Scallops

Also check out ScrapGal's GalBlog...
**************************************************

Okay, so are you following the trend of using circles and scallops lately? If so, here is a new way to add the look of scallops to your page...without any fancy tools.

Punch out a bunch of circles; whatever size you want. Half of the circle, roughly, is how big the scallops will end up being.

Next, cut the circles in half. They don't have to be perfect. Turn a piece of cardstock or patterned paper upside down and then layer your half circles onto the back of the page. Use a ruler to make nice and orderly scallops when you turn your paper back over.

* This page is from the ScrapGal newsletter in May.

Have a great night! Laura

****************************************************************************

*Proud member of the Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Design Team.

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

Inspired by...what?

Also check out ScrapGal's GalBlog...

**************************************************

So, what are you inspired by? Looking at others' scrapbook pages, an ad in a magazine, a TV show? Here are a few things that I was inspired by this week.

- Altered photos:

- Connect Four (game) photo frame/scrapbook:

- Another altered photo idea:

I'd like to credit these ideas, but I don't recall where they were all from as I had saved them to my computer.

Enjoy your weekend, and make something creative! Laura

****************************************************************************

*Proud member of the Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Design Team.

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

Paint a Photo Challenge!

Also check out ScrapGal's GalBlog...

**************************************************

Okay, so my newest challenge for everyone is to alter and paint a photo. I was inspired by the photo below and thought this might be really cool to do for a layout. You can also get some really cool effects by sanding a photo. Try different photos (from your home printer, from a professional printer, different colors within the photos). All give somewhat varied effects. Have fun, and I'll be working on this challenge when I come back from out of town next week.

Enjoy! Laura

Work by Tony Soulié.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Souli%25C3%25A9&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtony%2Bsoulie,%2Bwiki%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dz2s%26sa%3DG

****************************************************************************

*Proud member of the Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Design Team.

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

Decor8 with Your Crafting Stuff

Also check out ScrapGal's GalBlog...
**************************************************

Okay, so today will hopefully inspire you to think outside the page and try something different with your scrapbooking supplies. I set my mood to "In Love", because I am *so* in love with this home decor project (open this link...seriously...check it out...please)! http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com/thompson_familylife/2008/02/new-home-decor.html

It has sparked a lot of ideas for me to try in my own house.

For example, I plan to:
- Cut out some cool vinyl frames for the wall, using my Wishblade
- Use rub-ons (like swirls and elegant damask-type ones) to decorate some glass picture cubes I recently purchased at Marshall's
- Use Hambly frame rub-ons to create a cool, clear acrylic or glass frame --- something like this one here:


















Have fun, and try something new! Laura

****************************************************************************

*Proud member of the Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Design Team.

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

Check out ScrapGal's GalBlog

Check out ScrapGal's GalBlog for my new post...

**************************************************

My challenge for everyone is to try a project using black as your base color. These two cards are examples that I made using black cardstock as the bases. For whatever reason, I have been loving lots of black lately. If I'm not using black for my background paper, I'm matting everything on the page in black. Maybe my wardrobe is rubbing off on my crafts. I'm the gal who has a dozen pairs of black pants (well, a couple are dark gray)!

So, one example is hip and fun using the Love, Elsie line.

The other is a bit more elegant with lovely swirls and a little punch of green.

Whatever style you try or prefer, begin with black and see where it takes you.

Have fun! Laura

****************************************************************************

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

A Vacation Day

Yea! I have vacation today. Just doing some laundry and put the dishes in the dishwasher. I have so much more cleaning and housework to do, but I think I might get back to working on the projects on my craft table instead! I'm working on some projects using the new ColorCore Cardstock - Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. It's fun. Pick some up and give it a try.

I have some new music on my iPod to play. Kate Nash, Fly Leaf, Anya Marina, Feist, Lily Allen, and The Pierces. I still need to get my Regina Spektor CDs uploaded though. She is my absolute favorite of late.

Well, this is my first real Blog post. Feels a little weird just randomly typing about my day... Maybe next time I'll have something more crafty for you.

**************************************************************************

*Proud member of the ScrapGal Design Team.

Artist Resume - Laura Stewart

About Me
I have been on an extraordinary adventure over the past year. I packed for a big move, moved into the "money pit", and now finally have my craft room back. I am excited to be crafting and creating art again after a long absence. The main reason we moved was so that I could have more space, and that took a sacrifice. Now that I'm back, I would love to pursue some new opportunities. See the next section "Interests"!

Interests
My interests include designing for manufacturers, magazines, stores, and idea books as well as writing articles and project instructions.

