Happy August!

I love the start of a new month. Flipping the calendar to attack a new month always makes me smile. As does reading the new issue of GingerScrapsStreet Magazine! Our August issue is chock full of inspiration for digital, hybrid, and traditional scrappers alike. Check it out here:

And enjoy this free digital kit from the super talented Sausan Designs. I am a huge fan of her art. She can be both whimsical and traditional making her one of my favorites. Read and see more about her here.

Links: {one} {two}

Please remember that you are NOT allowed to upload this kit and share anywhere, but feel free to tell your friends to stop by here to grab it. Thanks for not being a pirate!

Want to see your creations in a future issue of GingerScrapsStreet Magazine? Check out our current calls:

Cover Contest

Each month we will choose one layout to grace our cover and that designer will receive a gift certificate to GingerScraps digital store as our thanks. All layouts submitted for our article calls are eligible. Good Luck!

November 2011 Calls

Thankful for You. Share those layouts that show just exactly why you are thankful for your friends and family.

Its Not Easy Being Green. Fresh cut grass, lollipops or envy.... Celebrating all things Green! Id like to see your layouts featuring this versatile colour! Traditional, Digital & Hybrid.

Extractions. Why and How: Grab your magic wand and send me your layouts with extractions! Cut those photos out and show us how you work them.

Off the Page. Take your scrapping into shadow boxes, frames, or any other home decor project.

Traditions. What does your family do every fall? Take certain trips? Enjoy annual activities? Share your favorites with us.

Crafty Boutique: Ribbon and lace. Are you in love with trims? We want to see your creative and fabulous uses for pretties.

Crossroads Cafe: Altered Treasures. Do you love to alter books, boxes, tins, or other items? We would love to see any and all projects that have an altered feel to them.

Deadline is midnight August 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!

Have a fabulous first of the month!

Twue Wuv...

is what bwings us togedduh today.

(For those of you who are utterly confused as to why I might have a speech impediment, this is from the Princess Bride. If you haven't seen it yet, you are surely missing out.)

Want to know my true love? My true love when it comes to paper crafting? It's not a paper manufacturer. It's not an adhesive. It's a machine. I know about a handful of people who are reading this, raising their hands frantically yelling, "I KNOW! I KNOW!"

It's the Silhouette electronic cutting machine. Yes. And my love is quite unhealthy. I get a little sweaty in the palms and look around nervously when I'm not able to use it on projects. I fear the worst for my layouts and cards because they will not have the pleasure of having a shape cut from this most magnificent machine.  Yes. My obsession runs deep. The one thing I've always known that would complete this relationship, is for the Silhouette to come out with a 12" machine. I knew that would seal it, stamp it, bind it and we'd be together for life.

You can imagine my reaction upon entering the Silhouette America booth at this past CHA when I noticed this most beautiful of machines sitting on a counter called the Cameo.  It took me a minute to realize what it was. Suddenly, I felt my heart race, my eyes go wide, my mouth begin to open and that little lump appear in my throat. Clasping my hands and gasping I looked at the Sales man. Is it...? Could it...? I can't believe... OH my....

He got quite a chuckle out of me and my crazy, ridiculous response to gazing at the beauty of the brand new Silhouette Cameo. It cuts 12". Oh and it's beautiful. My heart still goes pitter pat talking about it. Want to see a photo?

 

Oh good heavens. There it is. *Sigh*

Yes. It is probably an unhealthy relationship but I don't care! I love my machine and all the awesome projects I can produce as we work together. The only thing I haven't done yet is name my machine. Will you help me? She needs a good name. 

As far as the Cameo is concerned, release date is sometime in October with an msrp of $299.99.  That's not bad. I'm game. Sign me up! 

Here is a card I made recently using my SD just to show off how you can combine shapes and take advantage of the intricate designs that are part of the Silhouette library:

Paper, flair, stickers, rub-on, Alphabet: American Crafts, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Pen: Zig, Silhouette Shapes: card_with_swirls and layered_petal_flower

Thank you everyone for entertaining my infatuation with this machine. Crazy, unhealthy, manic as it is... I will always love my machine! 

Until next time, 

Melissa 

Reminder About Our Calls

Just to remind everyone that our next ScrapStreet magazine is in October. We want your submissions for our calls so here they are as a reminder.

