(Don't know what date this will appear as, but this was written way back in 2012.)
Before beginning the mini proper I fussy cut so many items there wasn't a real expectation in using as many. Wrong! I'm back to cutting and I'm only on page three. It's a nice respite from doing the "real" work.
Creating pages are most often like assembling a puzzle. Like most everyone else I have an eye for something not quite right. I don't often know what's not right, only that it isn't. I came up with a perfect means to display four photos using the space for only one. For example: when this display laid upon the page, that something ping hit. It took coming back to it several times before understanding this particular element dominated the focal point, that of the framed photo. This time is was all about scale. There are countless other lessons awaiting certain pending mistakes.
There aren't many YouTube videos featuring Little Darlings mini-albums. Even the masters seem to have difficulty working with this line. It finally dawned that unlike most other Graphic 45 collections, Little Darlings lacks a wide variety of images to work from. Lots of butterflies, a number of roses, words, and only a few baby/small child images. This is one that will need a few imported elements to keep from repetitively working the same. This is something to consider when looking at future collections.
I bought full packages of cherry blossoms and twisted roses from I Am Roses. Hopefully they'll arrive as quickly as last time.
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Friday, August 31, 2012
Learning by Mistake
What a week. Seems as if every project is somewhere up in the air... or in the mail again.
Got the photos. When building the travel mini I designed everything to accommodate 4x6 photos, although there were a few pages designed with smaller mats. I realized there would be many, many pictures to include and adjusted for that. What I'm learning in putting the final touches on the album is that my matting skills have everything left to improve. For example, in one booklet alone I punched an eye out - totally avoidable - placed photos in such a way the booklet requires constant turning to view the pictures, and as cute as the booklet is, the photos still needed an additional mat, which of course I didn't allow for. It's still okay because the approach to this album was to treat this as a learning experience. That certainly happened! The next "solo" designed album will mark a dramatic advancement of skills.
While watching the daily subscription YouTube videos, I ran across someone very excited about a find at TJ Maxx getting in a huge variety of EK Success punches for $3.99 each. That is something to get excited about. I couldn't get to the Maxx until yesterday and it initially appeared as if all the punches I'd hoped to find already sold. It wasn't a total loss as I managed to find one EK Success Halloween punch and a bonus Martha Stewart Halloween Punch Around the Page set for only $8.00.
I learned an surprising fact about EK Success punches. (This also includes Martha Stewart as EK Success manufactures these as well.) They come with absolutely no guarantee, implied or otherwise. And when calling customer support, they all but told me: too bad in just about those words. It's a shame there's no alternative punch companies out there that back their products. Perhaps Fiskars, but would have to look.
I've been a very good scrapper and chained myself to a strict budget; because I've realized it's not a good policy to buy something just because I "might" need it someday - sales or not. (I must admit that I'm still working on that "chained" part :)
So... today I finally bought a couple packs of I am Roses and doing the happy dance for it. The flower inventory is still very limited, so I've decided that for the next couple of allowances to add a few packs each time.
It's very fortunate we live so close to the national Tattered Angel's warehouse as bottles and sprays can cost as little as $3.00 a bottle; fortunate because my investment for glittery sprays and paints has been minimal. After watching so many videos, it's obvious Lindy's Stamp Gang's various forms of micas are far superior to Tattered Angels. I'm buying my first four-bottle set that happens to marry up with several Graphic 45 collections already on hand. Between I am Roses and LSG, I'm going to have a blast over the next few weeks learning new techniques. Like the I am Roses, I also plan to slowly build the LSG spray/paint inventory.
For fear of retiring the collection I'm hoping to buy Graphic 45's Travel Travelogue in the 12x12 and 8x8 pads. If the collection proves to be a fairly new, then I'll just sit on this week's allowance until a good sell comes along. I wonder if there's a place where you can go to learn when a collection came out and approximately how long the sets stay in publication.
Great, great news!! I misunderstood what the seller was offering with the partial 8x8 pad Once Upon a Springtime paper, but now accidentally own TEN face pages of the collection. However (squeals of joy) I located a company that had the postcard page for 70c each, and had them in stock!!! Four of these should arrive any day now. That leaves the tag page to locate, and should I desire, the chipboard frames.
The post here is too long, but in the next day or so I'll share a project I'm coordinating.
