Heat Embossing Lesson

Heat Embossing Lesson 

Tools needed for this lesson:
Rubber stamps
Embossing powders -
Colored embossing powder embosses your image in the color of the powder.
Clear embossing powder can be used over colored pigment inks to allow the color of the ink to show through.

Pearl embossing powder gives a pearlescent sheen over colored inks.
Embossing tinsel contains glitter and adds sparkle to the embossed image.
Embossing foil creates a smooth, shiny look of foil.


Embossing antiquities and golds give a texturized faux finish such as verdigris stone or antique gold. There are many different finishes available.

Detail embossing powder is an extremely fine-grained powder for use on very detailed images. The smaller granules stick to smaller detailed areas and preserve small details when the powder is heated and melts.

Embossing enamel is a large-grained embossing powder which is used to create thicker embossing and more textured looks.

Embossing inks are clear and used mostly for heat embossing. They are available in pads or pens. Some embossing inks also have refills available to refill your pad with ink when it runs out of ink or becomes too dry. Using embossing pens, you can write words or draw an image to emboss rather than stamping. Use embossing pens to color in small areas of a stamp instead of inking the entire stamp.

Pigment inks may also be used for embossing. Pigment inks do not dry immediately like dye inks, allowing time to sprinkle embossing powder on the wet ink.
Heat embossing tool (gun) - This is an essential tool for proper heat embossing. The heat gun heats to melt the embossing powder at around 200-300º F. Various tools are available in several price ranges. (A standard hair dryer will not be hot enough to emboss the powder.)
Lesson:

Basic Heat Embossing - Basic heat embossing is easy to do; there are five basic steps. First, ink the stamp with embossing ink. Then stamp the image where you want it to be placed on the paper. Pour embossing powder onto the stamped image while it is still wet. By creating a funnel with your paper, pour the excess powder off the paper and put it back into the jar. Using a heat gun, heat the image just until the powder melts and becomes shiny. This happens fairly quickly, so be careful not to overheat. Heating for too long will result in a dull, flat finish instead of the raised, shiny finish you desire.


Clear Embossing - This technique works best on darker papers. First, stamp an image with a clear embossing ink. Then sprinkle clear embossing powder over the entire image. Pour any excess powder back into the jar. Use a heat gun to heat the image. You now have a subtle image that allows the color of your paper to show through.

Over Embossing - Stamp and color an image on your paper. Then, sprinkle clear embossing powder over the image. Heat your image from beneath the paper with your heat gun until the powder has melted. Sprinkle additional clear embossing powder over the image and heat from beneath again. Continue adding layers of embossing powder and melting them until you have a shiny, smooth surface. It will resemble lacquer.

Double Embossing - Stamp and heat emboss an image. Color the image using colored pencils, markers, or chalks. Brush or sponge clear embossing ink onto the colored areas of the design. Sprinkle the wet ink with clear embossing powder and heat until the powder melts and is shiny.

Multi-color Embossing - Ink a stamp with pigment ink or a clear embossing ink.  Sprinkle one color of embossing powder on part of the image, then sprinkle another color of embossing powder on a different part of the image. Continue sprinkling different colors of embossing powders until the entire inked image is covered with the powders. Shake off the excess powder and heat emboss the image to create a multi-colored embossed image.

Resist Embossing - Use a colored marker over the entire area to be stamped. One or many colors may be used.  Make sure the ink from your marker is completely dry before stamping your image on top of it. Stamp an image on the colored area with clear embossing ink.

Next, sprinkle clear embossing powder over the stamped image. Heat emboss the image with you heating tool. Finally, use a sponge to dab black ink over the design. The ink will not stick to the clear embossing, and you will have a “resist” design.

Embossing Enamel - One layer of this embossing enamel produces a bumpy finish. Two or three coats of embossing powder will produce a smooth surface. Try building up several layers to create a very thick surface and then stamp an image into it.

Just as with other embossing methods, stamp an image with embossing ink and emboss it with a heat tool. When using embossing enamel, it is best to heat from beneath the paper. Melting pots are available, or try using an electric fry pan or small teflon-coated crock pot to dip items in the melted embossing enamel.

Thick embossing enamel can be cut into shapes with scissors or a cookie cutter. Glitter, tiny beads, or metal confetti can also be sprinkled between coats of hot embossing enamel to give dimension and sparkle to the enamel.

Eyelets Lesson

Eyelets Lesson 

Tools needed for this lesson:
Hammer
Eyelets
Eyelet setter
"Anywhere" hole punch
Hard work surface
Cutting mat

Eyelet setters come in a variety of styles, but they all function in the same way. If you have an opportunity to try using various setters, you can see which style you prefer. An "anywhere" hole punch is a metal tool with a round, open end. They come in multiple sizes to create various sizes of holes. Each size of an "anywhere" hole punch will be used with the corresponding eyelets in that size. In contrast to a regular hole punch, an "anywhere" hole punch allows you to punch a hole anywhere on your page. You will not be restricted by the reach of the punch. These are especially helpful when you want to use eyelets in the center of your page.

