Get Out Front

Have you seen the October/November issue of Scraps of Color E:spire Magazine? Simply fabulous! Camille did a layout entitled “Nature Lover” that inspired my post this month. Her gorgeous mix of people and nature photos reminded me to make sure I get from behind the camera and into some photos. I looked through my stack of printed pictures and was happy to find one of just me! I’d forgotten all about it, as I was so excited to photograph the sights and sounds of Chicago. So, here’s my layout with that photo.

I even made my own embellished butterfly with a Martha Stewart punch and some added bling.

Photo Op by Moanica Caston. Patterned Paper and Cardstock Embellishments: Echo Park; Cardstock: Bazzill; Yellow flower accent: Prima: Alphas; American Crafts Thickers and Pink Paislee

So my tip for you this month is to remember to get out in front of the camera while you’re capturing all of the fun and beauty of life!

Happy Crafting!

Moanica

Cool Digi Project: Photo Strips

Happy Wednesday to all of my creative spirits.

Do you remember photo booths? You know the ones that would take about 4 pictures and print them immediately on a strip. I remember how much fun I had making funny faces with my family and friends anytime we would step into one of those. Today I am excited to share a really cool project that I created using Photoshop Elements.

I created the one on the left with four different funny pictures taken on my computer. The one on the right was created with four pictures taken while at the beach.

They each measure a little less than 1 1/2 inches wide by about 6 inches tall. The perfect size to pin up on bulletin boards, hang in school lockers, or  include on a layout.

They also make great keepsakes to share with family and friends.

 
Just another way to use your favorite photo editing software.

I created this png file for you to try this on your own. Click to download. If you don't have Photoshop or a similar program you can use this with your word processing software. Just crop your picture to fit behind the frame openings, print and cut.

Enjoy.

Camille

P.S.
Leave me a comment because I would love to hear what you think about this project.

It's Here! Oct/Nov 2011 Issue of SOC Scrapbook Magazine and a chance to WIN!!

Myself along with the entire SOC Magazine Creative Team are happy to share with you the October/September 2011 Issue of the Scraps of Color Scrapbook Magazine!   Another great issue filled with sketches to help you create beautiful layouts quickly and easily, be challenged to use your cardstock, learn how to paint a pumpkin and be inspired to create "creepy" cards and more!   

Please download your FREE copy here today!

EnJOY!  And don't forget to tell us what you think!  Leave us a little love!

And be sure to spread the word for your chance to WIN!  Post on your blogs!  Share on Facebook! Tell all of your scrappy pals to stop by to download their FREE copy too!

Once you share it on Facebook and/or your blog come back here and share the link to your post and you'll be entered to win this FANTASTIC Scrappy Glue from the Rubber Cafe.  It's one of my new favorites!!!  I use it for altered projects, small pieces and to add extra adhesive to my Thickers!  So far, it hasn't clogged!  Yay!   But hurry, this giveaway closes on October 31, 2011 at 11:59pm. 

Please note: We will have several giveaways thru October 2011.  All prizes will be mailed at the end of September.  Winners are chosen by random number generator.  Due to shipping costs giveaways open to US/Canada residents only.   Be sure to check the blog to see if you are a winner.  Announcements will be made via the blog only.  Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited.

Happy Scrappin'

Feeling Un-Inspired?

Hello everyone, Barb here. I want to take a moment to thank all of the participants of the SOC Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop! I hope everyone had a chance to visit all of the blogs, as there were some awesome projects being shared. I just love seeing all the pink things! A special thank you goes out to Cheryl for coordinating such a wonderful event. And also a big thank you to Tiare, for providing the platform for all things SOC!!

Okay, on to my blog post.  Do you ever have days when you feel, well, un-inspired? You have gorgeous paper in your stash, lots of stamp sets, wonderful embellishments, luscious ribbon…everything you need to create a beautiful project. Everything except motivation and inspiration, basically, you’ve lost your ‘MOJO’. Yeah, that happens to all of us…don’t fret…I have a solution!  If you think about it, inspiration is all around us. We can be inspired by colors, sounds, scents and photographs, the possibilities are endless. We just have to be open and receptive. One of my favorite go-to inspiration tools are card making or scrapbook themed magazines. I love browsing thru the pages and seeing all the wonderful submissions. I rarely copy the designs exactly as they are printed, but I do take bits and snippets from various projects and use them to create my own. Another tool I use frequently is the simple photograph. Pictures are great sources of inspiration and the Internet has millions of free images to browse thru. If you want to create a beach themed layout, search for beach pictures. If you would like to create a card using a rose stamp you have in your stash, and you want a fresh take on the color of roses, search for rose images. If you need to create a snow themed project, search for Winter pics…I think you get the idea. And don’t forget about all of the wonderful creative blogs out there. Visit them and make an Idea folder on your computer and start ‘collecting’ projects that you love. 

