Please help us welcome cardmaker, stamper and scrapper Laura Craigie as she has just joined our team of Garden Girls!  Here is a little about Laura:

my name: Laura Craigie, although many including my husband call me Lulu.

favorite cardmaking & stamping techniques: I love embossing, both dry and heat with stamps, and I really enjoy making paper flowers.

music: Everything from The Beatles to Lady Gaga, to Taylor Swift. I really like it all. Well, I could do without Polka ;)

work space: A corner of my kids playroom, and it's quite the disaster zone. I really wish I could be perfect and organized. One day!

style: This is always the dreaded question for me. I think in general I like fun colours, sewing and a little bit of sparkle. But sometimes quick simple cards make me happy and other times I'll sit and putter around for hours on a detailed card. Usually it's something between the two.

color preference: Warm happy colours. Peach, yellow, teal, pink, apple green, lilac, all colours that make me smile.

favorite product type: Tags, buttons, alphabet sticker.

childhood ambition: To be a Mother. On career day in elementary I stuffed my stomach and carried a toy doll to school. My wish came true with 3 amazing little boys- Isaiah, Griffin & Everett. :)

fondest memory: So many! But most recently was the moment we were told we could take Everett home from the hospital. He had been in the Nicu for a blood problem after birth, and just the day before we had been told "weeks" possibly, so when things drastically changed in a day and they told us we could go home as a family I melted. After such emotional trauma on my heart it was a moment of pure bliss and disbelief that is etched in my mind.

soundtrack: With all boys? Mostly flighting, giggles, super hero talk, fighting, giggles, star wars talk, and repeat. But I love every moment.

retreat: A bubble bath and a good book

wildest dream: To own a farmhouse on a large property complete with a pond, geese, and horses.

proudest moment:  When I overheard my middle boy on his first day of preschool tell the other kids that they needed to share, and play nicely. Apparently they DO listen to their Momma!

biggest challenge: Getting over my fear of driving. I turn 30 this year, and plan to finally get my license. It's a personal phobia of mine.

alarm clock: My sweet baby boy

perfect day: A day at the beach splashing around and looking for crabs with the boys.

first job: Paper route

indulgence Chocolate covered Gummy Bears, seriously, they are heaven!

last purchase: An R2D2 Stuffed robot that beeps.

favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice, no contest. I rotate between my 3 versions.

inspiration: Currently, clicking through Pinterest.

my life: Stay at home mom to my 3 boys. I also have a wonderful, amazing, supportive husband who is my best friend. I am so blessed!

Please help us welcome cardmaker and stamper Julie Campbell as she has just joined our team of Garden Girls!  Here is a little about Julie:

my name 

Julie Campbell 

favorite cardmaking & stamping techniques

Paper piecing, coloring with Copics, making handmade embellishments

music

I would say that I have a pretty eclectic taste in music & love anything that makes me feel happy.  Some of my favorite artists are Lady Antebellum, Kari Jobe & Lee DeWyze. 

work space

I have a tiny craft room with attic ceilings that's packed with little treasures in every nook & cranny! 

style

I like cute & colorful with bits of "happy" vintage/retro style. 

color preference

Yes & lots of it.  ;)  I'm really loving color combos that contain bright yellow accents. 

favorite product type

patterned paper & embellishments 

childhood ambition

In second grade on career day, I drew myself as a pediatric nurse.  I've been one for almost 13 years now. 

fondest memory

Dating my husband

soundtrack

Glee: The Music 

retreat

Anywhere where I can hang up my "mom hat" for just a little while and just be me.

wildest dream

To be able to work in the paper crafting industry as my full-time career. 

proudest moment

When my children are kind and compassionate to others without being prompted.

biggest challenge

Actually using all of those organizing tools that I buy. 

alarm clock

Ugh.  Yes.  5 am on work days.  It's painful. 

perfect day

Having sunshine (it's been a long winter), a clean house, & no commitments. 

First job

I detassled corn one summer when I was 13.  It was the most physically challenging job I've ever had. 

indulgence

My morning coffee with flavored creamer & lots of whipped cream.... and chocolate Dilly Bars. 

last purchase

Three skirts from a vintage clothing shop. 

favorite movie

Return To Me 

inspiration

I'm completely addicted to Pinterest.  Here's a link to my pins: http://pinterest.com/juliecampbell/  

my life

I'm a 30-something mom to two energetic boys, married to one pretty awesome guy.  We live in an old farmhouse in the country, where we see almost as many tractors pass by as cars.  Being creative energizes my spirit & I love everything from paper to paint & fabric.

