For the love of Scrappy Tools

I love new tools for crafting. When I saw the new mat and cutting tools from WRMK being demonstrated at my LSS-it shouted cool and practical. Who can resist that?

The WRMK cutting mat is big! It measures 20x16-so there is plenty of room for your 12x12 layouts. It also contains angled lines-which is fabulous! Now you can line up you paper and cut at any angle-throw out those protractors ladies-or whatever other method you've used

In addtion to the mat, WRMK also came out with some really cool cutting tools to go along with it.

If your not fond of or have a difficult time using a craft knife, you can purchase the Crafter's Magnetic Anywhere Twist Trimmer. This is a ruler and cutting tool in one. It measure about 17.5 in. in length and works perfectly with the magnetic mat. Not to mention it's very simple to use. Just lay your paper on the mat, put the Twist Trimmer on top, twist the purple knob (this makes the blade come out), run it across where you want to cut and your done. Plus once you release your twist on the knob-the blade pops back in! How cool is that!? Oh, and the magnetic ability of the cutter is SUPER strong-it does not slip around when you are using it.
My favorite addition to the mat has got to be the Crafter's Magnetic Circle Cutter. No more tracing a dinner plate and hand cutting to create a large circle.
The WRMK Magnetic Circle Cutter creates circles from 4"- 12". The WRMK magnets will come in handy for using this tool-they are incredibly strong. Using this tool is a two hand process and you will want something to make you paper stable. The magnets are also fabulous for the Magnetic Mat and Magnetic Ruler combination and using the Magnetic Twist Trimmer.

Have a fabulous Friday!!

*These items will be replacing my BG cutting mat, magnetic ruler and magnets. The WRMK ruler is incredibly stronger and does not slip around when I cut my paper or chipboard. The WRMK mat is considerably bigger, which I find helpful. The magnets I rec'd as a gift with purchase of the tools you see listed in my post. If you have the BG magnets-they would work fine. Any of these WRMK tools would work with your BG mat if you have one.

**WRMK also sells The Crafter's Ultimate Cutting Tool Kit. This kit does not contain the same items listed in this post. It contains a different circle cutter and a rotary trimmer.

A quick tip...

I am by no means an expert in photography...but I wanted to share a quick tip...I am learning that the quality of pictures you use in your layouts REALLY can make such a difference! If any of you out there have a photo editing program...Photoshop Elements for example, this will change your world, or a least it did in my scrapbooking world! I found this one particular website EZ ACTIONS. It is full photo editing "ACTIONS" as I learned. They are pretty reasonable in price and do WONDERS to your photos...they have several to choose from and they give your photos a more polished and professional look...hence a BEAUTIFUL SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT!
Here is the original photo:
And here it is with their "ACTION" VIVID COLOR...see how everything pops?
I love it!

It is really a lot of fun to play with. Some of my favs are Photoblast Dark Chocolate, Goldenrod and Cross Process.

Check out the photo gallery and my layout from the upcoming NOVEMBER KIT...here in this layout I also used VIVID COLOR for my pictures...Not only is the paper full of vibrant colors but that "action" gave me that pop I was looking for in my photos!

I hope this helps with your picture editing! Have fun and happy scrappin'!

Some Fun With the November Kit...

I am so loving the colors of the patterned papers in this coming month's kit! Perfect for the season and even for sneaking some fun Halloween layouts in my scrapping agenda! For this one I used photos from last year's Halloween fun...I hadn't gotten around to scrapping these pics of Zoey and now with this kit it just seemed to be the perfect opportunity to do so!

A fun trick I've discovered using the Bazzill paper trims: try cutting them in half down the middle using your standard paper trimmer! You'll get more use out of them and they look pretty darn cute as a border mat for blocks of photos and/or patterned papers! That's what I did with the diamond one here.



Also, I had gotten the Travel Journal Kit add-on awhile back (which is still available here by the way!) and hadn't used the Bazzill Circle Scalloped Chipboard that came with it yet (couldn't quite figure out what to use it for I guess) and for this layout it ended up working out quite well as a fun shaped photo mat for a close-up of my daughter's face! I just used my circle punch and adhered it to the chipboard and I was done! Perfect solution for adding a bit more interest and dimension to the page!

A November kit layout...

I had so much fun during last weekend's Boo Bash! You really should go check out the Community Photo gallery to see some terrific layouts and cards created during our online crop! I was not able to do all of the challenges, but I created a layout for Jennifer's Magazine/Ad challenge. I love these type of challenges where you look at magazines for your inspiration. You see the ad I used here.

