Check out our ElfYourself Video until January 15, 2009.
Happy Holidays from Sheri, Sandy & Teresa!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Muffin Tin Advent Calendar
I just had to share this idea from Carolee's Creations. There are so many ways you can make this your own project. Enjoy!
Mini Muffin Tin Advent Calendar (as featured on Carolee's Creations blog at Scrabook.com)....
1.Start by purchasing a muffin tin with 24 cups - I found a mini muffin tin.
2. Cut Carolee’s Creations #22067 Holly Jolly Countdown patterned paper into squares. (Or use any Christmas paper and stamp your own numbers on each square or use a Cricut to create the numbers for each square.) Mount onto 30 mil. magnet sheets covering the entire square.
3. Embellish each square with metal accents, stickers, jewels, ribbon, etc.
4. Drill holes into the top of the muffin tin. Use ribbon to hang advent calendar as shown.
5. Fill each tin with candy (or trinkets) to be revealed throughout the month of December.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
December Crop Dates Set
We will be doing something a little different next month. We are going to host a Pajama Crop from 6 p.m. to Midnight on Friday, December 12 and our Holiday Crop on Saturday, December 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are also asking each cropper to bring a snack for the snack table to each crop. We also ask that you bring your own beverage and lunch. Restaurants are closeby. Registration is required as space is limited. If you would like additional information or register, please email pinkladies@mchsi.com.
We hope to see you there!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November Crop Date Set
We will host our Give Thanks Crop on November 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mary's Crop Room in Elk Run Heights. If you would like to attend, please email pinkladies@mchsi.com as space is limited. BYOLB (Bring your own lunch and beverage). Restaurants are located nearby. You can find additional information and directions located on our Give Thanks Crop page or by clicking the link in the left hand menu.
Hope to see you there!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Croptober Fest Sale A Success!
We held our annual fall sale on October 25 at the Elk Run Heights City Hall in Elk Run Heights. We had a great turnout. We would like to thank all of those that showed up and browsed through the new and used products. Watch our blog for our next sale which we expect to be early next spring. And if you would like to receive an emails regarding our crops and sales, please sign up on our mailing list.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Heartstring Paper Piecings
Heartstrings paper piecings will soon appear on our blog for purchase. We have completed some of these adorable paper piecings and will offer them at our Croptoberfest Sale on October but will offer them right here on our blog on a while-supplies-last basis.
So check back as they will be appearing very soon!
So check back as they will be appearing very soon!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Back to Scrappin' Crop Cancelled
Our Back to Scrappin' Crop scheduled for September 20 has been cancelled! Our next event will be our fall sale on October 25 at the Elk Run Heights Community Room (located behind City Hall) and our next crop will be in November. More details to come....so check back often!
Monday, June 30, 2008
We are moving!!!!
The Pink Ladies Scrappin' and Stampin' Club website and blog are moving to TypePad. You can find the newly revamped website and blog at www.pinkladiesonline.com.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
There is no reason not to…..
Memories, and the stories behind them, are priceless – that is why it is so important to preserve yours. If you haven’t tried scrapbooking, what’s stopping you? Think it’s hard, overwhelming, or expensive? It doesn’t have to be, and we’ll tell you why, as we uncover the truths behind common scrapbooking myths!
1. My photos aren’t perfect, so they don’t deserve to go into a scrapbook.
Sometimes the most cherished photos aren’t perfect photos. It‘s not about the technical merits of the photo – it’s about the memory that was captured. What if you only have one photo from your daughter’s first day of school and her eyes are closed, or it is out of focus a little? Does that mean that moment doesn’t deserve to be remembered? Absolutely not! If you’re really unhappy with a photo, remember, there are a few things you can try to improve it a little, too. Try cropping it or adjusting the colors (changing to black and white or sepia, for example) with a color photo copier. (Note: You can also do this with photo editing software using your digital photo or by scanning in your print.) But even if that doesn’t work, scrapbook the memory anyway!
2. I need to scrapbook every photo I have.
Parents might especially feel the pressure to scrapbook every single photo ever taken of a child, beginning at birth. That’s a lot of photos! Forget about starting at the beginning – instead, just start today. Start with your most current photos and get those memories into an album first. If you have more time later, you can always go back and try to catch up old photos. There’s no pressure to get everything done all at once. Give yourself a break – adjust your expectations and just start today!
