Clear Scraps Blog

Clearly not like the others

I tend to be one of those designers that doesn't necessarily follow every trend or more accurately, I want to take a trend and make it uniquely my own. When I seek a product, I want to know... how can I change this and manipulate it somehow so that it doesn't look like anyone else's. It really is a goal of mine to make MY scrapbook project look distinctly MINE. So when I found Clear Scraps acrylic products, I could feel the wheels in my head turning. I honestly just HAD to get my hands on this stuff and see what I could do with it. I have to confess, I wasn't sure what the differences were from other acrylics that are out there but I looked forward to digging in. Now that I have, I can skip around the room and shout from the rooftops.... THIS STUFF ROCKS!! It is Clearly unique (okay.... pun intended)

I am posting a couple of the projects that I created using Clear Scraps products and I hope it will inspire you to play with your clear scraps as well.

 

When I saw the XL dots, I had this idea that I would like to have a piece of wall art to display a photo of my three children. I started to think about how the circle could represent a globe or the world. AHA.... did you see the lightbulb just go off (it really is astounding when that happens...heheeh) so... I got this idea to freehand some countries (yes, that is supposed to look like USA and Europe... my apologies to the United Nations for butchering the images of these great nations) and add a circle of cardstock around the edge. I looped wire for added dimension and visual interest and topped it all off wtih a photo of my sweet babies and some ribbon to hang it with. I loved how it brightens up my scraproom.

   

The next project I created combined ink, stamping and embossing. What I loved about the scalloped circle frames was how easy they are to alter.

 

Here are the steps to create the embossed/stamped scalloped circle frame flower

1. Start with the inner circle, stamp the circle image off center. Add embossing powder in silver. Heat the embossing powder until it is set. The acrylic curls a little but if you place something heavy on top of it while it's 'warm' it will flatten. I liked the warped look for my project. I added some magic mesh to the back and inked the edges.

2. The scalloped outer frame was stamped with a 'mesh' stamp pattern with pink stazon ink. I added silver pearl ex to the top of the ink while it was 'wet' and then heated it. The ink bled a little causing a blending effect.

3. I added these to a cardstock stem and the result is detailed flower perfect for my 'Wild Flower' page.

 

 

I've enjoyed working with Clear Scraps and I can't wait to share the next project I'm working on with you.

Sherry Steveson

DT Member for Clear Scraps

Fun Clearscraps Ornaments!

   

 

These awesome clear ornament shapes are such fun projects that you could create to decorate your tree this year. The possibilities are just endless. I've personalized my ornaments by including some photographs of my family on them.

Here's what I've done to each ornament.

 

In this first ornament, I've heat embossed some clocks images using some gold embossing powder. (Tip: Do not overheat or put your heating tool too near. If it curls up, just use a twizzer to push it down while it's still hot.) Then I've used a brush and paint some alcohol ink on it (Butterscotch, Expresso, Oregano). This will create the distressed look. I've also stamped some music notes using black acrylic paint on it. Add embellishment, cut-out from Hambly Screen Prints and a photograph (adhered your photograph onto chipboard and cover the side with gold foil tape. Add some sepia accents all over it for a more vintage look.) to it and you're done.

 

In this second ornament, I've just used some Hambly Rub-ons and doodle some EK Success Zig Painty and Stickles on it. I've added some laces and some embellishments to it. The photograph had been treated the same as the first ornament.

 

For this ornament, I've stamped some mixtures of alcohol ink (meadow, butterscotch, denim, expresso, silver mixatives) on it first. Then I've used some white acrylic paints to stamp some images on it. Add some trims, embellishment and stickles for details.

 

 

In this last ornament, I've used a Masquepen to doodle some swirls (for the masking effect) on it before stamping it with alcohol ink (cranberry, wild plum, butterscotch and gold mixatives). Then I've added some doodling using Ek Success Zig Painty and Stickles. The flower is created using Hambly Screen Prints and I've added details to it using liquid pearls, Zig Painty and stickles. To finish this off, add some embellishment, trim and a paper flower to the center of the big flower.

Try to decorate your tree this year with some fun personalized clear ornament!

Irene Tan

Design Team Member of Clearscraps

Scrapperlicious

LAYOUT: Snow Angel using XL Brackets Shape

ClearScraps XL shapes are so great to alter and decorate for scrapbook layouts.  On this layout featuring my daughter, I felt like the XL Bracket shape mimicked a snow angel 'wing', so I placed it to one side of the photograph.

I took the ClearScraps XL Parentheses shape and sprayed it liberally on the back with Glimmer Mist in the Frosty Nights color.

