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Tips & Tricks :: Recycling and Money Saving Tips For Scrapbookers - Part II

Author: memcreations
Subject: Recycling and Money Saving Tips For Scrapbookers - Part II
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:26 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Bread Bag Tags: You can use bread tags to make small tags or embellishments.
Playing Cards: I've used a card from an incomplete deck .
Puzzle Pieces: I've used puzzle pieces from a puzzle that was missing pieces.
Cardboard: I recently used corrugated cardboard from a box on a layout under stickers. It's thicker than regular chipboard.
Logo Tags: In my scrapbooks, I use tags from boots with wolverine pictured on them, motorcycle clothing tags (they usually have the Harley logo), and team clothing tags since all them have their logo on them and are great to use on layouts about those teams.
Old Jewelry: Many scrapbookers mentioned that they use single earrings, old costume jewelry, and other found items such as hair ribbons on their layouts.
Lace: I have also taken lace curtain ties and cut out individual designs in the lace to use on my pages.
Buttons: I take all buttons, like the replacement ones for clothing, and mix them into my scrapping stash.
Plastic Sheets: I used the backing sheets that clear stamps come on to make a mat for my photo on a layout.
Coffee Holders: I used a bunch of different Starbucks coffee cup holders that caught my eye to create a title.
Plastic Bracelets: I cut one of those rubber �Livestrong� bracelets to make a border on a colorblocked layout.
Printed Fabric: I cut a black and white fabric flower from a favorite shirt that was falling apart and was going to have to be thrown away.
Gift Ribbon: When people give us gifts from some stores like Baby Gap, Victoria's Secret, etc they always have nice fabric ribbons on them and I keep those to use on layouts.
Chipboard: I keep the cardboard that comes in with packs of patterned paper and use it to make my own chipboard shapes and letters.
Hang Tags: I save hang tags from new clothing and even the teeny safety pins that attach the tags to the clothes! I decorate the hang tags, or use as-is if the design fits my needs. Another great find is the metal ball chains that also attach hang tags to clothing.
Plastic Packaging: The heavy plastic packaging can be used to stamp on and make windows for cards or slide mounts.
More Gift Finds: Ribbon off of old clothing, or gift packages are a favorite of mine. I really hit the jackpot sometimes when I see a package decorated with cool wrapping paper, ribbon AND a silk flower! I've re-used a lot of gorgeous wrapping papers on cards and to make my own embellishments.
Yarn: I once unraveled an old sweater and discovered that knitted yarn is wonderfully crinkled and used that on a photo mat!
Fabric: Fabric, cut into strips can be used to bind journals or mini albums by punching holes in the cover and pages and threading the strips through. Fabric can also be a great way to embellish a layout, using part of an old piece of clothing or keepsake that you are journaling about.
Plastic Mesh: Plastic mesh bags that fruit and vegetables come in are a good thing to save. I once cut a piece out of an orange bag and used it to add texture to a paper project.
Basket Filler: I once used old Easter grass to "fill" Easter basket shapes on a spring layout.
Calendars: Old calendars often have photos and designs that make great embellishments, especially if you add Crystal Effects to turn them into epoxy-like stickers.
Aluminum Foil: Used foil can be an interesting addition to a design. You can smooth it out, and etch designs into it. or stamp on it with StazOn ink.
Twist Ties: Twist ties can attach buttons, charms, tags, or anything else to a page.
Cub Scout Cards: In Cub Scouts, my boys are given their merits on a little card. The card has the Cub Scout emblem, some decorations, and more information. I've saved all of these to include on the pages along with pictures of him working on the projects and/or receiving the award.
Greeting Cards: We have been using the fronts of old Christmas cards, and not just for Christmas pages. You can take some of the borders and use for frames or cut out small parts for use on a page.
Soda Cans: I use soda cans, cut, cleaned and flattened. Use them to make faux tags, charms, frames, letters ect. I use my sizzix. Then you can paint them, punch them, interlock them etc. I used some that I cut out of a reindeer and used it on some of my Christmas cards.
Maps: Maps and brochures from travel have wonderful information on them or may make a good page background.
Jeans Pockets: Pages can be decorated with pockets from a pair of jeans or any other part you wanted to use.
More with Plastic Mesh: I keep the net bags of onion and garlic to make shirred flowers with an old button as center.
Metal Lids: I had saved a couple of the metal lids from frozen juice containers to make some faux paint can lids for a remodeling job we did.
I use the round metal pieces from the ends of canned biscuits or frozen juice containers. They make cute metal circle frames for whatever.
Cereal Boxes: I use cereal boxes for chipboard. When the cereal is gone I cut it into strips and put it thru my die cut machine to make chipboard letters or shapes. When I want thicker chipboard, I use 2 pieces glued together. I can spray with the Make it Acid Free spray and do not have to worry about it.
Soda Can Tabs: Soda can pop tabs can be used as ribbon buckles or slides. You can use them as is or heat it with your heat gun and dunk it in embossing powder to smooth it all out. Another thing that I have done is color the tab with permanent markers and then do the Ultra Thick Embossing Powder on top so you can make it any color you need.
Screening: Screen material can be used for embellishments. It cuts with scissors or a die cut machine and at all my local hardware stores they give me scrap pieces because they will just throw them away.
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Memory Creations Forum Administrator

Tips & Tricks :: Recycling and Money Saving Tips For Scrapbookers

Author: memcreations
Subject: Recycling and Money Saving Tips For Scrapbookers
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:20 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Scrapbookers can use items found around the house or that they would normally throw out for storage, embellishments, and tools for decorating their scrapbook pages.

