I know, I know. I haven't posted in awhile. The only excuse I can offer is that things have been very hectic for us these past few weeks. After the holidays, things might be a little calmer (I hope). Anyway, as a little thank-you for visiting my blog, I'd like to share some Cricut .cut files with you. I've designed these myself. I hope you like them. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Download 3 Inch Scalloped Circle
Download 5 Inch Scalloped Circle
Hi all. It's been a crazy few weeks for me, but I was able to do a 2-page sketch for Becky Fleck's Page Mapsfor December. You should really check out Becky's site. There are some fabulous layouts for scrapbook pages, cards, tags, and even mini album pages. This is a layout about Haley donating her hair to Locks of Love this past summer. What a kid! Have a great weekend!
Jeanette
Giancaspro is a consumer reader of Scrapbook Update. She joins us a
guest blogger today to share her perspective on what is really
important to her as a consumer. You can learn more about her by
visiting her blog It’s My Crafty Life.
When I was a little girl, my grandmother owned a yarn store. It
wasn’t just any yarn store. It was “Connie’s Yarn Shop,” and her
customers came from miles around to spend the day (and often the
evening) knitting and crocheting, and making all sorts of wonderful
creations. The reason for my grandmother’s success wasn’t just her wide
selection of goods and services. She also gave her customers
outstanding customer service. As soon as they walked into her store,
they felt valued, appreciated, and welcome. That is one of the keys to
operating a successful business.
Unfortunately, this is the exception rather than the norm these
days. Here’s a scenario with which I’m sure many of you can relate: I
go into a large craft store looking for a particular item. I look on
the shelf where I expect it to be, but it’s not there. I look around
for a sales associate to help me, but there is no one around. I search
the store and find someone who appears to be annoyed even before I ask
her a question. After I inquire about the product, she looks at me as
if I’m crazy and says something like, “I’ve never heard of that,” or
“If it isn’t on the shelf, we don’t have it.” I look somewhere else and
find it. After waiting in line for about 20 minutes, and trying to use
a valid coupon that the cashier refuses to accept, I leave frustrated
and angry.
I don’t think this is the way most retail store owners want us to
leave their stores. I believe that everyone who owns a store truly
wants his/her customers to be happy. The problem lies in employee
training and supervision. Sales associates, cashiers, and stock
personnel must be pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable. No one can be
expected to know everything, but a pleasant and helpful attitude goes a
long way in customer service.
As a consumer, I feel from my experience that retail store owners
need to pay more attention to training and supervising their employees
so that their stores can compete in these difficult economic times.
They must hold their employees to higher standards and train them more
effectively in customer relations. They should also monitor employees
to ensure that customers are leaving their stores on a positive note.
Can every store be a Connie’s Yarn Shop? Of course not. Can every store
make me feel valued, appreciated, and welcome? Absolutely!
Hi there! I know it's been awhile since I last posted, but there has been a lot of family "stuff" going on. I have some cool crafting news and a few product reviews for you.
First the News: Lots going on for me. I'm going to be teaching Scrapbook Design and You (SDU) classes for EK Success at A. C. Moore. I'll be teaching a 4-week basic course at the ACM in Wappingers Falls, NY. I'll be doing the demos for the class in December, and I'll be teaching the classes in January. I'll list the specific dates in a later post. I'm also doing a layout for Becky Higgins's Page Maps in December. To top off all of that, I'm now a Scrapjazz Contributor, which means that I'll be writing articles for SJ on a regular basis. You'll begin seeing my articles in March. Whew! I think that's it for the News.
Now for the Reviews: I've recently purchased 3 products that I really like, and I want to let you know about them before they're gone. First of all, I bought the We R Memory Keepers Holiday Papers and Embellishments. These papers are absolutely gorgeous! Although they aren't quite a cardstock weight, they are heavy-weight papers that are embellished with glitter, embossing, and foil. The ribbons coordinate beautifully, as do the rub-ons, stickers, and chipboard elements. I bought mine from HSN.
Another set of papers that I absolutely LOVE is the Peppermint Forest Stack from Joann.com. Talk about heavy-weight cardstock! This paper is some of the heaviest I've ever used. Add to that the foil, glitter, and embossed sheets that are included, and you've got the start of some fabulous scrapbook pages, cards, and holiday projects. Plus, they're on sale right now for 50% off!!
