Aaaaand……I’m back! We’ve had the sniffles and more at our house the past week, including a trip with Annie to Primary Children’s ER (she ended up with viral respiratory infection and improved greatly after a nebulizer treatment and suction) so life has definitely not been boring. I was also able to spend the weekend at a wonderful mothers’ retreat and feel like I’m more ready to take it all on! 
This post is going to be random so buckle up.
Prettiness:
The sunset was gor.geous on Thursday night. Just looking at it makes me happy.
Fall Leafiness:
This morning we went to my friend Ashley’s and the girls jumped in a big pile of pretty leaves.
They had a great ol’ time. What a beautiful day it was today!
I love fall.
Here is what the digital files look like closer up:
I also made another paint can insert, using a variety of goodies from Digital Scrapbook Memories.
If you wanted to make one for yourself, the dimensions are 13.5 by 4.25 inches. I print two of them on an 11×14 sheet at Costco, then slip the insert into the small clear paint can that I bought at Roberts. Again, here is what the digital file looks like:
I made this Trick or Treat canvas last year for a tutorial I wrote for the September 2008 issue of Bella Scraps Magazine. I love it and wanted to post about it again. I actually scanned a Halloween box I have to get the “trick or treat” part, cropped it and added the scallops and other embellishments in Photoshop, printed it, and Mod Podged it onto a blank canvas that I’d painted black. Then I trimmed the edges with black ribbon.
Another project from last 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 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.
Halloween is fun. We’ve pretty much figured out costumes, the house is all decorated, we just still need to visit a pumpkin patch. Hopefully this weekend.
You could make one like this in photoshop and do it any size you want. I taught a little mini digital scrapbooking workshop a few weeks ago and shared this project, and lots of people asked me if I would be willing to share the template. So, here you go! The zipped file includes a layered TIFF file (without the text) as well as basic instructions for digiscrappers but if you need a better tutorial on how to use this template (using “clipping masks” in photoshop), please visit this link: Clipping Masks. Please do not share links or sell, just direct people to this post if they want to download. I’d love for you to say hi if you decide to download!
Click here for the link to download the template, it’s good for 7 days or 100 downloads: Brooke’s 11×14 Photo Collage Layered Template
I used a great tutorial to help me do it: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/tutorials/how-to-make-a-scrapbook-blog-background.html. Or you could purchase a “blog wear” kit from a digital scrapbooking shop such as GG Digital Designs or Shabby Princess which could make life easier too.**************************************************
Thanks for sticking around! I’ll be back much sooner next time, I promise. Scout’s honor.PS: Why does Blogger always mess up the line spacing?? GRRRR!
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the freebie! You are such a great photographer. Your blog inspires me to take more (and better) pictures and to be more creative. I'm glad your little girl is better, mine have been sick too. (By the way, you don't know me, but I love your blog. I'm an LDS SAHM too).
You're so cute!! Good to see you bloggin again!! From now on, just make two of everything and send one to me, K?! LOL 😉 Love ya!
Your pictures are way better than mine. Shocking! That one of Annie laughing turned out so cute.
Yes. The line spacing drives me batty. Get it? Batty?
Love all the pictures. I don't know how you find the time to do it all. My kids LOVE to see Halloween decor at other people's houses. That is what it will have to be for this year. Not one thing is up.
I am still lying on the couch. Waiting for the doctor to call me and tell me he will induce today. I hope!
Hopefully, I will be calling you soon. Love ya!
I love the Halloween banner! I bought the Fright Night kit mainly so I could make that 😉 Haven't yet but I will. What dimensions did you use for that? 8×8, etc. I love reading your blog. I was at the DSM weekend in May and fell in love with your stuff!
Happy Halloween! I love your blog full of cuteness! I'm very glad Annie is well now.
Thanks for the freebie!! So fun!!
Also..is that your Haley?!! She is sooo big!! Your pictures as always are amazing…I still need some photog lessons.
I like you cause your cute and your craftiness is inspiring.
I love your craftiness! As I read I kept hoping each thing was the freebie. THANKS! (I can't stand the spacing thing either!)
Your blog does look very super cute! I love the template, I totally want to make one, what a very cute idea. And love all the pictures, so amazing as always!
Thanks everyone! To answer a question about the banner, I made them the same shape and about the same size as the "Jack Album" chipboard album by Cosmo Cricket. I think it was roughly 4.5 by 6 inches-ish. Hope that helps! 😉
Love all your craftiness. That Halloween banner is super cute. The leaf jumping looks fun, I hope you took a turn to frolic in them as well. Please take a picture of that next time.
i love that you put so many pictures on your blog – they are all so great!
i love the proclamation. i'll see if i can do it, too!
Brooke! I love all of your clever craftiness!
Love the crafts, and your kids are SO SO SO darling!
I am missin' you!
Oh, and p.s. I totally saw that sunset in person. woo-hoo!
Thank you so so much for the freebie!! You have such amazing talent and we are so so lucky to be able to reap your awesomeness!!!!!
Thanks!!!!
Thanks for you amazing ideas! I need to meet you at a digital retreat sometime
Your fall photos are beautiful!
Thanks for the download Brooke. I love this idea. I definitely want to make one for myself, and it is a great Christmas idea too. Thanks!!
I made a countdown that was inspired by yours! Its not as cute but my Roberts had limited options! Check it out on my blog!
Also I downloaded your freebie. Thanks!!
wow…you are so talented!!! Thanks for the freebie that is so awesome..i love the idea!
Love the blog!!!
Thanks for the download. My mom did one of my family but she used real photos and cut them out. This is so much easier so thank you.
The new blog design is awesome!:)
Thanks for the freebie! It is amazing! Your crafts are so darling! Thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing your cute project. did you type the text yourself for the family proclamation? i'm totally making this!
Love your craftiness. Your awesome. Love your blog. Hey I've been out of town, is there anyway i can get that template for the Proclamation? I'm so sad i missed it. Please email me at mandiroth@gmail.com
Love your photos also. They are beautiful!
I'm so sad I missed the download too. You are amazing and I always love blog stalking you. You are so creative with awesome ideas. I would LOVE the template…would make awesome Christmas gifts for the grandparents. If you would be so willing to share…I would appreciate it…if not I totally understand too!
shaylouk at hotmail dot com
P.S. I'm a friend of Melody Riches and she told me of your blog
Brooke-I finally got your blog page from Lisa. You are so clever! The temple picture of the girls turned out beautiful. Thank you so much for spending a big part of your Saturday to take pictures of my girls. I know it was a busy week for you and I so appreciate it. It really made a difference in my talk. All the girls loved it. You are the best!
Man! You're soooo dang crafty & clever! I love all your Halloween crafts! They're soooo cute! And those pics of your girls in the leaves are incredible! Such beautiful girls and such a talented mommy! xoxo
I was at the class where you showed this awesome Photo. I have been out of town and completely missed the freebie. Too Bad. Thanks anyway, it really is beautiful.
Jill, if you read this, leave me your email and I'll see what i can do.
Thank for this template…. it's a nice blog. web template
Are you still making the Family Proclamation template available for download. It says it is no longer valid. Email me and let me know. Thanks so much! I’d love to use it.