Brayer Fun

Here is a totaly cute card from a new publication by Papercrafts magazine. The flower is made by stamping Lexicon of Love (Stampin' Up!) several times, then cutting the stamped images into petals and piecing a flower, finishing off w/ a clear button for the center. The tags are made by wrapping a brayer with rubber bands, then inking it and rolling over your paper. As shown below:

You can see the card with instructions by clicking here or cut and paste this address into your browser: http://www.papercraftsmag.com/paperparties/category.ihtml?idx=290

National Scrapbook Month

I can't emphasize how important my scrapbooks are to me, and my family. It's such a joy to look back at the kids when they were small and remember all the little things. And it gives them their own history, concise, in photos and a few words. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy looking at photographs and savoring the memories they bring.

Since May is National Scrapbook Month, I wanted to include a link to help you jumpstart your creativity:
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/images/ftp_images/cku/nsd/sc1.pdf

It doesn't matter if you are a long time scrapper, or thinking of beginning. To me, scrapbooking is one of the most important things I can do for my family ... and for me. Scrapbooking is my time to relax. Just to enjoy myself and the process. I don't make award winning pages. I've never gone on a weekend scrapbook retreat. I just try to carve out a few minutes here and there to make a page. To document that particular point in history - for them, for me.

Use the link above and try something. Even a small page, or a photo card. It's fun.

A Fond Farewell?

Now that the Stampin' Up! retirement list is out ... here 's what I think.
I'm glad to see some of the sets go .. I mean, really, what were they thinking (ie Charming Children)?
But these are the sets that I can't believe are leaving:

• Shapes & Shadows - (so contemporary!)
• Flower Garden
• Fresh Fruits
• Set Sail - (such a great Father's Day set - and just ordered it, of course!)
• By Definition - what??
• Stencil alphabet & numbers - (very versatile if you kiss it w/ another stamp!)

However, the best part is that there are going to be so many new sets introduced in July! Be on the lookout for lots of new backgrounds and alphabets! There are 10 alphas and 10 backgrounds retiring ... oh boy! You could venture to guess that background and alphabets are amoung my favorites.