cabinlivin
Shy Member
Posts: 48 
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Post by cabinlivin on Jan 13, 2023 16:21:21 GMT
You know those movies where someone goes to sleep for 10 years and wakes up and everything has changed?? That’s how I feel about jumping back into scrapbooking. I’ve been listening to a podcast, looking at pages, and reading here and I just have some questions. Would all you pros be willing to help a girl out with some questions?
• Subscription kits. I’ve never subscribed to one before but I’m thinking I might to help me jump back in. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value?
• Classes? The only classes I have taken were at a LSS 12+ years ago. Are there any good online classes that you recommend taking? Any to avoid? I’ve been looking at doing Heidi Swapp’s handwriting class.
• What are thickeners?
• What are enamel dots?
• Are tear bears still a thing? --- Just kidding!
• I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping?
• My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in?
Really, I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed. Since I’ve been looking at a lot more scrapbooking items, now all the ads are coming on Facebook and I’m afraid I’ll overdo it, overwhelm myself, and then put it all back in the closet…. Thank you in advance for your help! I know some of these questions are just really broad but I really do value all the knowledge here!
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jan 13, 2023 16:45:38 GMT
Firstly, welcome back! It definitely is overwhelming coming back, my suggestion is to take things slow and see what you really like before buying too much or committing to a subscription. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value? I think the best value kits are Elle's Studio if you like primary and vibrant colors. They're not too expensive and you don't have to commit for any amount of time, you can just go month to month. You can buy most kits from subscriptions as just a single kit without having to commit so I'd look and see what speaks to you kit wise. A lot of people like Ali Edwards kits, these are geared more towards stories vs just regular scrapping (putting pictures down with small bits of journaling). If you're not doing pocket pages (Project Life-type pages) I've heard good things about Hip Kit club.Are there any good online classes that you recommend taking? Any to avoid? Ali Edwards classes are very popular, I haven't taken one in a long time because I'm terrible at finishing classes. I can't think of any to avoid off the top of my head. I haven't taken any Heidi Swapp classes so I can't speak to those.What are thickeners? What are enamel dots? I think you mean Thickers which are thick stickers, mostly alphabet stickers but sometimes other designs as well. They're made by American Crafts and either made out of chipboard or foam. Enamel dots are small dots that add little bits of embellishment to the page.LOL about tear bears, I still see them pop up every once in a while and chuckle.  If you weren't into stamping back when you were scrapping, I'd maybe skip that for now. I love stamping but it can be a huge investment. As for pens, I like the Tombo pens and also Micron pens, none of those have dried out on me and I've had them for over 20 years. |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 13, 2023 16:47:01 GMT
Hi Cabinlivin! Welcome! I'm doing the same exact thing you're doing -- returning to scrapbooking after a long hiatus. YEP, I know exactly the feeling you're describing. I don't claim to have all the best answers to your questions, but I'll give it a shot. Subscription kits -- I don't subscribe to any, but there are a few I know of that are trustworthy. A Cherry on Top's Cherry Box is the one I'd pick if I were going to subscribe. And if you have jumped on the die cutting bandwagon since getting back into paper crafts, you might want to take a look at the kit club Tonic Studios offers, which is very focused on dies and die cutting. • What are thickeners? -- Do you mean Thickers? Those are thick stickers made by American Crafts. Some of them are chipboard and some of them are foam or other materials. My opinion on Thickers: the chipboard ones are awesome and worth the money. The foam ones do not wear well as time passes -- I'd avoid them. I know this because I bought zillions of them in the years prior to 2010, and the ones I used on my mini album covers now don't look that great. • What are enamel dots? -- These are little round plastic embellishments. Some manufacturers offer them in colors that coordinate with their paper collections. • Are tear bears still a thing? --- Just kidding!   