Simple Scrapbook Page, Beginners' Guide What to Buy and Tearooms Update

Sunday's Weekly Round-Up 31st January 2010

A number of items for you this week including a simple scrapbooking layout, some scrapbook beginners tips and what the Newsletter subscribers received as their free January download.

Oh and an update on the Tearooms refurbishment!

Simple Scrapbooking Layout - “Snow Angels” by SundayL (pictured right)

What Should I Buy to Start Scrapbooking?

Mini Album Page Planner - Newsletter Subscriber Freebie

Tearooms Update - It’s changing

Vintage Cards, Scrapbook Sketch and Mini Pocket Album Video

Sunday's Weekly RoundUp - 17th January 2010

I missed one didn't I?! I missed last week's update! Have been busy with research for the tearooms... I have set up a holding page for that too.... see below.

I also posted a video Tutorial for a Pocket Mini Album - which has proved very popular! And published the latest issue of the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter.

So I will only post the links here again for you, rather than waffle on... you'd probably prefer that, eh?!

Set of Blue Vintage style Christmas Cards

Set of Red and Green Vintage Style Christmas Cards

Scrapbooking Sketch and Challenge January 2010

Tearooms website holding page and new email address

Mini Pocket Album Video Tutorial

Soft Vintage Style Thank You Card

Making your own Scrapbooking Page Kit - Limiting Supplies

Saying Goodbye to Oscar

Video Tutorial to make Double Sided Paper and Scrapbooking AS Therapy

Sunday's Weekly Round Up 6th December 2009

Wow it's December already! I had a great time at a local crop yesterday and made a mini-album with a kit provided, all a surprise! I was planning on making cards! We have Christmas nibbles and Secret Santa, raffle, etc. It was nice to actually DO some scrapping for myself!

Got lots to tell you about, but will have to wait till next week... however I will be moving house in around 10 days! and then again just before Christmas Day (I hope!) Intrigued...?

I posted the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter Freebie last week, which was a set of printable napkin rings (the straps and the name plates)... in a "silver look" so that they can actually be used for any occasion, just print, cut out, write on your names and stick together... may come in handy. Sign up for the Newsletter to get the instant download, and access to all the others.

So the Round Up then...

Video Tutorial

Make single sided paper, double sided!
I have made a quick video showing how you can use your stamps to create a complimentary design on the back of single sided scrapbook papers to make it double-sided paper...

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Scrapbooking AS Therapy
I recently had a conversation with a lady who was telling me that she would have wanted to scrapbook her daughters’ pictures had they not been lost.
She explained that somehow, in circumstances out of her control, the photographs of her 2 daughter’s childhood years had all been lost/destroyed and I could see that this obviously upset her, as it would me too.
However, I explained to her that this is precisely where Scrapbooking can actually help!.....

Scrapbook Sketch, Bon Jovi and a Vintage Card

Sunday's Weekly Roundup 15th November 2009

I published the November issue of the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter this week, I haven't made my mind up what the freebie will be this month though!! I have a couple of things in mind! You can sign up here and gain access to all the freebies.

I've been making cards, listening to music and sketching!

Vintage Style Card - Free Images

I have downloaded a lot of images from Heidi who has a website/blog called Shabby Chic Papirskatter. All the images are free and good quality and it’s well worth a visit. The picture I used on the card above is only printed on ordinary (but premium quality) paper at normal printer settings (ie not photo quality) and it looks just fine...

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We Weren’t Born To Follow - Bon Jovi
No it’s not scrapbooking, but IT IS UPLIFTING and I’m all for that! The music video gives extra weight to the message and I hope you enjoy it… This one will be blasting out in my car that’s for sure.
Great Rock Tune with a an uplifting message… can’t get much better than that!! Wooo Hooo!
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Scrapbook Page Sketch and Challenge November 09
I want to keep the Multi-Photo layout theme going, which is my intention for most of my sketches, and so here is a sketch for one large, main photo and up to three smaller photos. You could keep this layout really simple with plain colours or pep it right up with some feature patterned paper.And…Or… [...]

