2010 May | CREATE: Blog

Blog Spotting: Patriotic

May 31st, 2010

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! I hope your day was restful and full of family. Memorial Day is the kick off of all the patriotic holidays that occur during the summer months. I was in love with all the red, white and blue cards popping up around the blog-o-sphere in honor of our troops. Check out these four cards that caught my eye:

I love the flag stamp Nancy used on this simple and beautiful card!

This Star Card from Pink Paislee make me smile. I’m in love with their new Starlight Mini Collection. Am thinking about making some 4th of July BBQ invites with the same darling paper.

Debbie‘s card is fabulous! I love red, blue and kraft. The star stamps are so cute.

Bonnie‘s basket of patriotic flowers takes my breath away! I love the details on this card!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful projects! Feel free to add the “Blog Spotted” badge to your blog.

<div align="center"><a href="http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/cards/?cat=37" title="Blog Spotted by CARDS" target="_blank"><img src="http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/cards/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Blog-Spotting-Button.png" alt="Blog Spotted by CARDS" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I’d love to “Blog Spot” you! Please leave a link to your blog in the comments and I’ll be sure to check out your creations in the future!

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Blog Spotting: Patriotic

Hannah Craner

I am a crafter. I love creating in all forms: jewelry-making, needlework, book-binding, sewing, etc. However, my passion is paper crafting.

I am a graphic designer for CARDS magazine. I feel so lucky to work in an industry I love, doing something I am passionate about. When I am not designing the magazine or playing with my three cute kids, you can usually find me with a stamp nearby and paper in hand.

You can see more of Hannah on her blog:

http://sherbetblossom.blogspot.com/

Photography Tip: Try Macro!

May 31st, 2010

Jen Gallacher

4 comments

I have owned my Nikon D50 for a few years now. And I will readily confess that I’m still learning how to use it. Photography is one of the skills that requires constant practice and learning. And I’m more than happy to put in the time to give it a shot. (Hee, hee. “Give it a shot.”)

I am finding that the more I practice, the more observant I am of other’s photography. I notice the layout of the shot, the blurs, the color saturation, the lighting. And the more I notice, the more I want to improve my own photography.

When I first started taking photos, I just stood back and shot–no real thought, just aim, shoot, and click. Now that I’m “seeing” more through my lens I want to try some more unique shots.

So for today’s photography tip I wanted to turn you onto MACROS! Macro refers to close-up photography. Close-up photography captures the details: a bee on a flower, a toy in your child’s hands.

Here is an example of a macro shot (notice how the weed with the thawing ice is in focus and the background is blurred):

While there are many ways to create a macro shot, which involves ISO, Aperture, etc. I’m just going to issue you a very simple challenge. For those of you that are more professional, ignore this next part–find the automatic macro setting on your camera. Yep. Pull out your camera manual and find your macro button on your camera. Then try some macro shots. On many cameras the “macro” button looks like a flower:

http://www.alatechsource.org/files/images/modes.jpg

Here are a few of my photos using the macro automatic setting:

By using the Macro setting I can “trick” the camera into blurring more of the background.

The Lego girl is only 4″ in front of the other Legos, but the Macro setting blurs them out almost entirely.

Challenge Question: What did you discover through the lens? What perspective does the macro setting bring to your photography?

Want to check out some great macro photographers? Here are just a few:

www.beautifulbugs.com

http://www.pbase.com/cyrus_k/macro

http://www.macro-photo.org/

May some of their great images inspire you to look a little closer!

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Photography Tip: Try Macro!

Jen Gallacher

I am a designer, writer, and all-around crafter. I write the "Stories to Tell" article for Scrapbook Trends magazine and contribute regularly to the blog. You can also find me on CREATV, the Northridge Publishing video channel. Besides crafting, I enjoy reading, riding my bike, and watching television.

You can learn more about me on my blog: jengallacher.blogspot.com

Challenge Gallery and New Challenge!

May 28th, 2010

Paige

16 comments

Today is a good day Each of these cards featured here brought a smile to my face, they’re just too cute! The challenge this week was to create cards with “punny” sentiments and you guys came up with some very clever sayings. I might be a little biased, but this card by Sandee Allen is quite awesome:

Thinking of Ewe by Kristen Swain

3 Chairs 4 U! by Valerie Mangan

(more…)

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Challenge Gallery and New Challenge!

