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summer layouts

The Groove August 2012

By

Beach Layout - tin tin

In the Groove

There are still a few great weeks of summer left and we plan to hold on for as long as we can! We’ve included some bright, summery layouts for you to enjoy such as tin tin’s awesome beach layout above (love how the layout looks perfectly sandy!). Michelle McCoy’s cute summer freebie mini kit will be perfect for your pages, and we’re also highlighting some fun kits from the store that will add some color and punch. Read on for more details!

You’ll also find a terrific profile on designer Michelle McCoy along with some of her layouts made by Scrapbook MAX! members. And don’t forget to look for a discount on this month’s featured kits!

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

Meet Michelle McCoy, a Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, and very active challenge host – often with multiple challenges on the go! Besides her creativity and great freebies and kits, Michelle is known for her friendly, helpful personality, her courage, and her ability to make everyone feel at home! Learn more about Michelle in the profile below and get a super-cute freebie when you participate in her challenge. Thanks for sharing, Michelle! 🙂

Michelle McCoy
I’m thrilled to be the featured designer of the month and to be a part of the SBM community. My name is Michelle McCoy and I’m a single mom of two wonderful sons. I’m no longer able to work due to many medical conditions. I’m a Diabetic who recently had my right leg amputated. I also have heart disease, neuropathy, a rare skin disease and a kidney disease that requires me to be on Dialysis 3x a week to stay alive. It has changed my life, and I am grateful to have so much love, support, encouragement and positive thoughts from family, friends and from the scrapping community.

I got involved with digital scrap-booking while searching for a birthday card to print and came across Scrapbook MAX!. It looked interesting, so I went to the website, loved the community and the software! I’ve been hooked ever since and have been designing for almost 5 years now as Crafty Scraps. I am always trying to inspire others, whether they are first time scrappers or scrappers that have been creating beautiful things for years! My favorite kits are any with my snowmen in it! In my free time, I like to write poetry, relax with my kids and spend time with my furball – Boo Bear.

Here is a collage of a few of my favorite layouts made by the SBM community, using my kits:

Michelle's Favorite Layouts

Great collage – trust Michelle to get this creative! 😉 – and beautiful layouts Lori, Jana, Sandrine and Linda!
– The Groove Editors

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

August 2012 Freebie

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Michelle’s “turtle-themed” freebie and “sticker” challenge here!

Note: The challenge takes place in the forums here. But because Michelle included two mini-tutorials, we thought we’d include it here, too. Feel free to use Michelle’s tips in any layouts you are working on!

August 2012 Freebie Challenge hosted by Michelle McCoy
(To participate in the challenge, click here.)

Instructions:

*Download my freebie kit.

*Use one of the papers in the download on your layout.

*Add a title on your page making it look like a sticker. You can do this by adding a Caption (Object > Caption), and clicking on the Advanced tab in the Caption Properties box. Here you can adjust the outline. By making the outline white and very large (I adjusted the outline size to 30.9) your caption looks like a sticker. Here is a visual aid to help!:

Click on the above image to enlarge.

*Bring in another background from the my mini kit into your work space as a Paper Scrap or a Photo.

* Change colors if needed

* Now, change the shape from your shapes folder using these instructions:

Shapes and Shadows

Click on the above image to enlarge.

*You can use anything else on your page to finish it up.

*Upload your page to the gallery, then here in the post.

* Thank you for playing!!!

– Michelle

Get a Discount on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

Love the style of Michelle’s freebie and the kits showcased in her cute collage above? You can get 10% off of four of Michelle’s kits this month (pictured below) available in the Featured Content section of our store! All you need to do is add the kits to your cart, and use the coupon discount code MMC-AUG. Applies only to the kits found in the Featured Content section of our store, new orders only. Offer expires August 31, 2012.

StoneWashed
El-Lee
Chicken Soup
Monkey Around
New Releases in the Scrapbook MAX! Kit and Templates Store

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store each month. Below is just a small sample of some of new kits recently added to the store by various designers:

Aloha - Katie Castillo
Monsters - Siobhan Kite
Play Day - Amanda Wittenborn
Summer Love

Is there anything more romantic than a beach wedding? We fell in love with fonzzy’s beach wedding layout, especially her use of the gorgeous blue background. Its color said “the sea” and also contrasted beautifully with the lighter tones of the beach and bride’s gown. Gorgeous!

Beach Wedding - fonzzy

Look for the next issue of The Groove on September 1, 2012!

