{inter} National Scrapbook Day 2012 - Blog Hop Freebie

This weekend is {inter} National Scrapbook Day, and to help you with your digital stash the Design House Digital designers are giving away this amazing collaboration kit, called Retrospect:

You can get this kit for free!  We have made it easier than getting it download by download...just collect the coupon code letters as you hop from blog to blog starting at the beginning.

Now for a quick tip:

MAKING A PATTERN BRUSH IN ILLUSTRATOR

Just for stopping by, I would like to share one of my most used tools in Illustrator...making dotted and scalloped shapes!  I am a "self-taught-project-by-project-Illustrator user", so when Carina Gardner shared this quick tip, I decided I had to pay it forward!  I did some crazy time consuming work to get a dotted or scalloped shape for many years, I can't let you do it too! 

 

First make a circle and keep it selected.

 

Make a new brush by selecting the "new brush" button, and selecting "new pattern brush". Click OK.

 

The pattern brush options will come up. Change your scale to what you would like.  I set this brush to scale - 25%, spacing - 100%. Click ok.

 

Your brush will appear in the brush pallette. Draw a circle without a fill.

 

With the new circle selected, click on the new circle brush in the brush palette.

(You can change the spacing and size by double-clicking it in the brush palette, and even see a

preview if the preview box is checked.)

 

I also made a half circle and did the same steps as before to make a scallop brush.

 

I wanted my scallops closer together, so my spacing came down to 15%.

 

Make another non-filled circle and keep it selected.

 

Select your half circle brush for a scallop edge.

 

 I made another circle and changed the size and spacing for the look I was going for.

 

This is how my decorative circle turned out.  I hope this helps you in your creativity.  The possibilities are pretty endless with this little tip!  I know it makes my work so much more fun!

 

 Now for something to WIN!:

STARS AND STRIPES FABRIC GIVEAWAY

I know it isn't paper, but wouldn't you love to win some of my Stars and Stripes fabric?  Perfect for a picnic quilt to spread out and make some memories to scrap about! 

 

Enter to win your pick of 5 different fat quarters from the Stars and Stripes Fabric Collection by commenting here and telling me the song that reminds you most of SUMMER!!!

You can enter again by becoming a liking the Deena Rutter facebook page and commenting that you did!

Entries must be in by May 7th, 11am MST.

 

Don't forget to grab your letter, you will need it to get the RETROSPECT kit for FREE!

If you are doing the DHD Layout Challenge, my challenge is to use the font league gothic in your layout.

Now, head over to Carey Bridges blog to get some great info from her as well:

Carey Bridges

 

 

Comments

[Gennifer]

GREAT tip! :) P.S. I think I have your coat. If I was skinnier, I wouldn't tell you, because it's so darn cute.

[Michelle Huegel]

country music makes me think of summer, driving with windows down, singing along!

[Michelle Huegel]

already like you on FB :)

[ConnieC]

Beautiful fabric. I like "Vacation" by the Go-Gos. I have find memories of watching that video on MTV when I was in Jr high during the summers.

[tenika]

like you on FB :)

[tenika]

"Boys of Summer" :)

[Mary Rogers]

beautiful fabric Deena! Most of the hair nation songs from the 80's remind my of my summer between my junior and senior years in high school....but Brian Adams "summer of 69" is my favorite.

[Bunnyfreak]

Coming to America

[Mendie]

American Pie by Don McLean

[Amy N]

Alice Cooper: School's Out

[Nicole Gray]

hmmm I don't know if I have a favorite summer song. But I do love the 4th of july and would love the fabric. Hmm maybe proud of the red white and blue.

[Denise Reid Wright]

I liked you on facebook :)

[Denise Reid Wright]

Love the Stars and Stripes fabric. My favorite summertime song is Kid Rock "All Summer Long".

[Suzie]

On oldie from my teenage years - Summer Breeze by Seals & crofts.

[Monique van Duren]

Great tip on making the brushes. I hope I can use it someday. Unfortunately I don't have Illustrator. I love so many songs, but this one gives me such a happy feeling: rollin' through the sunshine by Trailer Choir.

[Barbara]

Ekkkk LOVE the fabric! Would make a great summer bag!
How about Red Solo Cup (except for my cup always would have an Arnold Palmer in it)
http://www.cmt.com/videos/toby-keith/699783/red-solo-cup.jhtml

[Barbara]

I Liked you on Facebook!

[Lindzie H]

Song that reminds me of summer...it's a Sum 41 song but I can't remember the name of it! grrr...anyways, not a big deal. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Meagan]

I have to say that I am HORRIBLE with music. Not that I hate it, I just can't bring up names of songs or artists, or anything.
With that being said, the only thing that comes to mind is the Beach Boys.
Although with 4 kids - Phineas & Ferb's theme song that goes "There's a 104 days of summer. . ." jumps in, too.

[Meagan]

I have been a facebook fan for some time now :)

[Callie]

Love your tut! Thanks!

[Kristin V]

OH MY GOSH! I LOVE those prints! I would love to win them! I'm JUST learning how to quilt and have been wanting to make a fun summer quilt out of prints like these.

My favorite song that reminds me of summer is Kid Rock's version of All Summer Long. Talks all about being a teenager in Michigan. I went to Michigan for the first time ever 2 years ago and I could totally see the song while I was there. I fell in love with it!

[Melanie C]

I love the fabric!!!!
Any song with a fun upbeat rhythm reminds me of summer.
Like a comment above: I know that Phineas & Ferb all too well :)

[Christina G]

I'm reminded of the song, "Summer of 69" I love summer! AND I love fabric! :)

[Christina G]

I also like you on Facebook!