July 2010 Crop Challenge #1: Head in the Clouds
The prize for this challenge is the Hero Arts "Clouds" Wood Mounted Background Stamp.
Do you remember when you were younger and you spent the summers lying in the grass and watching the clouds? Well, the first challenge is to make a layout that captures that feeling. A layout about the lazy days of summer. It can be a layout about your childhood summers, or your kids playing in the sprinkler ~ whatever!
To participate, create a layout about the lazy days of summer. 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.
Enter the challenge by posting a link to your submission BELOW THIS POST by 9:00 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010. The link can either be to a photo of your entry in the gallery here, or to a video on YouTube or to your personal blog ~ wherever!
Remember that you have until 9:00 p.m. on Monday {that's Miami, FL USA time which is GMT/UTC-4} so you have until then to submit an entry for each challenge. Prize winners will be announced Monday and posted on a new "July 2010 Crop Prize Winners" thread in the forum.
You will get one entry for each challenge you participate in, so get ready to scrap! The next challenge will be posted at 10:00 p.m. Miami time!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Be Still, My Heart *Now With Video*
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap}Beach!
So I was surfing the web this morning {the only kind of surfing I partake in, due to my very poor balancing skills} and I came across this post from Teresa Collins's blog: Introducing the Stampmaker.
You can read the entire blog post linked above for more details and ideas on how to use it, but here is the gist of it:
It is a machine that you can [use to] create your OWN stamps (from ANY image or design), embossing dies and stencils in only 5 minutes from the comforts of your own home!!!! These are high quality, detailed stamps. You would NEVER know that you had made them at home.
This is what it looks like & it will retail for $169.99:
And Teresa Collins has put up a YouTube Video about the Stampmaker as well:
On her blog, Teresa Collins mentioned that she is working with Photocentric, the UK Manufacturer of her photopolymer clear stamps on this project. I have a set of her photopolymer clear stamps and they are quite nice. They are very firm and have very little, if any, image distortion when stamping.
A little exploring on the Photocentric website reveals that they already make a commercial UV lightbox for the creation of photopolymer clear stamps. This UV lightbox retails for 249.00 GBP or around 380.00 USD with current exchange.
This is just my guess, but I'm guessing Photocentric has redesigned their already existing commercial grade lightbox for the scrapbook and stamping community. I just hope that the quality remains the same & that their modifications have been primarily in cosmetics or size. {You guys know how I feel about companies that take an already excellent commercial grade product & make it pink, cute & crappy to cheaply market it to scrapbookers.} I think this is a cool concept, so fingers crossed that the quality is strong as well!
I think this will be one of the hotter items this CHA & I am excited to see what the people who attend CHA have to say about the machine. Assuming it works as promised, it would really open up new doors in scrapping and stamping. I am excited to see what the buzz about the machine is during and after the show.
What do you guys think? Look cool? Look complicated? Let me know!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
So I was surfing the web this morning {the only kind of surfing I partake in, due to my very poor balancing skills} and I came across this post from Teresa Collins's blog: Introducing the Stampmaker.
You can read the entire blog post linked above for more details and ideas on how to use it, but here is the gist of it:
It is a machine that you can [use to] create your OWN stamps (from ANY image or design), embossing dies and stencils in only 5 minutes from the comforts of your own home!!!! These are high quality, detailed stamps. You would NEVER know that you had made them at home.
This is what it looks like & it will retail for $169.99:
And Teresa Collins has put up a YouTube Video about the Stampmaker as well:
On her blog, Teresa Collins mentioned that she is working with Photocentric, the UK Manufacturer of her photopolymer clear stamps on this project. I have a set of her photopolymer clear stamps and they are quite nice. They are very firm and have very little, if any, image distortion when stamping.
A little exploring on the Photocentric website reveals that they already make a commercial UV lightbox for the creation of photopolymer clear stamps. This UV lightbox retails for 249.00 GBP or around 380.00 USD with current exchange.
This is just my guess, but I'm guessing Photocentric has redesigned their already existing commercial grade lightbox for the scrapbook and stamping community. I just hope that the quality remains the same & that their modifications have been primarily in cosmetics or size. {You guys know how I feel about companies that take an already excellent commercial grade product & make it pink, cute & crappy to cheaply market it to scrapbookers.} I think this is a cool concept, so fingers crossed that the quality is strong as well!
