Scrap-n-Craft

Scrapbooking has become an industry unto its self in recent years. It has truly been the hobby that has been sweeping the nation. In part, it is so popular because it is a wonderful way to care for and preserve your memories. When you create a memory filled scrapbook you can look back on all the wonderful moments in your life. High quality scrapbook patterned paper is an absolute necessity for beautifully unique scrapbooking.

One of the best ways to capture a memory’s personality in your scrapbook, as well as your own personality, is to explore all of the different types of scrapbooking paper on the market. Card stock is one of the most often used papers in scrapbooking. One of the heavier scrapbooking papers is card stock. High quality card stock comes in various colors and is usually solidly colored. It will also have a “white core” if it is good quality scrapbooking paper. That means you would see a white line between the two layers of color if you were to tear the paper in half. Card stock can also have a slight texture pattern to it if that’s what you’re looking for.

Don’t forget patterned papers in scrapbooking papers. Today there are so many great patterns that you can choose from. Many patterned scrapbook papers are double sided, making it easier for the scrapbooker to be more creative. Your memory page can be imbued with spirit and energy by using scrapbook papers.

You need to ensure that your scrapbooking paper is of a certain quality since it is your second most important supply item. Your most important supply you have is your photos, but matching the right paper with your photographs will take your scrapbooking to the next level. To ensure that your papers will have a long shelf life without suffering from discoloration or causing damage to your photos you will want to choose acid and lignin free scrapbooking papers.

As soon as you’ve selected you scrapbooking paper, you will want to learn about ways of customizing it. You can personalize your scrapbook layout in lots of ways. One of the easiest ways to add a little zest into your scrapbook pages is by combining your papers in an interesting way. Combine unexpected patterns and colors for a new and different flair. You can use paper punches to detail individual papers in your scrapbook if you are interested in customizing it. Your options are limitless when it comes to personalizing your scrapbooking papers, because paper punches come with an assortment of options.

Scrapbooking your photos is a wonderful way to honor your memories. Your photos are going to be showcased by your scrapbooking paper, therefore it is vitally important. Your scrapbook will stand out as unique by remembering just a few important tips for material selection.

What are the hottest colors this season?

Orange, royal purple and green is the newest- consider how the non-seasonal prints may work for Mardi Gras as well. Also the traditional orange and black refreshed with gray and white.

Paper and embellishment collections that feature traditional Halloween themes of jack-o-lanterns, witches,bats and ghosts. Many retailers have gone with a more autumn/harvest season approach to their product. Many of these collections feature autumn leaves, pumpkins and stylized wildflowers. These collections transition quite well into Thanksgiving. Consider projects that do dual duty as Halloween and Thanksgiving décor with a few additions to make it season appropriate.

Cards-Folks will be looking for ideas for cards and especially party invitations. This is a great opportunity to show your customers great ways to make simple and elaborate cards. This is also a great time to show your customers the value in starting their own card clubs in the new year, and giving special discounts to card groups.

Products
Check out the Websites of your favorite retailers or my favorites for products that you can have delivered immediately.
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Paper Adventures-The Jeepers Creepers incorporates many hot trends including the 1970’s style owl, orange and orange and purple palette. Check out the woodblock tree paper and the allover spiderweb print. This collection is lots of fun! www.anwcrestwood.com

Sizzix-Halloween by Brenda Pinnick includes Sizzlits 3-Die Sets and Strip Dies, Sizzix Originals Dies, Sizzix Bigz Dies and Sizzix Texturz and Sizzix Clear Stamps. These are such great pieces to add to any Halloween layout. www.sizzix.com.

Moxxie-Eye of Newt Collection includes double sided papers, witch body parts (think of the witches legs under the house in Wizard of Oz, stickers and rub-ons. www.gotmoxxie.com.

Little Yellow Bicycle-Frightful has plenty of options in the traditional orange and black combine the papers and punch out s with a black haunted house chipboard album. www.mylyb.com.

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L-Their black adhesives are the perfect sticky note for the dark toned papers. Be sure to include some in your Halloween as well as core displays. www.scrapbook-adhesives.com.

Crafty Secrets-Halloween stamp sets- if your customers love vintage images these are some of my favorite. www.craftysecrets.com.

Me and My Big Ideas-Cornucopia is a lovely fall leaves-themed collection in autumnal tones tat would work well as table décor. The coordinating Soft Spoken line embellishments work for invitations as well as cards. www.meandmybigideas.com.

Hero Arts-The Turkeys and Pumpkins collection is a great example of how the autumn season can be drawn out and maximized with cute and classic images of traditional themes as well as inspirational message. www.heroarts.com.

October 2008

Did you know that this month is:

Family History Month

Work with a local genealogist to present a workshop on family history. Create a class around a family tree themed project. Create a display that incorporates vintage, ancestry, and nationality themed papers and accessories.

Make a difference Day

Invite employees to find a local senior citizen center, community center, or school to do a scrapbooking project.

Premiere of Mickey Mouse Club in 1955

This is a perfect time to promote your Disney products and do some fun giveaways! Do something fun like have all employees wear Mickey Mouse ears and have their names written on their shirt. Highlight, teach or demo projects that feature Disney and especially Mickey Mouse.

Stamp Collecting Month

This is a great time of year to show off all the great stamps that are available and all the different ways that customers can use their stamps. Create series of demos, sales, and events all month long with something happening each day. Be sure to include elements that all skills levels can participate in.