Scrapbooking for Others

2012-01-27T15:56:00.002-05:00

I used my scrapbook stash today. Do you remember this paper line from Rusty Pickle? It is called Pirate Princess. I used this paper originally for premade Halloween scrapbook layouts several years ago. I think I may have over bought...maybe on purpose. I love pink, black and white and there aren't alot of those colors together on paper anymore. So happy I have lots of it ;- )

I used four AccuCut Craft dies to make this layout. The pink carstock shape is the Antique 11.5" die that has one side of it cut off. This is one of my most used dies. That shape is the base for many of my premade scrapbook pages. I think I have cut, turned and flipped it every way possible.

The gray scalloped cardstock border is cut with the Border-Scallops-Small #2 die. I have used this die so much that I really try not to use it on my own layouts unless I do something more with it such as stitching it in place or adding ribbon along the edge or in this case, adhering pretty pink flowers to it. Wow, that is one long sentence!

I cut the white chipboard letters using the Believe Alphabet font, but I can't seem to find a link to it on AccuCut's website. I painted the letters with white opal Liquid Pearls. The photos doesn't show how pretty they are.

And my favorite element on the layout is the tiny envelope and card. The envelope is from one of my newer dies, the Album Heart. I cut the folded card to fit the envelope as I wanted a place to do hidden journaling. I like to do hidden journaling on most of my layouts. Not that I don't like my hand writing, I just like writing special notes about, or to the people in the photos.

Hope you have a great scrapping weekend. And just in case you want to scraplift this layout.

One Happy Scrapbooker

2012-01-27T11:08:00.001-05:00

I always have so much fun this time of year with all the sneak peeks and reveals for Winter CHA 2012. It gives me a chance to mentally plan all the beautiful premade scrapbook pages that I will be making. I make my list and look forward to buying all my favorite new products in the upcoming months. Of course, it may take me years to actually use all of these new products.

I do have a few favorites so far. Top of my list is AccuCut Craft dies. I have a blast planning how I am going to use the newly released dies. I don't buy dies unless I have planned a specific scrapbook layout to use it for and can use it on multiple layouts. I started making my sketches last night for two of the new dies. My husband started laughing at me and reminded me that when the new shelves he just finished building this weekend are full of dies, I will have to completely rearrange my scrapbook room to accomodate any more. Ha, little does he know, I already have a plan.

My next favorite reveal has been from Simple Stories. I really like the idea behind them for doing simple scrapbooking with divided pages in a 3 ring binder scrapbook. I started using this product in 2011 and have liked that I almost got all of my 2011 scrapping done in 2011. They still have more reveals to come and look forward to what they have. I just wish they had made a couple of exclusive kits for the Memory-Works consultants who originally sold the kits when it was the only place to purchase them. The Crowell family owns both companies.

As of this morning, I have another new favorite reveal. Bella Blvd finally got smart this year and decided to sell kits of seven of their collections and the prices are great. I love to be able to buy every piece of a collection for using on my scrapbook pages. Huhm, let's see, a professional designer designs a bunch of paper and embellishments that coordinate and will make my layouts beautiful...seriously, a no-brainer! I love kit collections from the manufacturers but not kit clubs. Somehow, I never see the beauty in the kit clubs that have alot of paper and embellishments from multiple designers/manufacturers.

And last but not least, it makes me very happy to see Heidi Swapp is back, all by herself. I wasn't a fan of House of Three but I am very happy to see some of her new items. She has a style all her own that I love. I look forward to using her new embellishments and wow does she have a bunch.

I guess that is all for today...Vickie

Simple Stores Reveal #4

2012-01-26T12:59:00.000-05:00

Simple Stories Sneak Peek and Reveal #4...what can I say. Simple Stories Documented is beautiful for my heritage books that I have been making. Click on the hightlighted link above to go to the photos of the line.

AccuCut Craft CHA Winter 2012

2012-01-25T17:22:00.001-05:00

AccuCut Craft does it again with this sneak peek of the Album Builder-Cake . This is soo stinking cute. Even though I don't make mini albums, I could actually see myself making one with this die. I think mini albums make great gifts too. Imagine a mommy at her child's first birthday party receiving this mini album as a gift, I would have loved this when my kids were young.

But this could be used for so much more than just birthday cakes and birthday parties. There are anniversary cakes, wedding cakes, baby/wedding/bridal shower cakes, coming home/going away party cakes, and graduation cakes. And of course, for all of those occassions, we need mini albums for all the special photos.

Awwhh, and how about a mini album of all your favorite cake recipes and decorating tips you know so you can pass them down to your family. Or photos of all those beautiful cakes you have made through the years or to show prospective clients that you would like to make for them. I guess it all comes down to...

I really want to just decorate the cake.

Simple Stories Reveal #2 Fabulous Collection

2012-01-24T11:37:00.002-05:00

Simple Stories has been listening to me whine in my scrapbook room this past year. I have every collection that Simple Stories has made so far but I kept wishing for something with more pink and brighter colors. Their new reveal for Winter 2012 CHA, The Fabulous Collection, is perfect when I want a little more color. I scrapbook gender neutral, so my son has as many pink layouts as my girls do blue. He grew up in the 80's and wore alot of hot pink and green. I can't wait to use the Fabulous Collection by Simple Stories.

Just in case you are like me and want it all, please contact your local Memory-Works consultant.

Simple Stories CHA 2012 Sneak Peek

2012-01-23T18:02:00.003-05:00

If you are a regular blog reader you know how impressed I am with Simple Stories scrapbooking products. It is just that, scrapbooking made simple. I started using them at the beginning of 2011 and have loved it. I scrapbook one or two page layouts when I want, otherwise my photos go in the photo divided pages and I use Simple Stories to tell our story with the help of a little bit of chipboard, you know me and chipboard. I know that I will never in my lifetime scrapbook all the photos I have of the past 50+ years but atleast I know I have 2011 almost done!
So guess what their new product is for 2012? A 6" x 8" album with divided page protectors and all the sweet embellishments to get your scrapbooking simply done! Although I probably will never use the 6"x 8" size, I really like the This & That and Odds & Ends, cute, cute, cute.

Look right here http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/

AccuCut Craft 2012 Sneak Peeks

2012-01-23T10:20:00.003-05:00

Looks like there are three more AccuCut Craft sneak peeks of dies for 2012 and still more to come. There will be a total of 19 and they will be available online starting February 6, 2012.
The Party Shoe which is a 3D die that would make adorable party decorations.
And yet another mini-album die to tempt me, the Album Locker die. I don't make mini albums but I certainly have used the mini album die pieces on my layouts and this one will be no exception. I really think the mini-album dies are a good value for someone like myself who makes my own embellishments for my scrapbook pages. I like that there are multiple shapes on one or two wooden dies, you pay one price but have lots of die shapes.

The Recipe Album Set is a 2 die set that will make adorable mini Recipe Albums or embellishments for my scrapbook pages. There is a cute die cut spoon, fork and knife, napkin, a pocket to fit a standard recipe card, salt/pepper shaker, tab and a tabbed frame. Oh, and the scalloped pages to make the front and back cover of a mini album. I can see this one in my future. And this die comes with holes for use with binder clip or without holes to use with your Bind-It-All.

Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of my Scrapbooking Blog

2012-01-20T11:08:00.002-05:00

Five years ago I decided to start this scrapbooking blog to share my passion with others who have the same love of scrapbooking. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but decided I would just start blogging and see what happened.

At first I wondered if anyone would really read it. Then one day about 3 months later I walked into our local scrapbook store and there on the crop table next to a scrapper I had never met was a color print out of a 2 page premade scrapbook layout that I had posted a few weeks earlier. It wasn't a fancy layout, no magazine would ever publish it, but there she was copying it, placing precious photos of her and her dad building her house on a layout I designed. I was so excited, someone was scraplifting me! I was hooked, if she was using the ideas on my blog then I was sure there were others using my ideas and it made me feel sooo good.

I am amazed that in 1826 days (including leap day in 2008) I have had 90,000 visitors, averaging 49.24 visits per day and I have made 435 posts. That is alot of paper passion and scraplifting. I love to read scrapbook blogs and hope that my blog brings that same happiness to other scrapbookers. I love the comments and cherish the friends I have met along the way, even though I probably won't ever meet you in person.

I don't think I am going to change a thing, except maybe my 5 year old profile photo that definately looks nothing like I do now. I plan to continue blogging and sharing my paper creations every day that I possibly can. Thank you for reading my blog!

