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You Asked, We Answer
Getting Kids into card making...
Read more...

October/November, 2009 Newsletter

Welcome to Scor-it News, a monthly eNewsletter from the makers of Scor-it Boards and the Scor-it Mini.

In the Spotlight: Donna Salazar

She was a cheerleader; he was a football player.  They fell in love in high school and have been together ever since.  Donna Salazar says she is living her "dream life" - a 20-year marriage and two teenage children, making a living as an artist.  There is a paintbrush in her hand as often as possible, she designs and teaches and has launched her own product lines.  She is grateful to be able to work from her home studio - a room that was formerly her husband's office - where a cat perches in the waste basket or on top of papers, keeping her company when she is "in the zone" (that magical state when Donna loses track of time and says she wouldn't notice if the house was on fire!).    

Donna has been making things since she was a child, trying her hand at sewing, painting, drawing, jewelry, knitting, and paper crafting.  She brings a lot of these techniques to her scrapbooking.  It is this broad range of interests, along with a supportive family and boundless energy, that has helped her professional career flourish. 

Donna was a designer for scrapbook reality webisodes called "Scrapbook Lifestyle", founder and coordinator for the Red Bee Design Team, member of the Avery Personal Creations Design Team, co-host of Prima Studio and coordinator for Prima's Endorsed Teacher Program.  Her work has been published work in Zutter's "Bound to Bind" idea book, The Sticker Book, Doodling for Papercrafters, and The Girlfriends Club Book, as well as in Somerset Memories, Haute Handbags, Somerset Gallery, and many other magazines.  She currently hosts a free video tutorial show with two girlfriends, Leah Fung and Johanna Peterson (whom she met when filming Scrapbook Lifestyle) that can be found at http://thegirlfriendsclub.typepad.com.

As of Nov. 2009, Donna has two product collections - Winter Wishes and Vintage Nostalgia - with more in the works, available through Pinecone Press.  They were designed to work with Zutter Innovative Products tools.  There are papers, printed card stock and Kraft brown corrugated cardboard die cuts, a few embellishments (buttons, ribbons, and vintage dictionary scalloped circles for making her signature paper flowers).

When Donna isn't in her studio, you might find her teaching at stores in Southern California, though she has taught as far away as Belgium, The Netherlands and France as well.  Or you could find her in the kitchen - she loves to cook, or at a ceramics studio - she celebrated her 40th birthday with friends and family by inviting them to glaze bowls and mugs.  In addition, she writes a blog and hosts a web site, is active in Facebook and on Twitter. 

We're pleased to have Donna Salazar in the Spotlight this month.  She has created a super simple Christmas Card & Envelope project especially for Scor-it Newsletter readers.  Both are made from a single 12 x 12 sheet of Winter Wishes paper, embellished with die cuts from the same collection.  Click here to See the project with complete step-by-ste instructions (scroll down to Video blog #81 and slide timing buton over to 4:30.)

Instructions for Donna's project:
Tools -12" Scor-it Board and Envelope-it Template

Supplies -
- Winter Wishes paper and die-cut sheet by Donna Salazar ()
- Satin ribbon, EZ Runner and 3D Foam Squares (permanent) from 3L, Tim Holtz Edge Distresser from Tonic Studios

1. Begin by cutting a 4.25 x 12 inch strip from the 12x12 paper
2. Center the envelope template on the remaining 7.75 x 12 inch piece of paper
3. Hold the template firmly down and tear the envelope shape by lifting the paper up gently around the edges of the template (Note: If you prefer smooth edges, cut with a craft knife instead of tearing - you don't need to worry about damaging the metal template).
4. Make a small mark on the paper at each of the 4 corners of the rectangular portion of the template
5. Line up the marks on the Scor-it Board (with the inside of the envelope facing up) and score the envelope
6. Fold the envelope and adhere the sides
7. Score the 4.25 x 12 inch strip (lengthwise with the inside of the card facing up) at 2.75 inches from the edge, then at 5.5 inches from the first score line
8. Fold the card and distress the edges with an edge distresser tool
9. Distress the die cut elements with an edge distresser tool
10. Adhere the die cut so that it overlaps the edge of the flap on the front of the card
11. Add sentiments from the die cut sheet, and use a foam square to attach the bow as a finishing touch

http://donnasalazar.typepad.com
www.donnasalazar.com
http://thegirlfriendsclub.typepad.com
facebook.com/Donna.Escuadro.Salazar
http://twitter.com/donnasalazar 

You Asked, We Answer
Do you have any ideas for getting my kids into card making?
Absolutely! Tell them about Carolyn Guidry, the speediest scorer we know. She can score the fold lines on over two hundred cards in half an hour. Teach the kids to use the Scor-it Board and let them practice for a while to make sure they have the hang of it. Then challenge them to see how many cards they can score in five minutes, ten minutes, or whatever you think works best.

