Sketches help when your creativity is slow to come forth. When you start, you will usually get ideas of ways to change a sketch to make it your own.  Today I am featuring a single layout with a single photo but you could change it up to include more if you like. I am excited to see how you make this sketch your own! Please text me at 801-800-0884 or e-mail me a copy of your final creation so I can publish it here.

Remember, for every finished layout I receive, your name goes into the bucket for the end of the month drawing. I have lots of stamp sets to give away and you will be able to choose from them.

Now, leave a comment below with your thoughts, and then take the sketch and start creating. I will post my interpretation of the sketch later in the week.

When looking for glue options for your scrapbook you have a plethora of options, it is easy to get confused or frustrated when trying to decide the best ones to choose. I said the best ones because there are different glue types for different purposes. When working with paper, you have to be careful with a liquid glue as it will warp the paper if too much is used.

A lot of times, a newbie to scrapbooking with grab glue sticks. The problem with glue sticks is that they don’t stay stuck! They are great for a kindergarten art class but for something that is going to withstand time and motion you need to use stronger, more effective adhesives.

If I am putting together a scrapbook page, I will use Close to my Heart’s Bonding Memories Glue. I like that I can stick what I am gluing straight down if I want it permanent, or wait a few seconds until the blue turns clear and have a repositionable adhesive. I hate things crooked, so having that option really helps. The nice thing here is even if I put something down as permanent, I can usually get it back up quickly if I haven’t pressed it thoroughly down. Just don’t pull it off, you will certainly tear your paper backing and curl it as well. Use a craft spatula with a beveled edge, or even dental floss to help loosen it first.

The Broad Tip Glue Pen is great for gluing your base layout pieces as well as your photos. When you apply it, the liquid is blue. If you want to have your glue be permanent, put together your page now, if you want your glue to be repositionable  (I always do this for photos) then let it dry to a clear, then attach.

Liquid Glass is a good option for a strong adhesive but requires you to hold parts together until they begin to dry. Another use for Liquid Glass is for use adding to accents or images for a glossy, glaze-like effect. There is even a fine tip applicator for those tiny sized needs.

Dual-Tip Multi-bond Glue Pen creates both permanent ( when used while wet) and removable bonds   (when used after it dries).  This glue goes on white but then dries clear.

Dual-tip Permanent Glue Pen is similar to the above mentioned multi-bond glue, but this is permanent, goes on clear and dries clear.

Adhesive Tape Runner is a permanent adhesive dot runner.  These don’t give you any chance to straighten your work if you laid something down incorrectly.

3-D Foam Dots for all your layering needs. You get two sizes in each package.  Sometimes I will layer them on top of each other to get more depth to a page. We also have 3-D tape, you just cut the size you want and is thicker than the dots.

And no discussion on adhesives without glue dots. They come in many sizes and thicknesses. “When I first started scrapbooking someone called the clear glue dots “glue buggers” because when they are rolled up on your finger it looks just like them.  We have all seen them used… remember when you received your last debit card and how it was stuck to the page? Yep…  I use these to attach small embellishments to the page.

The only adhesive I have left out is the red tape. It is an EXTREMELY sticky, double-sided tape. I only use something like this with micro-beads or when I make cardboard covers for my albums.

Leave a comment below and tell me about your favorite adhesive and why. You might even win a Bonding Memories Glue Pen from me!

A question from Charlie: “I purchased acid-free stamping inks labeled “water-soluble pigment ink” for use on my scrapbook pages. A friend told me that water-soluble inks should not be used on scrapbook pages. Doesn’t pigment ink mean that it’s permanent? What is the difference between pigment ink and water-soluble ink?”

When evaluating scrapbook materials, the primary concern is whether a product is both photo-safe and archival. A photo-safe material will not accelerate normal photographic deterioration, while an archival material possesses qualities that make it long-lasting. Photo-safe, archival stamping inks should be pH-neutral and composed of pigment ink, which us fade-resistant. Close to my Heart inks meet this requirement.

Many stamping inks are not waterproof. If your page gets wet, the ink will bleed. However, you have to weigh the creative and practical advantages of using water-based stamping inks against the possibility of your pages getting wet.

Water-based ink saves on clean-up time and is much easier to remove from stamps. It is not a permanent ink because it will dissolve in water, but it is still a pigment ink, meaning that the color is fade-resistant and completely acid-free.

I know it seems kind of strange with everyone making resolutions about life for New Years I am making stamping resolutions. Stamping is a major part of my world so it seems right to want to accomplish more this year since I let life get in the way last year but I want to do so much more this year thus my stamping New Year’s resolutions.

1. Learn and share more techniques. I have learned lots of different techniques over the years, some are standard “go to” techniques that I probably use too much and some I left behind long ago. I want to unearth and share those older techniques that may have been forgotten about and learn new ones to share with you and enhance my own cardmaking and scrapbooking.
2. Have an organized workspace so I want to stamp. Let’s face it, it is hard to get motivated surrounded by clutter. My goal this year is not only to get my space organized but to keep it that way. This will require some diligence as it is not my normal situation.
3. Try new color combinations. I enjoy color but sometimes it is harder to break away from the traditional to the innovative in working with colors. In order to complete this endeavor, I can rely on the Close to my Heart Color Guide.  I will also be posting “Color Challenges” to help you with expanding your use of color.
4. Complete one scrapbook page a week. I find it hard to actually find time to complete a scrapbook page without my mind wandering into the “what should I be doing right now” tunnel. I believe it is just as important to preserve one’s memories as it is to clean the house or do the laundry. I will accomplish this by posting a sketch every Monday and my take on the sketch sometime during the week.
5. Finish one card a week. I hate paying good money for cards. $6.95 is ridiculous and most of the time the card isn’t that impressive. I would rather keep a stock of cards in a variety of occasions that I make myself at a MUCH less expensive price. I know my recipient will appreciate a handmade card so much more, and more likely keep it longer than a store bought card.

Do you have resolutions for your creative side? I would love to be able to help you achieve them. Post a comment below and share that resolution with me and when it is complete, send me a picture of your creation so I can post it here on the blog.