Old Testament 2014 - "Man"

So excited for the new year and to be studying the Old Testament. This is the second page of my new desk calendar for the new year.

 I LOVE to stamp on my Layouts. I use my stamps all the time to create backgrounds, accents, eye-candy and focal points. I decided to use this layout to show how you can create a whole scrapbook page using stamps instead of pictures to tell the story.

Stamps: Kids at Play,
Paper: Pool Party, Basic Gray, So Saffron, White
Ink: basic black
Accessories: crimper, punches,
Techniques: paper piecing

Old Testament 2013 - SC#1

       The video for class tonight was very informational. I laughed because I knew ahead of time that I had all of the basic tools and supplies that I need to start scrap-booking, but I fell in love with the centering ruler. Got to find me one of those... :). Like any good crafter, always something new and got to have it!

        While I was watching the class video I decided to work on my first page of my new inspirational monthly flip chart, that I am making to set on my desk for next year. I will be studying the Holy Bible and I am so excited, I came a crossed my old seminary binder in one of the last boxes I needed to unpack and I found my sheet of Old Testament Riddles. I thought they would make good flip chart messages and daily motivation scriptures.
       The class challenge was to use all of the basic tools that they talked about to create a layout or page and this is what I came up with... I also combined it along with the SCS color challenge: CC390 and Jenn's "Tuesday Testimonial" challenge.

Ways to Shop at Scrapbook.com - SC#10

       Well... I knew this class was coming, but being a die hard Stampin' Up! Fan. I find it hard to shop anywhere else. I agree that there are many companies that offer a plithera of very unique and awesome products, but for me and the pantry we shop where my heart is.
       I did find a couple of shopping ideas enlightening though... When you start planning on your shopping spree, take into consideration what your scrapping personality is and what you are trying to achieve, then you can shop by any of the following:

• Shop by Brand
• Shop by Theme
  
• Shop by Type
  
• Shop by Color
  
• Shop by Personality 

Simplified Scrapbooking with Floorplans - SC#9

      Okay... well this class was not new to me but, I prefer to use the word "SKETCHES" instead of floorplans, but what ever word you use, a sketch or floorplan makes creating a layout simpler, faster and easier. Often we use these at crops as a way to spend the time getting a lot of pages completed in a short amount of time. There are lots of companies the offer pre-made sketches and all you have to do is place your photos, especially in the digital world. 
      Now me, on the other hand, enjoy playing with my paper and creating a layout from start to finish. Time spent on my layout is what we often joke about in the crafter's world as ART THERAPY.

Scrap By Color - SC#8

       Now we are getting into the meat of scrapping... my favorite part! I love color and to me it is a very important element of your layout, even a black and white layout has color. It has been stated that "Color is the most versatile and exciting design tool available to a scrapbooker". Your photos are usually the best source of color inspiration for your layout. Pick colors that highlight, accent and bring out the point in the photo that your want to draw attention too. Remember color often sets the mood of your layout, so pick the colors that stimulate the reaction that your are looking for.

Find Your Focus - SC#7

        I was surprised when I started this class, I thought it was going to be more about selecting a starting point between a set of photos and your layout. And yet, I was sweetly surprised to discover that we were actually getting into the actual parts of scraping.
       This class was all about the Focal Point of your layout. Mainly talking about how to decide and use your photos or photo as the focal point. Establishing a focal point in your layout design is easy, you just need to figure out which photo or what part of your layout draws your eye in the most. And you want the viewer to know that the focal point is the most important thing on the page. Usually this is a picture, but it could be other embellishments or memorabilia. The key to a good focal point is how you design around it to create a balanced layout. The three tips that we talked about in class are Deliberate Placement, Create Contrast and Unique Matting. I usually try to use at least two of these ideas when I create my layouts.

Find Friendly Support in the Forums - SC#6

Scrapbooking for me is always a lot more fun when I share my table with someone. I love to blog hop, web search and spend time hanging out in the forums. I love the Stampin' Connection at Stampin' Up! and I like to spend time chatting with my all invisible friends at Splitcoast Stampers. There is always a new idea or challenge you can try.

