Sculpting Foam
Sculpting foam can be used for many purposes. You can stamp on it, use it to fill in an image or decorate items with it.
Here are some suggestions about how to use sculpting foam for your scrapbook pages.
Roll out foam then stamp an image on it with or without ink.
Cut out an image using scissors, cookie cutters or leave it rugged by tearing or ripping.
Add re-inker to the foam while working it to change the color of the foam.
Be creative and have fun. The sky is the limit.
Hints about working with sculpting foam:
Before using your sculpting foam, it is helpful to let the foam dry out a bit. Keep the lid off for a few hours. You will also want to "work" your foam before you use it. Do this by taking the desired amount out of the jar and squishing it over and over in your hands until it starts to thicken up. When you pull it apart and tears instead of strings out, then you know it is ready.
Dry Embossing
Dry embossing is a technique recommended for more experienced scrapbookers or those with advanced artistic ability. It is a more difficult technique. You don't need a lot of scrapbooking supplies, but you will need some specialized tools.
Supplies:
Light table
Embossing stylus
Stencils (dry embossing stencils, which are usually a bronze stencil)
Cardstock or Foil paper
Directions:
Tape or place the stencil in place over a well-lit light table. Then position the cardstock or foil paper over your desired image on the stencil. You will see the shape through the paper. Now, use your embossing stylus to trace around the image, this will create a raised effect on your paper. You need to be careful not to press too hard or you might rip your paper (especially the foil paper sheets).
Hints for success:
Keep your stencil in place (if it moves it will be hard to line it back up with your paper).
Don't press too hard (you might rip the paper of pock the stylus through)
Use a well-lit table so you can see the image well and stay on track with your stencil.
Dry embossed images look very appealing and give your pages a "professional" persona.
Balloon Background Technique
Balloons can be great scrapbooking tools to help you create a one of a kind background for your pages. You can use different colors of ink and even fill the balloons with things to make shapes and textures. Some balloon filler suggestions are macaroni, rice, jellybeans, etc.
Here is what you will need:
? Latex Balloons, not blown up (some loose and some rubber banded together).
? Uncooked macaroni, rice or jelly beans
? Ink pads (any color)
? Cardstock (different colors)
?Stamps
Simple Instructions
Using macaroni:
Put uncooked macaroni into a balloon (as much or as little as you like). Then, take the filled balloon, tap it on an inkpad, and lightly tap it onto your white or colored cardstock multiple times before re-inking again. You will create different variations of your macaroni shape.
Using rice in your balloon:
Put uncooked rice into the balloon, filling it up as much or as little as you would like. Then, take the rice filled balloon, dip it in ink and press it onto your cardstock. Press it multiple times in different places around your paper. This will create a unique pattern. You can use multiple colors to make the design ˇ°stand outˇ± and be prevalent in the background.
Using jellybeans in your balloon:
Put different sizes of jellybeans into a balloon (as much or as little as you like). Blow the balloon up not quite half way. Let it sit until the balloon stretches out some (1-2 hours) then let the air out again.
Then, ink up the balloon with your desired color and tap it onto your cardstock in different locations around the paper. Make as many or as little impressions as you would like. You will be left with a multiple of shapes and textures on your page.
With the balloon technique you are basically creating your own background paper. You can coordinate your colors to match certain pictures and themes. The possibilities are endless.
Scrapbooking Made Simple
Scrapbooking suppliers are getting smarter. They come up with new innovative ideas everyday. One idea that has become a ˇ°hitˇ± is scrapbooking kits. You can purchase scrapbooking kits that are pre-made with all the supplies you will need to complete several page layouts. Some companies are creating pre-printed page layouts so all the consumers have to do is to attach photos and embellish the pages. Some of the scrapbooking kits even come with an album to match.
Scrapbooking kits are not all the same. If you are a beginner you need to make sure you are buying quality products. The papers should be manufactured by a reputable company and must be acid-free and lignin-free (this is very important).
Organize Your Ideas
Scrapbooking is fun and relaxing for most scrappers. Once in a while you might get a "creative block" and not be able to think of new ideas for your scrapbook pages. In order to combat this you need to organize your ideas in your head or better yet on paper.
Keep a journal of creative or artistic ideas that "pop" into your head at various times during the day. Organize your pictures by year or by theme. Organize your supplies before you go to scrapbook with friends so you make sure you take everything you will need. Scrapbook organization is essential to a productive scrapbooking session. Nothing is more frustrating than to forget an essential item and not be able to finish your page layout. Make a list of the supplies you will need to complete the pages you want to work on.
If you are well organized in your scrapbooking adventures you will be able to relax and let your imagination go!
Paper Bag Cards
Paper bag cards are another fun "trendy" activity that some scrappers like to do. They are similar to the paper bag albums but they can be used as greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well cards, etc.
