Scrapbooking Techniques For Scrapbook Layouts

Happy Valentines Day Cheekies!

2010-02-14T15:35:00.005+09:00

Hiya darls! Been MIA for a long time now. Yay!!

Busy work sched is killing me. Anyway, I thought I should make some crafty goodness today and extend to you all my sweet greetings, Happy Valentines Day!

Bought some chocolates for my hubby and gave him a car d from my desk.

I had a fancy time wrapping a bar of chocolate. Geez, I really miss doing crafty projects.

Hope you are all having a great Sunday with your family and CUPIDS! ***wink

Till next time peeps.

XOXO

Scrapbook Layouts Ideas 1

2009-10-15T09:04:00.009+09:00

Today is our first week on our scrapbook layout ideas. In case you missed the details check the link first. I will try to make this weekly activity just for fun until we have enough participants.

Let us make those stagnant creative juices flow to start our scrapbook layouts.

Here is our Scrapbook Layout #1

This is a layout I made for Scraptivity Forum.

Scrapbook Layout Idea: Create a layout with clean and simple look on it

What is a clean and simple scrapbook layout?

One of the attributes of the word simple is "straightforward". Another term is classic. Meaning, simple scrapbooking layouts must contain this characteristics to be considered simple. How do we incorporate straightforward and classic elements to our scrapbook page layouts? The answer is simple.

Scrapbooking, in its straightforward and absolute definition is a way of preserving life moments in your scrapbook layouts. So prime object is the life moment which is represented by your photo. Hence you need a photo and your memory to journal the thoughts you want to preserve. This is the basis of all scrapbooking layout ideas and techniques.

Now, lets go deeper on the aspect of straightforward and classic. You can make a scrapbook page with a photo, journaling paper, a pattern paper and a cardstock. Simple tools like your favorite scissors and adhesives are the things you only need. With this in mind, you can make a scrapbook layout. A best example is this;

For simpler and classic look, I directly type the journalling in my page. Handwritten journalling is a good option too. It will give your layout a more classic and personal touch. I hate my handwriting most of the time though.lol!

Creating simple and clean layouts dsnt mean that you are not allowed to use any embellishments or design elements. When you want a simple look, what is the first thing that comes in your mind? You think of ways on how to simplify it right? Meaning, you dont eliminate all of the design aspect. Note, I mention all. Simple is your personal style or definition of creating in a simple way. You dont want to create your baby scrapbook layouts with no design at all. Yet you want to create a page with mild and manageable design elements.

Now lets go back to our first layout. I consider this a simple layout because my design elements are controlled in a way that when you look at the same layout you will feel the smooth and clean theme it likes to convey.

There are ways on how you can implement simplicity on your layouts. Scrapbookers have different scrapbooking style. But these personal styles and techniques can still be simple once you intended to apply the concept with your page. Going back on my first layout, I did layering and pleating techniques with it. I also use my favorite handstitching technique, yet I ensure that the layout in overall aspect should look and convey the word "simple". Here are some close-up views;

Look how I place my elements in my page. The butterflies and the layering of papers are cut outs from 1 pattern paper. Yes I only used 1 pattern paper here. The buttons are from Such Sweet Tierney Buttons.

I made this layout with a sketch I draw in paper. As I am eager to share free scrapbook layouts with all of you, feel free to apply the same sketch and placement in your layout.

Useful Tips to Consider;
1. Challenge yourself by using one cardstock, one pattern paper and few embellishments for your design elements.
2. Choos a photo that will match your color scheme. Try image tweaking teachniue to blend it with your paper. Or simply convert it in black and white photo.
3. Once decided on your materials, lay it in front of you and convince yourself that these are the only things you can use.
4. You can use my sketch and design element placement as a guide.
5. Put your journalling in the simplest way you can.

I hope you are inspired to start your scrapbook layouts today. Please feel free to leave me your comments if you want to play along and join us with our weekly scrapbook layout ideas . I would also love to see your past scrapbook layouts with simple concept in it.

XOXO!

Scrapbook Layouts And Life Memories

2009-10-11T18:40:00.002+09:00

Scrapbooking your memories is the most popular trend nowadays to people who want to preserve their memories. Through scrapbook layout, we are able to capture precious moments about our family, friends and even our personal life. Scrapbooking made a vast development over the years and now there are scrapbook layout ideas suited for everybody's taste and preference.

Photo Album Scrapbook is a good example of how far scrapbookers express their creativity in terms of compiling their pages. There is a wide market for scrapbook albums and even available in different sizes. They are now classified according to material component. Photo album scrapbook are available in hardbound cover, fabric, and leather type ones. These albums are made to last as they are made of quality materials. They can mostly house 10-15 scrapbook page layouts depending on the thickness of your page. Most of the albums are designed to meet the needs of scrapbookers who love to layer their scrapbooking layouts with a lot of scrapbooking embellishments. As we go along, I am planning to showcase different kinds of albums available in the market. When I started sccrapbooking nine months ago, I found choosing the perfect scrabook album for my scrapbook layout was intimidating. One factor is I dont get to see them in actual because I used to buy all my scrapbooking supplies online. The nearest scrapbooking store form my place is a 3 hour drive. I think the hardest part you have to master when buying online is the ability to guess on how it will look in the actual.Just kidding!

I did a lot of research before I decided to buy my scrapbook supplies. I have 3 photo album scrapbook at the moment and I am satisfied with their quality.

As I am intending to guide scrapbook beginners out there, I will think some course of discussions about basic idea on scrapbooking techniques. I hope that I could share you all the things that I have learned for the past nine months. I am not the uber talented girl if you would ask.lol! But I guess the basic knowledge I learned would be enough to teach a beginner out there.

