Make it Monday

Mondays are Make It Monday at For the Love of Scrap. You are challenged to create a layout using the inspiration I provide. The inspiration maybe a word definition, a quote, a color palette, or an advertisement. This challenge meant to train your mind to look for scrapbooking inspiration in the world around you.

Plum is this year's hot color. So, try incorporating some into your next layout. Here is this Monday's inspirational color combination. Here's how to translate this combination to your layout. Use:

• a dark royal plum for about 1/2 of your layout,
  
• a light silvery grey for 1/4 of your layout,
• a medium violet for 1/8 of your layout,
  
• and a medium olive for the final 1/8.
  

When you have completed your layout, please post it on our Google Group.

Just like Project Runway...Make it work!,
Colleen

Saturday Sketch - Sketch #32

Saturdays at For the Love of Scrap are for sharing my original sketches.

So, without further ado, here is sketch 32.

Please remember to upload your completed layouts on our Google Group website here.

ttfn,
Colleen

The Thursday Review

Thursdays at For the Love of Scrap include reviews of products, books, magazines, stores, and all things related to scrapbooking and papercrafting.

Up for review this week is Digital Scrapbooking magazine.


The stats:
Issues per year: 6
Cover price: $6.99 US and $9.99 CAN
Advertised subscription price: $23.97 US
Best subscription price: $14.99 US.

Digital Scrapbooking is published by CK Media. CK Media also publishes Paper Crafts, Simple Scrapbooks and Creating Keepsakes. These magazines are leaders in the industry. So how does the newest sister publication stack up?

This review is based on the April/May 2008 issue.
As you can expect from its name, digital scrapbooking, the magazine has a digital scrapbooking focus. It does, however, also incorporate tips and techniques that can be used by hybrid, tradigital and traditional scrapbookers alike. For example, on pp.13-15, of this issue the article addresses that fonts should match the mood of your page. Though the article goes into details about how you can create a layered title that utilize different font styles and sizes using either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; the tips can be applied for use with traditional materials fairly easily.

Other topics covered: photo color correction, scanning, templates, tutorials, product reviews, and more.

Renee Pearson is probably the best-known contributor to this magazine.

This magazine is best for those who are comfortable using a computer, like a challenge and can learn independently. You do not need to be proficient with Photoshop to enjoy this magazine, though you may glean more from some of the techniques demonstrated.

Rating: $$ out of $$$
$ = Not worth the money.
$$ = I wouldn't pay full price, but definitely pick it up when on sale.
$$$ = Don't wait, buy it now!

Happy scrappin',
Colleen

What's New Wednesday

Wednesdays at For the Love of Scrap are for sharing what's new in the world of scrapbooking.

Today's find is a set of acrylic stamps Boy Zahn's Life by Little Yellow Bicycle. This set is targeted at the crafter with boys. This doesn't apply to me. I have all girls. Though, it didn't prevent me from buying this set. I loved the 'Top 10 List' and the large arrow that says 'check this out.' It will work perfectly with my Sketch #29. With the exception of the 'boy' stamp, I think the rest are fairly unisex.

I also love that for those of you who are journalphobic, the 'top 10 list' and circle journal box are perfect. Just stamp the image and write on the lines. No worries that your lines aren't straight or that you don't have enough to say to fill the space. Just write a few quick lines and you're off to your next layout.

It's rare to find a great 'boy' stamp set. But, this is one of them. I'd love to see what you've created using this stamp set. Please feel free to post your creations on our Google Group here.

Happy Scrappin',
Colleen

Tuesday Tips

Tuesdays at For the Love of Scrap are full of tips. These tips could be anything, for example:

• How to organize your craft space.
• Hosting a crop at your home.
• Getting the most from your supplies.
• Great scrapbooking sites.
• Answers to questions you send to me.
• An much more...

Today's Tuesday Tip is how to properly clean your craft stamps. Regardless of what type of stamps you use (foam, polymer, or rubber) they all must be cleaned after each use. Cleaning your stamps preserves its details, prevents it from becoming brittle and avoids accidental inkings.

For proper cleaning you will need a stamp cleaning pad and stamp cleaner.


If you use a solvent-based ink such as Staz-On, you will need a solvent ink stamp cleaner.

Of course, if you use both types of inks, it's best to have a separate stamp cleaning pad for each.

What I have found works best to clean my stamps is to first clean them with baby wipes, then scrub them on the stamp cleaning pad (with the proper stamp cleaner) and finish by patting them dry on a clean cloth.

I hope you found this week's Tuesday Tip helpful.

All the best,
Colleen

Freebie Friday

I know it's not Friday, but I wanted you to have this week's freebie early. Head on over to our Google Group and download our Make It Monday quote as either a .psd or .jpg file.

Have fun!,
Colleen

Make It Monday

I'm trying something new here at For the Love of Scrap. Every day I will be providing inspiration. Mondays are Make It Monday. You are challenged to create a layout using the inspiration I provide. The inspiration maybe a word definition, a quote, a color palette, or an advertisement. This challenge meant to train your mind to look for scrapbooking inspiration in the world around you.

So this Monday's inspiration is a quote from Shad Helmstetter

You are everything that is, your thoughts, your life, your dreams come true. Your are everything you choose to be. You are as unlimited as the endless universe.

When you have completed your layout, please post it on our Google Group.

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #31

Get out your craft stamps. The finishing touch to this layout is two stamp images. To overlap the stamped image onto both the paper and your photos using acrylic or rubber stamps, you will need to use either Staz-on ink or regular ink and embossing powder that is heat-set. Otherwise, the ink will smear.

Here are some stamps to try:

If you aren't familiar with acrylic stamps, let me fill you in. In addition to our clear stamps, you will also need clear acrylic stamp blocks when using clear stamps. The blocks only need to be purchased once, can be used forever, and with any manufacturers acrylic stamps.
I love clear stamps. They take up so much less space than wood-mounted stamps. Also, if you need to restamp your image, they're see through, so you can easily line the image up and restamp.

Finally, you can use foam stamps and acrylic paint (which is acid free) to stamp on your scrapbook page. The paint adds an textural interest to your page that is impossible to get with any other medium.

Give these techniques a try.

"where there is fear, there is no creativity."
- Christopher Lowell

Get creative today,
Colleen

Sketch #30

Another 2-page layout for you to try. The large photos are 4x6 and the circular photos are roughly 2-inches across.

If you would like the .psd file of this layout, all you have to do is post a comment about this layout and email me at colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com.

Of course, your finished layout is always welcome here. So, email it to me. I love to see what you talented scrappers can do!

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #29

10 photos fit on this 2-page 12 x 12 scrapbook template. The bold title on the left hand side of the spread is balanced by the dominant arrow graphic that is just off center.

Your journaling goes around the perimeter of the photo collage. I show the journaling just on the bottom and right side, but if more room is needed, write around the entire photo assemble.

Design note: when creating a scrapbook layout with many photos, it's best to vary the weight of the photos. In other words, make sure some of your photos are distance photos, while others are close-ups.

Have fun!

Colleen