Tools and materials
The tool is an integral part of any creative process, you cannot save on them. But if you are only taking the first steps, then try to get by with the necessary minimum.
Minimum set
What is included in the minimum set? Stationery knife, metal ruler and cutting mat. Such a rug is necessary for any craftsman, because it protects your table from damage, from drops of glue and paint. It is good if the rug is marked in centimeters.
A stationery knife can be purchased at any hardware store or stationery department. Buy spare blades right away and change them more often. This will make the cuts cleaner and smoother.
It is better to buy a metal ruler. If you use a plastic or wooden one, the knife can go along the edge of the ruler and cut it off.
In order to cut the paper using a metal ruler and a clerical knife, attach the ruler to the layout of the dummy mat, press down and slide over the paper with a knife.
The second option is a cutter. There are cutters with additional divisions. When buying a cutter, immediately buy additional blades for the cutter, because they will also often have to be changed. Almost every cutter comes with a creasing attachment. The blade is removed and this device is inserted.
Then you don't need the bone stick, which we'll talk about later.
But the cutter option is not for beginners. At first, you can get by with a stationery knife or scissors, because a good cutter is quite expensive, and you will not like a cheap cutter. When you decide for yourself that scrapbooking is a long-term occupation, then buy a normal cutter.
The third option is scissors, a regular ruler and a pencil. You can get started with regular sharp scissors at a stationery store. You will need some ordinary ones, some manicure ones - for cutting out small parts and cutting threads.
Glue
Moment Crystal glue is suitable for scrapbooking. It is transparent, sets quickly, but allows for some time, if you glued the part incorrectly, to re-glue it without any problems.
The glue has one drawback - a very pungent unpleasant odor. It is better to work with him with good ventilation. If glue comes in contact with your skin, rinse immediately with water.
If you make bindings in notebooks or albums, Moment Gel glue will do. You can take the German UHU glue, it is more expensive than the Moment glue, but very good and odorless.
You can use double-sided tape to glue some parts. He's thin. But keep in mind that over time, double-sided tape always peels off, so it is better to additionally secure the connection, for example, sew the parts on a typewriter.
Do not use double-sided tape to glue photos into albums or postcards. Better to use it as a fixative.
Creasing stick
It will be very useful to you. At first, it can be replaced with a wooden stick or knitting needle, but you need to be careful with the knitting needle - it can leave a mark on the paper.
Where is the creasing stick useful? If you are working with albums, then it is convenient for her to make a fold. If you make postcards, then it will come in handy for creating blanks. The edge of the fold will not crack, tear, and will look neat from the front as well as the inside.
Scoring with a knitting needle can be done as follows: place a sheet of paper on a mock rug, take a ruler, lay it straight along the line, take a knitting needle or stick and draw a line. Then bend evenly and draw from above, pressing down on the fold.
Eyelet installer
The next point is useful only for those who want to try making albums or notebooks on rings. This is where the eyelet installer comes in handy. It is better to buy a good one right away, firstly, all neighbors will hear the economy option, and secondly, installing eyelets is a laborious process, and a good tool will greatly facilitate your task.
Eyelets are small rings that fit into holes. Sold individually or in bulk. Can be purchased from scrapbooking departments or sewing stores.
Additional materials
Do not forget about additional decorative elements. Whole sets of volumetric parts are sold specially. There are also all kinds of decorative buttons in the form of flowers, animals and whatever. These buttons do not have holes for sewing on, they are designed only for gluing.
All kinds of rhinestones, halves of pearls, volumetric letters are also used.
In addition, you can find decorative items in stores with the strange names "Chipboard" and "Brads". What is it? "Brads" (literally - "brads") - these are small carnations with which you can decorate the album cover. "Chipboard" (literally - "chipboard") - voluminous blanks, such as frames or letters. It can also be a blank for the album cover itself.
Metal eyelets "Eyelet" (literally - "eyelet") are round metal blocks-rings that are used in clothing. They come in different colors and sizes. They are used for framing small holes. With their help, you can staple several sheets or combine a photo with a cloth. In addition, it is beautiful and convenient to thread a ribbon or cord through them. The eyelets are fastened using a special device in the form of tongs.
There is also a variety of decorative elements made of acetate or thin acrylic. These are small frames of a square, round or oval shape. There are both plain and patterned. These frames can be attached over photographs and pictures using glue or silicone drops. Such frames are called "Overlie" (literally - "lie on" or "lie over"). The name speaks for itself! This is the element that will be attached from above.