Got the photos. When building the travel mini I designed everything to accommodate 4x6 photos, although there were a few pages designed with smaller mats. I realized there would be many, many pictures to include and adjusted for that. What I'm learning in putting the final touches on the album is that my matting skills have everything left to improve. For example, in one booklet alone I punched an eye out - totally avoidable - placed photos in such a way the booklet requires constant turning to view the pictures, and as cute as the booklet is, the photos still needed an additional mat, which of course I didn't allow for. It's still okay because the approach to this album was to treat this as a learning experience. That certainly happened! The next "solo" designed album will mark a dramatic advancement of skills.
While watching the daily subscription YouTube videos, I ran across someone very excited about a find at TJ Maxx getting in a huge variety of EK Success punches for $3.99 each. That is something to get excited about. I couldn't get to the Maxx until yesterday and it initially appeared as if all the punches I'd hoped to find already sold. It wasn't a total loss as I managed to find one EK Success Halloween punch and a bonus Martha Stewart Halloween Punch Around the Page set for only $8.00.
I learned an surprising fact about EK Success punches. (This also includes Martha Stewart as EK Success manufactures these as well.) They come with absolutely no guarantee, implied or otherwise. And when calling customer support, they all but told me: too bad in just about those words. It's a shame there's no alternative punch companies out there that back their products. Perhaps Fiskars, but would have to look.
I've been a very good scrapper and chained myself to a strict budget; because I've realized it's not a good policy to buy something just because I "might" need it someday - sales or not. (I must admit that I'm still working on that "chained" part :)
So... today I finally bought a couple packs of I am Roses and doing the happy dance for it. The flower inventory is still very limited, so I've decided that for the next couple of allowances to add a few packs each time.
It's very fortunate we live so close to the national Tattered Angel's warehouse as bottles and sprays can cost as little as $3.00 a bottle; fortunate because my investment for glittery sprays and paints has been minimal. After watching so many videos, it's obvious Lindy's Stamp Gang's various forms of micas are far superior to Tattered Angels. I'm buying my first four-bottle set that happens to marry up with several Graphic 45 collections already on hand. Between I am Roses and LSG, I'm going to have a blast over the next few weeks learning new techniques. Like the I am Roses, I also plan to slowly build the LSG spray/paint inventory.
For fear of retiring the collection I'm hoping to buy Graphic 45's Travel Travelogue in the 12x12 and 8x8 pads. If the collection proves to be a fairly new, then I'll just sit on this week's allowance until a good sell comes along. I wonder if there's a place where you can go to learn when a collection came out and approximately how long the sets stay in publication.
Great, great news!! I misunderstood what the seller was offering with the partial 8x8 pad Once Upon a Springtime paper, but now accidentally own TEN face pages of the collection. However (squeals of joy) I located a company that had the postcard page for 70c each, and had them in stock!!! Four of these should arrive any day now. That leaves the tag page to locate, and should I desire, the chipboard frames.
The post here is too long, but in the next day or so I'll share a project I'm coordinating.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Persistence
Persistence pays, but oh boy at what a cost!!
I've decided mini-albums fit our lifestyle better than the 12x12 inch layouts. Everything has a place and purpose, so I'll never totally abandon the larger version; perhaps the "best of the very best" annual album, or something along those lines. From now on, most of my creative energy will go into the mini's.
With that thought in mind, I've come to the solid conviction made-from-scratch mini's are probably best left to professionals. I hate, (scorn, despise, revolt, etc) putting out inferior products. There are allowances for skills not yet mastered, but not by much. There has to be an exponential learning curve to scrapbooking skills, but more rational people would try to master one before going on to the next. Not I, heavens no! I want to master it all in one horse pill sized, gagging swallow.
If there's a mistake to be made, almost corrected, and the same mistake made again, I'll do it every time; hands down. Subsequently, a weekend project for most will take the weekend and the following week - and that's if I'm lucky. It can be so very discouraging. Fortunately, persistence runs in my DNA or this hobby would have been abandoned months ago.
At present I'm learning everything possible about book binding. There are as many techniques as skilled crafters out there, but a couple of methods keep popping up as the most reasonable and flexible. Maybe, if I can calm my butt down, I'll get reasonable skilled at this. But not today. Oh, no, not when this skill was critical to the project. In common fashion, I'll have to put the project aside for a few days and practice this new skill until proficient. That's why the weekend project takes ten or more days to complete. Every project taken on has a whole new area of discovery, and learning.
On a more positive note, I've mastered a few skills; which makes a significant advancement for timely project completion. (Down from three weeks to ten days.)
