Wordless Wednesday:

Mini Book floral Swap Album completed

I just complete my first mini book in over a year.  Although it was a rush job, it turned out pretty good.  I am part of a swap, so this album is on its way to Toledo, Ohio in a few hours.  I love how it turned out.   The Album it a Tag book and it has two chipboard covers, and the tags are made from the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More retired Cricut Cartridge and #8 tags from Ranger  The tags and book covers are covered with paper from DCWV (Die Cuts with a View) paper line's Primrose, which is a newer paper and Mariposa, which is an older paper line.  I also have a couple of sheets of another paper line that was 6 x 6.
I used flowers from my stash that I have bought from either Joanne's or Big lots (yes they have scrapbook embellishments) The ribbon is adhesive ribbon that I turned into ties for the tag pages.
I hope you like the video I made.

Things I am working on

I know, I do not have a layout, mini book, or card for you to look at and learn how to make.  I will share at the end of the week, so I am getting there.

Mini books

I am working on a tag book for a swap, and it is consists of the following ingredients:

Two chipboard covers (from recollections-but you can find chipboard covers and place, and you can also cut them out with a die cutting machine to get the shape you want.

#8 tags from Ranger. (In the green package)- I get these all the time, but if you have a die cutting machine, you can cut these tags out.  The measurements for the standard tag is 6.25 in x 3.25 in, with, or without the hole. 

Other tags- the swap mini book did not give me an exact measurement on how big the tags had to be, so I made bigger one almost as big as the covers, which are small covers, measuring about 5 in x 7 in, but you can have any size you need to.

The album is held together by two binding rings.  Again binding is at your discretion.  This is only the second time I have bound a book this way.

Cards:

from the DCVW blog

I have picked up a corrugated paper stack from DCWV, and I am going to use on a set for my mom and a set to sell on Etsy.  This company has hit it on the head this time, because I wanted to know where to find this stuff (other than ripping up a cardboard box.   I will post when I am finished with the cards.

Well that is it for now.   Be blessed my friend.   

No layout Tuesday: Tips

Stock up (Copyright PLynneDesigns)

I have a tip for you today:  stock up.

I am not talking about going out and grabbing every paper line known to mankind or buying every new tool in the scrapbooking world, I am talking about the basics.

This is tip is not only for people who are just starting in the world of scrapbooking, but for anyone who has ever scrapbooks, sews, or make containers out of gourds.  Any crafter or hobbyist.  This tip does not apply to collectors.

Step 1:  Look for anything that is being used on a daily basis or anything that you cannot go without.

Step 2:  Make a permanent list of those items, like this:

            Tape runner refills

            White color paper and matching envelopes

            Kraft color paper and matching envelopes

            Black color paper and matching envelopes

            Liquid glue

            3-d squares

You get the picture.  Suggestion:  if you do not already know, your computer if you use one, makes a great filling system.  Make this a file on a spreadsheet program like Excel, that way, you can print out the list.  If you do not like that system, you can always have a little notebook, and write a permanent list in the back of it.  Here is a perfect example a video showing an inventory binder to take with you to shop. (I think I will make this one)

Step 3: go shopping

OK, this does not apply if you already have the stuff you need but it helps.   Catch things on sale (Michael’s Joanne’s, and Hobby Lobby have weekly specials)

Step 4:  buy what you need for other projects.    If there is a project you are working on, buy for that project ONLY.  This will help cut back on the clutter.   Also use Peter Walsh’s technique for combating the clutter.   As you use, replace, but you cannot buy another if you do not use it.  If you want a new tool, sell the old.

Step 5:  organize your space.

This part is a must.  The reason is with an organized work area, you can create better, and think clearer.

I hope this little tip helps.   Be blessed my friend

Summer 3 x 3 Note Cards with Envelops and Card Holder

Hello, and welcome to today's post-

A few post ago, I share with you on a design team blog hop a set of 8 3 x 3 #notecards with envelops and a #cardholder.   They are now available for viewing on the P.Lynne Designs shop on Etsy.

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A haul and something I like to call shopping with coupons.

I went to Michael’s Friday, and spent to get my money’s worth.  When you are looking for materials that will make wonderful presents and products to be sold, make sure you get your money’s worth out of the trip.  I did well and I feel like a Klingon coming back from a great battle (OK, cheesy Star Trek reference…sorry).

So, without further ado, here is what I bought, and what I plan with my supplies. Btw, this in a way has nothing to do with the decluttering I am currently doing.