Do you have an interest in creating greeting cards for your loved ones, but need a creative jumpstart?  We've compiled a list of resources for you!  Keep an eye on this list as more and more content is added.

Interested in stamping, but need a little help getting started?  Or perhaps you are itching to learn a new technique?  Look no further!  We've compiled a helpful and inspiring collection of resources from our vendors and design team.  Enjoy!

This week's From Start to Finish layout is a month in review layout that features the photo collage/grid from yesterday's video tutorial on creating photo collages in Photoshop here on the GG Blog.

I pieced the background of the layout by cutting approximately 1" strips from Bella Blvd and Doodlebug patterned papers. I cut a few thinner strips from the Bella Blvd. paper strip paper to add some interest to the background. The bright colors really pop off the white cardstock background. 

The title was cut using shapes from the Silhouette Store: 

• august_outline_C00701_19547
• handwritings_fun_C00035_27205

Additional supplies: 

• Stampin' Up Triple Heart Punch 
• Stampin' Up Clear Heart Buttons 

CHALLENGE: Paper piece a background (or part of the background) for your next layout. 

Watch video below | August Fun (Month in Review 2010) 

We apologize for the delay in posting the photo challenge winner this week; thanks for your patience!

Congrats to pussycat3337, the winner of last week's photography challenge "macro."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy" with Garden Girl Jen Jockisch for your chance to win!

Happy Tuesday morning Peas!

Today I wanted to share one of my most requested tutorials:Creating a Photo Grid Collage (like the one shown here in my weekly From Start to Finish series):

Here is a video tutorial on how I created a similar collage in Photoshop CS4:

*disclaimer* I am by NO means Photoshop savvy. This is just how I create a collage/grid. ;)

Check back tomorrow in the Designer Garden for the From Start to Finish layout I created with the finished photo collage.

If you have questions, please leave me a comment here or send me a peamail.

Have a great day! - Nichol

For this week's card I just had to break out the Life of the Party stamp set from Hero Arts and BasicGrey. I just love the little ice cream and cotton candy images with little faces on them. SO cute! 

Anyhow, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to create another birthday card (never can have too many of them, right?). I also used Cosmo Cricket's Salt Air 6x6 paper pad. :) 

Enjoy! 

CHALLENGE: Create a birthday card. Upload your creation to the TwoPeas Gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Related Products

Congrats to tam2 the winner of last week's "In Review" challenge.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's technique challenge with Garden Girl Lisa Truesdell for your chance to win!

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class Stretch Your Sketch with Jen Gallacher.  This month focuses on creating a 12x12 layout that uses 5 photos.

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here!

Every once in awhile I like to record the "things" that my kids are into at the moment. These pages are always fun to look back upon years later to see how their hobbies and interests change and grow as they do. :) 

I used a fun Studio Calico stamp set to stamp a bold, bright title across the center of the layout. (No Silhoeutte die cut title, this week! ha!) I love stamping each letter in a different color of ink. 

A small collage of die cuts and stickers embellish the page simply but meaningfully. 

CHALLENGE: Create a collage of embellishments on your next page. :) 

Watch video below | Watch on YouTube | See Related Products

Congrats to the following members - you were selected as the creative challenge winners for our online crop and a prize pack from Two Peas will be sent to you shortly!  Thanks to everyone who entered the challenges - your creativity is so inspiring!

cheerchic1988  - "Use a Trend" | tinainindy - "Dig into the Archives"

artsygirl - Frame It | miasun - Fill It up

jbsmom - Compare & Contrast | amytangerine - Social Networking

Nylene - Mix It Up | Characterfan - Layout Backgrounds/Strips

Be sure the address in your account is up to date to ensure your prize pack reaches you.

Again, thanks to everyone who participated!  We hope you had a great time at the crop and that the challenges helped you to meet your creative goals.  We hope you'll join us again at the next one!

Congrats to iemom, the winner of last week's photography challenge, "Under."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Macro" with Garden Girl Chelsea Parsons for your chance to win!

Congrats to jossiah the winner of last week's color palette challenge.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's "In Review" challenge with Garden Girl Stacey Sattler for your chance to win!

