Take Ten - A Review

I wasn't impressed when I got my first copy of Take Ten from Bookoto. I thought it was totally not my style - vintage-style cards made with vintage-patterned stamps.

A few months later, I picked up my old mag and took a second look. That really opened my eyes and I started to appreciate the value of this mag. So, I logged into Bookoto to purchase a new issue.

This came last Monday.

I love it!!!

My favorite section is "A Different Point of View". This section shows you how to use ONE stamp to create SEVERAL cards - different designs, different occasions. This is definitely a great resource to help me use my stamps! I mean, those stamps, specially the wood-mounted ones, don't come cheap. And I figure, I have to create at least 4 cards using each stamp to really maximize its value.

I also enjoyed going through the "Design Challenge Results". I am inspired by how several, and I mean several, card makers interpret one design.

The "Variation on a Theme" is also awesome. This section features different cards made under one theme.

What I love most is that all cards come with "how to's". When I browse through magazines, I sometimes marvel at projects and find myself asking "how did she do that?". Well, this mag definitely answers that question. Each card sample comes with details on how the card was made. It makes me want to go and make a card right away!

So, if you're into stamping and/or card-making, this magazine is really a rich source of information and inspiration.

I will definitely save up for the next issue!

Doodling is for everyone

I was doodling like a madman the other day, in between consumer interviews, while I was out on fieldwork. My colleauges thought I was "talented" to come up with those doodles. They didn't know I never doodled like that until I read The Doodle Formula by Adrienne Looman. Got my copy from Bookoto as usual. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. After reading, I grabbed a pen and tried it myself. Voila! I can doodle!

Some of my friends say that only someone who is "talented" can do it, that even if they read the book, they won't be able to doodle nicely. I beg to disagree. I believe that the steps shared by Adrienne in her book are so simple, anyone can actually do them. Another thing I like about the the book is that it teaches you to source inspiration from all around you. I look around our room and I see potential shapes for my doodling - picture frames, pens, wall clock, spoon, glass, toothbrush, pillow, chair, TV, lamp, etc. And don't forget words! You can doodle titles and journaling using your own handwriting.

If you love to doodle or if you want to try your hands at it but don't know how to get started, then get a copy of The Doodle Formula. Right now.

Now if you will excuse me, I've got some doodling to do.

This book...

...was waiting on my work table last Thursday, March 26th.

I got this from Bookoto along with a few other titles (will share my thoughts on those separately). It caught my eye for two reasons:

I am buying a DSLR soon.
I want to polish my Photoshop skills specifically for better photos.

I already know the basics of photo retouching using Photoshop but I know that I probably barely scratched the surface on this wonderful software. After a few sessions at Blow up Babies, and scanning hundreds of photo albums at a bridal fair (ok, I’m exaggerating – but my feet hurt from too much walking that it felt like I saw hundreds of albums already), I was inspired to learn how the pros do it – beyond the camera.

I read the first chapter (there aren’t many – only six chapters total) immediately upon getting home and I knew that this book is worth every peso I paid for. You know what the 1st chapter is all about? Getting Started. Yup, nothing fancy here yet, but I already learned a lot. I mean I’ve never heard of calibrating my computer screen for optimum color viewing. Minutes after I read the section on Digital Asset Management, I immediately called my local Mac dealer and asked about the iView Media Pro. I saw it being used at blow up Babies and I was curious then. I’m contemplating on getting ACDSee but reading the book strengthened my resolve to get iView instead (after I get my RAM upgraded). It also has a section on backing up your files either through an external hard drive or an online back up service (expen$ive though). I immediately called my hubby at work to make sure that his brother gets us an external hard drive with FireWire cable instead of USB (we asked his brother to get us a 500G external hard drive in the UK – tons cheaper there!). I also learned some tips on scanning and the use of Adobe Bridge. And THAT was just the 1st chapter. Of course, I’ve read more over the weekend and learned so much. This book is great for someone who is just starting to learn Photoshop, and for someone (like me) who thinks he/she knows the basics already. It’s very easy to read, with step by step and illustrated instructions.

What I love about this book is that the software version used is Adobe CS2 – exactly what I use at home – so no guesswork on how things are being done. Other resources, especially for scrapbooking related digital work, use either Photoshop Elements or older version of Photoshop (or other applications). They are useful, too, but I spend more time figuring out the equivalent steps in CS2.

So there, another book to add to my growing collection of craft resources, another book to clutter my room. That is why hubby and I bought a new book shelf last weekend! It will be delivered on Saturday to our Kawit, Cavite residence. Yahoo!

Everyday Inspiration

Since I got into this very cool hobby, I started buying magazines and books for inspiration. Since my collection of books is growing really fast – more than my storage area can accommodate actually (thus the need to redesign my scrap space!) – I decided to pay homage to some of them by writing about what I like about these books. I actually already started with my most recent acquisition – The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker – which I wrote about in my last entry.

Anyway, now I’d like to talk about this book…errr…calendar? Whatever. It’s a compilation of ideas. 365 of them. One for every day of the year. Presenting (drumroll please…)

Designing with 2008 by Autumn Leaves

I also got this from Bookoto late last year. It comes in a clear case that becomes an easel. All you have to do is take out the top cover and snap it into the back portion of the clear case. It is then ready to be displayed, slightly tilted back so you can easily read the top page. There are 365 pages and all you have to do is pull out the top page and slip it to the back to see the next page. It is indeed a treasure chest of daily inspiration (even if I dont' really scrap daily).

Ok, so not all ideas are awesome - well maybe they are just not my style. However, a good number (so far) are really great and I can’t wait to try them out! For instance, last weekend’s idea was to use fibers as a creative border. I have lots of fibers in my stash. Once upon a time, fibers are my absolute favorite scrapping products. I actually collected them. Now, I hardly use them given the many options for page embellishments. So, when I saw the idea for the day, it was a great “AHA!” moment for me. Perfect idea to get my old stash wiped out. Unfortunately, I am quite occupied at the moment and couldn’t scrap a single page (I’m helping with the preparations for my brother’s wedding – 3 weeks away!). Nonetheless, the idea is in my mind and hopefully, I can get them on paper soon.

Oh, did I mention that every time I’d look at the calendar, it takes every ounce of my self control not to peak into the ideas for future dates? Yup, I only get to see one idea per day. I can go back to the previous ideas but I don’t move forward. If I need more inspiration, I just check my other books and magazines. What do you think of that?

Look what the courier brought me!

After weeks of waiting, I finally got my copy of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker. I've seen this in my magazines and I just had to get myself a copy. Why? I'm renovating my scrap space this summer!!! Actually, we're doing the kitchen first and my scrap corner second. Those are my favorite spaces at home. If our budget would still allow it, we'll throw in the den as well. Anyway, I need ideas for my scrap corner and THIS is the solution! Good thing Bookoto.com made book shopping so EASY for me. I also like that they have an option to pay through credit card or through bank deposits. The service is quick and efficient and they have a good selection of books - not just on scrapbooking. I already own a few titles on photography, too. I also like that they have a description of the book so it's easier for me to decide whether I'd buy or not. So far, I'm loving everything I've bought from the site. Check it out!

We're still looking around for a good and affordable interior designer. We want to work with one who is very creative (re: can stretch a small budget! LOL!), and who can understand my space. We can work with someone fresh out of design school but we do want to see a few samples of his/her work. If you know anyone, please drop me a line.

Got to go! Still have some reading to do.