It's that time again...

Week 3 of BOTCT is over, and once again, my girls have totally rocked their pages!  The challenge this week was to create a monochromatic page about themselves - and Amanda was a trooper and scrapped through days of contractions in a row, while Jordan scrapped amidst closing on the house her family just built!  Go team!  Be sure to leave them some love, then make sure to vote HERE to name them the best CT out there - 'cause they are!  :D  {They're about 3/4 of the way down the poll.  1 vote per IP address PER WEEK, so if you've voted in weeks past, you need to do it again.. Polls close at 11:59pm EST on Sunday.}

Niki

Sara

Amanda

 Jordan

Cheryl

NEW templates inspired by Tiff!

Well, I took last week off, but I hope you'll forgive me.. I've been designing like a crazy person and have all sorts of yummy new goodies cooked up for you in the next coming weeks.. But aside from my scrapping life, it seems like real life has kicked things up a notch, too... Is it just me, or is the holiday rush that used to start mid-November creeping into mid-October?  I can't believe how quickly time is flying and my to-do list certainly isn't getting any shorter!  If you're in the same boat, then you're going to love my release this week - some fabulous templates inspired by my CT member, Tiff.. They take the hard part out of creating pages and let you get even more done in the brief amount of time you have to scrap these days.. 

 

 

 

Tiff always lets her photos shine, leaves room to tell the story, and has excellent title work - the hallmarks of a great layout - and now you can get a leg-up on creating pages equally as fantastic!  Each template comes in PSD and TIFF format, and I always include PNGs for those of you who need those.. :)  As always, these yummy goodies will be 20% off thru Saturday. 

And of course, some super CT pages to show these babies in action.... 

That's it for me this week, but if you're not already, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter by Nov. 1st.. One lucky subscriber will win ALL of my NEW RELEASES for the REST OF THE YEAR {personal use only}.. Pretty neat, right? ... and with that, I'll sign off, but I'll be right back here next week with lots and lots of yummy new treats.. ahh... I love DSD!  :D

Spotlighting Meghann and Dawn

It is all about business today!  We've got not one but TWO wonderful guests I would like to introduce you to today!  They have been helping out all month, so lets say hi to...

Meghann

{aka scrapmonster}

I am 28 years old; married to my best friend (I know, sounds cliche, but we were best friends before we started dating); mommy to two, with a new baby due in early January; paralegal by day; exhausted by night; and scrapping in between.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I started with paper scrapping about 15 years ago and switched to digi-scrapping 3 years ago when I realized I hadn't had one photo printed in about 6 months. I figured it was time to get things scrapped without worrying about printing the pictures first.
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? My strongest scrapping skill is probably trying new things - I love to attempt new styles and use new techniques. My weakest skill is definitely layering and coming up with titles.
   
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Start! It's really not a big commitment to try, so just dive in and buy one or two kits that are versatile and work your way up from there.
   
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I use Photoshop CS4. My "system" is to just find inspiration from something - a kit, a photo, a specific element - and just get started.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? I have been known to scrap A LOT, but recently life has taken some interesting turns and I haven't had much time to just sit and scrap. I have loved the opportunity to guest with Stolen Moments because it is getting me back into the grove of scrapping.
   
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? When I start scrapping, my husband goes to work on his hobbies in the other room. So, scrapping is my time to catch up on girly shows. When I'm not pregnant, soda is a MUST.
   
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? I love to read blogs.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Go to Disneyland again.
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? I wouldn't even want to begin to name names, but Amber (Stolen Moments) leaves such wonderful comments that I always feel inspired to scrap more.
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? Hmm...probably something Christmas-y because I am so excited for Christmas this year!

First Layout

 Favorite Layout

Most Recent Layout

Be sure and check out more of Meghann's amazing GALLERY!

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Our next guest is....

Dawn

{aka Aussiegirl}

I'm a Christian SAHM to 4 little girls!  My wonderful husband works 2 jobs so I can stay home with the girls!  I have been digi scrapping since the summer of 2007, and love every minute of it!

