Photo Expressions

Creative Corner With Renee - How to get More photos on your layout

Here is a great layout from Renee showing how to get many photos onto a layout.  And she shares her instructions below...

"Have you ever wanted to include many photos on a layout, but don't want to crop any of them very much?  I've been able to get around this dilemma by creating mini books right on my layouts.  Start by choosing 3 or 4 photos of the same orientation (horizontal or vertical) and cutting equal mats for each of them.  Then cut 2 strips of matching cardstock, each 3/4" x 3".  Continue by attaching one strip of cardstock to the back of the photo that will be the "last page" of you mini book (on the top for horizontal photos, the left side for vertical photos).  Leave about half of the strip sticking out above the matted photo (to the left for vertical photos).  Repeat for the second strip.  Next lay your "second page" photo upside-down and face-down 9for horizontal photos - or simply face-down for vertical photos) on your "last page" photo (you will want this photo to appear right-side-up when you flip it on the hinges).  Fold and attach the two strips of cardstock the back of this photo.  Last, put lots of adhesive on the back of your remaining matted photo and attach it to the back of the "second page" photo.  Attach a tab (I used a QuicKutz tab die) to one edge of the top photo to ease in lifting to reveal the other photos.  You can now attach your mini book directly to your layout, or to a larger mat first.  I was able to include 12-4x6 photos, 1-5x7, plus a couple of wallet sized photos to my "Pumpkins" layout by using 3 mini books!  You can make thicker mini books by using more cardstock hinges to create more pages for your little books.  Hint:  it's best to stagger the hinges on mini books containing more than 2 pages.  Happy scrapping!" Renee

That 70's Crop

Details for our next big crop on April 12th can be found here Download that_70s_crop_handoutweb1.pdf including the 2 special guests, what to wear and what to bring, and the fact that it is now a 14 hour crop!

Can't wait to Groove with ya!

MIchele

Looking to Purge your craft supplies or looking for craft supplies?

The Get Organized Challenge is going really well and the participants are all excited about what their finished spaces are going to look like.  A big part of this organization process is purging what is no longer your style or you know you won't use.  If you are doing this on your own at home, remember you can bring in your supplies to PE and we will make sure they get to a home where they will be treasured.  If you also know of a non-profit organization or teacher that could use supplies in their classroom, please email me the details at [email protected] and by lottery, I will keep contacting various places to donate products.

Thanks
Michele

New Cosmo Cricket

I LOVE the new black chipboard from Cosmo Cricket and can't wait until it arrives.  The papers are really cool too!

Check out their Blog to see previews of their new CHA releases.

Michele

New Company - GCD Studios Launch Party

Very exciting and this happens to be crop registration day.  So register for the crop and then hang around for the fun.

Trust Us With Your Memories,

Michele

Everything Inque Day

Everything Inque Day is coming up this Saturday January 26th.  Photo Express is a participating store so that means you get to save 15%-20% on everything from Inque Boutique!!  Stamps, inks, markers and more.  Tons of stamps to choose from.  Details here .  See you Saturday and don't forget your coupon!

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

Cards for Troops

A little reminder that if you plan on making a valentine card for the troops serving overseas, it needs to be completed and in to PE by this Friday the 25^th.  Please take a moment and sign your card also, just first name or initials is fine with a little message.  If you don't wish to, we can put something in, but it is nice to have something personal from your.  Or you could also add your email address if you wish. We've been getting many cards in and I know it will warm a lot of hearts.  Thanks!

Michele

PE Paper Pizza

PE's Paper Pizza is a box full of creative "ingredients" for your next scrapbooking, cardmaking or papercrafting projects!

Just like your great-grandma’s recipes, the ingredients are a secret! The only thing we can tell you is the contents will be delicious and the price is definitely appetizing!

Paper Pizza includes 50 sheets of Patterned Papers, Specialty Papers & Cardstock - valued at over $45!

PLUS:
* Over $100 in awesome savings like:

* 40% off 1 scrapbooking item*
* 2 FREE 5x7’s*
*50% off your next Foto Depot order of 4” prints*
(coupon details inside)
* 12x12 printed cardstock sheets of related sayings, titles & doodles
* Templates/sketches for layouts & cards

Only $19.99 (members pay $17.99)

Many different themes available.  And remember, if you don't live near us we can always ship to you.  Just send us an email at [email protected] or call 604-463-3654.

