5 comments about Collage Lab: Experiments, Investigations, and Exploratory Projects (Lab Series).

1. I rated this product a 4 because I have not really used it yet. As I have read it, it is impressive. I bought it for ideas to use when my grandchildren come to visit and I think it offers some great projects to consider. I hope my grandchildren are inspired and enjoy making original collages.



2. Highly recommend! This is the best book that I have ever purchased related to teaching techniques for collage art. It is a welcome addition to my studio library. It contains a lot of very useful information in a format that is the best that I have seen in a book of this type. It teaches many collage art techniques that are very easy to follow as well as it inspires creativity. If you are interested in collage as an art form or want to include collage as a component in an art project then this is a must have book. You will be amazed at how much this book teaches you! I agree...It is like having a private session with an experienced artist as your teacher, right in your own home or studio. Wish all "how to"/technique books were written just like this one.



3. "Collage Lab" is a beautiful book, printed on heavy, quality paper. It jumped out from all the other collage books we have read, used, borrowed, purchased, or skimmed.
   
   Bee Shay's artwork examples are elegant and interesting, with harmonious colors chosen for each section. The book is actually quite a different, and visually more sophisticated, book inside than its hot pink cover would indicate.
   
   Even though Kay and I have been collaborating on collages for over six years, we were inspired by the idea of 52 weeks of collage techniques. We also loved the idea of being organized and keeping a record of what we learn.
   
   In fact, we liked this book so much we have launched a blog dedicated to "Collage Lab" called Collage Lab by Two. We plan to complete all of Bee Shay's weekly labs and publish our findings, opinions and creations as we go.
   
   Get yourself a copy of "Collage Lab" and join us on our journey!
   Nan and Kay



4. Sometimes you can be pretty disappointed when buying a craft book... especially on the art of collage! Wellllllll.. not with this beauty!
   I am so glad that I went for it and bought it because this will be a book I will go to time and time again for inspiration and design technique.
   Just starting out, getting your feet wet? This is for you!!! Collage to your hearts content all the time? Well this will breathe new life into techniques that you already do!
   
   I highly recommend this book it's great quality..covers ALOT of terrain for the buck!
   Happy Collage Art everyone GET IN THE LAB!!!



5. Bee Shay has written a seriously useful and inspiring addition to the collage/mixed media technique genre. I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you have any interest in collage, or in mixed media or just love to look through creative and entertaining books stuffed with great art and clear, inventive tutorials, this is one you will want for your personal library. I have been drooling over the projects all evening and plan to get out my art supplies and put into action some of the great ideas Ms. Shay puts forth in her projects tomorrow morning.
   
   Collage Lab has me jazzed up and bubbling with new ideas to try. I bet is will plant many artistic seeds in your psyche, too. Try it, I think you'll love it!

5 comments about Delight in the Details: 40+ Techniques for Charming Embellishments and Accents.

1. Great, great book. So many beautiful things to look at. I'm totally enjoying taking my time, savoring each and every page.



2. Her style is towards the very ornate and elegant. The projects and ideas in this book are just gorgeous and impressive while being very simple to make, do and adapt.
   
   It's a lovely book printed in full color throughout, and it's very inspiring.
   
   The first chapter is about making a nice place to create in. Her studio is gorgeous and her ideas for organizing supplies is inspiring and lovely. From crystal dishes and spoons filled with glitter to old cupcake tins with natural weathering to keep beads in, there are some wonderful ideas for making your work space beautiful and functional.
   
   The first few projects deal with sparkle and shine, detailing several ways to add sparkle to projects. Detailing how add glitter edging, completely covering things in glitter, adding subtle touches to patterned paper, using mica, wire and other embellishments. My favorite projects in that chapter are the shiny alphas which put me in mind of holiday decorator accents and the wire spray of flowers made with beads and wire.
   
   The next chapter is paint and ink, with instructions for using chalks, waxes, and alcohol based permanent inks. This chapter is full of ideas that I'd never thought of. I've used waxes to refinish vintage frames for hanging in my house but never thought of them for smaller frames for paper crafts. The crackle paint distressed letters are lovely. My favorite in this chapter though hands down is the texture paste design which creates an embossed image that's accented with glitter and crystals.
   
   Pattern and Texture come next, also full of wonderful ideas. My favorite in that chapter are the crepe paper rosettes and the miniature banner which I really plan on using very soon. The ruffle edging project would be amazing in a bridal card or a baby shower project.
   
