I've moved....

In case you didn't notice, this is outdated! I've moved to my own website and you can find me at www.amandamcgeedesigns.com
Thanks!
:) Amanda

Make your own 4x6 Calendar for 2013

In need of a quick and easy Christmas gift? Try making your own 4x6 photo desk calendar. If you've ever wanted to try digital scrapbooking this is a great way to start! It's super easy. I've done most of the work for you. You just simply layer the PNG file on top of your photo in your favorite photo editing program (PS or PSE) and then print! You can find it for sale at happytocreate.com here. You can print them at home or have them printed at your favorite online or local printer. I like to have mine printed at Costco. They're quick and are a good quality print for the price.

I've made these for my mom, sister, mother-in-law and myself for several years. Now I get the request for it as a Christmas gift every year. :) I'm glad they like it and hope you do too! Enjoy!

Here are a couple of samples of how I layered the quick page on top of the photo of my kiddos.

You can even add some type on top of the images, like I've done here on the July page.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!
:) Amanda

I've been busy crafting this week, the recyling bin is filling up again!
I made a new leaf shape & word art cuttable set to make it easy to make your own paper leaf wreath, perfect for Thanksgiving decor!

Be My Hero Top 10!

ZAP! BOOM POWER! My Action Hero design was in the top 10 for the Be My Hero fabric design contest at Spoonflower! (Check out the top design and the rest of the top ten here) It looks so fun to see it printed on fabric! I'm going to order some yardage to make something for Max's room. Ka-Blamo!

Free Gift: Family Word Art

Here's a FREE gift for your digital scrapbooking layouts!
It coordinates with my Happy Go Lucky Midi Kit.

 

Enjoy!

;) Amanda

Noteworthy

I made a new digital scrapbooking kit last week!
It's packed with basic patterns with an artistic edge. (In other words, messy paint bits!)

Here's what my friend Marnie wrote about it:
"Amanda has weaved her digital scrapbooking magic again—combining color, paint, and creative genius—in her Noteworthy Midi Kit.
Using her signature mix of graphic patterns and versatile elements, Amanda’s newest designs are a wonderful backdrop for any occasion, event, or memory—including a burst of fun" 

 Here's a couple of digital scrapbooking layouts I made with Noteworthy:

 Thanks for looking! 
;) Amanda

Lego Jedi Valentine

I love Pinterest! You can find some really great ideas, including lots of clever ideas for crafts and printables, including lots of Valentine inspiration. I think this is where I saw a Light Saber Valentine from the Brassy Apple blog. What a cute and clever idea to use a glow stick bracelet for the light saber! LOVE! This inspired me to make own interpretation for my son to give away to his classmates. He loves Star Wars and all things Lego so I made one for him with a Luke Skywalker Lego minifigure.

Here's my version:

 Here's how I made it:
I took a photo of his Luke Skywalker Lego minifigure with just the handle of the light saber in his hand.

Hmm, yeah, bad lighting. I opened up that image and messed with the levels and curves in Photoshop to make Luke a little brighter. Then I created a mask layer and started masking out the background.

Then I typed out the Valentine message using the font Star Jedi Special Edition. (This is a freeware font you can find here.) I made sure I left enough white space above the light saber handle for the glow stick.

Then I duplicated everything to fill the page.

 Then, I printed the page on white cardstock and cut them apart. I cut a small inverted T above the light saber handle (or you could use a hole punch, but mine wouldn't reach that far into the page.)

 

Then I flipped over the card, and folded back the paper to create a triangle shape hole. 

Then I inserted the glow bracelet into the hole. 

 And then I taped the glue stick to the card.

 And then that's it! If you know you're way around Photoshop and have a Lego fan at your house, it's easy to make your own! May the force be with you! ;)