My last review is for a product that I've been wanting to get for a long time: the Glue Glider Pro, by Glue Arts. I've tried the ATGs in classes I've taken, and I really don't like them. They're too bulky and unwieldy for me. The Glue Glider Pro is the perfect alternative for me. It's small enough to manage easily, whether I'm scrapbooking, making cards, or doing other projects; yet it's also large enough to hold a large roll of adhesive that I don't have to change after every few uses. The cartridges pop in and out, and there are several different types available. The adhesive is strong and easy to apply. I bought mine from Oriental Trading Company. They also have good prices on the refills.
Well, that about sums things up for now. As soon as everything "goes live" on the other sites, I'll post pictures of my projects. Oh, and look for some surprises very soon. I'm not saying what they will be. You'll just have to check back soon. Happy crafting!
A few years ago for Mother's Day, my husband bought me a beautiful Hallmark scrapbook album. It's an odd size, approximately 9 x 12, and this presented a challenge to me. I've never seen layouts in this size, so I had to come up with some ideas to work with the pages in the book.
I decided to approach the layouts from an 8 1/2 x 11 perspective. This worked very well at first, because I even had a little extra room to spread things out if necessary. After awhile, though, it became a little boring, doing the same basic layout over and over. Then it hit me. Why not turn the layouts and make them horizontal? I had seen this done with 8 1/2 x 11 layouts many times, and I really liked the way they looked. So I tried it. Here is one of the layouts, which I think turned out great. It also adapted it for a 2-page sketch challenge on If It's Groovy this month.
So, the next time you're faced with an odd-sized layout, try looking at things from a different angle! Happy scrapping!
As a scrapbooker of more than 8 years, I know how confusing patterned papers can be to work with. It's so easy to fall in love with all those delicious colors, patterns, and textures. What does one do when trying to use more than one pattern on a layout? Well, here are a few tips.
1. Use coordinating papers made by the same company. On this layout, for example, I used K & Company's Girl Scouts paper line. (This is the original line. K & Co. has replaced it with a new line of GS papers.)
2. If you have the option, choose double-sided papers so that you have more choices of designs that coordinate nicely.
3. Use plain cardstock as a background/base paper, and add patterned paper effectively. In this case, I used the patterned papers to draw attention to my photos and move the viewer's eye from the top of my layout to the bottom.
4. Choose coordinating embellishments that pick up a few of the colors in your layout. Try not to over-do the embellishments when you're using patterned papers. You don't want to take the focus away from your photos.
5. Another idea for incorporating patterned papers into your scrapbook pages is to use them for your titles. For this layout, I used one of the patterned papers for the letters and a coordinating solid paper to mat the letters.
Try using some of these ideas, and you'll see how even the busiest papers can be incorporated into your layout to create a very eye-catching effect. Happy scrapping!
When I first started scrapbooking, my titles were pretty simple. OK, boring. As I improved my skills and style, I began to create titles that were more interesting; but they were still missing something. Then I discovered how to really make them come alive. One way to accomplish this is to use different fonts for different words in my title. In the layout here, "Play Date" and "Rebecca" are 2 different styles of a Cricut font, (I think I used All Mixed Up, but I'm not sure.)
Another technique I use to jazz up my titles is doodling on and around them. Here I used Souffle Pens, made by Marvy Uchida, to draw little polka dots on and around the letters. Finally, I wrote in the word "with" using the same pens. I don't know if the scan picked up the colors, but they are bright and fun - just the right addition to this page all about Haley and her friend Rebecca.
Try spicing up the title on your next layout using these techniques. It's easy and fun. Happy scrapping! Remember to check out my Etsy Shop for one-of-a-kind creations for scrapbooking and cardmaking!
Here's another card using Ildi Co.'s digital images. This time I've made a very simple Thank You card using some scraps that I took from my stash. This is a very quick and easy card to make if you need to whip up a fast card to thank someone. Or change the greeting to Happy Birthday, Hello, Congratulations - anything you'd like. Have fun!
