Price Per Page–More Information

Recently I’ve been adding a feature to each (or most) posts called PPP – Price Per Page.  I have all pages labeled by one of four categories:

$ (pages that cost under $2 per page to create)

$$ (pages that cost between $2 to $3 to create)

$$$ (pages that cost between $3 to $4 to create)

$$$$ (pages that cost more than $4 to create).

 

I have to admit, after the first few pages, I was in a bit of shock.  I was completely surprised at how many pages were over $4, with some of them being upwards of $6.  I honestly thought my average page cost was about $2.  However, I started thinking about it, and I rarely buy my supplies at full retail cost.  But for the sake of calculations, I have figured each page at the MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices – which is what is the most accurate comparison for everyone across the country).  When I shop, my biggest savings is often on my cardstock.  I don’t buy solid cardstock often, but when I do I buy a lot.  I wait until I find it on sale and stock up.  Recently, JoAnn’s has been my favorite place to do that when the open stock paper is 6/$.96.  I have an additional 15% off for homeschooling, so that is a dramatic savings.  If I can’t use that deal and I need cardstock, I buy the American Crafts packs 40% off from Joann.com.  However, I calculate solid cardstock at $.50/sheet for the cost per page.

I have heard the way some people calculate the price per page is to figure the cost of each item on the first page only it is used on.  I don’t believe that is an accurate representation (while really neither method is) for the purpose of this blog. This method would assume you tally the full price of the first use and from then on, never figure the cost.  Here’s why I don’t believe that’s an accurate representation for this purpose.  If I were to use a new ink pad ($7) a new die ($9) and a new package of Thickers ($5), that would appear my cost per page is $21+ plus the other consumable supplies (let’s say $2).   My price for that page would be $23.  However, the next page I were to make, if I used the same products plus two additional sheets of paper would reflect at only $2.  That would appear very confusing to you as the reader.   Perhaps, for the sake of ones individual record keeping, I can understand this method, but I don’t believe it to be the best method here.  I figure the percentage of each package of Thickers that I used and find the percentage of the cost, then use that number, with the end result hopefully being a more accurate PPP. 

For supplies that are not entirely consumed per use, I have calculated for my own use, I can complete about 50 pages per ink pad, spray mist bottle, and other consumables as such.  Thus I divide the MSRP by 50.  I do not factor in the cost of dies or punches used because if cared for appropriately, they can hopefully create indefinite numbers of pages.  I know I have used some of my border punches for more than 1,000 punches!!!!  Even if I figured the cost per pages, it’s still only pennies.   I do not figure the cost of tools that are “investment” pieces in my price.  The effective cost is the consumable supplies only.

You can use the links on the right sidebar to sort my pages by the correct category.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer.

Scheduling

Wowzers.  The peaceful relaxing week I had planned turned into everything short of complete nuclear meltdown!  Don’t you just love weeks like that!!!

I know I have many faithful blog readers, so I just wanted to give you an update of things I had scheduled and what will be changing/coming.  My schedule has become greatly occupied (unplanned) for the next 5 weeks.  This will mean that I will have drastically less scrapping time and blog time.  So, what is in store?  Here you go:

 

Mystery in the Making:  for now, delayed until Summer

Watermark Tutorial( s)-per request:  Sometime in the first two weeks in June

How to make a blinkie tutorial- per request:  First two weeks in June

Regular posting:  Sadly, this will probably be reduced to just two or so posts a week until June. 

Mother’s Day Blog Hop:  4 & 5th, starts here!!

Bottom line:  I’m still here – and I’m okay, just super busy.  I will be back, but don’t worry if I am quiet for a little bit.  Everything in our family is just fine, just super busy.  I will do the best I can to do more than what I mentioned here, but in case I do seem “quiet” I wanted to be sure to communicate with you all why.

I ♥ Mason Jars–Food Friday

Yes, I admit it.  I have a crazy addiction to mason jars.  I think it’s three fold.  First, they are affordable storage options.  Secondly, they’re pretty tough.  Even though they’re glass, I’ve only broke one, and that was while canning.  Third, they remind me of yesteryear, of a simpler life. 

I use mason jars for everything.  Literally.  Flour, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Noodles, Beans, Chocolate chips, Cocoa powder.  If it will fit through the mouth of a mason jar, it goes into one.  I even put my maple syrup recently into an oil jar with the special pour spout.  It works so much better and allows the kids to pour their own syrup (without pouring too much).   I think the only thing I haven’t transferred is my baking powder because that is already in a very practical tin. 

