Trixie Scraps Designs

New Store & Contest Winner Announcement!

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be able to finally spill my news to you today! My brand new store is now open... and you can now find me at....

In addition to finally spilling the new store location, I'm here to officially announce the winner of my "Guess My New Store" contest/giveaway. I thought it might be fun (and something totally out of my own little comfort zone) to do this all on video! So, watch the video below to see if you're the winner! :)

So, congrats to the lucky winner! Please leave me your email address as a comment to this post so that I can send you the code you need to use your shopping spree!

Thanks, once again, to everyone who entered my giveaway. I hope you'll head over and check out Pickleberrypop, perhaps participate in a challenge or two, and also check out my Grand Opening sale. Have a great weekend!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Birthday Sale & Celebration at Scrapbook-Bytes

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Have you heard? Scrapbook-Bytes is turning NINE! And to celebrate, many members of the team got together to whip up a Free With Purchase collab kit and a big weekend full of fun events and challenges. Here's a look at the collab and event schedule!

This is the collab you will get for FREE with any $10 purchase from the participating designers (including me!):

My part of the collab looks like this:

Don't miss our forum challenges, games, speed scraps and more!

Of course, my store is on sale, too! Come on over and have some fun with us this weekend!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

February Desktop Freebie!

noreply@blogger.com (Stacey) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday Trixie Scraps fans! Can you believe that we are heading into February already? One good thing about the days flying by so fast is that it's time for a new desktop freebie! I used Owl Always Love You, one of Trixie Scraps adorable kits from last Valentines Day!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Challenge Thursday - Scrap With a List

noreply@blogger.com ({C}) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Challenge Thursday. I'm Jamie D. and I will be hosting this week.

When I really need a challenge on a layout, and I want to do something without a template I always look for the scrap with a list sort of challenges. So, I have created a list of items for you to use.

Complete your page using everything on the list.

2 papers shapes of choice
1 printed paper
1 solid or textured card stock paper
1 photo
1 blended photo
1 frame
1 curled ribbon
1 scatter
1 paper clip
5 flowers
3 leaves
Large Title
journaling is optional

Here is my page using Love My Guy:

Here are some layouts from the Trixie Scraps Stars for inspiration!

By Mary Kate using If the Slipper Fits

By Bree using Mr. and Mrs. Mouse

By Shauna using Rescue Me

By Laina using Remember Bethlehem

By Jamie using Riding With Boys

Please upload your layout to the Trixie Scraps Gallery for a chance to win this month's drawing.

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Scrapping Trend: Large Photo Layouts

noreply@blogger.com (stacy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope that the new year has been a wonderful one for you and your loved ones. I've spent some time perusing the galleries lately, and I've noticed that large photo layouts are becoming very popular. I love the look of these layouts...it's a great way to showcase those special photos.

I want to share some of the layouts that caught my attention:

First off, this beautiful layout by bcalberti, using Winter on the Mountain

Next up, this fabulous layout by Cramerd, using Oceanside:

Next, this amazing layout by wahoolady, using Fishy Friends:

Next, this simple yet stunning layout by bekfek, using Winter Wonderland:

Next, this sweet page by kdk929 using Adoption Day:

Finally, a fantastic layout from Trixie herself, using Autumn on the Lake:

As you can see, there are many ways to use large photos on a layout. They can be the one and only photo on a page, or you can add smaller photos as well. You can blend a large photo onto a paper to create a unique background; you can extract the focal point of your photo and incorporate it into your page.

If you're wanting to try out this style of layout, and you're not quite sure where to start, Trixie has some templates that will help you out! Check out these two template packs that both give you those big focal photos:

I, for one, am glad to see that both of these template packs say Vol. 1, because I'm anxiously awaiting Vol. 2!

Thanks for stopping by, readers! Have a wonderful day, and happy scrapping!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Big news - New store, Retiring Products, and a chance to win a $20 shopping spree!

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm stopping in today to fill you in on a couple of important pieces of news. First up, I am positively over the top excited about a brand new shop I am opening this Friday. It's a big store with lots of amazing designers and I feel so lucky to be joining them. I'm busily working on loading that store as full as I can get it this week because it opens THIS FRIDAY!!

I figured this was a good time to make my new store opening fun for all of YOU, too! Everyone who enters a guess by this Thursday, no later than 4pm EST will be entered to WIN a $20 shopping spree in my brand new store. You can have up to THREE guesses in this contest and here's how you get them:

1. First, you can leave a comment on this blog post with your guess as to where my new store will open - don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

2. Go browse my store and find a kit you love that you don't currently have. Then, leave a comment here on this blog post again and link us to that kit you are hoping to buy if you win!

3. Find this post on my Facebook wall and share it with your friends - you must click the "share" link under the post in order for Facebook to show me a link that you shared it! After you've done that, you can leave a third comment here on this blog post to tell me that you shouted out my news on Facebook (and thanks for spreading the word!).

