Ah, Scrapbook Improv!

We came, we saw, we scrapbooked… and it rocked!

(If you missed it, you can catch the replay here.)

A big thanks to Gossamer Blue for sponsoring the evening. This kit was my absolute FAVE!

Here it is in all its glory:

See why I love it? WOW. FUN!

Okay, on to the layouts. The first three are very simple scrapbook pages I created LIVE at SI last night in 30 minutes or less.

Fast Layout #1:

Subject/Title: “Take My Breath Away.”

Technique: Die Cut

Journaling: List

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Flag

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, die cut, stitching, and the stamp were part of the Gossamer Blue kit.

Fast Layout #2:

Subject/Title: “Me, Myself & I.”

Technique: Sewing

Extra Technique: Inking/Painting

Journaling: Paper Strips

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Acrylic Dots

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, stitching, and ink were part of the Gossamer Blue kit.

Fast Layout #3:

Subject/Title: “Other Half.”

Technique: Stamping

Journaling: By the Numbers

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Buttons

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, die cut, scallop, ink, and the stamp were part of the Gossamer Blue kit.

AND HERE ARE SOME MORE PROJECTS I CREATED WITH THE KIT:

Extra Layout #1: Family Reunion.

(Stay tuned — process video for this layout coming soon!) Note: All products except baker’s twine, punch, and journaling pen from Gossamer Blue kit.

Extra Layout #2: Blue

Note: All products except scallop die, stitching, and scallop punch from Gossamer Blue kit.

Extra Layout #3: Fabulous

Note: All products except corner rounder, white cardstock, and journaling pen are from Gossamer Blue’s kit.

Ah. I love, love, LOVE these layouts! Here’s what you need to know: It doesn’t matter if you have lousy photos if you have products you love and a story to tell. The end result will be something you’ll cherish!

P.S. Here’s the PDF of the prompt sheet I used. I make some updates each month, but this is the basic idea.

Before I was a scrapbooker, I was a stamper.

But once I had kids, I started down the scrapbooking path and left my rubbery past behind. I soon discovered, however, that scrapbooking and stamping aren’t “either/or.” In fact, combining the two can create magic!

In keeping with this month’s theme of Use It Up!, today’s interview with Raisin Boat co-owners Bobbi Lemanski and Kim Ziehr will have you thinking about your stamps in a whole new way.

Here are just a few of the hot topics in this week’s podcast:

• How Raisin Boat’s stamp rental program can revolutionize your crafting (can you say “Guilt-free?!”)
• Why being dedicated scrapbookers and stampers has helped Kim and Bobbi stand out in their industry
• How the team conceptualizes and develops their unique, customer-pleasing themes

Of course, we also cover upcoming calendar items you won’t want to miss, such as:

-Scrapbook Improv (tonight!)

-June’s Free Scrapinar: 6×6 Papers for 12×12 Pages with Lisa Echerd

-True Scrap Kids on July 27!

Links in this Episode:

Raisin Boat

Raisin Boat Blog

Raisin Boat Facebook Page

Layout a Day Email List

Layout a Day Facebook Page

Hey! You can now get “Pages to Cards and Back Again,”
Bobbi and Kim’s one-hour video class from True Stamp!
(Psst… those of you who listened to the podcast also know the SECRET CODE to save $3!).

Are you a scrapbook hoarder?

If you’ve ever watched A&E’s hit show, “Hoarders,” you may have felt like you had a little too much in common with some of the guests. Well, we go straight to the source in today’s podcast with special guest and sweet friend of mine, Geralin Thomas!

Geralin is not only an incredible lady, she is a regular on “Hoarders,” helping people with the most severe hoarding issues tackle their problems. While chances are you don’t have any pumpkins rotting away under your scrap paper, she’s definitely got some tips to help you streamline your supplies.

We discuss:

• How the “Mad Men” of advertising are devising plans to get us to buy more than we could ever use
• Why perfectionism is keeping us hog-tied and disorganized
• How time management plays into the problem of over-purchasing
• How a hula hoop (!) can help you organize your space
• How to get your kids involved in cleaning, organizing and decluttering

(She also shares her own personal organizing challenge!)

This episode is JAM-PACKED with ideas and suggestions. I know you’re going to love it!

