Photo Expressions

Mini Journal

Mark Montano: Mini Journal

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Guest Designer: Mark Montano

Not sure if youíre like me but I always have an idea I want to jot down and I really enjoy having a cool little idea book hanging around. I started to make these with all of the extra copies I would have left over from my projects. Pretty soon my friends started asking for them so I got a little more creative with them. I find this version the easiest and most inspiring to make.

Here’s how:

1. Cut your card stock 8" x 5 1/2" This is your cover.
2. Fold the card stock cover in half so that it's 4" x 5 1/2".
3. Using your Fiskars Corner Punch, decorate the edges.
4. Decorate your cover by smudging the edges and stamping until you get your desired effect.
   DON'T WORRY: if you don't like it, flip it inside out and start over!
5. Cut all of your blank and printed papers 5" x 7 3/4" in size.
6. Open your cover and center your filler paper on top.
7. Hold the stack and carefully flip over and stick inside the staple and staple in the center toward the top and bottom of the journal.
8. Staple the center of your ribbon in the center of the fold of the journal
9. Fold and tie and head out to jot down your thoughts.

 

Lost Dog at Photo Express

Have you lost a dog?  We found one here at Photo Express - locked in our playroom!  Please call us and describe her home and let us know her name so we can get her back to her rightful owner!  She seems awfully lonely and she keeps sneaking into our scrapbook drawer and eating our snacks!

 

12x12" Scrapbook Page Sketches

via www.scrapbooksetc.com

Scrapbooks Etc has some new 12x12 page sketches up. They are great for inspiration and to get ideas. Each one has the sketch and then a sample layout. Check them out, there is about 30 new ones.

Happiness

I like this quote...you get to "choose" your mood.  Choose happy.

“Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind rather than on outward circumstances.”

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790);

politician, writer, scientist

 

 

Nature Journal

Nature Journal (from Fiskars)

Difficulty rating: Intermediate

Designer: Lisa Storms

I like experimenting with craft foam since we have a ton of it in the kids' craft drawer. My daughter is really getting into journals, so I wanted to stock her up with a bunch to use during the summer with different themes. Combining the two, I came up with embossed foam journal covers!

1. Heat brown craft foam with heat tool on protected surface. Be sure to keep the heat gun constantly moving so you do not scorch the foam.

2. Very quickly place Woodgrain Texture Plate onto heated foam and press firmly and evenly. If you aren't happy with the embossing, simply heat the foam back up and it will flatten before trying again.

3. Trim embossed foam to size of design with trimmer and run ink along embossing if desired to make the design more defined.

3b. Repeat steps 1 and 2 onto purple foam using Filigree plate.

4. Cut out butterfly using Ultra ShapeXpress and Butterfly Shape Template. Tear or cut the rest of the way through foam.

5. Ink over butterfly's embossed designed with assorted metallic inks. Sew onto woodgrain cover with button and title.

6. Trim notebook paper and chipboard to size of cover.

7. Punch two holes into cover and mark position on inside pages and back cover to punch or drill.

8. Run rubber band though one hole on front around twig and feed back through other hole around twig for binding. Any usual binding can be used, but I just wanted to keep this journal nature inspired.

Paper Lanterns

Paper Lanterns

Designer: Katrina Simeck

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Summer nights are perfect for enjoying dinner on the deck or patio. You can add a touch of color and light with these DIY paper lanterns. They’re simple to make, and can be created in a variety of sizes and colors.

1. Trim cardstock to desired height using your favorite Fiskars trimmer. A width of 10-12 inches will ensure that your lantern has plenty of room for a candle holder.

2. Using a pencil and ruler, draw lines 1 inch apart across the width of cardstock (you’ll want to do this on the back side of your paper). Stop 1-2 inches short of the upper and lower edge.

3. Carefully cut slits along the pencil lines, leaving a 1-2 inch border intact at the top and bottom.

4. Change the cutting blade in your trimmer to a scoring blade, and score down the middle of your cardstock

5. Gently fold along the score line (this will help to give your lantern its shape).

6. Form a cylinder and adhere ends with sturdy adhesive.

7. Use Fiskars border punches and squeeze punches to embellish your lanterns.

8. Carefully place lanterns over small votive holders (caution – it’s best to use a tall votive holder to ensure that flame cannot reach the paper lantern)
Make a collection of lanterns for a festive grouping on your outdoor table!

Create a Summer Photo Book

What Can I do with My Photos? - Tips and Ideas to do something with your photos. 

