I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I have to postpone my May classes. But the good news is that our little girl has decided that she wants to come a little earlier than expected (not that Mom is complaining). There is a very good possibility that she will make her appearance this week sometime. If she decides to wait, the doctor will be inducing me on May 9th. So either way she is going to have a birthday before her due date.
Due to the sudden change in plans I have decided to change the dates of some of my classes. The Bloomin’ Beautiful class will have to be held after Mother’s Day! Sorry ladies! I do offer gift certificates for classes if you would like to reserve a spot for a special woman than you can give the certificate to her on Mother’s day. The new date for the class is now MAY 24TH at 9:00am at my house. The cost of the class is $25.00 and I do have space available for this class.
My Purse Full of Memories Class will be held on JUNE 14th at 9:00am at my house. The cost of the class will include your purse and a matching card. It is $20 for that class and an additional $10 for each additional purse made. I have space available for this class as well.
I appreciate your flexibility and all the wonderful support you have given me throughout my pregnancy. Please let me know if I can help you with any of your stamping needs over the coming weeks. I will let you all know when Brenna Nicole Grace decides to make her appearance.
4.28.2008
4.27.2008
Fabulous News!!!
Stampin' Up! just announced they are extending the ending date of the Occasions Mini Catalog!! You can order products from the mini until JUNE 30TH!! Yippee!! A whole other month to get all the great products on my wish list!
4.21.2008
May Projects of the Month
Hopefully all the snow is passed and we can look forward to spring. Aren’t you glad that stamping is an indoor activity? :-) I wanted to take the time to announce my May Class schedule and send you the fliers. I am offering two classes and I hope you will join me as we make some beautiful projects. (*Dates are subject to change due to the birth of my little girl. I will contact everyone with a change of date if necessary).
May 3rd* (Saturday) @ 9:00am -- Bloomin’ Beautiful Class.
We will be making four full-size cards and a matching card box using the new Bloomin’ Beautiful set and the elegant Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper. Learn how to make a stamped image into a three dimensional flower in bloom. This is a beautiful gift just in time for Mother’s Day.
The cost of the class is $25 which includes all of your supplies (please bring your own adhesive and snips to help the class move faster). If you are a Stamp Club or Card Club Member you will get a $5 discount.
May 31st *(Saturday) @ 9:00am — A Purse Full of Memories Class
This is a class that will have you thinking out of the box. We will make a purse scrapbook album using Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper and our limited edition Carousel Notes. We will be making the purse and a matching card using the Dahlia Fold. Bring your pictures to the class to put into the album or you can wait and put the pictures in at home. This is a fabulous gift or a beautiful way to display your favorite memories.
The cost of the class is $20 which includes all of your supplies (please bring your own adhesive and snips). If you are a Stamp Club or Card Club Member you will get a $5 discount.
Space is limited for both of these classes so please RSVP as soon as possible. Also if you bring a friend who has never attended one of my classes they will receive a $5 discount on their class fee. I hope you will join me as we celebrate spring, even if it is slow coming!
May 3rd* (Saturday) @ 9:00am -- Bloomin’ Beautiful Class.
We will be making four full-size cards and a matching card box using the new Bloomin’ Beautiful set and the elegant Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper. Learn how to make a stamped image into a three dimensional flower in bloom. This is a beautiful gift just in time for Mother’s Day.
The cost of the class is $25 which includes all of your supplies (please bring your own adhesive and snips to help the class move faster). If you are a Stamp Club or Card Club Member you will get a $5 discount.
May 31st *(Saturday) @ 9:00am — A Purse Full of Memories Class
This is a class that will have you thinking out of the box. We will make a purse scrapbook album using Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper and our limited edition Carousel Notes. We will be making the purse and a matching card using the Dahlia Fold. Bring your pictures to the class to put into the album or you can wait and put the pictures in at home. This is a fabulous gift or a beautiful way to display your favorite memories.
The cost of the class is $20 which includes all of your supplies (please bring your own adhesive and snips). If you are a Stamp Club or Card Club Member you will get a $5 discount.
Space is limited for both of these classes so please RSVP as soon as possible. Also if you bring a friend who has never attended one of my classes they will receive a $5 discount on their class fee. I hope you will join me as we celebrate spring, even if it is slow coming!
