Balzer Designs

April at My Kits & Pieces! (And more good news!)

The April kits at My Kits & Pieces are totally awesome!  I got my kit yesterday and popped out three layouts right away!  The mojo was just working with the kit so well!  Here are my layouts:

I cut the butterflies out of American Crafts paper and used varying heights of foam adhesive to prop up parts of the wings.  The scanner smushed everything a bit, but it's very cool in real life!  I also fell in love all over again with American Crafts slick writer!  Those strips behind the photo are stickers from Collage Press and the slick writer didn't smear at all!  Yay!

This layout is for the One Little Word challenge.  If you can't guess, the word this week is "Blessed."  I'm not particularly religious, so I had to think a bit about what that word means to me.  I doodled all over that American Crafts paper and then discovered that it was a very aggressive look!  So, I had to tame it with the blue cardstock.

This was just super fun to do.  Every now and then, you can't be serious, you know?

Kits go on sale April 1.  AND, if you sign up for the e-mail newsletter, you will get a technique tip on the 1st and 15th of every month, as well as an original sketch and several other fun things to inspire to you!  There is no obligation to buy if you get the newsletter!

And, here's my good news: Last night, I saw that Amanda Dykan was having a Creative Team call.  I looked at her stuff and totally fell in love, so I sent her a quick e-mail and like magic, I woke up to an e-mail offering me a spot on her team!  How cool is that?!  I've already made two pages with her stuff today (but I can't share them yet).  So much fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Layout and Some Good News!

For the very first time, I tried out the ScrapMojo Challenge and had a *ton* of fun.  Here's my layout:

The black border is for viewing purposes only.

And my good news is that Memory Makers Magazine picked up a layout of mine for their October issue!  It's my very first all digital layout that has been picked up!  I'm very excited about it!

Thanks for letting me share!

New Classes!

I'm offering two new classes through My Creative Classroom:

SKETCHTASTIC

   

In this dynamic three-week course, you will learn how to:

 
• alter sketches from 12x12 to 8.5x11 and vice versa
 
• use sketches as a jumping off point for scrapping great layouts
 
• convert two-page sketches into one page layouts and convert one page sketches into two-pagers
 
• create your own sketches based on ads
 
• create your own sketches based on layouts
 
• create your own sketches from scratch (get that idea in your head onto paper!)
 
• make any sketch work for your style

Over the three weeks of the course you will receive:

 
• QuickTime movie instruction
 
• printable pdf instructions
 
• a private class gallery
 
• a private class forum
 
• weekly online chats
 
• more than TWENTY original sketches

And, at the end of just three weeks, you will have:

 
• layouts galore
 
• your very own original sketches that you have created
 
• the ability to use a single sketch for hundreds of unique layouts
 
• confidence in your ability to design great pages
 
• an arsenal of fresh ideas and inspiration

So, sign up today!

April 28 - May 18, 2008
Three weeks for only $38!!

Please contact me if you have any questions!

TECHNIQUE-A-PALOOZA

30 days. 30 dollars. 30 techniques.

Join me for a whirlwind of paper crafting techniques. Every day, for 30 days, I will provide instructions for a paper crafting technique. Techniques range from simple to over-the-top and will include ink jet transfers, how to create shaped text in Microsoft Word, painting a page background, embossed resists, making your own buttons, hand sewing on paper, and so much more!

Each morning, I'll provide clear and easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to do the technique as well as a 2.5x3.5" Artist Trading Card demonstrating the technique. There will be both a private forum for you to chat with your classmates or ask questions, and a private gallery for you to show off your creations. At the end of the 30 days, not only will you have learned a lot and been inspired, you will have a wonderful collection of 30 Artist Trading Cards made by you!

The techniques taught will be appropriate for use in scrapbooking pages, cards, and mixed media projects!

June 1-30, 2008
$30.00

Other Classes Coming Soon:

• My Ribbon Cuff class will be coming back to The City Quilter here in NYC.  I'll post more information in a week or two.
• I will be teaching classes in Brooklyn at FiberMotion this Spring.  Again, I'll post more information very soon!
• I will also be offering both "Scrapalicious" and "Using Photoshop Elements For Hybrid Scrapbooking" through My Creative Classroom.  Dates will be announced very soon.
• Finally, I have an *awesome* quilt project for you, which will be offered through Heart in Hands Scraps very soon!

I know, I know!  That's a lot of "very soons!"  I'm so excited for all of these and I will post more info as soon as I can!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tutorial: Adding to an Existing Digital Element

Here is a quick tutorial that I originally wrote for the Scrapbook Dimensions blog...