Lesson:
Setting Eyelets - Once you know how to set eyelets, finding uses for them is easy. To set an eyelet, first make pencil marks where you want your eyelets to go on your page or embellishment. This will help you space them correctly and know where to make your holes for the eyelets.

Place the tip of the "anywhere" hole punch on top of the marked dot. Then tap the hammer on the end of the hole punch. You will probably want to practice this a few times to get a feel for how hard you need to hit the hole punch with the hammer in order to cut the paper. Cardstock and heavier paper will take more of a “whack” than regular patterned paper. When you lift the hole punch off the page, there should be a hole where your mark was.

Next, place the eyelet in the hole. Holding the eyelet in place, flip your paper over so that you are looking at the backside of the project and the eyelet is sticking through the hole.

Place the tip of your eyelet setter into the back of the eyelet. Tap the hammer on the end of the eyelet setter three or four times until the sides of the eyelet start to flatten. Again, you’ll want to practice this a few times to get a feel for how many and how hard your whacks should be.

Once your eyelets have flattened out, they are often still pretty bulky. Give them a couple of taps with the hammer to flatten them out completely, and to protect the page behind it in the page protector.

Turn your project over and enjoy your finished product!

Nested Eyelets – Since eyelets come in multiple shapes and sizes, they can often fit inside each other to create a "nested" look. To set a pair of nested eyelets, slide the smaller eyelet inside the hole of the larger one before putting both eyelets through the hole in your paper.

Flip your paper over, just as if you were setting only one eyelet, and then place your setter in the center of the smaller eyelet. Pound the setter with your hammer a few times, and both eyelets should set at once, linking them together and adhering them to the paper in one easy step. Nested eyelets look great when using a larger shaped eyelet, such as a scalloped flower and a smaller round eyelet, to create the center of the flower.

Embellishments Lesson

Embellishments Lesson

Tools needed for this lesson: 

Raid your craft boxes and art and office supplies for some great scrapbook embellishments! The sky’s the limit.
Glue dots and strong liquid glue are great adhesives for bulkier embellishments.

Lesson:

The list of items you can use as embellishments for your scrapbook pages goes on and on. Here are a few common (and a few not-so-common) embellishments and some quick ideas on how to use them to decorate your scrapbook pages:

Alphabet Tiles – Use tiles from an old game of Scrabble® for a title on your page. You can also buy imitation alphabet tiles that look similar to Scrabble® letters that come on a sheet of cardstock. Create your own alphabet tiles by printing your letters on cardstock and cutting them into small rectangles. Chalk the edges and you’ve got homemade alphabet tiles without the bulk. Take it a step further, and include different colors of paper and font styles. Use foam adhesive behind your letter tiles to make the letters look three-dimensional.

Beads – String them on wire or thread to create a frame or other design for your page. Glue individual beads to your page to use as confetti, grains of sand, or eyes on a paper doll or paper piecing. You can find beads in craft stores and scrapbook stores in all different colors, sizes and shapes. The possibilities are endless! Mix and match sizes of beads for variety. Attach strings of beads in the same way in which you attach wire.

Beaded Trim – Beaded trim is becoming more and more popular. This ribbon trim has strings of beads hanging from it and can be purchased in craft and sewing stores. It can be found in all sorts of colors and styles with beautiful beads and sequins. Use them to add some pizzazz to a frame, or to create a border on your page.

Brads – Brads are an easy embellishment! Just poke a hole in your paper, stick the brad through the hole and press down the tabs to make it stay. They now come in various colors, shapes and sizes. Use brads to hold down vellum or tags, as the center of letters, or to create a hinged journaling box.

Buttons – Do you have a stash of buttons from your sewing box? They make fantastic embellishments for scrapbook pages! Sew them onto your page with embroidery thread or wire, or glue them to your page. They make great decorative elements and because of the variety of shapes and sizes, they can be used in countless ways. Create borders of buttons in various colors, button-centered flowers, frames, photo corners, and more!

Charms – Charms aren’t just for bracelets anymore. They can dangle on your page and tell a story all by themselves. Charms are detailed metal embellishments that can be found in shapes and themes that fit your life and photos perfectly. Depending on the style of charm you are using, they can be attached with thread, wire or glue and will add an elegant aspect to your layout.

Die Cuts – Whether you choose a basic die cut, or a laser cut die cut with intricate details, die cuts make great additions to your layouts. They are a very quick embellishment and can be decorated with chalks, gems, eyelets, stitching and other materials to add even more detail. They come in a variety of colors and themes and you’ll be amazed at some of the details in the laser cut die cuts.

