Write. Click. Scrapbook.

Readers Speak!

You guys are really rocking the lifts! I was so impressed with what you came up with. Here's a handful of reader-submitted scraplifts.

First, Margie Scarpignato lifted the esteemed Ali Edwards:

Ali's original:

 

And Margie's lift:

 

I'm lovin' how Margie adapted the design for her number of photos. She writes, "I love to scraplift. Sometimes I do it more literally than others. This one was a pretty straight forward scraplift. I didn't change much out besides the photos, journaling and the stamp. I love how it turned out. I find I learn alot by scraplifting. It helps me step outside of my comfort zone and learn techniques as well as aspects of design I might not discover on my own. Often after scraplifting I then find I can incorporate new things into my own original designs.

In some cultures & art disciplines students learn by copying the masters. In Japan students even take on the name of their master." Impressive job, lady (and can I change my name to Lain WenkeSmithSimickFloresWinnickCostenDillowDickinsonOvertonPalmer... oh, you get the picture!)

Next, MargotMacG lifted Brenda Arnell.

Here's Brenda's layout:

 

And here's Margot's spin:

 

I like how she changed the title just a nudge, and used the edges for journaling. Woohoo, chica!

Now, guess which layout from Wednesday Kate lifted?

 

You got it! She lifted my lift of Celeste Smith's layout... how's that for six degrees of separation! 

Here's another Ali inspiration from Meastmanak (originally in CK 9/09):

 

...and her spin:

 

Once again, NO ONE would ever have guessed these two were "the same." 

Finally, another reader, Agata, shares my Jody love. Here's Jody Wenke's original layout:

 

And Agata's adaptation:

 
 

Now, if I haven't inspired you to give scraplifting a try, then I have failed... and I hate failing! So go give it a try. Save me some angst, will ya? ;) 

Thanks for spending the week with me!

 
 

The Secret Weapon

Thank you all so much for your fabulous questions, concerns, and comments yesterday. I think we covered the gamut from perfectionism, to journaling, to design worries, to product overload, to cranky bosses. While I can't help much with the cranky boss (though I did offer to write a "Please excuse so-and-so" note), I think I can help with a lot of the other concerns!

Here's my secret weapon: Scraplifting.

Now, to some, scraplifting is akin to cheating on your Algebra test or entering the Betty Crocker Cook-off with someone else's recipe. Not so! Simply put, scraplifting is simply using other designers' layouts to give you a headstart on your own page. You can lift just the design, take only the title or journaling, use their embellishment placement or photo idea, or just use it as a springboard.(NOTE: Later this week, I'll be talking more about scraplifting etiquette, but let me say right now that if you are posting a page you "lifted" to a public gallery, common courtesy requires that you give credit where credit is due. A simple "Inspired by..." is sufficient.)

Scraplifting can help you:

• Learn about basic design rules as you learn from "the masters"
• Improve your photography as you learn what works and what doesn't
• Scrapbook more quickly as you're starting from a framework instead of from scratch
• Become more familiar with your own style as you earmark pages and layouts that resonate with you
• Capture more memories as you get ideas from other scrapbookers
• Get out of a scrapbooking rut as you challenge yourself to stretch in new ways
• Overcome product overload as you limit yourself before you even start a new layout
• Generate new ideas for journaling as you get inspiration from others
• Give you whiter teeth, fresher breath, and spot-free dishes!

Today I'm going to show you some of my personal fave layouts, with the pages that inspired them. You'll see how I adapted another designer's page for my own photos or purposes. Tomorrow I'll share some pages from other WCS designers, and then on Friday we'll talk more in depth about scraplifting etiquette. Finally, on Saturday, I'll showcase some of YOUR pages that you're going to post to our WCS flickr group with the tag "scraplift."

Lift #1: Design

The inspiration piece from Elsie Flannigan's 52 Scrapbook Challenges (one of my favorite books!):

... And my lift:

 

I knew I wanted to do a page about some random facts about me, so I was leafing through my various idea books for a design that could handle a LOT of journaling. Elsie's was perfect! For this page, I took the design but nothing else. Different topic, different execution (you'll NEVER catch me watercoloring a page!), different photo.

Lift #2: Design

The inspiration piece, from Betsy Veldman, published in BHG Scrapbooks Etc., April '08:

 

...And my adaptation:

  

I loved Betsy's four-column design the second I saw it, and tucked it away in one of my many (!!) inspiration binders. When it was time to do a multi-photo page about my brother's family, I was leafing through said binder, and Betsy's design grabbed me. I even mimicked her curlique patterned paper with hand-stitching (one of the few pages I've hand-stitched -- I had the time to do so because the design was taken care of!).

