Step One: Use a ScrapSimple Calendar Template to Create a Calendar Base

Open the ScrapSimple Calendar Template (http://store.scrapgirls.com/category/205/Calendars) of your choice in your image editing software. Configure the month and dates as needed. As you can see in the sample image below, I’ve set up a calendar template for March 2012.

Step Two: Embellish the Calendar Template 

You’ll have lots of choices for embellishing your mini printable calendar with Scrap Girls digital scrapbooking supplies. You might want to embellish your calendar according to the season, a particular holiday, or so it complements your kitchen décor. I’ve chosen Picturesque Collection Biggie since it nicely matches the theme and colors of my kitchen.

Step Three: Resize & Print the Calendar

Save a jpeg version of your image, making sure the compressed image retains high resolution at 300ppi. Next, resize the image as desired. In the sample image below, I’ve set the appropriate values for resizing a printable calendar to 6” x 6”.

Printing your mini calendar on 8 ½ x 11” or A4 white cardstock will give it a bit of stability. Although your print settings dialog will likely look different from mine, the important aspects – no matter the printer – will be a print quality setting of at least 300ppi and that option “Crop to Fit” is not selected. Next, trim the edges of your printed calendar as needed.

Step Four: Display the Calendar

There are many economical choices for protecting your mini printable calendar – such as magnetic acrylic frames or lamination – for hanging on the refrigerator. I’ve chosen a 6” x 6” magnetic photo pocket from my local photography store. The photo pocket will adhere nicely to my refrigerator while also protecting the image.

This project uses:

Extra Tape Embellishments
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/10187

Picturesque Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/23996

Picturesque Paper Super Mini
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/24003

ScrapSimple Calendar Templates: Any Month Calendar
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/23116

Katherine Weaver
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_KatherineWeaver.htm

Recently, my little boy turned 5, and we were hosting a pirate party for a few of his friends. I love pennant banners, but hadn’t had a chance to sew one before the day of the party. I realized that I could make a very simple one  from my digital scrapbooking supplies. It turned out great! The fun part was that I was able to include pictures for each year of his life, which I would not have been able to do with a fabric one. I thought I would show you how to make one for those last-minute birthday or celebration decorations.

Print full sheets of digital scrapbooking paper out on your computer. I was able to get two large pennants out of one paper.  Determine how far you want your birthday pennant banner to stretch and how many printed papers you will need. I printed a variety of papers from the Pirate Code Collection Biggie and the JIF 6: Pirate Treasure.  I also printed out some photos of my little boy in a circle shape to be attached to the pennant.

Next, cut out two triangles from each sheet of paper. It works great to cut out a pennant shape first and use it as a pattern to trace onto your paper.  Cut out your pictures and attach them to various pennants.

Next, fold over the top of each pennant enough that you can place your ribbon, yarn, or rope through it. Leave enough room that it can easily be stapled together.  You can also trim off the ends that stick out after folding.

Next, cut your yarn, ribbon, or cording the length you will need to stretch across the room.  It works well to lay it down on the floor and evenly space the pennants across it to see where they will need to be stapled. It also helps to lay it out to determine your pattern or spaces for the photo pennants. Put the folded part over the cord and staple with a stapler.

You’re done! You created a birthday pennant banner in no time! I was surprised how quickly I was able to make this and how great it turned out. You can also find matching embellishments to adhere to cups and decorations to complete your birthday party theme. There are so many varieties of digital scrapbooking paper that I am excited about all the possible pennant banners I can make. I hope you have fun making a few yourself!

Ingredients:

JIF 6: 12×12 Pirate Treasure
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/23731/JIF-6%3A-12×12-pirate-Treasure

Pirate Code Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/22685/pirate-Code-Embellishment-Biggie

Tutorial Written by Shalae Tippetts
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_ShalaeTippetts.htm

In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make a Printable Doorknob Hanger. These are a fun way for kids to make a statement about their rooms or personalities. They also make great party favors!

