Julie's Sew and Serge

Scrap booking is fun.  There is no doubt about it.  It’s a fantastic way to preserve your memories and at a similar time exploring your creative side.  Listed below are some excellent ideas and methods that I’ve picked up over the years that I hope can enhance your scrapbooking experience.

Scrapbooking kits.  If you’re a beginner, kits are a wonderful way to get started.  There is a vast variety of them available at crafts stores.  Most packages include scrapbooking paper, die cuts, stickers and everything necessity for a certain layout.  Some scrapbooking kits create a page, though others can construct an whole album.  All you need to do is add the photographs.  In either case, it’s a stellar way to jump right in.

Child Scrapbooks.  One of the most popular types of scrapbooking album is the baby book.  There are heaps of embellishments available for infants : stickers, die cuts, paper, everything you need to put a book together in no time.  Infants grow up fast, ensure you capture each second in a scrapbooking album. 

Lettering:  If your intention is to have your letter stickers go on in a straight line, use a plastic ruler, make a fine line with a pencil.  Put your letters on the line and delete the pencil mark after complete.    I like my letters crooked which lets my creativity fly and I don’t have to ever fear making a mistake. 

Rubber Stamps.  I  not long ago found the rubber stamp, and now I have quite a collection. You can use letter stamps to create messages, or just stamp on a phrase which describes the page.  It is easy to coordinate the color of the stamp to the shade of your page.  It is possible to purchase stamps in different shapes, one of my favorites is the dog paw print that I use all across the page to look like my dog walked all over it.  The options are endless. 

Organization, I may go on and on about this subject, but I’ll give simply a couple of details which work for me.  I use 3 ring binders to keep a lot of my stickers and die cuts.  I use plastic pencil holders with zippers to keep my larger die cuts.  I use business card holder or baseball card holders to organize my stickers.  I use accordion file holders to keep my paper.  I use fish tackle boxes to keep pencils, pens and stickers.  I arrange my photos in photo containers by date.

 I find that often I need a little extra area when I’m putting a scrapbook together.  I get out my ironing board and adjust it to the height of my desk and use it to store things that I want within my reach. 

 Last but not least, my favorite tip.  I save the large 12 x 12 inch cardboard filler papers which come with scrapbooking hinged pages and page protectors.  I use them as page layouts for each of my pages.  I layout all the pictures (trimmed), stickers, die cuts, etc, that I want to use on the page as if I was making the page, and then stack the next cardboard page on top.  This way I can lay out a variety of pages, or an whole album prior to committing anything to the page.  I find it less difficult for me to put all the page ideas together and afterwards create the actual album. 

Creating your own personal bead jewelry is a creative hobby that enables you to make indivisible pieces on your own, loved ones. It’s actually a lot easier than you are likely to think. Here’s how you can find started. If you happen to asked yourself “couldn’t I do that myself?” as you looked through rows of bead pendants, necklaces or earrings at a trendy boutique, the answer is “yes”. Beading is a creative and entertaining hobby that not only could have you produce incomparable, handcrafted components of jewelry, but is likewise an outstanding supply of gift ideas for family and friends.

Your unique beaded presents will be attractive to the majority of every person. The initial step would be to find a very good bead source. While you will find great mail order catalogs and websites that may sell all of you the materials, practically nothing substitutes for the support and hints and tips of skilled product sales personnel. This store would provide quite a few beginners’ lessons that may make it easier to learn basic ways (if there is no bead shop in your neighborhood, some introductory books like the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beading will have to do). Commence with a straightforward project, for instance a bracelet or basic pendant, and do not overload with costly beads and findings (clasps, hooks, etc.). You might be eager to use Swarovski crystal, sterling silver and semi-precious beads right now, however you could work approximately that later.

Some stores may even offer packaged starter kits that will include a beading board (which assists you with venture layout and dimensions), some basic gear, beads, wire, findings and a how-to-book. Next set up your “beading space” ? preferably an uncluttered, well-lit area. You may have to purchase an excellent lamp, possibly one along with a magnifier lens.

Remember, you may be stringing some rather tiny objects! Make sure you have plenty of storage containers to prevent differing kinds and colors of beads separate, nothing may spoil your joy of beading like having to search for a particular bead in a jumbled pile. Beading stores will sell you numerous storage area systems (including beading bags with the beader-on-the-go), nonetheless you can also research reasonably priced plastic containers designed to hold small equipment or fishing tackle.

Well, there you are ready for your first bead jewelry project! It turns out that your current initial project is not actually that complicated. Don’t forget to guard your beading place from inquiring cats and toddlers. Happy beading, and have fun donning your ultimate hand-crafted jewelry!

Photographs are a great keepsake to have, but often they end up all chucked into the same box, getting lost and disorganized. There are, however, some great ways that you can organize and display your photographs to their full potential. The photo book is a great way of doing this. These are personalized books of photos that you can get a company to make for you. There are lots of online companies who do this. They allow you to enjoy your photographs like you would a yearbook.

Another really great way to display your photos is in a personalized album. This is where you get your name or other text printed on the front of an album so you’ll always remember what it is. You can even get your picture printed on the front of the album. These are especially great for displaying photos relating to specific events, such as weddings, graduations or christenings. The sturdy front cover will help keep your photos safe while looking absolutely fantastic.

If you’re a creative person, or if you don’t want to be quite so precise about how you arrange your photos, you could keep a scrapbook. One of the best things about scrapbooks is that you make them yourself, so you can do it however you want and only include what you want to. You’re also not limited to just putting in photographs, so you could include little notes to remind yourself of memories or write in captions beneath the pictures so you’ll always remember the setting.

Another great way of displaying your photos is by framing them. You can either choose to stand the frames on tables or other locations, or hang them on the wall. Frames come with loads of options as to what material they’re made of – choose from metal, wood or plastic. You can also pick one to match the color of the wall or room you’re hanging it in. Frames are great for displaying wedding, baby or graduation pictures or any other photos that you’re especially proud of.

Another option that’s becoming increasingly popular is the digital frame. This is where you upload photos from your digital camera into a special frame that displays a whole range of pictures. Like watching a slideshow on the computer, the image changes every so often so you can view as many pictures as you want. You also have options as to what kind of frame you want, so if you like the idea of framing pictures but can’t decide which ones to go for, this is a great option.

Find Out More : Photo Books

For more kids crafts visit: www.simplekidscrafts.com Manualidades para niños en Español: www.manualidadesconninos.com Muslim Kids Videos and Crafts: www.manualidadesconninos.com Background Music, Free Royalty Free Music from: www.partnersinrhyme.com Thanks for visiting…

For more kids crafts visit: www.simplekidscrafts.com Manualidades para niños en Español: www.manualidadesconninos.com Muslim Kids Videos and Crafts: www.manualidadesconninos.com Background Music, Free Royalty Free Music from: www.partnersinrhyme.com Thanks for visiting…

Corinne Bradd shows how to create quirky little polymer clay charms in a variety of designs, including slices of fruit, cupcakes and donuts. The original designs can be used to decorate bracelets, necklaces, jewellery and even greeting cards!