Supply List:
Paper bags
Stamps/stickers
Cardstock
Patterned paper
Inkpads
Markers
Embellishments (ribbons, brads, buttons, velcro)
Adhesive
Fold a lunch size paper bag in half and decorate the cover with your greeting card theme.
To add variety you can fold the bag less than in half and make room to fold in the extra paper for a closing "lip" and attach some sort of fastener (Velcro or ribbon works well).
You can decorate the entire inside of the card of just one-side.
There will be an opening where the bag opens. This is a great place to put money or an extra special insert.
These cards are unique and allow for your creativity to "shine."
Empressor Tools
The Empressor tool is a scrapbooking item that can be used to create many different kinds of patterns, borders, images etc. Using the Empressor guide you will be able to make perfectly straight, raised lines. You can also use stencils and create images, similar to dry embossing. You will be able to add so much appeal to your pages with this little metal tool.
Here are the supplies you will need:
Empressor tool
Empressor guide (12 x 12 mat)
Heavy weight paper such as cardstock
Sand paper (if desired)
Chalks (if desired)
Follow the directions that come with your Empressor guide. You can experiment and make all kinds of patterns such as plaids using thick or thin lines.
Try sanding the raised lines so they will "stand out". Also you can try using chalks to create depth is a great way to personalize your layouts.
The Empressor tool will help you create wonderful textures for your pages and help you make irreplaceable scrapbooking paper to use for your page layouts.
Computer Scrapbooking
Computer scrapbooking has become an accepted activity among scrappers and there are different levels of computer scrapbooking. You can use a computer for journaling, clip art, and other graphic designs. With these types of tasks you just ˇ°cut and pasteˇ± onto your page layouts.
The next level of computer scrapbooking is to design your entire page layout on your computer screen. This is an easy progression from doing print, cut, and paste. The difference is that decorations and text are all arranged and formatted on the computer and printed as a single page except for the photographs and possibly the photo frames. These kinds of pages can still be ˇ°adornedˇ± by adding photo mats, frames and other scrapbooking embellishments. With a computer generated page layout you can carefully design a well-balanced page to place in your memory book.
Tag Books
Tag books are classified into the "mini album" family. They are great scrapbooking books that can be done in a short time and take minimal supplies. They may be small but they carry a "huge" amount of appeal. Tag books are perfect for gifts, cards, party favors and more. They typically measure 4" x 4.5 and can be purchased at many scrapbooking supply stores. Online stores like Oriental Trading carry an assortment of these little scrapbooking books. Local scrapbook supply stores may also carry many types of these ˇ°mini albums.ˇ± Most of the time the front cover of a tag book is already decorated so all you have to do is cut pictures and decorate the inside of the book. They are fairly inexpensive and are so easy to complete. Plus they are the perfect size to share memories with family and friends.
A tag book can be simple solution to preserving your memories and sharing them with others.
Including Quotes on Your Scrapbook Pages
Originality in scrapbooking is essential. You can create original pages with exclusive ideas. Including journaling on your layouts is one way to tell about the photographs and help you remember what was going on during that time period.
Srapbooking quotes for your pages are a wonderful way to add some "elegance" to your page layouts. Famous quotes for your era are fun to have in your books. You can also include quotes from family members about the people in the pictures.
For baby books you can quote your child or record "first words" and funny sayings and phrases.
Including quotes in on your pages will make them unique but make them interesting for others to view.
Metal Embellishments
Metal embellishments are a popular accessory for scrapbook pages. There are many different types of "metal embellishments" available for purchase. Here are some popular scrapbooking embellishments that are made of metal and can be used on your scrapbook page layouts.
Spiral Clips.
These little clips are a great decoration for a photo mast or any image on your page layout. The spirals are available in a variety of sizes and colors.
Safety Pins.
Safety pins can be used as a decorative border on a baby page layout. They can be pinned into ribbon or in the middle of a bow in your page. These embellishments are usually painted and come in several different colors.
Brads.
Brads make a beautiful addition to scrapbooking pages. They can be used in the corners of your mats or "headers". They can be used for decoration too. You can use them to keep things in place or to enhance your pages.
Metal Words/Sayings.
Metal sayings are fairly new on the market. They are a unique embellishment that can add lots of character to your layouts. Most of the words are single words that can be used alone or combined with other words.
Metal embellishments are becoming very popular in the scrapbooking industry. They have a distinctive look and match well with many themes and colors. You can purchase these scrapbooking embellishments at any scrapbooking supplier, scrapbook on-line store, craft stores, etc.
Scrapbook-in-a Box
Scrapbook-in-a-box has become a popular trend for scrapbookers. This compact scrapbook makes a wonderful gift for special occasions such as Mother's/Father's Day, baby showers, weddings, etc.
