Click the image to go to Dafont.com to download the “Mickey” font.

I was changing the blade of my exacto knife yesterday and I began to cut some paper and I gave a silent thank you to a previous design team member for inspiring me to add some freehand cutting to my scrapbook routine. I had asked her to compile a tutorial for me and our members and I found it so awesome and easy to follow.

I wanted to share it with everyone else!!

Cutting With An Exacto Knife

By Melody Zahara

My husband swears when I pull out my exacto knife, I get so involved with cutting I loose all sense of stress around me. Can’t complain about that! I think this happens more so with my knife and I than anything else. I guess I get so involved that even my face goes through different scrunches. (good thing no ones snaps pics of that!)
I’ve even sat for hours upon hours..and ended up with a calice on my finger. So remember to take breaks..or you’ll end up with quite a sore finger..geez.. when will I learn.
I love the way the 3D look adds character and dimension to a layout.
Now I tried all the fancy pansy knives on the market, but the best one that I found that works for me, is from the local craft store. It comes with 5 extra blades and the tip on them is quite fine, which is what you need to get in those tight corners and cut the overall design. So, it really doesn’t matter what knife you buy..just make sure it’s a sharp one.
When I’m shopping for my patterned paper, I look for a 3D design.
Flowers are a great one, as you can cut between the petals and add layers. You can also curl the edges up of your flowers, which adds even more dimension. You can cut out an extra flower, add a little pop dot and whalla…more dimension.
If you take a peek at the patterned paper below, you can see the design on the front with a pink background. The design becomes your 3D dimension. This is what you’re wanting to cut out.

All you need is a cutting board and a sharp knife.
The first thing I do is cut the main design out, so you’re leaving the background patterned paper.

There’s really no special way to hold your knife, just remember it’s gotta be sharp. I change my blades after 2-3 los, depending on the amount of cutting involved per lo.
Once I have completed that step, I take another look at the design, and cut out the background color/patterned paper from the design itself. Now, I don’t cut everything out, I just take out bits and pieces..as you can see in the layout below.
It’s all up to the individual on how much design they would like left.
On this particular design, I left some of the background between the design, so you can see what effect it gives.
There’s nothing really magical about cutting with an exacto knife. All that is required is a 3D design on your patterned paper, a sharp knife, and a little patience.
In the layout below, I cut out the design, inked the edges, and added the design to my cardstock background.

And in this layout, I cut out the flowers and butterflies, layered them with pop dots and curled the edges.

I hope you have enjoyed the above tutorial. I would love to see some hand cutting. Email me a layout or card where you cut a design element by hand and I will enter your name into the draw for the monthly blog prize!! thynner5@yahoo.ca

~Tara~

This week’s word is REFLECT:

• manifest or bring back; “This action reflects his true beliefs”
• to throw or bend back or reflect (from a surface); “A mirror in the sun can reflect light into a person’s eyes”; “Sound is reflected well in this auditorium”
• chew over: reflect deeply on a subject; “I mulled over the events of the afternoon”; “philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years”; “The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate”
• be bright by reflecting or casting light; “Drive carefully–the wet road reflects”
• give evidence of a certain behavior; “His lack of interest in the project reflects badly on him”
• give evidence of the quality of; “The mess in his dorm room reflects on the student”

 

I love the possibilities of using this word.

For my page, I was reflecting about my emotions and my feelings about others in this world.  The page was like a piece of physical therapy when I was dealing with something in my life at that moment.

I would love for you to be inspired to create something using this week’s word. It can be in your title, your photo(s) or your subject.

Don’t forget that if you complete any sketch puzzle challenge, Monday challenge, wordy Wednesday challenge or submit a tip for Tip Tuesday then you will automatically be entered to win this month’s Blog Prize!!

So get scrapping and either send them toTara at( thynner5@yahoo.ca ) or link them in the blog!

I have been searching the Resource section of ther site for some cool tips and came accross this one by Melissa Kuber that I wanted to share with you.

 The Organized Scrapper: Your Projects

With summer fast approaching I’m finding it difficult to keep up with my scrapbooking. With the beautiful weather we’ve been having lately it’s hard to stay indoors.
Lately I’ve been trying to keep my projects more organized so that when I do find the time to work on them I can get right into it without having to hunt for this and that.
One tool that I’ve started to use is a project binder. Which is just a regular binder with some clear plastic page protectors. In each page protector I keep all of the things that are inspiring me for a particular layout, my photos, a sketch, some journaling, a color scheme, whatever I have. So then when it comes time to work on the layout. I’m already have part of it finished. I can just get right into creating.

Another thing that I have been using lately is the “4 piles approach” which I read about in an issue of Creating Keepsakes a couple of months ago. It’s a simple way to divide your photos into four categories:
1. Photos that are ready for your page, that require no extra work.

