MOVING TO A NEW BLOG! Please follow me!!!

Ok...since this blog got hacked with malware...I am moving to a new blog at http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com/

If I could import followers, I would, but I can't unfortunately.

Please follow me to that address, as I will be deleting this blog soon. It will look the same as this blog except you'll see items in the sidebar! :)  Please join as a follower there now, because this blog won't be here long!

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How to Make A Customized Blog Header Clickable!

Photo by The Snail's Trail Blog

I found this great tutorial on how to make your blog header clickable for Blogger at The Snail's Trail Blog, with one adjustment, that I used this image mapper instead of the one she recommends.  I purchased the Sweetie Pie Blog-ware from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs. It seems that I still can't add any widgets to my blog or it freaks out my Symantec Endpoint Protection as I said yesterday, but the customized clickable Blog Header I made works just great!

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Counterfeit Kit Challenge

Well, first of all, excuse the look of my blog. It seems that I can't use the advanced template in blogger without it freaking out my Symantec Endpoint Protection system. And, apparently there is no easy way to tweak your blog in the Classic template. Hopefully I can get an answer on how to restore my template, in the meantime I guess this is better than nothing. I ended up finding a template and figured out how to put it into the HTML code. This will work for now. Thanks for sticking with me!!!!
xoxo

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

 Last month I discovered the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog, and had fun participating.  What a great way to use my stash!!! Plus a great way to take action against kit envy! :) Right now, it's just not in my budget to join a kit club, but I have plans to join one in the future. So in the meantime, it's the Counterfeit Kit Challenge for me! I'm so excited about this month's challenge: drumroll...

the March 2011 Club Kits for this month's inspiration kits are put together by Studio Calico...you can visit their blog at http://www.studiocalico.com/ .


Studio Calico released 5 kits this month (one main kit and 4 add-on kits). I don't even feel guilty counterfeiting these kits because they are all sold out already!

The link to the picture of the Main Kit (called Into the Woods) is...

http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/current

The link to the picture of the 1st Add-On Kit (Babbling Brook) is...

http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/add_ons/354

The link to the 2nd Add-On Kit (Mossy Knoll) is...

http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/add_ons/355

The link to the 3rd Add-On Kit (Sunny Clearing) is...

http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/add_ons/356

The link to the final Add-On Kit (Wildflower) is...

http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/add_ons/357

I counterfeited all five kits, and had a blast doing so!!!! I chose to try to match the patterns and colors as close as I could. If you want to try, they suggest at the Counterfeit Kit Blog you could also just use the kits as inspiration for a mood board, or just create a card kit!

• Link to the March Counterfeit Kit Reveal
• Link to the CKB's "Into the Wood's" Tutorials Part 1

MY COUNTERFEIT KITS 

 To compare, I'll post a photo of Studio Calico's Kit first, then a photo of my counterfeit kit!~ My choices ended up a bit brighter I think, than SC. Ok. Here we go:

Studio Calico's Main Kit: Into the Woods

My "Into the Woods" Counterfeit Kit

I am going to probably alter the brown Thickers, not sure how....but they are begging to be altered. I found chipboard stars, and the little book page illustration features a tiny bee. I will also be using some digital elements I have from Studio Tangie's Dictionary Cuts that have a bee, and printing them out as well. Studio Tangie is at scrapbookgraphics.com. Instead of the journaling stickers, I am using Webster's Pages journaling cards.

Next, first Add-On Kit...

Studio Calico's Add-On "Babbling Brook"

My "Babbling Brook" Add-On Counterfeit Kit

For Babbling Brook, I kept it small. I'm going to alter chipboard circles to counterfeit the chipboard pieces in this kit. I also punched butterflies from paper for this kit. I do have circle stamps that are not pictured. I love the happy feel to this one.



Second Add-On...

Studio Calico's Add-On "Mossy Knoll"

My Counterfeit Kit "Mossy Knoll"

I went with the blues from the SC kit, and focused on vintage embellishments, plus vintage book illustrations of seashells  that will go great with vacation photos from last year. For the ribbons, I substituted brown striped ribbon instead of the black striped ribbon. I can't wait to play with this kit.


Third Add-On Kit.........

Studio Calico's Add-On Sunny Clearing

My Counterfeit "Sunny Clearing" Kit

Again, this is a much brighter version of Studio Calico's kit...I added in a fun vintage game piece, more butterflies, and thickers that might get altered. I really love the patterns in this kit. Love!!!!


And finally, the fourth Add-On kit...

Studio Calico's "Wildflower" Add-On Kit

My Counterfeit "Wildflower" Add-On Kit

Since I didn't have patterned papers besides the light pink scraps, I decided to make this a cardstock kit with vintage goodies. I don't use a lot of cardstock, so I hadn't put any in the other kits...so it makes sense to have a few sheets in this kit. I pulled out my Studio Calico rub-ons as a nod to SC! Then added in vintage book papers and illustrations that fit the theme of the kits, and what I think I might be scrapbooking this month. My diecut lace has been used for spray painting so I'm not sure if I'll just use it for misting or with part with it or some of it. The only tulle I have is this white tulle for making the flowers in this kit. I'm not sure if I'm going to go out and buy more colors, or make do with the white.


