Tag #9: September 2011

This tag is quite a bit different from the usual dark, very vintage look that I do, and it may be one of my favorite ones that I’ve done so far. Sometimes it is interesting to stretch ourselves a bit!

Additional supplies: Technique Tuesday stamps (Williamsburg – Numbers & Punctuation, Small), Hero Arts stamps (Artistic Calendar), fabric (unknown).   This is Florida’s version of fall, I guess! Although I stamp a lot on my tags, this tag is almost completely stamped. I started with a pink graph patterned paper as the base, and then layered the other elements on top of that in various shades of ink. The pink pearl brads and chipboard number add some dimension (and shine) to the tag. The chipboard “9″ is covered in paper from a 6×6 paper pad (Jillibean Soup Apple Cheddar Soup) and then covered in Ranger glossy accents to create a lacquered wood finish.   Even the ribbon tying the tag used ink! It is actually a strip of white cotton fabric that was dyed with Tim Holtz’s Distress Stain in Spun Sugar. The edges of the fabric were frayed with Tim Holtz’s Craft Scratcher before it was tied on.  

Tag #10: October 2011

  Making this tag, I had two creative goals. I wanted to experiment with stamping on patterned paper, and I wanted to play with these cool paper butterflies from Close To My Heart. (I have a thing for butterflies, and what they represent, lately.)

Additional supplies: Close To My Heart “Just Blooms – Flutter” Paper Shapes, Elle’s Studio – 2011 Vintage Calendar Tags, Girl’s Paperie sticker alphabet, Recollections by Michaels lace ribbon.

You can’t see it really well but I inked the patterned paper around the edges with Distress ink (Antique Linen) and also used an edge distresser on the calendar tag. I love the vintage touch of the lace, and it picks up the cream color in the inking and the calendar element.

Tag #11: November 2011

Most of us, if we are lucky, make something every so often that exceeds our wildest expectations and makes us say “I made that!” with pride. For me, that is the case with this tag. I created it to try some new spray ink skills that I had learned at CHA Winter 2012, and was absolutely thrilled with the results! Sometimes everything just comes together. Creative magic!

Additional supplie: American Tag tag, Studio Calico Mister Huey’s (Schoolhouse, Sunshine, Apple Jack), Ticket (unknown).

This tag used a spray ink technique that I wanted to try after watching Dyan Reavely demo it at CHA Winter 2012. I’ll be posting a video shortly of her demo…it was fantastic. I was so happy with how my attempt at the technique came out! I got lots of color blending and texture in my background, even on my first try! Of course, the game piece shows the number of months gone by, the ticket gives the date, and the butterfly represents flying free…the other elements are just a random collage. I can’t usually make those work but I’m very happy with how this piece came together!

With my December tag already half complete, I will soon have six completed pages in my album…it’s hard to believe those pages are filling up! Many more to go, but they are filling!

But, in the spirit of the dream of unlimited time and creativity…here’s the things that really spoke to me on the show floor in Anaheim, that stoked my creative fires and made me say “WOW!”

One of the first things I saw in the previews that excited me was the new lines from Pink Paislee. Literally everything they released this show, including their new signature lines, was stunning. But  a few specific pieces really got me excited.

These tags from Spring Jubilee, one of my favorite two collections, grabbed me immediately. Although they are not my favorite tag size (#8) for making stand-alone tag projects, they will still be incredibly useful on layouts.

These collage cards from the Spring Jubilee collection will nicely solve my problem of lusting after Spring Jubilee tags in size #8 that don’t exist after seeing the tags pictured above. They are the perfect size for die cutting a #8 tag out of by using my Tim Holtz Tag & Bookplates die!

I have a bit of a fetish for chipboard buttons, and so these resist chipboard buttons from London Market (my other favorite Pink Paislee collection at CHA Winter 2012) are like a dream come true! They have beautiful vintage designs, but I can make them any color that I want using all of my inks!

Another of my favorite companies, Lily Bee Designs, didn’t disappoint at CHA either. As usual, their paper lines were filled with beautiful small patterns that are so versatile to work with.

