Tip: Covering Chipboard with Patterned Paper

I love chipboard, and I especially love covering it with patterned paper.  The problem is, sometimes the paper can ‘roll’ or ‘bunch’, which causes ripples, especially when covering large pieces. 

As scrapbookers, we put the adhesive onto the paper first, then adhere it to things.  Unfortunately, this is likely the reason for these ripples!  Next time, put the adhesive onto the chipboard first, then attach the paper.  After that, use an X-acto knife to ‘trace’ and cut away excess bits of the paper that hang over the edges. 

You’ll have not only smooth coverage, but also avoid any ripping of small paper pieces when trying to completely cover it with adhesive!

Happy Scrapping!

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking: Chipboard Mini-Albums

Anyone who scrapbooks with me knows how much I adore mini albums!  They are great for gifts and for capturing those events that are a little more than a page, but not an entire album on their own.  As well, mini albums are great for those pictures that don’t necessarily fit elsewhere, but are great for conveying how you feel about someone.

The problem is this: chipboard albums in scrapbooking stores can be almost as much as a 12×12 post bound album!  Maybe it is just me, but I refuse to pay $12 for a 5×3 album with only 8 pages in it!!!

“So, cheapo, how do you save money?”, you ask? 
“There are multiple ways!”, I respond.

TIP #1: Check for online stores that are more interested in getting products into the waiting hands of happy scrapbookers, rather than gouging their pocketbooks.  In the Saskatoon area, there is Scraps and Treasures (email me at tanyascrapbooks @ hotmail.com for an invite to her Yahoo Group), which can order in those hard-to-find chipboard albums at a fraction of local-store pricing!

Another online store is Oriental Trading Company.  They offer a variety of albums at almost-ridiculous prices!  If in the Saskatoon area, Scraps and Treasures also makes orders from them, so that we can all save on shipping costs.

TIP #2: Create your own albums.  You can often purchase 12×12 sheets of chipboard from stores for under $1.50 per sheet.  Using heavy duty scissors or your cutter (with a blade that you are prepared to devote to chipboard), cut the chipboard into the desired sizes and shapes.  This is what I did for this Mother’s Day Album:

Mother

Using chipboard letters, I traced them onto the chipboard sheets, then cut the chipboard out, so that it resembled the popular word books that can be purchased for $6-10.  Cost of doing it my way: $1.50.  Covering it with paper, photos, and embellishments, you’d never know the difference, except for the size difference (it was only 3 inches high, rather than 5.5).

TIP #3: Probably one of the easiest (and most fun!) is really quite different: purchase a child’s book that has a chipboard base and convert it into a mini album!  I LOVE doing this, and it can be very economical!  I usually go to Dollarama (my second shopping home-away-from-home, after Wal-Mart), where you can find various shaped albums – squares, rectangles, some with squiggly edges – for $1 each!  All you need to do is peel off the printed, shiny paper, and the base underneath is chipboard!  Sweet!  I use a sharp craft knife and work the edges up enough, so that I can grip and edge and peel it back.  Some people have mentioned using a power sander, which is fine if you have one.  With patience, though, the manual way works well (and I usually do it when watching TV, so that I don’t feel guilty wasting hours watching CSI…).

Now, some of them have the brownish chipboard, but there are some that have the white base.  The brown is easier to peel, and is much more like the chipboard you are used to, so I would recommend it, although I have found a few books with the white base that worked okay.  You have to kind of check and see how the printed material is attached.  Sometimes it is on peelable sheets; other times, it is printed right onto the base and won’t peel.

Once peeled, you can then cover with patterned paper, cardstock, or paint it.  I often paint mine, then use a background stamp or roller wheel to give the pages some texture, as well as hide some of the blemishes I created when stabbing the book with my craft knife (accidentally…or subconsciously acting out what is happening on CSI…whichever!).

Sample of what used to be a Spiderman book:

Recipe Album

“Don’t you feel bad, wrecking what could be a child’s educational resource?”, you ask.
“Not when it comes to Spiderman!”, I reply. “If it was Batman, then that’s just a travesty, and should be punishable by law.”

(Seriously, though.  Spiderman?  He’s got webs.  Whoopty-doo.  Batman, on the other hand, has a cool car, bike, and mad skillz that aid in his fight against evil.  Plus, he looks smashing in black and has a sexy voice.  Case closed.)

But I digress…

The beauty of the peeled chipboard books is that the basic shapes can be used for any theme or event, and others will never know…unless you show it to others who read this blog!

