We *heart* Hearts!

V-day... it's coming... and whether you choose to make it a big deal or just keep it on the down-low, a little Valentine's Day card or project is never out of place.  While you'll probably have your kits before the 14th, you can take any of these ideas and combine them with any paper you have with fantastic results.  All you need to do is add a little heart to it.  *giggle*

Melanie used a tag, a doily, and some twine... Perfect.  Even if you don't have this exact print, you can get the same look with other large graphics or diecuts + an added heart...

... like what Beth did here.  A horse + a heart = awwwwwwww! 

A card can be a great way to use up those leftover embellishments, too.  I used this large photo frame (with hearts!) as a base for some extra bits.  Your sweetie doesn't have to know they got the leftovers.  *wink*

Beth used some kraft hearts around a fussy-cut heart on this layout - and I bet you could make a card or a little love note just like this, too.

Not into any of that mushy love stuff?  No one said a card for your sweetie had to be all pink and girly.  Jenny adds a little red heart to this card... just another way to say "P.S.  I love you."

Try not to stare at the chocolate... and look at the cutest little card that Melanie made.  Quick and simple, but wonderful as a treat bag topper or tucked as-is into a lunchbox or briefcase.

And speaking of treat bag toppers... Tammy made these cuties with strips of fun paper and a set of bright alphas.  Easy peasy!

Jenny used this fun printed tag, too - and I love the different look she gets just by tilting it a little. And again, if you don't have this particular print, don't worry.  Make a tag shape and add...

... hearts and ink like Beth did, or...

... punched shapes and banners like I did - and then sew them down for extra texture! 

Next time you need some inspiration, head over to our Gallery.  Whether you look at our layouts, cards, or projects, you'll always find something to spark your mojo.  Need to make a page or just fill a little corner?  We've got you covered.  Just take what inspires you and add a little heart.  *love*

- Theresa/Savi

February Sketch... and Our Winners!

Let me tell you... I love sketches.  And this month has to be one of my favorites.  That big title and teeny picture are a little different than what's normally in my scrapbooks, so maybe that's what made this sketch so much fun.  To me, it felt fresh and new and unique.  And what's not to love about that?

February Sketch by Tammy Harp

"Nothing Means More Than Family" by Jennifer Moore

"The Story Begins For Our Family of 4" by Melanie Call

"Everybody Wants to be a Cat" by Brenda Carpenter

"Horsin' Around" by Beth Hallgren

"My Tribe" by Tammy Harp

"To Have and To Hold" by Theresa Sovacool

It's really a fun sketch - 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 The ScrapRoom Store, we have a few lucky winners again this month!

The January Sketch Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Julie E with this breath-taking layout.  I love how she beautifully captured the airy softness of the dance costumes with this watercolor print paper, cloud washi, and ribbon.  And note the very clever restructuring of the BasicGrey paper from a 12x12 print to letter size!  Congratulations, Julie E!

"My Angel" by Julie E

The January Got Scraps Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be April with this darling layout.  While I do think the ink, touches of blue, and the journaling (oh, gosh *tears*) are wonderful, my favorite part is that simple yet perfect scrappy flower.  Congratulations, April!

"Our Sweet Baby" by April

scrappy flower detail *love*

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 prizes 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

Sneak Peek #4: American Crafts XOXO

"Gimme Some Love" by Beth Hallgren

"Fall in love with the darling colors and patterns of XOXO. Splashes of aqua and black accent classic Valentine’s Day reds and pinks, creating the perfect palette for playful florals, hearts, clouds and butterflies. We're positive XOXO will sweep you off your feet!" -- American Crafts blog

It's All In the Details: January

Let's take one more look at the January kits before they get into your hands... yes, I'm teasing you.  A little.  Like these details!  Little touches here and there that add up to make great layouts.  Enjoy!

Aphra created simple flowers that are absolutely beautiful.  Paper, button, twine... that's all you need!  Die cut, punch, or free-hand the petals, crease them, and assemble.  Instant bouquet!

Beth distressed her cardstock & alphas - this is a great way to add a unifying color (white in this case) to your elements.

Jenny added a nice embellie cluster to her layout - and then kicked it all up a notch by adding white ink dots around the whole thing.  The ink acts as another visual layer - but without the extra bulk.

Melanie's got great details here... tiny staple, cluster of flowers, black ink line, inked banners.  The next time you think your layout is missing something, try adding one - or all - of these things!

My title tag became a great little focal piece.  Little bits of the rest of the kit coordinated with the rest of the layout... and the white space kept it from getting "lost" in the background paper.

Aphra ran short of embellishments - so she made her own!  Die cuts from coordinating paper topped with some eye candy add a lot to this layout.

Beth chose the perfect mist for this layout.  It's kinda grey, kinda blue... maybe green?  Doesn't really matter, since it would coordinate well with any of those colors - just like it does here.

