Organization

One of my favorite organizational things is this tool caddy. An old wooden basic toolbox found abandoned in my inlaws basement I took it home and cleaned it up- then painted it and stamped on the front to match my then scraproom. I love it because it holds my scissors, adhesives, markers etc. and if I want to go scrap in another part of the house I just carry it with me. It's also great for crops... I just stick it in the car!

Time Saver Tip #1

If you read my last post you'll probably think that I am insane when I tell you that I have been working on Christmas Cards. But, before you decide that someone has to help this poor woman and try to have me committed, let me explain.

My time saver tip #1 is to realize that sometimes you can't do it all and that sometimes it's okay to use a little help. In this case help came in the form of a Christmas Card kit. After years of making handmade cards for the holidays everyone has now come to expect them. This year I won't let them down- I just won't be designing them myself. I ordered this awesome kit from QVC (QVC.com item number F03675 if case you are interested) The kit contains 50 cards - 2 each of 25 different designs!. Each design comes in it's own bag with everything you need precut and ready to be assembled! I've made half the cards in less than 2 hours!
All I have needed so far is my trusty Zip Dry Glue and a pair of scissors. You can make these ANYWHERE as everything is stored together in a cute candy cane striped box.

So while I haven't had time to sit still in my scrapping room to create- I have found time at the kitchen table while talking on the phone and today I am planning on taking the whole kit and caboodle to the dentist office waiting room. They are
famous for keeping me waiting!

Drowning in Scraps

Truth is there is only so many hours in a day.. yet somehow I always try and make a couple extra hours magically appear. The only thing that keeps me grounded is being creative. When I am making something I find that I become totally immersed in what I am doing. Suddenly, all the other things I need to do disappear from mind and I am
only there in that moment.

I am swamped. Overloaded. I've reached the point of **TILT**
I am the Committee Chair of a Boy Scout Troop
I am the Camp Director in October for a weekend long camp for 1500 people and have to plan and provide everything needed.
My oldest son has his Board of Review Saturday for his Eagle Rank- if he is approved I will need to plan his Eagle Ceremony and Reception. Meaning food, decorations, invitations, thank-you gifts, etc. etc. (you get the picture)
I will need to have my house guest ready as out of town family and friends would like to attend his ceremony.
I need to get his scrapbook completed to be on display.
My youngest son is going backpacking this weekend and somehow I have to come up with a very lightweight menu he can carry on his back that isn't complicated so he can
cook it himself.
I am the Design Team Coordinator for Rocky Mountain Hobbies and have to keep up with
my duties there as well as come up with great creative ideas and inspiration.
My church has been meeting in a high school and our Grand Opening of our newly built church is the first weekend in October. I'd really like to contribute.
I have 2 dental surgeries planned in the next 2 weeks. (one is today)
Friday I have a very important meeting at my sons school.

The list is endless!

How are we to do it all and still keep true to our creative self? I'm convinced the answer is in organization and time saving ideas. How do you carve time out of your
busy schedule for scrapping?

This is an area I would love to explore more here on my blog. My creative side is
desperate for solutions and lack of sleep just isn't going to cut it anymore. I refuse to believe that I can't do it all. How about you?

Don't Mess With A Great Photo

I love this photo and wanted to make sure is was the focus of the layout! A tip for using a long line of stickers that you want to keep straight is to line them up along a ruler so that just the bottom of the sticker is actually stuck to the ruler.
Then lay the ruler onto your layout where you want the letters to go and carefully make the tops of the letters that are hanging off of the ruler stick. Do all the letters then ease the rest of the letters off of the ruler and press into place.

In real life everything is straight and aligned- but, no matter how many times I stitched the layout it isisted on adding the little wobble in the middle. Ack.

Cute and Easy!

