Freaky Fast Sneak Peek!!!

Our final Freaky Fast November Page also gives you a sneak peek at one of the December lines that will be making an appearance in the December Doubleshot Kit!

October Afternoon's Under The Tree

For the Freaky Fast page, Tammy Harp used the November formula and cut (6) 2"x 6" strips of patterned papers and arranged them across the bottom of the page. This is what Tammy said about it:

            I had to do just a wee bit of overlapping in order to leave a narrow black margin along
            both sides. I added a 1/2" strip of brown sugar cardstock along the top of the patterned
            papers, and I matted (2) 4"x 6" photos (or what will be (2) photos) with the same brown
            sugar cardstock. I finished the layout by added som die-cuts and stickers, and a couple
            of phrase cut-outs from one of the papers. Easy - and Freaky Fast!!

Here's one final look at all of the November Freaky Fast layouts, all created using the same formula:
(2) 2"x 6" pieces of patterned paper

by Designer, Rochelle Spears

by Designer, Brenda Ragsdale

by Guest Designer, Lisa Lahiff

FREAKY FAST FRIDAY!!! And, did I hear someone say they wanted a prize?

Good morning ladies!!! It's that time again...FREAKY FAST FRIDAY!!! Consider the following questions... 

Are you in a rut?
Not feeling very creative or inspired these days?
Are you overwhelmed when you sit down to scrapbook? 

If you answered yes to ANY of the questions, this just might be the answer to your problems...FREAKY FAST PAGES

The October 2015 Freaky Fast formula comes from Tammy this month! She is even adding a wonderful incentive to play along for any subscriber to be shipped along with your next kit.  One winner of this awesome set will be randomly selected among the entries:

 Simple Stories Life Documented Day to Day Card Set

Let's look at this month's formula... 

1. Cardstock or subtle patterned paper background 
2. 9"x 5" patterned paper
3. 10"x 6" patterned paper
4. 10"x 3" patterned paper
5. 11"x 3" patterned paper
6. 11"x 1" strip patterned paper
7. 11.5"x 1/2" strip patterned paper

It's as easy as 1,2, 3,...(and 4)!!

1. Collect as many pictures as you like.
2. Cut your patterned paper to the dimensions stated above.
3. Push the paper around your cardstock till you achieve the look you want, or simply lift one of the layouts below!
4. Adhere and EMBELLISH! It is that easy!!

Here is a look at Tammy's FREAKY FAST PAGE... 

Grateful 

Tammy Harp created a wonderful Fall layout with the Simple Stories Pumpkin Spice line from the October 2015 Flavor of the Month kit.

And since there are only four Fridays in October and five of us played along, you get two pages for inspiration today.....

A Memory Fave!

I played along using Dear Lizzy Documentary from the  October 2015 Flavor of the Month kit.

What will yours look like?  Feel free to use this formula with the October kits or any other combination of TSR products and submit your pages, if desired. Please communicate in the comments if you have created a page with this formula and direct us to your page so that we can see your work and add your name to a drawing. Just cut your papers into the sizes indicated, slide the paper around on the page until you like the look; feel free to overlap, etc. Add photos of your choice. Keep it easy!! 

smile emoticon
October Freaky Fast Formula:
(1) 9"x 5"
(1) 10"x 6"
(1) 10"x 3"
(1) 11"x 3"
(1) 11"x 1" strip
(1) 11.5"x 1/2" strip

Enjoy!!

Off-Topic with Tammy

Good Morning! One of my goals this summer is to try new recipes with new vegetables. I've always liked veggies, but after 42 years of cooking frozen veggies in the microwave and adding salt, pepper and butter, I'm on a mission to make vegetables the best thing about dinner! On a friend's recommendation, I grew some Swiss Chard for the first time last summer. I'd never had it before, but she swore that it was good and easy to grow. As a novice gardener, that was enough to encourage me to give it a go. Well, she was half right; it was easy to grow, and I was swimming in Swiss Chard, along with lettuce and spinach. But, it was not nearly as good as my lettuce and spinach (strong flavor), and I knew I wasn't likely to eat it in a salad when I had these other lovely greens also available to me. So, what was I going to do with all of this chard?

