INSIDER
december 2010
fabulous finds
A by G arvey
Have a Simply Satisfying and Organized holiday
Crafting with Kids Hybrid projects to do with your children
From Video to Still Photos Getting great pictures
from your digial videos
d e c e m b e r ’s f e a t u r e d d e s i g n e r
creashens Designer creashens created this beautiful kit
EXCLUSIVELY for DigiShopTalk Gold member subscribers. See inside for information on how you can get yours! This issue sponsored by Scrapbookgraphics, 2008 •SDIGISHOPTALK.COM S c r a p b o o k i n g S t u d i o a n d SSeptember uzyQ craps
igital D
A
table of contents DECEMBER 2010
inside this issue 03 from the desk of
INSIDER
Our Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer Wilson, discusses this month’s theme, simplifying the holidays in 2011
04 featured designer Learn more about creashens and this month’s kit
19 new to you Introducing “new to you” designer Ramona the Pest
22 gallery gems Four exceptional pages from the DST layout gallery
24 hybrid picks Three inspiring hybrid projects from the DST gallery
25 hybrid tutorial Celebrate the holiday season with fun crafts for children of all ages
27 photos from digital videos Get still photos from digital video
29 interview with Aby Garvey
DST INSIDER © 2010EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief JENNIFER S. WILSON (STARXLR8) Assistant Editor NEISHA SYKES (LAVENDAR) Production Editor LEAH LOY (TINKERBEL73) Ad Manager LEAH SANDE (GIRLYGIRL) Tutorial Editor JENN WHITE (BIGSCRAPKITTY) Senior Staff Writers KAYLEA HUTSON (KAYTEBUG) WENDY (WENDYZINE) CHERYL ASHCRAFT (GONEWITHTHEWIND) Staff Writers MICHELLE HUEGEL (EDITORIALDRAGON) VIVIENNE OESTERGAARD (VIVIE)
Have an organized and simple holiday with Aby
31 wish jar project Try this quick and easy daily Advent activity
33 simplifying the holidays Make your holidays less hectic with these ideas
36 trendspotting Circles, circles everywhere--and perfect for your Christmas layouts
37 the back page Check out what is coming up next month and learn how you can enter this month’s Featured Designer contest
38 advertising directory Your go-to place to find the designer and store you’re looking for
Digishoptalk.com is the hub of the digital scrapbook community. We strive to be the one-stop resource for online scrapbookers who want to be “in-the-know” with what is going on in the digital scrapbooking world! In addition to our free member gallery and forums, we also have a DST chat room, a continuously updated Digital Directory to help you find any designer, store or resource, and an up-to-date calendar of all the chats, sales and events in the digital community! Contact us: DSTInsider@gmail.com DST is owned by Escalate Media, LP. This issue of the DigiShopTalk INSIDER created using Adobe InDesign CS4. Papers and elements used in this edition are from creashen’s Merrily kit designed exclusively for DST Gold Members and used with permission. Visit creashens at CatScrap.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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from the desk of
I
“
s it December already? How
Try participating in one of the many
in the heck did that happen?
organized holiday scrapbooking
It seems like just yesterday
projects or do your own thing.
I was hanging up my 2010
Most importantly, arm yourself with
calendars.
a camera, journal and open mind
As this year comes to a close, I want to invite you to take stock of
so that you can record all that the season offers.
your world. Don’t wait for the new
In this issue of the DigiShopTalk
year to refresh and renew. Amidst
Insider, we’re sharing an array of
all the frenzy, all the shopping,
tips for simple holiday memory
As scrapbookers,
all the parties and one too many
keeping. From an amazing
one of the best
cookies, you can find the calm.
interview with organizer Aby
ways we can
As scrapbookers, one of the best
center ourselves
“
and find peace
ways we can center ourselves and find peace is putting our memories on the priority list. When the days
is putting our
get even busier, it can be tempting
memories on the
to let scrapbooking and “me time”
priority list.
by Jennifer Wilson
Garvey to fabulous project tutorials, you’ll be loaded up with inspiration for scrapbooking all month long. And, of course, you can explore the creative work of our featured designer, creashens!
altogether fall by the wayside. It is
Happy holidays and a
these times, especially, when you
fabulous new year to you from
need to have a creative outlet for
DigiShopTalk.com!
stress-relief and heart-filling.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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featured from thedesigner desk of december’s featured designer
creashens
Want to dig right into this collection and spend your day scrapping away your Merrily page? What inspired you to create this month’s DST Gold Member kit? Absolutely, the joy of the holidays! What is your favorite part or element of the kit? All of it! All of my elements are personally digitally or hand-crafted and I’m very proud to say all my elements created for “Merrily” are unique to this kit.