Links in This Episode:

Geralin’s Website

Hoarders on A&E

“Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely (aff link)

Geralin’s “Declutter in a Jiffy” treasure hunt list

Hoarding vs. Collecting Podcast Episode – Reawaken Your Brilliance (recorded 5/8/13)

P.S. The Use It Up! Challenge is still in full swing. Check out past and future daily assignments on the Layout a Day Facebook page.

P.P.S. If you want more information and guidance on organizing your space, I suggest you check out this video class from Aby Garvey: Get Organized to Make the Most of Your Scrapbook Space.

Have you noticed the trend of “process videos” out there in scrappy-land? Today I jump in with both feet with my first one! It’s a 12×12 scrapbook layout with three photos and lots of color. The actual layout took me about 30 minutes to complete but you can watch me get it done in five!

P.S. Please let me know what you think of this. If you like it, I’ll do more!

Friday is all about sharing a recent simple scrapbooking layout I’m loving. Feel free to link up your own in the comments!

I’m really enjoying using older photos on my layouts lately. What about you? Do you find yourself digging up older photos or do you just go forward?

P.S. Have you signed up for May’s free scrapinar? We’re hosting the adorable Monica Bradford for a return engagement for Washi Wahoo Too! http://www.layoutaday.com/webww.

It’s Use It Up! month over on the Layout a Day Facebook page!

We’ve been using up our good stuff, letting go of the not-so-good stuff, and learning new uses for some of our old favorites. Today’s interview with the amazing Jennifer Gallacher. We discuss important topics like,

• How she decides which kid is her favorite
• Her secret love for e______s (you’ll have to listen to find out!)
• Her challenges with regard to stash-busting
• …and more!

You can also win a free spot in her new mini-workshop, “Tool School,” from Two Peas in a Bucket. It’s jam-packed with over 120 minutes of video and 100-plus ideas for using your tools in new and fun ways. But you gotta listen to this episode to find out how to win!

Links in today’s podcast:

Tool School from Two Peas and Jennifer Gallacher

ScrapHappy Family

Jen’s Blog (a new video every Wednesday!)

Washi Wahoo Too – May’s Free Scrapinar from Monica Bradford

Scrapbook Improv

The Layout a Day email list

P.S. The contest for a free spot in Jen’s class ends Monday, May 13. Listen NOW to win!

You all know that I’m primarily a scrapbooker (after all, this is a scrapbooking blog!) but I LOVE to make cards, too.

I recently subscribed to the Simon Says Stamp monthly card kit. The kit is GORGEOUS with tons of goodies, and Simon supports it so well with an amazing creative team including Kristina Werner, Shari Carroll, Jennifer McGuire, and many many more.

I love that the kit comes with plenty of goodies to make at least six cards if not more, plus a custom stamp set. I also love that they continue to send ideas for using the kit throughout the month. You get an idea sheet in the box (see above) but the emails and ideas keep coming! Yay!

This month’s kit was all about Mother’s Day. As my mom passed away last year and my mother-in-law has been gone for some time, I don’t have anyone to make Mother’s Day cards for. So I used the materials to make more generic cards, and I thought I’d share some of them here:

Easy Card #1:

I embossed white-core cardstock and distressed it using sandpaper. Then I added some ribbon, punched a circle from patterned paper and stamped it with a heart in brown ink (from the kit).

Easy Card #2:

This one uses a white cardstock base, with two strips of patterned paper edging the card. I then stamped the rose and leaves on patterned paper and cut them out.

Easy Card #3:

This last one is my favorite! With a kraft paper background topped with patterned paper. I stamped the large rose in white and heat-embossed it, then cut it out. I added two leaves, and one of the sentiment tags from the kit. Rounded corners – hurray!

These are all very quick to make, and they’re generic enough to use for a number of occasions. It’s one of my mom tricks to have tons of cards on hand for birthdays, anniversaries, and other card-worthy occasions.

Thanks, Simon, for a great kit!

P.S. If you’re interested in subscribing, you can do so here.

Welcome to National Scrapbooking Month!

Do you have scrapbooking supplies? Do you have TOO MANY scrapbooking supplies? Do you have more scrapbooking supplies than you could ever use? Well, this episode is for YOU! We talk about seven reasons why we’re not using our supplies and tools, and what you can do about it.