Quote today comes from Franklin Roosevelt: “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”

Go achieve joy and thrill in your creative effort…while saving money!

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking: Chipboard Shapes

Much of the money-saving tips that apply to Chipboard letters also applies to shapes.  For instance, if you like the overall shape but not the colour, you can peel off the top layer of paper and then ink, paint, or stamp on the shape. 

Another option of creating the shapes you want without having to pay a fortune for them is to create them yourself!  Using stencils, tracing a chipboard shape you already have, or tracing an object’s shape onto a sheet of chipboard, and then cutting it out with a strong pair of scissors also works.  Ink, paint, stamp, and embellish as needed.

Sometimes local scrapbooking stores will let you cut chipboard sheets using their diecut machines; however, I would recommend checking with the store first, before doing so.  Thicker chipboard can dull the blades of the dies, and some stores follow a “stict policy and procedure manual” that may create trouble for you.  (Don’t even get me started on one of the local stores!!)

If using a stencil or die cut machine is not feasible, you can also take a paper copy of the shape, adhere to the chipboard sheet, then cut it out.  Using a sanding block, sand all edges.  This serves two purposes: it smoothes out the edges, as well as “bonds” the paper and chipboard together so that they do not come apart easily!

One option that I have been doing more and more of is to freehand draw onto a sheet of chipboard, then cut it out.  This works well for fluid shapes, such as flourishes.  Do the drawing in pencil, and have a good eraser nearby, so that you can easily make adjustments.

Money may not be able to buy happiness, but it sure buys me more scrapbooking supplies, and they make me happy!!!

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking: Chipboard Letters

Chipboard letters look amazing on layouts, and I tend to like to include them on a regular basis.  The one thing that holds me back is the price.  Another is the lack of double letters in many of the packages.

There is nothing more frustrating than finding a great font, only to discover that you only get one of each letter…and how many titles only use one of each letter?  Few, unless you are doing one-word titles.  Suddenly that awesome chipboard alphabet is not so awesome, especially since the price tag is often $6 or more!

Good news 1: if you like StampinUP! products, the new chipboard alphabet sets have, in many cases, double alphabets, and often each alphabet even has doubles of those popular letters!  Hooray!  (the new catalogue came out yesterday, in the event you didn’t hear.  It was like Christmas in August!)  Since you get three 12×12 sheets of letters, there are a lot there for the $15 price tag.  The one set has the equivalent of almost 6 alphabet sets (with extras of those popular letters), plus other shapes!  I am in love!

Good news 2: if you have read any other of my posts, you will already know of my love…or, more like obsession…with Dollarama.  You can get some nice alphabet sets from there, and even though some of them only contain one each of the letters, at $1 for the set, picking up several won’t break the bank.

What about getting a good colour, you ask?

The StampinUP! chipboard is plain, so you can ink, paint, etc. to get the right shade for your layout.  As for the Dollarama sets, depending on the one you get, there are some options:

1. They currently have larger sets with some sparkle on them.  For certain layouts, the sparkle works.  I am not a girly girl, so sparkle is really not my thing.  The great thing about these letters is that the base is chipboard, and the sparkle is actually paper that has been adhered to the base letter.  What works great is using a craft knife and gently lifting that sparkle paper, so that you can peel the colour off completely.  From there, you are left with a plain chipboard letter that can be inked, painted, etc.  The coloured paper comes off like an orange peel, making it stress-free!

2. For the smaller sets that are already coloured (they currently have western, heirloom, pinks, purple, etc), peeling them doesn’t work as well.  The chipboard layers are strongly adhered, and I found myself getting frustrated and almost wrecking the letter.  Paint does not adhere well to the shiny surface of the letter, so if wanting to paint, you’ll have to sand them to roughen them up, then put on many layers of dark paint.  Using ink worked much better, although, once again, it had to be a dark colour.  StazOn worked wonders, as it dries quickly and sticks to any surface.  Another option was to emboss them.  This worked like a charm!  Plus, it gives you more colour options.  I don’t really use craft/pigment inks, but I imagine they would work as well, although, again, you’d likely have to use a lot of ink, or else do several coats of the ink and the clear embossing powder.

One last idea: if you can’t find an alphabet or font you like, but still want the thickness of the chipboard, try just stamping the letters onto chipboard shapes.  Sometimes it can not only give you the letters, but also provide an embellishment at the same time!

Actually, one more idea: if you have a current chipboard set, but need more letters, try tracing the letters onto a chipboard sheet and cutting the letters out.  That way, you have the flexibility to make as many letters as you want!