Click here to find out more about becoming a Gold Member at DST so you can get this great kit and the next eleven to come!
Tell us about your family: I am the daughter of two loving parents who still hold hands, proud older sister to an exceptional professional-photographer brother, blessed mother to a happy four-year-old daughter (you may often see her in my product previews) and devoted wife to a husband of seven-plus years. How long have you been designing? I have been a graphic designer since 1992, a digital crafting/scrapbooking designer since 2006.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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featured designer What part of designing is most challenging to you?
What do you see is the next trend in digital design?
With a full-time corporate graphic design job and a
I wouldn’t consider this a trend, because trends come
demanding little girl, finding the time to design is definitely
and go, but I believe creating designs you would see on
the biggest challenge.
a traditional ‘paper’ scrapbook page is and will always
What inspires you?
remain classic.
[Both] colors and my little girl inspire me.
What is the latest you’ve ever stayed up to finish a design
If you’re running low on design mojo, where do you go to
or scrap?
kick-start your creativity?
Five a.m. and then up to go to work at seven a.m.!
My Japanese Real Simple magazines, although I can
What’s your favorite snack to have handy while you
understand almost none of them.
design?
What has been the greatest compliment you have received
Gummy anything!
about your designs?
What is your favorite quote?
Definitely their uniqueness and ease of use.
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful
Favorite TV show?
lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with
Grey’s Anatomy, but almost anything on the Disney Channel.
the knowledge that you are never alone.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Additional products available from creashens at CatScrap and creashen’s blog or facebook.
Torn Bits 4
Furever
XO
Pitter Patter
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Brenda 3littleKs
This is the prettiest Christmas kit! I love the colors, of course, but the ellies are just divine.
Cheryl
gonewiththewind
Love the color scheme (traditional with a tweak of retro) along with the mix of modern and aged elements. This kit is huge and would make a Christmas album in a snap!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Heather interstitchal
I just love the style of this kit - a little bit modern, a little bit traditional. It goes with everything!
Jen
justjen8
Gorgeous colors and amazing elements . . . a total joy to work with!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery Suzanne sbaird
What a gorgeous kit! I have been a fan of creashens for a long time. As with all her kits, I love the large amount of elements to choose from and the fun papers. A perfect kit for your holiday projects and layouts.
Monika
chantalsmama Amazing kit! Love all the elements, words and alpha!
Want to get this Gold Member kit PLUS eleven other great kits during the next year? Sign up here! An annual membership is only $25.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery More inspiration from the creashens Creative Team
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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advertising
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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advertising
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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advertising
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
Scrapbookgraphics Presenting some great designers: Studio Rosey Posey, Studio Flergs, Dawn Inskip, Studio Vivarant, Studio Charlize, Studio Gypsy, Studio Gypsy and Studio Gypsy, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Take a look at their products and shop their stores. Thanks, girls, for supporting the Insider this month.
Product Previews
Where Can You Find Us? Studio Flergs Blog | Facebook
Studio Rosey Posey Blog | Facebook
Studio Dawn Inskip Blog
Studio Vivarant Blog | Facebook
Studio Charlize Blog | Facebook
Studio Gypsy Blog
Studio Ztampf! Blog | Facebook
Studio Doodelle Blog | Facebook
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
Digital Scrapbooking Studio Presenting Digital Scrapbooking Studio, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Take a look at their products, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop their store. How do you find The Studio? Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks, Toiny, for supporting the Insider this month.
product picks
All layouts made using the kit Sugar Cookies & Snow
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
SuzyQ Scraps Presenting SuzyQ Scraps, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Take a look at her products, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop her store. How do you find SuzyQ Scraps? Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks, SuzyQ Scraps, for supporting the Insider this month.
All layouts made using the kit Christmas Whimsy
product picks
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
18
new to you by Cheryl Ashcraft
New to You: Ramona The Pest This is “New to You,” the Insider’s column designed to help you discover designers you might not know. Every month, we’ll select a designer, create layouts from one of their kits and introduce you to their style. Don’t forget to download your sample kit, too. You never know, you might discover a new favorite or two! This month, let’s meet Ramona The Pest. The DST Creative Team played with Ramona’s Hearts Full of Thanks kit. Check out their inspiring layouts! And, don’t forget to download your gift from Ramona: the Hearts Full of Thanks add-on freebie, on page 18.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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new to you
Cheryl
Heather
Fun word strips and vibrant colors with
This kit is very versatile and can be
great patterns.
used for Thanksgiving, fall, or any-day
gonewiththewind
interstitchal
celebrations!
