Reason #87 for hosting a scrapbooking party: Sharing your fancy tools with those less fortunate. I don’t own a Cricut machine. In fact, if it were not for the generosity of my neighbor, I probably wouldn’t even know what the machine did besides chirp. Okay, it doesn’t really chirp, but with a name like Cricut (pronounced “cricket”) and the amount of money you have to shell out to own one, you’d think it would chirp, dance and piece together layouts while you sipped a tropical libation on the couch. I cannot afford a Cricut machine. Rather, I just lust after … Continue reading →

To me, the Cricut is the ultimate scrapbooking tool. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive scrapbook-related machines on the market. If you invest in one these beasts, then you ought to take time to read the owner’s manual from cover-to-cover in order to learn how to use every single one of the machine’s many features. After all, you wouldn’t want to fork over all that cash just to make a few replacement letters. Some scrappers complain that the makers of the Cricut make it too costly to purchase different cartridges for the machine. Personally, I don’t get … Continue reading →

Twice a year, the Craft and Hobby Association holds a conference for retailers to come and look at all of the scrapbooking manufacturers new products. CHA is happening this week in Los Angeles. So, all of the new lines are showing sneak peeks of what they will be showing at their conference that started yesterday. What’s all the buzz about? Well, scrapbooking companies big and small show off their new products, and for both retailers and the public, this provides a lot of anticipation. After all, we love new papers, and scrapbooking goodies right? Who doesn’t want the latest style? … Continue reading →

To me, one of the most essential parts of a scrapbook page is the pen you are using. If you don’t have pens that make you feel creative, want to write, or doodle, then you do not have the right one. You do not need a pen in every color to make a beautiful scrapbook page. However, I do find myself looking at those huge multi-paks of pens and wishing I had one. But, they are expensive. So, I suggest you find just a few pens that work for you. A black pen is essential. With a black pen you … Continue reading →

Isn’t it a joy getting beautiful portraits taken of perfectly smiling, happy children and babies? And it is so rewarding to have that family photograph where nobody looks bored and everyone is completely focused on the camera and smiling, right? Of course you shouldn’t mind the fact that junior might have cried for fifteen minutes before that picture could be taken, and that seventeen shots were taken before everyone was looking at the camera – right? Isn’t that more like what a studio portrait session is like with kids anyway? Did you have to pack up countless numbers of snacks … Continue reading →

One of the things I love about scrapbooking is that it has the ability to be infectious. If I am talking about it out in public, often times others will join in the conversation. It’s a great way to meet new people and spread the word about our awesome craft and hobby. Sometimes I purchase products, apparel or what have you that is totally scrapbooking related and then make sure I am wearing it or have it with me when I am out in public so I can get conversations started. Since I am both an instructor as well as … Continue reading →

Christmas shopping time is rapidly approaching and you might already be looking for the perfect gift for someone in your life. You don’t have to be a scrapbooker to find this amazing companies products the perfect fit for just about anyone in your life. And if you are a scrapbooker, it makes it all the better, because you can customize is to make it the perfect gift. So here’s the scoop on these adorable bags and other products. Daily Window Bags is a newish company that has designed an entire product line that just happens to be perfect for the … Continue reading →

It seems like every time we turn around a new scrapbook tool is released and it is designed to make scrapbooking easier. Tools that make embellishing easier, cutting easier, adhering your pieces easier and much more, seem to come out in large numbers daily. With so many gadgets and tools out on the scrapbooking market, how are you supposed to know which ones work best and which ones don’t hold their weight? Prices are all over the table, so finding out what works for you is important. Here are a few gadgets that have been tested by scrapbookers for enough … Continue reading →