Halloween Banner and a FREE Holiday Idea Book!

As the editor for the Echo Park Paper and Carta Bella Paper Idea Books, I get to see all the lovely projects our designers create for them. I'm always completely blown away by how they raise the bar each time and create some lovely items. In this idea book below, our designers created layouts, cards, and altered home decor items for Fall, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas.  We've included instructions, step-out-tutorials, and more so you can get started on your holiday projects.

Download this FREE Idea Book HERE!

Here's a little peek at one of the projects I created for this book:

It uses the "Happy Haunting" collection from Carta Bella Paper. Be sure to check out all of the designs in this FREE idea book HERE! I know you're going to feel more creative just by browsing through the projects.

What is This True Scrap You Speak Of: a Podcast with Lain and Me!

 Shopping code is good through September 30th!

Shop HERE!!

Perhaps you've been wondering about the online True Scrap 5 event HERE of which I write often about here on my blog.

True Scrap is a scrapbooking event held in October in which instructors from all over come together online and teach classes about their expertise. Classes range from digital scrapbooking, to photography, to stamping on layouts, and so much more.

All this is offered during this event, which includes LIVE interviews with the teachers, instructional PDFs that you can print for the class instructions, and videos prepared by each of the instructors. There are also giveaways, make-and-takes and opportunities to chat with other attendees. All from the comfort of your own home!

I'm teaching the following class on creating double-page layouts:

Want to learn more about me, my process, my teaching style, and just have some laughs? Then be sure to listen to this FREE podcast HERE with event host and renowned scrapbooker Lain Ehmann:

Ep 105: Scrap Different with Layout a Day – Double Your Pleasure

by Lain Ehmann on September 28, 2013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome back to Layout a Day! Today we have another True Scrap interview with my sweet friend and talented scrapbooker Jen Gallacher. Jen is returning for a repeat appearance at True Scrap 5 in October, and in today’s episode she gives us a little teaser about her class, “Double The Pleasure, Double the Fun: Two-Page Layouts.”

Two-Pay Option:
Lain is also offering a Two-Pay option for those of you that want to attend but need to break up the payments for this event. You can find all the information on this event HERE!

Be sure to use the discount code by TOMORROW in order to save $50 off the event!!

When One Door Closes . . . Keep Dreaming!

Last night I sadly learned that my trip to England had been cancelled.

Just a few short hours before I got the email, my passport arrived.

And a day and a half earlier I had made my flight reservations.

Doors close. They always do.

And while the airline cannot refund our airplane tickets, at least we hadn't made hotel reservations, tour arrangements, and other costly plans that we might not have been able to rearrange.

At this time it doesn't make sense for us to go to England solely on a whim. Our time will come, but as of today we feel strongly that we should postpone any additional or new travel plans. That could always change, but I need some more time to absorb the news.

Don't get me wrong. I am devastated. This would have been my first trip outside the U.S. I've pinned every London and Paris site I wanted to see. I poured over possible tours we might take every free minute I could spare. I spent hours and hours trying to select the perfect hotel location at a price point we could afford. I bugged every friend in the area that I could think of to help answer questions (thanks, Shimelle!).

It just didn't work out.

Funny. Just a few days ago I was in the midst of going over the plans, and I got a little emotional that one of my childhood dreams was about to come true. I admit it. I shed a few tears of happiness at the thought of all those magical wishes being granted.

But today I shed a few tears over an opportunity lost.

I'm very grateful to have been extended the opportunity. I'm so, so sad that it didn't work out.

But it did teach me that sometimes our dreams are far more obtainable that we think. That sometimes we talk ourselves out of things because of money issues, or time constraints. And while those are real and legitimate reasons not to do something, sometimes many of those items can be worked out over time.

I'm determined to go to England, to visit France, to experience all that the world has to offer. It's just going to be on different terms than I had originally planned.

And now, at the least, I have a passport.

Thanks for all the well wishes, and shared excitement. It meant the world to me that people understood and shared in my happiness. You're the best!

9 Ways to Support a Youtube Designer!

Watch and Learn:
 
Did you know that I film several scrapbooking process videos each month?

Scrapbooking process videos are start-to-finish tutorials on creating layouts. This is a great way to watch a designer:

* select photos for their layout
* select papers & embellishments
* put a layout together
* choose between items
* complete a trending technique
* and much more!

My Filming Style:

There are several types of scrapbooking video styles. I like to talk as I go, so I semi-create the layout beforehand and then film and explain my process as I go. This helps me show my entire process as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Where to Find Me:

I do this for the following companies:

* Me, Myself, and I. (You can find these videos HERE on my channel.)
* Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine. (Look HERE for these videos.)
* Echo Park Paper. (Look for new videos soon HERE on their channel.)
* Two Peas In a Bucket. (Find them HERE.)

