SCNTS Week 4 Entry: The Finals!

I made the Final Round as one of the Top 5!  I'm thrilled...not only because I'm still competing, but also because Maggie Holmes, one of the 2011 Dream Team at Creating Keepsakes Magazine, was this round's guest judge who must have approved of my work!  Yay!

The final challenge was a doozy.  Since the name of the site is Scrapbook Challenges, it stands to reason that the Design Team has to issue challenges from time to time.  For this last round, we had to devise a challenge that could be given to the readers and do a sample page for it.  I was completely stumped.  So, I followed the ever-wise advice of my husband and chose to free-scrap a page, then write a challenge from that creation.  And it worked!

So...here's my challenge: Scrap that thing you've been avoiding! Maybe you have photos that didn't turn out well...protraits that aren't as flattering as you hoped...a life event that was important to you. This year is drawing to a close and a new beginning is just around the bend, so let's clear out all the procrastination! Definitely include journaling and seal the deal with stamping and/or a fastener of some variety.

And...my page: the first tribute I've finally done of my wonderful mother-in-law who went to Heaven in March.  It was a tremendous blessing to scrap this story of how she truly got "All Her Wishes." 

All Her Wishes digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Papers, Frame: One Love Collab by Scrap Orchard; Flourish Stamp: Chipper by Songbird Avenue; Clock: Refresh Collab by Scrap Girls; Fasteners: Mod Bungalow by Brandy Hackman; Overlay: Artistic Borders by The Scrappin' Cop; Brushes: Lined Paper by Hectic HD, Jewelled Wings by MidnightsTouch; Fonts: Carbon Type, Porcelain

Thanks to you who have left me comments over the last few weeks; special thanks also to my friend Christy VanderWall for proofing my work and encouraging me during this whole endeavor.

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SCNTS Week 3 Entry

Well, I'm one of the top 10 and still competing in week 3!  Very cool, although this week's challenge is even farther out of my comfort-zone than ever before...  Here are the perameters: Create a page detailing your day.  Must be on a neutral background, include three or more pictures, feature paint or ink and have journaling. 

Yikes!

So...here's what I came up with!  Let's cross our fingers and hope it's enough to crack the top five!

All Over the Map digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Cardstock: Fallin' For You by Karen Funk; Notebook Paper, Paperclip: Friends and Family by Marie Stone; Alpha: One Love Collab by Scrap Orchard; Tape: Masking Tape by Jen's Designs; Paper Tear: Having Hope by Thao Cosgrove; Overlay: Grunge Overlays by The Scrappin' Cop; Brushes: Hand-Drawn Arrows by Premium Pixels, Tank Pattern by DieheArt; Font: I Love Derwin; Other: Mapquest Screenshot



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SCNTS Week 2 Entry

My "All About Me" entry last week got me into the top 20 and through to week 2 of the Next Top Scrapper contest at Scrapbook Challenges!  So, the new challenge was to make-over an old layout...oddly, a topic that's been buzzing around several forums I frequent.  Honestly, the hardest part about this process was deciding WHICH of my old, bad layouts I wanted to tackle!  I eventually settled on this one: the second digital page I ever scrapped.

Asian-Coffeehouse Fusion digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Refresh by ScrapGirls; Dotted Paper: Gillian Hurst; Warning Label and Staples: Valerie Randall; Fonts: Tekton Pro, Showcard Gothic, Rage Italic

This layout actually won a "Mischief Makers" contest at ScrapGirls, but I've always thought it was more due to the story than any design brilliance!  There's not a shadow on the page, it's way too cluttered, and really doesn't refect my style as it has evolved.  So, it was a perfect makeover candidate.

I still liked the color scheme and wanted to reuse the Warning label and journaling (of course).  But I decided that I could tell the story in a more focused way by using only one of the pictures, larger on the page, and echoing the chaos and mess with background elements.  A collab kit I received for working on the creative team for SAS Designs contained all the colors I was looking for and made the redo a cinch.

Here's the finished makeover!  Do you like it better?

Asian-Coffeehouse Fusion (redo) digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: You and Me CT Appreciation 2010 Collab Kit; Warning Label: Valerie Randall; Fonts: You Are Loved, Spicy Sushi Roll

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Woot! Woot!

