Scrap Play

Make Your Own Patterned Paper

Today I had a dilemma.  I've had these pictures of Halloween sitting around waiting to be scrapped for almost two years now.  The colors in the photo are very prominent, so I wanted to use paper in the same colors.  Naturally, I couldn't find any that matched!  So finally, in desperation, I decided to make my own!  Now usually I avoid lengthy techniques, but this really only took me about 15 minutes, and it saved these pictures from sitting indefinitely in a pile.  (I dreaded the thought of soon having three years of Halloween pictures to scrap!)  Anyway, here's how to create your own perfectly coordinated patterned patter.

Note:  The masking screens I used are about 5 years old and very chunky.  Today much more detailed, delicate screens are available.  Use those for a more sophisticated look.

1.  Take a sheet of plain white cardstock and adhere a masking sheet with temporary adhesive. 

2.  Choose an ink color and sponge it on the paper (through the screen) with a make-up sponge.  Try for even coverage by blending it well.

3.  Remove the screen and any adhesive that remains.

 
4.  Paint the white spaces with watercolors in the color of your choice.  I used watercolors right from my kid's craft box!  This isn't too high tech.

 
5.  Let your beautiful new paper dry thoroughly before cutting or adhering. 

6.  (Optional)  Use glitter glue or glaze pens to add detail.

 

Two more hints:  Use the darker color for the inking and the lighter color for the painting.  That way you don't have to be too exact about painting within the lines.  Don't get obsessive about perfectly even coverage.  This look is artsy and imperfect by nature!

Here's the Halloween layout I created using my homemade patterned paper.  (It's still waiting for a title in that blank spot, don't shoot me!)

One Hour Mini Album Tutorial

I love mini albums.  I love that they're so small, cute, and simple.  I love that all the pages coordinate, unlike my massive mess of a 12"x12" album.  And most of all, I love that I can create a beautiful gift or keepsake quickly.  So today I'd like to share my simple formula for creating a 6"x6" mini album in an hour.  This is a short, simple project and there are just a few embellishments, so the photos really shine!  So grab some photos and join me!  Or, leave the pages blank to make a lovely gift for a friend.

For my album I used Memory Works Simple Stories "Life Documented" line.  The pre-designed journaling blocks and cardstock stickers made this album a snap.  Many paper lines now come with 12x12 sheets of cut-apart journaling blocks and decorative squares or rectangles.  Cosmo Cricket is one company that comes to mind.  These will save you a ton of time and make your mini album look fabulous!  To see my complete mini album, scroll down to the "Christmas in July Blog Hop" post.

1.  Before you start, choose a design scheme.  This is the key to producing an entire album very quickly.  Choose a basic layout and stick with it page after page.  For my album, each double page spread features one photo, and journaling spot, one patterned paper page, and one coordinating ledger sheet page.  All my cardstock photo mats are approximately 4.5"x5.5"

My basic design scheme for each page spread

2.  Choose your products.  Grab 3 sheets of 12x12 patterned, double-sided cardstock and 2-3 sheets of coordinating solid cardstock.  Select a coordinating sheet of journaling blocks.  Pick a few small embellishments like stickers, flower, and rhinestones too.  Remember, small patterns work best for mini albums.  (Time saving bonus:  Grab a 6x6 pad to save time cutting!)

These are the Simple Stories journaling cards and cardstock stickers I used.

3.  Cut all your patterned papers into 6x6 squares.  These are your background papers.  I used double sided cardstock that had a pattern on one side and cream or brown ledger paper on the other side.  Decide the order you want your pages in and place them in that order.  Adhere papers back to back if necessary.

 

4.  Holding all your papers together, punch three holes along the left hand side with a Cropadile.  This will make sure your holes line up.  (Don't have a Cropadile?  Punch holes in the cover page, then use the holes as a guide to mark where you want holes on the following pages.)

5.  Cut a photo mat for each 2 page spread from the solid colored cardstock.  My mats were all horizontal 5.5"x4.5".  You can place yours horizontally or vertically as you need to.  Adhere a mat to one side of each double page spread. 

6.  Stop and stare in amazement.  You're already most of the way done!

7.  Create journaling spots on the blank pages.  You can simple adhere a pre-made journaling card or create your own with a square of white or cream blank or lined paper.

For this journaling block, I trimmed about 1.5" off the end of a 4"x6" journaling block and rounded the corners.

8.  Add a few small embellishements to each page.  On my album I added hand-cut photo corners to my photo mats.  I also added a couple cardstock stickers, fabric flowers, and rhinestones.  I tried to place them around the edges of my journaling blocks and photo mats to break up the very rectangular look of the photo mats and journaling squares.  Make sure you add some dimension, too!  This will really add life to the flat, pre-designed elements you used.  I added rhinestones to the ends of printed flourished.  I also used foam to pop up certain cardstock elements, like the square with the quote on the cover.  I also layered stickers and flowers to dress them up.  Don't go overboard with handmade creations!  The most I did was add brads or rhinestones to flowers or punch scalloped circles to back round stickers.

