Monday, May 30, 2011

UStream Series: Make Ahead Travel Journal

Hi, everyone! I made a quick video of one of my already in use travel journals so you could get an idea of what we'll be doing with the "Make Ahead Travel Journal" UStream series. The series starts on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern USA time. The series will be recorded for later viewing, so don't worry if you can't watch live. You could also use this same set of instructions to make your own everyday journal, similar to the SMASH or Ditto books that are so popular right now.

I just uploaded a video overview of the sample album over on my YouTube channel for you to see. You can watch the video below, or over on YouTube by clicking this link: Sample Travel Journal.




For a longer video explanation of what you'll need for the "Make Ahead Travel Journal", check out this UStream recording: Travel Journal Supplies.

To download and print the free graph and ledger paper for the travel journal mentioned in the recordings, check out this site: Free Printable Graph Papers.

Now that you know what we're doing, here's what you'll need to gather together if you want to work along with me on Thursday:

1. 25-50 8.5"x11" pieces of patterned paper. I'll be using the DCWV "Tradewinds" stack because mine is going to be travel themed, but you can use whatever paper you have in your stash. Just use something that is inspiring to you! The album feature in this video, just uses pink papers from my stash.

2. Your favorite stamps. I'm going to gather together all my stamps that have to do with journey, discovery, travel, etc. Think about what you want your book to be about & choose stamps that will prompt you to write and collect.

3. File folders. We're going to be using these to make a couple of larger pockets for the inside covers to hold larger pieces of memorabilia & ephemera.

4. Shipping tags. We'll be using one of these to make an awesome bookmark for your journal. It stays put when you want it to, but can be removed when you're ready to move to a fresh page.

5. Pockets. If you don't have any pockets, don't worry ~ I'll show you how to make your own during the UStream Series.

6. Envelopes. Any kind of envelopes, all different sizes. I'll also show you how to make custom envelopes as well.

7. Ribbon for a pen holder. Elastic ribbon is best, but any ribbon will work. No need to go out and buy anything special for this project. Just use what you have available in your stash.

8. 2 sheets of medium to heavy chipboard & 2 sheets of lightweight chipboard for the covers.

9. Anything else that strikes your fancy. This is going to be a fun, eclectic book with all kinds of interactive elements. Incorporate whatever you want into the album ~ journaling spots, rub-ons, whatever! Just keep it flat.

In the video, you'll notice that I've bound my book with the Bind-It-All. No need to panic if you don't have a BIA at home. You can have you book bound for you at lots of places around town ~ Staples, Office Depot, FedEx Office, etc. Or you can just punch holes and use rings or a ribbon binding. It's totally up to you!

I will be starting the video series during my UStream show this coming Thursday. I am live every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on my UStream Channel: my UStream channel.

All times are Eastern USA {Miami/New York}. To convert to your time zone, click here: Time Zone Converter.

Thanks so much for watching the video! We're going to have tons of fun with this one!

~Kathryn :D
I'm sailing away ...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Completed "Flora & Fauna" PBA + Upcoming UStream Project

Hi, everyone! I have a long post today with lots of links and info, so please get a cup of coffee, a bottle of NoDoz & a couple toothpicks for your eyelids.

First, I finished the Flora & Fauna Paper Bag Album.

I completed my "Flora & Fauna" paper bag album ~ photos placed, journaling written, 100% totally DONE! I have been working on it during my regular Thursday UStream shows. This is a paper bag album based on a design by Kathy Orta with some modifications by me.

I have uploaded a video overview of the album over on my YouTube channel for you to see with the completed album. You can watch the video below, or over on YouTube by clicking this link: Completed "Flora & Fauna" Paper Bag Album.





I ended up tweaking the binding a little. I originally used too much canvas so I had to shorten it. After I did so, I used a row of eyelets to attach the two pieces of canvas left to each other. Then I added another row of eyelets on the other side of the spine, laced the holes with chain & hung charms from the chains. Here's a pic of the final spine:




I think it looks awesome this way! So glad I made the canvas too long, even if it was a colossal pain in the rear to get it too look like this.

To see how to assemble the bags for this album, check out this video: Album Assembly.

For more detail on the supplies used in this album, check out this video: Album Preparations.

To see the whole album coming together, check it out on UStream at the links below:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen
Part Fourteen
Binding

Second, here's all the details on my upcoming UStream "Make Ahead Travel Journal" series. You could also use this same set of instructions to make your own journal, similar to the SMASH or Ditto books that are so popular right now. Don't know what a SMASH Book is? Check out this video: SMASH.

