SBS Challenges

Have you ever heard of a SBS Challenge? I hadn't. It stands for Step-by-Step. Basically, every day the challenge leader will give you one step to complete for the day. When all steps are complete, you have a completed layout without feeling overwhelmed or having to set aside a large block of time. 

Best of all, the directions are generally very detailed, so if you're a newbie scrapbooker your page will look just as good as the scrapbooking pros.

Check out a SBS challenge at the The Scrap Witch. 

Go get creative today!

Colleen

Saturday Sketch

To created your finished layout using this sketch:

1. Start with a dark cardstock.
2. Trim 1" from two sides of an 12x12 light monochromatic patterned paper (one that looks solid when seen at a distance). Using a corner rounder punch, trim each corner. Adhere to the cardstock.
   
3. Cut a circle from patterned paper. Cut the circle in half.
   
4. Trim three photos into diamond shapes of the same size.
   
5. Test placement of photos and half circles on layout. Once happy, adhere to background paper (adhering the half circles first, then the photos.)
6. Add a large title as shown.
7. Place brads, buttons, flowers or other embellishments in each of the four corners.
8. Finish by journaling.
   

Happy Scrapping!,
Colleen

The Thursday Review

Thursdays at For the Love of Scrap include reviews of products, books, magazines, stores, and all things related to scrapbooking and papercrafting.

Up for review this week is Scrapbook Page Maps by Becky Fleck.
Let me start out by saying I wish I had written this book. This is the best scrapbooking book I have purchased to date (let's just say I have a few).

So what exactly makes this book so great? First, the book's construction. The book is spiral bond, so it lays flat when open. But, unlike most spiral bound books, the publishers were smart enough to cover the spiral binding with a hard cover. This way when the book is on a shelf, you can still find the book by looking at its spine. Also, unprotected spiral binding tends to snag itself on objects. The books pages are printed full-color on glossy paper.

Second, the books sketches or page maps (60 in total) vary in size and orientation. They include: 12x12 single, 12x12 double, 8 1/2x11 vertical, 8 1/2x11 horizontal and 8 1/2x11 double. In addition, each sketch is accompanied by no less than two full-color sample layouts.

Third, along with the details of how the sample layout was created, each page contains "tip," "give it a try" and/or "eye spy" boxes. The "tip" boxes give advice, such as "For added dimension, double up photo anchors one on top of the other and attach with a brad." The "give it a try" boxes provide step-by-step photos demonstrating a scrapbooking technique, such as how to create a title block that looks like granite. The "eye spy" boxes draw your attention to details contained in the sample layouts that you may not have noticed, such as "Connie used the negative piece left over from popping the 'Y' out of the nested chipboard letter and backed it with patterned paper."

Lastly, the most unique and arguably the best part of this book is the deck of sketch cards that is included. The cards and card box are located at the back of the book. All you do is punch out the cards and box. The box is easily assembled by folding on the pre-scored lines and taping shut one side. The cards, just like the book, are full-color. One side of each card contains the sketch and the other contains a sample layout along with a materials list needed to recreate the layout. The cards are the size of children's playing cards and are coated, thus perfect for bringing to a crop or shopping.

So, is there anything I don't like about this book? Yep. I don't know when or if a sequel will be published.

This book is perfect for the novice scrapper to the seasoned scrapbooker.

Rating: $$$ out of $$$
$ = Not worth the money.
$$ = I wouldn't pay full price, but definitely pick it up when on sale.
$$$ = Don't wait, buy it now!

Happy scrappin',
Colleen

Saturday Sketch - Sketch #32

Saturdays at For the Love of Scrap are for sharing my original sketches.

So, without further ado, here is sketch 32.

Please remember to upload your completed layouts on our Google Group website here.

ttfn,
Colleen

Sketch #31

Get out your craft stamps. The finishing touch to this layout is two stamp images. To overlap the stamped image onto both the paper and your photos using acrylic or rubber stamps, you will need to use either Staz-on ink or regular ink and embossing powder that is heat-set. Otherwise, the ink will smear.

Here are some stamps to try:

If you aren't familiar with acrylic stamps, let me fill you in. In addition to our clear stamps, you will also need clear acrylic stamp blocks when using clear stamps. The blocks only need to be purchased once, can be used forever, and with any manufacturers acrylic stamps.
I love clear stamps. They take up so much less space than wood-mounted stamps. Also, if you need to restamp your image, they're see through, so you can easily line the image up and restamp.

Finally, you can use foam stamps and acrylic paint (which is acid free) to stamp on your scrapbook page. The paint adds an textural interest to your page that is impossible to get with any other medium.

Give these techniques a try.

"where there is fear, there is no creativity."
- Christopher Lowell

Get creative today,
Colleen

Sketch #30

Another 2-page layout for you to try. The large photos are 4x6 and the circular photos are roughly 2-inches across.

If you would like the .psd file of this layout, all you have to do is post a comment about this layout and email me at colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com.

Of course, your finished layout is always welcome here. So, email it to me. I love to see what you talented scrappers can do!

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #27

I haven't made a blog entry since November. I can't believe it. I've been teaching myself Photoshop Elements. I've been using digital kits to create the last several sketches. This took me hours to create each sketch. I'm going to try sketching in gray tones going forward. I should be able to give you a sketch a week this way.

As always, if you use my sketch, please send me a link to where it's posted or send me a .jpg file of your creation and I'll post it here. My email address is colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com.

