October 2007 - Posts

• TTT #22 - Add Glitter for some Bling!

  The best way I've found to adhere glitter, instead of the old fashioned globs of glue, is to use spray adhesive. To adhere glitter, coat item with spray adhesive, sprinkle with glitter and allow to dry. Remember, spray glue is like spray paint, it gets everywhere. So pray it outside or cover your work surface and project so you don't get it all over the place. :) Posted Oct 25 2007, 06:44 PM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES

• TTT #21 - Adhere your Letters

  There are a few of ways to adhere your letters to your projects without getting glue all over yourself or your work surface. Use a glue pen and pick up the letters with tweezers. If your letters are super tiny. Take a scrap and pile some glue from my glue pen, and then paint the glue on with a very tiny artist's brush. Works well and keeps the glue from getting everywhere. I pick them up with tweezers. Xyron sticker makers! Basically you'd cut out your letters then run each letter through your Xyron to convert it into a sticker. A glue stick will work great if you have a large enough space on your letter to keep you from getting glue all over your fingers. Mini Glue Dots are also great if you  don't mind putting on each dot separately. My Favorite besides the glue pen is using an adhesive roller. Get a scrap piece of paper and place all of your letters face down, roll the adhesive roller on the back of all of the letters, then pick up the letters with tweezers and apply them to your project. Yes, you'll end up getting some adhesive on your scrap piece of paper, but it's okay. You would have wasted more if you would have used your Xyron sticker maker. Good luck and let me know which is your favorite method and why. :) P.S. These techniques work great with the letters you cut out from your Cricut Machine or any digital or manual die cutters. Posted Oct 25 2007, 05:28 PM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, STICKERS, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES, LETTERING, PAPER-PIECING

• TTT #20 - Types of Ribbon

  There are so many types of ribbon out there, I figured I'd fill you in on the types of Ribbon Fidjiti sells. Grosgrain - A closely woven silk or rayon fabric with narrow horizontal ribs. These ribs give this ribbon a wonderful texture and is the most popular type of ribbon used in card making or scrapbooking. This ribbon also has a great sheen and catches the light beautifully. Organdy - A plain woven fabric that is fine and sheer, with a crisp finish. Gingham - Is a fabric made from dyed cotton yarn and has no right or wrong side regarding color. Gingham is woven into a checkered or plaid pattern and has a matching edge or trim color. Twill - A flat twill-woven ribbon of cotton. Also known as twill tape. This twill has a herringbone weave, the fibers come from the sides and run diagonally into the center. This ribbon is durable and completely washable. You can stamp on twill, dye twill, use rub-ons on twill, sew twill or just use it as-is. Satin - A smooth fabric, as of silk or rayon, woven with a glossy face and a dull back. Fidjiti sells prepackaged ribbon, ribbons on spools and ribbon by the yard! Posted Oct 25 2007, 11:08 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, EMBELLISHMENTS, ribbon

• TTT #18 - Punch Out Several

  If you use your favorite punch on most of your projects, I suggest punching out several at a time from your favorite colors. Cut them out from cardstock or old swatch books you may not need anymore. Doing this simple thing could save you hours of time in the long run. Just get your stack ready for punching, sit down and catch up on some of your favorite shows. It really doesn't take very long, just depends on how many scraps and different punches you have. You can even put them in a glass container to easily pick out the color you need. Put them close to your work area so you'll be reminded to use them. Note: You can even do this with alphabets! Posted Oct 18 2007, 02:15 PM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, TIME SAVERS, ORGANIZATION, EMBELLISHMENTS

• TTT #17 - Liquid Glass

  While at a card exchange I learned of a new product, called Liquid Glass. It looks like clear puff paint. Unfortunately I don't sell it, but not because I don't want to. It's a Close to My Heart product and they only sell through consultants. Regardless of who sells it, I felt it was definitely worth telling you about. What's Liquid Glass? Liquid glass is a liquid in a bottle which is poured onto a surface to make images shine, look 3-D, embossed look and pop off the page! You can add liquid glass to any stamped image or text. Just squeeze it out to cover the desired area and it dries in about 10-15 min. The thin tip/nozzle allows you to apply thin lines over your stamped images or trace the lines of letters instead of thick globs. What color is it? It's clear! This allows you to use it over any stamped color. Perfect for those of us who don't have the rainbow in embossing powders. You also don't need the heat tool. :) Well, what are you waiting for, go get yourself one. It's way cute and makes you look like a pro scrapper and stamper. www.closetomyheart.com  Posted Oct 18 2007, 12:52 PM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES, TITLES, vellum

