It's Almost Time!

I just wanted to update everyone that "The Move" is in motion!

I have been hard at work getting my new site up with all of the new features in place for my readers and I will be launching the site in full beginning on Dec. 12. If you have not done so already, sign-up to receive an email containing specific launch details HERE

I have already updated the feeds so that those of you following should now be receiving my new site's feed.  Double check your feed-reader and if you are not receiving the new feed--which should contain a few new posts that I've linked to below--then you may need to update the feed manually.  Please do so by adding the following feed url to your feed-reader of choice:  http://www.amykingsford.com/feed.

Finally, feel free to head on over and start poking around!  My new site can be found at http://amykingsford.com and while I will be continuing to make a few changes here and there before the launch I'd love for all of you to pop on over and get acquainted with the new layout.  Here are a few of the posts you may have missed out on:

Free Gratitude Printable--Just in Time
Turn Your Office Supplies Into Awesome Mini Albums
Ideas to Help YOu Replicate Digital Techniques On Your Paper Pages

I look forward to seeing you all there and Thank You for your continued support!

Scrappydoo is on the Move!

That's right...I'm planning a move to my new site very very soon and I'd love if you'd join me there!  In addition to what you've come to expect from me here at Scrappydoo--you can also look forward to:

• new featured series articles 
• more tips and techniques
• an inspiration and idea gallery 
• and a monthly newsletter

I'd like to thank all of you for joining me on this journey...we've come a long way together since the start of Scrappydoo more than two years ago and I'd love to continue sharing with all of you in my new home.  I'll look forward to seeing you soon!

To be notified when my new site launches please sign up here.  I'll be throwing a little site launch party with freebies and giveaways--you won't want to miss out!

Thumbs Up Thursday: I {heart} AnnaArt

Ever since I started digital scrapbooking Anna Aspnes has always been there!  I still remember the first kit of hers I bought and the page I made with it. And I struggle today to find a single page that doesn't utilize one of her products.

When I stumbled upon her brushes and her stitching and I knew that I was hooked!

Since I've been involved with Debbie Hodge's Masterful Scrapbook Design, I have not only had the opportunity to see Anna's products used in ways that I had never thought of by digital scrapbookers Amber Ries, Kayleigh Wiles and Amy Mallory--but I've heard Anna herself talk about her products in a way that is truly enlightening!

Here are a few of my favorite AnnaArt Products:

Forget Me Not and Find My Way No. 2 Art Palettes

(Also used: Fasten-It by Pattie Knox, Imperfect by Kitty Designs and Billet Doux by One Bird Designs)

FotoGlows No. 3 and Different Stokes No. 5 Brush Set

(Also Used: Say What by Biograffiti, Our House by Aja Abney, Fasten Its 
and ClockWorks by Pattie Knox and Aged Alpha No. 2 Katie Pertiet) 

Fall Word Transfers No. 1 and Stitched Tan No. 1

(Also Used: Outlined #1 by Fei Fei's Stuff, Summer Stuff Brushes by Jesse Edwards,  Fasten Its by Pattie Knox,
 Licorice Jelly Bean by Danielle Young, Home and Garden and Aged Alpha No. 2 by Katie Pertiet)

Sweet Christmas ArtPlay Palette and Lood-da-Loop ArtStrokes 

(Also used: Jubilee by One Litte Bird, Foto Glows No. 3 by Anna Aspnes, 
Awarded Alpha by Katie Pertiet, and Stitched Black Alpha by Kristen Rice)

Scholarly ArtPlay Palette

(Also Used: Wooden Alpha by Katie Pertiet, Labellavie by One Little Bird and Imperfect by Kitty Designs)

If you're hooked on AnnaArt too then be sure to check out Anna's blog for great tutorials, freebies and sale announcements!

Kreating for Kreatorville Kraft

If you haven't heard of Kreatorville Kits headed up by Ms. K herself--well than I am very pleased to introduce you!

Kreatorville Kits offers a great monthly kit with the added bonus of awesome handmade titles and embellishments.

I am very excited to be able to work with Keandra and her one-of-a-kind embellishments and titles.  I've admired her work since I happened upon her blog almost a year ago and since I've had the pleasure of working with her at Masterful Scrapbook Design during our July Fast Starts Seminar--where she shared so much insight into her style and approach to making beautiful pages.

