Search Results for: blog paper tearing tear your art out

Designing for Fido or Fifi

My daughter still has dreams of becoming a dog, which is precisely why I try to keep her out of our local scrapbook store during National Pet Month. Each May the shop’s owner devotes an entire display table to showcasing memory albums dedicated to the Fidos and Fifis of the world. One look in the books and my daughter would be howling about how she is the only child in the world who doesn’t own a dog. Fortunately, for those of you who do have a dog, cat or gerbil to care for, designing a family pet memory album is … Continue reading →

Getting Artwork for Pennies

Did you know that your local thrift store can supply you with high quality art? Yes, I know what you are thinking, all of those paint by number paintings or water damaged prints are not your idea of good art. But that isn’t what I am talking about at all. Here is how to get some real treasures at your local thrift store. First of all, go right past the art section without passing go. Okay, you can peak at it if you like, but you will probably be disappointed. Instead, go to the book area. Pull out any books … Continue reading →

Countdown to What?

All right, here it is: we’re making Christmas crafts. Yes, really. And it’s not because I am insanely organized. Far from it. It’s because I know that Christmas will come and we will not be organized, December will fly, and there we will be, with no Christmas presents to give to special teachers and other relatives. As I’ve mentioned before, my daughter and I are rapid-fire crafters. We don’t like to spend a lot of time creating crafts with intricate details – let’s just say that no one will be getting fancy lacework for Christmas, as least not made from … Continue reading →

Get Ready for Holiday Scrapping

Wal-Mart has its aisles stuffed with Halloween paraphernalia, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that my local grocery store is also hawking ghoulish goodies. The problem with shopping at a mega-giant supermarket that sells scrapbook materials right next to the produce section is that you are constantly bombarded with temptations to add to your collection. And with the holiday season right around the corner you can image how much willpower I’m forced to exercise, so as to not end up with a cart full of holiday-themed stickers, stamps and albums. Yesterday I was this close to buying a pumpkin … Continue reading →

Using Embellishments on Your Scrapbook Page

If you are new to scrapbooking you might be wondering about embellishments. What are they and why should I use them? Embellishments add flair to your scrapbook pages. They spruce up the layout on your page and make it more eye-appealing. The most common type of embellishment to use is stickers. Go to any craft store and you will be amazed by the selection of stickers out there. Different sizes, colors, themes, characters and designs. Stickers can be sold individually, on rolls or single sheets of paper. Many scrapbook kits will also include stickers. Another commonly used embellishment is die-cuts. … Continue reading →

Smashing Stress

I often joke that when I’m stressed, I need a doghouse to smash. A friend of mine had an old, abandoned doghouse in her yard and decided one day it was time to get rid of the unsightly thing. With her trusty sledgehammer at her side, she took it apart. When she was done, she told me how great it felt to smash the thing. There’s something very cathartic about physical exercise… and destruction. After a particularly bad breakup a few years ago, some friends invited me to help remodel their kitchen. I had a grand old time prying tiles … Continue reading →

What is Hybrid Scrapbooking?

If you are active in the scrapbooking community at all, you might have seen reference to a new term dubbed hybrid scrapbooking. But what in the world does it mean? Is scrapbooking going green or is it referencing some scrapbooking vehicle for us hobby lovers? Nope. It’s a whole new take on the world of scrapbooking and it has taken off like a storm. First let’s look at what the word hybrid means. Hybrid is a something of mixed origin or composition. It essentially means two things that have been combined to be one thing. So knowing that, how does … Continue reading →

Looking for a New Simple Technique to Try?

Do you ever sit and stare at your major stash of scrapbooking supplies and wonder what new techniques to try to add a little personality or flair to your pages? If you do, you are not alone. It is typical to find yourself in a rut and wonder what you can do about it. Here are a few new simple techniques you can try and implement into your scrapbook pages this weekend. Fun Techniques: Sculpting Paper Paper sculpture has been around a long time. However I found a new and creative way to use it in your paper projects from … Continue reading →

Frugal Ideas for Pets

Did you know that you can save money even when it comes to your pets? Here is a roundup of ideas that you can use to make Fido and Fluffy very frugal. Forget buying those expensive cat scratching trees and condos. I haven’t met a cat yet that will use them more than once. Instead, pick up some free carpet samples at your local hardware store or carpet center. Many times they will give you the samples for free. You can also buy small sample-sized rugs at home improvement stores for just a few dollars. Spread them around your home. … Continue reading →

Countdown to Thanksgiving: Two Days from Today

Two more days! The time went by fast, didn’t it? So, how much do you have left to do? I’m feeling pretty good about things. Here’s my game plan for today: Food Prep Getting as much food ready as possible in advance will make the big day less stressful. Start by chopping, cutting, slicing, and dicing any veggies you’ll need for salads, stuffing, veggie trays, relish trays, and the like. Put your trays together and make any dips. Prepare garnishes and store them in covered containers. Another helpful idea is to measure out ingredients you’ll need on Thanksgiving and store … Continue reading →