Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day became an annual event back in 1970 and is now celebrated by over 192 countries each year.  It is a day to remember our planet and to try to do our best to care of it.  Making an effort to recycle, use less and re-use can make a big difference for our future.
Check out this great page that lists 50 ways to help our plant.  http://www.50waystohelp.com/

Speaking of our planet, this is a stunning view of Earth taken today on at 7:45a ET from the Goes Satellite over 22,000 miles away.

Photo credits:  Paper Cone Wreath: Paper Pals, Enameled Washers: homemadebyjen, Map Hearts: Curbly, Belt Cuffs: V&Co , Book Paper Pennants: Mandipidy, Rolled Comic Book Bracelet: ORubish

Challenge yourself to use recycled materials to create fun and creative DIY art projects, home decor, jewelry and more!  You can check out our Green Craft Pinterest Board and follow along to get inspired to go green!


~Karen

New Beginnings

During my recent morning walks, I've been noticing all the amazing fresh greenery that's popping up around my neighborhood. It's got me thinking about new beginnings and how I might feel as a new scrapbooker entering our overwhelming world of product and style. Where would I even start? Then I read a blog post by Ali Edwards (she is my memory keeping hero) about these exact thoughts. You can read her entire article here, but I'll give you her top five tips for beginning, with my two-cents worth added of course! Even us seasoned scrapbooking warriors need a reminder of our humble roots now and then.

Begin with the end in mind. Consider the purpose of your documentation and what you want to capture. Write it down. You could refer to this "mission statement" to bring back your focus anytime you start to feel it waver. Start simple. Don't get overwhelmed by product. Decide on an album size, choose some cardstock and a method to trim it, add your favorite pens and some adhesive and you've got all the makings of a scrapbook. Really, it's that simple. 

Make a list of the stories you want to get told. You'll notice during your scrapbooking journey that although you have an amazing life and there are myriad stories that must be shared, it can become a never-ending chore to tell each and every one. Pick a few important ones to begin and get them down.

Look online for inspiration. You already know that if you're reading this, right? There are oodles of fantastic artists and sites out there just waiting to inspire you.

Embrace imperfection. You might not get it right the first time or the tenth time, but it's worth it to keep trying. Just start and see where it leads. The more you practice, the more your scrapbooking will evolve.

To Ali's list I would add taking a hands-on class that would allow you to explore different products and design methods, as well as finding a "crop" or group function to attend that would give you ample time to work on a first project and more than ample inspiration from those working around you :)

~Kristi

Bazzill ART!

This installation is called FLAMTASTIC EJECTIONS and is all hand-cut Bazzill cardstock displayed in 3D by fine artist, Charles Clary!  His last show was at the The Rymer Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee. Really amazing!

Life Lessons...

Had to share this really touching video I found over on Layle's blog. It made me cry & smile at the same time; very moving.

12 Tags of Christmas - Tim Holtz

If you did not get a chance to see all of the tags made by Tim Holtz on his blog - then here they are! He did a tutorial on each one of these tags filled with tips and techniques using all of his amazing products. We have just about ALL of the items he used to make these tags - just stop in to the store and ask us to show you!!

Cute Christmas Countdown!

Look at this super cute countdown calender created by our own Tina V! She used the My Minds Eye holiday papers and diecuts we have in the store. Thanks for sharing Tina!!

The Beckoning of Lovely

I just watched this video I found on Cathy Zielske's blog. I was so touched and inspired by it...I smiled, laughed and cried! I just had to share it. It is by the author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, who wrote Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life.

Watch it, and let me know if you would like to participate!

Greetings from Sunny CA

Hi Everyone! Shawna and I are having an awesome time here at the MillsRepco trade show and class event in Sacramento, CA. We got here on Saturday and met up with our good friend Donna Jean from County Purr Farm in Carson City, NV. We have been going non-stop ever since! Yesterday, we spent 3 hours with Tim Holtz making swatch books of almost every Ranger product and can't wait to share them with you all! We have another 6 hours of classes today with Hero Arts & Hampton Arts. Will be posting tons of samples soon!

Don't forget that National Scrapbook Day is this Saturday! Stay tuned - we have a few tricks up our sleeves and will be sharing with you here on the blog! AND...if you want a little inspiration for yourself then check out our amazing DT girls - Paper Pals DT Blog

A New Spot for Inspiration!

(samples from www.heroarts.com)

For all of you Hero Arts lovers, the company now has a blog! They have guest designers, cool videos with tips, and giveaways!

Hero Arts Blog

The best part is we carry their stamps! You can use them to make cards - but also scrapbook pages! If you see something you love, let us know. We probably have it in stock or can arrange to order it for you.

We LoVe Tim!

I was checking out Tim Holtz's blog (he is at the top of my blog roll) and found this cool tag he made along with a tutorial for it! The really cool thing is we have ALL of the products he used on the tag! We have the New Grungeboard, Crackle Paint, Distress Inks, Tonic Paper Distresser and the Stamp Set!

Go here for step-by-step instructions!