I think this will be one of the hotter items this CHA & I am excited to see what the people who attend CHA have to say about the machine. Assuming it works as promised, it would really open up new doors in scrapping and stamping. I am excited to see what the buzz about the machine is during and after the show.
What do you guys think? Look cool? Look complicated? Let me know!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me!
Hi, everyone!
Just a quick post to let you know that the July "12 Months of Christmas" Giveaway will be posted on Monday. I totally forgot about it because of the holiday, so we'll be getting to that next week.
Today is my birthday, and we went to Butterfly World, which is a butterfly aviary and sanctuary. It was so cool! There is something about butterflies flying everywhere that just puts a smile on your face!
I am off to relax with some water & then we are going out to dinner later! Remember that my birthday crop is this Saturday and that I am giving away some of my favorite things as present for you guys, so check us out over on my UStream Channel at 9:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} on Saturday: Kathryn's UStream Channel.
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Just a quick post to let you know that the July "12 Months of Christmas" Giveaway will be posted on Monday. I totally forgot about it because of the holiday, so we'll be getting to that next week.
Today is my birthday, and we went to Butterfly World, which is a butterfly aviary and sanctuary. It was so cool! There is something about butterflies flying everywhere that just puts a smile on your face!
I am off to relax with some water & then we are going out to dinner later! Remember that my birthday crop is this Saturday and that I am giving away some of my favorite things as present for you guys, so check us out over on my UStream Channel at 9:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} on Saturday: Kathryn's UStream Channel.
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The DMV and Costco ...
... on the same day! Could I be any luckier!? Yay! No, I don't think I could.
So, one of the bad things about turning 30 {my birthday is in a week on July 8th ~ yay, me!} is that in Virginia you have to renew your license during your birthday month in years where you turn ages that end in 0. Which means that my VA driver's license will expire on July 31. And if I don't get a Florida driver's license before the VA one expires than I will have to retake all the tests.
So, as much as I really don't want to go to the DMV today, I really don't want to take those tests again either. With my luck I would actually fail the written one or something & then not be able to drive for six months.
What is making this an even better day, though, is that Mr. Lifeguard found a DMV office right next to the Costco! So that we can go to Costco right after we go to the DMV! Isn't that awesome!?
I really hate going to Costco.
I recognize that it's a necessity since a tumbleweed actually blew out of my fridge this morning when I opened it to get a cream for my coffee, but I cannot imagine that anyone in his right mind {ahem, Mr. Lifeguard} would think combining the DMV with Costco in the same outing was a good idea.
So, that's how I'm jump-starting my holiday weekend. What about you guys? Got any big plans? If they're better than the DMV + Costco, please post them here so I can live vicariously through you. :D
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
So, one of the bad things about turning 30 {my birthday is in a week on July 8th ~ yay, me!} is that in Virginia you have to renew your license during your birthday month in years where you turn ages that end in 0. Which means that my VA driver's license will expire on July 31. And if I don't get a Florida driver's license before the VA one expires than I will have to retake all the tests.
So, as much as I really don't want to go to the DMV today, I really don't want to take those tests again either. With my luck I would actually fail the written one or something & then not be able to drive for six months.
What is making this an even better day, though, is that Mr. Lifeguard found a DMV office right next to the Costco! So that we can go to Costco right after we go to the DMV! Isn't that awesome!?
I really hate going to Costco.
I recognize that it's a necessity since a tumbleweed actually blew out of my fridge this morning when I opened it to get a cream for my coffee, but I cannot imagine that anyone in his right mind {ahem, Mr. Lifeguard} would think combining the DMV with Costco in the same outing was a good idea.
So, that's how I'm jump-starting my holiday weekend. What about you guys? Got any big plans? If they're better than the DMV + Costco, please post them here so I can live vicariously through you. :D
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Acrylic Album Series Starts Today!
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap} Beach!
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to be starting an acrylic album series during today's Euro Chat on my UStream Channel. The show is live from 2:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} to 4:00 p.m. EDT, and will be recorded for those of you who can't make it. I will continue the series during all regularly scheduled Euro Chats and Scrap Chats until it is complete. All the shows will be recorded, so if you can't make one, you can always catch up later.