I'm excited to go check out the Mister Linky now on the Counterfeit Kit Blog and see what others have been up to making up their kits!!!










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Get Published! Deadline March 30th (repost)

GingerScrapsStreet Magazine

NEW CALLS

Cover Contest

Each month we will choose one layout to grace our cover and that designer will receive a wonderful package of goodies as our thanks. All layouts submitted for our article calls are eligible. Good Luck!

June 2011 Calls

Boys & Toys.  Share layouts about your boys and the toys they have to pass their time. Sporting toys, electronic toys, or big four wheel toys, whatever the men in your life use to have fun! Digital, Hybrid and Traditional Layouts please.

Building Blocks. Send in your layouts with blocks of paper/blocking as part of the design.

1+1=3. Are you expecting? Let's see anything you've made related to pregnancies, hybrid or digital! Layouts, shower gifts, baby's first photos projects....We want to see your most creative ideas!!! *

This land. This land is your land this land is my land! Show us your layouts using landscape shots...Let us see the world...your world! Digital, hybrid, and traditional projects welcome!

Music to my...Layout. Do you or a family member play an instrument? Were the kiddos in a musical/recital? Have you been to a rockin' concert? Show off your music-related layouts!

BBQ time! Layouts of favorite foods, photos of favorite recipes...or even actual typed up recipes...send them our way!

Crossroads Cafe: Western Wranglers! Show us those western/cowboy/girl type projects!

Deadline is midnight March 30th for all calls.
Please send your work to gsscalls@scrapstreet.com.
Please send a separate email for each submission you would like to be considered for publication. Please keep the image size around 600 x 600 pixels. Thank you!

 *This is my call!





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Tangie Baxter CT Layouts and Art Journal Pages

Art Journal Page for the

Art Journal Caravan: Itinerary #8 - Reinforce

Inspired by Susan Buckner

Borders: Art Journal Caravan {Expedition 2011},Art Journal Caravan 2011 Provision Parcel 1,
Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel 40}, Hand Cut Collage Fodder: Edges
Paper: Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel 46}, Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel 47}
Tag: Art Journal Caravan {Expedition 2011}
Stamp:
Journal Anthology
Arrow and talk bubble: Keep Moving Forward
Hearts: Hand Cut Collage Fodder: Hearts
Marie:
Queen of Cakes Collab with Holliewood Studios
Dots:Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel 51} ,
Unconventional Wisdom
Ephemera, Monogram: Dictionary Cuts

Alpha: Vintage Ransom Alpha
Fonts:
Tweedledee{Art JOurnaling Font}, Art Journal Caravan 2011 Provisions {Parcel 08} , Mary Ann {Art Journaling Font}
Style: Paperworn Art Styles & BONUS Action

Art Journal Caravan Itinerary #2: Thrive - I Will Thrive

I was inspired by the week #2 blogger inspiration for the large face and writing along the side (year).

Supplies: (all by Studio Tangie 

at Scrapbookgraphics unless noted)

Quickity Split'N Print Bundle
Quickity Split Borders 2
Hand Cut Collage Fodder: Heads
Mary Ann {Art Journaling Font}
Tweedledee{Art JOurnaling Font}
Paperworn Art Styles & BONUS Action
Font: Benny Blanco from the web

Art Journal Caravan Itinerary #9: Verb: Amuse
Title: Amuse Yourself

What fun this week's prompt is!!!! I really love this quote too. The two new kits from Tangie are an artist's dream. I also played with Wendy's Shadow action for the first time! I'm in love!!!!
xoxo


Supplies: (all by Studio Tangie here at Scrapbookgraphics except as noted)

Kits:
Art Journal Caravan 2011 Provisions {Parcel 09}

Journal Anthology V

Elements:
Splatter Graffiti - Circles: Amuse

Journal Anthology III

Happenstance

Keep Moving Forward

Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel 45}

4 and Twenty Blackbirds


Fonts:
Dodo {Art Journaling Font}

Benny Blanco (found online)

Action:
ACTION: Shadow It by Studio Wendyzine Scraps

Style:
Paperworn Art Styles & BONUS Action

And this layout is for Ali Edward's Big Picture class: One Little Word as she asked us to take "action" this month with our word.

 I already had Belly Dancing in mind.

