Happy Birthday Cathy (Almost)

It's almost Cathy's birthday at AllyScraps and we've all been making cards for her. Her favourite time of year is Halloween.

I thought I'd share my efforts with you (you know I don't make cards).



I also made a little house for her too. I so love houses. This was made from Cosmo Cricket Haunted Collection.



I've mounted the house onto a CD for a base. I love the button path.



The sticker is also Cosmo Cricket



I mounted the whole thing onto an old ribbon spool for a bit of height. So cute!

Happy Haunting.

Morag x

Customising Accessories

AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker is in its last week. It was my turn for the challenge - customise your accessories (or accents).

I love to customise my products - makes them feel a little more unique. One of my favourite techniques is stamping on my accents such a blossoms or chipboard. It's really simple to do and can really alter the look of your product with very little cost and effort.



For my title, Proof, I want to give the letters a little printed text but I just want little scraps of text. I've rearranged the letters so that when assembled, the text will be jumbled up.

I've selected a text stamp and pigment ink for stamping. Ink up the stamp in a random fashion so that not all the text is covered.



Stamp your letters as normal, you may need to stamp again if some areas are left blank. There's no need to re-ink in between - this just adds to the distressed look.

Hey Presto! Customised letters.

I used the same method to customise my Gerbera before folding in half and layering with net and a button.



We can use the same technique with buttons (use solvent ink such as Staz-on), ribbon, cardstock and paper.



To further customise this layout, I've doodled around the patterned papers, letter and photos to add a little emphasis.

I hope that you'll try customising your products. We'd love to see what you do. Just upload your layouts or projects to the AllyScraps Gallery

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Scrapping!

- Morag x

Need some inspiration for your cards?

If you like to make cards but find yourself in need of inspiration for them, here's something you might not have thought to use to get started: a layout sketch! With just a little bit of modification and creativity, the same sketches that you use to inspire your pages can be used to inspire your cards. In fact, that was the the basis of my Challenge #6 for Allyscraps Next Top Scrapbooker contest!

There are lots of ways to convert a 12x12 page sketch into the basis of your card design. One way is to simply scale everything down, perhaps leave out or combine a few elements, and adjust to make them fit the size and shape of card you are creating. Another way is to think of "cropping" the layout sketch so that you are only using a portion of it. Or, maybe you just take some inspiration from one or two of the major elements of the sketch, and go from there.

Here are some examples. By pure coincidence, Dana and Morag both used the same sketch as their card inspiration, this one:

Dana's cute card is a mostly literal, scaled-down interpretation of the sketch, with the sentiment in place of the photo, and the stars from the sketch reflected in the card design, but used in a different way (a single star in the middle of the layer of embellishments).


Morag's adorable little bear card incorporates the focal point photo and the circle elements of the sketch in a slightly different arrangment. She replaced the stars with buttons and added a ribbon, and put her sentiment in place of the title in the sketch.

For my card, I used this sketch:

I basically incorporated the paper placement from the sketch, simply scaling everything down to fit my card. I put my sentiment in place of the photo, and left out a few elements so as not to "crowd" the card design. I loved the little corner embellishment on the sketch, so mimicked it with a stamp that runs off the corner of the card.

I would love to see your sketch-inspired cards! You can check out the Allyscraps Sketch Archive Thread for my past sketches, or use any layout sketch from your favorite sketch site!

- Debbie

AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker - Challenge #5

All the Scrapbookers at AllyScraps have been hard at work completing the AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker challenges! - It is not too late to join in the fun! (We still have one big challenge and one small challenge left to issue and plenty of time to finish the other challenges since the deadline isn't until the 28th!)


Last week I issued Challenge #5 based on Fall Color Trends:

The world of fashion dictates trends. One of the most important trends the fashion industry drives is that of color. The colors you see on the catwalk for each season are the colors you will see in home decor, beauty products and even your scrapbook products!