Protecting Your Memorabilia - SC#5

      In class tonight we went over lots of really good facts about Protecting Your Memorabilia. All of them very true....

Fact 1:  Liquids destroy memorabilia ~ I found it quite humorous that the first picture we saw tonight was a can of split coke on a table full of scrapping supplies and photos. We do this in class and at crops all the time without even thinking.

Fact 2:  Digital photos are stored on computers. ~ They crash... HAVE BACK UPS!!! (enough said)

Fact 3:  Sunlight will eventually diminish photo, negative, layout, and album quality. ~ ahhhh... YUP!!! two of my album covers have faded in the afternoon sun.

Fact 4:  Extreme temperatures damage photographs, negatives, layouts, page protectors, and albums. ~ True again! Here in South Carolina, I have noticed that a couple of my album covers are starting to get a few mold spore spots coming on them. We live at the beach, so I know things here are a lot damper. 

Fact 5:  Although not immediately apparent, fingerprints on photographs, negatives, and layouts become visible over time. ~ GREAT!!! I have really oily fingers. 

Fact 6:  Handle and store your photos, negatives, and layouts carefully. ~ I learned tonight that it is a good idea to store your negatives separate from your photos.

Fact 7: Not all plastics are alike. ~ okay, so here's a great tip.... "do not buy materials containing PVC or its cousin polyvinyl acetate (PVA). Instead, look for acrylic or polyester (polyethylene and polypropylene) materials. They are chemically stable and will ensure encapsulation safety for your memorabilia. If you are uncertain of a product’s composition, you can easily identify PVC by its strong plastic odor."  Guess what plastic I use???? :)

Fact 8:  All paper and cardstock found in your local scrapbook store is not necessarily acid-free unless clearly stated. ~ And even then.... you have to be careful. One thing we talked about was checking our paper to see if it is  “acid-free” using a pH Testing Pen. 

Here are a few facts of my own that I shared with my class...

Fact 9:  Newspapers are made of acidic material which can harm your photos. Make a photocopy of your newspaper clippings 

Fact 10: If love using metal or acidic items for scrapbooking... Then you might want to consider using photo duplicates rather than your original photos. So if corrosion or damage happen, you still have your original photos on hand. Safeguard your originals. I know because I was shocked to discover that some of the brads on my layouts were turning rusty!

Fact 11:  Check to see if lumpy objects are rubbing badly onto the face of your layout. You might want to make sure that it's not rubbing onto some precious photos, especially if they are heritage photos. Use duplicate photos because if you are using original photos, the constant rubbing will harm your photos.

Fact 12: If you don't enjoy doing it, get someone who does to help you. that way things will turn out better in the end.

Photos: Sorted and Scrapbooked - SC#4

       Tonight class was all about the different way and means of storing your photos before, during and after, while you are scrapbooking. The class was very informational and I truly believe that you need to follow all the guideline and ideas that they shared. There are multiple ways of sorting, storing and protecting your photos and you just need to find a variety of ways that work best for you.
       I have tried several different ways over the past few years and now I just store them on my computer and on a flash drive until I get ready to print them. This way works best for me right now, due to the limited space I have at my house.

Creating a Layout... SC#2

On Saturday, I signed up for 24 free scrapbook classes at scrapbook.com, just to see what they were all about and to use them as a jump start for me to get back into the swing of things. Tonight was the 2nd class, which was to create our first layout. So I combined Thursday's Split Coast Scrapbook challenge with class and this is what I came up with... "Memories at Lake Isabella"

