Six ways to use buttons

Today, adding buttons to scrapbook layouts has become super popular.  Buttons add charm, color, dimension and personality to your layouts.

You might not have a tin of your grandmother’s buttons, but chances are there are buttons hiding in your catch all (junk) drawer.

Buttons are such a hot scrapbook commodity, that you can now purchase a variety of buttons at a craft store or online.  In this quick guide I’ll give you six different ways to use buttons to create a magnificent look on your layouts!

1.  Create photo frames. 

Tiny buttons are a great way to create special frames for your photos and journaling blocks.  Simply glue the buttons onto cardboard mats and center over your photos.  The frames will give dimension and texture to your layouts.  By being selective with your colors, you can help pull the overall theme together.  Here are some examples:

• Layout with a baby boy theme – use blue buttons or teddy bear shaped buttons
• Wedding layout – glue buttons onto a piece of ribbon or lace and use as a border
• Layout of past generations – use antique looking buttons or pearl buttons
• Halloween layout – alternate black and orange buttons
• Easter layout – alternate green, pink and yellow buttons

2.  Include buttons as part of your title designs.

Usually a lot of thought is put into creating the title of a layout.  For added charm, include buttons.  You might want to use just one button as the dot for the letter “i”, create the first letter out of buttons, or just tuck a button into the title here and there.

3.  Add a fun touch to layout shapes.

Incorporating buttons with shapes and cut-outs can turn a simple design into one that adds a special flair to the overall layout.  Some ideas to consider are:

• Add a button to the top of a Christmas tree
• Use buttons on the front of a snowman
• Place a button as the center of a flower
• Use red buttons for a ladybug
• Yellow buttons can become the flames on birthday candles
• Draw a green stem and add two red buttons as cherries
• You can even add a button to a die cut!  This is a super easy way to give your layout a whimsical touch.
• Make a border out of buttons to divide a page into halves.

4.  Tack items with buttons.

For a fun special effect, use a button to “tack” photos, journaling blocks, etc. to your layout.  Just as you tack items onto a real bulletin board, your items can randomly be placed onto the layout.  There’s no need to keep straight lines.

5.  Utilize clear buttons.

Can’t find the right button for your layout?  Clear buttons to the rescue!  Find a scrap of patterned paper and adhere it to the back of the button.  This is especially a good idea if your scrapbook contains a lot of one color; the patterned button will add a little of other colors to the page.

6.  Enhance stamped images.

Want to create an elegant looking layout?  In one of the corners use floral and vine stamps.  As you color in the stamped images with green and one other color, include a few buttons of the same color.  The buttons will help your images pop and will look stunning.

A few things to keep in mind…

Buttons come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors.  It’s best to use buttons that have a flat-back to them.  This makes it much easier to adhere the buttons to the layout and won’t cause the layout to look bumpy.  Glue dots work well to adhere buttons to your layout.  For a special touch, you might want to actually sew a piece of thread through the button holes so that it appears that the buttons have been sewn onto the layout.
If you don’t have a lot of buttons on hand, consider:

• Asking friends to save the extra buttons that come with new clothes
• Going to a thrift store and look for cheap clothing that have fun buttons
• Ordering a bag of mixed buttons from an online craft store.  Some stores actually sell scrapbook buttons which are thinner than most regular buttons.
• Checking out garage sales that advertise sewing items

Including a few buttons in your scrapbook layout will turn an ordinary layout into a magnificent one.  As you put your layout together, experiment by placing buttons in different areas of the layout.  Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect spot for a button or two.
As with any type of embellishment, be careful not to overdo with the buttons.  Let the buttons enhance your layout, not detract from it.   Be creative and have fun!

12 ways of using your household goods

Looking for some fresh ideas for your scrapbook layouts?  You might have just what you need right in your home!  Cardboard, unwanted clothes, twist-ties, and leftover party decorations are just a few of the top twelve household items you can use as scrapbooking embellishments for your layouts!

