I decided to use the 9 inch wood letters from Provo Crafts again. This time I took a 12″x12″ board, press board is really cheap, it is about $.50 for a 12″x12″ piece. I bought a large 4′X8′ piece because we were doing a class and needed lots of boards. You might be able to get a lumber store to cut a small piece. Anyway the pressboard is pretty inexpensive. Then I painted it black, you don’t even need to sand it, actually you shouldn’t sand pressboard or it will just crumble. Pick out a 12″x12″ scrapbook paper and trim it down about 1/2″ to 1″ on each side, it is totally up to you how much of an edge you want. Then use spray glue to stick the paper onto the wood. You can paint your board any color to co-ordinate with your paper, it doesn’t have to be black. Then paint your wood letter just on the front, once it is dry just hot glue it to the board. You can sand down the edges of the letter for a ruffed up look or leave a smooth finish. Now get an easle and set it up on a table on on the floor by the fireplace. Really great looking gift idea and the best part is, you can make this craft for around $5.00

http://www.chandlercreations.com

I found those great 9 inch wood letters by Provo Craft and really loved them but just really didn’t know what to do with them so I decided to decorate them and add some black and white photos, something just a little different.  This was a great way to use some of my left over scrapbook supplies. I photo copied some of my grandkids pictures and used the black and white copies.  Please note that if you use photos that you have printed on your own printer, adding anything wet to them will run the ink, so don’t put modge podge on them. Once you have made copies then you can modge podge the photos onto your letters. The rest is just a matter of hot gluing your embellishments on. I cut some pieces of scrap wood for the base and hot glued the wood letters onto the base but you could hang them on the wall.

If you want to use the colored photos just glue them onto the letters instead of ModgePoge, then you won’t worry about them getting wet and the ink running.

(Sorry about that the photos aren’t the best, I am working on my photography skills)

Betty

http://www.chandlercreations.com

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Just by adding a few colorful beads on your staples you can add just a touch of color and a unique and fun project.

Check out our other tips and techniques at http://www.chandlercreations.com

Paper Mache houses have been quite popular with scrapbookers lately, and you can find undecorated houses everywhere. But if you want to go green, it’s very easy to recycle a cardboard box that you have at home!

Here is the picture of my house:

I used a cardboard box that a clock came in because I loved the tall skinny shape (very Americana).  It only took a couple of easy steps.  For starters, make a paper pattern for the peak of the house and trace it onto the front and back of the box, then cut out the house shape.  It’s much better to use a template because if you don’t, you run the risk of not having your peaks line up!  Cover the house in the decorative paper of your choice, or paint it however you like.  Then for the two roof panels (cut from patterned cardstock), just make sure they are slightly longer than the edge of your roof, and slightly wider than the depth of the box, and glue them in place.  Then decorate to your heart’s content, adding windows, doors, gardens, and of course, photos!!

Hi, My name is Betty and I love to scrapbook and try new ideas, different tools and techniques. I am posting one of my favorite tips because I use alot of ribbon and this idea saves money because you use your own ribbon and add whatever words you want.

This idea will save you money when it comes to buying those special ribbons with the sayings on them. Just buy the plain ribbon, Twill and Grossgrain works the best, it comes in different colors but I like the white and natural colors the best. Then use your computer and any word processor or graphic photo type program and type what ever you want with what ever font you like. Then print it out on your paper, this will serve as a guide for placing your ribbon. Now use a non permanent tape runner and run a strip of tape on the back side of the ribbon, this will hold it in place while you run it thru your printer. Take the ribbon and tape it exactly over the words that printed on the paper. Be sure it is straight. Now just print on your printer. This is so fun, you won’t have to look for that perfect saying any longer, you just print your own.

Check out http://www.chandlercreations.com for pictures of the ribbon tip and for more scrapbook tips and ideas. Also if you are looking for scrapbook storage, this is the place.