Balzer Designs

In Love With My Wacom Tablet!

So, I've become totally enamored with Hybrid Scrapbooking. But, because I like the look of handwriting and doodling and stuff, I bought a Wacom Tablet so that I could do lots of that! What is a Wacom Tablet you ask? Well, it's the coolest thing ever! You write on it, and whatever you write comes up on the screen. It replaces your mouse, but gives you far more control! Now, I probably won't ever go all-digi, but I wanted to test myself and see if I could create a layout (in my own style) without using any purchased or downloaded... Read more →

I'm a Believer Now!

When I first wandered into Two Peas, I heard all these stories about people who had been contacted by magazines or manufacturers based on their galleries. How cool! But, I never really believed it. And as the market has filled with more and more scrappers, I just figured that it was something that had run its course. Well, imagine my shock, surprise, and glee when I was contacted out of the blue by a new French manufacturer, Sultane to be on their design team! Wow. I think their papers are fabulous and I love that they're double sided. So, now... Read more →

Scrapbooking in Fabric

This is an article I wrote for Creativity{unbound}, which is a totally awesome site! There is lots of inspiration and there are tons of great instructions, including a tutorial on needle felting! So, be sure to check it out! I was a scrapbooker before I was a quilter. So, it's no great surprise that my quilts often resemble scrapbooks. Here is a 12x12 quilt I made for my Mother: It's one of the very first quilts I ever made. If you're interested in making a fabric scrapbook page, I highly recommend Bubble Jet Set. What is Bubble Jet Set? From... Read more →

Hand Cutting Titles...

This is a tutorial I wrote for Serendipity Scrapbooks. Every Tuesday, a member of the design team posts instructions for a technique or project in their "Totally Technique" forum. So, here's mine... Handcutting titles is easy and eliminates any need for a die cut machine. You can create the title you want in any color, pattern or size. Now, there are several different methods, but this is the one that works best for me: 1. Create your title on your computer. I used Word Art in Microsoft Word. Insert>Picture>Word Art. This is what the title looks like on screen. 2.... Read more →

Last Chance! And a review...

This is your last chance to sign up for the best online classes ever! That's right, only one more day until class begins at My Creative Classroom! You can check out my classes here. They're sure to be lots of fun! And, I thought I'd share a review I wrote for Craft Critique.... Alphabet rub-ons. So many options. So little time. The good news is that your choices are endless when it comes to brand and style of alphabet rub-ons. But, don’t be fooled by a pretty package or a rock bottom price. I tested five brands of alphabet rub-ons... Read more →

Just Let Me Scrapbook - November

I have two layouts to share today. Both made with my design team kit for November from Just Let Me Scrapbook. I know I'm late to the party, but this was my first time working with Heidi Swapp ghost letters and I was surprised by how thick and hearty they are. I had always imagined that they'd be thinner and floppier somehow. Also, I worked with these awesome journaling cards from a company I had never heard of before: dude designs. These cards are totally fab and come in a range of colors and patterns. I know I'm going to... Read more →

Oh! My! God!

I can't believe it! OMG! OMG! OMG! I am the last scrapper standing! Here's the layout I submitted for the last round (the prompt was "pissed off"): I needle felted the background, the buildings, and the title. The pre-title "I am a New Yorker Of course I am" is made from letter stickers. I used a label maker to detail some of the things that piss me off and then used them as "bricks" on the buildings. Jerry Seinfeld once said that being a New Yorker is about being annoyed. I have to agree. I love this City, but aggravation... Read more →

Random Thursday List

Happy Thursday! Here's a list of random crafty stuff from me... 1. Somerset Memories Somerset Memories has requested four layouts from me! I'm very excited as it's one of my favorite magazines. 2. Circle Scarf Class at The City Quilter I taught my very first quilting class at The City Quilter on Sunday. It was a lovely group of women and I'm pleased to share that it went extremely well! On the left is the original scarf and on the right is a variation I made in a leaf shape. I also made a quilted necklace using the same technique... Read more →

JLMS Sale!

I just got this from MaryBeth, who owns Just Let Me Scrapbook: November is the month we think about what we are thankful for. This week at Just Let Me Scrapbook I want to thank my wildly creative Design Team for the consistant inspiration they share with us! I have to say these Ladies are AMAZING! What is your favorite project that is currently shown in our DT Gallery? Enter the project name and designer in the comments section during checkout and use the code THANKSDT to receive 25% off your entire order! This code is good through SUNDAY, NOVEMBER... Read more →

Art Away From Home

As the guest artist at Creativity Unbound for November, I'm posting something over there every Saturday. This is the article I wrote last Saturday... I'm traveling today. I spend a lot of my time traveling. And, it's not just the time spent on a plane, in a bus, or on a train. It's the hotels and the houses and the places where all my "art stuff" is not. But, I really can't stand letting more than a day or two go by without doing something creative. So, I've developed some projects that can be done on the road... FOR THE... Read more →