Tip: Pocket page albums, or mixing pocket pages with traditional layouts, are a fast and easy way to include multiple photos!
3. My scrapbook pages look nothing like those I see in a magazine, so they must not be any good.
Scrapbooking isn’t about comparing your pages to someone else’s. It’s about preserving your memories for you and your family. Years down the road, no one is going to notice if your pages follow a certain trend or style that is popular now. Find your own style and your own way. It doesn’t matter if your albums are classic and simple or more detailed. That’s the beauty of scrapbooking – there is no right or wrong way to do it. Do what makes you happy!
4. Scrapbooking takes a lot of time, which I don’t have.
Scrapbooking does not have to take a large amount of time. Simple pages don’t take a lot of time, but they still convey the important stuff – the stories, photos, and memories. If you don’t have a lot of spare time, break the process into small chunks – take 10-15 minutes to jot down some journaling and then pick out your supplies at another time. A great time-saver is using a collection of coordinating products, where everything is designed to match perfectly. Assemble your layout while your child is napping or in the evening when you have a few spare moments. Work one page at a time, and don’t stress about getting everything done all at once. There is no rush – you’ll get there slowly but surely! (Note: Monthly crops are also a great way for those with little time. You can plan a day or afternoon to crop in your schedule each month.)
5. I don’t have a lot of money to spend, so I shouldn’t start scrapbooking.
You are investing in your memories – what could be more important? When you think about all the money, time, and effort you put into planning that special vacation or hosting that special event, the few dollars you’ll spend to preserve the memories are worth every penny. Your photos and memories are often the only thing you have left at the end of the day, so make the effort to ensure they last a lifetime. Scrapbooking doesn’t have to cost a lot – invest first in quality albums, tools and supplies that will help you preserve the memories. You can always add in more fun products later, if you are able. If not, at least your photos and memories are preserved. That’s what matters first and foremost!
6. I don’t have kids, so therefore, I have nothing to scrapbook.
This couldn’t be further from the truth! Think about all the things in your own life that you’ll want to remember someday – the fun times you had with your friends and family, the vacations you took, your pets, your hobbies, and more. Or, make a time capsule of sorts and scrapbook the things that you like right now, such as popular music, movies, television shows, fashion, or the type of car you own. It will be fun to look back on your albums one day and reminisce. Plus, if you do have children one day, they’ll enjoy seeing the things mom or dad was into when they were younger!
7. I’m not creative, so I can’t scrapbook.
Everyone is creative in their own way! Besides, you don’t need to be super creative to scrapbook. Simple pages don’t take a lot of creativity to pull together, but yet, they still tell stories and preserve the memories. Years down the road, your family isn’t going to care if your pages follow the trends and are overly “creative” – what they will care about is that you took the time to get the memories down on paper. Also, for many people, the process of scrapbooking itself can be just as rewarding as the end product. It’s time that you spend doing something just for you and your family. A scrapbook page is a place for you to express your personality, along with your thoughts, feelings, and memories. There is no right or wrong way to do that! (Note: A great way to get started is to attend a class or workshop. You will get ideas and inspiration to jumpstart your creativity.)
8. Scrapbooking seems overwhelming and I don’t think I can do it.
Anyone can scrapbook! It doesn’t matter what your age, background, ability, or creativity level. You already have the two most important things right at your disposal – your photos and your memories. All you need to do is put them together. It doesn’t need to be complicated or hard. (Note: Another great way to get started is to attend a monthly crop where experienced scrapbookers help beginners get started.)
This article was featured in Archiver’s Journal, Spring 2008 edition.
1. My photos aren’t perfect, so they don’t deserve to go into a scrapbook.
Sometimes the most cherished photos aren’t perfect photos. It‘s not about the technical merits of the photo – it’s about the memory that was captured. What if you only have one photo from your daughter’s first day of school and her eyes are closed, or it is out of focus a little? Does that mean that moment doesn’t deserve to be remembered? Absolutely not! If you’re really unhappy with a photo, remember, there are a few things you can try to improve it a little, too. Try cropping it or adjusting the colors (changing to black and white or sepia, for example) with a color photo copier. (Note: You can also do this with photo editing software using your digital photo or by scanning in your print.) But even if that doesn’t work, scrapbook the memory anyway!
