WINNING SMILE!

The new Scrapbook Creations Magazine Issue #105 is out now and its filled to the brim with lots of fabulous techniques. In this issue the Design Diva's are the guest editors and wow what a fantastic job the ladies did. I am loving all the tips and tricks and so many inspirational projects fill the pages, lets say it had me all motivated to pull out my Gelli plate and make a few backgrounds ready to be digitised he he. 

My regular feature in SC Mag, Digital Masterclass... is a goodin this issue.

It's called 'A whole lot of style' and looks at dressing up your photos, elements and text using digital styles and actions. Well worth a look if you are wanting to learn more about how to customise and personalise your digital scrap pages. Below is the sample page showcasing only a fraction of the plethora of styles and actions you can purchase or download for free.

'Winning Smile'

Digital Credits:

Sahlin Studio| Country Fair Picnic Mixed Media Pack and December Glitter Styles

Mommyish Designs| CU Paper Tear Action,  CU Flocking Action and Style & CU Stylin' #94 Pinhole Styles

Coffee Shop| Golden Afternoon Photo Action

Page Drafts Sketch for Pink Reptile Designs by The Nifty Pixel

The next two pages are my DT pages for Scrapbook Creations Colour Expert Feature.

'Warm my Heart'

Digital Credits:

Sissy Sparrows| Grunge Stamps No.6

Studio 68| Take a Chance Stamps & Nevermind Paper Pack (No Longer Designing)

Mommyish Designs| CU Label Maker 2

KStudio| Wordart No.6 (No Longer Designing)

Kim Jensen| Perforated Paper Alpha

The Nifty Pixel| Making Marks Vol.1 Digital Brush and Stamps Set (Yet to be released)

'Sweet Little Boy'

Digital Credits:

Captivated Visions| Today is a Struggle Value Bundle, It's my Journey Elements and Ephemera Pack and You Are Worth It [Elements & Ephemera] Pack.

Simply Tiffany| Barely There Brush Set No.1

I also thought I'd share my latest creative team projects for Sahlin Studio using the fabulous new June BYOC bundle thats for sale over at The Lilypad.

'5 Quizillion Reasons...'

Digital Credits;

Sahlin Studio| Drift Away Bundle

Valorie Wibbens| Pockets No.3 Basic

'My Happy Place'

Digital Credits:

Sahlin Studio| Drift Away Bundle

Page Drafts Sketch #31.1 by The Nifty Pixel

This page was created using a mini kit by Sahlin Studio. The kit itself can be bought seperately however if you followed the 2014 NSD Facebook hop held by The Lilypad Designers you'd have downloaded this along the way as a component of the free I'll Be There For You Collab Kit, so double check your stash first ;)

'You & Me'

Digital Credits:

Sahlin Studio| Life is Better With You Mini Kit and Strips & Pieces template Vol.1

I also played with some gorgeous products by Vinnie Pearce which got a mention in the

Show and Tell section of Scrapbook Graphics, very happy 'bout that ;)

'Sweetheart'

Digital Credits:

Vinnie Pearce| Chinee 11 Paper Pack and Upgraded Elements Pack

Page Drafts Teamplate #31.2 by The Nifty Pixel

So thats it for this week. Thank you for stopping by and happy scrapping!

Em x

SOME MAGAZINE LOVIN'

Scrapbook Creations current issue #104 is now in your local news stands. You'll find my fun digital article called 'Brush Magic' that looks at creating some easy repeat pattern backgrounds using the humble yet powerful brush tool. Here is the layout I created for the article showcasing the embossed repeat pattern paper that I step out for you ;)

'Dreams Come True'

Digital Credits:

Acid Wash Elements and Paper Pack by Sissy Sparrows

Hibiscus Flowers Brish Set by Photoshop Free Brushes

Font: Adam Gorry Lights

Excitedly, lil' ole me was invited to be interviewed by Kim Archer the fabulous Founder/Editor of this great magazine.