I uploaded a video over on my YouTube channel with all the details: UStream Class Video.
I hope to see you all there this affternoon!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to be starting an acrylic album series during today's Euro Chat on my UStream Channel. The show is live from 2:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} to 4:00 p.m. EDT, and will be recorded for those of you who can't make it. I will continue the series during all regularly scheduled Euro Chats and Scrap Chats until it is complete. All the shows will be recorded, so if you can't make one, you can always catch up later.
I uploaded a video over on my YouTube channel with all the details: UStream Class Video.
I hope to see you all there this affternoon!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
If You Have a Hobby Lobby ...
... and you're going to be participating in the Acylic album series on UStream, I've got some good news for you. A few of the gals from The Beach have found the Zutter acrylic sheets in the clearance section, so if you still need to get your acrylic and you have a Hobby Lobby, be sure to check it out!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
I've Been a Bad, Bad Girl ...
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap} Beach!
I have been a bad, bad girl. Lately I've been feeling like doing some shopping for scrapbook supplies, but everything I looked at just felt kind of "blah" to me. I think the problem was not so much with the supplies as it was with my brain, because I finally snapped out of my little shopping funk and went to town with some great paper and stamps.
Wanna see what I got?
Well, if you came to last Thursday's Euro Chat, you already saw some of what I ordered in living color, but if you happened to miss it, I've typed up this lovely post all with pictures. It's part of my "Anything to Avoid Doing an Actual Haul Vid" haul series I am doing.
Anyways, enough with the babbling.
I did say I was not going to buy any more paper this year & was going to concentrate on getting some more embellishments. And so what did I do? Bought a ton of paper & only a couple measly packs of embellishments. Because that's what I do. I buy paper instead of embellishments. I keep forgetting that 2010 is supposed to be The Year of the Embellishment.
Basic Grey "Basics" Collection:
Was there really any doubt that I would end up with the Basic Grey "Basics" collection? I mean, really? After the demise of my beloved Scenic Route Paper Co., I went through a bit of a scrapbooking crisis: Where, oh, where, would I get grid paper now!? It was very sad. But Basic Grey came along {eventually} and saved the day.
Basic Grey "Capella" Collection:
I really, REALLY tried not to buy this paper collection. I thought it was gorgeous & perfect for spraying with Glimmer Mist, but it wasn't strictly necessary for my life. I mean, just because something is really, REALLY pretty, that doesn't mean I have to buy it, right? Especially when I don't have something specific in mind for it. Alas, I did not listen to my Voice of Reason. I sprayed it with a fire hose until it stopped yammering & then clicked the "checkout" button.
Cosmo Cricket "Fleuriste" Collection:
Okay, so I know this paper collection is so yesterday & that you guys have probably already been there & done that, but I missed it the first time around AND I was able to get it at a super great price through Scenic Route Paper Co. of all places. And by "super great" I mean I paid $8.00 for everything you see in that picture right there. Yeah. Eight bucks. And it's pretty! Actually, there looks like there might be an embellishment or two in the paper pack, so maybe I am doing better than I thought with the embellishments?
Fancy Pants "Roadshow" Collection:
I just love Fancy Pants paper. It's distressed without being grungy, which is just so totally perfect for me. In fact, I just got done making the cutest little mini with their "Rusted Sun" collection, that is going to be making an appearance in the Twelve Months of Christmas giveaway.
My Mind's Eye Penny Lane "Free Bird" Collection:
This is another one of those "so yesterday" paper collections that I missed the first time around & was able to pick up at a good price through Scenic Route Paper Co. I love the bright colors and funky prints in this particular collection ~ it will be so great for layouts.
My Mind's Eye Penny Lane "Tiny Dancer" Collection:
This "so yesterday" paper collection also came at a good price from the Scenic Route Paper Co. liquidation sale. These pretty papers will be great for softer, more subtle layouts & I am really looking forward to working with them. Not to mention the fact that there are embellishments in there, too, so I am not breaking my rule too much.
And that's it for paper. {Don't you love how I say "that's it" like I only bought five sheets of paper? It's a sickness, I tell you.} After paper, I probably invested the most money into stamps. I picked up a lot of stamps that I have had my eye on for a while, but haven't purchased because there was always something I wanted more at that particular moment. Well, I finally decided to get them & some of them will be perfect for the upcoming clear album series! I am very excited about them!
