52 Good Scrapbook Ideas

Valentine Scrapbooking 2011

2011-02-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

It's very close to Valentine's Day 2011, and I apolgize for not posting this sooner. Of course, you can always make a scrapbook for your valentine any time of the year! Here are some valentine's day themed scrapbooking papers.

First is a collection pack from BoBunny Press with eighteen 12" x 12" sheets of double sided designer paper including journaling card paper, and one sheet of coordinating cardstock stickers. A scrapbook paper pack is a great way to get a scrapbook finished fast.

Another new set of designer scrapbook papers for Valentines albums is from K and Company: Valentine Paper Pad with 36 double-sided papers.

Echo Park has their Be Mine Collection pack with twelve 12 x 12 double-sided papers, one sheet of alphabet stickers and a sheet of elements stickers:

A new BasicGrey album with an interesting red cover would work well for your scrapbook: BasicGrey - Basics Collection - 12 x 12 Album - Red

Since I am so late with this post, I'll stop here and let you go look at some nice scrapbooking papers and albums for your Valentine's Day scrapbooks. You can find more scrapbooking supplies at My Art and Craft Supplies and albums at All Scrapbook Albums.

Happy scrappin!

Happy Halloween Scrapbooking 2010

2010-10-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween 2010 and time for one of the most fun holidays for finding scrapbooking themes. Get your spooky scrapbook designs ready for all the fun photos and keepsakes from this most entertaining holiday.

Bo Bunny Press has a couple of colorful papers in their Spooktastic Collection: Spooktastic Batty and Spooktastic Haunted.

Graphic 45 has the most fun paper - a take off of Alice in Wonderland with a Halloween twist with their Halloween in Wonderland Collection: Which has several designs including a fanciful playing card theme with dragons, the famous rabbit, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Queen, the Cheshire Cat and all of the favorite Alice in Wonderland characters.

I also want to recommend a new scrapbook album from BasicGrey - Basics Collection with a swirly design on the cover that will add some flair to suit a Halloween theme:

So, take some great photos of your family and friends this Halloween 2010 and make a scrapbook to share your memories!

Easter 2010 Scrapbooking

2010-03-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

Easter 2010 is arriving on April 4th. That seems early to me - but I always find it hard to keep track of which day Easter will be. So, it's time to look at some Easter scrapbooking papers.

Something new - the We R Memory Keepers 12 x 12 Hippity Hoppity Collection Cardstock Pad:

We R Memory Keepers - Hippity Hoppity Collection - Easter - 12 x 12 Textured Cardstock Pad

Or, if you need to buy a kit - this one has 12 x 12 paper, die cuts and stickers with an Easter theme:

Three Bugs In a Rug - Little Chick Collection - Caboodle Kit

These cute papers are from Best Creation, Inc. (seems like this would be ideal for a scrapbook about your child's Easter)

Here is one that has a spring green paper with bunnies:

Best Creation Inc - Easter Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Glitter Paper - Easter Bunny

Or how about pastel shades and dots -well in this case they are egg shapes - I love patterned papers like this!

American Crafts - Dear Lizzy Spring Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper with Glitter Accents - Blissful Bunny

Here is another Dear Lizzy Spring/Easter paper with a floral design:

American Crafts - Dear Lizzy Spring Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Flowering Fields

Speaking of floral, this is a pretty 12 x 12 scrapbook album with a spring theme that could be used for an Easter scrapbook album:

BasicGrey - Green at Heart Collection - 12 x 12 Album

So, have a very happy Easter 2010 everyone - and make a pretty scrapbook to remember it by!

Valentine Scrapbooking 2010

2010-01-27T17:59:00.000-08:00

It's a new year in a new decade - and time to think about your Valentine's Day scrapbooks. Scrapbooking in 2010 is so great - and there are plenty of choices for a memory book for the one you love - or for all the people you love.

This is a great choice: American Crafts - 12 x 12 Bulk Cardstock Pack - 60 Sheets - Valentine

This gives you a selection of cardstock in red, pink, magenta and all those warm colors you need for the holiday of love.

For single sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, I really love this one from BasicGrey:

BasicGrey Bittersweet Collection 12 x 12 Paper - Ganache

The following paper is a totally new line of Little Yellow Bicyle papers from Deja Views C-thru company. This one is nice!

Deja Views - C Thru - Little Yellow Bicycle - Sweet Love Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Shimmer Paper - Big Love

Here is a video about another new product line: K and Company Ka-Zoo Valentine Collection:

Here is a paper pack of the new line: K and Company - Ka-Zoo Valentine Collection - 12 x 12 Silhouettes Die Cut Paper Pack

These great papers and paper packs are sure to get you started with ideas for your Valentine's Day scrapbooking! Have fun...

Christmas Scrapbooking - Paper Kits

2009-12-09T22:24:00.001-08:00

Making a Christmas memory book is an awesome way to celebrate the spirit of the season with your family. Here are some nice scrapbooking papers for a holiday or Christmas scrapbook. These are paper packs and kits that include multiple sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbooking paper. The paper pack concept is great for buying coordinated colors and not having to take extra time buying individual sheets (plus they often save you money).