***I'll be back Friday to share the name of the winner!***

Now, since I'm busily prepping my product catalog for a new shop, it became obvious that I did NOT retire enough items at the end of the year.... I simply have way too many products sitting in my store. Some of them go back three whole years... yes, I get attached and have a hard time letting go of my "babies." LOL!! So, it's finally time to cut the cord on a whole SLEW of items - over 50 of them in my personal store, in fact!

Each of the products that is retiring has also been placed on sale in my other stores, as well. Some of them can only be found in my personal shop, though - so make sure you check there to ensure you don't miss something you might want to have! These products will retire forever on January 31st.

And my final bit of news .... due to the new store opening, my store at Funky Playground will officially close on January 31st. I have immensely enjoyed my time at FPD - the designers, CT and customers there are truly some of the kindest people in all of digiland. I want to thank Cindy and Michelle (current and former owners) for being such awesome people - and I wish everyone at Funky continued success in the future!

OK, so that is my news for today... whew!!! Get to leaving those comments and good luck winning my shopping spree!! ** Trixie **

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Definite Must Have! Defining Me is the Product of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Kris) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another Must Have Monday everyone! That means it is time to introduce another Product of the Week. You don't want to miss out on this one. It is one of my favorite kits and is POPPING with color. This week you can get the Defining Me kit for $3 and three other coordinating pieces of the collection for $2 each. But, hurry, this sale runs Monday thru Friday of this week only! The sale price is available in all of Trixie Scraps' stores so you can shop in your favorite store and still get the sale price.

And here are some layouts for inspiration from Trixie's amazing CT!

Look at this gorgeous page from Mary Kate.

And here is one from Bree...

Have fun everyone!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Sunday Spotlight on Gwen (gigichet)

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie B) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

This is my first time doing a Sunday Spotlight and I am so excited because it is a chance to connect with other digi-scrappers and feel a bit more like a community of friends who share a fantastic hobby. I wanted us to get to know Gwen (gigichet) a little bit better! Gwen has been around digiland for awhile so let's get to know her! Here are a few questions and answers from her:

Tell us a little about yourself:

Well let me see what I can come up with…I have been married since 2000 to my soul mate and it is the second marriage for both of us…. you know that old saying if at first you do not succeed try, try again. I have two grown children and 4 awesome grandkids. You will see a lot of them in my digital scrapping. I do not work outside of the home so I get to play a lot and if you ask my kids they will tell you that my laptop seems to be attached to my hip. I live in Coldwater, Michigan but I am originally from Alabama.

How long have you been scrapping and how did you get into digi?

I have been doing digital scrapping for about 10 years now and I still learn something new almost every day. I love doing scrap booking and got into paper scrapping first cause it was something that my daughter and I could do together. I got tired of having so much to take with me every time I went somewhere to scrap that I thought of trying digital scrapping and I LOVE it. Well after I learned my program I did anyway…lol. My daughter still does paper scrapping and I finally gave her all of my supplies last year, which made her and a lot of her friends very happy.

What is your favorite Trixie kit?

That is another hard question as I like them all, but one of my favorites is Love of a Lifetime.

and I have used it in one of my favorite layouts

What do you like to scrap about?

Well if you look in my albums you will see lots of layouts about the grandkids, kids and my hubby…they are my favorite subjects.

What inspires your layouts, ie: templates, others galleries, kits, etc?

Usually I look at the kit and immediately think of how I want to use it and then go looking for pictures.

Why do you like digital scrapbooking?

Oh I LOVE the no mess and cleanup of digital…if I do not like where I place something just hit delete and I do not have to deal with messy glue or tape. When getting ready to go scrapping I just grab my computer and I am ready to go.

What is your favorite TS layout?

Well I love two in particular and they are the one from above with my hubby using Love of a Lifetime,

and this one of my beautiful sister using My Sister, My Friend

If you could have dinner with anyone, famous or not, living or dead, real or fiction, who would it be and why?

Wow that is another tough question and the first person that pops into my mind is my Dad. He passed away in April 2008 and I never got the chance to tell him goodbye. So I would love to have another chance to tell him that I loved him and ask him all kinds of questions about heaven.

Thank you so much Gwen for sharing a little bit about yourself with us! We look forward to seeing more of your beautiful layouts in the Trixie Scraps Gallery

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Super Saturday: If the Slipper Fits, Wrap Up, and Show Offs!

noreply@blogger.com (Breanna Dreyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:29:00 +0000

Hello Trixie Scraps fans! Sorry I'm super late today. It's just been an off day for me. Grab your cup of warmth, and lets snuggle in for some serious inspiration!!!
Last weekend, Trixie released her Gotta Grab It kit, If the Slipper Fits. The Stars {myself included} went NUTS for this bit of Disney glittery goodness! Take a look at what we've done! We hope it inspires you!!!