Lift #3: Design

The inspiration piece, from the darling and oh-so-talented Celeste Smith:

And my take on it:

 

Sorry, that scan is definitely sub-par, but you get the picture (wink, wink). I had a single photo of my little gal, and when I saw Celeste's page I knew it was a match made in heaven. I even hand-threaded the buttons (again, I had oodles of time left once the design was set!).

As you can see, these were all DESIGN lifts. For me, that's what I mostly need help with. But I could just as easily have taken the topic, the photo angle, the title... any element of the page where I was stuck. I'll show you a few other adaptations later this week.

Some people say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Me? I think it's the shortest distance between you and a completed scrapbook page! Now you're going to start on your own scraplifts, because I wanna see what you got goin'! 

Your assignment -- depending on your personal "stuck" point (journaling, titles, design, etc.) flip through the Write.Click.Scrapbook. gallery, or one of your oodles of idea books, and pick a page you'd like to lift. Don't spend a ton of time on this -- just go with the first page that "speaks" to you! Then start looking through your photos for appropriate shots. Tomorrow we'll talk more about product selection and how to combat product overwhelm.

 

Welcome, January!

As the new year enters in, our thoughts turn to things we want to change. Resolutions fill our minds, with hope for a better tomorrow. But as we improve some things, other things, our favorite/favourite* things, comfortably, and gratefully, stick around. So before we spend the month thinking of all things bright and new, we wanted to spend a day thinking about those things that make us happy, no matter the date on the calendar, the weather, or our mood.

* to our international readers, please do not think us unkind if we omit your "u" in the spelling of favorite

What are your favorite things? Do you have a favorite photo? A favorite treat? A favorite guilty pleasure? An un-favorite?

A favorite memory recorded? A favorite moment savored?

A favorite what-did-you-just-say?

A favorite moment of introspection?

A favorite old page upon which you still love to gaze? or one that still makes you smile?

A favorite new page that might have to stay out for special viewing for just a minute longer?

A favorite product? or products? A favorite journaling strategy? A favorite design? A favorite mini-album?

A favorite style?

A favorite season?

A favorite bit of current life? of everyday living?

Do you play favorites?

Are your favorites fickle?

Or everlasting?

Do you have favorite people?

A favorite layout of your favorite people in your favorite photo?

A favorite layout that just brings together all sort of your favorites?

Does thinking of your favorites make your mind swirl and whirl with thoughts of journaling and photos and pages yet to be made? Me, too! So whether today begins a new 365 project, or a 10 on Tuesdays, or just a commitment to be more aware of your surroundings, perhaps your first page of 2010 can celebrate a favorite part of you and your incredible life. As you browse our January Gallery of Favo(u)rites, one common thread you might notice is how easily and happily a layout about favorites, made with favorites, comes together. So while wearing your favorite shoes, and your favorite shirt in your favorite color, raise your favorite glass of your favorite beverage to a glorious new year! Happy New Year to you, our favorite readers and friends! May it be a great new year of creating and crafting together!

give.away.day. featuring IMAGINISCE

Let's begin with a holiday song. Channel your best Jingle Bells Tune...

Dashing through the week
Trying to stay ahead
Getting little sleep
Much to do when kids are in bed.

Make sure no one is missed
There's wrapping still to do
But today we here all insist
That it is time for you.

Oh, GIVE AWAY
GIVE AWAY
It's GIVE.AWAY.DAY.
This one's for you
Some fun for you
On this Holiday Countdown day!

Oh! GIVE AWAY
GIVE AWAY
It's GIVE.AWAY.DAY.
Just for you
Cuz' we love you
A GIVE AWAY today!

