Not Enough of a Good Thing + Giveaway

I was looking back at some of my past scrapbook layouts recently and I realized there are a few tricks and embellishments I use very often. VERY often. I started thinking that perhaps I use them too much. You ever think that?

After mulling it over for a while, I thought there certainly can’t be too much of a good thing in your scrapbooks. I enjoy creating these elements and using these embellishments on my layouts. So why stop? As the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Instead, I frame it, stitch it or pierce it. In fact, between these two layouts, I did each of these tricks at least once – if not more.



1. Cardstock Frames
I love creating a focal point on my pages and I find that framing a photo is a great way to do just that. I usually layer a few frames made with contrasting patterned paper and separate them with cardstock. My little pièce de résistance to finish off the frames is to place brads in the corners where the picture meets the frame. Parfait!


2. Stitching
I think there is no better touch on a scrapbook page than finishing off a seam between two pieces of paper with some good old-fashioned stitching. The Betsy Ross inside me gets a secret joy from lugging out my Kenmore and feeding the paper through the sewing machine foot. The hum of my sewing machine motor combined with the syncopated piercing of patterned paper is beautiful music.


3. Paper Flowers
Since the sewing machine tidbit pretty much eliminated any chance of being named the next James Bond, I might as well fess up to another less masculine embellishment I absolutely love: paper flowers. Whenever I’ve got a scrapbook page needing a little something special…I find a flower usually fits the scrapbooking bill. I especially love layering flowers and topping them off with a brad stuck through the middle.


4. Brads
Speaking of brads, I adore them. I love how a line of brads are the perfect way to highlight a photo or die cut. It’s hard – if not impossible – for me to pass a package of brads at the store and not purchase it. Glazed, jeweled, velvet, metal, fabric…I love them all.

Eric, thanks for all of the amazing layouts and tips you shared with us this week! You have a lot of wonderful ideas and great craftsmanship.

Readers, leave a comment telling us which post was your favorite this week and you will be entered into a giveaway to win a grab-bag of products Eric used throughout the week. Just leave your comment by Sunday January 17th at midnight and we will announce the winner Monday. Be sure to check back next week to see if you are the winner because if we don't hear from the winner by January 25th we will pick a new winner!