Techneek of the Week

Welcome to a new segment I hope to bring to the Classes Blog on a semi-regular basis. I'm always working on new things, and some techniques the rest of the girls and I figure out just don't make it into classes! But I still want to pass on the stuff we learn...so you can skip all the hard steps of figuring things out and just reap the benefits!!! I hope you find some inspiration here, and have some fun getting your Mojo working!!


Techneek of the Week #1


This week I was playing with ideas for the "Environmentally Friendly Scrapbooking" class, and I thought it would be nice to share some things I came up with that you can use in your scrapbooking everyday to make the most out of your supplies and be a little "greener."


These two pages share the same basic layout, but with one big difference. The one on the left was done with environmentally friendlier techniques and supplies. Now get out your creative brains and dust off your imaginations and I'll lead you through the construction this page, step by step.







Instead of using pattern paper for your background or as an accent, try making your own with some stamps! On the not-so-green layout, I used a beautiful flocked pattern paper by Making Memories. On the "green" layout, I made my own background using Scenic Route acrylic stamps and some stamping ink.



First, you'll want to cut your template. I traced my 4x6 photo template on a piece of scrap paper and then cut it out and taped it down (lightly) where I wanted it on my background.



Lisa's Tip: I have a bunch of picture templates that I keep on hand when I am planning a layout. These are cut to sizes of pictures that I usually use (4x6, 3.5 x 5, wallet size, etc.), and I can just pull them out and place them on my background when I need to see how things are going to fit on a page. That way I also know what sizes my photos should be once I print them.


Next, choose the stamp you want to use to create your background. It should be one that is symmetrical, and can be repeated many times. Ink it up really good, and fill the space. You might want to either do a test run (so you don't wreck your background) or stamp the pattern on another sheet of leftover paper and cut it out to fit the space. Once you're done this step, you can remove your stamping template from the page.




I love using packaging on my layouts!! And I love to use ledger or lined paper as well. So the KI Memories Love Elsie line is the "Bees Knees"!!! And it's really great for those of us who like to add some journaling to our layouts. And I always have some packaging and some lined paper in my stash, which makes it easier to reach for these environmentally-friendly items when I'm in the midst of a creative burst.


For this part, I cut my Love Elsie packaging down to size and since it wasn't big enough to fit the whole space, I added some simple lined paper (leftover from when I was still in school!!). Since the lined paper is very see-through, I folded it over before I adhered it to my page. Now I can easily add journaling or my title to the space...I have built in reference lines!!





I am a big fan of creating my own embellishments. Sometimes I just can't find what I'm looking for in the store. You know...the "perfect thing." So I make my own in whatever colour and size I need to fit my layout. This is a great time and place to use "found items" and stamps.


First, I chose a 7 Gypsies label acrylic stamp set and some packaging, this time from a Scenic Route chipboard set. You'll want to use a permanent ink (like Staz-On) if you're stamping onto a glossy surface. Or you can emboss the image (try coloured embossing powder for a really fun look!). If you're really adventurous, try doodling an image...you can start simple with a circle, square, heart, squiggle line, but this can really add a personal touch to your layouts!


After I stamped the circle label, I punched it out with a slightly larger circle punch. These little guys come in handy when creating your own embellishments. They save you time and effort when you want a nice shape, or lots of them! Next, I added some colour with my red Slick Writer pen along the border of the stamped circle. These pens are great for adding some quick journaling or doodles to a gloss surface and also come in handy when labelling the back of your photos. No smudging, no streaking, and they come in a bunch of rad colours, and different-sized tips.


A "found item" (as defined by Lisa...that's me) is something that would normally be thrown out before you even considered putting it on a scrapbook layout! Something that is not a traditional scrapbook supply. For example: tags from your new shirt, the cute ad for ringtones that came in the CD you just bought, wrapping paper leftover from your daughter's birthday, etc. etc. etc. Anything can be a found item, and if you're not concerned with "acid-free", can be used on your scrapbook layouts.

On this page, my found item is the mesh bag that my oranges come in. I cut a bit off and used it as ribbon behind the stamped image. I save anything that can be used as ribbon, including "garbage" ribbon from presents and leftover tidbits from Starbucks packaging! You can always add a little ribbon to a page for some texture and visual interest. Try pop-dotting a punched-out image above your ribbon, as I did here.

Finish up with a little doodling around the edge, and voila! Your first (of many, I hope!) "green" layout!

I hope you enjoyed my first "Techneek of the Week." Check back in another week or so, when I hope to have some Ranger techniques up for you to try! If you have any comments or questions, or suggestions for future posts please leave them here, and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Supplies Used
Both layouts: white Bazzill cardstock

Basic Layout
Pattern paper: Making Memories, Jenni Bowlin
Ribbon: American Crafts 9by the yard)
Ticket: Jenni Bowlin

"Green" Layout
Stamps: Scenic Route "Woman Clear Stamp", 7 Gypsies "Label It"
Ink: Staz-On "Jet Black"
Pens: American Crafts Slick Writer (black and red)