In walks Lori. While we were both working at the gardens one afternoon, she told me how her family eats chard, and that they love it and eagerly wait for every new cutting of chard to make this tasty dish. So, I immediately went home and whipped it up, and IT WAS AMAZING! Consequently, this year, like Lori, I have been eagerly waiting for my chard to be ready so I can make this dish again. We had it two nights ago, I ate the leftovers for lunch yesterday, and we're having it again this weekend. I think I could eat it every day for two weeks straight, but the fam probably wouldn't go for that, so I'm spreading it out every few days and enjoying this year's harvest with an exceedingly happy heart.

So, if you're looking for a delicious way to feature a new and good-for-you vegetable, give Swiss Chard and Lori's SWISS CHARD BACON PASTA TOSS a try. It's a super-fast dinner that will make you want to grow your own crop of chard next summer!

SWISS CHARD BACON PASTA TOSS

6-7 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1-lb. bowtie pasta

15-oz. can white beans (S&W brand preferred)

Swiss Chard (big colander full of leaves), washed and torn into bite sized pieces)

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta. Fry bacon in a skillet. When almost crispy, add Swiss chard, stirring until all chard is wilted and bacon is crispy. Add canned beans ( DON'T DRAIN). When pasta is al dente, drain and place in a serving bowl. Pour bacon/chard mixture over pasta and toss. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Off Topic with Tammy

This year marks the end of our family's 9-year stint in our neighborhood middle school, Stephen Mack Middle School. We have loved our time here. The teachers and principals have taken the time and energy to get to know our boys, and they have prepared them well for high school academics. We are grateful for our 9 years here. On Josiah's last day, we sent in some homemade kettle korn for the teachers and staff, and I packaged it in a cardboard box, decorated with scrapbook paper, simply taped to the sides of the box. I added an extra sheet of paper taped to a paint stick that I attached to the back of the box so it stood over the popcorn bags. I added some popcorn bags and a cup for scooping, and here's the best part - I asked my boys to all sign the box with a note of thanks. I thought they'd just write a generic "Thank you" sentence, but their notes far exceeded my expectations. All four sides of the box were covered with heartfelt sentiments of gratefulness. I hope that the teachers and staff felt as appreciated as we intended them to feel.

I'm sharing this idea because I thought it ended up being a fun way to package an inexpensive food gift. I didn't realize when I was putting it together that it would turn into a giant 3-dimensional "Thank You" card, but I loved the end result - personal notes of appreciation packaged together with a yummy treat, made to feed a crowd!

(Sorry the above photo is a little grainy, but I'm posting from my iPad on vacation, and my photo-editing software isn't as good as what I have on my computer!)

The ScrapRoom Sketch: August (and a Winner!)

Feeling like getting a little scrappy today?  Well, why not?  We've got a great sketch and a great prize to motivate you!  Tammy has another versatile sketch to help you get more pages done - check it out!

August Sketch by Tammy Harp

"Tuckered Out" by Tammy Harp

"Summer Smiles" by Jennifer Moore

"I Heart Summer" by Melanie Call

"Halo Burger" by Theresa Sovacool

Whether you follow the sketch exactly or just let it guide you with paper placement... we want to see what you've created!  And if you do?  You've got a shot at $10 to spend at our TSR Store.

This month, our winner is kissmevodka with this layout documenting the truly important things in life... among them, time with friends.  *love*

"BFF" by kissmevodka

Congratulations, kissmevodka! Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your name, address, and the name of the contest you won. She'll get your prize to you right away. Happy shopping!

- Theresa/Savi

P.S.  Don't forgot to link up your layout in the comments below!

