Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Easy Scrapbooking and Blog Candy


Ready for some easy scrapbooking? If the answer is yes (and really, when isn't it a good time for quick and easy page ideas?), then you're in luck. Three winners are going to walk away from this post (or would that be "surf" away?) with a new copy of Easier-than-Ever Scrapbooking 2, the latest special issue from Creating Keepsakes magazine.

As the title suggests, this issue is loaded with simple page ideas, made with basic supplies found in your stash and nothing takes more than 45 minutes to create. Pretty sweet, right?

LET'S LOOK INSIDE

This page, created by Nicole Samuels, is a fun example of the "fussy cutting" technique. Basically, this means cutting out part of a bold pattern from patterned paper and using it on your layout vs. trying to make the entire sheet work. I love how she cut this on an angle.


On this page, Susan Opel used lace paper to create a fun pattern. And she didn't stop at the lace. She added foam stickers and puffy paint to give the lace some playful character.



For more layout sneak peeks from this issue, click here.

GET YOUR COPY

As a special gift to you, my blog buddies, I have a coupon code, good for 10% off this issue. Simply click here to go to the CK store and enter GOXG-5Y78-7A17.

WIN A COPY

Wait, before you head to the CK store, leave me a comment here, telling me your favorite scrapbooking shortcut. From the comments I receive, I'll randomly select three winners who will each receive a copy of this issue. You have until this Saturday, May 16 to leave your comment. I'll announce the winners on this blog on Monday, May 18.

Good luck!
Megan

P.S. I'm teaching at the Manchester, NH Creating Keepsakes Convention this weekend. Will you be there? If so, I hope you'll stop by and say hello. :)

29 comments:

ronee said...

i think you should plan a teaching arrangement here in FL! i love you..i miss you girlie!
thanks for a chance
xoxo
ronee

Jennifer said...

My favorite shortcut by far is sketches. I can't scrapbook without them! They save me so much time. Even if my page ends up looking totally different than the sketch I started with, a sketch still helps me get started and to inspire me.

mama2maya said...

I love to use sketches to speed up my scrapping. This issue looks great!

Flagstaff said...

I like to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I scrapbook 6x6 cards for my mom & 5x7 cards for my dad with some of our older family photos. Along with the standard sentiment inside (happy bday or whatever), I include my journalling for the photo on the front. I gave my mom albums that she sticks the cards in and, voila! Two scrapbooks done.

Chitra, Maryland said...

My favorite shorcut for scrapbooking is: Handy Dandy Notebook.

It is always with me. You never know whe the creative idea aome and strike you. So whenever it does I quickly make a sketch or a layout in the notebook. So when I sit down to do a page I can check the ideas from the book.

It saves a lot of time. Plus I also write the color combinations in it. Inspirations from all over the place - furniture store, fabric store, farmer's market...right now it is this magazine that you are giving away...

Linda said...

My favorite short cuts are kits. Everything goes together quick!

Tifany said...

I like to make a little sketch of what I think might look good for my page. Even if I don't follow it completely it is a nice jump start.

Samantha said...

Kits are definitely great, or buying coordinating products so you don't have to take the guesswork out of matching colors/patterns. :-) Have fun in Manchester! I live in Boston and went to CKC Manchester 2 years ago and had a BLAST! :-) The weather is supposed to be nice too!

Anonymous said...

It's been answered before, but my 'shortcut' = sketches.

If I have a picture in my mind the creating process takes less time.

CindyML said...

My favorite shortcuts are sketchbooks/page maps. I can look at these and change things around and put something together quickly. Thanks for the chance to win. CindyML

Just Us said...

Anytime I am stuck in a rut I cut 2strips of pattern paper-usually 3 inches-and use them on either side of 2 page layout. Bottoms, top to bottom, outside sides...add photos and embellies-works like a charm to get me into the scrappin mood every time (plus its easier to layer several patterns, tear, sew, add brads or ribbon, ect-to change it up but still keep it easy peasy)!! It's linear and clutter free so it helps me clear my mind too...so the creative juices can start flowing!

Julie @ Director Jewels said...

I love sketches! I have to admit, I don't use them that often (I have very limited dedicated scrap time), but they are fantastic.

Thanks for the chance to win! :)

Melissa said...

sketches are definately helpful!

nicole said...

Hey, I do alot of 12x12 pages, so I have tons of scraps left. I use them in my sizzix sidekick or use them for card making.

I hope u FUN at the Creating Keepsakes Convention this weekend. I wish I could get to a class, but with the wedding in august & my daughters 1st B-day party at the end of this month things are tight cause there is so much going on. I'm making it my business to get tickets for a class new year or towards the end of this year if there is one in my area.

Take tons or pictures.

P.S. - I found this website for anyone who does digital scrapbooking on Photoshop. Its great to have a shortcut list. Enjoy

http://www.wescrap.com/scrapbooking-resources/tutorials/digital-scrapbooking

Stephanie said...

My scrapbooking shortcut - definitely my Silhouette. So much faster than hand cutting fonts!

Shara said...

My favorite shortcut is to not spend so much time placing everything in the perfect place. The first place an embellishment goes is where it stays. Plus staying organized.

Cynthia Baldwin said...

Lately, instead of matting items for my page, I'll just outline the item with a pen. I do this not only for photos, but also for other elements - journal boxes, diecuts, titles. Makes the things I want to stand out on a page stand out, without having to take out the paper and scissors again.

Pamk said...

I handwrite my journaling. It saves time and makes my pages more personal.

{VICKI} said...

My shortcut is when I find a page design that I really love. I'll use it over and over.

Jennifer said...

My favorite shortcut is USING BOOKS LIKES THESE!!!! hehe Pick me! Pick me! :) Is is just a coincedence that my word verification is "prize"?????

Heather said...

My favorite shortcut is using my Cricut to create my letter titles -- no more searching for "another e" -- just type it in and glue it down.

Deanne said...

sketches, sketches, sketches! makes life so easy!

Anonymous said...

Saving time, fall back on the grid! works all the time, no matter what the content is.

schmidthouse said...

I usually just use 4x6 photos on my layouts. Thanx for the opportunity for more ideas.

{amy k.} said...

I love to find a page I LOVE and find ways to do it again, just slightly different!

Andra said...

Mine is copying myself! I go back and look at pages I did a year ago and copy the ones I like best.

Unknown said...

My scrapbooking shortcut is this: no more buying one-offs on scrapbook paper: it's all about buying the whole collection so I don't have to worry about matching!

Nicole Renee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicole Renee said...

I wish you and some of the other CK design team members would come to Tulsa, OK for the CK convention! Would love to have you. Thank you so much for this opportunity. My shortcut is to always put things back where they belong that way I spend less time looking for them later. Already thinking of ways to use this book. ; )