[ Ali Edwards ]

Sweet Baby : New Stamps & A Layout

[ Supplies: Technique Tuesday Fundamentals Postage Frame; Technique Tuesday Sweet Baby Stamps; Making Memories Flower Patch Trim; Hambly Butterfly Transparency; Adirondack Dimensional Pearls in Butterscotch; SEI Praline Glitter Chocolat Paper Patterned Paper (white with grey) ]

I am excited to introduce you to the newest stamp set in my collection for Technique Tuesday. Sweet Baby stamps are now available through Technique Tuesday's website or ask for them at your local scrapbook/stamp store. These same designs are also available as Digital Baby Word Art at Designer Digitals.

Here's a run down of my process for creating the layout featured at the top of the post:

1. Begin with a sheet of textured white cardstock for your background. Paint a large rough-edged square in any color (I used cream paint and a foam brush). Let dry.

2. While the paint is drying, apply the Adirondack Dimensional Pearls to the Fundamentals Postage Frame. I put it on with my finger and then ended up adding a bit of lighter yellow paint on top of the pearls to tone it down just a bit.

3. Cut patterned paper to fit with the photo behind the postage frame. Adhere photo to patterned paper.

4. Stamp two of the Sweet Baby Stamps onto the patterned paper. Use a different color for each stamp. Hand-draw the black line and heart.

5. Adhere Making Memories Flower Patch Trim along the seam where the photo and patterned paper meet. I often use Therm-O-Web super tape to adhere ribbon. 

6. Adhere the postage frame to the photo/stamped patterned paper combination. I used the super tape for this task.

7. Using one of the lined sentiments from the Sweet Baby collection, stamp directly on to the painted postage chipboard. I used Technique Tuesday ink from the Earth Essentials pack.

8. Staple the Hambly Butterfly Transparency on top of your painted piece of cardstock. I just used two mini staples on the top corners using Tim's new mini-stapler which is awesome.

9. Lay your photo combination on top of the background transparency/cardstock and choose your placement. I went for the bottom right corner. Once I figured out where I wanted that piece on the page I lifted up the transparency, laid the photo combination on top of the cardstock (not adhered, just sitting there) and journaled around the outside following the square shape.

10. After hand-journaling I picked up the photo combination, laid the transparency back down, and then adhered the photo combination on top of the transparency (using the hand-journaling square as a guide for placement). Some of the journaling is covered by the white of the butterflies which I decided was completely fine. If someone wants to read the journaling they can lift up the transparency (this is partly why I only stapled on the top). 

11. Don't forget to add the date! I just noticed that I forgot to add a date somewhere on the layout and will make that adjustment before putting it in her album.

2nd Annual Autism Awareness Fundraiser Crop at Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake, Washington : Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake is hosting an Autism Awareness Fundraiser Crop again this year on Saturday, April 25th from 6pm to Midnight. Cost is $35. You can find more information on this event here.

Three Things : New Favorties (+ new stamps)

Amy Butler for K&Company Die Cut Butterflies : Easily punched right out, these butterflies would be great added to a layout, minibook, or even something like this past weekend creative project.

Making Memories Flower Patch Layered Buttons : Just love the spring colors and layers of stuff on these buttons. 

Jenni Bowlin Office Chipboard Buttons : I saw these on a preview of Jenni's new products for the Craft & Hobby Show and loved them immediately. The Bingo ones are also really cool. 

[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]

I am also excited to introduce you to one of my new stamp sets for Technique Tuesday now available at Scrapbook.com: Family Circles. Love that you have options in how you put these stamps together.

The digital version of these stamps are available here: Gratitude Circles.

And a simple layout using the Gratitude Circles (for a list of everything used go here):

Happy Tuesday!

December Daily : Day One

So much of this project is about working with what you have set up for yourself (especially if you put the foundation pages together in advance). Each time I do this project I reminded how much I like setting it up ahead. I like having some parameters to work in - a bit of direction that takes some of that initial guess-work and decision making out of the way.