Scrappingly yours, Vickie

Easy, Simple Santa Christmas Scrapbook Page

2012-01-18T13:53:00.002-05:00

Simple, easy 2 page premade scrapbook layout. I love how once the photos are added to an otherwise very simple scrapbook page, the design comes to life. From a simple premade scrapbook page to a beautiful scrapbook layout. I will do my journaling vertically on the white background cardstock along the upper left edge of the left page. For the measurements to scraplift this page, look at my post from yesterday.

Easy Christmas Scrapbook Layout

2012-01-17T20:48:00.001-05:00

This is a very simple and easy to make Christmas scrapbook layout. I used four different patterned papers from DCWV. I love patterned paper and try to use as much as I can on a layout. I left a little border of the background cardstock peeping out from around the pattern paper. If you want to scraplift this layout I will give you the dimensions of each piece of paper. I added photo mats but this layout really doesn't need them unless you just want the color around the photo. I lightly inked the edges of the paper and then machine zig zag stiched them to the background cardstock.

The Santa Claus cardstock embellishment and the trees are die cuts made with the AccuCut Craft die Album - Builder Santa Claus.

I may list some of the Santa Claus and Trees cardstock die cuts in my Etsy shop not assembled. If interested and you don't see them in my shop at the top of my blog, please leave a comment on this post with your email address and I will cut you a set for $3 which includes shipping in an envelope between cardboard, payment will be with PayPal only unless you are local, I will send you an invoice. I won't post your comment on my blog so your email remains safe.

Hope to see lots of scraplifts of this sweet layout and I will post my completed layout once I get my photos printed.

CHA 2012 AccuCut Craft Sneak Peaks

2012-01-16T15:17:00.000-05:00

I love this time of year, the Craft and Hobby Association CHA 2012 Conference and Trade Show is less than 2 weeks away. I have already started seeing sneak peaks of new products that I really would love to have and some that make me just go huhm, what were they thinking. And since I hurt my back and spend most of my day in the recliner, I have plenty of time to blog hop and start my wishlist.

Of course, my favorite scrapbook / craft / and paper crafting company, AccuCut Craft, has started showing sneak peaks of the 19 new dies they will be releasing at CHA 2012. I have seen two dies so far. The first is a 3-D flower die designed by Cheryl Mezzetti and I think the name is Blossoms. The other is a new 1" Vintage alphabet that I really think I want. If it cuts AccuCut's white chipboard, I will definately buy it. I would love to have a new chipboard alphabet font!

I know many of my blog readers must think I am compensated from AccuCut Craft as much as I blog about them, but I'm really not. LOL I just love their dies!

AccuCut Craft is posting sneak peak photos on both their blog and Facebook.

Big Soft Sugar Cookies

2011-12-23T17:01:00.002-05:00

Amazing Big, Soft, Rolled Sugar Cookies

These are the best soft sugar cookies ever! I love really soft sugar cookies that aren't too sweet. The secret is the sour cream I think. We rolled these out a little thicker than 1/4", sort of on the thick side, they will fluff up a little but don't spread out much. I am not sure where this recipe originated. As a kid this is the cookie I remember making. The big Wilton cookie cutters work best with this recipe. And don't be afraid to really flour your rolling pin and dough when you are rolling it out, it helps keep their shape when cutting. We use parchment paper on our cookie sheets, clean up is easier and the cookies don't stick to the cookie sheet. Oh and I use Crisco Baking Sticks, each stick is one cup so there isn't as much mess trying to scoop it out and don't use the Butter Flavor. So here is the recipe!

2 cups sugar

1 cup Crisco shortening

3 eggs

1 cup sour cream (8 oz container)

1 tsp vanilla extract

5 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a bowl, mix dry ingredients by hand; flour, baking powder and baking soda, set aside.
In a big mixing bowl with your mixer, cream sugar, shortening and eggs. Add sour cream and vanilla. With the mixer on low to medium speed, gradually add the bowl of dry ingredients and mix well.
Refrigerate covered overnight.
To roll cookies, flour cookie cutter edges, rolling pin and rolling surface well. Divide cookie dough and roll about 1/4" thick and cut shapes. Place on parchment paper covered cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees 11-14 minutes or until just slightly light brown or actually still sort of white, see the photo, and promptly remove from cookie sheet to cooling racks. (my oven takes 16 minutes though)
Makes about 48 cookies depending on how thick you roll the dough.
Frost them with your favorite frosting!

I know this is a scrapbook/paper crafting blog so here is how this recipe relates to the blog. I just got the AccuCut Apron A-7 die for Christmas and will be making an Apron mini album with favorite recipe cards for myself and daughters. Check back in a few weeks to see how that is coming along

AccuCut Facebook Fan Exclusive Sales

2011-12-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

If you have been on the fence about whether or not you should buy an AccuCut GrandeMARK Roller Die Cutting Machine, now would be the time while they are on sale! And if you have Sizzix dies there is an adapter for those dies to be used with the GrandeMARK.

I use my GrandeMARK not only for scrapbooking but for other crafts and for quilting. Yes, the AccuQuilt Studio dies fit my GrandeMARK and there is an adapter so the GO! dies will work in it also!

So now I will get to the point of this blog post...AccuCut offers Facebook Fan Exclusive sales from time to time that save up to 40-50% off dies and free shipping sometimes. Now go "Like" Accucut Craft on Facebook and tell them Scrapbooking for Others sent you! When AccuCut reaches 3000 fans they are giving away a GrandeMARK!! I would love for someone who reads my blog to be the winner!!

Good luck!

Christmas Baking Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-12-14T18:12:00.003-05:00

Christmas Baking Tear Bears Premade Scrapbook Pages

SOLD

I love, love, love using the AccuCut dies to make the whisk, spatula and oven mitt. The bowl is also an AccuCut die but I cut off the top of the bowl so it looks a little different. I just looked on the AccuCut Craft website and don't see these dies on there but I am sure they are still available.
Also this scanned photo cuts off the bottom of the page, it looks just like the top of the page with 1/4" of the green cardstock showing. And the black area is a frame from scanning the two pages together, it is not part of the layout. LOL
For those who like to scraplift, I thought I would tell you the pattern paper is made by DCWV. I made the tear bears and also the aprons to fit the tear bears using fabric, sooo cute in person. This photo does not do it justice.

AccuCut Craft GrandMark Giveaway

2011-12-08T10:57:00.001-05:00

Did you know that AccuCut Craft is giving away a GrandeMARK machine when they reach 3000 fans on Facebook!! That is a $595 value! Just go to facebook and "Like" AccuCut Craft and tell them Scrapbooking for Others sent you. Good Luck!!

Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-11-30T21:45:00.000-05:00

Making premade scrapbook pages to sell is one of my favorite things to do. I had a conversation recently with someone again who couldn't understand why anyone would buy already made scrapbook pages. She was amazed at the different reasons I scrapbook for each of my customers. Some just want the tear bear layouts, some are scrapbookers who are trying to "get caught up" and don't have time, some like the machine stitching I do on the layouts and others want scrapbooks but seriously don't have a creative bone in their body.

My already made page styles differ as much as the customers do. I make pages that just have the pretty background paper and embellies but no mats, those customers are usually scrappers themselves and have a pretty good idea where to put photos and don't necessarily use mats for all photos and use different size photos, not just the standard size. Some pages I make are covered with tear bears and die cut embellies with stitched on mats, so the customer has to use predetermined photo sizes. And some of the tear bear pages are just made to look adorable without photos, using pattern paper even on the mats so if you have smaller photos than the mat size, it doesn't matter, the pattern paper showing on the mat will look great with a smaller photo. Other pages have colored cardstock mats stitched in place on the embellished pages, this is easiest for those who want the pages done but don't have the time to think about where to put the photos or don't have a clue where to put them. Also, these are great for crops, bring the already made pages and your box of photos and get those pages completed!

I am going back to my scrapbook room now...I have orders waiting to be filled, no time for blogging and whoever reads this anyway! LOL

Santa & Reindeer Tear Bear Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-11-24T23:16:00.003-05:00

Christmas Premade Scrapbook Layout with Santa and Reindeer SOLD

I love making these adorable tear bear Santas and reindeer. I hand make every one of them. They are two to three layers of handmade paper that I wet and tear into the shapes then I shade them with chalk and glue the pieces together. It takes me hours to make each one. I handpaint the eyes and nose on black cardstock then punch the eyes and nose out with an oval punch. All of the extras on them like the hooves and Santa's clothes are hand cut from cardstock with patterns that I have created.

The sleigh was cut with an AccuCut die and the Merry Christmas is a Quickutz die. I used my Gypsy to size the oval mats to fit the words and cut them out with my Cricut. Hope you enjoy the layout!

