ListEn iN

Sweet Molly...

I had the privilege to take pictures of our best friends' little girl, Molly. Isn't she beautiful??!!

Beginner Basics for Scrapbooking: September

Hi, it's Debbie here with September's Beginner Basics. This month I want to talk to beginning scrapbookers about a big problem that plagues scrapbookers at every level – that feeling of “never being done.”

Sometimes beginners get caught up in the mindset that they have to scrapbook EVERYTHING. If you have that attitude, I guarantee you’ll always feel panicked and stressed. When you let go of the idea that you have to scrap every photo and every memory, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the creative process of scrapbooking.

I challenge you to let go of scrapbooking your photos from last Easter - lol - and instead find two or three photos that represent a special moment and use them to create a one or two page layout. Hey, I’d love to see your layouts – email a photo to me at [email protected]!

For my layout, I started with my story – because it was important for me to write my feelings about my son’s music talent. I typed up what I wanted to say and printed it onto the RAE BRACKET paper. (I cut the paper to 8 ½ x 11 first so it would fit into my printer.) Then I trimmed it to fit the photos I wanted to use. This bracket look is trendy right now – Adornit makes it easy with already-made brackets. You can use the whole sheet or cut it up.

I wanted to find the perfect background paper. I tried several choices, then I remembered how much I LOVE love love Alison’s SONG BIRD patterned paper and decided that it was 'masculine' enough for my layout.

These papers are from Adornit's Rae Collection; you’ll notice that the colors are perfect for my photos and will be great for your summer and fall photos. Hope to see your layouts in my inbox – maybe Georgana will let me post them on her blog! Go get scrapping!

 

 

Women and the Power of Creativity...

While I was at the scrapbook retreat in South Dakota Lynne asked me to take some time to talk to all the women who attended. I spoke more about the history of our company, BPS, and most importantly the power of creativity. Here's a little bit of the speech:

As women nurturing and creating is nothing more than second nature. This is unavoidable and very powerful. It is our gift to ourselves, families, and society.  It doesn’t matter what background we come from, the talents we carry, or the education we have. Each of us has the ability to create and have the self fulfillment creating gives us.

If you would like to read my entire talk about creativity you can Download  it here

Scrapbook Classes taught in South Dakota...

I want to share the two classes with you that I taught in South Dakota. My first class was two Double Page Layout Spreads using our newest collections. I would consider myself a scrapbooker who wants something very quick and easy and knowing there are lots of other women out there with the same style we really gear out products to hit that target audience. In this class I shared the two ways that I can quickly scrapbook.

First: I love at Adornit the way we create "A and B Spreads". What do I mean by that? When the paper is designed we specifically think of the scrapbooker in mind and how we can help her scrapbook quickly but still have a gorgeous layout. You'll see below that the A and B papers both already have artwork printed so all we added were a few stickers and some paper to mat the photos. Quick, but very stylish.

Next I wanted to share with my class my love for page sketches. I loved this sketch by Jana and couldn't wait to incorporate it with these papers and my family reunion pictures. I also showed my students how to "Ruffle Ribbon". A great way to add dimension to pages and cards.

My next class we scheduled very last because it is very in-depth and I knew would take some time to complete. I was proud of my students to walk away with their album complete in two hours! Wahoo! I love teaching students how to decoupage because it opens up a creative outlet and before you know it you're sticking scrapbook paper onto everything.

Download South Dakota class Layouts Instructions

  Download South Dakota Wood Storybook Instructions

Dry Erase Make-N-Take...

I want to share this really cute Dry Erase Board Make-N-Take that Lynne, in South Dakota asked me to help her with at the retreat. I thought it was such a cute idea, and especially a great idea for gifts. I just had to take pictures so I could share it will all of you.

1. Purchase a Tile from any tile or home supply store.

2. Lay tile down so that the right side is facing you. Cut the rub-ons apart and place onto the tile. Rub with a popsicle stick to secure artwork onto tile.

3. After all the Rub-Ons are on the tile you will want to spray the tile with Super Seal. You don't want the white space of the tile to have the spray so be sure to cover that with cardboard. Only spray the sections with the Rub-On.

4. You're finished! Display the Dry Erase Board with an easel and put it anywhere in your home that you want.

My New Friends in South Dakota...

The first thing Boston asked me when I got home on Sunday night was, "MOM, did you make lots of new friends?". Gotta love four year olds LOL.

The one thing that I truly love about teaching is meeting new friends. The women I met in SD were all sooo sweet and kind! Here's some snapshots...

This is Lynne, the owner of Scrappin' Ladies and the wonderful woman who invited me to share the excitement of the retreat. She was a fabulous lady and I can't wait to see her again at CHA. She gave me the most beautiful Black Hills Gold Necklace, that's what I'm holding. Thank you Lynne!

This is Pam & Wendy (mother & daughter). They were the sweet ladies who picked me up and took me to the airport. They also took me to Mount Rushmore and I have pictures of that I will post later. And while we were eating a yummy bowl of oatmeal at Starbucks we found out they know my sweet friend Darcee - such a small world!!

And more fun pics of new friends I met and mingled with.

Scrapbook Retreat in South Dakota...

I returned last night from a fabulous weekend in South Dakota. I traveled all by my self but ended up having a really relaxing weekend with some inspiring women. I will have much more to tell so stay tuned this week.

Meet Penny & a Giveaway...

For our Busy Women Kit this month I asked Penny Smith to be our guest designer. She created some fantastic layouts and this kit is one you have to add to your scrapbooking stuff - it is so fun to work with! Penny wanted to share her kit leftovers with readers so hop on over to her blog to enter and win.

Penny's Bio:
I'm married with three kids 8, 6 & 6 (and no, I don't have twins! :) )

I have been scrapbooking since Mrs. Grossman's stickers were IT!

I use work in veterinary medicine and was a marine mammal trainer-and then I had  my first child and decided at first glance to stay home!
I took scrapbooking more seriously and got interested in design in addition to just scrappin' my life, when my best friend opened a scrapbooking store. I LOVE it! I teach monthly, get to design with brand new product, and I take any challenge given me!
I am Ranger certified, a Tattered Angels instructor, I've designed product, started a challenge blog...

I've tried just about everything, and I love it all! I have also been fortunate to have my layouts selected for Sctrapbook Trends magazine regularly-BUT regardless of all this impressive sounding stuff, I love nothing more than hangin' with the girls scrapbooking! The only difference now is I usually have a deadline! :)

Come visit me on the web! (I have a GIVE-AWAY of each sheet I received from this AWESOME kit!)

www.artfullyembellished.blogspot.com

The Perfect Teacher Gift...

As your children are heading back to school give teachers the best gift ever... this delicious Apple Candy Shaker. And guess what... it's 50% off for a limited time! Boston headed back to pre-school this past Friday. I wanted to make something fun for his teacher (and my good friend). Luckily the candy did make it until he gave it to her... but all I heard for an entire day was "Mom, can I have some of that candy??"

This Wood Apple Candy Shaker was super simple to make, I think I was able to complete it in one hour. Here are the detailed instructions.

Here's photos of his first day back to school. And yes, he did go to school in true "boy" style... toothpaste drips down his shirt. LOL. I tried to clean them off but had no luck and there was no way he would change out of his brand new shirt! I just laughed and let him go.

Scrapbook USA Expo

This is a picture of our booth at the Sandy Expo this weekend. We have great friends who are running it for us.