Warning: Get ready to sit back and relax and enjoy some reading. We’ve got a doozie of a day!

We’re gearing up for National Scrapbook Day here at KBS and want to help you get ready for it too! The most important part of what we do in this lovely little crafting universe is document our photos. And I’m all about making that process as easy as possible.

For me?

That’s where photo templates come in to play. I love having a template, printing it out and then accentuating + journaling around it. Photo templates help us keep the focus on where it needs to be . . . the photos. I love the way the block of photos look on a page. It’s clean. It’s easy to see the photos. And with photo templates, you can easily swap photos around without having to worry about sizing or cutting a thing.

That’s sweet.

So for today not only do we have a brand new photo template kit, but we also have a free photo template . . . that’s free for today only. Then it goes into the store where you can purchase it for .99.

So let’s take a look at the new kit!

As usual, each template has a frame with both straight edges or rounded edges. Want a thicker frame? Simply add a stroke to that layer. Lots of fun designs to play with too!

And speaking of playing with it, I just had to add some photos of my own to it. If you’re a fan on Facebook, you’ll have seen that my daughter went to her very last prom on Saturday. I thought they would be excellent to put into a storyboard.

Just thought I’d mention here that Jordan (and I) made her boutonniere. Jordan didn’t think to order it until Friday and the place we  normally buy it from only had red roses left. Well, as you can tell red wouldn’t do. So we went to the grocery store and they had nothing in the rose category either. It was prom for two high schools and BYU graduation, so pickin’s were slim. So we bought a potted plant of white flowers and the florist at the store gave us a little baby’s breath and we brought it home, wrapped it with some ribbon and voila!

Oh, and Jordan is wearing some earrings that I bought while in Ireland a few years ago along with a hair comb that belonged to her great grandmother (on Dan’s side). She’s also wearing her grandmother’s (my mom) ‘J’ pin. A very vintage girl . . . and he dressed pretty retro too. They were the talk of the prom . . . everyone loved their look.

Oh, and another funny little story. In the photo where they are walking to his *ehem* BMW, there is a neighbor in red in the background (you can hardly see him). But he yells over to Jordan “Don’t let him just kiss you! Make him work for it!” Luckily Jordan and this kid are good friends so it wasn’t awkward. ;)

And now, here’s the freebie template.
Remember, you can download it for free today only.

To download it, click on the image or click HERE.

But that’s not all the fun for today. Check it out!

That’s right . . . all photo templates are on sale today–and today only. So if you want to get stocked up, today would be that day. :) And when I say ‘all’, that includes the brand new template today too. Woo hoo!

To see all the templates available, click HERE.

And just when you thought today’s post couldn’t get any better, check out what Laura Vegas did with photo templates.

 [ Shapes | Happy (quote) / Storyboard: Instagram Style ]

I think this is a wonderful idea! 
It would make a great mother’s day gift too.

Here’s what Laura has to say:

This was a project that has been on my to-do list for quite a while now. I have worked as a daycare provider in my home for 11+ years now, and have been lucky enough to take care of lots and lots of adorably cute kids over those years. I take tons of photos of them, and make tons of layouts with those photos. But I have been wanting to put something together that shows each and every one of those kids together, in one spot. When I saw Kerri’s new Storyboard: Instagram Style templates, I knew they would work perfectly for what I had in mind. I picked up an inexpensive black 12″ x 36″ frame, knowing that I could stack three 12″ x 12″ photo collages inside.

The hardest part of this project was finding the photos of each child, and also choosing just ONE photo of each child to use. I only had 3 kids that I wasn’t able to find photos for, so in the end, I ended up with 31 kids to fit into my collages. I filled one template completely, and I filled the top two rows of the second template, and the bottom two rows of the third template. Once I had the three collages printed (I send them to Costco) and stacked together, that left me with a 12″ x 12″ area to fill in. I kept the design super simple, since this will be hanging in the playroom, which is right at the front of the house. I choose the “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands” quote because quite simply, it makes me happy! It’s also a very common song around this place, since so many of my toys seem to play it ;)

It’s going to be a fantastic week here, so make sure you spread the word to everyone so they can get in on all the fun and preparation for a fabulous NSD Saturday!

Check out all the different templates here!

As per usual, each template has its own frame–straight or rounded corner–to overlay the set of photos if you’d like. And just to remind you, if you want a thicker line? Just add a stroke to the frame and voila! It’s a thicker frame!

