November Gingerscrapstreet Article - Its Not Easy Being Green

This is my final article for Gingerscrapstreet Magazine... I was due to write an article for December, but due to a breakdown in communication, it didn't happen. It was fun on this team, I enjoyed exercising the creative thinking part of my brain and putting my personality on paper. Thank you to Dora and the crew at Gingerscrapstreet for having me on the team for the last 12 months! Was totally fun! It’s Not Easy Being Green Jodi Dolbel 4

“It’s not easy being Green; having to spend each day the colour of the leaves. When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold or something much more colourful like that. It's not easy being green; it seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things, and people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water or stars in the sky. But green's the colour of Spring, and green can be cool and friendly-like and green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree. When green is all there is to be it could make you wonder why, but why wonder why wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful and I think it's what I want to be.” If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, you would recall this song from “The Muppets” by Kermit the Frog. Okke by Nanette van der Veen Digital Supplies: Element: With a Russian-Dutch Heart, A splash in the Pond, (smiekeltje.blogspot.com), Software: Photoshop Elements 6, Fonts: Stacey’s Scraps, A little Fruity, Font: lucida handwriting. Journaling: My son Okke, welcome to the world, August 1, 2011. Discover Nature by Heather Hines Digital Supplies: Kit: In My Backyard Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver (digitalscrapbookplace), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: Rat Infested Mailbox. Design Notes: The photo matched the products so well that all I had to do is add the elements directly to the photo to create this fantasy scene. Journaling: Connor August 2001   Elina By Ulla-May Berndtsson Digital Supplies: Kit: In Your Face Collection by Dawn Inskip (Scrapbookgraphics), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Typewriter- Font Royal (200). Journaling: Lilleby July 10th, 2006. I can still see Kermit sitting in his pond on his lily pad singing this song. It describes Green perfectly. I sometimes wonder if it’s because of Kermit’s song, that green is my all time favourite colour. I wonder if in my child’s mind I thought “I will love Green too Kermit, so you’re not alone”. How can one not love Green though? When I think of Green, I think of spring and all the new fresh green sprouts shooting through, I think of lovely fresh Granny Smith Apples or a beautiful big green lawn where it just invites you to relax and unwind with drinks and canapés . Green smells fresh; the smell of freshly cut lawn to me is Green and reminds me of summer days spent cooling down under the sprinkler. Flower Girl by Heather Prins Digital Supplies: Element: Renewed Spirit - Agnes Biro/Yellow Butterfly Collab, Software: CS5, Fonts: Handwriting Dakota, Halo Handletter. Design Notes: I loved layering all the different stamps (I used 4)! The lace was a perfect compliment to the kit and having it just peek out from under my photos made me smile. I recoloured the butterfly to better suit my photos and the glittered hearts finished the whole look off. Journaling: Chloe in her element- a field full of flowers! She loves to collect flowers in the lot across the street. Mallory & Reagan by Jill Dinkel Digital Supplies: Element: Boho Chic by Kristin Cronin-Barrow (Sweet Shoppe Designs)’ Go Large template by Misty Cato (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: AdineKirnberg-Script. Journaling: Mallory & Reagan June 2011. Summer in Branson by Susan Thormahlen Digital Supplies: Kit: HunnyBee Designs Watermelon Papers, Elements by Scrapbookgraphics, Creative Memories and HunnyBee Designs, Software: Storybook Creator 3.0 by Creative Memories. Design Notes: When creating this page I was designing a layout for a How Much is too Much challenge being hosted by Two Peas in a Bucket. I am fairly new to digital scrapbooking and only started doing digital since January. I do go online and check out other layouts for inspiration. I also have found that you can pretty much do the same layouts whether they are paper (traditional) or digital. It seems to take me about the same amount of time because I'm very picky about how everything looks. Journaling: When I took this picture while in Branson on vacation I didn't realize that a butterfly the same color as the flower was in the centre. Green is also a great colour for scrapping. I know when I was searching for layouts, more than any other colour, it was Green that jumped out off the page at me. Maybe it was just because it is my favourite colour? But when perusing layouts in the galleries I felt refreshed and content looking at Green. How can a colour trigger those kinds of emotions just by looking at it? With that thought it mind, I went in search for the “meaning of Green” and this is what I found. “Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money. Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a 'greenhorn' is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope. Green, as opposed to red, means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic.” (www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning) Isn’t that interesting? That explains it then. I think we should all look at Green everyday and we will feel better for the exercise! 4th Grade Picnic by Jennifer Schmitt Digital Supplies: Kit: Playful by Jennifer Schmitt (Sunshine Studio Scraps) and East Meets West Templates by Chrissy W. (Two Peas In A Bucket), Software: Photoshop 7, Fonts: Pea Katie. Journaling: Kyle and Mr. King at the 4th grade class picnic. Enjoying the last few days of school. Love Music by Keela Digital Supplies: Kit: Rainbow Joy Papers & Elements, Headphones and Musical Notes: iRock, Frame: Curled Frames by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: A Truer Blue (kevinandamanda) Design Notes: This layout was created for a font challenge (using the A Truer Blue). I used the elements from Miss Mint's kit to help form the 'saying'. As for the font, I typed out the words and then changed it to "overlay" on the Layers Palette. Journaling: love music play it always sing loudly always be you. Up, Up and Away by Melissa Cahill Digital Supplies: Kit: License to Drive by Mandymade, Software: PSE 9.0. Design Notes: Overlapping actions photos is a great way to create movement in your layout.

