What do Magic Scraps, 7 gypsies, Goudy, Daisy D's, K and Co, Dannielle Johnson, Karen Russell, Creative Imaginations, Sweetwater, EK Success, Dibona and Artistic Expressions have in common? They have all produced fabulous clear plastic overlays for scrapbooking use.
Do it Yourself!
However, you can make your own transparencies too! Yes! This is terrific news for those who have limited access to scrapbook stores and merchandise or need themes that are hard to find. You can personalize your clear overlays to suit each layout as you need. These office tools were originally made for overhead projector presentations but you can use them in your scrapbook! Your home computer can print these sheets out with your choice of wording, font and graphics. Better yet, you can fold them, emboss on them, cut them into pieces or tags, and encase flat items inside too!
Heat Emboss on them!
http://forums.about.com/ab-scrapbooking/messages/?msg=21402.1
Using pressed flowers and transparencies on layouts.
http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/blpressedflowers1.htm
Add Crystal Laquer of Diamond glaze or tinted acrylic paint for further effects!
http://www.scrapjazz.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=89285&password=&sort=2&cat=all&page=1
http://www.scrapjazz.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=82513&password=&sort=2&cat=all&page=5
More examples of wording transparencies on pages
http://create.kindredcreations.com/article21.html
What Should I Look For?
Most office transparencies come 10 to 20 in a package and are sold for about a dollar apiece or less at retail. Laser sheets are usually less expensive than ink jet. Laser transparencies are heat set ink and therefore more water proof. Generally printouts are made on the ROUGH side of the transparency. Avery and HP are two common office supply brands. Look for brands that are made of polyethylene, polypropylene, Mylar, polyester, or plastic. You want your sheets to be PVC FREE. For safety sake, avoid Polyvinylchloride plastics. Read your labels!
Are HP transparencies acid free and safe to use?
Yes, according to the HP site, HP C3835a and HP C3834a are safe, https://h30044.www3.hp.com/forum/scrapbooking/topic.asp?p=2&id=413
Avery and HP provide artwork to use on your projects. Here is Avery’s site for free graphics to use on transparencies and on scrapbook pages
http://www.avery.com/us/Main?action=clipart.ClipartTheme&catalogcode=WEB01&node=0
Personalize your Transparency:
You can create transparencies in Word, Word Art, or any greeting card program that lets you make 8.5x11 "posters". Just create your text document as prefer. Use fonts and change sizing to create "text art. Place some words on horizontal and some on vertical formatting. Preview how you want it to look on full size and finally print according to transparency directions. You may need to check your printer settings. Click the right settings suggested for transparencies and reverse printing if needed. Test a few out. Remember, the rougher side usually gets the ink. See your overlay manufacturer packaging for specifics. You will get the hang of it after one or two trials.
You can even take your transparency use one step further. Print in grayscale instead of black. Or perhaps try white ink and paint? Use colored fonts when printing monochromatic pages for a unique look. And why not personalize the plastic front on a shaker box before you assemble it? Or create sturdy Christmas or Birthday card pockets on a page from personalized and folded overlay plastic? You can also punch out holes in the overlay and insert metal letters and charms.
Simple Attachments:
You may ask how you can attach clear overlays to your scrapbook page. If they are clear, won’t glues and adhesives show through? I use a variety of methods to attach my transparencies. You can use:
- Brads
- Eyelets
- Hinges
- Hatpins
- Page corners
- Spray adhesive
- Adhesive placed under an accent or photo
- Paper fasteners
- Paper clips
- Snaps
- Sewing with fiber
- Staples
- Ribbons
- Place the transparency in a small pocket (if it is a tag or smaller sheet.)
More Fun Stuff:
Another great article on these fun additions:
http://www.scrapjazz.com/resources/article_310.shtml
http://www.onescrappysite.com/section-printpage-106.html
Free liberty transparency graphic and wording
http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_380.shtml
Free printables for transparencies
http://scrapbooking.stuff-2-do.com/transparencies/
Let your creativity loose! Enjoy the versatility of "getting clear" with transparencies!
Happy Scrapping!
Rockester