We've had lots of stuff going on here on Trixie's blog, don't worry! We have your round up including tips & tricks, sales, challenges and any FREEBIES that have come by!

Saturday Trixie posted her newest Gotta Grab It kit, If The Slipper Fits!

Sunday Jennifer posted the winner of the kit, New Year, New Me! Congratulations Berniek!

Monday Sharon created THE CUTEST post it note and pen holder, all done in HYBRID! She even posted some great instructions on how to do it. It is super easy! We'd love to see yours if you make one! Upload it to Trixie Scraps Gallery!

Tuesday Shauna did a great tutorial on how to pin an item to your layout! This is a great trick to make items look more realistic on your layouts!

Thursday Carrin posted a fun and fantastic challenge to fill up your page! A lot of the stars had a great time playing along, make sure you stop in to get your FREEBIE template she posted too!

This week we have some beautiful show offs for you! So how do you get involved in the Show Offs? Simply upload your layout using Trixie Scraps products to Trixie Scraps Gallery and I'll put it in next weeks Show Off slideshow! We'll then send you a code via Trixie Scraps Gallery message system for your prize! It's that simple! Make sure you check your messages often, as the prizes do expire! It does take us a week or two to get you your code, so please be patient!

You can find the kits in these show offs at Trixie Scraps Store or they are also available at Gotta Pixel, Funky Playground Designs or Scrapbook Bytes.

The participants for the above Show-Offs will receive Traditions Glitzed Up Alpha!

Wanna play along? READ HERE on how to become part of the Saturday Show-Offs!

That's it for me tonight!
xoxo
Bree

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Challenge Thursday - Fill 'er up!

noreply@blogger.com (Carrin) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:39:00 +0000

Happy Thursday, Trixie Scraps fans! It's Carrin here, with this week's installment of Challenge Thursday. Each scrapper has something that he or she does very well. Something that makes their pages pop. For some it's clustering or shadowing; others are journaling aces. You want white space? I got it! Now, cover the entire page with photos, elements and journaling. Hold up...what!?! That is something that I struggle with. I really like the look of full pages, but I can never seem to get them just right. I'm always moving elements and photos around and, ultimately, I end up deleting it all and starting over again. So, here's my challenge for you (and me!)...I want you to fill up your page. Add lots of photos (a minimum of five, in fact), some journaling and plenty of elements. Go crazy...you have my permission! One way I usually start pages like this is taking a peek through some galleries to get some ideas. Look no further...here is some inspiration from the Trixie Scraps team!

Mary Kate whipped up this cute page using All About Me: The Littles.

Jamie B. took her inspiration from one of Trixie's template packs (Through the Week vol. 1, to be exact) and made this jam-packed page using Master Chef.

And, lastly, Bree made this mouse-terpiece using Mr. and Mrs. Mouse.

In case you are struggling still with this after seeing those beautiful images, check out some of Trixie's templates. I chose just a few of T's many template packs that had multi-photo placements combined with a plethora of elements.

If that wasn't enough, here's a free template for you to downloadd (you do not have to use the template to complete the challenge).

http://www.4shared.com/zip/DTmBrXAe/ts_011912_fillerupchallenge.zip

Now, get scrappin'! And please don't forget to link us up to your post over in the Trixie Scraps Gallery...I can't wait to see what you come up with!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Tips, Trends and Techniques Tuesday - How to Pin Something to Your Layout

noreply@blogger.com (Shauna) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I use Photoshop Elements 9.0, but I believe the terms are pretty universal. You will be using the Burn and Dodge tools to get the effect of the something pinned to the paper. First place your items on your page and size them the way you want. I've used the kit “New Year New Me” in my example, and have oversized the elements so you can see better. I placed the tag down and then the pin on top of it.

Next erase the part of the pin that would be under the tag.

You can erase a little or a lot, the choice is yours. I did a fairly large section. To darken you use the Burn tool and to lighten you use the Dodge tool. Now the Burn tool is in the lower left side of the tool bar and looks like a hand making the letter “o”. Make sure your tag layer is highlighted in the layers bar. I also like to make sure my brush for the burn is about the size of the pin piece I erased. You simply draw a line just below and just above where the pin would have been. This creates a shadowed look. If you want you could wait to erase the pin until after this step. If the pin is straight you can always click the beginning spot, hold the shift key down, click the ending spot and PSE will draw a straight line for you.

Here it is after one pass, looks good, but I think I want it a little darker. This is my personal preference, you can go over it as many times as you like, them more times you do it the darker it will get.

After a second pass.

Then you want to switch to the Dodge tool to lighten the top of where the pin would be under the paper. In elements you right click on the Burn Tool to select the Dodge Tool.

I like to make the Dodge tool slightly larger than the Burn Tool, it lightens part of what the Burn Tool did, but gives it more of a natural look to me. Here it is once I've finished with the both the Burn and Dodge tools.