Hero Arts "Clouds" Wood Background Stamp:
I think "Clouds" will look amazing stamped on a transparency with Staz-On in "Cotton White" and then maybe put a small photo over it ... maybe a scrap or two or brightly colored patterned paper ... an idea is taking shape here!
Hero Arts "Quotes" Wood Background Stamp:
I love journaling stamps, what can I say? For some reason I am incapable of writing in a straight line, and yet I love to journal in my own handwriting. This creates a need for lots and lots of journaling stamps.
Hero Arts "French Writing with Butterfly" Wood Mounted Stamp:
I like my own handwriting, and I like other people's handwriting. I am a script junkie, that's for sure.
Hero Arts "French Post" Wood Mounted Stamp:
I have an album coming up in the next few months with a postcards theme, so I am slowly gathering all kinds of postal image stamps and ephemera to use in it. I have gotten some cool stuff so far & can't wait to get started!
I am not even done yet with the stamps. That's just the wood mounted stamps I purchased. I still have to go through the cling rubber and clear stamps I got! I was thinking about stamping the other day & I actually had a memory of a conversation with a fellow scrapbooker about how I didn't "get" stamping. I would buy stamps here and there, but I never really used them in my books or on my pages.
This conversation probably took place about two and a half years ago. Now I love to stamp and reach for my stamps all the time. I've developed a good habit of using them. That's what I need to do with my Cricut now. I have the Cricut, I have the cartridges & all the other supplies. Now I just need to remember to use it, like I did with my stamps. It's such a great resource if I just remember that it's there! Anyways, that was totally random & off topic. Moving on with the goodies!
Hero Arts "Metal Flourish" Cling Stamp:
This stamp looks like a gate to me. I think it will be really fun to use it in interactive elements on scrapbook pages, and also to use it on cards. It's got a really fun & cool look, and I already have some ideas percolating for it.
Hero Arts "Peacock" Cling Stamp:
I have to admit that I'm not 100% sure why I love this stamp. I just think that the image is very cool & will be fun to color in with my Twinkling H2O's. I mean, just look at that tail!
Hero Arts "Rose Background" Cling Stamp:
I can't wait to stamp this one on watercolor paper & paint it in with watercolor paints. It will be so gorgeous on cards, on tags and on the pages of my minis.
Hero Arts "Two Vine Scrolls" Cling Stamp:
I loved that both the positive and negative image for this stamp was included in the packaging. It will be a lot of fun to play around with that combination. I also thought that the look and feel of them would work really well for the Asian mini album I have coming up.
I needed to make sure some embellishments sneaked into my cart, so I picked up some of the Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips and some Prima flowers. The Prima flowers also came from the Scenic Route Paper Co. liquidation sale.
Prima Can-Ection "Cannes" Flowers:
Prima Can-Ection "Monaco" Flowers:
I don't have much to say about these flowers other than: Aren't they pretty!?
Tattered Angels "Destination Unknown" Glimmer Chips:
I got this set of glimmer chips with that postcard mini I mentioned earlier in mind. I like the different travel related pieces in this set & thought that they would work really well in that album. I'll be using the Webster's Pages "Postcards from Paris" papers in my postcard album, and so many of the chips in this set mesh beautifully with the images in that collection.
So what products have you all been eyeing lately? Or are you saving up for the new releases from the Summer CHA trade show?
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
I have been a bad, bad girl. Lately I've been feeling like doing some shopping for scrapbook supplies, but everything I looked at just felt kind of "blah" to me. I think the problem was not so much with the supplies as it was with my brain, because I finally snapped out of my little shopping funk and went to town with some great paper and stamps.
Wanna see what I got?
Well, if you came to last Thursday's Euro Chat, you already saw some of what I ordered in living color, but if you happened to miss it, I've typed up this lovely post all with pictures. It's part of my "Anything to Avoid Doing an Actual Haul Vid" haul series I am doing.
Anyways, enough with the babbling.
I did say I was not going to buy any more paper this year & was going to concentrate on getting some more embellishments. And so what did I do? Bought a ton of paper & only a couple measly packs of embellishments. Because that's what I do. I buy paper instead of embellishments. I keep forgetting that 2010 is supposed to be The Year of the Embellishment.