Jack-O-Lantern Premade Scrapbook Page

2011-11-20T17:42:00.001-05:00

Already made scrapbook pages ready for your photos. This is such a simple layout but the paper really makes it cute. I can see photos of pumpkin carvings on those colorful mats. I made this layout for a friend so it isn't available for purchase. Happy scrapping!

Tear Bear Halloween Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-11-19T22:31:00.001-05:00

Tear Bear Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Premade Scrapbook Layout

I love making Halloween Scrapbook Pages. The big Jack-O-Lantern was cut using my Accucut GrandeMark and my Album Builder Pumpkin die. Even though this die retails for $150 (but I purchased it at 50% off, yeah me) it has paid for itself in only one season! I love it when that happens! This album die set also has a regular layered pumpkin, which I used on another layout. And the bonus is, both of these dies can be made into two different mini albums, which I haven't tried yet. I am not much of a mini album person. LOL

Hope you enjoy the layout!

HO HO HO Santa and Reindeer Tear Bear Paper Piecings

2011-11-17T16:19:00.002-05:00

I love making Santa and Reindeer tear bear paper piecings. This set sold on Ebay, but if you would like to purchase a set similar to this leave a message in the comment section with your email address (I won't publish your email address on my blog) I will invoice you through PayPal for $35 which includes US shipping with delivery confirmation.

Tear Bear Fall Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-11-03T22:51:00.000-04:00

Tear Bear Fall Scarecrow Pumpkin 2 Page Layout

Premade Scrapbook Pages already made for sale.

Halloween Tear Bear

2011-10-20T22:53:00.001-04:00

TEAR BEAR HALLOWEEN & FALL SCRAPBOOK PAGE EMBELLISHMENTS FOR SALE ON EBAY. JUST SEARCH ON EBAY FOR SBFO TO SEE ALL MY AUCTIONS.

Tear Bear Christmas Cooking & Baking

2011-09-28T10:19:00.001-04:00

I really had fun making the Christmas baking tear bears. I purchased these Accucut dies to make a scrapbook page for Baking Cookies. Although I still haven't made the scrapbook pages, I have the tear bears ready to use. I have the Baking bears on Ebay auction, take a look here and the other is here if you would like to bid.
I used Accucut Craft die Whisk and Bowl and the Spatula-Oven Mitt to make these two sets of tear bears.
I made the aprons with Christmas fabric. I think I could have made an apron for myself in the time it took me to sew those tiny pieces! But it was worth the time cause I think they are adorable!

Tear Bear Witch Cat Broom

2011-09-27T12:55:00.000-04:00

TEAR BEAR WITCH CAT BROOM HALLOWEEN PAPER PIECING ON EBAY

EBAY AUCTION

This is probably the last witch I will be making this Halloween. I think this little cat riding the broom is adorable. This paper piecing is ready for you to add to your pages. The overall size is approximately 5"wide x 6" tall.

Halloween Tear Bears

2011-09-25T11:48:00.001-04:00

Love making Halloween Tear Bears! I still am not sure if my tear black cat looks like a cat or a bear wearing cat ears, but either way I think it is cute.

Tear Bear Paper Piecing

2011-09-12T16:27:00.000-04:00

TEAR BEAR PAPER PIECINGS FOR SCRAPBOOK PAGE EMBELLISHMENTS

CHECK MY EBAY AND ETSY FOR LISTINGS

I am having so much fun making tear bears again! I seem to go through phases where I want to make them and then I make so many I get tired of it and need to do something else to spark some creativity. I am back to handpainting my eyes and nose and chalking the bears. I actually used my Cricut to cut out the paper pieced toys for the bears. I handcut the clothes from cardstock.

Tear Bear Paper Piecing

2011-09-08T20:41:00.000-04:00

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe paper piecing with boy tear bear for sale on Ebay. I made the car with my Cricut and am very happy with it.

Halloween Premade Scrapbook Layouts for Sale

2011-09-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

Tear Bear Premade Scrapbook Pages for Sale here EBAY

Already made scrapbook pages are a great way to get your scrapping caught up or just to have something different in your books. The adorable tear bears have paper pieced costumes on with lots of tiny diecuts.

CHRISTMAS Premade Scrapbook Pages for Sale

2011-09-06T23:18:00.000-04:00

Christmas Premade Scrapbook Layouts for sale here on Ebay and here on Ebay .

I think these are definately the cutest layouts that I have ever made. And definately have the most pieces of any I think I have ever made! I made the paper piecing pattern for Santa and his chair. The reindeer are made like the tear bears from several layers of handmade paper, chalked with handmade embellishments.

Singed Fabric Flowers

2011-08-16T15:20:00.000-04:00

I love making fabric flowers and of course the singed satin fabric flowers are my favorites. These fabric flowers are for sale in my Etsy shop, or leave a comment.

Hot pink ruffled satin flowers with pearl center.

Red satin ruffled fabric flowers.

Red singed satin layered flowers

Red Organza Fabric Flowers singed.

Back to School double page layout

2011-08-11T23:21:00.000-04:00

School Tear Bears for sale on Ebay

2011-08-08T19:52:00.000-04:00

I haven't listed any auctions on Ebay in a long time. But I decided I would list these adorable School Tear Bear paper piecings. The link to the auction is here: Ebay Auction . Wish me luck and if you like them, go bid please! If I get a good response and make a little money, I might list a few more tear bear paper piecings.

My First Layout using Simple Stories

2011-07-28T17:26:00.000-04:00

This is the first page in my 2011 scrapbook using Simple Stories Life Documented. This was fast, easy and fun! I think I can actually keep up with my current photos and scrapbooking this way. We'll see though. I still have 30+ years of photos of the kids to scrapbook, I really enjoy scrapping the older photos the traditional way in two page layouts. I will still make two page layouts in my 2011 book, but not all photos need to be scrapbooked that way. And I would really like to keep up with the current photos and have time to go back and do my children's books.
For those readers who may be new to my blog, I wanted to tell you that I have all of my photos in photo safe albums because my husband likes them in albums. So when I make a scrapbook layout, I make copies of the photos for the layout and the originals go back in the album. I showed him this way of scrapbooking and he loves it! So looks like this is going to work out great.

This is a close up of the elements I added to the little pockets.
To the 2"x12" Simple Stories strip, I added twine tied in a bow, blue cardstock photo corners, a burgundy stamp shape around the word one, two tiny tags handwritten with a rhinestone on them inking the edges of everything.
To the 4"x6" horizontal card I added, chipboard with cardstock covered banner pieces and stamped the date 2011 on them, some twine, a sticker from the Life Documented collection. I also cut chipboard to fit the sticker star so it would look dimensional and added a real button.
To the 4"x6" vertical card I added burgundy ribbon and bow.
The back side of this pocket page I have a journaling card and more photos in the pockets.

Isn't this sweet and simple! I was able to crop 8 photos to 4"x4" to fit in these pockets. I love every one of these sweet photos, they were loving every minute of their snuggle time before bed, each expression is priceless to me. On the back side of this I have 8 more photos and journaling box. Wow 16 photos on one actual divided page. I am really, really liking this!!

This is one of the Life Documented 4"x4" elements. I added the pink cardstock covered chipboard brackets, tied twine and added a tiny tag and had wrote "it is moments like these" I love, love, love this so much, because it totally says it all when it comes to my husband. There has never been anything more important to him than his children and now grand daughter. He made so many decisions in his life and including his career that were best for his kids. He never felt more money and things was best for his family, he knew the time he spent with his family were more important than anything else. I love this man!

Non-traditional Scrapbooking?

2011-07-27T21:18:00.000-04:00

I am very happy with how scrapbooking in a photo album, or 2 Up Scrapbooking as Stacy Julian calls it, has evolved into the fun new kits from Simple Stories and Memory Works. I remember when Bazzill came out with their Lickety Slip albums and photo pages, I loved the idea! I kept wondering when Bazzill would introduce 4x6 cards for journaling and embellishments but I don't think they ever did.
Now comes We R Memory Keepers with D-ring albums and quite a few different photo pages, 4x6 pockets vertical and horizontal, 6x8 pockets and 6x12 pockets and some with 2x12 strips all in a 12x12 page. I think I am going to have fun with this.
I became a Memory Works consultant because of Simple Stories. I think it is something that I can have fun with and make a little extra money. And the really fun part is, I can show non-scrapbookers just how easy it is to have beautiful photo albums! I already have a group of young mothers who say they are not creative and have no idea what scrapbooking is that are coming over to see how easy it is. I can't wait to help them.
As of 2011 photos, I have started using Simple Stories, We R Memory Keepers D-ring albums and pages. But not to worry, I still have thousands of photos to be scrapbooked the traditional way. LOL

Simple Stories New Release

2011-07-17T15:29:00.001-04:00

Here are the links to the four new Simple Stories Lines:

25 Days of Christmas available August 22, 2011

Generations available August 22, 2011

Baby Steps available July 25, 2011

Happy Day available July 25, 2011

Leave a comment if you would like to order.

