Layout featuring a cool calendar idea by Wendy Gibson. Read more about it below!

In the Groove

You Scrapbook MAX!-ers are a talented bunch! Your layouts continually dazzle us, and so many of you are true artists when it comes to created elements and templates. We wanted to know what other amazing talents you have, and boy were we impressed!

In this issue, we feature layouts from our readers that display their dazzling craft and hobby abilities. You’ll be inspired by the variety of activities, and at the level of talent! And what better way to capture the pleasure your craft or hobby gives you than by creating a layout?

**A HUGE thank-you to all who sent us “crafty” layouts. Though we could not use them all in this issue, we enjoyed viewing your various talents!**

Read on and get inspired to scrap your own special pastime, art, or craft! You’ll also find your usual Groove favorites: a fab scrapper profile, a discount coupon for this month’s featured kits, a fun challenge by Michelle McCoy, and of course….FREEBIES!

A Stitch in Time

 

Michelle McCoy shares these two beautiful layouts (above) of handmade objects that are sure to thrill. She describes her cute crafts below!

Light-up Buddies (top layout)

“These crafts were made from terra cotta pots. Underneath the pots, I placed lights and those were glued inside the fish bowl heads…Real cute…”

The Groove says: Awesome Christmas and Halloween decoration idea!

Wall Hangings (bottom layout)

“These wall hangings were hand drawn and then stitched by me…You might recognize their cute faces from some of my kits…”

The Groove says: Perfect for a newborn’s nursery!

Keeping Organized, and Keeping Memories

 

 

Calendar Craft (top layout)

Wendy Gibson used Scrapbook MAX! to make an adorable calendar set (see top layout above). Read her description of this awesome idea, and get inspired to make your own!

“Here is a calendar made using my small calendar template found in the Scrapbook Max! store.Once personalized you simply print it off, cut out the pages and bind together any way you wish. For this particular calendar I punched holes in the top left corner of each page and inserted an eyelet then ran a binder ring through the eyelets, finishing it all off by tying my favorite ribbons to the binder ring. If you don’t want to bind your calendar together you can simply display the pages in a clear acrylic brochure holder, which can be found at your local office supply store!”

The Groove says: Perfect for popping in your purse or pocket – no more excuses for being late! LOL

Sandblasted Art (bottom layout)

We were dazzled by KPierce’s awesome sandblasted art abilities. Take a closer look at her amazing family heirlooms!

“We create vectored graphics, print <cut>  the graphics on vinyl with a plotter, place the vinyl mask on the item, mask the  portions of the item not covered with vinyl with tape for protection, pull / remove pieces of cut vinyl we want to sandblast <this could be many pulls which allows for various depths called multi-stage>; when sandblasting is finished clean up the item.”

The Groove says: Quite simply…WOW!

A Crafty Freebie For You!

Enjoy this freebie Scrapbook MAX! template featuring a collection of bookmarks!

Scrapbook MAX! can be used for many crafts and projects other than scrapbooking. One craft we have read about in the forums several times and that we are particularly fond of is making bookmarks with Scrapbook MAX!.

So, for all you bookworms out there, visit this thread and download a freebie template of bookmarks – just print, cut out, and never lose your place in a book again!

Of course, you can personalize these bookmarks any way you wish, or get inspired to make your own original bookmarks!

The Groove says: A great addition when you give a book as a gift!!

Content used to create bookmarks from Scrapbook MAX! Classic Edition, Wedding Edition and Baby Edition.

 

Scrapper Profile

Meet Paula K. (aka pkdoll)

Paula K. (aka pkdoll) is a talented participant in the Scrapbook MAX! forums who generously shares her talent, digital scrapbooking advice and friendship. Get to know her better below (and be sure to ask her if she still pulls out the ol’ saxophone every now and again…)

Q- Tell us one thing about yourself that others are often surprised to
learn.

A- Hmmmm—this is a hard one to answer.  I am a pretty predictable kind of person.  The one thing that comes to mind is that everyone close to me (family, friends, coworkers, etc) always tells me that I am very good at whatever I put my mind to doing and I don’t give myself enough credit.  I’m too hard on myself and easily intimidated.  Oh! And I played the saxophone in my high school marching band!

Q- What made you interested in digital scrapbooking?

A- I actually was just starting to learn paper scrapping and started buying all these supplies and I thought wow this is really a lot of work and a big mess. I googled scrapbooking online and I came across some digital sites and saw what people were doing and thought this is awesome!  Then I happened upon Scrapbook MAX! and downloaded the trial software and fell in love with it!  So I ordered the full version and the rest is history!

