For The Pocket Source Saturday Review

This is the first layout about Elysse and Jorge’s Bahamas Cruise

Like most scrappers, it feels pretty good when we get a positive comment in a gallery somewhere. I’m thinking that my daughter’s comment that she MIGHT have teared up looking at this is probably the BEST comment I’ve received so far!

 

365 Unscripted: Plastic Stitched Grids 4 by Traci Reed; 365 Unscripted: Plastic Stitched Grids 2 by Traci Reed; Travelogue by Amber Shaw and Misty Cato; True Colors Word Bits by Kristin Cronin-Barrow and Jady Day Studio; Layered Labels: Everyday Stickies 1 by Cindy Schneider; Layered Cards: All In One Words 1 by Cindy Schneider; Layered Cards: Everyday 13 by Cindy Schneider; Mini Journalers 4 by Cindy Schneider; Sweet on You by Erica Zane; Layered Cards: 4 x 6 Collage Style 5 by Cindy Schneider; Memorable: Vacation by Kristin Cronin-Barrow and Zoe Pearn; Memorable Vacation: Journal Cards by Kristin Cronin-Barrow and Zoe Pearn; Great Outdoors: Beauty Cards by Kristin Cronin-Barrow; Us by Lauren Grier and Shawna Clingerman; Inside Out by Julie Billingsley; Sun Kissed by Jenn Barrette and Valorie Wibbens; Capturing: Gettin’ Digital by Juliana Kneipp; Not Fade Away by Libby Pritchett;  Custom Font

Review:

I absolutely love to go shopping at Sweet Shoppe Designs! I think it’s because the styles are so varied, I can find exactly what I’m looking for and generally in several color schemes and levels of realism and dimension. The pocket scrapbooking section of the shop is filled to the brim with not only the expected journal cards and page templates but also with coordinating kits. You can find cards and word art to document your family’s weeks/months but also themed kits and bits to scrap vacations and holidays. There are frames and flair, transparencies and wood veneers, word strips and stickers, doodles and labels. And all kinds of templates!  I’ve become quite the collector of layered collage templates, both in 3×4 and 4×6 sizes, those for photos and those designed mostly for capturing your journaling. Use a couple of those and my layouts look oh, so polished.

Two more weeks of 2014

For weeks 28 and 29, I used products from Traci Reed. For week 29, I used her new Pocket Life: August Collection. For week 28, a review for The Pocket Source I used several older products from Traci.

Week 28

365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids 5; 365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids 4; 365 Unscripted: DIY Real Life Cards; A Week Remembered: Layered Days of the Week; A Week Remembered: Subway Stamps; 365 Unscripted: Lifestyle Stamps; Social Cards – Freebie; Pocket Life: May; Pocket Life: January ALL by Traci Reed; Font: DJB PROJECT STORYTELLER by Darcy Baldwin

Week 29

Pocket Life: August Collection by Traci Reed;  365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids 6 by Traci Reed; Font: DJB PROJECT STORYTELLER by Darcy Baldwin

My review at The Pocket Source:

I’ve been lucky to be on Traci Reed’s creative team for over a year now so I have the 2014 Pocket Life Collections in my digi stash. So I challenged myself to go back into her store and see what other treasures that I could discover to add to my pocket scrapping layouts. I was not disappointed! The “A Week Remembered” Collection is absolutely perfect for the weekly pocket life scrapper like me. The Subway Stamp word art fits exactly in your vertical pockets and comes in both a clean and a distressed texture. The Layered Dates fit the bill for adding the day of the week to my spread this time and are completely customizable which I love. I can never get enough word art to use in both my pocket scrapping and traditional layouts and the Lifestyle Stamps could easily be used in both places. To document a less than perfect day, I used the DIY Real Life Cards. I’m positive THOSE will come in handy again! To round it all out, I used two of the 365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids (which also come in a faux plastic version for those that prefer that option over stitched pockets) and two of the Pocket Life Collections for papers and a few digital elements. This mix and match scrapper loves that the collections can be combined again and again adding more value and versatility to them.

 

Review of Danielle Young for The Pocket Source

California Vacation – I’m scrapping some of the photos from a trip with my grandmother whenI was in high school

On the Go – The Bundle; Me + You Element Set; The Best Day Journal Cards; The Best Day Element Set; Woof Alpha Set; Sail Away Alpha Set; Fruit Stripes; Vellum Basics Journal Cards ALL by Danielle Young;  365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids 3 and 365 Unscripted: Stitched Grids 2 by Traci Reed; Font: DJB PROJECT STORYTELLER by Darcy Baldwin

Review:

I like the tiny snippet type alphas, they allow you to fit larger words into small spaces and allow you to add color.

I like the fact that alpha sets are available separately. Neutral alpha sets can be used over and over again.

I like that element sets are available separately. Some pocket scrappers don’t often use digital papers so this makes very good sense for them.