Sorry I haven't been posting everyday! My DSL is not cooperating. One minute it works, then it doesn't work at all, then it crawls and won't let me upload anything, including a Blog post. I've given up and am going with a different company- hopefully I will be rolling along by the end of the week.
In the meantime I've been doing a little origami! I've been making Scout Shirts to use on the front of my son's Eagle Scout Ceremony Invitations. I still have more to
fold and then I will add the patches and Merit Badge sashes to them. I'm surprised at how easy they are to fold and thought I would pass along a link to the instructions:
http://art-smart.ci.manchester.ct.us/how_to/how_to_hi_shirt.html

Patterned Chipboard

While working on the challenge I haven't forgotten about those of you who check my blog for techniques and ideas! So on some days I will be making multiple posts. This
is a circle journal that I created from a $1.00 Target Dollar Spot album. The album came with a kraft brown cover that already had the square hole in the center. Since the theme for my Circle Journal was "Outside My Window" I decided the square "hole" would make a perfect window. I made the window frame and dividers from wooden sticks found at Walmart. I whitewashed them with white acrylic paint and then cut them to size and glued them into place. The sky patterned paper was cut to size and adhered to the back of the cover for depth. The curtain is made from floral ribbon that I folded accordian style and glued into place. Finally, the flowers are white and off white Prima flowers that I inked to the colors of my choice and the centers are just punched from patterned paper.

The siding and the chipboard letters are made using the same technique. Using a glue stick coat chipboard entirely and adhere your patterned paper onto it. If you have a brayer or a rolling pin - go over it to make sure that everything is stuck and there aren't any air bubbles.
For the siding I cut quarter inch strips and then slightly over lapped them when glueing them to the album. I hand cut the title- but, you can use a die cutting system if you have one. It's a great way to make unique chipboard letters!

Art Inspiration Journal -Day 1

Creating this journal entry wasn't hard...posting it is!

"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life & learn how to master the technique of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age & look back on our lifeonly to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life." -M. Russell Ballard

This is quote given for Day 1 of the Challenge. In my art inspiration journal I doodled a page about my creative goal. To find confidence in my own style and to lose the fear of what others will think of my creations!

As creative people we all buy books and magazines and spend forever on the internet looking at other peoples work. But, when you stop and think about it the people that inspire us the most are those who do their own thing! Isn't that what we are all searching to find? Someone whose ideas are new and different? Why can't we be *those* people?

I truly think that new and different ideas are inside all of us.. we just need the confidence to let them out! So here's my journal entry.. done quickly with a couple of sharpies. I'm amazed at how many things I had to say about this topic- it's definately been on my mind longer than even I realized and today I'm letting it all hang out!

One down a Gazillion To Go!

First layout sticking to the challenge and the goals I've set. It's of my son working on Summer Camp Staff serving in the Dining Hall. To help me stick to my goal I used a Layout in the Autumn Leaves calendar as inspiration. The letters and red mat are all one piece! This was fun to do and I like the look! To achieve it I placed my photo on the cardstock where it would be on the finished layout. Then using a ruler I made a line the entire lenght of the cardstock both above and below.

Then I used Heidi Swapp Ghost letters and placed them along the lines and traced. Then I cut everything out!

I've had the pots and frying pan brads in my stash forever as well as the little spoon. If you don't recognize the stars I used they are leftovers from the Rock On layout I posted earlier in the month!

Challenges

Challenges are a good thing and Designer Rhonna Farrer has a great challenge on her blog that I have decided to join. It's just what I need to keep me on track. The
challenge runs for 21 days and is designed to help you get into or break a habit.

I've decided for the challenge that I will enter a page into my art inspiration journal each day and that I will get myself back into the habit of carving out some time to scrap each day. My goal is to finish my son's entire Scout Scrapbook in time for it to be displayed at his Eagle Scout Ceremony. This is quite a task as the date is looming and I have TONS of pages to do!

Am I the only one who makes themselves scrapping promises who ends up not keeping them? I swear I have the best intentions, but if I don't feel inspired then I can end up not scrapping for days on end.

I'll be posting here on my blog each day as I progress in the challenge. Wish me luck.

Ohh it's not to late to join - just go to RhonnaDesigns.com!

