Week #7 - Andrea (Photo Proportion)

Andrea earned 30 points for Team Button with this layout. She used an enlarged photo for 10 pts and included two extra credit challengs: brackets around her journaling and decorative scissors (also on the journaling box).

Week #7 - Melissa (Photo Proportion)

Melissa earned 20 points for Team Ribbon with this great layout. She did a fantastic job of usually a very large photo (10 pts) and incorporating brackets around her journaling (10 pts).

Week #7 - Andrea (Silly Photo)

Andrea earned 40 points for Team Button with this great layout (think I might have to scraplift this one). 10 points were awarded for scrapping some silly photos. 30 points were awarded for the following extra credit challenges: Replicating B&W costume from photo, Deco scissors (bat), Sparkle.

Week #7 - NEW CHALLENGE!

This week's challenge is all about the photos. There are three individual challenges below and you have the opportunity to submit up to THREE layouts this week!! They will be due to me by Saturday, November 4th at midnight EST. You can not combine the challenges on one layout and get more points. You must submit 3 different layouts - each will be worth 10 points.

Scrapbook Those Silly Photos (#27)
I know you have them. Well, at least just one. You know what I'm talking about - a silly photo. If you don't have a silly photograph to scrapbook - go and take one! You might be surprised at just how much fun it can be.
Example:
http://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1013633

Digitally Alter a Photograph (#30)
I love taking photographs and challenging myself by doing cool things with my photo software. I'd like to challenge you to do the same. Whatever you choose, your challenge here is to digitally alter a photo in such a way that it helps enhance the story on your layout.

Ideas:
- Try changing the colors of a photo (simply converting to B&W does NOT count on this one) - this could be a drastic change or something more subtle
- Use some of the "artistic" affects that most photo software has
- Convert part of a photo to B&W and leave part in color to highlight a portion
- Add brushes or texts directly to your photo
- If you're not familiar with what your computer can do - this is a great time to experiment!

example: http://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1013601


Play with Photo Proportions (#32)
Have a photograph you just love? Here's the challenge: feature your photograph predominantly on your layout by making it a large portion of your background.
**I know most of us don't have large format printers, so this challenge is not asking you to print 12x12 photos. Just use very large pictures (think bigger than 5x7)!

Examples:
http://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1013596
http://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1013529

Week #6 Results!

We are officially HALFWAY through the competition and here are the standings...

In first place with 1141 points, Team Ribbon!
In second place with 973 points, Team Button!
In third place with 830 points, Team Doodle!

Please note that the gap HAS lessened since last week...with six more weeks to go, it's still anyone's game!

And just for shiggles, I thought I'd post the top 3 individual scores:
Lu has 301 points (Team Ribbon)

and get this...there is a THREE WAY tie for 2nd most points... Andrea, me, and Michelle all have 261 points - and we are all on three different teams!

Anyone want to know what the post popular extra credit challenge is??? Sparkle & Bling - it's been used 34 times already!

Mini Album - Dianne

Dianne did a fantastic job with this winter mini album. I just love it! She earned 60 points for Team Button: 50 points for the album and 10 points for adding some bling!

Week #6 - Dianne

Dianne earned 40 points for Team Button. 20 points for the 2-page layout. 20 points for the following extra credit: replicating gifts in photo, sparkle

Week #6 - Carrie

Carrie earned 50 points for Team Doodle with this 2-page layout, both featuring groupings of 4 photos. She also received extra credit points for: Sparkles, replicating flowers from photo, and decorative scissors.

Week #6 - Robin

Robin earned 20 points with this layout - 10 for the 1-page layout including a grouping of 4 photos; 10 for including some sparkle.

Week 6 - Melissa

Melissa earned 10 points for Team Ribbon with this adorable layout of Lukas - how cute are those pictures? Great work on the grouping of four.

Week #6 - Holly

This layout is worth 50 points for Team Doodle. I created a 2-page layout - each page with a grouping of 4 photos. Extra Credit was:
A - brackets around journaling (journaling is hidden so I've included a separate photo)
J - sparkle (gem words)
F - deco scissors (circle tab)

Week #6 - Lu

Lu created this super cute page and earned Team Ribbon 50 points. 10 points were awarded for the one page layout grouping four photos.
40 points were awarded for the following Extra Credit challenges.
B - Pattern on swing in photo replicated on page
F - Decorative scissors used on green cardstock
H - Alphabetical approach - chipboard letters w/ serendipity technique
J - Sparkle - star gems

Mini Album - Robin

Robin has earned 80 points for Team Doodle with the completion of this fun mini album. The album itself is worth 50 points. But she also included some extra credit challenges for even more points.
B - Replicated flowers on P4
H - Alphabetical approach on P1 and P7
J - Sparkle - lots of them throughout the book!