Storage and Organization:
Jars: I save all of my spaghetti sauce jars, and use them for ribbons and buttons. I used an old glass canister set for ribbons too.(Audinoki)
More Jars: Use old jars as holders for buttons, Prima paper flowers, ribbons or other scrap supplies.
Priority Mail Boxes: I collected same used Priority Mailing boxes and made my own vertical paper holders.
DIY Hanging Organizer: I also made my own version of a Clip-It-Up (using directions from another person) that used a few recycled items mixed in with things I had to purchase.
Shadow Boxes: I took two old shadow boxes/knick knack shelf units that my mum had made for us years ago and used all the little openings to hold the numerous little items for scrapbooking such as ribbon rolls, stamps, stamp pads, little containers of eyelets, sequins, buttons, and beads.
Flat Ware Trays: I use a divided silver ware type basket to hold my felt tip markers and my ink pens and most used scissors are stored in old coffee mugs (generally mugs that were given as door prizes at hockey games and such).
Cigar Boxes: I use cigar boxes to store items like paint sample chips and tiles.
Parmesan Cheese Containers: I use old parmesan cheese containers (we seem to go through loads of them) for ribbon/fiber storage.
Tiny Bags: I use the little bitty ziplock bags that extra buttons come in on new clothes to store my Ink Blending Tool foam pads (I have one per colour family). They're the perfect size and don't add bulk in storage, but keep the foams separated so the inks don't mix.
Garage Storage: I am using the little storage bin thing that my husband had to hold screws and nuts and bolts. It works way better for the small things that I need to keep track of.
Candy Jars: I use old glass candy jars for flowers, ribbons, sequins, etc. I also use an old binder with inserts for my stickers so that they are easy to see.
Juice Bottles: I use old 4 oz. juice bottles (which are clear and look like miniature water bottles) that I have drilled a hole in the cap and put an I bolt thru so I can hang on my pegboard.
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Memory Creations Forum Administrator

Tips & Tricks :: Embroidered Scrapbooking Letters

Author: memcreations
Subject: Embroidered Scrapbooking Letters
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:02 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Are you looking for something unique for the lettering and just not finding it? Here is a way to make your own. In this way it can be any size, colour and font that you choose.

Materials Needed:
Background fabric (1/8th of a yard or less)
Cardboard (the thickness of a cereal box)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Embroidery needle
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Paper
Pencil
Carbon paper
You can design your lettering by hand or go on the computer and format the lettering with your tools. Either way will yield great results. One of the best things about doing the lettering yourself is the flourish you can add to the lettering to personalize it. Add a vine with small flowers weaving in and out of the letters. If the lettering is for a baby page add embroidered ribbons or baby rattles. You can add small icons for any event (i.e. wedding, graduation, baptism).

Once your design is ready you will need to transfer the design onto the fabric. Do not try to do a direct transfer. You will need at least an inch between letters. Each individual letter will be made separately. Your vines and decorations will still work; they will just extend from letter to letter. In making your first letter if you can, copy it freehand to the fabric.

If you cannot copy it freehand use carbon paper. Place a sheet of carbon paper carbon side down on the fabric. Take care not to rest your hand on the fabric as carbon will smudge off in the wrong places. Place your formatted letter over top of the carbon paper and trace with your pencil making sure not to shift the project while you are tracing. If you are more comfortable you can tape the whole down to the table first to help avoid movement.

Remove the paper and carbon paper. Embroider the letter in the style and colour of your choice. Once done sewing, cut the letter out of the fabric, allowing an extra inch to the height and an extra inch to the width. If you want your letter one inch by two inches you will cut out the letter fabric two inches by three inches. Cut a piece of cardboard the size you want the letter to end up.

Lay the embroidered fabric right side down on your working surface. If you choose to add the extra padding, lay a piece of scrap batting over the fabric and trim it to be a half inch smaller than your fabric in height and width. That would make our batting one and a half inches by two and a half inches. Center the batting. If your are not batting than skip that step.

Lay the cardboard in the center. Cut a square off of each corner that begins at the outer most point and goes to the corner of the cardboard to remove the excess fabric from the corner. Hot glue the fabric to the cardboard by folding it up and over. Work your way around the letter until it all of the fabric has been glued. Cut away any excess fabric.

Your first letter is done. Repeat for each letter. Lay them out and adhere them to your page with acid free scrapbooking adhesive. Try different styles and sizes.
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Memory Creations Forum Administrator

Tips & Tricks :: Font Index using a card file

Author: memcreations
Subject: Font Index using a card file
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:23 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

I'm getting better with my journaling all the time. And while sometimes handwriting on my page is fine, often I'll use my computer to compose and print my journaling. Just like choosing colours, papers, and embellishments for my pages, I just HAVE to have the perfect font to compliment the theme or the mood of the page. But it can take some time to sort through them all and select the right one.

I bought a card file and have created an index of fonts. I printed up samples of my best fonts on pieces of white paper slightly smaller than the card itself. I included the name of the font and printed the alphabet in capital and small letters. I attached that to scraps of all my leftover PP and slipped the whole thing onto the actual card. But I couldn't stop there! I also have odds and ends leftover scraps of ribbons, fibers, flowers, etc., and have embellished the cards a little. It's a whole other opportunity to play!
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Memory Creations Forum Administrator

Tips & Tricks :: Doodling

Author: memcreations
Subject: Doodling
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:20 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

If you would like to try some doodling but it is not sure how to start, you can get a piece of white cardstock and a pen. Draw a heart, or a flower, or an arrow, you can even use your negative part of a chipboard and starting doodling inside of it, after you are done, if you like it, you can cut that flower of and use in a LO, if you dont like it, it was just a scrap paper anyway, and not your LO. But if you really did an awesome job you can scan your flower and use it over and over, just print it. You can even change the colours on your computer.
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Articles :: Exclusive Interview with Heidi Swapp

Author: memcreations
Subject: Exclusive Interview with Heidi Swapp
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:50 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Jill Davis, founder of Scrapbook.com, recently sat down with Heidi Swapp, designer of Heidi Swapp products, to talk about her product line, where she finds her inspiration, and whether or not she runs into the same creative obstacles that other scrapbookers do, like journaler's block and burn-out.

