Scrapbook Trends Tips

Bubble Wrap for Stamping

You can create beautiful pages for your scrapbooking with all kinds of material. Take bubble wrap for instance - most people use this product for packaging items so they don't get damaged. Did you know you could use it for scrapbooking?

All you need is an inkpad or two, scrapbooking paper and a piece of bubble wrap (your desired size).

Load the bubble wrap with ink in the color of your choice and press it firmly onto your cardstock using a twisting motion. You will be left with little circles in various shades.

You can use this for a cute background pattern on baby pages or maybe a “water themed” page. Add variety by using different colors and placing your bubble wrap in various locations on the page.

Bubble wrap stamping is fun, easy and cheap. Once you master this technique yourself it might be something children may enjoy too.

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Paper Folding

Paper folding is a great way to "spice up" your scrapbook pages. There are so many paper items you can make and it only takes a few minutes to create a wonderful decorative image.

Some popular paper accessories for scrapbook page layouts are:

Envelopes.

You can make your own custom evelopes out of your paper scraps. Envelope templates are available for purchase or you can just create your own style and shape of envelope. Envelopes can be used to store things on your pages or just as a cute decoration.

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Tear Bears

"Tear Bears" are all the rage among scrappers. These little paper-piercing creations have taken the industry by storm. There are several different patterns that can be used to create these bears. You can make your own pattern, use one off the Internet or buy a pattern book.

Here is what you will need to make your own "tear bear".

Handmade mulberry paper (it has to be able to tear easily when wet)
Bear or other character pattern
Water
Q-tip or water pen
Chalks
Inks
Pens

Trace your pattern onto heavy weight paper or plastic and cut out parts of your bear separately.

Now trace the body parts (head, legs, arms, ears) onto the mulberry paper and use a Q-tip or water pen to wet the outline of your pattern. Make sure the water soak completely through the paper.

Next, carefully tear along the shapes of your pattern. The wet paper will tear easily and since mulberry paper has several layouts there will be "fiber-like" edges where you have torn the paper (this makes it look like fur on your bear).

Once you have torn out your bear parts let them dry completely and then you will be ready to assemble your bear. Use your adhesive to glue the bear together and pose him however you would like.

You can use chalks or inks to outline the bear and add some color to his body. Use die cuts or pens to dry a face. Some scrappers like to dress their bears with paper clothing make from die cuts or templates.

These bears can be used on your scrapbook pages, tags, cards, etc. You can personalize your bear any way you would like. “Tear” animals or characters have become popular too. You can offer variety with other options and patterns.

Hints:

Tear your paper slowly because you may slip and tear in a place you didn't want to tear.

Use a thin plastic to trace your pattern and hold it on the paper as you tear, this will help you to tear more evenly and get more shapely pieces.

Don't over due your body shading or faces.

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Appealing 3-D Images

You can create a 3-D effect with many scrapbooking products. There are items available to help you achieve this type of effect. Here are some scrapbooking supplies that will help you make your images "pop out" and get noticed.

Liquid glass or Diamond glass

This product can be used to outline a stamped image and make it seem like it is "popping out" off the page. It will enhance the image to make it more noticeable. These products can also be used to adhere objects such as embellishments and glitter.

3-D foam squares

These little squares of adhesive can be placed on the back of your item and glued to the page. The 3-D foam will make your image or photo mat lift away from the page so it will "stand out" from the flat piece of paper.

Liquid appliqué

This is a fun "puff" paint that can be used to outline or color in an image and create a 3-D effect for your picture. It can be used on paper or fabric. Enhance your image with this fantastic product.

These are just a few scrapbooking supplies that you can add to your collection. All of these items will help you to enhance your pages and make your scrapbooking layouts distinctively beautiful.

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Balloon Background Technique

Balloons can be great scrapbooking tools to help you create a one of a kind background for your pages. You can use different colors of ink and even fill the balloons with things to make shapes and textures. Some balloon filler suggestions are macaroni, rice, jellybeans, etc.

