Category Archives: Scrapbook

Happy (Inter)national Scrapbook Day

National, or International, Scrapbook Day (NSD) happens once a year on the first Saturday of May when scrappers all over the world come together to celebrate their love of this craft.

And while I don’t scrapbook as much as I like to anymore, I enjoy keeping up with all the novel things going on in the scrapbook world.

And since it’s National Scrapbook Day, I thought I’d share some of my favorite scrapbooking supplies! Paper isn’t even on the list because that’s one of my scrapbooking must-haves. While some of these collections are a little a lot older, these are still some of my favorite things that I reach for whenever I work on a project, whether craft-related or not.

NSD 2013

  • Stamps
    I’ve resisted adding to my collection of roller stamps, but clear stamps are a huge favorite. I love what I can do with all the variety and combinations. So. much. fun.
  • Inks
    What are stamps without inks, yes? I’m totally waiting to add this amazing gold ink pad to my stash.
  • Washi tape
    So fun and easy to use. I use them for everything  and I quite love my ever-growing collection (;
  • Mists
    Mister Huey’s mists are some of my current favorites. These add the perfect touch of messy splatters without actually going overboard.
  • Wood veneers
    These add the perfect touch of dimension without being too bulky.

Supplies: Dear Lizzy roller date stamp; Amy Tangerine roller date stamp and Ready Set Go clear acrylic stamps; Dear Lizzy Neapolitan chevron patterned paper; washi tape; Tsukineko Brilliance Dew Drops; Hero Arts Neon Pink ink; Studio Calico Mister Huey’s; Studio Calico wood veneers

—

Many scrapbook companies and bloggers are having lots of neat challenges and giveaways all day today so look out for them! I don’t participate much mostly because of the time zone but it’s lots of fun seeing what everyone one else is up to anyway.

Happy (Inter)national Scrapbook Day!
And happy weekend – may the creativity prevail!

CHA winter 2013 favorites

With CHA Winter just wrapped up earlier this week, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites from this show.

I’m always so blown away by all the amazing new releases each time. And after I get over my excitement of all the new products, I always remind myself to save money so I can get everythinggg when they hit the stores (haha).

I think I have too many favorites this time around. But anyhow, here we go.

Dear Lizzy, Lucky Charm collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I really like the look of the phrase stamp somewhere near the top. And oh, those thickers near the middle, and that mini-album book.

Amy Tangerine, Yes, Please collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

More of those daybooks and puffy stickers in the top row. And the clear stamps in the middle (I’m always excited for these!). And the thickers and alphabet stickers look pretty cool.

Again, these designer collaborations always get me really excited because I really like Amy Tan and Liz Kartchner – good stuff.

Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections by Studio Calico

I’ve been a fan of Studio Calico for awhile and I’m really liking they’re new collections as well.

The stamps are always a favorite (:

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

From top down, the stamps are from the Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections respectively.

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Wood veneers are always a hit.

I didn’t include the patterned papers because they’re all so lovely but you could can check them out from the links I included above.

And please don’t get me started on the Handbook line. The oilcloth covers sound exciting and the inserts look pretty amazing. I can’t decide whether I like the inserts for the Here & There, or Sundrifter collection better. Maybe this is the perfect excuse motivation to scrap an event I’ve been procrastinating on.

Sn@p! by Simple Stories

Source: simplestories.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

The Sn@p! binders are pretty amazing. This makes me seriously consider switching up Project Life to this size.

Technique Tuesday by Ali Edwards

Source: aliedwards.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Ali Edwards pretty much outdid herself with all the new stamps she designed for Technique Tuesday. You can check out the rest here (here for the video) and on her blog.

While I’m still working on getting started on Project Life for 2013, the new Project Life core kit editions are so great and seriously inspiring. I don’t know which is my favorite – yet.

If you couldn’t already tell from most of my favorites, I really really really love stamps. Maybe you could call me a stamp hoarder collector.

Thank you for letting me share some of my CHA favorites with you! What are your favorites from the recent CHA show?

I hope your weekend’s been amazing!

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

IMG_4687

In these digital times where people type more than they write, and use a stylus more than they use pens, I’m still a pen and paper kinda girl who enjoys writing things down in notebooks and planners. As each year begins, getting to purchase new planners to use for the year ahead is definitely one of my favorite parts about starting a new year. Since planners are such a huge part of my daily life, I decided to share some of my thoughts about planners and what I did for mine this year.

From daily to weekly to monthly pages, there are numerous options for planners/organizers. You can get them from your local stationery shop or customize your own from Etsy. The choices are endless, really, so you have to figure out what works for you. I usually get a daily planner (one day to a page) from my local stationery store. I don’t usually stick to one particular brand or store so I just go with what catches my eye and has an affordable price.