Skeletonized leaves are dried translucent leaves, more precisely, their skeletons. These leaves are sold in florist shops and come in different colors. Leaves can be glued to the background and painted with acrylic paint. They can also be a great addition or filling for handmade paper.
Well, and most importantly, do not forget about all those wonderful pieces of paper that were lying around in your pockets and bags after trips and travels and constitute a real treasure for the craftswoman. The remnants of "sewing stories" will also do - small pieces of ribbons, lace, scraps of fabric, buttons, collars and cuffs.
And don't forget the small and flat stones brought from the sea. Everything will go to work! And pieces of glass wiped by the sea, and sticks, and pebbles. The main thing is that they are small and flat, so it will be easier to glue them.
Paper
When you start collecting and preparing tools and materials, you should consider a few basic requirements. When creating your works, of course, you want them to last as long as possible, because there is nothing more offensive if a photo album or a greeting card falls apart or falls apart.
Therefore, pay special attention to all materials that will come into contact with photographs, be it paper, glue or markers: they should not contain chemical acids and lignin (acid-free, lignin-free)
All of these unwanted components can cause yellowing and further damage to the photo.
Despite the fact that Scrapbooking is now a very fashionable form of arts and crafts, it can be very difficult to get some of the accessories and tools in stores. But that shouldn't be a hindrance for you! That's what creativity is for, in order to be as free as possible in your choice.
Show more imagination and do not be afraid to replace missing parts and elements with any available and improvised materials! And you will see what unique and wonderful works you get.
Do not forget also that it is better to store finished works out of direct sunlight and to avoid sudden temperature changes. This will keep your artworks intact for as long as possible.
There are many different Scrapbooking paper kits on the market right now. These are sheets of paper of the same size with different patterns. The sets can also include plain sheets, complete with patterned sheets, matching in color. There is also paper decorated with sequins or velvet inserts.
But it is not at all necessary to buy paper in sets, you can use thin wrapping paper with a pattern. Wrapping paper with a small pattern is good for backgrounds, and wrapping paper with a large pattern is good for large decorative items.
For the base of a postcard or sheet of an album, thin cardboard is suitable. You can also use watercolor paper, which has a nice texture and can be easily tinted with watercolors or aged with a yellow tint.
Pastel paper is best for colored paper. Unlike regular colored paper, it is the same color inside. When you cut something, you don't have to worry about the white section being visible. In addition, this paper has a slight texture.
Corrugated cardboard is a great find for your work! Suitable as ordinary cardboard from boxes, from which you need to remove one top layer so that the texture can be seen, and colored ornamental. However, be careful when working with this material - it does not tolerate any harassment. It is necessary to press on it a little harder, and marks and dents will remain on it. Remember this.
Kraft paper. The title is a little confusing, but don't be alarmed! This is our old familiar potato bag. Yes, thick beige wrapping paper. It differs in density and texture. Can be used both smooth and heavily wrinkled. Crumpled Kraft paper has a very beautiful texture. Thick and colored tracing paper is another godsend for your artwork. Tracing paper can act as an independent background or as a small decorative element that overlaps the photo, but at the same time leaves the ability to see the image. Experiment, tracing paper allows you to add a kind of paper veils.
The most beautiful and unique is hand-made paper. It is most often sold in thin sheets, has a pronounced texture and often contains threads or leaves. Even small pieces of paper like this will decorate your scrapbook. But don't be discouraged if you don't have the option to buy it.
The main types of glue used in scrapbooking
Universal adhesive
A multi-purpose adhesive suitable for a wide variety of materials and surfaces. It reliably glues various parts: beads, beads, bugles, buttons and small plastic parts. Moreover, the universal glue can be used both for gluing parts to each other and with decorative paper and cardboard. Since “aggressive” adhesives such as Moment are often called Universal, it is necessary to clarify whether this type of glue is suitable for working with paper and photographs. Examples of all-purpose scrap adhesives include UHU, EK Success, Tombow multipurpose adhesive, etc.
PVA glue
PVA glue, despite its versatility, is used with caution. It can leave marks on the surface, as well as lead to soaking and further deformation of the paper, even if, after gluing, it is put under a press.
Over time, yellow spots may form on decorative paper after using PVA. In addition, since this glue is designed for paper and cardboard, it is difficult for them to glue non-paper elements.