Jen
Monika
Beautiful kit, with awesome word
Wonderful kit, with great colors and
bits and pretty colors!
elements. Love the word bits.
justjen8
chantalsmama
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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new to you
Suzanne
Click to download your gift from Ramona
sbaird
Beautiful Kit. I really love the
Hearts Full of Thanks add-on
colors. The choice of elements is plentiful. A perfect kit for all occasions.
ADVERTISEMENT
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gallery gems The DST Gallery is packed with amazing layouts and inspiration. Here is just a selection of fun pages from our amazing members.
frezia Christmas Fairy Sleeps
GeVisacri Christmas to Remember
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gallery gems
Snojewel Christmas 2009
beaute Love Christmas
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid picks By VIVIENNE OESTERGAARD
Hot Hybrid Gallery Picks Each month the Insider team picks our favorite projects posted in the DST Hybrid Gallery from the past month. Check out the amazing projects we’ve picked this time:
clockwise from top left:
Tabby Ornament by thunderdragon
Christmas Card by mrsburgess
Winter Greetings Card by Anso
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid tutorial by Jennifer White from ScrappersWorkshop.com
Have a Happy Hybrid Holiday with Your Kids Every year the kids and I make little gifts to take with us to church on Christmas Eve to give to our friends and acquaintances. We’ve made everything from soap to sachets, so I’m always looking for the
Step 1 • Take a face cloth (washcloth) and fold in half and in half again lengthwise, then roll up into a swirl. • Secure it by tying with a ribbon.
next good idea! I’ve rounded up some delightful hybrid projects to try with the kids this year. I think these cupcakes would charm just about anyone and who can’t use
Step 3
another washcloth! Why not pack four
• Package your cupcake in a clear gift
or six of these into a bakery box for a
bag, the kind you get for goodie
really nice gift!
bags in the party aisle, and tie it off
Here’s one of my favorites by Sara
with a pretty ribbon.
(livelys) at Sweet Shoppe Designs.com.
Facecloth Cupcakes
Step 2 • Print your favorite holiday-themed digital paper and then cut into a strip the width of your rolled-up cupcake and long enough to wrap completely around it. If desired, trim the long edges with with a border punch or fancy scissors. Wrap around cupcake and tape the ends together to keep in place. • Add toppings, if desired. Try a bath pearl for nice cherry or make sprinkles with bath confetti!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid tutorial Hybrid Fun for All Ages
6-12 years old
Older Kids and Adults
To keep you crafting, I’ve put together a collection of projects for kids of all ages (moms and grandmas, too) to will inspire you to get out the scissors and get busy. Click on each project for instructions. Quick and Easy Ornaments from Jaime
3-6 years old (with a little help)
Warren at memorymakersmagazine.com Icicle Ornament – Kelleigh Ratzlaff at thedigichick.com
Simple Paper Hanging Ornament from Jessica Jones at How About Orange blog Wrapping Paper Stars
Victorian Cone Ornament at scrapgirls.com
Victorian Dove Ornament at scrapgirls.com
Snowman Garland from D. Sharp
Drop Ornament – Kelleigh Ratzlaff at
Journal blog
thedigichick.com
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid tutorial by Stan and Jennifer White from ScrappersWorkshop.com
Stand Still! Getting Photos from Video Many of us have cameras that
Step 2 - Choose Your Frame
Photoshop Users:
take both video and still photos,
• Slide the slider under the image until
Step 1 - Import the Video
but doesn’t it always happen
you are near the part of the video you
that when you’re taking video,
want the still from.
you get that perfect photo opportunity? Well, with Photoshop
• Use your arrow keys to move a frame at a time to the exact frame you
and Photoshop Elements it’s easy to
want. Don’t be surprised if many of
capture still photos from your videos!
them are blurry, motion shows up
This tutorial includes screen shots for
that way. Hopefully if the motion isn’t
PSCS5 and PSE9, but the instructions
too fast you will get at least one clear
will work in PSE 6,7,8 and 9 and PSCS
frame.
3,4,5. You may need to adapt for other software programs.
Photoshop Elements Users Step 1 - Import the Video • Go to File> Import> Frame from Video, you’ll get a dialog box like this:
• Press Done Step 3 - Edit and Save Your Image • Click on the new window to make
dialog box with your video showing in the image window.