I was recently chosen for the Design Team for Ildi Co., a new digital
stamp company. (You can find the link on my sidebar.) Here is a card
that I made using one of their stamps (Cuddles-Kuma Goes to the
Beach). The cardstock is from The Crafter's Workshop and Colorbok. I
used PrismaColor pencils to color in the image. How cute is that bear?!
Ildi Co has a limited time offer! You can purchase all 10 images for $20.00. The savings is $6.50! Just click on the link on my sidebar.
Her name is Mocha, and she's a 2-month-old Hound/Rottie mix. We adopted her today from the North Shore Animal League. She's simply adorable, lovable, and sweet. Welcome to the family, Mocha!
Here's a quick journaling tip for you this weekend. Use your scraps of paper to make journaling boxes/cards. I remember when I first started scrapbooking, I used to make journaling boxes for my layouts. Now these are coming back "in style." Many of the scrapbooking manufacturers are including journaling products in their current lines. Why not make your own, though? You know those pieces of paper and cardstock that you have left over from your layouts? Cut them into rectangles, squares, circles, or whatever shapes you like. Store them in a handy place, and take them out when you're doing a layout. It's a great way to use up your scraps, save money, and be creative; and you'll have journaling cards that match your layouts perfectly.
I apologize in advance for this rant, but I really just have to vent a little. I am getting so tired of the "I'm so busy" excuse. It seems that lately, hardly anyone seems to have the time to answer my emails, phone messages, cards, and questions. And I'm not even going to get into the disappearing courtesy of thank-yous. This happens with relatives, friends, and businesses, and it's really starting to tick me off! And it's the same excuse over and over: "Oh, I meant to, but I'm just super busy." Well, guess what? I'm super busy too, but I took the time to send you that email or card, or to call you and leave that message, or to buy your product and then have a question about it.
I hear the same kinds of excuses for why people don't scrapbook, or stamp, or take part in whatever hobby they want to pursue. My answer might seem very simple, but it is the truth. I make time for the things that are important to me. I make time for the people who are important to me. If others can't do the same, then I can't help but feel that they don't want to make time for me in their busy lives and schedules. These are the people who are being moved to the bottom of my priorities list. Like I said, I'm busy too, and I make time for the people and things that are important to me. While my family and friends are still going to be important to me, they aren't going to be on my "to-do" list.
Life has to be a 2-way street, a give-and-take. When you feel that others aren't giving (and I don't mean monetarily), then it's time to re-prioritize your life. That's what I'm doing right now. It's quite liberating and feels like a load has been lifted off my shoulders. I think I'm really going to enjoy the rest of my summer. I hope you do too. Happy scrapping and stamping!
I just got back to my hotel room. I had a great time at CHA, where I did lots of fun make 'n' takes and saw some cool demos too. Most of the make 'n' takes were free, and many of those that weren't free were only a few dollars. (One was $10 to make one scrapbook page!) I also got some pretty good deals - especially at one booth where they were having some sort of Heidi Swapp clearance sale.
Best of all, I got to meet some of the "celebrities" I've seen on TV live and in person, including Judi Watanabe (JudiKins) and Julianna Hudgins (Sizzix/Ellison). The only disappointing thing was that there were so many vendors missing from the show. Oh,yeah. I wasn't too crazy about the $5.25 "Nathan's" hotdog and the $3.50 cup of not Starbuck's coffee. I mean, if I had wanted to pay those prices, I coould have gone to Yankee Stadium!
All in all, it was a great show, and I had a blast. We leave for home tomorrow, and we'll be stopping in South Carolina and Virginia Beach on the way. I can't wait to scrapbook the pictures I've taken. Until next week, happy crafting!
Not only are we going on a Road Trip, but I'm also going to the CHA Supershow! I'll try to post while I'm away, since my husband is bringing his laptop.
We're headed for a road trip down to Florida starting tomorrow, stopping at Virginia Beach and Savannah along the way. I'm so excited; I've never been on a road trip before! There will be so much to include in our scrapbooks when we get back that I decided to provide everyone with a travel journal to record our adventures as we experience them. I took some $1 journals that I bought at Michael's and dressed them up, sectioning them into topics that we enjoy and will want to write about. I also printed out travel journal sheets from Enchanted Learning, which I've used twice before.
