Michaels’s Coupons – Canada

Michael’s has decided that they are going to stop printing paper flyers, in an attempt to both save money and save the environment. 

I applaud their efforts, as I know I usually discard (and by ‘discard’, I mean recycle) the flyer after tearing out the coupon!

They are moving to having an online coupon, which you can print out.  This actually works in our favour, as we are able to actually do the “one coupon per day” if we want.

The site is: http://saskatoon.flyerland.ca/

They actually have a number of other coupons for other businesses too, which is awesome.  Just choose the store you want to see the available coupons!

Tanya

Scrapbooking Layout Sketch Challenge

My friend Amy recently asked me for a sketch challenge to spur her creativity and get her mojo going.  Considering that I have pages full of sketches, I pulled this one out and did it up for her:

Hope you enjoy!

Tanya

Saskatoon Scrapbooking Event – Scrap-It-Up!

Our next scrapbooking event will be Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 9-9.

Details:

- Sunset Estates Hall, approximately 8-10 minutes east of Saskatoon on Highway 5 towards Humboldt
- includes lunch, supper, beverages, snacks
- theme: the 80’s!! (wear your gnarliest neon!)
- technique: using bright colours (without retinal damage!)
- 2 projects:
     – card
     – mini album (to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day!)

The projects are work-at-your-own-pace, as there is a lot of time for you to still work on your own projects.  Cheryl and I will be on hand to answer questions, provide assitance, etc.  We will also have StampinUP! products available to try out on the projects, as well as previously-loved items for sale.

All of this for $30!  Interested?  Contact me at my hotmail.com address: tanyascrapbooks

Hope you can join us!

Tanya

Tip: Covering Chipboard with Patterned Paper

I love chipboard, and I especially love covering it with patterned paper.  The problem is, sometimes the paper can ‘roll’ or ‘bunch’, which causes ripples, especially when covering large pieces. 

As scrapbookers, we put the adhesive onto the paper first, then adhere it to things.  Unfortunately, this is likely the reason for these ripples!  Next time, put the adhesive onto the chipboard first, then attach the paper.  After that, use an X-acto knife to ‘trace’ and cut away excess bits of the paper that hang over the edges. 

You’ll have not only smooth coverage, but also avoid any ripping of small paper pieces when trying to completely cover it with adhesive!

Happy Scrapping!

- Tanya

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season!

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking: Embellishment Containers

I love containers.  Every shape, every size, every colour, every style.  My desk at work has multiple little containers for pens, paperclips, business cards, post-it notes.  My desk drawer has containers to hold things.  My scrapbooking space is filled with boxes and tins that often contain further little containers.

I am obsessed.

I am also cheap.

Finding containers that work for you, your supplies, and your space, shouldn’t mean a drain on funds.  There are many ways you can have the storage you want, at the prices you deserve.

Shoe Boxes: Remember when you were little and all of the teachers had you decorate your own shoe box to store craft supplies?  Why not do the same now?  Plus, you have so many more skills…and embellishments…now!  Patterned paper looks amazing to cover a box, and if you are worried about damage, cover the entire box with either Modge Podge glue or self-laminating sheets.

Food and Spice Jars: Glass containers of any shape and size are handy for all types of embellishments, ribbons, etc.  By removing the labels, decorating the lids, and adding a label, you’d hardly know they were once used for something else.  Plus, you can use rub-ons or stamps and StazOn ink to decorate the glass.

Scrapbooking Embellishment Containers: There are a lot of embellishments, particularly flowers, that come in either neat glass containers or plastic tubs.  They can be reused to hold other supplies when the original contents are gone.  As well, brads/eyelets/beads sometimes come in little tins or plastic vials which are great for further storage or for using for projects.

Photo Boxes: I bought a bunch from Michael’s when they were having a Boxing Week sale, and although they are supposed to be for photos, I keep most of my embellishments in them.  They have a label at one end that also assists in remaining organized.

Fishing Tackle Boxes and Containers: I refuse to spend double the amount of money for a container in a scrapbooking store that is pink or purple, when I can buy the exact same thing at Wal-Mart in the fishing aisle for half the price, but in green or blue.  I’m not a girly girl, so actually prefer the non-princess colours.  Plus, the price is right!  As well, if you are looking for sturdy scrapbooking tool bags, check out the ones intended for carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.  They will last longer, are a fraction of the price, and often contain a plethora of pockets that are great for all those tools!  Wal-Mart and Home Depot often carry the best selection at the best price.

