Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

After a while we tend to start giving our layouts the same look or have the same sized pictures so they start looking like the ones we’ve done before. The same numbers of embellishments are on each one, everything is smooth on it or has only one layer to it and they become boring.  How do we change this? 

 I started thinking about the things I’ve learned and used it to create this layout.  One of the first things I was taught is it is more pleasing to the eye to have 6 to 7 items in a grouping.  If you notice in nature flowers most often have 5 or 6 of petals on them and that’s what makes them pleasing to the eye.  For the layout, I grouped 7 flowers using the Que Sera Sera Cardstock and Acetate Die Cuts by K & Co. together.  One thing to note is most packages of embellishments contain an even number of items so it is always best to buy 2 packages so you have that odd number in case you want it. 

Another way to give your layout its own personality, is to give it texture even if it’s on the paper you are using.  Here I was able to match the dots of the Watercolor Bouquet Paper Pad to the Wild Raspberry Flowers and Butterflies patterned paper (the backside of the paper is the one I used) for my layout.  I also added more texture by running my letters through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder which helped take away the smooth, plainness of the paper.  The background paper is already smooth so by creating a texture on the letters it will help tie it all together. 

Layering items and adding items of different sizes including pictures layered on other pieces of paper will add more of a visual effect to the layouts.  Something sticking up off the page always draws attention. A photo lifted off the paper or chipboard pieces such as the butterfly from the Abrianna Chipboard Chipbox by K & Co. are great things to use to add dimension.    

One of the most important elements to creating a scrapbook layout is color.  If the colors are inviting to the eye the more time that is spent looking it over and enjoying it.  Too many colors that don’t flow together can be too overwhelming.  A good rule to go by is to pull the colors from the photos.  There doesn’t need to be a lot of different colors in the photo, but even 2 colors that are utilized are a good starting point.  Remember that you can also choose just a couple of colors and do various hues of those colors to add interest like I did with this layout. 

Remembering these 4 simple things will help you in giving your layouts a personality of their own.

By General Crafts Contributor Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

Add a touch of whimsy to your paper projects with these Pink Doodle Frames.

The Pink Doodle Frames come six to a page, and are oval in nature. They are fairly large and you can have them lined or unlined.

Pink Doodle Frames for Scrapbook Layouts

If scrapbooking is your thing, use the frames to hold your journaling for those photos that have been taken in sequence or photos covering the same theme. Looking at your photos, pick out the main points or ideas to write about and use a different Pink Doodle Frame for each.

Download Pink Doodle Frames Lined

Possible Scrapbook Themes:

Think:

• Princess
• Baby Girl
• Romantic
• Wedding
• Engagement
• Anniversary
• or just something super cute!

Download Pink Doodle Frames

Other Uses for Pink Doodle Frames

• Use the Pink Doodle Frames in the middle of homemade cards to hold that special message or verse.
• Gift Tags
• Labels for containers or books
• Thank You tags for gifts you have received
• Make a small book to hold special sayings or inspirational words

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Sometimes you may have an idea for a layout inspired by a picture or pictures that you have and have several papers and embellishments you’d like to use on it, but don’t know where to start.  A good starting point is by layering your papers on and then adding the embellishments around those papers.

Products Used On This Project:

• Retro Stash Grunge Paper By Tim Holtz
• Fish and Friends Stamps by Inkadinkado
• Acrylic Block
• Alphabet Stencil
• Tear Edger
• Kraft Cardstock
• Colorbox Inks:  Mudslide and Fluid Chalk Ink Queue-Pumpkin Patch
• Earth Tone Colored Marker (brown, dark green, etc.)
•  Tape Runner

Choose three pictures and trim them to be 2 ½” x 1 ¾” then adhere them with the tape runner to the rectangle paper pieces from the Retro Stash Grunge Paper. 

Next, using the sheet in the above picture from the Retro Stash Grunge Paper by Tim Holtz cut the dotted and small squared pieces off. 

Choose one of the solid pieces from the paper and adhere the patterned pieces to the top left and bottom right corners of the solid piece. 

Now find the sheet that contains the strips of patterned paper and trim off the dark green piece and fasten it vertically in the middle of the solid piece.  It will cover up the edges of the patterned paper on those sides, but that’s ok. 

Cut a small piece of Kraft cardstock to be 3 ½” x 3 ½” and using the tear edger tear approximately ½” off each side.  Once that is done, ink the edges using the Dark Moss ink from the Fluid Chalk Queue generously ink the edges inward making sure that there is ink towards the center of the paper. 

Next, turn the Mudslide Ink Pad so it is flat in your hand ink just the edges of each side of the paper. 

