Got photos?

I came across this Australian blogger that every month post a photo challenge-  to take one photo per day.

I so like that idea, because I think we often forget to bring out our camera on an ordinary day. It's easy do document special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, trips, and such. But what about the rest of our lives?

I accepted this challenge for March:

Here's what I took for March 3- Our neighborhood

And this is for March 5- A Smile.

 

After a few days I gave up and felt this whole idea was kind of silly. What would I do with all these random photos?
I know most of them would not end up on a scrapbook page.


Plus I think felt stressed that I HAD to take a particular photo each day.


I guess I should just use the prompts more as a guide line rather than a law.


I also think I would enjoy this challenge more if I knew how to use my camera.
I have this awesome camera and I always have the settings on Automatic. So depressing...

For years I wanted to take a class in photography, but who's got the time?

Then I heard about these applications for Ipad!!

If you go to the App Store

and search for your camera.

In my case Canon Rebel XSi. 

Several classes might come up.

I bought one from Jump Start for $24.99. It has a detailed overview of your camera and tips how to shot better pictures. I like the idea of hearing and watching something at the same time. I learn better that way. And at my age, I need to hear it over and over again.

Now, I haven't finished watching all the chapters in this class -again, a time issue- but as soon as I do I will let you know. 

If you are up to challenge yourself and your photography, here's the April prompts from www.fatmumslim.com.au

 Lot's of fun stuff- I think I will give it another go!

My Top Ten list # 9

Another thing I can't scrap without...

# 9 Scrapbook.com

I joined scrapbook.com (Sb.com) in 2006 and that's when I started with scrapbooking.
Back then I didn't know what a layout was, nor patterned paper or embellishments.
I have come a long way since then.
It's thanks to Sb.com that my scrap style has developed into what it is today. That place is just bursting with inspiration, ideas and positive atmosphere!

I have also met so many awesome people there from all over the world and some of them I have met in real life and consider close friends.

Scrapbook.com is not only filled with TONS of inspiration and wonderful people. They have challenges, tips, classes, forum, videos and of course they have the superstore.
Sb.com has decent prices on a huuuge selection of scrapbook brands. Their costumer service is outstanding and the best part is- they ship international!!

I used to hang out at sb.com for hours every day just to look and comment on other peoples creations. Plus I would host monthly challenges.
Today I will pop in there once in a while to see what I'm missing;).

I still use the gallery, mostly as a "storage". Every time I make a new layout I will post it there.
At first I wanted people to comment on my scrapbook pages and give me feedback. Nowadays, I really don't care if others do or do not like my work. Know what I mean? I scrap only for me and my family and that's all that matters.
But hey, if I can inspire someone on the way, of course that's a bonus.

Here's some of my earliest layouts from 2006. Not all that bad, but not all that good either.

If you've never been to scrapbook.com you are truly missing out. It's free to join and I know you will not regret it:
www.scrapbook.com

My top ten list # 8

I'm finally getting around to blogging and I want to start with finishing off my top ten list. "Things I can't scrap without".

I only have a few left and here is:

#8 (My) sketches

I'm not saying that my sketches are better than anybody elses, but I  do like them and there is still so many of them I haven't tried yet.

I print all of my sketches and put them in a soft binder.

I always have them close by and bring them to every crop and retreat.

When your mojo is gone and you haven't scrapped for a while, sketches are a must-have. They give you inspiration and a jump start to your layout.

Here's a few layouts that I made this last week:

The good thing with sketches are that you can use them over and over again. Just twist and turn them and you will have a new version.

My sketches can be found here

and there is plenty of awesome sketch blogs/websites that you can find by using google.

So if you haven't tried it before- scrap with a sketch today-they are all free!

My Top Ten list # 7

I'm continuing with my scrappy top ten list. I only have 4 left. Here's my next favorite:

# 7 Ink from Close To My Heart (CTMH)

I'm not a huge stamper,but I still use my inks almost every day.

My favorite inks are from Close To My Heart.

They come in 60 different colors,

 

they have a smart design where the lid flips over

and they are stackable.

I invested in the ink organizer ($69.95) since I started to get a lot of inks.

The swivel tower stores 60 ink pads.

You can buy a tray separate( $ 8.95) and place on top. It's meant for re-inkers, but I use mine for glue and other fun stuff.

Another awesome ink accessorie from CTMH is the sponge dauber. They come in three packs for $3.95. I just love them and use nothing else to ink with.