Week #6 - Michelle

Michelle earned 60 points for Team Ribbon with this very pretty layout! 20 points were awarded for completing the challenge on both pages of her 2-page layout. An additional 40 points were earned by using the following 4 extra credit challenges:

B - Replicate something from your photo (swirls on carpet)
D - Fabric paint on transparency for title (bottom left, "Peek A Boo")
H - Alphabetical Approach ("ICU")
J - Sparkle (microbeads on letters)

Week #6 - Andrea

Andrea was quick with her Week 6 submission! She earned a total of 20 points for Team Button - 10 pts for a one page layout meeting this week's requirements and 10 additional pts for replicating something from the photos. Great work!

Week #6 - NEW CHALLENGE!!!

After a pretty tough challenge last week, this one is going to be a bit easier. The challenge is simply to create a layout which includes a grouping of four photos! SUPER EASY! You can group 4 squares, or 4 rectangles. You can do large pictures or small pictures. You can crop individual photos and attach in a group or you can digitally make a collage of the 4 and print as one.

As for points: If you create a one page layout using this technique, you will be awarded 10 points. However, if you create a 2 page layout with the technique used on BOTH pages, you'll get 20 points! You are only allowed to submit one layout (you can not submit two 1-page layouts).

Due date is next Saturday, October 28th at midnight EST. Please email entries to me at queenbeeofscrap@yahoo.com

For those of you with the book, this is Elsie's Challenge #8
Here are some examples to get you inspired...

Michelle's Week #4 coincidentally fit the requirements for this week's challenge:

Sillyman

Play

Faces of You

Two Page Example!

8.5x11 Landscape example

Safari

Week #5 Results!

Alright...Week #5 has come to a close. Team results are listed below.

Team Ribbon has taken a hefty lead with a total of 1021 points!
Team Button hangs on with 853 points.
Team Doodle is still trailing with only 650 points.

Don't get discouraged ladies!! We are not even halfway through yet...there is plenty of time to CATCH UP!!!

Now, for a little surprise...
Unbeknowst to anyone but me and Jill there was a little competition going on this week. Jill is going to send a prize to whoever used ALL 5 "make your own" challenges and got the MOST extra credit points on top of that.

Andrea and Robin both did all 5 challenges but Robin snuck by with the win by completing 4 Extra Credit challenges (Andrea did 3).

Congratulations Robin - Jill will have a little prize in the mail to you soon :)

Week #5 - Patsy

Patsy earned 60 points for Team Ribbon with this very pretty layout!

Make Your Own (40 pts)
Patterned paper (stamped background)
Photo corners (homemade paper, glazed, embossed)
Buttons (same as corners)
Clear emb (flowers from translucent paper)

Extra Credit (20 points)
J - sparkle
I - start w/ a number

Week #5 - Robin

Robin earned 90 points for Team Doodle with this super cute page!

Make Your Own (50 pts)
Patterned Paper (versamark)
Buttons (shrinky dink)
Clear Emb (shrinky dink)
Photo corners (shrinky dink)
Emb Ribbon (paper slides, ink and fabric paint added to ribbon)

Extra Credit (40 pts)
A - Handcut brackets around journaling
B - Replicated flowers in photo
I - Number Title
J - Sparkle (glitter on ribbon)

Week #5 - Lu

Lu earned 50 points for Team Ribbon with this fun layout.

Make Your Own (40 pts)
Patterned Paper (versamark on cardstock)
Buttons (chipboard, then colored and versamark)
Clear Embellishment (clear flower)
Photo Corners (hand cut from pp)

Extra Credit (10 pts)
J - Sparkle (shimmer cardstock and glitter brads)

Week #5 - Holly

With this layout, I earned 50 points for Team Doodle. I was able to incorporate all five 'make your own' challenges, but no extra credit challenges (sorry team).

Make your own:
Patterned paper (painted stripes on cardstock)
Clear Embellishments (drew stars on transparency and painted orange on back)
Photo corners (painted chipboard and added star)
Embellished ribbon (painted white ribbon, added stars and buttons)
Buttons (made from chipboard, painted and added ties)

Week #5 - Amanda

Amanda earned 60 points for Team Button with this awesome, masculine layout. I just love the colors here.

