Callaloo Soup

It's Time for the May Sister Sketch!

Here is the sketch we will be using this month.

You can grab it by right clicking above, or download by using the links below

PDF | JPG | PSD

Check back in two weeks to see how we used the sketch. Anyone is welcome to play along!

 

Sister Sketch Reveal! | Yay!

Here's a look back at the April sketch

Download it in three versions here JPG | PDF | Layered Template

Here's my page: a rare one about me!

It's about my attempt to wear more colour, especially during the dark months of winter when black is my go-to.

Some details:

I used the March kit from Studio Calico.

Now go see what Vernell did with the sketch!

Link us up in the comments if you use the sketch.

 

 

 

May Sneak Peek for write.click.scrapbook

I'm totally in love with this layout and can't wait to show it to you in May!

Sister Sketch April 2013 | Free PDF and Layered Template

We haven't forgotten about this month's sketch. Here it is:

Download it in three versions here JPG | PDF | Layered Template

Check back next week to see how we used it. Thanks to Vernell for designing the sketch!

One Little Word | February and March

Today I am doing a quick share of my projects for February and March from the One Little Word class with Ali Edwards. In February we worked on vision boards. I'm so glad that was the prompt since I had planned to do one in January, but never found the time.

I got Kieran in on the action too

He had a blast. Here is my completed board displayed in my office

For my album I used a photo of it to make a page.

March was all about action. As Ali put it, not as visually appealing but oh so important. I did try to doll my worksheet up a bit though.

My action was to get a newsletter going for the blog. I have a sign up link just under my profile pic in the side bar, or you can click here to sign up. The first issue will be out at the end of April!

I'm now busy working on the April prompt, and will share it soon.

Would you call this a hybrid scrapbooking project?

A couple months back, just as I was preparing to shut down my computer for the night, I saw a post from Fat Mum Slim with a special offer for a free Blurb book from your Instagram photos. I couldn't pass up that deal, so as tired as I was I headed over to Blurb to make the book. Call it exhaustion or a less that user friendly interface, but it took me several tries to get the book done. This was a 24-hour only deal, and since we were leaving the next morning for the weekend I knew it was now or never!

I finally figured out how to make the most basic book with 60 of my most recent favourite photos, and sent the order in. I had to pay shipping - a steal at less than $10, especially since my book turned up via FedEx, a good full week before they said it would.

 

I loved it! The quality was excellent, and to top if off, as soon as Kieran saw it he sat and leafed through it, talking about the photos.

Because the pages seemed pretty blank (remember, I was tired and didn't have the energy to include captions or anything), I decided to add some detail to it to jazz it up a bit. I went into my Instagram account and added the captions that I had used at the time, as well as the date. I added the year to the cover. And here she is!

So would this qualify as a hybrid project? What say you?

 

Welcome April!

Just a quick note to say hello April, and direct you over to write.click.scrapbook for gallery reveal day. If you're in the northern hemisphere I hope that you are having some lovely Spring weather to start the month off.

Stop by tomorrow for an Easter weekend recap.

 

Sister Sketch Reveal! | Life of K

So did anyone notice that we're a week late with the reveal this month? Sorry! Here we are at last with our layouts for March.

First a look back at the sketch by Vernell

You can grab the JPG above or download the PDF here. We have a layered template here too.

Now here's my page. I instantly thought "Instagram!" when I saw the sketch, and I even had photos already printed out.

I used supplies from two different Studio Calico kits that I had already dipped in to. Another white background because I am addicted. I wanted the page to have lots of movement and colour, just like Kieran and all the arrows were perfect.

Now go see what Vernell did with the sketch.

If you use any of our sketches please leave us a link so we can see your page!

A Sneak Peek, a Free Spring Poster & Some Important Information

I'm a couple days late with this (it's been that kind of week), but here is a sneak peek at my layout for the April write.click.scrapbook gallery.

Get even more sneaks from other team members.

Christine | Valerie | Jennifer | Lisa | Katie | Aliza | Diane

The gallery goes live on April 1st! (and that's not a prank).

So I have a question for you: have you "Liked" the Callaloo Soup page on Facebook? You really should, you know. Especially since right now you will get access to this free printable Spring poster.

I designed it to complement my printable posters in my Designs shop on Etsy, and even though it is meant for toddlers and pre-schoolers, it totally works for adults too! I'm pretty sure I will be doing this very soon with Kieran. If you already Like the page you can get the poster by clicking on the Freebies section. New fans will get the link to download once you click the Like button. So: Go. Like. Now.

Also, have you heard that Google Reader will be shutting down come July? Don't panic, you can still get all the Callaloo Soup goodness. I have a few options for you: You can follow me on BlogLovin', or use Feedly. Both these sites will import all your blogs from Google Reader! If you prefer to get things in your e-mail, you can subscribe using this link.

I'm looking forward to the weekend and good gardening weather. Knock on wood. What are you looking forward to?

 

My On-Again, Off-Again Love Affair With Mini Albums

This month at write.click.scrapbook it's all about mini-albums. We call it March Mini Madness, and it's the third year we've run it. I've been making mini-albums, or rather mini books for years, but my feelings for them run hot and cold. I love the idea of making smaller books to document a particular theme or event, but when I first started making them, I would quickly get frustrated, or rather bored, with doing all these similar pages, and would find it hard to finish them. Eventually I noticed that I would run out of steam after about 6 to 8 pages, and it struck me, duh, that I should just make them smaller.

And that's when the real love affair began. I have a bin stuffed full of blank mini-books, plus plain chipboard covers to show for this love. I went through the clear mini-album phase too (didn't we all?), and happily made it out the other side. Oh and remember paper bag albums?! Yeah, I made me a few of those too.

The last few years I have preferred to make my minis from scratch though, either with my Bind-it-All, using binder rings, or coming up with my own stitched or glued bindings. That way I can control the exact size, and number of pages I want.

Check out my album in the gallery at wcs, for info on how I made my latest one. Along with the gallery the team is also featuring minis made with different kits each week. Last week we showcased albums made with the March Little Black Dress kit, this week it's albums made using digital products from American Crafts. This will continue for the rest of the month, and each week we are giving away the kit used to one lucky reader!

So if you love mini-albums. or you're trying to love them, head on over.