Cord Scrapbook Studio

Sketch of the Week: A Lil' Somethin' to Look Forward To

I don't know about you, but I really look forward to new sketches--and thankfully, new ones are posted on or around the first of each month on the Page Maps site so I don't usually have to wait very long between "doses" of fresh design inspiration.

But I'll tell you what has been a long time coming...

Scrapbook Page Maps--the sequel. I'd hoped. I'd prayed. I'd wished upon every scrapbook star in the universe for a second helping of sketches someday. And lo and behold... here it is. Yes, folks... the wait is almost over!

For those of you who (like me) just couldn't get enough of all of the fabulous sketches & layout ideas that filled the pages of the original Scrapbook Page Maps book, Page Maps 2 will be arriving in stores late September!

And guess what... just like the first book, this one features the same easy-to-use wire-O binding and those ever-popular takealong cards--64 perforated cards featuring sketches and artwork from the book that are perfect for the scrapbooker on the go! In addition to more than 160 layouts by Becky Fleck & her team of contributing artists, you'll find sketches for layouts, mini albums, greeting cards and home decor items! Whew!

If you'd like a taste of what's to come in the new book, check out the Page Maps website. From there you'll have access to the newest sketches (August) as well as all of the archived layout maps, card maps, round maps, tag maps and more! There's even a section for digi-templates for the digital and/or hybrid scrapper!

Because we're just so darn excited about Becky's new book, we're offering up a little pre-order special for you! All pre-paid orders placed between now and September 15th will pay just $19.99 for the book (a savings of $8 off the cover price!) See store for details.

Got sketches?

Who doesn't love a great sketch? I, personally, am totally addicted...and I mean, totally. I hunt them down online, I buy every sketch book I can find,  and I have even been known to draw out a few ideas while waiting at the Dr.'s office. Anything that saves me time and helps me get my photos and the stories that go with them into my albums quicker is a no brainer for me! If you're the same way... (and even if you're new to the concept of using sketches to further enhance your scrapbooking)...I've got a great source to share with you...

We're talking 108 pages of pure inspiration, folks--a must-have guide for beginners and a great reference for intermediate and advanced scrapbookers alike. It's broken down into four chapters based on the number of photos you're looking to use, so a quick go-sketch to help you get the scrap-juices flowing is easy to find! With each black and white sketch drawing you'll find 2-4 color samples where scrapbookers have copied, tweaked and/or rotated either the layout of the sketch or simply an element of the sketch to create beautiful pages using their own photos!  It doesn't matter if you have three photos, 10 photos, horizontal photos or vertical photos... sketches not only make great starting points for busy scrapbookers like you and me but provide inspiration and motiviation for you when you find yourself in the not-so-creative spirit. (Admit it... we all have those moments.)

 

As if having one book wasn't enough, there's also a SECOND book of sketches to enjoy! Both volumes have an index at the back which I LOVE, but in this second guide there's also a little "How-to" section that showcases different ways you can make minor adjustments to a sketch in order to help you get the most use out of it. And that's what makes these books timeless. You can use a sketch over and over and over again, change a little something here and there, add your own spin and VOILA! A personal masterpiece, as usual.

The sketches in these books are composed by Amy Elkins, who says of her Layout Blueprints book:

I hope it will give people a different outlook on their scrapbook page designs, and help them get over that initial hump of "How do I arrange my photos?", which can be the hardest part of getting started. I hope to breathe life into the two-page layout again, because that is how most scrappers scrap , as far as I've witnessed. So many of us just want to tell the story and include as many photos as we can. It's hard to do on just one page.

Well said, Amy! So I encourage you to stop by the magazine/idea book section of your local Cord store the next time you're in and flip through the pages of these two spiral-bound "manuals", if you will. After all, "Less time planning = More finished pages"!   

Creating a "Library of Memories"

"Are you tired of feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of photos that may never get scrapbooked? Ready to get those photos out of the shoeboxes, off the computer and into your life? You don't need more ideas. You need a plan and a guide..."

So says the back cover of one of my favorite scrapbooking resources, Photo Freedom, by Stacy Julian.

In an excerpt from the introduction of the book, Stacy says:

As a life enthusiast, an avid photographer, and devoted scrapbooker, I'm personally acquainted with the nearly crushing anxiety that comes from trying to stay on top of the thousands of photos I take. As I have worked to celebrate the people, places and things that are most important to me, I too have experienced that unrealistic desire to be caught up.

...It's important to realize that even if you never snap another picture for the rest of your life, you already have more photos than you can ever expect to showcase in your scrapbooks...

Somewhere between giving up entirely and pushing ahead in a mad frenzy to catch up, there is a (very) happy medium... This book will help you make the important decisions that lead to fantastic feelings of accomplishment and freedom, regardless of your specific goals. You'll be able to find and enjoy the photos you've taken; you'll be able to display them in your home and share them with those you love; and most importantly, you'll gain valuable insights into your past and present life.

Sounds great, but what is the book about? Scrapbooking freedom, literally. The freedom to find an organizational system that works for you that may be different from everyone else's. The freedom to admit that you don't have to scrapbook every photo you take. The freedom to challenge the "rule" that says you have to scrapbook chronologically and the freedom to really embrace the stories and not just the photos.

Stacy's "Library of Memories" system introduces a new way to sort your photos, store your photos, and track your photos, memorabilia and the stories that go with your photos. The cool thing about the book is that you can adapt the entire system, part of the system, or none of the system--your choice. Granted, Stacy even says herself that this system is not for everybody. And that's okay because it's all about finding a system that is liberating for you. But I have to tell ya...reading this book totally changed my perspective on scrapbooking. It took away the pressure (where does that come from, anyway?) and reminded me of how much fun scrapbooking should be.

Are you curious now? I thought so... pick up a copy today or borrow one from a friend. Read it with an open mind and let me know what you think! Enjoy!