My interview is in the 'Meet a Blogger' section so. If you haven't already had the pleasure of checking this magazine out you should I LOVE IT. It's such a beautifully designed online publication filled to the brim with amazing art, so I am just a little buzzed to be schmoozing with so much talent even if only in a virtual way he he. If you'd like to check out Issue #5,  I totally recommend you grab yourself a cuppa and a handful of choccie biccies because seriously once you scoot over by clicking HERE you'll be all set to enjoy some very good reading and like I did... drool over an abundance of swoon worthy artworks!

Here is a page I created for the Wood Veneer gallery.

'A Big Boy Now'

Digital Credits:

Wood Veneer Talk Pack by Sahlin Studio

Wood Veneer Shapes Pack by Sahlin Studio

Down the Lane Paper Pack by Sahlin Studio

ScriptTease FotoBlendz No.2 by Anna Aspnes

Giveaway Word Pack by Heidi Swapp

(All other Elements created by me)

Lastly some other fun news...CSI and Scrap 365 Magazine have been collaborating on some casefiles for the last few months which has been lots of fun.

Recently casefile Scrap365-5 went live over at CSI its a fun bright happy case and when Debbi from CSI invited me to create a special page to be published in Scrap365 Mag April/May Issue

...I of course jumped at the opportunity to hang at my old stomping ground!

Here is the casefile and my page...

'Completely Bonkers'

Digital Credits:

Anything Goes Vol.1 Paper Pack by Sissy Sparrows

Country Fair Picnic Mixed Media Kit by Sahlin Studio

Instaframes Pack by Sahlin Studio

Betwined by Amy Martin

Scattered Sequin #2 by Scrap Seeds

Hope you get a chance to check out these mags they are always good reads!

Have a great week and thank you for stopping by,

Em xo

WARNING LONG POST AHEAD!

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I had better give a kindly warning that this post is a long one! I have so many things to share and rather than doing a post every 2 days I thought I'd save them all up and share in one extra big post.

Most of you know my exciting news about being the Digital Guru over at Scrapbook Creations Magazine. The current issue #103 of SCMag contains my first official article so I'm just a tad excited about that he he.

If you haven't already taken the plunge into photoshop and scrapped a page digitally, but you're toying with the idea, then this article is a good one to get you started. It looks at the basic commands and tools within photoshop, how to download packs, save and store them and then shows you how you can use digital templates to scrapbook your very first digi creation!

These days most of us are either time poor or naughty Mr Mojo tends to take leave every now and then. Scrapping with a sketch, whether you are a traditional or digital scrapper, is a great way to resolve those two hiccups. For the newbie to digital scrapping the editable sketch templates are also a fantastic way to introduce you to how the layers palette works in the Photoshop workspace. Once you have mastered the layers which honestly is easy peasy, you are well on your way to navigating photoshop.

So why not give it a go... grab the free digital sketch pack to add to your collection and then have a play following the stepped out instructions in my article 'Digital Scrapbooking is a Cinch' which you can find in this months issue #103.

If you would like the whole pack in one download CLICK HERE FOR FULL PACK :) 

Here is my page using the sketch above.

'Seeking Balance'

Digital Credits:

Nevermind Tid Bits Elements Pack by Studio 68

Nevermind Paper Pack by Studio 68

A Maiko's Bird Mini Art Journal Kit by Sissy Sparrows

Soho Alpha by Tracy Martin

Font: Travelling Typewriter

Oh and if you are O/S and can't get the Australian Scrapbook Creations Mag at your local agent you can subscribe to the digital magazine which you can do by clicking HERE.

This week Sissy Sparrows released a couple of cool packs of Paper, Clipping Masks and Elements. They are great to combine with any of the Sissy Sparrows kits which makes them really versatile.

This is the page I created using those packs.

'Count The Times'

Digital Credits

Motley Masks Vol.3 by Sissy Sparrows

Empty Box Vol.1 Paper Pack by Sissy Sparrows

Mixed Media Medallions by Sissy Sparrows

Acid Wash Full Kit by Sissy Sparrows

The next two pages were created using Sissy Sparrows release from last week called 'Insomniac'. This kit is a ripper, its filled to the brim with delicious papers and elements along with some awesome word art, an Alpha and other fabulous doodling style elements packs. They are perfect for AJ projects. Below are my DT pages using the kit.

