Hodge Podge Art

**EMPHASIZE It!**

So my three partners decided to take off in Gina's new ride while I got left at home.  Hopefully they'll get me a t-shirt...in the meantime, I was cruising through some of my favorite galleries and have just been totally loving what Emily has been doing with her titles!

Look at this:

Seriously WOW right?  So let's play.  What are we doing?  We are emphasizing and creating drama with our title.  So what are you supposed to do? Make it B.I.G., make it bold and make it all different alphas!

I got Rez to play with us this week.  Look at what else we came up with...

From Traci

BG paper from Nifty Neutrals by Gina Miller, Beauty Marks, Label It! alpha and Addy's Party Flowers by Two Sisters Designs, frames by Catrine, alphas from L to R: Inky Alpha by Anne Dejong, M by Heather Meltzer, license plate by Gina Cabrera, L by Andrea Burns, L by Kim Christensen, T by Gina Cabrera, H by Kim Giarrusso, e by Michelle Coleman, r by Miss Mint, o by Mo Jackson, s by something Blue Studios, E by Grace Bennett, S by Weeds & Wildflowers.  Make Me...Gorgeous!  Make Me...Balanced by Lauren Barden, Prettyizer by RAD actions, Drop Shadow actions by Traci Murphy. Font: AL Uncle Charles.

From Angela

Cardboard background paper by Nancy Comelab. Beaded frame and word topper (I love you) by Emily Merritt. Date stamp and Addy’s Party Flowers by Two Sisters Designs. Circle stitching and acrylic alpha (letter y) by Kim Christensen. Going in Circles and Lettering Layers (letter s) by Weeds and Wildflowers. Glitter spots (Reflections kit) by Sara Carling. Wordy Bits (alpha, the basics, and boy stuff) by Tiff Brady and Kate Hadfield. Doodle tape and Doodled and Stitched Alpha (letter y) by Kate Hadfiled. Black Sheep Alpha (letter b) by Lauren Reid. It’s A Wrap ribbon by Natalie Braxton. Crayon doodles (re-colored) by Ida. Flower stitching by Syrin. Altered Circles by Jackie Eckles. Graph paper alpha (letter m) by Birgit. Drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy. Font is Pea-Olson.

From Emily

The Basics--Random Ensemble Templates, Label It! 
Alpha, Happy Little Circles, Sponge Strokes, Addy's Party Flowers by 
Two Sisters Designs. Glittery Frames, Paint Splats, Staple Fool and 
Various Drop Shadows by Traci Murphy.  Taking Notes and Lettering 
Layers by Weeds and Wildflowers.  Lilypad Birthday Collab. Frame Mask 
by Jaque Larsen. It's a Wrap Ribbons by Natalie Braxton. Metal Alpha 
from Urban Kiwi by the Shabby Princess. Stamped Canvas Alpha by Amber 
Clegg. Vellum Alpha from Emma's Sundress by Michelle Coleman. Frame 
Pack No. 3 by Ida. Doodled Journal Tapes by Kate Hadfield.

From Gina

"Ribbon Flowers" & "Glitter & Gingham Ribbons" by Natalie Braxton.  Both "O's" and the "T" (O's from new "Birthday Collection" and "Doodled Paper Alpha" - "T" from "Doodle & Stitched Alpha"), doodled paper arrows, frame & tape all by Kate Hadfield. Corrugated glitter hearts by Amy Martin. Vintage photo frames by Nancy Comelab. Make Me Color-FULL: Vibrant photo action by Lauren Barden.  "Everyday Solids" background paper by Corina Nielsen.  Stapled newspaper alpha by Yvette Sanders.  Paper "P" alpha by Christina Renee.  Glitter paint by Meredith Fenwick.  Fonts are My Own Topher, Jailbird Jenna and KGD Joanne.

From Rez

Beauty Marks frames and Label It! alpha by Two Sisters, Sweet Sensation Paper by Lori Barnhurst, Alphas: All you need is love, Antique Garden, Defined Brushes and hand stamped by Michelle Coleman, Quirky Stitches and Sunroom Flowers by Jackie Eckles, Drop Shadow actions by Traci Murphy.

So ZaCola3 was the moodiest Hodge Podger last week and will be getting a sweet treat from Emily Powers very soon!

This week's lucky scrapper will get a custom font by Kylie Clark!

