Heidi Swapp introduced a new product line based on a concept with which she’s been scrapbooking for a while. It is SUCH a cool line and such a cool concept, that we’re particularly excited to share this video!
Posts Tagged ‘mini-book’
CHA 2012 – Heidi Swapp Memory File
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012Big on Photos, Short on Time: A Summer Mini-album with 44 Photos
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Forty-four photos for a mini-album? Plus lots ‘o journaling and some ephemera too? That’s a lot!
But this was one of my easier projects of all time.
I made it last year, then pulled it out yesterday. After we got the kids down to bed, Izzy and I sat with a glass of wine (each) and read through the entire album. It’s interesting in a strange sort of way to read about so many of life’s mundane details just a year later and remember things you already forgot you used to do.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
It did not take me long at all to make this mini-album, which I’ll get to in a minute.
But there is still one thing I would do differently if I were to do a similar modern-style clean mini-album again.
What would I do?
I would go even more digital.
I’d ditch the traditional paper and do digital paper instead.
But I would keep the metal pieces.
And I would print them on 6×6 prints from Persnickity rather than put four 6×6 pages onto 12×12 canvas prints. When you have to cut the prints down you don’t get exact uniform sizes.
Which is no big deal to some of you.
But those extra millimeters of white from the back pages that peek through on the side or top really bug the types of people who also need to feel like their bodies are laying perfectly symmetrical on the bed before they can relax and fall asleep.
…but we’re not here to talk about my issues. Just my scrapbooking.
My Guest Spot in the Paper vs. Digi Discussion on The Digi Show
When I want my photos to be the bulk of the canvas, if not the canvas itself, it makes sense to me to go digi.
I got to have a fun discussion about this with the girls on the Digi Show this week. We also chatted about the differences and the similarities between product designing, shopping, and starting a page in paper vs. digital scrapbooking.
You can head over and listen if you haven’t already to The Craft Closet of Broken Dreams at The Digi Show.
Why Digital is Great for Summer Albums
There are so many reasons I gravitate toward digital for these bigger summer time projects.
- You can keep things a lot more simple with digital, especially when your project is mostly daily, as mine was.
- If you have a lap top you can travel with your “supplies” and work in the car or on the plane, at the hotel or in a family member’s home.
- You can have different projects going on at the same time to meet your creative mood. When I made this album I was also working on a paper mini-book and I liked being able to choose which I felt like working on at any moment.
I have a tutorial that shows how I task-batch to simplify big projects like these.
- I show how my process makes it quick and easy to make intricate-looking paper mini-books.
- I also show how I made the digital summer album you see in this post using the task-batching approach.
- I explain how, with this process, you can simplify the project at the last moment if you’re getting sick of it, without having a book that looks intricate at the front but simple and plain at the back. You’ll get a consistent look and nobody will know that you have A.D.D!
If you’re ready to become a Paperclipping Member you’ll get instant access to this tutorial along with the other 171 videos!
Click here to get your Paperclipping Membership
Then look for Paperclipping episode 150 in the Member’s Area!
Paperclipping 163 – Layer and Texture with Color
Friday, February 11th, 2011You need the free Flash Player to view this video.
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I’m excited to share some art and color techniques that you can use to add depth and sophistication to your scrapbook, mini-book, and art journal projects! Please click on the trailer above to see a preview of this week’s episode of Paperclipping. You can also download it if you prefer.
This tutorial is available in the Paperclipping Member’s Area. Not a member? Did you know you’ll get instant access to 163 video tutorials, and then you’ll get two new video tutorials every month for the price of a single scrapbook class? Click here to learn more!
Below are the photos of the mini-book I made to demonstrate these color techniques…
Kiss
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Supplies
Caged Bird Die Cut by Tim Holtz
Chain Link from Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Metal Word Sticks from Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Distress Inks – Old Paper * Barn Door * Aged Mahogany * Walnut Stain
Heart Wings Die Cut by Tim Holtz
Stickles – Christmas Red (for the heart)
Glossy Accents
Metal Adornment Charms by Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Making Memories Shimmer Alphabet Stickers in Metallique and Sienne.
(Links lead to my affiliate store. I make a small commission if you purchase something after clicking on a link. Thank you!)
Want to know how to get richly layered colors and textures with your paints, inks, and color mists? Get your Paperclipping Membership to get the video now!
Paperclipping 162 – A Mini-Book in Two Hours
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011I’m excited to share this week’s member episode! You’ll get to see me assemble a mini-book using a template and some tips — plus my task-batching process — in just two hours! Actually, you won’t see the entire two hours. We only show you the essential parts!
Anyway, you can do this!