Creative Process
I just recently got asked this question. How do you come up with ideas for cards, etc.? A lot of different ways; here's a few:
1. I look in our Stampin' Up! Catalogs (especially to see what projects go with the particular stamp set I am using).
2. Other Stamping Blogs our a great resource for ideas as well. I am working on narrowing down my list of favorites to add to my sidebar.
3. My favorite place to look is the Split Coast Stampers Gallery. There are hundreds of pictures and ideas for almost all SU! stamp sets (retired and current). I CASE (Copy And Share Everything) a lot of ideas from cards I see there.
I don't generally stick to the exact card someone else has made though I usually modify it to fit my style. Or if I don't have the exact product that they used than I substitute it with something I have. Looking at the design of the project and coming up with the template is the first step. Usually if I am planning a class I look for ideas a few weeks early so I can cut and plan everything ahead of time. So I make a rough (very rough) sketch of the template I am making so I won't forget if I don't get to make the card right away. I put my "sketches" on index cards and have a small box where I keep them.
Once I have a template than I pick out the colors since I know how many colors I will need to do a template (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). The rest kind of happens from there. If I am making a card I try to make at least two that way I will have extras to sell or give away when the occasion calls for it. So here are some pictures of my idea process. These two sketches are for my Stamp Club meeting next Tuesday.
1. I look in our Stampin' Up! Catalogs (especially to see what projects go with the particular stamp set I am using).
2. Other Stamping Blogs our a great resource for ideas as well. I am working on narrowing down my list of favorites to add to my sidebar.
3. My favorite place to look is the Split Coast Stampers Gallery. There are hundreds of pictures and ideas for almost all SU! stamp sets (retired and current). I CASE (Copy And Share Everything) a lot of ideas from cards I see there.
I don't generally stick to the exact card someone else has made though I usually modify it to fit my style. Or if I don't have the exact product that they used than I substitute it with something I have. Looking at the design of the project and coming up with the template is the first step. Usually if I am planning a class I look for ideas a few weeks early so I can cut and plan everything ahead of time. So I make a rough (very rough) sketch of the template I am making so I won't forget if I don't get to make the card right away. I put my "sketches" on index cards and have a small box where I keep them.
Once I have a template than I pick out the colors since I know how many colors I will need to do a template (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). The rest kind of happens from there. If I am making a card I try to make at least two that way I will have extras to sell or give away when the occasion calls for it. So here are some pictures of my idea process. These two sketches are for my Stamp Club meeting next Tuesday.
April's Project Class Fun
This past Saturday was my April Project Class. We made the Tart & Tangy box set and had SO much fun!! Thank you ladies for coming out despite the April snowstorm (I have lived on Whidbey Island my entire life and this is the first time I remember us having SNOW in APRIL). Jenny thank you for your phenomenal egg casserole. It definitely kept us all going as we stamped, colored, embossed, punched and laughed. All of the ladies left with a beautiful box set of cards. I intended to take pictures of our projects but was so into what we were doing that I forgot to take the camera out of the office. Next time. Here is a picture of my project.
If you missed this fun class your next opportunity will be the Bloomin' Beautiful Class on May 3rd. We will make a card box with 4 matching full-size cards. Look for information this week about the dates and times. (Date is subject to change due to the fact that I am due any day, LOL).
If you missed this fun class your next opportunity will be the Bloomin' Beautiful Class on May 3rd. We will make a card box with 4 matching full-size cards. Look for information this week about the dates and times. (Date is subject to change due to the fact that I am due any day, LOL).
Tidbits on Stamping Bliss #5
I found this wonderful link online to help with Stampin' Up! color coordinations. Now you can go online and find coordinating colors, it is a great resource and I will add the link to my sidebar as well so you can find it whenever you need it. Happy Stamping!
4.18.2008
Apologies for the Lack of Pictures
As I posted my weekly tidbit I realized that I have not put any pictures up recently. I am so sorry! Yes I have been busy stamping among other things, and just forgot to post pictures of my latest creations. So here is my latest creation (and yes I will hold a class on how to make these). Purse Mini-Scrapbook Albums. Way too stinkin' cute and so easy to make! I can't take the credit for the original idea, that belongs to Jan Tink. But it was her creation that inspired me to make my own.