Embroidered Patches – Look for embroidered patches in the sewing aisles of your craft store or in scrapbook stores. Many embroidered patches are self-adhering and can be added to your scrapbook pages in seconds. There are often detailed patches that are available in multiple themes.

Eyelets – Eyelets are also a fabulous addition to your page. In the eyelet section of this CD, we’ve mentioned some great ways of using them, as well as instructions on how to set them.

Fibers – Beautiful and delicate fibers can be found in rich, gorgeous colors and designs and are a wonderful addition to your scrapbook layouts. Use fiber as borders, frames, to tie tags to your page, to hang charms, or to wrap letters in a title.

Gems – Gems add a bit of sparkle to your pages and can be glued directly to your project. They can also be found in craft and scrapbooking stores and are perfect decorations for royal pages and a princess’s crown. These can also be found in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes to fit your needs.

Glitter – Glitter sold in scrapbook stores is very fine and brilliant in color. A little bit of glitter can really dress up a sticker, title, or die cut in seconds. A liquid glue, or tacky two-sided tape works wonderfully to create beautiful designs using glitter.

Mesh – Whether you use self adhesive mesh, a piece of screen, or any other kind of mesh material, the unique texture and design adds wonderful borders and backgrounds to your layouts.

Micro Beads – Micro beads are small beads that are glued to layouts and embellishments using tacky two-sided tape or a liquid glue. They are used to add texture and color and can add a fun touch to your pages.

Nail Heads – Nail heads look similar to brads from the front, but they have small prongs that go through your paper and flatten out on the backside. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors and are a quick and attractive detail to add to your layout.

Paper Clips – They may seem like office supplies to most people, but to scrapbookers, paper clips are unique designs that make wonderful page accents. Paper clips can be found in different shapes and colors, such as triangles, swirls, and squares.

Picture Pebbles – These transparent stones are wonderful ways to magnify small photos and stickers. Simply cut a photo to the size of the stone and glue it directly to the stone using clear drying glue. The shape of the stone slightly magnifies the photo or sticker beneath it, and draws special attention to a small item. These are also used quite often to replicate drops of water or magnify special words in titles or journaling.

Ribbon – Craft stores always have a large section of decorative ribbons in numerous styles. Satin, sheer, printed, and decorative edge ribbons look wonderful on scrapbook pages as borders, bows, frames and accents.
Raffia – Raffia can add another dimension of texture to your page. It can be used as ties for tags, texture behind a photo or title, or as a companion to paper piecings such as corn husks and pumpkins.

Sequins – Sequins are a great way to add some sparkle to your pages. Use strings of sequins as frames or borders, or use individual sequins to decorate and embellish letters, paper-piecings, and other layout elements.

Stickers – When you walk into a scrapbook store, you’re sure to find at least one wall of stickers. With many different styles and themes, there’s a sticker available for nearly any page. Stickers can be used in titles, as decorations on frames, as a border, in mosaic squares, and even as part of your journaling. Many stickers have a clear background, so they blend into your background paper perfectly.

Tags – Just because your layout isn’t a present or an item for sale doesn’t mean tags won’t look great on it. Tags make wonderful embellishments, journaling blocks, photo frames, and title blocks. Use a template, or create your own tags, and decorate them in thousands of ways to create beautiful page elements.

Tinsel – Tinsel, or thinly cut metallic foil, can be used as grass, behind titles, and behind photo mats to add sparkle and texture to your pages. The best way to attach tinsel to your layouts is to use tacky two-sided tape, letting the ends of the tinsel strips fray out from the tape.

Twister – This raffia-like product comes in a thin strip that can be used as is or unrolled to create a wide piece of textured, colored paper ribbon. It can be used to thread through buttons, as borders on a page, to mat a photo in a special way or to use as a background border for other embellishments.

Wire – Sculpted wire is a great way to create a string-type look, without worrying about whether it will keep its shape. Wire can be bent and shaped into all sorts of things and looks great when it is dressed up with beads!

This is not an exhaustive list of embellishments that can be used. Some scrapbookers use non-traditional elements such as twigs, leaves, pressed flowers, doll clothes, and jewelry to decorate their layouts and to help tell the story. Whatever you use, enjoy creating all kinds of variations and new “looks” for your layouts.

NOTE: Most embellishments are safe to use in your scrapbook pages. Be sure to store your albums upright and be careful about what items actually touch your photos. If you are especially worried about your photos being damaged, use double print photographs or create imitation 3-D embellishments using papers.