And because I’m feeling saucy . . . the storyboard kit is on sale through Sunday night for 20% off!

So if’n ya wanna save a couple bucks, best be gettin’ ‘em now!

And the next individual kit would be a-comin’ at the request of Miss Nichol. She has something in mind for these babies and I can’t wait to see what it is!

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . 
 

So a couple weeks ago I went to sunny California for CHA. A cold California, but still 40 degrees warmer than where I left. It was single digit temps here in Utah and in the 40s in California. Felt wonderful! This was the view right by the hotel (left). I think that street by Disneyland (right) is my favorite street in California. It’s just so pretty with all those palm trees lining the street!

Got to run around with my dear friend Lisa Bearnson, which was totally fun! We stayed up ‘way past my bedtime’ according to Lisa (she knows I’m not a night owl). Like 1:30 in the morning. Chatting away like girls at a slumber party. It was so much fun getting to really visit with her again. The occasional lunch just doesn’t cut it. ;) And when we used to travel together often, we could conversate more. So it was fun doing that again.

I ran into so many friends there! Heck, I don’t pay to go see the product…I pay to see all my friends that I never get to see! Here’s a peek at a few of the friends I got photos with.

I added two actions over the top of that:
Heartland from The Pioneer Woman and Acid Wash from Totally Rad Actions.

Dang…I don’t know what I was thinking when I missed taking one with Elizabeth Kartchner and Heidi Swapp. And dear Miss Shari…she was busy and I was going to go back the next day and get a pic with that cute thing and totally got busy with other things. Next time Shari darling!

All these girls are just amazing. Truly. I’ve known them for years–and some a few years longer than the others. Kristina (from TwoPeas) and I were winners of the very first CK Hall of Fame contest and on the Provo Craft design team. We even had a scrapbook getaway…with Stacy Julian too, before Simple Scrapbooks was really ever anything. Kristina was the first friend I ran into at CHA and it was so fun to see her again. And of course that Ali girl…haven’t seen her in forever. And Teresa…we are Cafe Rio lunch buddies….and it’s been a while. ;) And don’t get me goin’ on Becky and Lisa. And Lori is such a fabulous designer. Worked with her in my CK days. I don’t know how she does all that she does!

I’ve really been lucky to be in this industry for so many years. I’ve made many friends and had many wonderful opportunities. I’m very grateful for all of that. Truly.

And then, of course, I got to see this IRL.
Hey, I can use current TLA (three letter acronym) jargon too. ;)

I tell ya, Becky’s booth was hoppin’ the whole time! Definitely a buzz going on there. Hmmm….wonder why?

Chatted with those American Craft boys and all the fun people that work with that fabulous company–Becky, Maggie, Elizabeth…Studio Calico… Is it any wonder why people want to be associated with AC? They are–and have always been–my very favorite company to work with. Love those guys (and cardstock, of course).

Oh, and little Miss Maggie had these fabulous photo overlays to vintagefy (yeah, it’s a word) your photos. Attach it with some washi tape? Soooo cool! And oh my, I tried to find a photo on AC or Crate Paper (who she’s doing it through–and CP is under the AC umbrella), and even on Maggie’s site, but couldn’t find it. I’m sure you’ll see something soon.

Stopped by the Silhouette booth. Saw that they have new chipboard that you can work with now. That’s awesome for all you chipboard lovers! If you haven’t seen their announcement on their blog, you can check it out HERE.

My Mind’s Eye are another one of my favorite companies. They always have such wonderful scrapbooking goodness. Yum. That’s all I have to say!

Stopped by the Lifestyle Crafts booth and chatted with sweet Michelle Rasmussen…who was my first boss when I started with QuicKutz…but I’d known her prior to that for all the QVC stuff. This girl is a total sweetheart and I miss working with her. She’s so creative and she’s doing an amazing job with her vision for that company. The Letterpress is fabulous!

The trip was quick, but oh so much fun to go again. It’s been about three years since my last trade show. I’d love to go to Chicago…it’s my kind of town. ;) Seriously though, love Chicago.

Price: $3

 I love the little tab option. You could write anything in there.
And the square one would be perfect to use with Instagram photos!

Here’s one I did for our family Facebook.

Sorry…I don’t like sharing too much personal information when it comes to names and family. :)

And don’t you love the photos? They were taken by my mom, who passed away a few years ago. She loved the farm and she loved taking photos. It seemed appropriate to have them on our family website. (She would have looooved the digital photography era.)