• Click the Selected Range Only button (if you don’t, you may get so many layers your machine is overwhelmed). Step 2 - Choose your Frame • Slide the slider under the image until you are near the part of the video you want the still from. If you
Tips for success:
go past it, back up until you are just
• Look at lots of frames! Often the next
before the frame you think you want.
one is just a little bit better, so make sure you’ve seen all your options before you grab. • To grab multiple frames, move the slider or press your arrow keys to
window in the dialog box.
• When you click Load, you will get a
just that frame in it.
File> Save As and save as a JPEG.
should see it fill in the image
then click Load
image. A new window will open with
• Do any editing you’d like, then choose
video. When you click open, you
Layers and browse to your video file,
• Click the Grab Frame bar to grab that
it active.
• Click on Browse and find your
• Go to File> Import> Video Frames to
choose a new frame and press the grab bar again. You don’t have to press Done until you’ve got all the stills you want from that video clip.
• Hold your SHIFT key down and drag the slider to the right just a little. You will see a darker grey bar show up behind the slider to show what is selected. Keep this as small as possible so as to limit the number of layers you end up with. • Click OK
• Don’t miss the WARNING at the end of this tutorial!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid tutorial Step 3 - Edit and Save your Image • Click on the new window to make it active. • In your Layers panel, you will see each frame of the video as a separate layer!
• Once you have the frame you like
Printed, that would be a little over
showing, go to File> Save As and
two-by-1.5 inches. You can resize
save the file as a JPEG. You can
the image, but you will lose quality.
now close this file without saving if
Some cameras allow you to capture
you like.
video at a higher resolution and the newer DSLRs capture HD video which
Tips for success:
will give you slightly larger images,
• Keep your initial selection from
but even so, they won’t be much
the video very small. Even a few
larger than four-by-six inches at print
seconds can add up to hundreds of
resolution. So, be sure to check your
layers!
image size before you print to avoid
• You’ll notice there’s an option to
• Starting at the top of the Layers
any blurry surprises.
Limit to Every 2 Frames in the dialog
This is a wonderful, easy way to get
box. You probably don’t want to do
stills when you have no photos, but
that, as you might miss the one clear
of course is not a substitute for a
frame that’s there. But if you want
well planned and captured image.
panel, click on the eyeball to the left
to capture a larger part of the video,
of each layer to turn off that layer
this option will only capture every-
until you get to the frame you want.
other frame.
Be sure to check all of the frames
WARNING: Check your image size!
around your chosen moment to be
Most cameras capture video at
sure you get the best one.
640x480 pixels, which is not very big.
However, if all you have is video, any still image is better than none. Knowing how to capture those photos from videos instead of stills could be the difference between making a layout or doing without.
ADVERTISEMENT
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping by Kaylea Hutson
A Simply Satisfying and Organized Holdiay with Aby Garvey Simple and
For Garvey, a simple holiday also means
Then, ask your loved ones the same
holiday. Let’s be
taking the guilt out of the season.
questions. You might be surprised to learn
honest, these
“If you feel like you should send holiday
that you’re doing certain things out of
are two words
cards, but don’t enjoy it—give yourself
habit even though they aren’t particularly
that don’t often
permission to take the year off and
important or meaningful to anyone.”
go together.
spend the extra time hanging out with
Next, she says, give yourself permission
But for
your kids,” she explains. “When you
to eliminate or simplify what you does not
creative-organizing expert Aby
remove the ‘shoulds’ from your to-do
give you joy.
Garvey, holidays can, in fact, be
list, you create space to relax and enjoy
simply satisfying. Garvey presents
the season, instead of feeling like you’re
her organization advice on her blog,
in a constant race to the finish line.”
Creative Organizing and also offers
Garvey says she typically begins
online workshops and downloads as
planning for the holiday season in
well at Simplify 101.
early November.
“To me, simplifying the holidays is
“I know of people who plan for the
about focusing on the things that
holidays all year round. They even have
matter most to you and your loved
their gifts wrapped and bought by early
ones,” Garvey says. “So creating a
November,” Garvey notes. “So I think it’s
simple holiday is more about creating a
very much a personal decision as opposed
certain feeling rather than a certain look.
to a one-size-fits-all type of decision.
“A simple holiday is one that feels joyful
“With that said, the sooner you start, the
and stress-free. There is time to relax
sooner you can finish up and create the
and really savor the aspects of the
time and space necessary to relax and
season that make it meaningful to you.”
simply enjoy the season.”
