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This is a great day to save BIG -
As September comes to a close, we sadly say good bye to our guest artist, Laurie Ann, the incredible talent of Heaven's Gate Designs. Grab her goodies today before they are gone from {wst}. We've sweeten the deal and you'll save 25%. (expires 9/30/08 @ midnight est)
take care,
{storyteller} deann
Here is a tutorial for a hybrid mini-album using the tool by Zutter called the Bind-It-All. You will fall in love with this easy-to-use item, essential for all those mini-albums (remember Christmas season & gifts are just around the corner, so get your Bind-It-All soon!) This is not a paid endorsement for Zutter. :)
In an article about the Zutter Bind-It-All from Associated Content, Christina VanGinkel writes, "With a small footprint, the Bind-It-All by Zutter is portable and easy to take with you to crops and other events, especially when compared to other binding machines you might find in an office, easy to use, and with a built in center guide, it even allows you to punch
evenly spaced holes in projects much wider than the machine itself. The
Bind-It-All might be small, but its potential for uses is HUGE!
The Bind-It-All by Zutter is perfect for scrapbook enthusiasts, crafters looking for a way to make a variety of projects from calendars to totes, or even for making those school projects easier to assemble!
Just imagine, no more lining up a three-hole punch by eye, hoping that
the stack of paper will come together in some fashion equaling even!"
INSTRUCTIONS
First, I created a set of file folders from a template on the Memory Makers blog. I used the Back to School Bundle from the wearestorytellers boutique. You could also use Tiff Brady's Envelope Mini Album template too.
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Next, set the guide to the "D. Inner Pages" setting, which ensures my pages will be aligned.
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Press the handle down all the way which punches the holes.
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Next, take the rings and trim them down to size by using a wire cutter or heavy-duty scissors. They are not very hard to cut.
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Since my rings are 1" rings, I set this part to the 1" mark.
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You will get instructions with the machine which explains that you need to put the cover in the back, then put the rings in the holes in the direction shown above.
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Put the album in the space with the open end of the rings touching the base.
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Pull the lever all the way down which makes the machine push the rings closed.
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Then take the cover and pull it around as the first page.
I sewed the chipboard letters to the cover before adhering the template pocket.
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Here is the album open, view from the top.
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View from the side.
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I cut out pieces of a children's dictionary to make the inner cover that goes over the tabs.
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Let me know if you have any questions about this mini-album or the Zutter Bind-It-All!
{storyteller} Julie Ann Shahin
I fell in love with these layouts, and many others, from the gallery this past week. I liked how each of them gave us a glimpse into the everyday inner workings of the subjects of their pages.
Thanks for sharing your stories with us!
{storyteller} peppermint
This week we get to not only spotlight another {storyteller}, but also wish her a very happy birthday (tomorow)! Happy Birthday Danielle (artemia)!
Danielle describes herself as a SAHM of two little boys during the day and a digital scrap addict at night. She recently moved to the US from The Netherlands and is busy building thier future in Southern California. She says that being a part of the We Are StoryTellers CT is a delight with all the talented girls.
Q: How long have you been scrapping (digi and otherwise)?
I started last year around June, so just over a year now. I never paper scrapped before this, although I did dress up my notebooks and diary's since I was a little girl.
Q: Why do you scrap?
My husband is working so many hours that there isn't really an opportunity to go out at night. Of course there are some, but not on a regular base. I was so bored at night and done with watching tv that I decided to catch up with the photo albums for the kids. When I stumbled upon the amazing digital layouts I had to give it a try and was an instant addict. I scrap mostly for me, to be busy, to be creative, to remember all the details from my kids since they are growing up so fast. It gives me an amazing proud feeling when looking back at my layouts.
Q: What program do you use for digi-scrapping?
PSE5. I try to use PSE6 and CS3 but I am not really good with changes when I am used to something else. I will stick to my PSE5 for a while
Q: How long dies it take you to complete a layout?
I think about 3-4 hours a layout spread over a day.
Q: When you've completed a layout, what do you do with it?
I put it in the galleries and also upload it to a book I am making. I am currently working on a book for myself. Doing 2 pages per month, 1 about the boys, 1 about me.
Q: What animal would you most like to house in your backyard if you could?
Horses. I would love to have a big yard with horses.
