My new Blog design is almost done!!

Oh, I saw Michelle Laycock's draft of my new blog design, I am super stoked!!! I cant wait for you all to see it!!!!!

Today's Featured Project

Scrapbook Embellishments made easy

Here is a little video about using odds and ends in your scrapbooking. It really makes your scrapbooks one of a kind and also helps the environment by recycling and creating a smaller carbon footprint. Watch as Stephanie Ovak talks about using items from your junk drawer in your scrapbook pages

Home design trend focuses on what women want: Scrapbook rooms

Its official!!! Now even home builders are considering our need for a scrapbook room when designing new homes!!!! We are getting closer and closer to taking over the world ladies!!

Home builders have long realized women were their target customers. Even so, they rarely asked women what they really wanted.

By: Tammy Swift, INFORUM

1. Home builders have long realized women were their target customers. Even so, they rarely asked women what they really wanted.

And so, for decades, homes were built with tiny closets, cramped foyers and small, isolated kitchens.

But all that’s changing. One local builder, Heritage Homes, has adopted a patented design concept known as “Woman-Centric Design,” which offers floor plans and marketing techniques based on five years of women-oriented market research and focus groups.

“It taught us a whole new perspective in building and selling homes,” says Tyrone Leslie, president and CEO of Heritage Homes. “It’s our duty as a builder to understand our customers. And shame on us for not doing that sooner.”

Woman-Centric Design is the brainchild of a Nebraska-based company, Design Basics Inc., which is – fittingly enough – headed by a woman.

Design Basics’ female-centered marketing is based on one key statistic: that women directly purchase or control influence in the purchase of 91 percent of all homes, Leslie says.

An example of Heritage’s Woman-Centric design can be seen at this fall’s Parade of Homes. It’s located at 1924 7th St. E., Charleswood, West Fargo.

This home stands in sharp contrast to many older homes and old-school design approaches. Not so long ago, builders expected women and their families to adapt themselves to a limited choice of floor plans, rather than letting women determine how the house could fit their needs, Leslie says.

But Terry Becker says women have always been a vital part of the home-building process. As president-elect of the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead and a custom builder, Becker says women influenced home design throughout his 30-plus years in the business; they just have many more design options today than they did a few decades ago.

Becker says certain building trends – increased storage, more luxurious master bedrooms and expanded foyers/mudrooms – have all been influenced by the female customer. While male customers may have strong input on specific aspects of the house, such as the theater room or the shower, the majority of design decisions are made by women, he says.

Design considers storage, flexibility

Heritage Home’s Woman-Centric design is a 4,296-square-foot rambler with gourmet kitchen, maple cabinetry, granite countertops, five bedrooms and three baths. It’s listed in the $524,900 price range.

But it’s also built to follow four key concepts of Woman-Centric design:

Entertaining: There are 10 different Woman-Centric floor plans, which shift according to a buyer’s entertaining needs. So someone who does a lot of casual entertaining might prefer an informal open living space that flows into a large kitchen, where guests always tend to gravitate.

Storing: These designs emphasize efficient storage with generous kitchen pantries, oversized bedroom closets and a rear foyer storage known as the “drop zone.” The drop zone consists of lockers, cubbies and counter space for everything from laptops to kids’ hockey gear.

De-stressing: Woman-Centric designs tend to offer amenities such as privately located master suites, walk-in showers or master bedroom “retreats.” “When women get home from work, they often start their second job,” Leslie says. “Our job is to take away that stress.”

Flexible living includes areas that can be adapted to each family’s unique needs. That may mean turning a third bedroom into a scrapbooking room or planning rooms that serve as both an office and guest bedroom.

These perks sound tempting, but they also beg the question: During tougher economic times, will people pay a little more for extras?

Leslie believes they will. “They’re willing to pay if they understand it and know they’re going to use it.”

And how do men think about all this female-centered marketing? Do they feel marginalized?

“At the end of the day, what they really care is that their wife is happy,” Leslie says.

Rubber Stamping Techniques

RUBBER STAMPING TECHNIQUES

---

Ever wonder where some of these stamping techniques come from? Ever wonder how someone did that great technique? Here are a few resources to help you find new techniques.... I hope you find atleast one source or technique that is new to you!

