Color, Color, Everywhere - but not a Drop of Ink!

So I was poking around trying to find a new technique to use for my Chrsitmas cards this year. (Half-way to Christmas - June 25th - Yay!!) And I saw this Bleach technique in a recent issue of Stampin' Success - the Stampin' Up Demonstrator Magazine - and thought it was very pretty for Florals, but how would it be for Christmas?! I really did not find many examples of what I was envisioning... Imagine snowflakes dusted across Night of Navy cardstock, enhanced or subtle depending on the strength of bleach, or perhaps some gift ribbon with bleached out ornaments or snowflakes... Then I found these adorable cards at splitcoaststampers.com by Erin K., gm2785, and Rhonda3:


The first, the bird was recolored with pencil after the bleach/emboss. The other two both look to have used black embossing powder... I love the Snow effect!

Here are a couple of tutorials on Bleach Stamping, there were others to be found online, but without photos and very much the same thing -- not a difficult technique :-)

Bleach Stamping tutorial from SplitCoastStampers.com

Bleach Emboss technique from SplitCoastStampers.com

AND it can be used for scrapbooking!

take a look at this sample page - kind of a watery effect
Scrapbook sample of Bleach Stamping at Scrapbooking.about.com

Scrapbook Linen Cover of Album done with Bleach This is the cover of an album, beautiful roses and a phrase, all bleached into the fabric! Brave woman! I would highly suggest some practice sessions

What a cool technique to buff up on before the holidays are here... I can see this being ultimately used across the holidays - some ghosts or a nice Halloween moon, for Christmas with the snow effect or a nice angelic-glow, new years fire-crackers or clocks glowing, Valentines hearts, Easter Eggs, the beautiful Floral examples for Mothers Day or Spring cards, and so on... Wow!

What are your tips for Best Bleach Stamping Results?

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Take the tedium out of transfering those old photos

I don't know about you, but prior to the digital revolution, I was one of those weekly patrons of the local photo processing center at my friendly Longs or Rite-aid. Yes, I said weekly. And, I might mention, that depending on the season or birthday schedule, I may be dropping off two or more rolls of film for prints. I am a certified picture-crazy person.
To this day I carry my camera with me everywhere. Litteraly, thank goodness for advancements in technology and I no longer have to lug a camera the size of a brick around in my purse! I am KNOWN to be the one with a camera in any crowd. And until recently (read: had kids), I had gobs of time to upload and share my plentiful pics with family and friends via the fabulous web! I really do think that when I got my first digital camera it was a sad, sad day at my (former) photo store.
So now I hoard my digi-prints. All cataloged and uploaded and backed up to DVD regularly...sometimes I get enough time to upload and share some events with folks, more often than not I just remember that I should share stuff when I catch it on my computer screensaver. I am no longer a photo printer, and I do miss that. On my list of things to do, really :-)
But today, after reaching that space in the garage (yes, we moved and the pictures never made it inside! criminal!!) that holds my numerous boxes of albums, I am wondering what will become of my old photos?! They are not digital, they are not "protected" in multiple formats and locations and collections in my digital catalog! I did try towards the time of my digital conversion, to get a copy on cd of my pics, but that will only cover about a year perhaps... The rest? My childhood photos? My silly summer camp days? Those summer vacations with the family, or holidays visiting relatives? My months abroad? Fragile scraps of precious paper that hold a lifetime of memories for me, and I let them waste away in peril!
Well SCAN them you dolt, you say! And yes, I have attempted this. Anyone care to guess how long it actually takes to scan twenty four (or more often in my case, thirty-six) 4x6 photos at some quality to allow for reprints?!?

F O R E V E R....

Hours upon hours upon hours. Even giving up, and scanning multiples onto a page for later edits! Even spending afternoons at Kinkos using their fancy photo machine - and that was a pretty speedy scanner. My home scanner? Not equipped for marathon photo scanning. (blog image from my favorite Epson.com) And folks, I am talking ALOT of photos. Years of months of weekly trips to the photo counter. Even editing down to the "good" photos, I still have more photos than I will ever have time to scan. Ever. Almost more than I will have time to organize and archive and share! But that is another story! haha

Enter, the best tip I have ever found online!! Photo Scanning Services!!
There are places that will take my boxes of photos through the mail, and scan them ALL and return them to me with a copy on DVD! for pretty darn cheap! Especially if you consider the time it is saving me?!? Really worth every penny!
Now... just have to decide where to send my precious papers. Anyone have any reccomendations? I must gather all the info before just sending my memories off with a wish and a prayer, all help is appreciated! Have you ever used any of these sites? (links open into a new window)

DigMyPics.com per photo charge, default scan is 300 dpi, and they offer a online review and deletion of scans up to 35% of the total scans may be deleted at no charge - handy if you dont have time to sort boxes prior to sending for scan.

