Lynda's Den

      Hidden journaling is one of the funnest ways you can add journaling to your layouts, things you might not want everyone in the world to see.  If you look at the layout on the left, you don't really see any journaling.  Under my baby photo is the journaling you see underneath - hidden so the world can't see everything there is to know about me!  Some things  are not meant to be for the world to see - they are meant to just be written!        When I first created this layout - I looked at myself and wondered if I was switched at birth.  I didn't look like my mom, or my dad - so really who was I?  Well, by the end of this layout - I knew who I was -   Supplies Extra sheet of cardstock the same color as the main base of the cardstock you are using. White cardstock for the inside Glue Journaling supplies Directions: Step one:  Decide the background papers you are using.  You will need an extra ...

     I am working on a series of articles on Ezine Articles about journalling and how important it is to your scrapbook layouts.  Lets look at different ways you can start to journal!  Today, we are going to look at journalling on punches or die cut shapes for different ways you can start to journal instead of the everyday block of writing on your pages!        With this layout, you can see the different colors of circles with the journalling added.  I added a smiley face and a frown face for things I like and don't like.  This was one of the funnest layouts I have ever done, using one photo and a two page layout spread!   I used my favorite color - pink, and added the brown to it in order to bring a different color other than just the pinks!  I framed the photo a bit more, adding the brown buttons to the bottom.  I then added eyelets to this piece and the bottom journalling piece to thread some floss throu...

     I am trying hard to get my life organized, so that the things I need to get done, is done on time.  I have struggled with this my whole life, I get it naturally from my mom!!!  Being on the internet a lot, there are things I would love to make - or to have handy, but can't find them later on.  Oh I use my Microsoft Office OneNote a lot, or another program, but I can't always figure out how to get into it and clip something to keep it.       I then stumbled upon clipix  that is very user-friendly, and can help me keep track of all types of ideas now!  Categorize what you need - cooking ideas, craft ideas, books to read, decorating ideas, or whatever it is you need to keep track of!  If you are on Facebook, then you can go to the web site and then just connect your account from there!  (Make sure you add Lynda Birch Jeffs to your list of people - I love seeing what others are up to!)  There is a little button to add to your toolbar that will sa...

     This week, we are going to focus on a technique, and then will show you different ways to do this "technique" this week.  Journaling on your layouts is one of the most important steps when you scrapbook - as it brings the photos to light.  It's more than just the who, what, where, when and why's of the photos but the art of bringing the story to place that truly is the key!        When you are first starting out - may I suggest getting either a notebook or lined paper to keep track of things.  On this paper, write out information - who was there, what did you do, where were you at, when did it happen and why did this take place.  Keep track of the little things people say and do, in order to keep track of those type of events too.  As you are scrapbooking, think of the generations that are yet to be - and what they can learn from your pages!        What do you need to "journal" correctly?  I ha...

     Every Monday, you will get a challenge to work on for the week - this weeks challenge is the above ad!!!  When you look at ads, don't just look at what they are selling, learn to look at the placement of the items  for help, especially when you are just starting out!  For me I love the white space to start with, making the light green pop against the background.  I also love the daisy's - but then I always like a good flower when I create!  I also love how they used the blue with the layout, but for me, I didn't want to use blue - instead using black for my journaling.        My take for the challenge is this layout, made with Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist 2 software, and Painted Backyard free kit.  I started with the all white background, and then added the green for the middle.  I then added the frame, picture - and then the hearts for the embellishments, finishing off with the journaling below the pictur...

My mom and sister Debbie             When you are first starting out scrapbooking, you think you have to have every supply out there just to make beautiful albums and cards, but you don't!  I have stamped for the past 21 years - my first project - was my daughters birth announcements made out of a Walt Disney stamp, card stock and some colored pencils.  I had no idea what I was doing - but that one project sparked what and who I am today!  I am much like my mom - and can wake up with layouts and projects in my head...like she does her sewing!  That part I got from my mom I love, but man, the procrastination end of things - she could have kept that all by herself, let me tell you!!!!       Using your stamping supplies with your scrapbook layouts and your scrapbook supplies on your cards will help to save you money.  Check out your favorite craft stores, such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby (in my area) for t...

Welcome to the It's All Song blog hop!!!   We're so happy you could join us for this super-fun hop showcasing cards, layouts and projects that feature anything and everything about special songs in our lives!!   You'll find an array of ideas throughout this hop -- From decorations to gift ideas and more, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!!  Be sure to leave a comment at each hop stop to be entered in our Monthly Drawing!!! You are at the beginning of this fun hop, so lets get started! For the hop today, I've created a fun layout about a great song by Dierks Bentley called Long Trip Alone ! I've been through the wringer in life, and to actually still be here after the things I have been through is amazing! I wish I could explain all of it - but really, it's hard to go back down that road and be THAT person, but here's a brief synopses... and I mean - BRIEF! I had an ex-husband commit suicide 3 days after my...