As much as I talk about my mason jars, I thought I should show you my pantry.  It’s been a work in progress to transfer everything from the plastic baggies things come in to jars.  I still have a little bit to go, but I didn’t want to spend $300 on jars at once, I’ve been doing it a little bit at a time over the last several months. 

Left to right:  Pine nuts, Bay leaves (anyone need some – who knew 1 lb of bay leaves would fill four quart jars……..and I’ve already shared a lot of them!!), Paprika, Dried Fruit (in the empty jar with the other box peeking through)

Left to Right:  Whole wheat pasta (1 gallon jar from Walmart), Panko crumbs, Gluten (for making bread)

These two pictures are inside my drawers.  I love my big deep drawers my husband insisted on building.  They are awesome!!!  I don’t put labels on the front of the jars, I just write on the lid what it is (if it’s really obvious, I don’t always do that because I know, but I realized recently that the something tragic could happen and no one else in the family would know dried peppers from turbinado sugar…..better get this task finished up).

Spices!  This was how my addiction began.  I buy my spices in bulk and they come in little plastic baggies.  I had to do something.  This works great!  One tip I have found though is with these little jars, you need to buy the aftermarket white lids to put on them.  The silver tone rings don’t stack well and they were constantly falling out of my cabinet and hitting me (yet none broke, go mason jars!)  However, the white lids are not air tight.

On a practical note though, I had previously purchased some Lock ‘n Lock square containers.  While I do still really like them (although, crazy me is hesitant of the plastic, but that could be all in my head), I couldn’t buy them at Walmart anymore.  Even when I could, they were $6 each for the size of the 2 quart mason jar.  I can buy 6 2 qt mason jars for $10.90, so they are essentially 1/3 of the price.  And when factored in that I would have to pay for shipping as well to purchase more Lock ‘n Lock, it made the decision easy.

If you have any questions, I’m glad to answer (and enable). 

Underwear Boy

It’s a bird, It’s a plane…No, it’s Underwear BOY!!  With super hero powers of avoiding pants at all measure.

I’ve heard this is a common problem between moms and boys between age 5 to 8.  This aversion to pants.  I know it’s full force in my house, the second we walk in the door, the pants come off.  And honestly, there are some days when I’m quite surprised to look at him and see pants in the first place!  All I know, is it’s a good thing we live in the country and have 40 acres with no neighbors who can see the house…….

Of course, I had to document the story with a picture.  An especially convincing picture.  Apparently, even bike riding is better in boxer briefs…(and he somehow managed to escape the house – he usually puts pants on when he plays outside…I might have to reevaluate this situation).

Silly note – I just had to use the sticker that said “Mission Brief” on the page about briefs…ha…get it???  Okay, I know, totally nerd of me.

This page was for a challenge at Club CK called “Chinese Whispers” Think of the old telephone game we used to play as a kid, when one person would make a statement and everyone had to whisper it to the next person and you never knew what it ended up with?  Yup, scrappy version of that.  If you want to see the progression, you can check it out here.

Supplies:  October Afternoon (stickers, paper, light alpha), Coredinations (cardstock), Papertrey Ink (buttons), Kaiser Craft (small alpha), Stampin’ Up (punch)

Design Tip:  Rule of Thirds  I used the rule of thirds two times in this page.  First, the layered paper is on the right third of the page (imagine dividing the pages into thirds with vertical lines).  Also, the photos are placed on the bottom third of the page. 

Price Per Page:  $$ ($2-$3 per page suggested retail).  About $2.75 in supplies on this page. 

Someday, I’ll Be Stationary–New Scrap Cabinet

Earlier this spring when I moved my scrap space, I was pretty sure it had found a long time home.  It functioned and I didn’t have any intention of moving it.  I liked my space being in the middle of the house, so I’m never by my lonesome, but in the midst of the action.  My family is my inspiration, I need to be there to be creative.  (Yes, really, it’s true.  They went camping this weekend with the intention to leave me behind for some quiet time to spend however I wanted.  I had planned to scrap, but the house was just too empty, quiet and uninspiring.  I accomplished nothing.  Didn’t even want to).
When we put my scrap cabinet on the wall, the opposite wall was left empty and unbalanced.  So I’d been on the prowl for a piece of furniture to put there for a while.  Nothing had tickled my fancy.  Despite many many stops in my favorite shop, Grandma’s Attic, I left empty handed.  I didn’t want to buy a new piece of furniture.  For one thing, I didn’t want to spend that much money.  Also, every other piece of new furniture we’ve bought, I’ve been greatly dissatisfied about the quality.  And really, old looks better in my rustic house anyway. 

