What's New Wednesday

Today's What's New Wednesday item is Basic Grey's new Cupcake Collection. You can buy it at your local scrapbooking store or online here.

What a great collection for all the upcoming summer outings.

Colleen

Tuesday Tips

Today's Tuesday Tip is a reminder that this Saturday, May 3rd is National Scrapbooking Day. Scrapbooking stores throughout the country will be celebrating. Check with your local scrapbooking store to see what special events they have planned.

Online scrapbooking stores are celebrating as well with freebies, challenges and discounts. A list of a few of the many sites with celebrations is available on the official National Scrapbooking Day website.

Get together with your friends this Saturday and get scrappin'.

All the best,
Colleen

Make It Monday

Today's Make It Monday inspirational item is a Coach handbag. What does this inspire you to make? Scrapbook paper? Embellishments? A card? Something else?

Go get creative!,
Colleen

Saturday Sketch

This 5-photo, 2-page layout was created using a digital kit. Don't despair if you are a traditional scrapper. This layout is easily duplicated when broken into steps.

1. Start with a solid background paper.
2. Cut large paisleys or crescent moons from patterned paper and adhere to the background paper.
3. Trim the 5-photos to size.
4. Using a large circle punch or Coluzzle circle template, cut a half circle from each of the two end photos as shown.
5. Adhere photos to pages.
6. Adhere ribbon so that it overlaps both the paper and photos.
   
7. Pierce the middle of each felt or paper circles (as well as the paper where the embellishment will go) and insert a large brad (or a button) through all layers and splay the back the back of the brads to secure.
8. On a slightly larger circle of felt or paper, add your layout title and journaling.
   Adhere to layout.
9. The final touch is a coordinating frame adhered over the main photo to highlight your subject.
   

Digital kit: Rainy Day Sunday Add-On, designed and copyrighted by Amy Bleser. See yesterday's Friday Freebie to grab this kit for free.

Please send me your completed layouts. I helps keep me motivated to create these sketches each week.

All the Best,
Colleen

Freebie Friday

Today's freebie is available for download from digitalfreebies.com. Rainy Day Sunday add-on kit is by Amy Bleser.

Happy Scrapping,
Colleen

What's New Wednesday

Making Memories as new tool, the Slice digital design cutter. It will be available for purchase summer 2008. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Here's why...

1. It's small, only 5 inches square.
2. It's light, less than 2 pounds.
3. It doesn't require a computer.
4. It can cut almost every paper - including vellum, vinyl, textured cardstock and photos up to .5 mm thick.
5. It can cut any size of paper.
6. It doesn't require a computer cartridge with special matching keypad.
7. It is cordless (though it shows one in the picture on the right, that is for the recharging its batteries).
   
8. It claims to be easy to use. The video seems to confirm it.

Possible problem. I have not seen a price.

As soon as the Slice becomes available, you can be sure I'll be posting a link on where you can get yours.

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 scrapbook with your children.

First, you need to keep your child's age in mind. Your child needs to be able to use scissors and a glue stick in order to be successful at scrapbooking. Also, you need to use tools appropriate for your child's skill level. Safety is important.

• For younger children (<10 years)
  
• For tweens (10 to 12 years) use the above list plus: glue dots, buttons, flowers, brads, paper trimmer, decorative scissors, ribbons, staples, stamps and punches.
• For teens (13+) use: anything that you use in scrapbooking. (ie coluzzle, X-Acto knife, piercing tools, sewing machines, etc.)

Next, chose an appropriate scrapbooking size for your child. Because children are smaller, it is usually best for them to use smaller sized scrapbooks. tag, coffee filter, paper bag, 4x6, 6x6 and 8x8 albums are great for kids. These sizes are easier for them to carry, pages can be completed faster, smaller (less expensive) photos can be used, and they can use your scraps (instead of them using your new stash). Directions for making a 4x6 album can be found here. Directions for making a 6x6 album can be found here. Directions for making just about any other album can be found here.