2. I need to scrapbook every photo I have.
Parents might especially feel the pressure to scrapbook every single photo ever taken of a child, beginning at birth. That’s a lot of photos! Forget about starting at the beginning – instead, just start today. Start with your most current photos and get those memories into an album first. If you have more time later, you can always go back and try to catch up old photos. There’s no pressure to get everything done all at once. Give yourself a break – adjust your expectations and just start today!
Tip: Pocket page albums, or mixing pocket pages with traditional layouts, are a fast and easy way to include multiple photos!
3. My scrapbook pages look nothing like those I see in a magazine, so they must not be any good.
Scrapbooking isn’t about comparing your pages to someone else’s. It’s about preserving your memories for you and your family. Years down the road, no one is going to notice if your pages follow a certain trend or style that is popular now. Find your own style and your own way. It doesn’t matter if your albums are classic and simple or more detailed. That’s the beauty of scrapbooking – there is no right or wrong way to do it. Do what makes you happy!
4. Scrapbooking takes a lot of time, which I don’t have.
Scrapbooking does not have to take a large amount of time. Simple pages don’t take a lot of time, but they still convey the important stuff – the stories, photos, and memories. If you don’t have a lot of spare time, break the process into small chunks – take 10-15 minutes to jot down some journaling and then pick out your supplies at another time. A great time-saver is using a collection of coordinating products, where everything is designed to match perfectly. Assemble your layout while your child is napping or in the evening when you have a few spare moments. Work one page at a time, and don’t stress about getting everything done all at once. There is no rush – you’ll get there slowly but surely! (Note: Monthly crops are also a great way for those with little time. You can plan a day or afternoon to crop in your schedule each month.)
5. I don’t have a lot of money to spend, so I shouldn’t start scrapbooking.
You are investing in your memories – what could be more important? When you think about all the money, time, and effort you put into planning that special vacation or hosting that special event, the few dollars you’ll spend to preserve the memories are worth every penny. Your photos and memories are often the only thing you have left at the end of the day, so make the effort to ensure they last a lifetime. Scrapbooking doesn’t have to cost a lot – invest first in quality albums, tools and supplies that will help you preserve the memories. You can always add in more fun products later, if you are able. If not, at least your photos and memories are preserved. That’s what matters first and foremost!
6. I don’t have kids, so therefore, I have nothing to scrapbook.
This couldn’t be further from the truth! Think about all the things in your own life that you’ll want to remember someday – the fun times you had with your friends and family, the vacations you took, your pets, your hobbies, and more. Or, make a time capsule of sorts and scrapbook the things that you like right now, such as popular music, movies, television shows, fashion, or the type of car you own. It will be fun to look back on your albums one day and reminisce. Plus, if you do have children one day, they’ll enjoy seeing the things mom or dad was into when they were younger!
7. I’m not creative, so I can’t scrapbook.
Everyone is creative in their own way! Besides, you don’t need to be super creative to scrapbook. Simple pages don’t take a lot of creativity to pull together, but yet, they still tell stories and preserve the memories. Years down the road, your family isn’t going to care if your pages follow the trends and are overly “creative” – what they will care about is that you took the time to get the memories down on paper. Also, for many people, the process of scrapbooking itself can be just as rewarding as the end product. It’s time that you spend doing something just for you and your family. A scrapbook page is a place for you to express your personality, along with your thoughts, feelings, and memories. There is no right or wrong way to do that! (Note: A great way to get started is to attend a class or workshop. You will get ideas and inspiration to jumpstart your creativity.)
8. Scrapbooking seems overwhelming and I don’t think I can do it.
Anyone can scrapbook! It doesn’t matter what your age, background, ability, or creativity level. You already have the two most important things right at your disposal – your photos and your memories. All you need to do is put them together. It doesn’t need to be complicated or hard. (Note: Another great way to get started is to attend a monthly crop where experienced scrapbookers help beginners get started.)
