Ideas

Coloring for Grown Ups...

When was the last time you pulled out a box of Crayolas, sat down, and kicked some serious coloring book booty? How about painting? Markers? Colored pencils?

Ok if you're an artist or art teacher, this may be an everyday occurance for you. But for the majority of us, it's been way too long.

Recently I introduced by 4 year old to water colors, and she took to them like a fish to water. I was expecting a multi-colored puddle on paper but instead I found a mini-masterpiece with colors (correct ones at that!) that stayed inside the lines. I sat there stunned as I watched her explore this new found creative freedom and thought "I wanna do that.... sniff" As 'grown ups' we don't get to as much anymore. We're expected to prep art for our kids and clean up the mess, and if we do sit down to create we always expect a masterpiece. I don't know about you, but my artistic talent is stretched when I'm asked to draw a stick person. My 4 year old can out draw me any day.

So when Prima came out with these awesome papers, I was sold. Beautiful art, already designed and drawn out, and all I have to do is color it?! DEAL!

You can use paint (even watercolors, they're printed on heavy duty cardstock), markers, pencils, chalk, or even crayons to customize these beautiful papers. I used watercolor pencils (found at Fred Meyer for about $7) to color in the design. Then I stamped a simple title, framed in Stickles to add a little "oomph" and voila!

Sam used markers and stickles to make this soft, beautiful page about her free spirited girl!

You don't have to create a layout worthy of the next Prima design team call, you don't even have to make a layout at all. Because seriously, how fun is it just to color?! It had been way to long for me.

So go ahead, give it a shot, and if you want to, share it with us!

Mini Albums Galore!

Mini albums are awesome. Simple as that :)

They are quick, easy, inexpensive, and a great way to keep special memories seperated from the chaos that some scrapbooks (mine!) can be. These are great gifts for the holidays! Here are a few examples that we've done over the last few months. Click on the photo album links to see every page of the albums and get some ideas for your own!

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Dreamstreet Designs Mini Albums by Sheri Fisher

Dreamstreet made these albums so easy to put together! First of all, the chipboard is pre-cut, pre-punched, and inexpensive! Second, they die cut the papers to fit over the chipboard and made them self adhesive! Seriously, couldn't be easier! These handy little albums come in 6x6 and 6x12 (the hottest new size out there!), and the chipboard is sold in packs of 4. You can make the albums as small and simple or as huge and complex as you want, and only spend a few dollars! Can you tell how much I love these? :)

Sheri took a classic, easy approach to these. She picked a few of her favorite snapshots of her two kiddos this summer, matted them and adhered to her pages. She added just a few embellishements (ribbons, buttons, etc) and called it good. Timeless, easy, and so much fun to look back on!

Photo Album: Both Dreamstreet Albums

Instructions: Download dreamstreet_book.doc

Flip Calendar

This little thing makes such a cool holiday gift (in my, ahem, biased opinion). It's a great way to show off favorite pictures, use up scrap paper, keep track of time, and save money! All in one oh-so-cute little book.

I used the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding line of papers and stickers (coming back in stock soon!) to assemble this, but you can use whatever paper you choose. Double sided papers work best so that the flip side is as appealing as the front, but you can always back each piece with cardstock to get the same effect. You hardly use any paper at all so if you have a few coordinating scraps, perfect! Use alphabet and number stamps for the dates, even better.

You will need the Zutter bind-it-all to assemble this project so if you don't have one, ask a friend. If you're on the fence about it, let me just put in my two cents: THIS IS THE COOLEST TOOL EVER!!!!!

Ahem...

If you're mini-album crazy like I am, this little guy will pay for itself within days. Instead of paying $10+ for a pre-made mini album that you'll need to buy more page protectors for and decorate anyways, just cut a $1 piece of chipboard (or acrylic, or transparency, or whatever!) to whatever size you want and have at it. I use it for making little books for my kids, mini albums for my family (huge money saver as I'm making 7 at the moment for Christmas), calendars, etc.

Seriously, buy the Zutter.

(stepping off soapbox now)

Anyway... here's the rest of the instructions and some additional pictures and even word art for the flip calendar pictured. (sorry for taking so long Jen!)

Photo Gallery: Flip Calendar

Instructions: Download flip_calendar_instructions.doc

Word Art: Download wa_for_flip_calendar.doc

Mini Albums Galore!!