Here is what you will need:

• Latex Balloons, not blown up (some loose and some rubber banded together).

• Uncooked macaroni, rice or jelly beans

• Ink pads (any color)

• Cardstock (different colors)

•Stamps

Simple Instructions

Using macaroni:

Put uncooked macaroni into a balloon (as much or as little as you like). Then, take the filled balloon, tap it on an inkpad, and lightly tap it onto your white or colored cardstock multiple times before re-inking again. You will create different variations of your macaroni shape.

Using rice in your balloon:

Put uncooked rice into the balloon, filling it up as much or as little as you would like. Then, take the rice filled balloon, dip it in ink and press it onto your cardstock. Press it multiple times in different places around your paper. This will create a unique pattern. You can use multiple colors to make the design “stand out” and be prevalent in the background.

Using jellybeans in your balloon:

Put different sizes of jellybeans into a balloon (as much or as little as you like). Blow the balloon up not quite half way. Let it sit until the balloon stretches out some (1-2 hours) then let the air out again.

Then, ink up the balloon with your desired color and tap it onto your cardstock in different locations around the paper. Make as many or as little impressions as you would like. You will be left with a multiple of shapes and textures on your page.

With the balloon technique you are basically creating your own background paper. You can coordinate your colors to match certain pictures and themes. The possibilities are endless.

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Velvet for Stamping?

There are so many different ways you can use stamps and create beautiful scrapbook images. Different types of material can be used on your page layouts. Velvet is a material that will add elegance to your pages. Use it for your Valentine layouts, Wedding pages or baby memories.

Here is what you will need:

Velvet (plush type)

Dry iron

Squirt bottle with water

Stamps (bold, solid stamps work best)

After you gather your supplies you are ready get started.

First, set your iron on the "wool" setting, which is usually the hottest.

Then, lightly spray your velvet with water.

Next, place your stamp face up on your work surface.

Then, place the velvet right side down on top or your stamp and hold for 30-35 seconds. Remove and "viola" you have a stamped image in the velvet!

Hints for success:

Solid stamps work best.

Make sure the velvet is made of acetate/rayon or silk--NOT cotton or polyester.

Some irons have steam holes on the bottom. If this is the case reposition your iron so that the holes are not directly over your larger stamps.

Let the stamp cool down before stamping with it again.

Velvet will enhance your entire layout. Your scrapbooking pages will be unique and impressive using the velvet stamping technique.

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Paper Piercing

Paper piercing is traditionally done with a paper piercing template and a piercing tool. Two different designs are created with a piercing template. One is a flat design and the other is a raised design. The flat design appears on the same side of the paper on which the template is placed. The raised design is on the opposite side. You decide which type of design best fits your page layout ideas.

Here is how to use a paper-piercing template:

· Place the template on your paper and hold in place with removable tape. Tape it on the front of paper to get a flat design or on the back of the paper to get a raised design.

· Place the paper on a piercing mat. It is helpful to use straight pins in the corners to hold the template in place, even though you are using removable tape.

· Use the piercing tool and pierce each hole in the design.

Helpful Hints:

· Use a piercing mat or a very thick mouse pad. Be sure to check that the piercing tool is not going through the mat. Your piercing tool can poke holes in wooden tables or other surfaces if they are not protected.

· Invest in a piercing tool. You can use a needle, but it tends to be hard on your hands.

· Use duplex or duo-tone paper for a distinctive look.

· Be creative. Pierce all or part of the design.

· Emboss around the edges with a stylus, for more dimension.

· Use chalk, ink or paint to add color to your image.

Paper piercing images are beautiful additions to your scrapbook pages. You can buy materials for your paper piercing projects at any craft store or scrapbook on-line store.

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Paper Bag Albums

Paper bag albums are little books that make wonderful mini scrapbooks. They can be assembled in a limited amount of time. Did you know you could use plain brown bags to make an appealing little scrapbook album?