I laughed out loud at this! HAHahahahahahah! Thanks for the giggle. • I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping? -- This is totally up to you, but I think YES, definitely at least give stamping a try and see how you like it. A lot of Peas collect stamps but don't use them, so that is a potential pitfall. I have worked out a system for avoiding that pitfall, which I am happy to share if you want the info. • My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in? I had the same exact problem! Which Zigs were you using? And what is it that you are wanting to do with your replacements? They had a bunch of different pens. Was it Zig Painty Pens you were using? I had the entire rainbow of those -- Oh, how I miss them! I am pretty sure I saw Paint Pens available at the Ranger website, but I don't have any of them and therefore can't give you the lowdown on whether they are a satisfactory replacement. If it was the Zig calligraphy markers you are hoping to replace, you might want to look into using either Altenew's refillable brush markers or Tombow's brush markers. I have the Tombows; on one hand, I love them, but on the other hand, I am going to replace them with Altenew's when mine eventually run dry. I haven't tried Altenew's, but I LOVE AND ADORE every last thing I have ever purchased from Altenew, so I am reasonably sure that their markers are good. I wish I had found the Altenew markers first, before I invested in so many Tombows. But I do love the Tombows, and use them frequently. If you're wanting a solution for coloring stamped images, Copics are what everyone seems to be using now. I just fell down the Copic rabbit hole, myself. They are refillable, which is a huge selling point for me. And if you're wanting something to use for your journaling, check out Sakura Gelly Roll pens. Best place I know of to buy those is Dickblick.com, and I frequently buy them from ACherryontop.com, too. Glad you're back at scrapping again! And glad you found your way here, too. You are definitely in the right place! |
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Post by grammadee on Jan 13, 2023 17:05:04 GMT
Welcome back to scrapping, cabinlivin! Don't let all the new stuff overwhelm you. You will find many Peas who are still using--or wishing they still had--supplies from ten years ago. Basic page design has not changed that much. Or doesn't need to change if you are happy with how a layout went together for you ten years ago. What has changed is the amount and type of ornamentation. Clusters: eclectic piles of shapes and images tucked under or placed on top of parts of your photo block or anywhere else on the page. Many people are cutting shapes with dies and electronic cutters, but you can buy sets of die cuts that work wonderfully for this, or fussy cut your own from papers you have: alot of those older ones have lovely big images for this. Splatter: if you like the look of splattered backgrounds, you can create quite a few fun looks with a few Tim Holtz oxide inks and a bit of water. Lots of videos out there. Dots: They come on sticker sheets from almost every company and can be picked up at discount stores all over the place. They go with the splatters for that free form look. Or you can pick up a couple of bottles of Nuvo drops or the Scrapbook.com brand, and make your own. It just takes a little practice. Again, welcome BACK! |
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cabinlivin
Shy Member
Posts: 48
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Post by cabinlivin on Jan 13, 2023 17:15:31 GMT
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cabinlivin
Shy Member
Posts: 48
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Post by cabinlivin on Jan 13, 2023 17:19:24 GMT
Clusters: eclectic piles of shapes and images tucked under or placed on top of parts of your photo block or anywhere else on the page. Many people are cutting shapes with dies and electronic cutters, but you can buy sets of die cuts that work wonderfully for this, or fussy cut your own from papers you have: alot of those older ones have lovely big images for this. Thanks! I have noticed this trend and I'm liking it! I have a Cameo 3 (that I love!) I just need to move towards using it with paper instead of just vinyl. Last weekend I did several page titles with it that I'm happy about. I just need to dive into more die cuts with it. There is just so much out there! |
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cabinlivin
Shy Member
Posts: 48
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Post by cabinlivin on Jan 13, 2023 17:23:37 GMT
