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Post by crystalb on Feb 15, 2017 19:48:40 GMT
Lets share some of our favorite (or not favorite) tips that work (or don't!)! Things that we do that may help (or not!) others! You know the things I am talking about, the ones where you are like "DUH! That makes so much sense! I should have thought of it!" or "Yeah good in thought not so great in real life!"
So anyone have any tips on scrapping/cardmaking/papercrafting/organizing etc that they want to share?
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Post by crystalb on Feb 15, 2017 19:56:45 GMT
I have a few:
washi-wind it on old gift cards or hard plastic, use and reuse card/hard plastic (good for kits or crops or mailing to a friend)
Titles: I usually work with letter stickers/thickers so I write down the title, make sure I have all the letters then, figure out where I want it and work from the middle out or from the end backwards. Does that make sense? It is to make sure placement is correct.
Adhering: Shimelle taught me this one, putting glue/tape 1/2 inch or so in so you can put things all around for layers etc.
I use the clear dollar tree cutting mats (two for a buck) for my messy things (and kids crafts). I also use them for paper dividers in my stash. Cut to size, put a tab on them and there you go. I have also heard of people using them as reusable stencils but have yet to try it.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,612
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Feb 15, 2017 20:14:02 GMT
Sometimes when I cut titles or embellishments on my Silhouette I will cut three of whatever I'm cutting and then stack and adhere them together. It adds a bit of dimension without too much bulk.
Once I saw Nicole Jones put letter stickers on wax paper to move it around the page before sticking them down I had to buy some. The stickers don't lose their stickiness and you won't damage the stickers or paper by pulling them up to reposition them because you can get the placement right the first time.
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Post by papersilly on Feb 15, 2017 22:23:54 GMT
for me, i love anything that spins. i have spinning caddies all over my desk. one for scissors, one for adhesives, another for small hand tools, and another (multi level one) for my buttons and small flowers. best thing i ever did in terms of quick accessibility to my most used items. i love being able to spin a caddy and grabbing whatever i need. they don't take up much space but they are so useful.
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Post by crystalb on Feb 16, 2017 0:29:17 GMT
Oh I know of another one. While working on a bigger project where you have multiple papers (think December Daily, trip layouts/album etc) that you are choosing from take an old POT LID ORGANIZER and "file" your papers in it on your work space. You will easily be able to see them, flip through them and pull from and put away. It helped me SO much when I was working on a week long vacation trip! It also helped me make sure I used ALL the papers I pulled and not the same ones over and over. Does that make sense?
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Feb 16, 2017 0:52:31 GMT
Oh I know of another one. While working on a bigger project where you have multiple papers (think December Daily, trip layouts/album etc) that you are choosing from take an old POT LID ORGANIZER and "file" your papers in it on your work space. You will easily be able to see them, flip through them and pull from and put away. It helped me SO much when I was working on a week long vacation trip! It also helped me make sure I used ALL the papers I pulled and not the same ones over and over. Does that make sense?Tha's That's clever
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AmandaA
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Posts: 3,502
Aug 28, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
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Post by AmandaA on Feb 16, 2017 1:24:57 GMT
When I first started scrapbooking, I used this tape to arrange my letter stickers. You could lay down a piece wrong side up, then lay down your alpha stickers for the title, and then use the tape to transfer the title to your page. It pulled off without damaging anything (about as sticky as a post it note) and you could fiddle with the letters until you had them all aligned perfectly before transferring.
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Post by natlhol on Feb 16, 2017 2:06:11 GMT
I use my old Sil or Cricut mats to hold small die cuts, etc., when I want to add ink or pen marks, or jewels or something to them. It holds them in place while I work.
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Peamac
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Refupea # 418
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Jun 26, 2014 0:09:18 GMT
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Post by Peamac on Feb 16, 2017 2:09:59 GMT
I use the clear dollar tree cutting mats (two for a buck) for my messy things (and kids crafts). I also use them for paper dividers in my stash. Cut to size, put a tab on them and there you go. I have also heard of people using them as reusable stencils but have yet to try it. Where in the store are they? I don't think I've ever seen them there, but those are great ideas!
