Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Cool way to email pictures!

Check out this link:

http://www.smilebox.com/learnMore.jsp?partner=smilebox&campaign=none&page=designScrapbooks&origin=HomePage

What is Smilebox?
Smilebox is a fun and engaging service that connects you with family and friends using your photos. It's free, easy to use, and the results are amazing.
What can I make with Smilebox?
With Smilebox, you can create animated scrapbooks, photobooks, slideshows, postcards, and greetings for any occasion, and email them to anyone.
Is it free?
Yes, you can personalize and share any design you like for free. You can also do more by purchasing the premium version of a design.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

7 Steps to Making a Scrapbook Page

Have you found yourself staring at a giant stack of photos wondering how you'll ever put together your first page—let alone an entire book? Here are seven basic "how to's" that will make creating scrapbook pages a snap.
1.
Sort your photos and select a theme to work on (generally, 5-7 photos fit on a two-page spread and 3-5 photos fit on a single page). Keep in mind that you don't have to scrapbook every photograph—select only the best photos to highlight the event, feeling or moment you want to convey.
2.
Select 2-3 colors of safe paper that will complement colors found in the photographs. Experiment with different color combinations to find the perfect colors to enhance your photographs. You may want to include stationery or decorative paper that supports the theme of your pages.
3.
Choose a photo to be your focal point. As a general rule, select photos with sharp images, vivid colors and well-lit subjects.
4.
Shape and mat your photos to add extra prominence to your focal point. You can do this easily by matting your photo with a wider border than the others, or double or triple-matting it. While shaping your photos, keep in mind that simple shapes such as rectangles, ovals, circles and squares are among the most eye-pleasing shapes. If irrelevant or distracting details appear in the background, simply trim them out. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you have to cut out all of the background—frequently, ordinary items pictured in the background will bring a flood of memories essential to journaling and reminiscing.
5.
Add journaling. No page is complete without adding your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Take a few minutes to write down not only the "who" and "when," but also the "what" and "why."
6.
Arrange photos, journaling and titles on your page. As you arrange these elements, pay close attention to the direction your eye moves. In general, well-designed pages are well balanced and will follow a natural flow that mimics the letter Z. To check the balance, imagine that your layout is on a scale. Does one side tip the scale? Once you're pleased with the layout, simply adhere the elements to the page.
7.
Try a few extras. As you get more comfortable with scrapbooking, try your hand with some embellishments—stickers, die cuts, rubber stamps and punches are among the most popular page accents. Use these items sparingly—you don't want them to overpower your photos.
Congratulations! You've successfully completed your first scrapbook page without a hitch. You'll find that as you scrapbook more and more, you will develop your own style, but these tried-and-true basics will serve as a strong foundation. Happy scrapping!

How to Mat Your Photos
1. Decide on the shape of your photo.
2. Using acid-free and photo-safe adhesives, adhere the photo onto a piece of cardstock or decorative paper that is slightly larger than your photo.
3. You can vary the widths of the paper borders to add more or less prominence to the photo. For variety, try cutting your paper with decorative-edged scissors.

Monday, January 8, 2007

ALL ABOUT ME workshop ~ taught by ME!

All About ME Workshop

FEBRUARY
24th

It doesn't matter how long you've been scrapbooking, you know deep inside you should be scrapbooking yourself - telling your own story. And, you might be more willing to do so if it weren't so difficult to get photos of yourself or so darn painful to look at the photos you have (I'm right huh?) But, did you know that you don't really need a photo of you, to scrapbook you? It's true. This class is designed to help you scrapbook the evidence of you - some of the little things that together describe your "essence."
I think, in taking this class, you will discover how much "you" there is in your surroundings. It is this evidence gathered and documented that creates a composite story - a story that is surprisingly descriptive and personal ~ complete in a mini-album for you to share with friends/family!

note: you are going to need one photo of you that you like, so put on some lipstick and hand over the camera!

COST: $35 includes all supplies ~ you need to bring your basic tool kit ~scissors, adhesive, cutter & pictures relating to these questions:
  • What is your favourite indulgence (treat, dessert, beverage?)
  • If you had one free afternoon to do anything you wanted, what would it be?
  • What is something you use every single day, something that you could live without ~ but wouldn’t want to?
  • What is something you buy in bulk, just to make sure you don’t run out?
  • Where in your home do you love to be?
  • What in nature most inspires you?
  • What store wouldn’t you want to live without?
  • What is a little thing you do to spread cheer to those you love?
  • What is your happiest color?
  • What book(s) have given you a new perspective on life?
  • What is a symbol, character, motif or design that you love?
  • Do you have a collection?
  • What is something you are really good at?
  • List three words that describe you!


Contact me by the middle of February to sign up!

9 MORE SLEEPS till Dominican trip!

Ooooohhh Baby ~ Heaven IS a place on EARTH!

