Sneak Peek #6: Carta Bella Cool Summer (FOTM)

"Good Stuff" by Jennifer Moore

"Full of iconic summer images and rich patterns, this whimsical collection is a perfect way to document your summer." -- Carta Bella blog

Sneak Peek #5: WRMK For the Record (Doubleshot)

"Dream" by Gina Barone

"The process of documenting life just got a whole lot easier – not to mention stylish – with the For the Record collection. This collection includes a myriad of journaling prompts to help with the process of documenting life’s most important moments and all the little ones in between. Look for note cards, built in journaling lines, date boxes, classic grids, old school ledger paper, numbered lists, and more. For the Record combines a clean, professional feel while adding a touch of surprise as seen in the citrus color pallet of green, orange, and yellow, with hints of aqua and charcoal gray." -- WRMK website

Sneak Peek #4: Lily Bee Sweet Shoppe (FOTM)

"Disney:  China" by Aphra Bolyer

"Light hearted, vintage patterns in oh so sweet colors.  Perfect for birthdays, sweet girls and boys or those everyday sweet life moments.  We've combined just the right amount of chevron, floral, damask and polka dot patterns.  You'll feel like a kid in a candy store with our new Sweet Shoppe Collection." -- Lily Bee blog

Sneak Peek #3: Simple Stories 24/7 (FOTM)

"Cousins Sleep Over" by Jennifer Moore

"The 24/7 collection is for any everyday moment!" -- Simple Stories blog

Sneak Peek #2: Pebbles Lakeside (Doubleshot)

"NSD Life" by Theresa Sovacool

"Spend a day at the lake and sing around the campfire at night with Lakeside, a new collection from Pebbles. Icons of canoes, wildflowers and camping gear in forest green, salmon pink and brilliant blue are grounded by organic brown and chalkboard black. Complimented by gingham, polka dots, woodgrain and florals, Lakeside is ideal for remembering sweet, summer days spent outdoors." -- Pebbles blog

Sneak Peek #1: BasicGrey Hipster (FOTM)

"Awesome" by Melanie Call

"With childhood behind you, it’s time to step out into that great big world and find your own unique identity. You want to stand out as true individual—as a Hipster. And this is just the collection to show your true swagger. Hipster will pack your creative wardrobe with rad retro prints, groovy geometrics, flower-power florals, and muted earth tones." -- BasicGrey blog

Project Life Pictures...

Are you doing Project Life?  Or maybe something like it?  Are you a huge fan?  GREAT!  I'll share my picture taking method with you to keep you going if you need some inspiration.

Are you a Project Life hater?  Did you try and fail?  Or are you staying far, far away from all the stress and drama of having to take a picture every day?  Well, I won't promise to change your mind, but if the picture taking thing was the issue, maybe this post will help you, too. 

(Wait.  I just used the "fail" word.  There's really no such thing as a "fail" in scrapbooking.  I know this is true because I have NEVER heard of the scrapbook police coming to take someone away.  It just doesn't happen.)

THE NUMBER ONE PICTURE TIP:
You have to use your camera to get pictures.  So if that fancy-dancy camera is too honkin' huge or fragile to go places with you, stick that point-and-shoot or phone in your pocket.  Insist on using that fancy-dancy camera?  Then get a camera purse or camera cozy and take that baby everywhere!

THE NUMBER TWO PICTURE TIP:
You have a perfectly fantastic life and it is NOT boring or dull or stupid.  It is silly, touching, hilarious, annoying, messy, dirty, beautiful, and REAL.  So take a picture of it.  Whatever it looks like to you.

BUT THAT'S THE PROBLEM... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF!
Everything!

NO, REALLY.
Really.

There are many websites out there that have photo prompts, but I tend to just imagine the conversation in my head about "here's what happened to me today" (or "you will not believe what's going on here!" if it's been that sort of day...).

Imagine your bestie says to you, "So, what happened with you last week?"  I bet you can rattle off a bunch of things.  The baby puked on your sweater.  The dog ate your shoe.  You saw a rainbow.  Your son practiced trombone.  There was a fire alarm and fire trucks at work.  You made an amazing meal (hey, you want the recipe?).  Your dad sent you a completely random picture.  The laundry was piled *up to here*.

