Volunteering...do you?

"Each day I arise torn between the desire to improve the World & the desire to enjoy the world. This makes it difficult to plan the day." -EB White.

I have always loved doing things with the kids' school, being daisy leader, room mother, etc., but I started on a new endeavor recently. When we came back home after Katrina, I vowed to do something more. First, with the kids all tossed around and enrolled at different schools with platooning, etc. I was unable to do ANYTHING but play taxi driver. Now that things have settled down, I began volunteering with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. Although my first wish was to work on site, that's not where they needed me most. So, although I don't drive nails, I have been doing something that is even MORE challenging to me. Yesterday, I was given a list of things they really need to have donated....BIG things...forklifts, skid loaders, heavy duty trailers, utility carts, etc. Eeeeek! I think I bit off more than I can chew! I have a hard time asking someone to buy RAFFLE TICKETS and now I have to respectfully ask these big companies for THIS! Ooops.

Your Vacation Spot

From the LM Archives 

Product Feature: Your Vacation Spot

By Vickie Brown, Design Team Member

Spring is officially here and the unofficial beginning of the vacation season is upon us! From Spring Break in Florida, an anniversary trip to Sedona or camping on Memorial Day weekend, vacation plans are in the works!

This week, the Lifetime Moments Design Team would like to aid in your vacation photo planning and scrapping. As a child my family took very few vacations, so vacations and their memories are really precious to me. I always feel a bit intimidated and want to do just the “right” pages and take just the “right” photos. I’d like to share a few ideas with you that might help during this vacation season.

• Take lots of photos. The more you have to work with, the happier you’ll be! Have plenty of film or space on your memory cards. It’s also a good idea to download onto a laptop or have disks made every few days, just as a precautionary measure.
• Get photo ideas from postcards and brochures! They have certainly looked for the most scenic or exciting spots for their advertisements!
• Get closer! Professional photographers suggest that you get twice as close as you think you should get to take the photo…you’ll often get better photos if you zoom in close to your subjects.
• Zoom in from afar! Do you have a child who enjoys cheesy grins while being photographed? Being further away allows you to get “real” shots of people. These are often my favorite photos!
• Get in FRONT of the camera! Hand the camera to a friend, your spouse, your child or even a stranger… I have done this on several occasions and I’ve never had to chase down the person running away with my camera (this is what my husband envisions happening…) I often see someone taking a photo of their “group” and ask if they’d like me to take a picture of the entire group for them, then will ask if they would do the same for me. It’s a win/win situation!
• Take your tripod! You’ll want to practice this at home, but once you’ve gotten used to it, it’s a great tool!
• Plan your wardrobe. It might sound silly, but this suggestion serves two purposes—not only are your subjects “coordinated”, which makes choosing papers MUCH easier, but it’s also easy to spot your family or group in a crowd.
• Take notes! Journaling is easier when you have detailed notes. Spend a few moments each day jotting down the highlights—names of places you’ve visited, funny things that have been said or that have happened. It will make journaling a breeze!
• Keep it together! Take a folder or large envelope to hold ticket stubs, postcards and brochures from the places you’ve visited.
• Get a fresh perspective! From photos to journaling, get the input of others with you. Ask your child what stands out to him and take a picture. Hand the pen to your husband for his thoughts on the day.
• Be real! Did you get lost on the way to the hotel or have a flat tire while traveling home? Take photos of these unplanned events that happen to us all! It will likely be a funny memory later!

From Saturday trips to the park to Alaskan cruises, this is the season for fun photography while having a little “down time”. Have fun with your photos, be sure to journal your thoughts, and check out the Design Team gallery for ideas on scrapping those precious vacation photos!

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Your Vacation Spot

Nancy  Wendy

BeshkaMadeline

 Vickie Susan

Franny Miranda

Stitch It Up

From the LM Archives

Product Feature: Stitch It Up!