The Groove July 2012

By

Day At the Park

In the Groove

Summer time has arrived! Time to scrap days at the beach, long afternoons on the porch, summer hikes, games and other adventures! To get you all inspired, we’ve kicked off this issue with Kimmyann’s Day at the Park. Love those summery, watermelon-like colors that evoke the tastes of summer!

You’ll also find a scrapper profile focusing on Scrapbook MAX! designer extraordinaire Fiona Storey. Fiona’s giving away a summer freebie, too along with a fun challenge. You’ll also find a discount on featured kits, and more layouts to inspire your summer scrapping!

ONE MORE THING! There’s a HUGE summer sale going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store! Read on to see how you can save a whopping 20% off your orders this month!

HUGE SUMMER SALE ON DIGITAL KITS!

From now until July 31, 2012 you can get 20% off on orders of $10 or more in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store. Choosing from any of the kits and templates in our store, simply add at least $10 worth of products to your cart, and type in the code SUMMER exactly as shown in the coupon code box before completing your order. This is a great time to stock up on kits for all your summer scrapbook projects!

Check out what’s new and cool, use the coupon code, and save!

Note: Offer applies only to digital kits and templates sold in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store, on orders of $10 or more. Coupon code must be typed in before checking out. Valid on new orders only, expires July 31, 2012.

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

Meet Fiona Storey, a Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, frequent challenge host, and an inspiring and helpful force in the Scrapbook MAX! community since the year it all began, in 2006! Get to know a bit more about Fiona and what inspires her to dream and create her signature designs. Fiona has also picked a few layouts of YOURS that she thought deserved the spotlight. And, she’s sharing a fun-in-the-summertime freebie and challenge with you! Thanks for sharing, Fiona! 🙂

Fiona Storey
I have only been designing since 2006. It all came about by accident, but then the best things always do! I was looking for a way to re-size my embellishments to fit on the handcrafted card I was designing, found Scrapbook MAX!and with hours I was totally hooked!
My designs have changed so much over the years, but I can not say I actually have a ‘style’ as such. I see a photo, an embellishment or more often than not a page that someone has scrapped and I go from there. My head is constantly buzzing with new ideas (most I never get around to making!)
My favourite scrapbook styles are vintage and romantic looking. I love flowers, lace, ribbons, bows and pearls, anything pretty and cute too!
My favourite all time designer is Silvia Romeo. I spend hours trying to design like her. She definitely challenges me to make new items and look at things in a different way. She really does the vintage look perfectly!
Currently I have several projects on the go (confused chaos works for me lol). I am working on a kit for the guys, a vintage kit, and I have something in the pipeline which is bright and cheerful. Diversity is always fun!

Some of Fiona’s favourite pages by other Scrapbook MAX!-ers

This one is by Eye (Irene) – I love her style. She takes a kit and totally transforms it into her own unique style. She has given me so many great ideas for embellishments over the years just by the way she can think outside the box.

Granmas Roses

This is by Marion. I just love her sense of humour. She can tell a complete story on her pages with little effort.

Pisa

Finally, there’s this one by Lindaathome. She is a scrapping machine! I love the diversity of her pages. Every single one is well thought out and balanced.

Delightful Denim
The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge
Summer Fun Freebie

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Fiona’s “Summer Fun” freebie and challenge here!

Save on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

This is your chance to get a few of our profiled designer Fiona Storey’s favorite kits at a great discounted price! Four of Fiona’s kits (pictured below) will be featured in our store all month long, and you can get them for 20% off! All you need to do is go to the Featured Content section, add $10 worth of kits to your cart and type in the coupon code SUMMER (mix and match featured kits and anything else in the store for your $10 order!).

Offer expires July 31, 2012 – full details above!

Island Cruise
Tea For Two
Garden Dreams
Sunshine and Showers
July 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

July Challenge Schedule

July 1-31, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Fiona a.k.a. Angelwithin)

July 1-31, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge (KapiScrap or KapiColors a.k.a Sandrine)

July 1-31 2012 – look for Michelle McCoy’s “Scrappin’ Challenges”

…plus there just may be an extra challenge or two in the mix!

GREAT DEAL ON SUMMER KITS!
Summer Vacation Pack

It’s one of the greatest digital scrapbooking deals going! The ‘Summer Vacation’ Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Expansion Pack has everything you need to make awesome summer pages – professionally designed summer-themed template pages, paper scraps, embellishments, and backgrounds! It’s packed with digital content valued at over $100 – and it’s yours for only $19.95!

