This is just one of many ways to go. For inspiration and ideas on clipboards, I compiled this board on Pinterest for you to browse:

Altered Clipboards

Here are a few of my favorites:

Bling Clipboards

Back to School Clipboards

Collection of clipboards for organizing

So I hope this series has inspired you to create some spectacular Calendars this year.

I have a collection of Calendar Tutorials here:

Calendar Tutorials

thank you for visiting my blog!

For more fun ideas on Calendars be sure to visit this link:

Calendar Tutorials

Today’s display option is the easiest and fastest. 5×7 Acrylic Photo Frames.

Remember to check back tomorrow for more.

If you want to see all of my Calendar Tutorials in one spot follow this link:

Calendar Tutorials

So first…you have assembled your calendar pages and you are ready to print. What do you do know? Watch this video to see the process I use.

I can remember when I started scrapbooking…a paper trimmer was the most foreign object in the world to me. I had no idea how to use it till I saw it in action and I was like aha…thats how you use it! lol.

If you have paper trimmer fear…this is the tutorial for you!

Now you are ready to display your Calendars…but what are your options? I will post 3 different display options under $2 in the next few days. In the meantime have a look at my finished displays.

I used this gorgeous collab by the TDC Designers – Around the World, the template and instructions are included.

Sometimes we feel limited because we ‘think’ we are not capable to make something with the tools we have on hand. Sometimes we feel it is easier to splurge on that tool that promises to deliver these amazing benefits…never thinking out of the box realizing you CAN do it with the tools you already have. In this example I will show you how with a little forethought you can scrap a 12×12 Hybrid Page with a 8.5×11/Standard Sized Printer.

If I am planning a Hybrid Page I always start in Photoshop/Photo Editing Program.

I used my shape tool to make a 11×8.5 in rectangle and played with how I wanted to place my photo, elements & papers.

As soon as you are happy with your layout. Print out the layout you assembled on the 8.5×11 rectangle and if you wish to add dimension print out some repeating elements. I printed out the Butterfly, Extra Buttons and a piece of paper.

• 12×12 Cardstock
• 8.5×11 Printed Layout
• Optional: Extra Elements & Paper from Kit to add Dimension
• Scissors & Trimmer
• Adhesive & Dimensional Foam/3D Glue Dots
• Gel Pen for Doodles
• Stickles (Glitter Glue)
• Glossy Accents
• Buttons
• Twine
• Border Punch

Step 1

I decided to mat the layout onto Kraft Cardstock instead of the Black I originally intended. As it is this layout is not too bad but it needs some dimension!

Step 2

Next I use my pen to draw a doodled outline around the layout.

Step 3

I add 2 border strips accentuating my journaling at the bottom, and my photo at the top. Cut out my butterfly and adhere it with some buttons and twine using 3D Dots. Then I adhere the whole page to the 12×12 Cardstock using adhesive. I do this before I add the dimesnion with Diamond Glaze and Stickles so the layout is done and the chances are minimal of smudging when adhering/finishing the page. I outline the heart with the Diamond Glaze. To give it more dimension I then fill up the middle. This can take about an hour plus to dry!

Now doesnt that just look so real?

Step 4

This kit has some of the cutest Doodled Elements and I wanted to go with the fun playful feel of it. I added some dots of Stickles to the white dots on the frame (Which I recolored using the Color Replacement Tool in PS).

Here is the finished page. Very simple and beautiful. Look at some of the Details:

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to try and create a page using your standard printer. It is so easy and as soon as you open your eyes to teh possibilities you will be amazed at what you can achieve!

The Daily Digi did a very comprehensive study on Photobook Printing but I am just not that dedicated to do a whole album…I know sad! lol. But I am all for instant gratification. So I print at Home.

There are a few things you should consider if you want to print at home.

Album and Size/Format

I use American Crafts 8×8 D Ring Binder Album. There are a variety of different choices. You can do 8.5×11 Pages, 6×6 or 8×8 and for the lucky few with a large format printer 12×12. The reason I love my 8×8 is that it is still big enough to see all the detail and it is easy to resize, I also dont waste too much of my precious photo paper. Your final choice would be influenced by cost and availability and personal preference.

Paper

Yes I am on the Paper topic AGAIN! Lol! But seriously Paper can make or break your project and with these precious memories that is not something you wish to risk.

I prefer a Matte Finish and once again it is totally up to you what you prefer!

Here are my TOP Choices:

• Epson Premium Matte
• Red River Polar Matte

Both papers are just amazing. I love the variety of finishes that are available on the Red River Paper site but unfortunately my printer does not like them as much as I do! But I have to add it did love the Polar Matte and the Double Sided Polar Matte!

Printer

When choosing a printer I always suggest finding one with a Single Ink system and also one designed specifically to print Photo Quality prints. Most NEW Photo Printers come with a specialized ink that will be guaranteed to last anything from 50 – 100 years (Epson’s boasts 200 years!). So if longevity of your prints are a big concern do consider the ink choices with your printer and please please dont Refill your cartridges! I have personally not had satisfying results with refills. The Colors are too over saturated and the ink quality is not fantastic.

Here are some examples of pages I printed almost 4 years ago.

The Bottom page was printed on Epson Premium Matte (on my large format printer…sigh, let’s not go there.) and the top image on some cheap semi-gloss photo paper. The colors are a bit faded on the top layer while the bottom Layout still looks amazing!

And here are 2 pages I did in the last few months. Bright and crisp images…love it!

Okay so let me take you step by step on my process of printing.

