I will not be selling CTMH much longer because I have chosen to sell Stampin' Up. Although I do adore many of CTMH products, I feel like there has been a stop point to where Stampin' Up seems to always have something new. I apologize to all my CTMH fans, and do not discourage you from CTMH, but will show you TONS of new ways to use Stampin' Up!

What you will need:

8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock

Paper Trimmer

Scallop Punch

Piece of ribbon and/or hemp

Embellishments

Patterned Paper

Ink and Stamps

Order the Paper Trimmer and Corner Rounder Used in this tutorial together and save on shipping and handling! Your total cost will be $37.90. Email me at tahorton@myctmh.com if you want to place your order today! I accept credit cards!

Step One: 

You are first going to score at 1/2, 3 1/2, 5 3/4 and 8 3/4 on the 11 inch side

Step Two:

On the 8 inch side, you are going to score at 3 and 6 1/2.

Step Three: 

Place your paper with the 11 inch side across the top.  Cut from the bottom up to the score lines on all the score lines on the bottom.  Do the same for the top.  After that, cut the tab on the top and the tab on the bottom leaving only the middle on the far side (the littlest tabs)

Step Four: Simply roll the box together and glue your tabs together. 

Step Five: Scallop punch the two tabs on the top that you are going to use for your handles

Step Six: Decorate! Cut two holes where you want the hemp to go! Also round the corners of your handle with the CTMH corner rounder!

Why is it important to journal?

There are many important reasons why its special to incorporate journaling into your scrapbooking.  The most important reason is to tell a story for the generations to follow.  The reason we take pictures is not only for our memories but for future generations to come.  We want to be able to pass on personal thoughts, insights, and jokes to our children, their children, and so on.  Including fond memories and inside jokes that you cannot portray in the photos is a good way to enhance your pages and tell your story effectively.  Capturing exact feelings, moods, and emotion can also be an effective way to journal your memories as well.  Leaving a sampling of your handwriting can be a good indication of how you were feeling as well as what type of person you are. Handwriting can tell a lot about a person!

Who reads your journaling?

There are many people who will read your journaling in your albums.  Of the priority are your children, your immediate family your spouse, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, friends, friends of your children, and so on.  It's important to journal so you don't leave those loved ones with questions that you could have answered by simply adding that small touch to your page.

When should you journal?

Small details don't stay in your memory for long so its important to jot down notes or stories just as they happen.  Sometimes keeping a journal by your bedside can help with jotting down mrmories each night.  You can also keep notecards in your purse to help jot down important details during the day.  Decorate a notebook with your favorite scraps to keep in your vehicle so you can write down important details,  or Close To My Heart has a memory recorder that you can also purchase, all you have to do is talk!

What can you use as guides to journal?

Brainstorm ideas

Fill in the blanks

Gather memorabilia

Quotes, sayings, song lyrics

Group journaling

Word journaling

Use an actual journal

Save emails

Copy pages in your planner

Use who, what, when, where, why

Use your senses

Make a list

Pick a color

Associate

Free write

Look for inspiration on the web

Carry index cards

I just used who what when and why for my beginnings of each section and didn't even know it!

Now we are going to make AN ADORABLE yet simple Tic Tac holder which is absolutely PERFECT if you ahve tiny scraps you want to use up. The first step is going to be to cut a piece of cardstock 4 5/8 x 3. You will score at 2 and 2 5/8. After that, you will use your corner rounder and round the corners.





Now, cut a piece of patterned paper at 2 7/8 and 1 7/8. This will be your front. Decorate your front.

Afterwards, glue your Tic Tacs on the inside, and using a piece of 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 piece of cardstock, you are going to decorate a cover for the tic-tac container.

So simple, so easy, so fun and GREAT FOR GIFTS! I actually cut two small holes and used ribbon to adhere the front and back into a bow so it had a little bit more style! Show me what you can come up with!!!

Today we are going to make a Notecard Purse Holder. Your first step is going to be to cut a piece of cardstock 5 1/2 by 10 1/2.


Then, hot dog way you are going to score 4 1/4 from each side. Hamburger way you are going to score 1 1/4 from each side. Then you are going to cut the four slits in the middle, see pictures.

Then, you are going to cut four pieces of patterned paper. Two are going to be 2x4 and the other two are going to be 3x4. Then, using the edge distresser, you are going to distress the edges. You can also use a sander to distress even more!


The very last step is going to decorate your purse and your notecards. My notecards are 3x5. I cut a 1x3 strip for the top and then punched a scallop and put "to do"

Products Used:
Caprice paper {Not in catalog}
Brown Cardstock
Stamps: Noteworthy {D1329} -HOT! Journaling Jots {Unknown}
Chocolate Brown Ink {Z2111}
Edge Distresser {Z1297} -HOT!
Sanding Kit {Z1294} -HOT!