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? Before digi scrapping, I paper scrapped for probably 15 years!  Having 4 girls, it was too hard to paper scrap anymore!  I loved the look of the digi layouts, and how easy and mess free they were!
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill? Clustering or cluttering (sometimes it feels more like the last one).  Your weakest? White space and single photo layouts.  I take TONS of photos, and it's hard to just pick one layout to put on a page, when I LOVE them all!
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Get involved in a digi scrapping site (I personally think SM is the best!)  It's a great way to learn new techniques and make GREAT friends who will become closer than some of your IRL friends!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I start each layout with the photos in mind first.  I will open up the photos I want (this gives me an idea of how many spaces I need for a template too).  Than I open the papers and than the elements.  A title and journaling are always last!  Some layouts just come together quickly, where others take a lot more time!  The longest layout has taken 2 days to finally finish up.  Those are usually the ones that I'm just not sure of, and they don't seem to be coming together the way I want.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week? (You won't share this info with my husband will you?)  I am probably on the computer about 6 hours a day (depending on the day and how much household chores there are).  That's not all scrapping though.  That's a lot of looking around SM at all the latest news, chatting with friends and checking in with CT's, along with leaving love in the gallery and downloading new kits to play with.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks? Usually, it's super quiet with nothing but me, the computer and sometimes a glass of water or something to drink.  However, I've found I'm more creative when I have music on. 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? I love to travel (my favorite things to do on a trip, are to see waterfalls).  I also like to read and do photography.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? I would love to go zip lining again, on a cruise and to Australia.  I went zip lining once, but didn't have my camera!  I'd love to do it again, with my camera, so I could scrap the moment!  I'd love go on a cruise to use some cute kits and beach elements, and Australia is my DREAM vacation...so that's a given!
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I love to look at my online Best Friends galleries!  My Best Friend in real life, is Neverland Scraps, so I love to look at her gallery to catch up on what's going on with her and her family.  I love looking at Amanda (dznyscrappers) layouts too.  Also Kellig, whom I met in real life and became good friends with!  Even though I'm inspired by their styles of scrap, I really like to read about what's going on in their lives....much more personal than reading a blog!
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why? It would have to be about Australia and travel/ photography!  (If it had something to do with waterfalls too, that would be perfect!).  It would have to have lots of green in it, since that is my favorite color, and probably include Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 and Jeremiah 29: 11-14 my favorite Bible verses.

First Layout

Favorite Layout

Most Recent Layout

Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

Thanks Dawn!  Make sure you visit Dawn's GALLERY to see more fantastic layouts!

Grab Your Ballots..

It's time for another round of voting for the Battle of the Creative Teams.. My girls put together some incredible pages this week - lifting from 2 of their teammates - and would REALLY love your vote!  Check out these beauties... 

 

 by Cheryl

 by Jordan

by Niki

by Amanda

by Sara

And now I'm sure you're DYING to know where to vote!  {hehe}  Just go to this handy poll, and choose Stolen Moments - we're about 1/3 of the way down the ballot.. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful support.. We were in the top3 last week, and hope to repeat it again this week!  :D  {Polls close at 11:59pm  EST on Sunday and you get one vote per IP address...}

Spotlighting Jamie

I can't believe the month is half way over!  With the month half way over it is about time that I introduce you to one of our wonderful guests for the month.  Sit back and enjoy getting to know...

Jamie 

{aka jamieh}

My name is Jamie.  I am a wife of 4 years, mother of a two year old boy and expecting a girl on 1-11-11 (hoping for that exact date!).  I teach PE in elementary school part time.  I grew up in Utah, went to BYU, served a mission in Japan and graduated in Elementary Ed.   Currently, we live with my parents as my husband is looking for work (he just graduated with an MBA- marketing emphasis).   I like to be active, learn new things to cook, read, blog, plan fun activities, and of course scrapbook. 