Dry Embossing Lesson

Dry Embossing  Lesson 

Tools needed for this lesson:
Paper
Light box
Plastic or brass template
Metal and/or wooden embossing stylus

Lesson:

Dry Embossing on Paper - Dry embossing is easy with a few simple tools. Start by choosing a template and the type of paper or metal to emboss. Since you are creating a raised design using the thickness of the template as a guide, thicker templates such as brass or thick plastic work best. Thin templates will work, however it is harder to create a defined design with them. They also bend more easily, which can make embossing with them more difficult. Dry embossing produces the best results when using cardstock, vellum or scrap metal as the embossed material.

Depending on the design and paper you use, the type of embossing tool needed will vary. Small details require a metal or wooden embossing tool with a small tip. The small tip allows you to follow the detailed curves and sharp points of a design. A metal embossing stylus with small metal balls on either end works best for dry embossing on paper. When embossing on scrap metal, a wooden stylus with a flat and wide tip on one end as well as a small and pointed tip on the other end works very well. A metal stylus tends to rip through the metal much more quickly than the soft wooden stylus.

Once you have chosen your template, material and tool, it’s time to start embossing. If you have chosen to emboss on paper, put the template underneath your paper. It’s best to use a light box or a window underneath the template and paper in order to see the outline of the template through the paper. Light colored cardstock is easier to use because you can see where the template is located underneath the paper.

Be sure that the template is placed face down, so that when you look at the backside you see the reversed image of what you want to emboss. For example, when embossing with a lettering template, the letters should appear backwards while you are embossing them. You’ll be working from the backside of the paper. When you turn your paper over, the letter will be embossed facing the correct direction. There’s nothing more frustrating than embossing a letter backwards right onto your paper!

Once you have the template and paper lined up, apply pressure to the paper with one hand to keep it in place and trace the outline of the design with the embossing tool using your other hand. Press hard enough with the embossing tool to make an indentation in the paper, but be careful not to poke a hole through the paper. Learning the correct amount of pressure to use takes a bit of practice, and will depend on the thickness and type of the material you are embossing.

Once you have outlined the design, you can lightly “color in” the middle sections of the design. Use the larger end of the embossing tool to press the center of the design. Using soft pressure and going over the area multiple times will help avoid harsh indentation marks in the center of your design. This will raise the entire design, rather than just the outline.

When you are finished, flip your paper over, and you’ll see an embossed image on your paper. This can be left as is, or decorated with pens, chalks, glitter, or other embellishments.

Dry Embossing on Metal - Metal embossing is done with a slightly different process. Since metal is not translucent, and is much thicker than paper, you can emboss with the template on top of the metal, instead of underneath.

You’ll need a soft surface to work on. A soft foam pad, such as a mouse pad, works wonderfully to allow enough “give” to emboss the metal sheet. Place your scrap metal face down on the foam pad. Again, you will be working on the backside of the metal.

Next, place your template face-down on top of the scrap metal. Using the small end of the wooden stylus, outline the design of the template. Be sure to hold your template down firmly to keep it from slipping.

Once you have embossed the outline, use the wider end of the wooden stylus to press the center of the design. Use soft pressure and go over the area multiple times to avoid harsh indentation marks in the center of your design. Flip your scrap metal over to reveal your design. To create a more defined outline, use the small end of your wooden stylus or the small metal ball end of your metal stylus and carefully outline the raised image. This will give the raised image some added definition.

Mats and Frames Lesson

Mats and Frames Lesson 

Tools needed for this lesson: 

Paper
Paper trimmer
Embellishments

Mats and frames can be made using a wide variety of tools and products, depending on how you decide to decorate them. You can also purchase pre-made frames with various designs that look great by themselves, or when embellished and decorated.

Lesson:

Creating a Simple Mat - To create a simple mat for a square or rectangle photograph, it is easiest to use your paper trimmer. Stick your photo to the background paper with repositionable adhesive. Leave an equal border on two sides to use as a guide to create an even mat all the way around the photo. If you are not comfortable with “eyeing” the measurements, you can use a ruler to measure an equal distance around each side of the photograph. Draw small pencil marks where you would like to cut the other two sides of the mat. Line the pencil marks up with the blade on the paper trimmer and trim the mat.

Matting Odd Shapes - If you are creating a mat for an odd shaped photo, letter or journaling block, you can use matting discs which allow you to draw an even mat for your photo.

A matting disc is a thin metal disc with a hole in the center for your pencil point. To use it, put your pencil point in the hole and roll the disc around the outside edge of the element you are matting, using your photograph as the guide. Your pencil will create a border around the item that is an equal distance in all areas.

Once your border is drawn on the paper, cut along your pencil lines to create an even mat. When using a matting disc, turn your photo or letter and your paper over so that you are tracing the mat on the backside of the paper, eliminating pencil marks on the front side of your paper. Matting discs come in a variety of sizes allowing you to create mats of varying widths and work best when matting photographs or thicker cardstock. Thicker papers are sturdier and keep your matting disc in place.