Circus Fun! Circus papers and embellishments are hot this season! Show us how you use circus themed items on your layout.

Feeling punchy? Punches are hot, hot, hot! Lets see how creative you can get using these fabulous tools!

'Tis the Season to get Sticky? There are so many new and amazing techniques out there involving adhesive; adding dimension, adhering glitter, mixing with paint, the list seems endless! We want to see what YOU can do with adhesive! Submit your cards, layouts, or altered projects that show an innovative way to use one of crafting's basic supplies!

SCRAPJACKED!!! We want to see how ScrapStreet has inspired you. Send in layouts, projects, or cards that were inspired by past projects from our magazine. From just a simple idea that you have used to a full on Scrapjacking, tell us why you were inspired and give us a link to the original project.

Box it up! How do you make your presents pretty? Boxes, Bags, Wrap and Tags--show us them all!

Embrace the Old. In with the Old and out with the New~let me see your layouts with a fall theme using some kind of vintage clip art, ephemera (example~old milk caps, labels). Move that new stuff to the side~this is going to be fun!!!

Trick & Treat. Do you just love scrapping your little costumed kids and pets? We would love to see your Halloween layouts!

Happy Holidays! Show us your December holiday celebrations! We want to see them all. Every tradition, every fiesta, every fun filled moment.

Where We Create: Art Havens--each month a new artist to feature with her blog, projects, and creative space. Would you like to be featured? Send in your blog link.

Open Road: Put the focus on journaling! Go back into time and scrap about a favorite childhood memory. From the big adventure to the everyday, small moments, capture that time with your journaling.

Technique Turn: Bountiful Buttons. Show off your love of these crafty standards.

Easy Street: Time to give thanks! Show us your simple layout featuring the people and things you are grateful for this season!

Card Corner: Holiday Hullabaloo: Grab your Thickers or your other alphabet stickers because we are featuring all the different types of techniques and ways you can use them on your cards. You can go simple with a sentiment or perhaps dress them up for something more. We are featuring Holiday Cards for this issue. Send us your Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc. cards in.

..and don't forget to get your subs in by August 1st please! The magazine staff vote on the submission to be used for the cover, so get those subs in to submissions@scrapstreet.com.

Live from CHA Summer 2011

Hi friends!

Dora, Stacey, Robyn and myself are here in HOT, HUMID and beautiful Chicago! It's CHA Summer 2011 and we are thrilled to be reunited and walking the floor together. There are so many beautiful new products this year to see and we want to share with you our Top 5!

Here they are in random order...

1. Crate Paper

Those photos are all from the collection Random. Beautiful isn't it? I'm slightly in love with that bicycle chipboard piece. And the buttons... ooooh how I love Crate Paper buttons!!

2. October Afternoon

More beautiful buttons and that travel collection is adorable.

#3 Amy Tangerine

These photos just don't do it justice. This line is freaking ADORABLE and so versatile! All of us knew we could use the product on multiple projects. Forever... and ever.... and ever....

4. Lily Bee Design

Again... I apologize for these photos not doing the product justice. And I admit that I'm the one who went completely gaga over Lily Bee.  I have loved every single one of the releases ever since Lily Bee began. It could be the small patterns or the color combos or all of it. Simply gorgeous!

5. Webster's Pages

Every year there is always one or more collections from Webster's that we swoon over. For me it was the All About Me and the Winterfairy Tales. I'm always a fan of the trims and to top it all off Brandin O'Neill, the owner of Webster's, is a DOLL. She listens to her consumers and is one of the sweetest, most genuine people we've gotten a chance to network with.

And to top it all off, our very own Stacey is on the design team. Because of her awesome eye for design, she had us all sold on every single paper and embellishment by Webster's.

Phew! We are a tired bunch here in Chicago but what a fun couple of days it's been. Tomorrow we head out into the city for some fun shopping and site-seeing.

Thanks for swinging by,
Melissa

CHA Jealousy

I won't lie to you. I'm insanely jealous of many of our staff who are right this minute walking the floor of Summer CHA in Chicago and browsing and ogling over all the new goodies. I'm having a brief pity party, but instead I will share some of my favorites of all the sneaks so far!

Please keep in mind that these are my personal favorites, not a reflection of Scrapstreet as a whole.

Of course, I'm biased, but one of my top favorites come from Pebbles. I am in love with Fresh Goods and think the colors are amazing.