For this Color Trend Challenge, I want you to take a look at the HOT colors for Fall 2008 and use a combination of 3 of them on your next layout! You do not need to match the colors exactly, but they should be tones of the colors shown (you can change the hue and intensity values). You can also add black and white to your layout! For help in using colors you can check out the following link regarding mixing colors and proportion: http://www.worqx.com/color/color_proportion.htm

Here are the colors:

Complete the challenge, post it in the A.N.T.S. gallery and LINK IT BACK to this thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time and you will receive 300 POINTS towards becoming AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker!

But wait, there's more... you can earn additional points by adding bonus options to your assignment!
BONUS #1: Add a 4th color from the mix and receive 50 BONUS POINTS!
BONUS #2: Accessorize your layout with at least 2 pieces of bling, a journaling spot and piece of ribbon and receive 50 BONUS POINTS!


Please remember to list any bonus points that you earned in your gallery post.


You can do more than one layout for this challenge too... but you can only earn 50 points total for every additional layout (no bonus points) you finish and post in the A.N.T.S. gallery.


Don't forget to LINK IT BACK to this thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time.


One "winner" will be chosen by the Design Team for each challenge layout, and that person will be awarded an extra 25 points.... see there are SO many ways to earn points. So have FUN, get scrapping and keep an eye open for more challenges and games this week!

Here is my layout:



Good luck!


I cannot wait to see what you all come up with!

xoxoxoxxo
Trish

Inspiration to Scrap By - Fall Fashion Trends 2008

In honor of AllyScraps month long contest, "AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker", I decided to delve into the world of fashion and scrapbooking and see how they intermingle!

Fashion dictates trends (or do the trends dictate fashion? which came first, the chicken or the egg? - that is for you to decide! LOL!) From handbags and home decor to scrapbooking, many of the products you love to hoard are inspired by the fashions that strutted down the runway at New York Fashion week (or some other fashion show).

Based on this year's fall fashion watch we can expect to see lots of fun "new" trends and the reemergence of some old trends. Architectural forms, country/western, feathers, goth and the color purple are all are "in"! - So, watch your favorite scrapbook store for some of these influences in the next few months!

This week I challenged myself to be a fashion forward scrapper and embrace these new trends. I found an article on Elle magazine's website (http://www.elle.com/atozee#/home/) discussing Fall Fashion Trends for 2008 (there are 26 trends all challenge worthy!)... and used it to inspire my work. Here is where the trends took me:

Trend #1 - Purple - add some purple to your layouts this season for a fresh color palette

Trend #2 - Feather trims - feathers are in! - I added some plumage to my "Giving Thanks" card to kick it up a notch (oh, and to be "in style"! LOL!)

Trend #3 - The Dark Knight - Think goth. dark colors, metals, hard edges. I made this "Rock on" card using lace, metal chain and a skull painted silver.

Trend #4 - Go Western! - Fringe, rope, leather and country patterns are in! - I took advantage of this new trend and turned a "hi" card into a "howdy" card.


Feeling inspired by fashion now? Go check out the article on Elle's website and challenge yourself to be a fashion forward scrapbooker! (and don't forget to watch for these trends in your favorite local online store - like AllyScraps of course!).

and if you need more fashion inspired challenges (and games to boot) go check out the "AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker" contest at www.allyscraps.com . One lucky participant may be choosen to join our Design Team!

xoxo

Trish

**fashion spreads are credited to Elle magazine (http://www.elle.com/atozee#/trends/p/)

Here's a fun little technique for you

Love the "Prima" bling scrolls, but hate the price? I know I do, and I seem to want to use the bling on every layout I make, which can be a little expensive after a while!!
So, I decided to try a little experiment on making my own "Bling Scrolls" with a transparency, some "Stickles", and a little doodling and I came up with a really fun way to make your own bling embellishment.