Why & How to start Scrapping... SC#1

        Tonight, I signed up for 24 free scrapbook classes at scrapbook.com, just to see what they were all about and to use them as a jump start for me to get back into the swing of scraping again. The first lesson was all about why we scrap and how to get started and it got we thinking about all the scrapbook pages that I have put together over the past 35 years. I also started thinking about all the genealogy and family history stories and information that I have collected over the past 35 years.
       In our class, the instructors discussed the why and I really liked the reasons they gave... "There is one thing that all good scrapbook pages do: they tell a story. And for us, that is the heart of scrapbooking. It is storytelling at a precious, personal level. It is organizing moments of the past so they have meaning for future generations. Embodied in every scrapbook page is a celebration of life, a moment or moments captured that are especially unique to a person or family. Scrapbookers today are preserving yesterday for tomorrow."  Throughout the rest of the class we just went over ideas and things that help to make it easier to get started.
       One of the ideas that they gave us was to start small, so I thought it would be fun to start out with a couple of small 6x6 pages...

Super Saturday... Holiday & Spring Cleaning

Between the MB Marathon, Holiday and Work for most of us this weekend. We decide to take a Super Saturday Crafting break. But I did find some time to think about my Spring Cleaning list and to reorganize all my current colors of paper and ink pads.

Here is what I came up with this year...

So for today... Please share with us what challenge you  accomplished in your office this past week.

Working Wednesday... Journaling

I had to laugh when today ended up being both a "Working Wednesday" and Super P's 16th Birthday. And much like a Super Hero, journaling can be either found on top of it all or hidden. You can even create it so that it pops up and down. Even though the old saying states... "that a picture is worth a thousand words" a story is never complete with out the Super Hero ( the journaling). It completes the story and should often include the who, what, when, where and why behind your pictures, even if it is just a couple of sentences. Sometimes you may want to include a whole family story or even just a clipping from the newspaper. As long has it describes the story that the photos are trying to tell.

Here is my page... My journaling is under the name tag. You lift it up to read the story and the list of names in the picture.

 KEYWORDS: APWW07, SBC11FEB, FEB11VSBNL

Working Wednesday... Accents

The Accents or Highlights of a scrapbook page is the part that gives your page the "Zing". Accents can be anything, stamped images, flowers, primas, die cuts, tags, ribbon, buttons or brads. Anything that you add to the page that catches the eye and draws attention to the photos. They can be added on top or stamped right on the background. The main function of Accents is to add dimension and interest to your page. Also memorabilia from the event or activity can provide historical and personal touches that add to your layout. One main suggestion that Stampin' Up! gives us when choosing accents is to... "select ones appropriate to your theme: organdy ribbon on a wedding page or hemp on an outdoor page." Many crafters now refer to accents as "EYE CANDY".

So your challenge today is to create some "eye candy" that you will use later on a scrapbook page...


Here is mine:

Working Wednesday... "LAYOUTS"

We are continuing our tips on the four elements of scrapping. Last week we talked about color and color combos. This week we are going to discuss "LAYOUTS".

Layouts are a given, they are the bulk and the body of everything you scrap. The "Layout" refers to the placement of everything you put on your page, like the photos, accents, titles and journaling. Some people choose to use simple layouts where others choose a more complex template. But the bottom line to a layout is remember to choose one of your photos to act as the focal point. (we will talk about focal points later on in week 6).


Stampin' Up! often refers us to four basic "layouts or templates"...




Your challenge today is to choose one of the four templates shown and create a layout...  



KEYWORD: APWW03 & SCS11JAN

Here is my Layout... (I used Template #1)

 

Working Wednesday... COLOR

Last week, I shared the four elements to Scrapbooking 101. This week, I thought is would be good if we shared tips about one of those elements...

"COLOR"

TIP #2:
When scrapping color is usually used to complement your photos. We are often encouraged to pick a color from people's clothes or from the background in the photo we are choosing to scrap. We can often choose a certain theme and it's colors like Green & Red for Christmas or a child's favorite color for their Birthday pages. Then once you have chosen the color scheme then use it to help you select the other parts to your page like... card stock, ink, ribbon or accents.
 
The Challenge for today is to choose a color scheme and come up with four ways that you could apply it to your scrapbook page and design a layout using one of them.

I used my soft subtle color scheme as photo backgrounds, page accents like brads & flowers, layout filled with Easter colors and my journaling/title in highlighted by color.

