A Passion for Stamps

DAY 6: TIPS 6-10 TO TAKING BETTER PICTURES

NOTE: I apologize for not posting the rest of these tips on a daily basis as originally planned. Sometimes life throws  us curves which interfere with the best intentioned plans. To catch up on time, all remaining tips will be published in this post. Thanks for understanding! 

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

Tip#6: LOCK THE FOCUS!

Following up on subject placement, most cameras will lock the focus on the center of the picture. As we just discussed in Tip #5, the best photo is not always with the subject in the center, but off-center. So if you want a clear, non-blurry photo of your subject off-center, here's a trick to use with your camera: with the subject in the middle of the photo, lock the focus pressing and holding the shutter button halfway, then move your camera to position  the subject out of the center. Now you can press the shutter button down the rest of the way and take your picture!  

Tip#7: TO FLASH OR NOT TO FLASH!

Do you know the flash range of your camera? If you take photos beyond the maximum flash range of your camera, your photos may turn out too dark. The usual maximum flash range is up to fifteen feet (approximately five steps from the camera).

If you don't know the maximum flash range of your camera, it's better to take the photos from ten feet away from your subject. If using film cameras, check into a higher speed film  for extended distances. 

Most cameras include a fill-flash setting, but it's advisable to know when and how to use flash settings on your camera for situations when the lighting isn't quite right. 

When to use FILL FLASH FEATURE of your camera:

• on bright sunny days or beach/snow photos which cause facial shadows to appear; also darker complexions and brimmed hats cause shadows or dark areas
• When lighting is coming from the side or back of the subject (this causes the subject to appear much darker)

When to avoid using FLASH FEATURE of your camera (turn flash off):

• when taking photo at a great distance
• when shiny backgrounds (mirrors, sun, other bright reflections) reflect bright light
• a background sunset scene with your subject as a silhouette in the foreground
• when desired effect is light being reflected onto subject (glow in evening, light accent)
• when flash is not permitted

Other tips for optimum performance:

• Make sure your batteries are not running low, or you won't have full flash power
• To avoid red eye, brighten up the room with lighting to shrink pupils, and ask subjects not to look directly into the lens. Avoid use of the "red eye reduction" flash setting—to many people it's distracting and confusing.

Tip#8: Be Aware of Light Source!

Lighting is critical and makes all the difference in photos.  Photos can be taken in any kind of weather, but it's important to know how to use the weather conditions for different affects. Surprisingly, the best time to take a photo isn't in the middle of a bright sunny day. On an overcast or cloudy day, portrait photos turn out great because there are no shadows to deal with. Flowers, more specifically pastel florals photograph best in this lighting. Landscapes photos are best taken earlier in the day or in the evening.  Bright sunshine with side lighting can enhance wrinkles of an older person, but take the photo on a cloudy day and these wrinkles with be softened.

If the lighting is less than ideal, move your subject or the camera for a better shot.

In light rainy weather, you can capture the light reflecting off of the surrounding area for unusual photos.

Tip#9: SWITCH FROM LANDSCAPE TO PORTRAIT VIEWS!

If you look at photos you've taken, are most of them taken horizontally (landscape view)? This is typical because we tend to hold the camera this way.  Group pictures are usually better taken horizontally. 

Try changing it up now and then for portraits by turning your camera in the vertical (portrait) position.  Full length or close-up pictures turn out great like this, as the emphasis is on your subject. Spotlighting historical sites or landscape markings are ideal for the vertical view. Give it a try!

Tip#10: YOU'RE IN CONTROL!

When you are in charge of taking the pictures, you become the picture director!  It's up to you to decide where everyone will stand in a group photo, or where the best lighting for the picture is. It's up to you to guide a person in the proper way to stand, tip the head or hold a prop for a portrait photo. Here are a few tips for group and single portrait picture-taking:

TAKING A GROUP PHOTO

• Outdoor photos are best! Make sure the sun is lighting the faces of the group in sunny weather. Have the group set up by an object that portrays the event. Direct each person as to how to stand, what to hold, where to look. Try splitting a larger group into two smaller arrangements-several in each group. Remember the focus is on the group, so be sure there are no background distractions that may take away from the group. 
• Indoor photos are fun too! Remember all the other tips you've learned here. Use your camera's flash feature, and stay within your camera's maximum flash range. Try to position a larger group in no more than two rows.