October GingerScrapStreet Magazine Article - Moo Moo Here

Moo Moo Here Jodi Dolbel 4

And A Moo Moo There Life on the farm, is there a more peaceful way to spend your days? As children, there is an endless supply of fun to be had on the farm. An outback Adventure Playground!! “Old MacDonald” has been telling us for years about all the animals that can be found down on the farm. What an amazing place for a child to spend some time! In this story I wanted to feature fun farm layouts and the activities that can be found on the farm featuring our children. I particularly love Cathy’s Layout “Grandma’s Cows”, the digi kit she used for this layout is perfect and features so many elements that you would find on a farm. The fencing wire background, the burlap that sits behind the photos and those wonderful looking animals sticking their heads through the fence! The photos really blend in well in this layout too featuring the lovely grassy pastures and Grandma’s Cows. Lauren’s Layout “Down on the Farm”, is a hybrid layout but done on a corrugated cardboard base. The photo which has been coloured using Photoshop to suit the vintage theme really pops against the card base and the “real” wire background! Grandma’s Cows by Cathy Dippolito Supplies: Element: Digital Kit: E-I-E-I-O Combo by Chelle's Creations, Digi template Blueprints set 4 by True Blue Studio, Software: Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Travelling Typewriter. Design Notes: I extracted the pig in order to make it look like it is sticking it's head through the fence. Journaling: One of the fun parts about going to Grandma Cat’s & Grandad’s is getting to see all the cows and farm animals! Down on the Farm by Lauren Bell Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Corrugated Cardboard, Alphabet: American Crafts Thickers, Bling: Kaiser Craft, Pens: Uniball Signo, Thread: Bakers Twine, Other: Chicken Wire, Staples, Felt. Design Notes: Use corrugated cardboard and fencing wire to give a earthy/country feel. Down on the Farm by Sarah Ward Supplies: Cardstock: Aussie Scrap Source, Paper: October Afternoon, Teresa Collins , Chipboard: Words or Whatever, Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels, Ink: Tim Holtz, Alphabets: Jillibean Soup, Button: Sweet Tierney, Purple Pumpkin, Paint: Making Memories, Lace: Prima Marketing. Design Notes: Secure your alpha by using your sewing machine, this creates a unique touch! Don't be scared to over-ink!! Journaling: A great family day out @ the i98fm Convoy for Kids. Georgia loved the farm animals. Nov '08. And A Moo Moo There Farm life covers all kinds of educational disciplines. We learn about life down on the farm with the birth of spring animals like sheep and little ducklings. We learn about death through our dearly beloved pets passing away! We learn about the value of rain and what happens to the farm when we don’t have it for a while, but mostly we learn about love through the love of our animals. Is there a no greater love than that between a child and their pony? I love Jo’s Layout “Sweet”. That cow is just totally adorable and the look of pure delight on Evan’s face is priceless. The layout “Hayden Wants a Donkey really makes me smile!! Didn’t we all go through a faze where we wanted a Donkey, because they are so cute!!! There is lots of white space in the layout which directs us to those terribly cute Donkey photos and the story behind it! The Digital “wave” element in the “Ready to Ride” layout by Eveyln gives the layout movement and I can just picture Marky moseying along a country path on Aunt Gay’s Horse. I think you will agree, there are no end of photo opportunities on the Farm to capture those everyday moments of our children, and there is lots of wonderful Digi Kits on the market to showcase our Farm Photos. Happy Scrapping! Sweet by Jo Kinder Supplies: Chipboard: Twiddleybitz, Tags: Donna Downey, Journaling Spots: Lil'Something, Brads: KaiserCraft, Paint: JoSonja, Ink: Rainger Distress Inks, Pens: Sharpie, Other: bingo card, cardstock, corrogated cardboard, ribbon, bubble wrap, staples,  fabric. Tools: Dies: Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug, Stamps: Darkroom Door Alphabet Medley. Journaling: Sweet and so is the valf!! hehehe my all time 'fav' photo of my Evan Monster @ Oakdale Farm. Hayden Wants A Donkey by Mary Rogers Supplies: DigiKit: Apple of My Eye (paper and brad) by Vinnie Pearce (twopeasinabucket), Template: Mixin' It Up 12x12 Templates by Chrissy W Designs (twopeasinabucket), Brushes: Coffee Stains by Brusheezy, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, Fonts: You are Loved, CK Journaling. Design Notes: I love using templates as a starting off point for my designs. The original design of this template by Chrissy W Designs didn’t suite the orientation of my photos, so I rotated it and moved things around just a bit. I then was able to add a few elements and brushes to keep the focus on the photos and the story I was trying to tell. I think it worked perfectly. Journaling: I wasn’t surprised when you called home from the fair asking for a kitten, or even a dog....but a donkey? I know she has a bit of a crush on you, but seriously Hayden what would we do with a donkey? Ready to Ride by Evelyn Mauldin Supplies: Kit: Cowboys and Cowgirls by TrishH. Designs (formerly at Enchanted Studio Scraps), Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Fonts: Pea Jack and Jane, Template: CU "wave" template.  Design Notes: I used the alpha included in the kit and added a .5px Stroke Outline to it for the title. Journaling: Marky’s family visited Aunt Gay’s farm last Spring. As soon as he saw Aunt Gay’s Arabian, Sampson, Marky promptly dubbed him “Sammy-Sam-Sam” and was ready to mount up. That made his mom, a horse lover, very happy.

