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In other words, what crafty hacks have you come up, found through videos and pins that you use in your creative process?
I've learned so many and there's so many more to learn, to name a few for now:
adding metalic inks to purchased printed papers and cardstock by splattering...
adding a layer of foil to the inside of a box lid for heat embossing...
after unmounting rubber stamps reuse a couple of large wood blocks to make a felted brayer tool...
adding a few layers of used dryer sheets under the cardstock/paper when using intricate dies...
good ole' Scotch tape over the crafy brands for sealing off borders on artwork, and I use their removable tape for holding dies, stencils, and masks down on my paper... (I've tried many others over the years.).
I think my tips are more organizational than technique...
Moved my computer to another surface so my creative space is distraction free
Keep the things I use most within reach - example, I love to color with Copics - my Memento Tuxedo black is always on the shelf in front of me along with the VersaFine I like using for sentiments. The top tier of my rolling cart has card bases, card fronts, color paper scraps, Misti, my small paper trimmer - again things I reach for with nearly every project.
Keep my coffee cup away from the cup holding water for watercoloring
Organizing my stamps in a way that makes sense to me
Marking the top of the stamp set pocket with a piece of washi tape to indicate which sets have a birthday image or sentiment. Did this recently and am finding it SO helpful!
And mental:
comparison is the thief of joy (be careful how much time I spend looking at other people’s projects)
It’s ok to make stuff that ends up in trash/recycling - just let go and create
Don’t be afraid to stretch and learn new things (ongoing goal, use my craft budget for learning not just supplies)
I've learned about new YouTubers to watch, and I've stopped watching people that I don't enjoy watching anymore. It's nice to get new ideas from people who aren't trying to get me to buy something, and who aren't lecturing me about things that have nothing to do with the topic of the video. There are lots of great videos out there by people who aren't in the "in" crowd, and I'm really enjoying them.
I have learned that everything old is, indeed, new again. I've pulled out treasures I used years ago like actual wood veneer and velvet "papers," foil sheets of all colors, Pearl Ex, wood mounted Christmas sets that were packed in a box marked "stamp museum," and more. I stamped about 150 Christmas cards and using long-forgotten materials made the process and the cards more interesting.
Lesson #2. I have always relied on other people's ideas, especially when the mojo is low. This year, I not only CASE'd others' cards but I committed several counts of Grand Theft Creative Ideas. The card police have not arrested me (yet).
Scrapjanny - maybe you can start another thread and share the name of some of those crafters you like to watch. I’ve been trying to find some new people to watch, especially if there are any with shorter videos. I don’t really want to watch long videos or the 1 hour replays from live sessions.
One thing I’ve been wanting to share as I was so happy with it— is a bit odd- yet it worked well for me. So, back in the Fall, I saw these kid’s size leggings for a Halloween costume marked down to $3.50. The material was this thin, form of polyester- BUT, it was the most beautiful, rainbow, metallic mermaid shell pattern. I had to have it to use for something. So I later found a video where a lady laminated one side of a thin napkin and used it on a card. I thought it might work with this fabric. I tried it last night and I got almost 9 full sheets (8.5 x 11. 5) of this material. Now I can cut it and use for cards as a background. I was so excited that it made that much. I tried to use every scrap of it as I cut the leggings up! So that’s my odd hack I learned. Sorry this was wordy.
Most of 2020, I did a challenge every single day. I'm currently not working so was able to do it. I do challenges here at Splitcoast or I also do them at:
This helps me think outside the box, combine color combinations I would never think of and I learn new techniques. Plus, my cards always look different!
Have visited thrift and Goodwill stores and am AMAZED at the ribbon and other card embellishments I find for pennies. I won’t buy ribbon at full price any longer from a vendor! Lol
Lesson #2. I have always relied on other people's ideas, especially when the mojo is low. This year, I not only CASE'd others' cards but I committed several counts of Grand Theft Creative Ideas. The card police have not arrested me (yet).
Today I learned that no matter how much I move the furniture or reorganize or shuffle my craft stuff, it still doesn't fit in my little craft room.
There are two solutions: 1. A bigger room 2. Get rid of stuff
I guess I'm going with #2 since I'm not giving up my bedroom and can't afford to buy a new house. (BTW, I did know someone who moved into a single bed in the spare room so she could use her master bedroom for her crafting.)
[QUOTE=fl_beachbum; Marking the top of the stamp set pocket with a piece of washi tape to indicate which sets have a birthday image or sentiment.[/QUOTE]
This was the best tip ever!! It’s brilliant and will be such a timesaver!
I recently learned how pretty patterned papers can look if you use an embossing folder on them, especially the 3d ones!
I have learned this too! Also how easily you can achieve a beautiful effect by stenciling on patterned paper and then using an embossing folder. I'm also experimenting with using patterned paper in various mixed media projects.
Scrapjanny - maybe you can start another thread and share the name of some of those crafters you like to watch. I’ve been trying to find some new people to watch, especially if there are any with shorter videos. I don’t really want to watch long videos or the 1 hour replays from live sessions.
You can also put it sticky side out over a piece of cardboard to create a sticky sheet to hold your die cuts when you put glue on the back.
I'm sure I've seen other ways to use it but this is a good start!
Thanks for the tips on how to use Press n' Seal. I saw a video by Jennifer McGuire some time ago and ran out to buy two boxes of the stuff. But now I don't remember what I planned to do with it! Going to watch the links and get inspired again.
Karen
Today I learned that no matter how much I move the furniture or reorganize or shuffle my craft stuff, it still doesn't fit in my little craft room.
There are two solutions: 1. A bigger room 2. Get rid of stuff
I guess I'm going with #2 since I'm not giving up my bedroom and can't afford to buy a new house. (BTW, I did know someone who moved into a single bed in the spare room so she could use her master bedroom for her crafting.)
We've decided the master of our next house will be the craft room - why in the world is the biggest room in the house the one you're unconscious in?? LOL
Scrapjanny - maybe you can start another thread and share the name of some of those crafters you like to watch. I’ve been trying to find some new people to watch, especially if there are any with shorter videos. I don’t really want to watch long videos or the 1 hour replays from live sessions.
Yes, I would like to know who you are watching also for all the reasons you both mentioned.
I made a set of templates using the smaller basic shape dies (oval, round, rectangular etc.) to use when selecting a greeting both stamped and printed. Using pre-cut black card panels, I cut a couple of each shapes in various sizes, laminated them, and adhered a o-ring clasp for quick check before digging through my dies to find the perfect shape.
I made a set of templates using the smaller basic shape dies (oval, round, rectangular etc.) to use when selecting a greeting both stamped and printed. Using pre-cut black card panels, I cut a couple of each shapes in various sizes, laminated them, and adhered a o-ring clasp for quick check before digging through my dies to find the perfect shape.
LOVE this idea! So practical and a great time-saver.
We've decided the master of our next house will be the craft room - why in the world is the biggest room in the house the one you're unconscious in?? LOL
Tee hee....we are working on the floor plan of home we will be building. My first contribution to the plan was to sketch out my stamp room, with current cabinets in place and space planned for new custom cabinets (hubby builds them for me). The room was plenty big when I drew it, and the. design guy added 2 feet more to make things come out even!!! Oh la, la. It is definitely bigger than the master bedroom. As you say, why waste all that space for a room you will be snoozing in?!
What have you learned?
Yes!
I think I have a clean style, but I still love to make a mess. love inking edges, watercolor sprinkles or reinker backgrounds, sponging. 