When I first started using planners, I usually got the A5 daily planners. Last year and the year before, I switched things up and got A6 daily planners. This year, I decided to go back to A5 and got my regular daily planner in the larger size from Smiggle. But I also decided to get a smaller A6 weekly planner to carry around. Because I’m at home a lot, the A5-sized daily planner works for me because I don’t have to carry it around much and it has enough room for me to write my daily to-do lists in.

IMG_4657

But decorating my planners and making them just a little bit more special might just be my most favorite part.

blog1

Those gold foam thickers blow me away and the Dear Lizzy stickers are just too cute for words. And I really do like that gold-misted Studio Calico wood veneer arrow.

IMG_4691

I even stuck some washi tape on the inside cover just because.

These planners make me happy and I love using them. How do you plan for the year?

Together, we’re ready to conquer twenty thirteen!
Let’s do this.

Cards and such

These pictures are long overdue. But as promised, here they are!

While it’s been pretty quiet on the scrap front, I’ve pulled out my supplies for the occasional card for some lovely people every now and then.

P1060203

P1060205

P1060212

IMG_3037

IMG_3040

IMG_3042

IMG_3109

IMG_3116

IMG_3442

IMG_3594

IMG_3628

IMG_3630

IMG_3732

IMG_3746

IMG_3748

IMG_3765

So there you have it – handmade cards from this year. I’m looking forward to making more fun things in this coming new year! Should be good (:

P.S. That lovely {amelia}writeshere font is Ali Edwards’ script writing from here! I love it!

Project 52 / #25

After being away from making layouts for way too long, I finally dug deep into my new supplies from Two Peas in a Bucket and made this layout (:

Project #25: Taste of Pua

IMG_3507[1]

Supplies: Bazzill basics cardstock; Mister Huey’s mist; American Craft thickers; Crate Paper Story Teller patterned paper; We R Memory Keepers baker’s twine; Amy Tangerine clear stamps; Dear Lizzy date stamp; Versacolor ink; Studio Calico wood veneers

IMG_3509[1]

IMG_3510[1]

IMG_3512[1]

I thoroughly enjoyed putting this layout together; it reminded me of how much I love making paper things.

And I love everything about this layout – from the repeating stamped background with that yummy mint ink and new Amy Tangerine clear stamps (so much fun!) to the wood veneers (again, love these!), and all the memories wrapped up with all the food we ate in Pua <3

I hope your weekend is amazingggg!

the 20 list / start “note to self” mini album. done.

IMG_3517[1]

This book came together one night when I had the urge to just make something. And it pretty much came together in a snap with some of my favorite supplies (:

I haven’t decided whether I’m going to add a title or not because I’m good with this the way it is. And this might end up being my “lessons learned” journal instead – taking notes on lessons learned, things God has taught me…

Loving it either way (:

Supplies: Studio Calico 5×5 classic journal, fabrip, butterfly mask; Mister Huey’s Pinstripe, Passport, Crate Paper patterned paper, washi tape; Uniball white pen

CHA summer 2012 favorites

CHA Summer was so last week, I know.
(For those of you who don’t know, CHA stands for Craft and Hobby Association, is held twice yearly and is where new products are released.)

But I couldn’t help but share some of my favorites from the new releases – time to start saving money for all the pretty paper goodness! Plus some lovely embellishments and stamps, of course (:

First up, American Crafts: I’m absolutely loving these American Crafts collaborations with some amazing designers – Dear Lizzy and Amy Tangerine are definitely all-time favorites!

From Dear Lizzy, 5th & Frolic

Patterned Paper

DL_5thFrolic_Paper_Blog_1

DL_5thFrolic_Paper_Blog_2
DL_5thFrolic_Paper_Blog_3
DL_5thFrolic_Paper_Blog_4

Gold foil vellum, Pow! Glitter patterned paper, and Ruffled Crepe Paper.

DL_5thFrolic_Paper_Blog_5

LOVE the colors of these – I can totally imagine using them on everythingggg.

Amy Tangerine Ready, Set, Go

Patterned Paper

AT_RSG_Paper_Blog_1

AT_RSG_Paper_Blog_2

AT_RSG_Paper_Blog_3

AT_RSG_Paper_Blog_4

Stamps and die cut bits, yes please!

AT_RSG_Embellishments_7

Another daybook to store all those memories (:

AT_RSG_Embellishments_10

Studio Calico outdid itself this time with three new collections, complete with mists, wood veneers, mistables, and their newly released Handbook.