This first item are tags. I use tags all the time, and they are great for cards, scrapbook layouts, and mini books.   I usually purchase them in either Kraft, Black, or White because they go with anything.   I also have the Cricut cartridge, Tags Bags Boxes and More 1.  There is a second cartridge which I have access to from the Cricut Classroom should I need it.  These were not on sale.

I bought two paper pads.  OK, let get real for a minute.  I posted on June 27 on how to get rid of your unwanted scrapbook papers and to organize the rest, and I buy two paper pads.  Honestly, people, they were on sale and normally priced at $19.99, on sale for $11.99.   They will go to good use.

I needed a smaller scoring board.  Yes, you can use a paper trimmer, and I will talk about that in an up and coming e-book for the essentials you need to get started scrapbooking and card making, but I like the ease a scoring board.  It was not on sale.

The last item I bought was a chipboard kit.  I will use these for mini book covers.  I will show you how I do it in a future video.  What I like about this kit is you can get a few good projects out of this kit. That’s 5 large books and 3 small books, and I almost bought 2 of them.

A shopping tip:  Coupons

To save money, always look for coupons in the Sunday paper and online.  Be mindful of the expiration date, because unlike grocery coupons, these can expire within a week.  Many stores are starting to take on competitor’s coupons more, but they have to be like items or the same item, so be careful here as well.

Well that is it.   I created a little video of today, and I hope you will enjoy it.

Be blessed, my friend.

Scrapbooking organization Declutter series #3: Ribbon, Laces, and other Fabric-like embellishments

One of the trends people who scrapbook love to do is take an ordinary, everyday item, and make it part of the scrapbooking family of supplies.   Ribbons, laces and other fabrics, which have long taken their rightful place in the sewing world, are also part of the scrapbooking and paper crafting world.   These items are used for every piece where paper is often of for handmade crafts such as mini book covers, embellishments on cards, and on alternated items.   Fabrics, like their paper counterparts can also be stamped on, made into borders, and turned into flowers.

If you have a fabric stash alone with your paper stash, you know or will learn very quickly that one small swatch can build up to your own personal mountain if you are not careful.  So keeping them organized and undamaged is just as important as the rest of your supplies.  These rules applies to all crafts from quilters to people who scrapbook.

First of all, find all of your fabrics.   If you are saving a swatch of last year’s prom dress you daughter no longer wants to wear, find the dress.  Find that pile over in the corner, and bring it in.

Now purge what you no longer need.  Yes, I know, it has sentimental value to it.   Cut off a swatch and toss the rest.   Ask yourself this question, “what project is this fabric for?  If you do not remember, go to question #2:  can I use it in another project?  If the answer is yes, put in the keep pile, if no, put it in the toss pile.   Before you toss, ask yourself this question:  Can I donate it to a sewing club, or of it is a something that you can wear, can it go to a thrift store or consignment shop?  If the answer is yes, put it in the donate pile, if not either toss it, make it into cleaning rags, or just throw it away altogether.  In your donation pile, call up your locate shelter to see if they can use it.  Chances are there is a free store or a charity who would be glad to take the clothing off your hands.

Now that you have purge what you do not need, it is time to organize.

Develop a system.  If you have been following along in this series of decluttering your crafting supplies, that system might be the same system that you developed to organize your paper.   If not, may I suggest the ROY G BIV system?   The name stands for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and I added an “N” for neutrals, because you cannot have enough neutrals in your life.   Put the fabrics into like piles, and prepare to put them in containers.  This goes for all of your ribbon, laces, swatches, and things like zippers.

Now it is time to shop…for containers, if you do not already have them.   I do suggest that it is a container that is free from dust.   The rolling bins you see make excellent containers, because you can see what you have inside.   If must have a non-see-through container, take a picture of the piece of fabric, that way you know what you have in the boxes.  They also serve as excellent labels too.  For spools of ribbon, you can either put them on a pre-made ribbon holder or create on out of dowel rods.  They can go the length of the wall.  Laces can be put in see through boxes as well. Label the containers.

Finally place all fabric in one common area of the room, that way you do not end up playing the hunting game again.

Keeping up with fabric should be the least of your worries, once you have a system down.  Just remember to not buy too much fabric, know the washing instruction and keeping that information in a binder will also keep down the clutter.

Next time in part 4, it is rubber stamping time.  Until then, be blessed.  

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