Firstly, welcome back! It definitely is overwhelming coming back, my suggestion is to take things slow and see what you really like before buying too much or committing to a subscription. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value? I think the best value kits are Elle's Studio if you like primary and vibrant colors. They're not too expensive and you don't have to commit for any amount of time, you can just go month to month. You can buy most kits from subscriptions as just a single kit without having to commit so I'd look and see what speaks to you kit wise. A lot of people like Ali Edwards kits, these are geared more towards stories vs just regular scrapping (putting pictures down with small bits of journaling). If you're not doing pocket pages (Project Life-type pages) I've heard good things about Hip Kit club.Are there any good online classes that you recommend taking? Any to avoid? Ali Edwards classes are very popular, I haven't taken one in a long time because I'm terrible at finishing classes. I can't think of any to avoid off the top of my head. I haven't taken any Heidi Swapp classes so I can't speak to those.What are thickeners? What are enamel dots? I think you mean Thickers which are thick stickers, mostly alphabet stickers but sometimes other designs as well. They're made by American Crafts and either made out of chipboard or foam. Enamel dots are small dots that add little bits of embellishment to the page.LOL about tear bears, I still see them pop up every once in a while and chuckle. If you weren't into stamping back when you were scrapping, I'd maybe skip that for now. I love stamping but it can be a huge investment. As for pens, I like the Tombo pens and also Micron pens, none of those have dried out on me and I've had them for over 20 years. Thanks!!! I like the Elle's Studio kits. I might just try that one. I'm not looking into doing any pocket pages. Just basic trips, events, etc. layouts. |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 13, 2023 17:26:19 GMT
re the Zigs, thanks for the link. Oh wow, I didn't realize they were still making those. If you liked them the first time around, why not just buy a few more of them? Or is it the lack of colors? Looks like they only have 7 colors available at the Michael's link you posted, but the colors they do have seem like usable ones. re washi tape, I LOVE it and have been using it often, but am realizing that it is not durable at all. So, going forward, I am probably going to start using the digital version rather than the physical version of washi tape. I have an example of how that looks, if you want to check it out. Take a look at the first layout on this page: knittingcrochetcrafts.com/scrapbooking/6x8-tropical-hawaii-vacation-scrapbooking-album/Edited to add: I just realized that page has both physical and digital washi tape on it. The digital washi tape is what appears to be securing the photo to its background. The longer piece of diagonal striped, teal-colored washi tape in the lower portion of the layout is physical.
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cabinlivin
Shy Member
Posts: 48
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Post by cabinlivin on Jan 13, 2023 18:51:19 GMT
re the Zigs, thanks for the link. Oh wow, I didn't realize they were still making those. If you liked them the first time around, why not just buy a few more of them? Or is it the lack of colors? Looks like they only have 7 colors available at the Michael's link you posted, but the colors they do have seem like usable ones. re washi tape, I LOVE it and have been using it often, but am realizing that it is not durable at all. So, going forward, I am probably going to start using the digital version rather than the physical version of washi tape. I have an example of how that looks, if you want to check it out. Take a look at the first layout on this page: knittingcrochetcrafts.com/scrapbooking/6x8-tropical-hawaii-vacation-scrapbooking-album/Edited to add: I just realized that page has both physical and digital washi tape on it. The digital washi tape is what appears to be securing the photo to its background. The longer piece of diagonal striped, teal-colored washi tape in the lower portion of the layout is physical.
For the pens I was just looking for what's best since I need to buy new ones anyway. Your pages are so great! You really are talented! What is digital washi tape? |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 13, 2023 19:09:50 GMT
re the Zigs, thanks for the link. Oh wow, I didn't realize they were still making those. If you liked them the first time around, why not just buy a few more of them? Or is it the lack of colors? Looks like they only have 7 colors available at the Michael's link you posted, but the colors they do have seem like usable ones. re washi tape, I LOVE it and have been using it often, but am realizing that it is not durable at all. So, going forward, I am probably going to start using the digital version rather than the physical version of washi tape. I have an example of how that looks, if you want to check it out. Take a look at the first layout on this page: knittingcrochetcrafts.com/scrapbooking/6x8-tropical-hawaii-vacation-scrapbooking-album/Edited to add: I just realized that page has both physical and digital washi tape on it. The digital washi tape is what appears to be securing the photo to its background. The longer piece of diagonal striped, teal-colored washi tape in the lower portion of the layout is physical.
