Scrapropos

Something we scrapbookers create for most of our layouts are titles. They’re the anchor that ties our pages together and gives the reader an idea of the theme we are looking to express. In my scrapbook room you will find a plethora of supplies for making a variety of titles on my pages. From sticker letters in every shape, size and color to letter stamps that are wood-mounted, foam or clear acrylic. These are the scrapbooking supplies I never feel guilty buying since they are used so often.

The technique I would like to feature today is using foam stamps to create a title. I prefer to use paints with my foam stamps and the process is quite simple. The following layout, “SNOW�, uses this technique:

Here’s how to create a similar title on your next layout:

1. Use an inexpensive foam paint brush to apply the paint of your choice to the stamp. I find this type of brush provides a more even coverage and avoids having brush strokes. Of course if you are looking for a “rougher� look then you may want to use a regular paint brush and get those “brush strokes�. Apply a thin even coat of paint on the stamp for best results and stamp on the cardstock of your choice.

2. Allow the paint to dry and then cut out the cardstock around each letter in various geometric shapes.

3. Accent the edges of the cardstock with the same paint to add extra dimension to the title and allow to dry.

4. Matte the geometric shapes in coordinating cardstock.

5. Provide even more dimension by adding metal letter brads to the lower right hand corner of each letter shape.

6. Tie pieces of ribbon and add to the top of each with a glue dot. The ribbon I chose went along with the theme of the layout, but you could use plain ribbon as well

In the fashion world we hear about those “classic pieces” that never go out of style. In the scrapbooking world we have some “classic techniques” that are just as timeless, and still look as great today as when they were introduced ten years ago. Color blocking is one such technique that was all the rage and still produces classic, clean layouts.

Color blocking is basically using a variety of papers to create “quadrants” on your page. You can use plain colored card-stock or coordinating patterned papers. Back in the day there were color blocking templates with all different size quadrants, but it is quite simple to create your own pattern. Let your photos be your guide.

One reason I love color blocking is that it gives me the opportunity to use up some of my scrap paper. I just look for patterns that coordinate well with each other and with my pictures. Color blocking is also great when you come across a line that has highly patterned papers and you want to figure out how to “mix and match” them.

Here are some sample layouts using color-blocking techniques:

Layout #1
This is a simple color-blocking design using coordinating papers from SEI.

Cut 2 coordinating patterned papers in half.

Connect the 2 halves with tape on the back side. (This technique helps you conserve paper.)

Cut a border strip of coordinating cardstock approximately 2″ wide to “connect” the two half sheets of paper.

Choose your photos, matte them in coordinating papers, and lay them out in a pleasing manner.

Attach a ribbon along the cardstock strip. Attach a tag onto the ribbon with journaling and some kind of embellishment that compliments your theme.

Your title can also be placed on the cardstock strip.

Since my patterned paper featured polka dots, I also placed 3 brads in the bottom left-hand corner of the layout which provides an additional accent.

Layout #2
This layout uses a variety of “quadrants” with coordinating patterned paper. In this instance I used polka dot paper from the same line but in all different colors. My goal was to create a playful mood for the layout.

In this particular layout I let the pictures I chose guide me on how to make my quadrants.

I created an additional quadrant for the title and journaling block. All quadrants in the layout butt up next to each other. If this is confusing you can lay your pictures down on a scrap paper and draw out where you want the quadrants to be. Then cut the pieces out of the scrap paper andyou’ve created templates for yourself!

In my layout I backed each of the pictures, the title and the jouraling block in black so that they would “pop” off the page and stand out from the patterned paper.

If color blocking is a technique you’ve “blocked from your mind” why not revisit it again? Sometimes it’s good to go back to the “classics”. Go ahead and create a simple, pleasing, color blocked design for your next layout.

For many scrapbookers it’s all about the photos (and the paper, and the stickers, and whatever other supplies we can get our hands on). After all, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, right? But years from now when a distant relative is looking at these great pictures on wonderfully decorated pages but has no idea who is in the picture, what they’re doing, and where they’re at then I guess that picture isn’t speaking so well anymore. This is why journaling is so very important.

Journaling tells the story of your pictures. It is the who, what, when, where and why. For many scrapbookers that I talk to, it is their least favorite part of scrapbooking. Perhaps they are too worried that they will be judged by the words they put down. What you need to remember is this is a scrapbook, a record of your memories, and not a novel that you hope to win a Pulitzer Prize for.

If you are truly struggling with what to write on a page then just stick to the basics. Tell who is in the picture, what they are doing, when the picture was taken, where the people in the picture were and why. I love using journaling strips, especially in situations where I don’t have a lot to say. Simply cut strips of paper that coordinate with your layout and answer those easy questions.

In the layout below I’ve used coordinating paper to jot down my journaling. A fast and simple process to get that journaling done.

If you’re not crazy about using your own handwriting for your journaling then go ahead and type out your journaling, using larger spacing so that you can cut your sentences into strips. This is how I’ve journaled in the layout below. I used inking on the edges of the journaling strips to make them stand out.

