After All These Years

{Photo Backup}

I am completely paranoid about losing photos off my computer. I religiously backup. Then I backup my backup. I thought I would share my system of photo backup as it is always a topic that gets discussed at classes and crops.

I have an external hard drive (next to the container of cds in the photo above). Every month or so, I copy my new photos (files and documents as well) to this hard drive. That's my first backup.

If you don't have an external hard drive, I strongly advise that you invest in one. They are like a giant memory stick. I have lots of movies and TV series' stored on here that I can watch on my computer. And they are transportable. For instance, if I want to share photos or movies with anyone, I can just take along my hard drive, plug it into a computer and it's easy!

I also store my photos on CDs or DVDs (again, copied every month or so). These are stored in chronological order in a folder that is easily accessible. That's my second backup.

And just because I'm slightly OC, every six months or so I burn a heap of photos to a DVD and give it to my Mum to keep at her house!

Backing up doesn't take long to do and after a while it becomes habit. I hope I've helped.

{Glimmer Mist Layout}

For those that have attended my 'Glimmer Mist for Scrapbookers' class at Blossie's in April or May, here is the third layout (that wasn't pictured on the handout).

It's hard to see in a photo, but this layout was demonstrating my Glimmer Mist cloud background.

 

I just love the delicate shimmer that Glimmer Mist adds to projects. My favourite colour is "Marshmallow' and it's a pearly white that I spray on anything and everything, including the entire pink patterned paper background.

See that gorgeous lace that I used under the photo? I adhered it using Glossy Accents. I love that it dries fast and clear.

I had a blast teaching this class! Many fellow Glimmer Mist addicts were created - sorry about that but it's glorious stuff!

{Organising & A Link}

For those that need an organising fix (or maybe just another peek into a section of my new scraproom) I had another post go up over on the Simply Renee blog this week!

You can read it here and here's a peek of how I used the ribbon organiser to tame my flower collection!

And now onto a link for you all. I was chatting about this site with some ladies at a Blossie's class on Saturday and promised I'd link it here. It's a site called 'Paperclipping' and what I love are their 'Roundtable' discussions which are basically when the Paperclipping host chats with different (well known) people from the industry.

Find the Roundtable Discussions here.

These are great to have playing in the background as you scrap. And call me weird but it's nice to hear a voice to put to people's faces . . . Tim Holtz . . . Ali Edwards . . . Tim Holtz . . . Stephanie Howell . . . Cathy Zielske . . . Tim Holtz . . .  you get the idea!

Have fun listening! By the way, I've got some layouts to share so come back soon!

{Kaisercraft Layout}

I just knew the 'Hey Birdie' collection from Kaisercraft was for me! So as soon as I got my hands on it last week at Blossie's, I was inspired to create a layout . . . it's been a while!

 
 
 
Super simple but I love it and it's using a few of my favourite things right now . . .

• Die cut paper from Kaisercraft - I've only used a small portion of it though!

• Totally in love with 6" x 6" paper pads right now. That's another post altogether. On this layout I used some of the die cuts that you get in the back.

• I was drawn to the bright colours of these felt flowers from Basic Grey. Sadly, I've used mine all up now!

• Of course, no post about my favourite things would be complete without some goodies from My Mind's Eye. Take these alpha stickers and tickets for example.

 

• And finally, the latest addition to my flourish/swirl stamp addiction are these beauties from Prima. I can tell I'll be using these a lot!

I have a lot of favourite things. 

  

 

{Published Layout}

I just picked up my copy of the latest Scrapbooking Memories (Vol 12 No 5) yesterday and lo and behold, there's a layout of mine in there! It had completely slipped my mind! It's in the pregnancy gallery and be warned - it includes a belly shot!

And I was also excited to see layouts from people I know through Blossie's in the magazine! Such as Sam, Elise and Jules!  

I'll be back very soon with a real layout to show you! Yes . . . an actual scrapbook layout!

{Quick Gift For Kids}

Hi! I want to share an idea for a super quick gift for kids. My friend Yvette saw some at markets, went home and did some herself and I copied :)

It's simply covered exercise books. Grab a couple of sheets of scrapbooking paper (great for paper that you don't love anymore although I didn't have any of that!). Adhere them to the exercise book cover using double sided tape and trim any excess with a craft knife.

I used card from the inside of a wrapping paper roll to cover the spine.

You could of course embellish the front but I have left mine as is.

Imagine a bundle of these with some gorgeous colouring pencils as a gift . . . 

Or you could pick up a pencil wrap such as these. I did just this for a birthday party Amelia went to recently and was just so happy with it. Debbie (who makes pencil rolls for her online shop Margaret's Child - I know her through Blossie's) was so obliging when I requested different fabric combos etc!

These books are filling up with scribbles from a two year old as we speak!

{More Card Ideas}

Here are a couple more of my recent card creations, and even better they are all made from scraps!

This next one was whipped up pretty fast because I simply had to use my new embossing folder I got for my birthday from my friend Yvette. Cuuute! And makes for a quick card!

I love adding a chipboard number to a kid's birthday card - usually covered in Stickles! How cute is that felt scallop???

And to ensure a healthy stash of homemade cards to give, I usually make two or three of each design as I go. When you have everything you need out anyway, it really doesn't take much extra time! I'm just sayin' . . . .

   

{Super Simple Card Idea}

With lots of birthdays and occasions coming up, I spent some time at the Blossie's crop last Saturday night making cards. As I am first and foremost a scrapbooker, when I make cards it's usually out of scraps and it's usually copying a design from a magazine or online gallery.

I found this super simple design in last month's Cards magazine and it was right up my alley!

I just love this design! Simple scalloped cardstock, ribbon and a stamped sentiment. I immediately thought of all the colour combinations I could put with the kraft cardstock such as this fun citrus combo.

And of course I couldn't resist my favourite combination of aqua, watermelon pink and white!

Hope this inspires!

  

{Scraproom Update}

I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere with the big room change. I know, I know . . . I'm being super fussy but I have a couple of goals:

• to make everything very accessible
• ensure that it's easy to return things to their home

so it's been a bit of trial and error, making all my furniture *fit*.

I thought I'd give you a few sneak peeks of how things are coming along. Stay tuned for the big reveal soon!

   

{Lots of Links}

It's been a while, but here are some fun and inspiring links for you this Thursday:

• How gorgeous is this ribbon border??? Never thought of doing two ruffles side by side.

• In case you're after another handmade flower idea, here's a nice one from the Cosmo Cricket blog.

• Love, love, love this idea of using trays to organise your work-in progress projects.

• Ever thought about adding a crochet edge to your layouts? Here is a video sharing how to do just this!

• I just have to use this colour combination on a layout and SOON!

• Here's a great post all about the current doily trend. I especially love the coasters and cushion cover.

• And lastly, here's a great idea for paper doilies which I love to use also. (Might have something to do with the fact that I can Glimmer Mist them to my heart's content!)

Happy internet surfing my friends!