Happy National Scrapbooking Day

I was hoping that I could share some new layouts with you on this blessed day that started back in 1994 by Creative Memories. It's the day that scrappers all over the world get to celebrate our love for scrapbooking.

So what will I be doing on National Scrapbooking Day? Probably cleaning the house or emptying our yard of leaves which have been laying around since last fall. Maybe I'll see if Daddy can take Little Man out for a couple hours so I can finish a few layouts.

Considering I only have five more months before my life really changes.

A new tool

This pregnancy must be really inspiring me. Either that or it's making me realize that I only have 8 more months to get caught up on Little Man's scrapbooking pages.

In the past couple of weeks, I've managed to complete several different projects including a few pages for Little Man's album. Deadlines usually do that to me. And let me tell you. This is a good thing.

The other thing that has inspired me to get more layouts done are quick collages from Scrapbooks Etc.. Not only can you use these to just drop elements into each square, you could use them as a guide if you need to know what to place a particular element. Rotate it 90 or 180 degrees and you have a completely different look. I've used them as a quick way to make a digital layout. Add a few lines of text for journaling, a title, drop in a transparency squiggle frame, and Voila!


Another layout for Little Man's Little Moments album.

Although I do have to admit, it took me over an hour just to be able to figure out HOW to drop the photos in and delete the portions of the photos that were overlapping, but I still figured it out.

Finally. Another project complete

Little Man A just turned two years old... 2 months ago. During his first year, every month I took a picture of him with a teddy bear that a good friend gave him. I loved to watch him grow compared to the teddy bear and he always managed to make the cutest expressions. Sometimes, it took over 24 shots to get it right, but that's what digital photography is for.

I used to have all twelve photos displayed on a shelf in our living room, but I wanted to display others. I decided to make a large collage of the photos and make it scrapbook-y as well.

Although the project really only took just over an hour to complete, for some reason I just kept putting it off. I finally finished it Saturday!


Now I just need to finish his first year album and I'll be all caught up... somewhat.

New look for the New Year

Just wanted to share with everyone my new business look. Just in time for the New Year! More changes to come on the website soon.

New hobby

Okay, so I don't have the month in review for you yet, but I do have something else.

I have a confession.

I have a new addiction. And I have someone whom I love very much to blame for this new obsession. You may know them as Wenderina and Uncle C.

Now, I'm sure they probably had no idea that this would cause such a disturbance in my life, but it has.

What, precisely am I referring to??



I received this beloved program for Christmas. And I promised myself that this would be mine (oh, yes, it would be mine) even if I had to buy it myself. But, alas, someone caught on to my hints and bought it for me! Yeah! Thank you, thank you!!

Because not only can I edit my photos (which I haven't read that part in the tutorial I received from a good friend's hubby), I have instead created this...



and this...



All in about a 20 minute times frame! And boy does that feel good to get 2 layouts done in that short amount of time. These of course are not my designs, but rather downloaded from Digital Freebies and Marie LaFrance.

This makes scrapbooking too easy!

It's here!

Scraps 2 Remember website is finally here! MY brother was able to finish the majority of it last week, leaving a few minor details for later. So check it out and let me know what you think of it!


Scraps 2 Remember

Scraps 2 Remember at the Fall Festival

Scraps 2 Remember will be at this year's Fall Festival in Lake Ridge, VA. I needed a way to advertise my services, but I really didn't have the income to spend $300 for a business card size ad in a small local paper. So for $20, I'll be showcasing my work this weekend.

If you live in the D.C. area and would like to take a real look at my scrapbooking work, make sure to stop by Lake Ridge's Fall Festival. This Saturday from 10am-2pm, there will be Carnival themed contests and a Moon Bounce as we celebrate the arrival of fall. Activities include the Children’s Costume Contest and Parade at 11A.M., a mouse hunt followed by a Build a Scarecrow event (bring your own clothes and accessories) at 1P.M., and a Carved Jack-O-Lantern judging (all Jack-O-Lanterns must be pre-carved) at 1:30P.M. Come check out vendors’ wares from across the region that will fill the lot with great bargains, one-of-a-kind collectibles and original arts and crafts. There’s something for everyone at this year’s Fall Festival! Don’t miss this fun family day packed with food, games and prizes!

If you would like directions and more information, check out the link:

Lake Ridge Fall Festival

Hope to see you there!