Check out the What’s Included page to see everything you get.

Please note that the Summer Vacation Expansion Pack requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0.

Plunge Into Summer!

We love this mermaid-themed by Letha! How cool is this? Makes us want to dive right in and go swimming!

The Mermaids

Look for the next issue of The Groove on August 1, 2012!

The Groove September 2011

By

Sunset by alohagrrl

In the Groove

For many of us, we’re soaking up the last rays of sunshine before autumn begins. But no matter where in the world you live, who doesn’t appreciate the beauty of the outdoors? This month we’re featuring layouts with gorgeous “outside” photos. Get inspired to get outside and snap some pics – no flash required! 🙂

We’ve got HUGE news – about a SUPER SALE in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store. Read on for all the exciting details!

You’ll also enjoy an incredible freebie and challenge from our friend KapiScrap and Art. You’ve seen lovely layouts by KapiColors in the forums and gallery! Find this and more in The Groove!

Summer Treats

This “outdoor” layout came from last month’s Groove Freebie Challenge, with a summer freebie from designer Katie Castillo. We love the elegant presentation of this page that draws your eyes to the photos – on a hot day the frozen treats are a welcome sight, too! Great job, Letha!

Summertime - Letha

SUPER SALE in the Store! Stock up and Save 20%

This month, when you spend a minimum of $10 in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store, you can save 20% off your order! Just fill up your cart, and type in the code SUPERSALE exactly as shown in the coupon code field before you checkout. You’ll get a whopping 20% off your order.

This is a great time to stock up on your “digital scrap supplies” for the year. Browse the store for gorgeous designs on all the themes you can dream of: birthday, Christmas, boy, girl, pets, travel, “every day”, and so much more! Don’t wait, check out our selection of thousands of digital kits and templates, by some of the top designers in the industry!

Note: Coupon code SUPERSALE must be typed in the coupon code field exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Minimum purchase of $10 – valid in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store only. Expires September 30, 2011.

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge
SweetSummertime by KapiScrap

Each month, we feature a great freebie mini-kit and a fun challenge. All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the Groove challenge category in the gallery, and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, a lovely freebie (showpage above) and summer-y challenge is hosted by KapiScrap and Art. For all of the details, please check out the September 2011 freebie challenge thread here.

The Great (Imaginary) Outdoors!

The outdoor “landscape” may be whimsical, but this layout still shouts “summertime”! We love the extraction, and the adorable embies, to say nothing of the layout’s photo subject – so sweet! Lovely work from tin tin.

Froggie Page - tin tin
**NEW RELEASES!** – Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store each month. And remember – all through September 2011, you can save 20% on orders of $10 or more (see above for all the details!).

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

Autumn Crunch Kit – Carena Scott

See Red Kit – Kirsten Smit

Vintage Treasury - Monja Wessel


Vintage Treasury Elements – Monja Wessel

Harmony - Siobhan Kite

Harmony Template – Siobhan Kite

Look for next month’s issue of The Groove on October 1, 2011!

The Groove August 2011

By

Kit by Deanne Gow-Smith

In the Groove

Read on to learn how you can get over $100 worth of summer-themed digital scrapbooking content for only $14.95!! Throughout the issue, we showcase a small sample of all the incredible items included in this amazing new pack. We also share the 3 winner of last month’s “Scrap Your Hometown” challenge, and a summer-y freebie and challenge from designer Katie Castillo. You’ll also find a discount offer on some of Katie’s bold and crisp designs. Don’t miss this issue!

NEW! Summer Vacation “Mega” Expansion Pack

Introducing the NEW! Summer Vacation Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. This bold, bright collection is chock-full of summer-themed digital scrapbooking kits and coordinating templates. Sold separately, you would pay over $100 for everything included. But during the month of August 2011, you can get it for the special introductory price of only $14.95 US by using the link below!

Click here to learn more, and to find the Buy Now button to get this fantastic price!

Summer Vacation includes ten premium digital scrapbooking kits and coordinating template sets. It’s AWESOME for scrapping all of summer’s many activities – camping, bbq’s, block parties, day at the beach, or afternoons lounging in the backyard! Summer comes once a year, but you’ll be scrapping sunshine all year long with this great pack! Offer ends August 31, 2011 – so be sure to hurry!

