Autumn

I LOVE this time of year! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. They just haven't figured out how to commercialize blessings and thankfulness yet, and I'm glad!

Fifteen of us enjoyed our Watson weekend -- 3 days and 2 nights of nothing but scrapbooking and card making!
(Okay, we ate, laughed, slept a little and went for a hike too.) I completed half of our 2007 photos. I really, really would like to finish it before 2010 starts. We'll see... it's a busy time of year.

The newest products from Creative Memories are so fantastic! I love the new papers and the new organizational totes. My favorite new products? I really like the Daisy Custom Cutting System Keeper (organizing all my ovals and circles and other shapes is great!) and the gorgeous Classic 'Tis the Season Paper Pack. Check them out on my website.

I would love to send you a copy of the new November-December mini-catalog. Just ask, and you can drool over all the new products too!

Talk to you soon! Debbi

Jumbo Circle Pattern Layout

What do you think of this layout? I love how the new Custom Cutting System 12x12 Mat and Blades with the new Jumbo Circle Pattern work together to make beautiful pages!

At my next workshop, we are going to make a 2-page layout similar to the one in the photo below, using the new products. (I'll post instructions after the workshop.)

CM came out with so many new products for September, and there's a new catalog too! I can't wait to show you! Do I have a favorite? Sorry, I can't pick just one!

• Well... let me see... if it's a favorite organizing "tool" it would have to be the Daisy Tools Caddy ($37) -- it's got compartments and a zip off top to store more stuff! I can't wait to load it up with all my punches!
• Okay, my favorite cropping tool? It would have to be a tie... the 12" Rotary Trimmer ($30) is so precise and it has optional interchangeable blades ($7.50 each -- perforating, scoring, wavy) and the Stardust Maker ($23) is so versatile! I can envision using it for borders, greeting cards, graduation, birthdays... and $2 from every purchase goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• My favorite digital item? That would have to be the new StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 -- I can do so much more with this upgrade! Any font, any place! I can wrap words around photos, follow wavy lines... Viewing projects is easier -- 2 pages at once instead of one at a time. And many decorative editing features -- grid-cutting tool, corner cutters, torn paper edges and more!
• And my favorite new papers? They'd have to be the Classic 12x12 Additions (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter $9/set). I love the subtle prints on the papers, and the watercolor stickers and title sheets included in these paper packs.

I hope to see you soon!

Debbi

Tiny Tote Instructions

Okay, as promised, here are the instructions for the Tiny Tote (please don't be scared by the many steps below -- it's really only 5 cuts using the Custom Cutting System Circle Patterns):

This Tiny Tote fits 3x3 sticky notes perfectly. You can adjust the measurements to fit business cards or gift cards. Call or email me and I'll help you figure out those measurements.

Tools/Supplies
Tape Runner, Scissors, Pencil, Eraser
Custom Cutting System Mat, Blades (Blue & Red), Circle Patterns (Med & Large)
Brads (12)
2 colors of cardstock and/or patterned paper (Paper A and Paper B)
1/16" handheld hole punch
Optional: Cardboard scrap

1. With Custom Cutting System (CCS) Large Circle Pattern and Blue Blade, cut one circle from paper A using outside track. Set aside. Cut a scrap the same size for a folding template. (More on this in #4 below.)

2. With CCS Med Circle Pattern and Blue Blade, cut two circles from paper B using inside track. After each circle is cut, do not move pattern, pick up red blade, cut again using inside track. This will give you two solid small circles and 2 rings (which will become the handles). SEE PIECES CUT IN PHOTO AT RIGHT. Click on any image for larger view/more details.

3. Fold paper B small circles in half. Cut on fold lines. Fold each half in half. Mark three pencil dots where the brads will go. (See photo of finished tote for placement. Note that half-circles are placed on "left" and "right" sides of the front and back of the tote, so you need to punch holes on opposite halves of the folded half-circles.) Punch holes, insert brads, set aside until tote is assembled, then adhere with Tape Runner.

4. Use ruler to mark the center of large circle. (Hint: Fold scrap circle in half, lay on large circle cut from paper A, matching edges. Make a pencil line along fold. Unfold scrap circle and fold in half the other direction. Draw another line along fold, perpendicular to 1st line. You just made a big plus sign.)

5. Measuring carefully, make another pencil line 1 5/8" away from one of the center pencil lines made in step 4. Do this on both sides of the center line.

