The Scrapbook Tree blog: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Another quick 12x12 layout

I have had this photo for a while and I really like it, but had yet to include it in a layout. Then, I was looking at this Waterberry paper in the shop from KaiserCraft and decided that was what I was going to work with today.

I started with a sketch from a book, two papers from the line and one sheet of Bazzill cardstock.

Working from a sketch eliminates the decisions about what to include and how to turn everything. Instead of spending two hours on a layout I can finish one in 15-20 minutes.

I cut out around the edges of the design because I preferred a solid background, then positioned the two main blocks and the photo.

Since most of the background wouldn't show, I cut out the center to use in the design of the layout. I do this a lot to stretch my paper and sometimes to get to use both sides of a double sided paper. If you look at the back of many of my layouts, you will often see pieces cut out.

I cut and inked the edges of the strips I had chosen.

Then adherred them and the flowers to the page and pulled out an older sticker alphabet that I had for the title and used a white pen for the writing.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Video Games Layout

Gotta' love those quick and easy layouts. Here is one that only took about 10 minutes to create and it's a great layout to use scraps on.

I started with a 12x12 piece of Bazzill Kraft cardstock. I used Fired Brick Distress Ink and the inking tool by Ranger, to give a little color to the edges. I used my ranger craft mat and pulled the inking tool in circular motion onto the cardstock.

Then I used my black journaling pen to add some lines around the edges.

I cut eight 2.5x2.5 inch squares out of 3 different scrap papers. Then I attached them to my base cardstock.

Then I cut my matting piece of cardstock 8x8 and attached it overlapping the smaller squares. I used my journaling pen to draw the black lines around the edges of that piece also.

Slightly angle the photos to fit inside the matting and attach them.

I used some of this beautiful Maya Road sheer ribbon as an accent. I

wrapped it around the sides and taped it in place on the back. Since my title will be overlapping the ribbon on the front, it will help hold it in place.

I used Woodland Whimsy alphabet stickers from Sassafras Lass as my main title and a Maya Road sheer and Making Memories Mini Alphas to complete the title.

The paper scraps I pulled at the beginning were from Sassafrass Lass, I found these cardstock stickers to go with them. They work great for additional accents.

I left one of the stickers on the base and cut it out, so I could use pop dots to give the page more dimension. Then I added a couple of buttons and I'm finished.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wish, Love, Dream

We have had the Fun Fair paper line from KaiserCraft in our store for awhile. I just now had a chance to use it on this adorable layout of my new nephew. Okay maybe I'm a little partial here, but isn't he so cute?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Featured card maker - Barb H.

Barb has agreed to share some of her favorite cards with us here.

How long have you been making cards? About 2 years

Where do you find inspiration? The Great Impressions sample cards, classes, other people's cards.

Do you have a certain style that you prefer? Simple, clean

Any certain products you like to work with? Tombow markers

Why do you do it? It is fun and relaxing.

What occasions do you usually make cards for? Birthday and Thinking of You. I send about 40 a month.

Thank you very much, Barb, for sharing these with us. The stitching displayed on some of the cards is so pretty.

Patriotic page layout with Moxxie Liberty paper

This was a quick and easy 9-photo layout using only paper and photos, with no additional embellishments.

First, I printed my photos in wallet size since I wanted to use so many on this one layout. Then mounted them all together in one block. This make it easy to move them all around at the same time. It also gives me more options when copying great 1-photo layouts. I group them together and treat them as one.

I laid my strips and pieces out the way that I wanted for the background. I like to use this technique when I am in a hurry. It's great for using up my scraps or for showing both sides of the double-sided coordinating paper.

Attached the strips and trimmed off the pieces that hung over the sides.

Then cut out the accents that I had saved back for my "embellishments". I chose one word and a couple of little strips with stars and stripes. Then added the pertinent info to the journaling block.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Quick and Easy Technique

Today I'm going to show you a quick and easy technique to use on any page or card. Below is a sample where I used it on a card for Father's Day.