When we get back next week, I'll try to take some pictures. Until then, happy scrapping!
My little one (9 years old) has been growing out her hair for Locks of Love for months. Locks of Love is an organization that collects hair donations to make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions/treatments. The vast majority (80%) of their donors are children. Haley donated over 10 inches of her beautiful hair a few weeks ago. I took photos and plan to do a fabulous scrapbook page about it. I don't think I've ever been more proud of her. And her short haircut looks absolutely adorable.
Aren't these stamps from Repeat Impressions adorable? Blue and green is a favorite color combination of mine. Enjoy!
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you just don't know what to write on your layout? Of course you have! We all have - especially when we find ourselves scrapbooking the same types of events over and over. For example, birthdays and holidays can be quite a challenge to write about.
The next time you're at a loss for words, enlist your family and friends to help you journal. Ask them to write down what they remember about the event: What was the funniest thing that happened? Were they surprised about anything? What was the most memorable thing anyone said or did? You can either let them use their own handwriting (attaching it right to the layout), or print it out.
There are a few benefits to this type of journaling. Not only will it take some of the pressure off you to come up with something new and fresh to say, but it will also allow your friends and family to have a more prominent role in creating your scrapbooks and preserving your memories.
Happy scrapping!
Marci!!! Congratulations! Your layout was awesome! I want to thank everyone who participated in my challenge and the other very cool, very groovy challenges from my fellow If It's Groovy DT members. They were all fabulous, so I had to have my daughter randomly pick a name out of a bowl. Thanks for just stopping by, even if you didn't get a chance to participate in my challenge.
Please stop by If It's Groovy whenever you can to see all the groovy stuff we have coming your way.
Marci, please email me your mailing info. so I can send your prize out. My email address is: jeanettemg@yahoo.com.
Stay groovy!
And now for something completely different. (Any Monty Python fans out there?) Well, whether you're a child of the 60s, 70s, or 80s, or somewhere thereabouts, you've got to check out the If It's Groovy Online 80s Crop . There will be loads of totally awesome challenges that will bring you back to those big-hair days of shoulder pads and plastic jewelry, Pac Man and Cabbage Patch Kids.
For those of you following along in order, or if you'd just like to give this one a try, here is my challenge for you:
Use this color palette of 80s colors in a layout that is at least 8 x 8 in size. You may use only the colors in this palette, along with white if you'd like. Your photos don't have to be from the 80s, but you get extra credit if they are. At the end of the crop (June 14th), I will be choosing one lucky winner who will receive some very cool stamps from The Angel Company. (I just happen to be a TAC demonstrator.)
Once you've finished your layout, post a comment and include a link to your blog or gallery. If you don't have either, email your layout to me at jeanettemg@yahoo.com. After you've completed my challenge, why don't you head on over to Jen's blog to check out her groovy challenge. Happy scrapping!
Here is your palette - and my layout for a little inspiration. Have fun!
Here's a quick tip for you. The next time you have your digital photos printed by an online company (e.g. Snapfish or Shutterfly), consider having the details printed on the back. You have this option when you are selecting the size and finish. I have the basic details printed on the back of all my pictures now. It takes extra time when you're ordering them; but when it comes time to scrapbook them (or even put them in photo albums), all of the information is already there. You don't have to write anything on the back. I love it!
OK. I'll admit it. I usually save my journaling for last. Not because I don't think it's important, but because sometimes I think I know what I'm going to say before I start; but then, once the photos are on the page, I think of more to say. There are times, though, when I write my journaling before putting the photos on. In the layout below, I just started writing about what I remember from my summers as a child. I knew the photos I was using, but I put them on after I finished writing. In this case, writing the journaling first worked better for my layout, and it shared center stage with the photos. Give it a try.
(This is a post from August 2007, but I think it will be very helpful for those who are just starting out, or those who are struggling with journaling. Happy scrapping!)
Although I find journaling very easy, I realize that many people do
not. I don't think it's necessary to write paragraph after paragraph
for every layout, though. Sometimes just the 5 Ws are enough: Who, what, when, where, and why.
If you can write down just this information, you will have enough for
most layouts. Sometimes these details can spark your memory of other
details, and the journaling will come more easily. Give it a try. Oh, and I do most of my journaling in my own handwriting, but I do occasionally use the computer.