Special introductory pricing ends August 31, 2011. Use the special link to get this discount. Applies to new orders only. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Summer Vacation requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software.

Get in the Swim of Things!

Check out these kits included in the new Summer Vacation Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0! “In the Summer Time” (Deanne Gow-Smith) is set on the beach, and combines ocean blues and sunny yellows to show off all your beach pics! “Splish Splash” (Michelle McCoy) is for when you and the family spend the day cooling off in the pool – whether in-ground or inflatable! Remember – all the kits in this pack come with coordinating, full-editable templates!

In The Summer Time
Splish Splash
The Great Outdoors

Summer days mean heading outdoors, whether that means into the wild, or into your backyard! Scrap fishing trips and lakeside adventures with Steve Russell’s “Fishing” kit. Head out for a picnic with Fiona Storey’s colorful “Al Fresco” Kit (featuring picnic scenes for beach, park, bbq and more!).

Fishing
Al Fresco

* * * *

The Groove August 2011 Freebie Challenge
Freebie Mini-Kit

Each month, a designer offers a great freebie mini-kit and issues a challenge. All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the Groove challenge category in the gallery, and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Katie Castillo is offering you an utterly adorable and “juicy” freebie kit and challenging you to work on a summer theme. For all of the details please check out the August 2011 freebie challenge thread here.

August 2011 Featured Kits

Looking for kits with Katie’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, all found in our Featured Content section of the store! You can save 10% off these four featured kits by typing in the coupon code KCS-AUG at checkout.

YoHo Templates
Serenity Templates
YoHo Kit
YoHo Extra Alphas

* * * *

Below are even MORE kits sets found in the new Summer Vacation Expansion Pack! (Click here to learn more about the pack and get an awesome discount price!)

Vacations and “Stay”- Cations!

Are you packing up the car and heading cross-country? Or is your summer all about tending your own garden paradise? Whichever way you choose to enjoy summer, we’ve got the perfect kit for scrapping your summer pics. Kit sets below by Michelle McCoy and Fiona Storey

Everything Packed
Cottage Garden
Congrats to Challenge Winners!

Last month, The Groove challenged you to create a layout celebrating your home town (or country!). We saw some fantastic layouts – thanks to all who participated! Check out all the fabulous entries here.

Three participants were chosen at random, and will receive the Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Expansion Pack of their choice (woo-hoo!). Here are their “hometown pride” layouts!

by SBM Diane
By Pixy Girl
by alohagrrl

Look for next month’s issue of The Groove on September 1, 2011!

The Groove July 2009

By

Tina Sudweeks - A Summer Tease Layout

Tina Sudweeks -Summer Layout, using Tina’s template “A Summer Tease”

 

In The Groove

Those long, hot summer days are here again! Time to run through the sprinkler, make a pitcher of cold lemonade, and then scrap those unbeatably fun summer memories! This month, we’re showcasing layouts that capture the joyful spirit of summer, with a great palette of colors, and a touch of whimsy. We hope these layouts inspire you to scrap your own memories – between ice cream cones and bbq’s, of course!

We’ve also included your favorites below- a Scrapper Profile, and the monthly freebie challenge, hosted this month by Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack designer Donna Thomas. Kick back, sip that lemonade, and enjoy The Groove! 

Carefree!

Oh, to be a kid in summer – no worries, just endless weeks of fun! Moonlightpearl and Wendy Gibson’s layouts below remind us how to be carefree! Note the contrast in colors used, and how a rich palette or a pastel theme work equally well. Take your cue from the tones in your photo for inspiration!

Moonlightpearl - Chris Layout

Moonlightpearl – “Chris” Layout

 

Wendy Gibson - Charlie Taury Layout

Wendy Gibson – “Charlie Taury” Layout

 

Reflections on Summer

We know that summer has just begun, but we couldn’t resist including these two layouts that each have a reflective quality – a feeling of “looking back” at summertime. With the use of cool blue and grey tones, somehow these layouts hint at that touch of coolness in the air at summer’s end. Beautiful work!

 

pickngrin - The Sandbar Layout

pickngrin – The Sandbar Layout

 

Winnie49 - San Felice Circeo Layout

Winnie49 – Summer’s End Layout

 

Scrapper Profile

Lillyskite

Portrait of Lillyskite

Meet Lillyskite, a designer for the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store, and all around friendly and creative person!

