Wednesday, May 2, 2012

[inter] National Scrapbook Day – Blog Hop Freebie!

I have always been excited by the fact that a hobby that I love has it's own special day. I think it ranks right up there with Mother's Day in my house. My family has already been instructed that I will not be available to them all day.... This weekend is [inter] National Scrapbook Day, and as part of the celebration at Design House Digital, we’ve got an awesome collab kit from the Design House Designers, Retrospect :


 Did you know that you can grab it for free? YES FREE! And, to make it even easier, it’s right in the shop at DHD, and all you have to do is follow along on the blog hop to grab the coupon code, and then download at your convenience. So fabulous, don't you think? So, if you wandered in to my blog first, you need to stop, head back to the beginning and start collecting your letters!

I also want to share with you a little tip I use when I am creating. Do you love to add a little bit of pop to your photos or elements, but don't always like the idea of adding a shadow? I do - so I stroke it...a pretty simple way to give it a little something. I am using Photoshop Elements 10.0 and all you have to do is select the layer you want stroked, Edit > Stroke Selection. You can adjust the number depending how much you want added. I usually stroke the inside, but you can try outside as well and see what you like better. In my layout, here, that I created for the Retrospect collab kit, I stroked the photo, outside, at 16 to give it the white outline.  I also use a lot of white backgrounds, so I typically stroke the layout as well to give it a little border.



Now a little contest from me...do you want a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate from Design House Digital?. I created an alphabet (with some bonus words) that you can download HERE.

You have two ways to be eligible for the Gift Certificate, leave a comment here and for a second entry  use the freebie alpha on any layout (recoloring it is fine) and post a gallery link here on my blog for a random chance to win! simple!! You will have until 11:59 PM (EST) on Tuesday, May 8 to be eligible.



Don’t forget to grab your letter, because you’ll need that to get the amazing Retrospect kit free!
If you are participating in the layout challenge, my prompt for you is to: Use a fastener (tape, staples, stitch, etc.) to attach your photo.

Now, head on over to Jen Flaherty's blog to see what she has in store for you!

Happy International Scrapbooking Day!!

69 comments:

Phanti said...

Great tip, I have never thought of using STROKE. Thanks :)

Else49 said...

I like the idea of using a stroke as well. Never thought of it either.

sbpoet said...

Whoa! I'm only the third comment. I wonder if being early increases your chances?

Jennybean said...

Thank you for the free alpha!

Anonymous said...

Love the alpha. Going to try strokes.
Thanks,
Sandsock

erin said...

thanks for the alpha, its so soft and pretty

meagan43 said...

Thank you for the free alpha.

So, is "stroke" basically the mat around the photo?

Tiffany said...

I stroke my photos sometimes, and it really is a fun and simple trick. But I never thought of stroking the layout. Thanks for the giveaway.

Wren said...

I love the stroke option!

RJMJ said...

Hi There...

Thanks For the Alpha!And The Chance To Win!

Smiles,RJ

myabelle said...

thanks for the tip and the chance to win!

idahorhodes said...

love the alpha gonna give it a try!

LeeAnn said...

Thank you for the alpha!

Melanie said...

Thanks for the alpha and the tip on stroke selection! That is so much easier than trying to use pre-made frames....thanks!

Paula said...

Mary... Thanks for the alphas and a chance to win!... hmmm, I wonder if the 'stroke' thing works in PSE 9. I'll have to try it!

Monique1971 said...

Hi Mary, thanks so much for the beautiful alpha and the great tip :o)

Have a wonderful day.
Monique

Stacey said...

thanks so much for the terrific alpha and for the chance to win!

Ari Vega-Macias said...

love the alpha:) THANXS!!!

Anonymous said...

Really admire your layout, particularly the photography. (sorry this is anonymous, have no idea what the other options mean. I use my computer to digi-scrap and that's about as technological as I get)

Cara said...

Thanks for the alpha, Mary, very sweet!

DoggiNo said...

Stroke is a great thing, also when you don't find the right frame or so. It makes your picture pop.
Will have to try it on my layout edges too.

Thanks !

CBH said...

Thank you so much for this post. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in CBH Digital Scrapbooking Freebies (please, notice the new url for my blog), under the Page 4 post on May. 03, 2012. Thanks again.

