INSIDER
november 2010
fabulous finds
K elleigh R atzlaff Get to know this hybrid designer
Cutting Machines Which one is
right for you?
Trendspotting Rosettes: the latest
trend in scrapbooking
n o v e m b e r ’s f e a t u r e d d e s i g n e r
Karla Dudley
Designer Karla Dudley created this beautiful kit EXCLUSIVELY for DigiShopTalk Gold member subscribers. See inside for information on how you can get yours! T h i s i s s u e s p o n s o r e d b y Tr i x i e S c r a p s , S c r a p a n d M a t r i o s h k i S cSeptember r a p 2008 D e• DIGISHOPTALK.COM signs
H e r i t a g e
A
table of contents NOVEMBER 2010
inside this issue 03 from the desk of
INSIDER
Our Editor-in-Chief, Jennifer Wilson, discusses this month’s theme, hybrid scrapping
07 featured designer Learn more about Karla Dudley and this month’s kit
19 new to you Introducing “new to you” designer Carena
22 gallery gems Six 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 your own countdown chain
26 interview with Kelleigh Ratzlaff Discover this amazing hybrid designer
29 grow your skills Try these easy-to-make hybrid crumpled paper flowers
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 LINDA BIGELOW (LINDABGLW) MICHELLE HUEGEL (EDITORIALDRAGON) VIVIENNE OESTERGAARD (VIVIE) JAN WALKER
31 making the “cut” Which cutting machine is right for you? A review of the most popular machines
34 trendspotting Get inspired with rosettes
35 the back page Check out last month’s winners and learn how you can enter this month’s contest
36 advertising directory A directory of designers and stores
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 Karla Dudley’s Jude kit designed exclusively for DST Gold Members and used with permission. Visit Karla Dudley at Design House Digital.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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from the desk of
T
“
Finally, I have the big news you’ve been waiting for:
“
the next year’s DST Featured Designers.
by Jennifer Wilson
his morning I woke up
While I love what digital offers,
to the first frost of the
sometimes you just need to get a
year. It’s no wonder that
little dirty and get away from the
I’m yearning to knit, bake and
glare!
generally turn inward. During
In this edition of the DST Insider,
the colder months we often use
we’ll share our best ideas and
creativity to keep the home fires
inspiration for bringing hybrid to
burning. This makes November the
your home. From an interview with
perfect month for a hybrid-themed
hybrid template designer (and
issue!
former Insider Editor-in-Chief)
As a digital scrapbooker, you are
Kelleigh Ratzlaff to a quick and
undoubtedly familiar with using
easy way to craft hybrid-style with
your computer for scrapbooking.
supplies from around the house,
Hybrid combines the ease of
we’ve got you covered!
digital with the tangible rewards
Finally, I have the big news you’ve
of paper in a spectrum of
been waiting for: the next year’s
creative projects ranging from
DST Featured Designers. Turn the
all-out craftiness to simple digital
page to find out which designers
journaling on a traditional page.
have been lucky enough to
Hybrid is any page, project or
make our new top twelve! These
pursuit that couples a computer
amazing girls will be delivering an
and adhesive!
exclusive kit each month just for
I’ve enjoyed hybrid even more this
our members.
fall as a way to break my routines.
You can become a Gold Member
I spend all day on the computer, so
at any time, but as a special treat
its hard to come home and have
for this big announcement, DST is
my hobby be computer-based as
opening Diamond Memberships
well. I mix things up by working on
for just one week! Visit the
hybrid and traditional scrapbook
membership area to learn how to
projects when I need a respite.
sign up. November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
3
new designers
Introducing the DST 2010-2011 Featured Designers
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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advertising ADVERTISEMENT
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
5
advertising ADVERTISEMENT
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
6
featured from thedesigner desk of november’s featured designer
Karla Dudley
Want to dig right into this collection and spend your day scrapping away your Jude page? What inspired you to create this month’s DST Gold Member kit? It is a complete honor to create here at DST! I understand that many do not know me as a designer and this is a great opportunity to get to know other artists as well. I love creating and I love to share and I hope that the Gold Members can use my designs to help tell their stories in a fun and creative way.