Continue reading to see what Heidi had to say about her likes and dislikes, her designs, and how she creates some of your FAVORITE products.

Jill: Heidi, it�s great to be with you today. Our readers and customers are big fans of you and your products. One of the things they comment on is how prolific you are. Where do you find your motivation and/or inspiration for the products you create?

Heidi: Usually the ideas for products come to me while I�m scrapbooking. It is really important to me that I am scrapbooking all the time. I�ll wish I had something like this or something like that. I combine that with looking through magazines and window shopping. I am not a big buyer; the things I see just go into some creative memory bank in my head and when I get working the ideas form practical applications.

Jill: So when you are out and about, are you looking in cities, in actual retail windows or are you looking through magazines. In other words, if you were walking down the mall is your scrapbooking mind working?

Heidi: Always working; and it�s frustrating because I can�t cross-shop. I can�t be looking for a blouse I need and see scrapbook ideas. I have to go with the intention of looking only for scrapbook ideas and if I need to go looking for clothes I have to go with the intention of only looking for clothes. I have to choose my focus.

You�ll know I�m just learning and absorbing ideas if there are no bags in my hands. I try to go to cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston. I can usually find really fun boutiques with what�s really new and different. I probably subscribe to every magazine on the planet. I love to look at what is new, and I love to see what is coming up. And when I am out and about it kind of tips me off as far as the trends and colors coming out.

Jill: That is a wonderful way to do it. As you look through these magazines, do you have a favorite product that you like to use, yours or someone else�s, one that you use on almost everything?

Heidi: I can�t really say I have an absolute favorite. As I look through my catalogs everything feels like my favorite. I have a new product coming out this summer that I am so in love with. I can�t tell you what that is just yet. I think one of my most favorite things is sandpaper. I just love it. I love mine in particular. The factory decided to put my logo on it and a backing which makes it more rigid. I actually think it makes it easier to work with and I love it.

Jill: So you can rip it better?

Heidi: Yes; it doesn�t fall apart as easily. I think it helps to control it better and that�s why I love it. I do not know how I go through so much sandpaper.

Jill: So did the sandpaper idea just evolve?

Heidi: It wasn�t even something I really planned. We needed sandpaper in a kit and I chose the grit. They sourced the grit and it came back with my logo on the back of it. We were laughing about it. It seems so narcissistic or something to have the logos everywhere, but it ended up making it so personal and I loved it so much and I feel like it made such a huge difference when we put the sandpaper into the matchbooks that you can buy. They�re probably one of our top sellers.

Jill: It is fantastic to know that a piece of sandpaper brings such joy. How do you make and find time to scrapbook in your busy life since you need to do it in order to find out what you need to create?

Heidi: I scrapbook on a daily basis.

Jill: So is it part of your job?

Heidi: Yeah, it is just part of what I do. I am not one who can sit still.

Jill: Yeah, I know that about you.

Heidi: So, even if we�re just watching TV I have to be playing. And when I play, it turns in scrapbooking, or a card, or elements that keep me going. I think I make the choice to scrapbook. I think you choose what your priorities are. But I can�t be creative until my house is clean. It bothers me to know there is a big mess downstairs or there�s laundry I should do. I can�t focus on scrapbooking.

Jill: I always thought that came from our mothers saying "you can�t play until your work is done?"

Heidi: I think it does. So, the only real area I allow to get completely out of control is my scrapbook room.

Jill: Isn�t that a great feeling? I was scrapbooking in my office the other day and I said to my family, �You guys need to come in here and see how I really scrapbook.� It was a mess and it felt so great.

Heidi: Oh man�I get so messy and then I try to clean it up and two seconds later it�s so messy again. I just have to give up.

Jill: That�s just how it is!

Heidi: I truly love to scrapbook. I truly get a thrill from it and I�m never sick of it, nor do I get bored with it.

Jill: You said you go to New York, San Francisco, and Boston to window shop and find inspiration. Can you tell us more about that?

Heidi: I think I always look for inspiration outside the scrapbooking industry, whether it�s home d�cor or fashion or anything but not within the scrapbooking industry.

Jill: That keeps it fresh doesn�t it?

Heidi: It keeps it moving in the right direction. I think every designer in the industry would tell you that.

Jill: So do you ever get in a slump or stuck on a project?

Heidi: Oh yeah, totally. Especially when I�m forced. I hate it when I have to do something.

Jill: I�m guessing that deadlines are not your favorite?

Heidi: Deadlines are necessary and they do work for me, but if I�m supposed to be working on something and nothing is coming, I have to switch to what I�m not supposed to be doing.

Jill: So you have to change your state of focus?

Heidi: Yeah. Then the ideas will usually come and that will help me finish the project I�m supposed to be doing. I don�t like to be told what to do.

Jill: Oh really?

Heidi: I want to do whatever I want.

Jill: What�s been the hardest thing about working in the scrapbooking industry?

Heidi: I think the hardest thing is having my name on stuff.

Jill: Lots of stuff. Why?

