Bits&Pieces

From blog to page (a.k.a. The Blog Grab)

When I started blogging back in the Days of Yore, I remember distinctly thinking how awesome it was going to be to have all these new little bits of story telling and pictures to scrapbook with.

It made perfect sense. I'd put all this time and energy into crafting blog posts, then I'd transfer it all to a scrapbook page to preserve forever in the so-called real world.

While it's a sound idea, I've probably only done this a handful of times. For example, one time I told a rather sweet story about something Dan said to me (read it here), and then I made this page:

 

A true and victorious example of blog to page. But I can count on a few fingers how many times this has actually happened.

Enter the Blog Grab.

(Not to be confused with the very familiar and all-too-prevalent Boob Grab):

As I was working on some new template ideas for Designer Digitals, I thought: I want to create something that easily lets me transfer a word-heavy and photo-laden blog post to a simple layout design. You know, a design with lots of room for journaling, and accordingly, room for multiple photos if need be. And here's what I came up with:

 

 

These templates (one for 12 x 12 scrappers, and one for 8.5 x 11 scrappers) are my solution for taking a longer story that I love, like this one, and being able to save it to the real world scrapbook page, like this:

 

Or, the page I actually printed out for Cole's album, in 8.5 x 11:

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 7 (12 x 12) • Layered Template No. 8 (8.5 x 11) • Spot Dots Paper Pack No 11, Digital Dates Date Stamps Vol. 12 (Katie Pertiet) • Archer font • Adobe Photoshop CS4 • (Note: I cut the larger shot on this template in two, to add a few more shots.)

Because I was on a roll, I also did this hybrid page with another blog post about my girl turning 13:

 

(click on the image to see a larger version of the layout in new window)

I tweaked the template a bit by first turning off all of the photo layers and backgrounds, then erasing the lower left hand horizontal line on the overlay for the left page, and then flipping the overlay itself and moving the journaling block over to continue the journaling on a second page. Next I copied and pasted my journaling directly from the blog post into the template and formatted the text using Avenir and a tiny bit of Amelie. Then I printed the two pages out onto white cardstock. To finish, I grabbed some of the shots from the blog post (in 300 DPI, mind you), plus a few other shots, measured the open space, and trimmed the photos to size.

These templates also work great if you simply need lots of space for multiple photos and longer stories.

Don't let your good stories live only in cyberspace. Take them from blog to page today. Try one this weekend!

Every one of my templates is on sale—as is everything in the store—until next Tuesday at 6 a.m. E.S.T. as part of the Designer Digitals 4th Quarter Sale.

Have a lovely weekend.

Work that photo

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 6 (Cathy Zielske) • Manchester Paper Pack, Manchester Solids (Michelle Martin) • Digital Date Stamps Vol. 12 (Katie Pertiet) • PW's Black&White Photo Action (pioneerwoman.com)

I recently posted a handful of shots from an impromptu, back yard, teen-requested photo shoot with Aidan, a.k.a. One Three.

It reminded me of something I used to do with great frequency—and still do—and that is: use shots from one time frame or event on multiple layouts.

Is it just me? Do you do this as well? You know, when you get a series of shots you love, you just invent more ways to use them? And if you do, do you feel like you're just making stuff up to use the shots again?

Inquring minds want to know.

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I'll be hosting an online Coffee Chat this weekend on Saturday morning over at Designer Digitals in celebration of their big sale. I'm going to be chatting bright and early—8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. You'll need coffee or some other early morning pick me up, and if you join me, I'll be giving away a brand new layered template to all who drop by. We can talk about whatever you want. You know, design, daughters, dogs—no big whoop. See you there.

Go Scrapbooking.

Last night I was looking through Clean&Simple Scrapbooking (I know, maybe a little weird to sit and look through your own book, but hey, the book is like one big scrapbook, just one that's been professionally printed, right?), and I was struck at how much life has changed since the year it came out.

When I read over this Bedtime Rituals layout, it really hit home: my kids are growing up.

Gone are the days of cartoons from 7 to 8 p.m.; here are the days of watching Glee or The Wizards of Waverly Place.

Gone are the days of two-story bedtimes and Go Fish; here are the days of reading Simpson's books and chatting with friends on Facebook. 

Gone are the days of parents bribing each other to trade off bedtime duties; here are the days of kids who get themselves ready for bed without any parental assistance whatsoever.

Gone are the days we had to stay upstairs until the kids fell asleep; here are the days when even though we can come downstairs and spend quality grown up time together, we're often too tired to do so.

Gone are the days of a family with little kids; here are the days that feel—sometimes—like a lifetime away from those that have already gone before.

Don't get me wrong. It seems that here is a time that just gets better and better as our family continues to do what families do: grow, change, adapt and live.

I guess today I'm glad that I'm the sort of person who writes stuff like this down. You know…to remember.