This article was featured in Archiver’s Journal, Spring 2008 edition.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
How to Save Soggy Photos by Stu Eddins
I thought I would pass this information on since many throughout Iowa and the Midwest are dealing with flooding.....
The place to start is with photos you know have no negatives available or where the negatives also got wet. These are the images at greatest risk for permanent loss. Be aware that older and historic photos made with a thicker paper base may not be salvageable, but slow and careful work can save some of these, too.
Take your time. Photos that have been waterlogged for more than a day or two can expand and soften. The image side (the photo emulsion) is a gelatin coating on a paper backing and can be easily scratched, so use care and avoid touching the wet image. Gently separate those photos that will come apart easily.
Keep photos wet until you have them cleaned and separated. Stacked photos or photos in albums will stick to each other as they dry out. They may evenbe kept in a plastic container of cold, clean water for a day or two as you work through the stacks.
Remove any photos that are in photo albums and dispose of the albums. If there are stacks of photos stuck together, you can soak them in clean, warm water to help loosen them. It may take several hours of soaking to get the stack separated. Use great care so that you don't rub or scratch the image.
Gently rinse each photo in clear water. Make sure to get booth sides to help ensure the best chance of preventing mold and mildew. Adding a wetting agent like Kodak's PhotoFlo to a plastic bucket for a second rinse can help water spots.
After the print is rinsed, lay it flat, image side up, on a paper towel to dry. Try to use only non-printed white paper towels to prevent transfer of any inks onto your photos. Change the towelling every four to five hours to help speed drying time.
If some photos begin to curl, weigh down the corners with small objects such as shot glasses or forks and spoons. Just be careful to avoid contact with the image.
Dry your prints indoors. You are looking for a slower drying time, so don't use a hair dryer. Fast drying may cause the photos to curl, resulting in cracks when you try to lay them out flat again.
If you have photos in frames, take them out while they are still soaking wet -- otherwise, the image side of the print will stick to the glass. If you have a print that has stuck to the glass, your best chance of rescuing it is to hold both the glass and photo under running water and let the water run between the print and the glass to encourage separation.
There are a few chemicals available that can remove mold or mildew from prints. They don't remove the stains, they do kill the biological culture to prevent further spread into the image.
If there isn't a chance to work on your photos right away, gently remove any mud or debris from your images. Rinse and stack them between layers of waxed paper. Once you have a bundle of stacked prints, put it into a resealable bag.
If a functioning freezer is available, put the bagged photos in it. The bundles may be defrosted later for cleaning and air drying.
To assure a better chance of survival in the future, have duplicates made of all your family photos and keep them in different locations -- or even different cities.
You also can have your images scanned onto CD-ROMs to store the photos.
Stu Eddins, who operates Porter's Camera, 224 Collins Road NE, worked in Des Moines during the 1993 flood, where he and co-workers had to rescue many waterlogged photos. Through trial and error and research, he compliled these tips for saving family photographs damaged by water. Porter's Camera will scan up to 200 rescued images and burn them to a CD for anyone affected by the flood at no cost. You can contact Stu at 319-373-0658 or stu@porters.com.
Copyright 2008 - The Gazette (article featured in the June 16, 2008 issue on page 8B)
The place to start is with photos you know have no negatives available or where the negatives also got wet. These are the images at greatest risk for permanent loss. Be aware that older and historic photos made with a thicker paper base may not be salvageable, but slow and careful work can save some of these, too.
Take your time. Photos that have been waterlogged for more than a day or two can expand and soften. The image side (the photo emulsion) is a gelatin coating on a paper backing and can be easily scratched, so use care and avoid touching the wet image. Gently separate those photos that will come apart easily.
Keep photos wet until you have them cleaned and separated. Stacked photos or photos in albums will stick to each other as they dry out. They may evenbe kept in a plastic container of cold, clean water for a day or two as you work through the stacks.
Remove any photos that are in photo albums and dispose of the albums. If there are stacks of photos stuck together, you can soak them in clean, warm water to help loosen them. It may take several hours of soaking to get the stack separated. Use great care so that you don't rub or scratch the image.
Gently rinse each photo in clear water. Make sure to get booth sides to help ensure the best chance of preventing mold and mildew. Adding a wetting agent like Kodak's PhotoFlo to a plastic bucket for a second rinse can help water spots.
