Lynda's Den

Some people think scrapbooking is expensive...and yes, it can be...but, if you follow me, I can give you tips on how to make this craft less expensive!  What makes ME any different than anyone else?  I have been forced to use what I have at home and available to me to create much of anything due to my husband being taken out of work about 8 years ago.  I will tell you, this craft is cheaper than therapy, especially if you have a stress level of any kind, and is wonderful to put your memories down on paper!   In the next few weeks, I will be showcasing products that I recommend for people just starting out, down to people who have been creating for a while!  This way, you can forward the email to your loved ones, to show them exactly what it is you want and need!  Start watching for those emails next week...titled Christmas ideas for creating!   Cards are the first areas you can start to save money on, by making your own thank you, thinking of you...

Christmas Card Ideas.....  The cards I have made here are all done using the Glue Dots brand adhesive products... and to say I am hooked and in love is probably an understatement!    I used their mini dots, 3D dots, and regular glue dots on the cards I am showing here...   Each card is unique, and can be recreated using what YOU have available to you, in the colors you want to use, not what I am showing here!  The mini dots are wonderful to use on small pieces such as the white pieces used on the stockings here...  as well as on the vellum showed in the card below!    As you can see in the card example above, the red part of the stocking that looks like a nail head.  If you like your things to match, use their 3D Glue dots with embossing powder on them to create a look that will match your creation.  You will need to heat embossing powder on the Glue Dot twice to create the look I did.  This type of thing can be used in any...

                                          ONE..... Sometimes your layouts need to reflect who YOU are, this is the challenge for you this week...  I want you to choose just one photo of yourself...doesn't have to be the best photo in the world, look at this photo that I used!  Taken about 13 years ago.....heavier in weight, shorter hair, and a time in my life I'd much rather forget than deal with!    I also chose one word that describes me....and used hidden journaling to add a few things underneath the photo.  As you look at this, you can't see the journaling part underneath...that is how I like to design my words... hidden a bit, yet powerful if you read them.  You don't need to do anything "hidden" if you don't want....I wanted to frame the photo and add the journaling underneath.   For the colors I used, I stuck with pink as my favorit...

I am hoping by now you are working on your projects...Christmas cards to be sent out, gifts to be made...or even decorations that you can make!  I know for me it is a mixture of all the above...  What about your cards...if you check back on the past few shopping alert posts, you will see a lot of wonderful ideas from Scrapbooks Etc on their cards...and ideas to be posted from me this weekend!    I looked at what I have at home first, before going out and spending money on things...mostly because I HAVE to!  Money is tight at our house...much like it is at everyones houses!  Ae you making any gifts for anyone this year?  I need to spend the time to finish up an album for my mom...and a framed page made for a few of my favorite family members!    You can make a themed album 6 x 6 in size, with 20 pages for your family members to add their own photos on.  If someone sends out a lot of cards, make a box of cards for them, in di...

I do apologize for not getting this out before now, but there are a lot of great specials for tomorrow I did not want you all to miss out on!  Plus it has been interesting for me personal wise.....but that is another story!  On to the scrapbooking and creating fun for you crafters!  Scrapbooking isn't about spending the most money and you win, it is about getting your memories down on paper for your family to see.  Future generations will love to see what you have made, whether it is digital or paper!  If you look at my web site, you will see the past reviews I have done, with plenty of ideas for each of the items I have reviewed.   One of which is digital software you can purchase, with plenty of free kits they have that you are able to download!   One project I am excited to work on is my grandmothers recipe's...where it will be done digitally, so each of my cousins are able to get it bound in a book of their own.   This ...

Being grateful...sometimes it's not quite that easy!  If you are like me and you have had more than your fair share of things in your lifetime to deal with...  Yet we are at that time of year where one should look more closely at being grateful for what you do have...because that far outweighs the other stuff in your life.    That is what this mini album will reflect when I am finished adding the photos and journaling...the things I am grateful for in my life..the things that helped me become who I am today...  One thing you will notice about me, I am a bit out there creative wise.  I do not hesitate to look at what I have first before running out and spending money on things that I just really don't need in the first place.  So, look at the items you have, and tweak to what you have around.  If you have a kit that is in fall colors, then use it...  I looked at what I had around, to create this album...and can't wait to start adding the j...

This weeks shopping alert will actually have 2 parts to it this weekend...todays edition, and an extra Thanksgiving edition to be posted tomorrow!    I have found a lot of great specials this week...so, lets get started!   My first site is from  Joann's  where you can get stamps and stamp accessories for 40% off until November 24th.  For a basic stamp set, find a black Colorbox ink pad, black embossing powder and an embossing gun will do the trick!  This is a technique we will be working on in January.....so make sure if you don't know how to emboss, watch for January's posts to learn more!  Also make sure to check out their other specials, 50% off Holiday Inspirations  Christmas Decor and 60% off their Holiday Inspirations Christmas fabric too...plus more scrapbooking papers and items!    Online codes to save money until November 24th:  EMMU328 to save $20 off on purchases from $100 - $124.99, EMMV328 to save...

This mid week edition of shopping alerts is full of wonderful products and sites to share with you!  My first site is from Scrapbook.com  where I wanted to share with you the newsletter for the week!  They have great products....a clearance section, and layout ideas galore!   Make sure you get your order placed by November 30, 2010 in order to have your name in the drawing for the 7 Tools giveaway!  If you haven't checked them out, make sure you do so!  Where on earth do I start with this next place... Two Peas In A Bucket  has so much to offer...lets get started!  Free digital scrapbook kits you can start to scrapbook with if you are wanting to learn how to digital scrapbook!   Also, you can Google "free digital software" and see what you can find on the internet.  I found one that is a lot like the expensive software you can purchase on the market...totally for free!   Not only that, they have a message board, c...

