Scrapbooking on a Budget

With all the expensive scrapbook products on the market, it's easy to think that you can't scrap on a budget. However, with just a few basic tools, it is easy to create plenty of pages for under $2 each. While these layouts do use some generic tools, none of these layouts use a computer die-cut system or other expensive tools. Here are examples of layouts that use less than $2 in supplies.

Thursday Tip #10

Give stickers a rustic look by pulling out your sandpaper and sanding the stickers slightly.

Do It Today Challenge

Pick up 27 things off your scrapbook area and put them away.

or

Create a page layout and finish it.

or

Journal 5 pages that need finishing off by journaling.

Get Creative with Die-Cuts

Spice up your scrapbook pages with fabric, metal, chipboard, and paper die-cuts used as embellishments.

Basic Die-Cut Techniques for Scrapbook Pages
Get Creative with Die-Cuts
Learn How To Die-Cut
Great Die-Cutting Ideas
Stickers and Die Cut Storage

Thursday Tip #9

Has attaching wire to your pages been a problem? A few ways you can attach wired art to your pages are: (1) by sewing your wire down with clear thread, (2) by placing very tiny holes beneath your wired art and create a little "staple" with another small piece of wire--place "staple" over your wire and thread into the small hole beneath spreading the legs of the "staple" on the back apart, and (3) by using photo mounting tape to adhere the wire on the back side of your project. Whichever way you choose, you're sure to get "wired"!

Recipe Challenge #2

Every two weeks we will introduce a Recipe Challenge. You have two weeks to get the challenge done and link back to us. We will give a list of three items that must be used on a card or layout. You are not limited to only the three items listed. You can use as many items on your layout or cards as you wish. But the minimum on it must be what is listed in the recipe.

Create a card or layout using the following items:
2 different pattern papers
Ribbon
Stamp

The topic/theme for your card or layout is up to you.

Projects are due by Wednesday, May 27th. Upload your card or layout to a gallery or to your own blog then sign Mr. Linky below.

WoW - Week of Webisodes

Week of Webisodes Starts Monday!

Welcome to Paper Wishes’ Week of Webisodes!

Join Paper Wishes for a full week of inspiration! Each day you’ll have a brand-new Webisode, featuring the very latest tips and techniques on things like templates, stamps, Dazzles, and more. Here's a quick look at the lineup:

Monday: Easy Circles Template
Tuesday: Mix Your Messages / Whimsical Words stamp sets
Wednesday: Metal Embossed Jewelry
Thursday: Photo Carousel
Friday: Bargello Dazzles

Also available are FREE downloads, bonus projects, designer tips, plus bargains on our Deal of the Day.

There’s no need to register and it’s FREE! But, if you would a daily reminder when Paper Wishes uploads each new webisode during Week of Webisodes, click here.

Article originally written for 365 Days of Memories.

Do Things that Delight You

Make a list of the things that DELIGHT you... events, activities, items, etc., but not people.

Now, go one step further, and do things to experience DELIGHT and to further find more DELGHTFUL events.

DELIGHT
n
joy, pleasure, gladness, happiness

Take pictures of things that delight you, or draw pictures, or write a poem or story.

Here are some sensory items to get you started on your list. Play close attention to colors, scents, textures, etc.

Sound

• Listen to CDs or tapes of environmental sounds.
• Laugh! Watch a comedy movie.
• Listen to a ballet.
• Sit in your backyard or in a park and listen to the birds.
• Sing as loud as you can to the radio in your car.
• Go to a symphony orchestra performance.
• Listen to someone talk to you without worrying about what you will say.
• Listen to books on tape while walking, driving, resting.
• Listen to music of one instrument, such as cello or harp or piano.
• Go to concerts of various music genres.
• Hang up wind chimes, inside and out... it creates positive qi around you.
• Invest in a tabletop fountain.

Sight

• Watch tropical fish swim in a home aquarium.
• Watch for a shooting star.
• Walk through a garden in full bloom.
• Watch a candle flame.
• Watch ocean waves ebb and tide.
• Gaze at the full moon.
• Look for the first sign of spring; the first robin, crocus, etc.
• Paint with watercolors, oils, acrylics.
• Watch a sunrise.
• Watch a sunset.
• Go to an art museum.
• Take pictures of things, not people.
• Use black and white film, not color.
• Look at something, really look at it for the first time.
• Buy paints in the primary colors... what new shades can you make?
• Put on different kinds of music and paint to the music.
• Rest with cucumber slices or wet tea bags on your eyes.
• Go on a whale watch in the ocean.
• Watch a baby, or a kitten, or puppy move.
• Lie on the grass and watch the shapes that clouds make.