For our giveaway today, we are excited to present

imaginisce is a longtime fan favorite and has some fun lines on current release. They kindly sent a sampling of their product to our designers so that we could work some of our magic with their lovelies. Here is what happens when great product meets some amazing talent:

page by Aly Dosdall

page by Erin Sweeney

page by Ann Costen

card by Celeste Smith

 

page by Cheryl Overton

page by Sara Winnick

page by Autumn Baldwin

page by Francine Clouden

page by Cheryl Overton

hot chocolate pouches by Aly Dosdall

page by Jody Wenke

page by Jody Wenke

candle decor by Cheryl Overton

mini-album by Francine Clouden

Christmas Organizer by Melissa Kaiserman

For our giveaway today, one lucky person will receive a sampling of imaginisce paper and products and the star on the tree is that the box will also include an

This amazing little tool creates brads in three sizes, allowing you to make all sorts of lovely projects. The i-top Brad Maker family includes the i-top Brad Maker, Brad Daddy blanks and paper punches in 3 sizes; 16mm, 22mm and 28mm. Now you can customize that extra little bit of texture and sweetness that brads provide. And not only can you use it on your scrapbook pages

page by Marnie Flores

but you will also quickly discover many other fun uses for covered brads.

headband by Marnie Flores

(First, cover headband in fabric. Next, stack 6 red imaginisce flowers on top of 2 green imaginisce flowers. Cover medium brad with same fabric used to cover headband using your i-top tool. Pierce flower centers with covered brad. Adhere to headband. Wear and enjoy!)

The imaginisce team has also done some amazing things with their i-tops. (WARNING: Once you click over you will get a bit lost in the wonder, so be sure to come back and leave your comment so you can win!)

If you would like to be considered for today's giveaway, please tell us what scrapbooking product you are hoping to get this holiday season. If it is something with a link, leave it so we can see it too! Comments will close at 8:00 pm PST and the lucky number will be posted tomorrow. Don't forget to check back to see if you are the lucky number as you only have until Saturday at midnight to claim your gift! Can't wait to see what's on your lists!

Tradition!

I've been in the scrapbooking industry for several years, having started as the editorial assistant for Simple Scrapbooks magazine. But I've only been seriously scrapbooking since the beginning of this year. The inspiration for me to start scrapbooking our family's stories was the impending birth of our first daughter. I have three boys, two of whom are already adults going to college and one who is still in high school. So, having a baby now has been like starting over.

(photo courtesy of Sarah Anderson)

As I thought about the gap between my children, I realized that there were so many little things - traditions and memories - that we have with the boys that Elise may never know about or get to share with us and it breaks my heart.

When I hear the word, "Tradition," I think about my Dad and how when I was a child I would stand on his feet and he would sing, "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. He continued this tradition with all of the grandchildren. But this is one of those traditions that Elise may never get to experience for herself.

Traditions are so important. They connect our family and friends to us. They give us something to look forward to and they teach important lessons to our children. So I decided that I'd better start writing these special stories down as a way to connect my two families. What a better way to do this than to scrapbook them with photos and everything! Even though I don't have tons of photos to illustrate every tradition we have, I do remember the following stories, so I took a photo to help illustrate one of the pages. (You can see one of our family traditions that is now also legend in our November Gallery.)

This first page documents beloved story books that I read to my boys. Story-time at our house happened every day after bath-time and was a very special time that we shared together. I wanted to illustrate a few of our favorite books, so I fanned them out and took a photo. The photo of the boys reading just happened to be in a filebox full of photos that need homes in a scrapbook. What luck!

Brandon is reading his favorite book, "Garfield's Two-Minute Stories" to his brothers. And true to what I wrote on my profile, there's my own handwriting. I ran out of printer ink Sunday night and keep forgetting to buy more, so I did what any true-blue scrapbooker would do - improvise! It's not about being perfect, it's about getting the story down on paper, right? RIGHT! And there's a lot to be said about the virtues of preserving your handwriting for posterity.

materials: 12x12 | patterned paper & puffy stickers & rub-ons (Imaginisce) + die-cut letters (QuicKutz)

This next layout features our favorite holiday - Halloween! Every year, until this one, we spent the holiday with my two sisters and our cousins trick-or-treating, watching movies, playing games and eating yummy food. 

To create this page I pulled photos from a few different years. Since I had several photos to showcase, I hid my journaling in the spiderweb paper. Hidden journaling is one of my favorite scrapbooking tricks. In this case, it allowed the photos to really shine and me to use more product without the page looking cluttered.

materials: 12 x 12 | patterned paper & cardstock stickers (Heidi Grace for Fiskars) + die-cut letters (QuicKutz) + Slick Writer pen (American Crafts)

I asked our Collective to share a tradition that is important to them. Maybe our traditions will spark your memory and inspire you to create a page about one of your family traditions. Here's what they shared:

Black Friday shopping with my sister-in-law Suzanne. I AM one of those crazy ladies who gets up at 5 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving to brave the crowds. It's something Suz and I look forward to for weeks, and it's a great bonding experience for us. ~Angie Lucas

My friend always has a holiday party called Pseudo Turkey Day: the Thanksgiving you really want with your friends not family. We dress up, everybody brings wine and food, we play games and hang out. It really is more fun than the real holiday. Another tradition is since I'm vegetarian I always make my own food for Turkey Day. I make a cranberry nut stuffing shaped like a turkey and a spicy brown gravy. My family teased me about it, even refused to try it, but now they look forward to it ever year. ~Jen Wozab

The week before Thanksgiving we put a page up on the fridge with numbers and blank spaces. Each day of that week we each add one thing we're thankful for to the list.  we read the whole list together on Thanksgiving day. ~Aly Dosdall

When I was growing up, my family had the tradition of always going to Pizza Hut on Christmas Eve. It's a little strange, but nothing says Christmas Eve (even now!) to me like pizza and Dr Pepper served in those tall, red plastic cups pizza places have!
As for Thanksgiving traditions, we mostly follow the standard ones, but I always make my Grandma Watson's stuffing from her recipe every year--I'm a big believer in cooking being an important connection to the past. We also do something other than shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving--last year we went to Mount Vernon for a tour. Anything to keep us out of stores that day! No Dillow functions well in mobs/crowds. ~Elizabeth Dillow

We have many traditions for Thanksgiving, including a three-hour drive to Los Angeles from San Diego with our three kids singing a chorus of displeasure at the amount of time stuck in the car, despite all manner of video games, movies and iPods.
We also do the drawing of names for the Christmas gift exchange. And without fail I end up picking the same name every year. As my grandparents have aged, our Thanksgiving meals have become much more of a potluck meal, with each family being responsible for a side dish. And because we have 35 people gathering at my grandparents house on Thanksgiving, there are usually three or four different tables set up to accommodate us all, and usually involves a potluck of chairs as well. And every year, without fail, something always gets left in the oven. Usually a hapless pile of dinner rolls or a crock of peas and onions. Lastly, at every family gathering at my grandparent's house, you need to start your good-byes a good 30 to 45 minutes before you actually want to leave. With 35 people to hug and kiss and three kids to round up, it takes a very long time. ~Tina Cockburn

My sister and I spend Thanksgiving post-dinner planning our attack for Black Friday. That morning, we head out at oh-dark-thirty and stay in touch via phone. We used to meet up at some point, but this year we are 3000 miles apart so it will be remote check in only. ~Lain Ehmann

Usually it's just the four of us for Thanksgiving. So I usually declare the day a pajama day - the kids love it and so do I. Terry not so much. ~Celeste Smith

We have a "stray" party for Christmas Eve - meaning we invite all our friends who don't have family or plans over for dinner and I make up a pile of quesadillas, homemade salsa and guacamole and we have a casual dinner and then play games or watch a Christmas movie together.  There are usually a bunch of kids here so we check NORAD and follow Santa and make reindeer food for the kids to sprinkle outside when they get home.
We don't have any Thanksgiving traditions.  Well, except the weekend after Thanksgiving for the last 4 years we've gone camping with the same group of friends and the Saturday night we have a deep fried turkey and everyone brings a side dish.  I guess that kind of counts. ~Cheryl Overton

I go shopping on Black Friday with my mom and sister. Nothing too crazy, we don't meet up until 10 or so. Christmas Eve is always at my mom's. That's when the girls wear their dresses, we have a big meal and exchange gifts. Christmas Day is much more laid back. ~Erin Sweeney

We don't have Thanksgiving here, though I did make my first ever pumpkin pie last year with the tinned pumpkin Elizabeth sent me (it was wonderful and new to our whole family). 
Christmas Day is always the formal day where we have the big lunch and the lighting of the Christmas pudding (no matter how full you are, you always make room for pudding, custard and ice-cream!). Boxing Day (December 26th) traditionally is a day of rest; playing with your gifts, swimming, and eating yummy leftovers. ~Jody Dent-Pruks

How about you? Do you have an important tradition that your family shares? I hope you'll create a page about your tradition and share it with us on our Flickr Gallery. Or share your tradition with us in the comments section.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Happy Veteran's day! I'd like to publicly say "Thank you!" to the many men and women out there who are currently serving or have served our country. Your sacrifice and service is an amazing offering of yourself and does not go unnoticed around here. (Photo of the Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Elizabeth Dillow.)