Trust Us With Your Memories,

Michele

Birthday and Baby Card Kits

Are you always scrounging at the last minute for a birthday card? How would you like to have 10 ready to go for about $1 ea? Then come in and grab one of these kits. Kerry has designed some great cards ready for those birthdays that are always cropping up.  Get a kit, spend a short bit of time making the cards and you have 10 ready to go. You could also make tags.

Each kit contains : 1 sheet of Pebbles Inc. patterned paper ~ 3 metres coordinating ribbon ~  10 sheets of
coordinating cardstock ~ 1 sheet of cardstock birthday phrases ~ and a variety of colour samples to inspire you.

$11.99 (members pay $10.79)

Or how about baby cards?  Someone is always having a baby and it is great to have a stash of cards on hand.  Here are just a few of the sample cards Kerry designed for this kit. Each kit has enough product to make at least 8 cards.

This Kit Contains:
2 sheets Pebbles Inc. patterned paper (1 pink, 1 blue) ~ 2 packs Pebbles Inc. Ribbon Sliders ~  9 sheets of coordinating cardstock ~ 3 metres coordinating ribbon and ideas.

$11.99 (members pay $10.79)

While supplies last.

Soiree was lots of fun!

Thanks to all who attended the PE QuicKutz Crew Soiree last Saturday.  I had such a good time (won't wear those shoes next time though!) and I always enjoy chatting with all of you.

Congratulations goes out to the winners of our $75, $100 and $200 Shopping Sprees!

The next Soiree is scheduled for June 21st, so keep working on those Crew passports.

To see photos from the evening, click on the Cupcake photo on the right.

See you soon,
Michele

Family Vacation Photography Tips

A lot of photo tips I see on the Web are - shall we say - lame.  But every once in a while I see some that knock my eyes out, and that is the case with these tips from Dana Bowden, posted at TakeGreatPictures.com.  Not only does this pro give some great, practical advice on taking jaw-dropping vacation photos, he even shows a few of his own "misses" as examples of what not to do!  Very refreshing.

Trust us with your Memories,
Ron C

Dorota's not yet organized space

Dorota has agreed to show her space also.  She is going to take up the challenge though she can't attend the classes due to her work schedule.  She said that showing these pictures will be her incentive to actually organize her space so we can see the after pictures.

Remember, that most people aren't born with an "organizational gene". It is a learned skill and something that if we make the time for, will make our scrapping experience more productive.  (Saying that, don't wait to organize your space before you scrapbook, because then some of you may never scrapbook!)

Here are her before pictures: (click to see larger version)

Thanks for being brave enough to share these with us Dorota!  I can't wait to see the after pictures.

So who else out there is up to the challenge? Email me your pictures at [email protected]

Michele

Tam's Scrap Space

Tamara did some organizing of her scrap space over the Christmas break and has graciously shared her photos and what she did.  If anyone else has photos of their space or tips they'd like to share for organizing, email me at michele@pephotos and we can share them here.  Or if you have a room like mine, you can also email that (I'll feel lots better!) and others would too!  Make this the year you finally make the time to get organized...you have nothing to lose but the mess!

Here is what Tam did: (click on the photos to see them bigger)

I have two of the Large Cropper Hopper Sticker Sheet bins and LOVE them.  The bins are fabulous because they allow me to see and thumb through the chipboard, rub ons and sticker sets that I own.  Seeing them makes me think when it comes time to create, so I use them.   You will see that they fit really well sitting atop of my IKEA Expedit shelf. 

The Cropper Hopper vertical storage works so well on the shelves of the Expedit unit.  After bringing them home and flattening them out I simply took a metal ruler and sharp blade to trim the plastic so that they would fit on the shelf, approx 0.5 inches.   I arranged patterned paper into manufacturers ( my preference) and then cardstock from lightest to darkest.  The paper sits right behind me on the shelf so that I can turn around in my chair and colour match with ease.  My Quickutz binders are on the top shelf so that I can browse them while the creative juices are flowing.