As soon as I saw Jan's design I was immediately reminded of being a kid and digging through Mom or Grandma's purse for gum or something to play with. So here is a fun way too share pictures in your purse without having to dig through all the other stuff. What fabulous gifts for someone to put on their desk or some where else special. I am going to make a bunch to send out to relatives once the baby is born. I will put lots of pictures of the kids in them.
Can you guess what they are made of? Any ideas... No?! Well than I guess you will have to come to my Purse Album class on Saturday, May 31st! It will be at my house at 9:00am (I will have coffee and goodies of course). The cost of the class is $20 and includes all the supplies for making the Purse Album and a matching card using the Dahlia Fold. You can bring pictures with you to put into your album or wait until you get home, it is up to you!! RSVP quickly to reserve your spot.
As soon as I saw Jan's design I was immediately reminded of being a kid and digging through Mom or Grandma's purse for gum or something to play with. So here is a fun way too share pictures in your purse without having to dig through all the other stuff. What fabulous gifts for someone to put on their desk or some where else special. I am going to make a bunch to send out to relatives once the baby is born. I will put lots of pictures of the kids in them.
Can you guess what they are made of? Any ideas... No?! Well than I guess you will have to come to my Purse Album class on Saturday, May 31st! It will be at my house at 9:00am (I will have coffee and goodies of course). The cost of the class is $20 and includes all the supplies for making the Purse Album and a matching card using the Dahlia Fold. You can bring pictures with you to put into your album or wait until you get home, it is up to you!! RSVP quickly to reserve your spot.
4.13.2008
Tidbits on Stamping Bliss #4
It has only been about a year since I started stamping and I will admit I was a bit intimidated at first, especially when it came to mounting my stamps. When I received my starter kit and looked at the pile of stamps waiting to be mounted onto their wooden blocks I was so overwhelmed. Over the past few months I have found what works for me. I highly recommend using the Craft & Rubber scissors that we sell. They make cutting rubber a breeze! I also recommend using the Stamp-a-Majig. It will help you keep your stamps straight and even while you mount them. It is a great tool to have. If you would like a step-by-step tutorial on how to perfectly mount your stamps let me know and I will e-mail it to you.
4.07.2008
Tidbits on Stamping Bliss #3
Here is a great article that I received about all the terms we hear about when scrapbooking. Acid-free, lignon-free, cropping, etc. but what do they all mean? Here are the definitions of those terms. Click on the author's name to see more of her articles and scrapbooking information. She is a great resource.
Definition Of Terms
by LeNae Gerig
The Issue of Acid and Lignin
Anything that touches your photos should be acid-free and lignin-free, including paper, glue, markers and stickers. Why? Otherwise your photos will discolor and disintegrate more quickly than they would naturally.
What Is Acid-Free—and Why Does It Matter?
Acid causes paper and photos to disintegrate. This aging process is slowed significantly when acid is removed from paper during the manufacturing process. Not all scrapbooking materials are photo-safe, so be sure your paper, glue and markers are labeled acid-free or archival-quality before you purchase them.
What’s Lignin?
Lignin is the natural bonding element which holds wood fibers together. Newsprint contains lignin—you’ll notice how brittle and yellowed a newspaper becomes after just a few days. Like acid, lignin can be removed during processing to make scrapbooking paper safe.
If you want to include newspaper articles or announcements in your memory album, photocopy them onto acid-free, lignin-free paper. Copy onto an off-white paper that resembles newsprint for an authentic look.
Archival quality
This is a term used to indicate materials which have undergone laboratory analysis to determine their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.
Buffered paper
During manufacturing, a buffering agent such as calcium carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate can be added to paper to neutralize acid contaminants. Such papers have a pH of 8.5.
pH Factor
This refers to the acidity of a paper. The pH scale is the standard for measurement of acidity and alkalinity. It runs from 1 to 14 with each number representing a ten-fold increase; pH neutral is 7. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7 or above. Special pH tester pens are available to help you determine the acidity of products..