 'Passed The Point'
Digital Credits:
Insomniac Bundle by Sissy Sparrows
Sketch for CSI #105 by Page Drafts

 'The Insomniac'
Digital Credits:
Insomniac Bundle by Sissy Sparrows

This page is my project for the current 'Painted Nest' challenge #23 over at Scrapbook Graphics. It came about after I posted a status stating 'I'm an idiot' on facebook
and the beautiful Helen Wallace replied by saying
'Be gentle with yourself Em...everyone makes mistakes♥︎' 

It really got me thinking about how I can be so hard on myself. I have struggled with depression for such a long time that I can often be my own worst critic. Little hiccups become monumentous failings for me which in many ways has prevented me from having the courage to do what I really want in life. This page was a way that I could ensure that those words Helen said remained as a constant reminder. Thank you Helen, you have no idea how such simple words resonated so deeply with me xo

'Be Gentle with Myself'
Digital Credits:
The Painted Nest Challenge #23 Freebie by Sissy Sparrows

Lastly here is a page I did of my beautiful husband for Sahlin Studio using the latest Word Sentiments

'I Love You'
Digital Credits:
Stamped Sentiments Word No.2: LOVE by Sahlin Studio
Ephemera Stacks by Sahlin Studio
Apple Orchard Kit by Sahlin Studio
Autumn Frost Elements Pack by Sahlin Studio
Everday Love Word Art Pack by Sahlin Studio
Paper Piercing Stitching Holes by Sahlin Studio
Year of Templates Vol: 12 (July sketch 2012) by Sahlin Studio

So there you have it guys, hope I didnt lose you after the first 50 paragraphs lol!
Have a great day! xo

MY EXCITING NEWS!

It seems this time of the year is when everyone is sharing their exciting news! A big congrats to all the lovely ladies who were appointed the 2014 Masters such an awesome bunch, especially a big congrats to Monica Brady, Chantal Vandenberg, Chantalle McDaniel and Natalie Elphinstone you girls are amazing and comes as no surprise to me that you were all selected, you'll be knocking everyones socks off chickies! 

Oh and of course a big congrats to all the other fabulous creatives out there and for your newly appointed DT and CT spots right across the scrapbooking arena, I can tell 2014 is going to be a great year for everyone! he he

I too have something exciting to share and have been biting at the bit for months now wanting to spill the beans and finally I got the green light from Ellen the lovely editor of Scrapbook Creations magazine and can now share it with you all!

I am ecstatic to say I have been offered the position of...

...how awesome is that!!! I'm that excited I look like a Cheshire Cat grinning from ear to ear and have been for months now. One of the biggest positives from this whole thing is I now have a really good complextion...there is nothing better than a perpetual smile to help iron out all those pesky little wrinkles let me tell ya! lol

So stay tuned for issue #103 my first offical article will be featured in that one and will continue to see lil' ole me as a permanent fixture sharing some of my tried, true and tested personal tips, tricks and handy hints for creating cool digi projects! I am also planning on sharing some 'How Did They Do That? type of videos on the SC blog too  oooh...and please dont be shy over the coming year to let me know and or share either here or on the Scrapbook Creations Blog all your fabulous creations inspired by the articles it would be totally amazing not forgetting to mention a huge buzz to see your finished pages and projects.

I will also be staying on for a second term as one of the... 

of which I'm also really excited about. There will be lots of beautiful palettes and designer tips in that content of the mag so check it out too you wont be disappointed!

Finally to finish off this years blog posts I thought I'd share some of my all time fave projects from 2013. So here is my Top 12 from this past year, a mix of digi and hybrid pages. 

'100% Boy'

Digital Version

'100% Boy'

Hybrid Version

'It has to get Better'

'Little Sprout'

Digital Version

 'Little Sprout'

Hybrid Version

'Addicted to This'

'Shine'

 'My Ikeem'

'Wise Monkey'

'A Magic Moment'

'Beep Beep'

'The Elf'

Have a fabulous new year everyone and please stay safe. I can't wait for 2014 its going to be a ripper of a year and really look forward to sharing another year with my scrappy friends!

