A few messages from Creating Keepsakes

For a limited time, get a full year of both Creating Keepsakes and Paper Crafts for the great low price of only $25! Go HERE to find out more and get your subscription!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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 April 15, 2011.  They are looking for Thanksgiving/Christmas/Holiday related layouts and layouts 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!!  I have submitted MANY layouts that never got picked by CK, but I kept trying.  It never hurts to try! Good luck!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Big Picture Classes and Creating Keepsakes Magazine are teaming up to bring you a fun-filled Creative Crop for National Scrapbook Day! The online event will kick-off Saturday, May 7th at 9am PST. You can look forward to 12 jam-packed hours offering creative challenges every hour, live chats with industry professionals, amazing giveaways, and constant inspiration and interaction!

The best part? It's all FREE!

Go HERE to check it out & get signed up!

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips

Happy Tuesday!
I have been so busy with other "real life" projects, that I almost forgot about Template Tuesday!  GASP!  Here is today's free template, but I haven't taken the time to make a layout or point out design tips.  So sorry!  Download the template (PSD and TIFF) for free HERE (expires April 12, 2011)

Thanks for stopping by!

FREE Creative Crop 12-hour class & New Scrapbooing Templates!

Big Picture Classes and Creating Keepsakes Magazine are teaming up to bring you a fun-filled Creative Crop for National Scrapbook Day! The online event will kick-off Saturday, May 7th at 9am PST. You can look forward to 12 jam-packed hours offering creative challenges every hour, live chats with industry professionals, amazing giveaways, and constant inspiration and interaction!

The best part? It's all FREE!

Go HERE to check it out & get signed up!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I released a new template pack at Owl Tree Studio:

Found HERE

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips

Happy Spring!
I hope you are having a fabulous week!

My dear friend, Erin is selling her WHOLE store for $20!  This is a HUGE steal!  Check out HER STORE! 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
For this week's template, I decided to step out of my normal block design and give you something different.  Today's design is a little more abstract, but I hope you still like it!  Here is how I used the template:

Let's talk design for just a sec.  This design works because:
1.  Common Margins:  The common margin all the way around the layout keeps the design looking unified.
2.  Odds:  I used an odd number of dotted circles.  When using elements, try using an odd number of each.
3.  Position:  The subject is turned to face the middle of the layout.  I always try to keep my subjects looking towards the middle of the layout as this helps to keep the viewer's eyes looking at the whole design.
4.  Rules of Thirds:  Approximately 2/3 of this design is photo, while 1/3 of the space is occupied by the circle design.  Also, the large circle of journaling is located on the intersecting lines. (see below).   Using the Rule of Thirds helps creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition. Try using this Rule instead of simply centering your design.

Here is today's template which can be downloaded HERE (expires April 5, 2011)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

We have a winner(s)!

Happy Friday!
I am so sorry for being a few hours late at posting the winners!  We had some close family friends from Texas stop by, and I wanted to spend every minute possible with them!

First of all, I just want to thank you all for playing along!  I LOVED seeing all the layouts and cards!  You all rock!

The randomly selected winner for the subscription to  Creating Keepsakes Magazine is Rebecca aka MamaBee!  Now let me tell you, this gal can SCRAP!  Check out her gallery HERE.  Tons if good eye candy!

The randomly selected winner for the Premium Membership to Club CK is Shannon aka Mrsski07.  She too can scrap like it's her job!  Check out her fabulous work HERE.

Rebecca & Shannon, please email me at babyroo7 at yahoo dot com.

If you didn't win, please bookmark my blog as I will be doing these giveaways every month.

Have a great weekend!

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips

Welcome to another edition of Template Tuesday!
You can download today's free template HERE (expires March 29, 2011).  I don't do many designs with triangle shapes (arrow) because the pointed edges are so harsh that they bug me!  Today's design is an exception to my rule!

I haven't had the chance to work with this template yet so I don't have a layout to share or any design tips.  You can head over to The Daily Digi to read more about design!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

GIVEAWAY!!

It's giveaway time!  I have one subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine to give away and one Premium Membership to Club CK to give away!  This is open to domestic and international folks!  Want a chance to win?  Go to THIS BLOG POST for more details.  I will randomly select a winner on Friday March 18, 2011 at 10:00 Central time.  Good luck and make sure to stop by here on Friday to see if you are a winner!

Free Subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine and Club CK

It's giveaway time!  I have one subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine to give away and one Premium Membership to Club CK to give away!  This is open to domestic and international folks!  Want a chance to win?  Simply upload a layout (digital or paper or card) to the IDEA GALLERY at ClubCK (layout must be uploaded this week.  Past layouts do not qualify.)  In the comments section of this blog post, leave a link to your layout that you uploaded to ClubCK.  I will randomly select a winner from the blog comments on Friday March 18, 2011 at 10:00 Central time.  Good luck and make sure to stop by here on Friday to see if you are a winner!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I am hosting a chat on tonight (March 14, 2011) at  Owl Tree Studios!  Stop by HERE (Monday, March 14 at 9PM Eastern/8PM Central/6PM Pacific) to chat with me and get this template pack (PSD and TIFF) for free!