Yes, my dog really did eat my shoe.  I threw my shoe away, and then remembered it would make a great photo.  So I dug it out of the trash and set it next to him.  I swear all I did was ask him, "What did you do???" and he gave me this great pathetic shot.  Yes, it'll be in my Project Life pages before too long!

Okay, it doesn't look like much, but the family RAVED.  And asked for seconds on... salad?!?  Okay, so that has to be recorded for all time (as well as how I made the dressing - better be able to repeat that, right?).  Chicken pilaf, salad, yogurt/fruit coming to a Project Life page near you!  Um, and maybe to my dinner table tonight.  Now I'm hungry...

You thought the fire truck at work thing was far-fetched?  Hey, that's life, right?  And look at me, I have a camera with me wherever I go!  I figure I spend an hour in the car every day and most of my waking hours at work.  That's my life.  And with that in mind, I snap a lot of pictures of what I see out the car window or what I'm doing or seeing at work.  So, yeah.  Fire trucks at work!  Project Life, baby!

I will be the first person to tell you my life is not that exciting.  But it is *my* life (and my family's life), and that's what makes it special and precious - and worth recording.  So maybe you still don't want to do Project Life.  That's just fine.  But maybe you'll want to take a few more of those daily life photos?  That's also just fine.  And awesome.  *big smiles*

- Theresa/Savi

Need to Challenge Your Creativity?

Or maybe just give it a little bit of a jump start?  Or maybe you just like free stuff?  Well, whatever your motivation for participating in challenges, we've got you covered!

May Sketch Challenge on the blog:
Link your layout here for a chance at a $10 TSR gift certificate!  Deadline is May 31st at midnight.

Sketch by Terry Boyer

Mother's Day Challenge on the Message Board:
It's all about the mom stuff this month!  Did you make a handmade card for a special mom in your life?  Maybe you'll make a layout about being a mom.  A mom to your kids, to your cat, whatever....it all counts.  *big love*  Link your layout here for a chance at a RAK from Terry!  Deadline is Monday, May 27th at midnight.

Weekend Elle's Studio Sketch Challenge on the Message Board:
We've been so very lucky to get some great Elle's Studio paper in our kits the last few months.  We love Elle's Studio!  And although the sketch challenge at Elle's Studio is over, we challenge you to use the sketch anyway.  Any kit you want to use would be fine, no worries.  Link your layout here for a chance at a RAK from Terry!  Deadline is Monday, May 27th at midnight.

Sketch by Elle's Studio

October Afternoon Sketch Challenge on the Message Board:
It's been a little while since we've had OA in our kits, but if you feel the need for a fix, we've got two ways to help you out:  an October Afternoon sketch challenge and a little something to put into your next TSR box.  I loved this kit and bought it again recently.  You can too... just head to the TSR store!  And dude!!!  It's only $3.38... so you can buy a few!  *love*

October Afternoon Woodland Park kit

And about that sketch challenge?  It's definitely a challenge!  Check out the sketch and what Terry did with it:

Sketch by October Afternoon

"Hiking" by Terry Boyer

Inspired to try your hand at this sketch?  Link your layout here for a chance at a RAK from Terry!  Deadline is Monday, May 27th at midnight.

So you can see we've got lots of stuff to motivate you... Now get scrapping and get more pages done!

- Theresa/Savi

Project Life: Weeks 19 - 21

There are so many great papers and embellishments in the Flavors of the Month and Project Life kits that I was inspired to do more than four layouts this month.  So, today, I have three layouts to share.  Bear with me, this is a long post.  

Week 19

For Week 19, I decided to focus on my son's fifth birthday, which had a cowboy theme.  I was able to use the leftovers from my Little Yellow Bicycle Fern and Forest kit along with my Silhouette.  

The wooden circles in the centers of the stars are actually the tops of the Little Yellow Bicycle stick pins.  I used my wire cutters to clip off the metal part and ended up with "buttons."  