One of the reasons I choose to scrapbook with Close To My Heart products is because of how safe there products are for preserving my memories.  Safety is the key when scrapbooking your memories because the whole reason for Scrapbooking is to pass down our stories for generations so that other can reflect on us.  We want to be sure our Scrapbooks last the longest possible.  Here are some tips on keeping it safe!

pH Factor:

Its very important to keep this in mind when choosing products that come in contact with your photos {pens, papers, stickers, stamp ink, etc} The pH scale runs from 0-14 and the lowest the pH factor the more acidic the product is.  You want to keep it somewhere between 7 and 9.  Just because something says that it is Acid Free does not always mean it is the best for your photos.  Close to My Heart has a wonderful line of products that have been scientifically tested for safety!

Lignin- 

Lignin can cause your photographs to turn yellow and become brittle over time.  Its important to choose products that are lignin free. Close to My Heart Products are lignin free.

Buffered:

 Paper that is buffered is less likely to break down when exposed to acidic memorabilia.  

Well, you have been educated on keeping it safe! 

When you think of scrapbooking, it can be overwhelming.  You have been wanting to dig those old photos out and do something with them but haven't found perhaps the time, the money or the motivation.  This article is designed to help kick yourself into gear and get organized because the first step to scrapbooking is ORGANIZATION! 

Before your purchase scrapbooking supplies, the best place to start is with your photos.  You are going to want to separate all of your photos into categories.  Try these for starters:

---Holidays

---Subject

---Vacation

---Person

---Event

---Year

---Theme

Then, you are going to start with each category and start organizing them into chronological order.  

I wrote a tutorial similiar to this on my website LONG LONG ago when I used to have a website. Well, I am making a different version of it and then at the end I will tell you how it is different. 

What you will need:

Just Blooms Flowers Z1300 White Daisy
Emporium Level II Paper x7105B
Bigger Brads Z297 Autum
Stamp: Previous SOTM 
Chipboard Coaster from American Coaster
Corner Rounder Z578
Personal Trimmer Z339

You can order your items directly from www.tahorton.myctmh.com

Instruction: The first thing you want to do is cut your patterned paper down to 4x4 which is the size of your coaster. Then, since the coasters are rounded, you then want to round the corners of your paper with a corner rounder. Glue your patterned paper on your coaster and then place your calender where you wish for it to go. Adhere it to the coaster. Place embellishments cleverly around the calender page. I used flowers on this one but in a previous example I used ribbon. To save money, you could use a lighter sticky tape and stick each month on as it comes. OR, read a previous example about how to make a bind-it-all calender!

So today I am going to demonstrate how I made this DARLING birthday ice cream cone card.  You can find the original tutorial by clicking the link after my post!  Angie is a Stampin Up consultant and I have viewed her blog many a time for inspiration!  I highly recommend her great ideas, and you can use CTMH products just the same as you can Stampin Up!   

-First, I used my Scallop punch which I actually purchased from hobby lobby much cheaper than a lot of other places.  I also used my square punch from Creative Memories.  Hopefully CTMH will start carrying these products VERY  soon!  I cut three different colored CTMH Cardstocks and 1 Beige colored cardstock for the cone.  Angie actually makes a good point, instead of eyeballing the cut to make the cone, just take the piece you cut off one side flip it and use it as a guide on the other side. 

-Next, you are going to want to ink the edges with CTMH exclusive inks.  I used blush, garden green, and Vanilla.  I also used Chocolate Brown for the cone.  

-After you have inked your edges, assemble! And there you have it! A super simple cone in seconds flat!

Just one more quick quick short short tutorial for the day.  And actually I am only going to post one picture of it and I am going to post the picture of it before I add my ribbon and embellishments.  This is a coaster book that I made with my bind-it-all machine.  Its super super simple because Its just like the coaster clippy boards but by using a bind it all instead.  I just cut 4 pieces of Patterned paper from CTMH and two scallop punches.  I rounded off the corners of the cardstock with a corner rounder and glued them to coasters.  Then, I punched, binded, opened, and glued the post it note holder on the inside.  I then turned out with this cute coaster post it note album.  I am going to let you get creative with embellishments and sign off for the day!

Its been a terribly long day and to try to make myself feel better I thought I would try my hand at an I believe bag.  I originally got the idea at Wonderfully Whimsy, and I twisted it a bit to create this cute little handbag.  The founder of Wonderfully Whimsy actually emailed me the I Believe Quotes and I am very greatful for that.  You should go head over there and see what she has! She has a wonderfully talented blog!