I've discussed adhesives before. It comes as a surprise to learn there's more to learn. When using the highest quality adhesives, there are tricks to make a tighter bond. Burnishing goes a very long with with tape adhesives, and the brayer does a great job with wet glues. The demands on adhesives are taken to new heights with all the moving and swing parts of the mini. This was yet another hard learned lesson.
It's no secret I'm totally smitten with Graphic 45 papers. I kept running into BoBunny projects and couldn't resist picking up a pack at one of my last hauls. The colours are very soothing and even the brighter packs have a subtle tinting. I simply can't wait to tear into this first package! Someone special on my list will receive a very, very nice Christmas present this year.
It's possible I forget to post the adapted shoe organizer photo.
Just for kicks I decided to begin hanging some of my favourite embellishments on the 6x2 cork board running along the desks back panel. I've only just started, but it's way too cute not to share.
I've decided mini-albums fit our lifestyle better than the 12x12 inch layouts. Everything has a place and purpose, so I'll never totally abandon the larger version; perhaps the "best of the very best" annual album, or something along those lines. From now on, most of my creative energy will go into the mini's.
With that thought in mind, I've come to the solid conviction made-from-scratch mini's are probably best left to professionals. I hate, (scorn, despise, revolt, etc) putting out inferior products. There are allowances for skills not yet mastered, but not by much. There has to be an exponential learning curve to scrapbooking skills, but more rational people would try to master one before going on to the next. Not I, heavens no! I want to master it all in one horse pill sized, gagging swallow.
If there's a mistake to be made, almost corrected, and the same mistake made again, I'll do it every time; hands down. Subsequently, a weekend project for most will take the weekend and the following week - and that's if I'm lucky. It can be so very discouraging. Fortunately, persistence runs in my DNA or this hobby would have been abandoned months ago.
At present I'm learning everything possible about book binding. There are as many techniques as skilled crafters out there, but a couple of methods keep popping up as the most reasonable and flexible. Maybe, if I can calm my butt down, I'll get reasonable skilled at this. But not today. Oh, no, not when this skill was critical to the project. In common fashion, I'll have to put the project aside for a few days and practice this new skill until proficient. That's why the weekend project takes ten or more days to complete. Every project taken on has a whole new area of discovery, and learning.
On a more positive note, I've mastered a few skills; which makes a significant advancement for timely project completion. (Down from three weeks to ten days.)
I've discussed adhesives before. It comes as a surprise to learn there's more to learn. When using the highest quality adhesives, there are tricks to make a tighter bond. Burnishing goes a very long with with tape adhesives, and the brayer does a great job with wet glues. The demands on adhesives are taken to new heights with all the moving and swing parts of the mini. This was yet another hard learned lesson.
It's no secret I'm totally smitten with Graphic 45 papers. I kept running into BoBunny projects and couldn't resist picking up a pack at one of my last hauls. The colours are very soothing and even the brighter packs have a subtle tinting. I simply can't wait to tear into this first package! Someone special on my list will receive a very, very nice Christmas present this year.
It's possible I forget to post the adapted shoe organizer photo.
 |
| Most stamps & some punches |
Just for kicks I decided to begin hanging some of my favourite embellishments on the 6x2 cork board running along the desks back panel. I've only just started, but it's way too cute not to share.
 |
| Embellishments! |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Finishing Touches & Adhesive Lessons
I've gotten a bit of scrapbook work done in the new craft room during the last week, and there's no comparing the before and after differences. Any kinks have now been worked out to all satisfaction! Now, having said that...
During the weekend of transition, my loving husband wanted to put in a new system for punch storage. NO! I couldn't take another thought of more arranging. He wasted no time today to rectify this and went out and purchased/assembled the adapted wooden shoe storage unit. It's more than adequate to store my entire, extremely limited, punch inventory, with plenty of room to spare. Tomorrow this system goes into place with minimum disruption. He also bought and put in place an additional unit to organize the laser printer, printer paper reams, with an additional small shelf area for quick mailing supply access. After completing this last small task, there will be no more talk of reorganizing for months, perhaps even years; however, the flesh is weak.
