Product Spotlight: Stickles

I LOVE Stickles! They are GREAT for accenting. They add just enough texture/interest and bling. They come in SO many different colors, but I only use one (stardust) because I can add it over ANY color and it just adds some glitter interest, letting the original color show through.

Anyways, here's a few examples of them in action. On the first I 'stickled' a snowflake that I cut out from a patterned paper (and then I added a ghost snowflake over the top of it) and on the second I traced a pattern in the patterned paper to accent it with glitter.

I'd LOVE to see your creations using stickles -- please share!

you can find Stickles in the shop here:
http://stores.scrappersxchangetheshop.com/-strse-adhesives/Categories.bok

duping pages- digi pages :)

created these pages this morning- WOW, 4 pages in a day??? actually 6 (will post soon)! lol- just loving digi scrapping...

AND, these pages were quick- why??? simply because i copied the layers from one 2page layout to another patterned paper! YES- make different duplicate pages in a jiffy! this is definitely where digi scrapping comes in handy for the upcoming holidays! and hello??? i simply flipped the one patterned paper to make the 2nd page!!!

my steps in pse6:
- created the pages using layers for each element
ie: 'livin on the edge' title, green star, filmstrip, pictures, border strips
- in the layers palette, select all the layers EXCEPT the background
(background should be the patterned paper)
- open up new patterned paper
(make sure it's the same size as your current page)
- copy the selected layers to the new patterned paper
(if able, simply drag elements to the new paper- HOWEVER, copying to the new paper will place the elements EXACTLY as they are positioned on the original... how cool is that???)

joila- you've got a 'new' page! and just do the following for the 2nd layout (remember to flip horizontally the 2nd paper so that it mirrors the 1st) and you're done... can you imagine doing this for one album and then recreating new albums with different papers??? it'll be a snap to get out 'different' gift albums for family and friends.

hope this helps- ENJOY :)

Technique: Using sketches for variety

I found this amazing sketch on another site and wanted to share it with you, and share a few different ways i interpreted it. First the sketch I found here http://lgoldhawk.blogspot.com/ I immediately was drawn to it, and made several layouts of it. One thing to keep in mind is that when i made these layouts, i didn't even make any major alterations. You could just as easily flip the sketch upside down, or to one side, or whatever! Sketches are so flexible and fun!


And here are the layouts I made using this sketch.



How many layouts can you make from one sketch? Give it a shot with this or another sketch! I'd LOVE it if you would post your creations here!!!

thanks,
Rebecca

Digiscrapping tips...

Digiscrapping is definitely making its mark in scrapbooking- and why not??? Who wouldn’t love to customize and reuse elements or never run out of alphabets??? Nope, haven’t given up traditional- LOVE to get my hands dirty… but for quick pages or projects to share, this is definitely the route to go!

First off- if you’re a newbie, DON’T buy digital goodies… there are TONS of freebies out there! Just to name a few… shabbyprincess.com, twopeaseinabucket, and designerdigitals.com, and for fonts, kevinandamanda.com Just like scrapbook goodies, digi goodies also add up! Try working with freebie kits as they are PACKED with papers, embellishments, alphabets, etc… you won’t be at a loss of goodies. AND, they are cute! Not junkie just cause they’re free…

Digi organizing tips…
- create a folder for you digi stuff (keep all your digi stuff in this main folder)
- create a folder of the site/designer and keep all downloads from the site/designer in the folder
- download the terms of use (tou) so you know the limitations of how you can use the digital designs… MOST are for personal use only, while some allow commercial use with limits (sales using designs, use on a commercial site, etc…) **each designer has their own tou as well, so would keep that within the folder for the designer
- keep the kits in their own folders within the site folders
- download the image of the kits in the site folder for a quick look **I also suggest a copy in the respective kit folders for a quick look of the elements
- keep zip files of kits in a ‘zip files’ folder **rename zip files if necessary, ie: pea- adore

**if you have it- keep a copy of digi stuff folder in an external harddrive OR even a thumdrive to keep it handy**

my step-by-step for KIT downloading… (site/designer folder already created with tou)
- download the zip files for the kits
- download the image for the kits
**rename the items by kit if necessary- should the name be a number, suggest adding the actual kit name to the end of the current name to correspond with the zip files**
- unzip the kits (new folder is created and name the folder with the kit name)
- copy/paste the kit image into the kit folder
- cut/paste kit folder and kit image into site folder

**keep personal and commercial kits/elements separate…
will help to know what’s what when creating your project**

for more indepth organization… create folders for individual elements, ie: brushes, stamps, overlays, papers, buttons, metals, ribbon, etc… just as you would organize your scrappy goodies, you want to know what digi goodies you have! you can even further categorize within the ‘main’ folder by color, shape, etc…

hope these tips helps! The next step is viewing all these new digi goodies… ENJOY :)

Turning magnets into cute embellishments

Since having a little boy (who's now a TODDLER!!!) I've been on the hunt for cute, BOY embellishments (I can NOT bring myself to use the ever popular flowers on his pages!!!). I was browsing Target yesterday and found these really cute magnets for only $1! They reminded me of those really expensive rubber embellishments. When I saw them in the store I wondered if you could remove the magnet and use them for my pages. So, I bought them just to see. It turned out to be easier then I thought! Also, as a warning, I don't care much about the acid free-ness of these -- but if you are, well...then you might be better off using these on your fridge!!

