Thrifty Alternatives for 'Project Life' Materials

Hey all!

Here I am yet again with another post. So, I've been browsing around Becky Higgins' website, and I thought that Project Life does not require you to purchase items meant for the project. Why not adapt office supplies or craft materials available within our reach instead, right? That way, we save, we don't get frustrated, and we get to do the project just like anyone else, yes?
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{DIY} Inked Edges, Vintage/Distressed Look

So, it's been a while since last post, and I am back with another DIY.

Adding a vintage feel to our cards or scrapbook pages has never been easier, thanks to "distressing inks". And they come in a wide variety of colors to suit your needs.

However, if you are like me with no distress inks sold nearby or is putting a hole in our pockets, it shouldn't limit us from achieving that vintage look.

So, are you ready to know what I use? Drumroll, please!!!

Acrylic Paint!

Yep, it's possible because I wont be sharing this with the world if it isn't. Haha! Below is a photo of my inked up edges on my cards using acrylic paint.



Materials:
» Arylic paint (brown, black or any other color to make it look vintage)
» Water
» 2 sponges (makeup sponge and just another regular flat sponge

So, all I do is dilute the acrylic paint with water, depending on how strong I want the color to be. If you want it to appear darker, use very minimal water, adding just a little bit at a time until you get the desired look. This may involve a lot of testing. If you like it lighter, just add more water. Some use salt to thin the acrylic paint, however i haven't tried it out yet. Let me know if you gave it a go and how it turned out.

Note: the appearance of a particular mixture may look different from 1 colored cardstock with another. Experiment with different colored cardstocks with different mixture consistencies.

Next, simply pour a little amount at a time on the flat makeup sponge. The reason for this is so that you don't soak your sponge applicator too much to avoid soaking the edges of your card or whatever it is you want to ink up.

With your sponge applicator, simply dab onto your "ink pad" and apply to the edges of the cardstock. The circular blending technique used with distressing inks may not work for this because of the mixture made up of water. Instead, brush the sponge OUT towards the edge of the cardstock. Again, experiment on how to apply it to get the desired look.

And that is pretty much it! This is just another of the many uses of arylic paint! Let me know what you think of this technique and if you decide to try it out. Below are more pictures of my DIY! Thanks for taking the time to read!

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{DIY} Chipboard Scrapbook Pages

Have you ever made scrapbook pages from scrap? Well, I do. I have never bought pre-made scrapbook albums, EVER. I have only made my own. And what better material to use than plain chipboard. Yep, you read that right. Want to learn how to make your own? Then read on.
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{DIY} Carrier Sheets for Craft Robo

Here is my first DIY project that I would be sharing, and hopefully will be followed with more. As long as I have crafts to share, then I guess this will definitely not be the first and last. 

For my first DIY post, I have here a tutorial on how to make your own carrier sheets for the Craft Robo Die-Cutting Machine. Well, you might be wondering why the need to make one when you can just buy one from the craft store and use it straight away. No hassle, no procedures.

Well, unfortunately (for me, at least), I can't afford to buy a single carrier sheet since I am always tight on budget since I have a daughter and would rather spend for her necessities first before stuff for my crafts. So, I always strive to find alternative ways to save my hard-earned money, yet complete my projects. A carrier sheet, if bought here from the Philippines, costs Php 1,500 (that is more or less $40) for just 1 sheet. Well, it's cheaper in the US, costing around $20, and that's for two sheets!

So, now you know why I decide to improvise, instead. And I'd do anything in the name of crafts! Haha! To know how I do these DIY carrier sheets, keep reading.
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