Placing text in a circle

I've tried to figure this out for years (OK, maybe months) but I've finally found out how to journal in a circle! Most amazing of all is this can be done in Word!

1. Open a blank document in Microsoft Word.

2. On the drop-down menu at the top left of the screen, select View - Toolbars - WordArt. The WordArt toolbar will now appear on your screen.

3. Click on Insert WordArt (the first button on the left - the big A). A box will come up asking you to select a WordArt style. Pick the third option which shows WordArt in a simple arch. Click OK.

4. Now you should have a box that contains an area for you to type in your text as well as a spot to select a font and a font size.

4a. Pick the font you like, I used CK Script.

4b. Don't worry about font because it will be adjusted automatically so that your words form a perfect circle.

4c. Type in your text and click OK.

5. The text box on your screen will now show your words in an arch shape. From now on I will call this your WordArt. Now we're going to change the arch shape to a circle. Click on your WordArt to select it. You should see little black boxes appear at the corners of it, indicating that it is selected.

6. Select WordArt Shape (the middle of the WordArt toolbar, immediately to the right of the paintcan icon). You will see a selection of different shapes. Select the circle in the second row.

7. Your text should now appear in a circle, but the circle will be flattened. Next we will make the circle perfectly round.

8. Make sure your WordArt is still selected, with the little black boxes on the corners of it. Select Format WordArt (the paint can button). This dialog box has several tabs. Select the Size tab. Enter the height for your circle, e.g., 3" whatever size you want it to be. Enter the same number for the width for your circle, so it will be perfectly round. The size of the font will adjust automatically to fit.

If your phrase is short, you might want to repeat it a couple of times like I did in my example above. Click on Edit Text button on the WordArt toolbar to change your text.

I wanted my phrase to fit inside a scalloped circle that I already had. To do this I printed my circle onto a plain piece of paper then attached my scallop over top using removable tape. I put the paper back into my printer and printed again.

Ornament Drop

I received the following from Creating Keepsakes:

'Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing says "jolly" quite like the act of giving a handmade gift. As scrapbookers, this approach to gift-giving comes with the territory. It's what we do. But we usually do it for the ones we know and love. How's this for a twist? Let's give our handmade goodies to complete strangers. That's what the Creating Keepsakes Ornament Drop is all about. It's a glistening idea that takes a holiday approach to random acts of kindness.

Here's how it works: Make an ornament (it can be out of paper, but it certainly doesn't have to be), pair it with this tag, and leave it in a public place for some lucky person to find. While you're at it, take a picture of your gift in waiting and post it on our Ornament Drop website http://ckornamentdrop.ning.com/ for others to see. With drops being made as far away as Australia (so far), this is one ornamental idea that's taking the world by storm. Won't you help us bring the creative fun to your town? Together we can spread the holiday joy, one ornament at a time!

I'm going to drop an ornament or two today while I run errands! How fun!!!

Make-it-yourself Prima-type Flowers

I had the opportunity to try the ideas from Valita's blog to make some prima-type flowers. I played around for awhile and ended up with the following flower. I think it worked out pretty well!


Supplies:

Cuttlebug
Embossing tool
Embossing pad
Handmade cardstock
Cuttlebug cutting dies - Flowers and/or Asterisks*
*(you could also use flower punches)


Directions:

1. Cut out your flower shape on the Cuttlebug. Use the standard sandwich of A+B+die+paper+B.




2. Score lines down the center of each petal section then fold up in order to give a good crease.



3. Lay your flower on an embossing pad or piece of foam. Move the embossing tool (larger ball end) in a circular motion all around the edges of the petals. You will see the petal edges start to curl inwards.



4. When you are happy with the amount of curling, turn the flower over and press firmly in the center to make the flower “pop up”.

Variations:


If using a thicker cardstock like Bazzil, crumple the paper well, then smooth flat, prior to cutting out your shape (see picture to right).

If using a thicker cardstock you can also try peeling the paper apart into two layers.


Thanks to Valita of “Valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com” for the initial idea. Check out her website for tonnes of great ideas!

Making your own Prima-type Flowers

I was cruising the internet (hiding from the kids) and came across this great idea for making your own prima-type flowers. http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com/2008/02/make-your-own-prima-flowers.html So cool and it seems so easy. I'm going to go try it out as soon as I can!