Fancy Pants Designs - Frosted Collection - Christmas - 12 x 12 Paper Kit

Fancy Pants Designs - Christmas Magic Collection - 12 x 12 Paper Kit

The Frosted Collection or the Chrismas Magic Collection Kits from Fancy Pants include:

Eight sheets of 12" x 12" double sided paper
One cards paper
One titles paper
Two 12" x 12" die cut papers
One sheet of die cut stickers

BasicGrey - Eskimo Kisses Collection - Christmas - Collection Pack

Basic Grey kits include 18 double sided 12” x 12” scrapbook papers, and one sheet each of sheet of coordinating alphabet stickers and cardstock stickers.

For a for a warm holiday vintage look, These Jenni Bowlin cardstock packs include four embossed patterns in five colors.

Jenni Bowlin Studio - Core'dinations Core Impressions - 12 x 12 Embossed Cardstock Pack

You might also like the Cosmo Cricket paper packs: Cosmo Cricket Scrapbook Paper Packs

I hope your holidays are happy and healthy. 'Tis the season to be scrappin' - fa la la la la...

Halloween Scrapbooking 2009 Scrapbook Supplies

2009-09-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

It's feeling like fall and a fun holiday is around the corner - Halloween 2009! I've been scanning the web for scrapbook papers for Halloween scrapbooks. Here are some of the new designs. (I probably don't have to tell you that the best scrapbook papers get sold before Halloween, so don't wait too long if you plan to buy any.)

Some of my selections are pretty patterns, while others have the theme images such as pumpins (jack-o-lanterns), spider webs and other ghoulish things.

Creative Imaginations - Art Warehouse by Danelle Johnson - Harvest Moon Collection - 12 x 12 Flocked Paper - Pumpkin Flourish, BRAND NEW

Deja Views - C-Thru - Little Yellow Bicycle - Trick or Treat Collection - Halloween - 12 x 12 Double Sided Black Metallic Paper - Jack O Lanterns, BRAND NEW

Creative Imaginations - Ghoulies Collection by Helen Dardik - Halloween - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Booo, BRAND NEW

Deja Views - C-Thru - Little Yellow Bicycle - Trick or Treat Collection - Halloween - 12 x 12 Flocked and Glittered Paper - Wicked Web, BRAND NEW

There are some interesting die cut papers too:

Creative Imaginations - Boo Collection - Halloween - 12 x 12 Die Cut Paper - Spiderweb, BRAND NEW

Deja Views - C-Thru - Little Yellow Bicycle - Trick or Treat Collection - Halloween - 12 x 12 Lace-Cut Paper , BRAND NEW

For more Halloween scrapbooking supplies,
check out my favorite place to shop: My Art and Craft Supplies

Dad's Day Scrapbooking

2009-05-28T16:46:00.001-07:00

Scrapbooking for Father's Day

It's just about time to make a scrapbook for your Dad. I like some of the latest stickers I've seen with a Dad's Day theme. These might make a good embellishment for your scrapbooks:

EK Success - Jolee's Boutique - 3 Dimensional Stickers - Dad

Nice! I love the tools theme on these stickers.

EK Success - Jolee's Boutique - 3 Dimensional Stickers - Dad With Title

This covers so much: golfing, fishing, grilling (it's cute, too).

Have you noticed the chipboard album trend? The selection of chipboard albums is better and better. This one says "Father" (it measures 10" x 4") and can be decoratedor painted, and journaling or photos can be added, too.

Carolee's Creations Adornit - Chipboard Album - Father - with Crosshatch Textured Acrylic Skin

More for Dad's and Grads is in a previous post.

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2009-05-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

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Last updated May 28, 2009

Celebrate Grads and Dads

2009-05-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

May and June: Graduation and Father's Day Scrapbooking

It's almost that time for graduation ceremonies! This is an occasion that is so worthy of celebrating with a scrapbook. Funny how this happens every year and yet, there are so few scrapbooking products designed for grads. I keep looking for graduation scrapbooks and paper with a graduate theme. I found some brand new paper, stickers and albums. Fortunately, no one got cute with the product names and made a paper design called Mrs. Robinson! (Sorry, but I can't help thinking about that movie when I see the words "The Graduate.") Here is what is currently available for 2009 graduation scrapbooking:

Make any paper into a graduation theme with these Reminisce
clear stickers:

Some of my favorite graduation designs on scrapbook paper
is this Reminisce
- Graduation Collection - 12 x 12 Flocked Paper - Graduation Day. This design looks almost like an M.C. Escher print!:

Here's a pretty, more subtle design in silver foil:
Reminisce - Graduation Collection - 12 x 12 Foil Paper - Graduation Silver Swirl

Another scrapbook brand with some graduation scrapbook paper
is Creative Imaginations with their:

Grads Rule Collection
- 12 x 12 Varnish Paper - Diploma

Look at this new Karen Foster paper with a graduation theme:

Karen Foster Design - Graduation Collection - 12 x 12 Paper - Commencement
Collage

I realize these designs are supposed to look formal (which is why they used such dark shades) but I like a bit more color. Here are a couple that are brighter in tone. First is by Creative Imaginations:

This graduation paper has softer hues:

Karen Foster Design - Graduation Collection - 12
x 12 Paper - Diploma Day

That is a start for finding paper for grads, now lets look at some for dads! It can be difficult deciding on a Father's day present. A scrapbook could be a great solution - who wouldn't want a scrapbook all about them!?

Give dad a tie for Father's Day in a scrapbook with this
Karen Foster Design paper: Ties Scrapbook Paper

Or make sure your Dad knows he's the number 1 father: Karen
Foster Design - #1 Father

Fancy Pants Designs has a series of double-sided Father's
Day papers with their Papa - Dad - Father - Collection:

Father's Day - Hero

Fancy Pants Designs: Father's Day - Leader

This is a good start of where to find graduation and Father's Day scrapbook papers. I hope to show some stickers and rub-ons in another post. Go on, celebrate with a scrapbook!

Mother's Day Scrapbooking 2009

2009-05-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is around the corner. There is still time for you to make your mom a scrapbook. Here are some pretty scrapbook papers that I thought you might like. The pretty, feminine papers - especially those with floral designs - would appeal to my mom. So, that is what I picked to show in this blog post!

First are some BasicGrey collection packs with pretty floral patterns and coordinated dots, stripes and othe designs in what I consider good Mother's Day colors. I've shown 12 x 12 paper packs, but you can find the 6x6 packs here: BasicGrey Paper Packs & Pads

BasicGrey - Sultry Collection - Collection Pack

BasicGrey - 12 x 12 Sugared Collection Pack - This has some warm hues and a vintage quality that is nice.

BasicGrey - Porcelain Collection - This collection pack is a softly toned set of patterened papers.

I had to add these single sheets of paper examples from Anna Griffin - they look like wallpaper or fabric for elegant sofas!

Anna Griffin - Flora Collection - 12 x 12 Paper - Tree Of Life

Anna Griffin - Flora Collection - 12 x 12 Paper - Flora Botanical Plum

Carolee's Creations Adornit - Mother Collection - Scrapbook Paper - Life's Blessings says it all, so many nice words we all should tell our Mothers

The florists tell us to "say it with flowers." I say, do the same with your srapbooks for Mother's day. It's really not about the paper you use, though - it's about the time and care you put into making something nice as a present to honor your mom!

Easter Scrapbooking 2009

2009-04-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday the 12th of April, 2009 is Easter this year. I've searched around for some nice new Easter Scrapbooking paper and here are my favorites:

Bo Bunny Press - Shabby Princess - Ella Collection

12x12 Double Sided Paper - Ella Toile - Easter - Baby

For Easter or Spring: Reminisce -Happy Easter Collection

12 x 12 Double Sided Shimmer Paper - Cloud Puff

Reminisce - Happy Easter Collection

12 x 12 Double Sided Shimmer Paper - Grasshopper Dots

Carolee's Creations - Adornit - Easter Collection

12 x 12 Paper - Hippity Hop

Doodlebug Design - Bunny Hop Collection - Easter

12 x 12 Accent Paper - Easter Argyle

These reliable brands have more than just one beautiful paper design for you to select from in their Easter collections, so you can go look at each set and buy these complimentary papers for your Easter scrapbooks. I'll add more new papers and some stickers to this page when I get more time.

Until then, Happy spring and Easter scrapbooking!

Post Easter additions: Here are some more Easter scrapbooking papers I didn't have time to add before! Best Creation, Inc. is a fairly new company (for some reason I just discovered it) with pretty paper designs.

Best Creation Inc - Easter Moment Collection

12 x 12 Double Sided Glitter Paper - Spring Flower

St. Patrick's Day Scrapbooking

2009-03-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

It's almost time for St. Patrick's Day scrapbooking. It must be the luck of the Irish, because I found a freebie at http://www.digitalscrapbookingnow.com/ that I had to share (the website said it was ok with them!) Well, I'm only a teeny weeny bit Irish - just enough to be lucky, I guess.

This is the Lucky Ireland digital scrapbooking kit.
See the nice pages below.

Clover Digital Scrapbook Paper - Download Page

Light Clover Digital Scrapbooking Paper - Download Page

Clover or Shamrock Pattern Digital Scrapbook Paper

Ireland Rainbow Digital Scrapbook Page

Lucky Shamrock Paper

I think this one is my favorite! Pale Shamrock Digital Scrapbook Paper

Digital Scrapbooking Paper - Shamrock Echo

Shamrock Perspective Digital Paper

Shamrock Lattice Digital Paper

I really have not seen any Irish or St. Patrick's digital scrapbook kits that are this good (for free, even). So, it's our lucky day and much luck with your scrapbooking for St. Patrick's Day!

Valentine's Day Digital Scrapbooking

2009-02-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to make a note about some digital kits for Valentine's Day. I know some of you are still working on those valentine memories. For digital scrapbookers I found some resources that might help. These are discussed at Digital Scrapbooking Now.

Go check it out! That website also has some digital images for scrapbooking - vintage pictures for scrapbookers to download and use. This cherub would work for a Valentine theme.

So, carry on with your scrapbooks - I just wanted to make sure you could find more resources for your digital creations!

Valentine's Scrapbook Paper - New Papers from We R Memory Keepers

2009-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

In my last post I showed some BasicGrey paper that was just released (read it here). Before I forget to mention a cost saving product, let me remind you about bulk paper packs. There is a nice set of 60 papers (12 x 12) from American Crafts with all the colors for Valentine's Day.

These are also brand new designs but from another manufacturer (We R Memory Keepers) and they are called the Heart Attack Collection.

More Valentine's Day Scrapbook Paper

This blog post will be about the new scrapbook papers from We R Memory Keepers which are here just in time for anyone planning a Valentine's scrapbook.

These are all 12 x 12 double sided papers - shown below are all from the Heart Attack Collection: Adore, Be Mine, Crush, Darling, Flirt, Flutter, and Sweetheart.

I think I like Flirt the best, or maybe Sweetheart? They are all good! There are more of these Heart Attack Collection papers, but I just chose a few to let you see them right away!

I have an older post on this same subject: The Valentine Papers. Some of the products discussed on that one are still available. For 2009, I'm keeping my eye out of more Valentine's papers and will post about those when I find them!

Valentine's Day Scrapbooking - BasicGrey Bittersweet

2009-01-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

It's almost here again - Valentine's Day, which is one of my favorite themes for scrapbooking. I'm going to post several times about this to cover some of the latest scrapbook papers and albums for this romantic holiday.

I just saw the BasicGrey Bittersweet line of scrapbook papers and they are so pretty. The colors and designs of these papers go with their name "bittersweet" which represents all those yummy things like candy, chocolate, truffles, hearts and even maraschino cherries. I love the flourishes in these rub ons:

If you like to buy paper in bulk packs, the BasicGrey Bittersweet Collection comes in a 6 x 6 paper pad or a 12 x 12 bulk paper pack:

Or you can select individual 12 x 12 papers from this cool bittersweet collection: Ganache, Praline, Hand Dipped, Meltaway, Lipstick Red, Mousse, Truffle, Vanilla Fudge are just a few of these beautiful papers for a romantic scrapbook for your valentine.

And for stickers, there are a set that is coordinated with the whole BasicGrey Bittersweet line - Elements Stickers:

So, hopefully this will give you some ideas for what to do for a Valentine's Day scrapbook!

I just wanted to add a message I recieved recently about making photo books for all the romantic types who like to make those for Valentine's Day:

Making a Valentine’s Day photo book with us is quick and easy. Need help making a book then come check out our photo book samples here now. You have come to the right place for custom photo books and more.

Scrapbooking Ideas for the Holidays

2008-12-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays all! This holiday season provides perfect opportunities for memorable scrapbooks. Some supplies to look at are shown below. Take the time to make a scrapbook to have to look back at your memories of the 2008 holiday season.

Christmas & Hanukkah Scrapbooks - A Time To Remember

If you like clear scrapbook albums, here is Clear Scraps' Christmas Stocking Album.

Clear Christmas Stocking Album

This 12" x 12" Hanukkah paper from EK is so great (and can be bought by the sheet or in bulk):

EK Paper - Holiday Hanukkah Expressions

How about a pre-designed album to make one really quick? This Making Memories Pre-Designed 8" x 8" Album Kit is all ready for you Christmas photos and memories.

Making Memories Pre-Designed Album Kit

Here is a nice Christmas or Holiday stripes 12" x 12" paper design:

American Crafts Christmas Collection - Stripes

Paper with a patterned design that I like - This delicate pattern is really nice:

American Crafts Christmas Collection - Treetops Glisten

These are just a few selections for a holiday or Christmas scrapbook, but many more beautiful paper, albums and other scrapbooking supplies, such as tools and bulk paper are at My Art and Craft Supplies. If you search for a specific product, it will make it easier to find there.

Happy Holidays and Have a Happy New Year in 2009!

Boo - Halloween Scrapbook Time!

2008-10-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today I saw Halloween decorations in neighbor’s yards. And I’m reminded that even though this is a busy time of year, it’s time to get ready to make a Halloween scrapbook.

Lots of people love this time of year and tell me that Halloween is their favorite holiday. Halloween, as a theme, is rich in imagery and makes a good subject for interesting page layouts and adding the photos of kids in costumes lends another layer of interest to a scrapbook.

So, it’s time to get the costumes ready, and check your scrapbooks, paper, and other supplies to do some scrapbooking with Halloween themes, pumpkins, witches and spiderwebs.

Show above is the Masterpiece Stemma Carved Pumkins scrapbook paper - a cool design! (available in single sheets or in bulk packs)

Or for contrast, you could use some solid orange paper - and save buy buying it in bulk, like this Paper Accents pumpkin orange paper:

For more freaky Halloween fun, look at the Bo Bunny papers - they are really fun! (Shown below are a mummy design on 12 x 12 scrapbook paper and the green one is called "witches' brew")

Spookier still are these Cosmo Cricket double-sided scrapbook papers: on the left is Haunted Halloween - Eerie, and on the right is Macabre.

How about some Spiders and Spiderwebs for your Scrapbook?

Carolee's Creations has a Halloween Collection of scrapbook papers that I personally like a lot. Silly Spiders has a page designed with rows of spiders on their threads and the spiderwebs page has a dark background that will accent nicely with photos adhered on top.

Doodlebug Designs has a more abstract approach to their page layout with this 12x12 scrapbook paper called "Hocus Pocus." And on the right is a paper design with pictures of black cats, witches hats, spider webs, and ghosts called Wicked Whimsy from the Imaginisce - Hallowhimsy Halloween Collection (and it's cute!)

Halloween Scrapbook Kits

These help all of you that don't have time to pick out each piece of paper, one-by-one. The two kits I can recommend are: Doodlebug Designs' Let's Kit Together - Halloween and Making Memories Spellbound 12x12 Halloween Kit.

You'll need a binder or album, too...I like these a linen covered albums: We R Memory Keepers - Linen - 12x12 - Three Ring Albums - Orange Zest or We R Memory Keepers Postbound Album - Hazelnut.

Just found! Free digital scrapbook pages and stickers downloads: You can get some digital scrapbooking stuff here: Free Halloween Downloads

So, when the festivities are over and the costumes are put away, you can nibble on the leftover candy and create your Halloween scrapbooks.

It's Not Too Late for Summer Scrappin!

2008-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

School is about to start up again, and if you had summer memories such as a camping trip or beach vacation to remember, there are some great summer themed papers for scrapbooks I wanted to share here. If you want to scrap your trip to the seashore, or maybe a visit to Grandma's the sunny Summer collections will be a wonderful choice to use to create warm memories. There some tropical scrapbook papers to choose from, too (for those lucky enough to have recently visited the tropics or Hawaii).

Maybe you are like me and haven't gone anywhere this summer (boo hoo!) there is a nice general summer theme from Bo Bunny called the Summer Cottage Collection.

Everyone Into The Pool!

Or maybe you've gone to the pool this summer - well there are some nice swimming pool and swim team scrapbook papers with a Summer "swimming fun" theme: Carolee's Creations Adornit - Summer Collection and swimming collection or Reminisce Swimming Collection.

Surf's Up!

These papers have a tropical look and a surfer theme with orange and aqua colors: Bo Bunny “Peachy Keen Collection.”

A Day at the Beach

With the colors of the beach (blue for water and tan for sandy beaches) Creative Imaginations’ Art Warehouse by Danelle Johnson has a Beach Collection (nice paisley design) and a Swim Collection:

For digital scrapbooking, there are photorealistic papers to buy and download such as this e-kit of digital paper designs called Seashore or the Sea Swept digital page kit.

A Shore Thing Collection from Imaginesce has some really cute and fun beach themed papers.

Sandylion has some designs I particularly love since it includes a boating and fishing theme – it’s called the “At the Coast Collection.”

And Karen Foster papers has a Fishing Collection which is available in single sheets or multi-sheet packs.

Camping and Outdoors Scrapbooks

For scrapbooks with a camping theme look at Carolee's Creations Adornit - Back 2 Nature Collection or the Karen Foster Outdoors Collection scrapbook paper.

Carolee's Creations - Back 2 Nature

Karen Foster Outdoors Collection

And last, but not least, I wanted to show you a scrapbook kit that is great for a Summer memory book: Three Bugs in a Rug - 12x12 Caboodle Collection Kit.

When you look at your scrapbook later this Fall or when the weather turns darker and cooler your photos and journaling will warm you up.

So, as kids go back to school, take the time now to make a memory book about what you, your pets, your family, your husband, wife or significant other enjoyed most this Summer.

Beat the Recession - Buy Paper in Bulk

2008-06-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

Buy Discount Bulk Cardstock (save your money for your gas tank)

With the news of job lay-offs and home mortgage problems and foreclosures, it would seem that finding ways to save money make sense this summer. Plus, the outrageous gas prices are just eating into many of our budgets. Don't let these things take away from your passion for scrappin!

One recession beating tactic is to buy bulk crafts and scrapbook products, such as discount-priced bulk cardstock. If you like to create 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11 scrapbooks, there are many colors and types of bulk cardstock or multi-sheet packs to choose from.

Here are some examples of ways to save money when you are buying cardstock:

Paper Accents 12 x 12 papers - bulk packs of 25 sheets for $4.19 per package. With dozens and dozens of colors to choose from, you won't run out of ideas when you see all the colors and types of paper available. There are also scrapbooking paper packs of 8.5 x 11 papers from this and other manufacturers.

Colormates 8.5 x 11 bulk packs: 50 sheets/pack for $10.49, but the price is lowered for buying multiple packs.

And for textured papers, you can find bulk packages, too - such as this 80 lb. chex textured cardstock pack of 25 sheets for $13.49 (again, there are so many colors to look at, I am only showing one here):

And of course, there are the Bazzill Basics bulk cardstock papers in various scrapbook-ready sizes and colors.

Saving Money When You Buy Scrapbook Paper

If you are buying patterned or double-sided scrapbook papers it is wise to buy them by the pack or as a paper collection: Paper collections, paper packs or paper pads from top brands, such as BasicGray, Anna Griffin, Cosmo Cricket, Daisy D's, Deja Views, EK Success, K & Company, Making Memories, Masterpiece Stemma, Scenic Route Papers, and many more, are multiple sheet packages of scrapbooking and craft paper (slightly different than scrapbook kits, which usually have paper plus embellishments such as stickers included). These allow you to buy more paper and spend less money. Some of these are just gorgeous for summer scrapbooks!

BasicGray 6x6 paper pads - Perhaps

BasicGray - 12 x 12 paper collection pack - Euphoria

Here is a last example, and it's on sale right now (for $7.69!) - DelightFul Collection Paper pack by Little Yellow Bicycle:

So, hopefully with these discounts, sales and bulk priced papers, you can beat the heat, beat the recession and still make some beautiful scrapbooks this summer!

Keeping An Idea Journal

2008-04-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

This blog is all about ideas, ideas for scrapbooks and page layouts, as well as ideas about nice scrapbook paper and great looking albums. But, there is something I was reminded of today that I want to share. I was reading a blog (imagine that!) and it mentioned this blogger's inspiration book.

That reminded me of the many journals an sketchbooks I used to keep. I even used to record dreams (when I could remember them). That really was fun and gave me lots of insight on my pyche. So today I asked myself, "Why aren't you keeping a journal now?" Of course, my answers to myself (yeah, I need to get out more!) were the usual lame excuses, such as: I don't have time, I don't have a journal book, I don't feel like it, etc. These are NOT good answers. So, I am digging up a book to keep around. I think if I just carry this little journal around, maybe when I get a good idea, if I just jot it down it won't be one of the many things I wish I could remember later. Those good ideas can just slip away and disappear all too easily.

Creative Ideas Lists and Journaling

I've kept lists of things I want to paint, lyrics for songs I want to write, layouts for designs and things like that in the past. I rarely go back and look at them (and I really should revisit them). Lots of artists and scrapbookers keep journals. There was even a whole movement of sorts when the book: The Artist's Way (A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity) by Julia Cameron was published. There is also an "Artist's Way Workbook" that outlines tasks or exercises to do to start this creative journey or journaling. The subtitle sounds kind of spooky, but really all the book was suggesting was to spend an hour or so a day reconnecting to your own creativity. Planned creativity sounds like an oxymoron, but really, we call it "the creative process", so you really can make a plan to be creative. My favorite place to find books like this one is at Amazon. I think you can get a copy of this book for as low as 50 cents! I highly recommend this author, too.

I suppose if I was really dedicated to the power of ideas and inspiration, I'd invest in a better journal. I've tried creating computer files to keep track of my random thoughts and ideas, but that isn't working too well. I think having a book - a real book you can hold in your hand and carry around would be better.

Would A Better Journal Book Help?

I've seen some really, really nice journal books and diaries lately that I would love to have. I am just amazed at the quality of some of the leather covered journals - you know, with the beautiful Italian leather? Sure, a dollar spiral-bound book will do as well (what is written in the book is far more valuable than the binder). But, since life is short, I might have to invest in one of these handmade books that I love so much.

Here are some of the handmade journals I want:

I love these leather bound books! And there is one that isn't leather that I like, too, with an illustration of Florence, Italy on it.

I guess the lesson here is that I need to value myself, my creativity, my ideas and all that a lot more! And one way to do that is to commit these parts of me and the things I value, think about, and want to remember to paper - it's a start anyway!

Happy Easter Scrapbooks!

2008-03-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Holidays make such great themes for scrapbooks. Easter is just a few days away and if you are going to make an Easter scrapbook, you better "hop" to it!

For some nice Easter scrapbook paper or digital scrapbook products for a holiday scrapbook, read on...

Free Digital Scrapbook Download:

I’ve got some quick ideas for Easter scrapbooks and scrapbook layouts.
First of all, there are some free downloads with Easter designs for digital scrapbookers here.

And for more digital scrapbook products, look at these e-cuts alphabets - Easter Upper Case and Easter Lower Case - they are inexpensive to buy and download!

Easter scrappin' themes: bunnies, eggs, chicks, bonnets and then there are religious and spiritual themes for the Christian holiday make for a rich variety of images in a scrapbook layout. Since time is running out, a great time-saving solution is to use an Easter scrapbook kit, such as this one from Doodlebug Designs which includes brads, sequins, rick rack, ribbons, tags, stickers, several patterned paper designs, cardstock paper, and instructions. So, this kit provides just about everything you need for an entire Easter scrapbook. It’s versatile enough to use for making greeting cards, too.

Doodlebug Designs Easter Scrapbook Kit

Easter and Spring Scrapbook Papers

For patterned paper designs with Easter themes - or themes for Spring, this line from Reminisce is bright and cheerful:

And a new paper that I just found is from Flair Designs (it may not be new, but it's new to me)- they have an Easter Surprise collection:

Flair Designs :
Jelly Bean Jam

Flair Designs:
Happy Easter Words

Flair Designs:
Bunny Trail

Flair Designs:
Egg-Stravaganza

Flair Designs - Easter Stripe

Flair Designs - Daffodil Daze

Flair Designs - Easter Stickers

For other embellishments, there are lots of ribbons for Spring and Easter scrapbooks - I prefer the bulk ribbon, when they come in nice colors and patterns, such as the Bazzill Basics Bulk Ribbon Packs:

And, if you need more ideas, here is a good book with scrapbook ideas that I found at Amazon.com: Outstanding Scrapbook Pages: 250 Of the Best Pages and Techniques from the World's #1 Scrapbooking Magazine, by Memory Makers (Author), Kerry Arquette (Editor).

Happy scrappin' and have a very happy, hippity, hoppity Easter!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Scrapbooks

2008-03-11T22:21:00.000-07:00

I got a Happy St. Patrick’s Day card in the mail today. I didn’t even know there were such greeting cards, but evidently my Irish sister-in-law found some. I thought it was sweet of her to send it.

I actually have a little bit of Irish in me. I didn’t know about it though, until I got interested in genealogy. That is when I found out that I had some illustrious Irish ancestors who lived in colonial Virginia – there is one more thing I didn’t know about before (that there were Irish immigrants coming to America that early on in our history). Thinking about this Irish holiday triggered some scrapbook ideas.

For those who love everything Irish and St. Paddy's Day, it would be great to make a scrapbook with photos of the beautiful scenery in Ireland in it. I would probably enjoy pictures of Irish pubs, with me sitting in one (if I had one). Sadly, I haven’t been to see the land of the leprechauns. But if you are a scrapbooker who has traveled to the “Emerald Isle”, think about using any photos you took there to creating a lucky Irish scrapbook.

Free Clipart for Scrapbooks

I found some free clip art with Irish and Celtic themes. These are kind of fun, especially for digital scrapbooks. You can print them out, cut them out and add them to scrapbook pages. Here are a few that I thought were neat:

Source: Ireland Information

St. Paddy's Day Scrapbook Paper

Some nice scrapbook paper designs for this particular green-themed day (which we’ll celebrate on March 14th). Examples shown are 12 x 12 double sided papers from Rusty Pickle’s Lucky Collection and one of the Reminisce St. Patrick’s Day scrapbook paper designs.

I know the scrapbook paper I selected has subtle colors, but you can always find solid green paper to use if these more elaborate designs won’t work in your scrapbook. Bulk cardstock works if you need to save money when buying scrapbook paper.

Embellishments for St. Patrick's Day Scrapbooks

Some lucky green embellishments for scrapbooks include this bulk ribbon pack from Bazzill Basics:

Some Irish-themed stickers from Karen Foster Designs and these versatile Reminisce Green Day rub-on transfers (nice Celtic border designs with shamrocks) can add variety to your pages:

Green Scrapbook Album Binders

As usual, I want to recommend some scrapbook album binders would be a good choice. Keeping with the “green” theme, here are some binder options. For 3-ring binder lovers, this 12 x 12 Keeping Memories Alive 3-ring album in Forest Green uses those handy D-rings which help keep the contents of your scrapbook flat, while also making it really easy to get things into and out of the binder. To the right of that is a Westrim Renaissance Cloth Hunter Green Window Strap Hinge Scrapbook album.

Next is a postbound leather window scrapbook album from Making Memories - 12"x 12" - Meadow. On the right is a neat concept - a customizable album. American Crafts’ customizable D-ring scrapbook album: You can paint it, use rubber stamps on it, adhere die cuts or scrapbook paper to it, do whatever you want – this could become the most outstanding St. Paddy’s Day scrapbook. All it takes is a little time and a lot of creativity.

So, whether you are scrappin' your trip to Ireland, celebrating your ancestry, or you just like to make green scrapbooks, I hope you have a happy, scrappy St. Patrick's Day!

The Valentine Papers

2008-02-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

That title sounds like it's a suspense novel title or a government report. But I really am just referring to my recent search for nice Valentine's Day scrapbook papers. February 14th is approaching and it's time to make Valentine scrapbooks!

I found some papers I really didn’t expect to find (with racy names). There are two scrapbook papers that are called “Strip Tease” made by two different scrapbook paper companies. It looks like the pole-dancing craze has had an effect on the scrapbook world! Will there be any papers named pole dancing next? For all I know, there might be some - I just haven't seen any.

Actually, those "Strip Tease" papers are pretty nice. One is from the Cosmo Cricket line called Hey Sugar. The other is from Scrapworks' Valentine's Day Collection - Love in Bloom.

Cosmo Cricket
Hey Sugar -
Valentine's Day -
Strip Tease

Scrapworks - Valentine's Day Collection - Love in Bloom - Strip Tease

Scrapworks had some of the nicer paper designs that I found. Their Love in Bloom papers are all well-coordinated, and with some careful thought, they could be combined in a scrapbook. I like that line's softer colors with more reds than pinks.

Other Valentine-themed paper collections (most of which have coordinated stickers and other embellishments) include:

Carolee’s Creations – Valentine’s Love Collection
Cosmo Cricket - Hey Sugar Collection
Bo Bunny Press - Smitten Collection
Doodlebug Designs - Love Spell Valentine's Day Collection

Also, there are some beautiful designs from Karen Foster's Love and Valentine designs. If you like pink, you will love the papers from Paper Adventures, designed by Marna Hill.

There are some scrapbook kits or paper packs that are pretty good for Valentine scrappin' too. If you want all the embellishments and papers in one package, Doodlebug Designs has their Love Spell 12" x 12" scrapbook collection kit. It can save you the time it takes to search for all the embellishments, stickers, etc. you need by buying one package with all of this in it:

One Cupcake Loopy Lou alphabet cardstock sticker sheet
One Love Spell Collection cardstock sticker sheet
One love jewel assortment
One package of Bon Bon stitched grosgrain ribbon
One package of Cupcake Paper Posies
One package of Bubblegum brads
One 12” x 12” sheet of Very Cherry Paisley Accent Paper
One 12” x 12” sheet of Neapolitan Stripe Accent Paper
One 12” x 12” sheet of Cherry Blossoms Accent Paper
One 12” x 12” sheet of Cherry Chocolate Paisley Accent Paper
Six sheets of assorted cardstock

That seems like it would easily make a complete scrapbook. If you prefer to make a smaller-sized scrapbook, Daisy D's has an 8" x 8" Maybe Baby Valentine scrapbook pad. The kit includes 12 paper designs - 2 pages of each, so you get 25 papers in all. And any of these papers could be used for Valentine card making, too.

For Digital scrapbooking, there are Digikits, such as Romantic Roses 2 and the Romantic Roses 3 digital elements kit. Another digital scrapbook kit I like is called Amore by Sande Krieger. It's fairly complete, with the 11 background papers, 8 brushes, 4 word art, 3 flowers, 2 hearts and 2 ribbons that are all coordinated.

So, whether you like to print your own papers using digital scrapbook kits, or if you buy 12 x 12 or 8 x 8 papers, you have some good choices for Valentine's Day scrapbooks.

