Kwanzaa Giveaway Day 6 & Winner Announcement!

Another day, another winner!  Our winner for day 5 is DEBRA RENWICK!!!  Woohoo!  Debra posted a response to yesterday's question on Facebook!  Woohoo!  And just for doing so she is our winner!  Yay!  Debra you'll be receiving this fabulous set of Christmas embellies!  Just email me your mailing address.  Remember prizes go out at the end of the weeklong giveaway!

Today marks the 6th Day of Kwanzaa. Today's principle is Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) meaning Creativity.  We got this one on LOCK!  

FABULOUS! Now tell me, how can I win?  

It's easy!  For today share your most recent creation!  Layout, card, altered art???  Whatever it may be, share it below and you are entered!  That's it!   Yay!  Tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!   So be sure to check back tomorrow for one more chance to win!  Woohoo!

BONUS!  Don't forget that we're giving away an additional prize just for sharing your Kwanzaa Kreations!  Get details here.

Please note:  Winners are chosen by random # generator at http://www.violetcottage.com/random/. All prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  

Kwanzaa Giveaway Day 5 & Winner Announcement!

Another day, another winner!  Our winner for day 4 is SHANTA!!!  Woohoo!  Shanta is a subscriber!  Woohoo!  And just for subscribing to get her FREE subscription to Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine she is our winner!  Yay!  Shanta you'll be receiving this fabulous set of 2 page kits!  Just email me your mailing address.  Confirmation of subscription is required before prize will be mailed.  Remember prizes go out at the end of the weeklong giveaway!

Today marks the 5th Day of Kwanzaa. Today's principle is Nia (NEE-ahh) meaning Purpose.  

How cool! Now tell me, how can I win?  

It's easy!  For today share what you want to see in Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine, tools, techniques, themes etc.   All you need to do is visit us on Facebook and share your thoughts.   That's it leave your comment to the question on the Scraps of Color Facebook Page and you are entered!  Yay!  Tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!  We'll do it again and again for the rest of the week!  So check in each day because you won't know what the challenge is or the prize.  You've got to play to win.  
BONUS!  Don't forget that we're giving away an additional prize just for sharing your Kwanzaa Kreations!  Get details here.

Please note:  Winners are chosen by random # generator at http://www.violetcottage.com/random/. All prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  

Scraplift? Yes, Scraplift!

I can’t believe it’s almost 2011! As crazy as the Holidays can be, I look forward to this week of preparing for the New Year. My name is Moanica and I am so delighted to be included on the E:spire design team! I’ve been married 21 years to my high-school sweetheart and we live in Atlanta with our funny rescue dog, Baxter. You will see both of them in my layouts as they are the source of much laughter and joy in my life.

I started scrapbooking over ten years ago and jumped in with both feet. It started as a way to get our travel photos into albums, but has grown to be much more of a source of fun and friendship. Over the years, my style has evolved into something that works well for me. I’m a scraplifter! That means, I gather inspiration from all sorts of places and use it to create my layouts. Sometimes it’s a very “literal” translation and other times, my end product is merely a “loose” translation with some particular elements of the inspiration piece in my layout. Either way, this method of scrapbooking has really freed me up to enjoy the process of choosing photos and playing with papers and embellishments. I love sketches and just browsing online galleries for inspiration. Try it next time you’re stumped for ideas!

I’m looking forward to sharing my layouts and my process with you in the pages of SOC E:spire. If you haven’t signed up for your FREE copy, what are you waiting for? What a great way to start 2011!

A Happy (and safe) New Year to you!

Here is an example of a recent scraplift. This lovely layout entitled “Remember” by the talented Karen Jiles caught my eye in the Scraps of Color Gallery:

And here’s the layout I did. As you can see, because I had horizontal photos instead of vertical ones, I simply turned the layout 90 degrees clockwise, and voila!

Seafeast by Moanica Caston. Supplies Apron Strings Designs July 2010 Smaller than a Breadbox Kit Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee; Cardstock: American Crafts; Chipboard Triangle Banner Pieces & Star: Maya Road; Blue Rhinestones: Queen & Co.; Stickers: Jolee’s; Rhinestone Flourishes: Prima: Alphas: American Crafts Thickers

Kwanzaa Giveaway Day 4 & Winner Announcement!