The inspiration for my card today comes from this photo on my Pinterest board.

(photo credit via Pinterest)

It also features a design I saw in a recent issue of Card Maker magazine. The card opens on the side, after lifting the flap.You see by browsing thru my pin boards, I came across the candy corn picture. And it reminded me of a stamp set. It also brought to mind, this candy themed patterned paper. Then, while thumbing thru a magazine, a unique card design caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. I was armed with inspiration and I was ready to get busy! Creating this card was not only fun, but easy.

Click to enlarge.

 Card Supplies:

 stamp sets: Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Fillers(Papertrey Ink)

patterned papers: Matilda(Cosmo Cricket) 

card stock: Ivory Layering(GinaK. Designs), Dusty Durango(Stampin' Up!) 

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede(Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Inks(Ranger)

accessories: Copic markers, Clear Star Glitter pen, Rustic Twine(PTI), Oval, Oval Scallop Nestabilities, Friendship dies(PTI)

The next time you are feeling un-inspired, open up the recent issue of Scraps of Color magazine. You can download a copy for FREE. Just click on the link in the right side bar. You will find lots of seasonal inspiration there, everything from sketches to create awesome layouts, to card samples to step by step tutorials. The issues are jam packed with color photos, informative articles and freebies. The Creative Team always has wonderful projects showcased, as well. Now it’s your turn. What do you turn to when you're feeling un-inspired? Leave us a comment, we love hearing from you!

Has my blog post inspired you? GREAT! 

Go create something beautiful.

It's here!

Our new October/November issue of Scraps of Color Magazine is here. So make sure to go and download your free copy! It's full of inspirational pages, tips, products, articles and creative creations.

Backyard posing by Tena Ellison. Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink: ColorBox;

Stamp: Stampabilities; Cartridges: Heritage, Storybook, Home Decor;

Flower Punch: EK Success; Pearls: Recollections.

Check our Technique section which focuses on creating with cardstock only. I know we all love our patterned paper but its fun to mix things up a little and try something different. In my layout above I only used cardstock, ink and my Cricut to make this page. I love how easy it was to match the colors with my photos.

So whether you're a traditional paper scrapper, a digital page designer or a card maker, there's great inspiration in the Technique section for all. I hope you enjoy reading through the new issue of SOC Magazine and if you're really inspired to create, please share with us. You can post your creations in the SOC gallery.

Enjoy and happy scrapping!

Top 5 Scary Movies!

Greetings Creative People!

By the time you read these words, I'll be gone. I am currently enjoying myself on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean, woohoo!!! Don't worry, I'll be sure to toast it up for you!

Well, my all-time favorite season is here and one of my favorite holidays is quickly approaching...Halloween! To get you into a spooky mood, I wanted to share this quick digital layout that I created using the free digi-kit available in the upcoming October/November issue of the SOC magazine. Be sure to download your free copy this coming week! I listed out some of my favorite horror movies. Do you enjoy scary movies? What are some of your favorites?

Tip: To make my photograph match the layout I tinted my photo with a touch of purple from my background paper. Use the eyedropper tool to grab the exact color you need. Then add a photo filter over the image using the color you've selected.

October is a Busy Month

We have quite a few areas to cover on the blog this month. Karen focused on the bright combination of black and orange representing a fall focus and Kay Tee is reminding us that it's never too soon to begin December holiday projects. There's one more observance that needs to be mentioned and that is how important it is to:

THINK PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is the time of year that has been set-aside to honor those in our lives that have succumbed to this disease, applaud those that have met the challenge and been able to rise above it and those of us that appreciate the battle and are willing and able to stand beside our sisters and brothers as they fight the good fight. Together we will continue to support research and together we will have one final celebration, when our medical society announces that they have found a cure.

We're doing our part  at SOC. In case you didn't get the news...there is an impressive blog hop in process. 14 of your fellow brothers and sisters are sharing "pink" projects. Be sure to visit each blog and leave your comments to be eligible to win a fantastic prize offered by our Scraps of Color founder.