After the print is rinsed, lay it flat, image side up, on a paper towel to dry. Try to use only non-printed white paper towels to prevent transfer of any inks onto your photos. Change the towelling every four to five hours to help speed drying time.
If some photos begin to curl, weigh down the corners with small objects such as shot glasses or forks and spoons. Just be careful to avoid contact with the image.
Dry your prints indoors. You are looking for a slower drying time, so don't use a hair dryer. Fast drying may cause the photos to curl, resulting in cracks when you try to lay them out flat again.
If you have photos in frames, take them out while they are still soaking wet -- otherwise, the image side of the print will stick to the glass. If you have a print that has stuck to the glass, your best chance of rescuing it is to hold both the glass and photo under running water and let the water run between the print and the glass to encourage separation.
There are a few chemicals available that can remove mold or mildew from prints. They don't remove the stains, they do kill the biological culture to prevent further spread into the image.
If there isn't a chance to work on your photos right away, gently remove any mud or debris from your images. Rinse and stack them between layers of waxed paper. Once you have a bundle of stacked prints, put it into a resealable bag.
If a functioning freezer is available, put the bagged photos in it. The bundles may be defrosted later for cleaning and air drying.
To assure a better chance of survival in the future, have duplicates made of all your family photos and keep them in different locations -- or even different cities.
You also can have your images scanned onto CD-ROMs to store the photos.
Stu Eddins, who operates Porter's Camera, 224 Collins Road NE, worked in Des Moines during the 1993 flood, where he and co-workers had to rescue many waterlogged photos. Through trial and error and research, he compliled these tips for saving family photographs damaged by water. Porter's Camera will scan up to 200 rescued images and burn them to a CD for anyone affected by the flood at no cost. You can contact Stu at 319-373-0658 or stu@porters.com.
Copyright 2008 - The Gazette (article featured in the June 16, 2008 issue on page 8B)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Thoughts and Prayers
We would like to send out our thoughts and prayers to the following:
- Tornado victims in Parkersburg, New Hartford and many other communities in NE Iowa
- Flood victims across Iowa and other Midwestern states
- Tornado victims at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch near Council Bluffs, Iowa
This has been an unbelievable year for weather. We know many of our group, including all of the Pink Ladies, has been affected in one way or another and hope for the best as Mother Nature continues to wreck havoc on areas that cannot take any more.
Please pray for those cleaning up after these major disasters as well as those that are bracing for flooding over the next week.
Please remember to help those that need assistance if you are able to volunteer to sandbag or assist with food and water distribution to those volunteers. Every little bit is appreciated and really does help!
For those affected by Mother Nature, please remember to thank the volunteers in your community as well as local police, fire and National Guard personnel who are giving their time away from their families and their own disaster issues to assist in your communities during this very tragic time.
Our hearts go out to all!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Top Ten Vacation Photo Tips
Summer is the time for family vacations. Whether you are taking a short road trip or a long flight to your destination, Kodak has some great tips for capturing those memorable photos.
Click here to check out how to save those special moments forever. Click on each tip for more detail.