Make Your Own:
Patterned Paper (stamped background)
Photo Corners
Embellished Ribbon

Extra Credit:
B&W Focal Photo (G)
Sparkle (Glitter Brads) (J)
Brackets around journaling (A)

Week #5 - Michelle

Michelle earned 70 points for Team Ribbon with this beautiful layout.

Make Your Own:
Patterned Paper
Buttons
Photo Corners
Embellished Ribbon

Extra Credit:
Decorative Scissors (F)
Alphabetical Approach (H)
Sparkle (J)

Mini Album - Lu

Lu created this adorable 6"x6" mini album, earning 60 points for Team Ribbon. In addition to the 50 points awarded for the mini album, she also got 10 points for Extra Credit C - using a one letter title. Great work!!!

Week #5 - Dianne

Dianne earned 30 points for Team Button with this cute layout! She created her own buttons (paper & embossing powder), background paper (stamps), and photo corners (hand cut with bling added).

Week #5 - Andrea

Andrea earned 80 points for Team Button with this beautiful page. She was the first to use all FIVE on one page!

50 Points for Week 5's Challenge
- Made her own patterned paper (pink)
- Flower shaped button created from polymer clay
- Clear flower embellishment created by stamping on acetate and a punch
- Photo corners made from polymer clay
- thin pink ribbon stamped with flower stitch stamp

30 Points for Extra Credit
- B&W focal point photo (G)
- Number title (I)
- Sparkle (J)

Week #5 - Melissa

Melissa earned a total of 60 points for Team Ribbon with this great Buzz layout!

"Make Your Own" Challenges (40 points)
- Made her own patterned paper by stamping on purple cardstock with versamark
- Made clear embellishments from a transparency and a silver paint pen
- Made her own twill by embellishing it with white & purple beads and dots of silver paint
- Made her own photo corners by embellishing with beads

Extra Credit (20 points)
- Replicated arrow in photo (B)
- Brackets around journaling (A)

Mini Album - Melissa

We have our 2nd mini album completed - by Melissa! It's a precious accordian album that Melissa was able to create from scraps! She earned 50 points for her team - Team Ribbon!

Week #4 - Judging Results

Results from the Blackwell boys are in!

Unanimous, first place winner is Melissa's layout full of fun tags!!! (I believe her placement of the Superman tag may have swayed Spencer's vote LOL). Melissa will receive 50 points for Team Ribbon.

Unanimous second place winner is my layout full of eyelets (see below for a note on that). This earns 30 points for Team Doodle.

There was a tie for 3rd place... Andrea's Flowers layout (Matt's vote) & Carrie's U layout (Spencer's vote)! Each will be awarded 20 points for Team Button and Team Doodle.

Congrats to ALL teams for earning additional points!

Notes:
- Judges were pulled aside individually as to not influence each other's decisions.
- Judges were provided with the details of the challenge but were not aware of who made which layouts
- Upon choosing my layout 2nd, judges were made to swear that they would've chosen it even if Spencer's face wasn't plastered all over it.

If you're curious, the current totals are listed below. This includes Cinda's mini album and Jill's week 5 layout, plus the above bonus points!

Button: 673
Ribbon: 665
Doodle: 500

WOW -- look how close 1st and 2nd are!!!!

Mini Album - Cinda

Cinda is our first participant to complete a mini album worth 50 points for Team Doodle! This bright and fun album was made with 6x6 chipboard, a book ring, and lots of ribbon!

Week #5 - Jill

Jill earned an amazing 90 points with this ONE (super cute) layout for Team Button.

For the weekly challenge she made her own:
- Patterned Paper (acrylic paint & dry brush)
- Clear flowers
- Photo corners
- ribbon (with clear flowers and rhinestone brads
Subtotal = 40 points

For extra credit she completed:
A - brackets around journaling
C - one letter title
F - deco scissors (bottom of photo)
G - B&W focal point photo
J - Sparkle (rhinestone brads)
Subtotal = 50 points

Week #5 - NEW CHALLENGE!

This week's challenge is going to require you to get very creative and start from scratch on some of your embellishments. These will definitely test your creative depths!!! Five challenges from Elsie's book are listed below. You are allowed to only submit ONE layout, but you can fit as many of the below challenges on it as you can. You will earn 10 points for each, with a possible 50 points total (not counting any extra credit items you might include).