When Garvey talks about having a
Developing a Simple Holiday
simple holiday season, she speaks
Garvey recommends the first step to
from experience.
create a simple holiday celebration is to
Both of her children have birthdays
determine which aspects really matter to
between Halloween and Christmas.
you and your loved ones.
This led her to develop a way to
“Start by asking yourself which activities
organize her time and focus on the
you look forward to each year and then
most important part of this busy time
ask yourself which ones you dread,”
of year: her family time.
Garvey says.
“When you scale back on the parts of the holidays that really weren’t bringing you joy anyway, you have more bandwidth to drink-in those things that do matter.” “If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy cooking, then a simple holiday for you would be one that downplays cooking and baking,” Garvey states, “and gives more attention to the aspects of the season you do enjoy whether that’s relaxing with loved ones or going all-out when decorating your home.” Garvey points out that a simple holiday season gives a person time and space within their schedule to enjoy the season and the people and activities which matter most.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
29
get scrapping “So often we try to do it all and
look at your holiday to-do list to figure
end up stressed and overwhelmed,
end up exhausted by January,” she
out what to simplify or eliminate. It
that too will spill over onto everyone
observes. “When you scale back on
also helps you map out a to-do list
else,” Garvey explains.
the parts of the holidays that really
that allows for “plenty of room for
To learn more about simplifying your
weren’t bringing you joy anyway,
the good stuff.”
holiday (through instant download)
you have more bandwidth to drink-in
“The workshop is loaded with
visit her site.
those things that do matter.”
ideas for simplifying the various
Garvey also has tips available to
tasks on your holiday to-do list like
help people get organized after the
gift giving, wrapping gifts, menu
holidays. You can find a link to her
planning, decorating and so on,”
instant-download “Clear Out the
Garvey observes.
Holiday Clutter” workshop ($14.95
It also has an overriding theme: that
US) here.
the best gift a person can give to
Want to simplify other areas of your
loved ones is a holiday filled your own
life? Check out Garvey’s other
joy and happiness.
workshops and downloads here.
To help you prepare for the holidays, Garvey has created an instant download, “Get Organized for the Holidays–Before + During” ($19.95 US) which is available on her site, Simplify 101. The workshop, in instant-download
“While focusing on yourself may seem counterintuitive, the truth is this: when you take care of your own needs and fill your bucket with joy, this joy spills over onto others. On the other hand, if you neglect yourself and
format, helps you take an objective
Discovering Aby Garvey Aby Garvey is a creative-organizing expert, pioneer in the
to get organized. Through online workshops, Garvey
online-organizing niche, author, teacher, coach and founder
strives to make the organizing process creative and fun.
of www.simplify101.com.
Her online workshops teach students how to implement
She is happily married to Jay and a mom to two kids who
organizing and time-management solutions that really
have birthdays during the holiday season, which led to her
work, putting an end to disorder and stress. Simplify 101
having to find a simple, yet joy-filled way to fit two birthday
also hosts a monthly organizing newsletter.
celebrations in between Halloween and Christmas.
Finding Aby on the Web
“My current mission in life is to be a loving wife and mom
For more information about learning to simplify your
and to be someone who inspires others to live a life they
life, visit www.simplify101.com and Garvey’s blog,
truly love,” Garvey says.
Creative Organizing.
About Simplify 101
Garvey can also be found at Twitter: abygarvey.
Simplify 101 is a site devoted to a completely new way
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping by Kaylea Hutson
Spread the Joy Throughout the Season: Looking for a way to help your children think of things other than themselves or presents,during this Christmas season? Why not create an Advent Joy Jar!
Quick and Easy Advent Joy Jar
Supplies
Advent Jar - Suggestions
• 1 Glass quart jar or other festive
(You will need 24 to 27, depending
container • Green and/or red paper • Scissors • 1 marker (black or dark color) • Embellishments to decorate the jar, as desired
Instructions Step 1: Cut at least 24 (4.25-inches long by one-inch wide) strips of green and red paper. If starting this on November 28, you’ll need 27 strips.
