Scrapfreak’s Summer Points Challenge is here again!!

Monica is hostessing an AMAZINGLY fun challenge this summer at ScrapFreak. I plan on playing along and getting lots of great stuff done, and I hope you'll join us too!!

From www.scrapfreak.com:

This has always been a favorite among the freaks and I’m so excited to be hosting it once again. The points challenge is simple. Everything you create between June 1, 2012 and July 31, 2012 will earn you points. Every patterned paper, photo, rub-on, washi tape, brad, etc. will earn you points. The goal is to get stuff done. The more you scrap, the more points you earn. 

This year, you'll have two choices on how to play…you can play along just for the fun of it OR you can play along for prizes. To play for prizes, you need to send me $8 via USPS by June 10th. All prize money will be used to award and ship prizes at the end of the challenge. 

The prize categories will be:

Most Points Overall 

Whether you scrap 10 layouts or 100, the person with the most overall points wins.

Most Layouts Completed

Don’t use a lot of embellishments? No problem. The person with the most layouts completed wins.

Random Drawing(s)

Random drawing(s) of everyone that participated in the prize portion of the challenge. 

The exact number of random drawings and amounts won for each category will depend on the total prize money collected. You may only win one category. In the event one person would have both the most points and the most layouts, one of the prizes would be given to the runner up. 

Get your friends to play and pay for more points:

The more people that play the better the prizes so we’re going to give you 25 extra points right off the bat if you convince someone* to play and pay! Know a freak that hasn’t participated on the site in 2012, get them back here (they have to say you convinced them) or get a friend to join for the first time. Both you and the friend will earn the points if you both play and pay. 

*Applies to anyone that hasn’t participated on the site since January 1, 2012.

So come and hang out with some awesome friends and get lots of fun scrapping done! 

http://www.scrapfreak.com/forum/showthread.php?2077-Mark-Your-Calendars-for-Scrapfreak-s-Summer-Points-Challenge!

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Freaky Friday Challenge: Everyday - Food

Freaky Friday Challenge | Everyday: Food

Every Friday, ScrapFreak offers a layout challenge in one of four categories: Trends & Design, Storytelling, Random, & Everyday. You can see all the challenges here.  

This week's everyday challenge is all about Food:

There are very few things in the world that impact everyone on a daily basis. Food is definitely one of those things. Food can be the centerpiece for traditional holidays and ceremonies, but on a more day to day basis: we eat multiple times a day, we make our own food, we let others make food for us, we stay home, we go out, sometimes we even grow our own food. We have very strong opinions on food. Food can be the centerpiece for traditional holidays and ceremonies. 

The everyday challenges coordinate really well with Project Life, and can be used over and over again from week to week. Especially if you are stuck with a few open pockets and need an idea or two to finish up your spread.

Here are a couple of different food-related Project Life pockets.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check out the rest of the awesome samples here. 

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Freaky Friday Challenge: Sketch

Freaky Friday Challenge: Random | Sketch Inspiration

Every Friday, ScrapFreak offers a layout challenge in one of four categories: Trends & Design, Storytelling, Random, & Everyday. You can see all the challenges here. 

Today's Challenge is a Random | Sketch Inspiration Challenge. 

And my layout: 

I've been scrapping a lot of 8.5x 11 lately, and I shrunk down the sketch to fit on an 8.5x11 sheet. Instead of two 4x4 pictures, I used one long 8x4 photo. After adding a couple of embellishments, I felt like the page was really mine! 

Thanks for stopping by.

--Kristin

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Come Crop with Us!

www.scrapfreak.com

challenges, games, prizes & more!

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Layout: ScrapFreak Crop Challenge

Happy Friday!!!

Hope everyone is having an awesome day. If you have some free time this weekend, please head over to ScrapFreak for our Leap Year Crop! We have some great challenges in store for you.


I'd like to share part of my challenge with you: 


Everyday we come across things that appeal to our sense of aesthetics. We are naturally drawn to images that we find attractive, it might be a magazine ad, a poster on the street, or a picture of someone's home. But in order to take those things that appeal to us & turn them into inspiration, we have to first figure out what makes them appealing to us. 


For today's challenge, I want us to take a look at these three images from graphic designer Christine Wisnieski. Figure out what about them appeals to you, and then use that as inspiration to create your own project. 

There are a few more images at the challenge page here. 

I love looking at these images, they really just resonate with me. I'm going to deconstruct that first image to figure out what I'm really drawn to. 

• The first thing that pulls me in is the idea of 'organized chaos', I love that all those buttons are scattered just about the page, but yet its not a destructive type of disorganization. 
• The second thing is that deep woodgrain background. I think it really makes the buttons pop off the page. 
• Third is the fabulous variety of typefaces and graphic images that appear on each of the buttons, I'm really in love with that 'new retro' type look -- the modern vintage.