Chat with me March 14!

I am hosting a chat on Monday, March 14, 2011 at  Owl Tree Studios!  Stop by HERE (Monday, March 14 at 9PM Eastern/8PM Central/6PM Pacific) to chat with me and get this template pack (PSD and TIFF) for free! 

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips

Greetings and welcome to the 22nd edition of Template Tuesday!
I am the guest blogger over at The Daily Digi.  Pop over there and read my post about white space and how to effectively use it on your layouts!  I even demonstrate how NOT to use it too!

Here is my take on today's Template Tuesday freebie:

All items used from my Garden Lovers kit found HERE

 Let's talk about the design of this layout & why it works:
1.  White Space:  White space, also known as negative space, is the absence of text or graphics.  I wrote more on this design principle at The Daily Digi. White space can make or break a layout so be sure and check out that blog post!
2.  Asymmetrical Balance:  This layout is asymmetrically balanced - not equal from side to side, but an implied balance instead.  Different colors have different weight values as do elements. Go check out my January post at The Daily Digi for more info on asymmetrical design - you'll be glad you did!  :)
3.  Proximity:   The photo and papers are spatially connected to each other because of their proximity.  This placements gives a unified look to the layout, and unity creates a feeling of wholeness.
4.  Common Margins: I framed my layout with common margins which is an easy way to keep a layout looking unified.

HERE is today's free template (download link expires March 22 , 2011).  I have included a PSD version & TIFF too!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

On Monday, March 14, 2011, I am hosting a chat at  Owl Tree Studios!  Stop by HERE (Monday, March 14 at 9PM Eastern/8PM Central/6PM Pacific) to chat with me and get this template pack (PSD and TIFF) for free! 

Goes into my Owl Tree Studio store on March 18

Thanks for stopping by!

Project 365 - Free March calendar

Have you checked out the newest site for Project 365?  Katrina Kennedy started a new site called  Capture Your 365.  It's an awesome site that is full of support, ideas and links to all products related to Project 365!  There are a ton of contest and giveaways going on too!  Go check it out!

I don't always take the time to put my photo and journaling in my Project 365 layout everyday.  Instead, I jot down daily notes on my calendar, and when I get a moment, I work on the week's page.  HERE is a March calendar that you can download for free to help you with your project 365.  This is what the calendar looks like:

I hope you have a fabulous week!

New Products released & New 365 site

Happy Friday!
I have several new items releasing today at Owl Tree Studio. They are all 20% off through the weekend!  Here is a peek (links under photos):

Found HERE

Here is a layout using this kit:

Found HERE

Here are a few layouts I did using this kit:

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 Project 365 POTD

If you are doing Project 365 POTD or Project 52 or even thinking about taking a photo a day, you need to check out Katrina Kennedy's new site Capture Your 365.  It's an awesome site full of support, ideas and links to all products related to Project 365!  Go check it out!

Submit your layouts to Creating Keepsakes!

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 March 14, 2011.  They are looking for Halloween related layouts and layouts 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!

Template Tuesday - Free Digital Scrapbooking Template & Design Tips

Happy Tuesday!
First up - Backing up:
This is just a friendly reminder to take some time (TODAY) to back up your photos and scrapbooking items.  I back up my photos and scrap goods to 2 external hard drives AND I use Carbonite which backs my junk up automatically when I am not on my computer.  Why so much, you ask?  Because I would be devastated to lose my memories, my hobbies, my life.  I gladly fork over $50 per year for unlimited back up with Carbonite.  Are they foolproof?  I doubt it.  But having peace of mind knowing that I have my stuff backed up at another location is worth $50 to me!  Do yourself a favor and back up your computer. TODAY. :)
BTW, here is a blog article from a site I trust that has a little info on externals.  Here is part 2 of that article.
Happy backing up!
 ..............................................................................................................
Second: Template Tuesday!  I have almost 500 people downloading my free templates each week!  Thanks so much for stopping by, everybody!  Make sure and check today's template download for a coupon to my store!

Here is my example of today's free template:

All items from my Garden Lovers kit coming to Owl Tree Studio on March 4

So let's talk for a minute as to why this design works.
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.
2.  Proximity:   The photo and papers are spatially connected to each other because of their proximity.  This placements gives a unified look to the layout, and unity creates a feeling of wholeness. 
 3. Repetition:  I repeated the same colors throughout the entire layout, but I used different textures and elements to keep things from getting too boring.

Here is today's free template (download it HERE - expires March 15, 2011)

The template is in TIFF and PSD!

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!