365 day 9

So i am making my way thru my pictures. I have one box done and along ways to go.
Here is my bucket full of what i believe to be all my printed pictures.

Here is one of my CTMH acrylix Organizers full of the  620 Pictures I have organized and labeled!

365 days 6 - 8

Just been doing more organizing. Still finding photos stashed here and there. But i am getting alot done! i feel much better to that i know at least where most of my printed pictures are. I'm hoping for some specials to get those digital photos printed too!  Oh i did find a few rolls of film that i need to get developed! Hope you are all getting your photos organized too!

Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts
DCWV papers. Lil silver heart brads. Silk flowers. Lots of inking. The heart borders, crown and title cut with "Make the Cut" software and cut with the cricut.

 

close up of left page

 

close up of right page

365 Day 5

Once you have all your photos in piles, just put them in the boxes with the appropriate divider card, label, envelope or whichever you had decided upon. All your photos are together, neatly filed in acid-free boxes labeled in their "categories".

Organized Photos helps organize your story which helps organize your albums!

Start "visualizing" a plan then start by prioritizing your scrapbooking.

Now, you’ve got your plan; decide which album you want to make first. Take the entire section of those photos from the box. Lets say your are doing a Vacation album. You take ALL the vacation photos out of the box.


Start the same steps with your vacation photos as you did above. Take an index card and put the name of each trip on a separate card: Washington DC, Disneyland, etc.Again, "deal" with just these photos and put into the appropriate piles.Put the photos back in the boxes with the new index cards-chronologically.WooHOo! The first set is the beginning of your vacation album! That's all there is to it!


Now, start getting moments, events, everyday, holidays, family, yourself, and your world all Scrapbooked! One photo at a time, one step at a time and one day at a time.

The next days coming will all be inspiration to help get those pictures scrapbooked!
 

More of 365

So today you should have organized more of your photos, hopefully. If you were into football like me, you didn't get much done.  Its okay!

Tommorrow is another day. As long as you met your goal of "x" amount of time per day on organizing!

Captain Hook

Heres another Disney Layout from this past year. I love how these ones turned out!

 

close up of left side

close up of right side 

365 Day 3

Organizing ALL those Digital Photos

I know, your thinking…”But WAIT, I’m not done with my printed photos yet”!  Its okay, I’m not either! But there maybe those that are,(I know, I'm jealous too) or those that want to work on both at the same time. You can come back and read when your ready! But we need to set a goal for “x” amount of time a day to set aside for just organizing our photos.  Even if its just 5 min a day, in a week you’ll have a bunch organized, lil things add up to BIG things! Remember you set achievable goals for “you”.  This is just a guideline to help!

First thing first, extremely Important! If you haven’t already done so, BACK UP ALL THOSE DIGITAL PHOTOS!  Whether, it be on CDs, flash sticks, eternal hard drives, etc.  I am speaking from experience. I lost many due to a computer hardware malfunction. It still makes me cringe and cry. And, I still forget to back up photos every now and then.

So for, Digital photos, which are a lil more complex. Because we don’t have to worry about printing the pictures to see if we got a good shot, I don’t know about you but I probably take 5 shots for every picture.  Again, set achievable goals, baby steps.  Usually when you transfer your pictures from your camera to the computer, the cameras software automatically labels your folders.  Now, depending on your software depends on labels/file names you get. A system that works for you needs to be set up so that all of file folders lets you easily identify the group of photos, browse and find photos.

I have several cameras over the past few years, so I have several different file names. However, I’ve always changed them to the year, month, day.  It helps me identify easily. most inside the file under each picture, has a file name too, usually in a sequential numbered order. Now, I haven’t done this with all my photos but with some I have changed the file name to a short description. For example:  2005-04-28   Chelsea10 bday;    Gift from Aunt…,

You could also do it this way; that start with a folder for each year. Within each year folder, create 12 month folders (one for each month). Within the month folders, are subject folders (birthdays, holidays, even just dates).

Its finding what works for “YOU”! AND REMEMBER TO KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Once, you have all these organized in whichever “system” works for you, now the real work begins!  Remember when we “purged” out those nasty, dark, blurry, what the heck is that a picture of, those really bad self portraits (unless you really want to scrap them?) photos. We need to do this again. 

Now, if you’re like me, you’ll have a ton of duplicates!  We need to “purge” those now.  What I recommend is viewing them full screen and looking at the duplicates, look for closed eyes, not the expression you want, lighting, blurriness, etc. Pick your favorite(s); saving no more than 3 of the same. But you need to keep in mind “how” am I going to scrapbook these? You may only need 1 photo.

