Throwback Thursday

Hi Everyone! Leilanie here to bring you Throwback Thursday. Today is also Thanksgiving and I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of our US readers! On to the kit, today I chose to showcase Behind the Lens.

This kit is collab with Girl Boy Girl designs. It is such a beautiful kit, I loved working with it! Here is my page, I used the kit to create the title page for my scrap journal. I also used Misty's "L" template for this page.

Hope you enjoyed today's post! Happy Thanksgiving!

-Leilanie

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LO Highlights

I was browsing through some galleries and came across some gorgous LO's using Misty's kits. I thought it would be a great time to go ahead and highlight some of these LO's and of course each one will be linked so you can all go leave some love.

The first layout I have to show you was created by AmieN1 using Beautiful Dreamer which is a collab between Misty O'Brien Designs and Scrappin' Serenity. She also used Misty's Border Up Commercial Use Borders.



Next up I have a LO created by kimmyscraps using Misty's kit Lola.


Last but not least I have this fabulous LO created by scrappinbella using Misty's newest kit Scrap On.


So there you have it, and of course I could go on and on and on, there are just so many beautiful creations in all of the galleries around digi-land. Please remember to go and leave these girls some LO love, they would greatly appreciate it. Also, if you haven't already done so, go ahead and sign up for Misty's newsletter so you don't miss out on any sneak peeks, coupons, freebies or anything else Misty may have up her sleeve. You can also "like" her on Facebook as well.

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Realistic Shadows!

The one thing I notice on layouts that catch my eye, is shadows! There are so many ways to do them and so many different looks that there is no right way to do them but what feels right to you. I am going to show you how I do mine. Because that is the one thing about my LO’s that is consistent, is that I do my shadows the same way every time. They might not look like it, but because I have this technique down it goes a lot faster than you would think. This tutorial is for Photoshop. I work in PS cs5 and I am not sure how this would translate to PSE or PSP.

This LO of mine using Misty's Everyday Happenings, has several shadows that are created using this technique that I am going to show you.

Having consistent shadows on a LO makes it look like a cohesive piece and makes it that much more polished. When I start I make sure the lighting is all the same direction. So the first thing I would do is to get my shadow the way that I want it on the 1^st layer and then copy and paste the layer effects to get the shadows consistent with all the layers that I need shadows on. I usually start with this:

• · Bend mode: Linear Burn (I think this gives a more realistic color to the shadow)
• · Opacity: 75%
• · Distance: ~8 px
• · Spread : 0 px
• · Size: ~10 px (sometimes more if I want the quality of light to look more muted)

Then once I determine which layers I want more depth to, I right click the layer effects/create layer. That then puts the shadow on its own layer. Once it is on its own layer I click on that layer and kit CTRL-T to free transform then I right click/warp to actually warp the shadow to make it look as though the element above it is not laying flat on the page.


I then take the corners and slightly pull them opposite the light source. If it is coming from the upper left as it is in this lo, I pulled the upper right and lower right corner points away from the element. On this Layout the shadows are warped on the frame, the ribbon and the heart in the upper right corner.

As you can see once the shadows have been warped, the element looks as though it is “lifted off the page”. I then change the opacity of the lay until it looks right. Usually anywhere between 50-75%.

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Featured Layout!

Hi everyone!  Kimmy Scraps here to bring you the Featured Layout!  Do you ever just browse the gallery for inspiration??  I do all the time.  I find it very therapeutic and if I'm ever stuck, I just go wondering through the gallery.  Sometimes it helps me decide on a kit and sometimes it helps me determine where my layout is going to go.  I've been keeping an eye out on Misty's gallery at FPD and ran across this wonderful layout by AmieN1.  I love the clustering she did around the photos.  I also love how she did her title and the journaling!

You can browse through her gallery here to get some great inpiration.

Amie used Misty's new kit "Scrap On!"  You can really see how versatile this kit is.  Not only can you use it for everyday fun but the colors are also perfect for Christmas layouts.  You can really see the variety by browsing Misty's gallery here.  Here is a preview of the kit and don't forget to go pick it up in the store.

I hope you have a wonderful day and happy scrapping!  

Also, Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

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Yum challenge! :-)

I don't know about where you live, but in Texas we have exactly 4 seasons and they are....Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas. Right now it's actually 60 degrees outside- but it's kind of impossible to get excited about the holidays when it feels like I should be in flip flops and a super cute tankini. I'm just saying. :-P So I turn on my Christmas mix and bake pumpkin bread and drink peppermint mochas and pretend like it's about to snow. I'm sure you're wondering what my point is with this rant---I need some holiday inspiration.

I'm going to share my absolute favorite holiday recipe with you- and you share yours with me Scrapbook style! In exchange for even participating you will receive a quick page designed by the FABULOUS Brenian Designs and your name will be entered in a drawing for a $5 coupon to Misty's store. Now, you use one of Misty's kits, your name will be entered TWICE. I've even found an awesome template for you to use if you, like me, are short on inspiration. In the Funky Playground Designs forum they have this template and if you use it and then post to FPD you'll be entered for one of their drawings. It's like...win win win win all around for you!