   The last chapter, Vintage Finds is full of ideas for little trinkets, old buttons and things of that nature. The button bouquet would be a lovely dimensional accent to a scrapbook cover or a box using buttons from favorite clothes. The vintage paper leaves are a nice idea for old books.
   
   The whole book is amazing, cover to cover, with ample examples of what can be done with the basic techniques.



3. This is my first mixed media book. The moment I opened this book I fell in love with it. I have a friend that keeps trying to get me involved in mixed media. I told her I wanted to create something for my mom's memory. I lost mom last year, and the projects in this book are what got me into doing the project.This is the best book I have ever seen and worked with. Highly recommend this, you too will love it.



4. This book is so full of beautiful projects, wonderful techniques, and stunning photos of Lisa's scrap space. Great inspiration abounds.



5. This book has very nice step-by-step instructions that can be applied to lots of other projects. The resource guide in the back is wonderful. I've discovered a typo for the German Corner LLC company. While their URL of [...] is correct their phone number was listed incorrectly. The correct number is 888-393-0402, as listed on their website.

5 comments about Journal Spilling: Mixed-Media Techniques for Free Expression.

1. This book is really well written for people who are relatively new to the concept of art journaling. Diana Trout has shown in this book with photos and words how to do many different techniques common to art journaling, as well as prompts to start a page and resources for materials. The most important message from the book is to just do it!



2. The world of Journal art can be intimidating. I found myself looking at completed works of art thinking, "How did they do that?" Well, Journal Spilling lets you know each technique and explores some new ones. I really like Amazon for paper art craft books. In bookstores, you might find 15 books on hand at any one time.
   So if you are interested in spicing up your journal, but feel you are not an "artist," this book leads you to create art on your own. You'll be saying, "Wow! I did this!"



3. I have been spending time with Diana Trout's new book, Journal Spilling. Diana's relaxed conversational tone resonates quite clearly throughout, making it an easy read and creating a comfortable environment for art making. She introduces readers to a number of valuable techniques, using a wide variety of art supplies that will leave any stark white page imbued with an explosion of lush color. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on confronting your inner critique, where we are encouraged to describe this negative voice, as that is something all artist's must handle when creating. Journal Spilling is a book artists at any level can appreciate as a way to get their creative juices flowing.



4. I have just recently started art journaling and love Jane Davies book, Collage Journeys. When I got Journal Spilling, it presented me with a whole new fresh approach to journaling. I like the light tone, the inclusion of techniques, and her free flowing style. Having prompts and quotes to start from is a great tool. This is a book I would recommend to someone starting on their journey of journaling.



5. It looks so simple, you just dare to start. That is the hard part. Love how all materials are used.

5 comments about Majestic Traditional Silver-Edged Bible Tabs.

1. I have been bitten twice now in trying to order Bible tabs for a Catholic Bible. Even though the image says there are 84 tabs, I keep getting sent the Protestant version that has 72 tabs.



2. Per my husband's request, I bought him a set and decided to buy me one too. He read the directions and stuck them on his Bible first. I read the directions the next day, and was not quite so comfortable doing it, so I asked him to show me instead. So, like other reviews have mentioned, read the directions first!
   
   The sticky part is strong and if you mess up, you can carefully peel it off and try again, but probably not twice on the same, thin page. It takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to install these.
   
   Beautiful results at the end, and everything is nicely visible and lined up for easy access.



3. I confess I got these as a gift, and did not buy them here, but I wanted to share some advice. Mine are the gold version but identical otherwise. They seem so easy to put on at first, but make sure you carefully read the instructions as it is really easy to mess up. In fact, read them twice. They do not look as nice if they are crooked. Also, you need to know it can take an hour to put these on. I used them on my bible, and they are a life saver. They work great, and there are extra tabs for things like, "My Favorite Verse", and such. Recommend.



4. It took some attention to detail to get these applied properly, but I think they are there to stay. This seems to be a good, sturdy product that will last.



5. Majestic Traditional Silver-Edged Bible Tabstheses are nice tabs. make it real easy to find things in the bible.

5 comments about 1,000 Artist Journal Pages: Personal Pages and Inspirations (1000 Series).

1. I have been getting into art journaling myself in the last year and have scoured the internet for inspiration, and found a lot of artists recommending this book.. I didnt know until i received it today in the mail what to expect. It is beautiful - there are so many talented people out there doing what they love and I think its great they are willing to share their work with us - even their journal pages. There is a great range of different ideas and styles to be found... i read someones review complaining that the pictures weren't big enough, i didnt mind the size - at two pictures per page - you can see enough detail and vivid color and still appreciate the whole picture. This book inspired me and that is just the initial thumbing through it. I intend to study it closer asap. It is a great value and a great book!



