March 2011 CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop

Welcome to the March 2011 CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop.  This month we are featuring scrapbooking techniques.  If you just arrived from {Haley's} blog, you are on the right path.  If you're just starting here, you can enjoy our hop by simply clicking the link to the next blog at the end of the post.

I decided to feature Studio J layouts, specifically using them in interactive layouts.  I have printed several Studio J layouts that I intended to add something to after I received it.  In some instances, it was a picture that I didn't have electronically (a copyrighted photo from an event, for instance).  Other items have been pressed pennies, tickets, and in today's example, bib numbers from races.

There are a lot of great ways to add interactive elements to your scrapbook layouts.  One of the easiest is to use Memory Protector Flip Flaps.  But the technique I am going to show you today is ideal when the interactive item is an unusual size.  My bib number was 8 1/4" X 8 3/8", so instead of a flip flap, I used a piece of transparency film (yes, those same sheets that you remember from elementary school, which you can buy in your local office supply store).  I cut a piece of transparency film 5" X 8", and scored it down the length.  Next, I used a bone folder to sharpen the crease (hint:  if you don't have a bone folder, the My Acrylix® blocks can be used to serve the same purpose).  You really want to create a sharp crease so your interactive portion will lay flat when closed.  Next, I attached the transparency to the back of the layout using Terrifically Tacky Tape.  When you are using the transparencies, you need to use a really heavy-duty adhesive, because the slick material doesn't hold adhesive well.  Also, you'll want to make sure to NOT put the layout or the materials you are attaching all the way up into the crease.  If you don't leave a bit of space at the crease (really, you don't need much), your interactive flap won't lay down flat when you are finished (see the layout below, from the first time I did this technique.  All except the bottom right photo were mounted using this technique-except through the page protector.  Notice how the top left photo on the right page isn't laying flat.  That's because I put the pieces all the way up into the crease, so it didn't have room to close flat).  

After attaching the flap to the back of the layout, I prepared my two pieces for the outside of the page protector.  One is the race number, the second is a piece of cardstock that I cut to match the size of the race number and used for journaling.  Be mindful of how the viewer will look at the items when you mount them.  Because I was using two items, I sandwiched the outer piece of transparency between them, once again using Terrifically Tacky Tape.  I adhered the cardstock and race number to each other using my regular adhesive (only part of each is attached to the transparency).  Then I simply lifted my "flap" and slid the page into the page protector, then laid the flap down on the outside of the page protector.  The race number is made of Tyvek, so I wasn't really concerned about it not being protected.  If you are using something that is paper, laminate it before attaching to the transparency (that is exactly what I did the first time I used this technique, and is how I discovered Terrifically Tacky Tape, as none of the other adhesives I tried would keep the laminated item attached to the transparency.

I hope I've given you some ideas for your scrapbook pages, and helped you to see how you can incorporate items into your layouts to make them interactive.  Now hop on over to  {Adeline's} blog to see what she's created.

If you find any broken links along the way, Wendy has the complete list of participants on her blog.