MTC! Files for download!

These are download files these are for Make The Cut software.  I am trying to figure out how to make these available for SVG files in use in SCAL but for now they are only for MAKE the Cut! sorry

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Page Mesh MTC! files

I made two simple mesh page cut files in Make the cut!

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Heart beat cut file for MTC!

I cut mine out of vinyl because it is a very delicate cut and i find it easier to cut delicate files out of vinyl.

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Purse card .cut File

This file is for Cricut Design Studio.  You will need "George and Basic shapes" cartridge to be able to cut it.

purse card cut file

This picture shows the card with a ribbon wrapped around. the cut file does NOT have the slits for the ribbon to go thru.  Simply make a slit with your xacto knife on the flap where you would like the ribbon to come up thru. The ribbon wraps around the whole card and come up thru the slit from under the flap to meet the other end on the top and tie the bow.  If you don't want a ribbon, looks great w/out.

The Balancing Act of your Layout

Creating a Scrapbook layout with a creative balance.  Do you sit and look at your layouts and think something is off? Can’t quite figure it out?  Maybe it’s lopsided ;) meaning it’s out of balance. One of the keys to a great layout is “Balance”; the balance contributes to the harmony of the overall design.  Our eyes naturally are pleased with balance.

To achieve balance there are some key things to consider, which I will be talk about to help you achieve it. You need an equal distribution of “visual weight” in your layout, whether it’s a one page or double page layout. The best way to see if your layout is equally spread out is to mentally split the layout in half whether it is horizontally or vertically.  Though, we do tend to like to see “bottom” half heavier than “top” half, but in a layout its ok if the top half is heavier, so long as you achieved “balance”. The different elements on the page have their own “visual weight”, so they don’t have to be the same elements. So, basically they don’t have to be for example, 3 buttons on both sides.  It can be 3 buttons and another embellishment for example a slide mount, that is equal in “visual weight” Embellishments “weigh” more or less depending on their size, shape, color, texture and/or placement.  For example a small floral print is “lighter” than a big floral print.  Another example a black & white print is “heavier” than a multi color busy print, because of the contrast.

There are 3 types of ways to achieve “balance”. The three types of “balance” are asymmetrical, radial and symmetrical. 

Asymmetrical is probably the most complex one. Asymmetrical Balance is created on both sides of a “central axis” by giving equal visual weight to dissimilar objects.  To obtain this type of balance several techniques are usually used together in some way using color, shape, and position.  By color, you want small areas of bright or light color balance on a larger area of dark or dull colors.  Color is useful in allowing for a great difference in shapes that still balance because of the color applied to them. By shape, the more intricate shapes have more visual weight than a larger simpler shape.   By position, if you place a larger item closer to the center you can balance with smaller elements placed toward the outer edges.  You also need to consider the texture and value of the elements when looking at the color, shape and position. An element with more contrast is going to be “heavier” visually because our eyes are naturally attracted to this.  Paper with a light and dark variation is more visually appealing than say a plain non textured cardstock. 

When choosing to use asymmetrical think if the “mood” of your layout falls in one of these; casual, energetic, having variety, natural, playful, spontaneous, or subtle. These “moods work best for this type of layout.

Radical Balance is a layout in which elements radiate or circle out from a common point. Depending on where you have your focus radial balance can be either Asymmetrical or symmetrical.  This type of “balance” works great for an organized layout which expresses energy but in an understated way.

Symmetrical Balance is like elements repeated in the same spot on either side of a central axis.  This type of “balance is more like a mirror image. The elements on either side can vary slightly without changing the symmetry.   There are 2 types of symmetrical balance which are bilateral balance and crystallographic balance.  Bilateral Balance is created by a mirror of the layout on each side of the center axis.  Crystallographic balance is the elements all over the layout have equal “visual weight” creating a larger pattern without a center point.  Either of these balances in a symmetrical layout creates a straightforward look of equalization.

With time and practice, you’ll be visually seeing the “balance” in your layouts and things will just start flowing a lot easier.

Tweeting!