Once that was dry, I flipped it over and stamped it with snowflakes, first with a Pearl Paint Dabber and then detail stamped with an Eggplant Paint Dabber.  These shapes are then outlined with two colors of Stickles glitter glue. 

Finally I went around the entire shape edge with a Silver Metallic Paint Dabber.

For the rest of the layout, I used Jenni Bowlin for the background paper. With a Prima Paintables clear overlay, colored with EKS Painty pens in Ice Princess, White, and Iris.

The journaling tag made using 'bandanna' technique with Distress Ink and white gel pen.  I added hand-written journaling on vellum cut to size. 

Here is a closeup of the details.

I sponged through the reverse side of the 'Dottie Ann' pattern of Magic Mesh with a Snow Cap Paint Dabber.

Then I sponged Pearl Paint Dabber and a smidgeon of Stickles onto the AC Thickers letters. 

Last, I adhered silver Magic Mesh and dotted it here and there with snowflake gems.

I love how this layout turned out, and especially enjoyed the flexibility of working with the acrylic shape.  It added a wonderful shine and sparkle as well as an ethereal feel to the overall look of the layout.

--
Sally Lynn MacDonald
Design Team Member for Clearscraps
www.inkyheart.typepad.com

Clear Scraps Sightings All Around the World Wide Web!

I just wanted to share a few Clear Scraps projects I’ve spotted while surfing the internet lately.

Katie Watson used Pink Paislee papers and a Clear Scraps All Mixed Up Album to create this luscious mini album entitled “Raspberries”.

Danielle Flanders has shared another outstanding example of how to dress up a Clear Scraps All Mixed Up Acrylic album. Click here to see Danielle’s “Tips to Happiness” album.
(You'll have to scroll down a bit to see it, because the album is about halfway down the page.)

This winter themed “Mixed Up” album posted at scraptime.ca definitely caught my eye.

Scrapping Chix has posted some new scrapbook pages created using Clear Scraps Acrylic Sheets.

If you’re in St. Louis, you might be interested in learning more about a class you can take at For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Superstore. In this class you will learn how to create a holiday garland using Clear Scraps acrylics plus Stickles and other assorted supplies. Click here for more information.

One more project: Linda Albrecht shared this charming House-shaped mini album in her blog. She created it using the Clear Scraps Acrylic House Album and Pink Paislee Papers.

Thanks to all the designers who have shared their lovely work using Clear Scraps products. Hope you all will enjoy taking a look at these projects, and that they will inspire you. Thanks for stopping by.

Posted by: Amy Solovay

Designer Boxes are on their way!

We spent ALL DAY packing these boxes with all sorts of goodies, please visit our blog and the designers blogs soon and check out what all they create!  We want to personally THANK all of the companies who did a product swap with us!  You were all so generous, I am sure our DT will make each of you proud!  We would like to take this time to thank each of you:
Ek Success ~ Painty pens
Hambly Studio ~ Transparencies, stickers, rub ons
American Crafts ~ Paper, felt embellishments, Thickers, Remarks
CoreDinations ~ Core Paper, ALL colors available
Helmar ~ 450 Adhesive, Gemstone Glue, Liquid dots
Masquepen ~ Adhesive to make designs
Magic Mesh ~ Fine weave, Dottie Ann, Linen Weave, Assorted colors
Jenni Bowlin ~ Paper, Rub ons, stickers, note cards, embellishments, chipboard albums
Zip Dry ~ A bottle of Zip Dry Adhesive
Clear Scraps ~ Of Course we loaded them up with our entire line!

Here is a look into what went into the boxes!!

Watch soon for some cool tips & techniques they create!!

 

Just how Versatile is Clear Scraps?

People are always asking if you can cut, punch, emboss, etc. on Clear Scraps.  I thought I would show a quick demo on how versatile our product really is. 

I used a Circle Shape, the top is what it looked like, before I embossed the other.

With no effort at all, I ran it through an embossing folder. 

All I did here was take a piece of sand paper, and sanded one side or the other.  I demoed here doing this technique to show how different they turn out by sanding one side or the other.

You can finish a quick little project like this by hole punching a hole in it, tie a ribbon through the hole, and use as an ornament, a gift tag, a bag tag, etc.

Sometimes we like to color in the images with EK Success

painty pens, Souffle pens, Copic Markers, 

and so many more!!

I hope this helps everyone better understand Clear Scraps a bit better.  I do plan on demoing more for everyone as well.  If you have a qts you would like answered, please email us!!  If I get asked alot, I will blog about that question and share it with everyone.  Thank you, Jackie.