Step 1 - Get your magnets. See, aren't these cute?

Step 2 - Remove magnets and inspect the back of them. These just had a layer of magnet on the back. Looks easy to remove!

Step 3 - I stuck my fingernail under the magnet part and peeled it up. Easy!!

Step 4 - Remove the magnet completely. My magnet didn't leave ANY stickiness on the back of the rubber, but if it does I'm sure a baby wipe would clean it up nicely.

Step 5 - Here's the little 'embellishment' ready to use on your page. I plan on just using glue dots to stick mine to my pages! Now I have some really cute, BOYISH embellishments to use on my next page for Trevor!!

Printed Kraft paper

Ok, this is just a small tidbit, but I thought i'd share in case anyone else might benefit... Do you ever end up with kraft paper that's printed, and not really your style, or just doesn't match well with what you'd like to do with it? I have discovered that if you have a printed Kraft paper, say by Scenic Route, the flip side of the paper looks the same as the front. So instead of letting that baby sit around and collect dust you can use it for pretty much ANYTHING! And Kraft paper is so fun and versatile, and just makes colors pop right off the page!!

Rebecca

Some more examples of using the WRMK Flock/Glitter Rub-ons

These have been fun to work with. I love both the flocking and glittering results that I've gotten. Great, even coverage, and it was SUPER EASY!

Here's a layout (the word MY is made using the flocking) and a card (the HI uses the glitter) for examples:

Both the layout and the card feature the NEW Sassafras Lass Woodland Whimsy line that you can find at SX here:

http://stores.scrappersxchangetheshop.com/-strse-patterned-papers-cln-sassafras-lass/Categories.bok

Technique: Using Adhesive Rub-ons

Here's a step by step tutorial on using the We R Memory Keepers Adhesive Rub-ons with Glitter :)

These are VERY fun and easy to use. WAY easier then using the loose glitter (and WAY WAY less messy!!).

Step 1 - Choose your letters and cut them out of the backing sheet

Step 2 - Place your letters on the paper and rub them as you normally would do any other rub-ons (make sure they are COMPLETELY transferred because if they aren't the glue will stretch (but these rub-on easily, it shouldn't be a problem)). Remove the backing sheet but BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET ANYTHING TOUCH THE RUB-ONS (they are sticky!!!)

Step 3 - Choose your 'topping' (Foil, Flocking, or Glitter). I chose glitter.

Step 4 - Place your topping sheet over the rub-ons that you already rubbed-on and rub-on again.

Step 5 - Enjoy! These are VERY easy and virtually NO MESS!!

Please share ANY projects using these!! I'd love to see them!!

Technique: Stamping on flowers

I discovered this fun technique this week, and sadly i do NOT remember WHERE i found it, but anyway, the technique is stamping on a flower. I used one of those giant Heidi swapp flowers. its layered over a metal frame and crate paper brand paper, to make a trifold card. I think this technique is pretty failsafe... just stamp all over it! fun stuff :-)

Rebecca

Teresa Collins SPOOKTACULAR Album Kit

This is on Pre-order (ETA They are IN STOCK NOW!!!) here at SX: http://stores.scrappersxchangetheshop.com/-strse-1954/kittc-halloween/Detail.bok

I wanted to link you all to more detailed pictures and instuctions for putting together this mini album. It looks amazing, doesn't it?
http://www.productperformers.com/images/halloweenfinal.pdf

I just LOVE the Halloween line the Teresa Collins did, it's great! I love the paper with the circles the most, and I can't wait to punch/cut them out and have fun with them!

Anyways, I hope this helps you decide to purchase the album kit here at SX!!! :)

tidBit- cricut tip...

do you love your cricut? use it often or alot??? sure you've gone through some of the cutting mats by now- but here's a tip for you!

heard of wacky tack? it's a GREAT repositionable adhesive that will solve your cricut mat replacement and put it to a complete stop!

this little bottle is going to be THE answer for saving $$$ on cutting mats... apply as directed- i simply just swipe a thin layer with the dabber topped adhesive to the mat, spread it out a bit with the wacky widget (comes with the product), and wait a bit to dry (it's a quick dry adhesive) and JOILA! it's a rejuvenated cutting mat with a tack that LASTS LONGER than when you first bought it!

get a bottle and see for yourself- it's great for making sticky notes, other repositionable goodies, AND for your scrapbook projects. should you be one that tends to rearrange a layout after adhering, this little puppy will NOT ruin your projects and once placed will NOT come off until you take it off! AND the bottle lasts forever- LOVE it!