Ok I think i've gon crazy! Taking and listening to advice! OH my!  not sure the whole "tweeting" thing will stay!  but if your a "Tweeter" follow me The_Scrapoholic

Cropping Pictures

Cropping pictures is the technique used to trim the excess off a photo. Most of your pictures in your scrapbook will not be professionally taken and thus, will not be as visually appealing as they could be. Cropping photos can remove distracting backgrounds, refocus a picture, or frame a subject. Cropping pictures that fit into fantastic layout designs is not as difficult as it seems, but takes a bit of planning.

While experimenting with cropping pictures, I suggest using pictures that have duplicate prints or pictures your not going to ever scrap before cropping the pictures you really want to scrap. Also, avoid the temptation to overdo it. A page with 4 different shapes will not flow or and be very off balance. Always Remember the most basic scrapbooking rule: KISS ~ Keep It Simple Sweetie!

There are 4 common shapes used for cropping pictures: circle, oval, square, and rectangle. Other shapes can be used as well, but are less common. When you plan your scrapbook layout design, try to decide which shape or shapes you will use for your pictures.

Many photos will have subjects that are complimentary to certain shapes over others. For example, a picture of the Space Needle is more appealing and natural to be cropped into a long rectangular shape. Choosing shapes that will compliment the layout design does not necessarily mean using circle cropped photos on your circle patterned paper with circle stickers. Try experimenting with contrast when cropping pictures. Use square pictures on that circle paper or ovals with the rectangle embellishments.

Experiment with using more than one shape (both circles and squares) when cropping pictures, but not more than two. Try cutting a free form of a picture meaning cutting an outline of a subject directly. For example, a child jumping, cut out free form and then pop dot it up for added effect.

Before begin cropping pictures, it's important to think about what you want the focus of each to be. Many photos are taken from such a great distance, with distracting background images or that the viewer's eye wanders pointlessly around the picture. You want your scrapbook layout to tell a story and your viewer will be visually taken through that story based upon the pictures.

For example, in a picture with a large amount of background space takes away from the subject and focus of the picture.

Once the distractions of the background isremoved, the picture is now more visually appealing and the focus is on the subject.

When choosing focal points, remember the Rule of Threes. (The Rule of Threes is based upon a triangular shape. The triangular shape could be static or dynamic. To create “visual appeal” using the Rule of Threes, create a dynamic interaction between objects. But a triangle shape doesn’t have to be made. Simply, just odd numbers of things are more appealling) This visual technique is used by professional photographers to create focus with their picture. Although, sometimes a picture is more appealing when the focal point is not cropped and is off center but also in the center of the picture.

When you are cropping pictures, be sure that your cutting tools that are sharp and cut cleanly. When using the dull paper cutter or scissors the edges of your paper are frayed and torn rather than cut cleanly. The same will be true if you crop photos with dull tools.

Always trim less than you'll expect to take off on your first pass. Remember, you can always cut off more if you need to, but if you crop a picture too small you can't put any back on! I highly recommend making duplicates of pictures you plan to crop! Especially irreplaceable such as heritage or professional photos.

Depending on the amount of the picture you are trimming off, consider hanging on to your scraps until you finish the layout design. The scraps that were trimmed off other picture can be used in the layout or complimenting layouts. They work to tie in the theme on this page. For example, you trim of a rose bush, you can mat it as an embellishment for the page.

Remember there really is no “right” or “wrong way to crop your pictures. You make it work for your taste, layout, etc.

Flip Flap Book

 

  

to download instructions:   flip flap book instructions

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To order your kits: 

RockStar Flip Flap Book Kit

You get all the fun papers and extra embellies to make the cute kit plus printed instruction included!

 

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Veranda Flip Flap Book Kit

You get all the fun papers and extra embellies to make the cute kit plus printed instruction included!

 

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Creative Cookie Flip Flap Book Kit

You get all the fun papers and extra embellies to make the cute kit plus printed instruction included!

  

Become a CTMH consultant!