The quotes that I used so far- and I say so far because its not complete yet- were:

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become

That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that

That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to, doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.  Same goes for true love

That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.  It may be the last time you see them

That you can keep going, long after you think you can’t

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel

That either you control your attitude or it controls you

That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret.  It could change your life forever

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you much too soon

That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be

That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different

And thats all I have for right now.  Come 

I actually made this album a long time ago.  But this is a good example of what other albums you can make, just by cutting your own paper! Here are some brief instructions!

First, you are going to cut 5-10 pieces of 4x4 white cardstock.  Now, this can be another colored cardstock, but it should be cardstock. 

Then, take patterned cardstock and cover the fronts and backs of your 4x4's. 

After that, take each pages and punch holes in the side for your binder rings.  Attach binder rings.

Now decorate!  You can add pictures, quotes, inspirational memorabilia, etc.  Keep in mind that you have the binder rings on the side and see if you can create some type of directional force.  Enjoy!

Today we are going to be making a tag album!  I have shown you lots of different albums in the last couple of days, square mini albums, circle albums and now a tag album.  The difference with this project is that instead of using pictures, we are going to be using BIRTHDAYS for a theme!  This tag album actually has 12 pages for each month of the year that you can put peoples birthdays in. 

Step One: You are going to want to use a template or your cricut to cut 12 tags and one for the front and back.  Now, just for consideration, you can use your Cricut Cartridge Tags, Bags, Boxes & More or WITH ANY ORDER YOU PLACE in the next TWO days you can get this kit FOR FREE!  

Step Two: Taking patterned paper, you can now cut 12 tags of varying patterns in the same color scheme

Step Three: Glue cardstock tags and patterned tags together

Step Four: Using your Colonial White Cardstock {1388} and a Stamp set that features the months of the years (mine was a Stamp of the Month, CTMH has others) and Journaling Jots create slips of paper for your insides and pages.  This will be where you put special events such as birthdays, anniversarys etc.

And basically your done.  the next step would be embellishing!  Not a difficult tutorial but sometimes labeling something as a tutorial can be inspiration! So what are you still on here for? Get scrapping!

I haven't worked a whole lot with chipboard elements but the few times I have its been totally rewarding.  I start off by gluing my chipboard element to the paper that I want to decorate it with and then slowly cut around the circle with an exact-o knife.  If you view the product list below you can see what products from Close To My Heart that I used. 

Creating a circle journal can me very fun but can also be a challenge as well.  You want to be sure you have a repeating element.  Thinking this through before you start will help with your process.  I keep a creative journal with all of my ideas.  I actually repeated one of the very common elements in this journal, which was circles.  I used the cover page and cut all of my pictures from the inner circle.  I was using scraps, since this week is scrap-a-thon so it was a little challenging doing what I wanted becuase a lot of my paper was so little. 

You will hear many things that I like about acrylic stamps, but one thing is that I like how flexibe they are.  You can use them to create curvy text.  It just so happens that the text on here was already curvy, but if it wasnt, it would be not be hard to do so!

Using ribbon around the ring adds that extra touch.  I like to use more than one color of my color scheme but I didn't have any black ribbon, so I used a vanilla color.  However, I do reccomend staying away from just one color for ribbon.  It could harm your piece as well by maybe looking lazy?  Actually, I am just criticizing myself there!

Well I do want to thank you for taking a peak at my circle album.  The products I used are listed below.

My Creations Circle Album Z1017

Cutting Knife Z533

Silhouette Paper (I believe its still in the current catalog)

And of course you can order these by stopping by http://tahorton.myctmh.com

Yesterday I posted a circle album and a little bit more information on how I created it and things to consider when you are making one.  Here is the beginning of another one that I made.  I wanted to show it to you before I put the embellishments on so you can see how cute they are even before embellishing.  They can be a great cost effective gift to give to somebody that you love!  Some other ideas for circle albums include:

*children

*weddings

*birthdays

*anniversarys

*I Believe Quotes

*Graduations

*Christmas

It would be lovely to see what you came up with! I will post a picture and link to your blog if you email me your circle albums to tahorton@myctmh.com

With the way life is these days, its just not possible for us on the go scrappers to drop photos off at the photo shop to get printed.  I have researched a list of online places that you can go to get your pictures printed and even mailed directly to your door step! Or, you can send them to the shop and pick them up.   Here are a few places you can go:

www.kodakgallery.com

www.shutterfly.com

www.snapfish.com

www.winkflash.com

www.flikr.com

www.scrapbookpictures.com

www.walmart.com

I am going to be featuring an article on journaling tomorrow and will be updating a few posts tonight with layouts i have created without journaling. For example, the layout previewed here is a made in minutes layouts created called Grins and Giggles. You probably can guess Where I will be puting the journaling but do you know WHAT I will be journaling? Don't worry, I will keep you suspended and next week after all of the important updates on journaling are posted I will post an updated version of this layout with its journaling. So a few things to consider journaling are obviously who what when where why and how. What other creative ways can you journal your memories? If you cant answer this as clearly as you like, or you have excuses for journaling dont be afraid! I have Part I, II and III Journaling to share with you this week! In the meantime, feel free to stop by http://tahorton.myctmh.com and order your supplies before the new supplies come out! 
Have a great night and look forward to some more posts!

