~ The Shaker Box: Educating Your Creativity ~

S c r a m p i n g !
Stamp of Approval

Scrapping + Stamping = Scramping. A year ago I had never heard the expression, much less considered myself to be a "scramper." Now, it is a common term in the world of scrapbooking and I'm surprised to find out I am one!

For years, stamping and scrapbooking artists kept their hobbies separated, like oil and vinegar. However, within the last few years the two have merged together like a beautiful marriage of spices! Stamping in one's scrapbooks, “scramping,” is rapidly becoming one of the most popular embellishments found within albums. With the advent of foam stamps, scrappers who never would have considered stamping before, suddenly found themselves engulfed in a new hobby.

The versatility of stamping on pages was another plus for scrapbookers. Stamps could be used in any way that an ordinary sticker or embellishment could, only better since it could re-used over and over again – and in a myriad of different colors. At one time the price of stamps could have been a hindrance, but with the growing popularity of foam stamps, now that isn't even a factor. Now an entire album, background papers and coordinating embellishments can all be created inexpensively and beautifully with a set of stamps.

While “scramping” offers as much diversity to your pages as you have ideas, there are some simple, yet creative, ways to get started.

Perhaps the easiest and currently the most widely used method of stamping on pages is to use them for titles. Alphabet stamps are widely available in virtually every size and style you can imagine. In addition to the traditional wood mounted stamps, there are also acrylic backed and unmounted stamps, as well as the very popular foam letter stamps. Choosing different colors of dye, ink or paint and adding in assorted textures, backgrounds, papers or cardstock, will give your pages a different look each time you use your stamps!

Creating the perfect background for your layout can be a breeze when incorporating stamps into the mix! C Thankful CJ Entry hoosing a large background stamp or using a smaller design and randomly stamping all over the page will give your pages a serendipitous look, often achieving just the right touch you're seeking.

However, most “scrampers” don't stop at their scrapbook pages. They carry their ideas beyond their layouts and onto other paper art creation. In the images here you can see the same, inexpensive, foam stamp – purchased for approximately $1, has been used for both a page layout, a chip can that has been altered into a pen caddy and a greeting card. Three different projects with just one small foam stamp!

Yes, stamping has evolved into something more and it has been embraced fully by the scrapbooking world. “Scramping” is an ideal hobby for those looking to jazz up their pages creatively and inexpensively using both traditional and newer, more innovative techniques.

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Mackey "Mac" Stanley

T r e a s u r e d P e a r l s
A Heated Pearls Technique

Stamping and embossing are currently all the rage in paper arts and learning a few new and simple techniques will be an added bonus in making your pages one of a kind. One such skill that is uncomplicated yet has stunning results is commonly called “heated pearls.” You can see this technique demonstrated on the beautiful card created by scrap artist Michelle Jacknicke (twistedsoda.)

The tools needed to create this effect are also quite simple. You will need a clear drying glue, such as Elmer's, Pearl-Ex powders by U.S. Artquest, glossy cardstock and a heat gun.

To make the background, begin by squirting glue on the cardstock and spreading it across the entire surface with your finger. Next, sprinkle a small amount of Pearl-ex powder on top of the glue and blend it in with your finger. Do not cover the entire surface, just a portion of it. After applying the first color, apply a coordinating second color of Pearl-Ex powder, if you choose, swirling the second color in with the first.

When all the Pearl -Ex powder has been applied and you are satisfied with the color results, point the heat gun at the covered surface and heat until the glue begins to bubble. The bubbles will form interesting patterns against the glossy cardstock giving texture to the background. Let the creation sit overnight before using.

This is a wonderful technique to use as a background for your album pages, altered art or your handmade cards. It's simple and quick to do and the results certainly will be treasured

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Mackey "Mac" Stanley

Contest Reminders!

For all of you who love to win, now is the time to enter every one of these wonderful contests! Check out the many different contests and be sure to try at least one. You cannot win if you don't enter!