What I am planning to teach is basic scrapbook layout ideas you will be needing to make your scrapbook layouts. After that, we we will discuss on how to choose the perfect album for your pages.

I know there are a lot of beginners who are eager to try scrapbooking yet overwhelmed by the many options available. So one of my major goal is to simplify everything for you. Free scrapbook layouts is something I have been dreaming to share with all of you. There are scrapbook sketches that I created for everyone to use. No limitations.

At the moment, digital scrapbooking layouts is also popular among scrapbookers. Using digital sketches is the first step to that.

My last goal is to also get your comments and suggestion in order to explore more about this hobby. I hope you would take the courage to share me your scrapbooking layout ideas and show me your definition of scrapbooking.

Lets turn those life moments into a great experience for you. Let us work together on scrapbooking our memories.

This art is about life. Lets make it more meaningful by gaining friends and special memories along the way.

Cheers!

Weekly Scrapbook Idea Anyone?

2009-10-07T13:42:00.007+09:00

Does weekly Scrapbook Idea inspire you? If so, READ ALONG!

I am excited to announce that we are going to feature new scrapbook idea every week. It will work like a Meme/Tag. I kn0w a lot of you know how blog meme/tags work.

Here are the details;

Activity: New Scrapbook Idea featured weekly (every Monday) on the blog

Scope: Every week new scrapbook idea is featured in the blog along with a photo of the example scrapbook layout or project (card, altered project)

Details:

1.Every week you can check the blog for the new scrapbook idea and see how you can play with it.
2. Make your own interpretation be it card, layout or just any outcome of your artsy craftsy mood is accepted.
3.Post it in your blog, providing a link over here (note:link must be made on the specific Scrapbook Idea post for the week)
4.Hold your breath as we will raid your blog in just a moment.lol!

Boring? I hear yah! Ok here is the main catch.

1. Every week you can join us for new scrapbook idea.
2. Deadline to do your scrapbook layout,including posting it to your blog is on the following week, Monday (1 week)
3. Every month there would be 4 scrapbook ideas that will be presented here in the blog. Meaning.....lets go on no.4
4. You have 8 chances of winning the "Prize of the Month" Of course we will have fab prizes in store for you.
5. We will have one random winner each month. How you can you accumulate entries?

a.Weekly participation gives you 2 entries, so that is 8 entries in a month if you completed all the scrapbook ideas.

b. You will earn 1 entry for every comment you leave to other participant's blog.

Points To Ponder:
1.This activity is created to INSPIRE scrapbookers. So we are here to give love and respect to everyone's work.
2.Joining this prompt every week require you to visit the other participants(at least 75%). Leave them some love. Hint: leaving comment is like creating good karma
3. Dont be self centered brat
If you see people are coming and commenting to your blog please return the favor. I know we are all busy people so I am not asking you to comment to all of them in one day.You have the whole month.
4. I will allow you to use your recent projects provided that they are only 1 month old.
5. Do proper linking to the main post so your visitors can join us next time.
The more the merrier!lol!

FAQs
1. Why should I join?
Learning new scrapbook idea is fun and inspiring

2. How it will benefit me?
It will give you more inspiration and idea to your next scrapbook layout.

3. How it will affect my blogging?
Isn't it fun to have a weekly update about your scrappy work. You will gain new comment-ER
along the way,trust me!

4. Is this activity for you?
Of course this is for all scrapbookers out there.

5. Why are you having this?
This is purely for inspiring others and providing an outlet for everyone to share their works.

6. When will it start?
Depending on the response I will get today.lol!

If this interest you,please leave me your name,email address and the link to your blog so I can include you in the list.

Using Buttons in Your Scrapbook Layout

2009-10-06T17:42:00.007+09:00

In my last post I explained how scrapbook idea works as a foundation for your scrapbook layout. Lets have an application of that today.

Scrapbookers creative minds are always on the go and creative juices are normally flowing their veins. What about the novice and beginner scrappers? Funny how I always consider myself as a tyro scrapper. In this connection, I decided to share one of basic scrapbook idea today.

Scrapbook Idea: Adding scrapbooking embellishment

Scrapbooking embellishments are the products available for scrapbookers to use in their layout. List of possible products that can be used to your scrapbook layouts are almost endless. I can go and talk them forever here. But let me leave it that way. Most popular products include chipboards,thickers,ribbons, blings and the most common used I guess are BUTTONS.

Lets apply the flow that I discussed in my last post;

Scrapbook Ideas > Scrapbooking Techniques > Scrapbook Page Idea>Scrapbook Layouts >Scrapbooking Albums

Adding Scrapbooking Embellishment > Using Buttons > Button Placement in your Page > Scrapbook Layout

Note that I gave the complete flow that I used in my scrapbook layout. To give you the visual interpretation of this flow, here is my page

Title: Kinembi (Anniversary in English)
Materials Used: Green Tangerine Kit, Such Sweet Tierney Buttons

The layout use various scrapbook ideas and some other basic scrapbooking techniques. But let us focus on using buttons this time. In my example above, you can see how I choose the buttons and scatter them around my photo. There are times that you can layer the buttons to give dimension in your layout. That is another scrapbook idea for instance.

Tips in Buying Buttons

1. Try to buy buttons along with your paper kit.
Doing this will ensure you that the buttons will match your paper and you will be able to use it and not hoard it in your stash.

2. Buy buttons according to your color scheme preference
Dont buy buttons just because you find them so cute and pretty. If you couldnt see yourself using the same button in your layout, then buying it is pointless.

3. Do not overbuy
This is the most common bad habit scrapbookers have. I am guilty of this.
Try to maximize your button purchases as you wont be able to use the old stuff that you accumulated if you would not stop buying.

