hand cut titles: start with word art

I’m a big fan of hand-cut titles (though I don’t do them tons, I think they’re fun!) and today I want to show you one way I get mine done. I *love* word art and using Microsoft Word for my scrapbooking.

First, open a Word document and insert>picture>wordart. When this menu comes up-

Then click on the one you want (see I’ve highlighted the third from top left? that’s the one I like or the very first ‘outline’ one works too) and click ok. This will happen- and you write up your text + choose font. (don’t worry too much about size)

French Script ROCKS for hand cut titles. Anyhow, when you’re satisfied click ok.

Your word art is in your document! Hooray! Now fiddle around with the toolbar that pops up. Change orientation to ‘tight’ (this allows you to move it all over) and also fix it so it’s not all curved like mine. (see below)

The next step is to turn your text backwards. Put your mouse over the circle that’s in the center of the left side of the text and ‘pull’ that dot until it crosses over the right side thus making the text… you guessed it… BACKWARDS!

Now what? Well size it as desired!

Since I’m printing backwards (just to cut it out) I went back into the formatting and changed fill to ‘nofill’ so it’s just outline.

I’m ready to print! First print on white regular printer paper. This will let you know where it is printing. Then tape a scrap of patterned paper over the printed area (allow some excess) and print again. IMPORTANT: Put the front side down! You want to print on the back of the paper.

Now not to go all “to be continued” on you… but yes that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Stay tuned for the www.scarletlime.com January reveal to see the finished page.

(and)

for even more hybrid scrapbooking fun with yours truly – check out this class: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/gohybrid.php 

My Adventures In Scrapbooking: Go Hybrid class over at Big Picture is now open for registration! Class starts February 25th, but there are some pre-class materials to help you get started. More information & postings to come!

Contributing Writer {and mystery solver?}

What do you get when you cross Nancy Drew, Paula Deen, Meg Cabot, and a scrapbooker? Well I’m hoping it looks something like me. See, I’m going to be contributing articles on a regular basis to www.scrapbookupdate.com now. I’m excited about this new adventure as a crafty detective/reporter. (That’s what I’m calling myself) I won’t be breaking news stories (Nancy already does that so well) but rather writing articles about all things scrapbook & craft as I think of them. My posts will be more project/product focused… and I’m very open to suggestions!

Product reviews, technique testing, trend spotting, idea sharing… there’s a lot whirling in my brain!

You can see my first official article as a contributing writer here: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2009/12/29/2009-favorite-finds/ It’s my six new faves for 2009.

2010 is going to be a year of new adventures – this is one that I’m very excited to share with you now. Happy Crafting!

PS – if you want to contact me about considering a product or testing something (or whatever!) for a future article or blog post you can e-mail me at may@scrapbookupdate.com

hi.

Hi! It’s me, lil B. I’m watching Caillou on mommy’s computer and she doesn’t even mind! See, she’s got this nasty virus right now that is preventing her from eating much beyond toast. That’s bad she says because she has no energies. She’s really not much fun right now. She keeps saying she’s going to feel better any minute, but who knows.

But she says I’m sooo cute with my little poofy pony tails and that makes her smile. She also said to share this photo of us because of our insane cuteness.

We got lotsa neat presents for Christmas & we’re playing with them lots which mommy says is good. Something about being able to lie down in semi-peace. Anyhow, she’ll be back hopefully tomorrow with something creative to share. As I always say “you scrapbook. you like it. it’s pretty”

Have a nice day!

Kickin’ it fancy.

I was asked to NOT touch E’s special Fancy Nancy paper (that she got at a party) no matter what. So I didn’t. Then yesterday “Mom, why haven’t you wrapped me a present with it? You must have just ONE more present for me that you can wrap, right?”

I did, in fact. Inside this lovely package is a book all about snakes. Yes, my fancy little glitter, sparkle, and all things princess loving girl also adores snakes, trucks, bugs, etc. Love that about her. So as I looked around the studio for ribbon I thought “well it’s fancy Nancy paper, maybe I ought to make up something wild for this…”

Folded paper backing a chipboard star that had been painted and then star glittered within an inch of it’s life. Lots of layers of crepe paper, an E, of course and can’t forget the glitter tree + RED (of course) topper heart. I just made a big non-bow for the center. I like the finished effect and am noting to make big ‘non-bows’ next year for sure.

The look on her face when I came out (oh, about 40minutes later) was worth all the hot glue burns and such. She has declared it to be the fanciest present under the tree, and with that we’re ready for Christmas.

Hope yours is Merry & Bright.

merry & bright

FYI – I’m aware I’ve already used merry & bright as a title, but it’s totally my phrase this year. It sums up everything I want & hope for and I plain LOVE it.

Wishing you all the best for a peaceful & love filled holiday!

I plan on doing some more crafty posts this week, but in case I get swept away in sugar and puzzles instead I’ll take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may it all be Merry & Bright…