The Scrapbook Site Design Team Blog

Let the Spring Clean Begin!

With spring comes a desire to shed the layers of winter dust and find the bright shine of Spring underneath.  I've begun that journey through the house and most particularly my crafty area.  It's easy to do this because I love my craft area.  It's my haven, my spot where I'm creative and comfortable and totally in my element.

I share my room with my youngest son's toys.  I did that on purpose so we could be together where we're really comfortable.  He can entertain himself with his plethora of goodies and so can I!   The thing is, just like his toys, my supplies can get really messy.  I mean REALLY messy.  Hey, creativity is not a clean and pristine place.  It's a place where small bits of paper gets left behind, paint splatters and tools and embellishments get tossed about.  My creative process starts out very organized but the end result is hardly that.

To combat the mess, I do take a bit of time each week to tidy my space.  Each Spring and Fall, I take a lot of time and go through my room and do much more than tidy.  I purge and either RAK or sell those things I've not used and won't.  I make sure things are still organized and functioning well.  What isn't functioning well, I change it. 

For instance... last year I was not really utilizing my stamps.  I have a lot of stamps for a scrapper.  They were being stored in my closet an on wire shelves that tended to get overlooked.  In truth, they were sadly under used.  A closet can be used for a lot of things, but things tend to be hidden away in there.  I decided to change it up and put things I'll use often and frequently in the closet.  My theory was that if I had my lesser used materials in plain view, I'd actually use them. They were now where I could be inspired by them more often.   I also decided to better organize my stamps.  I found beautiful decorative suit cases in which to store them on my shelves where they called out to me. They are arranged by categories and the containers are so lovely I can't help but enjoy looking in them for all my fun stamps.  My theory has worked.  I've used my stamps on far more layouts and cards in the past month than I did in the past year.   

Why not take a peek into your scraproom and your organization methods and decide to clean, purge and get ready for Spring!  You know you need the room.  After all, the new CHA products are filling the A Walk Down Memorty Lane shelves and you'll be wanting to get all the goodies for yourself.  You'll need to make room!  Take some time to organize, purge, RAK, PIF and sell, but don't forget to place your orders first.  You'll have plenty of inspiration to get busy and work hard getting your room ready for the product that will be arriving in no time at your front door!

(And to help spark some more inspiration to your organizing efforts, check out the "Scrap Space" gallery at The Scrapbook Site!)

Online Photo Editing

If you don't have a photo editor or feel somewhat intimidated by the one you do have, I have great news for you! There now exist two free on-line photo editors that can help you quickly resize and make basic adjustments to your photos.

The first is Picnik. It's available in several languages apart from English, including French, Spanish and Italian. No registration is required and the free option allows you to:

• Fix your photos in just one click
• Use advanced controls to fine-tune your results
• Crop, resize, and rotate in real-time
• Tons of special effects, from artsy to fun
• Astoundingly fast, right in your browser
• Awesome fonts and top-quality type tool
• Basketfuls of shapes from hand-picked designers
• Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
• No download required, nothing to install

Not only can you work on photos uploaded from your computer but also those you have already uploaded to Flickr, Facebook or Photobucket

The second option is Adobe Photoshop Express. Yes, Photoshop is available online! According to the website

Do what you want with your photos. Give them cartoon colors. Distort them. Go nuts. Turn average photos into jaw droppers with options like Pop Color, Sketch, Hue, Black & White, Tint, and more.

In addition you can store up to 2 Gigas worth of images and create a personal gallery once you register.

I took the two sites for a test ride with the cute photo of my cat about to be bad (she likes to munch on the greenery).

On Picnik I was able to easily remove the orange colour cast and then I boosted the colours.

Then I played a bit and got a sepia version

The Photoshop site was less intuitive and less user-friendly, but I was also able to  a colour boost

and convert to black and white.

I think both these sites have their uses! I know they will come in handy when I am away from home and don't have access to a photo editor. I definitely recommend trying them out!

Turtle or the Hare?

Are you the Turtle or the Hare when it comes to Scrapbooking?

I used to be the Turtle and I’m sure most of my scrappy friends will vouch for that. At times I would take a full week on one layout. Okay and that was the norm. I now can turn around layouts in one day possibly two if I’m stumped. Since time is such a precious commodity I thought posting a few easy tips to help shorten some of the time spent on a layout so we can spend more time making memories.

*If you use the same photo size over and over, pre-cut photo mats. To save $ and time buy white cardstock by the pack and cut several white mats to a 4/14xx 61/4 size.

*Keep a small notebook with you, when you have a spare minute, jot down some of your ideas or journal prompts to help you with a layout.