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!
What is your favorite part or element of the kit? I love the paper frames and patterned papers. Papers are my favorite to create and these are uniquely autumn. Why not put a different spin on fall? I love the frames because I use them as containers to put all sorts of different elements inside. Then, the extra notch cut out of them is pretty cool, too! What is your favorite quote? “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” Pablo Picasso.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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featured designer At the end of the day, how do you want to be remembered?
What do you see is the next trend in digital design?
I may not have been the perfect wife, mother, daughter or
Graphical design. I think we’re getting there already. More
friend, but it’s known that I truly loved with every part of my
abstract, artistic designs. Simplistic but striking. But it’s
being and always will.
crazy how I think I know everything there is to know about
What is your biggest tip for balancing design time with your
digital and then I see something or a style that blows my
personal scrapping time?
mind! So I may see graphic on my end and then at the
Be organized. Make your to-do lists and stick to them and
same time, whole other styles are forming across the digi
remember to give yourself a break from design. When
world!
you do design, trust your judgment. So many times I’m
What is the latest you’ve ever stayed up to finish a design
wondering if what I’m doing will be liked or “in.” Just do
or scrap?
what you feel and it will be a joy.
Four a.m. No joke. That was back in 2008. I procrastinated
What inspires you?
and waited until the very last minute to get Winder CHA
Graphic design from the web. Textiles, typography and
projects done. I did four in one day and stayed up until the
COLOR!
wee hours doing them. Whew…never again!
Additional products available from Karla Dudley at Design House Digital and Karla’s blog.
Digi Essentials 6
Crush
Fly girl
Modern Marvel
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Brenda 3littleKs
I love this kit so much. The colors, the elements...perfection!
Cheryl
gonewiththewind
Fantastic patterned papers and stamps make this a truly versatile kit!
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Heather interstitchal
The soft elements and subtle patterns add small stand-out touches to a layout.
Jade
scrappycharmer Nice Kit. Love the brushes.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Jen
justjen8 This kit is so beautiful and delicate--one of the most gorgeous kits I’ve seen in awhile. The word art is beyond lovely and everything flows together so beautifully. This is one of those kits I’ll be using again and again!
Monika
chantalsmama Fantastic autumn kit with great colors!
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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gold kit gallery
Suzanne sbaird
This kit is gorgeous. I love the simplicity of the style and softness of the colors. The splash of red elements really makes this kit unique. I really enjoyed playing with it and love the way my page came out.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
Trixie Scraps Presenting Trixie 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 Trixie Scraps? Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks, Tracy, for supporting the Insider this month.
product picks
All layouts made using the kit Renaissance Romance
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
Heritage Scrap Presenting Heritage Scrap, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Visit their site, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop their store. How do you find Heritage Scrap? Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks, Heritage Scrap, for supporting the Insider this month.
product picks
All layouts made using the kit At Last
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
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issue sponsor
Matrioshki Scrap Designs Presenting Matrioshki Scrap Designs, one of this month’s DST Insider sponsors! Visit their site, check out some amazing CT layouts and shop their store. How do you find Matrioshki Scrap Designs? Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter Thanks, Matrioshki Scrap Designs, for supporting the Insider this month.
product picks
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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issue sponsor
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new to you by Cheryl Ashcraft
New to You: Carena’s D esigns 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 Carena of Carena’s Designs. The DST Creative Team played with Carena’s Golden Forest kit. Check out their inspiring layouts! And, don’t forget to download your gift from Carena: the Golden Forest add-on kit, on page 21.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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new to you
Brenda
Cheryl
I absolutely love the gorgeous fall colors
The textures of the papers and the realism
and elements in this kit! Perfect for layering
of the elements make this kit a must-have
and clustering.
for scrapping fall layouts.
3littleKs
gonewiththewind
Heather
Jade
The deep, rich colors are wonderful
Nice kit. Lots of foliage in great autumn
and the elements coordinate easily in a
colors!
interstitchal
scrappycharmer
realistic style.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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new to you
Monika
Suzanne
chantalsmama
sbaird
Love all the natural elements and flowers.