Scrapbooking Video Tutorial, Freebie & Giveaway, Journaling Idea and Inspiration

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 27th September 2009

Hi Everyone! The major thing happening this week is you need to get on over to the SundayLDesigns.com blog to leave a comment to be in with a chance to win a giveaway AND pick up a freebie template - the blog post explains all, as does the video with it, details below...

Video: Make a Scrapbooking Sketchbook with free download
You know how when it’s your birthday, and you go into the office (assuming you work in an office by day, or have done so at one time) strangely it’s You who is expected to “get the cakes in”?! Well in the spirit of that tradition… although it is the birthday of the SimplyScrapbookingNow Newsletter… it’s the Newsletter giving the FREEBIE to All along with a video tutorial (which gives more information too)!
Every month I send the Newsletter subscribers some sort of freebie download, but this month the freebie is available to Everyone and it is available right here! Go to the post>>>

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Photo Journaling Block
I have posted a link to an article (below) showing how to use a faded picture as a journaling block instead of a plain coloured background. An example is pictured here. (on the blog post)
This article refers to using Photoshop to make the block, but the same principle could apply to traditional scrapbooking. How..? read more>>>

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"Wait For Me" by Lean (Doggy Scrapbook Layout)

OK, so I am a bit biased anyway because Lean's dog looks very similar to my Inde, but nonetheless this latest creation of Lean's is a stunning example of layering and roundness! I am currently making a mini album (as part of Shimelle's September class) which is circular, and have always been keen on curves rather than angles (well that's the excuse for my waistline anyway!!) LOL

There are some close-ups of the detail over on Lean's blog

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Fantastic Cards by Susan
These little darlings are by Susan and her blog is at One4Joy Daily. I think the undies on the washing line is super cute, and an unusual card to receive for most, I would think!

I particularly like the multi coloured card. I am a bit of a sucker for all things rainbow coloured! But I like the lacework pattern and the flower embellishments, really pretty.

Multi-photo sketch, challenge, gift album video and a published page

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 13th September 2009


Did you know that it's been a whole year since the launch of the SimplyScrapbokingNow.com site and the Newsletter?... Well you do now! Time has just flown by!

Still as busy as ever! And so I am not going to witter on this week, and just get straight to the roundup!






12×12 Scrapbook Page “Just Lovely” by SundayL
I can now show you a page I made a few months back, but which I was unable to post here until after it was published. So, as Featured in the September 09 issue of Scrapbook Inspirations magazine, here is my layout entitled “Just Lovely”! [mini gallery of close ups]...

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September Sketch and Challenge - Birthday Issue!

This month of September marks the first birthday of the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter, my Ezine. So the theme for this month’s sketch and challenge is birthdays! Get scrapbooking a birthday!However… to keep to the usual schedule I have September’s sketch for you… another multi-photo layout ( I know that you are always looking for ways to use...

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Mini Album Video Tour of a Gift Album
Here is video of a great scrapbook mini album, which "MsScrappaperscissors” (YouTube name, don’t know her real name) has created for some relatives in Scotland for them to add photos and journaling about their trip over to the States (to visit her.)
Her link goes over to the Papermaze Blog, which is worth a look...

No blog hopping this week... I am thinking of starting up a Hall of Fame... where I give awards for excellence, be that layouts, albums, etc or the blog in general... will let you know!

Easy Mini Album Video Tour, Freebie peek and Scrapbook Page Inspiration

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 6th September 2009

So it's the last week of the school holidays...normally I would be feeling a sigh of relief (I think I've got Honey's school stuff ready now!), but alas I am "up against it" again.

Why? Because I am supposed to be taking an after school club (2 actually) this term at my daughter's school! Yes I've changed my mind about the content of the courses... so I'm frantically trying to finish the example scrapbook mini albums the children will be making... wish me luck.

I also signed up for Shimelle's September Class (daily scrapping... yeah right!!) my daily entries will be done once a week I think!