Prepare the alphabet stencil by placing a piece of tape over the letters that will not be used.  This helps to prevent ink getting into those areas and ruining your creation.  Place the stencil over the top of the Kraft cardstock and begin pressing the Amber Clay Ink Pad from the Fluid Chalk into the letters that you are using to spell out your title.  Lift the stencil off carefully and reposition for each letter you need.  Attach the title piece to the upper right corner of the layout once the ink has completely dried.  Print the location of where you layout was from using the earth tone marker. 

Stamp the seahorse and seaweed images from the Fish and Friends Stamp Set onto the bottom left corner using the Mudslide Ink Pad and an acrylic block.

Attach the pictures using your favorite tape runner to the upper right corner, lower left corner and in the center of the layout. 

The next time you can’t decide which paper to use you won’t have to…use them all and have fun layering them!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Q1. How can I use stencils and templates on my pages?

A1. There are many ways to use these on a layout. They can be laid on the paper so the design can be traced with a marker. When used with an ink pad the image is transferred onto the paper by pressing the ink into the crevices. By using a light box the image can be embossed onto the page with an embossing tool to create a raised impression.

 Q2. What’s the difference in die cut machines?

A2. There are only a few major differences in machines and which one you purchase greatly depends on what you want to do with it. Some of them are electronic and require the use of cartridges (carts) Others are used with electronic design cards ( sd cards) or can be hooked up to a computer to obtain additional images and others are manually operated through the use of a hand crank. These require the use of dies to cut the image. These machines will also emboss the item you have cut out. Many of them will cut various items such as paper, chipboard and even fabric.

Q3. My ink smears when I color my stamped image. Do I have the wrong markers or pencils?

A3. Once your ink has become permanent what you use to color the image can be anything of your choice. The most important key to good stamping and coloring is to choose the right ink. Dye inks are good as they dry quickly. Stazon Inks are good to use because they work on pretty much every surface.

Q4. What are the sizes for layouts?

A4. While it is a matter of preference, the basic layout sizes include 8 x 8″ and 12 x 12″. Some choose to do an 8 ½” x 11″ layout. There aren’t any “right choices” in what size you decide to do, but it helps in choosing to keep in mind the amount of time you want to spend on the layout (remember the bigger the layout the more it will need on it and the more time you will spend). If you have done a lot of one size, create a different one for a change. You may not like part of the paper design so cut it off! This will create a smaller paper for you to use and get rid of what it is you don’t like. That’s ok! Remember it’s all up to you.

 Q5. There are so many tools out how do I decide what to buy?

A5. For me, I have a rule of thumb when I’m looking to buy something…I must be able to come up with 2 ideas for using it first. It doesn’t mean I won’t purchase it; it just means that I have to have those ideas first. If I can’t come up with those ideas I look online to see how others are using the tool.

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

One of my favorite things is vintage style.  Growing up, I was raised around antiques and still today love old things.  It has become one of my scrapbooking styles that I’d like to do more of in my projects.  What about you?  Is it one of your favorite styles? Do you like the old look in your layouts?  Would you like to make this layout with your own pictures?  Go for it and enjoy the fun of the vintage style!

Products Used:

Martha Stewart Double Edge Bangle Chain Punch
Kraft Cardstock
White Cardstock
Tim Holtz Paper Stash Retro Grunge
Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Die Cutting/Embossing Machine
Petal Power Flower Die by Sizzix
The Crafter’s Workshop 6 x 6 Template:  Capricious
Inks by Colorbox:  Mudslide and Copper
Paintbrush or Stippling Tool
Favorite Wet Glue
Favorite Tape Runner

Begin by converting the photos you will be using to the Sepia color using a photo editing program that allows you to change the color.  Next, print the photos and trim them to be 4″ long by 3 ½” wide.  Adhere them in the left and right corners of the medium brown patterned paper from the Retro Grunge Paper Pad by Tim Holtz.  

Take the Crafter’s Workshop Template and place it on the left bottom corner of the patterned paper. Holding the template down tightly with your hand or a repositionable tape, stipple (the process of dabbing paint or ink on to something) the Mudslide Ink by Colorbox onto the template with a paintbrush or stippling tool making sure that the ink covers the open areas and transfers onto the paper.  The heavier the ink is applied the darker the pattern will be.  It can, also, be applied heavy to light just by not adding more ink onto the brush to give a contrast in the design.

Punch a 12″ long by 1″ wide decorative strip from the Kraft Cardstock using the Martha Stewart Double Edge Bangle Chain Punch and glue it to the center of the layout.