I like this particular template because you can add a little text above the photos.
I like how there’s some white space…but maybe that’s just me. ;)

Anywho . . . just some more options for your own Facebook fun.

I don’t know about you, but I can never have enough of these.

It’s almost like having one for any occasion that may occur.

They are truly my favorite thing to scrap with.

Here’s the latest!

Price: $9

There is a mix of ten storyboards in this one.
 A couple of 12×12 that would be awesome to slip into a page protector for a vacation or event!

As usual, you can resize these to whatever you’d like.
It’s best to resize it before putting your photos if you’re gonna go bigger.

Also, as usual, all sizes and the amount are listed as part of the filename, along with the kit name.

If you’re going to send it to a photo printer, many photo printers will try to expand the template so that it will fit the paper size format you’re printing it on. So a little tip, after you’ve created your new JPG, try placing it on a set paper size, like 8×10, 5×7, etc., and resave it in that new size–white space and all. That way the photo developer will look at the size of the photo in it’s ‘true form’ and print accordingly without resizing. Just make sure your new file is set to 300 dpi too.

And on another note, if you follow me on Facebook, you’ll know about all the fires going on here in Utah. Jordan was at girls camp and got evacuated (volunteer/non emergent at the time) and came home yesterday morning–after taking her up the afternoon before. Luckily our neighbor has some property in another mountainess area and let the whole stake (about 10 wards/congregations) of girls ages 12-18 to go up there. Not sure how many total that is, but there’s around 25 in ours. How generous for her to do that.

I’ve been watching for clips of whether or not the fire has gone the way of Camp Mia Shalom. I went there as a child as a young girl too–30 years ago. We had to take Jordan to drop her off and it was just soooo pretty. I can’t imagine if it were to get in the path of the fire. It already looks like it was in Huntington Canyon (not too far away). Gorgeous canyon! Dan and Zach loooove fishing there. Here’s a photo from when Zach and I took Jordan up to camp last year. I hope it won’t look different when we go up there again. It’s one thing when it burns the sage brush, but when it gets into meadows, pine trees and aspen trees…all that time that it’ll take to grow again? Sadness.

Here’s hoping it still looks like this . . .

]]> http://www.kerribradford.com/2012/06/28/storyboards-you-can-never-have-enough-right/feed/ 6 http://www.kerribradford.com/2012/06/12/introducing-photo-templates-for-facebook-timeline/ http://www.kerribradford.com/2012/06/12/introducing-photo-templates-for-facebook-timeline/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:12:28 +0000 Kerri http://www.kerribradford.com/?p=3269 Been wondering how to jazz up your Facebook Timeline cover photo?

Been wanting to include more than just one photo?

Wellllll, this kit is for you baby!

Price: $5

Okay, I’m really kind of excited about these!

So excited . . . that here’s what I added to my Facebook page.

So not only can you add photos, but add patterns and shadows and text!
You can have loads of fun making something personalized and just right for you!

AND….

They come in two different sizes. They come in the standard Facebook Timeline size–no figuring out how to edit your photo. But they also come in an ‘XL’ size so that if you want to use them on a page…it’s already sized largely. :)

k…if you use them, leave a comment here on account-a, I wanna see them in action! :)

So many things to share!

When it comes to scrapbooking, there are two key elements:
the photos + the stories.

For me, that’s where my focus is all the time.

And I like keeping things clean so your attention is always drawn to the photos first.
That’s just my thing. :)

That’s why I’m just so excited about all the broo-ha-ha for today!

So let’s maybe start with the sale!

Just look for the items with sale tags in the store!

And remember, these are on sale for today only!

These babies have got to be, by far, one of my most favorite scrapbooking elements.
Speaking of keeping things nice and neat. Of course, you can always add lots of character
to them too.

If you’re new to the site want to see what all the excitement is about,
check out the Tutorials link and you can see just how easy they are to use!

And speaking of just how easy they are to use,
here’s a gorgeous page by Miss Laura Vegas!

[ Shapes | Life Additions #2 (title) / This+That: Spring (flower) / Storyboard #6 ]

Oh that Miss Laura did one of my very favorite things!
I adore white on white! It gives it that faux embossed look. Yummmm. Love it!


Now, here is a little video that Laura created to show you how to manipulate your template!

And one other fun thing from Laura. I asked my fabulous creative team to share their
five favorite whatevers. And here’s Laura’s!

_________________________________________________

Okay. Next up?
Here’s what Laura wanted me to make.

