Cord Scrapbook Studio

Code Word: Thankful

I am so incredibly thankful. Thankful for my health, my family & friends, and my job. I'm thankful for the opportunity to sit here and share with our loyal blog readers each day about the joys of scrapbooking (among other totally random blatherings) and that my hobby and my career have collided together into my own personal dream world! I'm thankful for the roof over my head, thankful for the Turkey Day leftovers we still have in our fridge that will rescue me yet again from cooking dinner tonight and most of all... this year, I'm especially thankful for the weather.

This has been quite the Indian Summer, hasn't it? Warmer-than-usual temperatures and an extended Autumn? It's hard to believe that it's the beginning of December and the snow has barely begun to fall!

 
Personally, I love Autumn weather. You can walk around in jeans and a sweater both day and night and be perfectly fine--not too hot, not too cold. And having a few extra weekends with the trees in full Autumn splendor has been amazing--for the first time I've actually been able to capture some really great pictures before the usual rain and snow threatened to take the beauty away!

Not to sound like a nature-addict or anything, but I really believe that anytime there's beauty around us we should take the time to enjoy it, right? Well... what better way could we possible do that than with a super secret, not-advertised-in-stores blog special like....say...20% off all of Basic Grey's Indian Summer Collection TODAY ONLY? Sound good?

 
To redeem your 20% savings in stores (Delaware & Nora only), all you have to do is mention this blog entry to a Cord Scrapbook Studio associate by giving them the code word "THANKFUL". And guess what... you can garnish the same fabulous Fall discount online by typing the super secret code word in as your coupon code! (When shopping online, don't forget to use your Premium Photo Club ID Number at checkout to earn your TRIPLE rewards points on all of eligible scrapbooking purchases!)

 Offer valid Wednesday, December 2nd ONLY!

*NEW* K & Company: Madeline

So I was thinking about National Scrapbooking Day (again) and reflecting on all of the reasons I love scrapbooking. Yesterday I mentioned my sewing machine that has recently been given new life in my scrap space and all of the techniques out there (old and new) that are available to scrapbookers to help us achieve our creative goals. Today I'm taking a step backward in my thoughts to celebrate all those reasons I started scrapbooking in the first place--long before I really knew there were even techniques out there let alone specialty stores dedicated to scrapbooking.

Back in the day, one of the major reasons I scrapbooked was to learn about my family. My grandparents, I swear, have some of the best stories out there and their lives are incredibly interesting! So, I started scrapbooking with the intention of capturing my heritage--something I don't do nearly enough of these days. Since it's a HOLIDAY for us scrapbookers this weekend, and there's nothing better to do than spend an afternoon among friends who also scrapbook--maybe I'll grab a few of those hertiage photos and whip up a vintage mini album or something... to pick up where I left up back when I was in Jr. High.

K & Company's Madeline collection, by Brenda Walton is the perfect place to start for all your vintage-chic projects.

The elements of this collection are elegant and muted in color with classic floral patterns and designs. But, they've got all the pizzazz of some of the more modern collections out there with rhinestones, shimmery and die-cut edged papers, etc. so you really get the best of both worlds!

Capturing the memories of my grandparents is one of the many reasons I started scrapbooking back when I was 14 and continues to be a creative inspiration for me now, almost 15 years later. What are some of the reasons you started scrapbooking "back in the day" and how has that changed in the "now"?

 

And there you have it--another reason to get all pumped up and excited about National Scrapbooking Day!  Every Spring (for the last four years that I can remember) Quickutz has come out with its Limited Edition Spring Gift Set. First there was Ginger... then Sunshine... then the four Round-the-World Gift Sets last year... I can only imagine what it is they've come up with this season!

To help keep it interesting (and exciting, and fun and to drive every Quickutz fan out there absolutely BONKERS with suspense and anticipation) they've released four teaser posters and I will share one with you each Friday leading up to National Scrapbooking Day. Supposedly buried within these posters are hints to the Quickutz-goodness that is to come with these limited edition sets. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what may be in store?

This week, in lieu of a weekly sketch, I thought I'd drop a little inspiration your way with a few layouts created using Basic Grey's Marrakech and Porcelain collections!