# 1 – Cardboard.

Chances are you have quite a bit of cardboard in your home.  Whenever you do a mail order, it’s usually shipped in a cardboard box.
Cereal boxes and the backing of a pad of paper provide thin cardboard.  With a little bit of paint, glitter, or patterned paper, you can use cardboard to create a dimensional title for your layout, funky frames, or showcase your journaling.

# 2 -Cookie Cutters.

Cookie cutters aren’t just for the kitchen!  Use a round cookie cutter to create Christmas ornaments for a layout, Halloween cookie cutters to create fun shapes for a Halloween scene, or a flower cookie cutter to make journaling shapes for a garden layout.  For added fun, trace around the edges of your designs with glitter glue.

# 3 – Duct Tape.

Most people claim that duct tape can fix most anything, and that holds true for scrapbook layouts!  If you haven’t purchased duct tape in awhile, the next time you’re at the store, check it out!  Stores still sell the silver colored tape, but you’ll also find bright solids colors, stripes and even floral duct tape!
Imagine the fun you can have adding colorful duct tape to your layouts.  You’ll be able to create borders, photo frames, make a flower garden, or cut the tape into small pieces and use as confetti.

# 4 – Foil.

Want to brighten up your layout?  Add some foil!  Cut a thin piece of cardboard into a shape or letter and cover it with foil.  Add glitter or sequins for extra sparkle.

# 5 – Index Cards.

Colored index cards can be used for journaling blocks.  Add a couple of tiny stickers or glue twine around the edges to change an ordinary card into a creative journaling block.

# 6 – Leftover Party Decorations.

Leftover party napkins, paper tablecloths and cardboard decorations make great embellishments for scrapbook layouts.  Cut out the designs and add them onto your page.  If the tablecloth has an interesting border, cut a strip of it to be used as your layout border.  Also, don’t forget that your used gift bags and wrapping paper can also be used for your layouts.  Quite often gift bags will have die-cuts attached which can be an instant embellishment.

# 7 – Magazines.

Cutting out letters, words or phrases from a magazine is an awesome way of adding a unique look to your layout.  If you’re going to spell out a name or a title, use letters of various sizes and styles.  Words or phrases can be used as captions for your photos.  If you don’t have magazines, check out the flyers that come in the mail or the newspaper.

# 8 – Magnetic Letters.

If you have kids at home, chances are you have 1″ or 2″ magnetic letters on your refrigerator door.  Use these letters as templates to help create a title, word or monogram for your scrapbook layout.  Letters can be made out of patterned paper scraps, bright envelopes that come in the mail, comic strips, or any other paper that you have.

# 9 – Nail Polish.

Do you have a bottle of nail polish that’s almost empty?  Use the nail polish to paint brass fasteners.  The fasteners will look adorable as “tacks” for your photos.

# 10 – Toothbrush.

Instead of throwing out your old toothbrush, give it a good cleaning and then use it to add flair to your layout.  Scribble on wax paper with a marker and add a few drops of water.  Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and flick the paint onto your layout.

# 11 – Twist-ties.

Don’t toss out the twist-ties that come on a loaf of bread!  Use the ties as a stamp.  Gently press a tie onto an ink pad and then press it against your layout.  This technique will provide an interesting look to your layout.  You can use the ties to emphasize a title or to create whimsical stems for flowers.  Other items, such as a clean dry sponge, cork, a potato or an eraser can be used as a stamp as well.

# 12 – Unwanted clothes.

Do you have some clothing that you couldn’t even give away at a garage sale?  Use it for your layouts.  Adding material to layouts has become super hot this season.  Whether it’s satin, velvet, lace, plaid, floral…the possibilities are endless.  Also, the ribbons, buttons or patches can be used as embellishments as well.
More and more scrapbookers are looking for ways to utilize household items into their layouts.  Not only does this cut down on scrapbooking expenses, it’s also a great way of using items that might eventually be tossed out otherwise.