Typical brown or white lunch bags can be folded into a small memory book that you can use for gifts, school memories, brag books, etc.

Here is what you will need:

Paper bags (brown or white)
Heavy-duty hole punch or eyelet punch
Stamps, stickers or die cuts
Scissors
Adhesive
Embellishments (ribbons, eyelets, brads, tags, etc)
Cardstock and background paper (variety of matching colors)

The first step is to fold your paper bags into a book shape. You can use as many bags as you would like but three to five is recommended. Lay out your bags alternating the flaps so all the thickness doesn't end up on one side. Now, put them on top of each other and fold them into an album. You might want to sew down the middle of the book in order to keep the bags in place and prevent them from shifting and tearing your binding. Next, punch holes down the folds (binding) and use ribbons or other materials to bind the book together.

Cut your papers into squares that will fit the size of your album and adhere them to your pages. Decorate your pages just like you would a typical scrapbook. Make photo mats for your pictures, use background papers, etc. You could dress up your pages with stamps, stickers; die cuts and other scrapbooking embellishments.

These books are great for kids to experiment with, too. Paper bags are not memory safe so you might want to treat the paper with an acid reducing spray in order to protect your pictures and preserve your album.

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Generation Stamping Technique

If you are an avid stamper then you might be looking for new ways to use your stamps. Generation stamping is a great way to add variety to your layouts and invent a "shadow effect".

Here is your supply list:

Ink pads (desired colors)

Stamps (desired images)

Scrapbook paper (cardstock)

Scrap paper (something you can experiment on)

First you need to ink your stamp with the color of your choice. Then, stamp the image on a scrap piece of paper then, without re-inking stamp the image on your project paper to make a lighter color. For multiple shades of the same image you can stamp it 3 or 4 times without re-inking. Your first stamp will be dark and it will get lighter with each "generation".

This technique is appealing and different. You can use it for a background design or for a unique scrapbooking die cut. Whatever the use generation stamping can be a new and challenging technique for your scrapbooking page needs.

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Scrapbook-in-a Box

Scrapbook-in-a-box has become a popular trend for scrapbookers. This compact scrapbook makes a wonderful gift for special occasions such as Mother's/Father's Day, baby showers, weddings, etc.

Here is what you will need to get started:

5 sheets 12x12 cardstock (coordinating colors)
Scissors
Empressor guide (or quilter ruler)
Scoring tool
Stamps (desired images)
Inkpads (desired colors)
Adhesive
Paper trimmer

Simple Instructions:

Random stamp your cardstock with your choice of stamp images. It is helpful to have a theme in mind so you can focus your colors and stamps around a certain theme.

First you want to make the lid. Pick one of your pieces of stamped cardstock to use as the lid. Place it face down on your table. Using your ruler/Empressor guide, place a dot at the exact center of your paper. Now fold the corners in so that they touch the center dot. Be sure to make your creases nice and sharp - use a bone folder if you have one and fold all 4 sides. (If you don't have a bone folder you can use the edge of your fingernail, or the plastic handle of a pair of scissors). Next, fold in each side to the center and then unfold.
After folding up each side, unfold completely. Turn your paper so it is in front of you lying in a diamond shape. Draw four lines on the side creases (left and right sides). This is where you are going to fold into the center to make your lid. Cut on these 4 lines. Do NOT cut all the way to the center. Do NOT cut on all four sides, only two opposite sides. You will make a total of 4 cuts.

On the two sides you did not cut, fold them in, this will build up one side of the box. Put adhesive on the triangular flaps to hold them in place. Put a small amount of adhesive on the 2 remaining flaps. Fold them up and over to make the last two sides. Your corner with the adhesive will attach to the bottom of the lid. On the inside view of the lid you will see the corners of all the flaps lining up in the center so that your box is "decorated" inside and out. You can double mat a photo for the top of the lid if desired.

Making the box base part of your scrapbook starts with your remaining cardstock.