The first two are pretty seasonal (Autumn), but I thought they were a great way to showcase how versatile this collection is! (P.S. I know I've been talking a lot about these two new lines in my last several posts, but at the risk of sounding completely redundant, I think they're absolutely fabulous.)

 

 

This one (below) is my favorite example... I just love how they used the chipboard stickers--they add just the right amount of detail to the page without overwhelming the photograph. This is definitely one I plan to scraplift with a favorite "growing up" photo of my own! 

 

 

Sometimes its fun to see how others pull together different page elements--photos, patterned papers and cardstock, stickers, rubons, etc to create these beautiful layouts...each one unique, each one a reflection of the designer's personality. One of the things that stands out to me in these examples are the placements of the photographs... take the sample above, for instance. I would have never thought to place an image at the top right corner!

 

That's Kelly Goree pictured in the layout above. She's one of the many talented designers for Basic Grey. All of the layouts shared with you in this post were created by Kelly and can be seen by visiting her blog.

 

 

Here you have it... my favorite paper from the Porcelain collection--Villeroy. I'm not exactly sure yet why I adore it so much but it just might have something to do with how well it compliments each of the other elements in this collection. I love how, in the layout below, Kelly used it as a diecut background image... ahh... another layout to add to my book of inspiration!

 

This week, I encourage you to find an inspirational layout (like any of those pictured above) and scraplift the pieces and parts of it that appeal to you the most--photo placement and overall design, a patterned paper choice, or even a title! You'll not only find a way to complete a layout faster than you would if you had to completely "reinvent the wheel" but you'll have fun in the process. And that's what it's all about...

Nora Week (Tuesday)

Welcome to day two of our "virtual visit" to the Nora, Indiana Cord Scrapbook Studio! Yesterday we met Scrapbooking guru Vicki who happens to be a great big fan of Basic Grey products. Well... have I got great news for you, Vicki and for all of you other Basic Grey fans out there! Two of Basic Grey's four new lines released at CHA Winter a couple of weeks ago arrived in our warehouse yesterday and will be delivered to stores (Delaware, Hilliard and of course, Nora) today and Thursday (for Clintonville and Reynoldsburg).

 

Fiery crimson, fresh basil, patina green, curry yellow and peacock blues burst to life in a spicy anthology of robust colors Basic Grey calls "Marrakech"--a visually arresting, Moroccan-inspired collection as intricate as life itself!

 

The second collection, Porcelain, blends a refined palette of delicate lace and floral motifs in watercolor-inspired hues of sunset yellow, spring greens, soft corals, and espresso brown. It's unpretentious, charming, delicate and inspiring!

It's no wonder Basic Grey is among Vicki and her store's favorite Scrapbooking Manufacturers. Their designs are always fresh, the materials inspiring, and the colors and patterns are extremely versatile! If I were you, I'd make it a point to check out these two great product lines ASAP as they will go fast!

Indian Summer

I don't know about you, but I have really enjoyed these last couple weeks of "Indian Summer". This is the perfect weather for me--the kind of climate I would re-locate to if ever there were a place that promised moderate temperatures like these year round. Not too cold, not too warm--juuuust riiight! (Great...now I sound like Goldilocks!)

 

But seriously... this warm break from the cold snap of winter reminds me to stay positive and upbeat while the days get shorter and the nights turn colder. Thinking of summer with its bright colors, fun activities, and cheerful memories can offer "warm and fuzzies" any day!

 

So in light of this fabulous bout of Indian Summer I thought I'd share a few inspiring ideas from the talented designers at Luxe Designs. If you need something to lift you up out of the creative doldrums or are looking for something bright and cheery to help finish up those summertime layouts, the Capris collection may be just the ticket!

 

How cute is this idea of decorating little flower pots!  When it comes to the reminders of springtime and summer greens this is so perfect... I love it!

 

Capris is available at all locations (except Delaware) and looks great not only for your day-to-day scrapbooking layouts, but for altered projects (as we see above) and cards or mini books as well!

