Showing posts with label technique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technique. Show all posts

Monday, July 12, 2010

Shutterbug Monday!

Here we are, at the beginning of yet another week~ Hope you are all enjoying your summer...we've had some scorching hot weather. Hopefully you are all finding some time to create as well!

Let's talk distressing today. Most likely we've all distressed on our layouts at some point. Inked the edges, tore the paper, used a distressing tool to rough things up. Have you ever thought of doing that to your photo's?

I have never distressed a photo...and I'm not really sure why other then I guess I just never thought about it before. Here are some cool ways to get a vintage look to your pictures

1. Crumple all or part of the photo then smooth it out
2. Sand the edges using fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block
3. Tear a jagged edge or corner
4. Dry emboss a frame around your photo or words within the image and the raised lines.
5. Create a glazed or crackled effect with layers of embossing powder or Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.
6. Ink the edges with an ink pad. For an even more aged look, cover the image with walnut ink.
7. Paint the edges of your photo and then sand the dried paint.

We would love to see how you've distressed photo's...so please leave us a link so we can check it out!!

Have a wonderful day :)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Tag--> You're It!!!

Tags...I'm sure we all have them and likely lots of them! They come with kits, you can buy them at scrapbook stores as well as office supply stores. They are so versatile..but yet are rarely used anymore. I am quilty of this too. I even have a tag template for my Coluzzle and a tag punch...so I think I'm going to try harder to incorporate tags into my layouts and cards.

Here are some awesome idea's for using tags
-->Write journalling on them
-->Create a tag mini book (this I have done!!)
-->Use them to frame a photo
-->Dry emboss onto them
-->Glue photo's on them
-->Embellish them then use as gift tags
-->Use them as a layered element on your layout(put flowers on them, or other embellishments)
-->Place your titles on a tag
-->Create a collage of several tags containing photos or letters(to spell something) and then frame it
-->glue photo's on them then embellish and use as a gift tag
-->cover them with PP to match your layouts
-->Stamp on them to create either a subtle background or a striking pattern

Tags aren't as popular as they once were, but I bet we'd have a hard time finding a scrapbooker without a tag in his/her stash!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Magic Mesh

Have you ever used Magic Mesh on your projects? I have to admit, I haven't. I do have some...but never seem to remember it when I'm creating but I am hoping to change that very soon~

Magic Mesh has come a long way since it first appeared on the paper-crafting scene. There are now several different designs in a lot of different colours. It remains self-adhesive which makes it convenient to add to just about any project.

Here are some things you can do with Magic Mesh.....
*Treat the mesh as if it's another patterned paper that you are working with on your layout or card.
*Try weaving embroidery thread, yarn or narrow strips of paper through the holes in the Magic Mesh.
*Give chipboard letters and shapes a new look by covering them with Magic Mesh. Simply apply Magic Mesh to shapes and trim the excess with fine tipped scissors or an X-acto knife. (I am definitely trying this one~)
*Use Magic Mesh with die cut machine or punches providing the shape is small enough go fit the height of your Magic Mesh. Apply the mesh to cardstock, then use your die cut punch or machine to cut out the shape.
*If you love the look of layering on your layouts, add big punch without adding bulk.
*Try using Magic Mesh as a masking tool. Gently apply mesh to your layout without pressing too firmly so that the seal doesn't not become permanent. Lightly spray cardstock with spray paint, then remove the mesh to reveal the masked design.

If you have used Magic Mesh and would like to show us your designs , we would sure love to see them~~

Have a wonderful day!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hot Glue Embellishments..

I would never have thought of using hot glue to make elements for my pages..but what a concept!!

It's not just an adhesive..it's an inexpensive versatile and fun way to add design elements to any craft project. You can get coloured glue sticks to create your design or use clear then add inks or beads or even pearlized powders to give it a shimmer.

Lay a transparency over the design you want to trace. When your glue gun is hot and ready to use, trace over the design with the glue gun. Place the transparency into the freezer for several minutes to get it very cold. Pop the shape off the transparency and trim away any access strings of glue and voila...

To create a hot glue seal, squeeze a circle of glue onto a non-stick craft sheet or transparency. While the glue is still hot, press an inked stamp into the glue. Wait for it to cool then peel it off the sheet.

A few tips when using hot glue:

1.When the ink is tacky, pour on microbeads
2.If the surface of your design contains fingerprints or is rough, reheat with a heat gun to smooth out any imperfections
3. To adhere a glue embellishment to a project, place the embellishment on a layout and reheat with a heat gun. The glue will melt slightly and adhere itself to the layout.

What a cool way to make unique elements~!~!


Have you checked out Scrap~tures lately? There is currently a sign up happening for a Secret Sister swap..check out this link http://http://www.scraptures.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1290 so you don't miss out on the fun!

Have a great Monday everyone~

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Stamping Can Be Fun~~~

Most of us have at least one stamp in our collection of supplies...but are they being used to their potential? For me, my answer is no. I have every set of Making Memories foam alpha stamps and haven't used them in at least 3 years. I have numerous sets of CTMH stamps...and while they look pretty sitting in my wicker basket in my scrap room ...they aren't making their way onto my pages.

Today I'm going to talk about two different stamping techniques that will work for both scrapbookers and card makers.

The first technique is 'Two Step Stamping'. This is a very simple method but produces a great looking image. As it's name implies..you stamp the image once..let it dry then stamp right over top of it with another image. For example..you could stamp a flower with a solid colour then stamp over top of it with lines or words...then cut around the image and add it to your page. The possibilities are endless!

The second technique is 'Stamping with Bleach' Yep, you saw right...bleach.
1. You fold a few sheets of paper towels to serve as the stamp pad and place in the bottom of a flat container.
2. Pour enough bleach into the container to make the paper towels moist but not saturated.
3. Gently tap tap the stamp into the bleach stamp pad.
4. Stamp the image onto the coloured cardstock
5. It can take a few moments for the full bleaching effect to appear.

You can also paint with bleach. Stamp and image onto cardstock. Then using a paint brush, paint the petals with bleachwhich will turn them white while leaving the rest of the stamp just the way it is. With painting with bleach, then number of coats you apply will vary the effect.

You can also mist with bleach. Fill a misting bottle with bleach. Spray the bleach over your paper either before you begin the project or after you have stamped an image..depending on the effect you are going for.

REMEMBER--> You must clean your stamps thoroughly after using them with bleach. Bleach can damage your stamps if left exposed for long periods of time. You can ink the stamp first with VersaMark or embossing ink to protect the rubber from the bleach, but it is still recommended that you clean the stamps after each use for the best protection.

Happy Stamping!!