pretty paper. true stories. {and scrapbooking classes with cupcakes.}

When it comes to pictures of people, do you have a preference over posed portraits versus natural candids where the subject is unaware of the camera? Choose your favourite for the next photo challenge.

Your challenge is to take and post a photograph of a person – either a posed portrait or a candid shot. Time to coerce those nearest to you into smiling for the camera… or being sneaky and not warning them at all!

Post your image on Flickr, on your blog or in another online photo gallery. Leave a link to it in the comments on this post to be entered. One winner will be randomly chosen to win the Scrapbook Inspirations Summer Ideas Book with a little bonus gift from me too. Please see this post for all the deadlines and details about this weekend. So… are you going to put on a trench coat and go under-cover with your camera? Or do you have a willing subject ready to get ready for a close-up?

xlovesx

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Over all of this weekend, you’ve seen some of my favourite techniques and colours become challenges, so I had to include a quadrant challenge too! Backgrounds made of four patterns or colours are one of my absolute favourite ways to start a page. From there, you can choose just how simple you want to keep things, right up to adding the whole kit and caboodle for a detailed and layered project.

Consider yourself challenge to create a project (scrapbook page, card, tag, etc!) with a background made from four quadrants. They can be solid coloured or patterned – even shades of one colour for a monochromatic look!

Take a picture of your project and post it online, then add a link in the comments here. See this post for all the details and deadlines for this weekend.

One randomly selected entry will win a custom portrait (person or pet) as a Little Musing by SJ Dowsett. You will love her amazing drawings — she creates the cutest details about your personality in a picture. I love this picture she drew of me and frankly wish I could wear that little cartoon outfit every day when it gets cold!

Can’t wait to see what you build from your quadrant background!

xlovesx

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Have you learned to use your camera’s timer function yet or are you still taking group shots that don’t include the person behind the camera? The timer (or a remote, if you prefer) can make for some great shots since you’ll be limited by your surroundings. The shot above isn’t the most excellently composed picture by a long shot, but give that I could balance my camera on a road sign and I didn’t have a zoom lens with me, I think this is particularly lovely for a set-the-timer-and-run picture! This photo was a similar situation, but I actually rested my camera on the ground and aimed it up by balancing the lens on my handbag.

Your challenge is to take and post a photograph that includes you! I encourage you to have some fun with the timer, but you could also go with other self-portrait techniques. Check out this article for some great suggestions.

Post your image on Flickr, on your blog or in another online photo gallery. Leave a link to it in the comments on this post to be entered. One winner will be randomly chosen to win this adorable handmade owl in navy AND this supercute one in red from etsy seller Vivikas. Vivian makes seriously cute and original plush toys — definitely check out her shop full of fabulousness. Please see this post for all the deadlines and details about this weekend. And of course, you have some time to work on this, so don’t feel pressured to take a self-portrait just as you get out bed, for those who are just waking up and joining us!

xlovesx

Comment [25]

Here’s a nice and easy challenge to get us started this Sunday – our third and final day of the summer online crop.

Use at least one stamp in your project! Scrapbook page, card, tag, or something else. If you’re a digi artist, use a brush to qualify as your stamp, or any digital element that has a stamp-like look.

Take a picture of your project and upload it to an online page gallery or your blog, then leave a link in the comments on this post to share what you made. See this post for details and deadlines (you have until bright and early Tuesday morning – UK time – to post your link).

One randomly selected entry will win a set of Banana Frog stamps, so don’t miss out on your chance at a great prize!

Happy stamping!

xlovesx

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Our final scrapbooking challenge for Saturday just requires a comment to enter – you don’t have to make anything for this one unless you would like bonus points!

For this challenge, leave a comment with a favourite quotation that you think would be great for a scrapbook page.

One entry will be randomly selected to win this gorgeous print from the always amazing Vol.25. I love her beautiful illustration style and how she mixes her drawings with text to create such sweet compositions. Be sure to check out her fab blog here — I’m sure you’ll love it.

Okay – just leave a comment with a quote to enter this one and I’ll see you in the morning for our third and final day of scrapbooking goodness!

xlovesx

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School may be out for summer, but as an English teacher, I always hoped my students would read at least something over the break. If you or your family love to read, is this something you’ve recorded in your scrapbooks?

Your challenge is to take and post a photograph that involves books or literature in some way! You can include people in the image or make the books themselves be the start.

Post your image on Flickr, on your blog or in another online photo gallery. Leave a link to it in the comments on this post to be entered.

One winner will be randomly chosen to win some lovely reading material and pretty papers too!

Please see this post for all the deadlines and details about this weekend.

xlovesx

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Time for a tiny technique challenge – I love paper pinwheels in all sorts of projects!

They are very simple to make. Cut your patterned paper into squares — I use three squares for a circle with this number of pleats, but you can use an extra or fewer squares to get the look you like best. The width of your square should be the same width that you want for all the way across the rosette circle.

Then take each square and fold it back and forth like a paper fan or an accordion. Then fold that folded piece in half so it’s a semi-circle — and adhere the joining spot with a strong adhesive. Sometimes I even staple it from the reverse side if the paper doesn’t want to cooperate. Repeat this with all your squares, then glue all the pieces together to make the circular rosette!

Take this technique and make something with it – a card, a tag, a scrapbook page, some gift wrapping or whatever you fancy! Take a picture and upload it to share with the world on your blog or in an online gallery. Post a link in the comments on this post so we can see what you made!

One entry will win a copy of Scrapbook Inspirations Idea Book volume 2!

xlovesx

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How many of us have a magpie-like love for something shiny and sparkly? Whether your shiny object of choice is glitter or jewels or pretty mirrors, they all catch a reflection.

Your challenge is to take and post a photograph of a reflection! Feel free to get creative with your interpretation or to snap a quick self-portrait in the mirror.

Post your image on Flickr, on your blog or in another online photo gallery. Leave a link to it in the comments on this post to be entered. One winner will be randomly chosen to win a selection of glittery scrapbook supplies to keep your inner magpie entranced for plenty of projects! Please see this post for all the deadlines and details about this weekend. A little tip if the weather at your house has been anything like it has been here today: puddles cast reflections too.

xlovesx

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