August Gingerscrapstreet Story - Playing with Dolls

Play with Dolls Jodi Dolbel

5

I loved my Dolls when I was a young girl. I loved to make clothes for my Dolls, and constantly changed their hair dos. I loved that we could make our Dolls into anything we think they might have wanted to be! Most of the time my Dolls were Mums, married to another Doll (Who had the anatomy of a girl doll, but with cropped hair did pass as a boy doll!) and with other little baby Dolls. Our Dolls would be brave and able to face their fears with their heads held high! Our Dolls were everything we wanted for ourselves when we grew up! Then the Teenage years are upon us and playing with Dolls just isn’t the cool thing to do anymore! Sadly our pretend days are over, playing dress ups and facing our dreams head held high is over..................then we discovered scrapbooking and we can play with our Dolls all over again!!!!! Mr & Mrs by Kerry Murray Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Chipboard: Scrapmatts dress form, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paisley, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Ribbon: Webster’s Pages, Doilie: Chip Chop Shop.  Tools: Border Punches: Martha Stewart. Design Notes: Make your own dress form and then use punches to make a dress along with different ribbons. Little Pixie by Emilia van den Heuvel Supplies: Paper: Sandylion, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Dusty Attic Dress Form #2, Alphabet Stickers: Sandylion, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Stickers: Sandylion, Ribbon: Sandylion, Bling: Sandylion; Prima marketing, Paint: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist, Glitter Glue: Stickles Glitter Glue, Markers: Copic Ciao, Pens: Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze Pen. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart, Decorative Scissors: Fiskars, Other: We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy, Tim Hotlz Non-Stick Micro Serrated scissors. Design Notes: Use Glimmer Mist for tailor made background paper. Paris Be Mine by Martha Gonzalez Supplies: Paper: BoBunny, Cardstock: BoBunny, Chipboard: 3tailscraft, Word Stickers: BoBunny, Flowers: Iamroses, Stickers: BoBunny, Ribbon: Artists Own, Lace: Vintage, Charms: Artists Own, Bling: Artists Own, Pearls: Artists Own, Ink: Distress Ink Ranger, Other: Fiskers paper cutter. Digital Supplies: Marie Antoinette Image Google Images, Software: Photoshop Element 8. Editor's Note:  Martha shows off the best in feminine scrapping with this gorgeous piece.  Every detail is just perfection.

With the advent of Mannequins in Scrapbooking as an embellishment, we can play with Dolls now to our hearts content! Kerry has done exactly this with her layout Mr. & Mrs. This is a photo of her very handsome son and gorgeous new daughter-in-law on their wedding day! Kerry has used a chipboard Mannequin, but also made her own mannequin from Patterned Paper and ribbons. She has made layers in the skirt by cutting lengths of paper with the Martha Stewart Lace Punch and alternated that with Webster’s Pages Ribbon. Topped with a very dainty Pearl Necklace, Kerry’s Doll looks wonderful!!!
Emilia has done a similar thing with her Chipboard Mannequin. She has dressed her up with Green lace and lovely blue wings to make a Tinker Bell Doll. So perfect for her Little Pixie Layout. Martha has made up a gorgeous doll from scratch with Paris Be Mine Mannequin. From a simple wooden frame, Martha has added lace, Paper and an Image of Marie Antoinette Image on the reverse side. The finished item looks so feminine and pretty and would be perfect sitting in a bedroom with lovely pearl necklaces hanging from it!

Motherhood by Lisa Ladd

Digital Supplies: Element: It’s All About The Belly by Snippets Inc. at Digiridoo Scraps, Template: Cut It Out Template Pack by Little Green Frog Designs at Gingerscraps, Fonts: Courier New, Software: PSE 7.

Design Notes: I completed this layout for a challenge at Digiridoo Scraps, and the challenge was about what Motherhood means to you. My niece had some great pregnancy photos so I took the opportunity to scrap her beautiful baby belly and have that as the highlight of my layout.

Journaling: Your due date wasn’t until June 4 of this year, but on May 4 your beautiful bundle of joy came into this world. He was a month early and had your typical preemie issues, but a week later he was able to come home. He is the most precious baby in the whole world. I just can’t get enough of him.

Joyful Noise by Deanna Staley

Digital Supplies: Element: Musical Kit by Polka Dot Pixels (Two Peas in a Bucket), Software: PSE 9, Fonts: Birmingham Elongated.

Journaling: I took dancing lessons for a couple of years. We sang and danced at the same time. Maybe we coined the saying "multi-taskers!" When I quit dancing lessons, I started accordion lessons.

Thanks by Lindy Gillespie

Supplies: Paper: Kaisercraft, My Mind’s Eye, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Dress Form, Flowers: Kaisercraft Flowers, Ribbon: Dyed seam binding, Bling: Kaisercraft, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Paint: Making Memories, Ink: Versa mark. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Cuttlebug, Dies: Spellbinder, Stamps: Autumn Leaves, Other: Sewing machine.

Design Notes: Add some bling to the dress form to add texture.

As shown on the above layouts, silhouette Dress Forms and Dolls are a great way to make a page reflect femininity. I love the Motherhood layout by Lisa Ladd. That Pregnant Mummy Silhouette just brings tears to my eyes, it’s so adorable and what a wonderful way to enhance a page about pregnancy! The Joyful Noise layout with the little Musical People is perfect for Deanna’s layout about Musical pursuits as a youngster! Lindy’s card with the painted black Mannequin really jumps out at you, it’s so contrasting to the rest of the embellishments she has used.
Isn’t it fun that playing with Dolls can be “cool” again! We can dress them up to look pretty making lovely dresses and jewels from other embellishments and punched papers, or having the contrast of a black silhouette on our layout or project! Dolls are a great way to celebrate everything feminine and girly in scrapbooking! There is no end of product out there too now, from chipboards and wood to the anything goes in the Digital World. I can’t wait to go shopping now and start playing with Dolls myself!!

How Does Your Garden Grow by Jules McKenna De Lumer

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Making Memories, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Bling: Zva Creative, Alphabet Stickers: My Little Shoebox, Webster’s Pages, Die Cut: Heidi Swapp, Specialty Paint: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Pen: Sharpie, Other: Sewing Machine.

Design Notes: Fussy cutting large floral designs from patterned paper can create a vibrant background for your feature photos.

Journaling: With lots of love and this maid in the row. 6.09.09.

My Friend by Mary-Anne Maldonado

Supplies: Kit: October Afternoons Night Light collection Kit, Die Cuts: SEI, Brads: Making Memories, Ink: VersaMagic. Tools: Sponge Applicator, Crop-a-dile, X-acto knife, ruler and cutting mat.

