TIP: Use a spring clothespin to hold things firmly but gently together while they dry.
TIP: If you come across a great deal on chipboard letters but don't like the color - get
them anyway. Chipboard letters are made to be altered. So what if they're orange and you need pink.
Sand them lightly, paint them white, let them dry, then cover them with pink paint. Or, use Modge Podge to cover them
with your favorite paper. Sand the edges lightly for a distressed look after they are fully dry. Be creative.
Practice on a letter you won't use.
TIP: Keep a
basic crop tool kit in your car. Seriously: scissors, adhesives, trimmer, etc. You never know
when you need a replacement, back-up or to loan a tool to a friend. Sometimes you need tools at store demos, too.
TIP: Adhesives
101 "Blue Tabs" are a favorite adhesive. Only buy
acid free, name brand ones. Use one per corner for attaching photos to acid & lignin free paper when the page/card
will be covered by a plastic (pvc-free) page protector. You should use more blue tabs if the photo is not protected
by a cover. The number depends on the size of the photo and how secure you want it to be. If you make a mistake in the placement,
the photo can sometimes be taken up slowly and carefully as to not damage the paper or photo. Otherwise, use Scrapper's
Solution (aka, Un-du) to temporarily remove the 'stick' from tabs, stickers, etc.
When placing buttons, paper flowers or other small items, glue dots are the best choice.
They come in a variety of shapes (dots and dashes) and sizes.
For adhering wall
paper to albums, use a tape runner (aka, glue tape) at the top and bottom edges if you are going to
cover it with a slide-on page protector. Adhere to all four edges if there is no page protector. [ Page protectors
are always a good idea anyway.]
If you are doing other artwork for your pages, like
assembling punched paper, I favor Elmer's acid free "Craft Bond" and Aleene's orginal "Tacky
Glue." You can hasten the drying time by placing the item under a lamp for light heat. BTW, if you
use a lot of glue, you may wish to put a clean cardboard and book over the item while it dries an hour to keep it from curling
up/flat. It is sometimes helpful to put a couple drops of glue in a small cup and use tweezers to manipulate small items
you are gluing.
Use a glue pen for micro-mini rhinestones,
etc.
To give height/dimension to an object, like a paper button, use foam
squares or layer additional paper punches between blue tabs.
Another great
option is to run your paper art items through a Xyron. This 'machine' puts an even layer of
adhesive on the back of the item - making it just like a sticker. *Be sure to rub the back of the item before peeling
the item off the paper. You can buy permanent, repositionable (<-my favorite), laminant, and even magnetic
cartridges.
Know that some items need to be 'roughed-up' by sanding before
anything will stick to them. This is especially true of smooth or metal surfaces.
While we're at it, the best thing for 'sealing' the end of cut ribbon is Dritz', "Fray
Check" (found in sewing sections of most stores).
Name brands are
better. I haven't tried Martha's yet, so I cannot speak to those. Otherwise, that's the basics on
adhesives. I'm sure someone out there has another trick or tip to add/help. Happy
Scrappy...
"Blue Tabs" are a
favorite adhesive. Only buy acid free, name brand ones. Use one per corner for attaching photos to acid &
lignin free paper when the page/card will be covered by a plastic (pvc-free) page protector. You should use more blue
tabs if the photo is not protected by a cover. The number depends on the size of the photo and how secure you want it to be.
If you make a mistake in the placement, the photo can sometimes be taken up slowly and carefully as to not damage the paper
or photo. Otherwise, use Scrapper's Solution (aka, Un-du) to temporarily remove the 'stick'
from tabs, stickers, etc.
When placing buttons, paper flowers or other small
items, glue dots are the best choice. They come in a variety of shapes (dots and dashes) and sizes.
For adhering wall paper to albums, use a tape runner (aka, glue tape) at the
top and bottom edges if you are going to cover it with a slide-on page protector. Adhere to all four edges if there
is no page protector. [ Page protectors are always a good idea anyway.]
If
you are doing other artwork for your pages, like assembling punched paper, I favor Elmer's acid free "Craft
Bond" and Aleene's orginal "Tacky Glue." You can hasten the drying time
by placing the item under a lamp for light heat. BTW, if you use a lot of glue, you may wish to put a clean cardboard
and book over the item while it dries an hour to keep it from curling up/flat. It is sometimes helpful to put a couple
drops of glue in a small cup and use tweezers to manipulate small items you are gluing.