I hope this very simple, but very useful, tip helps you when you're stuck wondering what to write on your layouts.
May is National Salad Day, in case you didn't know. The If It's Groovy Design Team was assigned a challenge to do a layout all about salad. There are so many wonderful interpretations of this theme on the blog that I know you'll enjoy looking at them all. (The link is on the right.)
Here is my salad layout. Not only is it about salad, but it was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk about some of the differences between my son and my daughter. Enjoy and have a salad today!
Hi everyone! I hope you've been enjoying the springtime weather - if it's reached your neck of the woods yet. With the approach of spring, the season of new beginnings, I've decided to change the focus of My Crafty Life a little bit. I hope you like it. It would be great if you'd post some comments to let me know....
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"I'm not good at writing." "I don't have time to journal." "I just did a whole bunch of layouts at a crop. All I have to add is the journaling, when I get a chance."
Does any of this sound familiar? I've heard it all before, and I want to tell you right now that journaling is the most important part of your scrapbooks - besides the photos, of course! I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating: Journaling is what separates a scrapbook from a glorified photo album. We've all heard the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words," but that doesn't apply to scrapbooking. When it comes to scrapbooking, it's the words that tell the story behind the photos.
The reason most people avoid journaling so much is that it can be rather daunting and intimidating. Hopefully, I will be able to help you solve this problem in your scrapbooking. Every week, I'm going to be giving you some suggestions to get you moving on what is perhaps the most dreaded part of scrapbooking: JOURNALING. Here we go....
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This week's tip is all about Finding Your Voice.
Now, I'm not talking about being more outspoken, although that's another topic I might write about. What I mean by "finding your voice" is determining who will be reading your journaling. For whom are you creating the layout? Is it the people in your layout? Is it for grandparents? Is it for yourself? (That's OK, you know!) When you know your audience, then you can determine your voice.
For example, in my children's scrapbooks, I address them in my writing. I use first-person narration, such as "We went to our favorite park," and "You looked so cute in your Halloween costume." If I'm creating a layout for my own personal scrapbook, I might use these words: "My children are growing up right before my eyes," or "I married my first love." It's still first-person, but I'm speaking about them, rather than to them.
That's all there is to it. The key is consistency. If you begin speaking TO the subject of your layout, continue to do that throughout the entire journaling section. Try to do it throughout the entire scrapbook. The result will be something everyone who looks at your scrapbook will want to read, because it will sound natural and genuine. Give it a try, and let me know if it works for you.
Happy scrapping!
I recently went to an all-day crop for Autism, and I was able to catch up on my holiday layouts. I only had Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year to do, so I was in pretty good shape. Since I wasn't able to bring my Cricut (not enough outlets), and I didn't know how much of a demand there would be for the machines provided, I decided to bring my Big Kick machine. All of the die-cut embellishments on these pages were made with my BK using different companies' dies: circles and snowflakes (Sizzix), letters & numbers and reindeer (QuicKutz). The gorgeous double-sided paper and matching ribbon are by Martha Stewart. The fabulously sparkling glitter on the snowflakes and reindeers' hats is from Powder Keg. Come on, now, everyone. Get those holiday pages done! Keep it simple by using coordinating products and limiting your embellishments. Have fun! (Don't forget to check out If It's Groovy, where you will soon see my Thanksgiving layout.)
Have you ever wondered how some scrapbookers manage to fit a bunch of photos on a page without making it look crowded or cluttered? It's actually very easy to do. The key is to group all of your photos on a single mat and arrange them symmetrically on your page.
As you can see in my "Lucky" layout here, I have grouped four photos on a single background (or mat) sheet of paper. I usually use a solid-colored cardstock for this technique, but the pattern on this pink paper is very small and looks just fine. You will also notice that I've tried to keep my spacing and borders fairly consistent. I've even left room for some journaling.
This arrangement provides ample space for my title and some embellishments. Here I've used the new Hello Cupcake set by TAC. This is a simple overall design that is fast and easy to do. Have fun!