For the pens I was just looking for what's best since I need to buy new ones anyway. Your pages are so great! You really are talented! What is digital washi tape? Thanks for checking out my pages, and thank you so much for the compliment. I appreciate it! So, digital scrapbooking is a thing now. Many scrapbooking supply manufacturers are also making their paper collections and embellishments available in digital format. Digital washi tape is just one of the many embellishments you can get in digital form. You can also get digital photo frames, digital stickers, etc. You pay to download whichever kits or collections you want, then you can use software to make all your layouts digitally. And a lot of them are also making freebies available, too, so you can try it out for free if you think it might interest you. Once you've made some digital projects, you can print them out as photo books if you want -- or you can print out individual layouts and display them in albums. Then there's "hybrid" scrapbooking, which is using some combination of digital and physical scrapbooking supplies to create your pages. I am trying to transition to doing my journaling digitally, and maybe some other things, too. I prefer to scrap with physical supplies, but it just makes sense to do some things digitally. Katie Pertiet made the digital version of the washi tape that I used on that particular page. I love her stuff. She designs physical supplies for 49 and Market and Simple Stories. You might also remember her work for Autumn Leaves, back in the day, before your hiatus. I have messed around with doing digital scrapbooking using Gimp, which is free, open source software. Gimp admittedly isn't the best software for this, but it's good enough to do what I need to do with it, so it works for me. I hope all the above made sense. I have a headache and am probably not explaining myself clearly. Sorry about that! |
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Post by Linda on Jan 13, 2023 19:19:21 GMT
Welcome back. I'm a simple scrapper so my answers might be a bit different than the others. • Subscription kits - I don't subscribe but I think buying a single kit from one or two companies to try out might help you decide whether you like kits and if so, which one. It'll also give you some newer products to trial and again, see what you like/don't like. • Classes? I've only taken a sketch class from Scrapbook Generations and a couple of classes from Shimelle. I got a ton out of the Shimelle classes but be forwarned, she can be a bit of a hot mess as far as customer service and deadlines - I haven't personally had any issues but I know some here have. I would suggest the free classes at SBCfest coming up as a good jumping off place www.scrapbook.com/articles/sbcfest• Are tear bears still a thing? --- Just kidding! They can be if you want them to be - seriously, there's nothing wrong with using skills and techniques and products from the past. Do what you like - scrapbooking is for you and there's no rules police. • I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping? I find stamping more for cards than scrapbooks myself although a class I took by Shimelle did get me stamping on layouts a bit. • My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in? For journalling I use an old Zig writer (black) and a micron pen (also black although I want a brown one as well). For colouring stamped images and for re-colouring stuff (not that I do that often) I use Ohuhu alcohol markers - they are similar to Copic but not refillable and at a less expensive price point - I buy them on Amazon. |
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Jan 13, 2023 20:49:50 GMT
Welcome! I was basically you a year ago.  I took a good 12- 15? Year break, I don’t even remember. I was a 12x12 full page scrapper before but now I do mostly pocket pages in 9x12. I am really happy to be back on the crafty side. Hope you stay and play with us! |
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crabbybear
Junior Member
Posts: 65
Jul 27, 2018 14:56:32 GMT
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Post by crabbybear on Jan 13, 2023 21:43:00 GMT
Hello! I agree with what most have already said but just wanted to add:
Classes - there is so much free content on the internet (especially youtube). I would check out some of that before buying a class. Some scrappers who offer classes but also have free youtube content include Ali Edwards and her creative contributers, Shimelle, Vicki Boutin, Victoria Marie, Scrapbook Generation, many others. Personally, I would check out some of their youtube videos to see if you like their presentation style and content before buying a class. Scrapbook.com's youtube also has a lot of product tutorials that play like infomercials (I find it amusing and helpful really).