If you don’t want to permanently delete these photos, I understand, its hard at first. What I do is I have a folder labeled “To save or Not”. I move my photos in there and view them a day or so later, sometimes I view them a couple times.  Once, I know “okay, I don’t need these”, I delete them.  On an occasion, I do move 1 or 2 back to the original file, but very rarely.

365 Day 2

Yes I know, I know, you read yesterdays post and I mentioned the nasty eight letter word but it’s an important one! It needs to be done, its that nasty thing I keep putting off for another day. Well, Today has come and I’m going to “Just Do IT”! Will you join me?

By organizing the unorganized photos, we will be cutting out a lot of time that gets wasted looking for “those” photos that we want to scrap. For some time I considered myself organized, then I got injured and life got hard and it was an excuse to be lazy about it. Now, I am Total Complete Unorganized Wreck! I spend more time looking for things, or end up cleaning and organizing rather than working on what I wanted to work on. How much do I actually get done? Not as much as I could. How much time do you “waste” looking for those photos?

Since the reason I scrapbook is to remember and share photos in a creative way to tell a story, and it really needs to be easier to do. There is a plan and a way to go about it; I will need to make it in lil achievable goals, one at a time and one day at a time. I may not get every single photo organized and labeled, but I’ll get most. I am looking at organizing literally thousands of photos. Many that are not even printed! I think it’s best to approach this challenge without the anxiety by setting simple little achievable goals.

So yesterday, we should have found most of our printed photos and at least gathered them into one place? I think I have accomplished that.

Today, we are going to “Purge” those photos and organize them to some degree. The organization is going to take more than a day especially depending on how many photos you have! Today, we are going to focus on one pile or clump of photos.

“Purge” is to go thru as we organize and throw away those nasty, dark, blurry, what the heck is that a picture of, those really bad self portraits (unless you really want to scrap them?) photos.

Be sure to store your photos in acid-free photo boxes (it's not necessary to have a box for each album), use tabbed index cards or the envelope they come in, or a large binder clip w/a small note paper to identify groupings. a great product is the CTMH Acrylix Organizer (product # Z1038) you can order from my website.

Deciding upon a system for organizing your photos. So many different ways to organize, but again, no stressing, no worries, we can change our minds later, its ok. If you currently have a way that you use to organize, think about whether it works for you. If it does: wonderful! If it doesn’t work, think about why it isn’t working for you and how that can be better.

A decision, must be made. Take a deep breath, relax, and Decide! Remember, its not something that is etched in stone. Decide on which way: chronologically, one book for each child, Holidays, sports, travel, etc. Which ever way you decide, they do need to be done chronologically and then by occasion/subject. Using a tabbed index card or the envelope they come in, or a large binder clip w/a small note paper on each pile identify: year, month, and occasion/subject.

By simply looking at the photos you have and you can figure out just what and how you want to scrapbook them, which will decide how you want to organize them. I like to take my photos by “Occasions.” By “Occassions,” I mean a holidays, birthdays, gathering, school years, etc. For those everyday, no specific “occasion” I will look at “individuals” and get those organized by date. If its “everyday” with multiple “individuals” I look to see if it’s a certain day we had a BBQ or it was SuperBowl Sunday or something. I will try to get those together and make notes that it was this day and we just did this.

Storing your photos in a chronological order will help you know what you have and find the photos you want when you want them.

example:

March 1992 Chelsie’s 2nd B-day

2004 July Move to California

Each month, include an “Birthday” or “Everyday” or “Gathering” , you get the point? Have a “misc” category to for those few photos that don’t really have a subject and organize those by date.

Are you ready? Because its time to sort. First, pop in your favorite movie (if you have lil ones put their favorite in so they will be entertained while you get some work done and able to watch with them).

If you have those magnetic albums with photos in them, these MUST be done FIRST!! These photos are being ruined in those albums! Take those pictures OUT of all magnetic albums but keep those photos together since they have already been organized sort of.

Get down on the floor or grab a couple tv trays, whatever way you will be most comfortable and productive. Make those cards for the boxes, and put names of all the scrapbooks you want to make on each card. If you aren't sure, use a pencil for now, and just put the years. Grab any pile or stack or box of photos

Organize those cards, labels, tabs whichever you decided upon in, chronological order. Grab a pile, stack, box, etc of pictures and "deal" only with those. As you go thru “purge” those photos that won’t ever be scrapped. If you don’t want to throw them away, label them “unscrapable” The photos you will be scrapbooking put those into the suitable pile as chosen by tabbed index cards or the envelope they come in, or a large binder clip w/a small note paper. This process can go quickly, however that means NO reminiscing on every photos! Let me REPEAT that: NO reminiscing on every photos!