Give them the cards they scored as a prize, along with stickers and gel pens or other supplies so they can fold and decorate them. Provide envelopes and stamps, too. Encourage them to branch out, using the Scor-it Board for decorative embossed or de-bossed lines. Once you've given a demonstration, sit back and get out of the way - kids are willing to play and experiment; you just might end up being the student rather than the teacher.

I love my new Scor-it Sliding Ruler.  Should I store it on the board when it's not in use?
Yes, it'll keep it nice and flat and the cat won't be able to knock it off the table.

I've heard about the Scor-it Sliding Ruler but before I buy it, I'd like to know why I need one! What can you tell me about this new Scor-it Board accessory?
The Sliding Ruler was developed by Tim Hammonds with input from local Pauline Hasund. He's the same person who designed the Scor-it Board, because he wanted to open up even more options for using the board. It's designed to stabilize your paper so it won't twist or turn while you're scoring (it's like having a third hand). It's useful for creating consistent starting and stopping points when you're making many cards with the same design. It's ideal for making embossed rectangles and boxes or star bursts where all of the corners meet. Plus, you can use it to create parallel embossed or de-bossed diagonals and diamonds and all sorts of other special effects and geometric shapes.

We think that you'll love how easily the Sliding Ruler glides. We know it's a good value, a versatile well-made tool that you'll be happy to have in hand.

Can I use the Sliding Ruler on my Scor-it Mini? Will my friends who have the Metric Scor-it Board be able to use the Sliding Ruler?
The Sliding Ruler is sized for the large (12") Scor-it Board and it has both inch and metric markings. Simply flip it around to use whichever measure you need.

Why would I need a Scor-it A-2 Envelope-it Template when I can open an envelope and trace around it?|
Good question! The answer is simple: Because the Envelope-it is durable metal and you can cut against it with a craft knife. It's reasonably priced and will last for many years - metal doesn't wear out - and won't bend or break when it's stored, plus you can clean the template it if it gets dirty. The Envelope-it is easy, fast and accurate. If you do like to trace around a template and cut with scissors, you can do that, too. Instructions are printed right on the template, it shows you where to score on the Scor-it Board, fold and apply glue. Also, go to: www,scorit.com / Help to view a tutorial on how to use the Envelope-it.

If you're a teacher, you're going to want several Envelope-it templates on hand. 

Why is there a circle cut out in the middle of the Envelope-it Template?|
So you can position the template on your patterned paper. For example, if you're making an envelope out of a recycled calendar and you want the picture of the flower or puppy front and center, you can see where they go. And if you want, you can use the circle as a template to cut out circles, from your paper to create other designs.

Click here to view tutorials on how to use the new Envelope-it and Sliding Ruler.

Fun with the Scor-it Board
Hera Frei, a member of the Core'dinations Cardstock Design Team, created three layouts using the Scor-it Mini, illustrating each team with a different geometrical design - a net, icicles, and skyscrapers.  Click here to link to the instructions she provided..

Jay Vaughn recently made a couple of cards using the Scor-It and Scor-It Ruler with die-cuts. She said, "I thought it was a fun way to show that you don't have to limit yourself to using the Scor-It just for scoring card folds, card fronts, or layers. You can add dimension and interest quickly and easily with a few passes on the Scor-It."  Here is a link to the blogo post that shows what she's been up to: http://indigoinklings.blogspot.com/2009/09/scored-die-cuts.html

Jennifer Priest posted a tutorial on the Bind-it-All blog showing how to make leaves using the Scor-it Boqard.  Here is the link: http://binditall.blogspot.com/2009/08/making-leaves-with-scor-it.html

*Here's what Tricia Morris has been up to, another video featuring the Scor-it Board!  http://www.clubscrapcommunity.com/main-inspiration/cinema?task=videodirectlink&id=181

For a unique take on how to make an embossed envelope bag using Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock, Linda Beeson PaperCutting Kind of Day, the Scor-it Board and Envelope-it Template: http://s671.photobucket.com/albums/vv78/projects-core/?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click

Maggie Lamarre, www.cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com, created a Merry Christmas Gift Card Holder using the Scor-it Mini, Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock, Cuttlebug machine and embossing folders, Studio G stamps, and other readily available supplies including rhinestones, glue stick, and ribbon.  Here's the link: http://cuttingabove.blogspot.com/2009/10/product-spotlight-scor-it-giveaway.html