The most value I find in Elle's Studio kit is being able to bundle stamps with my kit shipment. If you're thinking you won't be getting into pocket style scrapping, Suzanna Lee's youtube always has great examples of these kits being used on more traditional scrapbook pages.
If you go with Hip Kit Club, their kits include alpha stickers comparable to Thickers (better in my opinion because of the number of alphas is usually more).
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,410
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Post by kitbop on Jan 13, 2023 21:43:24 GMT
Welcome back! I think you've come back at a good point: anything goes! Stay true to yourself - if you don't like something, don't try it. And I personally would advise against adding in something expensive like stamping to start - get your feet wet again, and if you find yourself drawn to stamps then start investing. Subscription kits I'll put Shimelle and her "best of both worlds" kit into the mix. This one is quite different from the rest. Shimelle puts together her kit monthly, and does 2 videos a week on youtube showing you how to use it. She has a list of the items in her kit: if you shop at Scrapbook .com you can click on her list, and simply add all the items to your cart (she adds some basic supplies at the bottom of the list that don't change and you don't need monthly). Here is the link to the February kit contents if you want to see what I mean: shrsl.com/2db89 If you don't like some of the items, you don't buy them. If you love a paper, you buy 2 of them. If you want to shop at a different store, you can take the list and go elsewhere. It's not a kit that simply arrives at your door - you have to shop from the list and change it to your taste. But I feel her videos are really good in showing how to put these items together. And she is really truly scrapbooking - not just making "pretty art projects". The "Best of Both Worlds" (BOBW) videos are free for all and worth a watch even if you don't buy or make a kit of your own. Here is her description from her youtube channel: (BTW, if you go to her channel to watch videos, the BOBW videos are now under the "live" tab - youtube has separated them from the typical videos. About the Best of Both Worlds Scrapbooking Kit: Best of Both Worlds is not a subscription kit, but rather a kit assembled for each month that you gives you the freedom to order it through an affiliate link, use the shopping list to shop locally if you are lucky enough to have a local scrapbook store (please support them if you do!), or to shop your stash for similar items and make your own kit.
You're not tied into any subscription. You don't have to buy anything you know you won't use or duplicate anything you already own. You can add more of something you love and want to use for a bigger project. You can jump in and out as your time and budget suits. But all the while, there is the ease of a kit curated for you and accompanying videos to spark ideas for how you might put those supplies together. You can scrap along and make very similar pages or you can go totally on your own track. Everyone is welcome around here! (Well everyone except meanies. Kindness always.)
For disclosure and clarity: I choose all the items that go into the kit and I pay for my kit each month. Nothing here is sponsored and I don't accept payment to put something specific into a kit. I do use affiliate links for the kit shopping list, and the commission from those sales makes all these videos possible. And of course, this isn't just my hobby, it's my job, and that means any time I scrapbook on the internet it's considered advertising and I need to make sure you know that. Thank you for watching my advertising!Classes? I just purchased Shimelle's "sketches" class, and I think it would make a GREAT class to get back into scrapbooking! My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in? My Zig's didn't last at all. I haven't gone back to them. The triplus fineliners are a good colour assortment and print/write well. They don't dry out, even if you leave the lid off overnight. I also like my microns, my pitt pen in fine-nib, my copic fineliner, my sharpie fine-nib, my muji pens... I think the key is to try a few out. Michael's still has a decent wall of pens you can play with in store! I assume you meant for writing/doodling and not for colouring! Enamel Dots These are just the finishing touch to some pages. They add interest without adding clutter. They are expensive tho - a package of 60 dots will set you back $5. They're in the same category as buttons, sequins, paper clips - little doo dads that add texture and interest to a page without being a specific theme. Nuvo drops are a liquid form - you squeeze a drop out of the bottle onto your page, and it dries into a dot. Annoying to have to let it dry, but cheaper! Washi - I still buy some washi! It's not "trendy" but it's still around. If you used it and liked it before, carry on! Thickers - just stickers. They are dimensional - can be made out of foam or chipboard or puffy stickers or enamel covered stickers. Many are just alphabets (  ), others are icons/pictures/words. Other companies make the same product but don't call them "thickers" because that was a name copywrited by american crafts. Hope you don't get scared away by the fancy lingo and product varieties now - it's still the same hobby! |