Anyways, you probably saw a little overview of the travel album project if you watched the above video all the way to the end. For a longer explanation of the "Make Ahead Travel Journal", check out this UStream recording: Make Ahead Travel Journal Info.

To download and print the free graph and ledger paper for the travel journal {or Mash Book} mentioned in the recordings, check out this site: Free Printable Lined Papers.

Now that you know what we're doing, here's what you'll need to gather together if you want to work along with me on Thursday:

1. 25-50 8.5"x11" pieces of patterned paper. I'll be using the DCWV "Tradewinds" stack because mine is travel themed, but you can use whatever paper you have in your stash. Just use something that is inspiring to you!

2. Your favorite stamps. I'm going to gather together all my stamps that have to do with journey, discovery, travel, etc. Think about what you want your book to be about & choose stamps that will prompt you to write and collect.

3. File folders. We're going to be using these to make a couple of larger pockets for the inside covers to hold larger pieces of memorabilia & ephemera.

4. Shipping tags. We'll be using one of these to make an awesome bookmark for your journal. It stays put when you want it to, but can be removed when you're ready to move to a fresh page.

5. Pockets. If you don't have any pockets, don't worry ~ I'll show you how to make your own during the UStream Series.

6. Envelopes. Any kind of envelopes, all different sizes. I'll also show you how to make custom envelopes as well.

7. Ribbon for a pen holder. Elastic ribbon is best, but any ribbon will work.

8. 2 sheets of heavy chipboard & 2 sheets of lightweight chipboard for the covers.

9. Anything else that strikes your fancy. This is going to be a fun, eclectic book with all kinds of interactive elements.

I will be starting the video series during my UStream show this coming Thursday. I am live every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on my UStream Channel: Live on the {Scrap}Beach.

All times are Eastern USA {Miami/New York}. To convert to your time zone, click here: Time Zone Converter.

Lastly, my Big Shot Pro is coming on Wednesday!!!

I know we're all excited to start our Travel Journals/Mash Books, but I will definitely start of Thursday with an overview of the new machine. I'm also scheduled to get the dies for the Pink Paislee "Hometown Summer" album this Wednesday, so I'll be able to show you those as well.

Hope to see you there!

~Kathryn :D
SO EXCITED!!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me!

Since selling my Cricut freed up some valuable desk space & earned me a nice chunk of crafty change, I was able to buy myself a machine that I knew I would use: the Sizzix Big Shot Pro. I have wanted one of these babies ever since Spellbinders came out with the Grand Nestabilities. I know that Spellbinders makes a machine that cuts these dies, but if I was going to buy another machine, I didn't want to buy one that wouldn't cut all the dies I already had. That's when I first became interested in the Big Shot Pro.




The Sizzix Big Shot Pro will cut almost any die on the market. It cuts every die made by Sizzix, Spellbinders, Quickutz, Provo Craft, etc. It also embosses, creases and all that good stuff. It will also cut almost all the AccuCut dies as well. Basically, it will cut anything that the Mark IV can cut, so the only dies you can't cut are the dies that fit in just the AccuCut Grande Mark.

When I sold my Cricut, I was really excited to see that the Big Shot Pro was on sale for 40% off at Joann.com. Since I had a coupon for free shipping, I was set! Unfortunately, by the time I went to order, they were sold out. I was pretty bummed for a while, but then I googled around and found the Westminster Fabrics version of the BigShot Pro at Overstock for $232.99 shipped! A little research taught me that the only differences between the two machines are color {one is periwinkle and the other is purple} and the fact that the Westminster Fabric version comes with the extended adaptor pad and cutting plates, while the normal Big Shot Pro comes with the standard adaptor pads and cutting plates. A few clicks later & I was checked out! Yay!




I am really excited! Now I just need to get some dies and figure out what to do with my original BigShot. I suppose I could put it away for use at crops. I can't wait to be off and running! I already have some really cool dies picked out for the Pink Paislee "Hometown Summer" nostalgic childhood album I have coming up as a UStream series this summer. They are beyond adorable & I know you guys will love them! I promise to make some cuts available for sale on my blog so you can follow along if you like!




So, what have you been obsessing over or splurging on lately? Anything you can't wait to get your hands on?

~Kathryn :D
Crafty Cutter

P.S. Speaking of UStream, join me tomorrow from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a live "scrap chat" UStream show and again from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. I'll be finishing the Flora & Fauna album tomorrow come hell or high water!

My UStream Channel: Live on the {Scrap}Beach!

All time Eastern USA. To convert from Eastern USA {Miami/New York} to your time zone, click here: Time Zone Converter.