Margie said...

Thanks for the tip and Alpha!

Deb said...

Thanks for the stroking tip and also for the free alpha.

Liz said...

Thank you for the wonderful alpha! I love using strokes, mainly to make alpha "stickers."

Doreen said...

Thanks for the freebie and for the great scrapbooking tip!

grannymike said...

Thanks for the tip, the free alpha, the great free kit, and the chance to win the GC.

Shelle @ DreamyNest? {not!}* said...

Thanks for the alpha and the chance to win. :)

Anonymous said...

Great tip and alpha...thanks for sharing your talent!

CMOM Productions said...

Cute alpha! Thank you!

Karen S. said...

Thanks for sharing your use of Stroke! Thanks too for the cute alphabet!!

Carol said...

You are very kind! Thank you!

MamaBug said...

Thank you, Mary!! I appreciate you making the change to your blog so I can comment! Awesome alpha. I'm excited to use it.

lyricscrapper said...

Thank you for the alpha and the great tip. Also the chance to win!

Marlene said...

Thanks for the chance to win!!

Christina G said...

Thanks for a great tip!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the lovely alpha and for the chance to win. Best wishes!

Sandy said...

I really the alpha challenge you offered. I would love to participate in the "extra" way to win a GC. I also LOVE to use the Stroke feature on my layouts. Thanks, Mary!

Julia said...

Thanks for the alphabet and chance to win!

Arielle H Gordon said...

Hey Mary - thanks so much for the alpha!!! Very cool! Great collab, too - I'm so excited!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the alpha and for letting us hop to your site!

alicia king said...

i can't wait for this kit, love the colors!

Shay said...

Thanks for the tip, awesome alphabets and chance to win!

gleestormont said...

thanks mary. i like your tip!

BJoyful333 said...

I love strokes..I use them on elements and on photos..they give the feel of the photo mats I used to use when I was paper scrapping!

Bernadette said...

I love stroke as well - have just recently started to use it alot!

LindaHAZ said...

LindaHAZ said: Thank you for the alphas and the tip. Hoping to win the $10 GC. :)

Babs said...

I have never thought of using STROKE. Thanks for the great tip:)

Melinda said...

Digital scrapping newbie here, thanks for the stroke tip and alphas!

Lindsey said...

Thanks for the alpha!

Dawn B. said...

Thanks for the fun alpha and the coupon code! Happy iNSD!

Kimberlee at SD said...

I hadn't thought of using a 'stroke' on paper layers. Great tip! ~Kimberlee
spunkydiva at live dot com

SusanW said...

Thanks so much for the alpha!

Jeanne B. said...

Thanks for the alpha! Always looking for yellow to add a pop to my layouts! Thanks for the opportunity to win and for the tip about the stroke lines!

Barbara Ann said...

Thank you for the free alpha and tip post!

Jen said...

Thanks for the alpha!

Aznewmom said...

Thanks for the alpha!

Simply AJ said...

Thanks for the tip and for sharing the alpha! AJ@queenofmynest

Suz said...

happy nsd. thanks for the tip

Beatricemi said...

Thanks for the alpha. Love a white stroke around my photos!

Unknown said...

love the alphabet - many thanks for the freebie!!

Persephone Pomegranate said...

Great alphabet, thanks so much!!

Lillie said...

Thanks for sharing your tip. Will try the stroke idea.

lawyerlyn said...

thanks for the alpha!

Scrumptious said...

Thanks for the alpha! And for the stroke tip, it's so simple but looks so great & I hadn't thought of it! I am very new to this, so little tips like that are invaluable to me. Happy iNSD!

Susie Bentz: My Time to Play said...

Thanks for the photoshop tip. I am a newbie...not sure I am ready to give up the glue yet! Thanks for the chance to win!

mischalaneous said...

THANKS for the chance to win, the lovely alpha, & the terrific tip! I so appreciate your generosity.

easyeyes4you said...

Hi Mary...I use strokes all the time...easiest way to make a frame...but had never even thought to use one on the edge of the paper...I always learn something from you...

Name Art Alphabet Photography said...

Idea of stroke is good I like it.Thanks for the free alpha.