Here's a layout I created inspired by these awesome images:

And a couple of smaller closeups: 

As you can see, I was obviously pulled in by that woodgrain pattern. I picked out this photo because I really loved all that greenery on the right hand side and thought it went well with the whole conservatory theme. 

Please come check out my challenge, as well as the rest of the challenges over at ScrapFreak! We'll be handing out some awesome prizes and having lots of fun!

-- Kristin

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The Personal is Political

TGIF!

I'd like to share a very special layout with you today.  

This layout has a few layers of meaning. On the surface, its a documentation of an email conversation I had with a lawmaker; but it holds a deeper meaning for me personally. I really do believe 'The Personal is Political'.

There are so many things that go on in our day-to-day lives that are greatly impacted by politics; whether it be local, state, national, or global politics. Scrapbooking is also a huge part of my day-to-day life, so it seems only natural to have a juxtaposition of the two. And if you'll allow me to delve even deeper for just one moment, this layout marks the beginning of my intersection of scrapping and personal beliefs. 

Even if you're not a political person, there are plenty of personal thoughts and things that you can take the time to document. Check out today's Freaky Friday challenge over at Scrapfreak and join in on documenting some things you've had on your mind. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share this special layout with you. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

--Kristin

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Softness

 Writing can be such a therapeutic experience, and journaling is no different. I've been having a difficult week, with all these little things adding up and stressing me out.  I was finally able to break out of it, and journaling how I was feeling really helped. I created this layout to go along with this week's ScrapFreak Freaky Friday Challenge:

This month's Trends and Design challenge focuses on the idea of softness. 
The look and feel of softness can be obtained in many different ways

• Muted tones

• Whites and Greys instead of Blacks and Browns

• Ruffles, lace, fine detail

• Fine point pen handwriting, as opposed to bold block letters

• Large amount of neutral space and a sparce use of color

You can check out the challenge here: www.scrapfreak.com.

A couple of fun things about this layout: First, I made the heart out of some washi-taped paper which I then punched the heart shape out of. Second, I hand carved that chevron stamp up at the top. 

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Country Fair

A quick layout up for the ScrapFreak Freaky Friday Challenge.

ScrapFreak - Freaky Friday Challenge

This Month's Storyteller Challenge is: Who, What, Where, When, & Why?

Sometimes it can be really difficult to get the words out right when journaling those special events. Too much? too little? What details do I leave in, which do I take out?

Use these five quick questions when asking yourself, where do I start? Grab a sheet of scrap paper, and start jotting down some notes. 

Who?
What? 
Where? 
When? 
Why?

I used the latest Studio Calico kit: County Fair (how perfect, right?). I added in a couple of embellishments from etsy and my stash to tie everything together.

This layout also has one of my favorite pictures of all time, the top left photo of the baby piglets drinking the milk from their mother, was one of the most precious things I've ever seen!

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Kristin

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ScrapFreak Creative Team Call!

Creative Team Call (DEADLINE 12/26/11)

Scrapfreak is looking for a team of enthusiastic scrappers to kick off 2012. We’re looking for approximately 6 (could be more, could be less) fun, motivational, responsible peeps to join our Creative Team and help encourage others in this incredible hobby. Scrapfreak is a scrapbooking community dedicated to motivating and inspiring you to tell your stories. Whether that be about you, your family, your history, etc., the goal is the same…document those moments. TELL YOUR STORY. 

SUBMISSIONS DUE: December 26, 2011

Term: January - April 2012 

Creative Team Requirements:

• A MUST-HAVE passion for scrapbooking and the ability to inspire and motivate others
• Approximately 2 layouts per month by the set deadlines (as assigned as part of our Freaky Friday challenge rotation)
• Assistance with planning, online crops, classes, etc. as well as any additional layouts/projects as needed for said events
• Participation in forum discussions
• Promote all Scrapfreak related events on your personal blog and/or Facebook/Twitter account
• Promote and encourage scrappers of all levels to join and participate at Scrapfreak
• Comment on all projects uploaded to the Scrapfreak gallery

How to Apply:
Please email monica@scrapfreak.com with the following information:

1. Full name, city/state/country, and email address
2. Small paragraph with background on yourself, how much of your time is dedicated to scrapbooking, and why you feel you would be a good fit for Scrapfreak
3. 2-3 recent layouts that are most like you and your style of scrapping (links or attachments are acceptable)
4. Link to your blog as well as Facebook/Twitter pages that would be used to promote Scrapfreak (not all are required but should have at least one or the other)
5. List of any other online communities you’re involved in and any design team history
6. Link(s) to any online galleries

Presently there is no monetary or product compensation for your design team commitment. However, there are few things we can offer you:

• Experience – If you haven’t been on a design team before, this is an excellent opportunity to add to your scrappy resume.
• Challenge – Nothing is more motivational than participating in challenges and being on a team with a commitment.
• Community – The freaks are a great group of people that are active and supportive of each other. It is truly a very welcoming site.
• Links to Scrapfreak’s weekly Freaky Friday challenge threads (including your layouts) on our Facebook and Twitter pages
• Recognition through Scrapfreak's Facebook and Twitter pages

A few other things to note:

• You do not have to be a member of the forum to submit…although you should join anyway because the freak is the coolest place to be online!
• Both US and International submissions accepted.
• Previous design team experience not required.
• Our plans are to notify new design team members before January 6, 2012.
• Creative Team term will begin immediately following the announcement.