Week 20

Week 20 focuses on my little guy playing in his new swimming pool in our driveway.  I chose those photos because I thought they worked with the theme of the Bella Boulevard Love and Sun papers.  After putting it all together, though, I'm not sure if I like the combination.  The blues just don't work together for me.  I think I should have turned the photos black and white.  I'm trying to convince myself to leave it alone.  I mean, really, who has time to redo scrapbook pages once they are IN the album?

For the above filler card, I used my Silhouette to cut out a phrase from a coordinating patterned paper.  And how fitting that the cut already included a little heart for the dot of the i?  The card below includes some stickers from the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss 12x12 Sticker Sheet.

Week 21

For this week's layout, I decided to break down the 12x24 spread into two 12x12 layouts.  Mainly because my photos just didn't work together and because I really wanted to use more of the feminine patterns in the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss kit.  

Week 21:  Left Side

These photos are of my kids doing their last bits of homework at the patio table in the backyard.  My youngest insisted that his froggy friend join them.  It didn't phase my oldest one bit.  Ha ha!  The colors in these pictures worked well with the Fancy Pants Park Bench papers.  This week, instead of using the week number for my title, I used a traditional title and added the week to a filler card.  I like that variation.  

Week 21:  Right Side

For Mother's Day, my sweet husband sent me this beautiful bouquet of flowers.  I love having pictures of the pretty blooms that he sends me on occasion.  I was so excited to get to use such feminine colors and patterns and stickers on this page.  With two boys, that just doesn't happen very often.

Thanks for stopping in to see my layouts.  I hope you find some inspiration for your own pages.  See you soon!

Making Cards with a Layout Sketch

Did you see the great sketch Tammy created for National Scrapbook Day??? Even though it was designed for layouts...it is a perfect sketch for cards too. I used the left over bits from my May kit and made 3 Mother's Day Cards using the sketch. Now don't fret that it's past Mother's Day because you can make Birthday, Hello, or Thank You cards (or be really prepared for next year with Mother's Day cards) using your May kit and the NSD sketch.

Awesome NSD sketch:

My three cards based on the sketch:

Try using a layout sketch for next card!

- Melanie

2 pages, 9 photos, and All Scraps!

If you're like me, you have lots of bits and pieces left over from TSR kits.  Sometimes I'll have a few embellishments and a couple of scraps of patterned papers left over that I just have to keep because they're too good to let go of.

So what do you do?

I've shared before how I love using the divided page protectors that Tammy offers in the TSR store, and these are a PERFECT way to use up leftover kit pieces! 

I used leftover bits and pieces from a previous Christmas kit and was able to get 9 Christmas photos scrapped:

Don't throw out those scraps! Give them one more look and see what you can make out of them!  I certainly didn't think I had enough of this kit left to make TWO pages, but with the help of the divided page protectors...I did! :)

- Jenny

Project Life: Weeks 17 and 18

Hi there friends!  SO excited to be sharing my May pages with you today.  Excited because that means I'm almost halfway through my 2012 photos.  Excited, too, because school ends this month.  I haven't been off for summer in a few years now, and I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.  And in my scrapbook room.  Anyway, on to the pages.

Week 17

This spread is all photos from a day in my mom's yard.  The boys got filthy playing with their trucks in a dirt pile.  Too cute.  And the colors worked so well with the Little Yellow Bicycle Fern and Forest kit.  In fact, I liked the papers so much that I didn't really do much embellishing except for on the title card.

Week 18

Week 18 includes pictures of my oldest son's 6th Grade Awards and Graduation Ceremony.  What a proud day!  I thought the colors of the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss Project Life cards worked well with the colors in my photos, especially my son's plaid shirt.  The coordinating 12 x 12 Vintage Bliss Sticker Sheet was perfect for embellishing my cards.  Quick and easy.

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you soon with three more pages.  Happy May to you!

The May ScrapRoom Sketch... and Winners!

