what to Smash

Dear Lizzy,

I hope you'll post all of the "smashing" that you've done. I got a Smash book, but don't really know what to put in it. If I should come up with some type of theme before I start it or just kind of go with it each day & have all types of things in it. Drama Queens Mum (Kimberly)

Kimberly, I totally know what you mean and understand how at first you're thinking, "what do I do with this?" That's how I felt too. Well, don't hate me when I answer this with one of those creative cliches: There's no rules... OR whatever makes you happy.

Simplifying an idea helps me not get overwhelmed. So don't think of filling up a whole album or a Smash book. Just start with one page.

If thinking of a theme helps you get started then go with that. Whether it's a creative journal and you include sketches, magazine clippings, catalog pictures. A travel journal and you include things you've saved from a vacation. Or, for me, it's a day-do-day journal and I include fun pieces from life and Instax photos.

The above smash was from a bowling birthday party. The bottom left Instax photo is Avery right after her first-ever strike. She was pretty excited! I got a couple strikes myself, so what if it was bumper bowling!

From that event I included the print out of our bowling-fun for proof of our mad skills & tickets. The family picture is using the Wide Fujifilm Instax that's why it's larger then the smaller ones I take.

The next smash is from a dinner with my friend, Jennifer, who was in town from Mississippi for Spark. We went to a restaurant that is filled with lemon trees. I smashed my receipt, Instax, and I cut up what we ordered form a take out menu when we got home. Added some washi tape, epoxy & journaling spot titled: "reasons why we get along so well." Smash book has some fun journaling pads that help to jumpstart what you want to write about too.

InLinkz.com

She wanted to say Hello, Darling to all you bloggers!

get off our lawn

Running through sprinklers is the quintessential feeling of summer. Try doing it with out laughing... or squealing depending on how cold that hose water is. If summer were to end tomorrow we could bid farewell happily knowing that we played in sprinklers. No, that is not our house. Yes, they probably thought we were crazy.

Heels//Vintage Dress

Here is a popular question:

Dear Lizzy, I see that you use Totally Rad Photoshop actions, but I'm wondering if you bought the TRA1 or TRA2? I went through them, LOVE THEM, and now I can't decide which one I like best!
xo, Lindsay Roberts

I really enjoy running Totally Rad Actions. I use both of the packages obsessively but if I had to choose I would get the TRA:2. That has a bunch of my favorites that artistically alter your photos. The Get Faded series of actions are totally rad ;) along with Pool Party & all the sharpening tools are great. These actions run like a dream! I also really love Maggie Holmes Actions!

Q: Hi! Where do you get your crazy cute shoes? I remember from long long long ago, you posted a website where you found some fun (and not crazy expensive shoes) and I can't remember what it was! Thanks, Katie

A: Hi Katie, I can't specifically remember what shoes you are referring to but let me see if I can guide you to something crazy cute. :) The ones I am wearing in the above pic are older and were from Zappos. (Vivienne Westwood) You can find some good prices there. Another great place where I buy shoes are Ruche & Modcloth which have a selection of reasonably priced picks. Also, BC Footwear has some darling styles.

photos by: who else

a little Q & A on a Thursday

Q: Dear Lizzy,
Ok I have a question for you! I have recently found the joy of crafting and I love it, but my stash is very small! I see so many lovely things, but cannot afford to buy everything all at once, so I was wondering if you could suggest some absolute basic essentials!
Hannah Carrollxxx

A: Hi Hannah, That is a great question here are some of my favorite essentials! I've included a few of my favorites below with out going too overboard, I had to stop somewhere, and without including the obvious adhesive & scissors.

PUNCHES:

Circle Punch: This is such a versatile tool that I use so often. I use my 2" all the time. Get a scalloped edge circle that is a touch larger then the round circle punch so you can layer them and you are good to go!

Border Punch: You can use it over and over to add a more polished look to cutting papers on your pages.

Most used punches: Butterfly for the girls or the Cloud if I had a boy. (Sigh... someday ;)

THICKERS:

Perfect addition for a stand-out title and I use them on almost every single page. I can stretch my thickers to go a long way... and get pretty talented at combining the letters that I have to make the letter I ran out of. Like this layout where I cut the 8's to make two s's. (Apparently, I like to brag about not very cool things. )

PATTERNED PAPER:

I am such a paper girl... I love to alter, paper piece, and cut strips of patterned paper! In fact I love it so much, if you asked me what 3 things I could bring if I was stranded on a deserted island I would have to say paper... and a lifetime supply of Nutella.