Another day, another winner!  Our winner for day 3 is BEEBEEBABS!!!  Woohoo!  Beebee liked us on Facebook and left a comment saying she likes Scraps of Color and just for doing so, she is our winner!  Yay!  BeeBee you'll be receiving this fabulous set of Stamps and Ink Pads!  Just email me your mailing address.  Confirmation of FB like is required before prize will be mailed.  Remember prizes go out at the end of the weeklong giveaway!

Today marks the 4th Day of Kwanzaa. Today's principle is Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH-ah) meaning Cooperative Economics.  

That's great! Now tell me, how can I win?  

It's easy!  For today let's build Scraps of Color.  This one's super easy.  All you need to do is SUBSCRIBE HERE to receive your FREE subscription to Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine.   Leave a comment and let us know that you are a subscriber!  Already a subscriber?  Just leave a comment stating.."I'm a subscriber!" (Subscription verification will be required before sending prize). Not only will you be the first to get every FABULOUS issue chock full of inspiration and wonderful ideas but we'll have exclusive subscriber giveaways in each issue!  Cool!  Tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!  We'll do it again and again for the rest of the week!  So check in each day because you won't know what the challenge is or the prize.  You've got to play to win.  


BONUS!  Don't forget that we're giving away an additional prize just for sharing your Kwanzaa Kreations!  Get details here.


Please note:  Winners are chosen by random # generator at http://www.violetcottage.com/random/. All prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  

Mini Book Crusher.

Hi all -

Wendy here...

and i'm a

mini.book.crusher.

maybe i should say a slighttt addict....

I'm super delighted to be a

SOC E:spire designer.

I’m always inspired by things around me and make time each day for art.  Since scrapbooking 15 years ago, I've been addicted since the beginning.  I have BIG passion for life art, lots of creative spirit, and love experimenting with new products and techniques. My favorite products are a combination of the old + new.  I love combining vintage products along with the latest trends in scrapbooking product and adding stamping in the mix. 

I’ve been published/featured in "Beyond Scrapbooks" (available on www.amazon.com), PaperArts (now Scrap & Stamp Arts) Magazine, QVC UK, Scrapbook Trends, and serve on several design teams – Sausan Designs, Memory Works, The Creative Type, several guest designer spots, and past design teams include Creative Imaginations – Art Warehouse.  I’ve taught at CK Convention, Scrapbook Expo (USA), Memory Works Scrapbook Retreat, and local scrapbook stores & retreats within USA & Europe.

I filter out a lot of my inspiration in my blog, ScrapNspire, I work A LOT with mini books & really the big focus of my blog as well as there you can find the music, fashion, trends, loves...that inspire my creative mojo.  I live with the motto to “find inspiration everyday & everywhere”.

here are some sneaks into my scrapbook style...

A few other Top 10 tidbits about me

...that maybe you didn't know, "bucket list" to do....

1. Never been to Disney World/Disneyland...but on my "bucket list".

2. BA in Accounting with a Master's Equivalency and work full-time as an Audit Manager & almost decided on a major in the arts but now I combine my love for both. :)

3. Traveled to more countries than places I've visited in the U.S. when I worked in the past as an International Auditor.  A dream.come.true.experience.

4. I lived in Germany for 8 months & LOVED it (unfortunately it was only for a temporary fraud assignment to high risk countries & I had to return back to the States).

5. My boyfriend is Italian, originally from Sicily but has lived in Turin for several years.  He is truly one of the most sweetest, thoughtful, very very funny, and beautiful souls I've ever known AND he cooks! (that definitely makes him a winner) :)  (and he tests my Italian in text messages where I HAVE to reply back in Italian, but it's cool because I love learning different languages).

6. I don't know how to swim.

7. I could eat pasta every day (but I doubt my hips would like that).

8. I bow down to yoga & pilates. love love.

9. My favorite spice is cinnamon...candy, rolls, candles...

10. I love roller coasters & could ride over & over & over....also on my "bucket list" to tour the best coasters U.S. and ride them all.