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If you are not a Paperclipping Member, I think you’re missing out. Of course, I’m extremely biased. But you’re missing this and 161 other tutorials, along with two to come every month. Want to learn more? Please click here!
But please also feel free to watch the video trailer above.
Below are pictures of a few of the pages shown in today’s episode –
H
(Tuscon)
Favorite Scrapbook Projects from 2010
Saturday, January 1st, 2011I’ve been seeing people around the web posting their favorite layouts and projects from the previous year. This activity can be revealing as to what you might want more of in future projects. And it seemed like a great way to portray yourself — to show all your best stuff at once! Ha!
So here are my favorite stories, all designed in 2010 in order of creation…
The story behind this layout is personal and close to my heart, enough reason alone to love it. I also like the balance of a free-flow style with a clean, bright, white and simple one — both in terms of aesthetics and personal style, but also because it feels like an accurate visual representation of Izzy and me and our personalities.
I also really like those hearts I designed.
This is one of my all-time favorite mini-books, not just of the year. It holds so many real pieces of a major part of my life. Plus, the earthiness of it feels so much like me. You can see the rest of the book here.
This page highlights everything about our wonderful, simple, yet fulfilling and happy life. I love all the little reminders in words and photos of how lucky I am. In terms of design, these are some of my favorite colors to scrapbook with. And, just like the first layout, this is another example of the balance of clean and graphic + free-flow style that feels so me.
I can’t fail to mention that I made this on assignment for Ella Publishing’s Top Most Influential Scrapbookers for 2010 after they chose me along with eight other wonderful people. That was definitely a highlight of my year as well. You’ll find this layout and some other awesome ones in a book on finding “Time To Scrapbook,” with 27 tips from Ella’s 9 chosen most influential.
Number one, I love those photos. I love that crazy, crazy, sweet dog that we rescued from the pound. I love that this illustrates the joy we assume we brought him and the joy he has brought us.
I love that I was able to keep the focus on the photos for this page, while also being able to add lots of brightness and happy details. The photos on their own are so brown (it’s our brown living room). They need the energy of the color and the swirling wire, the topsy-turvy tags, and all the fun stuff to portray the happiness this dog brings us.
This was my first big digital project. It’s actually hybrid, but I think of it as digital, since 99% of the sweat happened at my computer. I am so happy that I was able to tell such a large story with so many photos in one simple album. My biggest reason to feel good was that I discovered my own digital work flow as I made this — a workflow that is so simple and enjoyable.
Isn’t this on the opposite end of the style spectrum from the previous mini-album? I love indulging in many different styles. Usually I mix those styles, but once in a while I indulge in one or the other when the time is right. And for Halloween, the time is right for this. I love playing with this look at Halloween time. I also really love the photos Izzy took of the kids and the fun memories they hold. This is definitely a very favorite from 2010, even if that book doesn’t stand so steadily (my only gripe).
See the rest of the mini-book here.
I love this closeup of Trinity. I love the layout and that I was able to play on the bright summery colors while keeping the focus on that beautiful face. This page is more structured and less free-flowing than what I typically love (as was the digital mini-album) but I love it for the story. The style is a definite story-match for me.
Shine on, Trinity — my sunshine girl.
That’s it — just 7 layouts and projects that fit into my favorite list from 2010. I’m looking for another year of designing my stories in 2011. Happy New Year and shine on, all you happy talented paperclippers!
Contrast and Embellishments in Scrapbooking – Paperclipping 156
Monday, October 25th, 2010In this week’s scrapbooking video tutorial, I share the principles of design related to contrast and show how you can use contrast to help you choose, make, and cluster embellishments into groupings. There are times when you want high contrast, low contrast, or contrast plus repetition. This episodes gives examples of when you use each one when scrapbooking with embellishments.
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This episode is an extra bonus video for the Paperclipping Members as we celebrate our birthday. Thank you, Paperclipping Members, for allowing this show to exist!
If you are not a Paperclipping Member you can watch the video trailer above or download it. But if what you really want is to watch the entire video, plus the other 115 videos in our archives, please visit the Membership Information Page to learn more!
Below is the mini-book I featured in the tutorial . . .
All Hallow’s Eve 2009
You can watch me design this cover in Paperclipping 154 – Advanced Design with L-Frames.
I loved working with this minibook cover made by Teresa Collins! She created it for Thanksgiving but I wanted it for my Halloween book. The price for this is so low, you may want to consider the entire kit for Thanksgiving, plus a second cover for Halloween! I altered my cover by spraying it with Glimmer Mist in Tiger Lilly and Pumpkin Pie. Since Tiger Lilly isn’t available, you might try Jack O Lantern or Sugar Maple as a second mist color.
Some of the items on my cover: Prima Flowers, Venice * The Girl’s Paperie Toil & Trouble Charm.