I logged on tonight to show you this layout that I just designed for Week 1 of the Scrapbook Challenges Next Top Scrapper contest...and found out that founder Pamela Young had already chosen it as Pick of the Week!  Can I get a Woot Woot?!?

This Girl digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Nature Inspired by Connie Prince; Alpha: Pixel Pack 2 by Two Little Pixels; Brush: Stitch by Boyingopaw; Font: Century Gothic

I'm pretty jazzed about it, especially because the challenge was to create an "All About Me" page, without the benefit of template or sketch...and there couldn't possibly be a WORSE way for me to start the competition!  I really despise scrapping myself.  This was a much needed creative push, and the kudos are a tremendous confidence-boost!  Thanks, Pamela!

You can click on the picture for a bigger version if you really want to read all about this girl...

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SAS Designs Kit Release(s): "Snowy Fun" and "Penguin Walk"

I don't know where Sarah finds the time, but she's managed to design two new kits that release today! First is a wonderful collab with Heavenly Designs called "Snowy Fun."  Combining blues and brown with the traditional red, green and white makes this a surprisingly versatile winter collection to own.  Embellishments range from hand-painted to glittery to photo-realistic, giving you a breadth of design possiblitities!  Look how different from each other are the pages I made with the kit:

Little Star digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Snowy Fun Collab by Heavenly Scraps and SAS Designs; Template: Double Up by SAS Designs; Fonts: Baby Boston, Carbon Type

 

On Santa's Lap digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Snowy Fun Collab by Heavenly Scraps and SAS Designs; Template: Construction Zone by Simply Scrappy; Fonts: Eight Fifteen, Century Gothic

While you're picking up "Snowy Fun", go ahead and pop this little cutie in your shopping cart!  "Penguin Walk" coordinates wonderfully with the collab, adding another snowman and Percy the Penguin (with his igloo) to the cast of characters.  The papers in this kit are beautiful and there are two edge borders, including a gorgeous silvery snowflake border I used in the page below.  You'll like the colors here, too, that shade more toward teal than the standard powder blues of winter kits.

Who Needs Snow digial scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Penguin Walk by SAS Designs; Template: QuickStarts 2 by Christy VanderWall; Fonts: MS Want to Try a Bon, Century Gothic

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Back Again...With Updates and Freebies!

Hello.  It's been a criminally long time since I've posted, but I'm happy to be back now with a greater measure of sleep, sanity and creative mojo!  Thanks for puttin' up with my absence!  Let me hit the highlights of the last few weeks...and then, on to the freebie! 

First, the October/Novemeber double issue of Scrapbook News and Review is available now, and you really shouldn't miss this one.  It's huge!  I have a fab article (if I do say so myself) in it about Seasonal Photo Opportunities, as well as about 18 other layouts and projects!  Get this...I'm starting to dabble a bit in digital inchies and ATC!  Crazy talk, I know, but it's a fun change of pace.  Here are a couple sneak peeks of what you'll see in the issue:

EPIC digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Blue and Orange Papers, Mask: Crazy Kit by SAS Designs; Grid Paper: Sea Wonders Kit by Isabel Mendez; Brush: Arrows by Lucaliverti; Brush: Dynamic Stitching Brushes by Amanda Sok; Sketch: Katherine Hansen; Font: Joyful Juliana

First Day of K digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Layered Paper: Freebie to You Are Collection by Angie Briggs; Notebook Paper: Naturalists Journal Collection by Angela Blanchard; Flowers: Freebie to Skippity Doo Dah Collection by Cherie Edwards; Butterfly: Freebie to Batik Collection by Valerie Randall; Tape: Jen's Designs; Template: October Template by Julie Enriquez for SNR; Fonts: Socially Awkward, You Are Loved

Thinking of You digital inchies by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Embellishments: Organic by Audacious Designs; Masking Tape: Jen's Designs; Stamp, Scribble: Blotches, Beads & Things by Chrissy W; Brush: Lined Paper by HecticHD; Font: Larger Mime

Knock digital ATC by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper: Following Love by SAS Designs; Overlay: Grunge Edge Overlays by The Scrappin Cop; Brushes:  Religious Brushes by Concentric Studios, Paris by Dakinigrl; Type Path: Valerie Randall; Font: Blackadder

Sweet, huh?  It gets even better, because I have a layout on the SNR Homepage right now, too!  And, to top it all off, the publication of the Holiday Sampler is quickly approaching on November 28.