Click here to check out how to save those special moments forever. Click on each tip for more detail.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
New Idea Book from Adornit - Carolee's Creations
Adornit Free Idea Books are now paperless!!!! Download the most recent issue today at http://www.adornit.com/Catalog/2008momanddadcelebration.pdf.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Top Ten Photo Tips
1. Get down on their level
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Hold your camera at the subject’s eye level to capture the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles
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For kids and pets that means getting down on their level to take the picture
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They don’t have to look directly into the camera, the eye level angle by itself will create a personal and inviting feeling
2. Use a plain background
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Before taking a picture, check the area behind your subject
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Lookout for trees or poles sprouting from your subject’s head
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A cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background will emphasize your subject
3. Use your flash outdoors
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Even outdoors, use the fill flash setting on the camera to improve your pictures
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Use it in bright sunlight to lighten dark shadows under the eyes and nose, especially when the sun is directly overhead or behind your subject
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Use it on cloudy days, to brighten up faces and make them stand out from the background
4. Move in close
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To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your picture with the subject
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Move a few steps closer or zoom until the subject fills the viewfinder. You will eliminate background distractions and show off the details in your subject
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For small objects, use the camera’s macro or “flower” mode to get sharp close-ups
5. Take some vertical pictures
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Many subjects look better in a vertical picture – from the Eiffel Tower to portraits of your friends
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Make a conscious effort to turn your camera sideways and take some vertical pictures
6. Lock the focus
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Lock the focus to create a sharp picture of off-center subjects
1. Center the subject
2. Press the shutter button halfway down
3. Re-frame your picture (while still holding the shutter down)
4. Finish by pressing the shutter all the way
7. Move it from the middle
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Bring your picture to life simply by placing your subject off-center
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Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your subject at one of the intersections of lines
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Since most cameras focus on whatever’s in the middle, remember to lock the focus on your subject before re-framing the shot
8. Know your flash’s range
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Pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be too dark
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For many cameras that’s only ten feet – about four steps away. Check your manual for sure
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If the subject is further than ten feet from the camera, the picture may be too dark
9. Watch the light
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Great light makes great pictures. Study the effects of light in your pictures
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For people pictures, choose the soft lighting of cloudy days. Avoid overhead sunlight that casts harsh shadows across the face.
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For scenic pictures, use the long shadows and color of early and late daylight
10. Be a picture director
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Take an extra minute and become a picture director, not just a passive picture-taker
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Add some props , rearrange your subjects, or try a different viewpoint
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Bring your subjects together and let their personalities shine. Then watch your pictures dramatically improve
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
National Scrapbook Day Crop
We had a full group show up to participate in our card project at the beginning of the crop and then had 7 stay to scrapbook. We had a great time and look forward to getting back together in the Fall.
Please note we have our Fall sale tentatively scheduled for September. More details will be announced in the next couple of months....so please check back.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Picture Imperfect
As featured in The Gazette on Monday, April 21, 2008:
Pictures are worth a thousand words only if you can find them. Get organized so those precious memories are at your fingertips instead of tossed in a shoe box or floating around your computer's hard drive.
Sort it out -- Weather prints or digital images, start by sorting photos and catergorizing them by year. Chronological order is the most efficient way to organize. Five or ten years from now you may not remember who was at the party, where it was or the theme, but (hopefully) you'll recall the year.
A book, not the cover -- Look for archival quality albums and storage boxes. That means they are made of acid-free paper and won't deteriorate images. Sorry, that means shoe boxes are out.
Pick and choose -- Be ruthless. It is OK to throw away a blurry photo taken at your son's first birthday party. Chances are you have a dozen more just like it. No need to keep all those duplicates. Pick your favorites and toss the rest. Better yet, share fabulous copies with friends and family.
Not so negative -- Sure, you can always make a reprint from a print, but it won't be the same quality. Despite the digital revolution, never toss negatives. Stash them in labeled envelopes with their coordinating prints or store them separately in inexpensive negative pages. Label them with the year and roll number. Then write (with a ballpoint pen, not a felt tip) the roll number on the back of the print for quick recall.
Back it up -- A hard drive can (and someday will) crash. Routinely back up your digital images on CDs or DVDs. Label them by year. If you don't have a digital camera, buy a disk when you get your film developed.
Compact storage -- Always make two disks. Store one set near the computer. Keep the other in another location, preferrably a dark closet. Light will eventually erase data on the discs. Disks also fit in photo boxes.
Computer clutter -- The best way to organize digital images is in chronological order. Most prgrams will automatically label images according to the date you uploaded them. Take advantage of the other features that let you tag the photos. They'll still be stored according to date, but you'll also be able to find them by looking for key words like "beach" or "Uncle Bob."
Digital overload -- Be picky about the digital images you keep. Upload them all to your computer (an 18-inch screen is better to analyze an image than a 2-inch one) then delete those with blurred faces or red-eyes. If you don't, it won't take long before your computer's memory is eaten up with images.
Online only -- If you know you're never going to be religious about making backup copies, at least store your images at an online photo site like Snapfish.com or Kodak's Gallery. Some sites charge a small fee. Others are free.
Memory dump -- Don't wait for your 2GB memory card to fill up before you upload your pictures. Memory cards can be erased when exposed to an electrical charge, like the static in your pocket.
