So much stuff ! How does one choose what to use? I made this layout without using a single flower. I did try to add some , but they didn’t work. Gasp! Could I be going off flowers? Heh, not likely. But just this once, it seemed okay to do without.

Ok, so what am I loving now? Well for starter I love WORD stickers.  And here’s a tip. The word togetherness is actually from the bottom of a sheet of patterned paper. You know, each paper has a name and also the collection name. Why did I not notice before? So I cut out “Togetherness” and “birds of a feather” from these Cosmo Cricket papers and stuck them on cardstock. Cut them again and distressed then popped them with foam squares. You can find loads of interesting words and phrases this way…go take a look at your stash. The word delight is an actual sticker from K & Co.

I’m also loving chipboard shapes.

A fun thing to do frame your paper is to use a border stamp . In a bright colour, like the pink here.

I’m also loving frames right now. To frame your pictures & your journaling this works very well. You could also use small frames for small bits of journaling or to make a title or group some small items. Pop up your frame for more dimension and slide buttons underneath, letting them peek out here and there. Have fun! =)

If a picture says a thousand words, why do we even have to journal? What is journaling anyway?

Even the most traditionally long-winded and expressive of us all often find our scrapbook layouts and albums filled with random snippets of captions. We are driven by the latest collection of patterned paper, the latest way to make our chipboard pop; and the very last thing that comes to mind is what words to write and how to include the journaling. Worshipper of the written word I may be, and even I find my rushed ramblings on tiny but gorgeous journaling tags stilted and weak.

Hence this new fortnightly segment on this blog, to share with all of you (and remind myself) the true point of journaling and the many meaningful ways we can incorporate it into our scrapbooking or even cardmaking. Our messages in cards can definitely be a form of journaling as well. (and can leave our loved ones weeping in joy)

Over the weeks to come, I hope to discuss the many ways we can approach journaling from the inside out, while also sharing nifty tips and ideas for fitting it into our pages. Sometimes you might even find that your layout will stem from a journaling idea or phrase. My Mind’s Eye tags with their witty phrases have a way of churning a whole lot of page ideas, e.g “the many reasons why I love you”, etc… but we’ll get into technical specifics later in the game.

So let’s hop into square one.

What is JOURNALING?

A journal is a daily record of events of a personal nature. Much like a diary. And in scrapbooking, journaling is what makes your pictures truly speak. In decades to come, even the sharpest of minds will strain to recall what made little Sarah wear that pink fuzzy shirt ALL the time, or the quirky habits you first adored about your husband. Recording your feelings of a special phase in your life while you are in it helps keep those sentiments alive and immortal, readily accessible each time you flip through your scrapbook pages.

In an Asian context especially, we may be prone to keeping a lot bottled up. Now’s the time to slowly bare your thoughts and feelings and make your scrapbooking experience not just an art but a journey for you and everyone you care about and want to scrap about. Of course, language is a handy tool for journaling. Often I hear scrappers say, “I know what I want to say but I just don’t know how to say it”. You may not want the word “happy” in every single journaling spot. Use a handy thesaurus (online if need be) and find the exact word to suit the story you want to tell. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself and express yourself in new ways, in whatever language you’re comfortable with. Because when you do, your pages will be so much more meaningful, not just to you and your family but to the generations to come as well.

Journaling idea 1-then and now

Journaling always works in tandem with the photos we decide to scrap. In this case, I wanted to chart a relationship that has grown through 4 and a half years. You can use this same format to scrap about a home you’ve lived in, a child growing up, anything with a progression really. Time makes bonds stronger in many cases, so this is a pretty adaptable journaling idea.

If you begin with your journaling idea first and decide on your title and theme, you can work it into your design. Some title ideas for a project like this might be;

1)    Through the years

2)    Along the way

3)    How we’ve grown

4)    Look at us now

5)    Then and now

After deciding on your title, your journaling would then include recaps of what it was like in the past, in the early stages, perhaps some of the ups and downs, highlights of the relationship and how the way it is now is great or different.

Prompters to begin with…

1)    Do you remember when we first met?…

2)    Can you believe it’s really been four and a half years?…

3)    Back then, I never would have thought…

These are just some thought generators. I’m sure you get the idea now and are raring to work on your own project like this. A theme this broad will even work well for an entire album, or mini album. Journal away and feel free to leave comments about which aspect of journaling you might want to know more about, or just to share your journaling experiences. I’ll try my best to address your concerns.

