My April Scrapping Kit - My Minds Eye

I previously posted that I'm on a mission to use up all my older paper collections and scraps before I purchase any more new goodies.  A "scrapping fast" as many other crafters are calling it.

This past weekend I put together another kit for April, combining three My Minds Eye collections:  Stella Rose, Indie Chic, and So Sophie.  At the time I purchased them, I must have really like the aqua and yellow combination, which is great because these three collections are easily interchangeable!  Along with the 12 x 12 papers, I had chipboard from the Stella Rose, a 6 x 6 pad and die cuts from Indie Chic, and die cuts and overlays from So Sophie.  Also thrown in were brads from the MME "The Sweetest Thing" collection, the paper of which I used up last week. 

This is how I make my own kit:

1. The 12 x 12 containers from Michaels are the perfect storage for homemade kits! You can see through them, and they hold a lot of goodies all in one place.  Be sure to get them when they are on sale or use a 40% off coupon for the best price.  In my scrap closet, I usually have two of these that I fill and empty all the time.  It is incredibly handy to grab and get something scrapping finished.

2.  Next, I go through my paper box, where currently I file all my left over papers and collections by manufacturer and choose a color scheme that attracts me.  From that, I go through the rest of the box and find all the papers that easily coordinate (usually there is a three color theme that I will use).

3.  Third, I will go through my stash of embellishments and choose what is left from the original collection, plus anything else that coordinates with it.  Thickers or other chipboard lettering also goes in the box.

4.  Because I hate throwing things away, I have this drawer set on my desk that houses miscellaneous stickers, die cuts and chipboard.  The next step will be going through these drawers and find anything that I can use up that matches my kit.  I love to put all these miscellaneous pieces in this cute catch-all and leave it on my desk for easy access.

5.  Finally, photos.  I will go through my current pics or archives and print photos with my Canon Selphy, putting the dates on the back.  This way, I have all that I need in one spot for when I want to sit down and be creative for a few minutes.

As the scrapping begins, I always check my other stash for buttons, twine and other things that are stored by color.  This makes it easy to grab a small container and go through to find extra embellies to add to a layout.

The fun thing about shopping from your stash is that you can put together some real creative kits.  I find that many of my layouts from a kit will look much more "scrappy" -- meaning that it looks more like a scrapbook page instead of something very coordinated.  You can make it simple, or get more artsy as you meld your scraps together.  Does that make sense?  I personally like the different look as I go through my scrapbook at the variety of pages that I have created.

Since this destashing has begun I include one caveat with these homemade kits.  Once I have used up all the paper that I can (including using some scraps for cards),

I will throw the rest away.

In the trash can.  Never to be retrieved.

I will also go through the embellishments, and if I have tried a couple times to use them with different kits and they go unused, they go in the trash. You have to get rid of the old to invite in the new, right?

Try making some kits with your older stash.  Let's use up that great stuff or throw away and move on.  Who's with me?

Scrapbook Process: The Sweetest Thing from My Minds Eye

This week I am on a roll, finishing pages for my "heritage" album.  This album is not just old photos of my family, but also contains newer family portraits, so they are all together.

For the Make it Monday challenge this week at The Memory Nest, I used their sketch to finish another page for this album:

Here is my interpretation of the sketch:  (sorry for the lighting glare!)

From my stash, I used the collection "The Sweetest Thing" from My Minds Eye.  The title, journaling block and the parentheses chipboard pieces were the only things not from the collection, along with the cream paper for the background.  This layout is of my niece and her husband's wedding from just seven years ago, but it is a must addition for the family album.  I thought the soft blue, flowered paper was a perfect choice for wedding photos.  

You still have time to complete your own layout using this sketch from The Memory Nest!

Scrapbook Album Alternative to WeR Memory Keepers

How to you shelve your scrapbook albums? Do you make sure they are all the same and labeled by year?  Do you have categorized albums? Do you just buy whatever album you can find on sale?

In the past, I was a super fan of the brown leather-like albums from Hobby Lobby where I organized my layouts by year.  They were sturdy with large rings and I could use a 40% off coupon when I needed a new one.

However, Hobby Lobby is a drive, and once Michael's opened just 10 minutes away, I started purchasing the WeR Memory Keepers albums with my 40% off coupon.  The same albums were also at our Target, which sold for $10 less than Michaels, and I didn't need a coupon for the best deal.

Target has made some changes for their art supply department, and the favorite WeR Memory Keepers albums went away (along with the majority of their other scrapbook supplies).  The picking was slim at Michaels as well and just focuses on the Project Life albums.

My dilemma was that I wanted the black, faux leather, which was hard to find in my area.  Now as a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I found the most perfect solution!  Stampin' Up sells a black, Project Life album that is nearly identical to the WeR albums!

In the top left photo is a WeR Memory Keepers album; in the top right, the Project Life by Stampin' Up.  Both have the large D rings.  The difference is the metal labels on the spine, but since they are both the silver color, it will still look similar on the shelf.

If you are looking for black faux leather albums, may I suggest you check out my Stampin'Up store website?  The best part is that until April 10th, there is FREE SHIPPING on any size order!  So pick up a couple albums for your Spring and Summer scrapbooking and/or Project Life projects!

And if you are strictly a Project Life scrapbooker, Stampin' Up sells exclusive Project Life card and stamp sets that you cannot find anywhere else!  At my website, search "Project Life" to see all the awesome supplies available!

Want to earn some credit for your new albums and Project Life supplies?  If you are local to me, you can have a Craft Camp with your crafting buddies.  I will come and show you some fun projects you can do with your friends where you can enjoy and experiment with Stampin' Up projects.

If you are not local, and you do not have a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, you can have an Online Party!  Simply message me through my website for details on this fun alternative you can have with online friends while earning Hostess Credit!

Have a great week, and thanks for visiting!