But more than anything I am excited to share my custom bobble head designed by Keandra herself.  Not only does it help me visualize what may in fact be possible if I keep up going to the gym and eating better, but now I know what I'd look like if I ever made it out of my pajamas...lol

Thanks to Keandra for this opportunity I'm looking forward to KREATING with her and I'll be sharing some of the ways I used these handmade elements in my pages later on this week!

Announcing...My NEW Class!

I'm sure you've heard me make mention of being hard at work on the materials for my new class and now it's finally here!  I'm excited to announce that registration for MacGyver's Project Remix is now open at Get It Scrapped!

MacGyver's Project Remix is about looking at what you have in front of you in new and creative ways. It's about combining your skills, on-hand supplies and new tools and techniques to make dynamic layouts and projects.


And if you register before October 4th you can snag it for 15% off!!!

This class is for beginner and advanced paper scrapbookers alike, who are interested in learning:

• Exciting new ways to use up their stash.
• The hidden potential that lies in repurposing household odds and ends in your scrapbook pages. 
• How to incorporate new tools into their arsenal or use the tools they already own in ways they might not have even thought of.
• The many ways you can use your scrapbooking supplies to move beyond the page and create one-of-a-kind projects--including introducing a hybrid element to your projects!

MacGyver's Project Remix starts October 24th...I hope to see you there!

Hybrid Kid's Projects--Don't Miss This Roundup!

Hop on over to the Biograffiti blog, where I've got a roundup of DIY Kid's Projects for you to make along side your children you didn't send back to school this fall! These ideas will help you combine your digi know-how and your favorite digital supplies to create fabulous opportunities for fun and learning!  Have a look...

Getting That "Digital Brush" Look on Your Paper Pages

Want to recreate the look of digital brushes on your paper pages?

Well than check out my latest article at Get It Scrapped, "7 Ways to Translate the Look of Digital Brushes to Your Paper Pages."

While I Was Walking

So my husband and I have recently taken up walking...

Exercise and I have never really been on a first name basis, but there is something about taking the time out of the day for a nice walk that really opens your eyes and your mind to the world around you.  I can undoubtedly say that each time I go on a walk I happen upon something spectacular.

Whether we're out with the kids, just walking around our neighborhood...

Okay...so they were happier when the walk started but that is our little Japser waving hello with his foot!

or walking along our favorite pathway...

This is just one of ten or so murals painted along the Ogden River Parkway

or taking a stroll downtown...

Yes...that is a giant skateboard bust!

or even out enjoying nature...

This beautiful wall of ivy is my new favorite spot!

The many wonders of walking never cease to amaze me!  Have you been on a walk recently?

The Fun Has Just Begun...

After a month off to spend time with our families, Debbie Hodge, Tami Taylor and myself are back at it again for another great year at Masterful Scrapbook Design!

Debbie has just posted September's Seminar and it is packed with over 50 pages of useful information and amazing inspiration from 5 fabulous guest teachers!  Joining us for the month of September to talk about "Design Play" is Emily Pitts, Vivian Maskett, Kayleigh Wiles, Lisa Dickinson and Amy Mallory!

But that's not all we'll have this month...nope!  

Members will also get:

• 8 great articles that take a closer look at both the elements and principles of design. 
• 5 live webinars, each with one of our fabulous guest teachers.
• 2 galleries of inspirational layouts from our guest teachers complete with tips, techniques and insights.
• 1 live member spotlight webinar. 

So what are you waiting for...hop on over to Masterful Scrapbook Design and join us for a month filled with Design Play!

An Exciting Announcement

I am super stoked to share with all of you, that I will be joining the following talented ladies on SEI's 2012 Design Team!

Emily Branch 

Jennifer Holmes

Kim Stewart

Lori Mancini

Melissa Mann

Patricia Kumfer

Pearl Lui

This is such a huge honor for me.  I am so very thankful for this opportunity and can't wait to get started!

10 Ways to Get Creative with Your Summer Memories

Once summertime rolls around I begin to shift gears from recording memories to making them.  Every year is filled with fun trips to the zoo, town celebrations, swimming pool and amusement parks--and I have my trusty camera with me every step of the way.

