Photography, Post Processing and Pictures

I've had a bunch of emails regarding these topics the last two weeks, and I wanted to share some information on the subjects today.I get a lot of my photographs printed at scrapbookpictures.com. One of my favorite things available on that site is the ability to add borders--and there are many to choose from. I recently got the above pics delivered to my doorstep, and I love the creative options they offer. (Note that if you want the border, go all the way to the "checkout" option--that is where you can view them). And at $2.00 shipping for your whole order, it's the bargain of the century...
I love Costco and get most of my everyday prints there. In the past year, they offer 8x8 options (above) along with a full 12x12 page for us scrapbookers. I do use my hp photo printer for smaller sized options in a pinch, but now that they offer the collage option (below) it is just as easy to cut something like this up and use them. They can also be printed out in poster form to make a statement in a frame. The borders come in a variety of colors and they're really inexpensive.
The editing software I use most often is the one that came with my printer. I love it, I'm well-versed in using it, and the thought of not using it makes me sick to my stomach. That being said, I also realized that at some point, I would have to learn Photoshop. So I took the plunge and have been learning a bit on my own and through the help of good friends who know more than I do. I have also signed up for this class and am SO excited about the prospects of learning about templates. (Thanks, Laina!) Pattie is also a local gal, so I look forward to being a student of hers.
And speaking of Pattie's class, hers is one of several new ones available in the fall at Get it Scrapped. I heard a rumor there was going to be a photography class coming up over there (by someone a lot more knowledgable than myself!), along with an art journal class and a Vacation Journal taught by Debbie Hodge herself. Be sure to sign up for her mailing list--you never know what good things happen over there. (wink.)

I also took the plunge on CZ's class. Oh, and don't forget the continuation of the wonderful Sketches 101 in the Sketches 102 class here. Oh, and of course Karen Russell's Photography class here. Oh...the possibilities!! This whole online class thing is really something...

If you have any other online class suggestions, I'd love to hear them! And let me know if you've signed up for any of the above classes and I'll look for you, okay?

Have a great day!!

Happy Labor Day!!

I hope you're all having a fun, relaxing weekend! I hate posting without a photo, so I thought I'd share one of Jana's creations from the September Main kit--isn't it a beauty?

The newsletters for September will go out mid-day, so be sure to be on the lookout!!

I've received a few emails about Back to Class. Yes, registration is still open (you download everything and can print out the information and can do the project whenever you like!). We're starting Week 2 today, and so far it has been a blast! The gals over there area wonderful and they love free stuff...hee hee!! I have to say I LOVE the whole online class thing!! You just may see more of this kind of thing from me in the future...(whee!)

And for you locals, I have posted 2 Fall Crops at the Waterbury Community Center over at the site. Registration is open and those of you on my mailing list should have received an email about this already. The spots are filling up and I thought I'd mention that space is limited, so if you are thinking of coming, please shoot me an email at Turay413@gmail.com. I will be doing a break out class (a Halloween Project) at the September crop that is also optional. And as always, the $25 fee includes snacks, beverages, lunch and dinner along with 12 hours of crop time. Hope you can make it!

Have a super day!!

Time Flies...

Doesn't it though?

My dear friend Tina stopped by yesterday and showed me this beautiful creation. I had to take pictures and do a special blog post on it, as it inspired me on so many levels. Tina's daughter Chelsea left for college a few weeks ago, and Tina mentioned how cathartic making this book was for her. And it got me thinking. I'm pretty good at documenting day-to-day stuff. But seldom do I stop and take an over-view of one person through the years.

Here is Tina's mini, made with the on that comes in the September Work in Progress Project kit. I absolutely love the way she made the pages interactive...She started off with a current photo of her daughter and included a list of her favorite childhood things...
Then she moved onto baby pictures...
She then included an accordion fold out inside to add a bunch of wallet sized pics...

She trimmed some of the pages down to create interest and edged them with decorative scissors...
And she cut some of the pages down and adhered them to companion pages to create pockets in the mini...
She made pocket pages and cut the opening on a diagonal to hide the journaling...
She found a creative way to tuck in more photos here and there too. Love how this pocket page opens from the side and is tabbed...

Thanks for the inspo, Tina!!

And as a side note, congrats on making the COVER of the Holiday Issue of Scrapbook Trends with that amazing ATC Carousel!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy. And you know the best part? She was solicited by the editor directly--it was not a project she submitted. How cool is that?

Be sure to check out the WIP September Gallery for more fun ideas. I posted the gallery a bit early due to the holiday and all. There are a few of the Project Kits and Add-ons still available on the website--and sneaks of the October Kits will start popping up next week as well. Check out all the DT creations--they did a bang up job with this month's kits!!

And a special HUGE thanks to Emily for the awesome new blog look!! Love what you did with it girlie!!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend everyone!!

journaling.

we all know how important journaling is to tell our stories.
and i, myself am totally in love with everything the industry
has to offer these days that helps us with our journaling.
Journaling spots, rub ons, stamps. You name it --its out there.
My personal favorite is journaling spots-- they are just so much fun.
I have not one but TWO baskets on my desk full of journaling spots,
tags, papers. They are a much on just about every layout. I love layering
them. They can also be used as an embellishment. They are so very versatile.
Whats your favorite journaling product? do tell. here are a few examples
of what i like to do with them:

lifesavers

So today I thought we could talk about Lifesavers...no, not the candy kind! I'm talking about the little tools and items you keep close and handy to get your projects done. Those inexpensive, hopefully not taken for granted time saving items that never leave your desk.