July ScrapRoom Sketch... You Know You Want To

Not much for a subliminal message, is it?  LOL  But seriously, this sketch is completely awesome and I made a page in less than hour with it (which is like a miracle for me, just so you know).  If you want to get more pages done (and who doesn't), check out this sketch:

July ScrapRoom Sketch by Tammy Harp

"2nd Grade Swagger" by Jennifer Moore

"Video Game Ninja" by Theresa Sovacool

"Happy Easter" by Melanie Call

"Hello Freaks" by Tammy Harp

Okay, seriously... this sketch is your friend!  Take three blocks of color and just add some photos (or maybe just one), a title, and a little sprinkle of embellishments, and you've got it.  And if you just take one your TSR kits... you've got three different patterned papers and the sprinkle of embellishments already.  Yep, just another way we make it easy to get more pages done!

Once you've got *your* page done, link it up in our comment section below, and one lucky someone will win some TSR cash... and this month, our winner is Rebecca Geile with this totally hilarious look at everyday life in the Geile household... pants optional!

"Dressed for Success" by Rebecca Geile

Congratulations, Rebecca! Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your name, address, and the name of the contest you won. She'll get your prize to you right away. Happy shopping!

- Theresa/Savi

P.S.  Don't forgot to link up your layout in the comments below! 

Making Cards with a Layout Sketch

Did you see the great sketch Tammy created for National Scrapbook Day??? Even though it was designed for layouts...it is a perfect sketch for cards too. I used the left over bits from my May kit and made 3 Mother's Day Cards using the sketch. Now don't fret that it's past Mother's Day because you can make Birthday, Hello, or Thank You cards (or be really prepared for next year with Mother's Day cards) using your May kit and the NSD sketch.

Awesome NSD sketch:

My three cards based on the sketch:

Try using a layout sketch for next card!

- Melanie

The ScrapRoom Sketch for April... and Our March Winner!

Hey, can you cut a sort of squarish shape?  Like, maybe not even a square, but maybe just a rectangle because you got distracted by somebody yelling about a big white priority mail box that just landed on your porch?  (Yes, those kits are shipping soon!)  Either way... a square... a rectangle... or even just something sort of like that gets you *this close* to having our sketch done this month.  And if you feel like piling on the details and layers?  You can do that, too.  Enjoy - we did!

April Sketch by Tammy Harp

"Swing Fun" by Melanie Call

"Church Egg Hunt" by Jennifer Moore

"Torrey Pines Sunrise" by Theresa Sovacool

Whether you follow the sketch exactly or flip it around... whether you use one photo or more... we want to see how you've been inspired by the sketch this month!  Give it a try for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store.  Just link up your take on our sketch in the comments below. 

And speaking of The ScrapRoom Store, we have a lucky winner again this month!

The March Sketch Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Michele with this fun layout capturing that moment her son finally conquered two wheels.  That's a big moment for lots of kids - way to be in the right place with your camera, Michele!  *big love*

"2 Wheels" by Michele

Congratulations, Michele! Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your real name, address, and the name of the contest you won. She'll get your prize to you right away. Happy shopping! Don't forget to link up your sketch layout for your chance to win a shopping spree next month. Good luck, and have fun with it!

- Theresa/Savi

The March ScrapRoom Sketch... and February's Winner!

Another new month brings us another new sketch by Tammy!  As you can see, we think this sketch is wonderfully versatile:

March Sketch by Tammy Harp

"Fun In the Sun" by Brenda Carpenter

"You Are Loved" by Jennifer Moore

"Boys & Mom" by Melanie Call

"Lightning Storm" by Theresa Sovacool

Whether you follow the sketch exactly or just let it guide your photo placement... whether you layer on patterned papers or keep it simple ... we want to see how you've been inspired by the sketch this month!  Give it a try for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store.  Just link up your take on our sketch in the comments below. 

