spectacular and she said I could share that information here with you. I am telling you there are resources here I did not even know about and I have been scrapping for years now. I don't want this post to be too long so I will simply post the information for you to peruse and get out of your hair for the day. I'm off to Fot Body Boot Camp, today I am halfway through my program!! Yeah!!

Beginners, stop here first:

http://debbiehodge.com/category/howtocomplete/

http://thedailydigi.com/



Having a good foundation is essential in creating your digital scrapbook pages. It gives you page direction and structure. Sketches are your friends. :)



Sketches

http://www.scrapbooksetc.com/layouts/sketches/

http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com/scrapbooking-sketch.html

http://www.pencillines.com/

http://www.pagemaps.com/



Tutorials

http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/chat/articles.php

http://www.scrapgirls.com/SG_University_The_Basics.htm

http://thedailydigi.com/

http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/tutorials/software_tutorials.asp

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/category/tutorial/how-i-did-it/

http://www.cottagearts.net/tutorials.html

http://www.digitalscrapbookfaves.com/digital/digital-scrapbooking-tutorials

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/vBulletin/forumdisplay.php?145-SBG-Classrooms

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?5506-Design-Theory

http://www.scrappersworkshop.com/



Titles / quotes

http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/digital_scrapbooking_pagetitles.html

http://www.scrapbook.com/quotes.php

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/phrases.php



Fonts

http://www.dafont.com/

http://www.1001fonts.com/

http://www.urbanfonts.com/free-fonts.htm

http://www.abstractfonts.com/

http://www.1001freefonts.com/

http://simplythebest.net/fonts/



Sharpening your photo

http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2010/09/22/focus-on-photos-sharpen/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/01/20/preparing-digital-files-in-photoshop-for-print-part-2-strategies/



Free Kits

http://shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp

http://donnadowney.typepad.com/simply_me/2010/05/sponsor-spotlight-back-on-the-road.html

http://krystalhartley.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-lds-primary-inspired-kit-and.html

http://www.peppermintcreative.com/index.php?main_page=downloads

http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/

http://mandagirl.com/free-templates/



Scrapbooking sites that you might want to check out. There’s a ton more out there but these are some of the ones I frequent.



Scrapbookbytes

Scrapbookgraphics

DigiShopTalk

PickleberryPop

TheDigiChick

ScrapGirls

Digital Scrapbook Pages

Digital Scrapbook Place

Cherry On Top

Oscraps

2 Peas in a Bucket

Scrap Matters

Scrap Orchard

Digiscrapaddicts
ScrapbookElements

MSScraps

Funky Playground

Sweet Shoppe Designs

Catscraps

Weeds and Wildflowers

ScrapMatters

Little Dreamer Designs

I would also like to add After 5 Designs to that list as I myself love that site as well.
Well, I will leave you know to start clicking links and have a great time. If you find any sites you think woudl be great additions to this list please let me know. I would love ot keep building on this list.

Hybrid creation from the Hybrid Challenge at SBG

If your anything like me then you enjoy hybrid scrapping, but just do not take the time to do it very often. I am not sure why I don't maybe it has something to do with getting all my supplies out and then having to put them away afterwards, maybe digiscrapping has made me slightly lazy in that sense. I have done 2 of the Hybrid challenges now at SBG and I really enjoyed them both. The first challenge was to create a triangular box and now this challenge was to create a pop up card. It was actually really fun, my result is below.



It really didn't take me much time, actually less then what a layout takes me for sure. I used Studio Gypsy's collab with Viva Artistry "Industrial" again. (I'm just loving having that kit) and I am quite happy with the results. If you want to try your hand at the challenge you can download the template here. You really should try it, its a lot of fun.

Excitement has over taken me and I have a layout to show you....

Well, I was so excited about all the great things that happened to me today that I couldn't wait to create a layout using a Buttercup Designs Template and the spectacular new kit I won from Studio Gypsy and Viva Artistry!! I just published it at SBG and on my FB page, but here it is on my blog officially!

I just love this kit! It is SO little boy!! It works perfectly with anything manly or boyish, but you could still use it for your girls too couldn't ya. Off to go and try to complete the Hybrid Challenge now. This one is a pop up card which I have never done before. Wish me luck. I will post pics when I am done.

It is a great day!!!!

Wow what a day I have had and it is only 9:42am!! I guess I should actually say that it all started on Tuesday, but I only today really got to sit down and use most of the stuff I am going to tell you about.

I have been trying really hard to attend the chats on Tuesday nights at Scrapbook Graphics, because they are really fun and I really want to get more involved in that community. Chats are a great way to meet people and socialize. Well last Tuesday I entered a layout into the Chat Challenge which I posted in a previous post here on my blog. On this Tuesday when I went to the chat I found out that I had won the Chat Challenge and recieved a $10.00 GC to Studio Boutique Cute Doll!! Awesome!!!
(Peeking out my window)

Well, while I was in the chat room Studio Gypsy (LisaMarie) announced that she had a contest running on her blog and the winner would receive her new bundle collaboration with Viva Artistry for free. It is an awesome bundle which you can see HERE. I wanted this bundle so bad, but being unemployed and with the price being $13.00 I could not afford to purchase it. I really was drooling over the kit, because it would make such spectacular boy layouts. Well, I went to LisaMaries blog and I entered my name into the contest with great hope of being chosen. O.M.G. I got a notification yesterday in my SBG mail box that I won the contest!!! I just finished downloading the 9 files associated with the kit and I am so going to play with it after I finish this post!!
(Peeking out my window)

