The big 4-0!

A friend of mine recently asked me to do a clear album for her hubby's 40th birthday. Since she's one of my favorite people, I readily agreed! She gave me creative freedom on the design, so I went with a sort-of sporty over-the-hill-ish type theme.

Here's how it turned out:

This used a Clear Scraps acrylic album, some Bazzill cardstock, a Jenni Bowlin bingo card, some Close To My Heart papers, letter stickers, button & chipboard; EK Success foam letter stickers, Making Memories star brads, chipboard, metal word & letter stickers, a little bit of Stampin' Up ribbon, Doodlebug letter stickers and Zip Dry Adhesive.

Speaking of adhesives, here's my take on the Zip Dry Adhesive:

Overall, I rate it an "A".

It is, overall, pretty clear and great for clear projects like this acryilc album. It held tight for all of the embellies I used here, from the transparency frame (on the page with the big striped star - I added it to the corners of the frame) - to the ribbon and button - to the metal word tags on the front of the album. It is definitely more visible on darker papers - not working with this glue before this album there were a few places I had to add some extra things to hide the slight mess on the reverse side. On paper, if you don't stick it down to your project right away it kind of got to that weird semi-sticky glue phase - kind of like what free samples are stuck to in the mail? Do you know what I mean - a little rubber cementy? But, it was easy to rub this off and start fresh. I really didn't need to use a lot of the glue itself. The applicator tip was awesome and stayed pretty clear. It's a little odorous - kind of like a light spray paint/super glue smell. But overall, it did a great job.

With any clear project, I advise trying your best to hide your adhesives with photos, papers or embellies on the opposite side of the project.

Sometimes you just have to smile!

Here's a quicky post for the transparency and die cut challenges over at Practical Scrappers.

This card took less than 5 minutes!

I used "lace" cardstock, which is essentially diecut cardstock typically sold in 12x12 sheets. I trimmed mine to fit in a band across my card and used spray adhesive to get a nice, even coat of glue on the back of the lace cardstock. This also makes it look much better on the reverse side of the transparency - not so goopy and messy. Once that was done, I wrapped a big fat happy bow in this awesome pink polka dot ribbon that my friend Juanita gave me for my birthday (she's the best!); and added a hand-written sentiment.

For the base of the card, I just used half of a sheet of 8-1/2"x11" standard office transparency sheets. Not the world's most stable medium - it's a little flimsy - and there is definitely stuff out there that is thicker. But alas, I live in a small town and options are slim.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

ACB Card Challenge #10

The only other challenge last night was the card sketch challenge (challenge #10 in the ACB Fall On-line Crop Forum). Here is the sketch:


And here's my take:

This clear card was made with a transparency sheet, Imaginesce Twitterpated papers & brads, Stampin' Up rub-on & stamp sentiment and random ribbon & flowers. Thanks for stopping by!

January 2009 Classes & Workshops

Girls Night Out Crop - Friday, Jan. 9th from 6-10 p.m. in Rifle

Learn new techniques and create cute projects with me and my friend Candice from Stampin’ Up. Only $10 for projects, snacks and extra time and space to work on your own projects too. Please RSVP by Jan. 8th.

Glenwood Springs Crop Club - Saturday, Jan. 17th from 11-3

Create a 2-page, 12x12 Valentine themed layout using the new Creative Basics Emporium Collection. New members will receive a FREE new embellishment pack of their choice (Pewter Designer Brads, Foundry Bookplates, Love Always Journaling Spots, Pretty Pins or Stardust Flexi Labels) with their first order in their 6-month commitment. Drop ins welcome! $10 or FREE for club members. Please RSVP no later than Jan. 15th.

Clearly Yours Valentine Clear Album Workshop - Saturday, Jan. 31st in Glenwood Springs starting at 1 p.m.