 March Constant Campaign from Close To My Heart. If you have ever pondered of becoming a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant there is no better time then between March 1-31, 2010!!Need a little extra income? or just want to be a hobbiest with a discount? For anyone who joins my team as a new Consultant during the month of March you will receive ALL the Stamps of the Month sets in the upcoming Summer 2010 Idea Book (May - August) for FREE! That's right FREE! There is even no additional shipping & handling, or tax that will be charged on the free sets. That is a  $91.80 that you are getting for FREE when you join. You're probably wondering how much it cost to join?  it's a nominal New Consultant kit fee of ONLY $99. And  you get TONS of amazing products valued at over $300 for just $99 (see below). Plus with the Stamp of the Month's you'll be receiving you will receive approximately $400 worth of CTMH goodies. If you would like more information about becoming a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant and joining my team please contact me or Information or Join Here remember it's between March 1-31, so hurry before its too late for this deal! .  

Check out the Consultant kit you will receive....

 and these are the stamp sets you get (this month ONLY) completely FREE!

Work in Progress

I'm a little torn on how to finish this layout. I've done it with Some paper flowers contrasting that match the "shadow" behind "beautiful" to pull the same color from the base page. The pictures don't justify the colors or its "real" look as you know with flash photography its hard to capture scrapbook pages. So what are your thoughts?  I'm gonna try to cut out some blue flowers and see if that looks better?

 

Having a Giveway Contest

So on Facebook I've been doing some giveaways. So if you'd like check out my facebook page!

The-Scrapoholic on facebook

Color Matching between CTMH, SU & Copics

I took some time and did alot of research!  This is a collaboration from many sites and blogs to come up with my chart. It is not my work, just a collection I put together. It matches CTMH colors to SU colors (not all included) to what Colors for Copics and then the RGB print codes to match.  I only matched the 60 current Colors of CTMH to SU colors, there are more colors for stampin up that i did discover.  I also, couldn't find some copic colors for SU. If you happen to have the ones missing please feel free to post!

I created an Excel Sheet that if you'd like you can download here


Color Comparison Chart

Friday freebie! Printables!

Today is Friday and here is my Freebie.  Here are 2 cute lil printables.  I had used the "girl" one in a recent project baby memory box these are the "story" pages.  The boy is done is "BLUE" and the girl is done in "pink". They are pretty simple so that you can add your touch to the pages and make it your own.

Once Upon a Time Boy

Once Upon a Time Girl

Friday Freebies are a limited time of a freebie, so don't waste time because you may miss out on getting it for free!

Choosing Colors for your Scrapbook Layout

When designing scrapbook layouts, choosing the colors you will incorporate into the layout is very important. Remember, your pictures should always be your focus. It's also helpful understanding some basics color theory when trying to pick the right color with purpose for your scrapbook layouts. If you paid attention in art class back in school, a lot of this will sound familiar. The colors will set the mood for the layout. When you understand the basics of the color wheel, it can make choosing pleasing colors easier.

Basics is understanding Colors

Primary: Red, blue and yellow. These colors cannot be made by mixing other colors together, but they serve as the basis for all other pure colors (hues) in the color wheel.

Secondary: These colors are made by mixing primary colors: red + yellow = orange, red + blue = purple and yellow + blue = green.

Tertiary: Last, but not least, these colors are created by mixing one primary and secondary color. There are six tertiary colors: red-orange, red-violet, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green and blue-violet.

These twelve colors can be classified further into warm and cool colors based on the feelings they evoke. Reds, oranges and yellows are referred to as warm colors because they give you a sense of warmth and are used to convey strong feelings (exhilaration, fury, etc.). Blues, greens and purples are referred to as cool colors because they have a calming effect and tend to remind you of cool things (winter or a lake or ocean).

These are then broken into four types of color combinations that I would like to share today: monochromatic, analogous, complementary and triadic.

Monochromatic  is made up of one hue in several different shades or values.

Complementary is the two colors directly across the color wheel from each other are used. Some examples are red/green, blue/orange and yellow/violet. Just are the names suggests, these colors complement each other and provide a pleasing color contrast.

