F is for FOIL #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z

Hi and welcome to my blog!

This April my challenge is to blog about all things scrapbooking from A to Z.

Today’s letter is a brand new to me, so please tell me if I’m doing this right – F is Foil.

Foil is a metallic overlay that acts much like a transfer. You apply a glue (there are a few to choose from), then lay the foil over it, and press it down so it sticks. The foil paper is designed to bind with the glue, where once removed, only the adhered areas remain.

The use of foil is popular right now in paper crafts, and as I’ve never utilized foil for my scrapbook pages before, this is a new experience.

I did my homework and checked out several tutorials before I tried my hand at it.

I found a few techniques that work well:

The first was using Stick It paper. Stick It are sheets of flat adhesive that have release paper on both sides. The product is a versatile way to cut shapes, or thoroughly cover die cuts.

To start, I cut out a medium-small circle to be my golden “sun”.

I peeled off one side of the release paper and applied the glue shape to my paper.

Using a bone folder (you can use any flat edged instrument, like a plastic credit card or a popsicle stick), rubbed down the glue thoroughly.

Next, I peeled off the opposite side of the release paper (leaving the sticky side up).

I cut a piece of foil (please ignore my fuzzy socks J ).

Then I applied the foil (silver side down) over the glue.

I rubbed again with my bone folder, heavily pressing down the circumference of my image.

And – Ta-Da! – a SUN!

One area didn’t transfer well, but not bad for a first attempt.

For the second technique, I used strong double-sided tape.

Following the same steps, I laid down the adhesive.

Removed the release paper.

Applied the foil, and rubbed to bind.

The lines of gold turned out amazing. I’m eager to try this with a scrapbook page in the near future.

I’ve seen additional glue techniques that utilize foil effectively:

-         You can use clear or rubber stamps with craft glue.

-         There are brands of adhesive paper available that come in pre-cut shapes.

-         Like the lines I did today, you can use a tape runner, or double-sided tape.

-         Heat embossing powder (stamp with embossing ink, apply embossing powder, heat, and apply foil while hot).

-         Rubber cement

-         For a smooth, flawless result, you can use a laminating machine. (Apply adhesive, add foil, sandwich with blank paper, and feed through laminating machine).

If you have tried any of these styles and want to give me some pointers, please leave a comment below, I’d love the feedback.

From what I’ve seen, all of these options work well and give you that beautiful, gilded look.  

I think that blings out my letter F. I never thought gold was my metal (I’m more a silver girl), but it looks pretty good on paper, and it's oh-so shiny. J

Well, this A-Z challenge is chugging along, only one more letter before we knock out the first week, which is fantastic progress.

I have many fellow blogsters out there offering awesome themes: Quotes, Movies, and Inspirational Poems – anything you're interested in, we got it. Please check them out by searching the keywords #AtoZChallenge.

And if you’re ready for more scrapbooking how-to, tomorrow’s letter is a biggie- G is for GLUE & ADHESIVES.

See you then!

-         SNG

E is for EMBELLISHMENTS #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z

Hi and welcome to back my A-Z Blog Challenge! My topic this year is Scrapbooking.

I did a lot of non-edible baking for this letter, and so I present to you a piping hot – E is for Embellishments!

Embellishments are any add-on element that give character to your scrapbook page. This can be clay, plastic, or miscellaneous trimmings.

The creation of embellishments are half the fun, as they tend to be "projects within a project."

Let me 'splain- Embellishments are great craft activities to do with family and children, as they can help you create the art that you later put in your scrapbook.

The first embellishment example I choose for this post is a real blast from the past for me - Shrinky Dinks.

Shrinky Dinks, for those who aren’t familiar, are plastic paper that you decorate (color, draw, stamp, cut out etc.), and bake. The heat makes the designs shrink down to 1/3^rd of their original size. You can then adhere the small plastic as accents to your scrapbook page.

For this post, I bought a pack of the Shrinky Dink paper, and asked my loved ones to help me decorate.

The waves on the right were made using half a sheet of the Shrinky Dink paper.

My sister and I had such nostalgia when I told her about this post. As children of the 80’s, we both remember when Shrinky Dinks first came out. The original Shrinky Dinks issued were like coloring pages with popular cartoon characters pre-printed on them.

They were a huge novelty, and the packs tended to sell out quickly. We begged our Mom to drive us to our local Toys R Us,and buy us the Cabbage Patch Kids themed set.

When my sister got home, she eagerly colored and baked her Shrinky Dink set, but she was crestfallen when her Cabbage Patch image emerged from the oven. The result was super tiny. It put the “dink” in “dinky” for sure, but watching it shrink through the oven door window was a cool experience.

And our present-day Shrinky Dink project was just as fun. The shapes really did shrink! The finished product appeared smaller than 1/3^rd to me, more like 1/5^th, but I’m not the best at measuring size.