Spray adhesive
Spray glue allows you to fix large surfaces, requires quick work, but at the same time does not spread and does not leave marks. When working with this type of glue, special safety precautions are required: do not inhale glue particles and ventilate the working area.
Glue stick
A glue stick is often used when working with children. When using this glue, make sure that it is "fresh" and not dry. Otherwise, the bond will be short-lived. There are colored options for glue-stick, when using which you can see where it is already smeared with glue.
Vinyl glue
Vinyl adhesive (acid-free) is designed to work with various decorative surfaces. Due to its acid-free nature, the glue does not harm fabric, vinyl, foam and embossed materials, as well as the currently popular decorative bamboo paper. After drying, the glue becomes transparent and glossy.
Adhesive for textiles
Textile glue is used to secure fabric or the edges of decorative ribbons, ribbons, cords. It is especially necessary when the edge of the material used is prone to fringing or may simply unravel.
Hot glue
Hot glue - designed for gluing volumetric elements, beads, glass beads and much more. It comes in the form of thin tubes. When working with such material, it is necessary to carefully read in the instructions which products are best processed with this composition. This is necessary because not all materials are suitable for hot glue applications.
A special gun is used to work with hot glue. At the beginning of work, glue tubes are placed inside the gun. There, heating occurs when the trigger is pressed. Then the glue starts to flow out of the barrel. Due to the small size of the nozzle, it is possible to glue small parts with an uneven surface: shells, buttons, corals. Reduced heat gun options are available. They are designed to work on surfaces that are afraid of high temperatures, such as expanded polystyrene.
Glue glitter
Glitter glue - specially designed for working with small sequins and beads. Sometimes decorative elements are added to the glue itself. It comes in brush or fine-tipped tubes. Glue glitter belongs to non-toxic materials, after drying it is transparent.
Glue pen
Glue pen - indispensable when working with small parts or needing to glue a small area of the surface. Therefore, it is often used to work with complex appliqués and small carved details. It is easy to control the drying process of the glue: at the beginning of work, the glue is blue, and after complete drying it becomes transparent.
Other types of adhesives
In addition to the listed types of glue, specialized types are also used: decoupage glue, glue for metals and rhinestones, for foil, glue tape for tracing paper and others.
What should be a quality product
In order for the glued paper product to retain its original appearance for a long time, and the junction is not damaged, you need to use only high-quality, reliable means. Good paper glue should meet these requirements:
- Optimal consistency. Too thick formulations are poorly applied, liquid formulations are capable of impregnating and deforming the paper.
- Sufficient shelf life. If the glue is damaged, it will begin to exfoliate, lie down in lumps, and lose its adhesion to the surface.
- Lack of chemical odor. Most paper handling is done indoors, many of them are done by children, so the glue must be safe.
- Ease of application. The product in aerosol, with a convenient spout, is easier, faster to apply, and besides, the accuracy of work will significantly increase. For glues in large jars, you will have to purchase additional brushes.
- Colorless after drying.If the glue turns yellowish or white as it dries, it will be visible on the surface of paper products and may ruin them.
Record-breaking strength Loctite
The Guinness Book of Records has information about Loctite glue. It is considered the most powerful adhesive. The test took only 9 drops. A passenger car was placed in the back of the pickup and attached with Loctite. Both cars were lifted into the air. This superglue held 5 tons.
The record-breaking brand belongs to the German company Henkel. The strongest glue is used to bond various surfaces, bushings, flanges, etc. It is used by European car manufacturers. The anaerobic composition hardens in the absence of air and is resistant to lubricants.
Several groups of products are produced under the Loctite brand for different purposes.
Frequently asked questions for beginners
What can replace cardboard?
If you are just learning, you can take cardboard boxes. In order to fill your hand, such cardboard will do, but then you need to buy a normal one - beer or bookbinding.
Binding cardboard (also called cover cardboard) is used for the manufacture of covers, binders, bindings, packaging. It is very durable.
Beer cardboard is so called because it is also used in the production of coasters for beer mugs. Inflexible, multi-layered. Suitable for landscape pages.
Where to get ideas for composition?
Search the Internet for interesting albums, postcards. Save all the elements and details you like. Then from them you will assemble a model of your product.
And don't worry that nothing comes to your mind at first. Then you will have so many ideas that you will not have time to implement them!
Creative inspiration for you, new ideas, successful implementation. And may your works be the most beautiful and give people joy and memories of joyful moments.
Album (scrapbooking) from a photo in your Instagram
This mini album will remind you of the most unusual and beautiful moments in your life, because all your favorite photos from your Instagram account will be in it.
