A Scrapper’s Fairy Tale

Scrapbooker, scrapbooker, let down your hair! After this merry tale, you’ll know everything about being a damsel who can distress with the best of ‘em!

 

Distressing is a fast and popular method for marring the edge or surface of a page element to add a bit of interest. If you want an antiqued, Old World, shabby chic or country look, distressing is the way to go. You can turn any old frog into Prince Charming!

Pieces to Distress

• Paper edges
• Bindings/Book spines
• Chipboard embellishments
• Photo edges
• Vellum

 

Forest of Tools

• Course sandpaper (40-130 Grit)
• Medium sandpaper (120-150 Grit)
• Fine sandpaper (180-240 Grit)
• Nail files
• Emery boards
• Fine cheese graters
• Razor blades
• Scissor edges
• Thread cutter pendants
• Pumice stones
• Steel wool
• BasicGrey™ File Set

 

10 Charming Tips & Tricks

1. Distress in phases. Make several light passes to better control the effect.
2. Use course sandpaper to remove paint or make a bold statement.
3. Use finer sandpaper on photo edges or to lightly distress.
4. After distressing, ink edges with brown or black to make it look antique.
5. Tear edges instead of distressing for a complementary effect.
6. Try tea staining first! Dip paper edges into a cooled cup of tea and allow to dry. Then distress as normal.
7. Fold paper and then distress the folded edge. Unfold and repeat in random patterns to age a background instantly.
8. Sand the entire surface of vellum to darken it.
9. Stabilize the piece you are distressing by holding it along the edge of a clear stamp block.
10. Smooth the edges of paper-covered chipboard with fine sandpaper or a nail file.

 

With this easy method, you’ll get a storybook ending in no time at all!

 

Your fairy scrapmother,

Mary

 

101 Big Ideas for Scrapping Life’s Little Joys

Scrapbook albums don’t just have to be for the big events like birthdays, vacations, weddings and holidays. Find a photo theme, grab an album and scrap the little stuff. It’s a great way to get your feet wet in the scrapbooking world, and albums make wonderful presents. And here’s a tip — try using mini albums for these special little events!

Here’s a heaping helping of ideas to get you thinking about those everyday fun moments that are just as fun to scrap as the big events.

1.   4th of July fireworks displays
2.   50 States, scrap each as you visit it
3.    A year of holiday decorations
4.    A+ report cards
5.    Airplane trips and tickets
6.    All their most favorite things
7.    All your Easter dresses
8.    Anniversaries through the years
9.    Baby bath times
10. Baby shower presents and gift givers
11. Bachelorette parties
12. Baking cookies with Grandma
13. Band practices on the football field
14. Before and after home renovations
15. Best Halloween costumes
16. Big group shots of family
17. Boy Scouts camping trips
18. Building a snow man
19. Carousel rides
20. Carving spooky jack-o’-lanterns
21. Catching lightning bugs
22. Childs’ artwork
23. Close-ups of flowers in your garden
24. College parties and friends
25. Colorful dance recital costumes
26. Concerts and ticket stubs
27. Dad at the grill
28. Decorating the baby nursery
29. Decorating the Christmas tree
30. Diet journal
31. Doing the limbo
32. Dressing up for wedding celebrations
33. Dying Easter eggs
34. Eating at fancy restaurants
35. Every first day of school
36. Family game nights
37. Favorite golf courses and scores
38. Favorite stuffed animals
39. Favorite t-shirts
40. Fishing with Dad
41. Funniest family stories
42. Gathering seashells on the beach
43. Girls’ Nights Out
44. Going to garage sales
45. Graduations and diplomas
46. Grandma, Mom, and Daughter’s hands
47. Haircuts through the years
48. Hand-me-down outfits
49. Hayrack rides
50. History of birthday cakes
51. Hometown Memorial Day Parade
52. Hosting a cropping party
53. How you met your best friends
54. Kids’ favorite summer camp outings
55. Learning lines for a play
56. Leisurely Sunday drives
57. Losing their first tooth
58. Love letters
59. Making a patchwork quilt
60. Mani/pedis with Mom
61. Moving days
62. New Year’s Eves
63. Oldest family photos
64. Opening presents on Christmas morning
65. Oscar parties and predictions
66. People making funny faces
67. Pet’s first day home
68. Playing dress up
69. Playing on the park jungle gym
70. Practicing cheerleading chants
71. Prom dresses and corsages
72. Riding roller coasters
73. Road trip pit stops
74. School awards and certificates
75. School pictures
76. Secret family recipes
77. Self-portraits
78. Selling Girl Scout cookies
79. Shopping trips with friends
80. Slumber parties traditions
81. Special greeting cards
82. Sports uniforms
83. Summer carnival food on a stick
84. Sunsets
85. Taking a nature hike
86. Taking Fido to the pet park
87. Taking summer swimming lessons
88. Teachers and classrooms
89. Telling scary stories at a bon fire
90. The big football game
91. The family tree
92. Training for the big race
93. Ultrasound photos
94. Underwater photography
95. Vacation Bible Schools
96. Vacation scenery shots
97. Valentine’s cards
98. Wacky St. Patrick’s Day outfits
99. Washing the car
100.   Watching baseball games with Grandpa
101.   Your engagement story

Looking for more inspiration?  Discover over 100 free project ideas with easy instructions! 