Miracles of miracles, the mini-album is 99.9% complete. One major mistake made in the beginning was punching holes in the book board (homemade) before tearing a single page out of the pad. In all fairness, the video never mentioned the need, and as a novice, I didn't realize how important this would be until much too late. So the book was finished, sans holes. No problem, we'd drill small holes into the completed covers and make up hole reinforcements to cover the blemishes. No problem. Except! The front cover came out exactly as prescribed; the back, no so much. The holes were drilled on the wrong side. I'm so disheartened at the moment. There doesn't seem to be a viable solution, unless crying counts. A solution does exist. I just don't know what that might be as of now. So much fussy cutting on the back, no more paper to replace it with; blah, blah. Inspiration will come, hopefully soon. Regardless, this is a lesson that will never be forgotten. That's part of the learning experience; but at such a great cost. *moan*
I learned a great deal during the construction. Yes, the greatest error was the holes; but less dramatically was adhesive function. LO's tend to be very forgiving, no moving parts, no stresses, and the page protectors contain/protect whatever might come loose. Conversely, mini-albums with all their pockets and tags, pages turning, etc, demand a higher degree of adhesive mastery.
I learned:
Remember: that which does not destroy us, makes us stronger!
During the weekend of transition, my loving husband wanted to put in a new system for punch storage. NO! I couldn't take another thought of more arranging. He wasted no time today to rectify this and went out and purchased/assembled the adapted wooden shoe storage unit. It's more than adequate to store my entire, extremely limited, punch inventory, with plenty of room to spare. Tomorrow this system goes into place with minimum disruption. He also bought and put in place an additional unit to organize the laser printer, printer paper reams, with an additional small shelf area for quick mailing supply access. After completing this last small task, there will be no more talk of reorganizing for months, perhaps even years; however, the flesh is weak.
Miracles of miracles, the mini-album is 99.9% complete. One major mistake made in the beginning was punching holes in the book board (homemade) before tearing a single page out of the pad. In all fairness, the video never mentioned the need, and as a novice, I didn't realize how important this would be until much too late. So the book was finished, sans holes. No problem, we'd drill small holes into the completed covers and make up hole reinforcements to cover the blemishes. No problem. Except! The front cover came out exactly as prescribed; the back, no so much. The holes were drilled on the wrong side. I'm so disheartened at the moment. There doesn't seem to be a viable solution, unless crying counts. A solution does exist. I just don't know what that might be as of now. So much fussy cutting on the back, no more paper to replace it with; blah, blah. Inspiration will come, hopefully soon. Regardless, this is a lesson that will never be forgotten. That's part of the learning experience; but at such a great cost. *moan*
I learned a great deal during the construction. Yes, the greatest error was the holes; but less dramatically was adhesive function. LO's tend to be very forgiving, no moving parts, no stresses, and the page protectors contain/protect whatever might come loose. Conversely, mini-albums with all their pockets and tags, pages turning, etc, demand a higher degree of adhesive mastery.
I learned:
- Murphy's Law applies to scrapbooking in general and adhesives specifically
- Zip Dry paper glue means paper-on-paper
- ATG glue buckles under stress/movement
- You get what you pay for; super strong double-sided red tape pays for itself in reduced frustration levels, measured in seconds
- Glue dots are woosies
- Wet glue does not include Elmer's School glue
- All glues take longer to set than expected, except when attaching large pieces onto pages within a precise 1/4 inch border, in which case, at that very moment, all glue becomes instantaneously and irreparably bonded to paper
- There exists a substantial "bite" difference between the textured and smooth sides of paper
- It's highly recommend not to Superglue your tongue to the lips, and keep in mind some glues are highly flammable (especially important if interested in keeping eyebrows nice and smooth) *kidding folks! except for the Superglue part*
Remember: that which does not destroy us, makes us stronger!
Friday, April 27, 2012
G45 & Breakthrough
I've studied Graphic 45 papers, psychology, and its philosophy intensely for almost a week now. I think I understand the company. There's a reason beyond incredible graphic designs that make this paper unique; someone either at the company or hired by such studied scrapbookers practically under a microscope.
Nothing about this brand intimidates. I've began cutting away and there's a beauty in doing so. I'm so impressed with the company I already purchased the full line of the ABC Primer collection for Martin's hallmark childhood album. Around the end of May I'll order the Magic of Oz collection to highlight my lovely granddaughter's "Scare Crow" professional shoot. Maybe someday I'll actually pick out a few pieces of "regular" paper to scrap a page or two... but for now I'm having a blast learning to work with G45, including cutting out less than 1/2 inch butterflies for adornment.
