TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Welcome to the Cardmaking and Paper Crafts Board! In this first block you will find tips and techniques for these related crafts. Whether you are new to card and/or paper crafting or have worked these crafts for years, you may find ways to get started or improve your current skills.

Be sure to occasionally check back for updates!



BASIC DECOUPAGE

It's easy, inexpensive and fun - and it can spruce up old furniture or bring new life to a plain box:http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/decoupage/a/0 12201a_2.htm



USES FOR OLD CARDS

*Decoupage them onto a paper mache' box, shoebox or other small box and keep treasures in it

*Decoupage them onto clay pots - be sure to seal it!

*You could make placemats out of old cards. Cut 27, 3 1/2" diameter circles out of the cards. Arrange them in an oval/placemat shape on opaque contact paper (something that goes along with your theme), overlapping the cards slightly, image side up, then cover with clear contact paper. Trim around outer cards. You can also make coasters with just a single circle. You can choose different themes - santas, religious, snowmen, flowers, teddy bears, etc.

*Use old cards to make fridge frames out of them. Cut out the text and then laminate the card. Attach (glue stick) a piece of clear plastic (piece of transparency film) over the hole and on the inside of the card. Then sew it to a piece of medium weight card stock using nylon thread. Add a magnetic strip to the back and a photo then goes in-between the the card stock and the laminated front and is visable through the former text hole.

*You can make bowls out of them!!!!!!Make a hexagon shape. then cut 6 pieces for sides tapering to fit hexagon at bottom. Punch holes all around edges to meet and lace together witth yarn. these are very cute and you can make any size you want.





HOW TO MAKE POP-UPS

*Pop-Up Animal Mouths: http://www.makersgallery.com/joanirvine/howto.html



*Pop-ups without glue. Use fonts from your computer: http://www.paper-paper.com/projects6.html





HOW TO ADD 3-D TO YOUR CARDS

*http://www.stampin.com/tips/3-dbrfly.htm





HOW TO COVER A BOOK OR ALBUM

*Make your cover as plain or as decorative as you desire! http://www.pioneerthinking.com/chphotoalbum.html



*Make a see-through protective book cover:

You'll need a roll of clear cellophane (like used for making gift baskets) and a roll of plain brown paper (like used for mailing). Using the existing jacket for a pattern measure the brown paper and cut. Now do the same with the clear cellophane, only make it 1/2 to 1 inch larger on top and bottom. Insert the book jacket between cellophane and brown paper (picture side facing out). Fold over cellophane over brown paper edge and use a glue stick to stick it down. Do same with other edge. Fold on original fold lines. Using a short piece of "scotch" tape, tape on outside of book, bring to inside over top of jacket flap. (Look at library books to see how it should be).



*Below are instructions for covering a bridal album. Again, you may want to either add to or subtract embellishments:

MATERIALS:

· Large photo album* (approx. 12” square) white or color of your choice

· 15” x 30” piece polyester batting*

· Two pieces cardboard, same size as album

· 1 1/4 yard white/ivory fabric*

· Satin flowers*: Ivory: two 1 3/4”, two 1”; white: two 1”, five 1/2”

· Self-adhesive satin ribbon*: Ivory, 12” length of 1 1/2” wide, two 12” lengths of 5/8” wide, five 12” lengths of 3/8” wide

· 18” length of 1/8” ivory satin ribbon*

· Three photos

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cardboard: Measure and cut two cardboard pieces and two batting pieces 1/4” smaller than album top. Set aside one cardboard piece and batting.

2. Oval mat: Trace two small and one large oval patterns onto paper and cut out ovals. Referring to photo at top of page, position paper ovals on top of one cardboard piece with large oval centered and each small oval positioned on either side, left one high, right one low. Trace ovals onto cardboard. Carefully score along pencil lines with craft knife. For mat, either go around each oval several times with craft knife to remove ovals or use scissors to cut a starter hole inside each oval, and then continue to cut along scored line.

3. Batting: Glue one piece of batting to cardboard mat (with ovals). Use scissors to cut ovals in batting trimming even with openings.

4. Fabric: Position mat with batting side down, onto wrong side of fabric. Cut fabric 1” larger than mat. Carefully pull up edges of fabric and glue to back of mat by gluing 2” at a time and pressing fabric down, working back and forth on opposite edges of mat and pulling snugly.Trim, fold and glue to miter corners. When outside edge is finished, cut small opening in center of one oval. Trim fabric to within 1/2” of edge of opening. Using small sharp scissors, cut small lines in fabric 1/4” apart with lines radiating toward mat edge.Pull up fabric snips and similarily glue to back of mat, by working back and forth on opposite edges of opening for a smooth edge. Repeat to finish edges of remaining two ovals.

5. Cardboard back: Cover second cardboard piece with batting and fabric in same manner as album front.

6. Inside finishes: Note: If fabric is sheer or the color of the album will show through you may wish to spray paint album cover. (Optional: If you want to completely cover album, inside as well as outside, continue with the following instructions, otherwise proceed to next step.) Remove screws from album. Place inside of album front cover onto wrong side of fabric. Trim fabric 2” larger on screw side and 1” larger on remaining sides. (Note: Take a moment to make sure you will have enough fabric to cover the screw side of the album.) Follow Step 4 Instructions to wrap and glue fabric, being sure to neatly

7. Ribbon embellishment: Plan position of various ribbon strips on mat front as desired. Remove paper strip from ribbon and press in place, wrapping ribbon ends to back of cardboard. Cut off excess length. Repeat to place ribbon strips on album. Repeat to embellish cardboard back.

8. Assembly: Position and glue edges of three sides of mat front to top of album, leaving one side open for photo insertion. Similarly glue all edges of cardboard back to back of album. Assemble front to back by making small hole in fabric where connecting screws are inserted. Insert screws.

9. Flower Embellishment: Refer to photo to arrange a variety of your choice of ribbon flowers on album. Glue in place. Cut 1/8” ribbon into 6” and 12” lengths. Position, twist and spot glue ribbon as desired.



*NO SEW OPTION: Glue batting cut to the size of the outside of the photo album. Cut the chosen fabric about 3 inches wider (all around) than the photo album. (Assuming that this is a normal size photo album) Fold over the edges neatly like wrapping a gift and glue with hot glue gone to inside of photo album. I then cut posterboard and glue to the insides to cover the fabric that was folded over. This is the easiest way to do without actually sewing the fabric. Then trim around the edges with lace. Good luck!!