Lynda's Den

When you first start out creating layouts (and ultimately cards and altered stuff), you want to do neat layouts...but you don't want to learn really hard techniques while you are just starting out!  Plus you don't want to spend a ton of money on the supplies you need to create the project in the first place! With this 2 page layout I am sharing today, for the most part, you need mostly your hands!   This is a monochromatic layout using 3 shades of blue, and as you can tell, the embellishments are done using paper tearing!!!!  Paper tearing is a very easy technique you can do - simply tear your paper the way you want it to look!  This is just one example, I will be sharing more examples on my web site - links to follow! **Tip**  Get a paint brush and a bit of water - simply put the brush (with water on it) where you want to tear the paper, it will make it easier for you tear where you want to, instead of everywhere else!   For this layout - I used the...

Easy cards for you to recreate - using punches and scraps of paper!  Add a bit of rub-pn's, and you have yourself an easy beginner card or three!  All of the cards I do are one of a kind, even if I am trying to create the same card!  Each one ends up being different because it is simply handmade!  Now, make sure to get some sort of a stamp that says you made this card...to add to the back!  I have two sets I use, and love them!   As you start to make cards - here are a few tips to help you along the way!!!   Keep scraps from other projects - a small piece can go a long way when you use scraps!   If you are out of a certain color - and you can matt it with another color (such as the bright pink flower card), you can always use the bottom color to punch out your shapes (such as the flowers).   Scraps can be used for matting - for tags - for punch pieces - for stamped images or sayings - paper piecing's - just to name a few!   As...

When I first started digital scrapbooking, I started out by using Serif Craft Artist software (or at least the previous version that is), so this is what I have used from day one!  I tend to do easier type of layouts and projects...but I also love to play with all the bells and whistles, to see what I can come up with too!   I love the free kits I could download and use, without having to spend a bunch of money up front..., but I also like the kits you can purchase too!      You can download a free version of software at Daisy Trail web site, along with more free kits you can use!  Sign up for a free account, that way you can get on and check out what others are doing!  This review is on the Craft Artist 2 Professional software - cost $39.99, but is worth it in my opinion with everything you get with it!   Create scrapbook pages, photo books,  cards, invitations, toppers for cup cakes,  gift bags, tags, certificates, flyers and ...

Today's Friday Challenge is one I hope you will join me in, a No Shopping Allowed challenge!  I love challenges like this that help you get stuff done - without spending a bunch of money while you are at it!  So, spend some time looking at what you have already, and what you can make with what you have at home right now!  A few ideas to get you started:   Make handmade cards out of scraps of paper.  You can always get the base later on, and just get the decorative part done!   Look through all those layouts you have put aside, and find at least 1 photo you can scrapbook with the supplies you have right now!     Do a framed page you can put on your desk - where you can add the frame later on! ' The key here is to not spend money creating something paper craft related!  I have a few things I will be working on the next few weeks - and will show you what I have done!  No spending money for me - I work on what I have at home, spending...

Last week we started talking about beginner scrapbooking - if you missed the post, check it out here !  Scrapbooking is more about the memories you have and the photos you have taken, not about the supplies you have to purchase.  You can do this craft for cheaper, you just have to look at things a bit differently -  You don't need each and every supply there is - to make your pages and albums.  You can do this for a small amount of money if you want and still have your pages look good!   Have a dedicated space to put all of your stuff to make creating easier!  Even if you have to put it away when you are done, just have a space (kitchen table is fine) where you can get things done! Have a wish list on a web site so you can send the link to your friends and family! That way you can get what you WANT for presents, instead of what you don't need!   I have two layouts I am sharing today, one is one page, the other is a two page spread.  One ha...

Last week we started talking about making your own handmade cards in this post, check it out if you missed it!  I included a very easy card idea using cardstock, scraps of paper and a simple sticker to create a beautiful card!  Each week we will bring you easy card ideas for you to recreate, using basic scrapbook supplies and a few rubber stamps!   Using die cuts, along with rubber stamps or rub-on's, adding your scraps of paper for the backgrounds, will help you create your own style of cards to give to your friends and family, instead of a store bought card. You can see these two birthday cards - I used the same Sizzix die cut for both cards, but each of the cards look totally different because of the papers used!   I added a bit of floss to the yellow card, and ribbon to the polka dot card, making each turn out totally different!  The yellow card has a rub-on saying, while the polka dot card is embossed with white embossing powder.  So you can see, ...

If you missed last week...check out the post here , for a link to free digital scrapbook software you can start out with, to decide if this is for you!  I hope you decided what software you want to use - or you downloaded the free version - if so lets do another fun project! Starting with a photo - use it as the background for the whole page.  Add some sort of embellishment, and journaling!  You don't have to do black and white, but if you want to, change the color of the photo!  Look at the digital embellishments you have access to in each of the kits that you have, and pick out a nice font for the journaling!  The layouts can be saved as a jpeg format for you to share and print out easily! Or change it up...use a background or two...no more than 3 embellishments and a frame... NO journaling or title to be used...but you can do a separate page with anything else if you want!     Digital scrapbooking is fun in the sense you can change the look ...

I decided to start doing Friday Challenges...each week will be a totally different challenge - with some of them being brought back each month!!!  The first challenge, I hope it is one you will join me each month in doing...A to Z about Me!!!  This is my album cover - I am doing a paper bag album shown here !  Your challenge for the month is to design YOUR style of album...   Do you want to do a smaller size, a mini project, a paper bag album...or do you need an even bigger size such as 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11?     Start to collect words that describe you - to add to your album.  Add it to a sheet of paper or your favorite way to plan out your projects!   Start to collect photos that go with the words you have selected, add them to a file folder, or your favorite way to keep all your stuff in one place.   Next month we will start to put the photos and journaling together, so you have a month to get your album done...and we will see you ...