Buttercup and Victoria Park are especially fabulous, particularly in 6×6 tablet form. Buttercup’s blue, yellow and gray palette is beautifully trendy without being cliche.

These little die cuts from the Handmade line will be perfect for Project Life. There are sets with the other lines too, but these are my favorites for both their colors and their sentiments.

I’m almost incapable of creating a project without putting at least a button or two on it, and one of my favorite bright and happy companies came through in a big way in the button department this show: Bella Blvd.

Button Market features button cards at very low price points that are just right for using as detailed accent pieces on a project.

This set, in particular, just made me imagine all sorts of delightful girlie projects that it could adorn!

Graphic45 gave us something that really excited me. I have always loved the beauty of their papers but found the detail and rich color difficult to work with. In Anaheim, they debuted a collection that showed off their signature style in black sketched on kraft paper.

The Kraft Reflections collection will let me enjoy Graphic45′s signature vintage beauty in my projects without feeling overwhelmed, perhaps accenting it with their full-color designs to create a coordinated look.

Another kraft paper that has me inspired is from Canvas Corp’s new Coffee line. This particular design reminds me somewhat of Starbucks logos and the holders they put around their cups.

Although I don’t drink coffee, my husband does. Since no one else in my family ever drank it either, it’s something I associate strongly with him. I look forward to its smell returning to our home soon. This paper is the perfect paper to scrap that with, or to use in Project Life.

A fun little thing that I found in the new exhibitor section but didn’t hear getting much buzz really grabbed my attention as being unique and great for card makers. It’s called the Action Wobble Spring, and makes pop-up sections on cards that wobble and bounce.

The spring is lightweight plastic and compresses flat for mailing. It’s self adhesive on both sides for adhering to both the project and the item that you want to have “spring”. I look forward to bringing more smiles to the recipients of my cards with these quirky little accessories!

And of course, my CHA favorites wouldn’t be complete without some picks from my favorite designer – Tim Holtz!

I knew as soon as I saw the preview of these that I would love them, and after seeing them demo’d and getting to try them myself, I know I am right. Tim Holtz’s new Distress Markers line from Ranger will definitely revolutionize the way that I use my stamps, and even change what stamps I buy since I now have an easy way to use multiple ink colors on the same stamp.

The only question now is whether I will assemble a collection of these little by little, as I’ve done my Distress Ink pads, or will just jump right in with the full set immediately.

Although I love my Sizzix Big Shot machine, I have not yet invested in an alphabet die for it. It’s almost like I had been waiting for this without knowing it!

This new Word Play die from Tim Holtz is a fabulous, versatile font in a great size, and the steel rule die will cut all sorts of materials. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Even better than the alphabet may be the new stencil number die:

These stencil numbers are Movers and Shapers dies, and the perfect size for cutting inside the #8 tag in the Tag & Bookplates die. They will be fabulous for working on the tag album that I am making to count off the months that my husband is away.

Of course, there is plenty more on my CHA Winter 2012 wish list…this is just some of the highlights. I look forward this season to not only getting some beautiful consumable supplies that will make me happy to use, but acquiring some new tools that will also serve me for a long time to come.

But 2011 has passed now. It felt interminably long, and yet also somehow flew by. 2011 brought new challenges that we never imagined a year ago, including our daughter being diagnosed with severe juvenile arthritis.

Through it all, one thing has been constant: our love for each other and our commitment to rebuilding our lives as a family when Mike is released in October 2013. That goal has kept us looking forward and not back.

Now as we embark on 2012, we can look forward with more optimism than a year ago. We expect to have really good news to share soon about Mike’s living situation, and hope that our daughter’s health will continue to improve as she receives treatment.

I couldn’t have survived 2011 without the support of so many people…thank you to all of you. I appreciate all of the support and am so glad to have you all with me as I move into the different challenges that 2012 will bring.

So here’s to 2012…good riddance 2011. I won’t miss you.