Free Embellishment Idea

Recently I made a scrapbook for my sister all about the construction of her new home. I didn't have much notice when making the album so I instantly hit the internet in search of the perfect patterned papers and embellishments. One of the embellishments I purchased were these way cute paint can lids by K&Company. If I remember correctly they were close to $5.00!

Right off the bat I wished that the stickers on them were larger and more easy to read. But, they worked none the less. (Excuse the photo, the one lid that I ended up using is missing from the set.)

Soon after I finished up the album I was making orange juice from frozen concentrate.
I opened the frozen tube and discarded everything in the trash and then it hit me that the metal top that just pops off is exactly like the K&Company lids. I pulled that sucker from the trash and stuck it the dishwasher! I've been saving them ever since.

How cute would it be to make your own labels to add to the lid? Or to use them on cards - I see them as wheels, hubcaps, maybe painted to match the plates used on your thanksgiving table, or turned into super cute xmas ornaments as tags for xmas presents! How about a row of them each containing a letter for a layout title?

You've just got to love a Freebee with so many possibilities!!

Signs

When photographing an event or travel destination don't forget to photograph signs that might say where you are or might describe what you are doing! The photographed signs as used in this photograph can make great interesting titles. They can also be used as wonderful accents that are an actual memory of the event.

DSL Woes

My apologies for not posting for a couple of days.. my DSL doesn't want to cooperate. It works on and off and when it is working things are moving at a snail's pace. I've got a call in for repair on Monday!

Big Impact - Little Effort

I really like to look of the laced ribbon on this Layout. First I installed two rows of evenly spaced eyelets and then I simply laced the ribbon through them as if I was lacing up a shoe.
Out of the box finds on this layout include the snow flakes which were dollar store xmas tree items and a tiny beaded bobby pin holds the letter "J" in place.
The green and black color scheme is a bit unexpected and gives the entire layout it's punch.

Bargain

I found these temporary Tattoos at Dollar General for $1.00. They reminded me of expensive rub-ons. Tattoo art is so hot right now in the Scrapping World- I thought I would give these a try. The tricky thing is that they need water when applied so how I am going to use them is going to require some thought. Maybe on top of Coated Chipboard?Anyone have any ideas?

Good Enough To Eat!

Created for an 8x8 recipe swap this layout incorporates a bunch of nifty tricks! Let's start with the fringe. One of the scrapping tools that I couldn't do without is a small hole punch. I find I use it all the time.
Here I used it to punch a row of holes to hang fringe. The fringe is made from different colors of embroidery floss tied into the holes and then cut the same length. I used the colors in the striped paper as guide when picking out the floss and for the order in which to hang it.

The cactus was made from one of those inexpensive foam stamps using acrylic paint on white cardstock. Once dried it was cut out and adhered to the layout with pop dots.

Another tip are the small flowers on the cactus. I order Prima flowers in whites and off whites and then ink them to change them to whatever color I might need- in this case red and blue.

Finally, I added images of the actual ingredients to my journaling. These were found by using Google.com and clicking on Images when doing a search!

Bonus.... don't forget about the recipe it's delicious and a GREAT one to take to picnics and potlucks!!

Kool-Aid

Ever notice how after a child drinks a glass of Kool-Aid how their lips and tongue turn the same color as the drink? That's because kool-aid can be used as an effective dye. For the layout above I used Red and Blue Kool-Aid to dye the fabric along the bottom of the page as well as the fabric photo mat. It was also used to create the red white and blue tags. I love this look and plan on making more dyed creations.

To make them I dumped a packet of Kool-Aid into an old clean peanut butter jar then added about a half cup of boiiing water. For the striped fabric I dipped a foam brush into the Kool-aid mix and painted the stripes onto thin white denim. Cotton fabrics work best.
For the tags I simply dipped them into one color then flipped them around and dipped them into the other color. If you have a die cutting system you can cut as many things in as many shapes as you'd like to dye.

I let everything dry overnight and then heat set the dye the next day with a hot iron. Vinegar can also be used to set the dye.