Well, on to the update then.


3 Easy 4×4 mini albums - Video Tour No.1
Whilst I was visiting my folks in Surrey and Sussex recently I visited a (fairly local) scrapbooking shop Crafts U Love (they do mail order). While I was there I bought a number of items such as new papers, but I also bought some sale paper packs along with my usual replenishment of tape runners and foam pads, etc.

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Newsletter subscriber Freebie - a Quickpage by SundayL
I mentioned a while ago (I think) that I am working on a fairly dark set of printable papers (hybrid crafting). I decided to give away a downloadable quick page to all my Newsletter Subscribers in August, and this is it.

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Tutorial - How to make Felt Embellishments

Over on Ali Edwards Blog there is a tutorial with a download.

"This week Tuesday Tutorials welcomes Tania Willis with a fabulous, inspiring tutorial on creating felt embellishments.
You can download the PDF of Tania's tutorial ..." >>>

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Some recent Scrapbook Page Layouts from others...



I Am Who I Am
Ingvild Bolme creates another stunning page, this time with a sentiment we should all be taking on board. In fact I actively encourage everyone to make a scrapbook page on a similar note and place the layout somewhere where you will see it Every Day!

There are lots of close up photos of this layout.

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A Round Page Layout
Scrapperlicious shows us how she made a recent circular scrapbook page. I like the muted colours of this one.

Lots of close up picture provided of this layout.

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New Find... a sumptuous page
I found this lady (Zarah) via Scrapperlicious. I love this layout, the simplicity of the colour scheme, and it's good to see it as an example of how you "don't" have to use themed papers for a subject. Zarah's grandmother (in the photograph) is not surrounded by vintage lace and all things grandmother-ish, she is surrounded with papers and embellishments which could easily suit any age of person - a refreshing change.

Free Scrapbooking Stuff Video, Published layout and a Reader's Layout

Sunday's Weekly Scrapbooking Round-Up 5th July 2009

Ok, so where did that week go then? Did I blink? I was just finishing up two mini maze book albums as thank yous to Honey's teacher and teaching assistant and suddenly realised it was Sunday evening (dare I say "night"!) and I hadn't done my weekly Round-Up!

"Oh dear" I said to myself as you can imagine! Anyway... below is the Scrapbook page I created which was published in the June issue of Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine here in the UK. The mini gallery of close ups is over in the SundayLDesigns.com blog and the direct link is below.

So here is the Scrapbooking Round-up for this week (oh and the July Newsletter will be out this week)

A Father’s Day Scrapbook Page
I submitted this scrapbook page to Scrapbook Inspirations Magazine back in March! It was published in the June 2009 issue, and I’ve had to keep it under wraps till then.

Read More>>

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Page Tour Video - Finding Free Scrapbooking Supplies
I’ve uploaded a video here to show you a couple of 8×8 scrapbooking pages. Both pages were made with items I have collected around the house, such as a jar label, a drink can ring pull, string and “back of the draw” buttons! Read More>>

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A great use for those Green flowers!
Here is a little tutorial from CheekyMagpie.com about making use of green flowers from your stash. Basically it is a case of making “3D” flowers using more usual petal colours and then using the green flowers last to make the sepals. A good idea for making delicate little 3D embellishments for a scrapbooking page or a card.
Read More>>

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A Reader’s Layout from the June Newsletter Sketch
When I checked my emails this morning, I was pleased to find that a reader (of the SSN Newsletter) had sent me a photo of her scrapbook layout based on the Sketch in the current Newsletter (see this post for the sketch and my layout).
Read More>>

Video - How to easily Store your stickers, rub-ons, chipboard, diecuts in one place

I wrote this article (and made the video) for a past issue of the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter. I reproduce it here for you as I was reminded of the subject again recently when someone asked me... "How do you store all your sheets of stickers, etc?"...



I am often asked about how I store all my packets of stash such as stickers and diecuts and rub-ons, etc. Many scrapbookers have all sorts of packets in all sorts of places and find it difficult to keep them all organised.