Cut the remaining cardstock into three sizes:

Bottom layer 12x12 - This will also be the base for your box.
Second layer 11 3/4 x 11 3/4
Third layer 11 1/2 x 11 1/2
Top layer 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 - this will be the first set of flaps you see when you open the box.

Using your Empressor guide or quilter's ruler, measure up four inches from the bottom of the cardstock. Score a line all the way across the paper. Turn the paper 90 degrees, and repeat. You will have 4 scoring lines all 4 inches from the edges of the paper. Repeat with all your pieces of cardstock. Cut out the four corner squares on each piece of cardstock.

This will give you 4 pieces of cardstock shaped like crosses (or an x). You will also have 16 squares (4x4). Save the extra squares to use for matting photos. Take your bottom (largest) cross and place your second largest cross on top and glue only in the middle of your box.

Make sure you center the cross so that a little of the edge of the bottom cross shows around all sides. Adhere the next smallest cross - remember to only put adhesive in the center box.

Finally, adhere the smallest cross to the top of the stack. Now you have your base completed and can add your photos, journaling, and scrapbooking embellishments. You may want to adhere your photos before you glue the flaps together. Remember not to put anything in the center of the box because it will be covered up.

These scrapbooks are versatile and easy to assemble. Give the gift of memories and tie them up in a box for the recipient to enjoy for a lifetime.

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Tag Books

Tag books are classified into the "mini album" family. They are great scrapbooking books that can be done in a short time and take minimal supplies. They may be small but they carry a "huge" amount of appeal. Tag books are perfect for gifts, cards, party favors and more. They typically measure 4" x 4.5 and can be purchased at many scrapbooking supply stores. Online stores like Oriental Trading carry an assortment of these little scrapbooking books. Local scrapbook supply stores may also carry many types of these “mini albums.” Most of the time the front cover of a tag book is already decorated so all you have to do is cut pictures and decorate the inside of the book. They are fairly inexpensive and are so easy to complete. Plus they are the perfect size to share memories with family and friends.

A tag book can be simple solution to preserving your memories and sharing them with others.

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Adding Artistic Flair to Your Pages with Heat Embossing

If you have been scrapbooking for a long time and are a pro with the basics, why not add some extra "flair" to your pages. Get some extra scrapbooking supplies and try a new technique. Heat embossing will "spice up" your pages.

Here is what you will need:

· Embossing pad or pen

· Stamps or creativity (you can draw or write things with an embossing inked pen)

· Heat gun

When using stamps make sure the entire stamp is covered in the embossing ink (the powder has to stick to the image and you don't want partial images or letters). Once you have stamped a complete image, cover it with embossing powder and shake off the excess powder, the image should be fully covered with your embossing powder, now you are ready to bake the embossing powder. Hold the heat gun a couple inches away from the embossed paper. You will know when it is done by its change in appearance. The powder will turn shiny and look glossy (do not overheat of you could scorch you paper)

Embossing can be used to create a 3-D looking image. It will add depth to your page layout and works great for lettering options.

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Color Your Pages with Shaving Cream

Shaving cream can be used to craft a marbleized effect on your paper. This type of design is a wonderful change for a page background or exclusive photo mats.

Supply list:

Shaving cream (not gel)

Re-inkers

Cardstock (heavy weight paper)

Directions:

1. Put the shaving cream in a shallow pan.

2. Swirl the re-inkers into the shaving cream.

3. Press the cardstock into the mixture making sure to cover the entire area then pull out the paper.

4. Wipe off all extra shaving cream with a paper towel and let dry.

You will be left with a marbleized design of your own creation. You can use a variety of colors and create a your own unique pattern to suit your scrapbook pages.

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Paper Bag Cards

Paper bag cards are another fun "trendy" activity that some scrappers like to do. They are similar to the paper bag albums but they can be used as greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well cards, etc.

Supply List:
Paper bags
Stamps/stickers
Cardstock
Patterned paper
Inkpads
Markers
Embellishments (ribbons, brads, buttons, velcro)
Adhesive

Fold a lunch size paper bag in half and decorate the cover with your greeting card theme.

