Update and Giveaway!!

Hey guys,

I know you haven't heard from me for some time and for that I am sorry. I have missed you all very much. I really enjoyed hearing from those of your who sent messages. I am glad you all have still remained followers. So many things were going on, but now I am back and have organized everything so this never happens again.

Over the next few weeks I will share with you various crafts I created for some of the events and celebrations I have been busy with as well as the usual categories I used to post.

There are going to be a few changes to the blog and how it operates.

1. The name of this blog will be changing to "Crop Divas Destination" so please update your subscription information for those of you who follow by RSS feeds. I figured it is not just my crafts on this blog. Some of your work you have shared with me is featured on here too, thus the name change.

2. There are going to be more prizes and giveaways as my way of saying thanks for your loyalty and to encourage you to complete pages with future crop diva challenges. Some times we get stuck in a rut so I want to help so we can all get as many pages as we can done.

3. I am the only designer of this blog so it became quite overwhelming trying to stick to the post schedule of Free SVG Mondays, Free Layout Sketch Wednesdays and Free Friday Scrapbook Tutorial Videos. Instead when I have more time I will add more posts, like some weeks you may get double, even triple post categories.  When I don't have as much time there will be less, but I promise you that there will always be something new posted every week and it won't be me blabbering, it will be something to get you inspired and motivated to be a crop diva.

To get things going again I have a giveaway!! It is this super cool T-shirt. It is 100% cotton and absolutely cute as you can see.  It says "Scrap Queen". Which we all are! This T-shirt size is XL, but if you need a smaller size we can connect after you win.

How you can win?

There are 3 ways to enter the giveaway.

Every one you complete gives you more chances to win. 

➀. Follow my blog. 

(Click here to visit the new blog and follow)

➁. Leave a comment below this post. 

(Let your voice be heard. As little or as much as you like.)

➂. Put a link to this post on your blog.

(Leave a comment with the link to your website so I can award your entry.)

Good Luck!!

Reminder: For those of you who follow by RSS feed please update your subscription.  This is the last post that will be posted as www.craftsbyrowena.blogspot.com. The new blog address will be www.cropdivasdestination.blogspot.com. 

Later Crop Divas!

Rowena

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE Sketch Wednesday #24

Hello Scrapbookers,

With so many celebrations I am once again having trouble choosing the 'special' photographs. They all tell a story or I just like how they look. This is a layout that I will be making into a double layout. I am just going to duplicate this sketch on a second page but will include more journaling in the area where the title information is located on this sketch. Enjoy!

Ta-ta for now - Rowena
Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE Sketch Wednesday #23

Hello Scrapbookers,

Usually I design my sketches with either all small photographs or all large photographs so in my latest projects I have been playing more with mixing the sizes of photographs where the larger photographs give an overall story of the moment and smaller photos that tell some of the background stories. Enjoy!

Ta-ta for now - Rowena
Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE SVG Monday: Snow

Hello crafters,

Everywhere I look there are piles of snow. It finally warmed up today - 26 degrees - so some of the snow melted but it did not make much of a difference for the huge piles of snow that has accululated over the major snow we've been having. I finally took the kids to play in the snow and I plan to use today's free SVG to add to my project. I will show you how I prepare mine tomorrow as well as some of my quick and easy crafting tips.

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

As always, remember to let your memories feed your creativity™.
Ta-ta for now - Rowena

FREE Sketch Wednesday #22

Hello Scrapbookers,
Sometimes when I am trying to complete a project quickly there is a particular layout sketch that I use. I am sharing it with you today. It is not complicated. It is rather simple to duplicate. However, I always end up creating something completely different. I change the orientation, the embellishment, the style. It may be plain or I go totally mad and use various distress techniques to make a one of a kind creation. Enjoy!

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tip

You have heard me say it before, and it is my crafting tip for today. Over the past few months hopefully you have had the opportunity to be with your family and friends to celebrate the holiday season and the new year. So, let those memories feed your creativity and the possibilities will be endless. You may even surprise yourself. 

I am happy for all of you you follow and support me. I feel very blessed that what I do is creative enough that you keep coming back.

Ta-ta for now - Rowena

FREE SVG Monday: Reindeer

Hello crafters,

While driving a few days ago a deer ran right across the street I was driving on. I have seen deer before but never that up close and I had heard stories of the damage they can cause to a vehicle so I was a little shaken up. Well, I could not get the that deer out of my head. Then inspiration "hit" me! I should design a deer for this week's SVG file but not just any deer - Rudolf the red nosed reindeer. But how would I figure out what he looked like.

Well...since Christmas was over I saw him taking a walk around in the snow in my back yard and as an avid scrapbooker of course I had my camera with me and I just happened to get a photo of him right before he could run off as you can see below. 

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

This SVG would look absolutely awesome on a scrapbook page.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  For dimension and added interest use dimensionals to pop up the antlers instead of just adhering it it with a non-dimensional adhesive.

➋  You will definitely not be able to add real snow to your projects however, you can make your own snow by tearing some white paper. Tear a set of paper to whatever size you need for your project then place the reindeer in between the two pieces of paper and presto - instant snow!

