How To Scrap Beyond Kit Themes!

Posted by MamaK321 (Kristianne)

If the plethora of themed products in the digital shoppe have your head spinning, the digital CT is here to tell you to "use them all!"  Don't waste time trying to figure out if you have enough Thanksgiving and Fall photos to use with the must-have Autumn themed kit. Don't stress about planning your holiday family card photo shoot specifically to match your favorite Christmas themed kit. Even those carefree Summer layouts become a breeze when you're not worried about the Sun & Sand themed kit coordinating with your beachless staycation.

The trick is all in scrapping outside the... theme. No more will you let the theme of a kit decide your layout for you. Check out these brilliant layout examples from the Creative Team and find some inspiration to help you use all those new holiday kits in the shoppe.

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These layouts were created using warm, crisp products dedicated to Fall and Thanksgiving.

Christmas Photos with Thanksgiving Kits by DolphinSoul


you under the Christmas tree by Anna1972/MC-Designs
 


Iced by sarahwhithers
 

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The following layouts use festive and frosty products designed for all your Winter, Christmas and holiday pleasures.

Valentine Photos with Christmas Kit by DolphinSoul

Carissa says, "The new Jingle Bells kit by Hot Flash Designs [is] so bright and cheery, I knew I could use so many of the elements for more then just Christmas photos."



smooch by MamaK321




 

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More twisted theme ideas to inspire you...

snow in the sun by Anna1972/MC-Designs

Anna adds, "this is a winter photo but I scrapped it with the Sumer Sprites kit by JennyCK designs. With a little imagination you can scrap a lot!"



we are by MamaK321

Kristianne says, "I went way out of the box to scrap some family photos using a pregnancy kit."

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No themed products were harmed in the creation of these reveal layouts, though they were twisted and tweaked just a little.
   

How To Make A Christmas Album With Echo Park's Everybody Loves Christmas

by SarahA on Thursday, November 18, 2010

This album is really great for gift giving- it's quick and easy! Or, if you love it so much, just keep it for yourself and make another to give away!

First, you need to cut a 4x12 strip of paper, then score it at every inch. After you score it, fold it accordian style. You want the first fold on the left to go backwards, just like shown here:

 

This will be the binding of the book, so we will want to glue it together now. I tried to show below where to start the gluing on the back side edge:

 

Then glue the edges and fold. When you are done, it should look like this:

 

Next, you will cut six 4x4 squares from the papers. You will also cut a 4 x 2.25" piece that will cover the binding edge. You should have this  pile in front of you now:

  

Next you will start adhering the pages to the tabs on the binding piece. You just put a few strips of adhesive on the front of the tab, then adhere the pages like this:

 

Once all of your pages are stuck on the tabs (including the cover), we will cover the spine with the 4x2.25" piece. First you will want to cut a piece of twine or ribbon about 22 inches long. Put a few rows of adhesive on each long edge of the spine cover piece. Put the center of the twine at the spine of the book, then center and wrap the spine cover piece around to cover the edge. Your book should now look like this:

 

Next is the cover! I used a 4x3 piece of paper (one of the backs of a card from the card sheet), and adhered it to the cover with a border sticker on the left edge. I used stickers from the sticker sheet and some Thickers to embellish my cover. Feel free to do whatever you want here to really make it your own!

 

You can find Echo Park Paper Co. products at ACherryOnTop.com -

SarahA started scrapping in June of 2007, found ACOT in 2008 and was invited to join the Creative Team in September 2009. She loves scrapbooking pictures of her daughter, her family and her every day activities. 

Local Warehouse Sale Fun!

On any normal day, I get the opportunity to talk to and hopefully help a few of our wonderful ACOT Customers!  However, during our local warehouse sale, I actually get to meet many of you face to face!  I am a huge fan of our local warehouse sales for that very reason!  

Kristin - Fall Warehouse Sale 2010

The turn out was great!  We know it's a little 'early' for some, but we decorated and set the holiday tone with classic Christmas carols and wore Santa hats personalized by our very own Clint!

Kimberly Mayor arrived in style in her decked out Tinker Bell® themed vehicle!  Talk about making good use of the Cricut®!

Kimberly Mayor and her 'Tink' car

We really did have an absolutely exhausting blast of a time and we cannot wait to do it again!  See you in February at our next Local Warehouse Sale!     

Meet October's Guest Paper & Digi CT Members!

