How to Tie a Bow

This is a great little video on how to tie a bow without using knots! Make sure you watch the whole video...the end is priceless!


How to Tie a Gift Bow from Small Notebook on Vimeo.

Stampendous Stamps & Shape Shifting

Check out this great YouTube video by Stampendous for a cool technique called Shape Shifting for creating different shapes with your acrylic stamps!

In this video they show you how you can make many different "looks" for the snowman in the Stampendous Jumbo Snowman Stamp Set. You can make fat snowmen, skinny snowmen, melted snowmen and more with this one stamp set!


Here are a couple example Cards that I made:

Holiday Photo Tips

It is that time of the year again....photo opportunities abound, families are together and kids are on their best behavior (yeah right!). Listed below are some tips for taking better holiday photos for your scrapbooks.

The Rule of Thirds: Imagine a grid placed on your photo, such as this one below:

According to the Rule of Thirds you would try to place your subject at ONE of the intersecting points shown with a red cross. This creates a well balanced picture that allows the eye to "flow" across the picture.





Backgrounds: Try to keep them uncluttered and plain so they do not distract from the subject.

Try different angles: If you have kids or pets.....get down on their level to take the picture. Try getting the family together then take the picture from a higher position (maybe from the stairs) or vice versa-have them on the stairs.

Candid shots: Take candid shots. You have to be sneaky...but you can get some really good photos when people don't realize you are taking a picture!

Natural Light: Whenever possible use natural light, but not harsh direct light. Some examples of good natural light are diffused light that exists on hazy or cloudy days and indirect light from a window.

Gift Ideas for Under $20

Need ideas for teachers, neighbors, or friends but you don't want to bust your budget? Try these great gift ideas for under $20:

• Celestial Scrapbooks - Custom mini photobooks, calendars, mugs, luggage tags and more - (don't forget you get Free Economy Shipping on orders over $30 - use code Ship Me at checkout)
• Mini Albums - These albums come in all shapes and sizes and you can alter them to your taste.
• Scrapbook Page Kits - A variety of colors, patterns and techniques available. These kits have enough goodies to make a 2-page layout and then some!
  

Gift for ME!

Do you always ask for scrapbooking items for the Holidays and NEVER get what you want? Well, wait no longer...you can buy a gift for yourself. No one has to know. I will wrap it and address it with the To and From that you choose and mail it out to you with FREE SHIPPING! Put it under your tree or menorah and act surprised when you open it!

Just shoot me an e-mail with the details of the names on the To and From and what type of wrapping paper (Christmas or Hanukkah)!

Go Shop for yourself!

Don't forget to use this code at checkout: Gift4Me
Code Expires: 12/10/08

Announcing Celestial Scrapbooks

We are pleased to announce the opening of Celestial Scrapbooks! Create your own digital photobooks, cards, and unique photo gifts. Visit the website to take a quick tour then give the program a try. It is very EASY to use! All you need is Internet Explorer and an internet connection. Your photos and your project files are stored on your computer. Use one of the many themes or embellishments available in the program or upload your own! Don't forget to try the Smart Arrangement technology that picks photo arrangements for you...don't like the one it picked - let it pick another!

For a limited time, get FREE Economy Shipping on orders over $30.
This offer is good through 12/31/08.
Use code: Ship Me at checkout.

Click here to see the short video.

Recession-Proof Scrapbooking

OK...it is all over the news...the dreaded R word - Recession! Don't let the recession get you down. There are ways to cut-costs and STILL Scrapbook! Listed below are some ways to make your scrapbooking dollar s-t-r-e-t-c-h to it's fullest capacity.

• Chipboard letters or embellishments - Do they have a pattern you don't like or already used a few times - alter them so they are good as new. Paint them with acrylic paint, cover them with patterned paper or cardstock, or ink them so they look different. You can also use different types of chipboard letters (they don't REALLY need to match - do they?) to create a "mixed" alphabet.
  
• Brads - Not the right color? Try alcohol ink to change their color to match what you need!
• Scraps - Don't throw the scraps out! You can use them to make cards!
• Cardstock-only Layout - Have you ever made a cardstock-only layout? If you are a stamper, you can use stamps to create your titles and embellishment. Not a stamper? Try using different layers of cardstock to create interesting geometric designs.
• FREE FONTS - Got a Cricut? Check out this software that allows you to use your Cricut with free fonts and dingbats!
• Clearance and Sales - Buy the items you need on Clearance and during Sales! Check out our Clearance Items.
  

Have any other tips? Let's hear them!

Change your Perspective....photographic perspective that is!

Ever get tired of the same 'ol picture....Jane and Jack by the tree, Jane and Jack at the table, Jane and Jack smiling pretty. I think you get the gist. Well, try shaking it up a bit. Take photos from different angles and levels. Try taking some photos from either up high or down low. For example, take a family photo where the person taking the picture is up several steps so the photo is taken looking down on everyone looking up at the camera. Or, get down low to take photos of kids and pets. Try taking a picture in a mirror or reflection in a window - that can be tricky! :)

I recently bought a point and shoot camera that can go underwater. Let me tell you how much fun I had taking pictures in the pool on vacation! It is actually harder than it seems because it is hard to "see" what you are taking a picture of. I think Kodak makes some disposable underwater cameras...you should give it a try on your next vacation or getaway! So here are some examples of my underwater and "different" angle photos.