❸  According to the size of your project you can cut this SVG at different sizes and have a family of reindeer.

➍  Use alcohol ink or permanent markers to color your bling, or pearls as in this case, as one way to add the eyes and nose.

As always, remember to let your memories feed your creativity™.
Ta-ta for now - Rowena

FREE Sketch Wednesday #21

I hope everyone had a great Holiday. With Thanksgiving and Christmas I know their are memories you would like to scrapbook. Today's layout is designed to fit 3 photos and lots of space for journaling.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tip

➊  One of the things that is very easy to do in scrapbooking but is not done often is tearing. The patterned paper in the layout is torn on both sides.

➋ Distress your photo mats with a distressing tool for added interest.

➌  To get even more use out of this layout twist it in different directions to create a double pale layout.


- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE SVG Monday: Gingerbread People

The night before Christmas we like to make gingerbread people. My 19 month old daughter was so happy to help mom in the kitchen. My son who used to love cooking with me is now too "old" for that he said. He did finally show up when the decoration was done and they were ready to eat. Even though he did not prepare it with the two of us while dad took pictures he really appreciated having a delicious treat made with love.

 

I had so much fun making those gingerbread people that I wanted to share that experience with you. The SVG today is very basic - a gingerbread shaped boy and girl. They are a canvas for you to create whatever your memories inspire you to do. This is how I used this week's design.

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips
There are many way to decorate your gingerbread people. You can make it a simple or complex as you like.

➊  The white swirls on the boy was done using an embossing pen and embossing powder whereas the lines on the female was made by a white gel pen.

➋  Use stickles to draw on your project. I have learned that hard way that you should lightly pencil what you are going to draw with the stickles before you actually apply the stickles to the project..

❸  Be totally creative doing whatever you feel.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE Sketch Wednesday #20

Well as I promised in my earlier post here is today's double sketch. Enjoy!

Sketch #1

 

 

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tip

➊  If you use stickers or even chipboard pieces you may have the negative space. If it is chipboard cover it with paint or paper to add to your layout and mix it with regular sticker or chipboard pieces.

 

 

Sketch #2

➊  For added interest use two different fonts for for your title.


- Let your memories feed your creativity™

Happy Holidays

I have been so busy getting ready for the holidays but I want you to know that I always think of you. Happy holiday to all of you! I want you to know that I appreciate you for sharing this journey with me.  When I started this blog I had no idea that I would have so many subscribers and followers. I am really touched that you have chosen to make me a part of your life's journey. I hope that I continue to inspire you.

More and more of you are downloading my SVG files and I am excited about that. Leave a comment sometime with some feedback. I have been trying to design more 3-D SVG files so that they can add more interest to your projects. I would appreciate it if your let me know what you think about those designs. I also would like to know if you prefer the old way I showed the SVG files or if you like it when I actually make something and show how I use the design.



I will be posting 2 layout sketches later today and tomorrow, I will unveil some blog candy. Free goodies! You are going to love it! I will give complete instructions on how you can enter to win when I post the video.

I have recently added a blinkie to the blog. You can see it over on the right. To show your support for Crafts by Rowena add it on to your blog.  That is also one of the ways you can earn an entry to win the blog candy. When you add the blinkie to your blog just leave a comment with the link to your blog and you have one entry.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE SVG Monday: Ornament

Today's SVG design was inspired by Christmas. It is so much fun seeing all the decorations and the many ways people interpret Christmas. I decorated my Christmas tree in purple (my favorite color) and gold. So I designed this ornament to coordinate with mt decorations but as you know you can cut this SVG file in any color and any size to fit your needs.

 

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  To add interest and dimension use dimensionals to pop up various parts of the design and add glitter. You can never go wrong with a little glitter.

➋  I included the word joy (not included in the SVF file) on the ornament for some added interest. You can personalize it to use as an ornament on a tree, on a card or a scrapbook page.

❸  When adhering items over glitter or slick surfaces make sure to use a strong adhesive such as glossy accents by Ranger or Gloo by KI Memories.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™ 

FREE SVG Monday: Wreath

Today's SVG design was inspired by my husband. Well, actually I asked him what I should design and he told me a wreath. You can make the wreath as big or as little as you like. I placed mine on my stocking and it looked great. I used dimensionals to pop up the various cuts as you will see in the second photo. I love designing 3-D designs for you. You can enjoy this design on any project.

 

 

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  To add interest and dimension run your die cut through the embossing machine with you favorite embossing folder.

➋  For a little shine use Rock Candy stickles by Tim Holtz. It's not all glittery, it gives it just the right amount of shine.

I see that there are many download of the SVG files. If you complete a project using this free file send me a link of your project. I would love to see what you do with this SVG file.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™ 

Pink Mini for Susan G. Komen Foundation

The Silent Auction I participated in a while back was very successful. I had given you a sneak peak of the pink mini album so now I would like to show you some close up photographs and the videos I made of how I put the pink mini together. I hope it inspires you.