JOURNALING:

Having a quick easy way to add a spot for journaling is great if you are ever in a time crunch and they are cute!

I love Elle's Studio for all things journaling as well as my Enchanted Ticket Stickers & there is a bunch of great journaling cards & AC journaling cards & books. A lot of great options here...

I have been eyeing these Ali Edward's journaling stamps too.

FINISHING TOUCHES:

Some scrappers might rather choke on another button but I still like em. Layering all different elements as the finishing touches to my layout is something I really enjoy and is a whole post in itself.

PAPER TRIMMER: I love my new paper trimmer... Cutterpillar. I especially love how it cuts through chipboard like a dream!

Phew, I hope that wasn't too overwhelming and I am glad I could share a few of my favorite essentials.

Q: Okay my question is: I adore your Dear Lizzy line by American Crafts and I would love to see more crafty lines from you! Are you planning on designing more in the near future?

Jen (Sydney, Aus)

A: Hi Jen! I am!! We are finishing up my next line that will be released at the Winter CHA show this January. I can't wait to share it with you... !

Q: Dear Lizzy, How did you come up with your daughters' beautiful names? They're totally cute and unique!

Jamie Leija

A: Thanks Jamie! Before we were even married I knew one of our daughters would be named Avery. Something about it just stuck with me all those years and Collin liked it too so I don't remember even thinking or making a list while I was pregnant with her. With the other two, Collin and I compiled a list of names over the 9 months. There was usually one that Collin really loved and he would say, "That's it!" It was sweet how excited he was about a certain name and felt a connection. We never had it set in stone until we held our babies and met them in real life... but after each one the name we chose still felt right. We included family names for all the middle names: Rose, Elizabeth and Marie. A silly sidenote: It's cute because lately Qu-ey has been referring to herself as Rosie. "Rosie is hungry." ha ha

Q: What is the best way to photograph your layouts? Please don't say daylight because that is not always an option for me.

Maria Therese

A: Ah, man... I don't know how to answer this one then. ;)

You could also use a scanner, or if you do have bright enough lighting indoors that is also an option. Just make sure you adjust your camera to the correct lighting options (tungsten etc) and you should get a good picture doing that as well.

2 scoops

Who knew I had magical powers and could make things disappear? Especially if such things involve two scoops of gelato. Who knew that while purchasing such glamourous bulk sized items at Costco: diapers, baby wipes, bottled water and toilet paper you could also enjoy such goodness in a waffle cone?

Who knew that in the summer your inner lazy self grabs the reigns and takes over, forcing you to steer clear of anything but enjoying sunshine. The long list of diy's and fun things to make over the weekend is untouched because instead I just played and lazied around. I am not saying this as a bad thing just reporting. :)

I started up answering your questions again.

Dear Lizzy,
I've been following your blog everyday for a year now and I have to say I looove the inspiration I can always find there. One of the things that I adore about your blog are the pictures. I would like to know which PS actions do you usually use for the pics on your blog? I love the faded almost vintage feel they always have, they look so full of color still but slightly washed out. Thanks, Vilmarie

Hi Vilmarie,

For most of my photos I use Totally Rad Actions & I also like Maggie Holmes action set. They both have a mix of actions where you can get that vintagey feel you are looking for.

For the photo above I used the Totally Rad actions: Boutwell Magic Glasses, one of the Get Faded and Select o Sharp to sharpen up just bits of it.

The picture below of Collin is straight out of the camera. So have fun this summer using the sun to brighten and fade your photos at the same time. I shot the below picture at f2.0 and then I am very low to the ground so that the light can leak in and brighten up the frame. (email me more questions at elizabeth.kartchner@gmail.com)

I posted the winner of the Ruche giveaway... Speaking of Ruche I love the yellow eyelet hem dress I got from there. Whenever dresses and skirts have pockets they win me over. Quite comfy too I must add.

Lately, I am working on my next Something Splendid class!

Also working on the next Dear Lizzy line of products for winter CHA!

Watching Lola roll all over the living room.

Getting pretty good at chasing kids at the pool.

Still laughing about going to the local carnival with my date, Cleetus. We got the weirdest looks and some funny footage.

