Scrapbook Blog from Legacy Paper Arts

Video Instructions

2008-06-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-06-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

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????

2008-06-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

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

Monthly Ensemble Club on haitus

2008-05-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

2008-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

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

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

2008-05-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-28T20:22:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-02-26T08:15:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

2008-02-09T20:11:00.001-08:00

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

2008-01-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

2008-01-01T22:28:00.000-08:00

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/

Sold Out Soon

2007-12-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast we are selling out of our monthly kits. For the past few months, we have been selling out almost as fast as we put up the photos for the new kits. This month I made extra of all of them, but we only have a few page kits left. I love these page kits. They are going to look amazing in your book. But, let us know soon if you want some, we will be sold out before you know it!

2007-12-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

The December Monthly Project Kit -Ornament Wreath is such a fun kit that you can use multiple ways! I did another example of how you could use this kit. Instead of gluing the ornaments together to form a wreath, you can add them to an actual green wreath (not included with the kit). In the top photo, I added the completed ornaments to a 36" wreath. The red ribbon is not included in the kit, but the gold ribbon is. Instead of using the gold ribbon to make the hanging portion of the wreath, I cut it into pieces and tied it to the tops of all the ornaments.

The bottom photo shows another way to assemble the kit. You can glue the ornaments into a wreath arrangement. The kit comes with hangers to place on the back of the finished ornament wreath as well as the ribbon with which you can hang the wreath (plus enough to add some finishing touches). This is such a fun kit!

2007-12-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

Adhesives, part 3

Red line tape, like Artz Accentz

As one of my neighbors said when she saw me pulling out the redline tape, “You must want that to stay on forever.” This stuff holds like nobody’s business. Your paper will rip before this tape comes undone. One important thing, though, is that once it is down, IT IS DOWN. There is no grace period with this adhesive, the moment you place it down, it stays. I really like it for ribbon and pockets. I used it on this month’s project kit to hold the chipboard ornaments together in a wreath. And, of course, I used it to run the ribbon along the seams on two of the ornaments.

2007-12-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Taking Holiday Pictures

A friend just sent me a link to this blog that has a great list of tips for taking holiday pictures. Check it out. http://blog.webshots.com/?p=779&tag=nl.e201

2007-12-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

Adhesives, Part 2

Liquid Glues

I love Tombow Multi (the green cap). I call it my “Elmer’s” glue for scrapbooking. The layouts made with this glue really hold up well to traveling. I like that it has a wide and narrow end. The narrow end is perfect for applying to small detail pieces when creating paper piecings. You do need to be very careful that you don’t apply too much. I barely apply pressure to the tube and drag it quickly along the edges/middle of the paper. This leaves a fine trail of dots along the paper that glues the paper firmly without causing paper wrinkles.

I’ve also been trying out the Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive. My friends have been bugging me to move over to this glue for over a year now. But, you know how it is, once you find a glue you love, it’s hard to try something new. I picked up a bottle last month, and I must say, I’m loving this glue. In addition to paper, it is also works on metal & plastic. My buddy Penny used it to glue a coin to one of her layouts & it is still there. The good thing/bad thing about this glue is that it is in a much larger bottle. Good because it is a good price, bad because it is heavier/bulkier when doing paper piecings. Really minor complaint actually.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with either glue. I’m probably going to keep both in my repertoire because, as every scrapper knows, you can’t ever have too much adhesive!

2007-12-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

Adhesives, part one

I would say that the number one question I get is “What adhesive did you use?” Everyone wants to talk adhesives at the show-what holds best, what is easy to use, what I like, etc. So, I think I need to post about what my favorite adhesives are. I’ll be covering them over the next couple of days.

XYRON

One of my all time favorites for projects. I love the complete coverage that I get when I run my mini book pages through the Xyron machine. For example, on the board books, I know that if I use Xyron to attach the pages to the books, those pages aren’t falling off. Plus, as people thumb through the books, they don’t pull the papers off. Xyron is an expensive adhesive, but I find it really worth it for the mini books and similar projects. Our board books probably get as much use in one expo weekend as your book will during its life. I have books over a year old that don’t have any tears/pulls at the edges. In this case, the extra money is completely worth it.

2007-12-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry I’m late posting. Life has been crazy this month. Looks like I’m going to have surgery really soon. The doctors say I have to take two weeks off from work after surgery. As a result, the January clubs will be canceled next month :-( I’m really sorry about that, but with the Christmas holidays & the surgery, it would just be too stressful to get the three clubs out in January.

2007-11-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Things have been crazy around here! I only have a few days home between conventions and I have a crop, Halloween, a birthday party, plus we have to ship two monthly clubs! Anyway, I did see a really funny video at http://www.livevideo.com/video/537FF9DA20B44560845DEE157D1F9DD6/man-made-card.aspx?m_tkc=7800917

Check it out!

2007-10-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

I went to a class this weekend with my best friend. She is not a scrapper, but she really wanted me to make her some mini albums for Christmas for her family. I was really worried about time, so I talked her into going to a class with me and making some together. She had so much fun! Hummm, I may have created another scrapbooker, LOL.

Here is the conversation we had about scrapbooking.

Nita: Melissa! this is a great hobby. It's totally fat-free! (Her hobby is cooking/baking, LOL).
Melissa: Well, there are times when people break out the chocolate fountain, but most of the time, you scrap and don't eat a bunch.
Nita: You could drink. . .
Melissa: You could, but there is the worry that you might spill on your project.
Nita: No problem, we can just get one of those hats.

I about fell off my chair laughing. Can't you see a bunch of women cropping looking like this?

I got the photo from a website called www.cocktailequipment.com. They call it the Pink Thirst Aid Helmet, LOL.

2007-10-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Did you stop by the website and see the new kits? If you haven't had time, here they are! I know, I know. . . the tags are missing the ribbons. They were supposed to get here last week, but they were delayed until this week. They are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, but I didn't want to wait until after I got back to show you all the layouts. We don't have a lot of extras, so be sure to sign up now!

Heading down south

2007-10-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

We are heading down to the Ontario Scrapbook Expo. We have been working hard to get everything ready for the show. We can’t wait to see our southern California friends. We haven’t been down there since February. Can you believe it?!?!? It seems like we were just there. This year has flown by and I can’t believe we are heading into the Christmas season already. I really need to start my Christmas shopping, LOL.

We are updating the site with the new page kits tomorrow. I’m so excited about both the kits-one is titled “Thanksgiving 2007” (it also comes with an 8, just in case) and the other is “True Bliss.” Just wait until you see them; they are so beautiful! But, you better order soon. I'm pretty sure we will be sold out of these, so be sure to reserve your kit today.