Off the page immediately brings to mind holiday decor and packaging and entertaining for most people…but the holidays at our house this year are pretty low-key due to my husband being away. And I’ve never been big on 3D projects anyway.

But of course, anyone who follows this site knows that off the page for me means one thing to me: tags. I’ve become a serious tagging addict the past year! And we can’t have Christmas without cards – my other recent creative addiction – so I’ll be sharing some of those too.

But first…the tags! Tags are getting a lot of attention right now because Tim Holtz is running his annual 12 Tags of Christmas event on his blog. Of all the annual scrapbooking events that occur online, this is by far my favorite. It’s like taking a whole Tim workshop, if you really pay attention to the detail in the step-outs instead of just soaking in the finished products.

I’m a bit behind on completing my versions of the 12 tags (what else is new?) but here are my first two that are completed. Only four more to go to be caught up! Think I can finish them before midnight? Hmm…maybe not.

Tag #1

I recreated the background technique that from Tim’s tag #1, but using the texture trades snow flake embossing folder and only put the technique on part of the background. Then I created the snowbank in the bottom right corner with a similar technique by using the embossing ink pad direct-to-paper in that area. I also copied the glittered chipboard element, but just with a smaller die (and I inked the tree trunk). I topped the glitter with Distress Stickles in Picket Fence to give the tree a snow covered look. 

 Supplies:

Additional supplies: Inkadinkado Season of Swirls stamp set, Jump Rings, Chipboard.

Tag #2

For working from Tim’s tag #2, I had to get a bit creative because I didn’t own nearly any of the supplies that he used. From the Kraft Resist paper background, I took inspiration for the color, texture and layout and used patterned paper by Graphic 45 and a new Tim Holtz sentiment stamp. I replaced the reindeer with a heart die – a very important theme in my life and in my holidays.

For the background, I inked over the patterned paper with Picket Fence Distress Stain just like Tim did on his tag. Then to add some texture I added several different spray inks down the left side, avoiding the area where I had stamped.

Supplies:

Additional supplies: Recollections rhinestones on a roll, and Celebrate It! Sheer Creations ribbon (both by Michael’s). Also Christmas Past – The Holly & The Ivy patterned paper by Graphic 45.

That’s the furthest that I’ve gotten so far in creating my way through Tim’s 12 tags of Christmas inspiration….but I do have a few cards to share as well that I’ve been gradually working on the past month or so. The cards are more in my signature simple style, unlike the tags that are more complex because of the inspiration from Tim’s detailed style.

“Magic of Christmas” card

In this card I used the gray that is so trendy right now, pairing it with the traditional holiday colors.

I kept the design simple through the use of pre-made elements. A few details like the wood buttons and a little inking give the card its finished look.

Supplies:

Additional supplies: Authentique Paper – Wonder Icons, Card blank.

Season’s Greetings card

This was another simple card created with pre-made embellishments. I love the detail that those Prima buttons provide so easily to a project! This card also uses the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium paper pad that I used in my day 2 tag above.

Although Ali Edwards’ signature style is much more graphic than the style of the rest of these supplies, her sentiment stamp still works with them very well for the card and gives it a handmade touch, placed on top of the typeset text paper.

Supplies:

Merry Christmas card

I did something on this card that I rarely do – I used foam tape for dimension on the hearts. I was pleased with the results of my experiment. I also took the time to hand stitch the edge of the one block of patterned paper. I was so pleased with that detail that it partially inpired my decision to buy a sewing machine over Thanksgiving weekend.

As you can see…I couldn’t resist slipping my favorite kraft paper into this cardmaking project! I love using that kraft core paper with kraft paper to coordinate.

Supplies:

Additional supplies: Close to My Heart “Holiday Commentary” stamp set, DMC black embroidery floss.