Analogous is when two to four colors next to each other on the color wheel are used. Some examples of this are yellow/green/blue, red/yellow/orange and orange/yellow/green. Thinking about each of these color combination, you can almost visualize the type of photos you would want with the colors.

Triadic is made up of three colors equally spaced around the color wheel (they form a triangle.) To determine the colors within a triadic color scheme, you first need to draw an equilateral triangle in the middle of the color wheel. Use the top of the triangle as the main color. The two bottom points of the triangle will be the other two colors within the scheme. If you notice that the colors are four colors from each other. This involves using colors that are more varied than the other color combination.

You're probably wondering, how is this going to help me pick colors? Together, these colors make up the basic color wheel. Some scrapbookers, often find a color wheel helpful when determining color combination for their layouts because sometimes selecting the right colors is not as simple as it seems. Your goal, when picking colors is to select at least three colors that compliment your pictures. You will use one color as the background for your scrapbook pages, and the second and third colors will be complimentary to the pictures and be used to mat your photos and other scrapbook elements.

You will not usually use equal amounts of each color in the color schemes. These are not the only possible color combinations, but they are a great start and the color wheel takes the work out of identifying colors that compliment each other.

Here are a few websites for color scheme generators, its a nifty lil tool.

http://www.design215.com/toolbox/colorpicker.php

http://kuler.adobe.com/

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

http://www.colr.org/

http://www.colourlovers.com/copaso

 So, you still can't decide on the right colors to go with your pictures, here is a great tool to help!

http://www.scrapbook.com/color/

You upload your picture and it gives you a choice of many colors. What if you have two pictures you want to scrap with?! Not a problem. Upload both. You can choose what is the best match for both pictures!

Make The Cut vs SCAL vs Design Studio

Imagine It. Create It. Cut It. It's That Simple.

Heres some info on the different softwares. Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) and Make The Cut (MTC) are software programs for use with the Cricut.  They both allow you to easily cut almost any shape you can imagine using your Cricut machine without needing to purchase expensive cartridges.  Its really easy-to-learn, if I can you can! Unleash the real creativity of your Cricut! These programs allow you to cut the most True Type Fonts and true type dingbats.  You can also import SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files.  A Vector Graphic is a graphic image drawn in shapes and lines called paths. There are many programs out there that will create svg files.  The ones most often used by Digital Cutter File designers are Adobe Illustrator which is a program you can purchase from Adobe.com and then there is Inkscape which is an open source (FREE) vector graphics editor with capabilities similar to Adobe Illustrator. However, I do not use any of these as I don’t know how. Though I do believe, SCAL 2.0 also now does the direct conversion between .bmp and .svg, so Inkscape isn't absolutely necessary with the newer version of SCAL. Unlike the Cricut Design Studio (CDS or DS), which only allows you to use images from the cartridges. You can only cut images from cartridges you physically own, as they have to go into the machine or a Jukebox for the ability to cut.

Both Software Programs allow

• use any true type font or dingbat
• Import SVG's
• Trace Images (Convert coloring pages or other b&W images)
• Allow you to make your own designs 
• Use fonts and Dingbats you download from Internet Work with all Cricut Machines
  Shadow and Blackout features

  

I think personally, MTC is better than SCAL for these reasons:
It allows you to edit existing fonts/svgs, preview SVGs before you import them, import from TTF files directly (no more installing fonts on to your computer!(which i have not done yet)). You can also trace BMPs, JPGs, PNGs, etc and convert them into paper.

Has a “Notes page” that allows you to keep track of what you did when you created or used this file for future reference. Also, it allows you to Work with multiple projects at once (which i absolutely love) and Cut, Copy and Paste shapes between projects.  It also allows you to Create and Edit Image Layers

MTC has a user-contributed SVG/Project gallery built right into the program. You can upload your hard work from within the application and share with everyone. Or find what others have shared!

I also, have not had any issues with any the letters, especially “r”, “s” & “t” not being able to shadow properly. That was the biggest frustration I had with SCAL. I didn’t upgrade to SCAL 2.0 and don't know if it was resolved or not?