  

9.  Insert binder rings into the punched holes.  You can tie bits of ribbon onto these if you'd like.  I just left mine plain for simplicity.

10.  You're done!  Congratulations!  Wrap your gift album up or stick some photos in.  I hope this went quickly and simply for you!

Dollar Aisle Design: Scrapbook Layouts for Less

Sometimes I like to create gorgeous, top of the line layout with all the extras.  I confidently scoop up designer papers and embellishments, then squeeze my eyes shut while I hand over my credit card.  But sometimes I want to create gorgeous, affordable layouts, and that's when I shop the dollar aisles.  Joann, Michaels, AC Moore, and Target all carry scrapbook products in their dollar aisles.  For a few bucks, you can find all the doodads you need to embellish a several layouts and cards. 

The trick to beautiful bargain layouts (or any layout) is sound design.  I don't want my layout to look cheap, so I usually start with a well designed sketch like the ones from Page Maps.  This way I can focus on my products and pictures without worrying about whether I've used the Rule of Threes and the Rule of Thirds and any other Rules out there.  The other key is to create detail.  Dollar aisle products don't usually have the depth or high level of detail that designer products have.  Remedy this by layering products, using dimensional adhesive, and adding your own details and highlights with Stickles, ink, or brads.  You can also wrinkle or curl your paper to add texture.  Soon your simple, flat bargain bin finds will be as snazzy as anything you'd see at your LSS.

To get you started, here's a layout I made using three dollar aisle products I found at Joann fabric.  The products are the puffy fabric crowns, the pink sequin-like flowers, and the green ribbon.  (The crowns came in packages of nine, and the flowers came in a package of many different sequin shapes)  I also used a 50 sheet pack of 8"x11" cardstock I found there on sale for $2.39.  The cardstock pack comes with 10 sheets each of 5 coordinating colors.  From my stash I pulled pink and green ink, pink Stickles, a scalloped circle punch, a flower stamp, a pink gel pen and a journaling stamp.

First, I created the "patterned paper" by stamping a random flower pattern on the cream cardstock with pink ink.  I inked the edges of the cardstock for definition, and added layering by mounting it on green cardstock.  I added a ribbon border near the bottom.  Next, I mounted my picture on a pink cardstock mat and glued the flowers around the edges.  I added pink Stickled centers for detail.  I stamped a journaling block and created a title with leftover Thickers.  I mounted the title on a piece of plastic packaging and popped it up on some of the foam dots that came with the crowns.  I then outlined the Thickers with pen for extra definition.  Finally I mounted one crown on a punched scalloped circle, inked the edges and adhered it to the top of the frame.  I added two other crowns for balance.  In total, I spent $5.39 and have 47 sheets of cardstock, most of a spool of ribbon, and many little embellishments left over. 

I used some stamps, ink, and Stickles to create these two cards with my leftovers.

   
 

I hope this inspires you to become a Dollar Aisle Designer!  You shouldn't have to give up scrapbooking just because your supply budget's been busted by the recession.  This is a great time to revisit your stash, use your scraps, hunt bargains, and utilize those stamps and other reusable tools!  I'd love to see your dollar aisle designs, so send them my way and I'll post them here.

New Discovery: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists

Using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists

 

At CKC Manchester this year, I took a class by Tattered Angels.  Although I actually own a couple of Glimmer Mists, I’ve never used them before!  This class was a fantastic introduction to using them, and now I’m in love!  They add a beautiful watercolor look to everything from paper to flowers and a subtle shimmer as well.  Be advised: these are very messy and there’s a bit of a learning curve.  Don’t try them out for the first time on your oh-so-special layout.  Play around with them for awhile.  The class instructor mentioned that the best way to get the color off your fingers afterwards is by shampooing your hair!  I also discovered that these really work best on high quality cardstock.  For this tutorial I used cheap, light cardstock that I had on hand, and it it was much harder to get smooth, unsplotchy results.

 

Glimmer Mist Tutorial

 

You’ll probably want to lay down a cheap disposable tablecloth or some paper towels before you start.

First, pick a pretty color and spray it on a sheet of while cardstock.  Don’t be afraid to use plenty!  Wait 20 seconds, then carefully wipe the excess off.  Viola! Beautiful, colored paper.  Easy, huh?

 

Next, take another sheet of cardstock.  Spray one color Glimmer Mist across the bottom.  Spray another color across the top.  Wait 20 seconds then blot a little.  Wipe the color off from lightest to darkest.  Presto!  Cool dual tone paper.