So far my mini-album progress has advanced only to selecting coordinating buttons, ribbons, paint, chipboard, and pulling quotes out of my original baby book, now falling apart at the seams. Much of the next week will consist of cutting out elements. Hopefully, it will eventually begin to look like "something" instead of the mess currently on hand
Something clicked watching so many G45 scrapbooking videos. Planning a page up until very recently was a very involved and mind exhausting process. The other day I needed to quickly scrap a Futsbol series. (Before the pictures were accidentally misplaced) It took precisely 35 minutes from need to conception to completion to pull the page together. Better yet, it's one of the best LO I've done. Suddenly, the layering, framing, colour use, and element choice has become almost automatic. I can spot "wrong" in nothing flat. Not that I'll never commit the same crimes again, but I know it when it's there. Oh, but should all design go so smoothly in the future.
The cute shot reminder LO hangs on the icebox and has done wonders to prompt medication action in good time. More than that, it's caused me to look around the room to find the "blah" areas and throw something together to spice it up. In less than 10 minutes this evening, I brought back to the craft room the small, plain Crystal Light plastic container we've used for a couple of year to collect Box Tops for Education and Campbell's soup labels until delivery to school. It blended into the counter space, but the visible contents always made the container appear a tiny bit disorganized. To the results:
Breakthroughs are one of the best parts of the art! It's what drives us.
Nothing about this brand intimidates. I've began cutting away and there's a beauty in doing so. I'm so impressed with the company I already purchased the full line of the ABC Primer collection for Martin's hallmark childhood album. Around the end of May I'll order the Magic of Oz collection to highlight my lovely granddaughter's "Scare Crow" professional shoot. Maybe someday I'll actually pick out a few pieces of "regular" paper to scrap a page or two... but for now I'm having a blast learning to work with G45, including cutting out less than 1/2 inch butterflies for adornment.
So far my mini-album progress has advanced only to selecting coordinating buttons, ribbons, paint, chipboard, and pulling quotes out of my original baby book, now falling apart at the seams. Much of the next week will consist of cutting out elements. Hopefully, it will eventually begin to look like "something" instead of the mess currently on hand
 |
| Early Organization |
Something clicked watching so many G45 scrapbooking videos. Planning a page up until very recently was a very involved and mind exhausting process. The other day I needed to quickly scrap a Futsbol series. (Before the pictures were accidentally misplaced) It took precisely 35 minutes from need to conception to completion to pull the page together. Better yet, it's one of the best LO I've done. Suddenly, the layering, framing, colour use, and element choice has become almost automatic. I can spot "wrong" in nothing flat. Not that I'll never commit the same crimes again, but I know it when it's there. Oh, but should all design go so smoothly in the future.
The cute shot reminder LO hangs on the icebox and has done wonders to prompt medication action in good time. More than that, it's caused me to look around the room to find the "blah" areas and throw something together to spice it up. In less than 10 minutes this evening, I brought back to the craft room the small, plain Crystal Light plastic container we've used for a couple of year to collect Box Tops for Education and Campbell's soup labels until delivery to school. It blended into the counter space, but the visible contents always made the container appear a tiny bit disorganized. To the results:
 |
| A little "pretty" for the kitchen counter |
Breakthroughs are one of the best parts of the art! It's what drives us.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Page Theme Issues
I'm still studying differences between good, great, and wow-za pages. And learned a couple of things today.
When putting together a page I pull out all the possible paper combinations, dies, stickers, stamps, etc I expect to use, or possibly use. Without exception, one element will capture my fancy and, wrong as it is, I'll walk on hot coals to incorporate it.
I'll use the project currently under construction to demonstrate this point.
The page features a trip to the ocean. The colour scheme runs to pastels. I also wanted to blend shabby chic with just a bit of whimsey. (Probably my first mistake) The element I fell head over heels in love with was a couple of starfish cut from a die, and stamped with a truly adorable face.
Cute as buttons. So far, no problem with page assembly. The starfish works well with the photo matting demonstrated in the photo. There are two photos featured that go on the page, one each for the right and left side. I set waves consisting of four layers of papers to create a bottom border for the page. (I cut and chalked a few fishes to appear to be jumping in and out of the waves. Darling!) The title will go in the upper right hand corner, and I plan to use three separate journaling boxes between the space of the two photos. So far, all works together very nicely...
