Wednesday, July 02, 2008

TOP 40 TIPS (-39)! LOL!

Okay as my challenge for Beverley's 40 day celebration, I want you all to post a comment here with your TOP TIPS for scrapbooking, cardmaking, whatever! Anything that you've done in the past that you consider to be a brainwave, labour saving or just a little bit of useful advice. The idea is that I then add them in here as a post and hopefully we will have the TOP 40 TIPS.

And as it's a birthday bash, there has to be a pressie on offer so everyone who posts a comment is in with the chance of some scrummy stash, there's 12x12 patterned paper, die-cuts, chipboard, blossoms, card blanks and A5ish size patterned paper.I will use the random generator to pick one person and the kit will be on it's way to you!

You have until 5th July at 2pm GMT to enter.

So, I'll start the tips off.....

When trying cut a photo into a circle, pop a blob of blu-tac on the back, and use it to pop the point of a compass in, you get a perfect circle and no marks on the photo.

28 comments:

Bunny B said...

When writing on the back of your photo, write the notes where the subject is. This is to avoid any accidental loss of info when you cut the photo up.

bunnybox9 at gmail . com

Jo said...

Use wallpaper!

You can get free samples from DIY shops, and some of the patterns are absulutely gorgeous!

They are great for covering minibooks, ATCs and even layouts!

CathQuillScrap said...

Love the circle cutting tip... now why didn't I think of that!!

My tip... for me I get organised.. I scrap all my layouts using sketches and have my photos printed only after I've decided on the sketch for that layout... do all my cropping before printing... saves time on cropping and money on photo costs

Deanne Clarke said...

Keep all your scraps seperated by color either in folders or big zippy-type bags. That way ,if you're looking for a particular color, you don't have to rummage through every single piece of scrap. Simply pull out the color you are looking for.I keep mine organized in the colors of the rainbow ROY G BIV (red, orange, yellow,green,blue,and purple which are put with ingigo and violet)and then black, brown, white.

Zoe said...

Ok, i have to admit that i have been known once or twice to accidently layer up pretty papers slightly wonky :( so my tip is to stick dst to my jeans before i put it on my project. That way i can carefully peel it back if it is not inplace first time. (dont do this if you got a wooly jumper on lol!!!!) Another tip is that if you use a glue stick i find if you breathe over the area (it not yuk honest - it being creative lol) then it warm the glue a bit so you can remove it and restick if necessary.

Alix said...

ooooh yummy stash there roo!! my top tip is this:

turn post it notes upside down to hold chipboard letters while you colour/emboss them...it stops them flying all over the room and ending up on the floor!! :)

curlywhiskersandtwitchingnoses said...

Wipe down your craft mat/working area on a regular basis as it picks up an astonishing amount of dirt/glue etc over time that spoils nearly completed crafting!

Bibi said...

I learned this from someone else but think it's great so think I'll share. Buy a piece of cork and cut a piece slightly smaller than your metal ruler. Stick it to the back of your metal ruler with double sided tape and voila! Next time you cut anything with craft knife and metal ruler, the ruler will not slip! :) Is this alright? -Bibiana

pamala said...

hmmmmmmmmm, a fab brainwave relating to scrapping, let me see. I know, how about using a curling iron to straighten out your ribbon? When I have a lovely ribbon I would like to add to a project and it has a gret big ole crease in it, or it is too wrinkly for the project I just use my curling iron to iron it flat. Just open the iron, and slide the ribbon over. Easy peasy, fast, and works like a charm! No big iron needed. :)

Shirley Pando said...

Hi!
When working with alpha stickers use a clear plastic quilters ruler. Align the bottom tips of your stickers at the top edge of the ruler. Now, to get them on your paper use one finger to press the tops of the stickers on the paper and slip them off the ruler. Perfect placement every time! :D

jen t. said...

my tip is keep it simple. so(card, scrapbook page etc) before going to a friends or a crop make page/card kits and put into plastic sleeves with the picture so you don't have to spend your time searching for things that coordinate, so you can enjoy making and chatting instead. :) jen t. (mjk02@comcast.net)


www.jentscrappysideofme.blogspot.com

she.could said...

I'm still pretty new to scrapping, but...

In an effort to save money I love to search through dollar stores. They tend to have ribbons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, papers, and everything else a scrapper could possibly need- for the amazing bargain of $1.00!

she.could said...

