Part Five - How to distress in digital scrapbooking with Studio J

I hope you have been enjoying this series on how to use the fabulous digital scrapbooking program, Studio J. Please see the posts below this one if you've missed anything.

Now, I can tell you that you really don't need all these instructions to start Studio J, I'm just helping you skip over some of the learning process here. The truth is, it's so easy to do and I know you can GET STARTED even without my posts here.

Today I want to tell you a little bit about the distressing tool that you can use when making your Studio J layouts. Distressing is not for everyone or every layout but some layouts are just screaming for some distressing. The one above is a perfect example. My son dressed as a pirate for Halloween a few years back. Distressing is just what this layout needed because I wanted to have a whole rustic, pirate-y, worn out look to the pages. I wanted the whole page to look much like a crinkled old treasure map!

The distressing menu is on the left hand side of your layout editing. You have the opportunity to choose from many colors to distress with (all of them technically but they do offer the best suggestions for the color scheme of the paper set). Choose a color, darker ones to make it really show well, lighter ones if you want a more subtle look.

You are given three types of distressing: CROSS, DIRECT, AND SPONGE. Cross is a criss-cross look with an "x'ed" edge. Direct is more color along the edges and a slightly wrinkled look and sponge is a softer, subtle sponged look. You also can change the surface of the paper by using a SANDING or STUBBLE tool. The stubble is a much rougher look. I use that when I feel like my cardstock looks too modern or smooth.

To use these, click on the tool you want then, using your right finger on the mouse, slide the distressing over to the patterned or cardstock paper on your layout. You do have to do it for each section of paper, you'll see it change right before your eyes. This way you can choose only to distress certain papers if you want.

If the distressing isn't intense enough for you, click on the paper on your layout and change the percentage of distressing. You'll also see an erase tool too, to get rid of the distressing.

YOU CAN EVEN DISTRESS YOUR JOURNALING MAT. It will roughen up the edges so that the journaling block isn't perfectly square or rectangular.

So, that's pretty much it for distressing, it's one of the easiest tools to use and really, it makes a nice difference in your layouts so try it out!

Sticky Boy!

Sticky Boy is the prototype of the acrylix stamps that Close to my Heart invented. Being the humorous company that they are, they made a video!!

Supply List for a New Scrapbooker

So often new scrapbookers ask me what supplies I think they need to get started. This morning I sat down to really make a thorough list of what I would have a newbie buy. So, here, in order of importance, are my suggestions:

Paper - My Reflections Scrapbook Kits and 12 x 12 Cardstock - You absolutely have to have paper or there is no page. If you only can afford one type, choose the cardstock but the pattern papers are truly beautiful and add so much.

Euro Personal Paper Trimmer - I don't know anyone who can cut perfectly straight with a pair of scissors. You HAVE TO HAVE a good trimmer to cut your paper and this one works well, it has measurements up to 12 inches and even measurements for cards.

Tombow Mono Adhesive and Memory Book Glue Dots - I have been waiting for years to find a good adhesive to hold the textured and heavier papers and it actually takes two adhesives that will work for nearly everything you create. Tombow works for nearly everything except metal or heavier accents like buttons. The Glue Dots take care of those super bulky and heavy items.

Micro-Tip Scissors - These are the best, sharpest scissors I've ever used, 'nuf said.

Foam tools - Distressing the edges of your papers is really big now and has been for a long time. It helps distinguish your pattern papers and cardstock from each other and gives your pages a nice rustic look. I find the best tool to use is a sponge with a handle.

Alphabet Stamp Set - To avoid the problem of running out of e's and a's with sticker and diecut alphabets, I use stamp alphabet sets. With a good ink pad, you are set for titles!!

Black ink - You'll need this to go with your alphabet stamp set and for distressing. Black is the color that will go best with most of your pages but it would be handy to get brown down the line too.

My Legacy Faux Leather Albums - Once you've made your beautiful pages, you need a pretty album to show them off in. These are gorgeous!

My Legacy Writer Black Pen - If you are not a person who likes to journal on your pages, that's okay BUT, you definitely want to at least label faces, places and dates on each page because, as you know, memory fades in time!

There's so much you can get once you have the basics above, embellishments, ribbons, buttons, brads, etc., but you will be off to a good start with this list. Have fun and if you need any of the items I posted, just click on the links and they will take you right to my website where you can buy and have everything sent right to your house. What could be easier than that?

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Top ten scrapbooking supplies on my wish list

1. All the Workshops on the Go - After finishing the Olivia Workshop Kit I'm now dying to buy the other three, Mistletoe, Hooligans, and Magnifique.

2. The 12 x 12 cardstock packs for the eight new colors! I actually own a package of cardstock in every color Close to my Heart has. It took awhile to buy or earn them all but it's been so worth it. I never have to worry that I have the cardstock to match my pattern paper.

3. The "how to" books. Magic, Cherish, Imagine, Reflections, Wishes, and Originals are all on my wish list. You'd think that I'd have them all after 2 1/2 years with CTMH, right? Well, I did, I've have them all several times but my customers keep buying them from me. Over and over again I've ended up selling my own copies because you all have to have it!! Right now I have zero again, that will change soon!

4. Studio J! I have a year membership so that my layouts are super cheap and I have plans on making some fast layouts for Christmas albums for my mother and mother in law. It takes less than 20 minutes generally to make a two page layout so I'll whip these out quickly!

5. The Party Pennants stamp set. I have seen this set used in so many cute ways that I'm just dying to have it!

6. Brads! These must be my most used embellishment because I'm always running out. I need them in every color too, how about you?

7. Hooligans Level 2 Assortment. These cute little felt monsters are so popular that they keep running out of them. They are self-adhesive and adorable and I need more!

8. Irresistibles. I'm obsessed with these ever since we had that great Miracle kit promotion. When you ink these, the white designs stay white. Imagine being able to color these shapes any color you need to match your pages. They are truly magic. See me color one HERE.

9. Sanding kit. I see in the new catalog that they've even changed the design of this pretty set. I am a big dry embosser, as you know, so I have to have sanding ability!

10. Finally I have to have another craft tray. I use this all the time in my card workshops (I have several coming up, check out my calendar) and one isn't enough for all of you glitter obsessed crafters!!

So, thanks for reading my shopping wish list. Do you have one too? I'd love to hear about what's on your list. Did you know that if you make a wish list and give it to me, I can call up your significant other and let them know what you REALLY want for Christmas? I can even wrap it up! Call me if you need that service provided to help you get what you want! (989) 906-6420