6. Measuring carefully, do this again 3/4" on both sides of the other center pencil line.

7. Follow photo for cutting instructions, creating four flaps. (Note: you are cutting the longer lines.)

8. Place adhesive on flaps, fold them to the inside and assemble mini tote.

9. Adhere brad-embellished half-circles to right and left corners of front and back of tote.

10. Adhere handles and admire your adorable Tiny Tote!

(OPTIONAL: Make cardboard to fit in bottom, cut and assemble coordinating liner following steps 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.)

It's really MUCH EASIER to do it than to explain it!!! (Writing instructions is NOT easy; writing clear instructions is even harder!) :-)

Let me know how yours turns out!

March - Puzzle Maker projects

The new Puzzle Maker is the perfect size! At our March workshop we created a page accent, a greeting card and I shared an wedding album page layout. There are so many things you can make with the Puzzle Maker. Here is a list of page toppers and quotes you can use with this new cool tool:

• Puzzle place
• Bits and Pieces
• You Complete Me
• Without You My Life Would be Incomplete
• You Are the Puzzle Part that Completes My Life
• You are the missing piece of the puzzle of my life
• Love is like a puzzle. When you're in love, all the pieces fit.
• Pieces of the Puzzle Put Together Make The Picture Whole
• "Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle." (Use on a page about YOU!) -Lewis Carroll, English Logician, Mathematician, Photographer and Novelist
• "A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution." -Hazel Nicholson
• "There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or shee has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." -Deepack Chopra, Physician and Author
• "Tell the truth, and so puzzle and confound your adversaries." -Henry Wotton, Sr., English Author and Diplomat

I hope you enjoy the examples of the projects we made. Please contact me if you'd like instructions. As always, I'd love to know what you think - please post your comments. Thanks! Debbi

April Workshop - Sneak "Peek"

I finished creating the cutest little project for our April workshop.
It's a tiny designer tote or purse complete with studs (mini brads). My example is red with black handles and trim. It's sized perfectly to hold 3x3 sticky notes or business cards (or anything else that is small enough to fit). My niece is the first recipient of one of my prototypes - the pink one. I packed her birthday present in it. She's been sworn to secrecy - not to show it off to anyone but her mother - yet. Here's a photo. Isn't it cute? And it's so easy to create! Big impact, little effort. Wait til you see it at my workshop on April 18th! I hope you can attend. (Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!) See you soon!

Project 365 - A Photo a Day

I heard about Project 365 and the 52 Blessings Project in mid-December and thought, "I can do that!" The goal of Project 365 is to take a photo every day and make a layout each month. It's all about the everyday tidbits of life -- things like a new purse (love it!), a plant in bloom in winter (what a treat!), birds at our feeder (sneaking up on them), a note written on my dirty Jeep window (our daughter borrowed it while hers was being repaired), craft projects I've completed (fun, fun). I'm on target photo-wise, and looking forward to printing photos to make layouts.

Project 365 could be modified to start at any time, and just do it for one month. It's a challenge - take a month, take a photo each day. Print them small and make a layout.

The 52 Blessings Project is one you could catch up on right now! Take a photo of a blessing each week. (You can make up for the past several weeks, I won't tell!) You could choose a theme for each month or two (people, work, places, fun things you do) or just take random photos of people/things that bless you.

The layouts we make will be different from the "usual" scrapbooking events - birthdays, trips, celebrations. I'll post my layouts as I complete them. If you decide to do something like this, please add a comment and let me know!

Valentines for Veterans - February Workshop

Traditionally, at our February Workshop we create Valentines for Veterans, and I send them all out in time for Valentine's Day. In years past, we've received lovely thank you letters from the local Veterans Administration Hospital. This is definitely a tradition worth keeping and repeating!

Using the new Sweet Heart Maker, we made an adorable border, two greeting cards and tags. (Instructions below.)

Sweet Heart Border:

Supplies - 12" Decorative Trimmer, Sweet Heart Maker, Scissors

1. Cut a 1/4" wavy strip with the 12" Decorative Trimmer.

2. Use scissors to cut a "V" into each end of the wavy strip.

3. Punch 7 hearts using the Sweet Heart Maker (4 dark, 3 light).

4. Thread the hearts onto the wavy strip as shown.

Greeting Card (left):

Supplies - Cardstock and patterned paper, Sweet Heart Maker, Tape Runner, Precision Point Adhesive, Hole Punch, Eyelets and Setter

1. Cut white cardstock to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and fold in half to form card base.

2. Cut patterned paper 2" x 5 1/2".

3. Cut solid dark pink cardstock 1/2" x 12" and cut in half. Adhere each 1/2" x 6" piece to back of 5 1/2" side of patterned paper. Trim excess to card base. (NOTE: This is a paper-saver technique you can use to mat along two sides of any piece of paper!)