Eileen Bergen, AKA The Artful Crafter, sent us this link to show how she stores her Scor-it Board.  She keeps it in a plastic desktop vertical file organizer along with beading boards, 12 x 12 papers, Shape Cotter, plus templates and rotary cutting board: http://the-artful-crafter.blogspot.com/2008_09_03_archive.html

The Crafting Pot is a blog site that includes weekly challenges, tutorials and product reviews.  What makes The Crafting Pot unique is that participants are not limited to a particular type of craft.  Readers are encourage to participate using the mediums that they are confident in, familiar with.   At the same time, The Crafting Pot likes to encourage out of the box thinking and supports the concept of being green in our crafts by reusing items that normally would be discarded.  There are 2-3 challenges each month with prizes, as well as special bonus challenges from time to time. 

Check out the Sulyn Products blogsite at: http://thesparklestudio.blogspot.com

Designer Debbie Standard created this project using Core'dinations Paper & Scor-it. The steps to the project are:
1.  First I used the Scor-it to score the fold in my card.
2.  Then using some Chocolate Box cardstock I scored the lines on my background paper - in using the Chocolate Box papers when I sanded over the ridge created by the scor-it my underlying color came through.  I continued to score lines at regular intervals until my background was complete.  
3.  Then I cut and adhered the pieces of patterned paper between the ridges of my card front.
4.  I then attached ribbon, sentiment tag made with more of the Chocolate Bow cardstock that I embossed.
5.  I then cut out my envelope using the Scor-it envelope - it was SO EASY.
6.  I then used the scor-it to create the folds of my envelope.
7.  I attached an embossed stem to the front of the envelope.
8.  Then I folded the envelope, embossed the lip and added some brads.  The envelope is just the easiest thing to make and look how cute you can make it.  Just adds that extra touch to the handmade card.

Press
Scrappy TV
It's always a treat to see what Teresa Collins is doing.  Here she is on Scrappy TV: http://www.scrappytv.com/channel/video/14?video=71

The annual World Cardmaking Day took place on October 3.  2sketches4you.blogspot.com, the card sketch challenge blog, hosted a Blog Hop to celebrate. 

Check out Scor-it in Jane Guthrie's "Cottage Christmas Cards" in the 2010 Winter issue of Paper Creations (page 48)

Did You Know?
Did you know that you can use the Scor-it Board to score random or evenly spaced diagonal lines? The Sliding Ruler makes it easy and fast.

Did you know that you can store the Scor-it Board standing upright to save space? It takes less than two inches of shelf space. Tuck it into a tote and suspend the tote from a hanger in the closet if your shelves are already filled.

Did you know that dark chocolate has been deemed heart healthy? We've been waiting to hear news like this!

Did you know that decorated envelopes induce smiles throughout their journey within the postal system? Use the Scor-it Board to create embossed lines, add a bit of color to the lines with sponged-on ink, and write the recipient's name and address between the lines. Do a bit of stamping, while you're at it. Hint: Choose colors that go with the postage stamp you plan to use.

Great Finds!
Crafts U Print
Crafts U Print has over 20,000 digital downloads for cards, boxes, patterned papers and more, plus project ideas and video tutorials (a Scor-it Tutorial is at http://www.craftsuprint.com/default.cfm?tech).  It's so easy!  You choose, pay, and then print as many as you want of the item you have downloaded - one or one thousand, it's the same price no matter how many times you print.  Artists are paid royalties, prices are reasonable and everything is high resolution.  If you are a designer, you may want to look into selling your work through the site.  Crafts U Print has partnered with Paper Creations and Scrapbooking & Beyond Magazines and is providing a free download to readers (links and information will begin in the Winter issues of both publications).

K & Company
If you're thinking ahead to holiday projects, make sure you check out the new "Evergreen" Christmas collection from Brenda Walton for K & Company.  The Snow Globe Stickers are fabulous, as are the Specialty Papers, 12 x 12 Silhouettes sheets, ChipBoxes, Grand Adhesions, Frame and Journaling Pad, Memory Pockets, and Embossed Stickers.

Inky Antics
Inky Antics' template stamps and crisp creases, made on the Scor-it Board, go hand in hand!  See what we mean - look for 10215V Triangle Treat Template, a wood mounted stamp, and check out the new sets of Halloween, Christmas and winter characters while you're at it.  Here are the links:

http://www.inkyantics.com/cha/chasummer09.html
http://www.inkyantics.com/triangletreat.htm