It is a handy little trick to give your layout a realistic look.

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Make It Hybrid Monday- Post It Note and Pen Holder

noreply@blogger.com (Quietangelsb) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to another edition of Make It Hybrid Monday! If you are looking for a quick and easy gift for Valentine's Day for teachers and loved ones, look no further than in the supplies that you have on hand. Today, we will be making a handy post it holder with a pen attached

Here are the basic supplies that you will need:
- 1 sheet of cardstock
- 3 inch x 3 inch piece of patterned paper to decorate
- Ribbon (at least 2 feet)
- 3x3 inch Post It Notes and Mini Pen
- Basic supplies; Adhesive, scissors, ruler and bone folder (optional)

First, cut your piece of cardstock to 7.5 inch x 3.25 inch. Fold your paper in half and then score your paper .5 inch on each side of the fold

Second, cut a slit 1 inch from the top and 1 inch from the bottom between all 3 folds to create a slot for your pen. Once you have cut the slits, push the center section out and the other two sections in the opposite direction

Third, adhere your Post It Notes to one side of the cardstock and fold over the other side

Finally, to decorate, cut your piece of patterned paper 3 inch x 3 inch. Attach the ribbon over the sides of the holder and adhere the piece of patterned paper on top. Add the pen into the slot and embellish as you would like.

I created a 3 inch x 3 inch design in PSE using a circle frame from After the Rain and the beautiful elements, patterned papers and embossed cardstock from Trixie's Scrap's If the Slipper Fits kit, printed it and adhered it on top of the ribbon. Pick up the pieces to this kit now through the 17th as part of the Gotta Grab It Sale.

Hope that this inspires you to create and if you do, please don't forget to link us up so that we can leave you some love. Happy crafting!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Special Request Sunday Winner Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer BC) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Sunday, Trixie Scrap fans! Is your 2012 off to great start? Back on the 1st, Carrin asked you to think of a word to describe your goals, focus or outlook for 2012. She had chosen the word BALANCE for herself. I know I could certainly use some more balance in my life!! The word I chose for myself was RENEW.

We had some really great words come though!! Thanks to all who submitted one! Congratulations to Berniek for her word GO. Berniek wins a copy of the recent Trixie Scraps release, New Year New Me!

We can't wait to see the fabulous page(s) you make with this, Berniek. Make sure you post in the Trixie Scraps gallery so we can ooh and ahh over your creations!!!

Stay tuned for the next Special Request Sunday and your chance to win!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

New Gotta Grab It sale - just $1 each, Cinderella-inspired!

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:06:00 +0000

It's Gotta Grab It time, once again! This month, I am super excited about it because the palette everyone used was suggested by me and I think what everyone created with it is just beautiful! As for me, I fulfilled a request from my Creative Team to make a new Disney-inspired kit with these colors, especially in honor of Cinderella. My brand new collection, "If the Slipper Fits" is the result. I have four pieces of the collection available for just one dollar each, now through Tuesday the 17th as part of the Gotta Grab It sale, plus one additional add-on piece that will be 50% off until the 17th, as well. This new collection is perfect for scrapping that perfect shot of Cinderella's Castle... photos of your little princess playing dress-up or going as Cinderella for Halloween... weddings and formals... or any other photos that just need a little glam! I hope you love "If the Slipper Fits" as much as I do... it has quickly become my new favorite collection I've ever done!

If the Slippper Fits begins with the Patterned Paper Pack - it includes 11 beautiful, rich patterns and 7 coordinating solids:

The Element/Alpha pack is gigantic... I just couldn't stop myself! It includes 60 elements and a full alpha including lower- & upppercase letters, numbers and common punctuation. The princess castle is the signature piece of this collection, I just love it!

The coordinating Embossed Cardstock pack includes 14 sheets of beautifully detailed, embossed cardstock - 2 designs in each of 7 colors.

I also made a coordinating Template Pack this month - each is designed with just one generously-sized photo spot, as I intended for these pages to be real "showcase" type pages for one super awesome photo. The pack includes four templates in PSD, TIF, PNG and Storybook Creator PAGE format - and is also approved for Commercial Use, too!

And finally, I have also created a matching add-on pack of Glitter Papers for this collection. This one is available for 50% off now through Tuesday - considering the overall theme and look of the collection, I felt some super sparkly, blingy glitter papers might be just the perfect finishing touch for your pages!

The team and I have already been happily scrapping with this kit... here are some of our layouts:

Now, before I go, I just wanted to remind you not to miss the Grab-a-Byte sale at Scrapbook-Bytes. My After the Rain collection will still be available for just $1 per piece through tomorrow! Have a GREAT weekend, everyone! ** Trixie **

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Super Saturday: After the Rain, Wrap Up and Show Offs!

noreply@blogger.com (Breanna Dreyer) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:26:00 +0000

Hi Trixie Fans! I'm having an off day today, feeling like I'm running behind, or not getting anything done at all! So I'm just going to get to it! :D

On Monday, Trixie released her new kit, After the Rain, at Scrapbook Bytes as part of their Grab a Byte sale! This kit is a follow up to Bring on the Rain that she released last year! Lets take a look at what the Stars did with this great kit!