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 13, 2023 23:01:14 GMT
Basic page design has not changed that much. Or doesn't need to change if you are happy with how a layout went together for you ten years ago. What has changed is the amount and type of ornamentation. This is so true! Every now and then, if I'm searching for a sketch to use, I will come across one that I really like, and find to my surprise that it's from 2010 or thereabouts. And I still like to use old PageMaps sketches. As you said, the thing that differentiates a sketch/layout from 2010 and one from 2023 is not the page design, it's the embellishments that go on the page. |
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Post by scrappieannie on Jan 13, 2023 23:59:33 GMT
There isn't much to say beyond the wonderful answers you have received above. I was you about 2.5 years ago! All my stuff looked so dated, and I had missed all the new trends. But how fun to be back in the community and learning new tricks! I am on the Elle's Studio design team, so I'm a bit biased, but I do think it's a great value. Someone above recommended Suzanna Lee's YouTube channel for inspiration on using the kits for traditional (non-pocket) scrapbooking. Yes! She is so great! If you're in need of more ideas, find me on Instagram. I do both traditional and pockets with the kits. |
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,986
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Jan 14, 2023 0:41:50 GMT
A lot of Peas collect stamps but don't use them, so that is a potential pitfall. I have worked out a system for avoiding that pitfall, which I am happy to share if you want the info. I would like to know. Please. |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jan 14, 2023 0:56:13 GMT
A lot of Peas collect stamps but don't use them, so that is a potential pitfall. I have worked out a system for avoiding that pitfall, which I am happy to share if you want the info. I would like to know. Please. SAME SAME SAME! I am one of those peas who is a collector of many fun stamps and don't use them nearly as much as I should. |
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Post by Linda on Jan 14, 2023 1:57:36 GMT
I would like to know. Please. SAME SAME SAME! I am one of those peas who is a collector of many fun stamps and don't use them nearly as much as I should. yes- please share!! amysolovay |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 14, 2023 4:32:59 GMT
It is interesting to me that other Peas perceive stamping as being expensive. I see it as being the opposite: really frugal. But it's only frugal if you actually use your stamps.
If you're spending $6 on a pack of Thickers every time you need to make a page title, to me, that's expensive, considering you can buy a set of alphabet stamps for $25 or less and an ink pad for $7 or so. Once you've made that upfront investment, you can stamp any page titles you need indefinitely, forever, until you need to buy a reinker (at a cost of around $5 or so). You do spend more on cardstock and adhesive this way. But, in the long term, the cost of stamps + ink + cardstock + adhesive works out to be a lot less than the cost of buying letter stickers. Plus, when you stamp your page titles, you don't waste anything. With letter stickers, you either toss a bunch of unused ones, or you end up storing endless quantities of Zs, Qs and Ws forever.
You can also stamp your journaling blocks. Up until I started messing around with digital and hybrid scrapping, I was doing most of my journaling on stamped journaling block images made from old See Dees and Autumn Leaves stamps I bought in 2006-2009. I have used the same journaling blocks on dozens of pages -- and I'm still using them, all these years later. I recently bought a newer Altenew journaling block stamp, and I've used it on a few dozen pages, too.
I also stamp a lot of my own embellishments. I'd rather stamp flowers than buy Prima flowers like I used to, back in the day.
So personally, I think stamps pay for themselves really fast. But I have a self-imposed rule: I do not buy a stamp set unless I think I can use the stamps on at least a dozen projects.