Again, hope you liked the glimpse into my world...

I love to inspire & be inspired.

Looking forward to a great year with SOC!

ps - get ready because this premiere issue is to.die.for.

I'm curious to SOC blog readers...

"Do you have anything on your "bucket list" of things to do in your lifetime?"

Please share up! ;-)

Kwanzaa Giveaway Day 3 & Winner Announcement!

Another day, another winner!  Our winner for day 1 is M.M DEZIGNS!!!  Woohoo!  M.M shared her 2011 goals with SOC and just for doing so, she is our winner!  Yay!  M.M you'll be receiving this fabulous set of Christmas embellies!  Just email me your mailing address.  Remember prizes go out at the end of the weeklong giveaway!

Today marks the 3rd Day of Kwanzaa. Today's principle is Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) meaning Collective Responsibility.  

Now tell me, how can I win?  

It's easy!  For today let's come together and show our support for SOC.  This one's quite simple.  All you need to do is LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!  Then just come back here and leave a comment that says, I like Scraps of Color!  That's it and you are entered. If you already LIKE US ON FACEBOOK just leave a comment that says, I like Scraps of Color!" and you are entered! LOL!  If you don't have a Facebook Profile...perhaps today is a great day to join!  Not only can you win for liking us on Facebook today but we'll have some exclusive giveaways just for our Facebook Fans throughout the year!  Simple. Sweet.  Tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!  We'll do it again and again for the rest of the week!  So check in each day because you won't know what the challenge is or the prize.  You've got to play to win.  Please note:  all prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  

Kwanzaa Giveaway Day 2 & Winner Announcement!

Good Morning!  Happy Kwanzaa!

Let's get to the good stuff first!  Our winner for day 1 is KAMI SHALOM!!!  Woohoo!  Kami posted a link to our fabulous giveaway on her blog and just for doing so, she is our winner!  Yay!  Kami you'll be receiving this fabulous set of stamps and ink pads.  Just email me your mailing address.  Remember prizes go out at the end of the weeklong giveaway!

Now on to more good stuff...

Today marks the 2nd Day of Kwanzaa. Today's principle is Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) meaning Self-Determination.  

Yeh...yeh...but how can I win?  

It's easy!  For today let's show our self-determination by sharing our intentions for the coming new year.  All you have to do is leave a comment here telling us about your resolutions/intentions for 2011!  And there is always someone who says, "To put God first!"  Well, let's just say for those who would say this...it's a given.  Tell us something we don't know...tell us about your other goals. What one, two or three things are you going to focus on?  What will be your reality in 2011?  Just leave a comment here with your answer and you are entered.  That's it.  Easy, peasy.  Then tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!  We'll do it again and again for the rest of the week!  So check in each day because you won't know what the challenge is or the prize.  You've got to play to win.  Please note:  all prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  

What is Ethnic Scrapbooking?

Hola! I’m senorita Lisa Sanford and that is the extent of my Spanish. I’m thrilled to be part of a team that is dedicated to inspire. Inspire you to create, to be more creative in all aspects of your life. I made my first scrapbook in 1972 when I was in second grade. I’ve been passionate about creative scrapbooking for 12 years now. I’ve designed products and have been an advocate for diversity in the scrapbooking craft industry since the day I was introduced to Creative Memories.

After I did years of the chronological scrapbooking for five children, my sister asked me to do an album of her first trip to West Africa. While I was home having babies, my sister was travelling the world. I enjoyed her photos (by the thousands) and stories about cultures in lands far away. I quickly became enthralled with teaching my kids about other cultures through scrapbooking and that’s Ethnic Scrapbooking. I authored Ethnic Scrapbooking, not as a scrapbooking how-to-book, but a book about self-exploration…about connecting to your own culture as well as others.

My style of scrapbooking has varied over the years…right now I’m about quick and easy (because I work full-time) with a heavy dose of meaningful journaling with an emphasis on educating. Really, scrapbooking is a lifestyle for me. Being behind the lens has changed my perspective on many things…mostly about how I want to be remembered by my children (all five of them). I incorporate cultural learning into many areas of my life, from the foods we eat, the music we hear, the clothes we wear and the activities we partake in.