Learn how to utelize StazOn inks, rub-ons, double-designed papers and more to create a unique gift and keepsake. You’ll have everything you need to complete one album, with PLENTY of extras to take home for other projects. Pricing options to fit every budget:

Good - Includes any paper packet of your choice (not including Key To My Heart January special kit), My Creations Clear Acrylic Mini-Album (approx. 6x6) and assorted ribbons & accent embellishments - $40
Better - Includes above, plus coordinating Stickease and Mini-Medley Accent Collection - $55
Best - Includes above, plus choice of rub-ons (set of 3 sheets) and clear sparkles - $70

***Additional albums available for $17.50 inc. tax, shipping & handling.***

Pricing levels for albums using the Key To My Heart special kit (pictured):

January Kit Special - “Good” album kit - includes the exclusive Key To My Heart paper packet, Key To My Heart e-sized stamp set and acrylic album - $79
January Kit Special - “Better” album kit - Includes above, plus FREE Spring Blossom Collection Mini Medley Accents, and $60 in CTMH products of your choice! - $111
January Kit Special - “Best” album kit - Includes Key To My Heart paper packet & stamp set, plus FREE Spring Blossom Collection Mini Medley Accents, FREE “Moments in Time “ January Stamp of the Month & FREE rub-ons of your choice PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $130 in CTMH products of your choice FOR ONLY $150! (Retail value over $240!!!)

RSVP & class fee due no later than Jan. 19th. Class size is limited, so hurry and hold your spot today!



To reserve your spot or for further details on any of my upcoming workshops, please contact me at jasafras98@yahoo.com.

More Clear Items!

I'm on a big clear kick lately. (Not that you could tell, right?)

Here are some gift tags that I made with re-used packaging from something or another, plus CTMH rub-ons, the Aspen cTMHpapers and stamps.

My favorite is the giraffe - he's so stinkin cute!

I can see clearly now part 4

This is one of my favorite layouts of Andrew. I used Heidi Swapp ghost letters again, but this time, pressed them to my Versamark Ink Pad, poured on some white embossing powder, and

v-e-r-y carefully and slowly embossed the letters using pliers to hold them. I embossed on the back side of the letters to keep the front nice & smooth.

You have to hold your heat gun rather far away or you run the risk of warping the letters - like on the O, but you can always pretend that was intentional, too.

I can see clearly now part 3

This is perhaps one of my all time, favorite layouts - ever. I used Heidi Swapp ghost letters and attached them with colored staples I picked up in the office supply section of Target. Papers & cardstock stickers are Tres Jolie; ribbon from Oriental Trading, flowers are Prima and Fresh Paint by K & Co., and the little metal charm is from CTMH.

I can see clearly now part 2

What better way to use clear My Acrylix

stamps than to use them on clear acetate cards? Here is a set of cards I created for a customer's fourth annual Christmas card party at the end of this month..

I used a lot of the new Close To My Heart papers - including Perfect Day and Evensong. For the cards themselves, I used 3M Write-On Transparency Film (NOT the ones designed for laser or ink-jet copiers, those ones aren't as clear). I picked up a pack of 100 8-1/2x11 sheets for $27 at the office supply store. Not too bad for 200 standard sized cards. Since you can't use regular ink pads, I used the StazOn black ink pad for the snowflakes on the Merry Christmas/Happy New Year card on the left.

I can see clearly now!

I've been playing with all sorts of clear mediums lately. I love the look of acrylic albums and acetate cards, but have been a little scared to try them myself until just recently. Here are a few of my first attempts.
The first is an acrylic album from Close To My Heart using the CTMH Perfect Day Papers, new CTMH chocolate rub ons, some Making Memories Brads and some flowers a friend gave me for Christmas last year. The big rub on words were from Cloud 9 Design (I think?). I used my favorite adhesive, Ad Tech tape runner that I pick up for pretty inexpensive at Wally World. I love how sticky it is, and it works great for these projects. just remember to "hide" your adhesive on clear projects, i.e. with papers, rub ons, stamped images (with StazOn) or clear stickers.

I made this album originally as a Christmas gift, but it's so pretty, I don't think I can part with it.