Scrapbooking is all about talking your photos, and making an attractive way to showcase the memories behind the photos.  It isn't about spending a ton of money, or creating the best layout/album around that will get you published in the magazines or online.  Yet some people think they need to spend more money than they need and create all of these elaborate projects for their families, you don't !   To start out with, you need a few basic supplies - I call it your toolbox kit.  Look for coupons at your local craft stores to pick up any of the items on the list that you might need, and look at what you have at home too..some you might even have available right now!   Tool Box Kit:   Cardstock  Patterned paper Fine tip scissors Fine tip markers - at least black Die cuts and stickers Paper trimmer Adhesives Album The only other thing you would need to start out with is a pen or pencil, scrap paper for notes (or notepad of some sort), a rule...

I procrastinate...oh boy do I procrastinate!  Then when I really need to get something done, I am in a time crunch just to get it finished.  Well, I am tired of being "that person"! So, each month you will get a reminder post to get you to look at your calendar for the next 6 weeks, so grab it and lets get to work!   What type of events do you have that you need to deal with - Mothers Day just ended, what about Fathers Day - or birthday's...what about the end of school coming up... June is a huge month for weddings, do you have any of those?  Get everything written out, then look at that list for anything you need to purchase, plan or make!   My list is easy - I have Fathers Day coming up - and getting a business off the ground!  So my time will be spent more on business things - than creative "things" for the most part! And what I am planning on making - is for me for once, those I do make things for don't appreciate "it" or me!!! Have fun w...

Creating your own personalized, handmade cards isn't all that tough...If you scrapbook, you can make cards...and if you make cards...you can scrapbook!  The supplies are the same, and a lot of times, your die cuts - added with a simple saying stamp can make a quick and easy card!  Or using your stamps to create one of a kind embellishments for cheap!   To start out, you will want to add a few extra supplies to your existing tool kit.  And make sure you watch for coupons for your local craft stores for anything on this list you can get there!  A basic stamp set or two.  I like sayings and basic shapes such as hearts and flowers for me personally.   Basic ink pad - black, brown or white Colored pencils, markers or chalks Card packs w/envelopes Embossing gun and embossing powder (optional) Corner punches both decorative and a corner rounder (optional) The only other thing I would be adding is die cuts or cute stickers that you use for scrapb...

I have paper scrapbooked for 16 years now...there is nothing better than finishing up an album or project...for everyone to see, touch and feel!  Then a few years ago, I was asked to do a review on some digital software...and off I went to play!  I spent a few days getting to know the software, downloading a free kit - and once my software was sent, I borrowed a few digital photos and created...that was it for me!  Paper versus digital...I love both, and still do both!    So, for those of you who haven't touched digital...but are curious about it, you will get all things beginner digital scrapbooking - Memories in Tyme style, once a week starting today!!  The best part about digital scrapbooking is being able to go home, right after an event - and scrapbook the photos from that event while your thoughts are still fresh... without having to wait for the photos to be developed and go shopping for supplies!  Another great thing I like about digital scrap...

Vertical Paper Bag Album How many of you digital scrapbook as well as paper scrapbook?  I do both - and love both of them for different reasons!  There is nothing better than picking up the papers you are working on - along with the photo's...and creating an album in which you have in your hands - something you have made!  This is one of my vertical paper bag albums I have created - A to Z about Lynda!  The only thing I need to do now is add my photos and journaling as I go, completing it as I have the time! This was one of the funnest albums I have made yet, and can't wait to get the other 3 finished I now have ready to go!     Created with Serif Craft Artist software On the other hand, it is really great to go to an event, or take pictures for whatever reason, and then go home to create a layout, without the worries of having to go shopping for papers and embellishments!   All you need to do is have the software and kits installed on ...

I had a lot of fun this weekend creating during the National Scrapbook Day on Saturday! Since I am stuck at home for the most part, I had a lot of fun getting projects finsihed (like these), and some decided on for some pictures I just got back from Shutterfly!  Lots of great projects - a few layouts, a few mini albums, and a few paper bag albums too!   Finished notebook So, with this first project, I used a composition notebook, smaller sized to go in my purse, along with an altered telephone and address book I have had!  I used the same supplies for both of the two books made: Supplies used:   Robins Nest two sided paper Scraps of paper for the die cuts & punches Sizzix die cut - vine Sizzlets die cut - daisy Sun and circle punch Hot glue Pink alphabet rubon's (for composition notebook) Small composition notebook Telephone and address book from Simple Scrapbooks I did not cover the inside covers - just the front and back covers of both book...

Today is National Scrapbook Day...what are YOUR plans?  Well, since I am recuperating from recent knee replacement surgery, I am home and playing on the internet - versus going out to a store for a crop!  Next year though - I've got a whole day retreat in the planning stages - including great classes, food and inspiration planned that should be a lot of fun!!!   Today though - here are a few things I have planned that I need/want to work on (though I am not sure what all will get done...):   Handmade card packs to sell Mini notebook for my purse Altered Telephone/Address book for my purse Altered box to hold cat treats Altered box to hold all my stupid medicine Stephanie's purple notebooks to give to Jessie and Heather Ideas for the pictures of our trip through Utah June/2012 Ideas for the pictures of Del's birthday visit to Old Sacramento City Ideas for the pictures of Del and Ryan's graduation  Ideas for the pictures of Casey through the years ...