To save my dyes I placed the lids on the peanut butter jars and labeled them and stuck them in the fridge.

Also, be sure to protect your work surface from the Kool-aid as it will dye it too!
I placed newspaper over a large cookie sheet and then put freezer paper over that to work on. This worked out great because I could move my finished items to another room while they dried.

I haven't tried it yet..but, I hear stunning results can be made using the dyes and coffee filters. Simple drop tiny drips onto the filter using an eye dropper for a tie dyed effect.

Fun and Cheap!

Paper and More Paper and Cardstock, OH My!

Every scrapper has a lot of money invested in Patterned Papers and Cardstock. You want to be able to keep it neat where the edges won't get bent and the papers won't get creased while you've looking through them. You also want to be able to organize
them so you can find just the piece you need.

You can store much more in a smaller space if you store them vertically. To create my own storage solution I used Priority Mail boxes from things I ordered online.

First, if you're using new boxes, remove the adhesive strip from the bottom of the box and assemble the bottom. Then remove the top flaps with an exacto knife. Next, on one of the thinner side measure up 5 inches and draw a line across the short side of the box.

Next at the top of the box in the corner opposite from the side where you drew the line- measure in 2 and a half inches and make a mark. Do the same thing on the other long side. Next, using a marker draw a diagonal line from the mark you just made to edge of the short line. Repeat on the other side of the box. Cut and remove the parts of the box you no longer need.

Finally, cover your box with white contact paper or any pattern of paper you choose.

To make dividers for your boxes use posterboard. Cut 12 inches wide and 13 inches tall. Add tabs to the top so you can label your papers however you decide to organize them. I traced the tops of file folders to make my tabs in three positions I could stagger and then used the first three diveders as templates to make the rest.

How you divide your papers is a matters of preference. Mine are sorted by manufacturer with the exception of certain themes, like Scouts, Holiday or Disney.

I love this storage solution and as I start to run out of space I just make a new box when my next shipment arrives.

Flea Market Fun

Yesterday morning was gorgeous. Wanting to spend some time outside we decided to head to the Flea Market. You never know what you'll find at a flea market..but, I walked away with enough bargains to make happy! My first find was 4 minature decks of cards- 2 red and 2 blue all for a $1.00. These are the perfect size to use as embellishments on layouts or for cards. They also make fun, mini artist trading cards. Next I discovered a brand new Scrabble game for $1.00! I love the look of Scrabble tiles when used on a layout for the title. Then I stumbled on 12 packages of rubon alphabets. Made as office supplies there are both upper and lower case alphabets in each package and multiples of each letter- cost $1.00 for the lot.
My final purchase was a package of 12 Sharpies for $3.00! Not bad for a grand total of $6.00! I was hoping to find some things I could use in the redo of my scrapping room- but, didn't have much luck. Oh well- maybe next time!

Stars are HOT!

Stars are popping up everywhere in scrapping. To create this layout I used acrylic paint and foam star stamps on cardstock in colors that coordinated to the papers I chose for the layout. Some other cool things - striped paper snipped and cut in funky lengths. My son's own handwriting for the Journaling on his playlist. Odd sized pictures framed in white. (I did it on the printer, but it would have worked equally well if I had framed them using white cardstock.) I think the not so symetrical design lends itself well to the Rock 'n Roll theme. Aren't teen boy pages the hardest?

Scraps, Scraps and More Scraps

A fun and economical way to make titles is by using letter stencils. You can find letter stencils just about anywhere they sell poster board. Use the actual stencil and cover it with paper- then use your hole punch to get at the hard parts and cut out the letter. Made with scraps of leftover paper, ribbon and embellishments- each one is unique. They work great for cards too! I've always thought they would be amazing if making an alphabet album- just haven't gotten to that yet! HA!

A couple of other economical tips... the sand on the Summer title is actually cut from paint chips that have a real sandy texture found at the home improvement store- but, actual sandpaper would work just as well. On the Yum title all the treats are stickers. To lose that bumpy sticker look you get when applying one over multiple layers I stuck them onto white cardstock and then cut them out and adhered them using pop dots.