We've had lots of stuff going on here on Trixie's blog, don't worry! We have your round up including tips & tricks, sales, challenges and any FREEBIES that have come by!

Sunday we got to know Bekfek, Bekki! She has some beautiful pages to show off, and she is super sweet! Swing in to get to know her better!

Monday Trixie posted about her newest release After the Rain, she also posted about challenges she is hosting at her various stores and a FREEBIE!
Also, on Monday Melinda posted the new Must Have kit that was on sale! This is only a Monday through Friday sale, so it's over now. Make sure you check back to get this great deal! Even if you missed it, there is still a great coordinating FREEBIE for you!

Tuesday Mary Kate posted a great tutorial on Enhancing Eyes in your photos!

Wednesday Trixie posted about a new store called Creative Market! If you sign up now, before it opens, you get a $5 credit!!! We hope you take advantage of this great opportunity!

Thursday Lori posted a fun Scraplift challenge! We would LOVE to have you play along! If you do, use Trixie's products and upload it to Trixie Scraps Gallery!

This week we have so many beautiful layouts to show off! You guys are filling up Trixie Scraps Gallery and we LOVE IT! So how do you get involved in the Show Offs? Simply upload your layout using Trixie Scraps products to Trixie Scraps Gallery and I'll put it in next weeks Show Off slideshow! We'll then send you a code via Trixie Scraps Gallery message system for your prize! It's that simple! Make sure you check your messages often, as the prizes do expire! It does take us a week or two to get you your code, so please be patient!

You can find the kits in these show offs at Trixie Scraps Store or they are also available at Gotta Pixel, Funky Playground Designs or Scrapbook Bytes.
The participants for the above Show-Offs will receive After The Rain Plaid Passion Papers!

Wanna play along? READ HERE on how to become part of the Saturday Show-Offs!

Well, that's it for me this week! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Bree

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Challenge Thursday: Scraplift

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Good morning, Trixie fans, it's Thursday again which means another challenge to help get your creative juices flowing. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get into a scrapping rut, and many of my pages begin to look too much a like. I have found one way to avoid this problem is to go prowling through the amazing galleries and pick some other layouts that really grab my eye and try to create a page modeling their page for inspiration.

So, that is this week's challenge for you. Stop in at the gallery over at trixiescraps.com and pick one layout and do what we call scraplift (a fancy word for doing what I mentioned above!! lol) Use that page as inspiration and create your own page. Remember, the layout is for inspiration, your page does not have to look exactly like the one you picked:)

Be sure to post your layout in Trixie's gallery at http://gallery.trixiescraps.com/ so we can ooh and ahh about it and leave a comment here to let us know you posted.

Here are is an example....

I found this gorgeous layout in Trixie's gallery by Mary Kate, aka Therapy97

and here is the page I created

For this page I used Trixie's new collection After the Rain found at Scrapbook-Bytes.
elements: http://scrapbookbytes.com/store/digital-scrapbooking-supplies/GAB0112_ts_afterrain_ep.html
papers: http://scrapbookbytes.com/store/digital-scrapbooking-supplies/GAB0112_ts_afterrain_pp.html

Now, it's your turn. Can't wait to see what pages you create!!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Creative Market coming soon - sign up for a $5 credit!

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Stopping in quickly to pass this along to you because I'm super excited about it. COLOURlovers will soon be launching a new online marketplace for digital artists and designers. Their Creative Market will feature great things for your digiscrapping, designing and social media, including brushes, social icons, fonts and more - I heard they even have twitter backgrounds, too! Even better? I'm able to give you an early sign-up bonus! You'll get a $5 credit to your account to use in their store when it opens - all you need to do is click the graphic below and sign up. Pretty cool, right? So get signed up and make sure you don't miss out on that $5 credit - happy creating!! ** Trixie **

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Tips, Trends and Techniques Tuesday - Enhancing Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (MK) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello Trixie Fans! Mary Kate here to talk about another Tip to make your scrapbooking and photos even better! Today I chose to discuss how to enhance someone's eyes in a photo (how to make them POP)! Again, I am using Ulead's PhotoImpact X3 for this tutorial, but I have seen this technique used in PhotoShop as well.

So, here is a picture of my youngest... She inherited her Daddy's beautiful blue eyes, but I want them to stand out just a bit more because I know they are brighter than that!

So, I need you to go to your tools and pick the Dodge tool, which looks like an upside down light bulb.