TAKING PORTRAITS

• Take a Self-portrait! Learn how to use the Self-Timer feature of your camera, or you can use the zoom feature and hold the camera at arm's length to take a photo of yourself! Use a wide-angle if your camera has a zoom lens. Try experimenting with photos of yourself in different settings, doing different tasks, or just being you!  Try different facial expressions to portray various aspects of your own unique personality. 
• Semi-formal portraits: cloudy day lighting is best to capture a soft, flattering look of your subject. Pay attention to distractions from your focal point such as busy backgrounds. Take full figure view or zoom in for a closer photo. Your camera should be at your subject's eye level. Guide the person as to which way to stand, turn the head or where to place the hands.

I HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED THESE TIPS AND HAVE LEARNED A FEW THINGS ABOUT BETTER  PICTURE-TAKING!  GREAT PHOTOS ARE AN ESSENTIAL FIRST STEP WHEN CREATING BEAUTIFUL SCRAPBOOKS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL CHERISH FOR YEARS TO COME!

THE NEXT STEP,  IS LEARNING HOW TO TAKE THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS AND CREATE PAGES USING STAMPS, SIMPLY SCRAPPING KITS, ACCESSORIES AND DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS!  I TEACH SCRAPBOOKING 101 CLASSES WHERE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT LAYOUTS, TITLES, JOURNALING AND ACCENTS, AND PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!  

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SCRAPBOOKING 101 CLASSES I OFFER, CLICK ON THE CALENDAR ON THE RIGHT SIDEBAR OF THIS BLOG. 

TO ENJOY SAMPLES OF SCRAPBOOK PAGES, STAMPED CARDS, AND MANY OTHER STAMPING TIPS EACH MONTH, ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE BOX ON THE TOP LEFT SIDEBAR TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST, AND RECEIVE MY MONTHLY PASSION FOR STAMPS NEWSLETTER!

Note to demonstrators: My CUSTOMER newsletter is meant for my customers, and prospective customers.  If you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please respect this is my customer list and do not sign up for my customer mailing list. Thank you.

Thanks for visiting! Come back soon...

Passionately Scrapping,

DAY 5: TIP FIVE OF TEN TIPS TO TAKING BETTER PICTURES

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

Tip#5: THE RULE OF THIRDS & OFF-CENTER SUBJECT PLACEMENT

Where do you think the subject of your photo should be positioned in the viewfinder? in the center? The only time this is so is when the subject is part of a formal arrangement such as a wedding pose, prom photo etc.  Otherwise, it's best to use the Rule of Thirds when photographing people. Imagine drawing a tic-tac-toe grid on your viewfinder-then place a prominent feature such as the face, on one of the points where the lines intersect. In a close-up, you would position the eyes on this focal spot. Always position the subject off-center on the side of the grid where the subject is turning or facing an open space. If you have an auto-focus camera, you'll need to lock the focus to prevent the subject from being placed in the center of the viewfinder.

In summary, by moving your subject away from the center of the photo, you will bring the picture to life!  Here's our beagle Shiloh-checking out a squirrel on the deck outside:

Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow for Tip #6!

Passionately scrapping,

DAY 4: TIP FOUR OF TEN TIPS TO TAKING BETTER PICTURES

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

Tip#4: USE ZOOM TO GET IN CLOSE!

As you frame the person in your viewfinder, you will notice things that you don't want in the picture. It's best to focus in on the person to avoid other distractions. This is when you want to use your camera's zoom feature. By zooming in, you bring the subject of your picture into focus and crop out what you don't need.

A close-up picture is one where the subject fills the picture area, so you can see more details of the person or object.  For most cameras, you should be about three feet from the person or object you are photographing. (If you're closer than this, your photo may turn out blurry.) 

Here's a close-up I took of Sidalcea flowers

Join me tomorrow for the fifth photo tip-Subject Placement and the Rule of Thirds! Thanks for visiting...

Passionately scrapping,

DAY 3: TIP THREE OF TEN TIPS TO TAKING BETTER PICTURES

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

Tip#3: When Outdoors, Use Your Flash!