I personally have a brother who has served in the Air Force and is now in the National Guard (way to go big brother, Brian!).




And my father-in-law served in the Army 40ish years ago (yeah, Boyd!).

This is a photo of Emily Pitts' great-grandfather and his buddies in WWI:

I've always wondered what I could do with my limited resources and skills to let these amazing people know how loved and thought of they are. Recently, a fellow scrapbooking friend sent me the link to an amazing organization who sends cards that scrapbookers/crafters/cardmakers have created, to people who are serving in all branches of the United States military. (Photo of Sec. 1 of Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy Elizabeth Dillow.)

Operation Write Home is an organization with a mission "To support our nation's armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." What a cool, and might I say, simple goal, that each of us can get involved in! I encourage you to take some time to look around their website, to learn the guidelines and then write an "AnyHero" greeting to let these unsung heroes know they are thought of warmly. If you're a little more ambitious get out a few more supplies, a cup of cocoa and create a bundle of blank wintry-themed cards, blank thank you notes or blank birthday cards for the soldiers to use. This is just what I did! On Monday afternoon I held a card making party at my home where my friends and I made 50 thank you cards for our Troops who are currently serving in the military! Thanks, ladies!

I challenged my fellow WCS team members to create at least one AnyHero card to send out and they came up with some amazing cards! Thank you, Ladies!

Card by Angie Lucas

Cards by Celeste Smith

Cards by Elizabeth Dillow.

 
Cards by Sara Winnick.

Since today is Veteran's Day, remember to thank someone who is serving our great country. Heck! Throw a card-making party yourself and then go to our Flickr Gallery and show us what you've made. This is a great way to use up your extra scraps AND brighten someone's day.

While you're making these cards, remember to involve your children so they will learn to love and respect our military men and women.(These girls live in my neighborhood and joined in on the fun.)

Women in Military Service to America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (that's Maddie and Gracie looking into the water!) Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Dillow.

If you don't live in the United States, remember that you also have amazing men and women serving in your country's military. WCS team member, Melanie Louette, lives in Canada and her community throws a Remembrance Day Parade every year in honor of their veterans. Melanie and her family attended the parade this past Sunday and she was kind enough to share her photos.

What Are You Grateful For?

Hello! Welcome! I'll be your guide for the week. My name is Carolyn Jolley and I'm grateful to be the proud momma of three sons, one daughter and one angel son.

To kick off the week I'm going to focus on gratitude. After all, this is the month traditionally known for celebrating gratitude. According to Dictionary.com, gratitude is "the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful," and being grateful is to be "warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received."

To begin, let me give you a few ideas of ways you can scrapbook your gratitude.

I have a friend who is determined to find something to be grateful for every single day during November and she is following through by updating her Facebook status with a statement of gratitude every single time she updates. When she's finished, she'll have a whole month's worth of gratitude statements that she can put in a scrapbook. Our own Elizabeth Dillow did something similar for Simple Scrapbooks magazine last year where she listed her FB status updates for a whole week on one 12 x 12 page.

A year ago, a friend (thanks, Wendy!) gave me this sweet journal with room to write one thing I was grateful for every single day of the year. She used cute little tags, beautiful scraps of paper and chipboard or cardstock and bound these altogether. It was fun and easy to write one sentence each day.

 See how cute this is? She layered each piece and used a Zutter Bind It All to keep it together. Wouldn't this make a nice Christmas gift this year? I bet most of you have spare tags, paper and other odds n' ends laying around that would work very nicely for this project. A lot of scrapbook stores allow you to use their tools if you go to a crop. Or you might find a store near you that allows you to use their crop room and tools free during certain hours. I did this a lot at the beginning of the year. It's a great way to figure out which tools you like and if you might be willing to spend money on pricier items.

Another scrapbooker (I'm pretty sure it was one of our WCS Collective members - sorry, I don't remember which one) asked each family member at Thanksgiving dinner to write down what they were thankful for and then she took their picture. She paired these next to each other in a small album. Now every year, they can look back and see what they were thankful for at that time in their life. (This is still one of my favorites. Maybe she'll read this and leave a comment telling us where this idea was published and who she is. ;)

This year, I'm grateful that I'm able to stay home with our brand new daughter. What a HUGE blessing in my life.