One of my favorite workshops that I teach is Kwanzaa Through the Year. It’s a class where you review the seven day ritual of Kwanzaa and reflect on the past year of photographs to find ones that represents the meaning of the principles. It’s a weeklong fun way to look back through your photographs and see your (or your family’s) growth throughout the year, to see how you can connect to a cultural tradition that may not be part of your heritage and document it through a mini album or a series of scrapbook pages. This method can also be adapted to other weeklong celebrations or series of principles or virtues such as the Beatitudes from the Holy Bible or various Jewish Holidays.

My challenge to you is to take more everyday photos of your daily life and to think out of the box and give “connecting to other cultures” a try.

Parts of this article are adapted from Ethnic Scrapbooking, pages 58 & 59.

Happy Kwanzaa - Day 1 of the SOC Great Kwanzaa Giveaway!

Good Morning!  Happy Kwanzaa!


Today marks the 1st Day of Kwanzaa.  Kwanzaa is a week-long, African American holiday observance held from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one, a syncretic festival, based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations widely celebrated in Africa, around the 10th month of the year. Each day marks a different principle.  Today's is Umoja (oo mo jah) meaning unity.


Ok. Ok...but how can I win?  


It's easy!  For today let's show our unity by spreading the word!  Share on your blog, post to your favorite forum...let everyone know we are doing a FABULOUS weeklong Kwanzaa Giveaway.  Share the link to SOC with readers.  Then come back here and leave a comment on this post today, Dec. 26, 2010.  Be sure to share the link to your post and you are entered!  Woohoo!  That's it.  Then tomorrow not only will I announce a winner, share a picture of their prize but I'll also announce a new challenge for another chance to win!  Yay!  We'll do it again and again for an entire week!  So check in each day because you won't know what the challenge is or the prize.  You've got to play to win.  Please note:  all prizes will be mailed at the end of the giveaway, because each day you enter you could win and I just want to send 1 package to each winner!  Also, due to the cost of shipping, this giveaway is limited to US & Canada Residents only.)  


BONUS!!!  Create a card, layout or altered project with Kwanzaa as your inspiration/subject and be entered to win an additional prize!  That's right at the end of the week someone will win a wonderful prize just for getting crafty!  Just share a link to your creation below and you are entered.  Entries must be shared by Saturday, January 1, 2011 11:59pm eastern time.  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us at SOC E:spire. We hope that you make wonderful memories this day and everyday. My name is Camille and I am so excited to be part of the E:spire design team. I am a native New Yorker transplanted to the Maryland suburbs where I live with my husband and children. The inspiration for my art and my proudest accomplishments are my three sons, Joshua (26), Frankie (19) and Julian (15). I’ve been scrapbooking for about 7 years although I’ve been creating in many other forms as long as I can remember. I love learning new ways to express my creativity, so besides paper scrapbooking, I love photography, card making, coloring with Copics and colored pencils, decoupage, altered arts, and one of my most recent endeavors digital scrapbooking. About a year ago I was attracted to the world of digital scrapbooking. I just loved the idea of being able to scrapbook anywhere I could take my laptop. After taking a beginners class taught by Renee Pearson I was hooked. I’ve taken other classes over the year and I plan to take many more. There is so much to learn in the digital world and I just can’t wait to take it all in. Okay, so when it comes to describing my scrapbook style and describing me in general I would have to say I am eclectic. I mean can you blame me?  This is how Mr. Webster defines eclectic:

 eclec·tic noun \e-ˈklek-tik, i-\

Definition of ECLECTIC: one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources

That fits me perfectly! 

I hope this gives you a little insight into who I am. I look forward to sharing my digital layouts with you over the next year. SOC E:spire is going to be an awesome publication. If you haven’t signed up for your FREE copy, do so and give yourself a gift today!

Here is a digi layout I did of my boys on Christmas Day 2009. 

From my family to yours Feliz Navidad.