Well I keep all mine in Lever Arch folders!



These folders are for keeping all my sheets of stickers, etc, the more bulky items such as very thick chipboard still remain in their packaging boxes, but this system is ideal for all those flat, but differently shaped and sized sheets.

The items are filed in different sections within each folder, ie, (1) Alphas and (2) Words and Phrases are in the Pink folder shown above and (3) Graphics are in the multi-coloured folder.

Within each folder I have placed ordinary clear sleeves with standard punched hole margins, and within each of the sleeves I have placed a white piece of paper.


The reason for adding the paper is two-fold, firstly it makes the sleeves a little more rigid and secondly, I can put twice as much in my folder because I can place separate items either side of the paper within the same sleeve because it is no longer completely transparent.

Another advantage is that often your stickers or rub-ons are attached to a transparent sheet and with the paper already in the sleeve you can 'ditch' the piece of card and cellophane wrapper to save on weight, as the white paper does the same job or showing up the contents.

It is very easy to flip through the pages looking for what you need for your scrapbooking project.

The folders are highly portable, unlike the hanging trees and poles for your craft room, so you can take your sheets of stickers, etc to crops with you, kept all in one album/folder.

The reason I use Lever Arch files as opposed to ordinary ring binders is because they are nice and wide and therefore take a lot more, they stand up easily by themselves on my crafting shelves, but the best part is that with the clip retainer on lever arch folders you can clip down the sleeves tightly so that they don't fall about all over the place!

So that's how I store my bits and pieces!

Scrapbooking Video Tutorial, Cardmaking and SSNow.com Newsletter

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well and scrapping and/or card making like mad things!... here is the weekly update from me!

First of all, here are a couple of cards I have made recently (one actually this afternoon as I have to give it as a bithday card tomorrow!)

Here is a closeup of the flower detail. I have made a video about how to maked these really eacy flowers.

Below is the other card, which I started at a cardmaking gathering I attended one evening back in February. It was held at a local shop to me in Lowestoft called The Norwich Road Craft Shop which is run by Margaret. The evening get togethers are every other Wednesday, the next one being 18th March. I met a lively bunch of ladies of all ages busily making cards for a couple of hours.

It's held in the shop itself and therefore all the stock is available for you to buy too... handy that! If you are local to Lowestoft and want to ring Margaret, the telephone number is 01502 567123, otherwise the link to the shop website is above (click the name).

Although I started make the card at the Norwich Road meeting, I finished it as an example for the tutortial video, I mentioned. The video in question is part of the new SSNow.com Newsletter (March issue) which I published last week.

If you would like to see the video straight away and are not a subscriber to the newsletter, you can subscribe for free here. You will get immediate access to the latest issue plus other interesting articles. Oh and subscriber freebies, of course.

Here is a close up of the flower - 6 layers and a button! Great for using up scraps by the way.

Now then... If you are a subscriber you may have already seen the video below, but I thought I would post it here as it is now available on the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com website anyway as past newsletter content.

It's about using Heavily patterned paper and letting it do all the work, have a watch!

I also visited a crop yesterday, run by Tracy. Tracy started in scrapbooking, but actually has moved over to cardmaking and has a huge amount of equipment, which she generously brings with her to the crop for everyone to use.

There were stamps and inks, various useful punches, a cuttlebug with dies and embossing folders (which I like very much!) and a Cricut with lots of cartridges... a very nice piece of kit, quite expensive (plus the cost of each cartridge) but very easy to use. I myself have a Craft Robo at home, but the Cricut was very portable as you don't need a computer to run it.

I did make a page layout which I finished at home, but I can't share it as I sent it off to a magazine for possible publication, but I will share as soon as I can.

I'm still working hard on the Hybrid Kits, and I will post up the freebie very shortly now (may be mid week even!) if you are a subscriber you will get notification via email when the freebie is available.

Warm wishes to you all !

