B&B Review: Scrapbooking tips & tricks

Each Thursday I review a book or blog related to scrapbooking.
The Review
Today, I am reviewing a special issue from Creating Keepsakes called Scrapbooking tips & tricks: Stamps & Inks. This special issue will only be on newstands until February 7, 2011 (so if you decide you want this, do not hesitate to pick it up).
The Not So Good
I have mixed feelings about Stamps & Inks. The very first “article” was really just an advertisement for Club CK (an online community sponsored by Creating Keepsakes for scrapbookers).

The issue is inconsistent on providing instruction. For instance, on page 15, the reader is referred to their website for complete instructions. On page 16, the reader is given vague instructions on how to complete a portion of a layout. But then, later in the issue, there are detailed instructions. I would prefer more detailed instructions because I think most people who pick this issue up will be beginners or slightly more advanced scrapbookers who have amassed a stamp collection and need inspiration as to how to use them. Also, it is sometimes unclear as to what the written instruction is actually referring to. I need arrows pointing me to exactly what you are talking about. Or I need photos detailing step-by-step. I still have no idea where the transparency is on the layout on page 50.
It Gets Better
As I was reading, I made a note: “need explanation about different types of inks.” Finally, on page 32. I think this needed to be done earlier. The earlier articles refer to specific types of inks but there is no reference to where you can learn about why would use a particular ink until a third of the way through the magazine.
The Best Part
I got the most out of “Time-Saving Tips” ‘(great ideas) and “Stamp & Ink Savvy” (information about different types of inks and stamps). If you use stamps at all, then this issue would be worth having in your scrapbooking reference section for the “Stamp & Ink Savvy” article alone. As you can see from this review, I went from hating the issue, to finding it useful. If I were not reading it to review it, I probably would not have finished it and got to the good stuff.
Something for Everyone
Creating Keepsakes should be commended for making an idea book that is geared towards both conventional and digital scrapbookers. Unfortunately, its outreach to digital scrapbookers seemed forced and out of place. Though both groups might use “stamps,” the tools are different. Moreover, the only software program for digital scrapbookers mentioned in this issue was Photoshop Elements. What might be better is an issue for digital scrapbookers that teaches them how to incorporate a conventional scrapbooking look on their digital scrapbooking pages.
Except Experienced Stampers…
If you already know when and how to use the various inks out there, then you probably will not get much out of this book. For me, I need this information. Once upon a time, I knew which type of ink was archival, but there has been such growth in stamping that now I only know because of this issue.

Publishers and Authors
If you are a publisher or an author and would like me to review your scrapbooking-related book or blog, please email me at stephaniemedleyrath at gmail dot com.