Building with Clear, Build A Book Style!

Did you know that Prima has a great Build A Book Contest going on? All the details right *here*.

So, you never done a clear album before? Doesn't matter, give it a try!
But where do you start?

Well, clear albums are like a big puzzle with layer showing through layer. But you don't have to go to town and do all clear. Break it down a little bit. Mix it solid pages. I did one that employs this very method.

Let's break down what I did to complete an my album.


Here's the cover. I love mixing both solid and clear elements. For the paper I used the Dude Collection. I'll tell you two different thing I like to remember about patterned paper.
First, for clear, double sided paper is a bonus. Because you can see through the other side, the 2nd side save you from having to find elements to cover up a bunch of white. Think of it, the less planning you have to do for both sides, the easier you are gonna make it for yourself. You save product and time.

Since we are all about clear, I like to make sure that I use clear to the upteenth degree. For a different look to your photos, I printed one in black and white on an inkjet transparency and applied it to a clear page. For the best effect, make sure it lays against a subtle pattern. This yields the best detail from these photos.

And don't forget to stagger your page sizes either. Laying a shorter page over a full width page makes for a "teaser" of sorts to what lies underneath!

Don't worry about every little detail shows through pages. Use the pages as partially revealing. Remember, you will turn the page and all will be revealed.


Like I say, start simple.

Using all clear pages can seem extremely daunting because you feel like you have to be more aware of what is going to show up on all layers. So, break it up a bit. With my book, I didn't want the extra complexity so I decided to use one clear page as an embellishment overlay of sorts on a solid page. This allows me to plan what is going to show underneath one page, not all of them.

And this is also a nice balance to allow you to create a clear element page that can iclude journaling. All clear albums do make this more dificult so, mixing it up is a great alternative to do so.

Use a clear page just like a frame of the next otherwise known as a vignette. With a clear page, I was able to add a title over my picture, but once I turned the page, the complete detail of the picture was revealed.

There is always much complaint that embellishment covers up important picture details and this is a definite solution to this debate. I know sometimes I am guilty of placing decoration over detail, so this element made me really happy to solve and share.

And don't forget to pull out your stamps and a solvent based in like Staz On by Tsukineiko. Notice how I used the Bold O Lay stamps as a frame around my picture on the Build A Book Page?
So, how do I hide the adhesive?

I use several adhesives to and employ a few different methods. But I will give you a hint for my favorite.

I love Glue Dots. They stick, they are easy to place and they are not messy. I use these for attaching transparencies. Iwill use mini dots and cut them into quarters. You still have th same amount of stick but less surface area.

I also like to place them strategically. I try to add them under opaque elements or I use them in areas that are busy. If I must put them in plain sight, I try to place them in a "busy" area so that they are "camoflaged". If you look close you'll see the adhesive, but the detail does not make it obvious.


I hope these pointers get you on your way to making a Build A Book of your very own. Go at it. Enter the Prima contest. Enjoy making your project. They are fun to do.

And if you need another little boost of inspiration, make sure you check out some other websites.
Here, I'll help you out.......

Trisha Ladouceur Build A Book Creator
Michelle Van Etten Build A Book Creator
Fire & Ice Blog
Prima Blog

So As I Was Saying....

It was such a nice relaxing weekend. Didn't do much. Hung out. Scrapped. Enjoyed the last little bit of warm weather that we have left.

There really is nothing exciting to report, so I will back up a month in time and tell you a story.

At the beginning of the month, I told you that Jakers and I went to visit Trisha and Anam. Well, we all had a wonderful time as usual. We met Anam's sweet little Lily and the lovely Faye!

Now, the last time Jake met Faye, Anam and I took them to Tim Hortons for a doughnut and chocolate milk. Us two Moms had a chuckle at how cordial they were to each other. Here were two little 3 year olds, sitting still and having a discussion about all the things that they like. Hilarious and amazing all at the same time.

So, flash forward, they meet again. They had a ball together. They chased each other around Treasured Memories (which was quickly stopped, LOL) and then a nice, quiet lunch at Applebee's. Yes, they were very good.