Design Notes: I inked all my edges to soften and grudge up the look. I also used foam tape to enhance the dimension of some of my monsters and blurbs.

Making Faces by Jodi Dolbel

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Chipboard: Words or Whatever Mannequin, Journal Note: Making Memories, Flowers: Prima Markeing, Artists Own, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Beading, Chipboard Alphabet: American Crafts, Doilies: Kaisercraft, Ink: VersaColor, Specialized Paints: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Other: Twine, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Photo Booth Camera Application on Iphone, Actions: Trevor Dayley.

Design Notes: I really like to experiment with different photo finished and actions. The photos for this layout were taken using the Photo Booth Application on Iphone, copied over into Photoshop elements and broken into 4 different photos. I used an action with a similar finish to the PhotoBooth just to really make the photos sharp and contrasting.

Journaling: “The Verdict” 9.03.11 Birthday Breakie

Gingerscrapstreet - Style Runway by Jodi Dolbel (July Edition)

Sharing July's Story with you from Gingerscrapstreet

"Style Runway by Jodi Dolbel"

Style Runway Jodi Dolbel 10

Remember back when scrapbooking was about big paper scrapbooks and cutting out pictures from wrapping paper? No? Ok is that just me that has been scrapping for so long? The choices artists have with their scrapping styles today is endless. Every month it seems the scrapbook industry comes across a new “catch phrase” to describe scrapbooking styles. Just a couple of days ago I heard of a new style called Steampunk!! However, that is way too new for this little black duck to talk about so I will stick with a few of the more traditional styles we see in Traditional and Digital Scrapbooking. Friendly Dragonfly by Michelle Digital Supplies: Papers: A Bit of Grunge No.2 Paper Pack by Katie Pertiet (Designer Digitals,) Collection Manuscrite by Katie Pertiet(Designer Digitals), Gold Paper from Americana Mini Kit by Heather Ann Designs (heatheranndesigns.com), Elements: Dragonfly from Cute Critters Elements by Stacy St. Felix, Alpha: Softly Rimmed Alpha by Sahlin Studio (The Lilypad), Templates: Artsy Layered Template 13 by Anna Aspnes (Designer Digitals), Template Inspiration 4-3-11 by Katie Pertiet (Designer Digitals), Software: Adobe PSE8, Fonts: Futura, Gill Sans. Design Notes: I used two different templates, one for all the photo masking and one for the filmstrip at the bottom, which made it easier to blend the photos and elements. I made the background dragonfly paper myself using the dragon fly element with filterto turn into a sketch, colorized it and then blended it into the background paper using blending modes. Journaling: Part of the fun of our first visit to xxxxxxx Park (on my birthday) was just exploring the big open space and enjoying God’s creation. We walked together across the grass and saw lots of squirrels — then we spotted this amazing little guy. We stopped to see how close we could get, and it just let us keep getting closer and closer until James was able to pick it up. It was the friendliest dragonfly we'd ever seen! The kids were fascinated (and so were we). 10/12/07. Under-Waterworld By Ulla-May Berndtsson Digital Supplies: Kits: Ocean and Ocean Add On by Dawn Inskip (Scrapbookgraphics), Brushes: Ocean Brushes by Dawn Inskip (Scrapbookgraphics), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Highland Perk. Design Notes: I used an adjustment layer and blending modes to turn the photo of the child into a silhouette. Journaling: (Swedish) My husband and I spent a week in Denmark together with our grandchildren in June 2009. This photo is from a visit at Nordsea Oceanarium in Hirtshals. Goggle Boy by Karen Grose Supplies: Paper: Bo Bunny, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Bo Bunny, Alphabet Stickers: Bo Bunny, Rub-Ons: Bo Bunny, Flowers: Lollipop Flower (My Vintage Blossoms), Journaling Spots: Mum of 2 Boys, Stickers: Bo Bunny, Ribbon: My Vintage Blossoms, Lace: My Vintage Blossoms, Other: Yellow doily. Design Notes: Paint your background with texture paste (I added blue paint to mine), and before it dries use a stamp to create an effective background in your paint. Using a credit card to smear the paint on also creates a "grungy" feel to the background.

Sometimes the style we use for a page may be dictated by the reason we are scrapping these photos in the first place.

Shawn’s “Hero” layout is a collage design. The purpose of this layout is to commemorate the actions of our service workers on September 11th. This collage style tells the whole story, there is no need for journaling or dates and this event is so well known, just those two tall buildings the layout is based on is all that is needed.

Laurel’s layout about her pregnancy is similar to a diary style. With one feature photo and lots of journaling to describe the day she gave birth to her darling son. Both these layouts could also be classified as classic clean and simple in design. They feature square photos and are placed on a solid background. Embellishments are kept to a minimum. It’s the photo and the journaling that actually stand out.

Valeri’s “Hipstamatic” layout is classified as a Ephemera style. Digitally it is photo collage like the “Hero” layout, but it features Vintage colouring and an eclectic style with lots of journaling, busy embellishments and placed on angles.

Hero by Shawn Snowdon

Digital Supplies: Kit: Boy Oh Boy by Barbara Ryan (My Memories), Software: My Memories Suite, Other: Images from Google, Fonts: Consolas.

Design Notes: Placing images in a collage arrangement and framing with blocked color draws the eye inwards through the layout.

Journaling: God Bless our Heros

Pregnancy Journal - Benjamin in Finally Here by Laurel Flechtner

Digital Supplies: Paper: Kraft cardstock by Crystal Wilkerson (Two Peas in a Bucket), Template: Cathy Zielske's Layered Template #38 (Designer Digitals), Brushes: Frankie Alphabet Brushes and Stamps by Cathy Zielske (Designer Digitals), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: Arial.

Design Notes: Using the same template for all of my pregnancy pages creates a uniform look for this scrapbook diary.