2. Photos that could use a bit of cropping.

3. Photos that need a lot of cropping.

4. Photos that won’t likely make it to a layout unless there are no other choices. Maybe the photo isn’t perfect, but may be able to be used in the future.
When I’ve divided my photos into the piles, I sometimes will do my cropping ahead of time. That way the photos are ready when I start my layout.
With a little bit of planning, I’m finding my scrapbooking a lot more efficient. So I’m able to get a lot more accomplished when that creative mood strikes.

If you have any tips or techniques you would like to share with us please email me at thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Blog Tips” in the subject line. Everytime you do you will be entered into the monthly draw.

~Tara~

This week’s challenge is to use fabric on your pages or creations.  As simple as that…. I consider “felt” as a fabric as well, to make this challenge a little easier.

Here is a mini album cover set that I created with the Scrapperie “La Cage aux Folies” May kit.  I used some of the awesome denim and felt shapes in the kit.

You don’t have to create a mini book for this challenge. Your creation may also be a scrapbook page or a card.  I would love to see what you create using fabric!

Please email your creation to Tara at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Blog Challenge” in the subject line. You could also link it here on the blog.

All creations will earn you a ballot into the Monthly Blog Draw!

I have chosen a sketch from Lucy Chesna to feature this week. I have the honor of being chosen as a designer for her blog. You can view here great sketches here: My Sketch World

Here is a medium version and a hard one. They are both of the same sketch! I have personally used this one already!!

Medium Version

Hard Version

If you have any problems printing this sketch off just send me a pm or email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and I will send you the sketch. Please put: “Sketch” in the subject line.

Also, if you use this sketch as the foundation for your next layout and email it to me or provide a link you will be entered in this month’s Blog Prize Draw!!

Have fun!

~Tara~

Scrapbook & Cards Today is a beautiful, seasonally-inspired, free publication that can be found in independent scrapbook stores across Canada and the US. It can also be downloaded internationally, in its entirety and for free, by visiting the website’s magazine section.We would love to see layouts with the following themes:
• Back to school, Hallowe’en and Thanksgiving
• Travel
• Playing in the leaves, sweaters and comfort foods
We are also looking for:
• dimensional cards that “pop”
• single page, multi-photo layouts
• well-balanced, double page layouts
• seasonal cards and altered projects

We are always looking for innovative designs, ideas and techniques to share with our readers. Be a part of the fastest growing scrapbook publication! Submissions can be made by completing the submissions form or at ideas@scrapbookandcards.com. Please include your name, address, phone number, email address and supply list.  Please send your work in the form of scanned images or digital photographs and ensure that the file is 300K or less. This call ends June 25th, 2008. We look forward to seeing your work!

Click the image to visit GetFreeFonts.info to download this free font!

~ Tara ~

I love making cards so I thought today I’d make my own paper to make my cards with.

So I opened up my photo editing program. I use Photoshop CS3 but this will work with your personal system too.

1. I created a new document: size 8 x 10.5 inches. I choose this size to it fits nicely inside a 8.5×11 sheet of paper for printing.

2. Using my “Custom Shape Tool” I chose a fleur de lis shape as the object I wanted to repeat.

3. Since my fleur de lis was located on layer 1, I duplicated my layer to create an exact duplicate of my shape.

4. I created a “Group” layer, Group 1.

5. I dragged both my layer 1 and my duplicate of layer 1 to the Group 1 layer. This creates an image that sticks the 2 shapes together in the given position.

6. I then duplicated Group 1.

7. I then created a new Group layer, Group 2.

8. I then dragged Group 1 and the copy of Group 1 to the new layer, Group 2.

9. I continued through this group duplicating and positioning until I fully covered my entire page with the lines of fleur de lis. I used some guidelines to help line up my layers as I went along.

10. I then created a new layer under the fleur de lis image layers. I colored it green by using my Paint Bucket Tool.

11. Then I played with some of my brush tools and some layering of colors and textures to get my desired paper. It’s just kind of wild and funky!

Now it’s time for you to create your own simple patterned papers. Let’s see you make your own patterned papers to use on a card or a page.

Here’s a card I created using a simple Superman crest that I downloaded off the internet and created my own papers for this card….

Supplies:

PP: Scenic Route Cardstock: Bazzill, Prism Stamp: Bella stamping Coloring Tools: Copic Markers Ink: Ranger Ribbon: American Crafts Die Cut: Spellbinders

Here is this week’s word:

Ten

1— see number table

2: the 10th in a set or series <wears a ten>

3: something having 10 units or members

4: one deserving the highest rating; specifically : an exceptionally attractive person

It can be used in so many ways to show so many things! You can create a list of things, showcase somthing that has ten things, you can create a page about a 10 year old or just have the number 10 somewhere on your layout.

Here is my layout showcasing my 10 Rosy Toes!!

I would love for you to be inspired to create something using this week’s word. It can be in your title, your photo(s) or your subject. Don’t forget that if you complete any sketch puzzle challenge, Monday challenge, wordy Wednesday challenge or submit a tip for Tip Tuesday then you will automatically be entered to win this month’s Blog Prize!! So get scrapping and either send them to me at( thynner5@yahoo.ca ) or link them in the blog!