I am not Bakerella

I adore Bakerella. I mean, seriously, LOVE her work. However, I am most definately NOT Bakerella. Case in point, my Easter “cookie pops”. 🙂 These were Oreo Cakesters, covered with white chocolate bark and gel icing.

Go ahead, laugh. You won’t hurt my feelings. 🙂 Just thought I’d share a crafting mishap for your viewing enjoyment. LOL

Why people don’t scrapbook (or continue scrapbooking)

Aby Garvey posted a great article yesterday on her blog at simplify101.com about the parallels between why people don’t scrapbook and why they don’t get organized. Take a look at the post (HERE) and read below how Stampin’ UP! And I can help you start (or get back into) scrapbooking.

Reasons

Feeling Overwhelmed

I completely understand the “deer-caught-in-the-headlights” feeling from the shear number of scrapbooking products on the market! I also understand a mounting pile of photos just itching to be cherished.

Perfectionism

I used to keep my favorite photos in a box for “when I’m good enough to scrapbook them”. Aby said it best, “But I find it so ironic that our desire to do something perfectly often prevents us from doing it at all.”

Time Constraints

We’re all pushed to our limits each day with work, family, home, and hobbies vying for our attention and time. However, as with organization, the sooner you set up a plan the easier and faster it will be to get things done.

How SU! and I can help

Feeling Overwhelmed

One of the most common phrases I hear from new scrapbookers is “how do you know what matches?” Stampin’ UP! has a solution for that problem: everything coordinates. Papers, inks, stickers, stamps, markers… it’s all created by designers using coordinating color families, and all SU! embellishments coordinate with everything else! All you have to do is choose your photo(s), pick out one color from the photograph and use scrapbooking products containing that color – SU! does the rest for you!

If you have piles of photographs and don’t know where to start, let me know! We can set up a time to go through your photographs, one-on-one or with a group of friends, and pick out supplies that match perfectly. You haven’t ever scrapbooked before? No problem! Just let me know and we can set up a fun “Scrapbooking 101” class for you and your friends, or a crop night for scrapping fun!

Perfectionism

I say this to my daughter all the time: There is NO wrong way to make art. Scrapbooking is about memories and the stories of your life, plain and simple. The art is just your personal way of expressing those feelings and telling those stories. My first “scrapbook” was made in high school: construction paper, photos (cut into some interesting shapes) and Crayola markers. These were stuck in regular page protectors and a blue school binder. While it won’t ever be published in a magazine or win a design award, I wouldn’t trade that scrapbook for the world! Those memories and that time in my life (heart-dotted “i”s and all) are too valuable!

The easiest way to begin scrapbooking is to copy a scrapbooker’s layout(s) until you feel comfortable branching out on your own. Check out my blog for scrapbooking layouts and designs using SU! products, or set up a scrapbooking time with me to re-create some of my favorite layouts with your photographs. Don’t let the fear of “perfect” stop you from sharing your story!

Time Constraints

With Stampin’ UP!’s coordinating products, scrapbooking can be quick! When I have a moment to create, I want to get as much accomplished as possible. With SU! there’s no wasted time trying to coordinate colors, match ribbons, or find the perfect paper – everything coordinates! This goes back to organization – once you have the tools you need the necessary time to create a project decreases significantly. Look to Stampin’ UP!s Simply Scrapin’ kits for papers and stickers in one package – just open the package and you’ll be ready to create! And when you need embellishments – just let me know which color palette you’re using and I can suggest products that will take your layouts to the next level.

 If you’re ever in doubt, just ask me! I’m here to inspire and share with you. J

Interested in Stampin’ UP! scrapbooking supplies? Just click the link to your right and browse my online store, or send me a comment or note saying “I need a catalog!” and I’ll pop one in the mail to you.

Love Sparkles Simply Scrapin’ Kit

Workshop Saturday

If you’re in the Austin area and would like to join my dear friend (and up-line) Missy and myself for a fun workshop, just let me know and I’ll send you all the details!

Saturday, Feb. 6 at 3pm at my home in Round Rock

Hope to see you there!

Create or Computer? The age-old question…

I’m not gone, I’ve just been creating instead of blogging! 🙂 Here are a few things I’ve been up to:

New Ribbon Storage

I wanted a fun and functional way to store my SU! ribbons so I used a couple Bell glass canning jars! I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the canning lids, threaded my ribbon through the holes and spun on the screw-top lid. Now they sit on my bookshelf and I can see at a glance what I have.