Journaling: Today was finally the big day!! I got up at 6AM to take a shower and call the hospital to make sure they had room for me. They had room, so we left for the hospital. Alison was spending the night with my parents at the motorhome, so she was in good hands. When we arrived at the hospital, we did a little paperwork and got my bracelet and then they took us to the triage room. They checked me out and did their prep work there. Then they took me into the operating room. I was hoping they would let Kurt be with me when they did the spinal, but they didn’t. All the nurses and doctors were really nice though, so it wasn’t too bad. Needles into my spine make me extremely nervous though, which is no surprise. The spinal was weird. It took effect quite quickly. I could still feel people touching me, but I couldn’t feel cold or pain. They got me loaded onto the operating table and then they let Kurt come in. I was very glad to see him. The surgery seemed like it took forever, but I’m sure it wasn’t much over 30 minutes or so. Mr. Benjamin Richard Flechtner was born at 10:18AM. I was so happy and cried like a baby. He was 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 19.3 inches long. About an inch longer and 9 ounces heavier than Alison was when she was born. After they finished up with the surgery, they moved me into the recovery area while Kurt went with Benjamin to the nursery. After they moved me to the regular room, I was really sick that night and into the next day. I assume it was because of the spinal. Barfing several times after having abdominal surgery is not what I would call fun. Benjamin decided he wanted to be a pill about breastfeeding. He was refusing to open his mouth enough to get a good latch, so I was really sore. The lactation nurses gave me some good advice though, so that helped a lot. I was in the hospital until Monday, April 25. This time, they remembered to take the security tag off the baby before we tried to leave. We almost set off the alarms when we were leaving with Alison, so I was paranoid about it this time. I was very happy to finally get home. Our little family of four is now complete and we’re thrilled to pieces!

Hipstamatic by Valeri Drewett

Digital Supplies: Kit: Focused On You by Cilenia Curtis (Digital Designer Shop), Template: Focused On You by Cilenia Curtis (Digital Designer Shop), Software: Adobe PSE6, Fonts: Sylfaen, Jane Austen, Rough_Typewriter, BlackJack, MTF Whimsy, Qarmic Sans, High Tower Text.

Design Notes: I knew I wanted to use as many pictures as I could fit on this layout and using the template helped to keep the shape of the layout together. I doubled the template, added extra rows as needed and shrunk it all down to fit in the space I wanted to use. I didn’t add too many elements to the page and kept the journaling simple, so that the pictures told the story.

Journaling: Captured in the I of a Phone. Every moment becomes possible to capture with a camera phone.

Another style of scrapping that is really popular is Shabby Chic and can often be a combination of so many other styles such as Vintage and Romantic. This style combines lots of patterned papers usually softened with some kind of distressing. It can also feature softer pastels and neutrals with embellishments that can range from flowers to items you would find in Grandmothers sewing box!! Buttons, threads, metal accents and ribbons. Tanya’s layout “I love you Rebecca Lynn” is a good digital example of this style whereas Karen’s layout “You are so special” is a good representation of this style in the traditional scrapbooking form.

The term “White Space” is used to describe a layout that has a large area of just color with no embellishments or photos also known as empty space. This white space often spans several scrapbooking styles. Brandi’s “Celebrate This Moment” layout is a good example. Although the “White space” in this instance shades from light grey to black, it is still white space and she has used a Playful Charm style which incorporates bright colors and whimsical accents.

I Love You Rebecca Lynn by Tanya Deskins

Digital Supplies: Kit: Pink Treasures by WendyP Designs (7th Heaven), Template: Pink Treasures by WendyP Designs (7th Heaven), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Century Gothic.

Editor's Note: Clusters and repeating photos in varying sizes renforce the theme of your layout.

Journaling: It seems not that long ago that you were just a tiny baby. You are and always will be my baby, but you are growing and blossoming right before my eyes. You have done a lot of maturing this year. I am very proud of you as I watch you form closer relationships with friends, starting to take on an identity of your own. I am honored to be your mother and I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you, Rebecca Lynn, more than I could ever tell you. Thank you. Thank you for being you.

You are So Special by Karen Shady

Supplies: Paper: Kaisercraft, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Chipboard: Kaisercraft Wood, Die Cuts: Kaisercraft, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Brads: Making Memories, Specialty Paint: Tim Holtz crackle paint, Ink: Tim Holtz distress ink. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Sizzix, Dies: Spellbinders, Border Punches: Martha Stewart, Other: Tim Holtz distressing tool

Design Notes: When fussy cutting flowers from a paper, I usually purchase 2 sheets, cut out the image twice, then using foam dots, adhere one on top of the other, giving it a paper tole look.

Journaling: The little girl who would become my Mum.

Celebrate this Moment by Brandi Sutherlin

Digital Supplies: Kit: Celebrate Life Collaboration: The Birthdays by various designers (freebie from My Scrapbook Art), Template: Journal Your Heart by Lilly Lane Market (Celebrate Life Collaboration at My Scrapbook Art), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: Orator Std.

Editor's Note: The banner and ribbons really add to the celebration feel of Brandi's layout.

Journaling: February 1, 2011

A style that is gaining more popularity at the moment is the fantasy layout. This style has found its place solidly in the Digital Scrapbooking world due to the complexity of the elements used to create this kind of layout.

There are a couple of different styles of the fantasy layout. Helen’s “Once Upon A Dream” layout is quiet complex in how she achieves this style. Typically, this style features whimsical and fantasy papers and embellishments, usually depicting a certain scene. The artist has to take a photo with the elements in mind, remove the subject of the photo from the background of the original photo and then place it in this scene that has been created by the artist from elements of the digital kit. The finished product though is something from a fairy tale!

The layout "Sweet Cherry" by Agnieszka is similar. She has used the same photo in two different ways on the same layout. The base photo has been given a faded out finish with an overlay and transparent embellishments. It’s such a magical layout with a beautiful feel to it. This is a style that I personally would love to have a play with!

