Scrapbooking (5)
Scrapbooking is a popular hobby and creative outlet that surrounds the basic premise of combining photos with journaling. People scrapbook to record events and memories so that they will be there for future generations. This category contains articles about techniques, tips and tricks, scrapbook rooms and tutorials.
Die Cutting Cuttlebug Machine
Written by StephenThe CuttleBug machine is a specially created die cutting system that enables you to create attractive designs, forms and letters even without any artistic aptitude. If you were considering doing scrap booking but the costs of all the shapes and embossed paper were too much for you, the good news are the CuttleBug machine can do all that for you.
Some scrapbooking fans went all the way and got a cricut machine with several templates, but they still can’t do any embossing with it. Of course, you have the option to buy a template driven cutting system that allows you to cut out the needed shapes and letters, without the extra expenses of buying precut pieces or using a cricut machine. There are also other cutting die machines specially designed for those who are passionate about scrap booking. Nevertheless, none of these allows the type of embossing like the CuttleBug machine does.
When you opt for the CuttleBug machine you are not just opting for a specially created die based cutting system that enables you to quickly cut virtually any shape or letter that you need, but the machine also has the optional embossing dies that let’s you emboss paper without having to cut through it. This is a feature that is lacking on many of the more high tech scrapbooking and die cutting gadgets like the Cricut Create and Cricut Expression machine.
Purchasing the CuttleBug machine will make available for you numerous other possibilities. You can select from a wide range of die types, including special embossing dies, shaped dies for cutting animals or various objects or lettering dies that will enable you to cut out different letters in various fonts.
However, you will not be able to do all these things just by purchasing the CuttleBug machine. The machine does have an excellent starter pack, and upon your needs you can buy various dies for your CuttleBug machine. You have numerous dies to choose from, making the CuttlBug machine one of the best options for your arts and crafts activities.
Ideas for Scrapbooking Rooms
Written by Strathy Your scrapbooking supplies are getting out of control! Where should you put all that stuff? Your spouse is getting on your case about all the scrapbooking materials that have been laying around. It is time to organize. Time to get control over your scrapbooking supplies before they overtake the house! It is time for a scrapbooking room!
Most people decide to make dedicated scrapbooking rooms because they are dealing with the issues described above. They are also looking to get a functional space where they can work on a project and leave it out for continuation at a later date. There is nothing so frustrating as having to pack all your supplies up before you are finished with a project. Having scrapbooking rooms enables you to leave everything out if you have to make a quick dash out to pick up the kids from school. There is no need to clear off the dining room table to set it for supper. You don't need to leave your scrapbooking supplies spread all over the place.
Another benefit of having a scrapbooking room is that there is often space to invite over friends for a crop. Having a large dedicated work space will allow you to include a large table with chairs so that everyone can sit around and work together. Make it a regular meeting with your friends. They can bring over the projects they are working on, a few of their supplies and spread out on the table right along with you.
Having scrapbooking rooms will also enable you to show off your work. There is wall space to display your completed projects. Storage is also readily available. You can add cupboards, shelves, baskets and anything else you can think of to better help you organize and store your scrapbooking supplies.
Having a scrapbooking room will make you the envy of your friends and fellow-scrapbookers. Every crafter desires to have a dedicated space all to themselves. A place to spread out and organize their supplies in such a way to make them readily available for use. If they are packed away somewhere, you won't be inspired to create!
Ideas for scrapbooking rooms can be found all over the internet. Also, don't forget to look up studios and craft rooms for ideas as well. You will find many solutions which can easily translate into your type of creative space even if it isn't originating from scrapbooking rooms.
Before you get started on designing your scrapbooking room, be sure and take before photos. You will be glad to have a record of what the room looked like before the transformation. It will also be beneficial for showing people the work you put into it. Not only that, you can use the before and after photos to make a scrapbook page all about your very own scrapbooking room!
Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
Written by StrathyWhen looking for scrapbooking embellishments, one of the quickest and easiest places to find them is to search online. Digital ephemera is readily available and often free! Think of the theme you are looking for and then do a search based on that theme.
Digital scrapbooking embellishments when printed and used on a scrapbook page suddenly transform what you've done and make it "hybrid scrapbooking." The melding of the two mediums is very popular today. There are so many more possibilities available to scrapbookers who make use of the digital medium.
How to Use Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
If you are a traditional scrapbooker, using paper to create your pages, then you can still make good use of digital scrapbooking embellishments. All you need is access to a computer and a color printer. Get out some good quality card stock for printing and you are all set. Print out what you've found, cut it out and using adhesive, attach it to your scrapbook page. Voila, a hybrid scrapbook page has been created!
Ideas for Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
Tags - You can find various blank tags online which are suitable for printing. Old time looking labels have been scanned in and made available by various individuals. When printed, they retain their aged appearance. You can even 'rough' them up further by crinkling the paper a bit in your hands and even inking the edges.
Postcards - Old postcards with a variety of themes and images can be found online. At Christmas time, Christmas-themed postcards are invaluable for creating greeting cards. There are even Valentine-themed postcards available for printing and private use.