First, make a rectangle that is 3.5-inches wide x 8-inches high on its own layer in Photoshop. Fill it in black using the Paint Bucket Tool. Then, make a circle selection using your Circle Marquis Selection Tool. I made mine approximately one inch down from the top. The circle selection should be approximately 2.125 inches around. Then delete the circle. You will now have a hole with the transparent background showing through. Use this as your template.

Next, open a pretty background paper. I used a pink star paper from the Sleepover Collection. Clip the background paper into the black rectangle by holding down the Option key (Alt on a PC) until you see the two little circles form between the layers. (Background paper layer should be on top of rectangle layer, as you are clipping into the rectangle layer.)

Next, choose the photograph that you would like to use on your printable doorknob hanger. Drag and drop this photo and place it where you would like on the rectangle. I used the Eraser Tool and a large soft brush with Opacity lowered to erase and soften the edges of the photo. Then I made an adjustment layer to play around with filters. The adjustment layer box is the fourth box from the left at the bottom of the Layers Palette. Adjustment layers are great… no commitment involved! You can make a bunch of them to play around with filters and still be able to go back to your original photo. Just delete the adjustment layers (or hide by clicking on the eye icon in the Layers Palette) that you are not happy with. I wound up posterizing my photo at a level of 3 using an adjustment layer.

Now it’s time to add some fun embellishments! I chose a zebra-filled heart and the word “Rockstar” from Sleepover Collection because don’t we all secretly want to be a Rock Star? Then I added, “Do not Disturb” on top of my Printable Door Knob Hanger in a grunge-style font. I gave that a drop shadow using a dark pink from my background as the shadow color. I added in some more stars, changing the brush size and Opacity of my star brush as I went along. I printed mine on glossy photo paper.

Finally, I took my craft knife and carefully cut out the printable doorknob hanger. About halfway through the circle, I cut in and around it. There you have it! A Printable Doorknob Hanger. If you are making these as a party favor, you can swap out pictures to personalize for each child. The Printable Doorknob Hanger is a hit! All kids love their privacy!

This tutorial uses:
Sleepover Collection
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/23633/Sleepover-Collection

Tutorial written by Kathleen Szatmary
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_KathleenSzatmary.html

It’s been fabulous working with this Australian native, and we’re thrilled to have her on our digital scrapbooking team at Scrap Girls. Jacqui brings to us a fresh perspective of the great outdoors with her first Collection Biggie, Out in the Yard. Being summer in Australia, Jacqui brings us some wonderfully outdoorsy papers, embellishments, and a grassy alpha to match, right from her own backyard. Take a look for yourself:

The details:

Please join us in giving Jacqui a big Scrap Girls welcome!

You can find her new store HERE!

The new ScrapSimple Club contents are released on the 15th day of the month (or the closest business day to the 15th).

A commercially licensed version of the ScrapSimple Club is also available here.

January’s ScrapSimple Club designers are…

Pebbles Jones
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_PebblesJones.htm

Shalae Tippetts
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_ShalaeTippetts.htm

When I saw the January Scrap Girls Club by Jen Reed, Reflections of the Heart, I knew I would have to do some printable DIY-type home décor with those pretty papers. (They match everything in my house!) I decided that a Valentine’s Day craft would be perfect. However, it had to be simple and not too complicated. What’s simpler than a bouquet of paper hearts in glass bottles? This literally took me minutes to complete, and I am so happy to have a little bit of fresh spring color in my kitchen.

1. Print your design onto cardstock.

My big design decision for these hearts was to put three different digital background papers in a document in Photoshop. I wanted to have a different paper on the top and bottom of my hearts. I placed three different papers in my document and spaced them out evenly. Then I printed the page on some matte cardstock. I printed both sides so that I wouldn’t have to worry if the hearts moved around in my vase.

2. Cut out your hearts.

Once my paper was printed, I folded it in quarters so that I could cut the hearts on the fold for a symmetrical shaped heart. I cut out as many as I could from the folded edges of one piece of cardstock. You only need a few hearts for this Valentine’s Day craft; remember, we are keeping it clean and simple.