2. Worth the price but for me a bit odd as regards the art. I thought it would be 1,000 artists (a big job) but it was several from each artist instead. If I saw it at the store I might not have bought it but if you like this type of art, well worth the price.



3. The book has no text, only pictures. That would be fine except that the pictures are tiny. It's impossible to see the details in the art. A waste of money. Also, this "new" book came with a torn page.



4. after flipping threw the pages, i've become inspired by wonderful works of art in this book



5. What an opportunity to flip through the artistic journals of so many creative people. This book is all about the images. Not too much verbage, just pure inspiration. Slightly oversized, yet each page contains quite a bit of "white space" to let the pages pop. If you want to actually read everything presented, you will need a magnifier. Seemingly every journaling sytle is validated in this generous exploration of what others are doing in art journals. I will enjoy curling up with this book for a very long time.

5 comments about 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges (Leisure Arts #4830) (Creating Keepsakes).

1. Lizzy is so talented. I couldn't wait for the release of this book. The pages are so colorful and will inspire anyone to create. She teaches us how to use our everyday life to create original masterpieces to be enjoyed for a lifetime.



2. This book is everything you'd expect from the talented Elizabeth Kartchner and MORE! If you are looking for something to help jumpstart your creative *SPARK* this is for you. You will overflow with ideas and inspiration after flipping through the yummy pages of this book!



3. This book, hands down, is the best idea book I have ever seen! It is great for every scrapbooker at any level. The challenges are all so creative and different. Thanks Lizzy!



4. I purchased Elsie Flannigan's original "52 Scrapbooking Challenges" and loved it, so I had a feeling this one was going to be great as well. I was not disappointed. Elizabeth Kartchner has created the most beautiful layouts and has given great direction in challenging scrapbookers to go a little further in their scrapbooking. The other contributors to the book have designed very nice layouts as well, but Elizabeth's are my favorites, by far! The big highlight of the book (for me) is how Elizabeth teaches technique on some of her signature design elements, thanks!



5. This is a great book for new and advanced scrapbookers alike! Many ideas to choose from and learn from! For me as a beginner, it has wonderful ideas for me to use and learn from! I also love the artist, Elizabeth Kartchner, from the Creating Keepsakes articles she does! You won't be sorry if you get this book!

5 comments about The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Word: Quotes - Titles - Poetry - Tips - Words.

1. This is a great book that I refer to very frequently for inspiration when I scrapbook. The topics are all arranged alphabetically, so it is very easy to use. Highly recommend!!



2. I have used this book many times while at scrapbooking parties and it is WONDERFUL!! There are a lot of cute sayings to help you journal or even to give you titles or page ideas. Very helpful for the new scrapper.



3. This is one of the best books created for sayings/titles for scrapbooking! There are a few other books by this same publisher that are full of quotes. A must purchase for great scrapbook pages!



4. I really enjoyed this book because it is one of the few that I have have found that combines quotes and poetry, which is very unique. It is well-organized, and it is easy to find what you are looking for. I loved how the book was put together, though the font was a bit distracting, and I think you would probably enjoy it too.
   
   Have Fun!
   
   Todd Hagopian
   President/CEO
   Hagopian Institute
   Author of the popular "Quote Junkie" book sereies and the brand new "Idiom Junkie" series



5. The book does contain tons of words by topic. Unfortunately, the font in which they are set is just AWFUL! I got a headache in the first 20 pages. Also, the author has included LOTS of her own poems and sayings rather than doing more serious research. I am still looking for a book with "perfect" words.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking (Leisure Arts #15941) (Creating Keepsakes).

1. This is a great book to own that you'll go back to over and over. I recently purchased (at full retail price) this book at a local scrapbook store... I usually don't buy books like this new because they're so expensive & you can usually find them here, used, for way less. But, this book was different, I picked it up & flipped through a few pages & could immediately tell that this was a book I HAD to have in my scrap room! I have read through this book several times & keep finding new techniques to try. It is full of information that not only will the new scrapbooker find very useful, but so will the expert scrappers! :)
   
   I would highly recommend this book!! If you can't find it used, buy it new, it's worth every penny!



2. Bought this book for my 81 year old mother. We had bought her a bunch of scrapbook stuff but she wasn't sure about how to use it. Got her the book and now she LOVES it. She said the book helped her so much, she can hardly put it down, she's reading it all the time.



