“Scrapbooking 101-Embellishments are the Key”

During this “Shelter in Place” we are under, I have a lot of extra time to work on my blog and my hobbies.  One of my favorite hobbies is to scrapbook.  I especially enjoy watching my design come together.  However, I never feel the page is complete until I add the embellishments.  For me, they add the final touch.

It doesn’t matter if you are new to scrapbooking or an avid scrapper, it doesn’t take long to realize that you can spend a lot of money on ready-made embellishments.  That is why I try to make as many of my own as I can.  I do this by saving items that others might throw away.  I never know when they may become useful.

This post will demonstrate how to make three of my favorite and most used embellishments: TAGS, ENVELOPES and POCKETS.  The post will also show you how to use buttons, ribbon, brads and Washi tape in your designs.

TAGS: I use tags as an embellishment for four different reasons.  I have tags that I make to journal on.  Some tags I make to simply add color and texture to a page.  Other tags, I write on a little quote or message.  Finally, I try to use a cute tag I have saved from something as an inspiration.  I try to replicate it as closely as I can.  Each of these tags takes only about five minutes to make.

TAG #1- Journaling Tag.  My tools for this tag are simple: 1) A plain piece of card stock…in this case it is a piece of a file folder. 2) An old tag I saved that will be my pattern. 3) Paper punch. 4) Washi tape. 5) Blue marker. 6) Scissors.

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Step #1…Trace the pattern and then cut it out.  Step #2…Outline the tag with the blue marker and punch a hole in the top.  Step #3…I take the desired length of Washi tape and fold it in half to make the ribbon.

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TAG #2- Color/Texture Tag.  Tools: 1) The paper I choose. 2) Piece of ribbon. 3) Tag pattern. 4) My mini cutting-board. 5) Exacto knife. 

Step #1…Trace pattern on wrong side of textured paper and cut out. Step #2…Use the pattern as a guide and carefully cut the slots (wrong side of paper) with a sharp exacto knife.  Step #3…String the ribbon through the slots.

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TAG #3- Quote or Message Tag.  The tools needed for this tag are very basic: a tag off some purchase that has a quote, a piece of ribbon and tiny scissors.

Step #1…Using my tiny scissors, I cut the bottom off the tag to focus on the design.  Step #2…String the ribbon through the hole and tie a bow.

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TAG #4- Replicate a ready-made tag I like.  For this I need a piece of card stock, paper cutter, ribbon, button and pattern tag.

Step #1…Cut the card stock to desired size and fold in half. Step #2…Punch a hole in the top and string the ribbon through the hole.  Step #3…Use a needle with a large eye to string the ribbon through a two-hole button.

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ENVELOPES:  I use envelopes of various sizes on my designs for a variety of reasons.  I have quite the collection of envelopes of different sizes and use them as my patterns.  Many of the really small ones have actually come with extra buttons in them from when I buy a piece of clothing.  TOOLS: 1) Envelope pattern. 2) Heavier paper and a pencil. 3) Scissors. 4) Glue stick.

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Step #1…Choose an envelope pattern.  I carefully open the envelope up and then trace it on a piece of heavier paper.  Then I cut it out.  Step #2…I use the pattern envelope to fold the one I have made and then glue the bottom flap into place.  Uses…to display a photo or a memento you don’t want to permanently adhere to the page.

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POCKETS: I use pockets much in the same way that I use envelopes.  I make them in many different shapes and sizes.  It is a great way to display tickets, pamphlets and other memorabilia I don’t want to destroy with adhesives. TOOLS: Various sizes and weights of paper, glue stick, scissors, paper punch and paper cutter.

POCKET #1: One of my favorite pockets is one I use quite often in my card making.  I got the idea for this pocket from the homemade card I received from a friend. It was actually the inspiration for making my own cards, It is easy to make and only requires three different pieces of paper.  I use a print piece measuring 4.5 inches by 6 inches, a light weight piece of plain card stock measuring 4.5 inches by 6 inches and a different print piece measuring 3.5 inches by 5 inches.  I glue the smaller of the print pieces to the back of the card stock, matching the top and left-hand corner.  I turn the card stock to the front side and fold down the top right-hand corner so the triangle it forms measures 2.5 by 2.5 inches.  I use an adhesive square on the back of the triangle so it lays flat. Then I glue the card stock to the first print paper, leaving room to insert an item.

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POCKET #2: This pocket requires one piece of 5 inches by 10 inches heavy paper with a design on both sides.  I fold over both 10 inch sides 1/4^th inch.  Then, I fold the bottom up 4.5 inches.  I trim the ¼ inch fold from the six-inch long top.  This gives me a small flap on the bottom side to glue, thus forming the pocket.  I punch two holes one inch apart on the top of the pocket front.  Then I thread a piece of ribbon through the holes and tie a bow.

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POCKET #3: This is a clear pocket.  Since I save everything, the supplies for this pocket are one piece of textured heavy paper, a clear pocket from an old name tag and four small brads.  I cut the backing to size, leaving a 1/4^th inch border. Then I take the four brads and attach the clear pocket to the textured paper.  This is a perfect pocket to display a postcard with a note on the back that I don’t want to ruin with adhesive.

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POCKET #4: This is a pocket in the shape of the back of jeans pocket.  I use one piece of plain heavy paper as well as a fine point marker, pencil, glue scissors and brads or small buttons.  I have a premade pattern. 1) Trace the pattern on the paper and cut out. 2) Use the fine point marker to draw in the stitches.  Attach with glue to whatever you are using it for by gluing all sides except the top.  Use either the brads or buttons to decorate the top corners.     

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Buttons, Foam Pieces, Ribbon, Brads and Washi Tape:  I use all of these items to add depth and texture to either a scrapbook page or a greeting card.  However, when I use them on greeting cards, I have to allow that it will be extra postage.  Below are examples of ways I have used them all.

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When I am in the craft section of a store, I do like looking at all the ready-made embellishments and occasionally buy a few.  However, I always get a sense of accomplishment when I make my own.  Plus, I like to feel I am doing my own little part in saving the world’s resources when I re-purpose old buttons, tags, envelopes and ribbons instead of throwing them away.

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Look for POST #3 on scrapbooking in a couple of weeks.  It will feature demonstrations on how I make my greeting cards and sometimes the envelopes for them.  Making my cards is a great use of all the scrap pieces of paper I have.  I will also show how I re-purpose many of the greeting cards I receive.

Until then, “Stay Safe and Keep Believing.”