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Feb 16, 2017 2:49:20 GMT
If you're doing a lot of die cutting with metal dies or lots of stamping have a small plate or tray near by to put the dies or stamps in so they won't get lost and they're all in one place when you need to put them away
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Post by crystalb on Feb 16, 2017 3:11:20 GMT
I use the clear dollar tree cutting mats (two for a buck) for my messy things (and kids crafts). I also use them for paper dividers in my stash. Cut to size, put a tab on them and there you go. I have also heard of people using them as reusable stencils but have yet to try it. Where in the store are they? I don't think I've ever seen them there, but those are great ideas! Peamac they are always on the left wall in my dollar tree, with all the kitchen utensils and stuff. They are usually laying on a shelf LOW so you have to look! They are really flexible too so the few times I let the kids do glitter (YUCK!) or something equally messy, I can just bend and put all the excess back into the container. Save
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Post by crystalb on Feb 16, 2017 3:12:44 GMT
These are all awesome tips! I love them! Keep them coming!
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Post by grammadee on Feb 16, 2017 3:43:46 GMT
I buy fridge magnet sheets from the office supply store, then cut them up to package size so I can slip the magnet into the package to hold nesting dies or other smaller dies, like letters. Haven't done all of my dies yet, but it really helps with the ones I have done.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
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Jul 6, 2014 23:59:59 GMT
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Post by peasquared on Feb 16, 2017 3:45:02 GMT
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Post by DawnMcD on Feb 16, 2017 4:19:11 GMT
When I am using glitter or embossing powder I use coffee filters to catch the excess so I can dump them back in the pot. I have also used them for holding a small amount of paint, then easy clean up throwing it out. They also work as nice "bowls" for holding die cuts and embellishments for a project. Then can be re used again.
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FurryP
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To pea or not to pea...
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Feb 16, 2017 4:32:40 GMT
Where in the store are they? I don't think I've ever seen them there, but those are great ideas! Peamac they are always on the left wall in my dollar tree, with all the kitchen utensils and stuff. They are usually laying on a shelf LOW so you have to look! They are really flexible too so the few times I let the kids do glitter (YUCK!) or something equally messy, I can just bend and put all the excess back into the container. SaveI buy them also. They look like this Peamac: Flexible chopping mats
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
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Jun 26, 2014 0:09:18 GMT
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Post by Peamac on Feb 16, 2017 4:46:01 GMT
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Post by jameynz on Feb 16, 2017 10:09:32 GMT
I use the flexible cutting mats as templates - trace a shape onto the mat, then cut around it and then you have a template to use.
I also plan to use them as dividers for my stamps and dies - to organise into categories (alphas/shapes/nature/doilies/animals etc) like JM's
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Feb 16, 2017 10:45:37 GMT
Keep different scissors for different uses.
My white handled scissors are for cutting things that already have adhesive on it.
My black handled scissors are for fine & fussy cutting detailed items.
My big handled blue scissors are for cutting longer straight lines.
Also, Dollar Tree hair cutting scissors are just as sharp and good at cutting as my Cutterbees ever were.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Feb 16, 2017 10:48:32 GMT
I like to make journaling spots and tags in batches.
I have a stamp set that has a perfect sized journal spot. If I'm making one, I might as well stamp twenty. It only takes a minute more, really. I usually stamp on scrap cardstock in neutral colors. I leave the stamped journal spot on the rectangle of cardstock, and put it in a zippy bag. I only fussy-cut it out after I journal on it and am ready to put it on a layout.
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,973
Jun 26, 2014 3:41:19 GMT
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Post by camcas on Feb 16, 2017 10:49:51 GMT
always have chocolate on hand....buy more than you think you will eat and eat it anyway...especially Lindt balls......!
