Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category
Crop-A-Dile Settings
I have recently been reading and even chatting with some gals who are having trouble figuring out the settings on their crop a diles for the different types of material you can use with them. Ya see I use mine almost every single day and love it. Well I love them both. I actually use the Big bite much more frequently because of the fact it goes in 6″ right into the center of my page! Sooooo helpful! But even as I type this, my little hot pink baby is sitting here from its earlier use.
So – what about those settings?
Most people throw out the packaging without thinking twice about it, yet on the packaging for both sizes of the WE R Memory Keepers crop a diles (I and II) the information was printed there.
SO, guess what? There is still hope. You can download this PDF or click on it and open it and you can find the exact information you are seeking about the different combinations for the sizes of eyelets, conchos and other stuff.
Card Making Tip #3 – Save ALL Scraps
A couple of weeks ago I was getting annoyed at all the tiny scraps that were piling up. What usually happens is that I have a scrapbooking layout I am working on with all the pieces and these are the leftovers. The remnants of a finished layout. Since everything already coordinates, what I do now – is gather up all the leftover supplies. Even the tiny scraps. I place them all in a zip top bag and whenever I am in the mood to create a card (or even a scrapbook page from time to time) I have everything I need in one place and it already coordinates.
I finally wound up finishing a layout I have been working on, and gathered up all the leftover supplies. I had a piece of cardstock large enough to fold in half for a card, a 3d sticker, some leftover “pocket charms” and eyelets and a few misc. scraps of coordinating patterned paper. The perfect makings for a beautiful, simple card. I placed everything in a zip top bag and when the mood strikes, I’m ready. I can then use stamps, inks and whatever to create the perfect card.
Hope this tip helps someone 
Scrapbooking Tip #2 – Label Everything
I will absolutely vow that this works.
Everyone preaches that organizing everything is the key to productivity and while this is completely true, it can also be said that labeling your supplies, tools, etc. will make it easier to find where things are located, rather than searching for them where you think you remember that you placed them.
If you use baskets, containers, shelves, drawers, whatever, purchase a label maker or make some up on your own. Stick the labels into the bottom of shelves where something is supposed to go. It won’t look bad, in fact it will look ORGANIZED.
Card Making Tip #2 – Creating Extras
There is rarely a time I sit down to scrapbook or make cards where I don’t make duplicates. For my scrapbooking there are various reasons and those can and will be found in the scrapbook layout tips. For cards, the reason I make duplicates is so that I always have cards on hand when any situation arises. If it is a generic card or just a generally attractive card with no actual event in mind, I will wait and stamp the sentiment at a later date. This way I can customize the card to meet my own needs. Be sure to always make a few extras. There will be plenty of times you are VERY glad you did!
Scrapbooking Tip #1 – Create Page Kits
I know this has got to be about the dozenth time I have said that. I firmly believe that if you want to scrapbook and create amazing layouts as quick as possible, page kits are the way to go. Having everything that coordinates for one layout simply makes the whole process easier.
When you are watching your favorite program, or talking on the phone – gather all the supplies you would like to use on a layout and keep them together. You might not use them all, but at least you will have everything handy for when you do.
Card Making Tip #1 – Practice and Experiment
Practice and Experiment.
Don’t just go out there and think you are going to create a masterpiece. It can happen, but it doesn’t always happen that way. Practice different styles of cards, different techniques and different ways of making them. Don’t let yourself get discouraged when something doesn’t turn out right. See if there are ways to alter it to make it work, and if not, do not get down about having to scrap it and start over.
They always say practice makes perfect, and I encourage you to do lots of practice cards to get you ready for creating masterpieces. Do not ever hesitate to try out a different technique on a new card if you desire. Just remember, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Words to live by.
Tips
I am a tip collector. Being an instructor of various paper arts, I collect all types of tips to help others and share with them in the classes I teach. Sometimes they are tips I discovered on my own that seem to be really helpful, and others are things that my own students might have taught me. In any case, I have opened the Tips category.
I recently started writing some card tips to help my customers out in my card classes. When I am working on scrapbook pages and card kits, sometimes information pops into my head that I think would be helpful to another person. I decided instead of trying to remember it when I am a home gathering, class or workshop, (because I am terribly forgetful sometimes) I will just put the tips here to help everyone out. If you have a great tip to share, or a photograph of a tip to share, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to display it here with a link to your blog or wherever.
I will begin placing scrapbooking and card making tips in this category very soon.
