Scrap Every Day in May - Week 3

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Despite not getting back into town until late Monday and needing most of the week to recover and regroup, I did manage to crank out a couple of layouts in the past couple of days.  Remember that I'm just working on basic layouts right now - and will be adding embellishments, titles, and journaling later on.

I starting putting together a couple of pages from our trip to New York City with Travis' family at Christmastime in 2008.

I'm not thrilled with these pages - they are going to need some serious embellishing I think!  Any ideas?!

The other layout I worked on is one from our trip to Los Angeles back in the summer of 2007.  My brother was living there at the time and we went with my parents for his graduation from the LA Music Academy.

I have to tell you, of all the layouts I've done this month this one may be my favorite.  I love the way it turned out - and think all it really needs is some journaling and a title to finish it off!

I used Lindsey's tip from last week and double matted the photos I wanted to "pop" in this layout... I think it worked out really nicely!

Even though May is coming to an end - I'm going to continue to plug away at this travel scrapbook.  I'm setting myself a goal to be done by mid-June, so I can move on to the dreaded wedding scrapbook!  I'm kind of using my travel scrapbook as a "trial run" before the wedding one... helping me get used to scrapbooking again and hopefully get a little better at it!

Happy Friday! 

Scrap Every Day in May - Week 2

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In the first week of May I got the bare bones of one, just one, scrapbook layout done.  A far cry from one layout a day which was the goal, but an improvement on my pathetic scrapbooking record to be certain.  I've actually spent a great deal of time getting organized, before even attempting to work on my pages.  I got all of the photos I needed for my travel scrapbook printed in the appropriate sizes, and organized everything by page.

My lifesaver this week was the internet.  I'm no expert scrapbooker, and coming up with layouts by myself is intimidating to me right now.  Luckily, I was able to find this site, this site, and this site.  Which all generously provide free layout ideas.  Talk about a lifesaver!

All you scrapbookers out there - do you use any resources to create your layouts?  Or are you a scrapbooking-genius and come up with them all by yourself?  Any hard and fast rules you scrapbook by?

I chose a layout I liked for each page a slipped it in with all of the appropriate photos and such... that way I was ready to go whenever I had a few minutes to scrap.

These are the pages from our trip to Traverse City, Michigan back in (gulp!) June 2007...

efore I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I really hadn't used stamping in scrapbooking at all, so I am trying to find little ways to use and experiment with my stamps on my pages.  I used the cute little cherries from the "Tart & Tangy" set to add some embellishments to these pages...

I'm still not loving the journaling.  I'm totally tempted to type all my text on the computer and print on cardstock instead of hand-writing my notes!

And this week I actually got two (gasp!) layouts done.  Progess, I tell you!  This one is from our trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan last year for our wedding anniversary...

I used the "Flower Fancy" stamp set to create the flowered background...

...and the Top Note die for my Big Shot Machine to create the border around the journaling...

You'll notice that both these layouts are lacking titles.  I need to get some lettering stamp sets, and some new font dies for my Big Shot Machine to make those... oh, and probably spend some time on my friend Heather's Cricut as well!

I cut these flowers out with my Big Shot as possible embellishments for these pages, just not sure what to do with them...

What I'm going for here is to just create really basic, clean layouts with all of the pictures and journaling in place so that I can go back later and add embellishments to make them a little fancier.  I figure that the initial layouts are the most time-consuming, and if I can get the bulk of those done I'll have a good start on things.

I'm still a little intimidated - I know that my pages are very elementary looking - but I figure the more I do, the better I'll get... right?

What's your favorite way to embellish a scrapbook page?

Scrap Every Day in May - Week One Recap

So you remember that I'm playing along with Saucy over at Saucy's Sprinkles in a project called Scrap Every Day in May, right?  (If not, read about it in this post)

We are seven days in to the project... and I'm kind of sucking at it.  My heart is in the right place I swear - I organized all of my photos and "stuff" for both my travel and my wedding scrapbooks, I ordered it and found some example layouts I liked that I could work from.

But the actual, physical scrapping?  It's safe to say it's been slim to none.  I have one, half completed, layout finished...

It's from a trip we took to DC in 2008 (not to be confused with the trip we just came back from) and is for my travel scrapbook, obviously.

I've never journaled in a scrapbook before because I don't like the way my handwriting looks, but decided I really wanted to add that personal aspect into the two books I'm currently working on.

And the lettering that I cut out is too big, and doesn't "pop" enough on the page.  Not sure what I'm going to replace that with (the letters aren't stuck on yet!)

