Scrap Play

Stretching Your Scrapbook Supplies

All right, it's time for another frugal tip!  Today I have two ideas for you if you want to save money or just make your supplies go a little farther.

First pull out one of your layouts and take a look at the back of it.  You see a nice clean square, right?  Aaaahh!  Wasted paper!  If you look at the back of my layouts, they look like square bullseyes.  Why?  Because I cut out squares from background papers that are going to be covered by additional layers for future use.  This trick works particularly well with double sided paper, because you can use the reverse side of the paper you cut for coordinating embellishments, photo mats, etc.  Even if you have all the money in the world to spend on scrapbook supplies, (and if you do, can I be you?) this technique can still help you stretch your supplies.  I actually discovered this idea when I was creating a layout with some paper that I only had one sheet of, and I wanted to use the patterns on both sides.

The second idea is a way to utilize your scraps.  Now I do have a pizza box that I throw random scraps into to later use on cards.  But in general, I don't save scraps for future scrapbook pages.  The organization is difficult, and since I tend to work within one paper line, I found I just didn't use them.  Then one day, I needed some orange flowers for a layout and found a scrap to punch them from.  Instantly, a new idea was born.  Now when I have pretty that are too small for borders or photo mats, i simply pull out a punch and get to work.  I throw the flowers, stars, circles, and square into a small tupperware container until I need them.  Now I don't have to rush to the store searching for hot pink Prima flowers; I just look in my little container to find handmade ones!  I layer the circles and squares to create borders, embellishments, or page grids.  This system takes up very little room, solves my "need a matching embellishment" problem, and saves me money!  Pretty good for two seconds of punching paper.  Here's a layout I created using my punched scraps:

Do you have other great money saving or supply stretching tips?  Leave a comment below!

Sketch Challenge and Contest

Have you started using scrapbook sketches yet?  If not, it's a really easy way to save yourself time and frustration when you're scrapping!  Why not let someone with a degree in graphic design organize your page so you can focus on your journaling, color combinations, and embellishments.  If you're worried that using a sketch means draining your page of individuality and creativity don't be.  Just look at the Page Maps sketch below and some of the very different interpretations the Scrap Play Design Team created.  (By the way, Page Maps, found at http://www.pagemaps.com, are some of the best, most useful sketches available.  I personally use them all the time.)

Page Maps, June 2010 

 

Angela removed the border on the left, moved the title, and changed the flowers to circle embellishments.  Her bold red, white, and black color scheme also really woke the sketch up.

Amber changed the number and placement of the photos, and swapped the large journaling spot for matching shaped papers on either side of the layout.  These shapes draw the reader's eye into the photos.

 

I kept the layout almost the same as the sketch.  But look how different these airy spring colors look from Angela's bold classic colors.  Looking at these three layouts, I doubt you'd be aware that they're based on the same sketch.  That's what makes sketches so fun!  Everyone interprets what they see and need differently.

So, are you ready to give this sketch a try?  Grab some picture, patterned paper, and a few embellishments and see what you can create.  Don't be afraid to move elements or change photo sized.  Make the sketch work for you; it's just a jumping off point!  Submit your layout to scrapplay@gmail.com by Friday, July 2nd and you could win a set of Autumn Leaves alphabet stamps!  (Open to US residents only) 

CHA Sneak Peaks Ahead!

The CHA Summer 2010 show is almost here, and the sneak peeks are starting to slip out!  For anyone unfamiliar with CHA, it stands for Craft and Hobby Association, the biggest US trade organization for the craft industry.  Twice each year they have a huge CHA show where manufacturers debut their new products for retailers to order.  For the average scrapbooker, there are two fabulous aspects of the CHA shows: exciting new products and sales, sales, sales!  Just when you're completely bored with what your LSS or neighborhood Michael's has to offer, beautiful new papers, embellishment, and tools will come rolling in again.  And as the stores make room for the new products, you benefit from the abounding clearance sales.  My wallet is getting lighter by the minute!

But right now, what I'm excited about is the first signs of new paper lines.  I haven't seen too many sneak peeks released yet, but you can be sure I'll keep you up to date as I do.  Nikki Sivils provided this peak at her new Blueberry Hill line last week.  It makes me think of ocean-side picnics and sunny morning breakfast in the kitchen.

Graphic 45 is releasing a new line called Halloween in Wonderland with a totally different feel.  Perfect for those Halloween layouts or making some really cool alter home decor items for Halloween.

I hope those little nuggets of newness will hold you over until the rest of the previews come out!  Until then, enjoy scrapping with your newly purchased clearance papers!

