Scrap Cents

Organize and Use Your Paper Scraps

2008-03-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

It’s only inevitable that if you are a scrapper than you will have tons of scraps!

Now for my story. When I first started out I didn’t see any point in keeping those scraps and usually when I ended my scrapping session those scraps went right into the trash. I finally seen how I was using up tons of new cardstock and paper and decided that I should try and keep my scraps and see if I could save me a few more bucks. For a while it was great, and I just kept them in a gallon zip lock baggie. Then the one baggie turned into 2 and then the baggies finally turned into folders and then it was throw them in the big box. Now it was such a mess to just find one piece of paper I wanted that I turned back to my old habits of just getting another sheet of paper out, hence the cycle continues, more paper, more scraps. Finally it was inevitable that something be done with all those scraps, so I turned to organization ideas for scraps and came out with some great ideas that I would definitely like to pass along to all of you. Basically its sort, store and use, use and use. If you have organization and find them readily you will use your scraps. So here are a few ideas to get you started at using up your scraps by making them readily available for just that.

How to Sort and Organize Your Scraps.

The first step is to set aside a block of time so that you can finish your paper scraps organization project and have everything cleaned up and put away in one sitting. If you walk away, you'll end up with little pieces of paper flying around the room, and scraps of paper all over the floor. Children, Pets and paper piles on the floor do not mix. Remember my warning! Been there done that!

Begin the process by sorting your paper scraps into piles. Create a pile for each color, and separate colors into piles of solids and patterns. Also separate textured and specialty papers into their own piles by color, as these are often used for different purposes and you'll want to find them easily. I usually just sit on the floor and create different piles for each colors. I don’t separate light colors and darks, such as like pink and dark pink, I just put them all in one category.

How to Store Your Scraps.

If you are a scrapper that doesn't have a lot of scraps, then an accordion file will probably work best for you. Find one that has index tabs so that you can easily identify at a glance where each color is stored. You can either write the color on a tab or simply cut a piece of paper in each color to place in the tabs.

For a larger scrap collection, try vertical hanging files in a file drawer. With this method you can have multiple files for each color and expand your storage files as your scrap collection grows. Another handy solution is to use poly envelopes for each color and store them on a shelf.
There are other ways to store your scraps. Those nice little clear colored storage trays work great. Or some people do shoe boxes. These are all fine; just make sure you label it somehow with the colors for easy choosing.
***For Shoe boxes try decorating the fronts with the color of your papers. Makes a great and easy way to store paper scraps.

Organization of all those scraps can be very trying, but I am here to tell you if you start with some kind of organization and keep up with it, you will be scrapping much more easily than just throwing them in a big box. Take it from me with that kind of storage all you do is cut up more paper or fumble through the whole mess looking for a certain piece of cardstock.

Happy Organizing! You will be glad you did!

Article by
Debbie Ruggles

Paper Getting the most for your money

2008-02-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

With the cost of paper going up and up we are realizing that scrapbooking is not just a craft that is inexpensive any longer.
We all have tons of pictures laying around that we want to get into scrapbooks, but you know you can't just walk into a store and buy one of two sheets of paper and leave, so what is the solution to the growing expense of scrapbooking?
Lets see if we can come up with some ideas that are cost effective and still give us what we are looking for to achieve.