I made the foundation of my title from an old piece of sheet music that had belonged to my husband’s mother decades ago. I distressed it with Tim Holtz’s Old Paper Distress Ink his Ink Blending Tool, some water spritzing, hand-wrinkling, and edge fraying.
Supplies available for purchase: Girl’s Paperie Skull Charm
Journaling reads: Aiden – You were so excited about 2 features of yoru costume this year.
1) You loved being able to peek through the eye-holes of the sheet and then throw the sheet back, popping your head out.
2) You loved the thumb holes of that skater shirt you were wearing underneath the sheet. Just like your head, you thought it was the coolest to be able to pop those through!
Watching your excitement and energy is one of the joys of my life. Love. <3
Tim Holtz Type Charms * Tim Holtz Hinge Clip
Journaling reads: Blake – This wasn’t the easiest Haloween for you. You love good costumes, or at least good masks or makeup. Always have. This year the only costumes you were interested in were masks for $50 – $100!
Fiinally, we decided to have Dad paint makeup on your face, which you liked last year. But the makeup we got ended up being difficult. It dried on your face and cracked. You didn’t like that and could barely move your face.
On top of that, you had stayed up all night at David’s slumber party the evening before. CRANKY is an accurate word for you this Halloween. The contrast between you and Aiden was . . . hilarious.
Love you, dude!
Mom
Prima Black Butterfly Swirls * Tim Holtz Type Charms * Tim Holtz Metal Numerals
Teresa Collins Library Card and Pockets * Tim Holtz Hitch Fasteners
Journaling reads: Trinity – You wanted to be a devil. I wanted to make sure your costume was little-girl friendly. I decided to play with contrast: make you the cutest, sweetest, prettiest devil ever. We found a dressy red outfit you could also wear at Christmas time. I put your hair in ringlets.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
You were gorgeous. Innocent. Little girl. Even with that studded choker on. :)
Love it!
Bazzill Bling Button * Tim Holtz Type Charms
My Mind’s Eye black flocked paper * Girl’s Paperie Metal Charm * Prima black velvet flower with metal and bling
Ready to learn how to better use contrast for embellishing gatherings? Head over to the Member’s Area or get your own Paperclipping Membership today!
* All supplies link to my affiliate store.
Advanced Design With L-Frames – Paperclipping 154
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010You may or may not know about the L-frame as a possible foundation for the design of your scrapbook pages. Today’s episode will take you beyond the basics of the L-frame — although you’ll learn it if it’s new to you — to show you more artistic and less obvious ways to use this as the foundational structure of your scrapbook design.
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Please click on the video trailer above to see how today’s tutorial goes beyond what you might already know with regard to the L-frame, and how to use it to your advantage and with whatever style of scrapbooking you prefer.
Today’s episode is for Paperclipping Members. Does it sound helpful? We have more than 150 other tutorials that could help you with your scrapbook design and scrapbooking ideas. Please visit the Membership Information Page to learn more!
Below are the layouts I featured in today’s episode. You’ll need to watch the video for the specific design tips and techniques, but in the meantime, I hope you get some inspiration and ideas . . .
All Hallow’s Eve
7×10 mini-book
I loved working with this minibook cover made by Teresa Collins! She created it for Thanksgiving but I wanted it for my Halloween book. The price for this is so low, you may want to consider the entire kit for Thanksgiving, plus a second cover for Halloween! I altered my cover by spraying it with Glimmer Mist in Tiger Lilly and Pumpkin Pie. Since Tiger Lilly isn’t available, you might try Jack O Lantern or Sugar Maple as a second mist color.
Some of the items on my cover: Prima Flowers, Venice * The Girl’s Paperie Toil & Trouble Charm.
I made the foundation of my title from an old piece of sheet music that had belonged to my husband’s mother decades ago. I distressed it with Tim Holtz’s Old Paper Distress Ink his Ink Blending Tool, some water spritzing, hand-wrinkling, and edge fraying.
The 3-Wheeler
2-page 12×12 scrapbook page
I wanted to chronicle the life of this bike, which began with my first born (top photos) and ended when my last child outgrew it. I used list-journaling to recall our memories.
The journaling reads: This bike went a long way. And I don’t mean on one literal trip . . .
- 3 toddlers who turned into big kids seeking thrills on steep hills
- 2 apartments + 2 homes
- an early Izzy production “commercial” starring Trinity and the bike
- a little dying cricket being treated to a ride by Aiden in the square indentation between the handles
- the removal of handle bars
- being flipped upside-down for the sharpening of fingernails with the turning of the wheel and pedals
Supplies:
Around the outside of basic white cardstock I sprayed Lemon Grass Glimmer Mist, then inked the edges with Old Paper Distress Ink and Ink Blending Tool.