Paige Evans

I've been scrapbooking since I was 16 years old and love the hobby more each day! I enjoy making things by hand - from cards and layouts to books and baskets. My day is not complete unless I've made something. I'm the Copy Editor for the Northridge magazines and love all the inspiration I get from seeing everyone's creations. On a more personal note, we're expecting our first baby, a boy, in October and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Paige's blog: chrisandpaige.blogspot.com

From Friday's Newsletter: Graduation Card

May 28th, 2010

Tammy Morrill

6 comments

Here is an awesome stamped graduation card from Julie Cameron, featured in today’s newsletter and originally seen in the May issue of Cards. Thanks for the inspiration, Julie! Instructions below.

CONGRATS YOU DID IT! by Julie Cameron

Stamp stripes on a kraft cardstock block and mat it on a white card base. Stamp a sentiment on a yellow cardstock block, then set brads to the left of the sentiment. Trim a blue cardstock strip using decorative scissors, attach the strip to the top of the yellow cardstock block, and adhere the entire piece to the bottom of the card base. Stamp stars on white cardstock, punch them out, and add a brad to each star. Adhere the stars to the card base using foam adhesive.

Card is 3 x 5 ½”
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Papertrey Ink, Prism, office supply; Brads: Making Memories; Stamps (sentiment, stars, stripes): Papertrey Ink; Ink: Papertrey Ink, Stampin’ Up!; Star punch, decorative scissors: Fiskars

Posted In:

Inspiration

From Friday's Newsletter: Graduation Card

Tammy Morrill

In middle school, I just thought I was being nerdy when I looked for typos on Spirit Week signage – little did I know I was training for a future career in editing. Now a mother of two young children, my days are full of crafting, writing, and activities that amuse the pre-K crowd. I can't get enough vintage typography and poster design, and never met a fabric store I didn't like.

Giveaway Friday: Elle's Studio

May 28th, 2010

Ana Cabrera

306 comments

I just love to find small, independent designers that are putting out beautiful products. One prime example of that is Elle’s Studio. When I first found Elle’s on Etsy, it was not hard to see why she has an almost cult-like following. Her latest summer release is beautiful - the line has a modern retro feel and features timeless icons and very cool color palettes.

Elle’s line (and yes, there really is an Elle!) includes papers and paper elements you can use for scrapbooking, card making, and paper crafting of any kind. The professional quality elements are so much fun. Elle’s even has a line of digital/hybrid downloads for instant gratification.

Leave a comment for your chance to win some Elle’s Studio love for yourself. One winner will receive a $35 gift certificate so you can put together the perfect prize package of your very own. (Who doesn’t love to shop?) Be sure to visit the Scrapbook Trends Facebook page for more project samples and chances to win some fun Elle’s Studio RAKS. And while you are there, stop by Elle’s very own Facebook page and blog. They are currently looking for a new design team.

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crafting, Elle's Studio, giveaway, Giveaway Friday, paper

Giveaway Friday: Elle's Studio

Ana Cabrera

I have spent the past 10 years working in just about every aspect of the craft industry. Designer, editor, writer, instructor, and currently as the Director of Online & Social Media for Northridge Publishing. I am a life long crafter with a love for all things creative. I am also a geek girl enjoying anything to do with getting together or sharing online.

I am a single California girl transplanted to Utah where I live with my three muses – Sierra(12) Savannah(11) and Sedona(7). I can be found online into the wee hours of the night at my blog Craftification.com

WOW #46: Curving Acrylic Stamps

May 26th, 2010

Jen Gallacher

6 comments

I have several different types of stamps. I have wood mounted. I have acrylic. I have rubber, unmounted stamps. And frankly, I love them all (no playing favorites here). But one technique I enjoy requires an acrylic stamp. For today’s “Work It Out Wednesday” I’ll show you how to manipulate an acrylic stamp to create a curved sentiment. It’s a lot of fun and really quite easy so I hope you’ll join me!

For today’s “WOW” you will need an acrylic sentiment (a one-liner is most easy to manipulate), an acrylic stamping block, paper, and a stamp pad.

Step 1: Determine how you’d like the sentiment to curve (upwards or downwards). Place the sentiment on the block.

Step 2: Gently move the sides up (or down) to create a curve. Play around with this for a little bit. Then press sentiment down carefully, making sure not to lose the curve. There will be some bunching in your stamp (a little is fine, too much and the bunch will show up as you stamp–adjust as needed).