Paper Dolls - Many sites offer free paper dolls for printing and using. These are not only a great idea for a children's play thing, but also for scrapbookers. You can create a whole family of paper dolls to replicate your family.
Fonts - Fonts are available online. There are so many styles out there. Try looking for the one that replicates the look of the Dymo machine. Type out your desired wording and print it out. Better yet, place it on top of a tag as mentioned above, before you print.
Flowers - Scanned in images of flowers can be reused as embellishments on hybrid scrapbooking pages as well. They don't have to be real flowers. They can even be handmade ones such as crocheted flowers, or fabric flowers.
The world of digital scrapbooking embellishments is always evolving. Quality improves, it seems, with each search you do. Keep an eye on this medium as you will no doubt come across some great finds!
Make Your Own Scrapbooking Embellishments
Written by Strathy
Why spend your hard earned money on scrapbooking embellishments to dress up a layout? Sure, there are lots of beautiful and enticing supplies out there that would make it really easy to embellish a page. But, why not spend a little time and make them yourself?
You will be surprised at how easy it is to make your own scrapbooking embelishments. Plus, think of the satisfaction you will get out of making it yourself from scratch. You won't end up with a 'run of the mill' scrapbook layout. Instead, you will end up with a truly unique and one-of-a-kind scrapbook page that will speak volumes. Handmade scrapbook embellishments, as a handmade album, will mean so much more to your family and generations to come.
Another benefit of making your own handmade scrapbooking embellishments is that once your friends start seeing what you are doing, they may commission you to create some for them too. Before you know it, you could end up with a little cottage industry. Perhaps a little online shop which will help you to earn a little extra money with which to add some new scrapbooking tools to your scrapbook studio!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Use a Die Cutting Machine
If you don't already own a personal die cutting machine, then you may consider investing in one. Whether you buy a fully functioning electronic die cutting machine or a hand operated one, you will be glad to have something to help you out with cutting shapes. Especially if you end up mass producing some on a larger scale for resale.
Die cutting machines are invaluable for making your own scrapbooking embellishments. Once you have a shape cut out, you can begin to add to it to customize it. Try layering other colors of paper and smaller sizes of the same shape. Sew on a button to the center of the shape or perhaps glue a bead to the center.
Old Jewelry
Take apart the beads from old costume jewelry and reuse the pieces. You may need a small pair of pliers to help pry the wires open and closed. You may also like to attach a small ring so that you can use the jewelry like a charm. Beads and charms from old jewelry can be used as scrapbooking embellishments on cards or scrapbooking layouts.
Used Books
Take pages from an old book and use it as patterned paper to create vintage flowers. Cut out a flower shape and layer on varying sizes of the same shape on top. Crinkle the paper in your hand and distress it with ink before attaching together. Attach with an eyelet and you have a flower.
Crochet
Crocheted flowers are really popular as scrapbooking embellishments. If you don't know how to crochet yourself, then your mother or grandmother may be able to help you out. There are also various places on the web which will give clear instruction on how to do this. Once you get started, you'll find out how addictive it is!
When making your own scrapbooking embellishments, it is a good idea to make a lot in advance. Then you will have some in your stash and ready to use when your next inspired idea for a scrapbook page comes along!
Scrapbooking Embellishments can be just about anything. If you are concerned with acid free and lignin free, be sure to check the packaging to see if they contain markings about this. If you are not worried about this sort of thing then you can look around your home for various things that you can use to make your own scrapbooking embellishments.
Many people think that they must purchase scrapbooking embellishments from a scrapbooking store. In fact, this is not the case. Scrapbooking embellishments can be found from a wide variety of sources. Dollar stores are a great place to begin your search.
A growing popular and inexpensive place to search for scrapbooking embellishments is your local dollar store. Dollar stores often import in cheaply made and mass-produced items. Many of them are geared especially for scrapbooking and paper crafting. Scrapbooking embellishments can be found in the craft aisle. Oftentimes the scrapbooking section takes up a whole wall.
There is a lot to choose from when it comes to scrapbooking embellishments. Anything from stickers, to die cuts, to letters, and more. Dollar stores sell their merchandise for one dollar or slightly more, per package. Since the products for sale in these stores are often ends of lines, it is a good idea to stock up. You may not come across these goods again.
Felt shapes are great to keep on hand. You can dress them up and embellish them as well. Try adding beads or glitter or embroidery stitches to simple felt shapes. You will end up with a whole new scrapbooking embellishment!
Letter stickers are invaluable to have in your scrapbooking embellishment stash. Be sure and pick up several packs of the same style. You will be happy you did this if you later discover you are needing another 'T' while making a project. Another option is to mix and match your letter stickers. Intentionally pick out letter stickers that are not the same color or font. This makes for added interest to a scrapbooking layout.
Metal charms can be used as scrapbooking embellishments as well as for jewelry making. Many scrapbookers are general crafters as well. As such, many of the materials and supplies can be cross-used into other crafts. Jewelry is a good example.
Die cuts are not only good for scrapbooking embellishments, but also for making greeting cards. They make a good focal point with which to begin creating a card. In fact much of the scrapbooking embellishments that are found at a dollar store are great for card making as well.