You've been eyeing the sketch on the sidebar for a few days now, I'm sure.  I now declare this sketch challenge officially "open"!  This sketch is brought to you by TerryB., our Message Board Moderator, and as usual, the DT rocked the challenge:

May ScrapRoom Sketch by Terry Boyer

"Spread a Little Sunshine Wherever You Go!" by Brenda Carpenter

"We Love This Place" by Theresa Sovacool

"Splash 'n Slide!" by Melanie Call

One photo or two, right-side-up or spun upside-down, however you want to use this sketch is fine with us!   Give it a try for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store.  Just link up your take on our sketch in the comments below. 

And speaking of winners...  

The March Sketch Challenge winner is Cynthia B. with this layout which documents a surprising, "awwwww"-inspiring moment aboard a cruise ship.  Love the colors of this one (and the adorable little towel animals)!

"Towel Animals Gone Wild" by Cynthia B.

Our National Scrapbooking Day winner is Rebecca Geile with this tone-on-tone celebration of her husband's birthday.  Love all those circle embellies and layers (and the dinner)!

"Birthday Fun" by Rebecca Geile

Congratulations, ladies! Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your real name, address, and the name of the contest you won. She'll get your prize to you right away. Happy shopping! Don't forget to link up your sketch layout for your chance to win a shopping spree next month. Good luck, and have fun with it!

- Theresa/Savi

National Scrapbooking Day: Challenge #4

WHAT FUN!  We've had a busy day, and we've got one more challenge to help you get more pages done! 

This one is a sketch challenge from Tammy Harp, The ScrapRoom owner.  Love her sketches!  *big love*

And here's the layout Tammy made based on this awesome sketch:

She used the Simple Stories Urban Traveler kit from the May 2013 Doubleshot kit.  Check it out what Tammy said about it:

"With this sketch, I was able to get one photo of each of my three younger boys on the same layout, effectively showing that they all played soccer in the Spring of 2007 – and just how cute and focused they all were. So, not only do I feel great about getting a layout done today, but I also managed to preserve an entire season of recreational soccer with this one page. Mission accomplished! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with this sketch!"

If this sketch inspires your layout, too, it counts!  Just link up your layout and your contact info in the comments below by Midnight on Sunday, May 5th for a chance to win this fabulous Amy Tangerine On-The-Go Scrapbooking Kit:

  

AND, all ScrapRoom Club members who participate in at least one of the National Scrapbooking Day challenges AND elect to receive a May shipment from us will be receiving a FREE Layout Kit in that shipment - as a THANKS for your business at The ScrapRoom and for celebrating National Scrapbooking Day with us!

It's been an awesome day - and I'm not done playing yet.  Are you?

- Theresa/Savi

National Scrapbooking Day: Challenge #3

Look around... are you surrounded by paper bits?  GREAT!  Paper bits = fun, especially today.  *big grin*

Remember, we'll be sharing an inspiration piece with you every four hours.

And it's that time again!  Our third inspiration piece is from Gilly, our latest "Fame Not Fortune" winner.  It's made with Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic from 11/2012 and it's so Gilly - fun, messy, and energetic!  Gilly uses lots of layers and textures, paint, and handwritten journaling.  She totally recommends that you "mix stuff up, and don't be afraid to mix lines and add depth and texture to your page."

So that's the challenge this time:  take Gilly's advice.  Mix things up.  Add texture!

And if you are now asking yourself, "how much mixing? of what? and how much texture????"  Stop.  Breathe.  Have fun.  If you think your layout looks mix-y and texture-y... then it counts!  Just link up your layout and your contact info in the comments below by Midnight on Sunday, May 5th for a chance to win this fabulous Amy Tangerine On-The-Go Scrapbooking Kit:

  

AND, all ScrapRoom Club members who participate in at least one of the National Scrapbooking Day challenges AND elect to receive a May shipment from us will be receiving a FREE Layout Kit in that shipment - as a THANKS for your business at The ScrapRoom and for celebrating National Scrapbooking Day with us!

You want to get even more messy now, don't you?  Well, I DARE YA!  Go for it! 