 

Create a Summer 2011 Photo Book   Wouldn't it be great to have a completed Photo Book to look back on and remember all the wonderful memories of this summer. Here are a few of the pages that were in my (Michele) Summer 2009 Photo Book.                                Here are a few easy steps to accomplish this (if you need help with ANY of the steps, just ask us. We are here for you!): Upload your photos to Foto Depot as you put them on to your computer. Some people do this after every event, some people do this when their card gets full. May I be so bold as to suggest you do this at least every 2 weeks, then you don't have so many photos to deal with. And remember to delete the bad photos and duplicate photos first! Pick your favourite photos from your upload and move them to a Summer 2011 Folder. Repeat steps 1 and 2 throughout the summer as you take photos. At the end of summer you will have a Summer 2011 Folder in Foto Depot full of your favourite photos.  In Foto Depot click on the Project tab at the top.  Click on the Photo Book Image, and then choose the type of book you want. Hit Start. It now asks you to choose your photos. Select your Summer 2011 Folder and select all the photos in it as they are all your favourites. Click the add to project button and all these photos will be added to your Photo Book. You will notice under the add to project button that there is a button called Use Auto Layout. I LOVE this feature as it automatically lays out your Photo Book for you and still allows you to make any changes you want.  Very fast! In a few moments you will see your completed Photo Book of your favourite Summer 0f 2011 photos. Yay! Order and pick up at Photo Express or we can also mail it to you.  Of course once your book is layed out, you can go in and change the order of the photos, add some, delete some, change the backgrounds, add text...whatever you would like, or you can just order the book as is.  This works for previous summers, or a trip, or an event, or a Year In Review Book, the options are endless. What a great way to share your memories.

 

Rootbeer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Kerry served this at her birthday and it was delicious!! This would be a great meal for your next potluck or picnic.

 

Rootbeer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 

4-5lb pork shoulder roast (I used 6 - approx. 1 1/2lb each pieces of pork tenderloin - about 10 lbs.)
3 cloves of minced garlic
Salt & pepper
1 large onion, chopped
12oz can Root Beer (I used 1/2 a 2-ltr bottle of A&W regular root beer, enough to cover the meat)
1 1/2 cups bbq sauce ( I used 3 bottles of Bull's Eye Original)

Place pork roast in a large Crock Pot.

Rub minced garlic over roast and season with salt and pepper.

Top with chopped onion.

Pour Root Beer over roast; Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. (can do this the day before, if pressed for time)

Remove meat from liquid.  Dispose of liquid and onions.

Use two forks to shred meat.  Return meat to crock pot.

Mix in enough bbq sauce so that meat is moistened, but not sloppy.  (I made it a day ahead and put it in the fridge, with the sauce on it)

Cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes - 1 hour, or until heated through.

Serve on sesame buns, with coleslaw on the side.  Freeze any leftovers to enjoy a quick meal at a later date.

NOTE:  I'm guessing, but I would say that the amount I used would serve 20+ people easily.

New in Store

There has been so much new stuff going out in the last week that we have been busy rearranging and putting it out and haven't been blogging. So here is a brief view of some of the new that has come in just he last few days. We also received new Disney which I don't have images for, and new Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Paper pads and stickers.

Happy Camper from Imaginisce, so stinkin' cute as always!! I love the little bear in this line.

Baby Mine by Fancy Pants, so sweet.

 

Mixed Media Canvases

Yesterday, we had great fun celebrating Kerry's 50th Birthday!  Even though it was HER birthday, she played hostess and held a party at PE where we ate waaaay too much delicious food, and made these super fun canvas projects.  They look intimidating, but are very easy and tons of fun to make.  I already can't wait to make my next one!

You can join Tanya for a class and make one of your own on July 27th. Details here

Happy Birthday Kerry!! And thanks for being such a great hostess!!

Kids Crafting - Octopus Puppet and Flower Leis

Pull out some of your scrapbook supplies and have some fun!

Kids Crafting – Octopus Puppet

From Fiskars

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Designer: Valerie Salmon

What child would not want to make this cute little octopus? Did you know that this little fella is made out of an empty toilet paper roll? Plan a creative earth-friendly activity with your kid/s to bring this adorable creature to life using items that are readily available at home. Decorate your mini octopus with dots, stripes, buttons, googley eyes, and more!

Instructions:

1. Wad about 3 sheets of kleenex into a ball, then wrap the ball with 1 more kleenex sheet. Insert it at the top of the tube to create a domed head for the octopus.

2. Paint the outside of the tube and the top of the head. Let dry.

3. Using a decorative paper edger, make 8 equal vertical cuts halfway up the tube to make the tentacles.

 4. Curl each tentacle upwards by rolling them on a sharpie marker.

5. Paint the underside of each tentacle.

6. Use buttons for eyes and use the "cup handle" of the Bistro Brew squeeze punch for the smiling mouth.

7. Add 1/4 inch circles using a contrasting colored cardstock. Adhere the dots all over the octopus' body. Add a band around its head.

Kids Crafting – Paper Punch Hawaiian Lei

(you can also use die cuts or come in and use Photo Express' Accucut machine to cut the shapes)

Difficulty rating: Beginner

Designer: Patti Milazzo

Here’s a super simple craft for kids to make for an upcoming Hawaiian theme Luau or simply as a project to brighten a rainy day. My little guy had a blast using some of Fiskars new Lever Punches along with some recycled straws and patterned paper scraps to string together this cute paper punch Lei.

Instructions:

1. Punch out 30 or more various flowers from a mix of patterned paper.

2. Use the 1/16 inch Circle Hand Punch to create a hole in the center of each flower.

3. Use scissors to cut 1/2 inch segments from the drinking straws.

4. Cut a 24 inch long piece of stretch beading elastic and temporarily tie a knot at one end.

5. Start threading the flowers and straw segments. Be sure to vary the pattern to make it more interesting.

6. Once the Lei is to a desired length untie end knot and tie ends together. Enjoy!