February Layout Contest!

February's Theme and Technique contest will showcase your Greatest Loves. Upload to the T&T contest gallery your layouts that illustrate your own Greatest Loves. Be sure to combine this theme with stamping and embossing to be eligible for a great stamp set from Leave Memories!

To enter, simply create a layout (limit 2 per member) using BOTH the theme and the technique and upload it to the Shaker gallery by midnight, February 28th. Good Luck!

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February Photo Contest

February's Photo contest is "Passion". Get thinking, Get creative, and Get shooting. You may enter two photos for this contest. Upload your entries into the Photo Contest Gallery. This contest ends midnight, February 28th. The winners will be announced on March 2nd.

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EP101 Sketch Contest

This month The Shaker Box is pleased to announce the start of a new contest: a sketch contest. A sketch will be provided to you and you are to create a layout that is inspired by the sketch.

This month's Sketch contest is sponsored by EP101! EP101™ kits are a great way to get started with heat embossing and to build your embossing powder collection.

To enter, simply create a layout using February's sketch and upload it into the Sketch contest gallery by February 28th. Show us how creative you can get be with this great sketch!

We at The Shaker Box look forward to seeing all your fabulous creations this month! Enter today!

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Jennifer Hansen

Congratulations to our Contest Winners!!

Congratulations to all of the Shaker Box winners for January! You have all done such great work and we loved seeing all your entries!

Photo Contest Winner

January's photo contest theme was "The things that remind you of home." What a great job you all did. We loved seeing just how creative you got with this one! Our winner was Scrapmom4 with her photo " Welcome home.” When describing her winning photo, she says, "I went to take this picture and thought about removing the American flag that has been on our door since right after 911. I couldn'y bring myself to take it off. (I am)PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN." That is what home means to her.

She will be receiving a $10 prize package. Keep up the great photography ladies! Check out the Photography Gallery for more inspiring photos.

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January Theme/Technique Layout Contest

The January Theme and Technique contest required the use of paints and and to incorporate the theme of New Beginnings! The winner is Wendy18 with her layout "A Whole New Me" In her layout, Wendy describes the new qualities she has taken on as a new mother. What better representation of January's theme of "New Beginnings" than that of a new life. What a great new beginning! Thank you, Wendy, for your entry!

Each month The Shaker Box features a different Theme and Technique (TNT) Layout Contest hosted by one of our fabulous site sponsors. Participants have an opportunity to win wonderful prizes from various scrapbook companies. If you would like to share your creative talents with us by participating in this contest, please upload your layouts into the Shaker Box monthly layout contest folder by the last day of the month. Good luck!

January Sketch Contest

The January sketch contest was sponsored by Fibers by the Yard. The winner of the January sketch contest was “Scrapmom4” with her "O Christmas Tree" layout! nearly all scrapbook artists agree that holiday photos are the most difficult of all to scrap. With this sketch, she has made it look effortless and the results are beautiful. This was a very tough contest to judge for design team. All the entries were fantastic. Thank you all for entering! Congratulations for submitting your outstanding layouts for this contest! !

Congratulations again to all the Shaker Box January Contest Winners!! Don't forget, February is here and there are many contests to enter this month!! For more information, see the contest reminders in this month's newsletter or visit the forums. We cannot wait to see your creations!

Shaker Sentiments

This month The Shaker Box was thrilled to launch a new forum, Shaker Sentiments, a resource for poems, quotes, titles and more. To assist in filling the forum, a contest was held for those uploading the most sentiments. We are pleased to announce the winners of this contest!

First Place: Lisa (hmschoolmom)
Second Place: Julie (julesmarshall)
Third Place: Sandy (gmathis)

Congratulations! Your prizes, donated by our generous sponsors, will be sent to you. Thank you to all those who submitted sentiments. You've helped get this forum off to a great start. Please don't stop now. Let's work together to make this one of the best resources on the web!

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Jennifer Hansen

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