Adding Photos to Premade Layouts

In July, I wrote a blog post about Layout Kits to the Rescue, and today I wanted to show you the completed layout using one of the kits.The hardest part of using a kit from a class (especially if you cut and adhere down photo mats) is finding the right photos. Sometimes the pictures don't fit the premade photo mats and you must decide if you want to cover the mats or trim the photos more than you'd like.

Next time I take layout class, I'm planning on waiting until I find the photos I want to use before cutting the photos mats. One of the pictures I wanted to use was to big for the photo mat and I couldn't trim it down without losing the composition of the photograph (one of my favorite photos from our trip), so I used it anyway, even though it meant the layout wasn't balanced as the photo was a little wider than the others one on the page.

After I had completed the page, I found more pictures of this event, a stop at a scenic overlook point near/at Camp Pendleton, and added some Flip Flaps made by Close To My Heart to include those pictures. The instructions for the kit had the small tags used for photographs, I used them for journaling.

The Disney Project Box

In my quest to organize my scrapbook supplies better for crops, I purchased an IRIS Portable Scrapbook File box. I took it for its first crop outing a few weeks ago, and I loved it. It made packing for the crop easier as all of Disney embellishments and paper were in one place. The only issue I've run into is having to open up the three file boxes I purchased to see which one contained the project I was working on. (other boxes are cardstock and a cruise album project.) I got tired of opening them up to check, so I decided to be brave and vinyl. I've wanted to use vinyl for the longest time (purchased some over a year ago) but always talked myself out of it. I was so afraid I'd mess up and waste the vinyl. It occurred to me I was wasting money if I purchased a craft supply and never used it. So, I did it! I labeled my Disney box and now I want to vinyl more things.

The top of the box holds a small container to place embellishments. I love being able to keep the paper, stickers, and 3D embellishments for the album project together. There are also three hanging folders inside where I put completed layouts (when I'm at a crop), folder for paper scraps I might be able to use later, and then pattern paper that I purchased by the sheet rather than in a pack.

Next on my crafting list is to vinyl my other boxes. I know I can find a cute cruise ship file.

Five High Tech Ways to Enjoy Crafting

1. Classes -- I signed up for a Craftsy class called Mastering Foundation Stitches. Say what? you ask. You know how annoying it is to make a chain to start a crochet project? The loops have so little give. They twist as you go along. When you're done, they stick out funny. But this class promised a better, faster way to start your crochet projects without that bother.

I bought the class on sale for $10. Best ten bucks I've spend in a long, long time. The teacher was obviously skilled and, best of all, she's taught enough in real life that she anticipated the sorts of problems I would have. Here's a look at my first try.

I'm really eager to translate this to miniature projects. As you might imagine, the thread you use for a tiny afghan has no give at all, which means this should result in a much, much better product.

2. Customized fabric -- I wanted a way to take Jax, my Havanese pup, with me wherever I go. I'd seen dog pillows offered on Etsy, but the price was pretty steep. Instead, I cropped one of my favorite puppy photos of Jax, loaded it onto Spoonflower, and they printed it on fabric. You can have fabric made for as little as $20 a yard plus shipping and handling. https://www.spoonflower.com/

Gives a whole new meaning to "doggy bag" doesn't it?

3. Floss on demand -- I hate it when I go into a store for a specific DMC floss, only to discover they have every color under the sun but that one. I discovered this wonderful service from Heirlooms Forever. Using their website, I can go online and order each skein I need, by the color or the DMC code. The cost? Only 77 cents per skein plus shipping and handling. Here's their website http://www.sews.com/ and be sure to tell them I said, Hi.

4. Virtual cropping -- As Christina shared earlier, May 5 was National Scrapbook Day. A bunch of fun ladies in Collinsville, Illinois, asked if I'd like to be a part of their crop. It wasn't feasible for me to travel, so I did a remote event with them via Facetime on my iPhone.

5. Small inspirations -- I subscribe to the Alpha Stamps newsletter. I might need to give up eating, because every newsletter shares the coolest projects ever and I want everything they sell. In duplicate. There are tons of ideas here. Enough to keep my little fingers busy until the wee hours of the night. And what crafter doesn't need more stash? You have to see this little collector's room box-- http://www.alphastamps.com/blog/?p=16758C

Okay, have you tried any of this high tech ways to feel your low tech crafting addiction? Would you like to?

