Design Challenge #24 - November/December 2015 - THEME
 

Theme for Design Challenge #24 - November/December 2015

We haven't done a theme challenge in a while, so...

The theme for this challenge is WATER! Use Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids, Bay Lake, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, rain, resort swimming pools, or even frozen water in Expedition Everest as your inspiration; anything that has to do with WATER in any of its forms!!!

There is no specific color palette this time; use any colors you wish, just make sure your submission fits the above-listed theme.

Deadline - Friday, January 1 (by 11:59pm CST) I know it isn't "technically" in December but it's the most convenient date I could come up with...
Reveal and Blog Hop on Friday, January 9.

There have been some changes to the Design Challenges, please read the information below for updates. The biggest change is this: This kit will not be sold in the MouseScrappers store. The only way to get it is to participate in the Design Challenge. Since the kit is only available to participants (shared between friends), many of the restrictions that were in place for previous challenges have been lifted. Please contact me if you have any questions.

As you are planning your contribution, please look through the things others are making so the kit doesn't have a lot of duplicate items. We want this kit to have tons of variety! Try something new, learn a new technique, and stretch your boundaries a little! Check out this thread for resources, tutorials, tips, and tricks for designers.

We would like to include two templates in this kit. A PhotoShop template with at least 25 layers will fulfill the minimum submission requirement. You should submit both a layered PhotoShop document and untrimmed PNG files named 1,2,3,4,5,etc. The first two people to send me a PM indicating a desire to create a template for this month’s challenge will be listed below.

Template 1: sthompsonfoto
Template 2: murmer

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions can be any combination of papers, individual elements (such as ribbons, scatters, frames, etc), word art, alphas, and clusters. The minimum number of unique items is 5; the maximum number of unique items is 25. The same paper/element in different colors counts as one. A full alpha fulfills the minimum requirement. Although you may submit any combination of items you want, we would prefer to see themed mini kits (which include a combination of papers, elements, and possibly a coordinating alpha).
• You must include a TOU in your submission. A basic fill-in-the-blank TOU can be found here if you don’t have one of your own.
• There is no mb maximum for submissions, but please make sure you are sizing a saving your items according to the following guidelines.
  • Papers should be:
    • 12”x12” 300dpi (which is 3600pixels x 3600pixels),
    • Saved as a JPG file that is about 3mb.
      • In Photoshop, after clicking on the “Save As” button, enter the desired file name and select “JPG” from the dropdown menu; click on “OK”. A popup screen should appear entitled “JPG Options”; change the quality value to “8” and click on “OK”. Saving the file with a value of “8 or 10” for quality will ensure it is the correct size (approx. 3mb).
  • Elements/Alphas should be:
    • Sized appropriately for a 12”x12” 300dpi layout; make your items the same size you would want them to be when creating a layout. For example: 12"x12" is not a reasonable size for flower elements; 2"x2" is more appropriate,
    • Trimmed so there is a minimal amount of blank canvas around the item,
    • Saved as a PNG file—the file size (mb) will vary based on the size (inches) of the element.
  • A preview of your submission is required. It should be:
    • 600pixels x 600pixels 72dpi,
    • It must minimally include your name (the one you used to save the files) and pictures of the items that you created for the challenge,
    • Previews may be as basic or elaborate as you want them to be.
      • A basic preview would tile the papers and/or line up the elements,
      • A more elaborate preview would arrange papers and/or elements in a more creative manner—as designers do to advertise their kits.

Some quality issues to pay attention to are listed below. If you have questions about what these things are or how to prevent/fix them, please ask! Everyone can benefit from adhering to these bullet points.

• Do not pre-shadow elements or elements on papers.
• Make sure paper textures aren’t blurry at 100%.
• Check that elements are not cut off or missing parts.
• When extracting or creating elements, be sure the edges are not jagged. Do NOT use the paint bucket tool to recolor elements--you will get jagged edges every time!
• After creating a paper or element, check to be sure it is in gamut.

You can find more information on QC issues here.

Files and Zipped Folder(s):

Naming your files:

Your MS username_DC#_element type_description

Paper Example: MMouse_DC50_paper_green.jpg
Element Example: MMouse_DC50_button_red.png
Alpha Example: MMouse_DC50_alpha_uppercase_A.png

Naming your folder(s):

Your MS username_DC#
Example: MMouse_DC50

If your username is longer than 8 characters, please use an abbreviation. Avoid using spaces anywhere in the file/folder name. If you design under a different name, you may use that name instead of your MouseScrappers name.
Please limit the size of each zipped folder to 50mb. If your submission is larger than 50 mb, please split it into separate zipped folders to help control download times. If you have more than one zipped folder, name them in this manner:

Your MS username_DC#_folderletter
Example: MMouse_DC50_A & MMouse_DC50_B

To zip files place all your elements and a TOU inside a folder, then zip that folder. This is automatically creates a folder containing your files in whatever folder the user unzips to. Please submit only ZIP files, do NOT submit RAR files.
There are many ways to compress (zip) a folder. You can use a program such as WINZIP or, if you are on a Windows operating system, there is a utility built into Windows that you can use.

• Right click on the folder containing your items and select “Send To”. Click on “Compressed (zipped) folder”. A new folder will be created in the same directory with the same name but it will be compressed (zipped).