Camille

Layout: Love & Happiness by Camille. - Template: Tiffany Tillman 25 Days Templates #1;
Digital Paper and Digital Elements: Paislee Press (Adorned Kit); Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.

Greetings and Salutations,

I met Tiare sitting in Archiver's. The rest is a blur and now I am here! I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful group of crafty women. Real women with real lives doing real things and making a difference!

My name is Lauren Ferguson. I presently live in Georgia. I'm originally from New Jersey -- thats exit 158 on the GSP and exit 18 on the NJT.

At the age of 40, while raising a toddler and pregnant with twin boys, I walked away from an academic career -- with advanced degrees from Harvard, MIT and Rutgers -- to balance my new life as a Mother, an Artist and Writer.

I am a eco-conscious/green/environmentally friendly designer. I recycle, up-cycle, re-purpose, reuse, reduce and pick through the trash. I will never be a fine artist. The tag line on my blog reads: "There are no mistakes in art, just opportunities to embellish." My, for me the devil is in the details. I am a left brained woman having extraordinary right brain experiences.

I did not know that I was crafty and so now I feel the need to play catch up on the 40 years of missed time.

Scrapbooking is where I got my love of paper. It was also the first step on my journey to becoming a mixed media artist. My roots will always be in paper, plain and simple.

My heart's desire is making blank books. I am inspired by earthy tones of color and texture. Crafting for me is an adventure of taking what appears to be completely unrealated pieces and transforming them into a journal -- from the covers, to the stitching to the paper chosen to be signatures.

I have always been comfortable with ending my creative journey when the contruction is completed. This year I have challenged myself not just to make another book to make a book about me. I never decorate the insides and especially not about me.

I hope that you will take this exciting journey with me as I take a year to Peer into the Looking Glass.

until we meet again,

Happy Hellos

Happy Hellos and Merry Christmas Everyone:

This is truly an exciting time. With the holidays upon us and the launch of E:spire Magazine just around the corner; and all the things that will fall in between, I feel as though Christmas will be making two appearances instead on one this winter.

My name is Lorie a.k.a. ThePeddler and I am a Creative Team Member for SOC E:spire Magazine. Before I continue with my introduction, I would like to use this platform to thank Tiare Smith, E:spire Founder, for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome journey. Like many of you, I’m looking forward to a year overflowing in shear inspiration and creativity.

Currently, I live in Baltimore, Maryland with my soon to be (48 hours away) pre-teen son, Kevin whom you will probably hear me refer to from time to time. Kevin plays a big part in where my inspiration is drawn from.

I began crafting at eight years old. My mom was and remains a crafter—just not as much. From as far as I can recall, my hand were always moving whether I was learning how to macramé (Chinese Knotting), pour slip for ceramic pieces, latch hook, crochet, decorating specialty cakes, etc. I was always doing something on the creative side. After the birth of my son, I took up scrapping as a hobby. I would attend crop nights. I love it and how my friends responded to my scrapbook(s).  Then one evening I sat down next to Linda—a lady I did not know.  She was making greeting cards—lots of them too. By the end of the crop, Linda had hooked me and she wasn’t even aware. I left the crop that night with one and half completed pages (probably because I was too busy watching what she was doing) and she walked out with more cards than I could count.  The next time I returned to the crop, I spent half of my time scrapping and the other half making cards. By the time I returned again, I deemed myself a card maker. I loved the idea of creating smaller completed projects in a shorter period of time.

Looking back, I have learned many techniques, as a result my style has evolved. If I had to describe my style, it would be truly eclectic. There are many facets to art that I love to bring to my craft and though you may not see it in one card or layout, it is evident when you visit  my blog. I love the art of collage, lots of color, clear & simple lines, layers and cards that border being slightly baroque. My favorite embellishment is ribbon. My biggest challenge is creating for a male recipient. So, whenever a challenge presents itself, I make sure I participate. Now that you are aware of my Achilles heel, when it comes to paper crafting, what’s yours and how do you handle it?

Thanks for taking a little time to get to know me! I encourage you to leave your comments so, I may get to know you too.


Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

SOC Kwanzaa Giveaway! 7 Days of Prizes!

