A World Of Color

Sometimes pages come together very quickly for me, like when I was creating a mini baby book a friend’s new arrival. She had a boy, so choosing a color pattern was simple… light blue, light green and cream. But what about more difficult page themes like a trip to the zoo, a family reunion, a journal memory or candid snapshots?  That’s when I use color theory to choose a hue.   

The effect of colors can be quite important.  For instance, I’m trying to sell my house and my realtor suggested I paint the mustard yellow living room a more neutral color because that color, while it seems warm to me and matched my vintage couch, could be off-putting to a buyer. So beige it was!

Being cognizant of color choice can really simplify layout decisions.  If you have a snapshot of your kids at the park, set it on an orange background to bring out joy and activity. Scrap a picture of your girls’ night out with pink to symbolize feminine friendship.

Try it for yourself!  Download my quick color guide to keep with your supplies. It can serve as inspiration if you get stuck planning a page or project.

 

Your friend,

A Lace Tutorial And Finished Page

Last month, I helped my sister make her mother-in-law a set of curtains for their new cabin on the lake. Linda, the mother-in-law, wanted something modern and richly colored, so we chose a rust-colored silk with a circle pattern. They looked absolutely fabulous!

 

When we went to see the curtains “in action”, Linda asked us for some decorating tips, since we are such crafty gals. She had these lace doilies on the arms of the couches and I have to admit, they looked very old-fashioned. But they had sentimental value so I suggested she try framing them instead, proving that even lace doilies can look modern!

 

Which brings me to lace cardstock. While it’s a fairly recent addition to Oriental Trading’s line up of scrapbooking products, paper lace is hardly new, it’s been around since the 1850s. This could explain lace’s reputation for being sort of old-fashioned.  However, if you use it in a new way, you can add dimension to anything from wedding scrapbooks to Valentine’s Day pages, gothic Halloween projects to everyday fun , flirty pages. Later I’ll show you a movie page with a lace background that is anything but old-fashioned.

 

Here are some clever ways you can use lace cardstock:

 

•     Layer over a background print

•     Layer with other colors

•     Affix it with Pop-Up Glue Dots® for a 3-D look

•     Glitter it, flock it or emboss it

•     Paint it with metallic acrylic paint

•     Use it as a stencil to spray paint a background

•     Weave in thread, ribbon or strips of paper

•     Trace it

•     Cut it apart and use pieces

•     Cut out a shape

•     Add a vellum sheet on top to soften the look

•     Add brad embellishments

•     Or use as is!

 

In this finished Movie Night Finished Page, I used the lace cardstock as a background layer.  Its mix of leather and lace creates a layered look with lots of dimension, depth and interest. I mixed metal brads, leather cording, vellum, printed paper, cutouts and of course, paper lace!

 

A few helpful tips: Affix the lace with Glue Dots®, it’s a mess free way to keep the lace looking crisp. Try adding movie stubs from a recent show for a personal touch and don’t forget to include a bit of journaling about your movie night fun!

 

Want the how-to? Click here to view my complete instructions and materials list.

 

Until next week, lace up your pages and let the show begin!

 

Your friend,

Quotation Inspiration

Are you looking for the perfect way to start a page, bring together a collection of photos or add a sentiment to a greeting card? Let a quote do the talking for you! Because when we’re at a loss for words, a phrase from a funny friend or a literary genius can come in handy.


Here are some ideas for quotations you can add to pages and cards:


“The pen is mightier than the sword.” - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” - Fred Barnard

“All great achievements require time.” - Maya Angelou

“Into the house where joy lives, happiness will gladly come” - Japanese Proverb

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” - Erich Fromm

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” - Henry David Thoreau

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” - William Shakespeare

“Children are the reward of life.” - African Proverb

“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.” - Elbert Hubbard

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.” - Mother Teresa

Look to these sources for your words of wisdom:

• Songs
• Books
• Poems
• Children’s literature
• Religious books
• Family and friends
• Movies

Have a favorite saying? Share it with everyone (look for the “Trading Answers” section to enter your quote). 
 
Your friend,

Boooo! 3-D Coffin Invitation

I admit I am a complete and total fan of Halloween. Last year I went total gross-out for my big party…faux body parts, blood and guts, headless things. You should have seen the “finger foods”. This year my theme is “Beyond the Grave” and I’m so excited to plan all the spine-tingling fun.

I’m in the process of making 30 of these coffin invites, but I spooked mine up a bit. That’s what’s great about this handmade invitation…choose colors and embellishments to match your own theme and make them totally unique for your fright night party. I went with a dark gray paper coffin, white spider web-printed paper accents and plastic spiders attached with Glue Dots®. Then I tucked an invitation and RSVP card into the coffin box and slipped in a few extra spiders for dramatic effect.

Want something with a little less scare? Create this box using the “Too Cute To Spook” line and a sheet of purple cardstock. Add a few bone candy packs to the inside of the box and you’ve got an adorable classroom giveaway, super special trick-or-treat box or party favor that is sure to delight any age partygoer. Stretchy skeletons, mini skulls, skull suckers, bugs and candy would be great coffin fillers, too.

Ready to scare up some Halloween company for your own party?  Click here for my complete instructions and project shopping list.

Join me next week for hints about using quotations like this – one of my favorite scary poems by an anonymous author:

 

“When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween.”

 

Your fiend,

"Too Cute To Spook" Finished Page

Welcome back one and all!

 

I took a small break to gear up for the big holiday season, and now I can’t wait to share all of the great projects I’ve cooked up for Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holidays. Just you wait!

 

I spent this past weekend digging out all of my sweaters for the chilly autumn weather. I was really excited to find my favorite blue argyle sweater, but I was even more excited to officially welcome the season. The leaves are starting to turn colors and fall from the trees, pumpkin patches and haunted houses are starting to open up and I’ve started creating this year’s Halloween craft projects and scrapbook pages.

 

I created this finished page with moms in mind. It’s light on fright and perfect for capturing a memory of your little character in his or her costume. I layered lots of paper textures, paper flowers, chipboard pieces and brads to create detail and depth. Pop this page in a frame and hang it for “eerie-sistible” Halloween artwork!

Download my complete instructions.

 

Next week, we’ll explore the more macabre side of the spooking season with a “terror-iffic” invitation.

 

Your friend,

P.S. Don’t forget to celebrate World Card Making Day on October 3rd! Whip a card or two and share with friends and family.  

A Bit of Organizational Help

My sister Cait was, until recently, an organizational nightmare. Growing up, I preferred my doll shoes in a line, next to dolly clothes and hair accessories. Cait could care less if her doll shoes were mixed in with the Legos®, all in a dirty t-shirt under her bunk bed. Until one day, when moving her into her college dorm room, I told her, “Hey Stinky, just always keep like items together.” Yes, I call my little sis Stinky. I swear it’s a term of endearment.

 

Finally, once she caught onto this simple secret of being organized, she totally got it. Being organized is as easy as sort and store: sort like items together and store them together in labeled containers.

My crafting room at home and at work is highly organized so I can find what I need, when I need it.  And I didn’t spend a fortune to do this.  All my pencils, pens, markers, chalk and other supplies are in large, clear canning jars I picked up at a flea market. I keep embellishments in clear buckets with lids, so I can see exactly what I have.

 

I covered shoe boxes in bits and pieces of leftover scrapbooking paper and used them to store punches, stickers, stamps and more. And if you don’t have any shoe boxes on hand you could always go shoe shopping…bonus!

Scrapbook paper is important to keep in pristine condition, so I recommend large 12 x 12 paper holders or storage boxes.

Here are a few more inexpensive storage solutions:

• Canning jars
• Votive holders
• Paper-covered boxes
• Egg cartons
• Tins
• Casserole dishes with lids
• Vintage suitcases
• Wire baskets
• Hanging file folders

To get your crafting areas started in the right organized direction, I whipped up these craft room labels. Aren’t they adorable? I printed a set for home and work and of course, a set for Cait because I’m such a great sister.  And because I’m happy to share, you can download your own too!  Choose your fav color and print that page. Then, using a 1½“ circle punch, punch out each label. Affix them to storage containers using either permanent or repositionable Glue Dots® and in no time at all you too can become an organized success story!

Let’s see your crafty spaces and scrapbooking arenas!  Go ahead and post them online at OrientalTrading.com. Look for the Craft Supplies and Hobbies section, then “Trading Stories” where you can upload photos and ideas.  I’d love to see them!

 

Your friend,

Creative Escape 2009

Hi Scrappers!

 

I am just back from a few unforgettable days at the year’s foremost crafting getaway, Creative Escape. Held in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, Creative Escape is a three-day event full of creative classes, tours, inspirations and even some fun fundraising. Gotta love that! The trip was absolutely fabulous so I’m excited to share some photos and highlights! 

 

I made the trip with two of my friends, Melissa and Beth. They are the Scrapbooking buyers for Oriental Trading and are behind all of the best and brightest products and ideas.  Oriental Trading Company was also one of the event sponsors. 

 

It was great to spend some time with them outside of work. Nothing can bring co-workers together like trying to find a vending machine at the resort for a midnight snack and then getting locked out of your room while wearing pink flamingo pajamas. Not that that happened to us, of course.

 

There were over 600 of us in attendance from all over the world. We crafted in the technique boutique, took guided tours, attended two full days of eight different crafty classes, plus went to formal dinners and fun events.

 

Here we are on the Bazzill Basics Paper™ Warehouse tour, from left to right: the warehouse interior, 6,000 sheets of paper and a giant paper cutter.

 

 

 

 

Oriental Trading Company sponsored a Safari Search, which was sort of a tropical take on a scavenger hunt. Here Melissa is stamping her passport before we went to find the next palm tree cooler.

The theme of the event was Risk vs. Reward. In other words, don’t take the risk of not capturing everyday moments. Reward yourself by scrapping it and having a treasure to remind you of those special and not-so-special days. I couldn’t agree more, like I always say, scrapbooking is not just for the big events!

 

For instance, I plan on creating a scrapbook page to honor our new friendship with Tim Holtz, scrapper extraordinaire! He created this amazing suitcase album. Beth, Tim and Melissa posed for a quick photo op between classes, where we made a “Creative Escape” mini album.

 

I wanted to give a big thanks to Bazzill™ for hosting the Saturday Night Dinner event. Together with two of the Creative Escape’s top teachers, Heidi Swapp and Tim Holtz, they raised over $50,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during the Saturday Night dinner. The pair made a set of lamps that garnered $45,000! Crafting and rosemary chicken with a side of good deeds? I say yes please!

 

Photos from that night, from left to right: Oriental Trading’s sponsor kudos, dessert with Oriental Trading favors, Heidi and Tim’s lamp and Heidi’s disco ball lamp.

That night there were also 100 prize packs and Oriental Trading provided the favors. The little purses were on each dessert plate and if there was a bracelet inside, you got a free pass to next year’s Creative Escape! Oh, and that chocolate dessert pictured to the left…it was even tastier than it looked, if you can believe that.

 

Of course, if you didn’t find a bracelet, you can still attend! I highly recommend this conference to one and all…from beginner to seasoned experts like Beth and Melissa, this getaway is not to be missed. You can get lots of details at CreativeEscapeAZ.com!

 

I’m off to look through all the top notch swag I picked up during the event and use some of the Bazzill™ paper to whip a page or two. Next week, let’s talk organization.

 

Your friend,

Dr. Memento & The One-Page Super Album

Kablam! This mini album may be small, but it still packs a mean punch. You too can recreate Dr. Memento, the headlining hero album, with only one single page. No radioactive accidents or spandex required.

 

All you need is a piece of 12 x 12 paper, some embellishments and about an hour. That’s not too much to ask of a super girl like you, right? 

 

Interior decoration suggestions:

• Cut out the super hero from the paper pack and affix him over the newsprint paper background using pop-up Glue Dots®.
 
• Attach a star cutout with a brad.
 
• Personalize the front cover with your hero’s name.
 
• Affix the letters “hero” to the third page, embellishing with paper pieces and blue ribbon.
 
• Crop paper and a super photo for the final page and add a punch out or two.

Click here for a materials list and my complete project instructions. 

Save the day with a free PDF download! Get the One-Page Album Instructions and  hole stitching guide to create the binding.

 

You can use this method to make any style album, from a back-to-school memory book to a summer vacation mini-album.

 

Want an even smaller one-page album? Create a wallet-sized version using a 6 x 6 sheet of paper. Small, but mighty…that’s the one-page album for ya!

 

Your friend,

Journal Cards 101

Have you discovered journal cards?  I just love them! Yesterday I used one to write a few lines on a page about my Aunt Kay and her crazy wallpaper. (I’m telling you, that wallpaper looked like a deranged Carmen Miranda hat exploded on her walls!)

If you haven’t used the handy little cards before, they are similar to playing cards. Made of sturdy paper and coated, they have a few lines for writing on one side and are printed on the other side.

 

Once you’ve used a few to journal a little something on your pages and projects, what to do with the rest of the pack of journal cards?

Here are 10 great alternative uses for journal cards:

1.   Make a “good for” coupon book
Write down promises of gifts and favors for friends and family and tuck them in greeting cards. Or promise an after-school-treat for your kids by putting a “good for” in their lunch sacks.

 

2.   Secret message
Hide a journal card or two in your scrapbook album. Create a small pocket and put in your secret message!

 

3.   Jot down a quick recipe
There is just enough room on journal cards to write out a simple recipe and instructions to giveaway. Making your world famous trail mix for a coworker’s birthday? Include recipe cards!

 

4.   Gift card holders
Tape two journal cards together and slip in a gift card. Don’t forget to write “to” and “from” on the outside.

 

5.   Punch up photo backgrounds
Flip a journal card over and use it as a background for a small photo. It can add just the right amount of color and pattern your page needs.

 

6.   Handmade business cards
Make low cost, completely personalized cards to represent your business. Add your name and contact information and you’ll have a card they won’t soon forget!

 

7.   Bookmark journal
Start by punching a hole in the top center of a journal card. Tie a brightly-colored ribbon through the hole. Keep your place, plus you can keep track of the best sellers you’ve read on the lined side.

 

8.   Album inserts
When working with any album that is held together with a metal split ring, punch a hole in a journal card and add that to the album along with the pages.

 

9.   Create a quick and easy mini album
Bind together the sides of a stack of journal cards using tape. Scrap each page for an album small enough to fit in next to your driver’s license!

10.  Perfect gift tags
Secure a journal card on any present for an instant gift tag with lots of personality.

Add a journal card gift tag to this fruit-covered box! Present homemade summertime jams and jellies in these fruity gift boxes for a gift they’re sure to eat up. In fact, after that Carmen Miranda comment, I may owe Aunt Kay some of the homemade zucchini jam I canned last weekend.

Here’s everything you need to create your own 

“Tutti Frutti” gift box:

 

65/60788           98 Pc. Fruit Salad Paper Kit

65/60789           24 Fruit Salad Journal Cards

65/65932           60 Monochromatic Pink Flowers

65/65909           Monochromatic Blue
Embellishment Box

65/60497           6 Scrap Your Own! White 
Gable Boxes

 

Project Instructions:

Cover each box side with fruit salad paper. Using rub-ons, add “Tutti Frutti” to the front. Attach the journal card. Embellish with a brad and flower. Assemble the box.

  

Come back next week for a super mini album idea!

 

Your friend,

 

Trip to the Zoo

I’m a huge fan of zoos! Where else can you go and ride a train, watch a lion sleep in a sunny spot, see a baby kangaroo drinking from a bottle and sweat your socks off all in one day?

 

For me, the zoo and all its sights and smells (the good, the bad and the ugly) are the breeding grounds for some serious photographic inspiration. I think the file folder of zoo pictures is one of the largest on my hard drive, second only to family pictures. Brightly colored tropical fish, adorable little monkeys, a shark’s giant teeth or even the goofy face of a chewing giraffe… I’ve captured it all for posterity. I also have a hilarious picture of my friend Linda being attacked by butterflies, but don’t tell her I told you that.

So print your best zoo-inspired pictures and scrap the last days of summer memories with this Trip to the Zoo Finished Page. With a neutral background and a few shapes cut from the wild animal-inspired paper, this page will come together quickly.

 

Go wild with this zoo-themed page and scrap pictures of all the little monkeys in your life! Check out my step-by--step instructions and complete supply list. 

 

Your friend,