For this week's Finally Friday card, I wanted to make a bright and cheerful yellow card. :) 

I ended up choosing a bunch of different predominantly yellow patterned papers from four different 6x6 paper pads. I brought them all together in a sun-ray paper pieced design. 

Anyhow, enjoy! 

CHALLENGE: Use patterned paper from different collections and different companies. Be creative! Upload your creation to the TwoPeas gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. :) 

Watch Video Below | Watch on YouTube | See Related Products

We're digging up archives so that finding the past class events and series that inspire you is easier than ever!  Find these archives and others in either the Free Monthly Classes section or Events section!

In this popular course on using your dSLR, Mark and Joanna Bolick guide you in taking steps to improve your photography, covering topics from aperture, flash, and shutter speed to documenting your daily environment to properly caring for your camera.  Each lesson includes an in-depth article and a printable PDF instruction sheet.

Aperture Basic Training | ISO, Shutter Speed & Aperture

The Color of Light | The Flash

Composition | Shooting Indoors

Shooting Outdoors | On the Go

Portraits | Landscapes

Your Daily Environment | Camera Accessories

I don't often do one photo layouts but every once in awhile when a photo really speaks to me and can stand alone I create a one-photo layout. 

Today's layout features a photo of my husband and I, one of our favorites. I cropped the photo to 6x6 and added a bold faux chipboard title (see November 2010 Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines HERE [twopeasinabucket.com]), punched circles with little embellishments placed in the center of each and plenty of journaling printed directly on kraft cardstock and placed prominently at the top of the page. 

CHALLENGE: Scrap a one-photo layout using a photo that can "stand alone". 

Watch video below | See related products

Congrats to picturemehappy, the winner of last week's photography challenge, "Sunsets."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Under," with Kelli Crowe for your chance to win!

Hello Peas, Here is the last challenge of the weekend. Create layout backgrounds using strips of cardstock or patterned paper, either vertically or horizontally.

I find that I get really inspired by the packaging from scrapbook manufacturers. I love the way My Mind's Eye packages their patterned paper kits, showing all paper variations along the bottom of these packages. Makes me want to use all these pieces at the bottom of a layout.

Here are some other kits with the strips of paper arranged horizontally. I love this look, because you could tuck little photos and elements into each layer of the arrangement.

To participate in this challenge: Simply create a layout or card or tag, in which you use strips of cardstock or patterned paper to create an interesting background for your project. Projects can be any size. Challenges must be uploaded into the gallery by Sunday, March 20th at midnight CST. Make sure to check the correct challenge box when uploading your project. One winner will be selected to win a fabulous prize from a 2Peas Sponsor (make sure your contact information is updated)!

Can't wait to see your projects in the 2peas gallery!

Margie Scherschligt (pearlygirly)

Happy weekend, peas!! I've got another challenge for you - I want you to mix and match products from 5 different manufacturers.

I love mixing and matching, and rarely work within just one product line. On this project, I used products from Sassafras, October Afternoon, My Mind's Eye, Martha Stewart and American Crafts. I find the easiest way to mix and match is to start with ONE multicolored patterned paper (I started with the stripe from Sass), and then pull in other papers and embellishments with colors in the same family.

Here are a two more examples :

Marcy Penner used products from Studio Calico, Pink Paislee, Cosmo Cricket, Fancy Pants and Crate Paper on this project. Her page as a soft color palette, and you can find most of the colors she used in them multicolored polka dot patterned paper on the left side of her page.

Kelly Noel combined Sassafras, American Crafts, Jillibean, Crate and My Mind's Eye on this page. She went a little more bright and funky with her product choices.

I can't wait to see your projects!

To participate in this challenge: Simply create a layout or card or tag, in which you use products from five different manufacturers. Projects can be any size. Challenges must be uploaded into the gallery by Friday, March 18th at midnight CST. Make sure to check the correct challenge box when uploading your project. One winner will be selected to win a fabulous prize from a 2Peas Sponsor (make sure your contact information is updated)!

If you've landed yourself on the GG blog for this weekend's crop, keep scrolling down for the challenges! :)

For this week's Finally Friday card, I needed to make a sympathy card. Not always my most favorite card to make for obvious reasons. However, I thought I could make a more cheerful sympathy card because I hope it cheers the recipient's day. :) 

I also wanted to use as much of Cosmo Cricket's Upcycle patterned paper as possible. Paper piecing the paper into strips was the perfect way to do that. 