Paper! Who says it has to be from the Scrapbook store?One thing I will tell you to invest in is a pen that tells you whether or not a paper or scrapbooking product is acid free. Test gift wrap, magazines, greeting cards, and any other decorative paper to see if it is safe to use in your scrapbooking projects. If you are unsure if something is safe for your scrapbook, don't put your photos next to it. Use it as an accent and just put your photo away from it so that it doesn't come into contact with it.
There is always the obvious check out the reduced racks at the scrapbook stores! Look at dollar stores, they have began to offer some scrapbooking supplies. Be careful with this because just because it says its a dollar doesn't mean you won't find it at you Scrapbook store for less. Jolee's are sometimes .79 cents on sale. Remember you can get good quality paper for .50-.70 cents a sheet, so beware of the dollar store packs! Look them over and see if they are what meets your expectations before buying. Sometimes we think we have nothing so getting things is better than that. Not always, remember you are wanting to put some great pages together and although it starts with the photograph, quality papers do add a lot to them.
Here is a great tip, instead of rushing to the scrapbook store because you got your pictures developed. Sit down and categorize them. Look at the ones you want to get done. Now the next time you are headed to town and want to go to the Scrapbook store, take them with you. Now you can put the pictures against the papers and get the papers that you want to go with them instead of guessing I might like this one or that one. How many times I have picked up papers just because I think I will use it! I have stored them and said someday I will use it. I am here to tell you I just donated a box of papers to a charity and I had to use the Flat Rate Priority box to get it to them. What a waste of money! Try this one thing. This one little step will save you tons in unwanted papers.
Another great tip is: there are places on-line that you can download some papers to print. Of course if you want a 12x12 sheet you will have to have a printer that prints that size. I download some of the 8x11 sheets and use them for accents, photo mats and other things that I want on my pages. So don't think because its not a 12x12 sheet its unusable. Its not always the case.Hopefully we have started you in the right direction on getting some of those scrapbooking pages done without spending a fortune trying to get the right papers. Remember its not about getting quantity of papers just to have them, its about getting papers that you will use. Remember the quality issue, don't just buy because it says sale, remember you don't want your papers just to sit in a pile to say you have paper, you want to have papers that you will want in your scrapbooks behind your pictures.

Article By
Debbie Ruggles

Scrapping with Patterned Paper

2008-01-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

Have you seen all the rich colors of patterned papers? Have you tried some of them and went, Yuk that paper just is to much for my layouts. HMMM well we all do that! Don’t think its not possible to use it and create layouts where the paper doesn’t over power the pictures.

The idea is to use it sparingly. Typically I like to start out with a sheet of plain cardstock, then add my patterned paper to it. If it doesn’t look quite like I want it to look I might just add a different color cardstock to it to break it up a bit. For instance I may use a dark blue cardstock then a patterned paper that is cut smaller to start my layout then if it still is looking like it’s too much I may tone it down by matting my pictures in a different color of blue, maybe a lighter shade or sometime I double mount them in 2 different colors. It does make a difference when you are trying to use a very bold paper as opposed to a softer one. Give it a try and see what happens. Most of my layouts just happen.

One of my favorite ways to use different types of papers is to use a stripe with a pattern. It works great! Here is one I did that I used this combination with. I designed this one for a pre-made page, but it is a great example of how you can use many types of paper to in your layouts. ...............................Debbie Ruggles

Carol:

I like to take 2 sheets of colored cardstock that match one sheet of patterned paper...use the cardstock as the layout pages. Rip the patterned paper in half from corner to corner...makes 2 big triangles ...and then place one triangle on each cardstock...this way each layout is only using half the pattern...then I usually mat my pictures with another color of solid cardstock. You also get more for your money this way...stretches out the more expensive patterned paper.I also like to make stripes down pages with the patterned paper. just cut 2-3 2 inch stripes and put them down the sides of the paper...this also stretches out the patterned paper. To me using a little patterned paper on a solid color draws more attention to the prettier paper!......Carol Paskovitch

Sharon:

In fact a few years back when I first started posting layouts in online galleries and getting into "product" I had the same question. Here are some tips that I picked up along the way.In the beginning try to mix pattern papers by working tone on tone. This way you are working within the same color family and the patterns won't compete as much.Also there is a rule called "The Economies of Scale." Patterns can vary in size from tiny polka dots to very large flowers. These designs can look large or small depending on what other patterns you combine them with. When putting together a layout try to vary the scale of patterns on your page from small to medium to large. Another factor you may consider is the visual weight of a pattern. Visual weight is the color and spacing between designs on a paper. A paper will appear either more or less prominent on your layout depending on its "weight". A smaller pattern (like the polka dots) is busier and usually carries more weight than a paper with a larger pattern, so you may want to use those more sparingly so that they don't distract from your photos. To create a balanced page try and use larger portions of patterns that have less visual weight. Another trick with mixing pattern papers is to use the same pattern in various colors on your layout. This allows you to have fun with both color and pattern with out having to worry about the patterns clashing. When in doubt, you can always mix and match papers from a particular manufacturer's line. They usually design their collections to mix and match well together....................Sharon Carroll

Tricia

It took me a while to figure out that when you go to the stores, all of the similar colored patterns are grouped together (duh me!). So now I feel I can use all of the patterns together on one layout because their colors match up. I have no problems using one patter for the matte, one for letters, one for backgrounds all on one layout. Sometimes I will ink the edges of the mattes or the letters to make them pop out on the patterned background...............Tricia Gordon

Personalized Christmas Bulbs

2007-12-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

Some wonderful bulbs that Creative Team member Carole shared with us!

