Totally Transparent: Scrapbooking with Transparencies and Clear Accents
Designing with Greetings
Sassy Canvas: Easy Techniques for Art on the Wall
Totally Transparent: Scrapbooking with Transparencies and Clear Accents
By Julie Scattaregia and Contributing Artists
Published by Creative Imaginations
Using transparencies in crafts is a phenomenon taking the scrapbook world by storm. Creative Imaginations gathered some of its most talented designers to provide over 100 projects in one book all using full sheets, cut pieces and scraps of transparencies. Both beginner and seasoned scrapbookers will find creative projects to try in “Totally Transparent”.
“Totally Transparent” explains that when choosing transparencies, always make sure they are marked as acid and PVC free so you know they are safe to use with photos. Another thing to keep in mind when working with transparencies is what type of paper to use. Any type you choose will have a huge impact on your final results. Cardstock, patterned papers and textured papers each create different affects that can greatly enhance transparency projects. The book also discusses ways to attach transparencies without seeing any traces of adhesive. A few ideas given are spray adhesive, brads, sewing, stitching, wet paint and ties.
In the first chapter, learn project ideas using full sheets of transparencies. Full sheets add dimension to text, images, patterns and photos. Chapter two shows you how to use cut pieces of transparencies for specific design elements and shapes. The next chapter was a challenge for the designers to create projects using clear products taken straight from the scrapbook store shelf. Find creative ways to use transparent tags, negative strips, slide mounts and much more.
The next few chapters take transparency art to another level. You will see projects made from altered transparencies and transparency scraps. You will also get great ideas on decorating album covers and using all sorts of clear scrapbook supplies.
The book winds down with a gallery of even more ideas and a list of materials needed for the projects. Throughout the book, “how to” sections are included to help guide you in making each project yourself. There are so many ways to use transparencies and clear accents to add more than just another layer to your layouts. This book is full of ideas you will definitely want to try!
Designing with Greetings
By Autumn Leaves
Published by Autumn Leaves
With the advent of email and text messages, some of us have forgotten the impact physical mail can have. We all love to receive mail, especially a card. It means someone cares enough about you to send a heartfelt message. “Designing with Greetings” is bursting with ideas for handmade cards, envelopes and cards that also act as a gift. Designers from Autumn Leaves compiled some of their best art work to help us create fresh and memorable cards.
The book is broken into several chapters with different themes for card making. Here are some of the ideas you will learn about:
• Card Shapes: Incorporate basic shapes into cards outside of the normal square, such as circles, flowers, animals and letters.
• Card Folds: Discover how to creatively fold card in gatefolds, accordion folds and more.
• Simple Cards: If you’re in a hurry to make a card, this chapter will give you ideas on how to make quick cards including mass-produced cards.
• Cards for Gifts: A card can double as a gift for twice the pleasure with ideas from this chapter, such as cards with key chains, ornament cards and CD cover cards.
• Cards with Photos: Find ways to personalize cards by creatively adding photos.
• Envelopes and Packaging: Bring smiles from the moment a card is given with imaginative card packaging.
Stroll through the final gallery of cards for even more card making ideas. As a bonus, you will get phrase prompts to get you started and a list of supplies and instructions for making the projects shown. There are so many ideas in this book you will surely be inspired to keep in touch with friends with handmade cards.
Classy Canvas: Easy Techniques for Art on the Wall
By Tiffany Windsor
Published by Design Originals
Canvas was once used only for painters but in today’s art world, canvas has taken on a life of its own. “Classy Canvas” gives practical yet beautiful ideas on how to make art on the wall. This is art you will be proud to give and display.
With a few basic supplies, you can create canvas art of your own. Here’s what you’ll need:
• Stretched canvas panels
• Paints
• Texture Magic
• Texture Tools
• Paintbrush or stencil sponge
• Glue
• Rubber Stamps
• Embellishments
Themes such as a Vintage Asian Canvas, Sunflower Garden, Beachcomber Canvas and Vacation Memories can easily be customized to fit your style and décor. You can even use scrapbook supplies you have around the house to embellish your canvases. Each project comes complete with materials needed and full-color step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. These techniques are easy to learn and will get you thinking outside the album.
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