It can also be used for photos taken by the good old Polaroid.
You will need:
- colored cardboard (with a picture), old road maps or whatman paper
- square photos
- Ruler and pencil
- double tape
- plain tape
- PVA glue or superglue
- felt-tip pen or pen
- washi-tape
- various decorations (stickers, sequins, etc.)
1. Cut out 13x13 cm squares from colored cardboard.
2. Print photos from Instagram (PostalPix software will help you).
3. Glue or double tape the photos to the cut out squares.
4. Fold all the blanks, place them between the pages of a thick book so that the ends of the paper where you want to fasten the book protrude.
5. Apply glue to the ends of the paper (you may need several coats) and leave to dry.
* Alternatively, you can tape all the pages together, first two at a time, and then all together.
6. Over the place where you glued the pages, you can glue washi tape, a strip of colored paper, colored tape or a flat sticker to hide some irregularities and / or traces of glue.
Universal remedies
One of the most famous universal adhesives, which is perfect for paper, cardboard, is "Titan Universal". It is an inexpensive formulation with a transparent structure, sold in plastic bottles of 250-1000 mg. "Titan" has a rather unpleasant smell, and when working with it, you need to ventilate the room. The glue dries quickly, and the layer applied by it becomes like a glass after polymerization.
The following adhesives are used for paper:
- "Fabrika Dekora Universalny" is a popular polymer-based product, widely used in art, transparent, with a convenient dispenser, non-toxic, can be removed by rolling;
- Magic - great for paper, fabric, ribbons, cork, wood, white in color, but after drying it becomes completely transparent.
Using paper adhesives doesn't require any special skills - even a child can handle most of them. Choosing a reliable tool, you can achieve high quality gluing, get original crafts, toys, embodying all your imagination in them!
Additional recommendations
The following tips come in handy when working with glue:
- Bubbles and waves can be removed with wax paper: place tracing paper, baking parchment or waxed plain white sheet on the surface to be leveled, and then iron it with a hard roller on top. If thick cardboard and thin paper are glued together, smooth over the thin paper;
- when gluing thin porous paper to thick cardboard, it is curled upside down. To avoid twisting, you need to spread glue on the surface of the cardboard - it is less porous and will absorb less composition;
- The second way to deal with the folding of the cardboard is to glue thin paper on the back to counter it. In this case, glue should be coated on a paper sheet, and not on the surface of the cardboard.
> If the adhesive irritates the skin, it is best to wear gloves. When working with formulations that emit a strong odor, you need to open the window. The creation of beauty should not harm health.
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What works should you start learning scrapbooking with?
First of all, choose a job that you can do in 1-3 days. I advise you to start with postcards, gift boxes, fridge magnets, photo frames or money envelopes. A little later, you can try to make a mini-album, a notebook on a spring or on rings, a recipe book or a passport cover. For larger projects, for example, the first album of a baby or a wedding photo album, it is worth undertaking with minimal experience. By this time, you will more or less imagine what scrapbooking is, you will have materials and minimal tools, like-minded people will appear.
What glue is right
Scrapbooking adhesives are designed for various materials: cardboard, photo and scrap paper, as well as for wood and metal parts.
For photographs
Types of photo paper glue:
a special pencil - marked "for a photo" on the package, does not contain acids, solvents and toxic substances, is applied in a thin layer so that the parts do not disperse
When storing in closed packaging, it is important to observe the temperature regime, otherwise the glue loses its properties;
liquid glue - similar in density to PVA, does not turn yellow, is economically consumed thanks to a bottle with a spout .. Photo album sheets are cardboard, glossy, paper-plastic
The glue should adhere the photo paper well to the surface of the album sheet and not leave streaks on the photo.
Photo album sheets are cardboard, glossy, paper-plastic. The glue should adhere the photo paper well to the surface of the album sheet and not leave streaks on the photo.
For paper
Craftsmen use the following types of glue:
- aerosol - sprayed sparingly over cardboard, suitable for fabric, applied evenly. Spray can be used to glue loose corners;
- silicone - inexpensive, sold in the form of sticks, but quickly ends. Another disadvantage of the silicone composition is the fragility of the bond.
Double-sided tape is often used instead of glue, but the adhesive tape also peels off over time.
For decor
A convenient device for gluing small parts - a glue gun. It is charged with a rod and heats up from the mains, like a soldering iron. The glue melts and is applied to the part. Replacement rods are sold separately.