Category: Uncategorized

Scrapbooking: What’s the best way?

Welcome to Camp Scrap! For more details about this special blog event, prizes, community, and more check out the FAQ page here. 

One of the things I’ve noticed about comments so far in Camp Scrap is a desire to scrapbook more, or simply to begin. So I’ve been thinking… what can I share with all of you about this? How can I help? A single blog post isn’t going to cover the topic or my knowledge, but I can get you started – and I can share a new layout I made from a place of pure love and inspiration. Want to see pages from my ye olde past? My “creative journey” series (go back to final page and read from beginning) has a TON! You can find those here. 

What is the “best” way to scrapbook? The short answer is: the way that you enjoy + inspires you to complete it.

You have a LOT of choices including pocket pages where you can work one small bit at a time to 12×12 layouts to mini-books – and everything in between. My family scrapbooks are a blend of pocket pages + traditional pages (12×12) ever since I did “project Hawaii” a blog series about faux pocket pages to maximize space + minimize time to make the pages. But I’ve done it all – and will continue to dabble when it comes to trips, special occasions, and other “separate” scrapbook projects.

Tips on space/managing expectations: 

  • You’re limited by whatever space you’ve got. You can only fit so many pictures on a page. So decide on a case-by-case basis what priorities are
  • Get real. I’m not ever going to custom print photo sizes. I print 3×5 or 4×6 in batches every few months, and I make my projects work based on that. I get WAY more done, and I do better with physical photos in front of me vs having to sit down, find pics, size them… I’d never scrapbook. This applies to every aspect of scrapbooking – be realistic in your time and commitment to it
  • Scrapbook any and everything you want. Skip any and everything you don’t want.
  • If working on an album with a set of pictures/strict parameters take the time to sort it out generally before you begin, or pause and do so if you’re already in the middle of it.
  • I’ve only met maybe 3 people in all my 30 years of scrapbooking that were “caught up” and “Had scrapped absolutely everything to date”. Realistically you’ll NEVER scrapbook every story. Pick a few stories, be happy they’re told/saved. Repeat.

Spend time living a good life, scrapbook the parts you like as time allows… but do make time. Even if just a few minutes now and then.

This page you’re seeing snapshots of is one for my 2017 album. I just got my April – June photo order and I saw these photos and went… oh my gosh this will match the Paige Evans (affiliate links used) paper that I had to buy 4 sheets of because I was so in love with but can’t find anything to use it! This is perfect! I 100% believe in working as inspired, and putting energy in where I’m creatively inspired. Keeping it real simple where I’m not.

On process/how-to:

My process goes like this. First I identify photos. The I verbalize what I’d say about them if talking to a friend as I move the photos around on kraft or white cardstock. While doing this I make note to myself how many words/how much space I envision. Once I can “see” where I want the photos + story I make the page.

There are ENDLESS possibilities for ways to tell any given story, with any photos. So just pick one and go for it! I like:

  1. Decide photo placement
  2. Add large/key elements including patterned paper if using it – but don’t glue anything yet
  3. Verify you have ample journaling space
  4. Glue main things down, write that story down
  5. Add finishing touches, embellishments, details as desired

That is how I scrapbook. And when I get SUPER excited because maybe my favorite paper to come out in years works perfectly with some of my favorite photos? I run with that excitement. I play with the stickers and paper. and I enjoy the heck out of the process.

What I love about scrapbooking is how I can capture snippets and stories big and small and have creative fun doing it. There’s no right or wrong way. I could glue all the photos to one color cardstock add themed stickers write notes below each and be done. Or I could spend a whole day playing with one. Most of the time they’re around 30minutes though – this one included.

Here is my final layout – I love how it turned out! I used Pebbles puffy stickers – they go so well with Paige’s paper! This layout design is one of my “go-to” and you can make it either way (portrait pics or landscape pics across <> the page). In my online class (see discount code below!) Tried & True Scrapbook Layouts I go through this design – and many others. Oh how all this scrapbooking has me smiling – but also thinking it’s give-away AND discount time!

Special discount link/offer

Use THIS LINK, and you can have 30% off ANY one self-paced Craft With May class (note this is ALL classes except Picture This, which is currently in super deep discount pre-registration mode this week!). This offer is good through July 3, 2017 on new purchases only. The price you see on class description page is the normal price, and the discount will show up when you go to check out.

give-away: Craft With May class of your choice

At least 3 winners (could be a lot more!) will be randomly drawn from comments on this post (closes July 2) for the FREE class of their choice – and the prize is good through 2017 so if you want to hold out for a future class – you can! Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win – and good luck!

