Adding Distressed Techniques to your pages

September 3rd, 2010
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There are 3 ways to add distressed techniques to a page or any other craft.

  1. Tearing
  2. Sanding
  3. Inking

I am fond of all three ways and have been known to spend hours on a two page spread! I guess it’s because I love old and vintage items.  I enjoy the way it adds character to a page, any page with little or no expertise. Read on…

Creative Journaling #1

September 2nd, 2010
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This is the first of many ways you’ll learn how to do creative journaling. Creative journaling keeps your pages from looking, “ho-hum” boring.  And when you can use a little bit from the photo’s as a theme for the journal part, then the pages really start to POP! Read on…

Using Quotes on a Lay Out

August 31st, 2010
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From time to time I like to use favorite quotes on a lay out to help convey what I’m really thinking.  A quote can be the title, the page description or even the page itself!  As I posted here, you can find quotes most anywhere to fuel your creative needs! Quotes also come in handy for one photo lay outs like this one. Read on…

Day Dreaming in Color…

August 30th, 2010
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Do you ever Day Dream in color? I do. I love to walk in my garden and visually take in all the pretty flowers. So many bright and vibrant colors! Once summer is over and fall settles in, I’ll be sad to see them go but look forward till next year when I can re-discover their innocent beauty and whimsical charm! Read on…

Layouts in 15 Minutes or less! #1

August 27th, 2010
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Here’s a layout I made in less than 10 minutes! It’s really easy for those photo’s that you love but can’t quite make a page from them because there is no theme screaming out to you. Know what I mean? So you set those photos aside and find them from time to time. Placing them here, placing them there. You know where they are.  Still no idea’s (until 5 years later), you get that “aha” moment! Read on…

How to Create a Layout “Freestyle”

August 26th, 2010
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Have you ever just wanted to throw a bunch of photo’s together and not have to worry about perfection? Then try to create a layout Freestyle! Not only does it add a sense of FUN to your page but it’s easy to do!  Here I used a “boy” paper kit and included some of it’s elements to make this page.  Read on…

Different Types of Scrapbook Albums

August 24th, 2010
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There are so many different types of Scrapbook Albums out there, that it’s easy to become overwhelmed in choosing! There are two standard sizes for albums. 8.5″ x 11 and 12″x12″.  It’s all up to you.

Before you commit to buy just any album, you might want to consider the following: Read on…

Michelle’s Hot Artichoke Dip – Recipe

August 23rd, 2010

This is by far one of my favorite appetizers to take to a party or scrapbook crop!  Every time I  make it, I always print out multiples of the recipe to share because people always ask!

You can adjust the garlic to your liking, but for me…the more the better!

As you can see, it’s only 5 ingredients. 6 if you count the bread.

For the bread, I get the basic loaf, pre-sliced found in the bread isle. When  I begin toasting the bread I have a assembly line of:

the bag of bread, a toaster, a cutting board and a large bowl.

I put the bread in the toaster and as it is toasted, I stack about 5 at a time on the cutting board.  Then I carefully cut through all five slices in 3 strips, turn the stack and cut again in 3 strips to make perfect bite sized squares.  Throw those in the bowl and start again until all the bread is toasted and cut. When through, I put the bread squares back in the bread bag till ready to serve.

2 – 13-¾ oz Cans Artichoke Hearts

drained and chopped

1 ½ C. mayonnaise

3 C. fresh or pre-packaged

shredded Parmesan cheese

2-5 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch of salt

(if I’m in a hurry or doubling the recipe, I use a food processor)

  1. Heat oven to 350*
  2. Combine all ingredients in bowl

gently but thoroughly.

  1. Place mixture in an 8×8 baking dish

that has been coated with non-stick spray.

  1. Bake uncovered 30 minutes until

mixture is golden brown and bubbely.

  1. Serve with French or Sourdough bread that has

been toasted and cut into dip size squares.

If dip begins to cool, warm up in the microwave. It’s at its best hot!

Enjoy! :)

Take advantage of your surroundings!

August 20th, 2010
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Sometimes it’s so much easier to make a layout of just 1-3 close up photos. Those profile photos can be enlarged to fill in the space so you can complete the layout faster.  But sometimes you might want to include those extra photo’s you took where ever you might have been, because they too are important in telling the story! Read on…

How to turn 1 Sketch into 3 different Layouts.

August 19th, 2010
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We all use sketches in one way or another for lay outs. Some of us use them with out realizing it.  We get our idea’s from scrapbook, and fashion magazines. We see things in our daily life that inspire us. If you do see something that inspires you…try to sketch it out!  Don’t worry about all the extra’s, just sketch the basics.  Here I sketched a tall building. Read on…