Card making is not as easy as it sounds. I once thought just about anyone could, run to the local craft store, buy all of the card making materials and than make a great looking card in no time at all. I was wrong about that one. I was so excited last year about the thought of making all of my own Christmas cards and gift tags that I went out and bought everything there was to buy in the card making isle.  When I got home I sat everything on the table and started to read the directions that I had on where to start.

That’s when I knew I was in troble In fact I hadn’t the slightest idea what it ment to distress a card or to use a Cello bag.

Yikes!

I hope of keeping you out of this situation I have come across this article and think it will be very helpful in teaching you the terms and lingo that is used in the card making world of crafting.  Card making is so much fun when you understand what it is they are telling you to do. It’s so rewarding to watch someone open up your hand made card. This art finally brings back the gift of giving a card. It is no longer a stale card that you picked up at the local grocery store but somthing you spent time and energy in making for that very special person!

Good luck!

By: Vicki Churchill

Understanding basic terms when card making or scrapbooking is half the battle.Armed with this knowledge you are well on your way to creating wonderful cards and scrapbook page layouts

Acetate – Acetate is a plastic film that has many applications. You can stamp onto it using rubber stamps, use it for making shaker cards, and use it to make an image or embellishment appear to hang independently. You can also paint Acetate with glass paints and glitter glues.

Acid Free – Anything that is acid free is perfect for card making and scrap booking as it will not deteriorate or discolour. Acid free is simply a product that is manufactured free of acid.

Adhesive – Adhesive is something that is used to stick one material to another. Common craft adhesives include glue dots, glue sticks, double sided tape and photo stickers.

Bone Folder – A bone folder is used for scoring and folding paper and card. It is a flat piece of plastic or bone which is pointed at one end and round at the other.

Brads – Brads are available in a wide range of designs, shapes and colours. Brads have two prongs at the back which are pushed through the paper or card and then flattened to hold in place in much the same way as a split pin..

Brayer – A brayer is usually used to create backgrounds or to roll over two pieces of paper to help glue them together. A brayer is a roller that is soft and made of rubber.

Cardstock – Cardstock is a sturdy thick scrapbook paper which is available in many different thicknesses, weights and colors.

Cello Bags – Cello Bags are used to protect your cards and often used when making cards to sell. They are made from thin plastic which is transparent.

Clear Rubber Stamps – Clear rubber stamps are usually used with an acrylic block, clear stamps can be positioned how you like, and can be mixed and matched with other stamps that you add to the acrylic block.

Corner Punch – A corner punch is used for cutting corner shapes, usually to round off the corners of cards.

Craft Knife – A craft knife is an essential item for card making and scrapbooking. It is a very sharp pointed knife that has replaceable blades.

Cutting Mat – A cutting mat is used with the craft knife. It is a mat that protects the surface you are working on.

Decoupage – Decoupage is a technique used to decorate cards. It is a technique where you build up a 3D picture using several pictures as layers.

Die Cut – Is a term that means ‘cut out shape’. The shape is usually cut from a metal template called a ‘die’.

Distressing – Distressing is a method used to give your project an old and worn look.. This can be achieved in many ways including, stamping, crumpling, inking and tearing.

Double Sided Tape – Double sided tape is sticky on both sides and can either be flat or 3D.

Embellishment – An embellishment is used to decorate a handmade card or scrapbook page layout.

Embossing – A technique used when stamping to create a raised image.

Embossing Powder – Embossing Powder is a fine powder that is available in a variety of colors. Embossing powder is sprinkled over a stamped image and heated to create a raised impression.

Eyelets – Eyelets are metal fasteners with holes in the middle. They are attached to cards and scrapbook pages. Once attached ribbon and fibres can be passed through the holes.

Gel Pens – Gel pens come in many different colors and can be used to colour small areas in a precise color.

Glitter Glue – Glitter glue is glue that is pre mixed with very fine glitter. Glitter glue is usually white and dries clear.

Glue Dots – Glue dots are used to attach embellishments such as buttons or other heavy materials. They are extremely sticky and should not be removed once applied.

Heat Gun – A heat gun is used to heat embossing powder

Iris Folding – A technique where strips of paper are folded and overlapped to create a background in an aperture card.

Light box – A back lit box used with an embossing stencil. The light in the box transmits through the image so that it can be seen through card and paper.

Matting – Matting is also known as mat and layering. It is a technique where a layer of paper is built up to produce a frame around an image or embellishment.

Pigment ink – pigment ink is normally used for embossing because it is like a water based ink that dries slowly enabling the embossing powders to stick to it.

Rub Ons – Rub ons are transfers that are applied by rubbing with a lolly stick. Once applied they are permanent. They are commonly used on scrapbook page layouts and for card making ideas.

Scoring – A way of creating a line that can be used to fold a card.

Brand new to the market place is CANDLE MAKING – START WITH CONFIDENCE. So many times hobby and craft instructions are incomplete, leaving you wondering just what you did wrong. This ebook has a full set of instructions and you are left in no doubt as to what is to be achieved with each step.