Use a glue pen for micro-mini rhinestones, etc.
To
give height/dimension to an object, like a paper button, use foam squares or layer additional paper punches
between blue tabs.
Another great option is to run your paper art items through a
Xyron. This 'machine' puts an even layer of adhesive on the back of the item - making it just
like a sticker. *Be sure to rub the back of the item before peeling the item off the paper. You can buy permanent,
repositionable (<-my favorite), laminant, and even magnetic cartridges.
Know
that some items need to be 'roughed-up' by sanding before anything will stick to them. This is especially true
of smooth or metal surfaces.
While we're at it, the best thing for 'sealing'
the end of cut ribbon is Dritz', "Fray Check" (found in sewing sections of most stores).
Name brands are better. I haven't tried Martha's yet, so I cannot speak to those.
Otherwise, that's the basics on adhesives. I'm sure someone out there has another trick or tip to add/help.
Happy Scrappy...
TIP:
Tools you should take to a workshop or class.
"It's better to bring it and not need
it, than need it and not have it." That's my motto and I'm sticking to it! Several times,
I've gone to a workshop with the recommended tools and wished I had a few more favorite tools and accessories.
The instructor will ususally provide basic papers, stickers, diecuts and other embellishments to do a specific project.
Elbow room is usually limited in the classroom environment. With all that in mind, it's okay to bring whatever can
fit in a single bag. Cropettiquette dictates that it's not polite [ie, normal] to bring twelve cartons
of everything you own to a simple class. So, here's a quick checklist for your next class:
1. Cutting Tools - Scissors, paper trimmer, corner rounder,
punch, paper piercer
2. A variety of Adhesives -Tacky glue, blue tabs, tape runner & glue dots at a minimum. Even when they tell you to bring just one!
3. Mat/flat working surface;
4. Scrap paper,
ribbons to match project colors;
5. A small mixed baggie of assorted
buttons, brads, eyelets Hint: if you know the colors you'll be working with, bring stuff to match or compliment what you'll
be doing
6. Other tools: small hammer, tweezers, eyelet setter
7. At least one acid-free black pen; a small assortment of colored pens is nice; notepad and regular
pen;
8. A drink and snack, like water bottle and granola bar;
9. Lighting and temperature often surprise us. It is okay
to bring a lamp & extension cord; seat cushion or blanket; and, sweatshirt.
Leave them in your car until you need them.
Take more to a full-on CROP:
1. Cutting Tools - Scissors, regular size and 12" paper trimmer, corner
rounder, punches, paper piercer; fancy edge scissors Cropodile or eyelet tools; circle cutter & other cutting tools
or systems;
2. Variety of Adhesives (tacky glue, extra blue tabs, tape
runner & glue dots, vellum tape, pen glue, pop up, Xyron) plus Undu;
3.
Mat/flat working surface or vinyl table cloth;
4. Scrap paper & color
wheel (helps you get unstuck);
5. Misc embellishments: ribbons with
Fray Check; paper flowers, charms, wire, metals, buttons, brads, eyelets, tags;
6. Acid-free pens in all colors; chalks with sponges & swabs; regular pen and notepad
7. A drink and snack;
8. Lamp, extension cord, outlet extender;
9. Seat cushion or blanket;
10. Sweatshirt or sweater;
11. Expand your usable
table space by adding an elevated wire shelf and/or set a tv tray next to you;
12. A paper shopping bag for trash
[It folds flat.];
13. Assorted cardstock, patterned papers and scrap paper;
14. Stickers
and die cuts;
15. Checkbook (if there are sales); cash for coffee runs;
16. Personals:
Hair band, emery board, band-aid, meds, etc;
17. Stamps, cleaners, inks;
18. Hand wipes, a
few folded paper towels;
19. Optional: Small hammer, liquid glass, glitter glue, other specialty items
you like to use;
20. Ruler for measuring and tearing;
21. Sandpaper for distressing; tweezers
22.
