simplify scrapbooking

A key to scrapbooking success is to find an approach that fits YOU-your creative style, your organizational style, your lifestyle. If you and your approach to scrapbooking are in sync, you'll enjoy scrapbooking more. It's that simple!

If you're looking for ideas to simplify your approach to scrapbooking so it fits your life, or if you're looking for ideas to overcome creative or organizational obstacles for scrapbooking, this page was made for you. It's loaded with ideas and resources to help you!

the happy scrapper by Aby Garvey
Do you wish you were getting more scrapbooking done? Well ... wish no more! Your wish can come true!

Whether your obstacle is
. time
. disorganization
. creativity
. or overwhelm ...

... the happy scrapper has solutions, tips, and ideas just for YOU!

Come along as professional organizer Aby Garvey takes you on a journey like none you've been on before. You'll discover exactly what's standing between you and your scrapbooking goals and learn simple strategies to get more scrapbooking done. The included happy scrapper workbook gives you a simple step-by-step plan to create an organized + efficient scrap space, find more time to scrapbook, create projects you'll love and ultimately become a happy scrapper!

the happy scrapper

Aby Garvey
tell me more!

The Big Picture by Stacy Julian

Written by my friend Stacy Julian, The Big Picture is a must-read for all scrapbookers. I literally read the book cover to cover in one sitting-it's that good! The Big Picture is inspiring and motivating, yet written in Stacy's warm and friendly style ... you'll feel like you've known Stacy for years when you're done reading it. If you're stuck, stalled or afraid to begin scrapbooking (because it's so BIG), The Big Picture is for you. Here's more info from the back cover.

"Stacy Julian, author of Simple Scrapbooks - the book that launched a guilt-free, totally do-able scrapbooking revolution (and a magazine!)- is best known for her liberating approach to scrapbooking and her ability to teach and inspire. Now, you have the chance to get inside her head and discover why she does what she does, where it all goes and what she has learned along the way. The Big Picture is the view you've been hoping for. Tons of ideas for scrapbook pages and album projects, plus everything you need to create your own "big Picture" tag book!"

Simple Scrapbooks by Stacy Julian

I have to tell you folks, picking up a copy of Stacy's book Simple Scrapbooks was revolutionary for me. The tag line says "25 Fun & Meaningful Memory Books You Can Make in A Weekend." I was in! And I'm so glad I was ... it truly transformed my approach to scrapbooking. And it can transform your approach, too!

Simple Scrapbooks helps you challenge the rules about scrapbooking (many of which you may find you've imposed upon yourself.) It offers simple solutions (love that!) for meaningful albums you can complete in just a weekend. (Yes ... entire albums start to finish in one weekend!)

scrapbook design + layout

clean&simple scrapbooking by Cathy Zielske

A new (and fabulous) addition to my scrapbook resource library is clean&simple scrapbooking. And all I can say is "wow!" Cathy's style, ideas, writing, photography are truly amazing (as the books cover so appropriate eludes too.) And I must ask of this book: "where were you when I started scrapbooking?" I would have saved oodles of dollars on fussy stickers and embellishments that simply aren't my style. Clean & simple - aahhh. It's the book I've been waiting for.

From the back cover:

"'Scrapbooking' and 'cool' belong in the same sentence," proclaims Cathy Zielske, author of Clean&Simple Scrapbooking. Known for her signature style, captivating photography and candid approach to journaling, Cathy has inspired a new breed of scrapbookers who want to preserve their memories simply, and with a classic, hip style.

A graphic designer by trade, Cathy began scrapbooking as a way to give more context and meaning to the photographs she cherished. What she didn't realize initially was the powerful way in which scrapbooking allows us to examine and celebrate the very essence of what our lives are truly about. "This hobby is all about honoring who we are, how we fit into the grand scheme of life, and everything in between. In short--the good stuff," she says."

Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking and Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking 2 by Becky Higgins

Do you pull your photos, journaling, card stock and embellishments together in record time-only to sit and shuffle (and reshuffle) everything around on your scrapbook page, searching for prefect layout? Well, shuffle no more. Becky's sketches give you ideas that are easily adaptable to your style and supplies. (As a chronic shuffler myself, I have to tell you BOTH of these books are in my scrap space - in arms reach I must add!)

Step Up Your Scrapbooking by Lisa Brown Caveney

This is one of the latest additions to my scrapbook resource library. I love the concept of this book. You literally start out making pages using just the basic supplies: photos, paper and a marker. Then, gradually you add in more elements - thus the title "step up your scrapbooking."