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why?  I started scrapping with paper in high school, mostly just putting pictures on paper and journaling a bit.  The cost of making cute pages was frustrating to me.  Plus, the fact that I can't even cut a straight line meant that I was usually disappointed with my layouts in general.  In 2009, I heard about digi scrapping from a friend/designer in the MBA wives club and she taught us how to scrap for an evening.  I learned enough about photo shop to get started and she was there to answer my questions about uploading to the galleries.   
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest?  I'm not sure I would say I am strong in anything, but I love to do the challenges (thus making alot of my layouts very different).    My weakest is that I still don't feel creative on my own.  I usually like to use a template or lift someone to get me started.  Sitting down with pictures and a kit is overwhelming to me.  
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? Don't get overwhelmed. Start with completing a few pages (and be ok with being all the way 'done' with them).  Little by little you will learn new tricks and skills and each page will get better. 
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I scrap on a desktop while my hubby is on his laptop doing something.  I use PSE5 (time for an upgrade, I know!)  I usually like to start with pics first to get the theme of the page (I still want the pictures to be the main focus).  I like to stick to a template (with a few minor changes) and don't usually let my creativity guide, but I LOVE if it does!  One layout is at LEAST an hour.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  Lately, only 4-5 hours.  I got burned out with QOS in May and it is taking me a REALLY long time to get back into the swing of things.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I don't need much of anything, just a cup of water.  I like to focus and get distracted easily, so I sit down with the pure intent of scrapping. 
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Before I was pregnant I loved to workout.  Now I love to being with my two year old and my hubby.  I enjoy blogging, reading, planning fun events with friends or family and being involved in church activities. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it?  This is awful, but the 2 teams I CT for did a collab called bumps and bruises and I have yet to have an injury or for my son to have an injury worthy of a picture.  I have kept the kit for weeks thinking surely I'll come up with some picture to use . . . or even a story to journal, but so far . . . nothing!  I should be grateful!
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  Amber is incredible.  I can't believe how quickly she comes up with new kits and products.  I have been struggling to keep up with her and all I am doing is a few layouts!  She seems incredible.  I also love to peruse the galleries to get ideas and inspiration.  Scrap Matters is my number one site of choice. 
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I like bright colors and kids things.  My two year old is bright and happy and I love to portray him that way.  Although I really need to get some kits that are more GIRLY since we are having a girl in January.  So far I loves blues, greens and oranges, but need to branch out to pinks and purples :)
    
    Since first seeing Jamie's layouts during the Queen of Scrap contest I have been enthralled with her simple yet elegant layouts.  Take a peek at some of her layouts!
    
    

    First Layout

    This is my first layout done with my neighbor. She knew a lot about photoshop and I knew a little about scrapbooking and together we created this page.

    

    
    

    Favorite Layouts

    I really like this layout, mostly because I love the picture. I also scraplifted to create this, but of course, had to have bright colors in it.

    

    
    

    This is one of my favorite layouts. I love the bright colors with the black and white picture showing my boy's delighted face.

    

    
    

    Most Recent Layout
    

    My most recent layout, with Amber's most recent kit.

    

    
    

    Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

    

    
    

    Thanks for sharing with us Jaime!  Check out Jaime's GALLERY to see more of her work. 

COME VOTE!!!

The Polls for BOTCT are up!  Check out my team's AWESOME pages...

Then vote for STOLEN MOMENTS here: http://www.esurveyspro.com/app/polls/DirectPoll.aspx?id=6819

Polls close 11:59pm EST on Oct. 17th.. One vote per IP address.. 

Aviator - A Collab with JennCk Designs!

I'm not going to lie - I'm pooped!  It's been a whirlwind couple of months, and it's finally catching up to me, lol... And my BOTCT team has been working their little buns off, and it makes me tired just watching them - haha.. So, I'm going to keep things short and sweet this week.. First up, a couple a whole slew of re-releases to both stores.. All images are clickable for more info - and they're all 20% off thru Saturday!

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

And now my "truly new" product.. I had the great pleasure of working with one of my stellar CT girls who also designs!  I've always admired JennCk's templates, but her kits are fantastic as well, and we really had a blast putting this little beauty together... And besides that, she's guesting at ScrapMatters this month - how fun is that?!?! Aviator    Let your spirit soar as you scrap your aviation lovers young and old. Filled with vintage charm, this collaboration celebrates our fascination with the skies and honors those who serve and protect.  And funny story.. I was at my brother's house last night, babysitting, and his little boy just upgraded out of the crib, and his new "big boy" bedding?  Airplanes in these exact colors!  Cuh-ray-zyyy!!!

Now to get your creative juices flowing, here are some pages from my team, Jenn's team, and the ScrapMatters team.. As you can see, this kits works for SO many types of pages.. not just airplane inspired...

And now our winner from the sneak peek contest... Kelseyll =) 

Congratuations!  Emai me for your FREE copy of the kit!

 That's it for me this week... Have a safe and enjoyably weekend, and of course - Happy Scrapping!  :)