Fun Expressions Blog

Happy Father's Day

This Father’s Day make sure to take some pictures documenting relationships with dad. Try taking a close up with your children and their father when they are not looking. Or, snap a picture while they are doing something that they love- like riding bikes, or kicking the ball around. I like to take a mixture of both posed and un-posed shots. And a lot of the time the un-posed shots are some of my favorites.

Floral Sentiment Cards

What better way to use up all of the scraps of paper you have laying around then making some small sentiment cards out of them. We all need little gift cards, thank yous, and get well cards...put your Sweet Blossom or other scraps to use making these cute little keepsakes.

All you need to do is pull out some scraps of card-stock, some patterned paper, and just a few embellishments and you are well on your way. I merely cut out some circles and petals, glued them down, and added some rhinestone brads for a finishing touch.  Just add your hand written sentiment, stems and leaves and you are done.  Why not put those forgotten scraps to use today?

Punch and Cut like a Pro!

• To make fine cuts, use scissors with a micro tip.
• Keep your sticking punch lubricated by punching through wax paper several times.
• Sharpen your punch by punching through tin foil.

Stamping Tips

• Come clean by washing your rubberstamps with soap and water then drying immediately with a paper towel or soft white cloth. Never soak your stamps in water – it will loosen the adhesive.
• Keep your stamp pads fully-inked and ready-to-use by storing them level and upside down.
• Do not use permanent markers when coloring directly onto the die of your stamps. They dry too quickly and also stain the rubber.

It's All in the Journaling

• Create a lasting message by using only archival safe pens on your scrapped album pages.
• Tired of pens running dry? Store dual-tip pens in a horizontal position to keep fresh ink on both points.
• To get the most out of your journaling and capture memories that tell a great story, remember to use the 5 W's:  Who, What, When, Where and Why.
• Who – who's in the photo, who took it and who else was present? As people change throughout our lives, especially children, it's important to document each one by name so the reader knows who they are looking at.
• What – what is the photo all about? Describe what's happening.
• When – when was the photograph taken? Give a specific date, including the year whenever possible.
• Where – where is the event in your photo taking place?  The more background information you give the better.
• Why – why did you use this photo? Does it show a special event like a wedding or a milestone birthday? Explain why it is so memorable.

Paper Tips 'N Tricks

Continuing our Tips feature, here are two more tips exclusively for paper. Also, we added two new Inspiration galleries for your browsing pleasure: a Finsihed Spring & Easter Gallery and a Finished Valentine's Day Gallery. On with the tips!

• To create an uneven edge or pattern, tear paper against the grain. For a straighter edge, tear with the grain.
• Make tearing easier by using water to draw an edge on your paper. This will also add a "soft" look to your torn edge.

Keep the Ideas Coming

• Inspiration strikes when you least expect it. Don't leave home without a small notebook in hand so you're always ready to write down your clever thoughts and cute captions that add just the right touch to any scrapbooking project.
• Plan ahead and set goals for each scrabooking project you create. Set deadlines and mark off the major milestones along the way, especially if you're creating an album for an upcoming special occasion.

Contain Yourself!

More tips to stack, sort, stash and organize your supplies!

• Spending too much time looking for supplies, background papers, photos and frames? It's time to organize your work station! Declutter and toss out or trade anything you find you don't need, don't like and can't remember why you had in the first place. Use binders, bins and smaller containers to keep the clutter at bay and stuff you need  close-at-hand.
• Instead of stacking your albums, try standing them up side-by-side. You'll find they take up less space and invite more frequent browsing.
• Always losing things? Pay attention to how you organize your items. Smaller items covered by larger items can be difficult to find... especially when you’re in a hurry.

It's All in the Presentation

Here are some more tips from the team about how to layout your pages:

• Keep your caption letters from looking crooked by adhering them on the edge of a ruler. Position ruler so letters are straight and centered then press the letters onto the page while lifting off ruler. Voila!
• Z eyes have it! Add instant visual appeal to your layout by creating a "Z" pattern that encourages the eye to move naturally across your scrapped page.
• Create a weathered look with chipboard – the popular new way to enhance your scrapped pages! Try rubbing the edges with distress inks, or use a crackle medium finish. Chipboard is heavy enough to withstand mediums such as paints and crackle and it's easy enough for even the most inexperienced novice to use. First, apply a base color on the chipboard. This will show through when the top layer cracks. Then follow the manufacturer's directions for applying the crackle medium. Finally, apply your topcoat of paint. Once the paints dry, embellish the crackled chipboard with rub-ons, stickers and more.
• Keep an eye on color. Visit your local linen store seasonally to see what color combinations are hot for the season.

Material Matters

Our top 25 tips continue this morning with two tips on material:

• Make sure your scrapbooks and albums withstand the test of time by using only acid-free, lignin-free products, like those you’ll find at Fun Expressions. Papers and stickers with a high acid content can cause irreversible damage to your precious photos or cause them to turn yellow over time.
• While it may be tempting to scrimp on your scrapbooking materials to save a dime, consider the time and commitment you’re investing – and back that with quality materials that will leave a lasting impression.