Family and Friends

Hello SOC Fans,

Hi my name is Chalese and I am so honored to be apart of this amazing team!! We live in cold Minnesota the land of snow and ICE!!  Yes, it is very cold and our winters last at least 7 months. Why do we live here?? When I figure it out I'll let you know!! LOL  Anywho I am married to wonderful Mr. Knight and we have four children, two college bound and Gabby 12 and Stormy 6! My family brings me so much joy. I am thankful to God to have chosen me to take care of them. What brings me true happiness is family and my soy latte(a must have EVERYDAY)!!!

You know I often think about my scrapbook style? It takes me about 4 hours to complete JUST two layouts! Yes, ladies I am a slow poke when it comes to creating. Any suggestion on how I can speed up this process? Really anything would HELP.  I love my little bug aka Cricut! I use this little baby on almost all of my projects, along with paint and misting. I love everything about scrapbooking.  I find joy and peace in this art form.

I hope you all join US and play along this coming year.  Thanks you so much and stay tuned for inspirational yummy goodness in 2011!

Please enjoy a few of my recent creations.

Chalese

The Secret to Scrapbooking

My name is Shellina, and I’ve got a secret.

Scrapping our memories can be a tricky beast; we want them to present well, to be impressive, and yet reflect our own personal styles and passions. Many of us slave over a layout, constantly moving elements around, agonizing over which picture to use, selecting our color scheme to be just so. And then, when it’s as perfect as we can possibly make it, we present it to our friends and family- all the while holding our breaths to hear those infamous “ooohs” and “ahhhs”. The thing that is supposed to give us so much joy becomes downright stressful if we’re not careful!

There’s really only one cure for this kind of problem. It’s cheap, readily available, and absolutely unique. I found the secret not too long ago myself, and it has changed my life. I went from struggling over my scrapbook pages for hours to creating until my little heart just couldn’t create any longer- and loving it. It was when I was most stressed out and bogged down by struggling to compare myself to others that I found my own style, my own song to sing, my own story to tell. I began making scrapbook pages for ME- not for anyone else. Before I knew it, this copy-cat scrapbooker became what I never imagined I could: a scrapbook artist.

I began creating my own scrapbook materials earlier this year. With my background in graphic design and web programming, I found the transition to digital element design a smooth one. I’ve found that my greatest passion is with scrapbook papers- there’s something about the repeating of simple patterns to make something beautiful that reminds me of the beauty of memories: simple scenarios stacked on top of one another to make one big priceless memory.

I opened my own digital scrapbooking store in July of this year, and have been thrilled to see that I’m not the only one looking high and low for creative and original scrapbooking supplies. The digital realm of scrapbooking has introduced many new venues and possibilities to this growing phenomenon, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Which brings me to the most exciting part of my story thus far: the opportunity to design exclusively for Scraps of Color! This new adventure is one that calls to both my inner artist and the woman in me- celebrating our strengths, creativity, and love. Becoming a part of a tight-knit community of artistic women has been glorious for both my layouts and my heart.

If this is your first time visiting Scraps of Color: welcome. Welcome to community, welcome to inspiration- welcome to a whole new scrapbooking experience- from digital to mainstream.

So what is the secret to scrapbooking, you ask?

Well, that’s easy.

The secret to scrapbooking is you.

To Flash or not to Flash!

Namaste! My name is Rani but you can also call me scrapyoga...because a sure fire way to find peace for me is through scrapbooking! A bit about me: I am a self taught digital scrapbooker and love creating on the computer. Like most of you I am always learning and love to share! I am a licensed certified massage therapist, practicing for the past 10 years. Wow-even I am shocked at that! I have two little cutie pie girls, living on the central Californian coast with their dad and my best bud, Trevis. Anything artsy & crafty I just love! I swoon over things handmade! And most nights you will find me clicking away on my mac, surfing Etsy while making a new layout! It's so exciting to be part of Scraps of Color E:spire and so happy that you will be joining us here!

I wanted to share with you why I don't like to use flash.... especially around the holidays!
Why have this....

When you can have this...

See what I mean?

And then you can create lasting memories like this.....