 

(Isn't that cute?) Special thanks to Pamela Lambie, Emily Adams, Sherry Steveson, Lynne Wilson, Jennifer Lynn Moody, and Kandice Matsler from Luxe Designs who shared these examples with us for the blog! Here's to a few more days of sunshine!

52 Days

It's officially November. The clocks have turned back and all of the leaves have fallen in my backyard with the exception of this HUGE, bright red maple. Indian Summer is rearing its ugly little head making it even harder to accept the fact that winter will be coming soon. I'm starting to crave apple cider and old-fashioned donuts and see Christmas paraphanalia scattered about retail stores--thus, the Christmas-time freak-out begins! (Don't worry, it's the good kind, not the bad!)

It happens to me every year once Halloween has come and gone. My brain skips right over Thanksgiving (even though it's one of my favorite holidays as well) and goes straight to Christmas. I start running around like a chicken with my head cut off in utter excitement because I want my decorations up--NOW. I want my Christmas music on--NOW. I want to shop ahead for my Christmas presents, get started on my Christmas cards, and bake my Christmas cookies--NOW! All the while my husband's sitting there shaking his head telling me, "Simmer down, Stephanne. Christmas is still 52 days away!"

52 days? (I pull out my calendar and start counting days and sure enough...he's right. Everything stops and that oh-so-familiar Christmas panic sets in...) ONLY 52 DAYS! 52 days left to pre-plan, photograph, create, sign, address and mail my Christmas cards. Only 52 days to finish up all of my Christmas layouts from past years so that I don't feel guilty when I'm only in the mood to work on this year's layouts come December 26th. 52 days left to shop for this year's special ornament or to pinch my pennies and save up for those "big gifts" this year. (And, only 52 days to figure out what those "big gifts" are going to be!)

On the flip side, there's only 52 Days until I can dive into all of those cookies I'll have saved up for Christmas morning. And speaking of Christmas morning, there's only 52 days until I get to sit back with my camera and a great big Santa grin as I watch my child experience the "magic" of Christmas and follow that up with the traditional Christmas breakfast. (MmMmMm...Monkey Bread!) 52 days until the real joy of Christmas sets in and my heart warms with the perverbial holiday glow as I enjoy time spent with family and friends. Only 52 days.

So in the midst of the hustle and bustle, the stress and the excitement, the magic and the memories, I encourage you to pick a day to celebrate the upcoming season by taking a moment to sit back, reflect (and scrapbook, if you wish) the many Christmas photos and stories you've got floating around in photo albums or boxes and stored in your head. I popped on some Christmas music this past weekend, clearly taking advantage of my premature influx of Christas spirit, and had a ball pulling out all of my Christmas scrap goodies (some old and some new) to get to work! 

I know you think I'm crazy. Afterall, it's barely November, Thanksgiving is still to come, and as I mentioned before, there's still 52 days until Christmas. But that's okay! I am crazy! Sometimes you have to take what you can get when it comes to being in the creative mood and embrace those moments that come when you're just over-flowing with a passion for scrapbooking.

The layouts posted above were created by Flair Designs, featuring two of their Christmas lines, Merry Little Christmas and Rejoice!. These two collections, along with several others, have been going quickly in stores (thanks to the Christmas enthusiasts and earlybirds like me-WOOHOO!) and while supplies are limited right now, re-orders have been placed and products will be replenished soon! If there's a particular collection, style of paper, etc you're waiting on to finish up your Christmas Cards or other Christmas projects feel free to let us know! Once product becomes available again we'll give you a buzz!  

What's Cookin'?

I've got a two-yr-old at home who refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets and pancakes right now. Heaven forbid she try anything with a little color to it like peas and carrots, green beans or corn! I really can't blame her though...I won't eat vegetables either. So I got the Deceptively Delicious cookbook at home to try and sneak in some fruits and veggies here and there so I know that she's at least getting a few nutrients while we meander through this particular phase of her life. I figure it just might help her (and me) get used to a little more of the good stuff and even if it doesn't turn us into regular veggie-eaters, it's still worth a shot, right?

