My Digiscrap Happenings: Projects and instructions part 1

So I blogged for 4 days in a row and then nothing for a whole week! It wore me out, ha ha. No, it’s just been a busy week and I’m barely staying afloat. But it is time to blog. Kids are either napping or playing, so I don’t feel guilty. I’m going to post a bunch of projects I’ve been working on the last little while.

A few fun things on the digital scrapbooking/crafting front that I wanted to share: I have been invited to be on the hybrid creative team for an online digital scrapbooking magazine called Bella Scraps Magazine!! Each month I contribute a hybrid project (digi + traditional) and write a tutorial for it. My first article was in the September 2008 issue, so I’m thrilled about it. I can share my project here on my blog in a few weeks. There are some really fun ideas in there.

I also have been invited to contribute to the Crafting Chicks blog! I’m so excited to post my ideas along with those creative girls. Thanks for the invite, Jamie!

I’m also continuing to work on the creative team with GG Digital Designs, and wanted to quickly share my recent project using their Halloween kit: a Halloween Countdown.

Since it’s the beginning of October, I wanted to do a quick project with my kids since they are always asking me “when is it going to be Halloween!” So I made a simple Halloween countdown for them so they can know exactly how many days until Halloween.

I just used an 18×18 inch magnet board for the base. Then I created 31 round mini “layouts” in Photoshop Elements (using the digital kit “Batty For You” available at http://www.ggdigitaldesigns.com/), printed them at Costco on luster photo paper, and cut them out. They ended up being 2.5 inches in diameter. I used a 3 inch scallop punch and punched out 31 scalloped circles from black cardstock, then adhered the numbered circles to the scalloped circles with double-sided tape. Then I simply added a magnet to the backs of the circles and ribbon at the top of the magnet board, and I was done! My kids even helped me tape and put the magnets on. It was a fun, inexpensive project and they are excited to put a new magnet on every day. You could really do this for any holiday or countdown.

Also, a few weeks ago I was able to make a bunch of projects using Digital Scrapbook Memories products for display at the Scrapbook Expo here in town. It was so fun to meet great people and tell them about digiscrapping. Here are some of the things I made.

“Happiness Is….” mini album

I made 5.5 inch x 5.5 inch layouts in Photoshop Elements 4.0, using all DSM products plus my own photos (except the “sweet kisses” photo was taking by Michelle Coleman.) I printed them at Costco and cut them out (I fit 6 layouts on each 12×18 inch sheet), then adhered to cardstock cut into 6×12 strips. I punched 2 holes in the middle and created a little booklet by tying with ribbon. Here are the pages that are inside. I just had little moments that made me happy from this summer. You can click on the images to make them larger so you can read the writing.



I absolutely love how it turned out and I need to print one for myself!!!

Clear Paint Can insert

You can probably assume that I love these little things. I make them a lot! They make such cute gifts and can be used for any theme or holiday. I made the insert in PSE 4.0 as 13.5 inch by 4.25 inch layouts and printed at Costco. You tuck them into the cans and tape together from the inside so it’s not seen on the outside. There is about a .5 inch overlap. There is also some room at the top that is uncovered, so I put a ribbon along the top to cover it. On this one I added a paper flower and some buttons to give it dimension. It’s fun to combine digital and traditional scrapbooking.

I have a few more projects and simple instructions that I’ll share tomorrow, so stay tuned!