Styles & Techniques
My style varies depending on the project and the look that I'm trying to achieve. I have a clear passion for creating fresh new techniques that have never been seen before.

==============================================================

Published

Cantata Books / Lark Books

• Scrapbooking Sports Idea Book, "What Goes Up Must Come Down", Page 106

Club Scrap

• Scrap Rap, "A Room with a View", Hearth & Home

Creating Keepsakes

• February 2006, "I Feel Invisible", Pages 76-77
• February 2006, "You & Me", Page 78
• October 2005, "Style", Pages 68-69
• Tips & Tricks Idea Book, "So Happy Together", Pages 72-73
• October 2004, "Laura NYC", Page 50
• May 2003, "Stitched Metal Frame", Page 42
• July/August 2002, "Eat Cake", Page 66
• April 2002, Tip "Lighten Dark Scans", Page 34

Ivy Cottage Creations

• Decorative Details Idea Book, "Fate", Page 44
• Decorative Details Idea Book, "Too Cold", Page 47
• Decorative Details Idea Book, "Sunny Day", Page 54
• Decorative Details Idea Book, "I am a Reflection of You", Page 92
• Decorative Details Idea Book, "Two Hearts...Two Years", Page 104
• September 2003, "Hoop Girls", Page 72

Memory Makers

• Pet Pages Unleashed! Idea Book, "An Interview with a Dog", Page 62
• Scrapbooking Family Memories Idea Book, "Two of a Kind", Page 114
• Creative Stamping Idea Book, "Live, Love, Laugh", Page 27
• Creative Stamping Idea Book, "Daddy Date Night", Page 97
• Scrapbooking Your Adult Years Idea Book, "Every Second Counts", Page 74

Nan C. and Company

• Pets & Animals Idea Book, "Do You Remember", Page 11
• It's All About Technique Idea Book, "Grandpa's Swing", Pages 3-4

Paper Crafts

• August/September 2005, "Elegant Zodiac Card", Page 70

PaperKuts

• April 2004, "Easter Wishes", Page 82

Scrap & Stamp Arts

• March 2006, "Getaway", Page 70 (and 67)

Scrapbook Answers

• Ultimate Scrapbook How-To Guide Idea Book, "Love Me, Spoil Me", Page 20

Scrapbook Borders

• Memories Winter Idea Book, "Picture Perfect", Page 41

Scrapbook Premiere (Ad)

• Advertisement, "Journey", Sarah Heidt Photo Craft

Scrapbook Trends

• Wedding 2005 Idea Book, "Dating", Page 12
• Wedding 2005 Idea Book, "Someday...Mr. & Mrs.", Page 13

Scrapbooking Focus

• Page of the Month August 2004, "Dance", Online Feature
• Page of the Month June 2004, "Port at Key West", Online Feature

Simple Scrapbooks

• Fresh Ideas (Online Article), "The Look of 27", Online

==============================================================

Design Teams

• Scrapbook Answers, Runner-Up - January 2006
• Stewart Superior Corporation, Design Team Member - November 2004 - December 2005
• Memory Makin' Divas, Design Team Member - January 2004 – September 2004

==============================================================

Contests

• Sizzix, Trend Setter - Featured artist for January 2005
• Boxer Scrapbook Productions, Paper Arts (Pets) - 2nd Place
• Boxer Scrapbook Productions, Cards (Pets) - 2nd Place
• Boxer Scrapbook Productions, Scrapbook Pages (Pets) - Finalist
• Luv2Scrapbook, Paper Love Designs July 2004 - 1st Place
• Scrap By Design, Savvy Stamps June 2004 - 1st Place
• Neenah Paper, Best Page Contest - 2nd Place
• QuicKutz, Spring Flings Contest - Grand Prize
• Ivy Cottage Creations, Newsletter Tip Contest - Winner
• Just Scrappin' Along, Monthly Contest August 2003 - 1st Place
• Lil' Smacker, Monthly Contest July 2003 - 1st Place
• House Of Scraps, Monthly Contest May 2003 - 1st Place
• Ivy Cottage Creations, Newsletter Essay Contest - Winner
• Collected Memories, Monthly Contest July 2002 - Honorable Mention
• Iowa Scrapbooking, Monthly Contest March 2002 - 1st Place
• Collected Memories, Monthly Contest February 2002 - Honorable Mention

==============================================================

Other

Events

• Store Demonstration; Karen Neuberger Event Representative for Memory Makers & Paper Adventures
• Magazine Representative; CHA (HIA) 2004 for S.S. Reflections

Photography

• Amateur photographer
• Tip including photographs published by Ofoto.com in Creative Clicks/June 2004 Edition of Ofoto Focus

==============================================================