P.P.S. It's not actually my birthday today. My birthday is July 8th. I just wrote "Happy Birthday to Me!" because I had bought myself a large present! Sorry for any confusion. :D

Thursday, May 19, 2011

SOLD: Cricut Expression + Gypsy Bundle

Hi, everyone! I have decided to sell my Cricut since I never use it. I feel like it should go to a good home where it will be loved and cherished. I've only used it a couple times & it's just taking up space at this point, so I am selling the machine, my gypsy, the cartridges, ALL OF IT for $349.99 + shipping.

All of the following are included in this bundle:

Machines:
Cricut Expression Machine {barely used ~ I still have the box, manual & all the cables}
Cricut Gypsy {barely used ~ paired my cartridges to it, that's all}

Cartridges: all cartridges have already been paired with included Gypsy; cartridges, box & overlay included for full carts; cart & overlay included for solutions carts; digital carts only for those marked "Gypsy only"
Accent Essentials
Blackletter Solutions {Gypsy only}
Christmas Solutions {Gypsy only}
Fabulous Finds
Graphically Speaking
Gypsy Wanderings {Gypsy only}
Home Accents Solutions
Home Decor Solutions
Independence Day Seasonal Solutions
Indie Art Solutions {Gypsy only}
Love Struck Seasonal Solutions
Mother's Day Seasonal Solutions
Plantin Schoolbook
Printing Press {Gypsy only}
Sentimentals
Smiley Cards {Gypsy only}
Summer Vacation Seasonal Solutions
Summer in Paris Seasonal Solutions
Tags, Bags, Boxes & More {Gypsy only}
Wild Card

Accessories:
Gypsy shoulder bag {barely used}
2 Cricut replacement blades {new}
Cricut Deep Cut Blade housing w/ blade {new}
2 Cricut replacement Deep Cut Blades {new}
1 12"x12" mat {new}
USB cable to attach to computer, if desired

This is a HUGE value bundle. The Cricut is barely used & many of the thirteen included cartridges are no longer available. That alone would make it worth the $349.99, but you're also getting the Cricut Gypsy with SEVEN extra digital cartridges included. That's a Cricut, a Gypsy and TWENTY cartridges for just the price of a new Cricut. Plus you'll get the Gypsy's shoulder bag, deep cut blade house, the replacement blades and the mat as well.

Click the PayPal button below to grab this incredible offer. The machine and everything else will be shipped via FedEx using their packing service. If they pack the box, insurance for the full value of the item is automatically included. You will be billed in a second invoice for the exact shipping costs to your location. Estimate around $35.00 for US packing and shipping.










Happy shopping!

~Kathryn :D

P.S. Remember that today is my live UStream show! My goal today is to finish the "Flora & Fauna" butterfly sanctuary paper bag album if I can!

I am live every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on my UStream Channel: Live on the {Scrap}Beach! All times are Eastern USA {Miami/New York}. To convert to your time zone, click here: Time Zone Converter.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

New Video: "The Amazing Razos" Family Circus Album

Hi, everyone! First of all, I wanted to let everyone know that I found the little piece of paper I was looking so frantically for during the last UStream show ~ lol! I found it during my third examination of the contents of my trash can & immediately attached it right to the page so I wouldn't lose it again. :D Phew! What a relief!

Second, I have *FINALLY* finished the "Family Circus" mini album I have been working on during my regular Thursday UStream shows. This is a family album with a circus theme that features the Graphic 45 Le Cirque collection.

I uploaded a video of the album over on my YouTube Channel last night. You can view the videos over on YouTube by clicking this link, or watch in the player below: Family Circus Album.





This is an 8"x8" chipboard album. I used the 8"x8" paper pad to cover my chipboard sheets, and then I used a few 12"x12" paper pads to do all the decoartions, pockets

To see the whole album coming together, check it out on UStream at the links below:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen
Part Fourteen
Part Fifteen
Part Sixteen
Part Seventeen
Part Eighteen
Part Nineteen
Part Twenty
Part Twenty One

And, lastly, I am off to Homestead for another get together of the Miami scrappers. This month Mercy {bkneefreak on YouTube} is hosting us at her place ~ it's going to be so fun!

~Kathryn :D
cropping the day away

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

NSD Winners + Making a Faux Maya Road Envelope Binder

Hi, everyone! I have the winners of the National Scrapbook Day challenges!

Challenge #1 Winner: Kay

Challenge #2 Winner: Darlene

Challenge #3 Winner: Bev

Congrats to the winners! Winners, please click here to go to my website and fill out the contact for with the address where they want the prize shipped: Contact Form. If I do not receive contact information before the end of the week, the prize will be forfeit.