So every week for the past 4 or 5 weeks now I've gotten braver and braver, trying one new recipe from the book at a time. There have been a few successes and a few recipes that were..um...not so successful. But hey, the process itself has been entertaining, trying to find ways to convince myself that the veggies really aren't there when in fact I'm the one stirring in the purees. But my toddler, thankfully, hasn't noticed the difference in the taste of mac & cheese...so I'm happy enough.

   

Anyway... I got to thinking last weekend (when I attempted the veggie-brownies which were NOT one of the successes I'd hoped for...) that I really needed to start scrapbooking these little food "adventures" of mine. Something to document the fact that I at least tried to eat more vegetables while at that same time celebrating the fact that I've got my little one convinced her mac and cheese is the same its always been!

There are two really great collections from Flair Designs that I think are perfect for all of those food-related scrapbooking projects: Keep on Cooking and  What's Cooking. There are papers for Barbecues, pizza parties, or baking and there are even some that feature the main ingredients: fruits or veggies! The next time you find yourself snapping some photographs of your own cooking adventures and in need of a little inspiration, check out the sample layouts (like the ones pictured above) you can find on their website.  

This week I might try a new type of lasagna...or chocolate cake. (Sounds interesting, doesn't it?) What are some of your favorite recipes or tricks to getting the veggies cleaned off the plate in your home?

Lemon Grass

Is there anybody else out there who absolutely loves the eclectic look/style that's become so popular in the scrapbooking world lately but is completely and utterly intimidated by it? Cause that is so me!

Outside of scraplifting, where I can see an example of the look I'm going for and use that to fuel my efforts, I seem to have the hardest time transposing my ideas from my head to my hands and making my eclectic layouts look as "put together" as some of the samples I see from time to time. That can be so frustrating and yet, at times extremely inspiring... take this layout, for instance.  

This page was created (by Crate Paper) using their new Lemon Grass collection (available in select stores).  Now, If I were to have sat down with the same materials, there's no way I would have come up with anything as cute as this layout. The "creatively inspired" artist in me might take a look at this design and immediately go for my button jar, my scrap papers, craft knife, an inkpad, some bling and some stamps and see what I could pull together, though. No matter the frustration--I love scrapbooking because it's not only fun but therapeutic, right?

But on the other hand, the "I just want to get it done" scrapper in me says--why don't I just go get the stuff to make this layout. And you know what...that's okay. :-) Point me to that circle paper...

 

Mr. Campy

Summer is coming to its end... the days are getting shorter, the nights cooler, and some of the leaves are starting to turn. Just because we're slowly creeping into Fall doesn't mean you have to put the kabootz on your summer-themed layouts! As a matter of fact, this line of paper, stickers, and embellishments from Cosmo Cricket is just perfect for all of you campers out there!

(I'm sorry, but that paper is stinkin' cute...!)

And how 'bout these stickers? Coolest thing about these is... there are blackboard (black chipboard) shapes that coordinate perfectly with these designs giving you instant texture and dimension!

This paper could be used for all of your favorite fall photos, as well! It's totally DUAL purpose! I love it!

Cosmo Cricket makes these coordinating "Strip Tease" papers with each of their lines and I love them. Cut them apart and you've got a TON of different options before you for combining different patterns, colors, textures, TITLES... you name it. Again--more bang for your scrap-buck.

Journal cards are HOT HOT HOT right now, too.... cute, quick... you no longer have any excuse to "forget" that part of your pages that tells the story behind the photos. These little cards are PERFECT for layouts, cardmaking, or mini books!

 

Okay... so how cute is that little chocolate bar and the marshmallow? Don't you just want to eat them up? Um.. literally? I think those two little characters are my favorite part of this entire collection. (I wonder which one is actually "Mr. Campy"?)

Anyway... Cosmo Cricket sent over this altered photo box sample using this line...

It's actually a blackboard Memory Box that opens up for you to store memorablia, photos, mini layouts, cards...whatever your heart desires! I'm thinking a box of mini layouts showcasing how much you love someone would be SOOO cute! Don't you think? I'm SOOO gonna do that...

Anyway... Mr. Campy products are back in stock at stores... last chance to stock up and scrapbook those camping/outdoor photos from last year, this year, next year...whatever. Enjoy!