This kit is overflowing with gorgeous flowering elements and rustic frames. The papers also offer beautiful brushwork and design.
Jen
justjen8 I love the rich, earthy and realistic elements. Beautiful kit! Very autumn!
Click to download your gift from Carena Golden Forest add-on kit
November 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.
Iara Imagine
Nzingha Live...laugh...love
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gallery gems
Sabee My favorite weekend
ReboScraps Midway Mania
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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:
Happy Thoughts by livelys
Cutesy Boxes by Nicole Seitler
Itty Bitty Hybrid Coaster Album by PhoebeJo
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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hybrid tutorial by Jenn White
Counting Down the Season: Advent-chain hybrid project FIND YOUR FILLING
a circle, linking each strip through the
Last year I wanted to bring a little joy
center of the strip before it to make
to our daily lives so our advent chain
a chain.
was full of jokes! On each chain link
ENJOY
was printed a holiday joke to fill our days with a chuckle and provide a little bit of joy to share with others. To make your own joke chain you can
We had our kids take a link off the chain each day and share it just before we started our evening meal. Sometimes we got a good
This time of year is so full of fun! I can’t even begin to count
download and print out our jokes in a
the number of special activities we cram into the month of December. This year, get a jump-
Customize your chain your way. Think
with more and more funny jokes and
of another theme and write your own
stories to share during dinner.
start on the holiday rush by making an
they are thankful for and put one on
easy advent chain today. Then, once
each link. Write an inspirational quote
December arrives, count down the
or message a day. Or choose from the
days until Christmas without letting
scripture, activity and good deed sets
each day slip by unnoticed.
I’ve linked at the end of this article.
START WITH THE PAPER
PRINT AND ASSEMBLE
Making a chain is easy, but instead of
Make sure you know which side of the
using traditional construction paper,
paper your printer prints on and load
why not raid your scrap stash? Print
your sheets so they will print on the
some digital papers onto regular
blank side. If you’re using our jokes,
printer paper or cover an 8.5-by-11-
the download has the lines of text
inch page with photos. Another option
spaced out so there are five on a page.
is to use holiday-themed paper-
If this does not work for you, type or
scrapping papers. Or, let your children
copy and paste your text into a word-
color all over a few sheets of paper
processing document so that they are
with holiday images. Keep in mind
spaced out evenly, five lines to a page.
whatever you do, you’ll want to keep
Once printed, cut your rings apart
your patterns small as you’ll be cutting
between the lines of text. Fold the
these pages into strips. You’ll need
strips in half lengthwise, so the pretty
to make/print/find five 8.5-by-11-inch
side (not the text side) shows on both
sheets for this project.
sides. Tape or staple each strip into
.pdf file here.
link texts! Ask your kids to list things
laugh, sometimes just a ‘groaner,’ but usually we ended up coming up
If you make a scripture chain, bedtime might be a good time to take a link off the chain and look up the reading. For the activity ideas or good deed links, first thing in the morning would be a great time to read them. Then you have all day to look for an opportunity to complete your activity or perform a good deed. Counting down the days until Christmas can be a fun family activity with an easy-to-make advent chain! Make one as a gift for someone special this year. Here are some links to alternate text for your advent chains project: • Daily Scripture Reading • Activity-a-Day • Good Deeds • Or put a fun element or photo on every day’s link!
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping by Kaylea Hutson
Getting Dimentional with Kelleigh Ratzlaff Digital
chances were better if I applied as a hybrid
I’ve had some ideas that have been
scrapbookers
artist, since not many gals do hybrid.
a total bust, but most of them have
wanting to
“[Because] I started out as a
turned out great.”
add some
traditional [paper] scrapper, I already
Once finalized, Ratzlaff includes
dimension to
had a huge stash of physical supplies
several types of files in her digital
their lives may find themselves
that I knew how to use and abuse, so I
products, including psd for Photoshop,
going hybrid – a paper crafting
put together a quick gallery and earned
png, pdf (for non-technical artists) and
tool embraced by digital artists
a spot. Months later I applied to be a
cutting files (for cutting machines like
like designer Kelleigh Ratzlaff.