Step 2: Write one Advent task on each strip. See list for possible examples. Advent, or the time of preparation
Step 3: Fold the strips in half and
leading up to Christmas, is filled
place in the jar.
with themes of hope, peace, joy
Step 4: Decorate and embellish the
and love as Christians prepare for
outside of the jar as desired.
the birth of Jesus.
upon when you begin) • Make an ornament and give it away to a neighbor or friend. • Play a guessing game using holiday scents like pine, gingerbread, holly, mistletoe and cinnamon. • Send an e-mail or Facebook message to someone in the military. • Grab some pals and have a holiday sing-along at a local senior center. • Decorate every door or window in your house. • Make a gift or a card for your teacher or someone special. • Write a Christmas story together, each person adding a line or two.
Step 5: Each day, beginning on
This jar, filled with a variety of tasks,
either November 28, the first day
helps your child think about ways to
of advent, or December 1, have
spread love and friendship during the
a specific time set aside for your
month of December.
child(ren) to pull out one of the slips.
Warning: This project might
Try to accomplish that task they
encourage your children to look for
pulled out on that day or set it aside
excitement beyond the bottom of your
to complete during the weekend.
Christmas tree!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
31
get scrapping • At a meal, tell what you love best about each family member present.
• Hug everyone in your family today.
Christmas cookie and share some
• Read Luke 2:1-20 with your family
department). • Think of one thing you are grateful
to a charity. • Watch your three favorite holiday movies in one night. • Make a Christmas drawing. Use glitter to make the snow glisten and the stars twinkle. • Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood. • Play Secret Santa to someone who could use some holiday cheer • Create homemade cards to give to family and friends. • Have a family talent show! • Have an “Eat Desserts First” night. • Make some luminarias to decorate your neighborhood. • Read a Christmas story/book such as the “Legend of the Candy Cane.”
and set up your Christmas crèche. • Make a Christmas card online and e-mail it to a friend or family
for this year and share it with
member. (Note: Dayspring online
someone else.
has some great free online cards
• Take part in a progressive Christmas
extra toy or food item and donate it
a family.
• Make sugar cookies or your favorite
with friends (or the local fire/police
• While Christmas shopping, buy an
• Practice singing Christmas carols as
you can e-mail out!)
dinner with friends and/or family
• Think of a Christmas joke to tell to
members. Each “host” provides
someone today to make them
a different part of the meal at their
smile.
home. • Make a gingerbread house with your family. (Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect!) • Write “I love you” notes and hide them under a family member’s pillow. • Do a chore without being asked (or reminded). • Make a special snack for your family.
• Have a picnic for dinner. • Say three nice things about each family member. • Make dog biscuits for the humane society. • Find a way to tell someone you love them without spending any money. • Hum your favorite Christmas carol and see if someone can guess which one it is.
• Be nice to someone, even if you don’t like them very much! • Take a drive to look at Christmas lights as a family. • Clean your bedroom without being asked. • Make a Christmas card for someone you love. • Decorate your windows with paper snowflakes.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping by Michelle Huegel
Fill the Holidays with Simple Joy: Ideas for Stress-free Holidays It’s “that time of year” again:
purpose is to gather all holiday
template album, create a special
time to drag out the boxes of
information in one place, instead
folder for “Christmas album” and
holiday decor, turn your kitchen
of random notes, lists, and bits of
drop your photos and journaling text
into a bakery, find the perfect,
paper everywhere. I personally like
files in there, too. When you have a
thoughtful gift for all 200 people
using Evernote, since I can add
spare minute, everything is ready to
on your list, attend countless
notes, pictures and other info on my
crank out a few pages.
holiday parties, visit with Santa,
phone and it automatically syncs
travel to relatives and on and on.
• Create a master gift list where
to the program on my computer
you can keep track of ideas and
Just thinking about it makes my heart-
and online, so I can access and
purchases for everyone you need
rate speed up and my mind whirl. How
edit my notebook anywhere. The
to buy/make gifts for. The website
will we do it all? The simple answer?
beauty of this idea is that it can
Don’t! Try these practical ideas
be anything you want or need it
garnered from DigiShopTalk members
to be, totally customized for your
and sites around the Web along with
family. A few category ideas to get
a few of my own for simplifying and
you started: calendars, gift lists,
organizing your holidays.