What are you grateful for? I asked my fellow WCS members to share a few things that they are grateful for. Here is what they said:

I am thankful for community...the people in my life! ~Sara Winnick

I am thankful for the easy transition to our new home in Boston. All the kids are in schools they love, sports they love, and church youth groups they love. Life is good! ~Lain Ehmann

I’m so thankful for my husband’s steady job in this unsteady economy, that he is able to adequately supply for myself and my little family. ~Elisha Snow

I'm thankful for my health. I had a biopsy a couple weeks ago and it came back normal. ~Celeste Smith

Last year at this time my daughter Ryan was battling cancer, so this year I am very thankful she is healthy and cancer-free! ~Jody Wenke

I'm so grateful our baby arrived safe and sound! ~Aly Dosdall

I am grateful that I have the chance to spend one on one time with my kids this year. It’s been a sweet thing, getting to know them as they enter their teen years. I'm also grateful for my siblings. ~Emily Pitts

I am grateful for dedicated people with a vision to build something as cool as the Paul Smith Children's Village (like a big outdoor children's museum) to Cheyenne. This is just one little corner of it, the brick puppet theater. ~Elizabeth Dillow

I am grateful for happy little girls who think jumping in leaf piles is fun, and even more grateful that I am here to watch them do it. ~Elizabeth Dillow

I'm thankful to be a mother. ~Rebecca Cooper

This is a photo of my grandmother, who recently celebrated her 84th birthday.  She is mother of 6, grandmother to 13, and great-grandma to 5.  There are not enough words to describe all the ways in which she has blessed our entire family or that could possibly convey just how amazing she is.  I am so thankful for her strong family values and unwavering faith, and I am so grateful for her selflessness and generosity.  She is and always has been the glue that has held this family together. ~Tina Cockburn

What are you thankful for? If you've created something that shows your gratitude for something or someone, share it with us on our Flickr gallery. Just click the link at the top of the page. Or, if you haven't created anything yet, why not take this opportunity before the holidays get into full swing and capture something that will remind you what you are grateful for right now? In time, you'll be "grateful" you did!

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye...

My last day blogging here at WCS. I had such a great time posting and reading your comments. I know it's summer so everyone's busy, but if you get a chance to do the challenge later please be sure to post on the thread, I really want to see what you came up with. Thanks for joining in this week.

 

 

As for my crop, my evil little plan worked!  ;)  I have a stack of completed layouts and of course some that need to have some journaling or product added.  See...

 

 

 

Now for your questions…

mary said...

I too, love the idea of sorting all the little stuff by color. Do you keep your brads with all the embellies in the same container as well? Just wondering since brads are a constant go-to for me! Also, How do you store all the other things like in the top middle picture? Ihave not figured out a system that works with all that larger 'stuff'.

Mary - great questions! I have two sets of brads. The ones by color go into my bins - I also have a holder for crops that has all American Crafts brads in almost every color sort by color. The larger things simply go into large clear plastic baggies.

lynne mooresaid...

Neat tips. I was just chatting with a friend about packing for away crops. The protable wire rack, what do you do with it at crops? I have a couple "locker shelves" but I use them for display levels when I "work" (vendor supplies) at a crop. What do you do with it to play at a crop?

Lynne - the wire shelf just acts as a place to put more stuff. I usually put my brads and tools under it and then lay some of my bags of kits on top. It just gives me a little more room - if I had my way I'd use two big tables just for myself.

Christa Weldonsaid...

Thanks for your tips. I love those printable lists!! WHERE DID YOU FIND THEM?!!! {drool} I am so in need of these b/c I have tons to do...as does every scrapper! hahaha

Christa - I browse through about a hundred sites everyday and post a find every day on my blog. This was just one of the items I stumbled across. I found another cute to do list here...

http://celestefs.blogspot.com/2009/07/lovely-printable-to-do-lists.html

Melanie K. said... I have a question about your layout ... I am both a digi and a traditional scrapper ... did you print out the cluster of photos, then cut them out? If so, How did you get the margins so perfect on the white 'mats'? OR did you just print the background and photos, then add the tags and staples? I must know! I love the look and love those fish!

Melanie - I printed it out on photo paper - then using regular old scissors I cut them out! :) Glued it down on the patterned paper and added the tags, staples, and journaling after. Those frames for Designer Digitals are to die for and they are layers so you can delete some of the layers or resize them as you need to.

Mande said...