designer creating hybrid templates and
the Cricut and Silhouette): png, jpg, ai,
From boxes to bags to mini albums
the rest is history!”
dfx and svg files.
and more, Ratzlaff creates templates
“Some of these are intermediary files
that digital and paper artists alike can
that you can import into your die-
use in their paper-crafting projects.
cut machine software and have to
Most recently, Ratzlaff has turned her
convert and some can be cut directly
templates into cutting files which can
in that software,” Ratzlaff said. “I own
be used with digital die-cut machines.
a Cricut and the Sure-Cuts-A-Lot
“My products are popular with hybrid
software, so I use the svg files on my
artists (because we love printing out
machine. I’m having so much fun with
gorgeous digital paper) and traditional
my Cricut!”
paper-craft artists,” Ratzlaff said. “My
Some of her newest products include
goal is to keep things easy. I try to fit
Now a designer, Ratzlaff fills her store
borders, labels and shaped card
my templates onto standard, letter-
with products that can be printed on
templates which can be used as
sized paper so that anyone can use
a standard 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of
masks in digital layouts or can be cut
them without having to purchase a
paper. She also tries to keep things in a
with a die-cut machine and added to
special printer.
single piece.
traditional layouts.
“I love presenting little gifts or gift
“I usually get an idea from a box or
cards inside my boxes for birthdays,
other three-dimensional item that I
“The most valuable resource
holidays, teacher gifts, etc. I think they
have seen or something that someone
out there is The Hybrid
would make really adorable wedding
requests,” she said. “Then I sketch it
or baby shower favors!”
out on paper, trying to visualize how it
Ratzlaff began going hybrid when The
will go together.
Digichick held a creative team call.
“After that, I ‘draw’ it in Photoshop
I desperately wanted to get on the
or Illustrator and test it out to see if it
team,” she said. “I figured that my
works when printed and assembled.
Chick blog. I am constantly amazed at the projects those gals put together using digital and traditional supplies.”
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping Tools of the Trade
bone folder or butter knife and a bit of
said. “They are not just making little
Ratzlaff’s digital tool box contains
adhesive (tape runner or glue stick) to
boxes and bags. These [artists]
Photshop CS5, Adobe Illustrator,
assemble the pieces.
create hybrid albums, layouts, cards,
a Cricuit Expression, digital paper
After printing the template, Ratzlaff
home decor items, clothing items and
by The Digichick designers and her
says a crafter simply needs to score
more. [Their projects are] definitely an
Cannon Rebel XTi.
the paper on the dashed lines and cut
inspiration [to me] and they share their
She recommends that anyone trying
on the solid lines then assemble. If the
methods, too.”
one of her hybrid designs needs a
template is particularly complicated,
Want to find some of Ratzlaff’s
way print out her templates after
she often puts a tutorial on her blog.
products? She sells them exclusively in
enhancing with digital papers and
“The most valuable resource out
her store at The DigiChick.
elements. Along with the printed
there is The Hybrid Chick blog. I am
Getting Personal
template, you’ll need tools like a craft
constantly amazed at the projects
Kelleigh Ratzlaff is a “work-at-home-
knife or fine-tip scissors, a straight
those gals put together using digital
mama” to two wonderful little boys and
edge or ruler, a scoring tool such as a
and traditional supplies,” Ratzlaff
wife to a fantastic, handsome man.
Cupcake Card
Funky Bag
by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
Apple using the Perfect Pumpkin Template Set by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
Clover Box by Donna Espiritu
Pumpkin
Top Heavy Pillow Box
by Dana Gustafson
by Julee Tillman
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping The “work” part of her job title may be
She enjoys sharing her adventures in
Ratzlaff is always on the prowl for
a little misleading, though, because she
papercrafting on her blog where she also
a unique-looking box, so if you find
enjoys every minute of her crafty job.
expounds on her love of decorating with
something cute, take a picture and
She designs papercraft templates
garage sale finds, getting her groceries
she’ll see what she can do to turn it into
and sells them electronically in her
for free, digital scrapbooking, becoming
a hybrid project. Where can you find
virtual boutique at The Digichick, an
a runner at age 33, playing with “not-
Kelleigh: Shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
enormous digital-scrapbooking store
yo-mama’s” funky fabric and so much
that has cornered the market on hybrid
more. Her blog is a dumping ground for
scrapbooking.
her creative thoughts so you never know what you might find there!
