Technique Thursday Bling it Up

Technique #2

BlingI know you want some diamonds for Valentines Day, or any other day for that matter! But what about using gems on your scrapbook pages or cards? “It’s too bulky” or “It costs too much” might be some objections but I have the answer for you. NO! It’s not very expensive at all and you get such a visual impact it’s totally worth it. And if bulk is TRULY your objection, then you can get bling stickers that are very, very close to the real thing. Or there is a product out that mimics pearl. It is called Liquid Pearl and comes in different colors and looks pretty. I don’t mind the tiny amount of bulk that bling uses. So let’s get started… 

First go to the CTMH website and check out your options. You can choose from Clear sparkles (diamonds)” or Opaque Adhesive Gems (pearls) or colored Sparkles. You'll find all of these on page 126 of the new Winter catalog from CTMH! There’s even colored “pearls” you can choose from. All these bling come in different sizes from pretty large to super tiny (Bitty Sparkles). I prefer to use the small and tiny ones but I have used some large “diamonds” and the effect is pretty great. Once you get your bling take it home and start sticking! They are self adhesive so it’s super easy to just lift off the sheet with your piercing tool or X-acto knife. I don’t use tweezers because inevitably the gems pop right out of the tweezers, never to be found again! Once you are done blinging your page, stand back and prepare for your friends to marvel at your talent!

Have Fun!

Storage for Embellishments

Three are so many different options out there for embellishments now. There are buttons, brads, gems, stickers, die cuts, and so much more!

I have seen lots of ideas for storing embellishments like stickers and die cuts… ranting from three ring binders with basic page protectors that you just drop in the sticker genera (christmas, baby, etc.), to drawers, to baskets that you pile everything into, to hanging file folders. There is also something called the ScrapRack… it’s kinda like a three ring binder on crack! 

It all depends on how you organize and how you scrap! If you love to look through everything all at once while digging and searching, then drawers or baskets are for you; but if you are really organized you can get things filed into a binder or folder with subcategories and everything! I have seen some pretty crazy organized systems. Three is even a filing system that you just clip up your stickers and spin the rack around to see all you have. It looks a bit like a tie rack to me…

I personally use the basket system. I am not organized enough to have seperate folders for each category and I don’t like the folders what you have to cut your stickers up to get them in the slots. I tried the Creative Memories that has a clear folder you put stickers into. I really like seeing everything all at once!

Close to my Heart has organizers for brads and buttons that I love. It is a case with like 50 little spots for round clear craft jars. They just pop right in and you can see what you have and what you need to go out and buy! They also have ribbon organizers but they are hard to find now that they have been retired. They sell their ribbon differently than they used to... 

Speaking of ribbon, I couldn't really find a good product so I just made some with cardboard display boxes I got free from stores and 1/4" dowels from the craft store. You could use new unsharpened pencils too if you want. Just insert the rolls of ribbon onto the dowel and voila! you have organized your stash!

There are lots of different kinds of embellishment storage… what kind do you like?