Now, I know there have been a lot of people wondering where you can buy the binder I used in the "World's Best Dad" mini album. That is the Maya Road Long-Envelope Binder and you can't get it anywhere. The company hasn't made it in a long time & the thing is simply sold out everywhere online. Sorry about that.

The good news is that it would be pretty easy to make your own similar album. I showed everyone how during the National Scrapbook Day UStream hop. You can check out the recording here: Faux Maya Road Album. In the recording I give a few different ideas for re-creating the look of the album without the binder.

Hope that helps!

~Kathryn :D
fauxy lassie

Monday, May 9, 2011

New Videos: World's Best Dad, Parts 4 & 5

Hi, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your weekends! Between National Scrapbook Day and Mother's Day, I know we all had a lot of fun things to do!

I uploaded the fourth and fifth videos in my "World's Best Dad" masculine album tutorial series over on my YouTube Channel last night. You can view the videos over on YouTube by clicking these links, or watch in the players below: "World's Best Dad" Album, Part Four and "World's Best Dad" Album, Part Five.








The first of the two videos features the last chipboard page & the last envelope. The second of the two videos shows the completed album all the way through. The album is made primarily from the Bo Bunny "Timepiece" collection, with additional embellishments from Tim Holtz, Junkitz and K & Company. I hope you enjoyed seeing this album come together!

Just as a reminder, you have until 9:00 p.m. Eastern USA time tonight to complete the three National Scrapbook Day challenges and be entered to win some fabulous Impression Obsession stamps.

These red rubber cling stamps are HUGE and they have amazing detail:

  1. Prize #1: Impression Obsession "Crackle" Stamp





  2. Prize #2: Impression Obsession "Map" Stamp





  3. Prize #3: Impression Obsession "Reverse Damask" Stamp





The Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card stamps are some of my very favorite stamps in the whole world! I love them & I know you'll love them, too, so be sure to check out the challenges from Saturday's posts.

~Kathryn :D
scrapped out

Sunday, May 8, 2011

NSD Giveaway Alert!

I hope everyone had tons of fun yesterday during the National Scrapbook Day festivities! I know I did, even if I am totally exhausted today! I need to sleep for a week, I think. :D

Just wanted to do a quick post to let you know about a HUGE National Scrapbook Day Giveaway from Bella Blvd! Click here for the deets: Bella Blvd NSD Giveaway.

Happy Mother's Day!

~Kathryn :D

Saturday, May 7, 2011

NSD 2011 Challenge #1: You're My Numero Uno!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day in the United States, so this challenge is all about moms. I want you to create a project either FOR or ABOUT your mother. It can be a layout about your relationship, a card for your special lady or anything else you can think of!

The prize for this challenge is the Impression Obsession "Crackle" Stamp.




To participate in this challenge, create a new, never before seen layout or project either FOR or ABOUT your mom. Layouts may be any size {12"x12", 8.5"x11", 8"x8", 6"x12", etc.} and can be either one-page or two-page layouts, but they MUST have photos AND journaling to be considered complete.

Enter the challenge by posting a link/links to your submissions BELOW by 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011. The link/links can either be to a photo of your entry in an online gallery {like The Beach!}, or to a video on your YouTube channel or to a post on your personal blog ~ wherever!

Remember that you have until 9:00 p.m. on Monday {that's Miami, FL EDT USA time which is GMT-5} so you have until then to submit an entry for each challenge. Prize winners will be chosen randomly on Monday and will be available on my blog.

There are two other challenges posted on my blog, so be sure to check them out! Have fun creating ~ I can't wait to see what you come up with!

~Kathryn :D
Celebrate scrapbooking!



And the winner is #10 ~ congrats, Kay!

NSD 2011 Challenge #2: Double Up!

Photoshop is an awesome too & it assists us in creating beautiful layouts with photos of all different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it makes thing more complicated for us, though, so this challenge is to make a layout using two good old 4"x6" photographs.

The prize for this challenge is the Impression Obsession "Map" Stamp.




To participate in this challenge, create a new, never before seen layout that includes at least two 4"x6" photos. The layout may be any size {12"x12", 8.5"x11", 8"x8", 6"x12", etc.} and can be either a one-page or two-page layout, but it MUST have photos AND journaling to be considered complete.

Enter the challenge by posting a link/links to your submissions BELOW by 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011. The link/links can either be to a photo of your entry in an online gallery {like The Beach!}, or to a video on your YouTube channel or to a post on your personal blog ~ wherever!

Remember that you have until 9:00 p.m. on Monday {that's Miami, FL EDT USA time which is GMT-5} so you have until then to submit an entry for each challenge. Prize winners will be chosen randomly on Monday and will be available on my blog.

