This week your photography mission, should you choose to accept it, is to document your TRADITIONS in photos. 

What traditions do you have that start at the beginning of December?  For me, the first of December means the start of the countdown to Christmas with both an Advent Calendar and my Christmas Journal!  This week I'm planning to take even more photos than usual, as the tree goes up and this morning we received our first 2009 Christmas card in the post!

December is rich with traditions and each household is unique.  Have you started any traditions of your own?  Continued traditions from your childhood?  Blended traditions from your family with traditions from your husband's family?  Or anything else that has a story all its own that needs telling?  Whatever it may be, photograph it this week and upload it to the photo gallery!  Be sure to check the box for this week's challenge so you can have a chance to win this week's prize!

Find all the challenge details here and Tia's supercool Holiday Toy Camera Frames here.

Happy snapping and celebrating!

-Shimelle

I hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! This week's challenge is all about being thankful. Usually when we are asked about being thankful we immediately think of the "big" things like family, friends, our homes, that sort of thing. My challenge for you is to scrap the "little" things you are thankful for. I took a bit of a silly approach to my layout but yours can be more serious. It can be lots of things, one thing or anything in between.

Have fun and enjoy!

Stacey Kingman was one of the first friends I ever had in scrapbooking.  When I came to two peas, I don't think I knew a single person in real life who scrapbooked.  I connected with Stacey on one of the message boards when we both joined a circle journal.  We soon realized we had a lot more in common than scrapbooking.   I can't believe I have only ever met in person once because we've known each other for years, now.  

When I saw it was my turn to highlight a Pea on Thanksgiving, I totally thought of Stacey.

1. Because I love her layered style.  By putting paper over paper over ribbon (often over stitching and buttons) Stacey can make her projects feel like what she is scrapbooking about.  Like this card...it looks like fall but it feels like it to me, as well.

2. Her stitching.  I love how adding stitching adds so much more to this card.  Stacey was the first person I  to ever saw to use what I think she calls "crazy stitching."  She combines lots of different kinds of machine stitches on her projects.  

3. When I think of Stacey, I think of combined sticker letters and rub ons.  I really like how this card has a variety of size and color letters.  

4. I used to think making mini albums was dumb.  Really.  A waste of time.  I mean, why not make full pages that can go into an album and be protected forever?  Stacey makes lots of cards and mini albums.  It wasn't until I heard her talk about her kids holding these projects especially made for them and enjoying them that I ever considered the value of holding a small card or book crafted just for you by your parent.  The mini book doesn't have to last forever.  The memory of feeling valued like that lasts.

5. And her LO's.  They are heart felt like this one about her father or

Light hearted like this one about her son's Easter shirt...they are meaningful.  No fluff lo's.  Always a message or a memory.  I like that.  

6. And because I am thankful for our friendship that I never would have had without two peas.  

7. And for the fact that she didn't get too upset at me when I forgot to pick her up from the airport that one time she came to visit.  (I made it...just late.)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

kellicrowe

Hi Peas! It’s Liana here with technique discussions with making your own invitation. Since my girls will turn 2 next month. I’d been thinking to create this fun and easy “Mickey Mouse Invitation.” I think I can manage to make around 20 of these

Here’s what you have to do to make this:

1. Create Mickey Mouse head by using Adobe Photoshop.

2. Print it and hand cut the template.

3. Gather necessary materials (double tape, acrylic paints, ink, rub-ons stitch or sewing machine)

4. Inking all over with brown stamp ink.

5. You can use either machine stitch or using rub-ons stitch.

6. Dip stick into acrylic paint or paint it by hand

7. Here is the finish invitation.

Thank you so much for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions!

Liana

When I first laid my eyes on Maya Roads Kraft Envelopes at the summer CHA 2009 show, I fell inlove! As soon as they hit the store, I had to have them right away. I had all kinds of ideas running through my brain using these lovely gems! You get 10 envelopes in each package, which is plenty. But if you are like me, you're gonna want to order a few extras . I have a mini album in the works that I've used them for page inserts. You can also add some mist for color & an artsy look, journal on them or hide your jounaling in them, ink or paint them, stitch them up, etc. The list is neverending!

Here is one layout i did for the Garden using them....Eyes Closed Smiling.

Here are some fabulous creations within our member gallery using Kraft Envelopes by Maya Road...

Gift card holder by jenniwren32

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by stacitaylor

Grateful by lorigentile

Faking Fall by harpersmama

So, check them out in the store here or add them to your cart from below this post. They've recently been restocked !!