And then today, what was a great day already, turned even better!  I went to run a few errands kid-less (yay! – thanks to my awesome husband) and snuck into Grandma’s Attic.  And there, like a light beaming down encompassing it was this piece.  There might as well have been cherubim sitting on it calling to me.  Yes, it was meant to be.  I paid for it and said I’d be back later with my husband's truck to pick it up.  But I knew I couldn’t wait that long to get this gem home. 

So I went and rearranged the 277 pounds of groceries (no, that’s not an exaggeration) in the back of my Suburban so I could fit this bad boy in.  I hefted my way through the store with it  - careful to not break (and buy) anything else.  And happily ventured home. 

At home, again, by myself I manhandled it into the house (and I think I might have impressed the hubby – not sure if he was really impressed or just glad I didn’t pester him for help) and the 277 pounds of groceries.  Set to work putting away the 276.8 pounds now (because the kids had quickly decided they needed to test the different dried fruits and peanuts I bought) and admired an empty cabinet.

I had planned to put some of my finished albums in it.  I thought it would be really pretty storage for it, and save me from the other problem I have in our school room of album crowding.  But my husband thought it would be a better use for my patterned paper that was too squished (height and depth – not so much the width across all the pages span).  I decided it would be a pretty place to showcase my pretty antique mason jars.  So after I put away the remaining 276.4 pounds now of groceries, I began moving paper.  Started out with the help of C but quickly realized  a 7-year old boy just doesn’t appreciate the delicacy of paper, and finished myself.  After he roughly grabbed the second chunk (out of order) and bashed the corners on the floor, I quickly decided that I could handle it myself.  Thanks Buddy, I got it.

Sigh…isn’t it just a thing of beauty?  (okay, so I get that you might not be a scrapbooker, or might not like vintage furniture.  In that case, just nod you head and agree so I stay happy ; ) ).


(And yes, I really did have 277 pounds of groceries (well, 46 pounds was cleaning supplies) I have begun doing the vast majority of my grocery shopping from a once a month delivery whole food supplier, www.azurestandard.com – if you’re in the Pacific Northwest and are concerned about quality of your food, you might be interested in checking them out).

Got A Little Messy

I was really feeling scrappy last night.  A wonderful twist after not having a lot of inspiration lately (the horrible side effects of being tired).  I decided it was time to shake it up a little bit, to get a little messy.  (But just a little – I can’t go full out messy, nope, not me).

Supplies:  Stampin’ Up (paper, cardstock, journal tag, flowers, stickers), American Crafts (Thickers numbers), misc (thread), Kaiser Craft (black cabochon), My Minds Eye (grey rhinestone)

Design Tip:  Focal Point  I used the large flower underneath the main photo to be my focal point.  If you were to draw an imaginary line from the title “@31” to the flower, it leads the eye right through my face in the photo – allowing the subject of the page to be apparent – the photos more than the embellishments.  Creating pages are a 12x12 game of Dot to Dot.

Price Per Page:  $$$$ (just over $6).  Ouch!  This one was a lot for me!!  I rarely do page that have this much associated cost.  However, the supplies were from a prize I won, so it didn’t “hurt” as much. 

 

Be Sure to leave a comment for your chance to win!

Fabric Friday (on Saturday) & 100k hit giveaway update

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a Hollywood starlet size negative 2 who doesn’t eat fat or carbohydrates (imagine how grumpy I’d be!).  I have a very odd shaped body, smaller on top than bottom, compounded by the fact that I’m very short wasted.  But if we’re honest, aren’t most of us hard to find clothes for?  Don’t we all have some flaw?  (If you don’t, your welcome to go find a blog about celery and bean sprouts and leave me happily here).  That being the case, my new found hobby might be extremely helpful in my clothes frustration.  How nice it would be to be able to fit my clothes to me!  I’m loving this concept.

Thus, I had to share my newest creation.

Supplies:  modified for bodice length from Simplicity Sew Simple E2029 (from Walmart $.97 pattern), Fabric Riley Blake Designs Pattern C2672 Fiona’s Fancy by Lila Tueller

 

And remember the necklace giveaway for 1k posts & 100k hits?  Well, I didn’t like the way that one looked, so I redesigned it.  This is what the winners will get.  They will have a choice of clear or pink Swarovski crystal.

