"Ask The Masters" - Part 2

In this second installment of "Ask the Masters", the Memory Makers Masters are addressing this question - "Seriously, I'm sick of the groaning involved with taking group shots. How can I make it more fun for everyone (myself included)?"

Well, if you're going to have great-looking scrapbooks, you want to start with great-looking photos, right? Here's what Kelly Goree has to say:

"Don't Pose Them: Who says faces in a group shot need to be staring directly at the camera with perfect grins? For many group shots, that is darn near impossible, especially when photographing small children." Unposed shots can show spunk & personality.

This is one of my favorite shots of my kids, and they weren't even looking at the camera:

 
And Diana Hudson suggests:

"Angle the Shot: OK, so this really might not make it more fun for those in the photo (promises of candy or money usually works), but it will lend a cool perspective to your shot!" A change in perspective might be just what your photo needs. Try shooting your group from above, from one side, or even from the ground up. You'll be amazed at the differences!

I had my kids lay on the floor for this photo:

Happy shooting!

Jump Into Fall With Olivia!

Who's Olivia you might ask? "Olivia" is more of a what than a who - it's this month's Kit of the Month from Close To My Heart! This kit is my favorite one yet, with absolutely gorgeous colors (Barn Red, Pear, Smoothie, & Sunset), bold patterns, and a beautiful stamp set entitled, "Timeless" (Get a glimpse at the stamp set by viewing the flyer HERE). This kit also comes with our brand new Shimmer Designer Brads! You are going to love it! The full-color Workshop Guide, which is also included, will show you how to create a two-page scrapbook layout and six cards (two each of 3 different designs). When you're done with that, you've still got a TON of paper left, and a stamp set to use over and over again!

Here's a look at the scrapbook layouts:

And here's the cards:

Aren't they gorgeous?! If you'd like to purchase the kit, and you have your money to me by THIS FRIDAY, November 5th, the cost is $34.20 ($29.95 kit + 2.38 S&H + 1.87 tax). After November 5th, the cost is slightly higher (due to shipping individually) at $36.57 ($29.95 kit + 4.75 S&H + 1.87 tax). You get a B-size stamp set, a full Level 2 Paper Pack, a full set of Shimmer Designer Brads, and the Workshop Guide. In addition, you can always order the Kit of the Month online at http://funforyou.myctmh.com!

If you would like to join me for the Olivia Workshop at my home where we will create these projects together, you MUST have your payment to me by Friday, November 5th. The workshop this month will be on Sunday, November 21st from 1-4pm. This will be the last workshop I will hold until next year! Give me a shout so you don't miss out!

It's November!

Wow, can you believe it's November already? The holiday season is upon us! I was out doing errands this morning and actually heard Christmas carols being played in the store. It's scary, really. But here's something that's far from scary - it's wonderful! Close To My Heart is offering you "A Little MORE Thanks" this month. Their new Stamp of the Month for November is called "A Little Thanks". It is a terrific stamp set to have - especially for creating one-of-a-kind thank-you cards this holiday season - or anytime!

Isn't it great?! BUT, with the "A Little MORE Thanks" promotion, if you place a minimum CTMH order of $100, you will not only receive the Stamp of the Month for FREE, you will be able to choose a FREE STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOICE from the CTMH Autumn/Winter Idea Book! (Does not include E or K-sized stamps, regular priced SOTM, or Workshop on the Go. Tax & shipping may apply.) How cool is that?! You can browse the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on my website at http://funforyou.myctmh.com and order online there as well! Start your holiday shopping now - even if it's just for yourself!  Happy shopping!

Just A Quick Reminder!

Happy Halloween! I just wanted to remind everyone that the 44 My Acrylix stamp sets I have up for Ebay auction will all be sold TOMORROW! So get your bids in now, before it's too late! Happy trick-or-treating!

"Ask The Masters" - Part 1

I am constantly asking myself, "What is it that people will want to gain/learn from reading my blog?" For a lot of people, the art of scrapbooking eludes them - to the point where their photos never get shown and their memories never get recorded. This is most certainly a shame, if not a crime, so I am going to start a series of questions & answers taken directly from the book, "Ask The Masters! Scrapbook Solutions from the Memory Makers Masters", edited by Darlene D'Agostino, copyright 2006. This will hopefully educate, inspire, and give you the confidence you need to start creating your own scrapbooks.

My first installment is a simple one - not related to design, composition, or technique - but by far, my favorite tip! "Master" Torrey Scott was asked, "Do you have a ritual, habit, or routine that you must practice before you begin scrapbooking?" And her reply, "I take off my bra. Seriously, I truly believe my bra cuts off the creative flow of energy at my solar plexus, thus preventing it from reaching my hands. So, OFF IT COMES! I also put on the most comfy clothes I can - either sweats and a T-shirt or jammies. I figure if I'm comfortable, my mind can focus on the art and not be otherwise preoccupied with my fidgeting body."

What great advice! I love it! It is hard to be inspired and uncomfortable at the same time! So before we get to all the nitty-gritty, let's all take off our bras and get into our jammies (and grab a bowl of M n' M's while we're at it)! Next time, I'll be sharing tips on how to make your focal photo really "pop"!

"I Vant To Bite Your Neck...Art!"

Halloween being a mere 3 days away, I thought it was only fitting to show you how to create your own Neck Art. Now, Neck Art is the creative genius of Scarlet Lime (they also have Watch Art & Trinket Art, but the Neck Art is the most fun & easiest!), found for sale at www.embellishonline.com under "Bead Art". I saw the kits they had for sale for $9.00 a piece, then watched the video tutorial on how to put them together, then thought, "I could do that so easily - for much cheaper!"

So, I am passing this information on to you! If you followed my last jewelry-making post, you know how to open a jump ring (easy enough). The only other thing you really have to know is how to create a loop at the end of your headpin - which is shown in the video tutorial as well, though I don't even wrap my wire around the pin, I just make a loop & snip it. You can do either. There are also links to more videos on how to wrap the headpin wire into a loop. That's all you need to create these gorgeous pieces of art that you can then clip onto any necklace you choose! (Note: Make sure when you buy the lobster clasps for the tops that you buy a fairly large size - that way it'll clip onto most any necklace.)

The beauty of this design is that you can use your favorite beads - and all your favorite colors! I kept mine monochromatic (all one color family), but you can mix colors any way you like. I couldn't stop making them! Here is what I've done so far:

I've done some with goldtone metals and some with silvertone - they're just so much fun! If you'd like to try them out, click on the following link to view the tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbyYVJfiMgg&feature=player_embedded

Then head out to Michael's, grab your favorite beads, some spacer beads, some headpins, some lobster claw clasps, and some jump rings and get started! Have fun!

It's a My Acrylix (TM) Stamp Set BLOWOUT!

Well, it had to happen sometime! I have accrued so many Close To My Heart "My Acrylix" stamp sets, that I HAD to go through them and decide what to unload. As a reader of this post, you are the first to find out about my huge selection of acrylic stamp sets for sale on Ebay - RIGHT NOW! The auctions began today, so you have the next 6 days to bid on your favorites. I compared my prices to other CTMH stamp sets being offered on Ebay, and I think I should go back and re-price everything! My prices are SO LOW, I'm practically GIVING them away! And the condition of mine is SO MUCH BETTER than most others I saw posted! So don't miss out! Just about every stamp set I am offering has been RETIRED, so you can no longer get it from Close To My Heart! Just follow this link to see all 44 (yes, forty-four!) stamp sets I am offering: http://shop.ebay.com/aafaa/m.html.

Good luck & happy bidding!