Get to know this month's guest Creative Team designers - Carrie and Carissa!

Carrie (aka: Carrie123) enjoys traditional paper scrapbooking.  She worked with Creative Imaginations' 'Be Jolly By Golly' line of products:

'Tears Of Joy' by Carrie123

Carrie's favorite companies to work with include Little Yellow Bicycle and Bo Bunny.  You can learn more about Carrie123 and see some of the other paper crafting projects she designed by checking out the November Guest Paper CT article!

Carissa (aka: DolphinSoul) enjoys digital and hybrid scrapbooking.  Here is one of her most recent creations:

'This Is Me' by DolphinSoul

Carissa is an avid lover of animals, but especially dolphins.  Help us welcome her as a Guest designer by visiting our Message Board.

Great work ladies!  Congratulations!  

2010 Fall Online Crop Wrap Up

What a fabulous crop we had this past weekend!  Our Creative Team came up with some inspirational scrapbooking challenges, great games and of course - PRIZES!!!

Janell's 'Beautiful Mess' - Challenge #3 Example Layout

Thank you for spending the weekend with us!  If you missed any or all of the crop, you have to visit the NOVEMBER 2010 CROP FORUM on our Message Board.  There you will be able to catch up on all of the who-saids, the who-dids, and the who-wons of the event!

Kimandasmo's 'Postcard From The Edge' - Challenge #9 Example Layout

There's also still time to get in on the Challenge Winner Giveaway!  You have until midnite EST - Tuesday, November 9th to upload your projects!  View the Crop Rules topic for complete details.

A HUGE and never-ending THANKS to our amazing Creative Team and Guest Hosts!  We could never do this without you!  

Digital Colab Kit Giveaway!

Our A Cherry On Top Digital Designers have been hard at work on our EXCLUSIVE Collaborative Digital Kit.  This kit is scheduled to be offered for a limited time only beginning Saturday, November 6th in celebration of International Digital Scrapbook Day!

Here's your chance to win it before you can buy it!

Today Only - Visit our Digital Talk Forum and post why you love ACOT or digital designing or say something nice about your favorite ACOT Designer on the 'Win It Before You Can Buy It' topic!  A winner will be randomly selected to receive the Exclusive Collaborative Kit FREE!!!

See site for details.  Good luck!

Challenging Scrapbooking Styles -

Everyone develops a scrapbooking style while moving through the design process.  For some it's a progression that follows trendiness.  For others, it's classic and timeless.  This week the Creative Team shows us how to incorporate the following Styles:

• Using Whitespace
• Busy Layouts
• Mixed Patterns 

Using Whitespace:

Pickin' On The Square, by Keling

Sara says: "When thinking "white space", the space doesn't have to be white - I've used a blue background. I do recommend that you stick with a solid background, as opposed to a pattern, and that you should leave at least half the background open, if not more."

 

Busy Layouts:

September 2010, by mommybruno

Cassandra shared: "I used to have a lot of trouble filling a layout, but using a grid really makes that so much easier. And it keeps a full layout from looking too cluttered and confusing. Go grids! LOL! TFL!"

Mixed Patterns:

Rakin' In The Fun, by milmomma

Brittney writes: "This week with the troublesome layouts reveal, I found this one fun. Used all patterns and no solids. By keeping most of them small I've kept it simple."

Be sure to view all of the fabulous design ideas from other Creative Team Members on our Resources Page!

Have A Blast At Our Online Fall Crop!

Join us beginning this Friday - November 5th on the ACOT Message Board for our Annual Fall Online Crop!  

Online Crop FAQ:

What is an Online Crop? An online crop is a huge event hosted by our Creative Team members incorporating scrapbooking, classes, games, challenges, classes, PRIZES, chatting with other members and all around FUN!  For more information read this article.

How can I participate in ACOT's Online Crop?
Simply show up in our Fall Crop Forum during our crop and join the many other croppers at one of our events. You may come and go throughout the weekend, participating in one or more crop events of our choosing. We suggest you review our crop schedule before our crop starts so that you won't miss a thing! Our schedule of events will be posted prior to the crop in our Crop Forum.

Why should I join ACOT's Online Crop?
Because you will have so much fun, meet other croppers, perhaps win a few prizes, get motivated and inspired to get some scrapping done!! Just ask the hundreds of croppers who have attended our Online crops in the past.

Hope to 'see' you there!