Art Glitter: outlines techniques and information on AIG Glitter and Transparencies

Stamp Mall: instructions for Aluminum Foil Stamping

The Stampin Place: using a rubber brayer to attain creative background results

The Stamping Studio: tutorial and instructions to make stamped and beaded pens

Stampin Addicts: how to create textured and dimensional stamped backgrounds

Rubber Road Adventures: over-stamped bleached background technique

Stampin Buds: tips for using blending pens

Michael Shannon: offers a tutorial on simple and creative book making

Brass-Stencils: embossing tips and information on using brass stencils

Scrapbookie: how to make a scrapbook using brown paper bags

Clearly Rubber Stamping: using rubber stamps and colored ink on candles

After Midnight Stamps: CD Pin instructions and tutorial

Craftbits: simple tutorial on making CD Sun Catchers

Altered Book: how to make a mini coin envelope tag book

Deb’s Stampin Spot: tips and techniques for using Crystal Lacquer

Swirlydoos: using Alcohol Inks to customize your stamped projects

DIY Network: Tutorial for making your own button and cork stamps

Scrapbook Advice: discusses types, uses, and applications of decorative pens

The Enchanted Gallery: creative Domino Art ideas and techniques

Stampin Up: illustration of Dry Embossing technique

Moments of Your Heart: using embossing powder to achieve color

Tale of Hare: embossing powder tips, tricks and recipes

Instructables: complete instructions for making Envelope Books

By Donovan: instructions and templates to make your own envelopes

Expression Art: how to artfully stamp on faux tiles

Joggles: easy tutorial outlining fabric stamping technique

Blockhead Stamps: instructions for glass marbling with Micro Marbles

US Artquest: instructions for making glass ornaments with stamps and pigments

Cloud 9 Tips & Techniques: tips and techniques for using Glaze Pens

Eureka Stamps: using stamps to embellish with gold leaf flakes

Scottish Border Stamping: explains the use of the Grid Technique to create stamping patterns

Art Without Anxiety: explains the different types of ink and inkpads used for various stamping techniques

Iris Folding: lesson plan and project tutorial on the art of Iris Folding

D.Harm Trading: general information and application ideas for Lumiere Paints

Learn 2 Stamp: the basics of the Medallion stamping technique used to create dimension

Atlas Quest: provides direction on mounting your own stamps

Michaels: instructions for making an acrylic stamped notepad holder

Fun Science: illustrates how to make your own paper at home using recycled paper products

Ecstasy Crafts: explains the general technique of Paper Trapunto design

Fabric and Art: tips and techniques for using Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments

Sara Jane Studio: illustration of the use of the Polished Stone Technique for making textured backgrounds

Makers Gallery: simple illustrated instructions on how to make Pop Up Cards

Craft Town Hobby Land: details the use of Rainbow Sponges and provides project ideas

Scratchboard: tutorial on Scratch Board basics

Scrapbook.com: Provides thousands of themed and inspirational scrapbook layouts

Split Coast Stampers: using the Shaving Cream Technique to create dimensional backgrounds

Creative Mode: illustration of the Slide Stamping technique

Close to My Heart: how to use a candle to create the Soot Stamping effect

Sparkle N Sprinkle: general techniques for spotlight stamping for highlighting effects

House of Stir Fry: provides templates to create your own stamped playing cards

Soap Impressions: instructions for stamping on soap

Coxes Art & Stamping: provides a comprehensive glossary of stamping terms, including abbreviations and techniques

Trystan Craft: instructions for stamping on velvet

Nut N Honey: provides solutions for stamp storage and display

Trish Bee: mixing and stamping techniques for Walnut Ink

Stampington & Company: watercolor techniques for stamped images

Digital Scrapbooking Video Tutorial

I stumbled across this great video tonight. If you are new to digital scrapbooking, this is a great little video to check out. If you want to use Stampin Up's new My digital studio elements without purchasing the entire software package, you can use software you already own, like photoshop.



MDS- My digital studio will be available to customers on 1 October... If you have $400 workshop during the month, you can get MDS at half price! That is an awesome deal!!! October dates are filling up fast, so hurry and get your workshop booked today!