It also comes with the word ‘thanks.’ Of course you can add whatever words you’d like.
Laura wanted to be able to use them on cards. :)

To download this for free TODAY ONLY, click HERE.

Oops. The day is over, but you’ll be able to buy the set when the week is done.


_________________________________________________



So, some of you may have noticed a very scenic photo of mine on Facebook that I took this weekend. I told you I’d share some details, and now is that time.

A few months ago I signed up Zach, Kass and myself to participate in a photography excursion through the Conintuing Ed program of the local university. The destination? Capitol Reef (Utah). It’s about three hours from here and very scenic. We’d never been before so we were really excited to get to go and learn some great tips from some photography experts.

Sadly, because Zach’s Del Sol internship to Alaska started that same weekend, he couldn’t go. He was bummed to not be able to do both. But I have a hunch he’ll get to take a few good photos up in Juneau. ;)

Anyway, so off Kass and I went to far off lands. The great thing about Utah is its diversity in scenery. Salt Flats, to majestic mountains with rolling rivers, to wind+rain created red-rock hills and mountains. We were in the latter. Come to find out, the people putting on this little shindig were from our local camera shop…who I’ve gone to several times over the years for my special photos and camera repairs. They have always been wonderful to work with!

Our main teacher was Rex Allen (as well as Tony+Justin who were amazing too). Through conversation, while we were all together, Rex asked if I knew Jessica Sprague.

Um. That would be a YES!

Rex is the owner of

 
and they partnered with Jessica to bring you a printing site from within JessicaSprague.com.
You can find that HERE.
And HERE are some details about printing from JessicaSprague.com

Can you say small world???

And you know, all you photo template fans that like to take your templates to get printed? And there are templates with odd sizes? And often when you send it to a printer they maximize the entire space of the photo size you chose so it cuts it off? And so then you need to save something like a 5×10 template on an 8×10 page so it won’t do that? Yeah. These goes don’t do that! YAHOO! You just need to put in the Special Instructions to ‘Print Full Frame’ and they’ll take that 5×10 template photo and put it onto an 8×10 and leave the 1.5 white space on each side. Can you say Hallelujah?! :)

Here’s a little somethin’ about them just so you can get to know them better too!

As professional printers we take great pride in printing high quality prints for our customers.  Each order is done and inspected by hand to make sure that everything looks great!  We mostly print 12×12 & 8×8 scrapbook pages – which are printed on true photographic paper.  This is awesome because it gives your print archival qualities making them water proof, scratch resistant, and have a shelf life of over 100 years without fading!  What a great way to preserve your memories!! :)  We also offer other great services in addition to our fabulous prints such as gallery wraps, metal art and photo cards and many more.  We offer 100% money back guarantee – if for any reason you are not satisfied we will reprint your print or refund your money.  Honestly, we just LOVE what we do!!  Hard drives fail – so preserve your precious memories by getting them printed and being able to enjoy them with your family and friends for years to come.  

And so what do you think when you get two minds like that together on a week like this?

Uhhhh . . . yeah.
That would be this:

They are graciously giving one lucky winner an 11×14 gallery wrap.
It would look something like this (baby not included ;) ):

Can you imagine giving that away as a Mother’s Day gift?
How perfect would that be??

To enter, leave a comment in today’s post with your name and where you’re from
(U.S. residents only again–sorry),
and I’ll draw a winner on THURSDAY morning.

And don’t forget that yesterday’s Project Life giveaway is still going and ends tomorrow!
Check it out in yesterday’s post.

And I will share more photos later of my trip…on account-a the post just gets even longer than it is, but here’s a photo of one of the places we saw, Temple of the Sun….and Temple of the Moon is to the left of it. The whole trip was a lot of fun and if you live locally, you should do it next year. We also did light painting and star trails, which were cool. I’d never done it before. Like I say, I’ll share more on all my trip next week some time. But for now, take a gander at this leave-at-4-am-go-over-hill-and-dale-in-the-dark-on-the-dirt-road-less-traveled photo. Seriously, that road was crazy! Let’s just put it this way, Rex wanted people with 4-wheel drive to drive that 26-mile dirt road. I can see why. ;)

[ this contest is now closed ]

The one that says: ‘Such a perfect day. I’m glad I spent it with you.’

How many times have you just had those moments where you were
just happy and content to spend some time with a favorite someone?

Well, now that phrase is in action here with a page from that ever-so darling, Miss Nichol.

