Tips

Preserving Your Memories in a Snap!

If you’re a scrapbooker, you know that it can sometimes take hours to complete a page.  Some will spend several days creating a work of art.  And, those pages are beautiful!!  But, most of us do not have that much time to spare, so our intention of creating a scrapbook (to save those family memories for generations to come) falls by the way side.

Memories and More is created for the busy pace of today’s life.  With the beautiful packets of cards and pocket page protectors, we can complete several pages, if not a small scrapbook, of a special event in an afternoon.  These pages are attractive and the event is preserved with journaling, so years from now we will remember what happened during that period or event.

In traditional scrapbooking, when the pages are completed, they can’t be changed.  If you need copies of the picture later, you have to try to remove the photo from the page without damaging it.  With the Memories and More system, you can change pictures around as desired.  The pictures are easy to slip out of the pockets so you can make extra copies if needed.

 

Traditional scrapbooking can use many embellishments, different types of designer papers, and a lot of space for storage.  Memory keeping supplies consist of your scrapbook, page protectors and a set of card inserts.  You need quite a bit of table space to work on traditional scrapbooking, which is not necessary with the Memories and More system.  And, storing your supplies is not a problem.  Each card kit comes in its own little storage box.

The Memories and More products also coordinate with all of Stampin’ Up!’s other products, so you can still be creative and embellish as much or as little as you want!  ANYONE can be successful with the Memories and More system.  It is not expensive, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to complete a beautiful scrapbook.

If you ARE a traditional scrapbooker, you can still use the Memories and More cards. Here’s an example of the system used on a traditional page.

The Memories and More cards can also be used to make quick cards, so there are no leftovers!

I hope you’ll try this wonderful, time saving, inexpensive way to preserve your family memories for your grandchildren and generations to come.

Think You Can’t Stamp?

What I hear most often from potential new stampers is “I don’t have any talent or creativity.”  This couldn’t be farther from the truth!  I believe that it isn’t so much about being creative as it is knowing your tools and practicing.  Once you hold or attend your first workshop and make your very first card, you can count on being hopelessly hooked on paper crafting.  Finding that you DO have talent and creativity is inspiring and opens a whole new world for you.

It is not necessary to own every crafting tool available on the market.  As you get more experienced with the tools you do have, you will gradually step outside the box to experience new challenges.

A few of the absolute necessities you will need are as follows:
• card stock in a few colors which coordinate (our assorted cardstock packs are perfect) plus a neutral Whisper White or Very Vanilla;
• ink pads – a black, gray, or brown ink will do initially;
• a trimmer (Stampin’ Up! is the best by far, it scores too);
• adhesive –  Snail, Tombow glue, Dimensionals, and glue dots;
• envelopes;
• paper snips; and
• stamp set with all occasion sentiments.

Be sure to buy quality supplies!  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone come to a class, get excited about stamping and run to the local store to purchase ink, cardstock, papers, and ribbons.  Then, they get home and nothing actually matches.  So, buy quality products from the beginning.

“CASE” means “Copy And Share Everything”.  It is very common to use someone else’s design or idea and just change it to suit you; perhaps a different color card stock, a ribbon or bow.  Using Pinterest, workshop demonstrations, or other websites for ideas is acceptable in the crafting community.  We love to share!

Finally, like any hobby, sport or challenge, practice, practice, practice!  You have to try those techniques to see how they are done and the many ways they can turn out.  Specific stamps, depending upon their size, mount or brand may handle a little differently. It is best to experiment first before using the stamp on your final project.  Experimenting is not failure it is just one step closer to perfection and everyone’s perfection is different.  Happy Stamping!

Storing Watercolor Pencils

Stampin’ Up! has a set of 13 high quality water color pencils (#141709).  They come in a sturdy re-useable cardboard box.  However, I prefer to store them in something that I can open and close easily.  Our standard sized stamp case (#119105, set of 4) is a perfect choice.

The stamp case will easily store on the shelf and it is so much easier to pick out the color you want to use. There is also room in the case to add a blender pen and an aqua painter so that all the tools you need are stored together.  You can even print an insert that can be slipped into the sleeve of the case to clearly identify the contents.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you can use this tip!