Ever take an outdoor picture and because of the sun, the face in your photo shows up in a dark shadow? Bright sun is the reason!  How can you avoid this? Use your flash on sunny days!

If you have a choice of fill-flash or full-flash mode, use the fill flash if your subject is closer than 5 feet or if it's a cloudy day; otherwise use the full-flash mode. If using a digital camera, check out the results with the picture display.

Why use the flash? It will eliminate the shadows caused by the sun and brighten up their  faces.

On an overcast day, you can also get away with taking a photo without the flash because the lighting is softer than on a sunny day. Give it a try!

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to return tomorrow for the photo tip #4!

Passionately scrapping,

Day 2: Tip Two of Ten Tips to Taking Better Pictures!

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come!

TIP #2: KEEP THE BACKGROUND SIMPLE!

Pay attention to not only the subject of your photo, but also the surroundings. What is in the background? Is there anything that can be distracting or take away from the subject? When you are looking through the viewfinder of your camera, if you see anything that will interfere with a good picture, have the subject move or try finding a different location that has a simple background.

In this photo, it looks like there are tree branches growing out of my head:

 

In this photo, by simply shifting in front of the Forsynthia bush, this makes for a better less distracting background:

Before you take a picture, be wary of what is in the background, and make adjustments before you click that button. 

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to return tomorrow for the next photo tip!

Passionately scrapping,

Day 1: Ten Tips to taking better pictures!

Do you scrapbook your photographs? Or do you feel your photos aren't scrapbook worthy because they never come out as well as you would like? Are you somewhat intimidated by taking photos, because you really don't know how to take good pictures?

Over the next week and a half, I am going to share Ten Tips that I learned from our friends at KODAK-the picture experts!  Once you've learned these tips and apply this knowledge to your photo shoots, you will see the quality of your pictures improve, and you'll feel much more confident about picture-taking! Be sure to check back here for a photo-taking tip each day, that will help you take better photographs with your digital camera!

The next step after taking good pictures, is knowing how to make great scrapbook pages with them! I teach rubber stamping and Scrapbooking 101 classes every month at my in-home studio in Hardyston NJ using Stampin' Up! stamps, Simply Scrappin'™ products and accessories, Designer Series Papers and much more, so make sure you check out my CLASS CALENDAR too! If you attend these classes in person each month, you will receive hands-on experience creating eye-appealing layouts, with attractive colors, titles and journaling-all necessary components to putting together a great scrapbook page! When you combine your newly found knowledge of good picture-taking, with the steps to creating fantastic scrapbook pages, you will be so excited to make some beautiful pages you and your family will cherish for years to come! Are you ready to learn your first tip?

TIP #1: MEET YOUR SUBJECT ON THEIR LEVEL!

Instead of taking a photo of your pet, your child or another subject while standing up, try getting down on the level of your subject with your camera, and meeting them eye-to-eye!  Direct eye contact will capture the true essence of the shot and will give the effect of actually being there with that subject at that precise moment! Simply kneel down so your camera is at eye-level, focus on your subject up-close, then wait for that captivating smile, laugh or other facial pose you want to capture and take the picture.

Other tips for photographing children come from Michael Crouser, who has produced two books about black and white photography. Young children will be much more cooperative when you allow them to be photographed in a natural setting for them, or in their favorite hero outfit! Always take photos of the older child first, and the younger one will want the attention as well, which means a better photo-with cooperation! Keep things as natural as possible-and that includes NOT having the subject say "cheese" which only produces a phony or exaggerated smile. Also try to take outdoor photos in the shade rather the sun, so the subject doesn't have to squint. For indoor photos, try to find alternatives for the direct flash. Wedding photographers avoid using it!

Pets can do funny things that we want to capture in a photo forever...I wish I could find the photo of my cat when she winks at me, but I'm not sure where that one is so here is one of Snickers, our four-year old Silky Terrier that I captured of bath time:

 

Had I taken this photo taken higher up it just would not have captured the look on his adorable little face! Don't you feel as if you can just reach out and touch Snickers? His expression is-priceless-and that's what I wanted to capture! This is a great photo to scrapbook...