Other: ______________
BTW, you don't have to take everything in with you. You can leave heavy items or
things you may not use in your car.
TIP:
For taking better digital photos, start with a fresh flash card. First, download existing photos on the flash
card to your computer, but don't select the option to delete them from the flash card using your computer. Don't
use the computer to format your flash cards. The computer thinks it knows
your camera, but... Archive or back-up your original photos on the computer so that it is safe to erase the images
on the flash card. Do not use flash cards for long-term storage of photos. Warning:
Flash cards are made to capture images - not store them! Then, put the flash card back into
your camera and follow your camera's menu/instructions to Format the flash card. Only your camera
can format the card for best and maximum use of memory on that flash card. If you can, use higher capacity (ie, 1 GB)
cards, set your camera for taking a higher resolution AND back-up from your subject a little - you can always crop later!
Trust me; well, just a little...
TRICK: If you don't
have sandpaper handy, you can use an emory board or nail buffer to distress paper edges or chipboard. Don't be shy!
TIP: One of the tips on Simple Scrapbooks
on-line was to draw a simple line around photos to frame them on a page for a contemporary look. Try it, you might like
it...
TIP: For beautiful storage of scrapbooking supplies and embellishments, use paper hat boxes
and mini paper suitcases. They look pretty on your shelves and keep the dust off of things. Ross has good prices
on these! If you're going to a class, these suitcases are a convenient way to take tools, too!
TIP: Graduation
Albums. June is coming up and some of you are working on high school/graduation albums. Here's a
"recipe" for a quick 20-page high school album...
Cover: Embellishment, Name, "Class of 2007"
Page
1: School stats/info, location, map, Alma Mater, mascot, dedication, student's name, stats on student
Things to include on the next 4 two-page lay-outs: school ID, school map, favorite photos from
the year (personal, professional, sports, clubs, friends, etc), journaling; patches; ticket stubs; year; etc
Page 2/3: "Freshman Year/Ninth Grade"
Page 4/5: "Sophomore Year/Tenth Grade"
Page 6/7: "Junior Year/Eleventh Grade"
Page
8/9: "Senior Year/Twelfth Grade"
Page 10/11:
"Senior Project" photos and journaling on one page and pocket page [for report cards, school newspaper, certificates,
other important papers] on the other
Page 12/13: Feature sports,
clubs and/or friends
Page 14/15:
Plans for the future: notes, pics of college tours, etc and/or continue sports/clubs/friends theme; "30 Things to do
before I'm 30" list; favorite project or special accomplishment while in school; career plan or ideas; list of 10
favorite songs; etc
Page 16/17: "Class Of 200_" Pre-graduation
ceremony pics
Page 18/19: "Graduation Ceremony/party"
with pocket for tassle, confetti [or shaker box with confetti]
Page 20: Favorite senior or graduation photo, 8x10"; mini copy of Diploma for an embellishment
Other sample titles for pages: "A Year to Remember" "The
Big Game" "School Daze" "[Name of School]" "[Mascot Name]" "Commencement"
"An Alumni Now" "My Alma Mater" "[Name of School Newspaper]" "[Name of Club]" "A+"
"Journey" "Inspiration" "Cool School" "Courses -> Credits -> Career"
* You may be able to find graphics on the internet for your school to make your own embellishments.
TIP: New to scrapbooking or card
making? Think your skills are 'too simple' to share? Don't be shy - come to one of the classes or crops
posted on the Events page. You'll get motivated, learn new tricks and meet some very nice ladies. Promise.
It's a great place to learn how to use tools, or try them before you buy them. We all have different styles, from simple
to complex, but you're sure to have a fun time doing this with other crafters. If money is a factor, there are several
free and low cost opportunities, too.
TIP: Save the cardboard backing that comes with paper and album refill packs - it makes a
great working surface and protects your table from ink, etc.
TRICK: Use Undo adhesive remover to safely remove stickers
from pages. Undo can be found in most craft stores.
TIP: Don't throw away your holiday cards! Cut them
up. No, seriously, use those cute pictures on the front to make gift tags or cards for next year. Or, adhere the cut-outs
to plain gift bags to make special ones.
- look in the sewing, hardware and kitchen
section of stores for unique storage ideas (and report back to us!)