Basic Grey "Basics" Collection:
Was there really any doubt that I would end up with the Basic Grey "Basics" collection? I mean, really? After the demise of my beloved Scenic Route Paper Co., I went through a bit of a scrapbooking crisis: Where, oh, where, would I get grid paper now!? It was very sad. But Basic Grey came along {eventually} and saved the day.
Basic Grey "Capella" Collection:
I really, REALLY tried not to buy this paper collection. I thought it was gorgeous & perfect for spraying with Glimmer Mist, but it wasn't strictly necessary for my life. I mean, just because something is really, REALLY pretty, that doesn't mean I have to buy it, right? Especially when I don't have something specific in mind for it. Alas, I did not listen to my Voice of Reason. I sprayed it with a fire hose until it stopped yammering & then clicked the "checkout" button.
Cosmo Cricket "Fleuriste" Collection:
Okay, so I know this paper collection is so yesterday & that you guys have probably already been there & done that, but I missed it the first time around AND I was able to get it at a super great price through Scenic Route Paper Co. of all places. And by "super great" I mean I paid $8.00 for everything you see in that picture right there. Yeah. Eight bucks. And it's pretty! Actually, there looks like there might be an embellishment or two in the paper pack, so maybe I am doing better than I thought with the embellishments?
Fancy Pants "Roadshow" Collection:
I just love Fancy Pants paper. It's distressed without being grungy, which is just so totally perfect for me. In fact, I just got done making the cutest little mini with their "Rusted Sun" collection, that is going to be making an appearance in the Twelve Months of Christmas giveaway.
My Mind's Eye Penny Lane "Free Bird" Collection:
This is another one of those "so yesterday" paper collections that I missed the first time around & was able to pick up at a good price through Scenic Route Paper Co. I love the bright colors and funky prints in this particular collection ~ it will be so great for layouts.
My Mind's Eye Penny Lane "Tiny Dancer" Collection:
This "so yesterday" paper collection also came at a good price from the Scenic Route Paper Co. liquidation sale. These pretty papers will be great for softer, more subtle layouts & I am really looking forward to working with them. Not to mention the fact that there are embellishments in there, too, so I am not breaking my rule too much.
And that's it for paper. {Don't you love how I say "that's it" like I only bought five sheets of paper? It's a sickness, I tell you.} After paper, I probably invested the most money into stamps. I picked up a lot of stamps that I have had my eye on for a while, but haven't purchased because there was always something I wanted more at that particular moment. Well, I finally decided to get them & some of them will be perfect for the upcoming clear album series! I am very excited about them!
Hero Arts "Clouds" Wood Background Stamp:
I think "Clouds" will look amazing stamped on a transparency with Staz-On in "Cotton White" and then maybe put a small photo over it ... maybe a scrap or two or brightly colored patterned paper ... an idea is taking shape here!
Hero Arts "Quotes" Wood Background Stamp:
I love journaling stamps, what can I say? For some reason I am incapable of writing in a straight line, and yet I love to journal in my own handwriting. This creates a need for lots and lots of journaling stamps.
Hero Arts "French Writing with Butterfly" Wood Mounted Stamp:
I like my own handwriting, and I like other people's handwriting. I am a script junkie, that's for sure.
Hero Arts "French Post" Wood Mounted Stamp:
I have an album coming up in the next few months with a postcards theme, so I am slowly gathering all kinds of postal image stamps and ephemera to use in it. I have gotten some cool stuff so far & can't wait to get started!
I am not even done yet with the stamps. That's just the wood mounted stamps I purchased. I still have to go through the cling rubber and clear stamps I got! I was thinking about stamping the other day & I actually had a memory of a conversation with a fellow scrapbooker about how I didn't "get" stamping. I would buy stamps here and there, but I never really used them in my books or on my pages.
This conversation probably took place about two and a half years ago. Now I love to stamp and reach for my stamps all the time. I've developed a good habit of using them. That's what I need to do with my Cricut now. I have the Cricut, I have the cartridges & all the other supplies. Now I just need to remember to use it, like I did with my stamps. It's such a great resource if I just remember that it's there! Anyways, that was totally random & off topic. Moving on with the goodies!