 Be sure to comment below and I'll choose one of you to receive a free copy of our newest anthology, Happy Homicides 5: The Purr-fect Crime. I've partnered with ten other authors to bring you this fun anthology featuring crime and kitties. The release date is May 12, 2017, to make it easy for you to "gift" a copy to a friend for Mother's Day. Or to yourself. It's only 99 cents for the first two weeks, and then we'll hike the price, so you'll want to pre-order your copy here:  http://bit.ly/2HH5Purr

In fact, could you do me a favor? Could you share news of this anthology with your friends on Facebook? Here's some easy verbiage you can use:

Love cats and mysteries? You'll love Happy Homicides 5: The Purr-fect Crime. Pre-order your copy today for only 99 cents. (May 12, 2017 release) http://bit.ly/2HH5Purr

A Halloween Map Album and Marvelous Monday Contest

Short on time? Aren't we all? That's why I love small albums. Here's a fun project that's perfect for Halloween. It's called a "map album" because it folds up like a paper road map.

Supplies:
     * 7 yards of black ribbon
     * 5 sheets of 12 x 12 inch black paper (must be black on both sides)
     * Halloween themed rubber stamps and colored pencils
     * packing tape
     * adhesive
     * various sheets of Halloween themed patterned paper and matching solids


Directions:
    1. Cut the black paper into 6 x 6  inch squares. (I rounded the corners.) You will use 18 squares.
    2. Cut the ribbon into twelve pieces each measuring 18 inches long.
    3. Arrange nine black squares so that you have three across and three down with a gap of one inch around each square. (Think of a tic-tac-toe board, but with a gutter or margin of one inch around the tic-tac-toe boxes.)

Now we will join the squares together:

    4. Position ribbon so that you have two 18 inch strands going down each row (top to bottom). Tape ribbon to the squares. (This will take six strands of ribbon.)
    5. Position ribbon so that you have two 18 inch strands going across each row (left to right). Tape ribbon to squares.

Now we make a sandwich by putting a second black square on top of each of the first nine squares and gluing the two squares together--with a ribbon filling.

      6. Decorate your squares as desired with your Halloween rubber stamps and paper. (Tip: At this point, you might want to fold up your squares so you can decide which one will be your front cover and which one will be the back cover. I suggest you put a sticky note on the front and back as a reminder to decorate them accordingly.)
      7. Once your squares are decorated, fold them up once more. Now use the remaining ribbon to tie around the package of squares and hold your album closed.

~ MARVELOUS MONDAY CONTEST~

How are you celebrating Halloween? 

One lucky commenter will win a copy of 

Death by the Dozen: A Cupcake Bakery Mystery by Jenn McKinlay.

~ LAST WEEK'S WINNER ~

Scrapping B wins a decorated piece of driftwood. Scrapping B, you need to send me an email at JoannaSlan@aol.com with your postal address!

On the Road

A week ago Monday, I left my home outside of Washington, DC, and hit the trail.

I drove through Maryland, and its mountains, along winding roads. At one point, I could look down into a valley where a white-steepled church sat in a pool of swirling mist.

From there I drove in-and-out of West Virginia, not trusting my GPS, and finally stopping at a tourist rest station. There I noticed how the highway wove through several states, and I wished I'd paid more attention when I took geography years ago! It was raining hard, which caused my heart to pound as I motored up and down steep hills marked with lanes for runaway trucks.

In Ohio, I found myself behind an Amish buggy. It was raining hard, drops coming down in slanting silver streaks on my windshield. I slowed down, and when it seemed safe, I passed the conveyance. Inside were two girls, bundled up in black, with bonnets covering their hair. Only their eyes showed. Their faces were pale and wary. I wondered how many cars had threatened their safety on that highway--and I wished them Godspeed and safety as they traveled. They seemed so vulnerable to me!

In Illinois, I drove past flat cornfields I once visited when I worked for Illinois Farm Bureau. I found myself checking to see if the owners "farmed ugly," which means that they were leaving stubble in the fields to hold down the precious topsoil. Heavy-bottomed clouds gathered on the horizon, threatening and ominous. When they formed a backdrop for a dark, red-stained barn, I gasped at the lovely contrast of colors.

On the border of Missouri, I squinted into the darkening sky and found that beautiful silver ribbon, the Arch, welcoming me home. The Mississippi was muddy and greenish, but along the current floated a tangle of brown branches. Then along came a white barge, with a red cabin, merrily muscling along a brown and lumpy load of goods. I wondered if this scene was similar to one that Mark Twain beheld, near this same spot.

I am tired--and invigorated. My fans have told me how much they enjoy Kiki. I've been honored by the many people who turned out to visit with me. I've been thrilled by the kind welcome from so many booksellers. I've thoroughly enjoyed spending time with scrapbookers and scrapbook store owners. I've net many new friends along the way.

It's been great fun...but I can't wait to get back to my home computer and start writing again!