Creating these mini scrapbooks is a ideal craft project for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of all ages (for example, Brownie Hobbies Try-It badge).

Go make memories with your child today.

Colleen

The image above comes from http://www.mayaroad.com/new/images/2cover.jpg

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.

This Monday's inspiration is Pet Owner’s Day. April 18th is Pet Owner's Day so this week's challenge is to complete a layout of your pet(s).

I want to see your work. Please post completed layouts on our google group board here.

Have fun,
Colleen

Saturday Sketch

To created your finished layout using this sketch:

1. Start with a dark cardstock.
2. Trim 1" from two sides of an 12x12 light monochromatic patterned paper (one that looks solid when seen at a distance). Using a corner rounder punch, trim each corner. Adhere to the cardstock.
   
3. Cut a circle from patterned paper. Cut the circle in half.
   
4. Trim three photos into diamond shapes of the same size.
   
5. Test placement of photos and half circles on layout. Once happy, adhere to background paper (adhering the half circles first, then the photos.)
6. Add a large title as shown.
7. Place brads, buttons, flowers or other embellishments in each of the four corners.
8. Finish by journaling.
   

Happy Scrapping!,
Colleen

Freebie Friday

Fridays at For the Love of Scrap are for sharing freebies that either I have created or found in my internet travels.

These quick pages can be downloaded for free from digitalfreebies.com here.

A Spring Garden {Quick Page Bonus} by Angela Sharrow

Happy Friday,

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 Layout Blueprints: Creative Concepts for Scrapbook Page Design by Amy Elkins.

The stats:
Cover price: $19.95 US $22.95 CAN
ISBN 978-0-9787433-0-7
108 pages

Layout Blueprints offers 55 sketches in a variety of sizes all of which are double layouts. Each sketch is accompanied by no less than two full-color sample layouts. Each layout includes a materials list with manufacturer information.

The book's construction is spiral bond, so it lays flat when open. The books pages are printed full-color on glossy paper.

Sprinkled throughout the book, 'It's in the Details' boxes offer advice on recreating the sample layout.

The layout sketches are simple and streamlined. You can see a preview of the book here.

Though, overall I like this book, If you only can buy one sketch book I would suggest Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches For Creative Layouts by Becky Fleck. Buy Layout Blueprints here.

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

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 host a crop in your home.

First, food and beverages are essential to any gathering. But when scrapbooking, it can spell disaster. You should set up a separate area just for eating and drinking. I've had a glass of pop, accidentally spilled by a fellow scrapper, take out a stack of my favorite papers. Consider serving non-finger food. Greasy fingerprints can ruin a layout. Try offering scrap-friendly snacks instead, like pretzels.

In addition to the food station, you will want an inspiration station. This is where you would leave scrapbooking magazines, books and sketches for others to borrow.

You may also want to consider having a supplies station. I'm not suggesting you provide the supplies for everyone. But, rather that all the participants can leave supplies they no longer want and take what they like. Like a mini scrap swap.

Finally, you need cropping areas for each participant. I suggest that you provide a space about 3' by 3' for each person. This allows for spreading out their materials and a nice sized area to work on their layouts. Remember to provide everyone with a plastic grocery bag for their trash, so clean up is easy. Also, remind them that they can place larger scraps that they don't want at the supplies station for others to use.

All the best,
Colleen

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.

This Monday's inspiration is an advertisement. Try your hand at making a layout based on this ad. This technique is called a scraplift.

I want to see your work. Please post completed layouts on our google group board here.

Have fun,
Colleen

Saturday Sketch

I know I said I was going to only sketch in grey scale from now on and avoid using digital kits, but I couldn't resist this one. 10 photos of varying sizes fit on this double layout.

The two journaling blocks are created through the use of Hand Drawn Journaling Panels acrylic stamps by Autumn Leaves.

Pattern Paper, ribbons and bows all from No Room for Grey kit by retrodiva (Tracy Collins) www.retrodiva.net.

Remember to post your completed layouts at our google group.