Hero Arts "Metal Flourish" Cling Stamp:
This stamp looks like a gate to me. I think it will be really fun to use it in interactive elements on scrapbook pages, and also to use it on cards. It's got a really fun & cool look, and I already have some ideas percolating for it.
Hero Arts "Peacock" Cling Stamp:
I have to admit that I'm not 100% sure why I love this stamp. I just think that the image is very cool & will be fun to color in with my Twinkling H2O's. I mean, just look at that tail!
Hero Arts "Rose Background" Cling Stamp:
I can't wait to stamp this one on watercolor paper & paint it in with watercolor paints. It will be so gorgeous on cards, on tags and on the pages of my minis.
Hero Arts "Two Vine Scrolls" Cling Stamp:
I loved that both the positive and negative image for this stamp was included in the packaging. It will be a lot of fun to play around with that combination. I also thought that the look and feel of them would work really well for the Asian mini album I have coming up.
I needed to make sure some embellishments sneaked into my cart, so I picked up some of the Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips and some Prima flowers. The Prima flowers also came from the Scenic Route Paper Co. liquidation sale.
Prima Can-Ection "Cannes" Flowers:
Prima Can-Ection "Monaco" Flowers:
I don't have much to say about these flowers other than: Aren't they pretty!?
Tattered Angels "Destination Unknown" Glimmer Chips:
I got this set of glimmer chips with that postcard mini I mentioned earlier in mind. I like the different travel related pieces in this set & thought that they would work really well in that album. I'll be using the Webster's Pages "Postcards from Paris" papers in my postcard album, and so many of the chips in this set mesh beautifully with the images in that collection.
So what products have you all been eyeing lately? Or are you saving up for the new releases from the Summer CHA trade show?
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Acrylic Album Class Update
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap} Beach!
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to be starting an acrylic album series during the Thursday, July 1st Euro Chat on my UStream Channel. The show is live from 2:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} to 4:00 p.m. EDT, and will be recorded for those of you who can't make it. I will continue the series during all regularly scheduled Euro Chats and Scrap Chats until it is complete. All the shows will be recorded, so if you can't make one, you can always catch up later.
In a recent UStream, I experimented with some different acrylic techniques {such a die cutting and embossing} to see what does and does not work. I also gave some ideas of things you could do at home to start prepping before the class series starts. To view the recording of that UStream show, click here: Acrylic Album Tips & Tricks. I have also posted below my recommendations for things to have on hand, if you want to follow along. Remember that I will be creating as I go ~ not preparing it completely ahead of time as in an online class ~ so this supply list is just suggestions of things that might be useful to have. I may or may not use all of the supplies listed & I urge you not too buy too much stuff for this album ~ you probably have most of what you need at home already.
I uploaded a video over on my YouTube channel with all the details {and I wrote the out again below the vid}: UStream Class Video.
Supplies:
1. Pre-made acrylic album, roughly 6"x6" OR sheets of thick overlays like the Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlays {which is what I'll be using}. Grafix and Clear Scraps make comparable products to the Hambly Overlays. I just happen to already have four 12"x12" sheets of the Hambly on hand, so that's what I am going to use. Please see the above UStream recording for ideas on how to die cut acrylic.
2. Staz-On or other solvent ink. Since everything in this album is clear, you'll need some kind of ink that can stamp on slick or non-porous surfaces & eventually actually dry. I own three colors of Staz-On, so I'll probably be using a combination of them: jet Black, Timber Brown and Cotton White.
3. American Crafts Slick Writer or other solvent marker/pen, such as a Sharpie. this is for journaling directly onto transparencies. You'll want a pen or marker designed to write on non-porous surfaces so you don't have to wait forever for it to dry. I have the Slick Writers in black in both fine & medium tips. I love them & use them often in my scrapping.
4. Transparencies, both blank and printed, the thicker the better. Again, I am just using what I have in my scraproom> I am going to be pulling a lot of my printed transparencies into this project. Most of them are from Hambly, the King of Clear in my opinion. I am also going to be stamping with Staz-On on blank transparencies.
5. Pictures. You're going to want to gather together some pictures from an event or person or fitting the theme of your album somehow. I would recommend a couple 4"x4" pictures, a couple 3"x3" pictures and a few each of 3"x4" and 2"x3". Try to print an even number of each size if you can ~ that will make life a little easier. If you don't have a photo printer that allows you to print in those sizes, you can use Photosheet to arrange them on 4"x6" prints and have them printed by your local developer ~ then just trim!