Remember: this process does not have to be complicated. I said that to myself a bunch as I felt like I needed to add more. Documenting life in December...that's what I am doing. Nice and simple. Made especially nice by listening to holiday music while working. I know from experience that some days will be more creatively complicated than others.

HOW TO : Print out photos 6 inches x 9 inches and trim around the acrylic deco page using a craft knife (love this one from Fiskars especially for going around rounded corners). Add ribbon and strip sticker directly to the photo. Print out Holiday title & journal photo overlay, cut to size, adhere to back of acrylic, and journal. White pen defining the edge is the Sharpie poster paint pen (not certain it is available anymore). Black journaling pen is a Precision Pen in .03 from American Crafts.

It's hard to see in the photos here but there is a piece of acrylic that is holding the journaling blocks on the front and back (it's what gives the bracket shape that you can see on the photo page). The journaling blocks are adhered to the front side and the back side of the acrylic to hide the adhesive.

As of right now there is nothing on the back of the photo page. I plan to use that space for something on the 2nd. Sometimes I do the back for the same day depending on how much space I need, how many photos I have, etc.

Here's a look at the before image of the album for December 1:

[ Clear Scraps XL Deco Acrylic Page (cut in half + used the second half for Day 18); Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays ]

Don't forget to post your pages to the December Daily Flickr group.

I am also excited to announce some additions to my stamp line with Technique Tuesday. New stamps are available from Scrapbook.com or directly through Technique Tuesday (or ask for them at your local scrapbook store). 

Peace Joy Love : Scrapbook.com | Technique Tuesday

Everyday Words : Scrapbook.com | Technique Tuesday

The Story : Scrapbook.com |  Technique Tuesday

Celebrate the season. Read more about the concept of a December Daily Album and links to all related posts here. See many more examples from participants in the Flickr December Daily Group.

Photo-A-Day Calendar, Living Your Gratitude, & A Stamp Update

[ Layout Supplies : Kraft Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Making Memories; Capture The Moment Stamp: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday; Word Stickers: from a bunch of different 7gypsies 97% Complete Sticker Sheets; "You're The Best" Chipboard Circle: Scenic Route; Other: random ribbon ]

Happy Friday.

Any one else notice how fast the weeks seem to be going lately? Sometimes I feel like I just blink and it is already Friday again.

A couple product announcements for today:

First, my new stamps are back in stock at Technique Tuesday. You can check them out here:

Today You
Remember
Capture the Moment

I also wanted to share a two new things that I have recently released through Designer Digitals (new products are added to the store every Sunday) and am really excited about as the are building blocks for very cool projects. Definitely weekend creative sort of material.

2009 Photo Calendar Layered Template : This layered template is designed to hold an entire month of photos for each of the 12 months in 2009. The download also includes a blank calender that you could use for this year or any year. Great for Photo A Day/365 projects or capturing a specific month in your life. 12x12.

I am thinking about embarking on another 365 project for nex year (I started one of just me this year and got sidetracked after about the first month). Especially with a new baby in the house I think my camera will be getting quite a bit of use this next year and I envision widening the project to just be a photo a day rather than a self-portrait a day. Even just documenting the baby's first month in this format would be really cool.

The background is customizable or you can just leave it a nice clean white.

You can learn more about working with layered templates here.

Live Your Gratitude Daily Calendar : This is my other favorite recent release and is based on a minibook I created for my newest book Sharing Your Story. It's a place to document your own personal everyday gratitudes and makes a great gift (thinking towards the holidays). You do not need to have Photoshop for this product as it comes with PDF files for easy printing. 8 inches x 8 inches.

Here's a peek at the book that appeared in Sharing Your Story:

The minibook I used as a foundation for this project is a 7gypsies Naked Composition Journal. I simply printed out the gratitude pages on cream cardstock, rounded the corners, and adhered each page into the book. The cover includes a bunch of circle-punched patterns and is covered with gel medium (you could use mod podge as well).

