Card Sketch #5

Try this sketch this weekend and see what you come up with. Sometimes, using a sketch like this is a perfect jumping off place to making your creations yours by expanding on a basic sketch. Just try adding a little embellishment, a punch, or some designer paper to add just that little bit to make your project unique!

Friday's Spotlight...

Friday's Spotlight is on...Learning more about the My Digital Studio program by clicking the links above. Also check back here next week for some projects I'm working on using the My Digital Studio - scrapbook pages, calendars, cards, and more!

So stay tuned,

Kendra

Scrapbook Basics!

Don’t forget garage sales for budget scrapbooking

Great deals on scrapbooking products can be found in a lot of non-scrapbooking stores, in bargain and clearance sections, at close-out stores like Big Lots, in dollar stores, and big box stores like Target. These stores get a lot of attention, and tips for great buys are passed from scrapbook friend to scrapbook friend like wildfire. One bargain bin not to forget, however, is a garage sale.

If you find a crafter’s garage sale, you could be in for a treat. Everything from patterned paper and embellishments to tools and rubber stamps could be waiting for you. It’s possible that you will find used tools, partial scrapbook kits, half-sheets of scrapbook paper, and previously-loved tools, but if you’re careful that the items are in good working order, you can get them for a steal.

Also keep an eye out for vintage clothing and sewing items. Buttons, ribbons and trim, pins and old tags and labels make terrific embellishments. Vintage items like these could lend a great authenticity to heritage scrapbooking. If you like Jenni Bowlin’s style, garage sales could be the place for you. Their trash will definitely be your treasure.

Many garage sale ads will specify if craft and sewing items are available, so check the newspaper and Craig’s List ads for a possible treasure trove.

Thanks to Tracey Rhodes from the Des Moines Scrapbooking Examiner for the Articles we've learned from this month!

Wednesday's Inspiration Challenge...

I used the stripes on the rug, the floral pattern on the linens, and the orange night stand as my inspiration. I hope you have fun trying this challenge.

Kendra

Tuesday's Tool, Technique, or Tutorial...

Today's Tutorial shows you ideas on how to use the Pirate & Princess kits from the Deal of the Week! Click on picture above to take you to the video tutorial!

Happy Creating,

Kendra

LAST DEAL OF THE WEEK!

Last chance at a Deal of the Week!

This weeks deal is either the Pirate or Princess Party Kits - for $9.99 (Reg. 15.95)

This deal is good thru October 31st.

I will be putting an order in on Friday the 30th - so if you'd like to save on shipping - let me know. Deadline for order 9 pm on Thursday the 29th.

Happy Creating,

Kendra

For more information on the pirate kit click HERE!

For more information on the princess kit click HERE!

Monday's Project Idea...

With just a frame and a punch, you can create a wonderful holiday gift or decoration for your home. This was made using our new snowflake punch (current catalog) and is $15.95. Take a look at your punches and come up with some ideas for this holiday season!

(picture taken at the 2009 SU! Convention)

Kendra

Sunday Share...

Here is a picture straight from this years SU! Convention. They set up a Halloween display. Take a look at all the cute ideas that some very talented people came up with! Two of my favorite ideas are...the BOO banner and the how they used some Definantely Decorative Vinyal Wall art on the jars.

Card Sketch Challenge #4

Try this sketch this week when you get a chance to play!

Kendra

Friday's Spotlight...

Friday's Spotlight:

The Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

So I told you that I visited my friend Karen's this last week (Bobcat pictures I posted on Sunday) and while in her stamp room I spotted these adorable boxes that she had made using her Big Shot Machine. So below are the pictures of her boxes that I want to share with you. She did a beautiful job on each one of them and they are so darling!

Thanks Karen for sharing - Kendra

Scrapbook Basics!

Scrapbooking your children's artwork

If you’re like a lot of households with children, you have a lot of stacks (or bags or boxes or bins) of children’s artwork. Whether it comes home from school or is created right at the kitchen table, children love to show off their artwork, and parents with soft hearts have trouble disposing of it readily.

There are a few solutions short of ending up with bulging scrapbooks filled with nothing but original art. If you haven’t sat down to think about a better way to keep your children’s artwork, here are a few ideas.
Select and keep only one piece of artwork per week. Even though this tactic will garner quite a few pieces (at least 52!), it will give you a good representation of your children’s growing skills and interests and artistic gifts to your family.

Make archival copies of the artwork, reducing the size by half. Many scrapbook stores have color copiers especially used for making archival copies. Use the reduction features to resize the artwork you want to scrapbook by half or less, thereby making room for several treasures on one scrapbook page. Dispose of all but your most treasured of the originals once you have good copies. Locally, copiers are available at Heirlooms by Design, Archivers and Memory Bound.

Take a photo of your child with the artwork. Whether you intend to scrapbook the artwork or just archive the masterpieces, taking a photo allows you to do several different things: scrapbook the photos you take, remember the art work without actually keeping it, make digital files (on a cd) of the artwork, which means you can store all those great memories without taking up all that space, create an artwork photo album, or all of the above.

Hopefully, one of these ideas will help your organizing. These tips might also be applied to other keepsakes such as those from vacations, sports seasons, you name it. Good luck organizing and keepsaking!

Thanks to Tracey Rhodes - Des Moines Scrapbooking Examiner

Wednesday's Inspiration Challenge...