4. Organize your buttons according to color
Take a look in your stash and organize your buttons.You would be surprise to know that you have enough stock to last a lifetime.lol!

5. Buy buttons with simple but funky and elegant style
When you buy buttons make sure that you are picking designs that can be used in a lot of paper and color variaton. My favorite is Basic Grey and Such Sweet Tierney Buttons. Ok forgive me with this shameless promotion but I admire how London pours a lot of time and effort in her buttons. Such Sweet Tierney buttons are not just made with funky colors but they are made with stunning designs. Check the link to their Etsy Shop and you wont be sorry that you read this far.lol!

I hope this post would somehow inspire you to try this scrapbook idea in your scrapbook layout.

Scrapbook Layout Ideas and Scrapbook Ideas

2009-09-30T18:57:00.011+09:00

In this post I will discuss how scrapbook layout ideas and scrapbook ideas help you reinvent and formulate your own scrapbooking techniques.

Scrapbook idea is your impression or intention on how to design your scrapbook layouts. And like scrapbooking techniques, scrapbooking ideas are endless.

How they are connected? Because of creative ideas running in your head, you will come up of scrapbooking layout ideas. The next issue, is how to execute these ideas and put into actualization-hence, scrapbooking techniques.

Basic Scrapbooking Flow;

Scrapbook Ideas > Scrapbooking Techniques > Scrapbook Layout Idea>Scrapbook Layouts >Scrapbooking Albums

This flow will explain clearly on the scrapbook related tasks you should plan before making a scrapbook layout. For beginners or novice scrappers, this sound too complicated but dont worry as I will explain everything to all of you. Sometimes a certain idea or thing like scrapbooking gets complicated because of information overload so I will try to explain this as simple as I can. If you are an advance scrapbooker, please excuse me if my topics would sound too easy for you.

Base on the above flow, Scrapbook Ideas are the base of your scrapbooking albums. If you are just starting to learn scrapbooking, and reading this blog, well I bet you are a bit confuse on how and where to start. I assumed you already know the definition of scrapbooking and I assumed you have some photos already. Choosing what photos to use is a part of scrapbook ideas!

As I said, scrapbook idea is anything you think or come up with to design/make your scrapbooking layouts.

Lets have an example;

For instance I want to scrap about my wedding pictures. Picking my best pictures and how I decide to present each memories I want is simply a scrapbook idea!

Of course, the more scrapbook ideas,the better! You dont want to stop there. It is then you will decide on color theme and photo placement. Again, this is one kind of scrapbook idea.

To avoid confusion, a scrapbooker should remember that there is a thin line separating scrapbook idea and scrapbooking techniques.

Lets translate the above flow in application;

Choosing Photos/Photo Placement/ > Making a digital sketch/ Color Challenge,etc > Using more ideas to complete your page > Scrapbook Layouts > Scrapbooking Albums

Ok lets discuss each step;

1. Scrapbooking Ideas- Choosing Photo/ Photo Placement/etc.
I will discuss about this further on my next post
2. Scrapbooking Techniques - When you think of photo placement you think of techniques on how to execute this idea, so making a digital sketch or using a sketch is one of the basic scrapbooking techniques. Again, scrapbooking techniques are endless so I will not indulge myself to list them here. Though, I am planning to make a scrapbooking techniques compilation soon!
3.Scrapbook Layout Idea- again scrapbooking ideas and scrapbook page idea have a very thin line separation. They are almost the same except that scrapbook page idea tend to focuss more on ideas that could be visible and possible to your WIP(work in progress) scrapbook layout.
ex. You think of an idea on how to make your page more appealing, so you decided to add more of texture

This is when you reinvent scrapbooking techniques and create your own brand new techniques.

Dont confuse yourself, what I am trying to explain here is there are stages that you have to be familiar with to avoid intimidation of this hobby. I am speaking base on experience.lol!

4. Scrapbook Layouts- your finish product.

5. Scrapbooking Albums- this is the last stage that I think is a vital step. You want to complie your pages and ensure that your scrapbook layouts will be safely organized. After all,you dont want to waste hours planning and creating your pages and get neglected after you finished it.
I have a lot of important things to share with you in terms of scrapbooking albums but I guess it has to be a separate post. Meanwhile, you have to remember this golden rule;

Golden Rule: Scrapbooking Layouts are basically meant to be stored in Scrapbooking Albums. Help yourself by ensuring that you have the perfect albums ready for your scrapbook pages.

I had problems looking for 12 x 12 scrapbooking albums here in Japan and if I only knew how hard and costly it would cause me, I should have created smaller scrapbook layouts.

Again, you are the artist so you decide on what scrapbooking albums you will use.

Thats all for today!

What is Basic Scrapbooking Techniques?

2009-09-29T19:50:00.010+09:00

Scrapbooking Techniques are techniques you want to master in order to accomplish pleasing scrapbook layouts.

I have been scrapping for nine months already and blogging about it here for 6 months now. Never did I discuss well about scrapbooking techniques. So here it is.

Lets start by asking ourselves; What is Scrapbooking Techniques? Lets break down this two word phrase.

Scrapbooking is the process of capturing,storing and saving your life moments in the form of scrapbook layouts or scrapbook pages. This layouts varies from different sizes but the 12x12 and 8.5x11 layouts are among the favorites. I personally prefer 8x8 scrapbook layouts though.

Techniques,on the other hand, are procedures/strategies needed to perform or realize a certain goal.

In short, Scrabooking Techniques are procedures and strategies needed to put your scrapbooking into realization/actualization.