IKEA: What blog post would be complete without a reference to IKEA?  Oh, IKEA, how I love you so…too bad we don’t reside in the same city… ANYWAY – IKEA often has a bunch of great storage containers that are amazing for scrapbooking.  They are large enough to hold papers, stamps, and larger items.  The colour selection also helps keep your scrapbooking space coordinated, funky, and fresh.

Whatever containers you choose to use, make sure they work for you, your supplies, and your space.  Check with others for their ideas, as that is when you’ll get the truest reviews.

- Tanya

Distressing Techniques: Part 3

People often have misconceptions about distressing techniques, associating them with heritage-style layouts, or aggressive rock layouts.  In reality, distressing can really add a lot of dimension and warmth to any layout, if done in concert with the photos and embellishments.  Distressing itself should not be the dominant feel of the page: it should serve to compliment what is already there.

·          Sanding: Sanding cardstock with roughen up the edges; sanding photos will take away a portion of the finish, and really provide an interesting finish.

·          Cutter Kit: The Cutter Kit has an edge distressing tool that works great on cardstock, photos, and patterned paper.  The great thing is that you have control over how much or how little pressure you use.

·          Get Violent: Distressing embellishments, especially metal, often calls for hammers, scissors, sanding paper, or other tools of destruction.  This is when things get really fun! J

- Tanya

Distressing Techniques: Part 2

People often have misconceptions about distressing techniques, associating them with heritage-style layouts, or aggressive rock layouts.  In reality, distressing can really add a lot of dimension and warmth to any layout, if done in concert with the photos and embellishments.  Distressing itself should not be the dominant feel of the page: it should serve to compliment what is already there.

·          Ripping: Ripped cardstock and photos provide the distressed feel, as well as provide visual interest.  Ripped paper can soften designs by being further feathered, or provide a rougher feel if curled with a fingernail or wet with water, then rumpled further.

·          Crumple: Crumpling paper can give it some added texture.  Highlight the peaks of the crumples by using a light shade of monochromatic ink.

·          Use Stamps: There are a number of stamp designs that are directly created to help with distressing (“Sanded”, for instance).  As well, silhouette stamps are create to use as part of a distressed layout, as they are not as well-defined.

·          Water it Down: Wetting ripped edges, spritzing cardstock before crumpling it, and dragging an Aqua Painter across stamped words provides some interesting textures and images.

- Tanya

Distressing Techniques: Part 1

People often have misconceptions about distressing techniques, associating them with heritage-style layouts, or aggressive rock layouts.  In reality, distressing can really add a lot of dimension and warmth to any layout, if done in concert with the photos and embellishments.  Distressing itself should not be the dominant feel of the page: it should serve to compliment what is already there.

·          Ink it: Using ink along the edges of photos and cardstock will not only define those edges, but also tone down the stiff and straight feeling of those edges.

·          Chalk it: Chalking the edges will also work on cardstock, but the powdery nature of the chalk (or pastels) does not do so well on photos.

·          Use Dark Tones: One of the easiest ways to distress things is to use brown or black inks and chalk, which is likely what everyone has seen the most, which is likely where the heritage and rock misconceptions stem.  Using these dark tones really makes a statement, but don’t feel limited to the two colours, as you can also…

·          Use Monochromatic Tones: Using red on red, blue on blue, or green on green will give you the distressed look and feel, while still maintaining the colour scheme and theme of your layout.  If you still feel that using the same colour is too heavy, try…

·          White or Vanilla Craft Ink: These colours form the basis of the “French kitchen” feel.  Painted furniture is banged up, and then highlighted using white paint.  Due to the nature of the craft ink (pigment-based), it also gives a smeared look, distressing and softening all in one.

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking: Flowers

Despite the fact that I am anything but a girly-girl (much to the chagrin of my girly Mother), I love using flowers on my layouts, as they don’t necessarily have to be feminine or have to be used on layouts regarding women or gardens.

For those of you who also love flowers, I imagine that you are also lamenting the cost of some of those nice silk or paper flowers you see in the scrapbooking stores.  Personally, spending almost $1 per bloom is ridiculous, and always gets me riled up. 

Here’s a quick tip: go to a craft or department store and buy a pre-bunched group of flowers.  They are silk and come with leaves as well.  Now, pull the blooms off, as well as the leaves.  Voila!  You just spent around $1-$2 and now have over a dozen flowers…as well as the leaves! 

The great thing about doing this is now you can do layered flower looks, without cringing in pain because you just spent $10 on flowers for one layout.  Plus, those leaves are great for layouts on their own, or for usage during the layering.  Rather than those plastic centers, use brads!  Crystal brads are especially gorgeous, and you can get a bag of 30 coloured brads at Dollarama (as opposed to $7 for 20 at Michael’s).  The savings continue!

- Tanya