Source: Stu Eddins, General Manager, Porter's Camera, Cedar Rapids
Gazette graphic/text by Carly Weber; design by Jim Riley
Copyright 2008
Pictures are worth a thousand words only if you can find them. Get organized so those precious memories are at your fingertips instead of tossed in a shoe box or floating around your computer's hard drive.
Sort it out -- Weather prints or digital images, start by sorting photos and catergorizing them by year. Chronological order is the most efficient way to organize. Five or ten years from now you may not remember who was at the party, where it was or the theme, but (hopefully) you'll recall the year.
A book, not the cover -- Look for archival quality albums and storage boxes. That means they are made of acid-free paper and won't deteriorate images. Sorry, that means shoe boxes are out.
Pick and choose -- Be ruthless. It is OK to throw away a blurry photo taken at your son's first birthday party. Chances are you have a dozen more just like it. No need to keep all those duplicates. Pick your favorites and toss the rest. Better yet, share fabulous copies with friends and family.
Not so negative -- Sure, you can always make a reprint from a print, but it won't be the same quality. Despite the digital revolution, never toss negatives. Stash them in labeled envelopes with their coordinating prints or store them separately in inexpensive negative pages. Label them with the year and roll number. Then write (with a ballpoint pen, not a felt tip) the roll number on the back of the print for quick recall.
Back it up -- A hard drive can (and someday will) crash. Routinely back up your digital images on CDs or DVDs. Label them by year. If you don't have a digital camera, buy a disk when you get your film developed.
Compact storage -- Always make two disks. Store one set near the computer. Keep the other in another location, preferrably a dark closet. Light will eventually erase data on the discs. Disks also fit in photo boxes.
Computer clutter -- The best way to organize digital images is in chronological order. Most prgrams will automatically label images according to the date you uploaded them. Take advantage of the other features that let you tag the photos. They'll still be stored according to date, but you'll also be able to find them by looking for key words like "beach" or "Uncle Bob."
Digital overload -- Be picky about the digital images you keep. Upload them all to your computer (an 18-inch screen is better to analyze an image than a 2-inch one) then delete those with blurred faces or red-eyes. If you don't, it won't take long before your computer's memory is eaten up with images.
Online only -- If you know you're never going to be religious about making backup copies, at least store your images at an online photo site like Snapfish.com or Kodak's Gallery. Some sites charge a small fee. Others are free.
Memory dump -- Don't wait for your 2GB memory card to fill up before you upload your pictures. Memory cards can be erased when exposed to an electrical charge, like the static in your pocket.
Source: Stu Eddins, General Manager, Porter's Camera, Cedar Rapids
Gazette graphic/text by Carly Weber; design by Jim Riley
Copyright 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
April Event
We decided to take a field trip in April instead of hosting a crop. We attended the MWSA Scrapbook Convention in Des Moines today. We all had lots of fun while shopping and creating Make-N- Takes. We also made a trip to Archivers and ate at Cracker Barrel. Check out our photos in our event album (link located in the menu on the right side of our blog).
We had a door prize winner in our group at the expo. Sara Walker, from Coralville, won a goodie bag from Walnut Place Retreat.
Our next event will be May 3 for our National Scrapbook Day Crop in Evansdale. Click the link in the menu to the right for more information.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Cabin Fever Crop
We had a great time at our March crop. Unfortunately, we did not get any photos as many of our attendees came and went at different times so we never had a full group. We welcomed back Pat Ernst. Pat had not been to a crop in awhile and it was good to have her back with the group. We did miss a few of our croppers as some called the day of the crop with the nasty flu bug that has been going around.
Our next fun event is our field trip to Des Moines for the MWSA Scrapbook Expo. We will go to the Expo along with Archiver's and have dinner at a local restaurant. If you would like to go with us, please contact us at pinkladies@mchsi.com.
Our next fun event is our field trip to Des Moines for the MWSA Scrapbook Expo. We will go to the Expo along with Archiver's and have dinner at a local restaurant. If you would like to go with us, please contact us at pinkladies@mchsi.com.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Fat Saturday Crop
We had a great time at our Fat Saturday Crop yesterday. Sandy received the most beads for completing several layouts. We had a newcomer, Jael Cleveland, attend our crop yesterday. Jael is originally from Canada and recently moved here with her husband and son in December from Minnesota.