I've never been a "take-it-out-of-the-package-and-use-it-as-it-is" gal.  I like to alter my scrapbook supplies, even if it's just inking an edge.  So, digital supplies are no different.  Here is a really cute swirl element from Tara Sroka Designs:

NOTE: I have placed it on a black background for this tutorial because it's white and would otherwise be impossible to see in the tutorial.

From the "Layer" menu, choose "New Layer."

Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, select an area that is approximately 4x6 inches.

Here's a hint: Choose a fixed width from the menu at the top of  your screen to help you draw the rectangle:

Use any of the "Wet Media Brushes" (or a combination of brushes) and choose white for your color.

Now sketch in an outline in the rectangle.

Choose "Deselect" from the "Select" menu.

 

Layer the swirl stamp onto the frame you've created.  Rotate it as you wish.  Merge the two layers.

Distress using the Eraser tool and choose the "Heavy Scatter Flow" brush as your brush shape.  Experiment with size of brush an level of opacity until you're satisfied.

Now, using the "Burn Tool" burn your image just at the edges.

Finally, using the Brush Tool, choose a brownish color and set the opacity at around 20% and just trace your frame and swirl design.

Now play with your new element!

JLMS and PAD

Here are the other two projects for this month at Just Let Me Scrapbook...

I am so desperately in love with American Crafts at this point.  I love these stickers and the Slick Writer is amazing!  It really works!   The journaling on the layout was done with a Slick Writer on top of the sticker.  It's amazing!  I know that I already said that, but it dries immediately!  I highly recommend it!  I  know that MaryBeth has some of them in stock at JLMS.  And I believe the 30% off sale is still on!  Be sure to tell them Julie sent you!

In other news, I'll bet you think I fell of the Photo-a-Day bandwagon (considering the fact that I haven't posted a photo since February).  Think again!  I finally resized everything for the web and uploaded all my photos!  So check out the album to see what I've been up to.  I'm still embarrassed about taking my camera out in public, so there are a lot of photos from inside my apartment.  Here's my favorite of all the photos I've uploaded (taken with my iphone at my Mom's house):

Have a great day!

OLW and some *LOVE*

First, here is my entry for this week's "One Little Word" Challenge.  The word is "Find."

The black border is for viewing purposes only.  To create the colored squares and rectangles, I drew them with a pencil, used a waterproof pen to outline the words  and hearts and then painted them with watercolor paints.  I stitched around each of the photos and words on my machine using a variegated thread.  The title and central photo were added to the layout by using an inkjet transfer method - basically you print on the shiny side of a transparency (reverse printed, of course) and then rub it on your paper. (Could it be any easier?)

Next up, I've been tagged and gifted by several fellow bloggers lately, so my thanks go out to:

1. Lisa, who is such a fun person and a scrapping maniac!  She recently took my Scrapalicious class at My Creative Classroom and was kind enough to bestow upon me the  "Spread the Love" award.

2. Christiane, who I know from SIStv.  She is so sweet and her work is so cool and arty!  Christiane was gracious enough to gift me with the  "You Make My Day" Award.

3. Gina, who is on both the Scrapbook Dimensions Dream Team and the Tara Sroka Creative Team with me (and does the best digi tutorials), tagged me!

4.  And way over due, is a huge thanks to Maria at Kitchen Sink Stamps, who sent me the "You Make My Day" award back in January!  (I am such a bad blogger!)  Her stamps are the *best* and so incredibly versatile!  Please go and buy some!  You won't regret it!

In return, I would like to recommend each of these fabulous ladies mentioned above.  They're all awesome!  Plus, here are a few other ladies who I think are great and are nice enough to leave comments on my blog all the time.  Thanks for the love!  Here's right back at you!

1. Nat
2. Jen
3. Sue
4. lisaannette

Thanks for stopping by!

Back to Paper...

So, I've been on a bit a digital kick lately.  And I've lost my mojo recently.  Hmmm...I certainly hope the two are not related!  But, today I got back to paper.  My design team kit from Just Let Me Scrapbook arrived and I couldn't wait to dig in.  Check out these *gorgeous* papers from K&Co. and I *love* the flower silhouette sticker from American Crafts!