Q- Where do you get your layout ideas?

A –  I get most of my ideas from surfing the galleries to see what others are doing.  I will see a layout that I just love and than ideas pop in my head, and I start thinking of pictures I have and inspirations for pictures I should work on taking.  Most of the time I have no clue what I will create.  I will find a kit I like and bring in the background paper and then the picture I want to use and it takes off from there.
Q- Tell us about your favorite feature of Scrapbook MAX!.

A- I like everything about it.  What’s not to like?  It is so versatile and easy to use that beginners can start creating layouts instantly, and the more advanced scrappers can play with the features and expand on their talents.

Q – What tip would you share with a newbie to Scrapbook MAX!?

A – I would highly recommend being an active participant in the forums.  There is a wealth of information, freebies and an extremely friendly and supportive group of people.  You will find tutorials and a great mix of fun challenges to expand your scrapbooking skills.

Q – What’s the subject of the scrapbook that you are working on right now?

A – I am always working on several at the same time.  I want to make each of my kids a scrapbook of their lives and their children’s lives.  I especially like working on layouts with the grandchildren.

Q – How would you describe your scrapbooking style?

A – I am always changing my style. For example, right now I like working with blending and grunge. I also like playing with photo effects.  Whatever catches my eye I do, so I can’t say I have a certain style.

Thanks for sharing, Paula!

Some of Paula’s favorite layouts:

 

Phenomenal Flowers!

 

Don’t these layouts just take your breath away? Seems that our dear friend omajo is not only a great scrapper, but a talented maker of floral arrangements as well! We fell in love with these stunning wedding floral arrangements.Thanks for sharing, omajo!

The Groove says: Absolutely amazing!

 

 The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge! 

 

 – Michelle McCoy’s Scrappy Kids kit – the inspiration for her freebie! Read more details below…

The “Freebie” Part!

Michelle McCoy has generously supplied a freebie mini-kit and freebie template (based on her adorable Scrappy Kids kit) to all our Groove readers. You’ll find it attached to our The Groove Monthly Freebie and Challenge  thread.

Here’s how Michelle describes her kit:

I started putting this kit together to make layouts of my nephew…One thing led to the next, and I ended up with this cute theme instead. The colorful papers and spunky elements work great together for any child’s page.

The “Challenge” Part!

Here’s Michelle’s fun challenge (using the freebie mini-kit and template found here):

Since the Groove’s Theme this month is Crafts and Hobbies, use my free mini kit to whip together a layout of your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc…doing some type of craft or hobby. You must use pieces from my freebie.

Fun Freebie Rules:
You can only use the mini kit and add one embellishment or paper of your own (Changing the colors is ok)
You can only use one photo.
You can add journaling.
You have to make your layout(s) using my mask/template…Adding things to it is ok…(Look at my example below)
Most important, have fun!!!! I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with…((HUGS))

Inspiration using freebie template and freebie mini-kit

The Groove says: Thanks, Michelle! And have fun everyone. Remember that EVERYONE gets the freebies, and one participant in the challenge will be picked at random to receive a free Scrapbook MAX! mousepad!

 

Discount Coupon For
August 2008 “Featured Kits”

 

Love Michelle’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for more?

This month, when you purchase the full Scrappy Kids kit, or any of Michelles’s four Featured Kits (all pictured below), you’ll receive a discount for 10% off! Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until August 31, 2008, and type in the coupon code AUG-MMC to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code AUG-MMC exactly as shown).

Offer is good on new orders in the Featured Kits category only, until August 31, 2008. Coupon code must be used at the time of purchase and must be typed in exactly as shown. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

Scrappy Kids

 

Buggie

 

Doodle Bug

 

Beary Cherry

 

All Aboard!

 

 

The “Granny Express” is now leaving the station! We were delighted with these whimsical layouts featuring (yet another) hidden talent by Granny – building HO trains!

The Groove: Granny, you never cease to amaze us!

 

Booster Pack Store:

 New Releases
 

Have you been shopping lately? Dozens of new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

Below is a small sample of some of new kits recently added to the store by various designers.

 

Crystal Longbrake – Beautiful Kit

 

Kristi Cakebread – Totally Girl Kit

 

Steve Russell – Desert Sage Kit

 

 

Kathy Waddell – Candy Jelly Beans Kit

 

Wendy Gibson – Build a Cupcake Kit

 

Look for our BACK TO SCHOOL issue of The Groove next month (release date September 1, 2008).

Not yet signed up for The Groove?  Sign up for free today, and get a link to The Groove delivered to your inbox each month. Inspiration, freebies, challenges, scrapper profiles and more await!