• TTT #19 - Keep Ribbon From Fraying

  I hate it when my ribbon frays, but I've found a few ways to solve this problem. Try any of them and let me know how you liked it. If the end won't show on your finished project you can just use a piece of tape to cover the end of the ribbon. You can Melt the ends of your ribbon. Melting simply involves a match or a lighter. Carefully hold the flame far from your ribbon while still being able to melt the edge. You can always melt a little more so it is better to go slowly. Also make sure to do this in a well ventilated area as the melting can give off a strong odor and also do this above your sink in case you burn yourself and accidentally drop the ribbon or lighter/match. Remember, you do this at your own risk, try not to burn the house down for this. :) If you would prefer to fix the ends you can dab the ends of the ribbon with glue. Use a glue which will dry clear and is washable if you are using it on clothing. The only downside to this method is waiting for the glue to dry completely which usually takes several minutes to a few hours depending on the glue. Posted Oct 18 2007, 10:56 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES, ribbon

• TTT #16 - Adding Dimension

  One good way to add dimension to images or embellishments is to use double stick foam tape or 3-D Glue Dots. These literally allow items to pop out adding realism. To Use Foam Tape: Simply, cut the foam tape into whatever shape and size you want. Then, attach to shape onto your scrapbook page. Double stick foam tape is available at Wal-Mart. To Use Glue Dots: Remove a dot from the roll and place it onto your embellishment. You can also put the embellishment right on the dot, then pull the embellishment off with the dot attached and adhere onto your project. Posted Oct 11 2007, 11:58 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, STICKERS, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES

• TTT #15 - Pattern Paper

  I love patterned paper! Patterned paper can be used for backgrounds, mats, borders, and embellishments. Often plain white or solid backgrounds look a bit dull. Patterned backgrounds add a touch of excitement to your page. You can even use patterned paper for your die-cuts and punch outs. Posted Oct 11 2007, 11:54 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, BACKGROUNDS, EMBELLISHMENTS

• TTT #14 - Adhering Vellum 2

  Okay, I've just learned a new way to adhere vellum. I think you all will love this. With most adhesives you'll get a cloudiness effect caused by gluing, instead of applying the glue in the center of the vellum try applying only a thin line of glue along the edges of the vellum. You will see a slight shadow only along the very edge, but that's okay becayse it'll look like a border to the vellum. What do you think? Great huh? Posted Oct 11 2007, 11:47 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, JOURNALING POEMS & QUOTES, BORDER IDEAS, TECHNIQUES, TITLES, JOURNALING, vellum

• TTT #13 - Fraying Paper

  Just cut your paper border about an inch larger than you need. Then, dampen this border by dipping only the edges of the paper into a shallow dish of water. Then, the edges of the paper can then be easily pulled off. Wait until the paper dries before adhering it to your project. This is similar to tearing, but it'll give it a slightly different look. Try it and see for yourself! Posted Oct 04 2007, 11:43 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, BORDER IDEAS, TECHNIQUES, PAPER-PIECING

• TTT #12 - Tearing Paper

  Tearing is the ripping of paper. Tearing adds an artistic look to backgrounds, borders, and embellishments. There are two basic techniques to tearing. If you’re using a colored or patterned paper with a white core or on the back, tearing in different ways will have different effects. Pulling the paper TOWARD you while tearing creates a white edge. Tearing the paper AWAY from you will result in a colored edge.  Torn edges are perfect for creating mats for your pictures or journaling blobk.   Alter the torn edge! Use chalk or direct-to-paper ink to give it the final touch. Tearing a Large Piece of Paper, maybe 12"? Place the paper on a table or flat surface. Hold one side of the paper with the palm of your hand (hold a ruler or straight edge there for a very straight tear) while tearing with the other hand. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect tear, they are meant to be creative and artistic. If you prefer to have a more guided tear, you can try using a bit of water on a foam brush or thin paint brush to draw a shape or straight line on your paper, then tear while it is still damp. Just be sure wait till the paper dries before adhering it to your project. Posted Oct 04 2007, 11:18 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, BORDER IDEAS, TECHNIQUES, JOURNALING, PAPER-PIECING

• TTT #11 - Newspaper & Magazine Clipings

  Newspaper clippings of birth announcements, team photographs, deaths or favorite celebrities add a personal and official touch to scrapbook pages. Sadly, newspaper contains about 4% lignin. Therefore, yellowing and brittleness of the newspaper paper will eventually occur. However, since the percentage of lignin is low, newspaper will preserve for many years before this deterioration process begins to occur. To further slow this process, use page protectors to protect the newspaper from the outside elements or simply laminate the newspaper. You can also make a color copy onto Acid & Lignin Free paper and you're still able to get the same effect without letting the newspaper affect the rest of the layout.   Posted Oct 04 2007, 10:48 AM by fidjiti with no comments Filed under: three thursdays, tips, JOURNALING POEMS & QUOTES, EMBELLISHMENTS, TECHNIQUES