Double Matting - Double or triple matting will place additional focus on your photographs, and is a great way to incorporate patterned paper into your matting without taking away from your photograph. Mat your photo with a thin border of a solid color. Then double mat with a second color of paper. For an even more finished look, triple mat with another thin solid border.

Creating a Simple Frame - Creating a frame is slightly different than creating a mat, but it starts the same way. Using your paper trimmer, cut a box larger than the size of your photo. Allow as much space as desired on each side of the photo to serve as the frame. When you are ready to cut out the center of your frame, look at your photograph to decide how big the hole will need to be. Measure the area of the photo that you want to frame with a ruler. Then make small pencil marks using the measurements on the backside of your frame where you want the hole to be. It’s best to make marks at each corner of your opening, so that you’ll know where to start and stop your cuts as you cut out the center of your frame.

To center the hole of the frame, first measure the height and width of the frame. Then measure the height and width of the hole you would like to make. Subtract the height of the hole from the height of the frame. Next subtract the width of the hole from the width of the frame. Divide each of those resulting numbers by two to find out how far to measure from the top and side of the frame to center the hole. Make small pencil marks on the backside of your frame using a ruler that cross at the corners to know exactly where to cut the hole.

Once you have the guidelines, use a paper trimmer to cut the center of the frame. Place the blade directly on one of the pencil marks at a corner. Then cut until you reach the next corner. Turn the paper and continue cutting from corner to corner until you’ve cut each side of the hole.

Decorating Mats and Frames - Creating a frame or mat is similar to creating a mini layout on a page. You can add borders, embellishments, titles, and journaling all within the frame or mat. Adding mixed media embellishments such as buttons, fibers, eyelets and brads helps to give the mats and frames texture and added interest. Combine other techniques such as stitching, tearing and chalking to create unique and beautiful mats and frames.

Lesson Colour Blocking

 Lesson Colour Blocking 

Tools needed for this lesson:
Paper
Paper trimmer
Adhesive

Lesson:
Overlapping Blocks - Simply cutting large blocks of paper, and slightly overlapping them, divides your page and helps to provide a base for your photos, title, journaling and embellishments. The sizes of the blocks can be specific sizes that you choose or can be random blocks of paper. The blocks can also be a variety of vertical and horizontal blocks, rectangles and/or squares.

Leaving a Thin Outline - Another version of colour blocking is to leave a thin outline around your blocks for the background colour to show through. A popular thickness between blocks is about ¼”. This also creates a matted look for your blocks, as well as provides an easy mat for your photos.

Making Strips - Strips of paper, used as the background of a layout, are another nice variation of the colour blocking technique. Vary the thickness of your strips, as well as the distance between them for added interest. Also try overlapping them for additional depth.

Fill in With Blocks - Filling in the background space around your photos with blocks of colour creates a mosaic look and a perfectly filled page. This technique works best with a variety of sizes of photos. It is also a great way to include several photos on a page.

To create this colour blocked mosaic for your layout, first crop your photos to the size you want them. Then adhere your photos to the page with reposition able adhesive. This will allow you to adjust them later if necessary, but will keep them in place while you measure for your filler blocks. Space the photos out so that there will be room for colour blocks in between and around them. Next, choose a few different colours of paper and decide if you would like to use small blocks of colour or larger blocks.

You can then start filling in the empty spaces between the photos with strips and squares of colour  leaving a thin border between each block where the background paper can show through. Rather than measuring each strip of paper, make a pencil mark or small indentation with your fingernail where you would like to cut and use your paper trimmer to cut straight lines. By using the pencil mark or indentation as your cutting mark, you'll have blocks that fit perfectly in the spaces on your page, without having to pull out a ruler. Alternate the colours and vary the sizes of blocks to create your colour block mosaic. Continue cutting strips or squares to fit until the whole page is covered.

Chalking Lesson

Chalking  Lesson 

Tools needed for this lesson:

Chalks
Cotton swabs
Cotton balls
Sponge applicators
White eraser

Chalks can be applied using a variety of different tools. Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages. Using a combination of these tools, depending on the project, usually brings the best results. Cotton swabs, cotton balls, eye shadow applicators, and sponge applicators can all be used to apply chalk to your page. Cotton swabs and sponge applicators will work best for detailed chalk work or small areas, while cotton balls are very good for larger areas and for blending chalks together. Another tool that is important to have available when you are chalking is a white eraser (rather than a standard pencil eraser). White erasers tend to erase more completely, leave less residue, and are much gentler on your paper. They can often be purchased in scrapbook stores along with chalks or in art and office supply stores.