Sweet Cherry by Agnieszka Nadel

Digital Supplies: Kit: Sweet Sweet Sweet by Fanfan-rue des anges (Digiscrapbooking), Software: Adobe PSE6.

Design Notes: I like to create layouts that are magical, cute and yet delicate and sometimes realistic, depending on the photo.

Once Upon A Dream by Helen Hancock

Digital Supplies: Kit: Fairies Of The Flower Field Part 4 by Magical Reality Designs (Pickleberrypop), Software: Adobe PSE6.

Design Notes: This photo was taken with my daughter positioned sitting on the couch. I quickly cut my daughter from the photo using a 'magic extraction', and then placed her in the layout to create this magical scene.

The Overlook by Kimberly Morris

Digital Supplies: Kit: In a Boy's World by Sugar Pie Scraps (Polka Dot Plum), Software: Adobe PSE7, Fonts: Blackjack.

Design Notes: The inspiration for this layout, was a photo of a wedding cake with flowers spiralling down the side. I clustered most of the elements in a similar fashion.

Journaling: You have always loved the overlook at Watagua lake. We have been taking you there since you were able to walk!

A fun style we see popping up is the Urban Grunge layout. Full of geometrical shapes, lots of slathered paint, twine and doodling. You will quite often see them featured with neutral colors. Grunge is a great way to feature the men in our lives through the use of colour and non feminine embellishments such as twine, grunge or word rub ons, staples and metal embellishments. Crystal’s Layout 15/12/2010 features a lot of the above with a large slather of black paint on the grid lines paper. The black and white photos really stand out against the black paint with the burlap and black and white ribbon softenening the finish. Tracey’s “It’s all about the Mess” layout has also used this grunge style but she has added some bright colors and lots of stamping! Jodi’s layout “All Natural” is a digital version of this style, and whilst it has less paint, it retains that grunge feel to it from the slather of stippled craft coloured paint across the paper.

Personally I find that the style I use to complete a layout will differ according to my mood or the photo I am using. I think it is important that we don’t get too “wrapped up” in what style we scrap! The most important thing is that we are preserving our precious memories for our future and the future of our loved ones. Though if you are looking for a change of style there are a few things that you can do. You can gather together images of layouts or pictures that inspire you or you want to recreate in scrapbooking form. Look for papers and embellishments that match your inspiration pictures and just go from there. I think the best advice I have ever been given is “there are no mistakes in scrapbooking”. If you love a certain style or a layout by an artist you admire, just sit down and attempt to replicate it with a scraplift. Most artists don’t mind sharing their work that might inspire other people, but if you do a “lift” and publish on your blog or gallery just make sure to give recognition to the person that inspired you. It’s just a common courtesy.

15/12/2010 by Crystal Goulding

Supplies: Paper: Kaisercraft, Alphabet Stickers: Fancy Pants, Rub-Ons: Basic Grey, Kaisercraft, Pen: Sharpie, Other: Ribbon, Hessian (Burlap), Staples, Fonts: Batik Regular.

Design Notes: : You don’t need lots of paper to create an interesting layout. Try using paint and rubons on your background and embellish with material, ribbons and some staples for something a little different!

Journaling: The best part of the birthday party is most definitely opening the presents. Everyone wants to get near the birthday girl.

It’s all About the Mess by Tracey Campbell

Supplies: Paper: Bo Bunny, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Design, Stickers: Bo Bunny, Paint: Making Memories, Ink: Momento, Markers: Zig, Pens: Angel Gel, Mist: Craftynotions Creative Colour Spray, Stamps: Kaisercraft.

Design Notes: To add a grungy, messy look to your layout, spill a bit of spray mist onto your layout and blow it around gently to create blobs of colour. Try an old toothbrush loaded up with paint to create some interesting effects when flicked at the cardstock. Ink up the edge of some cardboard and use it as a stamp to give you a messy lined border.

Journaling: Your first time trying to feed yourself ~ Bronte

All Natural by Jodi Dolbel

Digital Supplies: Kit: Winter Wishes by Jennifer Labre Designs (The Digichick), A Whimsical Garden by Kristen Cronin-Barrow (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Software: Microsoft Publisher 2007, Fonts: Arial.

Design Notes: I love layering elements and mixing different kits from different designers. To make the colors match between different kits in Microsoft Publisher, I just add or subtract contrast and brightness if the hue of the embellishment I want to use is a little different.

Journaling: Zane, so totally adorable. You don’t need to have any fancy clothes to be the cutest baby in the world!

Gingerscrapstreet - June Article by Jodi Dolbel "Boys & Their Toys"