So…that’s my holiday trip off the page with my scrapbook supplies! Thanks for joining our holiday blog hop at Scrapbook Update! In case you missed the other entries in the hop….don’t forget to check them out as well:

• Melissa: Off The Page And Out of My Comfort Zone
• May: Using Scrapbook Product Off The Page This Holiday Season

Thirteen years ago, when I started scrapbooking and I also worked in a scrapbook store, I had access to an Accucut die cut machine anytime that I wanted. But despite the general popularity of solid color die cutting in scrapbooking back then, it never really captured my imagination and I rarely used die cuts in my scrapbooks. I even purchased fancy laser die cuts on occasion but rarely actually used them.

For almost 10 years since then, I have scrapped without regular access to a local scrapbook store. I didn’t miss access to die cutting and so I didn’t feel compelled to invest in a machine of my own. That changed about 2-3 years ago, when I purchased a Cricut baby bug machine on a $69 Thanksgiving Day sale at Michael’s. After some initial experimenting however, that machine became neglected as well. The choices on the cartridges were overwhelming, and I found it impossible to find the image that I wanted or to remember what images I had. My ADHD brain grew impatient with fiddling with settings, and I didn’t like having to use large pieces of paper to get the cut that I wanted. The perfectionist in me did like the ability to cut a shape to exactly the right size for my project design, but most of the time I grew impatient with the hassle of getting that perfection.

Die cutting still hadn’t gotten its hooks into me.

Then, at CHA Winter 2010, Tim Holtz introduced his signature Alterations line of dies with Sizzix. And it’s not exactly a secret that I love everything Tim Holtz…could he convert me to die cutting as well?

I held out for almost 10 months, admiring the dies but not ready to commit to investing in a machine and dies. But a little over a year ago, I finally took the plunge and ordered myself a Sizzix Big Shot machine (now available from Amazon for $49.99)
and a few dies and embossing folders. I was surprised by the immediate obsession that would develop with my new machine after all the years of being “meh” about die cutting. Within 6 weeks I owned at least a dozen dies and had a wishlist of more a mile long.

When I moved to my new kitchen scrap space shortly after getting my machine, a home for my Big Shot was one of my top priorities, because I knew that I wanted it within easy reach. It now sits on top of the storage cubes to the left of the kitchen table spot that I work at.

I use my Big Shot constantly. My most often used die is probably my Sizzix Alterations Tag & Bookplates Die, that cuts a #8 sized tag. It is perfect for so many of my favorite projects. It first got a major workout during the 2010 Holiday Tag Feud between my husband and I. I’ve used it since then to create my monthly tag album. I love that I can make easily make my favorite size of tag out of any paper that I want using the die.

Other favorites include the Tattered Floral, File Tabs, Primitive Hearts, and Ticket Strip Sizzlit. I also absolutely adore the mini magnetic Mover & Shapers dies – a lot of those from the CHA Summer 2011 release are on my shopping list. I’m thrilled that many of the classic shapes that I admired as larger dies but knew were too big for my projects have now been released in the smaller size. I have many minis already, along with the tray for using them in, and use the Mini Labels, Mini Hearts, and Window Bracket quite a bit.

I’m very picky about the shapes that I like enough to cut. Like Melissa mentions in her blog hop post, I view my dies as investments and try to select shapes that are classics, workhorses that I know I will use over and over. This is one reason that I like my manual machine more than I ever loved the electronic machine. I was never in love with the library of images available for the Cricut machine, and it only takes cartridges designed by Cricut. That limited my design options. The manual machine, however, takes dies made by a multitude of companies with the right adaptors and platforms. I’ve used both Quickutz and Papertrey Ink dies in mine in addition to the Sizzix dies – and there are many, many other companies with dies available if I want to use them.

Part of what has changed my attitude towards die cutting is not the dies themselves, but a new way to use them. A decade ago, I was cutting solid cardstock. Now I cut almost exclusively with patterned paper, creating ultra-custom embellishments that insert detail into my layouts and coordinate perfectly with other design elements in the layout. Another appeal of the manual machine, over the electronic machine, that helped it catch and hold my attention is that it can cut a wider variety of materials. In addition to the lightweight paper that is really the limit of my Cricut machine, I’ve cut heavyweight watercolor paper, grunge paper, chipboard, and even corrugated cardboard with my Sizzix machine.

