Summer is Just Around the Corner

I know that we just talked about spring, but summer is just a few weeks away! Time for picnics, fun in the sun, vacations, and so much more!

 I look forward to summer every year. I love the smell of fresh cut grass, the sun beaming in at 6 am coaxing me to get out of bed and start my day, packing a picnic and taking the kids to the lake just up the street, building sandcastles, barbeques in the evening, watching the kids run around until the last minute of daylight has disappeared, then laying in the grass and looking up at the stars. (Click here to see more including simple photography tricks for lighting!)

Summer is also a time to have fun creating. I love taking pictures. Photography is one of my passions. Summer can be a wonderful canvas for capturing the perfect picture. Paying attention to lighting is key. Morning and evenings are the ideal times to take pictures. The light is typically softer and warmer. Try to get outside and play with your camera.

 If you are outside when the sun is the brightest than you can try using your flash (I know that sounds really weird but if the sun is casting harsh shadows on a face than using your flash will help to brighten the "dark shadows".) You can also trying to find shade and take the picture there. Simple changes can make or break a picture. 

Of course once you take the picture you must get it to your computer and then the real challenge.....getting the picture printed! Whether you print it from home or send it off, take time to print it and tell the story right then. Take just a few minutes to write it down on a 3x5 index card, be sure to include what happened or why you took the picture, who was in the picture, and the date. So often we think we will remember and just set it aside but more often than not it's forgotten or put away until a later date and then we have lost the moment, the story behind the picture or pictures.

I wanted to showcase the new line from Fancy Pants-"Wave Searcher". I really like the "surfer" look. It's perfect for everyday summer or vacation pictures. I also found a super cute card idea which I have posted below. Of course you can pick up all the elements and paper at our store www.allscrapbooksteals.com. This one is hot and will most likely sell out very quickly!

Spring is Here!

I am sitting in my kitchen looking outside and loving view. The flowers are out, the grass is green, the sky is blue.....It's Spring! I am so happy that spring has arrived. I am a warm weather girl, so winter, although beautiful at times, is not my favorite. I need the sun and I need it to be warm. I feel more motivated to get things done when it's sunny....like posting to our blog! Click to see more.....

I just finished adding Hello Spring by Little Yellow Bicycle and I love it! They have so many cute embellishments I think I will must have them all. Even though I am a mom of four boys, this line would still work for all of our Easter and spring pictures. I have to say that my favorite embellishment in this line is the 10 Things Flower Pot Pocket and Flowers. I think this would be a fun thing to have my boys help come up with 10 things that make us happy and post it in our kitchen. Each flower has a long stem on it that you can write a little statement or phrase and then put it in the flower pot. I hope these ideas below will get you in the mood to create and enjoy all that springtime has to offer!

Remember you can purchase this collection and so much more at www.allscrapbooksteals.com

Spring is in full bloom!

First I have to apologize for not posting to our blog in, dare I say, six weeks! Yikes. Well I am determined to do better on this front. I want to share all of the fun ideas and products that are available to use. Our company is committed to showing you ideas and projects that will allow you to create, celebrate, and share with family and friends. Scrapbooking is so much more than paper and pictures! It's a way to tell your story. It's more than creating a 12x12 page. Cards, mini albums. gifts, school projects, etc all fall under the scrapbooking umbrella because you are sharing a part of you by creating something that can be preserved and shared throughout the years.

All Three of  these projects were created using Echo Park Dots and Stripes Collection(Soda Fountain and Home front). I wanted to show you that you really can use paper and embellishments in a different way. I love the lamp project! I think it's one of my favorites. The cool thing about Echo Park is that they have free digital downloads on each project, so you can get a step by step instruction guide. Just go to www.echoparkpaper.com, click inspiration, and projects. It's that simple. You can find all of supplies to make these and other creations in our store.(accept for the lamp, but if you have an old lamp that needs new life you can paint it any color you choose and use a simple flat lampshade for the project) Remember everything on our site is All on Sale, All the time!

www.allscrapbooksteals.com