There’s a new page in town

canned 12 x 12 scrapbook page

No, I am not talking about the scrapbook page above, but that is part of it. On my blog, there is a page called “Scrapbook Scanning” and it tells you all about my new venture. I once mailed away my scrapbook pages to be scanned and it took 9 months of phone calls to finally get them back and to make matters worse, the disc they sent with the pages was corrupt! What a nightmare. So I bought a true 12 x 12 scanner AFTER I bought a 12 x 12 printer with a scanner only to find out you were suppose to “stitch” your pages together! Not happening, so I bit the bullet and bought a true 12 x 12 scanner and the picture above is the scanned page.

There is a page to give you more information, just click here.

Creatively, Carol

Why People like Papercrafting…

First and foremost, paper crafting is a form of creativity and self-expression. Papercrafting allows you to design and create something unique and personal. Papercrafting allows you to put your own spin on something and make it your own.

Second, paper crafting can be a relaxing and therapeutic activity. It allows you to step away from the hustle and bustle of busy lives, slow down, and focus on something tangible and hands-on. It can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in the finished product.

Finally, paper crafting can also be a social activity. Above, my daughter, Karen Seely, and I went to Denver last weekend to attend the Scrapbook Expo Crop where we met other like-minded paper crafters and made perhaps, lifelong friends. Whether it be sharing ideas with friends or joining a community of crafters online like our Thursday night free virtual crop. Papercrafting allows people a opportunity to connect with others who share the same interests and passions.

Overall, paper crafting offers a diverse range of benefits and joys, and that’s why so many people enjoy it. Whether it’s for the creativity, relaxation, or social aspect, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in paper crafting.

If you are interested in a link to the virtual crop, please text me at 801-800-0884 so I can get you hooked up!

If you have any thoughts on the subject, please leave them below,

Creatively,

Carol

My Hometown Scrapbooking Reasons

Scrapbooking about your home townWhat do you miss about your hometown? Growing up, what were the little things that made
it important to you? Reminisce in the form of a list and jot down memories as they pop into your head.  Journal specific things you want to remember.

  • The drive-in theater. What movies did you see there? ls it still around?
  •  How often did you go to the library? What was the librarian like?
  •  What’s unique about stores such as the pharmacy, grocery store or
    ice-cream parlor?
  •  lf a friend came to town, where did you take her for fun? Did
    you go to the golf course? The video store?
  • What special landmarks does your town have? ls there a train
    station? A duck pond?
  •  What about the government buildings? Was there something special about the fire station or
    the post office?
  •  What school did you go to? What was great (and not so great) about that particular school?
  •  How many playgrounds were there?
  •  Who were your favorite neighbors?
  •  Did you have a secret hangout?
  •  Think nature. Were there interesting parks to hike in? Walking trails?
  •  To create a sense of unity in a two-page layout, place a ribbon in a strip across both pages.
  • To emphasize a subtitle, place it inside a metal bookplate.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Creatively, Carol

The Untimely Death of a Scrapbook

untimely death of a ScrapbookDeath of a scrapbook may sound dramatic, but I have had to witness this and it is painful. Although this page is an artistic treasure with captivating photos, it could end up in the trash in 75 years. It lacks the essential component of journaling. Without even bare­ bones journaling, future generations won’t have a clue as to who the people are, how they are related, or even when the event took place.

This is a particular I am having issues with as I go through my mom’s things. We have been transitioning her to an Independent Living facility, and while some people wrote on pictures… I mean LITERALLY WROTE ON PICTURES! I have many a stack of unnamed pictures and only my mom and my aunt will have any clue as to who is in the photos. My job is to find out who they are before their minds are no longer helpful.

Sitting in my mother’s house in Orinda, California piling books in boxes to go away when I came across a very ornate photo album. The photos look of the 1890’s but there is not a single word about who the people are, or who the album even belong to. You see, she rescued it from the book room donations where she volunteered. The scrapboook/photo album was heading for the dump.

I released the ornate metal clasp and the album opened to reveal beautiful pages, each framing a professional black-and-white photo. The photos showed babies, family groups, and couples, all clad in expensive late-19th-century attire. My 60+ year-old heart ached for the family that had discarded this part of its history

As a seasoned scrapbooker, I knew the problem: The album held, not a single clue as to who the people in the album were.