What I Teach:
 
I address several items in these videos:

* Answer commonly asked questions.
* Discuss trends.
* Show the latest scrapbooking and paper crafting products.
* Try out new techniques.
* Share tips and tricks for making items work for you.

How YOU can support a Youtube Designer:

1. Subscribe to a channel.
A Youtube channel consists of ALL of the videos a designer creates or the videos they like and recommend. By subscribing, you are notified when they upload a new video so no need to continuously check to see if a new one is available. Channels with lots of subscribers get more notice on Youtube, and it helps designers get more exposure and build their following. Youtube will recommend channels to you based on the types of channels you are already subscribing to. Check out some of the suggestions they give you for some new viewing options.

2. Check out a playlist.
A playlist is a set of videos. It can be card-making videos, or holiday project videos, etc. A designer may create their own playlists within their channel. You can also create your own and title it however you'd like. You can actually start a playlist and watch one video after another without any effort at all. Imagine Netflix for crafters: an entire series at your fingertips in one sitting if you desire.

3. Take a moment to "LIKE" a video.
Did you know that by "liking" our videos, it helps Youtube know which videos to recommend? We could use all the "LIKES" we can get. Please be kind. Videos take hours upon hours to create and we are all learning how to better film, edit, and create videos. While we expect you to be honest, just remember to be patient with us as well.

4. Share, share, and share again.
We love it when you share our videos. It helps other people find us. It builds our channels. And it encourages us to create more content. A little mention on Facebook, Twitter, or even a video repinned on Pinterest helps more than you know. And we appreciate it! 

5. Seriously. Watch it!
We know your time is precious. Videographers try very hard to say what they need to say in as little time as possible. If you're loving the content, keep watching. Your watch time gives our videos more attention on Youtube and helps us know which videos you are enjoying. Is a video you're watching not your thing? It's ok to constructively share suggestions with the designer. While not everything we do appeals to all people, we do want to give you the best viewing experience possible. Leave "dislikes" for the truly inappropriate, awful, and bad videos and not just the videos you don't care for. Rather take the time to explain what you'd prefer to see to the designer in the comments section or move on to another channel that offers something that's more suited to you.

6. Leave a comment.
A short comment goes a long way towards rewarding a designer for their efforts for filming. If there's something specific that you liked about the video, tutorial, or information, let us know. We notice and read the comments. We appreciate regular visitors and want to make sure we're giving you what you want. It means a lot that you not only watch the video, but that you leave a message. Keep it up!

7. Visit their social media links.
Many designers include additional links to their websites, blogs, Pinterest page, Facebook page, and more. If you truly enjoy their work, take a moment to check them out. They may have more to offer on their external pages that will appeal to you.

8. Buy the associated products.
Many designers receive a small payment through affiliate links when you purchase items used in their videos. This helps to subsidize their costs for supplies, filming time, equipment, marketing, etc. If there's something you see used in the designers' video that you might want to try, be sure to use the designer's links to purchase the products. It's not much, but it does help!

9. Watch the advertisements.
Some designers have ads at the first of their videos. This is another way designers receive payment for their videos. Taking the time to watch the ads or to click on the advertising links helps the designer financially as well. Not all designers monetize their channels, but please understand why others do. We recognize that you may not want to watch an advertisement and just want to get down to the business of watching the tutorial. But if something catches your eye, take a second and watch the ad. Again, a little goes a long way to help a designer finance their videos.

Any of these efforts goes a long way to helping a designer's Youtube channel be successful. Youtube has become a great tool for sharing ideas with one another. Help us share better ideas with you by being a part of our personal support team. Have your own Youtube channel? Be sure to share! I'm always looking for great videos to watch and channels to follow. Give a shout out to your personal or favorite Youtube channel in the comments section below. I can't wait to be inspired!

Improve Your Scrapbooking Skills: Check Out This NEW Class!

Many of my readers are scrapbookers or people interested in preserving their memories. If you're looking for a way to improve your scrapbooking skills, this is the class for you. All 2Peas classes are self-paced, meaning you can download all the materials and watch and print them at your leisure making learning as convenient as possible.

Check out this $25 class HERE!

Class Description:
Two Peas' resident superhero shares her answers to the biggest scrapbooking dilemmas in her new workshop, Glitter Girl's Scrapbook Survival Guide. This self-paced workshop includes five chapters covering strategies for scrapping more photographs, staying inspired - not overwhelmed - by your scrapbooking supplies, getting more from your tools, working with your most precious photos, and developing confidence in your own scrapbooking style. Each chapter includes a full colour PDF (to print or read on screen) and two layout videos, for a total of forty-two brand new scrapbook pages and ten start-to-finish scrapbooking videos. All class materials are available immediately upon purchase and there's also a private message board to discuss your scrapping ideas and dilemmas with Glitter Girl, her mild-mannered scrapbooking friend Shimelle Laine, and your fellow classmates.