 

You simply put a dauber on your fingertip,rub it on the ink pad and ink away.

Here's some inked flowers from a recent layout.

So even if you are not a stamper, I would totally recommend that you buy yourself some ink pads in basic colors. I ink all my homemade flowers and often my patterned paper as well. I think it gives the layout depth and a more finished look.

The ink pads from CTMH are only $5.25 and you can buy them here.

Save on scrapbooking now!

I want to share something fabulous with you!
It's an ebook filled with scrapbooking tips.

I have read the 192 pages and I'm amazed how much this book covers. It has everything and anything that you can possible want to know about scrapbooking.

It's filled with tips on how to save money on this expensive hobby and it's PACKED with useful links. And get this: you will have information at your fingertips on how to make 100 different  kinds of flowers! WOW!

This book is easy to read and I would say it's a must-have for new scrapbookers. But it also has lots of useful information for more experienced scrappers.

Not only will this ebook save you money, but TIME!
The author ( Kaye Grieve ) has done all the work for you.

To find out more about this book click here.

Right now you can get an awesome deal; there's a launch price for only $14.99!

Head over to Save on scrapbooking now!

My Top Ten List # 6

I have shared the first half of my top ten list and now I will continue. Here's another scrap favorite:


# 6 Power Layouts kit from Creative Memories

You know how life is easier if you are well organized and if you plan ahead. At least so I'm told.
Well, it applies to scrapbooking as well. I'm getting better at it and I can see the results. I get more scrapping done since I purchased this thing:




It's simply a plastic box that measures 12.75 x 12.75 x 2.25 and has 15 dividers.
What you do is plan your layouts and stack them on top of each other in this box.

I take one day...yes, that's usually how long it takes me...to print my photos in my printer and then look for matching papers and embellishments. I go through my stash by manufacturer until I find the perfect papers.

And then I continue on with the embellishments.

I usually pick a few solid cardstocks, for background and matting and then a couple of patterned papers so I have something to choose from when it's time to create.

When I'm done with planning one layout I just put the plastic divider on top and continue until the box is filled.

Now when I go to a crop I basically only have to bring this power layouts kit and some tools and I'm all set.

I don't know if any other companies sell something similar to this, but you can buy it here from my friend who sells Creative Memories. It's only $29  and I promise you it's so worth it.

Different crafts

I don't know what happened to me?

I started the year so strong, scrapping almost every day and now all of a sudden I haven't scrapped in weeks.

I don't know if I have lost my mojo, but I just don't feel like scrapping at all...same thing maybe?

But I've still been a bit crafty though and I wanted to share my simple projects.

For the first one you'll need some cheap pens, a glue gun, silk flowers from the dollar or craft store and you'll need a nipper, I think it's called ( never heard the word in my life before, but I googled it)

Use the tool to pull out the stopper in the pen and fill some  hot glue in there and immediately push down the flower (also use the tool to cut off the stems of the flowers)

Isn't this pretty? A bouquet of pens!
Spray some of your favorite body or room spray on them if you wish.

 

Then I wanted to show what Conrad and I made for his Valentine's box. We made this out of a cereal box and plenty of cardstock. I think it turned out so cute and now I will keep it in my scrap room forever. It makes me happy!

Last, I wanted to show what I did with some of all these paper flowers I've accumulated over time.

You'll need magnets, a glue gun and some of your paper flowers. I prefer the flatter ones like dahlia, fan fold flower and this flower.

Look here what a pretty company the Swedish royal family got on my fridge.

Well, I'm gonna head into my scrap room now and see what happens...I'll keep you updated:)

Budget friendly layouts

Me and some scrappy friends meet once a month at my house to work with Basic Grey page kits.

Everything is precut and numbered in these kits, so you really don't have to think at all when you scrap.

We can focus on chatting and eating instead!

Just as important as scrapping I would say:)

Here are some examples of the kits:

Aren't they gorgeous?

These kits cost $18 so that makes it $ 4.50 per layout.

Would you say that's cheap or expensive for a scrapbook page?

I would say that's a pretty decent price since they all come with rub-ons, stickers and chipboard.

Have you ever done the math regarding how much you spend on each of your layouts?

I haven't really...until today when I looked at my latest pages.

My pages ARE CHEAP! Hopefully not cheap-looking, but they don't cost much at all to create.