Recycled ways with Old Jeans

Don't throw away your worn-out jeans! Recycle them into bags, toys, and other items.  With these fun and easy projects, you'll be able to put those well-loved jeans to use in ways you couldn't imagine.

 

1. To reduce your paper consumption AND protect your hands, make a coffee cup cozy from two layers of denim. Just measure, cut and sew. Use rick rack or contrasting fabric at the edge for a cute touch.   
2. Turn old jeans into handy (har har har) pot holders. 
3. Cover a bulletin board with the denim if you can't stand the sight of cork anymore. 
4. Glue a magnet onto the back of jean pockets for a handy place to stash on your fridge. 
5. Turn each pant leg into a handy lunch sack 
6. Make a pocket organizer. Cut off the ends of pant legs and stitch the cut side closed to make a pocket. Arrange six of these pockets on a sturdy piece of poster board and hang from a door for a handy organizer. Or, attach loops of demin to the pockets and hang from a bar. 
7. Turn your old jeans into a cute utility belt/apron 
8. Make a bucket for your yarn skeins or other craft supplies with a pair of jeans. 
9. Denim makes a great, sturdy material for pet toys
10. Create a water-bottle holder with shoulder strap and cute pockets 
11. Use the leg of a pair of jeans to sew up a draft stopper. 
12. Strips of old jeans can be crocheted into a bag or even a rug.  
13. Use the leg of a pair of old jeans to create a yoga bag.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Green-Crafting/14-Things-to-Do-with-Old-Jeans/ml/1/&utm_source=ppl-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=quickandcrafty20130927#CylAucUL5YSelw9b.99

The best scrap tips

Here are the seven hot techniques you should be using on your layouts this year!

# 1 – Incorporate weaving.

One of the hottest techniques being used for scrapbook layouts is weaving.  Remember as a little kid in school the teacher would have you weave strips of construction paper into a large piece of construction paper that had slits?  Using the same concept, you can incorporate weaving into your layout.
Whether you choose to weave a border, photo frames, or different shades of green to add grass to a page, weaving adds a fun texture and look to your layout.
Although you can use construction paper to weave with, experiment with different materials, such as:  patterned scrapbook paper, wallpaper, ribbon or durable wrapping paper.  If you use a small weave, you can adhere your weaving to pre-cut stock paper to create most any design.  For example, flower petals look stunning made out of weaving.

# 2 – Embellish with buttons.

More and more, buttons are becoming a huge hit in the world of scrapbooking.  You can embellish your layout in so many different ways with the use of just a few buttons.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• create a border for one or more sides of your layout
• use buttons for the center of flowers
• make button borders for photos and journaling blocks
• add a monogram made out of buttons
• fill an empty space with two or three different buttons

Chances are you already have buttons, especially if you buy clothing that includes extra buttons.  If you need to buy buttons, you can actually purchase buttons that are made for scrapbooking.  These buttons are usually thinner than regular buttons.  You’ll also find a wide selection of themed buttons, such as hearts, frogs or smiley faces.

# 3 – Jazz your layout with patterned tape.

Patterned tape, such as the designs created by Washi Tape strips, is super hot in scrapbooking!  You can quickly add borders, fill in an empty space, or create photo mats with patterned tape.  Floral, checkered and stripes are the most popular choices of tape.

# 4 – Add glitz and glam!

 Are you drawn to scrapbooking paper that has glitter?  It’s easy to create the same effect with your favorite scrapbooking paper.  Choose different shapes on the paper, add clear glue, and sprinkle with glitter!  Also, adding flat craft gems, sequins and pearl accents will give your layouts lots of glitz and glam!

# 5 – Recycle it. 

With more and more people choosing to “go green” and wanting to find new purposes for items that would’ve been typically thrown away, using recycled items in scrapbook layouts is becoming hugely popular!  Here are some fun examples of products that you probably have at your home:

• Cut out the inner circle from plastic container tops and use as photo mats.
• Make titles out of cardboard.  You’ll need to use an exacto knife to cut out each letter.
• Turn unused envelopes that come with your bills and advertisements into confetti.
• Cut out designs from the leftover holiday paper napkins.
• For small weaving projects, weave strips of candy bar wrappers together.  This will add a fun touch of bright shinny colors.