I also need to add embellishments, naturally, but I'm waiting until I order this set of stamps and jumbo roller from Stampin' Up!'s new summer mini catalog...

Let's hope I have better luck next week, eh? 

In my defense... I've been super busy with both the Bug Birthday Party and the Mother's Day Brunch - both of which are this weekend!  (get ready for TONS of photos next week!) 

Hey, one half-done layout and two organized scrapbooks is 100% more than I've done on either book in a more than a year... a girl's gotta start somewhere, right?  Tell me... how do you get motivated to get scrapping, and how do you keep yourself productive AND organized?!

PS)  So sorry for the light in these photos... it's awfully dull and gloomy here today!

A little of this, a little of that... (part two)

Happy Thursday!  Here goes another catch all post - hang in there with me while I get you up to speed on a couple of my current projects...

Winner, Winner, Winner!
Since I never heard from my first one, I've drawn a second winner for the baking giveaway...
OKLAHOMA GRANNY please step up and claim your prizes! (drop me an e-mail at joanneroehm@yahoo.com)

Two Step Into Spring -- Final Days!
Tomorrow is the LAST day for Stampin' Up!'s April Two Step Into Spring Promotion.  There's still time to take advantage of this opportunity to get some of our two-step sets for 20% off regular price!

I've been doing some stamping with the Flower Fancy stamp set, which has always been one of my faves, and is one of the sets that is a part of this month's promotion...

Supplies used (card on left):  Flower Fancy Stamp Set, Cardstock in Whisper White, Old Olive and Soft Suede, Inks in Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and Soft Suede.

Supplies used (card on right):  Flower Fancy Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Cardstock in Very Vanilla, Pixie Pink and Gable Green, Inks in only Orange, YoYo Yellow, Pixie Pink and Gable Green, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

I took advantage of the Two Step promotion myself and picked up the Trendy Trees stamp set.  It's been on my wish list forever!  I made up a couple of mini card sets using this set.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE making these little 3x3 cards?!  : )

Supplies used (brights set):  Trendy Trees Stamp Set, Cardstock in Sahara Sand, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue, Inks in Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue.

Supplies used (pastels set):  Trendy Trees Stamp Set, Cardstock in Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue and YoYo Yellow, Inks in Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue and YoYo Yellow.

You can see the other two 20% off stamp sets, Fifth Avenue Floral and Greenhouse Garden, HERE.

Awash With Flowers
The Awash With Flowers Set is a sneak peak set from the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog which will be released this summer.  You can get this set in either wood or clear mount for the month of April only, then it will be back in the summertime.  This is the perfect set for summer showers, birthdays, Mother's Day, baby showers, etc.  I've had fun playing around with it...

Supplies used:  Awash With Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip, Big Shot Machine, Texturz Plates, inks in Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, slot punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon.

Supplies used ("You're Too Kind Card):  Awash with Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and Old Olive, inks in Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and Old Olive, eyelet border punch and circle punches.

Supplies used ("the more Candles Card"):  Awash with Flowers and Whimsical Words (SAB 2010) stamp sets, cardstock in Very Vanilla, Rose Red and Lovely Lilac, inks in Basic Black, Rose Red, Lovely Lilac and Certainly Celery.

Supplies used:  Awash with Flowers stamp set, cardstock in Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla and Tempting Turquoise, Top Note die, Big Shot Machine, inks in Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black and Old Olive.

You can order any of these stamp sets, accessories, or other Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 by visiting my Stampin' Up! store!

Scrap Every Day in May
When one of my favorite bloggers, Saucy, announced her Scrap Every Day in May scrap-along I knew it was the kick in the butt I needed to get going with my scrapbooking!  While I know that there's no way I'll have the time and energy to bust out a layout every single day during the month of May, I figure this will give me the motivation to get scrapping at least!

I have two scrapbooks to work on.  One is a travel scrapbook, and the other is my (gasp!) wedding scrapbook.  Yup, I said wedding.  Yup, I've been married two years this June.  And nope, the darn wedding scrapbook is not-even-started!

You can read all the details about Scrap Every Day in May HERE.  Maybe you'll want to play along yourself?  I plan on sharing my layouts with you once a week to let you know how I'm doing... we'll see how well I do!


Don't forget that I'm out of town this weekend (visiting wonderful friends in Washington DC - lucky me!) so although I have posts set up while I'm gone, I won't be checking my e-mail or responding to comments until Monday!  Have a great weekend!

Christmas Guest Post Series #4: Two-Page Holiday Scrapbook Layout with Your Memory Mosaic

I'm very excited to bring you the final guest in a series of four holiday-themed guest posts here at Ready, Set, Craft!  Today I'm very happy to have Lindsey of Your Memory Mosaic guest posting and sharing her scrapbooking talents with us.  Enjoy! 