By Margaret Winters, Design Team Member

When you hear or read the word 'sewing', what comes to mind? Maybe fond memories of your Grandma or Mom sitting at her sewing machine making clothes for you when you were a child? Or perhaps you, yourself, love the craft.  I would almost bet, though, there are several persons who could admit they had never used a sewing machine or hand stitched anything until sewing became a popular trend in the scrapbooking industry.  For several years now, sewing has been an enduring technique used in scrapbooking and card making.  Whether by hand or machine, the look is classic and timeless.

What if you don't have a sewing machine or the room for one? Or you just can't justify spending the money on a machine just to be able to use it for scrapbooking?  Over the last few years there have been several scrapbooking companies who have offered wonderful alternatives to get the look of stitching without the machine such as hand stitching templates, patterned papers with stitching, and rub ons. Just recently, to add to that list, several manufacturers are offering stamps with faux stitching patterns. This week, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, four new stamp sets that offer unlimited possibilities of creating the look of stitching without the needle and thread.

• Leave Memories Clear Stitch Me Stamps . This new set of clear acrylic stamps offers nine different stitching patterns including a herringbone pattern plus two different distinct zig zag stitches, one of the more popular stitches among scrapbookers. While this set doesn't mimic the perfect seamstress line, it can quickly and easily add that homespun feel to any layout! This set also includes a few bonus images of stitched hearts and an envelope clasp.
• Technique Tuesdays’ Hanging by a Thread stamp set . With 12 different stitches to choose from, you can put your sewing machine up for sale! You are sure to find the stitch you are looking for and get that perfect stitched look with these detailed stamps. Because of the pliability of the soft acrylic, both the Leave Memories and the Technique Tuesday stamps can be bent to go around corners or provide even more versatility in your scrapbooking or card making.
• Fontwerks debuted seven new stamp sets at CHA in January. One of those sets is devoted to the faux stitcher in all of us! These stamps will soon be added to the wonderful collection of Fontwerks stamps in the store here at Lifetime Moments.
• Sassafrass Lass has several new stamp sets that have been up for preorder for several weeks now and are expected to arrive any day. The Stitched Borders set includes patterns of straight stitches, zig-zags, flowers, dots, and several more fun patterns. The Blooms N’ Stalks set has several different fun flower patterns to use on little girl, spring and Easter layouts or just to add a little extra pizzazz to those everyday layouts and handmade cards. Sassafrass Lass went one step further with the stitched look with their two new lines of alphabet nesting stamps. The Sew Simple set is a fun sophisticated lower case font including a shadow and a stitched pattern of each letter, while the Jumbo Stitched set is also a lower case font featuring more of a bold classic font that includes four fun background blocks that can be layered behind the letters for a fun creative look.

Sassafrass Lass has really outdone themselves, because not only are they offering four new stitching stamp sets, they just released two new patterned paper sets that adorn wonderful fun colorful stitching patterns. These new lines, In Stitches and Sew Fine , can help you achieve the look of stitching without the fuss of a sewing machine! The colors and patterns make them perfect for adding a homemade feel to spring, heritage, or just about any kind of layout!

When you don’t have the energy to drag out your clunky old heavy sewing machine, or don’t have a machine, these new stamp sets are sure to help you achieve the look of stitching without having to get out the needle and thread. What is even more exciting is every ink pad you own offers you another color of 'stitching' to choose from! No need to change the spool and bobbin. You can go straight to the stitching fun! 

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Stitch it Up!

Margaret Beshka

 GayleFranny

 Sonya Madeline

 Wendy Vickie

Scenic Route

From the LM Archives

Product Feature: Let’s Take a Scenic Route

By Franny Lesniak, Design Team Member

The new Scenic Route is here! It is truly amazing that this already fabulous scrapbooking supply business has come out with two new lines that are so magnificent and unique! Included in each of these two new lines – North Shore andCharlotte – is a set of coordinating patterned papers; Scrap Strips; sheets of alphabet stickers; Monogram stickers; and Chipboard Elements. Each line contains just about everything you need to put together a perfectly embellished and coordinated scrapbooking layout or paper craft project!

