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April 2009
April 30, 2009
April 22, 2009
Lookin' GOOD!
I am on several style-related e-mail lists (I know, you couldn't tell based on my usual wardrobe of sweats and a t-shirt... I like to at least KNOW that I'm out of style!). One that came across my virtual desk today was talking about shopping sales and how easy it is for women to buy the wrong things, overspend, or otherwise make fashion missteps when items are emblazoned with "40 percent off" stickers.
As I read through this newsletter, I realized how easy it is to fall into the same traps when shopping for scrapbooking goods. How often have I scooped up a stack of patterned paper that goes with nothing in my scrapbook "wardrobe" just because they were two-for-one? How many times have I plopped down my 40 percent off coupons to become the owner of idea books of which I'll never crack the spine?
Even the freebies I (used to) get as a (former) member of the Simple editorial team didn't temper my desire to "get a bargain." After all, just think of all the money I was SAVING!
But "not spending" and "saving" are different things, as I am finally beginning to realize. That's why I was so taken by the instructions provided in this article on fashion and shopping.
So in my infinite wisdom (!), I thought I'd take these nuggets of information and advice froma fashion expert Nancy Nix Rice (www.NancyNixRice.com) and convert them for use by scrapbookers. So read on for some ways you can make your bargain hunting productive and useful..
#1 - Inventory your stash. Notice items you use often. Do they need to be replaced or supplemented? If you use your red pens all the time, for example, a red stamp pad could make additional layouts or projects with the same materials. And consider stock-piling new red pens for when the current ones wear out.
#2 - List your NEEDS - in writing. "Lists are empowering - not limiting," writes Nancy. She suggests breaking lists into categories:
A - Basics that need replacing soon - your favorite cardstock, adhesive, etc.
B - Missing mixers - "Identify these by specific description or by end use," writes Nancy. ("polka-dot patterned paper" OR "Disney accents for Orlando trip").
C - Awkward occasions - What are the pages or pictures you have trouble scrapbooking? For instance, if you are a brights-lover, you may not have an appropriate selection of materials for a memorial page for your father-in-law. Or if you tend to scrap girls, you might have trouble creating a page for your new nephew with all the flowers and pastel pinks in your stash.
#3 - Shop UP a notch. "Now's the time to move up the quality ladder," says Rice. For instance, if you've so far purchased all your supplies at Walmart or the craft store, you can hit the sales at a specialty scrapbooking store to upgrade some of your materials.
#4 - Be retail savvy. Nancy's recommendations work perfectly for scrapbookers. "Shop at off-peak hours like early AM or dinner time. Check your mail/email for extra-discount coupons - why pay more than you have to? Take along items you need to match - it's far less trouble that returning a poor choice later," she recommends.
#6 -Be smart about what you like. If you tend towards earth tones, a collection of primary accents aren't going to work on your pages. If you don't use stamps, a set of Autumn Leaves alphas isn't a deal. "A 'bargain' you can't fit into [your album] is just wasted dollars," writes Rice (with adjustments from me). "Just say NO."
#7 - Do an at-home fashion show with your bargains. With clothing, you'd try your new purchases on with old favorites from your closet. Do the same with your new scrapbooking supplies! Spread out your new goodies and mix and match with other stuff from your stash, your scrap pile, etc. You may find that your new purchases go great with some old favorites, making both more versatile and useful.
What's your biggest scrapbook "fashion faux pas?" What do you have trouble resisting even though it clashes with your scrapbook style? Tell me about it in the comments and maybe I'll send one of MY missteps your way! ;)
Want to read more from Nancy Nix Rice? Visit her at www.nancynixrice.com.
April 20, 2009
April 09, 2009
Are You Busy?
I thought so!!
I am too (haha), so that's why the name of Adornit's new kits grabbed me: Busy Women's Scrapbook Kits. How could I not love that?
I immediately e-mailed the darling Georgana Hall and asked her if I could check out a kit. She was quick to respond and sent me April's goodies, with the theme of "Where the Heart Is."
A pile of lusciousness, which I grabbed and turned into art in a flurry of paper shreds and glitter!
First the layouts. I added complementary cardstock and the white letters on the second and third layouts, but everything else in the kit... with plenty of leftovers! I adore the typewriter-style letter stickers below the title in this one (it's intentionally off-center if you couldn't tell...haha!).
And the polka-dotted patterned papers won my heart! For the flower, I layered up several stickers from the sticker sheet with dimensional adhesive in between the layers:
For this one, I broke out that trusty white Sakura Gel pen.
