Weekend Crop Tips & Checklist

As I am getting ready for my weekend crop next week thought I would share how I go about my planning process. With some careful pre-planning you can have a very fun & productive crop!


Send photos for printing. I try to narrow them down. I do one scrapbook per year so figure for most events you will only have room for 2-4 photos. In some cases you may do a 2 page layout so you’ll need a 4-8 for that. I use Snapfish for my photos. Don’t forget to order some 5x7’s for your pages or even 8x10’s!

After you get the photos back start to narrow those down even further - you can pass along extras to Grandmas or friends.

I like to plan things out so if you are doing a 2 page layout it falls on a left and right page. Not only are my scrap books in order but I must scrap them in order (just a little one of my super organized traits). Also gather up any other mementos for your layout - for example an invite, ticket stub, etc.



I use sketches alot - they are an easy blueprint to reference. They are usually pretty basic and a great starting point. Here is an example of sketch:

Here are a few of my favorite sketch sites:
Click on the image to go to the site.

ally scraps
See the sidebar for Debbie’s Sketches. Here is Debbie’s blog - worth a visit!

Get out your paper and pen and sketch out your page and write down some notes for journaling. It will help to think of things before the day of the crop. Also pick a title. If you are stumped on a title check out scrapbook.com for lots of great ideas.


Pull your papers for the page and put them into the folder. Don’t forget to include patterned papers along with some solids. If you stick to one line then you’ll be sure to match but does not hurt to mix and match too.

You could also cut any titles if you have time but if you take your cutter to the crop this isn't really necessary.


Check out magazines, blogs - you can always follow me if you like :) I also have a collection of scrapbook layouts on Pinterest. Even though you already have a good plan you can get ideas for techniques.

Check out this layout from my Pinterest Page ~ Scrapbook Layouts Board:

I am loving how the twine is strung thru the hearts
and may string it thru my banners that way.

This should be all the prework you will need to do!

Here is a checklist for what I bring to a crop.
Your list may be different but this is a good starting point if you don't have a list!

Have fun cropping! I'll share my finished Graduation Layout here and on my FB Page after my crop. Stop back by to check it out!

Wedding Favors

Hey everyone, it’s that time of the year when young ladies get engaged and have to start planning for that special day. My friend’s niece is getting married in the fall and she asked me to do some wedding favor prototypes.

Here are a few simple boxes I created:

Here is the first box which features Vintage Poppies with Pearl Brads in Ivory.
I also used the Gradient Pearl Stickers.


The second box features the following Creative Charms products:
Vintage Pearl Brads ~ Grey Pearl
I cut the monogram along with the actual boxes on my Sizzix eclips using Ecal software.
The boxes are from SVG Cuts - the box is one piece that fits on a 12x12 mat.
They offered these for free at Christmas, aren’t they great?
Hopefully you picked these up while Mary & Leo offered them.


Here is the box open, it can fit plenty of goodies!
Papers are from BasicGrey - Little Black Dress line.

These boxes would also make a great birthday or party favor. Would be perfect for the wedding shower or the wedding day. Thanks for stopping by today and happy crafting!

Celeste's Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to Celeste’s Birthday Blog Hop!
What a great way to celebrate your birthday by hosting a blog hop.

Thank you to Celeste who invited me to join in on the fun!

If you are hopping over from Heather’s Blog you are in the right spot.

If you are new to my blog you may not know that I think “Inside the Box” and love creating Shadow Box Collages. I decided to make a shadowbox for the hop (It’s for Celeste - shhh! Don’t tell her).


I had some fun chipboard from K & Company that I picked up from Joanns to add as accents. Frame is also from Joanns (it’s 12x12). I design for SVG Cuts and the scallop shapes, butterflies, rosette, happy birthday and present are from SVG Cuts (they are one of the generous sponsors of the hop). Also used Creative Charms embellishments to accent.