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Post by scrapincin on Feb 16, 2017 11:09:35 GMT
I just left this tip for someone else so will share it here too. If you are working on a double page layout, especially one with borders to keep them aligned just put a piece of washi tape or painters tape on the back of the pages taping them together. When you are done just carefully remove it. I usually keep it there until I have taken a photo of the layout.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 28, 2014 21:14:36 GMT
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Post by kitbop on Feb 16, 2017 12:24:07 GMT
Great tips!
Refill your mono-multi glue bottle (with the green caps): it's a fabulous applicator, but the scotch quick-dry adhesive is easier to find and less expensive. You just pull out the large (rubbery) glue applicator end, refill, and then shove the tip back into place.
Use copic markers to recolour everything. My favourite is to change white to cream or off-whitek, like for die cuts or journaling cards (like project life) when I'm working with a cream based paper but really like a white-based die cut... I have purchased about 4 different pale copics just for this purpose.
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Post by travelscrapper2 on Feb 16, 2017 17:04:47 GMT
A couple of tips:
I use my zero-centering ruler for placement of my photos. Line up the ruler along the edge of the cardstock then place my picture along the ruler where I want it. Keeps the picture straight without making hash marks on the background.
I also use the zero-centering ruler to position my titles. Place just a part of the title (1/8 to 1/4 inch) on the ruler, line the ruler up where I want the title to go, then press down the top of the title, and gently peel the ruler from the bottom of the title. Markings on the ruler make it easy to space the letters. I have even used the ruler for small letter stickers.
After you cut letters out with a die-cut machine keep the background cardstock. I put a small dots of the Tombow two-way glue (green-bottle) on the corners, let it dry so it is re-positionable, and use it as a guide for spacing for titles.
I put dots of the Tombow two-way glue on the back of the metal ruler I use with a kraft knife. Let it dry so that it is re-positionable. Now when I need to use the metal ruler I press it down on my mat and it doesn't slip when I cut.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Feb 16, 2017 17:16:01 GMT
If you're doing a lot of die cutting with metal dies or lots of stamping have a small plate or tray near by to put the dies or stamps in so they won't get lost and they're all in one place when you need to put them away I bought a small magnetic tray from a hardware store in the auto section. Its 9x5
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Feb 16, 2017 17:17:48 GMT
put washi tape over your magnets for your stamp press tool. makes them easier to pick up. Learned from Jen McGuire. I tried it and it makes a real difference
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Post by myboysnme on Feb 16, 2017 17:25:32 GMT
My tip is I use the clear packaging from embellishments or stickers and make pockets for cards and other memorabilia. Then I am not actually putting adhesive on the item and it can slide out to look at it.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Feb 16, 2017 17:26:31 GMT
Imagine if you will you have a big drawer full of tools in your scraproom. Always turn on the light when you are looking for something or your X-acto knife will find your good hand and it never has the cap on it (of course). Always, turn on the light no matter how bright it looks in there. Speaking from experience.
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Post by grammadee on Feb 16, 2017 18:24:45 GMT
Imagine if you will you have a big drawer full of tools in your scraproom. Always turn on the light when you are looking for something or your X-acto knife will find your good hand and it never has the cap on it (of course). Always, turn on the light no matter how bright it looks in there. Speaking from experience. Hee hee! Or at least put your xacto knife back INTO the tool drawer, instead of just dropping it on your counter when you are done with it... Just sayin'...
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Post by anniefb on Feb 16, 2017 19:05:44 GMT
Great tips! Refill your mono-multi glue bottle (with the green caps): it's a fabulous applicator, but the scotch quick-dry adhesive is easier to find and less expensive. You just pull out the large (rubbery) glue applicator end, refill, and then shove the tip back into place. Use copic markers to recolour everything. My favourite is to change white to cream or off-whitek, like for die cuts or journaling cards (like project life) when I'm working with a cream based paper but really like a white-based die cut... I have purchased about 4 different pale copics just for this purpose. Thanks for the tip about telling the Tombow glue bottle. Must give this a try.
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