Heidi: Because I have to take responsibility for it. There are good things to take responsibility for and there are hard things to take responsibility for; things that don�t go well or go right. I think a lot of scrapbookers have known who I am for a long time. I�m not just an entity, I�m a real person. I want people to know I have real struggles and real issues and that my kids make the biggest messes and I am stuck cleaning up the same normal stuff. I�m just now getting to the point where I have to decide whether or not its necessary to bring on more people and more scrapbook designers in order for me to keep up and really grow the brand. It�s very hard for me to trust the process and it�s hard for me to convey my vision to others. It�s a definite challenge.

Jill: Will you be able to have things come across your desk and approve, or not approve, or give suggestions to change?

Heidi: Certainly.

Jill: And that means there is a lot of growth?

Heidi: Yeah, a lot growth.

Jill: Both with the industry and within yourself. What�s the easiest thing about working in the scrapbooking industry?

Heidi: The easiest thing is to design products I love.

Jill: You know that�s a real gift because not everybody can do that.

Heidi: It just comes so easy; there are always ideas. It takes a very short amount of time. I�m not the illustrator type of artist, so my designs are very simple. I like alphabets or simple images that I feel can be used over and over. I don�t like something that is so limited that you would only want to use it once.

Jill: So you want your tools, or whatever your products are, not to just stay on a shelf?

Heidi: Right, and I want scrapbookers to be able use them on a baby page, a love page, or on any page. I like items you can use over and over; that�s why the designs are very simple and it�s very easy for me to crank out the products. If all I had to do was design products, my life would be so easy! It�s the ads and catalogs and texts that are more difficult.

Jill: And the interviews?

Heidi: And the interviews� it�s really hard talking about how I design.

Jill: Because you have to formulate what you do and to put things into words. Sometimes the things you do are so normal to you, you don�t realize they are really quite phenomenal to others.

Heidi: I love to teach; it�s coming up with the project that is hard. I agonize over the project but it�s really easy to present.

Jill: Who do you admire as a scrapbooker right now?

Heidi: There are a lot of scrapbookers I admire. I really admire Ali Edwards. It�s really easy to say that because I think everyone feels that way. I appreciate how real she is. However, I think my personal hero, the person I admire the most in the industry as a scrapbooker, as a motivator, as a woman, and as a business woman is Stacy Julian. I think she is a great scrapbooker and I love what she writes.

Jill: And what Stacy�s sharing with everyone at Big Picture Scrapbooking. Those are two great women. You said you read magazines and look at things to get inspiration and ideas. Do you also read idea books?

Heidi: No.

Jill: Can you say why?

Heidi: Because I don�t like to be influenced in that way. I skim through magazines, but don�t study them. I like to know what people are being drawn to. I like to look at styles and colors. I want to be fresh. If a design is going to come from it, I want it to come naturally. I do look at photograph books because I like to look at different ways to approach photography. I don�t consider myself a fabulous photographer, so I really enjoy finding inspiration in those kinds of books.

Jill: Do you have any neat storage ideas you can share?

Heidi: My neat storage idea is this huge destruction area that I live in. I should not say I�m unorganized because I know where everything is, but it doesn�t look pretty. I think if you came into my room and looked at my stuff it would be interesting to look around because there is just so much of it. I�m a mess. (laughter)

Jill: You�re a put-together mess.

Heidi: I kind of group things so all my rub-ons are in one box and all my flowers are in another. I keep a lot of things in the packaging. All the packaging that Heidi Swapp (company) does is clam-shell, so you can open and close it again.

Jill: I see.

Heidi: It helps me to remember what set it came from.

Jill: Then you know how you many you do have or don�t have. I like that idea.

Heidi: I keep stuff together. I use a little bit of Cropper Hopper for my photos. I have all my Chipboard Alphabets, all my Masks, and all my Silhouettes in Cropper Hopper and then I label them on the top and they just sit on my shelf.

Jill: That�s organized. I bet it looks really pretty. What time of the day are you the most creative?

Heidi: Well that depends on if I�m pregnant or not. (laughter) I�m pregnant right now.

Jill: And you look beautiful, I might add.

Heidi: Oh you are so sweet. I don�t know what�s going to happen when the baby comes. I�m panicked. But it used to be I wouldn�t be in bed before 2:30am or 3:00am ever. I love the night. Truly at about 11:00 pm I�m the most creative, because I�m alone. I like to watch movies over and over again so I don�t have to pay attention.

Jill: It�s pure entertainment.
Heidi: Totally.

Heidi: I try to be the most productive while my kids are in school. Coming into summer there�s a panic.

Jill: That�s a really justifiable panic.

Heidi: It�ll be a challenge.

Jill: It�ll be interesting to see what comes from your creativity when you�re shorter on time to complete your projects.

Heidi: Probably nothing!

Jill: Have you ever been burned out?

Heidi: I don�t think I have ever been as burned out as I am now while I�m pregnant. I�m just tired. I think I get burned out occasionally but then something fun comes along.

Jill: So to get recharged do you still look to creativity or do you go get a pedicure or take a walk in nature? What do you do?

Heidi: I love to run. I really miss running. When I run I think really clearly and get really good ideas. So I run with my cell phone because I have to unload the ideas so I can move on to the next ones. As I run I call and say, to anyone who will listen, �Okay write this down.� (laughter)

Jill: That�s smart. I actually call my voicemail and talk to myself.

Heidi: Oh that�s a good idea. I think recharging comes for me when the laundry is all done or my house is clean. Even cleaning out the refrigerator or pantry makes me feel like I don�t have to worry about it anymore and I can really concentrate. So I find when I get burned out or aggravated it�s because other things are infringing on my creativity. I think it goes back to women�s, or mom�s paradox. My first responsibility is to be a mother and I feel guilty and horrible when there�s no dinner or there�s no food or there�s no clean clothes. So when I feel good about my role as a mother I can then move into my role as a businessperson. I think I recharge when I feel I�ve met my matronly obligations.

