Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips!

Happy Tuesday!
For today's template, I decided to do a design with circles.  Working with circles is hard for me for some reason.  Weird, I know.   Here is an example I made using today's free template:

I used Wild Blueberry Ink's Forecast kit found HERE

Have you ever wondered how to stroke a shape using dots?  (Like the dotted frame in today's template.) Go HERE to find out how using Photoshop!

Here is today's template and you can download it HERE (link expires on Jan 7, 2011):

Now, why does this layout work?
1.  White Space:   White space is the area(s) of a layout that is has no text or graphics.  It gives the viewer's eye a chance to rest.  Folks, it doesn't have to be white in color to be considered white space! :)
2.  Proximity:   The photo and papers are spatially connected to each other because of their proximity.  The core of the layout looks like one grouping because of the close spacing of the circles, photos and title.  This placements gives a unified look to the layout, and unity creates a feeling of wholeness.
3.  Color:  I picked three colors to use: yellow, gray and blue-green.  I applied the color "rule" 1 gallon (gray), one pint (blue-green) and 1 cup (yellow).

Want to read more about design?  Go HERE or HERE

If you are new to digi scrapping, you are going to need some software to get started.  Go to www.adobe.com and download the FREE 30-day trail version of Photoshop Elements.  (For a direct link, click HERE)  There are instructions all over the web as to how to get started in digital scrapbooking. Go HERE for some great instructions and links!

Winners!

Here are the winners for the two copies of the awesome magazines courtesy of Creating Keepsakes!  If you are one of the winners, please email me (babyroo7 at yahoo dot com)! 

Carla is the winner of Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Stamp & Ink and Janna from Arkansas is the winner of Scrapbooking Everyday Memories!  Congratulations, Ladies!

PS I also have a discount code for THIS store where you can buy both of these magazines!  The code is CKDT15 & is good for 15% off all items in the store (expires 12/20/2010).

Enter to win!!

Tomorrow I will be randomly picking winners for a free copy of two awesome magazines, courtesy of Creating Keepsakes!  Go to THIS blog post to enter! I am giving away one copy of Scrapbooking Everyday Memories to one lucky winner:

Can be bought HERE

Take a peek inside here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More scrapbooking

And I have a copy of Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Stamps & Ink to giveaway to another luck winner:

Can be bought HERE

Take a peek inside here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More stamping


PS I also have a discount code for THIS store where you can buy both of these magazines!  The code is CKDT15 & is good for 15% off all items in the store (expires 12/20/2010).

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips!

I wrote my first post over at The Daily Digi!  Go check it out HERE!
I wrote about symmetrical balance which is a basic design principle.  I find that I learn and RETAIN things best if I can take baby steps (starting with the basics).  In an effort to teach others about design principles, I applied that same baby step learning technique to my Daily Dig blog post!   I will do one blog post at The Daily Digi per month, and each post will cover one design principle.  To go along with The Daily Digi blog post, today's free template is a symmetrically balanced layout.
This is today's free template that can be downloaded HERE (link expires in one week):

I don't include drop shadows in my templates.  Check out Katie Pertiet's shadows - love them!

Here is a layout I made using this template:

Items used were from Everyday Moments Kit found at Songbird Ave (no longer available)

Now, why does this layout work?
1.  White Space:   White space is the area(s) of a layout that is has no text or graphics.  It gives the viewer's eye a chance to rest.  Folks, it doesn't have to be white in color to be considered white space! :)
2.  Proximity:   The photo and papers are spatially connected to each other because of their proximity.  The core of the layout looks like one grouping because of the close spacing of blocks, photo and title.  This placements gives a unified look to the layout, and unity creates a feeling of wholeness.
3.  Repetition: I repeated the deep pink color in a variety of textures, and I also repeated the same papers on each side of the photo.  Be careful not to overuse repetition as it can get boring quickly!
4.  Balance: This layout is symmetrically balanced.  If we were to divide this layout vertically down the middle, we would find the same amount of visual weight on one side as we do the other.

Want to read more about design?  Go HERE or HERE

If you are new to digi scrapping, you are going to need some software to get started.  Go to www.adobe.com and download the FREE 30-day trail version of Photoshop Elements.  (For a direct link, click HERE)  There are instructions all over the web as to how to get started in digital scrapbooking. Go HERE for some great instructions and links!
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I am giving a copy of this fabulous magazine to one lucky winner:

and a copy of this fabulous magazine to another lucky winner:

Please go to THIS blog post for a chance to win!  I will draw the winners on Friday, December 10, 2010
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I wanted to give you the heads up for the current Creating Keepsakes Layout Call.  You can see the full list of calls  HERE.  The due date is Dec 8, 2010.  They are looking for layouts about teens, summer events and patriotic themes.  (We are working on summer issues already!)  They are also looking for your pages following this design:

HERE is a tips list to increase your chances of getting your layout accepted for publication.  Don't be afraid to try!  You have nothing to lose!!  Good luck!

More Giveaways!

I have more giveaways for you courtesy of Creating Keepsakes!  I am giving away one copy of Scrapbooking Everyday Memories to one lucky winner:

Can be bought HERE

Take a peek inside here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More scrapbooking

And I have a copy of Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks: Stamps & Ink to giveaway to another luck winner:

Can be bought HERE

Take a peek inside here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More stamping

Simply leave your first name & state in the comments section of this blog post for your chance to win!  I will randomly select a winner on Dec 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM Central time.  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

PS I also have a discount code for THIS store where you can buy both of these magazines!  The code is CKDT15 & is good for 15% off all items in the store (expires 12/20/2010).

Giveaways and Creating Keepsakes!

I am so excited to have written my first blog entry over at Creating Keepsakes!  Go check it out!  I have two fabulous giveaways that you might want in on! (The comment button at CK is located at the top of my blog post in tiny blue lettering just fyi.)

The first is from Katrina Kennedy.

 Katrina is a fabulous photographer and scrapper.  She is giving away a spot in her Capture the Holiday: Through the Lens class.  You don't have to be a scrapper to want to join this class! And it's for dSLR and point-and-shot camera users!  Personally, I have learned SO much by taking Katrina's classes.  She is kind, patient, and full of information that she delivers in easy to understand terms!  In her class she will teach how to better photograph :

• Your tree and ornaments
• Stockings, gifts, bows and ribbons
• Christmas morning excitement and indoor low light situations
• Outdoor lights
• Food and drink
• And more!

The second give away is from ErinInk and Biograffiti!  They are giving away this fabulously HUGE  kit which is for sale HERE:

Here is a layout I made using this beautiful kit!

Now run on over to Creating Keepsakes for a chance to win these fabulous items!
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On a separate note, my good friend Shirley ( Wild Blueberry Ink) created THIS KIT that is fabulous!

Buy it HERE

Here is a layout I created using her kit:

Make sure and stop buy this Saturday for a chance to win a few fabulous items!  :)
Have a wonderful day!!

Family

We had Brent's family in town for Thanksgiving.  We had tons of fun, and the kids played so well together!  Here are a few photos of our family weekend. The girls made a gingerbread village:

We played kickball in the front yard:

 Tucker played without his shoes!

Baby C was so much fun, but got tired towards the end:

Our cat got tired of the little hands in the house:

The weekend was way too short!  Brie cried herself to sleep because she wanted her cousins to come back and play!