Good Luck!

My Project 365

Its 365 project with a twist. I don’t know about you, but I have a lifetimes worth of pictures to catch up on (many still need printing),  and taking another 365 on top of the other hundreds I’ll take this year seems like more work? Maybe its just me? Why i love the "idea" of 365! So, i was thinking instead of taking a photo a day and journaling.  How about getting an old photo into a scrap page a day. Getting caught up?

My first steps, is organizing my photos. Which may take a few weeks?  Gathering them all into one place. Then sorting them into proper scrapbooks. Then making notes for them.  

So, if you want to follow along with me, i'm going to post a tip or challenge a day.

Today, go around and gather ALL your "UNSCRAPBOOKED/LOOSE" photos Go around the house,  get every box, bag, envelope, loose photos, photos in frames no longer hanging up,in old albums, pictures that you may have in your wallet or on the refrigerator  and get them into ONE PLACE.  

Digital photos – know where they are on your computer, know where your back-up copies are. Make sure the file names are easily identifiable.  (If you don’t have back-ups, please make them first. I am speaking from experience. I lost many due to a computer hardware malfunction.)

Monochromatic Cards

Brown

 

Blue

 

Red

 

Yellow

 

Green

 

Purple

 

Pink

A New Challenge for the day

Today's Challenge is to make a A monochromatic color scheme Card. Any theme you like! Pick a color and use various darker shades, grayer tones, and paler tints of the main color may be included in the palette. you can pair with white or another neutral. Ready...Set...Go

Many Expressions

I just love how this layout turned out!  The pictures are over a few year span. I've been trying to scrap them for awhile and i finally did.  This is the final layout!!

 

The background paper is from Storytellers and so is the white paper with words.  The rest is DCWV.  The words are cut from black CTMH CS and green & white vinyl from the cricut using SCAL and "Addams Family" Font. I just love that font.  though a few letters don't shadow :(   I used swiss dots emboss folder on the blue CS and sanded them to get the white look because it had a white core. I also sanded the edges of the pictures. not sure you can see them? used different color brads, mostly yellow, green and blue. the lil labels were cut from SCAL using "cutting up 09" (i think?) font. and i cut them in the middle and trimmed to fit. I inked the edges of the orange mats too with blue ink.

CTMH February Constant Campaign

Hearts for Haiti

Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. We’re excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where customers can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.

From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts. 

Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

Baby Memory Box

Memory Box from CTMH.  The papers are CTMH Creative Basics Emporium and Felecity collection.  The Cuts are from Cricut New arrival, Paper Dolls everyday and Graphically Speaking.  Prima flowers and "bridal" flowers from michaels. Queen & Co. adhesive backed pearls. Heidi Swapp Clock "ghosts"  Brads are CTMH pewter and cranberry.  BIA  to bind the mini book.  My own lil "baby story" which will soon be available from my "Digi Stamps" for sale Misc. Ribbons from several different companies.

top view of the box

front flap view

side view

 inside cover of the lid view

matching mini Book to go in the box. This is the cover.

 a few of the pages

Disney at halloween

Two Page Layout. The circles are cut from the Cricut from "George" cartridge. The "Mickey Pumpkin" and "Mickey Witch" was from a Disney swap on the cricut MB, I believe Amy did them. Purple ric rac. Black w/white stitching ribbon from CTMH. "Happy Halloween" was cut from paper from DCWV stack? Purple and yellow cardstock for matting. The Black w/glitter pumpkins is from the "Glitter Halloween stack" DCWV. The orange printed paper on the bottom is CTMH from "felicity Collection".

 

Cancer "Poem" Canvas

I used inks to color the otherwise "white" canvas board.  I did one for a girl and a one boy.

 

I used CTMH "Felicity Collection" papers for the background and the side die cut paper.  I inked the sides and edges with chocolate and watermelon inks.  The Swirl, Flowers, and Birds are from the "FelicityStamp Set", "What cancer can NOT do" is done in vinyl. The butterfly was a transparency.  The Parenthesis and swirl are chipboard cut outs that i colored and then embossed with gold emboss powder. Brown grossgrain ribbon. I used Queen & Co. adhesive pearls around the die cut paper and for the bigger birds "eye".