Look at this one:

I used one sheet of cardstock, some scraps for the green mats and the hand cut leaves.

I only used two thin strips of patterned paper and the flowers are hand cut from patterned paper. That's all.

The green border is a stamp. Add a few brads. I would say this page cost about $2- $3. Tops!

 

Same  thing with this one: very little patterned paper, some buttons and that's about it.

 

This last one has a bit more patterned paper. I hand cut all the flowers and circles and added Stickles. Still I don't think it adds up to more than $3 total.

Do my pages look cheap to you?

I know that I hardly ever use "bling", simply because I don't like how it looks.

Same thing with flowers from Prima Marketing. I prefer to make my own;)

I try to use more than one photo per page, which gives me less space to fill with embellishments.

I'm curious to find out approximately how much you spend on your scrapbook pages.

Will you do the math for me, please?

My Top Ten list, # 4

I wanted to continue with my top ten list and next I have:

# 4 VersaMat from Close To My Heart (CTMH)

I haven't had this thing for many months, but I love it and it makes my scrapping so much easier.

It's a self healing mat measuring 13 x 13 inch.

I have a tendency to "eyeball" everything rather than measure, so this grid comes in real handy.

 I also have a habit of making a MESS when I scrap and now when I have this mat at least I have enough empty space to work on my layout.

I know that other companies, such as Basic Grey and Fiskars, make similar mats, but I don't believe they have what this one does;

The VersaMat is cushioned and the back of it has that foamy surface that you need for stamping.
Not that I am the biggest stamper in the world, but when I do decide to stamp something I have the mat right in front of me and just turn it over.

I would call this mat a must-have for  all scrappers!

I can't scrap without mine and always make sure to bring  it to crops.

It's only $14.50 and can only be bought from Close To My Heart.

If you don't know any consultants you can buy it from here.

There's also quite a few CTMH representatives among the guest designers.( you can click on their names in the top left sidebar ) 

My Top Ten list, # 3

# 3 ArcSoft's "Scan-n-Stitch Deluxe" software


                              

I know I've mentioned before that I don't take photos of my layouts. I scan them.


I like how much brighter they look and I don't get any shadows.

Plus I can upload my layouts right away and I don't have wait for daylight.

What the "Scan-n-Stitch" does is to stitch your page together since it's too big to fit in the scanner.

If your scrapping style includes a lot of bulky embellishments, scanning is not for you.
My pages are not completely flat; I use flowers, buttons and lots of pop-up dots and that's OK.
But I see many layouts with "bushes" on and that wouldn't work.

To download the software it's $ 39.99, but you can get a free trial here before you commit.

If you buy the software I would also buy the back-up disc. I'm talking from experience:( It's not a matter of, IF the computer will crash, only WHEN. You knew that right...

And oh yeah...the YouTube video is the only one I found.
Of course you can use ANY scanner with "Scan-n-Stitch".

My Top Ten list, # 2

The next thing on my top ten list is:

# 2  HP Photosmart All-In-one (printer & scanner)

I have printed my own photos ever since I started with scrapbooking, which was in 2006.

I haven't done the math, but I'm guessing that with all the inks and photo paper, it's more expensive to print your own pictures. So obviously that's not the reason I do it.

The reason is: freedom and flexibility.

I can print my photos again and again, if I mess up my layout.

I can print my photos exactly the minute I need them.

I can print them ANY size I want.

I can crop and edit them in PSE before I print them.

I also love the SCANNER part!

I scan every OLD paper photo. I would never make a layout with an original photo.

Look at these photos of my grandmother (she will turn 92 years old this year!)

I'm guessing they are taken circa 1940. That makes them 70 years old. So you can see why I need to scan them first.

Photos like these are so valuable to me. They are a piece of history!

After I scanned these photos I actually retouched them a bit in PSE (surprise,surprise)

My photo printer is awesome, because it came with inserts so that I can print photos from old negatives or slides.

And that's what I did with some old slides of my mom.

These are from 1966, the year before I was born.

More history:)

One last thing I like to do with the scanner, is to scan all those school photos the kids bring home. I always buy the smallest/cheapest package and if I want more photos, I just print them;)

I don't think my scanner- Photosmart 3210- is available anymore.

Today they have newer models which are cheaper + many of them are wireless.

If you are thinking about treating yourself with a photo printer I would make sure it has a scanner.

You will use it more than you know.

Bestbuy.com has quite a few to choose from.