So then back off to Anam's house to drop them off. Me and Jake in my car and Anam and crew in Trisha's.

I bet Jake in and get in the car. We start pulling away and Jake blurts out, "Mom, Fay is my girlfriend."

WHAT? Actually, it was pretty cute. Yep, he likes her.

So, I took a few pictures of the two of them and did a little page. Anam also did a page and you can see it right here.

Love it. What a cute memory for us Moms. AWWWWW!

So cute, I tells ya!

Weekend Adventures and MyBig Primadonna Reveal!

This past weekend was incredibly busy. And you know the kind. It was the type where it seems that everybody is planning something. The kind where you have carefully scheduled in the events, but no matter how hard you try, you just can't make them all. The kind of weekend where you seem to run into just about everybody.

But it was also the type of weekend that makes you realize that you are lucky to have so many friends that want to include you in their plans.

I was thrilled to meet up with my dear childhood friend, Terra. We met in Mrs. Ooms grade 4 class and realized that we lived up the street from each other. Soon we spent our days dressing up her cats (much to their disapproval, I think they held a grudge against me for that for many years), playing in the park and the school yard, hanging out watching movies, sharing our deepest secrets and having a good time along the way.

She was up to Red Deer to visit family and me. We met up at the Farmer's Market and caught up over a coffee and some mini donuts for my Jakester. Glad to see her but our visits are always too short.


And along my travels there, I ran into a couple of other friends from work and one of my favorite scrappers and friend, Jessi Lute and family. That farmer's market is always the place to see it all. I will miss it when it is done for the season. If not for the fabulous goods for sale, then for the people I am happy to see.

But I also had a full house.
My good friend Trisha (I think y'all know her, LOL) and family finally came to visit me! After all the times that Jake and I have invaded the Ladouceur's home, I think they owe me.

So down they all came for the Provincial BMX finals. What a fun time and holay, that BMX track was packed! Jake and I had a great time watching the races, particularly Carter. Unfortunately, I missed Logan.

I am so glad they came down to Sylvan, only next time they better come down and hop in our boat for a little rest and relaxation! Not enough taking in of all that Sylvan Lake has to offer, dagnabbit!


But also as I said, it was one of those weekends that I couldn't be everywhere and regretfully I missed the Member's Night bash with Monday Night Class's Christy Riopel and the lovely owner and operator Crystal at the Scrapbook Pantry.

But as I mentioned before I am going to be joining those gals along with Canadian Scrapbooker's Allison Orthner and Stamp It! Australia's Colleen MacDonald for the Jingle Bell Crop.

And today is the big reveal day! I can finally proclaim my total and utter excitement because I this is my first Primadonna class!

Drumroll please.............................................


Christmas is a time for for all things sparkly and and shiny. Join Prima Endorsed Designer, Janine Wahl as she teaches you some glitzy, sparkly techniques in a Chistmas theme!
This class is jam-packed with gorgeous Prima products and not to be missed! You will be learning some fabulous new techniques for transparencies on Prima's Clear Paintables and adding on tons of sparkly with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists and Ranger Stickles.

Tada!

And you are interested, it sounds like you better get crackin'! I got word that my class is filling fast. I have 50 spots and I am at approx 50% sold!

Registration for the Jingle Bell Crop is available at either Paper Pastimes or the Scrapbook Pantry.

Hope to see you there!

My Baby Is No Longer A Baby.

Excuse me while I weep a little. Yes, I am having a little pity party for one.
Ok, not really, but I believe a little piece of my Mommy heart is broken, but at the same time, I am happy.

Is that really possible? And why?

Well, today was the first "official" day of school for the little Jakester. He started pre-kindergarten. This is not playschool, but actual school. My baby is no longer a baby, and frankly, I think it happened too fast.

On Friday, I went with him to get him settled into his new classroom. He was so excited and confident to be there. Which was cool, but as I watched him, I couldn't help but have a little tear swell up in the corner of my eye. ..........sniff, sniff.