To add variety you can fold the bag less than in half and make room to fold in the extra paper for a closing "lip" and attach some sort of fastener (Velcro or ribbon works well).

You can decorate the entire inside of the card of just one-side.

There will be an opening where the bag opens. This is a great place to put money or an extra special insert.

These cards are unique and allow for your creativity to "shine."

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Scrapbook Clubs

Scrapbooking clubs are becoming a popular pastime. Avid scrappers meet together once a month, once a week or more often to combine creative ideas. Some clubs are “just for fun” and others are for generating business. Some independent scrapbooking consultants form clubs to show their customers new products, new trends and project ideas. These types of clubs typically require some sort of purchase.

Many groups offer incentives for your scrapbooking product purchases. There are “hostess for the month” incentives. This means each member of the group purchases a certain amount of scrapbooking products every month and they take turns reaping the hostess rewards for the month.

There are other programs that have “popped up” in the industry such as auto ship agreements where you are shipped certain supplies every month. These programs and clubs are wonderful for loyal customers and enthusiastic scrappers. You might want to consider something like this if you want to build your scrapbook supplies, but don't have enough money to do it all at once. Clubs and purchase programs are good ways to get your products a little at a time.

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Totally Digital Scrapbooking

Computer generated scrapbook layouts are becoming more and more popular. The computer has become a valuable tool and somewhat of a “timesaver” for busy individuals who want to preserve their memories but don't have time for all the “frills”. Not only can the pages be done totally on the computer digital photographs can also be scanned right onto your pages. Everything can be printed in one single unit and you have a “clean” well-organized page layout.

Scanners can also be used to scan old photographs and memorabilia that can add so much to your scrapbooks. Software programs are available that are specifically designed to create wonderful scrapbooks and fabulous graphics. You can manipulate pictures in these software programs and they have outstanding designs and clip art images.

Computers make it easy to add “special effects” to your pages. You can generate beautiful scrapbook pages at the “click of a button” with computer graphics and specialized software your possibilities are endless.

Computers also make it possible to make copies for other people easily and you can even share your pages through email and other Internet options.

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Empressor Tools

The Empressor tool is a scrapbooking item that can be used to create many different kinds of patterns, borders, images etc. Using the Empressor guide you will be able to make perfectly straight, raised lines. You can also use stencils and create images, similar to dry embossing. You will be able to add so much appeal to your pages with this little metal tool.

Here are the supplies you will need:

Empressor tool

Empressor guide (12 x 12 mat)

Heavy weight paper such as cardstock

Sand paper (if desired)

Chalks (if desired)

Follow the directions that come with your Empressor guide. You can experiment and make all kinds of patterns such as plaids using thick or thin lines.

Try sanding the raised lines so they will "stand out". Also you can try using chalks to create depth is a great way to personalize your layouts.

The Empressor tool will help you create wonderful textures for your pages and help you make irreplaceable scrapbooking paper to use for your page layouts.

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Rub-Ons Take the Industry by Storm

Rub-ons are becoming a popular item among scrappers. They started with a simple alphabet from Making Memories and now there has been an explosion in the industry. Because of popular demand now there are alphabet fonts and different images, designs and borders available in the rub-on format. The price point is right and they are easy to use.

All you need is your rub-ons and a wooden craft stick, which can be purchased at scrapbooking supplies and craft stores. Place your rub-on in the area where you want it to appear on the paper and gently rub with your craft stick. Make sure you rub the entire image and rub it hard enough to transfer onto your paper, gently peel off the transfer paper and “voila” you have a perfect image or letter for your scrapbook page.

Rub-ons can be combined with other scrapbooking embellishments. Stickers are almost being replaced by rub-ons a new trend in the scrapbooking industry.

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Paint Cans

Paint can decorating has become a popular trend among avid scrappers. These little cans are used for storage, pencil holders, candy dishes, desk decorations, etc.