Notice that I put emphasis on realization and actualization. This means that scrapbooking techniques fulfill your urge to scrap those memories inside your head by putting it in realization thru your scrapbook pages.

And since you are the one who decide on how and what to preserve among your million memories/moments in life, scrapbooking techniques that can be used in your scrapbook layouts are endless. Sky is the limit! You create your own and unique scrapbook layouts,hence unique scrapbooking techniques.

Scrapbooking Techniques intimidate a lot of people especially novice scrappers. The following point should be considered in order to understand more about this topic and avoid self intimidation;

1. Scrapbooking Techniques are defined as techniques used to create scrapbook layouts.
If you used hand stitching to create the scrapbook page you wanted,then you just implemented a scrapbooking technique. What I am trying to say is, you are the one who will and solely decide on what scrapbooking techniques you want to use on your scrapbook pages. Hence, there are rooms for mistakes/improvemments.

2. Put in your mind that YOU are the designer of your scrapbook layouts.
It is normal to designers to have their own definition and procedures on how a scrapbook layout should be done. Thus, your own scrapbook techniques are always welcome and encouraged.

3. Dont be obliged to try scrapbooking techniques that you dont feel doing.
Even if a certain scrapbooking technique is the talk of the town,who cares?You are building your own "life moments album" and your style should not be dependent with what others recommend but with how you want to materialize your scrapbook layouts. Scrapbooking Techniques will not be as evolving as it is now if all scrapbookers would just mimic on what other scrappers do.

4. Reinvent existing scrapbooking techniques.
Individuals are born different and unique with each other.Therefore, scrapbookers have different taste and preferences. Use your personal taste,preferences,likes and ideas on your scrapbook layouts. Dont push yourself on trying to perfect a certain scrapbooking techniques. Instead reinvent this scrapbooking techniques to suit your preferences and abilities.

5. Be patient and let yourself work around these scrapbooking techniques.
As the old saying goes, Patience is a virtue. Be patient to yourself while you learn and explore more about scrapbooking. Dont over stress yourself by trying to learn everything in one sitting.

6. Challenge yourself by formulating your own Scrapbooking Techniques.
Level up your eagerness by challenging yourself in coming up with your own scrapbooking techniques. Again, time is an important factor. Dont be depressed if you couldnt come up complicated and super fabulous techniques.

7. Strengthen the scrapbooking techniques in you.
Creating scrapbook layouts involving scrapbook techniques regulate your mind and state to create and apply more of these formula. Hence, try to strengthen your strong points and work on your weak sides. I will discuss more on how you can strengthen your scrapbooking techniques junkie in you on my next post.

I will end my post on these seven points to ponder about scrapbooking techniques.

And as I love to hear from fellow scrappers out there, please dont hesitate to leave me your comments and questions regarding scrapbooking techniques.

Scrapbook Idea:Photoshop Image Tweaking

2009-09-23T10:27:00.028+09:00

Scrapbooking is incomplete without learning image tweaking. Hence,one of scrapbook idea I find useful is learning Photoshop.

Today's post is a review about the "Other Methods of Image Tweaking" written by Jonathan Spencer. The article discusses methods on how you can tweak your images in Photoshop. Moreover, it provides a step by step guide in order to execute each method.

Why do we have to tweak/enhance our photos in Photoshop?
Many scrapbookers like me will agree that Photoshop can be a vital investment to learn and explore. Why? Because Photoshop provides various ways on how to edit our pictures.
Remember: A good photo makes our scrapbook layouts stand out.

There are a lot of methods on how to tweak your images in Photoshop. The article presented various ways to tweak your image;

Now, lets discuss each method the article presented.

1. Creating a New Layer and Filling it With Color
-this method makes the detail/subject stands out in your photos by filling a new layer with 50% gray. For the step by step guide to perform this action,check it here.

Here is my attempt of this method;

Before Image

After Image
Method 1

2. Contrast Masking
- this method is use to control the contrast level in your pictures by using contrast mask. Check how to use a contrast mask to enhance your images.

Before Image

After Image
Method 2

3. Warming and Cooling Filters Effect
- this technique shows how you can use warming or cooling effect to tweak your images. This is done mainly by adding a new layer and filling it up with colors like orange (warming effect) or blue (cooling effect).

Before Image

After Image
Method 3

4. Dealing with dust and noise in your image
- this method show how you can use Photoshop's History Palette and History Brush to enhance your images.

5. Unsharp Masking Filter
- this is another way to tweak your image by different sharpening options available in Photoshop. Unsharp Mask is the most used option as explained by the author using different control aspects.

6. High Pass Filter
- in this technique, photo is enhance using the High Pass Filter of Photoshop. You can try this method by following these easy steps.

Conclusion:
This article clearly provides other ways on tweaking your images in Photoshop. Please remember that results may vary base in your image quality and your level of opacity in each steps. You may want to check the author's recomendation of opacity levels and some control setting in each methods.

Note: Actual application is required to learn the effect of each action explained in this article.

You may want to try these methods and observe the variations/effect that appeal to your taste.

I strongly recommend that you save each template for future reference. This will allow you to save your time and effort.

What is the best method that works for your scrapbook layouts?

Do you find this as a useful scrapbooking technique?

Scrapbooking Techniques;Your 2 Cents?

2009-09-22T08:49:00.010+09:00

Today I will talk about scrapbooking techniques and all my ramblings about it. This might be a long and boring post,so I hope you would grab a cuppa and finished reading till the end. Remember, patience is a virtue.lol!

The past month was the most challenging month I had ever since I dove in scrapbooking. Why? Its because a lot of thoughts speak inside my mind and I know some of them were ignored for the past nine months. What thoughts you asked? Well most are scrappy and carfty thoughts!