However once the fun is over--we start switching gears again--and its time to start getting those memories recorded on paper.  Besides your average summer layout, there are hundreds of ways you can help the days of summer to live on forever!  Below are just a few ways to get creative with your summer memories.

1. Make a pop art poster for your child's locker.
2. Make a re-usable summer calendar.
3. Turn your photos into comic or coloring Books
4.  Record your ten favorite things about summer.
5. Make a mini album for a specific summer event.
6. Make photo magnets.
7. Create a summer photo collage.
8. Create a "My Summer in Photos" post on your blog.
9. Make a "100 Days of Summer" Journal (May-Aug)
10. Create a summer smash book filled with all of your memorabilia.

Hope you all had a fabulous Summer!  Would love to see what you were up to this summer!  If you have a fun summer project or memory you'd like to share , please add a link in the comments!

Oh and don't forget to check out this month's "Photo Fun" technique from me over at the Danielle Young Designs blog.  You can download a free template to make your own summer wall poster and learn a fun technique to give your photos a cool "pop-art" look. Enjoy.

Friday Faves: Places to Get Free Sketches & Templates

I think I may have mentioned once or twice that I LOVE sketches! But it's worth mentioning again :) And it certainly doesn't hurt if they're free...right?!

                      Pin It

Credits:

Touchdown by Danielle Young

Stitched Tan No. 1 by Anna Aspnes

Template Tuesday #13 by Brenda Neuberger

The following are few of my favorite places to get free templates and sketches to use on both my paper and digi pages:

• Get It Scrapped's Sketches and Templates- They have 75+ sketches and templates available in their archive  --or  they have a quick download option for 30 of their "greatest hits!"
• Pencil Lines- Look for a new sketch every Sunday after 3PM EST and join the challenge for a chance to win.
• Jessica Sprague's Tuesday Templates-Every Tuesday you can download a fabulous new template from Jessica's blog for free.
• Sketchy Thursdays- A new sketch every Thursday!

Do you have other places you like to go for FREE sketches and templates?  Link us up in the comments!

Wednesday's Wishlist

A few things that have come across my radar in the past little while that are definitely being added to my Wishlist!

• Rad Lab
• Teresa Collins Stampmaker Machine
• Epiphany Crafts' Button Maker

What's on your wishlist this month?

Thumbs Up Thursday: Biograffiti's Neutral Linens + Photo Blending Tutorial

I give these NEW Neutral Linen Papers by Biograffiti two thumbs up!

They have such a nice subtle texture to them--that's great for blended photo backgrounds, but can also create the perfect "canvas" effect for those of you who are looking to go a little ARTSY!

                    Pin It

Credits:

Neutral Linens by Biograffiti, Press Plate No. 29 by Paislee Press, 100 Things by Lauren Reid

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette, Different Strokes, Foto Glows and Fall Word Transfers by

 Anna Aspnes,  Stitched Alpha by Kristin Rice 

Don't forget to check out Molly's tutorial on photo blending on the Biograffiti blog!  She'll walk you through it step-by-step!  I can't wait to do some blending with these papers myself!

Monday Makeover: Turn Your Labels into Cute Invites

When I came across this cute freebie label by Fei Fei's Stuff last week, I knew it was perfect for my summer family party invites.

Credits:

Fei Fei's Stuff Coming Home Label

Summer Fun Clusters by Kayleigh Wiles

Journalers and labels from your digital or paper stash can be perfect for making your own invites for any occasion!  Here are a few tips to get you started!

1. Look for journalers and labels with lines on them. 
2. Try starting with a generic label and accenting it with themed embellishments.
3. Layer smaller lined labels or journalers over your background for larger invites.

Happy Monday!

Friday's Five: Dirty Little Secrets About Me

Credits:

In the Loop No. 2 by One Little Bird, 

Bunch of Sketches No. 18 by Kitty Designs

Circa 1934 Papers and Elements by Cosmo Cricket

Stitched Tan No. 1 by Anna Aspnes

1. Aside from the Twilight Saga, I haven't been able to finish a fiction novel in almost 5 years--I simply prefer how-tos, historical novels and self-help books.

2. I am the mother of two boys and I own more pink scrapbook paper than any other color--why do I keep buying it if I'm not using it!