**soooooooooooooo moody*

Hey guys! Em here; Ang, Traci and Gina are out getting their toes done and they made me stay home with all the kids!!!

Our layouts are so much more than a computer file or a piece of photo paper. We are life artists; we have the power to move people to laughter or to tears with the memories--ordinary and extraordinary--we document.

This week I'm challenging you to invoke a MOOD--any old mood will do. Use the following design elements to communicate your mood:

- a minimum of one photo
- your color scheme
- movement (i.e. if you were portraying happiness, you could sprinkle all sorts of colored circles across your page or use a multi-colored swirl that extended from your photo to the edge of the layout.)
- a BOLD title that defines the mood you've chosen to scrap.

The subject of your layout could be a person, place or thing! Your imagination is the limit!!! The ultimate test of this challenge? Does your composition move people to vicariously experience the MOOD you've scrapped.

So, get going ladies; this week you have permission to be soooooooooooooo moody!!!

EMILY

CREDITS: Paper from Syrin's Coast II Kit, Stamped Canvas Alpha by Amber Clegg, Transparency Overlay from Rhonna Farrer's Fortune Mini Kit, Ultimate Stitches Volume 2 by Lisa Whitney, Hipster Plume by Anna Aspnes, Hipster Plume Paper from Vintage Funktastic by Two Sisters Designs, Ribbon Frame from Chalked Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney, Summery Foliage by Birgit, Various Drop Shadows by Traci Murphy, Font Pea Tracy.

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TRACI

CREDITS: Little Pretty heart cardboard hearts and Laura's Letters by Gina Miller, Doodled Date Tape by Kate Hadfield, Glittery Frame and drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy, & alpha by Amber Clegg, torn alphas by Something Blue Studios, polka alphas by Gina Cabrera, Cardboard bg by Lauren Grier. Photo taken by Delaney Murphy.

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ANGELA

CREDITS: Really Big Ribbon (re-colored), Heart Strings, Point It Out ribbon, and It’s A Wrap ribbons (recolored) (coming Friday) by Natalie Braxton. Glitter and rhinestones(from Live Free pack) by Two Sisters Designs. Stamped alpha and background paper by Amy Wolff. Stapled sequins and doodled heart stickers by Amy Martin. Overlays by Nancie Rowe Jantiz. Frames by Sausan Designs. Alpha and numbers by Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady. Drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy. Font is 1942 Report.

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GINA

CREDITS: "Medley: Minka", "Medley: Circles", "Medley: Sorbet" & "Medley: Picton" papers by Tracy Ann. "It's A Wrap!" ribbon wraps (coming Friday!), "Alpha Blocks", "Buttons In Bloom" & "Ribbon Rays" by Natalie Braxton. Hanging "E" and blue "Aquarium" paper under curls by Amy Wolff. "Doodled Date Tape" & "Wordy Bits: Alpha" (Tiff & Kate collab pack) by Kate Hadfield. "Make Me Colorful: Popped" action by Lauren Barden. Metallic circle stitches by Traci Murphy. Paper fold #6 by Karah Fredricks. Floral brushwork by Rhonna Farrer (re-tinted).

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KATHRYN

CREDITS: Washed Up, Burned Out Dots Papers by Kathryn Wilson at Elemental Scraps. Frame by Birgit at CatScrap. Ribbon Fasteners by Natalie Braxton at The Lilypad. Paper Swirls by Anne DeJong at FPD. Teeny Tiny Stars and Spots by Kate Hadfield at The Lilypad. Alpha by Kimberley Giarrusso at FPD. Addies Party Flowers and Stitched Grids by Two Sisters Designs at ScrapArtist. Flitter Glitter Flowers by Sausan Designs at Scrapbook Graphics. Paint Strokes by Michelle Coleman at Little Dreamer Designs.
Stamped Alpha by Stefanie Burt at Pocket Pearls.

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BRITTANY

CREDITS: Corkboard background (Nancy Comelab, Ultimate Background Collection, The LilyPad); Misc. note papers (TracyAnn Robinson, SBB); Misc. note papers, pen, word art (Ronna Penner, ShabbyPrincess.com); Wordy Bits Alphas (Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady, TLP); Doodled tape, rubberbands (Kate Hadfield, TLP); felt wine bottle, file sorter date (Amy Martin, TLP); movie ticket (Karah Fredericks, BlueFlombingo); skinny jeans (Corina Nielsen, FPD); quilted border (Sausan Designs, SBG); crayon doodles (Ida, Catscraps); fonts - pea cammie, pea jane, pea courtney, pea lacey; drop shadows (Traci Murphy, FPD).