I like that many of the elements like word arts and even papers are easily recolored. I was able to mix and match with bits and pieces of four different collections and still make a cohesive layout.

I like that she includes plenty of paint. The digital alternative to help with multi media effects is really “in” right now and her elements kits have your options.

I like that the flair sets include several choices depending on your preference. There are flat circles in black & white and color versions as well as a set of flairs for those who don’t use dimensional elements.

I really like word art both in elements and on journal cards because it can be used in so many ways. It can inspire your whole layout, help you to tell individual stories or just to add a little bit of spice.

Another review for The Pocket Source

I had the opportunity to scrap with a new kit by Stephanie Adams, the July kit called Front Street Pier from her Print and Play collections.

Front Street Pier by Stephanie Adams;  Templates: Project Grids 4 and Project Grids 3 by Amy Martin; Font: DJB ELYSSE print (custom font)

Review:

This was my very first time using digital products by Stephanie Adams. She has a very clean, graphic style to her designs. I loved the bold colors combined with bright white contrasted with some of the elements that are definitely more vintage. There is a nice mix of 3×4 and 4×6 cards with both filler patterns and space for journaling. She also includes digital papers that can be used as backgrounds or as backdrops to photos. The papers, the two alphas and the elements definitely have a vintage vibe to them. They would be perfect for scrapping a family trip to a carnival, county fair or a beach boardwalk. The kit is huge! It also includes 3×4 frames, flair, word art strips AND two-toned wood veneers. Each folder also includes pdfs for printing and cutfiles to be used on your electronic cutting machine. She really makes the kit usable for digital scrappers, hybrid scrappers and those who fall somewhere in the middle.

4th of July

This kit made me think of Elysse’s recent 4th of July fireworks shots.

Just Jaimee for The Pocket Source

I had the honor to review the July Storyteller Collection from Just Jaimee at The Lilypad for the blog post over at The Pocket Source today. As soon as I saw the word art and bright colors I knew I wanted to use it to document my weekend trip to Boca to see Elysse.

credits:

July 2014 Storyteller Collection by Just Jaimee; April Storyteller Collection by Just Jaimee; Storyteller – June 2014 Collection by Just Jaimee; March 2014 Storyteller Collection by Just Jaimee;  Fonts: DJB PROJECT STORYTELLER and DJB MISS CRANKYPANTS by Darcy Baldwin

My review for The Pocket Source:

For pocket scrappers, each month’s Storyteller Collection release from Just Jaimee is a highly anticipated event. They are JAM PACKED with color coordinated goodies, enough to do layouts all month long! There are always multiple alphas, plenty of paint to add some mixed media touches and journal cards in both horizontal and vertical orientations for the 3×4 and 4×6 sizes and 2×2 and 4x4s for those of us who love square template spots. There are solid papers and tons of patterned papers, word art and digital stamps with even more word art that you can use with the supplied PS styles. And oh, do I LOVE those styles each month! They come in all the colors of the month’s kit and with different patterns and textures guaranteed to jazz up your pages. Jaimee includes pocket scrapping templates, flair, digital washi tape and a whole folder filled with digital elements to add just the right extra details from more generic items to more themed items for the specific month. For the digital cutting machine owners, she always includes several supported cut files and the pngs for those who choose that option. I love that I can use items from this month’s kit and mix and match them with items from past months. Be sure you sign up for Just Jaimee’s newsletter, there are great deals and coordinating freebies!

Here are the layouts that I created:

Another review for The Pocket Source

My Week 20

Life In Pictures: Boardwalk Heat Edition by Miss Mint; IntstaCards: Boardwalk Heat Edition by Miss Mint; Life in Pictures: Pocket Page Template Basics 2 by Miss Mint; Life In Pockets: Pocket Page Template Deluxe Set 1 by Miss Mint; Life In Pictures: Hello Change Edition by Miss Mint; Papers made with textures by Kim Klassen; Font: DJB Project Storyteller Print by Darcy Baldwin

Here was my review:

I love the InstaCards shapes! More and more pocket scrapping templates include square photo/card spots and these work perfectly with them but they can also be clipped to other journal card spots to add a little extra color or to add a spot for journaling.

 I’m a sucker for word art! I love how her cards include so many different fonts. It adds so much visual interest for the words to all look just a little different.

Love the Jazzers! They are a nice mix of flat and dimensional elements, flairs, frames and little spots for stories.

 Having a distinctive style makes is really easy to mix and match between the Life In Pockets collections. Most of the elements aren’t very “themey” and can be easily used in multiple layouts both for pockets scrapping and for regular scrapping.

This Boardwalk Edition of Life in Pockets includes quintessential summer colors. It will be perfect to scrap all kinds of summer picnics, pool parties and outdoor family gatherings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in a guest spot over at The Pocket Source, please see the blog post with all the application details:

http://www.thepocketsource.com/blog/want-to-be-apart-of-the-tps-design-team

Another review for The Pocket Source

This week the digital team at The Pocket Source is reviewing products from Deena Rutter.