Here is what you will need to get started:
5 sheets 12x12 cardstock (coordinating colors)
Scissors
Empressor guide (or quilter ruler)
Scoring tool
Stamps (desired images)
Inkpads (desired colors)
Adhesive
Paper trimmer
Simple Instructions:
Random stamp your cardstock with your choice of stamp images. It is helpful to have a theme in mind so you can focus your colors and stamps around a certain theme.
First you want to make the lid. Pick one of your pieces of stamped cardstock to use as the lid. Place it face down on your table. Using your ruler/Empressor guide, place a dot at the exact center of your paper. Now fold the corners in so that they touch the center dot. Be sure to make your creases nice and sharp - use a bone folder if you have one and fold all 4 sides. (If you don't have a bone folder you can use the edge of your fingernail, or the plastic handle of a pair of scissors). Next, fold in each side to the center and then unfold.
After folding up each side, unfold completely. Turn your paper so it is in front of you lying in a diamond shape. Draw four lines on the side creases (left and right sides). This is where you are going to fold into the center to make your lid. Cut on these 4 lines. Do NOT cut all the way to the center. Do NOT cut on all four sides, only two opposite sides. You will make a total of 4 cuts.
On the two sides you did not cut, fold them in, this will build up one side of the box. Put adhesive on the triangular flaps to hold them in place. Put a small amount of adhesive on the 2 remaining flaps. Fold them up and over to make the last two sides. Your corner with the adhesive will attach to the bottom of the lid. On the inside view of the lid you will see the corners of all the flaps lining up in the center so that your box is "decorated" inside and out. You can double mat a photo for the top of the lid if desired.
Making the box base part of your scrapbook starts with your remaining cardstock.
Cut the remaining cardstock into three sizes:
Bottom layer 12x12 - This will also be the base for your box.
Second layer 11 3/4 x 11 3/4
Third layer 11 1/2 x 11 1/2
Top layer 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 - this will be the first set of flaps you see when you open the box.
Using your Empressor guide or quilter's ruler, measure up four inches from the bottom of the cardstock. Score a line all the way across the paper. Turn the paper 90 degrees, and repeat. You will have 4 scoring lines all 4 inches from the edges of the paper. Repeat with all your pieces of cardstock. Cut out the four corner squares on each piece of cardstock.
This will give you 4 pieces of cardstock shaped like crosses (or an x). You will also have 16 squares (4x4). Save the extra squares to use for matting photos. Take your bottom (largest) cross and place your second largest cross on top and glue only in the middle of your box.
Make sure you center the cross so that a little of the edge of the bottom cross shows around all sides. Adhere the next smallest cross - remember to only put adhesive in the center box.
Finally, adhere the smallest cross to the top of the stack. Now you have your base completed and can add your photos, journaling, and scrapbooking embellishments. You may want to adhere your photos before you glue the flaps together. Remember not to put anything in the center of the box because it will be covered up.
These scrapbooks are versatile and easy to assemble. Give the gift of memories and tie them up in a box for the recipient to enjoy for a lifetime.
Using Scrapbooking Templates
Scrapbooking templates can be used for many tasks. There are several types of templates available. Scrapbook templates can be used for lettering, tags, envelopes; scrapbooking die cut designs, etc.
Here are some different types of templates you can use for your scrapbooking pages:
Lettering Templates. These templates can assist in creating many different lettering designs and fonts. You can trace the letters onto your page "header" or cut out each letter separately to place in the desired area of your page.
Envelope Templates. These templates can help you create many different sizes of envelopes. You can use small envelopes for decoration on your scrapbook pages. You can create custom envelopes to fit different sizes of cards that you make from your scrapbooking supplies. Envelopes can be used for many things. Envelope templates come in a variety of sizes.
Die Cut Templates. This type of template is usually a picture or image of some sort. Some popular templates include, flowers, hearts, shapes, and many types of silhouettes. Die cut templates are used to add character to your scrapbook pages.
Templates can assist you in making perfect designs for your scrapbooking layouts.
Rub-Ons Take the Industry by Storm
Rub-ons are becoming a popular item among scrappers. They started with a simple alphabet from Making Memories and now there has been an explosion in the industry. Because of popular demand now there are alphabet fonts and different images, designs and borders available in the rub-on format. The price point is right and they are easy to use.
All you need is your rub-ons and a wooden craft stick, which can be purchased at scrapbooking supplies and craft stores. Place your rub-on in the area where you want it to appear on the paper and gently rub with your craft stick. Make sure you rub the entire image and rub it hard enough to transfer onto your paper, gently peel off the transfer paper and ˇ°voilaˇ± you have a perfect image or letter for your scrapbook page.
Rub-ons can be combined with other scrapbooking embellishments. Stickers are almost being replaced by rub-ons a new trend in the scrapbooking industry.