Thanks,
Cindy :-)

Hello!  Jennifer McGuire here to let you know about the Weekly Photo Challenge.  This week's challenge is from one of my favorite people --  Kelly Purkey.  She is challenging us to photograph something silver.  What a great idea for the holidays!  

To see the challenge, click HERE.

When I found out this was going to be the challenge, I immediately thought of all the shiny embellishments I have been using lately.  In fact, I have a project sitting on my desk right now, waiting to be finished, using silver pigment powder (Perfect Pearls from Ranger).  Love the silvery look on it.

So be sure to load your photos for the challenge!  Can't wait to see them.

 Jamie Waters here with what's currently in my bucket. Little notes throughout :) 

Morning, all!

For this week's Finally Friday card, I decided to try paper piecing a Thanksgiving turkey. Isn't he cute? :) I used Cosmo Cricket's Nutmeg 6x6 paper pad for all the patterned paper, which was the perfect autumn color palette.

CHALLENGE: Create a card with a paper pieced element. You could try a turkey like I did, or whatever else you'd like. :) Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery, select this week's Finally Friday video, and your card will appear at the bottom of this week's Finally Friday page! :)

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube

Hi peas,

Moon here with this week’s challenge: Scrap those embarrassing photos.

I know what you’re thinking, but Moon why would I want to scrap those photos? Because they are a part of what makes us who we are today. They are part of our history. And they’re pretty darn funny to look at.

I did this layout using all of my senior photos. School photos are always a good stand by to grab for this challenge but you’re not limited to them. You could use old photos of family members or of friends.

Most important thing is to have fun with this week’s challenge.

:)

Before my daughter was born, my scrap studio was on the second level of our house in a tiny little room with apple green walls and a bright window overlooking the backyard. But, when Sadie came along, I suddenly wasn’t allowed to make quite so much noise next door to her nursery. (You’d be surprised how much noise even a printer can make when you’re next door to a light sleeper.) So, my husband helped me pack up all my “scrap crap” and move everything to our unfinished basement. Despite the plastic sheeting on the walls and the concrete floors, this is a much better space for me: I have room to spread out and get organized! Another added bonus is that there is space for more than one person, so my husband can watch movies or listen to music on the computer while I scrap!

Getting organized. Confession: this is the most organized my space has EVER been. Thanks, peas! I’ve been in my space for over a year, and I obviously needed some sort of motivation to clean and purge and organize. Showing photos of my space today was the best motivation I’ve found!

Looking at my worktable and computer/diecutting/sewing table:

The standing island is from IKEA and besides my Expedit shelving, it’s the best purchase I’ve made for my space. I’m a standing scrapper, so it is the perfect height. I love having three drawers at easy reach to hold my glue, punches, and hand tools. The shelves underneath are perfect for storing projects that are in progress.

I put my newer supplies in this box on my worktable, and after I use things, I file the extra/excess away:

My computer/diecutting/sewing table:

My husband mounted several plastic drawers on a wooden shelf just above my table. These are where I store stamp inks/embossing powder, sewing thread, brads, buttons, rub-ons, etc.

Cardstock storage:

These are repurposed wire shelves that hubby zip-tied together. I layered a piece of chipboard on shelf, so the cardstock doesn’t snag.

Expedit shelving:

The upright folders hold all my patterned papers. I organize by color. The metal bins hold my stamps. I separate them by manufacturer, but other than that, they are in a big jumble that I go through when I need something. In the cupboards are random collections of supplies like paint, idea books.

I store ribbon on rolls in these drawers and mini-albums in this basket:

The albums in the shelves underneath contain prints of my photos.

And that's it for me. Hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour of my creative space. Let me know if you have any questions! 

Mary

ETA: Winner! The winner of the Sticker Challenge is g8rchick, with her Happy BIrthday card. Congrats! One of our themes for the Garden this month was stickers. This really, really pushed me as I'm not normally a sticker girl. But I was very pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had working with them and how much versatility they offered. So today's community challenge is to use stickers on a layout, card, mini book....whatever you feel like making. You have until 10 p.m. CST to upload them, and be sure to check the Community Challenge box to be included for a chance to win some Two Peas store credit!

The Photography Challenge this week is Noise!! 

My house is full of it, is yours?  As I'm typing this my 3 year old is dumping containers of matchbox cars, talk about noisy!  

As I was looking through my photos for those that said 'noise' to me I discovered a common theme.  I like to take pictures of crying babies.:)  I just love the face she makes....not so much the noise.  