Now don't get me wrong...flash is wonderful...how else could I get those two cuties in the middle?! But using a flash to capture the lights...it's worth the wait for the shutter to click!!!! Don't you think? Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Does this sound familiar...

a supply or accumulation of items that is hidden, stored away, carefully guarded for preservation or future use? If so does that make you a hoarder or just saving items for that perfect occasion or photo? I'm sure as a paper crafter we've all collected our share of supplies.

Hi everyone! I'm Tena and I'm so excited to be one of the Sketch Inspired designers and a member of this wonderful, talented team at SOC E:spire! A little about me, I'm married and we live in Columbus, GA. We have a beautiful daughter who's all grown up now. My family is often my favorite scrap subjects and also my biggest supporters. Although they are not always willing to pose for photos LOL. I've been scrapbooking about 10 years now and love every minute of it.

Christmas Past by Tena Ellison. Supplies Patterned Paper: BoBunny, Creative Imaginations; Rose trim & Rub ons: BoBunny; Journaling note: Creative Imaginations; Title: Cricut; Cartridge: Lyrical Letters; Ink: Colorbox.

I'm not really sure how to describe my scrapbooking style. I love everything from clean, simple lines to shabby chic, artsy & distressed styles. I really love mixing and matching paper lines and using the old with the new...hence the question about hoarding supplies. I also love trying out new techniques and I'm always up for a challenge.

The above layout is one I recently created using papers from the new BoBunny Noel collection with some older Creative Imaginations paper and journaling note. This is also a sketch inspired layout based on a sketch by Tiare from the Nov/Dec 2010 Sketch-A-Day.

This is going to be an exciting year! I'm looking forward to Inspiring and being Inspired as well. So stop hoarding (I mean saving LOL) and start using your supplies!

Tena E.

The Perfect Pear!

Greetings Scrapbookers, Crafters and Cardmakers! My name is Aysha and I am very excited to be a part of the SOC E:spire design team. I am a Bronx, NY native (currently living in Maryland) and I’ve been scrapbooking the safe way for over ten years. I truly enjoy documenting life’s special moments. When I am scrapbooking for myself, I usually default to paper scrapbooking. However, I LOVE designing digital elements and mixing them with traditional elements to create hybrid projects. I am a self-taught graphic artist who spends HOURS in front of the computer…daily. Not sure how to describe my style but I love texture, typography, color and photography. Currently, I’ve been working on all things Christmas. This is the front panel of a card using a digital-stamp that I created. There are some amazing things being planned for the magazine next year, so I hope that everyone jumps in and subscribes!

PS: Here’s a FREE DOWNLOAD! Simply right-click the black and white pear and save the .png file. You can use it in your own hand-crafted or digital projects. Have fun and Happy Holidays!

It's That Magical Time of Year

Greetings to you, our cherished, creative, crafters! I’d like to take a moment to welcome you to our introductory month of E:Spire. Collectively, we are looking forward to your membership, your enthusiastic involvement in our events and your participation with the activities we have planned for your enjoyment. I’d also like to extend a special “Thank You” to our creative director, Tiare Smith, for her vision and her creation of this special publication. E: spire has been designed to ignite our imagination and to help us all keep the “Mojo Fairy” twirling within our souls.

I want to give my own nod of appreciation for this opportunity to contribute to this awesome design team as a writer for a column entitled, “Keeping it Real.” Look for product reviews and crafting tidbits from yours truly. As a creative member of E: spire, my excitement meter has reached levels almost as high as it was as I watched the inaugural process that unfolded in Washington D.C., in 2009.

I have been a paper crafter for more than 10 years. My style leans towards shabby chic, but one never knows when the scissors will take on a life of their own, and voila, something new, creative and totally unplanned evolves from the process! I design personalized cards under the name, Honey’s Child. My creations can be found in Simply Devine Cards-
N-Gifts, a shop in Ypsilanti, MI.

I’d like to offer a challenge to you, dear reader. At least, once during this upcoming year, introduce and bring another crafter with you on this journey of creativity and discovery. Together, let’s expand this endeavor to its exponential level.

Happy Holidays!