Here is how she created these:

I bought glass bulbs at Michael's craft store and some transparencies from an office supply. I used a colluzzle to cut a circle out of the transparency leaving a tab at the top.

Then I put rubons on and on some I put photos on using a xyron sticker machine. When I finished , decorating the transparencyI rolled it up and put it in the glass ornament. Then I put the ribbon in.

For the ornaments that I put photos in, I made them small by inserting them in a blank word document and print them on photo paper.

Gift Certificates

2007-12-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

Remember that hard to buy for person with a E-Certificate from Accents 2 Scrapbooking!
So easy to purchase and recieve.

They are sent directly to the recipient by e-mail and also one to purchaser for safe keeping or to print off and put into a Christmas Card!

Helping to make Christmas simple!
visit www.accents2scrapbooking.com for more information!

Merry Christmas from KayDee Designs

2007-12-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Coupons Coupons and Coupons!

20% off all orders! Get your instant savings at Accents 2 Scrapbooking!
Visit us today at www.accents2scrapbooking.com to get your coupon code

Free Gift Giveaways!

Shop at the store and get your name into the drawing for a $10.00 coupon or for one of our new embellishments to be given away!

15MINUTES A DAY CHALLENGE!

2007-11-30T04:46:00.000-08:00

Just 15 minutes a day of Scrapbooking!
Man you can accomplish so much!
So we took this challenge. You know 15 minutes a day will get you so much done. We weren't sure, it doesn't sound like it will get you much of anything done. Taking a shower can take that long and more, so how can 15 little minutes a day get your scrapbooking on its way to being caught up. The Challenge for the Design Team was to scrapbook for 15 minutes a day. It meant anything to do with Scrapbooking. Veronica, Debbie, and Trisha took this one on. Here is how their 15 minutes a day went.

Tricia scrapbook in small increments all of the time.
I try to break down my projects into steps.
First day: sketch
Second day: pick out papers
3rd day: print out photos and crop.
4th day: find embellishments
5th and 6th day: jiggle the "jigsaw" together
7th day: adhere and journal

Veronica gave this one a try; Here is her weekDay
1* The first day I got to finish one easy and simple layout, but the15 minutes turned out to be 50 or 60. (which is good, because Ididn't know that I could scrap for that long with my baby on the side)
Day 2* The second day I selected my pictures and picked out paper. Ittook about 20 minutes.
Day 3* My third day I finish that layout, It took about 40 minutes tofinish it. But since I had everything out in my table, I could do 10or 15 minutes at a time during that day.
Day 4* I just cleaned up mess and selected my other pictures 15 mins
Day 5* I worked only 15 min. I had no more time. Didn't get much done
Day 6* I finished a nice layout. it took me 40 more min. But I did good

Debbie thinks this is A+ for productivity
Well this went along great for me and I will say I give the idea a great big Thumbs up on this one. I have gotten more done in the last week than I have in the past few months. I can really see doing this one everyday. I woke up with the challenge in mind. Figured out Hey! I don't have to get a shower and dressed for this one, heck its 6 am. So I took my mug of coffee and set out for the scrap room.
My first day I worked arranging things to get them in order and cleaning that table up a bit, the next day I picked out some pictures and coordinated the papers for about 3 2-page layouts that I wanted to accomplish during this trial.
On the third day I did spend a little more time, but it was efficient time. I cropped and matted all the photos.
On my fourth day I laid those photos on the papers, created my backgrounds and arranged the photos, looked for some cool embellishments and left it right there. I did get a block and I walked away on the whole thing.
Now on the 5th day, I started out with coffee in hand and I finished up those 3 2-page layouts in no time. I got the embellishments right, took a few minutes and did the journaling, even entered one in a contest. I put them in their appropriate albums the next evening. There you have it a total of 6 pages totally done, just by giving myself the 15 minutes to arrange and do just a little at a time

Was this a success! We think so, give this one a try and see if it works for you.
**Remember organizing is scrapbooking without it you cant get anything done, so it does count as 15 minutes.
**Try just sorting out photos for layouts one day.
**Match up some papers and supplies for layouts you want to get done
**Do nothing but crop and mat your photos for layouts.
**Cleaning up! Great one! 15 minutes here and there will keep your area neat and tidy.
**Start at the beginning of a week, organize to finish a couple layouts by the weeks end.