Here is the list to get you started:

Check here for a list of participants! So come on by, and help us turn the blogosphere pink!!

 For those who do not know what a blog hop it.  Begin at the first blog and you will find links to all who are participating in the hop.  Visit each participating blog for ideas, inspiration and possible prizes.  Be sure to leave comments or follow any of the posted requirements to be entered to win prizes.  You "hop" from one blog to the next.  With this hop we are honoring Breast Cancer Awareness.  Please visit and support the cause.

From Scraps to Holiday Stocking Stuffers

While most are focused on planning their Thanksgiving dinners, crafters are usually focusing on crafting for Christmas. With funds being limited for everyone these days - quick handmade gifts can fill friends and families stockings...for very little money. Mini composition books are the perfect gift to give for every age and gender on your list.



These books are easily found at Target, Walmart - even the dollar store.
Not only can you make these books in under an hour, it's a great way to get rid of all those scraps you've been saving.






These little books are perfect gifts for your neighbors, co-workers, the students in your life ... anyone who still loves to jot down their notes ... it's the perfect gift - so don't waste time - get started! The holidays will be upon us before you know it.

A Scary Fairy and a Giveaway

In the last SOC issue I had the pleasure of working with the Fairyopolis stamps, which are super cute! On pages 16-18 you can check out what Barbara, Karen, and I created with them. I also showed you a little bit more about them last month on the blog, too. Well, I don't know about you, but I like to make my supplies last, so I started thinking how I could dress up these cute little fairies into scary ones for the Halloween season!  I love products that are versatile and can be used for more than one purpose.

Just by stamping on a neutral patterned paper, embossing, and adding ink and mist I transformed this once cute fairy into a grungy one that fits right into my Halloween themed tag! I know I say this all the time, but every time I look back through the issues of SOC I am able to find a new inspiration or jumping off point! I challenge you to take a look back at the last issue and see something that you may have missed the first time or two! And to challenge you even more, I would love for you to create something based upon that inspiration and come back and share it with us here! And for doing these things you could actually win some scrap candy from me!
I have a little treat that I'm giving away on my blog. Please come over and check it out because there are several ways to gain entries! So hop on over to my place at www.myeyesandheart.blogspot.com and I have a treat not a trick for you!

Have a great week!

ScrappinAbby!!!!

Woohoo!  You are the winner of this sweet Teresa Collins Stamp Storage Album. Congratulations!   Thanks for entering.  Be sure to check out their web site for more chances to win, more crafty ideas and more shopping for your creative inspiration!

Please email me your mailing address before October 25, 2011 to receive your prize. 

Please note: All prizes will be mailed at the end of October.  Winners are chosen via random number generator.

Stay tuned for our next great giveaway, coming soon!!!

Welcoming October...

Hi there,

In preparing for the upcoming issue, one of our themes was Halloween. We had so much fun with this theme that I thought that I would create some more goodies to share with you. I created a Halloween card and a treat container. Both were created with some fun papers from Die Cuts With a View. I absolutely love filling little handmade Halloween containers for my girls to give to their teachers, so this little set will be duplicated for sure..:)

Halloween Treat Container & Card Set by Karen Jiles. Supplies- Patterned Paper: Die Cuts With a View; Cardstock and Stamp: Close To My Heart; Ribbon: Martha Stewart and Paper Studio; Ink: Vintage Photo Distress Ink; Punch: Martha Stewart.

Halloween is just around the corner. So, what kind of Halloween goodies will you create this year?

Karen

It's World Card Making Day!!!

Yay!  And what better way to celebrate the day than with one of my SOC Sistahs at an ALL DAY CROP!  Yeh, baby!  Lisa Renee and I will be crafting together all day at the BUMC Fall Crop.  On my list of things to do...make cards, of course.

How are you celebrating the day?  I hope you'll be making cards.  Here is one to start your day.

I created this fun card using BoBunny papers and rub ons, Bazzill Cardstock and May Arts Ribbon.  I really like how it turned out.  It's a little different than what I typically do.

Anyway, I hope you have some fun planned for the day and if you need a bit more card making inspiration, be sure to check out the current issue of Scraps of Color Magazine here.

Oh...and don't forget we've got a giveaway going on right now!  But you've got to play to win!

Have a CRAFTFUL day!