Cord Scrapbook Studio

Sketch of the Week: DIY

Once you've got a working knowledge of sketches and how to effectively use them for your cards and layouts, don't be afraid to branch out and create your own blueprints for design! Think of it as a way of mapping out the plans for your project--in advance!

This week, Design Team member Lori Roop shares with us a project created based on a card sketch she designed...

First, the sketch. Drawn on either a scrap piece of paper or in a notebook you keep for future reference--the sketch just kind of helps you get your thoughts down on paper. That way, as you dive into your project and you really get "in the groove", you're not slowed down by designing--or often redesigning--the basic layout/structure of your project. Instead, you can just start pulling patterns and elements that fit the concept and have "fun" with the artistic side of papercrafting!

Lori's fun & eclectic birthday card was created using materials from her stash and a variety of patterns and elements from My Mind's Eye's "On the Sunny Side" collection!

Supplies Used:
    MME On the Sunny Side Paper: Happy Go Lucky, In Bloom
    MME On the Sunny Side Die-Cut Accessories Sheet
    Imaginisce Hello Cupcake "Happy Birthday" Stamp
    Black Ink
    Other: Ribbon & Lace, Buttons, Floss
    Machine Stitching

This week, we challenge you to create a project of your own based on a sketch that YOU create! Post a photo of your sketch with your completed project (card or layout) on our Facebook page and who knows--you just might be entered to win a prize!

Have a super-sketchy week!

Sketch of the Week - Jillibean Soup Style!

This week, we have a special guest sketch for you... couresty of Jillibean Soup! Here's a little note from the "Big Bean" herself, Jill!

Hey there Cord peeps, Jill here from Jillibean Soup!
 
We're thrilled to be offering a sketch challenge through the Cord blog today.  If you didn't already see it, check out Julie Bonner's Sketch for the month of September...
 
 
Julie created this amazing layout using Christmas Eve Chowder Papers, Cardstock Stickers, PeaPods and Burlap Chipboard Alphas.
 
 
Now, here's where you come in!  We would love to have you use the sketch to create your own project(s) using our products!  All you have to do is link up your project to the Cord Camera Facebook page so we can see your work!  I (Jill Yegerlehner) and Cord will pick our favorite project at the end of the week (Friday) and the winner will win an amazing fat pack (one of each of the new Jillibean papers) from Jillibean Soup! 
 
Make sure you check your local Cord Camera for all the new Jillibean products!  Corrugated Alphas and Corrugated Sheets, buttons and felt shapes all arriving in stores this week!
 
Good Luck and get scrappin'!

Jill

Alrighty... you heard her! Time to get to work and submit your Jillibean Soup projects! If you're unable to post your sketch project on our Facebook page, you may email your submission to scrapbooking[at]cordcamera[dot]com and we can post it for you! We're excited to see your submissions--good luck everyone!

Operation We R Grateful

One of our favorite scrapbooking companies, We R Memory Keepers, has partnered with "Operation Write Home" in a nationwide campaign to give back to our nation's servicemen and women!

They are collecting blank, homemade cards to send to deployed troops to write home on--Birthday cards, Thinking of You cards, Love, Thank You, Get Well and cards for all of the major holidays.

Help a hero stay in touch with home...

There are two ways you can participate in this awesome opportunity to use your creative passions to support our troops! Deadlines are coming up quickly though, so grab a few friends and set up a card-making marathon!

1.  You can mail cards directly to We R Memory Keepers with a contest entry form and you could win any number of prizes--including a Caribbean Cruise from Cruise & Crop!  For complete contest details, rules & regulations, please click here.

2. Also, we're happy to announce that all three of our scrapbooking locations are official "Drop Zones" for your handmade cards. We'll be collecting your creations through Sunday, July 24th! In addition, our crop tables are open any time we don't have a class or crop scheduled for you to come in and make cards for our troops and we'd be happy to provide card suggestions or tips to help you get going! Bring your friends, your family, your kids--what an exciting way to come together to show your support for our servicemen & women and their families!

There are a few card-making guidelines that Operation Write Home is encouraging us to follow and you can read a little more about each one by click on the underlined link:
- No Glitter, please. It is a safety hazard for our troops.
- Cards should be A2 Sized - 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"
- If cards are made with a dark color inside, please include a liner.
- Duplicate cards are accepted, but please limit a design to 10-20 copies.
- There should be no handwritten sentiments (inside or out).
- All cards should be handmade.

Cards should be made using quality supplies. Computer paper, foamies, ittybitty stickers and glue sticks just don't hold up to the rigors of the battlefront. Some "lumpy" accents are okay, but go easy on the extra layers and bulky embellishments.

When it comes to choosing a theme, keep in mind that adults will be the ones sending the cards. You can see a complete list of needs, here. "Any Hero" cards are also welcomed. These are cards with notes inside them from you to thank the troops.  These are a great way to get your children involved - the troops love to hear from them, and love to receive your encouraging words of motivation, cheer and comfort.