Okay, so I totally cheated and used this photo which I already used last week.  But, I over-photoshopped that one, so I wanted to leave this one pretty much alone (couldn't help but convert it to b&w, though).  I hand-wrote the title and then filled in the letters with white pen.  I inked the edges of the photo, the patterned papers, and each individual journaling strips (man, that took *forever*).  I wanted the strips to match the background cardstock, so I cut out the center of the cardstock (from behind the blue paper) and printed my journaling on it.  I think that this might be the *first* time I've ever printed my journaling onto colored cardstock!  I placed the stickers on patterned paper and then cut them out.  It creates an almost seamless look that I'm totally digging!

I'm feeling like the paper is bringing my mojo back.  I may just have to take out some paint and get messy in order to expedite the process...

And before I forget...

Thanks for stopping by!

I *Heart* Actions

Today I discovered Atomic Cupcake.

They have a great assortment of Photoshop actions (for Elements and the full Photoshop program).  Check out this layout:

All patterned paper, flowers, pearls, stick pin, metal embellishment and stitching are Tara Sroka Designs.  I used three different very cool actions from Atomic Cupcake to create:

1. the scalloped edge
2. the inking
3. the exposed cardboard.

Check it out.  The original flower is on the left and the altered one is on the right...

How cool is that?!  I'm seriously in love!

Random

1. I want to start off with a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my friend, Jen.  She is the nicest, sweetest (not to mention über talented) girl in the world and one of her big dreams just came true!  It is so well deserved!  Check out her blog for the big announcement!

2. My Kits and Pieces is holding an eight-week Survivor style scrapbooking contest. The first challenge goes up today (Monday) and it's not too late to sign up.  Here's the deal:

1. Every Monday for 8 weeks a DT member will post a challenge for you to work through and you are to implement what you take from that challenge on to a layout (any size). 

2. Once a layout is completed with the challenge (you have a week), it MUST be uploaded to the Kits & Pieces Gallery in the "Contest" section by the following Sunday to be considered for the contest. If you miss the Sunday deadline to upload, you are out of the contest.

3. At the end of the 8 weeks of challenges the DT (and some very lucky K & P's message board members!) will tally up points for all layouts entered into the contest.  The point system will vary, but essentially we'll select three top layouts per week. 

4. Be on the lookout for surprise RAKs along the way (there are some great goodies to be had just by participating!).

5. Also watch for special opportunities along the way to gain more points.  We're sneaky like that! (Example: One point will be given to you if you have at least 100 posts in the MB forum.)

6. Have fun!

One lucky winner will receive a three month kit subscription from Kits & Pieces!

3. I'm in a major mojo slump.  I've tried all the usual tricks: challenges, looking at mags and books and online for inspiration, working with photos I love, experimenting with new techniques, using new supplies...I just can't seem to get into a rhythm.   So, I've been trying to figure out why I've hit this speed bump?  I think maybe my style is changing and I'm fighting it and so all the design just looks weird to me.  Is that possible?  Growing pains?  Whatever it is, I wish I could shake it. It's making me crazy!  Though I guess there's no way to get through it without going through it. I just have to keep going and hope that things resolve themselves soon! 

4. I'll leave you with a layout I made last night for Tara Sroka Designs (pretty different for me, huh?):

I used the Heavy Scatter Flow brush to create the red paint.  I distressed the white swirl (Tara Sroka Designs) with the same brush (using the eraser tool) and drew the white frame with it as well.  The page title was created by using the Magic Wand Tool to copy the text off of the onesie and then I added a 1px stroke outline.  The background paper (Tara Sroka Designs) was originally all black, but I used a red color overlay (10% opacity) to change the color.

Two Notes

First off, I wanted to share my first layout for Tara Sroka Designs.  I used elements from Tara's "Love Muffin Kit", "Love Seal Brushes", "I Do 2 You Kit", and "To Do Lists."  Paper is from Tara's "Spring Fling Kit."

I distressed the swirly elements by erasing parts of them using a scatter brush.  To change the text on the pink label, I used the clone tool to get rid of the original saying and then added my own text.  I wanted the word “Today” to pop, so I filled the clear space from the original brush with white.  To place the photo “under” the felt heart with the stitching, I brought the opacity of the photo down, erased where I could see the heart showing through and then brought the opacity back up.  I altered the color of the background paper and the “love” button by using the Hue/Saturation adjustment.

 

ETA: I might have over-photoshopped the photo.  My husband says that I made him look like a cyborg!  Teeth too white, skin too even...ooops!

My second note is an awesome discount at Just Let Me Scrapbook!  You can use my 30% Design Team Discount at JustLetMeScrapbook.com. All you need to do is put my name (Julie Fei-Fan Balzer) in the comments box to receive the 30% off! This offer is good through Sunday, March 16.  Woo Hoo!