But this is where this "hooked on an element" becomes a problem. I need "something" that binds the two pictures, and creates another layer of depth for the journaling boxes; perhaps a large strip of paper, 12x4 inches. When I laid the thick mid-line border across the page, I got "blah." I then began playing with one of the Tim Holtz masks picked up the other day. Love at first sight. That was the answer!! Except it wasn't. The chalked image creates a very formal setting. Not at all within the theme, nothing whimsical about it; however, I really, really want to use it.
So that's a huge chunk of my problem... choosing two non-complimentary elements to a page. I usually justify using both and calling it "mixed," but it's not. It just proves my lack of experience. Maybe someone with much more experience could pull it off, but I can't with goodly results.
Since I'm more than three-quarters finished with the page, it will have to be the flourish to go. This will be a first. It's a start in the right direction, however.
For now on I plan the page theme and keep cute away from formal. It can't hurt!
When putting together a page I pull out all the possible paper combinations, dies, stickers, stamps, etc I expect to use, or possibly use. Without exception, one element will capture my fancy and, wrong as it is, I'll walk on hot coals to incorporate it.
I'll use the project currently under construction to demonstrate this point.
The page features a trip to the ocean. The colour scheme runs to pastels. I also wanted to blend shabby chic with just a bit of whimsey. (Probably my first mistake) The element I fell head over heels in love with was a couple of starfish cut from a die, and stamped with a truly adorable face.
 |
| Blurry, but a fair representation for this purpose |
Cute as buttons. So far, no problem with page assembly. The starfish works well with the photo matting demonstrated in the photo. There are two photos featured that go on the page, one each for the right and left side. I set waves consisting of four layers of papers to create a bottom border for the page. (I cut and chalked a few fishes to appear to be jumping in and out of the waves. Darling!) The title will go in the upper right hand corner, and I plan to use three separate journaling boxes between the space of the two photos. So far, all works together very nicely...
But this is where this "hooked on an element" becomes a problem. I need "something" that binds the two pictures, and creates another layer of depth for the journaling boxes; perhaps a large strip of paper, 12x4 inches. When I laid the thick mid-line border across the page, I got "blah." I then began playing with one of the Tim Holtz masks picked up the other day. Love at first sight. That was the answer!! Except it wasn't. The chalked image creates a very formal setting. Not at all within the theme, nothing whimsical about it; however, I really, really want to use it.
 |
| A much smaller image than the mask I would use, but it's easy to see the formality. |
So that's a huge chunk of my problem... choosing two non-complimentary elements to a page. I usually justify using both and calling it "mixed," but it's not. It just proves my lack of experience. Maybe someone with much more experience could pull it off, but I can't with goodly results.
Since I'm more than three-quarters finished with the page, it will have to be the flourish to go. This will be a first. It's a start in the right direction, however.
For now on I plan the page theme and keep cute away from formal. It can't hurt!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Table, Organization & Tricky Deals
There's no comparison between my crafting table "during" the creation of a LO and the rare times when I'm not. One looks as if a slow motion explosion has taken place, and the other a nice orderly oasis of quiet. Without exception, and from a hard earned lesson, the table gets cleaned in between projects. I've said it a hundred times already, but I can't think with a disorganized mess in the line of site. I can't! In the future I'll have to make sure any haul mention will be during those times between projects. I want to start photographing/videoing them... for future reference. And that simply can't be done on a disorganized table.
I find that once again there are more scrap room organizational changes necessary. It's the paper! There's a small box sitting on the floor layered with colour coordinated long paper strips. There's no other place to file them neatly as they come in varying widths and lengths. I'm thinking the solution to this could involve using the shoe tree bag currently used for punches; but then, what with all the punches?
This, too, has become problematic lately since it's very difficult to find a particular punch within the current system. Punches don't file into neat categories, be that size or theme. The card ring with punched images is the only way of really knowing what I have available anymore. That's a real lifesaver. But most of the punches proper are heavy and restrict some options. Maybe....? We have a few open-wire baskets, primarily used with wire shelving systems out in the garage. (Always a treasure trove of storage possibilities!!!) I'm thinking using these at the back and hanging under of my craft table where they have both the weight and extra area to spread them out instead of riffling through small sleeves as required now. Each time I wanted a punch it would require bending over and crawling under the table; bothersome, but "do-able" until I come up with a better system, and to a certain extent, I'm already doing with the current system. The only other option would be to hang the other six-foot wire rack (the twin to the rack shown here) somewhere within the room. And, as these things go, doing so would require rearranging that area, also. Either way, something has to give somewhere.