Two-Page Holiday Layouts

Hi Everyone!  Thanks Joanne for the chance to do a guest post on your wonderfully crafty little piece of the world.  I’ve known Joanne since we were 14 and 15 singing in show choir and doing musical theater together… she is my favorite Sumo Ballerina.  (You can ask her about that one!) When Joanne asked me to do a post for her blog I was nervous, but excited at the chance to share something I love with all of her readers.

Alright – here we go!  I don’t know about other scrapbookers out there, but for me I have A LOT of different things just lying around my scrapbook area.  For this layout I wanted to use the stuff I already had on hand.  If nothing else it proves to me that I don’t actually have to run out and buy the latest and greatest papers and embellishments available.

(I do apologize if the photos aren’t the best quality – my craft room is in the basement and while I love having my own space the lighting isn’t the best!)

What you’ll need:

2 pieces of dark sage green 12x12 papers

1 piece light sage green 12x13 paper

1 piece coordinating dark red paper

1 piece of your favorite 12x12 holiday paper

6 Mini Silver brads

White sticker letters (not shown or you can use your Cricut Expressions as I did)

½ thick white ribbon

Two holiday stamps

Gold stamp pad

Tape

Adhesive

Red Pen (for some reason I wasn’t thinking and included a black pen in the picture)

Personal cutter(s)

(For the solid papers if the dark/light green and red don’t match your pattern paper – no problem.  Just select whatever papers you want from what you already have on hand.  I picked these papers because I felt their either matched or went well with the colors in my pattern paper.)

Step 1:

Use your pattern paper and cut out one 4 ½ inch and one 1 ½ inch strip and adhere them to the darker green paper as shown:

Step 2:

Use your white sticker letters to spell out the words, “Silent Night” and “Holy Night” or whatever title trips your trigger.  I picked this because I had the song in my head.  I didn’t have enough white sticker letters to make out the words so I used my Cricut Expressions to cut the letters out for me. Adhere “Silent Night” to the top of one page as shown. Adhere “Holy Night” to the middle of second page like you see in the photo below.

Step 3:

Cut out two 14 inch or so pieces of ribbon.  Adhere one piece to the bottom of page one a big inch from the bottom.  Adhere the second ribbon to the top of the second page a big inch from the top edge.  I am pretty lax on how I adhere ribbon.  I just wrap it around the edge of the paper and use some scotch tape to hold it in place.  It hasn’t failed me yet so that is how I do it.

Step 4:

Cut out 2 mattes in the red, 2 mattes in the dark green – both 4 ½” x 4 ½”.  After that cut out 4 white mattes 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” (These will be the perfect size to add your 4x4 photos after the holidays!)  Glue the mattes together and affix them to the pages as shown.

Step 5:

Create two little mattes – 1 green and 1 red (2 ¼” x 2 ¼”) and 2 white ones (2” x 2”)

Step 6:

Use your two holiday stamps and gold ink to stamp the images on the small mattes on the diagonal as shown.  Adhere one to each page like you see in the photos.  (After I stamped these I felt they needed a little something extra and added a little red ink on them so they had a little more pop!)

Step 7:

I love me some mini brads!  Use your 6 silver mini brads to add a little shine to your page.  On the first page I used three along the bottom left hand corner spaced an inch apart.  On the second page I placed them on the right edge toward the top.  I like them there, but you can put them wherever your little hearts’ desire!

AND YOU ARE DONE!  I hope you enjoy putting together this two page holiday layout as much as I did creating it for you!  I hope it is quick and easy to put together so you can add four 4x4 photos after the holidays.

Thanks again Joanne!  Merry Christmas everyone!

A little bit about my work.  I started Your Memory Mosaic recently after much thought and prodding by my husband and friends.  I love scrapbooking when I’m not playing wife, mom or paralegal so moving it toward something for extra income made sense.  I really enjoy making pre-made layouts and scrapbooks for people to use themselves or give as gifts.  There is nothing better for a new mom or newlywed couple than a beautiful scrapbook to admire for years to come.  Especially when they just have to add the photos!  If you are interested at all in speaking to me about making a scrapbook for you please email me at yourmemorymosaic@gmail.com.

  

Thanks so much Lindsey!  Be sure to leave Lindsey a comment and let her know that you enjoyed her tutorial, and then head over to her blog to check out more of her work.  And don't forget to tell her that Joanne at Ready, Set, Craft! sent you over!