Soooo...here's mine! It's a recipe for Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles and I used Misty's "Let it Snowflake" kit.

I like bullet lists, they keep things simple. Here's your challenge:

• Scrap your favorite holiday recipe!
• Post your layout to any of your favorite galleries, and share the link as a comment here by Wednesday, November 24 at 11:59  p.m.
• Participate & receive a FREE QP and be entered to win a $5 coupon. Use one of Misty's kits and be entered TWICE.

This is my first ever blog post for any CT ever- so if I've forgotten something, please let me know! I hope you enjoy this challenge....I did!! :-)

~ Kate!

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Happy Birthday!

Did you know that FPD is turning four?  They are and all month long they have special things planned.  There's a speed scrap coming up this Wednesday, a store wide sale of 40% off until Wednesday and you still have a couple of days to snag these great deals!  Find all of the details here!

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Contest Winner Announcement!

Thank you so much for everyone that shared a "thankful" comment on the blog this week. I loved reading all your responses and I'm happy to announce that Tamara is our winner!



Comment here, or PM Misty over at Funky Playground to get your $5 GC! Congratulations and happy scrapping to everyone!

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Scrap On freebie!

Hi there!

Jacque (Get 2 Scrappin') here with a fun freebie! I made you a brag book page with Misty's latest kit Scrap On. It's available at Funky Playground Designs now and is a great little versatile mini. The fun colors will work for a variety of layouts and even into the holiday season. Be sure to pick it up and I hope you enjoy this little gift. Click HERE to download.

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Let me introduce to you

1 Who are you ?  Amie
2 What is a 'must have' item you put on your pages? Photos!  I cannot scrap a page without photos!  2nd favorite would be flowers- I LOVE flowers!3 How long have you been on a CT, and who do you CT for?  I'm a guest for misty for November.  I have only been a guest prior for Amanda Carlson's Designs for the month of August.  I have only been digi-scrapping for about a year maybe.4 What other things you do besides digiscrapping? I do a lot of paper crafting- cardmaking, paper scrapbooking.  I also like to read.  I spend most of my free time playing and caring for my daughter and soon to be SON!  I'm due to have our baby boy March 2011.5 Please tell us where you are located in the world. What is your favorite thing about where you live?  I live in Olympia, WA.  I love that it's so pretty and green (even if it means we have to have the rain for that!)  Also, we take advantage of how beautiful and close everything is here- Pacific ocean & Olympic & Cascade Mountains are only an hour away!6 What is a favorite technique or style of yours? Not sure what "styles" there are- but I like the look of traditional paper scrapping- even on my digital pages.  I am not a big fan of the fantasy pages/kits.



My favorite Layout is my favorite picture I've ever taken of my daughter (last christmas).  I used Misty's In the Purple Spotlight Kit

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1 Who are you ?  Jacque aka Get 2 Scrappin'2 What is a 'must have' item you put on your pages?  I love stitching and frames!3 How long have you been on a CT, and who do you CT for?   I joined my first CT about 3 months ago and now I create for HD Creations, Scrap Happens to Me, Designing Divas, AnDi Designs, and the Stuff to Scrap store.  I also work on marketing teams for Ginger Scraps and My Life and Scrap.4 What other things you do besides digiscrapping?  My only other 'hobby' is watching sports on tv.  I love basketball, baseball, football, even wrestling!5 Please tell us where you are located in the world. What is your favorite thing about where you live?  I live in a small town in NH, USA.  I am originally from a big city in FL.  The thing I love the most about NH is the fall when the leaves change.  It's beautiful!6 What is a favorite technique or style of yours?  I am still learning - I have only been digi-scrapping since April of this year so I don't really have a style yet.  I love how white space layouts look - I'm trying to get better at that! 

This is my favorite layout !

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1 Who are you ? Glynis (aka gracelikerain) -- wife, mom, wanna-be writer, and addicted digi-scrapper living in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, USA.

2.Did you paper scrap before you digi-scrapped?  I paper scrapped for several years and it took me about a year of doing both before making the switch in 2004. I rarely look back and get my paper fix in by doing cards and some hybrid projects.3.What is your favorite season, and what is your favorite season to scrap? I love autumn. Where I live we definitely have four seasons and this time of warm days and cool nights is my very favorite. And as far as scrapping, all seasons are fair game!

4.What is something you wish you were better at? I'm a very logical, symmetrical kind of person, so I wish I could let my inner artist out once in a while and scrap outside the norm. I enjoy looking at art journals, collages, and fantasy layouts, but I just don't create that way.5.What is your favorite subject to scrap? Of course my children (who are 8 and 10) and my extended family, but I also enjoy creating and sharing pages about my faith.

6.Do you have a favorite snack or drink while creating?  Gotta have a cup of coffee or tea and I'll eat anything with peanut butter on it!

I love products that can stretch my scrapping stash, so one of my favorite products of Misty's is the Border Up commercial Use borders and I also love her glitter styles!

So i hope you enjoyed learning to now us a bit better !

And whish you all a nice day

Melanie

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Contest time!

