Announcement: January 2019.

ScrapHappy and Scrapbook Wonderland have merged under one name. ScrapHappy will be the home for all scrapbooking information, updates, tips and tricks, blog and videos as we move into 2019.

You’ll see this reflected in name changes over the next few weeks on all platforms.

Why?

We want to bring a unified approach to our online presence as it might not be obvious that these two companies have been working together to bring you inspiration, tips, tricks and scrapbooking challenges.

What will change?

You’ll now find even more inspiration on the ScrapHappy website. Look for the new BLOG, the ScrapSmarter sessions and more as we find new, innovative ways to have more fun as we DO MORE scrapbooking!

Where to find more

Come over to ScrapHappy.org to see what’s new and get great inspiration for your next scrapbooking project.

 

Happy scrapping!

Alice Boll

At the end of the year it’s nice to look back and pay tribute to your year. A great way to do that is to create a Top Photos of the year layout.

I’d suggest looking through your photos of the year and seeing how many of them feel like “the best of the best”.

That’s definitely not an easy task! I try not to create too many rules.

For a layout like this I knew I’d need extra space, so I created a two-page spread.

I used a kit from The Wild Hare Kits for this layout and made the layout during the December Scrapbook Live event. The Wild Hare Kits are custom-curated just for you according to your style. This kit was perfect for me… perhaps you’d like to try a kit too? Pop over to The Wild Hare Kits and fill our your style profile. There’s no commitment and you can order kits as often as you wish.

Here’s the replay:

There was some calendar paper in the kit and I fussy cut the names of the months. My kit didn’t have the acrylic stars this month, but they were left over from another month, and they really helped to tie the star theme together.

I found the 2018 die cut right after the live event. It’s been sitting on my desk since I had used the negative of the die cut on my January layout.

I added some silver and diamond Stickles glitter glue to the 2018 die cut. I love that the zero has a star in the middle… it was such a perfect find for this page!

I added a list of details to go with the photos and I labelled each photo with a small silver metallic number.

I also added some star stickers in between the items on the list.

Are you ready to commemorate your 2018 year?

You might also want to see these two layouts: Top Photos of 2014  and Top Photos of 2012.

Whether or not you create this type of layout I hope you’ll take some time to look back at the layouts you created this year. Give yourself a pat on the back for the stories you’ve managed to capture this year.

 

Happy scrapping!

Alice.

 

 

‘Tis the holiday season and everyone has a little something on their wish list. If you’re shopping for a scrapbooker, or you are a scrapbooker and need to send a few ideas to your friends and family (non-scrappers are notoriously not great at choosing the most awesome scrapbooking supplies)… this list is what you need!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to shop using the links that would be very appreciated. Thank you!

1. The Number One Wish for a Scrapbooker:

Time. One of the best things a scrapbooker can get this holiday season is more time. Perhaps that means having someone come in to clean the bathroom. It might mean family members chipping in a bit more. No matter how you find more time it’s the perfect gift!

2. A Very Big Tool:

If you’re looking to make a big impression the Silhouette Cameo is a sure bet! Whether you want to back cut files, create titles, or create your own embellishments this is what you need.

Silhouette America – Cameo Version 3 – Electronic Cutting System – Pink

3. Small Tool:

Cleaning your stamps just got easier! Just get the stamp shammy wet and you’ll be able to clean your rubber or acrylic stamps with ease. There won’t be any pilling or little bits stuck to your stamps either.

Lawn Fawn – Stamp Shammy

4. Paper Packs:

If you’re celebrating Christmas there will definitely be some photos to scrapbook. There are some gorgeous Christmas paper collections out right now!

Pebbles – Cozy and Bright Collection – Christmas – 12 x 12 Paper Pad with Glitter Accents

 

Echo Park – A Perfect Christmas Collection – 12 x 12 Collection Kit

Echo Park – I Love Christmas Collection – 12 x 12 Collection Kit

Echo Park – Twas the Night Before Christmas Collection – 12 x 12 Collection Kit – Volume 2

 

5. Embellishments:

Echo Park has some beautiful gold foil numbers, perfect for a Christmas project!

Echo Park – Celebrate Christmas Collection – Gold Foil Numbers

Christmas Red Stickles are a perfect stocking stuffer too!

Ranger Ink – Stickles Glitter Glue – Christmas Red

Red foil Thickers are a fabulous embellishment too!

Pebbles – Loves Me Collection – Thickers – Foam – Alpha – Red Foil

or maybe some red glitter Thickers?

American Crafts – Thickers – Glitter – Alphabet – Red

And if red isn’t your thing there are some beautiful Christmas words too!

Pebbles – Cozy and Bright Collection – Christmas – Thickers – Printed Chipboard – Words

6. Stamps:

I’m in love with these fabulous Altenew world map stamps.

Altenew – Clear Photopolymer Stamps – World Map

7. Christmas Products:

This bundle of stamps and dies from Lawn Fawn makes the sweetest snow globes! (They are also available separately.)