Father's Day Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Christine Barchacky, the winner of the Father's Day giveaway!  Christine told us:

"My dad has been gone for over 15 years now. It is hard to remember him. He was a very quiet person and did not say much. The one thing that he did say over and over was "It is what it is". When I was upset over something that was beyond my control, and getting all stressed out over it, he would say that. I guess he was right, I did need to lean that some things are out of my control, and I needed to recognize those things and let them go and not stress out over them. It has made me a much calmer person."

Thank you for sharing Christine, and everyone else.  Christine won two sets of embellishments from Making Memories and two sets of rub-on alphabets from K & Company.  In honor of Father's Day, they are nice, masculine looking embellishments -- no flowers here! 

Celebrating Dads: Father's Day Layout and Ideas

It's that time again: the time when you wrack your brain in vain for the perfect gift for the man who raised you.  In other words, Father's Day.  While I can't help you find the perfect gift for Dad, hopefully I can provide you with some ideas for scrapbooking your relationship with him.  Here's a quick list of topics to scrap:

My First Memory of Dad

Dad Always Says...

What I Learned From Dad

Like Father, Like Daughter

Dad Loves...

Before He Was Dad...

Try to capture not only the unique relationship you share, but also who your father is as a person.  What were the formative events in his life?  What are his dreams?  What is he most proud of?  You might learn something you never knew!

Here are some father themed layouts from the Scrap Play Design Team to give you a few more ideas:

Tiffany Call scrapped this layout about a special father-daughter moment.

Angie Simonet's shows how her husband and son are alike.

Amber Sartain turned her layout into a gift for her husband's office using a $1 wall plaque from the dollar store!

And here are two I created.  For the first one, I asked my daughter what she likes about her Daddy, and scrapped her answers.  For the second one, I recorded some of my Dad's famous advice.

Now, because it's Father's Day, I could give Dad some fabulous scrapbook goodies, but he just wouldn't appreciate them, would he?  So I'll give them away to a reader instead!  To enter, just leave a comment sharing one of your father's "Dad-isms."  You know, those quotes he always says over and over again.  For example, when we were kids and fussed about different food on our plates touching, my dad was famous for saying, "Just think of what it looks like in your stomach!"  What does you dad say again and again?  Enter by June 22, 2010, 3pm EST for your chance to win a scrappy surprise pack.

Scrapping Like a Jedi

Today, I saw a new scrapbooking paper line that made my heart beat with excitement.  Creative Imaginations has released a Star Wars collection!  Now I know you're thinking, "What a geek!"  But hey, I am a geek.  I actually enjoyed taking the SATs, okay?  And darn it, I love Star Wars!  One of my family traditions as a kid was watching all three Star Wars movies back to back every Christmas afternoon and evening.  I remember lying stuffed on the couch, amidst the leftover mess of gifts and wrapping paper, hanging with my dad, brother, and Hans Solo.  I didn't have a lot in common with my dad or brother as a kid, so this was a special bonding experience for me.

Does Star Wars bring back special memories for you?  Or just remind you of the glorious Eighties?  Do you have little boys who are experiencing the thrill for the first time?  Then check out these patterned papers, chipboard shapes, and more. 

Dollar Aisle Design: Scrapbook Layouts for Less

Sometimes I like to create gorgeous, top of the line layout with all the extras.  I confidently scoop up designer papers and embellishments, then squeeze my eyes shut while I hand over my credit card.  But sometimes I want to create gorgeous, affordable layouts, and that's when I shop the dollar aisles.  Joann, Michaels, AC Moore, and Target all carry scrapbook products in their dollar aisles.  For a few bucks, you can find all the doodads you need to embellish a several layouts and cards. 

The trick to beautiful bargain layouts (or any layout) is sound design.  I don't want my layout to look cheap, so I usually start with a well designed sketch like the ones from Page Maps.  This way I can focus on my products and pictures without worrying about whether I've used the Rule of Threes and the Rule of Thirds and any other Rules out there.  The other key is to create detail.  Dollar aisle products don't usually have the depth or high level of detail that designer products have.  Remedy this by layering products, using dimensional adhesive, and adding your own details and highlights with Stickles, ink, or brads.  You can also wrinkle or curl your paper to add texture.  Soon your simple, flat bargain bin finds will be as snazzy as anything you'd see at your LSS.

To get you started, here's a layout I made using three dollar aisle products I found at Joann fabric.  The products are the puffy fabric crowns, the pink sequin-like flowers, and the green ribbon.  (The crowns came in packages of nine, and the flowers came in a package of many different sequin shapes)  I also used a 50 sheet pack of 8"x11" cardstock I found there on sale for $2.39.  The cardstock pack comes with 10 sheets each of 5 coordinating colors.  From my stash I pulled pink and green ink, pink Stickles, a scalloped circle punch, a flower stamp, a pink gel pen and a journaling stamp.

