#5 Frugal Scrapper Tip's 'n Techniques

Imagination at work...that's how I feel EVERY time I pick up a T!m Holtz product...I have been working with Distress Inks for a while now and made this mini-album (part of a Kaiser Craft "Boy Zone Mini Album kit) for the make 'n take sample for the LSS TNT (Tip's 'n Techniques) club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks in Vista, CA.

The technique I want to concentrate on today is using T!m Holtz distress inks to alter your scrapbook paper. I used each page in the book to showcase a different technique I used to "alter" my paper using T!m Holtz distress ink pads. The first page above was done using (what I refer to) as a "water color" technique. I will put a tutorial together on this technique and hopefully post it later today:)

Enjoy!

Lori McCausland

Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)

February 2009 Dine-O-Mite Recipe Reveal

Ok, fellow scrappers......drum roll, please.....

It's time for the Newest Dine-O-Mite Recipe Reveal:) I have to say that for the first time, I actually "altered" the recipe (at my own risk, of course) to go along with the pictures I wanted to use for this layout.

My friend, Robin, also used this for a MLPA (Memory Lane, PA) LLS challenge a few weeks back. I was impressed with the layouts produced in that challenge. Here is a direct link to the challenge.

You can also see the entries that were added to my site here.

Here was my "take" on the layout:

Enjoy!

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

Frugal Scrapper Tips 'n Techniques #4

Ok fellow scrappers, I have quite a few things going on here...where do I start...hmmmm...let's start with the canvas background:) I purchased a few of these canvas backgrounds from the local dollar store (there were actually 2 packaged together). I originally got them for my grandkids to paint on, but then thought...hey, these would make a great altered art project for my blog...I hope you agree.

This canvas measures 7" x 9", but when I bought them (around Thanksgiving) there were other sizes available, too...as "luck" would have it, though they are nowhere to be found now:( If anyone finds them, please let me know as these would make AWESOME covers for mini books, too.

I first randomly painted the canvas with two of my acrylic paints. Then as part of a Prima contest, I used Prima packaging on my project. The "ribbons" on the right side (black polka dots), the strips around the left photo AND the mat on the right photo are from Prima packaging. The aqua mat on the left photo is from another Prima package (it's actually a cool aqua/white brick wall pattern, but it's a bit hard to see in this pic).

I also used the tape that goes across one of the buckets of flowers Prima sells (notice the Prima, Prima, Prima across the top of the project)...it would have been awesome if I had some ballerina pic's as I could have done "Prima" Ballerina...oh well, maybe another time:)

I also stamped on the canvas using swirl stamps with Staz-on ink. I did add paint to the edges of the photo mats and ink around the edge of the canvas, too. Of course, I had to use some Prima flowers and "bling". I really love Prima's product line.

So I guess the moral of this post is:

• Stop by your local dollar store often...you never know what treasures you will find.
• Don't just "toss" the packaging from your scrapbook products. With so many companies going "green" and helping us stretch our scrapping $$, I have found that packaging really is useful...(I've been using the cellophane and acetate packaging for years)
• Acrylic paints AND inks should be a staple in your scrapping stash...they last "forever" if stored properly and are an easy way to alter your projects. I've had some of my ink pads and acrylic paints over 10 years!
• Create responsibly (go "green" and do your part to save the earth)...

I'd love to see how you have used these techniques in your project:)

I'm sure you'll find other ideas for using Prima's packaging here.

Enjoy!

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

Playing with my "Alter Ego" at TNT

Wow, I've been working hard to put the March kit together for the TNT Club I lead at Ever After Scrapbooks. I just completed the kit last night and can't wait to share it at the meeting on March 10th at 7 p.m.!

I've also been getting really "distressed" as I play with some of the items we will be using for our March make 'n take. Since I'm sure you all know that I am "in love" with T!m Holtz ideas and his products, you shouldn't be surprised that I will be incorporating them into my March make 'n take. Whoo hoo!!! If you haven't visited T!m's blog recently, go take a look here. He has added some awesome tutorials that I've had fun watching. One of my favorites is this one.

I'm also really excited to have one of our TNT members do a STAMP demo. More to follow on that later:)

Stop back later this week when I do a "sneak peek" of my tag samples I'll use for my make 'n take on March 1oth:)

Happy Scrappin'

Lori McCausland, Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire

Back to Reality

Ok...unfortunately, it's back to reality for me this weekend. I got a call saying my dad passed away...whoa...I'm not sure what to say...kind of puts things into perspective...re-prioritizes things...gives me opportunities to speak to people I haven't spoken to in a while...AND sets my scrapbooking mind into over drive...what have I documented?...what stories has he told me...what questions about my past has he answered...which are unanswered?...holy cow...this is deep...good friends and great family ties are important at this time...thank you in advance for your support...I couldn't handle this without you...

THANK YOU!