Supply list for paint cans:

Metal cans (Dole fruit cans work well as long as you use a can opener with a safety mechanism; so your edges are not jagged)
Stamps
Stickers
Inkpads
Cardstock and/or patterned paper
Adhesive
Embellishments such as ribbon, brads, eyelets

Decide what type of covering you want to use. Either use a patterned paper or random stamp your cardstock to make your background. If you are going to use eyelets or brads in your background you need to attach them before you wrap your can. Be creative with your can; decorate it to suit your needs. It is good to have a theme such as a "school theme" for a teacher gift or a "baby theme" for a shower present.

After you have covered your can then you are ready for all the "frills". You can use stamped images or stickers to decorate around your can. Tie a ribbon at the top for added appeal. These cans are fun projects for kids in school or activities at home.

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Sharing Scrapbooking Page Kits

If you want to get plenty of different scrapbook layout ideas and need to add variety to your scrapbooks, then why not swap ideas with fellow scrappers.

Create a group of scrapbookers and each person make a layout to share. After you have created your layout, then you make a scrapbook page kit for each member of your group.

The original creator will have all the supplies in the kits ready for their group members to assemble the page layout. Everything should be cut, stamped, colored, etc. All embellishments used on the "master" layout should also be included in the kit. For easy assembly take a picture of the page layout and include assembling instructions.

The group members can decide how many scrapbook page kits you want to swap. By making the kits ready-to-assemble it makes it easy to build wonderful page layouts in no time and get ideas that might spark your own imagination for future layouts.

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Computer Scrapbooking

Computer scrapbooking has become an accepted activity among scrappers and there are different levels of computer scrapbooking. You can use a computer for journaling, clip art, and other graphic designs. With these types of tasks you just “cut and paste” onto your page layouts.

The next level of computer scrapbooking is to design your entire page layout on your computer screen. This is an easy progression from doing print, cut, and paste. The difference is that decorations and text are all arranged and formatted on the computer and printed as a single page except for the photographs and possibly the photo frames. These kinds of pages can still be “adorned” by adding photo mats, frames and other scrapbooking embellishments. With a computer generated page layout you can carefully design a well-balanced page to place in your memory book.

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Sculpting Foam

Sculpting foam can be used for many purposes. You can stamp on it, use it to fill in an image or decorate items with it.

Here are some suggestions about how to use sculpting foam for your scrapbook pages.

Roll out foam then stamp an image on it with or without ink.

Cut out an image using scissors, cookie cutters or leave it rugged by tearing or ripping.

Add re-inker to the foam while working it to change the color of the foam.

Be creative and have fun. The sky is the limit.

Hints about working with sculpting foam:

Before using your sculpting foam, it is helpful to let the foam dry out a bit. Keep the lid off for a few hours. You will also want to "work" your foam before you use it. Do this by taking the desired amount out of the jar and squishing it over and over in your hands until it starts to thicken up. When you pull it apart and tears instead of strings out, then you know it is ready.

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Dry Embossing

Dry embossing is a technique recommended for more experienced scrapbookers or those with advanced artistic ability. It is a more difficult technique. You don't need a lot of scrapbooking supplies, but you will need some specialized tools.

Supplies:

Light table

Embossing stylus

Stencils (dry embossing stencils, which are usually a bronze stencil)

Cardstock or Foil paper

Directions:

Tape or place the stencil in place over a well-lit light table. Then position the cardstock or foil paper over your desired image on the stencil. You will see the shape through the paper. Now, use your embossing stylus to trace around the image, this will create a raised effect on your paper. You need to be careful not to press too hard or you might rip your paper (especially the foil paper sheets).

Hints for success:

Keep your stencil in place (if it moves it will be hard to line it back up with your paper).

Don't press too hard (you might rip the paper of pock the stylus through)

Use a well-lit table so you can see the image well and stay on track with your stencil.

Dry embossed images look very appealing and give your pages a "professional" persona.

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