One of the major aspect I feel vital in this hobby is the scrapbooking techniques aspect. Yeah,that explains my title. Scrapbooking techniques, evolved a long way from the early beginnings of scrapbooking. It is correct to conclude that the sky is only the limit for scrapbooking techniques.

A novice scrapper might feel overfed by the ideas in many scrapbooking blogs and forums. Dont get me wrong with the word overfed . Let me explain more about this thought.

Internet has been our online library. We often find ourselves opening our Google Page everytime we want to search for new ideas. There are about 18 million sites that cater on topics about scrapbooking and 807 thousand sites that discuss scrapboooking techniques alone.

Sometimes I feel over loaded with information.lol! I saw a lot of amazing scrapbook techniques and ideas applied in a scrapbook layout from different sites. In fact, most of my time is consumed in blog hopping. (Bad!lol!)

Yet, at the end of the day, I feel something is missing. Its like a merry-go-round ride. And subconsciously I feel exhausted.

Am I the only one like this?

How many scrappers out there like me,who feel the same?

Do you find something is missing too?

These are the questions I tried to answer the past weeks. I am compiling my discussions about this idea and will keep you updated.

Moreover, I challenge you to voice out any ideas you may be having in your thoughts.

Please leave me your 2 cents or questions and I will try to answer them. Isnt it fun to have scrappy discusions once in a while?lol!

Here is my main question for all of you darls;

Do you enjoy scrapbooking tecniques blogs? Why?

Have you felt the information overload syndrome?

Do you feel that something is missing with these scrapbooking blogs?

Thanks so much for reading till the end!

Cant wait to hear from you all!

Who Wants Pink Paislee for Free?

2009-09-15T19:08:00.007+09:00

Hey darls!! I know I have been MIA-ing the past days and I owe a lot of stuff here for you. I have been working with some scrapbooking ideas and techniques for you. The problem is I am really busy with my personal life at the moment. But I am really hoping to have time again for my blogs and online friends this week. Fingers cross!

Meantime, lemme share to you some exciting news about WeScrap. I resigned already as a Design Team of the site but I am so excited to see some great things they are offering for their members!

Yes We Scrap is now open to all and you dont have to pay any membership fee!!!

How awesome is that? And of course yoou dont wanna miss a giveaway like this;

Free Amber Road Pink Paislee Collection- Check it here!

They are rocking the forum with some cool challenges and crops with awesome PRIZES!!

1. School of Scrap Contest
2. ABC Card Crop

Check them out and let them know that you heard it from the crazy ME.lol!

Will have to run now sweeties!!!

Will be back with some crafty stuff soon!

Scrapbook Auction for a Cause!

2009-09-04T17:37:00.004+09:00

Hello everyone. I am so sorry if Im a slacker in updating my blogs nowadays. I have a lot of stuff running in my head aside from my random ramblings I am currently invloved in.loL!

In short, life is rocking me BIG TIME and people responsible are driving me nuts. With this in the background, my creative juices are stagnant. Yucky stage!

Enough of me. Today, I want to share a link of a fellow scrapper whom I think I should have shared to all of you long time ago. Her name is Anam. It will not be surprising if you knew her already as she has been designing to big sites such as Prima.

With this being said, our dear Anam is currently seeking for our help. I want you to learn more about her story so you better check the real deal here.

I feel her sincerity and I am so wiling to help. That is why I am linking it here for you my fellow readers to visit her and know more about her family and amazing works.

I really hope that in the love of scrapbooking, we would continue to inspire each other.

Thanks for reading darls!

I will have to run and be back in full force once I fix the bugs surrounding me right now.

Thanks again for your patience!

Big hugs!

100% American Crafts Scrapbook Layout

2009-08-27T08:59:00.011+09:00

One of the basic scrapbooking techniques I find useful for scrapbook beginners is using scrapbooking kit or scrapbooking supplies from same manufacturer.

The scrapbook layout below is 100% made up of American Crafts.

They have this challenge,and I just jumped in. Yippee!! So much inspo at their blog.

Please click on image to view larger image
Title: bbq

This picture is one of my favorite pictures taken this summer when we had our barbecue party.

Some closer details. Warning: I love hand stitching,does it show?lol!

Please click on image to view larger image

how cute are those stickers,love how they give texture to your page!

This page also showcase another scrapbooking technique which is hand stitching.

So I guess my absence for a week is justified as hand stitching could really take me to far away land.heheehhe!!!

My Mind's Eye Challenge

2009-08-21T13:37:00.009+09:00

At last Im back! lol. The holiday was over here in Japan and life was back to normal since last Wednesday. But the wifey part of me didnt allow much of internet time unless the laundry/cleaning/cooking was done. Wheew!! I finished the final batch of procrastinated laundry and coooked decent food for DH good until tomorrow.Ahah!heehehehe!

I was itching to scrap since last week but the said holiday madness hindered me to do so. *wink* So when I saw this challenge posted at My Minds Eye blog, excitement caught me. Its a sketch challenge and we are asked to use PageMap Sketch. I have some left over of My Minds Eye from different lines and gee I had a ball doing this lo. Why? This is my first two pager lo! Nah...not the first actually,rather my second time. I made my first lo during my 3rd month in scrapping and those were the days were I am in a haze...lol! See for yourself later at this post.

Here is my entry.

Title: One of A Kind Boy

Please click on image to view larger image

Materials Used: My Minds Eye 29th Street Market PP, My Minds Eye Breaking Free PPs, My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow PPs and diecuts, Cosmo Cricket chipboard

I hand stitched everything.I enjoyed the texture and layering of different papers that I used here. This layout is made up of My Mind's Eye except for my title Boy and the mischievous chipboard from Cosmo Cricket...should I say 98% My Minds Eye loving!hehehee!