Time is also a factor to consider, though. If you don't have a lot of time to spend on crafting, stamping probably isn't going to be the ideal use for it, unless stamping is your art form of choice to start with.
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 14, 2023 4:35:11 GMT
A lot of Peas collect stamps but don't use them, so that is a potential pitfall. I have worked out a system for avoiding that pitfall, which I am happy to share if you want the info. I would like to know. Please. I will be happy to share! I will start another thread shortly to keep from derailing this one too much further. It will take me a little bit to get it put together. I hope it will be helpful to you all. |
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 14, 2023 13:02:41 GMT
I don't buy washi any longer. It does go bad. I have a bunch, so I use it occasionally. I also use it to hold dies in place before cutting.
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msupea
Full Member
Posts: 419
Aug 21, 2020 13:12:25 GMT
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Post by msupea on Jan 14, 2023 14:23:40 GMT
This was me back in 2020 during the early months of the pandemic. Got back into scrapping because I was home and had time.
I’m not a fan of washi. I rarely use enough to justify a purchase.
Enamel dots are some of my favorite little embellishments. The nuvo bottles and scrapbook.com’s color pops are great ways to make your own. I don’t stamp enough for the quantity of stamps I own but when I do stamp I like a good archival black ink and distress oxides for colors.
I have a huge stash and try to use it here and there. (Who doesn’t like to shop though!)
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Post by babylou on Jan 14, 2023 16:14:45 GMT
I love my Zig writer pens and use them all the time! I have lots of others but still grab my Zigs most of the time. JMO
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,051
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Post by artbabe on Jan 14, 2023 16:56:59 GMT
• Subscription kits. I’ve never subscribed to one before but I’m thinking I might to help me jump back in. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value?
My favorite by far is Not Just For Boys Kit Club. It isn't a subscription- you buy month by month. I find them really useable and they have really fun embellishments with them. If you want to see a ton of layouts made with them go to the Not Just For Boys thread and the end of the Quarter 4 Sharing thread. I'd say a third of all of my layouts are made with those kits. I've ordered from Hip Kit Club in the past and they are fine but everything is their line and there isn't a lot of variation in embellishments. The colors are pretty but I think the kits look pretty much the same month to month.
• Classes?
The only classes I have taken were at a LSS 12+ years ago. Are there any good online classes that you recommend taking? Any to avoid? I’ve been looking at doing Heidi Swapp’s handwriting class.
I just scroll through Youtube until I find something that appeals to me. The only classes I've taken are the free ones on Scrapbook.com
• What are Thickers?
Everyone has already answered this one. I make most of my titles with them. They aren't cheap. I do buy a lot of them from Clearance sales on American Crafts, Scrapbook.com, ACOT, etc. Sometimes Peachy Cheap has a good deal on them.
• What are enamel dots?
My obsession. Also not cheap but I love to sprinkle them on my page.
• Are tear bears still a thing? --- Just kidding!
Wow. Blast from the past. I never understood the obsession- cutesy is not my aesthetic.
• I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping?
I don't do stamping a whole lot. I know stamping titles would be cheaper but I just don't have the patience for it. I do use some leaf/floral stamps and some geometric stamps sometimes.
• My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in?
I have a terrible time with pens- I'm looking at everyone else's suggestions.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jan 14, 2023 17:50:18 GMT
With the washi, I usually put adhesive on the back of it for staying power.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 14, 2023 20:10:04 GMT
Welcome back to scrapping! Ask away with questions that’s how you learn & branch out.
Subscription kits. I’ve never subscribed to one before but I’m thinking I might to help me jump back in. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value?
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I also was new to kits. I’m not currently subscribing but I find that I used the Elle’s studio stuff I have at a higher rate than others. I like the aesthetics & themes of paperperson but have a hard time actually using them. Studio calico I can’t seem to use either.
What are enamel dots?
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Enamel dots are shiny things that don’t age as poorly or discolor as bad as epoxy
I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping?