Mini albums are awesome. Simple as that :)

They are quick, easy, inexpensive, and a great way to keep special memories seperated from the chaos that some scrapbooks (mine!) can be. These are great gifts for the holidays! Here are a few examples that we've done over the last few months. Click on the photo album links to see every page of the albums and get some ideas for your own!

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Clear Acrylic Album by Sandy Brown

Sandy made this amazing album using an 8x8 clear acrylic album page Page Frame Designs. These albums come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are a great way to stretch your creativity. We have several on order (they sold out fast!) and if you would like to be called when they come in, let us know and we'll put you on the list.

Sandy used a variety of products on this album. Since the pages are solid acrylic, you are somewhat limited to what embellishments you can use, but that in no way should stop your creativity! Sandy used rub ons, stamps, stickers, and ribbons to compliment her daughter's beautiful senior pictures.

Since these albums are clear, make sure that when you put something on one side of the page, it is either appealing on both sides (stamped images are a great example) or you can cover it up with another accent/picture on the other side.

Photo Album: Clear Acrylic Album

Mini Albums Galore!!

Maya Road Scalloped Album By Sheri Fisher

For this album, Sheri used a pre-cut chipboard album by Maya Road. Scrapbook Attack sells several different shapes and sizes of these handy little albums, but the scalloped design is classic and universal and can be used for any subject matter you choose! Sheri chose this album to document this year's trip to the pumpkin patch.

Pages of Album: Scalloped Album

Instructions: Download maya_road_chipboard_book.doc

Crys is Busy Busy...

Crys is busy busy taking pictures of all of the projects that were displayed at our Holiday Open House.  Please check back daily for project updates.  If you are hot to trot on a particular project and would like to see it posted right away, let us know by posting your comments here!  Thanks!

Another amazing album!

Here is another gift album. This was made for a new mother and baby but could be modified with any papers, colors, or themes that you like!

Here's a few examples: Sports, Weddings, School Days, Year In Review, and Heritage.

The possibilities are endless!

Photos of every page: Gift Album

Instructions: Download album_instructions.doc

*Side note: This album is for sale! Do you know someone who is expecting or anyone who doesn't have time to make an entire album? This would make a great, easy gift! It's all assembled and ready to go! See store for details!

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Do you have a fabulous gift idea that you could share with us?? We're looking for new ideas to share with everyone so if you have an idea or a completed project, send us a picture and some instructions and we'd love to put it up on our website for everyone to see!

More Gift Ideas!

Hopefully you were able to make it to our Open House on Friday night and get lots of great gift ideas! If not, no worries, we'll be adding them to this section over the next few days. And if you were able to make it (yay!), we'll be adding more details, pictures, and sketches of the projects you saw so keep an eye here for more!

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The first idea is a custom made clock! We sell these in the store, or you can go just about anywhere to pick up a plain, basic clock. We made ours super simple and scrapbook themed (of course!) but you could add pictures, different quotes, and all kinds of embellishments to make yours... well... yours!

Instructions: Download clock_instructions.doc

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Stay tuned for more ideas to come soon!

Gift Albums

UPDATE: Here are more amazing holidays pages done by Sam!

Christmas Gift Album - Additional Pages!

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Like it or not, the holidays are here. If you're anything like me, you've had the good intentions all year long to start your gift shopping 'tomorrow', to get things done early, to be "done" by the time this time of year rolls around.

And, if you're anything like me, you've done none of that :) Good news though, we've got some amazing ideas coming up in the next few weeks that are quick, affordable, and best of all - the best gifts of all - handmade!

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This week we'll start with gift albums. No matter what size you choose, no matter your 'skill level' or how much money you put into it, the recipient of these gifts will be forever grateful. You can do a 6x6 or smaller album, up to a 12x12 if you have a lot of energy. You can leave it very basic so the recipient can add to it later or give it complete with photos and journaling. These are versatile, fun, and made with love. They are priceless.

Sam put together an amazing album for a friend. She assembled the pages for her but left the photo and journaling areas blank so her friend could add or customize as she chose.

Click here to see some examples from the album.

And remember, these albums don't always have to be given around the holidays. They are wonderful gifts to give to new mothers (who, as we all know, won't have time to scrapbook for quite some time), brides to be, even make one for a friend before they go on a trip!

The possibilities are endless. So go, play, have fun, and rest a little easier knowing that at least one of your holiday gifts is in progress.

New!!

Look over to the left (and down a bit) - we have a new Layout and Idea gallery slide show!!

Check it out, then email us your submissions so we can add them in!