Lesson:

Shading - When shading an element of your page, such as a paper piecing, die cut, or a letter in a title, always start with lighter colors and then add the darker colors. You can always add more chalk or a darker color later if you want to.

Follow the natural curves of the item you are chalking. Use small strokes to follow outlines and the natural curves of items such as the sun, a ball, or the curve of a letter.

Choose one side of your element that will be shadowed and one side that will be highlighted. Then add appropriate colors of chalk to each side. For example, on a palm tree die cut, the light will come from above the tree. Add a light green to the top of the leaves and a dark green on the bottom to create a shadowed look.Shadowing elements gives a three dimensional effect. Try layering your colors to create different shades. Using various shades of the same color of chalk will create even more dimension.

Choosing Chalk Colors – Typically, when shading or highlighting an object, you will want to choose chalks that are similar to the color of paper you are working with. To shadow an object, choose a color slightly darker than the paper. To highlight, choose a color slightly lighter than the paper. Using shades of the same color produces subtle results that mimic the shadows and highlights you see in everyday objects. Black, gray and white are also handy to darken or lighten the original color of the paper, especially when you don’t have a darker version of the color you need in your chalk palette.

When you choose the colors of chalk to use, you will also want to think about the type of object you are chalking. For instance, when chalking a sun or the flame of a candle, use a combination of yellow, orange and red chalks to create the glow of the sun and the layered colors of a flame.

Chalks can also be used to add a completely new color to your layout. If you don’t have a piece of paper in the color that you need, or want a softer look for your background or page element, add chalk to white cardstock or vellum. This will create a soft, faded look in a new color, resulting in your own special paper. Using a cotton ball, you can cover a large area of your paper. Blend colors to create one of a kind backgrounds, journaling boxes, or photo mats.

Setting the Chalk - The best way to "set" the chalk on your page is to gently lay a sheet of clean scratch paper over the top of the chalked area, and press down on the paper with your hands, without moving the paper. The scratch paper will pick up any loose chalk from the project that would otherwise rub off onto your page protector or other parts of your page. Set your project aside for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the chalk time to set on the page before putting it into a page protector.

Achieving Balance

Achieving Balance

Now that you have chosen the elements of your page that you want to use, it's time to design your page. Each element of your page will have a certain "weight." Determining the best way to balance the weight of your pages can be tricky, and requires a bit of practice. There are a few easy tips that can help accomplish a nice balance.

Choose a photograph that you would like to be your focal point. Usually one photo is matted more prominently or featured in a special way to create a focal point. Other photos on the page will accent the main photograph and tell the rest of the story.

Generally, working with an odd number of photos and embellishments works best to create a visual triangle, and to prevent splitting a page. For instance, a layout may have a focal photograph on one side and two additional photographs on the other side of the layout.

Here are some additional helpful tips for creating balanced layouts:
Use similar techniques or elements on opposite corners of the layout.

Use two or three colors throughout the layout to keep continuity. Use colors in opposite sides to balance the weight of the colors.

Try lining your photos up for a sleek and clean look.

Continue borders or embellishment elements across both sides of a two-page spread.

These are not meant to be hard and fast rules, but they can help when you're in a bind!

Adding Embellishments

Adding Embellishments

Embellishments are the extras or decorations of the layout. They can consist of all kinds of combinations of products and techniques. They are used to fill in spaces and decorate around the photos and journaling information on your page.

Borders, stickers, buttons, wires, eyelets, brads, fibers and mesh are just a few of the many embellishments that help create beautiful pages full of texture and color. Many embellishments are included as decorations of photo mats and frames, titles, journaling boxes and backgrounds. Creating embellishments is where the creativity and art of scrapbooking come into play. The possibilities are endless and the scrapbooking products that are available are wonderful tools to create amazing embellishments to highlight your photos.

Creating Titles and Journaling

Creating Titles and Journaling

Titles
The title of a layout is an important way to draw people in by quickly telling the subject of the page. While every page does not need a title, it's helpful to provide quick information about the pictures and to gain immediate interest in the rest of the information on the layout.

A title can be as simple as a person's name, a humorous play on words, song titles, famous poems, or the name of a holiday, event or place. Titles can be short, long, complicated, funny, serious, elegant, or witty. Because it's typically the first thing people will read, a title can set the mood of a page at first glance.

Titles can be decorated in very intricate and detailed ways or can be very simple and elegant. They can be big or small, thick or thin, curly or straight. They can be hand written or made using computer fonts, templates, stickers, charm letters, beaded letters, threads, etc. The look and feel of a title can be as varied as the paper you choose.

Journaling
Journaling is the process of recording information that you want to remember. It is an important aspect of preserving your memories and past. Journaling is your opportunity to tell a story for generations to come. It is also a wonderful way to record your family's thoughts, hopes, dreams, likes, and dislikes. While it may be the hardest part of creating a layout, years later, it is usually the most interesting and valuable part.