Let's see what you can do with this tip-give it a try! I'd love to see some of your pictures so email them to me if you like...and I may feature some of them! Keep practicing taking eye-level pictures, focusing in on your subject-and keep the background simple (but more on that topic-tomorrow!).

Passionately scrapping,

Cutie Pie 6x6 Scrapbook Page

I wanted to use some Designer Series papers I haven't done much with (before it ends up on the retired accessories list!)  Here's a simple page I came up with for a Stampin' Up! workshop, using the Cutie Pie paper. I love embellisments, so this time I combined the Boho Blossoms punch and cardstock, with the Flower Fusion and a brad for the floral embellishment. To make the Rose Red corners where the photo goes, I used the Photo Corners punch and layered these UNDER the top So Saffron piece, instead of on top-for a different look!

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Supplies:

Stamps: God's Blessings, All Holidays
Ink: Rose Red
Cardstock:Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red, Bashful Blue; Cutie Pie Designer Series paper  Accessories: Brads, Flower Fusion; Punches: Photo Corners, Boho Blossoms & 1/16" Circle                     

Happy Stampin'!

passionstamper

SUMMER DAYS-6X6 SCRAPBOOK PAGE

Is scrapbooking something you would love to try, but you are intimidated and get lost when you look at all the myriads of scrapbooking papers, embellishments, gizmos and gadgets available out there and it appears you need it all to complete the task?

It may surprise you, but you can make beautiful pages that are quick and easy to produce without alot of fuss-with Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin'® kits! Each kit provides 12x12 cardstock and pages of images which are self-adhesive die-cuts-many of which coordinate with matching stamp sets! Each kit also comes with several terrific layout ideas, so to create the scrapbook pages, just cut, copy and add your own photos! You can finish complete albums using these kits, in just a few hours!

Here's a cute 6x6 scrapbook page (compliments of Stampin' Up!) This page is made with the Simply Scrappin' Summer Days Kit on page 175 of the current Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, SNAIL Adhesive, Paper Cutter and Stampin' Dimensionals:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Isn't this a bright and cheerful page? So-how do you make it? (remember-all papers are included in the kit!)

Instructions

1. Adhere dotted Summer Days Designer Series paper (2" x 6") to Bashful Blue textured page.
2. Adhere photo to Real Red textured card stock (4-1/2" x 4-1/2"). Adhere self-adhesive die cut border from Summer Days Simply Scrappin’ to textured card stock. Adhere to page.
3. Adhere “Lazy summer days” self-adhesive die cut to page using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
4. Layer Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Bashful Blue die cuts using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Adhere to page.
That's it! You are done! Now wasn't that FUN? Simply Scrappin' Kits will save you time and enable you to get those precious photos into memory books that will be treasured for years to come...

Now that you are feeling much more confident, when you are ready to be more creative and spruce up your pages, you can add other little products and embellishments such as colored or Rhinestone Brads or Eyelets (page 189), Buttons or Beads (page 192), Flowers & Pearls (Pretties Kit) or Hodgepodge Hardware (page 188) or Ribbon and bows (190-191). If you want to make a complete album, these can be found in Linen or Leather on page 176, along with page protectors.
 
If you would like more information about any of these products, or would like to place an order from our online catalog, please email me at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com

Please let me know in the comment section after this post, if you want me to provide more scrapbooking ideas and posts in the future. Would you be interested in purchasing ready made kits with pages, instructions, supplies and photos to make a complete scrapbook-by mail?

There are many techniques and ways to embellish not only scrapbook pages, but cards, and other items to make your own home decor, garden decor, fashion statements and so on. But-I don't want you to feel overwhelmed again...so we'll save those teachings for other posts!  If you live in the northern New Jersey area consider hosting a party OR I can bring a class to you and your friends-if interested, please e-mail me!

Have a great stampin' day!

passionstamper

SCALLOP PUNCH POSY EMBELLISHMENT!

Do you enjoy making embellishments as much as I do?

I love learning how to make new embellishments that can be added to scrapbook pages, cards, and 3-d items...on this year's SU cruise, Pam Morgan of Stampin' Up! demonstrated a pretty flower embellishment that I used on the card below:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I learned about this from  Catherine Harwood, a demonstrator who featured the embellishment with a May Day Basket she made. I decided to give it a try and just LOVE it! This technique is so easy-you won't believe it! Yet the result looks like it was complicated to make, doesn't it?