Christmas cards, budget, meals and menus, entertaining, recipes, decor,
• Create a Christmas planner
traditions, craft projects, photos to
notebook. This could be a simple
take, layouts to scrap. I’m sure you’ll
three-ring binder, a computer file
think of your own to add!
or notes on your smartphone. The
• Carry around a little, pocketsized notebook everywhere you go to jot down ideas, memories,
Organized Christmas offers a free
lists, funny things your kids say and
printable list or one that you can
anything else that comes to mind.
fill out online and print. They also
Transfer this info to your Christmas
offer many other printable lists and
notebook regularly and use it as
planners to include in your Christmas
a prompt for journaling on your
notebook.
layouts. • If you want to “scrap
• Measure each holiday activity as you
by whether or not it makes
go,” pick out a single kit (or a
the season more joyful for you
few coordinated products) and a
or not. If not, can it be cut out? Make
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping • Set a budget and decide that’s
sure that everything you do serves a
something or rushing around last
purpose, and that you’re not doing
minute flinging lights on the tree
it. Once that money is gone, it’s
it just because “that’s what we’ve
and cookies in the oven.
gone. It will force you to consider
always done” or “everybody does it.”
• Instead of buying “things,” have
every gift, activity and event in a new light if you think, “Is this really how we
Your family couldn’t care less about
each person choose
Santa? Then don’t stand in line for
they would like to “do,” such
pictures with him. You hate baking?
as camping with daddy, going to the
Then buy cookies and other treats if
spa with mommy, seeing a musical
anything you put up must
your family must have them.
or sports event, etc. This helps
come down. And if you have young
remove some of the consumer-focus
children, you will likely repeat that
this year, it’s a great tip to remember
of the holidays and instead puts an
process several times. My favorite
for next year. DigiShopTalk forum
emphasis on spending time together
decorations are ones that serve a
member CardinalsKate suggests
and making memories.
dual purpose; for example, pretty
• Although this idea is a little late for
picking up gifts all year long
one activity
• And if you can get away with it,
as you find that perfect gift for
Roxy’s tip is my personal favorite:
each person. She wraps the gifts
“go to my folks’ house for the day!”
want to spend our holiday money?” • Remember when decorating that
candles that also offer beautiful ambient lighting (and can be thrown away once they’re burned down),
and puts a sticky note on them listing
Spending Christmas at a
strung popcorn that can be set out
what the item is and its recipient.
friend’s or family member’s
for the birds after Christmas, bowls
house means you don’t have to
of fruit and nuts, an advent calendar
• Hungry Hill Sarah’s secret is
delegation. “Don’t try to do
clean yours within an inch of your life
everything yourself,” she says, “It’s
or worry about cooking a massive
a lot more fun when everyone gets
meal or decorating to the nines.
involved.” For example, get the family
• Prioritize. What are the things/
(fun activity for kids). Really, anything that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed instead of just packed away makes for a simpler (and more eco-friendly) holiday.
or a group of friends in the kitchen
activities/events that embody
with you and set up an assembly line
“the holidays” to you? The things
for holiday baking. More fun and less
that when January rolls around
letter/card by e-mail instead
stress at the same time!
and you look back you would be
of snail mail. You can include as
• Lists, lists and more lists are
disappointed if you didn’t do them?
Miki Ferkul’s plan to simplify her
You can greatly simplify your list
holidays. She categorizes and
of to-do’s by running everything
schedules out various activities and
through this filter. If you have
things like mailing cards, decorating
older children, include them in
the house, ordering gifts online,
the decisions. What activities are
etc. When each activity has its
important to them, and which ones
time slot on the calendar, you don’t
could they do without?
have to worry about forgetting
• Send your annual holiday
many pictures and text as you want, instead of being limited to whatever fits on a card. You could even upload your digital scrapbook page/card/ letter online and send everyone the link, since some e-mail programs have problems with attachments. This tip has the added bonus of saving money, too.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
34
get scrapping • Give yourself permission to
option to designate charitable gifts
not scrap a single page during December and instead focus
on
• A few more easy,
last-minute
through carefully selected agencies
crafty gift ideas: Best of the Year
in the name of their relatives, friends
photo CD, 4x6 calendar (purchase
making the memories to scrap
a ready-made digital calendar set,
later. Don’t forget to take lots of
drop in your photos and slip them
pictures, though, and jot down
in a flip album) or brag book, CD
some journaling in a notebook (or
calendar (again, digital quickpages
Evernote!) to help you remember the
make this easy), personalized jar
little details.
candles/bottles of wine/candy bars and more with hybrid wrappers,
• One of the best ideas to simplify gift-giving that is also in keeping
and associates.” They have multiple
bookmarks designed with digital
with the spirit of the season is to
categories of charities and non-
supplies. The Daily Digi has a post
donate to a charity in the
profit agencies to choose from such
on Christmas gift ideas and one all
recipient’s name. Alternative
as “hunger,” “education,” “gender
about calendars for more ideas and
Gifts International is a non-profit
equality” and many more, so you can
links to a wide variety of products.
organization that “offers donors the
select the perfect charity for each person on your list.