Sarah at SAS Designs has been a busy lady, too, releasing a bunch of new kits, grab bags for October and November, and an exclusive kit for her spotlight month at Two Little Pixels.  Again, here are just a few examples of the great stuff she's been doing!  The credits are linked, so feel free to click through to her stores and pick up your own copies!

Shutterfly digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Morning Dew (November PU Grab Bag) by SAS Designs; Camera, Kraft Paper: Snap Happy by SAS Designs; Photo Corners, Butterfly Trail:Doodle Doo by SAS Designs; Font: Auburn

Happily Blissfully digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Burning Flame (November PU Grab Bag) by SAS Designs; String, Leaves and Butterfly: Beautiful Day by SAS Designs; Word Art: The Bliss Collection by Meredith Fenwick; Brush: Fancy Edges by Mels Brushes; Script: Scatter Things by Christy VanderWall; Sketch: PageMaps by Becky Fleck; Font: Trajan Pro

Birthday Train digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Hip Hip Hooray (November PU Grab Bag) by SAS Designs; Stitching: Making the Days Count Freebie by SAS Designs; Sketch: Pamela Young; Font: Fontmoochers

Cartoons with Chino digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Making the Days Count by SAS Designs; Font: Smiley Monster

And, finally...this week's SAS Designs release is "Cupcake Sweetie," a bright brithday-themed kit.  To celebrate it (and my triumphant return to blogging,) I've made a frame cluster freebie for you!  You get both the red-candle and blue-candle versions in the download.  Enjoy!

SAS_Cupcake Sweetie_Cluster Freebies.zip (4.7 KB)

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September SNR Now Available!

The September 2010 issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine is now available!  This edition is jam-packed with inspiration, tips and tutorials on all your artistic endeavors...from scrapping to card-making, inchies, twinchies and mixed media!  If you don't have a subscription already, click on over and pick one up.  And, if you do...then dive on in!

A couple sneak peeks of my work this month:  Check out my two articles on adapting color for digital scrapbooking.  One focuses on altering photographs using color filters in Photoshop, and the other teaches methods of creating and designing from a color swatch.  For instance, the "Handsome" layout below was put together using this swatch I made on www.kuler.adobe.com/...

Handsome digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: For the Boys Mega Kit at Elemental Scraps; Leaves: Declan 2.0 Kit by Sherri Tierney; Round Mats, Label: Starcastic Kit by Connie Prince; Sketch: PageMaps by Becky Fleck; Fonts: You are Loved, Century Gothic

One of my new favorite regular features at SNR is Color Inspiration, where staffers take one piece of inspiration artwork and one color palette to turn into a page, card or ATC.  I love how it stretches my imagination each month!  Here's what you'll see from me this month:

The Inspiration

The Palette

The Page

I’ll be honest. I was largely drawn to this inspiration piece because it reminded me of this sheet of digital paper! I also liked the muted and dreamy quality of the piece and I translated that feeling onto my page by using a desaturated version of the inspiration color palette. Adding clock faces to the background helped support the title sentiment and watch frame.

Time Stands Still digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper: Freebie Special to Watercolor Whimsy Collection by Amanda Sok; Word Art: Elegant Word Art by Bethany; Frame: Vintage Watch Frames by The Scrappin Cop; Clockface: Refresh Collection by ScrapGirls; Ribbon: Mod Bungalow Collection by Brandy Hackman; Flowers: Sassy's Pumpkin and Hopsack Collection by Brandy Hackman; Brush: Grunge Brushes by The Scrappin Cop; Action: Scatter Things by Christy VanderWall; Font: Vladimir Script

Hope to see you soon, over at SNR!

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SAS Designs Kit Release: "Miss Bee-having"

This cheery little kit from SAS Designs releases today!  "Miss Bee-having" is an adorable collection of yellows and creams that can be a little country, a little whimsical or a little serene.  Try it paired with a black and white photo for a stunning look!

Here's my page...