Ink it up

Grab your pigment pads and try these three new methods for inking!

1. Create a colorful image outline

First, apply a rub-on image or sticker, then ink over the image entirely. Allow to dry. Next, remove the sticker or using Scotch tape, remove the rub-on image. What’s left is an outlined and inked image! Tape off the edges to create a perfect square or go just go free form.

2. Ink up flowers and ribbons

Use ink to stamp page elements like ribbons and flowers, or ink just the edges for an naturally-aged look.

3. Make faux leather

Tear off small pieces of masking tape and layer them onto a sheet of paper. The more rough edges, the better. Then ink the masking tape, rubbing off any excess. Crumble the entire sheet of paper and then lay flat. Get the leather-look in no time flat!

Go ahead and give these new methods a try.   You might just be inspired to invent your own new ways to use classic materials!

Your friend,
Mary

Family Background

Benjamin Franklin once said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Well if that’s true, then this method for creating the Family Card background is completely off its rocker!

You can use a stamp you’ve inked up who–knows–how–many times to create something entirely unexpected… a custom background using inexpensive cardstock and a bit of creativity.

Start with plain cardstock and choose an ink color (this works for cards, scrapbook pages and other projects, too). I started with teal paper and used a contrasting blue ink for the circle background and stamped text.

Paper/Ink Variations:
1.    Try using similar ink and paper colors for a subtle tone-on-tone look. 
2.    Use clear embossing ink and powder to create a raised tone-on-tone effect.
3.    Watermark inks will produce subtle stamp designs.
4.    Use pigment ink pads in contrasting colors to make the design really pop.
5.    Experiment with metallic inks for a shimmery look.

Now for my favorite part… picking the stamp! I picked two sizes of a circular stamp with a scalloped edge. Stamp randomly for a modern look (I don’t mind if you steal my design one bit). Create stripes by using a small stamp in vertical or horizontal lines across your paper. Make polka dots. Try turning your stamp 90 degrees each time for a random pattern.

This is a method you can use time and time again and achieve different results each time.   Now that’s not so crazy, is it?

Your friend,
Mary

Creative Photography 101

“Say cheese!”

You’ve heard it a million times, and most of us are guilty of saying it, too! Usually when you “say cheese”, that’s exactly what you’re going to get…a straight-on, cheesy photo. While these photos are usually adorable, it’s fun to switch it up a little. Try a new angle and create a masterpiece!

Simple and fun photography angles:

•    Lay on the ground to shoot at ground level or shoot above you
•    Take a knee to get a little different angle than usual
•    Use a chair or ladder to change perspective
•    Offset your subject to the side of the frame
•    Shoot close up photos of your subject’s face
•    Tilt your camera from side to side, backwards and forwards
•    Shoot your subject in profile
•    Shoot your subject in action

Here are a few examples from my friend who is an amateur photographer. See how she’s captured her daughter from different angles to create fun and dynamic shots? Imagine the great scrapbooking pages she’ll be able to create with these!

Get creative with your photography and I promise you’ll enhance your pages and projects. Just don’t forget to put on your best smile for the camera!

Your friend,
Mary

Get Hooked on the Look of Rub-Ons

Hiya scrapbooking friends!

I was introduced to the wonderful world of rub-ons a few years ago when my friend made an album to document her honeymoon in Mexico. The results were incredible! The pages looked professional, chic and super charming. From that point on, I was totally hooked on rub-ons.

Here’s a few things I’ve learned about these sometimes tricky, always fabulous little embellishments:

1. Mistakes will be probably be made, so it’s important to order extra sheets. You can easily remove any rub-on with a rubber eraser. A little scotch tape will also take up any extra rub-on pieces.
2. Cut out designs and apply them one at a time. It takes a little more time, but avoiding accidental transfers from neighboring designs is worth it.
3. Popsicle sticks work just fine to apply rub-ons, but the Basic Grey’s new rub-on roller works like a dream! You can also use your handy dandy bone folder.
4. Apply even pressure over the entire rub-on. Keep in mind you can damage the rub-on if you rub too vigorously.
5. You’ll notice that as you transfer the design, the rub-on will become transparent.
6. If you are working with larger rub-ons, I suggest attaching the clear sheet to your page using removable tape. That way you can lift the sheet up to make sure you’ve transferred the entire design without shifting it.

Rub-ons may seem tricky when you first start, but a little practice will go a long way and the results are totally worth the effort.

Your friend,
Mary

Plethora of Flora

Put away those dirt-covered gardening gloves, because today we are going to sew the seeds of creativity and grow a garden of customized flowers!