I think that's everything--you can read more about Operation Write Home by visiting their website. There's a lot of ideas, inspiration and tips, tricks and regulations listed so I encourage everyone who wishes to participate to check it out!

Look for the "Drop Zone" signs in your local Cord Scrapbook Studio location or ask an associate if you have any questions--we're happy to help! And thank you--in advance--to all of you who pitch in your handmade cards to support the "Operation We R Grateful" campaign!

*** DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE WE R GRATEFUL CAMPAIGN, OUR DEADLINES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED! YOU NOW HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY, JULY 24TH TO SUBMIT CARDS!

ALL CARDS BEING SUBMITTED FOR THE OPERATION WE R GRATEFUL CONTEST MUST INCLUDE A CONTEST ENTRY FORM. ENTRIES SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF (w/ form) AT A CORD SCRAPBOOK STUDIO DROP ZONE OR MAILED DIRECTLY TO WRMK (address listed here.)

Sketch of the Week: No limits!

There was a day when I stuck to the notion that every layout had to have two pages--that was just how it was done. Every time. And that line of thinking stemmed from the notion that every photo had to be scrapbooked--the good, the bad and the duplicate. So for years, I chugged away at those two-pagers, thinking nothing of it because to me, that's all there was.

I've since discovered the freedom of scrapbooking in single pages--this is supposed to be a no-pressure hobby, right? So if my subject matter could justify a single page layout, I wasn't going to force it into two pages just for the "fun" of it. And suprise, surprise... I started getting a lot more layouts finished, more photos & memories documented and before I knew it, the single-pager became my scrapbooking way of life. How I ever managed to create all of those two-page layout as was once routine, I'll never know. Those two-pagers are a lot of work!

 
So why am I still featuring a two-page sketch, you ask?

Because it's not much fun setting limitations on your scrapbooking--forcing yourself (either consciously or subconsciously) into one extreme or another. If there's anything I've learned in the 7 years I've been working in the scrapbooking industry, it's that there really is no right or wrong. You have to find what fits for you. Some people lean more toward using lots of photos and two page layouts. For others, it's picking and choosing your photos and fitting everything onto a single page.  But even though your "comfort zone" might exist on one side or the other, you have to be open to the possibilities of creating a page in a size well outside your "norm".

This week, I picked a two-page layout sketch from PageMaps I thought could easily be transformed into a single page by eliminating the right side entirely. I liked the sketch initially because it utilizes both horizontal and vertical photos and whether you've got four photos you choose to scrapbook or eight... this sketch provides a simple solution.

The challenge? It's simple.  If you're normally a single-page type of scrapper... expand your horizons and try out the two-page as shown.  Or if you're a two-pager, force yourself to scrapbook just one side. It might be difficult at first, but I betcha anything you'll learn something new about all that you're capable of and some of those limitations you've set just might begin to fade away...

Happy Scrappin'!

Documenting YOU

I used to love doing mini albums. In fact... I'm not really sure why or when I stopped. Things have just been so busy, you know? Nothing like life getting in the way of your scrapbooking, uh... life. Go figure! But a quick, cute little project that I can actually finish in one sitting? Sign me up.

I happened across this cute little mini book earlier this week and immediately I added it to my weekend agenda. It's from Cathy Zielske and you can read more about it on her blog, here.

 
Creating scrapbook layouts about our kids, our pets, our family vacations--those are easy topics. There's always pictures to scrapbook and stuff to write about, not to mention a lot of the themed scrapbooking supplies you can readily find for use with those simply scrap-able moments. But when it comes to documenting you--it's a little more difficult, isn't it?

When you have so much fun scrapbooking others--their adventures and accomplishments, their adorable facial expressions and character--it can be a real challenge to make sure You Yourself are representin' in those family albums of yours. And I'm not just saying it would be nice if you appeared on a page or two. I'm saying--it's imperative that your interests, your achievements, and your personality be documented in some way, some how at some time.

Enter the mini album. This weekend, make a lil' somethin'-somethin' for yourself for a change. Shift the gears of your creative pallette a little and let yourself in. Seriously. Those who may someday inherit those scrapbook albums you currently pour a lot of your heart and soul into will appreciate that somethin'-somethin' extra that reminds them of the person behind the making of their albums. 

Mini albums don't have to be fancy shmancy or ellaborate. Just tell the story and have fun with the process. Someday you'll look back on it and be glad you did.

Sketch of the Week: Project 12 - February 2011

So, last month I blogged about the Project 12 campaign from Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. For those of you who--like me--need a little extra incentive to keep the creative juices flowing, the Project 12 program is a low-key commitment that's easy to stick to when the hype from all of your New Year's resolutions has otherwise faded.

