Mason Jar Blessings.

I think it's wonderful when we can take just a few minutes each day to see the blessings in our life. Crafts by Courtney has a fabulous idea to quickly write them down and put them in a jar. It would be so fun to use these in a scrapbook or collage at the end of the year. What a fun way to look back at the year and see all the good that happened!

 

See more about the Mason Jar Blessings.

Easy Scrapbook Paper Turkey

Are you looking for something easy to make to add to your Thanksgiving décor? How about this cut scrapbook paper turkey from Just Us Four! So cute :)

 

See the Easy Scrapbook Paper Turkey.

Product Review Epson R2000

Today I have the opportunity to share with you something really great. The folks at Epson sent me a R2000 printer to review for you. 

First the facts, the Epson R2000 is a professional level printer. It prints on a wide variety of medias including glossy, matte, and luster photo paper, cardstock, overlays and even canvas! It also can print up to and impressive 13 inches in width and a unlimited length. This makes it a great choice for scrapbookers and crafters who are looking for an option to print larger prints at home. It uses 8-color UltraChrome Hi-Gloss® 2 pigment ink including two different blacks and a special cartridge just for glossy prints. 

Let's talk a little about size. I'm not going to lie, this printer is a monster. Taking up the space of almost two all in one printers and weighting in at over 20 lbs, it's a beast. I knew in advance of it's size and planned for a space to house it. Keep this in mind when you purchase.

Because I have had many bad printer installations in my history, I was a little worried about set it. I knew that I would have to be using the printer wirelessly and would not be able to ever connect it to the computer. I grew even more nervous when I discovered that the install instructions were little more than pictures and a few words. I proceeded with caution. I am happy to report that installation was a breeze!!! I have never had an install of any computer hardware go so smoothly. Within 15 minutes of opening the box, I was happily printing my first test page.

I used several media types to create my test prints. Premium Glossy Paper, Velvet Fine Art Paper, Ultra Premium Luster Paper,  Matte Presentation Paper and Matte Double Sided Scrapbook Paper. 

    

Each paper, to me serves a very specific purpose.

In terms of everyday portraits and prints to give to my family my pick is the Premium Glossy Paper. The prints were very true to color from my calibrated montior and they print fast! I 5x7 took just 45 seconds. Great when I have eager family members that want their photos now.

For myself and my albums, I would choose to print with the Ultra Premium Luster Paper. This paper is top of the line and the quality backs that up. In terms of color match, I printed straight from my Lightroom software using printer manages color settings, color space sRBG, and an overall brightening of +5. I have found in the past with my other Epson that they tend to be a little darker than my screen. The +5 brightness did the trick.

I used the Double-sided Scrapbook paper to do print and cuts directly from my Silhouette Cameo. Let me tell you how exciting it was to no longer be limited to an 8.5x11 print and cut. Amazing!! Of all the matte papers I have tried, this really holds up well. The color is slightly duller than my screen using the same above settings, but just perfect for graphics. Myself, personally I would not use it for photos due to the dull quality of the prints, but that being said the color match was spot on.

In addition of all the the formentioned media, this printer will also print CDs. I used this feature to create custom DVDs for our family from a recent reunion.

Although I have long feared the ink consumption that I have read plagues Epson Large Format Printers, I was pleasently surprised that it did not suck ink as my pervious Epson did. To date I have printed 5 full 12x12 pages, 10 8.5x11 luster pages, 10 DVDs, two velvet fine art 8.5x11 prints and 10 5x7 prints. The ink levels are just now starting to drop below the full level. I'm very impressed for an ink jet. Price to replace all 8 cartridges is: $79.99. which is much cheaper than previous models from Epson and other retailers.

Final Verdict: If you are looking for a professional grade photo printer that will allow you to print large formats on a wide variety of media, this is the printer for you. Because of it's hefty price tag: $499.99, it may not be right for the casual printer. As a semi professional photographer, it has already delivered on that price tag. I can print family and client photos late at night and be confident in the results. I can scrapbook and product digital products in print at a scale I could only dreem of before. I can also print art work and other images for my home on the high quality papers and use them for home decor at a fraction of the cost in store. I cannot wait to use this printer in the coming months for the majority of my work. 

Disclosure:  I was provided the Epson R2000, ink and media for printing free of charge in exchange for my review. The review and opinions are all my own.   

     

DIY Embossing Folders

 

A little something crafty today from Made with Love. Embossing folders can be expensive, but with this handy tutorial you will be making your own DIY Embossing Folders in no time! Think of the possibilities!

See DIY Embossing Folders. 

Paper Wreath

Head over to Fine Craft Guild to learn how to make beautiful wreath from paper! I think this one is white is beautiful! Looks pretty easy and inexpensive to make!

See the paper leaf wreath.

Picture Frame Cabinet Doors

Head over to Choose To Thrive where you can learn how to make picture frame cabinets. Like Nike, you can either leave them blank or put pictures or scrapbook goodness in them. What a fun way to change up your kitchen.

See the picture frame cabinet door tutorial.

Scrapbook Paper Pillow AND Last Chance to Vote For ME!!!!!

Have you ever loved a piece of scrapbook paper so much that you wish they made it into material? This idea from Crafty CPA is awesome. She took the inspiration from a favorite scrapbook paper and turned it into a pillow. You gotta check this out!