You're going to need a heavyweight transparency--you can buy these at an office supply store, or use the clear transparency paper that comes in your embellishment packages (REUSE, RECYCLE!!) On the transparency, lightly trace a doodled stencil or freehand draw the shape you want your scroll.


Next, using your Stickles, make dots along the lightly traced scroll, being sure to bring the dots close enough together, but not touching.


Let dry at least 2 hours before trimming around the shape of the scroll--attach with vellum tape or mini glue dots and you now have your own "bling" scroll that looks like you spent lots of money on!!


Happy Scrapping!!

~~Kary

ANTS Challenge 2: Sketch Rewind!

Have you checked out our Allyscraps Next Top Scrapbooker contest yet? We are in full swing, but don't worry - there's still time to join in, because the scrappy challenges are not due until October 28!

For this Sketch Challenge Rewind, I want you to check out my Portfolio (of sketches, that is), and pick any of the previously-posted sketches to use for your page! You can find them all in the Sketch Archive Thread. You can always modify or tweak a sketch to suit your purposes, so long as the inspiration of the sketch is evident in your finished page! Please include a link to the sketch you used in your post.

If you complete my challenge and post it in the A.N.T.S. gallery and LINK IT BACK to the challenge thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time you will receive 200 POINTS towards becoming AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker! But wait, there's more... you can earn additional bonus points by doing EXTRA CREDIT assignments!

BONUS #1: Flip or rotate the sketch. Any direction, as long as it's not in the original orientation. This will earn you 25 BONUS Points.
BONUS #2: Use at least 5 different fonts or lettering types on your page - this can include your title work and your journaling, and if you use your own handwriting that counts as 1 type. Different colors of the same chipboard, stickers, etc, each count as one type. This will earn you 25 MORE BONUS POINTS!

In your post linking your page, please include a mention of any bonus points that you earned!

You can do more than one layout for my challenge too... but you can only earn 25 points total for every additional layout (no bonus points) you finish and post in the A.N.T.S. gallery. Don't forget to LINK IT BACK to this thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time.

And remember--One "winner" will be chosen by the Design Team for each challenge layout, and that person will be awarded an extra 25 points.... see there are SO many ways to earn points. So have FUN, get scrapping and keep an eye open for more challenges and games this week!

Here is my page, "this is just between them". I used my most recent sketch (Sept 26) since it's one that I hadn't actually already done a page from yet - it is based on a page of Kary's! (THANKS Kary!) I rotated it to the right, and between my title and journaling I used: Thickers (in 2 colors); Scenic Route chipboard letters; letter stamps; computer font, and die-cut letters (Sizzlits) for the word "Ty".



And here's one last little hint.... save a few scraps of paper from this layout, they might come in handy soon!

- Debbie

World Card Making Day challenge

Hi everyone, in honor of World Card Making Day, our mini challenge will be about making cards!

So, here's the challenge. Have you checked out the BLOG lately? The DT's September reveal revolved around using a recipe of scrapbook stuff to make a layout. So, check out the BLOG and make a card using the recipe challenge listed there. You can subsitute 1 sentiment for the picture.

THEN, make another card using Kary's bling challenge from this week, also posted right her on the blog, following the same guidelines.

When you're done, post both cards in the A.N.T.S. gallery at AllyScraps, and link them BOTH back to this thread by midnight on Tuesday, October 28th and I will award you 50 POINTS! Hurray.

Have fun, and let's see your cards. Remember to be considered for the DT and/or to win A.N.T.S. you must complete ALL 8 scrappy challenges. This is number 2!

ALLYSCRAPS month long challenge has begun!!

We are so excited to have you join us over at
ALLYSCRAPS for a month filled with exciting challenges and games to earn points to become ALLYSCRAPS Next Top Scrapbooker!!!.
And to celebrate the very first day of ANTS, I am posting the first challenge for you to do!!
If I were going to be a model, I would want to do an advertisement for diamonds, glitz and loads of BLING! What Supermodel doesn’t love the bling??