Jill: That�s neat that you put motherhood first. Your trademark color is pink. Is that your favorite color?

Heidi: It�s kind of funny, because my original thought was just black and white polka dots; that�s all I was going for. But pink has had a place in everybody�s inspiration in the last couple years. My mother-in-law just gave me a big canvas for my wall that says �Pink is not just a color, it�s an attitude,� which is kind of fun. But right now the color I really love is orange. I cannot do anything without orange. It�s so fun. It�s a really good color but I think for my branding I�ve been successful with pink, so I�m going to stick with it.

Jill: If you could pick a color or a color scheme for your favorite room in your home what would it be?

Heidi: I really like brown. Brown and earth tones are really comfortable to me and not too committal, my bedroom is brown and cr�me.

Jill: So that�s a comfortable place for you to be?

Heidi: Yes, I don�t like loud colors. I don�t like to commit to big colors. Although my living room is painted pink!

Jill: What other products besides your own do you like right now?

Heidi: I love Scenic Route paper. Their designs can be used over and over for lots of different things. I think she really knows what she�s doing.

Jill: Haven�t you used Scenic Route lately in something you have taught?

Heidi: Yeah.

Jill: Okay. That leads me to this question. What can you tell us about Bazzill�s Creative Escape?

Heidi: I�m excited about it. You know how I said I like to divert my attention to something I don�t have to do? That�s what Creative Escape is for me. It�s the opportunity to plan a big party, but there�s no obligation. I�m not very organized or detail oriented so it�s wonderful that so many people on the team are. We just come up with so many fun ideas; it�s just going to be a big party. I finally saw all the projects and they are all finalized. We told the teachers what we wanted them to do and what we wanted to have brought to the table so there is such a huge variety. All the people who are involved I respect tremendously, and the manufacturers have been so enthusiastic and supportive.

Jill: So the people that get to attend are in for a really big treat I�m sure?

Heidi: It will be a big treat and we want to do it annually. I�m really looking forward to it. It�s been a delight and a lot of work. Holy cow.

Jill: What�s the most exciting experience you�ve had as a scrapbooker?

Heidi: I think my most favorite experience I�ve had is teaching the �she� class I developed. The �she� class is a concept that takes a long time to describe and talk about. The �She� book that inspired all this was written by Colby Yobda. My favorite quote is �she designed a life she loved�. If you really think about that for a while I think it�s a beautiful thing. I have the opportunity to remind women that they have the power to design the life they love. We can show our love for life through our scrapbooking and leave valuable messages. We can leave a tremendous legacy for ourselves, and our loved ones. Choosing the kind of person we want to be and the kind of life we want to have is the perfect way to start a lifetime of pursuit. It�s so amazing to teach this concept and to have people understand it.

Jill: You�re going to be passing on a good message about a good way to live; the right way to live. Well Heidi, it has been great. Thank you.

Heidi: You are absolutely welcome.

Jill: We appreciate your kindness and what you do for the industry. Have a great day.
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Memory Creations Forum Administrator

Articles :: Summertime Kids Crops

Author: memcreations
Subject: Summertime Kids Crops
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:39 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Those lazy days of summer are right around the corner. Days are longer, and kids are home from school. Most of us like to attend a crop now and then, and if your children enjoy scrapbooking and crafting then they too might like to participate in, or even host, a kids' crop.

Mum and Me events are always popular in the summer when little ones are home. Getting a group of friends together offers a social outlet for the children and parents alike. There are two different style of crops for kids: the planned activity crop and the freestyle craft day.

Planned Activity Crop:

If you like the idea of an orderly event then the planned activity crop is the best way to go. Decide on your guest list, and then plan a specific project that each child will complete with or without adult help. Large zip-top bags can hold pre-cut items, sticker modules, a glue stick and other necessary materials. Have a finished example for the kids and parents to see and a few typed instructions included with each kit.

This type of crop is great for children at reading level or above. They can follow the directions and complete a layout, mini-book, or other project and then personalize it to make it their own style.

Keep in mind any tools you'll need, and inform parents ahead of time if their child will need scissors, photographs, and the like, so that they can bring them to the crop.

With this type of event I like to have the kids craft something other than a scrapbook layout. Picture frames, book covers, accordion-fold mini albums, or altered shoe boxes are all fun ideas. These are items that the children can use or give as a gift even if they don't have a scrapbook of their own started.

If your activity is hosted at the beginning of the summer you could have the children complete a simple What I Did This Summer mini album. Then throughout the summer parents can help their child add photos and fill in the journaling.

Freestyle Craft Day:

If the idea of a free-for-all, no-holds-barred day of creative expression is more your style then I suggest going with a more loosely planned event.

Ask participating parents to clean out their stash of supplies. Each child brings a shoebox-sized plastic container with a lid that is labeled with his or her name on it. Inside this container can be paper scraps, stickers or die cuts, paper doll bodies, and bits or pieces of collage items; whatever the parent no longer needs is fair game.

As the host you provide glue sticks, and have communal tools like shaped scissors, punches, stamps or a die-cut machine. You can also provide a crafting base, like a poster-sized piece of tag board, a large letter from the child's name, or small journals.

The children then have the afternoon to glue, sticker, bejewel, and otherwise embellish to their heart's contentment.

You do have to be prepared for a little more mess this way, but it's a wonderful way for parents to clean out their unused supplies as well as offering the children creative license to create whatever their imagination comes up with.

