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I am an addicted scrapbooker from Southern California -- I just can't get enough of scrapbooking! I have been scrapbooking since 1998 and totally love it! I currently teach scrapbook classes at various events and scrapbook stores for Scrapbook Royalty.
Check out more from Jennifer and all her wonderful creations on her blog! |
Cute Paper from Scrap
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Cute birdies, sassy owls, and adorable alligators are all the rage these days. Though patterned paper is cute, the right paper piecing can really take your page over the top on the cute-o-meter! But how do you create cute paper piecings from scratch? Make a pattern! Search for images online as inspiration. Create a sketch based on one of those images. Or photocopy a page from a coloring book that has the desired image. Better yet, find the image you like on stickers or patterned paper that coordinates with your layout. Photocopy it to make a bigger image to use as paper piecing pattern. Use sequins, googly eyes, feathers, suede paper, and more to make your paper piecing come alive!
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Notebook Paper "Look"
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Love that notebook paper "look" that is ever so popular? Make your own!! Start with acid free paper or cardstock. Punch binding holes with your Bind-It-All along one edge of the paper. Or use a standard single-hole punch to punch a row of holes along an edge of the paper. Tear every couple of holes so they look torn out of a notebook and ink the edges to create a worn look. Everyone will wonder where you got the "perfect" match for your page - it's an original, made by you!
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"Trash" Project
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You can create great projects simply using "Trash". Many household and crafting products come in great packaging that can be re-used as a project or gift. Buy Starbuck's Frappuccino drinks in a box of 4. Run the bottles through the dishwasher after drinking, fill with candies, and then decorate the bottles and the box to create a cute instant gift!! Insert candies or small items into a blister pack, such as the packs Quickutz Dies and Basic Grey magnets come packaged in. Add a piece of patterned paper in background, tie a ribbon on top and it is a great gift bag topper or secret pal gift. The ribbon used to package a baby blanket or a nice set of coasters can be used as regular crafting ribbon. Get creative and think of ways you can re-use the packages you'd normally just throw away.
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Jazz up Your Flat Paper
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Sometimes patterned paper feels a little flat. Wake it up! Go over several of the elements on the paper with stickles, liquid glass, or glitter to make them stand out. Or dry emboss patterns in the paper with a stylus. Better yet, trace the patterns with a versamark pen and heat emboss them. You can make that 69 cent paper look like a million bucks!
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Turn Tags into Embellishments
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We all have them in our stash. Call them key tags, metal-rimmed tags, or whatever you like, sometimes a "tag" is not what your layout needs. Why not use them as embellishments? Slip them under the corner of a mat for a reverse photo corner. Layer them with flowers and other page elements for a collage effect. Or use them as letters in your title (circles and squares make great "o" letters). If the holes are visible, creatively cover them with stars, sequins, or mini flowers. Click here for an example!
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Felt Accent Trick
| Felt accents don't always come in the exact color you need. Why not paint them? Simply dab paint onto the front of the felt accent you would like to use and allow it to dry. This works best with white felt accents (so buy white when you can). You'll have perfectly-matched, custom embellishments whenever you need them. |
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A Secret to Binding Books with Fabric
| Metal wires and rings are easy to use but binding a book with fabric, tulle, or ribbon adds an extra special romantic touch to any project. You might be tempted to simply tie the ribbon through the holes as tight as possible. But you will have difficulty opening the book after doing so. To ensure your book will open properly after binding, insert a pen or marker as a "spacer" when tying the binding. Once all the strips have been tied, slide the marker out. This will create enough "give" for the book to open and lay flat yet you'll have a nice uniform look to your binding.
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A Secret to Easy Handmade Cards
| Everyone loves a handmade card. With all the cardstock needed to make the base, sometimes it can be pretty pricey and time-consuming. One day, my husband pointed out the packs of generic cards in the dollar spot of a local crafts store. Ever since, I have been using these plain-jane cards as bases for my own cards. I just glue my own creation over top of the card. It saves me alot on cardstock plus I can make a card in a snap. And they even come with envelopes!
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