4. Cut two light pink hearts using Sweet Heart Maker. Set lacy hearts aside. Cut shorter heart lobe off each of the two small hearts. You will have a rounded piece about 1/4" wide by about 1" long. Fold this in half so it's 1/4" x 1/2" folded, and we'll call it a "tab."

5. Adhere the "tab" to matted patterned cardstock, one about 1" from top of the right side and one about 1" from bottom of left side. Use a hole punch through the 'tab" and set an eyelet in the hole.

6. Adhere the matted patterned piece to the left side of the card base, about 1/4" from the fold.

7. Cut light pink cardstock 2" x 2 1/2" and cut dark pink cardstock 2 1/4" x 2 3/4". Use Tape Runner to mat light pink block onto dark pink block.

8. Use Sweet Heart Punch and white cardstock to cut one lacy heart with inner heart. Adhere with Precision Point Adhesive to light pink block. Adhere this block to card base as shown.

Voila! It's really much easier to do than to write out the instructions!

Greeting Card (right):

Supplies - 12" Straight Trimmer, Square Maker, Sweet Heart Maker, Cardstock, Ribbon (optional), Tape Runner

1. Make a card base (light blue) as in #1 above.

2. Cut dark pink cardstock 4" x 5 1/4" and mat onto card base.

3. Cut white cardstock 3 3/4" x 5" and mat onto pink cardstock on card base.

4. Punch three light blue 1 1/2" squares using square maker. Adhere as shown to card front.

5. Cut two dark pink hearts using the Sweet Heart Maker. Adhere to light blue squares.

Optional: Cut ribbon 6 1/2" long, adhere to card front just to the left of the three light blue squares, OR use a strip of paper 1/4" x 5" long.

Optional: Rearrange 1 1/2" squares in a diagonal format across card front. Adhere hearts to diagonally-placed squares.

Tags (left to right):

Supplies - Tag Maker, Sweet Heart Maker, Tape Runner, Precision Point Adhesive

Left: Punch patterned paper using Tag Maker. Punch two hearts out of two colors of cardstock using Sweet Heart Maker . Adhere to tag, add ribbon.

Center: Punch one tag out of scrap cardstock. Punch two tags out of coordinating patterned paper, tear each in about half and adhere to scrap tag. Punch coordinating heart, adhere to assembled tag, add ribbon.

Right: Similar to "Left." Thread the taller lobe of the small heart through one of the slots on the lacy heart.

I hope you've enjoyed my February Workshop! I'd love to hear if you tried any of these projects, and how they turned out!

Our "Wild West Adventure" Album

Wooohooo! Last week I finished scrapbooking our trip to Phoenix!

This album is one of the new PicFolio Max albums - the 12x12 Travel Quick Kit. (To tell you the truth, I didn't really think I'd like it. After all, I've been using CM's traditional 12x12 expandable albums since 1997. This one has 32 pages - period. No more, no less. But it was good for me to be limited to 32 pages. And what would I do about memorabilia? Flyers, tickets, maps - How would I include them? Stay tuned!)

I took over 900 photos (gotta love digital cameras!) during our cross-country trip to Phoenix, Arizona. Do the math: averaging 5 photos per page, that would be 180 pages. Who wants to look at 180 pages of someone's cross-country trip? So I did the math again: 32 pages times 5 photos per page = 160 photos. Could I do it? Could I really cut down 900 photos to about 160? I had to try! I used CM's Memory Manager to rate my 900 photos - 5 stars for the best - and I ended up printing about 200 of my favorites (even getting down to 200 was hard!) and then I got to work.

Using the Power Layouts Box really helped me. So did a handy form I found - I listed each topic I wanted to include in my album. (I'll try to figure out how to post the form on the blog, or ask me and I'll email it to you!) I sorted my photos onto 32 Power Layouts guides, added my memorabilia and then grabbed the stack of 32 pre-layered papers that would be my pages. The papers were so pretty and just the right colors to use with the scenic photos.

I can't believe how quickly it all came together! In less than 3 weeks, I have a completed album. And I've been showing off ever since. My dad even thanked me for the "trip out west" after he looked through it!

Oh! And the memorabilia? I have things like: brochures, maps, receipts, tickets, invitations, and business cards tucked into the open part of each page. Some are attached to the back of the paper/page and others slide out for easy reading. (In the example below, two brochures are tucked into the right-side page - one brochure is open, and there is a receipt for the museum between them.)

Thanks for looking at "Our Wild West Adventure" album!