Transparencies
Every now and then a product or trend comes along that just blows us away. We love the look, love the ideas, love the projects we see other's doing, but have no idea how to achieve that result ourselves. We smile, say "oh that's neat" and walk on, so unsure of our own talents that we don't even try.
Transparent products have been one of those things. They look amazing, come in countless designs and forms, are loved by just about everyone, but yet *no one* knows what to do with them. Some of us even buy every one on the market (me!) and then just sit on them for years never quite knowing what to do next.
So this month we're going to feature Hambly transparencies and hopefully give you some good ideas to inspire some works-of-art from your own scrap room. We'll share some basic tips and techniques, and as always if you have any further questions, comment below or simply ask us in the store!
How do you use a transparency?
Most of them are called "transparent overlays" because they are intended to 'overlay' part or all of your project. Whether you design a layout and then lay the transparency on top as an overall embellishment or use the transparency like you would a patterned paper and build your layers on top of it is up to you.
You can trim the transparency and just use a small portion, or use the full 12x12 sheet. With the advent and increased popularity of clear acrylic mini-albums, many people are also turning to transparencies to add pages to their albums (or to make their own album all together)
How you use it and what you use it for is completely up to you, don't be afraid to experiment!
How do you secure a transparency:
This depends largely on the printed pattern on the sheet. If it has a large, bold print you can easily get away with hiding Glu Dots under the printed portions.
If it has a busy pattern, your basic dot-roller adhesive will work just fine.
Other options include using brads or buttons in the corners (or anywhere that will be pleasing to the eye) Stapling the transparency is another effective way to attach it to your page (check office supply stores for different colored staples that match your project!)
One of my favorite ways to attach a transparency is using acrylic paint. Simply paint all or part of the backside of your transparency with a complimentary color and quickly attach it to your background page/cardstock. Not only does it help the pattern of the transparency stand out, but the paint also works as an adhesive!
My personal favorite is machine stitching the transparency (or pretty much anything for that matter) to the layout. You get a good, solid hold and a cute extra design element. Tip: Buy needles that are meant to sew through heavy fabric (like denim) to sew on scrapbook pages. They are more durable and able to punch through thicker items or more layers without breaking (learned that from personal experience!)
Another thing to note, if you are using the transparency simply as an overlay (whether you build the page on the transparency itself and lay it over cardstock, or build the page on cardstock and lay the transparency over that) you can simply slide the two pieces into your page protector without adhering them at all. The page protector itself will help both pieces stay put without the fuss of extra embellishments.
What kind of products can you use on/with transparencies?
Journaling: We recommend Slick Writers by American Crafts. Unlike other markers and journaling pens, they won't smear on the slick surface or slip around when you're trying to write.
Stamping: Staz On is the recommended brand by almost everyone. Just remember one thing when you're using it: it's called "Staz On" for a reason, careful where you apply it! If you are using standard office-supply transparencies you will notice they have two sides, one that is slick and one that is slightly grainy. I have found that you can stamp on the grainy side with any ink (I use Versa Magic and Brilliance) and the ink adheres to the transparency just fine, just give it a few seconds to dry (I have not personally tested this on Hambly transparencies, have you? Let me know if it works...)
Let us know if we can answer any other questions about these great products for you! If you have any pages, cards, or mini albums completed using Hambly products, send it in! We'd love to see and show off your work!
In the mean time - check out their blog http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/ and get some great ideas! Their design team is amazing and their guest designers every month come up with some AMAZING projects!