CHALLENGE: Create a card using strips of patterned paper. Upload your creation to the TwoPeas gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

Congrats to sdeven the winner of last week's challenge, "Inspiration outside of scrapbooking."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's color combo challenge with Garden Girl Jennifer Gallacher for your chance to win!

Facebook, Twitter, blogging...social media is everywhere! These sites can provide material to inspire your next layout as well!!

Here is an example I did of how I let my Tweeting obsession translate into a month-in-review page...

here's another layout from jennifer johner about social networking...

another from gennifer and her status updates on facebook...

love this one Shimelle did with her tagged photos on Facebook!

And i LOVE this brilliant page by Celeste, documenting her Facebook friends!

So many ways to interpret this challenge! Have fun!

You have until March 17 to post your layout - be sure to mark the corresponding challenge box when you upload your layout!

Your challenge is to compare and contrast!  Documenting opposites, or changes, can be a great journaling tool or angle in recording our lives.  Here are some examples from the gallery:

Project can be an altered project, card, layout, digital, hybrid, or traditional.  You have through Sunday, March 20th, to submit your project to the challenge.  Don't forget to check the challenge checkbox on step 4 of uploading!  The winner of a prize pack sponsored by Two Peas will be announced on the Garden Girl blog Monday, March 21st.

Your challenge is to fill up your project - cover your entire workspace, whether it be with photos, journaling or product!  Have fun!

Project can be an altered project, card, layout, digital, hybrid, or traditional.  You have through Sunday, March 20th, to submit your project to the challenge.  Don't forget to check the challenge checkbox on step 4 of uploading!  The winner of a prize pack sponsored by Two Peas will be announced on the Garden Girl blog Monday, March 21st.

Your challenge is to put a frame around it.  Create your own frame with your supplies, use products that were designed to be used as frames, create a piece of art and frame it for your home - there are many possibilities and it's up to you!

Project can be an altered project, card, layout, digital, hybrid, or traditional.  You have through Sunday, March 20th, to submit your project to the challenge.  Don't forget to check the challenge checkbox on step 4 of uploading!  The winner of a prize pack sponsored by Two Peas will be announced on the Garden Girl blog Monday, March 21st. 

Did you know that you can access past classes at Two Peas?  We have a wide range of archives from classes and mini event series going back as far as 2008 - they may be archives but they are golden!  Your challenge is to dig up a past class lesson or event lesson and scraplift the designer's project.  Be sure to include in your comments what class/lesson it was that you are scraplifting!

Project can be an altered project, card, layout, digital, hybrid, or traditional.  You have through Sunday, March 20th, to submit your project to the challenge.  Don't forget to check the challenge checkbox on step 4 of uploading!  The winner of a prize pack sponsored by Two Peas will be announced on the Garden Girl blog Monday, March 21st.  

Think cameos, banners, mist, hand-rolled flowers, rose trim, owls, vintage icons....whatever trend it is you've spotted and have wanted to try out for yourself!  Be sure to include it in your description of your project!

Project can be an altered project, card, layout, digital, hybrid, or traditional.  You have through Sunday, March 20th, to submit your project to the challenge.  Don't forget to check the challenge checkbox on step 4 of uploading!  The winner of a prize pack sponsored by Two Peas will be announced on the Garden Girl blog Monday, March 21st.  

We're digging up archives so that finding the past class events and series that inspire you is easier than ever!  Find these archives and others in either the Free Monthly Classes section or Events section.

In this 12 week series, Garden Girl and Digital Designer Erica Hernandez guides you through the process of planning for your album to documenting everyday life moments and milestones.  By the end of the series you will have recorded the story of bringing your child home from the hospital all the way up to your child's first birthday!  Click on the lessons for in-depth articles and free printable elements.

Week One: Planning & Preparing Your Album Week One Assignment: Title Page

Week Two: Milestones

Week Two Assignment: Create a notebook for milestone comments, prepare template pages.

Week Three: Milestones Part 2 - Firsts

Week Three Assignment: Decide on firsts you'd like to record, prepare template pages.

Week Four: The Birth Story 

Week Four Assignment: Decide the level of information you'd like to share; document the birth story or create a page for when your child is born.

