Art

Why You Need To Give Scrapbooking A Chance!

Modern technology all but makes things like scrapbooking seem obsolete, but what will happen to our history when everything is online? A phone is a great way to save memories for the time being, but is it really an archival and heartwarming method of preservation? Scrapbooking still has a place in our world, and if you haven’t really given it a chance, it is a wonderful creative outlet and a great way to preserve meaningful memories.

Still not convinced? Here are some reasons to give it a second look:

Use It As A Creative Outlet

Surprisingly enough, scrapbooking isn’t just about die cuts and printed paper, but rather, using different craft mediums to make your pages come alive. Some crafters like using yarn, charms and even watercolors to add a unique touch to their pages. The sky is truly the limit!

If you prefer dealing with things digitally, digital scrapbooking is a fairly common modern trend. You can design your layouts using your computer and print your pages for preservation.

Take On Relaxation!

Raising kids and dealing with work every day can really take its toll on you. You may find yourself stressed and tired all day without much time to relax by yourself. Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby that allows you to unwind and turn off your mind for a while. Instead of worrying about the things that keep you up at night, you can let things go and focus on the creative process at hand. Plus, by handling photos that are near and dear to you, you can recall happier times and memories that make you smile.

No Artistic Merit Necessary

Unlike other crafts, you don’t need to become an artist or take classes in order to achieve the desired results with your scrapbooking pages. You can learn as you go long and there are many resources online and offline that you can employ in order to learn more about the subject.

In fact, starting out with scrapbooking can broaden your horizons and allow you to branch out to other craft or art forms. For example, you may feel at ease doodling or collaging things. The way you design your pages hones creativity and makes it easier to get in touch with your inner self.

Go Forward Without Regrets

As we age, we all tend to become more sentimental and wish that the memories we made when we were younger were better preserved. Even if you don’t see the point of scrapbooking right now, seriously take it under consideration. Creating pages and committing your memories to paper allow you to show your future grandkids and other family members your accomplishments. Nothing really beats having a lovely album that you can show other people!

Many people regret not saving certain photos and choosing not to preserve the memories that go with them. Give yourself a chance to feel at ease in your later years. Scrapbooking isn’t just a fun hobby, but a record of your entire life. It marks your milestones and accomplishments throughout the years. In fact, scrapbooking has been popular since Victorian times!

An Excuse To Buy Supplies!

Some of us just love collecting craft supplies or perusing the aisles of a hobby store. In fact, much of what you see on display is pure eye candy. Why not have a hobby that’s useful and allows you to indulge every so often? You can splurge on fancy papers, ribbons, markers, stamps and stickers to add interest and personality to your pages.

Become A Better Photographer

Perhaps the most compelling reason to take on scrapbooking is to hold yourself accountable for the photos that you take. If you know that you’re going to preserve them and show them to other people, taking the time to learn the art of photography can help you create even better composed photographs. There are many things that you’ll be learning the way about photo composition!

Scrapbooking may seem like a thing of the past, but it will never truly become obsolete! More than ever, preserving our memories in a physical manner is important. With everything done online, very few creative outlets allow you to preserve sentimental thoughts and milestone celebrations. In addition, you can learn quite a few things about art along the way!

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Being Crafty With Your Kids: The Benefits

Making crafts with your children is a very rewarding way to spend time with them. Kids have an inherent creativity that can be brought out and rewarded through crafting in a way that isn’t possible with other activities.

Crafting is great for building up self-esteem. There are no wrong answers in crafts. As Bob Ross famously shows us in his paintings, if you make a mistake while creating a craft, you can simply turn it into an intentional part of the design. The final product will still make your child (and you!) proud of their work.

The creation of a finished tangible object also helps to build self-esteem. Your child can look at the completed project and say “Yes, I did that.” It’s a powerful feeling. It’s even more effective if the craft is for a useful household object that becomes part of the rotation in the living room or kitchen.

Perseverance is another personality trait improved by doing crafts together. You’ll teach your child that if they stick with the project, they’ll be happy with the results. They’ll get to see the final product. If they walk away from the project in the middle, they’ll never see what they are able to accomplish.

Crafting also improves hand-eye coordination and prepares your child for later skills. Coloring, even scribbling, and other craft activities like cutting out shapes with scissors or applying glue all help your child build up the control of the muscles in their hands. This control will be useful when it comes time to write in school.

Doing crafts is an opportunity to your spread your wings and be a little messy. We spend much of our lives being careful not to make messes and pass that along to our young children. They pour drinks with exaggerated precision and scold family pets for eating messily. But crafting is different; it’s supposed to be messy. Lay down some old newspapers to protect your carpet, or choose a corner of your garage or basement if available.

Crafting with your children is fun for you and for them, and provides a wide variety of benefits. From improving their self-image and confidence to increasing their “stick to it-if-ness,” to bettering their hand-eye coordination, the ways crafting with children helps them are many. Plus it’s just a chance to cut loose, to be creative and a little messy, and everyone needs that sometimes.

Art

Why You Need Vinyl Cutting Machines

Vinyl cutting machines are great tools to have for many different reasons. Depending on the model and review, some of them can even perform tasks other than just cutting vinyl. If you are wondering why you should consider vinyl cutting machines, there are many different reasons why you might love having your very own. Continue reading this article to learn some of the things you can do with these nifty gadgets.

A vinyl cutting machine does exactly what it says it does, it cuts vinyl. And the cut vinyl can be cut into just about any size or shape that you can imagine. Once it is cut, you can put the vinyl on any surface that will hold it.

When you decide what you want to create, you can do so using some sort of device, a computer, smartphone, or tablet. You will need to use a program that communicates with the cutting machine. Most machines have their own program and many times that is the best one to use. You will use this to make whatever it is that you desire. Then, you will follow the directions so the machine cuts the vinyl just the way that you want it.

Before you cut the vinyl, though, you will want to choose the vinyl you want to cut. The good news is, there are so many different vinyl options out there. You can find solid colors, polka-dots, stripes, glitter, and so much more. You can find them online, at local craft stores, and in other places. You should choose your vinyl so you can create the project that you envision. Not only that, but you will want to choose the proper vinyl for the surface you plan to put it on.

Once you have your design and your vinyl, you will then decide what you want to put the vinyl design on. You can put it on so many different items. A common option for people to put the vinyl on is t-shirts. You can create a picture or phrase to iron on a t-shirt. Another option is putting the design on a canvas that you may hang on your wall. Also, you can put vinyl on cups, car windows, and so much more. If you aren’t sure which vinyl you should use for the item you plan to put it on, you can learn more by doing some research online. You may also learn this information from friends or family members, or from the manufacturer of the vinyl cutting machine.

As you can see, there are many benefits to having a machine that cuts vinyl. You are able to create nearly anything that you can imagine using the program on your device. Then, you can choose the vinyl to use that comes in so many different offerings and it should be based on the item you are placing it on. Finally, you can cut the design you created and then place it on the item to create something fun and unique.