Another simple journaling technique is to make lists, and journaling strips work great for this. For example if your layout is about making Christmas Cookies your journaling can be the numbered steps that match your pictures. Or if you have some great pictures of your kids but no real stories to go with them then make a top ten list on what they’re into at this age. In the layout below of my daughter’s 2nd grade I just listed her favorites from that year.

I don’t like to walk away from a page until the journaling is finished. It’s a great habit to get into, otherwise you end up with piles of pages that are just waiting for you to journal on them. Remember, just keep it simple and tell the story of your pictures so that years from now your pictures can still “talk”.

Learn to make you own glossy glitter words and accents. This would be a “technique challenge” but I do not have any Diamond Glaze on hand. I promise to post my version as soon as I restock.

scrapbooking, scrapbook, scrapbook embellishments, glitter

Check out this short but sweet tutorial for creating a travel scrapbook at Martha Stewart Crafts . The accompanying photos provide some great tips especially for using punches.

In related news, Variety.com is reporting that a “new” Martha Stewart Crafts will begin on the DIY Network on Thanksgiving of this year. The show will feature “best-of” compilations from the past decade and more of Martha Stewart’s various shows. Crafts, including, scrapbooking will be the topic for the shows.

The Scrapbook lounge over at CraftTvWeekly.com has a new technique video posted. The almost 9 minute video demonstrates a variety of fun techniques to do with border and corner punches and features some great layouts created with the techniques.

Show description from CraftTvWeekly.com:

Tricia delivers a one-two punch with these beautiful pages. She starts with elegant cardstock and dresses it up with a corner punch. She turns that punch into a border punch creating unique borders and a stencil. When she’s done punching, Tricia assembles these elements into gorgeous pages that will knock your socks off!

scrapbooking, scrapbooking tutorials, scrapbooking videos

Occasionally, I am going to post a video or link to a written how-to for a fun technique. I will post a picture of my creation using the day’s technique and challenge YOU to make something yourself using the technique. It would be even better (but by no means necessary) if you took a picture of your creation and posted a link in the comments to this post!

First Challenge: Ribbon Covered Chipboard Tags

Here is mine:

I used random ribbons from my sewing stash, Xyron permanent adhesive, and I cut the tag myself from scrap chipboard.

scrapbooking, scrapbooking embellishments, chipboard, ribbon, scrapbooking techniques

I have used lots of different programs to make digital scrapbook pages. I am also always willing to try out new one (yes, that is a hint to any companies that want me to review their product…lol). Somehow I always end up going straight to GIMP when I want to create a special project. I like the functionality, which is as powerful as Photoshop once you learn the program, and, like most people, I do tend to open the program I am most familiar with, which for graphics is GIMP.

GIMP, if you are unfamiliar with it, is a free open source graphics program. Yes, I said free. It does not cost anything to download, use, upgrade, or alter, and it runs on most operating system platforms, even older Windows machines.

I sat down today to write up a tutorial on getting started using GIMP for digital or hybrid scrapbooking, but before I started writing I did a Google search. I found this site full of great Tutorials for using GIMP for scrapbooking. I have no desire to reinvent to wheel so to speak, so I will direct you there for instructions.

Here is a page I made with GIMP using the Moody Blues Digital Kit from Shabbyprincess.com :

Technorati Tags: scrapbook, scrapbooking, journaling, scrapbook layouts, scrapbook projects, freebies, free scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking freebies

Mini Scrapbook in a Mini Milk Carton

I love mini albums….a lot. This one just screams “make me, please!” . I wondering how long one takes. They would make awful cute little grab bags with little photo story books for my son’s birthday. I have several months before I need to really plan. but he will be in kindergarten by then. Kids that age love little books full of photos of themselves and their friends.

Technorati Tags: scrapbook, scrapbooking, journaling, scrapbook layouts, scrapbook projects

If you preserve memories and moments through pictures and pages, you
are a scrapbooker. You do not have to be a designer, creative artist,
or published in magazines. If you are capturing your memories and those
of your family through a medium like photography and journaling, and
you are preserving those moments with traditional albums, photo albums,
digital photo books, slideshows, or videos, you are a scrapbooker.
Perhaps for the sake of argument, memory maker or historian is a more
accurate term.

Scrap It Real - Redefining Scrapbooking for Every Woman | 5 Minutes For Mom

I came across this great article that I need to share. So often I hear, “I bought all of the stuff for a scrapbook, but I can’t seem to get started”. Well, this article gives great advice on how to start. I can sum it up in two quoted words…”Just Start”. i know that sounds snarky, but the truth is that those two words hold the secret to getting any project you are stalled on moving on the way to completion.

Technorati Tags: scrapbook, scrapbooking, journaling, scrapbook layouts, scrapbook projects, freebies, free scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking freebies

Organizing Your Ribbon for Scrapbooking Creating a Ribbon Box

OK…so there are a gagillion tutorials out there for making your own ribbon storage box. I like this one because (1) you could really follow the method with any similar sized and weight box and (2) it does not require any tools fancier than a hole punch and (3) the cost is low enough, even made with the recommended boxes, that you could make up a whole bunch of these.