July Hostess Incentive

2011-07-15T10:54:00.000-04:00

Memory Works is offering a very nice Hostess Incentive in July for a $150 party. While supplies last, the hostess of a qualifying $150 party will receive this 12x12 MVP designer pad by We R Memory Works. Pretty nice incentive I think!

Memory Works Consultant

2011-07-14T11:38:00.000-04:00

Looking for a Memory Works consultant? Want to purchase Simple Stories scrapbooking kits that are easy peasy to use? You can purchase Simple Stories through my Memory Works website in the right column of my blog or leave me a message on this blog post and a way for me to get in touch with you, I won't publish your comment so the world doesn't see your contact information.

Memory Works Simple Stories

2011-07-13T17:30:00.000-04:00

New Memory Works Simple Stories Kits are being revealed this week. So far I have seen three new kits, the last reveal will be tomorrow. Here is a link to the new Simple Stories reveals.
http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/
My Memory-Works order is out for delivery right now, can't wait to get it!! Wish it had the four new Simple Stories in it...

Simple Stories, Simple Scrapbooking

2011-07-05T11:48:00.000-04:00

The only way scrapbooking could be any easier is if you bought premade scrapbook pages from me! I can't wait to get my order with the four Simple Stories from Memory Works, that should get me started until they come out with new kits. This photo shows just how easy scrapbooing can be. The link to the story is here . I will have a website within the next 24 hours, as soon as Memory Works sets it up, where you can purchase the four Simple Stories that are currently available along with the We R Memory Keepers Albums and refill pages with all the different size pockets to fit your photos or scrapbook elements, as shown in my last post.

Memory Works Consultant? Well yes, I am!

2011-07-04T17:31:00.000-04:00

So I have fallen in love with Memory Works Simple Stories and decided to become a consultant because of them! I will have a link to my website in the right column as soon as it is activated which should be tomorrow. www.vickiekipp.memory-works.com

Are you too busy to scrapbook? Do you think you aren't talented enough? But really want beautiful memory books? Talk to me!!

I heard through the grapevine there will be four more Simple Stories released and I can't wait to use them. The four that Memory Works currently have are absolutley awesome so I can only imagine these will be too. Here is the link that explains what Simple Stories are http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/scrapbookingsimplified.html.
And since Close to My Heart quit making their leather post bound albums, I switched to WeRMemory Keepers D ring albums and guess what, that just happens to be what Memory Works sell. This is the multi pack of pages. Doesn't this look like fun!! I will also be making AccuCut die cut shapes to match!
Finally, I can keep hubby happy with photo albums and me happy with scrapbooking! woo hoo!

AccuCut Craft GrandeMARK Giveaway

2011-06-28T12:06:00.000-04:00

AccuCut Craft is giving away a GrandeMARK machine valued at $595 when they reach 2000 fans. Be sure and go "Like" them on Facebook for a chance to win and leave a post that you saw this on my blog. I would love one of my friends to win this and we have had pretty good luck lately winning things!

Premade Scrapbook Pages

2011-06-20T19:22:00.002-04:00

Premade Scrapbook Pages with my GrandeMARK.
I am the guest blogger on AccuCut Craft today. click here

Want to Win $50 Gift Certificate from AccuCut Craft?

2011-06-15T11:59:00.001-04:00

Do you want to win a $50 gift certificate from AccuCut Craft? If so, just go to http://www.accucut.typepad.com to get your official AccuCut Craft Blinkie and post it to your blog. AccuCut Craft will pick one winner from their Facebook post.
Just go to AccuCut Craft's Facebook Page and post a link to your blog with their Blinkie on their page where they posted about Blinkies. And you could tell them Vickie Kipp sent you ; - ) I tried to post a direct link to their Facebook page but was unable, sorry.

On June 24th they will pick 1 winner for the $50 gift certificate.

Altered Chipboard

2011-06-09T20:46:00.007-04:00

premade scrapbook pages for sale already made layouts altered chipboard accucut craft scrapbook room creative space studio for sale scrapbooking to copy chipboard close to my heart pink apricot alphabet scraplift scrapbooks
I used AccuCut's White Chipboard for the first time today and really like it! It is just a little thicker than the Accucut Kraft Chipboard I have been using. The main difference I see between them so far is I can ink the white chipboard with light colors.
Using a sponge I inked the white chipboard with Baby Pink ink by Close to My Heart.

I could have used the inked pieces just like that. But then I added three coats of clear Ultra Thick Embossing Powder ( UTEE ) to give them a glossy look. It made the pieces a little darker.

And since I love this next embossing technique I had to try it on the lightly inked/embossed white chipboard.

LOVE this altered look and will be using this on the baby page I am making.
I first saw this embossing technique in the October 2003 Scrapbooks, Etc. magazine and then a demo a few months later by the magazine at an Expo. I love the look!

There are already so many videos on YouTube and blog posts describing this stamping/embossing technique I am not going into alot of detail but here are the basic steps.
HEAT EMBOSSING INTO UTEE WITH RED RUBBER STAMP AND VERSAMARK

1. ink your chipboard pieces
2. apply Versamark then UTEE and melt with your heat tool; do this 3 times
3. adhere your embossed pieces to a heat resistant non-stick craft mat so they can't blow around
4. using a red rubber stamp with an open design, ink it with Staz-on and leave it sitting on the stamp pad to keep it moist
5. one letter at a time, reheat the UTEE until you can see it is liquid looking, then lay the inked stamp on the melted UTEE, leave it there for about 30 seconds until the UTEE hardens then remove the stamp.
You will have beautiful embossed chipboard pieces, see how the stamp sinks into the hot UTEE and leaves the inked impression.

Layout Stacker Things

2011-06-07T12:50:00.001-04:00

I have been sitting here trying to remember what I call these things...and I realize I refer to them as "cardboard stacker thingys". When I asked my DH he laughed and said they are "stacky things". So in this post, for lack of a better title, I will refer to them as " Layout Stacker Things" "LST" for short.

I started using LST years ago, before the days of my Dream Scrapbook Room. Yes, once upon a time I scrapbooked at my dining room table out of a rolling cart and loved it. As I started scrapbooking for others and making multiple layouts I needed a way to put the pages together and add embellishments to them or make changes without wasting time. This is what I came up with.

I cut cardboard into 13"x26" pieces, big enough to lay a two page layout on. It worked great, I could make the layouts, stack them up and finish them as I had time. I repurposed my daughter's computer desk into my paper sewing desk, so the keyboard drawer was the perfect size to stack the layouts waiting to be machine stitched.

My first LST were plain thick cardboard cut from a big box. The next time I made LST, I covered them with white vinyl so they can be easily wiped off if I get ink or adhesive on them.

EDITED: my brilliant daughter said they are "Planning Boards".

National Yo-Yo Day

2011-06-06T12:50:00.000-04:00

Did you know today is National Yo-Yo Day? Ok, so it is really for the toy Yo-Yo but we can still have fun with it on a scrapbooking blog!
For my Yo-Yo day project, click here to go to the Accucut Craft blog where I am the guest blogger today.

Vacation Scrapbook Layout

2011-06-03T17:40:00.000-04:00

Vacation Already Done Scrapbook Layout for sale in my Etsy shop.

I love this paper, I bought it for myself but don't have any vacation photos to scrapbook. No, I am not that caught up with my own scrapbooking, we just haven't been on a vacation if years! I am keeping a set of the paper though for me to use the next time I jet set to a beautiful vacation destination. Oh wait, I already live in one. ;- )

I machine stitched on this layout, click on the photo to zoom out to see the details.

I used the Ribbon Circle 11 1/2 " Accucut die to cut the Kiwi color circle that is behind the blue airplane paper.

The title was cut from chipboard then covered with cardstock using the Accucut Believe font. I really love this 1 1/4" cursive like font. I hope I like Apricot lowercase 2" as well.

Headband Made from Knee Highs

2011-06-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

This headband is made from a sheer queen size knee high. I purchased a package with three pairs for only one dollar at the Dollar General store. So for a dollar I can make six headbands. I haven't tried this on a baby but is looks like it would fit great and I stretched it big enough to fit my own head and wore it all afternoon, very comfy!