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I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with this week!!! Play along & link us here; you might win July's Two Sisters and Nancy Comelab collab!!!

CONGRATS to madame mim for winning last week's challenge!!! Gina will be contacting you with your prize :).

Have a great week & happy scrapping!

** cool crops **

Cropping photos - it's such a simple little trick that can turn an "ok" photo into a "WOW" photo. Sometimes I am reluctant to crop away pieces of my photos for fear that down the road, I won't remember who else was in the background, where the photo was taken, etc.

I dare you to just crop the next photo you plan to scrap - give it a try! You can end up with a whole other feel to that picture and a layout that can go in a totally different direction!

For this challenge, I asked two wonderful scrappers to join us:  Pam and Amanda ~ welcome!

We all are showing off our pre-cropped photos this week along with our final layouts to give you some ideas on how we took cropping to the next level! Now we want to see what YOU can do!

Here are this week's team layouts to jump-start those creative minds!

GINA

PHOTO I CROPPED

LAYOUT

CREDITS: Papers & shimmer dust by Kristin Cronin-Barrow. Glitter ricrac and shimmer paint by Gina Miller. Blue papers (for journal tabs) and purple twisted paper by Anne Dejong.  Lace by Corina Nielsen. Yellow stitch by Syrin.  White stitch by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Tied blue bows by Natalie Braxton. Cardboard hearts by Amy Martin. Boho brush by Michelle Coleman. Crystal flowers by Andrea Burns. Painted swirly by Jacque Larson.  B&W photo action by Lauren Barden. Fonts are Cry Kitty and FG Gabriella.

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TRACI

PHOTO SHE CROPPED

LAYOUT

CREDITS: Grid Stitching, Addy's Birthday flowers, red stitching, photo overlay and beauty marks by Two Sisters Designs, Background paper by Sausan Designs, Grid paper by nancy Comelab, folded edge by Karah Fredricks, Fabric swirl by Natalie Braxton, ricrac frames by Vera Lim, Acid Edge action by Lauren Barden, drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy.  Photo taken by Colin Murphy. 7/2007

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ANGELA

PHOTO SHE CROPPED

LAYOUT

CREDITS: Background paper, stitched grids and holes, and date stamps by Two Sisters Designs.  Foil flowers, glitter frame, and various drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy.  Pink simmer, stitches, and stapled felt by Gina Miller.  Alpha, journaler, stitched ribbon piece, and cardboard flower by Amy Martin and Sylvie Wagner (Little Summer Breeze kit).  Stitched flower bits by Amy Martin.  Rubber bands and word strip (also by Tiff Brady) by Kate Hadfield.  Folded ribbon and glitter stitched by Lauren Reid (Create Wings kit)  Summery Foliage by Birgit.  Stamped alpha by Nancie Rowe Jantiz.  Painted heart by Kellie Mize.  Word art, and paint spatters by Rhonna Farrer.

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AMANDA

PHOTO SHE CROPPED

LAYOUT

CREDITS: Paper and scalloped border by Kimberly Giarrusso, polaroid frames and sequins by Corina Nielsen, button corner and stitch sequins by Traci Murphy, ribbon by Marcie Reckinger, pinned papers by Anne deJong, daisy doodles by Christina Renee from FPD June Collab.  Staples and some drop shadows by Traci Murphy at FPD.  Date stamp by Amber Clegg at ScrapArtist.  Alpha by Fee Jardine at Sweet Shoppe.  Brush stroke by Michelle Coleman at LDD.  Fonts are Al Modern Type and 2Peas Don't Forget.

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PAM

PHOTO SHE CROPPED

LAYOUT

CREDITS: Paper ~ Dream Solids Pastels Creme ~ Christina Renee.  Heart, yellow Alpha, Scraps Stripe, Buttons, Blue Flower, Stiching, Crocheted Ribbon ~ French Countryside collab by Christina Renee and Shabby Princess.  All Stiched and Twisted Circles ~ Cristina Renee.  Graffiti Alpha Brushed ~ Christina Renee.  Glitter Paint Splats ~ Christina Renee.  Everything at Christina Renee Designs.  Cardboard Border ~ Border Basics ~ Marcie Reckinger.  Flowers ~ Weeds&Wildflowers Flower Frenzy Freebie.  Suns ~ Celebrating Colors Collection Yellow ~ Gina Marie Huff Weeds&Wildflowers Designs at Scrapartist.  Frame ~ Nancy Comelab at The Lilypad.