First, I created the "patterned paper" by stamping a random flower pattern on the cream cardstock with pink ink.  I inked the edges of the cardstock for definition, and added layering by mounting it on green cardstock.  I added a ribbon border near the bottom.  Next, I mounted my picture on a pink cardstock mat and glued the flowers around the edges.  I added pink Stickled centers for detail.  I stamped a journaling block and created a title with leftover Thickers.  I mounted the title on a piece of plastic packaging and popped it up on some of the foam dots that came with the crowns.  I then outlined the Thickers with pen for extra definition.  Finally I mounted one crown on a punched scalloped circle, inked the edges and adhered it to the top of the frame.  I added two other crowns for balance.  In total, I spent $5.39 and have 47 sheets of cardstock, most of a spool of ribbon, and many little embellishments left over. 

I used some stamps, ink, and Stickles to create these two cards with my leftovers.

   
 

I hope this inspires you to become a Dollar Aisle Designer!  You shouldn't have to give up scrapbooking just because your supply budget's been busted by the recession.  This is a great time to revisit your stash, use your scraps, hunt bargains, and utilize those stamps and other reusable tools!  I'd love to see your dollar aisle designs, so send them my way and I'll post them here.

Introducing The Scrap Play Design Team!

I'd like to introduce you all to three fabulous, talented ladies who will be sharing their ideas, energy, and creativity with us for a while.  You'll be seeing and hearing from them a lot, so let's get to know them, shall we?

First up:  Angie Simonet from Sheboygan, WI.  Angie is a mother of one four-year-old son and loves camping, fishing, photography, and shopping.  Check out her blog at http://angie.sketchvault.com

 

Next, we have Tiffany Call, who teaches art lessons and directs an after-school program.  Tiffany is also the founder of Ready, Set, CROP!, a Massachusetts based non-profit dedicated to providing women with opportunities to learn and craft together.   Visit her at http://www.thepaperfrog.blogspot.com

 

Last, but not least, is Amber Sartain of Little Rock, Arkansas.  She is a mom and foster-mom who writes articles about crafting with kids.  You can visit Amber at http://kneedeepinglue.blogspot.com

Coming Soon: Scrap Play Design Team

Just a quick update on the new design team.  After hours of agonizing over so many beautiful layouts and talented scrapbookers, I have picked my three first design team members!  I am contacting them now, and should be able to post their names and layouts within a day or two.  Thank you everyone who entered!  I wish I could have picked all of you!  If this blog really takes off, I will definitely be adding more members.

Scrapbook Pages that Sparkle and Shine

Now I know that sometimes we all like very formal, heritage style pages.  And sometimes we want pages with that gritty, masculine feel.  But sometimes, just sometimes, I want pages that really sparkle!  I love all things glittery and shiny, and sometimes I want my pages to reflect that!  So today I want to talk about adding sparkle to your scrapbook layouts.

These days there are so many sparkly products out there that an uncontrollable fear of glitter-mess is not excuse for dull pages.  Bazill makes shimmer cardstock, American Crafts makes foil and glitter Thickers, and Basic Grey makes some very intricate rhinestone designs.  So no fear, people!  Bring on the bling!

One easy idea to try is to add a glittery title to your page.  Simply use glitter letter stickers, or add fine glitter to your die cut letters.  Another simple project is to place a rhinestone frame around your photos.  You can buy them pre-made or add sticky rhinestones to a transparency and place it over your photo to get a custom look or fit. 

Stickles are a fabulous products for easy do-it-yourself sparkle.  Just be sure to leave your layout out overnight to dry.  I like to trace the edges of my title letters with Stickles, or use them to add detail to patterned paper.  You can also use them or regular glitter to cover an entire chipboard accent shape.

My favorite new glitter technique is to add glitter to stamped images for depth and detail.  I simple use a clear stamp to stamp my image, and then re-stamp the image with a glue pad.  Sprinkle on glitter, and you're done!  To make your image even prettier, fussy-cut around it and ink the edges.  You'll be surprised how professional your embellishment looks!

