     | | newsletter signup | store directory | bulletin board | calendar | surveys | shop online | coupons | digital designers | Square One -T is for Trends, B is for Bree -- Article All of a sudden, or so it seems, there are scallop-edged circles everywhere. You've seen them in layouts, they are front and center on cards - a groundswell that began slowly and took root like ivy. Manufacturers of rubber stamps, chipboard, cutting dies, and punches embrace this trend, making it simple for scrapbookers to incorporate the look in whatever way they want.
Square One: Think Small -- Article I always have a stack of blank Artist Trading Cards on hand. The 2.5" x 3.5" size is ideal for experimenting with new techniques, inks, stamps and tools. I cut and die-cut cardstock, chipboard, patterned papers, cork and such; I've purchased ATC blanks in packs as well. But I had never found a good storage solution till a recent trip to the craft store.
Labor of Love Part I - Fifteen Thousand Petals -- Article Kerry and Ryan Scott's seaside June wedding was a celebration of love shared by the bride and groom and their friends and family who came together for the event. It was a dream come true, a memorable and picture perfect day with weather that only the man upstairs can provide.
Square One - What's Black & White & Red All Over? -- Article There are a lot of punch lines to the joke that begins with the question "What's black and white and red all over?" But the answer, this time, is scrapbook layouts! It's a color combination that can't be beat, that is endlessly versatile, and that has as many variations as there are shades of lipstick.
Head for the Table, Reversible Placemats -- Article Are you up for an easy challenge? Look through the 12" x 12" double-sided papers you have on hand and pick several that coordinate. Remember: easy isn't cheating. You can use papers that were designed as a collection - that's what I did.
Square One - Storing Tiny Embellishments and Graduation Countdown Calendar -- Article Imagine that you're shopping in your favorite scrapbook or craft store and on the shelf in front of you is a white box with 25 drawers, each a square box with a finger notch in the front. It measures less than 9" square and is less than 2" deep. It's called a Countdown Calendar, but you see it as a _______________!
Square One: Think Small - Artist Trading Cards -- Article As Max Klinger, beloved eccentric character on the TV series M*A*S*H, once said when asked why he was wearing a flower-laden hat, "It's SPRING, Sir!"
Square One - Dinner Party Then & Now -- Article Dinner parties used to be so easy. We called a few friends, all of whom were free nearly every weekend. We cooked whatever we wanted to make and served it to people who often ate second and third helpings. If we were lucky there might be enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Our menu was typically baked brie with almonds or mandarin orange segments (out of a can), roast beef, baked potatoes with sour cream and butter, salad with enough dressing to fill a small swimming pool, a token green vegetable of some sort - perhaps string beans with Swiss cheese sauce, and homemade cheesecake.
Square One - Choosing Embellishments -- Article Choosing embellishments is something that stymies most beginners and it remains an interesting challenge no matter how long you've been scrapbooking. There are an endless number of options. Brads, paper and silk flowers, gems, stickers, metal pieces, chipboard shapes and alphabets - it's no wonder people feel overwhelmed.
Square One - Photo Valentines -- Article Last summer, my husband shot a series of wonderful close-up photos of the flowers sold at our favorite farm stand. The bouquets are clustered in buckets of water to keep them fresh. Each bunch is beautiful on its own, but together the effect is breathtaking - a rich carpet of color, a visual feast of red and purple, pink and green, yellow and orange. I'm so glad we captured that August morning with the camera. Now that winter is here and nature's palette is mostly gray and brown, it's those photos that help conjure up memories of Saturday mornings at New Morning Farm, of juicy peaches and tomatoes, sweet corn and, of course, the bouquets we took home.
Square One: Head for the Wall Part III - Magnetic Personality -- Article I couldn't resist another installment of Head for the Wall. Part III has the subtitle "Magnetic Personality" because the projects are based on frames with a magnetic surface in the center, just right for easy to change wall décor. Pop a square into position, hold it in place with four super strong magnets; add some hanging elements across the front and the project is done in a jiffy.