Good intentions

As I was looking over hubby's shoulder reading my blog entries this weekend, I remembered I had set a few goals for the month of August. In addition to getting started on "Little Man's Special Moments", I had wanted to complete Wenderina's wedding album and get my website up and running.

While I have obviously finished quite a few layouts for Little Man's album (some of which I even submitted to Creating Keepsakes), I didn't make any progress on Wenderina's album. I'm really hoping to be able to finish it this month considering October is their anniversary month.

On the website front, I did accomplish a temporary one while my beloved brother tries to pry himself away from his daily duties. Although it did come in handy the other day when one of hubby's colleagues was inquiring about my services, I wish more of my layouts were posted (and not in video format since they are unable to view videos). We'll see if it's complete by the end of the year.

So here's one more layout for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Scraps 2 Remember Temp Site

I know a few people have been asking about a website for my scrapbooking business. Unfortunately, it is not up but will be up and running very soon. I know, I've said that before, but I am officially bugging my brother as of right now.

In the mean time, I have put a temporary website together myself. The only thing missing are photos of my layouts. Included is the additional information that everyone always asks about... pricing. The prices listed are introductory prices that will change after the first of the year. So act now and get a great deal!

I know a few people have actually wandered over to the official site splash page via my slide show on the top left bar. Hopefully, what you see on the slideshow and what you have seen here on my blog will be enough to showcase my work.

So, here is the temporary website for Scraps 2 Remember hosted by freewebs.com. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!

One for the road

Well, this one took me a little bit longer than I had wanted to. I had an idea in my head and it just didn't work out when it finally got to the paper. And I'm not sure why, but so far all my background paper has been white. Not that I think it really matters, but it's something to keep in mind for the next layout.

On with the show.



Let me know what you think.

On a role...

Here's another layout for Little Man's "Little Moments" album. I'm thinking I like these little layouts. The only thing that really took time with this layout was stamping the months across the page. Let me know what you think.

First installment

A few weeks ago, I mentioned wanting to accomplish another scrapbook for Little Man. "Little Moments with Little Man A" Well, in approximately 20 minutes I made the first layout in the album. A quick 8x8 one page layout with handwriting and a few embellishments. Granted it wasn't the first in chronological order, but hey, I'm trying something new.

So, here it is. Let me know what you think!

Great Offer!

I recently announced that we will not be moving this year. So, in hopes to get a little more business, and since my website is not up and running yet, I'm offering a special custom scrapbook deal. Hopefully, my website should be up and running by the end of the month.



Great Offer from Scraps 2 Remember!!


Buy 9 layouts and get 1 FREE!

OR

Buy 11 or More layouts and get 10% Off!

These are great offers! A custom scrapbook is the perfect gift for anyone!

Email me if you would like a copy of my brochure.
scraps2remember@yahoo.com

It's a hit!

Well, I know not very many people actually commented about my pics and review of the month of July, but I know for a fact that it was a hit. Looks like I'll be turning this blog entry into a habit. Not only does our family and friends get to catch up with the life of Little Man A, I also have a great entry for future scrapbooking layouts.

Speaking of which, I just received my order of prints that I picked out for my "Little Moments with Little Man A" album. So keep an eye out for those coming soon. Hopefully, if I can pry myself away from ebay long enough this month, I'll be able to finish that as well as Wenderina's wedding album (even if I don't have all of their journaling in hand).

Also on my list to accomplish this month, although it's not necessarily for me, is to have my brother finish my website. If you haven't noticed, I did put a slideshow together of my layouts if you are interested in checking them out. Most of them I've published here already, but I have included a few others I have not displayed. Hopefully, with the website up and running, Scraps 2 Remember will be up and running before the end of the year.

Oh, and one more thing. We're NOT moving before the end of the year! Hubby informed me that the board for his promotion packet will not happen until November. He will be notified if he has been selected 4-6 weeks from there, putting it around Christmas time that we will find out when and even where we will be going next. If he is selected, there are two schools that he needs to complete (total 12-14 weeks long) prior to checking in with his new unit. I'll be staying here since I have friends to keep me occupied here. Not to mention this will postpone our need to either rent or sell our house. Hopefully by then the market will have started to incline again.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Scraps 2 Remember Open for Business

Well, it's official! I am open for business. Although I'm currently busy with two scrapbooks at the moment, so you'll have to take a number. But I guess all good things come to those who wait.