Here are some more cute glitzy products: 1.  Spruce Topiary Bling It by Basic Grey

2.  Self Adhesive Glitter Lace by We R Memory Keepers

3.  Glitter Sparklers by Webster's Pages

4.  Raspberry Rainboots Glitter Thickers

5.  Sequin Flowers by Prima

6.  Cinnamon Foil Thickers in Pomegranate

7.  Mixed Crystal and Pearl Flourish by Prima

8.  Shimmer Paper Flowers by Bazzill Basics

9.  Bazzill Bling Carstock in Emerald City Bling

 

So what do you think?  Are you ready to "bling it on"?  Then pull out your rhinestones and glitter and enter the Scrap Play's Bling on the Bling Challenge!  Submit a layout that showcases some serious sparkle to scrapplay@gmail.com by Monday, June 14, 2010.  One contestant will win the new set of Autumn Leaves Alphabet Stamps pictured below.  All are welcome to play, but prizes will only be shipped to winners in the US.

More Ribbon Ideas

Thanks to those who submitted more ideas for ribbon uses.  Christy Strickler won the set of Making Memories embellishments for this idea:

"Tie knots at intervals to make a border.  String beads on it."

I never though of adding beads to ribbon before!

Stay tuned for an article this week about adding glitz and glimmer to your pages, and for a sparkly challenge!

Scrapping With Your Kids

Apparently the scrapbooking obsession is contagious.  Yesterday, in a desperate attempt to gain some scrapping time for myself, I gave my four-year-old daughter her own scrapbook kit.  Her response? 

"I'm going to use all my fanciest stuff on my layout so it will get picked for a magazine!"

Don't worry Creating Keepsakes, we're already creating a generation of future readers!  By the way, I'm impressed that my four-year-old uses the term "layout" to describe her creations.  The point of all this, however, is emphasize that our kids want to get in on the action too.  After all, mom's obsessed with scrapbooking, so its got to be fun, right?  And look at all those cool supplies Mum gets to use.  No cheap glue sticks for her!  So let your kids in on the fun.  Spend some time together working productively.  You'll both benefit.

Here are some resources to help you.

Big Picture Scrapbooking is offering an online course for parents and kids this summer called Kidding Around.  It's designed to provide ideas, projects, and suggestions for you and your child to work on together or separately. The cost is $25, but you can often find coupon codes online for BPS courses.  For more info or to register visit BPS here.

Scrapbook Monthly Kit Clubs for Kids!  Now your kid can stop stealing your goodies and you can steal hers!  Try ScrapbookPizza.com for $11.99 a month or achildswork.com for $14 a month.

Michaels offers plenty of adult scrapbooking supplies that kids will find attractive and they now have kids' appropriate American Girl scrapbooking supplies!  These are on the expensive side, but they offer punches and supplies that work like grownups, but come in the crazy colors and patterns kids prefer.  Start clipping those Michaels coupons and you'll be okay.

 
 

Now, put away your computer, hide the gameboy, and get crafting!

Ribbon Revolution: New Ways to Use Ribbon on Your Layouts

I'm back after a few days' absence to talk about ribbon.  I bet most of you have spools and spools of ribbon leaking out of your closets, right?  It's just so pretty, you can't help but buy it.  But two-hundred teeny-tiny bows later, you need some new ideas.  So here they are, in no particular order:

1.  Use ribbon to create a page border.

2.  Use it to create patterned paper.

3.  Create a photo frame

4.  Use short pieces to make a photo mat fringe.

5.  Underline your title with it.

6.  CREATE your title with it.

7.  Make stems on flowers or beams from a sun.

8.  Trim a photo mat or journaling block mat with it.

9.  Add a ribbon slide.  (Make your own!)

10.  Wrap ribbon around a chipboard frame.

11.  Gather it around a button to create a flower.

12.  Stamp words or a design on it.

13.  Ribbon borders don't have to be flat!  Create a pleated border or one shaped like waves.

14.  Cover a chipboard shape with ribbon scraps.

15.  Use short strips, a punched circle, and a button to make a flower.  (See collage)

16.  Tie lots of little pieces in coordinating colors to the binder rings of your mini album.

17. Use pieces of super-thin ribbon to make lines for a journaling spot.

18.  Tie a thin piece through button holes to give your button a finished, polished look.

19.  Create a pull-tab for a hidden journaling card.

 

 

Do you have other ribbon ideas?  If so, please share them here!  By leaving a comment with your ribbon ideas, you'll be entered to win this cute set of Making Memories embellishments!  (Feel free to send photos too!)  Enter by Saturday, June 5, 2010

Memorial Day Layout Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Leslie Kamm, the contest winner!  Leslie created this beautiful layout about her son and daughter going to her son's Purple Heart ceremony.  I love the torn patterned paper frame on her layout and the interesting metal fliigree piece.  (According to Leslie, it's not metal at all!  It's chipboard that she painted with green and copper paint, then dabbed some distress ink on.  Brilliant!)  Thanks for your layout Leslie, and thank your son for us too!