This was my swap card for my downline meeting in April. I used the following Stampin' Up! products to make the card:

Stamps: Stem Sayings, Circle of Friendship, Polka Dots
Ink: Versamark, Garden Green, Rose Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Celery, Rose Red & Flowers for You designer paper
Accessories: Scallop Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crafter's Tool Kit, Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots, Brad, White Tafetta Ribbon, SNAIL, White EP, Heat Tool, 1" & 1/2" punches, Flower Fusion

Did you notice I used Circle of Friendship again? I just realized that I use it quite a bit so it must have become a favorite sayings set of mine!

I used one of the green flowers in Flower Fusion, and just cut some of the flower petals, to make the leaves. I stamped the curvy saying onto cardstock, then trimmed it to look like the stem. The background is made with the Polka Dots set and embossed (love that look!).

Now to make the flower:

1. Using the scallop punch, punch 3 scallops from the Flowers for You Designer Series paper (I have also used this paper alot in projects lately!) and one punch from white cardstock.  I will really miss this designer paper if it retires from the Spring/Summer catalog (but I know there will a replacement I'll probably fall in love with too)
2. Each scallop will be cut differently, as instructed below:
   • Cut a slit between two petals of one scallop just to the center. This will become the bottom petal.
   • Cut out one section (or petal) of another scallop (like a pie or triangle shape) only to the center. This will become the middle petal.
   • For the last scallop, cut out three petals (or pie shapes), This will be the top petal.
3. The white scallop does not get cut-as the flower "sits" on this piece on the card.
4. Fold up each scallop so the two sections next to the cuts overlap-you can use SNAIL, mini glue dots or Tombow adhesive to assemble each piece.
5. Next, Catherine thought of a clever way to attach whatever you decide to use in the center. For my card, I used the Tafetta ribbon, and a flower and 1/2 pearl for the center. The "trick" is to use a brad and paper piercer from the Crafters Tool Kit. Here is how Catherine explains it: "First, slightly flatten the bottom center of each petal -- just put your thumb or finger inside the pointed part of the assembled scallop "petal" and push down a little to flatten. Use paper piercer from Crafter’s Tool Kit to pierce a hole in center of each layer. Push a small brad through the center of a 4” piece of Taffeta Ribbon -- THEN --thread the brad legs below the untied ribbon through the petals, starting with top one, then center one, then bottom one. Spread the brad legs to secure the flower and shape as desired." Isn't that clever? Love it, Catherine! I topped mine with the 1/2 pearl and a mini glue dot!

I attached my flower to the white scallop at the top of the stem and voila! There you have it! Thanks Catherine, for the inspiration and sharing the steps to this adorable embellishment that Pam created!

So-what do you think?  I will be teaching this as part of a class in June, so if you are in Northwest NJ, you just may want to sign up to learn this and many other exciting techniques! I'll be updating my class schedule soon, so check back again!

Scrapbooking-a Masterpiece Snow Fort!

No doubt you are wondering what happened to me? Well it appears that Christmas preparations and vacation plans took over my life...so much for Twelve Christmas specials I had hoped to share! With the new year upon the horizon, the other specials will have to keep until next year's holiday season! But--next year I will be starting much earlier and may instead, do Twelve WEEKS of Christmas, starting in October, so nothing interferes with getting them out!

The snows started earlier than ever in the Northeast U.S. this season...in November! Our kids are older now (19 and  almost 15) so snowstorms don't have the same allure that they used to when they were little...our 19 year-old son now understands why adults aren't crazy about snow and ice-because now he has to get up earlier and go outside to get it all off his car so he can drive to college! And our (almost 15 year old) daughter would rather snuggle inside with her robe and Silky Terrier-watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn instead of loading on all the snow gear and going outside to play in it! I miss those days when we would bundle them up and send them out with their sleds, shovels and buckets so they could create Snow Forts!