 

 

 

 

Pink Mini [Part 1]

Pink Mini [Part 2]

I know that the last few frames of the part 2 of the video was lost so here are some even closer close ups.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend.!

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE Sketch Wednesday #19

Another item that has been really popular are bingo cards. They are printed with various words and look very cool on layouts. When making this layout I used very light color for the base and used more vibrant colored paper for the accent pieces for added interest. Enjoy!

Submitted by Tamara

 Click here to visit her blog.

As always, if you create a project inspired by this sketch send me the image link and I will include it in this post.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

The Masked Crusader

Both yesterday and today the kids have been home because of the snow. It snowed so much we could not go outside to enjoy it. They were getting a bit restless so I decided to use my crafting skills to keep them occupied. My son played video games but for an 18month old it's a whole different ball game. With a rounded square and two oval designed and cut with my cricut expression, eyelets (for reinforcements) and ribbon I made Hailey a mask. This was so simple but she just loved it. She kept running around so this is the best shot I could get.  This just shows that you can can use your cricut for so many things. The sky is the limit!

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE SVG Monday: Gifts Galore

There's less that 19 days before Christmas. I have been busy trying to every just right for the holidays but I know there will be some glitches. Remember that when you are preparing for this holiday season. We cannot control everything especially other people. Anyway, what I have been working on the past few days are my presents and this design popped into my mind. It is a trio of gift boxes. You can't see it in the photograph but I used dimensionals to raise the boxes off the main background. Be sure to keep the proportion choice activated when you are resizing the SVG file. I have created this as part of my Christmas design for December but as always you can tailor this to be used on a birthday, wedding, retirement, baby shower celebration project just to mention a few. Enjoy!

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  Instead of using patterned paper or just plain cardstock get out your embossing tools and make your custom designs on the gift boxes.

➋  If you will be using this on a scrapbook page use the wrapping paper so it will coordinate with your pictures plus you help save the environment. :) Using the gift wrap paper on a thank you card could also be sweet. The person will be so pleased that you enjoyed not only the gift but the effort they put into choosing and wrapping it up.

Send me a link of your project. I would love to see what you do with this SVG file.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™ 

FREE Sketch Wednesday #18

One of the hottest products lately are journaling cards. Making Memories has a note book of journaling sheets that is especially popular. If you have heard of Tim Holtz you may be familiar with his adage tickets. Both products have been out for a while but I wasn't sure how I could incorporate it into my style of scrapbooking. Well, I purchased both of the items this week and decided to include it in this week's sketch layout. Enjoy!

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  If you do not have journaling sheets simply cut some cardstock to the desired size and use either of these tools.

The EK Success Binding Edge punch

I got mine at Michaels

 or a

Stampin' up Spiral punch

If you do not have a Stampin' Up Demonstrator 

Click here to check out the website 
of my personal demonstrator and friend Janice.

➋  If you are not able to get those tools in time to complete your layout. Try making your own with a simple hand punch. First gather you cardstock and your hand punch. The one I used is made by Fiskars. Use a ruler and pencil to mark where you would like your holes to line up then punch your holes. Use a an Exacto knife or any tool that will make a small and even cut through the holes in the cardstock.

Submitted by Tamara

 Click here to visit her blog.

As always, if you create a project inspired by this sketch send me the image link and I will include it in this post.

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE SVG Monday: Trimming the Tree

Wow! Time is just flying by. We just got done celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon be upon us. We have already put up our christmas tree and decorated it with my favourite color, purple with pink and gold accessories. Tomorrow I will post images of the projects I created with this design.

Click here to download your FREE SVG file. 

- Let your memories feed your creativity™

FREE Sketch Wednesday #17

One of the products I just love using are the Heidi Swapp clear stamps. This layout features one of her word stamps - Memories. She has many stamps and embellishments to choose from.  To find out more you can visit her website - www.heidiswapp.com or your local crafts and scrapbook store.  During the Thanksgiving season we make so many memories and we take many photographs.  I included four photographs because I know there will be lots of photographs of family and friends for this special celebration. Pictures tell a story but it doesn't tell everything so I designed this sketch where the journaling was the prominent feature to help tell your Thanksgiving story.

Submitted by Tamara

 Click here to visit her blog.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  For a nice detailed impression use VersaFine ink with your stamp image.

➋  For added interest do some wet embossing with your stamps

As always, if you create a project inspired by this sketch send me the image link and I will include it in this post.

- Let your memories feed your creativity

FREE SVG Monday: Fa La La La Flower

Christmas is right around the corner so I thought I would design a Christmas themed SVG. Although this design could be used for a variety of layouts using these traditional Christmas color combinations makes it a great addition to any card or scrapbook page.

Click here to download your FREE SVG file.

Rowena's Quick & Easy Crafting Tips

➊  Instead of using plain cardstock choose patterned paper for your cut outs to add interest.

➋  If you are using one sided paper and you are bothered by the white on the back add color by using your favorite ink pad and a sponge. 

- Let your memories feed your creativity™