Tips for Either Type of Crop

No matter which type of activity you plan here are a few tips to keep your crop moving along smoothly, and ensure plenty of fun for everyone.

Invitations: Be sure to send out invitations early enough that your guests can attend your crop. Summer days fill up fast, and you don't want any of your friends missing out because they didn't hear about your crop early enough. An email reminder or call a day or two before will give you a good idea of who is planning on attending.
Name Badges: It can be hard to remember all those little one's names. Simple necklace-style name badges that slip over the child's head are an easy solution. You can use precut photo mattes and stickers to decorate them, and then punch holes in the top corners and string some yarn through the holes.
Snacks: Finger foods and juice boxes are my preferred snacks for kid crops. Nothing that will cause sticky fingers or easily spill all over the budding artist's creations should be served. Cookies, grapes, cheese and crackers, or licorice vines are all good options.
Wet Wipes: Even with the best planning, accidents happen. It's always best to have a tub of wet wipes on hand for quick clean up, or to remove icky glue-stick residue from work surfaces.
Garbage Cans: If adults need their own trash receptacle at a crop then children will need two! Make sure you have plenty of garbage bags near the snack area, the cropping area, and a few in between as well. You'll want to point out the garbage cans before the kids start crafting so they know where to toss their scraps.
Swap and Crop: If you have several children coming to the crop it's the perfect time to plan a little swap, specifically child-related items like books or toys. Each parent can choose a few items that are in nice condition that their children no longer play with or books they've outgrown, and add them to the swap table. Then the children can all take turns picking out something new to take home. This is a great way to recycle. Anything left over can be donated to a local shelter or thrift store.
Thank You Notes: Lastly, take this opportunity to teach your children about the fine art of the thank-you note. Something simple and sincere is all that is necessary, and it will be appreciated by each guest.
Summer is the perfect time to play host and plan a fun-filled kid's crop of your own. Our children love sharing our hobby with us, and working together to plan a child-friendly crop can be very exciting for parent and child alike. It doesn't have to be elaborate; it just has to be fun!
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Articles :: Vellum Bouquets

Author: memcreations
Subject: Vellum Bouquets
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 12:09 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

A Bouquet of Vellum Page Ideas! We love vellum! We just can�t resist mixing and matching coloured and patterned vellum sheets with patterned papers, first trying this check sheet with that pastel vellum, and this floral vellum with that plaid.

While we were playing, we made a few discoveries about coordinating vellum papers with pastel patterned papers!

We all know that while a single sheet of vellum paper is lovely all by itself, you really need to place a patterned paper companion underneath the vellum sheet. Are there any rules? Well, no, actually there aren�t�it�s truly a matter of what looks good to you. And while some scrappers like the �No Rules� approach, others feel more confident with a few guidelines and examples.

We think these examples will suit both types of scrappers! If you want to see some incredible vellum and patterned paper combinations, come play with us and see what we�ve discovered!

Combo #1:
Soft Tints and Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #3081. Simply slip a piece of patterned paper from Soft Tints underneath a patterned vellum sheet from Floral Vellum Papers and watch the colors shift and change.

Notice how the yellow stripe brings out the yellow in the rose, while the pink check makes the rose look pink. What color combination best suits the colors in your photograph?

Combo #2:

Soft Florals & Patterns and Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #3090. These two work together extremely well. Here we started our page with a sheet of soft pansies from Soft Florals & Patterns. Layering a lavender pastel vellum paper brings the muted flowers into sharper focus while highlighting the green leaves in the background.

Soft Florals is a book of 12"x12" papers patterned with soft colors and muted designs. Each soft floral paper has a coordinating sheet of soft stripes, dots or checks. Combine it with Pastel Vellum Papers for a great collage look, easy mats, borders and layering.

Combo #3:
Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #3090 and Soft Tints. And yes, combining the vellums in Pastel Vellum Papers with the prints in Soft Tints also looks great.
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Articles :: Acid Free Paper

Author: memcreations
Subject: Acid Free Paper
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 12:04 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Acid Free
Acid is used in paper manufacturing to break apart the wood fibers and the lignin which holds them together. If acid remains in the materials used for photo albums, the acid can react chemically with photographs and accelerate their deterioration. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7.0 or above. It's imperative that all materials (glue, pens, paper, etc.) used in memory albums or scrapbooks be acid-free.

Acid Migration
is the transfer of acidity from one item to another through physical contact or acidic vapors. If a newspaper clipping were put into an album, the area it touched would turn yellow or brown. A de-acidification spray can be used on acidic papers, or they can be colour photocopied onto acid-free papers.

Archival Quality
is a term used to indicate materials which have undergone laboratory analysis to determine that their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.

Buffered Paper
During manufacture a buffering agent such as calcium carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate can be added to paper to neutralize acid contaminants. Such papers have a pH of 8.5.

Lignin
is the bonding material which holds wood fibers together as a tree grows. If lignin remains in the paper product (as with newsprint) it will become yellow and brittle over time. Most paper other than newsprint is lignin-free.

pH factor
refers to the acidity of a paper. The pH scale is the standard for measurement of acidity and alkalinity. It runs from 0 to 14 with each number representing a ten-fold increase; pH neutral is 7. Acid-free products have a pH factor from 7 or above. Special pH tester pens are available to help you determine the acidity or alkalinity of products.

Photo-safe
is a term similar to archival quality but more specific to materials used with photographs. Acid-free is the determining factor for a product to be labeled photo-safe.