Happy Scrapping!
Colleen

Freebie Friday

This entire digital scrapbooking kit can be downloaded onto your computer for zip, zilch, nada. That's free folks. ;o) Get it here.

Be Mine by retrodiva {designs}

Happy Friday,

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 Scrapbook Page Maps by Becky Fleck.
Let me start out by saying I wish I had written this book. This is the best scrapbooking book I have purchased to date (let's just say I have a few).

So what exactly makes this book so great? First, the book's construction. The book is spiral bond, so it lays flat when open. But, unlike most spiral bound books, the publishers were smart enough to cover the spiral binding with a hard cover. This way when the book is on a shelf, you can still find the book by looking at its spine. Also, unprotected spiral binding tends to snag itself on objects. The books pages are printed full-color on glossy paper.

Second, the books sketches or page maps (60 in total) vary in size and orientation. They include: 12x12 single, 12x12 double, 8 1/2x11 vertical, 8 1/2x11 horizontal and 8 1/2x11 double. In addition, each sketch is accompanied by no less than two full-color sample layouts.

Third, along with the details of how the sample layout was created, each page contains "tip," "give it a try" and/or "eye spy" boxes. The "tip" boxes give advice, such as "For added dimension, double up photo anchors one on top of the other and attach with a brad." The "give it a try" boxes provide step-by-step photos demonstrating a scrapbooking technique, such as how to create a title block that looks like granite. The "eye spy" boxes draw your attention to details contained in the sample layouts that you may not have noticed, such as "Connie used the negative piece left over from popping the 'Y' out of the nested chipboard letter and backed it with patterned paper."

Lastly, the most unique and arguably the best part of this book is the deck of sketch cards that is included. The cards and card box are located at the back of the book. All you do is punch out the cards and box. The box is easily assembled by folding on the pre-scored lines and taping shut one side. The cards, just like the book, are full-color. One side of each card contains the sketch and the other contains a sample layout along with a materials list needed to recreate the layout. The cards are the size of children's playing cards and are coated, thus perfect for bringing to a crop or shopping.

So, is there anything I don't like about this book? Yep. I don't know when or if a sequel will be published.

This book is perfect for the novice scrapper to the seasoned scrapbooker.

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 clear acrylic stamps Sometimes You're the Bug ($9.99) by Clear Dollar Stamps LLC. This set of stamps is so cute, unique and versatile.

2 coordinating stamp sets are currently available too. These include: Heaven Bound ($4.99) and Bugs and Kisses ($9.99).

I've been buying stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps LLC for a couple of years now. The quality is always great.

I also like that when you spend at least $50, you get the stamp of the month set free. In addition, if you spend more you get more free. See here for details.


ttfn,
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 make your own scented embossing powder.

1. Add Kool-Aid drink mix (dry) to clear embossing powder in a small container.
2. Shake container to mix.

You can also try substituting dry spices and unused coffee grounds for the Kool-Aid drink mix.

Note: If you use larger granule ingredients, like unused coffee grounds, you will not to use embossing enamel or UTEE in place of regular embossing powder. This is due to the fact that regular embossing powder has finer granules and they will sink under the larger coffee granules and the result is less than ideal. Also, don't use powders that contain sugar. The sugar will caramelize when heated.

I recommend you only use these scented embossing powders on cards or other papercrafts that don't need to be archival safe.

Here are some card sentiments to try:

Have a berry nice Christmas.

You're a grape friend!

Thank you cherry much.

Thank you berry much.

Thank you for being a berry good friend.

Thanks a bunch. (think grapes or bananas)

I love you a whole bunch.

I'd go bananas without you.

May your new year be fruitful.

Orange you glad we're friends?

You're an orange-inal.

I'm nuts for you.

I'm cocoa for you.

Thanks a latte.

Is there any problem chocolate can't solve?

When life gives you lemons...make lemonade.

You can use the scented embossing powder just like regular embossing powder. Just stamp your image, sprinkle with the embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat with embossing gun.

Try it on stickers, die cuts, and patterned paper too.

Post your creations on our google group board.

All the best,
Colleen