Come Interact with Us

For quite some time now, as we have been developing the home site for Scrapbooking Directions.com we've had the comments sections turned off. This was for many reasons - but mostly to build out a robust spam blocking system so that when our visitors got to our site they would get valuable content in the scrapbooking articles we share but also within the comments sections.

This was not without errors. As with any site (especially new ones) there are bound to be little issues, bugs or fires to deal with here and there. Yesterday we fixed one of those and as a result our comments sections are now LIVE!

That means that if you visit Scrapbooking Directions.com from this day forward - and you are inspired, intriqued or even confused about something in our Scrapbooking Articles, you can leave a comment and we will answer it!

We have seen fantastic success since this feature got enabled and we would love to see more. But we do need help. Just check out this page referring to our Interview with Cathy Zielske (formerly of Simple Scrapbooking, now with Big Picture Scrapbooking and Designer Digitals); and this page "A Public Review of Die Cutting Machines" - they are both great examples of how others just like you are getting involved. And getting value!

You see we are here for YOU! Unlike other scrapbooking sites out there (not all)....what you want from Scrapbooking right now, is what matters to us. We're not just throwing up our own latest creations or trying to feed YOU with product suggestions or project confinements that you don't need. We want to give you a VOICE. You can search the entire site using the search box in the top right corner when you get there, and you will most likely find what you are looking for...and if you don't find EXACTLY what you are looking for - we will deliver it by way of answering your comments. So....in order for this to work...

We need YOUR comments. We need YOUR questions.
We need YOUR interaction.

If you like what we share here on this Scrapbooking Mini-Blog - just wait until you get to the big site, Scrapbooking Directions.com. There is a lot more in store for you there. And there is a lot more to come.

So please visit the home site of Scrapbooking Directions.com and let us know how you feel. You can even comment on our site if you wish, simply pick a page to comment from and go for it.

We are devoted to your needs in scrapbooking.

Happy Scrapping, Cijaye DePradine.

The worst day ever!

So, I am pretty sure that if there was a contest for the worst day ever - I believe today for me takes the cake and I had to share it.

So my morning starts of with my childs schoolbus flat out leaving us behind. We were one minute early for regular pick up - but due to a series of circumstances that lead to this I had to then take my daughter to school myself which is not exactly close to my home - in fact it's approx 20 minutes away from my home; so I had to take a leave from my work. (When time is MONEY - I also LOST money on this one!!!)

So, okay...the 20 minutes had to be done, and would have been fine at the end of the day had I NOT taken the wrong turn onto the highway and overshot the distance by nearly 40kms! YIKES! Now we tack on another 15 minutes to the drive! OUCH!

Then after I drop my daughter off, I proceed to take my son to his father so that he could get him to emergency (due to a growing bug that kept getting chalked up to a traditional virus) while I go to meet the executives at my office.

I was late for this meeting - which is never a good idea anyhow. One executive must bow out. :o( OMG as if this could be any worse!

By the time it's all said and done, meeting is over I am making my way back home - - it's now 4 hours since my son has been at the hospital and still no real results.

Now I know that some of you may be thinking aw no big deal - stuff happens and we just have to deal with it - but it does get worse.

I get home from my meeting to find a plastic wrap and green painters tape temporarily patching up HOLE in the celing of my main hallway!

We had a contractor working in our attic while we were all away: he tripped over a wire and BAM! Through the roof his leg goes. I had to laugh at this point or I'd start to bawl! Then I move further into the house to find another crack in the celing (luckily only where the hatch to the attic is)... I will post photos very soon (after I scrapbook this whole ordeal!)!

THEN....I have to do the errand dance for after school drop off's and gymnastics - which once again I take the WRONG road for and off I go in a direction I don't belong and I am late for this class too!

Finally - when I had the chance to settle - I crash. (Not the car...I guess that would have been the icing on the cake though - wouldn't it) ....no instead, I take a nap in the car because all of the composure I kept throughout the day ....

Coming home to no dinner and a sink and counter full of dishes wasn't fun either.... but I sucked it up and made it work - all while running myself a LONG OVERDUE, WELL NEEDED bubble bath!...

Thank goodness for the peace and serenty of candlelit soaks alone!!!!

But for now - let me ask you - how was your day?

I need a new CuttleBug Machine!

Ladies and Gentleman - I am on a mission! I need a new Cuttlebug Die Cutting machine but cannot find one ANYWHERE! It's incredible how popular this genius of a paper crafts machine this is!

Had I known they would be sold out everywhere - I would have bought 2 or 3 last time so that I would never ever be without one.

If anyone knows of where I can get one at an excellent price (they currently range between $50 and $100 out here) - please let me know....

Thanx - you are all wonderful!

CuttleBug Die Cutting Idea

Just when you think you have seen all that can be done with cuttlebug die cuts...Inking Pink comes out with something so unique and so cute that you almost feel the NEED to do it - just to say you can...even though you might not have one single need for a paper mushroom in your home or office.

But hey...when was paper crafting about need. It's about inspiration, art, expression, story telling, photo sharing, creativity and so much more.

To think that somewhere in the back of someone's mind an idea to create something this cool with a few die cut pieces just blows my mind.

Inking Pink you are an artist! There is no question about it and you have inspired me today!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...Cijaye DePradine.

P.S. We have more reviews of cuttlebug projects here.

Tea Bag Holder "Get Well" Cards

Have you ever had a loved one or someone you care about come down with an aweful cough or cold and all you want to do is help them get through it?

Your thoughtfullness will go a long way for sure...but what about taking that thoughtfullness one step further...why not give them your favorite tea to sooth the illness and pass the time along with the perfect handmade card to package it all just right?

SplitCoast Stampers has the perfect tutorial for the occasion and you definitely need to try it! It's absolutely darling!

It doesn't appear to be too difficult either. In fact there are 2 different options (one easy, one intermediate)...you should have NO problems.

I am certain your loved ones will appreciate it!

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/teabagholder/

Mothers Day Scrapbooks

If you are anything like me you will be scrambling right up to the very last moment to find that perfect gift for mom. So...it would be quite appropriate then to give you some last minute mothers day scrapbook gift tips.

First...lets talk about giving the gift of a scrapbook page/album. Which one will it be? Will it be a photo collage page that you place into a scrapbook photo frame? Or will it be a mini or full album solely devote to mom?

Also - what are you going to say? Do you want focus on big bold compliments on the page(s) OR do you want to tell stories? Bold compliments will keep your pages simple and allow you to use titles more effectively. Stories will take a lot more time - but will provide deeper meaning behind every page etc.

Click here for some NEW mothers day quotes or titles .

Next...you will want to determine the theme etc. Take some time out to think about mom. Who is she? What does she like or love? (Music, movie, entertainment etc). What types? What sort of personality does she have? Are there scrapbook papers, embellishments etc. that you can use that will match up with this?

For more ideas on how to match your scrapbook to moms personality you might want to read this article on Mothers Day Scrapbook Ideas.

Also for a really neutral but very fun digital scrapbook kit for mothers day...check these out mothers day scrapbook elements, quotes or titles.

Finally - if you need some assistance in creating the PERFECT scrapbook page layouts for mom...check out our partners scrapbook sketches.

Have fun with your projects!

P.S. Don't forget to make mom an elegant handmade card for mothers day as well.