In fewer than 75 years the nameless subjects of the Victorian photo album became meaningless to the person who had inherited it. (This is my secret fear, so I am trying to put more thought into my journaling).

Scrapbooking has brought about an awareness of preserving family memories. The goal is that future generations-even third, fourth, and beyond will be able to see themselves in the faces of their ancestors. They will also be able to see the world in the timeframe the photo was taken. I love the picture I found of my mother at age 3 sitting on the hood of a ’49 Ford.

Cherished Memories or Trash?

Are we creating cherished treasures of family history or trash for the 2070 version of a landfill? Will we leave behind useful and pertinent information or beautifully crafted pages that will be worthless mysteries to our descendants?

In his work as a research scientist at the Image Permanence Institute at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Daniel Burge has seen dozens of orphaned photo albums. The one thing all of the discarded albums have in com­mon is an absence of meaningful labeling, he says. scrapbook life insurance. There is lots of pertinent information including the name of the person and their beneficiary.

“An image becomes meaningful only when we know who we are seeing,” Burge said. “If we can’t make a connection to that image, we usually feel no need to keep the photograph. ”

Although better than nothing, the words “You and Grandma Mary” written below a photo leaves a lot to speculation. Conversely, “Seth Michael Lincoln and Grandma Mary Todd Lincoln” is loaded with infor­mation. The second label not only identifies the faces in the photo, the inclusion of Grandma’s maiden name tells future generations that they are descended from the Todd line.

Take the test

I am not suggesting all scrapbookers become hard-core genealogists, but that we leave enough clues to make our albums meaningful to our future generations. Take this test and apply it to each of your albums. Put yourself in the shoes of your own great-grandson (born after your death) as he looks through an album you made 75 years ago. His mother inherited the book from her father, who had inherited it from you. Distance and expense limit visits with family, and each generation has had less and less contact.

Now your great-grandson and his wife are disposing of his mother’s things. Is there enough information in your album to make it worth keeping? Or do you hear the wife saying, “It’s pretty but who are these people? Our house is cluttered enough. ” Goodbye, album. Hello, city dump!

What to include

Follow these simple tips to ensure that your descendants will treasure your scrapbooks.

  • Be a forward thinker. Assemble your albums with the distant future in mind.
  • Label, label, label the photos on each page in case the page is ever separated from the album.
  • Record surnames throughout each album. Yes, even the surnames of your own children. I find this tough when I have 10 pages of photos of my mother growing up, putting her name and year on each one feels excessive until you tell a story about the photo, event, or person.
  • Include maiden names now and then, especially on pages that include extended family It’s a simple way to show family ties.
  • Label in the first person sparingly. It’s OK to refer to yourself as Mom sometimes, but make sure your name is also included
  • Put a date on every page. The ‘Johnny’s 16th Birthday” page will have more meaning in 2070 if the reader isn’t wondering if the party took place in 1990 or 2010. If it doesn’t work on the front, sign and date the back of your pages.
  • Briefly explain family connec­tions. They needn’t be clever nor lengthy.

For those who still think journal­ ink detracts from the beauty of the album, think about how seeing the album in a landfill someday would detract from its beauty. •

Let Me Introduce You!

Happy May Day! I love this day because it reminds me of flowers, and there is stunning beauty in nature.

Today is the day I because a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator. The new website address is www.CreativelyCarol.stampinup.net. You will find at 1pm, central time, the new offerings created by Close to my Heart. One or two of Close to my Heart’s designers have also come to Stampin’ Up and will be putting together a wonderfully inspired scrapbooking line.

There is a new catalog active beginning today. I will get a link up as soon as I remember how to do it!

More Close to my Heart Products Reduced in Price

visit the CTMH Clearance sale!As Close to my Heart starts clearing out the old stamp sets, check often in clearance at www.CreativelyCarol.ctmh.com. Hundreds of items have been reduced. Maybe it is a good time to grab some extra embellishments, If you see something on sale, grab it as you can’t guarantee how long it will be available. We are talking stamp sets, kits, embellishments, and more.