Hoping you all have a great weekend and get a chance to work on your week in the life albums. Don't wait too long to put those books together. It is so worth the effort. That's a reminder to me as much as it is to you!

Hello Friday.

1. No specific weekend creative today. Hoping that many of you will be able to play with your week in the life albums over the weekend.

2. Thanks for the excitement regarding the stamps yesterday. They should be back in stock and appearing in local and online stores soon!

3. Jessica Sprague (one of my favorite instructors) is teaching and offering a free, one-week class on her site (jessicasprague.com) on the topic of collecting stories you want to tell. It's called Stories In Hand. You don't have to be a scrapbooker to take this class. You don't have to be a digital scrapbooker to take this class. You just need to be interested in collecting your own personal stories in an organized fashion (love that idea). Registration begins October 20th. Here's the class flyer:

4. Sharing some more awesome week in the life projects (I have loved seeing these come in a bunch of different languages - keep them coming as you get into the creative/crafty phase):

From Susi:

From Sue:

From Michelle:

From Lisa (love how she is using pockets for her printed calendar each day):

From Maica:

From Rhonda:

From Hillary (8x8):

From Marie:

5. Coming next week: look for a week in the life follow-up, a Halloween mini-album (documenting 2007), Halloween product ideas, new Designer Digitals and more.   

6. Have a great weekend. We are savoring the season around here. It is really starting to get chilly in the mornings while we wait for the bus for Simon. I am doing lots of cooking (which began during my week and hasn't really stopped since - last night it was cranberry-pumpkin cookies) and lots of budgeting/looking at our finances (getting our "house" in order). Chris calls it "nesting gone awry" even though I know he is happy to have me doing these things. I am very much loving being here at home.

A New Partnership : Technique Tuesday

[ layout supplies: Cardstock Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route, KI Memories, 7gypsies; Bottom Chipboard Border: Technique Tuesdays; Remember Stamp: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday; Felt Heart: Jenni Bowlin Studio; "Laugh" Chipboard Accent: Scenic Route ]

I am really excited to announce a new partnership between myself and Technique Tuesday for the production of stamps based on some of the designs I have been creating for Designer Digitals.

Technique Tuesday is an Oregon based company that is serious about the business of making stamps.They have been great to work with and very diligent as they figured out what was going to make the most sense for the layout and construction of these stamps. They are all about quality.

The first three sets include:

The first one, "capture the moment," is all piece. For the second one, used in the layout above, the "remember" and the "the wonderful bits and pieces of life" can be removed to use on their own or as part of the journal block.

And here's a look at the first big set:

This one is based on my best-seller at Designer Digitals: Title + Journal Block No. 1. The oval in the middle of the blocks are there to give stability to the lined-design. The rest of the pieces can all be mixed and matched to fit the story you are telling. The block width is 5.75 inches wide.

Look for lots more to come.

Ask for these stamps at your local retailer or order them online now from Technique Tuesday.

EDITED: Technique Tuesday is doing a also stamp giveaway. If you go to their website and sign up for their newsletter you can be entered to win. You can even sign up right here:

Next week, Technique Tuesday will be giving away some of my new stamps. If you'd like a chance to win, enter your email address here. You'll also be signing up to receive the Technique Tuesday newsletter. The newsletter includes new product announcements and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time.

 

I didn't have a chance to work on my week in the life album yesterday but am hoping to have a chance either today or tomorrow. Love seeing the samples and photos in the Flickr group.

I know many of you may be waiting for your photos, waiting for some time to put this project together (maybe this weekend?), still taking photos, etc. I am looking forward to seeing more results as people have a chance to work with their words + photos + embellishments.

And a sincere thank you again to everyone who participated or followed along this past week. This is a project I really care about because I know the difference it has made in my own life each time I have done it over the past three years. Thank you for sharing the experience with me and keeping me accountable.