[Nfb-krafters-korner] scrap booking link and a little info

Tue Sep 4 19:50:15 UTC 2012

I would be afraid of getting ink on myself.

Terry P.

-----Original Message-----
From: Neva Fairchild [mailto:nevafairchild at verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:55 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] scrap booking link and a little info

I have been scrapbooking and making other rubber stamp art paper projects for about 10 years. The creative outlet this craft gave me got me back into other artistic pursuits and I am forever grateful to those who encouraged me then. If I can pass that encouragement on to just one person, I will be thrilled. I had more vision as a youngster than I do now and at one time saw color, so some of the concepts are a little easier for me than for those of you who never saw color, but still not impossible. For example, monochrome pages or cards are quite beautiful, and learning some basic color combinations that are pleasing to the sighted world isn't that hard. I personally keep notes about what colors go well together from the company I buy all my stamp art supplies from. I like sticking with one company because you can be sure that the Real Red paper matches the Real red ink which matches the Real Red ribbon, buttons, brads, etc., etc., etc. Stampin' Up is the company I use, but there are lots of choices out there. Just remember that pink is not pink is not pink when you get your pink stuff from different sources. For those of you with color perception that can match and blend, my hat is off to you and your creative outlets are more diverse than mine. I started my stamp art craft with one set of stamps that had small images that could be used to make gift tags and included a stamp that says to and from to combine with the all occasion images. I bought a combined "family" of paper and two inks that blended or matched that family. With Stampin' Up this is easy because all their colors are divided into families and groups like that. I bought a Fiscar paper cutter and some repositionable adhesive squares so that when I don't get things that I am layering just right, I can carefully peel the layers apart and try again. Since that first purchase 10 years ago I have bought several hundred more stamp sets and all
48 colors of ink and paper and untold embellishments. Now you ask, "how do you keep it all organized?", and that is the hardest part. I mark each stamp with a braille number and each set with a braille label of its name. In my note taker, I have an Excel spreadsheet with the name in column a and a brief description of each stamp's image in the subsequent columns in numerical order. So, it might read "Forest Friends" 1 snail 2 fawn 3 rabbit
4 frog. If I need more detail, like whether it is outline or cartoonish or sketched, I put it there. I use hanging files and file boxes for each paper family and color and I mark each ink pad with the color name. The hardest thing for me is to keep up with the marking as I purchase. Obviously, it takes a sighted helper for this task and for some things my husbands very capable eyeballs can read color names, etc., but to describe images it takes my daughter who is also an artist to give me enough information to use the stamps later. I would suggest that anyone wanting to start this craft begin with a simple kit. Maybe something with some paper, an ink spot or two and some embellishments like buttons or ribbon. All the companies sell these. If you can find a demonstrator in your area that offers workshops, and has some patience to think about how they would do this craft without vision, get involved and learn some techniques. I will admit there are some techniques I simply cannot do. Like, stamping an image and punching it out with a matching punch, but there are some that you wouldn't think I could do, but I can. Like, two step flowers, one stamp is the outline and the other is the filler. Guess what, they still look great when they don't line up exactly.
Even the gals with 20/20 can't get it perfect. It's not supposed to be perfect, it's hand made. Factories make things perfect. Artists make things beautiful.  

Be kind, always. It is the most important rule of man; be kind in all things. Anger steals your joy, fear steals your heart, worry steals your life. But, in kindness there is never a fault...Steve Carter

Neva Fairchild
972 416-7039 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lindy van der Merwe
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 3:14 AM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] scrap booking link and a little info

Hi to all,
I have included a link for making scrap book pages without photos below.
Having had some sight until the age of 25, I loved photos, including taking them, putting them into albums and paging through the albums, etc. I knew about scrap booking, but wasn't really interested in it as a craft until recently, when it was mentioned to me by another blind crafter.
I have since read up on the subject and have done a few pages of my own.
I am sure there might be other list members who can share a lot more about this craft, but I just wanted to mention it as a possibility for a blind crafter.
I first thought it wouldn't be something I would enjoy, but it turns out I was wrong.
You don't have to see to enjoy scrap booking and there are many techniques you can use to make wonderful pages without having to see.
I would love to hear from others who have done this and I would love to share some ideas of my own too.
I don't think I am ready to present a class yet, but maybe someone else may be?
Otherwise I can write down a few ideas and pass them on.
Thanks to all who make this a wonderful list and place for crafters from around the world.
Lindy
http://scrapbooking.about.com/od/layouts/a/nophotolayouts.htm

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