Going Hybrid with Kelleigh
Condensed from The Hybrid Chick - Where to Start Want to try hybrid? Use these handy
Cardstock: As a general rule,
and the printed colors are vibrant and
tips that Kelleigh Ratzlaff provides at
cardstock soaks up ink and leaves
true to what I see on the screen.”
The HybridChick.
colors looking muted, which may
Printers
A Photo-Editing Program
be just the look you are going for
First, you’ll need a photo-editing program. At least 80 percent or more of digital scrapbookers use either Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Hybrid artists can also use Paint Shop Pro or any other software that accepts hybridproject files. Ratzlaff says, “Before you invest in a photo-editing program that is compatible with hybrid scrapbooking, ask around to see what kind of support you will be able to get from your peers in your forum of choice. One of the best things about the wonderful digitalscrapbooking community is our willingness to help others learn more about our hobby.”
Good Paper Ratzlaff points out that a hybrid project is only as good as the paper it is printed on.
on occasion. Textured cardstock looks awesome when used and both cardstock options are nice and sturdy. If printing on cardstock, Ratzlaff suggests increasing the saturation of your project before you print to get better color. If you are simply printing digital papers, cardstock is a fine option; however, she does not recommend it for photos. Specialty papers: Vellum is a fun idea, especially for digital brushes, although the printed page needs to dry for quite a while after printing. Photo Papers: Glossy photo paper provides another printing option, though Ratzlaff said her favorite printing medium is matte photo paper. She typically uses Epson Premium Presentation Matte Photo Paper. “The paper is nice and thick
Ratzlaff says the borderless printing setting is the best option for printers. Users need to figure out their specific printer requirements to make a project print edge-to-edge. “For some people, that means decreasing the size of the project by a small percentage. For me, it meant discovering the ‘Borderless Expansion’ slider and always sliding it to ‘less.’ “One of the best tips I received when figuring out the borderless option on my printer was to open up an 8.5-by11-inch document in Photoshop, then drop an overlay on my canvas and drag the corners to resize it to fit perfectly. I then printed it over and over on plain, white copy paper until I had my settings all figured out. My printer is a standard-sized HP all-in-one.” Want to know more about borderless printing? Visit here.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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grow your skills by Jenn White
Crumpled Paper Flower Tutorial Sometimes adding a single,
You can either print the shapes on
Step 4 Crunch it up! Lay the flower
simple paper element to a printed
cardstock or scrapbook paper, which
down on a flat place and, starting with
digital layout can really make it
is what I did, or print out a digital
the top layer of small petals, squish the
pop. These crumpled paper flowers
paper to cut from. It is best for this
flowers up toward the center with your
are easy to make, work well with
project to print on cardstock or sturdy
fingers.
layouts or craft projects and look
paper because coated papers like
Fold the top layer of flowers up around
amazing on hybrid layouts! Here’s
photo paper will not absorb water well
the brad as tightly as possible. Repeat
how to create your own.
enough to crumple.
with the next layer and so on. Re-
Step 2 Assemble the flower. Stack
wet the paper as you get to the
your cut-out flower pieces with three
lower layers, if needed. I ended
large on the bottom, three medium
up dunking mine more than once
in the middle and three small on top,
as I folded up petals and found dry
then pierce the center with something
paper underneath. When you are all
sharp. I used a needle tool, but you
done it should look like a little tiny
could use anything sharp and pointy
ball of wet paper.
like a nail or craft knife. Put a small brad through the center hole and secure all the pieces together.
Materials Needed • Paper flower templates from Kelleigh Ratzlaff • Cardstock, patterned paper or digital paper printed on cardstock
Step 3 Wet the flower. Spritz it with a water-filled spray bottle or dunk it in a bowl of water for about five seconds. Separate the petals slightly
• Needle tool or other sharp tool
with your fingers so the water gets
• Small brad
between them.
