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Party Time

Sep5

I’m very excited to show you this new paper from Close to My Heart (CTMH).  I decided to join CTMH because I love scrapbooking, they have quality paper AND I get a discount.  Who doesn’t like THAT.  Do I use other store’s paper?  YES, if there is a craft store in sight, I’m THERE!!!  However, when you feel the difference between Michael’s paper and CTMH, you understand.  CTMH feels thicker and it’s all 2 sided as well — which I love.  The big downside for me is that the paper is only available for a limited time.   I wish it was open stock.

So, this is what I made from paper called PARTY TIME and used the Wishing You Everything stamp set.  Depending on which side of the paper you use, it can be for girl or boy birthday or any celebratory event you choose really.    

Party Time – Boy’s Birthday
Party Time – Girl’s Birthday

What do you think? I just love the colors! Can you SEE your photos on these pages? They’re so fun and festive. I know my grandkids love colorful stuff like this AND looking at their own photos. Honestly I’m not a fan of the acrylic yellow stars because I don’t care for “bumpy” pages but kids love to touch them. I guess we have to think about WHO we’re doing this for.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a new catalog. If you want to check it out, there are way too many cool things this time. There’s also a seasonal products catalog (good for Sept – Oct). While it doesn’t thrill me as much, I do LOVE the gnomes and generally I’m not a gnome kinda gal. They came with or without the thin cuts but I’m sort of addicted to the thin cuts now.

Spooky Gnomes

Happy Scrapbooking

Comments and Thoughts are welcome and encouraged.

Hugs

~Debbi

Founder of Scrapbooking for Anyone

Full disclosure: if you purchase a product from my link, I get a commission. I was just excited this time and had to share.

Embellish It

Apr11

Scrapbooking embellishments …… stickers, and ribbons and lace oh my!!!!

To me, everywhere I look I see a potential embellishment.  I save (and purchase) all kinds of things that I may not have a use for at the moment, but I know one day it will be just the perfect thing on my page.  Now some call this being a hoarder.  LOL.   I prefer to think I’m participating in creative recycling or being frugal with my money.   The following is a list of both purchased and recycled embellishments:

  • Stickers
  • Stamps
  • Brads
  • Buttons (cut the back off and sew on page) 
    Buttons!!

    Looks like MY stash

  • Bling (LOVE bling)
  • Ribbons
  • Lace
  • Yarn
  • Fabric pieces
  • Flowers (silk or dried)
  • Jean pockets (from old jeans-although what’s old these days?)
  • Paper clips (shop in office store, they’re cheaper)
  • Shrinky dinks (the kids love to help make these)
  • Costume jewelry (loose but not too bulky)
  • Small pins (gathered from new clothes)
  • Twist ties (from bread – can be used with buttons)
  • Cardboard from boxes (can be used to make chipboard letters, shapes)
  • Soda can tabs (can be used with ribbon or cord)
  • Brochures or memorabilia from an occasion or trip
  • If you like to stitch as well, create a small pix (see the pumpkins I made)

I purchase supplies when they are on sale, clearance or I have a coupon.  I have to really love or need an item to do otherwise.  So, when I’m in an office supply store and see something on a clearance table that looks cool, I’ll buy it.  For example, who professionally wants paper clips shaped like feet?   I do — go figure.  LOL. 

  • Paperclips

    Fancy Paperclips

    I purchased them and low and behold, I can create a beach scrapbook page where I’m able to use my foot paper clip to attach a journaling note.  No, I didn’t plan a trip to the beach just to use the clip.  LOL.  As you can see, I found others as well.  

The point is, don’t limit your options.  Think outside the page.  Embellishments can add interest and depth to your page but don’t get too bulky with them when you’re scrapping in a book.  If you need more examples, Close to My Heart  (CTMH) has many different options.  (Disclosure: I sell CTMH but not actively – I’m addicted)  🙂 

Now that you have some ideas, go create!   

Comments, Thoughts and Photos of your work are all invited.

~Debbi

Founder of Scrapbooking for Anyone

What is Copic Marker?

Apr10

Copic markers will be a sort of de ja vu for many.  Do you remember when you were a child, you used to color?  Yes, I understand that many of you grew up in the electronic age.  My granddaughter, at the age of 2, had her own I Pad.  I know her dad is a computer guy but REALLY?   However, she’s 4 now and still plays with coloring books and crayons and knows how to use them…..well, sort of.  I’m a stay in the lines kinda gal and her…well, not so much.  LOL.

Copic markers are an adult coloring tool like crayons were as a child.  They are perfect for coloring in stamped images.  They come in a variety of styles:

– Original marker

  • Square body
  • Fine nib at one end; broad chiesel nib at the other
  • Approx 216 colors to choose from

– Sketch marker

  • Most popular (ones I use – I like the brush and ALL the colors)
  • Oval body
  • Flexible brush on one end; medium chisel nib at the other
  • Approx 358 colors to choose from

– Ciao marker

  • Round body
  • Same tips as Sketch but not compatible with air brush system (we won’t address this)
  • Approx 180 colors to choose from

– Wide marker

  • Short, flat body
  • Single wide chisel nib
  • Approx 36 colors to choose from

This is a great overview of the Copic markers:

A couple things that I’d like to reiterate for best results are:

 – These markers are alcohol based so using computer paper is not recommended. It’s best if you use something thicker such as Manga Illustration paper or artist sketchbook paper

 – If you’re going to stamp an image then color with Copic, test the print first. Some of the inks will bleed.  The safe inks are Memento ink pad and Ranger ink pads.

 Copic markers have a number system.  See the numbers on the end of the Sketch markers.

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– The letter indicates the color family

– The first digit indicates color saturation. Colors that are 00s, 10s or 20s will be more vibrant

– The second digit indicates the shade 0 being the lightest and 9 being the darkest.

I admit that I tried other markers because my first thought was these are too expensive but, in the long run, I like these the best.  When you factor in that they can be refilled, over time, they do end up being less expensive than the others.  While you can get them in Michaels or Hobby Lobby, as usual, Amazon seems to have some good deals.  That’s where mine came from.

As you can see, this isn’t your coloring book colors but most of us that are scrapbookers also make cards (perfect way to use scraps right?).  These are great for those projects.  You can alter background papers for your pages or color in rubber stamps for personalization like hair and eyes.

I focus on papercrafts but I’ve noticed that coloring has become a very popular form of therapy.  I know many people are using markers to create art which in turn, relieves stress.  Please see a friend’s website where he uses art as therapy:

http://emotionsuncovered.com/discovering-art-therapy

While he doesn’t use Copic markers, his art is still none the less beautiful.

I LOVE my Copics but you can use whatever you like just as long as you can escape and be a child for a while, relieve your stress and be creative.  It’s a mini vacation or meditation in itself.  Life can be overwhelming at times and our brains are going at warp speed.  Quiet the chatter for a moment.  Use your imagination, color and create!

Of course, I just covered the tip of the iceburg.  Yet, I hope I’ve peaked your interest.

Please leave questions and/or comments.

Thanks for reading.

Debbi

Founder of Scrapbooking for Anyone