Below you’ll read about five money savers. Try one, some, or all and continue to use the savers that work best for you.
Use Your Scraps It is very rare for me to use all the products I purchase for my various products. I may only use half a piece of pattern paper or a foot of a yard of the ribbon I purchased. This process leaves me with tons of scraps (cardstock, paper, embellishments, ribbon etc.) at my disposal. All of the scraps that I save are futile unless I make use of them. The key to saving scraps is remembering that you have them and using them. I recommend coming up with a storage system that will encourage you to use your scraps often.
Make More Than One Card Often I make a card for a specific person or event. Usually if I’m making just one card I’ll have products leftover. Similar to using leftover scrapbook products when I scrapbook, I make several cards at the same time using the leftover products. This process actually saves money and time.
Cut Back on Embellishments I know embellishments add a lot to your layouts and cards but when you are using a lot of them they become quite expensive. A lot of times your embellishments are the bulk of your project cost. So I try to incorporate more generic (colored, non seasonal) embellishments in my projects. The generic embellishments can be used numerous project not just one. I still use seasonal embellishments, just not as frequently.
Scrap Out of Season Just like shopping for clothing, you can find some great deals when you purchase scrapbook products out of season. Usually the prices of seasonal products will be reduced shortly after the season (holiday, event, etc.) has past. This shouldn’t pose a problem for scrapbooking but it may for card making if you were planning to make cards in season. Many times I make cards for the next season with the reduced scrapbooking products I purchase. You can also just save the products for the next season. To save or use the scrapbook products is totally up to you.
Share Tools I know when you read the latest Creating Keepsakes or see a product demonstration at your local scrapbook store you just have to have the NEW tool that you saw. Let’s face it; many of the latest and greatest tools are not needed to fulfill the majority of your scrapbooking needs. A lot of times it’s not cost effective to purchase a tool that you are only going to use for a small percentage of your projects. A solution to this dilemma is sharing your tools. Get together with a friend or two that you normally scrapbook with and purchase the tool together. You could use the tool at your scrapbooking sessions and/or work out a usage schedule. This option would get you the NEW tool but not hurt your checking account as bad.
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Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009Tuesday, November 4, 2008Journaling ~ The Basics ~ Part 1
Journaling is the most important aspect of scrapbooking. It separates a scrapbook from a photo album. By journaling in your scrapbook you are able to complete the story that your photos and memorabilia started. One is able to relay their thoughts and feelings through journaling.
When journaling, the basics (Who, What, When, Where, & Why) at the very least should be included. Basic journaling can often be captured with a Title and Captions. Many scrapbookers tell detailed stories. This is a perfect way to encompass all the details of the event. But if the details and or space are limited, one can use bullet points, poetry, interviews, and hidden journaling to relay their thoughts and feelings. Journaling can be handwritten, computer generated, or a combination. Although computer generated journaling may be neat in appearance, handwritten journaling adds a touch of the scrapbooker. Believe or not, future generations will treasure your handwriting. I recommend a combination of handwritten and computer generated journaling. Finally, keeping some form of a journal is beneficial. One can easily record the details of various events and activities for future reference. A calendar, notepad, note cards, journal, or etc. could be used. Hopefully this overview will get your journaling started on the right track. Be sure to stay tuned for future articles discussing this topic in greater detail. Tuesday, October 7, 2008How to Resize Digital Photographs
In this post you’ll find some information I found on scaling digital photos.
How to Upsize Your Digital Photos Without Sacrificing Quality In this article you’ll learn how to upsize your digital photos. This article talks a lot about resolution. Here is a tip to remember: use 300 dpi. You’ll learn more about this in the article. Here is some information I gathered from my Google Search. How to Resize Your Images - Smarter Ways This article discusses digital cameras, online photo resizers, and software programs used to resize your photos. How to Resize Photos for E-mail or Web: A Step-by-Step Tutorial This is a step by step tutorial for resizing your photos in Photoshop Elements (PSE). It includes screen shots of PSE. How-to: Resizing photos the easy way This is a Youtube video that shows you how to resize a photo with an online photo resizer (webresizer.com) and a free photo resizer program (GIMP). What program do you use to resize your photos? Tuesday, September 30, 2008Congratulations! You’re Engaged. ~ Your Wedding Budget ~ Part 3
Two major keys to having a wedding budget that works for you are making a realistic budget and sticking to it. At the end of this post you’ll find some sample budgets and worksheets.