If you want a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment!  I will pull 5 (yes FIVE) winners from comments between 3/16 and the time I hit 100,000 hits.  If you want to share the contest (so we can get to the winners faster), you can snag this badge!

Fabric Friday–Princess Crown Dress with Swarovski Crystals

My Summer Wardrobe Project is in the midst of it’s production.  With each dress I can see my skills improving, it’s been a fun process.  With four dresses complete so far, I’m sharing dress #3 today.

Today’s dress is one of my favorites I do believe.  I found this fabric on fabric.com first but I didn’t buy it.  When I found it at my local quilt shop, I knew it had to come home with me.  For the pattern, I combined the top of one and the skirt of another.  My next dress, I have plans to do a faux wrap top.  I just need to redraw the pattern.

To top it off, I added some Swarovski crystals to the bodice.  I know Swarovski is probably overkill, but I used the Jolee’s Boutique heat gun and crystals.  I’d heard not so good things about the other rhinestones, so I used these one and the adhesive has been fantastic so far.  I’ve washed both garments I put them on several times and it shows no signs of weakness (granted, I don’t have a dryer, so I might recommend line drying clothes with applied rhinestones).  And when used sparingly, I put only about $1 worth of crystals on the dress.  Worth it to make such an adorable dress.

Supplies:  Michael Miller fabric (both crown & purple gingham), Jolee’s Boutique Swarovski crystal

Cost:  1 1/2 yard of crown fabric, 1/4 yard of purple gingham = 18.37, zipper $1.50, rhinestones $1.00 = $20.87 total cost

(No, sewing dresses yourself is not necessarily less.  Previously I tried to buy her dresses in the $10-$14 range, but because they weren’t long enough, it became not an option.  That being the case, the few extra dollars for a dress we all like is worth it.  And I don’t like working with low quality fabric so I pay more for nice fabric).  And it makes me happy when she’s so excited to wear a dress I made. 

Ever Have Those Days?

You know those days where despite your best intentions, things don’t happen?  Yeah, yesterday and today were like that.  I tried to blog.  I had content for my blog.  But my family needed things done, and in an effort to not say “my blog is more important than you” I didn’t post.  And now with a crying girl on my lap, I don’t have time at the moment either, but I did want to take a snippet of a minute (okay, a few minutes) to post this picture. 

My son has been asking me if he can learn to sew for a while.  Have to say, I never expected that I myself would enjoying sewing as much as I do, but I really never expected that my son would want to know how to sew.  I’m not sure if it’s because I use a *machine*, if it’s because he likes to know things work, or if it’s just because he simply likes to use his hands to make things.  Although, when I asked him, dear sweet, protective, plan ahead child (I don’t know where he got that from, really) told me he wanted to learn to sew so that if he & A were ever separated from Dad & I, he could still provide their clothes.  Sweet boy.   At any rate, today we had sewing lesson #1.  And it was precious time with him, an experience I didn’t think I’d ever enjoy.  That makes it a treasure all the more.

Last week, I ordered a new sewing machine.  I bounced several different options around, but I finally decided price was the more pressing factor and I ordered a Brother.  It is a fancier computerized Brother (not one of their most fancy models, just fancy compared to what I already had).  One thing is for sure though – I love the speed control on it.  It’s PERFECT for teaching to sew because it goes so slowly. 

Come back tomorrow for Fabric Friday, I just might be able to share this little project C was working on today.  If it’s not done, I have something else in store. 

Be sure to take a few minutes today to treasure your family in an unexpected way. 

Who Are You?

We spend a lot of time in the car.  That’s the consequence of living in the country, anytime you go anywhere it takes at least 30 minutes to get there, more likely one to two hours.  When one spends that much time in the car, boredom sets in.  How do you fight boredom?  Why make silly faces of course!

 

Design Tip:  Visual Weight  When using elements of similar size, in order to create weight (or value) of which one is more important and which one should be looked at first, use darker colors more dominantly on the element you want to have the most “weight”.