This ebook begins with listing the equipment you will need, the supplies you will need and the safety tips you will have to watch out for whilst you are making candles.
Because you are working with hot wax it is important that safety is given due consideration. With the proper precautions taken the hobby is so much more enjoyable and you will feel confident as you work.

Once you have the explanation on all the equipment you will need and various tips to help you with candle making there are several projects to undertake.

When the projects have been mastered then there is a list of other ideas to help you make more innovative candles to tantalize your gift receivers or, if you are turning this into an income earning hobby, ideas that may well help you have a strong income earning project.

With any queries do not hesitate to contact the author Kaye Dennan at kaye@ebooksnowonline.com or view our blog at ebooksnowonline.com/blog.

Kaye Dennan is Chief Publisher for EbooksNowOnline and has spent over 15 years in related art fields. Her ebook “Candle Making – Start with Confidence” fills a need in the market place to help beginner candle makers start safely.

So you’re attending a baby shower and you don’t know what to get the new mom. You want something that’s practical and something that the new mom will appreciate, but you also want something unique and memorable. You might even browse the internet for some ideas, but nothing quite seems appealing to you. Why not make a gift basket? I know what you’re thinking. I’m not creative. I don’t have the time. Rest assured, it’s not that difficult, and it won’t take much time.

Gift baskets are very popular today and indeed a wonderful gift idea for a new mom. Or, you can do it yourself by putting together all baby items that you like for the baby. Here’s how you can make one:

1. First decide on the size of the basket that you will use. A very large basket may be difficult to fill, so a medium sized is recommended. Usually, craft stores sell baskets of different sizes, shapes and colors. Shredded tissue paper and raffia make great fillers to be layered at the basket’s bottom, alongside with baby towels and blankets.

2. If you do have a large basket, you can easily fill it up by choosing bigger items as well, such as crib comforters, stuffed bunny or teddy, pillows or crib bumpers.

3. Take into consideration the baby’s gender, when selecting items to put in the basket. For a first baby, there will be many things that he will need. Having to look at a baby registry if the mom to be has one, can help a lot, since you will know what the baby really needs. If there is none, you could always ask the mom what else she needs for the baby.

4. Consider having a theme. Decide what you’ll put into the basket. You can load the basket with everything pink for a baby girl or everything blue for a baby boy, or what about having Pooh or a dinosaur design. A bedtime theme basket filled with story books, music CD, blankets, pillows, pajama, musical crib mobile and a teddy bear can be a wonderful idea. Be creative and let your imagination soar.

5. Here’s another great idea. Instead of using a basket, a baby tub, a diaper bag, a small laundry basket or a trunk can also be used.

6. For a tub, you can fill it with baby bathing accessories, such as soaps, towels, bubble bath, powder, baby shampoo, lotion and bath rubber toys.

7. For the trunk, you can fill it with baby’s keepsake book, monogrammed items, receiving blankets, heirloom items, a picture frame and an inspirational book all about mom and baby. You can also place a little inspirational note containing all your wishes for the baby, to add a more personal touch to your gift.

8. For the laundry basket, you can fill it with cute slippers, diapers, baby comb and brush, booties, and baby clothes.

Hopefully, this has given you some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Baby gift baskets make great baby gifts because you can give the new mom lots of items you know she’ll use and cherish.

If you decide that making your own baby gift basket is not an option for you, you can always purchase one already made. There are several online baby gift stores that sell unique baby gift baskets.

Article by:
Dana Williams is the founder of www.DanasGiftBasketExpress.com, an online baby gift store, specializing in diaper cakes and unique baby gift baskets. Sign up for Dana’s free 5 day ecourse “Baby Showers Revealed” at www.BabyDiaperCakes.biz.

Easy Scrapbooking For Beginners
By: Barbara Kirby

So you’ve seen some of the eye-catching and heartwarming creations your friends have made scrapbooking, and think, “I can do that!” Visions of four-year-old photos stuffed in random boxes in secret corners of closets nag at you, and you think, “Oohh- organized picture albums!” Truly, these are some of the thoughts and motivations that compel woman the world over to trim, journal, crop and create the most inspired photo albums ever seen.

Yet, for a beginning scrapbooker, the choices can be overwhelming. During my first crop, I spent most of my time awed by the dazzling array of paper, stickers and cutters. I was so afraid to commit to any one decision, I didn’t get a single page completed. So, if you are just embarking on your scrapbooking journey, here a few pointers to help you enjoy this great hobby, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Where to Start?

Scrapbooking for beginners can be a daunting task. I truly believe the key is to start where you are. Yes, I know there are childbirth photos of your 8 year old sitting in a box under your bed. You will get to them eventually. If you start back in time, you will feel like you are forever catching up. I strongly advise that you begin with your most recent set of photos, and get into the habit of cropping regularly. Eventually, you will find you are up to date with current photos, and then you can start to travel back in time.

