Right Size Photos for every Scrapbook Layout

Here's the last of the Willoughby designs I did for the new TAC Inspiration Book. It's a 6x9, which is a fun size, and if you follow my blog, you know I love to scrapbook in a variety of sizes. I especially love making mini scrapbooks.

People often ask me about how I get all the different sizes of photos for my layouts. I'm the kind of person who gets up really close with my camera, so inevitably, faces fill right up a 4x6 print. Some services offer a wallet size, but I'm too thrifty to pay more for prints.

That's when I discovered Shutterfly's free "Studio" software. Download it here. It organizes and enhances your photos like other programs, but the Collage function is really great. You pick a template and just drag and drop pictures into it. When you export the collage as a jpeg it can be printed with your other regular prints. I use the 4x6 template most of the time, so it costs the same as regular pictures.

You can add titles to the collages as well, so I use them for my family blog and even holiday cards. If you've been timid about trying digital scrapbooking, these collages might be a good compromise. I've made little books entirely out of 4x6 collages. They are fast and fun! Check out my Easter one here and my Oblinski books here.

Drop me a line if you have questions or leave a comment with a link to your favorite mini book or scrapbook layout.

All Supplies from The Angel Company: Willoughby paper and cardstock, Willoughby Ribbon, Antique Copper Hardware, Palette Burnt Umber ink, Stamp Sets: Artsy Elements, Decorative Corners.

Willoughby Abundance Journal

I am in love with Willoughby. Do I sound like a Jane Austen Character? Actually, it's one of TAC's new paper collections. I would love to wallpaper my world in Willoughby.

This is a project I designed for the new Fall and Winter Inspiration Book and I had my friend Debbie Rivers in mind. She writes the most inspirational blog for TAC, Simply Inspired. You'll love Debbie's uplifting messages, one of which is abundance. She encourages us to find abundance in our daily lives, and I marvel sometimes at how many blessings I have.

It started out as a plain journal with a velvety cover; the kind you would find at a greeting card store. It was fun to add flourishes from Artsy Elements right on the cover with Palette Burnt Umber and Cognac ink (you can stamp on ANYTHING with that stuff) and I even decorated some of the pages. That new swirl on the corners is Decorative Corners, another of my new faves.

Sand of Time Acetate/Transparency Mini Book

Some pictures just tell the whole story. Well, I guess it helps if you are the mom that took the photos. All the feelings of the moment just come rushing back to you. I wanted to tell a little more of a story about my son Jack in a little mini book. I also wanted to play around with acetate a little more. I overlayed each page in transparency sheets and used StazOn ink on them. I love the way the stamped images float over the top of the pictures, leaving them untouched underneath. (See more of my "You" book in my gallery.)

I used The Angel Company's Sands of Time collection and bound the book with the Zutter Bind it All.
The alphabet stickers I used come with the paper and the stamps are from Artsy Elements JustANote(Hostess Set) and This Boy. I did sponge the stickers a little with ink so they were just the right color. I love that trick! I like how the stickers are repositionable, but when I have them right where I want them and I want them to stay put, I add a little adhesive. Designer Dries Clear has a nice small applicator tip for this.

I wanted clear covers that were a little more sturdy, so I used the clear plastic from the clamshell boxes our stamps come in. The top of the box can make a very cool memo board like the one Heather showed us how to make at the Winter Roundup, so I cut out my covers from the bottom of the box.

Stamping on acetate takes a little practice, but I love the results. If the stamp slides a little or you get a smudge, it's actually easy to fix with TAC's stamp cleaner. Even StazOn wipes right off! Hopefully this will inspire you to give it a try. Be sure to post a comment with a link to your creations!

Manila Folder Book

Well, if you've been waiting for the details on the Manila Folder Book, here they are! It's a fun project that can be made into a pocket organizer, mini scrapbook--the possibilities are endless.

Mine features The Angel Company's new paper collection, Amberley Grace. I love the subtle colors. The stamps used were Artsy Elements from TAC and the upcoming February 2008 Vintage Stamp of the Month, Memories.


This project was adapted from an idea posted by Taylor Van Bruggen on September 20, 2007. Check out her blog here. She posted instructions and I have some that show the step-by-step details here.

View Album

Get your own

You can also print out the text instructions by clicking here. Hopefully it will inspire you to try your own Manila Folder Book! If you do, post a comment with a link to your project. I'd love to see what you turn your book into! Enjoy!

Piercing, Dotting and Stitching with Embroidery Grid

I am busy getting ready for The Angel Company's Annual Seminar (next week), but I wanted to share with you a great technique that I'm using on one of my many, many swap cards I am making to trade. I learned this from my friend, Kim Singdahlsen, who organizes our monthly card-making event at our church. (If you are in the Denver area, you've got to join us and see these great ideas! Click "Get on my Email List" below for dates and directions for upcoming events.)
As you can see in the slideshow, (click the little Picasa logo to go see it full screen) plastic canvas makes an awesome guide for piercing, dotting and stitching on your cards. Our Souffle Pens are so fun. They add dimension and shine to flat and shiny surfaces. The technique on the colored cardstock is emboss resist (glossy paper, clear EP and brayered with Boudoir Blush and Claret Palette pads). The stamp set is Artsy Elements, which was a Jubilee Hostess Set that I hope comes out with the new catalog.
Speaking of the new catalog, I'll be out of town next week for its unveiling, but I'll try to keep you posted here with more techniques and ideas. Look for news from the new catalog at the first of July. . . .

Faux Batiking

This colorful technique is actually fairly simple and lots of fun. I made this card for a stamping event last weekend and so many people asked me for instructions that I thought I would share them here. You start with white mulberry paper, stamp and emboss it with clear powder. Spritz the paper with a little water, then use a brayer to add two different colors or try using a Kaliedacolor pad. For this card, I used two Palette pads: Boudoir Blush and Claret. The water helps the inks to blend together to make beautiful combinations. Next, iron the paper between two pieces of plain newsprint on medium-high heat. This will pull the embossing powder out of the mulberry paper as it is absorbed by the newsprint. What's left over is the soft look of a beautiful silk scarf or sarong. See this idea in a totally different color combination on this fall card. Now it's your turn! Try out this technique and let me know how it works or post your questions and I'll get back to you.