Year book Patterned papers

Yearbookpapersweb

School was so two years ago. But I still think the colors and shapes on these are great! I especially love the pie-chart patterned one on the top left.

We all need another date stamp, don’t we?

Datestamp

And more wood veneers. Perfect.

330055_WoodVeneer_SpeechBubbles

Crate Paper

Sleigh Ride Patterned Paper

5

8

9

These are three papers I can especially imagine using on my Christmas cards this year!

Acorn Avenue Patterned Paper

1

2

3

10

4

5

6

7

8

9

At first I thought I liked the On trend papers the best of Crate’s three new collections, but then I realized that I liked Acorn Avenue better. But honestly, they’re all really good (:

It’s so hard to pick favorites,  I tell you. But these are some of the ones I especially can’t wait to lay my hands on. I bet you can’t tell that I especially love patterned papers and stamps, haha (;

Here’s to an amazing week!
xo.

Back to Project 52

So I actually almost forgot I had this Project going, ha! I can’t believe that I did either.

But okie dokie, drumroll please for Project #24!

Project #24: Pua, Thailand

puamini1

And a couple of shots of my favorite pages (:

puamini2

puamini3

puamini4

puamini5

I’ll confess that I’ve been hoarding this mini album since I bought it, which was like forever ago. But I finally found an event with enough photos to fill up this book! (:

I used a random mix of whatever I had in my supplies – Amy Tangerine’s latest Sketchbook collection, Maya Road, Studio Calico… And I added washi tape, baker’s twine and stamps to tie everything together.

I LOVE this mini-album and how quickly it all came together. Add to that fond reminiscing of our fun trip to Pua. Double bonus!

I hope your week’s been off to a fabulous start! (:
xo.

Everyone needs a little inspiration

I know it’s been pretty quiet on the creative front here lately.

But I’ve been busy, so making stuff has kinda had to take a back seat. I’m slowly but surely falling behind on Project 52 (Can you believe that I almost forgot about making layouts?!). And Project Life is pretty much a never-ending project, if you know what I mean.

While I wouldn’t say that I’ve lost the mojo, I would say that I just haven’t been on top of things lately.

But it’s all good.

I’m taking my time to work through things, reminding myself to enjoy the process instead of stressing out and what not.

But here are some things that have inspired me of late and make me wish I could drop everything and just make stuff all day, every day instead (:

Source: crate.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Rahel works her magic into mini albums.

Source: octoberafternoon.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Super sweet layout for October Afternoon.

Source: annmarielovespaper.wordpress.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I SO need to try this color-blocking thing some time.

Source: annmarielovespaper.wordpress.com via Amelia on Pinterest

This reminds me that Project Life doesn’t have to be complicated because I’m totally digging this spread!

I’m going to get back into the swing of things pretty soon!
(I hope.)

How has your week been going? (:

Thoughts on Project Life

Warning: This post is going to be wordy!

So far, so good.

All this is still really new to me and I’m still trying to find my groove, trying to figure out what works for me (and doesn’t), what I should include or leave out.

Honestly, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, especially when I think about all the weeks I have to catch up on, all the photos that need to be  sorted and printed, all the details that need to be recorded. My head is really just a mess of things that need to get done sometimes.

But I constantly remind myself that:

  1. At least the stories are being recorded.
    Sometimes, I forget and leave out photos that I’d meant to include, only to realize I don’t have any more room. Sometimes, it works for me to rearrange things; sometimes, it doesn’t. Whatever the case, I try to take what I have and roll with it and not worry about trying to get every single thing in because I am already accomplishing my goal by doing Project Life because I’m printing photos and documenting life.
  2. It’s okay to be imperfect.
    Things won’t always be perfect; some days, I’ll make mistakes in my documenting. And that’s okay.
  3. I do what works for me.
    As much as I love the details/layers/embellishments that some of these very creative ladies put into their pages, I know that it isn’t always possible for me. But I try to work with whatever resources I have. (Still, I wouldn’t mind a silhouette cameo!) Because I order my prints online, I don’t really have the option of printing a combination of photo sizes (especially the larger ones). So while things aren’t as flexible as I like them to be, it’s okay.

I’m enjoying this so far, especially when I resist the temptation to get stressed/overwhelmed. I’m excited about how much fun it will be to look back on this album at the end of the year. And I’m really anticipating these new inserts coming soon!

Also, having a pinterest board of inspiration and ideas to include in my Project Life is so good especially on weeks when I get stuck in a rut.

So there you have it!

Thank you for reading my rambling thoughts, if you made it all the way down to the end of this post. I don’t blame you otherwise if you didn’t though (:

And a good reminder before I run off:

Source: piccsy.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I hope your week is fabulous!