While traveling down memory lane, I decided to go thru the many boxes of pictures we have taken over the years that still need to find a home in scrapbooks I mean to finish..and I came across a few photos of one such snow fort the kids built!  It's not the greatest photo, but good enough to stir up the memories! This was the masterpiece of snow forts! The kids worked on it for hours and it lasted for days-even lingered with little mounds where towers used to be, for weeks later! I'm so glad I stopped to take a few pictures-so this memory is saved forever! I had made this page for a swap with my Stampin' Up! group-which now became the perfect home for this photo! One day when my kids have their own families, as they look at this page it will undoubtedly stir up it's own story of memories in their minds as they reminisce about this snowy day in their childhoods...

I used the SNOW jumbo wheel for the background (from the holiday mini collection) with one of this year's In Colors (Soft Sky). I love this wheel-and hope it returns in the next fall-winter collection! Since Stampin' Up! only produces the In Colors for ink pads, ink refills, cardstock and ribbon, I had to create this color for the wheel by using the refill ink in an empty jumbo ink cartridge.

Soft Sky cardstock coordinates beautifully with Taken With Teal, so these are the two main colors I used for the page.

The punch I used for the snowflakes is Spring Flower Bouquet-which is on the retired list and will no longer be available for a few more days! To see a complete list of what is on the retired stamps and accessories lists, refer to the sidebar for the most recent update. If you wish to order anything from the current catalog, please contact me by noon on December 31-New Year's Eve at the latest. We have plans for New Year's Eve, as you probably do as well, so after noon, I will not be placing any other orders from the Fall-Winter Collection.

To learn how to make the icicle border at the top of the page, go to my Icicle Tutorial.

Here are other supplies I used in the making of this scrapbook page:

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken With Teal, Soft Sky

Ink: Soft Sky, Classic Basic Black,

Accessories: Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Soft Sky Double-Stitched ribbon, Silver Brads, Slot Punch, Snow Jumbo Wheel, Jumbo Handle, Uninked Jumbo Cartridge, Soft Sky refill ink

To order any of the products listed above, please e-mail me.

Chipboard-9x9 Clipboard Photo Frame

Still need some gift ideas to make? Here's one I also did for our S.O.S. Team Camp using once again, D.S. papers...I love them! This time products from the Fall-Winter 2008 Collection that I used are Le Jardin D.S. papers, the new 9x9 clipboards and the Chipboard, plus one of our In-Color ribbons Wasabi Double Stitch! This project makes a nice gift and doubles as a photo! I didn't use a real photo, but made a quick copy with regular copy paper, just to show how it can be used as a picture frame you can hang on the wall!

Here it is clipboard without the photo insert...

   

and here it is with the photo insert!

I have no clue why these photos are coming up so small, but if you click on them, they get huge! I must have edited them differently...

At the top of the frame over the clip is actually a butterfly (if you look closely you will see it). I decided to play around with the hardware, Pretties flower and punches to make it. This is a fun project to do and it doesn't take too long to do either. You can't see it in the photo but there is also a subtle hint of glitter swirled lightly around the background papers for a touch of sparkle!

Have you tried using any of Stampin' Up!'s clipboards yet? FUN project! Why not order the products you need then give it a try? My 6th Christmas Special and instructions for this 9x9 Clipboard Photo Frame are HERE.

Stampin' Up!® PAPER PARTY PROMOTION!

Stampin' Up! is having a Paper Party Promotion to kick off the upcoming holiday season! This month's Stampin' Up! Special of the Month is a Buy Three Get the Fourth-FREE Deal...three of what, you ask?  Why-Stampin' Up!® Designer Series Paper packs! This is a great way to get four packs of the same paper, or a variety-just in time for card-making, gift wrapping & tags, and scrapbooks for the holidays! 

These pretty 12 x 12 papers have double-sided designs featuring Stampin' Up! patterns and colors. Each package contains 12 sheets, 2 each of 6 double-sided designs. There are ten various themes to choose from in the Fall/Winter Collection  and don't forget to check out the pretty Holiday Harmony Designer Series (also double-sided) paper offered in the Holiday Mini Collection  which will be available only thru the end of November! I love the selection Stampin' Up! has come out with...here is a project I created for a class I offered recently-a scrapbook in a box, using Le Jardin D.S. paper. To find out about other classes and upcoming events I offer, visit my Events Page of my Stampin' Up! website!