*Use your own handwriting for journaling instead of computer fonts. ( I need to work on this one)

*When taking photo’s try to fill the frame and eliminate the need to crop out cluttered items in the background.

*Avoid matting your photos and use a precut photo frame, this adds dimension and to add a quick flair; touch it up with ribbon and trim!

*PAGE PACKETS (my favorite) As soon as you get your photos developed, sort them according to how you will be scrapping them. Browse through your supplies and pull out items you feel will work with your photos or theme. I pack everything together in a 12x12 page protector. When I’m ready to scrap I just pull out my packet and everything is in one place!

Hoping you find these tips helpful!

Angie

Overcoming Scrapper's Block:

One question, I hear asked quite often is:  "What do you do when you lose your scrapping mojo?"  Since we are all individuals with unique personalities, the way we deal with lack of inspiration is a varied as we are.  We all have to figure out what works best for us.  I can, however, tell you what works for me!

Don't stress over it!  -  This is my number one rule.  I find that if I allow myself to worry and become frustrated about losing my muse, it makes it worse!  However, If I will just relax and have faith that it will return, it will actually come back much quicker than if I cave in to worry.

Do something else! - I do other things that are non-scrap related.  Sometimes, my creativity simply needs a break.  I will clean house, run errands, bake a cake, go for a walk, play with the kids, etc.  I make it a point to enjoy myself!  I don't allow myself to even think about scrapping!  After a while, I feel refreshed and that creative itch always returns before long!

Fill your creative tank!  - When you create, you are expending energy.  I think of my car.  I fill it with gas, so it will get me from place to place.  If I allow my gas tank to run dry, I won't get very far and will make myself and husband (because he has to come pick me up) very grumpy, in the process.  The same concept applies to creativity.  If I allow my creative tank to become empty, I don't get very far.  I also get frustrated and grumpy if I try to force it.  So I have learned, I need to always remember to re-fuel.  Some of the ways I fill my tank are: reading a good book, visiting design websites, viewing other people's artwork and layouts, observing nature, listening to music, watching an inpiring movie, etc.  The important thing here is I take the pressure off myself to create. If I will simply allow myself to be filled with the creative fuel of inspiration, I generally find myself speeding down that creative path once again! 

If you are, in fact, experiencing scrappers block, I hope I have provided a little encouragement and given you some ideas.  I will leave you with a few non-scrap related websites that inspire and provide me with a little creative fuel.  Enjoy!

• http://www.thescrapbooksite.com/gallery/
• http://www.designspongeonline.com/
• http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
• http://www.aisling.net/blog.htm
• http://www.cottagechicstore.com/

Until next time....

Happy Scrapping,

Kelly Shults

Check THIS Out!

If you ever find yourself in need of inspiration, or if you would just like to see what awesome looks like then you have to check out The Scrapbook Site Gallery...  Leave some love for your fellow scrappers and then upload your own LO's, altered art, or cards!  Make yourself at home by creating your own portfolio and picking all of your favorite LO's to scraplift later on.  And hey, who knows, your layout could be the next 'Layout of the Day'!

You can also check out a few different ways that you could use A Walk Down Memory Lane's sweet kits!   And make sure to check out the 2007's Design team's take on the kits from the last few months... Because you can still get yours at the store!  (some of them are even on sale! *wink* *wink*)

And for those of you who have already discovered the gallery... have you taken a closer look?  We've got sketches, challenges, and contests to jumpstart your next work of art!  And if you don't believe me about the works of art, just check out this slideshow of some of the recent awesome-ness that's been going on over there...

It's Officially Spring!

I know we are all looking for warmer temperatures to go along with the budding trees and peeking flowers.  My yard is starting to look beautiful with the pink and fuschia azaleas, bright yellow daffodils and even the sweet purple and lavendar violets trying hard to show their little faces toward the sun. 

With all the lovely colors coming up, I had to turn towards a spring palette to alter my newest piece.  I found a "L" at my local WalMart in the craft close out basket for a dollar.  Being that "L" is my initial, of course I had to bring it home.  I thought I'd share how I made this simple little bit of Spring for my craft room. 

What you'll need:
wooden initial (if it is prepainted no worries, if not, you'll need to give it two coats of white acrylic paint)
chosen patterned paper
chipboard
rub on letters
white paint
coordinating ink
embellishments as desired
paint brush
liquid adhesive
strong double stick tape

Instructions:
Turn your paper to the wrong side of the paper lay your letter on it to trace.  Once traced, cut out using a craft knife or scissors.  Set aside.

Once your letter is painted, rough the surface just a bit using an emery board or fine grit sandpaper to accept the adhesive.

