Postage Stamp Inspiration

As soon as I got the new Creative Memories Postage Stamp Rotary Blade for the 12-inch Rotary Trimmer, I knew I had to create a postage stamp inspired layout.  It's perfect for travel and heritage pages!  The new rotary blade ($7.50) is the seventh one CM has introduced. The first 6 are: Straight, Wavy, Small Wavy, Deckle, Scoring, Perforating. The 12-inch Rotary Trimmer is $30 and comes with a Straight Blade and replaceable Mat Strip.  I love how sturdy it is and how straight it cuts!

In the red, white, blue layout I cut the large piece of cardstock to 11.5" and used the Circle Maker punch to cut the evenly-spaced half-circles around the edge of the cardstock.  The green/yellow layout uses a 9" piece of yellow cardstock punched with half-circle punches.

Supplies needed:
   12-inch Rotary Trimmer
   Postage Stamp Rotary Blade
   Large Circle Maker punch
   Cardstock (2-3 colors) or 1 sheet patterned paper and 1 sheet or more of solid cardstock
   Adhesive
   Ruler, pencil, eraser

This class is only $5. I'll bring my tools, and provide the cardstock in your choice of colors, instructions for the layout and some design cheat sheets for you and your guests.

CLASS: Starburst Tag Book

I am teaching a class featuring this project. Let me know if you'd like to learn how to do it too!

Supplies needed:
   Cereal box (for the cardboard)
   Adhesive
   Trimmers (12" trimmer, Personal Trimmer)
   Scissors, Ruler, Pencil, Eraser
   CM Scallop Circle Punch
   Patterned Paper (two 12x12 sheets that coordinate but are different - 1 sheet double-sided patterned paper and 1 sheet single-sided or double-sided patterned paper - example: hot-pink dots, light pink/light green)
   Cardstock (three 12x12 sheets that coordinate with the DSP above - example: pink, green, white)

If I supply the papers, the cost is $15/person. If each person brings their own papers, it's $5/person.

Watson Retreat Weekend - March 2011

It was a joy to spend time with new and old scrapbooking friends at our semi-annual Watson Retreat Weekend. We call ourselves the Serendipity Scrapbookers -- it is always a delight to chat, laugh, share ideas, and learn new things surrounded by people who love photos and scrapbooking as much as you do! I worked on a mini album, a PicFolio calendar (Yes, for 2011. Yes, it's March!), and put some finishing touches on our Sheldon Family Heritage Album (titles, page accents). Then I packed my "traditional" scrapbooking stuff away and went "digital" -- sorted 966 photos from my Droid Incredible cell phone. It took me nearly all day. Now I have to do the same for my two cameras, and then Roy's camera! Whew!

I thought you might enjoy seeing the PicFolio calendar pages:
I have taught this as a class/workshop. It's a bit involved -- each month is different. I have all the patterns/instructions worked out. Let me know if you'd like me to do a class for you and your guests.

The calendars are made in Creative Memories' StoryBook Creator Plus and can be replaced each year with same-sized new months. All punches, tools, adhesives, StoryBox photo mats, papers, and clear photo mounting corners are from Creative Memories: Mini CircleMaker, Regular Circle Maker, Friendship Micro Maker, Leaf Maker, 12" Decorative Trimmer, Snow Maker, Meadow MicroMaker, Halloween MicroMaker, Mini StarMaker, Celebration Micro Maker, Personal Trimmer.

My own personal PicFolio Calendar sits on my desk at work. I get many compliments on it each year!

New Products introduced at CM Showcase!

Creative Memories Showcase is held every year in Minneapolis. I've attended a few times, and have always loved learning about the newest products, layout ideas, and training. This year I attended CM's "Virtual Showcase" and have kept up with the excitement. There are a lot of new products that I'm really looking forward to receiving!

1. CM Grip & Clip $8.50 -- holds 4 photos, perfectly aligned, so you can cut around them with the Jumbo Custom Cutting System patterns. I love this idea!

2. Wavy Tearing Tool $10 -- the same two edges as on the 12" Decorative Trimmer -- a wavy side, a swell side.

3. Page Planner Set $28 -- a 116-page idea book and 4 12x12 templates that you can use for 14 different options and countless layout ideas!

4. Chalking Inks $10 - three inks with CM's attention to photo safety. Small size makes it easy to hold and gets in tiny spots. Limited Edition

5. Leaf Pocket Punch $12 - An aspen leaf. Limited Edition

6. Creative Cuts Collection Tool and Templates -- coming in October

7. DRUM ROLL PLEASE! TWO Cricut Cartridges:

Reminisce Accents (<-click) and Cheerful Seasons (<-click) $55 each.

They coordinate with two new Power Palettes. I just love my Cricut and I know I am going to love these two new exclusive cartridges. I'm not sure what else will be introduced, but I'll keep you posted!

These newitems are available to order on August 1st. I will be placing an order on August 1st at 9 p.m. or you can order directly from my website: www.mycmsite.com/scrappilyeverafter (<-click)

Talk to you soon! Debbi

February Calendar Workshop

FEBRUARY 2010

Here is my next two-page spread for 2010. I am so excited that I'm going to have 24 pages (at least) done for 2010 by the end of the year! What I like about this month's layout is that it is "Valentine-y" without screaming it -- it's subtle.

Details:

1. The paper on the left is from the Primary Christmas paper pack (really).

2. Use a paper-saving technique to cut a hole out of the paper hidden under the calendar (ask me and I will give you more info on this technique).

3. Use the LoveStruck punch to make the border on the right page. Start by punching the middle of that edge and go out from there so it's even. Three punches will do a 12" border.

4. Cut two 3/4" x 6" or longer strips from the paper-saved piece to back the holes cut by the LoveStruck punch.

5. Print a poem, quote, phrase, journaling, etc. on white cardstock. Cut into strips.

6. Cut 1/4" strips of the paper-saved piece to "underline" the strips of white cardstock.

7. Cut 1/4" strips of black scraps of cardstock the same length and width of your calendar and adhere them to the lower right side of the calendar, crossing them slightly at the corner.

Simple and lots of room for photos!

Scrappily Ever After,

Debbi

January 2010 Calendar Workshop

2010

Resolution: To create pages this year for this year, and not be so far behind!!

Action: Create at least a 2-page spread each month for every month of the year.

Step #1: Create a 2-page spread for January

Supplies used in my example above:
New Year's Celebration paper pack $7
Snowflake Pocket Punch $12
Raspberry, Slate, Grey cardstock
Tape Runner adhesive

Inspiration layout:

(Contact me for details about my Monthly Calendar Workshops.)

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