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I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with this week!!! Play along & link us here - you might win a $10 gift card to my shop, just in time to spend it at my Birthday Bash!

Have a great week & happy scrapping!

p.s. Hi guys!  Traci here hopping in to give a shout out to this weeks winner: switchwiz Congrats - I'll be contacting you with your links to Gina's felt alphas!

Inspired by Your Surroundings...

Hello artists!  Traci here & I have a fun one for you this week...look around your house.  Look at the colors of everything, the shapes, the function and flow.  How awesome are the colors on your couch?  What about the flow of your playhouse slide?  Be inspired by all of it and drink it in.

Here's your challenge.  Take this inspiration piece (or pieces) and let it direct your layout.

A note from Angela and Emily…a big congrats to last weeks winner, chic_mama.  Thank you SO much for playing with us.  We will be sending you your prizes soon!!!

Please allow me to introduce my fabulous guests, Laura Bratcher & Nikki Beaudreau.

And here is what the amazing girls of Hodge Podge-ness have come up with for you this week...

From Traci

Kraft paper and drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy, Label It! alpha and template (modified) by Two Sisters Designs, Doodled & Stitched hearts by Kate Hadfield, Manic Monday paper (inside brush) by Corina Nielsen, brush and glitter kiss by Michelle Coleman, frames by Nancy Comelab, date stamps and cardboard alpha by amber Clegg. Font: AL Old Royal

My inspiration...yes, it's a bubble wand

From Emily

Credits: My Funky 4^th Mega Kit by Funky Playground Designs,FAB Fabric – Shabby Circles and Various Drop Shadows by Traci Murphy,Label It Alpha by Two Sisters Designs.  Stitchy Circles by Gina Miller,POP Vol. 1 by Sausan Designs,Tattered Ties by Natalie Braxton, journaling papers by Catrine.

Her inspiration...

From Angela

Credits:  Tattered not torn ribbons, frayed flowers, extreme measures, and shabby little mess by Natalie Braxton. Background paper (UBC Vol. 1) by Nancy Comelab.  Cloud paper and notebook paper cloud by Gina Marie Huff (from SA Reverie collab).  Frames by Birgit.  Overlay by Nancie Rowe Janitz.  Stampy alpha and button by Rachel Young.  Mark that date by Two Sisters Designs.  Glitter paint strokes by Meredith Fenwick.  Staples, glitter spots, and various drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy.  Stitched sequins by Amy Martin.  Doodle alpha by Kate Hadfield.  Folded corner template by Karah Fredericks. 

Her inspiration...

From Laura

Credits: Background paper (Taste the Rainbow) and blue jewel (Bejeweled) by Corina Nielsen.

Glitter border and twill strip (Staple Fool) and drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns.Shell (Beachy) by  Gina Miller at Gina Miller Designs.Paper twist (Paper Strips 2) by Anne Dejong at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns.Beauty mark by Two Sisters Designs.Fonts are Jane Austen and CK Melton.

 

Her inspiration...

From Nikki

Strokin’ (with crayon) paper pack: Traci Murphy, Border Disorder: Traci Murphy, Wings and Pink flowers: Dani Mogstad, Bejeweled: Fee Jardine, Flower brads: Lauren Grier, Beauty Marks (vol.2): Two Sisters Designs, Old Proof Sheet: Christina Renee, Really Big Ribbon: Natalie Braxton, Drop Shadows: Traci Murphy, Font: Carpenter

Her inspiration...

And hold on to your pants here chickies - because Gina has donated the most killer prize!  She's got a new product coming out soon and two lucky artists will win the new goods!  Thank you Gina!!!

*Manipulation*

Gooooooood morning my fellow artists, Angela here. Gina and Traci decided it was time for Emily and I to spread our little Hodge Podgey wings and soar! So, we are super excited to bring you our very first Hodge Podge challenge…READY?!?!?

Well, first let me introduce our creative and talented guests:

Birgit

Eva

Nikki

Thanks ladies, for playing with us this week!