I also like that my manual machine does more than one thing. I’m a fan of Food Network’s Alton Brown, who declares that we should banish any unitaskers – gadgets that only do one thing – taking up space in your kitchen. An electronic machine does one thing – cut. My manual machine can cut, emboss and even do letterpress with the right accessories. That’s versatility!

The result of my new die cutting devotion are layouts like this one, from the school album I’m working on for my daughter:

Supplies | Cardstock: Bazzill (Kraft). Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants “Off to School” (Learning), October Afternoon “Sidewalks” (Jump Rope), October Afternoon “Sasparilla” (Rustler), Simple Stories “100 Days of Summer” (Simple Pleasures). Alphabets: Studio Calico (Anthology), Lily Bee (Picket Fence). Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Stain (Fired Brick), Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Old Paper, Antique Linen, Tea Dye). Twine: Martha Stewart Crafts. Embellishments: Prima (Printery Resist Canvas, Quirky Wood Buttons), Elle’s Studio “Handmade Layers” (Date & Place Strips, 3″ Circle Tags), BasicGrey “Out of Print” (Glazed Brads). Tag: Ranger Inkssentials (Size 8 Manila). Pen: Sharpie (Fine). Die: Sizzix Alterations by Tim Holtz (Tattered Floral).

The die cuts were inked before being attached with the brads:

These die cuts are a whole different effect than the plain cardstock ones that I used when I started scrapbooking 13 years ago! With some text paper, and some ink, and a coordinating brad, I created a beautiful custom embellishment that doesn’t look cheap or simple or fast – even though it’s actually all of those. The Tattered Floral die that I used, designed by Tim Holtz, was part of his original introduction of the Alterations line in January 2010, and is still on Scrapbook.com’s bestseller list – a massive success by any measure. It’s a versatile basic that I can use over and over. I’m thrilled that a mini version of some of those floral images is coming soon from the CHA Summer 2011 product line!

This is a great time of year if you are a die cutter! Watch for more die cutting coming up in my holiday cards and tags that you’ll be seeing soon here and on Scrapbook Update!

And don’t forget to visit the other posts in our Scrapbook Update staff blog hop about die cutting:

• May – Just Me & My [Sizzix] Big Shot
• Melissa – My Big Die Cutting Kick

Supplies | Dies: Tim Holtz Alterations for Sizzix (Tag & Bookplates, Mini Hearts, Collage & Notebook Embossing Folder). Cardstock: Core’dinations (Tim Holtz Kraft Core), Bazzill (Kraft). Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup (Apple Cheddar Soup 6×6 pad). Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inkpad (Black Soot). Stickers: K & Company (Handmade Stamp Sticker Pad). Pen: American Crafts (Precision 03). Metal Embellishments: Tim Holtz idea-ology (Muse Tokens), Unknown (brads).

Unlike previous tags where I’ve used an embellishment to create the number, for this month I used the embossing folder on the Kraft Core and then sanded and inked it to highlight the #7. The butterfly stamp embellishments are give the tag a touch of summer and also reflect my frequent letter writing with Mike. The Muse Token – E for Excellence – was a nod to the importance of my work in my life during July, when I traveled to Chicago to speak at the Craft & Hobby Association trade show.

With my August tag I experimented a bit with color scheme, combining two colors I normally wouldn’t: red and purple. But I ended up pleased with how it came together, looking like (for my simple controlled style) a cohesive but random arrangement.

Supplies | Die: Tim Holtz Alterations for Sizzix (Tag & Bookplates). Patterned Paper: BoBunny Et Cetera (Watermark). Stickers: BoBunny Et Cetera (Combo). Die Cut: K & Company Brenda Walton (Flora & Fauna). Chipboard: Close To My Heart Irresistibles (Make It Count). Inkpad: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Limited Edition Fall Inkpad (Seedless Preserves). Brad: My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2 (Blush – Favorite). Ribbon: Fancy Pants Artist Edition (Black).