Coat the letter with your liquid adhesive.  I like to use an old credit card or similar card (those junk mail ads for more cards do come in hand to use as a spreader for glue) to spread your adhesive evenly across the surface of your letter and carefully place paper on letter right side up.  Using a clean edge (like a bone folder or even a brayer) roll over or smooth over paper to remove any air bubbles.  Set aside to dry.

Cut your chipboard into four small rectangles.  I used three little pieces that came from a package of Fancy Pants chipboard embellishments.  They were the insides of four chipboard bookplates. 

While your letter is drying, base coat paint your chipboard rectangles with the white paint.  You can speed up the drying process of your painted chipboard using your heat tool. 

Once dry, use your rub ons to spell out your message.  While I love the message "Live Laugh Love",  I chose to change mine around to read "Laugh, Love, Live" to convey the message that to laugh and to love is to live.  The fourth message is self explanatory!

Ink edges of tags with coordinating ink.

Adhere any chosen embellishments to your tags and set aside.

When the paper is dry and firmly affixed to your letter, carefully trim to edges of your letter using a craft knife and a steady hand! 

Once the paper has been trimmed, use an emery board to lightly sand the paper to give the illusion of the design having been painted onto the letter rather than paper having been added to the wood.  The paper will fade into the paint rather than having solid edges showing against it.

Adhere your tags and any other embellishments using double stick tape or glue dots.

If desired, finish your project with two coats of matte finish modge podge.  Set aside to dry for 24 hours. 

Enjoy!

Materials used for this project that can be found in A Walk Down Memory Lane store include Basic Grey Two Scoops 6x6 paper pad, Basic Grey [Un]dressed  Chipboard Hardware, Gloo, Double Stick Tape. 

Tag Book

Thanks for stopping by The Scrapbook Site DT Blog!  This is my first official posting as a new DESIGN TEAM MEMBER!  Whoot!  Whoot!  I am so happy and thrilled to be apart of TSS team and hope to send a little inspiration and some creative vibes your way!  Speaking of inspiration... check this out!

I always love a good challenge, so I was naturally drawn to participate in Cathy Zielske's "Month of Super Short Stories" blog challenge.  I figured even a time-starved college student/Mom/Wife/ like me, could keep up with this project.  It only takes a couple of minutes to journal about anything that happens to occur during that particular day.  Just a quick short story.  Easy Peasy!  Plus, I think it is fun working in a different format than what I normally do.  Cathy even provided the tag template in printable PDF's!  Is she awesome, or what?

I hate to throw anything away, so I used up some of my scraps from March's Silly Pea Kit to create my cover.  Some of the products I used are:
Pink Martini Flirtini Love Beads/Twist
Pink martini Flirtini Flower Power/Hot pants
Bazzill Cardstock
DreamStreet Chipboard Alpha & Lots of Ribbons!

Here are a few images of the inside of my tag book.    

 

See... nothing to it! :) Why not start a monthly tag book of your own?  It is fun and easy!   At the end of the month you will have created a brief synopsis of your day-to-day life, which will highlight special and ordinary moments/memories/events that you may otherwise have forgotten.  Just remember to keep it simple and have fun!  Until next time...

Happy Scrapping!

Kelly Shults 

Sneak Peek #2

As promised...here is kit # 2 for April.

This kit is soft, flowery, oh so pretty!

It features Bo Bunny Organic and My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie paper lines.  Of course there is some gorgeous textured Bazzill cardstock to coordinate, and some really FUN embellishments here!  Queen & Co chipboard alphabets, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, and even some Tinkering Ink rubons!

You won't want to miss out on this kit!  It has textures, beautiful colors and double sided paper to boot!

Time for some Sneak Peeks!

Kit #1 is a bright and cool kit with Prima DUDE and My Mind's Eye Just Dreamy Star Bright papers!  ots of fun embellishments in this kit including some KI Memories lace cardstock in Boogieboard Stars, Clear Scraps acrylic 6" star, and much more!!

We have just a few of the March Spring Morning  kits left.  This one is beautiful and perfect for any spring/Easter pictures you have!  This kit features Making Memories Garden Party and Imaginisce For Peep's Sake papers and embellishments!

Tomorrow we'll show off another sneak peek of the OTHER April kit.  Think OPPOSITE of the kit you see here!!

More Spring Morning projects

Trudee created a few different cards using the March kit Spring Morning kit and a few extras!

This card was for a challenge, and she even used a Making Memories Tag Rim to highlight the little birdie.

This second card is a unique square shaped card.  She used more Imaginisce For Peep's Sake papers from the kits, and punched out the little circles from one of the papers.