Scrapbook Journaling Using My New CTMH Planner

It's so pretty, I had to have one but I don't use planners! 

You may have seen me tweet that I don't use planners but I really liked how pretty the CTMH Planner is so I thought I could use it for a journal.  I finally had time to open mine and it's perfect for a journal.  The month view will show all our special events.  I'll also jot down some regular events like Girl Scout meetings and swim lessons that I want to remember and document in my scrapbooks.

On the weekly pages there is just enough space for me to write a short journal entry.  I may not journal every day but I'll be ahead of what I do now.  Later I can match photo dates to the journal entries.

I've started by putting in family birthdays for the year, adding in scouts and swim for the next few months to the monthly calendar pages.  I wanted to use the really fine point Sharpies so I could write small but wondered if they would bleed through the page.  Warning: they do.  The lighter colors are okay but the black shows on the other side just enough to annoy me.  I tried a purple Sakura Micron and it doesn't show through but I don't have a black to compare. I might use colored pencils and keep them sharp.  Then I can use colors, no bleed through and I can erase if I need to. 

I also bought the picture my life pocket pages so I'll be able to put photos right into the monthly pages.  I'm kind of questioning if I'm going to like that part because I don't really like using mini-albums.  Clearly this is going to be a work in progress so I'll see after a couple of months whether I want to use them or not.

Happy Journaling, Karen

Card Making Video Using CTMH Kaleidoscope Paper

Hi everyone, Happy Holidays! 

I hope you're enjoying the holidays no matter what/how you celebrate.  I wish everyone a great New Year with 2016 bringing you good health and happiness. 

I really shouldn't be blogging today. I've got family from out of state arriving soon But.... I was just checking Twitter and found this great video from CTMH.  I couldn't resist sharing it.  I wish I had time right now to make a card.  I hope you enjoy the video.

This video uses several fun techniques I haven't used in awhile to make a card.  You could use any stamp set and any paper collection.  If you do want to use this one go to my CTMH web site and look for the Kaleidoscope paper kit (X7202B), the silver foil is (Z3130), and the stamp set is Diamonds Are Forever (C1629).   You can even get the paints here if you don't have any. Leave a comment and share what you make after watching this video.  I want to squeeze in some time and make one too.  I have the paper but the diamonds aren't my style so I'll look for another stamp set. The paper makes me think of spring or Easter so I'll probably make an Easter card.

Again Happy Holidays, Karen

Paper Crafters Save $$ With This Tip

Make Your Own Daubers

I admit I spend a lot of money on paper crafting. I will especially pay for good quality tools. However, I am a very thrifty person and will not spend my money on things that won't last.  Thus I only have about 6 daubers and half of those were given to me at an expo years ago. The other pack of 3, I got at a sale.  I like them but they wear out and I can't pay over $1 for something that wears out so quickly.  So I saw a blog about making your own daubers and I'm going to try this.  I searched and found several how to videos.  I picked this one and wanted to share with you. She says she can make these for under 5 cents.  In bulk, I can't find them under 65 cents!  That's worth my time.

Lightbulb moment!!!  I realized after watching several different videos that they are all using slightly different measurements.  You can make the daubers to fit your finger no matter what size finger you have.  PVC pipe comes in so many sizes.



Reasons To Make Your Own Daubers

• Less than 5 cents each vs 66 cents bought in bulk
• When they wear out you just change the sponge, don't need new pipe
• Buy the PVC in a size that fits your finger comfortably - a custom fit dauber
• Find a plumber that will give you scraps so you save even more
• Borrow the plumbers cutting tool for a bigger savings
• If you do have to buy the supplies get together with friends to share the cost

Leave me a comment and let me know if you make some of these, Karen

CTMH Planners Are On Sale

When December ends so does the sale for the new CTMH planners.  The sale is a package deal and is a great value.  Planners are very popular right now.  I don't use them but I'm very excited to try this as a journal and add my own creativity to it.  Click here for the details and then click here to order from my shopping website.

Organizing Your Scrapbooking Supplies

I do not have a scrapbooking /crafting room.  I have a closet in a guest room to use to store my supplies.  I often scrapbook in the kitchen which is on a different floor.  In addition, I scrapbook at a monthly crop once a month and try to get away for a crop weekend once a year.  While we all drool over scrapbook rooms on Pinterest for many of us this is not a reality.

Scrapbook supply organization is a definite issue for most of us.  I can't count the number of times I have reorganized.  I keep trying to find the best organization to fit my scrapbooking needs.  I need easy access (we all do) but I also need to be able to take my supplies on the go. After retiring this summer, I was able to eliminate all my  teaching supplies which were taking up large amounts of space in my home so I started yet again reorganizing my scrapbooking and crafting supplies.

I love the CTMH organizers because they have a handle and the cart that goes with them is great for crops.  However, I still spent a lot of time looking around to see what else was out on the web to get more ideas.  Here's a great article on organization mistakes that I wanted to share. (I had to remove the link to the article about 5 organizing mistakes - that website is no longer valid.)  I've made all of these myself already but if you're reorganizing maybe they'll help you.

You can also go to my collection of dreamy scrapbook rooms on Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/pageswithheart/.

Leave a comment if you have any great organizing tips to share.  I'm always looking for more, Karen

Card Making With Kids

Have Fun Paper Crafting With Your Children

I found a great video on using kids art to make cards.  It reminded me of something similar that I did years ago when my son was a toddler.  I let him finger paint, then I had him make his hand prints so I would have them to keep and frame.  I used his finger paintings as mattes for his photo that I put into clear plastic ornaments which opened up like plastic Easter eggs. His grandmas all got one and we kept one.  Still one of my favorite ornaments.

This video is from Jennifer McGuire Ink check her site out.