Step 1

Open up Photoshop. Open up your Layout. Flatten and Resize to 8×8 inches.

I always print through Photoshop because I can manage all the little details that are important to making a great final print.

Step 2

Prep the Printer. Epson recommends you only place one piece of paper per print. They also include a hard piece of cardboard that should be inserted to support the paper. Make sure that the Bright White side is facing the correct way i.e. the direction that your printer will print.

Step 3

Select Print (CTRL+P). Make sure that Scale is unchecked and center image is checked. Also check that you are using the correct printer. Been there done that! lol! Click on Print. Next your Printer’s Dialogue will open up. Click on preferences.

I have my Hybrid Layout Settings saved as a Preset.

Lets break it down:

I have Photo, Paper Type and Borderless selected.

Also Photo, Paper Type and Borderless.

Very Important…when choosing Borderless some printers enlarge your photo. Make sure that option is unchecked.

Click OK an then Apply and Print.

Another Important reminder…do some Printer Maintenance now and then. I printed out my page and it was just not looking great so I cleaned the printer heads and using the exact same setting look at the HUGE difference between the 2 prints.

The top image looks crisp and bright and the bottom one is grainy and faded…big difference!

Step 4

Use a Trimmer to trim the edges. Insert into your Album and you are done!

So I hope this post has de-mystified some Printing topics.

If you have questions or comments I would love to hear from you!

So as I have mentioned in my previous post ‘So what is Hybrid Scrapbooking Anyway?‘ I have a few steps I usually do to create a Hybrid Project. First up is Planning. Use a sketch, browse the galleries, look at magazines…get a Card Template/Map  that inspires you.

Some of my favorite spots for Card ideas:

• Kristina Werner
• PageMaps
• 2Peas

Now you have an idea…what Digital Supplies will you be using? Well you are lucky today…I have a Card Template Pack that includes a customisable TIFF & PSD File and also a ready to print – no shenanigans- PDF File. So if you had no luck browsing the galleries (which I highly doubt! You can use these templates).

• Download CardTemplate HERE

I used elements and papers from my newest release ‘In The Birdhouse‘

If you are using the TIFF/PSD Files you will need a Photo Editing Software like Photoshop Elements, Photoshop or Paintshop Pro. Arrange your papers and elements and ‘CLIP’ the papers to the templates. Unsure on how to ‘clip/mask’ your papers?

Here are a few easy tutorials –

• Using Photo Masks
• Using Templates by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
• How to Use Clipping Masks by The Cutting Files

So now you should be ready to flatten your page and Print? If not just open up the PDF File included and print on your Printer.

Use a Matte Paper like Epson Premium Matte.

Now gather your supplies…

• Scissors
• Trimmer
• Adhesive
• Glue Dots
• Scoring Tool
• Buttons/Brads

Next trim the papers and stuff…

Let’s start layering the card…

now I love using my gel pen to doodle…so here goes

Nice and wonky lines!

Adhere the smaller strip as shown.

some more imperfect perfect doodling!

Use glue dots or foam squares to give the sentiments card some dimension.

and now for the easy flower…

and viola…you are done.

Take a picture and admire your hard work! You did great!

I hope you enjoyed this post and remember I would love to hear from you!

I saw this in Scrapbooks. Etc magazine and well it was instant love! Coming from South Africa Candy Canes are a novelty to me. So each year I buy a bunch and hang it in the tree or just have them in buckets around the house. They dont last the season with the kids…they love them just as much as me!

I start out with 2 Candy Canes that I glued together with my Glue Gun.

Then I wrap some brown wool around the middle. This is so easy my kids loved helping me with this…and it is great for that Motor Skills!

I tie the bell around a piece of string, that way the kids can wrap it around the Reindeer.

Cut out the Reindeer Faces available for FREE Here:

mkc-12days-reindeerprintables

or if you want the FREE SVG:

mkc-12days-reindeerSVG

for instructions, ideas and inspiration using cutting files for Digital Die-Cutting machines be sure to visit my sister site The Cutting Files for all things Hybrid & Cutting Files.

Glue on some eyes and red pom poms (Buttons will also work!). Assemble your little reindeer as shown.

WARNING: You will have to make more than one cause they sure are cute…

The little man cannot resist them either!

He loves to shake them and hear the bells jingle.

This is my last post for this blog hop but Pamela and Melissa still have some beautiful projects to share so be sure to check back tomorrow!

Happy Holidays!

Today I am going to share a very cute and sweet Christmas Decoration or even a treasured gift for a Grandparent.

For lack of a better word/description I am going to call them Hand & Feet Reindeer!

I ‘stamped’ my kids feet and hands since I dont know about you but mine wont sit still for 5 seconds and this way I get a better impression of their hands and feet.

Cut out 2 Hand Prints and 1 foot Print.

Cut them out of felt…I used ones from Michaels with a sticky backing. Use the foot as the face and the hands as the antlers.

I used a frame from Walmart that cost about $3 and these cute backgrounds from the 12 Days Grab bag. Because the frame is not very deep I decided to glue the more dimensional items like the eyes and nose on the outside/glass.

And here they are all assembled…

What a great way to treasure your child’s keepsakes, and record your families ‘growth’. I am sure my kids will love this just as much as they get older and can compare how they have grown!

Here are some more close ups:

So I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy tutorial. Today is the 1st of December and that means Christmas is around the corner. I am so excited because this year I will get to spend some time with my family for the first time in 3 years…yep I am going home for a visit to South Africa. I feel so blessed to have this privilege.

Take Care and Happy Holidays!