The craft room was originally set up as the computer room. I hadn't actually began scrapping at that point. But, should we move again, the room would be set up specifically as a craft room, alleviating most of the organizational challenges dealt with over the past year. One thing for certain... that computer desk with hutch would never grace the room! I would certainly buy another crafting table instead. And paint the room in pink and lime green, if I want.
____________________________________________
I submitted the latest LO for the CSI challenge with only hours to spare, and then only after I decided to settle with the photography results on hand, which were all less than idealistic. Before this project, I never, in a million years, would have never considered the tricky problems with photographing a matte finished photo with a glossy. Well, I sure do now! I'm convinced that it can't be done. Oh, sure, hundreds of photographers would testify to the contrary. But not with MY skill set! I literally spent almost two hours, some with Martin's help, trying to capture a true page likeness. In every case it became a contest of shadows. Even though I had two different skies to work with - 1 sunny and 1 rainy - and an abundance of natural and artificial light sources, there was no coaxing out a single great photo. I guess the lesson taken from the experience is to consider this problem when thinking of using two different photo surfaces in the future.
All the myriad of talents learned thus far are about to be put to a functional use. My husband went on a new diabetic medication delivery program. It's not insulin, but he has to administer a shot within an hour of eating dinner, never after. He does well with the morning shot, but 9 times of 10, he forgets the evening dose. I'm about to put together a 6x6 or 8x8 cutely decorated page to remind him each evening. It will say something to the effect of: No pot before the shot, or some other silly thin. I can't wait to jump on this project. Just right after I pull together an awesomely adorable ocean themed LO. ;D
I find that once again there are more scrap room organizational changes necessary. It's the paper! There's a small box sitting on the floor layered with colour coordinated long paper strips. There's no other place to file them neatly as they come in varying widths and lengths. I'm thinking the solution to this could involve using the shoe tree bag currently used for punches; but then, what with all the punches?
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| Pink Shoe Bag, very weighted down |
This, too, has become problematic lately since it's very difficult to find a particular punch within the current system. Punches don't file into neat categories, be that size or theme. The card ring with punched images is the only way of really knowing what I have available anymore. That's a real lifesaver. But most of the punches proper are heavy and restrict some options. Maybe....? We have a few open-wire baskets, primarily used with wire shelving systems out in the garage. (Always a treasure trove of storage possibilities!!!) I'm thinking using these at the back and hanging under of my craft table where they have both the weight and extra area to spread them out instead of riffling through small sleeves as required now. Each time I wanted a punch it would require bending over and crawling under the table; bothersome, but "do-able" until I come up with a better system, and to a certain extent, I'm already doing with the current system. The only other option would be to hang the other six-foot wire rack (the twin to the rack shown here) somewhere within the room. And, as these things go, doing so would require rearranging that area, also. Either way, something has to give somewhere.
The craft room was originally set up as the computer room. I hadn't actually began scrapping at that point. But, should we move again, the room would be set up specifically as a craft room, alleviating most of the organizational challenges dealt with over the past year. One thing for certain... that computer desk with hutch would never grace the room! I would certainly buy another crafting table instead. And paint the room in pink and lime green, if I want.
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I submitted the latest LO for the CSI challenge with only hours to spare, and then only after I decided to settle with the photography results on hand, which were all less than idealistic. Before this project, I never, in a million years, would have never considered the tricky problems with photographing a matte finished photo with a glossy. Well, I sure do now! I'm convinced that it can't be done. Oh, sure, hundreds of photographers would testify to the contrary. But not with MY skill set! I literally spent almost two hours, some with Martin's help, trying to capture a true page likeness. In every case it became a contest of shadows. Even though I had two different skies to work with - 1 sunny and 1 rainy - and an abundance of natural and artificial light sources, there was no coaxing out a single great photo. I guess the lesson taken from the experience is to consider this problem when thinking of using two different photo surfaces in the future.
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| The problematic glossy photo! Urg! |
All the myriad of talents learned thus far are about to be put to a functional use. My husband went on a new diabetic medication delivery program. It's not insulin, but he has to administer a shot within an hour of eating dinner, never after. He does well with the morning shot, but 9 times of 10, he forgets the evening dose. I'm about to put together a 6x6 or 8x8 cutely decorated page to remind him each evening. It will say something to the effect of: No pot before the shot, or some other silly thin. I can't wait to jump on this project. Just right after I pull together an awesomely adorable ocean themed LO. ;D
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