Technique Tuesday: Stamping and Dyeing Ribbon

This week’s technique stems from the fact that I have often heard scrapbookers complain that they aren’t enough ribbon colors to match their papers and supplies and they wish for more ribbon colors. If you are a ribbon fiend, these techniques are just what you might be looking for. There are actually two different techniques included in today’s Technique Tuesday. Dyeing Ribbon First off, I recommend beginning with a pure white ribbon. This makes the color truer to what you are looking for, rather than using another shade only to get an odd color at the end. Next, you will … Continue reading →

Technique Tuesday: One Sheet of Cardstock Mini Book

Welcome to our very first technique article. This technique was inspired by some scrapbooker’s who were tired of wasting cardstock to create smaller embellishments, albums and cards. It always seemed there was extra leftover, and they wanted a new way to create without waste. Who knew there was actually a way to create a fabulous looking mini album using only one piece of cardstock? These make a terrific Mother’s Day gift for mom’s and grandma’s, or Father’s Day gift for father’s and grandpa’s. One Sheet Mini Book What you will need: 1 Sheet of Cardstock Cardstock and Patterned Paper Scraps … Continue reading →

Card Sketches

If you have been scrapbooking for awhile you know exactly what a sketch is. They make creating a page or layout a little easier and faster while still allowing flexibility in the products and photographs that you select. A sketch allows for a lot of versatility and Did you know they also have sketches for card making too? Card sketches were virtually the exact same way that a layout sketch works. I have been using them for a very long time, but just recently got very into using them. I love to make them myself and then when I am … Continue reading →

Introducing Technique Tuesday – a New Column on the Scrapbooking Blog

Scrapbooking has grown so much in the past five years, let alone the past ten years. As new products are introduced daily, and scrapbooker’s find new ways to use products and do different techniques, there is no end is sight to the endless possibilities available to the creative person. With the vast amount of scrapbooking information available in all sorts of locations, it can get overwhelming and difficult to learn. The problem is, it is scattered all over and it would be much easier to find it if it was all in one place. The Scrapbooking Blog here at families.com … Continue reading →

Adding a Bit of Flair on Layouts With Chalk

Chalks, also known as pastels are so much fun to use on your scrapbook layouts. The vast variety of color choices means that you can match it to almost any color of cardstock or embellishment making your pages true ‘wow’ pages. There are definitely some fun and unique ways to use chalk on your layouts. A favorite way is to use it to color in stamped images or clip art. It gives it a light shaded look and depending on the applicator you choose, can be soft or hard color. There are a variety of applicators available, including sets that … Continue reading →

Looking for a New Simple Technique to Try?

Do you ever sit and stare at your major stash of scrapbooking supplies and wonder what new techniques to try to add a little personality or flair to your pages? If you do, you are not alone. It is typical to find yourself in a rut and wonder what you can do about it. Here are a few new simple techniques you can try and implement into your scrapbook pages this weekend. Fun Techniques: Sculpting Paper Paper sculpture has been around a long time. However I found a new and creative way to use it in your paper projects from … Continue reading →

Fun Techniques: Sculpting Paper

Paper sculpture has been around a long time. However I found a new and creative way to use it in your paper projects from card making, to altered art and of course to scrapbook layouts. The technique is easy and only requires paper and water. First, it is easier to use a spray bottle, because you will have control over what areas you get wet. It does not matter if you choose to do this with cardstock or patterned paper, but the thicker the paper, the easier it is. Begin my spraying your paper on both sides and then crumpling … Continue reading →

Using Paper Flowers on Your Scrapbook Layouts

Flowers have exploded around us, not just outside in the beautiful Spring weather, but also on our scrapbooking layouts, cards and other craft projects. Flowers seem to have no limits, in that they are also being used on masculine pages, which I also really enjoy seeing. Are you having trouble seeing how to use these wonderful items on your pages? Let me show you how. First you need to choose the size of the paper flower that you would like for any particular layout. You will also need to decide whether you want to add a little more dimension by … Continue reading →

Using Ink Pads to Distress or Add Dimension to Your Layouts

Ink pads are such a versatile supply. They are one of those things that were created for a specific use, to use with your rubber stamps, but they can go so much further than that. They are perfect for adding distressing or adding dimension to your scrapbooking layouts. There are a lot of different ways to use ink pads to create these amazing effects on your pages, one of my favorites, which certainly adds a bit of dimension is to create backgrounds. These papers were made by multiple ink pad swipes across the page. I chose complementary colors that went … Continue reading →

How To Use Distressing On Your Layouts

Distressing your layouts adds dimension and appeal to your scrapbook layouts. It gives the layout an aged look, or a weathered look. There are several ways you can obtain a distressed look, and different materials you can use. Here are a few of the most common. Sandpaper – Sandpaper is fun to use to distress especially if you are using a piece of cardstock with a white core. Sand the cardstock or an embossed image on your cardstock with the sandpaper. Try using different grades of sandpaper to achieve different effects. Inks – There are special inks designed especially for … Continue reading →