A quick tip!

How about a little helpful tip for today? I thought I'd share what kinds of inks I like to use in my scrapbooking and cardmaking.

For inking to add dimension to my layout, I prefer the Tim Holtz Distress Inks. But when it comes to stamping, I use something entirely different.

For a long time, stamping sentiments on cards or layouts was a problem for me. After trying many different ink pads, I became frustrated in that I could never get a clean, crisp image. Then, someone suggested I try the Versafine ink pad by Tsukinkeo...and I'm so glad I did!! It is amazing!!! Although it comes in a variety of colors, I chose the Onyx Black, because it's so versatile. I highly recommend this for your stamping needs!

Have a great day everybody!

Facebook fans or fellow bloggers...check this out!

Found this in my online travels and thought some of you might like to try it. There is this wonderful website called Scrappin Blogs that has all kinds of beautiful templates either for your blog or...your FACEBOOK page!! Yes folks, you can now customize your Facebook profile however you would like it. There are all kinds of themes from military, holidays, babies, adoption, animals, flowers...you name it and I'm sure you'll find it there!

http://www.scrappinblogs.blogspot.com/

It's very easy. For your blog, they give you codes for you to add as a html code (under "gadgets").

To use on Facebook, on the right hand side of the home page, you will find "How to use our layouts on Facebook". Click on that. On the next page that comes up, there will be tons of backgrounds for you to choose from. They are on the left hand side of the page, categorized according to theme. Now there is one catch. You will have to download the application to be able to use this. Have no fear though...it's free and they walk you through each step from start to finish.

If you do not see anything you like on these pages, you also have the option of choosing a layout on the main portion of the blog. To do this, you will have to copy and paste the link code they give you there. For each layout there is a designated Facebook code (it's under the picture of each layout). Highlight the FB code of the one you like, hold down your Control button and push c (for copy). Then click on the "How to use our layouts on Facebook". On the next screen, you will see a big green button that says "Create Your Own Background". Click that. You want your background color to be white, so choose that. The next screen will be where you put in your link. Click on the empty box. Hold down the Control button again and push v (paste). Once your link code is written in that box, hit the "load button". Then, next step. Choose the color for the font you would like. (I usually just choose black as I find it to be the most versatile). Next step again. Add a layout name if you want...I never do. Then, hit the save and publish button.

When you go to your FB page, you may have to reload it to see your updated background. Now not only will you have a gorgeous background, but you can also see the ones your friends may have!!

Enjoy!

Titles

Have you ever worked on a layout and had your title perfectly aligned but when you went to adhere it, you glued it in the wrong place? Well, today's tip will help you get perfect placement for your lettering.

Place your title exactly how you would like it on your page. Take a pencil, and lightly mark where each letter begins. Then, when it comes time to glue your title down, you know exactly where to place each letter.

Hope you find today's tip helpful! :o) Have a great weekend everyone!

Cricut info

Two questions that I seem to get asked a lot are "Where do you purchase your cricut cartridges?" and "Which ones are your favorites"?

Well, a couple I have purchased off of Ebay. In fact, I've heard some people get great deals there. I don't tend to have much luck with Ebay most of the time. However, I do have some resources for you if you're looking for a new cartridge at a reasonable price.

Michael's is obviously one choice. The limitation there is that you have to wait for the catridges to go on sale. So, here are a few online options that I have found:

One website I've used numerous times is Scrappers Must Haves. Typically I have my cartridges within two days of placing my order. I've been very, very happy with their level of customer service! And, as long as you don't mind them cutting off the top of the blister packaging, two catridges can fit into one priority flat rate envelope. This means shipping is less than $5 (if shipped within the U.S). Just remember to choose that option at check out. They also sell some of the more rare cartridges such as Don Juan and Accent Essentials.

Here is their website so you can see their selection:

http://www.scrappersmusthaves.com

There are a couple of other websites I've heard good things about (although I have never ordered from them personally, so I cannot rate their customer service):

http://www.ohmycrafts.com
http://www.customcrops.com

I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I have heard the most chatter about. Oh, one other thing...you might also want to check out http://www.cricut.com . Within their message board, there is a separate category titled "Product Reviews & Deals". There you will find a lot of people selling some of their used (some new) cartridges at great prices.

Now, I also promised I would tell you some of my favorites. First for fonts:

Storybook~I love the elegance of this font...perfect for formal pages or sweet girlie layouts. It also contains several scallop shapes which are so popular in scrapbooking right now. There are also a lot of flourishes on this cartridges. I don't tend to use many flourishes in my scrapbooking, but if this is something that appeals to you, then you will looove this cartridge.

Alphalicious, Doodletype and Learning Curve ~ three different fonts that are all very versatile. They work well for most of your every day kind of pages. Alphalicious has more of a cute, whimsical feel to it.

Now for the shape cartridges:

Doodlecharms ~ has a wide variety of fun shapes. A little something for everyone can be found on this one. It's a great cartridge and I highly recommend it.

Paper Doll Dress Up ~ is very different than the title implies. It has sooo much more than just paper dolls. It has tons of "accessories"! Just a few of the many things you will find on this one include: a pirate ship, witch's cauldron, pumpkin, mummy, a castle for some adorable prince/princess pages, a shamrock, a rocking hourse, a sailboat, a wagon...the list goes on and on. So many adorable items contained in one cartridge. I'd even go so far as to say this is my favorite shape cartridge that I own.

My only buyer's remorse was my Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. There seems to be a lot of great things on this one, and yet I can't bring myself to like it. Don't ask me why because I really don't know. LOL I'm hoping to learn to love it the more that I use it.

Hope today's post was helpful to someone! Have a great day!!

Look what I found!

If you're looking for a fantastic sketch site, have I found something fabulous for you!

http://www.scrapsketches.blogspot.com/

Check it out! Her designs are beautiful!!

Helpful Hint

I'm sure most of you have probably heard of the very talented artist and scrapbooker Jennifer McGuire. She currently works for Creating Keepsakes and offers helpful tips and tricks. She has all kinds of wonderful tutorial videos on YouTube that you might be interested in. Here is a link to one of my favorites regarding placement of acrylic stamps for titles. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful in your own scrapbooking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8AWQJQXTPA

Thanks Jennifer for such an ingenious idea!!