It’s hardly surprising that military scrapbooking has become very popular. Many families have relatives who have been or are currently on active duty. A special scrapbook album can be a uniquely personal memoir of military service and can incorporate all kinds of mementos. Specialist online suppliers provide military themed scrapbooking materials, such as albums, cutouts and die-cuts, embellishments, paper and stickers to help you create a fully developed patriotic character to your scrapbook.

Here are some ideas you might like to try to create interesting metallic effects on a scrapbook page of this type.

Embossing

Embossing is basically painting using heat. Embossing adds color and metallic shine to items. Embossing can be used to add a metallic feel to items and can create a somewhat masculine effect.

To emboss an item, sprinkle the embossing powder over the surface you want embossed. Then, heat the powder until it melts. Aluminum foil placed over the object can be used to quicken the heating process. To reduce static cling and a mess afterwards, just place a dryer sheet on top of the item before you work. To clean up, simply brush away the remaining powder.

Embossing powder is available online in a wide variety of colors and tints.

Using Metal Tags

An interesting alternative to regular paper tags is using metal. Any bits of metal can be used. Using a metallic Rub on you can change or enhance the color of the metal to add a dramatic touch to your scrapbook page.

Simply, rub the product on the metal. Then cover the item in a clear embossing powder and heat. Optionally, you can stamp the item with black ink before you emboss for an even more dramatic result.

Faux Metal Designs

To give a metal look to your scrapbook page, print the items directly onto vellum. Color the back of the vellum with a soft color of ink. Emboss clear. Repeat this process until the vellum has a shiny look.

Tarnishing and Untarnishing Copper

Copper, tarnish or untarnished, adds another unique metallic look to your scrapbook page. Furthermore, copper is fairly easy to work with and cut into various shapes. You can tarnish copper tooling foil by either heating it. This gives the copper red, orange, and purple tones. Alternately, you can use Liver of Sulphur to make the copper look old and blackened.

Tarnish can be easily removed by rubbing Tabasco sauce on the tarnish.

Scrapbooking with a military or patriotic theme has attracted many enthusiasts and you’ll find many specialist supplies to help you create the theme you require. Check out our online resources for military scrapbook supplies - or do an online search to find the results you need.

Would you like to find new ideas for unusual scrap book stickers for your album?

You know that your choice of decoration goes a long way to giving your scrapbook that much sought-after personal character. Finding ways to incorporate unexpected items on your pages from your craft stash or sewing box is great fun and gives full rein to your creative imagination.

Perhaps it will be a color or texture that suggests an item to you. Maybe your theme naturally involves some jewelry, a piece of artwork or a document from which you can make a sticker or embellishment. Check out these tips below to get you started.

Buttons

Buttons can be added to pop up windows for effect or to educational scrapbooks as a learning device. Adding buttons to a scrapbook page can as simple as adding a ready-made button. However, you can also create customized buttons that match your background or general color scheme.

Bazzill paper (a special kind of textured paper) is great for this purpose. Simply wrap a ready-made button with the paper. These buttons can then be glued or tied onto your scrapbook page with thread or embroidery cotton.

Charms

Metal charms add a uniquely personal element to all sorts of scrapbook pages. Charms are available in all sorts of sizes and shapes to fit nearly any theme, for example memento, graduation, or gift scrapbooks.

There are several ways to attach charms to your page. One way to attach metal charms is by sewing the charms directly onto your page with thread or embroidery cotton. This method works well on scrapbooks with fabric backgrounds.

Another method is to string wire through the charm and attach both end of the wire to secure eyelets. The ends of the wire are then pushed into the background where it is hidden from view.

A third method is to glue the charm directly onto the scrapbook page. Most regular glues do not work on metal. However, check out your scrapbook supplier for metal glues or contact cement. These specialty products will work just fine.

A note about eyelets

Eyelets are round stub-like pieces of metal and are available in a variety of colors and shapes. They’re generally used as a way to anchor difficult or heavier objects (such as charms) to your scrapbook pages. Eyelets can either be attached by pushing the eyelet prongs through the background or attaching them with glue dots. Some types of eyelets can also be elegant accents in themselves.

Homemade Paper Embellishments

Candy and soap molds can be used to make embellishments with that homemade paper look. These embellishments can be used as an added touch for baby announcements, children’s artwork, or elegant gift books depending on the shape and size.

Simply, mix water and cardstock in a blender. Then, squeeze the excess water out of the paper and press the mixture in any candy or soap mold. To make a thicker item, just add more pulp to each mold. Allow the mixture to dry overnight before use.

One of the best aspects of using unusual items to make scrapbook stickers like those above is that they’re free! You’ll likely items such as these in your craft supplies at home. But if you do need to stock up, check out what’s on offer from our featured online suppliers.