Q: What is your favorite digi item (something most of your pages are not without)?
I do have to say the worn overlays.
Q: What is your layout creating process?
I always start with the photo and work from there. Choosing papers and experiment a lot with different designs.
Q: Can you show us your favorite layout here at WST? 
Because I love that photo and it remembers me of special times between me and my DH. But also because I finished this page in a record and was instantly in love with the end result.
Q: What camera do you use?
Canon Rebel XT
Q: Do you have any favorite processing tips or actions that you use?
Not really. I do try to work on my photos, but do it just with the levels in the adjust lightning menu. I recently found this out, before that I never did anything to my photos.
Q: If you could open your own retail store, what type of merchandise would you sell?
Books probably. I love to have books, even though I don't read as much as I like.
You can find artemia's gallery here where you can find lot's more beautiful inspiration!
Thanks Danielle for giving us more insight into who you are! I hope you have a glorious birthday!
{Storyteller} Lynette
I love when something I spot in the {we are} storytellers gallery inspires me with ideas to share with all of you. This week's {inspiration} comes from CT member Jennifer, who just added this incredible layout to her gallery:
Here's what she has to say about it:
"As I'm reading books or cruising my bloglist, I
love to save quotes and other writings that really inspire me.
Sometimes they end up being the inspiration for a layout. The
background journaling is from the photography blog of Jesh de Rox- a
beautifully written observation about how children put their whole
being into whatever it is they happen to be doing... and how as adults
we have forgotten (or just become too selfconscious) to genuinely
commit what we want to do, to be fully present and alive. The whole
piece was so touching, I couldn't just pick out a line or two... so I
added the whole thing. 
To keep it from overpowering the layout, I changed the blending mode of the text layer to 'soft light'."
Jennifer's idea is a great one. It adds a beautiful layer of depth to your design, and there are several options for personalizing this even more. Try changing one particular sentence to a different color to make it stand out, or -- if you want to use a shorter section of text, then repeat it multiple times, changing the color each time for a fun rainbow effect.
This is a great segue into the practice of free-writing too (sometimes referred to as stream-of-consciousness writing). Think of it the same way as you would conditioning before basketball season (without the medicine balls and the puking) -- it's a way to build your writing muscles and increase your endurance. Free-writing is a great way to warm up at the beginning of a journaling session, and free-writing for 10 or 15 minutes every day not only gets you accustomed to the practice of journaling, but by allowing your brain to wander as you write, you often make associations and pull up memories that you might otherwise have forgotten or not connected to the issue at hand.
Some additional tips on free-writing:
* Use the materials that make you most comfortable. Some people prefer their computer or laptop, while others like the feeling of a nice journal or notebook and a pencil.
* Find a spot that feels right -- a desk, your favorite chair, the kitchen table. Make this your spot for free-writing, so that when you sit down for your daily session, your mind automatically makes the connection to writing time.
* Write for a minimum of ten to fifteen minutes. While this may feel like a torturous amount of time at the beginning of your sessions, once you get into the habit, you'll find that you can say an amazing amount in this little bit of time each day.
* Turn off your internal editor. This is not the time to critique yourself or to spellcheck every word. Just write.
* Don't stop. If you get stuck and don't know what to say next, then write "I don't know what to write about" (over and over if you have to) until something new comes to the front of your mind.
* Have fun. Your free-writing sessions are a great time to experiment with the flexibility and versatility of our language.
September's Challenge:
We're giving away another $10 {wst} giftcard. Here's what you have to do to win. Sit down and conduct a free-writing session (10-15 minutes) and then use that writing as your page background. Still not sure where to begin? Several of our kits and element packs in the store feature word art or quotes -- grab one and use it as a starting point. Post your layout in our {wst} writer's notebook gallery and link us up in the forum. Make sure to have your layouts posted by midnight, September 24th to qualify for the drawing.
While you're in the store, check out our weekly Book Fair offering, this week from Kathryn Wilson:
write on,
{storyteller} aud
meet {storyteller} Angela Spangler
Angela is married to Andrew and has two daughters, Cora and Sarah. She’s a new Texan, having moved to San Antonio this summer. Currently, she’s a SAHM, but says she’ll be joining the workforce soon.