3. Before this past month it had been almost a year and a half since I'd driven on the expressway.

4. I mowed the lawn for the first time in my life yesterday...and I'd say I did a pretty good job!

5. I'm hooked on the Disney channel...even when my sons not watching I still find myself sitting down to enjoy an episode of "Good Luck Charlie" or "Wizards of Waverley Place".

Between the layout and those five things I think you now officially know more than you may have wanted to know about me--but its all in good fun!  

Tell me something special or funny about you in the comments I'd love to get to know all of you better!

New Digidoo!!

Just finished up these two digi layouts featuring lots of new product and some fun design twists!

Credits:

Bunch of Sketches 18 by Kitty Designs

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette

Stitched White Borders by Anna Aspnes

Credits:

Press Packet No. 2 by Paislee Press 

Coming Home by Fei Fei's Stuff 

Oh Happy Day by Jenn Barrette

Stitched White Borders by Anna Aspnes

But to find out what I have to say about the design of these two layouts you'll have to come join in the fun at Masterful Scrapbook Design!!!  This September, we're all about "Design Play" so join Emily Pitts, Amy Mallory, Kayleigh Wiles, Vivian Masket, Lisa Dickinson, Debbie Hodge, Tami Taylor and myself as we play around with the principles of design!

Mojo Monday: 3 Things I Can Count on to Motivate Me after a Scrappy Hiatus

We all know how it goes...

Summertime means swim lessons and soccer practice, family vacations and day trips, yard work and upkeep. And as a result a few things get put on hold.

For me it was  Facebook, Twitter, Blogging (as you may have noticed)...and yes at times even scrapbooking...GASP!

Products by Biografitti, Aja Abney and Designer Digitals

The hard part is not putting things on hold when it comes to your scrapbooking...its the momentum that you lose when you do! How many of you find when you return to scrapbooking after an illness, or a trip, or even after a fun filled summer--that you just don't know where to begin?

Well there are three things I can always count on to jump start my creativity and motivate me to get scrappin' again.

1. A Clean Work Space

There is just something about a clean desk and organized supplies that scream "Come and Play!" Its not that I'm a neat freak...in fact I'm almost rolling on the floor with laughter at the thought!  But for me a clean work surface means that I have room to pull out more stuff!

After cleaning my own workspace I was reminded of lots of fun product that I had forgotten about!  For a few tips on how I aim to create an inspiring space...check out my Workspace Makeover Series.

2. A Treasured Memory or Photo

Having trouble getting started well...one of your favorite memories or photos from recent times is a great place to start!  The story and emotions associated with this memory will be fresh in your mind and sure to get the ball rolling!

I loved this photo that I took of Caleb this summer, just after we cut all of his hair off...as soon as I took it I couldn't wait to scrapbook it!

3. A Class or Project

Still not cranking out those pages...then maybe its time to create some motivation by beginning a new class, or project.  Learning new techniques or being inspired by a new project or challenge can help to fan those mojo flames and get you back on track.

This was one of the 6 layouts I completed the other day, while listening to scrapbookers Dina Wakley, Kayleigh Wiles, Doris Sander, Noell Hyman, Amber Ries, Amy Mallory and Melanie Grimes talk about their processes in 3 hours of live webinars recorded for August's Smorgasbord  issue at Masterful Scrapbook Design.  Seeing all of their work and listening to their tips and tricks really helped me to muster up the desire to scrap.

So if you're looking to get your mojo back on track after a summer of memory making, give one or all of these tips a try!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Monday!

Friday Faves: My Favorite FREE Lightroom Presets

I'm back!  And like any good friend I brought you all gifts back from my vacation or stay-cation, rather :)  That's right...the only thing better than faves...are FREE faves!

There are so many things I love about Adobe's Lightroom--including the ability to give my photos a one-of-a-kind look with the simple click of a button!

This is done with the use of presets--Lightroom's equivalent of  Photoshop's actions.  Like actions, presets can bring so many different looks and feels to your photos


Today I'd like to share a few of my favorite FREE presets available for download at Presets Heaven:

Click Here to Download

Click Here to Download

Click Here to Download

Click Here to Download

All of these transformations were made with a simple click of a button--that's right, no additional edits were needed! 

You can download a 30-day free trial of Adobe Lightroom here and for extra help on importing your free presets into Lightroom for use, check out this video tutorial.

Have a Happy Friday!