Price Per Page:  $$ about $1.90 in supplies at full retail

Supplies:  Crate Paper (both patterned papers, note: 12x12 and 6x6 scale), American Crafts (paper), Papertrey Ink (all flower & alpha dies), The Twinery Twine, Kaiser Craft (bling)

Free Rider

Yesterday was an exciting day in our house.  A learned to ride her bike without training wheels.  I didn’t see that coming for a while still, for one thing, they hadn’t ridden all winter.  Friday was the first day they pulled out their bikes since last fall.  But about 1 o’clock I heard a scream “MO-OOOOOOOOOOM.”  Wondering what on earth was happening, and confused because for the volume I knew it was a *big* deal, but the tone was happy as well, I went outside.  I couldn’t believe my eyes, but a trip back in for a camera later I was convinced what I was seeing was real!  She was a Free Rider!

Supplies:  Coredinations, Simple Stories Fab{U}lous, Studio G (“washi” tape), misc (bling) (note the use of the transparency over the 2nd left photo)

Design Tip:  Dimension  When working with flat, similar or simple elements, create more interest by “popping”  them with a piece of foam tape.  Depth creates interest.

Price Per Page:  $$$ (about $3.50)

 

Since the photos on the page are small, I thought the grandparents might like to see the photos more.  I just love the look of concentration!

The Content Scrapbooker – Budget Tip

As a scrapbooker, there are two times a year that are dramatically bittersweet.  Trade Show time.  Yes, if you’ve been around a while you’ve heard of CHA.  That stands for the Craft & Hobby Association.  We typically refer to the trade show as just the CHA, but it’s really the tradeshow presented by CHA.  The reason it’s bittersweet is because there is an incredible amount of new product and inspiration released for us to swoon over.  Why bitter?  Because most of our wallets aren’t deep enough.  Sigh.  Reality.  Waking up from the pretty paper and sassy sticker dream land. 

 

Each year I made my “wish list” and prioritize what I want to purchase first, how much of the line and what that leaves in my budget for the rest.  This year, with proper planning, I’ve been able to get most things on my list and haven’t blown my budget.  Exceptionally exciting!  There are still a few things I want to pick up, and I’m just waiting patiently until my next trip to Craft Warehouse. 

 

But right now, I wanted to share one of my shopping tips for new product as it’s released.  If there is a paper line that you really like, chose the 12x12 pieces you like the most and then buy a 6x6 paper stack to get the entire line.  If a line has 18 papers in it this can save you quite a bit but still provide the variety of an entire collection.  18x$1.00=$18.00  compared to (2x$1.00)+$6=$8  A savings of $10 but you still have all the variety of the collection!  Throw in a few sheets of solid cardstock (which can be bought on sale much more readily than patterned paper) and you have an easy way to stretch your scrappy budget!

Supplies shown:  Crate Paper Pretty Party

Spring Photos

Once a month Creating Keepsakes is hosting a “class” on the Club CK website taught by one of their staff or Dream Team members.  Todays class was taught by Kim Watson and involved a couple techniques.  The class (membership as well) is free, if you’d like to see more, you can check it out here:  Kim Watson's Spring Flowers free scrapbooking class.

I decided to play along today.  Despite the fact that there was misting involved!  I would like to offer up this one tidbit:  Use your American Crafts Chipboard Thickers that don’t have enough tack to actually stick to a page.  Perfect guilt free way to use them – and you can use them for the same application repeatedly which makes them go even farther.



Notice the stitching through the letters?  Super easy technique to add a lot of interest to your pages without adding expense.  Definitely going to have to try this technique more!
Budget Tip:  When using multiple layers of paper for a background that is almost the entire 12x12 size, cut out the center of the back layers to use as additional scrap sized pieces on the layout.  I used the paper I cut from the back to mount my photos and cut my journaling strips.
Supplies:  Co’redinations (cardstock), Crate Paper (patterned paper, stickers, small alphas), Studio G (tape for flowers), The Twinery, American Crafts (thickers used as mask), Lindy’s Stamp Gang (mist), Misc (thread & bling)

Design Tip:  Repetition  This is another page where I used the same photo three times.  I only had one pose of this, but didn't feel that one photo on the page was what I wanted.  By printing the same photo two additional times smaller, it allows me to say "this is important" and create a cohesive page.

Price Per Page:  $$$ ($3-$4 suggested retail)

Fire Season Already

Fire on the hill! 

Last night I went out to the shop and my husband said “Look at that over there.  Does it look like it’s out of control?”  Now, even though I’d not seen any smoke, I know that language.  That means fire.  But it’s too early in the year for fire!  I looked and thought the same things.  Yes, that smoke was more than just a controlled excess vegetation burn.  Someone had lost control.  A few minutes later a friend came up our driveway to tell us there was a fire and the crews were putting it out already. 