I loooove seeing shapes come to life!

[ Shapes | Happy (title) / This+That: Freedom (sunburst) / This +That Family  (small flower+leaves) / Scallop Flower Freebie / Storyboard #1 ]

just. adore.

(the colors just totally make me happy too.)

Took a vacation today.

Wind and cold blew in. Bits of snow. Just bits. A flurry here and there.
But a look out the window at the lilac bush and its green buds a-burstin’ gives one
hopes of the warm weather to return very soon.

And then a layout like this from little ol’ Nichol just adds to the excitement that we know it’s spring.

[ Shapes | Flower Bouquet / Going Places (title) / Storyboard #6 ]

Love . . . love . . . Nichol’s use of Loni’s new Flower Bouquet kit here!
And how she popped up the squares in the storyboard? Wow.
All the tiny details . . . ya just gotta pour over it . . . seriously.

Here’s what Nichol has to say:

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is take photos of the beautiful foilage and flowers that are so different than from where I live. To give added depth and dimension to my photo collage, I printed it twice, cut the “frames” from one of the collages and pop dotted it on top of the other collage. I love how it gives the collage a dimensional look and feel. I added mini clips to add to that feeling.

I printed the florals from Loni’s new kit and created a floral border from bright patterned papers that compliment the colors in my photos. 

I can never have enough storyboards!

Did I say that before?
I just can’t remember.

Okay, so yeah, that’s sarcasm. I say it all the time! :)

So when the brain starts swirling in a direction,
ya just gotta go with the flow.

Therefore, I present to you Storyboard #6:

Price: $10

This kit includes a variety of styles. Generally 8″ or 10″ wide (or long)  so that you can print from home or take it to photo printer.

It also includes a fun photobooth template that has square holes so that you can use it for your Instagram-style photos, if’n ya’d like. As well as two 4×6 templates–created with Project Life in mind–so that you can include more photos for any given day or event. Snapshots 1 + 2  would be great for it too.

As with all my recent photo template kits, you can choose to use the template ‘as is’ or add a straight or rounded corner frame. I love being able to decide what I want with just the ‘flick of a switch’, so to speak.

There’s also a couple other templates in this kit that are a little unique. If you look at the example above, you’ll notice that there are two templates where the photos overlap. It’s just kind of  a fun way to add a little personality to your amazing photos. But then there are a few more choices for it than the usual borders. Certain images have a larger border as well as a separate image for that border so that you can add shadows separately to those photos.

They look a little something like this:

and this:

So as you can see, it adds a different dimension to the template. So you can use it the regular way, or add that dimension. Just a fun little twist. :)

I also thought it might be nice to show how to use those two particular templates as well as share a fun little tip on using the borders.  So here’s the video for you to take a look.

I have a problem.

I love storyboards.

Okay, make that I loooooooooove storyboards.

They make gathering photos and placing them all nice and neat so much faster . . . and it’s more flexible!

Gone are the days of measuring the various sizes you need, cropping them, and then printing them (or vice versa) . . . and . . . oh . . . oops, I made a mistake and have to start all over. I had many of those days!

That’s why I can never have enough storyboards (aka photo templates).

And the beauty with my more recent kits is that you can now–with the click of an eyeball (on your Layer, silly)–choose to have a frame with straight corners, rounded corners, or no frame at all. Don’t want it black? No worries. Just use your Paint Bucket tool on the frame layer and ‘fill’ it in with the color you need.

Variety. You know me. :)

Take a look at the brand new Storyboard #5.

[ Layered PSD files to work in PS/PSE ]

This set is a mix of different styles, including a couple contact-style sheets for 4×6 photos. Great for using with Project Life! And if you want more variations on 4×6 photo templates to use with Project Life, check out Snapshots 1 and Snapshots 2.

And in case you were wondering, YES, this kit is on sale too!
It’s normally $10–on sale for $7. Today only though!

In addition, all storyboard templates are on sale today for 30% off

You can find them all under this link HERE.

[ Refer to the Tutorials link in the menu above for how to use these templates. ]

And here’s a little reminder at what’s on sale each day (and that day only)
for the rest of the week.

And just so you can see them in action?
Here’s a few that Nichol Magouirk has shared on the ol’ blog.

[ click on images to take you to original post for details ]

I think Nichol may be addicted too. ;)

And if you’re noticin’, those three pages also happen to focus on three of the This+That series: Autumn, School + Christmas/Past.