We also witnessed history when Mary completed a layout with just ONE photo. We also surprised Mary at the beginning of the crop when she was honored by The Pink Ladies Scrappin' and Stampin' Club as an Honorary Pink Lady.
Check out our crop photo album!
We have scheduled our next crop for March 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available at the link in the menu to the right.
We also will be hosting a field trip to Des Moines on April 12 to attend the MWSA Scrapbooking Convention at HyVee Hall in Des Moines and visit Archivers in West Des Moines. For more information, please email pinkladies@mchsi.com.
We also witnessed history when Mary completed a layout with just ONE photo. We also surprised Mary at the beginning of the crop when she was honored by The Pink Ladies Scrappin' and Stampin' Club as an Honorary Pink Lady.
Check out our crop photo album!
We have scheduled our next crop for March 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available at the link in the menu to the right.
We also will be hosting a field trip to Des Moines on April 12 to attend the MWSA Scrapbooking Convention at HyVee Hall in Des Moines and visit Archivers in West Des Moines. For more information, please email pinkladies@mchsi.com.
Honorary Pink Lady
Mary Pietan was named a honorary Pink Lady at our Fat Saturday Crop yesterday. She received a plaque to hang in her scrapbook room that she so graciously allows us to use monthly for our crops. She also received her very own Pink Ladies t-shirt to wear at Pink Ladies events.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February Crop Kit
Want to receive this kit? Attend our Fat Saturday Crop on February 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This kit is available exclusively to our crop attendees. Space and kit quantities are limited, so sign up today to reserve your space and kit.
The kit includes 1 Heartstrings paper piecing sheet (Buckley Sends His Love); 1 sheet of white cardstock; 1 sheet of Red Hot patterned paper from Carolee's Creations; 2 sheets of He Loves Me patterned paper from Carolee's Creations; 1 set of Heart Alphabet letters from The Paper Patch along withe the flower stem and leaf in green and 2 large black circles; 2 large white circles; 1 small black circle; and an instruction sheet to complete the above layout. All you need to provide is adhesive.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What is Scrapbooking?
"You see, the term scrapbooking does not just refer to the assembly of pages. Scrapbooking actually describes an ongoing, multi-dimensional spectrum of activities that begins with an awareness of your life, followed by a desire to photograph and record your day-to-day experiences, ultimately resulting in scrapbook albums that are overflowing with perspective-laden layouts, each of which contributes in some small way to the story of your life and heritage".
from Stacy Julian's new book, Photo Freedom
from Stacy Julian's new book, Photo Freedom
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Winter Crop Photos
We had a great turn out at our Winter Crop with all seats taken. Everyone had lots of fun and each attendee received a special "gift" just for attending - a tag made especially for the Winter Crop. Check out our crop photo album to see all the fun.
Our next crop will be held in February. Check out our Events page of our website for details.
Our next crop will be held in February. Check out our Events page of our website for details.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Fat Saturday Crop Scheduled
We have scheduled our 4th Annual Fat Saturday (Mardi Gras) Crop for February 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit our Events page on our website (http://www.pinkladiesonline.com/) or by clicking on the Fat Saturday Crop link in the Photo Album section of our blog.
Our exclusive crop kit will be posted soon.
Our exclusive crop kit will be posted soon.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
2008 Crop Dates Set
We have set our 2008 crop schedule. Please mark your calendars....
January 12 - Winter Crop
February 9 - Fat Saturday Crop
March 8 - Spring Break Crop
April 12 - MWSA Expo in Des Moines (field trip instead of crop)
May 3 - National Scrapbook Day Crop
June - No Crop
July - No Crop
August - No Crop
September 20 - Back to Scrappin' Crop
October 18 - Croptoberfest
November 15 - Give Thanks Crop
December 13 - Holiday Crop
Times and locations will be announced at each crop for the following month's crop and posted on our events page of our website.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Winter Crop Kit
Here is the kit we will be offering at our Winter Crop (available to attendees only....you must attend the crop to purchase the kit). You may reserve your kit with your crop reservation.
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