Wow, I have found some great products and sites this week to share with you guys, so lets get started!   If you love Die Cuts With A View paper packs like I do, you have got to check out  Joann's  for their selection of packs of paper...plus all the other fun Christmas products they have available to you.   Add a few newer things to some of the stuff you already have at home to make things look new and fresh!   Most of the Christmas stuff is either 40 or 50% off, so make sure you check out their selection...if you don't have one near you, shop online!   One site that has been consistently on my list is  Oh My Crafts , this week it is for their Black Friday sale that is happening right now....   You have got to check out their specials, especially if you have a Cricut machine and are looking for cartridges!  They have got a lot of wonderful specials, make sure you sign up for their newsletter so you can get a newsletter full of ideas every...

Wow...with the holidays coming up, you have your pick of products and price ranges to choose from.  If you are on Facebook, research your favorite products to see if they have a Fanpage so you can keep track of what they have to offer.  I am a fan of Glue Dots, which I am a design team member, and my  Memories in Tyme  Fan-page  where you will get updates on what is going on, and ideas exclusive to Facebook!  Facebook is a great way to connect with others...and see what they are up to!   One place I found on Facebook is Oh My Crafts!  which gives you great ideas on their blog, as well as wonderful products on their web site  that you have got to check them out.   They have great sales on their Cricut cartridges, as well as the other products they carry.  I love that they are a Utah company...and what they offer to their customers.   If you haven't checked out 100 days of Holidays  at Better Homes and Gardens, you tr...

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Christmas a month after that...I am kicking it up a bit and getting a few challenges for you to get started!    Even if all you do is make an album of the things you are thankful for and add a picture of yourself!  So...lets get started!  Challenge #1. Start to plan out what you want to make...do you send out cards, have a huge family dinner that you need to plan for...make the invitations, place cards and maybe an album to go with it!  Challenge #2.  Find a kit or products that you like in fall colors, or a Thanksgiving theme for your project.   Challenge #3.  Start to look at magazines and online sites to find the perfect items you want to recreate.  I look at the titles people have used as well as the idea!  If you are the type of person that it is just you and your spouse....do something different...find other friends who do not have anyplace to go, or find a family ...

For some people, holidays are really hard to talk about.....for whatever reason it is they have the hard time...why have Thanksgiving layouts if you do not spend the time with loved ones on that day?  I am right there with you, and this will be all about just that!  The layout I am going to be showcasing today is one that brings a lot of memories back to me...my mom cooking Thanksgiving dinner at the stove in her small kitchen!    This is a typical picture of my mom...cooking the wonderful dinner that she did!   She would spend the week before making the pies, and getting things ready to go...then up early on that big day just to finish it all up!  In this example, you can see I didn't even use the traditional "Thanksgiving" colors or papers, I chose to showcase the relationship between my daughter and my mom instead.  The paper and embellishments are from My Minds Eye, and then I added the flowers to the bottom to create a cute loo...

If you are huge on the holidays, you have got to check out 100 Days of Holidays from Better Homes and Gardens!  I totally love their Thanksgiving place cards idea, and will be tweaking for what I need!  If you craft at all, this is a great site...check out all the great features, from cooking to decorating! The next site has a wonderful 3 day sale starting today, so make sure you check out the sales they are having at Oh My Crafts!   From the Cricut machines, to the bundles they have, down to the supplies they carry, this is one GREAT site for all of your crafting needs!  The Cricut Expressions machine and cartridges cut vinyl, fabric, paper, chipboard...and even magnet board!  You can do all kinds of things with the products they carry!  Buy 4 Cuttlebug dies and get a 5th for FREE!  For me, Two Peas In A Bucket  has always been a favorite of mine to check out their message board, or see the latest supplies that are coming out.  Kristinas...

One fun and easy project you can make for your favorite friends or family members is a folder with cards!  This is an easy project to do, being able to customize each of the packets you make for the people on your gift list.  Make a set for your neighbors with birthday cards, or notecards...whatever they would use the most of.  You can make the folder in either 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11.  If you use the larger size, you will want to trim the sides and bottom to fit the cards you do.  This size is better for larger envelopes.  I use the 8.5 x 11 with the smaller envelopes and cards!  Directions for folder:   Step one:  Take cardstock, place it in front of you so it is length wise.  Fold in half.   Step two:  Unfold the sheet of cardstock, fold the bottom length up about 2" to create a folder type look. Step three:  Unfold again, taking your scissors, you will want to cut a V in the middle on the b...

No Regrets.......  Do you have things in your life that you don't regret doing...  I know for me, there are a few things that no matter what, I do not regret, this layout spread represents that.  I do not regret learning to scrapbook...and the things it helped me to do in my life!  It has brought out the artistic side of me more, and helped me to stay alive!  One thing I will never regret is meeting my husband Del and blending 8 kids.  Life for us has not been fun, but we have made the best of what we could...this I do not and never will regret!    I do not regret moving to Colorado, and spending the first part of my childrens lives here...  Colorado is a beautiful place to live and to be!  The weather is not what you would think, and the people here are just the best!  I lived here for 8 years, then for the past 3 years...neither time I regret being here!  Yet this time, I have been able...