And this is the layout I created using the wonderful November kit, Freshly Squeezed:

I cut circles from 2 of the Jackson Lodge patterned papers (which are double-sided). I also used some of my stamps to do the background. It was fun to finally scrap this photo I took of my husband when we were on vacation in the fall of '96! You are going to love this kit! Be sure and check the gallery over the next couple of weeks for lots of inspiration!

Tip of the day....

Another camera tip coming your way today...

Your flash feature can be your friend when you take those day shots in the shade or when your subjects are facing the sun.

You might be thinking it's in the middle of the day, why would I need a flash? These two pictures are the perfect example:

I really prefer using my flash it opens up so that you can see her face. **Tip for making your camera flash when it doesn't want to, there is a forced flash feature, you might need to play with your camera a little to make it work, but it will!*** So try using that flash and see what you come up with!

November "Fresh Squeezed" Kit is UP!

We are so excited to share our November kit with you!



Hope you are looking forward to it!

BOO BASH officially open!

WOOOO! This Boo Bash is officially open! Creep on in and start scrapping!
Please check in here by posting EEK! in the thread. (this will help us know whooooo is playing along…)

Official Rules:
For your challenges, you must create a new layout/card/project for EACH challenge - in other words, you can't make one layout and use it for 2 or 3 challenges, even if it does meet the criteria for those challenges.
Please note: you can earn extra points for using products found in the Scrapbook Circle kits.
Through the crop there will be random opportunities to earn extra points here and there, look for the word BOO!
Our Crop is "point based", so the winner will be the person with the MOST points at the end of the weekend. If we have a tie then the winner will be determined by drawing.
We have great prizes to give away! Our Grand Prize winner will get a November Scrapbook Circle kit! (value $27)
Our First Prize Winner will receive your choice of a Pink paislee mini kit (Prize Package valued at $21.00 :) - this prize will be awarded to the person with the 2nd highest points.

There will also be several RAKS available for those who participate in the challenges, (these are to be determined by the design team members)

* Deadline for posting your challenges to the board is Sunday, October 26th at 4pm Mountain Standard time. *

Diamond Dust Continued...

I wanted to follow up on my post last week with regard to the fun diamond dust! Like I showed you in the BOO letters, here I made a large letter for my daughter's room and used the diamond dust on the GHOST BUTTERFLIES. This stuff is so fun and can be used so many different ways!
I wanted to give the butterflies that little extra sparkle...
1. Paint the edges of any "ghost" shape you choose. Allow to dry.
2. Apply your glue adhesive around the outline of the paint. (Do not let this dry)
3. Sprinkle the diamond dust on top of the shape...tap off any excess.
Once you have embellished your shapes attach to your project and you are finished!!!
Hope you enjoy using this product! Let's see what you can do!
Hope you can also join us tomorrow for our online crop, the BOO BASH!!! Lots of fun challenges headed your way as well as great prizes!!!

Fall Themed "Snack Pack"

Don't forget that you can use those scrapbooking supplies for things other than just scrapping! I know sometimes I forget and discover the fun in exploring some other papercrafting ideas and projects. I thought that this would make for a fun little gift for someone and even created a little library pocket for the front that would be perfect for housing a gift card for that special someone. Everything that I used is scrappy stuff...so fun! Be sure to share your links to projects that are not only scrapbooking pages, I'd love to see them!

Extra Rubons?

I don't know about you, but I always have leftover rubons when I use a kit. They are great to use on little projects, like this treat bucket in the picture. I used some rubons from the Oct. "Share the News" kit. I found these little buckets in the Target clearance aisle last year - they are actually wedding favors but are great for teacher treats or party favors!

Don't forget our "Boo Bash" Online Crop coming up Friday Oct. 24- Sunday Oct. 26! We'll be posting challenges on Friday and you'll have all weekend to complete challenges and play games! Lots of prizes, so be sure to join in the fun!

Tip of the day....

This button and I have become fast friends in the last few weeks. The official term is EXPOSURE COMPENSATION BUTTON.
It all started from Ali Edwards challenge of a week in the life. Someone suggested to use the "P" setting, well I got out my book and discovered that combined with the "P" setting I could use this, for better indoor pictures. I really dislike using a flash indoors when it's during the day, and I feel like there is plenty of light in the room! The plus setting let's more light in while you take your picture and the minus lets less in. I usually take my pictures on Auto, but with the P setting and playing with the exposure compensation button I have taken more well lit pictures. Try it and see what you come up with!