Looking at the picture, I bet you could even take some 12×12 card stock and make something pretty cute that would work the same way. I may have to try it later.

Technorati Tags: scrapbook, scrapbooking, journaling, scrapbook layouts, scrapbook projects

I love the idea of taking photographs of all those special little projects that our kids make that we know we cannot really keep around forever. A photo is so much easier to store than a potato, carrot, pasta, and toothpick transforming robot (you laugh, but I do not make these things up. If my 5yo can figure out how, he will build a transformer out of anything). Making a scrapbook page for the project shows the kids how special you think their creations are even if they end up in the compost bin when they start to smell funny (the project, not the kids). The big questions I always see on any hobby forum where people take pictures, and seriously in our digital social networking world it seams like everyone is visually recording everything, is how to improve their pictures and what to use for a light box.

This article at Digital Scrapbooking magazine gives some great advice on making an inexpensive light box using those wire frame cube storage systems.

To add to their advice I suggest trying some of the screw in fluorescent daylight bulbs for lighting that are readily available now. You can get a 3-pack for about $10 and they last for years.  Not only are they more environmentally sound, but you are far less likely to give yourself a nasty burn when you reach in to move the subject of your photography around. I would also suggest using the cable ties to hook the wire grids together. The cable ties make for a much tighter fit and give you more versatility in how you configure the pieces.

scrapbook, scrapbooking, photography, lightbox, kids, family, parenting, memories, diy

While shopping at a local scrapbook store in Wisconsin, I saw a layout on the wall that caught my eye and made me say, “I wanna CASE that!” Back at the retreat center, Sue helped me figure out how it was done. After we completed our layouts using this technique, several of our fellow retreaters copied US. And that’s part of what I love about this community of scrapbookers. We all share freely, and don’t mind being CASEd. In fact, we take it as a high compliment when we are!

What I loved about the layout was the technique the artist used when laying out the paper: the diagonal swath of pattern that unites the two pages. Here’s how it’s done:

Choose two coordinating papers. One will be your “base paper”, and the other will be your “swath paper”. I think it looks best if the swath paper is a random pattern as opposed to a symmetrical one. Cut both sheets of paper diagonally from one corner to the other, creating large triangles. Take your two base triangles and separate them into their far corners… upper left and lower right. Do not turn or flip these papers - just pull the original square of paper apart into two triangles.

Next, look at your swath paper, and switch the two triangles, placing them “back to back”. The bottom right swath triangle should join the upper left base triangle to form a square. Likewise, the upper left swath triangle should form a square with the bottom right base triangle.

When you look at this layout as a two-page spread, it should appear that there is a swath of patterened paper running diagonally from the left, up to the right.

Hint: I used three sheets of paper. The two base sheets are intact - uncut. I cut the swath piece and adhered it TO the base sheets. This wastes a sheet of paper, but it makes the technique easier, and I didn’t have to worry about my cut edges lining up perfectly.

Click to enlarge:

Ever wanted to doodle in a light colored ink, but you couldn’t because you were working on dark paper? Try this technique:

Use a white pen first (I used a Galaxy Marker, but most any white gel or paint pen will work) as your doodle base.
Then trace over the top of that with the color you want to show up. (I used a yellow Zig marker). Voila! Yellow on red. How easy is that?

(click images to enlarge)

You know you have a sickness when, at 2 o’clock in the morning, you get out of bed and head downstairs because you can’t clear your mind of scrapbook layouts.

I’ve been thinking about this layout with Aidan (the one mentioned in the previous post). It’s a letter to him, so I don’t want to print it straight from the blog in blog format. And I don’t really wanna handwrite it, either, because it’s a lot of writing to cram onto a page. I know that I want to use a 5×7 since it’ll be the only photo on the layout.

So for the first time ever, I’ve done a sketch of my own. It’s simple simple simple. I’m allowing space for a title and for some fun accents, but those aren’t sketched in. Mostly, I wanted to see how much space I’d have after the journaling was added.

Then, I remembered my font. I created it a couple of years ago at www.fontifier.com for a mere $9. I had a little trouble getting the resolution to look good when printed, but the guys at Fontifier were extremely helpful and customer-friendly. Try it! Make your own font!

So, issue resolved. I’ll print the letter and it’ll still be in my own handwriting. PERFECT! Even better, I’ll print it to wrap around the photo. When I get ready to scrap this page, all I’ll have to do is stick everything down and embellish it. The “work” of the layout is done.

I sketched my layout using Microsoft Publisher, but you can do it with almost any software. In MS Publisher, here are the steps:

1. Go to Page Setup (under “File”) and choose a custom size. Make it 12×12 (or whatever size scrapbook page you’re using).
2. Create a text box and enter your journaling.
3. Create another text box (or paste in the actual photo) and make it the size you want the photo to be. Place it where you want the photo to be placed on the page.
4. Go to Text Wrapping (under “Arrange”) and choose “wrap through”. Adjust the line spacing and font size until you make all the text fit.

Simple simple simple!
Now maybe I can sleep.