Hi Celeste

Talking about the process is right up my alley! I am very interested in people's processes! Okay, I do have a question for you. You said you that you sometimes print out your own photos after working with them on Photoshop. Is there a secret to getting the colors to come out right? I have an Epson PM-A840 and do not normally print out photos except for special occasions, but the colors don't always look good. Is it something I should change in photoshop or on my printer settings?

Thanks!

Mande - there are a couple things I do to ensure the color is close (sometimes it's not exact, but close.) I would suggest that you either use Epson photo paper or if you use another brand sometimes you can get some software that will calibrate the printer to the paper. I buy my paper from Adorama and it's not Epson. It's called ProJet Royal Satin. I've been using it for years and Adorama has a software download.

The other is monitor calibration. I have the Spyder 3 and I try to calibrate my monitor each time I print. Here is a link to information on how to do this without the Spyder software.

http://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-Your-Monitor

You should also run tests on your printer to ensure that the ink is flowing properly, etc. Look this up in your printer manual or online at the manufacturer's website.

And one more be sure that you have the latest printer driver installed for your printer - check the manufacturer's website for information about this as well.

Here's one more article that is even more technical. If you are interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_calibration

 

Did you see the ad inspiration loveliness in the FLICKR gallery? Here are some layouts for your viewing pleasure...

From Theadora...

 

From Jennifer Larson...

From cadenova...

From our own Marnie Flores...

and

 

Thanks everyone for playing along!  I had a great week and I hope you did too! Next week you get the pleasure of Francine Clouden, fresh from vacation, and broadcasting from across the Atlantic! Come back on Monday to see what she has in store for you!

The Lovelies

Ah product how I love thee! I recently purged about half of my stash. So freeing! I had a garage sale and sold off most of it. My plan is to swap rooms with my younger son in the fall – his room is smaller. So I had to reduce my stash drastically in order to do that. If you would like to take a look at my studio, you can visit my blog. The photos are a little older, but essentially the room is the same. Once I move I'll have less tables and one less Expedit .

Stacy Julian’s The Big Picture changed the way I scrap. After seeing her system for sorting elements by color, I realized that I typically scrap with colors in mind. A couple of years ago, I dumped everything I owned into the center of my studio floor and began to make piles of colors. It was a huge undertaking, but I’m so pleased I did it. No regrets! All my little embellishments, ribbon and brads, etc. are in embroidery boxes by color. All items from a color go into my Expedit in the Kassat boxes. Cardstock is sorted by color. Patterned paper - well I couldn't give up by manufacturer so that's the way it is. I believe that the way you organize your room should reflect how you scrap so this method may not be for everyone. Really think about your process and how you scrap before changing your organization method around.

 

Each day this week I've given you a little freebie printable. I mulled this over for this product post and  came up with printable labels. These are great not only for layouts, but can also be used to label jars, boxes, and drawers in your scraproom. I just love the vintage-y goodness. I recolored and resized one these labels and used it on my first layout for the write.click.scrapbook gallery.

 

:: from Just Something I Made

 

When I’m getting ready for a crop I pull product in a variety of ways. One really easy way to get ready for a crop is to purchase a kit from one of the many kit clubs out there. The great thing about kits is everything you need is already packed! I find I can create 8-10 layouts from every kit if I add a little extra cardstock. Another trick - if you have any of the patterned paper lines in the kit, slide those in as well - instant coordination! Once I have the kit in hand, I slip in photos I think will work with the colors in the kit and the journaling and sketch that goes with them. There are so many great kit clubs– a great place to start looking is willowtraders.com. The site lists all of the kits available and there is quite a bit of chatter about them as well. Also, be sure to visit our kit club sponsors to the right - fabulous kits!

Another way I pull product is to grab one coordinating line of pattern paper from a particular company. Then I match as many photos as I can to the line. Throw in some matching cardstock and pull out my color bins to grab embellishments that look good with the line. Photos, journaling and sketches go into a large plastic baggie with the items I’ve gathered.

Now I have a stack of photos with no home! I pull patterned paper from my stash based on the sketches I’ve done – adding cardstock and embellishments as required. I make up mini-kits with three layouts in each bag for these with the completed journaling, photos and sketches.

Notice I haven’t mentioned some items that typically would be in those kits. I crop on a monthly basis. I keep a few items in my crop bag all the time which makes preparing for cropping a lot easier. I always bring...

