Stampin’ Up! Red Hat Scrapbook

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Say it All With Scrapbooking Card

There are times when one wants to convey feelings through cards. In addition, if the cards are made of scrapbook materials then the values becomes more and are treasured for life by the person for whom you have made the scrapbooking card. Scrapbook cards add originality to any scrapbooking project or scrapbook page design. It is all fun and an easiest way to convey your feelings and inner thoughts on a person, holiday or an event.

If you get one great idea for a card, you can make lots scrapbooking cards. Moreover, you can even take that idea and change it to do another subject, just change some of the elements. Try card making one night instead of scrapbooking and see what you come up with! The scrapbooking card designs are a wonderful way to greet the person that is viewing your scrapbook. The subjects can be anything between holiday season cards, happy birthday, get well soon, congratulations and even thank you cards that makes express heartfelt thoughts. Scrapbook supplies make ideal scrapbooking card page enhancements. Most scrapbook manufacturers already have most of the supplies available for unique and memorable scrapbooking card designs.

In fact, one can also involve children in preparing scrapbooking cards, and trust me you will be instantly hit with them! All you have to give them few things like some stamps, paper scraps and some adhesive; thus, a scrapbooking card maker is born. Even if your group of scrapbook card makers is very young, they will quickly catch on, by following along with more experienced scrapbooking card makers in the group. You do not have to be intimidated to innovate some of the best scrapbooking card ideas, which started out as experiments. You can utilize new shapes for your scrapbooking card projects. You can also gift them a set of stamps, such as animals and birds, flowers and various other contemporary images with a particular theme to layer stamps and create a unique and distinctive look of a card.

There are various other popular types like ornamental stamp sets, which often include not only a set of decorative stamps, but also include colorful envelopes, which you can make yourself in minutes, and mailing labels, which you can customize to your preferences. Scrapbooking card projects make excellent gifts. One can even prepare Valentines Day scrapbook cards and they do not have to be red or in the shape of a heart. Mothers Day is a perfect opportunity to make a gift of a card to any mother who makes scrapbooks. The same materials used on scrapbook pages, make great enhancements for scrapbook cards. You can frame a scrapbook card with alternating paperclips and buttons, and use the flower petals to embellish them with natural seeds or seashells. Discarded or recycled items on scrapbook cards can add a real connection to the memory. A discarded pair of reading glasses, incorporated into a card, or a single earring, from a lost mate or a bow from a given gift makes invaluable memories on a card.

Digital Scrapbooking with Scrapbook MAX! digital scrapbooking software

Tutorial video on using Scrapbook MAX! the fun and easy to use digital scrapbooking software for windows. Download a free trial at www.scrapbookmax.com and start making digital scrapbooks with your computer and digital camera.

Scrapbook LifeStyle Day 5 – Free Scrapbooking Show

Scrapbook LifeStyle is a FREE daily online scrapbooking show. You’ll learn tips, techniques, and creative approaches through this fun and television reality-style show. Today’s episode originally “aired” online on 1/5/07. Visit www.scrapbooklifestyle.com

Where To Learn Beginner Scrapbooking Techniques

Beginner scrapbookers have many resources available to learn how to scrapbook. Scrapbooking is one of the fastest growing hobbies, and options for learning this craft come in many different places. Before considering which method is best for you, consider your time and money commitment, as well as, your goals for scrapbooking.

Are you just looking to make attractive pages for your family to enjoy and preserve your photographs and memories? Maybe you want to learn scrapbooking for a new hobby you can share with others. Scrapbooking can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.

Your local craft store is a great resource to learn beginner scrapbooking. Some craft stores specialize in scrapbooking, and their staff can help you choose basic tools and supplies to get you started. Many of these stores offer classes on the latest techniques. These classes often allow you to try out new tools and see how others approach their scrapbook pages. You might also take a project class that allows you to complete an entire album.

Scrapbooking classes vary in cost, but most are quite reasonable. They usually provide all the tools and materials necessary, which make them a great way to try out this hobby with little financial investment. You will need to bring several photographs to use on your page layouts. Teachers are experienced and enthusiastic. They are trained to teach all levels of scrapbooking techniques and can answer any questions you might have about this hobby to help you decide if scrapbooking is right for you. Don’t be surprised if you see more experienced scrapbookers in these classes. Some people will take them just for the social aspect of the class and for new ideas on how to use basic techniques more effectively.

To find a class in your area, check with the large craft stores, as well as your local scrapbooking stores. Most offer classes with convenient schedules, and many offer classes that can be started any time.

Another option is to learn beginner scrapbooking in your own home. Direct sales companies, like Creative Memories and Close to My Heart, have consultants that will come to your home and give a class on basic scrapbooking. Much like a Tupperware party, you invite your friends to your home for a lesson. The consultant will teach the basic philosophy behind scrapbooking, as well as, how to choose supplies and tools, and how to design a simple page. You and your friends will usually make a 2-page layout with materials supplied by the consultant and photos you bring from home. Consultants may or may not charge for the lesson. This usually depends on the cost of the supplies used for the pages. The lesson usually ends with an opportunity to purchase that company’s products.

Scrapbooking magazines are full of information on basic techniques and beginner tips. In the United States, most bookstores sell a variety of scrapbooking magazines. The most popular magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers and Scrapbooks, Etc. Buy a single issue of each magazine first. Each has a slightly different slant on scrapbooking. For example, Simple Scrapbooks focuses on quick, easy pages. Once you find one that seems to match your style, buy the annual subscription which is always more cost effective than buying single newsstand copies.

Many craft stores offer crop nights that can be another way to learn scrapbooking. Crops bring together groups of scrapbookers to work on their pages together. Basically, they are scrapbooking parties. The store will often charge a nominal fee and provide refreshments for the evening. Many will allow you to use their tools during the crop, as well. This is a great way to try out more expensive tools, like die cut machines and cutters. You could even invite your scrapbooking friends to your home for a crop. Crops allow everyone to share techniques with each other and provide beginner scrapbookers with tips and ideas.

One more option to learn basic techniques is to purchase an album kit. Many album kits come complete with all the supplies you need to make a scrapbook. They provide detailed instructions and sometimes even basic color and design layout theory. However, to complete the album you will need to buy your own tools, such as, scissors and adhesive.

Once you’ve learned beginner scrapbooking, remember to practice your techniques often. The more pages you make the better you will become at designing layouts. As you master the basics, you can use the same resources above to find more advanced tips and techniques.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial – Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist

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Scrappers’ Basic Toolkit: Tools You Need for Scrapbooking

Beginning scrapbookers (or scrappers) face a challenge at first. It takes creativity and good organization skills to make a top-notch scrapbook. Scrappers need experience in layout, design, and using the materials. Coming up with the appropriate scrapbook theme can be a difficult task for novice scrappers. And constructing a great scrapbook requires the right tools.

4 Scrapbooking Tools – Reasons You Need Them To Make A Scrapbook

You can start scrapbooking with a very basic set of tools, listed here, and build from there. Scrapbooking tools serve a variety of purposes, from simple preparation of your photos and keepsakes to tools to help you create interesting decorations and embellishments. Many tools will come from your desk drawer or toolchest. But you’ll want to check out your scrapbooking supply store for the items designed specifically for scrapbooking.

1. Scissors. Don’t laugh. It may seem obvious, but scissors are a basic scrapbooking tool. They help bring order to your photos and mementos, and they allow creativity while you construct form and line. You use scissors for more than cropping your photos. One part of scrapbooking is cutting paper, foam, and fabric into shapes to complement and highlight your keepsakes. Scissors are basic to the scrapper. There are two types of scissors common to scrapbooking:

- Traditional paper-cutting. Normal scissors that you use every day are useful for cutting straight lines and cropping photos. It’s important to use sharp scissors for this purpose so that your cuts will be clean and neat. You don’t want to damage your materials before you even get them in the book.

- Crafting. These scissors are available at art supply stores and shops. They come in distinctive shapes for different cut types. Curves, zig-zags, and waves are three common shapes used for cutting scrapbook paper and embellishments. They add zest to your pages.

2. Hole Punches. You can find single-hold punches to create confetti-like decorations or to make holes for attaching ribbons, yarn, or thread and tying things to your pages. As with scissors, there are two types of punch available to scrappers, and you probably need both. Conventional punches make round holes. More unconventional punches create shaped holes. Five-point punches create snowflakes, flowers, and asterisks. You can find scrapbooking punches that create daisies, stars, hearts, footprints, leaves, spirals, tiger paw prints, butterflies, other insects, and even a Mickey Mouse shape. They range in size from 1/2 inch to almost 2 inches, so you can create a variety of interesting shapes to add to your scrapbook’s appeal. You’ll probably want to get several different hole punches for this purpose.

3. Tweezers. Tweezers help handle small items and glue without making a mess or smudging your photos and pages. Easy to find and inexpensive, tweezers are a must!

4. Toolkit Choices. Scrappers use a variety of tools to add texture and excitement to their pages. You don’t need to get all of them right away, but you may want to consider some of these useful scrapbooking tools for your toolkit.
- paper trimmer – foam or rubber stamps – craft knife – eyelet setter
- ruler – glue pen – cutting mat – tag maker
- wire cutter – foam brushes – specialty glues – colored staples
- glitter pens – bone folder – craft hammer – tracing stylus
- acid-free pens – metallic sheets – embossing stylus – paper crimpers
- rotary disc cutter – sewing needles and thread – ribbon irons and crimpers – scoring tool

5. Computer. Well, it’s not exactly a tool you can run into the scrapbooking store to pick up on a moment’s notice. But a computer can be a valuable tool for scrapbooking. You can use it to research your theme and add information about specific photos and keepsakes. You can also find many great ideas, images, templates, and accessories for your scrapbook by searching scrapbooking websites. And if you really want to apply your computer skills to scrapbooking, try making a virtual scrapbook and post your creative work on the Internet. You could build your own personal scrapbook website!

Scrapbooking is a fun hobby that produces beautiful family heirlooms to pass down through generations. Investing the time and energy to create your own scrapbook allows you to memorialize an event, a person, or an important part of life. It also allows you to be as creative as you can be in assembling and coordinating materials, colors, shapes, and images into a cohesive, thematically-based whole that tells your story.

To create a great scrapbook, you’ll need these tools and more. But the tools described here will get you off to a super start! So go have fun! Start scrapping!

A Scrapbooking Reunion – 4 Occasions To Make Your Kid Feel Special?

Scrapbooking has become an extremely popular hobby. To begin scrapbooking, you must choose a theme or group of themes on which to base your material. There are many possibilities on which you could base your scrapbooks, but a good rule of thumb is to scrapbook things which are of importance and have sentimental value to you.

Scrapbooking is a hobby that is rapidly increasing in popularity. Everyone has photographs and bits and pieces of their lives that they would like to preserve. Scrapbooking is an excellent way to do this. You will not have to look far to pinpoint which parts of your life you would like to preserve in a scrapbook. Many people begin their scrapbooking by chronicling their wedding day photos and small mementos such as wedding invitations, guest’s lists, and perhaps dried flowers.

Possible scrapbooking themes do not end with weddings. The birth of a child is a time that is precious to all parents. Scrapbooking ideas for a new baby include baby shower photos and invitations, ultrasound pictures, and perhaps even ribbons and balloons. Any items of sentimental value can easily be incorporated into your scrapbook. Most parents like to continue this theme with scrapbooks that follow the growth and development of their child.

Another excellent topic for a scrapbook would be an activity or club that a person cherishes. Sports and similar activities are great ideas for a scrapbook. A collection of team photos, rosters, and team memorabilia would create a permanent record of these special times in a person’s life. You could even consider having team-mates or club members ‘autograph’ your scrapbook beside team or individual photos.

Family reunions and activities are fantastic themes for scrapbooks. Family photos, amusing happenings or anecdotes, and a schedule of events are great ways to remember the treasured times spent with family. Bringing your scrapbooks to each year’s reunion is sure to spark conversation and fond memories. You could even create a scrapbook to be given away to the family member who brings the oldest family photo or as a prize for the oldest or youngest family member present

There are numerous ideas for scrapbooking based on various aspects of your life. Office parties, job promotions, and starting your own business are fun scrapbooking concepts. Work related scrapbooks give you an opportunity to introduce a bit of light-heartedness into what is normally a professional, routine atmosphere. Caricatures of staff members, business cards, photos, and humorous quotes from co-workers are excellent ideas for a work related scrapbook. Your co-workers will surely be impressed and appreciate your efforts.

The possible themes for scrapbooks based on your life are almost endless. The only requirement for scrapbooking is that you base them on the people and activities that are important in your life. Over time, your scrapbooks can become an important tradition to you and your family. Scrapbooks can invoke laughter, tears, and most importantly, create quality time spent with your friends and family reminiscing about the precious moments in your lives.

So, go ahead, call all your near and dear ones for a reunion of the scrapbooks that you have made and cherish the good old memories.

Digital Scrapbooking – Great Tips For Advanced Scrapbookers

Scrapbooking is one of the most popular hobbies around these days. Scrappers are well-acquainted with the craft, working with the materials and tools like pros. Combining cutting lots of paper shapes, gluing photos, and sticking a collection of ribbons, die-cuts, and stamps on each page is their passion. It’s hard for an experienced scrapper to imagine doing it any other way.

But computers can invade anything – even scrapbooking. Modern technology introduces a whole new approach to scrapbooking that uses grahics programs to create the basic scrapbook elements and page layouts. Using a computer to create scrapbooks, known as digital scrapbooking, involves creating page layouts with the help of computer software that edits photos, creates graphics, inserts borders and text, and allows you to “paste in” digital embellishments.

Using high-quality paper, you print your scrapbook pages on a high-resolution printer and then attach your traditional scrapbook materials. More tech-savvy scrappers can even save elements and pages on the hard drive or store them to DVD or CD to share with others electronically. These days, several websites give you the ability to create an online scrapbook by uploading your photos and images to their prepared digital scrapbook albums.

There are several computer programs that are great for scrapbooking. Most popular are Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2.0 and CS, Microsoft Picture It!, Lumapix, and JASC’s Paint Shop Pro. They are all effective for manipulating designs. The features that scrappers will appreciate include cropping photos, replacing backgrounds and colors, adding text, and inserting borders and graphics.

The programs we’ve mentioned weren’t created for scrapbooking, but they offer many features scrapbookers will find useful. It’s easy to isolate and “cut out” specific images from a photo. You can apply color schemes to your designs. Cropping photos and trimming page elements is easy and quick, and the programs allow you to create your own design elements.

The major obstacle to applying these high-end programs to scrapbooking is in learning how to use the software. For people who haven’t used graphics programs, there can be a steep learning curve, and becoming adept may take some time. They’re expensive too. You can expect to pay several hundred dollars for one of these software packages.

Once you are familiar with the programs, though, using the software for other projects is interesting and fun. Their great value for scrapbooking lies in their versatility. You’re only limited by your imagination in what you can create to make a super scrapbook. You can blend your own colors, create your own borders, and add texture digitally. These programs offer a variety of virtual textures: marble, canvass, cobblestone, leather, silk, and a range of natural color-texture combinations.

Easier programs dedicated to scrapbooking are also available. They include Hallmark, CK, Scrapbook Studio, and Scrapbook Assistants. Designed specifically for digital scrapbooking, they’re easier and faster to learn and much less expensive. However, they are not as flexible as the high-end programs, and your options can be limited to a prescribed set of colors, pre-set page settings, and canned layouts. But they do make the job easy, and you won’t spend weeks to months trying to figure out how they work.

An in-between solution might be a program like Microsoft Digital Image Pro. Less expensive than Adobe PhotoShop, it’s easier to learn and has more features than the digital scrapbooking programs.

If you’re not sure whether you want to try digital scrapbooking, you can try it out by downloading free digital scrapbooking programs from the Internet. Be aware, though, that these programs may not be as effective as those you purchase. That’s because free downloads are often used as product samples, and not all menu features are turned on in the free trial offers and downloads. They will give you a sense of what the software can do, and trying out free digital scrapbooking software may help you make your decision.

Most programs come with tutorials and help features that teach you how to do major tasks. The step-by-step instructions allow you to explore features and sharpen techniques as you learn the software. You can also probably get online help through blogs and forums run by scrapbooking websites.

Leah’s Scrapbook Room vBlog No. 63

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