So this is what I came up with for the challenge this week. I took inspiration from the rugs at the bottom of the picture, in both shape and number. The colors I used were Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, and Close to Cocoa. I also used the "A Beautiful Thing" set.

I hope you can find a little inspiration in this picture from Ikea and play along this week!

Happy Wednesday to you all - Kendra

Tuesday's tool, Technique, or Tutorial...

Today it's a Tutorial: Sour Cream Container

So I want to teach you how to make this very cute and easy "Sour Cream Container". So follow along below and we'll work together!











For this project - I am using Designer Paper "Night & Day" Specialty #116768 - $11.95.
I am specifically using the clear transparancy sheet with black polka dots. But you can use just regular Designer Paper...I just thought it would be cute "see thru".
Cut your paper - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".











This is my piece of transparent or see thru DSP with black polka dots. I put a white piece of paper behind it so you could see it. (It was hard to see in the pictures on my black mat on my desk)












Put Red sticky Strip Tape just like here in this picture...do not peel any of them yet!














Okay...now peel the red backing off the longest piece of tape (it's along the whole edge of one side)













Roll it very carefully into a tube...kinda like a the brown part of the toilet paper tube.












Next peel one of the other ends of sticky tape and press it tightly.















Press tightly so that the end stays adhered together.













If you use regular Designer Paper or Cardstock, this is the next step...use your crimper to slightly crimp the edge. This will not show up in the next pictures due to the transparency being to thick. But it really adds a lot to regular cardstock or designer paper when you add this step in!!! I also did it on mine just to secure a tight seel even though it does not show up.










Next add your candy, treat, toy, or surprise. Now, just remember that if you use cardstock or DSP...your treat, coupon, or candy will not show thru.












Then remove the red backing from the last sticky strip piece at the other the top & press the ends together in the opposite direction as the bottom!

(Look at the very last picture to see what I'm talking about)











Next stamp an image or greeting. I stamped a greeting from the "Grateful Greetings" set in the Mini Catalog. #116511 $36.95 and punched it out using the 1 3/8" Circle Punch.I then punched a Scallop Circle from the "Cast A Spell"
DSP #115677 $9.95 to back my greeting. I adhered those to each other with snail adhesive.









I then punched a hole using my Crop-A-Dile (the smallest hole punch) in the top of my container. I also punched a hole in my tag.










I then cut some Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon #109030 $4.95, and threaded it thru my container and also thru my tag and I tied a bow. Your project is now complete! Simple, easy, and cute! You could also add shredded paper & a black spider ring if you wanted to add something else since your project is "see thru". These make terrific party favors!

HAVE FUN COMING UP WITH ALL SORTS OF GREAT IDEAS USING THIS BASIC TUTORIAL!
Kendra

Deal of the Week #3

The Deal of the Week is BACK! Here is Deal of the Week #3.

These deals are only valid from Oct 19th - 26th (9:50 am MST)

1/2" Library Clips: Reg. $6.95 Now: $3.99

Mini Library Clips: Reg. $12.95 Now: $8.99

Circle Designer Brads: Reg. $5.95 Now: $3.99

Basic Jumbo Grommets: Reg. $6.95 Now: $4.49

What does this mean for you?

If you order these Accessories directly from me, in one of my clubs this week, or from my website, you will get a HUGE discount!

This discount ends Oct 26th so order today - What are you waiting for!!!

Monday's Project Idea...

For my project idea today I wanted to THANK Lisa L. for this GREAT idea! Lisa is a member of my Card & Project Club and she shared this idea with us when she made these for her friends at work!

I used a see thru paint can & crimped and shredded my Designer Halloween Paper to put on the bottom. Then added an individual cup of Caramel (decorated of course!) & added a Granny Smith Apple on top of it. I also added small cello bag filled with Candy Corns and Nuts for an extra added treat. I then made a small Halloween game using the Sweet Treat Centers Set and Sweet Treat Cups - both of these items are in the Mini Catalog. I punched holes using an 1/8" hole punch and borrowed some BB's from my son. You can't see the game in the paint can because it's on the backside - but I took a picture of it before I put it in the can for you. Then I decorated the lid and added a tag and ribbon to the sides. So cute and a really fun treat for this time of the year. This one was won by Amanda H. at our Southwest Demonstrator meeting last Tuesday. Hope you enjoy this idea - and thanks again Lisa!

Sunday Share...

So for my Sunday Share - I wanted to post these pictures. I took these while I was at my friend Karen's house this past week. We were in her stamp room and then she pointed out these cute little bobcats, three babies, and their mama. They played in the grass, on the tree, steps, and then they layed down and ate after a morning workout!
I thought they were just so cute and wanted to share them with you.
KENDRA

Card Sketch Challenge #3

Try this sketch for some this week as you stamp! Have Fun - Kendra

Friday's Spotlight...

Build-A-Bear is always a fun place to take the kids, your nieces & nephews, friends, or even grandchildren.

But now you can have Build-A-Bear Fun right in your own home!

With our new dies & stamp sets...the possibilities are endless. From planning a birthday party, birthday card, baby shower, scrapbook page layout, magnetic game, or dress up dolls, to a chore chart, sllep over invites, and party favors. So check out our line of Buil-A-Bear items and start planning your fun today!

Go HERE to view it all.