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

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

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 #24

Believe it or not, this layout was inspired from a scene in Ugly Betty. Like I revealed in my earlier post, my inspiration comes from everywhere.

I think this sketch is reminiscent of a French bulletin board with a file folder tucked under its ribbons.

Please send me your creations. I just love it when you share them with me.

Credits

Papers: ©2005-2006 Atomic Cupcake Springy collection. www.atomiccupcake.com.
Embellishments:
- Brads and tab ©2005-2006 Atomic Cupcake Springy collection. www.atomiccupcake.com.
- Ribbon is my creation.
Font:
The King and Queen

NOTE: All the Atomic Cupcake items are available as a free download on their website.

Until next time,
Colleen

Sketch #21

This sketch holds two 4" x 5 1/2" photos. The top outside corners of the photos should be rounded to match the rounding of the orange paper [I just couldn't figure out how to do it using PhotoShop Elements.]

Credits
Papers: March Free{Pea} Digital Kit
©2006 Anne Langpap
www.twopeasinabucket.com
Embellishments: March Free{Pea} Digital Kit
©2006 Anne Langpap
www.twopeasinabucket.com
Font: New Day

If you use my sketch, please send me the link where you have it posted or email it to me directly. I love seeing your creations.

All the best,
Colleen

Sketch #20

The long wait is over. Here is another new sketch to help kick start your creativity. My design can hold eight photos.

Tip: Did you know that you can substitute multiple smaller photos in place of a large one without sacrificing the integrity of the design? The same goes for converting multiply smaller photos into a larger one. In this sketch, the two wallet-sized photos could become a 4"x6" instead. One of the 4"x6" photos on the bottom, could be changed to two wallet-sized photos.

This sketch was created using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.

Credits:

Papers: Evening in the Garden by Lisa Carter www.digitalscrapbookplace.com
Embellishments: Thankful by Janel Kretsch www.thedigishoppe.com
Font: decadence

Please let me know if you post a layout to any other website based on one of my sketches. I love seeing your creations!

All the best,
Colleen
colleen@colleenmulder-seward.com

Sketch #19

I've been teaching myself how to create layouts and sketches using Photoshop Elements 5.0.

This 2 page layout can display 7 photos, ranging in size from wallet-size to 4x6. The embellishments needed are 7 buttons and patterned ribbon. The tile is made by using the digital font, A Damn Mess. To recreate this title in traditional scrapbooking:

1. Place stickers on your background paper
2. Next use acrylic paint to paint over top of the stickers
3. Then before the paint dries, remove the stickers.
   

Tip: Try adding the thread to your buttons and adhering them to your layout using glue dots. It's much easier than sewing the buttons directly onto your layout.

If you use my sketch, please send me your layout for posting here. I really love to see your creations.

Happy scrappin'
Colleen

Sketch #15

This 12x12 layout is infused with African design. Two 4"x6" photos are designed to be showcased in this layout. Once the photos are cropped into trapezoidal shape and stacked on to of each other, they resemble an African drum. The font used is African. The sun is easily made using a small circle and 8 small triangles.

This layout would work well with zoo or safari photos. It would also be great with African heritage photos. If you change the colors to bright primary colors, then it could be used for kids eating Popsicles, riding bikes or on-the-go in the summer.

I can't wait to see your completed layouts. ^_^

All the best,
Colleen