There are two other challenges posted on my blog, so be sure to check them out! Have fun creating ~ I can't wait to see what you come up with!

~Kathryn :D
Celebrate scrapbooking!



And the winner is #3 ~ congrats, Darlene!

NSD 2011 Challenge #3: Try for a Triad!

Use this color scheme designer to create a "triad" color scheme: Color Scheme Designer.

When the site first opens, it will show a "mono" color scheme. To switch from "mono" to "triad," simply click the circle that reads "triad" underneath. Then you can move the single red dot around the ring with your mouse until you see a color scheme you like. Use that color scheme as the basis for a layout, card or other project!

The prize for this challenge is the Impression Obsession "Reverse Damask" Stamp.




To participate in this challenge, create a new, never before seen layout or project utilizing a triad color scheme {also known as a split complementary color scheme}. The layout may be any size {12"x12", 8.5"x11", 8"x8", 6"x12", etc.} and can be either a one-page or two-page layout, but it MUST have photos AND journaling to be considered complete.

Enter the challenge by posting a link/links to your submissions BELOW by 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011. The link/links can either be to a photo of your entry in an online gallery {like The Beach!}, or to a video on your YouTube channel or to a post on your personal blog ~ wherever!

Remember that you have until 9:00 p.m. on Monday {that's Miami, FL EDT USA time which is GMT-5} so you have until then to submit an entry for each challenge. Prize winners will be chosen randomly on Monday and will be available on my blog.

There are two other challenges posted on my blog, so be sure to check them out! Have fun creating ~ I can't wait to see what you come up with!

~Kathryn :D
Celebrate scrapbooking!



And the winner is #1 ~ congrats, Bev!

Friday, May 6, 2011

New Video + NSD UStream Hop Tommorrow!

Hi, everyone! I wanted to remind you that I will be participating in a UStream Hop on National Scrapbook Day! National Scrapbook Day is this coming Saturday {May 7th}.

National Scrapbook Day UStream schedule: all times Eastern USA

Noon to 3:00 p.m.: Laura Denison of Following the Paper Trail
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Gina of My Scrap Room
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Roxy and Yolie of Your Paper Pantry
9:00 p.m. to Midnight: Me!

I will be preparing three devilish challenges to get your creative juices flowing & they each will have an awesome prize attached! You'll have until 9:00 p.m. on Monday evening to get those done. The three prizes are each Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card stamps. These red rubber cling stamps are HUGE and they have amazing detail:

  1. Prize #1: Impression Obsession "Crackle" Stamp





  2. Prize #2: Impression Obsession "Map" Stamp





  3. Prize #3: Impression Obsession "Reverse Damask" Stamp





The Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card stamps are some of my very favorite stamps in the whole world! I love them & I know you'll love them, too, so join us on Saturday for some great challenges, prizes and scrapbooking fun! I know that Laura, Gina & Roxy also have giveaways planned, so be sure to check out all the different UStreams throughout the day!

In other news, I uploaded the third part of my "World's Best Dad" masculine album tutorial series over on my YouTube Channel last night. You can view the video over on YouTube by clicking this link, or watch in the player below: "World's Best Dad" Album, Part Three.





This video features the second chipboard page & the second envelope. The album is made primarily from the Bo Bunny "Timepiece" collection, with additional embellishments from Tim Holtz, Junkitz and K & Company. I hope you enjoy seeing this album come together!

Thanks so much for watching!

~Kathryn :D<
Hopmeister

P.S. This NSD UStream Hop is in lieu of the May 2011 Virtual Crop on The Beach, so there will not be a standard crop this month. Hope to see you all there!

Monday, May 2, 2011

New Video: "World's Best Dad" Mini Album, Part Two

I hope you all had a great weekend! I went to a new scrapbook store called The Paper Niche and met up with Olga, Eileen and Elaine for some shopping and lunch. It was a GREAT store ~ lots of beautiful things. I picked up quite a few fun items, mostly embellishments. I did get a kit they had there that was just gorgeous & grabbed the yellow Corner Chomper as well.

I uploaded the the second part of my "World's Best Dad" masculine album tutorial series over on my YouTube Channel. You can view the video over on YouTube by following this link, or in the player below: "World's Best Dad" Album, Part Two.





This video features the inside front cover, the first chipboard page & the first envelope. The album is made primarily from the Bo Bunny "Timepiece" collection, with embellishments from Tim Holtz, Junkitz and K & Company. I hope you enjoy seeing this album come together!

Thanks so much for watching!

~Kathryn :D
Happy Monday!