If you're just getting into scrapbooking (or thinking about getting out) and you're overwhelmed by all the STUFF you have to have-think again. Lisa shows you all it takes is photos, paper and a marker. Brilliant! This is one book I wish I had had on my bookshelf when I started scrapbooking years ago!

photography

Photos are the heart + soul of your scrapbooks. It'll be a whole lot easier to make scrapbooks you love if you start with photos you love. Here are some of my favorite photography books. If you know of a good one you'd like to add to the list ... let me know, I'll check it out!

handwriting

Love Your Handwriting by Heidi Swapp

I love this book. This fabulous resource can help you (yes you!) learn to love your handwriting. In a world of emails, blogs and type-written memos, a handwritten note is a treasure. Wouldn't you agree? Infuse your scrapbooks with charm and the essence of you by including handwritten titles and journaling. Heidi reveals her secrets behind creating beautiful hand lettering and teaches you to love your own handwriting-no matter how you feel about it today.

In "Love Your Handwriting" you'll receive:

. An instruction book with tips to improve and actually like your handwriting.

. Dozens of Heidi's favorite scrapbook layouts and cards.

. Plus, the basic tools you need to start improving your handwriting:

- workbook
- pencil
- eraser
- ruler
- ZIG® Memory System® Archival Marker

How fun is that? It's like a first-aid kit for your handwriting!

color selection

Are you playing it safe when it comes to color on your scrapbook pages? If you want to add more color to your scrapbooking world, check out these resources:

Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by Leatrice Eiseman

Color Index: Over 1100 Color Combinations, CMYK and RGB Formulas, for Print and Web Media by Jim Krause

Color wheels: www.colorwheelco.com and www.stampinup.com

digital scrapbooking

If you've gone digital with your scrapbooking (or would like to) check out these two resources from Simple Scrapbooks.

digital designs for scrapbooking by Renee Pearson

From the back cover: "Buy this book and a couple of albums and you'll have your first digital projects finished in no time! If you've ever wanted to add digital to your scrapbooking tool kit, this is the book for you. Everything you need is here in one package-the software, the instructions and four professionally designed digital kits, along with extra project ideas from your favorite design celebrities."

online scrapbook courses

Wish you could take a class (or a few!) to learn more about scrapbooking? Stacy Julian has put together a revolutionary idea and you're going to love it! Check out what she has to say about her online learning forum.

"At Big Picture Scrapbooking, our mission is to bring you fresh, affordable ideas and instruction to perfectly fit your lifestyle. Our classes and workshops are priced according to the length of instruction and level of interaction with the instructor. This is much more than "measure this" or "cut here." When you take a Big Picture class or workshop, you are getting expert advice, insight and guidance in conceptualizing, gathering, recording, photographing, organizing and assembling - all the processes that can be mind-boggling and project-halting.

We want you to be and feel successful; we want you to complete personal, meaningful scrapbooks for you and the people you love and most importantly, we want you to recognize all of the wonderful things that happen along the way."

Sounds fabulous, doesn't it? Visit www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com to learn more!

products to simplify scrapbooking

scrapbook kits

If you're looking for ideas to save your two greatest scrapbook resources-time and money-scrapbook kits are something you should definitely investigate. Not convinced? Check out scrapbooking with kits & coordinates by the publishers of Simple Scrapbooks magazine. Here's what they have to say about this idea-packed special issue:

"Why kits & coordinates? We're always looking for ways to save you time and money. This issue is all about ideas for helping you get the most effect use, in the least amount of time, out of the amazing and sometimes almost overwhelming amount of coordinated kits, papers and accents that are available.

Buy a kit or set of coordinated product for your next scrapbook project, and you'll be delighted at how much time you save. Beautifully designed product lines come in every style and theme imaginable. It's like having a personal design team who has already chosen a style, color scheme and product assortment for you. All you'll have to do is decide which line is right for your project and how you will put it all together!"

aimee j
I love the aimee j product line! You guessed it ... this line of products simplifies scrapbooking. How, you ask? Well, imagine being able to create scrapbook pages AND include traditional photo album pages in the same album! I love this idea!! Plus, the baby collection allows you to merge your baby's scrapbook, photo album and baby book into one all inclusive master piece. What a great idea!

Visit www.aimeej.com to learn more. Aimee J products are:
Hip yet classic. Whimsical yet sophisticated. Baby, kids and wedding keepsake albums, keepsake boxes and scrapbook products to help make remembering easy.

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