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!

Happy Monday all! Are you ready for another challenge to start off your week? Here it is: Create a scrapbook page, card or other paper project using only neutrals (e.g., black, white, brown and their various shades).  The only color on your proejct should be in a photo.

This was a great challenge for me because, well, it really was challenge. I love color and don’t hesitate to use bold choices on my layouts.  So it was challenge to think of how to mix neutrals in a pleasing way, as well as think about how to add visual interest without using any color.  So I added tons of texture with ribbon, felt, plastic, paper tears, and sanding over my photo. 

Share your challenge creations right here in the gallery. 

Somehow, Etsy managed to escape my notice until last summer when I made my way over to the site from a blog. Since then, I’ve become hooked on sifting through the sellers' pages and finding loads of adorable or cool (or both) art and crafts. My latest discovery? All kinds of yummy things to use as embellishments.

Three of my current favorites are these gorgeous fabric flowers, adorable button paperclips and fun date tags:




Have you uncovered some great finds on Etsy? Come on over to the forum to tell us all about it!