Now you would think that would be enough to make anyone a happy camper right? Well, that isn't the end of my luck today!! Remember in a previous post I had told you that I was applying to Buttercup Designs CT team? Yeah? Well, I got an E-mail today from Buttercup Designs offering me a position on her team!!! Holy Guacamole Batman!!! Can this day get any better?!?!? I just don't think it can!!!
(Peeking out my window)

So now I have a brand new kit from Gypsy and Viva Artistry, as well as items I purchased with my $10.00 at Boutique Cute Doll, and I have a Creative Team to use them on since Buttercup Designs creates templates for your layouts not kits!!!! What spectacular LUCK!!!
(Peeking out my window)

So I sit here now writing you this post continuously peeking out my front window. I just know Ed McMahon is going to show up on my doorstep with a huge check announcing I am the next Publishers Clearing House winner. I am keeping a very close lookout!!

Wow!! I want to thank all the wonderful designers at Scrapbook Graphics and I also want to thank all the new friends I have made at SBG in the fun chats on Tuesdays there. Everyone is so encouraging and I always have so much fun in the chatroom! Just to make sure I give the proper thanks to everyone take a look at all the designers stores posted below. You never know you may find something you love like I do on a daily basis.

BCD (Studio Boutique Cute Doll): HERE
Studio Gypsy Designs: HERE
Viva Artistry: HERE not at SBG but I have used her designs and I love her style.
Studio Buttercup Designs: HERE

Now off to go and play with all my goody goodness I received so you may not see me for a while. Keep checking back as I create pages I will add them here to share with you.

Much love and tell Ed I'm waiting for him please!!

New Layouts

Finished a couple more layouts for posting at http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/. The first one is a layout I did of my son Wyatt. I cut him out from a photo I took of him at the art museum last week and then played around with wings and crowns:

This was a lot of fun, but it took me a while to get all the splatters just right so it looked nice and not messy.

Credits:
Bisontine: B-Boy
MK Designs: Designer Stash Vol. 6
Traci Reed: Bad Sewing Machine 23
MandaBean: And I quote Children
Shawna Clingerman: SuperYou
 
Next is a layout I just finished tonight for the chat challenge at SBG. I also entered another layout in this challenge last week and I won the challenge!!!! Can you believe it? I got a $10.00 GC to Studio BCD. I actually used that GC to purchase some of the items that I used in this next layout.
 

These are photo's I took at Seal Beach, Ca. over the weekend when Wyatt and I drove up to see my DH when he was working offshore. It was actually a lot of fun because we actually got to see Brad come off the platform on the boat and dock at the pier. Wyatt of course thought this was the coolest thing in the world.

Credits:
Dutchie Project 265-2 Templates @ SBG
BCD-Romantic Craft Papers @ SBG
Studio Rosey Posey- Island Allure @ SBG
 
Thanks so much for checking in and hopefully I will have an update soon about the CT I applied to. Keep your fingers crossed for me please.

I finally found my word!!!

It seems like it took me forever and I tried on a ton of words before I found the right one, but I think I finally found the right word for me. I started by looking at words like calm, challenge, and creativity but they did not seem to work well for me. So I tried on determination and healthy which also were nice, but simply not what I was searching for. I thought maybe something different like lead or possibilities, but to no avail they also did not seem right. Finally I tried on the word "experience" in it verb form you know meaning: " To participate in or partake of personally, feel, go through, have, know, meet (with), see, suffer, taste (of), undergo." I really think this one fits! Yeah me and my word!! Well, since I found the word you know I had to scrap the word so below you will find my layout introducing you to "My Word".

Journaling: I have been searching for my "word" this last week or so. Not just a word that other people see me as, but a word that describes "my personal journey" in life. A word that tells people not only what they see in me, but what I see in myself. I have finally found that word. The word is "Experience" in the action form, meaning: " To participate in or partake of personally, feel, go through, have, know, meet (with), see, suffer, taste (of), undergo." I want to experience the world around me, touch it, taste it, feel it, explore it, learn about it, and do so personally. Not through a book or a museum, but through life. Other cultures, places, people, I want to experience them all.

Credits: 2Peas Fonts Barndoor & Notebook
Kit: Passport Required-Creations by Rachael
 
Thank you so much for taking a look! I hope you are all locating your words as well.

My Word Journey

I decided to apply to the CT of Buttercup Designs at SBG my favorite scrapbook shop. Since I was applying I wanted to try my hand at at least one of her templates to see how I enjoyed the process. I have to say this was a lot of fun. At first I was a little stressed out, I mean what do I do with all these layers and suggestions? Once I got started though and really started playing with elements and papers on the page it went so fast and I created a spectacular layout quicker then I would ever be able to accomplish from start. I like the idea that the template is a suggestion of a design. I can change it or add to it as I want to make it my own and still come up with something I feel is "my" creation. Here is the layout I created tonight with Buttercup Studios BasicBuds Volume3 Template 3 and Gypsy Studios kit Keeper of Time.

Isn't it spectacular? I just love it!!

If you want to go to SBG to see the layout closer you can do so here. I love to get wonderful comments they always make my day!!

Have a great one!!