 

 

Okay, we’re getting a little advanced here, but you can do it!  Get another piece of cardstock.  Take a swirly, flourishy Glimmer Screen.  Lay it over one corner of your paper.  Hold it down with tweezers or the tip of your scissors (remember to clean them afterward!).  Spray Glimmer mist all over your sheet of paper.  Carefully, without moving the screen, blot the excess spray off your paper and screen.  Gently lift the screen.  You should be left with a lovely white design on your colored paper.

 

 

One more trick.  To get a colored image on white paper, set your glimmer screen down and spray it thoroughly with Glimmer Mist.  Lift it carefully and shake off any large drops.  Quickly and carefully turn it upside down on your paper.  Trace your pinky finger over the screen with gentle pressure to make sure all areas print.  Blot any excess, then carefully lift your screen.  This is the trickiest method and it will probably take some practice to get a clear image.

    
 
Enjoy your misting!  If you don't yet have any Glimmer Mists, you can buy them here.

Fabulous Flower Embellishments

My mother, my sister, our two daughters, and I went on the Beacon Hill Garden Tour in Boston.  It was a beautiful day and I took some fabulous floral pics.  In honor of those lovely gardens, I'm providing links to some gorgeous make-your-own flower embellishment tutorials.  Enjoy!

 Scallop Circle Flowers from the Scrapbook Trends blog

 Recycled Dryer Sheet Flowers

Felt and Button Flowers from American Crafts

Accordion Folded Paper Flowers from the Jenni Bowlin blog

Bookpage Flowers from Mel Stampz blog 

Reverse Stamping with Acrylic Paint

Searching for a cool new look for your title?  Try reverse stamping with acrylic paint!  This technique is quick, easy, and cheap! 

1.  Mount your stamps and make sure you're ready to go.  Paint dries quickly.

2.  Paint a piece of glossy paper with acrylic paint.

3.  Stamp your dry stamp in the paint and carefully remove.  Wipe the stamp then repeat as necessary.

That's it!  Now use the technique to make cool embellies, too!  Or try using a transparency instead of glossy paper, then layering it over patterned paper!  (This works best if your letter stamps are fairly chunky and simple.)

Make Your Own Chipboard (or Cardboard) Accents

Sometimes pre-made chipboard embellishments just won't do.  Maybe you can't find one the right size, or in the right color, or maybe you just want your page done now and don't have time to shop.  Whatever the reason, it's time to break outside of the embellishment box and create your own.

Before I start this tutorial, I have to tell you a little secret.  I didn't actually make this embellishment out of chipboard.  I love chipboard, but like many of you, the economy has cut my scrapbook budget down to zero.  So I went wandering around my house looking for something to use.  What I found was a Diet Coke box. So I tore off a couple pieces, glued them together for depth, and went to work on my "chipboard" accent.

1.  Draw a shape on your chipboard.

2.  Carefully cut it out.

3.  Paint it with acrylic paint.  (A $0.56 bottle from Walmart will last you a long time)  It took me a couple of coats of paint, so I dried it with my hairdryer between coat to speed the process up.  Learn from my experience: hold the hairdryer directly above the embellishment BEFORE turning it on if you don't want pain all over your kitchen.)

4.  Use a small stamp and a Versamark ink made to stamp a design on the chipboard.  This give it some dimension and detail.

5.  Use a different color or darker shade to paint around the edge.  (To make sure my paint shades matched, I just added some white to the paint.  I used the lightened paint for the background and the original for the outline.)

6.  Ooh and aah over your beautiful, perfectly sized, perfectly matched embellishment.  If you can handle rejection well, go show your husband and try to impress him with your skill.

Create Your Own Journaling Blocks

Looking for cute journaling blocks to share your memories on?  Here are a few quick and easy ideas:

1.  Use a journaling block stamp.  You can buy acrylic stamps of different shapes and sizes.  I use this set by Autumn Leaves:

Use ink to match your pages or basic brown or black.  Cut around the image and ink the edges for a finished look.  This method is really easy, but you're limited to to the sizes of the stamps you own.

2.  Grab and index card, and ultra fine point Sharpie in the color of your choice, and a ruler.  Simply trace over the lines with your Sharpie, then trim the card to desired size and ink the edges.  Index cards come in several different sizes and most of us have a few on hand, so this is a great cheap solution for beginning scrappers.

3.  My favorite technique is to type a whole bunch of hyphens onto a word processing document.  You can either type several straight rows for a basic cards, or leave a little space at opposite corners.  Print if out on cardstock and trim to the desired size.  Remember, you can print in whatever color you want, not just black!  Print the journaling block out and trim to size.  Take a tiny stamp and stamp the image into those opposite corners you left blank.  Guess what the last step is?  You guessed it: ink the edges!  This makes a really cute journaling block with you in complete control of the size and shape!