Ok, back to working on my newsletter, to go out tomorrow… make sure you are signed up for my mailing list to stay in the know about all things Close to my Heart and Stampin’ Up.

Creatively,

Carol

I AM GUILTY!

Creatively Carol's Q & A Corner

Today’s question comes from Illinois, and I am just as guilty!  “I have been putting off scrapbooking all my pictures for the last three years. I have so many pictures I don’t know where to begin. Any Ideas?

I am embarrassed to say I am in the same situation. I have probably scrapped less than a dozen layouts of my own in the last several years.  Recently, I started to organize my photos, I knew I had many duplicates, had already scrapped the pictures, or they were generic number names. When I began this project, I found some pictures I knew I wanted to scrap, but never got around to getting them done.  I created a folder in the downloads folder (so I could find it fast) and put any pictures I came across that I really wanted to scrap. I then go back and print the pictures, match them up with papers and embellishments so when I have 15 minute block to put it all together, everything is ready to go.

Do you have a suggestion for how you would tackle the above problem? Leave a comment below and share your ideas with us!

 

Scrapbook Sketch for March 18, 2024

I know it has been a while, but I am back to posting sketches on Mondays. I will alternate between scrapbook sketches and card sketches.  Anyone who completes the sketch AND sends me a picture to post here on the site will be entered to win a retired stamp set from me.Scrapbook sketch 03182024

You can really use the size photos you want, as there is a lot of extra room on the two pages.  I hope to have my interpretation of the sketch posted before Friday.  I can’t wait to see what you come up with!  E-mail your page to Carol@CreativelyCarol.com or text to 801-800-0884.

Women At Play

Using information compiled from surveys of both married and single American women ages 35-65, here’s how women are spending their free time (from most to least popular)

  • Horseback riding
  • Shopping for Clothes
  • Home Decorating
  • Crafts
  • Watching videos
  • Sewing and Needlework
  • Owning cats or dogs
  • Attending cultural eve
  • enjoying gourmet food/wine
  • Reading
  • Gardening
  • Bicycling
  • Camping/Hiking
  • Surfing the Net

Do you see yourself in these activities? What would be your favorite?  Leave a comment below and tell me your “play” choice.

 

Single Page Scrapbook Sketch – 3 photos

While the image to the left doesn’t have the
edges of the pages, I am sure you can figure out where the edges of the paper are.  I show three photos in this layout, how will you do yours? Do you have an opinion about the sketch? Need something else? Tell me below what kind of sketches you need, and anything else I can help with.

I Am Sick of It!

Carol Roberts Gomes

I AM Sick of It!

Do you ever have those days when you are fed up with the way things are “suppose” to be when writing to you. All the “experts” tell me I need to include this or that in my articles, but I have really had it with people telling me I need to have in my articles, so I am going back to doing things my way. I am going to share with you articles I think you will find helpful, interesting or just plain strange.

I hope that by changing the way I am writing, or thinking about writing, I will get you more information here that you can use. I am returning to sketches on Mondays, Technique Tuesdays, Throwback Thursdays, and drawings on Sunday nights.

I hope you will comment below and let me know the things you hope to learn.  I look forward to working with you again.

Sincerely and Creatively,

Carol

 

I Think I Figured it Out!

What is it? I have been scrapbooking for 25 years and selling Close to my Heart for almost 20 years, yet so many of my own photos go left not in albums or even on scrapbook pages.

I have a large stack of finished layouts that I have done with the company over the years, but my picture-taking life started 50 years ago, and my mother’s started 75 years ago. They didn’t print in 4×6″ or 4×4″ prints back then. As a result, I have a bunch of 2×3″ 3½ x 4″ photos and well, you get the idea. I also don’t have a lot that matches the titles on these pages. “Pals” for instance, isn’t something my parents spend precious money taking pictures of. Sure, I had them, but no one was taking those pictures like they do today.

I have decided I will evaluate each finished layout without photos and see if it can be reworked to fit my pictures, and if so, I will show you the before and after of my progress. If not, I will list them on my Etsy page. Perhaps they will work for someone else.