Be sure to research wedding cost in your area and include those cost in your budget. Pricing in different regions can differ quite a bit. Recently married friends and family are a good source of information. They also know about budget busters that you wouldn’t think to plan for. It is important that you do not exceed your total budget amount. You wouldn’t want to start life happily ever after in debt would you? However, if you need to, you can adjust or eliminate various components of the total budget. This is when deciding when to splurge and when not to splurge becomes important. When making your budget, you and your fiancé should rank the various categories of your wedding budget based on importance. By doing this in the beginning, you know where to splurge and where not to splurge. Being a scrapbooker, I chose the splurge on photos. Photos last a lifetime and we were willing to pay more for quality products and service. We chose not to hire a videographer. A wedding video was not important to us. You have to decide what is important to you. Be sure to refer to your wedding budget often. Post it to your bathroom mirror and refrigerator if you have to. Out of sight is out of mind. Remember don’t exceed your wedding budget. Below you find other articles on wedding budgets: --Your Wedding Budget - When to Save and When to Splurge by Bridget Mora --5 Tips to Cut Down Your Wedding Guest List and Your Budget by Erica Tevis --How to Calculate Your Wedding Cost Breakdown by Marcie Pearsons Sample Budgets and Budget Worksheets from my Google search. --The Knot’s Sample Budget --Sample Budget from images.della.com --RealSimple.com’s Wedding Budget Worksheet --WeddingDetails.com’s Wedding Budget Worksheet In the previous post of this serious the topics were Getting Started and Wedding Planning Checklists. I hope you got some good information from this series. Email us if you have any topics you would like to see discussed on our blog. Tuesday, September 23, 2008Congratulations! You’re Engaged. ~ Wedding Planning Checklists ~ Part 2
Previously in Part 1 ~ Getting Started I recommended that you get a wedding checklist as soon as possible. You can use one provided in a wedding planner or customized one to fit your specific needs. You can find several checklists online. At the end of this post you’ll find some samples.
It’s best to keep everything in one place. This will reduce your chance of forgetting something. I used a workbook, but you could use a spreadsheet, or an online site. I suggest using what is most familiar and comfortable for you. You want something that you will ACTUALLY use because this checklist will be the key to keeping you organized. Below you find another article on wedding planning checklists: Next week, look for Part 3 of this series Your Wedding Budget. Tuesday, September 16, 2008Congratulations! You’re Engaged. ~ Getting Started ~ Part 1
I’m sure your are happy and excited about your engagement and your upcoming wedding. If you haven’t started yet, you are probably starting to panic about planning the biggest event of you life up to this point. My first piece of advice is to STAY CALM. With proper planning, preparation, and a team love ones supporting you your day will be perfect.
I recommend that you read a wedding planning guide and get a wedding checklist as soon as possible. You’ll need to have a clear idea of what is in store for you until your wedding day. When I planned my wedding I bought the Easy Wedding Workbook & Organizer. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something similar at your local bookstore. I liked this organizer because it had a checklist, budget worksheet, vender comparison charts and a host of other information. I also stored my wedding planning documents in the organizer. I liked having all of my wedding planning information in one accessible location. A major part of your wedding planning efforts will be making a realistic budget and sticking to it. That’s when the fun really begins. You’ll have to decide when to splurge and when not to splurge. Below you find other articles on wedding planning: --I'm Engaged! Now What? by Pamela Kazmierczak --Wedding Planning Guide - Tips For Planning Weddings by Jen Carter Stay tuned for more post about wedding checklist and your wedding budget. Tuesday, September 2, 2008Scrapbook Kits… another way to scrap
If you are looking to save time and some gas money, you should definitely consider purchasing scrapbook kits. Most of the kits include numerous papers and embellishments to complete several projects and layouts (save time by not having to coordinate your supplies and save gas by not having to drive all over town to coordinating elements.) Many of the kits also include instructions sheets for various projects. You can buy the kits as you need them or sign up for a subscription.
Some kit clubs are technique based. Each month you will learn a new technique. This would be great for scrapers who want to learn more about scrapbooking. Distinctive Moments will be offering a technique based Scrapaholix Club this Fall in Columbus, OH. Stay tuned for more information. Below are a few Kit Clubs: Lickety Split Scrapbooks Lickety Split Scrapbooks offers both page kits and board book kits. Memory Workshop These kits are designed to make 6+ 12x12 pages. Memeory Workshop is a Canadian based business. Serendipity Scrapbooks Each month Serendipity Scrapbooks offers at least 3 types of kits to choose from. So if you haven’t tried scrapbooking with a kit, why not try it today. If you have used kits in the past, what are some of you favorites? Wednesday, July 30, 2008Paper Bag Albums
Would you believe before I read How to Make a Paper Bag Scrapbook by Angela Vader, I had never made a paper bag album. My scrapbooking friends where shocked.
So take a look at my first paper bag album. I plan to use the album as an overview of my summer.
Tips: Wednesday, June 4, 2008Wedding Color Trends
Wedding trends are always changing. I love looking at wedding photos and seeing the different trends. Recently I’ve had a lot of brides interested in invitations with Chocolate (Brown).
In the articles below you'll find information on the latest wedding color trends.
I was married a few years ago and our wedding colors were Platinum, Pink, and Red. The attire was platinum and flowers were pink and red. What were your wedding colors? Wednesday, May 21, 2008What are your favorite adhesives?