We followed our normal procedure:  Shoes, keys, camera, car………C was so excited to go check it out he didn’t even put pants on!  How I wish I had a picture of him in his underwear and muck boots.  A silly sight for sure.  I think the boy has an allergy to pants. 

This fire was the closest to us yet.  Probably 1,000 yards.  In wild fire country though, that’s not much.  The picture was taken from the road, this property is kitty-corner to our property.   Definitely not a comforting sight.  Our property burned in either 2000 or 2001, I’m not exactly sure as it was before we owned on our mountain.  But we still have burned out trees all over to serve as a reminder that fire and dry ground must be respected. 

Thanks to the rural fire crews for getting it out!

Fabric Friday–Cupcake Apron

I remember as a kid, one of the things I most looked forward to were birthday parties.  They always seemed like such a magical event!  My kids also look forward to birthday parties each time we’re invited.  We had a party last Saturday and spent a while looking for a gift before we settled on an idea.  A’s friend loves to cook and bake.  And while we entertained many different gift ideas, we finally decided while shopping in a little town that an apron would be the best thing.  We high tailed it back to the quilt shop and bought this adorable cupcake fabric and set to work.  We found a matching pink cupcake spatula to go with it, still kicking myself that I didn’t take a picture! 

Having no pattern, I used my son to pull measurements because he was about the same size as the friend.  Pulled measurements, cut the fabric and assembled!  I was pretty proud of myself too because I finished the apron and two dresses for  A in a little over three hours.  Yup, I’m getting to know that I’m doing!

Supplies:  Fabric by Moda, pattern (no pattern – just freestyle), Misc pink bias tape & thread

Craft Warehouse Design Team Assignment 4–Simple Stories Fab{U}lous “My Sweet Girl”

Last month my 4th assignment for the Craft Warehouse Design Team arrived.  To my great delight, it was Fab{u}lous!  Fabulous in design and name!!!  If you’ve followed  my blog any length of time, you know already that I’m a big fan of Simple Stories.  I love the adaptability of the product from quick divided page protector scrapping to full layouts. 

Supplies:  Simple Stories (paper, stickers, small letters), Petaloo Flowers, Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch, Misc (bling, thread), Tim Holtz Distress ink Tea, American Crafts Thickers, Glue Dots 3D

Design Tip:  Repetition (of colors)  As I was working on this page, the stark white of the Thickers just didn’t work with the off-white tones elsewhere in the LO.  I used my ink to recolor them to an off white and soften the harshness.  The immediate change in their appearance made them fit on the page much better.  Repetition (of photos)  I used the same photo printed four times, cropped closely on the three additional.  The reptition of the photo says “this is important” and it also creates cohesion on the page.  Repetition (of punch)  Repetition of the border punch on different patterns papers allowed me to use different papers but still create cohesion among them. 

Price Per Page:  $$$  ($3-$4)

Arghh Matey

What’s better in life than being dressed in pink, wearing and eye patch and hitting a pinata!  Not much for this 5 year old. 


Supplies:  Coredinations, Crate Paper (paper), Misc (ribbon), EK Success punches, American Crafts (Thickers alpha), Cosmo Cricket (letters and Glubers adhesive), handmade clay flower

Design Tip:  Use design elements in odd numbers.  The clusters of flowers are all in three.  Three is a much more appealing number to the eye than 2, 4 or other even numbers.

Price Per Page:  $$$ [$3-$4] (despite using handmade polymer clay flowers, I used quite a bit of ribbon in making the ribbon flowers, and the use of Glubers (by Cosmo Cricket) added about $1.25 to the cost of materials).

Inventor

In the tantalizing aisles of scrapbook stores there are many deliciously tempting embellishments.  It seems that the more tempting they are, the steeper the price tag.  (insert cry here).  I will admit I sometimes have more self-control with tantalizing scrappy supplies than I do with chocolate deliciousness though.  Oh, that chocolate mud cake was worth the extra mile(s ) come work out time.  I’m sheepishly better at keeping my wallet closed with expensive scrapbooking supplies than my mouth closed when it comes to chocolate.  Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to confess.

When shopping, my strategy regarding expensive supplies has several dimensions.  1) Is it on sale?  Can I buy it on sale?  2) Is it a good value? (what it is for what it cost, not necessarily is it "cheap") 3)  Is it neutral that I can use out of context and on pages for many different subjects?