I don’t know about more focus, but it can be helpful in certain areas. Like you I took a long hiatus from scrapping, previously I didn’t really stamp much at all. When I came back I got into stamping a bit more and here’s the reasons. I don’t write very neatly so I stamp my dates/times etc. I use a lot of Kerri Bradford date stamps because I can mix & match literally anything. Also I don’t journal a lot so I also use stamping for titles and prompts.
My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in?
I have a full set of Le Pen in all color’s and also the set of colored uniball pens, micron in several thicknesses and some staedtler pens.
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 14, 2023 23:28:56 GMT
To those of you who asked for more info on how to get more use out of your stamps -- I just posted a new thread: How to get your money's worth out of any stamp set. I hope you will find it useful. Additional comments and suggestions welcome -- I know we have other power stampers among us, and other perspectives are always helpful. |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 257
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Jan 14, 2023 23:31:14 GMT
hop2, Thanks for the insight about enamel dots not discoloring as badly as epoxy. That is helpful information. I had been steering clear of them due to worries about that -- so I am glad to know it isn't really that big of a concern.
I have older albums that have bunches of old, yellowed, hideous epoxy stickers -- and all kinds of regrets about that.
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PaperAngel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,386
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jan 15, 2023 3:16:26 GMT
• Subscription kits. I’ve never subscribed to one before but I’m thinking I might to help me jump back in. Do you have a kit that you prefer over others? Best value? I exclusively scrapbook 12x12 layouts (ie no pocket scrapbooking, mini albums, traveler's notebooks, etc.). My scrap style is simple/clean/linear/minimalist/"magazine-ish," so I use patterned paper sparingly & few embellishments. I also gravitate toward the non-themed/neutral aesthetic & enjoy mixing/selecting patterns as part of my creative process. Therefore, I've never subscribed to a kit club in almost two decades of scrapping.
• Classes? The only classes I have taken were at a LSS 12+ years ago. Are there any good online classes that you recommend taking? Any to avoid?... I've also never taken an online or in person stamp/scrap class.
• What are thickeners? Thickers, produced by American Crafts for its brands (e.g. Vicki Boutin, Paige Evans, Jen Hadfield, Maggie Holmes), are "thick stickers" that may be foam, chipboard, fabric, or a combination of materials & rarely don't actually stick! Additional adhesive is necessary. I stopped buying them years ago due to lack of stickiness, an inadequate amount of my frequently-used vowels & consonants, not labeled as acid-free/lignin-free/archival, & price per pack (especially considering the above). Instead, I opted to invest in dies (& a few stamps) in basic/usable fonts which can be cut using any paper & layered for dimension.
• What are enamel dots? They are plastic/shiny/smooth/dome-shaped embellishments. Note matte finish, shapes (in addition to round), & DIY options (e.g. Nuvo Drops, Pops of Color, Perler Beads) are also available.
• Are tear bears still a thing? --- Just kidding! Neither mulberry paper nor paper piecing is trending.
• I didn’t get much into stamping in the past. Am I missing out and should I put more focus into stamping? Personal preference. I exclusively incorporate stamping into scrapping, so all my stamps were purchased with the intention of using them on layouts. Whether simply stamping the date or a label to creating a custom background & everything in between, I usually stamp on layouts.
• My Zig Pens are dying on me. What is a good line of pens to invest in? I prefer Sakura Pigma Micro pens.
ETA: Also, I missed the washi tape phase. How much are people using washi tape still? I've never used washi/low tack tape on layouts, rather I use it to secure stencils before applying ink/glaze, dies prior to die-cutting, etc.
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I laughed out loud at this! HAHahahahahahah! Thanks for the giggle.
I took a good 12- 15? Year break, I don’t even remember. I was a 12x12 full page scrapper before but now I do mostly pocket pages in 9x12. I am really happy to be back on the crafty side. Hope you stay and play with us! 
