Once again, it is time to feature 3 kits from the Designer Digitals Store for the 3 Kits 3 Ways Challenge. This is one of the longest running of the challenges at DD. For those of you who have joined us recently, and, may not know the history, Creative Team member, Wendy McKeehan, started the idea and a couple years ago passed the torch to Mollie (aka Readstoomuch) and me (aka digigrandma) to continue it. Mollie and I take turns choosing the 3 kits and we post the challenge every other Wednesday here on the blog. The idea is to re-introduce kits to you that have been part of the DD supplies for over a year or more. The challenge to you, is to use all 3 kits on the same scrapbook page and then post your page in the 3 Kits 3 Ways gallery. For ideas on creative ways to use the 3 kits, 3 Creative Team members always create pages first. That’s the 3 Ways part of the Challenge! My artists from the Creative Team this time are Linda, Amy and Debi. When you see their pages, I think you’ll be convinced you need these 3 kits!

Here are the 3 kits:
Observe Word Art No. 01 by Anna Aspnes

Drawn Stitches No. 02 Brushes and Stamps by Katie Pertiet

Stina Kit by Michelle Martin

I knew I liked the look of Katie’s drawn stitches, but, I was really sold on them when I saw how elegant they look as a border on Linda’s page. I was pleased Linda would use the 3 kits for this special photo. Her impeccable, elegant style is evident on this well designed page.

Linda also used Spring Branches Layered Templates by Katie Pertiet, Scallop Strip Mask No. 04 and Art Class Frames No. 03, also, by Katie Pertiet.

I love the restful, serene look of Amy’s page. She achieved a tropical paradise mood by choosing the striped paper and the gray paper from the Stina Kit and pairing it with a pink paper from Classic Cardstock: Carnival. Her photo is so lovely and the bold word Art by Anna highlights it beautifully. . Those rounded corners were created using Ali Edwards’ Rounded Corner Layered Template Package. Amy also used Open Up Frames No. 02 by Katie Pertiet and Lynn Grieveson’s Hint at it No. 04 Brushes.

I knew Debi would love Anna’s bold word art. What is also fun is to see how expertly she used patterned paper from the Stina Kit and still maintained the clean, graphic look that is her signature style. Look closely at the photo. That’s Debi at age 15! The drawn stitches work well as an accent under her photo, don’t you think? I love the way the large flower forms a visual triangle with the bold title art. Debbie used a template by Cathy Zielske called Layered Template No. 46, in addition to the 3 kits for the challenge.

Now, let’s see what you create for this challenge. Please, post here in the 3 Kits 3 Ways Gallery. There is no prize for this challenge, just the fun of creating with kits chosen by someone else that you might not have thought to combine. Keep in mind, the 3 kits are always marked down on the Wednesday the challenge is posted.

Welcome to the All About Me Challenge!

This week’s challenge is about one of my greatest loves - books! Since the time I could walk, I have surrounded myself with books and my children are now doing the same. Some of our favorite memories are centered around books. And my guess is that you have some favorite memories that include books, too.

So, the challenge is simply entitled, “My Books.” Create a layout about your favorite book, or maybe a favorite book that you’ve read to your children. Or maybe you have too many favorites to choose just one - in that case, create a layout about that very dilemma.

Our CT members have created outstanding layouts for this week’s challenge.

Linda’s layout is beautiful. But my favorite part of her layout is her journaling and the evidence she produces to draw the reader in. Truly makes me want to read this book!

Supplies: Worn Page Edges No. 03, Worn Photo Edges No. 04: Golden Years, Classic Embossed Grids Paper Pack No. 03, Collection Manuscrite Paper Pack, Stuffed Edge Documents No. 01 (partially recolored), Hinge Pack, Stina Kit (alpha), How’d They Do That? No. 19: Recoloring Essentials

Julie’s layout immediately caught my eye! Not just because of the book cover but because of all of the fonts she used. What a phenomenal way to include all of her recent reads.

Supplies: Classic Cardstock: Hoops, Matte Black Vintage Photo Frames No. 02, Vintage Photo Frames No. 07, Basic Paper Alphabet: Beige, Roughed Up Krafty Paper Pack, Just Linens Paper Pack No. 05

My layout is the result of not being able to choose - lol! I started photographing one book, then added in two more, and then realized that I simply couldn’t choose a favorite.

Supplies: Layer Works No. 3, Just Linens Paper Pack No. 7

Can’t wait to see your layouts!

~Steph

Want an easy way to add a little drama to your photographs? I shot this image of Kelly and besides the teen drama she really pops on this image against the blue background.

The only thing besides a flash unit for your camera are some CTO (Color Temp Orange) gels. For this shot I used Rosco Cinegel Roscosun CTO Full and Rosco Cinegel Roscosun CTO 1/2 combined together. The shot was done outside on a cloudy day for the background texture with a wide angle lens.

First start by setting your White Balance in your camera to Custom and set the color temperature to Tungsten or 3,200 K. Then shooting in Aperture priority mode adjust the EV +/- value to under expose by 1 and 1/3 of a stop or – 1.3. Add the filters to your flash. I just added them one on top of each other and taped them over the flash head or use a holder if you happen to have one and shoot away! The flash itself was in manual mode set to full power.

Don’t forget to set your White Balance back to Auto or normal when done.

Our photography so often focuses on tack sharp images perfectly in focus. What if we go the other way? What if we capture motion? What can that show us? What stories can motion tell?

Whether intentional or accidental movement in our photos can bring them alive. It might give them an ephemeral look, creating a feeling of curiosity or mystery for our viewer. It might show emotion of the moment. At a recent benefit I watched friends danced and snapped several photos. They were sharp and you could see expression, but they just didn’t capture the moment as I felt it. I exposed for her face, ignored the fact my shutter speed was too slow and captured something I liked even more. Something that said she was alive and excited about the moment.  Life is movement and motion. How about capturing some on a page?

Good Times

If you shoot in Manual mode, you can easily slow your shutter speed down. If you want to try Shutter Priority, try setting your shutter speed for 1/50 a second or slower. The slower the shutter, the more movement you will capture. If you are on Auto, try switching to the Landscape mode on your camera. Your shutter will slow down and grab motion for you. Play with it until you get an effect you like.

Share your motion in the PageKraft: Write True+Click Gallery.

Congratulations to lindapiersma. Her layout Wandering LT - Kailua has been selected as the featured layout of the week where she won a $ 5 DesignerDigitals Gift Certificate for product of her choice!