Next you will want to adjust either the "Highlights" or "Midtones" or both of them in the Dodge tool's settings. I am told these settings (in PhotoShop) are found up towards the top of your page when you pick the Dodge tool in the Range box. Adjust your exposure (in Photoshop) or your Options (in PhotoImpact) according to how much brighter you want the eyes to be. This will require some "playing around" with the settings to get it the way you want.

You can see the difference in the 2 eyes here:

Also, to make it easier, make sure you adjust your brush size and how "soft" it is. You want to draw around the iris, not over it, to make the eye color stand out.

Finally, here is the before and after photos of my Daughter:

I also tried this on my oldest, who has brown eyes, but the technique, obviously, works better on lighter eyes:

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Grab-a-Byte is back - new goodies, plus a freebie, too! 1/9/12

noreply@blogger.com (Tracy Anderson) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:43:00 +0000

Hi everyone and Happy Monday! For me, it's an especially busy one and I have lots to tell you, so let's get right to it (don't miss the freebie at the end)! First up, today is the start of another Grab-a-Byte sale at Scrapbook Bytes and I've got five new products ready to go in my brand new "After the Rain" collection. It is perfect for scrapping about moving on, getting through the rough times and embracing the sunshine after the rain. Plus, there are plenty of versatile papers and elements to use for your everyday photos, as well. These products are available this week only at my Scrapbook-Bytes shop for just $1 each!

After the Rain Paper Pack

After the Rain Element Pack

After the Rain Cardstock

After the Rain Plaid Passion Papers

After the Rain Template Pack

The Scrap Stars have been busily working this past weekend, making some beautiful layouts from After the Rain. Check them out!

Also this week, my Product of the Week sale is running and I've marked down four pieces of my Winter on the Mountain collection to just $2 or $3 each! If you have lots of Christmas and holiday photos to scrap (as we all do!), don't miss this chance to pick up an extra holiday collection for a nice savings.

You can get my Winter on the Mountain full kit for just $3, and the add-on Worn Christmas Plaids, Element Clusters, and Quick Pages are just $2 each. But hurry, this amazing price is only good January 9th through January 13th, 2012! This sale is effective in all my shops, so you can get these great deals in your favorite store.

To round out the newest releases, I also introduced a few other new items this past weekend and I've been so busy I never got around to posting about them. They include the newest Templatetopia collection with Connie Prince, plus two former blog freebies that are each on sale for 50% off, for a limited time. These items are available in the following stores:

Trixie Scraps Shop | Gotta Pixel | Scrapbook-Bytes | Funky Playground

January 2012 Templatetopia, Plaid Passion: Traditions Paper Pack, Traditions Glitzed Up Alpha

Now, I want to tell you about a couple new challenges I am sponsoring this month! First up, I am the Project 52 Sponsoring Designer this week at Funky Playground. I created this mini kit to use for this week's Project 52 Challenge. Click on the image to get to the challenge thread to play along and to find the coupon code to get the mini kit for free. Hurry, the coupon expires on the 11th, so there is only a couple days left to play along with this week's challenge.

Then, at Gotta Pixel, I am the new sponsor of the Font Fever Challenge starting this month! There is a $2 participation prize from me for everyone who plays along with the challenge, plus there will be a drawing at the end of the month for one lucky winner to receive a free kit, too! I love the font we're working with this month, so don't miss it - just click on the image below to head on over and join in the fun!

And finally, we arrive at that freebie I promised! This week, Scrap Star Carrin whipped up a beautiful page starter to match After the Rain for you! Click on the image below to download the freebie. And on that note, have a GREAT week!

DOWNLOAD HERE

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Must Have Monday - Winter on the Mountain is on Sale!!

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It's Must Have Monday and that means it's time to introduce another Product of the Week - and with a sale like this, I'm sure you'll agree, it's a must have deal! Now that the white stuff is here, I'm in the mood for scrapping some winter photos! So, it's great timing for Winter on the Mountain to be on sale. You can get Winter on the Mountain full kit, Winter on the Mountain Worn Christmas Plaid, Winter on the Mountain Element Clusters, and Winter on the Mountain Quick Pages for just $2 and $3 this week! But hurry, this amazing price is only good January 9th through January 13th, 2012! The sale price is available in each of Trixie's stores so you can shop in your favorite store and still get the best price.

Check out this gorgeous CT inspiration - created by Kris and Carrin!

And, as an adorable finish to your page with this fabulous kit, enjoy this freebie courtesy of Carrin! Thanks, Carrin!

DOWNLOAD

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Sunday Spotlight on Bekki (bekfek)

noreply@blogger.com ({C}) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hey Trixie Scraps fans! I love, love, love to feature awesome scrappers using Trixie Scraps products from all over the web! This week I am feturing Bekki (bekfek). As I was perusing the gallery I was struck by her beautiful pages, like this one...

So Bekki, Tell us a little about yourself...