And speaking of The ScrapRoom Store, we have a lucky winner again this month!

The February Sketch Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Trish Alexander with this luscious, masculine layout... that makes me giggle every time I look at it!  What a priceless photo, and the pop of red is spot-on. 

Congratulations, Trish! Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your real name, address, and the name of the contest you won. She'll get your prize to you right away. Happy shopping! Don't forget to link up your sketch layout for your chance to win a shopping spree next month. Good luck, and have fun with it!

- Theresa/Savi

Sneak Peek #4: American Crafts My Girl (DS)

"Skipbo" by Tammy Harp

"Sugar and spice and everything nice is just the beginning of My Girl. A palette of pinks, yellows, light blue, and gray create the adorable backdrop for handwritten type and doodles of flowers, butterflies, strawberries, and speech bubbles. My Girl is a precious collection for young ladies of any age." -- American Crafts Studio Blog

February Sketch... and Our Winners!

Let me tell you... I love sketches.  And this month has to be one of my favorites.  That big title and teeny picture are a little different than what's normally in my scrapbooks, so maybe that's what made this sketch so much fun.  To me, it felt fresh and new and unique.  And what's not to love about that?

February Sketch by Tammy Harp

"Nothing Means More Than Family" by Jennifer Moore

"The Story Begins For Our Family of 4" by Melanie Call

"Everybody Wants to be a Cat" by Brenda Carpenter

"Horsin' Around" by Beth Hallgren

"My Tribe" by Tammy Harp

"To Have and To Hold" by Theresa Sovacool

It's really a fun sketch - give it a try for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store.  Just link up your take on our sketch in the comments below. 

And speaking of The ScrapRoom Store, we have a few lucky winners again this month!

The January Sketch Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Julie E with this breath-taking layout.  I love how she beautifully captured the airy softness of the dance costumes with this watercolor print paper, cloud washi, and ribbon.  And note the very clever restructuring of the BasicGrey paper from a 12x12 print to letter size!  Congratulations, Julie E!

"My Angel" by Julie E

The January Got Scraps Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be April with this darling layout.  While I do think the ink, touches of blue, and the journaling (oh, gosh *tears*) are wonderful, my favorite part is that simple yet perfect scrappy flower.  Congratulations, April!

"Our Sweet Baby" by April

scrappy flower detail *love*

Congratulations, ladies!  Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your real name, address, and the name of the contest you won.  She'll get your prizes to you right away.  Happy shopping!  Don't forget to link up your sketch layout for your chance to win a shopping spree next month.  Good luck, and have fun with it!

- Theresa/Savi

January Sketch... and December Winners!

Here's a fresh new sketch perfect for a fresh new year!  This one comes to you from Tammy - and you'll see just how versatile it is with all the DT examples:

The ScrapRoom Sketch for January by Tammy Harp

"Today is Your Day" by Brenda Carpenter

"My Sweet Turkey" by Melanie Call

"Lunch Time at Pizza Planet" by Jennifer Moore

"Beauty and the Beast" by Beth Hallgren

"Storm Warning" by Theresa Sovacool

"Grandma's Garden" by Theresa Sovacool

Banners, tags, pockets - one page or two - one photo or many - I think you'll find lots of ways to play with this sketch this month.  Leave us a comment with a link to your layout by January 31st for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate from the TSR store - and good luck!

Last month's winner of the sketch challenge was randomly chosen to be Rebecca G with a great - and honest - layout about what happens when mom is studying.  This is real life, and I love it!  I also confess to some serious love for the title block.  Perfect use of that wooden camera!

The December Got Scraps Challenge winner was randomly chosen to be Deanna D with this beautiful framed family portrait.  Love how she overlapped those squares and added layers of eye candy.  Well done!

Congratulations, ladies!  Please email Tammy at admin@scrap-room.com with your real name, address, and the name of the contest you won.  She'll get your prizes to you right away.  Happy shopping!

- Theresa/Savi