Melanie uses the seriously adorable staples again - to attach this seriously adorable fabric tag.  It's not quite squared up to the rest of the layout, which catches the eye.  Clever!

I distressed my photos and paper to bring more white - and a snowy look - to my layout.  And if your paper has great border details, you can showcase them under a peek-a-boo flap.

- Theresa/Savi

January Sketch... and December Winners!

Here's a fresh new sketch perfect for a fresh new year!  This one comes to you from Tammy - and you'll see just how versatile it is with all the DT examples:

The ScrapRoom Sketch for January by Tammy Harp

"Today is Your Day" by Brenda Carpenter

"My Sweet Turkey" by Melanie Call

"Lunch Time at Pizza Planet" by Jennifer Moore

"Beauty and the Beast" by Beth Hallgren

"Storm Warning" by Theresa Sovacool

"Grandma's Garden" by Theresa Sovacool

Banners, tags, pockets - one page or two - one photo or many - I think you'll find lots of ways to play with this sketch this month.  Leave us a comment with a link to your layout by January 31st for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate from the TSR store - and good luck!

Last month's winner of the sketch challenge was randomly chosen to be Rebecca G with a great - and honest - layout about what happens when mom is studying.  This is real life, and I love it!  I also confess to some serious love for the title block.  Perfect use of that wooden camera!

The December Got Scraps Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Deanna D with this beautiful framed family portrait.  Love how she overlapped those squares and added layers of eye candy.  Well done!

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 prizes to you right away.  Happy shopping!

- Theresa/Savi

Sneak Peek #4: Pink Paislee Portfolio (FOTM)

"Sisters" by Beth Hallgren

"We believe your memories are important.  We believe your stories are priceless.  We believe your photos and thoughts should be put on display like any well prepared portfolio.  This September we are bringing you a paper collection that works for your ‘everyday’ – for your every occasion and for your entire daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly memoirs.  You will reach for these papers and embellishments over and over again.  Fashionably basic.  Incredibly functional.  The way memory keeping should be.  Now go ahead…display your story."  -- Pink Paislee blog

Photo Assignment: Favorite Decoration

It's the holiday season... and so many of us have treasures big and small that we display for our loved ones to enjoy.  Regardless of the actual cost of these decorations, we know they are actually priceless.  Sometimes, the "cheaper" they are, the more dear they become... and it's because of the story behind them.

Go ahead.  Try to talk to someone about your favorite decorations or traditions this time of year... and not explain why, or give more details, or share how it came to be.  Just try it.  Bet you can't!  It's because we're shameless storytellers, and that's just fine.  In fact, it's awesome.  So take a look around.  And take a picture of your favorite and record the story behind it like we did!

Aphra says:  "This is one I made with my Cricut and the Ribbons and Rosettes cartridge."

Theresa says:  "My dad carved and painted this nativity... I leave it up year round."

Melanie says:  "My favorite ornament is the one that my son (and I) made last year in Sunday School...okay he did have A LOT of help since a glue gun was involved!"

Jenny says:  "I don't really have a favorite ornament because they all have a special meaning to me, but as I walked past my Christmas tree today, this one kept standing out to me. Like most Americans, my heart is heavy and saddened due to recent events in Connecticut. This ornament stopped me in my tracks and reminded me to pray PEACE over the victims and their families."

Beth says:  "It was a very difficult choice but I'd have to say this is my favorite ornament because it reminds me of my childhood."

Brenda says:  "This is an old ornament that was from my husband's childhood. I just think it is so cute!"

These types of photos are a great addition to your Project Life, Month-in-Review, or calendar pages.  You may even be inspired to take more than one photo and make a layout about your family's treasures.  Feel free to share your photos, too - we all love ideas! 

- Theresa/"Savi"

It's All In the Details in December!

Kits have started landing across the country... and soon across the world.  It's sort of like Santa making a pre-holiday delivery - getting all the good stuff out early, right?  *grin*  Whether you have your kit in hand, or will soon, here's another little gift you can enjoy early:  detail shots! 

Aphra layers the Sew Fun banners - no sewing required!

Beth uses a photo frame as a journaling spot - great idea!

Melanie uses a little bit of everything - so easy and beautiful because our kits are all matchy-matchy.

Theresa used white embossing powder to alter these wooden snowflakes...

... Aphra dressed her wooden snowflakes up with pearls...

... and Beth painted her wooden trees!

Melanie attached this envelope with twine and a brad - and a little button - and check out the staple!

Theresa used the Sew Fun banners, flair, and little fussy cut arrow for a fun embellie cluster.

Beth gives Santa a perfect background - and just the right words to say!

Enjoy the details this month... whether they are in the kits you receive, on the pages you make, or in your homes & hearts.  Good things are everywhere, and life is in the details!

- Theresa/Savi