The number “8″ is from a lovely set of chipboard resist embellishments by Close To My Heart that are part of the growing market in resist items that are being seen in the industry to use with all of the mists and inks that are so popular. I used the chipboard with one of the inkpads from Tim Holtz’s Limited Edition Fall Inkpad colors to create a custom embellishment, and was so happy with how it came out. And I’m absolutely in love with that BoBunny Et Cetera collection that I used for the tag itself and the stickers. It is so versatile and so basic, and yet has such character at the same time.

For some reason, the ephemera piece that I used as a background block for the date reminds me of things that used to be around my grandmother’s house. Paired with the stickers that look like a Dymo labeler, it just feels very warm and nostalgic to me – a return to a time in my childhood that things were so much simpler, or at least seemed like they were.

And now…it’s time to make tag #9!

My life is pretty much on my phone. It is my constant companion from dusk till dawn (and in between, too). One of the best things about that is that it means that I always have a camera with me. As a scrapbooker, I constantly see pictures around me – but I am terrible at remembering to haul my camera with me, and sometimes I just don’t want the hassle. My iPhone fills in that gap nicely as long as I am not tied to having pixel perfect photos of an event.

Here’s a look at some of the photos that I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for my iPhone:

I don’t use a lot of fancy photo tools on my iPhone. Mostly I use the built-in camera app, and occasionally when I really want to play with landscape and architecture photos I will use an app called “Pro HDR”.

With the announcement of the iPhone 4S today, which has an 8MP camera with a f2.4 aperture and a faster shutter response and face detection (among other features), the iPhone will only continue to become a more important tool in my photography toolbox.

But my iPhone does more than serve as my camera…it also serves as my virtual crop. I’ve talked often on the Roundtable about how I never leave home to crop – but that doesn’t mean that I don’t crop with my friends! With my iPhone, I can snap a photo of a project in progress and share it with a scrapbooking friend to chat about even if they aren’t sitting at my kitchen table next to me.

This was my snap of my recent layout Second Grade Changes while it was in progress. Digital scrapping isn’t exempt from this sharing either…I can just snap a shot of my screen!

My iPhone is also great as a reference tool for keeping track of my wish lists and what dies and stamps that I have via the application Evernote. It lets me keep virtual sticky notes that have lists of what color inks I need to buy, or what dies I already have – and since the application is always accessible on my phone, I’m never caught without my lists! (I love lists!)

So, that is how I use my phone to help with my scrapbooking (and everything else in my life!)

Make sure to check out May’s and Melissa’s blogs for their phone scrapping tips!

DOC rules severely limit my options to reach out to him, however. I finally settled on making a handmade card as my best option. But even sending a card has challenges, because anything sent into his correctional facility can’t have adhered layers on it (too much risk of contraband or hidden messages). So I had to come up with a design that, basically, didn’t use any glue. Then I realized the solution – creating visual layers with ink, basically creating a painting!

I dug out my stamps and various mediums, and started playing. This was the result.

Supplies – Cardstock: Bazzill Smoothies (Walnut Cream). Ink: Tim Holtz Distress (Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Black Soot), Tim Holtz Distress Stain (Peeled Paint, Pine Needles, Faded Jeans), Studio Calico Mr. Huey’s Mist (Classic Calico). Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Background Basics: Text Style), Tim Holtz for Stamper’s Anonymous (Nature’s Elements), Technique Tuesday (Words We Love). 

First, I used half of an 8.5×11 sheet of the Bazzill cardstock to create the card blank out of. This conveniently left me with the other half of the sheet to use to practice my effects on before stamping them on the “real” card.

The first layer of the stamping that was laid down was the text background stamp by Papertrey Ink. Using the Antique Linen Distress ink, I stamped that background strip twice across the bottom area of the card, leaving enough room at the bottom to add the sentiment stamp later.