Aaron and I are headed to Punta Cana next week ~ and we are going at the perfect time ~ cold front and blizzard hitting Athabasca - worst one since 1989!! We'll definately enjoy the white sands, turquoise waters AND 85 above heat!

Will post pics as soon as I figure it out!

Saturday, January 6, 2007

New Candles in from Home Interiors!

Great Idea for Easter Gift!
12350 Jelly Bean
Petite Jar Candle
This sweet springtime treat smells
just like a handful of fruity jelly
beans. Savor the scent of fruit
essences blended with a hint
of vanilla and coated in sugary
goodness! Approximate burn time
is 48 hours. 23/4"x4" h.; 7.5 oz.
Retail $10.99

Contact Kelly Schelske for a catalogue or email newsletter!
schelske@myipplus.net

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Scrapbooking Retreat in Slave Lake, AB

I'm posting this for a Scrapbooking buddy...

We are fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club of Slave Lake.
Please come out if you love Scrapbooking for a great weekend and help support a great group at the same time ~ all proceeds go to the club. Anyone who wants to make a personal donation can do so as well I can be contacted for that as well.
Kristy 780-369-2523
Scappin' for Kids Retreat
Febuary 16th, 17th and 18th
Northwest Inn Banquet Room
Slave Lake, AB
Fee $50.00 early bird (before Jan 15)
$60.00 between the 15 and 25
Must be registered before or on the 25th of Jan. to reserve a spot
Fee includes meals, classes, goodie bags, name entered in for doorprizes and a whole lotta fun to spend with old friends and meet new ones.
There well be a silent auction, something similar to 50/50 draws, raffles and other great stuff you don't wanna miss out on.

First day is Friday starts 7:00 pm set up and check in goes till midnight
Saturday 9:00am-3:00am
Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm

There well consultants there from Creative Memories, Top Line Creations, Stampin Up and hopefully Lil' Scrappers store so you can buy what they have on hand right there or place an order as well.

Contact Kristy Lawrence for more info,details or to register.
780-369-2523
knlh@slavelakecomm.com

No refunds if you cancel and please no children under 10 years of age.
If you don't scrapbook and your child does they are more then welcome to attend, but they must be with an adult.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Getting ORGANIZED when putting your Christmas decorations away!

Thought I would share these tips....

I'm not packing the tree away for another week!

Problem: The light strings are always tangled, and you don’t know what kind of replacements you need for the dead and faded bulbs.Solution: Whenever you buy a new string of lights, immediately label the plug with a number keyed to a written description of it (the type and number of bulbs in the strand, for example, and where you purchased it). That way, any damaged bulbs will be easy to replace, says Steve Pearson, a three-time winner of the Merriam, Kansas, Festival of Lights Contest. As for the knots and snarls, Taylor offers this tip: Take an empty coffee can, cut a slit in the plastic lid, and put the receptacle end of the light cord through it. Wrap the string around the can, store extra bulbs and extension cords inside, then replace the lid. (When it’s time to unpack the lights again, plug each strand into an electrical outlet to make sure it works before you unroll it.) Always store colored lights in a dark place to keep the bulbs from fading (blues, greens, and purples fade faster than reds and yellows do).

Problem: “Santa’s” suit is starting to look dusty and worn.Solution: “If your costumes are homemade or valuable to you, treat them as you would a wedding dress,” says decorating expert Kelley Taylor. “Dry-clean them, press them, and keep them folded neatly in a sealed, acid-free container so that no moisture or moths can get in.”

Problem: Half-used rolls of gift wrap wind up torn or wrinkled.Solution: “Consider limiting yourself to one or two kinds of all-occasion gift wrap and one or two colors of ribbons and bows that you can use all year,” says author Donna Smallin. If you must have themed wrap for every occasion, she adds, you can protect any opened rolls by cutting a leg from a pair of panty hose, slipping it over the tube, and securing the open end with a twist tie. Or slit an empty wrapping-paper tube from end to end and slide it over the partial roll.

Problem: Artificial wreaths get crushed or become mildewy.Solution: “Cover indoor wreaths with plastic bags, then hang them on the walls in a spare closet or on two-by-fours in your attic,” says former special events director Sandy Stuckey. “Put one nail on top and one just below the base so the wreath keeps its round shape.” Artificial wreaths and garlands that have been displayed outdoors require an additional step: “Bring them inside to a warm spot first and let them dry for 24 hours before storing them,” says Kevin York, vice president of Christmas Decor, a home-decorating company in Lubbock, Texas.

Problem: Plastic lawn ornaments and other large, oddly shaped decorations take up too much space when boxed.Solution: When you buy new clothes, save the zippered garment bags and use them to protect bulky plastic figures, such as sleighs and reindeer, suggests author Valerie Parr Hill. Then hang the bags in a closet or on a nail in your attic.

Here's a chart to keep your decorations/boxes organized!

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/web/pdf/1205/decorations.pdf

HAVE FUN!