Of course, there is more to the kit than layouts! Please excuse the following photos. They don't do the papers and embellishments justice, but I'm too impatient to wait for a sunny day (with the overcast skies here, I could be waiting a LONG time). I started with a few cards (LOVING the scallop acrylic stamp! I stamped it and then trimmed the edges):
On this one, I wanted to show how well all the patterned papers work together, so I punched a bunch of different circles, popped some up with foam adhesive, handcut a heart, and pulled out the scallop stamp again. Simple and fun.
In addition to all the layout and card ideas, there's instructions and materials for a craft project such as a mini-album or photo garland. This month it was a cute coupon album kit, perfect for Mother's Day. I can't think that far in advance (I'm just starting to think about Easter!!), so I turned mine into a family album:
Each of us has our own spread and photo tag. I dug into my supplies and found some languishing family-themed embellishments, like these boxer shorts and the baseball stickers, and added those to the products in the kit.
On the back of each photo tag, I'm going to include vital stats about each of us, like favorite food, favorite book, etc. I may even get my famiy to journal in their own handwriting! (Fat chance, but I can dream, right?).
Everything (including the ribbon!) was included in the kit, except the few extra embellishments I added (more to clear out my supply than because I needed them -- heehee).
And, of course, I had to do something with my scraps:
This just might be my favorite things that I've made lately! I had a huge stack of flyers from school (upcoming music classes, scrip order forms, etc.) and I just couldn't toss them. So I cut them to a 4x5-ish size, took the foldover card in the Busy Woman's kit, reinforced the back with some chipboard (salvaged from packaging and covered in my fave patterned paper from the kit), grabbed ye olde Crop-A-Dile, and threaded a bit of ribbon through. I embellished with one of the cute floral stickers, and (you guessed it), Ralph's your uncle! Cute, eco-friendly, and portable. I may give it to one of the kids' teachers, or I may keep it for myself. I'm bad like that.
So... let me tell you a bit more about these uber-awesome kits:
-They're based on non-traditional themes, so you don't have to worry about getting an overabundance of St. Patrick's Day brads or Arbor Day paper (does anyone make Arbor Day paper? Hmmm... I may have found a market niche!). They're fun themes (My Favorite Things, Bloom) that are versatile and creative.
-Because they come straight from the manufacturer, you get a TON of stuff for a very reasonable price - and it's all pre-selected to go together.
-You can buy each kit individually, or you can subscribe for six months at a time.
-The April kit is available now for $22. THAT IS A STEAL.
Are you loving them yet??? EVERYONE is. The Feb. and March kits sold out (congrats, ladies!), but...
...here's one of the best parts...
I HAVE ONE OF EACH (Feb/March) TO GIVE AWAY!
AND I am going to offer a runner-up prize of my leftovers from the April kit to another lucky soul... there is still tons of material for several pages and projects!
To get in on the deal, here's what to do... if you are on FaceBook, go here to become a fan of the Busy Women's Scrap Kits. It doesn't cost anything and you won't be bombarded with tons of spam -- I promise! I will choose one winner for the March kit and one runner-up for my April kit extras. While you're there, check out the cool things people have done with the recent kits!
Don't have a FaceBook account? No worries. Leave a message here telling me your favorite project I made (yes, I'm trolling for compliments!). I'll choose one winner to win the Feb. kit.
Sound good? Now, I'm out of town until 4/17, so we'll make that the cut-off day for comments.
Go play!
Top of Mind
Just a short collection of fun things to share with you!
Cutie-pie Easter cards from BoBunny here. How cute is it to give someone a few packs of seeds? LOVE THAT!
KI goes digi! They just announced the release of their first-ever digital collection, and I for one am thinking about learning to use my PSE just so I can use it and not have to ever worry about using up my paper stash. ;) It's available for commercial or personal use.
Longtime ScrapHappy reader and supporter Amy Castellano has started a new book-based blog called Chic Book Reviews. She has reviews, giveaways, and more! Check it out here and let her know you're a ScrapHappy reader.
Also, the look of things is changing a bit around here. Just a little spring cleaning in preparation for more of what you love!
April 02, 2009
7x7 Tag
Laura tagged me with this fun photo tag.
I had to go to my seventh photo folder and select the seventh photo and post it here:
I had recently deleted a ton of photos off my laptop, so I only had seven files! Here it is... a cute pic from a couple years back when I got my MacBook and Kinsey and Ben and I were playing with the photo booth function. I look young. Ben looks young. Kinsey looks the same. Not sure where that lil' Cal is!
Okay, now I tag:
Go to it, ladies! :)
April 01, 2009
Whoops, she's doing it again...
The Layout a Day (LOAD) Challenge, that is!
As if February wasn't enough excitement, it's time for Round Two of LOAD 2009!
Here's the lowdown:
*Create a layout a day for the entire month of May.
*Upload your creations to our online gallery and group at Flickr.