PS You might be wondering why I skipped sketch #26. I've submitted it for consideration at another blog site for their Saturday Sketch. I'll keep you updated.

ttfn,
Colleen

Sketch #25

One page. 12 photos. Great for: baby's first year, 12 grades of school pictures and holidays/events where you have a ton of pictures but don't want it to take up an entire album .

Credits:

Papers:
Paisley paper = Funky Floral by Leah Riordan Designs @ scrap.mommyish.net and oscraps.com
Striped, linen and green papers = Larry by Jan Crowley Queen of Quirk @ oscraps.com

Embellishments:
Funky Floral by Leah Riordan Designs @mommyish.com and oscraps.com

Font:
Chelsea Studio

Happy scrapping,
Colleen

Sketch #20

The long wait is over. Here is another new sketch to help kick start your creativity. My design can hold eight photos.

Tip: Did you know that you can substitute multiple smaller photos in place of a large one without sacrificing the integrity of the design? The same goes for converting multiply smaller photos into a larger one. In this sketch, the two wallet-sized photos could become a 4"x6" instead. One of the 4"x6" photos on the bottom, could be changed to two wallet-sized photos.

This sketch was created using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.

Credits:

Papers: Evening in the Garden by Lisa Carter www.digitalscrapbookplace.com
Embellishments: Thankful by Janel Kretsch www.thedigishoppe.com
Font: decadence

Please let me know if you post a layout to any other website based on one of my sketches. I love seeing your creations!

All the best,
Colleen
colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com

Sketch #18

3 photos fit on this 12x12 layout - the largest is 8 x 10.

Share your completed layouts; email them to me and I will post them for you.

Enjoy,
Colleen

Sketch #17

This 5-photo, 12x12 sketch takes advantage of the latest trend in embellishments - washers. Washers come in a wide variety
of sizes and can be customized by using acrylic paint, ink, rub-ons, or adhering paper.

The font I used for the title of this sketch is ball.

When I designed this layout, I had photos that feature water or bubbles in mind.

Happy 4th of July!

Colleen

Sketch #16

This patriotic sketch is just begging for your 4th of July and military photos.

Change the colors to:

• olive green, khaki and tan for an Army layout.
• blue, gray and chrome for an Air Force layout.
• blue and gold for an Navy layout
• scarlet, gray and gold for an Marine layout.

The font I used in this sketch is Bodie MF. You could make this font without the aid of a computer by cutting block letters using Coluzzle Alphabet Template, a small star punch and a ribbon punch. The stars could be made of paper (using a large star punch, a Coluzzle star template, a star embosser), chipboard
or stickers


Stitching and/or journaling belong around the perimeter of the background and the focal photo.

I can't wait to see your work!

Happy scrapping,
Colleen

Member Layout based on Sketch #12

For the Love of Scrap member, Cindy, completed this digital layout based on my sketch #12 and the Verona Gardens digital kit by Rick Evans for Scrapadilly.net. What a fabulous layout! Thanks for sharing it with all of us, Cindy. ^_^

Sketch #15

This 12x12 layout is infused with African design. Two 4"x6" photos are designed to be showcased in this layout. Once the photos are cropped into trapezoidal shape and stacked on to of each other, they resemble an African drum. The font used is African. The sun is easily made using a small circle and 8 small triangles.

This layout would work well with zoo or safari photos. It would also be great with African heritage photos. If you change the colors to bright primary colors, then it could be used for kids eating Popsicles, riding bikes or on-the-go in the summer.

I can't wait to see your completed layouts. ^_^

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #14

This 2-page, 12x12 sketch's free-form background is created by cutting patterned paper using a flexible curve and an X-Acto knife. Just create a shape that pleases you and cut away.

The font I used for the title and subtitle is glitter. You can create a similar font using large alphabet stickers (Making Memories Chunky Alphabet Letters) and 3 different sized hole punches (1/16", 1/8", and 1/4").

The only embellishments are 6 brads (2 of each color).

Enjoy,
Colleen

Member Layout based on Sketch #4

For the Love of Scrap member, Judy B, completed this layout based on my sketch #4. What a fun and colorful layout Judy has created! Thanks for sharing it with all of us, Judy. :o)

Layout based on Sketch #11

This layout is based on my sketch #11.

Supplies used: papers from Colorbok, white flower is from Oriental Trading Company, self-adhesive alphabet from Colorbok.

Tools used: Fiskars 12-Inch Euro Paper Trimmer

Note: I had a 4" x 6" photo and matted it to get it to the 5" x 7" size called for in my sketch.

I hope you like it.

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #13

This sketch can showcase between 6 and 8 photos. A jumbo-sized flower and photo corner are all the embellishments needed.

You now have a choice in posting your completed layouts. You can either send me an email with photo attachment for me to post here, or you can post it yourself on our message board at google groups. Sign up for free at the right --------->

ttfn,
Colleen

Sketch #12

A mix of jumbo and small flowers adds a feminine touch to an otherwise masculine layout. It's a little hard to see in the sketch, but the base of this layout uses a black and white patterned paper.

You can share your creation based on this sketch with other crafters over on our google message board. Sign up is just to the right ---->. It's fast, easy and free. So, come join us.

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #11

Here is sketch #11. 16 - 2"x 2" squares of patterned and solid paper add interest to this simple design. The sketch can accommodate up to 5 photos, but you can replace the small photos with either more paper or embellishments.

You can make all the cuts needed to create this layout using just one tool, Fiskars 12-Inch Euro Paper Trimmer . This is my most used scrapbooking tool. I can't image cropping without it.

Best of all, this layout can be created inexpensively, by using all your scraps!

Mix it up and make it your own.

Enjoy,
Colleen