Q- Tell us one thing about yourself that others are often surprised to learn.
A-My Name Siobhan is Irish Gaelic and is pronounced “shi-von”

Q- What made you interested in digital scrapbooking?
A- I draw pixel graphics and was contacted by a lady to make graphics for digital scrapbooking – had no Idea about this kind of thing!lol
So I googled it and was pretty taken by what I saw..:O)

Q- Where do you get your layout ideas?
A- My imagination, mostly. I have two daughters so I usually go girly on most things.
 
Q- Tell us about your favorite feature of Scrapbook MAX!.
A- Well that would be that it is easy enough for my girls to use. So it can be a family hobby :O)

Q- What tip would you share with a newbie to Scrapbook MAX!?
A- Simply Enjoy Yourself!:O) And, do not be afraid to ask for help as there are so many lovely ladies and gents always there [in the Scrapbook MAX! forums] to help :O)

Q- What’s the subject of the scrapbook that you are working on right now?
A- Lol! Always Kids…Just fun things.
 
Q- How would you describe the style of the kits that you design?
A-I have been told I am a whimsy artist over the years so I think I will have to say “Whimsy” :O)

Q- What is your favorite time of year? Why is it special?
A-Christmas… Wish it was everyday [for] 1. The religious side, and 2. Because I really believe the world seems so much happier.
Love the Music, the decorations, just everything.
 
Q- Who inspires you? Why?
A- arrhh… This is a hard one. I took sometime to think on this. I hope you mean Life in general..:O)
Well there are so many great people, and I love true stories of struggles and survival in everyday life, and could fill 1000 000 pages of names:O) I will say it is the songwriters that can produce a song that can bring a smile or a tear or warmth to your heart. If we did not have photos,the songs would be [the photos]as they can take you to times in your past in a moment:O) I would love to have the gift to do this.

Thanks, Siobhan! Check out some of Lillyskite’s favorite layouts below (elements from her Erins Eden kit, found in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store):

Lillyskite - Erins Eden Layout 1

Lillyskite - Erins Eden Layout 2

Lillyskite - Erins Eden Layout 3

 

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge!

Donna Thomas - For The Love of Freedom Challenge Kit

Preview of this month’s fabulous freebie kit by designer Donna Thomas

The Freebie Part

This month, Donna Thomas is sharing this bright, bold freebie set with you – in time to celebrate the freedom of the coming summer months, and what that means to you!  Find the freebies in our Groove Monthly Freebie thread!

The Challenge Part

Here’s Donna’s challenge:

The THEME: For LOVE of FREEDOM

The CHALLENGE: Simply use at least 3 items from the kit to create a layout with the theme “For LOVE of Freedom,” and what this means to you!

Find the challenge thread here.

 July 2009 “Featured Kits”

Love Donna’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are July’s four featured kits, all by Donna Thomas. Be sure to use the coupon code DTH-JUL, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until July 31, 2009, and type in the coupon code DTH-JUL to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code DTH-JUL exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

 

Donna Thomas - Circus Clowns Kit

Donna Thomas – Circus Clowns Kit

Donna Thomas - Blue Dot Special Kit

Donna Thomas – Blue Dot Special Kit

Donna Thomas - Birthday Paper Maker Shapes Kit

Donna Thomas – Birthday Paper Maker Shapes

Donna Thomas - Around The World Templates

Donna Thomas – Around The World Templates

 

Fresh and Sweet! 

 

 Kimbob - One Fine Day Layout

Kimbob- One Fine Day Layout

We love this pretty and whimsical layout featuring a gorgeous wedding photo. While many wedding layouts are embellished with traditional or old-fashioned elements, kimbob shows us that sweet, contemporary elements can be just as romantic. Get inspired by this precious layout!

 

The Patriotic Spirit!

Grannywin - Happy Birthday America Layout

Grannywin – Happy Birthday America Layout

Many nations around the world celebrate important holidays in July. Grannywin’s pays tribute to the birth date of the United States, celebrated on July the 4th, with fireworks-inspired elements and a delicious slice of apple pie. Mmmmm…the layout is so sweet, you can almost taste it!

 

Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

Great 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.

 

Michelle McCoy - Jerry Kit

Michelle McCoy – Jerry Kit

 

Fiona Storey - Angel Whispers Template

Fiona Storey- Angel Whispers Template

 

Diana Carmichael - A Sweet Sorbet

Diana Carmichael- A Sweet Sorbet Kit

 

Look for the next issue of The Groove on August 1, 2009!

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!

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