Transparencies might just be the best thing that ever happened to me as a scrapbooker! They're fun, they're versatile and they always seem to give my pages that extra "something" that I am looking for.

It wasn't until I found myself using transparencies on almost every layout that I discovered just how versatile they are. I use them "as is", but more often than not, I find myself cutting them into pieces and using one transparency on a 2 page layout or even on several different layouts. I always save my transparency scraps, as I never know when they might come in handy. (I save all my scraps in a file folder).

I paint transparencies with acrylic paint. I make them into pockets (because transparencies are so durable, they make great pockets for holding memorabilia). I layer photos and ephemera on top and underneath transparencies to create a "shadow box" effect. I cut them, I tear them (deckle edged scissors are a lot more predictable though) and I layer them.

I love that I'm not limited by color with transparencies. I can customized the look and color of any layout that I am working on by simply layering any colored cardstock, patterned paper, textured paper, or fabric underneath my transparency. Talk about versatile!

Adhering transparencies is easy. I use eyelets, brads, staples, paperclips, photo corners, stitching, sewing and spray adhesive (Scrapper’s Spray by Creative Imaginations works perfectly). The easiest way to adhere them, however, is to simply hide the adhesive in an area where it can’t be seen, such as under a photo or embellishment. For example, in my layout I hid the adhesive underneath the photo mat.



In addition to 12 x 12 inch transparencies, Narratives by Creative Imaginations also offers smaller sized transparencies, plus mini-albums and envelopes, metal-rimmed tags, bookplates, corrugated frames, slide mounts, and negative strips that are all made from transparencies!

If you haven't tried working with transparencies, let this be your inspiration! If you are already an old pro at using them, I'll bet you know that the information here is just the tip of the iceberg!

Have fun, enjoy and create!!!