This week’s Adobe Photoshop or Elements tip of the week is now available on video. This weeks tip is on How to load and Use Photoshop Brushes.

Here are some great examples of Brushes and Stamps that are available here at DesignerDigitals:

Saturday Scraplift No 130

One of the great things about digital scrapbooking is how easy it is to create blocked layouts. I remember the frustration of my brief time as a paper scrapbooker, when I simply could not make a layout with the sharp, straight lines and the clean blocked look I wanted. But in digital, it couldn’t be easier. Blocked layouts, with their sections for papers and photos, are a great way to incorporate combinations of patterned paper into your layouts. Sometimes I like the clean look of a blocked layout just as it is, but sometimes you might want to “mess it” and “dress it up”, just as Kathleen Summers did on this gorgeous page:

That stitching is a great way to add dimension and interest to the blocked design. I love the other details too - especially that cluster of elements in the bottom corner. I hope, like Mo, Aino and Christina, you’ll be inspired to pull out some patterned papers and lift this delightful layout.

Credits: layout by Mo, Spring Hop kit by Lynn Grieveson, all stitching by Anna Aspnes, Sprinkles mini-kit by Mindy Terasawa, Basic Paper Alphabet: Pink , Collageables no.01 and Little Princess Kit by Katie Pertiet.

Credits: layout by Aino, December Daily template package no02 and Positive Adverbs brushes by Ali Edwards, Light Textured Neutrals Paperie and Baby Pink stitching by Anna Aspnes, Postage strips words no01 and Mix and Match alphabet 01 (recolored) by Katie Pertiet, Staples Its!, Absolutely Acrylic Elements and Absoluotely Acrylic Fluttered by Pattie Knox, Botanica Paperpack and ribbons by Rob and Bob Studios.

Credits: Layout by Christina, Bookworm alphabet and Worn Strips No.02 by Lynn Grieveson, Tied Fasteners , Little Bits alphabet and Basic Twills: Fall by Katie Pertiet, Long November paperpack by Jesse Edwards, White stitching No.04 and No.05 by Anna Aspnes.

~ Lynn

It’s a Special Thrifty Thursday at DesignerDigitals where we have 440 items marked down 30% AND a brand new item priced at 99 cents.  These specials only last until 6am on Friday morning so don’t miss out.

Embrace the Goodness in Everyday Life
There is a common theme in the three layout examples for this week’s 3 Kits 3 Ways challenge and it can be summed up with one word: GRATITUDE

Brittany, Debi and Kathie from the Designer Digitals Creative Team created meaningful, beautiful layouts to celebrate family ties and the comforts of home. Of course, they all used the 3 kits chosen for the challenge. Mollie and I take turns with this fun task. Perhaps, the 3 kits will help you create a page celebrating the goodness in your life. We’d love to see your example in the 3 Kits 3 Ways Gallery.

Cut Ups: Thankful Collection by Katie Pertiet

Harvest Cardstock + Patterns by Ali Edwards

Curvy Corners Stitched Borders 12 x 12 No. 01 by Anna Aspnes

Brittany’s journal text shows how much she appreciates family, her pet, meaningful work and her home.

Brittany also used Ali Edward’s Giving Thanks Layered Template, Sacked Solid Neutrals by Katie Pertiet and Worn Page Edges by Lynn Grieveson.

Debi’s journaling acknowledges that circumstances can change, but, being together is what counts!

Kathie’s delightful journal text will surely bring a smile to all who read it!

Kathie also used Thankful No. 01 Holiday Brushes by Cathy Zielske and Carissa Brushes and Stamps by Michelle Martin

I am grateful for these beautiful examples of gratitude created by my teammates. You will make Mollie and me very happy if you put these kits to use on your layout and join in on this week’s 3 Kits Challenge. Please, post your layout in the 3 Kits 3 Ways Gallery.

We hope that wherever you are throughout the coming holiday season there will be many reasons for gratitude in the small, everyday occurrences of your life. We appreciate your participation in this and all the challenges at Designer Digitals.

I hope you’re enjoying this wonderful fall season! With two Thanksgiving family gatherings under our belt, we are already relfecting on the wonderment that comes with this lovely holiday. To help celebrate the blessings of this exciting season, we’re kicking off a new Daily Dose Challenge! This week we’re pulling inspiration from Wendy’s GORGEOUS layout on the November 23rd Daily Dose of Digital 2009 Calendar page. I love how Wendy documented her favorite fall scents! What a wonderful memory to capture in our albums. I thought we could expand on this great idea and document not only fall scents, but your favorite fall sights, sounds and (of course) tastes. 

Challenge Twenty-Four:
Document favorite fall scents, sights, sounds or tastes

Once your layout is complete, upload to the Daily Dose of Digital Gallery so we can all be inspired by your creations! I asked three of our talented creative team members to take this challenge. Check out how each documented a different sense…each with amazing results!

Scents of the Season by Jodi; Credits: Old Time Christmas No. 02 Paper Pack; Photo Clusters No. 20; Simple Spots: Months; Perpetual Calendar No. 01; Holiday Foliage; Stitched by Anna Red No. 01 (recolored); Pin Up Journal Spots; Postage Strip Months; Curled Journal Spots; Ledger Paper Pieces: Journalers No. 01; Taped Journal Spots; Messy Stamped Alpha No. 04 Brushes and Stamps; Scrolled Ledger Grids Brushes and Stamps

Favorite Fall Sights by Kari; Credits: Scrap Express No. 29; Autumn Air Solid Paper Pack; Naturally Krafty No. 02 Paper Pack; Trick or Treat Kit

Crunch by Terri; Credit: Butterfly Dreamer Kit; MonoBlendz Cayenne Paperie; MonoBlendz Confiture Paperie; Superhero Bubbles Brushes and Stamps; Chalked Brushes n Stamps no.2; Notebook Blocks Layered Template No. 3