Life's Simple Pleasures digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Miss Bee-having by SAS Designs; Template: In the Middle by Chrissy W Designs; Font: Underwood Champion

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A Look Back: My May & June SNR Pages

I love working for Scrapbook News & Review Magazine.  Scrapping for their calls and inspiration challenges constantly pushes me to create pages that otherwise would go undone.  Here's a little sample of my designs from May and June... you can click on the image for a larger view!

Huntin' Buddies digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Green Paper, Distressed Brown Paper: Just Remember Kit by SAS Designs; Brown Dotted Paper: Rough Riders Kit by Sandi Krieger; Brown Linen Paper: Marie Stones; Notebook Paper, Deer: Naturalists Journal Collection by Angela Blanchard; Frame, Leather Fasteners: Mod Bungalow Collection by Brandy Hackman; Trees: Rustique Collection by Kim Meeder; Compass: freebie special to Watercolor Nature Collection by Jacelen Deinema; Tag: freebie special to Serenity Collection by Keri Schueller; Bootprint Stamps:Take a Hike Kit by Cindy Little; Paper Tear: Having Hope Collection by Thao Cosgrove; Stitches: In Stitches by Digital Fingers; Fonts: Digs My Hart, Traveling Typewriter

Glow digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Slug Bug by Theresa Hernandez; Template: Template 4 by B2N2 Scraps; Font: His Name is Honey

You're Beautiful digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper: freebie special to Shark Lagoon Collection by Sara Peterson; Word Art: Elegant Word Art by Bethany; Ribbon: Brandy Murry; Net, Starfish, Shell Tag: Sea Wonders Kit by Isabel Mendez; Shell: Naturalists Journal Collection by Angela Blanchard; Fish Stamp: Splash Kit by Marie Stones; Photo Frame: Creating Keepsakes; Mask: Layered Masks VOl. 1 by SAS Designs; Frayed Edge Brush: Erica Hite; Template: SNR May Template by Trina Jones; Font: His Name is Honey

Get on Your Feet digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: One Love: Reaching Out to Haiti Collab Kit at Scrap Orchard; Sketch: Thena Smith for SNR; Fonts: Jailbird Jenna, A Little Pot

Finally Toothless digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Retro Techno by Cori Gammon; Script: Scatter Things by Christy VanderWall; Font: Boring Showers

At the Lake digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digtal Kit: Sun Kissed Collection by Brandy Murry; Stitching: Road Trip Kit by SAS Designs; Fonts: Susie's Hand, Carbon Type

Happy Girl digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits QuickPage: GingerSnap QP by Merkely Designs; Daisies, Bow: Newborn Collection by Shalae Tippetts; Tag: Autumn Flourish by SAS Designs; Swirls: Fab Flourishes Vol. 4 by Karen Lewis; Happy Stamp: Amanda Sok; Script: Scatter Things by Christy VanderWall; Fonts: Eight Fifteen, Grant's Ghosts

We Are Thankful digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit (including QuickPage): November 2009 Digital Freebie by Erica Hernandez; Digital Papers: Love Letters Collab Kit by Oscraps; Glitter and Stitches: Just Remember Kit by SAS Designs; Frayed Edge Brush: Erica Hite; Font: Traveling Typewriter, Hannibal Lecter

Children's Museum digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Happy Go Lucky Kit by The Shabby Princess; Scribble and Beads: Blotches, Beads & Things: November Color Play by Chrissy W; Brush: Watercolor Brushes by The Scrappin' Cop; Brush: Transparent Tape Brush by The Scrappin' Cop; Sketch: Lucy Chesna for SNR; Fonts: Rebekah's Birthday, Century Gothic

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SAS Designs Kit Release: "Colors"

This new kit from SAS Designs runs the gamut from refined and elegant to fun and funky.  Slightly textured papers in ivory and black provide the perfect backdrop for seven mini-collections of color-coordinated elements.  This is the kit you'll reach for when color dictates your design!

Here are my pages with "Colors"...

She's Not Shy digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Colors Kit by SAS Designs, Sketch: PageMaps by Becky Fleck, Font: Ian Jude

Playing with Paint digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Colors Kit by SAS Designs; Template: Enjoy the Little Things Page Template by Shimelle; Font: I Love Derwin

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Sketches and Templates Galore

I've written before about how much I like sketches and templates, and if you pay any attention to my layout credits, you know I use them routinely.  So, since it's the first of the month and some of my favorite places are releasing their new work, I thought I'd give you some yummy links!  And, since you know I'm unrepentantly cheap...they're all free!