Em and I love to experiment with our photos. Whether it’s playing with our actions, taking a “technically off” photo and making it look cool, or mixin’ it up with some fun and funky overlays…we are always trying something new. This brings me to this weeks challenge: Manipulate a photo in a “new to you” way…as in, a way you never have before. It can be as simple as using the same photo on a layout multiple times, or trying out a new action, extraction...whatever...but it has to be something you've never tried!

 

Here is what I want to see:

 

At least one manipulated photo

listed journaling (as in: who, what, where, when, how)

buttons

 

Are you inspired yet? If not, check out these layouts…they are bound to get those creative juices flowing :)

EMILY

Credits:  Vintage Funktastic (paper), Label It! Alpha by Two Sisters Designs. Painted Glitter Alpha 2 and Various Drop Shadows by Traci Murphy. Buttons by Sarah Carling (from her Genuine Kit). Journaling Papers by Catrine. Tattered Ties by Natalie Braxton. Swirl Stamp by Anne Dejong (from FPD June Collab). Hand Stamped Brushes by Michelle Coleman. Metal Alpha from Urban Kiwi by Shabby Princess. Quirky Stitches 2 by Jackie Eckles. Fonts: Pea Cammi-Pea.

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ANGELA

Credits:  Sweet Cherry Pie kit (DSTR exclusive kit) and stamped alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz. Happy Little Circles, frame, and Label It! Alpha by Twos Sisters Designs. Sequins, Staple Fool, messy stitches, and various drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy. Buttons by Gina Miller. Doodled alpha by Shabby Princess. Ugly Flowers by Syrin. Glitter paint by Meredith Fenwick. Font: PeaOlson.

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GINA

Credits:  Papers, flower stickers, swirl, frame, alphas and scratchy doodles over photo are all from Anne Dejong's new "Urban Oasis" kit. Paper twist, paper flowers, stitched labels, zig-zag stitches and black crinkle paper are also by Anne. Heart crystals by Syrin. Hanging flower by Natalie Braxton. Sparkle dust by Kristin Cronin-Barrow. Buttons & vintage frame by Jessica Bolton. Glitter paint (re-colored) by Meredith Fenwick. "Peeled & Revealed" action & template by Traci Murphy. "Make Me Vintage" photo action by Lauren Barden. Photo blended with a Two Sisters' "Dressup" overlay. Fonts are AL Modern Type and Cry Kitty.

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TRACI

Credits:  Background paper by Nancy Comelab (coming soon!). Curled cardboard border by Marcie Reckinger.  Water doodle by Kate Hadfield. Swirl by Kim De Smet. Glitter and stamp sheets by Meredith Fenwick.  Alphas by Birgit.  RAD actions for the photo effect. Drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy.

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BIRGIT

Credits:  Playful spirit stiching and alpha, Painted dribbles, Whimsicality doodles 9 by Jackie Eckles. Doodle me crazy by Catrine. Web challenge freebie graph paper by Katie Pertiet. Web challenge freebie brush (diagonal lines) by Anna Aspnes. Graphic spring paper by Meredith Fenwick. Sangria dreams buttons by Lisa Cohen. Font: king cool KC.

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EVA

Credits:  Silver & Gold paper set and Shmootzy frames - Floral Chic by Nancie

Rowe Janitz. Beauty Marks Vol. 1 (recolored) by Two Sisters Designs. Botanist No 1 Metal Buttons by Katie Pertiet. Selfish font by Misprinted Type. Totally Rad Derelicte action.

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NIKKI

Credits:  Grungy Grids; Funky Watercolors Paper Pack; Glitter Paint Splats; Stapled Border;  Worn Label Tape Alpha and Word Art (recolored) by Christina Renee. Jump Ring Ribbons #3; Boy Buttons; Ribbon Rays by Natalie Braxton. Photo Cluster by Nancy Comelab. Journal Me Plenty byTwo Sisters Designs. Shape Collection 1 by Jen Caputo. Mismatched Type Keys by Amber Clegg. Scribble Circles by Kim Christensen. Drop Shadows by Traci Murphy. Fonts: hm-hollyhandwriting (Holly McCaig); CK Love Note.

 

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This week’s winner will get the two newest products from Two Sisters Designs, Vintage Funktastic and Beauty Marks Vol. 3. We are looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!!

Lastly, congratulations to last week's winner: KELLY BUCKLEY! We'll be e-mailing you shortly with your Two Sisters' prize!