Boys & Their Toys Jodi Dolbel 4

When I thought about writing this article, I was thinking that I would like to see an article featuring the men in our lives doing what they do. We have a saying here in Australia referring to men. “He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins” I know when I talk to my husband about his hobbies and interests, it’s certainly the quote that comes from his mouth the most often! I put the call out there looking for layouts featuring our men and their toys. I was so surprised at the response. I had lots of gorgeous layouts featuring the “Little Men” in our lives, but very few concentrating on the Big Men. The response leads me to then question, “Why is it that we aren’t seeing Men featured in our layouts?”. Big Boy Toys by Casey Thompson Digital Supplies: Kit: Robotrix by Studio Charlize and Studio Flergs (Scrapbook Graphics, Staple: Captured 2.0 by Project B Designs(Funky Playground Designs), Button, String: Explore by Project B Designs (Funky Playground Designs), Flowers, Star: Leaf It To Me by Eva Kipler and Studio Flergs (Scrapbookgraphics), Leaves: Let's Explore by Valerie N Designs (Gottapixel, Ric Rac: Made Pretty Sweet by Mandymade Designs (Ginger Scraps) Stitch Border: Stitch Me Up by Project B Designs (Funky Playground Designs), Paper: My Little Artist by Creations by Rachel (Gottapixel, Template: Blog Template Challenge 6 by ShabbyShoppe, Software: Pixelmator 1.6.2, Fonts: sf Carissa, Jailbird Jenna, For the One Hundreth Time, Love Ya Like a Sister. Design Notes: I wanted bright and bold for this layout…not my usual color pallet. The title work was fun. I used fonts that I download from the internet, duplicated each word, applied a light blur to the back 'word' layer and then clipped one of the papers that I had already used in the layout to the blurred layer. I thought it gave kind of a neon glow to the title. Journaling: Micah is growing so fast and so is his desire for Big Boy Toys! He loves to drive his R/C Bulldozer all over the house...it does not hurt that it plays rocking music, beeps when it backs up, and he can drive his Toy Story Alien around in it. He may follow in his Great Grandpa's footsteps and own his own excavating company. Who knows but for now we DO know...he loves his BIG BOY TOYS! Just Like Grandad By Debbie Lawrence Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Chipboard: 2 Crafty, Alphabet: Jillibean Soup, Alphabet Stickers: Jenny Bowlin, Carolee’s Creations, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Tags: October Afternoon, Jillibean Soup, Paint: Jo Sonja’s, Ink: Versa colour, Thread: Baker’s Twine, Other: buttons, ticket. Tools: Other: sewing machine. Design Notes: Paint then doodle around chipboard elements to make them stand out. I have used the string as a frame for the photos to highlight them even more. Text printed onto cream paper then backed onto chipboard to make handmade button. Journaling: Blake loves to ride Grandad’s tractor, Yandina March 2010. Ride By Peg Hewitt Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Pattered Paper: Pink Paislee , Architectural Arch, Tickets, Ruffled Darlings, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paislee Expressions, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Pins: Jenni Bowlin Studios, Flowers: Paper flowers, Ink: Stazon, Pens: Uniball.  Digital Supplies: Software: PS CS2, Actions: Urban Acid photoshop action by Steven Almas. Design Notes: Alter your photos using different pre loaded actions in Photoshop to match the products you have on hand. Journaling:  It has taken him a long time to want to ride a 2-wheeler but in the last 6 weeks he has picked it up very quickly and is now preferring the bigger bikes to his size.

Maybe we don’t see the men in our lives in front of the camera because they are just too busy out there doing their thing. I don’t know about your Men, but my Men totally LOVE their Toys. I live in a house with “Nerds” that label is used with love and respect, but Nerds they are. They love their electronics and gadgets. I have needed a new oven for a number of years now but hubby just can’t seem to make the budget spread that far, however new computers for everyone is something that happens every year!!!
Let’s not forget the new phones! Hands up those who have husbands and sons that must have the latest in phones!!! My son in 21 this year and not really the sporting type. Whenever he is home you will see him holed up in his room with his two large LCD screens playing online games with other gamers from all over the world. Apart from the fact that his hard drive has green lights and his keyboard lights up, and not to forget his awesome mouse that has lightening all through it that throbs, it’s not really something he will let me take photos off which kind of makes it hard to scrapbook!!!!

Iphone Games by Jodi Dolbel

Supplies: Paper: Create Paper, Jenny Bowlin, Cardstock: Bazzil Basics, Alphabet Stickers: Ardorn It, American Crafts Thickers, Transparency: Hambly Screen Prints, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Other: Thread. Tools: Software: Photoshop Elements 9, Actions: Actions by Trevor Dayley, Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: Make your pages really “pop” by using dimensional tape to have embellishments lift of the page. In real life this layout is probably half an inch thick due to all the dimension. I also used an action to change the look of my photo so it would suit the papers I wanted to use.

Love of Photography By Lori Cameron

Digital Supplies: Element: Smooch Doo Page Kit by Nicole Young and Stamped With Love - Messy Machine Stitching 01 by Meryl Bartho. (Digital Scrapbook Place), Software: PS CS5, Fonts: Segoe Print.

Design Notes: I love the black and white with pops of red of Nicole's kit. The addition of her little camera tag made it the perfect choice for this photo of my son. It was taken in Key West when our cruise ship stopped there for the day.

Journaling: I am so thrilled to be able to share my (heart) of photography with you. While we were in Key West, Dad and Nathan wanted to go back to the ship, but you wanted to explore. You had your new DLSR and wanted to play. I was more than happy to go along with you. I love seeing the world through your camera’s lens. We have many wonderful photos of this trip from you and your camera.

A Man and His Guitar by Alysse McDaniel

Digital Supplies: Kit: Spontaneous Delight by Carrie Stephens, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, Font: Princess Regular.

Journaling: A Man and his guitar.

The ways that our men spend their leisure time is as vast and varied as their wonderful selves! While some of our men love the outdoors and all that involves with camping, scouting, gardening and fishing, other men can be quite dare devils choosing to spend their leisure time doing death defying acts with their adrenaline pumping!!! How does one capture all these activities in the pages of our scrapbooks?
I love how Deanna has featured her man in his garden. It’s such a simple quaint layout, with peaceful pastel colors and it doesn’t need all the bells and whistles to pass on the serenity that Earl finds in his garden. See Shannon’s Man, what a life he enjoys. He loves his planes, both toys planes and the real thing!!! Bill spends his time exploring the skies seeing the Cascade Volcanoes or the San Juan Islands all from the air! I think by Australian Standards bearing in mind our phrase of “He who dies with the most toys wins”, I’m thinking that Bill is pretty high on the winners list during life!! Stacia’s layout is about her Man not necessarily gaining “Toys” as such, but rather life experiences. He is about to complete a Ghost Walking Tour where they walk through old cemeteries looking at headstones. As part of his Scouting he enjoys camping trips on most weekends!!

In His Element by Deanna Staley

Digital Supplies: American Honey by Modern June (Scrapable.co), Secret Garden kit (Scrapable.co), Hoppin Froggy by Twin Mom Scraps (Scrappity Doo Dah), Software: PSE 9, Fonts: Arial.