I am still a prisoner of some cleaning and cooking. And my blog's HTML codes still haunting me so I will be back soon....as soon as I am 100 percent finish with these mess.lol!

Hugs darls!!!

Thanks for looking.

Basic Grey's Gallery Submission

2009-08-14T10:42:00.010+09:00

Yay!!! How are you all cheekies? I have been MIA-ing since last Wednesday coz its Obon Holiday here in Japan. A one week holiday! Hooray!

Just want to share my first layout approved in Basic Grey's Gallery. Its my first time to submit and yay!lol! This layout was made for Scraptivity Forum when I joined the Scrap Around the World in 80 Days Contest.

Materials Used: Basic Grey Lime Rickey, Basic Grey Chipboard stickers, Such Sweet Tierney buttons

Thanks for letting me share darls! hehehehe!

My WeScrap Make your Own Sketch Challenge is up! Please check it here.

I am working on my next tutorial for you and will soon be back next week!

Big hugs darls!

Scrapbook Layout Sketch #4

2009-08-08T08:37:00.014+09:00

Hiya cheekies!!! How are you all? Hows your weekend? Anything scrappy about your day. Please share something crafty or any link you might find inspiring for a craft addict like me. ME badly need some inspo at the moment.lol!

I want to share to you a Sketch Challenge that I started at Scrapbook Kit Club for the month of August. The sketch was provided by me. Yay! See Im addicted!

Here is the sketch;

Layout Sketch#4

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Here is my example. Also, I prepared a step by step tutorial on how to make this layout and you can check it here. The materials used in this layout are all from Scrapbook Kit Club August Kit. Its so rocking with a lot of yummo goodies plus a 6x6 AC mini album. Order yours here.

Please click on image to view larger image

Materials Used: Scrapbook Kit Club August Kit

Thanks for looking sweeties!!! I hope you could have some time to check the forum and my tutorial.

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Announcement:
My next tutorial for all of you will be uploaded in a few days from now so make sure to prepare some of your SB packaging materials. A Prima SB packaging would be awesome!

Till next time sweeties! Big hugs to all of you.

Have a great weekend!

Scrapboook Layout Sketch#5

2009-08-05T19:14:00.009+09:00

Using a scrapbook layout sketch is one of the most useful scrapbooking techniques. I consider it as a technique because using a sketch makes your scrapbooking a lot easier!

Update: Last week, I finished a fabric minialbum again with a little twist from my other fabric albums.lol! I am planning to share them to all of you once its I am allowed to. I know that you are not forgetting my fabric mini album tutorial. I hope you could really extend your patience with me guys.

On the good news, after 2 weeks of almost crafting and ignoring my "scrapping a scrapbook layout" cravings, I managed to finished a scrapbook layout today. Its based on my Scrapboook Layout Sketch #5. Yay! Yeah! I have been making sketches and that's the explanation why its #5. I am planning to offer them here for all of you. See I am really wanting to thank my readers and friends. And I hope sharing my simple scrapbook ideas here would help you to be creative or would inspire you to create something a day.

Note: I am still learning so bear with my flaws.lol!

Scrapbook Layout Sketch #5

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Materials Used: Mlle Héloïse Free Digi Kit

And here is my layout using it. Its inspired by Label Tulip July Challenge.

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Title: R First

We are asked to scrap about the most exciting part of our life and the clueless lover me shouts for our first wedding anniversary as the answer. I used my Label Tulip prize kit here and they are really awesome!

Here is a card out of left over papers with the same sketch.

Thanks for looking.

Please feel free to use my Scrapbook Layout Sketch #5 in any way you please be it contest or for your business stuff. All I wish is that I hope you could let me know so I could visit your works for more inspiration!!! The more the merrier!

Thanks again darls! Big hugs!

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Watch out for my next tutorial. Prepare any scrapbooking materials packaging because our next crafty project is all about recycling.

Funky Christmas and a Tutorial

2009-07-26T09:25:00.011+09:00

How is your weekend darls? Hope you are all having a great time. Thanks for your kind words about my fabric tutorial. I am working on them and soon be available here.

See more info on my first tutorial below this post.

Our Christmas in July Crop has started and you might be interested to check it out. There are a lot of challenges and tutorials.

Seriously, I am a bummer when it comes to Christmas as I am not a Catholic and here in Japan Christmas day is not a holiday. So last year, I had only one picture of me and Yoshi taken on December 24th.

I thought to challenge the girlsto be on their funkiest yet artsy mood while making a layout. They can use any of their stash,no particular requirement.The only thing is that they should use their funky instinct.heheheheh!

And Yahoo!!!I made my first tutorial for all of you. Check it out card organizer tutorial. You can find it also at WeScrap forum.

Card Organizer Tutorial

2009-07-25T09:41:00.004+09:00

Scrapbooking Techniques: How to maximize your scrapbook supplies

Yahoo for my first tutorial here!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your encouraging words about my fabric minialbum tutorial and rest assured that I am working with them. I dont want to keep you waiting so I am gonna offer this project for all of you.

Before anything else, I have a few request and reminder;

1. Please bear with my English....lol!

2. I am not good in making instructions.

3. Forgive my not so good pictures as I find it hard to take pictures with my left hand.lol!

4. I still need to master PS, so bear with my diagram.

5. If there is anything that confused you, please ask me and I will try my best to asnwer them.

5. Please let me know what you think about my tut (this is the most important thing since I want to improve this experience for all of us)

Here it is!!!!!

