Category: Blogging

March 2, 2013

New Project Galleries

I’m excited to add this new button to my sidebar. And you’ll notice I have a new tab on my menu at the top of the page too. The galleries are not complete yet but I’ve added a project picture gallery to the site to make it easier to see the projects that I’ve added here. So far I’ve started indexing my cards and my 3-d projects. Soon I hope to have most of those projects indexed and then add the Big Shot, MDS, scrapbook and video tutorial project galleries. I hope you will enjoy this new feature as I continue to develop it.

I do a lot of planning and researching on blogging to bring you the very best product possible. Last year I read an article that stated that craft/project/diy blogs must have a projects gallery. Wow, that makes sense! But it has taken a long time between ‘that makes sense’ and being able to get it done.

It turns out setting up a project gallery is a little more complicated than I originally thought. After searching and searching and asking and asking and so on, I finally hire Kristi from Lanauer Designs to help me get it set up. She did a fantastic job. And now that it’s set up, it’s easy. I can’t believe how easy. But sometimes you just need that extra help.

So have fun in my project gallery and I’ll keep working on getting it set up nicely so you can enjoy it!

Until next time! 🙂 Julie

November 7, 2012

Anatomy of a Blog Post

I am committed to bringing you quality stamping content on StampingJulie.com. I love sharing what I love! Who doesn’t – right? I enjoy playing in my craft room to create interesting projects and then teaching you what I did so you can have the same fun at your house. That is my first and primary goal.

My second goal here is to communicate sales and promotions to you so you don’t miss out. I admit to having nightmares about not doing my job adequately in this area. I truly don’t want you to miss anything!

But back to the main goal: quality stamping content. I have quite a process for bringing these projects and blog posts to you and I thought I would give you a glimpse of that process today.

First, I create a project, then I photograph and edit the photo, and then I write my blog post. It sounds simple enough and once you get the hang of it, it is fairly simple. BUT to do it right, it does take time. Sometimes there are quite a few days or weeks between these steps. Yesterday I posted this picture on facebook:

The baby card from this past week is a good example. I made that card over a month ago. To ensure that I give you accurate information, I take notes when I complete a project. And the picture above is a copy of my notes from when I made the project. I keep these notes tucked in my master catalog.

My master catalog is the catalog I use ALL the time. I check off the stamp sets, ribbons, buttons, brads, etc. that I have in my collection. I also use sticky notes in this catalog to mark the pages of projects that I want to do or items I would still like to or need to order.

embellished event baby card

Back to my notes: When I write a project post, I want to tell you exactly what I used so that if you choose to you can duplicate it at home and get the same results. For example, when I looked at the picture of my baby card, I thought I had used Early Espresso to stamp and mat the duck. But checking back at my notes I saw that it is actually Chocolate Chip.

A while back I posted information on my photo process and you can view that post here.

picture taking for blog posts
If you have any questions about this process or anything else :), please leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to answer you!

earn free stamp pads

REMEMBER: 2-WAYS TO GET A SET OF STAMP PADS (a$49.95 value) FOR FREE! 1. Place an order or host a workshop of $450 or more. OR 2. Join my team of stamping friends for just $99 and enjoy all the benefits of membership.

Click Here to Order your Stampin’ Supplies

Click Here for Fun, Easy Digital Scrapbooking!

Enjoy! Julie

July 25, 2012

Craft Project Photography and Sale Alert

To take good photos of your small items or craft projects, a light box can be invaluable. I have an old dresser that I use in my craft room for organizing my punches and accessories and on top of the dresser is this light box. This is a very inexpensive, portable light box set that included the lamps and this folding box plus a tri-pod (that I never use).

After I take my photos I drop them into photo editing software, crop the picture and do a quick photo edit to make it a little brighter and crisper.

This simple, little card was featured on my Facebook page yesterday. It’s created with the Reason To Smile Stamp Set which is only $5 and is available only in July and the colors Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose and Early Espresso, a color combination I found in the Color Coach.

My friend Cathy asked me to do a stamp class for her eleven-year-old granddaughter and five friends. This is the 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ practice card we started with and then we made a couple more projects including this cute petite purse. The girls were darling and love it!

I found a bargain at Kohls for my craft room today! Go check it out on Facebook. We’re gearing up for more information on facebook including a give away in August. So like us while you’re there, so you don’t miss anything.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Reason to Smile w-# 131274 c-# 131275 , Friendly Phrases w-# 126149 c-# 126151

Ink: Regal Rose #126947, Daffodil Delight #126944, Early Espresso #126974

Paper: Regal Rose #105130, Whisper White #100730

Extras: Basic Pearls Jewels #119247, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309

Petite Purse Recipe:

Stamps: Bordering on Romance w-# 125480 c-# 125482

Ink: Pink Pirouette #126956

Paper: Pink Pirouette #111351

Extras: Petite Purse Bigz Die #125606, Beautiful Wings Embosslits #11813, Big Shot Die-cutting Machine #113439

Have fun taking better pictures of your small craft projects!

Enjoy, Julie