Decorating Acrylic or Transparency Embellishments

Have you heard about the latest trend? Acrylic books and embellishments. Apparently they’re all the rage. But after playing with them a bit, I can understand why. You still get to use all your favourite techniques for decorating, but you can leave blank space on your page so you can peak through to the pages behind that one. What a brilliant idea!

So just like any scrapbook layout, you can use the following:

• Paper – cardstock and patterned paper
• Glitter
• Prima Flowers
• Ribbons
• Stamps and stamping ink ( Use Stazon ink, dye based inks will not work with acrylic)
• Rub-ons
• Stickers and other adhesive embelishments
• Bling
• Chipboard letters and other décor
• Paint
• Permanent markers (ie. Sharpies)
• Transparencies

Here are a few tips I’ve found on the internet:

1. Go easy on the glue. You’ll be able to see it if you use too much.
   If you’re making a book, make little windows to peak through to the next page. Adds a great layered affect.
2. Try out other things besides just paper – allows for more room to peak through on your page. Try your stamps!
3. You don’t have to use a lot of embellishments as you can see the ones on the other pages peeking through. Consider the layout of each page before attaching an embellishment.
4. Print your pictures out so they are all the same size and put them back to back on the same page so you are not restricted to having to place embellishments on the other side to hide the back of the picture.
5. If you’re attaching transparent embellishments to a layout, you’ll have to be creative with how you attach it. Try using brads, eyelets, string (thread), ribbons, or cover up your adhesive you used by placing something over top of that spot. (ie. Prima flower, button, sticker)

Most importantly, experiment and have fun!

Decorating Plain Chipboard

How did I make it to this point, you ask? Well, let me lay all the blame on Catherine. Yes, if she had never started selling those lovely chipboard letters of hers, I would have never come this far. First it started off with those dazzling glittered letters she makes. Then when she made her naked chipboard letters available, I just had to give it a try myself. Sure I’ve experimented and tried out a few different things, and have found a few techniques I absolutely love, but to quote the lady herself:

“NAKED Chipboard Letters: Paint them, sand them, chalk them, ink them, stamp them, color them, doodle on them, cover them with paper...”

The first few times I’ve used plain chipboard, I’ve painted them with acrylic paint, applied a coat of my favourite Stickles color (sparkles), then just to make sure everything stayed in place, I added a glossy coat of Mod-Podge. It was love at first sight. Sure it took me a bit of time. It was more of a multi-stage process that spanned over 2 days, but in the end, it was well worth the effort. What better way is there then to get the exact color of letters you need for your layout?!?

Besides, with such a beautiful face going on my layout, only the best would do.

Although I haven’t dared tackle any tags, my head swirls with thoughts of adding fancy ribbons, prima flowers, paint, brads and of course, some glitter.

I know there are a lot of other chipboard items out there and I have to get myself into it gently otherwise I might lock myself away for a few days and my family will never see me while I experiment on everything. Tag books, bookmarks, chipboard albums… the list goes on and on.

So thanks a lot Catherine, for turning me into a chipboard addict.

Got any other ideas for decorating plain chipboard? I would love to hear them!

Happy Scrapbooking!

Pretty, Pretty Scalloped Edge

Have you been admiring those pretty cardstock pages that come with scalloped edges? Love the look but not crazy about the price? Ok, ok, I know nothing beats the real thing, but in a fix, how about giving this a try.

If you have a large corner punch, you’re ready to go. The larger, the better, but any size will work. Along the bottom of the punch is a plastic guide that holds the corner of the page in place. You need to remove it gently. Mine came off quite easily, and don’t worry, it goes back on again once you’re done playing. (talk about adding value to a punch)

So anyhow, once you have this guide off, you can use it to make rounded edges all the way down the page. When I first read about this technique, they suggested drawing a line to follow. My punch only let my page slip the page in so far so I found it quite easy to slide it along the page edge and punch away. You just have to make sure that each half circle is touching. It may take a bit of practise and the corners where a challenge at first, but give it a try and you’ll be happy you did!

And since you can make your own, you’re not limited to just cardstock! Try it out on that yummy patterned paper you just bought.

Happy Scrapbooking!