 

The background i used chocolate and star spangled blue ink for inking the background. I used CTMH "Felicity Collection" papers for the the side die cut paper.  The Stickers are  epoxy stickers.  "What cancer can NOT do" is done in vinyl and blue cardstock. The butterfly was a transparency.  The Parenthesis and swirl are chipboard cut outs that i colored gold. Cranberry grossgrain ribbon. Pewter brads are also used.

snapfish deal

Cards For soldiers

I made some simple cards the other day for Soldiers. Its a great group over at the cricut MB  Cards for Soldiers   They are simple but much needed.  The group makes cards for the soldiers to send back to family and friends.

More Disney Layouts

CTMH "twitterpated" paper for the back papers, all the cuts are from "Pooh and Friends" cricut cartridge.  The bridge and Roo are cut seperately i "threaded" Roo into the Bridge to make it look more "real"

 

CTMH "Felicity Collection" paper for the back papers, all the cuts are from "Pooh and Friends" cricut cartridge.  Flowers are just silk flowers with a "mickey head" brad as the center. Ribbon is black w/white stitching from CTMH. Also used CTMH Flip Flap to get more pictures into the layout.

 

Close up of the Flip Flap which can be ordered for $3.95 for 15 at my  website      

the "journal spot" i used the cuttlebug emboss "Owl" folder  and i had inked the folder before embossing. added matching silk flowers.

 

Again, CTMH "Felicity Collection" paper for the back papers, this is actually scrapped on the other side of the last picture. Since the paper is double sided and i have limited amount didn't want to waste.Again  the cuts are from "Pooh and Friends" cricut cartridge.  Again used CTMH Flip Flaps to get more pictures into the layout.These are a great way to get multiple 4x6 pictures into a Layout without making the layout too busy or overloaded with pictures and loose focus. They are a quality thickness, unlike some other brands and very affordable!

 

Disney Layouts

the titles i got from i think 2 different swaps on the Cricut MB, sorry don't remember who did which i've had them for awhile!

 

scraplifted the little present from a tag swap, they had lil animals so i put my disney characters to go w/my page.

Scrapbook expo

Well, i attended the costa mesa, ca expo and it was a let down. i think it being before CHA and the new releases hurt and it was much smaller. Lots of the same old thing and not alot of deals either. though this is what i did get.
wish i got more of the pearls though now that i am looking at them. 

Flower tins 250+ in each tin. the deal was 2 tins for $35 or $20 ea. sister and i split the $35 and each got a tin

the pearls were buy 10 get 2 free. they were $1 a package and 2 free!!  they had more colors and had some rhinestones too for the same deal.

Tinkerbell Layout

I made this layout yesterday, some of the paper is CTMH & some DCWV. The title and flowers are cut from the cricut. and the flowers have "skittles" for the center peice.

Christmas Layouts

I've had this paper kit from CTMH starring at me for over a month or maybe its 2?  Over the past weekend, i sat down and made a bunch. I love how they turned out and need to decide if i'm keeping them and put my own pictures in them or if i want to sell them? Some of the paper embellishments are from the cricut machine and some are store bought. TFL!

 

 

the above picture has the flip flaps that you are able to get multiple pics onto one page! I love these things.

 

No Fairies

This was from earlier this year, in one of our trip to Disneyland. The girls wanted to see the Fairies and the line didn't look too bad, however it was HOT and no shade and it took forever. Poor Chad wanted nothing but out! I took his picture pouting and this is the LO  i finally made. I have been trying to get this page done since I took it but you know wanted that "just Perfect" LO! I think I got it!!

all the papers are CTMH. The lil pirate guy is from Cricut PaperDolls and so are the skull and bones.  I used SCAL to cut the words, i forget which fonts i used.  I also, used vinyl for the  top layer of words, i find the more delicate the font the better vinyl is to use!  the lil sayings are stamped w/CTMH.

Felicity Collection

This month until Jan 31st if you order $60 in stamps (before tax and shipping) you can earn this beautiful collection for free. you can also, purchase with an order for $34.95.

You get 12 - 12x12 Double sided printed papers (2 each of 6 patterns), 3 - 12" printed die-cut circles doublesided ( 1of each pattern), 3 - 12" printed die-cutbrackets double sided papers (1of each pattern),

1- My Acrylic D - size Felicity stamp set.

Thank You cards

I was trying to make cards from the CTMH idea book.  However, i realised i didn't have all the needed supplies so i played around and came up with these 4 cards.  The paper is CTMH perfect day, CTMH brown and parchment CS, the card is DCWV, cranberry grossgrain ribbon, generic kacki brads, adhesive back pearls from CTMH (one card i colored them w/a brown sharpie), Stamp is from Kanji Phrases stamp set. Inks i used chocolate and hollyhock.