Start by cutting off all but one half inch from the darker part of the top of the knee high. Cut the toe off just above the stitching.

Fold in one half inch of the top. This will keep the raw edge inside the knee high.

Bring the toe around to the folded top, tuck it inside and flatten so you can sew them together.

Stitch the ends together making sure the needle goes through all thicknesses, look on the back side to see where your stitches are going.

Pull the stitches to gather the knee high, then run the needle back through the gathered area to make it a little more secure, knot and cut the thread off.

I used a Versa-Tool with the tapered point on a glass cutting board to cut the ribbon and heat seal the edges at the same time. The ribbon is about one and three-quarters inches long. Be very careful with the Versa-Tool, it gets very hot!

In the middle of the ribbon add some liquid fabric glue and place it on the underneath side of the knee high near the stitched area. Let dry completely.

After the ribbon is completely dry, bring the ends together and hand stitch together forming a loop. Be careful not to stitch the ribbon to the knee high. See the photo with the scissors going through the loop. This loop of ribbon is where you add adorable flowers that have been attached to hair clips. Great for little ones, who don't have enough hair to hold a clip in. One headband for all those adorable clippies!

Or you could skip the ribbon loop and just stitch your flower directly to the headband and make multiple headbands for all your different designs and color flowers.

I won, I won at Scrapbooking.com Magazine!!

2011-06-01T12:38:00.000-04:00

How much fun to wake up today and find out that I won a $100 prize package at Scrapbooking.com Magazine ! All I did was leave a comment on Facebook, as I have "Liked" them on Facebook for years and also I have received emails from them for years. The online magazine is free so go sign up for their emails. Or you can connect to them from my blog, just scroll down the right column and you will see them under Magazines. Scrapbooking.com Magazine always has several contests going.

Already Made Scrapbook Pages for sale

2011-05-31T14:21:00.001-04:00

Already made scrapbook pages for sale / Premade layouts / Almost finished scrapbook pages
This is one of my favorite scrapbook page double layouts. I have made this basic layout so many different ways using the Accucut Ribbon Circle-11.5inch die and Believe lowercase framed 1.25 inch alphabet dies. The pattern paper is from KI Memories 2009 Jet Setter paper pack. This layout will be in my Etsy shop for sale.

Premade Scrapbook Pages Christmas

2011-05-30T21:22:00.000-04:00

Christmas Premade Scrapbook Pages double layout.

Already made scrapbook layout, ready for photos. Such a simple layout, but it sure is pretty with the photos added. I use this scrapbook page layout sketch often. Just use three pattern paper or combine cardstock strips and pattern paper strips. The size varies for the three different pattern papers. The middle layer is about 4 inches tall, the top layer is about 3.75 inches tall and the bottom layer is about 3 inches tall. I have a 0.75 inch border on this layout, you can vary the size and achieve different looks. I machine stitched the layers of pattern paper together. Also used light brown distress ink on the edges of the paper to match the pattern in the paper. As you can see I have a suggestion for photo placement, but the options are limitless; using 4x4, 3x5, 5x7 photos.

Accucut Memorial Day Sale

2011-05-27T16:35:00.001-04:00

AccuCut Craft is having a nice Memorial Day sale on dies and the GrandeMARK machine. I have been waiting for a nice sale, just placed my order from my wishlist. Can't wait to get the new dies and finally Apricot lowercase alphabet, and the best part is with this sale I got 30% off the clearance price of the alphabet, yippeee!!

edited: WOW! Everything shipped today! I am beyond excited!

Guest Blogger on Accucut

2011-05-27T12:11:00.003-04:00

I am a guest blogger on the Accucut Craft Blog today!! I am a little excited!
CLICK HERE for the link to the post. You can also link to AccuCut Craft on Facebook.

Tear Bear Lion Frame

2011-05-26T19:26:00.000-04:00

Tear Bear Lion Frame. I love making tear bears so I was very happy when I was able to make this tear bear lion frame for an already made scrapbook page for a friend. Her little girl was dressed as a Lion for Halloween. The frame is chipboard covered in cardstock. It took me several days to decide whether to add whiskers to him, but in the end I decided not to as this face looked more like the costume face.

DCWV Stack-a-holic Template Challenge for May

2011-05-23T19:58:00.006-04:00

This is my entry for the DCWV Stack-a-holic Template Challenge for May. Click here for more details. The pattern paper is from DCWV The Glitter Stack. The pink and blue cardstock is scraps.
DCWV provided a one page template from Sketch Savy and I stretched it into a 2 page layout.
Here is the template.

I made the white flowers. I gathered 6 inches of ruffled lace into a circle and added folded circles of tulle under them to make them fluffy looking. I handstitched pink beads to the center of the flower. The thin white lace is stitched to the layout.
I cut the pink cardstock using Accucut Scallop Die. The title was cut using Accucut Believe font.
Note: I made this layout for a friend and don't want to use her photos, so just use your imagination, instead of the white cards, imagine adorable baby photos with Grandparents!

Creative Spaces My Dream Scrapbook Room

2011-05-15T16:46:00.003-04:00

Creative Spaces / Craft Studio / My Dream Scrapbook Room / Cool Crafting Space is all reorganized with the new armoire for storage.
edited: my cool creative space is organized and still clean 10 days later...I have made three two page layouts, and two projects and it still looks just like this photo!! So happy!!
When I have friends coming over to scrapbook, I move the blue chair out and put up two 6 foot folding tables for them. You can't see in this photo but in the right lower corner in front of a window, I moved my desk with the sewing machine on it. I can't believe how clean and organized it is! Now it is time to scrapbook and mess it all up! LOL
I love the blue chair and ottoman. I call it my creating chair, it is sooo comfortable and gently rocks so I can sit there and think...sometimes you will find me with a piece of 24 inch cardboard on the ottoman working on a layout, the ottoman makes a great working table. LOL

Scrapbook Rooms New Website

2011-05-13T13:44:00.000-04:00

CLICK HERE to go to the new website Scrapbook Rooms. Also sign up to be a follower and they are on Facebook also. Looks like fun!

Accucut GrandeMARK Challenge

2011-05-10T13:56:00.000-04:00

So sad, I did not win the Accucut GrandeMARK Challenge with my fabric flower or Altered Rolodex Divider Cards. But that is ok, they are winners to me. I have alot of fun making them both.

Creative Space

2011-05-09T22:56:00.000-04:00

My Creative Space / Scrapbook Room / Craft Studio or whatever you want to call it is going to get a little facelift. I have a computer armoire that we no longer use and I think I am going to move it into my scrapbook room, it is the same color as the wood I have in there. I am trying to talk DH into making a new top for my scrap table that is bigger than my current one. It will give me less space for friends to scrap but will open up my work area that I use everyday. Wish me luck that everything fits and DH cooperates. LOL

Fabric Flower Accucut Die

2011-05-05T19:55:00.001-04:00

Fabric Flower made using Accucut dies! Perfect for scrapbooks or hair fashion. I think I might make some of these to sell on Etsy.
This is the smallest flower I made today, but it is stinking cute in person! I fused the fabric to a piece of felt using Pellon Wonder-Under then cut with the Accucut dies. Fusing the fabric to the felt gives the flower a little bulk to it that would be perfect for a scrapbook page or hair do-dad thingy.
I got to use my new Accucut Circle Die click here for the white tulle. I think this is going to be one of my favorite dies, so simple and inexpensive but has sooo many uses. I folded the tulle circles in half and ran a gathering stitch along the fold of 4 circles, then tied it into a circle. I glued the flower to the tulle using Scrappy Glue and then stitched the button in place.
The flower dies is the Accucut Flowers #5 Mini click here.

Fabric Flower Made Using Accucut Die

2011-05-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

This photo does not do this fabric flower justice. It is sooo cute and fluffy in real life. Perfect for a little girl's headband.
I used Accucut Flower #5 Mini Die click here for the fabric flower center. I adhered the fabric to a piece of felt using Wonder-Under Transfer Web before cutting it with the die. It gives the fabric flower a little bulk and is so easy to work with.
I used Accucut Coasters #1 die the scallop edge side to cut the yellow tulle. I then folded the scallop shape tulle in half and ran a gathering stitch along the folded edge of 6 scallops forming a circle in the center and knotted the thread. I then stitched the fabric flower and button to the gathered tulle.
Oh so pretty...