Here's the gist: Every month there's a new sketch from Becky Fleck (of Page Maps fame). And if you feel inspired to take said sketch and run with it each month, you can upload it to their blog (on that month's sketch post) for a change to win a prize for all of your efforts. How's that for incentive? Not to mention that if you keep it up for an entire year--and come on, you can do 12 layouts in a year, right?--you'll have a good start on an album documenting 2011 (or at the very least, 12 completed layouts!)

 
Here's February's sketch. (And if you click on it, it will actually take you to the blog post where you'd need to submit your entry. You'll also see some samples from the January sketch on that post as well.) If you're looking for a link to Project 12 sketches for 2011 that you can quickly go to anytime you're looking for a fresh idea, here it is.

There's a lot goin' on in this sketch... different things to try with some die-cut or punched borders, dimensional stickers, buttons, mixing and matching different coordinating patterns, plenty of white space... fun. I'd love to see what some of my fellow sketch fanatics come up with--feel free to post your projects on our Facebook page!!

Have a great week, y'all!! :-)

 

Make-n-Takes and a Chance to Win!

We're going to be inkin' it up at this year's Holiday Make-n-Take Open House tomorrow from Noon to 5pm at our Graceland and Nora stores!  We've chosen a few of our favorite tools & techniques to create a selection of holiday-themed cards, tags and treat-holders for the gift-giving season! Come see the i-Rock tool, border punches, embossing powders, Stampendous stamps and Copic Markers in action!!

And speaking of Copic... everyone's favorite coloring company has donated prizes for FOUR lucky winners in celebration of tomorrow's event and you've got three chances to win!

1. Post a comment to the blog and tell us how much you L-O-V-E Copic Markers! Copic is helping us out with this event by supplying markers and prizes so we really want 'em to feel the love!! Or...

2. Upload a project you've made using Copic markers to our Facebook Fan Page. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy! (And an extra entry into the drawing goes to anyone who uploads a Christmas themed card or tag!)

3. Refer a friend to either the blog or our Facebook page (or both), have them post on our Wall or leave a comment on the blog telling us your name and their favorite Copic color and both you and your friend will earn a chance to win!

We'll keep things open through Friday, November 19th at which point our winners will be announced! Special thanks to Copic for their support of this event and for manufacturing the markers that made coloring fun again! We are totally hooked!

Let's talk Halloween...

Enough with the Christmas, already... am I right? It's just now the end of September so while it's all fine and dandy keeping the upcoming holiday rush in the forefront of our minds, how 'bout we talk Halloween for today!!

Echo Park posted a new challenge on their blog the other day...

Basically, you click on the ad above (via the Echo Park blog, that is) and download the Haunted House image. Then create a layout using the House image as an element on your page, photograph it and post it on the Echo Park Facebook Fan Page before midnight on October 31st and you could win a prize package valued at $50!

Whether you print it on white textured cardstock, colored stock, transparency, vellum, etc. is completely up to you... are your creative wheels a-turning yet? I mean... don'tcha just love having a "real" excuse to get down-and-dirty with all your favorite supplies for a chance to win some fabulous goodies in return?

You can find all of the coordinating "Happy Halloween" collection patterned papers and stickers from Echo Park here along with a variety of other Halloween products available both online and in stores!

Happy Haunting!

Challenge: Journaling and Social Media

Maybe it's just me, but... have you ever noticed that we tend to spend a lot of time on Facebook nowadays? Five minutes here, two minutes there, and before we know it, it's the end of the day and we're thinking "Gosh, I should have been scrapbooking." All that time spent updating our status, taking quizzes, catching up with our old high school buddies, posting pictures, or reading the News Feed and we could have been putting together new layouts, journaling on the old half-finished ones, and organizing (or re-organizing) our supplies!

Shame, shame, shame on us, us, us... (I'm just kiddin'.)

But perhaps there's still hope for the ol' "internet fingers"... maybe it's not "lost" time afterall. I mean, we might think we're just tapping into our social community and killin' time seeing what everyone else is up to and therefore feeding our Facebook addictions, but...

We are scrapbooking.

Okay, okay... so we're not physically scrapbooking. No glue, no paper, no fancy punches or diecut machines needed to browse our favorite fan pages or to play Farmville. But we are documenting life.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but... we update our "wall" with the things going on around us, right? Where we've been and where we're going, our reflections on politics and fashion and pop culture, funny jokes, links that interest us, photos to share...  It's any journaler's perfect scenario--a snapshot of life on any given day complete with feedback from family and friends! It's the modern-day solution to keeping our memories alive.

So here's your challenge for the weekend...

Re-think some of those quizzes and the "25 random things about me"-type conversation starters--which ones could you turn around and create a layout out of? What status updates have you posted recently that could easily be transformed into the journaling for a "week in the life" mini album? Let's face it... journaling is hard enough. We can't remember details exactly or we don't know what to write or how to put it into words. Facebook is a pretty big craze right now and we know we're going to participate one way or another. So why not use it to our advantage?