3.  Glue your hearts to wooden skewers. 

Next, I took some wooden skewers that we tend to have on hand. I used regular white glue and glued the hearts to the wooden skewers. I arranged them in my bottles with the help of a little tissue paper in the bottom of my bottle so that I could keep the skewered hearts at varying levels.

 4. Arrange your heart bouquet in a glass jar.

Last summer, I found these cute little glass bottles at our local thrift store for just 99 cents each! They have been so handy for making up a quick centerpiece for a table or windowsill. These little bottles are perfect for my quick-and-easy heart bouquet. You can find bottles or vases anywhere, but for a fresh, modern look, look for tall skinny vases with small openings and grab a few of them – they look great as a set.

That’s it, a simple Valentine’s Day craft that can last throughout the Spring!

This project uses:

Reflections of the Heart Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/24198/Reflections-of-the-Heart-Collection-Biggie

Melissa Renfro
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_MelissaRenfro.htm

I recently rediscovered an old cork board that I’ve been saving since I last used it in college. As I thought about whether or not to keep it, my thoughts strayed to our refrigerator. It’s not big enough to display all the kids’ projects! It was an “A-ha!” moment, for sure. This turned into a family project.

My husband is great at coming up with titles:

Each of my children chose a project to feature:

And I did the rest:

I included a current calendar with important dates marked with small images and a friendly sticky note reminding them to listen to their mother! The titles are clever plays on each child’s name. I printed everything on our home printer with heavyweight matte photo paper, then cut out each item. Everything was attached with fun and colorful thumbtacks.

If your refrigerator is also dwarfed by artwork, consider adding a cork board to your wall, too!

Project by Cheri Thieleke

Ingredients:

The Messenger Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/23486/

Scrapsimple Calendar Templates: 4×6 Horizontal Calendar – 2012
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/24274/

Scrapsimple Tools – Styles: Drop Shadows 11701 Super Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/24544/

Loopy Love Collection Mini
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/11699/

Lettering Delights Monique Font
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/9117/

ScrapGirls Digital Scrapbook Layout Artist Cheri Thieleke
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_CheriThieleke.htm

Some “star quality” photos seem to need stars around them, like photos of your daughter in her dance recital, your son making a touchdown, your daughter on the soccer field, your children at their music recitals, your mother on her birthday. For this particular layout, I wanted to capture the joy that I share with my beautiful daughter and also to highlight her first tattoo which she chose to commemorate her grandmother. It is so easy for you to make digital scrapbooking glowing stars with my Brush Set: Starburst Biggie and the two layer styles I created for them:  ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst White 7601 and ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst Pastels 7602.

First, create your new layout and add your word art to it. Use the “joyful” word art from Amanda Sok’s Euphoria Collection with a rich dark purple background paper from my Intaglio Collection Biggie. Duplicate the “joyful” word art layer, then on the lower layer, add style 5 from ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst White 7601 to put a nice, white glow around the word art and make it show up better on the purple background. It will look great with digital scrapbooking glowing stars! Embellish the layout with music from my Victorian Garden Collection Biggie and a brush from Amanda’s Brush Set: Princess, adding the metallic teal ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Time Traveler 7602 Biggie to each. You can add depth to the photos with frames from my Violetta Collection Mini. If your photos could use some enhancing, use one of the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Subtle Photos 7601 Biggie on your photos.

Now, let’s make sure you are ready to make some glowing stars! When you downloaded the Brush Set: Starburst Biggie and the styles needed for this tutorial, you received instructions on how to load them into your digital scrapbooking program. Let’s check to make sure you are ready to go!

First, check your Styles Palette to make sure you have loaded the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst White 7601 and the ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst Pastels 7602. Here is how the Styles Palette will look with both sets of the styles loaded and ready for you to use.