The Making Memories carousel spins like a lazy susan.  I took all sorts of tools out of the glass vases on my desk and now they are all arranged in similar groups ( adhesives together, cutting and piercing tools too) and I can spin them around.  I have filled a whole drawer with my favourite brads. 

Ribbon, wow did I have a huge collection like us all.  I saw the Cropper Hopper 4x6 ribbon cards and knew they would work perfectly inside a photo box.  With the help of the Pebbles Ribbon Iron I wound the ribbon in groups, again, colours lightest to darkest.  Some of my ribbon is from a specific collection and those were wound on the same card.  This ribbon box can now come with me to crops easily and individual ribbon cards can be taken out and added to planning pages that I would do ahead of time.  Most of all , by ironing the ribbon and straightening them I am ready at a glance.

My studio space is part of my main living space so I was very thoughtful about the element of decor when I planned my space.  IKEA was a great place for me because the Expedit shelving units allowed me to store items vertically which is a great idea when you are living in a space space, like me.  I have baskets to keep down the visual clutter within the unit but as well I need to access them quickly. 

Pretty, who doesn't want their space to be pretty.  It's easy when you can purchase 12x12 frames from Photo Express and pick your favourite patterned paper.  I loved the idea that I could change out the papers when the mood stuck me, so far I have enjoyed the splash of colour that this Basic grey series has added to my room.  Simple and pretty....I love simple!

Thanks Tam for sharing your space!

Michele

Hawaii Info

Hawaii Info Request

Totally off topic, but I know you guys are a wealth of information.  My family and I are going to Maui in February.  We have one week booked and are looking for somewhere to stay the second week.  Ideally a place on/near a nice beach with a kitchenette.  If you have gone recently and liked the place you stayed, please email me at [email protected].  Also if you have any tips on what to do/not do while we are there, I'd love to hear them.  I haven't been to Hawaii in about 15 years so I'm sure lots has changed.

Thanks!
Michele

Totally off topic, but I know you guys are a wealth of information.  My family and I are going to Maui in February.  We have one week booked and are looking for somewhere to stay the second week.  Ideally a place on/near a nice beach with a kitchenette.  If you have gone recently and liked the place you stayed, please email me at [email protected].  Also if you have any tips on what to do/not do while we are there, I'd love to hear them.  I haven't been to Hawaii in about 15 years so I'm sure lots has changed.

Thanks!
Michele

Nothing to lose...except the mess!

Okay, first of all, I have to say this is REALLY REALLY REALLY embarrassing!!!!!

This is the current state of my scrapbook room.  I know, you are in shock.  Trust me, so am I every time I go down there!  I can't believe I am showing the world this room. We had a flood last year in our basement and a good portion of our basement ended up in my scrapbook room.  I still have not found time to put it back together properly and of course have added more product to it over the year.  Parts of it are organized - most of my stamps, pens, books, embellishments, stickers are organized - except for stuff that has been added this year or used during the year.  Parts of it are not organized.  I CRAVE an organized scrap space.  It is very hard to create when you can barely find a spot to work in. There is 9 or 10 years of stuff in this room and I know that I will be able to donate probably about 1/2 of it!  This will feel so good to do, will help out lots of organizations (I have a list of non-profit organizations that are looking for craft/scrapbooking supplies), and then I will have a wonderful inviting space to create and I will be able to find what I am looking for.

Why am I showing you this utter chaos?  To show you that you are not alone and to invite you to join me and your fellow scrapbookers in the Get Organized Challenge .  Together we will each work together to create an organized scrap space (whether that be a table, closet or whole room).  It won't be easy, but it will be so worth it.  Classes start this Wed or Saturday and will run for 3 weeks. This is a condensed version of the program (all the information is still there, just the time frame is shortened) as I will be away for part of February. Another session will run starting in March.

There are a few spots left in each class so take up the challenge with us.  You won't regret it!  There isn't one system that will work for everyone, but we will figure out the system that works for each of us.  Bring your before photo of your scrap space (no cleaning allowed!) and win a prize for the messiest space (though mine is tough to beat!).  Just think how good it will feel to have the "after" picture of your organized space where you are happy to sit and create.  I can't wait!

See you in class!

Michele