Adding Motion to Your Card or Page

Would you like to add motion to your card or scrapbook page? Thoroughly apply ink to a rubber stamp. Stamp your image on a piece of card stock (do not use glossy paper!). Without lifting the stamp from the card stock, pull it in the opposite direction of the way the image should appear to be going. This streaking effect gives the illusion of motion. It works great with the Over the Top and Rip and Shred stamp sets that are featured in the Spring Mini. Many images can portray motion. Keep this in mind when you’re making your next project it adds something new and gives the project that extra touch.

Dying Microbeads

“Did you know our Micro Beads can be dyed different colors with our StazOn® Ink Refills? Just pour some Micro Beads in a small container (that you don't mind being permanently discolored), add just a couple of drops of StazOn Ink Refill and stir with the handle of a plastic spoon or a plastic knife. When the beads are the color you like, pour them out on a plain sheet of paper and spread them out to dry. Drying sometimes takes overnight. The beads may seem stuck together at this point, but just place them in an empty film container and shake vigorously...they will separate and you will have beautiful colored Micro Beads!

You can vary the color and shade by adjusting the amount of StazOn, or mixing two colors together. Here are just a few of the great colors you can make yourself:

• Blazing Red StazOn = Pink Passion Micro Beads

• Pumpkin StazOn = Only Orange Micro Beads

• Mustard StazOn = Summer Sun Micro Beads

• Ultramarine StazOn = Ballet Blue or Brilliant Blue Micro Beads

• The ‘new glitter’ now comes in colors. Woo-hoo!

How do you go about capturing a special moment on a scrapbook page?

One of the best ways is to turn one of your photos into a focal point. A focal point not only tells the "reader" where to begin, but it also immediately conveys the mood or theme of a layout. Before you get started, you need to select a focal-point photo. In general, a photo that is well lit, in focus and vivid works best. If you're not pleased with the quality of your photos, you may need to try several of the techniques listed below, which will help turn those "not-so-hot" photos into great focal points. Read on to learn four easy ways to give your most important photos a little boost.

1. Size. In general, large photos make great focal points because they catch the eye first. If you have a photo you especially like, you may want to have the photo developer make it into a larger size. (Note: Photo-imaging machines, like Kodak's Picture Maker and Fuji's Aladdin, are wonderful options. These machines allow you to alter a photo's size in minutes.)

 

2. Matting. When matting your photo, be sure to select colors that complement your photo rather than overwhelm it. Also, experiment with the sizes of the mats on a focal-point photo. Try varying the widths of the mat, leaving an uneven mat for journaling, or use patterned paper that supports the general theme of your layout.

 

3. Shape. When matting your focal point, don't feel limited to the size and shape of the original photo. Call attention to your focal-point photo by adding a contrasting shape. For example, a circular photo on a square mat or an oval photo on a rectangular mat are great focal point options.

 

4. Accents. Enhancements are an easy way to highlight a focal-point photo—especially if you're dealing with a photo that's not all that bright or eye-catching. Also, adding enhancements to your focal point is a great way to immediately convey the theme or message of a layout. Just take care that the enhancements don't overshadow the focal point—remember that your photos should be the stars of the layout.

Make sure that the story your layout tells is the story you want to tell. A focal point is the easiest way to do this. To check yourself, quickly look at a layout, then ask, "What's the first thing I see on this page?" If it's not your most important photo, take advantage of any of these four easy techniques.

Printing on Vellum & Window Sheets

Are you looking for a fun new way to use our Write Me a Memory™ Journaling Fonts CDs? Try picking out one of your favorite fonts and adding a title or journaling to your scrapbook page. For an added touch tell your customers about printing on vellum and window sheets. This look adds a unique way to add interest to your pages without taking away from the photos. To print on window sheets you must use a laser printer as the ink from an ink jet printer will not dry. When printing on vellum keep in mind that though the vellum is laser compatible and the toner adheres to it well if your printer generates a lot of heat your vellum may curl. Newer laser printers tend to run cooler; however, an older printer may generate more heat and cause your vellum to curl. You can also use vellum in an ink jet printer but the ink will take longer to dry.

Did you see the cute aged tags from the scrapbook page on the cover of the Winter Mini catalog?

In order to make tags with that same aged look take a aluminum Metal Edge tag (used to accent the word “Grandpa”) or the stainless steel Metal Magic™ tag (bottom of page with gingham ribbon). Cut the Metal Magic tag to the size and shape you desire. Stamp your tags with the Versamark Pad™ and sprinkle with Classy Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Next, use the heat tool and emboss the tags. Try embossing from the bottom side. This helps keep the powder right where you want it. After allowing the embossed tags to cool, use a sanding block to “age” the tags.

Want to give a rugged look to a card or scrapbook page?

Below is a technique that will make Kraft cardstock look like leather.  Rub the Basic Brown Classic Stampin' Pad . across a piece of Kraft card stock (Direct-to-paper technique) Let the ink dry completely After the ink has dried, use a sanding block and "rough up" the paper. You could use this technique on an accent, or on the background of a card or scrapbook page.

ColorBox® Fluid CHALK Ink Pad

Tips

 • When applying direct to surface, keeps the pad moving once contact is made with the paper’s surface, as the paper will absorb the fluid quickly.

 

 • Don’t be afraid to allow colors to overlap. Overlapping colors will blend over drying time for a unique effect.

 

 • Like pastels, some muting will occur on most surfaces. The more porous the surface, the more the color will soak in and fade over 24–48 hours. For more intense colors, spray the paper surface with a sealant immediately after ink application. Use matte finish on regular cardstock and clear gloss finish on high-gloss cardstock.

 

 • When using re-inkers, be sure to shake very well to mix the chalk element with the ink before applying to your pad.

Techniques

Direct to Paper:

 • Fluid CHALK ink is tremendously versatile for direct-to-paper techniques. For background color, it can be applied directly from the pad, with a brayer, or using a cosmetic sponge. To achieve the look of pastels, paint or draw with a brush, or using the ColorBox® Stylus.

 • You can cut cosmetic sponges to various shapes to achieve the look you want. Moisten the sponge slightly, but be sure to squeeze out the water before applying the ink as extra moisture can cause the paper to buckle.

 • You can vary the opacity of the ink by the amount of color applied. A light application will be semi-transparent, and colors underneath will show through. A heavier application will be opaque and mask out color below. You can build background color using one of the direct-to-paper techniques, then overstamp with any color you like using a well-inked stamp.

Stamping:

The type of paper you use will make a big difference in the results you achieve. Chalk ink stamped on soft-finish, porous paper will dry to a soft matte finish. However, you can get a shiny finish on high-gloss paper by buffing off the chalky element with a paper towel leaving only the color on the glossy surface. Stamp as desired, wait until ink dries slightly, then buff with paper towel to remove chalk. The result will be a beautiful polished-stone look.

Mulberry Paper Tips

Our Mulberry Paper is an acid free fibrous paper which adds a lovely soft texture to your card, mounted photo, journaling, or tag. Mulberry Paper looks best when torn. The trick to tearing Mulberry Paper to the desired shape is to moisten it using a watercolor brush dipped in water or use our new Aqua Painter™. Then gently pull apart the fibers. The wider the area moistened, the more ragged the edge. Make sure the paper is quite dry before mounting.

Have you every wanted to create a watercolored look that would make a fast and easy background for your card or scrapbook page?

Because Spectrum(tm) Pads are dye inks, they are perfect for diluting and creating watercolored looks for all of your projects. After braying over your Spectrum Pad, try spritzing your brayer with some water and then braying. This will give your project a wonderful and unique look.