Photo safe
This is a term similar to archival quality but more specific to materials used with photographs. Acid-free is the determining factor for a product to be labeled photo-safe.
Sheet protectors
These are made of plastic to slip over a finished album page, They can be side loading or top loading and fit 5”x7”, 81/2”x11” or 12”x12” pages. It is important that they be acid-free; those that are will be labeled as such on the box they come in or the album they come with.
Cropping
To “crop” a photo means to cut the photo. Most of the time, you’ll do this to trim out excess background like sky and grass to better focus on the main subject of the picture. When scrapbooking first started, I often cut our photos into shapes like hearts and stars. Sure, you can do this—but you’ll get a cleaner, more classic effect if you keep your photos in a square or rectangle shape. I do warn you though: Don’t get overzealous with cropping—you might inadvertently cut out something like a car or house that will have personal, historical or sentimental meaning later on. And please, please don’t crop those one-of-a-kind heritage photos! If you really want to, make a color copy of the photo (yes, make color copies of black and white pictures too) and then crop the copy. But save the original! I like to use the Kodak Picture Maker
I hope this helps you as you work on your own scrapbooks and other projects you want to save for a long time. I hope that this will make it easier the next time you are purchasing your scrapbook supplies! Look for information on my upcoming scrapbook classes and Scrap With Me nights!!
Definition Of Terms
by LeNae Gerig
The Issue of Acid and Lignin
Anything that touches your photos should be acid-free and lignin-free, including paper, glue, markers and stickers. Why? Otherwise your photos will discolor and disintegrate more quickly than they would naturally.
What Is Acid-Free—and Why Does It Matter?
Acid causes paper and photos to disintegrate. This aging process is slowed significantly when acid is removed from paper during the manufacturing process. Not all scrapbooking materials are photo-safe, so be sure your paper, glue and markers are labeled acid-free or archival-quality before you purchase them.
What’s Lignin?
Lignin is the natural bonding element which holds wood fibers together. Newsprint contains lignin—you’ll notice how brittle and yellowed a newspaper becomes after just a few days. Like acid, lignin can be removed during processing to make scrapbooking paper safe.
If you want to include newspaper articles or announcements in your memory album, photocopy them onto acid-free, lignin-free paper. Copy onto an off-white paper that resembles newsprint for an authentic look.
Archival quality
This is a term used to indicate materials which have undergone laboratory analysis to determine their acidic and buffered content is within safe levels.
Buffered paper
During manufacturing, a buffering agent such as calcium carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate can be added to paper to neutralize acid contaminants. Such papers have a pH of 8.5.
pH Factor
This refers to the acidity of a paper. The pH scale is the standard for measurement of acidity and alkalinity. It runs from 1 to 14 with each number representing a ten-fold increase; pH neutral is 7. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7 or above. Special pH tester pens are available to help you determine the acidity of products..
Photo safe
This is a term similar to archival quality but more specific to materials used with photographs. Acid-free is the determining factor for a product to be labeled photo-safe.
Sheet protectors
These are made of plastic to slip over a finished album page, They can be side loading or top loading and fit 5”x7”, 81/2”x11” or 12”x12” pages. It is important that they be acid-free; those that are will be labeled as such on the box they come in or the album they come with.
Cropping
To “crop” a photo means to cut the photo. Most of the time, you’ll do this to trim out excess background like sky and grass to better focus on the main subject of the picture. When scrapbooking first started, I often cut our photos into shapes like hearts and stars. Sure, you can do this—but you’ll get a cleaner, more classic effect if you keep your photos in a square or rectangle shape. I do warn you though: Don’t get overzealous with cropping—you might inadvertently cut out something like a car or house that will have personal, historical or sentimental meaning later on. And please, please don’t crop those one-of-a-kind heritage photos! If you really want to, make a color copy of the photo (yes, make color copies of black and white pictures too) and then crop the copy. But save the original! I like to use the Kodak Picture Maker
I hope this helps you as you work on your own scrapbooks and other projects you want to save for a long time. I hope that this will make it easier the next time you are purchasing your scrapbook supplies! Look for information on my upcoming scrapbook classes and Scrap With Me nights!!
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