• Spray bottle or small bowl of water • Optional: gems, ribbons or other embellishments
Step 1 Cut your pieces. You will need nine total flowers cut from cardstock, three of each of these sizes: large, medium and small. I strongly recommend using templates. For this project, I used these free templates
Step 5 Unfurl the petals. Carefully pull the petals away from the center until your entire flower is unfurled. Work with one layer at a time and go slowly and carefully so you don’t tear the wet paper. Let it dry. You can speed the process with a hairdryer or heat gun, but be careful.
from Kelleigh Ratzlaff.
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
29
grow your skills Tips for paper flowers • Try inking or painting the edges of your petals before assembling the flower. • If you are printing a digital paper, test for colorfastness. Be aware that your ink might come off the paper during the wetting step, giving you a lighter look than you expected.
Step 6 Apply to your project. Once dry, your flower is ready to use. Embellish the center with a gem (as I did) or leave it plain, then glue or tape
I love how this crumpled paper flower
• Experiment with sizes and shapes of
makes my layout look! I think I’ll be
petals. Differently shaped petals will
making a lot more of these to use as
give you a different look.
gift-package decorations this year.
To see exactly how it’s done, watch this video from tracylovestoscrap on YouTube.
to your project.
ADVERTISEMENT
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
30
from the desk of get scrapping by Michelle Huegel
Make the Cut: A review of top die-cutting machines The cornerstone tool for hybrid
along to a crop. Simply plug it in,
The Cricut Create ($229) strikes a
scrapbooking is arguably
choose your cartridge and cut away on
nice balance between portability and
the digital-cutting or die-cut
paper, vellum, vinyl, poster board and
functionality, allowing cuts from .25
machine. A Cricut, Silhouette,
even thin chipboard (using the Multi-
inch to 11.5 inches on its 6-by-12-
Gazelle or other digital cutting
Cut feature), among other mediums.
inch mat.
machine opens up a whole new world
However, if you want to use your own
of possibilities when it comes to
designs and fonts or, for example, cut
hybrid projects. Which one to choose
out a flower shape from a digital kit, you
is the subject of much debate in the
must purchase additional software.
crafting world, but it really comes down to personal preference. How
Cricut machines most popular with digital scrapbookers include:
do you prefer to interact with the machine and what exactly do you
The original Cricut ($179.99) cuts in
want to do with it? Some cutting
twelve sizes ranging from one inch to
systems are more portable than
5.5 inches and is the most portable
others and all vary somewhat in the
and least expensive of the line-up if
types of materials they can cut. I’ve
you don’t need larger cutting capacity.
briefly reviewed the main features of the three most common cutting machines and relevant software. I certainly haven’t listed everything these fun gadgets are capable of, but I hope this breakdown gives you a better overall understanding of the different machines so you can purchase the best machine for your needs.
The Cricut Expression ($249.99) can cut impressive sizes of letters, shapes and phrases from a .25 inch to 23.5 inches using the standard 12-by-12inch mat or the extra-long 12-by-24inch mat. It’s definitely a desk-top machine, though, not designed to be carted around to crops.
Cricut The Cricut machines use cartridges to cut fonts and designs independent of a computer, making it a favorite of paper scrapbookers and hybrid scrappers who don’t want to be tied to their computer. The smaller
The Cricut DesignStudio computer software gives you more versatility with the cartridges you already own. You can blend images, resize, slant, rotate, flip and weld to create projects that you can save and share with
Cricut machines are perfect to tote
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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get scrapping others. Note that while you can view
Gazelle (BossKut)
programs give you more flexibility and
and work with all Cricut cartridges
creativity with your Cricut, but are also
in the software, you must own the
useful if you own a Silhouette, Gazelle
appropriate cartridge in order to
or other machine, as they make it
actually cut your creations.