Step by Step

First of all, it is helpful to use a scrapbook with removable pages. This will allow you to decide on placement of the pages as you go, and allow you to add pages at a later date. Just knowing that the page placement is not set in stone will help you to go ahead and try new things without fear of “ruining the page.”

Beg, Borrow, and Steal

Your best sources of inspiration will come from looking through other people’s books, and getting ideas from websites and catalogs. Don’t be afraid to “borrow” someone else’s idea. Eventually, it will morph into something uniquely your own.

For your first page, a prepackaged kit can be really helpful. These come assembled with pre-cut paper in coordinating colors, with lined paper for journaling, or with event appropriate stickers. Think of it like teaching a child to draw. They need to start with the basics of drawing a face: the shapes, the features and the correct placement. Eventually, every child will develop a unique style of drawing.

It is the same with scrapbooking. If you start by following a plan, you will soon be comfortable enough with the techniques, tools and methods to branch out and create your own masterpieces. And don’t worry, with a little pre-planning, your pages will look great!

Tools for Beginner Scrapbookers

One of the keys to scrapbooking for beginners is to have the proper tools. The most basics are, straight and sharp scissors, a high quality photo album (with removable pages!), an adhesive tape runner, writing implements, and decorative papers.

Using an acid free colored paper as the background for your photos is usually more appealing than working over the white background. The other materials allow you to affix your pictures, write event descriptions or tell stories, and add some flair to the page.

The next set of tools I would recommend for a beginning scrapbooker, is a set of cutters and a cutting board. This will allow you to create curved edges and shapes for your pictures. Finally, stickers are usually an inexpensive purchase that can add a lot of pep and personality to your page.

Just Crop It!

The most important thing to remember is that scrapbooking is fun! It’s a great use of your time, helps you to preserve precious memories, can be a social activity among friends, and is a great creative outlet. So don’t worry about making the wrong color choice or placement decision. You finally got the pictures out from under your bed! You can’t go wrong from there.

Article by:
Barbara Kirby is the author and researcher for The Scrapbookers Directory – which gives you instant access to discount scrapbooking supplies, ideas, layouts, freebies and more. For more info check out www.thescrapbookersdirectory.com

As always don’t forget to check out http://www.tigerandlilyboutique.com for more wonderful How-To’s and other great gifts!!!

We have one more wonderful article for the day. This seems to fit for this weekend so before Sunday rolls around bring out those color crayons and make Dad a gift he will remember! If you don’t have the time to spend making something special, stop by http://www.tigerandlilyboutique.com and buy dad a handmade gift from us instead!!

Creative Father’s Day Gifts Your Kids Can Make
By: Alice Seba

Dads are special people. They are toy repairmen, givers of piggyback rides, and pitchers in backyard softball games. They provide for the family and keep the kids laughing. For all they do, they deserve something special for Father’s Day.

Of course Dad needs a card for his big day. Most kids love to make cards, so get them some construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons or markers and let their imaginations run wild. They can also decorate the card with stickers. If you have some family pictures that they could cut out and glue on, they can add a great personal touch. The more creative they get, the more it will mean to Dad.

Hand decorated picture frames are an easy and thoughtful gift to make. There are many different ways to make these. You could buy a picture frame and let the kids paint it any way they wish, and maybe add stickers. Four craft sticks can also be glued in a square shape to make one completely from scratch. Then glue the edges of the picture to the back of the finished frame, and glue a cardboard back on if desired. For younger kids, a less messy option would be to cut out a frame from construction paper, then use crayons, markers, or stickers to decorate.

Custom t-shirts are a fun activity, and can make a great gift for Father’s Day. Light colored shirts work the best. If you would like to add a photo to Dad’s special shirt, you can do so easily with iron-on creator software, a printer, and iron-on transfer paper. Dad would surely love to have a shirt with a picture of his little angels on it. Let the kids pick out the picture and any graphics to go with it, then Mom can do the ironing. Fabric paints can add a decorative touch. Just make sure you cover the workspace with newspaper before turning the kids loose with them.

For business dads, a pencil holder would be an ideal gift. These can be made out of empty cake icing containers or old cups. Cover the container with felt or construction paper, and cut out designs from either material to glue on. Markers or stickers can also be used to decorate. If Dad is a sports fan, you could use his favorite sport as a theme.

Handmade gifts are a wonderful way to show Dad how much he is loved. They are also a great project for the kids. With a few inexpensive materials and some creativity, they can make Dad a Father’s Day gift that he will cherish for years to come.

Article by:

Holiday Ideas for Moms is your source for less-stress and more fun year-round. Drop by for more holiday tips and Father’s Day Ideas for the whole family.

How to make Christmas ornaments with beads and pipe cleaners.
By: Kavita B

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type is called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are the metallics and Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads do not fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com,

www.christmas.infozabout.com

Article Source: http://greatarticlesformoms.com

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Shanea