And in another first-ever move, I livestreamed the recording of this podcast at Spreecast. Yes, Layout a Day: The Simple Scrapbooking Podcast WITH a live audience! We celebrated a birthday, we talked washi tape, and more.

Resources in This Episode:

Layout a Day (LOAD) 513

Use It Up! Challenge on Facebook

Spreecast (watch AND listen!)

Sign up for free monthly scrapinars here (May 17 is Washi Tape Wahoo Too!)

P.S. After you listen, leave me a comment with the reason that resonated most with you.

Scrapbook Ideas. Layout Creation on the Fly. Easy Scrapbook Designs and More!

Scrapbook Improv for April was our largest group yet – almost 200 people tuned in to watch the fun live. And

If you’re not familiar with how Scrapbook Improv works, I create three layouts in 90 minutes, spending less than 30 minutes per layout. I broadcast my scrapbooking design process live, and take input from teh audience on everything from color and product selection to journaling styles. There’s never been anything quite like it!

My product choices are limited to the monthly kit from Gossamer Blue, and April’s kit is one of my favorites yet:

Behold the goodies! I am in love with the glitter Thickers and the badges and the canvas frames and the washi paper and the… oh, well, you get the picture.

Fast Layout #1: Change

Subject/Title: “Changes in my life in the last five years.”

Technique: Stamping

Journaling: Strips

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Badges

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, circle punch, and the stamp were part of the Gossamer Blue April kit.

Fast Layout #2: Nest

Subject/Title: “A Safe Place to Land.” I chose to interpret this as my daughter Callie’s propensity to find a little spot to nest in no matter wherever she is.

Technique: Inking/Distressing

Journaling: List

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Border

Additional challenge #1: Transparency/vellum

Additional challenge #2: Monochromatic

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, blue ink, zig-zag punch, corner rounder, white cardstock, and the arrow washi were part of the Gossamer Blue April kit.

Fast Layout #3: Love You More

Subject/Title: “Milestone.” I chose to scrapbook my niece’s wedding.

Technique: Scraps only.

Journaling: Social media. (I took the lines from comments on their wedding photos on Facebook.)

Background: Patterned Paper

Embellishment: Badges.

Notes: All products except the journaling pen, scallop zig-zag punch, and corner rounder were part of the Gossamer Blue April kit.

AND HERE ARE SOME MORE PROJECTS I CREATED WITH THE KIT:

Extra Layout #1: My Baby

I used a ton of odds and ends from the kit for this layout. I love the handwritten background paper, but having Maggie Holmes’ signature at the bottom was a little weird so I covered it up. This page talks about my love of my Cropadile!

Extra Layout #2: A Good Lad.

This page is a great example of how to scrapbook boys. I used some bolder patterns and elements for a stronger feel.

Extra Layout #3: Rizzoli & Isles.

One of the prompts last night was to scrap my favorite media (book, movie, TV show). I downloaded and printed this photo from the Internet. (NOTE: The transparent acetate arrow is from my stash.)

Extra Project #4: Card

I always like to create a card or two from my scrapbooking leftovers. While I’ve got it all out, it’s easy to use coordinating products to create a cute little handmade card in just a few minutes.

We’ll be doing it again on May 22, so mark your calendar NOW! And order your May Gossamer Blue kit so you can scrap along!

P.S. Here’s the PDF of the prompts I use: scrapbookimprov

P.P.S. If you missed the fun and games live, or you just love scrapbook process videos, you can catch the replay here.

Mini album ideas. Scrapbook talk. The latest scrappy happenings on the internet. Let’s hit it!

In this episode of the Layout a Day podcast for simple scrapbookers (like you!) I talk through mini albums – how, why, and what to think about.

We talk about:

• What kind of subjects make great mini albums.
• What the difference is between mini albums and traditional scrapbook small albums.
• My process for creating a mini album.
• And (of course…) much more!

Links in this episode:

The “Made for Mom” blog hop

Scrapbook Improv

My YouTube channel (over 150 videos!)

Layout a Day (LOAD) 513

Layout a Day on Facebook

After you listen to the podcast, watch the video!