Uploading Submissions:
We will be utilizing DropITtoME to collect submissions. When you are ready to submit you items, send frogfish (Christina) a PM for the link and password. Don't worry, it's super easy and I will receive your submission immediately (no waiting to download).

Disclaimer:
This kit will NOT be sold in the MouseScrappers store. The only way to get it is to participate! Every month you participate in this challenge, you will receive the resulting design challenge collaboration kit (for that month) free of charge, but will receive no compensation (monetary or otherwise) for your submission to the challenge. Copyright of your submission remains with you.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. You DON'T have to be a designer; anyone can do this! The more people who participate, the bigger the monthly kit will be!

I will make another template! I wish my talent went any further, but right now it does not!!

I will do a Beach/Little Mermaid kit and will make some goodies for the Blog Hop too!!

I'll do a mini kit with a cruising theme and I'll participate in the blog hop.

Can I do a template this month?

Can't wait to see what everybody comes up with in this theme... so many choices! ;) Really need to think about my part... ;)

I want to participate. I will try something with rain.

Would World of Color work with the theme since it's a water/light show? If so, I'll do that!

If I can find inspiration I'd like to do a "Christmas Beach" theme ... Santa in swim trunks ... Blizzard Beach, etc.

Glad I checked in - so I have tine to play with this one!!! I am definitely in!

Not sure what I will do yet but I'll figure it out!

Count me in and please include me in on the Blog Hop. Thanks:flowers:

I just uploaded my template...I would like to participate in the blog hop. Thanks

BLACK FRIDAY TIP: 75% off commercial use products at sugarhillco.com today. After today it is 60% off thru the rest of the weekend. If you spend $20 at Miss Tiina's shop then you can get a $200 code for one time shopping spree. I took advantage of a similar offer during DSD (spend $20 get a $100 off code) and got an insane number of products with it just now :woohoo: Great time to stock up on some layered patterned papers and such

Hoping you check this out before Monday!!! I have a probably dumb question... or 2... Are her papers layered? and do I just change the layers and change the colors of the papers to make them my own? I would love to do more than templates for DCs but I have no clue what I am doing!!
Thanks

Hi Stacy,

Yes, she (and many others who create CU patterned papers) create them in separate .psd layers so you need to recolor layers. Some also have.png files in case you don't use Photoshop/ Elements. You should be sure to check the description to verify the file types included. Other types of files to help you create papers are overlays. I haven't purchased any of those but I'm guessing they just may be single .png files(?). I'm no expert on CU products, but I like a number of designers on SHC. It's almost addicting looking at the products... My problem is I imagine potential uses., esp when prices are good.. As if I have time for all the ideas in my head, lol.

I hope that helps!

Don't forget that Wendy has the RAK forum for those of you who want to try both!

I'm glad this Design Challenge is a 2-month challenge. Usually I work longer periods at a time on my kit. This one is a little time here-and-there. :)
It'll be fun to see what everyone else has been doing!

I have my template complete and have sent a message to someone to get it converted for the PNG files but have not heard back from her. I am trying to set it out to you I promise!

I just uploaded my submission for MSDC24. Thanks again for organizing this!

Sorry for being late, Stacy.... Just replied to your PM.
My own laptop was 'out of order', so haven't been online much. I had a laptop borrowed, it had photoshop, but not all my own tools. My husband was able to fix it last night, yay! So... now I have only 1 day left to get something ready... I was thinking about something for Blizzard Beach (since it's wintery themed), but propably only will have some papers and an alpha ready... Of course I'll join in the bloghop, if I get anything done... ;)

I sent mine Christina thanks so much for hosting this challenge and all you do for the MouseScrapper community :flowers:

Okay, it was a race against time, started only yesterday, made some mistakes, so had to start over again, have been gone to my parents and in-laws most of the day, but.... I have something ready! Not much (only 7 papers, 9 elements and an uppercase alpha including numbers), but at least it's something. Just sent it to Christina. Of course I'll have a coordinating 'Mickey Style' freebie for the bloghop as well! And I hope to add some more papers and elements, so I can have it as a full kit for my shop as well! ;)
Anyway, pretty proud to have joined in all 24 DC's so far! :D

Christina...I uploaded 2 folders today, A & B. I'll also participate in the blog hop! Thanks!

Hey Christina -

Just uploaded 1 file with my mini-kit for the challenge. Please include me in the Blog Hop line up too!

https://mom2aprincess.wordpress.com/

Happy New Year!!

Shahar

Just wondering, when will the bloghop list be available? Hope to get things pre-posted tomorrow!

I just sent out the link to the collab and the blog hop lineup. Thank you all so much for participating!

The blog hop will be on Friday, January 8 around 9 am CST. Below is the final blog hop lineup.

Pooh46: http://bookladydesigns.blogspot.com/
Chef Minnie Mouse: http://lisacampbelldesigns.blogspot.com/
Murmer: http://murmerscraps.blogspot.com
Romajo: http://romajoscrap.blogspot.nl/
Shahar29: http://mom2aprincess.wordpress.com/

Thanks to you all for the fun freebies. The only problem is I'm unable to see anything for Shahar29 when I click on the link. The only thing it shows is the last blog hop that she was involved in. I was wondering if the link was wrong or if her blog hasn't been updated.