Here are my favorite cannot live without tools:














A. Drafting brush - dusts away eraser grit, lint, fibers without leaving fingerprints or smudges.

B. White prismacolor pencil - perfect for marking temporary lines on dark papers

C. Fiskars Soft Grip Scissors - the spring does all the work for me (love these so much)

D. Soft White Click Eraser - the perfect eraser, gets into tight spots, never marks up my paper

E. QuickStick by Quickutz - a poker pickerupper and gem applier (you need this. serious.)

F. Basic Grey Rubon Tool - makes rubons go on like butta

G. American Craft 05 Precision Pen - my favorite journaling pen

H. 18" Metal Ruler - stretches across my entire layout, lines up w/ grid so I get straight lines

I. 22" Black Mat - i will not scrap without it and it's mighty grid power

J. Adhesive Pickup - rubs away adhesive, great for Xyron X to remove excess around shapes

K. Dotto - put some on the back of every layout to hold paper straight to the grid

L. Adjustable Triangle - lets me make sure that items are all at the same angle or perpendicular



What are your go to guys? Got any favorites? Share them and link them if you can.

Your signature

Hey everyone, Amy here. I wanted to talk a bit about your 'scrapping signature'. Do you have something that you seem to include on every single LO or project? Something that you tend to have to add in order for your project to feel completed? For me, it's machine stitching. I just don't feel like I've finished a project without some sort of stitching on there.



If you look around, you will see many scrappers that have a 'scrapping signature', so to speak. Here are a few of my favs:

I love Stephanine Howell's bow addiction which is totally her scrapping signature.



The overall brightness and striking lines of Kelly Purkey help me spot her LO's a mile away.



I love the playfulness of Lisa Truesdell's work.



So what is your signature??? I actually challenged myself to find a different signature to incorporate into my designs for this months fabulous kit. See if you can figure out what my signature was this time, and challenge yourself to step away from your usual and try something a little different.

Two super quick back to school crafts...

I made this for my daughter's teacher in less than 10 minutes...I simply took this:
and added this:
and a tag with some ribbon and a apple die cute. Done! Cute hand sanitizer to keep on her desk.

I also wanted to share these fun crafts my daughter created herself. I got the plain white bracelets from Cord (they're made by Creative Imaginations in their Creative Cafe line). She added KI softies to create this one:
...and epoxy dots on this beauty...
Why not give them a try!

Enjoy your Wednesday!!

Back to school

It's back to school time here!

and I have mixed feelings about this whole back to school season.  A part of me is glad that our lives will soon be on more of a schedule.  But with sending a daughter off to college the other part of me is sad.  I can't even express how much I miss her already and she's only been there a few weeks...

School time is also a time that I loved because of making treats and favors for the kids throughout the school year.   Although with Zach entering high school this year, I don't think he wants mom showing up with treat bags anymore, but those college kids don't mind at all!

So since this weekend I knew we were going up to see Chelsea and Ben at college I wanted to take something up for them besides the usual necessities they ask for.   Chelsea loves granola and fiber one bars and Ben loves sweets.  I made a treat basket for Chelsea using the papers from my September kit and a treat box for Ben using the papers and box from the September project kit.

Collections

Do you collect anything? Well, besides scrapbooking supplies, that is! LOL!
I didn't realize I had a collection of anything else until I started looking around my scrap room. About a year ago I picked up this white milkglass candy dish at a charming little boutique/consignment shop near my house. It was totally on a whim. Just because I loved the scallops and shape of it.
Without realizing it, I started picking up more & more pieces of it to hold odds-and-ends around my office. A collection was born! :D I don't know if any of it is valuable, and I don't really care, it makes me happy and that is what counts.

Do you have any collections? Why not scrap a page about them?

Happy Monday!

Jana

Two new favorites...

Last week at the Photography workshop, my dear friend Kris brought these two recipes, and I had to photograph them so I could share with you all. She happens to be the kinda gal that likes cooking as much as I like scrapbooking...

CREAM-FILLED CUPCAKES with GANACHE FROSTING
1 pkg. devil’s food chocolate cake mix (Duncan Hines)

2 tsp. hot water

¼ tsp. salt

1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow crème

½ c. shortening

1/3 c. confectioners’ sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

GANACHE FROSTING:

1 c. (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

¾ c. heavy whipping cream

Bake cupcakes to package directions, using muffin paper-lined cups. For filling, in small bowl, combine water and salt until dissolved. Cool.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the marshmallow crème, shortening, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla on high heat until light and fl uffy; add the salt mixture.

Insert a small pastry tip and fill with cream filling through the top of each cooled cupcake.

In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips with cream. Cool. Dip cupcake tops into frosting; chill for 20 minutes or until set. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 2 dozen

TACO SALAD

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 bottle Catalina salad dressing

1 pkg. cheese flavor Doritos

1 head lettuce, shredded

2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Brown the meat; drain. Add taco seasoning. Mix together all ingredients.

Give them a try!