FotoBridge.com flat rate scanning charge, default 300 dpi, includes free web-ready copy of images (yay! no resizing for email or web-sharing)

ScanCafe.com per photo charge, default scan is 600 dpi, and you preview the scans and can select and pay for only the ones you keep

Anyone have a better idea than these? By all means - please refer me! Thanks, in advance, for your comments and suggestions!

Happy Crafting!

~angie

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Scrap Happy Anniversary

For my parents anniversary this year (37 years, Congrats Mom & Dad!!) We got them a replacement (and Upgraded :-) digital camera. I also wanted to try out these awesome scrapbook tutorials and give them a nice display album to show off all their new photos.
This is the one I made! Love It! and yes, easier than it appears in the directions Sara Wills - Flappy Scrappy scrapbook tutorial I used the Stampin' Up! Designer Scrapbook paper Washington Apple to coordinate with their new Red camera :-) It unfolds and will actually stand on its own, a nice mantle or sideboard display


I also found these delightful gift album ideas:

Tara Kieninger - 5x5 foldout scrapbook tutorial

Angie Kennedy Juda - mini brag book tutorial

Lynsay Joanne - mini scrap book tutorial

Scrapbook-Crazy.com - explosion box album

So many to try! Hope one tickles your fancy!
Happy Crafting!
~angie

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Stranded on a Crafty Desert Island: must haves to Craft

It is unlikely that they will ever have a Survivor series for the crafty set, but just in theory… what would be your must have items on your island paradise??


Suggested by papercraftz.com :

• Cutting Mat
• Cutting instrument – blade or scissors?
• Ruled metal straight edge
• Bone Folder – or stylus?
• Glue stick or Tape?
• Black Ink Pad – pigment or Dye?
• Stamps
• Embossing Powder & Heat Gun (quitte the posh little island You have there… electricity!?!)
• Stamp Cleaner & Cleaning Pad
  

I for one agree with most of that… my room of tools is not yet so large that I can imagine much more than these basics. With the heat gun, I have to say it is not even a major part of my arsenal yet, I only have ideas on a half-dozen cards to use it on. In a pinch I could do without the mat and the bone folder too, but the stylus would be pretty darn useful. I do love the Stampin’ Up! Scissors – both the paper scissors and the paper snips that work WELL on pretty much everything! I ADORe my stamp cleaner and cleaning pad – what an awesome invention :-D Happily, you can find a great deal on basics – and many under $10, from Stampin’ Up! Check out Shop Now from my site, and then look under Product Price Guide. Breaks it down for you into Under $10, Under 25, and more for those looking to steal away to a crafty island – or if you just want a great deal on some great products, to pad that already well stocked craft room!

What tools would you pack in your Island Must Have bag?

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EcoMonday and Stampin' Up!

I bet you didn't know that Stampin' Up! is firmly committed to the environment, and has some pretty eco-conscious practices! Check It Out!
Rubber
Rather than dumping their excess rubber in a landfill, they donate it to Courage Reins, a nonprofit organization that provides horseback riding therapy for physically or mentally challenged children. They take the ground rubber and sell it to groups and individuals for use in playgrounds and horse stables. The money that they receive from those sales goes to fund their programs. You can find out more about Courage Reins.
Wood Blocks
The wood blocks in the stampsets are not only created from a renewable resource, but they also engage in a sustainable practice to get them! They work with a tree farm in which the maple trees are grown specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood.
Card Stock and Paper
I bet you already figured out that the paper used for shipping is 100% recycled. But did you know that the Card Stock included recycled material as well? It's true! SU! cardstock includes recycled paper that's left over from other paper runs, which would otherwise end up in a landfill. The darker the colour of the cardstock, the more recycled material is inside it (who would have thought that Basic Black was their greenest colour?!)
In addition, they work with a paper broker who ensures that the mills used for the Designer Paper and Cardstock engage in environmentally friendly practices. The broker is even certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC). These certifications help them know that their paper comes from sustainably managed forests and mills that are taking steps to lessen their carbot footprint. One of their mills even generates its own power!

As you know, one of Stampin' Up!'s guiding principles is Change, and with that principle in mind, they are always looking for ways to improve business pactices to do what's right for their demonstrators, employees, community and environment. I am glad to do business with this inspiring company!

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