I chose 3 different pictures to demonstrate the theme of noise.

The first two were just around the house noise, the third is in a restaurant...Dora was approaching.:)

What does noise look like in your house?

Hi everyone! This month our theme is Thankful--perfect for this time of year! I love the feeling of love and contentment that comes with spending more time with those we love. And what better way to celebrate it than to document all the things and people you are thankful for?! 

I love Jennifer Johner’s layout—those small pictures are perfect and I love how she lined them up across her page. Check it out here.

Stephanie Dagan collaged her photos together! I love that it shows the silly and loving moments with her family. Check it out here.

Rebecca Trump’s  page looks delicious! Document your Thanksgiving table—what traditions does your family have during this holiday! What a great way to share it! Check it out here.

Sheri Horton documented her two little daughters—aren’t they adorable?! I love how she used pink along with the oranges and browns! Check it out here.

I hope you get a chance to sit down and document all of the things you are thankful for! Hop on over to the Garden for more inspiration on your holiday layouts!!

-Kandis

Good morning, all!

Today's card features some of Sassafras' Monstrosity line, which I think it just about the cutest line ever! The monsters are adorable! I also paired them with Hero Arts' Thank You Sayings stamp set and some 7Gypsies paper tape. :)

CHALLENGE: Create a card with bold and bright colors. Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery, select this week's Finally Friday video, and your card will appear at the bottom of this week's Finally Friday page! :)

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube

This week's Garden Challenge is to Use Fabric on Your Project!

My page is about the patchwork skirt I made for Campbell. I saw a left over scrap of the patchwork on the table, and decided it would be the perfect addition to my scrapbook page.

You can use any kind of fabric...and you can attach it to the page however you like; with brads, a glue stick, sewing, staples...be creative!

I hope this week's challenge helps you stretch your creative muscles.

Be sure to check the 'weekly challenge' box as you upload your project. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Here's my page for the Garden :

Stacey :)

Good morning Peas. Sheri Horton here for this weeks Digital Challenge. For this weeks challenge you'll want to dig out your DVD collection or even your old VHS tapes! This week your challenge is to be inspired by the cover of a dvd/video! It can be your favourite movie or one of your kids favs or it can just be a cover where you like the shapes, colours, etc. Whatever it might be, lets see what you come up with!

Here is what I came up with. My inspiration was a Pull-Up video on potty training :) I liked all the circles on it!

When you upload your layout make sure you include the video cover that inspired you! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Sheri

Good Morning Peas!  Jen Johner here today, and I want to show you this amazing gallery!  If you have not seen Norcha's work, you must go check it out.. and if you have... well, check it out again!  It will definitely inspire!

I love love love all of the layers that she puts into her layouts, so much texture.. gorgeous!  Like this one here...

I love all the bits that are tucked in behind.. so pretty!

This next one is just stunning.. the random buttons and the string are so perfect, such an elegant page!!  Don't you think!?

I love her use of colour in her work, such beautiful combinations of both colour and pattern..  such delicate details, you could definitely get lost in one of her albums I would think!  ..in a good way!  So many details to take in.. 

OK.. one more... LOVE this one!

The bold black graphics, paired with the colourful photos is absolute perfection!!  Love!

Here is a link to Norcha's beautiful gallery!  If you are in need of some inspiration.. definitely check it out!!!

Jen :)

Happy Monday everyone!
It's Kelly here to talk about this week's photography challenge.  Photography Challenge : Research
By Kelly Purkey

This weeks photography challenge is a cool one - research.  there are so many ways i could think of to tackle this one... books, computers, museums, libraries... so many cool options.  I chose to use a shot of a travel guide to San Francisco...doing a research for a trip! let's see what you come up with this week :)

Amy here this morning :)

I love letter stickers. Therefore, as probably a lot of you, I have LOTS of letter stickers. Storing my letter stickers effectively has always been a challenge for me. I've tried laying them in a drawer, putting them in a binder (that ended up not being big enough and breaking) and some more unsuccessful ideas. My latest solution has been working pretty well. I got a large wire mesh basket at Target. I've been storing the letter stickers upright and have them sorted by manufacturer. This way I am able to flip through them quickly and see which ones will fit the layout that I'm working on. I have this box right next to my desk so they're always at my fingertips. Hope this works for you as well.