- Theresa/Savi

National Scrapbooking Day: Challenge #2

Wow, that four hours went QUICK.  How's it going?  Ready for some more inspiration?

Remember, we'll be sharing an inspiration piece with you every four hours.  This time we want you think "tone on tone".  If you can put the same color on top of itself... it counts! 

Take a look as this inspiration piece from TerryB, our Message Board Moderator.  It's made with paper from the April 2013 Studio Calico and Teresa Collins kits and she used white on white for the "tone on tone" color challenge.  It's so light and breezy.  *love*

Is your mojo moving now?  GET GOING!

Just link up your "tone on tone" layout and your contact info in the comments below by Midnight on Sunday, May 5th for a chance to win this fabulous Amy Tangerine On-The-Go Scrapbooking Kit:

  

AND, all ScrapRoom Club members who participate in at least one of the National Scrapbooking Day challenges AND elect to receive a May shipment from us will be receiving a FREE Layout Kit in that shipment - as a THANKS for your business at The ScrapRoom and for celebrating National Scrapbooking Day with us!

- Theresa/Savi

National Scrapbooking Day: Challenge #1

OHMIGOSH, it's time, it's time!!!  Let's get this party started!

Not only do we want to encourage you to get more pages done... we want to make it easy.  And fun.  And loaded with opportunities to earn FREE STUFF.

So to do that, we'll be sharing an inspiration piece with you every four hours.  And along with each inspiration piece, there will be a challenge.  Ready?  I am!

Your first inspiration piece is from me.  It's made with Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm from March 2013 and it's loaded with my typical piled-on patterned papers, "deep thoughts" journaling, distressed photo, washi, and twine.  My son approved this layout and STILL has the blankies.  *big grin*

So, for this challenge, take whatever you want from my layout... lift it exactly, use the same kit, pick up a technique, go for the same color scheme, WHATEVER.  If you've been inspired to make a layout, it counts!

Just link up your layout and your contact info in the comments below by Midnight on Sunday, May 5th for a chance to win this fabulous Amy Tangerine On-The-Go Scrapbooking Kit:

  

AND, all ScrapRoom Club members who participate in at least one of the National Scrapbooking Day challenges AND elect to receive a May shipment from us will be receiving a FREE Layout Kit in that shipment - as a THANKS for your business at The ScrapRoom and for celebrating National Scrapbooking Day with us!

Alright.  Ready, set, go!!!  GET YOUR SCRAP ON!

- Theresa/Savi

The May ScrapRoom Sketch and April Winner.... But Not Quite Yet!

Hey, remember this sketch from April?

April Sketch by Tammy Harp

Well, we loved it so much that we're going to keep the sketch challenge open until Midnight on Sunday, May 5th.  Yeah, that's right... just one more way we're making it easy for you to get more pages done tomorrow. 

You didn't forget that tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day, did you?  We've got challenges, inspiration, prizes, and FREE STUFF ready and waiting.  And this sketch.  *big smiles*  Just click this link and add your layout to the comments for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the TSR store.

And most importantly:  relax and enjoy your weekend with us.  We're grown women playing with paper... how fun is that?  *love*

- Theresa/Savi

April Showers Bring... The May ScrapRoom Kit!

Happy May to you!  Whether sunny skies or rain or snow (yep, really) is headed your way today, you can certainly count on our May kits to bring you fun and sun - so you can get more pages done!  You've seen the sneaks...  Are you ready to jump into your kits after you've seen what we've done with ours?  Then grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair and enjoy what's coming your way! 

Flavors of the Month Kit:  Simple Stories Vintage Bliss, Fancy Pants Park Bench, Little Yellow Bicycle Fern & Forest, and Bella Blvd Love & Sunshine

Doubleshot Kit:  Simple Stories Urban Traveler & BasicGrey Knee Highs

Project Life Kit

Embellishment Kit

Patterned Paper Kit

Bazzill/Cardstock Kit

Stamp Kit

Ready to get scrappy now?  Excellent!  We're only 3 days away from National Scrapbooking Day, and we have lots of fun planned - and free stuff for you.  See you this weekend!

- Theresa/Savi