*Bask in the admiration of your sister scrapbookers.
*Be eligible to win fabulous prizes!
Anyone who participated in the Feb. LOAD challenge will tell you it is nothing short of life-changing -- in a good way! It's helped blocked scrappers get going again. It's helped bored scrappers find inspiration. And it's even helped a scrapbooker or two lose weight (seriously!).
Here's what you'll get:
-Access to our online gallery and message board at Flickr
-Daily inspiration email from me with a prompt (you don't have to use it), quotes, humor, and the occasional juicy tidbit about what's going on in the scrapping world
-The opportunity to win the Grand Prize (for creating and uploading a layout each day for the entire month) as well as surPRIZES along the way that I'll dole out as I see fit ;)
-Tons of fun, inspiration and laughs!
-A cute blinkie to add to your site so everyone knows how rockin' you are
The participation fee is $10 for the month ($5 if you are a returning LOAD participant from February).
I know you have questions, so read on...
FAQ #1. Sounds great! How do I sign up?
Answer: You can Paypal me at lainehmann <at> comcast <dot> net., or contact me for my mailing address. Can't wait to have you join in!
FAQ #2. I'm doing the Project 365 thingy. Does that count as a layout?
Answer: My rules are very loose - if you think it's a layout, I think it's a layout.
FAQ #3. Are there minimum size requirements for the layouts?
Answer: Let's be reasonable. 6x6, I can go with. Anything smaller... well, let's just say you might want to do TWO to count as one layout. Just my opinion.
FAQ #4. What's with the daily email?
Answer: Last year I received suggestions from several people that they would like a daily challenge. It's an easy thing to add, so I'm doing it!
FAQ #5. What if I don't want to do the daily challenge?
Answer: You don't have to! You can scrapbook about anything you want -- the daily challenge, your dog, your kids, your wedding album, your bunions -- it's entirely up to you!
FAQ #6: What if I miss a day? Can I "catch up?"
Answer: For the purposes of this challenge, we are creating a layout a day. That means there is no "catching up" or "banking." However, for your personal satisfaction, if you want to stay up all night on May 30 and complete the 12 layouts you missed, you have my blessing. But to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing, I need to see a layout a day in the Flickr gallery.
FAQ #7: What about cards, altered items, ATCs, etc.? Do they count as layouts?
Answer: Nope. A layout is a layout. If you want to participate with cards, or some other form of paper art, you are welcome to -- but again, you will not be eligible for the Grand Prize or surPRIZE Drawings.
FAQ #8: Can I upload layouts I've already created?
Answer: (Seriously, I got this question last year...). Nope. Pages must be created during the month of May.
FAQ #9: What if my washer explodes, we're hit by a hurricane, the power goes out, I get sick, I decide to go to Tahiti, etc.?
Answer: Then you will have my sympathy, compassion, or envy, depending on your circumstances. But again, to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing, you have to upload a page a day for the entire month (have I said that enough yet?).
FAQ #10: I don't have a Flickr account. How do I get one?
Answer: You pop on over to Flickr and sign up! It's free and extremely easy.
FAQ #11: How will you decide who wins the Grand Prize?
Answer: At the end of the month, everyone who has uploaded a page each day during the month will be entered in a drawing. Then I will pick my favorite person. Haha! Just kidding. It will be random. Entirely random. Really, really random.
FAQ #12: I'm in a different time zone. Can I still play?
Answer: I hope you will! The daily challenges may go out a bit late for you, but you can work ahead or backwards on those as you desire. And when I look at daily uploads, I'll be going by 12 midnight California time. So that should cover everyone except you Hawaiians out there. If you're playing and you're in Hawaii, let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.
FAQ #13: I'm a digi (hybrid, organic, paper, recycled) scrapper. Can I participate?
Answer: Yes! All scrappers (with the exception of Paris Hilton) are welcome! And I may even let her join in if she pays her $.
FAQ #14: Um, Lain, aren't you like MOVING across the country in a few short weeks?
Answer: Yes, I am! Thank you for reminding me. Haha. Because things might be a tad crazy around here (!!) I've enlisted the help of the very able and extremely fun Tami Morrison to help me with the administration tasks. She or I will respond to your questions and make sure you get the answers you need in a timely manner. And we might even make you laugh.
FAQ #15: I'm a manufacturer, kit club owner, store owner, etc., and I'd like to donate prizes. Would you be open to that?
Answer: Does Hugh Jackman have pecs??? OF COURSE I'd be interested! Email me at lainehmann (at) comcast.net and we'll talk.
Are you ready? I'm taking signups starting NOW. See FAQ#1 above for more info on payment.
My favorite is the notepad! Lovin the "green" project.