Vellum, Brads, Staples - oh my!

[NewEnglandDisney]

Hey everyone! LOL it seems I've started more threads in this forum lately than I have done before period - I hope everyone doesn't mind. I usually reply, not ask. But for this topic, I don't mind not being a pig-headed man and am not afraid to ask for directions.

I've just completed my first eight layouts, and have four more that are in varying degrees of completion. I also have plans for about a dozen more. So I'm really having fun! However, I have developed some more questions - not exactly newbie, but things I just don't understand much about how to use yet.

1) Vellum - This stuff is beautiful! I got one of the HCOE Castle vellum papers, and so far I've left it plain with a piece of red fireworks paper behind it. Coupled with the vellum, it's simply beautiful - a nice rosy pink. I haven't glued or taped it or anything yet, but it sits in the front of my book. I think I may just leave it that way, and using some of those removable photo corners post a title and use it as a title page.

But I've picked up a few other sheets - including an incredible Tink one - but I'm just not sure how to use them. Do people cut them up and use them as layovers? What type of accents? I'm really liking how they look, I just am not sure how to use them (especially since I need to get some tape, I guess, as my glue seems to be showing under most things, I'm sure it would with vellum.

2) Brads and Staples - I don't get these. Can someone explain what these may be used for? I know the staples, for instance, can have cute words and sayings, but are they just to punch in, or to actually secure items? Although I've put a few 3-D items in my book (like one of the drink stirer from Brown Derby that has the Ear-ful tower on it with the MGM logo), but I'm afraid to do more because I don't want indents on other pages.

I guess that's it for now...thanks again for all the great help, guys. I'm learning little by little, and most importantly having fun!

NED

 

[WDWAurora]

What glue are you using? You shouldn't have trouble with it showing through things, other than vellums and that sort of thing. I think that's the most important thing to sort out. I got some wacky tacky (I think that's what it's called) vellum tape, but I want to get some frosted splits from CM that are supposed to not show through as bad. They're basically little glue squares.

For regular glue, I use dotto. It's definitely my favorite.

 

[MazdaUK]

Frosted splits from CM are little squares of double-sided sticky that don't show through. I'm still using up my non-frosted (i.e. old stock) ones, so I try to stick the edge of the velum under something - either a sticker or a piece of paper or cardstock or even the corner of a photo as an anchor.

 

[New England Eeyore]

Make the next leap and tie those two things you asked about together - you can use brads (or eyelets) or staples to adhere the vellum!

 

[JandJ]

I found that 3L Vellum Tape works really well. On some backgrounds it doesn't show through at all. I love all CM adhesives best, but 3L products are so easy to use and work really well! I haven't tried the CM vellum adhesive yet, I'll have to order that. I also like to attach things with brads and use brads just as embellishment with no real purpose, but with CM albums I have to attach it to another sheet of paper and then stick that down to the page, since I don't want to put a brad through the CM page. I haven't worked with staples yet, but I'm sure I'll try them at some point!

 

[Honeybehr1]

I have some of the vellum you mentioned. I have used one with the Castle and put the firework paper behind it. The only thing I put on it was a small tag that said Day 2 Magic Kingdom with the date that we went to that park. I adhered it by using a small brad in each corner.

To adhere vellum I use these methods - brads, eyelets, staples, and Zyron. I have made a rectangle and cut a coordinting cardstock behind it. In the cardstock cut a small slit diagonally in each corner and then slid the vellum into the slits. Adhere the vellum to the back of the carstock using regular adhesive.

My favorite is brads by far.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Wow, as always, thanks again for all the advice guys!

I'm still a bit confused with the brads and eyelets. Are those the "guns" I see for sale? They remind me of "bedazzlers" for clothes, hehe. Can someone explain them to me like I'm a two-year old? How/why they'd be used?

As to glue, I'm using Tomo Mono...I just learned after my first few pages that just a tiny dab goes a long way. I was slathering the stuff, and my first few pages show it. My newer pages are coming out much nicer.

I don't think I'll be ready to make any more equipment investment right now, but I am interested in the "brad" "eyelet" thing, especially if I can find ones with Disney stuff - that's all I buy as a scrapbooker, so it helps me keep in budget.

NED

 

[ddavis860]

Hi Ned,

I use the dotto adhesive too. It comes in a dispenser, and is dry so no mess. Refills aren't too bad cost wise either, especially with a coupon.

As for the brads and eyelets, brads are easier. Poke a hole, stick the brad through, open the ends on the back. Works great for holding vellum to cardstock. I have Mickey balloon brads that I bought from Bargainpack.com...really cute. I mostly use rounds from Mike's...$3.99/ pack.

Eyelets are a little more difficult, as they need to be "set". First you punch a hole for the eyelet, then put the eyelet through, then "set" it with a hammer and tool, or with a crop-a-dial or silent setter on the back.

My favorite new purchase is the crop-a-dial. LOVE IT!!! Cost wasn't too bad using a 50% off coupon at Mikes and I use it every day. Makes setting eyelets so easy!! Now I can set eyelets in the same room as everyone else watching a movie...no one knows or cares

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Thanks so much Debbie! I get it now.

This forum is great. I just don't think I could have ever walked into a "crop" in a LSS or anything, but it's nice to know others are around here that are so helpful.

Now, can I assume that if I buy brads I don't need any additional tool beyond a hole punch, but the eyelets I'd need some sort of crimping tool?

I'll have to take a closer look next time I go to the store, but it looked like they also had things that looked like staples with sayings written on them - is that something entirely different?

Thanks again,

NED

 

[Amyg]

Make the next leap and tie those two things you asked about together - you can use brads (or eyelets) or staples to adhere the vellum!

This is what I've done...I have a sideview photo of my son watching a show intently, I cut a small square in the vellum and attached each outer corner with a brad. This really highlighted his face! Also there are a few really good vellum tape sold now, sorry but I don't remember the brand but I have one.

 

[ddavis860]

Now, can I assume that if I buy brads I don't need any additional tool beyond a hole punch, but the eyelets I'd need some sort of crimping tool?

I'll have to take a closer look next time I go to the store, but it looked like they also had things that looked like staples with sayings written on them - is that something entirely different?

Thanks again,

NED

You don't even have to have a hole punch for brads, you just have to be able to get the back through the paper. I have used a needle just to get a hole, then push it through.

The eyelets require a tool set, or the crop-a-dial or silent setter...

The Fastenater is like a big stapler. It uses those staples that have the words, Mickey heads, and now new Tink and Princess ones (REALLY CUTE by the way). It works like a stapler, but is a little tricky at first. I use it to attach ribbons on tags, holding mini books together, that kind of thing. I'm sure others here have used it for other stuff too. It isn't too expensive with a coupon...gotta love those coupons...

Oh, and welcome to the obsession

 

[PigletFairy]

I have heard that you do not need the fasternater to set the big staples, that you can just punch it like a brad and fold the prongs back. i have not bought any yet but i do use a regular stapler. I have stapled vellum to my layout and it gives it a funky look

you can barely see them but i think it looks great. I would first get the brads to play and figure them out. If you have a hobby lobby near, they have some brads on sale this week at half-off.