This is the box closed. It is embellished using Stampin' Up! On Board Accents Chipboard, various punches   including the very popular Scallop Circle Punch and also a lovely Rhinestone Brad in the center of the embellishment!

When opened, the pages spill outward-with plenty of space for alot of photos and journaling!

None of the pages are attached-they are each decorated with D.S. paper (that is Buy 3-Get 4th FREE right now!). It's all ready for me to add fall photos and journaling for a wonderful "box of memories" or, this would make a very nice holiday gift for that special someone...(if I can part with it!)

I made a coordinating card to go with it to:

The stamp sets used in the card are Illuminations and Season by Season. The "C" in Cherish is embossed and raised so it stands out. The Illuminations stamp set is so pretty and elegant looking!

During November, I will be featuring some of these papers at my demonstrations and classes to give you other great ideas for these wonderful papers...

To view all the Designer Series papers now, you can go to your own Stampin' Up! Catalog or this
ONLINE CATALOGS link to shop.

HOLIDAY
WISH LIST:   Would you like to add Designer Series papers to a holiday wish list? Follow these steps:

1. Just download this document : HOLIDAY WISH LIST

2. Jot your items on the wish list and complete the form.

3. Add your contacts so I can follow up with them later! This is THE BEST way to get stamping and scrapbooking supplies YOU want for the holidays this year!

TO PURCHASE THE PAPER PARTY PROMOTION SPECIAL NOW, select four Designer Series Papers from the Fall/Winter Collection or the holiday paper in the Holiday Mini Collection-you pay only $9.95 each for the first three packs (plus tax and shipping)-the fourth is FREE! The promo code for this product special is 111878.  To order, E-MAIL ME.

ACCORDIAN SCRAPBOOK KIT

What's nice about being a demonstrator are the wonderful friends we make along the way. Some of the members of our SOS Team of demonstrators attend events together that other demonstrators do such as the INKredible Team's Spring Fling and Fall Fest events. I always take pictures at these events-but at last year's Spring Fling event I made sure to get a picture of each demo on our team that attended so I could make up an Accordian Book Kit. Here it is:

Cover-Accordian Book Kit-closed

Accordian Book Kit-opening first section

Accordian Book Kit-opening second section

Accordian Book Kit-opening  side panel to reveal rest of team photos

These accordian book kits are so wonderful to give as gifts-they fit into a regular envelope and hold 8-10 pictures...Stampin' Up! offers these kits which include enough materials to make 2 books per kit, an instruction sheet and 3 each of 2 colors per package (6 12x12 sheets total). There are six color assortments to choose from! I'll be teaching this at a class later in the month, so sign up to receive my newsletter for all the information.

The kits have many small tabs, tags and pieces so you can custom your scrapbook with little pull-outs and tabs for more photo storage! Here is an example of what I'm referring to:

See the ribbon above? When you pull it to the right, it reveals a tag that is hidden in the pocket! This is a great add-on for journaling or a small photo..

I've used alot of accessories such as buttons, Hodgepodge Hardware, Twill Tape etc. to add visual interest. I love making these little scrapbooks...they don't take long either so it's practical when you want to finish a project in an afternoon. If you would like to place an order for these, remember that during February you can get a FREE Sell-A-Bration set with every $50 purchase-but this special ends soon so take advantage of it before time runs out!

Of course if you would like to join the fun, consider becoming a demonstrator on our team! We are a friendly, sharing group-the more, the merrier! And during February only, we have that wonderful mini kit that is only $99 so if you are looking for a budget way to join Stampin' Up!, this is the best time to do it! For more info about this special, click HERE! As an added bonus for signing up during February, you will receive the stamp set shown below, called Polka Dots & Paisley-absolutely FREE in addition to all the other wonderful products included in the kit..to see this cute set click on this link:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/polkaDotsPaisley.pdf

This is the adorable set Stampin' Up! gave to all it's demonstrators as a GIFT during December-now you can get it for free too! Email me for more information. I just love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! It's so rewarding and the most fun job around! (I must love it-on February 23 I will be celebrating 11 years as a Independent Demonstrator for this terrific company!)