So, for my first challenge, I want you to BLING IT ON!!
The requirements for this challenge are simple--make a 12x12 or 8.5x11 layout using:

1. at least 2 different types of bling. The bling can be Glitz frosting, Prima bling, stickles, bling brads, anything sparkly and shiny and “Blingie”.
2. at least 3 types of patterned paper--this can be from different manufacturers


If you complete my challenge and post it in the A.N.T.S. gallery and LINK IT BACK to this thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time you will recieve 100 POINTS towards becoming AllyScraps Next Top Scrapbooker! But wait, there's more... you can earn more points by doing EXTRA CREDIT assignments!

The first one is for you to use a painting technique for which you can earn 10 BONUS Points.
The second one is using MORE THAN two types of bling for which you can earn 10 MORE BONUS POINTS! Make sure to point out to us what types you’ve used!! Please note any bonus points earned from the challenge right in your linked post.

You can do more than one layout for my challenge too... but you can only earn 10 points total for every additional layout (no bonus points) you finish and post in the A.N.T.S. gallery. Don't forget to LINK IT BACK to this thread by Tuesday, October 28th at midnight Eastern Time.

And remember--One "winner" will be chosen by the Design Team for each challenge layout, and that person will be awarded an extra 25 points.... see there are SO many ways to earn points.
Have FUN, get scrapping and keep an eye open for more challenges and games this week!

My LO includes MORE than 2 "bling" accessories--can you figure out what I've included??


Come join us for this exciting month of games and challenges!

Happy Scrapping!

~~Kary

September Design Team Reveal!

Ok, so it's October 1st... but here I am FINALLY posting the September Design Team Reveal. As many of you know, each month the Design Team chooses a "theme" for our DT reveal. This month we chose a recipe challenge. You know... if you make cookies, you use 1 cup of this and 1 cup of that and 1 tsp. of this and a pinch of that. Well, our recipe was little different. This is what our recipe called for...

1 or more photos
2 or more different fonts for your title
3 or more patterned papers
4 or more flowers
5 or more buttons

Oh, and you could use other things in your layout (Your secret ingredients!) It was a blast making these layouts, and here is what we came up with.

MORAG



Morag used October Afternoon's yummy Hometown collection of papers and embellies. I love the fun slant to her layout and her layering in always so gorgeous. It is cool the way she used her buttons, I like that she used them two different ways. And, do you see that awesome curly paper, we have to ask Morag how to do that! Beautiful layout Morag... so pretty!

TRISH



I love the dimension on Trish's layout. So full of pretty 3D embellies and lots of paper layering. I love the sparkle here and there too. Trish used Pink Paislee's brand new Pop Fashion line of papers for her project, what an awesome layout Trish, thanks for sharing.

DEBBIE



Debbie's used Scenic Route's gorgeous Sonoma Line for her layout this month. Did you notice how she used the scrap strip paper to cut a big circle including many of the strips? I never thought to use it that way (but I will now!), how clever! She also used American Crafts thickers for her title, love those! Debbie's flowers are so cute and love the row of buttons at the top too... super job Debbie!

KARY



As usual Kary's layout is a lesson is dimension! Such gorgeous handmade flowers, distressed paper and unique title! Love the way she put flowers on a BOY layout, beautiful job Kary!

DANA



And, here is my layout. As usual I was a big cheater pants, beacuse I thought the last item in the recipe was brads and not buttons... so lots of brads for me. I just loved using these Sandlion girl collection papers for this layout about Marissa at age 6! The papers are SO soft and pretty, perfect for any girlie page. I did lots of journaling on this page, all about what were Marissa's favorite things at age 6. And, I used these adorable Sandylion flowers for my embellishments. I stuck them down on cardstock, cut them out and then used pop dots to give them dimension.

Well, hope you will try our RECIPE for a layout of your own. Have fun with it and thanks for taking a look!

~ Dana