Fabric Flower Using Accucut Dies

2011-05-05T18:48:00.003-04:00

Fabric flower made using Accucut Flowers #5 Die click here for the pink flower and Accucut Coasters #1 Die click here the 4 inch circle on that die for the black tulle.
This is a fun technique to do. I used Pellon Wonder-Under Transfer Web to make the pink fabric fusible and adhered it to white felt to give the fabric flower a little thickness. Then using the GrandeMARK and die I just cut the fused pink fabric and felt. Once the fabric is fused to the felt, it is super easy to work with. I used a little Fray-Check around the edge of the pink fabric just to make sure it doesn't ravel.
I folded the black tulle in half and ran a gathering stitch along the fold of five circles then stitched it to the flower.
I cut the shank off the black button and glued it to the pink fabric with liquid Scrappy Glue.
This flower would be perfect for a little girl's headband, so fluffy and cute.

Crochet Covered Button and Tulle Flower

2011-05-05T15:27:00.002-04:00

When I saw the crochet covered button on Cynthia Shaffer's blog CLICK HERE, I knew exactly what flower to make to really show off this button. I remember making crochet covered buttons years ago, but they actually went on the crocheted vest that I made. How times change. LOL
I made this easy peasy flower using Accucut Coasters #1 die click here. I cut six layers of black tulle with the scallop side of the die. Then folded each scallop in half and did a running stitch along the folded edge adding each of the six pieces. Then I ran another stitch back through the gathered side and tied it off into a circle. Fluff the tulle, stitch the button on and there you have it.
I will be making these flowers for my Heritage books that I am doing for my family. I want each layout to have a little bit of me on it with handmade embellishments that I make.

Fabric Lollipop Flower

2011-04-25T00:17:00.001-04:00

Fabric Lollipop Flower made from circles. After hand cutting twenty four circles for this set of flowers, I decided I would order the Accucut Circle Die. I am working on 6 Heritage Albums...24x6 equals way more than I want to hand cut!!
These flowers are so easy to make and look great on scrapbook pages.

Accucut Die Storage

2011-04-22T10:57:00.000-04:00

Accucut die storage!!
When I bought my new Accucut alphabet a few weeks ago from the Clearance sale on their website, I needed more storage space. So after alot of measuring and calculating, dh and I came up with these shelves that I can pull in and out from under the counter where my Accucut GrandeMARK sits (the bottom of the shelves has sliders so it is easy peasy to pull in and out). When I am in my room working, I just leave them pulled out for convenience. So now I have one shelf with my older Accucut alphabets on it and one shelf for shapes and my newest alphabet Believe lowercase and Believe uppercase. Love the new alphabet and got it at a great price, it was on clearance and then a 25% off coupon, wooop wooop!!
Now I want dh to make my other Accucut die storage out of the pretty wood he made these shelves from...not sure I can convince him to do that, but it sure would look great in my room!

Small Fabric Roses Using Accucut Die

2011-04-21T19:02:00.001-04:00

Fabric Flowers using Accucut Die using Border-Scallops-Small die.
In my last post I have directions for making these burned fabric flowers. These are made the same way except I used a smaller scallop die. Cut the fabric to 8 inches, gather to 5 inches before you roll and stitch together. The overall size of each rose is about 3/4 inch, so tiny and cute.

Directions for Fabric Rose made with Accucut Die

2011-04-21T13:42:00.006-04:00

Directions for Fabric Rose made using Accucut Die Borders #1.

EDITED: I am still trying to figure out what the name of the fabric is that I used to make this flower.
Definately don't use Baroque Satin...it caught on fire.

I have used several different fabrics to make these flowers, just experiment and see what works best for you. Please be very careful with the fabric as I have had several melt very rapidly, and one caught on fire. I always work in my bathroom with a sink full of water to throw the fabric into if it catches on fire and a fire extinguisher nearby just in case I have an accident. LOL

Cut the fabric with the Accucut Border Die #1.
Cut the first two scallops off at an angle, this will be the center of the flower.
CAREFULLY, using a candle, I like to use a dinner candle so the flame is easily accessible, make sure the candle is in a holder that collects the wax as it melts. Holding the fabric toward the base of the flame, just using the heat, melt the scalloped edge of the fabric. You will need to move the fabric quickly so it doesn't melt too much or catch on fire. This takes practice to get the hang of it. You could also use circles to practice.
Using a gathering stitch either by hand or machine, stitch about 3/8 to 1/2 inch from the straight edge of the die cut fabric.
Gather the fabric until it measures about 7 inches. Tie both ends of the gathering stitch to keep it this length.
Start with the narrow edge and start rolling the fabric, this will be the center of the flower. Hand stitch through each layer as you roll the fabric forming the flower shape. Make sure to keep your stitching above the level of the gathering.
Once the flower is stitched, cut about 1/4 inch off the fabric straight edge below where you stitched. This decreases the bulk of the fabric and will make the flower sit shorter on the scrapbook page. I hope that makes sense.
Make long stitches from one side of the bottom of the flower to the other to finish the bottom edge of the flower. Roll the petals outward to make a flatter rose like mine shown.

I am not very good at writing directions so I hope the photos will help.

Accucut GrandMARK Challenge

2011-04-19T02:12:00.003-04:00

Have you heard about the Accucut GrandMARK challenge and giveaway!! I have been working on my submission(s) and hopefully will get something finished before the deadline. I would love to win one of the shopping sprees, I know what dies I would get.
Last week Accucut had a three day 50% off sale and sadly I missed out. I had just ordered a new alphabet from their clearance section the week before and just didn't have it in my budget to spend any more money this month, I had the dies in my shopping cart but just couldn't push the submit button. LOL Last year my friend fell in love with my GrandMARK and then bought herself one, so she took advantage of the sale. Wish we lived close enough to share dies...or I had a bigger Accucut budget. I think it is an addiction...LOL
If anyone reading is interested in buying a GrandMARK, they are $200 off until May 1st. Well worth the money! Go to their website for more information http://www.accucutcraft.com/ for more details.

Altered Rolodex Cards

2011-04-18T22:14:00.001-04:00

Altered Rolodex Cards in my Etsy Shop.

I love altering Rolodex Cards. I found this old Heidi Swapp paper at Tuesday Mornings last week and wanted to use it for something, so decided to alter some Rolodex Cards.

I love this twenty five dollar Accucut Die that cuts the Rolodex Divider Card. I have definately paid for this die over and over.

Also love my Quickutz die that cuts the different shape tabs. I think this set has been discontinued by LifeCrafts/Quickutz but can still be found on Ebay every once in a while.

I am also a fan of Perfect Paper Adhesive ( PPA) for adhering the pattern paper to the chipboard. I use chipboard that I purchase from Accucut and it is the perfect thickness. As the PPA dries, the chipboard curls but as it gets drier, it flattens back out perfect.

Techniques for Altered Chipboard

2011-04-11T00:06:00.003-04:00

Since I have chipboard for sale in my Etsy Shop, I decided I would try and think of all the ways one can alter chipboard. Several years ago I taught a class at the now closed LSS where I demonstrated all the ways chipboard can be altered. Each chipboard letter used a different technique. So here goes...

paint chipboard with acrylic paint...
stamp on the painted chipboard, I suggest using Staz-On ink...
paint the stamped images on the painted chipboard...
cover the painted stamped images on the painted chipboard with Liquid Glass or Diamond Glaze (wow, that was a mouthful) I would suggest letting the chipboard dry over night before adding the Diamond Glaze/Liquid Glass
heat emboss a single layer of UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) over painted chipboard (it will look like water droplets on it)
crackle paint with areas of thicker/thinner paint for a more textured look
mix reinker into Liquid Glass/Diamond Glaze and paint them for a shiney look
cover with ink, stamp designs on the ink with Staz-On
pour melted UTEE over the chipboard (use melting pot to melt )
using red rubber stamps, stamp into melted UTEE while it is still warm leaving design of the stamp in the UTEE, you can also ink the stamp with Staz-On before stamping into the UTEE
heat emboss using colored embossing powder
decoupage with strips of paper using Perfect Paper Adhesive/Mod Podge
decoupage with fabric pieces
add rhinestones/pearls to any of the above
flock them
apply Flower Soft
cover with stickers, trim stickers to fit shapes
Stickles alone or over painted/inked chipboard
Glitter
Liquid Pearls - apply smooth or use a sponge in the wet Liquid Pearls to give it a textured look, covers very well
use them to make embossing plates

If you think of anything that I haven't added, please leave me a comment and I will add it to my list.
Thanks!