Scraps 2 Remember

Although it's not exactly what we want (myself and my brother who is designing it), my splash page is up and has contact information. He also thought of a cool idea to show a sneak peak of some of my pages. Once the page is officially up and running, all of my must-see layouts will be displayed.

A special thanks to Kiki and Wenderina for promoting my new custom scrapbook business. So if you or someone you know and love would like a custom scrapbook made by Scraps 2 Remember, please contact me!

Back in the saddle again!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a new layout - although if I want to submit this to Creating Keepsakes it should not be posted anywhere online, including a blog - oh well! Anyways, this obviously has sat on my desk since before we went on our cruise. I've hemmed and hawed over it for the past couple weeks and finally decided to finish it last night.


I know this looks like a simple project, but this one really kicked my butt. I had a few inspiration pieces that I was working off of, but nothing I had seemed to be working. I'm actually really pleased with the way it turned out, especially the left page. And I'm especially excited about the monogram "A" which is from a new Cricut diecut cartridge I purchased this week.

Let me know what you think!

Tootles!

P.S. For those of you who may notice, the date is wrong - it's actually August to September 2008.

What inspires me?

Over the weekend, I was able to finish one more layout. While I was scanning these to upload, I started to think about the process of how I actually get to finish a layout. Hopefully, by hearing this process, you'll appreciate the final project a bit more. It's a little more difficult, for me atleast compared to Lisa Bearnson or other scrapbooking icons out there.

My first step is to take a look at my photos. I've already gone through the 7 month photos and determined what two photos I want to leave in 4x6 as focal points. Then, the rest are uploaded to be printed as wallets. This way, I can get atleast 12 more photos onto a double layout.

Once I have them at home, look at how many I have in portrait vs. landscape format, I search for ideas by number of photos. My biggest form of inspiration is Becky Higgins! This woman is incredible! She and Lisa Bearnson, the founding editor of Creating Keepsakes, have turned scrapbooking into a multi-million dollar industry. Becky's book, Creative Companion and Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking Volume 1 and 2 are my main source for layout ideas. However, sometimes I'll come up with my own just by looking at all of her ideas.

For instance, I took this layout ....

and this one...

and created these...

Take this photo as color inspiration from his shirt...



Take the last two layouts, combine, and eventually turned into this...



So, now that I've explained my process (not to mention the hour that I spent trying to find a font that matched the pre-printed "stud muffin"), hopefully these layouts will mean a lot more to you. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think!

6 months old

Well, I was going to talk about the sun and the sand, or lack there of, but since I finished yet another layout last night, I decided to show that off instead.



I also decided to start sharing my view of the layout and what I like most about it. What I like most of this layout is the buttons and how they bring the eye to the main focal photo. I have hundreds of buttons... have I used them so far? Big negative. So now I can check that embellisment off the list. I also love the second focal photo. The expression on Little Man A's face is priceless! How could you not love that face?!

Well, my goal is to have his album complete by the time we leave for our cruise next month. I only have 6 more layouts to finish in the next 15 days. I think I can do it!

Let me know what you think of the layout!

One more done!

I am really excited about this layout! In case you couldn't realize by all the '5's, this is Little Man A's 5 month layout. I have to admit, putting these layouts together have been a real challenge for me. Not only do I have to find a new and creative way each time to put 12 or more photos together, I have to come up with a new way for me to include the journaling without hindering the look of the design. So, here it is and just to let you know.... the journaling is behind the far left photo. Let me know what you think.

The name game

So for the past couple weeks now, hubby has been helping me in any way he can to get me started with my new business. I do have to thank my friend again for giving me that extra boost. So if you want to thank her yourself, visit her at A Parently Speaking and go check her out with little Bruce. Of course the other person I have to thank is my wonderful and amazing Aunt Wenderina, who said I should really start a scrapbooking business this year. I know, other people have mentioned it before, but it didn't really hit until she said it last year.

We tried out a few names like:

Little Scraps {of Life} - This one was my favorite. But too many blogs and websites use this term pertaining to scrapbooking or anything else for that matter.

Little Bits {of Life} - someone had something very similar for a blog and website.

Bits of Scraps - same thing... too many references online.


But one, really stood out....


So without further ado, here is my new business name:

◆Scraps 2 Remember◆


I am in the midst of putting a brochure as well as a website together. I'm not sure I'm going to really promote things until April since we are going on a cruise next month. But, if any of you out there are interested in having a work of art made with your photo memories, please feel free to contact me at:

Scraps2Remember@yahoo.com

Tootles!