Fiskars ShapeXpressTM starter set

A few weeks ago, while shopping at Big W, I noticed a paper cutting tool that I had my eyes on for a while. It was half price so I bought it that moment.

Recently bad weather resulting in no internet connection meant I couldn't show how the tool worked. but now I can :-)

There are other expansions to buy.

This is the contents; cutting mat, cutting tool, two blades, a rest to put the tool in when not in use, and one template. 

Practicing on scrap paper. 

I practiced a lot because I kept failing.

Shapes with lots of sides are more difficult so require more attention. this on was almost good.

This is some samples when I started getting it right. 

Just an example of what to do with the shapes. 

Over all I'm glad I didn't pay full price. It was not easy to use but maybe I'm just not coordinated enough. it doesn't seem that useful for my style of scrap-booking.

Lunar Eclipse - Step by Step

I planned this to be a two page spread. Most of my scrapbook projects are like this except the front and back page which are one page each. To get an idea if the photos will fit on your desired I placed two 12 inch pages next to each other. I had to trim my photos and discard two as they would not fit (forgot to take a photo). By 'discard' I don't mean chuck in in the bin. It is in a file for maybe later or a photo frame.



I had lots of trouble finding 12 inch scrapbook paper in the local shops that would fit a nighttime/moon theme. It is pretty pricey to go online and buy it and have it shipped to Australia. I made do with joining multiple, textured A5 paper together.



I trimmed the photos into fun hexagons and began moving them around without gluing them down.



Here is the eventual layout of the photos on the page.



This is a neat little alphabet I found in Big W. Before shopping I decided what I wanted to say using premade letters . I had the following words in my list; Lunar Eclipse, the date of the eclipse, Moonlit Night, and so on. My first preference was Lunar Eclipse. When I found my desired alphabet I made sure that all the necessary letters were there. Big W and Kmart have a small, inexpensive range of craft and stationary products. They also do photo printing.





Get out the glue tape! Now we are talking. It all gets permanently set in place. That's why I made sure that this design was exactly what I wanted. I also trimmed the edges so they page was even.





Lastly the letters and diamantes from Big W. The little diamantes help disguise the paper joins. Time to put it in the sleeves and show my friends. :-)

Preparing for a lunar eclipse.

Photos, Paper, Diamantes.. Ready to paste

The Plan:

1. Roughly arrange where the main objects will go on a 2 page spread. This may change later but it will help me decide on which accessories I will use and the shape and size to trim my photos.
2. Trim the photos using a photo trimmer. I am using a Fiskers 12 inch portable paper trimmer and I'm really happy with my purchase. It cost more than a pair of scissors but the convenience and accuracy are what you are also paying for.
3. Arrange photos again. 
4. Stand back and look at the spread, go make a drink, come back and look again. Change things if necessary. This will make sure you are making a good decision.
5. Get out the glue (so exciting). I will be using glue tape. I have been scrap booking since senior high school and just can't believe that I didn't find glue tape sooner. It can cost from 2 to 5 Australian dollars. In my experience it will glue down 4-5 average scrapbook spreads. It seems like a lot of money but I have wasted sticks of glue because they went hard and they don't glue down ribbon very well. I have used a few brands and they have all been equal in ease of use and tackiness of glue except for Bostick (the casing fell apart - not so easy to use).

Greetings craft people

About me: Hi I'm Kat

Hi there ;-)

I'm almost thirty and as long as I can remember I have loved paper craft. I love scrap booking, origami, card making, drawing on paper and making notebooks. Lately I have enjoyed yarn craft too. With that many hobbies and not that much money I have found ways to do things on the cheap.

In this blog I will tell some of my secrets to get create nice and meaningful scrapbook pages without spending loads of money. I will also show display my work as I'm very proud of it.
Anything I think of that is scrapbook related will be blogged about