Upcoming Scrapbooking Trends March 17, 2008
Posted by Angela in : Uncategorized , add a commentIt seems as though it is time for the Scrapbooking world to start showing their trends again. In what I have been reading and what I’ve heard in my scrapbooking circles, there are some definite trends that will take center stage this spring.
1. Eco-Friendly Scrapping. With the concept of “Going Green” basically being everywhere, it’s no surprise that it’s getting into the scrapbooking world. Using tree-free paper and recycling things you would otherwise throw away (the most creative example I have seen so far is using junk mail in your layouts) are all going to be very popular. Not to mention capturing the things that you are doing to make the earth a better place in your next album.
2. Less is more. Let’s face it. Scrapbooking can be expensive! But by doing scrap swaps and sharing your supplies with your closest crafting friends and having a good old fashioned swap of stuff will help everyone save money, time, and unnecessary hunting for that perfect paper that your best friend has no use for right now.
3. Introspective scrapping. Using scrapbooks as more than just records of family events and outings is going to be huge this year. I know I have a couple albums all planned out so far of how I’ve grown in the past couple of months and what it means to my children. Or how about that life changing event? I’m already planning on the layouts for my tremendous undertaking of the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk in Cleveland I’m participating in this summer. The training, the fundraising, the doubts, the triumphs. Not to mention walking with my mom, Katie, who is a breast cancer survivor. It will all be documented and scrapped.
So my challenge to you is this: How can you incorporate any (or all) of these trends in your next project?
5 Ways to Celebrate National Craft Month March 6, 2008
Posted by Angela in : General crafts , add a comment
March is National Craft Month! Just in time for Spring, when all of us have the itch to make something new. We can all celebrate in our own ways no matter what our craft of choice is. Here are five ways to get excited about it and celebrate:
1. Get Organized. Clear out your stash and become another crafter’s best friend by giving away items that you no longer use or need to upgrade. Clear away the clutter and stock up on craft organizers from your favorite store. Warning: This may cause you to find new space for more stuff!
2. Finish a UFO. You know they’re there. Those projects that you start and put away because something else looks like more fun. Finish one and give it as a gift. Again, this frees up more space. Not to mention it gives you a sense of accomplishment and the desire to do more projects.
3. Learn a new technique / craft. Spring is all about stuff that’s new. So build your skills by hunting online to learn about more cool things you can do with your craft of choice or learn a whole new one. My personal goal? I would love to take a pottery class by the end of 2008.
4. Have a party. Invite some of your craftiest friends over to learn a new technique or share supplies and get some much needed work done on your building list of to-do’s that generally hangs out on your crafting table. Scrapbooking is generally the route I go with, but maybe I’ll invite some of my needle crazy friends over to work on some projects while we chat and catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives.
5. Go shopping! My new favorite store is Consumer Crafts, an online crafting supply store. They just launched their scrapbooking line of products. The prices are phenomenal and their shipping turnaround is also outstanding. I highly recommend it. I got some beads from them as gifts for friends and was amazed to receive them within 72 hours. They also have a lot of shipping deals, so be sure to take advantage of that!
I hope this gives you all some great ideas to celebrate this fantastic month of creativity. Leave a link to your crafting blog in the comments and I will check out what you’re working on as well!
A Current Project: Harley Davidson Cross Stitch March 2, 2008
Posted by Angela in : crafts as gifts, cross stitch , 7 commentsRight now, I am working on a gift for my father-in-law (I hope he’s not reading this. If you are, Duane, please close the window). He is an avid motorcycler and he owns a Harley Davidson Road King. I did some serious hunting online and found this pattern from Stitchtastic:
Yes, it’s a big project. And yes, it’s going to take me a while considering the fact that I have four blogs, a full time job, two toddlers, volunteer work, and the everyday business of managing a household. Doesn’t it sound like the line “partridge in a pear tree” should be in there somewhere? Anyway, since I’m sure you’re dying to know… here is what I have done so far:
I will keep posting pictures as I (hopefully) make progress. Maybe this post will keep me motivated!