Hello my Woodgrain Friend:



And I'm a sucker for all papers yellow, and the banner? Gorgeous!


And like many people, I'm head over heels in love with Amy Tan's line for American Crafts. Holy Cuteness!


I love a good Christmas line that doesn't scream Christmas, which is kind of an oxymoron, right?! I love being able to use elements for other non-holiday pages and these are perfect!

And of course I always look forward to what Studio Calico puts out. I'm new-ish to misting, but will definitely be getting one of these:



I'm a sucker for all of Maya Road's chipboard pieces each release!


That isn't even close to touching all the new releases, but just a very few of my favorites. What are some of the companies and releases you're looking forward to this summer?!

How about some "vintage flair"~

Hi everyone!! This is my first blog post as a street writer for ScrapStreet!!!  I wanted to share this wreath I made a few weeks ago ~hoping it will encourage you to add some "vintage flair" into your art ~ what ever that might be~ scrapbooking, card making, altered art, crafts you name it.

I used Helmar products, Maya Road, Cosmo Cricket, Jenni Bowlin and Claudine Hellmuth plus a lot of vintage sass.  The flag is made out of old music paper.  The aluminum numbers were found on old telephone poles on our ranch ~ super cool find!!! 

and a close~up of the fabulous vintage buttons and numbers!!! My first call is up on the blog under fall calls ~ Here it is:In with the Old and out with the New~let me see your layouts with a fall theme using some kind of vintage clip art, ephemera (example~old milk caps, labels). Move that new stuff to the side~this is going to be fun!!!

Looking forward to seeing what you create!!!  by: Connie Mercer/Street Writer

It takes two

For me to scrap, sometimes.  Most of the time, I am an at home, with computer, solo scrapper.  I might  attend an occasional class or head to a crop, but I rarely get anything done there beyond exploring the social side of scrapping.  I love the chatter and seeing what others have created, but never really make anything in a group.

But once a year my scrapping partner in crime arrives.  She is my oldest niece and my best mojo starter.  Lauren will start high school this fall--after her annual summer visit with me.  She lives in Florida far across the country from my Chicagoland home.  And my sister, her mom, is not a scrapper.  So sad.  Lauren has to pack in all of her scrappy time with me while she is here.

She was barely in the house before she raced into my scrap room to start exclaiming over my latest goodies.  We share an intense love of all things Crate Paper, so that is where we started.  She grabbed a couple a line and we were off and running.  We decided on cards to warm us up.

Lauren created this darling card: 

I absolutely love her layering and  gorgeous flower details.

I created this:

I love using "happy" as the sentiment on cards.  They are so versatile usable for birthdays, congratulations, and more.

Next, we decided to pop out a few quick and easy square cards.  Lauren's:

and mine:

We created a bunch more, but will save those for another day.  She also managed to take just over 500 photos during the holiday weekend.  I have a feeling we will be very busy creating this weekend.  I wish you all a happy scrappy week!

Cover Girls!

Two of my favorite scrappers grace our covers this month.  They have different styles, but each scraps with a joy that radiates from their work.  Whenever I pop by either blog, I feel inspired and happy.

First up is the darling cover page by Stacey Michaud:

Stacey's Blog is called It's Just Paper and it really describes her style.  She loves patterned paper and to cut it to best create her design idea.  I never tire of seeing what she can do with a sheet of paper!  Here are a few more of my faves:

and this:

I am thrilled to have worked with Stacey at ScrapStreet for the last few years.  She brings her talent and creativity to each issue of our magazine.  Check out her column Open Road.

Our second cover girl this month is the super crafty and creative Connie Mercer.  It is unusual for us to choose paper scrappers for both covers in the same month, but her page was just so fun we could not resist:

Connie's blog is titled Crafty Goodies and it describes her style perfectly.  She definitely loves to put goodies on all of her crafts!  Her art is dimensional and delightful.  Take a peek:

Just look at this darling corner book mark:

Life is in the details and Connie makes them sing!  I am so pleased to announce that she has joined the ScrapStreet team and you will be able to see her first article in our Fall 2011 issue.  Welcome, Connie!

If you would like to be a cover girl (or guy) all you need to do is submit to any of our current calls.  All items subbed are eligible!  Here are our calls:     ScrapStreet               GingerScrapsStreet

Thanks for stopping by today!  Happy Saturday!