Scrapping on a Dime From Scrap Cents Dec 2007

2007-11-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

Letter Make Em Big!

By Debbie Ruggles
Letters! Make it yourself!
Ever have one of those layouts that you want a word that is bigger and is more like a die cut than something you just print off in a title? There are a few ways you can achieve this without spending all that money on expensive stickers and chipboard lettering.
Let’s start with free hand. First off no one has the perfect handwriting and you do need to make your letters thick, so you can cut them out. First get a piece of cardstock, and I do mean some scraps! Another great way to use some of them up! Write out your letters free handed. Use a pencil and write lightly, that way you will have the option of erasing your lines later. Remember if you are using the back side your letters need to be back wards to be able to use the right side. Then cut them out. Then after they are cut out if you need to adjust them a little bit, don’t be afraid to trim a little bit. Remember its only a scrap of paper. Another thing that will hide the little imperfections is to ink the edges or distress the letters a bit. Below is a layout I used free hand lettering on:
The next way is to print your letters on your cardstock and then cut them out. Here is how to do that.
Go to your word or other programs and find a chunky font that you like. I try to use a font that isn’t filled in the center, use on that is just outlined. Next increase your font size til it’s the size you need. I use roughly around 120-140. Now to do this type your letter highlight it with your cursor. After that, keeping your word highlighted go to format at the top of your toolbar, choose font. In here you can select your font type and the size you can be adjusted. Most programs only go to 70- or 80 so you will have to erase the number and put your own size in there. (Tip I like to do, check the emboss or engrave box on the bottom of the page before you leave it will give you a light outline instead of a dark one.) Then hit ok and you should have a large letter. For the font although you can do it from this feature I like to use the dropdown list on my word toolbar as it lets me see the font type I am choosing before I do.So play around with the sizing until you find the one you like.

Another great idea is to Choose the color to match your cardstock that way it will blend in a bit more if you don’t get quite close enough. If you need to flip your word you will need to find a program that will allow you flip words.
So Give this one a try. Its free, requires only a tiny bit of paper and you can be off and making those large letters you see everywhere and can’t seem to do!

Organization

2007-11-30T04:28:00.000-08:00

When we all began to scrapbook it was easy, a few sheets of paper, scissors some glue, a little pile of stickers and then of course our pictures. As we progressed with out talents and started finding out there was so many supplies out there it happened. We began to purchase supplies. Heck its only a few dollars here and a few dollars there. Goodness you can buy just a few pieces every time you visit Wal-Mart's or Hobby Lobby for practically nothing. How about those swaps. How addicting are they to start getting all those handmade items. Tons of embellishments start flowing in from the Mailbox. Oh how great it is to receive a prize here and there for winning a challenge or those free sites. Pretty soon you end up where most of us ended up--a giant pile of scrapbook supplies packed away in boxes with no place to put them.
You know the routine, you are scrapping and spending more time rummaging through that box of embellishments then actually finishing a page. Pretty soon you just let the idea go, put something different on the page or worse yet go buy something you probably already have to finish it off!

No matter what type of storage system you use, believe it or not you do need to have one. It does not have to be a fancy one, it does not have to be an expensive one, you just have to have someway to organize your scrapbooking supplies. Lets see if we can do a good but better account of how to store some of those supplies

Lets start off with paper. I know when I started I just found a box and put them all in. I had a box for scraps and one for paper. OK so it worked for just a little bit, but then I found that my papers were getting wrinkled on the edges from pulling them out from the box. I also notices that I was spending way to much time trying to find papers and cardstock than I was actually putting my pages together.

My Solution: I went and got a 12x12 paper storage with file folders. Yes it works great! You can label your papers and store them in their folders. I actually seen a small case at our local discount store and picked one up. It works great for taking for swaps, but it would also work fantastic if you were just starting out and have only a small amount. When you needed something bigger then you could switch over and still use this case to take with you to swaps and other things.

