Finding Easy Craft Ideas and Scrapbooking Projects

When we want to create something crafty but just lack the inspiration or the know-how.  If you find your self with a mental block on creating crafts, here are some tips on being creative and gaining craft full inspiration.

One of the best things to do when feeling a mental block is to take a walk through a craft supply shop.  You will see literally hundreds or thousands of craft ideas instantly.  Many people love the feeling of walking through a craft store because it fills them up with ideas and inspiration to create.  Many shops have plenty of samples that are shown and show you the ways to produce these creations.

Another great tip on finding great craft ideas is to look at books or guides on crafts.  There are many web sites that sell books on thousands of craft ideas.  Not only do they give you ideas, they also show you step by step how to make them and what supplies are necessary.  Many books also give you some tips on making a home based business by selling your crafty creations.

Brainstorm with your friends. You will be amazed at the ideas that can come out of a brainstorming session.  I’ve found this works no matter what the subject or field of expertise of the participants is. 

 The resources online are tremendous.  You can find sources for projects and ideas that are totally free.  This takes a little searching but it is possible.  You may need to research in a search engine and check out various words, including free linked to your subject to find what you really are looking for.  You can also visit http://thecraftinfosite.com .  The site has pages for craft ideas and craft projects, as well as free patterns and more. 

So if you’re feeling down because you have no craft ideas, follow the above tips and you will be producing crafts in no time.  

1 comment May 2nd, 2006

Use your Printer on Vellum and Other Difficult Surfaces and get PERFECT Results!

Have you just about given up on printing on vellum because it smears, resists and takes so long to dry? Are you wishing you could get perfect results printing on transparencies every time? Would you like to print your own messages on twill tape and eliminate the bleeding?

If you are new to papercrafting, you might be asking what vellum is. Vellum is a slick, translucent paper which looks great for titles and journaling in scrapbooks, and adds elegance and whimsy to cards. While some vellums are sold specifically for ink jet printers, most of the colorful, pearlescent, metallic, coated, or embossed vellums are not ink jet friendly. In olden days, vellum was made from animal skins, but today it is a paper product.

Make sure you have the proper tools for the job: your inkjet printer and a Perfect Printing Pouch by ScraPerfect. You might also need a can of fixative spray. If you would like more information about The Perfect Printing Pouch, visit http://www.scraperfect.com. In addition to inkjet printing, The Perfect printing Pouch an also be used with markers and stamp ink. If you would like to print without the pouch, see the suggestions at the end of the article.

STEPS FOR INKJET PRINTING
1. Design your title, journalling or message using word processing or specialty software. 
HINT: If you do not need a whole sheet of vellum, focus on the
font and size but do not worry about location on your page. Print
out title on inkjet paper. Cut vellum or printing substrate to
desired size and adhere it to the paper directly over the printing
with a temporary adhesive, such as spray adhesive or masking
tape. Spray adhesive is recommended on vellum, ribbon and and
fabrics, whereas tape is preferred for delicate, stiff or thick
materials. If a spray adhesive is used, it may remain tacky
enough to go onto your project after printing without additional
adhesive.

2. Tap Tap Tap the Perfect Printing Pouch.  Gently wipe the surface with the pouch to evenly distribute the powders onto the printing surface. Shake or blow to remove any excess powder.

3. Make sure your printer is set for normal paper and print quality. The transparency setting puts out a minimum of ink but you want it bold and dark. Send the paper through the printer so it prints directly onto the treated surface.

4. Let dry. Although you may be able to work with it immediately, the printing can be smeared if not totally dry.
 HINT: If the powder is too visible after printing, try one of these
methods: 
* Simply feather the edge of the powdered area with your finger
or soft cloth.
* Remove powder with a soft paintbrush or make-up brush. 
* Dab with a damp cloth or baby wipe if usinfg waterproof ink on
slick surfaces,
 
5. At this point although the printing looks good, it may rub off from transparencies, clay, and other very slick, non-porous surfaces.  To set the ink permanently, spritz with a spray fixative.

Note: Just because you can use your printer and the Perfect Printing Pouch to print perfectly on most any surface, doesn’t mean you should. Tortillas are delicious and may even be printable but your printer was designed for paper. Treat your printer with care and use some restraint. If you want to print on wood, use your Perfect Printing Pouch with markers or stamps. Wood just isn’t a good idea for inkjet printers! ScraPerfect is not responsible for damage caused to your printer resulting from printing onto materials not specifically recommended for your printer.

SUGGESTIONS for better printing without The Perfect Printing Pouch:
TIP 1: Try printing on transparency setting as this puts out a lot less
ink.  
DRAWBACK: The printing will not be perfect, bold or crisp, and the ink
may still dry slowly.

TIP 2: Use vellum made specifically for inkjet printers or office supply
vellum which often prints fairly well.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet vellum can only be made in plain pastels…no
pearl, embossed, or metallic coating. No sparkle! Also, inkjet
vellum tends to be more expensive and still takes a long time
to dry.

TIP 3: Use the “right side” of the vellum. If you can find a less shiny
side, use it. 
DRAWBACK: You will probably be frustrated trying to find that side
and waste a good deal of vellum in the process.

TIP 4: Don’t use big, wide fonts as thinner lines won’t show the
resisting as much.
DRAWBACK: If you want big, bold fonts for your title, who wants to
compromise?

TIP 5: Since the ink will smear when it’s wet, don’t touch it until it is
totally dry or use embossing powder and a heat gun.
DRAWBACK: Waiting to use your vellum–sometimes for hours or
days–can be a drag.  And while embossing can be attractive,
who wants to have to do this everytime you print on vellum?

TIP 6: Buy markers specifically made for vellum and stamp ink
specifically designed to stick to more difficult surfaces
DRAWBACK: Buying additonal special inks and markers can be costly,
and your storage space may be limited.

TIP 7: Buy pre-printed vellum, transparency film, ribbon and twill
tape.
DRAWBACK: Pre-printed supplies are expensive, aren’t personalized,
and when you buy packs of quotes, you may find some you love
and throw away the rest (or forever store them).

TIP 8: Buy inkjet transparency film for printing on.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet transparencies may not be acid-free and the ones
that are may be expensive and difficult to find. (While Polyester
film, such as film negatives and ‘write-on’ transparencies are
acid free and archivally safe, most ink jet transparencies are
treated with acid to make the matte surface and are not acid
free. If archival safety is important to you, make sure the inkjet
film specifies archivally-safe.

TIP 9: Buy shrink plastic specifically made for inkjet printers or use
sand paper to rough up the surface so the ink adheres better.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet shrink plastic may be less commonly available
and more expensive. You may already have non-inkjet shrink
plastic in your child’s supplies and while sanding helps, the
surface may still resist the ink.

TIP 10: Reserve mulberry paper, shiny holographic papers, cool
acryllic-coated, flocked papers, other specialty papers, clay and
wood for backgrounds and embellishments and don’t try to print
on them.
DRAWBACK: Limiting your usage means you’ll have fewer
opportunities to use these cool materials.

Add comment May 2nd, 2006