Start with the paper of your choice. Flip it over so you are looking at the back. If you use a zero centering ruler you can line it all the way against the edge and use the holes in your ruler as your guide. If you are using a regular ruler, space them 1/2 inch apart and 1/2 inch in from the edge.

Punch holes over your marked area.

Use a craft knife to cut 2 parallel slits from each hole to the edge of the paper.

When your done cutting the slits across, it should look like this.

Turn it back over to show the front side.

You can use it just like that or ink across the page to add that aged look.

Your quick and easy handmade technique is finished.

Here is a page I created using the same technique.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Prima Paintables

I was working with Prima Paintables on Wednesday. Here are a couple of layouts I created. On the first one I used water color pencils, a blending pen, crackle accents, markers, ink, chipboard letters, and Prima flowers.

On the second paintable I used acrylic paint, Shimmerz paints, and watercolor pencils.

I wanted to be able to show the difference in using the paintable by itself and with additional embellishments.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Featured Scrapper - Gina

Gina has agreed to share some of her favorite layouts with out. Each is a favorite for a different reason.

The Dad Layout: "Because I miss him so much"

Great Grandfather: "He looks so little in that huge chair. I love doing vintage pages"

Grandma Glenna: "She was such a pretty lady. I loved doing this page. It is so simple."

Jackson: "This was the day my baby boy turned one year old. I loved this paper and knew I wanted to use the circles. Lori took the picture and it is one of my favorites."

Sweet: "This was when Mackenzie was 4 and she was Lori's flower girl. They were both beautiful that day."

Family: "I loved this green paper. I think it may be my favorite that I've ever used. I also love this picture from Spring Mill and getting to use a real key on the layout."

Family mini-album: This was a class offered at The Scrapbook Tree. When I saw this book I knew I wanted to take this class.

Christmas mini-album: This was a hard book for me to do. Christmas was my dad's favorite holiday and he always made sure we had a good Christmas. I kept finding pictures of him at Christmas, so I knew what I had to do. I made this book for my Mom for Christmas this past year.

How long have you been scrap-booking? 1998 - I scrapped a little before and after Mackenzie was born. Then I started again in 2007 when Dad got sick and Mom and I went to The Scrapbook Tree.

How do you go about designing a layout? I pick my paper, then pictures, and then embellishments. Every once in a while I start with a picture.

Do you have any favorite manufacturers? Little Yellow Bicycle and 7 Gypsies

What are some porducts you can't work without? Kokuyo adhesive, Distress Ink, Tim Holtz blending tool, and Cutterbee Scissors.

What is/was one of your favorite scrap-booking trends? Paper tearing. That torn edge - I think there for a while I was doing it on every layout.

What are your favorite topics to include in your scrapbooks? Grandparents, Dad, and of course my three kids.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Cut, Crop, & Die

Joanna Campbell Slan's newest book was just released.

Includes scrapbooking tips and a coupon for 50 FREE digital prints

When a scrapbooker who is a known expert at stealing design ideas dies at a big cropping event, the police suspect foul play. Kiki's local scrapbook store was hosting the event and a local competitor is holding them responsible. Can Kiki find out the truth? With the help of the handsome yet annoying Detective Detweiler, she had her work cut out for her.

If you haven't read the first novel, get to know Kiki Lowenstein in Paper, Scissors, Death

After the sudden death of her husband, Kiki finds a job at her local scrapbook store. With the help of her new friends and clues discovered through the store customers and their scrapbooks, she's determined to find out the identity of her husband's killer.

Kirkus Reviews has called it a “well-turned cozy,” while Crimespree Magazine noted the book was “a wonderful read.” Reader to Reader Reviews says, “Joanna Campbell Slan proves herself to be a top-notch mystery author with this very entertaining and intriguing debut.”

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Kokuyo adhesive is fixed and instock

Okay, I know a bad batch of the Dot-N-Roll refill adhesive made by Kokuyo went through a while back. I wanted to make sure everyone knows they have fixed the problem. We have now restocked our favorite brand of adhesive.

A few of our customers had some problems with the Tape-N-Roll refills as well. They said we were the only store to have that problem, however they still replaced them with new rolls.