Make Your Own Patterned Paper (#20)
Create patterned paper from scratch by using acrylic paints, watercolors, markers, colored pencils, stamps, etc. You can even make your PP digitally and print it - but the layout itself can not be 100% digital.

Make Your Own Buttons (#23)
Using paper clay, shrinky dink, or another 3-D medium, create your own buttons. You can cut them into small circles or other shapes. Etch designs in them. Paint them to coordinate perfectly with your layout.

Make Your Own Clear Embellishments (#26)
Using any type of clear plastic, such as a transparency or page protector, draw or trace a flower, heart, star - any design. Cut it out and embellish it with paint, paper, ink, etc.

Make Your Own Photo Corners (#49)
Create customized photo corners from patterned paper, fabric, etc. Don't forget to embellish!! You can use a basic shape or get super creative.

Make Your Own Embellished Ribbon (#52)
Begin with some plain ribbon, twill, rickrack, etc. Spice it up by painting it - solid or in a design and embellish it to fit your layout - add buttons, stitching, gems, brads, anything!

Layouts are due to me, at queenbeeofscrap@yahoo.com, by midnight EST next Saturday, October 21st.

Week #4 Results & Surprise!!!

Week 4 of the Elsie challenge has come to an end and Team Ribbon is totally in control at the moment. With all 5 of their team members participating this week, they are in the lead with a total of 615 points!!! Team Button isn't too far behind with 563 points. Team Doodle is struggling with a mere 400 points.

But...the week isn't quite over yet. I have a small surprise. This week's layouts are going to be judged and ranked by two of the most knowledgable scrapbook experts in the area - my husband Matt, and my 8 year old stepson Spencer!!! First place will be awarded 50 points for their team and a prize from me. 2nd place will earn 30 points and 3rd place will receive 20 additional points.

The results of the judging will be posted later tonight.

Week #4 - Holly

I earned 50 points for Team Doodle with this layout. I filled the background with a variety of eyelets. Extra points were for replicating the balloons in the picture with balloon eyelets (B), using deco scissors on the bottom of the journaling block (F), using a number title (I), and having some sparkle, which are shiny microbeads around the circle (J).

Week #4 - Jill

Jill earned 30 points for Team Button with this sweet layout of Kaylie. She filled her background with cute Jolee's flowers. Extra credit points were earned by the bling of those same flowers (J) and the B&W focal point photo (G).

Week #4 - Andrea

Andrea earned 40 points with this beautiful layout for Team Button. She filled her background with soft flower stamped designs. Extra points were earned by replicating the flowers in her photos (B), using decorative scissors on the pocket (F), and using some bling in the center of the flowers (J).

Week #4 - Tammy

Tammy earned 30 points for Team Button with this awesome layout. This page is all about the beads! She filled her background with beads and earned extra credit with them - sparkle (J) and replicating the beads in the photos (B).

Week #4 - Dianne

Dianne earned 30 points with her Princess layout for Team Button. I just adore how she filled the background with little squares and super cute flowers! Awesome castle look! Extra credit points award for replicating the bricks (B) and the bling on the "I" (J).

Week #4 - Michelle

Michelle earned 20 points with this adorable layout for Team Ribbon! I love how she arranged all the photos and the postage stamp filled background is adorable. Extra points awarded for a one letter title (C).

Week #4 - Jenn

Jenn earned a total of 50 points on this adorable layout for Team Ribbon. She filled her background with strips of cardstock. I like how she tucked some of the journaling behind them so it reveals the dimension of the page and doesn't just look like striped patterned paper.
Extra points were awarded for replicating the yarn with strips of paper (B), Conversation as journaling (E), using decorative edged scissors (F), and using rhinestones on the photo corners (J).

Week #4 - Melissa

Melissa earned 10 points with this ultra creative layout for Team Ribbon. I lover her idea of including all the tags - I would've never thought of that!

Week #4 - Lu

Lu's super cute birthday layout below earns 50 points for Team Ribbon. She filled her background will fun and casual words to describe Elizabeth. Extra points earned were from replicating the balloons in the photos (B), using decorative edged scissors around her photo (F), starting her title with a number (I), and using gem butterflies (J).

Week #4 - Patsy

Isn't this layout just darling??? Patsy earned 20 points for Team Ribbon by filling her page with doodles and stickers of flowers galore! Extra credit points were earned by her using a black & white focal point photo.