To give the Monogram letters even more definition I applied ink. Using a make-up sponge cut in half I stuck it in the ink and then inside the edges of the letter
before I glued it to the background. Did you know that once you use a make-up sponge you can reuse it in another color just by snipping of the edge with ink on it? Then
it's good as new. Another way to add definition to the letters would be to carefully
outline them with a thin marker.

I think these stencils would be to make gift tags for xmas.. use xmas themed papers and embellishments and the gift recipients initial!

Gone Postal!

Just a note to let everyone know that this morning all the Paperbag Summer Album kits went postal!! Please let me know when they arrive!!

Texture Magic Dimensional Paint by Delta

It's eewy, it's gooey and you get to stick your finger in it. What could be more fun than that? I love this stuff! I think it is made to be applied over a stencil and then when the stencil is removed it leaves a raised image, but I love it for scrapping.

For this layout I first drew the wave shape onto a piece of transparency then I applied the texture paint and pushed it around with my finger until it had a shape I liked and left it to dry. Once dried I painted it with acrylic paints and finally applied a little bit of shimmery ink to the top.

Here I used it for waves again applying it directly to the paper and then giving it a quick once over with acrylic paint again.
Fun and economical (I still have half the tube left) I think it gives a lot of dimension and texture as well as a totally unique look!
There are a couple of other thrifty tricks on this layout. The title was cut from the leftover water from cropped pieces of photographs. I made the little tow rope handle by bending a paperclip!

A Ribbon Makes Anything Special...

Fun and Easy. Use ribbons and cool embellishments to highlight one photo! Keep your eyes open for cool scrapping supplies at all times! About half of the ribbons used in this layout came off of actual Christmas presents!

Sorry- I didn't get a tip posted yesterday. My trip to the dentist turned into a marathon event and I didn't get home until 8:30pm from a 2:00 appointment. The good news is that I should have a lot of scrapping time during my recooperation.

Maybe- Maybe not...

I may or may not be able to post a scrapping tip today. I am running late for a 2 hour long dental appointment and it all depends on how I feel when I get home. I have bad news about yesterday too- no new thrift finds. Right after I made my blog entry yesterday I stood up and promptly cracked my toes on the desk. Nothing broken. but I sure didn't want to walk around all day. :::sigh::::

I've got the Bug!

Ever have one of those days when you just have to get out of the house? I'm heading out today in search of fun things to use for scrapping and storage. I'm planning on hitting a few thrift stores an antique mall and then previewing an auction in town that is taking place this afternoon. I'll be sure to post any goodies I find. Wish me luck!

That being said..one of the Summer Paperbag Album kits went unclaimed. So a new name has been selected...

katscraps

if you could please email me your address at cantstopcroppin@aol.com I'd be happy to send you your kit.

I'm posting this layout because I wanted to talk about the title. My tip for today is to use your chipboard shapes and letters as templates. For the title I traced around Making Memories Chipboard Letters onto paper printed with text. Then I cut out the letters and smeared different colors of pastels onto them. Next, using thin markers I added the graffiti mimicing the shapes and words I found in the actual pictures. Finally, I outlined them with a thick black marker to finish them off.

I like the way they look and how they have the feel of the skate park. I really like how nothing on the Layout competes with the not so colorful photographs...which after all is why I made the page in first place.

Totally COOL!

A very clever friend recently sent me a package. It was full of scrapping goodies and there in the box was the insert from the lid of a tub of Cool Whip. I looked at
recipes on the back and started to carry it downstairs to put it away in my kitchen. About halfway down the stairs the lightbulb went off! It wasn't in the box for the recipes...it's a template! The shape is exactly what we are seeing used lately on layouts cut from cardstock. Want to jazz it up some more? After tracing and cutting the shape from your cardstock use a small hole punch (or the punch you use to make holes for eyelets) and add holes- one in each scallop! Then try the recipes on the back and reward yourself for being so thrifty & creative.