I usually have to answer YES to all three of those before I buy.  So when I saw these October Afternoon chipboard elements, they struck out on questions 2 & 3 in my opinion.  But they were on sale, and they were October Afternoon after all!  So I decided to go against my own advice and bought them.  I’ll admit, they sat on my shelf for a while before I used them because they were very “theme” and I don’t always use theme well.  I was able to take them out of context though in regards to topic.  No longer robot focused, but invention focused.

Here is the end result!

Supplies:  October Afternoon (patterned paper, embellishments), Jillibean Soup (Corrugated letters), Misc (ric rac, kraft paper, buttons, twine)

And I’ve decided I’m going to start doing a few new things here on the good old blog.  Please forgive me if I’m inconsistent for a while while I work out the kinks, but I’m going to start identifying one or more different design aspects implemented on my pages.

Design Principle:  Use consistent margins. The top and bottom margins are consistent with each other, as are the left/right margins consistent in relation to each other.  Consistent margins create harmony and avoid distraction.

Price Per Page (PPP):  $$  ($2.20)

I Just Can’t Resist!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words…….but let me set the stage:
We all come into the house after playing in the mud.
Momma:  Okay, you need a bath A, your face is dirty.
A:  No it’s not!

Do you think my case would stand up to a jury?

Blog Hop Winner

Thanks everyone for stopping by for the blog hop!  It was fun :)

The winner of the pink goodies is.......

Sandra

E-mail me your address at lovejoypaper (at) hughes (dot) net & I'll get those out to your right away!!

Easter Color Blog Hop

Hippity Hop!  Welcome to my stop on the Easter Color blog hop!!  If you didn’t arrive here from Heather’s blog, then head on over to Jordan’s and hop through! (gotta say, an Easter blog hop is kinda fun, hopping bunnies, hopping blogs.  Oy, I’m a bit silly today.  Not sure if that’s too much, or not enough coffee…I can’t remember this morning).

Easter is a time of year we often associate with a variance of colors.  Think about all the pretty dyed eggs.  Lots of color and creativeness going on.  Why not translate that color to scrapbooking! 

Pink is one of my favorite colors.  And boy was I happy when I had my little girl because I finally was able to embrace pink for a reason!  No more being stuck with blue because I was the only girl in my house.  It was now an even number.  Watch out boys!!!!  Pink is a coming! 
I’ve been thinking for several weeks on what my page specializing in pink would be.  I wanted something magical.  Stunning.  Spectacular.  But all I had was a blank sheet of pink paper.  Yes, a piece of pink paper sitting on my scrap table for more than a week.  Nothing done.  Of all the times to get a road block!  Sigh.  What’s a pink loving girl, who is feeling the pressure to do.

Why, shake it up and do something different of course.  I’ve been spending a lot of time in the passenger seat of our truck lately, and since I had such a creative block with my pink paper, I thought maybe I should try some digital stuff.   I pulled out the laptop and went to work.  Now, I’m definitely, without a doubt passionate about my paper and glue.  That will never change.  But there are some times when digital is just awesome.  And that is being able to recolor, resize and reuse elements in any way, without costing an arm and leg!  Yes, I’m a budget scrapper.  I’m not a tight wad (I do like to shop), but I like to make sure that I get the most for my dollar.  Sometimes, with paper products, I find myself keeping my pages more simple for cost as well as it being my natural style.  So digital scrapbooking gives the freedom for me to put as many layers on my pages as my little hearts content!! 

So my captive time in the passenger seat led to a page bursting with layers.  Hmmm….maybe I need to do more digital.  0Before anyone thinks anything about digital versus paper, I love to create digital pages that can be completely replicated in paper (and vice versa).  It’s scrapbooking at it’s best, what it is really all about, the memories!


Supplies:  Pink Paislee (from www.jessicasprague.com), Misc flowers & flourish (HA!  How fun to use Pink Paislee products for a pink page….sometimes, I’m just so good! LOL)
Now I ask, what fun is a blog hop without a giveaway?  Not so much I’d dare to say.
Just leave a comment telling me how you like to use PINK.  I’ll draw a winner on Sunday.  Included is some of my favorite pink embellishments.  Label stickers from My Minds Eye, buttons, twine & ribbon, glitter glue and a set of stamps.

And now I bid you ado to Tenny, where she had the wonderful color of brown!  Hop on over.

