The Scientific Method: Pie Charts

It seems a lot of people out there love the pie chart trend. The topic has come up on scrapbook forums and among my creative team members. It would also seem that many people find themselves pie chart challenged. Some of my friends have lamented the fact that making a simple pie chart is more complex than it seems.

I wanted to share a tutorial all about making your own pie chart. It ended up being just a few steps, and honestly that was pushing it. I ended up writing a little article for the Scrapbook News and Review Magazine blog instead. 

If I had gone ahead with the tutorial, it would have looked like this:

Step One: print template and cut it out.

Step Two: trace template pieces onto patterned paper and cut.

Step Three: adhere pieces together onto your layout.

See...not hard at all!



If you do decide to hand cut your own pie chart, remember to be forgiving. By that, I mean that I don't know anyone who can perfectly hand cut a circle. I think that's the problem with pie charts. People want theirs to look precise. The only way you will get a precisely perfect pie chart is to buy a die cut, cut one on a Silhouette machine, or use a stamp.

I don't know how long the pie chart trend will continue. As with any trend it's best to just  relax and enjoy the fun while it's here.

Related articles

• TGIF with a Teaser Thursday
• Firsts, Lessons, Races and Journeys: Ideas for Scrapbooking Bikes
• A Mosaic Technique
• Jenni Bowlin + Fiskars = Happiness

Get It Scrapped: Preschool Graduation

Over the past year,I often found myself collecting sets of themed patterned paper and embellishments. School themed papers are one of those collections. I would see kits on sale and feel the need to purchase them. In a very short amount of time, I ended up with a large collection of themed supplies. Pretty awesome if I need school themed item. Not so good in terms of hoarding. Last year, I decided to put a stop to that type of collecting and to put my stash to more use.

The good thing about a collection of themed papers is that they can often intermix together. I keep all of my themed papers in a giant zip loc bag. It was simple for me to pull together a quick kit from that bag to create this layout for Get It Scrapped's article for documenting milestones and graduation ceremonies.


Preschool Graduation by Christy Strickler |Supplies: Patterned Paper: Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Letters: October Afternoon; Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Mist: Pink Paislee; Chipboard: Crate Paper; Other: Jewels, pearls, toothpicks; Sumitted to Layout Linky Love at the Purple Mailbox

Preschool graduation is a big milestone, as is any graduation. However, you don't have to use graduation themed supplies to document it. I chose school themed papers and primary colors that reminded me of preschool. I made handmade flags using toothpicks and scraps of paper on my desk. Flags are a popular motif right now. Both the flags and the stars connote a sense of celebration.

I also wanted a bit of sparkle on my layout. I added some splatters of gold mist, but it still felt flat. I have always admired the way Ashli Oliver adds a bit of doodling to her splatters. I decided to do the same. I added a few random circles to the splatters with a sharpie. It's such an inexpensive way to add a little more pizazz to the page and definitely a technique I plan to repeat.

I am not going to lie and say I don't buy new supplies. I still do...just more wisely( most of the time). I have tried to become aware of my buying patterns so that I don't end up with a hoard of the same theme in a giant zip loc bag. Before purchasing, I now check my supplies and ask myself whether or not I can remix them to create a kit similar to what I see for sale. If possible, I use the new embellishments as a guide to make my own. Yes, some of the supplies are older. However, using them up in fresh new ways always makes me happy.

Related articles

• Get It Scrapped: The Gilded Look
• Get It Scrapped: Mosaics
• Storefronts Offer Ideas for Scrapbook Layout, Titlework, Embellishment, Mood and More
• Get It Scrapped: Using Large Floral Patterns
• Down To the Very Last Scrap...

Get It Scrapped CT Blog Hop

Welcome to the Get It Scrapped Creative Team blog hop. I hope you enjoyed Marie-Pierre's post. If this is your first stop today and you want to hop in order, you may want to start at the Get It Scrapped Blog.

A few years ago, I became a student at Masterful Scrapbook Design. I knew I loved scrapbooking but I didn't know a whole lot about page layouts or design elements. I liked my pages, but I wanted something more. I wanted to know why certain layouts appealed to me more than others. I wanted to develop a personal style and to know how design fit in with that style.

The articles and classes at Get It Scrapped were the perfect answer for me. The seminars focused on key concepts while being open minded enough to allow me creative freedom. I participated in live interviews and learned tips and tricks from top designers. All the while, I learned that many of them experienced some of the same thoughts and doubts I had while creating. It has been ( and continues to be) a wonderful experience.

About a year ago, there was a call for Creative Team members. I applied, though I was doubtful I would be selected. When the invitation came to join the team, you can imagine how exciting it was. Today, I am just as excited. Once again, I will be joining a fabulous team of memory keepers!

Just because I am  on a creative team, doesn't mean that my development has stopped. We're all still learning and developing our skills. I  learn a lot through every assignment and blog post at Get It Scrapped.

I was  asked to pick a favorite blog article to share with you. Picking one wasn't easy, but I finally settled on one. Dina Wakely wrote a fabulous article called 6 Ideas for Using Tags on your Scrapbook Layouts . 

I don't use tags often enough. The article was a great way for me to use up supplies and break away from my normal supply choices. I love trying new things, especially when it helps me use up those supplies I tend to forget I own.

All Aboard by Christy Strickler Supplies| Cardstock Bazzill; Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Letters: American Crafts, Jillibean Soup; Tags: Sizzix Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Chipboard, Ephemera, Tape: JBS Mercantile; Other: buttons, trim, staples


Many of the articles at Get It Scrapped will help you use up your supplies while you learn design.

Ready for some more Stash Busting fun? Head on over to Masterful Scrapbook Design Archives. You will learn how to use the scrapbook supplies you have in both creative and practical ways. The goal is to help you use your stash, try new things, and make scrapbook pages you love. We’ve got approaches, inspiration, interviews, and lessons that get you thinking about product and scrapbook pages in ways that get your bins, baskets, and digital folders emptier and your albums fuller.


I have a discount for you. Get 60% off through June 3rd. Just place this issue of Masterful Scrapbook Design in your cart and apply the coupon code: giscttscs60p

It's time for you to hop on. Your next stop is Heather Awsumb!

And just for reference,in case you aren't hopping in order, here is a list of the Get It Scrapped CT Blog Hop Participants.

Get It Scrapped
Amy Kingsford
Sue Althouse
Michelle Houghton and Deborah Wagner
Marie-Pierre Capistran
Christy Strickler   *You are Here
Heather Awsumb
Michelle Hernandez
Lise Mariann Alsli
Alexis Aragona
Kristy T
Stefanie Semple
Audrey Tan
Sian Fair
Brenda Becknell
Carrie Arick
Kiki Kougioumtzi
Tara McKernin
Susanne Brauer


Thank you for stopping by!

Related articles

• A Peek At My Process: Design Team Assignments
• Get It Scrapped: the Asymmetrical Cross
• Tales of a Craft Class Junkie: Scrapbook Coach, Pt. 1
• Get It Scrapped: The Gilded Look