Decorative Tapes

You may have seen gaffer tapes (7 Gypsies) and scrapbook companies decorative tapes. They are becoming a popular art element with crafters. One of the classes I took from Kelly Kilmer gave us the opportunity to use tapes in collage. In the above collage, the right edge leaves are a tape, as is the script and green vine image.

Tapes can be used with stamping (red dandelion images) for a unique look. I have used them for a quick envelope decoration and for borders on scrapbook pages and card fronts. Next time you are at your local scrapbook, art, or gift shop, take a look at the tapes. The possibilities are endless.

Journal Class

It had been awhile since I played with paint and made a journal. With Kelly Kilmer (http://www.KellyKilmer.blogspot.com )up here in the Bay area teaching again, I had the opportunity to play. Many people buy pre-made journals/notebooks at the book store. It is very easy to make your own - plus you can customize the pages before sewing them into the book. This is a different look for me.

We pre-painted the pages before stitching. Some folks have trouble/freeze when encountering a blank white page (yes, I am one of those), adding color helps to make it easier to collage and write. Of course, you can also leave the pages white should you so desire. I sometimes do both. These handmade journals also make great gifts for a friend or family member who uses a journal. It would be easy to pick out decorative paper and customize. Have a teen or child who wants a diary? Again, easy to make and customize.

Tuesday's Tip

We have all been there - you design and create the perfect card for an occasion or person. You are happy with all the elements - until you cannot find just the right sentiment stamp to add to the card front or inside. What to do? Use a label maker to create the sentiment and add a unique design element.

Mini Scrapbook Part 2

This is a slightly larger version of the mini Scrapbook I posted last week. I think it would be pretty easy to vary the sizes and openings for a variety of looks.

I used some of the photos of art work from the Louvre and d'Orsay - and several Club Scrap images to fill out the book.

A view from above.

I stamped the background with a couple of images. I wanted to show you the red colored circles. They were made by inking the cap of a glue stick with red ink and stamping on the cardstock (a la Tuesday's Tip). I did not want a solid image and the cap was a great size.

Mini Scrapbook

Want a quick and easy gift idea? This mini scrapbook is actually made from a Club Scrap pre-cut and scored kit. It is very easy and can easily be duplicated with a variety of cardstocks.

The pages are tri-fold. I alternated the orientation so that every other page folded in. The next photo will show the orientation.

The pages are pamphlet stitched to the cover. I also stamped them to add some color and texture to the pages. The spine has been beaded to add interest to the cover. The photos used in this album are wallet sized garden pictures from Paris.

I kept my embellishments to a minimum so that the book will fold flat.

This format would work well for any theme album. Grandma's brag book, school event, day at the beach are just a few suggestions.

Tuesday's Tip

Circles and dots have been big design elements of late. There are stamps and embossing folders to add these interesting textures to cards and scrapbook pages. What if you do not have a dot stamp of a certain size? Create your own with pencil erasers, toothpicks and skewers - almost anything circular will work.

Stair Step/Side Step Card

A few days ago, I showed a graduation card made using this same pattern. I used the same cardstocks, but with different results. I used the bird and branch punch by Stampin' Up.

Tuesday's Tip

I spent the weekend making cards and mini books. My primary adhesive of choice these days is my ATG gun. However, I still periodically grab a glue stick, particularly if I want some working time for placement. I did this recently and found the lid was not on tightly - so it dried out a bit. In the past, I would throw the glue away(even if it was a new glue stick). Ever have this happen?

This time, a tried a revitalizing technique of which I read. Take a cotton ball and dampen it - you do not want it soaking wet. Squeeze out any excess water if need be. Place the cotton on top of the glue and re cap the glue stick. I let mine sit overnight - it revitalized the glue stick.

Just wanted to...

wish you all a wonderful day with your families! Happy Mother's Day!

Stair Step Card

I have a group of friends that meet monthly to create. We all take turns hosting and teaching a technique or project. This month, we made stair step cards from a pattern that the hostess, Nancy Young (SquirrelyArt.blogspot .com) found. I made this graduation card from that pattern.

This is the view from the top. The beauty of this pattern is that you can pick which side you would like stair stepped. I like having the wider side to stamp my sentiment. The cardstocks are all Club Scrap - they are sturdy enough to hold the folds well. I used one of the new Tim Holtz/Sizzix die cuts to create the shield and and leaf wreath. The hats were cut from a larger stamp (Mostly Animals) and the "G" is from Stampin' Up.

Tuesday's Tip

I was cropping this weekend for National Scrapbook Day with some friends. One of us needed a brad or paper fastener in a specific color that could be found. Have you ever been in that situation?

Metal embellishments are easy to color - using a permanent or alcohol in to do so. Sharpies, Copic and any other alcohol marker will work. You can also use alcohol inks from Ranger and Us ArtQuest.

Mosaic Technique

The two cards above were made using a Mosaic technique that's all the rage on the Club Scrap boards! This is one of those cases where what's old is new again. I remember this from several years ago - and it has made its resurgence at Club Scrap.

Stamp an image on 3 different colors of cardstock. Using a paper cutter, make various cuts. Then, reassemble the cardstock by mixing the colors. Mat and embellish as you like!

I used Club Scrap's Ornamental and Gratitude kits. This technique will yield 3 cards. How cool is that?!

National Scrapbook Day

Today is National Scrapbooking Day. Many stores have events happening this weekend. I figured it would be a good time to complete a couple more pages of my daughter's theatre album. I kept the layout above very simply using Club Scrap's Extra Extra kit. Red and black seemed like good colors for "Rocky Horror" - with lip brads and a stamped corset image.

For this second layout, I used Club Scrap's Dream in Indigo. The title and die cut images are from the Cricut Heritage cartridge. Again, it was quick and easy!

Spend some time celebrating by creating your own pages!