Square One: Green Calendars -- Article I think my impulse to save and re-use or re-purpose might be genetic. Our family was "green" before the term was used to describe anything other than a color. My grandfather, a tailor, saved fabric scraps. Those bits and pieces of wool and silk were the things I used when I learned to sew (my dolls had very elegant clothes). My mother saved yarn, turning the extra bits and pieces from sweaters and scarves into lap throws and blankets. One of her creations remains among my most cherished possessions. My dad fashioned new bars of soap out of the small slivers others might have tossed.
Head for the Wall Part II/Think Small -- Article Part I of "Head for the Wall" explored ways to use 12 x 12 scrapbook papers as wall decor. We're heading for the wall again in Part II, but this time the idea is to think small!
Square One - Head for the Wall -- Article One of the best ways to get a lot of value from scrapbook papers is to head for the wall instead of the album. You’ll come to look at them in a whole new way if you think of papers as components for works of art and part of your decor. I’m not talking about framed scrapbook pages or collage and altered art; I’m talking about simple, bold, modular, dimensional art pieces.
Square One -- Article Last month we introduced our new scrapbook basics section, Square One. We are so excited to bring you informative articles and easy projects that will nuture your creativity so be sure to visit us each month as we go back to Square One. If you have questions for Judi, please email her at publisher@a-z.com.
Tear It Up -- Article This article contains projects for all levels. Looking to tear up your scrapbook pages with creativity? Wanting a new technique that isn’t going to break your scrapping pocketbook? Paper and your fingers are all you need for some scrapbooking fun and a look that can go on any page!
Simple Techniques for Computer Titles and Journaling -- Article These projects are for all skill levels. Creating titles and journaling for your pages is fun and easy! Learn to create a variety of titles, including punched circles, a wave design and a circular design. Instead of using letter stickers, try creating your titles on the computer for endless design possibilities! And learn to use your titles and journaling to enhance the mood of your pages by selecting coordinating fonts.
Wet Embossing -- Article The layouts in this article are for all levels. Get out your detective gear and let’s uncover the mystery of Wet Embossing. You’ll be excited to find that it’s not a mystery at all. Incorporating this fun technique in your scrapbooks is not only fun but easy too!
Water Color Painting Techniques -- Article This article contains projects for all levels. Watercolor paints are an easy and inexpensive way to add color to your pages. This article will cover several watercolor techniques with examples.
Take the Rubberstamping Plunge! -- Article This article includes layouts for all levels. Don’t hesitate and dive right into the world of rubberstamping. With so many products and ideas to use in your scrapbooks it’s time to get your feet wet and start stamping!
Collage: A Simple Approach -- Article These projects are for all skill levels. Does the sound of creating collages on your pages sound intimidating? Not sure where to start? I can help. Collage is defined as “An artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface, often with unifying lines and color." By that definition, scrapbooking itself is collage! Learn to fine-tune skills that you are already using with my simple approach to collage.
Hand Lettering -- Article This article contains layouts suitable for all skill levels. There are two reasons I can think of as to why hand-lettering is beneficial for scrapbooking. The first is that it allows for infinite creativity. Limitations are not based on the availability of appropriate stickers, die cut letters or a computer font. A hand-lettered title or journaling block can literally be placed anywhere in a layout with any design style.
A Love Affair with Bleach and Inks -- Article This article contains layouts for all level scrapbookers. To find the products listed in this article check with your local scrapbook retailer. Love is in the air and so are all those beautiful photos ready to be placed in your scrapbook. Bleach and ink can help you create those pages simply and easily. Don’t let Cupid’s arrow pass you by, because you will just fall in love with this great technique!
Sew Easy Stitches -- Article The projects in this article are suitable for scrappers of all skill levels. Even if you’ve never picked up a needle before, now you can add these simple and beautiful stitches to your layouts. Learn basic stitches to beautifully adorn your treasured scrapbook pages giving them a wonderful handmade look.
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