The Scenic Route paper is simply the best! Certainly it is the best quality - high grade, cardstock weight. Add to that the fact that each sheet is double sided and reversible. This makes it ideal for making file folders, book pockets, matchbooks, as well as greeting cards. The color schemes of both lines, North Shore and Charlotte, traverse a spectrum of traditional as well as unusual yet compatible combinations. The colors of North Shore are rich and vivid. These hues seem very compatible with theme inspired layouts for occasions such as birthday celebrations, school or sports events, and beach trips. While this line seems suited for infinite masculine possibilities, it is also an ideal choice for many feminine themed layouts.

Scenic Route’s Charlotte line captures hues on the softer end of the spectrum. However, Charlotte’s hues and color combinations still convey a sense of life and energy, albeit with a slightly more gentle expression. This line includes a range of both warm and cool hues, all in a perfect balance. Scenic Route’s release of this line is timely, as it is utterly perfect for springtime layouts! Also, Charlotte seems perfect for those tender and dreamy inspired layouts that you have plans to create.

Always thinking, Scenic Route came up with a nifty idea and has created a fantastic solution to the problem that pattern-phobics have faced – Scrap Strips! When a whole sheet of patterned paper seems too much, or if you want just a little of this pattern and a little of that pattern, then you MUST check these out. Scrap Strips are sheets of cardstock-weight paper that includes strips of several patterns from within each line in addition to strips with themed phrases including: flower power, laugh everyday, a perfect day, smile, play hard, and a day at the beach.

Complimenting their new paper lines are the sheets of cardstock alphabet stickers. Each 8.5x11 inch sheet comes with multiples of each letter as well as numbers. The stickers are square with white or brown letters atop smaller scale patterns from each of the lines of paper. Not only do they match the patterned paper, they also perfectly coordinate with the Monogram Stickers! These sheets of adhesive backed, cardstock-weight Monograms will add flair and interest to your layout titles. After using them once, you will undoubtedly want all of the sets!! Each sheet includes a segment of the alphabet, so you will get several letters’ worth of monograms and phrases on each sheet.

What more could a scrapbooker want, you ask? Well, chipboard, of course! And Scenic Route has come through for us. These 6x12 inch sheets of Chipboard Elements come in themed sets that match the two new paper lines will spark your creative fuse! You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck with these chipboard embellishments, as all the shapes, sizes, and pieces fit together, and pop apart for any number of different uses. Run, don’t walk, and get yourself some!

Well, there you have it – that pretty much covers all the newest, latest and greatest products from Scenic Route. If you have never used Scenic Route scrapbooking products before, you really ought to try them now. After you get a chance to use these top of the line patterned papers, cardstock stickers, and chipboard embellishments, you will understand what all the hype is about. And if you have been previously acquainted with Scenic Route’s product lines, then take my word that these two new additions to the Scenic Route family, North Shore and Charlotte, will not disappoint!

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Lets Take a Scenic Route

Margaret Gayle

Madeline  Tracy

 Susan  Sonya

Miranda

Product Feature: Scrapping Doodles

By Beshka Kueser, Design Team Member

It is time to get in touch with your inner child, lay down those embellishments and pull out those pens. What am I going on about? Why doodling of course! Doodling is a great way to add an individual touch to a layout. A doodle is a imperfect rendering of the mind at play and always as individual as its’ creator. Doodling is a hot trend that is both fun to create on your own, or try out with doodle inspired lines.

Doodling can be as simple as creating imperfect circles on cardstock as a background, or doodle around a picture creating a one of a kind frame. You can doodle some flowers and cut them out as embellishments that no one else is likely to have. If you are a seasoned doodler, then it is possible to create more elaborate creations to add to your layouts. The best thing about doodling is that it is an imperfect art form. A doodle isn’t meant to be the perfect rendition of anything. A doodle is very much a freehand art form, a way to free yourself from trying to always get it perfect. What I mean is that a doodle is meant to be imperfect. Now here is a trend I can get on board with as a master of imperfection! J Doodling is about fun and putting a little more of yourself onto the page. And doodling is probably not as foreign to you as you might think. Perhaps you already do it…maybe while on the phone, or when you were in college you did it in the margin of your notes. Whatever the case may be, it seems to be showing up everywhere in scrapbooking.

