Thursday, October 30, 2008

Die Cut of the Month

Here is one more project using this month's featured die cut. Since its orginial purpose is a mini album, that's what we decided to create this week.

One thing that made this album easy to create was using products from one line like this one from 3 Bugs in a Rug. Not only does all the paper coordinate, but there is also matching punch outs that make really cute tags and journaling blocks. Add a touch of ribbon and some self-adhesive flowers and you have a darling book to showcase your fall photos.
Kathy die cut some of the album pages from clear acrylic and some from chipboard. She covered the chipboard pages with patterned paper but left the acrylic ones as is, only adding photos and embellishments. It is a fun mix that makes this album so appealing!


The cover of the album is clear. Kathy strung one of the punched out embellishments to a binding ring as a free-hanging tag that moves aside to reveal the cute picture of her son. She has added similar tags throughout the book.





The back cover is only a piece of patterned paper. It looks like she's really gone to a lot of work to embellish it, when all she's done is add a felt flower. So simple!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Scrapbooking Classes for 10/30/08

Because there is a 5th Thursday this month, we are holding an extra scrapbooking class in our Rexburg store. Join us October 30th from 6-9 p.m.


November Calendar by Kathy

Reason for the Season by Stephanie


Free Wheelin' by Candi



Thursday, October 23, 2008

Scrapbooking Class Tonight!

Join us tonight for our scrapbooking classes held in our Rexburg store from 6-9 p.m. Choose one, two, or all three classes.
October Calendar Class by Kathy

Spooky Halloween Class by Candi


Jack-o-Lantern Class by Stephanie


Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Making of a Layout

Ever see a sheet of pretty patterned paper and wonder what you could do with it? Here are some ideas from start to finish.



Shown above is a piece of new embossed paper we just got in from Best Creation Inc. I decided to run it through the die cut machine to make the edges scalloped. Then I used a punch-out sheet (by My Mind's Eye) with flowers, brackets, tags, and the bingo card to decorate the whole layout with. Chipboard and die cut letters make up title. I added a touch of gathered ribbon as a photo corner to draw your eye to the picture. Simple as that! This layout was quick and easy to create. (If you knew how I long it usually took me to scrap, you would know what kind of a miracle this was!) :D




Next, I used this beautiful piece of embossed and glittered paper. Notice the pre-printed photo matte? Well, I decided to think outside the box (pun not intended!) and extended my photos down the length of the page instead of placing them inside the designated space. It gave me a lot of freedom to decorate it how I wanted. I added scraps of paper, lace, ribbon, chipboard, rhinestones and flowers as embellishments. Oh, and you know those cardboard boxes or packaging pieces you end up with sometimes? Don't throw them away! I used a small portion of a clean cardboard box in the upper left corner of the layout as a subtle accent. If you are worried about it being acid free, you can always spray it with Archival Mist. It evens out the acidic level of non-scrapbooking items.




Finally, if you have ever wondered what to do with those pretty transparent overlays, here is an idea you might want to try. Remember that you can layer parts of your layout over the transparency as well as underneath. As shown here, the photo, photo matte and tickets have been attached underneath the transparency. Then the buttons, ribbon, journaling strips, flowers, etc. are all placed on top. If you like the elaborate look an overlay gives to a layout, play with them a little and see what you come up with. We have a selection of them in stock now ranging from nature to birthday themes.

Sometimes using patterned paper can be a bit overwhelming. Just remember that it doesn't have to be used "as is." Play around with it and have fun creating!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Die Cut of the Month

Remember the die cut mini album we are highlighting this month? Well, this cute (yet slightly spooky) guy was made from one of the pages. I love his eyes!



  • Wrap a thin canvas in cheesecloth and distress it with ink.

  • Die cut one of the pages of the mini album from chipboard and again from patterned paper.


  • Apply rub-ons or vinyl to the die cut and attach to the bottom of the canvas with chain links.


  • Attach wiggly eyes and a mouth.


  • Hang it with a chain.


We hope you enjoy this idea!


Friday, October 17, 2008

Scrapbooking Ideas from October 2nd Saturday

For October's 2nd Saturday, we shared ideas on how to use vellum in your scrapbooks. Here is a recap:

Vellum can be used to add a unique touch to any page. It looks great on formal or heritage pages as well as icy winter layouts. It can transform solid cardstock and customize patterned paper. There are some tricks to working with vellum. Here are a few tips:

  • Smudges and creases will show more easily, so handle and store with care.
  • Bright or dark colors and patterns show up better than light colored papers when placed underneath vellum.
  • Colored vellum can really change the appearance of other papers. Play around with different colors to find just the right combination.
  • Vellum makes a great journaling option. It's perfect if you want to trace letters. Because vellum isn't as porous as other papers, make sure you use a pen that works on slick surfaces.
  • You can print on vellum, but you will need to allow a little extra drying time. Ink will smear if it's not dry yet. If you're printing multiple sheets, be sure to remove the vellum from the tray after printing.
  • Vellum looks great with torn edges. Tearing with the grain will give you a straighter line than tearing against the grain.
  • Most adhesives will show through vellum, so here are a few suggestions: Look for an adhesive that is made especially for vellum. It usually comes as a roll of tape or a solid sheet. You can also attach vellum with other things such as brads, eyelets, ribbon, or staples. You can hide the adhesive by covering that portion of the vellum with another embellishment.
  • Vellum makes great embellishments. Think bubbles, bug wings, flower petals, fish scales, water, windows, snowflakes, and icicles.


Here are some layouts that have been created using vellum. Hopefully you can capture some ideas to use in your own albums!

Colored vellum was used to journal on, then slipped underneath the photo to hide any adhesive.

Patterned vellum was used down the center of the layout and also as a photo matte. For the name plate, I printed onto plain vellum and attached it to the page with eyelets.



Journaling strips were made from vellum and then handstitched onto the layout with embroidery floss.



Using vellum for titles and journaling still allow you to see the beautiful patterned paper underneath.

When you have a lot of journaling on a page, break it up by placing it into columns.

Sometimes I have a hard time finding room on my page for journaling. I remedied this by printing my journaling onto vellum and then stitching it into place over one of my photographs that had "empty" space on it.
Cut or tear vellum into pretty journaling strips and attach them with decorative brads. The brads act as bullet points as well as a way to attach them to the layout.

On this layout, the angel wings were cut from vellum and lightly inked around the edges. I used a paper piercer to poke tiny holes along the "veins" of the wings.


I stamped a dandelion onto vellum to give it a soft, transparent look.

Candi punched flowers from vellum and attached them across her layout.


Delicate butterfly wings accented with stickles make a soft-looking embellishment.



Crinkle and fold vellum to mimic lace.



Patterned vellum was used as a photo matte. The title was also made from vellum.



Candi die cut vellum letters and inked them to help them stand out. I love how you can still see the patterned paper through the title.

The word "beach" is a rub-on that was placed underneath the vellum journaling block.


The same idea was used here with a large die cut letter placed underneath the vellum journaling block.

Random images were stamped onto vellum with black ink. It was then placed over patterned paper to act as an overlay for the tag on the 2nd page.


I love this idea of printing a quote onto vellum and then attaching it as a border across the layout. It's subtle, yet effective.



*****


Last month we learned different ways to use bling on your layouts. Now it's time for show and tell! These pages were designed by some of our customers:



Kya (age 4) used rhinestones to frame her close-up shots. She also accented the dragonfly wings. Great job, Kya!

MaryAnne Nelson created the cutest Prom album! I love the little accents of bling she attached for flower centers and the glittery letters she used for her title. Notice how only the first letter of each word in the title is large and glittered? This is a great way to make those supplies stretch!

Here's another layout from MaryAnne's album. Notice how each letter in her title is a different color? It unifies the colors in her layout as well as uses up extra letters from different alphabet sets.


Mason McFadden is turning into a scrapbooking pro! I love the little bling accents he has used along the page border. What pretty kitties!
Thank you to everyone who participates in 2nd Saturday every month! We have a lot of fun and hope you are enjoying it too!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Joey's Card Class

Once again, Joey has created some beautiful cards for card class! It will be held in our Rexburg store tonight (October 16th) from 6-9 p.m. Make all four cards for only $5.







Thursday, October 9, 2008

Kathy's Scrapbook Class

Here is Kathy's class that will be taught tonight at our Rexburg store from 6-9 p.m. Hope to see you there!




Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Scrapbooking Classes for 10/9/08

Here are two of the scrapbook classes that will be taught on October 9th from 6-9 p.m. at our Rexburg store. So tell that dear husband of yours that you are taking a night off and come relax with the girls. That includes everything you see here (except for the photos, of course).

p.s. Kathy's class is a surprise...


by Stephanie

by Candi


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Halloween Ideas

Although it seems impossible that October is here already, we have been getting ready for Halloween by creating fun ideas for you to see. This simple home decor item can be made in a snap!

  • Cut your choice of patterned paper to fit inside three 5x5 frames.
  • Lightly distress the edges of the frames with sandpaper.
  • Paint wooden letters black and attach to the glass on each frame. (You could distress these too).
  • Hot glue a long strand of matching ribbon to the backs of the frames to attach them all together.
  • Tie another length of ribbon to the back of the top frame as a hanger.
  • Voila! Quick and easy!







Here are two layout ideas to showcase the fall holidays. Enjoy!