When deciding how to approach the journaling for each page, consider what you want to remember about the event you are scrapbooking. While the who, what, where, why and when are certainly important to include in your scrapbooks, look a little deeper and write about the importance of the photos, the events, the people involved, the feelings that the photos evoke, and the things people said. Ask yourself questions to spark memories and stories that would make great journaling additions to your scrapbook. Did something exciting happen? How did it make you feel? Does the photo remind you of other things or people that perhaps aren't included in the photo? These are the sentiments that will be treasured forever.

Paper Selection

Paper Selection

The papers you choose can change the entire look and feel of your photographs and page. There is a huge variety of paper to choose from, based on color, texture, pattern, theme, and even opacity. When choosing the style and color of paper to use in your layout, there are a few things to consider to best highlight your photos and to pull the photos together.

Decide whether you want to focus on the event, the subject or person in the photo, or the emotion that is evoked through the photos. Your focus will largely depend on each individual set of photographs. When starting a new page, ask yourself the following questions in order to decide the type and color of papers you want to use for your layout.

Cardstock, Patterned, or Specialty Paper?

Cardstock is a staple in scrapbooking. Available in a wide variety of shades and colors, cardstock can be used on any layout for backgrounds, matting, embellishments and titles. The solid colors of cardstock anchor photos to the page very well, and are very non-distracting, keeping the focus of the page on your photographs.

In contrast to cardstock, patterned papers include swirls, stripes, plaids, flowers, dots, stars, hearts, landscapes, animal prints, and more. Depending on your photos, you may want to choose a print simply to match the colors in the photograph, add elegance to a cardstock background, or illustrate the theme of the layout. For example, in a Valentine's Day layout, you might want to use a heart-patterned paper. While patterned paper can be used in a variety of ways, larger patterns usually work well as background paper and smaller patterns look wonderful as frames and borders.

Specialty paper goes beyond cardstock and patterned papers to add interest to layouts. Specialty paper usually has a unique opacity and texture and is often handmade. Whether you choose vellum, handmade, metallic, textured, embossed or exotic, each type of paper has its own advantages. Translucent vellum tends to soften bright colors and loud patterns; handmade and mulberry paper add softness and elegance; textured cardstock and embossed paper adds dimension; and metallic paper and diamond dust provide glitz and shine to a layout.

Whether your preference is cardstock, patterned paper or specialty paper, with the wide variety available in the scrapbooking industry, you can find nearly any type of paper to fit your layout perfectly. Each type of paper will have its own personality on your page.

What colors match the photos?

Choosing colors is as simple as comparing and matching the colors of your paper and the colors in your photos. Using this system will create an eye-pleasing effect nearly every time.

To focus on the subject of the photograph or set of photographs, take a look at the colors that are present. Choose a color that is common to them, or that compliments the tone of the photos well. You can also choose what elements of your photos you want to focus on and choose a color that makes that element the prominent item. Choosing a paper that is the same or similar color of a person's shirt or eyes (in a close up photo) brings out those elements of the photograph well.

What colors present the mood I want to create with this page?

Choosing colors for a scrapbook page is similar to choosing colors for a room in your house. Your choice will determine the mood and feel of the page. Whether you choose yellows and browns to create a warm and cozy feeling; reds, purples, and blues to bring a regal and passionate feel to your page; blues and greens for a fresh and clean look; or neutral tans and creams for a calming, non-distracting background, you'll notice that color really does make a difference in the mood of your layout and can completely change the look of your photograph.

If you are using black and white photos, or a special photo that you want to evoke a certain emotion or feeling, think about the mood you want to create before choosing colors.

What colors represent the event or subject of the photos?

There will always be layouts that feature traditional holiday colors, school colors, baby boy blues and little girl pinks. And what's a St. Patrick's Day layout without green? Using this version of choosing your colors allows you to use many of the themed patterned papers, stickers and die cuts that are created by many companies with the "traditional" colors in mind.

When you choose your paper, remember these basic questions and you'll have an easy system for deciding what paper to use for each set of photographs.

Other tips to consider when choosing papers:

1. If you have photos with a very light background, matting with a darker color will provide a very nice contrast. Likewise, dark background photos look very nice matted on a lighter colored paper.

2. Try a monochromatic look, which means using different shades of the same color. This works especially well for black and white photos and photos with only one or two visible colors.

3. If the colors in your photos do not compliment the paper colors that you want to use, try converting your photos to black and white using photo editing software.

Choosing Photographs

                       Choosing Photographs

Your photos are the first ingredient for a layout and will help you decide on all other aspects of your page. You can choose your photographs for each layout based on several criteria. How you have chosen to organize your album will play a big part in how you choose your photographs for individual layouts.