I Need Filler…(and winner)

Yup, I’m at a loss for blog material, so I am going to post a very boring tedious housekeeping post.  If you want to go grab some toothpicks to prop open your eye lids, I’ll pause for a minute until you get back…..

…..

…..

Ready?

First of all, the fun stuff!!

Congrats to skeeter!!!  Winner of the March Challenge!  Thank you to all who have played along over the past few months!

 

♥ Events to come I am participating in:

Easter Color Blog Hop, Tomorrow!

Mothers Day Blog Hop, May 4 & 5

 

♥ Events to come I’m scheduling:

Mystery in the Making  Yes, it’s coming!  I promised it a while ago, and don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten.  Tedious things like oh, taxes(?) have gotten in the way, but it will be coming soon.

 

♥ Don’t forget:

The camera charm necklace giveaway!  Between post 1,000 and the 100,000 page hit, any comments left will be entered for a chance for one of five camera charm necklaces!!

 

♥  The Journey to Being a Content Scrapper!

I’m working on the beginning of our journey!  Our shop schedule has been changed which has thusly changed my schedule.  But you will soon see the first installment, I’ll give you a hint:  why? 

♥  Design & Product Tip!

As much as possible, on all my posts, I am going to begin adding a Design Tip or Product Tip regarding every page.  Keep an eye out for it – at this point, I’m planning to post it under supplies, but that could be subject to change.  I’m not a design “expert” so they will be pretty brief.

 

♥ Price Per Page

I also am going to start putting up some PPP (Price Per Page) coding.  This one I just brainstormed, so I’m not *exactly* sure how I’ll go about it, but you’ll see when I launch it!

 

♥ Photos Per Page

About a month ago or so I started tagging all my posts with the numbers of photos on the page.  Those links to corresponding pages are on the side bar on the right. 

 

♥  Something Secret!

Can you keep a secret?  If you can, good for you!!  If not, then no way am I revealing yet!  And since I know some of you can’t keep a secret, you’ll just have to wait to see what it is.  I know, I’m mean!

 

Alright, I shall release you from boredom.  You can now remove (carefully) the toothpicks and go find some colorful inspiration.

Album Organization

If they were to start a group called Albums Anonymous, I might have to join.  Since I began scrapbooking over 7 years ago, I have filled over 47 albums.  And to think my husband thought it was just a passing fancy that wouldn’t stick.  Along with this many albums comes storage and organization issues.  Every time I have a new album to put in the built-ins, several other books must go.  Now I need to find a new bookshelf to put in our living room. 
Aside from that though, my more pressing concern is how will I remember what is in what album!?  I’ve been thinking for a while that I needed to develop a system to be able to easily find pages if I ever need to refer to them.  I’ve been at work lately and I will share with you what I’ve done.
First of all, I need to identify that I have only family albums.  I keep just one ongoing album at any point.  As the kids get older and have their own achievements, that may change, but for now, it’s just family albums. 
Implementing my system was a pretty easy transition, because I already photograph every page I create.  Most of them are posted on my blog, some are just posted as drafts that only I can see if they aren’t very good.  But my blog is one of my off-site storage solutions should we have a fire or something. 

Step 1:  Photograph (or scan) LO
Step 2:  Create file on harddrive with corresponding Album identifying tag.
I use WRMK albums, and they have a wonderful bookplate on the spine for easy labeling.  I label my albums Year, Album x.  The one I’ll show you today is “2012, Album A”

(note – this particular album is a Doodlebug album.  Both Doodlebug & WRMK are great, although I do prefer WRMK mostly because of colors.  If you want a detailed comparison, here is a link).

3) Save Files in appropriate album file by LO Title.

4) Tag LO with keywords.  These keywords will be searchable.  I tag by subject, event if applicable (ie Christmas) and/or location (ie Yellowstone).  You can tag them with anything else you find relevant.
To do this, click on the image so you see it previewed.

When it is open, in the “Subject” type the tag words you want to use.


These are now searchable via Windows.  I have done all of this in regular Windows files, but you could do it in the Photoshop Elements Organizer or other organizing software as well.  I tend to be very simplist in this regard and just use Windows.  It works for me, if you don’t like it, use this same concept in whatever program you prefer.
5)  Print contact sheet of all items in album and put in back of album as an Index sheet. (optional – but this allows you to quickly scan what is in each album w/o access to your computer)

When I want find a page, I can type the keywords and search my computer to find what file it is in.  Another option would be to print all the contact sheets and keep them in a separate binder that would allow you to skim that until your find the page you are looking for.