Our motto for the day: “I’m not cheap – I’m fabulous!”

- Tanya

Save Money While Scrapbooking

Having both Scottish and Ukrainian blood flowing through my veins, I have become a bit of a “frugal” person.  While I am completely willing to spend the money on my hobby, I am also compelled to ensure that I am getting the most out of spending my hard-earned cash, and I am sure that you are too!  Nothing is more frustrating and upsetting than seeing new scrapbookers being ‘roped’ into paying ludicrous prices for items that they can find elsewhere for cheaper, or create the items themselves for far less.

Often, though, people pay for convenience.

Consider 600ml bottles of any name-brand soda.  They are often anywhere from $0.99-$1.69, depending on where you buy them, yet a 2L of the same soda can retail for the same price, if not less!  CRAZY!  I am the first to admit that I am guilty of this atrocity.  I pay for the convenience of having a cold drink, rather than waiting for it to chill, or until I get home.  In my shopping and scrapbooking adventures, I see the same thing happening with scrapbooking supplies.  How many times have you visited your local store and purchased something because you are there, and didn’t consider ways to cut the cost of the items?  Happens more than you realize, I bet!

Being the seasoned scrapbooker and…let’s face it…cheapo…that I am, I want to share ways that you can get the items you want, but save your money so that you can get MORE of them.  As Mae West (who, incidentally, is one of my guilty-secret-heroes) once said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!“

Stay tuned in the coming days for money-saving tips and tricks!

- Tanya

Using Chipboard to Mat Photos

We often want to highlight a particular photo on a page, but don’t necessarily want to do the same old mats.  Try using chipboard!

You can often purchase sheets of chipboard for a relatively good cost, and it can be fairly pain-free to cut to the required size.  Keep those old, dull cutter blades for this purpose.  I use a Sharpie and write “dull” on them, so that I know not to use them on my good cardstock, but they work like a dream for chipboard!

Mount the photo on the chipboard (for helpful advice on which adhesive to use, check out this post), then use a sanding block on all of the edges, which will ‘meld’ the photo and the chipboard together, as well as give an interesting edge.  Careful not to get to agressive, as there is the possiblity of damaging the photo.

Using mini glue dots, adhere the matted photo to your layout.  The chipboard mat will raise the photo, give the layout some dimension, and provide a new feel to your scrapbooking!

- Tanya

Collecting Embellishments for Scrapbooking Layouts

We often photograph events and occurences in our lives, only to find that we cannot locate that ‘perfect’ embellishment to fit the layout, once it comes time to scrapbook those photos!

When attending the event, try saving some of the souvenir items, such as programs, decorations, writing down quotes from people in attendance, etc.  For instance, several years ago at a wedding, I grabbed some of the metallic purple heart confetti on the table, which later I adhered to the layout about the reception.  Try and be discreet, though, as otherwise people around you might think you’re a cleptomaniac!  When in doubt, ask.  People wouldn’t mind letting you take home a flower to press, or an extra copy of the program. 

Bear in mind that sometimes these event momentos are not acid free, or can be bulky.  You may need to laminate them, neutralize them with spray, or press them.

You can also try creating innovative tags or images by using a variety of stamps and accessories that mimic the general theme or feeling of the event.

When in doubt, use generic items that work for almost any layout: flowers, metal label holders, chipboard shapes (arrows are really hot right now).

Have fun with it!

- Tanya

Interesting Embellishments for Father’s Day Projects

Go into any store or look in any popular scrapbooking or cardmaking magazine, and you’ll see a plethora of flowers, glitter, pinks, and purples.  Great for springtime and summer, but not so helpful when it comes to creating gifts and cards for the men in your life.  Sometimes you can find a few lines that will carry some unisex or heritage items that can be adapted.  Basic Grey is one such line, and StampinUP! has a lot of great darker tones in buttons, ribbon, and more.

Let’s think outside the box a bit, for something new and interesting.

Card and page embellishments that work well for any masculine project can be found anywhere, if you know what you can or cannot use.  One place to start: your local hardware store.  That’s right!

Since metal is not acidic, it will work for all of your projects.  Nuts, bolts, screws, wiring, etc. all add that extra masculine touch, and are very economical.  I have found some places that sell such items under scrapbooking branding and packaging for over ten times the cost!  Ridiculous!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am all about saving money…I should do some further posts on how to save money and STILL be able to do the scrapbooking you want!  Next time!