When my mind goes, I want to be able to look back on these scrapbooks and remember the good times. What are you scrapbooking for? What are you struggling with? Please share with me where you are in your scrapbook journey (if you are a cardmaker, tell me that too so I can offer tutorials and sketches that apply to you as well)

Try in these days of digital, no wasted shot photos to get yourself in some of them. Even if you don’t like looking at yourself, your grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren might wonder at some point. After all, you are the matriarch of your family.

Creatively, Carol

 

Here’s a Great Tip When Reading Crafting Magazines or Even Websites!

I was reading an old scrapbook magazine when I came across a great idea for organizing scrapbook ideas. I think it would really work for any magazine you are reading or even a website. Whenever I sit down to read a magazine or a web article, I have a stack of 4″ x 6″ index cards. I write one theme ( like babies or color suggestions) on each card. As I read through the magazine and come across a layout or article with an idea I like that I would like to use, I write down the reference on the appropriate card.

Whenever I experience “scrapbooker’s block and can’t think of a creative idea for a page, I simply pull out my index card file. I look up the appropriate theme and have a selection of ideas to choose from.  This will work great if you save all the issues of the magazine. But, what if you are like me and can’t handle years of magazines? I make a few more notes on the card. If I feel I need the particular page the idea is on, I scan that page and title it the same way the card is titled, along with the issue and date of the magazine. This may seem like extra work, but not having 5 years of back magazines gives me space for something else and the computer file is easy to find.

If you have a great organizing tip, leave it below along with your comments. If I can offer you any assistance, please reach out at Carol@CreativelyCarol.com

Problems Cropping Photos

Creatively Carol's Q & A CornerQ. I always seem to cut my pictures too much. I plan how I am going to cut them, but I always get carried away. Do you have any suggestions to help me?

A. You are not alone! Here are a few ideas that might help

  • Your paper trimmer is your friend. The most important tool I have in my scrapbook room is my paper trimmer. So important that I actually have 3 I use regularly: The sure-cut deluxe paper trimmer by Fiskars, The Aluminum Rail Trimmer, and a photo trimmer. Most professionally printed pictures come in 4 x 6 size so when you are planning your layout you can decide on the size, then use your paper trimmer to stick to the size you have pre-determined.  Most photos I scrapbook are either 4 x 6, 4 x 4 or sometimes 2 x 2 but if you stick to just the measurement you decide on before choosing your photos, that may help you to not cut too small.
  • Use a template. At one time they made templates that had openings of various sizes so you could plan where you wanted to cut. I don’t know if those are still around, but it is something you could try if you want to look around for them.

Unless the background carries significance – for example, the background has a historical value, like cars or homes that will be interesting to look at in 50 years or that vacation in the Grand Canyon, you can usually cut away some of the background in a photo and not hurt anything. But again, I hesitate unless it is a blank wall because I love looking at my grandmother’s photos with old cars. I even found one of my 82-year-old mother at age 4 sitting on a 1940 Packard! You might even catch someone smoking who quit 30 years ago 🙂

A word of warning about cropping photos:  If you are working with a “one of a kind” photo that has no negative, consider making a copy of the photo before using adhesive on the back or cropping the photo. Cutting a photo is permanent… have a copy or better yet, scan it to your computer BEFORE you make any changes you may regret later!

If you have a question you would like to see answered, please e-mail me at Carol@CreativelyCarol.com

Creatively,

Carol

Preserving Memorabilia

Creatively Carol's Q & A CornerQ.   As a child, my grandparents traveled regularly and brought back money for us kids from all sorts of countries. I would love to include them with their travel photos in the scrapbook but am not sure how. Any suggestions?

A.   As a kid, we used Elmer’s to glue things into our scrapbooks or to anything else we wanted to keep. Now we know Elmer’s ruins a scrapbook page because it dries bulky, pages rip and things are easily lost.  There are some products that are specifically advertised for this type of thing but I have another idea. Make a shaker box to put those momentoes in. If they are flat, like a feather you find on your walk, you can put it in a clear envelope and mount it with a frame covering the edges. With coins, I would use something like a slide mount, the negative part of a chipboard square, or actually make a shaker box with acetate and foam squares to give it the depth, and keep things where they belong.  I will try to do a video about this in the coming weeks and actually show you how to do it.

If you have any questions you would like answered, please send an e-mail to Carol@CreativelyCarol.com and I will be sure to answer it!