Holiday Fun with Kids by Michelle Huegel As we all know, kids certainly do not simplify anything! However, the holidays will be more meaningful for them and hopefully more enjoyable for everyone if you involve your kids in holiday preparations. Children of almost any age can help with the following: • Decorate an advent calendar. Hide
personalized message inside one.
a special surprise for them to find
Make decorations, ornaments and
each day. Try this fun hybrid spool
Christmas gifts. There are countless
calendar from Just Something I Made
ideas online for kid-appropriate crafts.
disposable cameras and let your
• Bake holiday goodies. Depending on
Here’s a couple links to get you started:
kids capture the holidays from their
the age of your kids, they can help
Martha Stewart Kids Christmas Crafts,
mix, cut out and decorate sugar cookie
Enchanted Learning’s Christmas Crafts
shapes, measure ingredients and so on.
and Printable Activities.
Gingerbread men and women would be especially fun to decorate!
• Shop for gifts from them to other
an event complete with lunch and wrapping session at home. • Take pictures. Hand out cheap
perspective. • Scrap a holiday memory book. Are you doing a December Daily book or other form of holiday album? Let
family members/friends. For a special
your kids add their own memories,
activity, take your kids shopping to
drawings and pictures. They’ll love
cards. Family members would surely
pick out gifts for others and have your
looking through the albums every
love getting a hand-drawn picture
husband or a grandparent take them
year, seeing how their handwriting and
for or with their Christmas card or a
shopping for your gift. Make it into
favorite memories change over time.
• Make or write notes in greeting
Remember that perfection is not the goal here: having fun and making memories is! No, the cookies won’t be frosted evenly, the presents won’t be wrapped perfectly and your home probably won’t be decorated like a Martha Stewart catalog. But, I promise that the memories and stories created will be much more meaningful and more fun to scrap, too!
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
35
trendspotting by Vivienne Oestergaard
Trendspotting: Gather ‘Round for the Holidays Circles, circles everywhere. Check out these snow-globe shaped elements that are popping up in stores and layouts all over right now.
Modern Christmas
Fun with Frosty the Snowman
Hope PhotoArt - Etsy Store A fun modern mix of trees to punch out.
The Cutting Cafe Perfect for tags, you can color them either in Photoshop or by hand.
Vintage Christmas Charmed Memory Collage - Etsy Store More stunning vintage images for crafting.
Pink and Green Christmas Tags
Red and White Christmas Cheer
Kelly Medina Studios - Etsy Store Christmas trim in non-traditional colors.
Creations by M - Etsy Store A sophisticated and trendy look to put on your gifts.
Gingerbread Christmas Tags Miss Priss Boutique 13 - Etsy Store A mess of gingerbread images your kids will love.
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
36
the back page Monthly Gold Member Challenge In case you haven’t heard, every month our Gold Member Designer sponsors a special challenge and offers a great prize! To be entered to win, simply scrap a page using that month’s Gold Member kit and post it in our Gold Member gallery. Congratulations to November’s Gold Member Challenge winner, Scrapcoco! Her adorable layout, mmmh apples, is so cute! Scrapcoco has won a coupon to Karla Dudley’s Design House Digital store.
If you’re not a Gold Member, sign up now and you can still get this free kit, along with eleven more!
December Chat Come talk with Shen of
Join over 2,000 of your best
Looking ahead to January’s DST Insider
creashens at 10pm Eastern
digi friends in some great
* Tricks with Type
(9pm Central) on Tuesday,
conversations
* Interview with The Daily Digi
December 7th. We’ll be asking
over on our
* Featured Designer
her some great questions and
she’ll have some goodies to
page & Twitter
give away.
account @digishoptalk
We’re on Facebook & Twitter
Connie Prince * Keep things simple in the new year
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
37
advertising
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Persnickety Prints
Coffee Klatch Scrappers
Rill Studio
Deli Scraps
Scrapping with Liz
Designs in Digital
Scrapping Your Memories
Digital Scrapbook Art
Scrapper’s Delights
Digitals
Scrappers Workshop
Fanette
Scrappin Digi Kreations
Heritage Scrap
Scrappy Cats
Jady Day Studio
sherrieJD
Jaya Prem’s Hangout
Studio Tangie
Just Creations
Suzy Q Scraps
Krisi’s Kreations
Tempus Fugit
Matrioshki Scrap Designs
The Digi Scrappers
December 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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