I used my brand spanking new Sizzix eclips & Ecal Software to cut the elements. Check out the detail on the font (it’s called DecotoralCG-Inline) - I am loving my new Eclips!

A few closeups:





Your next stop on the hop is Melin’s Blog.

Thanks for joining in on the hop. Please leave a comment on each blog and Celeste will be selecting winners on Sunday from everyone’s blogs.

Happy Birthday Hoppin!

They Blinded Me With Science

HAPPY 2012!

As Thomas Dolby states in his 1980's tune - They Blinded Me With Science. Every year my boys just amaze me with how much time and effort they put into the Science Fair at school. It is not mandatory to participate but they get so excited when the first flyer comes out. They even debate their projects all year long!

Here is a recent layout I did documenting the Science Fair:

Will just got glasses before this project and decided to do his on eyes and why some people need glasses. Eyeglass SVG from SVG Cuts ~ School Days SVG Kit.

Timmy loved the move "The Ant Bully" and was inspired by it and decided to do his project on Ants. I added an SVG from ~ Cheryl’s Cute Bugs SVG Kit. He made a giant ant out of paper mache, it was quite fun to create.

Here is a look at the title ~ Font is LD Red Hatter’s Hand. Added some Creative Charms Gradient Gems on my layout, including the title.

Thanks for stopping by today to check out my layout :)

Sarah at The Pink Cricut is having a Link Up Party ~ I'm going to share over there!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my crafty friends!
I have not been crafting this month - my husband has been in the hospital since 12/9. :(
He is making some progress and hoping he comes home soon.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas
and
a Happy New Year!

Catch you in 2012!

Christmas Tags

I made a Matchbox with Tags as a gift for a crafty friend. The Creative Charms embellishments were the perfect touch and I used quite a few different ones on my tags.

Here is my box - it is a matchbox style. The poinsettia is embellished with Gradient Pearls. The box is from SVG Cuts Crisp Days of Fall Kit.

The box slides open and inside I have three tags perfect for Christmas gifts.

The first tag is my Santa Tag. I used Gradient Gems to accent the Santa image. Santa paper and background paper is from BoBunny.

The second tag is my Red & Green Tag. The Vintage Jewel Brads were a perfect fit for this tag. I did some embossing of the AC Cardstock.

Last but not least is my Snowman Tag. I used the Vintage Christmas Self-Adhesive Metal Frames for this one.
I cut the snowman along with all the other images on my Cricut using SCAL.
The snowman is actually a freebie from SVG Cuts.

These were so fun to put together - I think I may put together a bunch more as little gifts for crafty friends!

Dont' forget to check out the Creative Charms Blog for lots on holiday inspiration!

More Treats for School

My son, Will, picked out mini candies for his classmates. I placed them in a bag and added a quick and easy tag. Made 22 of these in no time at all and we're all ready for the Christmas Party!

Here is a look:

I used Stamps from Punkin’ Patch Stamps ~ Holiday Traditions ~ for these along with their free Stampables. I imported the SVG for the Stampable into SCAL and cut a bunch of them:

I wanted to attach the stamped scallop shape to the bag and decided to do some work in SCAL.
I took the SVG from the Stampable and added a Shadow effect to it. (rounded 1.25) I then made a large circle using basic shapes and welded that to the scallop shape. I added a smaller circle inside the larger circle (do not weld this).

Here is what it looks like in SCAL:

Check to make sure it will cut okay by clicking Preview.

I cut these using AC Cardstock and adhered the stamped scallop on top and attached to the treat bag. Simple & Easy!

SVG Cuts & the Design Team have alot going on. Check out some of these giveways:

Visit Punkin' Patch Stamps on FB and enter to win the entire line of stamps!

Stop by Cheryl's Blog & enter to win an SVG Cuts Gift Card.

Check out her latest DT project while you are there.

Thienly has a fabulous DT Project coming out -

stop by her FB page to guess what inspired her.

Have a great weekend!