See the scrapbook paper pillow.

AND everyone, PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR!!!!! If you enjoy reading my blog, please go to Vintage Revivals and vote for my entry for a room makeover by clicking on the star underneath #111. PLEASE! I'm Begging!!!!

Mini Brad Charms

Lil Blue Boo has a great idea of turning scrapbook brads into necklace and bracelet charms. What a sweet little, easy, inexpensive idea for Mother's Day or any other day!

See the mini brad charm necklace.

Paper Mache Pumpkins

The Hillside Home has a wonderfully messy and fun way to decorate pumpkins! Use your patterned scrapbook paper to paper mache them! So interesting at which to look!

Check out the Paper Mache Pumpkins!

Scrapbook Paper Pumpkins

Use that adorable patterned paper to make some pumpkins! Head over to Make Mine Lime to see how quick and easy this cuteness can be.

See the scrapbook paper pumpkins!

Back 2 School Tags and Labels Printable AND Tips for Starting School

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I Love It All shares this printable with us! Perfect for lunchsacks, scrapbooking and anything else!

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Your free back-to-school download looks like this:

The four circle labels are sized for your 2" circle punch. For my layout, I used my corner rounder on the rectangular tags...they are sized to 2.5" x 4.25" with plenty of room to journal. Or you could even add a small photo and use it as a refrigerator magnet for the grandparents!

This page of labels/journaling spots is listed in my Etsy shop for $3.00, but for my dear blog readers, I am offering them up for FREE. Just print them out on an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock and you're ready to craft! I've been printing them on white cardstock and they look crisp and clean, but I think if you print them on kraft or graph paper, they might even be cuter. Download them for yourself and tell me what type of paper you used.

Have fun and remember to love it all!

Thanks Monika at I Love It All! Visit this blog today!

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I've also decide to include some tips and "things to do" before the kids start school.

The following 4 tips are from one of my blogless readers named Amy!!!

1. I always get the kids' eyes examined before school starts. Bonus points if I get them scheduled so that they can get used to new lenses before school starts.

2. I use the last week of vacation to gradually (half hour at a time) work the kids towards the school year wake up and go to bed times.

3. We always go out for ice cream to celebrate the first day of school, all the while crooning "learning is sweet!".

4. For a new scholar, I take them to the school a few days early, and look for bathrooms and the office. I introduce the child by name to the principal and the secretary, (and hopefully the teacher) and tell them that these are the adults in charge. I tell the child that these people have the right to tell them what to do, and that the child has the right to ask these adults for help or protection.

Some tips of my own:

1. Pick out the clothes, jewelry and hair accessories the kids are going to wear at least the night before school starts.

2. Take the kids to have their teeth cleaned at the dentist.

3. If you kids go by a nickname or a middle name, call the school/teacher and let them know the name your child goes by and how to spell it. That way, when school starts the name on the door, desk, coat rack, grade books, etc. won't have to be changed. It will save everyone the headache of changing things or misspelling the chosen name!!!!

4. Fix the kids their favorite breakfast the first day of school!

5. Establish routines beginning the first day of school.

Scrappy Brad Earrings

Transform some of those cute scrapbooking brads into earrings.

I love this idea! Inexpensive, easy and cute!

See how at Just Another Day In Paradise. GO HERE.

Photo Copied Fabrics

When you see fabric with a pattern that you love, don't you sometimes wish they made it in scrapbook paper for cards, scrapbooking and other crafts? With this fabulous tip from The Polka Dot Closet, now you can have that fabric print on paper. Just lay the fabric on a color copier.... and copy away! Now the print can be used for a million different uses. See the post HERE.

Matchbook Minis

HERE is an awesome idea for cute ways to record little memories, make lists, store ideas or whatever else you need to write down. These matchbook minis are so fun and easy to make. I love all the possibilities with them. (I'm thinking of having a mini every week with a page for To Do, Shopping list, schedule/appts., things to remember, moments to record, and ideas!) Would that be great? What a fun way to keep a year-long journal. See how to make these and more cute pictures of them at I am Mommy. GO HERE.

Scrapbook Paper Wreath

Make a colorful wreath using scrapbook paper. The Thomas Family has a few different color combinations for holidays. Go learn how to make this and see the other wreaths HERE.

Light Switch Frames and Dream House Moulding!!!

Make a unique frame display by using light switches!!! Seriously!!! Another reason to visit your neighborhood home improvement store besides washer necklaces!!! Go HERE to see this bit of inspiration on From My Feathered Nest.

AND while you are checking out all From My Feathered Nest's scrapbooking pages(she's a professional), check out her house for Dream House ideas!!! (If you are a die-hard scrapbooker, add this site to your blog roll. She is GOOD! And don't look to closely at her family pictures Utahns because you will know why she has a dream house!)


I wish I had a kitchen like this:
Look how her beautiful countertop extends to sit 6 people. TO DIE FOR!!!

Yeah, this is her scrapbook room! Makes me want to cry (tears of joy for her!)

Could I please have moulding like this when I win the jackpot? These are bedrooms!!!Unfortunately, her house makes me a little bit....jealous! Oh, to live in luxury!
Can I please have a ceiling and columns like this? Please!!! (Can you have the whine in my voice?)

Spring Hair Clips

http://treyandlucy.blogspot.com/2009/04/easy-spring-hair-clips-part-2.html