• a large bag of assorted American Crafts Thickers 

• some of those mini-alphas from My Little Shoebox

• a small bag of buttons

• an assortment of brads

• my circle cutter with glass mat

• a baggie with some journal spots in a variety of colors

• a set of alpha stamps

• kraft, chocolate, black and white cardstock

• card sentiment rub-ons

I always plan on making cards with my leftover scraps at a crop. If you want to learn more about my card making process, I’ve written it up here.

 

I keep a standard list of items that need to come with me as well – things like..

• my red ATG gun (I could disgress here and go on and on about my love for this tool!)

• my portable cutter

• punches

• water

• candy :)

• my tool tote (filled with pens, scissors, adhesives, ink pads, etc.)

• my portable wire rack (I have no idea where to get one of these. It's bigger than this and white.)

• my cup holder

• Post-it notes

The Post-It Notes are a must to make notes on my incomplete pages to remind me to add journaling

,embellishments, etc.

when I get home. While at the crop if I don't have something I need, I either buy it (usually colored cardstock), borrow it (thanks lovely croppin' friends) or make a note on a Post-It to add it later.

Now that all of my kits are ready for a crop,

I’m heading out tonight to my LSS. I hope to get some projects done! Tomorrow for my last post I’ll share my results, post some of your awesome ad inspired layouts, and answer any questions from this week.

 

Tell the Story

Now that I have the sketches with photos all set to go I can plan out the stories for my pages. I journal in a variety of ways – sometimes I just tell about what we were doing, where we were, etc. Other times I relate a funny story or tidbit of conversation from the boys. Sometimes I write about the boys’ emotions, their development, etc.

I have always had a hard time journaling at crops. I can’t concentrate on my journaling and talk to my friends. So I have a two-pronged approach to how I journal for crops. Some of my journaling I type up ahead of time and bring with me. The rest I complete at home leaving room for the journaling somewhere on my page.

When I pre-plan my journaling, typically I use the computer. With the sketch, the photos and my list of stories I want to tell, I type up the journaling in Word. I make a note near the journaling of the number that corresponds to the sketch/photos.

One easy way to add journaling at crops is strip journaling. I type up my journaling and then set the width of the lines. I usually type the journaling with the line spacing at 1.5 – this gives me room to cut the journaling into strips later. The strips can easily be added at the crop.

 

 

materials: patterned papers (October Afternoon) + stickers (October Afternoon) + letter stickers (American Crafts) + Font (Another Typewriter)

Another way I journal for crops is block journaling. This takes a little more finessing and guessing the size you’ll need for the text box. I use text boxes in word for this.

 

 

materials: cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned papers (American Crafts) + fonts (Fling, Century Gothic) + Digital Brush (Scrap Girls)

All of my preplanned journaling is printed on inexpensive acid-free white flat cardstock from Staples. I find that printing on flat cardstock is crisper and the fact that it is inexpensive is guilt-free if I decide to wait until I get home to reprint the journaling on a different color of cardstock.

 

I do send some layouts to a crop without journaling. These are usually the type that just explain where we were and what we were doing. When I get home I add journal strips and/or blocks. I added the strip below after the crop.

 

 

materials: cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned papers (October Afternoon) + die cuts (October Afternoon) + stickers (October Afternoon) + button (Buttons Galore) + brad (American Crafts) + letter stickers (EK Success) + punch (Fiskars) + font (TW Cen MT)

I have always handwritten on my pages. I try to have about a third of my pages with handwriting on them. I’m not a huge fan of my own handwriting, so I probably don’t share a lot of these! I save my handwritten journaling for home after the crop. I do draw lines on my layouts with pencil before I journal. As well, I frequently use journal spots adding them at the crop and writing later. You can easily make your own journal spots or download free printable ones. I created a set for an article in Simple Scrapbooks last year. The set is still available and below is the layout I created for that article.

 

materials: cardstock (Bazzill) + letter stickers  (American Crafts) + rub ons (American Crafts)

 

You can also print your journaling directly on lined journal spots. It’s a bit of a process and you’ll need a scanner and Photoshop. I posted some directions on my blog awhile back.  Here is a layout using that technique.

 

 

materials: cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket) + chipboard (American Crafts) + buttons  (American Crafts) + sticker (Sassafras Lass) + journal spot (Elle’s Studio) + ribbon (American Crafts)

 

Now that the journaling is complete, the gathering begins. Product - my favorite part! On Friday, I’ll show you how I pull product, give you a peek at how I organize my stash, and give you some easy tips on how not to bring your entire scrap room with you when you go to a crop!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for another giveaway day - it's a goodie!