Use Your Scraps

I've been reading so many questions about what to do with your scraps lately that I decided to do a video to show you what I've been doing with mine.  These little memo books are so easy to make that you'll be looking for scraps all around the house so you can make more.  Thanks for visiting and watching!

Piggy Bank Card

How adorable is this?  I just have to make one for some special little ones in my life!  Watch the video here:  Video
(This isn't my creation, but I thought you'd love it as much as I do.)

Watercolor Greetings Class at Not Just Scrap

Sunday, August 14, 2011
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Not Just Scrap in Centereach, NY

In this class, I will show you how to create beautiful watercolor backgrounds that will provide the backdrops of 3 lovely greeting cards. You will be working with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Martha Stewart punches, Stickles glitter glue, fabric, and more! You will need to bring your basic class kit, especially a good paper trimmer and strong adhesive. Please bring a small spray bottle/Mini Mister filled with water (if you have one). If you don’t want your hands to get messy, you can bring craft gloves too. It is strongly recommended that you do NOT wear your best clothes for this class. We’re going to have lots of fun in this one!

Keeping It Edgy: The Paper Trimming Buddy

Uchida RPT900 Paper Trimming Buddy Portable Paper Trimmer

I love decorative edges! I’ve been a scrapbooker and stamper for 10 years now, and one design element that has remained popular since I started is the decorative edge. The Paper Trimming Buddy by Marvy Uchida ($20.99) makes adding a decorative edge to your project quick and easy.

Unlike decorative-edge scissors, the Paper Trimming Buddy cuts straight and accurately. You don’t have to line up your cuts, because the entire cut is done in one sweep of the blade shuttle. There are eight interchangeable blades, which are available separately for $5.99 each: Straight (comes with trimmer), Wave, Scoring, Scallop, Victorian, Pinking, Perforating, and Rhythm. The blades are very easy to change. A simple twist opens the shuttle, and the blades pop in and out. The back is labeled, so there is no way to insert the blade incorrectly. The sharp edges are retracted, until you press down on the shuttle, so there is no danger of cutting yourself.

Mats for the cutting channel are inexpensive and economical. The narrow mats can be flipped and used four times, and replacements are available at $3.99 for two.

Measurements on the trimmer are in increments of 1/16 of an inch, and the swing-out arm extends to 16 inches. (Be very careful when folding the arm back down. It’s easy to catch your finger – at least it was for me!) The locking paper holder keeps your paper secure while you’re cutting, but I find that you do need to hold your paper down as well.

Although the shuttle prevents the trimmer from being stored flat, there is a convenient carrying handle for portability and a hanging loop, making the Paper Trimming Buddy easy to take to crops and friends’ houses.

Here is an example of the cuts I made with the blades I have (Pinking, Straight, Perforated, Scallop, and Wave):

And here is the most recent card I’ve made using the trimmer (Pinking and Wave blades):

The Paper Trimming Buddy by Marvy Uchida is an inexpensive, quick, and simple alternative to border punches and dies. The blades take up little storage space, and the trimmer itself is light-weight and portable. And for an extra added bonus, you usually receive a free-style handle along with the trimmer, which allows you to use the blades to cut any free-hand shape you’d like. The blades simply pop in and out, just as they do in the trimmer. Have fun!

Product Review: The I-Bond Cordless Glue Gun by Imaginisce

I-Bond Cordless Hot Glue Gun-Product Description:

The I-Bond by Imaginisce is a cordless glue gun that is powered by four AA batteries (not included). It is made of two shades of smooth pink plastic and has a small light at the tip of the nozzle to indicate that it’s on. Using standard mini glue sticks, the I-Bond operates at a low temperature and has a fold-out stand on which to rest when not in use.

In Use:

Imaginisce has done it again! The I-Bond Cordless Glue Gun is portable and easy to take to crops, to a friend’s house, or to different rooms in your house. There’s no cord to worry about, and you don’t have to find an outlet in order to use it. The light on the end of the nozzle has a dual function. Not only does it indicate that the glue gun is on, but it also adds a little bit of light to your work area as well. Now you can get into small dark areas of your project and still be able to see what you’re doing.

The I-Bond heats up in about five minutes, and the nozzle shorter than other glue guns I’ve used. That makes it easier to reach into smaller areas of your project, and the nozzle stays cleaner too. It’s compact, cute, and pink!

A word of advice: Be sure to use rechargeable batteries, because the I-Bond “eats” batteries. Especially if – despite the fact that there is a light on the nozzle – you leave the gun on for an extended period of time. (Ask me how I know this!) The only other drawback I found is that the I-Bond is a bit heavy, due to the four AA batteries that it requires.

It’s not terribly heavy, though, and the advantages of using a cordless glue gun are worth a bit of weight. This is a very convenient little tool. Now you can bring your glue gun right to your project, even if your project is already hanging on the wall!


Tips & Techniques:

• As mentioned earlier, use rechargeable batteries for a more economical operation of this tool.

• Even though the I-Bond has a stand, use it with a heat-resistant pad or mat.

• Remember to use the stand, or you might melt something. (Trust me on this!)

• Adult supervision is highly recommended. Although it is a “low-temp.” heat gun, it still gets very hot and can cause burns.

• Work quickly, as the glue dries fast. Have everything you need close at hand while you’re working.


Project Ideas & Examples:

I used the I-Bond for many projects this month, from jewelry to home décor to scrapbooking and card-making. Here are a few of them:

These adorable medallions will make a wonderful Easter or spring banner, or fun and festive decorations on cards and scrapbook pages. Hot glue is perfect for holding these medallions together and attaching the centers.

This crumpled paper flower will look cute on a headband for my daughter that she can wear on the Fourth of July.

Paper roses are easy to hold together with hot glue, and the I-Bond gets into the tight areas under them to create a strong, solid base for them.

Happy crafting!