Go scrapbooking.

Holiday Survival Tip Series Installment No. 1: Make Cards Early (Video Tutorial Blog)

I know what you're thinking.

"Cathy? What the? Halloween isn't even here yet and you're thinking Christmas cards already? That's just messed up!"

Au contraire, mes petit chiens… (I think I just called all of you little doggies in French, but keep in mind: my bad French aside, I love dogs.)

Yes, I realize Halloween is just around the corner, but there's another big holiday some of you may be familiar with. It's called Christmas. Maybe you've heard of it? Baby Jesus? Trees? Presents?. Endless lines? Tangled lights? 

Oh yes, and one more component that is commonly referred to as the CHRISTMAS CARD.

As creative women (and men) who have the reputation of knowing their way around a paper trimmer, the pressure to create Christmas cards is constant. Why? Because we are crafty. We have all of the stuff we need to create right here! Some of us even have ENTIRE ROOMS in which we can use our knowledge and tools to prepare messages of holiday merriment to share with our family and friends.

Now I'm going to admit something that I haven't told anyone except my closest of friends and family (and everyone I know on the Internet): the reason you didn't get a card from me last year is because I didn't make any.

(And a collective GASP falls across the crafting blogosphere.)

Last year I said, rather petulantly, "Not gonna do it," and I didn't. And to be honest with you, I really wasn't guilt-ridden over the decision. To me, it was one less thing to do in a season that already has an exorbitant number of things that need doing.

But inevitably, it happened: I found myself missing it. I missed the process of making cards to share with my closest family and friends, and I vowed that this year, I would not only make cards, but I'd do them in a timely, non-stressed fashion, leaving plenty of time to simply enjoy the season when it comes, and not feel the burden of 80 some odd names on a Christmas card list staring me in the face. Waiting.

In short, this year, I've got a plan.

 

It all started with a new set of word art which I designed for Designer Digitals (on sale next weekend). I dig type and words and I plan to create many more sets using fonts and phrases that I love. These sets come as PNG files, and can be used in any program. (They also come as .abr files for you Photoshop users.)

 

You can use them on scrapbook pages, of course, but you can also use them to make holiday cards.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to take some word art and make multiple, colored copies on a single sheet of cardstock to use for making some easy, crafty Christmas cards.

CZ Design Word Art Card Tutorial from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

Supplies Ho-Ho-Holiday 1 Brushes&Stamps (coming Nov. 1 to Designer Digitals) • Dasher and Garland papers from BasicGrey • Fiskars Squeeze Punch • pop dots • kraft cardstock

Once you have your word art file ready, you simply load in a sheet of cardstock, print, and cut into strips. Then, grab your punch tool and punch away.

This is definitely a card you can do production-line style. Just punch a bunch of holiday paper swatches, and then punch a bunch of word art print outs, glue down and presto: cute holiday cards.

(Note: the patterned papers I'm using are from an older BasicGrey collection that might be hard to find online, but any holiday themed papers will work!)

And for those of you who just can't stand the idea of holiday card making in October, I've got just the word art set to fit with the current season:

 

But at this point, there's no pressure on anyone to make cards. I'm not THAT crazy.

Look for these new word art sets this weekend at Designer Digitals.

p.s. And to everyone on my Christmas card list, please act surprised when this design shows up in your mailbox. Thank you.

And then I made this one…

DIGITAL SUPPLIES: Cathy Zielske's Layered Template No. 4 (Designer Digitals) • Aspasia Solids Paper Pack (Michelle Martin) •  Classic Cardstock Foundations (Katie Pertiet) • (Stitching from a kit from Ali Edwards' Yesterday Today class by Anna Aspnes) • Avenir font

Ahhh…simple, clean, lots of space. My favorite kind of design. Blocky. Linear. Just how I like it.

And with pictures of a willing subject, no less!

Last week, Aidan put a bid on a Nigerian dress at our church's silent auction, and came home with this lovely purple number. She said, "Mom, let's do shots in the leaf pile!"

What? Me take pictures? Oh, OKAY.

 

 

 

Tell me one scrapbooker out there who doesn't feel a jolt of pure joy that comes from a teen-ager that actually suggests that you go grab your camera and take some pictures, huh? Yeah? You feeling me?

The layout above features one of two new templates coming this weekend to Designer Digitals, Template No. 4:

 

…and Template No. 5, an 8.5 x 11 template based on a page I recently did as a guest designer for Studio Calico:

 

Template No. 5 makes me very happy, with it's cute little scalloped edges, and little journaling spot (the whole spot can be used in your design, I just set it up so it bleeds off the edge!)

Here are a few gorgeous samples from the creative team at Designer Digitals:

Sarah created this fun twist:

(click here for her supplies)

And Steph did this (with a new cardstock design by Katie Pertiet that I am in love with!):

 

(click here for her supplies)

A great design to showcase a collection of 9 photos in a nice, tidy little package.