# 6 – Mix and match patterns.

For many years, scrapbookers focused on coordinating patterns and colors for each layout.  One of the hottest trends now is to mix it up!!!
Try blending polka dots and plaids together, or how about mixing different shades of orange and reds together?  By sticking with two main patterns or two colors, you’ll be surprised at how well they can work together.

# 7 – Include texture.

Texture is a huge appeal to so many people.  How often when you go shopping, do you like to touch items and feel the texture?
Whether you’re scrapbooking a card, a mini scrapbook, or a scrapbook page, adding texture will make a big difference in your layout.  Burlap, textured wallpaper, sandpaper, lace, and corduroy have been super popular choices this year.
Embellishments can provide texture as well.  Tiny hearts, silk flowers, brass tacks and tiny pom poms are fun choices.  If you’re creating a layout that will be kept in a plastic sleeve, then you need to be sure to choose embellishments that aren’t too bulky.  However, if you’re making holiday cards, then you don’t have to be as concerned.

One of the key ingredients in creating an awesome scrapbook layout, is to experiment with new ideas!  Even if you have your favorite template, just by adding new textures, glitter or a little bit of a weaving, can make a huge difference.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns or putting together two colors that typically are kept separate.  Implement some of these scrapbooking techniques and you’ll be onboard with this year’s new trends!

Scrapbook Sketches

What are you generally like when it comes to scrapbooking?  Are you a motivated person to complete pages quickly or intend to take hours to finish one layout.  The best way to complete layout quickly to plan your layouts and photos together.  The best way to help is to use scrapbooking sketches which you can be found online at most scrapbook business or in books today.

I have been using this method for a while now and it's the best way to complete more pages at a meet.  But because I am in the processing of moving address, I haven't scrap for a while.  Once I settle at my new address I will get back into scrapbooking then. 

From simple to elegant

Just a quick blog to give more tips for scrapbookers who need abit more inspiration or lost their mojo after winter was here.

Ways to get your simple layouts to more elegant pages.  This would suit a more particular theme if you are scrapbooking for someone special.

1. Use patterned paper as your background paper to give your layout an extra dimension.  Beware on how busy your photo is. I found it's easier to mount your photos onto plain cardstock first before adding to the patterned background.

2.  Either hand or machine sew your page layout to give it more a homely feel.

3.  Add quotes to your layouts.  Either from recycled greeting cards, quote stickers or goggle search quotes.  Some website addresses are good resources to seek quotes, phrases or peoms to add a sentimental touch to your layouts.

More tips

I joined a new scrap group on facebook last week and the host of this group list interesting scrap tips for members to read. I view a video recently and it was all about how to get a good album completed. I think this would suit more a beginner to scrapbooking.

1 To save your memorabilia, it is recommend to scan the originals to be able to reduce the size to print and scrap

2 To store 3D pages, it is recommend to use a ring bind folder albums. Do not overfill your album and keep your album stored upright.

3 Match your paper or cardstock with your photos. For eg: For a plain photo (only one image), use a printed papers. If your photo is busy (ie more then one image), use plain paper or cardstock in work.

4 It is recommended to journal your pages but not everyone is into journaling a lot on one page. She recommended to have a hidden journal set up on either a tag or envelope in a pocket set up somewhere on your page. But I was told elsewhere, you can journal on the back of your album page (if you using more a ring binder kind of albums)

5 Understand what acid free really means. If your print your photos at home or add memorabilia direct to the album, she suggested to use PRESERVE IT SPRAY. She didn’t say how much this cost but I guess you can get it from your local craft store. She did point out it is not recommended to use acid free glue sticks because the work won’t be adhesive down for very long. She suggested to use adhesive squares on your work. Don’t lose your mojo creativity!