And like I said, he was confident. I had to laugh when all the kids sat on the meeting rug and the teacher went over the date. The teacher asked the class what month it was and there was Jake raising his hand saying, "I know! I know!"

So the teacher called on Jacob. So, he sat and thought about it for a second. Then he turned to me (I was sitting about ten feet away), cupped his hand by his mouth and in a not so quiet whisper asked me, "Mom! What month is it?"

Ahh, my confident little goofus.

So yes, it was good and Jake took to school like a fish takes to water. The only thing that he doesn't like is that he only gets to play on the playground for fifteen minutes. That darn recess just ain't long enough!

So in memorium (you know I am being a drama queen about this, I am gonna milk a little bit of sorrow out of this) I got greaat pictures of his first day and did a page. I kid you about the sorrow, I am really proud of him, but not the page.


Bright and primary colors! There were so many colors going on in that classroom that I happy to have the bright new Prima Summer Releases on hand. They are perfect for busy school shots.
I used the background using the Little Guy (yellow) and the Spaceboy line (green).

I know you can't really tell in the picture, but the detail of the Spaceboy line is shiny foil! How cool is that.

I also mixed it up with a new Prima transpareny and used a pinch of the Dude line too.

So, I am sure that there may be one day when I join mother's everywhere in the anticipated countdown to school, but this year I'll just reflect in a bittersweet milestone.

Guess What? Come to a Crop!

You know, I am typically a last minute Christmas person, so this is really weird of me to bring it up this early. But I am very excited to announce to you my first class of the season!

Thanks to my good friend Christy Riopel and Monday Night Class, I am excited to announce......


That's right folks! Join us on November 15th for a cropping extravaganza!

I will be joining the very talented and accomplished Monday Night Class Design Team Member Colleen MacDonald and Calgary's very own Breakfast Television scrapbook expert extraordinaire, Allison Orthner in providing you with some fun-filled classes and cropping time.

I have a fun Prima jam-packed, technique-filled, blingy class for your enjoyment. Stay tuned on September 16th for my big reveal!

And we have a great venue for you to get lots of projects done with plenty of scrapping space. And we have an awesome marketplace brought to you by The Scrapbook Pantry and Paper Pastimes.

Be ready, registration starts September 16th. Hope to see you there!

Honey, Stick to Your Day Job.....

Hey, everybody, just got back today from a very productive weekend at Trisha's house. I had not been there for a while and we both figured it was time to have another playdate. I don't know what it is about her house, but I always manage to get a whack done there. You'll see that stuff soon enough.

We had a great time and I was so excited to meet up with Anam, Fay and the brand new baby Lily! It was a great visit and a good story too, but I'll save that for another day.

Why? Because I have been meaning to get on here and tell you this.

So, the other night, Hubby walks into the room doing his best (worst) Sears catalog pose. Only thing is, if Sears allowed this man to pose this way in their catalog they would be filing for bankruptcy.

But anyways, he drops a bombshell.

"I am taking up a new career. I am now a male model."

Ummmhmmmm........OK. So, what brought on this career change?
Were you discovered by Ford Modelling Agency at the Swift Current Tim Horton's gingerly sipping your French Vanilla cappacino while batting your eyelashes in a semi-seductive manner? Like, can you elaborate?

So, he sits down on the couch and pretends to flick his imaginary frock of hair. And please keep in mind, this man is as far away as you can get from metrosexuality, so he ain't carrying this little act off very well. And frock of hair, you have not.

He says, "Yeah, when I was working, my boss called me and told me that I have to pose for some promotional shots, for the company of moi, working on a rig, in all my glory."

Oh really now. After all of that, you'd swear the man was gonna be on the cover of Vogue.

My dear, I love you dearly and I think you are handsome and charming, but I made a card for this occasion..........


Please. Get help.

Alright. Alright. No really I am proud of you. Just like me, I get excited to get a scrapbook page in a magazine and Andy Warhol has declared you are allowed 15 minutes of fame. Enjoy it.

And especially for my hubby, I have included a little ditty I think you are all familiar with. Please, I insist. Enjoy.