Blowing you a big Kiss,

Em X

A LITTLE EXPOSÉ...

I am not sure if you guys know, but I am on the Scrapbook Creations Colour Expert Team this year.
I am very honoured to be included but the year is winding up very quickly where did it go?
I was very excited when I was approached to join the team because I L.O.V.E colour... its one of my passions. The way colour can evoke emotion and really support a theme or idea gets my heart beating, guess thats exactly what its meant to do he he. I am constantly searching for different combinations that would not normally seem a good match at first but can work well
together when you tweak the hue or tone.

Anyways the editor of the mag decided she thought I was interesting enough to interview for the
'Who's Who' segment in the last publication Issue #100. This blew my socks off...wow feeling very humbled to be featured and in the celebration issue taboot...PARTAY!

So given we are now onto issue #101 I thought I would share my projects here with you that I created especially for the article about moi and hey if you are still keen to read about little ole me scoot down to your local agent you may be able to pick up the old copy at a discount lol!!! ;)

'Head in the Clouds'

Blue Skies & Lemon Drops Border Madness by Studio 68

Bloomin' Border Madness by Syudio 68

IQ Border Madness by Studio 68

Paint Touches {Sol} by Studio 68

Vintage Heart Doiley by Scrappin' Cop

______________

'Cloud' Vellum by Em Stafrace

Peaches & Cream Paper by Em Stafrace

All other elements created by Em Stafrace

'You Boys'

Mustard Stain Mini Art Journal Kit by Sissy Sparrows

'Smile for Me' and 'Life is Good' Kits by JM Designs

Geometric Hints Digital Brush Set No.2 by Lynn Grieveson

Tissue Textures No:1 by Anna Aspnes

Pinstripe Textures by Anna Aspnes

ScriptTease Happiness No:1 by Anna Aspnes

Miss Mint Book Plates by Peppermint Creative

Dictionary Defined Boys by Peppermint Creative

Stitched Sequins v.01 by Peppermint Creative

Biggie Bet- Milk Alpha by Peppermint Creative

Here is the hybrid version of 'You Boys'

This one got a GSO in December!

'Summers Selfie's'
My Happy Place Paper Pack Collab by Studio 68 & Stolen Moments
Paper Piercing Stitching Holes- Basic by Sahlin Studio
Instaframes by Sahlin Studio
Tagged and Flagged Journal Strips by Allison Penningtom
Tabloid Frenzy Digital Brushes by Mels Brushes
Cogs and Brads by Em Stafrace

This one was created for the colour feature in Scrapbook Creations Issue # 98.

'Walking in Daddy's Shoes'
All elements and papers created by me.

'DUCKface'
Nevermind {the collection} by Studio 68
This one got a Gallery Standout in September which was exciting!

So there you have it some pages I created a while ago but havent shared here until now, hope you like them.

Have a great week everyone and thank you for stopping by,
Hugs Em xo

SPLISH, SPLASH

This little hybrid project can finally be shared it was done for Scrapbook Creations Issue #98. Its an article about photo manipulation and a quick look at creating a hybrid project using digital scrapbook products. I love this project it was one of the first pages I did that sparked a change in my scrappy style, so is a bit of a flag ship page he he and excitedly it got a GSO today so am doing a happy dance.  Then I thought why not share some of my techniques I use in my scrapbook process, so here is a quick tutorial looking at a couple I use often.

'On Cloud 9'

Digital Credits:

Studio 68

Watercolor Canvas Paper Pack

Blue Skies & Lemon Drops Elements pack

Blue Skies & Lemon Drops Border Madness

Bloomin' Border Madness

Everyday Border Madness

Travelogue Kit

Everyday Alpha Pack

Retro Vector brushes by Obsidian Dawn

Other:

Woodgrain Embossed Overlay by Emma Stafrace

Pea Miss Priss by Kevin & Amanda Pea Fonts

Impact Label

Impact Label Reversed

 PART 1

Creating a Digital Photo Mask

To make this project you will need some Intermediate Photoshop knowledge.