Card Organizer Tutorial
- a project that will let you organize your cards and recycle old stuff/stash

Please click on image to view larger image

WeScrap July Kit, Sassafrass PP, Such Sweet Tierney Buttons, Sassafrass stickers

Materials To be Used:

1. old box-similar to a shoe box
2. kraft cardstock or any sturdy cardstock- 8 to 9 pcs
3. pattern paper
4. embellishment- not a requirement
5. Manila folders- 2 to 3 pcs.
6. Double sided tape- any adhesive
7. bone folder
8. scissor
9. ruler
10. pencil

Procedures:

1. Gather your materials.

2. Grab your old shoe box. Mine is a mobile phone box so its a bit shorter than the normal shoe box.

3. To make the inside compartment, you should decide first on your desired dimension.
Mine is about 5.8 in width, 5 inches in height and 1 inches on bottom and side panels.

4. To make the same size as mine just follow the measurements that I will give you.

5. Take your Kraft Paper -mine is an 8.5 x 11

6. Mark the center points of your paper. Please refer to the diagram.

7. From the center, measure the desired width you want for your compartments. Make sure that it will fit in your shoe box.
ex. mine is 5.8 in width so I will measure 2.4 inches from the center to the right and 2.4 inches from the center to the left.

8. You should have now the green part on the diagram.

9. Score on the edges of the green part. Use a bone folder or a ruler.

10. Determine the center 1 inch of your paper. This is the yellow part on the diagram.

11. Again, score on the edges of the yellow part.

Note: make sure that your yellow part and brown part on the edges has equal width.Mine is 1 inch so I needed to cut a little on both left and right edges.

12. Cut on the lines where you see the word "Cut here" on the diagram. Be careful.Look closely on the diagram if you are confuse.

13. You should have this cut part like in the picture.

14. Do the same thing on the other side.

15. After cutting, your paper should look like this.

16. Start assembling your compartment.Put adhesive tape to attach the side panels.

17. Try if your compartment perfectly fit inside your shoe box.
18. Make 6 to 7 more compartments depending on the size of your main box.
19. Put all your compartments inside. Your organizer should look like this now.

20. Now lets make the tabs. Get your manila folder and use the part with precut tab on it.

21. Make sure that the tab part will be clearly visible once you insert it in the box.

22. Cut according to desired dimension.Now you have your first tab.

23. Use it as a template to create more depending on the number of your compartments.

24. Decorate your tabs. My card organizer is divided base on card types.

Viola! You have your card organizer!

WeScrap July Kit, Sassafrass PP, Such Sweet Tierney Buttons, Sassafrass stickers

I hope you enjoy the tutorial and try to make one too. Again,dont forget my simple requests at the top of this post.

Cant wait for your creations!

Stay tuned for my next tutorials!

Scrapbook Kit Club

2009-07-22T12:27:00.015+09:00

Hiya cheekies! Before I bring you the good news, I want to ask again if you would be interested to see tutorials here in my blog. What about a tut on how to make fabric albums like these;

Please click on image to view larger image

Just let me know...will be waiting for your feedback.

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I am so thrilled and happy when Amber of Scrapbook Kit Club asked me to be their Guest DT on August. I love the kit so much. Its rocking with the latest sb stuff plus a 6x6 minialbum. This time I created my dream los. I have been dreaming to create simple yet stunning los. Guess I need practice more.lol!

Told you they are all simple. I managed to do simple matching cards with them too.

I still have a lot of the kit and I am planning play more with the vintage stuff and minialbum included.

To know more about this kit,please check it out here. Im sure you will love it!

Thanks so much Amber!

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Christmas in July Crop is here already! Hop in at WeScrap Forum to see the fab challenges and awesome tutorials we are having.

Here are some sneak peek of my challenge layout.

Scrapbook Craft: Making your Own Journal

2009-07-15T10:25:00.008+09:00

Yay! I know you are all as excited as me to finally share my good news that I have started here. Remember when I said that I am working on my second journal. I created it for Artz De Scrap. It is a blog full of inspiration for altered projects. The site is oozzing with yummo tutorials, RAKs, and talented Design Team. I am so stoked when Felicia invited me to be their July Inspirational Scrapper. I decided to make a journal for my daily thoughts. Its an easy project but I believe that having a journal- something that will inspire you to write- is an essential part of our lives. Documenting our moments couldnt be more detailed with a pen and a handmade journal.

You can see the tutorial here.

Please click on image to view larger imageMaterials Used: Left over papers, Such Sweet Tierney buttons,AC Thickers,felt images,O Wire

I hope that this simple journal would inspire you to create your won. And of course, I wanna see it. Just leave me a comment and I will visit your place. You also wanna share it with Artz De Scrap.

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Some eye candy for you folks! Please let me know if you might be interested for a tutorial on how to make this stuff...will be waiting for your thoughts!

Please click on image to view larger image

Thanks for your inspiring comments darls! Big big hugs.

Christmas in July!

2009-07-11T12:24:00.009+09:00

Yes you've read it right! WEScrap is having its Christmas in July Crop. Join us and prepare yourself for a fab Christmas this year!

We are brewing a lot of cool stuff for you guys and I hope you could check it out. Just click on the ad and it will bring you to the forum. Or you might wanna try joining the forum now. Check it out here.

We have the July Challenges up for you and of course the icing part is the PRIZE to be won.

Here is my July Challenge- July 3 - Write Your Thoughts

Are you like me who is just stuck with words and journalling in your los and works?

Why not make your own journal that will inspire you to write your thoughts- write your moments.

This notebook is made out of leftover papers and random stash.

Materials Used: Scenic Route Kraft paper, Such Sweet Tierney buttons, Hambly Rubons, leftover papers from my stash, craft envelopes

Cant wait on your fab journals peeps!

