1 post tagged “scrap artist”

ScrapArtist's front page is beautiful; can the kits inside match up?

Title                 Color My World
Designer          Lori Barnhurst & Michelle Coleman
Released         March 2007
Price               $36.00 after March 27th - until then $30.60.  Save: 15% off  This is for the DVD version.
Link                Here
Cost Per Item  @15c (best guess)

Site blurb "If you have been wanting to give digital a try, then this collection was made just for you! Packed to the brim with everything you need to get started, complete with a 20 page tutorial on getting started using Adobe Photoshop. This collection, created by Lori Barnhurst and Michelle Coleman, is not to be missed, even if you are already a seasoned scrapper, we've loaded it up with gorgeous papers, elements, brushes, quick pages, and layered templates that you will only find here!  This collection was SO LARGE that we have decided to create an online catalog sampling some of the goodies you will find in this amazing collection. Please note that this the DVD version. It totals 860 MB so it will not fit on one CD, if you need a CD version, please contact us. If you would rather not wait for the DVD to be mailed to you, please order the Download version here. This amazing collections includes:

• 52 Papers
• 3 Complete Alphas:
  Metal Brad Alpha
  Hand Doodled Alpha
  Hand Painted Alpha
• Stitching Brushes
• Distressing Brushes
• Doodle Brushes
• 8 Layered Templates saved in .psd format
• 8 Quick Pages saved in .png format
• 7 Decorative Stitching Elements
• 8 Twisted Ribbons in Various Colors
• 10 Colored Brads
• 3 Buttoned Felt Shapes
• Buttons
• Button Stitches
• 3 Cardboard shapes
• Inked Edges
• 2 Tied Ribbons
• Scalloped Edge Frame
• Film strip Frame
• Rubon Doodles
• Word Art
• Flower Frame
• Frog Charm
• Notebook Paper
• 4 Painted Words
• 9 Decorative Photo Corners
• Photo Turns
• Ribbon Buckles
• Pressed Petals
• Stitched Ribbon Cluster
• Stitched Flower Borders
• Stick Pins
• Bling Heart Buttons
• Bling Flowers
• Crocheted Flowers
• Painted Flower
• 6 Stitched Hearts
• 20 Page Starter Kit Tutorial For Photoshop"

When I started digiscrapping I trawled the internet looking for freebies.  I started at Gotta Pixel, which led me to Shabby Princess, then Carrie Stephens,  then onto the other digital sites.  I then graduated onto actually handing over cash for kits.  If this kit had been out when I started scrapping I would have become Lori Barnhurst's and Michelle Coleman's scrapping flunky! I'll come right out and say it now, before I even start the review - whether you are a novice or not, you should buy this kit.  Buy it on DVD, it's a bit more expensive but let's face it, even if you downloaded it you would be backing it up anyway, so save yourself the hassle of dropped connections and the pain of downloading an 860+MB file.

Now, to the kit.  As I paged through the online catalogue I was more and more impressed with the range of this kit.  None of the papers scream, "BOY" or "GIRL" at me, which says a lot for the versatility of the kit.  All the seasons are represented as well.  There is nothing in this kit that is old fashioned, and nothing that is "NOW!" so the kit won't lose its shine.

Papers - 52 papers.  As you would expect from ScrapArtist,  they are heavy on the brushwork  As the brushwork is exemplary this is definitely not a problem.  There is a balance between plain and patterned.  The patterns include florals, stripes, spots, argyles and swirls.  They are green, blue, peach, orange, crimson, cream, purple, lilac, pink and brown.  The plain papers are very rich looking in texture.  They will really add something to your layout, rather than just sitting wishy-washily behind the picture or underneath the journalling.

Elements - Design Meeting "So, what elements shall we put in this kit?"  "We need buttons" "And ribbons"  "What about charms?" "Definitely loads of charms" "Brushes?"  "Do I have to answer you?" "Shall we put in a stamped alpha or a handwritten one?"  "How about both?"  "I do believe that is a great idea"  "Bit of bling?" "Big bit of bling.  How about some crocheted flowers?"  "Only if we can have some stitched flowers"  "Deal.  We'll throw in some cardboard shapes"  "And some lovely stitched hearts"  "Oh go on then"  "Shall we throw in a kitchen sink?"  "Ha haha ha!"

Seriously, there is everything here for the novice and the seasoned scrapper.  I have been buying kits for 18 months and there are elements here that I would love.  There is a great mix.  On the preview it shows some petals, stitching, a ripped paper border and a metallic charm alpha that aren't in the online catalog, I'd like a closer look at those.

Templates and Quick Pages - Fab.  What a great idea for a trainee scrapper.  Instant gratification and it hooks the new scrapper into wanting to create more.  Feed the scrapping addiction!

Tutorials - This is where the kit is lifted even higher into the must-have category.  Every non-designer will find something here to improve their scrapping.  I love the clean LO of the sheets.

One Sentence                  A great addition to your hard drive whether you are a veteran or a novice.