 Die cut 10 of the small petal and a center piece from the white cardstock using the Petal Power die and your die cut machine.  Run the pieces through your embossing machine using the Swiss Dot embossing folder. Assemble them to form a flower using the wet glue.

Once the flower is assembled, use the paint brush dipped onto the Mudslide Ink Pad to add some color to the embossed pattern.  For the center of the flower, brush the Copper Ink on to cover the center which will add more depth to the flower. 

While holding the flower cupped between your hands lightly push up on the petals to shape it into a little bowl shape.  Adhere it to the layout in the corner with some of your favorite wet glue. 

You now have a simple and elegant vintage style layout to show off some of your favorite pictures.

By General Crafts Contributor Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

Here’s a set of Clever Cats Tags to print and cut out. Use them as gift tags or journal tags in your papercraft projects. Print out a set for that cat lover you know!

Download Clever Cat Tags – White

Ways to Use the Clever Cats Tags

• Gift Tags
• Journal Tags
• Card Toppers
• Book labels
• Scrap pages
• Clip art
• Write your cat’s name on them and stick them to the cat house or cat basket

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black

Just cut and write. Punch a hole to thread string or ribbon through and you’re ready to go!

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black Label

These black tags are for those who want a label for writing on the front of the tag.

Happy Crafting!

By Cardmaking & Scrapbook Layout Contributor, Peg from the blog Peg’s Crafting Corner.

Q. Is there a way to write on dark cardstock?

A. A good way to get your journaling to show on dark colored cardstock is by using a gel pen.  White, pastel, metallic or neon, often referred to as fluorescent, inks show up well.  They are archival safe, waterproof and permanent to prevent bleeding through the paper.  The ink smoothly flows onto the paper and dries quickly.  Some pens are made with glitter in the ink to give an added sparkle to your writing.  They can, also, be used for doodling, drawing in items such as the center of a flower or to create a pattern on your dark cardstock and don’t forget if it already has a pattern that you can use the pen to highlight it and make it pop out even more.

Q. Are there scrapbooking/card making products that are recycled?

A. There are many products that are made from recycled items and can be recycled themselves such as paper scraps.  One easy way to find out the endless choices is by searching the word, “recycled” at CreateForLess. You will be able to find anything from paper to flowers and more there that have been made through recycling.  There are even books such as “Pulp Fiction” by Mark Montano at CreateFor Less that will help inspire you to recycle items found around your home into craft projects. 

Q. My ink pad seems dry.  Is there anything I can do about it?

A. A good way to keep your ink pads from seeming dry is to store them upside down when not in use. This allows the ink to flow to the top of the pad instead of settling into the bottom.  Make sure that the caps are always on tightly and closing the ink pad up right after use will help to keep them from drying out, too.   If the ink pad is older or has been used a lot you may need to purchase a new one.  There are some, such as Distress Inks by Ranger, that allow you to purchase a bottle of ink, known as a re-inker, to give life back to your ink pad by adding a few drops to the pad.  When purchasing these be sure to match the name of the re-inker to the name on the ink pad. 

 Q. Is there any easy way to get my punch lined up? 

 An easy way to make sure your punch is lined up is by flipping it over and working from the bottom until you are used to the punch and how it is lined up.  One way that I have found handy is to put the paper in while looking at the bottom of the punch making sure the edge of the paper is even with the metal open area so that it punches right to the edge of the paper.

Next, you can either line up the pattern looking at the bottom of the punch or flip it over and line it up with the pattern on the top, making sure that the last punched edge is still inside the punch.  If it looks like the picture on the right where you see half of the punched area you need to move it into the punch so that it continues to punch all of the areas. 

Q. Is there a good way to get glitter to stick on my cards and layouts?

This is one thing that can be frustrating to many, but there are some simple ways to keep the glitter on your project.  A glue pen, such as the Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura, allows you to place a line of glue exactly where you want it and while the glue is still wet apply the glitter.  Once dry it creates a permanent bond.  Another great way to adhere glitter to a large area is by using a sheet of adhesive from your Xyron machine.  Simply run your paper through your machine with the side down that you want to apply the glitter to and adhere the adhesive.  Remove it from the machine, flip it over and cover with the glitter.  You will now have a large glittery area to create on.  You can, also, follow these steps and then use a punch to punch out glittered embellishments or letters.  For an area that is too large to use a glue pen and too small to use your Xyron, try a double sided tape.  They come in many different widths to fit your project.  All you need to do is adhere one side of the tape to your project and remove the protective coating on the top side of the tape and pour your glitter on and it will stick.  These are really easy ways to add that glittery bling to your projects!