Where do you begin? You will need some basic tools and because doodling is not an exact science, the tools needed are simple and inexpensive. All you need is some imagination, some paper, and a good pen. There are many choices as far as pens go, and preference may be as individual as the doodle. I can’t tell you which pen you will like best, but I am prepared to make some recommendations! A favorite choice is American Crafts Pens. For my own creations I use the Black Pigment Pro. The Pigment Pro .01 produces a fine line and is excellent for writing, but also for detailed doodles. This pen is 100% archival safe and acid free. Another pen I have become fond of is the Zig Ball 5mm, which writes very smoothly and is another excellent choice for both journaling and doodling. Just in at Lifetime Moments is Memory Markersfrom American Crafts. A smooth marker that comes in almost two dozen yummy colors and is sure to add some colorful doodle flair to your pages. These markers are double tipped with a fine and medium point. There is also the American Crafts Slick Writers and their name says a lot! These pens are designed to write on slick surfaces such as vellum or transparencies.

Now that you know what tools you will need you are ready to begin adding doodles to your pages! Feeling a little hesitant about creating your own doodles? Worried about messing up a layout? I cannot reiterate enough that you could not possibly mess up when it comes to doodling. However, if you are wanting to try out this latest trend, but still questioning your skills, LM has doodle inspired lines of paper and embellishments to help you get your doodle on. Rhonna Farrer along with Autumn Leaves has brought us a fantastically fun and doodle inspired line called Graffiti. This line boasts some doodle inspired papers along with coordinating epoxy shapes and tags, ribbons, and rub-ons. Love Rhonna’s doodle look? Be on the lookout for her amazingly fun new doodle inspired stamps from Autumn Leaves.

Junkitz delivered us a doodle inspired burst of laughter with their Flowerful and Delightful lines by Janna Wilson. These lines are sure to inspire with their bright colors and whimsical design. Have a sweet tooth? Then check out the doodle inspired Shabby Chic line by Teresa Collins. This line brings us sweet colors with doodled flowers, polka dots, and stripes. This line is softer in its’ coloring, offering a sweeter side to the bolder lines. These lines are a terrific alternative for those who want a doodle look, but without the risk.

Doodles can be as simple or as elaborate as you want them to be. Try out some freehand circles or flowers, add them directly to your page or cut them out as your own one of a kind embellishment. Doodle a border around your layouts or better yet, doodle a border directly onto a photo. Of course, if you feel doodle-challenged then try out one of those aforementioned doodle inspired lines. Whichever way you decide to go, it is worth a try. Doodling is fun and adds a great deal of individual personality to a layout or project.

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Scrapping Doodles. Don’t miss the fabulous work of our talented Guest Designer – Toni/FoxyCropper. We admired her work in our gallery and when planning for the doodling feature, we just knew we had to invite her to work with us! Thanks Toni! We hope these awesome examples will inspire more doodling at LM!

Beshka Sonya

Franny   Madeline

Wendy        Vickie

 Nancy  Toni/FoxyCropper (Guest Designer)   

Love Letters and More

From the LM Newsletter Archives

Product Feature: Love Letters and More

By Madeline Fox, Design Team Member

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways! 

I love you thick.  I love you thin.  I love your versatility.  I love your strength.  I love you in all your colors, shapes and sizes.  But I especially love you naked!  AND…I love that there are so many ways to dress you up!

Yes, I’m going delirious over chipboard again.  Naked chipboard!  Much like a blank canvas, bare chipboard, without color or texture has endless possibilities.  Products that can be altered and embellished are always a hit with scrapbookers who are forever seeking ways to customize their projects.  Naked chipboard is just the answer for those wishing to create unique accents that coordinate with any color scheme.