Tie It Up

Maybe one of the more simple products to use, it’s versatility and low price point make this embellishment a favourite among scrapbookers. Clueless? I’m talking about ribbon. Use it to make a statement, or add a bit of flair to your page. Sure, you could invest in the specialty scrapbooking ribbon that comes decorated with sayings and cute little images, or you can also hit your local crafting store when they’re having their 3 for $1 save and stock up. (just remember to make sure it’s acid free, otherwise just make sure your ribbon is not laying over top of your photos) Ribbon comes in so many colors, textures and widths, the possibilities are limitless. If there’s something missing from my layout, I always whip out my boxes of ribbon and I’m sure to find the finishing touch I need.

Some ideas for using ribbon include (but are not limited to):

• Tie ribbon around embellishments or tags for a finishing touch
• Bows not an option on that layout for your husband? Use ribbon to tie knots!
• Layer your background with ribbons for a woven effect instead of using patterned paper
• Words can also be printed on ribbon for an extra special effect.
• Tie your cardstock or patterned paper together with ribbon to create a show lace pattern on your page
• Use ribbon to create a frame around your whole layout or individual photos
• Or simply run a strip of ribbon across your page.
• Silk ribbon adds a beautiful touch to that special baby, wedding or little girl page
• Don’t limit yourself to just one ribbon to a page, got crazy!

So now that you’ve got a few ideas, crack out that ribbon and get a little knotty!

Happy Scrapbooking!

Sew Much Fun

Ok, so this technique may be a bit time consuming, but the results are so worth the effort.
As I say, nothing ever worth having ever comes easy. Unless you’ve got a horse shoe somewhere. But anyhow. I LOVE the look of stitches on my pages. And it also keeps things attached too. (smile)

But before you just start stitching, it might be good to have a plan first. Attach everything to your layout the way you want it. Next, you’ll want to decide what type of stitch you would like to do. If you’ve cross stitched, I’m sure you’ll know the different types of stitches, but for me, I just stick with the simple ones. But for me, I’m quite happy with the zig zag stitch (if that’s even what it’s called – see picture) and what they call a Back Stitch.

If you have an idea of what you want it to look like, you can just pick up your needle and embroidery floss and get started, or you can use a paper piercer and make the holes before you start stitching with needle and thread. I’ve always used embroidery floss, but I’m sure you can use just about anything you could thread your needle with: regular thread, wool, thin ribbon, etc.

Take your time, and don’t pull too hard if you get tangled up. You are only sewing paper BTW. So grab a nice cup of tea, curl up on the couch and sew away. Just don’t let your husband see you, otherwise he might try bring you his socks that have holes in them. This is so much more fun.

One trick I like to use to get started and to finish… I leave an inch or so of extra floss at the ends and tape them down. As long as you don’t pull too hard, this should hold everything in place quite nicely.

You can sew just about anything to your layout: charms, buttons, ribbons, paper, etc.
So give it a try, I promise you’ll love the outcome.

Happy Scrapbooking!

P.S. If you like my "Sweet Princess" title, you should check out the rest of the goodies you can find at this website.

Bling, Bling!

My latest discover combines 3 of my favorite scrapbooking embellishments. How sweet is that?

As soon as I was introduced to Prima flowers, I was hooked. For that matter, I've managed to get all my friends hooked on these delightful goodies. What better way to attach these flowers then with brads? Ok, ok, but let's take it one step further. Sure these little beauties bring any layout to the next level, but what if we added just a hint of GLITTER! Yes, just by applying the tiniest amout of glitter glue to the brad and petals. My favorite is Stickles. I have many different colors but if you get an irridecent or crystal, you can apply it to any layout for a beautiful finish.

You don't need alot, so a small bottle does last you a long time. And you're not just limited to dressing up your flowers. Try it out on plain shape cut outs to add a shimmer to any layout.

Tip & Techniques

Let me first start off by saying I am no pro so do not take this as text book material. Any tips or techniques I post are from personal experience, and of course everyone has different ways of doing things.

If you would like to add any of your own tips, or would like to “modify” one posted here, please let me know.


Attaching chipboard letters to your layout.

When I first tried my hand at chipboard letters I was CLUELESS! As with many things…

My favourite? Glue dots! They’ve actually become something of an addiction now. They make ANYTHING stick to your page. Metal embellishments, ribbon, chipboard letters… just a fair warning… once they are on your page, they do not come off. And they are a bit tricky to position, but once you get the hang of it, they’re a scrapbooker’s bestfriend. They also leave a bit of a bevel in material that’s not very stiff (i.e. you may see it underneath your ribbon)

Glue dots come in a variety of sizes and they also come in strips.

Happy Scrapbooking!