ScrapFusion(tm)

I started doing regular scrapbooking when my mom lived with us.  She was just in the beginning stages of alzheimer’s, and I was looking for an activity that we could do together that would keep her busy, keep her active, be creative, and exercise her memory.  Scrapbooking fit the bill perfectly.  We spent way too much money on our hobby, and scrapbooked every afternoon for years, until she was no longer able.  It was during this time that I started whining to my hubby, Doug, that the embellishments fell off of the pages after a week or a month, and that the glue was way too expensive.  He was a chemist for a large printer, and we worked together to develop a scrapbookers liquid glue, and thus ScrapFusion(tm) was born.

We receive lovely comments from scrapbookers, cardmakers, quillers, and altered art makers.  Colleen shared some cards with us that she made, and I’d love to post them here.  Thank you, Colleen for sharing and allowing me to post these pics!

Can you believe how detailed these are?  She used a Martha Steward punch for the branches.  I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t have the patience to make these beauties!

Love the blue and white combo!!

 

 

 

This one, with the window, is so pretty!  Almost (almost, not quite, lol) makes me want winter!  I love the layering!

 

 

 

 

This card is just so stunning with the red background and the red berries.  I love the branches from other trees in the top corners!

 

 

 

I would love to make my own cards for Christmas…but who am I kidding?  I never seem to find time to send any cards!  Christmas always takes me by surprise.  I usually have one or two gifts made throughtout the year, then I don’t do anything until it’s panic time.  And wrapping?  Forget it!  Doug and I spend Christmas Eve and a good part of Christmas morning wrapping.  Maybe this year I’ll be organized!  Hey, if you’re gonna dream, dream big!

Oh, and did I mention that from now until the end of August, there is free shipping on ScrapFusion(tm)??? 

Hybrid Notebook

I made a fun Hybrid Notebook using some digital elements that I designed and some traditional scrapbooking techniques on an inexpensive composition notebook.  I know, this is not a new thing, but hey, you don’t always have to reinvent the lightbulb!  Sometimes, you just want to decorate it.

Anyway, to kick off my new blog, I am offering a freebie–a JPEG file with the digi-elements for you to print and use to make your own Hybrid Notebook!  (Click on the blue letters to be taken to the link.)

Here is a quick Tutorial on how to make the notebook.

1.  First of all, using sandpaper, sand off the front cover.  You want to make sure to remove the gloss and give the cover some “tooth” for maximum glue adhesion.  Wipe off the cover with a dry cloth.

2.  cut 3 sides of your background paper roughly and inch larger than your notebook.  Leave one edge straight, so that you can line it up perfectly with the spine “tape” on the composition book.

3.  Using ScrapFusion(tm) Adhesive in the Spout top and a brush, brush the glue on the front cover upto the spine.  Be sure to apply an even coat, and to cover the entire area, especially the edges.  Smooth any air bubbles out, and let dry.  Once dry, open your front cover and turn it face down on a cutting surface.  Use the cover as a guide for your very sharp blade to trim the paper to size.

4.  In the meantime, print your digi elements onto white cardstock, using the highest resolution settings on your printer.  If you plan on adding a topcoat (eg Mod Podge), be sure that your ink is waterproof and will not smear.  You can always have the page printed out at the local Walmart of Walgreens.

5.  Using nice sharp paper scissors, cut out the elements/letters that you want to use.  Feel free to add stickers, diecuts, glitter, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

6.  Use ScrapFusion(tm) Adhesive in the Needle Nose bottle for ultimate control of gluing small pieces, and ScrapFusion(tm) in the Daubber Bottle for larger pieces.  Glue all of your pieces onto the background sheet and add any extras.  As you can see, I added some glitter to my book.  If you add glitter, be sure to let it dry!  Smeared glitter is not a thing of beauty.

7.  You can add stamps, whitewash, sand the edges, add ribbon, eyelets, or anything else at this point.

8.  After you are sure everything is dried, feel free to add 2 coats of Mod Podge.  I plan on using my notebook a lot, so I wanted to make sure it would stay clean, so I opted to use a topcoat.  Whether or not you do, is totally up to you.

There you have it!  A fun notebook for yourself or to give as a gift.  Think of all of the possiblities…teacher gifts, journal for your daughter, her friend, or the babysitter, gift lists, or just about anything you can think of!  With all of the digital kits and freebies out there, why not take advantage and create something totally unique?  For a wonderful selection of digital kits, visit Ivy Scraps and be sure to post photos of your projects in the gallery.

PS…yes, this post did include a shameless plug for our glue, ScrapFusion ™ Adhesive.  For more information on ScrapFusion ™ Adhesive, visit our ‘soon to be improved’ website, IvyHollowPub.com.  We are working hard to re-vamp the website, but I can assure you, the glue is AWESOME!

Pss…I am the first to admit, I am NOT a great photographer…