You may want to stay tuned for more exciting things about journal stuff I am creating. Prizes for grab!

Scrapbooking Layouts and Some Cards

2009-07-08T20:11:00.015+09:00

Since my last anniversary gift set project for my husband, I find myself dragging my feet to scrap...Yay! You know the times that you are itching to scrap and you are seeing a lot of inspo and you are really hoping that it will lift you up but it did inspire you in a way yet you cant seem to put those in your pages...seems nothing is working like what you have imagined...lol..Do I make sense? Coz that is what I feel since last week.

In fact, in my attempt to create more, I joined Cookin up Creations Count Em Up Challenge for July. Yay! The girls made me create yet I must admit I am still not on my "mojo me".

I made 3 layouts, two of them using a sketch and I should say I dont like how they turned out...big sigh!

I used Becky's Sketch here from Scrapbook Capital Forum.

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I used Kim's Sketch here for Cocoa Daisy June Scraplift Challenge.

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And this one, I made my own sketch and use it here..Yay I really losing my insanity on how my pages are going so far...help!lol!

This time I apply the challenge set by Origin at Cookin up Creations.

7/5 Let's count off some summer fun! Create a layout with a (1) word title, (2) buttons, (3) circles, (4) different PP's, and (5) lines of journaling.

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Materials Used: BG PPs, Such Sweet Tierney button, Sassafrass stickers and journalling

I have a lot of projects and scrapping stuff on my mind but I am really procrastinating it,afraid of creating another "didnt like how it turned out" stuff again! bugger!

My left over papers stash is screaming at me so I am serious of getting rid off them by making cards everyday...yeah!

This is base on Linda's sketch at Write Click Scrapbook.

I used Sketch 86 by Got Sketch here.
And lastly, a card made using my own sketch...wheew!lol!

P.s. I still have a lot of left over papers and I think I have enough papers for cards this year.Nice!

Chat later hun! Thanks for your kind words!

Scrapbook Page Layouts And Simple Cards

2009-07-07T09:05:00.016+09:00

When we are running out of scrapbook layout ideas, we could try diverting our attention to scrapbook craft. Here I tried doing some simple cards using Kraft paper.

First, I just wanna show a card that I made yesterday out of left over scrapbook papers. I used a card sketch from Inspirational Card Sketches- IC Sketches #23.

I so love how did it turned out..lol! I mean you know how much I am a bummer when it comes to card.

My good friend, Robin set a challenge at Scrapbook Kit club to create a scrapbook layout or a card with eyelet.I didn't like much how this card turned out..lol!

I shared these cards to Cookin Up Creations too! Check the details of the Count Em Up Challenge they are having here.

Now to scrapbook layouts, I joined the BOxx CC and I had a blast. Here are my works;

You might want to check Cookin Up Creations Count Em Up Challenge. They will get your scrappy nerves on the go! See you there!

I have to run now darls..chat later!

Scrapbook Craft: Anniversary Gift Set

2009-06-26T11:12:00.013+09:00

Hiya cheekies! I have been so busy with the past days doing some scrapbook layouts and as the title says,thinking of a perfect handmade gift for my beloved Yoshi for our first wedding anniversary tomorrow. Yay! I have been so busy too with the laundry. Yeah! Yoshi and I were surprised to see that all clothes in our closet - mostly winter clothes had powdery fungus. Bugger! So I have to wash them all and I had to bring my coat to a dry clean shop. This coat is expensive plus its a Christmas gift from Yoshi so I dont want to danage it. Yesterday I finished the last batch of the clothes and tonight I will spend my time folding them...Grrr!lol!

Enough of useless ramblings..hehheheh! On to the good part, I finished my anniversary gift for DH! Yahoo! My gift set was inspiredby the GDT Challenge at Scrap That. Check out the forum for more details of the contest. It is a monthly contest. The challenge is to incorporate circles. Since I just finished a circle layout for DH, I decided to make altered item, a card and of course a box to hold them. Here it is;

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A closer detail of the circle card and box that I made.

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And of course the most important part is the inside of the box.

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I made an altered frame which is a replica of my circle layout. It has a sentiment on the middle- I Love You Yoshi.

Also, I altered a coaster to make this circle mini album. Just a few pages of my fave pics. Did you see the front page? I am so drooling on the lace cardstock that I used here. And I have to thanks Michelle for sending a fab RAK with that lace paper.Thanks again babe!

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I hope DH would enjoy these handmade gift since I am broke at the moment...heheheh!

Thanks for looking darls! Dont forget to check Scrap That Forum for more challenges.

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I finished a project for a certain site..shhhhh...secret!heheheheh!

Till next time sweeties!

Finally A Scrapbook Layout

2009-06-23T19:24:00.010+09:00

Hi peeps! How are you? Just wanna share you a scrapbook layout I made for WeScrap June Challenge this month. Every month, each DT member prepares a challenge to give members a lil push for their scrapping mojos. And RAKs and Prizes are in order of course. Visit the forum and check out the fabulous challenges we have.

I have been addicted to paint since last month and this lo started my addiction to use more paint on my los;

Painting circles are very in at the moment and I will share you some links that inspires me more about this technique;

1. OWL
2. The Next Step
3. my co DT Jeremy - this one really rocks!

With these inspirations, I finished this layout.

Title: Finally

Close-up of the journalling
Materials Used: BG pp, Such Sweet Tierney Designs buttons, acrylic paint,left over papers

To draw the circles, I used a toilet paper rim instead of glass as my template.

London creates funky and fab buttons that will really inspire your creativity. Grab them here.

Off to do some cleaning darls!