Happy journaling=)

i-mei=)

I was sitting at my desk, paying bills and feeling grateful for the fact that I can almost pay them all. *smile*
Then I remembered a blog post on Ali Edward’s blog about this gal Linda Burnasakorn who had a sudden illness which brought her to a coma and months in hospital with an assortment of complications including a collapsed lung and leading to losing 22 body parts including her feet and fingers. Ali was sharing about the fund Cocoa Daisy had established for Linda. I was touched and thought I might donate. I read her blog and was moved and seriously motivated. And then I forgot about it.

Before I forget again, I wanted to share her story with you in the hope that you too will be encouraged. By her courage and her strength. Her determination to carry on against all odds. Linda is an amazing light and I hope you will take the time to go to the link and give whatever you can via paypal. I recall this quote from Maya Angelou ‘When you learn, teach, when you get, give.”

Linda is a beautiful & talented Asian scrapbooker.  Just like you. I thought today would be a good day to give some love! And if you do, more power to you!
Thanks for reading!

Peace & love,

Sheila & I-Mei

So Christmas has gone. And so has January! Sat with Sarah, me making my first ever Chinese new year card and she doing vocab, giving me the odd suggestion.(which would explain the colourful ‘i love you’ ribbon on my valentine card. Hee!) So we’re having fun and I’m thinking “I love my punches ! ”

I stayed away from my distress ink, didn’t think Dad would appreciate it. But I love the versatility of this punch which I layered with a flower.  (Yup, still into those )

This border punch is going to be my favourite. So delicate, oriental even, in red. I can imagine it in off white or even black.

I tried. I really did, to make a more masculine looking card. But pink? And this sweet eyelet border punch in light teal. Sarah’s comment? Well, it wasn’t made by a guy! Not sure if I’ll make more CNY cards but , for sure, I’m going to be using these punches again. A lot! And soon!

Hi everyone! I just have to share with you these really cute cards from Cindy Lee our card designer.

I really love her style.’ Less is more’ & ‘keep it simple’ are good themes to follow for life & for cardmaking.

Her use of color & her simple details are what make her cards special. Stylish. Classy. Heh! You can tell I like??

Anyway, here are a couple of her Christmas creations. With a big wish for a Merry, Merry Christmas from us at smidapaper & from Cindy.

Look out for more of her classes in 2010.

E mail us if you would like to purchase a CIndy Lee original!  Or visit her blog: http://www.mylilcraftycorner.blogspot.com

After a day of red & green card & tag making and a turquoise, cream & red spree on my December book, I wanted to end the day making a Xmas card in black!

Not for me, goth & grunge, although a black Xmas card may point to such an inclination, In the end it turned out pretty merry, eh?

Basic Grey ‘bling it’  Xmas tree, Hambly transparencies, turquoise, cream & red Xmas combo! Happy December!

Well, I’m really just getting into the Christmas mood! And having loads of fun! These ones got all blinged out and I’m sure they wouldn’t get to the recipient in the mail…

but, I think they’ll sit quite nicely on the new chest of drawers in the dining room… next to the reindeer basket… and miniature tree… aaah, Christmas!

I used everything ‘Eskimo Kisses’ from Basic Grey. Hmmm, I wonder if I have anything left to sell!? Some tiny alphas form Making Memories. Trim from Prima, stickles, distress …Bazzill cardstock.

If you’re feeling a little stuck with your Xmas cards, we have 3 opportunities for you to catch up in December. Details, soon!

December is right around the corner! =) yikes, wait, I’m not ready…

I learnt something today! That you can make a lot of cards from 2 sheets of patterned paper. And because these are double sided paper,

you get more variety and yet, stay within the theme. I suppose the collection dictates the mood as well. These two cards turned out a little vintage, with a touch of whimsy.

I’m sure I can get at least 2 more cards from the leftover paper… =) Come on , join in the fun. I’m almost ready to put up the tree!

Last year I only made my Xmas cards after we closed the shop for the Xmas holidays. They never made it to the post office!

SO this year I’m starting early =) An unlikely Xmas color combo from Basic Grey’s Eskimo Kisses. This range features traditional red & green, sprinkled with pinks & blues. The house is from a rub on, cut out and popped out with sticky squares. Sparkly glitter chipboard Thickers from American Craft. Ribbon from May Arts.

Available in store now! Can’t wait to make some more…