Next, I started adding the foliage. First I added the large spray of leaves from the Nature’s Elements set, in Peeled Paint Distress Stain. Then I added the slightly smaller green floral element, stamped in Pine Needle. Finally, I filled the blank area between their stems with the small floral stamp in Faded Jeans. I selected the Distress Stain for these elements because I wanted a soft, watercolor look. Practicing on the scrap piece of cardstock really helped get the order of the stamping of these elements right, as well as figure out which piece should be which color. It also gave me practice learning how much stain to use on the stamps for the effect I wanted.

The butterfly from the Nature’s Element set was stamped with Distress Ink (not stain) in Brushed Corduroy because I wanted a crisper effect for that image than I had wanted for the foliage that I did with stain. The last stamp placed was the sentiment from the Technique Tuesday set, in Black Soot Distress ink.

As a finishing touch, to knock back the glaring perfection of the Walnut Cream background, I gave the card a spritz with the Mr. Huey’s spray mist. I sprayed from near the top of the right side so that most of the spray was concentrated in that area.

Mike loved the card and I learned a lot about working with my various different inks and stamps doing this. I liked the challenge of trying to see what effects I could achieve solely with my inks. I’m sure I will be doing more of it in the future!

A blog hop that gives me an excuse to play with all of my office supply-inspired scrapbook stuff is like Christmas for me…an excuse to “assign” myself to play with some of my favorite things! The only problem is figuring out which of my presents to open first, because I have a huge collection of office inspired scrapbook toys.

So I could play with and share as many of them as possible, I decided to make quick card projects for this post. (Plus…a card goes into an envelope and is sort of an office supply itself, so it is extra fitting to create them for this article!) The two cards I made show a range of styles can be created with “office” supplies. Just another reason to love them!

My first card takes the concept of “office” very literally. I used Tim Holtz’s File Tabs die from Sizzix to create a card that was shaped like a file folder – and then stapled a sheet of notebook paper inside it with a sentiment on it. Just check the box for the sentiment of your choice!

Supplies – Cardstock: Bazzill (Kraft). Patterned Paper: BasicGrey Basics (Booknote). Die: Tim Holtz Alterations for Sizzix (File Tabs). Punch: EK Success Slimline (Binding Edge Edger). Stamps: BasicGrey (To Do), Papertrey Ink (Around & About Sentiments, Mega Mixed Messages), Tim Holtz for Stamper’s Anonymous (Grunge Butterfly). Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Black Soot, Barn Door), Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain (Vintage Photo). Embossing Powder: Ranger (Clear Super Fine Detail). Misc: Tim Holtz idea-ology Tiny Attacher.

I added the red hearts to brighten up the dark color scheme and enhance the “love” theme of the card intended by the sentiment stamps. Finally, I used the Grunge Butterfly (stamped with Vintage Photo Distress Stain) to soften the overall look of the card. I chose the brown stain to create a kind of coffee-stained look that would be subtle and wouldn’t overwhelm the rest of the card.

My second card went a whole different direction, using bright cheerful pastels. The office theme here isn’t as literal as the first card. Instead, I created something softer and more feminine.

Supplies – Cardstock: Bazzill Smoothies (Walnut Cream). Stamps: Hero Arts (Graph Background), Stampin’ Up (Much Appreciated). Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress (Tumbled Glass, Black Soot). Rub-Ons: October Afternoon Thrift Shop (Image). Stickers: BasicGrey Out of Print (Paper Ribbon), October Afternoon 5 & Dime (Label Stickers). Flowers: Fancy Pants Beach Babe. Brads: unknown.

I created the background that looks like graph paper using the Hero Arts Graph Background stamp. Stamped on the Walnut Cream cardstock with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, it looks just like the graph paper you’d find in any office supply store. Then I softened the look with the rub-on and the paper ribbon. Finally, I created the sentiment block with an office supply item – a label, stamped with a typewriter font sentiment stamp. I also gave the flowers an “office” touch by attaching them with brads.

Why do I love “office” supply scrapbooking supplies? For starters, I’ve always had a thing for office supplies. I can spend hours in Staples! In scrapbooking, I like that they have some character and lend a somewhat vintage look to projects, but still are mostly a blank palette to work with and build on. They are neutrals of the best kind!

