How to create the "border punched" look

One of my scrapbook addictions has become butterfly punches and border or edger punches.  Many people are still waiting on THIS popular postage stamp border punch to be in stock in stores and online.  I checked my local Joann's and found the whole section of new Fiskars border punches to be empty, so no luck there.

Since my list of scrappy "wants" seems to be ever growing AND the store was out of the punch I wanted to try, I used supplies I had on had to create the same effect of two of the punches I'd been eyeing. 

Here's how:

I used a medium weight patterned paper (Pink Paislee to be exact) and a small circle punch I think I got in the dollar spot somewhere a few years back.  I did look at Joann's when I was there and saw THIS small circle punch that I think would help to create the same effect for $3.99.

I was really impressed with the end effect (although my punch is a bit difficult to punch with heavier papers) and think it looks almost exactly like the speciality paper I used on THIS page.

Next, I used the same circle punch and my corner rounder with the guard taken off to recreate the look of THIS new punch that my friend Angie posted about HERE.

By popping off the plastic gurard and flipping the punch backwards, you are able to line up the punch with the previous punched area to create a continuous scalloped edge.

Then, I lined the circle punch up in the center of each scallop and punched a hole.

The end effect does closely resemble the EK Success large slimline edger punch that retails for $17.99 at my Michael's store.

I realize this punch could be easily reacreated as well.  Since it was the last one at my store (on sale) and I had been wanting it for a while, I decided it should come home with me.  I can't wait to use it.

This pic is of the goodies I picked up yesterday on my little shopping excursion (all on sale or with coupons of course)...I can't wait to create something with them. 

Granted, the punches I posted about are far from necessity, but I really do love the look of them and the extra "umph" it gives my creations.  Who knew that a tiny circle punch and a border punch could have so many individual and combined uses?  After recreating these, I plan on looking around my "studio" and seeing what else I can think of to use differently.  Had I actually bought the punches I wanted at full price, they would have been well over $30 but I now have a similar look for FREE by using what I had on hand.  Pretty nifty, huh?  What do you think?  Do you want to see more tutorials on recreating popular border punch looks?

That Fuzzy, Wuzzy Feeling...

Don't you just love those Hallmark cards with the fuzzy velvet feel to them?  I was blown away when I realized I could reacreate that same effect on my pages and projects. 

Here's a little tutorial on how to use flock:

Supplies needed:

*double-sided adhesive runner (ATG or duck runner)

*flocking powder (Martha Stewart)

*chipboard (American Crafts)

*small plate/tray to catch excess flock (pampered chef

mixing bowl lid)

Apply your adhesive to the ENTIRE surface of your chipboard.  One way to assure full coverage is to use the "sticky" side of a piece of adhesive chipboard.  I did find that the duck adhesive covered more area and was a little flatter than my ATG 1/4 inch tape.

Place your chipboard piece on your plate/lid and use your finger to gently tap the bottle until the piece is covered well.

The chipboard should look like this when it is covered.  I did try my best not to "waste" any more flock than I had to (cause I'm stingy like that...hehehehe).

Take a small piece of scrap paper to lay on top of the flock pile and gently press to ensure the flock is stuck to your chipboard.  Pick up the piece and gently thump the back to remove the excess flock.  Gently press the flock down again.

The center butterfly is the original chipboard and the two on the sides are covered.  The color flocking powder I used is called Peony.

The one on the far left isn't covered.

I liked using this lid because it was easier to replace the unuse flock into the bottle.

I used the butteflies along the side of a picture with journaling spots on a page.

Thanks for visiting my blog today! Have you ever tried flock?

Are you going to now?  It's really easy. :0)

Handmade Shabby Chic Flowers

Handmade flowers, and those made by popular scrapbook companies like THESE by Prima, have become very popular.  Since buying more than a few of them would probably set me back a small fortune, I was inspired to make something similar myself and used supplies I had on hand. 

 Supplies needed:

 Glimmer Mist (I used Patina)

permanent adhesive runner

sturdy paper or cardstock

scissors

light colored ribbon

tissue paper

aluminum foil

To start, cut a circle out of the cardstock slightly bigger than you would like your flower to be.  You can free-hand them, since they don't have to be perfect.  Next, cut your tissue paper into 2 or 3 long strips.  I did mine about 1 1/2 inches the first time and 2 1/2 inches the second.  The wider your tissue paper, the more depth to your flowers (so if you plan to scrapbook with them & don't care for a lot of bulk, go skinny with them).  Apply adhesive all over your circle.

Twist your tissue paper until it looks like this and adhere it to the center of the flower.

Continue to twist and stick, twist and stick all the way around the circle.  If you run out of tissue paper before you are finished, continue with a new piece where you left off making sure to hide any edges if you can.

Use your thumb to flatten out the flower & help the tissue paper to stick.

When you have the size flower you desire, tightly wind the end of the tissue paper and slightly tuck it under the outside edge of flower between the flower and cardstock.  Cut around the flower to remove the excess cardstock. 

Position your flower on your foil and spray with glimmer mist about 3 times or so.  If you desire a darker shade, allow your flower to dry more and respray.  If you saturate it too much, it will want to unwind.

I chose sheer ribbon for this next step, but any light color would work.  Simply wad up your ribbon and dip and smear it into the glimmer mist.  Fold your foil over and seal off the edges so none of the mist leaks out.

Wad the foil up with the ribbon inside and set aside for a bit.  When you remove it, it may still be a bit damp.  If you want it to stay a bit crinkled, open it up and leave it alone until it dries.

After using the satin ribbon on my Seattle layout, I decided to pick up a couple more spools at Michael's (aka Mike's) 50% off sale on Sunday.  The color of the ribbon inspired me to create some matching embellishments.

So what do you think? Kinda spiffy, huh? I can't wait to create another page with them, hopefully for that vacation album!

Candy Break

Several of my scrappy pals and I have committed to complete 31 pages in May, and unfortunately I had only finished 2 as of early this morning.  Well, move over, Gloria, because I'm gaining on you.  I woke up this morning determined to create a page, and I actually scrapped my first layout for our Seattle vacation album from...ahem...2008.  Yeah, I've been putting it off and "saving" the pictures and products until I knew I could do them justice.  What do you think of my first creation for this album?

Here's a close-up of my satin bow...I love the poof satin ribbon gives a good bow.  I used my ATG gun to adhere this to the layout as well:

I like to bend and fold the edges of parts of my background paper and then ink them.  For this look, I did that and created a little rip about 1 1/2 inches into my paper.  I inked the edges, rolled them back and forth to make them soft and inked a bit more:

I inked the front side of this paper scrap and used my ATG tape gun to adhere it behind the tear:

All products besides the ink and pen are from Making Memories (mostly from the Passport line).  Thanks for stopping by to check out my vacation creation...hehehe that rhymed...anyhoo, I hope to have at least one or two more layouts to add to my total by Monday.  I'll keep you posted. ;o)