Here is my favorite picture! That's my dog Griffin, he is a Great Dane whose ears were never cropped. I always wanted to get a picture of those floppy ears!


Then there are the funny underwater shots:




So...don't be afraid to try some new angles. Get out there and start taking some photos!

Upcoming Crops in DE, MD & PA

October 18th - 9 AM to 9 PM - Bear, DE
Scrapbooking Krop for Kay's Kamp
This is a benefit crop to raise money for Kay's Kamp which will be the First Camp in the State of Delaware for kids with cancer!!
Click Here for More Info!


October 25th - 9AM to 10 PM - Mt. Pocono, PA
Contact Susan Whitmer - s00zn@yahoo.com


November 1st - 10 AM to 10 PM - Elkton, MD
Contact Yaz Waters - yazwaters@hotmail.com

November 8th - 10AM to 10 PM - Newark, DE
Click Here for More Info!



November 15th - 9 AM to 8 PM - Wilmington, DE
Benefit Crop - American Cancer Society Relay for Life
Hosted by Celestial Creations & Scrapbook Supplies, Inc.

Contact Jen for more info - celestial.creations@verizon.net

Christmas Card - Stampendous Jumbo Ornament

It is not to early to start making some home-made Christmas Cards!

I decided to try something a little different for Christmas cards this year.....a different size....different colors. This card is 6x6 and made with Bazzill cardstock and Stampendous Stamps. The colors aren't exactly "traditional", but I like em'.





How to do it:
Cut a 12x12 sheet of Bazzill Serenade in half then fold in half with the textured sides to the outside.
Cut a 5"x5" square of Bazzill Sprout 12x12 Cardstock
Cut a 4.75"x 4.75" of Bazzill Smoothies Coconut Swirl
Cut small length of white ribbon (a couple inches should do it)
Stamp the swirls (Stampendous Jumbo Ornament Set) on the 6x6 Bazzill Serenade cardstock (I used Ranger's Adirondack Ink Pad in Cool Peri.
Stamp the branches from the Jumbo Ornament set using green ink (I used Adirondack Dye Ink Pad - Lettuce). I stamped three branches in the top left corner of the coconut swirl cardstock.
Stamp the Jumbo Ornament in Black.
I used I'Kandee Chalk Earth Tones to color in the ornament.
Stamp the Merry Christmas from Stampendous Merry Messages stamp set in red (Adirondack Dye Ink pad in Cranberry)
Tie the white ribbon in a knot and adhere with a strong adhesive such as Mono Aqua or Glue Dots.
If you want to add a little "sparkle" you can use Stickles Icicle or Diamond color to line the ornament and dot the i in Merry Christmas. [note: Stickles takes a while to dry! You may want to let it sit for several hours before trying to handle it.]

Putting it all together.
Adhere the coconut swirl to the Bazzill Sprout square
Adhere the Bazzill Sprout square to the Bazzill Serenade Card.
I used Mono Aqua adhesive - because you can slide it around a little after you glue it down. Just in case you aren't "perfect" when you first put it down.

Whallaa!

Olympic Gold Medal SALE!!

Team USA won 36 Gold Medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Congrats to Team USA for all their hard-work and dedication! You might be thinking....how does this benefit me?! Well, you can save 36% on your order from Celestial Creations & Scrapbook Supplies, Inc. when you order between Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31st. Enter code TeamUSA in the code box at checkout.

Get it...Team USA won 36 gold medals....you save 36% on your order!

Midnight Oil Scrapbook Design GUEST DESIGNER CONTEST!!

It is finally here! I can announce that Celestial Creations & Scrapbook Supplies, Inc. has teamed up with Midnight Oil Scrapbook Design (MOSD) for their first ever GUEST DESIGNER SEARCH!!

Here is a photo of the kit:


Use this unique kit contains the following:

• 6x12 Cover to Cover Big Boy Album by Midnight Oil Scrapbook Designs (MOSD)
  
• An EXCLUSIVE set of Stick Ons by MOSD (never to be reproduced again!)
• "Half Map" Page Map by Becky Fleck - Designed especially for THIS CONTEST!
• Full Instructions for entering the contest through Pub Calls

CONTEST RULES:

• The contest is open to residents of the USA only.
• Winner will recieve a prize pack of MOSD product as well as the Mod Squad Designer Package for November 2008.
• The Retailer where the winner purchased the Contest Pack will win a prize pack of MOSD products.
• Contest runs from August 25th through September 30, 2008 - ALL ENTRIES need to be recieved through Pub Calls by MIDNIGHT of September 30, 2008.
• You must use the Half Map sketch on at least ONE PAGE.
• Use of the Stick Ons is encouraged, but not required.
• Submission:
• Take high-quality photos and e-mail them to pubcalls@gmail.com with the subject line of: MOSD DT CONTEST. The body of the e-mail must contain your Name, Address, Phone Number, E-Mail Address and the name of the Store that you purchased your Contest Pack from.
• Make sure to show off as much of the album as possible
• Specifically mention the page(s) inspired by the sketch
• Any questions - please contact the MOSD Contest Coordinators
• shannon@mosdinc.com
• christy@mosdinc.com
  

Need more details on the contest? - visit www.pubcalls.blogspot.com

Check out my previous blog on Acrylic Albums here