These cards used almost all of my favorite office-themed scrapbook supplies from my stash. I have another favorite that you see on this site frequently – my Tim Holtz Alterations for Sizzix Tag & Bookplates die.

Don’t forget to check out the other posts on this topic from the rest of the Scrapbook Update staff:

• May Flaum
• Melissa Stinson

Now…for that giveaway that we promised!

Are you a Jennifer McGuire fan like I am? Starting on Sept. 12th, she’s teaching an online class called Inspiration Showcase at OnlineCardClasses.com. For two weeks, you’ll be able to learn all about 40 different techniques while following along with the construction of a decorative 12×12 canvas. The canvas is just an example of all the techniques – once you learn these stamping, paper and decor techniques, they can be used on cards, layouts and many other kinds of paper craft projects.

Sound exciting? I can’t wait to take this class with Jennifer! And…one lucky reader will get to take it too, because I have a seat to give away! Just leave a comment on this entry saying what your favorite technique is for stamping or scrapbooking and you’ll be entered to win our random drawing. The giveaway will be open for entries until Midnight eastern time on Sunday night, August 28th. One entry person, please!

I normally don’t scrap a lot of school stuff for some reason (probably due to Bridget’s school experience being so different than normal because of her disability – I don’t have a ton of opportunities to take pictures in a school setting) but as she enters 3rd grade this week, I’m finally planning on taking the few school layouts that I’ve already done and making them the basis of a “school” album that I can build over the years for her. I figure it will be a good way to chart the basic process of her growth and development in a single album.

Since the photos didn’t have a lot of cohesive colors in them, taken on different days in different outfits, a neutral kraft background was perfect. Then a collage of embellishments was the perfect way to tie all the jumble of colors together into something resembling order (I like even my collage-y pages to feel orderly – kind of a contradiction, I know!).

Supplies – Patterned Paper: October Afternoon Farmhouse (Button Box), BasicGrey Basics (Blueline). Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress (Antique Linen, Faded Jeans), Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain (Spun Sugar). Embossing Powder: Ranger (Clear Super Fine Detail). Rub-Ons: October Afternoon Thrift Shop (Image). Stamps: Tim Holtz for Stamper’s Anonymous (Seamless Experience). Alphabets: Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type (Blue), Sassafrass (Cool Gray). Embellishments: Elle’s Studio (Vintage Month Flashcards), BasicGrey (Out of Print Bloomers), Recollections (rhinestones), Making Memories (Sabrina Buttons), Hero Arts (Hero Hues Woven Lace Ribbon). Other: unknown buttons, DMC floss.

Journaling: Your second grade was stressful and full of change. First, there was your Daddy’s legal problems and last months at home. Then, “he went away” as you put it so sadly when we would talk. I worried so much about how you would handle it all, but you just continued to amaze us. At the start of the year you were a shy uncertain child, tentative. By June you carried yourself a whole new way: more mature, more confident. You made so much progress in your speech and other things! I’m so proud of you!

The title block is one of the trendy “button card” blocks that make up the back side of a patterned paper in October Afternoon’s upcoming new Farmhouse collection. It turned out to be a great way to “ground” the title block. I used buttons at three points in the layout to create a visual triangle and lead the eye through my design (I have a thing about doing that with embellishments). The notebook paper for the journaling, and the ruler, reinforces the school theme while also working with the collage style of the page. Most of the other embellishments are fairly random, chosen for size, shape and color, although the buttons do work well to pair with the theme of the button card in the title.

It was while trying to find a home in one of my albums for this layout that I decided that I think I will start a whole new school album for Bridget. I came across several other layouts that were from first days of school and couldn’t believe how much they showed stair steps of change in her life. So as soon as I get an album purchased, Bridget’s school years is going to be the first album in my new system of organizing my layouts, based on Stacy Julian’s Library of Memories system. Noell Hyman, my Paperclipping Roundtable co-host, posted a new Paperclipping episode today talking about doing the same thing with her albums!