Here is another layout without journaling. As I mentioned in my previous post- your probably know where I will place the journaling but do you know what? I will be featuring a few different ways to journal and give you some hints and tips on how you can successfully remember and share your memories.

So for this layout I just wanted to add some directional force, which you will learn about later- by having a curvy edge and add some buttons, flowers, brads etc. I still have some ribbon to attach and of course the journaling but you will see more of this layout at a later date. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to read past posts to get updated!

With this layout, I will tell you what I will be journaling. I am actually going to put a quote in this one. Do you remember in earlier posts today when I gave you a bunch of quotes of inspiration? Well, in this layout, I will be putting "Who worries about being neat when they are learning how to eat?" at the top of the page. I also have some hemp and or ribbon to attach and some stamped images to place on the page. That is the only journaling tip I am going to give you right now- I guess you will just have to keep stopping back to check out the journaling classes that will be online.

ALSO: Look forward to an updated note on the workshop that is coming up on May 1st- it is a benefit for my grandfather who has cancer. Please keep posted on this workshop! I will see you later!

Here is a list compiled of 25 ways to use a brad. I will be working on some examples, but if you have an example you would like to share, even if its not part of this list- email it totahorton@myctmh.com

1. as a center to a flower
2. as a rainbow
3. outlining figures
4. as eyes
5. as a pumpkin
6. as a border
7. as an adhesive
8. use more to make a flower
9. as centers to circles
10. to attach tags
11. as a clasp
12. as a divider
13. as tires on a vehicle paper piece
14. as bugs
15. as sprinkles on a cupcake
16. as polka dots
17. as a sun
18. as M&M's
19. as a tack
20. as an arrow
21. as apples on a tree
22. as letters
23. as centers of O's
24. as beads
25. as leaves from a tree

Searching through old magazines and catalogs I found the following quotes for your inspiration. Quotes can really add emotion to a page IF used correctly. Make sure you understand what the quote means before applying it to your page to give it the perfect effect.

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one"-Leo J. Burke
"What can burn and not burn up, a passion that gives birth to itself everyday."
"I made a wish and you came true"
"Life is good"
"Infinite goodness has wide arms." - Dante
"Your birthday is easy to remember."
"Time spent with friends is time well spent."
"What love is to the heart, Liberty is to the soul."
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." -Thomas Moore
"A friend is someone who makes it easy."
"Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly."
"Good friends are like angels--you dont have to see them to know they are there."
"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters."-Mother Teresa
"Children's talent is to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives." -Maya Angelou
"Life reveals her beauty one precious miracle at a time" -Flavia
"Mommy, you are totally not listening to me, YOUR FIRED!"
"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedications of a lifetime." -Adlai Stevenson

First, I am going to post different places you can go on the internet for inspiration.  These website also have tips, tricks and tutorials to help you get started or help you challenge yourself.

I never realized how much inspiration I get from day to day just by viewing other peoples work. I open up my mind and say, hey.. thats super cute! So I decided to blog a list of inspirations scrapbooking website as well as some digital scrapbooking website that I visit on a day to day basis. Take a peak!

www.twopeasinabucket.com
www.scraplink.com
www.scrapjazz.com
www.scrapangels.com
www.scrapbook.com
www.gracefulbee.com
www.scrapvillage.com/home.htm
www.scrapbooking.com
www.scrapsahoy.com
www.scrapbookingtoday.com
www.splitcoaststampers.com
www.scrapbook-bytes.com
www.pccrafter.com/pchugeclub
www.digitalscrapbookingplace.com
www.gauchogirl.com
www.digitaldesignessentials.com
www.scrapjazz.com
www.scrapbooklifestyle.com
www.bhgscrapbooksetc.com
www.tahorton.myctmh.com

Sorry if any of the links don't work. I actually added some that were in an old Scrapbooks ETC magazine. I find inspiration from day to day just by browsing the internet.

Because of the increase of posts and visitors to the Stamps Paper Scissors Blog, I now decided to add a blog just for Stamps, Paper, Scissors Academy just to organize a bit and have things easier to find. I will start bringing things over and organizing a bit and this should be up and running within the next few days or so. You can look at the main blog at www.stamps-paper-scissors.blogspot.com.

Thanks for stopping and as usual you can order online at www.tahorton.myctmh.com