Sheet protectors
These are made of plastic to slip over a finished album page. They can be side-loading or top-loading and fit 8 1/2"x11" or 12"x12" pages. It's important that they be acid free and pvc-free. Use those specifically labeled photo-safe or archival quality.
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Articles :: Black & White photos with key elements in color

Author: memcreations
Subject: Black & White photos with key elements in color
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:23 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Ever wonder how those Black & White photos with key elements in colour are created? In Photoshop there are several way to create this effect. Assuming you are starting with a colour photo, the easiest method is #4 (listed below). Using a brush tool you simply paint the areas you want into Black & White (grayscale). It's easy and surprisely fast.

Method #1) Duplicate your image (layer) and convert it to grayscale. In the grayscale layer select the area you want to be in colour and �erase� it to let the colour version show through (to let the colour layer underneath the grayscale layer show though). CONS must be a good with the eraser tool.

Method #2) Carefully select and copy the area you want to be in colour. Convert the whole image to grayscale, then convert back to RGB and paste the colour selection back in. CONS must be able to select an exact area and you may not like the edge of the area you paste in.

Method #3) Carefully select the area you want to be in colour, then choose Select Inverse and invert the selection to encompass the background, then use the Hue/Saturation feature to desaturate the whole backgroud to black and white. CONS also must be able to select an exact area.

Method #4) Begin with your colour image, select the Brush tool, in the tool Options Bar, from the pull-down menu select MODE then COLOUR. Now, select a brush size that works well for the area you want to make B&W and paint the colour away (converts to grayscale). Switch to a smaller brush for the detailed areas.

Photoshop Elements � Everything is in the options bar across the top a) grab a brush, b) set brush style and size, c) set the blending mode to "Colour" and d) paint away!

Method #5) Choose Layers > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Observe in the layers palette you've now picked up new Layer, complete with Layer Mask. Move the Saturation slider all the way to the left to desaturate the image, or remove the colour. Remember that an adjustment layer is the key because it doesn't disturb the underlying image. Select the Brush Tool, make sure that foreground colour is black, select the new layer and paint the area you want in color.
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Articles :: Baby Ultrasound Journaling

Author: memcreations
Subject: Baby Ultrasound Journaling
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:11 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

The instructions read: "Drink 800 ounces of water, then wait 45 minutes and don't use the bathroom prior to your scheduled ultrasound. You must have a full bladder." Say what?! First the baby is already kicking your bladder, and then you're supposed to drink, drink, drink and then hold it? That must be some kind of sick joke.

Unfortunately it's no joke. Any woman who has endured an ultrasound will tell you that's the real deal. Apparently your innards need to be extended in order for the sonographer to better view your unborn baby. Notwithstanding the first time you see your little miracle moving, sucking her (or his) thumb and sometimes waving, you will forget all about the fact that your teeth are floating.

In fact, what you will be feeling and thinking is an indescribable experience. As soon as you get home, you will want to journal as much as you can remember: What were you initial impressions? Was it what you thought it would be like? Did seeing your baby somehow make you love your child even more than you thought possible? Even though you knew you were going to be a mum, did seeing your baby on the screen solidify that fact? Did you find out the gender? Did baby cooperate? Or was junior shy?

You will be given a couple of different photos documenting your child's first film appearance. Don't let your baby's first promo pictures end up in a drawer. Put them in your Ultrasound Scrapbook. Depending on an array of variables, you may have more then one set of ultrasound pictures to add to your scrapbook. If you have your first set taken at week 21, and then another ultrasound done at week 38 you'll have an excellent comparison to show how much your baby is developing. Years later your child will love looking at his skeleton.

Try to wait long enough to put your latest ultrasound pictures into a scrap book before you show off the most recent installment in your pregnancy saga. Your coworkers will be more apt to give your photos more than simple a cursory glance.

Even if you create journal entries and a scrapbook merely for your own benefit, you will be glad you did. Most mothers will tell you that they had a touch of "pregnancy brain" (aka forgetfulness). You want to make sure you don't omit any chapters in this beautiful journey.
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Articles :: Brag Books

Author: memcreations
Subject: Brag Books
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:08 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

The brag book is the scrapbooking enthusiasts answer to what to do with all those left over bits and scraps from other projects. Brag books aren�t just for showing of babies either. They can be used to tell a story about trip, event or even a special accomplishment.

Even on a short weekend trip, a scrapper develops a habit of saving small mementos from just about everywhere that she goes. She pockets a matchbook, napkin or paper coaster from a restaurant. The plastic room key from a hotel does not get dropped back off at the counter. Parking stickers and pay stubs all make it into her purse.

Then later when she has photographs printed and ready to scrap from her weekend away, she has fun scrap elements from all of those places to work into her brag book. And when she is finished, she doesn�t have to just tell all her friends about her trip � she can show them.

Train your kids when they go to summer camp to do the same thing. Give them a supply of disposable cameras to fill up with memories. Tell them you want everything that they create and every ribbon that they win brought back home with them and to keep an eye out for other keepsakes that they would be allowed to pack away. A bunk assignment list gives them a lifelong reminder of the kids they shared space with.

Many couples take photographs as they remodel their home or redesign a room. Keep snips of the old curtains and furniture fabric to use with �before� layouts. Even old sun-faded pictures can be pirated for a wistful background to represent days gone by.

A brag book is perfect for those scrapping stories that deserve more than a single page but just aren�t big enough to fill a whole scrapbook on its own. They have wonderful pass around value and they�re small enough to ship inexpensively so they make a great gift for friends far away.
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Articles :: Mini Albums

Author: memcreations
Subject: Mini Albums
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:07 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Mini albums are a perfect scrap booking party project. Invite a group of gal pals over for a night of scrapping fun. Tell each one to bring a snack, their left over scraps and bits and 10-15 photographs from a recent event that they�d like to create a brag book about. You pick up a bundle of inexpensive mini albums at the store. They usually come six by six or seven by seven inches and cost just a few dollars.