Altered Chipboard

2011-04-10T22:51:00.000-04:00

Since I currently have some chipboard in my Etsy shop, I thought I would share something that I learned today by trial and error.
I opened a brand new bottle of Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint and I thought it was ruined, it was very, very, very thick. Since it is an acrylic paint I decided to add some water to it and see what happened. I added a tablespoon of water stirring it in the thick muck as best as I could. Then I washed the brush out until it was clean. I stirred the paint several times over the next three hours and finally could see that it was starting to look like it was supposed to. I painted it on a chipboard Easter basket and waited. It worked perfectly! Yeah, my paint is saved and the chipboard Easter basket is adorable.

Chipboard in my Etsy Shop

2011-04-06T19:07:00.000-04:00

I have listed a few unfinished chipboard shapes and titles in my Etsy Shop. Take a look.

Do you LOVE giveaways?

2011-02-26T09:44:00.000-05:00

Scrapbook and Cards Today has a fun Mystery Prize Box giveaway on their blog. All you have to do is leave a comment for a chance to win. If you have never been to their blog, it is awesome. Sign up for their emails to stay informed of everything they are doing! Just click on the link below:
http://scrapbookandcardstodaymag.typepad.com/scrapbook_cards_today_blo/2011/02/mystery-giveaway.html
And remember, if you win, you have to share with me!! JUST KIDDING!!

Monthly Sketch Class at 2Peas

2011-01-26T15:45:00.003-05:00

Two Peas in a Bucket is having a free monthly class, Stretch Your Sketch, with Jennifer Galacher. I am not a very good sketch user because generally the sketches are for one page layouts and I am definately a two page layout scrapbooker. Here is the sketch, a one page layout.

And here is the two page layout I made from the sketch.

The photo really doesn't show the details very well so I will tell you a few of the things I used. The cardstock is made by Close to My Heart, the pattern paper is DCWV.
Left Page:
Martha Stewart Baker's Twine wrapped around the pop dotted and double matted photo, with small red beads tied on the ends of the twine and then glued into place on the page with Scrappy Glue.
Wrights Jumbo Red and Pink Rick Rack.
Accucut 11.5" Antique Shape die cut with white cardstock for the title area.
The font for Cooking is Quickutz Abigail Grand, With My is cut with Quickutz skinni mini Phoebe, and girls is cut from chipboard using 1.25" lower case Ariel ( I don't know who the manufacturer of this wooded die is), covered in pink cardstock that I added Stickles Glitter glue.
Right Page
Photo corners cut in pink and red using Quickutz 4x4 die.
Journaling spot handcut from a chipboard frame using the outer pattern, to match the Antique shape on the left.
And I added a few pink rhinestones on both pages.
And as usual, I machine stitched on the layout, polkda dot paper and on title block.

Easy Premade Scrapbook Layout

2011-01-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

This is a super easy 2 page layout to scraplift. Change the title and pattern paper and you could use it for any of your photos.
I cut the following for each side of the layout.
The dark orange and polka dot strip is 11"x1.5". (cut two, one for each side)
The pumpkin pattern paper strip is 11"x2.5". (cut two, one for each side)
The center light green cardstock is 11"x6". (cut two, one for each side)
I inked with black all the way around all of the pieces including the white background cardstock. The top strip is about 1" from the top edge. There is about a quarter of an inch space between the pieces. The three photos on the left are cut to 6"x3.75". The smaller photo on the right is 4"x4.75" and the matted photo is 4"x6" but a 5"x7" could easily fit there. I adhere two pieces of knotted ribbon using glue dots to the left side and tied two small pieces of ribbon over the photo on the right side. I journaled on a handcut pumpkin shaped journaling box that I pop dotted over the ribbon. I really, really wanted to machine stitch on this layout, but decided I would try and have a few layouts without stitching in my scrapbooks. LOL

Santa Pre-made Scrapbook Pages

2010-12-15T12:48:00.000-05:00

Santa Tear Bear paper piecing is featured on this adorable premade scrapbook page for sale. This page is already made and ready for you to add photos and journaling on the cute little Wish List.

I love this little tear bear Santa. I hand cut the pieces to make the Santa suit and used white handmade paper to make the "fur" on his suit. I made the green photo mat 6"x8" which accomodates either a 5"x7" photo or several smaller photos cut to fit this mat would also look cute.

Premade Scrapbook Layout

2010-12-11T13:12:00.000-05:00

Premade Scrapbook Pages with Tear Bear one page layout for sale in my Etsy shop. Or you can cut and paste this into your browser http://www.sbfo.etsy.com/.

I don't usually make one page layouts, in fact, this is the first year I have offered one page layouts for sale. I had a customer who wanted a bunch of one page layouts for her heritage Christmas photos but wanted the cute little Tear Bears on most of them. She only has a few photos from each Christmas year and she thought she would scan and enlarge a few to 5x7 where she only had one photo of that year.
So after working with her for a few weeks about photo sizes and number of photos, I came up with quite a few one page scrapbook pages. I am finally finished with all of her layouts and will be offereing them in my Etsy shop and a few on Ebay. They are very simple but once the photos and journaling are added, they really capture the memories in an old fashioned way.

Sizzix Blog

2010-12-10T11:56:00.001-05:00

So...once again I had a duh moment this morning. How could I not know Sizzix has a blog? I love my Sizzix, still buy Sizzix and have for years, and I recently purchased from their website so how is it that I didn't know about the blog? For any blog readers who don't know about it, here is the link Sizzix Blog and just in case you want to cut and paste into your browser it is http://www.sizzixblog.blogspot.com/.

Free Online Scrapbook Magazine

2010-12-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite free online scrapbook magazines, Scrapbook & Cards Today, started their 12 Days of Christmas today. Just go to their site and leave a comment for the next 12 days and be entered to win a prize. Today's prize is awesome, a Sizzix Elips!!

Christmas Ornament Already Made Scrapbook Layout

2010-12-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Christmas ornament Tear Bear already made scrapbook layout for sale on Ebay.
My scanner wouldn't cooperate with the foil paper, it looked black and my camera totally washed this photo out but hope you can tell those are big red Christmas ornaments.
I used my Gypsy and Cricut to cut the ornament tops from gold foil cardstock.

TEAR BEAR PREMADE SCRAPBOOK PAGES

2010-11-30T22:58:00.000-05:00

Premade Scrapbook Pages with tear bears for sale on Ebay. I love this basic layout and have used it many times when I have four pattern papers that go together. Have I mentioned I love pattern paper? This paper is made by DCWV, one of my favorite paper companys. There is a little bit of foil on the paper that makes it so beautiful. And of course the adorable tear bears...last night while I was cruising the net I came across a blogger who called tear bears "evil looking" and couldn't understand why scrappers liked them enough to pay for them...huhm...look at that little sweet face, it is beautiful. LOL

Tear Bear Scrapbook Pages Already Made

2010-11-24T15:47:00.000-05:00

Already made scrapbook pages, just add your photos. I originally made the left side of this layout for a one page layout but then decided I had too many photos, as usual, so I added the second page, simple but lots of room for 4x6 photos and a journaling box.
I still love my little tear bears without clothing added. This paper is made by DCWV and I used Close to My Heart cardstock and ribbon. The photo turns were cut with my Revolution and Quickutz die.

Autumn Premade Scrapbook Pages

2010-11-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

Autumn Premade Scrapbook Pages.
This paper is made by DCWV and is so beautiful. It is hard to see in the photos but there are some foiled areas on the paper.
Now I just need some fall photos to add to this layout...one disadvantage of living in Florida, there are very few opportunities to capture photos of the kids playing in the leaves.

HALLOWEEN Tear Bear Pre-made Scrapbook Pages for sale

2010-09-09T20:50:00.003-04:00

Tear Bear Halloween premade scrapbook pages for sale.

FAMILY Premade Scrapbook Pages for Sale

2010-09-05T15:23:00.001-04:00

Family instant scrapbooking premade scrapbook pages for sale almost finished. Just add your photo mats and photos.
I think I am into circles lately, seriously I have to quit making circles. LOL But love the way this one turned out, even keeping one of these for myself, I may need to pose photos for it but I love this layout.