These templates go on sale this weekend, only at Designer Digitals!

CZ Design Designer Digitals Sneek Peek

I'm going to be sharing new layouts towards the end of the week for the next several weeks as I am releasing new template designs at Designer Digitals.

I've been getting lots of emails and request for things to add to my collection and trust me, I am keeping a running list with all of your good ideas. Very high on the list is to design a school memories template set, and that's something I will be working on very soon. So stay tuned for that.

Going on sale this weekend? Layered Templates No's 2 and 3:

 

Here's the page I did:

(For a supply list, click here.)

Oh yeah baby, those photos look familiar right? I have SO many shots of large, fiberglass-laden Minnesota statues that I could make numerous pages, and still have a fresh new set of pics for each page.

This new template came from a paper layout I did about a trip to New Zealand a ways back, and it looked something like this:

Seriously? I could use this design again and again. A very quick and easy way to showcase some travel photos.

But check out how Patricia made this template a) into a 12 x 12 and b) her own:

 

(For her supply list, click here.)

Here's another example of what Katrina did, sweet and simple:

 

(For her supply list, click here.)

The nice thing is that it can be for any sights you see, not simply travel-related sights.

The next template being released this weekend? My first foray into 12 x 12 digital:

 

This design came from the very last layout I did for my About Design column in Simple Scrapbooks magazine, and it was a page I loved, so I thought: why not make a scalloped cardstock background? So that's exactly what I did. Here's the inspiration:

 

Here is another page from Patricia (for supplies, click here):

 

Seriously? I want to live in her house. I also love how she flipped the template and used the journaling area for another photo to make it her own.

And here's a cool page from Sarah:

 

(For her supply list, click here.)

For me, this is like having little tiny digital babies, and seeing them go out into the world and grow up. In other words, it's really cool to see what the team over at Designer Digitals does with these little babies.

My plan is to release both 12 x 12 and 8.5 x 11, as well as to work on some word art collections, and other elements to use in both digi and hybrid design.

Right now, I have so many I want to do, there aren't enough hours in the day. Or so it seems. I will say that it's re-energized my love of design and story telling. And that's a pretty cool thing!

Sponsor Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the Making Memories holiday goodie pack is:

Jo E, who said...
After years of being a bit of a scrooge I am seeing it all through the eyes of my 4 year old and I can't wait! She is already asking me how long until Christmas and for the first time since I was a kid I am getting excited even though it's only October.

Jo, email me to claim your prize! Thanks again to A Walk Down Memory Lane for sponsoring the giveaway. Don't forget, blog readers can receive 15% off their orders placed until Weds. at 5 p.m. Use coupon code CathyZBlogs!

One of my long-time sponsors, A Walk Down Memory Lane is getting into the holiday spirit and would like to give away a yummy collection of brand spanking new Making Memories holiday goodies to one of my blog readers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM: A Walk Down Memory Lane has been serving scrappers and stampers since 2003. Stroll down AWDML's aisles and you'll find thousands of paper choices, hundreds of embellishments, and enough stamps to keep your fingers inky for a very long time. They have over 11,000 SKUs from your favorite companies like Basic Grey, Making Memories, Fancy Pants, and so much more!  They also carry some smaller, boutique companies like The Greeting Farm, Stampavie, and Bella Boulevard. You won't need to look far for inspiration either at A Walk Down Memory Lane.  They have a message board and gallery, two blogs (look for a NEW weekly challenge blog coming this fall) and an email newsletter that hits your inbox twice a month.

A Walk Down Memory Lane always offers a free gift for any of my blog readers by using CZRocks in the coupon code box, however through Wednesay at 5 p.m., AWDML is giving my readers a coupon code for 15% off their entire order through Monday.  Use coupon code CathyZBlogs to get 15% off your entire order.  Shipping is always a flat rate of $6.55, and they also offer FREE SHIPPING on any order over $75.

To be entered to win, leave me a comment today and tell me if you're either looking forward to the holidays or are the, "What? Christmas is coming... AGAIN?" type. In other words, Tiny Tim? or Scrooge?

I will draw a winner sometime after 9 p.m. tonight.

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IN OTHER NEWS: my first designs went on sale over the weekend at Designer Digitals. Look for new designs most weekends, including my first 12 x 12 template coming next weekend.

Quizzes, and Printables and Pages (oh my!)

(click on layout for bigness!) DIGITAL SUPPLIES: Aryanna Paper Pack, Weathered Neutrals Paperie, Ella Publishing Printable, Avenir font.

One of the ways I've been keeping busy since entering the realm of "I don't have a full-time job with a regular check " is by freelancing. I'm incredibly lucky to have built some good relationships over the years which let me continue to follow my passion and design from the safety of my cozy little office.