Often us scrapbookers have an item that would be perfect for the project, but it is the wrong colour.  Try distressing it with paint or ink!  It will give it that masculine edge it needs, while also changing the colour of the item.  Distressing gives that rustic look, which is great for pictures or cards relating to camping, fishing, or hunting.  As well, the brown or black tones complement a lot of the clothing colour palettes in men’s fashion.  If the men in your life wear brighter colours, then it is even easier to match them, as summer colours complement them nicely.  Chipboard items can be easily distressed, covered with paper, or further embellished to make them more masculine.

Wooden items are also functional and can easily be coloured to match.  Many craft and dollar stores carry a variety of shapes, and the wooden aspect of the embellishment makes it work well with masculine themes.  Even a flamingo doesn’t seem to be as “girly” when it is cut out of wood!

Fabric swatches can also be a great resource.  Heavier-weighted materials like corduroy, leather, tweed, or denim work well for masculine projects, and can also be distressed with paint or ink.  To attach, try using a heavy-duty glue like the Tombo adhesive.  Ordinary snails and double-sided tape likely won’t hold it for long.  If covering an album, a hot glue-gun would work well, but ensure that it doesn’t touch photos, as the glue sticks likely aren’t acid-free.

Another material I used in the past for a fishing page about my Dad was an actual chunk from a fish net.  It gave it that extra touch it needed (see photo).  Wire meshing will also work, and can, again, be distressed!  There is a product called “magic mesh” in stores now that is interesting, and comes in a variety of colours.  Again, for a cheaper alternative, try drywaller’s mesh tape that can be found at any hardware store.  It looks the same, comes in a few neutral colours, and…you guessed it!…can be distressed with ink or paint.  The adhesive on it won’t be acid-free, so you’ll likely want to avoid using it with photos, but is great for cards. 

Try some different products for your Father’s Day scrapbooking projects, and you’ll soon find yourself using them for your regular projects.  I use metal washers a lot, and the StazOn ink works great to stamp images onto them.  The larger washers make some funky embellishments, and ribbon compliments it nicely.

Have fun – and have a happy Father’s Day!

- T

Scrapbooking Ideas for Father’s Day

It is often hard to get something original for the fathers in our lives; how many ties does one guy really need?

So, to help with your gift-giving for this upcoming weekend, here are some relatively quick and easy ideas:

- create a recipe album for Dad (see examples earlier in the blog)
- create a mini album of pictures from a recent holiday or event (I made one about a fishing trip)
- compile handy tips for the household or shop – removing oil or grease is a great tip for most Dads
- decorate an unused paint can and fill it with items, such as tools, or homemade baking
- purchase or make a Chinese Takeout box, decorate, and fill with baking
- create a “guide to cleaning” or a “guide to spices” for those who are unsure…or need motivation!
- compile important phone numbers and create a phone sheet or rolodex with embellishments
- scrapbook sports or hobby pages and frame to hang on the wall
- take a beloved family picture and put in a shadow box frame, which is roomy for big embellishments
- create a “Things I Learned from Dad” mini album
- take a bunch of those unused ties and create a cover for an album

More ideas for embellishments and cards tomorrow!

- T

Question: Can I use Mini Glue Dots to adhere Chipboard?

You can definitely use Mini Glue Dots to cover Chipboard!  For some other ideas, check out a previous blog post located at http://tanyascrapbooks.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/scrapbooking-tip-covering-chipboard-which-adhesive-do-i-use/

Mini Glue Dots are actually a great supply that come in handy for a variety of embellishments, as they are stronger than 2-way glue, snail adhesive, or tape:

Buttons – when attaching buttons to a page, Mini Glue Dots will ensure that they don’t fall off or twist around

Metals – metals are often hard to attach to pages and projects because they are so heavy and have a slick surface.  Mini Glue Dots will do the trick wonderfully!

Plastics – Mini Glue Dots are perfect for embellishments made from any plastic, and with the wide range of sizes of Dot, you can find one that will be the best

Ribbon – when spanning ribbon across a 12×12 page, using the smaller size of Mini Glue Dots will adhere the ribbon to the page and avoid any pulling or stretching, which can occur when using a snail adhesive

Extra Tips:

• Mini Glue Dots can be cut, if done very carefully with a knife or sharp pair of scissors
• Once stuck down, it can be almost impossible to remove an embellishment after a Mini Glue Dot has been used.  Ensure you know where you want the item before sticking it down.
• While very versatile, Mini Glue Dots will show through vellum or transparencies, so opt for another way to attach if that bothers you.

- T