These are the Shrinky Dink baking instructions I followed:

-         Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes.

-         Remove from oven and let cool and flatten with a smooth surface.

-         Bake for another 30 seconds.

The other embellishment I wanted to list requires a trip through the oven as well - polymer clay. Polymer Clay can shaped into any pattern. You can form letters, objects, characters, or carve designs for textured effect.

This embellishment also brought back fond memories for me– years ago I'd hosted a Halloween party, and one of the craft stations I had set up for the kids was making “Wizard’s Money” using polymer clay.

I'd laid out a bunch of polymer colors as well as plastic tools to use to form the clay. I let the children go to town creating the shapes, and everyone had such a great time. I also created little, draw-string leather bags for them to take their fortune home.

I still have my doubloons from that day. It was so much fun.

Looking back at the coins, I can see how easily that translates to scrapbooking. The clay is versatile, where you can make any shape you want. The clay comes in a variety of shades from metallic, neon, to earth-toned, and is available at most craft stores.

You simply shape and bake, then add your embellishment to your scrapbook page. J

Well, that sums up my E for the day. I thank-you, thank-you for stopping by.

I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions on scrapbooking or my daily letters – please leave a comment if you’re so inclined.

Or, if you’re ready for more exceptional and extraordinary E-posts please check out my fellow A-Z Bloggers. You can find them on social media by searching for #AtoZChallenge and @AprilA2Z.

The challenge continues right here tomorrow with F is FOIL.

See you then!

-         SNG J

D is for DIE CUT - #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z

Hello and welcome to D-Day for the A-Z Blog Challenge!

My theme is Scrapbooking, and today’s letter represents a technique that’s become a new favorite for me – Die Cuts.

Die cutting is where you use metal shapes (dies) to create paper designs that add dimension and texture to your scrapbook pages. This system is used a lot by card-makers, but the 3-D effect works well for any paper project.

Dies Cuts can be produced a few ways.

Themed and seasonal pre-produced die cuts (i.e. Easter eggs, Jack-o-Lantern faces), can be purchased, but are commonly sold in bulk, and are used more for classroom craft projects. Often it is a challenge to find an exact pre-cut die shape to match your scrapbook page needs.

Like cropping, you can produce a professional look using a die cut machine and manufacturer sold dies.

The Pros:

-         A Seamless, Beautiful Look - You can cut out corresponding shapes from craft foam (or pop dot adhesive) and stack the paper for a popped up effect.

-         Multi-Purpose - The dies can be used over and over in different ways. You can use up scrap pieces of paper, and customize the designs to fit your project. Dies can be used for other paper craft projects, too, like cards, ornaments, and tags.

The Cons:

-         Pricey – Formal die cutting can cost a bit of money as far as equipment goes. A small, basic die-cutting machine (Cricut Cuttlebug) can run about $80.00, plus the cost of the dies.

-         Bang for your Buck – After you invest in a die cut machine, you would want to consider how often you will use the dies that you purchase. Depending on their size, die packs range anywhere from $5 - $30, and you want to be sure that you get your money’s worth from frequent use.

I struggle with this often – I get excited when I see a new die pattern, but I try to stop and really think about whether or not it’s worth it.

A perfect example is recently I visited the National Botanic Gardens and got a great picture of the museum’s Southwest room. I later spotted a die cut set for succulent plants (cactus, ferns, aloe) that matched, but I had to ask myself whether the compliment of one photo was worth buying an entire die cut set.

I went with my gut (the shapes spoke to me), but I stayed frugal and waited until the set went on sale.

          In the end, my cacti turned out darn cute. (I think these dies would look fabulous using green velvet paper or sandpaper colored with green/brown distress inks.)

The goal, of course, is to get the most use out of the tools you have.

And machine made is not your only choice. Another simple option is to make the die cuts yourself.

I actually ran into this issue with a Thanksgiving page I have set up for later this year (you’ll see this scrapbook page again in the O is for Origami post). I used a machine die cut for the Thanksgiving turkey, but I couldn’t find a pie die cut that was functional enough to warrant the cost.

I turned to the good ol’ internet for pie design ideas when I found this:

Following the basic shapes, I cut out a rectangular pie plate, the brown dome, wavy edge for the crust, and eyelets for the steam slits. Using some stamp inks (you could use whatever you have at home: crayons, pencils, or markers), I shaded my pie to give it depth, and topped it off with “steam” from an existing coffee clear stamp set.

It turned out perfectly, and all of the materials used were in supply at home.

So, whether you cut using a machine, or create the image by hand, die cuts are a cool and aesthetic way to add appeal to your scrapbook page.

I appreciate you checking out my blog! Tomorrow is another exciting letter – E is for Embellishments. I hope you’ll stop by then.

And if you're ready for more A-Z Blog topics, please check out my fellow A-Z blogsters.

You can find them on social media using the #AtoZChallenge and @AprilA2Z.

-         SNG