Next, go to your Brushes Palette and make sure that the Brush Set: Starburst Biggie is loaded. There are nine star brushes, as you can see below. Click on the brush I have circled, make sure your foreground color is set to white in your toolbox, and change the Master Diameter of the brush to 100. You may use the slider to change the diameter or just type 100 in the Master Diameter box.

Now, go to your Layers Palette Menu and select the command “New Layer.” You may put as many starbursts as you like on one layer, but you may only apply one style per layer. Click where you want a star; it’s just like using a rubber stamp. Remember, you can hit Ctrl+Z if you want to undo anything.

Here’s the fun part! Just stamp a bunch of stars around the photos and embellishments in your layout. Then, click on the stars layer in your Layers Palette so you know it is selected, and then click on the yellow ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst Pastels 7602 style in your Style Palette. It is easy to see the different looks you can get by clicking on the different styles. I like the yellow on the purple background, and it picks up the yellow in the flower in the word art.

Try stamping the stars right over empty spaces in your photos, too, for a different look. Of course, you may add another layer of digital scrapbooking glowing stars with a different starburst brush and a different colored style, if you like.

Layout by Kerry Veale uses:

Brush Set: Starburst Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/22103

ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst White 7601
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/22105

ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Starburst Pastels 7602
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/22242/

Victorian Garden Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/15298

Intaglio Collection Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/16797

Violetta Collection Mini
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/15649/

Brush Set: Princess
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/9136

ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Time Traveler 7602 Biggie
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/17784/

ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Subtle Photos 7601
http://store.scrapgirls.com/product/16900

Kerry Klaassen Veale
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_KerryVeale.htm

You will need:

• Cheap, uncoated ring binder
• PVA glue
• A few printed sheets of your favorite background papers and matching printed embellishments (I have used my Valentine Baroque Collection)
• Ruler, scissors, craft knife, foam applicator or large paintbrush
• Distress ink and sponge (optional)

Directions:

Dilute the PVA glue to make it easier to apply to your project. I use 2 parts PVA glue to 1 part water. Make sure you use sufficient glue to completely cover each surface and allow to dry after each stage. Don’t worry if the paper appears bubbly and wrinkled – as it dries completely, it will shrink and become smooth again.

Cover the spine of your binder with your chosen paper, allowing approximately one inch at the top and bottom to turn to the inside, and 1.5 to 2 inches on each side. Your binder will be longer than the paper, so you will need to join it. Don’t worry, the joint won’t be seen when finished.

Cover the front of your binder with a contrasting paper, overlapping the binder paper slightly and ensuring that there is approximately one inch at the top, bottom, and outer edge to turn to the inside. Repeat for the back cover.

Miter the top and bottom corners of the paper, turn to the inside, and glue in place.

Use matching paper to cover the inside spine. You will probably have to patch it to accommodate the binder mechanism, but this won’t be noticeable when finished.

Cover the inside of your binder, cutting the paper slightly smaller for a neat finish.

Use your selected embellishments to decorate the cover and distress the edges with ink (optional).

Jan Ransley
http://www.scrapgirls.com/AboutUs/AU_JanRansley.html

Wednesday February 01:  Make Time for Family Game Nights
Thursday February 02:  Making A Desktop Wallpaper, Part 2
Friday February 03:  Finding Solutions for Storage Problems
Saturday February 04:  It All Adds Up
Monday February 06:  Into Focus
Tuesday February 07:  Get Your Mind-Reading Device Today!
Wednesday February 08:  If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit…
Thursday February 09:  Journaling Tips
Friday February 10:  ”Go ahead,” she said. “It won’t hurt you.”
Saturday February 11:  The Grass is Greener
Monday February 13:  Kitchen Gifts
Tuesday February 14:
Wednesday February 15:
Thursday February 16:
Friday February 17:
Saturday February 18:
Monday February 20:
Tuesday February 21:
Wednesday February 22:
Thursday February 23:
Friday February 24:
Saturday February 25:
Monday February 27:
Tuesday February 28:
Wednesday February 29:

Weekly Newsletter Round-Up, February 2012.

January 30 – February 4, 2012