What are you up to lately??

mary quite contrary

One of the dear lizzy questions:

-What are your favorite etsy stores? I love seeing what other people find on there! :) Alison

My favorite was recently opened by Mary, my bestie since junior high school, she opened up a cute headband shop. check it out!

Still pretty chilly here... that's why it kills me when Mary tempts me to come see her with texts like, "It's 85 degrees and I'm eating a snowcone." That's just mean.

Isn't she the cutest soccer mom?! And her boys are adorable-my future son-in-laws. ;)

Like I said, she's been my best friend since 7th grade-- days of braces, prank calling boys & cheese fries from Big H. Can't believe we are moms now. crazy.

(love ya mary!)

Other favorites:

Evalicious

Second Sister

Handmade knits: Beautiful Bridget

Cool Prints: Farouche

Fairytale charms

and don't forget Mary's stylish shop

q & a

Hi,

On your desk is a little basket of mini albums. Do you modge podge them or seal them in any way to protect from dust or are they left as is?

Thanks,

Jacquie

Hey Jacquie,

Thanks for the question... Some of them have modge podge on the covers but most of them do not. I haven't had any trouble with dust while they are in the display. I'm more worried about when the kids grab one to look at it. I'm happy the girls want to look at them but some of the albums are fragile so I just make sure to supervise. ;)

-What do you do with the pictures you do not use for your scrapbook?
Paste them into an album? Or keep them in a photo box?
And what do you do with your Polaroid? Use this for your scrapbook?
lots of greetings from Belgium,
Sophie

Hi Sophie,

I have lots of places where my photos are stored. Most of them are on my computer or, yes, in a photo box. But when I do print them out I slip them in an American Crafts photo protectors and mix them in with scrapbook pages.

Yes, I use polaroids in my scrapbooks but mostly they are hung around my house. here and here.

-Hello Elizabeth! What does your scrapbooking room look like? How do you organize? I have always wanted a pictorial tour of your scrap booking room!!!
Thanks! -Valerie

Good idea! Yes, this is at the top of my blog-post list.

Dear Lizzy,

I just have to gush for a minute. I got your book and love it! Pages are ear-marked. It has sparked my imagination and I have been challenged to create in a whole new way. Thanks so much!

So here's my question.....I am outgrowing my digital Canon PowerShot and was wondering what kind of camera you would recommend? Many of my girlfriends have upgraded to cameras like Nikon, but I am overwhelmed with what I need. Can you help?

Nicole Kailiuli

Thanks Nicole,

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying my book!

This is a *popular question* I use Canon 50D and my favorite lenses include 35mm 2.0 for portraits and 24-70 2.8 for everyday photos because it has a zoom. It's a little heavy but I love it.

I would recommend the Canon Rebel for a step up from the Power Shot. It's what I used when I started learning SLR and manual. I think you'll enjoy it!

I buy all my camera equipment from B&H photo. They have great prices.

dear lizzy q & a

I think I might have been in denial about my Dear Lizzy column in CK. It was so so fun and surreal for me, being a reader for years, to have my own article. I loved it. Creating Keepsakes made some changes to the magazine but I am still a Contributing Writer for them. yay! With three pages in a fun article coming up so keep your eyes peeled.

I've been thinking that it would be quite fun to continue the Dear Lizzy question and answer format on my blog. Not just because I purchased a cute, new folder that I am anxious to fill. Mainly, I enjoy hearing from you, love finding solutions, offering support and answering questions.

So, here's how it works:

-Think of a question. (Any sort of question, it could have to do with a past project I've shared here, scrapbooking, photography, blogging, life, crafts or anything. Well, not anything. ;)

-Email me your question: elizabeth.kartchner(at)gmail(dot)com

-If I choose your question for upcoming blog posts you will receive happy mail from me... because a little bribery never hurt anyone.

I'll start of with a popular question:

Dear Lizzy,

... I remember a while back when you posted about painting your scrapbook room and you posted the color. However, I can't seem to find it. Would you be so kind to tell me the name and brand of the paint you used. I would love to use that color in my laundry room. And I am actually feeling inspired at the moment to get off my booty and give my laundry room a makeover. I would love to hear back from you.

Keep up the awesome work!

Chrisanna

Hi Chrisanna,

It is my favorite paint color! Made by Ralph Lauren called Sun Washed Blue. Purchased at Home Depot. Thanks.

Can't wait to read your questions!