Our parents did this sort of thing to dress up cupboards, line kitchen tables or simply to freshen up the look of a little patch of wall or two around our houses. It was the big trend of the 60s and the 70s. The materials used back then were just as simple: a white, oversized linen paper, some paint and homemade “stamping” gadgets. And because my memory of this simple craft is coming back to me so vividly, I remember my aunt using a piece of cut potato or whatever household item that can create an impression onto the paper.

It was a trend that set true individuality. Because most definitely, one’s creation of her/his own patterned paper will not be the same as that of another person’s. Even if both of them simultaneously used the very same materials, there will always be a distint flavor of uniqueness that is impossible to miss. Very cool if I may say so myself.

Image: Bo Bunny Image: Bo Bunny

And to prove to you that the trend is making a big comeback, Kristen posted a tutorial about it over at the Bo Bunny blog. You will be amazed of how a simple project like this can transform into something very unique and beautiful.

Post from: Blisstree

DIY: Patterned Paper

Personally speaking, one cannot have too many Glimmer Mists. With its tempting wide arrray of color choices, and recently, the addition of Glimmer Screens, Glimmer Chips and Glimmer Glass Window Albums, suddenly having more of these “liquid blings” make for a very happy crafter.

Image: Tattered Angels

Image: Tattered Angels

Post from: Blisstree

Liquid Bling: Try Glimmer Mist

How would you like your Scrapbook Layouts turned into a gorgeous coffee table book just like the one pictured above?

It is made possible through ScrapBlog!

Scrapblog is Mad Cropper’s latest generous sponsor. But before I tell you what the treat is, let me tell you more about Scrapblog:

With more than 3 million scrapbook pages created since its launch in 2007, Scrapblog’s free and easy-to-use web-based application offers users the ability share online and now transform their one-of-a-kind scrapbooks into high-quality books, postcards and greeting cards. Keeping its commitment to quality, all books and cards ordered from Scrapblog are printed on acid-free silk paper, meticulously bound to maximize durability, and manufactured in the United States. Additionally, all Scrapblog printed products use controlled forestry paper bearing the Forest Stewardship Council seal

Scrapblog offers unmatched creative leeway with hundreds of professionally designed layouts and thousands of creative elements by top artists and scrapbook designers. Scrapblog even offers users content from favorite TV shows and films like Ugly Betty and more. For the younger crowd, High School Musical 3 content is very popular, as you might imagine.

Scrapblog gives individuals – moms, grandparents, kids, and many, many others a way to not only capture and share their memories, photos and collectibles in a unique and compelling way, but also providing them with a compelling forum to express and develop their creativity. And unlike cookie-cutter templates, layouts in Scrapblog can be changed and mixed to create truly personalized keepsakes.

Users can aggregate their photos and videos from multiple online sources (like Flickr, Photobucket and YouTube) and mix them with music, audio, text and thousands of creative elements in an environment that is truly drag-and-drop-easy. By simply going to Scrapblog.com users can start creating their own personal Scrapblog online for free in minutes. You don’t even need to register to start your Scrapblog. Once created, Scrapblogs are sharable via email and easily added to social networking profiles and blogs.

Isn’t Scrapblog just great? You can watch a Scrapblog 101 Tutorial HERE to know more!

So what’s the deal with Mad Cropper readers?

Scrapblog is offering a 15% discount off any book or card order for the first 500 Mad Cropper readers.

Type in the code: “MadCropper” in the special promo code when you check out. At the moment, Scrapblog only ships within the United States.

I’m keen to make use of this and I hope you do too. Let me know if you try Scrapblog

Post from: Blisstree

Weekend Surprise: Another Treat from Mad Cropper!

Cari Fennell brings us a brand new tutorial showing hints and tips for using Prima’s paper Paintables! These are a very fun product that allow you to color the paper to customize your layout! Any art medium can be used. Cari uses Adirondack ink pads and a waterbrush, Permapaque pens by Sakura, as well as walnut ink, but feel free to branch out and use any medium of your choosing!

Hope you get more ideas from this video. I know I did!

Post from: Blisstree

VIDEO: Prima Paper Printables Tutorial

I love stamping on my scrapbook layouts and this tutorial by Stephanie Barnard. For this tutorial, she’s shown us how to ‘mask‘ in stamping.

I like the way Stephanie shows how things are done. They’re easy to understand and the background behind her is so inspiring! Lots of scrapbook loots!

Person Stephanie Barnard

Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts

Post from: Blisstree

VIDEO: Stamping Technique ‘Masking’

Sigh.

One of the things though I love is to learn more computer tricks to maximise on my Adobe Photoshop Elements.

This computer trick is brought to us by Jessica Sprague:

Grateful, Joyful, Thankful by Jessica Sprague.

Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0; Printer: Epson R1900; Photo paper: Premium Presentation Paper (Matte), Epson; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket (dot) and My Mind’s Eye (brown and green); Flower stickers: K&Company; Punches: EK Success (circle and corner rounder), Martha Stewart Crafts (scallop circle) and Marvy Uchida (scallop square); Chipboard photo corner: Tattered Angels; Fonts: Century Gothic, Microsoft (journaling);You Are Loved, Internet (title); Other: Wooden circles.

A large title treatment balances out the large photo on this layout, while an overlapping edge ties the two pieces together. I played with size, orientation and color in the title, and my journaling text (set in the same font and color as it appears in the strips below it) doubled as a textural background behind it. Simple to do, but with stunning effect!

To learn how to layer type, visit Jessica Sprague’s online tutorial.

You can also download free digital scrapbooking mini kits. Scroll down till you find the right links.

Image credit: Jessica Sprague

Person Jessica Sprague

Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts

Post from: Blisstree

Computer Tricks for Scrapbookers: Layering Type

cae
Jul 10, 2008 at 4:41 pm

I need some instruction in how to use my silent setter. It came with no instructions. I’ve figured out how to make a hole punch but I can’t make the eyelets work. Help!!

I’ve found instructions from About.com, hope this helps!

Step 1) Place the item you wish to apply an eyelet to on the cutting mat provided in the tool kit.

Step 2) Insert the size hole tip that matches your eyelet size into the tool (three tips are provided).

Step 3) Using firm pressure press the tip of the tool onto the cardstock. You may wish to rock the tip slightly as you press.

Step 4) Insert eyelet into the hole and flip the cardstock with eyelet in it over on the mat.

Step 5) Insert the eyelet setting tip that matches the size of the eyelet into the tool (three tips are provided).

Step 6) Once again, use firm pressure to press the tool into the eyelet to set it in place.

Post from: Blisstree

How to use Provo Craft’s Silent Setter

Mother’s Day is a few days away. Yes, people, it’s Mother’s Day again. Have you done anything yet for Mother’s Day? If you want an idea for a gift bag, let ChicknScratch help you using her stamp pads!

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Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Mother’s Day Bag using stamping

This is a tutorial that will help you use our own Crop A Dile and if you’re still sitting on the fence and not sure about getting one, I hope this tutorial will help you make a decision.

Post from: Blisstree

Video Tutorial: How to use a Crop-A-Dile

toNoodle LLP announces the launching of toNoodle.com, a subscription based service offering video tutorials on Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop CS3 with emphasis on digital scrapbooking techniques.

“While we realize there are plenty of text based tutorials covering Photoshop training already available, we wanted to make it easier for newcomers to digital scrapbooking to learn how to use the software” says partner Paul Lindberg. “For many ladies, learning new software seems so daunting. However, Cameron does a great job of breaking it down into simple-to-follow steps.”

Cameron Vanausdal is Lindberg’s partner and the voice behind the video tutorials. With his easy going style, Vanausdal leads the viewer through the training videos covering subjects targeted to the beginner and the advanced. “Our customers continually thank us for making it seem so simple to grasp,” says Vanausdal. “The software manual is often too intimidating for the ladies. They just want to know how to do a certain task, so that’s how we produce each video.” Lindberg says Vanausdal’s way of demonstrating advanced techniques with simple language is what makes him so popular with the customers.

Vanausdal is uniquely qualified for graphic software training with a digital scrapbook emphasis. He graduated from Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah with an Art degree. In addition to his artistic skills, he is a professional photographer, videographer and web designer. After freelancing as a web designer for many years, Vanausdal began working with Lindberg at a large online scrapbook retail business.

Lindberg has over 12 years experience in the scrapbook retail business launching his first retail scrapbook Web site in 1996. After 8 years as General Manager of a $3 million company, Lindberg’s entrepreneurial spirit took over once again. “I really enjoy working closely with the customer to give them what they’re looking for,” says Lindberg.

Working in the scrapbook online community made both partners realize there was a need for quality video training for those wanting to jump into the digital realm.

Digital scrapbooking is similar to traditional scrapbooking but is done using graphic software to paste the elements of a scrapbook page together. Without the need for physical supplies like paper, glue and scissors, digital scrapbook pages can be completed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. As traditional scrapbook enthusiasts are introduced to graphic software packages, digital scrapbooking has become more and more popular.

toNoodle currently has 57 video tutorials and has just released a series of videos on how to use the new release of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0, which has many changes over the prior release. New video content is added to the site weekly.

Free samples of the video tutorials are available for viewing on the toNoodle home page located at http://www.tonoodle.com.

Via PR

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Digital Scrapbooking is Emphasis of New Photoshop Video Tutorial Web Site