Another November Peek...

I just spent some playtime with the November kit and this is what I cam up with:
I am really loving all of the orange and yellow in this kit! Perfect for those fall layouts

Everything on this layout is in the kit.

Spooky Banner

This past week I pulled out all of my Halloween scrapbooking goodies and decided to make a "Spooky" banner for our entryway.

It was so much fun to play with all of these Halloween goodies!





Here's a look at the entire banner:
Many of the supplies I used came from our Halloween kit from last year, but I also used other products from Imaginisce and Teresa Collins glitter letter.

Days of Summer...

in October? I say, when it comes to scrapping...why not? I often hear others say that they are so behind in their scrapbooking or that they've got to do this or that before they can get to playing with those recent favorite photos that were just developed (and so often, quickly put away for later). Why not just let go of the idea of getting everything completely done in the order that it happened and just see what happens! For instance, this layout is obviously not keeping in time with the current season and it's not even a photo from this past summer, but it is one that I recently had printed just for the fact that I liked it and wanted to use it on a page and soon! It's actually a photo from over a year ago now...but I felt compelled to get a page done using it (I also thought that October's kit was PERFECT for this picture as well!), so I did!

BOO!

Well, I don't know about you but this month is flying by!!! Before we know it Halloween will be here! I wanted to give you a project to do to put you in the Halloween spirit AND to get you ready for Scrapbook Circle's first ever ONLINE CROP...the BOO BASH, October 24 - 26!!!

This is another fun and easy way to decorate your house for Halloween or any of the upcoming holidays! I bought these paper mache letters at my local JoAnn Fabrics...hopefully you have one close by.

Here are the simple steps:

1. Pick out any letter to fit the season.

Tip: choose short and easy words like...BOO, JOY, GIVE, LOVE

2. Paint the back and side of the letters...let dry.

3. Choose your favorite patterned paper for each letter.

4. Trace the letter on the back of the paper.

5. Cut and adhere to the side of the letter that is not painted.

Now you can embellish each one the way you like!

The ONE thing I use most this time of year is DIAMOND DUST! If you have never heard of it or played with it...you will be hooked! I used it around the edges of my letters and it gives it that extra sparkle!! This is soooo fun during the holidays too! Makes all your projects "light up!" It's just gorgeous!

Have a great rest of the week and hope you have fun with this project!

Happy Scrappin'

Jennifer Y.

Want a Peek at November?

We have thick, gorgeous Collage Press Jackson Lodge paper and Basic Grey's beautiful Ambrosia paper lined up for you this November. We've partnered it with loads of great embellishments!

We can't wait until we reveal the entire kit to you next week!

Displaying your layouts...

What do you do with your layouts when you complete them? Sometimes we photograph them and post them in a gallery or blog online, to share with our scrapping friends. But I mean at home. Do they go immediately into an album? Or a stack? I've found that I enjoy displaying some of my most recent layouts. A few years ago, I picked up an inexpensive easel from Michael's and I have it on top of our entertainment center.

I can put several layouts here and move different ones to the front (which is necessary when I have individual layouts of the kids and they both want to see themselves on display). Recently I also purchased a wall hanging display from Creative Memories and it's in our foyer.

At holidays sometimes I will pull out a Halloween or Christmas layout from the past and display - adds a nice festive touch to our home and brings back fond memories. After all, we spend quite a bit of time creating our layouts... let's enjoy them!

tip of the day....

I recently discovered how to distress without using sandpaper or a fancy tool. Use your fingernail! Here is a picture of what I am talking about:

It's so easy and gives your page/project/card a unique look! Enjoy!

Scrapbook Circle's first ever online crop!

Did you know that Scrapbook Circle will have it's first ever online crop?!  Yep, come creep in for some spooky fun October 24.  Challenges and check in will posted on this date in the community,we hope that you can join us for our BOO Bash October 24-26th!

JOY to the world...

Okay, so this has nothing to do with the Scrapbook Circle October kit, but I know we have a lot of blog readers who are so extra creative in many areas, that I thought this would be a fun thing to blog about.

Two weeks ago I taught a fun class for our local church on these JOY letters. They are made by rusty pickle, but I know several other companies make similar letters -- smaller, larger, etc.

I love these thick chipboard letters because you get two for the price of one. You get the positive letters (the actual letters) and the negative letters. I had my DH cut some 2X6 pieces of wood about 11 inches tall and sanded and painted them for the positive set of letters (the black ones). Then, I got some fun paper, used my xacto knife to cut the paper in the exact shape of the letters, glued them on top and Voila! Fun Christmas embellishment #1.