Lawn Fawn – Die and Acrylic Stamp Set with Interactive Shaker – Ready, Set, Snow Bundle

This Santa with a Christmas Tree die is so sweet… it would be perfect for a Christmas Eve layout, or Christmas cards, or a layout about Christmas presents or…

Spellbinders – Holiday Collection – Christmas – Shapeabilities Dies – Deck the Halls

8. Adhesive:

Whether you scrapbook, craft or just need to stick stuff together this paper tape is what you need. It’s nice to be able to rip it with your fingers too.

Clear Double Sided Adhesive Roll – 1/8 Inch x 81 Feet – Permanent – 6 Pack

My other favourite super adhesive is Glue Dots. These mini ones on the roller are easy to use (there’s a little dial on the side that you can advance them forward with) and so handy around the house.

Glue Dots – Dot n Go – Adhesive Dispenser – Mini

9. Watercolor:

If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in watercolor this set from Kuretake will make you feel like a pro! The set of 36 also includes a pearlescent white, gold and bronze… ooh la la!

Kuretake – Gansai Tambi – Traditional Solid Watercolours – 36 Piece Set

If you’re not ready for a full set of 36 this 6-pack of Gem Colors is a great place to start… or a great way to add to your larger set. 😉

Kuretake – Gansai Tambi – Gem Colors – 6 Color Set

Kuretake – Gansai Tambi – Pearl Colors – 6 Color Set

10. Markers:

Jane Davenport is a creative genius and I’d love to get my hands on her Glitz Sea Markers, available in Warm Seas…

American Crafts – Mixed Media 2 – Glitz Sea Markers – Warm Seas

and Cool Oceans.

American Crafts – Mixed Media 2 – Glitz Sea Markers – Cool Oceans

I’d also love to try these aqua brushes from Kelly Creates.

Kelly Creates – Aqua Brush Pens

I have this 3-pack set of brush pens and they are so nice to work with!

Kelly Creates – Small Brush Pens – Black

11. Album:

A very useful idea for scrapbookers is albums. So many scrappers have stacks of layouts because they don’t have enough albums. These 3-ring binders from We R Memory Keepers are great quality and are available in a lot of gorgeous colours.

We R Memory Keepers – Classic Leather – 12 x 12 – 3-Ring Album – Real Red

12. Storage:

Another really useful item is storage. It’s so much easier to scrapbook when your supplies are in order. I’ve found two really great ways to store your scrapbook paper.

We R Memory Keepers – Stackable Paper Trays – 4 pack

Storage Studios – Heavy Duty File Shuttle Two – Black

 

What’s on your Christmas wish list?

 

Happy scrapping!

Alice.

If you ask a scrapbooker, “What is the hardest part of making a scrapbook layout?” the most common response is…

JOURNALING.

Why, oh why does it have to be so difficult?

It doesn’t. When you have a few good tricks up your sleeve.

Journaling Tip: Tell a friend.

If you struggle to get past the “he’s so cute” and “it was fun” kind of journaling, this is the place to start.

When you look at your photo on your layout you already can see the adorable cuteness, or the joy from all of the fun… you don’t really have to write that, but what do you say instead?

Tell a friend.

Sit down with a friend and show them your photos. Automatically you’ll start telling them all about the fun thing that led to that photo being taken. You’ll give them the ‘behind the scenes’ info about it.

This is the MAGIC! This is the elusive journaling you’ve been searching for! You’ve caught the rainbow unicorn, so now let’s use it!

Write down the story you just told your friend. This is what the person looking at your layout needs and wants to know.

Don’t have a friend handy?

With the magic of social media you can easily show friends your photos.

In fact, you probably have done this already.

You know when you post a photo on Facebook or Instagram and you write a description of the photo?

Chances are you’ve already told your friends the ‘great story’ that goes with this memory.

You can probably just copy and paste it. 😉

Not Our Baby Layout

Here’s a great example of how telling a friend about your photos can help you find a good story to tell.

As I flipped through my photos on my phone with my friend I found a cute photo of my neighbour’s dog, Baby. Actually, I have quite a few photos of Baby.

Normally, I wouldn’t scrapbook about my neighbour’s dog. What kind of story do you tell about your neighbour’s dog? That seems a bit obscure for a layout.

By showing my friend these photos I found myself telling her about all of my photos of Baby, and how someone looking at my photos could easily think we have a beautiful golden retriever. It made me laugh at how much our family enjoy’s this sweet dog that likes to come over for a visit whenever we are hanging around outside.  We love that she comes over because she’s such a sweet dog.

Telling my friend helped me find a fun perspective to share on this layout… about our neighbour’s dog.

 

Which types of photos do you struggle to journal about? Leave a comment and you could see your suggestion featured in a future Journaling Tip post!

 

Happy scrapping!

Alice.