We encourage each and every one of you to apply! We look forward to seeing your submissions.

Check out the call here.  

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December Daily Inspiration | Week 2

December Daily Inspiration.

I've been curating some weekly DD inspiration over at ScrapFreak.com, come check it out here.

Journaling Inspiration:

• What are some of your favorite holiday foods/drinks?
• Do you have any holiday decorations, ornaments, etc, that have a special meaning?
• What's the weather like where you live? Is it any different from a place you used to live? How does that make the holidays different?

Photo Inspiration:

• Outdoor Decorations
• Favorite Ornaments
• Holiday Crafts

Crafty Inspiration:

• Finnish Stars - blog.maggiemakes.com

• Brooklyn Limestone Xmas Tag Freebie - www.brooklynlimestone.com

• Paint Sample Notebook Tutorial - http://whimsy-girl.blogspot.com

I've been pinning and re-pinning everything that I've come across in the past few weeks, where aside from Pinterest are your go-to sources for holiday crafty inspiration?

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December Daily Inspiration: Week 1

Happy (almost) December everyone!

I've been hard at work on my December Daily album, I have the inside pages as well as the cover ready to go. I'm leading a December Daily discussion over at ScrapFreak; as well as chatting with the girls at Studio Calico

Each week I'll be posting some interactive inspiration to help us work on our December Daily projects.  Every Monday I'll post several ways for you to jump-start your projects, and keep the mojo flowing throughout the super busy month.

Journaling:
-- What is your holiday shopping like? Who do you buy for? What kind of gifts to you tend to give? Are you Santa to anyone? Do you shop a lot online? Are there favorite stores that you love to go into on the holidays?

List:
-- Favorite Holiday Movies
(now find when they are showing, and document the experience)

Photo:
-- Holiday Colors: Show off your holiday palette. Are you a Red and Green traditionalist? Do you throw some fun colors in the mix like pink or purple? Do you love the winter wonderland look, and stick with whites and creams? Lets see those holiday colors!

Technique:
-- Washi Tape. With the holidays being such a busy time, washi tape is the perfect thing to stick down ephemera or memorabilia you might have.  Keep some on your desk so you can grab it easily at any time. Don't have any washi tape? Paint or color some masking tape instead!

Activity:
-- Write your letter to Santa! or make copies of your kids' Santa letters before you send them off to the North Pole.

Thanks for playing along!

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Lots of Fun New Projects!

Happy November! We've already hit our first round of snow, so it feels a bit more like January here in NJ.

I'm diving in head-first here with a whole bunch of new scrappy things going on.

1. Creative Soup is moving to bi-monthly challenges that will also be featured on our blog.
2. I'm going to be helping out as part of the Creative Team at Scrap Freak.
3. I'm going to be showcasing the December Daily project both on Scrap Freak and here on my blog
4. I'm also going to be working on Project Life in the upcoming year, and you can follow my progress here as well as on ScrapFreak.
5. Both December Daily and Project Life are new boards for me on Pinterest, you can follow both of them here:

I'm doing a December Daily trinkets giveaway over at ScrapFreak, come check it out! I have plenty of fun supplies to go around.

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Get Messy Lesson Two: Scrap Freak

Lesson Two is up at ScrapFreak!


Today's lesson is all about misting, different types, different techniques, etc. Head on over there for some great misting conversation. 


I also talked about a recent layout with a bunch of misting techniques (modified from a Studio Calico CKC class): 

-- for the blue dotted paper card, I punched out a couple of stars to use as a mask; lifted up the stars and outlined the star shape. I then took the stars that had been my mask, trimmed them a bit and stuck them on pop-dots for a bit more emphasis
-- the next card one was also very simple. I stuck down the word 'you' with thickers, misted, and then lifted up the thickers and placed them on the top of the card
-- the bottom left card was stamped and heat embossed with American Crafts Zing (any embossing powder will do) and then misted over. The embossing powder acts as a resist and gives a cool effect.


Thanks very much for stopping by!

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Get Messy @ ScrapFreak!

I've been asked to run my Get Messy artsy-scrapbooking class over at the newly re-opened ScrapFreak! Monica came to me and asked me if I would be willing to give Get Messy a second run. So for everyone that didn't get a chance to play along the first time, we both hope you can join in this time around!

&

My class is eight lessons long, all in .pdf form; each lesson takes a specific look at a different "messy" supply.  We'll look at paints, inks, and much more.


Each Thursday a new lesson will be available both on ScrapFreak.com as well as here on my blog. If you want to join in on the discussion and the fun, head over to ScrapFreak.com and play with us!

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