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... Read more →

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! Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

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! Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →