Video Instructions

I'm so excited!!!! We are adding video instructions for some of our kits. The first kit that we are making videos for is the Summer Chipboard Album. You can buy the kit and watch the videos while you are putting it together. It will be like taking a scrapbooking class from home! The link for the instructions are included in the kit. So, get the kit, get connected, and go!

Summer Chipboard Word Album

So I'm trying something new. While I was making this month's project kit (the Summer Chipboard Word Album) , I video taped myself. This means we are going to have video instructions and written instructions for this kit. With the kit, your adhesive, and an Internet connection, you can take a scrapbooking class from home.

If word chipboard kits have ever seemed too challenging, now is your chance to try them out. You will have plenty of help since I video taped every step.

The kit is tons of fun. With Summer here already, my kids are at home running through sprinklers, begging me to take them to the pool, and making a mess eating Popsicles. This book celebrates the Summer in the best way. There are shells, sand, a hula dancing penguin, and palm trees. It is like taking a mini vacation from your home!

Recommended Tools & Supplies: X-acto knife, pliers, adhesive-pop-up, liquid,and diamond glaze or glossy accents, ink pads, scissors, ruler, tweezers, paper trimmer, hole punch, an archival pen plus all your fantastic memories complete with great photos. Get set to capture all those memories!

Dimensions: approximately 5.75x11.75” for the finished book.

What really damages scrapbooks?

I have this really beautiful sketch that was given to my grandparents as a wedding gift. Unfortunately, it was sketch on acidic paper and mounted (almost decoupaged) on a wood board. About 5 years ago, I began to see brown spots appearing on it. Over the past 5 years, these brown spots have grown exponentially. I've tried everything I can to preserve it, but the preservation company told me to just enjoy it while I can. I've hit the autocatalytic point on the sketch, and it can not be stopped.

Much like my sketch, our scrapbooks will also hit this point and begin deteriorating. While we do what we can to keep this from happening by using archival materials, the real damage to scrapbooks is often something we can't control-our environment.

The average humidity of where I live is around 62% and our average temperature is around 68 degrees. Not bad, LOL. I don't have air conditioning, and we only use the heater during the really cold months. But still, my scrapbooks will begin to break down in around 45 years unless I can change the temperature and climate in which I keep my books.

The Scrapbook Preservation Society wrote a great article on this topic. It is a must read for scrapbookers everywhere. Be sure to check it out.

http://www.scrapbookpreservationsociety.com/downloads/DBurge-sci-v2i3-A-S.pdf

What's Safe????

On one of the message boards I frequent, people were arguing about what is safe for your scrapbooks. Luckily, the Scrapbook Preservation Society printed a pamphlet on just this topic.

http://www.scrapbookpreservationsociety.com/downloads/embellishments.pdf

You can print it out and keep it next to your scrapbooking area. Then, the next time you are worried about whether or not something is safe to use, you can check your list.

But honestly, if you have photos that are really precious, and you can't get a replacement, I really recommend that you have a professional copy made. Then, you can keep the original in an archival safe enviroment (like a photo safe) and scrap the copy. I would rather be safe than sorry with really rare photos.

Another Cool Photography Tips Site

Photos and journaling make up the base for our scrapbooks. So, when I heard about this blog http://digital-photography-school.com/blog I had to stop by. Sure you might not want to shoot a picture of mushrooms or other fungi for your scrapbook, but the tips on portraits, candlelight photography, and colorizing black and white photos may come in handy.

Plus, I like the whole idea of opening up your photography into the everyday. So many of us are busy with just getting our event scrapbooking done, that we don't get our everyday moments done.

This, actually, was one of the reasons I set up the monthly scrapbook page layout kit. I hoped that if you had your event layout for the month and one other layout that was for everyday events, that you would get those scrapped.

But, even if you don't get them scrapped, you can at least get them photographed.

Good site for photo tips

I read about this website that gives you tips for taking pictures and editing them. Check it out, they have some good ideas: www.pictopix.com/podcast

Journal Journal Journal

I'm all about journaling. I know they say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but honestly when you are scrapbooking you still need to write those words! I have a picture of my great great grandmother-and it is a wonderful thing to have. BUT, my mother has her hand written will. Talk about amazing!

Think of how great it would be to have notes from your ancestors on everything from what their "average" day was like, to their tips on making a family, or even the types of parties and get togethers they had.

There is so much more to just the photos! I would love to have even a letter from my great great grandmother. Leaving a journal of your life and your children's life is a wonderful gift to the future.

P.S. Don't forget to write!

Our New Page Kits

Click on photos to order.

Father's Day is a big event at our house. This kit was actually inspired by my son who is always trying out new slang terms that he hears on the school yard playground. While some have not been too successful at our house (as you can imagine), his telling his Dad that he is the total bomb went over really well, LOL.

The Bomb layout will also work for any other person you think totally rocks. You can skip putting "Dad" on the title tag and add any name you want.

Plus, the mesh pocket with the beading is sooooo cool. It is really easy to make. All you need is a good strong glue like glossy accents or diamond glaze to attach the mesh to the back of the pocket.

The "Big Smiles" layout is so much fun. I have to give a serious "THANK YOU" to KI Memories for helping me out with the paper for this kit. We originally had a different paper coming, but we were told at the very last minute that it would not be arriving. KI Memories stepped up to bat and got us the new background paper immediately! They could be the subject of a U DA BOMB page for us right now, LOL.

I'm actually really glad that we had to switch the paper. This background paper has so many colors and is so cheerful that it actually made the page kit so much more colorful and exciting. I’m much happier with how the boarder came out on this page than on the other one. The extra color on the boarder really makes it pop. Also, I think the multi-colored photo mattes are super cool.

Another Sketch for the Monthly Ensemble Club

I did one more sketch for this month's Ensemble club.

Monthly Ensemble Club on haitus

I just wanted to remind everyone that the Ensemble club is on hiatus for the summer. Michelle is heading to LA to work for a division of Sony. She is super excited about working in the music industry this summer, but I’ll really miss her! Until she gets back, the Ensemble club will be on hold.

The page kit club and project club are NOT on hold. They will continue as normal.

Great Feedback!

I got the nicest email from one of my customers. She said it was OK to show it to you all so here it is:

Hi! Just some feedback... This is by far my favorite e-mail I receive every month. I'm so thrilled to have found a kit club that I LOVE. I've done others, but I loved about 1/2 the spreads or they didn't come with directions. While I don't follow the directions exactly, at least I have an idea on what I can make. And your kits are G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. :) Happy Friday! Michelle

There are alot of people in our club that I call my "kit club recovery group" LOL. Lots of people sign up for a monthly scrapbooking club and end up with kits they don't want or like because other clubs don't let them skip or preview. Since our club lets you skip every month you want and you preview it in an email BEFORE it arrives, you don't have to worry about getting a kit you aren't going to use.

We just love getting such nice emails from our customers!

Happy Monther's Day!!!!

I really love this page kit. In honor of Mother’s Day, we made the most beautiful layout. We all learn how to be the best mom we can be, so celebrate all those people who taught you how to “love by example!” Don’t let the story of all the people that influenced you to be the mother you are die. This layout is a great way to pass on all the words of wisdom you have collected over the years.

Not a mom? Then be sure to use this layout to tell the stories of all the people who have really influenced the way that you relate to other people, especially the ones you love. Or, use it to celebrate you own mother and how she shaped you into the person you are.

Sketch for May 2008 Ensemble

I did one more sketch for this month's Ensemble club.

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!!!

I hope you all went to some fabulous crop and had the time of your life! I was busy with a camping trip with the kids this past weekend so I didn't get to crop :::sniff, sniff::: But, I had a great time camping:D

I made another sketch to go with this month’s Ensemble club. Wow, these Ensemble kits went sooooo quickly! The last of the kits shipped today and our newsletter (with the very cute page kits from Wendy Chang) will be going out on Tuesday.

Time Flies Clock May Project Kit

This month’s project kit ROCKS!!! The clock is so much fun I can’t stand it. I put it up in my hallway and I just keep smiling every time I walk past it. It is so bright and colorful that it really cheers up my hallway.

I know everyone tells you that time flies with kids, and it is just so true. I loved adding my kid’s photos to this clock. I got 11 photos total on the clock. I started with their baby pictures and went all the way up to the last photo I took of them together. I can’t believe how big they have gotten! Every time I look at it, it really reminds me how you need to stop and smell the roses.

Party Time Page Kit Embellishment

The page kits this month are awesome. I really like the party time kit. I thought of a fun way to dress up the cupcake. Right now, the directions have you covering the “frosting” top with diamond glaze or glossy accents and sprinkling bugle beads on the top. BUT, I also thought it would be fun to paint the top of the cupcake with texture paint, then sprinkle on the bugle beads. The frosting paint would look like real frosting when it dries.

Sketch for May Ensemble

I love this month’s Ensemble. This new line from We R Memory Keepers is just plain fun. The kit comes with 6 patterned papers and 8 matching cardstock papers. The patterned papers are very vibrant and will look great with your summer photos.

My favorite die cut that comes with this kit is palm trees and the hammock. It makes me think of hanging out in the backyard while the kids are running like crazy through the sprinklers. I’ve been messing around with some sketches to use with the kit, and here is the first one.

Butterfly Wishes Mini Album, April 2008 Monthly Scrapbooking Project Club

This album has the greatest "butterfly wish" quote that runs through the book. It is really beautiful on every page. Every page has something special on it. I'm really happy how it came out.

A funny note about making this album. As I was putting the glue on the vellum page, I realized I didn't have vellum glue, LOL. Bit of a problem since the glue was now going to totally show! Luckily, there was an easy fix. I edged the vellum with gold paint. It completely covered where the glue showed through.


April 2008 Monthly Project Club: Butterfly Wishes Mini Album

Website Update

I've been working on a website update, but as all website updates go, it is not going fast enough for me. So, here are some new kits that will be up on the website soon.

April's Page Kit Layouts

It's been a while, but I wanted to share the page kit layouts for this month's kit. I'll be updating the website, but I just could not wait! The Spring layout has a ton of embellishments across the top accenting the tags. The Got Eggs? layout is so cute with the bunny balancing the egg on his nose. I just love them.

Join the Scrapbook Page Kit Layout Monthly Club

Creating Keepsakes Convention's Classes

We are packing for the CKC in Portland this weekend!!!!!! I'm so excited. I'll be teaching three classes: Love this face, All Boy Bamboo Album, and the All Girl Bamboo Album. We will be teaching these same classes in Mesa, AZ.

CHA, Baby!!!!

We arrived in Anaheim last night and got ready for our classes today. I went to Tim Holtz's Distressing class. HE ROCKS! His project was great. Plus, he was really interesting. He didn't just tell us about the project and how to do it. He also talked alot about the different products we were using and how to work with them.

Some tips he shared with us for people who like Ranger's products (and who doesn't?!?!?)

Distress Embossing Ink: First off, SNIFF the ink. I know, sounds like a bad idea, but it smells like cinnamon. You have 15 minutes to work with this embossing ink. Very nice, you can do a whole row of stuff with the ink and then emboss.

Distress Embossing Powders: Be sure to shake the bottle before using. After applying, don't flick. Just tip the project to the side and let the extra fall off. It is a little hard to see when these embossing powders have melted, but that's OK, you can't over heat this powder. Don't touch the powder until it has cooled or it can all fall off. After it has cooled, run your finger over it so it will "distress." If you begin to run your finger over it, and it feels like sand-STOP and reheat. If it feels like sandpaper, it’s done right. Don't put these crystals back into the jar; they go in the garbage.

Crackle Paint: Apply thickly. If you think it is too thick, it is probably just right. Think cupcakes, LOL. I thought I was applying the "thick" coat for the larger cracks, but I only got the small cracks. And believe me, I added a ton of paint. Also, don't try to hurry this paint's dry time along with a heat gun. It needs to crackle on it's own.

Distress Inks: If you use an applicator, you don't have to worry about the ink mixing on the pad and ruining the ink pad. It will mix on the applicator, but not on the pad. Of course, I had to try this out. I went from a dark brown to the blue ink pad, and sure enough, the pad wasn't ruined.

If you ever get a chance to take a class from Tim, DO IT!

February Page Kits

One of my best friends lives in Washington DC. There is something about that three hour time difference that seems to mess up our phone calls. By the time the kids are put to bed, it is too late to call, so we are having to call on weekends-always an adventure. But, we had the best call this month catching up on everything and dreaming of the day she will be able to come back to California. As a dedication to all my wonderful friends, far and near, I created a page kit to celebrate our important relationships. If you want one for your own pictures of you with your best friends, check out the February club selection.

February Kits- Ensemble Club

We're getting ready to ship the monthly ensemble club! The paper is from Fancy Pant's Crush line. I love this paper. This kit is just too much fun for celebrating Valentine's Day. It is all about the one you love.

Adhesives, Part 4

E6000 Multi-Purpose Adhesive

I like this glue for gluing on the glass marble feet on to the boxed accordion albums. BUT, make sure when you are applying the glue that you use it outside. This stuff smells awful. It is acid free once it cures, but during the curing time, it smells yucky. I leave the boxes in my garage overnight, and then bring them back in to the house in the morning.

Why do I like it? It is a clear gloppy glue. You put a little pea sized about on the corner of the box, and then nestle the glass marble into it. The glue comes up around the marble to hold it securely, but since it is perfectly clear, you can't see it on the box. Well, if you turn the box over and look really close you can, but mostly no one notices it. It is very strong. Your paper will tear before this glue comes off. It is perfect for this application.

Happy New Year!!!!

We are very busy preparing for the new year. For the first time, I'm teaching at the Creating Keepsakes Conventions in Mesa, AZ and Portland, OR. The paper for the classes arrived this past week and we are busy creating and packaging the kits for all of you. Check out our class descriptions at http://www.ckscrapbookevents.com/oregon2008/