I don't think my previous comment posted, so I'll try again.

I'm fairly new to the scrapping word but...

I love to peruse the dollar stores to see what I can find. They tend to have loads of markers, colored pencils, paper, stickers, and all sorts of other neat and crafty supplies. Everything a scrapper could need- all for the bargain of $1.00!

Kim said...

Well---this is a tip I just learned recently--and am in LOVE with it!!! Using all of the plastic pakaging that our supplies come in, plus many other items too (for instance my Big Kick, the packaging from the memory card for my camera, etc.) Use it to create your own ghost shapes!!!! I cut out a big flower shap--ran it through an embossing folder and painted it with acrylics! Voila--I had a ghost shape in the shape I wanted and the colors I needed for the page! I have soo much of that plastic aroung I can't wait to make more shapes! Plus, it helps reduce waste--can it get any better?

Lois aka katesmum said...

Instead of tossing those clear packaging pieces away, cut them up into shapes... doodle on them and you have a cheap and unique embellishment!

Ginny said...

Cutting four 5"x7" mats from a 12"x12" piece of card stock

Start from the outside edge of the paper and measure down 7". Cut toward the center of the paper 5". Now finish cutting the 5x7 mat back to the edge of the paper. From the same outside edge that you started with cut 5"x7" mat going the other direction. Keep going around the outside of the paper cutting 5"x7" then 7"x5" and when you finish there will be a little square of paper left from the center.

Unknown said...

If your short on scrapping space & a bit clumsy like me & keep knocking your rubbish pot/bin over spilling tiny bits of rubbish everywhere. I use an empty tissue box, because of the small opening on the top, if it does get knocked off your table less falls out :) plus when full you just chuck the whole thing out!
Jx

V Colbourne said...

Something new that I've gotten into is tearing the edges of photos- you know, just like tearing the edges of papers. Looks great and always unique since the tear will never be the same twice :)

Just be careful with the tearing, and don't do it on a photo you really love unless you have a backup version...heehee.

jeanie de la rama said...

h!i'm the first one. i hope 1 is the lucky number. ;)

jeanie de la rama said...

oops!sorry for spamming but i forgot my tip.to make the most out of my letter stickers, especially the ones that are cut out to the exact shape of the letter, i keep the backing and reuse it in future layouts. also, i am not sure if this is a "safe" tip a.k.a. acid-free but i get these really cheap foam letters in a local store but they're not in the colors i like so what i do is i paint them with nail polish. there are lots of metallic nail polish that look good on the foam letters. that's it. sorry for the spam again.

RuthieB said...

when doing anything to do with scrapbookin or cards, dont over crowd the item.... less is more!!!

Unknown said...

I like having my ribbons sorted by color. I find I use them more!

elliemook said...

Not trying to enter but just wanted to ask you to go have a look at my blog post for today cos there's something on there for you x

http://wellthisisme-elliemook.blogspot.com/2008/07/award-for-me-really.html

Anonymous said...

One of my most useful tips is to use an old catalog or phone book when you are gluing or painting. When the page gets messy, tear it off and have a clean surface to work on.

Swedie

ribenaruby said...

The plastic covering used for junk mail and catalogues is useful for gluing or for paper mache if you want to keep you work mat free of mess.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness ... there are some AWESOME tips here! I love the idea of using the old phone book and tearing out the page when I'm done! Also ...holding chipboard with a post it note and making my own ghost shapes from the plastic packaging? BRILLIANT!! Gotta be sure to remember those.

Whenever you need a quick center for a flower on your scrapbook page or card, just drop a lump of hot glue (about the size of a dime) onto some freezer paper. While it's still sticky, sprinkle it with some glitter or add micro beads or rhinestones or sequins to it. After it cools, lift it from the freezer paper and voila! You have a cheap and easy BLING flower center you can adhere with a glue dot...hehehehe...or even another small dot of hot glue!

take a peek at my blog: http://colettebate.typepad.com/

Sammie said...

My most time-saving tip is organization. I have all my paper, even the scraps, filed by color or type of pattern (stripes, flowers, dots, etc.). Then when I want a striped paper, I just go through that file folder.

Heather said...

My tip for scrapbooking would be to make sure your photos are backed up. I upload mine to Walgreens.com that way if I need copies, I can just go ahead and print them right from the website.