TGIF

Happy Friday! Have a great Mother's Day Weekend!!!!

Denise
Sent from my iPhone

Today's Tip! - Card Crafting Basics - Embellishments

This is an excerpt from a July 2006 article in CardMaker magazine:
Card Crafting Basics
Card crafting is easy, creative and fun. Collect basic tools and supplies, learn a few simple terms and techniques, and you're ready to start. The possibilities abound!
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Embellishments:
If you are not already a pack rat, it is time to start!  Embellish projects with stickers, eyelets, brads, nail heads, wire, beads, iron-on ribbon and braid, memorabilia and printed ephemera.

Today's Tip! - Card Crafting Basics - Cutting & Tearing

This is an excerpt from a July 2006 article in CardMaker magazine:
Card Crafting Basics
Card crafting is easy, creative and fun.  Collect basic tools and supplies, learn a few simple terms and techniques, and you're ready to start.  The possibilities abound!
_________________________________________________________________________

Cutting and Tearing:
Craft knife, cutting mat - Must-have tools.  Mat protects work surface, keeps blades from getting dull.
Measure and mark - Diagrams show solid lines for cutting, dotted lines for folding.
Other cutters - Guillotine and rotary-blade paper cutters, oval and circle cutters, cutters that cut unusual shapes via a gear or cam system, swivel-blade knives that cut along the channels of plastic templates, and die-cutting machines (large or small in size and price_.  Markers that draw as they cut.
Punches - Available in hundreds of shapes and sizes ranging from 1/16 inch to over 3 inches (use for eyelets, lettering, dimensional punch art, and embellishments).  Also punches for two-ring, three-ring, coil, comb and disk binding.
Scissors - Long and short blades that cut straight or a pattern.  Scissors with nonstick coating are ideal for cutting adhesive sheets and tape, bonsai scissors best for cutting rubber or heavy board.  consider comfort - large holes for fingers, soft grips.
Tearing - Tear paper for collage, special effects, layering on cards, scrapbook pages and more.  Wet a small paintbrush; tear along the wet line for a deckle edge.
 

Welcome Wednesday

May you pass quickly and smoothly as Friday is right around the corner.

---
Denise aka Aunt2Jaymz
Sent from my iPhone

Today's Tip! - More Photo Organization

Ways to Organize Photos of Any Kind

1. Time and Place - Set aside a time when you can sit uninterrupted. Depending on how many photos you have, taking the time to organize them can be very time-consuming and will take more than one session. Decide on a place that allows you to spread out.
2. Gather - Gather all of your photos from everywhere in the house. Include every closet, drawer, box, nook, and table where they have been accumulating.  Don't forget the portrait extras and smaller photos from holidays or school pictures.
3. Sort Chronologically - Sort through every envelope. First, group them by year, then go through each year and sort by month. If you did not have the date on the photo, make your best estimation. It is better to give a rough estimate now than to try guessing 10 years from now or, worse yet, leaving it for others to figure out. This is the most commonly used way to organize photos.
   Or Sort by Categories - Simply make a group of categories appropriate for your family.  Some examples may be friends, family, vacations, school, kids, grandchildren, graduations, holidays, birthdays, or religious events.  This method is not used as frequently because there tends to be categories that overlap and it is difficult to divide the photos.
4. Label - As you go through each pile or envelope, label the back.  You should include the full names of people in the photo,the date, the location, and the event. Use a special pen made only for this purpose. Do not use a regular pen because it makes indentions on the front of the photo.
5. Delete - Remember you don't have to keep every photo that you take. Some just end up not being, so don't feel guilty. Throw away, or pass on, any duplicates that no longer have a use.  This will sometimes cut down the pile considerably and make your task easier.
6. Start Somewhere - A good way is to just pick an event such as a birthday or a recent month or year. You could always work backwards when you have extra time. It is best to pick a recent time and move forward until you are caught up to the present. It keeps you motivated and at least currrent on your present photos.

Wedding Card I made tonight

Today's Tip! - Organizing Digital Photos

Organizing Digital Photos in 5 Simple Steps


Organizing digital photos can be tedious, frustrating, and VERY time-consuming.


Like most people, I love taking tons of photos, without worrying about how much film I was using. I also love viewing my photos right away through the LED screen.  What I didn't know initially was that organizing digital photos takes time.  LOTS of time.  But, in the long run, you will end up with a system that is great for storing and retrieving your precious digital photos.