Card making with Neat & Tangled

Welcome to Camp Scrap! For more details about this special blog event, prizes, community, and more check out the FAQ page here. Note that affiliate links are used in this post – thank you in advance should you choose to use them! Purchases made with affiliate links keep projects & content like Camp Scrap coming to you free of charge.

Three of my favorite things come together in today’s card: rainbows, unicorns, and creating unique card designs with multiple techniques. Today I have a video tutorial to share with you (and a give-away!) featuring some Neat & Tangled products.

When it comes to rainbow I’ve noticed I enjoy playing with  non-traditional colors (breaking out of the standard rainbow), as well as just working with one part of the rainbow is my personal favorite. I’ve also found playing with watercolors and creating ombre effects and more variation with fewer colors is a real favorite too. While pink is my go-to I challenged myself to step outside the usual for today’s card.

The mane & tail of this unicorn as well as the background technique used are among my favorites right now. I will never grow tired of spraying color onto paste! Want more details? I filmed the process of making this (4 1/4 x 5 1/2 folded) card and created this YouTube video to share with you for a full tutorial.

Supplies Used (links to EllenHutson.com unless otherwise noted):
Unicorn stamp and coordinating dies, stencil (geometric blooms), watercolor paper, gold watercolor, black archival ink, light and fluffy embossing paste (scrapbook.com), Nuvo crystal glaze (link to scrapbook.com), Prima water brush (scrapbook.com), and assorted color mediums (distress ink, clean color, distress spray, prima color spray)

Challenge: Let the rainbow inspire you in some way today! Whether you go for a 2-3 color ombre party or make use of all the colors or are inspired by my card in some way I hope you’re inspired to play.

Tips inspired by my card: 

  • use a light paste for cards
  • work in pieces/batches so if you “ruin” something it’s merely one part of the project
  • these techniques will work across the paper crafting spectrum – try them on anything!
  • you can always add more color
  • don’t be afraid of little whoopsies. It’s hand crafted, not perfection! Enjoy the process!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s project but don’t run off just yet- you’ll want to leave a comment on this post for sure…

Give-away:

Neat & Tangled generously sent a bunch of fun stuff for me to share with one of you! If you’d like to win some stamps, sequins, and stencils (LOOOOVE all of the above!) leave a comment on this post by July 1, 2017 to be entered for your chance to win. The winner will be drawn at random and posted on a round-up post on the 2nd of July. Thank you to Neat & Tangled for supporting Camp Scrap! Be sure to check out their awesome blog for more card making inspiration and fun.

Make a Plan: Write it down

Welcome to day 1 of Camp Scrap! For more details about this special blog event, prizes, community, and more check out the FAQ page here. 

Where does any creative project big or small begin? With a plan, of course! Each Monday during Camp Scrap I will be focusing on some element of planning, and share some ideas and a give away. Today writing inspires me, as it took hours and many pages of writing to make camp Scrap happen!

Last year recovery from an injury meant that for several months I couldn’t use my right (writing) hand at all, and use of it came back oh so slowly and terribly painfully as well. It was during this time as I either dictated to one of my daughters or struggled to make legible scribbles with my left hand that I realized how much I love to write, and how crucial it is for me to be able to do what I do. Here are five reasons why I write:

1. Ideas for the future
As a crafter, often my ideas come to me at the worst possible times. I don’t always have time to make things “right now” whether it is a new technique concept, a scrapbooking story that came to me, or I’m inspired by something I saw and want to try my hand at. Having a notebook to write these ideas means I am very rarely without fresh ideas when I do have time to make, and I have my own well of inspiration when time is available to create.

2. The small steps to get you to the big goals
From creating a vacation scrapbook to trying to pull off a big event (or Camp Scrap here on my blog!) simply wanting to do it, or saying you will isn’t going to get action going. And whether you’re staring down a huge pile of photos or a super messy craft stash – where to begin? If you write down the small steps, the seemingly easy quick things you could do to reach those goals suddenly it got a whole lot easier. Plus I admit – I do so love to check things off a list. You don’t need to know all the steps and you can always add things, but formulating a list of things you want or need to do or include can develop into a heck of a good plan a lot more than simply saying “I want to…”

3. Brain dump for better sleep
Almost every night before bed I write in my “to do” notebook, and that also stays by my bed and well usually within arm’s reach wherever I am. When I am particularly fired up I also keep a blank notebook nearby so that I can sketch project concepts, vacation dreams, work out problems, doodle, or whatever else needs out of my head in order for my brain to peacefully head off to sleep. Sleep is such a vital key to my health and happiness, and writing offers me a stress/anxiety release so I can fully enjoy my slumber.