One of my newest clients is Ella Publishing Co. Ella, as many of you know, was launched by two of my former Simple Scrapbooks colleagues, Angie Lucas and Lain Ehmann, and is an eBook publishing company focusing on our favorite subject: memory keeping. Ah yes… memories.

While most of my work is the behind-the-scenes sort that most graphic designers do (I design the books and make them readable and pretty and then get the heck out of the way), Angie asked me to create a special collection of printables—pre-designed PDF journaling & title files—that corresponded to one of Ella's first eBooks, Quick&Creative Quizzes.

This inspiring collection of quizzes, written by Angie and Wendy Smedley, is designed to get you thinking and writing with the goal of creating some truly authentic slices of your life in the here and now.

I have designed a companion to the book. It's called Quick & Creative Quizzes Printables. This 37-page downloadable PDF book contains 10 sketches for 12 x 12 layouts that all correspond directly to the eBook, and included are printables that help you complete each layout. The cost is $3.99.

I've taken Angie and Wendy's quiz questions and created my own sketch interpretations. You simply print them onto cardstock, trim and use as part of your finished page.

The cool thing about printables is that you don't have to be a full-on digital expert to use them. You just need to have Adobe Acrobat and presto—you get to play with stuff that's designed and ready to go and create a truly hybrid final page. (You can also use the files to create a digital design, like I did.)

I just wanted to share the page above as an example of one of the sketches (and printables) that are part of the collection. Enjoy!

Find a picture, add some words

(click to see the layout larger in a new screen)

 DIGITAL SUPPLIES: Bellissimo Paper Pack, Weathered Neutrals Paperie, template by Ali Edwards, Courier font

My creative friend an fellow designer Ali Edwards is releasing a new template this weekend over at Designer Digitals, inspired by a recent post from her blog. While Ali did a page that captured her life in the moment, I decided to use Ali's template to capture a slice from the life of One-Three.

And lucky me, I just happened to have a few fresh shots of her ready to be scrapbooked.

I gotta tell ya, this digital thing? Pretty stinkin' cool. I played with this layout for an hour yesterday, swapping out colors and papers. Yet the overall simplicity of the design and concept speaks to me.

Thanks for the coolness, Ali. This, much like Aidan's new hair, rocks.

Look for Ali's template this Saturday at Designer Digitals.

One of my favorite albums (and a freebie for you!)

If any of you out there have read my second book, Clean&Simple Scrapbooking: The Sequel, you might recall this bad boy:

 

(Copyright CK Media on the above, and the following four images.)

This is my Halloween album. A simple themed album, with a basic design that is simply one of my favorite scrapbooks. Let me refresh your memory as to the contents. Above, of course, is the title page to my album. I know, ADORABLE. 

Then we have the introduction (click to see all of these larger):

 

Next we have the dedication (thank you, Jerry Seinfeld!):

 

Followed by the album guts:

It's just year after year of Halloween goodness, and such a visible way to document, OH MY HECK! The kids are growing!

Here are the pages you didn't see in the book, including Aidan's 2nd and 3rd and 4th Halloween, which for some reason, got the axe in the editing room:

 

Okay, so maybe it wasn't my finest moment in Holiday photography, still… pretty friggin' cute if you ask me.

And okay, I know it LOOKS like the same year, but trust me, she had grown.

 

(FYI: After the fourth installment, I walked away from the black and white film.)

And here are the ones that came AFTER the book was published:

 

 

Sure, the ink colors were slightly off from year to year on account of changing printers and levels of ink, but that's not really the point of this project now is it?

I realized last week I hadn't added to the album since 2007. Naughty little scrapbooker! So, I'm now working on the files to complete 07 and 08. Here's 07 so far, in digital form:

 

 

And I would show you 2008, but I have NO record of my eldest child from last year. Needless to say, when I confessed to Aidan that I hadn't managed to get her on film she was HORRIFIED. Who would have predicted that reaction?

No worries, I'll figure out something to go with this picture:

 

I share this album with you because I'm always struck by how powerful a simple approach can be. A shot per year and a bit of journaling for a finite period of life. This is simple scrapbooking at its best.

I created this album in 2004 after Aidan had clocked in more than a few All Hallows Eves. My point: you can always go back and find a shot here or there and make a complete picture of a tradition or other memorable, continuing event.

AND NOW A TREAT FOR YOU: In the spirit of Halloween treats, I converted this album design into two layered PSD files for you, my template lovin' blog readers. You can use them for a digital album or be like me, and go hybrid. The journaling page has been designed using Arial, which is simply a placeholder font. Feel free to add in whatever font  you like. My album you see above uses Gill Sans.

Here's to simplifying the process!

(to download, click on links. PC users: right-click, and scroll to "Save Target As"; Mac users can just click on the links.)

Download CZ8x8TemplateA

Download CZ8x8TemplateB

Enjoy!