6. Coordinating double-sided patterned paper. Once you've chosen your photos, gather your papers together. You won't need huge sheets of this paper since we are not covering chipboard, so you can just go through your paper scraps and collect a bunch of larger pieces. Or you can use a collection to make things a little easier. Something with smaller prints is better than papers with large motifs, since you are often using smaller pieces in acrylic albums. I will probably be using the 6"x6" mini deck of the Basic Grey "Lemonade" collection, but I'm not 100% sure about that yet. I definitely think I want to do something bright & summery ~ I'm in the mood for that now that it's so hot here again.
That's pretty much it! You'll also need stuff to decorate your pages like stamps, journaling spots, bling, flowers, ribbons, paint, etc. You know, all the usual stuff you normally gather together to put into a mini album. Again, you probably already have all of that in your art rooms, so no need to break the bank on this project. To me, it's fun to make clear albums very eclectic & so it's a great way to use up a lot of odds and ends you have hanging around & just have fun playing around!
In today's UStream, I am going to be working on a mini album with Graphic 45's "On the Boardwalk" papers ~ I've been having a ton of fun with this mini!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to be starting an acrylic album series during the Thursday, July 1st Euro Chat on my UStream Channel. The show is live from 2:00 p.m. EDT {GMT/UTC-4} to 4:00 p.m. EDT, and will be recorded for those of you who can't make it. I will continue the series during all regularly scheduled Euro Chats and Scrap Chats until it is complete. All the shows will be recorded, so if you can't make one, you can always catch up later.
In a recent UStream, I experimented with some different acrylic techniques {such a die cutting and embossing} to see what does and does not work. I also gave some ideas of things you could do at home to start prepping before the class series starts. To view the recording of that UStream show, click here: Acrylic Album Tips & Tricks. I have also posted below my recommendations for things to have on hand, if you want to follow along. Remember that I will be creating as I go ~ not preparing it completely ahead of time as in an online class ~ so this supply list is just suggestions of things that might be useful to have. I may or may not use all of the supplies listed & I urge you not too buy too much stuff for this album ~ you probably have most of what you need at home already.
I uploaded a video over on my YouTube channel with all the details {and I wrote the out again below the vid}: UStream Class Video.
Supplies:
1. Pre-made acrylic album, roughly 6"x6" OR sheets of thick overlays like the Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlays {which is what I'll be using}. Grafix and Clear Scraps make comparable products to the Hambly Overlays. I just happen to already have four 12"x12" sheets of the Hambly on hand, so that's what I am going to use. Please see the above UStream recording for ideas on how to die cut acrylic.
2. Staz-On or other solvent ink. Since everything in this album is clear, you'll need some kind of ink that can stamp on slick or non-porous surfaces & eventually actually dry. I own three colors of Staz-On, so I'll probably be using a combination of them: jet Black, Timber Brown and Cotton White.
3. American Crafts Slick Writer or other solvent marker/pen, such as a Sharpie. this is for journaling directly onto transparencies. You'll want a pen or marker designed to write on non-porous surfaces so you don't have to wait forever for it to dry. I have the Slick Writers in black in both fine & medium tips. I love them & use them often in my scrapping.
4. Transparencies, both blank and printed, the thicker the better. Again, I am just using what I have in my scraproom> I am going to be pulling a lot of my printed transparencies into this project. Most of them are from Hambly, the King of Clear in my opinion. I am also going to be stamping with Staz-On on blank transparencies.
5. Pictures. You're going to want to gather together some pictures from an event or person or fitting the theme of your album somehow. I would recommend a couple 4"x4" pictures, a couple 3"x3" pictures and a few each of 3"x4" and 2"x3". Try to print an even number of each size if you can ~ that will make life a little easier. If you don't have a photo printer that allows you to print in those sizes, you can use Photosheet to arrange them on 4"x6" prints and have them printed by your local developer ~ then just trim!