How about scraps. I know when you start out you don't see a reason to keep them. I thought so to. I finished the page so what do I need all these for. As you go along you will notice that you need a little bit of one color here and a little bit of another one for another page. So they are important to keep. Like I said when I started keeping my scraps I just threw them in a pile. I found that I was cutting up perfectly good sheets of paper to get that little bit of color that I needed. I just kept making more scraps and so my box of scraps kept getting larger.

My solution was a file folder. I just had one of those that I bought at a discount store and it was only 8x11. I labeled my folders by color and I sorted all my paper and cardstock scraps placed them in their folder. How well did this work. Well I tell you it saved a ton of time. When ever I needed a piece of a certain color I just went to the file and pulled my color folder and used what I needed, put it back and I was done. My scraps started to get less and my full sheets of paper stayed in tact until I needed to use one for a big project.

Lets leave the organization at that for this month. If you get your papers and scraps organized that will be one big accomplishment. You will find that you scrap a whole lot easier and it won't be frustrating finding the right paper and cardstock to get the job done.

Here are a few tips from the Design Team

Veronica "I store my scraps by color in an accordion folder. My pattern paper is stored in a box with no rime or reason, but since I store it right after I used it, it is kind of in order with coordinated pattern paper."

Lorelie: "I save my scraps by color in a clear accordion folder. Anything too small I toss because I'd end up with TOO MANY - and yes, been there, done that! LOL! Scrap pieces are great for card making - you can create a collage in seconds."

Tricia: "I also store mine in an accordian folder by color. I can't stand to throw away ANY scraps though. I saw a neat way to store them in Zip lock baggies, the large ones, and hang them from a round clip. I also saw using page protectors, hook office clips (the ring kind) around a paper towel holder. "

Anita: "I store my cardstock by color and try to get the lighter shades on top and the darker to the bottom (they are in paper racks). The patterned paper - I try to store by company if I know I will use it all together - like Basic Grey, Heidi Grace, KI, etc. The ones I have fewer of, I will store by color."

Carol: "I cut all my scraps into approx 4 x 6 and then store them in one of those photo storage boxes by ROY G. BIV...Anita gave me the idea and I just love it...if the scrap is too small I just pitch it...I also file them by seasons of the year if they are patterned...just go from January to December ...this I do after the solid colors...It works wonderfully and whenever I may need scraps I just have to tote along the box instead of this pile of mess that I used to have. When I am scrapping I just leave the scraps that I will be cutting to file in the box under the box and when I am done for the day I just cut them up before I put away my trimmer...it is about the only area I feel truly organized with...exceptmfor my ribbon and I will share that with you another day...lol...and as I said the Anita gets credit for the idea!"

2007-11-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

Veronica won this months challenge with her layout "So Scary". This is her second win.

Remember to see all the layouts that were entered go to the Scrap Cents Newsletter
www.accents2scrapbooking.com/scrap_cents.htm

Question!

2007-11-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

So when you sit and just think about your life and the things you experience, what is the one thing that you would love to hold in your memory forever.
Think about this one and comment to us!

Customer Challenge for October

2007-10-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Here it is! We will call this one the BOO challenge!
This challenge is for Halloween Layouts. Show us your best or favorite Halloween layout!
E-mail your layouts with your name and e-mail address to
layouts@accents2scrapbooking.com

For more information about customer challenges visit our Scrap Cents Newsletter!

2007-10-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Melissa won the challenge with this layout for Scrap Cents! Congratulations its her second with with us!

Scrap Teacher in Focus

2007-10-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

We are looking for Scrap Teacher to focus in the Scrap Cents Newsletter. If you know of one or one yourself e-mail us your name and e-mail to debbie@accents2scrapbooking.com and we will contact you.

The teacher in focus will get a full page in our Scrap Cents Newsletter along with a gift certificate to our stores.

Lets recognize those great teachers in our favorite craft.

Scrap Cents Blog

2007-10-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Blog, we are just starting out so come back in a while and see what we are doing new to this page. You will be able to find out the latest sales and ideas from our stores. We will also show you some great ideas and techniques for your scrapbooking! Visit us often to see what we have done next.