Q: How long have you been scrapping and how did you discover digi? I've been scrapping since Sept 2000, and discovered digital in December 2005.
Q: Why do you scrap? Scrapping is such a HUGE creative outlet for me. I don't have to follow the rules when I'm scrapping. I'm SUCH a rebel that way!
Q: What do you do while scrapping (listen to music, watch tv, enjoy the silence, etc)? I love to listen to music and drink sweet tea!
Q: What program to you use? I've used Photoshop, but now I'm using The GIMP. It's free, and does pretty much whatever PS can do.
Q: How long does it take you to complete a layout? Usually it takes me an hour or so, but there have been layouts that I've worked on for days!
Q: Once you’ve completed a layout, what do you do with it? I save it, then post it (unless it's for a specific assignment of CT).
Q: What is your favorite digi item? I LOVE stitches.
Q: What is your process for completing a layout? I usually start with the photo, and then look for elements that complement it. I really love to use different elements and papers from different kits.
Q: Suppose you owned a large house in the country with a huge circular drive. If you could place any one thing in the center of the circle to greet your guests as they approached your home, what would it be? A huge archery target!
Q: Show us your favorite layout of YOURS.
This is my current fave.
Q: What camera do you use? I have a Canon 20D DSLR. It's a beast, but I lurve it!
Q: Do you have any favorite post- processing tips or actions that you use? Gotta love curves! I also love sharpening the eyes.
Q: If you were to write a book, what would you choose as the topic? Ummm...archery. Yeah, I'm a HUGE archery addict!
My personal favorite layout of Angela's is {buds}
you can find more inspiration from Angela's gallery here.
Thanks Angela! It was fun getting to learn more about you, your scrapping, and your affinity for archery :)
{storyteller} laura
A big round of applause for all of those who participated in our first blogshop! Than ks again so much for making this summer so much fun.
The final challenge winner is Claudia aka star74! Show her some love here.
Claudia says, "Picking a subject for our dreamvacation wasn't
difficult at all! Ever since I was 2 years old, I've been on vacation
every year to La Escala, Spain (I'm 34 now, do the math 
) Except for the times I was pregnant and this year because we moved and our money seems to haved also moved
My brother and his family came back this last weekend and my parents
are returning this sunday. How I've missed it.....having them on the
phone talking about the restaurants, people, daytrips, etc.. It just
makes me kind of homesick. After all I consider it my second home.
But.......only 49 weeks before we can go again!!!!
This is a collage of all those great things that remind me of my
favorite vacation, all those things we don't have around here...."
From [we are] storytellers:
I'm free: BG paper
Tutti frutti: sweet moment paislee
Whales and snails: acrylic wave sticker
Once upon a dream: bubble overlay, silver lining clouds, wire dreams
Whimwood: leaf
History: alpha
1st hour english: paper
Other:
Photo overlays by Danielle @Catscrap
Stitches by Syrin @Catscrap
Be sure to stay subscribed to the blog. I'll be back soon with more fun stuff! ;)
{storyteller} Julie Ann
I've been going through my older digital layouts, deciding which ones I want to print. I've been doing the same with my paper layouts -- organizing them into binders and just generally taking them out of the big piles they've been in for way too long. I've also been going through older photos -- both printed and digital; both of these processes have brought a couple of different things to my attention.
I obviously fell under the spell of those "one photo pages." So many of my layouts feature one great photo with lots of fun embellishments, a title, and some journaling. My journaling is almost always from the same perspective too. Even though I've covered a lot of topics and events in my scrapbook pages, I've got many more photos from those events -- and some of them are really good. It bothers me to just leave them sitting in a storage box or on my EHD.
That's when it came to me. Why not create another page for those particular topics or events, but with a twist: tell the story from another perspective, a different point of view. Chances are, most of your layouts are told from your point of view -- after all, you are the main memory keeper in the family. But think about this: how would the story change if you could see it through someone else's eyes? And how would imagining the events from another perspective impact your own remembrance of the situation?
So this week, I'd like to challenge you to go back through your layouts and find one that you can tell from a different point of view. Link us up to both layouts in the forum and then post your new layout in our gallery.
We can't wait to see the new stories you've got, just waiting to be told.
Make sure to check out our new Book Fair kit -- it's just perfect for the season's newest pictures!
write on,
{storyteller} aud