With the negative letters, I covered the top (cutting OUT the shape of the letter with my exacto knife) with one patterned paper and used a contrasting, more solid color for behind the letter (in the back of the chipboard). Then, I mod podged the whole thing, cut holes in the top and bottom and threaded ribbon through and voila! Fun Christmas embellishment #2.

Now, the only question -- which one do I give away???? (or do I keep them both...)

S-t-r-e-t-c-h your kit to the end...

I am always looking for ways to decorate my house. I love changing pieces around to make it new and fresh. After creating my layouts for this month's kit I realized how many pieces of loose scrap paper I had leftover! This kit has gone so far for me and after this project I'm still not done with it! I hope it will do the same for YOU!
This kit gave me the perfect opportunity to create a welcome door hanger for my front door. Something I had been wanting to do for awhile. I have seen so many cute creations out there and wanted to do one for myself! These extra scraps gave me the chance!
When I order paper online they typically include a 12x12 card stock sheet so the paper won't bend.
I cut that sheet into a 6x6 (or whatever size you desire) square to be used as my foundation for the door hanger.

Adhere yellow scalloped card stock from Bazzill
and trimmed the bottom and right sides.

From this point create away! Use extra rub ons, tags, buttons, arrows...whatever you have laying around! I took the green pom-pom ribbon from the kit and used it as the handle...two punches with my crop-a-dile on each side and I was finished!
I also cut the pom-pom ribbon at the end and used them to embellish my tree as greenery...just a little touch!

I want to see lots of creative juices flowing! Go girls!!!

I hope this helps you make use of all those little "extras" laying around. Can't wait to see what you are inspired to create!!

Have a great week and happy scrappin'!
Jennifer Y.

Having Fun w/Rub-Ons

I've been playing with the Kaiser rub-ons that are included in this month's kit and have discovered that I've found a new favorite! These rubs are super easy to work with and are even easier to get an even and complete transfer. I know in my experience with rub-ons certain brands can either crack or be extremely difficult to transfer on to the paper, I'm happy to report that this is not the case with Kaiser rubs! For a fast and easy card I simply used patterned papers (from the October kit) and applied rub-ons over them in place of using a stamped image or other embellishment and it turned it pretty classy!

Are you wondering what to do with all the little tags that were included in this month's kit? Why not incorporate them in on the design of your layout by using your rub-ons on them? A super easy and fun way to embellish your page!



Can't wait to see what you do with your rubs!

-Jen Davis

Using your scraps...

I don’t know about you, but I always have lots of little scraps of patterned paper and cardstock left after I scrap a layout. This weekend during World Cardmaking Day, I saw a challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers about making these adorable nested flowers. So, I grabbed some of my Oct. kit scraps and spent a few minutes making some embellies. Here’s how:

*Locate your kit scraps.
*Punch or hand cut circles of different sizes (I used 4 or 5).
*Next, you can (1)Distress the edges by hand, with sandpaper, distressing tool or ink, (2) Cut slits in your circles (or some of your circles) or even (3) leave them "as is", clean and neat.
*Stack from largest on the bottom to smallest on the top.
*Use a paper piercing tool or large needle to punch your hole through the middle.
*Insert brad (or sew on a button).



Now you have a "Nested Flower" or "Layered Circles" embellishment ready to use on a layout, card, gift tag, or home décor item. On the green brad, I used one of the little rub-ons from the kit. Also, in one of my “flowers” you see corrugated cardboard as the base circle – I cut it from a Starbucks cup holder! So grab other scraps you may have around: felt, fabric, cardboard, newspaper, notebook paper, etc. Have fun and post your creations if you decide to try it!

Tip for today...

Today I would like to give a little tip for strip journaling. It is really fun and easy to do! You take a scrap piece of paper and either cut to a square or rectangle (depending on the look you are going for). Place in your paper trimmer and cut at a 1/2", but don't cut all the way through! If you are handwriting this will save you if you make a mistake. Once you have all your journaling just snip the ends and attach to your layout. Simple as that!

Making Magnets

Happy Fall!

In the great October kit, we had a few little metal clips. I was playing around with one of them and ended up making a magnet to put on my fridge to hold papers. It was super easy. I just got some ribbon scraps from my stash and tied them through the front hole. Then, I got a round magnet and glued it to the back hole. Ta da! It was as easy as that!

Jennie