Here in the US, we will celebrate Thanksgiving later this month. My life is so full of blessings that I have lots to be thankful for. Don't you? But to make this a little more fun and a little more challenging let's play what I like to call: "Count your Blessings in Disguise"!

For the contest this month, post a comment here that tells us what you're thankful for, but the twist is, it needs to be something doesn't necessarily look like a blessing at first glance. Here's my example: I'm thankful for a sink full of dirty dishes that I have to clean, because it means my family has been fed.

Post your comment here before midnight eastern time on Saturday, November 13. I'll randomly pick a winner and announce it here on the 14th. Leave an email address or check back to see if you've won $5 GC to Misty's store at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns.

So now it's your turn...what are you thankful for?

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Keep Calm and Scrap On

I have a brand new mini releasing! Just in time for DSD, too. And, its color palette even coordinates with most holiday colors!

This mini is called Scrap On, and it was inspired by the Keep Calm posters and sayings, first started by the British gov't. There are 6 papers and 20 elements inside. 

My creative team and the FPD team did a great job creating layouts - check out this eye candy

Kate                                                       Memi

Jac                                                       Amie

Glynis                                                   Carol

Lisa                                                       Kerry

Christie                                                      Amie

and here's a card Becki made for Scrappers Give Thanks!

You can pick up Scrap On for 40% off! FPD is running a storewide 40% off sale for Digital Scrap Day and it's the perfect time to snag those items on your wishlist. You might think about pairing this kit with my Letter Photo Template Set and create some neat holiday cards or hybrid gifts!

A matching CU glitter set will be arriving next week, keep your eyes peeled. CT member, Wendy, created a cute coordinating freebie frame, just scroll down a post to download it. 

If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, I suggest it. I always give away 1 copy of my new releases to a lucky subscriber. 

Take care, and Keep Calm and Scrap On

Misty

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Freebie Frame

Yes girls, Wendy here to bring you t an awsome preview of the newest kit of Misty coming out very soon, Scrap On will be available in the next days, always at the FPD store so keep an eye and you will see this adorable kit. I prepared a frame with this kit hope you use it!



Download HERE

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November 3rd Tip/Tutorial

I'm a day early too- but I have to work tomorrow & didn't want to forget to get this up for you guys!

I want to share with you my favorite place to print off my digital scrapbook pages and projects! Instead of spending a fortune on a wide format printer and more ink than you can imagine, you can have your pages printed for a great price with fantastic quality!

I do almost all my pages 12 x 12. I've printed all over the place and here's my opinions:
1. The big-box-warehouse-but-cheap-to-print store always cuts off borders and prints on flimsy photo paper = I hate them!!
2. Other online sites print great quality, but still on that paper that just feels too flimsy for me. I like the feel of a thicker, cardstock-like page and there is only ONE place I've found that not only uses that sorta paper, but has FANTASTIC quality and customer service!

Pages To Treasure
http://www.pagestotreasure.com/

Pages to Treasure was founded by two moms who digital scrapbooked and wanted their digital scrapbook pages on high quality paper at affordable prices. They offer a fantastic product and excellent service. They even print a FREE sample page (one of your layouts free of charge!) After receiving my sample page (and LOVING it!) I have ordered many times from them. My favorite thing about their paper is it DOES NOT show any fingerprints! All pages are shipped super fast & packaged so well that I've never experienced a bent corner. After my last order- I was sent not only a fantastic coupon for myself and a friend, but also a !!!HAND-WRITTEN!!! thank you card. I was given Erin's email address to contact if I had ANY problems or comments/suggestions. When was the last time you've had such personal customer service in this day and age!?


Check out their blog
http://www.printpages.blogspot.com
for current coupons, give-aways and sales!

Erin has even offered this coupon to our readers!

I hope you're as happy with your printed pages as I have been! And just so you know- I am in no way paid or receive any spoofs (except the coupon I gave above) to brag about them! ;)

~Amie

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Tuesdays Challenge (a wee bit early)

Happy Tuesday everyone! It is chilly here, and wet…which is not my favorite kind of weather! I am more of a Spring/Summer kind of girl, and I can’t wait till it’s back!

Today I have a challenge for you, and if you play along you get a prize!

Usually we scrap about things that make us happy, right? Well today we are scrapping about something that makes us UNHAPPY. (hint: mine’s the cold and wet weather, LOL) It can be your least favorite weather, candy, time of day, household chore-whatever!

You do have a few requirements as well…can’t make it too easy for you! J

1: Use at least one item by Misty O’Brien Designs (anything, it can be a freebie too)

2: I want to see some creative journaling (word strips, different colors or fonts, etc) about why this is your least favorite or makes you unhappy.

3: Add the date somewhere

4: Use at least one photo

5: Post a link to your page by the end of the month and we will not only go and leave you lots of loves, you will get a participation prize for playing along!

I can’t wait to see what you all come up with, this is gonna be fun (even if you don’t like it!)

Here is mine, using the Everyday Happenings collab by Misty O'Brien Designs and SpinkyDink Scraps

http://www.funkyplaygrounddesigns.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=30576

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