6. Coordinating double-sided patterned paper. Once you've chosen your photos, gather your papers together. You won't need huge sheets of this paper since we are not covering chipboard, so you can just go through your paper scraps and collect a bunch of larger pieces. Or you can use a collection to make things a little easier. Something with smaller prints is better than papers with large motifs, since you are often using smaller pieces in acrylic albums. I will probably be using the 6"x6" mini deck of the Basic Grey "Lemonade" collection, but I'm not 100% sure about that yet. I definitely think I want to do something bright & summery ~ I'm in the mood for that now that it's so hot here again.
That's pretty much it! You'll also need stuff to decorate your pages like stamps, journaling spots, bling, flowers, ribbons, paint, etc. You know, all the usual stuff you normally gather together to put into a mini album. Again, you probably already have all of that in your art rooms, so no need to break the bank on this project. To me, it's fun to make clear albums very eclectic & so it's a great way to use up a lot of odds and ends you have hanging around & just have fun playing around!
In today's UStream, I am going to be working on a mini album with Graphic 45's "On the Boardwalk" papers ~ I've been having a ton of fun with this mini!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Supply Gathering: Asian Themed Mini
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap} Beach!
I am about to start work on an Asian-themed mini album. Right now I'm in the "supply gathering" phase. {Which is really the best phase of any project, isn't it?} I personally don't have much in the way of Asian themed papers and embellishments, so I am going to pick up the Far East stack from DCWV. I also found a couple of the Inkadinkado Asian stamp sets on sale & there are some good images in there.
I'd like to get a few more things. Some more stamps, definitely, so I can vary the images. I know I've seen lots of charms with Asian images at Michael's, so I'll definitely need to go there and check those out more carefully. I also have some fun little Mah Jong tiles in my stash that will be great as accents in the album, but other than that I am kind of stumped on where to even look for supplies. I know there's got to be some super awesome site online with all kinds of great Asian stamps an embellishments & I'm hoping one of you guys knows the URL! :D
So, do any of you have any good resources for Asian-themed stuff? I'd really appreciate your ideas!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
I am about to start work on an Asian-themed mini album. Right now I'm in the "supply gathering" phase. {Which is really the best phase of any project, isn't it?} I personally don't have much in the way of Asian themed papers and embellishments, so I am going to pick up the Far East stack from DCWV. I also found a couple of the Inkadinkado Asian stamp sets on sale & there are some good images in there.
I'd like to get a few more things. Some more stamps, definitely, so I can vary the images. I know I've seen lots of charms with Asian images at Michael's, so I'll definitely need to go there and check those out more carefully. I also have some fun little Mah Jong tiles in my stash that will be great as accents in the album, but other than that I am kind of stumped on where to even look for supplies. I know there's got to be some super awesome site online with all kinds of great Asian stamps an embellishments & I'm hoping one of you guys knows the URL! :D
So, do any of you have any good resources for Asian-themed stuff? I'd really appreciate your ideas!
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Monday, June 21, 2010
*NEW* Sixth Month of Christmas Winner Announced!
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Life on the {Scrap}beach! I have the winner of the Sixth Month of Christmas Giveaway, chosen for me by Random.org!
::drumroll, please::
The winner of the Graphic 45 "On the Boardwalk" 12"x12" paper pack/8"x8" paper pad isComment #49:
mrsjudys said...
Well, since I live in Florida and on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, I'd love to win this "beach" collection. I enjoy your blog and videos...thanks for the inspiration.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 1:12:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Judy!!! :D :D :D Since you are in Florida, you will receive the 12"x12" paper pack! Please contact me at thescrapbeach@gmail.com before Friday, June 26, 2010 with the address where you'd like me to send the paper pack. If you do not contact me before Friday, June 26, 2010, the paper pack will go to another entrant.
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
::drumroll, please::
The winner of the Graphic 45 "On the Boardwalk" 12"x12" paper pack/8"x8" paper pad isComment #49:
mrsjudys said...
Well, since I live in Florida and on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, I'd love to win this "beach" collection. I enjoy your blog and videos...thanks for the inspiration.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 1:12:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Judy!!! :D :D :D Since you are in Florida, you will receive the 12"x12" paper pack! Please contact me at thescrapbeach@gmail.com before Friday, June 26, 2010 with the address where you'd like me to send the paper pack. If you do not contact me before Friday, June 26, 2010, the paper pack will go to another entrant.
~Kathryn
Life's a beach. Scrapbook it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