Have your computer and scanner set up and ready with some card stock by the printer to be able to create text headings for the individual mini album pages or to create a title graphic for the cover if there�s a place for one.

Spread out all of your leftovers and tools and everything your friends brought with them and prepare to have a blast creating from what you have. There isn�t a lot of room for complicated layouts on a mini album page so you should find that you have plenty of material to work with.

It�s like a treasure hunt to explore all of the little bits that others have been saving for just the right little project. Ask the women to share stories about the original projects these leftovers came from, this out to spark some really interesting conversation.

Creativity seems to pour out when you get together in a group to do something like this. Watching each other�s ideas take shape is fun and inspiring. This is also a great opportunity to introduce a friend to scrapping for the first time. She can experience the process, get ideas and not have to have spent a lot of money on supplies in advance.

A mini albums party lets you create some fun new memories while you celebrate older memories and friendships at the same time.
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Articles :: Discovering What You Love & Finding Your Style

Author: memcreations
Subject: Discovering What You Love & Finding Your Style
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:27 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

Knowing your own style is important as you try to conserve time, money, and energy for scrapbooking. Clarifying your personal tastes helps you to be focused on what you want to accomplish in your layouts and you�ll be less likely to get distracted by the fads, hype, and promotions that are all part of the scrapbooking industry. Mood Boards are a great way to cut through the white noise and really find your own personal style.

Before introducing a new clothing line, many fashion designers give their buyers and suppliers an overall impression of the image they want to portray. They often do this through a collage method called �mood boards.� A fashion mood board may contain cutouts from books or magazines, key words or phases, fabric swatches, music selections, and much more. Any sensory item that gives the viewer an idea of the designer�s direction is attached to the mood board.

In scrapbooking, you can use this same image-collage technique to determine your own style which will help you design and construct your layouts.

Making Your Mood Board

1. To begin, flip through some of your favorite magazines (general living, fashion, home design, etc.). Find pictures that appeal to you or represent your personal taste. They don�t have to make sense or even fit together. You don�t even have to understand why a certain picture appeals to you. If it makes an impression or elicits a positive response, tear it out.

2. Next, look for colours, embellishments, techniques, or any other sensory items you like. You may want to pick your favorite song or download a sample of your favorite fonts. Be creative with what you use to pull together as you work at discovering your own style.

3. When you are through collecting, fasten each item onto an appropriately sized piece of cardboard or a bulletin board in collage form.

4. Finally, study your work. It�s okay if your mood board doesn�t feel quite complete yet. Analyze what you have. What impressions or moods do the grouped items give you? Is there a general theme to your style? Can you narrow or even pinpoint your idea of beauty? What colours do you prefer? Figure out what your mood board is telling you.
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Articles :: Organizing Paper

Author: memcreations
Subject: Organizing Paper
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:22 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

I love to organize. I also love paper, from notebook paper to colored cardstock to Patterned Papers. I especially love all the specialty papers available to scrapbookers now. Hence, I have quite the collection of paper at my house. Unfortunately, instead of the photographic memory I ordered when I was born, I ended up with a "If I can't see it, it doesn't exist" brain; I need to have most of my collection of scrapbook supplies out where I can see them so I can remember what I have.

Recently I searched through my huge stack of Patterned Paper for I'm not sure what, and realized I was lost. I had tons of wonderful Patterned Paper that was disorganized. I had invested over $100 in my paper collection and didn't even know what I had. I needed to use my investment and invest more wisely in the future. What you will learn in this article are the easy techniques I employed for sorting and storing Patterned Paper, cardstock and scrap paper. These techniques will allow you to see exactly what papers you have available. This in turn will allow you to get on with your scrapbooking instead of spending precious minutes, or hours, rummaging through your paper piles. These techniques also help in choosing appropriate papers for your layouts.

First, let me share some related observations. Shopping behaviors among scrapbookers fall into two categories. Those in the first category are organized: they go to the scrapbook store with photos for several events in an envelope or folder. They browse the aisles of the store, carefully choosing patterned or specialty paper that match their photos exactly. Next they gather a few printed die cuts or stickers to embellish their pages. They then choose just the right shades of cardstock for each of the layouts-in-progress they are carrying. Finally, they then choose a pen or two to accent their die cuts and to journal on their dark cardstock, and they're set. At the register, their purchases are carefully sorted by theme, ready to be transformed into picture-perfect layouts.

I, however, fell into the second category. Here's an example of my shopping trips before putting my new techniques into practice. I would arrive at the scrapbook store with at least one of my three small children. If it was the one-year-old, she remained on my hip, holding a very sticky sucker to keep her quiet. (She usually chose several papers for me by touching them with her cute little sticky fingers.) I grabbed a basket, and started tossing "cool" or "pretty" papers into it. I got distracted by the die-cut display and chose some shapes I thought I'd use sooner or later. The sparkly papers might catch my eye next, and I'd pick several, just in case. I'd grab a package of assorted cardstock papers, with a lot of pink, because I have three girls (never mind that they almost never wear pink and so it hardly ever matches the photos!). Finally, I'd run to the register when my baby started to scream, and leave the store without the black Zig Writer that was the only necessary thing on my mental list.

If you're always in that first category, you should submit an article, we need people like you! And if you're in the second category, hang on, because you're in for a great adventure! First, I'll tell you how to wade through the rivers of papers you already have. Then I'll lead you across the stepping stones of efficient scrapbook supply shopping. If I did it, so can you.
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