Sketches:

PageMaps: monthly collection of fabulous sketches in 12x12 and 8.5x11 sizes.  Posted with gorgeous samples and available in an easy-to-download .pdf!
My Sketch World: twice-monthly sketches for both layouts and cards, with inspiration samples by a talented and diverse creative team.
Scrapbook Challenges: weekly sketches posted with samples in a forum where you can share your work and be encouraged.

Templates:

Chrissy W Designs: posts weekly template freebies on her blog.  The link will take you to her store at Elemental Scraps.  If the blog isn't up-to-date, you can also find her by going directly to ES and searching for freebies!
A Cherry on Top: monthly "Digi Doable" templates posted, along with a huge stash of other freebies.
Free Digital Scrapbooking: free monthly template and kit sampler.  Post your work there for a chance to win free printing at Persnickety Prints!
Scrap Orchard: staff hosts a monthly template challenge...you'll have to go to the Forum area of the site to download the current template.

Enjoy!

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SAS Designs Release(s): "This Little Girl" and September PU Grab Bag

Sarah at SAS Designs has been a very busy little girl!  This week, she's releasing a new kit titled "This Little Girl," full of soft, feminine pinks and greens...perfect for girlies of all ages.  You won't find a sweeter baby kit (it's complete with tiny knitted shoes and a lamb stuffie), but there are also beautiful florals, ribbons and pearls that would suit a big girl, too!  Here's a page I did with the kit...

Chocolate and Butterflies digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: This Little Girl Kit by SAS Designs; Template: Edge to Edge Templates by Chrissy W; Fonts: My Nerd, Calisto MT

But that's not all!  In addition to the regular weekly kit, SAS Designs is also releasing a Personal Use Grab Bag for September.  I am particulary excited about this collection, because it includes five mini-kits!  That's more than three dozen papers and 80-something elements!  I was so inspired, as a matter of fact, that I decided to make you a QuickPage...for each kit!  Here they are!

Chillin' Mini-Kit by SAS Designs

SAS_Chillin QP (9.7MB)

Flora Mini-Kit by SAS Designs

SAS_Flora QP (13.5 MB)

Rocking Sea Mini-Kit by SAS Designs

SAS_Rocking Sea QP (10.6 MB)

Warming Blue Mini-Kit by SAS Designs

SAS_Warming Blue QP (22.7 MB)

Zesty Mini-Kit by SAS Designs

SAS_Zesty QP (12.7 MB)

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Just a Little Behind...

Whoever coined the phrase "lazy days of summer" didn't live at my house!  We've been hither and yon the last few weeks, trying to squeeze in as much family time as possible before school starts back up.  So, I'm a little behind in my postings...

Five (yes, I said FIVE) new kits have been released by SAS Designs since we last spoke.  I won't take the time or space to give you full descriptions of the kits, but here are some of the pages I've put together with them.  You'll find links to the store in the page descriptions...click on through and pick them up!  They're all a tremendous amount of fun!

Shine digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Gazing Kit by SAS Designs; Template: Trina Jones; Fonts: Wish I Were Taller, Traveling Typewriter

Girl Cousins digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Delightful Kit by SAS Designs; Template: Round and Round Templates by SAS Designs; Paper Tears: The Scrappin' Cop; Fonts: Lima Bean, Traveling Typewriter

Dogsitting digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Doggy Love Kit by SAS Designs; Template: Jennifer Wilson; Font: My Own Topher

Easter digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Fresh Kit by SAS Designs; Sketch: August 2010 PageMaps by Becky Fleck; Fonts: Wish You Were Taller, Socially Awkward

Splash Down digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Sunny Sunshine Kit by SAS Designs; Sketch: Pamela Young; Fonts: Impact Label Reversed, Century Gothic

And, in the land of the shameless plug, make sure to check out the August issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine which drops this Sunday, August 29.  The digi team there did a feature on SAS Designs and are showing several examples of the Fresh Kit in action!

Talk soon!

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