Don't forget to look at some binders, too. A bright red 3-ring (D ring) binder might work well for this celebrated occasion! This is a popular customizable d-ring binder from American Crafts:

Other really popular binders are the 3-ring faux leather or linen covered albums made by We R Memory Keepers. For those who prefer postbound albums, We R Memory Keepers has linen postbound albums, too. And, there are many more choices. An album that allows for a photo to be inserted on the cover would be an excellent choice for Valentine's Day, such as this Kolo Newport scrapbook album or the Making Memories Leather window album in apple red.

You know, you don't have to have a traditional "sweetheart" to make a Valentine's Day scrapbook. You could make one about your kids, parents, or anyone who is dear to you!

Whatever you do, I hope you have a wonderful day on February 14th!

Holiday Scrapbooks Ideas

2008-01-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

You've finally finished all the leftover turkey or ham and you've taken down the decorations (unless you are one of those people who leave them up all year). You have dozens of photos and many are probably still in the digital camera - and you are just getting used to using writing 2008 for the date.

The Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukka holiday memories are fading from our minds, while the next occasion to celebrate is more than a month away (yes, Valentine's Day decorations are already in the stores). Now really is a good time to take a moment to do something fun with your recent photos from those holiday dinners or family get togethers.

A holiday scrapbook is especially nice for anyone who's had a new arrival (births, adoptions) or a wedding in December. Or maybe you want to remember many occasions and holidays you felt were particularly special during 2007 - you should scrap 'em! Maybe you took a family trip during the holidays? Scrappin' a trip or vacation - using the photos your took while you were away - are the kind of memory books your family will enjoy sharing with friends. Another project idea is to make your own "year in pictures" scrapbooks beginning now, and just imagine that someday you'll have a shelf of these memory books all in a row - one for each year. Scrapbooks are a kind of historical archive in the making!

Or, you could make a scrapbook of one particular holiday from 2007 or any past year that you want to remember and share with others. You could put photos and holiday cards you've recieved for several years or family birthday cards into a scrapbook (you know, all those greeting cards you've saved and just can't bear to throw away - they are over there in that drawer that is too full to open!)

Another holiday scrapbook idea that would be fun is a holiday cookbook or special recipe scrapbook that you can keep adding recipes to as you get new ones. You may even have hand-made decorations that can be put into a scrapbook (did your kids make paper snowflakes or draw any cute Thanksgiving or Christmas pictures at school?)

So, figure out what kind of images, photos and pictures, recipes or other momentos you have and use those to decide on a theme.

Scrapbook to-do list:

Decide on your theme.

Look through your photos, pictures, or cards and start selecting which you think should go into your scrapbook. If you are a digital scrapbooker, you can start making a folder on your computer and put the photos you want to use in it.

Get a scrapbook album or binder (decide what size you want to use - you can use a small album (the mini albums are quick to make - 6" x 6" albums and 8" x 8" albums) if you only have smaller photos or keepsakes to put in your scrapbook. Larger albums that are 12" x 12" are a sort of standard size and they have many more options to find nice scrapbook papers. These larger albums come in all sorts of fabrics or cover materials, including really nice leather covers. The 12" x 12" size allows for various sized photos, cards, and other materials, so it's a good size choice if you can't decide right away what to include in your scrapbook. There are also scrapbook album kits or scrapbook page collections that have the album included - those save you time by having scrapbook papers, a few ebellishments and the scrapbook album already coordinated.

Paper or Cardstock - This is a tough descision - what paper should you use! There are so many gorgeous papers and such a variety of scrapbooking cardstock available for scrapbooks. Set aside some time to familiarize yourself with the newest paper designs. I personally adore the Karen Foster designs. These scrapbook paper brands: Basic Grey, EK Success, Bazill, K & Company and others have become industry standards and scrapbookers favorites. Scenic Route Paper makes some great paper collection packs with holdiay and other themes. Some paper is a bit thicker - and it's called scrapbook cardstock. This is a more durable paper stock and some are printed on both sides for use in page protectors that allow both sides to be viewed.

Embellishments - decide if you want to add decorative items to your scrapbook pages. Embellishments include: ribbons and fibers, tags, tabs, frames, buttons, and stickers, to name a few. You may have your own items you can use, such as buttons or fabric. Just about any item (if it isn't too thick) can be added to a scrapbook with the great adhesives and glue guns that are available. Embellishments add a really personal touch, so get creative and try adding some of these to your scrapbook pages.

Other Supplies - Make sure you have a sharp pair of scissors, the appropriate types of adhesives or glue, page protectors, cutting mats, markers and pens or paints and brushes or other necessary supplies all ready to use.

Inspiration and Perspiration - These are the most important elements for any creative project! Get inspired, look at online scrapbook galleries and page examples. Then don't give up, keep working on your scrapbook and you'll feel great when the memories are sorted out and displayed for you and others to enjoy!

Other notes: Some scrapbook paper manufacturers have monthly theme kits or calendar pages you can use to introduce the occasions you want to include in your scrapbook. You could make a "December 2007" scrapbook using winter themed papers. Just remember to pick a theme that you have enough resources for - or one that you can buy the right papers, ribbons, etc. to create your book. While you organize your photos when planning a scrapbook, think about having a photo album handy to put the photos you won't be using in your scrapbooks - this will keep them out of the over-filled drawer or shoebox and protect them for future use or just to have to look at when you feel like it.