Journaling: Our backyard is like a big garden. Earl loves it out there. He spends hours and hours cleaning, rearranging, and trimming. He loves to just sit and watch nature happen. He cultivates his bees, his flowers, and his ponds. He keeps it fresh by planning new projects every year.

Boys & Their Toys/Got Wings by Shannon Roller

Digital Supplies: Wanderlust Kit by Valerie Foster (ComputerScrapbook.com) and Kraft paper from Holiday Party kit by Brandy Buffington (Two Peas in a Bucket), Software: Photoshop Elements 4, Fonts: Century Gothic.

Design Notes: I love doing graphic looking grid layouts. I wanted to do a play on the “Got Milk?” commercials and the letters that came with this kit were so cool to do that with.

Journaling: Bill started taking flying lessons before we met in 1984 so we have spent our entire courtship and marriage flying. We bought into an airplane partnership a few years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Northwest by air. There is nothing like seeing the Cascade volcanoes all at once or the San Juan Islands from the air. It can also take us to where we want to go a lot faster. On this day, we flew to Ellensburg to see Tom and have lunch with him. How great to be there in an hour instead of the four hours it takes to drive there.

Life Scout by Stacia Hall

Digital Supplies: Template Designer Inspiration 001 - Relax by Cilenia Curtis (Digital Designer Shop), Relax Bundle by Cilenia Curtis (Digital Designer Shop), Fleur de Lis – It’s a Guy Thing by Teresa Digi Designs (Digital Designer Shop), Boy Scout WordART No.1 by Anna Aspnes (Designer Digitals), Jacelen Deinema Watercolor Nature Camping (Scrap Girls), Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.

Design Notes: I loved all the included elements with this layered template, but some of the details weren't perfect for my layout. So, I turned it sideways, resized the photo area and duplicated the cute acrylic tiles so that it worked for me. If you find a template you love, change it up and use it again!

Journaling: Here you are headed off to yet another scout camping trip, this one to St. Augustine, your favorite camping destination EVER! The ghost walking tour was the highlight of this trip, walking through the old cemeteries looking at the headstones. At this point in scouting you are camping sometimes two or three weekends a month. It’s a really good thing that you still like to camp!

Fishing is one of those hobbies where men can accumulate all kinds of toys. You have your boat for one, now that’s a major piece of bragging rights there!! Then you have all the different types of fishing lines and reels. If you are a really lucky fisherman there are so many opportunities for photos when the big one “Doesn’t get away”. There comes another Australian saying, “If there aren’t photos, it didn’t happen!” How many times do we hear the age old line “I caught one THIS big!”
I love how Rene has told the story about a fishing trip in her layout “Fish Tremble” and the funny story that goes along with it!! Holly has shared a layout with us that would gain more bragging rights in the shed!! Go Karts!! My Men are go cart crazy. They love to race around the track at break neck speed at every opportunity! We actually did own a Go Kart at one stage in our lives, but never got the opportunity to exercise a true addition due to lack of legal race tracks.
Holly shares that her men enjoy racing at every opportunity! What a fun way to spend time together and what perfect photo material for this wonderful layout!!! Whatever it is that the men in your lives choose to spend their leisure time on, whether its adventuring, adrenaline inducing activities, or relaxing let’s try to capture it on camera and tell the story through our layouts.

Fish Tremble by Rene Tibbets

Digital Supplies: Cherry Chocolate Value Collection by Lauren Bavin, Mad Moments Alpha by Meryl Bartho, Mad Moments Arrows by Meryl Bartho (Digital Scrapbook Place), Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: DSP Willjenni by Suzanne Walker (Digital Scrapbook Place).

Journaling: Before going on the cruise, Gary and I both chose port excursions that we wanted to take. Gary’s choice was a halibut fishing trip in Juneau. I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I haven’t fished since I was a kid. In Juneau we boarded a small fishing boat with 2 other couples from our cruise and 2 guides. They took us to a couple of special spots where they had success catching halibut. Halibut live on the bottom of the ocean floor, so we had to drop our lines till they hit the bottom of the ocean and then wait. Within 5 minutes of dropping my line, I caught a halibut! Everyone on the boat caught a halibut except for Gary. After awhile the guides decided it was time to take us to another spot to fish for rockfish. They too live on the ocean floor. Once again, I immediately caught a rockfish! It was so exciting! Sadly, Gary did not catch a rockfish either! At the time I felt bad that he was the only person on our excursion who did not catch a fish, especially considering that it was his choice of excursion and he was really looking forward to it. But I’ve gotten over my guilt at having caught a 16 pound halibut and a 7 pound rockfish, and now I tease Gary that I am a better fisherman than he is! At the sound of my name, fish tremble!

Kart Adventures by Holly Takastuka

Digital Supplies: Kit: What Alice Saw by ViVa Artistry at The Digichick, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Design Notes: Because of the subject of my photos, I knew I wanted to show motion on my page. I found this template with lots of circles and thought it would be perfect.

Journaling: One of our favourite things to do together - kart racing with Daddy! When I grow up I want to race F-1.

Speed By Ulla-May Berndtsson

Digital Supplies: Outside Collection by Erica Zwart at MScraps, Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Design Notes: I used blending mode to merge the photo and paper together. I also worked a lot with highlights and shadows to get the feeling of HDR on the photo. I changed the angle of the page to get a feeling of movement. A lot of the elements are blended into the page and just a few have shadows.

Monster Jam By Angela Evans

Digital Supplies: Urban Off Road by Nicole Perry, A Nature's Walk by Mandy Mystique's, Berry Pickin by A+ Designs, Granny's Farm by Charlie's Digi Scraps, Fort Wilderness by Misty O'Brien, Software: PS7.

Journaling: This layout was done to remember the great time that we had watching the Monster Trucks at our local Arena with our son.