I wanted to make a Valentine’s banner, so I took my daughter’s old shoebox…

And used my Big Shot to cut out the backgrounds for my banner (using the Top Note die). I then die cut my Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and Kraft cardstock with the same die.

I attached the paper to the box dies with adhesive. I bought a glitter “Love” banner a few years ago at Target and found the letters in my stash (I never throw away a good craft project ;)) and attached those to the die cuts with Sticky Strip. I then used my Crop-A-Dile (can you tell I love this thing??) to punch holes in the dies.

Next I stamped hearts from the I {Heart} Hearts set on Crushed Curry cardstock and embossed with White Stampin’ Embossing Powder.

After cutting out the letters I adhered them to the letters with Sticky Strip. I then threaded Melon Mambo Polka-Dot ribbon through and VOILA! A custom Valentine’s banner! 🙂

Remember that Stampin’ UP! will donate $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set to the American Red Cross. You can purchase this and hundreds of fabulous products by clicking on the link to your right.

Have a great Wednesday! 🙂

Help Haiti

As usual, crafters around the globe are joining together to help those devastated by the Haitian earthquakes. Stampin’ UP! has started a movement to benefit the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin’ Up!® will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate it to the fund. Both the wood-mounted and clear mount sets qualify. As you plan your Valentine’s gifts for family, friends, and teachers, consider giving the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set that benefits the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. You can order this set through my website (see the link on my sidebar) or by contacting me directly. Thanks for touching the lives of those in Haiti.

Clear Mount FAQ

As I wait impatiently for my new Clear Mount stamps to arrive (hopefully tomorrow!) I thought I’d pass on a bit of information about these fabulous stamps:

Q: Why have we decided to offer clear-mount rubber stamps?
A: We have long known of the demand for repositionable clear-mount stamps from both demonstrators and customers. The problem has been how to offer these features without sacrificing the quality of our product. It took us a while, but we did it! With these new repositionable rubber stamps and clear blocks, you get the same superior image quality and durability you are accustomed to, along with the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable stamps.

Q: How is clear-mount stamping different from wood-mount stamping?
A: Clear-mount and wood-mount stamps are both made with the same quality rubber and foam. You will not see any difference in your stamped images with the clear-mount stamps. The clear-mount blocks have grooves on all four sides; the grooves in the block will feel the same in your hand as a wood-mount stamp. Your stamping experience will be the same with either format. The difference lies mainly in their features and benefits. Clear-mount stamps require less storage space, and you can place multiple images on the same block. Also the image on the back of the stamp can aid you in stamp positioning.

Q: Is Stampin’ Up! eventually going to stop carrying wood-mount stamps?
A: We have no plans to discontinue our wood-mount stamps. The benefit of offering stamps in both formats is that your customers will be able to choose the medium that works best for them.

Q: Are the stamps completely clear, so the whole stamp is see-through?
A: No. The blocks are completely clear, but the stamps use our same high-quality rubber and foam. There is, however, an image label for the back of the stamp (between the block and the foam) that will help you position the stamp on the paper.

Q: Are there plans for acrylic (photopolymer) stamps in the future?
A: No. Photopolymer would have been an easy solution for repositionable clear-mount stamps, but it is prone to stretching, tearing, and discoloration, and cannot produce the kind of crisp, finely detailed images Stampin’ Up! stamps are known for. Our commitment to offering the very best products in the crafting market simply would not allow us to offer an inferior product like photopolymer.

Q: Is the clear-mount rubber different from the wood-mount rubber?
A: The rubber on the clear-mount stamps is identical to the rubber used on the wood-mount stamps.

Q: How do you store clear-mount rubber stamps?
A: Clear-mount rubber stamps come in a DVD-sized storage case, and can be housed in any storage system designed to hold DVDs. The artwork on the storage label is shown at 100% on the cover, and thumbnail size on the spine. The
back of the case is clear, allowing you to see the actual stamps from the back of the case.

I was SO thrilled to see that SU! had come out with these! If you’re low on storage space or low on funds (clear mount stamps are cheaper! ;)) check these out!

Have a great afternoon,

TM