If you’re like me, you’re probably looking for some time-saving ways to get all your photos scrapped. When I’m crafting I find I sometimes spend more time conceptualizing my design than I actually do crafting! That’s why I’m totally digging this new book from master sketch artist Becky Fleck. In Scrapbook Page Maps, she features 60 sketches adaptable to any page theme or style.
But don’t for a minute think this book falls short on tips and techniques. There’s also a wealth of inspiration and ideas for taking your layouts to the next level with creative ways to use brads, paint, seed beads, silk flowers, dimensional medium, fabric and much, much more. You’ll also fall in love with cool digital techniques such as using filters, color conversions, altering the contrast in a photo, mixing fonts and wrapping text around an image.
One of my favorite projects from the book is this masked painting technique, which you can use to create a title or part of your journaling. Gather these materials before you begin:
• A small block of cardstock (trimmed to fit your title) • Letter stickers (choose a type treatment that fits your layout’s theme) • 2-3 acrylic paints in colors of your choice • Acrylic thinner • Old toothbrush • Wax paper or newspaper to protect your work area
Step 1:
Spell out your text in an arrangement of letter stickers. (Tip: Select letters than can be easily removed later and don’t leave a sticky residue.)
Step 2:
Select several colors of acrylic paint that complement your layout. Squirt out a quarter-sized puddle and thin with acrylic thinner or water to an inky consistency.
Step 3:
Dip an old toothbrush into the paint and run your thumb over bristles to spatter the paint over the stickers. The more paint on your brush, the larger your spatters will be; less paint results in fine, smaller spatters. Multiple applications of each color will achieve the best result.
Step 4:
Allow to dry, then carefully remove letter stickers.
Don’t forget to enter our giveaway to win a free copy of Scrapbook Page Maps. To enter the giveaway, check out Kristin’s Monday post by noon (eastern time) this Friday.
And don’t forget about the free techniques and projects available on the S+P homepage. Stop by tomorrow for more fun with sketches!
NYCScraps is giving away a pass to Debbie Hodge’s upcoming “Scrap Yourself” class to a ScrapScene reader! You can get more information about the class and enter to win at ScrapScene. The deadline for entering the giveaway is this Friday, February 29.
And keep an eye out for the release of Debbie’s new Memory Makers book Get It Scrapped, which is due out in April.
Are you looking to add a shimmery shine to your paper crafts? Dimensional glaze is one of those tried-and-true products I find myself using anytime I want to add a glossy twinkle or highlight a cool design detail. Available at most scrapbook, art and craft retailers, this versatile medium adds a raised, glass-like finish to paper, stickers, chipboard, stamped designs and more. It can be used alone to add a clear glossy finish or easily colored with acrylic paint, dye ink or alcohol ink for a custom look.
Dimensional glaze can also be used as an adhesive itself. It works wonders for adhering clear items such as beads, acrylic letters, plastic or glass embellishments, vellum and so on, as it won’t be visible once dry. For items that need some extra bonding power, such as metal or wooden embellishments, dimensional glaze is perfect for keeping them in place on a layout or other paper project. Most manufacturers bottle the adhesive with a needlenose tip to allow for precise application. Just be sure to not shake the bottle as this creates air bubbles. Some of my favorite types include Judikins Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents by Ranger and Aleene’s Paper Glaze.
Go ahead and add a little radiance with dimensional glaze. You’re sure to fall in love with it just like me. And don’t forget about the free techniques and projects available on the S+P homepage. Come back next Tuesday for more tips and techniques.
For those of you familiar with the Dare girls--authors of We Dare You--you'll be excited to hear that the Dares are back! Leap day, this Friday, check out the Dare site for the relaunch. I happen to have an in with the girls and I am assured that the newest dare is going to be great! Plus, there's a change in store for the girls as well.
Check back here later this week for a Dare sneak peek!
I love patterned paper. I would even say that I’m addicted to it. I just can’t seem to get enough of it. And I also can’t bear to get rid of it, even the scraps. When I’m cleaning up a project, any leftover piece bigger than 2’’ gets saved because, well, you just ever know.
Needless to say, I am on the constant lookout for ways to use up my stash—especially the scraps—of patterned paper. And I would venture to guess there are many of you out there also looking for ways to justify the patterned paper hoarding. So, here goes. Check out these great and simple uses for patterned paper:
I recently finished this mini-album with honeymoon photos. At
4x4", the pages were perfect for using scraps of different green
patterned papers. Plus, the eclectic nature of the pages allowed for
using random, leftover stickers and embellishments, too.
Here's a birthday card full of love—and scraps.
To create shelf-liners, I used decoupage medium to glue whole pages to my wooden closet shelves. A great use for random, mismatched sheets.