Let’s see … always such a hard question to answer!!! I’m married with a 9-year-old daughter. I work full-time as an office manager for a small but busy company. My only hobby, no kidding, is digiscrapping. Before my daughter was born, I golfed with my husband, but now the only thing I want to do with my spare time is digiscrap. I live in Meridian, Idaho, which is a suburb of Boise, but I’m originally from Indiana. Funny because I am very much a sun-loving, warm temperature kind of girl.

How did you get into digi-scrapping?

I certainly fought it for a long time. Stubbornly, I might add. I was a die-hard paper scrapper and couldn’t get my brain around why anyone would digi-scrap. It just seemed like an absurd concept to me. Then, my friend who is a Creative Memories consultant, actually sat me down to look at her software (Storybook Creator). I was impressed but still not convinced. It took a few more times of sitting down to see what the software could do and seeing some of the finished, printed pages before I was convinced. It was 4 years ago that I finally switched, and I’ve never regretted the decision to go digital.

What is your favorite Trixie Scraps kit?

Blue Christmas is an amazing kit. Even though it’s mostly blue and seems totally Christmas-y, it’s so versatile, and can be used for lots of different winter, holiday, boy, and even heritage layouts.

What do you like to scrap about?

At first I was all about scrapping every single event in my life and my family’s lives and in chronological order. When I look back at those albums, I honestly love the things that got documented. But now it’s different. I still scrap about myself and my family, but it’s not so constraining. I let my mood or even the kit dictate what I’ll scrap about. I sometimes just grab a photo from the internet that captures what my journaling is about or that matches a kit. But really, what influences what I scrap about most are the challenges! There are several sites I visit daily, and I try to do as many challenges from those sites as I possibly can. I can really tell a difference in the quality of my work, not just the techniques, but also in the depth of my journaling, from participating in the challenges.

How do you make time to scrap?

Mostly, I ignore my family and my responsibilities! LOL! No, really, sometimes I just want to. I get up much earlier than everyone else in my family, so I have lots of quiet time then. My computer is in the kitchen/family room area, so I can also work while preparing dinner, helping with homework, or even while watching a movie.

What is your go-to scrapping tool?

Without a doubt, it’s templates. I start just about every page with a template, or at the very least, I scraplift. I definitely feel like I’m creative, and I can make something my own, but I need and want help in the design department. I just don’t feel like pages I start from scratch are balanced or pleasing. Even though the pages I start with a template sometimes don’t look anything like the template when I’m done, I still want the security of a template to start.

What do you listen to while you scrap?

My family chattering mostly or I just enjoy the silence (which I crave). Since my work area is out in the open in the main area of the house, and they usually have something going on (either tv or a Wii game, e.g.), I am sort of forced to listen to them. If I were completely alone, and I knew I wasn’t going to be interrupted, I’d turn on the Christian radio station or listen to a playlist of my favorite artists on my iPod (Chris Rice, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nichole Nordeman, Casting Crowns, and Tenth Avenue North are current favorites).

What is the last book that you read?

I just finished Book 1 of the Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. Discovered her totally by accident and LOVE her.

What's your favorite movie?

There are actually two movies I could watch over and over again. “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks and “Ever After” with Drew Barrymore. I just love those sweet, romantic, wholesome movies.

Here's some more of Bekki's amazing work. They're all linked to her gallery, so be sure to drop by and leave her some love!

Thanks Bekki, for sharing with us today!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Super Saturday: January Templatetopia, Show Off's, and Weekly Wrap Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Breanna Dreyer) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Hi Trixie Scraps Fans! I hope you had a good week getting back to "normal". I know mine has been busy! So today we are just relaxing at home and watching the snow FINALLY fall outside! Lets get diving into the fun stuff, shall we?

Hot off the presses is North Meets South Studios, aka Trixie and Connie Prince, released January Templatetopia! As usual, this grab bag of 4 sets of Templates, is spectacular!

We've had lots of stuff going on here on Trixie's blog, don't worry! We have your round up including tips & tricks, sales, challenges and any FREEBIES that have come by!

Sunday Carrin posted about her New Year word, and she's asked you to post yours too! One person that comments will win Trixie and Connie's newest kit New Year, New Me! You have until next weekend to get in on the contest!!

Monday Trixie posted her January Blog Train FREEBIE! As usual, it's GORGEOUS! Make sure you snag it!

Tuesday Michelle gave us a great tutorial on how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop! This is a great little time saving trick to have up your sleeve!

Thursday Erica challenged us to create a simple layout! The inspiration that she posted is FANTASTIC! Make sure to check them out, and play along! Upload your layout to Trixie Scraps Gallery!