Happy Friday Scrappers! Nichol Magouirk here with this week's Weekly Challenge. This week I'm challenging you to use a Paper Pad to create a layout. There are so many great ones out there right now (check out some of my favorite ones in related product below) and they make creating a coordinated layout so quick and easy and FUN!

I used the KI Memories Toy Box Paper Pad for my layout:

To participate in this challenge, create a layout using a Paper Pad and upload it to the gallery before 12:00 midnight CST on November 12th. Don't forget to click the Weekly Challenge box!

I'm looking forward to seeing all you fabulous layouts! Have a great weekend!

Good morning, all!

A couple weeks ago, I made a cupcake card using BasicGrey's Nook & Pantry collection. It was such a hit and I loved it so much, I knew I had to make another card using the collection. This time, instead of a cupcake, it's a little teacup from the Cup of Tea stamp set. Now, I'm not a big tea drinker, but I had my fair share of tea parties as a girl, so this little teacup was just calling out to me. Too cute!

CHALLENGE: Create a card with a custom "scallop border" using smaller circles adhered behind cardstock. Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery, select this week's Finally Friday video, and your card will appear at the bottom of the Finally Friday page! :)

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube

Good morning!

It's never too early to get started on your holiday gift wrapping. I always like to come up with a theme for my gift wrapping - this year I think it will be kraft, red and white twine, and a blue stamp.

So I challenge you today to get started on your gift wrapping and show us. Remember to check the challenge box when you are posting your picture so you can be entered to win a great prize!

Thanks and have a great day!

Laura K.

--

Congratulations to g8rchik - winner of the challenge! :) Thanks for participating!

Hey there! This week's digital challenge is to journal in or around a shape.

There are a couple of ways you can do this. One is to use text on a path, like I did here. I chose to use this template because it had a half-circle already built in...I thought it would be perfect to wrap my journaling around it. You can use text on a path in Photoshop CS or higher, but if you have an older version, or if you use PSE or any other software program, you can donwload premade text paths, like this one. Or you can fake it with a premade text element, like this. To journal within a shape, create a shape using the shape tool, and then switch to the text tool. As you get closer to the shape, your cursor should change and allow you to start typing inside the shape.

There are many things you can do with this challenge - have fun!

--Caroline

This is kind of hard to post. If you only knew how many things I put into my bucket only to revise and revise and revises until I can afford it. LOL! I guess I sometimes use my bucket as a wish list and then move things into my REAL wish list.

Here's a peek at some things I'm hoping to purchase this time around:

I will confess that at one point my bucket was like $700. Hee, hee. Yeah, not very realistic.

Anything that you have your eye on that you'd like to share? I'd love a peek.

Jen Gallacher :)

Hi everyone.   

We are in the middle of moving house here which is fun fun fun!!!  All our furniture goes tomorrow...

But I'm here to bring you the details of this weeks Photography Challenge.  It's all about heroes.

We all have our heroes right?

Characters in movies

Grandparents

Friends

People from history

Courageous people

My photo is my daughter Bethan dressed as Yoda!  He happens to be one of her heroes this year.

Let me see your take on "heroes"...  

xox Chelsea

good morning, peas!  it's brooke here, ready to give you a look at this month's new garden.  the theme is stickers.  i'm talking all kinds of stickers, too.  take a look at what a few of the garden girls have done this month...

i love what garden girl amy grendell did here.  using several different sets of stickers, she brought together the perfect amount for a perfect page.  love her clean lines.

how cool is this page?  garden girl cindy liebel created a number mosaic to echo the numbers her son had drawn on the window.  how cute!

new garden girl jen jockisch knocked this month's theme out of the park with all of the stickers she used on this page.  i love the clusters on the top and the bottom -- made easy with stickers!

garden girl kelly purkey found a way to use miscellaneous left-over letter stickers by making her title match the background patterned paper.  great way to use up old letters and make an awesome layout at the same time.

look at this page by garden girl laura kurz.  love that she used the enlarged picture but still was able to make the title stick out.  love that the letter stickers match both her shirt and little charlie's hat.  (and i really love those letter stickers, too...)

garden girl mary macaskill made the sweetest page here.  love how she used those stickers.  and the letter stickers.  makes for a very sweet, very cute layout!

and check out one more...

LOVE this page by garden girl wendy bretz.  love the white on whie.  and i really like how she incorporated several different kinds of stickers to one page.  love how clean this is.

okay -- now go take a look at all of the other beauties in the garden.  i'm sure you'll be just as inspired as i am.  and remember -- this is the month to get those stickers out!

*brooke