First, I'd like to give a shout-out to Diana, who sent me the nicest email about my last post. Hi Diana! Next, I was recently accepted onto the If It's Groovy Design Team as a Stamp Artist! Woo Hoo! Here's the link, and it's also on my sidebar. If It's Groovy And don't forget about Repeat Impressions. I, along with the rest of the awesome Design Team there, will have some cool new samples there very soon. That's all for now. Happy stampin' & scrappin'! Remember to share your stamps!
I'm not going to mention any names here, but a question was raised on a forum that I visit regarding the selling of stamped images on one of the auction sites. The consensus seems to be that this shouldn't be allowed. This discussion also raised the question of whether or not we should stamp images for others and/or share our stamps. Here is my stand on these issues.
First of all, regarding the selling of stamped images: Although I don't think it's ethical to do this, I don't think it's illegal either. Most stamp companies state that you are not allowed to mechanically reproduce their images, but they don't say that you can't sell what you've stamped. Unless they do that, selling the images isn't illegal. As I say about most things, though: Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.
Now, regarding the sharing of stamped images and/or sharing stamps: The idea that this is any type of copyright infringement, or that it is unethical/illegal, is preposterous. If I purchase something, and I want to share it with or lend it to my friend, I have every right to do so. I'm not making money from someone else's work, and I'm not preventing my friend from purchasing the products. In fact, maybe if she likes it, she'll buy her own. I might actually be doing some free advertising for this company. Maybe I should ask to be compensated. Maybe I should tell my friend, "I'm sorry, but I can't lend you that stamp for those baby shower invitations you're making. The company wants you to buy your own."
We must draw the line when it comes to companies trying to tell us what we can and can't do with what we purchase. It's bad enough that many stamp companies don't want you to sell the things you make with their tools (yes, stamps are tools to me), but telling me that it's wrong to share my things with others because I'm taking money out of their pockets is going too far.
Last month I held a scrapbooking workshop at my house. It was my largest workshop yet, with 8 people in attendance. We created a birthday layout that incorporated papers and stamps from The Angel Company (TAC), along with additional papers and embellishments. One of the techniques I taught was the concept of creating a visual triangle with embellishments. In this case, the stamps create the triangle that leads the eye around the entire layout. It's a very effective technique that adds movement and interest to your layout. Give it a try on your next layout. Happy scrapping and stamping!
I usually scrapbook in 12 x 12 size, but I also like to try other sizes for variety. A few years ago, my husband gave me a Hallmark scrapbook for Mother's Day. It's a 9 x 12 size and is proving to be very challenging when it comes to designing my layouts. There isn't as much room as there is on a 12 x 12, yet this size isn't as confining as an 8 1/2 x 11 page can sometimes be. It's a very interesting size to work with. Below are layouts from our trip to a dude ranch this past summer. I was able to fit quite a few photos on each page. So give it a try! Create a layout that is a different size for you. I'd love to see what you come up with. Who knows? I might even post it here on my blog. Happy crafting!
I
made these Valentine's Day cards for Repeat Impressions . Both
backgrounds have been stamped with pigment ink and embossed with clear
embossing powder. Although you can't really see it well in the
pictures, the birds' wings and the "XO" have glitter on them. Happy Valentine's Day!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, this kit has everything you need to create a fabulous card for your
favorite Valentine. All you need to add is some adhesive and a touch of personality. Check it out before it's gone! Wednesday's Dream. Happy crafting!
I never thought I would do this, but I did and I love it! A new scrapbooking buddy of mine gave me a scrapbook calendar for Christmas. It's made by Hallmark, and it's a 12 x 12 calendar with pre-made pages. You just add your photos, journaling, and additional embellishments. Since this calendar is an additional, ongoing project for the entire year, having pre-made layouts works really well for me. I don't feel as if it's a burden, another project I feel pressured to complete and keep up-to-date. Plus, the calendar gives me a place to showcase my favorite recent photos. I created this page in about an hour; and in between, I helped Haley with her layout. (I'll be posting that later on. It's adorable, and she's a natural scrapbooker!) I highly recommend using pre-made layouts and customizing them so that they reflect your personality and creativity. It's not "cheating." Think of it as relieving some of the stress we scrapbookers sometimes encounter when deciding on the overall design and layout of our pages. Happy scrapping and stamping!