Friday Lori showed us a fun FREE handwriting font called Jenna Sue! We feature a free font once a month, and we would love to see your layouts using it! Make sure to upload them to Trixie Scraps Gallery

This week we've had some beautiful layouts in the Trixie Scraps Gallery to show off! So how do you get involved in the Show Offs? Simply upload your layout using Trixie Scraps products to Trixie Scraps Gallery and I'll put it in next weeks Show Off slideshow! We'll then send you a code via Trixie Scraps Gallery message system for your prize! It's that simple! Make sure you check your messages often, as the prizes do expire! It does take us a week or two to get you your code, so please be patient!

You can find the kits in these show offs at Trixie Scraps Store or they are also available at Gotta Pixel, Funky Playground Designs or Scrapbook Bytes.

The participants for the above Show-Offs will receive Vintage Holiday Quickpages!

Wanna play along? READ HERE on how to become part of the Saturday Show-Offs!

Well, that's it for me today! I'm off to play cars and dolls. Probably at the same time! Have a great weekend! See you next week!
xoxo,
Bree

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Fun Font Friday - Jenna Sue!

noreply@blogger.com (lwentkie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello Trixie Fans and Happy Friday! I just love fonts, but always seem to use the same ones over and over, so this was a great challenge for me. I wanted to make a Christmas gift thank you card for my son and I wanted a nice handwriting font. I found one I just love and can see using it over and over again!

I used one of my all time favorite Trixie kits to make the card - Winter on the Mountain and the tag is from the Remember Bethlehem kit.

Be sure to show off your finished layouts in the Trixie Scraps Gallery! Have a wonderful weekend!

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

Simple Layout Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello fellow Trixie Scraps fans. I have a new challenge for you, a challenge for most- I know it is for me. I want to see a very simple layout. You can only use one photo, one paper, and one element. The same element can be used more than once on the layout (but remember SIMPLE). You may add a title if you wish, or leave one off. This should be a layout with the photo really being the focal point. Let see what the team did for some inspiration:

Here is a great one from Candy- using Trixie Scraps & Melissa Bennett Cops and Robbers:

Stacey made this stunning layout using Trixie Scraps Blue Christmas:

I love this picture from Mary Kate using Trixie Scraps Mr. & Mrs. Mouse:

And here is mine- I used Trixie Scraps Distinct Hush:

Now it's your turn. Make sure that you upload your finished layout into the Trixie Scraps gallery so we can all see your creation.

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground

TTTTuesday: Applying a Layer Style to Multiple Layers

noreply@blogger.com (Michele Kendzie) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Do you find yourself getting weary of editing the shadows on each layer of your scrapbook page? Or have you ever worked hard to get one element styled just the way you want it and wish there were an easier way to repeat the style on another element? There is! It's just hidden a bit. I had been scrapbooking for a few years before I learned this.

However, despite being hidden, it's easy to do and you'll find it useful so often. I use this technique in every layout.

Let's start with simple shadowing of the papers in this layout I'm working on, using Trixie Scraps' new kit New Year New Me. I'm using Photoshop Elements 9.

1. I applied a shadow to my first paper. I selected the paper layer in the layers palette. Then I navigated to the Shadows in the Effects Panel. To find the shadows, make sure you have selected the Layer Styles icon (circled in red in the screenshot below) at the top of the Effects Panel. Then you can access Drop Shadows in the drop down menu. As you can see, I've selected the Low Shadow as my starting point. With my paper layer selected, I double click on the Low Shadow style.

2. Next I edit the shadow. The default shadows are rarely good for digi-scrapping. To edit layer styles, double click on the fx that follows the layer name in the Layers palette, circled in the screen shot below. In older versions of PSE, instead of fx, there is a starburst icon.

When you double click on the fx, you will get the Styles Settings dialogue box, where you can edit not only shadow, but also lighting angle, glow, bevel, and stroke. This is how you customize your layer styles. Shadowing is a big topic, for other tutorials, but basically the closer the object is to the background, the lower the shadow. For paper I often make the size and distance both 9 px and I like to reduce the opacity to 65%. In the screen shot, you can see the paper to which I'm applying the shadow.

3. Now here's the new technique I wanted to share. instead of repeating the above process for all the other papers, I'm going to copy the layer style of the first paper and apply it all at once to the other paper layers. To do this, I right-click on the first paper layer in the Layers palette. In the pop out menu I click on Copy Layer Style.

Then I select all the other paper layers in my layout, including the paper strips with which I framed my photo and the journaling paper. To select multiple layers of the Layers palette, hold down the Control/Command key while clicking on them. Then, as before, I right-clicked on one of the layers and chose Paste Layer Style from the pop-out menu.

Here's my finished layout, with shadows added in groups of similar types of items.

I hope you find this as useful as I have. It's not just for shadowing either. Sometimes I apply bevels or other layer styles to objects, such as alphas, and then copy and paste the style to another element on my page. Sometimes I even do this if the elements will just have slightly different shadow styles, because it's easier to edit slightly than start from the default shadow.

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * My Memories * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground