Blog — ephemera

I love using digital downloads in my junk journals, but I also want to stretch my creativity muscles. So I make a point to try to think out of the box and use the printables in creative ways. Here are a few tips for getting creative with digital papers. Decorate Journaling Cards These are two journaling cards. The first one of each set is just printed and then inked around the edges. The second one of each set is decorated. The collaging lets me put my own creativity into the card. It also makes the cards different enough that I...

These little goodies are some of my favorite things to use in my junk journals. They are postage stamps, numbers, addresses and dates. This article will give you lots of ideas for ways to use them in your paper crafting projects. It will also show you how you can make your own. Collages My favorite way to use ephemera smalls like postage stamps and numbers is in a collage. Whenever I get near the end of a collage project, I always see little blank spots that just need a little pop of something. Stamps and numbers to the rescue! Strip...

For the past few weeks, I have been doing a deep dive into corrugated cardboard. I've figured out how to work with it and what I can make from it and I have to say I am so glad I did. I came up with a ton of ideas and I'm going to share them with you. Separating Corrugated Cardboard Layers Once you learn how to separate the cardboard elements, you will start to understand how incredibly versatile it is: Take a sheet of cardboard and hold it under hot water with the spray hitting the corrugation as shown above. With...

This article will teach you how to make easy, yet stunning, holiday place cards and gift tags using one special ingredient: DIY tickets. These tickets feel just like real tickets because I use drywall tape from the hardware store (paint department). And I use a tracing wheel from my sewing kit. I know these aren't common things most crafters use, but they make all the difference, I promise! Step 1 - Color Drywall Tape  I don't like the bright white background, so I usually dye the drywall tape to start. The photo above shows inking, painting with watered down acrylic paint,...

I got to the point where I had TONS of paper scraps I was saving for my junk journal, and I figured out a great way to use them up. I glue them onto book pages while watching TV. Then, I have a whole book full of collaged backgrounds ready and waiting (and hidden and protected in a book). Here's how I do it and what I've made with the collaged pages. Step 1 I like to add strips of another book or old music - anything neutral and printed.  Step 2 Then I add some plain texture. I like...