1. Download - The first thing you want to do is download your pictures to your computer. This can be done in one of 3 ways:
   ◦ Through a USB cable from your computer to your camera;
   ◦ Through a memory card reader; or,
   ◦ Through a memory card readers built right into your computer.
2. Delete and Edit - Firstly, delete any photos that you do not want to keep. Don't feel guilty here. That is the great part of a digital camera, you delete the bad, out-if-focus, or otherwise unworthy photos and keep only the pictures that you really love. Next, edit the photos that you are going to keep.
3. Rename the Image File - This has to be the most tedious part of organizing digital photos. All photos come with a file name that really doesn't mean anything to you - just a bunch of numbers and letters. So, in order to find a photo years down the line, you must name the photo.  Be specific.  Don't name the picture "Mary at the park". Include the name of the person, place, month and year, and what the person was doing or something about the photograph that will help you remember.
4. Categorize Albums - Most cameras come with software which allows you to make albums in which to place your photos. You may wish to use categories such as family, friends, vacation, etc. But you can also do it by time. Some examples may be by year, month, etc.  I file mine chronologically such as 2010-04 (April), 2010-03 (March), etc. and then make sub-directories within such as Birthday Party, Vacation, etc.  However you choose, think about it carefully and decide what will work best for you.  It may also depend on the software program you are using and how much you want to do. Deciding on a method now will save you tons to time and energy later.
5. Save Them Forever - After following the above steps, it is time to think about how you will save your photos.  This can be done in one of 3 ways:
   ◦ Burn them to a CD/DVD;
   ◦ Use an external storage device found at any office supply or home electronics center; or,
   ◦ Use digital photo online storage.

This is a basic step-by-step way to organize your digital photos. If you are new to cameras, digital, or computers, give yourself time to learn and take the time to read.  Get to know what your electronics can do and you will be surprised at the possibilities.  Organize your digital photos now and they will supply a lifetime of memories.

Here is one of the Christening cards I made

For my cousin's little girl

Happy Monday

If you're like me and have to say it to feel it, then say it out loud
to someone. They may need to hear it!!!

--

Denise
Sent from my iPhone

Today's Tip! - Photo Storage

Archival Photo Storage


Using the correct archival photo storage is important so that you can preserve your images for as long as possible.  The following tips will assist you and improved the chances of your photos lasting as long as possible.  If you use the correct photo storage system, you can actually extend the life of your photos.


Tips On Correct Archival Photo Storage


Choose a Place - First, you must choose a favorable place for your photos. Photos do best in any cool, dark, dry area. Ensure the spot you pick is free of any water pipes or sprinklers that may damage the photos if broken or triggered.  Do not store your photos in a garage, basement, atttic, or any room where the temperature and humidity can not be controlled.  Do store them in an area of your home within your main living space.  Think of it this way - if you don't live in the space neither should your pictures. A perfect place is a hall or bedroom closet. These usually have all 3 requirements of cool, dark, and dry.  Make sure there is adequate air circulation around your box or album. Do not push them up against the wall tightly, leave an inch or so between the box/album and the closet wall.


Choose the Correct Products - Make sure all of the products you use for archival photo storage are made specifically to store photos or negatives.  Do not trust your precious photos and momentos to old shoeboxes or cardboard boxes.  Do use special photo sto/trage boxes that are made to store photos correctly. They should be labeled PVC-free, non-magnetic, and/or acidic-free.

Correct Products to Mount your Photos - If you do not use the correct items to adhere your images, they will be damaged over time.  Do use special tape, mounting tabs, or glue made specifically for photos.  DO NOT use regular clear tape, regular school glue, or regular stick glue to mount your pictures.

Save the Originals - If you have a favorite photo or portrait, consider scanning the original and storing it in a safe place.  Then display the copy in a frame or album.

Think Retro - Those old black and white photos from older relatives are still around for a reason.  Black and white photos tend to hold up better over time than color photos so make an effort to take one or two rolls a year.  Another good reason is simply that they just look really cool!  Some of my favorite snapshots are on black and white film.


Photos are so precious. Some shots you plan, while others are spontaneous and fun.  Regardless of how the photo was captured, though, you want to keep it forever.  If you follow the above tips you improve your chances of keeping those images, and memories, in the best shape for the longest period of time.