Learn more about this $25 class HERE!

Looking for additional classes you might take? Here are some suggestions:

Check out the $12 "Tool School" here!

Check out the $12 Creative Journaling "Words Unsaid" workshop here!

Check out the $25 "Scrapbook Stamper's" stamping workshop HERE!

You can find all the 2Peas workshops HERE in the 2Peas store. Classes range from nini albums, to creative jumpstarts, to vacation albums, and more!

Favorite Things: 2Peas Fall Sale!

Today rather than share a "Product Focus" blog post, I thought I'd share some of my favorite items on sale right now at 2Peas. With the holidays right around the corner, several of these items would be great for December Daily albums, holiday cards, etc.

SALE ITEMS:
Here are some items you might want to check out when you next visit 2Peas:

2Peas Gardeners' Digest: September (Garden Girl Blog Hop)

Welcome to the 2Peas Garden Girl's Gardeners' Digest, a monthly blog hop hosted by the www.twopeasinabucket.com Garden Girls! Below you will find a sneak peek of one of my recent projects from the 2Peas Project Gallery, a list of items that I've placed in my shopping cart, and a project from another designer that inspired me, as well as, a little giveaway from me to YOU!

Above is a tiny sneak peek at my latest 2Peas project, did you catch all of the Garden Girls "Fall" project HERE? To see more of my work, be sure to check out my gallery HERE!  

I had to share this project that recently caught my eye in the gallery by Lilith Eeckels. I love Lilith's hand stitching on this layout. Beautiful!You can see additional projects that inspire me here! Just scroll down below my projects to the "liked projects" section.

I thought you might be interested in some products that have made their way into my shopping cart. This month, I've had my eye on the above FIVE products which I think are SUPER cool! Here are some additional NEW products at 2Peas.

Need some additional inspiration? Be sure to jog on over to Lexi Bridges' blog next as the next stop in the blog hop. I shared one project of Lexi's HERE that I'm totally loving right now. 

 How about a little giveaway? I'm going to giveaway a $10 2Peas Gift Certificate to one lucky winner. Simply leave your name and address (in code if you prefer) in the comments section below. I'll select one winner on September 29th and contact them to let them know I'm sending the GC. All comments must be left by September 28th midnight MDT in order to qualify.

Blog Hop List:
Two Peas in a Bucket Blog
Jen Gallacher - you are here!
Lexi Bridges
Visit the Two Peas in a Bucket Blog for the complete blog hop list!

Please Join Me for a True Scrap 5 Sneak Peek!

The kids are back in school. I'm starting to get into the swing of things, and now I'm looking for ways to pump up my creativity. If you're looking for a fabulous event that will do just that, then you NEED to check out True Scrap 5 HERE.

True Scrap is a two-day online event featuring the hottest trends in photography, scrapbooking and paper crafting design. Take classes from 15 instructors all from the comfort of your own home. Win prizes. Chat with instructors and other attendees. And pump up your creativity. Classes range from playing with paint, to canvas art, to digital scrapbooking. There really is a class for everyone. (You can find the complete class line-up HERE.)

Take my class!

This year I'm teaching a class on double-page layout design. Watch my half hour video during the event in which I explain how I approach this type of design. I also created a beautiful classroom handout for those of you that prefer a self-study course. All of these items will be available during the event.

Here's a little peek at what my class has to offer:

Want to learn more? 

Join us on Thursday, September 26 at 2 p.m. EDT.

for a sneak peek of True Scrap 5!

During this special sneak peek event, several of the instructors will pop in to say hello. We'll show you around the site, and explain more about what this event has to offer. It's a great opportunity to see how you can attend this fabulous event. Learn more about our Sneak Peek event HERE.

Sign up now:

Want to join the event now? Be sure to sign up HERE. A small portion of your registration fee helps to pay for my class so be sure to use my link (or your favorite instructor's link) when signing up for the event. We certainly appreciate all the support, which helps us to design the best classes possible! Use the code "LUCKY50" when registering and save $50 (code good through September 30th).

Just Ask Jen: How Do I Alter Cork (a NEW SCT Video!)

In my "Just Ask Jen" series for Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine, I try to answer a question you might be having in regards to paper crafting. This week I answer the following question:

"How Do I Alter Cork?"

I suggest using paint, stamping ink, embossing powder with a Versamark Ink Pad, or heavy-duty manual die cuts to alter the cork pieces you purchase. In today's sample, I'm using cork pieces like this from Fancy Pants Design:

Here is the completed layout I created:

Here is a close-up view of the layout:

You can watch the start-to-finish video (including how I embossed on the cork) HERE on the SCT Youtube channel or below:



Giveaway: 

Want a chance to win a prize from Fancy Pants? Be sure to visit the SCT blog HERE for more details on this fun giveaway (details coming soon).

Products Used (click the photos for links to the products I used in this video):