Here is my take on it for my Week 10

Every Little Bit – Charmed by Deena Rutter; Right Now by Deena Rutter; For the Love of by Deena Rutter;  Plastic Stitched Grids 2 by Traci Reed; Fonts: Project Storyteller Print and Project Storyteller Scripts by Darcy Baldwin

My review:

I love:

that there is a nice mix of 3×4 and 4×6 cards, both filler card designs and blank ones to tell your stories

the “easy button” option she has of including journal cards with both rounded or square corners

that she includes cutting files in each of her monthly kits

that there are plenty of tags and journaling spots in different shapes and sizes

that she includes the .abr file in addition to the .png files for the brush junkies out there

that there is a nice mixture of word art and other elements

that her traditional scrapbook kits also include word art and other elements perfectly sized to use in your pocket scrapping

her color palettes are just a tiny bit softer shaded consistently making them really easy to mix and match

The hybrid scrappers out there will definitely love that Deena includes her journal cards in three different formats, digital .pngs, .pdfs to print at home and .jpg files to send to Persnickety Prints. Her cutting files also come in four different options, as well.

She has members on her creative team specifically selected to give inspiration on both pocket scrapping and hybrid scrapping.

Another week from 2014

This is Week 9 – I did this as part of The Pocket Source reviewing Sweet Shoppe Designs. It doesn’t hurt that my personal stash is filled with plenty of SSD goodies.

365 Unscripted: Plastic Stitched Grids 2 by Traci Reed; 365 Unscripted: Plastic Stitched Grids 4 by Traci Reed; One In A Million Journal Cards by Shawna Clingerman and Studio Basic Designs; Well Said! by Juliana Kneipp; Tab, You’re It by Erica Zane; Layered Cards: Everyday 2 by Cindy Schneider; Layered Cards: All In One Words 1 by Cindy Schneider; Everyday Essentials by Traci Reed; Layered Cards: Everyday 3 by Cindy Schneider; Memories and Dreams – Cards by Meghan Mullens; Oodles of Tags by Julie Billingsley; Create Something Beautiful Cards by Jenn Barrette; Plan > Pack > Fly: Cards by Juliana Kneipp; Art Notes: Adventure by Kristin Cronin-Barrow; Get Artsy – The Bad by Traci Reed and Jenn Barrette; My Family by Juliana Kneipp and Kristin Cronin-Barrow; Get Artsy: 3×4 Cards by Traci Reed and Jenn Barrette; Pocket Life: Roller Dates by Traci Reed; Pocket Life: February Stickers by Traci Reed; DSD DS Parade by Sugarplum Paperie; Pocket Life: February Labels by Traci Reed; Blog Hop Badge by The Pocket Source; Pocket Life: February Papers by Traci Reed; Pocket Life: February Alphas by Traci Reed; Pocket Life: January – Alphas by Traci Reed;  Font: DJB NEW GIRL IN TOWN by Darcy Baldwin

Review day at The Pocket Source

This week the digital team had the pleasure of working with products from Peppermint Creative and her Life in Pictures series. I absolutely LOVED her products! They were PERFECT for pocket scrapping. I got my first taste of them with her brightly colored Christmas edition from last December.

The design team received the Hello Life and Hello Change editions. Here is what I had to say about them:

I love the expansive color palette for each collection, with 5 or 6 colors plus neutrals there is plenty of variety on your pages if you choose to use them all.

I like the number of 3×4 and 4×6 journal card options that are presented. There are definitely enough filler cards and yet still more than enough with plenty of room for journaling to get those stories documented. Also, it’s very nice to see both orientations represented.

Both collections included some SVG cuttable files for people with electronic die-cutters along with the png files for those completely digital. It gives people a reason to plug in their Silhouette! They also help to add dimension and texture to the pages if only used digitally.

I loved how both collections included a selection of stamps/word arts that can be recolored or used as is on your layouts. They have a really nice variety of sayings for everyday scrapping, large and small and in different shapes.

I think my favorite bits were the “Jazzers” collection of elements each month. There are small tags to use to add just that little bit more of the story, frames, tabs and cute little word arts to draw attention where you want it. I loved that they were different shapes, not all round and that while the colors of the kit were used that they could be fairly easily recolored if you wanted one to be a different shade.

Of course, I had to do a little shopping at Peppermint Creative, too. I couldn’t narrow it down to just one set of templates so I had to buy two!

Life In Pictures: Hello Change Edition by Miss Mint; Life In Pictures: Hello Love Edition by Miss Mint; Split Pocket Page Templates by Miss Mint; Deluxe Pocket Page Templates Set 1 by Miss Mint;  Font: DJB The New Girl In Town by Darcy Baldwin

And after reading today’s blog post at The Pocket Source, I KNOW I will definitely need to get March’s travel edition.