If you have just started scrapbooking, you may think that you don't have much of an option about what kinds of photographs you can use in your scrapbook. Just because your old photos are 3 ½" x 5", yellowing, and feature those lovely seventies styles and colors, doesn't mean they have to stay that way. Using today's computer technology, you can scan, crop, and enlarge your photos.

You can also colorize them to make them sepia tinted or black and white and enhance them in many other ways. If you happen to have the negatives for old photos that have yellowed, having them re-developed from the negatives will bring the original color right back as if the photo was taken yesterday.

As you take photographs of your family and friends around you, think about what kinds of things you want to remember, and how you might use the photos in your scrapbooks. Take a variety of vertical and horizontal photos, close up and far away shots. Panoramic photos also create added interest and can show the subject of your photo in a different way. Take photos of the scenery to help bring the whole feel of the day or event into your page. Catch people in action enjoying the day.

While photos are important and help to tell the story visually, a layout can easily be made without any photos, and may be even more special without them. For layouts without photos, you can include extensive journaling, memorabilia or other items that represent the subject of your layout.

Organizing an Album

Organizing an Album

There is no "right way" to organize your albums and layouts. The style, theme, or combination of many styles and themes that you choose to use is what makes it a special album for you and your family. Feel free to use the styles and ideas that you are comfortable with and that make you happy.

Some of the more common ways to organize scrapbook albums are:
Make chronological albums by showing your family's life throughout the years, organizing your photos by date.

Using detailed journaling helps create albums that focus on the character and personality of an individual or many individuals.

Designing alphabet albums is an easy way to organize your journaling and photos. These albums use each letter of the alphabet to organize important words or events within an album. They are wonderful for scrapbooking events with many photos that require an album of their own, such as vacations, weddings and anniversaries.

Themed albums about sports, holidays, hobbies, or seasons are also interesting ways to organize your photos and layouts.

When you choose to divide your photos and create your scrapbook pages, keep in mind that there isn't a wrong way to do it. You can choose one album idea, mix and match many ideas within one album, or create ten different albums! It's all up to you.

Basic Supplies

Basic Supplies

While many scrapbookers can easily fill an entire room with all of their scrapbooking tools and supplies, there are a few items that are essential. To create pages you will need some or all of the following items:
Paper trimmer - Since many papers come in only 12" x 12", you will often need to be able to trim a sheet of paper down from this size. A 12" paper trimmer is recommended whether you scrapbook in 12" x 12" albums or 8 ½" x 11" albums. Heavy duty desktop paper trimmers are wonderful if you have the space for them. You can also purchase smaller trimmers that are great for going to crops and keeping your supplies manageable.

Scissors - A pair of small, sharp scissors is important in order to cut smaller pieces and to have greater control over your cuts. Hold off on buying decorative scissors until you have a specific layout for which to use them. While they certainly have their uses and can make wonderful designs and embellishments, most scrapbookers regret cutting their photos with decorative scissors.

Adhesives - Each type of adhesive is appropriate for different needs. You will probably want to have a selection of adhesives to use for your layouts. A liquid glue pen is good for adhering small pieces, a strong liquid glue is good for larger and bulkier embellishments, photo squares work well for adhering photos, and repositionable glue dot adhesives are great when you want to move your elements around. Be sure to use an adhesive that is acid-free to prevent damage to your photos.

Acid Free Black Pen - Eventually you'll want to have a collection of pens and colors, but a black pen is a must right from the beginning! It's used for outlining, journaling, titles and drawing details.

Album and Page Protectors - Choose an album and corresponding page protectors in the size you wish to use. Albums typically come in the following sizes; 12" x 12", 8 ½" x 11", 8" x 8", and 5" x 7". Buy page protectors designed for the album you buy to be sure that they will fit correctly.

Other supplies can be purchased as you go, such as papers, templates, stickers, die cuts, and embellishments. To save money, it's best to buy supplies with specific pages in mind, so that you don't buy things you won't use.

Scrapbook Basics

Scrapbook Basics

A scrapbook is a storybook that you create, telling about the things that are important to you and your family. It includes photographs and memorabilia that remind you of special times, people and places. Scrapbooking is a way to organize your thoughts, dreams, hopes and fears. A scrapbook is a treasure, an heirloom, and artwork that is meant to be shared.

In recent years, scrapbooking has become an extremely popular hobby for women (and men) all over the world. While it's been around for ages, scrapbooking has evolved from a way to show off photographs and movie ticket stubs into a way to express yourself and free the artist within you, all while preserving your memories for generations to come.

Scrapbooking is no longer construction paper and tape or just putting your photos in an album. Now you'll find that there are scrapbook stores all over the country, thousands of products to choose from, and techniques to learn to make the most of the art of scrapbooking.