Here is a list of my favorite adhesives. I find myself using these the most of the adhesives I have.
1. Scotch ATG Gold Transfer Tape by 3M (Used with the Scotch ATG714 Adhesive Applicator). Great for large projects. One roll lasts an extremely long time. 2. Dot 'N' Roller Permanent by Kokuyo. This is great everyday adhesive. It’s easy to apply and refill. 3. Tape 'N' Roller Plus Permanent by Kokuyo. When I prefer a tape adhesive I often use this adhesive. It is extremely easy to refill. 4. 3-D Zots by Thermoweb. I when I need to add dimension to my cards I use Zots. Be careful when applying them, one of my customers calls them evil because she always gets her fingers stuck when using them. 5. Glue Dots 3/16" Mini Dots by Glue Dots. Great for adhering embellishments. 6. Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive by 3M. Great for adhering embellishments. 7. Art Accentz Terrifically Tacky Tape by Provo Craft. I often use this adhesive when adhering ribbon and chipboard to my altered items. This is an extremely strong tape. I even used it to adhere a photo frame to the front of a scrapbook album. 8. Adhesive Pick-Up by Thermoweb. I use the pick-up to remove any excess adhesive. What are your favorite adhesives? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've also included a link to an article about vavious adhesives. Read it to learn a little more about scrapbooking adhesives. Scrapbooking Adhesives - Stick To The Basics By Christine Perry Monday, March 3, 2008Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer
One of the most important budget items for our wedding was the wedding photographer. We wanted to make sure that the moments of our special day were captured and preserved. Because I knew I would scrapbook many of our pictures, I wanted a photojournalist view of the day not the traditional posed photos. I wanted our photos to tell the story of our day. So when choosing a wedding photographer for our wedding it was very important that we chose a photographer with that particular style. We also wanted a photographer that was easy to work with and open to our suggestions.
And of course price played a major role in our decision. Many photographers offer packages, however the same products and services are not included in all packages. So be sure not to compare apples to oranges. Example: If Photographers A includes unlimited coverage (16 hrs) for $8000 and Photographer B package includes eight hours of coverage for $4500, you would have to add an addition eight hours of coverage to the package of Photographer B to be able to compare equal packages. If you are in the Knoxville, Tennessee and are looking for an awesome wedding photographer, contact Christopher Brandt Hoopes of Brandt Photography. To read more tips for choosing the right wedding photographer be sure to view the links below: Choosing The Right Wedding Photographer by Craig Thornburrow Essential Tips For Choosing A Wedding Photographer by Mark Pommett Thursday, February 21, 2008Tips for Scrapbooking Birth Certificates
Do you what to add your little one’s birth certificate to his or her scrapbook, but don’t know the best way? Read Some Tips for Scrapbooking Birth Certificates by Christine Perry. You’ll find some great tips in this article.
I personally make copies of any important documents and include them in my scrapbooks. It depends on your personal preference. Thursday, January 24, 2008A Guide To Scrapbooking and Card Making Terms
If you want to learn or just brush up on Scrapbooking amd Card Making terms, you should definitely read this article. This article covers many items from Acetate to Scoring.
Read A Beginners Guide To Card Making Terms by Vicki Churchill to learn more. Wednesday, January 23, 2008Wedding Superstitions
Ever wonder why a bride should have "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and silver sixpence in her shoe" on her wedding day?
If so read Wedding Superstitions by Alex Daniels. After reading this article you won’t have to wonder anymore. Wednesday, January 16, 2008A new year, a new look, with the same motto.
A New Year
Happy New! We hope your year has started off as great as Distinctive Moments’ year. We are excited about the great things in store this year. So thanks in advance for your continued support in 2008! A New Look We have decided to do something a little different this year. Instead of emailing our newsletter to those of you on our mailing list, we will be posting the following topics on Distinctive Moments’ Blog World: · What's New? · Articles · Other Blogs · Tips & Techniques · What You're Saying... · Contest & Challenges · Ant the winner is… · Our Etsy Shop · Upcoming Events By making this change we hope to provide you with more information, more often. Feel free to visit Distinctive Moments’ Blog World at your leisure to catch-up on what we are up to. If you would like to receive an email with promotions and upcoming events PRIOR to blog postings (i.e Sneak Peak), be sure to join our email list. We hope you enjoy this new format. Any questions or suggestions can be emailed to info@distinctivemoments.com. Your comments may end up in the What You're Saying...section. The Same Motto Distinctive Moments motto is providing bridal and scrapbook needs. Even though you see our motto everywhere, we wanted to make sure you knew we are here to make sure your bridal and scrapbook needs are met. That even means directing you elsewhere if we can’t provide a specific need. If you don’t see a particular item or service offered, please contact us anyway. We’ll try our best to provide some options for you.
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