The letter B is a chipboard letter from the Pocket Watch Glimmer Chip chipboard letters. I inked it with Fired Brick Distress Ink.
Amazed . . .
12×12 scrapbook page
Life Explorer
12×12 scrapbook page
Today: 2-28-08
2 pages from a mini-book
Are you ready to get creative with L-frames? Watch the episode (or get your membership first), choose your story, then start Paperclipping!
Handmade Books from Discarded Items – Paperclipping 153
Monday, September 20th, 2010Want to be less wasteful? How about more creative? I think the two go together! For today’s episode I’ll show you how you can repurpose items you would normally throw away and turn them into handmade books for journaling or collecting memorabilia.
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Today’s episode has been released to the Paperclipping Members. If you’re not a Member, you can click on the trailer above or download it to your computer. You can also scroll down to the pictures below to get a bit of inspiration.
But if you would like to know how to make a similar book with items you have on hand, and if you think you would enjoy many of the scrapbooking ideas in the 152 other tutorials in our archives, how about taking a look at our Membership Information Page?
Handmade Books from Discarded Items: Sample Book
Ready to watch the tutorial? Follow this link for membership information on how to get hundreds of scrapbooking ideas.
5 Step Mini-book Prep — Using Memorabilia
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Hi, again!
I love really detailed three-dimensional mini-albums. I have a few that are long-term projects that I complete just one page at a time when I get the urge. I’ve also done a few very simple mini-books that I whipped through in one or two sit-downs.
I tend to feel less satisfaction with those faster ones, though. So mostly I make (or start!) a lot of mini-books that are somewhere in-between. In other words, I expect to complete them in a reasonable amount of time, but I also begin by loading them with lots of details. They end up taking me longer than I expect, and before I’m done I find another album or project I want to begin. Does this sound like you?
A Faster Approach
Well, I’ve come up with a new approach for these mini-books — the books for which I have high-expectations of stellar awesomeness, but that also need to get done within a reasonable amount of time. My new method has been great so far, for both a digi-heavy mini (sneak-peek above), and for my traditional tactile books (sneak-peek below). The method helps with mini-book completion in two ways:
- It makes the process faster.
- It allows you to simplify your final design — midway through the process — if your dreams of the “best mini ever” begin to feel overboard. But you’ll be able to switch gears without ending up with an intricate first half and a “clean and simple” second half.
The other cool thing is that this method came as a result of good design technique, so you won’t be compromising on design. In fact, it will help give you a great foundation in design for each mini-book page.
Interested? It’s the topic for the next Paperclipping Video Tutorial. I’ll show you how this method helped me with a digi-heavy book, as well as a purely paper one. You’ll need a membership to watch the episode and learn the method. So if this is an area you struggle with, but don’t have a membership yet, you can see how to get one by clicking here.
I had hoped to release this on Monday as the first of our August tutorials. It’s much heavier in content than usual, though, and it won’t be ready in time for Monday. We will release it as soon as we can. For now, I’ll share 5 steps for prepping a mini-book that uses multiple items of memorabilia…
5-Step Mini-Book Prep
- Memorabilia – Fish through your memorabilia to find two or more pieces that are related. For example, in the book above, I found four different pieces that demonstrate how organized my daughter likes to be. Some other ideas: concert tickets, items from favorite places around town, school work, etc.
- Photos – Find two or more photos that will help tell the story of your memorabilia.
- Colors – Lay the photos and memorabilia on your table. Do they contain a hodge-podge of different colors? Congratulations! You now have your color palette! This is how I chose the color scheme for my paper album above: I had an orange piece of memorabilia, a pink piece, and two photos with green.
- Patterned Paper – Find patterned paper to go with the color palette of your photos and memorabilia.
- Book – Choose a mini-book size that will accommodate your memorabilia. Digi scrapbookers: When adding one piece of tactile memorabilia (un-scanned) to a small-sized digi-page, I have had the best visual results if the piece stretches from edge to edge, whether up-and-down or side-to-side.
If you start on these steps now, you’ll be ready to assemble your book when the new tutorial releases!
Weekly Roundup
- The Paperclipping Digi Show – A Little Bit Of Chicken And Egg
Heads Up!
- The Paperclipping Roundtable – We won’t be releasing this episode until Friday so that Nancy Nally can give us a full CHA trade show report!
- Paperclipping Live! – This live scrapbooking show is every Tuesday at 6:30pm PST. Are you free?
- The Paperclipping July Challenge – You have about two days to enter this! Come on, you know you want to…
That’s it for this week’s newsletter. I’m excited to share my two mini-books with you in the next week or so!
Best Regards,
Noell
Host, Paperclipping