P.S. I have been putting in lots of paragraph spaces here, however Blogger seems to have taken them all out and won't put them back... so sorry about the close up text!!

Colourful Scrapbooking Layout and the snow!

Hello there! Well all the snow has gone grom my part of the world, much to my daughter's dismay this morning! And to think I was pulling her along on a sled yesterday afternoon! Ah the joys of English weather!

My Mum, who lives only 160 miles to the south (and westish) of me has over a foot of the white stuff! She did send me some photos, but I didn't mention it to Honey as I thought it would be a bit like "rubbing salt in the wound" as they say... anyway... I've included some pictures for you down below.

But I did promise I would show you a colourful layout I made on Sunday.

I made the layout specifically to show an example of a free download which is available in the Februrary issue of the Newsletter.

It is a set of printables (words and alphabet) fo colouring in any way you fancy. I used coloured pencils here as I wanted that "Sketchy" feel, but you can be as creative as you like with doodling, patterns, pens, pencils, paints... the world is your oyster!

So here is one of the photos my mum sent up from the south of England! I particularly like the cones of snow on the top of the lanterns!

SimplyScrapbookingNow.com Newsletter - February Issue Out Now

Hi everyone,

Well I've just finished and uploaded this month's newsletter and, just sent the email to all the subscribers to let them know!

There are 2 videos, and a downloadable freebie, and of course the fab Freebie Frenzy I told you about in the last post!

I had a good time at a local theatre group's Pantomime yesterday... oh yes I did... ok, ok, I may have done that one already! But it was very good for an Amateur dramatics company! Oh and crickey.... it's jolly cold here at the moment, there is snow on my car!

Well I hope those who are subscribed enjoy the latest newsletter offering, and for those that aren't, you can sign up here.

I made a very colourful 8x8 layout today... I will post up a picture tomorrow!

Fabulous mini Kit coming up!

The Feb Newsletter is shaping up nicely! And I have put together a lovely kit which subscribers of the Newsletter will be able to have a chance of winning!

What do ya reckon then? I thought I would spread a little colour! Next issue of the newsletter out on Monday.

SimplyScrapbookingNow.com January Newsletter

Hello all.

The January Newsletter is now available for subscribers. I published today despite not being able to upload two of the three videos for some reason. Have been trying all day.

So hopefully they will be up soon, but the Freebie Frenzy details and a Freebie Download, plus 6 sketches to use up all those Christmas snaps and other articles are all available right now.

If you're already a subscriber, you will have received the email letting you know, by now. But if you're not, you can sign up in the box top left of this blog (just under the header).

Don't forget there are a lot of articles, videos and freebie downloads available all the time at the SimplyScrapbookingNow.com website. I will be posting a link to one of the freebies tomorrow.

Christmas brings a new meaning to multi-photo layouts!

Hi there!

Here's a little "heads up" for the January Newsletter!

MULTI-PHOTO Layouts! You just know you are going to have a mountain of photos after family get togethers... and with New Year's Eve on it's way... even more, well maybe for those party goers!

Anyway, in the next Simply Scrapbooking Now.com Newsletter (available early January) there are not one... not two... but SIX sketches for you and all of them multiphoto layouts. So subscribe now if you are not already a subscriber (it's a free online newsletter) and you can be "packing in" those photos to your scrapbooking pages very soon.

Scrapbooking layout using FREEBIE journal block

This is an 8x8 layout I made really quickly as an example of how to use one of my free downloadable Journalling blocks.

I printed this one directly onto some Bazzill Basics cardstock and my journaling AND title are incorporated on it.

Very simple, effective page.

This journal block is one of 3 I have designed and is avaiable for subscribers to my newsletter to download (via an article in the December newsletter).

They are suitable for traditional scrapbooking (just print out and use - technically called hybrid scrapbooking) and for digital scrapbooking.

Sign up to the newsletter via this blog (top left) or via SimplyScrapbookingNow.com.

If you have left your name and email address on the EasyRibbonHolder.com (or .co.uk) websites, then you are already a subscriber!!