Step 1:

Open a new blank file setting the resolution to 300 for optimum printing / RGB Colour Mode/transparent file (NB: For the purposes of this article I have made my background white). From the brush palette select a fun shaped brush like a halftone dot. This design works well because the central area is a solid colour. Then select the colour you want to use and stamp the brush onto your blank file. This forms the basis of our digital mask.

Step 2:

Open your photo file. If your using a colour photo convert it to B&W then click enhance /adjust colour/colour variations. This will open a dialogue box, which has a series of different values that we can tweak to alter the photo’s colour so it resembles the same colour of the brush we stamped in step 1.

Step 3:

Drop your coloured photo onto the mask and position so it is centred. Highlight the photo in the layers palette, whilst pressing the shift key hover your curser between the two layers and press click. This will engage both layers and form a clipping mask. You will notice in the layers palette that the top layer has shifted to the right and an arrow appears pointing to the layer below. To remove the defined rectangular edge of the photo select from the erasure tool palette a soft edge basic brush. Then carefully delete areas of the photo so as to soften the defined edges until your happy with how it looks.

Step 4:

Combine the layers by highlighting them in the layers palette and select merge layers from the drop down menu. Now you have a cool halftone dot photo ready to include in

your digital and hybrid project.

.....................................................................................................

PART 2:

Creating a customised rub-on.

When I designed my digital page incorporating the halftone photo we created in Part 1 I set my dimensions at 3600 x 3600 pixels with a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. This way when we print our file it will transcribe into the same size format of a traditional page. I also cropped my original b&w photo using a triangular cookie cutter in PS for some extra visual impact. There are plenty of shapes to choose from so try some out and see which one works best for you.

Now that I am happy with my digital design I am going to keep the editable PSD file open so I can begin the cut & paste steps to create the printable word document.

‘On Cloud 9’

Materials used.

Woodgrain Embossed card stock- Spotlight

Grafix Rub-Onz

Hero Arts Cling stamp- Stripes Pattern

White Acrylic Paint

Versa Color Ink- 11 Canary

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist- Cinder

Memories Mists- Mango Lemondade

Dimensional Magic

Black Dymo Tape

Washi Tape

Toothpick

Masking/Scotch tape

Chizler/Paper Creaser

Scissors

Microsoft Word Program

Printer

 Step 1:

Isolate all the elements you want to print as a rub on, including the halftone dot photo mask we made in Part 1. Merge those layers together and then select cut. Open a new file and paste them into it.

 Step 2:

The new file needs to be flipped so it becomes a mirror image. This is a very important step

before printing. Once completed save as a .jpeg file onto your desktop.

 Step 3:

Open a blank word document setting the margins as wide as possible, then insert the .jpeg file. It should remain the same dimensions as was formatted in your digital page assuming that you create your digital pages in the standard size format of 3600X3600 pixels at a resolution of 300dpi.  Insert the printable sheet of Grafix Rub-Onz film into your printer and set your printer options at Transparency media type. This will prevent any excess ink and bleeds during the printing process

Step 4:

After the ink has dried on the transfer film we can adhere the clear sticky film over the printed side of the transfer film. Instructions are included in your Grafix Rub-Onz pack. Using a chizler or paper creaser carefully smear any bubbles out making sure to not puncture or tear the surface.

Step 5:

Cut around your design as close to the edge as possible.

Then peel the shiny adhesive backing off from the underside of the custom rub-on.

Step 6:

Carefully lay that onto your base paper and rub gently until the opaque film turns a whiter shade. Now peel that layer off revealing the rub-on below.

So there you have it, a really fun way to showcase all of your favourite photos. Creating the mask allowed us to use the original photo in a different way. Then by cropping the b&w photo into a different shape and overlaying it on the masked version created a visual impact that far surpasses any standard photo format. I hope this inspires you to look at your snapshots differently and hopefully try this technique out yourself!