 

This new kit by Studio Tangie and Studio Rosey Posey is so awesome!
Being Me: Art Journal Collaboration Extraordinaire with Studio Rosey Posey

Additional supplies: by Studio Tangie
4 and Twenty Blackbirds
Art Stomp! Collab w/ Roben-Marie Designs
Studio Tangie Fonts: The Director {CU OK}
Template: Template Pack 7 by Kaye Winiecki (The Lilypad)
Photo: Sharon Pruitt

Thanks for looking!!!
Love ya!
xoxo

 

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Thursday Tutorial: Titles

Artist's Block Conquered with Today's Trends in Titles & Word Art
by Julie Ann Shahin

originally printed in Flourish, newsletter for MyScrapbookArt.com

Computer eye strain, hundreds of photos, and eager family members, awaiting your next masterpiece, make up your current dilemma. You sit in front of your monitor, as the queen of digiland, staring down the blank page yet feeling mildly inspired.

Flipping through design books, wandering among street art, checking out the latest releases in the music store for album art, googling for the latest and greatest ideas is where you find yourself. You listen to Pandora.com hoping your favorite artist's tunes will stimulate your senses. You've found an excellent color scheme at Kuler.Adobe.com.  What you need is that perfect title and word art to deliver that "aha!" moment you've been seeking.

Think cursive hand-written titles mixed with arial fonts, quirky alphas made up from typography, and word art and frame clusters among vivid paint strokes. Take inspiration from recent graphic uploads at deviantart.com. Now you have your masterpiece. Now you are a trend-setter.

Trends In Word Art Today: Products

• Express Yourself Word Art by beAUDacious Designs: Word art and frame clustered among vivid paint strokes
• Brush N Stamp Alpha: Lettered by Leiko Beck Designs: Quirky alphas made up from typography
• TaylorMade Spotlight Bundle Kit by TaylorMade Designs: Cursive hand-written words mixed with arial fonts
• Magical Words Overlay 2 by Kitty Designs
• Rought Draft Free Font

Inspiration #1) Rotate Text
Inspirational Typo Poster from Deviant Art http://palax.deviantart.com/art/061-121839414

and also inspirational playbill from Deviant Art http://camaeralucida.deviantart.com/art/MammaMia-121616219

From the two graphics above, I was inspired to make this layout to symbolize my husband's passion for music and my enjoyment of it.

Credits: Layout by Julie Ann Shahin
Background: retrogirl_by_lookbutdontouch at deviantart
Font: The King & Queen
Word Art: Magical Words Overlay 2 by Kitty Designs; TaylorMade Spotlight Bundle Kit by TaylorMade Designs
Other digital elements: Project 365 Word Snips by DeCrow Designs; Whimsical Woodland by Emily Merritt, Rachel Young and Jaime Young; Inked overlay by Janet Crowley


Inspiration #2) Handwritten draft-style font in different pt sizes
http://arhcamtilnaad.deviantart.com/art/A-Hug-121708108

and the resulting layout

Credits: Layout by Julie Ann Shahin
A is For Amazement by Kathryn Wilson
Sea Creatures by Emily Merritt
Picnic in the Park Collab at wearestorytellers
Happy Together by Emily Merritt
Rough Draft Font
Background from deviant art:textures by youshinevh

Inspiration #3) Type created from typeDigital art http://honeysand.deviantart.com/art/Feeling-Good-122112730

and also view this inspiring page titled "type invert" which is viewable here .

My resulting layout will be a RAK for a friend. Each letter of "mother" is made up of tiny type, available as a brush and alpha.

Credits: Layout by Julie Ann Shahin
Brush N Stamp Alpha: Lettered by Leiko Beck Designs
Mother sign from deviant art: http://deviant-brazilian-fc.deviantart.com/art/Mother-sign-by-pryestrela-122101705
World of My Own by Emily Merritt
Funky Love Song by Emily Powers
TaylorMade Spotlight Bundle Kit by TaylorMade Designs


Inspiration #4) Chunky Hand-written Alpha, Cursive Handwriting Mixed with Arial Font

Credits: Layout by Julie Ann Shahin
TaylorMade Spotlight Bundle Kit by TaylorMade Designs
A is For Amazement by Kathryn Wilson
Intrinsic by Kathryn Wilson
Wishes and Wonder by Kathryn Wilson and Traci Reed
Embellishous by Kathryn Wilson
Background: retro textures by ~awesomestyle http://awesomestyle.deviantart.com/art/4-retro-textures-121317560


Inspiration #5) Word Art with Frame and Vivid Paint

Credits: Layout by Julie Ann Shahin
Express Yourself Quotes by beAUDacious Designs
It's A Date Word Art by beAudacious Designs
Life's A Circus Distressed Papers by Angela Woo
Vintage Embroidery Vol. 1 by Spotted Dog Designs
Picnic in the Park Collab by wearestorytellers
Forecast by Emily Merritt
Background: Large textures by ~Lookbutdontouch http://lookbutdontouch.deviantart.com/art/3-large-textures-121654414


Hope you enjoyed these inspirational title ideas!
Julie Ann Shahin




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