The only cons  MTC, that I have found is you can't type directly on the mat you have to type in the box that pops up or double click the letter/image from the library. And unfortunately No MAC version, which doesn’t effect me as of yet, but I sure hope they do find a way to get a MAC version.

One place I’ve learned a lot from their tutorials is scrappydew.com

I say if you have a cricut and think this is something your interested in try it for free

http://www.make-the-cut.com/Download.aspx

Make The Cut files

MTI made these files on "Make The Cut".  If you haven't heard of "make The Cut" program is similiar to SCAL or Design Studio its meant for the "Cricut" I absolutely LOVE this newer program. I was very hesitant on purchasing yet another program, but a friend enabled me and i was spontaneous and went ahead and purchased it instead of getting another cartridge!!! I absolutely DO NOT regret it one bit.  I don't see me using SCAL at all! i'll use DS to cut somethings with the cartridges i do have like the ones with layers! But "MTC" is my new "bug's" friend!!

here are a few things i have made already! and i am working on a TON more!! so stay tuned!!

 

This floral Frame is inspired by a .cut file that i got a long time ago, I don't remember who originally made it.  Mine is a bit different as you can't convert .cut files to .mtc files  I worked on this one for about 3 hrs.  and yes those are "george" files. I added some swirls in mine that the other one didn't

 

Freebies expire after awhile and are removed as a Free download.

Sorry Freebie Has Expired

Check For $ale Tab or My Etsy Store for Possible Purchase

I've missed you,did you miss me?

I've almost done with cleaning, organizing and purging! Boy, i think i might be a Scrapbook Hoarder! Do you think they 'd do a reality show on our obsession! I think it would be quite entertaining and to see our craziness isn't so crazy ;)  I know i'm not alone!  I plan on starting to post alot more! i've got some great things in mind coming up to post about!  I have been inspired by so many of the things i've found!  I need to find a nice pic of each of my kids and one of us as a family that one is a challenge, since i'm always behind the camera and hubby dislikes his picture being taken! Then i need to pick a quote for my wall and cut that out of some vinyl.

Oh and while i was away Candace over at  scrap~a~doodle~dee! honored me with a blog award.  So , I'm very honored! and its the first one! I'm at a total loss of how all these things work. I'm computer literate just enough to get myself in trouble! I can't figure out how to get those fancy buttoons on the side like to link my facebook page or any of the ads i'd like to get on there?  Anyways, I'm suppose to share 7 things about myself
So here are 7 things you may or may not know about me

1. my husband and kids are my world
2. i have 2 awesome sisters who've made my life better just by being thier sister
3. i want to move back to Oregon
4. I'm vertically challenged
5. My favorite band is U2
6. Papercrafting is my obsession
7.  this is my favorite #(7)

? i maybe doing this all wrong?  Now I am suppose to share this Here they are!

Jenn Silly scrappin blog
 dianes dreams and designs
 susan de crafter
Victoria Scraps
melissas paperie
06vette scrapper

Now there are strings attached with receiving this blog award. You have to say thanks to the person who sent it to you, list 7 things about yourself and pass it on to some of your friends/followers.

Busy!

Well, i have been very busy this week. i've got most of my stuff moved that i will have upstairs in my new space.  I still have lots to go thru and purge out!  Just busy with things going on with the kids. Trying to do too much i think.  I'm totally exhausted today and my arm is killing me.  Once, i am settled in and take a day or so to rest and recoup i'll be back at getting my photos organized, and getting more projects to work on and post some inspiration!

my new scrap space

so, i havent moved everything. some stuff will still stay in my scra garage. the stuff i need to be close will all be moved.  i have lots to go thru! boy did i find some surprises and forgot about some stuff that i had!!

this is what it looked like this morning.

this is what it looked like earlier this evening

and these are my partially done wall decorations!  they are cut from vinyl! just love how they look!

Moving my scrap space

This weekend will be moving my scrapspace from my garage to my other unused half of my bedroom.  Its just too chilly for my arm to be out in the garage scrappin. I will be going thru all my stuff and listing a bunch on my etsy for some great deals.  This weekend is free shipping!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheScrapoholic

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