3. I got the book very fast, its was in great cond. just like it said it would be, and I got it for a great price.



4. I don't think I am creative enough for this book. I wanted a book that would give me more hands-on, how-to for putting together my scrapbook. I think that they look so nice when I have seen what other people have done and I was looking for a book that would walk me through it. This book tells you all about it and shows what other people have done, but not enough step by step. There is a lot of information about all of the tools, gadgets available for scrapbooking, but not how to start your project and what things to consider when you put it all together. This may be perfect for other people, but I need more help with the basics of laying it out and how to get to the final result.



5. I love this book! It has so many things that you can do in scrapbooking. It tells you step by step how to do all kinds of techniques and even gives shopping lists of items you will need for different techniques. It's a wonderful book and wouls really give a beginner a great jump start and a long time scrapper some new ideas!

5 comments about Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches For Creative Layouts.

1. Not any really helpful tips on how to design your own scrapbook pages, but is really just a book of page sketches and how to use them. If you simply want to copy someone else's ideas for your own scrapbook pages, then this is the book for you. To give the author credit, she does tell you that you can take the sketches as inspiration and change as needed to fit your photos. But who doesn't know that already?
   
   There are too many websites where you can simply download sketches. The sketch cards are nice, but I have made my own in the past with heavy duty laminated cardstock and a crop-a-dile. Not so sure yet if I am going to keep the book. The book is really just a nicely packaged group of about 60 sketches that you can use for your own work.
   
   I think that most people like the book because it has the cards.



2. This book is okay, but not for the money. It is just a fancy packaged, overpriced Idea book. I like that it is spiral bound (Similiar to Becky Higgins Creative Companion. I had to make sure it was her that had not written it)and a good quality book and the cards in the back are a nice touch. The down side is there are only 60 layouts and then there are about three different pictures of each layout all by a different artist so you get the feel of different perspectives. Everything is similiar to what I would see in some of the most popular scrapbooking magazines without all the advertisements. The sketch pictures are super small compared to the picture of the actual layouts. In a coupe of years this will be terribly outdated! If I was looking for just an idea book this would be great, but I was wanting more of a sketch idea book! If that is what you are looking for, don't go here. If ideas are what you want, then subscribe to a magazine!!! If you are looking for just sketches, the Page Patterns Just Plain Simplicity are the way to go!!



3. I love this book. The pages are beautiful and very inspiring. I also love the cards that you punch out in the back of the book and have used them many times for ideas. This is a must have book.



4. Becky Fleck's book is amazing and has changed the way I scrapbook. I am so pleased with my new style. I highly recommend this book.



5. I have really enjoyed this book, and have bought it for several friends as well. What's great about it are the cards in the back- they are so easy to use when you are scrapbooking! When I go to retreats, my friends end up borrowing my cards!

5 comments about The Amazing Page: 650 Scrapbook Page Ideas, Tips and Techniques (Memory Makers).

1. I do a lot of scrapbooking and am currently working on my family genealogy/heritage albums. This book is something I can pick up and read through to refresh my mind. I get "scrappers block", is what I call it. I will often pick a lay out that I like, lay the book open and mimic the layout to fit my photograph(s). This was well worth the $16 I paid for it. I was even able to get free shipping...thank you amazon!



2. This book is great. There are tons of layouts and new things to see each time I open it. I'll be using this one for years to come.



3. I really like the pictures and layouts. I am just in the beginning stages of scrapbooking, so I needed some ideas. I was able to get a lot of ideas with this book. However, most of the pages are more advanced than my skill level at this time. I'm sure I'll be using this book for years to come.



4. I love this book! There are so many ideas; it totally lived up to its title! I didn't even realize that it included a CD with more pages and templates that you can print out and use as a guide. I will definitely purchase more of this brand's products!



5. There seem to be two scrapbooking philosophies:
   
   1st: the scrapbooking as an art philosophy in which you create beautiful masterpieces which combine numerous papers, embellishments, and personal skills to create a work of art and include a photograph or two among the components.
   
   2nd: the scrapbooking as photo album in which you try to present as many photographs as possible as beautifully as possible using some non-photo components in the design but keeping the emphasis (and the expense) for the photos.
   
   I belong to the second group and, therefore, was not particularly impressed by this book. The vast majority of the pages feature 3 photos or less (many only one). While I recognize that they look great, I can't afford to spend a fortune in the scrapbooking components and supplies needed to replicate these masterpieces. I aim for a minimum of 4 photos per page and 8 photos per 2-page spread--minimum. My budget for stickers, brads, buttons, ribbons, papers, and other artistic embellishments just doesn't spread far enough to create frequent masterpieces.