Silhouette
The Gazelle, by BossKut, is perhaps not as well-known as the Circuit or Silhouette but offers an impressive set of features. It cuts a wide variety of materials up to 12-by-24 inches, including cardstock, glitter paper,
The Silhouette SD connects to your
chipboard, balsa wood, foam, Grafix
computer instead of using cartridges.
plastic sheets, vinyl and more. The
It will cut any TrueType font already
included Funtime software comes
installed on your computer, GSD
with 700 built-in shapes and 200
and GST files, plus the thousands
fonts and will also cut your existing
of designs available for $0.99 each
TrueType fonts. If you want to cut your
easy to cut a variety of file types.
through the Silhouette Online Store.
own designs or images from a digital
Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) software
Also, and possibly of greatest interest
kit, you can import AI, PLT, JPEG, and
($59.95) allows you to cut TrueType
for digital and hybrid scrappers,
BMP files.
fonts and SVG files as well as SCAL’s
the Silhouette can import and cut
Additional Software
library of images, on your Cricut
common image types such as JPG
If you already own a Cricut or are
and BMP using the auto-outline
considering buying one, but also
function to create cut lines (see this
want to cut your own fonts and other
help topic on the Silhouette Web site
digital files, you may want to invest in
for step-by-step instructions). Yes,
a computer program like Sure Cuts A
this means you can cut out that cute
Lot or Make the Cut. These programs
little ghost, flower or Christmas tree
allow you to cut TrueType fonts and
from your favorite digital kit to use on
SVG files (as well as some other
a hybrid project! You can also draw
cutting file formats) with your cutting
your own images to cut with simple
machine and also convert JPG, PNG
line drawing tools included in the
and other digital files into cuttable
Silhouette software, which Mac users
files. Many digital designers create
will be happy to note is now Mac-
SVG and GSD files for hybrid projects,
compatible.
plus there are many cutting files
or other cutting machine. Create your own SVG files or convert JPG, PNG, BMP and other formats into SVG format using the free program Inkscape and upload into SCAL to cut on the Cricut.
available online for free. Both of these
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
32
get scrapping Make the Cut (on sale now for $58.36)
If you’re a hybrid scrapper using a
Want Cutting Files? Try these
is extremely versatile. It works with
cutting machine, buying either of
sources:
basically all cutting machines, will
these programs will greatly expand
• The Digi Chick
cut pretty much all cutting files on
your creative options!
• Quilling Patch
the market and will convert your JPG
Want more specifics to help you
• Treasure Box Designs
and other files into SVG as well. The
decide which cutting machine to
• My Scrap Chick
program also lets you draw your own
purchase? Check out this comparison
• Cre8ive Cutz
images to cut. You only need to buy
chart for detailed information.
• SVG Cuts
the program once: upgrades are free for life.
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November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
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trendspotting by Vivienne Oestergaard
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microferk Designs Personal Use kit with accent of paper rose
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Nostalgia
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Laitha’s Designs
Personal use rolled paper roses
Neutral black and white kit with rolled paper roses
Cinzia Designs CU handmade rolled paper flowers
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the back page Monthly Gold Member Challenge In case you haven’t heard, every month our Gold Member Designer sponsors a special challange 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 our winner for this month’s contest, scrapping with Amanda Taylor’s gorgeous kit, Sense + Sensability. Kathleena has won a $25 coupon to Amanda’s shop at Oscraps with her layout, “Wonder.” What a well-deserved honor! Congratulations Kathleena! Check out this month’s contest as we play along with an exclusive kit from Karla Dudley. If you’re not a gold member, sign up now and you can still get this free kit, along with eleven more!
wonder by kathleena
November Chat Come talk with Karla of
Join over 2,000 of your best
Looking ahead to December’s DST Insider
Karla Dudley Designs at 8pm
digi friends in some great
* Holidays made simple
Eastern (7pm Central) on
conversations
* Interview with Aby Garvey
Tuesday, November 16th.
over on our
* Featured Designer Shen
We’ll be asking her some great
questions and she’ll have
page & Twitter
some goodies to give away.
account @digishoptalk
We’re on Facebook & Twitter
Guthrie of Catscraps * Cute homemade gifts
November 2010 • DIGISHOPTALK.COM
35
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