Tear Bear School Bus Premade Scrapbook Pages

2010-09-04T14:17:00.001-04:00

Almost finished School Tear Bear scrapbook pages, just add photo mats and photo corners for a completed layout. Already made scrapbook pages for your school photos. Instant scrapbook pages, just add your photos. In my Etsy store, www.sbfo.etsy.com

Hallmark Instant Scrapbooks

2010-09-01T12:39:00.002-04:00

I read an article today by Dennis Conforto, A-Z Media Group, talking about where is scrapbooking going. You can read the article in its entirety here. I googled Hallmark Instant Scrapbooks and am pleasantly surprised by the price, a 12x12 is only $50 and has twenty pages, in other words 10 two page layouts. Pretty good price I think. I sure can't make premade scrapbook pages for that price. But it is a nice alternative for the non scrapbooker who still wants the joy of scrapbooking. And I like the marketing concept of Instant Scrapbooks. humm...I think I have been scrapbooking under a mushroom in my scrapbook room because I honestly did not know that Hallmark sold instant scrapbooks. Looks like they have been around for several years.
For me it was actually nice to read an article from a CEO that validates what I have been doing for some time now, appealing to the non crafty or too busy scrapbooker by making premade scrapbook layouts. I have had friends who were surprised that scrapbookers bought premade scrapbook pages, and that some of my clients are scrapbookers themselves but just can't stay caught up because they are too busy with their little ones they want to scrapbook for.
I have stuck with just making premade layouts, nothing custom or with personal photos. I make the pages and if someone wants to buy them that is great, if a scrapbooker wants to scraplift or copy them, that is great too. It doesn't matter to me either way. I get great enjoyment making pages (the designer in me) and I love to make my own embellishments (the crafter in me) and the artist in me is always right there guiding my mind and hands.

Premade SUMMER Scrapbook Page Layout for sale

2010-08-21T18:59:00.000-04:00

Already made scrapbook pages for sale in my Etsy Shop.
Two page scrapbook layout premade just waiting for your photos. The photo mats are not attached, I will enclose white cardstock for you to cut your own photo mats to fit your photo. This is just an example of photo placement.
Can you believe I did not stitch on this layout...

PREMADE SCRAPBOOK PAGES FOR SALE

2010-08-19T17:09:00.000-04:00

Premade Scrapbook Pages for Sale in my Etsy shop.
I love patterned paper and love mixing three or more patterns together. On this scrapbook layout I also used patterned paper for the photo mats, looks good peaking out from under your photos. All of the paper and photo mats on this layout have been machine stitched into place.

School Already Made Scrapbook Pages for Sale

2010-08-18T17:53:00.000-04:00

School already made scrapbook pages for sale in my Etsy shop.

For ideas as to how to place your photo mats, look at the top of my blog under photo mat placement. There are ideas for different size photo placement.

Holiday Premade Scrapbook Pages

2010-08-18T11:27:00.002-04:00

Move over DCWV, Anna Griffin is releasing a Halloween collection for the first time ever along with 3 Holiday collections. I can't wait to see them! I need a fresh new collection of papers for making my premade scrapbook pages that I sell. I only hope I can buy them in time to get the pages made before the holidays...
off to look for photos and where to buy them!!

EDITED: I was hoping for more color, I have so much paper already that is orange and black.

Almost Finished Scrapbook Pages

2010-08-17T20:30:00.001-04:00

Almost finished scrapbook pages is what I should call this premade scrapbook layout for sale, just add your photo mats and photos. I make pages like this occassionally to offer the buyer more options as to what size photos to use on the layout. The photo mats are not attached, I will enclose a 12x12 sheet of white Close To My Heart cardstock for the buyer to cut the mats to fit their photos. I have used photos from 5x7 all the way down to 2x2 on this layout. If you like only 5x7 photos on each page this layout will work, or if you like multiple smaller photos, this layout will work!
All of the patterened paper has been stitched on the white cardstock background along with some random stitching around the edges of the pages in 4 different thread colors, oh how I love to machine stitch on scrapbook pages. I also include a piece of white cardstock to cut your mats, some white tags for journaling with 3 different size yellow brads (not attached) and 8 photo corners, two of each red, yellow, green, blue.

Kindergarten Scrapbook Pages Premade

2010-08-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

Easy scrapbook page from one piece of patterned paper, a little ribbon and paper flowers, a few chipboard letters and cardstock.

School Photo Scrapbook Layout

2010-08-14T14:37:00.000-04:00

Premade scrapbook layout using School photos. The patterned paper is made by Dream Street. Cardstock and ink are made by Close to My Heart.
This is a very easy scrapbook layout to make but will look great with your 5x7 school photos on the left side. The right side of the layout would look good with fewer photos or instead of photos on the pink mat, you could journal on the computer and print it on vellum.

Dream Scrapbook Room Organization

2010-07-16T19:48:00.002-04:00

Organizing my scrapbook room, again...it seems my Cricut Cartridges and Quickutz alphabet needed a new home, they had overgrown their previous space. I think this means no moreQuickutz pink binders and no more cartridges. LOL

If you have looked at the slide show (in the right column of my blog) of my dream scrapbook room you may already know this story. These wooden bookshelves were made by my husband when my two oldest children were very young. He made one shelf for each child, and they sat their bigger toys on the shelves and had plastic baskets that contained Star Wars, Gi Joe, Strawberry Shortcake and Barbie, get the picture? These shelves used to be six feet tall. But when I started making a scrapbook room, I didn't want to put much money into the room and I do like to upcycle/recycle so the shelves were in the garage collecting dust and I thought, "why not cut the shelves in half so I have two pieces from one shelf and we can put a top on it to use for an island in the middle of my scrapbook room", so that is just what we did. We used a box of leftover laminiate flooring on top of a piece of plywood for my counter top, it works perfect. DH screwed a piece of wood on the sides of the two shelves to make them more secure and not worry about them drifting apart. the cool part is it cost nothing to make and I use this more than anything else. This island is the perfect height of 31 inches with the counter on it so I can either sit and scrap or stand and it works for me. It has changed with me everytime I redo my scrapbook room. The other side of the shelf has nothing on it right now, I put my feet up on it or lay things that I am working with to keep them off the counter surface. If I could keep only one piece of scrapbook furniture, this would be it.

The following two photos show the extra piece of wood to hold the two halves of the shelf together. I used to store my paper on one side and baskets on the other. Then I decided I needed more room for friends to come over and scrap so I moved the island to make room for folding tables and it is a better location for me also, right next to my sewing machine so all I need to do is turn in my chair and there is my sewing machine.
I still have the other 6 foot shelf in the garage...I keep trying to figure out what to do with it in my room. Maybe it will go upstairs in the office.

4th of July Premade Scrapbook Layout

2010-07-08T15:07:00.003-04:00

Already made scrapbook pages for sale, Fourth of July Premade Scrapbok Layout. Love making tear bears for this type of scrapbook page. I used diecuts from chipboard, and alot of my own extras added to the diecuts.
You can bid on this layout on Ebay:
EBAY AUCTION

My SBFO Etsy Shop

2010-06-21T11:16:00.000-04:00

My Etsy shop is almost empty!! I have been designing some custom scrapbook pages for my regulars and haven't had time to make anything new for Etsy. I am working on July 4th layouts so hopefully I will post one of those on Etsy soon. Also made an adorable layout with butterflies in black, white, beige color scheme on it for the Heritage books that I am doing, I should make one in a pretty color and put it on Etsy. The butterflies are made using my Accucut dies with a little of my imagination. I love making my own embellishments!

Altered Rolodex Cards on Ebay

2010-06-13T23:36:00.001-04:00

Altered Rolodex Cards for sale on Ebay.

Altered Rolodex Cards

2010-06-06T15:16:00.001-04:00

Altered Rolodex Cards make a great gift for a co-worker or buy a set for yourself to brighten you desk.
I love this color scheme of pink, brown, salmon and white. The brads are copper color. The back of the cards are plain white. I made this set from white chipboard which worked great. The perfect thickness with the added paper, just a little thinner than a credit card. These cards fit the Petite Rolodex which is for business size cards 4"w and 2.5" tall. These cards are a little thicker than the orginal Rolodex divider cards so you may need to remove some of the blank cards to fit these in the smallest Rolodex.
I tore the added paper and sanded the edges of the cards for an altered shabby look, then added ribbon to make it pretty. I made the flower on the front from torn crumpled matching paper and sanded it, See the veins in the leaves, love doing that!
You can find these for sale in my Etsy shop.
WWW.SBFO.ETSY.COM

KINDERGARTEN PREMADE SCRAPBOOK PAGES

2010-05-11T16:02:00.003-04:00

This Kindergarten premade scrapbook layout is available in my Etsy shop. Kindergarten photos will look so cute on this almost finished premade scrapbook layout. I didn't add the photo mats so the buyer has the option of photo sizes, mat or no mat and four different color photo corners. The letters are chipboard covered with cardstock. I machine stitched in a wavy random pattern around the edges of the pages on the white cardstock background. There is a blue lined tag in the white library pocket that I stitched on the layout.