Touch

• Make an adult blanket, using soft fabrics in your favorite color.
• Make a collage using assorted textures of paper, fabric, natural items.
• Using various grades of sandpaper, sand a piece of wood smooth.
• Walk barefoot on a sandy beach.
• Have a snowball fight.
• Get a hot paraffin wax dip treatment on hands &/or feet.
• Learn American Sign Language.
• Carve and whittle a walking stick.
• Go ice skating, especially on a hot day.
• Get a body piercing &/or a tattoo.
• Learn to play an instrument; piano, harp, guitar, that uses your fingers.
• Make love.
• Do yoga and tai chi, see how it increases your personal chi.
• Paint your toenails and fingernails with colorful nail polishes.
• Run, walk, swim, move… notice how it makes you feel.
• Pet a cat or a dog.
• Do some hands-on crafts; clay work, ceramics, pottery.
• Get an acupuncture treatment.
• Plant seeds in the earth.
• Cuddle up in a warm pair of flannel pajamas, under a soft blanket before a roaring fire on a cold night.
• Enjoy the feel of doing needlework; hand-quilting, crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, beadwork, needlepoint, lace making, or weaving.
• Enjoy the smooth feel of your legs just after shaving them.
• Do some messy childhood tactile arts; playdough, finger paints, mudpies.
• Hang wet laundry on an old-fashioned clothesline, and then folding the crisp dry clothes later.
• Take a hot bath with lots of soft bubbles.
• Hug a big, soft, plush teddy bear.
• Dance; take classes in ballet, modern, hip hop, lyrical, tap,belly-dancing, square dancing, western line dancing, ballroom, or salsa.
• Walk in the rain without an umbrella.
• Smooth on a soft body lotion, on arms, legs, feet, hands.
• Get a massage.Get a facial.
• Experience foot reflexology.
• Buy new sheets.
• Play with rice. Color raw rice with a few drops of one color of food coloring and a few drops of desired essential oil. Let sit and dry. Store in a low wooden box. This rice is very relaxing to play with, sift through your fingers, fill small silver or wooden cups, pour out. Revert back to childhood.
• Take a hot steamy shower.
• Give and get lots of hugs.
• Sit outside and feel the warmth of the sun on your face.

Scent

• Invest in a good aromatherapy book and some essential oils; such as lavender and orange. Lavender relaxes you, citrus energizes.
• Make aromatherapy playdough.
• Smell the air just after a big rain storm.
• Add essential oils to terracotta scent stones.
• Use lavender essential oil spray on your pillow at night to promote sleep.
• Do steam-inhalation to clear out your sinuses.
• Shop for scents: walk into a bakery, Starbucks, a fish market, etc.
• Light an aromatic candle.
• Place essential oil into a warm, filled bath. Get in and relax.
• Add 20 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray throughout the house.
• Make or buy potpourri and put around your house to gently scent the room.
• Add essential oil directly to the vacuum cleaner bag before vacuuming.
• Put 5 drops of your favorite fragrance in with the clothes wash. Especially nice for lingerie.
• Wear your favorite essential oil in a special aromatherapy necklace.
• Make a pot of hot simmering soup rich with beef broth, vegetables, and herbs.
• Use Rice Healing Pillows: Use tea towels or a large wash cloth. Sew them up on three sides and fill with rice and herbs. Then sew fourth side closed.
• Buy flowers for their scent.
• Make citrus fruit pomanders with whole cloves.
• Make scented sachets for your drawers and closets.
• Plant scented geraniums around your front door.
• Buy a new perfume and the bath products to go with it.
• Burn some incense and meditate.
• Grow a fragrant herb garden.
• Make homemade scented soaps and candles.

Taste

• Drink clear clean water, and think about the taste.
• Do tastings. You've heard of wine, cheese, and beer tastings.
• Have some hot chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk.
• Eat a pint of your favorite ice cream directly out of the carton without a shred shred of guilt.
• Eat a roasted hot dog at the beach or at a baseball game.
• Enjoy the taste of kissing someone after drinking a glass of wine.
• Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
• Get your teeth cleaned at the dentist.
• Eat a cold crisp apple.

What do you DELIGHT in? DELIGHT yourself! Then create!

Monthly Round-Up

Katie updated her “roundup tool.” This is an easy and great way to keep track of your memories and many scrapbookers swear by this simple exercise. Even Ali Edwards referred to this tool in one of her past newsletters. So while the month is still young, take a few moments to jot down your memories from April. You will be so glad you did!

Thursday Tip #8

Use a Jar to Get Inspired

Make a list of techniques, both tried & true and new to you. Cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. When you need inspiration, pull 2 or 3 techniques out of the jar & use them on a layout or card project.

Write a list of your supplies and tools. Again, cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. Some items to include in this list, would be patterned paper, eyelets, brads, ribbons, die cuts, beads, and so on. It's also supposed to help use up your stash if you tend to hoard your supplies.