Week Five: Welcome Home Week Five Assignment: Share the story and create a page on the expectations/reflections you had during this time of your baby's story.

Week Six: Memorabilia Week Six Assignment: Sort and display memorabilia; prepare for future memorabilia

Week Seven: Religious Practices & Ceremonies

Week Seven Assignment: Document how your spirituality affects raising your child and create a page.

Week Eight: Relationships Part 1 Week Eight Assignment: Create a family tree layout

Week Nine: Relationships Part 2 

Week Nine Assignment: Determine who plays key roles in your child's life and create a layout

Week Ten: Holidays  

Week Ten Assignment: Consider the questions in last week's assignment, make notes of what you'd like to cover, create a layout or series of layouts based on these reflections.

Week Eleven: Daily Routines

Week Eleven Assignment: Think about the daily routine you have with your child & create a layout

Week Twelve: First Birthday/Wrapping It Up 

Week Twelve Assignment: Document your child's first birthday as well as an ending page to your album

See more baby pages from Erica Hernandez here and other work here:

This week's layout was inspired by the newest Lawn Fawn Stamp Sets: Say Cheese & Say Cheese, Too. 

On my scrapbook layout to-do list, I have been wanting to do layouts for all 3 of my kids that incorporate a monthly photo for a year to see how they grow and change just at a glance. With these cute polaroid frames, I was finally inspired to get one of them done! 

I love how the stamped frames instantly add pizazz to a photo and these are the perfect size for scrapbook layouts, I think. Each "opening" will accommodate a 2 1/2" square photo. 

One fun tip for the buttons I used on my layout: all the "color" is from the Jillibean Soup sticker buttons. I simply sewed a clear button to give them some dimension. 

CHALLENGE: Add a frame to your photos, either with stamping like I did on my layout or with photo mats, machine stitching, sticker borders, etc. 

See Related Products

Congrats to sun scrappin the winner of last week's photography challenge, "Leading Lines."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Sunsets," with Garden Girl Stacey Sattler for your chance to win!

For this week's Finally Friday card, I wanted to use the City By the Bay stamp set from My Little Shoebox. Aren't the little houses and trees so cute?! I also needed to make a card to send to a loved one who lives far away. That's where the idea for a "Missing You" card came from. :) 

I used a lot of masking on this card, too. Inkadinkado's Stamping Mask Paper is perfect for all the masking I did. Watch the video below to see how I created the scene of houses, trees, and clouds using masking. 

CHALLENGE: Create a card using masking. Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery and be sure to select this challenge. :) 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Related Products

Congrats to Amber_Girl, the winner of last week's challenge to use a quotet!  A credit has been applied to your Two Peas account and will automatically deduct itself from the total of your next order!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge with Garden Girl Shannon Tidwell - find an outside source of inspiration - for her, it was her decorative throw pillows!

We're digging up archives so that finding the past class events and series that inspire you is easier than ever!  Find these archives and others in either the Free Monthly Classes section or Events section.

Jen Gallacher, Kelli Crowe, Lisa McGarvey & Shimelle Laine show you mini album ideas covering a variety of topics and themes.  Click each lesson for a printable instruction sheet, projects from members and related products!

Project 1: Week in Review with Jen Gallacher | Project 2: Boy-themed mini with Kelli Crowe

Project 3: Friendship mini with Lisa McGarvey | Project 4: Summer Reading Log with Shimelle Laine

Want to see more mini albums from the Garden Girls?  Click here for additional ideas in the Garden!

For this week's layout I wanted to showcase the wild hair my daughter had after her last day of Kindergarten after a fun-filled day playing outside. 
I pulled on the red in the photos when choosing patterned papers and embellishments for the page. I loved the yellow in the daisy paper and chose it as a compliment to the red. Some dark brown and kraft helps ground the bold, bright colors. Simple punched embellishments, stickers, one button clip and jumbo ricrac trim were all that were needed to dress up the page. 

Silhouette/Digital Die Cut Shapes used: 

• handwritings_cute_C00038_27205
• This & That Winter by Kerri Bradford 

CHALLENGE: Use punched shapes to embellish a layout. 

Watch Video Below | See Related Products

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class Scrapbook Stamping with Nichol Magouirk.  This month focuses on aligning wood-block stamps.

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here!