Easy 1-2 Flower Method:

1.    Assemble your petals…use various punches, trace templates, use paper flowers or utilize silk flower petals.
2.    Next, plant a button, jewel, brad, sticker, clock hands, an old earring, or even a special photo right in the center of your scrap happy bloom.

I am totally hooked on making these easy accents for my pages and projects. They’ll grow on you, too!

Your friend,
Mary

PhotoShop Tips & Techniques

Getting your way can be difficult sometimes, but I’ve learned that a little flirting can help.  From batting your eyelashes at the cop to get out of a ticket to smiling sweetly at the furniture movers who are going to carry your best china, flirting can get things done.

This week I’m bringing that sense of fun to the scrapbook world! There are lots of ways you can flirt with different photography techniques to add drama to everyday pictures. Take black and white photos for example.  There’s just something about black and white photography that has a timeless effect, don’t you think?

There are actually a few options for creating these timeless images.  For one, you can try using the black and white setting on your digital camera or using special black and white film in your 35mm camera.  Or there is another way you can cheat a bit! Normally I wouldn’t condone such scandalous behavior, but in this case, I wholeheartedly agree that cutting corners is a-okay. My friend Eric, who I consider an Adobe® PhotoShop® expert, told me how to modify color photos to black and white.

1.    Open your image in PhotoShop.
2.    Go to Image, Adjustments, Desaturate.

Eric says:  “This will pull all of the color information from the file and simply display the black and white parts. Basically, it converts color into grayscale values.”

 

Feeling a little more confident to tackle a bigger PhotoShop project? Then try this method for making comic book style photos of all your little super heroes!

1.    Open an RBG image in PhotoShop.
2.    Go to Filter, Artistic, Poster Edges.
3.    Adjust the value settings, thickness and intensity as desired.
4.    Click OK.
5.    Go to Filter, Artistic, Cutout.
6.    Set the number of levels to 4. Adjust other settings as desired.
7.    Go to Layer, Duplicate Layer.
8.    Click OK.
9.    Go to Filter, Noise, Dust and Scratches.
10.     Set the radium to 1 pixels and the threshold to 10 levels.

Eric says: “You can achieve completely different results by changing the settings and intensities for each different filter.”

It takes a bit of time and a little know-how, but the results are totally worth the effort. Oh, and if you don’t have PhotoShop, hop online and try out some different photo editing sites. My new fav is befunky.com!

A big thank you to Eric for all his help! And I didn’t even have to flirt with him to get the low down!

Your friend,
Mary

Make Your Own Frames

Scrap-a-doodle-doodle-do! Wake up your pages using this super fast framing method! Use your paper trimmer to create 6" x 6" photo mats for all your finished pages.

1. Start by cutting a piece of 12" x 12" paper in half.

2. Next, cut one half in half again, so you end up with a 6" x 6" piece of paper.

3. Now using your paper trimmer, you’re going to remove only the center of the paper. Flip the arm of your paper trimmer up. Align the outside edge of your paper 1" from the trimmer blade slot. Lay the arm back down.

 

4. Carefully cut from the 1" mark to the 5" mark.

5. Repeat for all four sides.

And as easy as that, you’ve got a 6" x 6" frame with a 1" border! It’s a great way to use scrap paper as well.

Your friend,
Mary

Chalking Tips and Techniques

Let’s talk chalk! I don’t mean those big pieces of sidewalk chalk you used to draw hopscotch with (or maybe you still do, I’m not one to judge). I’m talking about the box of artist chalks.

I’ve had the same box since my early days of stamping and card making, and I still love to add chalk to my projects. This inexpensive medium is a fast way to add color to your pages and projects. And you don’t have to have a lick of artistic talent to achieve impressive results. 

Here are some of my no-fail tips: 

Tip 1: Fill in Stamps
After you’ve stamped an image or letter set, fill in the background with chalk. Easy as pie!

Tip 2: Grab some Stencils
Lay your stencil on your project and then fill in with chalk.

Tip 3: Add Highlights and Shadows
Apply chalk around the edges of chipboard shapes, photos and backgrounds to add a touch of fancy. On a journal card, add a little chalk around a few words to highlight your message. Chalk is perfect for adding rosy cheeks, too!

Tip 4: Applicators
The little foam brushes are the best, but cotton swabs will get the job done too.

Tip 5: Light then Dark
Fill in all the lighter colors first and then apply darker colors. It will keep everything crisp looking. When working with darker colors, it’s best to apply in layers. You can always add more!

Tip 6: Blending is the Secret
Blend the edges of your chalked creation with a cotton ball or your fingertip. You can also blend two colors using this method.

Tip 7: Keep it Clean
Chalk can be messy, so keep a wet paper towel nearby for messy fingers and tools. You can always grab your dust buster, too. That will clean up all the little particles of dust from the chalk.

Tip 8: Set It
You’ll need a good scrapbooking fixative – a.k.a. acid-free hairspray. Spray all the chalked elements of your page or card to keep the colors bright.

Until we meet again, let’s rock the chalk!

Your friend,
Mary