Dressing up chipboard alphas or shapes can be as easy as brushing on a coat of paint.  Acrylic paint can be applied directly out of the bottle or mixed for a completely custom color.  There are numerous ways to take these painted pieces and further alter their look.  Sanding to scruff up and remove some of the paint followed by a dilute coat of walnut ink will give a nice patina.  Inking to define the edges is another favorite method.  To add pizzazz, brush on distress marks in a contrasting color, stamp designs or apply decorative rub-ons.  Dearest to my heart is the crackle finish, remarkably simple and easy to achieve, adding instant age and charm!  (For best results, remember to use contrasting colors, one light and one dark, so the cracks will be easily visible.)

Don’t want to pick up a paintbrush?  Another way to quickly put a finish on bare chipboard is to cover it with paper.  Adhere paper, applying adhesive directly to the chipboard, careful to insure that the edges are coated sufficiently.  Let dry and cut around the chipboard piece with scissors or an exacto knife.  You don’t have to be too precise at this stage, because a light sanding on the edges will remove any excess paper.  Just as with paint, you can sand, ink, distress, stamp, or apply rub-ons to the paper-topped chipboard for an embellishment uniquely yours.

You don’t have to stop there.  Now’s the time to accessorize!  Tie with fibers or ribbons.  Attach brads or eyelets.  Embellish with flowers, charms, or anything your heart desires.  The large F monogram on the layout, Finn (and Friends), is first covered with coordinating patterned paper, sanded and inked, then accented with Prima flowers with embossed brad centers.

Ultimately, whether it’s dressed to the nines or pleasantly plain, chipboard can assume the personality of the page or project at hand.  Celebrated chipboard offerings guaranteed to steal your heart:

• Basic Grey Undressed Chipboard-The recipient of much love and attention, Basic Grey’s printed monogram alphabet has been dressed down and made into a quality diecut chipboard collection of 26 alphas and one symbol, measuring almost 3 inches each.  A single letter R from this pack adorns my pink and black puzzle piece, making quite a statement with its crackle finish, ribbon and flower embellishments!  Other BG chipboard offerings include Undressed Tags and Undressed Hardware. 
• Making Memories Jigsaw Alphabets-One of the first chipboard offerings on the market, Jigsaw Alphas continue to be a favorite with their unique design.  Double your fun by using both the positive and negative components of these letters and numbers.  Several of these alphas in different fonts are an integral part to my page, Chopsy and Lindsey’s Most Excellent Adventure.  A mixture of uppercase, lowercase, thick and thin, these alphabets add a sense of fun to the title. Gameboard alphas, shapes, and tags are additional Making Memories chipboard products.  Susan’s used some of the heart shapes to decorate her adorable Valentine Lunchpails, along with an assortment of Maya Road clips (see below). 
• Maya Road Chipboard Sets-Packaged in their signature storage tin, there are five sets of 24-36 pieces (depending on the set).  Packages available include basic shapes, clips, bookplates, and chipboard blossoms.  A large heart clip, painted and splattered to match the Doodlebug papers, can be seen on the layout, Pampered Pooch. 
• Bazzill Really Big Letters-These letters are actually “half-way” dressed!  The large chipboard letters, with positive and negative elements, are covered in a white Bazzill cardstock, just waiting for a little finesse from you.  
• Zsiage Alphastructure-when you want to make a BIG statement, these 10-inch chipboard letters are the ones to do it.  There is lots of room to play on them, too!  So break out your stamps or doodle to your hearts content.  You’re sure to fall in love all over again!

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Love Letters and More

Gayle         Franny

 Susan       Sonya  

  Nancy            Madeline       

 Margaret

Roe Vs. Wade

When asked his thoughts on Roe vs. Wade on a recent trip to tour the devastated areas of New Orleans, President Bush said, "I don't care HOW you get those people out of the city next time!"

When I told this joke to some online friends recently, they had to read it a few times. I didn't realize they would have such a hard time "getting" it! Katrina, the flood, and countless stories of rescue and survival are still prominent topics in the New Orleans newspaper and around town. I even have two "coffee table" books about it already! LOL!