4. Think through the logistics
Around these parts I’m known as the logistics girl. From what time we need to leave to make it to a function on time to how to best fill a day on vacation and much more that is one of my specialties. While in part a natural gift, it is one I nurture and practice tremendously often with pages considering questions, making note of possible issues, even just running through various options and approaches to a project or problem. I used to sketch all of my projects and scrapbook pages before making them but over time and doing so many hundreds of those, now most projects I can “see” a sketch/plan in my head. When I have a particularly difficult project or something I haven’t ever made before working out the logistics via sketch is the first thing I do.

5. Better use of my time
Often I can see patterns emerge in my lists, or things like “well there’s a birthday in 2 weeks but I also need to get soap and I noticed we are out of counter cleaner so perhaps Target is a good idea…” and make a batch of needs vs every 3 days discovering whoops! My lack of planning has led to an unstoppable chain of scrambling all the time. The same goes for my crafting assignments and for fun stuff – by pausing and taking time to write, it helps me better create time for, well, creating.

My challenge to you: Write down 1 creative project you’d like to do this month. It could be anything from “finally make that fairy garden” to “catch 2017 up in my project life scrapbook” to “make that canvas I keep thinking about” or anything in between. Perhaps you want to set up a batch of all occasion greeting cards or learn a new craft. No answer is wrong here – just write it down, and then see what you need to do to make it a reality.

Throughout this article you may have noticed the absolutely beautiful pens in my photos. These are all sold by a company called PenGems – and they have become my absolute favorite writing pen. From to-do lists to wild brainstorms to doodles while I am on the phone I adore these beautiful pens. What could be better? They’ve sent me a trio of bright and beautiful pens  to share with one of you.

They also shared with me this exclusive discount code:

we created a discount code that you may use on your site, which is CRAFTWITHMAY, the code is for 15% off and does not expire

So if you’re looking for beautiful pens that make writing even the most odious of chores down fun, looking for a unique gift, or just want a bit more sparkle in your life I strongly recommend PenGems. Their pens have been lifting my spirits and helping me set goals and see projects through for about a year now and I am so excited to share this trio of pens (shown here) with one of you.

To be entered for a chance to win leave a comment on this post sharing one creative project you want to dig into – it could be soon or a pipe dream. Nothing too big or small! This give-away will remain open until July 1, 2017. On July 2, 2017 watch for a “winners” post here on my blog where the randomly drawn winner will be listed. For more details about how Camp Scrap works or other ways you can win prizes please see the Camp Scrap FAQ page. 

HUGE thank you to PenGems for sponsoring this give-away and supporting Camp Scrap! Theirs was one of the first names I wrote down once I knew I wanted to “make a plan” on Mondays during this event and I am so grateful they supported my vision and are offering everyone a discount code, and one of you lovely readers a chance to win a trio of pens. Good luck – and have a great Monday!

New on-line class (and early bird registration!)

Winner is Valerie! Congrats! You have an email with info/notifying you. Thanks everyone for the kind words – this is gonna be a great class.

I am so very excited to tell you that I have an all new, several months long class coming your way. This class has been a LONG time in the making and I am so very excited to be sharing it with you!!

What could be better? For the next week (through June 15th) you can sign up for the SUPER Early Bird price of $15!! No code needed. What will it be all about? The focus is on photos, but it’s not a “scrapbooking” class. It’s going to cover a LOT including some scrapbooking, but we’ll get into cool home décor pieces, shadow boxes, frames, and more! Simple to funky, technical to easy – and with all the back-up you need including unlimited email access to me, we can share and chat on my new facebook group, and so much more.

Hope to see you in class – what’s your biggest photo challenge? Leave a comment here and you’ll be entered to win a spot! Note that if you register AND win a spot, you’ll be refunded. So don’t hesitate to sign up early while the price is so low! Limit is one comment/entry per person, winner will be notified via email and this post updated on June 16th, 2017. The winner will be drawn via random.org – good luck!