Super Saturday...

We are still working on our progressive pages... Today we are going to turn our 81/2 X 11 into a 12 X 12.

STEP #3:

Now we build our 12X12...
Supplies needed:

1 - completed 8 1/2 X 11 page
1 - 12 X 12 cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 2 X 6 cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 1 3/4 X 5 3/4 white cardstock
1 - 2 1/4 X 3 photo
Stamp Set - "Quirky Alphabet Upper"
Ink Pad - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: buttons, glue dots

After mounting your 81/2 X 11 page onto your 12 X 12 background sheet, keeping your 6 X6 as your focal point, add the rest of the journaling and a few more accents. And Voila'! You have an awesome looking progressive page.

Next week I will share some tips on how to work this page into a DPS (Double Page Spread).

Super Saturday...

We are still working on our progressive pages... Today we are going to turn our 6X6 into a 81/2 X 11.

STEP #2:

Supplies needed:

1- completed 6X6
1- 8 1/2 X 7 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 8 1/2 X 11 designer series paper (dsp)
1- 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Green Galore)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 white cardstock
1- 3 X 4 photo
Stamp Set - "Party Time"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Buttons, glue dots,



Building up is the easy part of this project... there two things to remember when completing this part:

1. remember to keep your 6X6 as your true focal point
2. don't forget to keep it simple with low accents

Working Wednesday... Choosing a Binder

Now that you have a pretty good idea of what size you want to use, now you need to decide what type of scrapbook your size will be.. Most of the determining facts involved here are the size, shape and color that you want your book to be. One of the main factors to consider in choosing what type is what it is to be used for, meaning will it hold more than one event or activity. Below you will find a list of the different types and descriptions just for your information. 

 

Three Ring Binder Style

You just buy a binder and a box of page protectors and you're ready to fill them up.... easy peasy! You can often find great deals at any office supply store.This runs about $2.00-$4.00 for the binder and about $5.00 for a pack of 50 top loading page protectors.

Post Bound

Post bound albums are my favorite and are similar to the three ring binders but it is expandable. You can buy refills packs  for your album that include both the extender posts, extra pages protectors and instructions on how you can expand your book making room for more pages and/or thicker embellishments. These albums often run about $5.00-$50.00 depending on the size and fanciness of cover. Some of the  post bound scrapbooks are included in scrapping kits that include matching cardstock, paper, stickers, accents, embellishments and extras.

Strap Bound

Strap bound scrapbooks are just like the post bound scrapbooks. They can be adjusted by small belts or straps along the spine, but only to the length of the straps.These cost about the same as post bound books and can be used for up to about 50 pages.

Spiral Bound

Spiral bound scrapbooks are nice and less expensive. The drawback I have with spiral bound is that they are not easy to change or add onto. They run about $4.00-$12.00 depending on the size you choose. You can also decorate the cover with your own style, but remember that you have to cut your paper and pages to size because they usually don't come in regular 12 x 12 or 8 1/2 x 11 sizes.

KEYWORD: APWW02,  SCS11JAN,

Super Saturday...

Super Saturday is a day that I wanted to set aside for advanced style scrapping... This will be a spot for use to discuss and to share ongoing scrapping projects. Many people have asked me about how I start and complete my progressive pages. So let's start there...

STEP #1:

I find that when starting at square one with a lot of new and beginning scrappers that it is easier to start with a progressive page. Sometimes a big, huge empty piece of 12X12 cardstock may be a bit overwhelming. So I always start with the story "How do you eat an Elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time!"
Then we start with a 6X6 page...
Supplies needed:  (The colors I used are in the parenthesis )


1 - 6X6 colored cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 4 1/4 X 5 1/4 colored cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 X 81/2 white cardstock
1 - 2X2 colored cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 4X5 photo
Stamp Set - "Let's Party"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore
Accessories: silver craft wire, label punch, deminsionals

Your Challenge is to create a 6X6 page that we will use next week... KEYWORD: APSS01