Pocket Power! Technique Blog Hop

Welcome once again to our monthly Technique Blog Hop. You may have arrived from Lauren's CTMH Craftings. Be sure to check out all the post by hopping to the next blogger until you get back to where you started. I'm sure you'll be inspired by the creativity, amazed by the artwork and/or learn something new.

I'm using Into the Wild paper to scrap the outdoor adventures of our youngest son and his girl friend. This month I'm showing layouts from both the Workshop Your Way and Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit.

Sometime people have trouble with layout designs because they want to showcase more pictures than are shown on the page. I think it's faster, simpler and easier to copy a pre-designed layout design. I'd rather make fewer pages and add photos with flip flaps, pocket style memory protectors or pocket plus pages. I focus on the photo shapes and sizes and match those to the layout. With such a large variety of Memory Protectors, it's easy to add more photos, whether it's one or a dozen.

When I was laying out the pieces for these WYW pages, I realized the right side could easily be divided into 6" halves. That meant I could add a 6" x 12" flip flap, and more photos! It's like, make two pages, get one free! I used a third piece of the mountain paper cut down to 6" x 12" then I added the journaling space as directed in the instructions. I left the back 6" side as is since the arrow print was already used in this layout. The layering idea for those pictures is from last month's National Scrapbooking Month special, The World is Yours. I will also be adding a 4x4 flip flap to the bottom left square on the right page when I get the prints. And, I'm planning to have my son hand-write in the journaling space (we'll see if that actually happens). If you only have one photo to add, fill the other side of your flip flap with journaling or artwork. You can trim down a Picture My Life card to fit, or design your own.

We carry two types of 12x12 flip flaps for post-bound or D-ring albums: top load and side load. Which one you use is really a personal preference, but sometimes one is more practical for the situation.  A 6x12 flip flap is "stitched" around the top, bottom and one side. Because it is stitched in the same way, I used a side-load protector. I wanted the top and bottom seams to match and I didn't want to deal with the flip flap when I inserted the 12x12 page. Flip Flap adhesive is not very forgiving, so it's a good idea to figure out your placement and then use washi tape to keep everything together while you remove the protective strip.

You can print you photos in the sizes needed for layout designs, or try NOT to zoom in too much when taking pictures. Usually, it's easy to crop the image tighter before printing. Backing up after the picture has been taken, is very hard!.  I prefer to print after I select the layout, but if I already have a stack of 4x6 pictures, they can be trimmed down to smaller sizes, especially 4x4, if they haven't been "pre-cropped" by the photographer. Does your printer charge more for 4x4 than 4x6 prints? I don't know why, it's actually less, or the same, amount of paper! I even found one commonly used printer that doesn't offer 4x4 prints... Save money, back up a step or two and cut off the extra 2".

For the above layout from the Deluxe Kit, I had five vertical 4x6s that weren't easy to cut down, but I had three others that could be. Rather than pick just one of the 4x6 photos, I used flip flaps to add them all. You can stack multiple flip flaps like a book. In fact, they make great mini-albums! This time I put the flip flaps in a line for a fold-out.

Tip: Attach your photos back to back before sliding them into the flip flap. Fussing with them inside the pocket is annoying.


I prefer to cut my page protectors and attach the smaller flip flaps behind the base page photo. You can read my previous post about Installing Flip Flaps for more information.  I also like to add a "handle" to draw attention to the interactive element. I used some different stamps on these pages, including some from the You Are Here Cricut Cartridge Collection. These are perfect with In The Wild! To make the flip flap handle, I cut and stamped two identical pieces and attached them back to back over the flip flap using liquid glass.

A design space file is available for the Deluxe Workshop featuring Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. Tip: the triangle pages is adorable, but I had trouble with the triangle placement. I suggest a temporary adhesive to start, then you can stick them down better after they're in place. The directions recommend laying everything out, but the pieces really need to be attached so they don't shift or get brushed out of place while you're arranging them. Did you know?? If you apply our Bonding Memories glue and let it dry from blue to clear, the bond will be temporary, like a sticky note!!

What else can you do with flip flaps?
Here's a little video.

Please, leave a comment below before you hop off to see what Melissa has to share this month. She also has a list of all the participants in case you get lost going "Into the Wild."

Ready to shop? Here are the products I used:
Into the Wild Workshop Your Way Scrapbooking Kit
Into the Wild Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit (w/o stamp)
Z679 Liquid Glass
Z4089 Liquid Glass Fine Tip Applicator
Z3268 Flip Flaps Memory Protectors 6" x 12"
Z3231 Flip Flaps Memory Protectors 4" x 6"
Z1977 Memory Protectors Side Load Value Pack
Z3503 Cricut Artbooking Digital Collection
Z3502 Cricut You Are Here Digital Collection

Paste-fully Creative - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to my first entry in a Blog Hop! And welcome to The Scrap Buzz, new visitors!!

If you have arrived here from  Maz Wood: aMAZing Close to my Heart Creations, you're in the right place. If you get lost, a full list of participants can be found here.

In case you missed it, there are several options for purchasing texture paste. The products are offered separately, or as part of the Boutique Deluxe Bundle which includes the Palette Knives, larger 3.9 jar of Opaque Matte,  a package of Stencil Sheets and a Sugarplum Shimmer Brush. You save 10% by purchasing the bundle.

We also offer a Texture Paste Trio of 1 oz jars in Transparent Matte, Transparent Gloss and Opaque Matte.


I was planning another technique and a school theme, but before I finished with paper selection I had a new idea. Could I make a hand print with texture paste? The answer is YES!

Texture Paste How To

I played with several variations, but a straight forward method was the best choice. Initially I was looking for a fine image like what you would expect with ink, similar to a finger print. The paste gives a fun textured image similar to paint.

1. "Butter" your hand with one of the Palette Knives, just like you would do bread. This should be a medium thickness. About half will transfer to the paper; the other half will remain on your hand.
2. Just like stamping, press your hand straight down and after a few seconds, remove it straight up.
3. Happy with your image? Texture Paste is great for us perfectionists because it's never going to be "perfect," so unless you're missing a finger, it's probably good to go!
4. Scrape the excess paste off your hand with the Palette Knife or clean with a baby wipe, then wash thoroughly with soap and water. The paste is non-toxic in addition to acid-free. 
5. Don't forget to replace the lid on the jar and clean up your knife and work area while the paste is wet. Set your project aside to air dry. I let mine sit overnight. 

Note that I left the paste white, straight from the jar. If you mixed the paste with color, you might have a colored hand for a few days!

There are some tips below that cover a few issues I had when putting this page together. Please leave a comment before you head over to see what Vandra has to share.

Tips for Easier Tool Use

Cuttlebug Tip:  At the Annual CTMH North America Convention this year, we were told that on the Thin Cuts notebook edge it's hard to tell which is the positive and negative images. So, it's helpful to mark your die once you know which is which. (BTW-Sharpie will come off onto your C plate.) Also, to repeat the cut on a longer piece of paper, overlap just the very ends of the die. You may wish to use a piece of Washi Tape to hold things in place. I also suggest you start in the middle of the paper, then fill in each end so you don't have a little short piece to cut.

Tip #2: The Texture Paste can cause your paper to warp. You may be able to prevent this by using Washi Tape again. Attach your paper to the All-Purpose Mat. I didn't remember that so my paper was no longer flat (left side).

I fixed it by spraying a little water on the BACK of my paper with a Spray Pen. It was moist, not wet. Then I washi taped it to my Versamat and let it dry. That did the trick (right side)!

Thanks for stopping by!

                  Tamara

Products Used

• Grateful Heart paper pack
• Seasons Mix-In paper pack
• Cardstock in Candy Apple, White Daisy, Saffron, Sapphire
• Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad in Sapphire
• Cricut Cuttlebug
• Artbooking Cricut Collection available in Digital or Cartridge version
• Make It From Your Heart Volume 3
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape
• Palette Knives
• Opaque Matte Texture Paste
• All-Purpose Mat
• SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
• Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen
• Marvy Uchida LePen Journaling Pen
• Candy Apple Striped Ribbon
• Christmas Countdown or 'Tis the Season Deluxe Bundle
• Thin Cuts - Stitched Circles
• Thin Cuts - Basic Circles
• Thin Cuts- Block Alphabet
• Thin Cuts - Decorative Borders

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I did get my St. Patrick's Day cards made before the holiday, and mailed, but they won't be arriving on time. Fortunately, my family doesn't have high expectations, LOL. I found this design on Pinterest. An easy way to make a shamrock is to put several heart shapes together.

Almost everything on this card is retired. I've been wanting to do something with the All About the Golds Fundamentals overlay sheets from the clearance sale. I ended up using the Limeade Washi Tape also on clearance. The heart stamp is from Family is Forever, S1409. This set works with our Artiste Cricut Collection. Maybe next year I will try the same design with the heart from the Artbooking Collection. To make the green shamrock I went to Cricut Design Space, enlarged the heart shape and welded four together. The colors on the card are Topiary and Pear.

Here's a version with a stamped border. The sentiment is from the Sending Smiles stamp set, part of the Flower Market Cricut Collection.

The overlays have a film on the back (silver) side. I removed it after I cut the piece. I don't know that it would matter if you took it off first. I believe is is there for manufacturing purposes. The gold is actually on the front (gold) side. If you have trouble grabbing the plastic, use your paper piercer. I cut the overlay with my Fiskars Paper Trimmer.

I cut the front of my card base 1.5" from the top fold, and another 1.5" from the bottom. The overlay piece is 2" x 5.5". I attached the overlay piece to the bottom card base piece first. That made it easy to line up this piece on three sides with the card base when attaching to the front.

Here's how the front of the card looks on the inside. You could cover the seam with B&T, washi, ribbon, etc. I like the see-thru affect so I didn't cover them.

When I design or adapt a card design, I often try different variations trying to get everything "just right." I made six cards and there are four different designs. Which one do you like the best?

The green on the other cards is current: Willow Exclusive Inks and cardstock, the Willow watercolor wash paper is from Adventure Fundamental Paper Pack. I used the Thin Cuts - Scallop Border instead of the washi tape. This month we are having a sale on Thin Cuts including many retired sets.

Congratulations to the giveway winner...Linda!!

Working with Thin Cuts

Since this March's Cut It Out Special is a sale on our Thin Cuts metal dies, I want to take a few moments to show how these are used.

First, you'll need a die cutting machine such as Cuttlebug, Big Shot or an older Sizzix.

There are two sides of each die. The front side is flat and sticks to the magnet (included with your die). The image is what you will see after cutting: the word is readable or the die/cut shape matches the stamp shape. The back side is the cutting side.

Follow the directions for your machine to make a "sandwich" of pad(s), paper and Thin Cuts. In general, your paper is between the cutting pad and the back (cutting) side of the die.

For this set up, use shims,
 such as cardboard, to
achieve sufficient pressure to cut.

You can cut multiple layers and use multiple Thin Cuts at one time.

For cutting multiple pieces of paper, you may need to run your sandwich through a Cuttlebug more than once. When you cut more than one Thin Cut at a time, make sure you have a little space between each die. If you have issues with dies moving around too much, consider a magnetic pad for your machine for use Washi tape to hold the die in place.


For words and outline shapes, use your Paper Piercer to remove the shape from the Thin Cuts die.

Post your Thin Cuts questions and comments below!!

How to Install Flip Flaps

Here are step by step directions for installing Flip Flaps™ smaller than 12".  You can find additional information on interactive elements in our How To Book Magic.  If you missed my previous post, you can find Flipping for Flip Flaps here.

Step 1.  Insert the two photos (or other items) you are using into the Flip Flap and attach it to your finished page. I like to put the adhesive under the base photo instead of on top of it. The adhesive flap folds over the opening. It is like an envelope EXCEPT the adhesive is on the opposite side of the flap, When the flap is down, the opening is covered to keep items from sliding out.

Step 2.  Insert the finished layout with the Flip Flap attached into your Memory Protector. Note:  Make sure you have oriented your Memory Protector correctly for the left or right hand page!! 

Step 3.  Mark the Memory Protector to show where to cut the slit. Mark the length of the slit as well as the stop and start points. Here I've used Washi Tape.                                                                                   At this point I like to remove my layouts from the Memory Protector so that I have a flap object to work with when cutting. (Note:  I recommend only using Flip Flaps on only one side of your Memory Protector; it just makes this step easier.)

Step 3.  Insert a small cutting mat or board inside your Memory Protector.  This is IMPORTANT because otherwise you will cut into your layout and/or the back side of your page protector. 

Line up your ruler with the marked edge.





Did you know our Ruler has a metal straight edge? No worrying about chipping it with the knife!

Use and X-Acto knife to cut a slit in the Memory Protector. Just to be safe, I cut from each end toward the middle. You may need to make two passes.

                                                                                                                                                                            

Here's the slit in my Memory Protector! (Note:  I recommended staying an inch away from all four sides of the Memory Protector.) Now you can remove the Washi Tape.

Step 4.  Remove the items from your Flip Flap, then put the page back in the Memory Protector.

Step 5.  Reach into your Memory Protector and bend the Flip Flaps back towards the slit.  (This step is so much easier when the Flip Flaps is empty!).

I hope you can see this clearly-I put an extra piece of cardstock behind the Flip Flap. Thread the finished edge of the Flip Flap through the slit and pull it all the way through to the outside of the Memory Protector.  Turn the Flip Flap to the "open" position and re-insert your items, then "close" the Flip Flap. You're done!!

This is my top/outside photo. Originally this layout ("Salsa" from Imagine) did not have a Flip Flap in this spot. The photo measurement is 3.5"x5.5" and it's matted on a 4"x6" piece. I added two 4"x6" pictures, one for the base photo (Steps 4 and 5) and one for the "inside" of the Flip Flap. The top photo was used WITH its matting to make it fit in the Flip Flap.  Keep this in mind if your photo or item is smaller than our Flip Flap sizes.