Digital Scrapbooking Blog and Scrapbook Inspiration
from DesignerDigitals

“Down and across” may sound like crossword puzzle instructions, but are actually instructions for a great scrapbook page! Here’s the layout that inspired me this week, from Georgina (aka Georgeinci):

Notice how the vertical and horizontal ribbons make a strong framework for the design, with Georgina’s trademark gorgeous layering and brushwork added to it. You can be as quirky and element-crazy as you wish with this strong base. The beautiful contrast between the strong elements (the ribbon and banners especially) and the lovely soft brushwork makes for a gorgeous page. Not to mention the wonderful color combo as well.

Here’s how Tara, Esther and I were inspired:

Credits: layout by Lynn (me!), midwinter kit, Worn frame edges, bisbee kit, Delighted kit, Hint at it Love:No02 (coming soon) and Rosie kit by Lynn Grieveson, Journal Strips No.01, Clock Parts No.01 and Vintage Blendables no.05 (coming soon) by Katie Pertiet, Oh Snap (staple) by Pattie Knox.

Credits: layout by Esther, Botanist Notebook No.25 element pack, Buttoned Up, Stapled Photos, tabbed dates No.03, and Pocket Cards: Flagged No.01, Stormy Weather kit by Lynn Grieveson, Coffee Klatch kit, and getting there kit by Pattie Knox.

Credits: layout by Tara, Geometric Hints brushes by Lynn Grieveson, made with paper flowers no.03, banner masks no.01, Loves Park kit, Be Mine tonal stripes , Bakers twine assortment No.01, Graphic Flower Clusters No.01 by Katie Pertiet, Colbie Solids by Maplebrook Studios, essential tapes: Just Dots by Andrea Victoria.

This week’s Adobe Photoshop or Elements tip of the week is now available on video. This weeks tip is on Viewing Fonts in Photoshop and PSE.

Like most of the world, I’ve been inspired by many different things on Pinterest. Here’s my interpretation of a piece I found there, recording the most important dates for my family. I created an 8x10 canvas and used Katie’s new Lots of Love paper pack for the background. I think this would look really great printed on canvas but I just printed this on photo paper at home and framed it.

Why don’t you try creating some decor for your home using your digital supplies!

We’re shaking things up again with the Template Challenge by offering a $5 gift card to the awesome Designer Digitals store for one lucky scrapper. All you have to do is post your page – using this week’s template and 100% current DD products – in the Template Challenge Gallery by Thursday, February 2 at 11:00 PM EST. I’ll select the winner at random and pm you with the good news. We’re scrapping with Maplebrook Studios’ Layered Memories No. 133 this week, and my personal challenge to the Creative Team members was to use just one picture in the template. Let’s see what they created.

Melanie (Britgirl) takes us to a castle in the English countryside on her beautiful page. I love the striking effect of her photo on the black background and the way the viewer seems to be looking through a window at the scene. The visual triangle of brushwork brings unity to her lovely page. Wouldn’t it be fun to take a castle photowalk with Mel?

Credits: Layered Memories No. 133, Vintage Blendables No. 02, Vintage Flashcards: Numbers, Mixed Bag Brushes and Stamps No. 02, Buttoned Up: Vintage, Naturally Krafty No. 11 Paper Pack, Defined Vintage Clippings No. 01, Vintage Snips No. 01

Melissa (Melissa Hill), one of our newest Creative Team members, also used the “through the window” effect for this cute picture of her daughters. The brown tones of the background paper and mat are echoed in the great photo treatment, setting a nostalgic mood for the entire page. The brushwork she chose grounds and frames her layout. Welcome to the Template Challenge, Melissa!

Credits: Layered Memories No. 133, Neutral Date Bits No. 01 {coming soon}, Home and Garden Kit, Naturally Krafty No. 07 Paper Pack, Roughed Up Photo Mats: Ledger No. 03, Edge Overlays No. 01, Scratchy Masks Brushes and Stamps No. 02, Star Glows Brushes and Stamps No. 01, Cut Ups: Everyday No. 02, Banner Labels No. 01, Twisted Stitches No. 02, Rosie Kit, Lovisa Kit, Frog Prince Kit, Essential Tape: Zig Zag, Staple Its: Clusters, Typesets Memory No. 01 Brushes and Stamps

Never one to pass up the opportunity to use some patterned paper, I merged six of the small squares and used them for my photo. I filled the remaining squares with a mix of purple papers. Purple always makes me happy. Then I framed the rectangle with stitching and used brushwork to give it some depth.

Credits: Layered Memories No. 133, Just Linens Paper Pack No. 36, Just Tonals Paper Pack No. 04, Jacinda Paper Pack, Purple Fever Paper Pack, Damask Tonals: Ocean Blues Paper Pack, Clean Stitched Rectangles: White No. 01, Clean Stitched Rounded Corners: White No. 01, Scallop Strip Masks No. 04, Basic Chipboard Alphabet: White, Notebook Edge Photo Masks No. 08, Spot Dots Overlays, Worth Repeating Expressions No. 04 Brushes and Stamps, Ledger Grid Overlays No. 01, Star Glows Brushes and Stamps No. 02, Tied Fasteners, Bead Scatterings No. 02, Drop Shadow Styles Collection, School Words No. 01 Hand Drawn Brushes, Evidence 4x6 Overlay Collection, How’d They Do That? No. 13: Bending Shadows

I can’t wait to see how you use this versatile template, and the chance of winning $5 to spend in the DD store should be great incentive to create a page. The template is on sale today for 30% off. Remember to post your layout in the Template Challenge Gallery by 11:00 PM EST on Thursday, February 2. Let the fun begin!

It’s Thrifty Thursday at DesignerDigitals where we have a brand new item priced at just $ 99 cents and 473 items marked down 30%. These specials only last until 6am EST on Friday morning so don’t miss out.