          For this week - we are talking about just starting out in scrapbooking, and some of the tools and techniques you can start with that won't break the bank!!!!  I was able to scrapbook on what was available to me during the time my husband was taken out of work, which was hard in a sense!!  I couldn't spend a lot of money on buying supplies - I had to learn to compromise with what I was using.  When everyone else was out buying stickers and things, I had to use my rubber stamps and punches to create what I wanted!  I learned what products would help save me money, and what did not!  This week we are going to talk about some of those tips and techniques - all for a beginner to try out!           One thing that I love and only use is Zig Markers!  I use them on my scrapbook pages for journalling, or for stitch marks, and especially for my paper piecing's and making sure the little fine parts...

      When you are first starting out, you do not want to go out and spend a lot of money on products you are not sure you will ever use again!  This craft is expensive enough - and besides, it's not about spending the most money on supplies and having the best products around, it's about learning some of the things you can do when you first start your pages, without going out and breaking the bank!  Yesterday's post had paper tearing shown, which is not something you have to go out and purchase anything for - simply tear your photo matt's or create aspects to go with your photos!        With this layout - I used Provo Craft sticker sheets, using words that described my daughter!  I wanted the focus to be on the pictures, not on the supplies I used!  When you first start out, you are stressed out enough, without having to worry about what you are doing right or wrong - or what supplies are perfect or not.  S...

     When you first start to scrapbook, you need easy ideas to start with - going with a monochromatic color scheme is one of the best things you can do for a beginner!  Use this for any type of cards, or layouts you are planning on!  To do a "monochromatic color scheme"  simply pick a color you want to work with, such as the blue in the layout example above.  You then want to pick three different shades of the color you have chosen - this is where getting a color wheel comes in handy for sure!        Another technique you can do when you are just beginning to scrapbook, is paper tearing - again used on the example above!  I tend to keep everything from other projects - this was left-overs from another 2 page layout spread I had done about having 5 "teens" between my husband and myself!        Journalling is one of the most important things you can do in your layouts - bringing the ...

     I am divorced, and have been divorced from my 1st husband for about 17 years now, I left him when my youngest was just a baby.  From that point, he didn't see my kids at all, until I was able to pull my head out of my ass and stop affecting HIM with his kids.  This layout is the pictures from the day they left on the plane.  Funny thing is, it was right before 9/11 - so everyone was able to come to see them off!  Now on this right side layout - bottom picture - there is an angel in the picture.  My niece Stephanie was taking pictures of the plane leaving as I was being consoled by my now husband Del.  I didn't even see the pictures until the next year when the kids were leaving.  I had tears rolling down my face as I seen this picture for the very first time and clearly seen her.        For me, it was an answer my children would always be taken care of, no matter if they were with me or not.  Th...

Welcome to the "It's All About LOVE" Blog Hop!! Back cover We're so happy you could join us for this super-fun hop showcasing cards, layouts and projects that feature anything and everything all about LOVE!!   You'll find an array of ideas throughout this hop -- From decorations to gift ideas and more, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!!  Be sure to leave a comment at each hop stop to be entered in our Monthly Drawing, this month's goodie is a fun pack of scrapbook goodies to play with!!!! Front cover  You are at the beginning of this fun hop, so how about we get started!!! If you missed day one, make sure you check it out when you are done with this one!!! For the hop today, I've created a fun mini album for my husband and I to keep track of the types of people we are!!! I wanted to put things that truly make up who we are, such as the type of books we read - I love books of all kinds, ...

Welcome to the "It's All About LOVE" Blog Hop!! We're so happy you could join us for this super-fun hop showcasing cards, layouts and projects that feature anything and everything all about LOVE!!   You'll find an array of ideas throughout this hop -- From decorations to gift ideas and more, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!!  Be sure to leave a comment at each hop stop to be entered in our Monthly Drawing, this month's goodie is a fun pack of scrapbook goodies to play with!!!! You are at the beginning of this fun hop, so how about we get started!!! For the hop today, I've created ....... For this layout, I used a basic heart theme to show the "love" end of my relationship with Del. I used a basic heart punch with red buttons in the middle of them for the two photo matt's, and added embellishments where it needed. The journaling was all done on the computer, and ...

     Sometimes it's not about using the newest supplies out on the market - really, is anyone that is receiving it going to look at it and say to you, "oh, you didn't use the latest supplies" when you made that!!!  Really, it's about the reason you are making the card and sending it out in the first place.         I love using pinks and browns together, and with this card, I used an ivory card base, with the pink scraps for the base of the card.  Simple paper tearing for one of the background papers, adding the heart die cuts to finish it off.  The inside can either have a simple saying, or left blank in order to customize it to the person you are giving it to.  With this type of card, you can use just about any color for the background paper, as well as something different for the hearts as well.        With this 2 page spread, I used traditional "love" themed paper and embellishments on a not so "lov...

     I have no idea how long I have been blogging, this was my first one...since then, I have 2 more that are not scrapbook/crafting related!  During the course of the next few months - there will be a few changes here - my web site will be revamped, a new Etsy shop opened, and the blog will be moved to the new site!  I am excited for the changes, and look forward to see how things are for my family at the end of the year!!!         So, thank you for the continued support - while I had to take some time off for me!  I discovered I am a lot like my sister, where we both just don't talk a lot when we have things that are bothering us, we internalize more than anything.  I feel so blessed this year - a relationship with her, and starting to heal with family...blessed beyond measure for sure!  That said, I am showing a simple Thank You card today - with a bit of a challenge to you and me both!!!    First the idea's...