Frugal Fun: Prudent Paper Pruning and Artsy Alphabets

Hi. Hope you're having fun with your kits!  Since I have shared with you from my interview with Tammy my joy in finding ways to maximize the use of my kits, I thought I might share a couple ideas with you today.  If you have been scrapbooking as long as I have, these tips probably won't be very new to you.  However, if your anything like me, a reminder never hurts.

When I layer my patterned papers, I almost always cut out the inside of the bottom layers so that I can use the paper for additional projects.  The beautiful blue dotted paper above provides an example.  I strategically cut out the inside of the paper with my rotary trimmer.  I have found that if I leave about an inch extra of paper to attach to the layering piece above, there is enough support to hold the base of the page together well.  The images below show the cut of the blue dot paper, and the backside of this layout before the stitching.

Some of the flowers from my patterned paper scrap were then cut for a future page.

My second tip, today, refers to the alphabets that I use.  What do I do when I have used all my E's in an alphabet sticker collection?  Use a backwards, upside down 3.  In fact, I'm often reconstructing my numbers and letters from my alphabets to fit my scrapbooking title ideas.

In the layout above, not only did my 3's become E's but my P became an R; and, my D was made out of a zero and an I.

Do you have a favorite frugal tip or alphabet cheat?

Technique Tip: Journaling With Embossed Strips

How do you feel about your penmanship?  As for me, I don't care very much for my writing.  In fact, I have completely redone layouts because I have felt like I ruined the whole look of a layout with my ugly writing.  I still, occasionally, journal on my pages. But when I do, I have to use pencil lines that get erased later.  Or I write on a paper that is detached from the base of the layout.  That way if it looks too bad, I don't have to start the layout over.

I, always, have to take my time when writing.  Since most of my stories are long, I almost always do the bulk of my journaling on the back of my layouts.

However, on the occasion when I believe that a layout requires more explanation than the title portrays, I often print something separately with a typed document. Frequently, I use my computer. But, another favorite tools is my pink Dymo.

I'm not sure if this particular one is available anymore but you could probably find something similar by searching for an embossing labeler.

I had one similar as a child and loved it.  So, I picked up this one a number of years ago to add a little variety to my journal strips.  I used it both this month and last month.  You may see the ways that I used it below:

Do you have any journaling ideas to share for those of us that don't like our writing?

Daily Inspiration: Layout of the Day!

Layout by Brenda Ragsdale, using the Shimelle True Stories layout kit from the June 2015 Flavors of the Month Kit. I love the layers of papers, embellishments and text that highlight one precious photo and memory.

Technique Tips: Adding Dimension

There are several ways to add dimension to your layouts without a lot of bulk.  Some techniques that I use include adding paper layers, making selective color choices with strategic placement and adding inked or penned borders to my layout or its paper pieces.  Since I love the look of dimension but don't care so much for needing to size down the edges of my layouts, I use paper illusions.

My layout using this month's sketch has a few techniques that I like in order to give my flat pages a more dimensional appearance.

First, I used some layering.  The photo is matted as is the yellow patterned paper, which has a double mat.  The stickers are matted as well.  This helped add dimension to the heart stickers.  Additionally, the paper covers the sticky edges so that it was easier for the pop dots to keep all edges of the hearts lifted.  The "so happy together" circle sticker was also matted.

A second technique that I use to help provide dimension in a page without providing any bulk is by adding penned stitches or else called "faux stitching".  You can see them around the edges of the bookmark strip below.

Do you use these techniques to add dimension, or do you have other ideas to share?