Scrap Girl

Another question I’m often asked is, “How do you know what size album to use?” and “Which style do you like the best?”  When I’m thinking about scrapbooking different topics, I determine how many pictures I think I’m going to take for each one.  For example, I take a lot of pictures at Christmas during the holiday season so I definitely use a 12×12 to get many pictures on a page.  I usually do the 8×8 size when I am doing a gift for someone or I have a very specific trip or occasion that I’m scrapbooking.  About 40 or so photos will easily fill a standard 8×8 album, so if you have more than that you will need refill pages.  I have used both post-bound and strap-hinge albums.  I have found that K & Company albums and refills seem to work best for me.  The top-loading post bound album is a true to size 12×12 so your pages will fit right in.  Some albums I have are not true to size, and of course I forget which ones, so I end up trimming my pages before I can put them in the album.

Here’s a question I was asked about scrapbooking.  What two tools do you use the most when you scrapbook?  I would have to say that I use my Herma Vario Adhesive Tabs and my 12X12 paper Fiskars Paper Trimmer the most.  I’m always cutting paper for my pages as I’m creating.  My children also use it when they have school projects or want to do crafts.  My Herma Tab Adhesive is what I use the most for adhering my pictures and paper to my pages.  It isn’t perfect.  I’m still searching for the perfect adhesive, so if you use one that works better let me know.  My kids also use my adhesive when working on projects for school or their own scrapbooks and crafts so I actually bought two of those because when one is using it the other will want to do some sort of project too.

After sorting through some old black and white pictures, I found a few that needed repairs.  One was creased and had two holes in the picture.  It was also pretty dark and maybe was taken in a shaded area outside.  You can tell from the picture of my dad and his brother that they have sweet looks on their faces so I have been playing around with it a little bit today.  It needs more editing, but I was able to fill in the holes and repair some of the creases using a tool in Adobe Photoshop Elements called the Spot Healing Brush Tool.  I’ve had amazing results so far and if you have this software or others like it, I would encourage trying it out for blemishes, wrinkles, and touching up damaged pictures.  I scanned my picture into the computer and played with the image brightening dialog boxes to lighten up the picture and then clicked on the Spot Healing Brush Tool to try it out on the holes in the photo.  It is pure magic!  What it does is guess what the background was by what is already in the picture and fixes it.  You can also adjust the size of the tool to do big fixes or tinier areas of a photo.  I need to play around with this photo some more, but you can see the big holes I managed to fix in the picture.

Since I’m going on a retreat in a couple of weeks I’d thought I’d point out a maybe not so obvious reason to go.  Most scrapbooking retreats are run by people just like us that are scrapaholics so they make sure their guests are happy.  The retreats I have gone to have a Sissix Machine for die-cutting, an assortment of punches, fun computer software to use for scrapping and bigger printers so you can print right on your 12×12 pages, and many other assorted tools and supplies you may not have or may not have the money to buy for yourself.  Last year was when I was introduced to what is now my scrapbooking best friend, the Cricut Electronic Cutting Machine.  Besides all of the great tools at the retreat, you will have access to all the things your scrapbooking friends bring along.  Because as we all know, scrapbooking is a share and share alike hobby.  If you don’t have the right tool, paper, ribbon to help your project along, someone will.  It is also fun to try new tools to see if there is one you might like for your scrapbooking collection. 

This is organizing week here at the blog and I’m convinced that you don’t have to buy any of those name brand storage units to help you organize your scrapbooking space.  Just apply your scrapbooking creativity and you can come up with a number of options.  For example, why not use some everyday photo storage boxes for some of your other supplies?  They are easy to label and stack up nice.  You could use CD/DVD boxes for the same idea.  You’ve probably got other things in your house that you could use.  When I was setting up my scrap closet, I couldn’t find a tall narrow garbage can, so I ended up using a gift wrap storage bin and it fits in great and doesn’t take up a lot of space.  You’ve also probably got tins or gift boxes that could be used also.  If they are too plain or ugly, put some scrap paper over them.  Another option if you live near one, is IKEA home store.  Look through all of the departments for neat storage solutions and supplies.  If you think your space as your own scrapbooking “office” you may find a lot of useful items at a price tag that won’t break the bank.

I’m thrilled!  My husband bought me a Cricut Electronic Cutting Machine for Christmas!  My mom also got me a cartridge to go with it.  I’m especially glad I’ve got one now that one of our local stores went out of business.  That was the place my friends and I would go for Friday night crops and do our laser cutting.  Now we’ll have to look at other options for crop nights, I guess, or host them ourselves.  Anyway, now I have the cricut and the two cartridges I have are George & Basic Shapes and Base Camp.  I need some advice here…what are the best cartridges to have, or the ones that you use the most?  I know for sure that I would like the All Mixed Up cartridge as I’ve used that one last year at our retreat.  I have done a little research and there are good deals on cartridges on Ebay.  Now I just have to decide which ones to buy with my Christmas money.

Yesterday I mentioned how I digital scrapped my blog header with Adobe Photoshop Elements.  This software would be a great item to have in your scrapbooking arsenal.  Even if you only used it to edit and touch up pictures it would be worth it.  I have turned really bad pictures into something usable with this software.  You can do so much with the lighting and color tinting options.  There are also great tricks for touching up blemishes and even wrinkles if you choose.  I bought some Adobe Photoshop tutorials from ScrapGirls.com and learned so much in such a short time.  If you are interested in going digital with your scrapbooking, the options are endless and amazing.  They do have a free 30 day trial if you want to just test it out also.  Remember this money saving tip–always check on Ebay before buying retail.  I can’t even tell you how much money I have saved.

Hey fellow scrappers?  What is on your Christmas list this year.  The best thing for me is usually a gift card as I can be pretty picky.  However, I always have those dream gift items in the back of my mind.  A Cricut electronic cutter would be nice, an unlimited supply of different types of adhesives(Vario tabs, and glue dots of various sizes–they make them with dispensers now).  A new paper cutter would be nice or some blade refills for the one I currently have.  I always like storage items too–like a clear bag to keep ribbon in that would fit in my scrap bag or different size little bins for supplies.  Leave a comment and tell me what is on your list this year.

Have you been thinking about getting an electronic cutting machine for scrapbooking?  I was at the local craft store today and am doing my own review.  The Cricut wins hands down.  The salesperson showed me a demonstration of the Slice machine and for $150, it isn’t worth it.  You have to hold it over your paper while it is cutting, which is kind of a pain, and from what I saw it didn’t do that great of a job cutting either.  If you can afford it, go for the smaller Cricut and then get the Cricut Design Studio software for even more options.  The Cricut appears to be more flexible with sizing of the letters, shapes, etc.  The Cricut font cartridges also go on sale and I’ve yet to see that happen for the Slice machine, although it is new on the market.  I’m not really sure it will be able to compete.  Time will tell.